Cautioning against overemphasis of normative constructs in conservation decision making

Questions around how to conserve nature are increasingly leading to dissonance in conservation planning and action. While science can assist in unraveling the nature of conservation challenges, conservation responses rely heavily on normative positions and constructs to order actions, aid interpretations, and provide motivation. However, problems can arise when norms are mistaken for science or when they stymy scientific rigor. To highlight these potential pitfalls, we used the ethics-based tool of argument analysis to assess a controversial conservation intervention, the Pelorus Island Goat Control Program. The program proponents' argument for restorative justice was unsound because it relied on weak logical construction overly entrenched in normative assumptions. Overreliance on normative constructs, particularly the invocation of tragedy, creates a sense of urgency that can subvert scientific and ethical integrity, obscure values and assumptions, and increase the propensity for flawed logic. This example demonstrates how the same constructs that drive biodiversity conservation can also drive poor decision making, spur public backlash, and justify poor animal welfare outcomes. To provide clarity, a decision-making flowchart we devised demonstrates how values, norms, and ethics influence one another. We recommend practitioners follow 3 key points to improve decision making: be aware of values, as well as normative constructs and ethical theories that those values inform; be mindful of overreliance on either normative constructs or ethics when deciding action is justified; and be logically sound and transparent when building justifications. We also recommend 5 key attributes that practitioners should be attentive to when making conservation decisions: clarity, transparency, scientific integrity, adaptiveness, and compassion. Greater attention to the role of norms in decision making will improve conservation outcomes and garner greater public support for actions.     

崇明岛中长期碳排放预测及其影响因素分析

为更好地推动崇明低碳生态岛的建设,在应用以自下而上的部门法为基础的区域范围温室气体排放评估核算方法,全面核算崇明岛能源消费及温室气体排放现状的基础上,应用LEAP模型,通过情景分析预测崇明岛中长期能源消费需求以及温室气体排放水平,并进一步应用对数平均指数法(LMDI)对影响崇明岛未来温室气体排放的主要因素进行了定量分析。研究表明:参考情景下,崇明岛能源消费总量从2010年的101万吨标煤增加到2050年的533万吨标煤,净碳足迹从2010年的238万吨CO2e增加到2050年的579万吨CO2e。崇明岛能源消费需求和碳排放增加的主要驱动因素是未来的经济发展、人口增长和生活水平的提高,但是通过一系列的优化,尤其是能源结构的变化和能耗强度的下降,减排情景下,崇明岛能源消费总量有可能在2039年左右达到峰值,并有望在2050年左右实现"零碳岛"的长期发展目标。结合定量分析的结论,进一步提出了实现崇明岛低碳发展中长期目标的可能性和重点发展领域。     

Using long-term data for a reintroduced population to empirically estimate future consequences of inbreeding

Inbreeding depression is an important long-term threat to reintroduced populations. However, the strength of inbreeding depression is difficult to estimate in wild populations because pedigree data are inevitably incomplete and because good data are needed on survival and reproduction. Predicting future population consequences is especially difficult because this also requires projecting future inbreeding levels and their impacts on long-term population dynamics, which are subject to many uncertainties. We illustrate how such projections can be derived through Bayesian state-space modeling methods based on a 26-year data set for North Island Robins (Petroica longipes) reintroduced to Tiritiri Matangi Island in 1992. We used pedigree data to model increases in the average inbreeding level (F ) over time based on kinship of possible breeding pairs and to estimate empirically N_e/N (effective/census population size). We used multiple imputation to model the unknown components of inbreeding coefficients, which allowed us to estimate effects of inbreeding on survival for all 1458 birds in the data set while modeling density dependence and environmental stochasticity. This modeling indicated that inbreeding reduced juvenile survival (1.83 lethal equivalents [SE 0.81]) and may have reduced subsequent adult survival (0.44 lethal equivalents [0.81]) but had no apparent effect on numbers of fledglings produced. Average inbreeding level increased to 0.10 (SE 0.001) as the population grew from 33 (0.3) to 160 (6) individuals over the 25 years, giving a ratio of 0.56 (0.01). Based on a model that also incorporated habitat regeneration, the population was projected to reach a maximum of 331–1144 birds (median 726) in 2130, then to begin a slow decline. Without inbreeding, the population would be expected stabilize at 887–1465 birds (median 1131). Such analysis, therefore, makes it possible to empirically derive the information needed for rational decisions about inbreeding management while accounting for multiple sources of uncertainty.     

基于SD和CLUE-S模型的区域土地利用变化对土壤有机碳储量影响研究

土地利用/土地覆被变化改变土壤呼吸条件,进而对土壤有机碳储量变化产生影响,而土壤有机碳储量则是影响农业可持续发展和全球碳平衡领域的重要因素。以上海市崇明岛为例,运用系统动力学模型(System Dynamics Model)预测2020、2030年土地利用需求变化,结合CLUE-S模型(Conversion of Land Use and its Effects at Small region extent Model)得出各种用地类型的空间分布,并引用碳密度法估算三种发展幕景下土地利用变化对土壤有机碳储量的影响。结果表明:2030年三种发展幕景土壤有机碳储量分别为:低速发展幕景为3 093.03×106kg,惯性发展幕景为3 079.47×106kg,高速发展幕景为3 059.81×106kg;研究期内土壤有机碳储量呈现缓慢下降趋势,但人类活动对其扰动较小;SD和CLUE-S耦合模型可以从时间和空间两方面对土壤有机碳储量进行模拟,具有可行性;建议通过加强城镇用地集约利用、农田保护、林地建设来减少人为活动对土壤有机碳储量的影响。     

崇明典型水生生物中雌激素含量和分布特征

采用超高效液相色谱串联质谱系统(UHPLC-MS2)检测崇明岛9种典型水生生物体中5种典型雌激素的含量,包括雌酮(E1)、雌二醇(E2)、雌三醇(E3)、炔雌醇(EE2)和双酚A(BPA).并探讨其分布特征,进行初步健康风险评价.结果表明,9种典型水生生物中雌激素总量(以dw计)为1.1~7.38 ng·g-1,平均为4.25 ng·g-1.雌激素脂肪含量(以lw计)在5.01~83.41 ng·g-1之间,平均值为40.75 ng·g-1,雌激素脂肪含量水平表现为鱼类>虾类>蟹类.鱼类和蟹类,虾类之间雌激素脂肪含量差异性显著,蟹类和虾类之间不存在显著差异性.从检出率和检出含量看,甾醇类雌激素(E1、E2、E3和EE2)的残留明显低于酚类雌激素(BPA).E1、E2、E3和EE2的检出率小于66.67%,平均干重含量为0.17~0.69ng·g-1,而BPA的检出率高达100%,检出的平均干重含量为2.60 ng·g-1.健康风险评估结果表明,崇明岛水产品中雌激素对健康影响不大.     

上海崇明地区大气分形态汞污染特征

2014年3月~2015年2月对上海崇明东滩湿地公园的气态零价汞(GEM)、活性气态汞(RGM)和颗粒态汞(PBM)分别进行了为期1a的连续监测.GEM、RGM和PBM的年平均浓度分别为(2.75±1.13)ng·m~(-3)、(13.39±15.95)pg·m~(-3)和(21.89±40.42)pg·m~(-3),明显高于对应北半球背景值浓度.GEM浓度在夏季最高(3.65 ng·m~(-3)),受自然源排放影响较大,秋冬季较低,受人为源排放影响较大;RGM浓度在春季最高,冬季最低,主要受风速风向的影响;PBM浓度在秋冬季节明显高于其他季节,受秋冬季节较多的细颗粒物重污染过程的影响.GEM和PBM浓度均夜间较高,白天较低,主要受空气气团混合作用影响.RGM浓度在下午较高,主要是由于GEM在下午的光氧化作用加强,利于RGM的生成.GEM和PBM浓度在偏西风向上浓度较高,受上海、江苏等地人为源排放影响较大.RGM浓度在东南风向上浓度明显高于其他方向,这是因为RGM主要来源为人为排放,其浓度受风速影响较大,东南风向上平均风速较小,持续的弱风及停滞的空气不利于RGM的扩散.     

地形因子对海南岛台风降水分布影响的估算

台风登陆过程中,地形对台风降水有明显的作用,及时了解台风过程中降水的空间分布信息对灾害预测预警有着重要的意义。基于最小二乘的多元线性回归方法,利用1953-2005年间登陆海南岛的台风(不包括其他热带气旋)的降水资料,建立了台风过程中年平均降水量与地形因子(地形高程、坡度、坡向)的关系模型,估算了海南岛台风过程中降水量的分布,分析了地形对其的影响,为后期台风灾害过程中降水的地形影响分析提供参考。     

Info-gap theory and robust design of surveillance for invasive species: The case study of Barrow Island

Surveillance for invasive non-indigenous species (NIS) is an integral part of a quarantine system. Estimating the efficiency of a surveillance strategy relies on many uncertain parameters estimated by experts, such as the efficiency of its components in face of the specific NIS, the ability of the NIS to inhabit different environments, and so on. Due to the importance of detecting an invasive NIS within a critical period of time, it is crucial that these uncertainties be accounted for in the design of the surveillance system. We formulate a detection model that takes into account, in addition to structured sampling for incursive NIS, incidental detection by untrained workers. We use info-gap theory for satisficing (not minimizing) the probability of detection, while at the same time maximizing the robustness to uncertainty. We demonstrate the trade-off between robustness to uncertainty, and an increase in the required probability of detection. An empirical example based on the detection of Pheidole megacephala on Barrow Island demonstrates the use of info-gap analysis to select a surveillance strategy.     

Levels and pattern of polybrominated diphenyl ethers in eggs of Antarctic seabirds: Endemic versus migratory species

Chinstrap and gentoo penguins are endemic species that live year round south of the Antarctic Convergence. South polar skua is a migratory seabird that can be observed in Antarctica during the breeding season (i.e., austral summer). This study compares concentration and pattern of polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) in eggs of seabirds breeding at King George Island, Antarctic Peninsula. PBDEs in south polar skua eggs are approximately 20 times higher than in penguin eggs suggesting that skuas are more exposed to contaminants during the non-breeding season when they migrate to waters of the northern hemisphere. The pattern of PBDE congeners also differs between south polar skua and penguin eggs. The latter exhibited a pattern similar to that found in the local biota. In contrast, the congener pattern in south polar skua eggs suggests that birds breeding at King George Island may winter in the northwestern Pacific Ocean.     

基于GIS的海岛生态脆弱性评价研究与实践——以海坛岛为例

基于生态敏感度、生态弹性度和生态压力度,构建了海岛生态脆弱性评价的指标体系,采用综合指数法和GIS相结合的方法对海坛岛的生态脆弱性进行了定量评价,并绘制了生态脆弱性等级分布图,分析了生态脆弱度的空间差异和不同区域生态脆弱性的主导成因.评价结果与该区域的生态环境状况较为一致,对于海坛岛的生态保护和资源利用具有一定的指导意...