Perception of local people towards conservation of forest resources in Nanda Devi Biosphere Reserve,north-western Himalaya,India

This article examines the perception of the Bhotiya tribal community on the use and conservation of natural resources in Nanda Devi Biosphere Reserve (NDBR), north-western Himalaya in India with an objective of identifying the bottlenecks in the sustainable management of forest resources of NDBR through people’s participation. Despite, 85% of the respondents supporting the concept of conservation of forest resources, management decisions such as ban on mountaineering activities by creation of the Nanda Devi National Park (NDNP) in 1982 and NDBR in 1988, developed negative attitude among local people towards NDBR management, mainly because of restricted access to the forest resources for their livelihood. Promotion of some alternative income generating activities to reduce the dependence on natural resources was responded positively by the local people.     

Use of rubidium, manganese, and zinc as tracers to measure intestinal permeability by PIXE analysis

Intestinal permeability has been suggested to be closely linked with the etiology or activity of Crohn’s disease. However, current methods for measurement of intestinal permeability are too laborious for routine examination, as they require urine collection and/or use of radioisotopes. The present study was performed to develop a more convenient and safer method for assessing intestinal permeability using blood samples rather than urine. Rats with indomethacin-induced enteritis were orally administered Rb, Mn, and Zn as tracers. Intestinal permeability was determined by assaying the levels of Rb, Mn, and Zn in blood samples by particle-induced X-ray emission (PIXE). The distributions of Rb, Mn, and Zn in the small intestine after administration were analyzed by micro-PIXE. The conventional PIXE analysis showed that the levels of Rb and Zn in the blood in the enteritis group were correlated with the grade of enteritis. The micro-PIXE analysis showed that Rb, Mn, and Zn were translocated into the wall of the proximal small intestine 5 min after administration, and this effect was more conspicuous in the enteritis group than in controls. Analysis of blood or small intestine tissue samples using the PIXE allows determination of both intestinal permeability and the route of permeation.     

A Red Data Book of Empidid Flies of Flanders (northern Belgium) (Diptera, Empididae S.l.): Constraints and Possible Use in Nature Conservation

To enable use of Empididae s.l. (Diptera) as a tool in nature conservation, a Red Data Book of this taxonomical group was generated for Flanders, Belgium. All distribution data on species in Belgium between 1887 and 1999 were gathered from collections as well as personal sampling efforts by the first two authors. This resulted in about 21,000 records of Empididae, Hybotidae, Microphoridae and Atelestidae with 16,119 records for Flanders (northern Belgium) and 4776 for Wallony (southern Belgium). All species were assigned to Red Data Book categories which are based on a combination of a rarity and a trend criterion. Rarity is expressed as the proportion of the total number of UTM 5km squares sampled in which the species have been found since 1981. The trend criterion is interpreted as the change of the species rarity between 1887–1980 and 1981–1999. A comparable number of UTM 5km squares was investigated during the two time periods. A total of 259 species were recorded in Flanders. Twenty-seven or 10% of them are considered as 'extinct in Flanders', 10 (4%) as 'critically endangered', 12 (5%) as 'endangered', 11 (4%) as 'vulnerable', 99 species (38%) as 'susceptible' or 'rare', 65 species (25%) as 'safe' or 'at low risk' and 34 species (13%) are assigned to the category 'data deficient' due to taxonomic problems or a lack of ecological data. Only one of the common species shows a recent decrease of more than 50% and is classified as 'nearly threatened'. Current threats in most species are related to the alteration or destruction of their favoured habitats. The results are discussed in the light of recent criticism of the use of Red Data Books in nature conservation.     

Comparison of methods to assess the enzyme accessibility and hydrolysis of pretreated lignocellulosic substrates

Fiber size analysis, water retention value, and Simons’ stain measurements were assessed for their potential to predict the susceptibility of a given substrate to enzymatic hydrolysis. Slight modifications were made to the fiber size analysis and water retention protocols to adapt these measurements to evaluate substrates for cellulolytic hydrolysis rather than pulps for papermaking. Lodgepole pine was pretreated by the steam and ethanol-organosolv processes under varying conditions. The Simons’ stain procedure proved to be an effective method for indicating the potential ease of enzymatic hydrolysis of substrates pretreated by either process or when the pretreatment conditions were altered.     

De Brazza's monkeys (Cercopithecus neglectus) in Kenya: Census,distribution, and conservation

The population of De Brazza's monkeys (Cercopithecus neglectus) in Kenya, East Africa, was surveyed from May to September of 1983 to estimate its numbers, distribution, and conservation status. A small number of De Brazza's monkeys are protected within Saiwa National Park; however, the vast majority of the population is endangered because they are restricted to small, isolated pockets of forests amid expanding farmland within the Trans-Nzoia area of western Kenya. A few animals are found on the slopes of Mt. Elgon and on the Cherangani Hills, although these areas offer little protection. The pressures now facing this population are loss of habitat, reproductive isolation, and a decline in numbers as the result of being killed, either as a food source or as agricultural pests. If the current situation continues and no attempt is made to conserve the remaining De Brazza's monkeys, the species faces almost certain extinction in Kenya.     

Body size changes among otters, Lutra lutra, in Norway: the possible effects of food availability and global warming

Using museum data of adult specimens whose sex, age, and locality are known, we studied temporal and geographical body size trends among the otter, Lutra lutra, in Norway. We found that body size of the otters increased during the last quarter of the twentieth century, and suggest that this trend is related to increased food availability from fish farming and possibly also to energy saving due to elevated sea temperatures. Birth year and death year explained 38.8 and 43.5%, respectively, of the variation in body size. Body size of otters was positively related to latitude, thus conforming to Bergmann’s rule.     

The endangered Tunbridge buttercup (Ranunculus prasinus): Ecology,conservation status and introduction to the Township Lagoon Nature Reserve,Tasmania

Abstract Ranunculus prasinus is a mat-forming species of the marginal herbfields and tussock grasslands of brackish wetlands. It is only known from four wetlands, all on private land, in the driest part of Tasmania. The species has been successfully introduced from divisions from three of the populations into a secure reserve with similar vegetation to that of the natural populations. This is considered to be desirable and morally sound in that it increases the chances of survival of native biological diversity as a whole. However, ex situ measures and a gaining of security for natural populations would also be prudent.     

Multifunctional use of a natural resource on farmland: wild pheasant (Phasianus colchicus) management and the conservation of farmland passerines

Current rural development policy encourages farmers to adopt multifunctional use of farmland. Non-agricultural resources such as wildlife provide a focus for recreational activities such as shooting and bird watching. This paper assesses the potential contribution of wild pheasant (Phasianus colchicus) management for shooting to the conservation of farmland passerines. Bird numbers were monitored over a 7-year period on farmland in Leicestershire (England), in relation to the introduction of a game management system. Passerines were used as the indicator group as they are an official quality of life indicator, and include species that are the subject of government biodiversity action plans. Following introduction of the game management package, there was little change in species diversity at the farm scale, but species experiencing population declines nationally showed significant increases in numbers. The management of wild pheasants for shooting may therefore have considerable potential for the conservation of nationally declining farmland birds and for recreational activities such as bird watching.     

Atypical Micromorphology and Uncommon Location of Cryptococcosis: A Histopathologic Study Using Special Histochemical Techniques (One Case Report)

Here we report an unusual case of disseminated cryptococcosis in a patient with AIDS. Although typical Cryptococcus neoformans micromorphology was observed in tongue biopsy, cervical lymph node examination revealed atypical histopathologic findings. These included pseudohyphae, chains of budding yeasts and structures resembling germ tubes. Cryptococcus neoformans infection in supraclavicular lymph nodes was also confirmed by culture. The importance of using special histochemical techniques—Mayer’s mucicarmine stain for mucicarminophilic capsule and Grocott’s silver stain—in the diagnosis of cryptococcosis is reinforced.     

Use of RAPD analysis in devising conservation strategies for the rare and endangered Grevillea scapigera (Proteaceae)

Extensive human impact in south western Australia has resulted in a high incidence of rarity throughout the highly endemic flora of the region. Grevillea scapigera (Proteaceae) is a typical example, with 27 plants (represented by four extant populations) remaining in the wild. In order to devise an appropriate strategy for the conservation of this species, its population genetics were studied using RAPD analysis, which enabled the discrimination of individual plants and the detection of a relatively high amount of variability (V = 0.32) within G. scapigera. This variability was found to be evenly distributed within the plants analysed despite the clear distinction between most populations (87% of the variability being attributable to single plant difference and 13% to population difference). Finally, RAPD analysis was used to select a small group of plants that captured maximum genetic variability to be used in the recovery program of the species. Because of the low genetic difference between populations, the mixing of these selected plants during the recovery process should not create genetic imbalances. The methods used in this study provide a useful model for future projects involving the recovery of rare flora.     

Morphology of the nervous system of Polychaeta (Annelida)

The article summarizes our up to date knowledge about the morphology of the annelid, especially the polychaete, central and peripheral nervous system. Since the cephalic nervous system was in the focus of controversial discussions for decades, the structure of its neuropile, associated ganglia and nerves is reviewed in detail. The enormous variation of the ventral nerve cord and peripheral nerves is presented as well as a theory how this might have evolved. A ground pattern of the polychaete nervous system is suggested, based on developmental and regeneration studies.     

Neurochemical Evidence for Agmatine Modulation of 1-Methyl-4-Phenyl-1,2,3,6-Tetrahydropyridine (MPTP) Neurotoxicity

Agmatine treatment is known to exert neuroprotective effects in several models of neurotoxic and ischemic brain and spinal cord injuries. Here we sought to find out whether agmatine treatment would also prove to be neuroprotective in the mouse 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP) model of Parkinson’s disease. Concomitant daily treatment (intraperitoneal injections) with agmatine (100 mg/kg for 5 days) and MPTP (40 mg/kg for 2 days) exacerbated MPTP-related toxicity as evidenced by a larger reduction in dopamine uptake into striatal synaptosomes (42.4% as compared to 58.3% of control, respectively). In contrast, agmatine treatment commencing after MPTP, produced partial protection (31%) against MPTP dopaminergic toxicity. The findings implicate agmatine in mechanisms regulating MPTP neurotoxicity, but underscore the characteristic neuroprotective efficacy of agmatine when applied after the insult.     

Melnikov analysis of chaos in a simple epidemiological model

 Melnikov’s method is applied to an SIR model of epidemic dynamics with a periodically modulated nonlinear incidence rate. This analysis establishes mathematically, for the first time, the existence of chaotic motion in these models. A related technique also makes it possible to prove that homoclinic bifurcations occurs in the model. Received 8 August 1995; received in revised form 21 November 1995     

Analysis and evaluation of ecosystem resilience: an economic perspective with an application to the Venice lagoon

This paper focuses on the analysis and evaluation of resilience anchored in an economic perspective. Resilience, as well as most of the benefits provided by ecosystems, is not priced on current markets. However, this does not mean that resilience is of no value for humans. On the contrary, the interest of using an economic perspective, and the respective scientific methodology, will be put forward in terms of resilience relevance for ecosystem functioning, and its impact on human welfare. The economic perspective is anchored in an anthropocentric analysis evaluating resilience in terms of provision of natural capital benefits. These in turn are interpreted as insurance against the risk of ecosystem malfunctioning and the consequent interruption of the provision of goods and services to humans. For this analysis, we make use of a conceptual framework that identifies and describes the different value components of resilience. Finally, we present an illustration that discusses the economic analysis of resilience benefits in the context of the Venice Lagoon.     

Distribution of haplotypes and microsatellite alleles among Asian elephants (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Elephas maximus</Emphasis>) in Thailand

Habitat fragmentation often promotes increased inbreeding depression due to interrupted gene flow between populations. In this study, we demonstrate that Asian elephants most likely also suffer from outbreeding depression due to cryptic speciation. We analysed mitochondrial and nuclear DNA loci from 78 Asian elephants. Haplotype genealogy and analysis of molecular variance revealed two matrilinear clades (α _h, β _h). Microsatellite analyses of individuals grouped according to their haplotype clade (corresponding group of nuclear genotypes called α _nuc and β _nuc) revealed significant genotypic differentiation between α _nuc and β _nuc. Such genealogically differentiated forms in a morphologically uniform species are considered indicative of cryptic speciation. The differentiation was caused by bulls, whereas considering cows only resulted in no differentiation. Such result is best explained by Haldane’s rule whereby hybrid formation between genealogical forms causes lower viability and fertility of heterogametic hybrids. Although the lack of hybrid-specific morphological characteristics renders direct testing of reduced hybrid fitness under natural conditions unfeasible, the effects of Haldane’s rule are demonstrated by reduced male-mediated gene flow between genealogical forms under sympatric conditions, as was indeed suggested by the data found in Asian elephants: male-mediated gene flow between groups α _nuc and β _nuc was much lower than female-mediated gene flow. Electronic supplementary material  The online version of this article (doi:) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.