Considering connections between Hollywood and biodiversity conservation

Cinema offers a substantial opportunity to share messages with a wide audience. However, there is little research or evidence about the potential benefits and risks of cinema for conservation. Given their global reach, cinematic representations could be important in raising awareness of conservation issues and species of concern, as well as encouraging greater audience engagement due to their heightened emotional impact on viewers. Yet there are also risks associated with increased exposure, including heightened visitor pressure to environmentally sensitive areas or changes to consumer demand for endangered species. Conservationists can better understand and engage with the film industry by studying the impact of movies on audience awareness and behavior, identifying measurable impacts on conservation outcomes, and engaging directly with the movie industry, for example, in an advisory capacity. This improved understanding and engagement can harness the industry's potential to enhance the positive impacts of movies featuring species, sites, and issues of conservation concern and to mitigate any negative effects. A robust evidence base for evaluating and planning these engagements, and for informing related policy and management decisions, needs to be built.     

Effectiveness of terrestrial protected areas for conservation of lake fish communities

Freshwater protected areas are rare even though freshwater ecosystems are among the most imperiled in the world. Conservation actions within terrestrial protected areas (TPAs) such as development or resource extraction regulations may spill over to benefit freshwater ecosystems within their boundaries. Using data from 175 lakes across Ontario, Canada, we compared common indicators of fish‐assemblage status (i.e., species richness, Shannon diversity index, catch per unit effort, and normalized‐length size spectrum slopes) to evaluate whether TPAs benefit lake fish assemblages. Nearest neighbor cluster analysis was used to generate pairs of lakes: inside versus outside, inside versus bordering, and bordering versus outside TPAs based on lake characteristics. The diversity and abundance indicators did not differ significantly across comparisons, but normalized‐length size spectrum slopes (NLSS) were significantly steeper in lakes outside parks. The latter indicated assemblage differences (greater abundances of small‐bodied species) and less‐efficient energy transfer through the trophic levels of assemblages outside parks. Although not significantly different, pollution‐ and turbidity‐tolerant species were more abundant outside parks, whereas 3 of the 4 pollution‐intolerant species were more abundant within parks. Twenty‐one percent of the difference in slopes was related to higher total dissolved solids concentrations and angling pressure. Our results support the hypothesis that TPAs benefit lake fish assemblages and suggest that NLSS slopes are informative indicators for aquatic protected area evaluations because they represent compositional and functional aspects of communities.     

Exceptional responders in conservation

Conservation operates within complex systems with incomplete knowledge of the system and the interventions utilized. This frequently results in the inability to find generally applicable methods to alleviate threats to Earth's vanishing wildlife. One approach used in medicine and the social sciences has been to develop a deeper understanding of positive outliers. Where such outliers share similar characteristics, they may be considered exceptional responders. We devised a 4‐step framework for identifying exceptional responders in conservation: identification of the study system, identification of the response structure, identification of the threshold for exceptionalism, and identification of commonalities among outliers. Evaluation of exceptional responders provides additional information that is often ignored in randomized controlled trials and before–after control‐intervention experiments. Interrogating the contextual factors that contribute to an exceptional outcome allow exceptional responders to become valuable pieces of information leading to unexpected discoveries and novel hypotheses.     

Quantifying species recovery and conservation success to develop an IUCN Green List of Species

Stopping declines in biodiversity is critically important, but it is only a first step toward achieving more ambitious conservation goals. The absence of an objective and practical definition of species recovery that is applicable across taxonomic groups leads to inconsistent targets in recovery plans and frustrates reporting and maximization of conservation impact. We devised a framework for comprehensively assessing species recovery and conservation success. We propose a definition of a fully recovered species that emphasizes viability, ecological functionality, and representation; and use counterfactual approaches to quantify degree of recovery. This allowed us to calculate a set of 4 conservation metrics that demonstrate impacts of conservation efforts to date (conservation legacy); identify dependence of a species on conservation actions (conservation dependence); quantify expected gains resulting from conservation action in the medium term (conservation gain); and specify requirements to achieve maximum plausible recovery over the long term (recovery potential). These metrics can incentivize the establishment and achievement of ambitious conservation targets. We illustrate their use by applying the framework to a vertebrate, an invertebrate, and a woody and an herbaceous plant. Our approach is a preliminary framework for an International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Green List of Species, which was mandated by a resolution of IUCN members in 2012. Although there are several challenges in applying our proposed framework to a wide range of species, we believe its further development, implementation, and integration with the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species will help catalyze a positive and ambitious vision for conservation that will drive sustained conservation action.     

Lessons from Białowieża Forest on the history of protection and the world's first reintroduction of a large carnivore

Understanding how the relationships between large carnivores and humans have evolved and have been managed through centuries can provide relevant insights for wildlife conservation. The management history of many large carnivores has followed a similar pattern, from game reserved for nobility, to persecuted pests, to conservation targets. We reconstructed the history of brown bear (Ursus arctos) management in Bia?owie?a Forest (Poland and Belarus) based on a detailed survey of historical literature and Russian archives. From the end of the Middle Ages to the end of 18th century, the brown bear was considered “animalia superiora” (i.e., game exclusively reserved for nobility and protected by law). Bears, also a source of public entertainment, were not regarded as a threat. Effective measures to prevent damages to traditional forest beekeeping were already in practice. In the beginning of 19th century, new game‐management approaches allowed most forest officials to hunt bears, which became the primary target of hunters due to their valuable pelt. This, together with an effective anticarnivore policy enhanced by bounties, led to bear extirpation in 1879. Different approaches to scientific game management appeared (planned extermination of predators and hunting levels that would maintain stable populations), as did the first initiatives to protect bears from cruel treatment in captivity. Bear reintroduction in Bia?owie?a Forest began in 1937 and represented the world's first reintroduction of a large carnivore motivated by conservation goals. The outbreak of World War II spoiled what might have been a successful project; reproduction in the wild was documented for 8 years and bear presence for 13. Soft release of cubs born in captivity inside the forest but freely roaming with minimal human contact proved successful. Release of captive human‐habituated bears, feeding of these bears, and a lack of involvement of local communities were weaknesses of the project. Large carnivores are key components of ecosystem‐function restoration, and site‐specific histories provide important lessons in how to preserve them for the future.     

Do lower electricity storage costs reduce greenhouse gas emissions?

In the electricity sector, innovation in large-scale storage is anticipated to reduce costs and improve performance. The effect on greenhouse gas emissions of lower storage costs depends on the interactions between storage and the entire grid. The literature has disagreed on the role of storage in reducing emissions. In this paper we present a stylized model, which suggests that the effect of storage costs on emissions depends on the supply responsiveness of both fossil and renewable generators. Under common conditions in the United States, lower storage costs are more likely to reduce emissions when wind investment responds to equilibrium electricity prices and when solar investment does not. Simulations of a computational model of grid investment and operation confirm these intuitions. Moreover, because of its effect on coal and natural gas–fired supply responsiveness, introducing a carbon dioxide emissions price may increase the likelihood that lower storage costs reduce emissions.     

臭氧氧化处理化工污水厂尾水

采用臭氧氧化工艺处理某化工污水厂尾水,考察了臭氧投加量对废水处理效果的影响,并进行了反应动力学研究。实验结果表明,最佳臭氧投加量为67 mg/L,在此条件下,处理后废水的COD去除率为19%,色度去除率为90%,UV254去除率为79%,BOD5/COD为0.11。反应动力学分析结果表明:臭氧氧化去除废水COD的反应适合采用二级反应动力学进行拟合,二级反应动力学方程为y=0.000 1x+0.000 3,相关系数为0.938 5;臭氧氧化去除废水色度的反应更适合采用一级反应动力学进行拟合,一级反应动力学方程为y=0.105 0x-0.018 4,相关系数为0.990 3。     

In_2TiO_5纳米带的静电纺丝法制备及光催化性能

以酞酸丁酯(Ti(OC_4H_9)_4)、硝酸铟(In(NO3)3)和聚乙烯吡咯烷酮(PVP-K30)为原料,采用静电纺丝技术制备了In_2TiO_5纳米带.利用X射线衍射(XRD)、扫描电子显微镜(SEM)、紫外-可见漫反射光谱(UV-vis DRS)和氮气吸附-脱附等温线(BET)等技术对样品进行了表征.考察了In_2TiO_5纳米带在光催化降解罗丹明B(RhB)、甲基橙(MO)、亚甲基蓝(MB)和左氧氟沙星(LEV)过程中的应用性能,研究了不同离子型物质、溶液的pH和MB起始浓度对In_2TiO_5纳米带光催化活性的影响.结果表明:In_2TiO_5纳米带具有正交晶系结构,禁带宽度为3.47 eV,比表面积为20.71 m~2·g~(-1),可应用于4种不同离子型物质的光催化降解,发现光催化效果与被降解物质的表面带电性质有关.在紫外光照射下,90 min,对MB的降解率达98.1%,其降解过程服从一级动力学模型.     

进水渗滤液总氮和BOD5/TN对填埋场反应器反硝化和厌氧氨氧化协同脱氮的影响

晚期垃圾渗滤液具有氨氮浓度较高、碳氮比(C/N)较低和可生化性差的特点,生物脱氮较困难.本文研究了改变进水总氮负荷和BOD5/TN比值对填埋场生物反应器处理垃圾渗滤液的脱氮效果的影响.结果表明,总氮负荷为15~25g·(m3·d)-1的范围内时,总氮去除负荷稳定为10~12 g·(m3·d)-1,但是总氮去除率随着负荷的增加从67.7%下降至60.2%,说明在一定范围总氮负荷的增加会降低总氮去除率,但不会影响去除负荷.当改变进水的BOD5/TN从0.3提高到0.4后,总氮负荷为9 g·(m3·d)-1时的厌氧、准好氧反应器,总氮去除率可从79.9%分别提高到89.9%和86.2%,表明提高BOD5/TN能够有效促进填埋场生物反应器对总氮污染物的去除,并且厌氧条件下效果更好.脱氮途径分析表明,填埋场生物反应器中厌氧氨氧化和反硝化作用可以协同脱氮.     

5氟尿嘧啶对蛋白核小球藻和羊角月芽藻生长及叶绿素含量的影响

近年来,抗癌药的环境污染特征及其生态风险引起了广泛关注。为获取典型抗癌药5氟尿嘧啶的基础生态毒性数据,以蛋白核小球藻(Chlorella pyrenoidosa)和羊角月芽藻(Selenastrum capricornutum)为受试生物,考察了5氟尿嘧啶对2种绿藻的生长和叶绿素含量的影响。结果表明,5氟尿嘧啶对蛋白核小球藻和羊角月芽藻的生长具有抑制作用,随着暴露浓度升高,细胞生长抑制率增强。5氟尿嘧啶对2种绿藻的96 h半数抑制浓度(EC50)分别为450.36 mg·L~(-1)和692.30 mg·L~(-1),属于低毒性物质。暴露96 h后,低浓度5氟尿嘧啶(32 mg·L~(-1))对蛋白核小球藻和羊角月芽藻叶绿素含量有一定的促进作用,高浓度5氟尿嘧啶(32~500 mg·L~(-1))则抑制了2种绿藻的叶绿素含量,且两者具有明显的负相关关系。和叶绿素b相比,叶绿素a对5氟尿嘧啶胁迫更为敏感。