The Value of Biodiversity in Reserve Selection: Representation, Species Weighting, and Benefit Functions

Abstract:  The limited availability of resources for conservation has led to the development of many quantitative methods for selecting reserves that aim to maximize the biodiversity value of reserve networks. In published analyses, species are often considered equal, although some are in much greater need of protection than others. Furthermore, representation is usually treated as a threshold: a species is either represented or not, but varying levels of representation over or under a given target level are not valued differently. We propose that a higher representation level should also have higher value. We introduce a framework for reserve selection that includes species weights and benefit functions for under- and overrepresentation (number of locations for each species). We applied the method to conservation planning for herb-rich forests in southern Finland. Our use of benefit functions and weighting changed the identity of about 50% of the selected sites at different funding levels and improved the representation of rare and threatened species. We also identified a small area of additional land that would substantially enhance the existing reserve network. We suggest that benefit functions and species weighting should be considered as standard options in reserve-selection applications.     

Cyanide Removal by Chinese Vegetation. Quantification of the Michaelis-Menten Kinetics (6 pp)

Background Little is known about metabolism rates of environmental chemicals by vegetation. A good model compound to study the variation of rates among plant species is cyanide. Vascular plants possess an enzyme system that detoxifies cyanide by converting it to the amino acid asparagine. Knowledge of the kinetic parameters, the half-saturation constant (Km) and the maximum metabolic capacity (vmax), is very useful for enzyme characterization and biochemical purposes. The goal of this study is to find the enzyme kinetics (KM and vmax) during cyanide metabolism in the presence of Chinese vegetation, to provide quantitative data for engineered phytoremediation, and to investigate the variation of metabolic rates of plants. Methods Detached leaves (1.0 g fresh weight) from 12 species out of 9 families were kept in glass vessels with 100 mL of aqueous solution spiked with potassium cyanide at 23°C for 28 h. Four different treatment concentrations of cyanide were used, ranging from 0.44 to 7.69 mg CN/L. The disappearance of cyanide from the aqueous solution was analyzed spectrophotometrically. Realistic values of the half-saturation constant (KM) and the maximum metabolic capacity (vmax) were estimated by a computer program using non-linear regression treatments. As a comparison, Lineweaver-Burk plots were also used to estimate the kinetic parameters. Results and Discussion The values obtained for KM and vmax varied with plant species. Using non-linear regression treatments, values of vmax and KM were found in a range between 6.68 and 21.91 mg CN/kg/h and 0.90 to 3.15 mg CN/L, respectively. The highest vmax was by Chinese elder (Sambucus chinensis), followed by upright hedge-parsley (Torilis japonica). The lowest vmax was demonstrated by the hybrid willow (Salix matssudana x alba). However, the highest KM was found in the water lily (Nymphea teragona), followed by the poplar (Populus deltoides Marsh). The lowest KM was demonstrated by corn (Zea mays L.). The values of vmax were normally distributed with a mean of 13 mg CN/kg/h. Conclusions Significant removal of cyanide from aqueous solution was observed in the presence of plant materials without phytotoxicity, even at high doses of cyanide. This gives rise to the conclusion that the Chinese plant species used in this study are all able to efficiently metabolize cyanide, although with different maximum metabolic capacities. A second conclusion is that the variation of metabolism rates between species is small. All these plants had a similar KM, indicating the same enzyme is active in all plants. Recommendations and Outlook Detoxification of cyanide with trees seems to be a feasible option for cleaning soils and water contaminated with cyanide. For phytoremediation projects, screening appropriate plant species adapted to local conditions should be seriously considered. More chemicals should be investigated to find common principles of the metabolism of environmental chemicals by plants.     

青藏高原西北部近地表气温直减率时空分布特征

近地表气温直减率是研究山地生态系统对气候变化响应过程中的重要参数,论文基于青藏高原西北部1951—2013年的9个标准气象站以及2012—2016年的高山自设观测站的日平均气温、最低气温、最高气温（T_ave、T_min、T_max）数据,分析了青藏高原西北部近地表气温直减率（LR_Tave、LR_Tmin、LR_Tmax）的时空分布特征。结果表明：1）青藏高原西北部近地表气温随高程增大有显著下降趋势。研究区两个区域的LR_Tave、LR_Tmin、LR_Tmax均呈现出显著的空间差异性,而基于气象站的LR_Tave、LR_Tmin高于高山观测站的LR_Tave、LR_Tmin、LR_Tmax,其中LR_Tmin差异最为显著,而LR_Tmax空间差异较小。2）青藏高原西北部近地表气温直减率具有明显的季节差异,气象站的LR_Tave、LR_Tmin、LR_Tmax季节变化趋势为春季高、夏季较高、冬季低,而高山观测站的LR_Tave、LR_Tmin、LR_Tmax季节变化趋势为夏季高、冬季低。其中气象站LR_Tmax在四季中的差异最显著,而高山观测站的LR_Tmin的季节差异最大。高山观测站的气温直减率在4—9月间具有较为稳定的值。3）青藏高原西北部LR_Tave、LR_Tmin在气温突变年前后具有显著的差异,LR_Tmax无显著的变化。其中,在气温突变年之后,LR_Tave、LR_Tmin有显著的上升趋势,表明青藏高原西北部地区的LR_Tave、LR_Tmin对区域气候变化的响应显著,而LR_Tmax对区域气候变化的响应不显著。研究将有效改善青藏高原西北部气温空间分布规律研究的不足,为区域气候变化研究及生态系统对气候响应等定量研究提供理论基础。     

小波熵去噪在微差爆破延时精确识别中的应用

在小波熵去噪理论的基础上,对实际隧道爆破工程采集到的爆破振动信号进行了小波熵方法去噪。利用db8小波对去噪后的信号在尺度a=16进行了连续小波变换得到其模极大值,准确识别了隧道多段别微差爆破实际延期时间间隔,并验证了小波熵方法去噪的可靠性。结果表明,小波熵去噪方法能够有效滤除和抑制爆破振动非线性信号所夹杂的高频噪声分量,并且很好地保留了爆破振动信号的突变细节。对滤波后的信号进行模极大值变换,信号局部奇异点的辨识更准确,可以精确识别隧道微差爆破延时间隔。     

Evaluation of pliers’ grip spans in the maximum gripping task and sub-maximum cutting task

A total of 25 males participated to investigate the effects of the grip spans of pliers on the total grip force, individual finger forces and muscle activities in the maximum gripping task and wire-cutting tasks. In the maximum gripping task, results showed that the 50-mm grip span had significantly higher total grip strength than the other grip spans. In the cutting task, the 50-mm grip span also showed significantly higher grip strength than the 65-mm and 80-mm grip spans, whereas the muscle activities showed a higher value at 80-mm grip span. The ratios of cutting force to maximum grip strength were also investigated. Ratios of 30.3%, 31.3% and 41.3% were obtained by grip spans of 50-mm, 65-mm, and 80-mm, respectively. Thus, the 50-mm grip span for pliers might be recommended to provide maximum exertion in gripping tasks, as well as lower maximum-cutting force ratios in the cutting tasks.     

基于数字图像相关方法的石墨高温杨氏模量测试

目的为了得到石墨在高温环境下的杨氏模量,为飞行器热防护系统和高温热结构的设计提供可靠的技术保障。方法基于数字图像相关(DIC)方法和通电电阻加热技术,建立一套测量材料在高温环境下力学性能的测试系统。利用该系统,测量高温下石墨试样的表面应变场和应力-应变曲线,计算相应温度下的杨氏模量。在1400℃实验环境下,采用基于DIC与高温引伸计的方法同时测量超高温陶瓷试件的拉伸应变数据,并进行比较验证。结果在1400℃实验环境下,采用基于DIC与高温引伸计方法测得超高温陶瓷的应变-时间曲线吻合良好,方差为1.3×10-7。1200~1900℃高温环境下,石墨的杨氏模量随温度的升高呈线性增长趋势。结论采用基于DIC方法准确有效,该方法可方便快速地实现对石墨材料在高温环境下杨氏模量的测量。另外,该方法也可应用于其他导电材料杨氏模量的测试。     

锅炉烟囱高度设置合理性论证的实例分析

污染物高烟囱排放对改善污染物对地面的影响是很明显的,但是过高的烟囱不仅对企业投资是一种负担,而且还可能对周围环境产生景观上的不协调影响,因此环境影响评价中开展对烟囱高度合理性论证是非常必要的。以延安市某集中供热工程为实例,依照相关技术规范对烟囱高度的明确要求,并利用新版大气环境影响评价技术导则中推荐的SCREEN3模式,论证了该工程拟建设的120m高烟囱是合理可行的,同时得出了"高烟囱的设置可促成酸雨的形成"以及"过高的烟囱对环境质量的改善是并不明显的"这一结论。针对研究时存在的不足之处,最后提出了继续深入研究的方向。     

珠江流域河流碳输出通量及变化特征

研究河流碳运移对于研究全球碳循环以及探讨河流对全球气候变化的响应机制具有重要意义.2012年4月和7月选取珠江主流及支流11个代表性断面,分析悬浮颗粒物和碳组分的空间分布和季节变化,同时选取博罗、石角和高要这3个主控断面,对珠江流域的碳通量和侵蚀模数进行了估算.结果表明,珠江流域悬浮颗粒物(TSS)、颗粒有机碳(POC)以及溶解有机碳(DOC)随雨季的到来而质量浓度升高,西江上游TSS和POC的质量浓度增加显著;珠江流域河流碳的4种组分中,溶解无机碳(DIC)的所占质量分数最高,且西江、北江的DIC质量浓度明显高于东江;西江、北江和东江河流中外源POC分别占78%、72%和26%,三大支流的POC均受上游C3植物的影响;珠江流域的TSS、总碳(TC)、POC、颗粒无机碳(PIC)、DOC、DIC、以及颗粒碳(TPC)、总有机碳(TOC)的入海通量分别为134×1012、12.69×1012、2.50×1012、1.01×1012、1.13×1012、8.05×1012、3.51×1012和3.65×1012g·a-1,对应的侵蚀模数分别为:309×106、28.98×106、5.75×106、2.27×106、2.56×106、18.4×106、8.02×106和8.31×106g·(km2.a)-1.与全球主要河流碳侵蚀模数相比,珠江流域河流DOC、POC和TOC的侵蚀模数均高于全球平均值.     

陕北多沙粗沙区乡村聚落土壤侵蚀的典型流域调查与估算——以碾庄沟流域为例

随着乡村聚落的发展,陕北多沙粗沙区乡村聚落土壤侵蚀的严重性已经凸显。以碾庄沟流域为例,研究了乡村聚落土壤侵蚀方式,并对侵蚀总量进行了估算。结果显示:从乡村聚落土壤侵蚀的主要方式来看,以新建窑洞的弃土侵蚀最大,窑洞坍塌侵蚀次之,聚落水蚀侵蚀量最小,其中塌窑侵蚀和建窑侵蚀两项合计占到乡村聚落土壤侵蚀总量的94.6%;从乡村聚落的侵蚀总量来看,面积占1.08%的乡村聚落产生的侵蚀量却占到全流域侵蚀总量的6.83%,人居侵蚀模数达6.3万t/(km2.a)或8.18 t/(人.a)。因此,对乡村聚落土壤侵蚀应加以重视,而土壤侵蚀的防治工作应该以新建窑洞的管理和废弃窑洞坍塌的治理为重点。     

最大熵模糊综合评价法在污灌区土壤重金属污染等级划分中的应用

以开封市化肥河污灌区为例,运用最大熵模糊综合评价法开展了土壤重金属(Cu、Zn、Cr、Pb、Cd、Ni、As)污染评价.结果表明: 在污灌区13个样点中,属于3级重污染的样点达11个,占总样点数的84.62%,只有位于化肥河上游的两个样点属于2级水平,污染较轻;在所有污染因子中,Cd和As的污染最为突出,其中Cd平均权重值为0.541 9,是最主要的污染因子.与内梅罗法综合指数法评价的结果相比较,最大熵模糊综合评价法能够显示更多的土壤污染信息,引入目标函数和隶属度,重视不同污染因子的权重,具有更高的准确性.