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 We provide evidence that both dogmatic norms are scientifically and morally outdated and propose new normative values to push conservation towards more robust science and ethical practice.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     

19种动植物粗提物对锦鲤诱食活性的研究

以16种植物和3种动物提取物作为实验材料,以体长为3—5cm的锦鲤为实验对象,采用触球法进行诱食活性研究,5次重复试验,并利用SPSS软件进行分析。结果表明,大蒜、浒苔、洋葱、西红柿、江蓠、陈皮、橙子、山楂、紫菜提取物和海星、海蜇、牡蛎提取物对锦鲤显示出诱食反应。其中,大蒜P=0.0010.05、浒苔P=0.0020.05、江蓠P=0.0040.05、陈皮P=0.0370.05、海星P=0.0030.05,说明大蒜、浒苔、江蓠、陈皮、海星对锦鲤的诱食反应有显著意义。     

Inputs of antifouling paint-derived dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethanes (DDTs) to a typical mariculture zone (South China): potential impact on aquafarming environment

Existing evidence indicated that dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane (DDT)-containing antifouling paints were an important source of DDT residues to mariculture zones. However, the magnitude of the impact on aquafarming environment has remained largely unknown. In the present study, the concentrations of DDT and its metabolites (designated as DDXs) were determined in harbor sediment and antifouling paint samples collected from a typical mariculture zone in South China. Compositional and concentration correlation analyses implicated the DDT-containing antifouling paints for fishing boat maintenance as an important source of DDT in the mariculture zone. The annual emission of DDXs to the study region was estimated at 0.58 tons/yr. Furthermore, a comparison of the expected DDT loadings in pelagic fish and field measurements indicated that fish feed especially trash fish was a major source of DDTs in the fish body. Nevertheless, the use of DDT-containing antifouling paints should be limited to prevent further deterioration in aquafarming environment.     

Farm‐level Economic and Water Quality Impacts of Comprehensive Nutrient Management Plan Implementation in the Ohio River Basin

In this article, we provide an assessment of comprehensive nutrient management plans (CNMPs) as a tool for addressing nonpoint nutrient and sediment losses from the animal feeding operations (AFOs) in the Ohio River Basin. We employ a macro modeling system to determine the aggregate economic and water quality impacts of CNMP implementation on AFOs in the entire basin. Results of the study indicate that implementing CNMPs on AFOs will help reduce sediment and organic nutrient losses from their current levels at moderate cost. The flexibility inherent in CNMP designs means farmers may be able to achieve water quality and other conservation goals at less cost with CNMPs than with other less flexible policy options.     

Impacts of Alternative Manure Application Rates on Texas Animal Feeding Operations: A Macro Level Analysis1

Abstract: An integrated economic and environmental modeling system was developed for evaluating agro‐environmental policies and practices implemented on large scales. The modeling system, the Comprehensive Economic and Environmental Optimization Tool‐Macro Modeling System (CEEOT‐MMS), integrates the Farm‐level Economic Model (FEM) and the Agricultural Policy Environmental eXtender (APEX) model, as well as national databases and clustering and aggregation algorithms. Using micro simulations of statistically derived representative farms and subsequent aggregation of farm‐level results, a wide range of agricultural best management practices can be investigated within CEEOT‐MMS. In the present study, CEEOT‐MMS was used to evaluate the economic and water quality impacts of nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) based manure application rates when implemented on all animal feeding operations in the State of Texas. Results of the study indicate that edge‐of‐field total P losses can be reduced by about 0.8 kg/ha/year or 14% when manure applications are calibrated to supply all of the recommended crop P requirements from manure total P sources only, when compared to manure applications at the recommended crop N agronomic rate. Corresponding economic impacts are projected to average a US$4,800 annual cost increase per farm. Results are also presented by ecological subregion, farm type, and farm size categories.     

通风控制方式对动物粪便堆肥过程中氮、磷变化的影响

以动物园内的动物粪便和水杉落叶为原料,分别采用时间-温度联合控制(Ⅰ号堆体)、时间控制(Ⅱ号堆体)的强制通风控制方式进行堆肥试验,考察了2种强制通风控制方式对动物粪便堆肥过程中氮、磷元素变化的影响.研究结果表明,经过51d的堆肥化以后,Ⅰ、Ⅱ号堆体的NH4 -N平均含量分别从0.95 g·kg-1和0.78 g·kg-1下降到0.36 g·kg-1和0.62 g·kg-1,NO3--N平均含量分别从152mg·kg-1和120mg·kg-1增加到351 mg·kg-1和243 mg·kg-1.由于"浓缩效应",堆肥过程中TN、TP、速效磷的含量均有所增加,Ⅰ、Ⅱ号堆体的TN平均含量分别从16.05 g·kg-1和15.71 g·kg-1增加到19.70 g·kg-1和21.41 g·kg-1,TP平均含量分别从8.17 g·kg-1和8.23 g·kg-1增加到9.38 g·kg-1和9.62 g·kg-1,速效磷平均含量分别从1.83 g·kg-1和1.99 g·kg-1增加到2.81 g·kg-1和3.57 g·kg-1.统计分析结果表明,这2种强制通风控制方式对堆肥过程中速效磷含量变化有着显著的影响(p=0.002),但对其它指标(C/N比、NH4 -N、TN、NO3--N、TP)含量变化的影响却不显著(p＞0.05).