Fertilizer market reforms and factors influencing fertilizer use by small-scale farmers in Bénin

Bénin, like other countries in sub-Saharan Africa, has initiated programs to reform agricultural input and output markets. While the impact of the reform programs has been different for each country, it is commonly observed that impact at the farm level has been less than anticipated. A central theme of this paper is to assess the impact of fertilizer market reforms on the fertilizer market structure and fertilizer use for both food and export (cotton) crop production in Bénin. This analysis of farm-level policy impact is based on data from 899 farm households randomly selected and interviewed in all six départements of Bénin in 1998/1999. Results of the study show that there have been only insignificant changes in the fertilizer market structure. Access to fertilizers has not improved; prices for fertilizer have risen in real terms, resulting in application rates lower than that recommended by extension agents. The effects of the reform programs are vital for investment decisions and provide lessons for introducing alternative approaches for improving soil fertility or management. Since 1992, 54% of farmers find maize (Zea mays L.) production more profitable, while 38% reported that cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) production has become more profitable. As a result of the mixed effects of the fertilizer market reform program on the level of fertilizer use and profitability, there is need to develop efficient soil fertility management strategies for small-scale farmers. Such strategies should incorporate the use of complementary inputs, such as seeds with a high level of response to the balanced nutrient package.     

Female pseudohermaphroditism in a fetus with a deletion 9(q22.2q31.1)

Interstitial deletions of chromosomal region 9q are rarely seen. We report the first prenatal diagnosis of a de novo interstitial deletion 9q. The fetus was karyotyped for intrauterine growth retardation (IUGR). Conventional and molecular cytogenetics showed female karyotype with a de novo deletion of the chromosomal region 9(q22.2q31.1) leading to a partial monosomy 9q. At autopsy, the fetus showed growth retardation, dysmorphy, and a female pseudohermaphroditism. These results suggest that a gene(s) for genital development reside in chromosomal region 9q22.2q31.1. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

基于多个扩增子的DNA metabarcoding技术探究黄海微型真核浮游植物多样性

微型真核浮游植物是海洋生态系统中能量流动和物质循环的关键环节,对维持海洋生态系统的稳定发挥着关键的作用.本研究首次应用DNA metabarcoding技术探讨黄海微型真核浮游植物的物种组成及多样性,对比分析ITS、18S r DNA V4和18S r DNA V9扩增子条件下微型真核浮游植物的群落结构及多样性水平,并探讨了其多样性与温度、盐度的响应关系.结果表明:①基于ITS扩增子获得的微型真核浮游植物中绿藻门所占比例较高,而基于18S r DNA V4和18S r DNA V9扩增子获得的甲藻门相对丰度较高.②基于18S r DNA V9扩增子获得的微型真核浮游植物的ACE、Chao1、Shannon和Simpson指数较ITS和18S r DNA V4扩增子更高,而且其门、纲、目和科的数目较高.③黄海微型真核浮游植物的Shannon指数与温度呈现出显著正相关的关系(P 0. 01),而与盐度呈现出显著负相关的关系(P 0. 05).本研究通过对比不同扩增子条件下黄海微型真核浮游植物的群落结构及丰度特征,丰富了黄海微型真核浮游植物的认识,可为今后该海域微型真核浮游植物的生态学研究、生物多样性监测、生物资源动态变化及持续开发生产等方面的分析提供科学依据.     

南京市大气细颗粒物(PM2.5)中硝基多环芳烃污染特征与风险评估

硝基多环芳烃是大气细颗粒物中具有致癌效应的一类重要污染物,为探明硝基多环芳烃污染特征与来源,采集南京市14个大气细颗粒样品,利用气相色谱-质谱联用仪（GC-MS）测定硝基多环芳烃浓度,进行分布特征分析,来源识别和健康风险评估.结果表明,南京市大气细颗粒物中2,8-二硝基二苯并噻吩（743 pg·m^-3）、2,7-二硝基芴（331 pg·m^-3）、9-硝基蒽（326 pg·m^-3）、3-硝基荧蒽（217 pg·m^-3）和1,8-二硝基芘（193 pg·m^-3）为主要的硝基多环芳烃;硝基多环芳烃检出浓度具有明显的季节变化,冬季最高（3082 pg·m^-3）,秋季其次（1553 pg·m^-3）,春季最低（1218 pg·m^-3）.南京市大气细颗粒物中硝基多环芳烃主要来自多环芳烃大气光氧化反应与生物质燃烧,二次生成是硝基多环芳烃的重要来源.当前南京PM_2.5中硝基多环芳烃的致癌风险可控,二硝基多环芳烃是致癌风险的主要来源.     

AP9/AE9/SPM辐射环境模型研究

对辐射环境模型AP9/AE9/SPM进行了系统研究,重点分析了AP9/AE9/SPM辐射环境模型的发展历程、建模数据、模型能力、模型使用方法、模型特点和局限性以及发展趋势。总结了AP9/AE9/SPM辐射环境模型“螺旋式上升”研发途径中所发布的11个版本的特点、数据覆盖时间范围和能量范围。指出AP9/AE9/SPM辐射环境模型在研发过程中是通过不断地将最新的观测数据和理论知识进行整合,达到扩展模型能量覆盖范围、增加空间粒子分布的目的。最新的AP9/AE9/SPM辐射环境模型具备了命令行和图形用户接口应用程序2种灵活便捷的使用方式,能覆盖完整的辐射带空间,基本实现了电子和质子能量范围的全覆盖。但目前最新版本的AP9/AE9/SPM仍然存在一些局限,这些局限会随着辐射带探测数据的积累和人类对辐射带机理的进一步认知而逐渐得到改善。该研究可帮助用户快速了解并正确使用AP9/AE9/SPM辐射环境模型,为我国自主辐射环境模型研发提供重要参考。     

Effect of hybridization with genome exclusion on extinction risk

Human‐induced habitat changes may lead to the breakdown of reproductive barriers between distantly related species. This phenomenon may result in fertile first‐generation hybrids (F₁) that exclude the genome of one parental species during gametogenesis, thus disabling introgression. The species extinction risk associated with hybridization with genome exclusion is largely underappreciated because the phenomenon produces only F₁ hybrid phenotype, leading to the misconception that hybrids are sterile and potentially of minor conservation concern. We used a simulation model that integrates the main genetic, demographic, and ecological processes to examine the dynamics of hybridization with genome exclusion. We showed that this mode of hybridization may lead to extremely rapid extinction when the process of genome exclusion is unbalanced between the interbreeding species and when the hybridization rate is not negligible. The coexistence of parental species was possible in some cases of asymmetrical genome exclusion, but show this equilibrium was highly vulnerable to environmental variation. Expanding the exclusive habitat of the species at risk allowed its persistence. Our results highlight the extent of possible extinction risk due to hybridization with genome exclusion and suggest habitat management as a promising conservation strategy. In anticipation of serious threats to biodiversity due to hybridization with genome exclusion, we recommend a detailed assessment of the reproductive status of hybrids in conservation programs. We suggest such assessments include the inspection of genetic content in hybrid gametes.     

Wrestling with the complexity of evaluation for organizations at the boundary of science,policy, and practice

Boundary organizations are situated between science, policy, and practice and have a goal of supporting communication and collaboration among these sectors. They have been promoted as a way to improve the effectiveness of conservation efforts by building stronger relationships between scientists, policy makers, industry, and practitioners (Cook et al. 2013). Although their promise has been discussed in theory, the work of and expectations for boundary organizations are less defined in practice. Biodiversity conservation is characterized by complexity, uncertainty, dissent, and tight budgets, so boundary organizations face the challenging task of demonstrating their value to diverse stakeholders. We examined the challenges boundary organizations face when seeking to evaluate their work and thus aimed to encourage more productive conversations about evaluation of boundary organizations and their projects. Although no off‐the‐shelf solution is available for a given boundary organization, we identified 4 principles that will support effective evaluation for boundary organizations: engage diverse stakeholders, support learning and reflection, assess contribution to change, and align evaluation with assumption and values.     

Refuge‐Effect Hypothesis and the Demise of the Dodo

The Dodo was last sighted on the inshore island of Ile d'Ambre in 1662, nearly 25 years after the previous sighting on the mainland of Mauritius. It has been suggested that its survival on the inshore island is representative of the refuge effect. Understanding what constitutes significant persistence is fundamental to conservation. I tested the refuge‐effect hypothesis for the persistence of the Dodo (Raphus cucullatus) on an inshore island beyond that of the mainland population. For a location to be considered a refuge, most current definitions suggest that both spatial and temporal isolation from the cause of disturbance are required. These results suggest the island was not a refuge for the Dodo because the sighting in 1662 was not temporally isolated from that of the mainland sightings. Furthermore, with only approximately 350 m separating Ile d'Ambre from the mainland of Mauritius, it is unlikely this population of Dodos was spatially isolated. Hipótesis del Efecto Refugio y la Desaparición del Dodo     

Conflicting and Complementary Ethics of Animal Welfare Considerations in Reintroductions

Despite differences in focus, goals, and strategies between conservation biology and animal welfare, both are inextricably linked in many ways, and greater consideration of animal welfare, although important in its own right, also has considerable potential to contribute to conservation success. Nevertheless, animal welfare and animal ethics are not always considered explicitly within conservation practice. We systematically reviewed the recent scientific peer‐reviewed and online gray literature on reintroductions of captive‐bred and wild‐caught animals (mammals, birds, amphibians, and reptiles) to quantify the occurrence of animal welfare issues. We considered monitoring that could be indicative of the animal's welfare status and supportive management actions that could improve animal welfare (regardless of whether the aim was explicitly animal‐welfare orientated). Potential welfare issues (of variable nature and extent) were recorded in 67% of 199 projects reviewed; the most common were mortality >50%, dispersal or loss of animals, disease, and human conflict. Most (>70%) projects monitored survival, 18% assessed body condition, and 2% monitored stress levels. Animal welfare, explicitly, was referred to in 6% of projects. Supportive actions, most commonly use of on‐site prerelease pens and provision of supplemental food or water, were implemented in 79% of projects, although the extent and duration of support varied. Practitioners can address animal‐welfare issues in reintroductions by considering the potential implications for individual animals at all stages of the release process using the decision tree presented. We urge practitioners to report potential animal‐welfare issues, describe mitigation actions, and evaluate their efficacy to facilitate transparent evaluation of common moral dilemmas and to advance communal strategies for dealing with them. Currently, comparative mortality rates, health risks, postrelease stress, effectiveness of supportive measures, and behavior of individuals warrant further research to improve animal welfare in reintroductions and to increase success of such projects. Ética Conflictiva y Complementaria al Considerar el Bienestar Animal en Reintroducciones     

Chytridiomycosis and Seasonal Mortality of Tropical Stream‐Associated Frogs 15 Years after Introduction of Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis

Assessing the effects of diseases on wildlife populations can be difficult in the absence of observed mortalities, but it is crucial for threat assessment and conservation. We performed an intensive capture‐mark‐recapture study across seasons and years to investigate the effect of chytridiomycosis on demographics in 2 populations of the threatened common mist frog (Litoria rheocola) in the lowland wet tropics of Queensland, Australia. Infection prevalence was the best predictor for apparent survival probability in adult males and varied widely with season (0–65%). Infection prevalence was highest in winter months when monthly survival probabilities were low (approximately 70%). Populations at both sites exhibited very low annual survival probabilities (12–15%) but high recruitment (71–91%), which resulted in population growth rates that fluctuated seasonally. Our results suggest that even in the absence of observed mortalities and continued declines, and despite host–pathogen co‐existence for multiple host generations over almost 2 decades, chytridiomycosis continues to have substantial seasonally fluctuating population‐level effects on amphibian survival, which necessitates increased recruitment for population persistence. Similarly infected populations may thus be under continued threat from chytridiomycosis which may render them vulnerable to other threatening processes, particularly those affecting recruitment success. Quitridiomicosis y Mortalidad Estacional de Ranas Asociadas a Arroyos Tropicales Quince Años Después de la Introducción de Batrachochytrium dendrobatidisvsp