Assessing Sustainability at Multiple Scales in a Rotational Bushmeat Hunting System

Abstract: Results of many studies show unsustainable levels of bushmeat hunting across West/Central Africa. Nevertheless, these results are usually derived from snapshot sustainability indices in which critical parameters are often taken from the literature. Simple, more informative tools for assessing sustainability are needed. We evaluated the impact of bushmeat hunting across a range of temporal, spatial, and taxonomic scales in a comparison of different measures of sustainability. Over 15 months in 2002–2004 in and around a village close to Equatorial Guinea's Monte Alén National Park, we collected data via a village offtake survey, hunter‐camp bushmeat‐consumption diaries, hunter interviews, and following hunters during hunts. We compared 2003 data with a previous offtake survey (1998–1999) and interview reports back to 1990. In the past 14 years, average distance from the village at which hunters operated remained constant, with hunters switching back and forth between long‐established camps, although trapping effort increased. In the past 5 years, overall offtake and number of active hunters did not change substantially, although catch per unit effort (CPUE) decreased slightly. Although the proportion of the two most commonly trapped species (Cephalophus monticola and Atherurus africanus) and gun‐hunted primates increased in the offtake, species presumably less robust to trapping decreased slightly. Apparent sustainability in economic terms may be masking gradual local extirpation of more vulnerable species before and during this study. Our results suggest that changes in prey profiles and CPUE may be the most accurate indicators of actual sustainability; these indices can be monitored with simple village‐based offtake surveys and hunter interviews to improve community management of bushmeat hunting.     

A Lost Link between a Flightless Parrot and a Parasitic Plant and the Potential Role of Coprolites in Conservation Paleobiology

Late Quaternary extinctions and population fragmentations have severely disrupted animal‐plant interactions globally. Detection of disrupted interactions often relies on anachronistic plant characteristics, such as spines in the absence of large herbivores or large fruit without dispersers. However, obvious anachronisms are relatively uncommon, and it can be difficult to prove a direct link between the anachronism and a particular faunal taxon. Analysis of coprolites (fossil feces) provides a novel way of exposing lost interactions between animals (depositors) and consumed organisms. We analyzed ancient DNA to show that a coprolite from the South Island of New Zealand was deposited by the rare and threatened kakapo (Strigops habroptilus), a large, nocturnal, flightless parrot. When we analyzed the pollen and spore content of the coprolite, we found pollen from the cryptic root‐parasite Dactylanthus taylorii. The relatively high abundance (8.9% of total pollen and spores) of this zoophilous pollen type in the coprolite supports the hypothesis of a former direct feeding interaction between kakapo and D. taylorii. The ranges of both species have contracted substantially since human settlement, and their present distributions no longer overlap. Currently, the lesser short‐tailed bat (Mystacina tuberculata) is the only known native pollinator of D. taylorii, but our finding raises the possibility that birds, and other small fauna, could have once fed on and pollinated the plant. If confirmed, through experimental work and observations, this finding may inform conservation of the plant. For example, it may be possible to translocate D. taylorii to predator‐free offshore islands that lack bats but have thriving populations of endemic nectar‐feeding birds. The study of coprolites of rare or extinct taxonomic groups provides a unique way forward to expand existing knowledge of lost plant and animal interactions and to identify pollination and dispersal syndromes. This approach of linking paleobiology with neoecology offers significant untapped potential to help inform conservation and restoration plans. Un Eslabón Perdido entre un Loro No Volador y una Planta Parásita y el Papel Potencial de Coprolitos en Paleobiología de la Conservación     

ABR-生物接触氧化法处理果汁废水实验分析

厌氧式折流反应器(Anaerobic Baffled Reactor,简称ABR)是一种新型高效厌氧反应器,具有工艺技术简单、建设投资费用低、运行管理方便、固液分离效果好、出水水质好、运行稳定可靠、对有毒物质适应性强等优点,是一种极具开发应用前景的废水生物处理新技术。ABR最大的特点是在反应器中设置上下折流板而在水流方向上形成依次串联的隔室,从而使其中的微生物种群沿长度方向的不同隔室实现产酸和产甲烷相的分离。该反应器具有结构简单,截留污泥能力强,系统处理效果稳定,运行管理方便等优点。分析了ABR及ABR与其它工艺的联合在果汁废水处理方面的应用。     

Combined Effects of Levels of Protection and Environmental Variables at Different Spatial Resolutions on Fish Assemblages in a Marine Protected Area

Abstract: The links between species–environment relations and species’ responses to protection are unclear, but the objectives of marine protected areas (MPAs) are most likely to be achieved when those relations are known and inform MPA design. The components of a species’ habitat vary with the spatial resolution of the area considered. We characterized areas at two resolutions: 250 m² (transect) and approximately 30,000 m² (seascape). We considered three categories of environmental variables: substrate type, bottom complexity, and depth. We sought to determine at which resolution habitat characteristics were a better predictor of abundance and species composition of fishes and whether the relations with environmental variables at either resolution affected species’ responses to protection. Habitat features accounted for a larger proportion of spatial variation in species composition and abundances than differences in protection status. This spatial variation was explained best by habitat characteristics at the seascape level than at the transect level. Species’ responses to protected areas were specific to particular seascape characteristics, primarily depth, and bottom complexity. Our method may be useful for prioritizing marine areas for protection, designing MPAs, and monitoring their effectiveness. It identified areas that provided natural shelter, areas acting as buffer zones, and areas where fish species were most responsive to protection. The identification of such areas is necessary for cost‐effective establishment and monitoring of MPAs.     

蠡河底泥中反硝化复合菌群富集及菌群结构研究

从无锡市滨湖区蠡河底泥中富集培养反硝化复合菌群,研究其在不同富集培养阶段TN、NO-3-N、NO-2-N、NH+4-N和COD动态变化,分析反硝化过程中气体释放总量、释放速率和成分,通过构建全长16S r DNA克隆文库研究其菌落结构.结果表明,反硝化复合菌群富集在阶段4时脱氮效果最佳,仅在9 h内,330 mg·L-1的TN负荷下,TN去除率达90.9%,NO-3-N去除率达100%,中间产物NO-2-N和NH+4-N积累量最少,分别为3.39 mg·L-1和16.64 mg·L-1,COD去除率达85%;释放气体260m L,气体主要成分为N2,同时还有少量的CH4和CO2等.富集培养反硝化复合菌群细菌属于Pseudomonadaceae科和Rhodocyclaceae科,为Proteobacteria门,OUT丰度分别为57.8%和31.6%,Pseudomonadaceae科是优势类群.     

Pd-MnO2 nanoparticles/TiO2 nanotube arrays (NTAs) photo-electrodes photo-catalytic properties and their ability of degrading Rhodamine B under visible light

Pd-MnO_2/TiO_2 nanotube arrays(NTAs) photo-electrodes were successfully fabricated via anodization and electro deposition subsequently; the obtained Pd-MnO_2/TiO_2 NTAs photo electrodes were analyzed by scanning electron microscopy(SEM), X-ray diffraction(XRD) and characterized accordingly. Moreover, the light harvesting and absorption properties were investigated via ultraviolet–visible diffuse reflectance spectrum(DRS); photo degradation efficiency was investigated via analyzing the photo catalytic degradation of Rhodamine B under visible illumination(xenon light). The performed analyses illustrated that Pd-MnO_2 codoped particles were successfully deposited onto the surface of the TiO_2 nanotube arrays;DRS results showed significant improvement in visible light absorption which was between400 and 700 nm. Finally, the photo catalytic degradation efficiency results of the designated organic pollutant(Rhodamine B) illustrated a superior photocatalytic(PC) efficiency of approximately 95% compared to the bare TiO_2 NTAs, which only exhibited a photo catalytic degradation efficiency of approximately 61%, thus it indicated the significant enhancement of the light absorption properties of fabricated photo electrodes and their yield of UOH radicals.     

阿哈水库叶绿素a时空分布特征及其与藻类、环境因子的关系

为了解阿哈水库叶绿素a(Chl-a)时空分布特征及其与藻类、环境因子的关系,于2012年枯水期至2013年平水期、丰水期对藻类与理化指标进行分层采样.结果表明Chl-a季节变化明显,与藻类生物量季节变化较为一致,而与丰度差别较大,平水期发生甲藻水华,浓度最高(91μg·L~(-1)),枯水期与丰水期相对较低,分别为8μg·L~(-1)与16μg·L~(-1).枯水期与丰水期水体表层Chl-a浓度略高于中、底层,表层光照、溶解氧相对充足,利于藻类生长;平水期表层Chl-a浓度远高于中、底层,易在表层聚集的甲藻水华是主要原因.大坝Chl-a浓度高于库中,这可能是大坝位于金钟河入库口,营养盐高于库中的缘故.相关性分析得出Chl-a与甲藻门呈极显著正相关(R=0.798,P0.01);Chl-a与TP、DO、pH呈极显著正相关(R=0.762,P0.01;R=0.792,P0.01;R=0.658,P0.01),与TN显著正相关(R=0.388,P0.05)与N/P、NO_3~--N显著负相关(R=-0.37,P0.05;R=-0.435,P0.05).逐步回归分析得出DO、TP、N/P为影响阿哈水库Chl-a分布的主要因子.此外热分层以及水温对Chl-a的影响也不容忽视.     

九龙江口滨海湿地生源要素空间分布特征

为了揭示亚热带典型滨海湿地生源要素的空间分布特征及影响因素,选取九龙江口滨海湿地为研究对象,于2009年夏采集表层沉积物及柱状样,利用元素分析仪和流动注射分析仪对主要生源要素碳、氮、磷、硫(C、N、P、S)进行分析.结果表明,九龙江口滨海湿地生源要素含量较高,总碳、总氮、总磷、总硫(TC、TN、TP、TS)的均值分别为(12.64±2.66)、(1.57±0.29)、(0.48±0.06)、(2.61±1.37)g·kg-1,空间分布差异性显著.红树林植被区表层沉积物的TC、TN、TP含量高于米草植被及光滩,高潮位TC、TN、TP含量>中潮位>低潮位,TS在米草植被及中潮位含量较高.柱状样的TC、TN具有相似的垂直变化趋势,均表现为由表层向下逐渐降低,且不同植被间的柱状样TC、TN含量在同一深度上都表现为:红树区>米草区>光滩区;柱状样TP平均值是光滩最低,TS平均值是光滩最高.冗余分析表明,植被类型、pH及潮位是影响表层沉积物生源要素(C、N、P、S)分布最显著的环境因子,解释量分别为24.0%、19.0%和11.6%.     

Adsorption of Cr(Ⅲ) from acidic solutions by crop straw derived biochars

Cr（Ⅲ） adsorption by biochars generated from peanut, soybean, canola and rice straws is investigated with batch methods. Adsorption of Cr（Ⅲ） increased as pH rose from 2.5 to 5.0. Adsorption of Cr（Ⅲ） led to peak position shifts in the FFIR-PAS spectra of the biochars and made zeta potential values less negative, suggesting the formation of surface complexes between Cr^3＋ and functional groups on the biochars. The adsorption capacity of Cr（Ⅲ） followed the order： peanut straw char 〉 soybean straw char 〉 canola straw char 〉 rice straw char, which was consistent with the content of acidic functional groups on the biochars. The increase in Cr^3＋ hydrolysis as the pH rose was one of the main reasons for the increased adsorption of Cr（Ⅲ） by the biochars at higher pH values. Cr（llI） can be adsorbed by the biochars through electrostatic attraction between negative surfaces and Cr^3＋, but the relative contribution of electrostatic adsorption was less than 5%. Therefore, Cr（Ⅲ） was mainly adsorbed by the biochars through specific adsorption. The Langumir and Freundlich equations fitted the adsorption isotherms well and can therefore be used to describe the adsorption behavior of Cr（Ⅲ） by the crop straw biochars. The crop straw biochars have great adsorption capacities for Cr（Ⅲ） under acidic conditions and can be used as adsorbents to remove Cr（Ⅲ） from acidic wastewaters.     

Speciation of organic phosphorus in a sediment profile of Lake Taihu II. Molecular species and their depth attenuation

The understanding of organic phosphorus(P) dynamics in sediments requires information on their species at the molecular level,but such information in sediment profiles is scarce.A sediment profile was selected from a large eutrophic lake,Lake Taihu(China),and organic P species in the sediments were detected using solution phosphorus-31 nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy(31 P NMR) following extraction of the sediments with a mixture of 0.25 mol/L NaOH and 50 mmol/L EDTA(NaOH-EDTA) solution.The results showed that P in the NaOH-EDTA extracts was mainly composed of orthophosphate,orthophosphate monoesters,phospholipids,DNA,and pyrophosphate.Concentrations of the major organic P compound groups and pyrophosphate showed a decreasing trend with the increase of depth.Their half-life times varied from 3 to 27 years,following the order of orthophosphate monoesters > phospholipids DNA > pyrophosphate.Principal component analysis revealed that the detected organic P species had binding phases similar to those of humic acid-associated organic P(NaOH-NRP HA),a labile organic P pool that tends to transform to recalcitrant organic P pools as the early diagenetic processes proceed.This demonstrated that the depth attenuation of the organic P species could be partly attributed to their increasing immobilization by the sediment solids,while their degradation rates should be significantly lower than what were suggested in previous studies.