铜陵矿集区土壤中污染元素对微生物特性的影响研究

通过铜陵矿集区土壤中重金属污染元素含量与土壤中微生物生物量之间的对应关系,研究其环境效应。采集深度为20cm的土样,分别制备不同微生物的培养基以期对土壤中的微生物进行分离计数,细菌和放线菌采用稀释平板涂布法计数,高铁还原菌采用最大或然数法计数。研究结果表明,铜陵矿集区土壤中As、Au、Cd、Zn、Cu、Pb元素含量与土壤中细菌、放线菌、高铁还原菌数量之间的相关关系为：As、Au、Zn、Cu与细菌和放线菌,Cd、Pb与放线菌的含量呈负相关关系,指示了土壤中高浓度污染元素对微生物的抑制作用;Cd、Pb与细菌,Cd、Zn与高铁还原菌的含量呈正相关关系,反映部分微生物受污染元素的胁迫已产生了耐受性;Au、Pb、As与高铁还原菌数量的关系不明显。通过实验数据发现,微生物在重金属含量高的区域和含量低的区域的数量下降了大约2～3个数量级,有些区域微生物数量下降了约50%。矿集区土壤中三种菌种对污染元素的敏感程度不同,其敏感程度依次是：放线菌〉细菌〉高铁还原菌。矿集区部分土壤中,细菌、高铁还原菌由于其本身的耐受性或由于受胁迫而产生了耐受性,对Cd、Zn、Pb等三种重金属污染元素的抗性水平较高,具有作为土壤重金属元素污染修复微生物菌种的潜力。     

镉锌复合胁迫对秋茄幼苗渗透调节物质的影响

通过土壤盆栽研究了不同浓度镉(Cd,0、2.5、50 mg kg-1)、锌(Zn,0、100、500 mg kg-1)胁迫下红树植物秋茄的幼苗体内可溶性蛋白、可溶性糖、脯氨酸、有机酸含量的变化.结果表明,Cd、Zn单一处理下,秋茄体内渗透调节物质含量随重金属浓度升高而增加;Cd、Zn复合处理对秋茄体内可溶性蛋白质含量的复合效应主要表现为协同作用:Cd的加入减弱Zn对秋茄体内可溶性糖含量的刺激作用,低Cd浓度处理下Zn的加入导致可溶性糖含量增加,而高Cd浓度处理下Zn的加入反而降低其含量.低浓度Zn(或Cd)的加入与土壤中Cd(或Zn)发生拮抗作用,秋茄体内肺氨酸、有机酸含量下降;高浓度Zn(或Cd)的加入与土壤中的Cd(或Zn)发生协同作用,导致渗透调节物质脯氨酸、有机酸的积累量增加,从而缓解高浓度重金属的胁迫.植物组织或部位不同,Cd与Zn浓度和比例不同,Cd、Zn之间的复合作用存在一定的差异.表5参30     

镉胁迫对续断菊Sonchus asper L.Hill.根系分泌物的影响

通过盆栽试验,研究了不同Cd质量分数(0、50、100、200 mg.kg-1)对续断菊Sonchus asper L.Hill.根系分泌总有机酸、游离氨基酸、可溶性糖的影响,旨在探明根系分泌物对续断菊超积累Cd的影响。结果表明:Cd胁迫下续断菊根系分泌总有机酸、游离氨基酸和可溶性糖的质量浓度显著增加,同时,总有机酸、可溶性糖和游离氨基酸又促进了植株对Cd的吸收。随着Cd处理质量分数的增加,续断菊地上部和根部镉质量分数显著增加,90 d时续断菊地上部镉质量分数与可溶性糖、游离氨基酸的质量浓度呈极显著正相关,相关系数分别为0.999(P<0.01)和0.995(P<0.01),根部镉质量分数与可溶性糖、游离氨基酸的质量浓度也呈显著正相关,相关系数分别为0.998(P<0.01)和0.987(P<0.05);Cd对续断菊根系可溶性糖的分泌、游离氨基酸的合成有刺激作用,根系分泌的可溶性糖和游离氨基酸可能在续断菊累积镉的过程中有重要作用。     

镉胁迫对续断菊Sonchus asper L.Hill.根系分泌物的影响

通过盆栽试验,研究了不同Cd质量分数（0、50、100、200 mg.kg-1）对续断菊Sonchus asper L.Hill.根系分泌总有机酸、游离氨基酸、可溶性糖的影响,旨在探明根系分泌物对续断菊超积累Cd的影响。结果表明：Cd胁迫下续断菊根系分泌总有机酸、游离氨基酸和可溶性糖的质量浓度显著增加,同时,总有机酸、可溶性糖和游离氨基酸又促进了植株对Cd的吸收。随着Cd处理质量分数的增加,续断菊地上部和根部镉质量分数显著增加,90 d时续断菊地上部镉质量分数与可溶性糖、游离氨基酸的质量浓度呈极显著正相关,相关系数分别为0.999（P〈0.01）和0.995（P〈0.01）,根部镉质量分数与可溶性糖、游离氨基酸的质量浓度也呈显著正相关,相关系数分别为0.998（P〈0.01）和0.987（P〈0.05）;Cd对续断菊根系可溶性糖的分泌、游离氨基酸的合成有刺激作用,根系分泌的可溶性糖和游离氨基酸可能在续断菊累积镉的过程中有重要作用。     

土壤重金属镉、铅及其复合污染对羊蹄(Rumex japonicus Houtt)生长及其抗性生理指标的影响

为探究重金属Cd、Pb及其复合污染对植物的生长及生理的影响,选用乐安河湿地优势乡土植物羊蹄(Rumex japonicus Houtt),采用室内土培盆栽实验,分别设置不同的Cd、Pb单因素及其双因素复合污染水平,研究羊蹄的生物量、株高等生长指标及植物组织中丙二醛(MDA)、可溶性糖等抗性生理指标的变化特性。结果表明:随着Cd、Pb污染胁迫浓度的增加以及胁迫时间的延长,羊蹄的生物量及株高均受到显著(P0.05)抑制,且Cd+Pb双因素复合污染胁迫的抑制作用大于单因素Pb或Cd的污染胁迫;羊蹄植物组织中的MDA含量及可溶性糖含量随Cd、Pb污染胁迫强度的增加及胁迫时间的延长显著增加(P0.05);在盆栽土壤中单因素Cd或Pb的高浓度胁迫下,羊蹄的自我调控能力显著增强(P0.05),MDA含量下降。不同污染水平的单因素Cd、Pb及Cd+Pb双因素复合污染胁迫对羊蹄可溶性糖含量的影响均存在显著性(P0.05)差异。     

镉对桐花树幼苗生长及渗透调节的影响

采用土培方法研究不同质量分数Cd(0.5～50mg·kg-1)对桐花树Aegicerascorniculatum幼苗的生长及渗透调节的影响。结果表明:低质量分数Cd(0.5mg·kg-1)处理条件下,桐花树幼苗株高、植株鲜物质量均显著高于对照,根长、叶绿素质量分数则没有显著增加;高质量分数Cd(50mg·kg-1)条件下,这些参数均显著降低,说明高质量分数Cd胁迫下,植株正常生长受到抑制。除了0.5mg·kg-1条件外,叶片淀粉质量分数变化趋势总体上是随着Cd的增加而下降。在5~50mg·kg-1Cd处理下,渗透调节物质可溶性糖、可溶性蛋白质及脯氨酸均显著增加,与Cd质量分数存在正相关性。Cd胁迫下,渗透调节物质的积累作用是桐花树对Cd胁迫的主要响应过程,可溶性糖、可溶性蛋白及脯氨酸与可作为Cd对桐花树污染的检测指标。     

锑和砷对固氮菌的毒性效应及其机制研究

锑作为一种具有毒性和致癌性的类金属,其不合理的开发造成了严重的生态环境污染,尤其是土壤中高浓度锑和砷污染导致了环境中多种营养元素的缺乏。其中,氮素的缺乏严重阻碍了环境的恢复。然而,固氮微生物不仅能为氮素匮乏环境提供稳定的氮素来源,而且其固氮潜能可以作为监测土壤金属污染的敏感指标。为此,该文通过乙炔还原法(ARA)微宇宙培养试验手段,研究了不同价态锑和砷(三价及五价)在不同质量浓度(100、200、500、1 000、2 500、5 000 mg·L^-1)水平下对棕色固氮菌固氮潜能的影响,同时进一步探究了土壤固氮菌群落固氮潜能对土壤中主要锑和砷价态[Sb(Ⅴ)和As(Ⅴ)]的响应机制。结果表明,锑和砷浓度与棕色固氮菌和土壤固氮微生物的固氮潜能均呈显著负相关,验证了以固氮微生物固氮潜能作为生物指示物的可行性。此外,Sb(Ⅴ)对土壤固氮微生物的毒性显著小于As(Ⅴ)。三价锑和砷污染对固氮菌固氮潜能的毒性高于五价[As(Ⅲ)>Sb(Ⅲ)>As(Ⅴ)>Sb(Ⅴ)],这可能是由于Sb(Ⅲ)和As(Ⅲ)对细胞的致裂性强于Sb(Ⅴ)和As(Ⅴ)。相较于Sb(Ⅴ)和As(Ⅴ)对于棕色固氮菌固氮潜能的抑制作用,其对土壤固氮菌群落的固氮潜能的影响相对较弱。这一差异可能是由于土壤复杂的理化性质以及微生物群落和功能多样性而导致的。     

氟乐灵对土壤微生物和蚯蚓的影响

本文探讨了除草剂氟乐灵对土壤微生物的影响。结果表明:低浓度的氟乐灵对土壤细菌、放线菌和霉菌的生长有刺激作用,不仅数量增加,而且菌落明显增大,但对微生物种无明显选择性;氟乐灵能促进大豆根瘤菌和圆褐固氮菌的生长;在培养液中同时加入氟乐灵和圆褐固氮菌,可抑制固氮菌的乙炔还原活性;在生长良好的固氮菌培养液中,再加入氟乐灵,可明显刺激固氮菌的乙炔还原活性;土壤微生物可以氟乐灵为唯一碳源和氮源,加速氟乐灵降解;2.0ppm以上浓度的氟乐灵对蚯蚓有毒害作用。     

镉胁迫对苎麻(Boehmeria nivea)根系及叶片抗氧化系统的影响

镉(Cd)是非必需和毒性最强的重金属元素之一,不合理的开发利用可导致土壤受到Cd的严重污染,严重危及土壤环境或水环境。以苎麻为材料,采用模拟镉(Cd)污染盆栽培养法,选择21 d和49 d等2个不同胁迫期,测定不同浓度Cd2+胁迫下苎麻根系与叶片中渗透调节物质含量、超氧化物岐化酶(SOD)活性、过氧化物酶(POD)活性、过氧化氢酶(CAT)活性、丙二醛(MDA)含量及根系活力的变化。结果表明,高浓度胁迫49 d后,苎麻根系中的渗透调节物质含量明显高于叶片含量,且极显著高于对照,并在240 mg·L~(-1)Cd处理下出现最高值;胁迫49 d时,根系与叶片的渗透调节物质含量与Cd2+浓度极显著正相关。在2个不同胁迫周期,苎麻根系的SOD与POD活性均明显高于叶片;在胁迫21 d时,根系的CAT活性低于叶片,而胁迫49 d后,则明显高于叶片;胁迫21 d时,苎麻根系与叶片的抗氧化酶活性均较胁迫49 d要高;胁迫49 d时,根系POD活性与Cd2+浓度呈极显著正相关,表明根系POD酶在抗氧化酶中占主导地位。不同胁迫时长下苎麻根系或叶片的MDA含量变化趋势不明显,但根系或叶片受胁迫21 d后的MDA含量随Cd2+浓度增加的波动相对受胁迫49 d后的更明显,表明植物早期生理功能出现暂时性的修复。2个不同胁迫周期内,不同浓度镉胁迫下苎麻的根系活力均比对照组下降。研究显示,苎麻根系与叶片对镉胁迫的应答机制不同,且在不同胁迫时间下的响应机理差异较大,根系表现出更强的耐受能力。     

环草隆与镉复合污染对城市绿地重金属污染土壤有机氮矿化量、基础呼吸和土壤酶活性的影响

环草隆是北方城市应用较为广泛的一种草坪除草剂,重金属镉是土壤中常见的重要污染物,二者在土壤生态系统中存在联合暴露的潜在风险。为了准确评价城市绿地土壤重金属和农药复合污染的生态风险,选择不同重金属污染程度的土壤为研究对象,在室内模拟条件下,探讨了环草隆与镉复合污染对土壤有机氮矿化量、基础呼吸及土壤酶活性的影响。研究发现:环草隆与镉复合污染对各试验指标的影响均达到极显著水平(P0.01);与镉复合污染能明显改变环草隆的微生物毒性效应,并且Cd对环草隆毒性效应的影响与二者浓度配比有很大关系,Cd浓度由1 mg·kg-1升高到10 mg·kg-1,环草隆浓度与样点G土壤有机氮矿化量变化率的线性关系由正相关变为负相关;复合污染下,根据剂量-效应关系计算的EC50值27.6~848mg·kg-1,远远高于环草隆草坪建议施用量(3.33 mg·kg-1);土壤中环草隆与镉复合污染的联合毒性效应受土壤理化性质及重金属含量影响较大,另外,二者复合效应也会随污染物浓度及试验指标的不同而不同。以上研究结果能够为城市土壤重金属和除草剂复合污染生态风险评价提供基础数据和技术方法。     

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.