BIOLOGICAL ACTIVITY OF EXTRACT OF STELLERA CHAMAEJASME AGAINST FIVE PEST INSECTS

Abstract Biological activity of an extract of the root of Stellera chameajasme with ethanol by dip (SCEE) against 5 insect pests, Pieris rapae, Plutella xylostella, Spodoptera litura, Myzus persicae , and Ostrina fumalis as tested. The LD, of stomach poison of SCEE against the fifth instar larvae of P. rapae was 12. 32 μarvae day 2 after treatment. With SCEE at concentration of 5, 2. 5 and 50 mg/mL, the fifth instar larvae of P. rapae , the third instar larvae of P. xylostella , and the third instar larvae of S. litura by disc leaf dipped method, had corrected mortalities of 100%, 31. 03 % and 16. 67 % 7 days after treatment respectively. The LC₅₀ of SCEE against M. persicae was 0. 599 2 mg/mL after day 2 treatment by leaf dipped method. With SCEE at 10 mg/mL for the third instar larvae of O. furnucalis by mixture pesticide method, the corrected mortalities of 65. 52% and 85. 72% days 7 and day 14 after treatments respectively. The results showed that SCEE possessed strong biological activity to P. rapae, O. furnacalis , and M. persicae , while possessed weak biological activity to S. litura and P. xylostella .     

Strategic, Financial, and Design Implications of Extended Producer Responsibility in Europe: A Producer Case Study

Extended producer responsibility (EPR) legislation, making producers responsible for financing and organizing take-back and recycling of waste batteries, packaging, end-of-life vehicles (ELVs), and waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE), has been or is currently in the process of being implemented in 29 different countries in Europe following introduction of European Union directives. This article reviews the potential impacts of EPR for waste batteries, packaging, and WEEE on producers distributing products in Europe through a case study of Sony Computer Entertainment Europe (SCEE)—responsible for marketing and distribution of PlayStation products.
There are presently more than 250 producer responsibility organizations (PROs) established to meet EPR obligations in Europe, which contrasts to the single national recycling schemes founded in the late 1990s. SCEE estimates it avoided anetcostof €408,000 in 2005 by introducing competitive review of PRO services (against a total net take-back cost of €401,000).To meet increasingly extensive compliance obligations, SCEE has initiated new activities, with considerable implications for the company's legal, sales data administration, procurement, accounting, and product and packaging approval practices.
Considering the ultimate aim of EPR to establish economic incentives for improved product design, several significant political and practical obstacles are described from SCEE's case and industry situation. Although the principle of EPR is indeed interesting, its practical application in Europe may require refinement. Producers, given adequate support by policy makers, still have opportunities to develop new processes under the WEEE Directive to facilitate design for the environment.     

Sources,impacts and trends of pharmaceuticals in the marine and coastal environment

There has been a significant investment in research to define exposures and potential hazards of pharmaceuticals in freshwater and terrestrial ecosystems. A substantial number of integrated environmental risk assessments have been developed in Europe, North America and many other regions for these situations. In contrast, comparatively few empirical studies have been conducted for human and veterinary pharmaceuticals that are likely to enter coastal and marine ecosystems. This is a critical knowledge gap given the significant increase in coastal human populations around the globe and the growth of coastal megacities, together with the increasing importance of coastal aquaculture around the world. There is increasing evidence that pharmaceuticals are present and are impacting on marine and coastal environments. This paper reviews the sources, impacts and concentrations of pharmaceuticals in marine and coastal environments to identify knowledge gaps and suggests focused case studies as a priority for future research.     

Sister chromatid exchanges in lymphocytes of early cases of nasopharyngeal carcinoma and in 100 healthy subjects

Sister chromatid exchange rate was studied in 12 early diagnosed cases of nasopharyngeal carcinoma and in their paired controls. Exchange frequencies were also analyzed in 100 healthy subjects distributed in four regions of Hunan Province and correlated to nationality, age and sex. The incidence of sister chromatid exchange was significantly higher in the cancer patients than in the normal controls. No correlation was found between the frequency of sister chromatid exchange and region, nationality, age or sex.Abbreviations NPCC nasopharyngeal carcinoma - SCEE sister chromatid exchange     

Local Knowledge and Conservation of Seagrasses in the Tamil Nadu State of India

Local knowledge systems are not considered in the conservation of fragile seagrass marine ecosystems. In fact, little is known about the utility of seagrasses in local coastal communities. This is intriguing given that some local communities rely on seagrasses to sustain their livelihoods and have relocated their villages to areas with a rich diversity and abundance of seagrasses. The purpose of this study is to assist in conservation efforts regarding seagrasses through identifying Traditional Ecological Knowledge (TEK) from local knowledge systems of seagrasses from 40 coastal communities along the eastern coast of India. We explore the assemblage of scientific and local traditional knowledge concerning the 1. classification of seagrasses (comparing scientific and traditional classification systems), 2. utility of seagrasses, 3. Traditional Ecological Knowledge (TEK) of seagrasses, and 4. current conservation efforts for seagrass ecosystems. Our results indicate that local knowledge systems consist of a complex classification of seagrass diversity that considers the role of seagrasses in the marine ecosystem. This fine-scaled ethno-classification gives rise to five times the number of taxa (10 species = 50 local ethnotaxa), each with a unique role in the ecosystem and utility within coastal communities, including the use of seagrasses for medicine (e.g., treatment of heart conditions, seasickness, etc.), food (nutritious seeds), fertilizer (nutrient rich biomass) and livestock feed (goats and sheep). Local communities are concerned about the loss of seagrass diversity and have considerable local knowledge that is valuable for conservation and restoration plans. This study serves as a case study example of the depth and breadth of local knowledge systems for a particular ecosystem that is in peril.     

Holocene vertebrate fossils aid the management and restoration of Australian ecosystems

European‐settlement‐related impacts over the past 200 years pose many challenges for the conservation and restoration of Australia's ecosystems. Landscape modification, associated habitat loss and the introduction of exotic species have caused the extinction and mainland extirpation of numerous vertebrates. This process happened so quickly that many species became locally or functionally extinct before their presence was documented. A growing body of research on Holocene fossil accumulations is providing insights into the composition and biogeography of Australian ecosystems prior to European settlement. This review explores the similarities between palaeo‐ and neo‐ecology and how Holocene (last 10,000 years) assemblages can be used by neo‐ecologists, conservation managers and policy makers to identify and fill gaps in knowledge and contribute to the management and restoration of Australia's degraded ecosystems.     

Microbial interactions involving sulfur bacteria: implications for the ecology and evolution of bacterial communities

A major goal of microbial ecology is the identification and characterization of those microorganisms which govern transformations in natural ecosystems. This review summarizes our present knowledge of microbial interactions in the natural sulfur cycle. Central to the discussion is the recent progress made in understanding the co-occurrence in natural ecosystems of sulfur bacteria with contrasting nutritional requirements and of the spatially very close associations of bacteria, the so-called phototrophic consortia (e.g. 'Chlorochromatium aggregatum' or 'Pelochromatium roseum'). In a similar way, microbial interactions may also be significant during microbial transformations other than the sulfur cycle in natural ecosystems, and could also explain the low culturability of bacteria from natural samples.     

Traditional Ecological Knowledge (TEK): Ideas,inspiration, and designs for ecological engineering

In coming years society will be forced to adapt to lower energy levels due to projected declines in non-renewable energies. This will increase the challenge to ecological engineers to design sustainable ecosystems, driven by renewable energies to benefit society and the environment. This paper introduces the field of Traditional Ecological Knowledge (TEK) as an important source of ideas, inspiration and designs to help our profession meet this challenge. TEK refers to ecological knowledge and practices of indigenous and local cultures. Because these practices originated and evolved prior to the era of fossil-fuel dominance, they were designed and have continuously adapted to utilize renewable energies and resources. TEK is also well suited to sustainable design due to philosophical differences with Western science and culture. While Western culture views society as apart from and controlling ecosystems, indigenous cultures routinely see themselves as embedded within ecosystems. Because TEK has declined as the influence of Western culture has spread, there is an urgent need to identify and apply this knowledge for future benefit. Collaboration with scientists can help raise the social standing of indigenous people and of TEK within their own communities, thus contributing to cultural survival while maintaining this information. Applications of TEK relevant to ecological engineering including water management and agriculture in the Americas are highlighted.     

Persistence of environmental DNA in freshwater ecosystems

The precise knowledge of species distribution is a key step in conservation biology. However, species detection can be extremely difficult in many environments, specific life stages and in populations at very low density. The aim of this study was to improve the knowledge on DNA persistence in water in order to confirm the presence of the focus species in freshwater ecosystems. Aquatic vertebrates (fish: Siberian sturgeon and amphibian: Bullfrog tadpoles) were used as target species. In control conditions (tanks) and in the field (ponds), the DNA detectability decreases with time after the removal of the species source of DNA. DNA was detectable for less than one month in both conditions. The density of individuals also influences the dynamics of DNA detectability in water samples. The dynamics of detectability reflects the persistence of DNA fragments in freshwater ecosystems. The short time persistence of detectable amounts of DNA opens perspectives in conservation biology, by allowing access to the presence or absence of species e.g. rare, secretive, potentially invasive, or at low density. This knowledge of DNA persistence will greatly influence planning of biodiversity inventories and biosecurity surveys.     

Beyond Paradise—Meeting the Challenges in Tropical Biology in the 21st Century

Tropical ecosystems support a diversity of species and ecological processes that are unparalleled anywhere else on Earth. Despite their tremendous social and scientific importance, tropical ecosystems are rapidly disappearing. To usher tropical ecosystems and the human communities dependent upon them through the environmental transformations of the 21st century, tropical biologists must provide critical knowledge in three areas: 1) the structure and function of tropical ecosystems; 2) the nature and magnitude of anthropogenic effects on tropical ecosystems; and 3) the socio‐economic drivers of these anthropogenic effects. To develop effective strategies for conservation, restoration, and sustainable management of tropical ecosystems, scientific perspectives must be integrated with social necessities. A new set of principles built on a framework for pursuing relevant tropical biological research will facilitate interdisciplinary approaches, integrate biological knowledge with the social sciences, and link science with policy. We propose four broad recommendations for immediate action in tropical biology and conservation that are fundamental to all biological and social disciplines in the tropics: 1) assemble and disseminate information on life's diversity in the tropics; 2) enhance tropical field stations and build a worldwide network to link them with tropical field biologists at their field sites; 3) bring the field of tropical biology to the tropics by strengthening institutions in tropical countries through novel partnerships between tropical and temperate zone institutions and scientists; and 4) create concrete mechanisms to increase interactions between tropical biologists, social scientists, and policy makers.     

Differences among major taxa in the extent of ecological knowledge across four major ecosystems

Existing knowledge shapes our understanding of ecosystems and is critical for ecosystem-based management of the world''s natural resources. Typically this knowledge is biased among taxa, with some taxa far better studied than others, but the extent of this bias is poorly known. In conjunction with the publically available World Registry of Marine Species database (WoRMS) and one of the world''s premier electronic scientific literature databases (Web of Science®), a text mining approach is used to examine the distribution of existing ecological knowledge among taxa in coral reef, mangrove, seagrass and kelp bed ecosystems. We found that for each of these ecosystems, most research has been limited to a few groups of organisms. While this bias clearly reflects the perceived importance of some taxa as commercially or ecologically valuable, the relative lack of research of other taxonomic groups highlights the problem that some key taxa and associated ecosystem processes they affect may be poorly understood or completely ignored. The approach outlined here could be applied to any type of ecosystem for analyzing previous research effort and identifying knowledge gaps in order to improve ecosystem-based conservation and management.     

How Much Ecology Do We Need to Know to Restore Mediterranean Ecosystems?

Despite important advances in ecological knowledge of Mediterranean‐type ecosystems, advances in restoration ecology have not seen a parallel increase in these systems. Although some concepts such as positive plant–plant interaction (facilitation) have received attention in the restoration ecology community, others such as phenotypic plasticity have not. Some concepts (e.g., environmental heterogeneity) are mature enough for a wide use in restoration, whereas available knowledge on others (e.g., facilitation, plasticity) is less conclusive. However, the scientific knowledge is in general enough to significantly improve the guidelines for restoration of Mediterranean ecosystems. Our review suggests that (1) the extent of facilitation in dry ecosystems is partially understood, with supporting, but somewhat contradictory empirical evidence for its potential use in restoration; (2) the influence of habitat heterogeneity on plant performance and plasticity is only beginning to be understood, with a strong bias toward patterns of structural heterogeneity and negligible information on functional heterogeneity; and (3) sound evaluations of phenotypic plasticity might be useful to increase the success of restoration practices in patchy Mediterranean environments. Future global change scenarios involving temperature rise, reduced precipitation, increased frequency of extreme climatic events, and important land use changes and fragmentation must be particularly considered when restoring Mediterranean ecosystems. Further research on how to incorporate results on facilitation, environmental heterogeneity, and plasticity within a global change framework is clearly needed.     

Microbiology of petroleum reservoirs

Although the importance of bacterial activities in oil reservoirs was recognized a long time ago, our knowledge of the nature and diversity of bacteria growing in these ecosystems is still poor, and their metabolic activities in situ largely ignored. This paper reviews our current knowledge about these bacteria and emphasises the importance of the petrochemical and geochemical characteristics in understanding their presence in such environments.     

The importance of omnivory and predator regulation of prey in freshwater fish assemblages of North America

Synopsis Food webs for 15 freshwater ecosystems in North America are reconstructed, based upon fish feeding habits in these ecosystems and established trophic categorizations for aquatic invertebrates. My own research in Goose Creek, Virginia, as well as literature data, provided the necessary information. One property of theoretical interest for food webs, namely omnivory, is examined, and the results are related to various topics more typically studied by freshwater fish ecologists, including predator-prey regulation, optimal foraging theory, and tropho-dynamics. The data indicate that omnivory is often important in freshwater ecosystems, such that fish may not always control the abundance of their prey. It is emphasized that knowledge of omnivory patterns can provide important insights into community structure and function in freshwater ecosystems.     

Macroinvertebrate conservation in river ecosystems: Challenges,restoration strategies,and integrated management approaches

River ecosystems face growing threats from human-induced stressors, resulting in habitat degradation and biodiversity loss. Crucial to these ecosystems, macroinvertebrates maintain river health and functioning. In this review, we examine the challenges confronting macroinvertebrates, explore restoration strategies and management approaches, and shed light on knowledge gaps and future research directions. Habitat degradation, water pollution, climate change, and invasive species are discussed as key challenges. Various restoration strategies, such as in-stream habitat restoration, flow regime restoration, riparian zone restoration, and connectivity restoration, are evaluated for macroinvertebrate conservation. Integrated catchment management, adaptive management, community-based management, monitoring, and policy integration are highlighted as essential management approaches, and knowledge gaps in long-term monitoring, innovative restoration techniques, climate change resilience, and policy incorporation are identified as areas calling for further research. Ultimately, a proactive, adaptable, and cooperative approach to river management will ensure macroinvertebrate conservation and sustainable river ecosystems.     

Minireviews: Exploring the Basic Ecological Unit: Ecosystem-like Concepts in Traditional Societies

Ancient conceptualizations of ecosystems exist in several Amerindian, Asia-Pacific, European, and African cultures. The rediscovery by scientists of ecosystem-like concepts among traditional peoples has been important in the appreciation of traditional ecological knowledge among ecologists, anthropologists, and interdisciplinary scholars. Two key characteristics of these systems are that (a) the unit of nature is often defined in terms of a geographical boundary, such as a watershed, and (b) abiotic components, plants, animals, and humans within this unit are considered to be interlinked. Many traditional ecological knowledge systems are compatible with the emerging view of ecosystems as unpredictable and uncontrollable, and of ecosystem processes as nonlinear, multiequilibrium, and full of surprises. Traditional knowledge may complement scientific knowledge by providing practical experience in living within ecosystems and responding to ecosystem change. However, the “language” of traditional ecology is different from the scientific and usually includes metaphorical imagery and spiritual expression, signifying differences in context, motive, and conceptual underpinnings. Received 28 April 1998; accepted 9 July 1998.     

陆地生态系统碳通量面临的挑战与机遇——基于涡度协方差测定

区域和全球涡度协方差网络提供了基于陆地-大气生态系统间最大的综合性原位碳通量观测数据集。这些数据目前已成为自下而上核算陆地生态系统碳平衡的基础,但部分测量数据合理性问题引起通量界广泛关注。通过梳理近40年研究进展,总结了涡度协方差测量原理,系统地分析了仪器局限性和环境因素潜在影响,讨论了不同碳通量组分填补存在的争议、生态系统冬季休眠期的净碳吸现象违背生理学知识、夜间湍流发展不充分对生态系统呼吸的低估等,并由此产生数据偏移和测量滞后时间等。通过阐述涡度协方差测量原理和数据处理存在的缺陷与争议,提出了适当的改进措施以限制(或降低)数据测量产生的不确定性,旨在为后续监测精度提升和探究陆地生态系统碳循环及其对环境因子的响应提供理论支撑。     

水稻土中紫色光合细菌沿纬度梯度的空间分异特征

紫色光合细菌由于其代谢途径的多样性,在环境中广泛分布,是生态系统中碳循环的参与者和推动者之一。但是,水稻土中紫色光合细菌群落结构的空间分异却鲜有报道。基于此,沿我国温度梯度带(纬度梯度:28.38°N—47.43°N),采集了8个典型水稻土,利用PCR-DGGE指纹图谱和系统发育树分析揭示不同地点水稻土中紫色光合细菌群落的组成;结合多个环境因子,利用生物信息学,典范对应分析(Canonical Correspondence Analysis,CCA)和最小判别效应分析(Cladogram,LDA)明确水稻土中紫色光合细菌的空间分异规律。研究发现我国8个典型水稻土中紫色光合细菌主要由变形菌门(Proteobacteria)的α和β这两个分支组成,主要为紫色非硫细菌;p H和纬度都是驱动水稻土中紫色光合细菌群落结构分异的关键因子。该认知不仅有助于更好地揭示稻田关键功能微生物群的生物地理学分布,还有助于进一步探究我国稻田生态系统有机质转化的时空差异。     

Petroleum hydrocarbon contamination in boreal forest soils: a mycorrhizal ecosystems perspective

The importance of developing multi-disciplinary approaches to solving problems relating to anthropogenic pollution is now clearly appreciated by the scientific community, and this is especially evident in boreal ecosystems exposed to escalating threats of petroleum hydrocarbon (PHC) contamination through expanded natural resource extraction activities. This review aims to synthesize information regarding the fate and behaviour of PHCs in boreal forest soils in both ecological and sustainable management contexts. From this, we hope to evaluate potential management strategies, identify gaps in knowledge and guide future research. Our central premise is that mycorrhizal systems, the ubiquitous root symbiotic fungi and associated food-web communities, occupy the structural and functional interface between decomposition and primary production in northern forest ecosystems (i.e. underpin survival and productivity of the ecosystem as a whole), and, as such, are an appropriate focal point for such a synthesis. We provide pertinent basic information about mycorrhizas, followed by insights into the ecology of ecto- and ericoid mycorrhizal systems. Next, we review the fate and behaviour of PHCs in forest soils, with an emphasis on interactions with mycorrhizal fungi and associated bacteria. Finally, we summarize implications for ecosystem management. Although we have gained tremendous insights into understanding linkages between ecosystem functions and the various aspects of mycorrhizal diversity, very little is known regarding rhizosphere communities in PHC-contaminated soils. This makes it difficult to translate ecological knowledge into environmental management strategies. Further research is required to determine which fungal symbionts are likely to survive and compete in various ecosystems, whether certain fungal - plant associations gain in ecological importance following contamination events, and how PHC contamination may interfere with processes of nutrient acquisition and exchange and metabolic processes. Research is also needed to assess whether the metabolic capacity for intrinsic decomposition exists in these ecosystems, taking into account ecological variables such as presence of other organisms (and their involvement in syntrophic biodegradation), bioavailability and toxicity of mixtures of PHCs, and physical changes to the soil environment.     

Artificial selection of microbial ecosystems for 3-chloroaniline biodegradation

We present a method for selecting entire microbial ecosystems for bioremediation and other practical purposes. A population of ecosystems is established in the laboratory, each ecosystem is measured for a desired property (in our case, degradation of the environmental pollutant 3-chloroaniline), and the best ecosystems are used as 'parents' to inoculate a new generation of 'offspring' ecosystems. Over many generations of variation and selection, the ecosystems become increasingly well adapted to produce the desired property. The procedure is similar to standard artificial selection experiments except that whole ecosystems, rather than single individuals, are the units of selection. The procedure can also be understood in terms of complex system theory as a way of searching a vast combinatorial space (many thousands of microbial species and many thousands of genes within species) for combinations that are especially good at producing the desired property. Ecosystem-level selection can be performed without any specific knowledge of the species that comprise the ecosystems and can select ensembles of species that would be difficult to discover with more reductionistic methods. Once a 'designer ecosystem' has been created by ecosystem-level selection, reductionistic methods can be used to identify the component species and to discover how they interact to produce the desired effect.