Applying the zoo model to conservation of threatened exceptional plant species

Maintaining a living plant collection is the most common method of ex situ conservation for plant species that cannot be seed banked (i.e., exceptional species). Viability of living collections, and their value for future conservation efforts, can be limited without coordinated efforts to track and manage individuals across institutions. Using a pedigree-focused approach, the zoological community has established an inter-institutional infrastructure to support long-term viability of captive animal populations. We assessed the ability of this coordinated metacollection infrastructure to support the conservation of 4 plant species curated in living collections at multiple botanic gardens around the world. Limitations in current practices include the inability to compile, share, and analyze plant collections data at the individual level, as well as difficulty in tracking original provenance of ex situ material. The coordinated metacollection framework used by zoos can be adopted by the botanical community to improve conservation outcomes by minimizing the loss of genetic diversity in collections. We suggest actions to improve ex situ conservation of exceptional plant species, including developing a central database to aggregate data and track unique individuals of priority threatened species among institutions and adapting a pedigree-based population management tool that incorporates life-history aspects unique to plants. If approached collaboratively across regional, national, and global scales, these actions could transform ex situ conservation of threatened plant species.     

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.     

长江上游玉溪地层6567～6489aBP洪水频发事件的历史文献考证分析

为提高史前洪水研究的可信度,结合研究区现代洪水沉积特征的野外调查以及考古遗址高程与历史异常高水位的相关分析等,运用历史洪水资料考证的方法,对长江上游玉溪剖面约6 567～6 489 aBP沉积的超过1.5m厚淤砂层进行了综合分析,探讨了该古洪水沉积现象的真实可靠性、发生规模、特征以及可能的驱动或影响因素。结果表明：长江上游玉溪约6 567～6 489 aBP形成的古洪水层反映了长江上游中全新世在约78 a的短暂时间里至少出现过5次以上的异常大洪水,所留下15 m厚的洪水沉积物是可能的。研究区中全新世地层记录、历史文献记载所反映异常洪水的重现年数,与ENSO变化周期非常接近或基本吻合的特征,表明长江上游自中全新世以来其异常大洪水的频发现象,可能与ENSO变化周期有关     

2006年长江特枯径流特征及其原因初探

2006年长江流域出现了百年罕见的特大枯水,对长江流域用水和生态环境都产生了深远影响。使用2006年长江干支流主要水文站水情资料和长江流域气象资料,并同时考虑了三峡蓄水的影响,分析了2006年长江径流过程特征及其原因。研究发现,2006年长江径流量减少主要是汛期径流量显著减少所致,表现出“汛期特枯”的特点。径流量和水位最大降幅都出现在8~9月份,各站径流量最大减幅都超过50％,水位汛期也有显著下降。洞庭湖、汉江与历史同期相比,汛期来水也明显偏小;而鄱阳湖来水略丰,对干流枯水起到一定的缓和作用。7、8月份长江上游区（特别是屏山至宜昌区间）降水少气温高是形成长江汛期特枯的主要原因。气象变化与径流变化存在较好的对应关系。三峡蓄水使2006年10月宜昌站径流量减少了一半左右,而对10~11月大通径流减少影响率为187％。     

The conspicuity of first-responder safety garments

Introduction

This study compared the conspicuity of three types of first-responder safety garments (NFPA 1971-2007 turnout gear coats, and ANSI/ISEA 107 and 207 safety vests).

Method

Participants drove instrumented vehicles on a closed track during both daytime and nighttime, indicating when they could first detect pedestrians in a simulated emergency response scene. Pedestrians wore one of the safety garments and stood on either side of the emergency scene, facing or perpendicular to oncoming traffic, and either stationary or walking in place.

Results

All three garment standards provided equal levels of conspicuity, in that the distances at which the pedestrians were detected were equivalent. Time of day was a significant factor, with longer mean detection distances being observed in daytime. Pedestrian orientation was significant, with mean detection distances being longest when facing traffic. Pedestrian motion did not result in significant differences in detection distance.

Discussion

The results suggest that all three garment types studied are equivalent in making first responders conspicuous as pedestrians when working an emergency response scene in close proximity to traffic.

Impact on Industry

Whether an NFPA or ANSI/ISEA compliant is worn, first responders are equally likely to be detected by passing motorists, and as such these garments should be considered to be equivalent.