光照对普通小球藻和鱼腥藻生长竞争的影响

研究光照对藻类生长竞争的影响对于揭示如何通过控制环境因子促进有益藻类生长繁殖、抑制有害藻类生长繁殖,并最终实现利用藻类调节养殖生态环境和提高水体初级生产力具有重要意义。为此,试验设置了660、2200、4400、6 6001×4个光照梯度,通过测算比生长速率、生长曲线、竞争抑制参数,研究不同光照强度对普通小球藻(Chlorella vulgaris)和鱼腥藻(Anabaena sp.strain PCC)生长和种间竞争的影响。结果表明:单种培养条件下,鱼腥藻和普通小球藻的最大藻细胞浓度呈现出随着光照强度的增强而升高的趋势;普通小球藻在660、2200、4400、66001x光照强度下达到最大藻细胞浓度的时间分别为14、15、17、17 d,最大藻细胞浓度分别为961.2×10~4、1858.3×10~4、3 258.8×10~4、3227.2×10~4 cells·mL~(-1);鱼腥藻在4个光照下达到最大藻细胞浓度的时间分别为17、18、21、21 d,最大藻细胞浓度分别为4 018.3×10~4、8 325.0×10~4、10552.8×10~4、10 073.4×10~4 cells·mL~(-1)。共同培养条件下,光照强度对两种藻的竞争作用产生显著影响。同时,种间竞争抑制参数的测算结果表明,4组光照强度下,鱼腥藻对普通小球藻的竞争抑制参数(α)均小于普通小球藻对鱼腥藻的竞争抑制参数(β);光照强度66001x时,普通小球藻对鱼腥藻的竞争抑制参数(β)最大,为7.94;光照强度44001x时,鱼腥藻对普通小球藻的竞争抑制参数(α)最大,为0.45。根据Lotka-Volterra竞争模型中两物种的种间竞争结局可初步判断,光照强度22001x时,普通小球藻在竞争中占优势;光照强度为660、4400、66001x时,鱼腥藻和普通小球藻不稳定共存。     

脆江蓠凝集素的部分性质及细胞凝集作用

脆江蓠藻体的磷酸盐缓冲液浸提液 ,经硫酸铵分级沉淀 ,再经DEAE -Sepharose和SephadexG 10 0层析纯化 ,得到脆江蓠凝集素 (GBL) .经测定该凝集素是一种分子量为 33.1× 10 3 ～ 33.8× 10 3 的糖蛋白 ,分子中含有 11%的中性糖 ,具有很高的耐热性 .GBL的凝血活性可被某些单糖或双糖及卵粘蛋白抑制 ,当浓度为 2 .34 μg/mL时引起兔红细胞凝集 ,浓度为 18.75 μg/mL时凝集绵羊红细胞 ,但对鸡、鸭、鸽子红细胞及人A、O、或B型血细胞没有凝集作用 .GBL能够凝集两种单细胞藻类 ,当浓度为 18.75 μg/mL时能凝集盐生杜氏藻 ,但藻细胞密度减少到 18.3× 10 4 /mL时不能发生凝集作用 ;GBL浓度为 9.37μg/mL时引起蛋白核小球藻凝集 ,但当藻细胞密度减少到 2 8.9× 10 4 /mL也不产生凝集反应 .GBL还能够凝集正常的枯草芽孢杆菌和经过热处理的酿酒酵母细胞 .图 3表 6参 14     

羊角月芽藻的生长与湖水中几种磷形态关系模型的建立

将湖水中的磷分成六种形态:总溶解磷(TSP)、溶解反应磷(SRP)、总反应磷(TRP)、溶解的水解性磷(SHP)、溶解的光解性磷(UVSRP)及颗粒磷(PP),研究其对羊角月芽藻的生物有效性.获得了各磷形态及总磷(TP)与藻生长的相关方程.并通过多元回归,建立了藻的生长量(Y)与多种磷形态的模型:Y=1.40×10~4C_(pp)+8.69×10~3C_(TSP)+1.02×10~4C_(SHP)(r=0.9811,n=19)及简便模型:Y=1.04×10~4C_(pp)+4.97×10~3C_(TSP)(r=0.9759,n=19)这两个模型在评价湖泊水体富营养化中,对预测藻的生长潜力将有很大的帮助作用.     

Cu2+对普通小球藻的光合毒性：初始藻密度的影响

为了研究Cu2+对普通小球藻的光合毒性以及初始藻密度对Cu2+光合毒性的影响,将初始密度为107mL-1的普通小球藻暴露于Cu2+的6个浓度(0、5、10、20、30和40μmol.L-1)中进行96 h的毒性暴露实验,在2、48和96 h分别利用叶绿素荧光仪(MAXI-Imaging-PAM)测定各项叶绿素荧光参数,同时,针对3个不同初始密度的普通小球藻(2×106、5×106和2×107mL-1),测定并比较了其暴露于0、20和40μmol.L-1的Cu2+12 h后,叶绿素荧光参数的变化。不同初始藻密度的毒性实验结果显示,初始藻密度为2×106mL-1时,20和40μmol.L-1Cu2+可完全抑制普通小球藻的光合作用;当初始藻密度增加到5×106和2×107mL-1时,40μmol.L-1Cu2+对普通小球藻的实际光合作用效率仅有约75%和25%的抑制。这表明初始藻密度越大,Cu2+的光合毒性越弱。但随着初始藻密度的增加,初始藻密度的变化对Cu2+光合毒性的影响减弱。初始藻密度为107mL-1时的毒性实验结果显示,暴露于20~40μmol.L-1Cu2+2 h后,普通小球藻的光合作用即受到抑制,且该抑制程度随Cu2+浓度的增加而增强,并随着暴露时间的延长有所缓解。随着Cu2+浓度的增加,最大量子产量(Fv/Fm)、实际量子产量(Yield)、相对电子传递速率(ETR)和光化学淬灭系数(qP)逐渐降低,非光化学淬灭系数(NPQ/4)逐渐上升。研究结果表明,Cu2+对普通小球藻的光合作用有一定的抑制作用,其机理可能为通过引起PSII系统反应中心的部分失活,导致PSII系统反应中心的开放比例减少,引起电子传递速率降低以及ATP和NADPH的合成减慢,从而使光合作用速率下降;初始藻密度对Cu2+的光合毒性大小有较大的影响,故在进行藻类的毒性实验时,也应关注初始藻密度的影响。     

椭圆小球藻对水体汞光还原的影响

为明确椭圆小球藻对水体中Hg~(~(2+))光还原反应的影响,采用室内模拟实验,以不同波长紫外灯及氙灯(可见光)为光源,探讨不同丰度活、死椭圆小球藻在各光照条件下对Hg~(~(2+))光还原反应的影响及动力学特征.结果表明,当藻丰度为1×106cells·m L~(-1)时,在可见光照射下,活藻、死藻处理Hg0的释放量分别为3.733 ng、3.749 ng,Hg~(~(2+))的还原率分别为18.66%、18.75%;在紫外光(UV)照射下,活藻、死藻处理Hg0的释放量最高为2.312 ng、2.373 ng,Hg~(~(2+))的还原率最高为11.56%、11.86%.在可见光、UVA、UVB和黑暗条件下,当藻丰度为0 cells·m L~(-1)时,Hg~(~(2+))的还原率分别为21.45%、22.86%、26.75%、20.41%;随藻丰度的增加,Hg~(~(2+))的还原率逐渐下降;当藻丰度为10×106cells·m L~(-1)时,活藻处理Hg~(~(2+))的还原率分别降至17.70%、10.28%、9.962%、9.774%,死藻处理的降至18.15%、10.83%、10.77%、10.39%.可见,椭圆小球藻对Hg~(~(2+))的光还原反应起抑制作用,藻丰度越高抑制作用越强烈;可见光对含藻处理Hg~(~(2+))的光还原起主要作用,其次为紫外光.动力学研究表明,UV照射下椭圆小球藻对Hg~(~(2+))光还原反应可用Langmuir-Hinshelwood模型进行描述,反应速率常数k为(0. 6893—1.473)×10-4ng·L~(-1)·min-1,Langmuir吸附系数KL为(1.063—1.080)×10-2L·ng~(-1).     

荧光法监测硝普钠释放NO过程及其对微藻生长的影响（Fluorescence Dynamic Monitoring of Nitric Oxide Release Process Following Administration of Sodium Nitroprusside and Its Effect on the Growth of Microalga）

以硝普钠(Sodium nitroprusside,SNP)为一氧化氮(Nitric oxide,NO)供体研究了NO对海洋微藻生长的影响.对不同浓度SNP在海水介质中释放NO的过程进行了监测;对所培养的亚心形扁藻(Platymonas subcordiformis)和中肋骨条藻(Skeletonema costatum)进行藻密度测定,观测NO对微藻生长的影响.结果表明:5、10和100μmol·L-1的SNP释放NO浓度大约分别为6×10-9、9×10-9和2×10-7mol·L-1左右,而释放时间分别为4、5.5和7.5h.研究表明,NO对不同微藻有明显不同的作用规律:NO持续作用下,对亚心形扁藻的最佳作用浓度在10-8mol·L-1数量级;对赤潮藻中肋骨条藻的最佳作用浓度在10-9mol·L-1数量级;赤潮藻对NO的响应比非赤潮藻更灵敏,NO可能是海洋生态系中微藻生长重要的调节因子.     

pH对鱼腥藻和普通小球藻生长竞争的影响

pH值是藻类生长环境的重要理化指标,它可以通过改变环境酸碱度和碳酸盐平衡系统及不同形态无机碳分配关系来影响藻类的生长。为揭示水体中常见藻类的生长过程及其与pH的相互关系,设置了6.0,7.0,8.0和9.0等4个pH梯度,通过室内实验模拟水体条件,研究不同pH条件下主要水华藻类--鱼腥藻（Anabaena sp.strain PCC）和常见淡水藻类--普通小球藻（Chlorella vulga）的生长和种间竞争。结果表明,无论是在单种培养还是在共同培养体系中,4个pH条件下两种藻类的最大生物量差异显著（P〈0.05）,鱼腥藻和普通小球藻的最适pH均为9.0,其中单种培养时鱼腥藻和普通小球藻的最大生物量分别为4473.5×104,689.6×10^4 cells·mL-1;共同培养时鱼腥藻和普通小球藻的最大生物量分别为2798.0×10^4,296.5×10^4 cells·mL-1。竞争试验结果表明,pH对藻类种间竞争抑制参数能够产生显著影响,pH 7.0时普通小球藻对鱼腥藻的竞争抑制参数（β）最大,为12.91;鱼腥藻对普通小球藻的竞争抑制参数（α）则是pH 6.0时最大,为1.778。在4个pH条件下普通小球藻对鱼腥藻的竞争抑制参数（β）均大于鱼腥藻对普通小球藻的竞争抑制参数（α）,与单种培养相比,鱼腥藻最大藻细胞数受到明显削弱,说明普通小球藻在竞争中占优势。因此,在水产养殖过程控制和精准培水技术研究,以及控制养殖水体富营养化的过程中,可以通过调节养殖水体pH值以及普通小球藻的浓度来控制鱼腥藻的生长。     

BDE-47对4种海洋微藻抗氧化酶活性的影响

运用实验生态学和生物化学的方法,研究了不同质量浓度的2,2',4,4'-四溴联苯醚(BDE-47)对海水小球藻Chlorellaautotropica,牟氏角毛藻Chaetoceros muelleri,中肋骨条藻Skeletonema costatum和赤潮异弯藻Heterosigam akashiwo的抗氧化酶活性的影响.结果表明:在实验设定质量浓度范围内(0.1～2.5 μg·L~(-1)),4种微藻的超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)和过氧化氢酶(CAT)均能出现一定的应激活性,以减少BDE-47胁迫对藻细胞自身的危害,但是酶活增加的幅度却有很大不同.与赤潮异弯藻和中肋骨条藻相比,海水小球藻和牟氏角毛藻的SOD和CAT对BDE-47具有较高的敏感性.4种海洋微藻的SOD和CAT对BDE-47的敏感性顺序依次为:海水小球藻>牟氏角毛藻>中肋骨条藻>赤潮异弯藻.因此,海水小球藻的SOD和CAT可以作为指示海洋环境中BDE-47污染水平的生物标志物.     

氮磷质量浓度对普通小球藻和鱼腥藻生长竞争的影响

研究氮磷质量浓度对藻类生长竞争的影响,对于揭示如何通过控制环境因子促进有益藻类生长繁殖、抑制有害藻类生长繁殖,并利用藻类调节养殖环境和提高水体初级生产力具有重要意义。设置了4个氮磷质量浓度梯度(N 0.18μg·m L-1,P0.025μg·m L-1;N 0.36μg·m L-1,P 0.050μg·m L-1;N 0.72μg·m L-1,P 0.100μg·m L-1;N 3.60μg·m L-1,P 0.500μg·m L-1),通过测算比生长速率、生长曲线、竞争抑制参数,研究了不同氮磷质量浓度对普通小球藻(Chlorella vulgaris)和鱼腥藻(Anabaenasp.strain PCC)生长和种间竞争的影响。结果表明,在单种培养体系中,普通小球藻和鱼腥藻的最大藻细胞数量均随氮磷质量浓度的增加而增加,最大藻细胞数量分别为198.9×105 cells·m L-1和424.8×105 cells·m L-1;氮磷质量浓度对藻类的竞争能够产生明显影响,在共培养体系中,鱼腥藻的最大藻细胞数量表现为:中高氮磷组(208.9×105 cells·m L-1)中低氮磷组(98.3×105 cells·m L-1)高氮磷组(64.7×105 cells·m L-1)低氮磷组(45.3×105 cells·m L-1)。同时,种间竞争抑制参数的测算结果表明,4组氮磷质量浓度下鱼腥藻对普通小球藻的竞争抑制参数(α)分别为2.599、0.564、0.772、1.618,普通小球藻对鱼腥藻的竞争抑制参数(β)分别为0.434、0.321、0.466、-8.899,鱼腥藻对普通小球藻的竞争抑制参数(α)均大于普通小球藻对鱼腥藻的竞争抑制参数(β);低氮磷质量浓度时,鱼腥藻对普通小球藻的竞争抑制参数(α)最大,为2.599;中高氮磷质量浓度时,普通小球藻对鱼腥藻的竞争抑制参数(β)最大,为0.466。根据Lotka-Volterra竞争模型中的两物种竞争结局可初步判断,低、中高氮磷、高氮磷质量浓度时,鱼腥藻在竞争中占优势;中低氮磷质量浓度时,鱼腥藻和普通小球藻稳定共存。     

水芹(Oenanthe javaica)浸出液对小球藻(Chlorella vulgaris)生长及超微结构的影响

采用在不同浓度水芹(Oenanthe javaica)浸出液中纯培养小球藻(Chlorella vulgaris)的方法,研究水芹浸出液对小球藻细胞数量、叶绿素含量和藻细胞超微结构的影响。结果显示,10 g.L-1水芹浸出液对小球藻的生长和叶绿素含量具有明显的促进作用;20 g.L-1水芹浸出液处理组藻细胞数量和叶绿素含量增加持续至第7天,但增幅低于对照组,7 d后抑制作用增强;高浓度(30～50 g.L-1)水芹浸出液对小球藻细胞数量和叶绿素含量的抑制作用在第5天开始变得显著,并随时间延长而加剧,具有浓度效应;经40 g.L-1水芹浸出液处理后,小球藻细胞壁断裂甚至消失,细胞中叶绿体片层肿胀甚至解体,核膜破裂,核质外渗。结果表明水芹浸出液对小球藻具有化感效应,总体呈现低浓度促进、高浓度抑制的规律。     

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.     

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.