稻鸭鱼共栖生态系统CH4排放规律研究

首次对稻-鸭-鱼共栖生态系统中的甲烷排放通量进行了系统研究。结果表明:甲烷排放通量日变化呈现一定的规律,排放高峰出现在下午14:00~16:00,晚上0:00~4:00达到最低值。稻-鸭-鱼共栖生态系统生态种养期间甲烷排放通量表现出一定的规律,甲烷排放出现2个峰值分别出现在水稻生长返青期、幼穗分化期,第1个峰值为15.813mg/(m2·h),第2个峰值为9.485mg/(m2·h)。其次在水稻分蘖盛期,甲烷的排放通量最高可达8.227mg/(m2·h)。稻-鸭-鱼共栖生态系统中,土壤氧化还原电位增加10.98mV,还原物质总量、活性还原物质总量分别降低1.46cmol/kg、1.25cmol/kg。稻田甲烷排放与土壤氧化还原电位呈极显著负相关,与还原物质总量、活性还原物质总量呈极显著正相关。     

免耕稻-鸭复合系统减少甲烷排放及其机理研究

以免耕不养鸭和翻耕不养鸭稻田为参照,研究了免耕稻-鸭复合系统中甲烷排放的日变化和季节变化以及稻-鸭复合系统中土壤氧化还原特性对甲烷排放的影响。结果表明:稻田甲烷排放通量日变化与日气温变化基本趋于一致。在水稻分蘖盛期和孕穗期,免耕养鸭稻田甲烷排放通量明显低于免耕不养鸭和翻耕不养鸭稻田, 3者之间甲烷排放通量大小差异白天明显,夜间较小。在水稻分蘖盛期、孕穗期和齐穗期,免耕养鸭稻田水中溶解氧含量比免耕不养鸭和翻耕不养鸭稻田提高38. 4% ~44. 7%。由于鸭子的活动,免耕养鸭稻田的氧化还原电位分别比免耕不养鸭和翻耕不养鸭稻田高11和18mV。而翻耕不养鸭稻田的还原物质总量分别是免耕养鸭稻田和免耕不养鸭稻田的4. 17~12. 34倍和3. 26~7. 02倍,其亚铁离子含量也明显高于后2者,表明翻耕使土壤还原程度增强,进而促进了稻田甲烷的排放。相关分析表明,免耕养鸭稻田氧化还原电位与还原物质总量、活性还原物质总量和亚铁离子含量呈极显著负相关,也与稻田甲烷排放通量呈负相关,但未达显著水平。     

免耕稻-鸭复合系统减少甲烷排放及其机理研究

以免耕不养鸭和翻耕不养鸭稻田为参照，研究了免耕稻-鸭复合系统中甲烷排放的日变化和季节变化以及稻-鸭复合系统中土壤氧化还原特性对甲烷排放的影响。结果表明：稻田甲烷排放通量日变化与日气温变化基本趋于一致。在水稻分蘖盛期和孕穗期，免耕养鸭稻田甲烷排放通量明显低于免耕不养鸭和翻耕不养鸭稻田，3者之间甲烷排放通量大小差异白天明显，夜间较小。在水稻分蘖盛期、孕穗期和齐穗期，免耕养鸭稻田水中溶解氧含量比免耕不养鸭和翻耕不养鸭稻田提高38．4％～44．7％。由于鸭子的活动，免耕养鸭稻田的氧化还原电位分别比免耕不养鸭和翻耕不养鸭稻田高11和18mV。而翻耕不养鸭稻田的还原物质总量分别是免耕养鸭稻田和免耕不养鸭稻田的4．17～12．34倍和3．26～7．02倍，其亚铁离子含量也明显高于后2者，表明翻耕使土壤还原程度增强，进而促进了稻田甲烷的排放。相关分析表明，免耕养鸭稻田氧化还原电位与还原物质总量、活性还原物质总量和亚铁离子含量呈极显著负相关，也与稻田甲烷排放通量呈负相关，但未达显著水平。     

稻田综合种养模式对土壤生态系统的影响研究进展

稻田综合种养模式可实现稳产增收,粮渔共赢,同时也对稻田土壤生态系统产生了显著影响。该文总结了近年来国内外有关稻-鱼、稻-虾、稻-蟹、稻-鳖和稻-鸭等稻田综合种养模式的研究进展,分析了稻田综合种养模式对农田土壤理化性质、土壤动物、土壤微生物和农田生态系统服务功能的影响及作用机制。结果表明,稻田综合种养模式降低了土壤容重,提高了土壤孔隙度,改善了土壤团聚体的稳定性,增加了土壤养分含量;改变了土壤动物的丰度和群落结构,提高了土壤微生物的数量和活性,调节了微生物群落的组成和多样性;促进了农田生态系统的文化服务功能。然而,稻田综合种养模式也可能造成土壤潜育化、重金属污染等潜在风险。此外,不同的稻田综合种养模式对农田粮食供给和温室气体排放功能的影响各异。未来应进一步加强长期稻田综合种养模式对土壤物理、化学和生物学特性的影响研究;阐明不同稻田种养模式下土壤物质、能量和信息流过程以及土壤生态系统服务功能的差异及其作用机制;集成应用科学合理的稻田综合种养模式,实现农业的可持续发展。     

一稻两鸭共作对稻田土壤养分动态的影响

鸭稻共作是有效减少化肥和农药施用的重要技术,对稻田土壤养分消耗具有一定的缓冲和调控作用。但在鸭稻共作有机生产模式中,外源性化肥投入的缺乏常常成为水稻高产的限制因素。为更好地解决有机种植中土壤养分供应的问题,对常规鸭稻共作进行了调整,建立了2种＂一稻两鸭＂共作生态农业模式。通过田间试验对常规稻作、常规鸭稻共作、一稻两鸭轮养及一稻两鸭套养4种种植模式下的土壤养分进行定位监测。结果表明：相对于常规稻作,3种鸭稻共作模式均能在一定程度上提高土壤全钾、全氮的含量,同时减小碱解氮的消耗。与比生产前期相比,生产结束后常规水稻种植模式下土壤有机质含量有所下降,而3种鸭稻共作模式下土壤有机质含量比生产前期均有不同程度的增加。4种种植模式下土壤全磷含量在生产结束后均有不同程度的下降,然而一稻两鸭套养和一稻两鸭轮养模式下土壤全磷含量的降低程度低于常规稻作。早稻生产结束后,一稻两鸭套养和一稻两鸭轮养模式下的土壤全磷含量比常规稻作分别高出13.53%和11.01%。与常规鸭稻共作模式相比,一稻两鸭轮养和套养模式增加了全氮以及全钾有机物的积累,同时减缓了碱解氮、速效磷、速效钾含量的下降。晚稻生产结束后,一稻两鸭套养模式下土壤碱解氮、速效磷和速效钾的含量分别比常规鸭稻共作模式高出3.7%,10.39%和7.59%。产量测定结果表明,早稻时期一稻两鸭套养模式下的水稻产量比常规鸭稻共作模式高12.90%,晚稻时期则比常规鸭稻共作高12.19%。一稻两鸭共作模式中,由于两批鸭子的存在,其排便和中耕作用几乎贯穿于水稻的整个生长发育过程,因此培肥效果与常规鸭稻共作相比有了进一步的提高,对系统内的养分循环利用起到了更好的促进作用。     

生物可降解膜覆盖对水稻温室气体排放及产量的影响

为了探究生物可降解膜覆盖对水稻温室气体及产量的影响,选取南北稻区开展大田试验,利用静态箱-气相色谱法,监测生物可降解膜覆盖机插(BM)和不覆膜机插(CK)处理稻田的甲烷(CH_4)和氧化亚氮(N_2O)排放通量并进行分析。结果表明:南北生态区BM处理均能显著降低稻田CH_4排放量,降幅分别为43.5%和52.4%,其减排效果主要体现在BM处理能够显著降低甲烷排放峰值,进一步分析与CH_4排放相关的土壤产甲烷菌((mcrA)和甲烷氧化菌(pmoA)丰度变化,发现南北生态区BM处理均能显著降低土壤产甲烷菌丰度,并提高甲烷氧化菌丰度,变化规律与CH4排放基本一致;对稻田N_2O排放量的影响,南北生态区存在差异,南方BM处理与CK相比,N_2O排放量显著减少47.9%,而北方N_2O排放量略高于CK。生物可降解膜覆盖机插种植能够提高土壤温度,尤其对于北方生态区增温效果更好,生育前期月平均增温达到2.9℃,能提高土壤微生物活性,且改变了土壤的理化性质及土壤养分含量,与CK相比,BM处理能增加土壤全氮和有机碳含量,北方生态区,在水稻成熟期分别显著增加14.8%和27.1%,南方生态区差异不显著;从产量上看南北生态区BM处理与CK相比均达到显著增产效果,南方增产4.1%,北方增产8.7%,且对稻田温室气体排放强度(GHGI)也有显著的抑制作用,降幅分别为46.6%和56%;生物可降解膜覆盖机插种植能够显著降低稻田温室气体的增温潜势(GWP),提高水稻产量,为水稻绿色高效生产提供新的途径。     

湿地生态系统碳汇与碳源过程的控制因子和临界条件

湿地生态系统由于其自身的结构组分特征,已成为地球表层系统中最为重要的碳汇。但是近年来对于湿地系统的不合理开发利用、降水减少等原因使其碳汇功能减弱,湿地的碳蓄积能力下降且有转变为碳源的趋势。文章从湿地生态系统的水份、植物类型、土壤厚度、微生物(底物、pH、温度、氧化还原条件)等方面总结了影响湿地碳汇/源过程的控制因子和临界交替条件。湿地水位的高低决定湿地的氧气环境,与甲烷产生量成正相关,但却与二氧化碳产生量有一定的负相关关系。湿地植物通过通气组织与根系分泌物等影响湿地碳的吸收与排放通量,湿地植株的高度、覆盖率等也是影响湿地作为碳汇与碳源的重要因素。不同深度土层由于其产甲烷菌、甲烷氧化菌等微生物活性不同导致各个土层碳吸收、排放通量的差异,通常浅层土壤中的CO2、CH4的产生率高于深层土壤。微生物的活跃程度直接影响到湿地碳的吸收与排放,影响活跃程度的因素包括湿地底物、pH、温度与氧化还原条件等。湿地底物浓度的增加会在一定程度上提高甲烷的产生率,中性或者是弱碱性环境是产甲烷菌的最适宜条件,在一定范围内温度越高,甲烷产生量越大,而温度对于二氧化碳的影响则是通过改变光合作用来实现。氧化还原电位与甲烷产生量成负相关关系,-...     

控释肥与尿素配合施用对稻季土壤CH_4和N_2O排放的影响

为明确控释肥和尿素配合施用对稻季土壤CH_4和N_2O排放的影响,通过田间原位试验,采用人工密闭箱法,观测氮肥(尿素单施、控释肥与尿素配合施用)及不同施氮水平(0、80、160、240 kg·hm~(-2))下水稻生长季土壤CH_4和N_2O的排放通量,以寻求综合温室效应最小的施肥管理措施。结果表明:水稻生长季N_2O排放总量、水稻产量均随氮肥施用量的增加而增加,而CH_4排放总量、综合温室效应与氮肥施用量之间没有显著相关性。控释肥与尿素配合施用对水稻生长季CH_4和N_2O排放及水稻产量的影响因氮肥施用量的不同而不同。与尿素单施相比,不同施氮水平下配合施用控释肥能有效降低N_2O排放总量3.6%~49.6%,其中,烤田期是控释肥发挥减排作用的关键时期。与尿素单施相比,在80 kg·hm~(-2)和160 kg·hm~(-2)施氮水平上,配施控释肥分别增加CH_4排放总量48.1%和27.5%及稻田综合温室效应45.0%和22.8%,而水稻产量无显著差异;在240 kg·hm~(-2)施氮水平上,配施控释肥处理土壤CH_4排放总量降低4.2~15.1%,水稻产量增加5.7%~13.9%,且综合温室效应降低7.5%~19.8%。在240 kg·hm~(-2)施氮水平上,与尿素∶控释肥为3∶7、1.5∶8.5、0∶1的配施处理相比,尿素∶控释肥为4.5∶5.5配施处理的综合温室效应最小,且水稻产量最高。因此,施氮量为240 kg·hm~(-2),尿素和控释肥按4.5∶5.5比例混合施用可作为稻田控释肥推荐施用方式。     

种植不同冬季作物对稻田甲烷、氧化亚氮排放和土壤微生物的影响

研究双季稻收获后填闲种植不同冬季作物在其生长季节内甲烷（CH4）和氧化亚氮（N2O）的排放特征,对合理利用冬闲稻田、发展冬季作物生产及合理评价不同种植模式具有重要意义。采用静态箱-气相色谱法对冬季免耕直播黑麦草、紫云英和冬闲的双季稻田中CH4和N2O排放及其相关微生物数量变化进行了分析。在冬季作物生长期,不同冬季作物稻田CH4和N2O排放通量均显著高于对照（冬闲）,CH4和N2O排放通量均表现为免耕直播黑麦草〉免耕直播紫云英〉冬闲;免耕直播黑麦草和紫云英处理稻田CH4排放量分别为2.28和1.07 g·m^-2,分别比对照增加241.92%和60.63%;N2O排放量分别为0.59和0.48 g·m^-2,分别比对照增加71.93%和40.06%;各处理稻田土壤产甲烷细菌、甲烷氧化细菌、硝化细菌及反硝化细菌的数量变化范围分别为0.33×10^2 163.37×10^2 cfu·g^-1、11.05×10^3~245.68×10^3 cfu·g^-1、3.21×10^3~178.26×10^3 cfu·g^-1和10.47×10^5~198.88×10^5 cfu·g-1,免耕直播黑麦草和紫云英处理稻田土壤产甲烷细菌、甲烷氧化细菌、硝化细菌和反硝化细菌的数量均显著高于冬闲,其中免耕直播黑麦草处理稻田土壤的产甲烷细菌、甲烷氧化细菌和硝化细菌数量显著高于免耕直播紫云英处理,而免耕直播紫云英处理稻田土壤反硝化细菌的数量则显著高于免耕直播黑麦草处理。研究结果显示,种植不同冬季作物能促进稻田生态系统中CH4和N2O的排放,而这两种气体的排放量与稻田土壤产甲烷细菌、甲烷氧化菌、硝化细菌和反硝化细菌数量变化密切相关。     

湿地生态系统碳汇与碳源过程的控制因子和临界条件

湿地生态系统由于其自身的结构组分特征,已成为地球表层系统中最为重要的碳汇。但是近年来对于湿地系统的不合理开发利用、降水减少等原因使其碳＂汇＂功能减弱,湿地的碳蓄积能力下降且有转变为碳＂源＂的趋势。文章从湿地生态系统的水份、植物类型、土壤厚度、微生物（底物、pH、温度、氧化还原条件）等方面总结了影响湿地碳汇/源过程的控制因子和临界交替条件。湿地水位的高低决定湿地的氧气环境,与甲烷产生量成正相关,但却与二氧化碳产生量有一定的负相关关系。湿地植物通过通气组织与根系分泌物等影响湿地碳的吸收与排放通量,湿地植株的高度、覆盖率等也是影响湿地作为碳汇与碳源的重要因素。不同深度土层由于其产甲烷菌、甲烷氧化菌等微生物活性不同导致各个土层碳吸收、排放通量的差异,通常浅层土壤中的CO2、CH4的产生率高于深层土壤。微生物的活跃程度直接影响到湿地碳的吸收与排放,影响活跃程度的因素包括湿地底物、pH、温度与氧化还原条件等。湿地底物浓度的增加会在一定程度上提高甲烷的产生率,中性或者是弱碱性环境是产甲烷菌的最适宜条件,在一定范围内温度越高,甲烷产生量越大,而温度对于二氧化碳的影响则是通过改变光合作用来实现。氧化还原电位与甲烷产生量成负相关关系,-150 mV是产甲烷菌产生甲烷的最高电位。总体上,由于湿地生态系统的复杂性和碳吸收与排放过程的复杂,以上这些因子相互作用,且在一定条件下会相互转化。最后针对如何充分发挥湿地生态系统的碳＂汇＂功能,控制湿地向碳＂源＂转化的条件措施方面进行了讨论,包括间歇灌溉、种植多年生草本植物或木本植物等来增强湿地的固碳能力。     

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.     

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.     

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.     

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.