微波消解-电感耦合等离子体质谱法测定8类化妆品中23种元素

建立了微波消解-电感耦合等离子体质谱,同时测定8类化妆品中23种元素的方法.根据化妆品不同基质,选用硝酸-双氧水或硝酸-双氧水-氢氟酸对样品进行微波消解,采用在线内标校正基体效应,外标法定量进行ICP-MS测定.方法检出限为0.03～6.2μg·kg-1,线性相关系数均大于0.999,RSD为1.3%～6.8%,加标回收率为88.6%～109.1%.实验结果表明,该方法简便、快速、灵敏度高、准确度好,适用于8类化妆品中23种元素的同时测定.     

镉胁迫对不同水稻品种幼苗根系形态和生理特性的影响

为了解植物根系对重金属镉的反应,以水稻秀水63和秀水09为试验材料,采用溶液培养方法,研究不同浓度镉(0、1、5、10、25、50、100 μmol·L~(-1))对水稻幼苗根系形态和部分生理特性的影响.结果表明:1 μmol·L~(-1)镉处理对2个水稻品种根系生长有一定的促进作用,表现为植株干质量、根系总长度、根系表面积、根体积和根系活力均略有升高.但随着镉浓度(5～100 μmol·L~(-1))增加,表现出一定的抑制效应,与对照相比,秀水63和秀水09分别在10 μmol·L~(-1)和25 μmol·L~(-1)镉处理时的根系干质量、根系总长度、根系表面积、根体积和根系活力明显受到抑制,而根系平均直径、质膜透性均有所增加.不同浓度镉胁迫对两个水稻品种直径≤1.5 mm的根系生长影响最大,其中高于10 μmol·L~(-1)镉胁迫下,秀水63直径≤1.5 mm根系长度、根系表面积和根系体积分别降低了11.89%～55.39%、10.77%～57.27%和18.37%～67.35%,秀水09分别降低了6.84%～40.48%、8.55%～42.79%和16.50%～52.42%.本实验结果表明,2个水稻品种对镉胁迫存在着一定的差异,秀水09对Cd胁迫的耐受能力要强于秀水63.     

功能植物内生细菌筛选及对多环芳烃降解效能研究

功能植物内生细菌在防治土壤和植物多环芳烃(PAHs)污染方面具有潜力。从PAHs污染区采集了铁苋菜(Acalypha australis)、香附子(Cyperus rotundus)和麦冬(Ophiopogon japonicus)等健康植物样品,采用平板直接分离法获得8株能降解芘的植物内生细菌,主要为Enterobacter、Chitinophaga和Xanthomonas等菌属,其10 d对芘(50mg·L~(-1))的降解率为7. 59%～45. 50%。综合内生细菌在共代谢基质存在条件下的芘降解效能,选择从麦冬中分离出的Enterobacter sp. PRd5细菌为研究对象,探究其在各种环境条件下的芘降解性能。结果显示,Enterobacter sp.PRd5 10 d对芘(50 mg·L~(-1))的降解率为41. 37%～50. 63%,7 d可降解95%以上的萘(500 mg·L~(-1))、芴(100mg·L~(-1))和菲(50 mg·L~(-1))等低分子量多环芳烃,10 d对荧蒽(50 mg·L~(-1))和苯并[a]芘(10 mg·L~(-1))等高分子量多环芳烃的降解率分别为35. 89%和17. 44%。降解芘的优化条件研究结果显示,Enterobacter sp. PRd5在p H值6. 0～8. 0、温度25～35℃、外加盐浓度0～10 g·L~(-1)、装液量10～30 mL·(100 mL)-1、接种量3%～17%、芘初始质量浓度25～50 mg·L~(-1)和外加100 mg·L~(-1)葡萄糖条件下,可获得较高的芘降解效能。     

中国竹林生态系统的碳储量

利用中国4次森林资源清查资料以及中国森林生态定位观测研究站(CFERN)的观测数据,估算了中国1977-2003年期间4个时期竹林生态系统的碳储量,并对其垂直分配结构特征、时空动态格局和贮碳潜力进行了分析.竹林的总碳储量结果为1977-1981年期间537.6Mt C,1984-1988年期问598.61Mt C,1994-1998年期间710.14 Mt C,1999-2003年期间837.92Mt C,期间浙江、江西、福建、湖南、广东和四川六省是中国竹林碳库的主要组成部分,占80.04%-83.13%.垂直分配结构基本相似,植被层占总碳储量的23.84%～24.49%,枯落物层占0.93%～0.96%,土壤层占的74.55%～75.23%.1999-2003年期间中国竹林生态系统碳素现存量为837.92 Mt C,10年后贮碳量将达到837.92 Mt C,并以C 54.81Mt·a-1.的平均积累速率递增.     

蚌、鱼混养在池塘养殖循环经济模式中的净化效能

以TP、TN、PO3-4-P、NO-3-N、NO-2-N、NH 4-N、CODMn、Chla等为主要水质指标研究了在池塘养殖循环经济模式中蚌、鱼混养对主养区养殖废水的净化效能.结果表明:在7月30日到12月2日的5次测定中,除Chla外,其他指标的去除率表现为先升高后降低的趋势.其中NH 4-N在各测定时间的去除率在25.58%～50.82%之间变化,平均去除率为38.05%,8月28日去除率最大,12月2日去除率最小;NO-2-N、NO-3-N、PO3-4-P、TN、TP和CODMn去除率分别在16.95%～45.45%、25.23%～48.48%、18.37%～52.43%、19.47%～49.39%、12.24%～50.00%和31.88%～49.63%之间,平均去除率分别为26.93%、34.75%、36.50%、29.66%、32.49%和41.21%,且均在9月29日去除率达到最大,12月2日降低为最小.蚌、鱼混养对Chla的去除效果明显,平均去除率达83.49%.各测定时间的出水水质综合营养状态指数均明显低于进水.认为蚌、鱼混养对主养区养殖废水具有很好的净化效能.     

灭线磷在稻田土壤和田水中的降解动态和残留分析

采用气相色谱法研究了10%灭线磷GR(颗粒剂,下同)中灭线磷在广东省、湖北省两地水稻田土壤和田水中的残留降解动态和最终残留量.研究结果表明灭线磷在土壤和田水中的添加回收率分别为82.85%～93.70%和85.03%～98.17%.灭线磷在稻田土壤和田水中降解动态符合一级动力学指数模型,在广东省和湖北省稻田土壤中的半衰期分别为9.73 d、10.70 d,田水中的半衰期分别为0.83 d、0.85 d.10%灭线磷GR以(1800 g(a.i.)·m~(-2)和2700 g(a.i .)·hm~(-2)两个剂量施药后,灭线磷在广东省土壤中的最终残留质量分数为0.002 3～0.0034mg·kg~(-1);2700 g(a.i.)·hm~(-2)施药后,灭线磷在湖北省土壤中的最终残留质量分数为0.001 7 mg·kg~(-1),1800 g(a.i.)·hm~(-2)施药后,在土壤中未检测出灭线磷.     

不同牛粪化肥配施比例下水稻田-沟-塘系统的水质及植物特征

为了研究牛粪化肥配施条件下稻田-沟塘系统的水质及植物特征,以不同的牛粪化肥配施比例下的水稻田及人工沟塘系统为研究对象,定点定期采集系统水样并分析水质状况,并分析沟塘中植物和水稻的生物量及氮磷含量。结果表明:水稻田中70%化肥+30%牛粪处理的田面水TP浓度显著低于其他3种施肥处理,而各处理间COD虽有显著差异,但都处于较低水平(地表Ⅲ类水标准),TN、NO3--N和NH_4~+-N浓度没有显著差异,且水稻产量及氮、磷含量都较高;沟塘系统对稻田退水的净化效果整体达到地表水Ⅲ类标准,其中COD净化率为28. 91%～51. 77%,TP为79. 59%～91. 57%,TN为4. 19%～46. 28%,NO3--N为6. 82%～31. 26%,NH_4~+-N为7. 77%～41. 42%;沟塘系统的植物生物量以野菱(Trapa incisa)+白三叶(Trifolium repens)最高,为13. 55 t·hm~(-2),w(N)最高是羽状狐尾藻(Myriophyllum verticillatum),为16. 26 g·kg~(-1);w(P)最高是茭白(Zizania latifonia)+高羊茅(Festuca elata),为2. 91 g·kg~(-1);综合生物量和氮磷含量,N、P产出最高的分别是羽状狐尾藻和野菱+白三叶,产出量分别为100. 26和39. 43kg·hm~(-2)。因此,牛粪替代化肥处理以30%的替代量为最优,稻田-沟-塘系统能够高效净化水体中牛粪带来的TP和COD,以羽状狐尾藻和野菱+白三叶净化效果最佳。     

雷州无瓣海桑群落7种元素的生物累积和循环

在雷州市附城镇岚北人工生态恢复的 7a生无瓣海桑群落生物量调查的基础上 ,对所采集的无瓣海桑进行了植物体各组分样品的灰分和元素含量测定与循环分析 ,结果表明 :无瓣海桑植物体不同组分的灰分含量范围为 2 .2 7%～ 2 6 .4 1% ,以细根的含量最高 ,枯枝的含量最低 .植物体各组分中 7种元素质量分数范围分别为K 0 .11%～ 1.5 6 % ,Na0 .11%～ 1.6 6 % ,Ca 0 .2 0 %～ 2 .6 6 % ,Mg 0 .15 %～ 1.5 9% ,Fe 0 .0 4× 10 -3 ～ 9.6 4× 10 -3 ,Zn 0 .0 5× 10 -4～ 1.0 3× 10 -4,Cu0 .16× 10 -5～ 1.5 0× 10 -5.其加权平均的富集系数为 0 .0 5～ 9.70 ,其中Ca >K >Cu >Na >Mg>Zn >Fe .群落现存生物量中的累积储量分别为K 10 9.76gm-2 ,Ca 138.89gm-2 ,Na 86 .5 7gm-2 ,Mg 81.0 7gm-2 ,Fe 13.139gm-2 ,Zn 0 .4 83gm-2 ,Cu 0 .10 8gm-2 .群落 2 0 0 1年的元素存留累积储量分别为Ca4 1.6 8gm-2 ,K 37.2 4gm-2 ,Mg 2 7.33gm-2 ,Na2 5 .5 6gm-2 ,Fe 4 .2 75gm-2 ,Zn 0 .188gm-2 ,Cu 0 .0 39gm-2 .2 0 0 1年归还量分别为Ca 2 8.5 9gm-2 ,K 16 .83gm-2 ,Mg 12 .0 7gm-2 ,Na 11.5 8gm-2 ,Fe 0 .916gm-2 ,Zn 0 .14 1gm-2 ,Cu 0 .0 2 6gm-2 .年吸收量分别为Ca 70 .2 7gm-2 ,K 5 4 .0 7gm-2 ,Mg 39.4 0gm-2 ,Na 37.1     

杉木采伐迹地改植尾巨桉后对土壤水分及物理性质的影响

以厚荚相思林和灌草坡自然恢复植被为对照,研究了尾巨桉人工林随着植被恢复过程对土壤水分及物理性质的影响.结果表明:(1)尾巨桉林地在连续晴天和连续雨天情况下土壤(0～80 cm土层)平均含水率依次为18.33%～22.69%和22.29%～26.66%,分别比厚荚相思林和灌草坡减少1.0%～18.1%;(2)尾巨桉林地(0-1 m)平均土壤渗透速度为2.72～10.56mm·min-1,比灌草坡增加2.5%～7.1%,而比厚荚相思林减少6.5%～25.4%;(3)尾巨桉林地(0～1 m)平均土壤容重为1.219～1.499 g·cm3,比灌草坡下降0.6%～2.6%,而比厚荚相思林增大0.8%～2.5%;(4)尾巨桉林地((0～1 m)土壤非毛管孔隙度、毛管孔隙度和总孔隙度依次为8.3%～12.8%、33.2%～36.0%和43.2%～46.0%,比灌草坡提高1.6%～2.4%,而比厚荚相思林降低1.5%～3.2%;(5)尾巨桉林地(0-1 m)土壤最大持水量、毛管持水量及最小持水量依次为433.30 mm、347.44mm和253.14 mm,分别比灌草坡和厚荚相思林降低1.5%～3.3%;(6)尾巨桉林地(0～1 m)土壤有效贮水量为265.6mm,比灌草坡和厚荚相思林降低1.5%～3.3%.     

不同气候生态条件下水稻品种产量、功能性成分含量及稳定性

培育高γ-氨基丁酸和抗性淀粉的水稻品种,并明确其适宜的生态条件是水稻功能性育种和栽培的重要环节之一.选用云南和浙江近期育成的水稻Oryza sativa L.粳籼品种(系)21个,按粳籼品种(系)分组后分别在云南粳籼稻区10个点种植,比较研究不同生态条件其产量、γ-氨基丁酸和抗性淀粉含量变异及稳定性.结果表明:供试11个粳稻品种(系)产量的平均值为8 485.0kg/hm2,变化幅度为4 129.8～10 159.2 kg/hm2,其中以HIPjl最低.10个籼稻品种(系)产量变化范围在380.1～7 995.6 kg/hm2,其中以W229最低.滇农S-1/毫梅、滇农S-1/滇靖8号、功米6号、文稻1号/IR36和RS21属于高产而稳定性较好的品种.粳稻平均GABA的含量在108.7～157.1 mg·kg-1之间,平均值为128.9 mg·kg-1;其抗性淀粉含量在0.48%～0.73%之间,平均值为0.62%.籼稻品种的平均GABA含量在86.1～186.9 mg·kg-1之间,平均值为133.04 mg·kg-1,变异系数范围为2.33%～19.75%;其平均抗性淀粉含量为0.18%～2.52%,平均值为0.85%.其中滇农S-1/毫梅、功米6号、银光、HIPil和文稻2号/IR36属于高GABA而稳定性较好的品种.滇农S-1/毫梅、65-36/云粳136、功米6号、RS21和滇屯502/双籼稻属于高RS而稳定性较好的品种.不同气候生态条件下参试品种的GABA和RS的变异,籼稻大于粳稻.     

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.     

Comparison of the insecticidal effects of water extracted and intact aromatic plants onAcanthoscelides obtectus,a bruchid beetle pest of kidney beans

Summary Acanthoscelides obtectus (Say) is one of the most damaging pests of kidney beans,Phaseolus vulgaris L. worldwide. However, aromatic plants from the families Lamiaceae, Lauraceae, Myrtaceae and Poaceae can protect kidney beans by direct or delayed insecticidal effect, through increased adult mortality and inhibition of beetle reproduction (both oviposition and adult emergence). The efficiency of hydrodistillated and intact plants fromThymus vulgaris andT. serpyllum, Mentha piperata, Rosmarinus officinalis, Satureia hortensis, Eucalyptus globulus, Laurus nobilis, Origanum vulgare, andCymbopogon nardus was compared. For both extracts,Origanum vulgare had the best effect. The insecticidal effect was induced by more than the essential oils because no significant difference was noticed between distilled and intact plants extract. Inhibition of reproduction was particularly important. These results suggest that lipidic as well as non lipidic, allelochemicals, such as phenolics, or non-protein amino-acids, or flavonoids may be involved in the toxicity of aromatic plants to this beetle.     

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.