巯基-蒙脱石复合材料对不同程度Cd污染农田土壤修复研究

为研究巯基-蒙脱石复合材料对重金属镉不同污染水平农田土壤的钝化效果,通过盆栽和大田试验,对不同Cd污染水平土壤中施加巯基-蒙脱石复合材料及巯基混合修复材料,并种植小白菜(Brassica chinensis)。结果表明,(1)向镉高污染水平(Cd 3.25 mg?kg~(-1))土壤施加0.1%、0.5%、1%、2%巯基-蒙脱石复合材料后,小白菜Cd含量分别降低27.2%、62.8%、73.0%和88.4%,且当添加量为1%时,小白菜Cd含量为0.19 mg?kg~(-1),低于《食品安全国家标准》(GB2762—2012)中的限量值0.2mg·kg~(-1);同时当添加量为1%、2%时,土壤Cd水溶态含量分别比空白对照降低18.2%、12.4%,Cd离子交换态含量分别比空白对照降低23.8%、28.6%。(2)按0.5%、1%、2%添加巯基混合修复材料后,镉高污染水平土壤中小白菜Cd含量分别降低41.4%、69.1%、80.6%;镉中污染水平(Cd 1.43 mg?kg~(-1))土壤中小白菜Cd含量分别降低47.5%、72.1%、85.2%;镉低污染水平(Cd 0.62 mg?kg~(-1))土壤中小白菜Cd含量分别降低18.3%、52.5%、79.4%。后效试验表明,在种植第二季小白菜时,修复材料的钝化效果仍然相当显著。田间试验表明,添加修复材料显著降低了小白菜对Cd的累积。由此说明,钝化材料降低了土壤中Cd的活性,有效地固定了土壤中的Cd,抑制了小白菜对镉的吸收。该研究可为不同程度Cd污染农田钝化修复技术提供新的途径。     

8种钝化剂产品对不同镉污染土壤理化性质和镉有效性的影响

探讨施用钝化剂对Cd污染土壤理化性质和修复效果,可为北方轻中度Cd污染农田安全利用提供依据。采用盆栽培养试验,研究不同Cd污染程度下,施用8种钝化剂产品对土壤理化性质、主要养分积累、Cd有效性和小白菜吸收Cd的影响。结果表明,与对照相比,土壤加入1 mg·kg~(-1) Cd时,除P6和P7钝化剂外,其他6种钝化剂可显著降低土壤有效态Cd含量,降幅为9.09%—56.73%;P3钝化剂的Cd钝化效果最佳,添加量为5%时土壤有效态Cd降低率为54.90%,小白菜降Cd率为54.04%;所有处理小白菜Cd质量分数均低于0.2 mg·kg~(-1),符合国家食品污染物限量标准。土壤加入5 mg·kg~(-1) Cd时,添加8种钝化剂处理均可显著降低土壤有效态Cd含量,降幅为11.14%—81.08%;其中P3钝化剂的Cd钝化效果最佳,添加量为5%处理下土壤有效态Cd降低率81.08%,小白菜降Cd率为72.16%,小白菜Cd含量(0.22 mg·kg~(-1))基本上接近国家食品中污染物限值,而其他7种钝化剂处理小白菜Cd含量均不同程度超标。相关性分析表明,土壤有效态Cd含量、小白菜Cd含量分别与土壤pH、有机质、速效磷和有效钾含量呈显著或极显著的负相关关系。由此可见,对于北方轻中度Cd污染农田,可通过施用合适的钝化剂产品来改善土壤养分状况,降低土壤Cd的有效性,从而达到农产品安全生产的目的。     

镉胁迫下红树林沉积物中水溶性有机物的变化

在温室条件下采用根箱法,研究了在不同浓度镉(Cd, 0～50 mg kg-1)胁迫下红树植物秋茄幼苗生长的土壤中水溶性有机碳(DOC)和水溶性有机氮(DON)的浓度变化.研究表明,秋茄沉积物中DOC和DON含量随Cd胁迫浓度的增加出现不同程度先降后升再降的趋势, DOC含量在土壤Cd处理浓度为10 mg kg-1和30 mg kg-1时分别达到谷值(0.134 mg g-1)和峰值(0.190 mg g-1).除了R5层(30 mg kg-1 Cd处理时DOC含量高于对照组),其他土层的对照组DOC含量均高于Cd处理组的DOC含量. DON含量在土壤Cd处理浓度为5 mg kg-1和20 mg kg-1时分别达到谷值(0.075 mg g-1和0.081 mg g-1),在10 mg kg-1和30 mg kg-1时分别达到峰值(0.117 mg g-1和0.138 mg g-1).这表明沉积物中的DOC和DON在低浓度的Cd胁迫下可与Cd相互作用,降低Cd的有效性,反映秋茄对低浓度的Cd有一定的抵抗能力.高浓度的Cd胁迫可能刺激秋茄根系分泌和改变土壤微环境.与非根际层土壤相比,根际层的DOC和DON含量较高.     

蒙脱石-OR-SH复合材料修复镉污染土壤的环境风险及时效性评价

以钙基蒙脱石原材料为空白对照,通过细胞活性实验和小鼠急性毒性实验对制备的土壤重金属钝化剂蒙脱石-OR-SH复合材料进行环境风险评价,结果显示,在受试样品浸出物浓度为8 mg/100 m L及以下时,蒙脱石-OR-SH及饱和吸附Cd的蒙脱石-OR-SH对K562细胞、人脐带间充质干细胞和人肝细胞的活性无显著性影响;小鼠毒性实验结果显示,其毒性分级1级,实际无毒性作用.蒙脱石-OR-SH修复Cd污染土壤的长效性盆栽研究显示,第一季的钝化效果显著,虽然之后效果依次递减,但在连续种植了四季盆栽后,蒙脱石-ORSH对土壤中的Cd仍保持显著的钝化效果.     

改性污泥对矿区铜、镉污染土壤的修复

城市污泥的重金属含量超标是限制其资源化利用的主要瓶颈,论文采用石灰＋硫粉＋生物淋滤的方法去除重金属,制备改性污泥,探讨其对矿区Cu、Cd污染农田土壤的修复效果,以期实现以废治污的目标。供试水稻土采自江西某矿区附近农田,土壤Cu和Cd的TCLP（Toxicity characteristic leaching procedure）浸出量分别为40.34 mg·kg-1和660.1μg·kg-1,其中Cu的质量分数超过国际标准值15 mg·kg-1。通过室内土培的方法,将改性污泥分别按土重的0%、1%、3%、5%和10%施入供试土壤培养30 d后,分析土壤Cu和Cd的活性、形态变化以及土壤蛋白酶和脲酶活性等指标评价改性污泥对污染土壤的修复效果及作用机理。结果表明,改性污泥对土壤Cu产生显著的钝化作用,且各施用量对Cu的有效态含量表现出显著差异。当改性污泥的用量为土重的5%时,Cu的有效态含量降至12.03 mg·kg-1,低于国际标准。改性污泥对土壤Cd的钝化效果相对较弱。当改性污泥的用量为1%时,土壤Cd的活性反而有所增加。当改性污泥的用量为5%时,Cd的活性显著降低,土壤Cd的浸出量降至539.6μg·kg-1。土壤重金属形态分析的结果表明,土壤Cu主要以碳酸盐结合态、有机结合态和残渣态存在。改性污泥用量增加,可交换态Cu含量下降,当改良剂用量为土重的5%时,可交换态Cu由8.10%降至4.10%。相反,有机结合态Cu含量由26.45%增加至32.34%。土壤的可交换态Cd含量由36.80%降至30.69%。说明施用改性污泥,土壤可交换态Cu、Cd向有机结合态发生转化。土壤蛋白酶和脲酶的活性变化能较好地指示修复效果,且土壤脲酶的指示效果优于蛋白酶。     

太原市土壤重金属污染空间分布及评价

以太原市土壤作为研究对象,系统研究了太原市城市土壤及工业区土壤中Cr、Ni、Cu、Zn、As、Cd、Pb的污染水平和分布,并对污染状况进行了评价.研究表明,太原市土壤中重金属的含量分别为Cr:35.35—848.80mg·kg-1,Ni:4.00—99.57 mg·kg-1,Cu:4.89—266.99 mg·kg-1,Zn:45.16—677.01 mg·kg-1,As:0.66—35.46 mg·kg-1,Cd:nd—1.00 mg·kg-1,Pb:15.61—1240.41 mg·kg-1.其中城市土壤重金属含量较低,工业区土壤重金属含量较高,受到多种重金属的复合污染.以土壤环境质量国家二级标准值作为评价标准,用单项污染指数和综合污染指数对太原市土壤重金属污染进行评价,结果显示太原市大部分城市土壤未受7种重金属污染,只有6.7%的地区处于轻污染水平;工业区土壤污染严重,污染程度从高至低为化工厂(重污染)热电厂(重污染)化肥厂(重污染)第一电厂(中度污染)建筑工地(中度污染)焦化厂(轻污染).7种重金属在太原市土壤中的空间分布规律不同,且均与工业区分布相关,工业区是太原城市土壤重金属污染的重要来源.     

深圳市城市绿地土壤中重金属的含量及化学形态分布

对深圳市中心区城市绿地表层土壤(0-20cm)中Cu,Zn,Pb和Cd的含量、化学形态分布和迁移性进行研究.结果表明,土壤中Cu,Zn,Pb和Cd的含量分别为6.4-188.2(26.3)mg·kg-1,34.9-284.8(69.1)mg·kg-1,15.2-245.5(47.2)mg·kg-1和0.01-3.48(0.47)mg·kg-1.道路绿化带土壤中Cu,Zn和Pb的平均含量最高,在公园绿地土壤中Cd的平均含量最高.分别有75.6%,87.0%,98.8%和98.8%的土壤中Cu,Zn,Pb和Cd的含量超过广东省赤红壤的背景值,重金属在土壤中呈现明显的富集特征.土壤中Cu,Zn和Cd以残渣态所占比例最高,Pb以铁锰氧化物结合态最高.随着土壤中Cu,Zn,Pb和Cd含量的增加其残渣态所占比例降低,铁锰氧化物结合态或交换态所占比例增加,重金属活性增大.土壤中Cd迁移能力最强,迁移能力依次为Cd>Zn>Pb和Cu.     

冬氨酸二丁二酸醚(AES)诱导黑麦草提取污染土壤重金属的效应

采用盆栽试验,研究新型生物可降解螯合剂冬氨酸二丁二酸醚(AES)和非降解螯合剂乙二胺四乙酸(EDTA)调控下黑麦草修复重金属污染土壤的效应.黑麦草于含2500 mg Pb·kg-1,500 mg Cu·kg-1,1000 mg Zn·kg-1 和15 mg Cd·kg-1 的土壤中生长45d后,分别施加5 mmol·kg-1 土的AES或EDTA.结果表明,AES和EDTA可以显著提高土壤溶液和黑麦草植株地上部Pb、Zn、Cu和Cd的浓度.EDTA对土壤中Pb的溶解能力和对黑麦草积累重金属的促进作用显著强于AES,前者处理的土壤中水提取态Pb浓度和黑麦草地上部Pb浓度分别达到了15.9 mg·kg-1 和174.1 mg·kg-1,显著高于AES处理的2.6 mg·kg-1 和44.0 mg·kg-1.但AES对黑麦草积累Zn和Cd的促进作用较EDTA明显增强,黑麦草地上部Zn浓度达到了1081.8 mg·kg-1,显著高于EDTA的776.7 mg·kg-1 和对照的389.6 mg·kg-1;地上部Cd浓度为1.57mg·kg-1,高于EDTA的1.06 mg·kg-1 和对照的0.69 mg·kg-1.与对照相比,AES和EDTA对Cu在土壤中的溶解和黑麦草植株中的积累亦有显著的促进作用,但二者处理无极显著差异.结果表明,生物可降解螯合剂AES在诱导植物修复重金属污染土壤尤其是Zn、Cd污染土壤中有很大的应用潜力,且与EDTA相比,环境风险大大降低.     

改性纳米二氧化硅对Cd污染农田土壤的钝化修复

土壤Cd污染已严重威胁人类健康及生态环境安全,钝化修复以其高效、快速、廉价的特点成为了Cd污染土壤修复的重要手段.本研究以巯基修饰的纳米二氧化硅(GSN)为钝化剂,分别于实验室及现场条件下进行Cd污染农田土壤的钝化修复研究,分析GSN添加对土壤有效态Cd含量、土壤Cd形态分布及小麦籽粒内Cd含量的影响.结果显示,实验室条件下,GSN添加能够有效降低土壤中Cd的生物活性(DTPA浸提态),Cd最高钝化效率可达91.77%;GSN添加量为1%时,土壤中可交换态及碳酸盐结合态Cd含量分别降低69.26%和48.29%,而残渣态Cd含量则增加了143.14%;此外,不同GSN添加量对土壤特征性酶活性没有造成明显的影响.现场试验表明,GSN添加对小麦产量造成的影响不明显,且小麦籽粒中Cd含量可从0.342 mg·kg~(-1)降低至0.178 mg·kg~(-1).由此可知,GSN作为新型钝化剂在Cd污染土壤修复中具有巨大的应用潜力.     

石灰、羟基磷灰石、秸秆生物炭对烟草吸收镉的影响

烟草是我国重要经济作物且极易吸收镉(Cd),如何降低烟草Cd含量已引起广泛关注。通过盆栽实验,在Cd(0.83 mg·kg^(-1)和12 mg·kg(-1)和12 mg·kg^(-1))污染土壤中添加2 g·kg(-1))污染土壤中添加2 g·kg^(-1)或16 g·kg(-1)或16 g·kg^(-1)石灰(Ca(OH)_2)、羟基磷灰石(HAP)或秸秆生物炭,分析3种钝化材料对土壤Cd的钝化效率及烟草Cd吸收的降低效率。结果表明：(1)种植60 d后,施用16 g·kg(-1)石灰(Ca(OH)_2)、羟基磷灰石(HAP)或秸秆生物炭,分析3种钝化材料对土壤Cd的钝化效率及烟草Cd吸收的降低效率。结果表明：(1)种植60 d后,施用16 g·kg^(-1)石灰或HAP均显著(P<0.05)提高土壤pH值,轻微(0.83 mg·kg(-1)石灰或HAP均显著(P<0.05)提高土壤pH值,轻微(0.83 mg·kg^(-1)Cd)、中度(12 mg·kg(-1)Cd)、中度(12 mg·kg^(-1)Cd)Cd污染土壤pH值分别提高1.98～2.84和1.99～3.06;(2)3种钝化材料均使土壤Cd有效态含量降低,其中,16 g·kg(-1)Cd)Cd污染土壤pH值分别提高1.98～2.84和1.99～3.06;(2)3种钝化材料均使土壤Cd有效态含量降低,其中,16 g·kg^(-1)石灰使土壤Cd有效态含量降低69.7%～71.5%;(3)生物炭(2 g·kg(-1)石灰使土壤Cd有效态含量降低69.7%～71.5%;(3)生物炭(2 g·kg^(-1)和16 g·kg(-1)和16 g·kg^(-1))显著(P<0.05)提高烟草生物量且降低烟草Cd含量,轻微、中度Cd污染土壤烟草生物量分别提高5.07倍～18.5倍和5.00倍～29.7倍,烟草根、茎、叶Cd含量分别降低68.7%～74.6%、32.1%～50.7%、70.2%～82.5%(轻微)和68.7%～74.6%、51.4%～59.3%、33.2%～46.5%(中度),根、茎、叶Cd富集系数亦显著降低,根(Cd_(0.83):122降至31～38.1,Cd_(12):24.7降至12.2～16.8),茎(Cd_(0.83):203降至35.6～60.6,Cd_(12):41.7降至17.6～23.1),叶(Cd_(0.83):247降至100～120,Cd_(12):48.6降至26.0～32.5);(4)溶液吸附实验发现,HAP和生物炭均通过表面吸附Cd(-1))显著(P<0.05)提高烟草生物量且降低烟草Cd含量,轻微、中度Cd污染土壤烟草生物量分别提高5.07倍～18.5倍和5.00倍～29.7倍,烟草根、茎、叶Cd含量分别降低68.7%～74.6%、32.1%～50.7%、70.2%～82.5%(轻微)和68.7%～74.6%、51.4%～59.3%、33.2%～46.5%(中度),根、茎、叶Cd富集系数亦显著降低,根(Cd_(0.83):122降至31～38.1,Cd_(12):24.7降至12.2～16.8),茎(Cd_(0.83):203降至35.6～60.6,Cd_(12):41.7降至17.6～23.1),叶(Cd_(0.83):247降至100～120,Cd_(12):48.6降至26.0～32.5);(4)溶液吸附实验发现,HAP和生物炭均通过表面吸附Cd⁽²⁺⁾,且该吸附过程符合准二级动力学模型,表明在钝化过程中这2种钝化剂与Cd(2+),且该吸附过程符合准二级动力学模型,表明在钝化过程中这2种钝化剂与Cd⁽²⁺⁾发生键能结合的化学吸附。研究表明,3种钝化剂在同等剂量水平下,生物炭提高烟草生物量且降低Cd吸收最显著,可优先选作降低烟草Cd吸收的钝化剂。     

Rapid,recurring, structured survey versus bioblitz for generating biodiversity data and analysis with a multispecies abundance model

A bioblitz inexpensively and quickly generates biodiversity data, but bioblitzes are often conducted with haphazard, unreplicated sampling. Results tend to be taxonomically, geographically, or temporally biased, lack metadata, and consist of lists of observed taxa that do not enable further analyses or correction for imperfect detection. A rapid, recurring, structured survey (RRSS) uses a structured sampling design and temporal and spatial replication to survey randomly selected sites on a conservation property. We participated in a loosely structured bioblitz and a subsequent RRSS at Big Canoe Creek Nature Preserve in Springville (St. Clair County), Alabama (USA) to compare observed richness derived from the 2 survey approaches. The RRSS data structure enabled us to fit models that accounted for imperfect detection to estimate abundances, occupancy probabilities, and habitat associations. The loosely structured bioblitz data could not be used in such models. We present a new integrated multispecies abundance model that we applied to avian RRSS data. Our model extension enables estimation for the community, employs data augmentation to estimate the number of undetected species, and incorporates covariates. The RRSS generated a more comprehensive and less biased list of observed taxonomic richness than the loosely structured bioblitz (e.g., 73 vs. 45 bird species and 104 vs. 63 insect families from the RRSS vs. loosely structured bioblitz, respectively). Models fit to the RRSS data identified seasonal patterns in avian community composition and allowed for estimation of habitat–occupancy relationships for insect taxa. The RRSS protocol has potential for broad transferability as a standardized, quick, and inexpensive way to inventory biodiversity and estimate ecological parameters while providing an outreach opportunity.     

Compliance with and ecosystem function of biodiversity offsets in North American and European freshwaters

Land-use change via human development is a major driver of biodiversity loss. To reduce these impacts, billions of dollars are spent on biodiversity offsets. However, studies evaluating offset project effectiveness that examine components such as the overall compliance and function of projects remain rare. We reviewed 577 offsetting projects in freshwater ecosystems that included the metrics project size, type of aquatic system (e.g., wetland and creek), offsetting measure (e.g., enhancement, restoration, and creation), and an assessment of the projects’ compliance and functional success. Project information was obtained from scientific and government databases and gray literature. Despite considerable investment in offsetting projects, crucial problems persisted. Although compliance and function were related to each other, a high level of compliance did not guarantee a high degree of function. However, large projects relative to area had better function than small projects. Function improved when projects targeted productivity or specific ecosystem features and when multiple complementary management targets were in place. Restorative measures were more likely to achieve targets than creating entirely new ecosystems. Altogether the relationships we found highlight specific ecological processes that may help improve offsetting outcomes.     

Representation of the world's biophysical conditions by the global protected area network

Protected areas (PAs) are often implemented without consideration of already existing PAs, which is likely to cause an overrepresentation of certain biophysical conditions. We assessed the representativeness of the current PA network with regard to the world's biophysical conditions to highlight which conditions are underprotected and where these conditions are located. We overlaid terrestrial and marine PAs with information on biophysical conditions (e.g., temperature, precipitation, and elevation) and then quantified the percentage of area covered by the PA network. For 1 variable at a time in the terrestrial realm, high temperature, low precipitation, and medium and very high elevation were underrepresented. For the marine realm, low and medium sea surface temperature (SST), medium and high sea surface salinity (SSS), and the deep sea were underrepresented. Overall, protection was evenly distributed for elevation across the terrestrial realm and SST across the marine realm. For 2 variables at a time, cold and very dry terrestrial environments had mostly low protection, which was also the case for low SST and low and medium SSS across most depths for marine environments. Low protection occurred mostly in the Sahara and the Arabian Peninsula for the terrestrial realm and along the Tropic of Capricorn and toward the poles for the marine realm. Although biodiversity measures are of prime importance for the design of PA networks, highlighting biophysical gaps in current PAs adds a frequently overlooked perspective. These gaps may weaken the potential of PAs to conserve biodiversity. Thus, our results may provide useful insights for researchers, practitioners, and policy makers to establish a more comprehensive global PA network.     

Quantitative composition of the defensive secretion ofBledius species (Coleoptera: Staphylinidae: Oxytelinae) is adapted to naturally occurring predators

Summary The adaptation of defensive secretions to their target organisms was examined for the abdominal gland secretions ofBledius furcatus, B. spectabilis andB. arenarius. Therefore the target organisms of the secretion of theseBledius species (i.e. their predators) had to be identified. At the collection sites examined these were the earwigLabidura riparia, the antCataglyphis bicolor, the flyLispe candicans, different carabids of the generaPogonus, Dichirotrichus, Dyschirius, Bembidion andCalathus and the wading birdsHaematopus ostralegus andCalidris alba. The secretion of the abdominal glands contains the toxin ptoluquinone dissolved in either-dodecalactone and 1-undecene (B. furcatus andB. spectabilis) or in octanoic acid and octyloctanoate (B. arenarius). The ratio of these solvents is species-specific. Application experiments using some of the natural insect predators (L. riparia, C. bicolor, Pogonus, Di. gustavii, Dyschirius) revealed that these solvent ratios provided a more effective deterrent than other possible ratios. Thus by combining the solvents in certain ratios, the capability of cuticular penetration and therefore the effectiveness of the defensive secretions are adapted to their natural targets.     

Democracy versus development: New urban debates

The politics of development includes subtexts of choice, as underpinned by community consensus (or lack of it), against the larger backdrop of a liberal democracy, with its intricate power structures that influence the choice of concepts and often lead to complicity rather than consent. A dilemma exists between the understanding of field-level practitioners and that of academics, whose understandings of progress differ. Progress can (and often does) imply long-term change across generations whereas development is often more a matter of crisis management and delivering tangible results to end-users. This makes it a bone of contention across political systems, irrespective of local or global dynamics. Development can emerge as a tool to be wielded for power and further political mileage at the expense of progress. Progress cannot be studied as a counterpoint to development as the sense of history is often missing in development interventions. Development tends to be piecemeal as its very logic often stems from the rationale of power. This is not to suggest, however, that development is only about politics; it is definitely more than the politics of everyday life and involves all of civil society that requires its critical and immediate attention. In this sense, it has become a priority for politicians with an underlying agenda designed to out-manouevre dissent and all statements of protest.     

A palaeo-hydrogeological model for arsenic contamination in southern and south-east Asia

An argument is presented in which areas of natural arsenic contamination of modern groundwaters throughout Asia have a common origin. Arsenic originally accumulated in oceanic ferro-manganoan sediments of the eastern Palaeo-Tethys. This was further concentrated through oceanic crustal extinction in what later became the south-east Chinese accreted mineralised terrain. Proto-Himalayan uplift of this area created the palaeo-drainage systems of the Ganges – Brahmaputra, Irrawaddy, Mekong, and Red Rivers, with consequent headwater erosion of arsenic-rich sediments. Their downstream deposition as immature and easily redistributed Neogene sandstones, silts, and iron-rich clays has created secondary and tertiary reservoirs of adsorbed and authigenic arsenic, from which the current arsenic-rich groundwaters have evolved. Considering river basins within the above palaeo-hydrogeological framework provides a basis for assessing the risk of arsenic in groundwater basins of south and south-eastern Asia.     

A framework to measure the wildness of managed large vertebrate populations

As landscapes continue to fall under human influence through habitat loss and fragmentation, fencing is increasingly being used to mitigate anthropogenic threats and enhance the commercial value of wildlife. Subsequent intensification of management potentially erodes wildness by disembodying populations from landscape-level processes, thereby disconnecting species from natural selection. Tools are needed to measure the degree to which populations of large vertebrate species in formally protected and privately owned wildlife areas are self-sustaining and free to adapt. We devised a framework to measure such wildness based on 6 attributes relating to the evolutionary and ecological dynamics of vertebrates (space, disease and parasite resistance, exposure to predation, exposure to limitations and fluctuations of food and water supply, and reproduction). For each attribute, we set empirical, species-specific thresholds between 5 wildness states based on quantifiable management interventions. We analysed data from 205 private wildlife properties with management objectives spanning ecotourism to consumptive utilization to test the framework on 6 herbivore species representing a range of conservation statuses and commercial values. Wildness scores among species differed significantly, and the proportion of populations identified as wild ranged from 12% to 84%, which indicates the tool detected site-scale differences both among populations of different species and populations of the same species under different management regimes. By quantifying wildness, this framework provides practitioners with standardized measurement units that link biodiversity with the sustainable use of wildlife. Applications include informing species management plans at local scales; standardizing the inclusion of managed populations in red-list assessments; and providing a platform for certification and regulation of wildlife-based economies. Applying this framework may help embed wildness as a normative value in policy and mitigate the shifting baseline of what it means to truly conserve a species.     

Sexual Predators,Energy Development,and Conservation in Greater Yellowstone

Abstract: In the United States, as elsewhere, a growing debate pits national energy policy and homeland security against biological conservation. In rural communities the extraction of fossil fuels is often encouraged because of the employment opportunities it offers, although the concomitant itinerant workforce is often associated with increased wildlife poaching. We explored possible positive and negative factors associated with energy extraction in the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem (GYE), an area known for its national parks, intact biological diversity, and some of the New World's longest terrestrial migrations. Specifically, we asked whether counties with different economies—recreation (ski), agrarian (ranching or farming), and energy extractive (petroleum)—differed in healthcare (gauged by the abundance of hospital beds) and in the frequency of sexual predators. The absolute and relative frequency of registered sex offenders grew approximately two to three times faster in areas reliant on energy extraction. Healthcare among counties did not differ. The strong conflation of community dishevel, as reflected by in‐migrant sexual predators, and ecological decay in Greater Yellowstone is consistent with patterns seen in similar systems from Ecuador to northern Canada, where social and environmental disarray exist around energy boomtowns. In our case, that groups (albeit with different aims) mobilized campaigns to help maintain the quality of rural livelihoods by protecting open space is a positive sign that conservation can matter, especially in the face of rampant and poorly executed energy extraction projects. Our findings further suggest that the public and industry need stronger regulatory action to instill greater vigilance when and where social factors and land conversion impact biological systems.     

Cost‐effective conservation of an endangered frog under uncertainty

How should managers choose among conservation options when resources are scarce and there is uncertainty regarding the effectiveness of actions? Well‐developed tools exist for prioritizing areas for one‐time and binary actions (e.g., protect vs. not protect), but methods for prioritizing incremental or ongoing actions (such as habitat creation and maintenance) remain uncommon. We devised an approach that combines metapopulation viability and cost‐effectiveness analyses to select among alternative conservation actions while accounting for uncertainty. In our study, cost‐effectiveness is the ratio between the benefit of an action and its economic cost, where benefit is the change in metapopulation viability. We applied the approach to the case of the endangered growling grass frog (Litoria raniformis), which is threatened by urban development. We extended a Bayesian model to predict metapopulation viability under 9 urbanization and management scenarios and incorporated the full probability distribution of possible outcomes for each scenario into the cost‐effectiveness analysis. This allowed us to discern between cost‐effective alternatives that were robust to uncertainty and those with a relatively high risk of failure. We found a relatively high risk of extinction following urbanization if the only action was reservation of core habitat; habitat creation actions performed better than enhancement actions; and cost‐effectiveness ranking changed depending on the consideration of uncertainty. Our results suggest that creation and maintenance of wetlands dedicated to L. raniformis is the only cost‐effective action likely to result in a sufficiently low risk of extinction. To our knowledge we are the first study to use Bayesian metapopulation viability analysis to explicitly incorporate parametric and demographic uncertainty into a cost‐effective evaluation of conservation actions. The approach offers guidance to decision makers aiming to achieve cost‐effective conservation under uncertainty.     

Comparison of the insecticidal effects of water extracted and intact aromatic plants onAcanthoscelides obtectus,a bruchid beetle pest of kidney beans

Summary Acanthoscelides obtectus (Say) is one of the most damaging pests of kidney beans,Phaseolus vulgaris L. worldwide. However, aromatic plants from the families Lamiaceae, Lauraceae, Myrtaceae and Poaceae can protect kidney beans by direct or delayed insecticidal effect, through increased adult mortality and inhibition of beetle reproduction (both oviposition and adult emergence). The efficiency of hydrodistillated and intact plants fromThymus vulgaris andT. serpyllum, Mentha piperata, Rosmarinus officinalis, Satureia hortensis, Eucalyptus globulus, Laurus nobilis, Origanum vulgare, andCymbopogon nardus was compared. For both extracts,Origanum vulgare had the best effect. The insecticidal effect was induced by more than the essential oils because no significant difference was noticed between distilled and intact plants extract. Inhibition of reproduction was particularly important. These results suggest that lipidic as well as non lipidic, allelochemicals, such as phenolics, or non-protein amino-acids, or flavonoids may be involved in the toxicity of aromatic plants to this beetle.