Index of Alien Impact: A Method for Evaluating Potential Ecological Impact of Alien Plant Species

Alien plant species are stressors to ecosystems and indicators of reduced ecosystem integrity. The magnitude of the stress reflects not only the quantity of aliens present, but also the quality of their interactions with native ecosystems. We develop an Index of Alien Impact (IAI) to estimate the collective ecological impact of in situ alien species. IAI summarizes the frequency of occurrence and potential ecological impact (Invasiveness-Impact Score (I _i )) of individual alien species for all aliens present in a particular location or community type. A component metric, I _i , is based on ecological species traits (life history, ecological amplitude, and ability to alter ecosystem processes) that reflect mechanisms, which can increase impact to ecosystem structure and function. While I _i is less complex than some other multi-metric rankings of alien impact, it compares well to these metrics and to qualitative judgments. IAI can be adapted for different ecological settings by modifying the set of species traits incorporated in I _i to reflect properties likely to breach biotic and abiotic barriers or alter ecosystem function in a particular region or community type of interest. To demonstrate our approach, we created versions of IAI and I _i , applicable to the diverse streamside vegetation of a river basin (19,631 km²) spanning low-elevation arid to mesic montane habitats in eastern Oregon, USA. In this demonstration effort, we (1) evaluate relationships of IAI to metrics describing invasion level, and (2) illustrate the potential utility of IAI for prioritizing alien species management activities and informing restoration goals.     

Untersuchungskonzept zur Charakterisierung toxischer Stoffe in belastetem Wasser

Simple biotests are frequently used for the ecotoxicological assessment of waste water. Unfortunately, and not too rarely, effects are detected and the question concerning water-polluting substances has to be answered. The latter are enriched by solid phase extraction (SPE), then isolated and fractioned by thinlayer chromatography using automatic multiple development (AMD). One strip of the DC-plate is separated and used without further atterations for the biological detection with microorganisms (Bacillus subtilis, luminous bacteria). With this system, toxic bands can be identified. From the other part of the DC plate, an UV-spectrum can be taken of the toxic bands using a DC scanner. Subsequently, the corresponding bands are scratched out and the toxic substance is eluted and analysed with infrared spectroscopy. The infrared spectrum can be characterised by comparing it with reference spectra. In this submitted work, a concept is presented with an example of a “nipple rubber” eluate. It shows that this rubber article liberates a vulcanization accelerator, 2-mercaptobenzothiazole.