The Variability of Estimates of Variance, and Its Effect on Power Analysis in Monitoring Design

Power analysis can be a valuable aid in the design of monitoringprograms. It requires an estimate of variance, which may come from a pilot study or an existing study in a similar habitat. For marine benthic infauna, natural variation in abundances canbe considerable, raising the question of reliability of varianceestimates. We used two existing monitoring programs to generatemultiple estimates of variance. These estimates were found to differ from nominated best estimates by 50% or more in 43% of cases, in turn leading to under or over-estimation of samplesize in the design of a notional monitoring program. The twostudies, from the same general area, using the same samplingmethods and spanning a similar time scale, gave estimatesvarying by more than an order of magnitude for 25% of taxa.We suggest that pilot studies for ecological monitoring programsof marine infauna should include at least two sampling times.     

Superovulation fails to increase human blastocyst yield after uterine lavage

Uterine lavage affords the potential for non-invasive human blastocyst recovery, with obvious potential for preimplantation genetic diagnosis. In an effort to duplicate in women the multiple blastocyst recovery per cycle that can be achieved in several other species, we initiated a programme in which fertile women underwent superovulation, followed by lavage and embryo collection. We superovulated 15 fertile women, aged 21–40, in 29 cycles using one of four regimens. Insemination was by either intercourse or artificial intracervical donor insemination with cryopreserved sperm from men of proven fertility. In 28 of 29 cycles, the uterus was lavaged daily for 1, 2, or 3 days between 5 and 10 days after human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) administration or luteinizing hormone (LH) surge. Almost total fluid volume was recovered in every lavage. There were no retained pregnancies and no complications. Surprisingly, only two morulae, one blastocyst, and four unfertilized ova were recovered. Thus, alterations in ovulation induction, insemination timing, or lavage techniques must be contemplated in order to increase the blastocyst yield and thus fulfil the potential of uterine lavage for preimplantation diagnosis.     

Patterns of soil copper contamination and temporal changes in vegetation in the vicinity of a copper rod rolling factory

Patterns of soil copper contamination have been examined in the vicinity of a copper rod rolling plant in Prescot, Merseyside, UK. The site, established in 1975, was found to possess clear patterns of soil copper contamination, with the highest levels of HNO3 and water-extractable fractions encountered in the factory grounds adjacent to the location of the furnace chimney. The majority of the copper had accumulated in the upper soil horizons. The site is surrounded by planted lawns, established at different times after the commissioning of the plant. The species composition of the extant grassland communities, found at sites with differing soil copper levels, was compared to the composition of the original seed mixtures sown at each of ten sites. These surveys clearly showed that different levels of soil copper contamination had produced significant changes in grassland composition with time. At the most polluted site, copper tolerant Agrostis capillaris clones were the main grasses present only two years after the area was sown with a four-species mixture of non-tolerant grass seed. Lolium perenne possessed extreme sensitivity to copper. A number of dicotyledonous species, normally considered sensitive to elevated copper levels, were found to be unaffected where such conditions had arisen after plants had established from seed.     

Antioxidant responses in the leaves of mercury-treated Eichhornia crassipes (Mart.) Solms.

Eichhornia crassipes (Mart.) Solms. plantlets were grown in 0.1 and 1.0 ppm treatment solutions of Hoagland’s hydroponic solutions modified with Hg(NO₃)₂ in order to examine the specific cellular and biochemical mechanisms involved in the tolerance of this plant exposed to mercury. This study assessed the responses of chloroplast pigments, i.e., carotenoids and chlorophylls, and evaluated the enzymatic and nonenzymatic antioxidant systems. Inductively coupled plasma-atomic emission spectrometry (ICP-AES) revealed varying Hg²⁺ levels in the young and mature leaf tissues, with greater amounts of Hg²⁺ found in the tissues of the young leaves. Total chlorophyll levels, notably those of chlorophyll a, chlorophyll b, and carotenoids, showed significant elevation in young leaf tissues, while a decrease in their levels was observed in mature leaf tissues in comparison to those of the control plants. These results lend support to the protective role of increased chlorophyll and carotenoid levels in the photosynthetic apparatus of young E. crassipes leaves in the presence of Hg²⁺. The antioxidant responses of Hg-treated E. crassipes plants were also measured, revealing a highly significant increase in catalase units, catalase and ascorbate peroxidase activities, and mercury-binding thiols in leaves from Hg-treated plants. Moreover, substantial differences in the degree of oxidative injury between the cells in leaves from the control and Hg-treated plants were evidenced by the lipid peroxidation activities monitored. The Hg-treatment-induced significant decrease in malondialdehyde (MDA) levels was observed in 0.1-ppm Hg(NO₃)₂-exposed plants, while a highly significant increase in MDA levels was noted in 1.0-ppm Hg(NO₃)₂-exposed plants. The high degree of lipid peroxidation at 1.0-ppm Hg treatment was evidently counteracted by the compensatory protective mechanism brought about by the increased levels in chloroplast pigments and the enhanced activities of the antioxidant systems. E. crassipes responded to mercury treatments by enhancing the synthesis of chlorophyll and carotenoid pigments, enzymatic, and nonenzymatic antioxidant substances, concomitantly increasing the antioxidative activities, thus rendering E. crassipes capable of tolerating Hg-induced stress. The potential of E. crassipes as a phytoremediator is evident.     

Understanding conservationists’ perspectives on the new‐conservation debate

A vibrant debate about the future direction of biodiversity conservation centers on the merits of the so‐called new conservation. Proponents of the new conservation advocate a series of positions on key conservation ideas, such as the importance of human‐dominated landscapes and conservation's engagement with capitalism. These have been fiercely contested in a debate dominated by a few high‐profile individuals, and so far there has been no empirical exploration of existing perspectives on these issues among a wider community of conservationists. We used Q methodology to examine empirically perspectives on the new conservation held by attendees at the 2015 International Congress for Conservation Biology (ICCB). Although we identified a consensus on several key issues, 3 distinct positions emerged: in favor of conservation to benefit people but opposed to links with capitalism and corporations, in favor of biocentric approaches but with less emphasis on wilderness protection than prominent opponents of new conservation, and in favor of the published new conservation perspective but with less emphasis on increasing human well‐being as a goal of conservation. Our results revealed differences between the debate on the new conservation in the literature and views held within a wider, but still limited, conservation community and demonstrated the existence of at least one viewpoint (in favor of conservation to benefit people but opposed to links with capitalism and corporations) that is almost absent from the published debate. We hope the fuller understanding we present of the variety of views that exist but have not yet been heard, will improve the quality and tone of debates on the subject.     

The city as a refuge for insect pollinators

Research on urban insect pollinators is changing views on the biological value and ecological importance of cities. The abundance and diversity of native bee species in urban landscapes that are absent in nearby rural lands evidence the biological value and ecological importance of cities and have implications for biodiversity conservation. Lagging behind this revised image of the city are urban conservation programs that historically have invested in education and outreach rather than programs designed to achieve high‐priority species conservation results. We synthesized research on urban bee species diversity and abundance to determine how urban conservation could be repositioned to better align with new views on the ecological importance of urban landscapes. Due to insect pollinators’ relatively small functional requirements—habitat range, life cycle, and nesting behavior—relative to larger mammals, we argue that pollinators put high‐priority and high‐impact urban conservation within reach. In a rapidly urbanizing world, transforming how environmental managers view the city can improve citizen engagement and contribute to the development of more sustainable urbanization.     

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     

The use of technology to address patterns of risk among teenage drivers

INTRODUCTION: The crash risk of teens is high, with fatal crash rates of teen drivers higher than any other age group. New approaches to reduce teen traffic fatalities are clearly needed. METHOD: A possible approach to reduce the incidence of teen driver crashes and fatalities is through the use of vehicle-based intelligent driver support systems. To be most effective, the system should address the behaviors associated with an overwhelming number of teen fatal crashes: speed, low seatbelt use, and alcohol impairment. In-vehicle technology also offers an opportunity to address the issue of inexperience through enforcement of certain Graduated Driver's License provisions. RESULTS: To fully understand the capability of such technologies, there should be a concerted effort to further their development, and human factors testing should take place to understand their effects on the driver. IMPACT: If successfully implemented, a Teen Driver Support System (TDSS), such as the one described here, could significantly decrease the number of teens killed in traffic crashes.     

Environmental impact and human exposure to PCBs in Guiyu, an electronic waste recycling site in China

PCB levels in fish (collected from local rivers), atmosphere and human milk samples have been studied to determine the exposure levels of PCBs for local residents and e-waste workers in Guiyu, a major electronic waste scrapping center in China. The source appointment and correlation analyses showed that homologue composition of PCBs in 7 species of fish were consistent and similar to commercial PCBs Aroclor 1248. PCB levels in air surrounding the open burning site were significantly higher than those in residential area. Inhalation exposure contributed 27% and 93% to the total body loadings (the sum of dietary and inhalation exposure) of the local residents, and e-waste workers engaged in open burning respectively. Total PCB concentrations in human milk ranged from N.D. to 57.6 ng/g lipid, with an average of 9.50 ng/g lipid. The present results indicated that commercial PCBs derived from e-waste recycling are major sources of PCBs accumulating in different environmental media, leading to the accumulation of high chlorinated biphenyls in human beings.     

Ultraviolet absorbance as a proxy for total dissolved mercury in streams

Stream water samples were collected over a range of hydrologic and seasonal conditions at three forested watersheds in the northeastern USA. Samples were analyzed for dissolved total mercury (THg_d), DOC concentration and DOC composition, and UV₂₅₄ absorbance across the three sites over different seasons and flow conditions. Pooling data from all sites, we found a strong positive correlation of THg_d to DOC (r² = 0.87), but progressively stronger correlations of THg_d with the hydrophobic acid fraction (HPOA) of DOC (r² = 0.91) and with UV₂₅₄ absorbance (r² = 0.92). The strength of the UV₂₅₄ absorbance-THg_d relationship suggests that optical properties associated with dissolved organic matter may be excellent proxies for THg_d concentration in these streams. Ease of sample collection and analysis, the potential application of in-situ optical sensors, and the possibility for intensive monitoring over the hydrograph make this an effective, inexpensive approach to estimate THg_d flux in drainage waters.