安西极旱荒漠国家级自然保护区鸟类资源的消长变化

1988-1989年安西极旱荒漠自然保护区进行了首次全面的综合考察,为了解1988年以来保护区鸟类资源的变化及其原因,2002-2004年又4次调查了该地区鸟类的种类及数量。15年来安西自然保护区的鸟类资源变化明显。鸟类种类新增加31种(其中甘肃新记录3种),但同时减少了36种。国家重点保护鸟类由原来的18种下降到16种。与1988-1989年相比,2002-2004年春季和夏季鸟类数量下降,秋季数量增加;各个季节的优势种的种类和数量都发生明显变化。影响安西自然保护区鸟类资源变化的主要原因是鸟类迁徙和人类活动。     

我国鸟类监测的现状、问题与对策

鸟类是开展生物多样性监测的重要指示类群.对鸟类的长期、系统监测工作在欧美已经有百余年历史,且野鸟多样性指数已经成为欧美一些国家开展生物多样性监测工作的官方指标.通过对国内鸟类监测现状的分析,结合监测对象、指标、抽样策略和监测方法等监测工作中应重点关注的几个方面,提出了我国鸟类监测存在的问题,并结合国情提出了下一步开展鸟类监测工作的对策与建议.建议我国有关部门尽快制定鸟类监测技术规程和标准,统一数据收集和分析平台,逐步构建政府引导,科研院所、高等院校、自然保护区、观鸟协会和志愿者等多方参与的鸟类监测网络.     

苏州工业园区不同生境鸟类群落结构及季节动态

2012年5月至2013年4月,在苏州工业园区选择了4种生境,设置了17条样线、24个样点,逐月对鸟类群落进行了研究。共记录到鸟类130种,隶属12目41科,雀形目鸟类占主要地位,其中留鸟、夏候鸟、冬候鸟和旅鸟分别占鸟类总种数的26.15%、25.38%、27.69%和20.77%。区系以广布种和古北界种类为主,兼有东洋界种类,具有南北过渡的明显特征。从季节动态变化上看,园区鸟种数由多到少表现为春季冬季秋季夏季;密度由高到低表现为冬季秋季春季夏季。湿地生境鸟类种数最多,分布均匀;道路生境鸟类种数最少,分布不均,但优势种突出,以常见的伴人雀形目鸟类为主。聚类结果显示,环境条件是影响鸟类组成的重要因素。     

Assessment of mammal reproduction for hunting sustainability through community‐based sampling of species in the wild

Wildlife subsistence hunting is a major source of protein for tropical rural populations and a prominent conservation issue. The intrinsic rate of natural increase. (r_max) of populations is a key reproductive parameter in the most used assessments of hunting sustainability. However, researchers face severe difficulties in obtaining reproductive data in the wild, so these assessments often rely on classic reproductive rates calculated mostly from studies of captive animals conducted 30 years ago. The result is a flaw in almost 50% of studies, which hampers management decision making. We conducted a 15‐year study in the Amazon in which we used reproductive data from the genitalia of 950 hunted female mammals. Genitalia were collected by local hunters. We examined tissue from these samples to estimate birthrates for wild populations of the 10 most hunted mammals. We compared our estimates with classic measures and considered the utility of the use of r_max in sustainability assessments. For woolly monkey (Lagothrix poeppigii) and tapir (Tapirus terrestris), wild birthrates were similar to those from captive populations, whereas birthrates for other ungulates and lowland‐paca (Cuniculus paca) were significantly lower than previous estimates. Conversely, for capuchin monkeys (Sapajus macrocephalus), agoutis (Dasyprocta sp.), and coatis (Nasua nasua), our calculated reproductive rates greatly exceeded often‐used values. Researchers could keep applying classic measures compatible with our estimates, but for other species previous estimates of r_max may not be appropriate. We suggest that data from local studies be used to set hunting quotas. Our maximum rates of population growth in the wild correlated with body weight, which suggests that our method is consistent and reliable. Integration of this method into community‐based wildlife management and the training of local hunters to record pregnancies in hunted animals could efficiently generate useful information of life histories of wild species and thus improve management of natural resources.     

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.     

Characteristics of Important Stopover Locations for Migrating Birds: Remote Sensing with Radar in the Great Lakes Basin

Abstract:  A preliminary stage in developing comprehensive conservation plans involves identifying areas used by the organisms of interest. The areas used by migratory land birds during temporal breaks in migration (stopover periods) have received relatively little research and conservation attention. Methodologies for identifying stopover sites across large geographic areas have been, until recently, unavailable. Advances in weather-radar technology now allow for evaluation of bird migration patterns at large spatial scales. We analyzed radar data (WSR-88D) recorded during spring migration in 2000 and 2001 at 6 sites in the Great Lakes basin (U.S.A.). Our goal was to link areas of high migrant activity with the land-cover types and landscape contexts corresponding to those areas. To characterize the landscapes surrounding stopover locations, we integrated radar and land-cover data within a geographic information system. We compared landscape metrics within 5 km of areas that consistently hosted large numbers of migrants with landscapes surrounding randomly selected areas that were used by relatively few birds during migration. Concentration areas were characterized by 1.2 times more forest cover and 9.3 times more water cover than areas with little migrant activity. We detected a strong negative relationship between activity of migratory birds and agricultural land uses. Examination of individual migration events confirmed the importance of fragments of forested habitat in highly altered landscapes and highlighted large concentrations of birds departing from near-shore terrestrial areas in the Great Lakes basin. We conclude that conservation efforts can be more effectively targeted through intensive analysis of radar imagery.     

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.     

鸟类对持久性有机污染物的定向传输作用研究进展

传统意义上认为,持久性有机污染物(POPs)的传输途径主要有两种形式,一种是通过挥发之后进入大气,然后通过长距离大气传输、蚱蜢效应、高山冷凝效应等方式进行传输;另一种是进入水体中,通过水流的搬运作用传输,从而进入湖泊、河流生态系统,甚至可以通过洋流的长距离输送到达北极等高纬地区.另外,海鸟、候鸟和留鸟可以对POPs进行海-陆、跨纬度和区域小范围内的定向传输.鸟类因其数量巨大、显著的生物放大效应以及迁徙性等独有的特征,可能成为POPs的定向传输和再分配中的第三种方式——生物传输中的重要形式.而且,在全球气候变化和环境变化的背景下,海鸟、候鸟和留鸟的栖息地、迁徙路径等已经或者将要发生显著变化,从而对污染物的再分配产生显著影响,有可能带来新的环境问题.本文对于POPs的传输和再分配的认识具有重要意义,可为在国内开展相关的研究提供理论依据.