磷在蛋壳粉中的吸附热力学和动力学

利用蛋壳粉对水中的磷进行吸附热力学和动力学研究.结果表明,蛋壳粉对水中的磷具有一定的吸附作用,吸附等温线符合Freundlich方程,吸附ΔH、ΔS与ΔG显示蛋壳粉对水中磷的吸附是自发吸热的物理过程.磷在蛋壳中的吸附动力学曲线存在两个吸附平台,吸附过程符合准二级动力学模型,磷在蛋壳中的吸附可能受到吸附边界层和内部孔道结...     

Zr（OH）4沉淀物对铬鞣废水Cr3+的吸附实验

用Zr(OH)4模拟锆鞣废水中的沉淀物作为吸附剂处理低浓度铬鞣废水,考察了吸附时间、Zr(OH)4投加量、溶液pH值、盐离子(Na+、Ca2+)浓度等因素对Cr3+去除效果的影响,结果表明,在pH<4.5时,Cr3+的去除为吸附过程,当pH>4.5后,为沉淀和吸附混合过程;Cr3+在Zr(OH)4上的吸附过程可以用Freundlich模型进行模拟;Na+和Ca2+对铬的吸附有一定的抑制作用.实际锆鞣废水中的杂质成分与Cr3+产生竞争吸附,使去除率略有降低,最低去除率可达71.29%以上.     

磺胺甲恶唑在土壤上的吸附及其与Ca2+、Mg2+、Zn2+的共吸附

研究了磺胺甲恶唑(SMX)在11种土壤上的吸附行为.相关性分析表明,单一的土壤性质与表观吸附没有表现出明显的相关关系,SMX在土壤中的吸附可能受憎水性作用、阳离子交换、表面积等多个机理或因素的共同作用.进而研究了Ca2+、Mg2+、Zn2+3种金属离子与SMX在土壤中的共吸附.其中,Zn2+显著地促进了SMX的表观吸附,而Ca2+、Mg2+两种离子对SMX的吸附没有明显的影响.同时,SMX的存在也影响了3种离子的吸附行为,Ca2+和Mg2+的吸附降低,而Zn2+的吸附受SMX的影响不大.可能是由于Zn2+在土壤中是内界吸附,占据了内部的位点,取代了大量的H原子,使表面的负电荷减弱,降低了土壤与SMX的排斥作用,从而使其吸附增加.     

内分泌干扰物对鲤鱼器官中离子平衡的影响

采用雌二醇、双酚A、邻苯二甲酸二丁酯等3种内分泌干扰物和睾酮对鲤鱼染毒,测定了鲤鱼肝胰脏、性腺和脑组织中常量及微量元素离子的含量、Na+,K+-ATP酶活性和Ca2+,Mg2+-ATP酶活性的变化.结果显示,内分泌干扰物能够改变鲤鱼部分器官细胞内离子间的平衡关系;睾酮单独存在对离子平衡产生的影响很小,与雌二醇共存时表现一定的拮抗作用;内分泌干扰物可能会通过影响器官内Na+,K+-ATP酶的活性改变肝胰脏中Na+、K+的含量,并通过增加性腺中Ca2+、Mg2+的含量提高Ca2+,Mg2+-ATP酶的活性.     

西藏日喀则地区夏、冬季大气颗粒物水溶性离子粒径分布特征

为研究日喀则不同粒径大气颗粒物中水溶性无机离子的组成特征,利用Andersen分级撞击式采样器在夏、冬季进行大气颗粒物分级采样,采用离子色谱测定NH+4、Ca2+、K+、Mg2+、Na+、SO2-4、NO-3和Cl-等8种离子浓度.结果表明,夏、冬季总离子浓度分别为9648±3030、4925±1138 ng·m-3.夏季离子浓度高低顺序为Cl-﹥Ca2+﹥NH+4﹥Na+﹥SO2-4﹥NO-3﹥K+﹥Mg2+,Cl-、Ca2+、NH+4和Na+占总离子浓度的比重为74.9%;冬季水溶性无机离子浓度高低顺序为Cl-﹥SO2-4﹥NH+4﹥NO-3﹥Ca2+﹥Na+﹥K+﹥Mg2+,Cl-、SO2-4、NH+4和NO-3占总离子浓度的比重为88.0%.夏、冬季大气颗粒物中所有水溶性无机离子的粒径分布均成双峰型.夏季,大气颗粒物中SO2-4与Mg2+(r=0.951)、Ca2+(r=0.947),NO-3与Mg2+(r=0.904)、Ca2+(r=0.843),在0.01水平(双侧)上均显著相关;冬季,细粒子中K+与Cl-(r=0.740)、SO2-4(r=0.929)及NO-3(r=0.920),在0.01水平(双侧)上显著相关.     

Effects of two forest types on the dynamics of four base cations along with rainfall partitioning in middle subtropical forests北大核心CSCD

盐基离子随穿透雨和树干茎流的迁移成为森林元素输入的重要组成部分.在迁移过程中,冠层淋溶、树干冲刷等改变了盐基离子含量,而不同林型的林冠特征、树皮性质等存在差异,因此盐基离子含量在不同林型中可能存在差异对米槠次生林和杉木人工林穿透雨、树干茎流进行为期4年的监测,对比研究4种盐基离子(K+、Ca2+、Na+、Mg2+)浓度和输入量的动态特征.结果显示:(1)米槠次生林树干茎流Ca2+、Mg2+浓度显著低于杉木人工林而K+浓度显著高于杉木人工林;穿透雨除Na+浓度外均为米槠次生林显著高于杉木人工林.穿透雨和树干茎流Na+浓度林型差异不显著.(2)两种林型盐基离子季节动态变化基本一致,在雨季旱季各有一个峰值,雨季浓度普遍低于旱季.米槠次生林盐基离子浓度稳定性普遍高于杉木人工林.(3)分析盐基离子浓度与降雨强度的关系发现:Ca2+、K+、Mg2+浓度随雨量级的增加而降低,Na+浓度随雨量级的增加而增加.(4)观测期间米槠次生林穿透雨累计输入Ca2+、K+、Mg2+和Na+总量分别为47.97、35.17、7.15和12.94 kg/hm2,树干茎流累计输入Ca2+、K+、Mg2+和Na+总量分别为11.38、6.21、1.54和3.00 kg/hm2;杉木人工林穿透雨累计输入Ca2+、K+、Mg2+和Na+总量分别为47.24、26.63、6.43和11.55 kg/hm2,树干茎流累计输入Ca2+、K+、Mg2+和Na+总量分别为4.11、1.20、0.50和0.83 kg/hm2.米槠次生林的林内雨盐基离子输入量大于杉木人工林.总体而言,米槠次生林比杉木人工林有更高的养分输入,能更好地维持生态系统养分的供应;上述结果有助于进一步认识森林物质随水文过程的流动,可为人工林经营管理提供一定科学基础数据.(图6表1参36)     

玉龙雪山周边典型河流的水化学日变化特征

通过分析于2009年9月22日—28日期间,在玉龙雪山周边河流白水河采集的河水样品(采样间隔为2 h),对冰雪融水补给径流的日变化特征及其规律进行了深入研究.结果表明,白水河水中所测的阴离子以SO2-4含量最高,其次为NO-3和Cl-;阳离子中主要以Ca2+、Mg2+为主,其次为Na+、K+,不同于冰雪融水中的离子浓度序列Ca2+Na+K+Mg2+,反映了流域内基岩岩性对河水化学性质的影响;水体的pH值平均8.6,电导率介于29.9—73.5μS·cm-1之间,日周期波动幅度较大;受降雨影响时段,各离子含量峰值通常出现在16∶00左右,各离子含量随降雨量的增加呈增加态势(除SO2-4、NO-3外);在无降雨影响下,随径流量的增加,各离子含量表现出减小趋势.     

我国4个大气背景点环境空气颗粒物(PM_(2.5)、PM_(10))中水溶性离子分布特征

为研究国家大气背景点颗粒物质量浓度与水溶性离子组成特征,于2013年2月、7月、9月、12月分别对4个国家大气背景点进行了PM2.5及PM10的采样,通过超声萃取-IC法测定了样品中的9种水溶性离子(F-、Cl-、NO-3、SO2-4、Na+、NH+4、K+、Mg2+、Ca2+)质量浓度,结果表明:(1)可吸入颗粒物浓度水平一、二季度重于三、四季度,PM2.5、PM10年均值分别为17μg·m-3、32μg·m-3,与其他主要国家和地区背景区域浓度相当,背景点大气状况良好;(2)PM2.5中水溶性离子比重全年波动不大,为35.5%—42.2%,浓度排序为SO2-4、NH+4、NO-3Ca2+、Cl-、K+、Na+F-、Mg2+,第一季度PM10中Ca2+浓度显著升高,控制风沙尘将有效降低PM10的浓度;PM2.5及PM10中的9种水溶性离子在不同季节的浓度分布规律与颗粒物浓度类似,一季度较高,三、四季度较低;(3)二次离子是背景点区域的主要水溶性离子,浓度值与其他主要国家和地区相当.NO-3、SO2-4的物质的量浓度与NH+4存在显著相关性,相关系数r为0.7539,斜率小于1,水溶性离子中酸性离子的量比铵根离子略占优势,对气溶胶酸度产生重要贡献.     

冰封期达里诺尔湖主要离子特征

通过对内蒙古达里诺尔湖冰封期湖冰与湖水进行取样,分析总磷(TP)、总溶解性固体(TDS)、Mg2+、Ca2+、K+、Na+、Cl-、SO2-4、CO2-3和HCO-3离子在冰体及水体中的分布特征及迁移过程.结果表明,在冰体和水体阳离子中,Ca2+、Mg2+相对贫乏,在冰体中平均浓度分别为1.37 mg·L-1和7.0 mg·L-1,水体中平均浓度分别为4.01 mg·L-1和24.53 mg·L-1,Na+所占比例最高,冰体与水体中平均浓度均达到92%.CO32-、HCO-3和Cl-是冰体和水体中阴离子的主要组成部分,冰体中平均浓度分别为435.86、543.20、539.97 mg·L-1,水体中平均浓度分别为1773.90、2556.49、1890.08 mg·L-1.Piper图表明达里诺尔湖水化学类型以Na+-CO2-3-Cl--HCO-3型为主.Gibbs图显示岩石风化与蒸发浓缩作用对达里诺尔湖的离子含量影响显著.通过对TP、TDS、Mg2+、Ca2+和Cl-之间的关系分析可知,在水体中,Mg2+和Ca2+的组成随着深度的变化基本保持不变,而在冰体中呈现无规律的变化,在水中表现为基本不变;TP和Cl-在水体中没有相关性,在冰中相关性不明显.无论在水体中还是在冰体中,TP和TDS具有较好的相关性(水体:r=0.94;冰体:r=0.90),说明TDS可以在冰封期较好地示踪TP的迁移过程.     

外源磷对消落区土壤性质及磷释放的影响

选取三峡库区消落区万州段的紫色冲积土,对消落区土壤添加磷的变化及磷的释放进行实验室模拟试验.结果表明,当外源磷添加量较小(＜50 mgP·kg-1土干重)时,上覆水中磷浓度表现为持续上升.当外源磷添加量较大(＞50 mgP·kg-1土干重)时,在淹水4周左右达到平衡.随着外源磷添加量的增加,无机磷呈增加趋势;Ca2-P,Fe-P,Ca8-P和Al-P增加程度较大;外源磷添加量较大(＞50 mgP·kg-1土)时,O-P也有上升,Ca10-P变化较小.土壤干样与鲜样中磷的最大吸附量(Qm)在不同添加磷情况下变化不显著,磷吸附指数(PSI)、磷最大缓冲能力(MBC)均有显著的下降.表明土壤添加外源磷后土壤有效磷水平增大,同时土壤对磷的吸持能力降低,添加外源磷将增大土壤磷释放的风险.     

Achieving Open Access to Conservation Science

Conservation science is a crisis discipline in which the results of scientific enquiry must be made available quickly to those implementing management. We assessed the extent to which scientific research published since the year 2000 in 20 conservation science journals is publicly available. Of the 19,207 papers published, 1,667 (8.68%) are freely downloadable from an official repository. Moreover, only 938 papers (4.88%) meet the standard definition of open access in which material can be freely reused providing attribution to the authors is given. This compares poorly with a comparable set of 20 evolutionary biology journals, where 31.93% of papers are freely downloadable and 7.49% are open access. Seventeen of the 20 conservation journals offer an open access option, but fewer than 5% of the papers are available through open access. The cost of accessing the full body of conservation science runs into tens of thousands of dollars per year for institutional subscribers, and many conservation practitioners cannot access pay‐per‐view science through their workplace. However, important initiatives such as Research4Life are making science available to organizations in developing countries. We urge authors of conservation science to pay for open access on a per‐article basis or to choose publication in open access journals, taking care to ensure the license allows reuse for any purpose providing attribution is given. Currently, it would cost $51 million to make all conservation science published since 2000 freely available by paying the open access fees currently levied to authors. Publishers of conservation journals might consider more cost effective models for open access and conservation‐oriented organizations running journals could consider a broader range of options for open access to nonmembers such as sponsorship of open access via membership fees. Obtención de Acceso Abierto a la Ciencia de la Conservación     

Some polyphagous Homoptera gain protection from their natural enemies by feeding on the toxic plantsSpartium junceum andErythrina corallodendrum (Leguminosae)

Summary Interactions were studied among alkaloid-containing legumes (Erythrina corallodendrum andSpartium junceum) and non-toxic plants (Citrus sinensis, Cucurbita moschata andEuphorbia tirucalli), several polyphagous homopterans,Aphis craccivora (Aphididae),Icerya purchasi, I. aegyptiaca (Margarodidae),Lepidosaphes ulmi (Diaspididae) andPlanococcus citri (Pseudococcidae), and some major natural enemies of these homopterans. Significant reductions in survival due to negative effects of alkaloid containing as compared with non-alkaloidal plants were recorded for the predatorsRodolia cardinalis andChilocorus bipustulatus, but not forCryptolaemus montrouzieri (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae),Chrysoperla carnea (Neuroptera: Chrysopidae) andSympherobius sanctus (Neuroptera: Sympherobiidae). The development time of the larvae or pupae ofR. cardinalis, C. carnea andS. sanctus was longer on the toxic plants than on the non-toxic ones. The percentage of parasitism ofA. craccivora collected from the non-alkaloidal plantsVicia palaestina andMelilotus albus was much higher than that onS. junceum. The parasitoid complexes ofA. craccivora differed between both plant groups. The nutritive value of honeydew ofI. purchasi andA. craccivora, as expressed by the life span ofEncyrtus infelix (Hymenoptera: Encyrtidae) adults, was also investigated. Life spans were significantly longer when the wasps fed on honeydew produced on non-alkaloidal plants (C. sinensis andPittosporum tobira) than on alkaloid containing plants whenI. purchasi — but notA. craccivora — was the producer. It is suggested that the chemical defense ofE. corallodendrum andS. junceum is exploited by polyphagous phytophages to reduce predation. In nature, population growth and density of four of the investigated homopterans are conspicuously high when they developed on the alkaloid containing plant species, and very low on non-alkaloid plants. The efficiency of their natural enemies may be reduced by sequestration of alkaloids (or other toxic plant compounds) or their transfer into excreted honeydew. Therefore it is assumed that a generalist phytophagous homopteran may be protected from its natural enemies, although at different rates of efficiency, if it can safely sequester the host allelochemical when it develops on toxic species within its host range.     

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.     

Sequestration of cucurbitacin analogs by New and Old World chrysomelid leaf beetles in the tribe Luperini

Summary Two South American polyphagous leaf beetles,Diabrotica speciosa andCerotoma arcuata, selectively accumulated the bitter tasting compound 23,24-dihydrocucurbitacin D in their body after ingesting root tissues of cucurbit plants. Similarly, three Asian Cucurbitaceae-feeding specialists in the genusAulacophora were found to sequester the same compound. Cucurbitacin analogs were shown to deter feeding by a bird predator, indicating an allomonal role for these compounds in cucurbitacin-associated chrysomelid leaf beetles both of New and Old Worlds. The strong affinity to cucurbitacins, selective sequestration of the analogs and consequent protection from predators suggested an ecological adaptation mechanism developed in common among these two geographically isolated subtribes in the Luperini.     

Effects of Controlled Fire and Livestock Grazing on Bird Communities in East African Savannas

Abstract: In East Africa fire and grazing by wild and domestic ungulates maintain savannas, and pastoralists historically set fires and herded livestock through the use of temporary corrals called bomas. In recent decades traditional pastoral practices have declined, and this may be affecting biodiversity. We investigated the effects of prescribed fires and bomas on savanna bird communities in East Africa during the first and second dry seasons of the year (respectively before and after the rains that mark the onset of breeding for most birds). We compared abundance, richness, and community composition on 9‐ha burned plots, recently abandoned bomas, and control plots in the undisturbed matrix habitat over a 3‐year period. Generally, recently burned areas and abandoned bomas attracted greater densities of birds and had different community assemblages than the surrounding matrix. The effects of disturbances were influenced by interactions between primary productivity, represented by the normalized difference vegetation index, and time. Bird densities were highest and a greater proportion of species was observed on burned plots in the months following the fires. Drought conditions equalized bird densities across treatments within 1 year, and individuals from a greater proportion of species were more commonly observed on abandoned bomas. Yearly fluctuations in abundance were less pronounced on bomas than on burns, which indicate that although fire may benefit birds in the short term, bomas may have a more‐lasting positive effect and provide resources during droughts. Several Palearctic migrants were attracted to burned plots regardless of rainfall, which indicates continued fire suppression may threaten their already‐declining populations. Most notably, the paucity of birds observed on the controls suggests that the current structure of the matrix developed as a result of fire suppression. Traditional pastoralism appears critical to the maintenance of avian diversity in these savannas.     

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.     

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.     

What Every Conservation Biologist Should Know about Economic Theory

Abstract: The last century has seen the ascendance of a core economic model, which we will refer to as Walrasian economics. This model is driven by the psychological assumptions that humans act only in a self‐referential and narrowly rational way and that production can be described as a self‐contained circular flow between firms and households. These assumptions have critical implications for the way economics is used to inform conservation biology. Yet the Walrasian model is inconsistent with a large body of empirical evidence about actual human behavior, and it violates a number of basic physical laws. Research in behavioral science and neuroscience shows that humans are uniquely social animals and not self‐centered rational economic beings. Economic production is subject to physical laws including the laws of thermodynamics and mass balance. In addition, some contemporary economic theory, spurred by exciting new research in human behavior and a wealth of data about the negative global impact of the human economy on natural systems, is moving toward a world view that places consumption and production squarely in its behavioral and biophysical context. We argue that abandoning the straightjacket of the Walrasian core is essential to further progress in understanding the complex, coupled interactions between the human economy and the natural world. We call for a new framework for economic theory and policy that is consistent with observed human behavior, recognizes the complex and frequently irreversible interaction between human and natural systems, and directly confronts the cumulative negative effects of the human economy on the Earth's life support systems. Biophysical economics and ecological economics are two emerging economic frameworks in this movement.     

Effects of Coffee Management on Deforestation Rates and Forest Integrity

Knowledge about how forest margins are utilized can be crucial for a general understanding of changes in forest cover, forest structure, and biodiversity across landscapes. We studied forest‐agriculture transitions in southwestern Ethiopia and hypothesized that the presence of coffee (Coffea arabica)decreases deforestation rates because of coffee's importance to local economies and its widespread occurrence in forests and forest margins. Using satellite images and elevation data, we compared changes in forest cover over 37 years (1973–2010) across elevations in 2 forest‐agriculture mosaic landscapes (1100 km² around Bonga and 3000 km² in Goma‐Gera). In the field in the Bonga area, we determined coffee cover and forest structure in 40 forest margins that differed in time since deforestation. Both the absolute and relative deforestation rates were lower at coffee‐growing elevations compared with at higher elevations (?10/20% vs. ?40/50% comparing relative rates at 1800 m asl and 2300–2500 m asl, respectively). Within the coffee‐growing elevation, the proportion of sites with high coffee cover (>20%) was significantly higher in stable margins (42% of sites that had been in the same location for the entire period) than in recently changed margins (0% of sites where expansion of annual crops had changed the margin). Disturbance level and forest structure did not differ between sites with 30% or 3% coffee. However, a growing body of literature on gradients of coffee management in Ethiopia reports coffee's negative effects on abundances of forest‐specialist species. Even if the presence of coffee slows down the conversion of forest to annual‐crop agriculture, there is a risk that an intensification of coffee management will still threaten forest biodiversity, including the genetic diversity of wild coffee. Conservation policy for Ethiopian forests thus needs to develop strategies that acknowledge that forests without coffee production may have higher deforestation risks than forests with coffee production and that forests with coffee production often have lower biodiversity value. Efectos de la Administración Cafetalera sobre las Tasas de Deforestación y la Integridad de los Bosques     

Threats to intact tropical peatlands and opportunities for their conservation

Large, intact areas of tropical peatland are highly threatened at a global scale by the expansion of commercial agriculture and other forms of economic development. Conserving peatlands on a landscape scale, with their hydrology intact, is of international conservation importance to preserve their distinctive biodiversity and ecosystem services and maintain their resilience to future environmental change. We explored threats to and opportunities for conserving remaining intact tropical peatlands; thus, we excluded peatlands of Indonesia and Malaysia, where extensive deforestation, drainage, and conversion to plantations means conservation in this region can protect only small fragments of the original ecosystem. We focused on a case study, the Pastaza‐Marañón Foreland Basin (PMFB) in Peru, which is among the largest known intact tropical peatland landscapes in the world and is representative of peatland vulnerability. Maintenance of the hydrological conditions critical for carbon storage and ecosystem function of peatlands is, in the PMFB, primarily threatened by expansion of commercial agriculture linked to new transport infrastructure that is facilitating access to remote areas. There remain opportunities in the PMFB and elsewhere to develop alternative, more sustainable land‐use practices. Although some of the peatlands in the PMFB fall within existing legally protected areas, this protection does not include the most carbon‐dense (domed pole forest) areas. New carbon‐based conservation instruments (e.g., REDD+, Green Climate Fund), developing markets for sustainable peatland products, transferring land title to local communities, and expanding protected areas offer pathways to increased protection for intact tropical peatlands in Amazonia and elsewhere, such as those in New Guinea and Central Africa which remain, for the moment, broadly beyond the frontier of commercial development.