Biodiversity conservation research challenges in the 21st century: A review of publishing trends in 2000 and 2011

The Strategic Plan for Biodiversity 2011–2020 recognizes the increasing importance of scientific knowledge to support conservation policies and decision making. In this study, we assessed the tendency of such knowledge in the first decade of the 21st century. We carried out a systematic review of publications in biodiversity conservation, considering the following aspects: type of research, main topic of study, object of study (i.e. biodiversity organizational level, taxonomic groups and ecosystems), pressures and drivers of change, as well as geographical distribution. In total, 966 publications were analyzed within the three journals with higher academic reach in the field under study: Biodiversity & Conservation, Biological Conservation, and Conservation Biology. Our results show that there are several biases in scientific knowledge associated with the object of study, and analyzed drivers of changes, as well as geographical distribution. However, research trends are not uniform along the first decade of 21st century, as there are some differences between 2000 and 2011 regarding the main topic of the study, the spatial scale and geographical region, and the analyzed ecosystems. We finally discuss the implications of current knowledge trends in biodiversity conservation for achieving the targets delineated by the Strategic Plan for Biodiversity 2011–2020.     

MACROSCALE HYDROLOGIC MODELING FOR REGIONAL CLIMATE ASSESSMENT STUDIES IN THE SOUTHEASTERN UMTED STATES1

ABSTRACT: A macroscale hydrologic model is developed for regional climate assessment studies under way in the southeastern United States. The hydrologic modeling strategy is developed to optimize spatial representation of basin characteristics while maximizing computational efficiency. The model employs the “grouped response unit” methodology, which follows the natural drainage pattern of the area. First order streams are delineated and their surface characteristics are tested so that areas with statistically similar characteristics can be combined into larger computational zones for modeling purposes. Hydrologic response units (HRU) are identified within the modeling units and a simple three‐layer water balance model, Soil and Water Assessment Tool (SWAT), is executed for each HRU. The runoff values are then convoluted using a triangular unit hydrograph and routed by Muskingum‐Cunge method. The methodology is shown to produce accurate results relative to other studies, when compared to observations. The model is used to evaluate the potential error in hydrologic assessments when using GCM predictions as climatic input in a rainfall‐runoff dominated environment. In such areas, the results from this study, although limited in temporal and spatial scope, appear to imply that use of GCM climate predictions in short term quantitative analyses studies in rainfall‐runoff dominated environments should proceed with caution.     

Ecological and Biological Features of Melic (Melica virgata Turch. ex Trin.) in Transbaikalia

The endangered species Melica virgata was studied with respect to geographic distribution, the recent state of cenopopulations, the characteristics of habitats, phytocenotic relationships, morphology, and specific ecological and physiological features. The data on the introduction, biochemical composition, and economic significance of M. virgata are presented, and measures aimed at species conservation are proposed.     

Effect of pH values on the solubility of some elements in different soil samples

The purpose of this study is to know the concentrations of some heavy-metal elements (Zn, Pb and Cd) in different types of soil and the effect of pH values on their solubility. Two types of soil were selected from area adjacent to the sewage treatment plant, as well as from an agricultural area in the city of Al-Rass, Qassim, KSA for this purpose. The results showed high concentrations of elements in the acidic medium at pH 2, while concentrations decreased as the pH increased to reach the neutral medium. The decrease in concentrations was very clear in the alkaline medium and reached the lowest values at pH10. On the other hand, the highest concentrations were detected in soil adjacent to the sewage treatment specially for Pb and Cd in comparison with agricultural soil. The previous results show the urgent need for wastewater treatment and checking for pH values at standard limits before use in irrigation or discharge it on soil surface, as well as soil analysis prior to the planting and selection of appropriate plants by specialists for the health of citizens, where each plant characterise by its absorption for specific elements.     

Uncertainty in future soil carbon trends at a central U.S. site under an ensemble of GCM scenario climates

This study uses DAYCENT model to investigate the sensitivity of soil organic carbon (SOC) at an intensely cultivated site in the U.S. Midwest under an ensemble of scenario climates predicted by IPCC models. The model ensemble includes three IPCC models (Canadian, French, German), three emission scenarios (B1, A1B, A2) and three time periods (late 20th, mid-21st, late 21st century). DAYCENT shows that SOC at the site would decline by 0.3-2.6 kg m⁻² (5-35%) depending on the models and scenarios from late 20th to mid-21st century despite a larger increase of future net primary production (NPP) than respiration. The future SOC decrease is mostly attributable to harvest loss. The wide spread in future SOC decline rates are in part because SOC decrease (by respiration) is directly proportional to SOC itself. Any uncertainty in absolute SOC in DAYCENT would translate directly into its trend, unlike other variables such as temperature whose trends are independent of their values themselves, contrasting the reliability of SOC trend with temperature change.     

模拟酸雨及其活化Al~（3＋）构成的复合污染对中小型土壤动物的毒杀效果

酸雨可引起土壤中铝离子的活化而造成铝毒问题,因此酸雨及其活化的金属铝离子势必造成对土壤中小型动物的复合污染与影响。为此,通过室内模拟试验,研究3种优势土壤动物直接暴露在4种不同酸度的模拟酸雨和4种不同铝离子浓度梯度组合而构成的复合污染处理条件下的死亡率,以探明酸雨通过降低土壤酸度同时活化Al3＋对土壤动物的叠加影响效应。研究结果表明：弹尾目、线虫、蜱螨目等土壤动物直接暴露在酸水和铝离子的复合溶液中,其死亡率总体上均会随着酸水pH值的降低和Al3＋离子浓度的升高而增加。通过单因素和双因素方差分析还发现,不同类群的土壤动物对模拟酸雨pH和溶液中Al3＋含量的敏感性各不相同,其中酸水和铝离子复合胁迫对线虫和蜱螨目动物死亡率的影响并没有表现出明显的交互作用,但对弹尾目土壤动物死亡率存在显著的交互作用影响。     

Environmental fate of glyphosate and aminomethylphosphonic acid in surface waters and soil of agricultural basins

Argentinian agricultural production is fundamentally based on a technological package that combines no-till and glyphosate in the cultivation of transgenic crops. Transgenic crops (soybean, maize and cotton) occupy 23 million hectares. This means that glyphosate is the most employed herbicide in the country, where 180–200 million liters are applied every year.     

Institutions,policies and soil degradation: theoretical examinations and case studies in Southeast China

Abstract

Southeast China is one of the severe soil degradation areas in China. This paper theoretically examines the impact of some important institutional arrangements and policies, like land management pattern, the rural off-farm employment, land property change and changes in prices of agricultural products, on soil degradation in this area. It further conducts some case studies to confirm the potential relationship between the institutions & policies and soil degradation, applying the surveyed and the second hand data. The paper at last makes some conclusions and proposes some suggestions on how to promote soil conservation by improving the ways of policy decision-making and the effects of policies on land use.     

Soil sterilization affects aging-related sequestration and bioavailability of p,p′-DDE and anthracene to earthworms

Laboratory experiments investigated the effects of soil sterilization and compound aging on the bioaccumulation of spiked p,p′-DDE and anthracene by Eisenia fetida and Lumbricus terrestris. Declines in bioavailability occurred as pollutant residence time in both sterile and non-sterile soils increased from 3 to 203 d. Accumulation was generally higher in sterile soils during initial periods of aging (from 3-103 d). By 203 d, however, bioavailability of the compounds was unaffected by sterilization. Gamma irradiation and autoclaving may have altered bioavailability by inducing changes in the chemistry of soil organic matter (SOM). The results support a dual-mode partitioning sorption model in which the SOM components associated with short-term sorption (the ‘soft’ or ‘rubbery’ phases) are more affected than are the components associated with long-term sorption (the ‘glassy’ or microcrystalline phases). Risk assessments based on data from experiments in which sterile soil was used could overestimate exposure and bioaccumulation of pollutants.     

Formation Process and Amelioration of the Loess Plateau in China

Abstract

Based on the formation process of the Loess Plateau, the characteristics comparison between loess and ancient soil and the located materials of spore- pollen, ancient stone artifact, history, geography and soil erosion, the analysis reveals that the present state serious soil erosion in Loess Plateau, instead of being a natural geologic course, is a consequence of destruction of vegetation, irrational land utilization and the direct destruction of soil permeability and anti-erosion ability, esp. anti-scourability. The water and soil conservation measures, with the twenty-eight-word amelioration principle as the core, are the basis for exploiting and improving water and soil resources of the Loess Plateau so as to harness the Huanghe (the Yellow River).