Area-Based Refinement for Selection of Reserve Sites with the Benefit-Function Approach

Abstract:  Optimization of resource use is necessary for efficient conservation planning. Many reserve-selection algorithms aim to identify representative but inexpensive networks, which may lead to selecting small sites due to their lower costs and collectively higher species richness. Nevertheless, larger sites would be preferable regarding species' long-term persistence. An area-based refinement can be used to overcome this problem. We used a reserve-planning framework in which continuous benefit functions valued representation (numbers of populations), and differential species weights were based on a species' local rarity and threatened status. We introduced a refinement based on the species-area relationship that provides relatively higher values for larger sites. We applied the proposed method to rich fen vegetation in southern Finland. The species-area refinement resulted in a network of significantly larger sites with minor trade-offs with representation (numbers of populations). Giving endangered species higher weights ensured that the trade-off occurred mostly between site size and representation of low-priority species. We recommend using a species-area refinement for practical, maximum-coverage conservation planning.     

基于气象服务信息的应急物资配送路径选择

为构建科学的应急救援体系,基于气象服务信息制定更合理的应急物资配送路径方案。将突发灾害下典型的"单出救点、单受灾点"应急物资配送网络结构作为研究对象。运用衰减系数反映气象条件对物资配送速度的实时影响。构建以满足时间限制和需求量要求为前提的应急物资配送路径选择模型。设计算例进行数值仿真和参数分析,将求解结果与传统最短路径法所选路径方案进行对比分析。结果表明:气象服务提供的衰减系数和途经各区域灾害强度等关键信息对配送路径的优化决策有重要影响。     

含铬废渣填埋场渗滤液污染地下水问题实例分析

结合工程实例叙述了含铬废渣填埋场地的选择．并建立针对填埋场地下水污染问题的数学预测模型,利用该模型对填埋场渗滤液污染地下水进行计算与分析。结果表明,选择合适的填埋场不仅工程措施简单,工程投资少,而且对地下水的污染甚微,能够更好地满足填埋要求。     

基于三角模糊熵-理想点法的LNG接收站选址评价模型研究

为了对LNG接收站选址进行科学评价,综合考虑了环境、政策、交通及经济4方面因素,选取自然条件、安全性及城市发展规划等14个指标作为LNG接收站选址评价指标体系;结合三角模糊熵组合赋权法确定评价指标权重,根据理想点法原理计算理想点贴近度,得到LNG接收站选址评价结果;构建了基于三角模糊熵-理想点法的评价模型,并进行评价模型实例应用。实例应用结果表明:该评价模型的评价结果与LNG接收站选址论证单位的比选结果相一致,验证了该评价模型的可行性和合理性以及评价方法的有效性。该方法为LNG接收站选址评价提供了1种新的思路。     

基于多因素出口选择的建筑疏散指示优化设计

建筑疏散指示标志关系到人们的生命安全,为了寻找一种更为有效的引导疏散的思路,实现紧急疏散时合理、有效地引导人员逃生,提出了以疏散人员到出口的距离、出口宽度和出口区域人员密度三个因素为基础的出口选择模式作为建筑疏散指示标志的设计规则;研究了仅考虑距离因素选择出口时疏散人员分配失衡的现象,展示了以人员到出口的距离、出口宽度、出口区域人员密度三个因素为基础的出口选择引导模式对建筑疏散的优化效果。研究结果表明:根据距离、出口宽度和出口区域人员密度三个因素来确定疏散指示标志设计的规则,避免了人员密集建筑场所“就近出口”带来的不利因素,实现了疏散资源的高效利用。     

Selection of poly(R)-3-hydroxybutyric acid utilising bacteria by enrichment,optimisation and compatibility testing for consortia development

Bacterial strains with poly-3-hydroxybutyrate (PHB) degradation potential were isolated from waste yard soil samples of selected industrial sites in Uttarakhand, India, and two microbial consortia were developed, i.e. Consortium I comprises Pseudomonas sp. strain Rb10, Pseudomonas sp. strain Rb11 and Bacillus sp. strain Rb18, and Consortium II is composed of Lysinibacillus sp. strain Rb1, Pseudomonas sp. strain Rb13 and Pseudomonas sp. strain Rb19. The current study involved enrichment selection via liquid and semi-solid media, followed by isolation and screening of bacterial strains using PHB pellets and films. Furthermore, the identification and characterisation was done by triphasic approach. The utilisation of PHB by the characterised strains was confirmed by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and scanning electron microscopy. Moreover, the minimum inhibitory concentration of solubilised PHB was found to be 2.5?mg/mL, which was detected through ‘clear zone assay’. Further, the selection and biocompatibility testing of potential isolates were performed for the formation of bacterial consortia. Thus, the present work would provide direct and standardised protocol for screening and selection of potential microbiomes for biodegradation of polymers by overcoming the negative effect of organic solvents. Moreover, indigenously developed consortia would be evaluated for their in situ biodegradation potential against various bioplastic films.     

Evaluating surrogates of genetic diversity for conservation planning

Protected-area systems should conserve intraspecific genetic diversity. Because genetic data require resources to obtain, several approaches have been proposed for generating plans for protected-area systems (prioritizations) when genetic data are not available. Yet such surrogate-based approaches remain poorly tested. We evaluated the effectiveness of potential surrogate-based approaches based on microsatellite genetic data collected across the Iberian Peninsula for 7 amphibian and 3 reptilian species. Long-term environmental suitability did not effectively represent sites containing high genetic diversity (allelic richness). Prioritizations based on long-term environmental suitability had similar performance to random prioritizations. Geographic distances and resistance distances based on contemporary environmental suitability were not always effective surrogates for identification of combinations of sites that contain individuals with different genetic compositions. Our results demonstrate that population genetic data based on commonly used neutral markers can inform prioritizations, and we could not find an adequate substitute. Conservation planners need to weigh the potential benefits of genetic data against their acquisition costs.     

Evolution,variability and sustainable development

SUMMARY

Sustainable development is a global challenge to science and society. In politics and economics the concepts for establishing a sustainable society are numerous, nonetheless necessary interdisciplinary approaches are still marginalised. Trying to foster a deeper communication between biology and social science, an evolutionary perspective on sustainable development is offered. Subsequently, the role of variability and diversity in evolution is highlighted. Hereby, special attention is devoted, among other things, to the links between variability and stability in the long term. Next, selection and variability are emphasised in the cultural context. This is followed by general implications for sustainability. In contrast to strategies aiming at short-term optimisation and economic efficiency, we argue that the conditions and circumstances maintaining variability and momentary sub-optimal alternatives are highly relevant for a socio-economic system that is heading for sustainable development.     

Implementing second-best environmental policy under adverse selection

A key obstacle to practical application of mechanism design theory to regulation is the difficulty of obtaining consistent beliefs regarding information that theoretical models assume to be commonly held. This article presents a solution to this problem by developing an easily implemented empirical methodology with which the government can use available data to develop beliefs regarding the technology and distribution of types in a regulated sector characterized by hidden information. Results are used to calibrate a second-best land conservation mechanism and evaluate its cost relative to simpler alternatives.     

Sexual selection in a socially monogamous bird: male color predicts paternity success in the mountain bluebird, <Emphasis Type="Italic">Sialia currucoides</Emphasis>

Ornamental traits are thought to evolve because they give individuals an advantage in securing multiple mates. Thus, the presence of ornamentation among males in many monogamous bird species presents something of a conundrum. Under certain conditions, extra-pair paternity can increase the variance in reproductive success among males, thus increasing the potential for sexual selection to act. We addressed this possibility in the mountain bluebird (Sialia currucoides), a socially monogamous songbird in which males possess brilliant ultraviolet (UV)-blue plumage. Specifically, we asked whether a male’s success at siring offspring within his own nest and within the nests of other males was related to his coloration. In pairwise comparisons, males that sired extra-pair offspring were not more colorful than the males that they cuckolded. However, males that sired at least one extra-pair offspring were, on average, brighter and more UV-blue than males that did not sire extra-pair offspring. Brighter, more UV-blue males sired more offspring both with their own mate and tended to sire more offspring with extra-pair mates and thus sired more offspring overall. Our results support the hypothesis that the brilliant UV-blue ornamental plumage of male mountain bluebirds evolved at least in part because it provides males with an advantage in fertilizing the eggs of multiple females.