WHIPPET: A novel tool for prioritizing invasive plant populations for regional eradication

Large geographic areas can have numerous incipient invasive plant populations that necessitate eradication. However, resources are often deficient to address every infestation. Within the United States, weed lists (either state-level or smaller unit) generally guide the prioritization of eradication of each listed species uniformly across the focus region. This strategy has several limitations that can compromise overall effectiveness, which include spending limited resources on 1) low impact populations, 2) difficult to access populations, or 3) missing high impact populations of low priority species. Therefore, we developed a novel science-based, transparent, analytical ranking tool to prioritize weed populations, instead of species, for eradication and tested it on a group of noxious weeds in California. For outreach purposes, we named the tool WHIPPET (Weed Heuristics: Invasive Population Prioritization for Eradication Tool). Using the Analytic Hierarchy Process that included expert opinion, we developed three major criteria, four sub-criteria, and four sub-sub-criteria, taking into account both species and population characteristics. Subject matter experts weighted and scored these criteria to assess the relative impact, potential spread, and feasibility of eradication (major criteria) for 100 total populations of 19 species. Species-wide population scores indicated that conspecific populations do not necessarily group together in the final ranked output. Thus, priority lists based solely on species-level characteristics are less effective compared to a blended prioritization based on both species attributes and individual population and site parameters. WHIPPET should facilitate a more efficacious decision-making process allocating limited resources to target invasive plant infestations with the greatest predicted impacts to the region under consideration.     

Germination tests for assessing biochar quality

Definition, analysis, and certification of biochar quality are crucial to the agronomic acceptance of biochar. While most biochars have a positive impact on plant growth, some may have adverse effects due to the presence of phytotoxic compounds. Conversely, some biochars may have the ability to adsorb and neutralize natural phytotoxic compounds found in soil. We evaluated the effects of biochars on seedling growth and absorption of allelochemicals present in corn ( L.) residues. Corn seeds were germinated in aqueous extracts of six biochars produced from varied feedstocks, thermochemical processes, and temperatures. Percent germination and shoot and radicle lengths were evaluated at the end of the germination period. Extracts from the six biochars had no effect on percent germination; however, extracts from three biochars produced at high conversion temperatures significantly inhibited shoot growth by an average of 16% relative to deionized (DI) water. Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons detected in the aqueous extracts are believed to be at least partly responsible for the reduction in seedling growth. Repeated leaching of biochars before extract preparation eliminated the negative effects on seedling growth. Biochars differ significantly in their capacity to adsorb allelochemicals present in corn residues. Germination of corn seeds in extracts of corn residue showed 94% suppression of radicle growth compared to those exposed to DI water; however, incubation of corn residue extracts with leached biochar for 24 h before initiating the germination test increased radicle length 6 to 12 times compared to the corn residue extract treatments. Germination tests appear to be a reliable procedure to differentiate between effects of different types of biochar on corn seedling growth.     

A method for evaluating areas for national park status

A procedure for evaluating different areas as national parks based on a scoring system is proposed. A National Park Evaluation Form (NPEF) evaluating natural, cultural, and recreational resources in accordance with international criteria for national parks is presented. The evaluation points given to an area indicate the possibility of the area becoming a national park. In this method, subjectivity and bias have been minimized by a special application of the Delphi technique. The method outlined here could help in the efforts of selecting and establishing national parks in many countries.     

A practical method for small area population estimation

Estimating small area populations requires a compromise between precision and rigour, and resource input. Gloucestershire County Council have developed a method for making annual Parish and Ward estimates which the authors claim combines robustness, economy and simplicity with a degree of rigour, using available data sources. The method is described, and an indication of its accuracy given using the 1981 Census data.     

A pilot plant using immobilized cells for dye removal from dye manufacturing wastes

A pilot plant was set up to treat dye waste water. The flow of the plant begins with a chemical pretreatment step following by an immobilized decolorizing bacteria reactor and an ordinary activated sludge reactor at the end. Results from the seven months' operation show that the decolorization effect of the immobilized cell reactor worked satisfactorily. The effluent colour always remained below 100 with the influent colour as high as 4000 or more. The COD of the effluent could also meet the discharge standard, around 60 mg L⁻¹. The immobilized cell reactor has an ability to reduce the BOD/COD ratio of the waste, suggesting that it can degrade the recalcitrant pollutants easily. The results show that it is a high-efficiency and low-cost process suitable to be developed into full-scale application.     

A short-cut method for assessing absorbents for post-combustion carbon dioxide capture

A short-cut method for the estimation of the minimum regeneration energy and optimum solvent flow rate in post-combustion carbon dioxide capture by absorption is presented. It is developed for comparing solvents of which only little thermo-physical data is known. The closed absorber–desorber cycle is described by an equilibrium stage model (modified Kremser equation with discretized equilibrium curves). The method can be implemented in any mathematical toolbox or as stand-alone solution. The only required input is the solubility data at absorber and desorber conditions, the heat of absorption and heat capacities. The caloric data may be estimated. The method was applied to monoethanolamine (MEA) and two solvents from the EU-project CASTOR. Comparisons with experimental results from pilot-plant studies with MEA show that the method, despite its simplicity, gives reasonable results. The method should also be useful in other applications where absorbents, of which only little data is available, need to be screened.     

A weed risk assessment model for use as a biosecurity tool evaluating plant introductions

New plant taxa from around the world continue to be imported into Australia and New Zealand. Many of these taxa have the potential to become agricultural or environmental weeds and this risk needs to be assessed before allowing their entry. A weed risk assessment system is described that uses information on a taxon's current weed status in other parts of the world, climate and environmental preferences, and biological attributes. The system is designed to be operated by quarantine personnel via a user-friendly computer interface.The model was tested against experts' scores for weediness for 370 taxa present in Australia, representing both weeds and useful taxa from agriculture, the environment, and other sectors. The model was judged on its ability to correctly ‘reject’ weeds, ‘accept’ non-weeds, and generate a low proportion of taxa which could not be decisively categorised, termed ‘evaluate’. More than 70% of the taxa were rejected or accepted. All taxa classified as serious weeds, and most minor weeds, were rejected or required further evaluation, while only 7% of non-weeds were rejected. The model was modified to New Zealand conditions and evaluated against the opinions of several groups of experts and against economic measures. The model produced a weediness score very similar to the mean of the experts scores. The latter were highly variable: agriculturalists tended to accept known weeds, conservationists tended to reject most adventive taxa, and only botanists produced scores similar to the model. The model scores also tended to be independent of economic value as measured in this study. The model could be adapted for use as a screening tool in any region of the world.     

A method for measuring low-weight carboxylic acids from biosolid compost

Concentration of low-weight carboxylic acids (LWCA) is one of the important parameters that should be taken into consideration when compost is applied as soil improver for plant cultivation, because high amounts of LWCA can be toxic to plants. The present work describes a method for analysis of LWCA in compost as a useful tool for monitoring compost quality and safety. The method was tested on compost samples of two different ages: 3 (immature) and 6 (mature) months old. Acids from compost samples were extracted at high pH, filtered, and freeze-dried. The dried sodium salts were derivatized with a sulfuric acid-methanol mixture and concentrations of 11 low-weight fatty acids (C1-C10) were analyzed using headspace gas chromatography. The material was analyzed with two analytical techniques: the external calibration method (tested on 11 LWCA) and the standard addition method (tested only on formic, acetic, propionic, butyric, and iso-butyric acids). The two techniques were compared for efficiency of acids quantification. The method allowed good separation and quantification of a wide range of individual acids with high sensitivity at low concentrations. Detection limit for propionic, butyric, caproic, caprylic, and capric acids was 1 mg kg(-1) compost; for formic, acetic, valeric, enanthoic and pelargonic acids it was 5 mg kg(-1) compost; and for iso-butyric acid it was 10 mg kg(-1) compost. Recovery rates of LWCA were higher in 3-mo-old compost (57-99%) than in 6-mo-old compost (29-45%). In comparison with the external calibration technique the standard addition technique proved to be three to four times more precise for older compost and two times for younger compost. Disadvantages of the standard addition technique are that it is more time demanding and laborious.     

A simple method for predicting the consequences of land management in urban habitats

Land management in urban areas is characterized by the diversity of its goals and its physical expression in the landscape, as well as by the frequency and often rapidity of change. Deliberate or accidental landscape alterations lead to changes in habitat, some of which may be viewed as environmentally beneficial, others as detrimental. Evaluating what is there and how changes may fit into the landscape context is therefore essential if informed land-management decisions are to be made. The method presented here uses a simple ecological evaluation technique, employing a restricted number of evaluation criteria, to gather a spatially complete data set. A geographical information system (GIS) is then used to combine the resulting scores into a habitat value index (HVI). Using examples from Wolverhampton in the United Kingdom, existing real-world data are then applied to land-management scenarios to predict probable landscape ecological consequences of habitat alteration. The method provides an ecologically relevant, spatially complete evaluation of a large, diverse area in a short period of time. This means that contextual effects of land-management decisions can be quickly visualized and remedial or mitigating measures incorporated at an early stage without the requirement for complex modeling and prior to the detailed ecological survey. The strengths of the method lie in providing a detailed information baseline that evaluates all habitats, not just the traditional “quality” habitats, in a manner that is accessible to all potential users—from interested individuals to professional planners.     

A solid-phase microextraction chamber method for analysis of manure volatiles

Odors from livestock operations are a complex mixture of volatile carbon, sulfur, and nitrogen compounds. Currently, detailed volatiles analysis is both time consuming and requires specialized equipment and methods. This work describes a new method that utilizes a dynamic flux chamber, solid-phase microextraction (SPME), and gas chromatography-mass spectroscopy (GC-MS) to describe and compare the odorous compounds emitted from cattle and swine feces. Evaluation of method parameters produced a protocol for comparing relative emissions based on fixed sample temperature (20 degrees C) and exposed surface area (approximately 523 cm(2)), air flow rates (1 L min(-1) or 16 cm s(-1)), SPME exposure time (5 min), and chamber cleaning procedures (70% ethanol rinse and drying for 30 min at 105 degrees C) to minimize cross-contamination between samples. A variety of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) including alcohols, volatile fatty acids, aromatic ring compounds, ketones, esters, and sulfides were routinely detected and the relative emissions from fresh and incubated (37 degrees C overnight) swine and cattle feces were compared as a measure of potential to produce odorants during manure storage. Differences in the types and relative quantities of volatiles emitted were detected when animal species (cattle or swine), diet, fecal incubation, or sample storage conditions (20, 4, or -20 degrees C) were varied.     

Fossil fuel divestment in US higher education: student-led organising for climate justice

Based on over one year of participant observation within the student-led fossil fuel divestment (FFD) movement, this article contextualises the origins, successes, challenges, and inner workings of the FFD movement in US higher education. We analyse several college divestment campaigns to illuminate key factors that have contributed to wins and rejections, and explore why students continue to organise for FFD. It is our contention that such widespread mobilisation for FFD signals a sea change, from individualised sustainability efforts to youth-led collective political action, and recognition of climate change as a social justice issue. In addition to participant observation, we gathered data from 23 survey responses of organisers involved in divestment campaigns within higher education, and 40 interviews with individuals including student and professional organisers within the FFD movement, institutional decision-makers at campuses with FFD campaigns, and other experts in the area. Our analysis also reveals that relatively smaller endowments and, more importantly, institutional values of environmental sustainability and social justice played key roles in colleges’ decision to divest. Our examination of divestment “losses” illuminates common arguments administrators deploy in their rejection statements, including the perceived costs of divestment, the need to maintain fiduciary responsibility, and scepticism that divestment will have any impact on the fossil fuel industry. Finally, in spite of increasing resistance from college and university administrations, student divestment campaigns continue to escalate, and are committed to organising over the long term.     

Are rainy season environmental stresses responsible for higher mortality in pashmina goats?

Summary A study was conducted to analyse the causes of death during the period January 1985 to December 1989, in pashmina kids and goats thought to be acclimatised to a medium altitude climate. In general, mortality was higher during the rainy season (up to 62 percent) than in the winter (17 percent) and summer seasons (21 percent). An exception was the year 1987 when mortality was lowest in the rainy season, presumably due to the effects of a drought. During the rainy season the majority of 6–12 month-old kids became dull, off-feed, weak, emaciated and anaemic. Occasionally these animals showed nasal discharge and diarrhoea. Haematological examination of randomly selected animals during rainy, post-rainy and early-winter seasons in 1985, 1986 and 1989 showed very low red blood cell counts (RBC), haemoglobin (Hb) and packed cell volume (PCV); with elevated erythrocytic sedimentation rates (ESR), neutrophilia, relative lymphopaenia, eosinopaenia, hypoproteinaemia, hypoalbuminaemia, hypogamaglobinaemia, increased A:G ratio and hypoglycemia. Red blood cells showed piokilocytosis, anisocytosis, punched out or ring shapes, presence of erythroblasts, basophilic stippling and Anaplasma marginale.Post-mortem examination revealed lesions of parasites either singly or in combination. These included lice, coccidia, Moniezia expansa, Haemonchus contortus,and Trichuris ovis.Poor or slightly improved health state, anaemic blood picture and moderated mortality were witnessed 45 days post-treatment or during the post-rainy season. Early-winter studies indicated that the goats were in an excellent health condition with normal blood picture and negligible mortality. It was concluded that the higher mortality in pashmina goats during the rainy season was association with high rainfall, humidity, partial or zero grazing, confinement of goats in sheds (all environmental stresses) and parasitism. This was supported in 1987, when the lowest mortality occurred during the rainy season due to the effect of drought and the absence of environmental stresses.Dr R. Somvanshi is a veterinary pathologist and is in charge of the Clinical Pathology and Medicine Section of Livestock Production Research. Dr J.C. Biswas works in the Animal Genetics and Breeding Laboratory. Dr B. Sharma is a biochemist in the Division of virology and currently a post-doctoral fellow at the Department of Virology at the Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, S-10521, Sweden. Dr G.L. Koul works in the Animal Genetics and Breeding Laboratory as Principal Scientist. All are based at the Indian Veterinary Research Institute.     

Environmental accounts for households: A method for improving public awareness and participation

Recently the European Council agreed on a CO₂ reduction target of 10% by the year 2010. In accordance with this, Denmark decided to reduce its CO₂ emissions by 25% over the same time period. One important element of both the European and Danish agreements is energy saving in industries and in private households. Typically industries and private households are also expected to participate in other kinds of environmental improvements, e.g. waste treatment. Such improvements in environmental performances are normally accounted for. In industry, for example, green accounting or environmental auditing are techniques used to measure progress in environmental performance. But when it comes to the environmental performance of people or households very few book-keeping principles have been developed. This paper describes a Danish share-housing project's efforts to formulate an environmental policy and outline an environmental accounting system which can keep track of a household environmental record. It describes the environmental accounting methods, the results and experiences from its first five years.     

A simple high performance liquid chromatography method for analyzing paraquat in soil solution samples

A high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) method with UV detection was developed to analyze paraquat (1,1'-dimethyl-4,4'-dipyridinium dichloride) herbicide content in soil solution samples. The analytical method was compared with the liquid scintillation counting (LSC) method using 14C-paraquat. Agreement obtained between the two methods was reasonable. However, the detection limit for paraquat analysis was 0.5 mg L(-1) by the HPLC method and 0.05 mg L(-1) by the LSC method. The LSC method was, therefore, 10 times more precise than the HPLC method for solution concentrations less than 1 mg L(-1). In spite of the high detection limit, the UC (nonradioactive) HPLC method provides an inexpensive and environmentally safe means for determining paraquat concentration in soil solution compared with the 14C-LSC method.     

A quantitative method for accounting human opinion,preferences and perceptions in ecosystem management

Ecosystem management (EM) is a holistic approach, in which public participation in decision-making, and incorporation of human preferences, needs and perceptions in management plans is a main element. The decision-making from human opinion method (DeMHO), presented here, can be used in EM in selecting the more suitable and socially acceptable management plan, in order to protect or restore an ecosystem. The method focuses on the quantification of the human opinion, preferences and perceptions, which are investigated after research on the local population of the ecosystem. The results of this research are the inputs of the method; multi-criteria decision-making procedures, such as the analytic hierarchy process (AHP), the expected utility method (EUM) and compromise programming (CP) are used to assign the appropriate weights and rank according to their importance the interest groups, the issues to be studied, and the alternative management plans. The alternatives are also evaluated by assessing their sustainable character. The paper presents DeMHO and its application in the National Park of Eastern Macedonia and Thrace in Greece, after a research through a questionnaire on the local population.     

Woodlot scale: A method for rapid assessment of woodlot values

A method is described for the rapid survey and determination of the ecological value of woodlots. The three dominant tree species in a stand are given a visual ranking that is converted to awoodlot index through the use of species adaptation values. The woodlot index is scaled by presettlement vegetation type to yield awoodlot scale. The ecologically most valuable woodlots in a region are identified by using the woodlot scale and data on woodlot area, human disturbance, and tree density. The woodlot index corresponds closely to results from conventional methods of woodlot surveys. This method should be valuable to land-use planners for environmental impact assessment and regional planning.     

An axenic plant culture system for optimal growth in long-term studies

The symbiotic co-evolution of plants and microbes leads to difficulties in understanding which of the two components is responsible for a given environmental response. Plant-microbe studies greatly benefit from the ability to grow plants in axenic (sterile) culture. Several studies have used axenic plant culture systems, but experimental procedures are often poorly documented, the plant growth environment is not optimal, and axenic conditions are not rigorously verified. We developed a unique axenic system using inert components that promotes plant health and can be kept sterile for at least 70 d. Crested wheatgrass (Agropyron cristatum cv. CDII) plants were grown in sand within flow-through glass columns that were positively pressured with filtered air. Plant health was optimized by regulating temperature, light level, CO2 concentration, humidity, and nutrients. The design incorporates several novel aspects, such as pretreatment of the sand with Fe, graduated sand layers to optimize the air-water balance of the root zone, and modification of a laminar flow hood to serve as a plant growth chamber. Adaptations of several sterile techniques were necessary for maintenance of axenic conditions. Axenic conditions were verified by plating and staining leachates as well as a rhizoplane stain. This system was designed to study nutrient and water stress effects on root exudates, but is useful for assessing a broad range of plant-microbe-environment interactions. Based on total organic C analysis, 74% of exudates was recovered in the leachate, 6% was recovered in the bulk sand, and 17% was recovered in the rhizosphere sand. Carbon in the leachate after 70 d reached 255 microg d(-1). Fumaric, malic, malonic, oxalic, and succinic acids were measured as components of the root exudates.