金钟藤（Merremia boisiana）生物学特点初探

测定了金钟藤（Merremia boisiana）枝条的生长速度,其枝条在生长季内平均每天长0．43-3-3cm,最快达7．8cm,且强枝能产生新的侧枝,营养生长能力强;调查了金钟藤始花期、开花数目、花期长短,并与其结实率进行相关性比较,发现金钟藤始花期和开花数目与结实率无显著相关性,而金钟藤花期长短与结实率呈显著负相关性（花期越长,结实率越低）,且开花较多,但果实、种子极少,种子繁殖力低。     

波斯婆婆纳的繁殖能力及其入侵原因探析

入侵植物是近年来生态关注的热点。成功入侵植物的有性和无性繁殖能力通常呈现特殊性和优势性。探究其繁殖特征,对于应对与管理植物入侵问题具有重要的生态与经济意义。以波斯婆婆纳(Veronica persica)为对象,多方面研究其繁殖能力,以期探究波斯婆婆纳在短时间内迅速扩张成为全球广泛入侵杂草的原因。进行了波斯婆婆纳开花与传粉机制的观察实验;对波斯婆婆纳自然种群的生长密度和植株构建进行调查;并通过自然传粉和人工授粉实验比较花、茎长、果实的差异,通过同质园移栽和生长实验对波斯婆婆纳的有性和无性繁殖能力进行量化和评价。结果表明,波斯婆婆纳的有性繁殖依赖于昆虫传粉,自交亲和;在自然环境、人工自花授粉和补充授粉3种方式下均有较高的座果率和结实率;种子萌发迅速,萌发率达70%,表明其有较强的有性繁殖能力。同时,波斯婆婆纳的营养生长密度大,匍匐茎发达,平均每个植株能产生8条左右的直立茎。波斯婆婆纳移栽实验的存活率达到83%,且茎长在40天平均增长6.5 cm,说明其具有较强的生长和无性繁殖能力。波斯婆婆纳的营养生长和有性繁殖之间有着极强的相关性。波斯婆婆纳繁殖能力强,环境限制因子少,为其成功地大范围扩张而成为全球广泛入侵杂草提供了重要条件。     

外来入侵植物美洲商陆提取物的化感活性

研究了外来入侵植物美洲商陆(Phytolacca americana)提取物对黄花草木樨(Melilotus officinalis)、大白菜(Brassica pekinensis)、北美车前(Plantago virginica)和马唐(Digitaria sanguinalis)4种植物种子萌发和幼苗生长的影响。结果表明,与对照相比,1 000～4 000、4 000和2 000～4 000μg·mL-1美洲商陆醇提取物分别对大白菜、北美车前和马唐种子萌发率具有显著抑制作用,1 000～4 000μg.mL-1水提取物对马唐种子萌发率也具有显著抑制作用,最大抑制率分别为32.22%、46.56%、32.69%和28.57%。250～500μg·mL-1醇提取物和250～4 000μg·mL-1水提取物对黄花草木樨幼苗根长,250～1 000μg·mL-1醇提取物和250～4 000μg·mL-1水提取物对黄花草木樨幼苗苗高,以及500μg·mL-1水提取物对黄花草木樨幼苗干质量均具有显著促进作用,最大促进率分别为21.32%、37.89%、12.94%、32.07%和18.81%。1 000～4 000μg·mL-1醇提取物和4 000μg·mL-1水提取物对大白菜幼苗根长,2 000～4 000μg·mL-1醇提取物和水提取物对大白菜幼苗苗高,4 000μg·mL-1水提取物对大白菜幼苗干质量具有显著抑制作用,最大抑制率分别为37.00%、20.95%、25.63%、22.30%和13.67%。250～1 000μg·mL-1水提取物对北美车前幼苗根长,250～4 000μg·mL-1水提取物对北美车前苗高具有显著促进作用,而1 000～4 000μg·mL-1醇提取物对北美车前幼苗根长,4 000μg·mL-1醇提取物对北美车前苗高和干质量具有显著抑制作用,最大抑制率分别为58.06%、29.72%和18.36%。500～4 000、1 000～4 000和2 000～4 000μg·mL-1醇提取物分别对马唐幼苗根长、苗高及干质量,4 000μg·mL-1水提取物对马唐幼苗根长具有显著抑制作用,最大抑制率分别为70.31%、44.65%、42.43%和35.50%。由此可见,美洲商陆对大白菜、北美车前和马唐种子萌发和幼苗生长具有较强的化感抑制作用,对入侵植物黄花草木樨具有化感促进作用,这些都直接或间接地增强了美洲商陆的入侵性。     

濒危红树植物红榄李开花生物学特征及繁育系统

为了解红树植物红榄李[Lumnitzera littorea(Jack.)Voigt]濒危的生殖生物学原因,结合野外观测,综合运用杂交指数、花粉-胚珠比、花粉活力和柱头可授性观测、人工授粉以及套袋实验等方法,对红榄李的开花生物学和繁育系统进行研究.结果表明:红榄李群体花期从1月底到8月底.单花开放过程可分为萌动、初展、盛开、凋落4个阶段.单花花期约为(12.60±0.80)d,单花序花期约持续(29.70±1.00)d,单株花期约为(115.20±6.00)d.单株平均开花数量为(9.60±0.03)万朵,单株平均开花振幅为(83.47±1.50)朵/d);红榄李的杂交指数为4,花粉胚珠比为21 649.08.实验发现红榄李繁育系统为兼性异交,传粉过程需要传粉者;红榄李的花粉生活力低于10%,花粉活力可维持至散粉后的第4天.但散粉2 d后,柱头可授性显著下降,花粉的高活力期与柱头可授期有1-2 d的重叠;在自然状况下,红榄李结果率较高但同时空胚率也高.人工辅助异株异花授粉对提高结果率和降低空胚率有明显作用.综上,红榄李"花期分散"的开花模式,花粉生活力低,自然状态下传粉效率低、胚败育严重和花果期虫害严重是导致其濒危的主要原因.     

外来入侵植物在中国的分布及入侵能力研究进展

以近十几年来备受关注的外来植物入侵为背景,综述关于入侵植物在我国分布和入侵能力及其相关因素的研究进展,并探讨了未来研究需要加强的几个方面。不同起源地的入侵植物在我国分布区域不一样,在控制了起源地的作用后,入侵植物主要分布在经济较发达、人为活动较多的省份或地区（大尺度）,以及干扰较严重的生境（小尺度）。入侵能力强的多年生植物常有强大的无性繁殖能力、高光合速率和资源利用效率、强化感作用、以及适应异质生境的能力;起源于美洲的入侵能力强的1年生植物常能产生大量的易传播的种子、可自交亲和、强化感作用等;起源于欧亚大陆的入侵能力强的1年生植物常与作物非常相似,在农田中危害严重。未来需要研究干扰促进入侵的机制、化感作用与野外实际情况相结合研究、化感物质通过改变土壤微生态环境间接促进入侵的机制研究、1年生和多年生外来植物的入侵能力与其物种特性之间的关系、以及加强对弱入侵性外来植物的预警研究。这些研究不仅能使我们深入理解外来植物发生入侵和危害的规律,也可为人侵植物的防控和管理提供科学依据。     

入侵植物鬼针草和鳢肠的化感作用及其入侵性研究

入侵植物鬼针草和鳢肠对当地生态环境及物种多样性造成严重影响。为探讨入侵植物鬼针草(Bidens pilosa)与鳢肠(Ecliptaprostrata)的化感作用及其入侵性,采用培养皿法研究了鬼针草和鳢肠根、茎、叶不同质量浓度(0、0.02、0.04、0.06、0.08 g·mL-1)水提液对自身和受体植物种子萌发、幼苗生长的影响。结果表明,鬼针草和鳢肠各器官水提液对自身和受体植物种子萌发及根冠比具有极显著的化感抑制作用。鬼针草根、茎、叶水提液质量浓度为0.08g·mL-1时,其种子萌发率分别降低了69.14%、76.94%和84.58%,根冠比降低了64.74%、69.94%和84.30%,鬼针草茎和叶水提液完全抑制鳢肠种子萌发率和根冠比;随着水提液浓度的升高,鳢肠水提液显著抑制自身和鬼针草种子萌发率及根冠比。鬼针草根和茎水提液质量浓度为0—0.06 g·mL-1时促进其株高生长,株高分别升高了52.97%和56.69%,其各器官水提液对鳢肠株高具有"低促高抑"的作用。鳢肠根、茎、叶水提液显著促进鬼针草株高生长,抑制自身株高的生长。综合化感强度分析,鬼针草的化感强度强于鳢肠,可通过化感作用抑制鳢肠种子萌发和幼苗生长,促进自身幼苗生长,增大入侵性。     

模拟酸雨对外来入侵植物三叶鬼针草生长及化感作用的影响

外来入侵植物三叶鬼针草（Bidens pilosa L.）对我国华南地区生态系统造成严重危害,同时华南地区也是强酸雨分布区域。采用不同pH值（2.5,4.0,5.6）的模拟酸雨对三叶鬼针草种子和幼苗进行处理,测定其对种子萌发和幼苗生长的影响;室外模拟酸雨喷淋三叶鬼针草,生物测定三叶鬼针草叶片水浸提液对受体植物的化感作用的变化。结果表明：pH为4.0和5.6的酸雨处理后提高了三叶鬼针草种子的萌发率;pH为4.0的酸雨促进幼苗生长,增加幼苗苗高和生物量;而pH为2.5的酸雨抑制三叶鬼针草种子萌发率和幼苗生长。同时,pH 4.0和2.5酸雨增强了三叶鬼针草叶片水浸提液对受体植物的化感作用。研究表明：三叶鬼针草具有较强的耐酸能力,酸雨胁迫可能通过促进外来入侵植物三叶鬼针草的生长和提高化感潜力而有利于其进一步入侵。     

部分菊科入侵种种子(瘦果)的萌发能力和幼苗建群特性

对入侵种种子生物学各方面的了解有助于更好地预测入侵趋势和评估可持续管理的策略.研究通过对部分菊科入侵种种子(瘦果)进行的室内萌发实验和土壤埋藏实验,通过与相关研究的对比和分析,对这些入侵种的萌发能力和幼苗建群特性进行了研究.10个入侵种种子室内萌发实验的结果表明,在25℃、12h光照的情况下,除钻形紫菀和一年蓬以外,被研究的其它8个种的终萌发率超过了50%,而且都显示出早期快速萌发的特点.用SPSS的曲线拟合工具对10个种的累积萌发趋势进行了曲线回归分析,对应的最佳模型均为三次曲线方程.不同土壤埋藏深度下幼苗出苗实验的结果表明,菊科8个入侵种的种子在表土的出苗率均最高,随着覆土厚度的增加,种子的出苗率逐渐降低,当覆土厚度超过3 cm以上时,所有种子均不能出苗.种子在不同的埋藏深度的出苗情况与种子的大小有关,较大种子破土能力相对较强;种子在不同的埋藏深度的出苗情况与种子本身的萌发能力也相关.土壤埋藏期限的实验结果表明,随埋藏时期的增加,小蓬草、苏门白酒草和一年蓬3个人侵种种子的活力逐步降低,在土壤中埋藏12个月后,其活力分别为21.34%、18.15%和27.38%.这些入侵种较广的种子萌发温度适应范围和高萌发率为防除工作带来了困难.在生产上,可通过不同时期的翻耕、将种子深埋等措施减少这些入侵种的危害.     

外来入侵杂草银胶菊种子萌发特性及无性繁殖能力研究

银胶菊Parthenium hysterophorus L.是一种危害性很强的外来入侵杂草,在我国南方多省均有分布,在山东省莒南县也大面积分布,目前已对发生地生态环境造成巨大影响。文章于2011年采用人工气候箱培养皿法和温室土壤盆栽相结合的方法,研究银胶菊的种子在不同pH、盐浓度、湿度、营养条件、不同埋藏深度等条件下种子萌发特性及其无性繁殖能力,以期为明确其入侵机制和适生环境提供依据。结果表明,银胶菊种子适宜的萌发环境为酸性,pH=6.0时发芽率最好,到pH=8.0时,种子不能萌发;盐对银胶菊种子的萌发影响很大,随着盐浓度的提高,发芽率下降明显,当盐浓度达到0.12 mol·Lˉ1时,种子不再萌发;但不同的营养条件和不同P水平对种子的萌发无显著影响;干旱或水涝均能降低种子发芽率;种子埋藏土层越深,其发芽率越低,土层深度达3.0 cm以上,银胶菊种子几乎无发芽率。银胶菊有较强的无性繁殖能力,根部、基部茎和上部茎等不同部位埋入土壤后均能发芽,基部茎的发芽率最高(为66.7%-88.9%),根部和上部茎发芽率较低(为22.2%-44.4%)。另外,从发芽后的生长来看,茎部(包括基部茎和上部茎)发芽后均能正常生长,但根部发出新芽后逐渐黄化死亡。由此可以看出,银胶菊种子适应力、耐贫瘠能力强,一般的农田、荒地环境均能萌发生长,但盐碱地的环境下不能萌发生长;散落在土壤表层的银胶菊种子萌发率最高,因此,没有人类扰动的荒地、沟渠更适宜其萌发和生长;由于其很强的无性繁殖能力,人工砍伐的防除措施不能将其彻底防除。这些都是银胶菊入侵后,能够在短时间内暴发成灾,且不易彻底防除的原因。     

加拿大一枝黄花有性生殖特征研究

加拿大一枝黄花Solidago canadensis L.是分布于我国的危害性最为严重的入侵种之一,它既可以通过有性生殖又可以通过无性生殖进行繁殖.对加拿大一枝黄花有性生殖的相关特征,如花序和小花的生物学特性、结实率和传粉方式等进行了研究.结果表明,加拿大一枝黄花的性系统为雌全性系统,每花序总花数为(15.16±1.67)个,缘花/盘花值为3.07±0.64.对成熟果实透明后进行的结实率统计表明,其结实率较低.套纱布网袋后的结实率极显著低于开放性授粉的,表明其花序是需要昆虫传粉的类型.加拿大一枝黄花的花序结构特征和开放式样显示出有利于增加异交的特点.尽管其结实率相对较低,但整个植株结实量大,仍需要防止其通过有性生殖产生的种子进行远距离的扩散和在新分布地区建立种群. 花有性生殖的相关特征,如花序和小花的生物学特性、结实率和传粉方式等进行了研究.结果表明,加拿大一枝黄花的性系统为雌全性系统,每花序总花数为(15.16±1.67)个,缘花/盘花值为3.07±0.64.对成熟果实透明后进行的结实率统计表明,其结实率较低.套纱布网袋后的结实率极显著低于开放性授粉的,表明其花序是需要昆虫传粉的类型.加拿大一枝黄花的花序结 特征和开放式样显示出有利于增加异交的特点.尽管其结实率相对较低,但整个植株结实量大,仍需要防止其通过有性生殖产生的种子进行远距离的扩散和在新分布地区建立种群. 花有性生殖的相关特征,如花序和小花的生物学     

Achieving Open Access to Conservation Science

Conservation science is a crisis discipline in which the results of scientific enquiry must be made available quickly to those implementing management. We assessed the extent to which scientific research published since the year 2000 in 20 conservation science journals is publicly available. Of the 19,207 papers published, 1,667 (8.68%) are freely downloadable from an official repository. Moreover, only 938 papers (4.88%) meet the standard definition of open access in which material can be freely reused providing attribution to the authors is given. This compares poorly with a comparable set of 20 evolutionary biology journals, where 31.93% of papers are freely downloadable and 7.49% are open access. Seventeen of the 20 conservation journals offer an open access option, but fewer than 5% of the papers are available through open access. The cost of accessing the full body of conservation science runs into tens of thousands of dollars per year for institutional subscribers, and many conservation practitioners cannot access pay‐per‐view science through their workplace. However, important initiatives such as Research4Life are making science available to organizations in developing countries. We urge authors of conservation science to pay for open access on a per‐article basis or to choose publication in open access journals, taking care to ensure the license allows reuse for any purpose providing attribution is given. Currently, it would cost $51 million to make all conservation science published since 2000 freely available by paying the open access fees currently levied to authors. Publishers of conservation journals might consider more cost effective models for open access and conservation‐oriented organizations running journals could consider a broader range of options for open access to nonmembers such as sponsorship of open access via membership fees. Obtención de Acceso Abierto a la Ciencia de la Conservación     

Rapid,recurring, structured survey versus bioblitz for generating biodiversity data and analysis with a multispecies abundance model

A bioblitz inexpensively and quickly generates biodiversity data, but bioblitzes are often conducted with haphazard, unreplicated sampling. Results tend to be taxonomically, geographically, or temporally biased, lack metadata, and consist of lists of observed taxa that do not enable further analyses or correction for imperfect detection. A rapid, recurring, structured survey (RRSS) uses a structured sampling design and temporal and spatial replication to survey randomly selected sites on a conservation property. We participated in a loosely structured bioblitz and a subsequent RRSS at Big Canoe Creek Nature Preserve in Springville (St. Clair County), Alabama (USA) to compare observed richness derived from the 2 survey approaches. The RRSS data structure enabled us to fit models that accounted for imperfect detection to estimate abundances, occupancy probabilities, and habitat associations. The loosely structured bioblitz data could not be used in such models. We present a new integrated multispecies abundance model that we applied to avian RRSS data. Our model extension enables estimation for the community, employs data augmentation to estimate the number of undetected species, and incorporates covariates. The RRSS generated a more comprehensive and less biased list of observed taxonomic richness than the loosely structured bioblitz (e.g., 73 vs. 45 bird species and 104 vs. 63 insect families from the RRSS vs. loosely structured bioblitz, respectively). Models fit to the RRSS data identified seasonal patterns in avian community composition and allowed for estimation of habitat–occupancy relationships for insect taxa. The RRSS protocol has potential for broad transferability as a standardized, quick, and inexpensive way to inventory biodiversity and estimate ecological parameters while providing an outreach opportunity.     

Compliance with and ecosystem function of biodiversity offsets in North American and European freshwaters

Land-use change via human development is a major driver of biodiversity loss. To reduce these impacts, billions of dollars are spent on biodiversity offsets. However, studies evaluating offset project effectiveness that examine components such as the overall compliance and function of projects remain rare. We reviewed 577 offsetting projects in freshwater ecosystems that included the metrics project size, type of aquatic system (e.g., wetland and creek), offsetting measure (e.g., enhancement, restoration, and creation), and an assessment of the projects’ compliance and functional success. Project information was obtained from scientific and government databases and gray literature. Despite considerable investment in offsetting projects, crucial problems persisted. Although compliance and function were related to each other, a high level of compliance did not guarantee a high degree of function. However, large projects relative to area had better function than small projects. Function improved when projects targeted productivity or specific ecosystem features and when multiple complementary management targets were in place. Restorative measures were more likely to achieve targets than creating entirely new ecosystems. Altogether the relationships we found highlight specific ecological processes that may help improve offsetting outcomes.     

Some polyphagous Homoptera gain protection from their natural enemies by feeding on the toxic plantsSpartium junceum andErythrina corallodendrum (Leguminosae)

Summary Interactions were studied among alkaloid-containing legumes (Erythrina corallodendrum andSpartium junceum) and non-toxic plants (Citrus sinensis, Cucurbita moschata andEuphorbia tirucalli), several polyphagous homopterans,Aphis craccivora (Aphididae),Icerya purchasi, I. aegyptiaca (Margarodidae),Lepidosaphes ulmi (Diaspididae) andPlanococcus citri (Pseudococcidae), and some major natural enemies of these homopterans. Significant reductions in survival due to negative effects of alkaloid containing as compared with non-alkaloidal plants were recorded for the predatorsRodolia cardinalis andChilocorus bipustulatus, but not forCryptolaemus montrouzieri (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae),Chrysoperla carnea (Neuroptera: Chrysopidae) andSympherobius sanctus (Neuroptera: Sympherobiidae). The development time of the larvae or pupae ofR. cardinalis, C. carnea andS. sanctus was longer on the toxic plants than on the non-toxic ones. The percentage of parasitism ofA. craccivora collected from the non-alkaloidal plantsVicia palaestina andMelilotus albus was much higher than that onS. junceum. The parasitoid complexes ofA. craccivora differed between both plant groups. The nutritive value of honeydew ofI. purchasi andA. craccivora, as expressed by the life span ofEncyrtus infelix (Hymenoptera: Encyrtidae) adults, was also investigated. Life spans were significantly longer when the wasps fed on honeydew produced on non-alkaloidal plants (C. sinensis andPittosporum tobira) than on alkaloid containing plants whenI. purchasi — but notA. craccivora — was the producer. It is suggested that the chemical defense ofE. corallodendrum andS. junceum is exploited by polyphagous phytophages to reduce predation. In nature, population growth and density of four of the investigated homopterans are conspicuously high when they developed on the alkaloid containing plant species, and very low on non-alkaloid plants. The efficiency of their natural enemies may be reduced by sequestration of alkaloids (or other toxic plant compounds) or their transfer into excreted honeydew. Therefore it is assumed that a generalist phytophagous homopteran may be protected from its natural enemies, although at different rates of efficiency, if it can safely sequester the host allelochemical when it develops on toxic species within its host range.     

A palaeo-hydrogeological model for arsenic contamination in southern and south-east Asia

An argument is presented in which areas of natural arsenic contamination of modern groundwaters throughout Asia have a common origin. Arsenic originally accumulated in oceanic ferro-manganoan sediments of the eastern Palaeo-Tethys. This was further concentrated through oceanic crustal extinction in what later became the south-east Chinese accreted mineralised terrain. Proto-Himalayan uplift of this area created the palaeo-drainage systems of the Ganges – Brahmaputra, Irrawaddy, Mekong, and Red Rivers, with consequent headwater erosion of arsenic-rich sediments. Their downstream deposition as immature and easily redistributed Neogene sandstones, silts, and iron-rich clays has created secondary and tertiary reservoirs of adsorbed and authigenic arsenic, from which the current arsenic-rich groundwaters have evolved. Considering river basins within the above palaeo-hydrogeological framework provides a basis for assessing the risk of arsenic in groundwater basins of south and south-eastern Asia.     

Sequestration of cucurbitacin analogs by New and Old World chrysomelid leaf beetles in the tribe Luperini

Summary Two South American polyphagous leaf beetles,Diabrotica speciosa andCerotoma arcuata, selectively accumulated the bitter tasting compound 23,24-dihydrocucurbitacin D in their body after ingesting root tissues of cucurbit plants. Similarly, three Asian Cucurbitaceae-feeding specialists in the genusAulacophora were found to sequester the same compound. Cucurbitacin analogs were shown to deter feeding by a bird predator, indicating an allomonal role for these compounds in cucurbitacin-associated chrysomelid leaf beetles both of New and Old Worlds. The strong affinity to cucurbitacins, selective sequestration of the analogs and consequent protection from predators suggested an ecological adaptation mechanism developed in common among these two geographically isolated subtribes in the Luperini.     

Effects of Controlled Fire and Livestock Grazing on Bird Communities in East African Savannas

Abstract: In East Africa fire and grazing by wild and domestic ungulates maintain savannas, and pastoralists historically set fires and herded livestock through the use of temporary corrals called bomas. In recent decades traditional pastoral practices have declined, and this may be affecting biodiversity. We investigated the effects of prescribed fires and bomas on savanna bird communities in East Africa during the first and second dry seasons of the year (respectively before and after the rains that mark the onset of breeding for most birds). We compared abundance, richness, and community composition on 9‐ha burned plots, recently abandoned bomas, and control plots in the undisturbed matrix habitat over a 3‐year period. Generally, recently burned areas and abandoned bomas attracted greater densities of birds and had different community assemblages than the surrounding matrix. The effects of disturbances were influenced by interactions between primary productivity, represented by the normalized difference vegetation index, and time. Bird densities were highest and a greater proportion of species was observed on burned plots in the months following the fires. Drought conditions equalized bird densities across treatments within 1 year, and individuals from a greater proportion of species were more commonly observed on abandoned bomas. Yearly fluctuations in abundance were less pronounced on bomas than on burns, which indicate that although fire may benefit birds in the short term, bomas may have a more‐lasting positive effect and provide resources during droughts. Several Palearctic migrants were attracted to burned plots regardless of rainfall, which indicates continued fire suppression may threaten their already‐declining populations. Most notably, the paucity of birds observed on the controls suggests that the current structure of the matrix developed as a result of fire suppression. Traditional pastoralism appears critical to the maintenance of avian diversity in these savannas.     

Cost‐effective conservation of an endangered frog under uncertainty

How should managers choose among conservation options when resources are scarce and there is uncertainty regarding the effectiveness of actions? Well‐developed tools exist for prioritizing areas for one‐time and binary actions (e.g., protect vs. not protect), but methods for prioritizing incremental or ongoing actions (such as habitat creation and maintenance) remain uncommon. We devised an approach that combines metapopulation viability and cost‐effectiveness analyses to select among alternative conservation actions while accounting for uncertainty. In our study, cost‐effectiveness is the ratio between the benefit of an action and its economic cost, where benefit is the change in metapopulation viability. We applied the approach to the case of the endangered growling grass frog (Litoria raniformis), which is threatened by urban development. We extended a Bayesian model to predict metapopulation viability under 9 urbanization and management scenarios and incorporated the full probability distribution of possible outcomes for each scenario into the cost‐effectiveness analysis. This allowed us to discern between cost‐effective alternatives that were robust to uncertainty and those with a relatively high risk of failure. We found a relatively high risk of extinction following urbanization if the only action was reservation of core habitat; habitat creation actions performed better than enhancement actions; and cost‐effectiveness ranking changed depending on the consideration of uncertainty. Our results suggest that creation and maintenance of wetlands dedicated to L. raniformis is the only cost‐effective action likely to result in a sufficiently low risk of extinction. To our knowledge we are the first study to use Bayesian metapopulation viability analysis to explicitly incorporate parametric and demographic uncertainty into a cost‐effective evaluation of conservation actions. The approach offers guidance to decision makers aiming to achieve cost‐effective conservation under uncertainty.     

Parasitic wasps orient to green leaf volatiles

Summary Undamaged plants emit low levels of green leaf volatiles (GLVs), while caterpillar-damaged and artificially damaged plants emit relatively higher levels of certain GLVs. Female braconid parasitoids,Microplitis croceipes, oriented to both damaged plants and to individual GLVs in no-choice tests in a wind tunnel, but seldom oriented to undamaged plants. Female ichneumonid parasitoids,Netelia heroica, also oriented to individual GLVs in a wind tunnel. Males of both wasp species failed to orient to the GLVs. These data show that leaf-feeding caterpillars can cause the release of GLVs, and that parasitic wasps can respond to these odors by flying upwind (chemoanemotactic response), which brings the wasps to their caterpillar hosts. This supports the hypothesis that plants communicate with members of the third trophic level,i.e., plants under herbivore attack emit chemical signals that guide natural enemies of herbivores to sites of plant damage. In this interaction, the GLVs serve as tritrophic plant-to-parasitoid synomones. That parasitoids from two different wasp families oriented to GLVs suggests that the response may be widespread among the Hymenoptera.Mention of a commercial or proprietary product does not constitute an endorsement by the U.S. Department of Agriculture     

What Every Conservation Biologist Should Know about Economic Theory

Abstract: The last century has seen the ascendance of a core economic model, which we will refer to as Walrasian economics. This model is driven by the psychological assumptions that humans act only in a self‐referential and narrowly rational way and that production can be described as a self‐contained circular flow between firms and households. These assumptions have critical implications for the way economics is used to inform conservation biology. Yet the Walrasian model is inconsistent with a large body of empirical evidence about actual human behavior, and it violates a number of basic physical laws. Research in behavioral science and neuroscience shows that humans are uniquely social animals and not self‐centered rational economic beings. Economic production is subject to physical laws including the laws of thermodynamics and mass balance. In addition, some contemporary economic theory, spurred by exciting new research in human behavior and a wealth of data about the negative global impact of the human economy on natural systems, is moving toward a world view that places consumption and production squarely in its behavioral and biophysical context. We argue that abandoning the straightjacket of the Walrasian core is essential to further progress in understanding the complex, coupled interactions between the human economy and the natural world. We call for a new framework for economic theory and policy that is consistent with observed human behavior, recognizes the complex and frequently irreversible interaction between human and natural systems, and directly confronts the cumulative negative effects of the human economy on the Earth's life support systems. Biophysical economics and ecological economics are two emerging economic frameworks in this movement.