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Biodiversity conservation - why all the fuss?
310
Selected abstracts
whereas stem biomass was least sensitive. Black cherry seedlings are shown to be among the most sensitive to elevated ozone of the 21 tree species examined to date in Great Smoky Mountains National Park. (from Authors) 95Z/00006 Effect of cement dust on threc halophytie species of the Mediterranean salt marshes in Egypt M. M. Migahid & S. M. EI-Darier, Journal of Arid Environmeats, 30(3), 1995, pp 361-366. Salicornia fruticosa, Halocnemum strobilaceum and Arthrocnemum glaucum were collected at a distance of 1, 3 and 5kin from a cement factory. Washed cements from the surface area of study plants were 5.0, 1.7 and 1.0 tag cm "2at the three locations respectively. Cement increased the mortality of young branches leading to a reduction in the height and cover of the three species, especially A. glaucum, which was most sensitive to the dust. Water content, relative water content and succulence were improved in the living parts of the three species. (from Authors) 95Z/00007 The ground beetle fauna (Coleoptera: Carabidae) in relation to soil properties and foliar fluoride content in spring cereals J. K. Holopainen, T. Bergman, E.-L. Hautala & J. Oksanen, Pedobiologia, 39(3), 1995, pp 193-206. Carabid beetles were collected around a fluoride-emitting fertilizer plants in C Finland. Near the emission source fluoride accumulated in the barley Hordeum vulgare leaves, but not in soil, barley grain or in the bodies of earabid beetles. Total catch of carabids was highest at the background area. Patrobus atrorufus, Pterostichus melanarius and P. niger were the dominant carabid species caught in traps. Trapping plots were organized to five clusters according to their carabid communities, which were separated by the environmental factors in the following decreasing order: fluoride accumulation on crop plant > soil clay content > soil type > soilwater content > soil organic content > soil pH. The ordination ofearabid communities was most strongly related to soil type and water content of the soil. Fluoride and other pollutants emitted from industrial sources thus may have an influence on the structure of carabid communities in cereal fields. (from Authors)
Species 95Z/00008 Toxicity of soil iodine to terrestrial biota, with implications for 1 ~ S. C. Sheppard & W. G. Evenden, Journal of Environmental Radioactivity, 27(2), 1995, pp 99-116. Because of the very long half-life of 129I, there is a relatively high molar concentration of I associated with any specified level of radioactivity. The potential exists for chemical toxicity to non-human biota to exceed radioiogical toxicity in importance. The authors reviewed the literature and conducted laboratory bioassays to obtain information on the chemical toxicity of inorganic I to terrestrial biota. Levels as low as 5 mg I kg"soil may have detrimental effects. If this were as t29I, the corresponding radiological effects to non-human biota may not be as important as the chemical toxicity. However, because of the very low risk factor applied to protect humans, levels of 129I in the environment acceptable for human health appear to be acceptable for other biota at the higher risk levels commonly used for them. (from Authors)
Regional NATURE CONSERVATION : REGIONAL 95Z/00009 The future ofbindlversity S. L. Pimm, G. J. Russell, J. L. Gittleman & T. M. Brooks, Science, 269(5222), 1995, pp 347-350.
Recent extinction rates are 100-1000 times their pro-human levels in well-known, but taxonomically diverse groups from widely different environments. I fall species currently deemed 'threatened' become extinct in the next century, then future extinction rates will be 10 times recent rates. Some threatened species will survive the century, but many species not now threatened will succumb. Regions rich in species found only within them (endemics) dominate the global patterns of extinction. Although new technology provides details of habitat losses, estimates of future extinctions are hampered by our limited knowledge of which areas are rich in endemics. (Authors) 95Z/00010 Bindiversity conservation - why all the fuss? R. Pellew, RSA Journal, 143(5456), 1995, pp 53-66. The concept of biodiversity conservation emerged from the 1992 Rio Conference and since then has become a prominent issue in the global environmental debate. An account is given on the meaning ofbiodiversity, the global distribution of bitdiversity richness, and the patterns of species extinction, largely attributed to destruction of forest ecosystems. The author then explains the need for biodiversity conservation: maintaining the global support system, protecting biological resources for human consumption, and protecting nature for aesthetic or ethical reasons. The final section reviews the repertoire of strategies and tactics which are being employed to promote conservation in the UK and at the international level. To conserve biodiversity will require greater investment in conservation activities, in public education and in pressurising government and industry. A discussion of the paper is presented on pp 65-66. (N.Davey) 95Z/00011 Conservation geaetics ed V. Loeschcke, J. Tomiuk & S. K. Jain, (Birkhauser, Basel), ISBN (hardback) 3 7643 2939 4, price SF138.00 (£69.00, US$108.00), 1994, 440 pp, index. This volume arises from a symposium on conservation genetics held in May 1993 in Jutland, Denmark. It attempts to define and reassess the role of population genetics in conservation biology and to review the research progress over the past decade. It is divided into seven parts. The fi rat provides an overview of genetics and conservation biology and a look at the global importance of genetic diversity. Part two (four contributions) looks at genetic variation and fitness. The third part (six papers) reviews inbreeding, population and social structure. Part four introduces molecular approaches to conservation (four chapters). Next six case studies are presented including: genetic erosion and population extinction in plants - the case of$cabiosa columbaria and Salviapratensis; effects of releasing hatchery-reared brown trout ($almo trutta) to wild trout populations; and genetics and demography of rare plants and patchily distributed colonizing species. The sixth part assesses genetic resource conservation. The final part presents five scenarios to illustrate significant ecological and population genetic options and developments in conservation biology. Twenty-two papers are individually abstracted. (S.R.Harris) 95Z/00012 Mutation load depending no vm'iance in reproductive success and mating system D. Couvet & J. Ronfort, in" Conservation genetics, ed V. Loeschcke & others, (Birkhauser), 1994, pp 55-68. Equalization of reproductive success of individuals,although itresultsin an increase of effectivepopulation size,leads also to an increase of the mutation load. The magnitude of this increase depends highly on the mode of fitnessinteractions between deleterious mutations, and is higher in the case of inbreeding. Recommended practices in conservation genetics must be evaluated in regards to these differing consequences of an increase of effective population size. To keep a balance between rationing genetic variability and minimizing the increase of the mutation load, equalization of reproductive success of a set of individuals rather than of every individual might be more advantageous. (Authors)
Selected abstracts
whereas stem biomass was least sensitive. Black cherry seedlings are shown to be among the most sensitive to elevated ozone of the 21 tree species examined to date in Great Smoky Mountains National Park. (from Authors) 95Z/00006 Effect of cement dust on threc halophytie species of the Mediterranean salt marshes in Egypt M. M. Migahid & S. M. EI-Darier, Journal of Arid Environmeats, 30(3), 1995, pp 361-366. Salicornia fruticosa, Halocnemum strobilaceum and Arthrocnemum glaucum were collected at a distance of 1, 3 and 5kin from a cement factory. Washed cements from the surface area of study plants were 5.0, 1.7 and 1.0 tag cm "2at the three locations respectively. Cement increased the mortality of young branches leading to a reduction in the height and cover of the three species, especially A. glaucum, which was most sensitive to the dust. Water content, relative water content and succulence were improved in the living parts of the three species. (from Authors) 95Z/00007 The ground beetle fauna (Coleoptera: Carabidae) in relation to soil properties and foliar fluoride content in spring cereals J. K. Holopainen, T. Bergman, E.-L. Hautala & J. Oksanen, Pedobiologia, 39(3), 1995, pp 193-206. Carabid beetles were collected around a fluoride-emitting fertilizer plants in C Finland. Near the emission source fluoride accumulated in the barley Hordeum vulgare leaves, but not in soil, barley grain or in the bodies of earabid beetles. Total catch of carabids was highest at the background area. Patrobus atrorufus, Pterostichus melanarius and P. niger were the dominant carabid species caught in traps. Trapping plots were organized to five clusters according to their carabid communities, which were separated by the environmental factors in the following decreasing order: fluoride accumulation on crop plant > soil clay content > soil type > soilwater content > soil organic content > soil pH. The ordination ofearabid communities was most strongly related to soil type and water content of the soil. Fluoride and other pollutants emitted from industrial sources thus may have an influence on the structure of carabid communities in cereal fields. (from Authors)
Species 95Z/00008 Toxicity of soil iodine to terrestrial biota, with implications for 1 ~ S. C. Sheppard & W. G. Evenden, Journal of Environmental Radioactivity, 27(2), 1995, pp 99-116. Because of the very long half-life of 129I, there is a relatively high molar concentration of I associated with any specified level of radioactivity. The potential exists for chemical toxicity to non-human biota to exceed radioiogical toxicity in importance. The authors reviewed the literature and conducted laboratory bioassays to obtain information on the chemical toxicity of inorganic I to terrestrial biota. Levels as low as 5 mg I kg"soil may have detrimental effects. If this were as t29I, the corresponding radiological effects to non-human biota may not be as important as the chemical toxicity. However, because of the very low risk factor applied to protect humans, levels of 129I in the environment acceptable for human health appear to be acceptable for other biota at the higher risk levels commonly used for them. (from Authors)
Regional NATURE CONSERVATION : REGIONAL 95Z/00009 The future ofbindlversity S. L. Pimm, G. J. Russell, J. L. Gittleman & T. M. Brooks, Science, 269(5222), 1995, pp 347-350.
Recent extinction rates are 100-1000 times their pro-human levels in well-known, but taxonomically diverse groups from widely different environments. I fall species currently deemed 'threatened' become extinct in the next century, then future extinction rates will be 10 times recent rates. Some threatened species will survive the century, but many species not now threatened will succumb. Regions rich in species found only within them (endemics) dominate the global patterns of extinction. Although new technology provides details of habitat losses, estimates of future extinctions are hampered by our limited knowledge of which areas are rich in endemics. (Authors) 95Z/00010 Bindiversity conservation - why all the fuss? R. Pellew, RSA Journal, 143(5456), 1995, pp 53-66. The concept of biodiversity conservation emerged from the 1992 Rio Conference and since then has become a prominent issue in the global environmental debate. An account is given on the meaning ofbiodiversity, the global distribution of bitdiversity richness, and the patterns of species extinction, largely attributed to destruction of forest ecosystems. The author then explains the need for biodiversity conservation: maintaining the global support system, protecting biological resources for human consumption, and protecting nature for aesthetic or ethical reasons. The final section reviews the repertoire of strategies and tactics which are being employed to promote conservation in the UK and at the international level. To conserve biodiversity will require greater investment in conservation activities, in public education and in pressurising government and industry. A discussion of the paper is presented on pp 65-66. (N.Davey) 95Z/00011 Conservation geaetics ed V. Loeschcke, J. Tomiuk & S. K. Jain, (Birkhauser, Basel), ISBN (hardback) 3 7643 2939 4, price SF138.00 (£69.00, US$108.00), 1994, 440 pp, index. This volume arises from a symposium on conservation genetics held in May 1993 in Jutland, Denmark. It attempts to define and reassess the role of population genetics in conservation biology and to review the research progress over the past decade. It is divided into seven parts. The fi rat provides an overview of genetics and conservation biology and a look at the global importance of genetic diversity. Part two (four contributions) looks at genetic variation and fitness. The third part (six papers) reviews inbreeding, population and social structure. Part four introduces molecular approaches to conservation (four chapters). Next six case studies are presented including: genetic erosion and population extinction in plants - the case of$cabiosa columbaria and Salviapratensis; effects of releasing hatchery-reared brown trout ($almo trutta) to wild trout populations; and genetics and demography of rare plants and patchily distributed colonizing species. The sixth part assesses genetic resource conservation. The final part presents five scenarios to illustrate significant ecological and population genetic options and developments in conservation biology. Twenty-two papers are individually abstracted. (S.R.Harris) 95Z/00012 Mutation load depending no vm'iance in reproductive success and mating system D. Couvet & J. Ronfort, in" Conservation genetics, ed V. Loeschcke & others, (Birkhauser), 1994, pp 55-68. Equalization of reproductive success of individuals,although itresultsin an increase of effectivepopulation size,leads also to an increase of the mutation load. The magnitude of this increase depends highly on the mode of fitnessinteractions between deleterious mutations, and is higher in the case of inbreeding. Recommended practices in conservation genetics must be evaluated in regards to these differing consequences of an increase of effective population size. To keep a balance between rationing genetic variability and minimizing the increase of the mutation load, equalization of reproductive success of a set of individuals rather than of every individual might be more advantageous. (Authors)