The role of trust in restoration success: public engagement and temporal and spatial scale in a complex social‐ecological system

The social dimensions of river restoration are not well understood especially in the context of large‐scale restoration projects embedded in a complex social‐ecological system. This study used in‐depth interviews with diverse stakeholders to examine perceptions of restoration success on the Clark Fork River Superfund project in Western Montana. Trust emerged as critical to restoration success and was influenced by public engagement, and by spatial and temporal scale. At this large scale, multiple relationships between agencies, NGOs, businesses, landowners, and other stakeholders meant that building trust was a complicated endeavor. The large spatial scale and long time frame made public engagement challenging, and landowners in particular were critical of the project, expressing mistrust in both agencies and the project as a whole. However, projects focused on smaller spatial scales, such as particular stream reaches, appeared to inspire more effective collaboration. Relationships between organizations were important at this large scale, but inter‐organizational conflict affected trust across the project. Further, because trust requires accepting vulnerability, recognizing the differential vulnerability that particular groups and communities experience, based on the risks and benefits they accrue relative to the project, is important.     

Update of ichthyofauna diversity and ecological status of a coastal River Nero (Côte d’Ivoire – West Africa)

The general aim of this study is to update the inventory of the fish species and to specify distribution patterns in the Nero River ichthyofauna in order to establish some basis for the conservation of these fish communities and their habitat. From February 2009 to January 2010, thirty-three sites were sampled monthly with gill nets and a backpack electrofisher, and environmental variables were recorded. Overall, 46 species included in 33 genuses, 24 families and 9 orders were collected. Eleven families and 30 species were the first records for the Nero River. Including all species previously listed in the literature, the number of species presently known in the Nero River and its tributaries is revised to 59. Four families, Alestidae (21%), Schilbeidae (19%), Cyprinidae (17%) and Cichlidae (16%) that made up 73% of the total number of the catches, were the most dominant. The most dominant numerical species were Schilbe mandibularis and Brycinus longipinnis. Fish species and sampling sites along with eight environmental variables were ordinated with canonical correspondence analysis (CCA) coupled to the Monte Carlo test. Ecological status based on fish assemblage according to environmental variables and anthropogenic pressures showed that miss dead wood leaves and roots, electrical conductivity, total dissolved solids, mud, nitrite, basin width, dissolved oxygen and pH, were the primary factors influencing fish distribution. The environmental tolerance index (ETI), ecological tolerance (t_k) and optima (u_k) values of 10 species to 8 different environmental variables were analyzed. Six species (Hemichromis fasciatus, Epiplatys chaperi, Barbus ablabes, B. longipinnis, Hemichromis bimaculatus and Chromidotilapia guntheri) have high ETI and a cosmopolitan distribution in the Nero River. In the tributaries of the middle course, high concentrations of nitrite in the water, added to the presence of a lot of tolerant species in the ichthyofauna are indications of disturbance of these areas. Subsequent recommendations were formulated for efficient restoration and conservation management of this River.     

Testate amoebae and tintinnids as spatial and seasonal indicators in the intertidal margins of Guadiana Estuary (southeastern Portugal)

The present study gathers pioneering taxonomical and community data on testate amoebae and agglutinated tintinnids, analyzing their seasonal and spatial distribution patterns in the mesotidal system of the Guadiana Estuary, southeastern Portugal. To evaluate both groups’ potential as bioindicators in climate monitoring and paleoenvironmental reconstructions, their abundance, diversity and living proportions were compared to elevation in relation to mean sea-level, marine influence and to periods of elevated water levels. The distributions of testate amoebae and tintinnid total assemblages were also related to major physicochemical variables by means of multivariate analysis.From 49 surface sediment samples collected in winter and summer 2010, 17 species (25 strains) of testate amoebae were identified (in the 63 μm fraction). The Centropyxidae, mainly represented by Centropyxis aculeata, Centropyxis arcula and Centropyxis constricta, had the greatest density (71% of total individuals), while the Difflugidae represented the most species (82% of total species). Higher diversities and densities were observed in winter in the upper estuary, where salinity is negligible, and in the middle estuary where they are concentrated at the lower levels of the intertidal zone. Few or no individuals were observed in the highest marsh zones. In winter, dead testate amoebae were dominant, with empty tests accumulating in the sediments from post-mortem transport by high river discharge. In summer, an increase in the living fraction is observed, with living testate amoebae along the entire estuary, which could indicate that some species are able to live in the lower reaches of the estuary.Along with the testate amoebae, two species of agglutinated tintinnids (>63 μm), Stenosemella ventricosa and Tintinnopsis cf. lata, were abundant in the sediments. Their highest abundances were observed in summer. Living individuals were only recorded in summer, mainly in the vicinities of freshwater and sewage outflows, where elevated nutrient concentrations may be expected.The present study demonstrates that both testate amoebae and tintinnids have well defined patterns in their temporal and spatial distribution, offering high bioindicator potential in environmental/climate monitoring studies as well as in paleoenvironmental reconstructions.     

The influence of seasonality,fish size and reproductive status on EROD activity in Plagioscion squamosissimus: Implications for biomonitoring of tropical/subtropical reservoirs

Ethoxyresorufin-O-deethylase (EROD) activity is considered an important biomarker for aquatic environmental contamination. Although EROD activity has been widely used as a biomarker of exposure to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in fish, this activity can be influenced in the field by spatial-, seasonal- or individual-related factors. We therefore performed a comparative study of hepatic EROD activity levels in the croaker Plagioscion squamosissimus to determine whether variations existed in enzyme activity levels, especially in relationship to reproductive status, fish size, age, and seasonality. For this purpose, we collected fish from three reservoirs with different pollution levels during the early-rainy (November 2012), rainy (March 2013), and dry (July–August 2013) seasons from the Tietê River, Brazil. We tested whether size, age and sex affected EROD activity among the localities and seasons. We found a marked effect of pollution during the dry season on variation among the localities in EROD activity in P. squamosissimus. An analysis of covariance indicated that sex had a significant negative effect on the seasonal variability of the EROD activity levels at the most polluted locality (near São Paulo). A possible explanation for the statistical association between EROD activity and sex is that the reproductive status of the females influenced the EROD activity levels. A possible explanation for the statistical association between EROD activity and sex is that the reproductive status of the females influenced the EROD activity levels, also largely reported in the literature. Our results suggest that reproductive status can be a significant confounding factor for determining EROD activity in female P. squamosissimus in freshwater ecosystems when compared to males. Moreover, our results suggest that the presence of phenanthrene during the dry season at Barra Bonita reservoir might explain the highest EROD activity responses in this period of study.     

Spartina alterniflora invasions and effects on crab communities in a western Pacific estuary

We investigated Spartina alterniflora invasions, their relationship with shoreline dynamics and effects on crab communities in the Yellow River estuary, China, where shoreline dynamics have been accelerated due to human-mediated estuarine sediment deposition and sea-level rise. We determined the distribution of Spartina with extensive ground surveys, and quantified shoreline dynamics between 2001 and 2009 by interpreting satellite images. We used pitfall traps to sample crab populations in Spartina-invaded habitats and non-invaded mudflats in 2009 and 2010. Large areas (>0.5 km²) of Spartina plants were found at three locations in the estuary. The seaward limit of Spartina at each location generally coincided with the present shoreline, regardless of historical shoreline advance or retreat. Crab communities in Spartina-invaded habitats significantly differed from those in non-invaded habitats. The total number and biomass of crabs caught per trap were much higher in Spartina-invaded habitats than in non-invaded habitats, however, species richness and Shannon diversity were much lower. These results suggest that Spartina invasions are likely to keep pace with shoreline dynamics accelerated by global change and have significant ecological consequences for crab communities. These issues should be taken into account to improve the use and management of Spartina, especially in rapidly accreting estuaries with large-area mudflats that are important habitats but prone to Spartina invasions.     

Estimating biogeochemical and biotic interactions between a stream channel and a created riparian wetland: A medium-scale physical model

Straightened channels and altered and drained adjacent riparian wetlands have adversely impacted streams and rivers throughout the US Midwest. This research investigated the biological connection and water quality of a 0.07 ha diversion wetland and adjacent stream at the Olentangy River Wetland Research Park in central Ohio. Before the flowthrough conditions were established, we demonstrated with mark and recapture techniques that the wetland already was a biorefuge for fish under extreme conditions; two species (Centrarchidae) captured in the stream before a total drawdown of the stream were found in the wetland a year later. In addition, water at the bottom remained at around 4 °C over the winter likely due to groundwater input, which possibly provided a warmer shelter for fish. Stream water quality of the lower section, downstream of the wetland outlet, generally improved with hydrologic pulsing in spring after flow-through reconnection due to the trapping of nutrients in the wetland. Mean removal per flood pulse for nitrate-nitrite, total nitrogen (TN), soluble reactive phosphorus (SRP), total phosphorus (TP) were 1.81 g-N m⁻² per pulse, 1.02 g-N m⁻² per pulse, 0.014 g-P m⁻² per pulse, and 0.004 g-P m⁻² per pulse, respectively. The wetland exported 2.8 g-C m⁻² per pulse of organic carbon. A greater attenuation of NO₃⁻ and TP occurred in the marshy outlet channel section of the wetland than the open water section. The diversion wetland successfully removed nitrate and phosphorus during storm pulses in spring. Similar designs should be applied to other locations to examine their function under different climatic and hydrological conditions.     

Activity budget of inshore Indo‐Pacific bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops aduncus): A critical evaluation of methods and comparison among other populations

Activity budgets are widely used to compare behavior patterns but sampling methods vary, rendering comparisons difficult. The two main methods used are instantaneous and continuous sampling. Their comparability was examined by applying them to data obtained from bottlenose dolphins in the Port River estuary, South Australia. They gave comparable results for activity budgets, but instantaneous sampling did not detect most of the behavioral events. Individual differences in behavior and/or follow duration influenced results. Variability in activity definitions and categories among studies makes comparative analysis difficult. Comparison of the Port River dolphin's activity budget with other inshore populations indicated the former spent more time feeding and resting, and less time traveling. The greater feeding time seemed to be due to small prey size rather than reduced abundance or unpredictable distribution. The reduced traveling time, possibly the result of low predation pressure and/or evenly distributed prey, gave them more time to rest. They traveled mostly at 2.5 kn or less, consistent with studies from other shallow areas. Most feeding was individual, probably on demersal species. Surface feeding incorporated physical barriers rather than cooperative behavior. Activity durations ranged from 2 s to 2.9 h, with mean durations varying from 7.8 to 22.9 min.     

Phytoplankton biomass and production in northern South China Sea during summer: Influenced by Pearl River discharge and coastal upwelling

Chlorophyll a and primary production were studied in northern South China Sea during summer from 2007 to 2008. Microplankton dominated total phytoplankton biomass in the coast, while picoplankton dominated in the offshore. Algae bloom caused by Thalassionema nitzschioides was found at the subsurface of upwelling regions (D2, C2) in 2008, and maximum of phytoplankton abundance reached 1.58 × 10⁶ ind L^?1. Integrated primary production ranged from 189.3 to 976.2 mg m^?2 d^?1 in 2007, and ranged from 652.1 to 6601 mg m^?2 d^?1 in 2008. PP showed positive relationship with IPP (p < 0.01) and negative relationship with SST (p < 0.05). Coastal upwelling and Pearl River discharge sustained high PP, and played important role in regulating the phytoplankton biomass and production.     

四川天南星属(天南星科)一新种——川西南星

描述了四川西部天南星属(天南星科)植物一新种,即川西天南星.     

刀鲚和凤鲚的分子鉴定及其在仔鱼种类鉴定中的应用

使用mtDNA Cyt b基因序列作为分子标记,基于400 bp左右的序列分析长颌鲚、短颌鲚及凤鲚成鱼的遗传关系。结果显示长颌鲚和短颌鲚间的遗传距离在0—0.5%之间;凤鲚与长颌鲚、短颌鲚的遗传距离分别在7.9%—8.9%和7.7%—8.6%之间。用Kimura双参数模型构建的NJ分子系统树显示,长颌鲚和短颌鲚不能形成彼此独立的分支,而是混合聚在一起形成一个分支;凤鲚则形成另一个分支。对长江口沿岸区域的鲚属仔鱼Cyt b基因片段序列分析发现,仔鱼个体之间的遗传距离为0—0.7%,仔鱼与长颌鲚、短颌鲚的遗传距离在0.1%—0.5%之间,而与凤鲚的遗传距离为8.3%—8.8%。在Kimura双参数模型构建的NJ分子系统树中,仔鱼与长颌鲚、短颌鲚聚为一类,而与凤鲚分开,表明分析的仔鱼样品不包括凤鲚个体。由于长江口一般没有短颌鲚分布,这些仔鱼应该都是长颌鲚。