Livestock as Ecosystem Engineers for Grassland Bird Habitat in the Western Great Plains of North America

Domestic livestock have the potential to function as ecosystem engineers in semiarid rangelands, but prevailing management practices largely emphasize livestock production and uniform use of vegetation. As a result, variation in vegetation structure might not occur at appropriate spatial and temporal scales to achieve some contemporary conservation objectives. Here, we introduce the utility of livestock as ecosystem engineers and address potential benefits and consequences associated with heterogeneity-based management practices for conservation grazing in the semiarid rangelands of the western North American Great Plains. To illustrate the potential value of this approach, we provide specific examples where engineering effects of livestock could alter vegetation heterogeneity at within-pasture (< 100 ha) and among-pasture (～100 ha to thousands of hectares) scales to improve habitat for declining native grassland birds. Experimental evaluations of the efficacy of livestock to achieve desired modifications to vegetation structure are needed, along with the economic aspects associated with implementing heterogeneity-based management practices. Using livestock as ecosystem engineers to alter vegetation structure for grassland bird habitat is feasible in terms of application by land managers within the context of current livestock operations, and provides land managers important tools to achieve desired contemporary objectives and outcomes in semiarid rangelands of the western North American Great Plains.     

The relationships between motor lateralization,salivary cortisol concentrations and behavior in dogs

The degree of lateralization (LI) indicates both the direction and strength of a paw preference. Here, a positive value is indicative of a right paw bias, and a negative value of a left paw bias. Higher numbers on the positive side of the scale and lower numbers on the negative side of the scale indicate a greater strength of that lateralization. The strength of motor lateralization (|LI|) is the absolute value of the LI. The use of absolute value removes directionality (i.e., does not indicate left or right paw bias) and instead indicates only the strength of the paw preference. Both LI and |LI| have been associated with behavioral differences in a range of species. The assessment of motor lateralization in the dog can be conducted by observing the paw used to perform motor tasks.Elevated cortisol concentrations have been associated with fearfulness in many species. Additionally, fearfulness and boldness can be assessed in response to so-called temperament tests. Consequently, in this study we examine the relationship between lateralization, temperament test results, and cortisol concentrations in 43 potential guide dogs, of which 38 were Labrador retrievers and 5 were golden retrievers.Over a 14-month period, the current study assessed motor lateralization and salivary cortisol concentrations 3 times (approximately 6 months of age, 14 months of age, and after the dogs' performance in the guide dog program had been determined) and behavior twice (approximately 6 and 14 months of age).This study is the first to examine the relationship between behavior, lateralization, and cortisol concentrations in dogs. It implemented an objective and quantifiable assessment of behavior that may be of use to a variety of dog-focused stakeholders.Findings show that during the Juvenile testing period (6 months of age), dogs with higher cortisol concentrations were typically less able to rest when exposed to the unfamiliar testing room. Results from both Juvenile and Adult Test (14 months of age) periods showed that a greater |LI| and LI were associated with more confident and relaxed behavior when dogs were exposed to novel stimuli and unfamiliar environments.Significant elevations of cortisol concentrations were found at the completion of guide dog training when compared with results from the 2 prior test periods. This finding may reflect maturation or the effect of the prolonged kenneling which occurred during this period.     

微波裂解海藻快速制取生物燃油的试验

为了探索低成本的海藻生物油快速制取工艺技术,研究组已成功开发出一套海藻的选育、培养、收获、干制技术。利用自行优选、培养、收获并干制的海藻粉,基于课题组在生物质的微波裂解技术已取得的突破,采用自行研制的玉米秸秆微波裂解的相关设备,对微波裂解海藻制取生物燃油的技术进行试验研究,获得大量在自然条件下可分层的海藻生物油。采用气相色谱-质谱（GC-MS）分析了所得到的生物油产品中两相油组分,得到了生物油产品中的物质组成及其相对含量,可为海藻生物油的精制及其副产品的开发利用提供了参考。研究表明,微波裂解海藻是一种低成本、快速、高效制取海藻生物燃油的方法,为海藻生物油的规模化生产提供参考。     

Dispersal of Contaminant Metals in the Mining-Affected Danube and Maritsa Drainage Basins, Bulgaria, Eastern Europe

Metal dispersal in the Danube and Maritsa drainage basins resulting from metal mining activities in Bulgaria has been assessed through the collection of 611 samples of river water, river channel and floodplain sediment, and mine waste from over 218 sites. Concentrations of Cd, Cu, Pb, and Zn in river water were found to be highest in close proximity to locations of Cu and Pb–Zn mining regions in the Maritsa catchment. Downstream dispersal of solute metals in these catchments, and into the River Danube, was found to be limited by physical dilution and a well-buffered pH environment. Dispersal of contaminant metals in channel and floodplain sediment was found to be extensive. Contamination was particularly severe in the Rivers Timok and Iskar (Danube catchment) and the Topolnitsa, Chepelarska, and Arda Rivers (Maritsa catchment) and creates the potential of transboundary dispersal of contaminant metals.     

Lime and Gypsum as Source Measures to Decrease Phosphorus Loss from Soils to Water

The adsorption of pentachlorophenol (PCP) from aqueous solutions using pristine multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) was studied kinetically and thermodynamically. The results showed that MWCNTs are good adsorbents for the elimination of PCP from aqueous solutions in a very short time compared with activated charcoal. The kinetics study showed that the adsorption of PCP is mainly due to the diffusion of PCP from the aqueous phase to the solid phase beside intra-particle diffusion. This intra-particle diffusion was more significant for activated charcoal compared with MWCNTs. The equilibrium adsorption of PCP at different temperatures was studied, and the adsorption isotherms were well described using different adsorption models. Thermodynamics study showed that the adsorption process was product-favored (enhanced) as the temperature decreased.     

More than just indicators: A review of tropical butterfly ecology and conservation

Roughly 90% of butterfly species live in the tropics. Despite this, we know very little about tropical butterfly ecology particularly when compared to temperate butterfly systems. The relative scarcity of data on tropical butterfly populations hampers our ability to effectively conserve them. In this review we summarize recurring themes from ecological research on tropical butterflies to serve as a framework for understanding their conservation. Key themes include: (1) the tropics represent the evolutionary origins of butterfly diversity, (2) while some tropical butterflies exhibit relatively stable population dynamics, longer-lived adult stages, and more continuous age-specific reproduction compared to temperate zone species, the generality of these patterns is debatable, and (3) complex species interactions (e.g. mimicry, parasitism and predation) can have significantly greater influences on ecological and evolutionary processes in tropical butterflies than in temperate ones. This state of ecological knowledge, combined with scarce resources, has traditionally constrained tropical butterfly conservation efforts to habitat level approaches, unlike the species- and population-specific approaches familiar in North America and Europe. Consequently, much conservation research on butterflies in the tropics has focused on the relationship between habitat quality (e.g. forest fragmentation) and butterfly diversity, though predictive patterns even in this regard remain elusive. We argue that with the increasing threats of habitat destruction, fragmentation and climate change, it is necessary to move beyond this diversity and habitat relationship if we are to improve predictive capabilities when evaluating anthropogenic impacts on tropical butterfly communities. Tropical butterflies are more than just useful indicator species. They represent some of the most spectacular and visually appealing organisms in the world and play many vital roles in tropical ecosystems. We hope that this synthesis will lay the groundwork for future ecological studies of tropical butterfly populations, species, communities and conservation.