Systematic Temporal Patterns in the Relationship Between Housing Development and Forest Bird Biodiversity

As people encroach increasingly on natural areas, one question is how this affects avian biodiversity. The answer to this is partly scale‐dependent. At broad scales, human populations and biodiversity concentrate in the same areas and are positively associated, but at local scales people and biodiversity are negatively associated with biodiversity. We investigated whether there is also a systematic temporal trend in the relationship between bird biodiversity and housing development. We used linear regression to examine associations between forest bird species richness and housing growth in the conterminous United States over 30 years. Our data sources were the North American Breeding Bird Survey and the 2000 decennial U.S. Census. In the 9 largest forested ecoregions, housing density increased continually over time. Across the conterminous United States, the association between bird species richness and housing density was positive for virtually all guilds except ground nesting birds. We found a systematic trajectory of declining bird species richness as housing increased through time. In more recently developed ecoregions, where housing density was still low, the association with bird species richness was neutral or positive. In ecoregions that were developed earlier and where housing density was highest, the association of housing density with bird species richness for most guilds was negative and grew stronger with advancing decades. We propose that in general the relationship between human settlement and biodiversity over time unfolds as a 2‐phase process. The first phase is apparently innocuous; associations are positive due to coincidence of low‐density housing with high biodiversity. The second phase is highly detrimental to biodiversity, and increases in housing density are associated with biodiversity losses. The long‐term effect on biodiversity depends on the final housing density. This general pattern can help unify our understanding of the relationship of human encroachment and biodiversity response. Patrones Sistemáticos Temporales en la Relación entre Desarrollos Urbanos y la Biodiversidad de Aves de Bosque     

Effects of payments for ecosystem services on wildlife habitat recovery

Conflicts between local people's livelihoods and conservation have led to many unsuccessful conservation efforts and have stimulated debates on policies that might simultaneously promote sustainable management of protected areas and improve the living conditions of local people. Many government‐sponsored payments‐for‐ecosystem‐services (PES) schemes have been implemented around the world. However, few empirical assessments of their effectiveness have been conducted, and even fewer assessments have directly measured their effects on ecosystem services. We conducted an empirical and spatially explicit assessment of the conservation effectiveness of one of the world's largest PES programs through the use of a long‐term empirical data set, a satellite‐based habitat model, and spatial autoregressive analyses on direct measures of change in an ecosystem service (i.e., the provision of wildlife species habitat). Giant panda (Ailuropoda melanoleuca) habitat improved in Wolong Nature Reserve of China after the implementation of the Natural Forest Conservation Program. The improvement was more pronounced in areas monitored by local residents than those monitored by the local government, but only when a higher payment was provided. Our results suggest that the effectiveness of a PES program depends on who receives the payment and on whether the payment provides sufficient incentives. As engagement of local residents has not been incorporated in many conservation strategies elsewhere in China or around the world, our results also suggest that using an incentive‐based strategy as a complement to command‐and‐control, community‐ and norm‐based strategies may help achieve greater conservation effectiveness and provide a potential solution for the park versus people conflict.     

Inorganic elemental concentrations in birch bolete mushroom (Leccinum scabrum) and top soil: contamination profiles,bioconcentation and annual variations

Abstract

Analysis of inorganic and organic contaminants in foodstuffs aids in understanding the human exposure to these compounds via consumption. In this study, an edible mushroom species (Leccinum scabrum) and top soil samples were analysed for essential and toxic substances including phosphorus and inorganic elements over a period of three fruiting seasons. Analysis of silver (Ag), aluminium (Al), barium (Ba), calcium (Ca), cadmium (Cd), cobalt (Co), copper (Cu), iron (Fe), mercury (Hg), potassium (K), magnesium (Mg), manganese (Mn), sodium (Na), nickel (Ni), phosphorus (P), lead (Pb), rubidium (Rb), strontium (Sr) and zinc (Zn) in mushrooms and topsoil were performed using inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectroscopy (ICP-OES) with ultrasonic cross flow nebulizer. Total mercury was determined by cold-vapour atomic absorption spectroscopy (CV-AAS). The results exhibited wide variation in concentrations of metals between soil and mushroom (cap and stipes) during three fruiting seasons. Positive bioconcentration factors (BFCs) indicate on bioaccumulation of several metals including, Cd, Cu, Hg, K, Mg, Na, P, Rb and Zn in caps and stipes of fruitbodies of this mushroom, while other metals such as Al, Ba, Ca, Co, Fe, Mn, Ni, Pb and Sr were not exhibiting significant positive BFCs. Over a period studied, the caps were characterised by different (p?<?0.05) concentrations of Al, Co, Cu, Hg, Mn, Ni, P, Pb and Sr. Contamination profiles, temporal fluctuations, BCFs should be taken into consideration when assessing the nutritional value of this mushroom.     

Mercury in European Blushers,Amanita rubescens,mushrooms and topsoils: Bioconcentration potential and intake assessment

Total mercury content has been determined in fruiting bodies of European Blushers and topsoils collected from 11 sites across Poland in 2006-2008. Mercury analysis was carried out using a validated analytical method and cold-vapour atomic absorption (CV-AAS). The European Blusher effectively accumulated mercury in fruiting bodies. The mean values of total mercury in caps of European Blushers from background (uncontaminated) areas were from 0.22 to 1.0 (0.067-3.2) and in stipes from 0.16 to 0.65 (0.071-2.7) μg/g dry weight. In topsoil beneath to fruiting bodies, the median Hg concentration at 10 sites in Northern Poland varied between 0.030 and 0.072 (0.0096–0.19) μg/g dw, and in one site in Southern Poland was 0.20 (0.079–0.34) μg/g dw. Data on Hg in European Blushers from different countries were reviewed. The mean concentrations of total Hg in caps of European Blushers from two “pristine” sites in northern part of Poland were ～1.0 μg/g dw. A meal made with 300–500 g of fresh caps of European Blushers collected at such sites (assuming 90% water content in caps) can result in Hg intake of 0.0003–0.0005 mg Hg/kg bm (assuming a 60 kg bm), which is a dose equipotent to a new provisional tolerable weekly intake (PTWI) value set for inorganic Hg.     

Ambio’s legacy on monitoring,impact, and management of acid rain: This article belongs to Ambio’s 50th Anniversary Collection. Theme: Acidification

Early studies published in Ambio showed large-scale acidification of lakes in southern Sweden and Norway from acid rain. These studies were important for delimiting various scientific issues and thus for eventually contributing to legislation, which reduced emissions of sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides and helped to mitigate this major environmental problem. Long-term studies and monitoring in Sweden and Norway and at Hubbard Brook Experimental Forest in New Hampshire helped guide this legislation in Europe and in the USA.     

青岛不同强度霾天气溶胶中二次无机离子的生成及粒径分布

于2015年9月至2016年2月在青岛近海连续收集了大气气溶胶分级样品,用离子色谱法分析了其中的水溶性无机离子组分,并讨论了不同强度霾天下气溶胶中二次无机组分的粒径分布,初步探索了霾天SNA的形成过程和影响因素.结果表明,气溶胶中NO_3~-、SO_4~(2-)、NH_4~+、NO_2~-和Cl~-的质量浓度变化范围分别是10.32~193.46、4.42~74.05、2.21~57.75、0.05~2.22和1.35~17.39μg·m~(-3),且SNA的质量浓度随霾污染程度的加剧明显增加.与非霾天相比,轻微、轻度、中度和重度霾天与非霾天相比,NO_3~-的质量浓度分别增加了55%、77%、240%和537%;SO_4~(2-)的质量浓度分别增加了4.7%、35%、77%和262%;NH_4~+的质量浓度分别增加了72%、83%、201%和526%.细粒径上的NO_3~-、SO_4~(2-)与其气态前体物NO_2、SO_2均有显著相关性,且与相对湿度、能见度、风速等气象条件相关性较好,说明细粒径SNA的生成是造成霾天能见度下降,形成空气污染的主要原因之一,同时,高浓度前体物、较大相对湿度、低风速都是影响霾天形成的重要因素.除轻微霾天外,其他不同强度霾天的SOR(硫氧化率)、NOR(氮氧化率)均大于非霾天,且随着霾程度的加剧,SOR、NOR都有明显的升高,尤其是0.43~0.65μm和0.65~1.1μm粒径段;在重度霾天,氮和硫的转化率平均为非霾天的1.5倍,说明细粒径上的硫酸盐和硝酸盐大部分是气-粒转化而来.NO_3~-、NH_4~+、NO_2~-和SO_4~(2-)主要存在于细粒径段,霾天下在细粒径上的比例都显著增大,NO_3~-和SO_4~(2-)在严重霾天所占比例最高,分别达到79.4%和74.4%.NO_3~-在非霾、轻微、轻度霾天时均呈双峰分布,峰值出现在0.43~0.65μm和3.3~4.7μm处,中度霾天时细粒子峰值移动到0.65~1.1μm,在重度霾天粒径分布变为0.65~1.1μm的单峰分布.SO_4~(2-)只在非霾条件下呈双峰分布,峰值出现在0.43~0.65μm和2.1~3.3μm粒径段,霾天下均是单峰分布,轻微和轻度霾天下峰值出现在0.43~0.65μm,中度和重度霾天下峰值在0.65~1.1μm处.NH_4~+呈单峰分布,在非霾和轻微霾天下峰值出现在0.43~0.65μm粒径段,轻度、中度和重度霾天下峰值均出现在0.65~1.1μm粒径段.     

重庆市夏秋季VOCs对臭氧和二次有机气溶胶生成潜势的估算

为估算重庆市夏秋季VOCs（挥发性有机物）对O₃和SOA（二次有机气溶胶）的生成潜势,利用在线GC-MS/FID在2015年8月22日-9月23日对重庆市区点和郊区点VOCs开展了为期一个月的实时观测,获得市区点和郊区点$ \varphi $（TVOCs）（总挥发性有机物）分别为41.35×10-9和22.72×10-9,其中市区点以烷烃（35.2%）和烯炔烃（25.2%）为主,郊区点以含氧挥发性有机物（oxygenated volatile organic compounds,OVOCs）（30.6%）和烷烃（26.0%）为主.结合最大增量反应活性量化市区点和郊区点VOCs的OFPs（臭氧生成潜势）分别为149.11×10-9和71.09×10-9,市区点OFPs最大的是乙烯、丙烯、甲苯、C8和C9的芳香烃等,郊区点OFPs最大的VOCs是丙烯醛、异戊二烯和甲基乙烯基酮.结合气溶胶生成系数量化郊区点和市区点VOCs对SOA的生成贡献分别为0.36和1.26 μg/m3,相比国内其余城市VOCs的SOAP（二次有机气溶胶生成潜势）较小,主要以甲基环己烷、正壬烷、正葵烷和十一烷等高碳烷烃,以及甲苯、苯、二甲苯和乙苯等芳香烃的SOAP为主.研究显示,控制烯炔烃和芳香烃的浓度有助于控制重庆市O₃的生成,控制高碳烷烃和芳香烃则有助于控制重庆市SOA的生成.      

人为干扰对小兴安岭森林湿地土壤碳组分和酶活性的影响

以小兴安岭落叶林沼泽湿地为研究对象,对比研究皆伐地、火烧地和落叶松湿地土壤碳组分和酶活性.结果表明:(1)3种湿地类型土壤SOC含量表现为对照地显著高于皆伐地和火烧地(p0.05),在0~10 cm土层中皆伐地与对照地相比降低了58.38%,火烧地与对照地相比降低了61.96%.皆伐地与火烧地在不同土层的土壤中SOC含量差异不显著(p0.05);DOC含量对照地显著高于皆伐地和火烧地(p0.05).在0~10cm土层中火烧地DOC含量是皆伐地的1.99倍,两者差异不显著(p0.05);不同干扰方式对土壤MBC含量影响的差异主要表现在0~10 cm的土层土壤,对照地分别比皆伐地和火烧地高23.13%和95.79%(p0.05).在不同的土层中皆伐地MBC含量均大于火烧地,与SOC含量的变化趋势一致.(2)与对照地相比,皆伐地与火烧地0~10 cm土层的土壤蔗糖酶活性分别降低了45.59%和36.76%,脲酶活性显著降低了18.22%和55.69%(p0.05),蛋白酶活性降低了19.65%和17.34%,淀粉酶活性降低了6.29%和10.69%.土壤碳组分和酶活性在垂直方向上均表现为随着土层深度增加而减小.皆伐和火烧造成森林湿地土壤碳组分和酶活性降低.     

2015年北京采暖季城市森林内外SO2浓度的时空变化特征

为探讨采暖季城市森林内外ρ(SO₂)动态变化及差异性,基于西山国家森林公园林内空气质量监测站数据,结合北京市环境保护监测中心植物园监测站的实时数据,分析2015年采暖季城市森林内外ρ(SO₂)变化和影响因素.结果表明:林内外ρ(SO₂)日变化基本呈双峰双谷型,在09:00-11:00和20:00-22:00左右达到高峰;采样期间ρ(SO₂)月变化呈不显著"V"型,最高值出现在1月,林内外分别为(25.8±9.2)和(31.7±23.4)μg/m3,最低值出现在11月,林内外分别为(19.0±5.2)和(13.0±11.2)μg/m3.林内ρ(SO₂)在1-3月低于林外,11-12月高于林外,林内ρ(SO₂)变化较林外平缓;气象条件对采暖季城市森林ρ(SO₂)变化有重要影响:降水对ρ(SO₂)消减效应明显,大风有驱散SO₂的作用,同时受风向影响;ρ(SO₂)和温度关系不显著(P=0.05,R < 0.40),但和空气相对湿度线性关系显著(α=0.05,Sig=0.00),林内受气象因素影响低于林外.研究显示,城市森林对气态污染物具有一定的缓冲、抵抗和吸收能力,因此应重视发展城市森林生态系统,充分发挥其生态效益,以提高城市大气环境质量.      

铁炭内电解垂直流人工湿地对污水厂尾水深度脱氮效果

针对污水厂尾水总氮(TN)含量偏高、微生物可利用碳源低的问题,构建铁炭内电解垂直流人工湿地(ICIE-VFCW)装置,研究了ICIE-VFCW对尾水的处理效果,并采用紫外-可见光光谱(UV-VIS)、凝胶过滤色谱(GFC),进一步探讨了ICIEVFCW强化脱氮机制.结果表明,ICIE-VFCW可提高系统对尾水中COD的去除,出水COD可稳定在30 mg·L~(-1)以下,全年、暖季、寒季COD平均去除率较普通垂直流人工湿地分别可提高10.16%、9.81%、11.22%.系统出水TN可维持在10 mg·L~(-1)以下,全年、暖季、寒季TN平均去除率较普通垂直流人工湿地分别提高13.72%、12.90%、16.17%.经过人工湿地处理后,污水中有机物的腐殖度、芳香度及相对分子质量(Mr)均有所下降,且ICIE-VFCW中Mr下降更为明显.湿地基质掺杂铁炭可促进尾水中大分子有机物转化为小分子,为微生物提供更多可利用碳源,从而提高脱氮效率.