Cascading Effects of the Introduced Nile Perch on the Detritivorous/Phytoplanktivorous Species in the Sublittoral Areas of Lake Victoria

In the 1980s an explosive increase of the introduced Nile perch ( Lates sp.; Harrison 1991) in Lake Victoria caused the destruction of approximately 65% of the endemic haplochromine cichlids. The eradication of approximately 200 vertebrate species in less than a decade may well represent the largest extinction event among vertebrates during this century. The introduction of the Nile perch can be considered as a large-scale, albeit unintended, experiment. Farreaching changes in the food web are taking place. We present data on the importance of haplochromines in the ecosystem prior to the Nile perch boom. An analysis of the pelagic community in the sublittoral area of the Mwanza Gulf revealed that the phytoplanktivores formed 18% of the biomass of the total haplochromine community. In the benthic community, the detritivores that frequently included phytoplankton in their diet comprised 31% of the biomass. We examine the hypothesis that algal grazing was reduced by the disappearance of haplochromine phytoplanktivores and detritivores. The disappearance of these groups may have contributed to the recent algal blooms. To investigate this hypothesis we consider a second major change in the system. Coinciding with the decrease of the haplochromines, the number of atyid prawns, Caridina nilotica , has strongly increased. We present preliminary evidence that the stock of the detritivorous haplochromines that formerly comprised most of the demersal ichthyomass has (partially?) been replaced by the prawn. We discuss the possible mechanisms underlying this major change in the food web. With respect to the conservation of the Great African Lakes, tbe collapse of Lake Victoria's ecosystem should serve as an example of how easily a complex ecosystem can be irreversibly destroyed.     

Effects of a Proposed Ex Situ Conservation Program on In Situ Conservation of the Babirusa, an Endangered Suid

Abstract: Detailed data are rarely available to show how interventions such as captive breeding programs can create an uncontrolled demand for live specimens of endangered species. We present a case study of the effect of a planned, internationally recognized captive breeding program on trade in the endangered babirusa wild pig from July to December 1998. Although the program had not yet begun, international interest in the captive breeding of babirusas gave hunters and dealers the false impression that there was a potentially lucrative and officially sanctioned national and international demand for any live babirusas they might catch. Swift action by the Indonesian authorities halted this trade, but the study provides a warning about the damage that can be caused to the conservation of a species if management programs are instituted without a full understanding of the practicalities of its conservation, particularly interactions between the species and local people.     

Human Impacts on Drainages of the Mesa Central, Mexico, and Its Genetic Effects on an Endangered Fish, Zoogoneticus quitzeoensis

Abstract:  The Mesa Central of Mexico is of special conservation interest due to its high richness of freshwater fish species, of which the goodeines are one of the most representative groups. Through an integrated approach, we determined conservation priorities for goodeine populations. We based our recommendations on the genetic diversity (variation in five microsatellite DNA loci) in 10 populations of Zoogoneticus quitzeoensis and on an analysis of ecological (e.g., presence of exotic species), social (e.g., political situation), and environmental (e.g., pollution) information for 52 historical occurrence points for species in the genus Zoogoneticus . Patterns of genetic erosion and genetic diversity indices were closely associated with human impact. Recent bottleneck events were most evident in the populations from remnants of the lakes drained at the beginning of the twentieth century. We identified seven operational conservation units (OCUs), all of which should be conserved because they contain unique portions of the total variation of the species. Special attention needs to be given to increase genetic variability, recover population sizes, and reestablish contact among populations within OCUs. It is imperative to create an integrative and effective approach for the recovery and conservation of the freshwater fish diversity of Central Mexico that is based on social and natural sciences.     

孑遗植物四合木(Tetraenamongolica)迁地保护中的光合作用日变化特征与生理生态适应性

为了进一步廓清迁地保护条件下孑遗植物四合木（Tetraena mongolica）的光合生理生态适应性,在分析了瞬时光合效率的基础上,应用LI-6400光合作用测定系统测定了迁地保护试验区的四合木以及原生境伴生种白刺（Nitraria tangutorum）的光合作用日变化,并测定了其生长量。结果表明：四合木实生苗的生长南北冠幅大小依次为乌海四合木核心区实生苗（26.48 cm×27.26 cm）>鄂尔多斯实生苗（21.27 cm×21.75 cm）>阿拉善实生苗（19.25 cm×18.27 cm）。在原生境地乌海四合木核心区种植的实生苗与阿拉善实生苗之间的生长量存在显著差异（P≤0.01）,与鄂尔多斯实生苗之间的生长量存在显著差异（P≤0.05）。迁地保护条件下四合木生实生苗植株叶片光合速率Pn日变化均呈“双峰”曲线。不同试验区四合木光合作用日变化（Pn）、蒸腾速率（Tr）、气孔导度（Gs）和胞间 CO2浓度（Ci）均表现出明显的分异。迁地保护四合木条件下原生境地栽培的四合木实生苗的光合速率>鄂尔多斯栽培的四合木实生苗的光合速率>阿拉善栽培的四合木实生苗。鉴此可以作进一步推论,孑遗濒危植物四合木从原生境地西鄂尔多斯核心区（乌海）东移进行迁地保护具有更高的生理生态适应性和生境适宜性。但完成“从种子到种子”进而实现“保存性和代表性”,最终实现四合木迁地保护的“保持性和防止性”,保持其遗传多样性和遗传稳定性,最终成功实现四合木的迁地保护仍有待作进一步探索和深入研究。     

Effects of Knowledge of an Endangered Species on Recreationists’ Attitudes and Stated Behaviors and the Significance of Management Compliance for Ohlone Tiger Beetle Conservation

Recreation is a leading cause of species decline on public lands, yet sometimes it can be used as a tool for conservation. Engagement in recreational activities, such as hiking and biking, in endangered species habitats may even enhance public support for conservation efforts. We used the case of the endangered Ohlone tiger beetle (Cicindela ohlone) to investigate the effect of biking and hiking on the beetle's behavior and the role of recreationists’ knowledge of and attitudes toward Ohlone tiger beetle in conservation of the species. In Inclusion Area A on the University of California Santa Cruz (U.S.A.) campus, adult Ohlone tiger beetles mate and forage in areas with bare ground, particularly on recreational trails; however, recreation disrupts these activities. We tested the effect of recreation on Ohlone tiger beetles by observing beetle behavior on trails as people walked and road bikes at slow and fast speed and on trails with no recreation. We also surveyed recreationists to investigate how their knowledge of the beetle affected their attitudes toward conservation of the beetle and stated compliance with regulations aimed at beetle conservation. Fast cycling caused the beetles to fly off the trail more often and to fly farther than slow cycling or hiking. Slow cycling and hiking did not differ in their effect on the number of times and distance the beetles flew off the trail. Recreationists’ knowledge of the beetle led to increased stated compliance with regulations, and this stated compliance is likely to have tangible conservation outcomes for the beetle. Our results suggest management and education can mitigate the negative effect of recreation and promote conservation of endangered species. Efectos del Conocimiento de una Especie en Peligro sobre las Actitudes y Comportamientos Declarados de los Recreacionistas y el Significado del Manejo de la Conformidad para la Conservación del Escarabajo Tigre de Ohlone     

不同氮源对4种海洋微藻生长的影响

采用实验室一次性培养的方法,研究了硝氮、氨氮、尿素和混合氨基酸等4种不同氮源对典型赤潮藻赤潮异弯藻Heterosigma akashiwo、凯伦藻Karenia sp.、球形棕囊藻Phaeocystis globosa和常见浮游植物优势种类角毛藻Chaetoceros sp.生长的影响。结果表明,这4种海洋微藻不仅能利用无机氮硝氮和氨氮,而且也均能利用有机氮尿素和混合氨基酸。赤潮异弯藻、凯伦藻和角毛藻均在以硝氮为唯一氮源时,比生长速率分别达到最大值0.45、0.52和0.70 d-1;而球形棕囊藻在以硝氮和尿素为唯一氮源时,比生长速率均达最大值0.65 d-1。可溶性有机氮库中的重要组成成分尿素和氨基酸均能显著促进4种海洋微藻的生长;相比较而言,赤潮异弯藻和凯伦藻更加喜好有机氮氨基酸,而球形棕囊藻和角毛藻更加喜好尿素。海洋微藻具备利用有机氮源的能力,无疑扩展了其氮营养来源,在无机氮缺乏而有机氮丰富的水体中,它们在浮游植物群落中更具有竞争优势。     

福建洛阳江口红树林湿地恢复对蟹类密度的影响

底栖动物尤其是蟹类对红树林湿地生态系统的生态功能恢复有重要意义,研究检验不同红树林种类及林龄和郁闭度是否对蟹类分布情况存在显著影响。从福建洛阳江口红树林湿地动态变化对蟹类密度的影响可以看出：不同植被类型对蟹类密度的影响达到极显著水平。光滩与成熟的秋茄（Kandelia candel）,桐花树（Aegiceras corniculatum）和白骨壤（Avicennia marina）之间有显著性差异（P〈0.05）,而桐花树、秋茄、白骨壤之间无显著性差异（P〉0.05）。在不同红树林树种和林龄2因素对蟹类密度的影响的双因素分析中：树种、林龄、树种和林龄间互作均对蟹类密度的影响达到极显著水平;在不同红树林树种和郁闭度2因素对蟹类密度的影响的双因素方差分析中：树种对蟹类密度的影响达到极显著水平,郁闭度对蟹类密度的影响达到显著水平;树种和郁闭度之间互作对蟹类密度的影响不显著。     

红壤坡地降雨产流产沙动态过程模拟试验研究

研究以浙江省兰溪水土保持综合试验站为研究基地,通过设定特定植被覆盖度（15%）不同坡度（8°、15°、20°）的径流试验小区,小区面积为2m2,采用野外人工模拟降雨试验方法,对降雨强度（0.8～2.9mm·min-1）范围内,红壤坡地产流和产沙随雨强和坡度的变化特性进行了模拟试验。通过32场模拟降雨试验数据的分析,得出结论如下：①产沙量与雨强呈指数函数关系,产流量与雨强呈幂函数关系,径流量与产沙量的相关性大于雨强与径流、雨强与产沙;②随坡度的增大,产流时刻提前,泥沙起动和产沙突增的雨强临界减小;③随坡度增大,累积产沙量的递增速率比累积径流量的递增速率要快;④场降雨侵蚀模数与雨强的相关性随着坡度的增大而增强。     

The effects of feeding by the black bean aphidAphis fabae Scop. (Homoptera: Aphididae) on copper and cadmium accumulation in broad bean (Vicia faba L.)

Broad beans (Vicia faba L.), cultured hydroponically were supplied with 100 g mL^–1 copper or 50 g mL^–1 cadmium in nutrient solution. Samples of plant material from both nutrient regimes were analysed before and after infestation by the black bean aphid (Aphis fabae Scop.). Heavy aphid infestation resulted in a significant reduction in copper content of shoots in comparison with uninfested plants. A similar, but less well- defined, situation occurred in the case of cadmium.Further investigations examined the effects of different levels of aphid infestation on the above phenomena. In all cases the presence of feeding aphids reduced elemental accumulation in plant shoots. Long term infestation with population densities as low as three adult aphids showed a reduction in shoot copper and cadmium content.