Transgenics and Vertebrate Cloning as Tools for Species Conservation

Abstract:  It has been suggested that transgenics and vertebrate cloning have a role to play in conservation. Now is the time to evaluate their risks and benefits, before these technologies are widely implemented in our field. Direct risks of transgenics include escape and introgression of transgenes into wild populations; weedy invasion by transgenic organisms; toxicity or pathogenicity of engineered organisms and their products; and human error in the field testing and tracking of transgenic organisms. Indirect risks include environmental effects of increased herbicide use; the danger that engineered organisms may aid the development of bioweapons; the likelihood that gene patenting will lead to the privatization of natural resources; and the diversion of support from less glamorous forms of conservation. Formal risk assessments are commonly used to evaluate transgenic procedures, but our incomplete understanding of both ecosystem processes and the action of transgenes renders most of these assessments scientifically and socially unjustified. Nevertheless, a few, low-risk applications of transgenics may be possible: for example, "super-sterile" ornamental cultivars. Vertebrate cloning poses little risk to the environment, but it can consume scarce conservation resources, and its chances of success in preserving species seem poor. To date, the conservation benefits of transgenics and vertebrate cloning remain entirely theoretical, but many of the risks are known and documented. Conservation biologists should devote their research and energies to the established methods of conservation, none of which require transgenics or vertebrate cloning.     

Incorporating Evolutionary Measures into Conservation Prioritization

Abstract:  Conservation prioritization is dominated by the threat status of candidate species. However, species differ markedly in the shared genetic information they embody, and this information is not taken into account if species are prioritized by threat status alone. We developed a system of prioritization that incorporates both threat status and genetic information and applied it to 9546 species of birds worldwide. We devised a simple measure of a species' genetic value that takes into account the shape of the entire taxonomic tree of birds. This measure approximates the evolutionary history that each species embodies and sums to the phylogenetic diversity of the entire taxonomic tree. We then combined this genetic value with each species' probability of extinction to create a species-specific measure of expected loss of genetic information. The application of our methods to the world's avifauna showed that ranking species by expected loss of genetic information may help preserve bird evolutionary history by upgrading those threatened species with fewer close relatives. We recommend developing a mechanism to incorporate a species' genetic value into the prioritization framework.     

舟山渔场及其邻近海域浮游植物生态调查与研究

在2006年对舟山渔场及其邻近海域进行三期调查,共采集到浮游植物334种,分属7门85属,硅藻是构成调查区域浮游植物群落的主要类群。中肋骨条藻的优势地位明显。舟山渔场及其邻近海域浮游植物物种组成存在一定的时空差异,但不是很显著。表层浮游植物丰度全年平均为1.66×105/L。三季相比较,春季浮游植物的群落多样性相对偏高一些。通过对群落Margalef丰富度指数、Shannon-Weaver多样性指数以及Pielou均匀度指数的分析,总体上,可以认为舟山渔场及其近岸海域的生物多样性和丰富度尚好,群落结构尚稳定。但仍有部分区域环境污染严重,生物多样性较差。     

苏北海域表层沉积物中PH_3的分布

为研究海洋生态系统中PH3的迁移转化规律及其产生机制,2006年12月对苏北海域表层沉积物中磷化氢(PH3)、总磷(TP)、无机磷(IP)、有机磷(OP)及有机质(OM)的分布进行了系统分析和讨论。结果表明,PH3在苏北海域表层沉积物中普遍存在,含量在[(2.63±0.38)~(39.35±5.49)]×10-12之间,最大值出现在长江口,最小值出现在辐射沙洲海域。辐射沙洲海域TP和IP的含量较低,长江口及吕四一带含量相对较高,且沿着长江入海方向逐渐减少。OP和OM分布的总体趋势是由南至北,由西到东含量逐渐减小,长江口及吕四港一带含量较高。区与区间PH3与TP、IP及OP的相关性分析表明,IP作为PH3的生成前体物可能性比OP高。     

Spatial variations of aluminum species in drinking water supplies in Xi’an studied applying geographic information system

This article aimed to investigate the variation of aluminum species and the effects of coagulant type and water quality on aluminum speciation in drinking water.Statistical analysis showed that the concentration of total aluminum(AlT) of drinking water in Xi'an ranged from 0.051 to 0.417 mg/L and the concentration of AlT in about 24.7% studied samples was higher than the currently recommended value(0.2 mg/L).The areas fed by surface water plants had a larger portion(39.4%) of samples over the recommended value.In drinking water treated by alum coagulant,the average concentration of monomeric aluminum(Ala) was higher than that in water treated by poly aluminum chlorine(PACl) and poly aluminum ferric chloride(PAFC).The average concentrations of polynuclear aluminum(Alb) and colloidal/suspended aluminum(Alc) in the drinking water treated by alum were lower than those in water treated by PACl and PAFC.There was a notable decrease in AlT along with the delivery pipeline away from the plants,with an average decline of about 36 μg/(L·km).Besides coagulant type,water quality also could afflect aluminum speciation.In drinking water without orthophosphate,the concentrations of Ala and AlT were positively correlated with pH;while,in drinking water with orthophosphate,the concentrations of Ala and AlT were negatively correlated with pH.The addition of orthophosphate salts in the drinking water treatment process would be an effective method for aluminum control in pH range 6.5-8.2.     

黄河流域土壤侵蚀潜在风险及其转化分析

作者在前期研究中,基于流域最小图斑的划分,提出了土壤侵蚀快速评估方法,并在黄河流域的应用中取得了较满意的效果。论文以黄河流域土壤侵蚀强度的评估结果为基础,评估了流域土壤侵蚀的脆弱性。以抗侵蚀年限表征流域土壤侵蚀潜在危险度,结合土壤侵蚀脆弱性分析了流域土壤侵蚀潜在风险。通过与土壤侵蚀强度的对比,指出在流域水土保持和生态保护中,同时考虑土壤侵蚀强度和水土流失潜在风险才能作出更合理的决策。最后,分析了黄河流域中游土壤侵蚀风险向下游洪水风险的转化关系,指出黄河中游高产沙区土壤侵蚀风险转化为下游更高的洪水风险,在泥沙灾害研究中应关注灾害的链式反应。     

Short-term e ects of drawing water for connectivity of rivers and lakes on zooplankton community structure

During 28–29, September 2005, water was drawn from Hanjiang River and Houguan Lake to the Yangzi River via Sanjiao Lake and Nantaizi Lake in Wuhan in order to provide favorable conditions for ecosystem restoration. To evaluate the feasibility and validity of drawing water as a means of ecosystem restoration, zooplankton populations were studied 3 times (before, immediately after finishing and a month after drawing water) at seven locations from 27 Sept. 2005 to 2 Nov. 2005. Water quality in the lakes was mostly improved and zooplankton species richness decreased as soon as drawing water had finished but increased a month after drawing water. Zooplankton density and biomass was reduced in the lakes by drawing water but was increased at the entrance to Sanjiao Lake because of landform geometry change. Before drawing water, most species in Sanjiao Lake e.g., Brachionus sp. and Keratella sp. were tolerant of contamination. After drawing water oligotrophic-prone species such as Lecane ludwigii and Gastropus stylifer emerged. We conclude that drawing water could be important for improving water quality and favour ecosystem restoration. Dilution of nutrient concentrations may be an important role in the e ect.     

大气细颗粒物水溶成分和非水溶成分的细胞毒性

为了研究细颗粒物不同成分细胞毒作用的差异,以细颗粒物水溶成分和非水溶成分对人肺癌上皮细胞株A549细胞染毒.结果表明,在染毒剂量为100 μg·mL-1、200 μg·mL-1和300 μg·mL-1的范围内,水溶成分的细胞毒性明显高于非水溶成分(P(0.05),表现为抑制细胞活性,导致细胞膜损伤增加.并且诱导细胞活性氧(ROS)的产生.使用N-乙酰半胱氨酸(NAC)和抗坏血酸(Vit C)阻断活性氧(ROS)产生的研究结果表明,与未加上述抗氧化剂的染毒组相比,加抗氧化剂的染毒组细胞的活性明显增强.因此,提示细颗粒物水溶成分是最主要的毒性成分之一,而氧化.应激损伤可能是细颗粒物细胞毒作用的重要机制之一.     

A risk assessment system for alien plant bio-invasion in Xiamen, China

Bio-invasion has caused serious ecosystem damage and enormous economic losses in China,and it has been the greatest factor to island bio-diversity reduction.Xiamen,as an important seaport with a relatively high conservation value,is particularly vulnerable to bio-invasion for its typical island ecosystem as well as frequent human-made disturbance.As a result of field surveys,literature review, and consultation with experts,a list of 67 alien plants identified as major invaders(12 species)and emerging inv...     

Short-term effects of drawing water for connectivity of rivers and lakes on zooplankton community structure

During 28-29,September 2005,water was drawn from Hanjiang River and Houguan Lake to the Yangzi River via Sanjiao Lake and Nantaizi Lake in Wuhan in order to provide favorable conditions for ecosystem restoration.To evaluate the feasibility and validity of drawing water as a means of ecosystem restoration,zooplankton populations were studied 3 times (before,immediately after finishing and a month after drawing water)at seven locations from 27 Sept.2005 to 2 Nov.2005.Water quality in the lakes was mostly improved and zooplankton species richness decreased as soon as drawing water had finished but increased a month after drawing water.Zooplankton density and biomass was reduced in the lakes by drawing water but was increased at the entrance to Sanjiao Lake because of landform geometry change.Before drawing water,most species in Sanjiao lake e.g.,Brachionus sp.and Keratella sp.were tolerant of contamination.After drawing water oligotrophic-prone species such as Lecane ludwigii and Gastropus stylifer emerged.We conclude that drawing water could be important for improving water quality and favour ecosystem restoration.Dilution of nutrient concentrations may be an important role in the effect.