三亚珊瑚礁区珊瑚体内多环芳烃(PAHs)的分布特征及来源分析

采用高效气相色谱-质谱法(GC-MS)对三亚典型珊瑚礁区珊瑚体内的16种优控PAHs进行定量分析,初步探讨了不同属珊瑚体内PAHs的分布特征、环数组成及来源,对其可能存在的环境风险进行评价。结果表明:(1)珊瑚体内PAHs总质量分数范围为326.63~894.55 ng·g~(-1)(干质量,下同),具有明显的空间分布特征,凤凰岛最高(778.03 ng·g~(-1)),鹿回头次之(488.23 ng·g~(-1)),蜈支洲岛最低(396.07 ng·g~(-1));(2)在同一区域,块状珊瑚(滨珊瑚属Porites、盔形珊瑚属Galaxea、牡丹珊瑚属Pavona、蜂巢珊瑚属Favosites和星珊瑚属Montastrea)体内的PAHs质量分数比分枝状珊瑚(杯形珊瑚属Pocillopora和鹿角珊瑚属Acropora)高。其中,滨珊瑚属富集PAHs的能力最强,鹿角珊瑚属和杯形珊瑚属最弱;(3)珊瑚体内的PAHs以低环(2~3环)为主,所占百分比为75%~87%。高环PAHs(4环及以上)在所有珊瑚中均有检出;滨珊瑚属、鹿角珊瑚属和杯形珊瑚属中高环PAHs所占比例高于同地区其他属珊瑚;(4)与海洋贝类相比,珊瑚体内总PAHs质量分数以及高环PAHs在总PAHs中所占的比重更高,这可能与珊瑚自身独特的骨骼结构和生活习性有关;(5)结合不同环数PAHs的相对丰度法和同分异构体比值法对珊瑚体内的PAHs来源进行分析,结果表明,三亚珊瑚礁区珊瑚体内的PAHs污染来源复杂,主要为石油污染和化石燃料、煤炭及生物质的燃烧,推测与三亚市近年来的工业生产、渔业活动及旅游业的发展有关。该研究不仅可为珊瑚礁生态系统的环境保护提供基础信息,而且可以为环境耐受性珊瑚的选育提供重要的科学依据。     

旅游业焦点旅游业与珊瑚焦

珊瑚礁在全世界,尤其两个热带区域和三大洋中都有发育.它们在海水温度高于20℃的沿岸表面附近扩展.它们占据约100万平方公里,是世界上最重要的、由活生物建造的建筑物.珊瑚(约800种)是这些巨大的碳酸钙物体的主要建造者.活珊瑚就落在数以亿万计的祖先骨骼之上.珊瑚之所以有这样一种碳酸钙骨骼的能力,是由于它们与它们在其软组织上繁殖的藻类的共生关系.一平方米的一个珊瑚群落每年能钙化多达10kg碳酸盐.在印度-太平洋地区,石灰藻作为建造者也是重要的.     

环境署焦点

联合国环境署在珊瑚礁方面的新举措 珊瑚礁是世界上最丰富、最有生产价值的生态系统之一，但是它们却极易受到人类的影响．环境署执行主任Ｋｌａｕｓ Ｔ■ｐｆｅｒ称它们是“相当于煤矿中的金丝雀的生态系统，对世界的生态系统不再能对付人类的影响发出早期警告”．珊瑚礁还保护海岸免遭风暴和侵蚀． 全世界珊瑚礁已经消失了四分之一强．根据环境署全球环境机构２０００年报告，余下的珊瑚礁中有一半受到人类活动的威胁．其中包括生物多样性程度最高的珊瑚礁（见表格）．一些地方的形势更恶劣．例如在印度尼西亚，曾经环绕它的珊瑚礁有一半…     

莱州湾南岸滨海湿地维管束植物的区系特征及保护

在2003～2005年多次实地调查并参照相关资料基础上,对莱州湾南岸滨海湿地进行了植被类型划分和湿地维管束植物生态类群划分,利用统计方法分析了研究区湿地维管束植物区系较大科、属的构成,蕨类植物种的地理分布区类型、种子植物属的地理分布区类型,维管束植物区系保护面临的问题及对策.研究表明,莱州湾南岸滨海湿地植被分4个植被型、25个植物群落,由48科129属197种维管束植物构成,这些维管束植物分盐生植物,水生植物,湿生植物和中生、旱生植物4大生态类群.维管束植物区系的主体为菊科、禾本科、莎草科等含5种及5种以上的13个较大科,从维管束植物属的分布区类型构成来看,种子植物中世界分布属最多,达40属,占种子植物总属数的32%,这反映了湿地植被的隐域性特征;温带和热带分布区成分作为区系成分的主体共80属,占种子植物总属数的64%.盐田、养殖池、道路建设,海岸侵蚀,地下咸、卤水入侵,气候干旱,河流断流等自然、人为原因导致莱州湾南岸滨海湿地退化,植被发生退化演替,区系中一些珍稀濒危植物受到日益严重的威胁.提出了对退化湿地进行生态恢复与重建,推广生态旅游、生态养殖等可持续的滨海湿地利用方式,建设湿地自然保护区和生态环境监测网络等莱州湾南岸滨海湿地维管束植物区系保护对策.     

化学污染物对珊瑚礁生态系统的影响研究进展

化学污染物是影响珊瑚礁生态系统健康的重要因素之一。近年来,中国沿海地区农业活动、城市工业化以及旅游业发展迅速,珊瑚礁区的环境污染问题日趋严重。珊瑚礁生态系统长期处于化学污染物的联合毒性作用下,生态风险日益增加,已受到国内外研究者的广泛关注。本文综述了该领域的重要研究进展,并从个体、细胞和分子水平重点介绍了化学污染物对珊瑚的影响,主要包括:(1)珊瑚礁对重金属和多环芳烃有明显的富集作用,可以作为该海域化学污染物污染水平的外在反映;(2)化学污染物对珊瑚幼体的影响程度比成体大;(3)抗氧化酶和特定的功能基因可被用作生物标记物(biomarker)来监测珊瑚礁生态系统的健康状况。最后,本文对我国珊瑚礁生态系统未来的研究方向进行了展望,建议在典型的珊瑚礁海域进行长期的生态学监测,并结合室内毒理学实验,筛选出敏感的生物标志物,评价珊瑚礁生态系统可能存在的生态风险,为今后珊瑚礁生态系统的保护和管理提供科学依据。     

重庆大木山木本植物区系及植物资源特点

基于野外调查资料,对位于三峡库区腹心地带的大木山的木本植物区系及资源特点进行研究,以期为该地区生物多样性保护和可持续利用提供依据.野外调查共发现木本植物738种,隶属于86科、288属.其中裸子植物6科、10属、15种,双子叶植物77科、271属、699种,单子叶植物3科、7属、24种.乔木268种,灌木398种,木质藤本72种.科的组成优势现象十分明显,含10种以上的科有26个,包含164属、526种植物,分别占该区木本植物总属数和总种数的56.94%和71.27%,是该区木本植物区系构成的主导成分.木本植物区系成分复杂,属的分布类型有14个,种的分布类型有12个,区系具有明显的过渡性特征.有483个中国特有种分布于该地区,占总种数的65.71%,其中27.12%的物种为华中植物区特有种.13个地区的聚类分析表明大木山与华中植物区和华东植物区关系最为密切.木本植物资源以药用、材用、观赏、食用类为主,古老孑遗植物和珍稀濒危植物丰富.图l表5参35     

化学污染物对珊瑚礁生态系统的影响研究进展

化学污染物是影响珊瑚礁生态系统健康的重要因素之一。随着我国社会经济的发展,沿海农业活动、城市工业化以及旅游业的发展导致珊瑚礁生长区的化学污染物浓度越来越高。珊瑚礁生态系统长期在化学污染物的联合胁迫下,生态风险指数日益增加,受到国内外研究者的极大关注。本文综述了国内外该领域的重要研究进展,并从个体、细胞和分子水平重点介绍了化学污染物对珊瑚的影响,主要包括：(1)珊瑚礁对重金属和多环芳烃有明显的富集作用,可以作为该海域化学污染物污染水平的外在反映;(2)化学污染物对珊瑚幼体的影响程度比成体大;(3)抗氧化酶和特定的功能基因可被用作生物标记物来监测珊瑚礁生态系统的健康状况。最后,对我国未来珊瑚礁生态系统的研究方向进行展望,建议在典型珊瑚礁海域进行长期的生态学监测,结合室内胁迫实验,筛选出敏感的生物标志物(biomarker),为今后珊瑚礁生态系统的保护提供基础信息,并对其可能存在的环境风险进行评价。     

云南地区中国种子植物特有属的研究

物种特有现象的研究具有重要的区系地理学和保护生物学意义。利用大尺度的植物物种分布信息,探讨了云南地区中国种子植物特有属的科、属组成,区系性质及其地理分布格局。结果表明,云南地区拥有中国种子植物特有属125属,分属于59科,共含种子植物246种,是中国种子植物特有属的重要分布地区之一。含特有属较多的科主要为菊科Compositae、苦苣苔科Gesnefiaceae、伞形科Umbelliferae、禾本科Gramineae和唇形科Labiatae。从各属所包含的物种数来看,单型属占主体地位。根据科的分布区类型构成,云南地区中国种子植物特有属主要起源于热带地区。从属的生活型构成来看,主要以草本植物属为主,而木本植物属所占比重相对较小,暗示着研究区域内特有属的区系兼有年轻成分和古老成分,但以年轻成分为主。从空间分布格局来看,特有属主要分布在“田中线”以东地区。与过去的研究结果不同,我们发现云南地区拥有3个重要的特有属分布中心和3个次级分布中心。     

东南亚沿海生态旅游的趋势

当地居民的生活需求、保护生物多样性的必要性和娱乐旅游使得东南亚海岸资源压力不断增加 在这种情况下,沿海生态旅游会扮演越来越重要的角色.这篇文章考察了泰国、菲律宾、印度尼西亚、马来西亚和越南的沿海生态旅游的开发.     

东南亚沿海生态旅游的趋势

当地居民的生活需求、保护生物多样性的必要性和娱乐旅游使得东南亚海岸资源压力不断增 加 .在这种情况下 , 沿海生态旅游会扮演越来越重要的角色 .这篇文章考察了泰国、菲律宾、 印度尼西亚、马来西亚和越南的沿海生态旅游的开发 .     

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.     

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.     

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.     

Human Influence and Classical Biogeographic Predictors of Rare Species Occurrence

Biogeographic theory predicts that rare species occur more often in larger, less‐isolated habitat patches and suggests that patch size and connectivity are positive predictors of patch quality for conservation. However, in areas substantially modified by humans, rare species may be relegated to the most isolated patches. We used data from plant surveys of 81 meadow patches in the Georgia Basin of Canada and the United States to show that presence of threatened and endangered plants was positively predicted for patches that were isolated on small islands surrounded by ocean and for patches that were isolated by surrounding forest. Neither patch size nor connectivity were positive predictors of rare species occurrence. Thus, in our study area, human influence, presumably due to disturbance or introduction of competitive non‐native species, appears to have overwhelmed classical predictors of rare species distribution, such that greater patch isolation appeared to favor presence of rare species. We suggest conservation planners consider the potential advantages of protecting geographically isolated patches in human‐modified landscapes because such patches may represent the only habitats in which rare species are likely to persist. Influencia Humana y Predictores Biogeográficos Clásicos de la Ocurrencia de Especies Raras     

Seasonal dynamics of macro-algae in the South Lake of Tunis

The macro-algae communities observed in the south lake of Tunis are characterized by the predominance of nitrophilous algae which are in the order of biomass importance:Ulva, Cladophora andEnteromorpha. We have noted seasonal changes of alga distribution. The wind appears to be one of the most important factors influencing this distribution. The total biomass reaches a maximum in the spring. Rapid decomposition of the biomass leads to a severe ecological imbalance, resulting in crises of anoxia and fish death. A restoration project has already started. It aims at removal of contaminated muds and the introduction of a new circulation system. The main objectives of this work were to collect information on the distribution and biomass of the phytobenthic communities as a first step in the constitution of a database for further comparison.     

Patterns and biases of climate change threats in the IUCN Red List

International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List assessments rely on published data and expert inputs, and biases can be introduced where underlying definitions and concepts are ambiguous. Consideration of climate change threat is no exception, and recently numerous approaches to assessing the threat of climate change to species have been developed. We explored IUCN Red List assessments of amphibians and birds to determine whether species listed as threatened by climate change display distinct patterns in terms of habitat occupied and additional nonclimatic threats faced. We compared IUCN Red List data with a published data set of species’ biological and ecological traits believed to infer high vulnerability to climate change and determined whether distributions of climate change‐threatened species on the IUCN Red List concur with those of climate change‐threatened species identified with the trait‐based approach and whether species possessing these traits are more likely to have climate change listed as a threat on the IUCN Red List. Species in some ecosystems (e.g., grassland, shrubland) and subject to particular threats (e.g., invasive species) were more likely to have climate change as a listed threat. Geographical patterns of climate change‐threatened amphibians and birds on the IUCN Red List were incongruent with patterns of global species richness and patterns identified using trait‐based approaches. Certain traits were linked to increases or decreases in the likelihood of a species being threatened by climate change. Broad temperature tolerance of a species was consistently related to an increased likelihood of climate change threat, indicating counterintuitive relationships in IUCN assessments. To improve the robustness of species assessments of the vulnerability or extinction risk associated with climate change, we suggest IUCN adopt a more cohesive approach whereby specific traits highlighted by our results are considered in Red List assessments. To achieve this and to strengthen the climate change‐vulnerability assessments approach, it is necessary to identify and implement logical avenues for further research into traits that make species vulnerable to climate change (including population‐level threats).     

Parasitic wasps orient to green leaf volatiles

Summary Undamaged plants emit low levels of green leaf volatiles (GLVs), while caterpillar-damaged and artificially damaged plants emit relatively higher levels of certain GLVs. Female braconid parasitoids,Microplitis croceipes, oriented to both damaged plants and to individual GLVs in no-choice tests in a wind tunnel, but seldom oriented to undamaged plants. Female ichneumonid parasitoids,Netelia heroica, also oriented to individual GLVs in a wind tunnel. Males of both wasp species failed to orient to the GLVs. These data show that leaf-feeding caterpillars can cause the release of GLVs, and that parasitic wasps can respond to these odors by flying upwind (chemoanemotactic response), which brings the wasps to their caterpillar hosts. This supports the hypothesis that plants communicate with members of the third trophic level,i.e., plants under herbivore attack emit chemical signals that guide natural enemies of herbivores to sites of plant damage. In this interaction, the GLVs serve as tritrophic plant-to-parasitoid synomones. That parasitoids from two different wasp families oriented to GLVs suggests that the response may be widespread among the Hymenoptera.Mention of a commercial or proprietary product does not constitute an endorsement by the U.S. Department of Agriculture