Experimental evidence for selection against fish larvae with high metabolic rates in a food limited environment

We provide experimental evidence for a direct link between embryonic metabolism and longevity in the larval stage of a marine fish when food resources are limited. Since growth rates of otoliths are closely related to metabolic rates, the area inside the hatch check (i.e., deposition of otolith matrix during embryonic development) is representative of inherent differences in metabolic rates. When exposed to food limitation, larvae with larger hatch check areas died earlier than larvae with smaller hatch check areas. This relationship did not occur in larvae that fed at saturated levels. A simple explanation for these observations is that larvae, which consumed metabolic fuel at higher rates died earlier unless energy derived from food was not limiting. Since high growth rates are linked to high metabolic rates, this mechanism could efficiently counteract selection for faster average growth but only when resources are limiting.     

Temperature,salinity, and prey effects on polyp versus medusa bud production by the invasive hydrozoan<Emphasis Type="Italic"> Moerisia lyonsi</Emphasis>

Hydrozoan species are renowned for flexible asexual reproduction, which may predispose them to be successful invaders. Polyps of the invasive hydrozoan Moerisia lyonsi (Boulenger, 1908) have very high rates of asexual production of both polyp and medusa buds. In order to determine how environmental factors affect asexual reproduction in M. lyonsi, the quantitative relationships between polyp bud and medusa bud production were studied in a 31-day laboratory experiment during August 2001. The combined effects of prey (4, 8, 12, 16 Acartia tonsa copepods polyp^–1 day^–1), temperature (20°C, 29°C), and salinity (5, 15, 25) were tested on the development times for polyp buds (DT_p) and medusa buds (DT_m), the total asexual reproduction rate (ARR, no. buds polyp^–1 day^–1), and the ratio of medusa bud to total bud production (R_m). Greater food consumption significantly and directly enhanced ARR and R_m and shortened DT_p and DT_m. A lower temperature (20°C) and higher salinity (25) reduced food consumption, lengthened development times, and decreased ARR and R_m, with opposite effects for the higher temperature (29°C) and lowest salinity (5). The patterns of variation of these reproductive parameters are more complex. DT_m was most sensitive and was significantly and directly affected by all three measured factors. In addition to food consumption, direct effects were seen by temperature on DT_p and by salinity on R_m. ARR was directly affected only by food consumption. Overall, DT_p, DT_m, and R_m were more sensitive to environmental differences than was ARR. More favorable conditions enhanced medusa bud production. The adaptive reproductive processes and their significance for the maintenance and dispersal of M. lyonsi are discussed.Communicated by J.P. Grassle, New Brunswick     

A comparison of temperate reef fish assemblages recorded by three underwater stereo-video techniques

Three underwater stereo-video techniques were used to sample the relative densities and species richness of temperate reef fish assemblages at three reef locations and two habitats (high- and low-relief reef) within Hamelin Bay, south-western Australia. The three techniques compared were diver-operated stereo-video strip transects, baited remote stereo-video and unbaited remote stereo-video. While unbaited remote stereo-video and diver-operated stereo-video transects recorded greater species richness at high compared to low-relief reefs, baited remote stereo-video recorded similar species richness at the two habitat types. The diver-operated stereo-video system was manoeuvred through caves and under overhangs recording small, cryptic, cave-dwelling species that were not recorded by either remote video techniques (Trachinops noarlungae, Trachinops brauni, Chromis klunzingeri, Trachichthys australis). Both remote video techniques recorded greater species richness and relative density of the most common species of Labridae, Ophthalmolepsis lineolatus. Baited remote video recorded the rarer, large predatory fish species (e.g. Seriola hippos, Glaucosoma hebraicum, Heterodontus portusjacksoni). None of the techniques sampled small cryptic fish families such as Gobiidae or Blenniidae. A combination of survey techniques is recommended for comprehensive fishery-independent studies that aim to sample broad components of fish assemblages.An erratum to this article can be found at     

Demographic variation in the kelp<Emphasis Type="Italic"> Laminaria hyperborea</Emphasis> along a latitudinal gradient

We compared populations of Laminaria hyperborea from different regions along the Norwegian coast (58–71°N). The aim of the study was to examine possible regional differences in population demography and to relate these to latitudinal gradients in ambient temperature and light. A number of population parameters were examined in understory and canopy kelp individuals. We found latitudinal differences in stipe growth rate and growth pattern, mortality, longevity, recruitment and density. Stipe growth rate was higher for young individuals in mid-Norway than in south and north Norway. Mean stipe length was related to temperature and light, and correlated significantly with indices combining temperature during the growth season and daylength in summer. Mortality decreased and longevity increased with increasing latitude, probably because of a temperature decrease with increasing latitude and a general reduction in metabolic rate. Greater longevity may also cause the observed decrease in recruitment rate with increasing latitude, since there are fewer opportunities for understory individuals to replace dead canopy individuals. The development of particularly large kelp in mid-Norway appears to be explained by high growth rates and not a particularly long life span, as earlier assumed. This has consequences for decisions of the optimal harvesting regime for the species in the region, with regard to yield and maintenance of associated biodiversity.Communicated by M. Kühl, Helsingør     

The Potential of Soil Carbon Sequestration Through Improved Management Practices in Norway

The study was conducted to assess the potential of Norwegian agricultural ecosystems to sequester carbon (C) based on the data from some long-term agronomic and land use experiments. The total emission of CO₂ in Norway in 1998 was 41.4 million metric ton (MMT), of which agriculture contributed only 0.157 MMT, or <0.4% of the total emissions. With regards to methane (CH₄) and nitrous oxide (N₂O) gases, however, agricultural activities contributed 32.5% and 51.3% of their respective emissions in Norway. The soil organic carbon (SOC) losses associated with accelerated soil erosion in Norway are estimated at 0.475 MMTC yr^–1. Land use changes and soil/crop management practices with potential for SOC sequestration include conservation tillage methods, judicious use of fertilizers and manures, use of crop residues, diverse crop rotations, and erosion control measures. The potential for SOC sequestration is 0.146 MMTC yr^–1 for adopting conservation tillage, 0.011–0.035 MMTC yr^–1 for crop residue management, 0.026 MMTC yr^–1 for judicious use of mineral fertilizer, 0.016–0.135 MMTC yr^–1 for manure application, and 0.036 MMTC yr^–1 for adopting crop rotations. The overall potential of these practices for SOC sequestration ranges from 0.591 to 1.022 MMTC yr^–1 with an average value of 0.806 MMTC yr^–1. Of the total potential, 59% is due to adoption of erosion control measures, 5.8% to restoration of peat lands, 21% to conversion to conservation tillage and residue management, and 14% to adoption of improved cropping systems. Enhancing SOC sequestration and improving soil quality, through adoption of judicious land use and improved system of soil and crop management, are prudent strategies for sustainable management of soil, water and environment resources.Readers should send their comments on this paper to: bhaskarn ath@aol.com within 3 months of publication of this issue.     

The Environmental Effects of New Zealand’s Free-Market Reforms

This paper explains one way in which New Zealand’s free-market reforms have adversely affected its environment. Liberalisation of New Zealand’s economy has radically changed the determinants of agricultural export success, largely due to the elimination of subsidies to domestic producers, and of tariffs on imports. In this exposed agricultural milieu, the dairy industry has thrived; cow numbers have increased by over 50%, with commensurate increases in herd and farm sizes. With this rapid expansion has come increasing pollution of New Zealand’s waterways. New Zealand’s Resource Management Act 1991 is potentially capable of controlling these adverse effects; however, its implementation was slow and piecemeal throughout the 1990s. So, at the same time as production and pollution from dairy farming expanded, the efficacy of environmental policy was limited. The resulting implementation gap has put at risk the ‘clean and green’ image that is an important component of New Zealand’s agricultural export success.Readers should send their comments on this paper to: BhaskarNath@aol.com within 3 months of publication of this issue.     

Physical and Economic Sustainability of Water: New Approach Using the Case of the Big Lost River,Idaho

A new approach for evaluating water sustainability is introduced by comparing physical and economic sustainability. To achieve physical sustainability, water should be available in sufficient quantity and of good quality and used efficiently. The economic sustainability can be achieved by balancing between costs and values of water. The objectives of this study were to estimate the physical and economic sustainability of surface water in the Big Lost River, south–central Idaho. The study used a Bayesian network by building a graphical diagram of nodes representing all significant variables related with the sustainability, such as water demand, water quality, and the different costs and values of water. The study showed that the likelihood of the physical sustainability is less than that of the economic sustainability, which is attributed to the scarcity of water in the Big Lost River. Readers should send their comments on this paper to: BhaskarNath@aol.com within 3 months of publication of this issue.     

Environmental Optimisation in Fractionating Industrial Wastes Using Contribution Margin Analysis as a Sustainable Development Tool

This paper describes a method of estimating the “true” internal costs of industrial waste, aimed at promoting environmentally friendly waste management. The study employs contribution margin analysis and a model – The Model for Efficient Use of Resources for Optimal Production Economy (EUROPE) – introduced by the author for assigning industrial costs to waste. In a business sense, waste is regarded as having the same basic status as any normal industrial product – the equality principle. Application of the method is suggested to create incentives for environmental improvement and profitability improvement in companies. Although the results of two case studies show the generation of waste to have a substantial negative impact on the final operating income, due to the internal shadow price costs it creates, this is regarded as an unavoidable consequence of the companies' acting in accordance with the principle of sustainable development. Readers should send their comments on this paper to: BhaskarNath@aol.com within 3 months of publication of this issue.