铬在小鼠体内的蓄积效应与毒性

铬的工业用途很广,主要用于金属加工、电镀、制革等行业,这些行业排放的三废导致了环境铬污染,对环境生态和人体健康造成危害。为探究铬对动物的毒性作用,选择昆明种纯系小白鼠作为受试生物,研究六价铬在小鼠体内的蓄积效应及毒性。结果显示,饮用水中一定浓度的六价铬(15~70 mg·L-1)可抑制小鼠体重的正常增长,染毒30 d后,小鼠肝脏和肾脏脏器系数下降,脾脏和脑的脏器系数提高;总铬含量在心脏和脾脏中增高,其他脏器中无明显蓄积效应;铬染毒组小鼠骨髓细胞活性氧水平提高,骨髓嗜多染红细胞微核率显著增高。结果表明,通过饮水摄入六价铬可造成小鼠肝肾损伤,心脏和脾脏内铬蓄积,并通过活性氧损伤效应破坏机体的遗传稳定性。     

碲化镉量子点对小鼠睾丸组织的氧化损伤（Effects of CdTe Quantum Dots on the Antioxidant Enzymes Activity and Lipid Peroxidation in Testes of Mice）

为探讨碲化镉量子点(CdTeQDs)对小鼠睾丸的急性氧化损伤作用,将20只雄性ICR小鼠随机分成4组:对照组、1d、3d、7d(3个不同时间组),采用尾静脉注射进行一次性染毒2.5μmol·kg-1CdTeQDs,对照组注射等体积生理盐水.染毒后对睾丸的脏器系数以及组织中超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)、过氧化氢酶(CAT)、谷胱甘肽过氧化物酶(GSH-Px)活性,丙二醛(MDA)含量分别进行测定,从而检测CdTeQDs对睾丸组织的急性氧化损伤作用.结果显示,与对照组相比,随染毒时间的延长,睾丸脏器系数无显著性变化(p>0.05);GSH-Px和SOD活性随染毒时间的延长呈逐渐升高趋势;而CAT活性呈逐渐降低趋势,且与对照组差异显著(p<0.01);MDA含量显著高于对照(p<0.01),且随时间变化不大.CdTeQDs染毒可导致小鼠睾丸组织氧化损伤,其损伤程度与染毒时间之间具有一定的时间-效应关系.     

邻苯二甲酸二乙基己酯(DEHP)对小白鼠肝脏毒性及脂质过氧化损伤

为研究邻苯二甲酸二乙基己酯(DEHP)对小鼠肝脏的毒性及脂质过氧化损伤作用机制,选择昆明4周龄小鼠80只,雌雄各半,随机分为4组。经食饵连续自然给食染毒,于染毒第4周末处死。测量小鼠肝脏和体重的变化,测定不同DEHP染毒剂量组小鼠的血液、肝脏中谷胱甘肽过氧化物酶(GPX)、过氧化氢(H2O2)和丙二醛(MDA),超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)的变化。将实验数据进行ANO-VA分析处理。结果表明,随着染毒剂量的增加,小鼠体重逐渐减少(p<0.01),高剂量组肝脏器系数明显上升(p<0.01)。苏木精-伊红染色法(简称HE染色)可见高剂量组肝脏组织有明显损伤。与对照组相比,DEHP3个剂量染毒组小鼠血液(75mg·kg-1组除外)及肝脏中GPX活性降低(p<0.05,p<0.01),H2O2含量增加(p<0.05,p<0.01);肝组织中(75mg·kg-1组除外)SOD活性降低(p<0.05,p<0.01),MDA含量增加(p<0.01)。以上结果说明DEHP对小鼠肝脏的毒性作用机制可能为脂质过氧化反应。     

纳米硫硒化镉对小鼠肾脏和脑组织SOD活力和MDA含量的影响

为了探讨纳米硫硒化镉(CdSeS)对小鼠肾脏和脑组织的急性氧化损伤作用,将20只雄性昆明小鼠随机分成4组,采用尾部静脉注射进行一次性染毒,3个染毒组分别注入0.1、0.2、0.4mg·mL-1的纳米CdSeS粉末(20～30nm)悬液1mL,对照组注入等体积生理盐水.染毒3d后对肾脏和脑组织匀浆中超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)活力和丙二醛(MDA)含量分别进行测定,从而检测纳米CdSeS对肾脏和脑组织的急性氧化损伤作用.结果显示,随着纳米CdSeS染毒浓度的升高,小鼠肾脏和脑组织中SOD活力呈逐渐降低趋势,而MDA含量呈逐渐升高趋势,均显示出一定的剂量-效应关系;较高浓度组(肾:ρCdSeS≥0.2mg·mL-1;脑:ρCdSeS≥0.4mg·mL-1)SOD活力、MDA含量与对照具有显著性差异(p<0.05,p<0.01),而较低浓度组则没有显著性差异(p>0.05).以上结果提示纳米CdSeS能够对小鼠肾脏和脑组织造成氧化损伤,并且能穿过血脑屏障作用于脑部。     

多壁碳纳米管对小鼠肺脏和肝脏组织SOD活力和GSH含量的影响

为了研究多壁碳纳米管(MWCNTs)对小鼠肺脏和肝脏组织抗氧化系统的影响,将20只雄性昆明小鼠随机分成4组,采用腹腔注射进行一次性染毒,其中3个染毒组分别腹腔注入0.1、0.2、0.4mg·mL-1的多壁碳纳米管(粒径20～40nm)悬液1mL,对照组注入等体积生理盐水,染毒5d后测定肺脏和肝脏组织匀浆中超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)活力、还原型谷胱甘肽(GSH)含量.结果表明,随着多壁碳纳米管染毒浓度的升高,小鼠肺脏和肝脏组织SOD活力、GSH含量均呈逐渐降低趋势;在实验浓度(0～0.4mg·mL-1)下,SOD活力、GSH含量与多壁碳纳米管染毒浓度呈明显的剂量-效应关系.以上结果表明多壁碳纳米管对小鼠肺脏和肝脏抗氧化系统具有一定程度的抑制作用。     

MDMA(3,4亚甲基二氧甲基苯丙胺)对小鼠睾丸细胞微核率及染色体畸变率的影响

通过连续20 d对雄性小鼠灌胃染毒3,4-亚甲基二氧基甲基苯丙胺(3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine,MDMA)后,探究MDMA对雄性小鼠睾丸组织细胞微核率及染色体畸变率的影响.将雄性小鼠随机分为MDMA低(5.0mg/kg)、中(10.0mg/kg)、高(20.0 mg/kg)三个染毒剂量组,采用生理盐水做阴性对照,每日染毒1次.于末次给药后第二天,取小鼠睾丸组织细胞,采用常规微核(micronucleus,MN)试验,检测小鼠睾丸细胞微核率的改变;同时采用染色体畸变试验(chromosomal aberration test)探究MDMA对小鼠睾丸细胞染色体畸变率的影响.微核试验结果表明MDMA中、低剂量组小鼠睾丸细胞微核率与阴性对照组比较差异无显著性(P0.05),而高剂量与低剂量组小鼠睾丸细胞微核率及阴性对照组比较,差异均有显著性(P0.01).染色体畸变试验结果中,MDM高、中剂量组染色体畸变率分别与阴性对照组比较差异有显著性(P0.05),剂量组之间染色体畸变率差异也有显著性(P0.05).结论通过微核试验与染色体畸变试验结果同时得出:在该实验剂量内MDMA高剂量组能诱导小鼠睾丸组织细胞微核率增加,高剂量组及中剂量组可以使小鼠睾丸细胞染色体畸变率增高,说明其对雄性小鼠睾丸遗传物质有一定的损伤效应.图4,表2,参10.     

五氯硝基苯对小鼠脑AChE的影响及多器官氧化损伤研究

测定五氯硝基苯(PCNB)对小鼠脑乙酰胆碱酯酶(AChE)的影响及多器官的氧化损伤作用.对昆明种小鼠采用灌胃法进行200,400和600 mg·kg-1三个剂量染毒,每日一次,分别于染毒4,8,12和16d测定AChE活性、过氧化氢酶(CAT)活性和脂质过氧化(LPO)产物丙二醛(MDA)的含量.结果表明:(1)小鼠脑AChE活性受到抑制,并表现为明显的时间和剂量依赖性;(2)肝、肾CAT活性变化显著,脂质过氧化作用明显;(3)高剂量毒物在染毒16d时对脾脏脂质过氧化作用明显增强;(4)脑和血清CAT活性随染毒时间延长先升高后降低,脂质过氧化作用不明显.PCNB对小鼠可能具有神经毒性,对肝、肾脏的氧化损伤作用较强.     

毒死蜱对雄性小鼠生殖毒性的影响

为研究毒死蜱对雄性小鼠生殖毒性的影响,利用不同浓度毒死蜱染毒小鼠.以昆明小鼠为受试动物,毒死蜱按3、6和12mg·kg-13个剂量水平,灌胃染毒小鼠7d.以睾丸组织匀浆测定活性氧(reactive oxygen species,ROS)和还原型谷胱甘肽(glutathione,GSH)的含量;以睾丸细胞测定DNA-蛋白...     

诱导型Hsp70在外源性甲醛对小鼠肝肾氧化损伤中的保护作用

为探讨外源性甲醛是否会对小鼠肝脏和肾脏的热休克蛋白70(heat shock protein 70, Hsp70)产生影响,选雄性Balb/c小鼠为研究对象,采用动态吸入方式染毒2周,每周5 d,每天8 h,随机分为空白对照组、3 mg·m-3甲醛染毒组。染毒结束后,计算肝脏和肾脏的脏体比,检测各器官中活性氧(reactive oxygen species, ROS)、丙二醛(malondialdehyde, MDA)、还原型谷胱甘肽(glutathione, GSH)的含量,同时用实时荧光定量PCR(real-time PCR, RT-PCR)法检测Hsp70的基因表达,并通过HE染色观察形态学变化。结果表明:与对照组相比,2种器官的脏体比均显著下降(P0.05或P0.01); ROS、MDA含量上升、GSH含量下降,出现显著性差异(P0.05或P0.01); Hsp70基因表达水平下降且差异显著(P0.05或P0.01); HE切片显示,甲醛暴露使肝脏的中央静脉窦的破损程度增加、细胞核变大,肾脏中肾小中肾小球基底膜变窄、体积缩小甚至分解。上述结果表明,甲醛暴露会对小鼠的的肝脏和肾脏造成不同程度的氧化损伤,小鼠可通过上调Hsp70的基因表达以增强机体的抗氧化能力。     

碲化镉量子点Cd~(2+)释放对小鼠肝、肾组织毒作用的研究

探讨碲化镉量子点(cadmium telluride quantum dots,Cd Te QDs)Cd2+释放与其体内毒性之间的关系。将24只雄性ICR小鼠(24.7~26.8g)随机分为4组,每组6只,分别为0 nmol组(对照组)、5 nmol染毒组、50 nmol染毒组和500 nmol染毒组(以Cd2+的摩尔浓度计算)。采用尾静脉注射方式进行染毒,染毒组注射0.15 ml不同浓度的Cd Te QDs溶液,对照组注射同等体积的生理盐水。染毒24h后小鼠脱臼处死,计算脏器系数,进行血常规和血清生化指标分析以及肝、肾组织的病理组织学检查。选取金属硫蛋白(metallothionein,MT)作为生物体内游离Cd2+水平的生物标志物,通过酶联免疫吸附实验(ELISA)和免疫组织化学技术检测小鼠肝、肾组织中的MT水平。结果表明,各染毒组小鼠肝、肾脏器系数与对照组相比,差异无统计学意义(P0.05),尿素氮水平与对照组相比显著降低(P0.01)。随着染毒剂量增加,小鼠肝、肾组织病理改变逐渐加重,肝细胞可见不同程度的水性样变和肿胀;肾小管管腔水肿、肾上皮细胞水样变性,以及远曲小管水肿。染毒组小鼠肝、肾组织中MT的含量与对照组相比明显升高(P0.05),且随着染毒剂量增加MT表达增强。研究结果提示,Cd Te QDs对小鼠肝、肾组织具有一定的毒作用,其毒作用大小与Cd Te QDs降解释放的游离Cd2+含量呈正相关。     

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.     

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.     

Mitigating the effects of climate change on the nests of sea turtles with artificial irrigation

For sea turtles, like many oviparous species, increasing temperatures during development threaten to increase embryonic mortality, alter offspring quality, and potentially create suboptimal primary sex ratios. Various methods are being implemented to mitigate the effects of climate change on reproductive success, but these methods, such as breeding programs, translocations, and shading, are often invasive and expensive. Irrigation is an alternative strategy for cooling nests that, depending on location, can be implemented relatively quickly and cheaply. However, multiple factors, including ambient conditions, nest substrate, and species characteristics, can influence irrigation success. Additionally, irrigation can vary in duration, frequency, and the volume of water applied to nests, which influences the cooling achieved and embryonic survival. Thus, it is critical to understand how to maximize cooling and manage risks before implementing irrigation as a nest-cooling strategy. We reviewed the literature on nest irrigation to examine whether artificial irrigation is feasible as a population management tool. Key factors that affected cooling were the volume of water applied and the frequency of applications. Embryonic responses varied with species, ambient conditions, and the timing of irrigation during development. Nest inundation was the key risk to a successful irrigation regime. Future irrigation regimes must identify clear targets, either primary or adult sex ratios, that maximize population viability. Monitoring population responses and adjusting the irrigation regime in response to population characteristics will be critical. Most studies reported on the manipulation of only one or two variables, further research is required to understand how altering multiple factors in an irrigation regime influences the cooling achieved and embryonic responses.     

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.     

Positive and Negative Effects of a Threatened Parrotfish on Reef Ecosystems

Species that are strong interactors play disproportionately important roles in the dynamics of natural ecosystems. It has been proposed that their presence is necessary for positively shaping the structure and functioning of ecosystems. We evaluated this hypothesis using the case of the world's largest parrotfish (Bolbometopon muricatum), a globally imperiled species. We used direct observation, animal tracking, and computer simulations to examine the diverse routes through which B. muricatum affects the diversity, dispersal, relative abundance, and survival of the corals that comprise the foundation of reef ecosystems. Our results suggest that this species can influence reef building corals in both positive and negative ways. Field observation and simulation outputs indicated that B. muricatum reduced the abundance of macroalgae that can outcompete corals, but they also feed directly on corals, decreasing coral abundance, diversity, and colony size. B. muricatum appeared to facilitate coral advancement by mechanically dispersing coral fragments and opening up bare space for coral settlement, but they also damaged adult corals and remobilized a large volume of potentially stressful carbonate sediment. The impacts this species has on reefs appears to be regulated in part by its abundance—the effects of B. muricatum were more intense in simulation scenarios populated with high densities of these fish. Observations conducted in regions with high and low predator (e.g., sharks) abundance generated results that are consistent with the hypothesis that these predators of B. muricatum may play a role in governing their abundance; thus, predation may modulate the intensity of the effects they have on reef dynamics. Overall our results illustrate that functionally unique and threatened species may not have universally positive impacts on ecosystems and that it may be necessary for environmental managers to consider the diverse effects of such species and the forces that mediate the strength of their influence. Efectos Positivos y Negativos de un Pez Loro Amenazado Sobre Ecosistemas Arrecifales     

Form-specific fragances fromOphrys insectifera L. (Orchidaceae) attract species of different pollinator genera. Evidence of sympatric speciation?

Two closely related forms ofOphrys insectifera were observed in the field to attract different pollinator species selectively.O. i. ssp.insectifera attracted males of two species ofArgogorytes (Sphecidae, Hymenoptera Aculeata) andO. i. ssp.aymoninii attractedAndrena combinata males (Andrenidae, Apoidea, Hymenoptera Aculeata). A third form,O. aff.i. ssp.insectifera, attracted none of these three species. Volatile compounds from flowers and inflorescences of the three forms (originating from Öland, Sweden, and Aveyron, France) were collected, using entrainment, enfleurage, and solvent extraction techniques, and identified by gas chromatography — mass spectrometry. Scent differences between the three forms were confirmed in the amounts of aliphatic hydrocarbons (C₁₁–C₁₉), methyl esters (C₁₄–C₁₈), short chain aliphatic 1-alcohols (C₆–C₁₂), and monoterpene alcohols (C₁₀).     

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     

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.