Potential Negative Ecological Effects of Corridors

Despite many studies showing that landscape corridors increase dispersal and species richness for disparate taxa, concerns persist that corridors can have unintended negative effects. In particular, some of the same mechanisms that underlie positive effects of corridors on species of conservation interest may also increase the spread and impact of antagonistic species (e.g., predators and pathogens), foster negative effects of edges, increase invasion by exotic species, increase the spread of unwanted disturbances such as fire, or increase population synchrony and thus reduce persistence. We conducted a literature review and meta‐analysis to evaluate the prevalence of each of these negative effects. We found no evidence that corridors increase unwanted disturbance or non‐native species invasion; however, these have not been well‐studied concerns (1 and 6 studies, respectively). Other effects of corridors were more often studied and yielded inconsistent results; mean effect sizes were indistinguishable from zero. The effect of edges on abundances of target species was as likely to be positive as negative. Corridors were as likely to have no effect on antagonists or population synchrony as they were to increase those negative effects. We found 3 deficiencies in the literature. First, despite studies on how corridors affect predators, there are few studies of related consequences for prey population size and persistence. Second, properly designed studies of negative corridor effects are needed in natural corridors at scales larger than those achievable in experimental systems. Third, studies are needed to test more targeted hypotheses about when corridor‐mediated effects on invasive species or disturbance may be negative for species of management concern. Overall, we found no overarching support for concerns that construction and maintenance of habitat corridors may result in unintended negative consequences. Negative edge effects may be mitigated by widening corridors or softening edges between corridors and the matrix. Other negative effects are relatively small and manageable compared with the large positive effects of facilitating dispersal and increasing diversity of native species. Efectos Negativos Potenciales de los Corredores     

Potential banana skins in animal social network analysis

Social network analysis is an increasingly popular tool for the study of the fine-scale and global social structure of animals. It has attracted particular attention by those attempting to unravel social structure in fission–fusion populations. It is clear that the social network approach offers some exciting opportunities for gaining new insights into social systems. However, some of the practices which are currently being used in the animal social networks literature are at worst questionable and at best over-enthusiastic. We highlight some of the areas of method, analysis and interpretation in which greater care may be needed in order to ensure that the biology we extract from our networks is robust. In particular, we suggest that more attention should be given to whether relational data are representative, the potential effect of observational errors and the choice and use of statistical tests. The importance of replication and manipulation must not be forgotten, and the interpretation of results requires care. This contribution is part of the special issue “Social Networks: new perspectives” (Guest Editors: J. Krause, D. Lusseau and R. James).     

Potential of rice husk ash in atrazine removal

An experimental study was carried out to explore the possibility of using a prepared microporous material, Rice Husk Ash (RHA) as an alternative to the commercial Powdered Activated Carbon (PAC), to remove atrazine (ATZ) pesticide from aqueous solution. The effects of contact time and pH on the adsorption were studied using the batch technique. Based on Hückel model calculations, the zwitterion behaviour of atrazine molecule was proved to be related to the pH of zero charge point of adsorbents (6.8 for RHA and 8.2 for PAC). The results showed that the Pseudo Second Order model is applicable to both adsorbents, suggesting that chemisorption is the rate-limiting step. The equilibrium data fitted well with the Langmuir model in the case of RHA, whereas the Freundlich model better fitted the equilibrium data in the PAC case, suggesting the existence of multi-layer adsorption of atrazine. The adsorption for RHA was found to be feasible and spontaneous, with a removal capacity of atrazine of more than 7?mg?g^?1. With regard to the BET surface, this removal capacity (50.5?µg_ATZ / m²_RHA) was 25% better than that PAC (37.75µg_ATZ / m²_PAC).     

外来入侵假臭草在中国分布区的预测

假臭草原产南美洲,上世纪80年代首次记载传入中国,是潜在的恶性杂草.为提供其在中国分布区的预测资料,采用397个采集数据和已有的146个分布点数据,利用生态位模型(GARP)和Domain模型对分布区进行预测分析,并通过AUC与MaxKappa进行模型评价.结果显示:近十年,假臭草入侵记录增多,入侵扩散加剧;太阳辐射、水汽压、极端高温、霜日频率和水流方向对假臭草的分布限制较小,雨日频率、坡向、坡度、海拔、年降水、年均温、地形指数和极端低温等8个环境因子对其分布影响显著;入侵的主要植被类型是农田、灌木或草类覆盖嵌合区,常绿、落叶灌木地带,栽培植被及相关联地带等.模型评价表明两种模型预测能力为较好及以上,预测结果显示:假臭草在西藏(除东南小块区域)、新疆、青海、内蒙古、宁夏,陕西和山西北部地区,黑龙江、吉林、辽宁(除辽东半岛小块区域)是不宜生长区;最易入侵广东、广西、海南等地区,其中华中部分省份、华北平原为适生区,还未见有假臭草入侵的报道,相关部门应引起重视,严防入侵.     

中国的太阳能资源及应用潜力

太阳能资源被认为是21世纪最引人注目的可再生能源和洁净能源，为了经济的可持续发展，应该把环境保护和长期利益作为研究目标，文章估算了中国14个城市的太阳能资源，分析了太阳能热水系统和PIVP系统的经济性，研究结果表明，中国的太阳能利用潜力很大，政府应该对其发展发挥重要作用。     

Potential for increased nutrient uptake by flocculating diatoms

Blooms of chain-forming diatoms commonly flocculate into centimeter-sized aggregates of living, vegetative cells following nutrient depletion in surface waters off southern California. We examined the hypothesis that diatom cells within aggregates experience increased nutrient uptake relative to unattached cells. We measured in situ settling velocities of 49 to 190 m d^–1 and calculated porosities of 0.99931 to 0.99984 (±>0.03%) for 12, newly-formed diatom flocs ranging from 0.19 to 4.2 cm³ in volume and 7 to 22 mm in equivalent spherical diameter. Using permeability-porosity relationships, we calculated intra-aggregate flow velocities of 20 to 160 m s^–1. Although subject to considerable uncertainty, a Relative Uptake Factor analysis based on mass transfer equqtions suggests that diatoms fixed within aggregates undergoing gravitational settling can take up nutrients up to 2.1±0.4 times faster than unattached diatoms experiencing laminar shear. Increased nutrient uptake by aggregated diatoms may be importan in understanding the reasons for diatom floc formation.     

The Potential for Species Conservation in Tropical Secondary Forests

Abstract: In the wake of widespread loss of old‐growth forests throughout the tropics, secondary forests will likely play a growing role in the conservation of forest biodiversity. We considered a complex hierarchy of factors that interact in space and time to determine the conservation potential of tropical secondary forests. Beyond the characteristics of local forest patches, spatial and temporal landscape dynamics influence the establishment, species composition, and persistence of secondary forests. Prospects for conservation of old‐growth species in secondary forests are maximized in regions where the ratio of secondary to old‐growth forest area is relatively low, older secondary forests have persisted, anthropogenic disturbance after abandonment is relatively low, seed‐dispersing fauna are present, and old‐growth forests are close to abandoned sites. The conservation value of a secondary forest is expected to increase over time, as species arriving from remaining old‐growth forest patches accumulate. Many studies are poorly replicated, which limits robust assessments of the number and abundance of old‐growth species present in secondary forests. Older secondary forests are not often studied and few long‐term studies are conducted in secondary forests. Available data indicate that both old‐growth and second‐growth forests are important to the persistence of forest species in tropical, human‐modified landscapes.     

Five Potential Consequences of Climate Change for Invasive Species

Abstract:  Scientific and societal unknowns make it difficult to predict how global environmental changes such as climate change and biological invasions will affect ecological systems. In the long term, these changes may have interacting effects and compound the uncertainty associated with each individual driver. Nonetheless, invasive species are likely to respond in ways that should be qualitatively predictable, and some of these responses will be distinct from those of native counterparts. We used the stages of invasion known as the "invasion pathway" to identify 5 nonexclusive consequences of climate change for invasive species: (1) altered transport and introduction mechanisms, (2) establishment of new invasive species, (3) altered impact of existing invasive species, (4) altered distribution of existing invasive species, and (5) altered effectiveness of control strategies. We then used these consequences to identify testable hypotheses about the responses of invasive species to climate change and provide suggestions for invasive-species management plans. The 5 consequences also emphasize the need for enhanced environmental monitoring and expanded coordination among entities involved in invasive-species management.     

武汉市生态用地发展潜力分析

根据国家与湖北省的相关政策、规定,以土地利用图和基本农田保护规划图为基础,利用GIS对武汉市的生态用地潜力进行分析。结果表明,其可用土地规模为51 028.75～113 537.77 hm2,如能全部用于林业建设,则全市的林木绿化率仅此就可以增加6.01%～13.37%。其中未利用土地如全部用于林业建设可以增加森林覆盖率4.1%,其他的水岸、道路、坡耕地等的绿化潜力为1.91%～9.27%。目前的林业生态建设应该首先以挖掘未利用土地的绿化潜力为主,适当增加其他类型用地向林业生态用途的转化。     

Potential Misuse of Avian Density as a Conservation Metric

Abstract: Effective conservation metrics are needed to evaluate the success of management in a rapidly changing world. Reproductive rates and densities of breeding birds (as a surrogate for reproductive rate) have been used to indicate the quality of avian breeding habitat, but the underlying assumptions of these metrics rarely have been examined. When birds are attracted to breeding areas in part by the presence of conspecifics and when breeding in groups influences predation rates, the effectiveness of density and reproductive rate as indicators of habitat quality is reduced. It is beneficial to clearly distinguish between individual‐ and population‐level processes when evaluating habitat quality. We use the term reproductive rate to refer to both levels and further distinguish among levels by using the terms per capita fecundity (number of female offspring per female per year, individual level) and population growth rate (the product of density and per capita fecundity, population level). We predicted how density and reproductive rate interact over time under density‐independent and density‐dependent scenarios, assuming the ideal free distribution model of how birds settle in breeding habitats. We predicted population density of small populations would be correlated positively with both per capita fecundity and population growth rate due to the Allee effect. For populations in the density‐dependent growth phase, we predicted no relation between density and per capita fecundity (because individuals in all patches will equilibrate to the same success rate) and a positive relation between density and population growth rate. Several ecological theories collectively suggest that positive correlations between density and per capita fecundity would be difficult to detect. We constructed a decision tree to guide interpretation of positive, neutral, nonlinear, and negative relations between density and reproductive rates at individual and population levels.     

黄浦江沉积物污染及潜在生态风险评价初步研究

采用Hakanson生态风险指数法对黄浦江沉积物样品中PCB、Hg、Cd、As、Cu、Pb、Cr和Zn等8个污染要素进行了分析,对其污染程度和潜在的生态风险进行了评价。结果表明,黄浦江污染程度和潜在生态风险为中等。从总的污染程度来看,黄浦江各污染物对生态风险影响程度由大到小的顺序为:Hg,Cd,PCB,As,Cu,Pb,Zn,Cr。     

量子毒理学在药理学和毒理学上的潜在发展与应用

随着量子科学的发展以及新材料技术的出现,量子毒理学已成为毒理学研究领域的一个新的分支。量子毒理学主要研究药物、化学品和量子等的毒理作用机制。量子毒理学在药理学和毒理学领域有着潜在的发展前景。本文简介了量子毒理学的概念、研究方法以及其在药理学和毒理学方面的发展前景。化学反应的量子效应会增强毒理效应,这是预测量子和纳米化合物的毒性以及其他毒理机制的重点。量子毒理学研究外源物质与机体靶标分子之间的相互作用和结构-效应关系,采用量子化学、量子生物学和量子药理学等的理论和方法研究毒理机制及毒性防治方法。     

Unexplored Diversity and Conservation Potential of Neotropical Hot Caves

The term hot cave is used to describe some subterranean chambers in the Neotropics that are characterized by constantly high ambient temperatures generated by the body heat of high densities of certain bat species. Many of these species have limited geographic ranges, and some occur only in the hot‐cave environment. In addition to the bats, the stable microclimate and abundant bat guano provides refuge and food for a high diversity of invertebrates. Hot caves have so far been described in the Caribbean and in a few isolated locations from Mexico to Brazil, although there is some evidence that similar caves may be present throughout the tropics. The existing literature suggests these poorly known ecosystems, with their unique combination of geomorphology and bat‐generated microclimate, are particularly sensitive to disturbance and face multiple threats from urbanization, agricultural development, mining, and tourism. Diversidad No Explorada y Potencial de Conservación de Cuevas Neotropicales Calientes     

MicroRNA:POPs诱导动脉粥样硬化的潜在调控者

目前动脉粥样硬化在全世界以惊人的速度增长,成为21世纪公共健康的严重挑战。持久性有机污染物(persistent organic pollutants,POPs)具有生物富集性和持久性,可通过各种环境介质对人体健康产生危害。研究表明POPs能够改变基因表达,加速动脉粥样硬化的发生发展,因而POPs被认为是动脉粥样硬化的致病风险因素之一。MicroRNAs(miRNAs)是生物进化过程中高度保守的一组非编码小分子RNA,在转录后水平调节基因的表达。miRNAs的差异表达涉及一系列疾病的生理和病理过程。有证据显示,POPs能够引起生物体内miRNAs的表达紊乱,从而引起基因的差异表达。大量文献报道也显示miRNAs在动脉粥样硬化中起重要作用。因此,POPs可能通过miRNA的潜在调控从而导致动脉粥样硬化的发生发展。     

The Potential of Geothermal Systems in Kenya for Balneological Use

Curative properties of geothermal waters are highly valued in several countries around the world, including China, Iceland, and middle and Eastern European states. Natural hotsprings and fumaroles found in various parts of Kenya have been utilised by the local residents for worship and offering of sacrifices, particularly when afflicted with ailments that were difficult to cure. At the Lake Bogoria Hotel, natural hot water is directed towards a swimming pool, in which hotel guests like to bathe. The major element chemistry of some of the geothermal waters in Kenya is similar to that of waters used at established balneological sites in other parts of the world. Trace element concentrations are less well known. More research is required to understand the factors that impart curative qualities to geothermal waters. Kenya has been developing its geothermal systems for electricity generation, but should also evaluate the different sites for balneological applications.     

持久性有机污染物致胰岛素抵抗及其潜在病理机制

胰岛素抵抗综合症目前在全世界以惊人的速度增长,成为21世纪公共健康的严重挑战。多例流行病学调查结果已经显示持久性有机污染物与胰岛素抵抗的关联。胰岛素信号传递受损是胰岛素抵抗的本质原因。考察机制发现,可在机体脂肪组织中贮存积累的持久性有机污染物,如二噁英、多氯联苯、溴代阻燃剂、有机氯农药等,可干扰细胞内受体如环芳烃受体、过氧化物酶体增殖物激活受体、导致氧化损伤、线粒体功能障碍并通过慢性炎症介质TNFα的释放及其相关信号调控;进而可能阻扰胰岛素信号传递中关键蛋白InsR或IRS-1/2正常磷酸化,导致胰岛素抵抗。