Biological time value

A measure of time value for living species, a natural discount rate, is proposed. It is the rate at which a species reveals its progressive disregard of the importance of future events. The discount rate is shown to be equal to the average (standard) metabolic rate for the species at a steady-state condition. The connection of the discount rate to standard empirical measures allows it to be assigned a numerical value. Knowing a species' discount rate should help determine its successional success and allow more meaningful solutions to optimality problems in biology.     

The value of comparison

With the number of published microbial genomes now in excess of 100, any new genome that is sequenced is likely to have a close relative available for comparison. Indeed, it is increasingly difficult to perform any genomic analysis that is not comparative. This should, however, not be seen as a drawback; it is often the case that a large amount of information can be drawn from these comparisons, especially between closely related organisms. Several genome sequences published recently indicate the value of comparisons at the genomic level.     

生物多样性的经济价值

生物多样性的总经济价值包含了它的可利用价值(use value, UV)和非利用价值(non-use values, NUV)。可利用价值可以被进一步分成直接利用价值(direct use values, DUV),间接利用价值(indirect use values, IUV)和可选择价值(option values, OV),即可能的利用价值。非利用价值主要是存在价值(existence values, EV)。生物多样性所提供的使用价值常常不能就地实现,而可能会通过某种通道,在空间上的流动,到达一个具备适当外部条件的地区,实现其使用价值。我们称这种现象为生物多样性价值在空间上的流动。     

The value of a leaf

Summary The value of a leaf to a plant depends on the fate of its exported assimilates. When these are translocated and used in the growth of new leaves they contribute to further carbon assimilation. The result is that their value to the plant is greatest while they are young. In contrast, when assimilates are translocated to storage, assimilates produced early and late in the life of a leaf are of equal value. This arguments is developed in relation to the optimal distribution of mineral resources and defenses during the life of leaves.