元宝山冷杉濒危原因初探

元宝山冷杉是仅分布于广西融水县元宝山上的濒危树种。配方分析认为致使其濒危的主要原因是气候变迁,此外,种子发芽率低,群落环境以及人为活动影响也是导致其濒危的重要原因。     

中国特有植物猪血木的濒危原因及保护对策

猪血木(Euryodendron excelsum H.T.Chang)为中国特有的山茶科单型属猪血木属的珍稀濒危植物,现仅分布于广东省阳春县八甲镇地区,且仅残存一个居群,居群内个体数量仅100余株,该物种已被列为国家二级保护植物。物种濒危原因分析是生物多样性保护的关键环节,文章从猪血木的地理分布、生活史特性、种群分布现状及生态环境因素影响等方面分析了该物种的濒危现状,猪血木种群地理分布的局限性限制了其空间拓展;种子萌发和幼苗生长对生境要求特殊和种群现状不利于其更新和发展,人为干扰对猪血木影响严重。其濒危的主要原因是人为因素引起的生境破碎化和过度砍伐所导致的个体数量下降,文章认为现存种群和生境的保护是濒危物种保护的最有效手段,针对猪血木的濒危现状和原因,提出了就地保护,促进自然种群的繁衍更新,建立猪血木繁育基地进行迁地保护和回归引种的保护策略,以期为猪血木的保护和种群恢复提供科学的理论指导,也为中国珍稀濒危物种和生物多样性的保护提供基础资料。     

珍稀濒危植物沙冬青生物学特性及抗逆性研究进展

沙冬青是我国西北荒漠地区唯一的超旱生常绿灌木树种,生境严酷,抗逆性极强,是一种优良的种质资源,现已被列为珍稀濒危植物、本文综述了沙冬青的生物学特性、生态生理特征、珍稀濒危的原因及扩大快繁的组织培养研究进展,从形态解剖特点、超微组织生理代谢调控角度,从抗旱、抗寒、抗盐碱3个方面分析了沙冬青能在逆境中得以生存的原因及其适应残酷生境的机理,阐述了沙冬青的多种价值及开发应用前景、参43     

广西特有植物瑶山苣苔的濒危原因及保护对策

瑶山苣苔(Dayaoshania cotinifolia W.T.Wang)是苦苣苔科多年生草本植物,为国家Ⅰ级重点保护野生植物.在2004-2006年对瑶山苣苔资源现状、生物学和生态学特性调查的基础上,探讨了瑶山苣苔的濒危原因及解濒措施.结果表明,人为原因是导致瑶山苣苔濒危的最主要原因;其次是昆虫对瑶山苣果实的捕食显著减少了种子数量;第三,瑶山苣苔同有的生物学特性限制其种群数量增加.为更好的保护瑶山苣苔,作者建议采用就地保护策略,即建立金秀老山自然保护区独木桥和青年工区两个瑶山苣苔保护点,有效地保护该种群及其分布生境;同时加强瑶山苣苔的科学研究,实施迁地保护.     

短柄五加濒危趋势和致濒因素的初步分析

研究了短柄五加种群致濒的因素和机制 .1)通过环境筛分析 ,认为短柄五加种群在 5～ 8a和 11～ 12a两个年龄阶段受到强烈的环境筛过滤作用 ,这两个阶段可能是濒危的关键阶段 .2 )通过对短柄五加种群生物量增长过程中关键因子的分析 ,确定了影响种群生物量的主导生境因子 ,主要是群落类型、群落郁闭度和坡度、坡向等 .影响种群增长的主导生境因子的脆弱性 ,增大了短柄五加种群濒危的趋势 .3)通过对短柄五加种子生态及生殖生态的初步分析 ,认为种群实生苗更新失败是短柄五加种群濒危的重要因素 .4)放牧、采挖和对次生落叶阔叶林的砍伐等人类活动 ,加快了短柄五加种群濒危的速度 .图 1表 3参 11     

新记录的水蕨种群特征和群落的物种多样性

近几十年来,由于人类活动的影响,水蕨在我国的分布范围和种群数量正日趋减少,濒临灭绝,现被列为国家二级重点保护野生植物.根据标本记载和相关研究资料,于2003年8月至2006年10月,对分布在我国热带和亚热带的濒危植物水蕨进行广泛的野外调查.在每一调查点,用全球定位系统(GPS)测定了各样点的经纬度,记录了其生境特征和种群的生长状况,采集和鉴定水蕨及其主要伴生种,研究了其群落的结构特征.结果发现濒危植物水蕨的7个分布新记录.它们分别位于云南勐腊县郊区和勐仑、广东英德和阳春、浙江临安、海南三亚以及湖南郴州.新发现的水蕨种群主要生长在稻田或废弃稻田、水沟、菜地、旅游区.与水蕨相伴生的物种主要有11科15属17种,分别隶属于7个群丛.人类活动是导致水蕨濒危的主要原因.凭证标本均保存于武汉大学植物标本馆.     

不同生境下报春苣苔的光合作用日变化特性

国家一级濒危植物报春苣苔Primulina tabacum Hance是苦苣苔科多年生草本植物。研究不同生境下报春苣苔在干湿季的光合作用日变化动态及其对环境因子响应,结果表明：旷地午间时段,光合有效辐射（PAR）增加伴随着空气湿度（RH）的显著下降,此时报春苣苔的净光合速率（Pn）因受光抑制和气孔限制的影响而下降。岩洞生境下报春苣苔的Pn没有受到抑制,但其Pn和光合碳水化合物（CH2O）生成速率较低,洞内光照缺乏是限制其光合碳同化的原因之一。3个样地检测的Pn、CH2O产生速率、气孔导度（Gs）、蒸腾速率（Tr）以及Rubisco的Vo/Vc比率等在湿季均优于干季。主成分分析表明叶片Narea与Chl含量、比叶重（LMA）以及气孔密度对光合作用具有显著影响。Pearson相关分析表明不同生境下影响报春苣苔Pn的关键生态因子有所不同,旷地强光环境下过高的叶片水蒸气压亏缺（VPD）和气温（ta）直接限制净光合速率的水平,而在岩洞弱光高湿环境中,PAR则成为Pn的限制因子。同一环境因子在不同生境下对报春苣苔Pn的影响也有所不同：在旷地强光生境下,空气湿度（RH）的适度增加有利于降低过高的VPD,促进气孔开放而提高Pn。而在岩洞低光条件下,过高RH则会使降低VPD而不利于叶片的气体交换,使光合作用受影响。这个结果启示,在进行报春苣苔野外回归栽培时,应该注意PAR和RH等环境因子的控制。     

白龟湖自然保护区冬季鸟类多样性分析

鸟类是湿地生态系统的重要组成成分,也被认为是最好的生物指示物种。2019年12月至2021年12月采用样线法和样点法对白龟湖自然保护区鸟类多样性进行调查,共记录到鸟类94种,隶属于13目34科。其中,国家Ⅰ级保护动物2种,国家Ⅱ级保护动物11种,河南省重点保护鸟类4种。自然保护区内鸟类Shannon-Wiener指数(H)为3.71,均匀度指数(J)为0.57,Simpson指数(D)为0.84,Margalef指数(M)为9.73,优势种为白骨顶(Fulica atra)。IUCN红色名录濒危等级中极危1种,濒危2种,近危2种,易危1种。东洋界、古北界和广布种鸟类分别为9、34和51种。冬候鸟、夏候鸟、留鸟和旅鸟分别为30、9、26和29种。不同生境中多样性指数也有所不同,H、J和D指数均以乡村农田、人工灌木丛和公园生境为较高,以湖泊、河流河汊和石滩滩涂生境为较低;但M指数以湖泊、乡村农田和河流河汊生境为较高,以公园、人工灌木丛和石滩滩涂生境为较低。此次调查不仅丰富了白龟湖自然保护区鸟类名录,而且为保护该湿地冬季鸟类提供了科学依据。     

江西省永丰样区两栖动物多样性的时空差异

两栖动物作为环境监测的指示生物,具有重要的生态学意义。为了解江西省永丰样区两栖动物多样性的时空格局,于2018年4、6和8月选取溪流、水田和人工水渠3种不同生境类型,设置15条样线开展监测,记录样线内环境数据及两栖动物种类和数量。结果显示:(1)共调查到两栖动物2目7科16属18种,其中濒危和易危种各1种;(2)溪流、水田和人工水渠生境的优势物种分别为武夷湍蛙、泽陆蛙和福建大头蛙,但不同月份间存在差异;(3)皮尔森相关分析显示,水田生境下相对多度与气温、物种丰富度和相对多度与水温均呈负相关,人工水渠生境下相对多度与气温呈正相关;(4)水田和人工水渠生境的物种丰富度、相对多度、辛普森指数和香农-维纳指数明显高于溪流生境,4、6和8月相对多度逐渐减少,生境类型和月份的交互作用是相对多度的变异来源;(5)水田-人工水渠的Cody指数明显低于其余生境间的两两比较。综上所述,江西永丰样区的两栖动物多样性存在明显的时空差异。     

山东省濒危物种多样性调查与评价

以县级行政区域为单元,调查了山东省高等动植物濒危物种的种类、濒危等级及其县域分布状况,建立了各县域濒危物种名录,计算了各县域濒危物种丰度指数,分析了濒危物种空间分布格局,提出了濒危物种保护对策。结果表明：山东省濒危野生高等动物物种有80种,其极危、濒危、易危和近危物种种类分别为3、11、34和32种。濒危野生维管束植物物种有24种,其极危、易危和近危物种种类分别为1、6和17种。濒危野生高等动物在全省120个县域均有分布,物种种类在21．50之间变化;濒危野生维管柬植物仅分布在74个县域,物种种类变化范围在1-18之间。山东省濒危物种丰度指数较小,各县域濒危物种丰度指数变化范围在3．75％-6．76％之间。濒危物种多样性空间分布规律反映了山东省实际情况。     

Association of Coloration Mode with Population Declines and Endangerment in Australian Frogs

Abstract: Successful protection of biodiversity requires increased understanding of the ecological characteristics that predispose some species to endangerment. Theory posits that species with polymorphic or variable coloration should have larger distributions, use more diverse resources, and be less vulnerable to population declines and extinctions, compared with taxa that do not vary in color. We used information from literature on 194 species of Australian frogs to search for associations of coloration mode with ecological variables. In general, species with variable or polymorphic color patterns had larger ranges, used more habitats, were less prone to have a negative population trend, and were estimated as less vulnerable to extinction compared with nonvariable species. An association of variable coloration with lower endangerment was also evident when we controlled statistically for the effects of range size. Nonvariable coloration was not a strong predictor of endangerment, and information on several characteristics is needed to reliably identify and protect species that are prone to decline and may become threatened by extinction in the near future. Analyses based on phylogenetic‐independent contrasts did not support the hypothesis that evolutionary transitions between nonvariable and variable or polymorphic coloration have been accompanied by changes in the ecological variables we examined. Irrefutable demonstration of a role of color pattern variation in amphibian decline and in the dynamics and persistence of populations in general will require a manipulative experimental approach.     

Topology of Extinction and Endangerment of Native Fishes in the Pacific Northwest and California (U.S.A.)

Recent studies have provided a broad data base on extinction and endangerment of species, subspecies, and distinct populations of inland fishes in western North America. Development of a synoptic, regional-scale image of extinction and risk of extinction is complicated by the small size and linear distribution of fluvial aquatic habitats and by interspecific variation in areal extent of populations. I developed a regional map of extinction-risk isopleths based on the number of extinct and persistently declining species in drainage basins of the Pacific Northwest and California. This topological synthesis is useful for delineating and monitoring areas of historic and ongoing loss of aquatic biodiversity, and for relating losses to patterns of land use and habitat modification, climate hydrology, and geomorphology. From an ecological perspective, endangerment of numerous indigenous populations of seven widely distributed species of anadromous salmonids in this region is as important as the more local, diffuse effects of declines in more than 60 endemic, nonanadromous species and subspecies. The simultaneous decline of numerous taxa in basins not afflicted with dams or diversions suggests that cumulative damage to aquatic habitats caused by logging, grazing, urbanization, and other land uses plays a major role in icthyofaunal impoverishment.     

Geography and Recovery under the U.S. Endangered Species Act

Abstract: The U.S. Endangered Species Act (ESA) defines an endangered species as one “at risk of extinction throughout all or a significant portion of its range.” The prevailing interpretation of this phrase, which focuses exclusively on the overall viability of listed species without regard to their geographic distribution, has led to development of listing and recovery criteria with fundamental conceptual, legal, and practical shortcomings. The ESA's concept of endangerment is broader than the biological concept of extinction risk in that the “esthetic, ecological, educational, historical, recreational, and scientific” values provided by species are not necessarily furthered by a species mere existence, but rather by a species presence across much of its former range. The concept of “significant portion of range” thus implies an additional geographic component to recovery that may enhance viability, but also offers independent benefits that Congress intended the act to achieve. Although the ESA differs from other major endangered‐species protection laws because it acknowledges the distinct contribution of geography to recovery, it resembles the “representation, resiliency, and redundancy” conservation‐planning framework commonly referenced in recovery plans. To address representation, listing and recovery standards should consider not only what proportion of its former range a species inhabits, but the types of habitats a species occupies and the ecological role it plays there. Recovery planning for formerly widely distributed species (e.g., the gray wolf [Canis lupus]) exemplifies how the geographic component implicit in the ESA's definition of endangerment should be considered in determining recovery goals through identification of ecologically significant types or niche variation within the extent of listed species, subspecies, or “distinct population segments.” By linking listing and recovery standards to niche and ecosystem concepts, the concept of ecologically significant type offers a scientific framework that promotes more coherent dialogue concerning the societal decisions surrounding recovery of endangered species.     

Evolution of within-colony distribution patterns of birds in response to habitat structure

It has long been suggested that habitat structure affects how colonial birds are distributed within their nesting aggregations, but this hypothesis has never been formally tested. The aim of this study was to test for a correlated evolution between habitat heterogeneity and within-colony distributions of Ciconiiformes by using Pagel’s general method of comparative analysis for discrete variables. The analysis indicated that central-periphery gradients of distribution (high-quality individuals occupying central nesting locations) prevail in species breeding in homogeneous habitats. These were mainly ground-nesting larids and spheniscids, where clear central-periphery patterns were recorded in ca. 80 % of the taxa. Since homogeneous habitats provide little variation in the physical quality of nest sites, central nesting locations should be largely preferred because they give better protection against predators by means of more efficient predator detection and deterrence. By contrast, central-periphery gradients tended to be disrupted in heterogeneous habitats, where 75 % of colonial Ciconiiform species showed uniform patterns of distribution. Under this model of distribution, edge nest sites of high physical quality confer higher fitness benefits in comparison to low-quality central sites, and thus, high-quality pairs are likely to choose nest sites irrespectively of their within-colony location. Breeding in homogeneous habitats and uniform distribution patterns were identified as probable ancestral states in Ciconiiformes, but there was a significant transition rate from uniform to central-periphery distributions in species occupying homogeneous habitats.     

A Framework for Prioritizing Domestic Animal Breeds for Conservation Purposes at the National Level: a Norwegian Case Study

Abstract: Although encompassing only a handful of species, domestic animals have had profound effects on food production for humankind and on human societies. On a global basis, a large proportion of breeds are currently in danger of becoming extinct in the near future. At this critical time, resources are limited and only a selected number of breeds may be supported by concrete conservation programs. I present a framework to facilitate decision making on a national level as to which breeds to support for conservation. These decisions should be made by a national committee of experts experienced with the different breeds and species. First, they must define the species of interest. Second, they should collate as much data as possible and score each breed for key criteria: degree of endangerment, presence of traits of current economic value, presence of traits of current scientific value, agroecological value in a special landscape, cultural-historical value, and genetic uniqueness. The degree of endangerment is the most important criterion because great uncertainty about the future means that all breeds may have traits of future economic or scientific value, so the main aim should therefore be to minimize loss of breeds. To illustrate use of the framework, I considered breed prioritization in Norway. I compared and scored 45 breeds from 17 domestic animal species for these key criteria and thus identified Norwegian breeds of high priority for conservation.     

The Normative Dimension and Legal Meaning of Endangered and Recovery in the U.S. Endangered Species Act

Abstract:  The ethical, legal, and social significance of the U.S. Endangered Species Act of 1973 (ESA) is widely appreciated. Much of the significance of the act arises from the legal definitions that the act provides for the terms threatened species and endangered species. The meanings of these terms are important because they give legal meaning to the concept of a recovered species. Unfortunately, the meanings of these terms are often misapprehended and rarely subjected to formal analysis. We analyzed the legal meaning of recovered species and illustrate key points with details from "recovery" efforts for the gray wolf ( Canis lupus ). We focused on interpreting the phrase "significant portion of its range," which is part of the legal definition of endangered species. We argue that recovery and endangerment entail a fundamentally normative dimension (i.e., specifying conditions of endangerment) and a fundamentally scientific dimension (i.e., determining whether a species meets the conditions of endangerment). Specifying conditions for endangerment is largely normative because it judges risks of extinction to be either acceptable or unacceptable. Like many other laws that specify what is unacceptable, the ESA largely specifies the conditions that constitute unacceptable extinction risk. The ESA specifies unacceptable risks of extinction by defining endangered species in terms of the portion of a species' range over which a species is "in danger of extinction." Our analysis indicated that (1) legal recovery entails much more than the scientific notion of population viability, (2) most efforts to recover endangered species are grossly inadequate, and (3) many unlisted species meet the legal definition of an endangered or threatened species.     

Identification of ecologically significant habitats for urban nature conservation: a case study in Turkey

Given the rapid urbanization of Turkey, sustained productivity of natural resources should be an integral part of any urban development policy. The biogeochemical cycles and ecosystem services link urban and rural ecosystems. It is, therefore, essential that ecologically significant habitats along urban-rural continuum be protected to secure public and environmental health. This necessitates their identification and the establishment of administrative and legal foundations for urban nature conservation in the management of urban habitats, should be established Ecological analysis of urban habitats of Kar?iyaka led to the identification of 19 ecologically significant habitats. Nature conservation priority was rated, using rarity, species richness, stratification, site age, and area of the habitats. Ecologically significant habitats made up about 54 ha of the total urban green space of 289 ha in Kar?iyaka. The total number of plant species was estimated to be 273.     

Limitations of Captive Breeding in Endangered Species Recovery

The use of captive breeding in species recovery has grown enormously in recent years, but without a concurrent growth in appreciation of its limitations. Problems with (1) establishing self-sufficient captive populations, (2) poor success in reintroductions, (3) high costs, (4) domestication, (5) preemption of other recovery techniques, (6) disease outbreaks, and (7) maintaining administrative continuity have all been significant. The technique has often been invoked prematurely and should not normally be employed before a careful field evaluation of costs and benefits of all conservation alternatives has been accomplished and a determination made that captive breeding is essential for species survival. Merely demonstrating that a species' population is declining or has fallen below what may be a minimum viable size does not constitute enough analysis to justify captive breeding as a recovery measure. Captive breeding should be viewed as a last resort in species recovery and not a prophylactic or long-term solution because of the inexorable genetic and phenotypic changes that occur in captive environments. Captive breeding can play a crucial role in recovery of some species for which effective alternatives are unavailable in the short term. However, it should not displace habitat and ecosystem protection nor should it be invoked in the absence of comprehensive efforts to maintain or restore populations in wild habitats. Zoological institutions with captive breeding programs should operate under carefully defined conditions of disease prevention and genetic/behavioral management. More important, these institutions should help preserve biodiversity through their capacities for public education, professional training, research, and support of in situ conservation efforts.     

Single Species as Indicators of Species Richness and Composition in California Coastal Sage Scrub Birds and Small Mammals

Abstract: Individual species may be useful as indicators of biodiversity if an association exists between the presence of a species and another component of biodiversity. We evaluated 40 species of birds and small mammals, including 11 species of conservation concern, as potential indicators of species richness and species composition in southern California coastal sage scrub habitats. This habitat, which is the target of large-scale conservation planning, has been greatly reduced by human development and supports many plants and animals of conservation concern. We asked whether there is an association between the presence of a potential indicator species and the species richness and composition of the bird or small-mammal community in which it is found. We used point counts and live-trapping to quantify the distribution of birds and small mammals, respectively, at 155 points in 16 sites located in three counties. Of the few species we found associated with species richness, some were associated with higher species richness and others with lower richness, and species of conservation concern were not more frequently associated with species richness than were common species. Ordination analysis revealed a geographic gradient in coastal sage scrub bird and small-mammal species composition across southern California, and 18 of the species we evaluated were associated with the composition of the bird and small-mammal community in which they were found. Our results suggest that efforts to conserve bird and small-mammal biodiversity in coastal sage scrub should not focus exclusively on rare species or on locations with the highest species richness, but instead should focus on a diverse suite of species that are representative of the range of variation in communities found in coastal sage scrub habitats.