Indicators of success for smart law enforcement in protected areas: A case study for Russian Amur tiger (Panthera tigris altaica) reserves

Although considerable conservation resources have been committed to develop and use law enforcement monitoring and management tools such as SMART, measures of success are ill‐defined and, to date, few reports detail results post‐implementation. Here, we present 4 case studies from protected areas with Amur tigers (Panthera tigris altaica) in Russia, in which indicators of success were defined and evaluated at each. The ultimate goal was an increase in tiger numbers to 1 individual/100 km² at each site. We predicted that improvements in law enforcement effectiveness would be followed by increases in prey numbers and, subsequently, tiger numbers. We used short‐term and long‐term indicators of success, including: (i) patrol team effort and effectiveness; (ii) catch per unit effort indicators (to measure reductions in threats); and (iii) changes in target species numbers. In addition to implementing a monitoring system, we focused on improving law enforcement management using an adaptive management process. Over 4 years, we noted clear increases in patrol effort and a partial reduction in threats. Although we did not detect clear trends in ungulate numbers, tiger populations remained stable or increased, suggesting that poaching of tigers may be more limiting than prey depletion. Increased effectiveness is needed before a clear reduction in threats can be noted, and more time is needed before detecting responses in target populations. Nonetheless, delineation of concrete goals and indicators of success provide a means of evaluating progress and weaknesses. Such monitoring should be a central component of law enforcement strategies for protected areas.     

东祁连山几种高山杜鹃的种群垂直分布对策

东祁连山大阴坡几种杜鹃种群在不同海拔高度上的垂直分布对策是各物种生态位重叠与分离的结果:千里香杜鹃和头花杜鹃为海拔3300m以下梯度内的优势种;陇蜀杜鹃在海拔3300m以上更湿冷的范围内开始增加,并占绝对优势;烈香杜鹃在3400m时分盖度最大,在低处与千里香杜鹃和头花杜鹃伴生,在高处与陇蜀杜鹃伴生。     

Comparative immunology

As a discipline, comparative immunology enhances zoology and has gained wide acceptance in the biological sciences. It is an offshoot of the parent field, immunology, and is an amalgam of immunology and zoology. All animals from protozoans to humans have solved the threat of extinction by having evolved an immune‐defense strategy that ensures the capacity to react against foreign, non‐self microorganisms and cancers that disturb the homeostatic self. Invertebrate‐type innate immune responses evolved first and they characterize the metazoans. These rapid natural responses act immediately and are often essential for the occurrence of slower, more specific, adaptive vertebrate‐type immune responses. As components of the innate immune system, there is an emphasis on several major steps in the evolutionary process: (i) recognition; (ii) the phagocytic cell; and (iii) the natural killer cell. When vertebrates evolved, beginning with fish, thymus‐controlled T cells first appeared, as did bone marrow‐derived B cells (first found in amphibians with long bones). These were the precursors of the plasma cells that synthesize and secrete antibodies. Confirming the concept of self/non‐self, invertebrates possess natural, non‐adaptive, innate, non‐clonal, non‐anticipatory immune responses, whereas vertebrates possess adaptive, acquired, clonal, and anticipatory responses. This symposium concerns: (i) aspects of the immune spectrum in representative groups; (ii) specific findings (in particular models; e.g. earthworms); (iii) clues as to the possible biomedical application of relevant molecules derived from animals, notably invertebrates; and (iv) some views on the more practical applications of understanding immune systems of invertebrates and ectotherms, and their possible role in survival.     

Oxidative stress drives divergent evolution of the glutathione peroxidase (GPX) gene family in mammals

The molecular basis for adaptations to extreme environments can now be understood by interrogating the ever-increasing number of sequenced genomes. Mammals such as cetaceans, bats, and highland species can protect themselves from oxidative stress, a disruption in the balance of reactive oxygen species, which results in oxidative injury and cell damage. Here, we consider the evolution of the glutathione peroxidase (GPX) family of antioxidant enzymes by interrogating publicly available genome data from 70 mammalian species from all major clades. We identified 8 GPX subclasses ubiquitous to all mammalian groups. Mammalian GPX gene families resolved into the GPX4/7/8 and GPX1/2/3/5/6 groups and are characterized by several instances of gene duplication and loss, indicating a dynamic process of gene birth and death in mammals. Seven of the eight GPX subfamilies (all but GPX7) were under positive selection, with the residues under selection located at or close to active sites or at the dimer interface. We also reveal evidence of a correlation between ecological niches (e.g. high oxidative stress) and the divergent selection and gene copy number of GPX subclasses. Notably, a convergent expansion of GPX1 was observed in several independent lineages of mammals under oxidative stress and may be important for avoiding oxidative damage. Collectively, this study suggests that the GPX gene family has shaped the adaption of mammals to stressful environments.     

Weather-Centric Rangeland Revegetation Planning

Invasive annual weeds negatively impact ecosystem services and pose a major conservation threat on semiarid rangelands throughout the western United States. Rehabilitation of these rangelands is challenging due to interannual climate and subseasonal weather variability that impacts seed germination, seedling survival and establishment, annual weed dynamics, wildfire frequency, and soil stability. Rehabilitation and restoration outcomes could be improved by adopting a weather-centric approach that uses the full spectrum of available site-specific weather information from historical observations, seasonal climate forecasts, and climate-change projections. Climate data can be used retrospectively to interpret success or failure of past seedings by describing seasonal and longer-term patterns of environmental variability subsequent to planting. A more detailed evaluation of weather impacts on site conditions may yield more flexible adaptive-management strategies for rangeland restoration and rehabilitation, as well as provide estimates of transition probabilities between desirable and undesirable vegetation states. Skillful seasonal climate forecasts could greatly improve the cost efficiency of management treatments by limiting revegetation activities to time periods where forecasts suggest higher probabilities of successful seedling establishment. Climate-change projections are key to the application of current environmental models for development of mitigation and adaptation strategies and for management practices that require a multidecadal planning horizon. Adoption of new weather technology will require collaboration between land managers and revegetation specialists and modifications to the way we currently plan and conduct rangeland rehabilitation and restoration in the Intermountain West.     

自适应模糊控制在配料过程中的研究与应用

针对工业配料过程中配料精度和速度相矛盾的难题,文中提出了一种专家系统、模糊控制结合自适应控制的新型控制方法。该方法将模糊控制宽范围快速调节和自适应精确调节的特点有机结合起来,当系统偏差大于某一设定值时,采用专家经验和模糊规则控制相结合的控制方法;当系统偏差小于设定值时采用自适应控制。实际应用表明,该方法比一般的模糊控制在系统精度和速度上均有所提高。     

运输应激对比格犬血常规及生化指标的影响

为了研究运输应激伴随的冷应激、驱赶、捕捉及饲料改变等多重应激对比格犬血常规和血液临床生化指标造成的影响,并且评估1周适应性饲养时间的合理性。以30只比格犬作为试验对象,对其适应性饲养前后的血常规和血液临床生化指标进行检查,并对数据进行分析发现,适应性饲养前犬的血常规和生化指标都有显著变化,1周的常规适应性饲养后,犬应激症状消失,血常规和生化检查指标均回复正常;这说明应激对比格犬造成了显著的影响,1周的适应性饲养是合理且必须的。     

Selection of locations of knots for linear splines in random regression test‐day models

Using spline functions (segmented polynomials) in regression models requires the knowledge of the location of the knots. Knots are the points at which independent linear segments are connected. Optimal positions of knots for linear splines of different orders were determined in this study for different scenarios, using existing estimates of covariance functions and an optimization algorithm. The traits considered were test‐day milk, fat and protein yields, and somatic cell score (SCS) in the first three lactations of Canadian Holsteins. Two ranges of days in milk (from 5 to 305 and from 5 to 365) were taken into account. In addition, four different populations of Holstein cows, from Australia, Canada, Italy and New Zealand, were examined with respect to first lactation (305 days) milk only. The estimates of genetic and permanent environmental covariance functions were based on single‐ and multiple‐trait test‐day models, with Legendre polynomials of order 4 as random regressions. A differential evolution algorithm was applied to find the best location of knots for splines of orders 4 to 7 and the criterion for optimization was the goodness‐of‐fit of the spline covariance function. Results indicated that the optimal position of knots for linear splines differed between genetic and permanent environmental effects, as well as between traits and lactations. Different populations also exhibited different patterns of optimal knot locations. With linear splines, different positions of knots should therefore be used for different effects and traits in random regression test‐day models when analysing milk production traits.     

The rough-toothed dolphin genome provides new insights into the genetic mechanism of its rough teeth

The rough-toothed dolphin (Steno bredanensis) is characterized by having teeth covered in finely wrinkled vertical ridges, which is a general manifestation of amelogenesis imperfecta. The rough surfaces are hypothesized to be an evolutionary morphological trait of feeding adaptation to increase the dolphin's grip on prey. Here, we assembled a rough-toothed dolphin genome and performed the comparative genomic analysis to reveal the genetic basis of the special enamel. Results showed that genes related to enamel development or dental diseases have undergone diversified adaptive changes that may shape the special enamel morphology of this dolphin species, including positive selection (CLDN19, PRKCE, SSUH2, and WDR72), rapid evolution (LAMB3), or unique amino acid substitutions (AMTN, ENAM, MMP20, and KLK4). Meanwhile, the historical demography of rough-toothed dolphin indicated several distinct population fluctuations associated with climate change. The genome-wide heterozygosity of this dolphin is in the middle of all published data for cetaceans. Although the population is considerable, there may be population or subspecies differentiation, and with the global warming and the increasing disturbance of human activities, we should pay more attention to protection in the future. Together, our study brings new insights into the genetic mechanisms that may have driven the evolution of the special enamel morphology in rough-toothed dolphins and provides the first results of genetic heterozygosity and population historical dynamics of this species, which have important guiding implications for the conservation of this dolphin species.     

气候变化适应及其影响因素研究——山东胶州湾地区居民的实证分析

为探索气候变化感知在适应决策过程中的作用机理,本研究以深度访谈数据为基础,基于“感知－适应”分析框架,采用二元Probit模型和泊松回归模型,分析胶州湾地区居民气候变化适应决策和适应选择的影响因素。研究表明,胶州湾地区绝大多数居民已经感知到气候变化,半数以上居民采取了一定的适应措施,大多数居民对适应措施效果的感到满意。居民采取适应措施介于0-4项,平均为1.07项,适应措施的普及率和多样化仍有提升空间。影响胶州湾地区居民气候变化适应决策与适应选择的主要因素存在一定差异性,但“居民对气候变化的感知”不论是对适应决策还是对适应选择的影响都较大,其中又以“对降水变化的感知”和“对气象灾害损失的感知”最为显著。