对我国生态系统服务研究局限性的思考及建议

自1997年生态系统服务的概念引入我国以来，我国学术界关于生态系统服务的研究呈现指数水平上升，但是研究的内容局限于不同区域和不同类型生态系统服务的价值化评估。评估结果的科学性和现实有效性受到质疑。本文结合我国目前的实际需求，我国生态系统服务研究的误区以及对千年生态系统评估（MA）研究成果的思考，认为目前和日后生态系统服务研究可以加强如下几个方面的研究：一是生态系统服务对人类福祉贡献的研究；二是生态系统服务功能退化现状的研究：三是生态系统服务退化原因和对策的研究。以丰富爱国生态系统服务研究的内窑。并为生态系统服务价值评估研究提供基础和补充。     

An experimental and numerical study of the thermal oxidation of chlorobenzene

A combustion-driven flow reactor was used to examine the formation of chlorinated and non-chlorinated species from the thermal oxidation of chlorobenzene under post-flame conditions. Temperature varied from 725 to 1000 K, while the equivalence ratio was held constant at 0.5. Significant quantities of chlorinated intermediates, vinyl chloride and chlorophenol, were measured. A dominant C-Cl scission destruction pathway seen in pyrolytic studies was not observed. Instead, hydrogen-abstraction reactions prevailed, leading to high concentrations of chlorinated byproducts. The thermal oxidation of benzene was also investigated for comparison. Chemical kinetic modeling of benzene and chlorobenzene was used to explore reaction pathways. Two chlorobenzene models were developed to test the hypothesis that chlorobenzene oxidation follows a CO-expulsion breakdown pathway similar to that of benzene. For the temperatures and equivalence ratio studied, hydrogen abstraction by hydroxyl radicals dominates the initial destruction of both benzene and chlorobenzene. Chlorinated byproducts (i.e., chlorophenol and vinyl chloride) were formed from chlorobenzene oxidation in similar quantities and at similar temperatures to their respective analogue formed during benzene oxidation (i.e., phenol and ethylene).     

The use of environmental DNA in invasive species surveillance of the Great Lakes commercial bait trade

Over 180 non‐native species have been introduced in the Laurentian Great Lakes region, many posing threats to native species and ecosystem functioning. One potential pathway for introductions is the commercial bait trade; unknowing or unconcerned anglers commonly release unused bait into aquatic systems. Previous surveillance efforts of this pathway relied on visual inspection of bait stocks in retail shops, which can be time and cost prohibitive and requires a trained individual that can rapidly and accurately identify cryptic species. Environmental DNA (eDNA) surveillance, a molecular tool that has been used for surveillance in aquatic environments, can be used to efficiently detect species at low abundances. We collected and analyzed 576 eDNA samples from 525 retail bait shops throughout the Laurentian Great Lake states. We used eDNA techniques to screen samples for multiple aquatic invasive species (AIS) that could be transported in the bait trade, including bighead (Hypophthalmichthys nobilis) and silver carp (H. molitrix), round goby (Neogobius melanostomus), tubenose goby (Proterorhinus marmoratus), Eurasian rudd (Scardinius erythrophthalmus), and goldfish (Carassius auratus). Twenty‐seven samples were positive for at least one target species (4.7% of samples), and all target species were found at least once, except bighead carp. Despite current regulations, the bait trade remains a potential pathway for invasive species introductions in the Great Lakes region. Alterations to existing management strategies regarding the collection, transportation, and use of live bait are warranted, including new and updated regulations, to prevent future introductions of invasive species in the Great Lakes via the bait trade. El Uso del ADN Ambiental en la Vigilancia de Especies Invasoras del Mercado de Carnada Comercial de los Grandes Lagos     

Natural parthenogenesis,larval and juvenile development,and geographical distribution of the coral reef asteroid Ophidiaster granifer

Ophidiaster granifer Lütken is a small cryptic coral reef asteroid found in the Indo-West Pacific. Its mode of reproduction, shown by aquarium observations and gonad histology, is parthenogenetic. This is the first confirmation of natural parthenogenesis in the phylum Echinodermata, despite many studies showing artificial parthenogenesis in echinoderms. Populations of O. granifer from Micronesia, New Guinea and the Great Barrier Reef consisted only of females: no testes or spermatogenesis were found in any individual at any stage of gonad development of ca 400 individuals. Regular year-round population censuses at Guam, Micronesia, revealed a distinct 0-year class which grew to sexual maturity in two years. There was an annual reproductive cycle with apparently-synchronous spawning in early winter. The large eggs, ca 0.6 mm diameter, develop into lecithotrophic larvae. Some larvae are planktonic, while some remain attached under the rocks. The latter develop through metamorphosis in situ. Parthenogenetic reproduction leading to both stationary and dispersed larvae may be related to the low fecundity and low population densities of this small asteroid.     

Jute bioblanket as a soil rehabilitation strategy in Sorocaba,Brazil: Soil chemistry and SWOT approaches

Soil erosion and the invasion of exotic plant species are major constraints to achieve sustainable development around the world. Currently, we find few products devoted concomitantly to combatting soil erosion as well as the establishment of unwanted exotic plants. In this paper, we introduce a new product, called herein a bioblanket, that protects the soil and impedes the establishment of exotic plant species. This product is of simple design, and to manufacture it, we use two biodegradable materials: jute tissue and grass wastes. We designed this product to combat soil erosion and the germination and establishment of new, unwanted, invasive plant species. In this paper, we describe our evaluation of how successful this product was in terms of improving the chemical attributes of soil. We also identified the product's potentialities and weaknesses by means of strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats (SWOT) analysis. The bioblanket ameliorated the chemical attributes of the soil, as evidenced especially by the neutralization of acidity (8.5%) and aluminum toxicity (33%), and by an increment in nutrients concentration. We argue that after adequate treatment and management, the residues of plants that are normally considered unwanted materials can be transformed into a raw material to control the propagation of unwanted plant species, and concomitantly control soil erosion while improving the chemical conditions of the soil. The improvement of the soil chemical attributes was one of the main positive effects reported through the SWOT analysis. In addition, the SWOT analysis revealed some features that need improvement in future generations of the product, but we argue that these features do not impede the benefits for the use of the product in its present form.     

Digenean trematodes infecting the tropical abalone <Emphasis Type="Italic">Haliotis asinina</Emphasis> have species-specific cercarial emergence patterns that follow daily or semilunar spawning cycles

Approximately 1–2% of the tropical abalone Haliotis asinina inhabiting Heron Island Reef are infected with opecoelid digeneans. These largely inhabit the haemocoel surrounding the cerebral ganglia and digestive gland–gonad complex, and infected abalone typically have significantly reduced or ablated gonads. Observations of infected abalone reveal two distinct cercarial emergence patterns, one which correlates tightly with the abalone’s highly regular and synchronous fortnightly spawning cycle, and the other which occurs in a circadian pattern. The former appears to be a novel emergence strategy not previously observed in digeneans. While the cercariae in all abalone are morphologically indistinguishable, comparison of sequences from the internal transcribed spacer 2 (ITS 2) region of the ribosomal DNA reveals a 5.7% difference between cercariae displaying different emergence patterns, indicating these are two distinct species that probably belong to the same genus. The ITS 2 sequences of the species with the daily emergence pattern are identical to that of an undescribed adult opecoelid from the gut of the barramundi cod, Cromileptes altivelis. Combined molecular, morphological and emergence data suggest that while these opecoelid cercariae use the same first intermediate host and are closely related species—members of the genus Allopodocotyle—they fill different ecological niches that are likely to include different definitive hosts.     

Biochemical characterization of purified carbonic anhydrase from the octocoral Leptogorgia virgulata

Carbonic anhydrase (CA) has been isolated and purified from the octocoral Leptogorgia virgulata (Lamarck) in an effort to investigate its role in the mineralization and demineralization of spicules and other calcified hard tissues. Affinity-chromatography using Prontosil-derivatized carboxymethylcellulose (CM) Bio-Gel A provided a one-step purification for 30 kdalton polypeptides with carbonic anhydrase activity. Four distinct polypeptides (designated , , , and ) are separated from one another at this molecular weight by two-dimensional gel electrophoresis. The specific activity of the L. virgulata CA is on average 57.5±1.5 U g^-1, is inhibitable by 10^-6 M acetazolamide, and is unaffected by 5mM dithiotheitol. The amino acid composition of these polypeptides is similar to that of mammal, bird, reptile, fish and arthropod species. Antiserum made against the L. virgulata CA reacts specifically with the 30 kdalton polypeptides in western blots, and crossreacts with human CA I and II. Antiserum against avian CA II crossreacts with the L. virgulata 30 kdalton polypeptides. This is the first report of the characterization of a purified CA from an octocoral, and production of a CA antiserum to a species in the phylum Cnidaria.     

The role of the individual administrator in famine relief: Three case studies

A series of hypotheses on the role of the individual administrator in famine relief are proposed and three are examined with respect to case studies of famines in India (1896 and 1906–1907), Uganda (1908) and Lombok (1940). While the evidence is not conclusive, the focus upon the role of the individual administrator offers additional insights into the compexities of official response to famines.     

A view of the global conservation job market and how to succeed in it

The high demand for conservation work is creating a need for conservation‐focused training of scientists. Although many people with postsecondary degrees in biology are finding careers outside academia, many programs and mentors continue to prepare students to follow‐in‐the‐footsteps of their professors. Unfortunately, information regarding how to prepare for today's conservation‐based job market is limited in detail and scope. This problem is complicated by the differing needs of conservation organizations in both economically developed and developing regions worldwide. To help scientists identify the tools needed for conservation positions worldwide, we reviewed the current global conservation job market and identified skills required for success in careers in academia, government, nonprofit, and for‐profit organizations. We also interviewed conservation professionals across all conservation sectors. Positions in nonprofit organizations were the most abundant, whereas academic jobs were only 10% of the current job market. The most common skills required across sectors were a strong disciplinary background, followed by analytical and technical skills. Academic positions differed the most from other types of positions in that they emphasized teaching as a top skill. Nonacademic jobs emphasized the need for excellent written and oral communication, as well as project‐management experience. Furthermore, we found distinct differences across job locations. Positions in developing countries emphasized language and interpersonal skills, whereas positions in countries with advanced economies focused on publication history and technical skills. Our results were corroborated by the conservation professionals we interviewed. Based on our results, we compiled a nondefinitive list of conservation‐based training programs that are likely to provide training for the current job market. Using the results of this study, scientists may be better able to tailor their training to maximize success in the conservation job market. Similarly, institutions can apply this information to create educational programs that produce graduates primed for long‐term success.