A Modeling System to Assess Land Cover Land Use Change Effects on SAV Habitat in the Mobile Bay Estuary

Estuarine ecosystems are largely influenced by watersheds directly connected to them. In the Mobile Bay, Alabama watersheds we examined the effect of land cover and land use (LCLU) changes on discharge rate, water properties, and submerged aquatic vegetation, including freshwater macrophytes and seagrasses, throughout the estuary. LCLU scenarios from 1948, 1992, 2001, and 2030 were used to influence watershed and hydrodynamic models and evaluate the impact of LCLU change on shallow aquatic ecosystems. Overall, our modeling results found that LCLU changes increased freshwater flows into Mobile Bay altering temperature, salinity, and total suspended sediments (TSS). Increased urban land uses coupled with decreased agricultural/pasture lands reduced TSS in the water column. However, increased urbanization or agricultural/pasture land coupled with decreased forest land resulted in higher TSS concentrations. Higher sediment loads were usually strongly correlated with higher TSS levels, except in areas where a large extent of wetlands retained sediment discharged during rainfall events. The modeling results indicated improved water clarity in the shallow aquatic regions of Mississippi Sound and degraded water clarity in the Wolf Bay estuary. This integrated modeling approach will provide new knowledge and tools for coastal resource managers to manage shallow aquatic habitats that provide critical ecosystem services.     

Effectiveness of conservation easements in agricultural regions

Conservation easements are a standard technique for preventing habitat loss, particularly in agricultural regions with extensive cropland cultivation, yet little is known about their effectiveness. I developed a spatial econometric approach to propensity‐score matching and used the approach to estimate the amount of habitat loss prevented by a grassland conservation easement program of the U.S. federal government. I used a spatial autoregressive probit model to predict tract enrollment in the easement program as of 2001 based on tract agricultural suitability, habitat quality, and spatial interactions among neighboring tracts. Using the predicted values from the model, I matched enrolled tracts with similar unenrolled tracts to form a treatment group and a control group. To measure the program's impact on subsequent grassland loss, I estimated cropland cultivation rates for both groups in 2014 with a second spatial probit model. Between 2001 and 2014, approximately 14.9% of control tracts were cultivated and 0.3% of treated tracts were cultivated. Therefore, approximately 14.6% of the protected land would have been cultivated in the absence of the program. My results demonstrate that conservation easements can significantly reduce habitat loss in agricultural regions; however, the enrollment of tracts with low cropland suitability may constrain the amount of habitat loss they prevent. My results also show that spatial econometric models can improve the validity of control groups and thereby strengthen causal inferences about program effectiveness in situations when spatial interactions influence conservation decisions.     

Accounting for monogastric livestock as a driver in global land use and cover change assessments

Land systems are described based on various characteristics, including land cover composition and agricultural production. However, it is uncertain to what extent livestock, particularly monogastric livestock, determines land systems. We included monogastrics in a land system classification, and statistically analyzed the land cover composition and agricultural production of otherwise similar land systems with and without monogastric livestock. The results indicate that land systems with monogastrics are statistically different from their counterparts in the classification without monogastrics in terms of grassland area and crop yields, but are less different in terms of tree area, crop area, and ruminant livestock production. We then used a land systems map that includes monogastrics in the classification and a similar map that does not include monogastrics to project future changes in a novel manner that integrates livestock as a determinant of land systems. The results show that including monogastrics in otherwise similar projections yields less cropland intensification and more cropland expansion in several world regions, including Northern Africa and the Middle East. Other regions, such as Europe and Australia, were characterized by less decrease or more increase in tree area in the application with monogastrics, mainly due to the occurrence of open forests with monogastrics. This study prompts a call for improved characterization of land systems for land use and cover change (LUCC) assessments in order to better represent LUCC driven by monogastric livestock.     

How dynamics and drivers of land use/land cover change impact elephant conservation and agricultural livelihood development in Rombo,Tanzania

Land use/land cover (LULC) change affects the provision of ecosystem services for humans and habitat for wildlife. Hence, it is crucial to monitor LULC particularly adjacent to protected areas. In this study, we measured LULC change in Rombo, Tanzania, an area with high-potential agro-ecological zones that is dominated by human–elephant conflicts (HECs). We used remote sensing and geographical information system techniques, questionnaires and village meetings to assess spatio-temporal patterns of the LULC changes in the study area. Using Landsat imagery, digital elevation model (DEM) and ground truthing, we classified and monitored changes in LULC from the years 1987 to 2015. We found that within Rombo, settlements were increasing, while agricultural and agroforestry lands were decreasing and respondents’ perceptions varied along the altitudinal gradient. Patterns of HEC and LULC were observed to change along the gradient and the later threatened the agricultural land and ecological integrity for elephant habitat, leading to high tension and competition between elephants and people. This research offers baseline information for land use planning to balance wildlife conservation with livelihood development in Rombo and highlights that managing the impacts of LULC changes on HEC and elephant habitat loss is a matter of urgency.     

Parks versus PES: Evaluating direct and incentive-based land conservation in Mexico

Protected areas (PAs) and payments for ecosystem services (PES) are the top two mechanisms available for countries to achieve international REDD agreements, yet there are few empirical comparisons of their effects. We estimate the impacts of PAs and PES on forest conservation, poverty reduction, and population change at the locality level in Mexico in the 2000s. Both policies conserved forest, generating an approximately 20–25% reduction in expected forest cover loss. PES created statistically significant but small poverty alleviation while PAs had overall neutral impacts on livelihoods. Estimates by individual policy type for the same level of deforestation risk indicate that biosphere reserves and PES balanced conservation and livelihood goals better than strict protected areas or mixed-use areas. This suggests that both direct and incentive-based instruments can be effective, and that policies combining sustainable financing, flexible zoning, and recognition of local economic goals are more likely to achieve conservation without harming livelihoods.     

p,p'-DDE与雄激素受体突变体H874Y及T877A激动性作用机制的理论研究

1,1-二氯-2,2-双(对氯苯基)乙烯(p,p'-DDE)是一种已知的雄激素受体(androgen receptor,AR)拮抗剂。有趣的是,已有研究证实p,p'-DDE同时可经由作用于AR的2种天然突变体H874Y和T877A产生拟雄激素效应,但其相互作用的分子机制尚不清晰。本研究联用分子动力学模拟与MM-GBSA方法,以内源性激素二氢睾酮(DHT)作为对照,对p,p'-DDE与2种突变体的相互作用分子机制进行了研究。模拟结果指出范德华相互作用是维持p,p'-DDE与AR突变体结合的主要驱动力,而溶剂化作用的差异是导致p,p'-DDE与H874Y具有较高结合活性的主要原因,H874Y结合口袋与p,p'-DDE的结构匹配度优于与T877A。与内源性配体二氢睾酮相比较,范德华作用与静电相互作用的差异是造成p,p'-DDE比DHT结合活性低的主要原因,p,p'-DDE与AR突变体之间缺乏氢键的稳定。MM-GBSA的结果确定p,p'-DDE与突变体结合过程的关键氨基酸以疏水性残基为主,其中L704、M745、L873尤为重要。计算获得的p,p'-DDE对H874Y及T877A相互作用分子机制有助于理解该污染物在不同人群中内分泌干扰效应的差异。     

Triton X-100对土壤中柴油的解吸特征及影响因素

为考察非离子表面活性剂Triton X-100对土壤中柴油解吸特性及土壤理化性质对其解吸的影响,通过振荡平衡法研究Triton X-100对浙江水稻土、重庆紫壤、江西红壤、海南沙土、青海灰漠土和黑龙江黑土中柴油解吸行为及其影响因素.结果表明,Triton X-100对浙江水稻土、重庆紫壤、江西红壤、海南沙土、青海灰漠土和黑龙江黑土中柴油的解吸均符合先快后慢、最后达到解吸平衡的规律,平衡时解吸量分别1.61、1.85、1.80、2.29、2.01和1.13 mg/g.其解吸动力学过程均符合准二级动力学模型（R2>0.99）;6种典型土壤中柴油的等温解吸特征可较好地用修正的米氏方程模型进行描述（R2>0.92）.Q_max（柴油最大解吸量）介于1.81~2.23 mg/g之间,浙江水稻土、重庆紫壤、江西红壤、海南沙土、青海灰漠土和黑龙江黑土中ρ_max（柴油最大解吸率）分别为73.20%、78.06%、75.63%、90.36%、79.89%和62.92%;土壤各理化性质对Triton X-100解吸土壤中柴油的影响起综合作用,其中土壤w（砂粒）与ρ_max呈显著正相关（R2=0.993 6,P < 0.01）,对Triton X-100解吸柴油的影响最大;而CEC（阳离子交换量）、w（OM）、w（黏粒）均与ρ_max呈显著负相关（P < 0.05）.研究显示,修正的米氏方程可用于描述柴油在土壤-水-表面活性剂Triton X-100系统中的解吸行为,w（砂粒）是影响不同土壤中柴油解吸的关键因子,可为应用Triton X-100修复柴油污染土壤提供理论基础.      

基于多智能体和土地转换模型的耕地撂荒模拟研究——以陕西省米脂县为例

多模型耦合已经成为国内外模拟LUCC有效途径之一。论文通过如下步骤阐明宏观耕地撂荒格局和微观主体行为间的互动机理。首先,将微观主体间的相互作用纳入其决策,构建有限理性多智能体决策模型（Multi-Agent System,MAS）;其次,通过SNNS平台的训练学习以及与历史数据对比分析,验证土地转换模型（Land Transformation Model,LTM）模拟研究区宏观撂荒格局的有效性;最后,依据多模型耦合机理,耦合MAS模型与LTM模型,形成耕地撂荒模拟模型（Cropland Abandonment Simulation Model,CASM）,并基于研究区耕地撂荒的实际数据,探讨模型的合理性和可行性。结果表明：与2013年历史土地利用数据对比,CASM模型的PCM（Percent Correct Metric）系数为71%,比单独利用LTM模型的模拟精度提高3%,不仅表明CASM能够较好地模拟分析米脂县耕地撂荒空间格局分布,而且可有效揭示宏观耕地撂荒格局的微观驱动机理;同时,文章指出未来研究中要考虑政策和市场的影响,进一步完善不同层次主体决策对撂荒的影响,以此来提高模型对现实耕地撂荒的解释力。     

柔性散粒材料静力及动力学性能实验研究

战场环境下单兵防常规炸弹爆炸抗震减震技术装备及器材,由于受经费投入、战场环境等因素影响,一直没有成功研制并得到装备.通过室内砂箱振动台震动模拟试验,测试了不同柔性散粒材料在震动条件下的加速度值,对其减震性能作了一些初步的探讨.通过研究,可以看到柔性散粒材料在隔震方面具有其他材料所不具有的优越性能,可以作为制造隔震器材的首选.     

Tropical deforestation in a future international climate policy regime—lessons from the Brazilian Amazon

The possibility of adopting national targets for carbon dioxide (CO₂) emissions from tropical deforestation in a future international climate treaty has received increasing attention recently. This attention has been prompted by proposals to this end and more intensified talks on possible commitments for developing countries beyond the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change Kyoto Protocol. We analyze four main scientific and political challenges associated with national targets for emissions from tropical deforestation: (1) reducing the uncertainties in emission inventories, (2) preserving the environmental integrity of the treaty, (3) promoting political acceptance and participation in the regime, and (4) providing economic incentives for reduced deforestation. We draw the following conclusions. (1) Although there are large uncertainties in carbon flux from deforestation, these are in the same range as for other emissions included in the current Kyoto protocol (i.e., non-CO₂ GHGs), and they can be reduced. However, for forest degradation processes the uncertainties are larger. A large challenge lies in building competence and institutions for monitoring the full spectrum of land use changes in developing countries. (2 and 3) Setting targets for deforestation is difficult, and uncertainties in future emissions imply a risk of creating ‘tropical hot air’. However, there are proposals that may sufficiently deal with this, and these proposals may also have the advantage of making the targets more attractive, politically speaking. Moreover, we conclude that while a full carbon accounting system will likely be politically unacceptable for tropical countries, the current carbon accounting system should be broadened to include forest degradation in order to safeguard environmental integrity. (4) Doubts can be cast over the possible effect a climate regime alone will have on deforestation rates, though little thorough analysis of this issue has been made.