Resembling a Viper: Implications of Mimicry for Conservation of the Endangered Smooth Snake

The phenomenon of Batesian mimicry, where a palatable animal gains protection against predation by resembling an unpalatable model, has been a core interest of evolutionary biologists for 150 years. An extensive range of studies has focused on revealing mechanistic aspects of mimicry (shared education and generalization of predators) and the evolutionary dynamics of mimicry systems (co‐operation vs. conflict) and revealed that protective mimicry is widespread and is important for individual fitness. However, according to our knowledge, there are no case studies where mimicry theories have been applied to conservation of mimetic species. Theoretically, mimicry affects, for example, frequency dependency of predator avoidance learning and human induced mortality. We examined the case of the protected, endangered, nonvenomous smooth snake (Coronella austriaca) that mimics the nonprotected venomous adder (Vipera berus), both of which occur in the Åland archipelago, Finland. To quantify the added predation risk on smooth snakes caused by the rarity of vipers, we calculated risk estimates from experimental data. Resemblance of vipers enhances survival of smooth snakes against bird predation because many predators avoid touching venomous vipers. Mimetic resemblance is however disadvantageous against human predators, who kill venomous vipers and accidentally kill endangered, protected smooth snakes. We found that the effective population size of the adders in Åland is very low relative to its smooth snake mimic (28.93 and 41.35, respectively).Because Batesian mimicry is advantageous for the mimic only if model species exist in sufficiently high numbers, it is likely that the conservation program for smooth snakes will fail if adders continue to be destroyed. Understanding the population consequences of mimetic species may be crucial to the success of endangered species conservation. We suggest that when a Batesian mimic requires protection, conservation planners should not ignore the model species (or co‐mimic in Mullerian mimicry rings) even if it is not itself endangered. Implications of mimicry for Conservation of the endangered smooth snake     

Exploring the Crowding–Satisfaction Relationship in Recreational Boating

Along with the growing boating population and the number of boats in use on limited inland waterways, boater expectations of setting density, safety perceptions, and the associated impacts on their experience (e.g., satisfaction) are becoming increasingly important. The primary purpose of this article was to explore a recreational boating crowding–satisfaction model derived from previous work using safety and enjoyment as mediating variables. We also tested our crowding–satisfaction model among day and overnight users. Our analysis revealed no significant difference between day and overnight users for any of the relationships tested in our model. Our final model indicated as respondents’ expectations for seeing people increased along with their feelings of being crowded, they were more inclined to consider the conditions on the lake as being unsafe. They were also more inclined to indicate that the number of people they had seen on the lake detracted from their boating experience. Respondents’ satisfaction was tied to their perceptions of crowding. Mediating variables illustrated that the relationship was conditioned by perceptions of safety and enjoyment. Analysis of the indirect effect observed in our study illustrate that when the number of people seen on the lake exceed respondents’ expectations, their perceptions of safety and enjoyment both decline, resulting in lower satisfaction. These findings have implications for managing recreational boating use on inland lake systems. Given the role played by expectations in our model, efforts to communicate with boaters about conditions on these waterways is important for helping them plan their boating experience and avoid situations they consider unsafe or unsatisfactory.     

环境污染对戒烟人群的心理警示作用建模分析研究

环境污染过程中,由于对污染源的轻视最终造成极大的污染后果,分析污染生成过程对戒烟人群的心理会产生一定的警示作用,因此,针对环境污染过程的警示作用提出戒烟人群的心理警示作用模型.建模过程中对四项衡量指标进行计算分析,经过模型修订最终完成警示模型的构建.使用构建的模型对戒烟人群进行心理警示评估.通过试验分析可知,建立的警示模型在通常状态下能够对戒烟人群达到警示督促作用.     

咸潮预警值设定的研究

为研究咸潮预警,上海某饮用水源地安装了蓝色卫士水质综合预警系统。采用实验室配制人工海水模拟减潮,通过动态实验研究蓝色卫士的成潮预警值。试验证明,成潮预警值设定范围为1．6～1．8较好。经过连续1a自动监测,蓝色卫士共准确预警预报两次成潮,成功保障了该水源地的饮水安全。     

化学品分类管理策略与安全预警机制的建立

从全球化学品统一分类和标签制度（GHS）背景出发,结合GHS中化学品危险性分类及国内外化学品分类管理的实际情况,提出了适用于分类管理的19个危险化学品类别及化学品分类管理的整体思路;从分类别管理角度提出分类管理的重点为物理危害的11个类别,健康危害的2个类别,环境危害的1个类别;从管理环节角度提出分类管理的重点是生产、使用、储存、运输环节。在此基础上,进一步提出基于危险化学品登记数据建立安全预警机制的策略。     

阳澄湖蓝藻综合监测监控模式研究

以昆山为例,从监测点集成范围的选择、数据采集模式研究、数据传输模式研究、数据集成标准研究、数据应用展示样机等方面,对阳澄湖蓝藻综合监测监控模式进行研究,应用3G、物联网、云推送等新技术;制定《昆山市环境质量自动监测数据集成标准模式》和《昆山市环境质量自动监控通讯传输技术规范》;探索一条湖泊蓝藻综合监测监控的新思路和新模式。     

GB/T 28001-2011标准术语和定义的认知

对GB／T28000《职业健康安全管理体系》系列国家标准的术语和定义进行了对比分析。     

中国火山地区预警政策研究

本文主要介绍了我国的活火山、火山灾害情况及国内外的火山预警政策。在此基础上讨论了我国火山地区预警政策的组成结构,认为完整的火山地区预警政策应该包括活火山识别、火山风险评价与灾害区划图、制定火山应急预案、火山防灾减灾知识宣传、火山监测和灾害预报、火山灾害预警等级划分、火山减灾工程措施以及预警响应措施等方面,并对火山预警政...     

封闭湖泊蓝藻水华预警机制及应急控制方法

随着我国城市化进程的不断推进以及经济的快速发展,城市封闭湖泊水体污染日益严重,蓝藻水华现象频频发生。文章分析了该类水体水华的主要影响因素,并提出了预警机制。根据已开展的湖泊污染治理工程效果,针对性地提出了几种有效的封闭湖泊蓝藻水华应急控制方法。     

城市光污染对驾驶安全性影响评价研究

在分析城市光污染对驾驶安全性影响评价特点的基础上,结合相关评价指标体系,引入李克特量表法构建安全性评价量表,并基于物元理论对城市光污染对驾驶安全性影响进行评价。选择了成都市4条道路进行实例分析,得出了较为准确的城市光污染对驾驶安全性影响等级评价结果。