There is limited knowledge of the mechanisms that can inspire people's concern and engagement in the protection of unpopular and unappealing species. We analyzed Polish people's interest in themed internet memes featuring the proboscis monkey (Nasalis larvatus) and the consequences of this interest for conservation marketing. We examined Google Trends data, used Google Search, and searched popular media materials to estimate interest in the proboscis monkey in Poland. Photos of the proboscis monkey when presented with humor in internet memes attracted as much interest as usually more popular species (e.g., koala, panda, and orangutan) used in marketing by nongovernmental organizations. Amusing internet memes spread by social media positively correlated with increasing interest in the unappealing species, such as proboscis monkey. Interest in amusing internet memes positively correlated with individuals’ decisions to donate to 6 crowdfunding actions. Thus, conservation marketing that includes amusing memes and social media may provide a worthwhile complement to traditional campaigns and are likely to influence individuals who are unaffected by the usual means. 相似文献
Sex differences in the foraging ecology of monomorphic species are poorly understood, due to problems with gender identification in field studies. In the current study, we used experimental conditions to investigate the food preferences of the white stork Ciconia ciconia, an opportunistic species in terms of food, but characterised by a low level of sexual dimorphism. During a 10-day experiment, 29 individuals (20 females and 9 males) were studied by means of a ‘cafeteria test’ in which the storks’ diet consisted of mammals, birds, fish, amphibians, insects and earthworms. The storks preferred food characterised by high calorific and protein values such as mammals, birds and fish. Sexes differed strongly in their preferences; males preferred mammals, whereas females preferred birds. Moreover, females consumed insects and earthworms less often than males. Interestingly, males spent significantly less time foraging than females. We have demonstrated that the white stork exhibits clear sexual differences in food preferences which are mostly attributable to differences in parental duties, physiology and anatomy. 相似文献
Environmental Science and Pollution Research - Refuse-derived fuel (RDF) can be produced from combustible materials contained in municipal waste. This article investigates energy and material flow... 相似文献
Among the wide range of compounds reaching the soil are the veterinary antimicrobials. Since no regulations regarding acceptable levels of drug concentrations in the environment exist, monitoring tests, particularly concerning soils, are carried out very rarely. This study presents a preliminary assessment of the contamination of agricultural soils in Northern Poland with seven antimicrobial veterinary medicines which has never been carried out before. Veterinary drugs were detected in 54% of the examined soil samples; the most commonly detected drugs were sulfonamides and trimethoprim. The highest indicated concentrations refer to enrofloxacin (57.0 μg kg?1) and trimethoprim (47.8 μg kg?1). The presence of these target drugs in the soil environment confirms the need for further monitoring studies. The analytical methods developed in this study are an excellent tool to achieve this goal and allow an estimation of the risk connected with the presence of veterinary antimicrobials in soils.
Fish may significantly affect habitat use by birds, either as their prey or as competitors. Fish communities are often distinctly
size-structured, but the consequences for waterbird assemblages remain poorly understood. We examined the effects of size
structure of common carp (Cyprinus carpio) cohorts together with other biotic and abiotic pond characteristics on the distribution of breeding waterbirds in a seminatural
system of monocultured ponds, where three fish age classes were separately stocked. Fish age corresponded to a distinct fish
size gradient. Fish age and total biomass, macroinvertebrate and amphibian abundance, and emergent vegetation best explained
the differences in bird density between ponds. Abundance of animal prey other than fish (aquatic macroinvertebrates and larval
amphibians) decreased with increasing carp age in the ponds. Densities of ducks and smaller grebes were strongly negatively
associated with fish age/size gradient. The largest of the grebes, the piscivorous great crested grebe (Podiceps cristatus), was the only species that preferred ponds with medium-sized fish and was positively associated with total fish biomass.
Habitat selection by bitterns and most rallids was instead strongly influenced by the relative amount of emergent vegetation
cover in the ponds. Our results show that fish size structure may be an important cue for breeding habitat choice and a factor
affording an opportunity for niche diversification in avian communities. 相似文献
This paper reports on the (eco)toxicity and biodegradability of ionic liquids considered for application as lubricants or lubrication additives. Ammonium- and pyrrolidinium-based cations combined with methylsulphate, methylsulphonate and/or (CF3SO2)2N− anions were investigated in tests to determine their aquatic toxicity using water fleas Daphnia magna, green algae Selenastrum capricornutum and marine bacteria (Vibrio fischeri). Additional test systems with an isolated enzyme (acetylcholinesterase) and isolated leukaemia cells from rats (IPC-81) were used to assess the biological activity of the ionic liquids. These compounds generally exhibit low acute toxicity and biological activity. Their biodegradability was screened according to OECD test procedures 301 B and 301 F. For choline and methoxy-choline ionic liquids ready biodegradability was observed within 5 or 10 d, respectively. Some of the compounds selected have a considerable potential to contribute to the development of more sustainable products and processes. 相似文献
Timing of arrival at the breeding grounds by migratory birds affects their mating success and access to superior resources, thus being a major factor associated with fitness. Much empirical work has been devoted to investigate the condition dependence of arrival sequence of migrants and characteristics of individuals that influence arrival time from migration. Surprisingly, there are no studies examining the relationship between flight performance of individual birds and their arrival time. I investigated the relative importance of direct effects of short-term flight performance, age, body condition and the degree of sexual ornamentation (tail length) on timing of spring arrival in the barn swallow (Hirundo rustica), a long-distance trans-equatorial passerine migrant. I evaluated short-term flight performance (a composite variable comprising flight manoeuvrability, velocity and acceleration) in a standardised manner using flight tunnels. Short-term flight performance was a significant and important predictor of spring arrival date. Furthermore, locomotion predicted arrival date of individual birds independently of morphological variables—the degree of sexual ornamentation (the length of the tail) and wing aspect ratio and body condition. I discuss the possible role short-term flight performance may have in determining migratory performance. This is the first time flight performance has been shown to be associated with timing of arrival from migration in a migratory bird. 相似文献
Whilst mitigation has dominated policy and research agendas in recent years there is an increasing recognition that communities
also need to be preparing for change that is unavoidable, partially a consequence of anthropogenic greenhouse gases already
emitted to the atmosphere. The perceived need for adaptation has also received additional impetus through the high public
profile now given to the impacts of current day weather variability, particularly the significant economic and social costs
associated with recent extreme events. However, being a relatively new focus for both research and policy communities; practical
evidence of the extent, feasibility, efficiency, and cost effectiveness of potential adaptation options remains largely lacking.
In response, this paper seeks to make a contribution to this embryonic but evolving knowledge base by considering the theoretical
underpinnings of adaptation and ultimately how this translates into practice ‘in the real world’. The analytical commentary,
based on a bottom-up approach involving iterative engagement with key stakeholders and experts, reflects on the identification
of measures that are either innovative or examples of good practice in reducing or transferring climate risks, as well as
considering those ‘enabling’ institutional structures and processes that act to support implementation on the ground. The
paper concludes by synthesising the key findings to date in order to highlight some of the opportunities for, and barriers
to, adaptation activity. 相似文献