Strategic Rat Control for Restoring Populations of Native Species in Forest Fragments

Forest fragments have biodiversity value that may be enhanced through management such as control of non‐native predators. However, such efforts may be ineffective, and research is needed to ensure that predator control is done strategically. We used Bayesian hierarchical modeling to estimate fragment‐specific effects of experimental rat control on a native species targeted for recovery in a New Zealand pastoral landscape. The experiment was a modified BACI (before‐after‐control‐impact) design conducted over 6 years in 19 forest fragments with low‐density subpopulations of North Island Robins (Petroica longipes). The aim was to identify individual fragments that not only showed clear benefits of rat control, but also would have a high probability of subpopulation growth even if they were the only fragment managed. We collected data on fecundity, adult and juvenile survival, and juvenile emigration, and modeled the data in an integrated framework to estimate the expected annual growth rate (λ) of each subpopulation with and without rat control. Without emigration, subpopulation growth was estimated as marginal (λ = 0.95–1.05) or negative (λ = 0.74–0.90) without rat control, but it was estimated as positive in all fragments (λ = 1.4–2.1) if rats were controlled. This reflected a 150% average increase in fecundity and 45% average increase in adult female survival. The probability of a juvenile remaining in its natal fragment was 0.37 on average, but varied with fragment connectivity. With juvenile emigration added, 6 fragments were estimated to have a high (>0.8) probability of being self‐sustaining (λ > 1) with rat control. The key factors affecting subpopulation growth rates under rat control were low connectivity and stock fencing because these factors were associated with lower juvenile emigration and higher fecundity, respectively. However, there was also substantial random variation in adult survival among fragments, illustrating the importance of hierarchical modeling for fragmentation studies. Control Estratégico de Ratas para Restaurar Poblaciones de Especies Nativas en Fragmentos de Bosque     

湿法烟气脱硫除雾器设计选型和维护

分析了除雾器叶片的设计要求，比较了平板型和屋脊型除雾器的特点。从运行、维护的角度出发，建议建立除雾器检测和冲洗制度，以确保除雾器的安全、正常运行。     

Bayesian estimation of age-specific bird nest survival rates with categorical covariates

The populations of many North American landbirds are showing signs of declining. Gathering information on breeding productivity allows critical assessment of population performance and helps identify good habitat-management practices. He (Biometrics (2003) 59 962–973) proposed a Bayesian model to estimate the age-specific nest survival rates. The model allows irregular visiting schedule under the assumption that the observed nests have homogeneous nest survival. Because nest survival studies are often conducted in different sites and time periods, it is not realistic to assume homogeneous nest survival. In this paper, we extend He’s model by incorporating these factors as categorical covariates. The simulation results show that the Bayesian hierarchical model can produce satisfactory estimates on nest survival and capture different factor effects. Finally the model is applied to a Missouri red-winged blackbird data set.     

中国北方农牧区生存性碳排放特征与实证

以中国北方农牧区的内蒙古通辽地区为例,结合实地问卷调查,研究农牧民家庭生存性碳排放特征。研究提出了农牧民家庭生存碳排放评估指标体系,其中能源产品和非能源产品成为农牧民家庭生存性碳排放的两大来源。计算了农牧民人均能源消费碳排放量及食物消费碳排放量。研究结果表明:在能源方面,农牧民家庭生存性碳排放构成呈能源消费主导型,2008年,该区人均生存性碳排放总量为1 040.36 kg,其中矿物燃料、用电消费碳排放分别占总生存性碳排放的45.53%和30%;受传统生活方式影响,家庭用能结构粗放,以矿物化石能及一次生物质能为主,电能使用比例相对较低。在食物方面,农牧民家庭食物消费结构渐趋低碳化,2008年和2009年人均食物消费总碳排放量分别为78.42 kg和76.67 kg,以粮食消费占主导,占总消费量的60%;2009年与2008年比较,含碳量较高的粮食和食用油消费分别降低4%和3.8%。该区农牧民人均食物消费碳排放量只是美国的39.2%,英国的49.6%,日本的72%,属基本生存线碳排放。     

Ecological Trap for Desert Lizards Caused by Anthropogenic Changes in Habitat Structure that Favor Predator Activity

Abstract: Anthropogenic habitat perturbation is a major cause of population decline. A standard practice managers use to protect populations is to leave portions of natural habitat intact. We describe a case study in which, despite the use of this practice, the critically endangered lizard Acanthodactylus beershebensis was locally extirpated from both manipulated and natural patches within a mosaic landscape of an afforestation project. We hypothesized that increased structural complexity in planted patches favors avian predator activity and makes these patches less suitable for lizards due to a heightened risk of predation. Spatial rarity of natural perches (e.g., trees) in arid scrublands may hinder the ability of desert lizards to associate perches with low‐quality habitat, turning planted patches into ecological traps for such species. We erected artificial trees in a structurally simple arid habitat (similar to the way trees were planted in the afforestation project) and compared lizard population dynamics in plots with these structures and without. Survival of lizards in the plots with artificial trees was lower than survival in plots without artificial trees. Hatchlings dispersed into plots with artificial trees in a manner that indicated they perceived the quality of these plots as similar to the surrounding, unmanipulated landscape. Our results showed that local anthropogenic changes in habitat structure that seem relatively harmless may have a considerable negative effect beyond the immediate area of the perturbation because the disturbed habitat may become an ecological trap.     

Modeling the binding of triazine herbicides to humic substances using capillary electrophoresis

The binding of 4 s-triazines herbicides and metabolites, ameline, hydroxyatrazine, atraton, and ametryn to 12 structurally different humic substances was studied by affinity capillary electrophoresis. Binding data were confronted to the structural data of humic acids obtained from spectrometric measurements (UV-Vis, FT/IR, NMR), elemental analysis and potentiometric titration. The results obtained with principal component analysis and partial least square analysis clearly show the importance of carboxylic acidity and aromaticity of the humic ligands in relation to the partial positive charge and relative hydrophobicity of the pesticides.     

Enzymatic Degradation of Poly(l-Lactic Acid): Effects of UV Irradiation

Amorphous and crystallized poly(l-lactic acid) (PLLA-A and PLLA-C, respectively) films were prepared, and the proteinase K-catalyzed enzymatic degradation of UV-irradiated and non-irradiated PLLA-A and PLLA-C films was investigated for periods up to 10 h (PLLA-A) and 60 h (PLLA-C). The molecular weights of both the PLLA-A and PLLA-C films can be manipulated by altering the UV irradiation time. The enzymatic weight loss values of the UV-irradiated PLLA films were higher than or similar to those of the non-irradiated PLLA film, when compared with the specimens of same crystallinities. UV irradiation is expected to cause the PLLA films to undergo chain cleavage (a decrease in molecular weight) and the formation of C=C double bonds. It seems that the acceleration effects from decreased molecular weight on enzymatic degradation were higher than or balanced with the disturbance effects caused by the formation of C=C double bonds. After enzymatic degradation, a fibrous structure appeared on the spherulites of the UV-irradiated PLLA-C film. This structure may have arisen from chains containing or neighboring on the C=C double bonds, which were enzymatically undegraded and assembled on the film surface during enzymatic degradation. The results of this study strongly suggest that UV irradiation will significantly affect the biodegradation behavior of PLLA materials in the environment.     

造纸工业废水排放新标准下的小企业生存现状分析

本文课题组通过选择有代表性的某省,走访地方环保部门,深入每家造纸企业,对企业的产品、原料、规模、废水处理工艺及污染防治设施及经济效益等方面数据的收集整理与分析,了解《造纸工业水污染物排放标准》(GB3544-2008)新标准实施后我国小造纸企业的生存现状和显现的问题,提出了为实现我国小造纸企业持续健康发展的对策和建议。     

南京老山国家森林公园朴树种群动态

运用相邻格子法对南京老山国家森林公园朴树(Celtis sinensis)种群(以下简称老山朴树种群)进行野外调查,以定量方法研究其种群结构特征。编制种群静态生命表,并绘制存活曲线、死亡率曲线、消失率曲线和4个生存函数曲线,同时结合时间序列预测模型研究老山朴树种群的数量动态。结果表明,种群各龄级个体数虽然存在波动,但整体呈增长趋势,存活曲线属DeeveyⅡ型,分别在第Ⅰ和第Ⅶ龄级出现2个死亡率高峰。第1个峰值的出现主要是由于种内竞争激烈,第2个峰值伴随种群进入生理死亡年龄而出现。生存分析结果表明,朴树种群至第Ⅵ龄级时,生存率仅为0.5%,累计死亡率高达99.5%;危险率曲线与死亡率和消失率曲线变化情况基本一致,反映朴树种群生长发育过程具有前期薄弱、中期稳定、后期衰退的特点。时间序列预测结果表明,在未来的2～6 a内,老山朴树种群呈增长趋势。对幼苗及幼林进行人工抚育管理将有助于老山朴树种群的天然更新。