天津典型湿地芦苇种群生产力和氮磷营养结构与环境因子的关系

天津芦苇(Phragmites australis)湿地是东亚—澳大利亚候鸟迁徙必经之地,具有重要的生态功能。近几十年来,随着城市化进程的快速发展和人口的增加,天津地区水体咸化、氮污染等问题严重。调查了天津典型湿地七里海、北大港和大黄堡湿地芦苇种群地上部生物量、形态特征及氮、磷营养状况,探讨其与环境氮、磷营养和含盐量的关系,结果表明:(1)天津典型湿地芦苇种群地上部最大生物量变化范围为978~1 263 g·m-2,并未随样地间含盐量和氮含量等环境因子的变化而显著改变;(2)在最大生物量时期(8月),北大港湿地芦苇地上部氮含量和氮储量明显低于七里海和大黄堡;8月北大港湿地芦苇叶片氮磷比为12.48,氮限制植物生长;七里海和大黄堡湿地芦苇叶片氮磷比分别为14.89和15.72,氮、磷共同限制植物生长;(3)当前环境压力显著影响了芦苇地上部氮、磷营养状况。底泥含盐量增加可降低芦苇叶片氮、磷含量;随着底泥氮营养的增加,芦苇茎氮含量呈线性增加;而随着底泥磷营养的增加,芦苇叶和茎磷含量并未增加。虽然天津地表水体氮污染严重,但是氮而非磷成为芦苇生长的主要限制因子,天津芦苇湿地仍然具有吸纳环境氮污染物的潜力。     

氮输入对沼泽湿地植物生长和氮吸收的影响

氮是湿地植物生长必不可少的营养元素之一,但当外源氮输入超出植物生长需要时,氮素将抑制植物生长。不同植物对氮输入的响应不同,同一植物不同器官对氮输入的响应也不一致。为了探讨氮输入对湿地植物生长和氮吸收的影响机制,本文选取滇西北典型湖泊湿地纳帕海湖滨挺水植物茭草（Zizania caduciflora）和水葱（Scirpus validus）为对象,通过控制实验,研究了3个不同氮输入水平[0 g·m-2·a-1（对照,CK）、20 g·m-2·a-1（N20）、40 g·m-2·a-1（N40）]对茭草和水葱生物量积累、根冠比、氮吸收的影响。结果表明：培养期内,茭草地上生物量始终表现为N40〉N20〉CK,即氮输入促进茭草地上生物量积累;而水葱地上生物量随培养时间不同而发生变化,培养早期N20处理促进水葱地上生物量积累,N40处理抑制水葱地上生物量积累。茭草地下生物量表现为N40〉CK〉N20,即氮输入不足抑制茭草地下生物量积累,足够氮输入促进茭草地下生物量积累;水葱地下生物量表现为CK〉N20〉N40,即氮输入抑制水葱地下生物量积累。植物地上部分和地下部分生长对氮输入的响应也不一致,导致植物根冠比发生变化,茭草根冠比表现为N20     

北固山湿地土壤氮磷的空间分布特征

镇江北固山湿地是一以芦苇(Phragmites australis)和虉草(Phalaris arundinacea L.)为优势植物的滨江湿地,土壤中氮磷空间分布对了解湿地水体的富营养化具有重要意义.在北固山湿地的典型区域内布点采样,对土壤中氮磷进行分析,研究了湿地土壤氮磷水平变异性及氮磷在不同植被区土壤中的空间分布规律.结果表明:北固山湿地全氮主要分布在0～60 cm土壤层,表层土壤中全磷质量分数显著高于下层土壤.土壤各层次全磷的水平变异性普遍高于全氮,尤其在20～40 cm土壤层全磷的变异系数达到52.34%,说明氮素在各层次分布相对均匀.植被类型对土壤中氮磷的空间分布有较大影响,虉草区各土壤层全氮、全磷质量分数均高于芦苇区,其0～20 cm和20～40 cm土壤层全磷质量分数亦高于空地.受污水排放、内江水冲洗等作用,污染空地及三个排污口全氮、全磷质量分数分别呈现不同的空间变化规律.研究结果为湿地生态恢复和生态清淤提供参考.     

芦苇人工湿地对农村生活污水磷素的去除及途径

构建了芦苇(Phragmites australis)水平潜流人工湿地处理农村生活污水中的磷素,考察了湿地除磷效果以及地上植物吸磷量。结果表明,人工湿地对磷素的去除随水力停留时间的延长而增加,停留时间大于5.3 d时,芦苇湿地除磷效率可以高于88%。湿地进水TP负荷与磷去除速率之间有较好的线性关系(R2>0.91)。湿地植物在11月份收割时,地上生物量为1.65 kg.m-2,芦苇地上部分吸收磷量为3.68 g.m-2.a-1。分析了湿地除磷途径,在试验条件下,湿地填料的吸附和沉淀等作用是水平潜流人工湿地除磷的主要途径,植物吸收仅占湿地总磷去除量的9.1%,但是湿地水生植物是人工湿地重要组成部分,可以通过影响湿地的其他条件间接影响湿地除磷效果。试验证明,人工湿地是适用于农村地区的优良的污水处理技术。     

暖季型水生植物残体分解对冬季浮床氮去除效果的影响

为了解决尾水湿地冬季氮去除率不足和暖季型水生植物冬季集中分解引起的二次污染问题,设计了向冬季水芹菜(Oenanthe javanica)浮床人工湿地(FCW)添加芦苇(Phragmites australis)秸秆的小试实验,研究暖季型水生植物芦苇在冬季集中分解过程中对冷季型水生植物水芹菜的生长,以及对水芹菜浮床人工湿地冬季氮去除率的影响,旨在为解决低温条件下人工湿地氮净化效果减弱以及冬季湿地植物残体的收割管理提供指导意义。结果表明,在80d试验周期内,芦苇残体分解了33.4%;与对照(CK)相比,添加芦苇秸秆处理(FCW-L)可显著提高水芹菜的叶绿素含量、总根系活力以及生物量,水芹菜地上生物量增加了97.90g·m-2,地下生物量增加了20.30g·m-2。试验周期内,碳氮比ω(C)/ω(N)平均值由CK的3.8提升至FCW-L的13.1,而NO3--N、NH4+-N和TN累计去除率由CK的26.5%、41%和27.2%分别提升至FCW-L的90%、82%和73.4%。由此可见,冬季植物残体分解可以改善尾水湿地碳氮比失衡问题,提升冷季型水生植物浮床人工湿地冬季氮去除率。因此冷、暖季型水生植物配植可以作为一种提高尾水湿地冬季氮去除能力的新方法。     

滇池不同水域凤眼莲生长特性及氮磷富集能力

在滇池草海和外海水域共选择6个试验点,采用围栏设施有控制地种养凤眼莲(Eichhornia crassipes),初始放养量为3 kg·m-2,每2周监测1次各试验点水质状况、凤眼莲生长特性指标和植株氮磷含量,对比研究滇池不同水域凤眼莲生长特性及氮磷富集能力差异.结果显示,外草海水域水体氮磷浓度较高,凤眼莲生物量增长速率最高,平均为542 g·m12·d-1,全年累积生物量最大,可达85.37 kg·m-2,植株TN、TP含量(以干质量计,下同)最高,分别为32.9和8.2 g· kg-1.外海白山湾水域水体氮磷浓度相对较低,凤眼莲生物量增长速率较低,平均为150 g·m-2·d-1,全年累积生物量较低,为27.00 kg·m-2,植株TN、TP含量较低,分别为15.0和6.4g· kg-1.水体pH值、氮磷含量和风浪是影响风眼莲生长的主要因素.     

水体氮质量浓度升高对附着藻生长和元素计量特征的影响

附着藻是浅水湖泊重要的初级生产者,水体氮磷质量浓度升高会影响附着藻的生物量和元素计量特征,从而改变牧食螺类的食物数量和质量,进而影响牧食螺类生长及其与沉水植物之间的相互关系。为了探索氮负荷升高对附着藻生物量和质量的影响,基于受控实验研究了水体氮质量浓度升高(总氮2、4、6、8和10 mg·L~(-1);总磷各处理组均为0.1 mg·L~(-1))对附着藻生长和元素计量特征的影响。实验前测定湖水氮、磷本底质量浓度,通过添加配置的营养盐溶液(氮为KNO_3,磷为KH_2PO_4),使其达到实验设计的质量浓度。每3天换1次水以控制营养盐质量浓度。在每个玻璃缸中放置5片聚乙烯附着基用于采集附着藻。实验结束时测定附着藻生物量、氮及磷含量,并计算附着藻的生长率。结果表明:随着氮质量浓度升高,附着藻的生物量和生长率呈先增加后降低趋势,在氮质量浓度为6 mg·L~(-1)时达到最大值。附着藻氮含量和氮磷比随水体氮质量浓度的升高,亦呈现先增加后降低的趋势,氮含量最大值出现在8 mg·L~(-1)处理组,氮磷比最大值出现在6 mg·L~(-1)组。附着藻氮含量与水体氮质量浓度呈显著正相关(r=0.614,P0.001)。分析认为,附着藻生长率、氮含量及氮磷比在一定范围内随着水体氮质量浓度升高而增加,当氮质量浓度超过一定范围时,三者反而降低。     

模拟采食下克隆整合对虉草生长及生理特征的影响

为了解克隆整合对克隆植物适应均质性采食环境胁迫的作用,以江西省鄱阳湖-乐安河段河岸带优势根状茎克隆物种虉草(Phalaris arundinacea)为对象,研究均质性采食条件下虉草的生理生态响应以及克隆整合在虉草应对模拟采食两月后发挥的作用.模拟采食(去叶)强度设置4组水平:不去叶(CK对照组)、去叶25%、去叶50%和去叶75%;克隆整合采用2种方式:茎切断和连接.结果显示,无论是否进行断茎处理,模拟采食均显著(P5%)降低虉草的叶片数、地上枝总长度、分株数和生物量,去叶处理下断茎的虉草分株相对茎连接分株具有更强生长优势.断茎和去叶处理对虉草叶绿素含量无显著影响,断茎的虉草分株在25%、50%去叶水平下叶绿素a(Chl a)、叶绿素b(Chl b)和总叶绿素(Chlt)含量均高于茎连接的分株,所有去叶处理强度下断茎的虉草分株各叶绿素指标均高于对照组.去叶显著影响了虉草分株各光合指标,断茎分株在50%、75%去叶水平上的净光合速率(Pn)、气孔导度(Gs)、蒸腾速率(Tr)、胞间CO2浓度(Ci)等指标均高于茎连接分株,25%去叶处理组则相反;去叶处理的虉草分株的Pn、Tr、Ci均低于对照组.因此,采食引起虉草分株光合速率下降,使营养物质积累不足,导致生长状态下降;虉草能够在一定程度上适应均质性采食处理带来的压力,但是克隆整合不能显著改善均质性采食条件下虉草的生长.     

亚热带丘陵区湿地水生植物组合模式拦截氮磷的研究

人工湿地是农业面源污染治理的有效措施,植物构成及其组合模式是影响湿地污染消纳能力的关键。以湖南亚热带红壤丘陵区为研究区,通过人工湿地小区试验,选取对氮磷有较强吸收能力的浮水植物绿狐尾藻(Myriophyllum elatinoides)为主要植物,分别与黑三棱(Sparganium stoloniferum)、梭鱼草(Pontederia cordata)、铜钱草(Hydrocotyle vulgaris)、灯芯草(Juncus effusus)、野芋头(Calla palustris)、水花生(Alternanthera philoxeroides)等构成不同的植物组合模式,研究其对农村污水(COD:56.34~109.41 mg·L~(-1)、TN:21.11~33.24 mg·L~(-1)、TP:3.36~5.74 mg·L~(-1))的净化效果,旨为亚热带丘陵区农村污水人工湿地生态治理工程提供参数依据。结果表明,观测期内(7—11月),野芋头组合对COD去除效果最好,出水COD平均质量浓度为21.24 mg·L~(-1),平均去除率为72.9%。铜钱草组合对TN的去除效果最好,出水TN平均质量浓度为3.52mg·L~(-1),平均去除率达到84.9%。梭鱼草组合对TP的去除效果最好,出水TP平均质量浓度为0.22 mg·L~(-1),平均去除率达到95.2%。各植物组合氮磷积累量分别在12.43~30.87 g·m~(-2)和0.99~4.69 g·m~(-2)之间,梭鱼草组合氮磷积累量最大(8月:N 30.87 g·m~(-2)和11月:P 4.69 g·m~(-2))。植物吸收占总氮磷去除的比例分别为17.3%~27.8%和10.3%~16.7%,其中,以梭鱼草组合对氮磷的吸收比例最大,野芋头组合吸收比例最小。综合而言,绿狐尾藻与梭鱼草组合为研究区最佳湿地水生植物组合模式。     

宁夏引黄灌区稻田氮磷流失特征初探

在宁夏引黄灌区选择相对封闭灌排体系作为试验监测区,通过2年在作物灌溉期间对试验监测区的灌排水中氮磷的跟踪监测,研究了该区域氮、磷流失,分析了支渠灌溉水、支沟排水中的氮磷动态变化规律。研究表明：2006年种稻区的氮磷流失明显高于2007年的稻旱区,稻区氮的流失负荷15.2kg·hm-2,磷的流失负荷6.9kg·hm-2;稻区比稻旱区氮磷流失严重,稻区总氮变幅在0.32～8.22mg·L-1,总磷变幅在0.012～0.921mg·L-1,均超过水体富营养化指标;稻区支沟排水中氮磷组分变化与稻旱区一致,氮都是以硝态氮为主,磷以溶解性总磷和颗粒磷为主,支沟排水中的硝态氮动态变化与总氮变化一致,颗粒磷与总磷动态变化一致,均为前期颗粒磷含量较高,中后期较低,可溶性总磷与之相反;灌溉前期支沟排水中氮磷流失严重的几个时期,均是在各种作物施肥7～10d后,尤其氮、硝态氮流失严重,后期支沟排水中氮磷流失是由于传统的不合理的灌溉形成的地表径流,将灌溉水养分含量迁移到排水中,造成支沟排水氮磷流失加重。结合宁夏引黄灌区的自然条件、耕作方式等因素,综合分析了宁夏引黄灌区在作物灌溉期间非点源污染产生过程及污染特点,为该地区非点源污染管理和控制提供科学依据。     

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     

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.     

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.     

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.     

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.     

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.     

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.