Butterfly community shifts over two centuries

Environmental changes strongly impact the distribution of species and subsequently the composition of species assemblages. Although most community ecology studies represent temporal snap shots, long‐term observations are rather rare. However, only such time series allow the identification of species composition shifts over several decades or even centuries. We analyzed changes in the species composition of a southeastern German butterfly and burnet moth community over nearly 2 centuries (1840–2013). We classified all species observed over this period according to their ecological tolerance, thereby assessing their degree of habitat specialisation. This classification was based on traits of the butterfly and burnet moth species and on their larval host plants. We collected data on temperature and precipitation for our study area over the same period. The number of species declined substantially from 1840 (117 species) to 2013 (71 species). The proportion of habitat specialists decreased, and most of these are currently endangered. In contrast, the proportion of habitat generalists increased. Species with restricted dispersal behavior and species in need of areas poor in soil nutrients had severe losses. Furthermore, our data indicated a decrease in species composition similarity between different decades over time. These data on species composition changes and the general trends of modifications may reflect effects from climate change and atmospheric nitrogen loads, as indicated by the ecological characteristics of host plant species and local changes in habitat configuration with increasing fragmentation. Our observation of major declines over time of currently threatened and protected species shows the importance of efficient conservation strategies.     

Meta‐Analysis of Attitudes toward Damage‐Causing Mammalian Wildlife

Many populations of threatened mammals persist outside formally protected areas, and their survival depends on the willingness of communities to coexist with them. An understanding of the attitudes, and specifically the tolerance, of individuals and communities and the factors that determine these is therefore fundamental to designing strategies to alleviate human‐wildlife conflict. We conducted a meta‐analysis to identify factors that affected attitudes toward 4 groups of terrestrial mammals. Elephants (65%) elicited the most positive attitudes, followed by primates (55%), ungulates (53%), and carnivores (44%). Urban residents presented the most positive attitudes (80%), followed by commercial farmers (51%) and communal farmers (26%). A tolerance to damage index showed that human tolerance of ungulates and primates was proportional to the probability of experiencing damage while elephants elicited tolerance levels higher than anticipated and carnivores elicited tolerance levels lower than anticipated. Contrary to conventional wisdom, experiencing damage was not always the dominant factor determining attitudes. Communal farmers had a lower probability of being positive toward carnivores irrespective of probability of experiencing damage, while commercial farmers and urban residents were more likely to be positive toward carnivores irrespective of damage. Urban residents were more likely to be positive toward ungulates, elephants, and primates when probability of damage was low, but not when it was high. Commercial and communal farmers had a higher probability of being positive toward ungulates, primates, and elephants irrespective of probability of experiencing damage. Taxonomic bias may therefore be important. Identifying the distinct factors explaining these attitudes and the specific contexts in which they operate, inclusive of the species causing damage, will be essential for prioritizing conservation investments. Meta‐Análisis de las Posturas hacia la Mamíferos Silvestres Causantes de Daños     

Effect of soluble maillard reaction products on cadA expression in Salmonella typhimurium

The presence of Maillard reaction products (MRP) in foods and food components is due to the non-enzymatic reaction between protein and carbohydrate residues triggered by thermal steps during food processing. The objective of this study was to assess the effect of MRPs and increasing lysine concentrations on S. Typhimurium growth and the expression of cadA which may be an indirect determinant of Salmonella virulence response. Variations in lysine concentrations (from 0 to 0.5 mM) did not exert any effect either on the final optical density after 6-hour incubation or the growth rates of S. Typhimurium in media containing MRPs. In contrast to the reduced final absorbancy of the bacterial cultures grown with histidine and arginine MRPs supplementations (0.1%), growth rates, in general, remained unaltered by all MRPs at each lysine concentration when compared to the control (M9 pH 5.8, no MRPs added). The induction levels of cadA in media containing 0.1% MRPs were close to cadA induction in the reference media (M9, pH 5.8 and no MRPs) and did not exceed the corresponding values by more than approximately 30%. Although the observed negligible induction of cadA under these conditions complies with the concept of its potential “anti-virulence” function, additional studies involving various concentrations and more refined MRPs are needed.     

Addressing inequality and intolerance in human–wildlife coexistence

Millennia of human conflict with wildlife have built a culture of intolerance toward wildlife among some stakeholders. We explored 2 key obstacles to improved human–wildlife coexistence: coexistence inequality (how the costs and benefits of coexisting with wildlife are unequally shared) and intolerance. The costs of coexisting with wildlife are often disproportionately borne by the so-called global south and rural communities, and the benefits often flow to the global north and urban dwellers. Attitudes and behaviors toward wildlife (tolerance versus intolerance) vary with social and cultural norms. We suggest more empathetic advocacy is needed that, for example, promotes conservation while appropriately considering those who bear the costs of conflict with wildlife. To achieve more equitable cost-sharing, we suggest limiting the costs incurred by those most affected or by sharing those costs more widely. For example, we advocate for the development of improved wildlife compensation schemes, increasing the scale of rewilding efforts, and preventing wildlife-derived revenue leaching out of the local communities bearing the costs of coexistence.     

柳树对Cd吸收、积累和耐性的初步研究

柳树以其特有的生物学特性,对环境Cd污染具有一定的吸收蓄积能力.对2个杂交柳无性系进行了水培试验,周期为34 d.结果表明:随着溶液中ρ(Cd)的增大和处理时间的延长,叶片中的Cd含量增加.在溶液中ρ(Cd)为0～20 mg/L时,2个无性系叶片中的Cd含量在处理后15 d前增加速度慢,15 d后增加速度快,叶片中Cd含量受溶液中不同ρ(Cd)的影响其无性系表现亦不同.不同器官中的Cd含量表现为根＞叶片＞茎,1号无性系根系中Cd含量小于3号无性系,茎和叶片中Cd含量大于3号无性系.在溶液中ρ(Cd)为0～20 mg/L时,2个无性系各器官的Cd吸收量均表现为根＞叶片＞茎,1号无性系各器官的Cd吸收量大于3号无性系.在溶液中ρ(Cd)为5 mg/L时,Cd大部分留在根系中;随着ρ(Cd)的增大,地上部分迁移量增加.在溶液中ρ(Cd)小于20 mg/L时,Cd胁迫对柳树生长无显著抑制作用.      

4种外生菌根真菌对滴滴涕的耐受性及生理响应

在纯培养条件下,研究了外生菌根真菌--美味牛肝菌(Boletus edulis)、铆钉菇(Gomphidius viscidus)、双色蜡蘑(Laccaria bicolor)、褐疣柄牛肝菌(Leccinum scabrum)在不同质量浓度DDT处理下的生长效应、耐受性和生理响应. 结果表明:DDT没有影响外生菌根真菌的生长模式,只是改变了其生长速度和生物量积累. 在5.0 mg/L的DDT处理下,美味牛肝菌、铆钉菇和双色蜡蘑的生长没有受到显著影响. 在25.0 mg/L的DDT处理下,美味牛肝菌的生长没有受到显著影响,显示出了较好的耐受性. 在高ρ(DDT)处理下,铆钉菇的多酚氧化酶、漆酶和过氧化物酶活性显著增强,液体培养基Ph下降幅度较大. 美味牛肝菌和铆钉菇通过不同的方式来响应DDT的胁迫,它们均具有较好地降解DDT的潜力.      

Selecting for Tolerance against Pathogens and Herbivores to Enhance Success of Reintroduction and Translocation

Abstract: Some species have insufficient defenses against climate change, emerging infectious diseases, and non‐native species because they have not been exposed to these factors over their evolutionary history, and this can decrease their likelihood of persistence. Captive breeding programs are sometimes used to reintroduce individuals back into the wild; however, successful captive breeding and reintroduction can be difficult because species or populations often cannot coexist with non‐native pathogens and herbivores without artificial selection. In captive breeding programs, breeders can select for host defenses that prevent or reduce pathogen or herbivore burden (i.e., resistance) or traits that limit the effects of parasitism or herbivory on host fitness (i.e., tolerance). We propose that selection for host tolerance may enhance the success of reintroduction or translocation because tolerant hosts generally have neutral effects on introduced pathogens and herbivores. The release of resistant hosts would have detrimental effects on their natural enemies, promoting rapid evolution to circumvent the host resistance that may reduce the long‐term probability of persistence of the reintroduced or translocated species. We examined 2 case studies, one on the pathogenic amphibian chytrid fungus ( Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis [Bd]) and the other on the herbivorous cactus moth ( Cactoblastis cactorum) in the United States, where it is not native. In each case study, we provide recommendations for how captive breeders and managers could go about selecting for host tolerance. Selecting for tolerance may offer a promising tool to rescue hosts species from invasive natural enemies as well as new natural enemies associated with climate change‐induced range shifts.     

Participatory Planning of Interventions to Mitigate Human–Wildlife Conflicts

Abstract: Conservation of wildlife is especially challenging when the targeted species damage crops or livestock, attack humans, or take fish or game. Affected communities may retaliate and destroy wildlife or their habitats. We summarize recommendations from the literature for 13 distinct types of interventions to mitigate these human–wildlife conflicts. We classified eight types as direct (reducing the severity or frequency of encounters with wildlife) and five as indirect (raising human tolerance for encounters with wildlife) interventions. We analyzed general cause‐and‐effect relationships underlying human–wildlife conflicts to clarify the focal point of intervention for each type. To organize the recommendations on interventions we used three standard criteria for feasibility: cost‐effective design, wildlife specificity and selectivity, and sociopolitical acceptability. The literature review and the feasibility criteria were integrated as decision support tools in three multistakeholder workshops. The workshops validated and refined our criteria and helped the participants select interventions. Our approach to planning interventions is systematic, uses standard criteria, and optimizes the participation of experts, policy makers, and affected communities. We argue that conservation action generally will be more effective if the relative merits of alternative interventions are evaluated in an explicit, systematic, and participatory manner.     

Bryoindication of the general state of atmosphere in an urban ecosystem: The example of the city of Bryansk

Bryoindication mapping was performed on the basis of synthetic poleotolerance indices for 147 test plots in the city of Bryansk (the southwestern nonchernozem zone of Russia). Individual poleotolerance coefficients of bryophytes were determined. Changes in the state of the atmosphere in the city ecosystem over 12 years were analyzed.     

Using Citizen Science Programs to Identify Host Resistance in Pest‐Invaded Forests

Abstract: Threats to native forests from non‐native insects and pathogens (pests) are generally addressed with methods such as quarantine, eradication, biological control, and development of resistant stock through hybridization and breeding. In conjunction with such efforts, it may be useful to have citizen scientists locate rare surviving trees that may be naturally pest resistant or tolerant. The degree of resistance of individual trees identified in this way can be tested under controlled conditions, and the most resistant individuals can be integrated into plant breeding programs aimed at developing pest‐resistant native stock. Involving citizen scientists in programs aimed at identifying rare trees that survive colonization by pests provides a low‐cost means of maximizing search efforts across wide geographic regions and may provide an effective supplement to existing management approaches.