敌草快对藻类和溞类的急性毒性及其水中含量测定

敌草快是一种非选择性、广谱的联吡啶类触杀性除草剂,主要通过干扰植物细胞膜、破坏光合作用而快速发挥效果。为探究敌草快对水生生物的毒性,测定了该化合物对羊角月芽藻和大型溞的急性毒性,并建立了高效液相色谱法测定水中敌草快含量的方法。结果表明:检测方法在1.00×10-2~3.00×10-2mg a.i.·L-1范围内的线性相关系数为0.99995,添加回收率在90.3%~109%之间,相对标准偏差(RSD)为1.10%~10.3%,保留时间在7.2 min左右。按实测浓度和理论浓度分别计算敌草快对羊角月芽藻的72 h的半数效应浓度EyC50(72 h-EyC50),分别为3.16×10-2mg a.i.·L-1和3.32×10-2mg a.i.·L-1,均为高毒;对大型溞48 h的半数效应浓度EC50(48 h-EC50)分别为1.18×10-2mg a.i.·L-1和1.33×10-2mg a.i.·L-1,均为剧毒。     

异噻唑啉酮类杀菌剂对黑斑蛙胚胎和蝌蚪的急性毒性

异噻唑啉酮类杀菌剂1,2-苯并异噻唑-3-酮(BIT)和甲基异噻唑啉酮(MIT)虽已在多种行业中广泛使用,但目前有关其毒性尤其对水体中生物毒性的数据还较少。鉴于BIT和MIT在水体中普遍存在,本文研究了这两种污染物对两栖动物黑斑蛙胚胎和蝌蚪的急性毒性。黑斑蛙胚胎和蝌蚪分别暴露系列浓度的BIT和MIT,观察化学品对其生长、发育和运动的影响,计算96小时半数致死浓度(96 h-LC50)和96小时半数致畸浓度(96 h-TC50),确定最小生长抑制浓度(MCIG)。结果发现,BIT对黑斑蛙胚胎的96 h-LC50和96 h-TC50分别为2.99 mg·L-1和0.60 mg·L-1,MCIG小于0.40 mg·L-1,对蝌蚪的96 h-LC50为6.44 mg·L-1。MIT对黑斑蛙胚胎的96 h-LC50和96 h-TC50分别为5.30 mg·L-1和2.36 mg·L-1,MCIG为2.59 mg·L-1,对蝌蚪的96 h-LC50为7.58 mg·L-1。根据《化学农药环境安全评价准则报批稿》中两栖动物蝌蚪急性毒性的分级标准,判定BIT和MIT的毒性等级为中等。该毒性数据可为异噻唑啉酮类杀菌剂的环境管理提供参考。     

戊吡虫胍对几种非靶标生物的急性毒性

戊吡虫胍是一种从烟碱类和缩胺脲类杀虫剂活性结构拼接而成的系列化合物中筛选出来的新型杀虫剂,目前戊吡虫胍对非靶标生物的毒性研究报道较少。为探究戊吡虫胍的环境安全性,采用生物毒性试验方法测定了其对斜生栅藻(Scenedesmus obliquus)、大型溞(Daphnia magna)、家蚕(Bombyx mori)、斑马鱼(Brachydanio rerio)、赤子爱胜蚯蚓(Eisenia fetide)、非洲爪蟾(Xenopus laevis)、赤眼蜂(Trichogramma nubilale)、意大利蜜蜂(Apis mellifera)、日本鹌鹑(Coturnix coturnix japonica)共9种非靶标生物的急性毒性。结果显示戊吡虫胍对斜生栅藻和大型溞的半数有效浓度(EC50)分别为8.79 mg·L~(-1)和10.97 mg·L~(-1),对家蚕、斑马鱼、赤子爱胜蚯蚓和非洲爪蟾的半数致死浓度(LC50)分别为2.32 mg·L~(-1)、13.74 mg·L~(-1)、100 mg·kg~(-1)和19.30mg·L~(-1),对赤眼蜂的安全系数为0.16~0.031,对蜜蜂急性触杀和急性摄入毒性分别为51.82μg·bee~(-1)和10.8×10~3mg·L~(-1),对鹌鹑的急性经口和急性饲喂毒性LC50分别为1 000 mg·kg~(-1)和2×103mg·kg~(-1)。按照最新国标(GB/T31270—2014)化学农药环境安全评价准则的毒性等级划分,戊吡虫胍除了对家蚕和赤眼蜂为高毒和极高风险外,对其余非靶生物均为低毒。     

氧化石墨烯对大型溞的生物毒性效应研究

氧化石墨烯(graphene oxide,GO)因其优良的电性能、机械性能,而成为新兴的碳纳米应用材料,但是其制造或应用后排放进入环境水体的潜在生态风险缺少足够的研究,尤其是关于GO生态毒性的基础数据。研究以水生甲壳类动物大型溞(Daphnia magna,D.magna)为受试生物,从急性毒性和慢性毒性两方面考察了GO的生物毒性效应,并结合溞类的光学显微镜观察和体内超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)、过氧化氢酶(CAT)活力以及丙二醛(MDA)含量的测定对GO对大型溞的致毒机理进行了初步探究。研究结果表明GO对大型溞急性毒性的48 h半数致死浓度(48 h-LC50)为84.2 mg·L-1;慢性毒性的21 d半数致死浓度(21 d-LC50)为3.3 mg·L-1。关于GO对大型溞的繁殖毒性,当GO浓度达到1 mg·L-1时能够显著推迟母溞的头胎出生时间,抑制母溞头胎幼溞数、单胎最高产溞数和总产溞数。关于GO对大型溞的致毒机理,研究结果表明消化道堵塞和氧化损伤可能是GO对大型溞的主要致毒途径。上述研究结果为GO在水环境中的毒性效应研究奠定了基础,为GO的工业化应用前景提供了基础的生态毒性数据。     

3种农药对大型溞的急性毒性比较

采用"半静态法"测定了3种农药及其混剂对大型溞的24 h、48 h急性毒性,根据我国《化学农药环境安全评价实验准则》中的毒性等级标准,它们对大型溞的毒性等级如下:精甲霜灵悬浮种衣剂对大型溞的24 h、48 h-EC_(50)均大于10 a.i.mg·L~(-1),属"低毒"级,咯菌腈悬浮种衣剂对大型溞的24 h、48 h-EC_(50)分别是0.339 mg·L~(-1)、0.246 mg·L~(-1),根据0.1 a.i.mg·L~(-1)EC_(50)(48 h)≤1.0 a.i.mg·L~(-1)判断,属"高毒"级。嘧菌酯水分散粒剂对大型溞的24 h、48 h-EC_(50)分别是0.389 mg·L~(-1)、0.286 mg·L~(-1),根据0.1a.i.mg·L~(-1)EC_(50)(48 h)≤1.0 a.i.mg·L~(-1)判断,属"高毒"级。精甲霜灵·咯菌腈·嘧菌酯悬浮种衣剂对大型溞的24 h、48 h-EC_(50)分别是0.292 mg·L~(-1)、0.228 mg·L~(-1),根据0.1 a.i.mg·L~(-1)EC_(50)(48 h)≤1.0 a.i.mg·L~(-1)判断,属"高毒"级。精甲霜灵·咯菌腈·嘧菌酯悬浮种衣剂和嘧菌酯水分散粒剂都属"高毒",但比较具体数值,发现精甲霜灵·咯菌腈·嘧菌酯悬浮种衣剂毒性相对更大,原因是其中还含有"高毒"的咯菌腈。     

农药助剂对蚯蚓(Eisenia foetida)的急性毒性

为评价农药助剂对土壤生物的毒性效应,分别采用滤纸接触法和人工土壤法测定了不同类别农药助剂对赤子爱胜蚓(Eis enia foetida)的急性毒性.结果表明:19种非离子表面活性剂中,烷基酚聚氧乙烯醚与脂肪醇聚氧乙烯醚毒性较高,滤纸法48 h-LC50为7.630 ～ 39.65μg·cm-2,人工土壤法14 d-LC50为876.5 ～2 786.6 mg· kg-1,其它类型非离子表面活性剂毒性较低.5种阴离子表面活性剂中,十二烷基硫酸钠、十二烷基苯磺酸钙毒性高于木质素磺酸钠、木质素磺酸钙、亚甲基双萘磺酸钠,滤纸法48 h-LC50为6575 ～ 41.89 μg· cm-2,人工土壤法14 d-LC50为1 195.0～1 911.7 mg·kg-1.13种溶剂中,二甲苯、乙苯、甲苯、正丁醇、环己酮表现出较高的毒性,滤纸法48 h-LC50为6.587 ～ 57.62 μg ·cm-2,密封人工土壤法48 h-LC50为181.9 ～781.5 mg·kg-1.采用两种方法测得的5种填料高岭土、白炭黑、硅藻土、凹凸棒土和轻质碳酸钙的毒性均较低.采用两种方法测得的毒性系统偏差接近,重现性均较好,并且滤纸接触法测得的毒力高于人工土壤法.     

纳米水稳型C60（nC60）促进Zn2+和Cr6+ 在大型溞体内的吸收、抗氧化性和急性毒性

富勒烯(C60)作为一种被广泛使用的纳米工程材料,其环境行为和所造成的毒效应越来越引起人们的关注,特别是其与重金属的联合毒性.文章选取模式生物大型溞研究纳米水稳型富勒烯(nC60)与Zn+和Cr6+的联合毒性.按EPA 2024急性毒性试验结果,nC60对大型溞48 h-LC50为0.47 mg·L-1,最大无观察效应浓度(NOEC)为0.10 mg·L-1.NOEC浓度选定为nC60亚急性试验浓度,用于联合毒性试验.nC60增强了Zn2+和Cr6+对大型溞的毒性,Zn2和Cr6+对大型溞48 h-LC50分别由2.33mg·L-1和0.40mg·L-1降低为1.52 mg·L-1和033 mg·L-1;nC60增加了大型溞对Zn2+和Cr6+的摄入,暴露1440 min后体内Zn2+和Cr6+累积量分别由6.52 μg·g-1湿重和1.52 μg·g-1湿重增加到9.98 μg ·g-1湿重和3.01 μg·g-1湿重;nC60和Zn2+和Cr6+联合作用于大型潘后,大型溞SOD酶活性均呈现出增强的诱导现象,联合作用时诱导作用强于两种物质单独作用.此研究表明:在亚急性浓度下,nC60增强了Zn2+和Cr6+对大型溞的毒性,提高了大型潘体内Zn2+和Cr6+的积累,并提高大型溞体内自由基活性.     

双酚A与其替代品对黑斑蛙急性毒性的比较

双酚F(BPF)和双酚S(BPS)作为双酚A(BPA)替代品广泛使用,然而有关BPF和BPS的毒性数据非常有限。采用系列浓度的BPA、BPF、BPS溶液,暴露黑斑蛙胚胎和蝌蚪96 h,通过半致死浓度(LC50)、最小生长抑制浓度(MCIG)和致畸率等指标比较3种化合物的急性毒性。结果显示:100 mg·L-1BPS未导致黑斑蛙胚胎及蝌蚪畸形和死亡。BPA和BPF对黑斑蛙胚胎的96h-LC50分别为7.68 mg·L-1和7.99 mg·L-1,MCIG分别为4.47 mg·L-1和4.77 mg·L-1,最大致畸率为33.33%;对蝌蚪的96 h-LC50分别为9.00 mg·L-1和9.52 mg·L-1。依据《化学农药环境安全评价准则》的毒性分级标准,判定BPA和BPF的毒性等级为中毒,BPS的毒性等级为低毒。表明BPF急性毒性与BPA相当,BPS急性毒性低于BPA。本研究数据可为BPF、BPS作为BPA替代品的生产和使用以及相应的环境管理提供毒理学参考。     

萼花臂尾轮虫毒性试验的方法学研究

为尝试以群体取代个体作为轮虫室内毒性试验目标物的可行性,本项研究以萼花臂尾轮虫(Brachionus calyciflorus)作为实验生物开展相关实验,建立生命表并确定接种密度对于种群生长率的影响,并且用3种农药(毒死蜱、丁草胺、三唑酮)开展了轮虫毒性试验。生命表实验结果表明,轮虫的平均寿命和世代周期分别为(78.76±33.08)h和(51.56±20.55)h。接种密度实验结果表明,随着接种密度的提高,轮虫种群增长率呈下降趋势。基于接种密度实验的结果,毒性试验以35个·(100 m L)-1作为受试种群的起始密度,试验周期定为144 h。毒性试验结果显示,毒死蜱对轮虫的96 h-EC50和120 h-EC50分别为0.6066 mg·L-1和0.7323mg·L-1;丁草胺对轮虫的96 h-EC50和120 h-EC50分别为1.851 mg·L-1和3.058 mg·L-1;三唑酮对轮虫的96 h-EC50和120 h-EC50分别为12.84 mg·L-1和11.63 mg·L-1。本项研究的结果肯定了以群体取代个体作为轮虫室内毒性试验目标物的可行性。     

纳米水稳型C_(60)60(n_(60))促进Zn~(2+)和Cr~(6+)在大型溞体内的吸收、抗氧化性和急性毒性

富勒烯(C60)作为一种被广泛使用的纳米工程材料,其环境行为和所造成的毒效应越来越引起人们的关注,特别是其与重金属的联合毒性。文章选取模式生物大型溞研究纳米水稳型富勒烯(nC60)与Zn2+和Cr6+的联合毒性。按EPA 2024急性毒性试验结果,nC60对大型溞48 h-LC50为0.47 mg·L-1,最大无观察效应浓度(NOEC)为0.10 mg·L-1。NOEC浓度选定为nC60亚急性试验浓度,用于联合毒性试验。nC60增强了Zn2+和Cr6+对大型溞的毒性,Zn2+和Cr6+对大型溞48 h-LC50分别由2.33 mg·L-1和0.40mg·L-1降低为1.52 mg·L-1和0.33 mg·L-1;nC60增加了大型溞对Zn2+和Cr6+的摄入,暴露1440 min后体内Zn2+和Cr6+累积量分别由6.52μg·g-1湿重和1.52μg·g-1湿重增加到9.98μg·g-1湿重和3.01μg·g-1湿重;nC60和Zn2+和Cr6+联合作用于大型溞后,大型溞SOD酶活性均呈现出增强的诱导现象,联合作用时诱导作用强于两种物质单独作用。此研究表明:在亚急性浓度下,nC60增强了Zn2+和Cr6+对大型溞的毒性,提高了大型溞体内Zn2+和Cr6+的积累,并提高大型溞体内自由基活性。     

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     

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.     

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.     

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.     

Effects of Coffee Management on Deforestation Rates and Forest Integrity

Knowledge about how forest margins are utilized can be crucial for a general understanding of changes in forest cover, forest structure, and biodiversity across landscapes. We studied forest‐agriculture transitions in southwestern Ethiopia and hypothesized that the presence of coffee (Coffea arabica)decreases deforestation rates because of coffee's importance to local economies and its widespread occurrence in forests and forest margins. Using satellite images and elevation data, we compared changes in forest cover over 37 years (1973–2010) across elevations in 2 forest‐agriculture mosaic landscapes (1100 km² around Bonga and 3000 km² in Goma‐Gera). In the field in the Bonga area, we determined coffee cover and forest structure in 40 forest margins that differed in time since deforestation. Both the absolute and relative deforestation rates were lower at coffee‐growing elevations compared with at higher elevations (?10/20% vs. ?40/50% comparing relative rates at 1800 m asl and 2300–2500 m asl, respectively). Within the coffee‐growing elevation, the proportion of sites with high coffee cover (>20%) was significantly higher in stable margins (42% of sites that had been in the same location for the entire period) than in recently changed margins (0% of sites where expansion of annual crops had changed the margin). Disturbance level and forest structure did not differ between sites with 30% or 3% coffee. However, a growing body of literature on gradients of coffee management in Ethiopia reports coffee's negative effects on abundances of forest‐specialist species. Even if the presence of coffee slows down the conversion of forest to annual‐crop agriculture, there is a risk that an intensification of coffee management will still threaten forest biodiversity, including the genetic diversity of wild coffee. Conservation policy for Ethiopian forests thus needs to develop strategies that acknowledge that forests without coffee production may have higher deforestation risks than forests with coffee production and that forests with coffee production often have lower biodiversity value. Efectos de la Administración Cafetalera sobre las Tasas de Deforestación y la Integridad de los Bosques     

Globalization of the Cashmere Market and the Decline of Large Mammals in Central Asia

As drivers of terrestrial ecosystems, humans have replaced large carnivores in most areas, and human influence not only exerts striking ecological pressures on biodiversity at local scales but also has indirect effects in distant corners of the world. We suggest that the multibillion dollar cashmere industry creates economic motivations that link western fashion preferences for cashmere to land use in Central Asia. This penchant for stylish clothing, in turn, encourages herders to increase livestock production which affects persistence of over 6 endangered large mammals in these remote, arid ecosystems. We hypothesized that global trade in cashmere has strong negative effects on native large mammals of deserts and grassland where cashmere‐producing goats are raised. We used time series data, ecological snapshots of the biomass of native and domestic ungulates, and ecologically and behaviorally based fieldwork to test our hypothesis. In Mongolia increases in domestic goat production were associated with a 3‐fold increase in local profits for herders coexisting with endangered saiga (Saiga tatarica).That increasing domestic grazing pressure carries fitness consequences was inferred on the basis of an approximately 4‐fold difference in juvenile recruitment among blue sheep (Pseudois nayaur)in trans‐Himalayan India. Across 7 study areas in Mongolia, India, and China's Tibetan Plateau, native ungulate biomass is now <5% that of domestic species. Such trends suggest ecosystem degradation and decreased capacity for the persistence of native species, including at least 8 Asian endemic species: saiga, chiru (Pantholops hodgsoni), Bactrian camel (Camelus bactrianus), snow leopard(Panthera uncia), khulan(Equus hemionus), kiang (E. kiang), takhi (E. przewalski), and wild yak (Bos mutus). Our results suggest striking yet indirect and unintended actions that link trophic‐level effects to markets induced by the trade for cashmere. Globalización del Mercado de Cachemira y la Declinación de Mamíferos Mayores en Asia Central     

The lichen-rich coastal heath vegetation on the isle of Anholt, Denmark — conservation and management

The high conservational value of the lichen-rich vegetation and landscape of the marine foreland Ørkenen on the isle of Anholt is treated from a Danish as well as a European perspective. The sensitivity of the lichen-rich vegetation to physical disturbance is emphasized. The impact of invasive species such asPinus mugo as well as the effect of atmospheric deposition of nutrients on the heaths at Anholt is described. Considerations related to the development of a management plan for Ørkenen are presented.     

Behavior and ecology of Old World Luperini beetles of the genusAulacophora (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae)

Summary The attraction of Old World leaf beetles in the genusAulacophora to kairomones and parakairomones which are effective lures for New WorldDiabrotica andAcalymma were investigated. Beetles captured on sticky traps baited with single and multicomponent lures were no different from the control traps for two species ofAulacophora. Yellow colored traps and squash blossoms are attractive toAulacophora beetles which detect sub-microgram quantities of cucurbitacins on silica gel. Leaf feeding behavior and flight activity data are correlated with varietal preference of threeAulacophora species. The common response byDiabrotica andAulacophora to cucurbitacins reinforces the two groups' coevolutionary association with the Cucurbitaceae. The apparent lack of a common response toCucurbita blossom volatiles suggests recent evolutionary pathways are substantially different for these two groups of beetles.     

Importance of greater interdisciplinarity and geographic scope when tackling the driving forces behind biological invasions

Invasive non-native species are important drivers of ecosystem change, yet the driving forces of biological invasions themselves are poorly understood. Such information is essential to ensure policies focus on the most relevant drivers, and that future scenarios capture the full range of potential outcomes for invasive non-native species. I carried out a bibliometric analysis of articles published from 2000 to 2020 that address either invasive non-native species or biodiversity and ecosystem services and that also mention 1 or more drivers of ecosystem change. I examined 5 indirect drivers (demographic, economic, governance, sociocultural, and technological) and 6 direct drivers (climate change, invasive non-native species, land-use or sea-use change, natural hazards, pollution, and resource extraction). Using the Web of Science core collection of citation indexes, I undertook searches of article titles and keywords and retrieved 27,462 articles addressing invasive non-native species and 110,087 articles dealing with biodiversity or ecosystem services. Most research to date on biological invasions as well as on biodiversity and ecosystem services has focused on anthropogenic direct drivers of ecosystem change rather than indirect drivers. Yet currently, less than 18% of articles addressing biological invasions examined drivers of ecosystem change, a similar level to that found over 20 years ago for biodiversity or ecosystem services. Knowledge of the drivers of biological invasions is limited, emphasizes tractable drivers over those that require an interdisciplinary approach, and is biased toward developed economies. Drivers generally deemed important for biological invasions, such as governance and resource extraction, accounted for less than 2% of research effort. The absence of a systematic understanding of the forces that drive invasive non-native species and how they interact means that attempts to mitigate or forecast biological invasions are likely to fail. To address biological invasions requires a much better orientation of national and international research on drivers in relation to both their actual importance as well as their policy relevance.