Improved estimates of certainty in stable-isotope-based methods for tracking migratory animals.

The use of stable-hydrogen isotopes (deltaD) has become a common tool for estimating geographic patterns of movement in migratory animals. This method relies on broad and relatively predictable geographic patterning in deltaD values of precipitation, but these patterns are not estimated without error. In addition, deltaD measurements are relatively imprecise, particularly for organic tissue. Most models for estimating geographic locations have ignored these sources of error. Common modeling approaches include regression, range-matching, and likelihood-based assignment tests (including discriminant analysis). Here, we show the benefits of a simple stochastic extension to likelihood-based assignment tests that incorporates two estimable sources of error and describe the resulting influence on the certainty of assigning breeding origins for wintering American Redstarts (Setophaga ruticilla), a small Nearctic-Neotropical migratory bird. Through simulation, we incorporated both spatial interpolation error associated with models of deltaD in precipitation and analytical error associated with the measurement of deltaD in tissue samples. In general, assignments that did not include these sources of error fell within the ranges of the stochastic results, but the difference in proportion of birds assigned to any one breeding region varied by as much as 54%. To explore how the distribution of assignments generated from error models influenced the application of these results, we developed a simple model of winter habitat loss. We removed the proportion of Redstarts wintering at a particular site from the global population and then used the isotope-based assignments to predict the resulting population declines for each breeding region. This gave distributions of change in population sizes, some of which included no change or even a population increase. The sources of error we modeled may challenge the degree of certainty in the use of stable-isotope-based data on connectivity to predict population dynamics of migratory animals. We suggest that stronger inference will result from incorporating these sources of error into future studies that use deltaD or other stable isotopes to infer the geographic origin of individuals.     

Effects of dyadic duration on the relationship between leader behavior perceptions and follower outcomes

This research focused on the role of dyadic duration, the amount of time a subordinate has worked for the same supervisor, in leadership dynamics. Specifically, a field study of engineering personnel examined dyadic duration as a moderator of the relationships between supervisory leadership behavior and subordinates' attitudes and behavior. Moderated regression analysis revealed that the length of time a subordinate had served under the same supervisor influenced the relationship between supportive and directive leader behaviors and follower performance. Implications of these findings were discussed, focusing on the exchange process between individual leaders and followers.     

Field method comparison between passive air samplers and continuous monitors for Vocs and NO2 in El Paso, Texas

This study evaluates the performance of Model 3300 Ogawa Passive Nitrogen Dioxide (NO2) Samplers and 3M 3520 Organic Vapor Monitors (OVMs) by comparing integrated passive sampling concentrations to averaged hourly NO2 and volatile organic compound (VOC) measurements at two sites in El Paso, TX. Sampling periods were three time intervals (3-day weekend, 4-day weekday, and 7-day weekly) for three consecutive weeks. OVM concentrations were corrected for ambient pressure to account for higher elevation. Precise results (< 5% relative standard deviation, RSD) were found for NO2 measurements from collocated Ogawa samplers. Reproducibility was lower from duplicate OVMs for BTEX (benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, and xylene isomers) VOCs (> or = 77% RSD for 2-day samples) with better precision for longer sampling periods. Comparison of Ogawa NO2 samplers with chemiluminescence measurements averaged over the same time period suggested potential calibration problems with the chemiluminescence analyzer. For BTEX species, generally good agreement was obtained between OVMs and automated-gas chromatograph (auto-GC) measurements. The OVMs successfully tracked increasing levels of VOCs recorded by the auto-GCs. However, except for toluene, OVM BTEX measurements generally exceeded their continuous counterparts with a mean bias of 5-10%. Although interpretation of the study results was limited due to small sample sizes, diffusion barrier influences caused by shelters that housed OVMs and differences in sampling heights between OVMs and auto-GC inlet may explain the overestimation.     

2007—2016年嘉峪关市城市绿地生态评价及障碍因子分析

对城市绿地进行科学评价有助于人们正确认识和改造城市绿地建设,为城市绿地规划和管理提供参考。以2007—2016年嘉峪关市城市绿地为研究对象,从数量、结构、功能三个方面构建评价指标体系,通过障碍度模型,识别影响城市绿地生态水平的障碍因子。结果表明：（1）10 a来嘉峪关市城市绿地生态水平整体呈波动上升趋势,级别由较低等级提高到高等级,但目前城市绿地生态水平属于低层次、不稳定的高等级阶段,城市绿地建设工作压力还很大。（2）从准则层看,嘉峪关市城市绿地生态水平的主要威胁变化较为明显,数量指标和结构指标是主要障碍因子;从指标层看,各年份主要障碍因子不尽相同,最大障碍因子历经了从人均公园绿地面积、树种丰富度到净化空气能力的演变。     

Warfare in Biodiversity Hotspots

Abstract:  Conservation efforts are only as sustainable as the social and political context within which they take place. The weakening or collapse of sociopolitical frameworks during wartime can lead to habitat destruction and the erosion of conservation policies, but in some cases, may also confer ecological benefits through altered settlement patterns and reduced resource exploitation. Over 90% of the major armed conflicts between 1950 and 2000 occurred within countries containing biodiversity hotspots, and more than 80% took place directly within hotspot areas. Less than one-third of the 34 recognized hotspots escaped significant conflict during this period, and most suffered repeated episodes of violence. This pattern was remarkably consistent over these 5 decades. Evidence from the war-torn Eastern Afromontane hotspot suggests that biodiversity conservation is improved when international nongovernmental organizations support local protected area staff and remain engaged throughout the conflict. With biodiversity hotspots concentrated in politically volatile regions, the conservation community must maintain continuous involvement during periods of war, and biodiversity conservation should be incorporated into military, reconstruction, and humanitarian programs in the world's conflict zones.     

猪粪堆肥中一株溶磷菌的筛选鉴定及溶磷能力初步测定

从猪粪堆肥中分离纯化得到一株具有较强溶磷能力的菌株PSM-1,进行了形态学和分子生物学鉴定,研究了其溶磷能力和遗传稳定性.结果表明:通过菌落形态和ITS基因序列分析鉴定,菌株PSM-1为产黄青霉(Penicillium chrysogenum);在3种不同无机磷源液体培养基中其溶磷量依次为Ca3(PO4)2(138.36 mg·L-1)Fe PO4(117.38 mg·L-1)Al PO4(113.76 mg·L-1),且PSM-1的溶磷量均与培养液p H值呈现出显著负相关性;以葡萄糖为碳源、硝酸铵为氮源时,菌株PSM-1的溶磷量最高可达195.67 mg·L-1,比初始有效磷高141.42%;该菌株对碳源和氮源的利用效率分别依次为:葡糖糖蔗糖麦芽糖淀粉,硝酸铵硝酸钾硫酸铵草酸铵;经过20次传代培养后PSM-1的溶磷量保持在(124.54±3.50)mg·L-1,说明其溶磷遗传稳定性良好.研究表明:PSM-1菌株具有良好的溶解无机磷的能力,在土壤微生态改良方面具有重要的应用潜力.     

Recent trends and projections of primary NO2 emissions in Europe

An assessment of recent trends in primary NO₂ emissions has been carried out for ten case study locations across the European Union. Estimates of the percentage of NO_x from road traffic emitted as primary NO₂ (f-NO₂) have been derived for 1995, 2000 and 2005 by combining the results of a literature survey of primary NO₂ emission factors for different vehicle types and technologies with an emission inventory. Estimates of f-NO₂ have also been derived from ambient monitoring data at roadside sites in each case study location using a model.The results of the analysis of trends show that f-NO₂ has increased in recent years and that the rate of increase has been greatest since 2000. f-NO₂ has increased from 8.6% in 2000 to 12.4% in 2004 as an average across the monitoring sites and from an average of 6.3% in 2000 to 10.6% in 2005 as an average of the emission inventory based calculations for the case study countries. f-NO₂ is predicted to increase further to an average of 19.6% in 2010 and 32.0% in 2020 as a result of the further penetration of exhaust after treatment technologies for diesel vehicles in the fleets. This increase is expected to be offset by the large reduction in NO_x emissions over this period, resulting in an increase in NO₂ emissions from road traffic to 2015, followed by a decline to close to 2004 levels by 2020. Estimates of future ambient NO₂ concentrations have also been calculated for the roadside monitoring sites included in the study. At 29 out of 45 of these sites the annual mean NO₂ limit value is predicted to be exceeded in 2010. At 22 of these sites, the annual mean concentration is expected to remain above the limit value until 2020 and beyond.     

Bioremediation of petroleum hydrocarbons: A flexible,variable speed technology

The bioremediation of petroleum hydrocarbons has evolved into a number of different processes. These processes include in-situ aquifer bioremediation, bioventing, biosparging, passive bioremediation with oxygen release compounds, and intrinsic bioremediation. Although often viewed as competing technologies, these processes actually form a continuum of biodegradation processes governed primarily by the interplay between oxygen or electron acceptor and carbon availability. Generally, as more carbon needs to be removed per unit time, more oxygen needs to be supplied. As the carbon availability or desired removal rate decreases, so does the electron acceptor requirement. By understanding this continuum approach, bioremediation can be applied as a flexible, variable-speed technology, where the effort can be increased or decreased through oxygen supply. This article discusses the carbon-oxygen demands of each process and the interplay between processes, and then provides operating guidelines for configuring bioremediation systems for maximum flexibility.