Rixton Clay Pits cSAC

This is the report on Habitats Directive, the Review of Consents Stage 1 and 2 by the Environment Agency of the Rixton Clay Pits cSAC. The Habitats Directive has the main aim to promote the maintenance of biodiversity by defining a common framework for the conservation of wild plants and animals and habitats of community interest. The Directive establishes a European ecological network known as "Natura 2000". The network comprises Special Areas of Conservation (SAC) and Special Protection Areas (SPA). In the section on Stage 1 or Screening Process of the Habitat Directive, it is identified the likely impacts upon the Rixton Clay Pits cSAC of a project, plan or activities, either alone or in combination with other projects, plans or activities, and considers whether these impacts are likely to be significant. In the section on Stage 2 or Appropiate Assessment of the Habitat Directive, it is considered the impact on the integrity of the Rixton Clay Pits cSAC of the projects, plans or activities, either alone or in combination with other projects, plans or activities, with respect to the site’s structure and function and its conservation objectives. Additionally, where these are adverse impacts, an assessment of the potential mitigation of those impacts. The criteria used in this report to identify relevant projects, plans or activities and their impacts are water quality discharge consents, waste management licences, abstraction licences, Integration Pollution Control (IPC) and Integrated Pollution Prevention Control (IPPC) permits. Proformas, hydrogeological and GIS maps are included in the review.

South Pennine Moors cSAC-SPA. North West Region-South Area

This is the report on Habitats Directive, the Review of Consents Stage 1 and 2 by the Environment Agency of the South Pennine Moors cSAC/SPA. The Habitats Directive has the main aim to promote the maintenance of biodiversity by defining a common framework for the conservation of wild plants and animals and habitats of community interest. The Directive establishes a European ecological network known as "Natura 2000". The network comprises Special Areas of Conservation (SAC) and Special Protection Areas (SPA). In the section on Stage 1 or Screening Process of the Habitat Directive, it is identified the likely impacts upon the Rixton Clay Pits cSAC of a project, plan or activities, either alone or in combination with other projects, plans or activities, and considers whether these impacts are likely to be significant. In the section on Stage 2 or Appropiate Assessment of the Habitat Directive, it is considered the impact on the integrity of the Rixton Clay Pits cSAC of the projects, plans or activities, either alone or in combination with other projects, plans or activities, with respect to the site’s structure and function and its conservation objectives. Additionally, where these are adverse impacts, an assessment of the potential mitigation of those impacts. The criteria used in this report to identify relevant projects, plans or activities and their impacts are water quality discharge consents, waste management licences, abstraction licences, Integration Pollution Control (IPC) and Integrated Pollution Prevention Control (IPPC) permits. Proformas, hydrogeological and GIS maps are included in the review.

Rochdale Canal cSAC

This is the report on Habitats Directive, the Review of Consents Stage 1 and 2 by the Environment Agency of the Rochdale Canal cSAC. The Habitats Directive has the main aim to promote the maintenance of biodiversity by defining a common framework for the conservation of wild plants and animals and habitats of community interest. The Directive establishes a European ecological network known as "Natura 2000". The network comprises Special Areas of Conservation (SAC) and Special Protection Areas (SPA). In the section on Stage 1 or Screening Process of the Habitat Directive, it is identified the likely impacts upon the Rochdale Canal of a project, plan or activities, either alone or in combination with other projects, plans or activities, and considers whether these impacts are likely to be significant. In the section on Stage 2 or Appropiate Assessment of the Habitat Directive, it is considered the impact on the integrity of the Rochdale Canal of the projects, plans or activities, either alone or in combination with other projects, plans or activities, with respect to the site’s structure and function and its conservation objectives. Additionally, where these are adverse impacts, an assessment of the potential mitigation of those impacts. The criteria used in this report to identify relevant projects, plans or activities and their impacts are water quality discharge consents, waste management licences, abstraction licences, Integration Pollution Control (IPC) and Integrated Pollution Prevention Control (IPPC) permits. Proformas, hydrogeological and GIS maps are included in the review.

Oak Mere cSAC

This is the report on Habitats Directive, the Review of Consents Stage 1 and 2 by the Environment Agency of the Oak Mere cSAC. The Habitats Directive has the main aim to promote the maintenance of biodiversity by defining a common framework for the conservation of wild plants and animals and habitats of community interest. The Directive establishes a European ecological network known as "Natura 2000". The network comprises Special Areas of Conservation (SAC) and Special Protection Areas (SPA). In the section on Stage 1 or Screening Process of the Habitat Directive, it is identified the likely impacts upon the Oak Mere cSAC of a project, plan or activities, either alone or in combination with other projects, plans or activities, and considers whether these impacts are likely to be significant. In the section on Stage 2 or Appropiate Assessment of the Habitat Directive, it is considered the impact on the integrity of the Oak Mere cSAC of the projects, plans or activities, either alone or in combination with other projects, plans or activities, with respect to the site’s structure and function and its conservation objectives. Additionally, where these are adverse impacts, an assessment of the potential mitigation of those impacts. The criteria used in this report to identify relevant projects, plans or activities and their impacts are water quality discharge consents, waste management licences, abstraction licences, Integration Pollution Control (IPC) and Integrated Pollution Prevention Control (IPPC) permits. Proformas, hydrogeological and GIS maps are included in the review.

The NRA's role in wetland conservation

This is the NRA's role in wetland conservation report produced by the National Rivers Authority in 1995. This document is the third of a series of three R&D Notes produced as part of an integrated research programme addressing aspects of the NRA's role in wetland management and conservation. Chapter 1 considers the nature of the wetland resource and its definition. Chapter 2 presents the NRA's current legislative and policy framework relating to its role in wetland conservation. National and international legislation and agreements are considered, and particular attention is afforded to the potential implications of the 'Habitats Directive'. Chapter 4 presents key examples of operational casework involving wetlands. Differences in approach and external perceptions of the NRA's current and likely future role in wetland conservation are discussed within Chapter 5. Other issues highlighted in this report are: policy guidance required on NRA’s role in land drainage; standard of flood defence service for wetlands; cost-benefit analysis; strategies for halting and reversing the decline and degradation of wetland resource; and Catchment Management Planning.

The River Teign SAP Consultation Document

This is the River Teign Salmon Action Plan Consultation document produced by the Environment Agency in 2003. The report pays attention on the external consultation of the River Teign Salmon Action Plan (SAP). This approach to salmon management within the England and Wales introduces the concept of river-specific Conservation Limits as a method of assessing the status of the salmon stock. The River Teign Salmon Action Plan follows the format of those completed for the Rivers Torridge, Taw and Dart. It is the fourth of eight action plans that will be produced for salmon rivers within the Devon Area Fisheries, Recreation and Biodiversity Team. The River Teign SAP contains a description of the river catchment and highlights particular features that are relevant to the salmon population and the associated fishery. The Teign salmon stock is currently failing to meet its conservation limit. This failure is largely attributed to the reduction in the survival rate during the marine phase of the salmon life cycle. This is likely to constrain stocks to lower levels than have existed historically. Still further catch controls may contribute to a reduction in exploitation rates and allow stocks to recover to meet their conservation limit. Other important actions include the continuation of habitat improvement works which aim to maximise spawning habitat utilisation, spawning success, and juvenile survival and production.

On-Farm Flood Flow Capture – addressing flood risks and groundwater overdraft in the Kings Basin, with potential applications throughout the Central Valley

Project fact sheet prepared in cooperation with the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service and the Kings River Conservation District.

Training workshop proceedings: adaptive co-management of fisheries (January 21-25, Boyboison Lodge, Fijai, Ghana)

The Adaptive Collaborative Management of Fisheries Training workshop was held in Sekondi, Western Region of Ghana as part of the project “Integrated Coastal and Fisheries Governance Initiative” locally referred to as “H n Mpoano”. The aim of the project is to support the government of Ghana achieve its development objective of poverty reduction, food security, sustainable fisheries management and biodiversity conservation and contributes to its vision: Ghana’s coastal and marine ecosystems are sustainably managed to provide goods and services that generate long-term socioeconomic benefit to communities while sustaining biodiversity.

中国普通野生稻（Oryza rufipogon Griff.）群体遗传学及保护策略的研究

普通野生稻的基因资源对水稻的育种已经起过并将继续起至关重要的作用。所以，研究和保存其遗传多样性具有重要的意义。首先对普通野生稻在我国的分布现状作了较为全面的野外调查。采集了69个群体，近2000个个体的硅胶干燥叶片。研究了从硅胶干燥的小量叶片中高效率、高质量制备DNA的方法。并用此方法制备了44个代表群体，1168个个体的总DNA，建立了中国普通野生稻的总DNA库。随机选取19个引物对29个群体、651个个体的总DNA进行了RAPD扩增。统计出群体和地区内的多态性片段百分比（PPB），RAPDistance和WINAMOVA程序联用分析遗传变异在地区间、地区内群体间和群体内的组成。广西濠江流域5个野生群体的分析结果表明了中下游群体的PPB值显著高于中上游群体。从而从分子水平上证实了水流对无性繁殖体的传播影响了沿江分布群体的遗传多样性和遗传结构。6个现有原位保护群体的分析结果说明了5个群体值得进一步原位保护，而另一个群体适合异位保护。中国境内29个群体的统计分析揭示出群体间的遗传多样性差异很大（PPB值从23.29%到46.18%）。广东具有的PPB值最高（79.12%），其次是海南（77.11%）和广西（68.67%）。因而，华南是我国普通野生稻的遗传多样性中心。18个群体AMOVA分析结果均表明了遗传变异主要存在于群体内，但群体间业已有较大的遗传分化。从175个随机引物中筛选出9个引物，成功地鉴定出5个群体的克隆多样性和克隆结构。这二者与群体的生态环境，特别是水分状况密切相关。也同时受人类干扰强度的影响。而与群体所处的纬度没有明显的相关性。 根据以上结果，普通野生稻原位保护的策略是选取分布在不同地理区域、遗传多样性水平高的群体。分布在广东、海南和广西的6个群体，具有很高的遗传多样性，建议加以原位保护。此外，孤岛状隔离在我国普通野生稻分布区边缘的3个小群体也应立即进行原位保护。此外，原位保护的群体应给予适度的干扰以维系较高的克隆多样性和遗传多样性。在进行遗传多样性研究和异位保护时，每群体的取样个体数应不少于25株，相邻取样个体间的距离应大于12米。

三种兰科植物的保护遗传学研究

本研究在野外调查的基础上，采用随机扩增多态DNA (RAPD)分析和形态学方法，研究了我国三种珍稀濒危兰科植物硬叶兜兰（Paphiopedilummicranthum）、麻栗坡兜兰（P. malipoense）和独花兰（Changnienia amoena）的遗传多样性与群体遗传结构，主要结果如下： 1．采用1 2个引物对分布于我国云贵地区的4个硬叶兜兰群体共161个体进行RAPD扩增和分析，得出物种水平的多态条带百分率（PPB）为71.6%，Nci的基因多样度(h)为0.217，Shannon多样性指数（1)为0.3301;4个群体的平均多样性水平为PPB=45.2%，h=0.1457，1= 0.2204：低于远交兰花的平均水平。分子方差分析(AMOVA)表明，在总遗传变异中，群体间遗传变异占20.31%．群体内占79.69%;POPGENE给出的基因分化系数 （Gst）为0.2958;遗传分化略高于远交物种的平均水平。空间自相关分析表明，所检测的两个群体中存在明显的空间结构，基因型在群体中以不同的小斑块存在。遗传距离和空间距离不存在相关关系。 2．用于麻栗坡兜兰的RAPD引物同上，但取样范围只有贵州的2个群体共10个个体。就所研究的个体柬看，麻栗坡兜兰的遗传多样性明显低于远交兰花物种的平均水平。物种水平上，多态条带百分率(PPB)为49.5%。Nei的基因多样度（h）为0. 1174， Shannon多样性指数(I)为0.1764：在群体水平上，上述三个指标的平均值则分别为12. 75%、0.0486和0.0712，均大大低于硬叶兜兰。然而，尽管作了种种努力，麻栗坡兜兰的取样个体数量仍很少，因此所得结果可能会有误差。 3．用16个引物对分布于河南、湖北、湖南、江西4个省11个独花兰群体共216个体进行了RA PD扩增和分析，独花兰在物种水平PPB=80. 7%，h=0.197．1=0. 3116;在群体水平，上述三个指标的平均值则分别为40. 9%、0.1247和0. 1902，均低于远交兰花的平均水平。AMOVA分析表明，11个独花兰群体间的遗传变异占43.48%，群体内的占56.52%：在神农架和新宁地区内部，群体间的遗传变异分别占13.68%和49.3g%(AMOVA)。POPGENE给出的11个群体的基因分化系数(Gst)为0.3580．神农架和新宁地区内的Gst，值分别为0.1194和0.2597。可见，群体间的遗传分化明显高于远交物种的平均水平。空间自相关分析表明，独花兰的遗传变异在群体内不存在明显的空间结构。群体之间的遗传距离和空间距离不存在相关关系。 4．对独花兰7个群体形态性状的分析发现，12个形态性状在群体内均有较高的变异性，cv值变动于0.022-0.30O。庐山群体(LS)在所有性状上的平均值均为最高。营养性状和花部性状的变异性基本一致。除花葶长和花距直径与某些花部性状之间没有显著的相关关系外，各性状之间均有显著的相关性。对XN4群体的统计没有发现假磷茎数目与其他性状之间存在显著相关性。 根据以上对硬叶兜兰、麻粟坡兜兰和独花兰遗传多样性和群体遗传结构韵研究，结合其他方面的资料;对三种兰花的濒危机制进行了初步的分析。首先，人为采挖和破坏是导致这些兰花物种濒危的直接原因，尤其是麻栗坡兜兰。其次， 适宜兰花生存的生境正在只益萎缩、退化和片段化。这两方面因素的共同作用导致上述兰花群体的数目和规模日益下降，由此引发的遗传多样性降低和遗传结构的改变进一步加剧其濒危状况。对于独花兰而言，较低的繁殖能力又使其生存状态雪上加霜。针对三个物种不同的繁殖特性和遗传学状况，提出如下保护措施。(1)硬叶兜兰由于繁殖能力较强、现存个体尚多，遗传多样性损失不甚严重，因此以保护其所在的生境为基础、实施原位保护，是比较合适的保护策略。(2)麻粟坡兜兰目前受破坏程度非常严重;所剩个体很少，遗传多样性较低，已经很难进行有效的原位保护。因此;应利用迁地保护手段抢救目前尚存的个体。(3)独花兰的繁殖能力较弱，因此在保护生境和严禁采摘的基础上，可采用人工授粉等方式，提高结实率、增加繁殖效率，促使其复壮：在进行迁地保护时，则应注意不同群体间存在较大遗传变异而群体内多样性较低这一现实。

神农架锐齿槲栎种群更新及区域生物多样性保护对策

摘要 神农架有着丰富的生物多样性和相对完整的森林生态系统，锐齿槲栎（Quercus aliena var. acuteserrata）是该地区落叶阔叶林重要的建群种之一，是其山地植被垂直带上的一个重要类型，对维持生态系统的稳定和水土保持具有重要意义。本论文主要研究了影响锐齿槲栎种群更新的一些重要因素以及探讨了神农架地区生物多样性的保护对策。 锐齿槲栎种子雨时空分布格局的研究结果表明：不同样地间种子雨的密度差别很大。树木的不同空间方位及种子的不同性状（被昆虫侵害、未发育成熟和有活力）在种子雨密度上的差异都极其显著。但在所研究的距离范围内（2－6m），与母株的距离对种子雨的密度影响不明显。相关性分析显示，样地中的种子雨空间分布与幼苗分布没有直接关系。实验中还发现，被昆虫侵害的种子较早下落，种子雨与落叶时间的不同步性有利于锐齿槲栎幼苗的建成。锐齿槲栎种群的结实存在明显的大小年现象，其结实周期约为2年。 动物对种子的散布与传播是影响锐齿槲栎种群更新的重要因素。在研究小型啮齿目动物对锐齿槲栎种子传播影响的实验中，用样方内布置铁夹的方法共捕获8种小型啮齿目动物，隶属3科、4属。实验结果还证明，不同林型和不同时间段（种子下落高峰期和种子基本落完时期）内小型啮齿目动物的捕食活动规律不同，林下灌木层类型对动物取食橡子和搬运距离也有一定的影响。 光对锐齿槲栎幼苗更新影响的研究结果表明，锐齿槲栎在林窗及林下都有大量的幼苗，而其幼树却很少。坡向对锐齿槲栎种群的更新有重要影响，光照好的东南坡上的更新情况明显比光照较少的西北坡好。光照梯度处理实验证明，光照强度影响锐齿槲栎幼苗的资源分配方式和比例，一定的遮荫环境更有利于锐齿槲栎幼苗的生长。 米心水青冈林（Fagus engleriana）和锐齿槲栎林在神农架地区广泛分布,两者分布的海拔范围比较相近,并形成一定面积的混交林。通过典型样地调查以及对苗木光合作用与资源分配的研究，结果表明：这两个树种具有不同的光利用策略，米心水青冈比较耐荫，林下更新较好，而锐齿槲栎林下更新不良，在光照较好的林窗下及次生裸地上更易更新。 神农架保护区是我国建立较早的以保护森林生态系统为主的自然保护区，是是联合国人与生物圈的保护地区之一，具有重要的生态价值和科研价值。保护区的建立对该地区的生物多样性保护发挥了重要的作用，但仍然面临着种种威胁。通过对神农架自然保护区当地社区的基本情况进行实地调查，分析结果表明，当地社区经济发展与生物多样性保护的矛盾比较突出，人类活动的干扰使景观破碎化呈增加趋势，整个生态系统比较脆弱。针对以上种种问题，建议加快制定有关保护区管理的法律;建立国家生态效益的补偿机制;推动实施社区共管;加强科研与区域生物多样性保护网络的协作;发展特色经济;加强能力建设，促进当地社区社会经济的全面发展。

Annual Report of the Game and Fisheries Department for the period Ist July, 1957 to 30th June, 1958

This report follows the now established practice of covering the financial year although, as before, for the sake of continuity and accuracy many of the statistics refer to the calendar year. This year has again been an outstanding one in the field of research on wildlife conservation problems, and culminated in one of the largest short-term biological projects yet carried out in the Protectorate. The latter involved the removal by shooting of nearly 500 hippo from badly over-grazed areas in the Queen Elizabeth National Park, but every carcass was examined by a team of scientists, a variety of scientific data collected, and the meat disposed of for local consumption. Not one animal was wasted.

Annual Report of the Game and Fisheries Department for the period 1st July 1956 to 30th June, 1957

This report continues to cover the period of the financial year. Although, as before, for the sake of continuity and accuracy many of the statistics refer to the calendar year. The year has been notable in particular for the launching of extensive research projects on wild-life conservation problems, and much progress has already been made. This has been rendered possible by the greatly appreciated help and interest of the Fulbright Commission, who arranged for three experienced American wild-life scientists to work on these problems in Uganda. The latter have been working in conjunction with The Game and Fisheries Department's Biologist, as a team under the general Direction of the recently created Fauna Research Committee.

MULTIPLE GENOTYPES OF MITOCHONDRIAL-DNA WITHIN A HORSE POPULATION FROM A SMALL REGION IN YUNNAN PROVINCE OF CHINA

mtDNA genotypes of six domestic horses (three adult short horses whose heights are under 1 m and three common domestic horses) from a small region of 15 km(2) in Malipo county of Yunnan province of China were investigated by the technique of restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) with restriction endonucleases which recognize 6-bp sequences. An average of fragments for an individual was obtained. Unlike other domestic animals, this population of horses exhibits high mtDNA genetic diversity. Each of the six horses has a specific mtDNA genotype showing a pattern of multiple maternal origins, as suggested by fossil and literature records. We think the population of horses is an amazing seed-resource pool of horses and hence deserves to be paid more attention from the view of conservation genetics. However it is also remarkable that we did not find any typical mtDNA genetic markers which would discriminate between short horses and common domestic horses.

Adaptive evolution of a duplicated pancreatic ribonuclease gene in a leaf-eating monkey

Although the complete genome sequences of over 50 representative species have revealed the many duplicated genes in all three domains of life(1-4), the roles of gene duplication in organismal adaptation and biodiversity are poorly understood. In addition,