Testing the capacity of clothing to act as a vector for non-native seed in protected areas

Although humans are a major mechanism for short and long distance seed dispersal, there is limited research testing clothing as a vector. The effect of different types of material (sports vs hiking socks), or different items of clothing (boots, socks, laces vs legs) or the same item (socks) worn in different places on seed composition were assessed in Kosciuszko National Park, Australia. Data was analyzed using Repeated Measures ANOVA, independent and paired t-tests, Multi-dimensional Scaling Ordinations and Analysis of Similarity. A total of 24,776 seeds from 70 taxa were collected from the 207 pieces of clothing sampled, with seed identified from 31 native and 19 non-native species. Socks worn off-track collected more native seeds while those worn on roadsides collected more non-native seeds. Sports socks collected a greater diversity of seeds and more native seeds than hiking socks. Boots, uncovered socks and laces collect more seeds than covered socks and laces, resulting in 17% fewer seeds collected when wearing trousers. With seeds from over 179 species (134 recognized weeds) collected on clothing in this, and nine other studies, it is clear that clothing contributes to unintended human mediated seed dispersal, including for many invasive species.     

设备本体缺陷导致袋式除尘器失效因素探析

叙述并分析了袋式除尘器失效主要是滤袋严重破损和设备阻力过高造成的,设备本体缺陷导致袋式除尘器失效的主要因素有进风方式、气流分布、本体结构、清灰装置、参数确定、制作和安装质量、操作和维护的规范程度等,同时提出了克服袋式除尘器本体缺陷的建议。     

Human-mediated dispersal of aquatic invertebrates with waterproof footwear

Human-mediated dispersal has rarely been considered in wetland conservation strategies at regional scales, yet high concern exists about this aspect for (inter-)national management considering invasive species in other aquatic systems. In this context, we aim at understanding the role of human-mediated dispersal by footwear in protected wetlands with high conservation value. Zooplankton and zoobenthos were sampled in 13 shallow lakes in central Spain and, at the same time, mud attached to waders was collected and later cultured in deionized water under laboratory conditions for 4 weeks. Two-hundred and four individuals belonging to 19 invertebrate taxa were recovered after hatching; Ostracoda (84 %), Cladocera (53 %), Copepoda (30 %), Anostraca (30 %), and Notostraca (7 %) were the most frequent groups among the hatched crustaceans. NMDS and PERMANOVA analyses showed significant differences between the dispersed (via footwear) and the source active metacommunity, suggesting different dispersal abilities among the species found. Human vectors facilitate dispersal among protected lakes, which could eventuality lead to biotic homogenization and faster spread of non-indigenous species. Preservation strategies and education campaigns associated to target humans in close contact with water bodies should be imperative in conservation management of protected lakes.

Electronic supplementary material

The online version of this article (doi:10.1007/s13280-015-0689-x) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.     

环境公益诉讼立法问题研究

随着社会生产力的飞速发展,环境问题日益突出。环境公益诉讼是解决环境问题,保护国家、社会和公众环境权益的基本形式和有效途径,也是最后屏障。从国内一起环境公益诉讼案件出发,借鉴国外特别是美国环境公益诉讼的经验,提出了建立我国环境公益诉讼制度的若干立法建议,旨在探索一条落实科学发展观的环境保护新思路。     

Integrating larval connectivity into the marine conservation decision-making process across spatial scales

Larval dispersal connectivity is typically integrated into spatial conservation decisions at regional or national scales, but implementing agencies struggle with translating these methods to local scales. We used larval dispersal connectivity at regional (hundreds of kilometers) and local (tens of kilometers) scales to aid in design of networks of no-take reserves in Southeast Sulawesi, Indonesia. We used Marxan with Connectivity informed by biophysical larval dispersal models and remotely sensed coral reef habitat data to design marine reserve networks for 4 commercially important reef species across the region. We complemented regional spatial prioritization with decision trees that combined network-based connectivity metrics and habitat quality to design reserve boundaries locally. Decision trees were used in consensus-based workshops with stakeholders to qualitatively assess site desirability, and Marxan was used to identify areas for subsequent network expansion. Priority areas for protection and expected benefits differed among species, with little overlap in reserve network solutions. Because reef quality varied considerably across reefs, we suggest reef degradation must inform the interpretation of larval dispersal patterns and the conservation benefits achievable from protecting reefs. Our methods can be readily applied by conservation practitioners, in this region and elsewhere, to integrate connectivity data across multiple spatial scales.     

Quantifying sediment-associated metal dispersal using Pb isotopes: Application of binary and multivariate mixing models at the catchment-scale

In this study Pb isotope signatures were used to identify the provenance of contaminant metals and establish patterns of downstream sediment dispersal within the River Maritsa catchment, which is impacted by the mining of polymetallic ores. A two-fold modelling approach was undertaken to quantify sediment-associated metal delivery to the Maritsa catchment; employing binary mixing models in tributary systems and a composite fingerprinting and mixing model approach in the wider Maritsa catchment. Composite fingerprints were determined using Pb isotopic and multi-element geochemical data to characterize sediments delivered from tributary catchments. Application of a mixing model allowed a quantification of the percentage contribution of tributary catchments to the sediment load of the River Maritsa. Sediment delivery from tributaries directly affected by mining activity contributes 42-63% to the sediment load of the River Maritsa, with best-fit regression relationships indicating that sediments originating from mining-affected tributaries are being dispersed over 200 km downstream.     

Pollen dispersal and intensity as criteria for the minimum viable population and species reserves

In small populations the lack of mating individuals may cause a reduction in reproductive potential which can restrict population expansion or cause further population declines. This is especially true in outcrossing monoecious and self-incompatible dioecious plant species. Principles of pollen dispersal suggest that many small to medium size population reserves of round shape will maximize the pollen interaction within and between island reserves. Diverse and low-density ecosystems require more total area in reserves than low-diversity and high-density ecosystems.     

初夏渤海湾营养盐结构特征及其限制状况分析

根据2016年初夏渤海湾营养盐、叶绿素a和相关水文参数等数据,利用浮游植物吸收营养盐最低阈值和化学计量关系作为判断依据对渤海湾营养盐限制状况进行分析.结果表明：受陆地径流和渤海中部冷水输入的影响,初夏渤海湾在近岸、中部和湾口呈现三个明显的温盐特征海区.溶解无机氮（DIN）和活性硅酸盐（SiO₃^2--Si）受陆源输入影响,呈现近岸高湾口低的特征;DIN平均浓度为（7.67±6.48）μmol/L,SiO₃^2--Si平均浓度为（5.44±3.01）μmol/L,在湾口表层,DIN含量较低仅为（2.21±2.94）μmol/L,其中50%站点含量低于阈值（1μmol/L）,58.3%的站点存在DIN限制.而活性磷酸盐（PO₄^3--P）受陆源输入和浮游植物吸收储存作用等因素影响,呈现西部和曹妃甸外近海高中部较低的分布特征,平均浓度为（0.07±0.07）μmol/L,近岸受陆源氮磷输入总量差异影响,表层存在磷潜在限制比例达100%,而中部表层受浮游植物消耗吸收的影响,PO₄^3--P含量较低,仅为（0.02±0.02）μmol/L （未检出设为0）,其中近74.3%的水样含量低于阈值（0.03μmol/L）,磷限制状况严重.随着渤海湾氮磷营养盐陆源输入总量差距不断扩大,磷限制状况必将会进一步发展.     

过犹不及:土地资源资本化与实体经济发展

在经济转型发展战略背景下,探讨土地资源资本化及其对实体经济发展的影响具有重要理论和现实意义。不同于已有研究均质化地理解土地资本化,该研究从"度"的视角切入,认为土地资本化存在适度与过度之分,由此分析了不同程度土地资本化对实体经济的影响,并基于中国工业企业微观数据予以实证考察,最后讨论了中国当前土地过度资本化风险与原因。研究表明:(1)土地资本化存在限度,限度范围内促进实体经济增长,越过限度则抑制实体经济增长,两者呈"倒U型"关系,该结论在多种模型设定下均保持稳健;(2)当土地资本化越过最优限度,将激起全要素成本快速上涨,导致利润空间收窄,引致实体经济萎缩;(3)从工业企业大样本微观数据估计出的"倒U型"拐点来判断,当前中国城市经济已面临较严重的土地过度资本化问题,东中西部相继进入过度资本化高风险状态,这可能损害实体经济而影响中国经济的增长前景;(4)进一步的分析表明,中国式分权造成的地方政府"为增长而竞争"可能是土地资本化持续深化乃至过度化的重要原因,调整政治激励方式应是寻求土地过度资本化理性回归的着力点。研究提供了重要政策启示:土地资本化是一把"双刃剑",趋利避害的关键是把握"度"的原则;中国必须通过深化政绩考核、土地市场和土地税制等多方面协同改革来纠正土地过度资本化偏向;面向高质量发展与实体经济转型升级,主动转变土地资本化支撑方式,改革土地资本收益支出结构,加快支出重心向新基建、科教部门和民生部门转移。     

A Multiscale Network Analysis of Protected‐Area Connectivity for Mammals in the United States

Abstract: Protected areas must be close, or connected, enough to allow for the preservation of large‐scale ecological and evolutionary processes, such as gene flow, migration, and range shifts in response to climate change. Nevertheless, it is unknown whether the network of protected areas in the United States is connected in a way that will preserve biodiversity over large temporal and spatial scales. It is also unclear whether protected‐area networks that function for larger species will function for smaller species. We assessed the connectivity of protected areas in the three largest biomes in the United States. With methods from graph theory—a branch of mathematics that deals with connectivity and flow—we identified and measured networks of protected areas for three different groups of mammals. We also examined the value of using umbrella species (typically large‐bodied, far‐ranging mammals) in designing large‐scale networks of protected areas. Although the total amount of protected land varied greatly among biomes in the United States, overall connectivity did not. In general, protected‐area networks were well connected for large mammals but not for smaller mammals. Additionally, it was not possible to predict connectivity for small mammals on the basis of connectivity for large mammals, which suggests the umbrella species approach may not be an appropriate design strategy for conservation networks intended to protect many species. Our findings indicate different strategies should be used to increase the likelihood of persistence for different groups of species. Strategic linkages of existing lands should be a conservation priority for smaller mammals, whereas conservation of larger mammals would benefit most from the protection of more land.