Quantitative Determination of Rarity of Freshwater Fishes and Implications for Imperiled‐Species Designations

Abstract: Conserving rare species and protecting biodiversity and ecosystem functioning depends on sound information on the nature of rarity. Rarity is multidimensional and has a variety of definitions, which presents the need for a quantitative classification scheme with which to categorize species as rare or common. We constructed such a classification for North American freshwater fishes to better describe rarity in fishes and provide researchers and managers with a tool to streamline conservation efforts. We used data on range extents, habitat specificities, and local population sizes of North American freshwater fishes and a variety of quantitative methods and statistical decision criteria, including quantile regression and a cost‐function algorithm to determine thresholds for categorizing a species as rare or common. Species fell into eight groups that conform to an established framework for rarity. Fishes listed by the American Fisheries Society (AFS) as endangered, threatened, or vulnerable were most often rare because their local population sizes were low, ranges were small, and they had specific habitat needs, in that order, whereas unlisted species were most often considered common on the basis of these three factors. Species with large ranges generally had few specific habitat needs, whereas those with small ranges tended to have narrow habitat specificities. We identified 30 species not designated as imperiled by AFS that were rare along all dimensions of rarity and may warrant further study or protection, and we found three designated species that were common along all dimensions and may require a review of their imperilment status. Our approach could be applied to other taxa to aid conservation decisions and serve as a useful tool for future revisions of listings of fish species.     

应用物种敏感性分布评价敌敌畏对淡水生物的生态风险

敌敌畏是一类重要的有机磷杀虫剂,但其对水生生态的影响至今研究较少。为了评价其生态风险,构建了淡水水生生物对敌敌畏的物种敏感性分布(species sensitivity distribution,SSD)模型,在此基础上,讨论了影响SSD模型的主要因素;并分析了该模型的不确定性;推导了敌敌畏对不同类别生物的5%危害浓度HC5(hazardous concentration for 5%the species)阈值;整理收集了我国重要流域水体中敌敌畏的环境浓度;结合SSD模型计算了对淡水生物的潜在影响比例(potentially affected fraction,PAF)。结果表明:1)不同模型的选择会影响HC5的结果,且Burr III模型拟合结果较好,推导的HC5值为0.37μg·L-1;2)无脊椎动物在敌敌畏低浓度范围内的敏感性明显高于脊椎动物。甲壳类动物与昆虫和蜘蛛类相似,敏感度较高,鱼类则较低;3)应用Burr III模型构建SSD时,参数k值对HC5最为敏感,蒙特卡罗随机模拟得到HC5变化范围为0.05~40.57μg·L-1,均值为5.07μg·L-1;4)敌敌畏对我国淡水生态影响较小,PAF均低于1%,其中黄河和太湖流域敌敌畏的生态风险高于其他河流湖泊,珠江口和南海北部较低。上述研究结果为评价敌敌畏对全国不同水体水生生物的潜在生态风险提供了科学依据。     

应用物种敏感性分布评估多环芳烃对淡水生物的生态风险（Assessing Ecological Risks of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons（PAHs）to Freshwater Organisms by Species Sensitivity Distributions）

阐述了利用物种敏感性分布进行生态风险评价的原理与方法,构建了淡水生物对8种常见多环芳烃(蒽、芘、苯并[a]芘、荧蒽、菲、芴、苊、萘)的物种敏感性分布;在此基础上,计算了这8种多环芳烃对不同类别生物的HC5(Hazardous Concentration for5%of the species)阈值,预测了不同浓度多环芳烃对生物的潜在影响比例PAF(Potentialaffected fraction),比较了不同类别生物对多环芳烃的敏感性,以及多环芳烃对淡水生物的生态风险,并对以红枫湖、黄河、白洋淀为代表的中国典型水体中的多环芳烃进行了联合生态风险评价.结果表明:1)当污染物浓度达到10μg·L-1时,半数多环芳烃的风险超过了5%的阈值;当浓度上升到100μg·L-1时,只有萘和苊没有显著生态风险.2)对于芴和荧蒽,无脊椎动物更为敏感;而对于萘,则脊椎动物更敏感.3)通过HC5值比较和SSD曲线图比较,可得出污染物对所有物种的生态风险大小依次为:蒽>芘>苯并[a]芘>荧蒽>菲>芴>苊>萘;对脊椎动物风险大小为:荧蒽>苊>萘;对无脊椎动物:蒽>芘>荧蒽>菲>芴>苊>萘.4)多环芳烃在红枫湖、黄河、小白洋淀的生态风险均较低,急性联合msPAF(multisubstance PAF)值小于1%.     

Study of Fishes in the Chung-Kung Stream: Species Distribution and Organochlorine Pesticide Residues

Abstract

In this study, we investigated the potential for reductive dechlorination of 2,4-dichlorophenol (2,4-DCP), 2,4,6-trichlorophenol (2,4,6-TCP), and pentachlorophenol (PCP) by municipal sewage sludge adapted to 2,4-DCP at different concentrations. 2,4-DCP was completely dechlorinated within 4 weeks. After 18 weeks' incubation, 2,4,6-TCP was also completely dechlorinated and the residue of PCP was 0, 44.46, 51.96% at 0.5, 5, and 50 μg ml¹ respectively. the 2,4-DCP adapted communities initially removed the ortho-chlorine from PCP of 5.0, 50 μg ml¹, following an ortho < para < meta order of chlorine removal. Intermediate products were 3,4,5-TCP, 3,5-DCP, 3-CP (3-chlorophenol), phenol, benzoate and hexanoic acids, whereas PCP (0.5 μg ml¹) indicated a preference for meta-chlorine removal. the intermediate product of 2,4,6-TCP at three concentrations were 2,4-DCP, phenol, benzoate and hexanoic acid. These products were identified by GC-MASS spectrometry. the effects of supplements, including sodium citrate (0.08 mM), sodium pyruvate (0.18 mM), sodium sulphate (0.14 mM) had a direct stimulatory effect on the dechlorination of 2,4,6-TCP and PCP after treatment for 4 weeks, but dechlorination was inhibited after 8 weeks.     

Public Preference for Endemism over Other Conservation-Related Species Attributes

Abstract:  Public preferences are likely to play an important role in prioritizing species at risk for conservation. We conducted a survey of British Columbians (Canada) ( n = 555 , r = 73 % ) to examine how the public ranks a species' attributes (rather than named species) with respect to conservation priority. Endemism, defined as species only or mainly occurring in British Columbia or species occurring in British Columbia and nowhere else in Canada, was considered the most important among the measured attributes. This preference was strongest among men and among respondents who had completed postsecondary education. The preference for endemism is generally consistent with science-based federal listings of British Columbian species. This congruence between listing and public opinion is welcome if such congruence is considered important. We suggest that investigating how much the public values species' attributes, as opposed to named species, provides a more efficient way of incorporating public opinion into policies on species at risk, especially if large numbers of species must be ranked for conservation priority .     

Ecological Uses of Vertebrate Indicator Species: A Critique

Abstract: Plant and animal species have been used for decades as indicators of air and water quality and agricultural and range conditions. Increasingly, vertebrates are used to assess population trends and habitat quality for other species. In this paper we review the conceptual bases, assumptions, and published guidelines for selection and use of vertebrates as ecological indicators. We conclude that an absence of precise definitions and procedures, confounded criteria used to select species, and discordance with ecological literature severely weaken the effectiveness and credibility of using vertebrates as ecological indicators. In many cases the use of ecological indicator species is inappropriate, but when necessary, the following recommendations will make their use more rigorous: (1) clearly state assessment goals, (2) use indicators only when other assessment options are unavailable, (3) choose indicator species by explicitly defined criteria that are in accord with assessment goals, (4) include all species that fulfill stated selection criteria (5) know the biology of the indicator in detail, and treat the indicator as a formal estimator in conceptual and statistical models, (6) identify and define sources of subjectivity when selecting monitoring and intetpreting indicator species, (7) submit assessment design, methods of data collection and statistical analysis, interpretations, and recommendations to peer review and (8) direct research at developing an overall strategy for monitoring wildlife that accounts for natural variability in population attributes and incorporates concepts from landscape ecology.     

毒死蜱对六种淡水节肢动物的毒性与风险评价

采用静态法测定了毒死蜱对六种水生节肢动物的48 h毒性.试验结果表明,按实测浓度计,毒死蜱对大型溞Daphnia magna、老年低额溞Simocephalus vetulus、多刺裸腹潘Moina macrocopa、锯缘真蚤Eucyclops serrulatus、介形虫Pseudocandona sp.、花翅摇蚊Chironomus kiiensis幼虫的48 h-LC50(单位:μg· L-1)分别为0.523、0.0528、0.178、7.32、2.75、90.3.这表明毒死蜱对于上述6种水生节肢动物均属于剧毒.将稻田施药下的环境浓度预测值(EECs)与基于实测浓度的48 h-LC50相比对,得到毒死蜱相对于6种水生节肢动物的急性风险商值(RQ)分别为10.29、52.95、27.20、0.73、1.96、0.06.这说明除了摇蚊幼虫,按推荐剂量使用的毒死蜱对于其他5种水生节肢动物有较高程度的急性风险.     

Challenges and Opportunities in Implementing Managed Relocation for Conservation of Freshwater Species

Abstract: The rapidity of climate change is predicted to exceed the ability of many species to adapt or to disperse to more climatically favorable surroundings. Conservation of these species may require managed relocation (also called assisted migration or assisted colonization) of individuals to locations where the probability of their future persistence may be higher. The history of non‐native species throughout the world suggests managed relocation may not be applicable universally. Given the constrained existence of freshwater organisms within highly dendritic networks containing isolated ponds, lakes, and rivers, managed relocation may represent a useful conservation strategy. Yet, these same distinctive properties of freshwater ecosystems may increase the probability of unintended ecological consequences. We explored whether managed relocation is an ecologically sound conservation strategy for freshwater systems and provided guidelines for identifying candidates and localities for managed relocation. A comparison of ecological and life‐history traits of freshwater animals associated with high probabilities of extirpation and invasion suggests that it is possible to select species for managed relocation to minimize the likelihood of unintended effects to recipient ecosystems. We recommend that translocations occur within the species’ historical range and optimally within the same major river basin and that lacustrine and riverine species be translocated to physically isolated seepage lakes and upstream of natural or artificial barriers, respectively, to lower the risk of secondary spread across the landscape. We provide five core recommendations to enhance the scientific basis of guidelines for managed relocation in freshwater environments: adopt the term managed translocation to reflect the fact that individuals will not always be reintroduced within their historical native range; examine the trade‐off between facilitation of individual movement and the probability of range expansion of non‐native species; determine which species and locations might be immediately considered for managed translocation; adopt a hypothetico‐deductive framework by conducting experimental trials to introduce species of conservation concern into new areas within their historical range; build on previous research associated with species reintroductions through communication and synthesis of case studies.     

Ecological Impact of Introduced Crayfish on Benthic Fishes in a British Lowland River

Pacifastacus leniusculus (Dana), a native crayfish of western North America, was introduced into the U.K. in 1976. Our study examined some interactions between P. leniusculus and benthic fish in a British lowland river, the River Great Ouse. In a river survey an inverse correlation was found between the abundance of crayfish and the two dominant benthic fishes, bullhead (Cottus gobio L.) and stone loach (   Noemacheilus barbatulus [L.]) in six riffles. The benthic fishes were least abundant in the riffle nearest the original site of crayfish introduction and gradually increased in abundance both up and down river as crayfish abundance decreased. The hypotheses that crayfish compete with bullheads and stone loach for shelter and prey on fish were tested by laboratory experiments in an outdoor artificial stream (6 × 2 m) with recirculating water and 12 artificial shelters on the bottom. In competition experiments 12 fish of one species were alternatively kept alone and with 12 crayfish for 3-day cycles lasting a total of 12 days. The results showed that crayfish out-competed both fish species for shelter. Predation was measured by keeping 24 fish of each species alone and with 36 crayfish for 10 days respectively in the artificial stream. The mortalities of both fish species were significantly higher when crayfish were present. The loss of fish could be partly due to predation because crayfish guts contained the remains of some lost fish and they were observed preying on both fishes in a tank. In the river crayfish lived at high densities reaching ≥ to 20 m⁻² in riffles, and they continued to disperse. This may lead to a great reduction in benthic fish abundance if not local extinctions.     

毒死蜱对我国南方稻区水域中12种淡水鱼的毒性

毒死蜱作为稻田常用农药,普遍存在于稻区沟渠、池塘和河流中,从而对生活在其中的鱼类具有潜在风险。通过短期暴露试验,比较了毒死蜱在纯水、水-沉积物体系中对淡水鱼的毒性效应,进一步研究了毒死蜱在不同鱼体内的生物富集作用,以及对鱼脑Ach E活性的影响。试验结果表明:毒死蜱对12种淡水鱼均表现为高毒或剧毒,最敏感的是太阳鱼,但体系中沉积物的存在会通过吸附作用降低农药对鱼类的毒性;毒死蜱在鱼体内表现为中等或高富集性,其中斑马鱼的富集系数最大;毒死蜱对鱼脑Ach E酶活性有明显抑制作用,其中以虹鳟最敏感。研究结果为稻田常用农药对水生态环境中鱼类安全的风险性评价提供了科学依据。     

淡水环境中短链氯化石蜡的预测无效应浓度及生态风险评估

短链氯化石蜡(short-chain chlorinated paraffins, SCCPs)是《斯德哥尔摩公约》增列的一类持久性有机污染物。搜集筛选出SCCPs对8种淡水生物的慢性毒性数据,构建了物种敏感度分布曲线(SSD),推导出SCCPs的淡水预测无效应浓度(PNECwater)为0.425μg·L~(-1),淡水沉积物预测无效应浓度(PNECsed)为992.5μg·kg-1。搜集了国内外部分淡水河流水体及沉积物中SCCPs环境暴露数据,运用商值法,评估SCCPs的生态风险。结果表明,长江中游和白洋淀水体风险商范围为2.6～154.4和3.7～132.5,处于高风险;国外河流SCCPs污染水平较低,北美地区与日本淡水河流SCCPs风险商小于1,处于低风险。长江中游沉积物的SCCPs的风险商高达400.6,呈现显著风险,欧洲工业区域淡水沉积物中SCCPs存在潜在风险。本研究为SCCPs水质标准制定与环境风险管理提供参考依据。     

Economic Science, Endangered Species, and Biodiversity Loss

Abstract: Although economic analysis can be used to argue for preservation of species and habitats, many natural assets represent inferior investments in society's asset portfolio. We demonstrate this for the case of ancient temperate rainforests and minke whales (  Balaenoptera acutorostrata ). For both rainforests and whales, we determined their value for harvest and balanced this against society's valuation of the preserved stock. For the market and nonmarket data available, we then determined how much rainforest and how many minke whales global society should keep in its asset portfolio. Although ecologists increasingly attempt to justify preservation of biological assets on economic grounds, we argue that this might be a dangerous approach to take. Ultimately, it may be necessary to reexamine the ethical foundations for conservation of nature and biodiversity, including the economist's use of utilitarianism. We suggest that the safe minimum standard approach may prove useful in practice.     

浮游动物物种构成对于淡水测试系统抗农药胁迫能力的影响

多物种系统在农药生态效应的评估中不可或缺,有必要探索系统的建立和应用,为此笔者构建了包含隆线溞(Daphnia carinata)、中华薄壳介(Dolerocypris sinensis)和锯缘真剑水蚤(Eucyclops serrulatus) 3种节肢动物当中的1种或全部,以及包含萼花臂尾轮虫(Brachionus calyciflorus)、小球藻(Chlorella vulgaris)和轮叶黑藻(Hydrilla verticillata)的4组多物种系统。它们被用来测量杀虫剂毒死蜱的群落效应。研究结果显示,包含3种节肢动物的测试系统比只包含1种的系统中群落结构更稳定,更能够揭示杀虫剂对轮虫的诱导效应,其对杀虫剂也更敏感。毒死蜱在该系统内的最高无作用浓度(NOEC)和最低有效浓度(LOEC)分别为0.25和1.25μg·L~(-1)。本研究所构建的是一类总氮、总磷和浊度水平趋于下降的测试系统。杀虫剂的引入促进了系统内p H、铵态氮和电导率水平的上升以及总氮、总磷和浊度水平的下降。从LOEC的数值及持续时间上看,游离态壳二糖酶可以被用来指示农药对浮游动物的胁迫。本研究的结果显示,包含3种节肢动物的测试系统能够更准确地衡量农药对浮游动物的生态胁迫。     

Species and Cultural Conservation in New Zealand: Maori Traditional Ecological Knowledge of Tuatara

Abstract:  Traditional ecological knowledge can be highly informative and integrated with complementary scientific knowledge to improve species management. This is especially true for abundant species with which indigenous peoples have frequent interactions (e.g., through harvest), but has been studied less frequently in isolated or declining species. We examined Maori traditional ecological knowledge of tuatara ( Sphenodon spp., reptiles that resemble lizards but are the last living representatives of the order Sphenodontia) through semidirected interviews of elders of Te Atiawa, Ngati Koata, and Ngati Wai Iwi (similar to tribes), the guardians of several islands currently inhabited by tuatara. Maori are indigenous to New Zealand, having settled 800 to 1000 years ago. Tuatara are endemic to New Zealand, have declined in numbers since human settlement, and are now restricted to 37 offshore islands. The detail and volume of tuatara traditional ecological knowledge were less than that recorded in studies of more abundant or accessible species. In addition, traditional knowledge of the cultural significance of tuatara was more common and detailed among the elders than traditional knowledge of tuatara biology or ecology. The traditional knowledge collected, however, provided the first evidence of seven former sites of tuatara occupation, suggested five additional sites tuatara may currently occupy, contained novel hypotheses for scientific testing, and described tuatara cultural roles that have not been reported previously. We conclude that, in at least some cases, traditional ecological knowledge may persist as species decline and may serve as a valuable source of ecological information for conservation .