Taking the Romance out of Extraction: Contemporary Canadian Artists and the Subversion of the Romantic/Extractive Gaze

As in many nation-states, Canadian modernity viewed nature through two seemingly opposed gazes: the extractive and the romantic. In many ways, the Romantic movement was a response to the de-humanizing effects of industrial extraction, a process that summarily stripped the natural world of spirit and meaning. For many working within this representational tradition, however, the search for ontological meaning was a question of developing techniques and technologies that will allow us to “see” the spiritual qualities of nature, to see that it can also be mined, assayed, and sold as a spiritual resource that will provide us with metaphysical comfort in the cold and meaningless universe created by the extractive gaze. In this essay, we examine the work of four contemporary Canadian artists who deploy postmodernist strategies of citation and parody to reveal the hidden connection between Canadian landscape art and extractive processes. In so doing, their work seeks to destroy the comforting and familiar pleasures of the extractive and romantic gazes and force Canadians to develop new ways of thinking about our relationship to nature.     

Vegetation-permafrost relationships in the zone of sporadic permafrost distribution in the Kamchatka Peninsula

Studies on vegetation and permafrost table depth in the zone of sporadic permafrost distribution in the Uksichan River valley (the central Kamchatka Peninsula) have provided evidence that these components of biogeocenosis are interrelated and develop coordinately. In open larch forests with green forest mosses dominating in the ground vegetation layer, the permafrost table lies approximately 60 cm below the soil surface. When the ground vegetation layer is dominated by sphagnums, the permafrost table rises to 40–20 cm. In areas with a dwarf shrub-lichen ground layer, the soil thaw depth increases. A hypothesis is proposed that cyclic successional replacement of plant communities may take place in open larch forests on permafrost soils, including four consecutive stages with dominance of green mosses, sphagnums, lichens, and dwarf shrubs. In areas disturbed by fires, pioneer moss or herbaceous communities develop in the ground layer.     

Radioecological Studies on the Plankton of the Cooling Water Reservoir of the Beloyarsk Nuclear Power Plant

In the zone of heated water discharge and at the control site of the Beloyarsk Reservoir, the phytoplankton was characterized by dominance of blue-green, green, and pyrrophyte algae, and the zooplankton, by the prevalence of crustaceans over rotifers. The study sites differed in the species and quantitative composition of the dominant complex, but the total abundance and biomass of the phytoplankton in the heated zone and the control site did not differ significantly. In Teplyi Bay, the zooplankton was inhibited, which was manifested in the decrease of its abundance and biomass by four and seven times, respectively, in comparison with the control. Radionuclide concentrations in the plankton of the cooling reservoir in the period between 1986 and 1988 were determined. It was found that radionuclide concentration in the plankton is higher in the zone of heated water discharge than beyond it.     

Eco-design improvement for the diaphragm forming process

This paper proposes an eco-design method to suggest improvements over an existing diaphragm forming process (DFP). In the proposed method, a systematic procedure is developed to provide eco-design guidance to engineers, and it includes four steps. In Step 1, design functions are analysed through functional diagrams to provide the information of sub-functions and functional flows. In Step 2, the eco-design requirements are captured via quality functional deployment (QFD) and then translated to design functions via functional analysis (FA). Then, the design functions are prioritized according to the eco-design requirements in considerations. In Step 3, the prioritized design functions are used to generate possible design concepts through the morphological chart. In Step 4, the generated concepts are assessed based on the energy use and process time of DFP. The utility of the proposed method is to adapt quality tools for continual improvements in the context of eco-design. An existing DFP is used for this work to demonstrate and validate the method’s applicability. The result of this research shows that the integration of QFD and FA can systematically guide the generation of new eco-design concepts for DFP with less dependence of design intuitions.     

Recycling – the importance of understanding the complexity of the issue

Natural resources and raw materials such as metals and minerals are often taken for granted in today’s society. Without them, the offerings of an enormous variety of modern conveniences, including computers and mobile phones, would not be possible. The production of these everyday items depends on a secure, sustainable, and reliable supply of critical raw materials. In addition, product development also requires new hybrid materials when targeting lightweight structures, etc. However, the mandatory recyclability of new products or materials is not obligatory or even prevailing practice in present manufacturing business. Therefore, the main research question in this article is: “how to solve the challenge of recycling in industrial system?” In this article, a comprehensive approach to recycling based on the findings of research projects is presented. Simplified, this involves moving the challenge from the end of the product’s life cycle to the beginning, to the design or even to material development phases. Life cycle and system thinking and material know-how in the design phase are found to be essential elements of a new approach to recycling. This approach stems from the material development and market economy perspectives. Furthermore, the vulnerability of the industrial system to create uncertainty to recycling is also demonstrated.     

Overview of the Belgian programme for the surveillance of the territory and the implications of the international recommendations or directives on the monitoring programme

The Royal Decree of 20th July has entrusted the Federal Agency for Nuclear Control (FANC) with the task of controlling the territorial radioactivity and the doses received by the population. Within this agenda, a monitoring programme has been developed over many years, in order to follow the main potential exposure pathways of the population. In practice, several potential vectors of contamination are controlled: air (and rain), surface water (including sediments and biota), soils around nuclear installations, food chain, drinking water etc. To carry out such work, the FANC has collaborated with public or private reputable organisations: The Centre of Nuclear Energy Studies of Mol, The National Institute of Radionuclides of Fleurus, and The Louis Pasteur Public Health Institute of Brussels. A synthesis of this monitoring programme will be presented and the most important deductions will be pointed out. For many years, the tendency has been for tighter control of artificial and natural radioactivity in the environment. This has been achieved by increasingly stringent regulations, regarding environmental monitoring efforts, from international organisations (EC, OSPAR, IAEA). In this context, the FANC in Belgium, is involved in a process that will lead to the adaptation of the Belgian monitoring programme. Different aspects of these adaptations and of their consequences will be presented for illustrative purposes.     

Organic carbon changes in the surface sediments of the Venice lagoon

The concentrations of total, inorganic and organic carbon in the surface sediment of the central part of the Venice lagoon (31-55 stations) during the month of June in 1987, 1993 and 1998 were recorded. In two stations: San Giuliano and Lido, samples were collected on a monthly basis for 1 year also in different periods. On an average, by considering the whole central lagoon, inorganic carbon (IC) and total carbon (TC) did not show significant changes. In contrast organic carbon (OC) had alternating trends showing a decrease from 1987 to 1993, due to the almost complete disappearance of huge macroalgal biomasses, and a marked increase from 1993 to 1998, because of the high sediment disturbance caused by the catching of the clam Tapes philippinarum Adams & Reeve which had colonised the sediment free of macrophytes. The carbon changes monitored in the two stations studied on a seasonal basis during different years not only confirmed such results, but also enhanced the effects of fishing activities at Lido station and those depending on the disappearance of macroalgae at S. Giuliano. Moreover, this paper underlines the importance of seagrass beds. In fact in the areas colonised by those plants the percentage of fine sediments and organic matter is on the increase, while erosive processes are contrasted.     

Participatory assessment of the sustainability of livelihoods in the agroecosystem of Abesard,Iran

In order to improve the livelihoods of communities and make them more sustainable, study of the vulnerability of livelihoods seems necessary. In this paper, participatory vulnerability analysis was used within a sustainable rural livelihoods framework to assess the sustainability of livelihoods in the agroecosystem of Abesard, Iran. In addition, this paper explored vulnerability contexts that affect livelihood assets. Findings revealed that land use change, climate variability, market fluctuations and higher mechanisation were the main reasons of vulnerability. To overcome these problems and to adapt to changes, households have followed livelihood strategies such as agricultural intensification, livelihood diversification, and agricultural biodiversity. The government has also provided some services such as extension programmes, fertilizers, and subsidies to compensate for asset limitations. Overall, implementation of the following development policies are recommended: (1) support of agricultural production by government institutions; (2) moving towards the development of sustainable agricultural practises that integrate a variety of methods in a sustainable manner; (3) development of agricultural intensification in a sustainable way that compensates for any inadequacy of assets; and (4) providing adult vocational training programmes for both men and women related to on-farm and off-farm activities. In the end, results highlighted the need for more emphasis on overcoming the challenges of sustainable agriculture using a participatory approach in assessment of the vulnerability of community livelihoods.     

东北农牧交错生态脆弱区可持续发展研究

生态脆弱区是经济落后、人民生活较为贫困的地区．是可持续发展领域重点研究地区之一。实现生态脆弱区可持续发展管理的重要基础之一是对其发展现状进行综合测度。以我国典型生态脆弱区-东北农牧交错区为例．运用所建立的指标体系对阜新、通辽、赤峰等典型样点地区的可持续发展现状进行评估．对引致区域可持续发展现状的主要原因进行剖析；对1990年和2002年两个不同时段的可持续发展状态进行对比分析。结果表明资源与环境状况是影响区域可持续发展的关键因子．经济发展是提高可持续发展能力的根本保证．社会、人口、科技子系统对区域可持续发展具有重要作用。基于对上述问题的分析．提出东北农牧交错区可持续发展能力建设的几点对策。     

Woody climbing plants influence the structure of the mountain forest in the Kahuzi-Biega National Park, DR Congo

In the mountain forests of the Kahuzi-Biega National Park (KBNP), in the Democratic Republic of Congo, where Sericostachys scandens, a woody climbing plant in the Amaranthaceae family, is expanding, trees appear to be negatively affected by this liana. In order to contribute to the understanding of the links between the expansion of the liana and the decline of its hosts, we compared the density and the species richness of the trees of dbh (diameter at breast height) ≥5 cm from the plots invaded by S. scandens with those from parcels that are still free from the invasion. The results of the paired unilateral t test applied to the overall sample showed that the tree density is very low in the plots dominated by the liana (p < 0.01), but that species richness is not affected (p > 0.05). In the class with diameter [10–30 cm], the lowest density of trees corresponds to the plots colonized by S. scandens, compared to the places where the liana is not abundant (p < 0.01). Further, the density of trees is significantly lower (p < 0.05) in the classes with diameters [5–10 cm] and ≥30 cm, in plots dominated by S. scandens. In conclusion, the emergence of the liana S. scandens has a negative effect on the density of the trees in the mountain forest of the KBNP.     

Do forest birds take the risk of feeding in an open area in winter? Experiment with extra food gradually moved away from the edge of the forest into the open area

This paper attempts to determine whether and to what extent forest birds take the risk of feeding in an open area in winter. In each of three plots the extra food (lard) was initially placed on the border of the forest and open area and then moved into the open area and located within 15, 30 and 45 m from the edge of the forest. Only in one plot the total number of all the birds feeding on lard significantly decreased along with the food being moved away from the edge of the forest. In other plot the number of the most numerous Great Tit Parus major and Blue Tit Cyanistes caeruleus significantly increased along with the food source being moved away into open area. The numbers of the other 7 species of birds fell or did not have directional nature. Only in one plot the aggregation (the number of individuals of a given species feeding simultaneously) increased significantly along with moving the food into open area. In other plots differences in aggregation did not have the directional nature and, in most cases, were not significant.     

中国环境治理投资对环境质量冲击的计量分析——基于VEC模型与脉冲响应函数

在低碳经济的发展如日中天的形势下,经济快速发展所诱发的环境问题引起了各界人士的广泛关注.加大对环境治理的投资已是大势所趋.“清洁发展机制”(CDM)以及“绿色信贷”(Green Credit)等新措施,为环境治理投资开辟了新路径.本文在前人研究的基础之上,基于中国统计年鉴公布的1998 - 2008年工业GDP、工业废气排放量以及工业废气治理投资额,使用单位根检验、Johansen协整检验等方法对数据进行处理,使用误差修正模型(VEC)和脉冲响应函数(IRF)对环境治理投资对环境质量的冲击路径进行模拟.得到的结论是,我国目前环境治理投资与环境质量之间存在长期的均衡关系,环境治理投资对环境质量有正向的冲击,但冲击持续的时间较短.与此同时,环境质量的变化会给环境治理投资带来长达10期的较大幅度的冲击,并且随着环境治理投资的效应逐渐显现即环境质量的改善,环境治理的投资额逐步下降.鉴于这种情形,我国政府、商业银行和企业应该加强对环境的关注,建立环境治理投资的长效机制,调整投资结构,通过各种途径加大对环境治理的投资.     

大冶湖浮游细菌群落结构及其环境影响因子研究

为了解大冶湖浮游细菌的群落结构,探究其环境影响因素,于2018年2月和2018年7月,采用16S rRNA高通量测序技术分析比较了大冶湖水体中枯水期和丰水期细菌群落结构及其多样性的差异,并通过冗余分析(RDA)探讨水体环境因子与细菌群落结构及其多样性的关系。结果表明:大冶湖的浮游细菌具有较高的菌群多样性(枯水期和丰水期的Shannon指数分别为3.856±0.642和4.165±0.608)。大冶湖水体的主要细菌门为变形菌门(Proteobacteria)、放线菌门(Actinobacteria)、蓝细菌门(Cyanobacteria)、拟杆菌门(Bacteroidetes)、厚壁菌门(Firmicutes)、浮霉菌门(Planctomycetes)、疣微菌门(Verrucomicrobia)、绿菌门(Chlorobi)、绿弯菌门(Chloroflexi)。其中,枯水期优势菌群为β-变形菌纲(Betaproteobacteria,44.73%),丰水期优势菌群为蓝细菌门(Cyanobacteria,31.39%)和放线菌门(Actinobacteria,31.37%)。冗余分析结果表明,硝酸盐(NO~-_3-N)、温度(T)和总氮(TN)为影响细菌群落分布的主要环境因子。     

Spatial pattern of the effects of human activities on the land surface of China and their spatial relationship with the natural environment

Environment, Development and Sustainability - The human–land relationship changes with the development of human society. In the contemporary context in which human activities dominate this...     

On the Multifunctional Role of the Biota in the Self-Purification of Aquatic Ecosystems

Principles of the theory of the ecological mechanism of water self-purification based on multiple functions of the biota in freshwater and marine ecosystems are formulated. In developing this theory, the results of the author's experiments with filtering hydrobionts have been used. These results indicate that the water self-purification mechanism is vulnerable to the impact of some pollutants and, in particular, surfactants. Conclusions drawn on the basis of the theory have practical significance for biodiversity conservation and for the sustainable use of the biological resources of aquatic ecosystems.     

Index methods for the assessment of surface water quality: the case study of Oued Fodda dam,in the Northwest of Algeria

Environment, Development and Sustainability - In this study, the assessment of surface water quality of Oued Fodda dam was carried out by using the physicochemical and organic data recorded during...     

Application of the luminescence single-aliquot technique for dose estimation in the Marmara Sea

The aim of this study is to obtain the equivalent dose, which is the important quantity for all the studies related to the use of luminescence in dating sediments. Recent advances in luminescence dating have led to increasing application of the technique to sediment from the depositional environmental samples. The sample used in this study is the active main fault sample that was collected from the Sea of Marmara in NW Turkey. Equivalent dose was measured using both the multiple-aliquots and the single-aliquot techniques. In this study single aliquot regeneration on additive dose (SARA) procedure was also used. The result obtained was not in agreement with the results evaluated from the multiple-aliquots procedure. So a simple modification was suggested for SARA procedure. In our modified procedure the calculated dose (D) values were obtained by using the additive dose protocol instead of regeneration protocol.     

基于外部性内化的农地城市流转调控政策工具研究进展评述

本研究采用文献回顾法、归纳法,从农地城市流转外部性的分析与测度及政策工具在农地城市流转调控中的运用两个方面,对国内外相关研究进行了归纳与总结。结果表明,现有研究从内容和方法上都有待进一步的丰富和深入:在农地城市流转外部性的理论分析和定量测算方面,其外部性的内涵、分类与边界等尚未得到严格的界定与划分,评估技术的选择和应用尚存亟待回答的问题;在基于外部性内化的农地政策流转调控政策工具的运用方面,尚需在分析思路、政策工具的系统化和细节设计方面有所深入;在实证研究方面,亟需结合我国国情结合具体事例探讨政策工具运用的预期效果及不同政策工具可能的交互作用;此外,应考虑不确定与信息不对称对调控政策工具运行效率的影响。因此,我国学者应借鉴国内外已有的研究成果和经验,从外部性内化的角度设计适于我国国情的政策工具,从而为农地城市流转调控提供可靠的理论依据,以达到合理规制农地转用秩序的目的。     

Application of the luminescence single-aliquot technique for dose estimation in the Marmara Sea

The aim of this study is to obtain the equivalent dose, which is the important quantity for all the studies related to the use of luminescence in dating sediments. Recent advances in luminescence dating have led to increasing application of the technique to sediment from the depositional environmental samples. The sample used in this study is the active main fault sample that was collected from the Sea of Marmara in NW Turkey. Equivalent dose was measured using both the multiple-aliquots and the single-aliquot techniques. In this study single aliquot regeneration on additive dose (SARA) procedure was also used. The result obtained was not in agreement with the results evaluated from the multiple-aliquots procedure. So a simple modification was suggested for SARA procedure. In our modified procedure the calculated dose (D) values were obtained by using the additive dose protocol instead of regeneration protocol.     

Role of the Forest Entomofauna in Successional Processes

Participation of the entomofauna in the succession of forest biogeocenoses is analyzed. In stable ecosystems, insects serve as a mechanism providing for long-term ecological stability. In unstable ecosystems, their activities are essentially negative and cause ecosystem degradation.__________Translated from Ekologiya, No. 3, 2005, pp. 227–230.Original Russian Text Copyright © 2005 by Yanovskii.