生态系统评价的回顾与展望--从北美生态区域评价到新千年全球生态系统评估

生态系统评价对于生态系统的可持续经营以及社会可持续发展具有重要意义。本文简要介绍了在生态区域评价的发展过程中具有重要意义的一系列事件，阐述了生态系统评价在北美和全球的发展过程、生态系统评价的有关概念、内容及其对于生态系统可持续经营的重要意义，同时还介绍了我国参与新千年生态系统评估的一些行动，并对中国的生态系统评价提出看法。     

对我国生态系统服务研究局限性的思考及建议

自1997年生态系统服务的概念引入我国以来，我国学术界关于生态系统服务的研究呈现指数水平上升，但是研究的内容局限于不同区域和不同类型生态系统服务的价值化评估。评估结果的科学性和现实有效性受到质疑。本文结合我国目前的实际需求，我国生态系统服务研究的误区以及对千年生态系统评估（MA）研究成果的思考，认为目前和日后生态系统服务研究可以加强如下几个方面的研究：一是生态系统服务对人类福祉贡献的研究；二是生态系统服务功能退化现状的研究：三是生态系统服务退化原因和对策的研究。以丰富爱国生态系统服务研究的内窑。并为生态系统服务价值评估研究提供基础和补充。     

Fast increases in urban sewage inputs to rivers of Indonesia

We present estimates for nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) sewage inputs to 19 Indonesian rivers for 1970–2050. Future trends are based on the four scenarios of the Millennium Ecosystem Assessment. Our results indicate a rapid increase in N and P pollution from sewage over time. In 1970, N and P inputs to rivers were low because not many households were connected to sewage systems discharging to rivers. Sewage connection is increasing over time. As a result, N and P inputs to rivers increase. We calculate that between 2000 and 2050 the N and P inputs increase with a factor of 17–40, depending on the scenario. Important determinants of future N and P sewage inputs are population, economic growth, urbanization, sewage systems development and wastewater treatment. Our calculations are based on an improved model for N and P inputs to rivers, indicating that previous estimates underestimated these inputs considerably.     

基于遥感技术的长江三角洲海岸带生态系统服务价值评估

长三角海岸带是长江三角洲与东海间的重要过渡性区域,基于联合国千年评估提出的生态系统服务框架,以生态学为原理、以遥感反演技术为手段、借助经济学方法,对2005年及2008年长三角海岸带的10项生态系统服务价值进行了评估。结果表明,长三角海岸带2005及2008年的生态系统服务总价值分别为1 235.92、1 493.04亿元,与长三角地区实际GDP对比得出,生态系统服务价值实际降低,海岸带生态环境退化;对于不同的生态系统来说,林地、耕地、湿地的生态系统服务价值较高,为增强生态系统可持续发展应重点加以保护;对于不同的生态系统服务功能来说,旅游娱乐服务、土壤保持、调节水源为价值量最大的3项服务,而调节空气质量、精神文化服务、养分循环为价值量最小的3项服务。     

Environmental health impacts of feeding crops to farmed fish

Half of the seafood consumed globally now comes from aquaculture, or farmed seafood. Aquaculture therefore plays an increasingly important role in the global food system, the environment, and human health. Traditionally, aquaculture feed has contained high levels of wild fish, which is unsustainable for ocean ecosystems as demand grows. The aquaculture industry is shifting to crop-based feed ingredients, such as soy, to replace wild fish as a feed source and allow for continued industry growth. This shift fundamentally links seafood production to terrestrial agriculture, and multidisciplinary research is needed to understand the ecological and environmental health implications. We provide basic estimates of the agricultural resource use associated with producing the top five crops used in commercial aquaculture feed. Aquaculture's environmental footprint may now include nutrient and pesticide runoff from industrial crop production, and depending on where and how feed crops are produced, could be indirectly linked to associated negative health outcomes. We summarize key environmental health research on health effects associated with exposure to air, water, and soil contaminated by industrial crop production. Our review also finds that changes in the nutritional content of farmed seafood products due to altered feed composition could impact human nutrition. Based on our literature reviews and estimates of resource use, we present a conceptual framework describing the potential links between increasing use of crop-based ingredients in aquaculture and human health. Additional data and geographic sourcing information for crop-based ingredients are needed to fully assess the environmental health implications of this trend. This is especially critical in the context of a food system that is using both aquatic and terrestrial resources at unsustainable rates.     

Atmospheric change: health/ecological linkages

Human health studies emphasize the link between the human body and the immediate influences upon it. Ecosystem health studies (defined by David Rapport et al., this volume) has, as its primary objective, the relationships and system characteristics of viable ecosystems. As a practical application, ecosystem health studies describe the mechanisms and assesses the potential to threaten or enhance human health.     

Sustainability science: an ecohealth perspective

Sustainability science is emerging as a transdisciplinary effort to come to grips with the much-needed symbiosis between human activity and the environment. While there is recognition that conventional economic growth must yield to policies that foster sustainable development, this has not yet occurred on any broad scale. Rather, there is clear evidence that the Earth’s ecosystems and landscapes continue to degrade as a consequence of the cumulative impact of human activities. Taking an ecohealth approach to sustainability science provides a unique perspective on both the goals and the means to achieve sustainability. The goals should be the restoration of full functionality to the Earth’s ecosystems and landscapes, as measured by the key indicators of health: resilience, organization, vitality (productivity), and the absence of ecosystem distress syndrome. The means should be the coordinated (spatially and temporally) efforts to modify human behaviors to reduce cumulative stress impacts. Achieving ecosystem health should become the cornerstone of sustainability policy—for healthy ecosystems are the essential precondition for achieving sustainable livelihoods, human health, and many other societal objectives, as reflected in the Millennium Development Goals.     

Critical linkages between land-use transition and human health in the Himalayan region

This article reviews critical linkages between land-use transition and human health in the Himalayan region by applying ecosystem approaches to human health (or EcoHealth). Land-use transition in the Himalayan and similar regions includes sedentarization, agricultural intensification, habitat modification, migration, change of livelihoods and lifestyles, biodiversity loss, and increasing flash floods. These transitions, which can have impacts on human health, are driven by state policies, a market economy, and climate change. Human health is dependent on access to ecosystem services for food, nutrition, medicine, fiber and shelter, fresh water, and clear air. Ecosystem management has been a key means of controlling disease vectors and creating suitable habitats for human well-being. The paper identifies the web of environmental factors that influence human health. Institutional and policy issues for land-use and health transitions are also discussed.     

Linking health and ecology in the medical curriculum

Human health vulnerabilities to ecosystem degradation are well documented. Destabilization of natural ecosystems and the biosphere have posed an entirely new set of risks to human health and preclude any simple extrapolations from the past. Newly emerging diseases, increasing prevalence of many vector borne diseases, increased exposure to harmful UV radiation and a number of other transformations in the natural environment, have decidedly negative implications for the sustainability of human health. Curricula in medical schools are responding to these new realities by exposing the connections between health and ecology. The program in Ecosystem Health at the University of Western Ontario serves as one model for connecting these disciplines. This program has resulted in a perceptible shift in values and professional responsibilities of emerging physicians.     

Evaluation of carbon stock variation in Northern Italian soils over the last 70 years

Carbon (C) sequestration in soils is gaining increasing acceptance as a means of reducing net carbon dioxide (CO₂) emissions to the atmosphere. Numerous studies on the global carbon budget suggest that terrestrial ecosystems in the mid-latitudes of the Northern Hemisphere act as a large carbon sink of atmospheric CO₂. However, most of the soils of North America, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa and Eastern Europe lost a great part of their organic carbon pool on conversion from natural to agricultural ecosystems during the explosion of pioneer agriculture, and in Western Europe the adoption of modern agriculture after the Second World War led to a drastic reduction in soil organic carbon content. The depletion of organic matter is often indicated as one of the main effects on soil, and the storage of organic carbon in the soil is a means of improve the quality of soils and mitigating the effects of greenhouse gas emission. The soil organic carbon in an area of Northern Italy over the last 70 years has been assessed In this study. The variation of top soil organic carbon (SOC) ranged from −60.3 to +6.7%; the average reduction of SOC, caused by agriculture intensification, was 39.3%. This process was not uniform, but related to trends in land use and agriculture change. For the area studied (1,394 km²) there was an estimated release of 5 Tg CO₂-C to the atmosphere from the upper 30 cm of soil in the period 1935–1990.     

赣江流域淡水生态系统完整性与健康状态的鱼类F-IBI值评价

河流生态系统是地球上最为复杂的生态系统之一，它触及到自然环境所有部分，且几乎与各方面的人类活动均存在直接或间接的联系。河流生态学中最具活力的领域之一就是生态系统健康研究。鱼类是最早建立的生物完整性和健康评价的生物类群，一直以来被广为应用。在调查赣江流域17条一级支流和干流的不同江段的鱼类资源之后，首次通过鱼类完整性指数（F IBI）来评价赣江流域生态系统的健康状态。研究结果表明：赣江流域近70%调查样点鱼类群落完整性处于一般的状态，25%调查样点处于较好状态，5%调查样点则处于差的状态；赣江水系各河流的鱼类群落完整性均处于差-一般的水平。总之，流域支干流的水生态系统健康处于差-一般的状态。认为鱼类完整性受损与人工筑坝和蓄水等人类活动密不可分。建议开展系列补救措施，如增加鱼道或鱼梯等     

A biophysically anchored production function

The first part presents a conceptual model of the economic system in its ecological and social context. It is developed via an integration of basic concepts in physical resource theory, animal and human physiology, economic theory and systems ecology. The capacity of the model to support analysis of such complex systems where life is a key system characteristic is high. The conceptual model shows the dependency of the human economy on support by non-renewable and renewable resources from Nature (i.e. ecological source restrictions), as well as the capacity of ecosystems to assimilate wastes (ecological sink restrictions). The analysis focuses general principles; thus, the high level of abstraction results in an apparent simplicity. In the second part, we integrate traditional economic production functions and the conceptual model, which results in the formulation of a biophysically anchored production function (BAPF). The BAPF by itself, and through the system of ecological economic accounts that can be derived from it, represent a toolbox that supports the operationalisation of a sustainable development from micro to macro level. It is coherent with Impredicative Loop Analysis, existing management systems within agricultural sciences, OECD’s principles for sustainable development and the approach of Millennium Ecosystem Assessment. Compared to analytical approaches used in the formulation of sustainability policies in the private and public sphere, based on conceptual models ignoring the complexity when life (bios) is a defining system characteristic, its relevance for the operationalisation of sustainable development approaches infinity. The third part presents results from statistical analysis of relations between gross domestic product and energy supply and some emissions, respectively, for different nations and time periods, delivering values on levels and trends for parameters in the BAPF as well as a first test of the relevance of the BAPF proposed. The paper is ended by a theoretical analysis of the costs of provoking an economic system working under ecological source and sink restrictions to follow exponential growth: The need to decouple economic growth from natural resource use and emissions is highlighted. Otherwise, the erosion of the ecological foundation of the economy with regard to source as well as sink aspects will be a function of exponential growth.     

Nitrogen and phosphorus inputs to the Black Sea in 1970–2050

Increased nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) inputs are major causes of eutrophication in the coastal waters of the Black Sea. The objective of this study is to analyze the past and future trends in river export of nitrogen and phosphorus to the coastal waters of the Black Sea and to assess the associated potential for coastal eutrophication. The Global NEWS-2 (Nutrient Export from WaterSheds) model was used for this purpose. Currently, most eutrophication occurs in the North Black Sea and the Azov Sea. In the future, however, this may change. We analyzed trends up to 2050 on the basis of the Millennium Ecosystem Assessment (MEA) scenarios. The results indicate that nutrient loads in rivers draining into the North Black Sea and the Azov Sea may decrease in the coming decades as a result of agricultural trends and environmental policy. However, in these scenarios, the targets of the Black Sea Convention are not met. In the South Black Sea, there is currently little eutrophication. But this may change because of increases in nutrient inputs from sewage in the future.     

池塘养殖生态系统空气调节服务价值的实证研究

生态服务价值的评估对于研究人员、政策制定者和公众都有重大意义，而农业生态系统价值往往集中于食物的供给价值，而生态系统的调控服务价值、支持服务价值和文化服务价值往往被忽略。空气调控服务属于生态系统调控服务中的一种，通过按季度检测池塘养殖水体的叶绿素a含量，计算养殖池塘的初级生产力，再以工业制氧法、碳税法和造林成本法估算了常规鱼类池塘养殖生态系统空气调节服务价值。结果表明：常规鱼类池塘养殖生态系统空气调节服务总价值为63 42248 yuan/a〖DK1〗·hm2。考虑到系统内部耗氧和向系统外释放含碳气体导致的价值损失，常规鱼类池塘养殖生态系统空气调节服务总净价值为28 88674 yuan/a〖DK1〗·hm2，其中固碳净价值为 25 46328 yuan/a〖DK1〗·hm2，释放氧气的净价值为3 42346 yuan/a〖DK1〗·hm2。相较44 0221 yuan/a〖DK1〗·hm2的池塘养殖水产品的市场价值，空气调节服务价值超过养殖水产品市场价值的一半以上，表明池塘养殖的生态服务价值对人类社会的贡献不可忽视。研究认为，由于池塘藻类的高增长率，常规水产池塘养殖系统空气调节服务价值高于一些种植业生态系统的空气调节服务价值。     

The oil palm boom: socio-economic implications for Q’eqchi’ households in the Polochic valley,Guatemala

Oil palm (Elaeis guineensis) has become one of the most rapidly expanding crops in the world. Many countries have promoted its cultivation as part of a broader rural development strategy aimed at generating paid work and producing both export commodities and biofuels. However, oil palm expansion has often occurred at the expense of ecosystems and subsistence agriculture, and on lands riddled with tenure conflicts. In this article, we analyse the implications of the combined effect of labouring in oil palm plantations and land access on households, and we discuss how these implications affect human well-being in two indigenous communities of the Polochic valley, Guatemala. Combining participant observation, semi-structured interviews, and land-time budget analysis at household level, we reveal how oil palm cultivation increases incomes for plantation workers’ households, but decreases the productivity of maize cultivation, reduces the time that household members have available for other activities and, particularly, reduces women’s resting time. In contrast, households that focus more intensively on maize cultivation show higher degrees of food security and women can allocate more time to social activities. However, our results also show that maize consumption per capita has not decreased in households working in oil palm plantations since such crop is considered sacred by the Q’eqchi’ and plays a central role in their diet and culture. In conclusion, we argue that while working for an oil palm cultivation can increase specific elements of the basic material conditions for a good life, other aspects such as food security, health, freedom of choice, and social relationships can become deteriorated.     

The effect of sulfate-reducing bacteria on adsorption of 137Cs by soils from arid and tropical regions

Soils from different climatic regions of Australia were studied to determine their adsorption of (137)Cs, and the effect of microbial sulfate reduction on this adsorption. The soils consisted of a surface and regolith samples from the site of a proposed low and intermediate level radioactive waste repository in arid South Australia, and two red earth loam soils from an experimental plot in the tropical Northern Territory. The process of bacterial sulfate reduction substantially decreased the adsorption of (137)Cs to the arid and tropical soils, although extended incubation resulted in greater adsorption to the regolith sample. This could have implications for the mobility of radionuclides entering these soil ecosystems.     

Using critical systems thinking to foster an integrated approach to sustainability: a proposal for development practitioners

Throughout the development sector, there is increasing recognition of links between the environment and aspects of development such as poverty alleviation, health, income generation, and agriculture. While furnished with a diverse range of perspectives and approaches, development practice is in need of ways to better conceptualize the interactions between the social, environmental, and economic dimensions of sustainability so that opportunities for simultaneous improvement in human and ecological well-being can be identified more readily. Critical systems thinking is proposed as a way for development practitioners to conceptualize and act toward the integration of these economic, social, and environmental dimensions and, in so doing, support communities to nurture both human and ecosystem well-being. Four desirable attributes of a critical systems thinking approach to development are identified based on development literature, critical systems literature, and the author’s research into sustainability in semi-rural communities in Vietnam. The four attributes are ‘a systems thinking approach;’ ‘an ethical base to action and choices;’ ‘critical reflection permeates processes;’ and ‘appreciation of diverse views and application of diverse approaches.’ These attributes are described and then offered as the basis for further discussion of the ways in which simultaneous improvement of human well-being and ecosystem health can become an integral part of development practice.     

基于InVEST模型的鄱阳湖湿地生物多样性情景分析

生态系统服务与功能的评估越来越多地被应用到自然资源管理政策制定中。通过参与式评估框架(FoPIA)方法建立鄱阳湖湿地到2020年的不同土地利用情景,以此作为参数应用到生态系统服务与功能的评估权衡模型(InVEST),以鄱阳湖湿地指示性生物(越冬候鸟)的栖息地为研究对象,定量和空间化评估典型村落未来土地利用情景下候鸟栖息地质量和空间分布特征。结果表明:在生态保育情景下,受生态退耕等因素的影响,栖息地规模增加,人类胁迫活动减少,鄱阳湖湿地典型村落候鸟栖息地的平均质量提高到0.89,比现状水平提高27.0%;在经济发展情景下,人类活动范围的扩张使得候鸟栖息地受到的胁迫增强,栖息地的平均质量下降为0.57,比现状水平低14.0%;在自然增长情景下,候鸟栖息地平均质量为0.66,比现状水平增加了1.5%。     

The impact of invasive aquatic plants on ecosystem services and human well-being in Wular Lake,India

Regional Environmental Change - Alien invasive species cause significant impacts on ecosystems and economies, but the impacts on human well-being and livelihoods are less well known. Negative...     

池塘养殖生态系统空气调节服务价值的实证研究

生态服务价值的评估对于研究人员、政策制定者和公众都有重大意义，而农业生态系统价值往往集中于食物的供给价值，而生态系统的调控服务价值、支持服务价值和文化服务价值往往被忽略。空气调控服务属于生态系统调控服务中的一种，通过按季度检测池塘养殖水体的叶绿素a含量，计算养殖池塘的初级生产力，再以工业制氧法、碳税法和造林成本法估算了常规鱼类池塘养殖生态系统空气调节服务价值。结果表明：常规鱼类池塘养殖生态系统空气调节服务总价值为63 42248 yuan/a〖DK1〗·hm2。考虑到系统内部耗氧和向系统外释放含碳气体导致的价值损失，常规鱼类池塘养殖生态系统空气调节服务总净价值为28 88674 yuan/a〖DK1〗·hm2，其中固碳净价值为 25 46328 yuan/a〖DK1〗·hm2，释放氧气的净价值为3 42346 yuan/a〖DK1〗·hm2。相较44 0221 yuan/a〖DK1〗·hm2的池塘养殖水产品的市场价值，空气调节服务价值超过养殖水产品市场价值的一半以上，表明池塘养殖的生态服务价值对人类社会的贡献不可忽视。研究认为，由于池塘藻类的高增长率，常规水产池塘养殖系统空气调节服务价值高于一些种植业生态系统的空气调节服务价值。