Application of a checklist for quality assistance in environmental modelling to an energy model

Large, complex energy models present considerable challenges to develop and test. Uncertainty assessments of such models provide only partial guidance on the quality of the results. We have developed a model quality assistance checklist to aid in this purpose. The model checklist provides diagnostic output in the form of a set of pitfalls for the model application. The checklist is applied here to an energy model for the problem of assessing energy use and greenhouse gas emissions. Use of the checklist suggests that results on this issue are contingent on a number of assumptions that are highly value-laden. When these assumptions are held fixed, the model is deemed capable of producing moderately robust results of relevance to climate policy over the longer term. Checklist responses also indicate that a number of details critical to policy choices or outcomes on this issue are not captured in the model, and model results should therefore be supplemented with alternative analyses.     

环境经济问题的哲学思考——生态经济系统的基本矛盾及其解决途径（接续）

本文从阐述生态经济系统、生态经济平衡和生态经济效益等生态经济学的基本范围入手，揭示生态经济问题产生和演变的内在机理——生态经济系统的基本矛盾；从经济发展、人口增长、生产力进步而与资源缺口、环境容量、生态平衡等的相互关系，分析生态经济基本矛盾的种种表现；从原始社会、农业社会的工业社会等几个主要阶段，阐明生态经济基本矛盾产生和发展的一般过程；并从自然生态系统与社会经济系统在运动周期性、有序性、运行路线与运行机制等方面异同，着重论述产生生态经济基本矛盾的原因，进一步阐明生态问题演变的规律性。探讨解决生态经济基本矛盾的途径，即通过控制人口，转变经济增长方式，实施资源替代战略和地域优势互补，建立生态化的产业和区域发展模式，进行环境与资源市场化的制度创新，实现人口、资源、环境与经济的协调发展。     

A Simulation of Temporal and Spatial Variations in Carbon at Landscape Level: A Case Study for Lake Abitibi Model Forest in Ontario,Canada

Using a case study of the Lake Abitibi Model Forest (LAMF), this study aims to assess the temporal and spatial variability in carbon storage during 1990–2000, and to present a comprehensive estimation of the carbon budget for LAMF's ecosystems. As well, it provided the information needed by local forest managers to develop ecological and carbon-based indicators and monitor the sustainability of forest ecosystems. Temporal and spatial carbon dynamics were simulated at the landscape level using ecosystem model TRIPLEX1.0 and Geographical Information System (GIS). The simulated net primary productivity (NPP) and carbon storage in forest biomass and soil were compared with field data and results from other studies for Canada's boreal forests. The results show that simulated NPP ranged from 3.26 to 3.34 tC ha⁻¹ yr⁻¹ in the 1990s and was consistent with the range measured during the Boreal Ecosystem-Atmosphere Studies (BOREAS) in central Canada. Modeled NPP was also compared with the estimation from remote sensing data. The density of total above-and belowground biomass was 125.3, 111.8, and 106.5 tC ha⁻¹ for black spruce, trembling aspen, and jack pine in the LAMF ecosystem, respectively. The total carbon density of forested land was estimated at 154.4 tC ha⁻¹ with the proportion of 4:6 for total biomass and soil. The analysis of net carbon balance of ecosystem suggested that the LAMF forest ecosystem was acting as a carbon sink with an allowable harvest in the 1990s.     

Cells of the connective tissue differentiate and migrate into pollen sacs

In angiosperms, archesporial cells in the anther primordium undergo meiosis to form haploid pollen, the sole occupants of anther sacs. Anther sacs are held together by a matrix of parenchyma cells, the connective tissue. Cells of the connective tissue are not known to differentiate. We report the differentiation of parenchyma cells in the connective tissue of two Gordonia species into pollen-like structures (described as pseudopollen), which migrate into the anther sacs before dehiscence. Pollen and pseudopollen were distinguishable by morphology and staining. Pollen were tricolpate to spherical while pseudopollen were less rigid and transparent with a ribbed surface. Both types were different in size, shape, staining and surface architecture. The ratio of the number of pseudopollen to pollen was 1:3. During ontogeny in the connective tissue, neither cell division nor tetrad formation was observed and hence pseudopollen were presumed to be diploid. Only normal pollen germinated on a germination medium. Fixed preparations in time seemed to indicate that pseudopollen migrate from the connective tissue into the anther sac.     

纳米金红石TiO2的转晶及声催化降解偶氮品红的研究

利用超声波结合过氧化氢(H2O2)使纳米金红石型TiO2转晶,制备出了大约含有30%锐钛相的转晶纳米TiO2.通过TiO2催化超声降解偶氮品红的研究证实了转晶纳米TiO2粉末具有明显的声催化活性.除此之外,还考察了各种因素对转晶纳米TiO2催化超声降解偶氮品红反应的影响.结果表明,在转晶纳米TiO2催化剂的作用下,偶氮品红的超声降解效果明显优于使用纳米金红石型和纳米锐钛型TiO2的情况.偶氮品红的声催化降解过程符合一级动力学反应.在超声波频率40 kHz、输出功率50 W、催化剂用量1000 mg·L-1、pH为5.00、温度为20℃、偶氮品红水溶液初始浓度20 mg·L-1的条件下,照射40 min时的降解率即可达到75%以上.     

城市型生态社区可持续发展评价指标体系的初步研究

近年来,城市化发展带动了社区建设的蒸蒸日上,同时也带来了环境资源的快速消耗及一系列的环境污染问题,生态社区的建设受到人们的广泛关注,可持续发展的理念已经渗透到人类社区建设发展的各个方面.通过对城市型生态社区内涵的分析,探讨了城市型生态社区可持续发展评价指标体系的构建原则,在该原则指导下结合苏州市区域特征采用层次分析法建立了与之相应的评价指标体系,并在该基础上以指标体系中的生态建筑子系统为例对其做出详细的指标说明.     

实施大气氟化物排污权交易的改进意见

在环保管理引入市场机制的条件下，如何推行并实施大气氟化物排污交易工作，本文就在法律、科研、管理、机构及经济手段等方面提出改进意见，供参考。     

The functionality of female reciprocal calls in the Iberian midwife toad (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Alytes cisternasii</Emphasis>): female-female acoustic competition?

Female midwife toads (genus Alytes) emit highly variable reciprocal calls of unclear function prior to and during courtship. In some species, female-female competition, expressed as physical fighting, has been reported. Males of Majorcan midwife toads (Alytes muletensis) show phonotactic response to female calls, and females of Iberian midwife toads (Alytes cisternasii) respond differently according to the male call characteristics. In this study, I test the hypothesis of female-female acoustic competition as an additional function of female reciprocal calls. Playback tests indicate that female calls are not clearly involved in female acoustic competition in the Iberian midwife toad, therefore female calls could be directed at males rather than towards competitive females.     

Gamergates in the myrmicine genus <Emphasis Type="Italic">Metapone</Emphasis> (Hymenoptera:Formicidae)

Gamergates (i.e. mated reproductive workers) are mostly known from ant species within the Ponerinae. We report here the discovery of gamergates in two species of the subfamily Myrmicinae. Until now, mated reproductive females in colonies of myrmicine species have been considered morphologically distinct from the worker caste. However, in two species of the myrmicine Metapone (Metapone madagascarica and a newly discovered, not yet described Metapone species) all workers have six ovarioles and a spermatheca; and some of them are mated. There are no morphological differences between mated and non-mated workers. Field observations and laboratory studies indicate that colonies of the Metapone species can reproduce with gamergates only.