饮水砷中毒病区水砷形态变化特征

水源水经水管传输后,其砷形态的含量及其百分比变化特征研究较少.因此,本文选择内蒙古某饮水型砷中毒病区为研究区,分析饮用的水源水日际和日内总无机砷含量(iAs)、以及水源水传输到用户端的末梢水和储存水的无机砷形态含量(iAs~Ⅲ、iAs~Ⅴ).结果发现,水源水iAs~Ⅲ、iAs~Ⅴ和iAs的平均含量分别为32.19、64.58、96.77μg·L~(-1),末梢水iAs~Ⅲ、iAs~Ⅴ和iAs的平均含量分别为100.11、63.09、163.21μg·L~(-1),而储存水iAs~Ⅲ、iAs~Ⅴ和iAs的平均含量分别为14.72、126.41、141.12μg·L_(-1).水源水的iAs~Ⅴ和iAs含量日内具有明显的变化,iAs含量在日际间无明显的差异,而iAs~Ⅲ和iAs~Ⅴ含量在日际间存在较为明显的变化.此外,水源水、末梢水和储存水的iAs~Ⅲ占总无机砷的比例分别为33.26%、61.33%和10.43%,而iAs~Ⅴ占总无机砷的比例分别为66.74%、38.67%和89.57%.该结果表明,饮水砷形态的转化可能受到水与空气接触时间、气温、气压和水温等因素的影响,且水源水在水管传输过程中可能导致末梢水和储存水的iAs含量增加.因此,饮水砷的暴露评估应关注不同形态的砷暴露以及饮水类型的砷暴露.     

内蒙古某地区饮用水砷含量与人体暴露及致癌风险分析

砷的季节变化对暴露评估及健康风险评价的准确性具有重要影响。选择内蒙古某饮水型砷中毒病区为研究区,评估不同季节砷的直接摄入量、间接摄入量和皮肤接触吸收量,并评价砷的致癌健康风险。结果表明:(1)研究区男性和女性居民砷的摄入量分别为1.80和1.89μg·kg~(-1)·d~(-1),明显高于对照区的0.08和0.08μg·kg~(-1)·d~(-1);研究区男性和女性居民砷的皮肤接触吸收量分别为8.89×10~(-4)和1.10×10~(-3)μg·kg~(-1)·d~(-1),明显高于对照区的4.18×10~(-5)和4.93×10~(-5)μg·kg~(-1)·d~(-1)。(2)研究区居民的砷摄入量占摄入及皮肤接触途径暴露量之和的99.93%以上,夏季及冬季砷暴露量占全年砷暴露量的89.04%以上。(3)研究区男性和女性居民砷的致癌健康风险分别为3.75×10~(-5)和3.67×10~(-5)a~(-1)。由研究结果可知,摄入是饮水型砷暴露的主要途径;夏季砷的暴露量最高,冬季次之;研究区居民摄入及皮肤接触途径的砷致癌健康风险均超过可接受风险水平(10~(-6)a~(-1))。     

广州市居民食品砷摄入的健康风险评价

从暴露途径来看,食物是人体砷暴露的主要途径之一。从饮食结构来看,广州市居民膳食主要来源于谷类食品,同时鱼虾类总体平均摄入量约为全国总体平均摄入量的2倍。因此,在分析广州市市场大米和海鲜这2种典型食品中砷含量的基础上对广州市居民食品砷摄入的健康风险进行了评价。分析了广州市场上的26种不同品牌的大米中的总砷含量,其含量范围为0.082～0.171μg·g~(-1),平均浓度为(0.127±0.027)μg·g~(-1),满足绿色食品大米标准(≤0.40μg·g~(-1))。在14种鱼虾蟹贝类海鲜中的砷含量分析基础上,计算得出广州市场上鱼类中总砷的平均含量为0.488μg·g~(-1),虾蟹贝类中总砷的平均含量为3.44μg·g~(-1),相比较国内外,广州市场鱼虾蟹中砷的含量整体处于中间水平。最后综合文献调研中其他主要食品中砷的含量,计算得出广州市成人通过食品每日摄入总砷的量为5.08μg·kg~(-1)BW·d~(-1)。建议日常饮食需要特别控制每日海鲜的摄入量,尤其是砷含量较高的濑尿虾、红虾及红蟹、花蟹。     

氧化石墨烯存在下铜离子对大型溞的毒性研究

氧化石墨烯(graphene oxide,GO)作为一种具有独特物理化学性质的新型纳米材料被广泛应用,其进入环境后可能对传统污染物的毒性造成影响。选取大型溞为受试生物,研究了GO的存在对Cu在大型溞体内的富集、毒性和抗氧化系统的影响。结果表明,GO对Cu~(2+)具有良好的吸附效果,大幅降低了试验液中Cu~(2+)浓度。1 mg·L~(-1)和2 mg·L~(-1)GO存在下,大型溞暴露于19.2μg·L~(-1)Cu~(2+)溶液72 h后,体内的金属Cu富集量由360μg·g-1干重分别降低为308μg·g-1和215μg·g-1干重。GO的存在降低了Cu~(2+)对大型溞的毒性,Cu~(2+)对大型溞的72 h-LC50值由19.2μg·L~(-1)升高至56μg·L~(-1)。Cu~(2+)单独作用时,大型溞体内SOD活性和GSH含量表现为先诱导后抑制,而MDA含量逐渐升高;当GO存在时,大型溞体内酶活性的变化趋势与上述现象类似,但含量总体低于Cu~(2+)单独暴露时的活性和含量。研究表明GO的加入减少了大型溞体内Cu的富集量,降低了Cu~(2+)对大型溞的氧化损害,对Cu~(2+)的毒性存在一定的减轻效果。     

铅和得克隆联合暴露对斑马鱼胚胎的神经毒性作用

以斑马鱼(Danio rerio)为研究对象,探讨铅(Pb)、得克隆(DP)及二者联合急性暴露对斑马鱼胚胎的神经毒性作用。结果表明,Pb(5、20μg·L~(-1))和DP(15、60μg·L~(-1))单独暴露均会引起斑马鱼自主运动频率增加,触摸反应能力和自由游泳活力下降,并且抑制初级运动神经元的生长,加剧尾部细胞凋亡。但与20μg·L~(-1)Pb单独暴露相比,高剂量联合暴露(20μg·L~(-1)Pb+60μg·L~(-1)DP)使斑马鱼的自主运动频率显著降低(P0.05),触摸反应能力和自由游泳活力显著增强(P0.05),初级运动神经元轴突长度显著增加(P0.05),尾部细胞凋亡减少。与5μg·L~(-1)Pb单独暴露相比,低剂量联合暴露(5μg·L~(-1)Pb+15μg·L~(-1)DP)也显著减少斑马鱼尾部的细胞凋亡(P0.05)。上述结果表明,Pb或DP单独暴露对斑马鱼均可引起神经毒性作用;但二者联合暴露对斑马鱼自主运动、触摸反应以及自由游泳活力的影响则表现为拮抗作用。     

锌离子慢性暴露对中华大蟾蜍蝌蚪生长发育的影响

为评价水域环境中Zn~(2+)对两栖动物的毒性影响,本研究以中华大蟾蜍(Bufo gargarizans)蝌蚪为试验材料,对G26期蝌蚪进行了0、10、50、100和500μg·L~(-1)Zn~(2+)的慢性水体暴露直至蝌蚪发育至变态高峰期(G42期)。分别于暴露15 d和30 d后取样测定蝌蚪全长、体长、体重和发育分期各指标;此外,分析了Zn~(2+)慢性水体暴露对变态率、变态高峰期(G42)蝌蚪的全长、体长、体重、后肢长和骨骼发育的影响。结果表明:暴露15 d时,各浓度Zn~(2+)对中华大蟾蜍蝌蚪的生长发育均未造成显著影响,而持续暴露30 d后,500μg·L~(-1)Zn~(2+)处理组蝌蚪的生长发育受到显著抑制;各浓度Zn~(2+)慢性暴露均导致中华大蟾蜍蝌蚪变态率的下降,其中500μg·L~(-1)Zn~(2+)处理组的变态率最低;500μg·L~(-1)Zn~(2+)慢性暴露导致G42期中华大蟾蜍蝌蚪的形态指标(全长、体长、后肢长)和骨化程度均受到显著抑制。研究表明,水环境中高浓度锌对中华大蟾蜍幼体的生长发育和变态具有潜在的危害,水域锌污染所引发的毒理效应予以重视。     

条斑紫菜中磷和钙的亚细胞分布及其与富集砷的关系

研究条斑紫菜中磷和钙的亚细胞分布,并探讨其与条斑紫菜富集砷的关系。结果表明:条斑紫菜吸收磷、钙主要分布在细胞壁组分中,平均占总磷含量的53.9%,占总钙含量的61.25%,其次为细胞液。与对照组相比(砷暴露浓度0.5 mg·L~(-1)),在添加磷浓度为0.1 mg·L~(-1)和1.0 mg·L~(-1)处理组中,条斑紫菜中磷、砷之间呈现协同效应;当添加磷浓度为5.0 mg·L~(-1)和10.0 mg·L~(-1)时,条斑紫菜中磷、砷之间则呈现拮抗作用,砷的富集量分别比照组下降61.37%和72.73%。经添加钙液暴露过的条斑紫菜,当钙暴露浓度为1 000 mg·L~(-1)时其对砷的富集量比对照组减少15.51%。可知,5.0 mg·L~(-1)磷处理条斑紫菜,条斑紫菜对砷的富集受到明显的抑制。     

赣江流域水体中可溶态镉的时空分布特征及水质评价

为了解赣江流域水体中镉的分布特征,在赣江流域的重点河段采集44个水样(丰水期和枯水期各22个),采用氢化物发生-原子荧光光谱法测定水体中可溶态镉浓度。结果表明,赣江水体ρ(可溶态镉)〔(0.112±0.111)μg·L-1〕较低,丰水期水体ρ(可溶态镉)〔(0.095±0.116)μg·L-1〕显著低于枯水期〔(0.128±0.160)μg·L-1〕(P0.05)。干流水体ρ(可溶态镉)〔(0.116±0.038)μg·L-1〕略低于支流〔(0.121±0.102)μg·L-1〕,且从上游到下游呈逐步下降趋势。从水体可溶态镉浓度的空间分布来看,赣州城区至峡江县城之间应该是赣江流域水体镉污染的重点监控区域。     

汾河流域水系和表层沉积物中多环芳烃的空间变化规律及其生态风险研究

本研究在汾河流域上、中、下游及其部分支流布设29个采样点,对其水体和表层沉积物多环芳烃(PAHs)的空间分布规律及生态风险进行了分析和讨论。结果表明,汾河流域水相中丰水期PAHs总量浓度范围是0.530~16.002μg·L~(-1),平均浓度为(2.738±3.078)μg·L~(-1),枯水期PAHs总量浓度范围是0.588~12.916μg·L~(-1),均值为(2.762±3.132)μg·L~(-1)。就空间分布而言,汾河流域整体呈现上游污染较轻,中下游污染严重的特点。PAHs的组成规律显示,丰水期和枯水期PAHs含量均以低环(2~3环)为主,不同采样期低环PAHs所占比例分别为96.5%和90.4%。与其他15个研究地区水体PAHs含量比较,汾河流域水体中PAHs污染程度的国内外对比处于中等到较高程度的污染。丰水期和枯水期水体中PAHs来源于石油源和植物、木材、煤的燃烧,主要受到流域煤化工、燃煤电厂排放污染物的影响。地表水健康风险评价结果显示,汾河流域丰水期和枯水期分别有13.8%和20.7%的点位存在一定的健康风险。汾河流域沉积相中16种PAHs平均浓度为(3.774±1.987)μg·g-1,其污染主要集中在流域中下游地区。PAHs的组成规律显示,PAHs含量集中在低环(2~3环),约占总量的75%左右。与本研究提到的河流、湖泊及港口沉积物中PAHs含量比较,汾河流域沉积物中PAHs污染程度仍处于中等偏高的污染水平。丰水期沉积相中PAHs以燃烧源和石油源为主,部分来自典型石油类产品的输入。表层沉积物生态风险评价结果显示,对于提出的12种PAHs的生态风险的效应区间低值(ERL值)或效应区间中值(ERM值)以及苯并(b)荧蒽(Bb F)和苯并(k)荧蒽(Bk F)这2类没有最低安全值的PAHs化合物来说,汾河上、中、下游流域均有采样点的PAHs可能存在着对生物的潜在生态风险。通过本研究可全面地了解该流域多环芳烃的空间分布规律及其可能的来源,并且为汾河流域多环芳烃污染的控制和生态风险评价提供科学依据。     

不同适应温度对镉暴露中大型溞生理和亚细胞水平的作用

虽然水生生物大多是变温动物并且温度对化合物的毒性有非常重要的作用,但生态毒理学实验一般在实验室标准温度(20℃)或者生物最适温度下进行。我们调查了适应温度(20℃、24℃和28℃)对镉暴露(0,20和40μg·L~(-1))中大型溞生理和亚细胞水平的作用,实验终点包括镉的急性毒性(48 h-EC50)、大型溞的21 d存活率、21 d累积繁殖数(21-d CR)、第一次生育时间(time to first brood,TFB)、能量储存、电子转移活性(electron transport system activity,ETS)、热应激蛋白hsp70和金属硫蛋白(MT)。结果显示:适应温度升高时大型溞的镉耐性降低,20℃、24℃和28℃下的48 h-EC50分别为(40.2±9.9)μg·L~(-1)、(15.6±2.7)μg·L~(-1)和(10.7±1.9)μg·L~(-1);28℃下,大型溞21 d存活率分别比对照(20℃,0μg·L~(-1)镉暴露)降低23%(20μg·L~(-1)镉暴露)和87%(40μg·L~(-1)镉暴露)并且大型溞的21 d累积繁殖数(21-d CR)显著降低。大型溞的能量储存随适应温度的升高而降低,24℃和28℃时分别降低了46%和62%(0μg·L~(-1)镉暴露),48%和60%(20μg·L~(-1)镉暴露)、80%和91%(40μg·L~(-1)镉暴露)。而镉浓度只有达到40μg·L~(-1)时,对大型溞的能量储存有明显影响。适应温度和镉暴露对电子转移系统活性(ETS)没有显著影响。28℃的适应温度和40μg·L~(-1)的镉暴露都能诱导大型溞热应激蛋白hsp70和金属硫蛋白(MT)显著上升,但适应温度(20℃~28℃)和镉暴露(0~40μg·L~(-1))的结合对hsp70先诱导后抑制,MT则一直被诱导上升。总之,生物在不同温度下对毒物的反应存在差异,将不同适应温度下的毒性数据整合到生态危险性评价能够保证生物获得更充分的保护;此外,hsp70和MT的变化是环境压力的综合反应,作为某种污染物的生物标志物时需要综合考虑环境因素。     

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     

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.     

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.     

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.     

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.     

Threats to intact tropical peatlands and opportunities for their conservation

Large, intact areas of tropical peatland are highly threatened at a global scale by the expansion of commercial agriculture and other forms of economic development. Conserving peatlands on a landscape scale, with their hydrology intact, is of international conservation importance to preserve their distinctive biodiversity and ecosystem services and maintain their resilience to future environmental change. We explored threats to and opportunities for conserving remaining intact tropical peatlands; thus, we excluded peatlands of Indonesia and Malaysia, where extensive deforestation, drainage, and conversion to plantations means conservation in this region can protect only small fragments of the original ecosystem. We focused on a case study, the Pastaza‐Marañón Foreland Basin (PMFB) in Peru, which is among the largest known intact tropical peatland landscapes in the world and is representative of peatland vulnerability. Maintenance of the hydrological conditions critical for carbon storage and ecosystem function of peatlands is, in the PMFB, primarily threatened by expansion of commercial agriculture linked to new transport infrastructure that is facilitating access to remote areas. There remain opportunities in the PMFB and elsewhere to develop alternative, more sustainable land‐use practices. Although some of the peatlands in the PMFB fall within existing legally protected areas, this protection does not include the most carbon‐dense (domed pole forest) areas. New carbon‐based conservation instruments (e.g., REDD+, Green Climate Fund), developing markets for sustainable peatland products, transferring land title to local communities, and expanding protected areas offer pathways to increased protection for intact tropical peatlands in Amazonia and elsewhere, such as those in New Guinea and Central Africa which remain, for the moment, broadly beyond the frontier of commercial development.     

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.