华南丘陵区针叶林和果园地表CH4通量的日变化

利用静态箱-气相色谱法对华南丘陵区典型土地利用类型(针叶林:马尾松 Pinus massoniana;果园:龙眼Dimocarpus longan Lour)地表CH4通量日变化进行了原位观测.结果表明, 针叶林和果园土壤总体来说为大气CH4的吸收汇.地表CH4通量日变化波动较大,规律不明显.吸收较强的月份为10-11月,较弱的月份为6-9月.针叶林地表CH4吸收通量日平均值变化幅度为-0.093～0.066 mg·m-2·h-1,果园为-0.098～0.146 mg·m-2·h-1.地温和气温对地表CH4通量无明显影响.降雨对地表CH4通量有较大的影响,旱季(10-3月) 地表CH4吸收通量大于雨季(4-9月).凋落物和植被类型对CH4通量没有明显影响.     

温度和土壤含水量对温带森林土壤温室气体排放的影响

全球温带森林土壤是影响陆地主要温室气体——二氧化碳(CO2)、甲烷(CH4)和氧化亚氮(N2O)的重要源和汇,土壤温湿度的交互作用是影响温室气体吸收与释放的重要影响因素,但目前针对温带森林土壤的温湿度变化对温室气体的影响研究甚少。本研究用自动控制温湿度的人工气候箱模拟不同温度(5、10、15℃)和土壤水分含量(最大田间持水量的20%、40%、60%、80%)环境,比较研究3种我国温带典型森林土壤CO2、N2O、CH4的通量动态变化及其综合增温潜势(GWP)。结果表明:温度和土壤含水量增加会导致3种森林土壤的CO2和N2O表现为排放源、CH4为弱吸收汇。其中,阔叶林和针叶林土壤CO2排放通量变化幅度相近,针阔混交林的排放通量波动范围较小于二者;针阔混交林和阔叶林土壤的N2O排放通量变化幅度相近,而针叶林土壤的排放通量波动范围明显高于二者;阔叶林土壤CH4吸收通量随温度和土壤含水量增加的幅度较其他2种林型显著。3种林型土壤GWP受温度和土壤含水量影响的敏感性由高到低依次为阔叶林针叶林针阔混交林。     

三江平原湿地岛状林CH4和N2O排放通量的特征

利用静态箱-气相色谱法对三江平原湿地岛状林生长季N2O、CH4的排放通量进行了为期4个月的原位测定,分析了三江平原湿地岛状林CH4、N2O排放通量的季节特征,并初步探讨了CH4、N2O排放通量与温度和土壤水分的关系.湿地岛状林CH4、N2O通量均呈现出明显的正负交替的变化特征, 通量范围分别为-560.45～706.35 μg/(m2·h)和-28.87～43.59 μg/(m2·h), 季节均值分别为41.88 μg/(m2·h)和11.56 μg/(m2·h).结果表明, 湿地三江平原湿地岛状林土壤是CH4和N2O的汇.相关分析表明,CH4和N2O的排放与箱内温度具有弱相关性.土壤水分是影响湿地岛状林土壤CH4吸收、排放关系的重要因素, 而土壤的干湿交替能促进岛状林土壤N2O的排放.     

水热条件对不同坡位兴安落叶松林土壤CH_4通量的影响

兴安落叶松林是我国北方最大的针叶林,在我国具有重要的碳汇地位,对我国以及全球的气候变化具有重要影响。由于独特的高寒高湿和多年冻土的特殊生态环境,兴安落叶松林土壤中CH4的吸收与释放的规律与众不同。因此,开展对土壤CH4动态及其与环境关系的研究,对揭示兴安落叶松林碳汇能力的形成、碳释放动态以及兴安落叶松林对气候变化的作用具有重要的理论和实践意义。作者于2011年5月到9月间在内蒙古根河国家生态站,在不同坡位的4种典型兴安落叶松林群落中布设样地,采用静态箱-红外气体分析仪收集气体并分析CH4通量的变化,同时测定不同深度的土壤温度,测定土壤含水率。借助SAS方差分析、相关性分析等统计方法,对兴安落叶松林土壤CH4通量的季节变化进行研究,同时分析土壤温度及含水率对CH4通量的影响。结果表明,CH4的季节动态变化规律:坡顶CH4通量为春季释放,夏季吸收,秋季释放,吸收大于释放,通量的平均值为-68.12μg·m-2·h-1;坡上部CH4通量为春夏秋3季均吸收,通量的平均值为-342.49μg·m-2·h-1;坡下部CH4通量为春季释放,夏季吸收,秋季释放,释放大于吸收,通量的平均值为67.8μg·m-2·h-1;坡脚CH4通量为春夏秋3季均释放,通量的平均值为263μg·m-2·h-1。总的来说,在生长季兴安落叶松林土壤甲烷通量吸收大于释放,说明地处寒温带的大兴安岭是CH4的汇。观测期间CH4通量与温度及土壤含水率均有一定的相关性,二者从不同角度影响CH4通量的变化,而随着坡位的变化土壤水热条件也随之改变,这同样是影响CH4通量的一个重要因素。     

水热条件对不同坡位兴安落叶松林土壤CH4通量的影响

兴安落叶松林是我国北方最大的针叶林,在我国具有重要的碳汇地位,对我国以及全球的气候变化具有重要影响。由于独特的高寒高湿和多年冻土的特殊生态环境,兴安落叶松林土壤中 CH4的吸收与释放的规律与众不同。因此,开展对土壤 CH4动态及其与环境关系的研究,对揭示兴安落叶松林碳汇能力的形成、碳释放动态以及兴安落叶松林对气候变化的作用具有重要的理论和实践意义。作者于2011年5月到9月间在内蒙古根河国家生态站,在不同坡位的4种典型兴安落叶松林群落中布设样地,采用静态箱-红外气体分析仪收集气体并分析CH4通量的变化,同时测定不同深度的土壤温度,测定土壤含水率。借助SAS方差分析、相关性分析等统计方法,对兴安落叶松林土壤CH4通量的季节变化进行研究,同时分析土壤温度及含水率对 CH4通量的影响。结果表明,CH4的季节动态变化规律：坡顶 CH4通量为春季释放,夏季吸收,秋季释放,吸收大于释放,通量的平均值为-68.12μg·m^-2·h^-1;坡上部CH4通量为春夏秋3季均吸收,通量的平均值为-342.49μg·m^-2·h^-1;坡下部CH4通量为春季释放,夏季吸收,秋季释放,释放大于吸收,通量的平均值为67.8μg·m^-2·h^-1;坡脚CH4通量为春夏秋3季均释放,通量的平均值为263μg·m^-2·h^-1。总的来说,在生长季兴安落叶松林土壤甲烷通量吸收大于释放,说明地处寒温带的大兴安岭是CH4的汇。观测期间CH4通量与温度及土壤含水率均有一定的相关性,二者从不同角度影响CH4通量的变化,而随着坡位的变化土壤水热条件也随之改变,这同样是影响CH4通量的一个重要因素。     

Effects of long-term nitrogen addition and precipitation changes on CH4 flux in an alpine steppe北大核心CSCD

土壤是甲烷(CH4)重要的源和汇.氮沉降和降水格局变化正在急剧改变土壤碳循环,进而可能对土壤CH4通量造成深刻影响.高寒生态系统是巨大的碳库,对氮沉降和降水变化十分敏感.然而,目前多数研究集中在短期实验上,缺乏对长期氮沉降和降水变化背景下CH4通量的响应及其调控因素的认识.以青藏高原高寒草原为研究对象,在2013年搭建模拟氮沉降和降水格局改变实验平台.基于静态箱–气相色谱法测定2020年生长季(5-10月)土壤CH4通量.结果显示,高寒草原土壤呈CH4的汇.氮添加没有显著改变生长季和植物生长高峰CH4通量.然而,降水变化显著改变了生长季和植物生长高峰CH4通量,其中降水增加(+50%降水)降低了CH4的吸收(分别为–16%和–45%),降水减少(–50%降水)增强了CH4的吸收(分别为+73%和+33%).进一步研究发现,与植物属性和功能基因丰度相比,土壤环境因子主导了CH4通量变化(解释率>90%).其中CH4通量与土壤含水量和温度显著正相关,与土壤pH显著负相关.综上所述,在未来全球变化情景下,降水格局改变更能调节青藏高原高寒草原CH4通量的变化.(图6表1参37)     

北亚热带红壤丘陵区3种土地利用方式下CH_4通量及其影响因素

以北亚热带红壤丘陵区林地、茶园、菜地为对象,采用静态箱-气相色谱法,对3种土地利用方式下CH4通量进行了研究,同时测定了土壤温度、含水量和无机氮含量。旨在探索不同土地利用方式下CH4"源"和"汇"的功能,对评估不同土地利用方式对全球气候变化的贡献具有重要意义。结果表明,不同土地利用方式下土壤甲烷平均通量有显著差异,分别为:林地-15.44μg·m-2·h-1,茶园-1.49μg·m-2·h-1,菜地7.11μg·m-2·h-1;菜地土壤甲烷平均通量最高,茶园其次,林地最低,CH4年累积通量分别为0.52、-0.31和-1.46 kg·hm-2,菜地土壤以排放CH4为主,而茶园和林地土壤是CH4的汇。茶园和菜地土壤CH4通量呈一定的季节性变化,春、秋季CH4通量较高。林地CH4吸收通量与土壤湿度呈显著的负相关关系(P0.05),且当土壤湿度(WFPS)高于70%时,林地土壤才以排放CH4为主;而茶园和菜地土壤CH4吸收通量与土壤含水量无显著相关关系。土壤CH4通量与土壤温度之间未呈显著的相关关系。不同土地利用方式下土壤CH4排放通量与铵态氮含量呈显著的负相关关系(P0.05),而与硝态氮含量未呈显著的相关性。     

三江平原小叶章湿草甸CH4地-气交换特征

用密闭不透明箱-气相色谱法对三江平原小叶章湿草甸进行了为期2 a的现场观测研究.结果表明三江平原季节性积水的小叶章湿草甸全年CH4排放呈明显的双峰型变化.在非冰冻期(5月至10月)CH4排放通量为0.297～18.914 mg·m-2·h-1, 排放峰值出现在6月和8月、9月;冰冻期(11月至次年4月)CH4排放通量为0.048～2.921 mg·m-2·h-1, 排放低值出现在冬季的12月至次年3月之间,以及发生季节性干旱的7月.冰雪覆盖下的小叶章湿地依然有CH4排放,冰冻期CH4排放量约占全年排放总量的4.94%.在季节性积水或过湿的环境中,小叶章湿草甸CH4排放通量的季节变化主要由温度和土壤水分条件共同控制,其日变化特征表现为白天排放通量大,夜间则小.     

华南丘陵区针叶林和果园地表N2O通量的日变化

利用静态箱-气相色谱法对华南丘陵区典型土地利用类型(针叶林:马尾松 Pinus massoniana;果园:龙眼Dimocarpus longan Lour)地表N2O通量日变化进行了原位观测.结果表明, 针叶林和果园土壤总体来说为大气N2O的源.地表N2O通量日变化规律不明显,日变化中最大通量和最小通量出现的时间也没有明显的规律.针叶林地表N2O通量日平均值变化幅度为0.02～0.12 mg·m-2·h-1,果园为0.03～0.37 mg·m-2·h-1,最大值一般出现在6-8月.地温和气温对地表N2O通量日变化无明显影响.降雨对地表N2O通量有较大的影响,雨季(4-9月)地表N2O通量大于旱季(10-3月).不同土地利用方式对地表N2O通量有较大影响,果园地表N2O通量较针叶林大.没有发现凋落物对地表N2O通量有明显影响.     

不同经营方式及生境对大兴安岭高纬度林区生长盛季森林土壤CO_2、CH_4、N_2O通量的影响

为了确定不同森林经营利用方式(原始林、皆伐林、渐伐林)及不同生境(有林地、无林地、湿地)对于森林土壤-大气主要温室气体通量的影响,于2013年生长盛季(7─8月),在内蒙古大兴安岭兴安落叶松(Larix gmelinii)林区选取了16块样地,采用静态箱/气相色谱法进行了土壤-大气温室气体通量的原位观测。气体监测的同时,测定了土壤湿度和各层土壤温度以及各样地土壤的物理、化学性质。实验结果表明:大兴安岭兴安落叶松林区生长盛季CH4通量平均值为C(-133.6±62.3)μg·m-2·h-1。沼泽湿地(PD2和PD7)CH4表现为释放,CH4通量平均值为C(130.0±41.0)μg·m-2·h-1,其它14个样地土壤CH4为吸收,吸收通量变化范围为C(-242.0~-42.6)μg·m-2·h-1,变异系数为47%。所有样地CO2的地-气通量变化范围是C(94.9~1164.0)μg·m-2·h-1,平均值为C(671.3±324.3)μg·m-2·h-1,变异系数是48%。所有样地N2O通量的范围是N(1.2~21.6)μg·m-2·h-1,平均值为N(7.3±6.1)μg·m-2·h-1,变异系数为84%。通过数据分析显示,大兴安岭林区生长盛季不同经营方式及不同生境对森林土壤-大气CH4、CO2、N2O通量均无显著相关性。CH4通量与土壤各层温度及各层湿度并未发现有显著相关性,仅显示CH4通量与土壤有机质(SOC)呈正相关关系、土壤全氮(TN)呈负相关关系;CO2通量与土壤5 cm处温度显著相关(P=0.042 3),与土壤0 cm及10 cm处温度无显著相关性,CO2通量与土壤各层温度呈正相关关系,与腐殖质层、0~10 cm以及10~20 cm土壤湿度呈负相关关系,与SOC、TN呈负相关关系;N2O通量与土壤各层温度、湿度及SOC均呈正相关关系,与TN呈负相关关系。     

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.     

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.     

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.     

Use of stochastic patch occupancy models in the California red-legged frog for Bayesian inference regarding past events and future persistence

Assessing causes of population decline is critically important to management of threatened species. Stochastic patch occupancy models (SPOMs) are popular tools for examining spatial and temporal dynamics of populations when presence–absence data in multiple habitat patches are available. We developed a Bayesian Markov chain method that extends existing SPOMs by focusing on past environmental changes that may have altered occupancy patterns prior to the beginning of data collection. Using occupancy data from 3 creeks, we applied the method to assess 2 hypothesized causes of population decline—in situ die-off and residual impact of past source population loss—in the California red-legged frog. Despite having no data for the 20–30 years between the hypothetical event leading to population decline and the first data collected, we were able to discriminate among hypotheses, finding evidence that in situ die-off increased in 2 of the creeks. Although the creeks had comparable numbers of occupied segments, owing to different extinction–colonization dynamics, our model predicted an 8-fold difference in persistence probabilities of their populations to 2030. Adding a source population led to a greater predicted persistence probability than did decreasing the in situ die-off, emphasizing that reversing the deleterious impacts of a disturbance may not be the most efficient management strategy. We expect our method will be useful for studying dynamics and evaluating management strategies of many species.