Pollen productivity estimates and relevant source area of pollen for selected plant taxa in a pasture woodland landscape of the Jura Mountains (Switzerland)

Relevant source area of pollen (RSAP) and pollen productivity for 11 key taxa characteristic of the pasture woodland landscape of the Jura Mountains, Switzerland, were estimated using pollen assemblages from moss polsters at 20 sites. To obtain robust pollen productivity estimates (PPEs), we used vegetation survey data at a fine spatial-resolution (1 × 1 m²) and randomized locations for sampling sites, techniques rarely used in palynology. Three Extended R value (ERV) submodels and three distance-weighting methods for plant abundance calculation were applied. Different combinations of the submodels and distance-weighting methods provide slightly different estimates of RSAP and PPEs. Although ERV submodel 1 using 1/d (d = distance in meters) best fits the dataset, PPE values for heavy pollen types (e.g. Abies) were sensitive to the method used for distance-weighting. Taxon-specific distance-weighting methods, such as Prentice’s model, emphasize the intertaxonomic differences in pollen dispersal and deposition, and are thus theoretically sound. For the dataset obtained in this project, Prentice’s model was more appropriate than other distance-weighting methods to estimate PPEs. Most of the taxa have PPEs equal to (Fagus, Plantago media and Potentilla-type), or higher (Abies, Picea, Rubiaceae and Trollius europaeus) than Poaceae (PPE = 1). Acer, Cyperaceae, and Plantago montana-type are low pollen producers. This set of PPEs will be useful for reconstructing heterogeneous, mountainous pasture woodland landscapes from fossil pollen records. The RSAP for moss polsters in this semi-open landscape region is ca. 300 m.     

BioBanking: an environmental scientist’s view of the role of biodiversity banking offsets in conservation

Offsets, first formalised in the United States of America in the 1970s for wetland mitigation, are now widely used globally with the aim to mitigate loss of biodiversity due to development. Embracing biodiversity offsets is one method of governments to meet their commitments under the Millennium Development Goals and the Convention on Biological Diversity. Resource extraction companies see them as a method of gaining access to land, while the community may perceive them as a way of enhancing environmental outcomes. In New South Wales, Australia, BioBanking legislation was introduced in late 2006 with the aim of ‘no net loss’ of biodiversity associated with development, particularly expanding urban and coastal development. The strengths of the legislation are that it aims to enhance threatened species conservation, and raise the profile of conservation of threatened species and habitats. Weaknesses include (1) the narrowness of the definition of biodiversity; (2) the concepts are based on a flawed logic and immature, imprecise and complex science which results in difficulties in determining biodiversity values; (3) likely problems with management and compliance; and (4) an overall lack of resources for implementation and long-term monitoring. It is concluded that the legislation is a concerted effort to deal with biodiversity loss, however, stakeholders have concerns with the process, and it is unworkable with the complexity of such ecosystems (compared for example to carbon credit trading), and underdeveloped disciplines such as restoration biology and ecology. Despite these criticisms, there is a need for all stakeholders to work to improve the outcomes.     

Economic values and dominant providers of key ecosystem services of wetlands in Beijing,China

This study estimates the economic values of and the dominant contributors to five key ecosystem services of wetlands in Beijing, by using the wetland inventory data in 2014 and economic valuation methods. Results indicate that the 51,434 ha of wetlands in Beijing annually provide 2.07 billion m³ of flood regulation, 944.01 million m³ of water provision, 42,154 tons of chemical oxygen demand (COD) purification, 3.03 PJ of heat absorption, and 9587 ha of habitat. Their economic values are estimated to be 15.89 billion RMB, 1.19 billion RMB, 169 million RMB, 421 million RMB, and 1.08 billion RMB in 2014 (RMB: Chinese currency, US$1 = RMB 6.14), respectively. The total values of five key wetland ecosystem services reach 18.76 billion RMB. In addition, the reservoir and river wetlands in Miyun, Yanqing, Fangshan, Huairou, and Mentougou Districts contribute 78% of key ecosystem services, whereas the urban wetlands in Xicheng, Dongcheng, Haidian, Chaoyang, and Tongzhou Districts more conveniently serve densely local people, hence they should be given particular attentions. In this paper, we develop the valuation methods of wetland ecosystem services, and recommend diversified strategies, regulations, and programs to protect the remaining wetlands in Beijing. This work can also provide a reference for the valuating of wetland ecosystem services for other urban-rural areas.     

双低菜粕高水平替代饲料鱼粉对大黄鱼潜在风险的评估:生长、健康和营养价值

研究从生长、健康和营养价值方面评估了高水平的双低菜粕替代饲料鱼粉对大黄鱼潜在的危害。在鱼粉含量60%的基础饲料（FM）上按照质量分数用双低菜粕分别替代15%（CM15）、30%（CM30）、60%（CM60）和100%（CM100）的鱼粉，配制成5种实验饲料。每种饲料投喂5个网箱的大黄鱼[初重（135.38±1.02）g]，即每个处理5个重复，进行12周的养殖实验。结果表明，当双低菜粕替代水平在15%和30%时，大黄鱼的生长及饲料系数并没有受到显著性的影响。然而，当替代水平高于30%时，大黄鱼的末重和特定生长率均显著降低，而饲料系数显著升高（P < 0.05）。当替代水平达到100%时，大黄鱼摄食率达到最高值而肥满度达到最低值（P < 0.05）。在组织形态方面，大黄鱼摄食双低菜粕替代的饲料后肠道绒毛的弯曲程度减少并且排列更加不规则，而肝细胞则呈现出圆形空泡状并伴随着细胞核的偏移。对大黄鱼骨骼进行X-射线扫描发现，摄食双低菜粕的大黄鱼椎体和头部出现了畸形。在营养价值方面，双低菜粕替代鱼粉并未显著影响大黄鱼背肌的脂肪含量、蛋白含量和氨基酸组成，然而脂肪酸组成受到了显著影响，即N-6系列脂肪酸含量显著升高，而DHA与EPA含量显著降低（P < 0.05）。根据欧洲食品安全局（EFSA）的相关标准，这些营养价值的变化并没有影响大黄鱼作为健康食品的功能。由此可见，高水平（60%和100%）的双低菜粕替代鱼粉对大黄鱼的负面影响主要表现为降低大黄鱼的生长性能、改变肠道和肝脏组织形态，以及影响大黄鱼的骨骼健康。然而，双低菜粕替代鱼粉养殖大黄鱼的肌肉仍然符合人类的膳食要求。因此，双低菜粕替代鱼粉并没有影响大黄鱼作为食用鱼的营养价值。     

浙江饮用水源地浮游动物体积多样性及水质响应

为了解浙江饮用水源地浮游动物体积多样性及对水体综合营养状态（TLIc值）的响应特征，对16个饮用水源地（H1-H8为河网型，K1-K8为水库型）展开了水质参数、浮游动物群落生物体积及其多样性指数的季节调查。结果表明，生物体积密度的季节变化以1月（0.681 mL/L）> 4月（0.443 mL/L）> 10月（0.252 mL/L）> 7月（0.229 mL/L），各季的第一优势种分别为汤匙华哲水蚤（Sinocalanus dorrii）（1月）、晶囊轮虫（Asplanchna sp.）（4月）、粗壮温剑水蚤（Thermocyclops dybowskii）（7月）和长额象鼻溞（Bosmina longirostris）（10月）。河网浮游动物生物体积以轮虫（44.6%）和枝角类（23.4%）为主，水库则以哲水蚤（39.5%）和轮虫（29.0%）为主。夏秋季浮游动物体积多样性指数（P < 0.01）和物种多样性指数（P < 0.05）与lg（浮游动物/浮游植物生物量比率）[lg（ZB:PB）]之间均有显著的相关性，水库中仅浮游甲壳动物体积多样性指数与lg（ZB:PB）之间有极其紧密的相关性（R2=0.77）。与物种多样性指数响应环境效应相比，甲壳动物的体积多样性指数（P < 0.01）能更好地指示夏秋季河网的TLIc值，这归因于甲壳动物个体数（ind./L）转换成了生物体积密度（mL/L）过程中有效信息的放大。     

Environmental and genetic control of crassulacean acid metabolism in two crassulacean species and an F1 hybrid with differing biomass δ13C values

Abstract The growth, biomass δ¹³C values, and ability to accumulate titratable acidity at night were compared in eight environmental treatments for Cremnophila linguifolia, Sedum greggii, and their F₁ hybrid. In the phytotron, differences in treatment daylength, day/night temperature and water availability were all found to have effects on total plant dry weight, nocturnal accumulation of titratable acidity and biomass δ¹³C value of at least some of the genotypes. However, there were differences between the genotypes both in the magnitude and direction of response of the phenotypic properties to the treatment variables. The phytotron δ¹³C values ranged from -12.9 to -19.2‰ for C. linguifolia, from -22.2 to -33.4‰ for S. greggii, and from -19.2 to -24.9‰ for the hybrid. After with-holding water for 76 h both C. linguifolia and the hybrid had midday Ψ_leaf values of -0.23 MPa; however, S. greggii had a value of -1.05 MPa. In contrast to past observations of other species, the daily watered plants of C. linguifolia had less negative δ¹³C values than did the plants watered only weekly.     

Magnification of the therapeutic uses of pomegranate fruits and peel in rats injected with carbon tetrachloride (Ccl4)

The liver is more prone to infections that cause fibrosis, such as steatosis, non-alcoholic steatohepatitis, hepatotoxicity, cirrhosis, and hepatocellular carcinoma. Also, Viral hepatitis is a common condition worldwide it worsens into chronic inflammation of the liver. One of the healthiest fruits is the pomegranate for the body and health, as it contains a high nutritional value of minerals, vitamins, antioxidants, so we worked on this investigation to magnify the therapeutic applications of pomegranate fruits (POF) and peel (POP) in carbon tetrachloride-injected rats (Ccl4). The experiment was carried out in a caged animal. All rats were fed a basal diet for one week before the study, and they were divided into seven groups, each with six rats. As a control negative group (C–ve), the first group sample was fed only the basal diet for 28 days. The remaining rats (n = 36) were injected with carbon tetrachloride (Ccl4). Five groups were fed varying concentrations of (5 %, 10 %, 15 % POF, 5 %, and 10 % pomegranate peel (POP)), whereas one group was diagnosed with the illness and disease, and didn't even feed the experimental diet. The results revealed significant increases in T.BIL, D.BIL, and BIL in the serum of rats injected by CC14 to induce hepatopathy compared to the healthy group (normal rats). Also, the best treatment considering the serum D.BIL was recorded for the 5 % POF.     

An Extreme Value Analysis of Pollutant Concentrations in Surface Soils Due to Atmospheric Deposition

Risk assessments often rely on deterministic models using long-term averages or “steady-state” values of input variables. Such models do not provide the information needed to estimate acute exposures. This study uses extreme value theory to examine the frequency and magnitude of daily pollutant concentrations in surface soils predicted at six U.S. locations. Concentrations are predicted using a deposition-leaching model and 50 years of historical precipitation data. A stochastic model also is used to generate 1000 years of precipitation data as modeling inputs for each location. The annual maximum concentrations at each site are fitted to a Gumbel type I distribution to estimate occurrence probability. For soluble pollutants, the predicted concentration varied substantially with precipitation, and the maximum daily concentrations exceeded annual averages by 4 to 8 times. Observed and synthetic precipitation data produced similar results at most study locations, though the synthetic data provided a slightly better fit to the Gumbel type I distribution. The precipitation model allows the generation of representative precipitation data that extend limited historical records. The extreme value analysis facilitates the evaluation of maximum pollutant concentrations, return periods, and other statistics that are important in evaluating acute exposures.