Using environmental DNA to assess population‐wide spatiotemporal reserve use

Scientists increasingly rely on protected areas to assist in biodiversity conservation, yet the efficacy of these areas is rarely systematically assessed, often because of underfunding. Still, adaptive management strategies to maximize conservation success often rely on understanding the temporal and spatial dynamism of populations therein. Examination of environmental DNA (eDNA) is a time and cost‐effective way to monitor species’ distribution, and quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) provides information on organismal abundance. To date, however, such techniques remain underused for population assessments in protected areas. We determined eDNA concentration of the critically endangered Yangtze finless porpoise (Neophocaena asiaeorientalis asiaeorientalis) to describe its occurrence, range, and use of the Tian e‐Zhou National Nature Reserve in Hubei, China, across seasons and hydrological depths. Despite the observation that total eDNA concentrations were highest in surface waters in summer, finless porpoise eDNA concentrations were significantly higher in deeper waters than in surface waters in summer. During the breeding season (spring), eDNA signals were site specific and restricted to the core area of the reserve. However, postbreeding eDNA concentrations were widespread across the reserve, encompassing sites previously thought to be unfrequented by the species. Our results suggest spatiotemporal idiosyncrasies in site, depth, and seasonal use of the reserve and a propensity for postbreeding population dispersal. With eDNA and qPCR we were able to assess an entire population's use of a protected area. Illuminating nuances in habitat use via eDNA could be valuable to set pragmatic conservation goals for this, and other, species.     

水污染生物监测方法研究——以保山市杨柳乡小海坝为例

通过对水污染生物监测的理论依据和特点作介绍，再例举水污染生物监测的方法主要有生物指数法、水生植物生产力测定法和水污染生物测试法，最后以保山市杨柳乡小海坝为例，进一步说明了水污染生物监测的具体方法与实施步骤。     

On the Multifunctional Role of the Biota in the Self-Purification of Aquatic Ecosystems

Principles of the theory of the ecological mechanism of water self-purification based on multiple functions of the biota in freshwater and marine ecosystems are formulated. In developing this theory, the results of the author's experiments with filtering hydrobionts have been used. These results indicate that the water self-purification mechanism is vulnerable to the impact of some pollutants and, in particular, surfactants. Conclusions drawn on the basis of the theory have practical significance for biodiversity conservation and for the sustainable use of the biological resources of aquatic ecosystems.     

水湿生经济植物开发及涝渍地农业模式研究

简要阐述了利用水生和湿生植物开发涝渍地的必要性，报导了四湖地区涝渍地进行水生和湿生经济植物引种栽培和优化农业模式试验方面的研究结果，还讨论了在平原湖区涝渍地水湿生经济作物优化农业模式的优越性和生态效益。     

Do aerosols act as catalysts in the OH radical initiated atmospheric oxidation of volatile organic compounds?

Smog chamber/FTIR techniques were used to study the relative reactivity of OH radicals with methanol, ethanol, phenol, C₂H₄, C₂H₂, and p-xylene in 750 Torr of air diluent at 296±2 K. Experiments were performed with, and without, 500–8000 μg m⁻³ (4000–50 000 μm² cm⁻³ surface area per volume) of NaCl, (NH₄)₂SO₄ or NH₄NO₃ aerosol. In contrast to the recent findings of Oh and Andino (Atmospheric Environment 34 (2000) 2901, 36 (2002) 149; International Journal of Chemical Kinetics 33 (2001) 422) there was no discernable effect of aerosol on the rate of loss of the organic compounds via reaction with OH radicals. Gas kinetic theory arguments cast doubt upon the findings of Oh and Andino. The available data suggest that the answer to the title question is “No”. As part of this work the rate constants for reactions of OH radicals with methanol, ethanol, and phenol in 750 Torr of air at 296 K were determined to be: k_OH+CH3OH=(8.12±0.54)×10⁻¹³, k_OH+C2H5OH=(3.47±0.32)×10⁻¹² and k_OH+phenol=(3.27±0.31)×10⁻¹¹ cm³ molecule⁻¹ s⁻¹.     

URBANIZATION INFLUENCES ON AQUATIC COMMUNITIES IN NORTHEASTERN ILLINOIS STREAMS1

ABSTRACT: Biotic indices and sediment trace element concentrations for 43 streams in northeastern Illinois (Chicago area) from the 1980s and 1990s were examined along an agricultural to urban land cover gradient to explore the relations among biotic integrity, sediment chemistry, and urbanization. The Illinois fish Alternative Index of Biotic Integrity (AIBI) ranged from poor to excellent in agricultural/rural streams, but streams with more than 10 percent watershed urban land (about 500 people/mi²) had fair or poor index scores. A macroinvertebrate index (MBI) showed similar trends. A qualitative habitat index (PIBI) did not correlate to either urban indicator. The AIBI and MBI correlated with urban associated sediment trace element concentrations. Elevated copper concentrations in sediment occurred in streams with greater than 40 percent watershed urban land. The number of intolerant fish species and modified index of biotic integrity scores increased in some rural, urbanizing, and urban streams from the 1980s to 1990s, with the largest increases occurring in rural streams with loamy/sandy surficial deposits. However, smaller increases also occurred in urban streams with clayey surficial deposits and over 50 percent watershed urban land. These data illustrate the potentially complex spatial and temporal relations among biotic integrity, sediment chemistry, watershed urban land, population density, and regional and local geologic setting.     

Integrated Monitoring and Information Systems for Managing Aquatic Invasive Species in a Changing Climate

Abstract:  Changes in temperature, precipitation, and other climatic drivers and sea-level rise will affect populations of existing native and non-native aquatic species and the vulnerability of aquatic environments to new invasions. Monitoring surveys provide the foundation for assessing the combined effects of climate change and invasions by providing baseline biotic and environmental conditions, although the utility of a survey depends on whether the results are quantitative or qualitative, and other design considerations. The results from a variety of monitoring programs in the United States are available in integrated biological information systems, although many include only non-native species, not native species. Besides including natives, we suggest these systems could be improved through the development of standardized methods that capture habitat and physiological requirements and link regional and national biological databases into distributed Web portals that allow drawing information from multiple sources. Combining the outputs from these biological information systems with environmental data would allow the development of ecological-niche models that predict the potential distribution or abundance of native and non-native species on the basis of current environmental conditions. Environmental projections from climate models can be used in these niche models to project changes in species distributions or abundances under altered climatic conditions and to identify potential high-risk invaders. There are, however, a number of challenges, such as uncertainties associated with projections from climate and niche models and difficulty in integrating data with different temporal and spatial granularity. Even with these uncertainties, integration of biological and environmental information systems, niche models, and climate projections would improve management of aquatic ecosystems under the dual threats of biotic invasions and climate change.     

洞庭湖区药用植物资源及开发利用

报道洞庭湖区有药用植物１５５科４９２属９０５种，其中水生药用植物有３５科６９属１０３种。对该区药用植物资源，尤其是水生药用植物资源的特点进行了分析，探讨了当前资源开发中存在的若干问题，同时针对其现状提出了有关的开发对策。     

HARVESTING AS A CONTROL FOR AQUATIC PLANTS1

Studies of the effects of harvesting on hydrophytes in Lake Mendota, Wisconsin indicate that one harvest reduced growth by at least 50%, two harvests reduced it by 75% and three harvests virtually eliminated plant material for the year. The studies also indicated that harvesting one year reduced the biomass the following year, especially in deep water. Three harvests during the previous year were most effective in controlling biomass the second year.     

THE EFFECTS OF DIPOTASSIUM ENDOTHALL ON THE ZOOPLANKTON AND WATER QUALITY OF A SMALL POND1

ABSTRACT: Zooplankton samples and dissolved oxygen-temperature readings and water samples were taken from a treatment and control pond on 41 and 42 separate occasions, respectively, both before and after the application of 5.0 mg/l (a.i.) dipotassium endothall to the 0.31 ha treatment pond on May 31, 1973. Seasonal fluctuations in the density of Cladocera and Copepoda coincided quite closely in both ponds and were similar to the fluctuations reported in the literature to be typical of temperate region ponds and lakes. An apparent seasonal shift in generic composition from .Daphnia spp. in May to Ceriodaphnia spp. in June to Chydorus spp. from July/early September occurred in both ponds and is thought to be at least partially due to fish predation. No apparent changes in species composition or generic densities of Cladocerans was noted in the treatment pond that did not also occur in the control pond. There were no noticeable effects of the dipotassium endothall on either the Calanoida or Cyclopoida suborders of Copepoda. A later pulse of Ostracoda in the treatment pond, when compared to the control, may have been due to the dipotassium endothall or to a combination of the effects of the herbicide on the macrophytes and the method of sampling. A decrease in dissolved oxygen below saturation, occurring in the treated pond from 3–21 days after treatment, was attributed to an increase in biological oxygen demand associated with weed-kill. There was no noticeable increase in plant nutrients (N and P) in the treated pond following herbicide application, nor were there any apparent changes in the other chemical parameters studied.