Use of Empirically Derived Source-Destination Models to Map Regional Conservation Corridors

Abstract:  The ability of populations to be connected across large landscapes via dispersal is critical to long-term viability for many species. One means to mitigate population isolation is the protection of movement corridors among habitat patches. Nevertheless, the utility of small, narrow, linear features as habitat corridors has been hotly debated. Here, we argue that analysis of movement across continuously resistant landscapes allows a shift to a broader consideration of how landscape patterns influence connectivity at scales relevant to conservation. We further argue that this change in scale and definition of the connectivity problem improves one's ability to find solutions and may help resolve long-standing disputes regarding scale and definition of movement corridors and their importance to population connectivity. We used a new method that combines empirically derived landscape-resistance maps and least-cost path analysis between multiple source and destination locations to assess habitat isolation and identify corridors and barriers to organism movement. Specifically, we used a genetically based landscape resistance model for American black bears ( Ursus americanus ) to identify major movement corridors and barriers to population connectivity between Yellowstone National Park and the Canadian border. Even though western Montana and northern Idaho contain abundant public lands and the largest wilderness areas in the contiguous United States, moving from the Canadian border to Yellowstone Park along those paths indicated by modeled gene flow required bears to cross at least 6 potential barriers. Our methods are generic and can be applied to virtually any species for which reliable maps of landscape resistance can be developed.     

Estimating population dynamics without population data

We develop a biologically correct cost system for production systems facing invasive pests that allows the estimation of population dynamics without a priori knowledge of their true values. We apply that model to a data set for olive producers in Crete and derive from it predictions about the underlying population dynamics. Those dynamics are compared to information on population dynamics obtained from pest sampling with extremely favorable results.     

热带爪蟾(Xenopus tropicalis)胚胎在生态毒理学中的应用前景

首先介绍了热带爪蟾(Xenopus tropicalis)作为新的模式动物的发展过程以及热带爪蟾基因组学方面的研究进展,概述了非洲爪蟾(X.laevis)胚胎在生态毒理学中的应用。在此基础上,详细讨论了热带爪蟾胚胎在污染物致毒效应和作用机理、毒理学理论和环境样品生态毒性检测等方面的应用现状和前景。最后,简要介绍了目前国内外有关热带爪蟾网站、书籍和养殖等方面的信息资源。     

Holy Cows: A Look at the Influence of Religious Beliefs on Dairy Animal Welfare on Kibbutzim in Israel

The influence of religious beliefs on people's attitudes andactions in the area of animal welfare was examined by interviewing dairyworkers on kibbutzim (communal agricultural settlements) in Israel.Workers on religiously observant kibbutzim were no more consistent intheir attitudes toward and treatment of dairy cows than workers onnon-observant and selectively observant kibbutzim.     

Revisiting two dogmas of conservation science

Conservation science is a morally motivated field, with implicit and explicit values built into its practice. As such, conservationists must engage with conservation ethics to interrogate underlying values. We examine cutting-edge ecological science and contemporary ethics to revisit two conservation norms that have become dogmatic in the field: ecological collectives, but not individual animals, are valuable and anthropomorphism should be staunchly avoided. Emerging studies demonstrate that individuals and their intraspecific variation can be instrumentally valuable for conservation science, and there is an emerging consensus within environmental philosophy around the moral worth of individuals. Thus, we suggest conservation science should explicitly recognize the value of individuals. We also argue that avoiding anthropomorphism is detrimental to conservation because critical anthropomorphism enables a more nuanced scientific approach—allowing conservationists to ask enlightened questions with creativity and compassion. We provide evidence that both dogmatic norms are scientifically and morally outdated and propose new normative values to push conservation towards more robust science and ethical practice.     

Governmental Oversight of Discharges from Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations

As point sources of pollution in the United States, concentrated animal feeding operations (CAFOs) are subject to the National Pollution Discharge Elimination System permitting system requirements. Changes to federal regulations in 2003 and a 2005 court decision have increased the governmental oversight of CAFOs. Manure application to fields from “large CAFOs” that results in unpermitted discharges can be regulated under the Clean Water Act. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s interpretation of agricultural stormwater discharges was approved so that unpermitted discharges may arise if an owner or operator of a CAFO fails to apply manure correctly. Owners and operators do not, however, have a duty to secure governmental permits in the absence of a discharge. Turning to the federal provisions regarding nutrient management plans, a court found that they were deficient. Moreover, the federal government needs to reconsider requirements that would reduce pathogens from entering surface waters. Although these developments should assist in reducing the impairment of U.S. waters, concern still exists. Greater oversight of nutrient management plans and enhanced enforcement efforts offer opportunities to provide greater assurance that CAFO owners and operators will not allow a discharge of pollutants to enter surface waters.     

猪场废弃物强制通风静态仓堆肥系统的试验研究

通过组织5个猪场废弃物堆肥试验,度量温度、表观性状、体积、重量损失、全氮、全磷、大肠杆菌值、蛔虫卵杀灭率和发芽指数等指标,检验了开发的强制通风静态仓堆肥系统的性能.结果表明,除起始含水率为80%试验堆体因起始含水率过高导致发生厌氧反应外,其余4个堆体均实现堆肥无害化、减量化、稳定化和资源化的处理目标;堆肥温度维持50℃以上5～7 d,或55℃以上3 d是大肠杆菌值达到国家粪便无害化卫生标准的必要条件;堆肥过程能有效脱除堆料的生物毒性,后腐熟阶段是必需阶段;氮、磷、钾等主要营养元素在堆肥前后呈现"浓缩效应".因此,堆肥化能提高猪场废弃物肥效和利用价值.     

大伙房水库底栖动物（1980～1992）群落结构特征及水质生物学评价

1980～1992年对大伙房水库6个站进行了不同季节底栖动物群落特征生态调查。共发现26种底栖动物,隶属于20属,3科。底栖动物密度由1980年的3335个/m2减少到1992年的829个/m2。共发现9种耐污种类,占总数的34.6％,密度占86.5％以上。水质生物学评价结果表明：1、2站动物种类少（10种）,多样性指数低（1.2956）,属α──中污染;5站动物种类多（16种）,多样性指数高（1.4024）,属β──中污染;大伙房水库只受到轻度污染。     

SR菌的卫生安全性研究

为了探讨ＳＲ菌应用于净化回收电镀废水重金属工艺的安全性,通过１１项试验和调查,研究了ＳＲ菌的毒力、毒性、致毒性、感染性和致敏性,ＳＲ菌在机体内的转归,人接触ＳＲ菌的反应,ＳＲ菌对植物生长的遗传的影响,结果表明ＳＲ菌的毒力,致毒性都在无毒范围;不致传染病;不致皮肤过敏;ＳＲ菌对植物的生长和遗传无不良影响,进入胃肠道的ＳＲ菌ＳＲ菌６ｈ入血液循环,２４ｈ由尿,粪排出,体内的ＳＲ菌在７ｄ左右被机体解体,通     

Occurrence and distribution of pharmaceuticals in wastewater from households, livestock farms, hospitals and pharmaceutical manufactures

Twenty-four pharmaceuticals were measured in wastewater from 12 municipal wastewater treatment plants (M-WWTPs), four livestock WWTPs (L-WWTPs), four hospital WWTPs (H-WWTPs) and four pharmaceutical manufacture WWTPs (P-WWTPs). The total concentration of pharmaceuticals in the influent samples was highest in the L-WWTPs followed by the P-WWTPs, H-WWTPs and M-WWTPs. The effluents had different patterns of pharmaceuticals than their corresponding influents because of the different fate of each compound in the WWTPs. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) were the most dominant in the influents from the M-WWTPs and P-WWTPs, while antibiotics were dominantly detected in the L-WWTP. In the H-WWTP influents, NSAIDs, caffeine and carbamazepine were dominant. In the P-WWTPs, the distribution of pharmaceuticals in the effluents varied with sampling sites and periods. The M-WWTP influents had the highest daily loads, while the effluents showed somewhat similar levels in all source types.