双酚A对小鼠肝脏和肾脏细胞的氧化损伤

为探究双酚A(BPA)的氧化毒性,分别以剂量为20、40和80mg·kg~(-1)·d~(-1)的BPA对雄性昆明小鼠灌胃处理1周,并测定了小鼠体内活性氧自由基(ROS)水平、还原型谷胱甘肽(GSH)含量、丙二醛(MDA)含量和DNA-蛋白质交联系数(DPC)。与对照组相比,各BPA暴露组小鼠肝脏和肾脏细胞中的ROS生成量、MDA含量和DPC系数均升高,而GSH含量下降(P<0.05或P<0.01)。ROS生成量、GSH含量和DPC系数均显示出剂量-效应关系。研究表明,BPA可扰乱小鼠肝脏和肾脏细胞的氧化应激平衡,诱导细胞氧化损伤。     

双酚A对斑马鱼幼鱼神经递质和神经行为的影响

环境浓度水平下双酚A(BPA)暴露对生物体的毒性效应受到广泛关注。以早期发育阶段斑马鱼为模型,评价了环境浓度下BPA暴露对斑马鱼幼鱼运动行为的影响,并探讨了可能的作用机制。将斑马鱼胚胎暴露于不同浓度BPA(0、1、3、10和30"g·L-1)后,斑马鱼幼鱼的整体平均运动速率显著降低。低浓度组幼鱼在持续光照条件下的运动行为显著降低,同时5-羟色胺受体(htr1a)的转录水平增加十分显著,表明BPA可能通过5-羟色胺受体对斑马鱼的运动行为产生影响。而高浓度组幼鱼在第2个黑暗刺激周期的活动过度受到抑制,同时多巴胺受体(d1r)的转录水平显著降低,表明BPA可能通过多巴胺受体影响斑马鱼对外界刺激的响应。HPLC分析结果表明,5-羟色胺和多巴胺神经递质含量在所有浓度组均显著升高。进一步分析与早期神经发育(wnt1,shha)、单胺类递质神经元分化(lmx1a,nr4a2和syn2a)以及递质合成(tph1b,th)相关的基因和蛋白水平,发现神经递质含量的升高可能是由于BPA促进了斑马鱼胚胎早期神经发育和单胺类递质神经元的分化。综上,环境浓度下BPA暴露即可对斑马鱼的运行行为产生影响,提示BPA污染很可能对生态环境及人体健康产生潜在的危害。     

双酚A对斑马鱼不同发育阶段的毒性及机理

对双酚A(BPA)暴露下的斑马鱼胚胎、仔鱼和成鱼三个发育阶段进行对比研究,并从代谢和DNA损伤两个角度对其致毒机理进行初步探讨.结果显示: 斑马鱼成鱼24h的LC50(8.00-10.00mg·l-1)比胚胎(16.4±0.40mg·l-1)低,表明斑马鱼成鱼更适用于急性毒性试验,而胚胎更能体现出亚急性效应和遗传效应;在5.00mg·l-1 的BPA中连续暴露48h后,胚胎和成鱼体内的BPA含量分别为373.57±39.76μg·g-1和155.78±17.97μg·g-1,即胚胎在5.00mg·l-1 BPA溶液中的蓄积能力大约是成鱼的两倍; DNA断裂检测表明BPA对斑马鱼胚胎的DNA造成了一定程度的损伤.     

双酚A对斑马鱼精巢性激素生成酶基因表达的影响

为了解环境雌激素对鱼类精巢发育的影响,将成年雄性斑马鱼(Danio rerio)暴露于不同浓度双酚A(0、500、1 000、2 000、4 000μg·L-1)下21 d,并在此基础上,进一步研究了暴露在相同浓度(BPA2 000μg·L-1)不同暴露时间下各基因表达的动力学模式。用荧光定量PCR(qRT-PCR)方法检测试验鱼精巢性激素合成相关细胞色素P450酶类基因(CYP17、CYP11B和CYP19A)以及雌、雄激素受体和促卵泡激素受体(ERα、ERβ、AR和FSHR)基因的表达,用常规组织学方法研究试验鱼精巢结构的变化。结果表明,BPA促进了精巢内源雌激素合成相关酶类基因CYP19A和雌激素受体ERαmRNA、ERβmRNA的表达,且BPA浓度为2 000μg·L-1时3者的表达量显著上调,同时随着暴露时间的延长,具有明显的时间累积效应。1 000μg·L-1BPA可导致斑马鱼精巢CYP17 mRNA的表达量显著下调,BPA2 000μg·L-1暴露12 d引起了CYP11B mRNA表达下调,而随着暴露时间的延长有所回升,但它对精巢AR mRNA的表达却无明显影响。同时,BPA 500μg·L-1引起了FSHR基因的显著上调,在时间动态学上,呈上升趋势。在组织学上,2 000μg·L-1BPA引起斑马鱼精巢生精小管内精子浓缩严重,精原细胞(Sg)和精母细胞(PS和SS)数目都有所减少,BPA 4 000μg·L-1组斑马鱼精巢退化。因此,BPA可诱导精巢内源雌激素合成和雌激素受体的表达,提高雌激素效应,通过抑制CYP17基因的表达,一定程度上抑制雄激素的合成,从而引起斑马鱼精巢组织的破坏。同时,据实验数据推测,雄激素的下调可能启动了下丘脑-垂体-性腺(HPG)轴的负反馈调节机制,而此作用机制还有待进一步研究。     

双酚A对紫背浮萍生长和光合色素及抗氧化系统影响

以紫背浮萍为实验对象,探究双酚A(bsiphenol A, BPA)对其生长、光合色素含量、抗氧化系统和渗透压调节物质的影响。结果表明,不同浓度(0、1、5、20和50 mg·L~(-1))BPA连续暴露7 d后,与对照组相比,随暴露浓度升高,紫背浮萍湿重和叶绿素含量呈现先显著增加后降低的趋势;暴露组过氧化氢(H_2O_2)含量和抗超氧阴离子自由基活性显著降低;丙二醛(MDA)含量在20和50 mg·L~(-1)组显著升高;暴露组抗氧化酶活性包括超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)、过氧化物酶(POD)、过氧化氢酶(CAT)、抗坏血酸过氧化物酶(APX)、谷胱甘肽还原酶(GR)和总抗氧化能力(T-AOC)均低于对照组;谷胱甘肽(GSH)含量在高浓度组显著升高,20 mg·L~(-1)组可溶性糖含量显著升高,可溶性蛋白含量在中高浓度组显著增加。研究表明,中低浓度BPA会提高紫背浮萍光合色素含量,有机物积累增多,促进其生长;但随BPA浓度不断升高,紫背浮萍体内产生氧化损伤,抗氧化酶活性及叶绿素含量降低,生长受到抑制。本研究结果将为BPA污染控制及对水生植物生态毒性效应评价提供理论基础。     

孕哺期全氟辛烷磺酸暴露对子代大鼠糖代谢的影响

探讨孕哺期全氟辛烷磺酸(PFOS)暴露对子代大鼠成年后糖代谢稳态的影响。Wistar孕鼠随机分组,自孕0天(GD0)起分别以0 mg·kg^-1(对照组)、4 mg·kg^-1(低剂量组)和8 mg·kg^-1 (高剂量组) PFOS(以饲料中PFOS计)经口染毒至仔鼠出生后21天(PND21)断乳为止。高效液相/质谱法检测PND1、PND21和PND42时仔鼠血清PFOS含量。检测仔鼠断乳后第8周和第18周时空腹血糖和胰岛素水平计算胰岛素抵抗指数(HOMA-IR);比较仔鼠口服糖耐量及肝脏糖代谢关键酶表达水平改变。结果显示：发育期PFOS暴露导致仔鼠出现血清中PFOS蓄积,以PND21时浓度最高,在低剂量组和高剂量组中分别为(7.77±1.45) μg·mL^-1和(5.09±0.57) μg·mL^-1。与对照组相比,不同剂量组仔鼠在断乳前后均出现明显体重降低,并在成年后出现高胰岛素血症,但PFOS仅在雄性仔鼠中引起了血糖升高。18周龄时口服糖耐量结果显示,PFOS暴露使雄性仔鼠在该阶段出现糖耐量受损,同时造成过氧化物酶体增殖物活化受体γ协同刺激因子(PGC-1)、磷酸烯醇丙酮酸羧激酶(PEPCK)表达水平的显著增高以及葡萄糖-6-磷酸脱氢酶(G6P)表达水平的显著降低。以上结果说明PFOS孕哺期暴露可引起子代成年后糖代谢失调,有增加糖尿病患病风险可能。     

离子液体[Bmim]Cl对HepG2细胞糖代谢的影响

离子液体是一类广泛用于生产、科研的有机溶剂,其生物毒性已被验证,然而在非致死浓度下离子液体对于生物体的潜在影响还有待研究.为探究离子液体对糖代谢的影响,选取人体肝癌细胞HepG2为受试对象进行体外实验,研究一种常用的咪唑类离子液体1-丁基-3-甲基咪唑氯盐([Bmim]Cl)对HepG2细胞糖代谢的影响.结果表明,[Bmim]Cl暴露会导致HepG2细胞对胞外葡萄糖的吸收显著降低,减少胞内的糖原含量,同时也会抑制细胞活性诱导细胞凋亡,细胞存活率最高下降57％.RT-qPCR结果表明,[Bmim]Cl暴露后,HepG2细胞中糖原分解的重要基因糖原磷酸化酶(PYGL)的表达上调,而调控糖原合成的重要基因糖原合酶2(GYS2)的基因表达在中、低浓度暴露后受到了抑制.此外,葡萄糖转运、糖酵解、糖异生和TCA循环的相关基因在不同的暴露浓度下也出现了不同程度的变化.综上所述,[Bmim]Cl暴露会影响HepG2细胞对胞外葡萄糖的吸收,影响胞内糖原的合成和分解,促进糖酵解,抑制糖异生.高浓度的[Bmim]Cl暴露会引起HepG2细胞的糖代谢紊乱.     

三氯生暴露加剧高脂饮食诱导的小鼠肠道和肝脏功能损伤

三氯生(triclosan,TCS)在环境中被广泛检出,已成为重要的环境污染物,且TCS暴露能够影响机体的肠道菌群组成和脂类物质代谢过程.为了探讨TCS暴露对高脂饮食(high fat diet,HFD)诱导的肝脏功能损伤的影响及其机制,C57BL/6J小鼠随机分为正常饮食对照组、TCS组、HFD组和HFD+TCS组;首先对TCS组和HFD+TCS组小鼠进行提前一周TCS(10μg·g-1饲料)暴露,然后再同时进行6周的TCS暴露和HFD喂养.实验结束后,利用细菌特征序列对肠道菌群进行绝对定量分析,利用苏木精-伊红染色、实时荧光定量PCR、酶联免疫吸附测定、蛋白免疫印迹和流式细胞术等试验技术检测小鼠肠道和肝脏等生理变化状况.与对照组相比,TCS暴露和高脂饮食均能明显引起肠道菌群中厚壁菌门和拟杆菌门含量降低,同时引起小鼠脾脏中CD8+和CD4+T细胞比例失调,但未导致显著的肠道屏障损伤和脂多糖(lipopolysaccharide,LPS)异位;高脂饮食能够显著提高小鼠血清中丙氨酸氨基转移酶(alanine aminotransferase,ALT)、天门冬氨酸氨基转移酶(aspartate aminotransferase,AST)和甘油三酯(triglyceride,TG)的水平,而单独TCS暴露并没有引起明显的肝脏功能紊乱.与HFD组相比,HFD和TCS协同作用激活了小鼠肝脏中Toll样受体4(toll-like receptor 4,TLR4)炎症通路,造成小鼠肝脏炎症反应,并显著提高了小鼠ALT和AST水平,加剧了高脂饮食对小鼠肝脏功能的损伤.由此可知,TCS暴露通过引起小鼠肠道菌群紊乱和机体免疫响应,加剧高脂饮食诱导的小鼠肠道损伤和肝脏功能紊乱.     

双酚A致文蛤鳃组织氧化损伤

双酚A(bisphenol A, BPA)是全球产量最大的化工产品之一,在塑料制品生产中得到广泛应用。然而,BPA的大量应用导致其在水环境中被频繁检出,对水生生物健康构成潜在威胁。相关研究证实BPA对水生生物的生殖和发育具有一定的毒性效应,但对双壳贝类毒性效应研究却十分有限。本研究将文蛤(Meretrix petechialis)分别暴露于1、10、100 μg·L^-1BPA中14 d,检测了文蛤鳃滤水率以及组织病理学变化,同时测定鳃组织过氧化氢(hydrogen peroxide,H₂O₂)和丙二醛(malondialdehyde,MDA)含量,以及过氧化氢酶(catalase,CAT)、谷胱甘肽-S-转移酶(glutathione-S-transferase,GST)、超氧化物歧化酶(superoxide dismutase,SOD)的活性,并对Nrf2/Keap1信号通路相关基因的表达水平进行分析。结果表明,BPA暴露干扰了文蛤鳃滤水率,导致文蛤鳃组织上皮细胞损伤和增生,并观察有纤毛和鳃丝减少的现象,且BPA浓度越...     

运动对2,3,7,8-四氯二苯并二恶英急性暴露大鼠肝脏抗氧化能力的影响

观察8周中等强度游泳运动对2,3,7,8-四氯二苯并二恶英(2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin,2,3,7,8-TCDD)急性暴露大鼠肝脏氧化应激的影响。以8周龄雄性Sprague Dawley大鼠为研究对象,将大鼠随机分为玉米油静养组(NC组)、玉米油运动组(EC组)、TCDD静养组(NT)和TCDD运动组(ET组)。将TCDD溶于玉米油中,NT和ET组大鼠按照10μg·kg-1(以单位体重计)腹腔注射TCDD,NC和EC组大鼠注射等量玉米油。正式实验开始后,EC和ET组大鼠进行运动(尾部负重5%游泳30min),每周运动5 d,共8周,NC和NT组大鼠不进行任何运动干预。8周后,称重并宰杀大鼠,收集血清和肝组织样本,待测血清天门冬氨酸氨基转移酶(AST)、丙氨酸氨基转移酶(ALT)的活性;肝组织丙二醛(MDA)含量,超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)、过氧化氢酶(CAT)以及谷胱甘肽过氧化物酶(GSH-Px)的活性。将数据进行多因素方差分析,结果表明,染毒可升高大鼠血清AST的活性,增加肝脏MDA的含量,降低肝脏SOD、CAT和GSH-Px的活性;运动可降低大鼠肝脏GSH-Px的活性;染毒后运动可减少肝脏MDA的含量,升高肝脏SOD、CAT和GSH-Px的活性。研究表明,TCDD急性暴露可导致大鼠肝细胞功能受损,导致大鼠肝脏发生氧化应激。8周有氧运动改善TCDD急性暴露诱导的肝细胞损伤,改善肝脏氧化应激,这可能是运动改善TCDD肝毒性的机制之一。     

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     

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.     

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.     

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.     

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.     

What Every Conservation Biologist Should Know about Economic Theory

Abstract: The last century has seen the ascendance of a core economic model, which we will refer to as Walrasian economics. This model is driven by the psychological assumptions that humans act only in a self‐referential and narrowly rational way and that production can be described as a self‐contained circular flow between firms and households. These assumptions have critical implications for the way economics is used to inform conservation biology. Yet the Walrasian model is inconsistent with a large body of empirical evidence about actual human behavior, and it violates a number of basic physical laws. Research in behavioral science and neuroscience shows that humans are uniquely social animals and not self‐centered rational economic beings. Economic production is subject to physical laws including the laws of thermodynamics and mass balance. In addition, some contemporary economic theory, spurred by exciting new research in human behavior and a wealth of data about the negative global impact of the human economy on natural systems, is moving toward a world view that places consumption and production squarely in its behavioral and biophysical context. We argue that abandoning the straightjacket of the Walrasian core is essential to further progress in understanding the complex, coupled interactions between the human economy and the natural world. We call for a new framework for economic theory and policy that is consistent with observed human behavior, recognizes the complex and frequently irreversible interaction between human and natural systems, and directly confronts the cumulative negative effects of the human economy on the Earth's life support systems. Biophysical economics and ecological economics are two emerging economic frameworks in this movement.     

Effects of Coffee Management on Deforestation Rates and Forest Integrity

Knowledge about how forest margins are utilized can be crucial for a general understanding of changes in forest cover, forest structure, and biodiversity across landscapes. We studied forest‐agriculture transitions in southwestern Ethiopia and hypothesized that the presence of coffee (Coffea arabica)decreases deforestation rates because of coffee's importance to local economies and its widespread occurrence in forests and forest margins. Using satellite images and elevation data, we compared changes in forest cover over 37 years (1973–2010) across elevations in 2 forest‐agriculture mosaic landscapes (1100 km² around Bonga and 3000 km² in Goma‐Gera). In the field in the Bonga area, we determined coffee cover and forest structure in 40 forest margins that differed in time since deforestation. Both the absolute and relative deforestation rates were lower at coffee‐growing elevations compared with at higher elevations (?10/20% vs. ?40/50% comparing relative rates at 1800 m asl and 2300–2500 m asl, respectively). Within the coffee‐growing elevation, the proportion of sites with high coffee cover (>20%) was significantly higher in stable margins (42% of sites that had been in the same location for the entire period) than in recently changed margins (0% of sites where expansion of annual crops had changed the margin). Disturbance level and forest structure did not differ between sites with 30% or 3% coffee. However, a growing body of literature on gradients of coffee management in Ethiopia reports coffee's negative effects on abundances of forest‐specialist species. Even if the presence of coffee slows down the conversion of forest to annual‐crop agriculture, there is a risk that an intensification of coffee management will still threaten forest biodiversity, including the genetic diversity of wild coffee. Conservation policy for Ethiopian forests thus needs to develop strategies that acknowledge that forests without coffee production may have higher deforestation risks than forests with coffee production and that forests with coffee production often have lower biodiversity value. Efectos de la Administración Cafetalera sobre las Tasas de Deforestación y la Integridad de los Bosques     

Globalization of the Cashmere Market and the Decline of Large Mammals in Central Asia

As drivers of terrestrial ecosystems, humans have replaced large carnivores in most areas, and human influence not only exerts striking ecological pressures on biodiversity at local scales but also has indirect effects in distant corners of the world. We suggest that the multibillion dollar cashmere industry creates economic motivations that link western fashion preferences for cashmere to land use in Central Asia. This penchant for stylish clothing, in turn, encourages herders to increase livestock production which affects persistence of over 6 endangered large mammals in these remote, arid ecosystems. We hypothesized that global trade in cashmere has strong negative effects on native large mammals of deserts and grassland where cashmere‐producing goats are raised. We used time series data, ecological snapshots of the biomass of native and domestic ungulates, and ecologically and behaviorally based fieldwork to test our hypothesis. In Mongolia increases in domestic goat production were associated with a 3‐fold increase in local profits for herders coexisting with endangered saiga (Saiga tatarica).That increasing domestic grazing pressure carries fitness consequences was inferred on the basis of an approximately 4‐fold difference in juvenile recruitment among blue sheep (Pseudois nayaur)in trans‐Himalayan India. Across 7 study areas in Mongolia, India, and China's Tibetan Plateau, native ungulate biomass is now <5% that of domestic species. Such trends suggest ecosystem degradation and decreased capacity for the persistence of native species, including at least 8 Asian endemic species: saiga, chiru (Pantholops hodgsoni), Bactrian camel (Camelus bactrianus), snow leopard(Panthera uncia), khulan(Equus hemionus), kiang (E. kiang), takhi (E. przewalski), and wild yak (Bos mutus). Our results suggest striking yet indirect and unintended actions that link trophic‐level effects to markets induced by the trade for cashmere. Globalización del Mercado de Cachemira y la Declinación de Mamíferos Mayores en Asia Central