Presence–Absence versus Abundance Data for Monitoring Threatened Species

Abstract:  Effective detection of population trend is crucial for managing threatened species. Little theory exists, however, to assist managers in choosing the most cost-effective monitoring techniques for diagnosing trend. We present a framework for determining the optimal monitoring strategy by simulating a manager collecting data on a declining species, the Chestnut-rumped Hylacola ( Hylacola pyrrhopygia parkeri ), to determine whether the species should be listed under the IUCN (World Conservation Union) Red List. We compared the efficiencies of two strategies for detecting trend, abundance, and presence–absence surveys, under financial constraints. One might expect the abundance surveys to be superior under all circumstances because more information is collected at each site. Nevertheless, the presence–absence data can be collected at more sites because the surveyor is not obliged to spend a fixed amount of time at each site. The optimal strategy for monitoring was very dependent on the budget available. Under some circumstances, presence–absence surveys outperformed abundance surveys for diagnosing the IUCN Red List categories cost-effectively. Abundance surveys were best if the species was expected to be recorded more than 16 times/year; otherwise, presence–absence surveys were best. The relationship between the strategies we investigated is likely to be relevant for many comparisons of presence–absence or abundance data. Managers of any cryptic or low-density species who hope to maximize their success of estimating trend should find an application for our results.     

Factors influencing food choice by the seaweed-eating marine snail Norrisianorrisi (Trochidae)

Through two-choice gustatory experiments, a␣preference hierarchy was established␣for␣the␣herbivorous gastropod Norrisianorrisi Sowerby, with laminarialean kelps preferred over all other seaweeds. Among the kelps, laminae of Macrocystispyrifera were slightly preferred over Egregiamenziesii, and both were strongly preferred over sporophylls of Eiseniaarborea. E.arborea, the least preferred kelp, was consistently chosen over other algae common in the snail's habitat (Halidrysdioica, Dictyotaflabellata, and Pterocladiacapillacea) and over seaweeds believed to be edible and palatable based on their morphology, structure, and secondary chemistry (Endarachnebinghamiae, Mazzaellaflaccida, and Ulvalobata). The morphologies and structural toughness of tested seaweeds varied significantly as did their nutritional (% carbon, % nitrogen, C:N ratio, and % ash) contents and phlorotannin concentrations; however, snails preferred to feed on kelps regardless of nutritional content, toughness or phlorotannin concentration; and among kelps preferred to feed on the least tough species (based on penetrometer measurements), which also were those containing the lowest phlorotannin concentrations. Preference for kelp was not upheld in experiments using agarose thalli to which freeze-dried powder, of either the kelp Eiseniaarborea or non-kelp Endarachnebinghamiae was added, suggesting the destruction of attractant chemicals during the making of the artificial foods. Our data suggest that the preference of N. norrisi for kelps over other potentially edible and palatable seaweeds may not be related to nutritional content, but instead may have evolved in response to factors such as availability, habitat provision, or refuge from predation. Received: 27 September 1996 / Accepted: 7 October 1997     

Estimated occupational risk from bioaerosols generated during land application of class B biosolids

Some speculate that bioaerosols from land application of biosolids pose occupational risks, but few studies have assessed aerosolization of microorganisms from biosolids or estimated occupational risks of infection. This study investigated levels of microorganisms in air immediately downwind of land application operations and estimated occupational risks from aerosolized microorganisms. In all, more than 300 air samples were collected downwind of biosolids application sites at various locations within the United States. Coliform bacteria, coliphages, and heterotrophic plate count (HPC) bacteria were enumerated from air and biosolids at each site. Concentrations of coliforms relative to Salmonella and concentrations of coliphage relative to enteroviruses in biosolids were used, in conjunction with levels of coliforms and coliphages measured in air during this study, to estimate exposure to Salmonella and enteroviruses in air. The HPC bacteria were ubiquitous in air near land application sites whether or not biosolids were being applied, and concentrations were positively correlated to windspeed. Coliform bacteria were detected only when biosolids were being applied to land or loaded into land applicators. Coliphages were detected in few air samples, and only when biosolids were being loaded into land applicators. In general, environmental parameters had little impact on concentrations of microorganisms in air immediately downwind of land application. The method of land application was most correlated to aerosolization. From this large body of data, the occupational risk of infection from bioaerosols was estimated to be 0.78 to 2.1%/yr. Extraordinary exposure scenarios carried an estimated annual risk of infection of up to 34%, with viruses posing the greatest threat. Risks from aerosolized microorganisms at biosolids land application sites appear to be lower than those at wastewater treatment plants, based on previously reported literature.     

Atmospheric pollutants monitoring by analysis of epiphytic lichens

The Canoparmelia texana epiphytic lichenized fungi was used to monitor atmospheric pollution in the S?o Paulo metropolitan region, SP, Brazil. The cluster analysis applied to the element concentration values confirmed the site groups of different levels of pollution due to industrial and vehicular emissions. In the distribution maps of element concentrations, higher concentrations of Ba and Mn were observed in the vicinity of industries and of a petrochemical complex. The highest concentration of Co found in lichens from the S?o Miguel Paulista site is due to the emissions from a metallurgical processing plant that produces this element. For Br and Zn, the highest concentrations could be associated both to vehicular and industrial emissions. Exploratory analyses revealed that the accumulation of toxic elements in C. texana may be of use in evaluating the human risk of cardiopulmonary mortality due to prolonged exposure to ambient levels of air pollution.     

Ecorisk evaluation and treatability potential of soils contaminated with petroleum hydrocarbon-based fuels

We used a series of toxicity tests to monitor oil degradation in the Kuwaiti oil lakes. Three soils from different locations with a history of hydrocarbon contamination were treated in bench-scale microcosms with controlled nutrient amendments, moisture content, and temperature that had promoted mineralization of total hydrocarbon and oil and grease in a preliminary study. Two hundred days of bioremediation treatment lowered hydrocarbon concentration to below 2 and 5 mg g(-1) for soils A and B, respectively, while in soil C hydrocarbon concentration remained at 12 mg g(-1). Although 85% of the total petroleum hydrocarbons (TPHs) in soil A were reduced 50d after treatment, results of the seed germination and Microtox tests suggested an initial increase in toxicity, indicating that toxic intermediary metabolites may have formed during biodegradation. Also, the significant decrease of TPHs and corresponding high toxicity levels were noted in soil B 200d after bioremediation. Clearly, toxicity values, and not just hydrocarbon concentration, are a key factor in assessing the effectiveness of bioremediation techniques. Field chemistry data showed a significant reduction in hydrocarbon levels after the biological treatment. We concluded that the toxicity assessment of the contaminated soil with a battery of toxicity bioassays could provide meaningful information regarding a characterization procedure in ecological risk assessment.     

Molecular evidence of facultative intraguild predation by Monochamus titillator larvae (Coleoptera: Cerambycidae) on members of the southern pine beetle guild

The southern pine bark beetle guild (SPBG) is arguably the most destructive group of forest insects in the southeastern USA. This guild contains five species of bark beetles (Coleoptera: Curculionidae: Scolytinae): Dendroctonus frontalis, Dendroctonus terebrans, Ips avulsus, Ips calligraphus, and Ips grandicollis. A diverse community of illicit receivers is attracted to pheromones emitted by the SPBG, including the woodborers Monochamus carolinensis and Monochamus titillator (Coleoptera: Cerambycidae). These woodborers have been traditionally classified as resource competitors; however, laboratory assays suggest that larval M. carolinensis may be facultative intraguild predators of SPBG larvae. This study used polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-based molecular gut content analyses to characterize subcortical interactions between M. titillator and members of the SPBG. The half-lives of SPBG DNA were estimated in the laboratory prior to examining these interactions in the field. A total of 271 field-collected M. titillator larvae were analyzed and 26 (9.6?%) tested positive for DNA of members of the SPBG. Of these larvae, 25 (96.2?%) tested positive for I. grandicollis and one (3.8?%) for I. calligraphus. Failure to detect D. terebrans and D. frontalis was likely due to their absence in the field. I. avulsus was present, but primers developed using adult tissues failed to amplify larval tissue. Results from this study support the hypothesis that larval Monochamus spp. are facultative intraguild predators of bark beetle larvae. Additionally, this study demonstrates the capabilities of PCR in elucidating the interactions of cryptic forest insects and provides a tool to better understand mechanisms driving southern pine beetle guild population fluctuations.     

Climatic and genetic controls of yields of switchgrass, a model bioenergy species

The U.S. Renewable Fuel Standard calls for 136 billion liters of renewable fuels production by 2022. Switchgrass (Panicum virgatum L.) has emerged as a leading candidate to be developed as a bioenergy feedstock. To reach biofuel production goals in a sustainable manner, more information is needed to characterize potential production rates of switchgrass. We used switchgrass yield data and general additive models (GAMs) to model lowland and upland switchgrass yield as nonlinear functions of climate and environmental variables. We used the GAMs and a 39-year climate dataset to assess the spatio-temporal variability in switchgrass yield due to climate variables alone. Variables associated with fertilizer application, genetics, precipitation, and management practices were the most important for explaining variability in switchgrass yield. The relationship of switchgrass yield with climate variables was different for upland than lowland cultivars. The spatio-temporal analysis showed that considerable variability in switchgrass yields can occur due to climate variables alone. The highest switchgrass yields with the lowest variability occurred primarily in the Corn Belt region, suggesting that prime cropland regions are the best suited for a constant and high switchgrass biomass yield. Given that much lignocellulosic feedstock production will likely occur in regions with less suitable climates for agriculture, interannual variability in yields should be expected and incorporated into operational planning.     

极端嗜盐菌Halomonas elogata的分离鉴定及其降解偶氮染料活性兰BRF的条件优化研究

从新疆地区土壤中经驯化、分离纯化得到一株极端嗜盐菌,并对其形态特征、生理生化特性及16S rDNA同源性进行了检索比较,鉴定该菌株为伸长盐单胞菌(Halomonas elogata);其次,考察了不同因素对菌株降解偶氮染料--活性兰BRF的影响,比较了不同盐度条件下的降解率,并在30℃、5%盐度生长条件下采用单因素实验考察了该菌接菌量、染料初始浓度、初始pH等因素对活性兰BRF72h降解率的影响,采用正交试验L9(33)获得适宜的降解条件;最后,通过紫外-可见吸收光谱分析了降解产物.结果表明,该菌株耐盐范围为0～32%,最适生长盐度为5%～20%;在盐度为3%～25%条件下该菌株对活性兰BRF的降解率随着盐度的升高先升后降,5%盐度下的降解效果最佳;在30℃、5%盐度下适宜降解条件为:染料浓度100mg·L-1,pH=7,接菌量5%,72h的降解率为88.62%.紫外-可见光谱结果显示,降解产物的光谱与活性兰BRF的明显不同,可见光区的吸收峰消失,正己烷萃取液无紫外吸收,二氯甲烷萃取液出现两个紫外吸收峰,推测为芳胺类及杂环类等极性化合物;质谱分析证实,降解产物合苯甲基二胺、2,6-氨基苯酚等极性化合物.     

发酵稻壳对亚铁离子和硫离子的吸附-解吸附特性

为了解发酵稻壳对Fe2+和S2-离子的固定潜力,采用静态批式法研究了发酵稻壳对Fe2+和S2-离子的吸附行为,探讨了反应时间、溶液中Fe2+和S2-浓度、溶液p H、吸附反应环境温度及溶液离子强度对发酵稻壳吸附Fe2+和S2-特性的影响,并进一步通过解吸附试验了解发酵稻壳吸附态Fe2+和S2-的稳定性.结果表明,发酵稻壳吸附Fe2+(r=0.912 1)和S2-(r=0.901 1)的动力学过程均符合Elovich动力学模型,且Fe2+(R2=0.965 1)和S2-(R2=0.936 6)的等温吸附特征可较好地用Freundlich等温吸附模型描述.发酵稻壳对Fe2+和S2-的吸附为非优惠型吸附,其中对Fe2+的吸附为非自发反应,对S2-的吸附为自发反应.发酵稻壳对Fe2+和S2-的吸附过程是一吸热过程,升温有利于吸附作用的进行,发酵稻壳对Fe2+的吸附主要为配位吸附,而对S2-的吸附主要为阴离子交换吸附.一定p H范围内(1.50~11.50)发酵稻壳吸附Fe2+和S2-具有较强的适应性.同时随着离子强度的增加发酵稻壳对Fe2+的吸附量有所增加,而对S2-的吸附量略有减少,进一步证明发酵稻壳对Fe2+的吸附以内层配位为主,对S2-的吸附以外层络合为主.此外,不同p H条件及离子强度下发酵稻壳吸附的Fe2+和S2-解吸率很低,解吸率均小于10.00%.上述结果说明,发酵稻壳对Fe2+和S2-具有较好的吸附能力和环境适应性,吸附态Fe2+和S2-稳定性好,不易再释放.