Defining Critical Habitats of Threatened and Endemic Reef Fishes with a Multivariate Approach

Understanding critical habitats of threatened and endemic animals is essential for mitigating extinction risks, developing recovery plans, and siting reserves, but assessment methods are generally lacking. We evaluated critical habitats of 8 threatened or endemic fish species on coral and rocky reefs of subtropical eastern Australia, by measuring physical and substratum‐type variables of habitats at fish sightings. We used nonmetric and metric multidimensional scaling (nMDS, mMDS), Analysis of similarities (ANOSIM), similarity percentages analysis (SIMPER), permutational analysis of multivariate dispersions (PERMDISP), and other multivariate tools to distinguish critical habitats. Niche breadth was widest for 2 endemic wrasses, and reef inclination was important for several species, often found in relatively deep microhabitats. Critical habitats of mainland reef species included small caves or habitat‐forming hosts such as gorgonian corals and black coral trees. Hard corals appeared important for reef fishes at Lord Howe Island, and red algae for mainland reef fishes. A wide range of habitat variables are required to assess critical habitats owing to varied affinities of species to different habitat features. We advocate assessments of critical habitats matched to the spatial scale used by the animals and a combination of multivariate methods. Our multivariate approach furnishes a general template for assessing the critical habitats of species, understanding how these vary among species, and determining differences in the degree of habitat specificity. Definición de Hábitats Críticos para Peces Arrecifales Amenazados y Endémicos Mediante un Método Multivariado     

On Uncertain Sightings and Inference about Extinction

The extinction of many species can only be inferred from the record of sightings of individuals. Solow et al. (2012, Uncertain sightings and the extinction of the Ivory‐billed Woodpecker. Conservation Biology 26: 180–184) describe a Bayesian approach to such inference and apply it to a sighting record of the Ivory‐billed Woodpecker (Campephilus principalis). A feature of this sighting record is that all uncertain sightings occurred after the most recent certain sighting. However, this appears to be an artifact. We extended this earlier work in 2 ways. First, we allowed for overlap in time between certain and uncertain sightings. Second, we considered 2 plausible statistical models of a sighting record. In one of these models, certain and uncertain sightings that are valid arise from the same process whereas in the other they arise from independent processes. We applied both models to the case of the Ivory‐billed Woodpecker. The result from the first model did not favor extinction, whereas the result for the second model did. This underscores the importance, in applying tests for extinction, of understanding what could be called the natural history of the sighting record. Sobre Avistamientos Inciertos e Inferencia de la Extinción     

The Complementary Niches of Anthropocentric and Biocentric Conservationists

A divergence of values has become apparent in recent debates between conservationists who focus on ecosystem services that can improve human well‐being and those who focus on avoiding the extinction of species. These divergent points of view fall along a continuum from anthropocentric to biocentric values, but most conservationists are relatively closer to each other than to the ends of the spectrum. We have some concerns with both positions but emphasize that conservation for both people and all other species will be most effective if conservationists focus on articulating the values they all share, being respectful of divergent values, and collaborating on common interests. The conservation arena is large enough to accommodate many people and organizations whose diverse values lead them to different niches that can, with good will and foresight, be far more complementary than competitive. Los Nichos Complementarios de los Conservacionistas Antropocéntricos y Biocéntricos     

Taxonomic Uncertainty and the Loss of Biodiversity on Christmas Island,Indian Ocean

The taxonomic uniqueness of island populations is often uncertain which hinders effective prioritization for conservation. The Christmas Island shrew (Crocidura attenuata trichura) is the only member of the highly speciose eutherian family Soricidae recorded from Australia. It is currently classified as a subspecies of the Asian gray or long‐tailed shrew (C. attenuata), although it was originally described as a subspecies of the southeast Asian white‐toothed shrew (C. fuliginosa). The Christmas Island shrew is currently listed as endangered and has not been recorded in the wild since 1984–1985, when 2 specimens were collected after an 80‐year absence. We aimed to obtain DNA sequence data for cytochrome b (cytb) from Christmas Island shrew museum specimens to determine their taxonomic affinities and to confirm the identity of the 1980s specimens. The Cytb sequences from 5, 1898 specimens and a 1985 specimen were identical. In addition, the Christmas Island shrew cytb sequence was divergent at the species level from all available Crocidura cytb sequences. Rather than a population of a widespread species, current evidence suggests the Christmas Island shrew is a critically endangered endemic species, C. trichura, and a high priority for conservation. As the decisions typically required to save declining species can be delayed or deferred if the taxonomic status of the population in question is uncertain, it is hoped that the history of the Christmas Island shrew will encourage the clarification of taxonomy to be seen as an important first step in initiating informed and effective conservation action.     

2016年冬季北京地区一次重污染天气过程边界层特征

利用中国气象局地面常规观测资料、微脉冲激光雷达（MINI-MPL）、风廓线雷达资料、生态环境部大气成分等资料,对2016年12月16~21日京津冀多地污染过程的生消特征、与气象条件的关系以及边界层的结构特点进行了分析.结果表明：大气处于静稳状态,低层大气盛行偏南气流,大气湿度持续增加,加之北京三面环山不利于污染物扩散的特殊地形是造成北京此次严重空气污染的重要因素.重污染期间,污染物主要聚集在800m高度以下,严重污染时,污染物高度甚至仅有400m左右.风廓线雷达反演风场显示：2次PM_2.5浓度快速上升阶段低层伴随持续偏南风或偏东风.污染过程期间,逆温结构明显,两次污染快速发展阶段恰好出现在两次逆温最强时段.此次污染天气过程,激光雷达退偏振比总体小于0.25,反映污染主要是人类活动产生气溶胶,前期以一次排放颗粒物为主,后期以二次转化颗粒物为主.退偏振比污染过程前期呈明显日变化特征,且白天退偏比比夜间高.     

天津城区大气气溶胶复折射指数的反演及消光贡献分析

气溶胶的复折射指数是直接影响其散射特性和吸收特性的基本物理量之一.为深入研究城市大气气溶胶的复折射指数特征,引入一种具有高时间分辨率优点的反演方法来反演气溶胶复折射指数.依据辐射传输理论,将天津大气边界层观测站观测到的高精度散射系数、吸收系数和数浓度谱分布数据利用查表法代入Mie理论气溶胶粒子群消光计算公式,对大气气溶胶复折射指数进行反演.结果表明:①天津城区2011年4月观测地点0.55 μm波长处的气溶胶复折射指数实部平均值为1.64,虚部平均值为0.015.②气溶胶复折射指数实部和虚部均有明显日变化规律,实部和虚部均与相对湿度呈正相关,与风速呈负相关.③利用反演得到的复折射指数对不同粒径大气气溶胶的消光特性进行计算发现,对散射特性而言,>0.25~1.00 μm粒子对散射系数的贡献率达86%;对吸收特性而言,>0.25~2.50 μm粒子对吸收系数的贡献率为53%,>2.50~32.00 μm粒子对吸收系数的贡献率为47%.研究显示,>0.25~1.00和>1.00~32.00 μm的粒子对吸收系数的贡献率均较高,但对散射系数而言,>0.25~1.00 μm的粒子贡献率较高,因此综合考虑气溶胶散射系数、吸收系数和消光系数,控制>0.25~1.00 μm的气溶胶粒子数浓度可有效改善大气能见度.      

霾污染环境大气能见度参数化方案的改进

霾污染是高浓度大气气溶胶造成低能见度的大气现象,为了完善目前空气质量模式的大气能见度参数化方案,以准确地预报霾污染过程的能见度变化,基于已有的大气总消光系数与大气能见度的关系,依据Mie理论和大气分子的消光特性,计算颗粒物和NO₂的消光系数,提出一种改进的大气能见度参数化方案.为了验证这一改进的参数化方案的大气能见度预报性能,①利用空气质量模式WRF-Chem3.7模拟2013年12月南京地区两次霾污染个例,并且与实际观测数据对比,证实其能够准确地模拟大气颗粒物和NO₂的浓度变化;②利用模拟的大气颗粒物和NO₂的浓度数据,分别采用改进的能见度参数化方案及已有的IMPROVE方案和CHEN的能见度参数化等3个方案,计算两次霾污染个例的大气能见度变化;③与观测能见度比较,评估3个能见度参数化方案的模拟准确性。评估表明,改进的参数化方案模拟的两个霾污染个例能见度的平均标准化偏差和平均偏差分别为17.19%、3.18%和517、173 m,并且和观测能见度的相关系数分别提高到0.76、0.87,其能见度模拟的准确性优于其它两种已有的参数化方案,并在不同相对湿度（RH）和能见度范围内改进的参数化方案模拟的标准化平均误差均小于其它两种参数化方案,其中,在RH < 80%和能见度≥ 1 km范围内标准化平均误差均低于50%.研究显示,改进的大气能见度参数化方案能够有效地提高空气质量模式的霾污染环境大气能见度的预报准确性.      

杭州市PM2.5中水溶性离子的污染特征及其消光贡献

对杭州市2013年大气PM_(2.5)进行采样分析,探讨了其中水溶性离子的污染特征和消光贡献.杭州市PM_(2.5)中总水溶性离子的质量浓度为37.5μg·m~(-3),占PM_(2.5)质量浓度的44.4%,二次离子SNA(SO_4~(2-)、NO_3~-和NH_4~+)是水溶性离子的主要成分,共占到水溶性离子的83.4%.PM_(2.5)和主要水溶性离子的质量浓度都在冬季最大,夏季最低,夏秋季水溶性离子占PM_(2.5)的比值明显高于冬春季,而SNA在总水溶性离子中的比例4个季节非常接近.燃料燃烧和汽车尾气排放导致的二次离子生成,对杭州市PM_(2.5)贡献最大.SOR和NOR的年平均值分别为0.27和0.15,SO_2在大气中的转化率大于NO_x,SOR和NOR与相对湿度都呈现出明显正相关,非均相氧化过程对SO_4~(2-)和NO_3~-的生成具有重要贡献.气溶胶中[NO_3~-]/[SO_4~(2-)]的年平均值为0.63,主要受到燃煤排放的影响.霾天随着霾污染等级的逐渐加重,PM_(2.5)、水溶性离子和SNA的浓度都逐渐增大,SOR和NOR值也不断升高,霾天稳定的天气条件,能有效促进污染物的积累和二次转化.PM_(2.5)和SNA的质量浓度与大气消光系数都呈现出明显正相关,使用IMPROVE公式对不同化学组分消光系数的计算结果能够基本反映出气溶胶对大气散射的变化趋势,其结果显示SNA对大气总消光系数的贡献达60.8%.SNA的消光系数冬季最高,夏季最低,随着霾污染等级的加重,SNA的消光系数和对总消光的贡献比例也逐步增加.     

浙江北部一次爆发式发展重度大气污染的气象特点和成因

基于全国空气质量指数和PM_(2.5)监测、常规气象观测、浙江省6种主要大气污染物和自动气象监测、宁波镇海激光雷达、美国国家环境预报中心GDAS和欧洲中期天气预报中心ERA-interim再分析等多种资料,对2017年12月30日―2018年1月1日浙江北部一次爆发式发展大气污染事件气象特点及成因进行分析,应用HYSPLIT4模式进行粒子后向轨迹分析.结果表明:PM_(10)和PM_(2.5)质量浓度在浙江省表现出明显的爆发性增长和自西北向东南传输的特征,污染程度自浙北向浙中、浙南逐渐减轻,重度污染时浙北大范围出现2000 m以下的重度霾,污染粒子主要来自上游的安徽和江苏省.大气污染爆发式发展与冷空气有关,1000 m以下边界层内冷空气偏弱,但足以将盛行风改变为西北风,是污染物粒子输送的动力条件,污染粒子集中在该层内,层内没有下沉运动,因此水平风场对污染事件爆发有决定性作用;1000 m以上层次冷平流表现明显,且伴有下沉运动,抑制了边界层粒子的垂直扩散,对污染事件的发展和维持有间接影响.激光雷达的消光系数变化不仅与污染物粒子浓度变化有关,还与气象条件密切相关.污染物粒子质量浓度通量散度的变化对预报粒子浓度的增减有较好的参考作用.