Using environmental DNA to assess population‐wide spatiotemporal reserve use

Scientists increasingly rely on protected areas to assist in biodiversity conservation, yet the efficacy of these areas is rarely systematically assessed, often because of underfunding. Still, adaptive management strategies to maximize conservation success often rely on understanding the temporal and spatial dynamism of populations therein. Examination of environmental DNA (eDNA) is a time and cost‐effective way to monitor species’ distribution, and quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) provides information on organismal abundance. To date, however, such techniques remain underused for population assessments in protected areas. We determined eDNA concentration of the critically endangered Yangtze finless porpoise (Neophocaena asiaeorientalis asiaeorientalis) to describe its occurrence, range, and use of the Tian e‐Zhou National Nature Reserve in Hubei, China, across seasons and hydrological depths. Despite the observation that total eDNA concentrations were highest in surface waters in summer, finless porpoise eDNA concentrations were significantly higher in deeper waters than in surface waters in summer. During the breeding season (spring), eDNA signals were site specific and restricted to the core area of the reserve. However, postbreeding eDNA concentrations were widespread across the reserve, encompassing sites previously thought to be unfrequented by the species. Our results suggest spatiotemporal idiosyncrasies in site, depth, and seasonal use of the reserve and a propensity for postbreeding population dispersal. With eDNA and qPCR we were able to assess an entire population's use of a protected area. Illuminating nuances in habitat use via eDNA could be valuable to set pragmatic conservation goals for this, and other, species.     

Mosquito larvae density and pollutant removal in tropical wetland treatment systems in Honduras

Constructed wetlands offer a low-cost wastewater treatment option for tropical developing countries. The vast majority of published treatment wetland research has been conducted in temperate regions. Because the function of treatment wetlands is related to the environmental conditions, more research specific to the tropics should be completed. A six-cell free water surface (FWS) wetland mesocosm was constructed in Santa Rosa de Copán, Honduras that received input from an open-sewer/wastewater-impacted stream. Three cells were planted with Typha domingensis Pers., and three cells were left unplanted. Both planted and unplanted wetlands were constructed with three different surface areas to concurrently study different hydraulic retention times (HRTs) and hydraulic loading rates (HLRs). Results from 6 months of operation showed improved water quality and mosquito larvae populations affected by their specific environment. Five-day biochemical oxygen demand (BOD) removal appeared to be proportional to HRT and HLR, and BOD concentration in the effluent was higher in unplanted cells than in planted cells (P<0.05). BOD removal approached 60% for greater than 3.5 days HRT. Total phosphorus (P) removal and coliform bacteria removal were found to be correlated with pollutant load, and P removal was found to be correlated with HRT but not HLR. A second municipal wastewater FWS treatment wetland in Copán Ruinas, Honduras that had been established for 15 years, was also evaluated. BOD removal in the Copán Ruinas system was determined to be 93% with 2.6 day HRT. These pollutant removal rates are higher than would be expected in temperate regions. Mosquito larvae density was correlated with depth of the wetland. Mosquito larvae densities were higher in cells that were operating below design depth of 0.2 m (P<0.005). Results indicate that it is possible to design FWS wetlands in the tropics for effective BOD removal and reduced mosquito larvae development.     

Books Received

Publications Received

Books Received     

Emissions study of co-firing waste carpet in a rotary kiln

Post-consumer carpet represents a high volume, high energy content waste stream. As a fuel for co-firing in cement kilns, waste carpet, like waste tires, has potential advantages. Technological challenges to be addressed include assessing potential emissions, in particular NO emissions (from nylon fiber carpets), and optimizing the carpet feed system. This paper addresses the former. Results of pilot-scale rotary kiln experiments demonstrate the potential for using post-consumer waste carpet as a fuel in cement kilns. Continuous feeding of shredded carpet fiber and ground carpet backing, at rates of up to 30% of total energy input, resulted in combustion without transient puffs and with almost no increase in CO and other products of incomplete combustion as compared to kiln firing natural gas only. NO emissions increased with carpet waste co-firing due to the nitrogen content of nylon fiber. In these experiments with shredded fiber and finely ground backing, carpet nitrogen conversion to NO ranged from 3 to 8%. Conversion increased with enhanced mixing of the carpet material and air during combustion. Carpet preparation and feeding method are controlling factors in fuel N conversion.     

Phosphorus in fresh and dry dung of grazing dairy cattle, deer, and sheep: sequential fraction and phosphorus-31 nuclear magnetic resonance analyses

Knowledge of phosphorus (P) fractions in dung of animals (dairy cattle, deer, sheep) grazing pasture is important for soil fertility and the potential for P transport in runoff and subsequent surface water quality deterioration. We used sequential fractionation and 31P nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy to determine P forms in fresh and air-dried (to simulate field conditions during grazing) dung. Sheep dung was richest in P (8 g kg(-1)), and cattle dung poorest (5.5 g kg(-1)). Data for sequential fractionation indicated that most P was extractable by water (15-36%) and bicarbonate (36-45%) in fresh dung, and shifted toward recalcitrant, HCl (12-28%), and residual P forms (15-31%) with drying. Organic P concentration in dung was poor (maximum of 15% of total P), probably due to the poor concentration of phytate in pasture. The 31P NMR spectra of NaOH-EDTA extracts supported this by detecting a low concentration of monoesters (9-19% of total P in extracts), of which phytate is a major component. The 31P NMR data also showed that changes in organic P concentration with drying could be due to the degradation of diesters. Data indicate the decreasing bioavailability of dairy cattle, deer, and sheep dung with drying and the need to consider this effect with respect to P returns for soil fertility and the potential for runoff.     

Using Geographical Information Systems to identify and target sites for creation and restoration of native woodlands: a case study of the Chiltern Hills, UK

Rare and threatened habitats in Europe must be restored and enhanced in accordance with the European Union's Habitats and Species Directive. In the United Kingdom, conservation and expansion objectives for species and habitats are outlined in the Species Action Plans and Habitat Action Plans. Site identification for these measures has to date been ad hoc without consideration of either the existing "stock" of the natural resource or the ability of the surrounding land use to deliver the enhancement (enlargement) of a given habitat. Using a Geographical Information System, we outline a targeting system for creating new woodland in association with existing ancient woodland in the Chiltern Hills Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. The aim was to create woodland blocks of at least 100 ha, as being of the most benefit to biodiversity. We identified existing patches of woodland between 20 and 50 ha as cores for habitat expansion and classified land use in terms of its suitability and proximity to these core areas for tree planting to meet the targets of the statutory body. Our results suggest that the targeting method employed is a useful tool for habitat restoration.     

A CASE STUDY OF SHALLOW FLOW PATHS IN A STEEP ZERO-ORDER BASIN1

ABSTRACT: Soil water potentials, slope throughflow, runoff chemistry, and isotopic composition were monitored in a 97 m² zero-order basin within the Maimai 8 watershed on the South Island of New Zealand, for a natural rain storm and two artificial water applications. Contrary to results previously reported for other portions of the Maimai catchment, much of the runoff occurred as a shallow subsurface organic layer flow. For the 47 mm natural rain event, pre-storm soil matric potential ranged from ?60 to ?150 cm H₂O. No saturation was produced within the profile, and the majority of storm runoff emanated from flow within the organic horizon perched on the mineral soil surface. Hillslope applications corroborated this interpretation by showing >90 percent new water flushing with negligible mineral soil moisture response. Although the mechanisms cited in the text are not representative of the entire catchment, the study demonstrates: (1) the value of a combined physical-chemical-isotopic approach in quantifying slope processes, and (2) the heterogeneous nature and diversity of slope runoff pathways in a relatively homogeneous catchment.     

Large-scale v small-scale mining

The paper reviews available information on how scale and technological sophistication affect the extent to which mineral industries in developing countries aid in meeting those countries' development objectives. It also identifies criteria for determining if small-scale or labour-intensive operations are suitable to particular mining projects.     

Regulation of growth in Laminaria digitata: use of in-vivo nitrate reductase activities as an indicator of nitrogen limitation in field populations of Laminaria spp.

The seasonal variation in growth rate of a population of Laminaria digitata (Huds.) Lamour growing at Arbroath, Scotland was studied between August 1981 and September 1982, and was found to follow the biphasic annual cycle typical of this genus. Growth rates were maximum (0.3 cm cm^-1 mo^-1) in early June and minimum (0.05 cm cm^-1 mo^-1) between September and January. An analysis of the relationship between the seasonal changes in environmental factors (inorganic nitrogen concentrations, irradiance and temperature) with those of growth rate and the accumulation or mobilisation of cellular reserves of carbohydrates and nitrate, indicated that growth was nitrogen-limited between June and October and light-limited (with a possible co-involvement of temperature) for the remainder of the year. These conclusions were supported by the seasonal changes in the ratio of actual: potential in-vivo nitrate reductase activities in L. digitata, thus confirming the suitability of this technique for monitoring the occurrence of nitrogen limitation in Laminaria spp. The seasonal changes in blade nitrate reductase activities closely followed those of growth rate, with maximum activities [0.3 mol NO ₃ ^- reduced g^-1 (wet wt) h^-1] being present in late May and minimum levels [0.01 mol NO ₃ ^- reduced g^-1 (wet wt) h^-1] occurring between November and March. The correlation observed between nitrate reductase activities and growth rate is consistent with the ability of Laminaria spp. to store excess inorganic nitrogen, available during winter and early spring, as NO ₃ ^- , and with the requirement to conserve enzyme protein during the summer period of nitrogen limitation.