Effect of repeated harvesting on the content of caffeic acid and seven species of caffeoylquinic acids in sweet potato leaves

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of repeated harvesting on the content of caffeic acid (CA) and seven species of caffeoylquinic acids (CQAs) in sweet potato leaves using a newly developed high-performance liquid chromatography method. Six cultivars and two breeding lines were used in this study. Leaves were collected at monthly intervals from 1st harvest (May) to 4th harvest (August) in 2011 and 2012. ANOVA analysis revealed that the contents of CQAs were significantly different among all cultivars and breeding lines, but no significant differences were found for CA. No annual variation was confirmed in CA and CQAs. Repeated harvest of sweet potato leaves affected the content of only 4-CQA and 5-CQA. Post-hoc comparisons using Tukey’s method indicated that the contents of 4-CQA and 5-CQA in sweet potato leaves harvested at first time were significantly higher compared to those at the other harvest times.     

A stage-structured predator–prey model with distributed maturation delay and harvesting

ABSTRACT

A stage-structured predator–prey system with distributed maturation delay and harvesting is investigated. General birth and death functions are used. The local stability of each feasible equilibria is discussed. By using the persistence theory, it is proven that the system is permanent if the coexistence equilibrium exists. By using Lyapunov functional and LaSalle invariant principle, it is shown that the trivial equilibrium is globally stable when the other equilibria are not feasible, and that the boundary equilibrium is globally stable if the coexistence equilibrium does not exist. Finally, sufficient conditions are derived for the global stability of the coexistence equilibrium.     

The influence of simulated exploitation on Patella vulgata populations: protandric sex change is size‐dependent

Grazing mollusks are used as a food resource worldwide, and limpets are harvested commercially for both local consumption and export in several countries. This study describes a field experiment to assess the effects of simulated human exploitation of limpets Patella vulgata on their population ecology in terms of protandry (age‐related sex change from male to female), growth, recruitment, migration, and density regulation. Limpet populations at two locations in southwest England were artificially exploited by systematic removal of the largest individuals for 18 months in plots assigned to three treatments at each site: no (control), low, and high exploitation. The shell size at sex change (L₅₀: the size at which there is a 50:50 sex ratio) decreased in response to the exploitation treatments, as did the mean shell size of sexual stages. Size‐dependent sex change was indicated by L₅₀ occurring at smaller sizes in treatments than controls, suggesting an earlier switch to females. Mean shell size of P. vulgata neuters changed little under different levels of exploitation, while males and females both decreased markedly in size with exploitation. No differences were detected in the relative abundances of sexual stages, indicating some compensation for the removal of the bigger individuals via recruitment and sex change as no migratory patterns were detected between treatments. At the end of the experiment, 0–15 mm recruits were more abundant at one of the locations but no differences were detected between treatments. We conclude that sex change in P. vulgata can be induced at smaller sizes by reductions in density of the largest individuals reducing interage class competition. Knowledge of sex‐change adaptation in exploited limpet populations should underpin strategies to counteract population decline and improve rocky shore conservation and resource management.     

Trophy hunting and perceived risk in closed ecosystems: Flight behaviour of three gregarious African ungulates in a semi‐arid tropical savanna

Although being an important conservation tool in Africa, trophy hunting is known to influence risk perception in wildlife species, thus affecting the behaviour and fitness of most targeted species. We studied the effects of trophy hunting on the flight behaviour of impala (Aepyceros melampus), greater kudu (Tragelaphus strepsiceros) and sable (Hippotragus niger) in two closed ecosystems, Cawston Ranch (hunting area) and Stanley and Livingstone Private Game Reserve (tourist area), western Zimbabwe. Using standardized field procedures, we assessed the flight behavioural responses of the three species in two seasons: non‐hunting (December–March) and hunting (April–November) between March 2013 and November 2014. We tested the effect of habitat, group size, sex, season, start distance and alert distance on flight initiation distance using linear mixed models. Habitat, group size sex and alert distance did not have any effect on flight initiation distance for the three species. The three species were more alert and displayed longer flight initiation distances in the hunting area compared with the tourist area. Flight initiation distances for the three species were higher during the hunting season for the hunting area and low during the non‐hunting season. Flight distances of the three species did not differ between the hunting area and the tourist area. We concluded that trophy hunting increased perceived risk of wild ungulates in closed hunting areas, whereas ungulates in non‐hunting areas are less responsive and somehow habituated to human presence. Management plans should include minimum approach distances by tourists as well as establishing seasonal restrictions on special zones to promote species viability. Research aimed at integrating behavioural responses with physiological aspects of target species should be promoted to ensure that managers are able to deal with the behavioural trade‐offs of trophy hunting at local and regional scale.     

Rational Structure Optimized Hybrid Nanogenerator for Highly Efficient Water Wave Energy Harvesting

Water wave energy is a promising renewable energy source that may alleviate the rising concerns over current resource depletion, but it is rarely exploited due to the lack of efficient energy harvesting technologies. In this work, a hybrid system with a triboelectric nanogenerator (TENG) and an electromagnetic generator (EMG) based on an optimized inner topological structure is reported to effectively harvest water wave energy. The TENG with etched polytetrafluoroethylene films and Cu electrodes utilizing the contact‐freestanding mode is designed into a cubic structure, in which the EMG is well hybridized. An integration of TENG and EMG achieves mutual compensation of their own merits, enabling the hybrid system to deliver satisfactory output over a broad range of operation frequency. The output performance of TENG with varied inner topological structures is experimentally and theoretically compared, and a concept is proposed to further clarify the energy conversion efficiency, which should be considered in designing energy harvesting devices. The influences of oscillation frequency, amplitude, and dielectric materials on the output performance of the hybrid system are comprehensively studied on different platforms. Furthermore, the optimum operation frequency ranges for TENG and EMG are concluded. The proposed hybrid nanogenerator renders an effective approach toward large‐scale blue energy harvesting over a broad frequency range.     

Reproductive cycle of the commercially harvested sea urchin (Paracentrotus lividus) along the western coast of Portugal

Harvested populations of the sea urchin (Paracentrotus lividus) from the northwestern (Carreço) and southwestern (Aljezur) coasts of Portugal were surveyed to describe the species reproductive cycle and assess possible relationships with geographical location and seawater temperature. Individuals were sampled monthly to analyze gonad histology, mean gonadal index (GI), and gonadosomatic index (GSI) during 2 consecutive years (November 2010–November 2012). Both populations presented an annual reproductive cycle, with synchronous gonad maturation and gamete release between sexes. Gonad maturation occurred throughout autumn–winter, followed by a single but prolonged spawning season during spring–summer. The duration of the spawning season displayed a latitudinal gradient likely related to the north–south increasing trend in seawater temperature, with the northwestern population (Carreço) exhibiting a shorter spawning period compared to the southwestern population (Aljezur). The timing and duration of the spawning season was compared with several populations throughout the distributional range of P. lividus in the Atlantic Ocean and Mediterranean Sea. In the population from Carreço, the size at first sexual maturity (test diameter = 35.9 mm) was considerably smaller than the minimum conservation reference size (MCRS) of 50 mm test diameter legally established for P. lividus. This study confirms that sustainable exploitation depends on harvesters’ awareness of and compliance with the MCRS and provides useful information for the eventual establishment of a closed season in the harvesting of P. lividus.     

Towards Productive Cities: Environmental Assessment of the Food‐Energy‐Water Nexus of the Urban Roof Mosaic

Cities are rapidly growing and need to look for ways to optimize resource consumption. Metropolises are especially vulnerable in three main systems, often referred to as the FEW (i.e., food, energy, and water) nexus. In this context, urban rooftops are underutilized areas that might be used for the production of these resources. We developed the Roof Mosaic approach, which combines life cycle assessment with two rooftop guidelines, to analyze the technical feasibility and environmental implications of producing food and energy, and harvesting rainwater on rooftops through different combinations at different scales. To illustrate, we apply the Roof Mosaic approach to a densely populated neighborhood in a Mediterranean city. The building‐scale results show that integrating rainwater harvesting and food production would avoid relatively insignificant emissions (13.9–18.6 kg CO₂ eq/inhabitant/year) in the use stage, but their construction would have low environmental impacts. In contrast, the application of energy systems (photovoltaic or solar thermal systems) combined with rainwater harvesting could potentially avoid higher CO₂ eq emissions (177–196 kg CO₂ eq/inhabitant/year) but generate higher environmental burdens in the construction phase. When applied at the neighborhood scale, the approach can be optimized to meet between 7% and 50% of FEW demands and avoid up to 157 tons CO₂ eq/year. This approach is a useful guide to optimize the FEW nexus providing a range of options for the exploitation of rooftops at the local scale, which can aid cities in becoming self‐sufficient, optimizing resources, and reducing CO₂ eq emissions.     

The rattan trade of Northern Myanmar: Species, supplies, and sustainability

Although Myanmar exports millions of dollars of rattan cane each year, the last systematic treatment of rattans in this country was done over 100 years ago, and virtually nothing has been written about the collection and trade of this important forest resource. Here we report the results from a study of rattans in the Hukaung Valley Tiger Reserve in northern Myanmar. A total of 15 species of rattan were encountered; seven species are new records for Myanmar and two species are new to science. Inventory transects revealed that the density of commercial rattans in local forests averages 40.5 canes ≽4m long/hectare. Populations of all species appear to be actively regenerating. The current pattern of rattan exploitation, however, is largely uncontrolled and will eventually lead to resource depletion unless some form of management is implemented.     

油茶叶片捕光色素分子内禀特性和光能利用效率对光照强度的响应北大核心CSCD

以油茶品种‘长林4号’2年生幼苗为材料,在人工气候箱内设置盆栽实验,研究不同光照强度(10%、40%、70%光照和全光照)对油茶光能利用特性的影响。结果显示:(1)油茶叶片净光合速率(P_(n))、电子传递效率(ETR)、光补偿点(I_(c))、CO_(2)补偿点(Γ)、饱和光强(I_(sat))、饱和胞间CO_(2)浓度(C_(isat))、光呼吸速率(R_(p))、暗呼吸速率(R_(d))以及在叶片水平与植株水平上的光能利用效率均随光照强度的增强而提高。(2)在弱光条件下,油茶叶片光化学淬灭系数(qP)提高,非光化学淬灭系数(NPQ)降低,所吸收的光能被更多地分配向光化学耗散和过剩激发能,使_(PSⅡ)光化学效率(F_(v)/F_(m)、Φ_(PSⅡ))提高。(3)油茶通过提高叶片叶绿素含量、捕光色素分子数(N_(0))和本征光能吸收截面(σ_(ik))来增强对光的捕获能力,但随光照强度降低,其捕光色素分子的有效光能吸收截面(σ_(ik)')减小,捕光色素分子处于最低激发态的最小平均寿命(τ_(min))变长,累积在最低激发态的天线色素分子数(N_(k))增多。研究表明,在低光照强度环境下,电子在捕光色素分子之间的传递和光合电子流的产生受到限制,油茶叶片光能捕获与光合电子传递效率无法同时提高,最终导致其光合碳同化能力和光能利用效率下降。