Coexistence of Fisheries with River Dolphin Conservation

Abstract: Freshwater biodiversity conservation is generally perceived to conflict with human use and extraction (e.g., fisheries). Overexploited fisheries upset the balance between local economic needs and endangered species’ conservation. We investigated resource competition between fisheries and Ganges river dolphins (Platanista gangetica gangetica) in a human‐dominated river system in India to assess the potential for their coexistence. We surveyed a 65‐km stretch of the lower Ganga River to assess habitat use by dolphins (encounter rates) and fishing activity (habitat preferences of fishers, intensity of net and boat use). Dolphin abundance in the main channel increased from 179 (SE 7) (mid dry season) to 270 (SE 8) (peak dry season), probably as a result of immigration from upstream tributaries. Dolphins preferred river channels with muddy, rocky substrates, and deep midchannel waters. These areas overlapped considerably with fishing areas. Sites with 2–6 boats/km (moderately fished) were more preferred by dolphins than sites with 8–55 boats/km (heavily fished). Estimated spatial (85%) and prey–resource overlap (75%) between fisheries and dolphins (chiefly predators of small fish) suggests a high level of competition between the two groups. A decrease in abundance of larger fish, indicated by the fact that small fish comprised 74% of the total caught, may have intensified the present competition. Dolphins seem resilient to changes in fish community structure and may persist in overfished rivers. Regulated fishing in dolphin hotspots and maintenance of adequate dry season flows can sustain dolphins in tributaries and reduce competition in the main river. Fish‐stock restoration and management, effective monitoring, curbing destructive fishing practices, secure tenure rights, and provision of alternative livelihoods for fishers may help reconcile conservation and local needs in overexploited river systems.     

A Multiscale Network Analysis of Protected‐Area Connectivity for Mammals in the United States

Abstract: Protected areas must be close, or connected, enough to allow for the preservation of large‐scale ecological and evolutionary processes, such as gene flow, migration, and range shifts in response to climate change. Nevertheless, it is unknown whether the network of protected areas in the United States is connected in a way that will preserve biodiversity over large temporal and spatial scales. It is also unclear whether protected‐area networks that function for larger species will function for smaller species. We assessed the connectivity of protected areas in the three largest biomes in the United States. With methods from graph theory—a branch of mathematics that deals with connectivity and flow—we identified and measured networks of protected areas for three different groups of mammals. We also examined the value of using umbrella species (typically large‐bodied, far‐ranging mammals) in designing large‐scale networks of protected areas. Although the total amount of protected land varied greatly among biomes in the United States, overall connectivity did not. In general, protected‐area networks were well connected for large mammals but not for smaller mammals. Additionally, it was not possible to predict connectivity for small mammals on the basis of connectivity for large mammals, which suggests the umbrella species approach may not be an appropriate design strategy for conservation networks intended to protect many species. Our findings indicate different strategies should be used to increase the likelihood of persistence for different groups of species. Strategic linkages of existing lands should be a conservation priority for smaller mammals, whereas conservation of larger mammals would benefit most from the protection of more land.     

城市污泥两段式催化热解制合成气研究

为了把城市污泥中温热解产生的挥发性产物转化为可直接利用的洁净可燃性气体或重要的化工原料合成气,采用两段式热解装置对城市污泥进行了催化热解实验研究,讨论了不同催化剂对城市污泥热解挥发性产物的催化裂解能力,结果表明:城市污泥在热解终温500℃,热解液产率最大,超过500℃,热解液产率减少,热解气增多,固相产率基本不变;城市污泥热解液的裂解温度需在900℃以上,产生的气体组分主要为H2、CO、CH4等小分子非冷凝性气体;Ni/分子筛复合催化剂对热解液转化为合成气的作用效果较好,合成气体(H2+CO)体积含量占气体总量的85%以上.     

热成形和热处理对3.5Ni钢力学性能的影响

本文研究了不同厚度3.5Ni低温钢板以不同热成形加热温度和冷却条件成形后的力学性能变化。通过对经历热成形同样加热和冷却条件的母材试板重新进行不同规范的正火和回火,对材料被损坏的性能进行了恢复和提高,为低温钢设备的制造提供了可靠的工艺依据。     

2015/2016年海洋和大气环流异常对中国夏季降水的影响

利用1981年1月-2016年8月中国160个气象站降水量资料和NCEP/NCAR资料,对比分析了2015/2016年的主要海洋和大气环流异常及其对夏季降水的影响。结果表明：1）2015和2016年夏季降水异常分布有着明显的差异。2015年夏季降水呈南多北少特点;2016年夏季降水明显增多,尤其是北方地区,且呈现经向型分布。2）热带印度洋-太平洋海温状况监测显示,2015年海温异常表现为El Niño发展年、热带印度洋全区一致模态海温偏暖、印度洋偶极子正位相;2016年海温异常表现为El Niño结束年、热带印度洋全区一致模态海温偏暖、印度洋偶极子负位相。3）2015年,受热带印度洋-太平洋海温异常影响,使得夏季西太平洋副高偏强、偏南,再配合中高纬冷空气活跃,西风急流轴位置偏南,导致我国降水北少南多。4）2016年,受El Niño衰减、印度洋偶极子负位相影响,副高偏北;叠加印度洋海温偏暖的“充电器”效应,副高偏强;同时冷空气偏北偏弱,西风急流轴位置偏北,导致长江中下游及以北区域降水偏多。     

Catalytic hydrolysis of gaseous HCN over Cu–Ni/γ-Al2O3 catalyst: parameters and conditions

? The Cu–Ni/γ-Al₂O₃ catalyst was prepared to study HCN hydrolysis ? On catalyst calcined at 400°C, the HCN removal efficiency reaches a maximum. ? HCN removal is the highest at 480 min at a H ₂ O/HCN volume ratio of 150 ? The presence of CO facilitates HCN hydrolysis and increases NH ₃ production. ? O ₂ increases the HCN removal and NO_x production but decreases NH ₃ production GRAPHIC ABSTRACT To decompose efficiently hydrogen cyanide (HCN) in exhaust gas, g-Al₂O₃-supported bimetallic-based Cu–Ni catalyst was prepared by incipient-wetness impregnation method. The effects of the calcination temperature, H₂O/HCN volume ratio, reaction temperature, and the presence of CO or O₂ on the HCN removal efficiency on the Cu–Ni/g-Al₂O₃ catalyst were investigated. To examine further the efficiency of HCN hydrolysis, degradation products were analyzed. The results indicate that the HCN removal efficiency increases and then decreases with increasing calcination temperature and H₂O/HCN volume ratio. On catalyst calcined at 400°C, the efficiency reaches a maximum close to 99% at 480 min at a H₂O/HCN volume ratio of 150. The HCN removal efficiency increases with increasing reaction temperature within the range of 100°C–500°C and reaches a maximum at 500°C. This trend may be attributed to the endothermicity of HCN hydrolysis; increasing the temperature favors HCN hydrolysis. However, the removal efficiencies increases very few at 500°C compared with that at 400°C. To conserve energy in industrial operations, 400°C is deemed as the optimal reaction temperature. The presence of CO facilitates HCN hydrolysis andincreases NH₃ production. O₂ substantially increases the HCN removal efficiency and NO_x production but decreases NH₃ production.     

浙江三门湾沉积记录:U k37表层海水温度和浮游植物群落变化与El Ni?o/La Ni?a的关联

应用三门湾沉积柱样中长链烯酮不饱和指数(U k37)与表层海水温度SST的关系重建历史上的El Ni?o/La Ni?a事件;利用3种浮游植物标志物菜子甾醇(brassicasterol)、甲藻甾醇(dinosterol)和长链烯酮C37(alkenones)来恢复单一种硅藻Diatom、甲藻Dinoflagellates和颗石藻Emiliania huxleyi变化.研究结果表明:(1)U k37估算温度在15.19~17.61℃波动,与当地秋季海水实测温度接近.U k37估算的温度清晰地再现了全球变暖的趋势,且其波动可能与El Ni?o/La Ni?a震荡有关.(2)浮游植物标志物总含量变化范围为710.7~6998.5 ng·g-1,180年以来呈总体上升趋势.沉积记录中硅藻相对比例最高、甲藻次之,硅藻/甲藻比值在2.1~7.2波动,表现出近岸浮游植物对海洋环境变化的敏感性.(3)El Ni?o/La Ni?a事件可影响到浮游植物细胞丰度以及群落结构变化,在El Ni?o盛期,浮游植物细胞丰度剧增,而浮游植物种类数及群集多样性程度明显减少.另外,浮游植物细胞丰度的季节性规律不明显,El Ni?o事件可能是影响三门湾海域浮游植物生产力的主要因素.     

Hunting, law enforcement, and African primate conservation

Abstract: Primates are regularly hunted for bushmeat in tropical forests, and systematic ecological monitoring can help determine the effect hunting has on these and other hunted species. Monitoring can also be used to inform law enforcement and managers of where hunting is concentrated. We evaluated the effects of law enforcement informed by monitoring data on density and spatial distribution of 8 monkey species in Taï National Park, Côte d’Ivoire. We conducted intensive surveys of monkeys and looked for signs of human activity throughout the park. We also gathered information on the activities of law‐enforcement personnel related to hunting and evaluated the relative effects of hunting, forest cover and proximity to rivers, and conservation effort on primate distribution and density. The effects of hunting on monkeys varied among species. Red colobus monkeys (Procolobus badius) were most affected and Campbell's monkeys (Cercopithecus campbelli) were least affected by hunting. Density of monkeys irrespective of species was up to 100 times higher near a research station and tourism site in the southwestern section of the park, where there is little hunting, than in the southeastern part of the park. The results of our monitoring guided law‐enforcement patrols toward zones with the most hunting activity. Such systematic coordination of ecological monitoring and law enforcement may be applicable at other sites.