Ex situ collections and their potential for the restoration of extinct plants

The alarming current and predicted species extinction rates have galvanized conservationists in their efforts to avoid future biodiversity losses, but for species extinct in the wild, few options exist. We posed the questions, can these species be restored, and, if so, what role can ex situ plant collections (i.e., botanic gardens, germplasm banks, herbaria) play in the recovery of plant genetic diversity? We reviewed the relevant literature to assess the feasibility of recovering lost plant genetic diversity with using ex situ material and the probability of survival of subsequent translocations. Thirteen attempts to recover species extinct in the wild were found, most of which used material preserved in botanic gardens (12) and seed banks (2). One case of a locally extirpated population was recovered from herbarium material. Eight (60%) of these cases were successful or partially successful translocations of the focal species or population; the other 5 failed or it was too early to determine the outcome. Limiting factors of the use of ex situ source material for the restoration of plant genetic diversity in the wild include the scarcity of source material, low viability and reduced longevity of the material, low genetic variation, lack of evolution (especially for material stored in germplasm banks and herbaria), and socioeconomic factors. However, modern collecting practices present opportunities for plant conservation, such as improved collecting protocols and improved cultivation and storage conditions. Our findings suggest that all types of ex situ collections may contribute effectively to plant species conservation if their use is informed by a thorough understanding of the aforementioned problems. We conclude that the recovery of plant species currently classified as extinct in the wild is not 100% successful, and the possibility of successful reintroduction should not be used to justify insufficient in situ conservation.     

2015年北京采暖季城市森林内外SO2浓度的时空变化特征

为探讨采暖季城市森林内外ρ(SO₂)动态变化及差异性,基于西山国家森林公园林内空气质量监测站数据,结合北京市环境保护监测中心植物园监测站的实时数据,分析2015年采暖季城市森林内外ρ(SO₂)变化和影响因素.结果表明:林内外ρ(SO₂)日变化基本呈双峰双谷型,在09:00-11:00和20:00-22:00左右达到高峰;采样期间ρ(SO₂)月变化呈不显著"V"型,最高值出现在1月,林内外分别为(25.8±9.2)和(31.7±23.4)μg/m3,最低值出现在11月,林内外分别为(19.0±5.2)和(13.0±11.2)μg/m3.林内ρ(SO₂)在1-3月低于林外,11-12月高于林外,林内ρ(SO₂)变化较林外平缓;气象条件对采暖季城市森林ρ(SO₂)变化有重要影响:降水对ρ(SO₂)消减效应明显,大风有驱散SO₂的作用,同时受风向影响;ρ(SO₂)和温度关系不显著(P=0.05,R < 0.40),但和空气相对湿度线性关系显著(α=0.05,Sig=0.00),林内受气象因素影响低于林外.研究显示,城市森林对气态污染物具有一定的缓冲、抵抗和吸收能力,因此应重视发展城市森林生态系统,充分发挥其生态效益,以提高城市大气环境质量.      

Assessing Tourists' Preferences for Recreational and Environmental Management Programs Central to the Sustainable Development of a Tourism Area in the Dominican Republic

The main goals of this paper are to (1) highlight the need for sustainable development as a means to conserve natural resources and the environment, which often represent the basis for tourism development, (2) illustrate the importance of assessing tourists' preferences when designing programs and policies central to the sustainable development of a tourism area, and (3) study tourists' interests in sustainable development. With these goals in mind, 180 tourists from Europe, Latin America, and North America were interviewed as they were leaving the resort region of Punta Cana in the Dominican Republic. The main factors that they considered when deciding where to go on a beach vacation were evaluated, as well as their preferences regarding four programs designed to improve recreational and environmental management of the area. Preferences by tourists were elicited both in monetary and non-monetary terms. This paper reports the non-monetary analysis of the data. The results indicate that clean ocean water and beaches, quality of services, and price are the most important factors considered by the respondents before deciding to come to Punta Cana. It was not possible to obtain reliable responses on how tourists perceived the four programs contributing to the sustainable development of Punta Cana. Nevertheless, they expressed high interest and willingness to pay for two of these programs: the outdoor aquarium and the Water Management Program. The results reported in this paper show how important it is to elicit tourists' preferences of programs central to the sustainable development of tourism areas since these preferences can drive managers' development decisions in more sustainable directions.     

几种植物源农药对环境生物的毒性

测定了几种植物源农药对几种环境生物的急性毒性.结果表明:不同植物源农药对同一种环境生物的毒性差异很大,同一种植物源农药对不同的环境生物毒性也不同;说明并非所有的植物源农药都是安全的.表4参5     

Adapting the bioblitz to meet conservation needs

When conservation strategies require new, field‐based information, practitioners must find the best ways to rapidly deliver high‐quality survey data. To address this challenge, several rapid‐assessment approaches have been developed since the early 1990s. These typically involve large areas, take many months to complete, and are not appropriate when conservation‐relevant survey data are urgently needed for a specific locale. In contrast, bioblitzes are designed for quick collection of site‐specific survey data. Although bioblitzes are commonly used to achieve educational or public‐engagement goals, conservation practitioners are increasingly using a modified bioblitz approach to generate conservation‐relevant data while simultaneously enhancing research capacity and building working partnerships focused on conservation concerns. We term these modified events expert bioblitzes. Several expert bioblitzes have taken place on lands of conservation concern in Southern California and have involved collaborative efforts of government agencies, nonprofit organizations, botanic gardens, museums, and universities. The results of expert bioblitzes directly informed on‐the‐ground conservation and decision‐making; increased capacity for rapid deployment of expert bioblitzes in the future; and fostered collaboration and communication among taxonomically and institutionally diverse experts. As research and conservation funding becomes increasingly scarce, expert bioblitzes can play an increasingly important role in biodiversity conservation.     

中草药提取物对致病弧菌抑菌活性的筛选

为了寻找高效植物源杀菌剂,实验采用平板扩散法研究了8种中草药醇提物对致鱼病菌的体外抑菌试验。通过双倍试管稀释法,测定了最小抑菌浓度(MIC)和最低杀菌浓度(MBC)。结果显示,这8种中草药醇提物对致病弧菌均有不同程度的抑制作用,其中以臭椿和盐肤木醇提物对所有供试菌均有较高的抑制活性,臭椿醇提物对病菌的MIC均在7.81mg/mL以下,表明中草药杀菌剂具有较高的开发价值和应用前景。     

三峡工程对洞庭湖水力梯度及其湿地植物生长的影响

水力梯度是制约洞庭湖湿地植物生长的主要因素.通过分析三峡水库运行前后洞庭湖水力梯度的变化来研究其对洞庭湖湿地植物的影响,能为该区植物多样性及退化生态系统的恢复提供科学依据.研究表明,三峡工程的运行不同程度上降低了洞庭湖的水力梯度,且枯水期的影响大于丰水期.其中东洞庭湖受其影响最为明显,特别是在4月和10月,洞庭湖其他地段水力梯度变化较为平稳.三峡工程对洞庭湖湿地植物的影响是枯水期大于丰水期,除了4月和5月对洞庭湖湿地植物的生长产生不利的影响外,其他月份有着有利的影响或影响不大.     

Nematicidal activity of terpenoids

Thirty four phytoterpenoids were evaluated for their nematicidal effect using the model nematode Caenorhabditis elegans. Nematicidal activities of the tested compounds at concentrations of 50 μg/mL showed wide variation in their effects ranging from no effect, weak, moderate and strong effects. Terpenoids exerting 50% or higher mortality at 50 μg/mL were further tested at five different concentrations to calculate the concentration that will kill 50% of the nematode population (LC₅₀). Among the most effective terpenoids were carvacrol, thymol, nerolidol, α-terpinene, geraniol, citronellol, farnesol, limonene, pseudoionone and eugenol in a descending order. These compounds exhibited a dose-dependent effect. The results suggest that the selected monoterpenoids and essential oils with a high concentration of these compounds mayprovide potential natural nematicides and merit further study as botanical nematicides for the control of both plant and animal parasitic nematodes. In general, oxygenated terpenoids and phenolic terpenoids exhibited higher nematicidal activity than hydrocarbons terpenoids.     

ASSESSING THE ACCURACY OF PALEOHYDROLOGIC INDICATORS,HARPERS FERRY,WEST VIRGINIA1

ABSTRACT: Gaging stations established in 1895 at Millville, West Virginia and in 1882 at Harpers Ferry, West Virginia record flows ranging from a maximum of 6,509 m³s^-1 to a minimum of 2 m³s^-1. Historical and botanical indicators were used to extend the systematic flood record of the Shenandoah River for a study reach approximately 7.5-km long. The long systematic record at the site provides a good opportunity to assess the accuracy of these sources of paleoflood information. Habitation of the area by settlers of European descent began in 1733, and historical flood records extend from 1748. Qualitative historical records from different sources were compared to yield the most complete flood history. The correlation between the various sources was extremely high. Botanical flood evidence preserved as adventitious sprouts, tree scars, and ring anomalies were documented in 37 trees. A flood chronology established from these data extended from 1896 to 1955. Botanical indicators provided an accurate, although incomplete, flood chronology. The ability to determine accurate flood stages from paleohydrologic indicators varied. Historical data yielded relatively accurate stages to within 1–2 m; only minimum values of flood stage could be obtained from botanical indicators. These results illustrate some of the strengths and weaknesses of paleohydrologic investigations in the eastern United States.     

植物源杀虫剂川楝素对环境生物安全性评价

评价农药对环境中非靶标生物的毒性是新农药开发应用的重要环节.依据国家环境保护局"化学农药环境安全评价试验准则",测定了78%川楝素原粉和0.5%川楝素乳油对生态环境中非靶标生物的毒性,并进行了安全性评价.结果表明,川楝素原粉对鹌鹑、家蚕、蜜蜂、蚯蚓、瓢虫、蝌蚪等非靶标生物均为低毒;川楝素乳油对家蚕、蜜蜂、蚯蚓、瓢虫等均为低毒,对家蚕的生长发育具有一定的影响,对鹌鹑中毒,对蝌蚪高毒.可见,植物源杀虫剂川楝素对环境非靶标生物毒性低、较为安全,但在水田及桑园应慎用0.5%川楝素乳油.