Mitigating urban sprawl effects: a collaborative tree and shade intervention in Phoenix,Arizona, USA

Communities in Phoenix are confronted with numerous challenges that adversely affect human health and safety, with disproportionate impacts on low-income communities. While some challenges are being addressed at the city level, new alliances at the neighbourhood level are initiating community development programmes and projects. This article reports on an intervention study carried out in collaboration with community representatives, city staff, and non-profit organisations to mitigate adverse effects of urban sprawl in the Sky Harbour Neighbourhood in Phoenix. Participatory research was conducted to design and test a tree and shade intervention. Challenges associated with navigating community desires and broader principles of sustainable development are discussed. The study offers a replicable and adaptable intervention research design aimed at empowering communities to meet urban challenges.     

Assessing water use and quality through youth participatory research in a rural Andean watershed

Water availability, use and quality in a rural watershed of the Colombian Andes were investigated through participatory research involving local youth. Research included the quantification of disaggregated water use at the household level; comparison of water use with availability; monitoring water quality of streams, community water intakes and household faucets; and the determination of land use – water quality interactions. Youth were involved in all aspects of the research from design to implementation, dissemination of results and remediation options. Quantification of domestic and on-farm water use, and water availability indicated that water availability was sufficient during the study period, but that only an 8% decrease in dry season supply would result in shortages. Elevated conductivity levels in the headwaters were related to “natural” bank erosion, while downstream high conductivity and coliform levels were associated with discharges from livestock stalls and poorly maintained septic tanks in the stream buffer zone. Through the involvement of youth as co-investigators, the knowledge generated by the research was appropriated at the local level. Community workshops led by local youth promoted water conservation and water quality protection practices based on research, and resulted in broader community participation in water management. The approach involving youth in research stimulated improved management of both land and water resources, and could be applied in small rural watersheds in developed or developing countries.     

水生植物修复氮、磷污染水体研究进展

氮、磷是引起水体富营养化、导致水质恶化的重要因素,因此去除氮、磷一直是污水处理的重要任务.鉴于传统物理、化学方法存在的操作难、成本高、易产生二次污染等问题,人们越来越多地将目光转向利用水生植物去除氮、磷营养物质、净化水质上.介绍了近年来国内外应用水生植物修复氮、磷污染水体的方法、效果及其影响因素,探讨了水生植物净化污染水体的机制.针对目前研究中的不足,提出今后应在不同植物种类开发、植物组合优化以及植物的净化机制等方面加强研究.     

气候变化经济学研究综述

对近10 a来国内外有关气候变化经济学研究成果作了综述。气候变化经济学是一门研究人类干预气候变化过程中涉及经济过程的学科。当前的研究热点包括气候变化的经济影响、适应措施的成本和收益、国际合作机制和涉及代际公平的折现率选取。 在研究方法上，对得到广泛运用的成本收益分析法和碳税机制作了详细的评述。在应用层面上，欧美发达国家在城市气候变化经济评估系统建立和碳税征收方面都有成功的应用，但我国在这方面的实践还处于起步阶段。对于我国气候变化经济学领域的研究来说，比较适合在发达省份以市域或省域为单位开展成本收益评估，发展中省份则应将更多关注放在评估气候变化可能造成的经济损害及相应的防范措施。此外，我国也应关注在欧盟地区实施较为成功的碳税政策，虽然目前在中国开征碳税的可能性较低，但是对碳税在中国实施的可行性、税率选取及立法保障机制等方面的探讨和研究仍是必要的     

高铁酸盐处理有机废水的研究进展

综述了高铁酸盐去除水中藻类、细菌、烃类衍生物、药品、农药、染料等有机污染物的国内外最新研究进展,并对高铁酸盐的高效利用进行了探讨。高铁酸盐可破坏藻类和细菌细胞的完整性,将大分子芳香烃衍生物氧化为低毒的小分子中间体,将小分子链烃衍生物矿化,破坏药品、农药及染料的不饱和双键。无机矿物在溶液中负载高铁酸盐或将高分子有机物与固体高铁酸盐混合造粒,将是高铁酸盐高效利用领域的研究热点。     

合肥市乡村旅游市场研究

以合肥市民为研究对象,用问卷调查的方法收集基础数据,采用EXCEL软件进行统计。分析认为,合肥市乡村旅游市场存在着市民出游意愿强烈、出游动机凸显休闲度假、出游频率高、旅游消费能力强、乡村旅游节庆市场知名度高等特征,指出了合肥市乡村旅游发展中存在特色不明显、淡旺季明显、旅游产业综合效益差、旅游产品缺乏深度等问题,提出了可持续发展的对策。     

Knowing and Doing: Research Leading to Action in the Conservation of Forest Genetic Diversity of Patagonian Temperate Forests

Abstract:  Researchers dealing with conservation subjects usually do not put the results of their work into practice, even when the primary purpose of their research is the preservation of biodiversity. In the South American temperate forests we identified an area with the highest genetic diversity in Argentina of Nothofagus nervosa, one of the most relevant southern beech species. Based on the information of our scientific study and our recommendations, the authorities of Lanin National Park changed the protection status of this area to avoid logging. The new forestry management plans include consideration of "high genetic diversity" in decisions on where logging will be allowed. Results of our initial genetic study induced the analysis of biodiversity at the species and ecosystems levels, which yielded results similar to our genetic studies. A strong connection among researchers and managers from the onset of our study and the awareness of the former about the importance of the implementation of the research work were key to bridging the gap between conservation research and conservation practice.     

鲁南经济带"城市走廊"战略研究

城市走廊是区域发展的一种重要空间布局方式和发展策略.鲁南经济带规划的科学、高效实施对于鲁南地区加快发展,摆脱落后局面具有重大意义.规划建设鲁南"城市走廊"无疑是实施鲁南经济带规划的必然选择,更是关键措施.鲁南经济带"城市走廊"的空间结构基本呈"之"字形态,组团式发展,可以形成区域1个核心增长极、5个圈层型中小城市群、6个三角形特色小城市经济增长带;城市走廊的轴线发展趋势为"三纵两横".建设鲁南"城市走廊",需要优化产业分工,提升区域工业化水平;优化区域空闻结构,培育核心增长极,打造小城市群,尤其需要精心打造兖州-曲阜-邹城-滕州-微山-薛城-枣庄市中区-峄城区-台儿庄核心经济走廊,形成大中小城市合理布局发展的良好体系;尽快建设南部东西方向快速交通干线,建立区域共建互动机制,使鲁南"城市走廊"成为区域发展、产业振兴的动力和源泉.     

水生植物应用于富营养化控制的研究趋向

阐述了水生植物在治理富营养化水体中的作用机理和研究现状，指出了水生植物治理富营养化水体存在的问题，展望了水生植物在治理富营养化水体方面的发展方向。     

微波诱导催化技术在环境治理中的应用研究

微波诱导催化技术以其快速、高效和无二次污染等特点,日益受到环保研究者的重视。目前,微波诱导催化技术已在大气污染控制、水污染控制及固体废弃物处理与处置等环境治理领域取得了显著效果。阐述了微波诱导催化技术的基本原理、催化反应的催化剂和载体及催化反应的机制,归纳了微波诱导催化技术在环境治理中的应用现况及实例,分析了微波诱导催化技术在实际应用中存在的问题,并提出相应的解决措施,最后对微波诱导催化技术在环境治理领域中的进一步应用进行了展望。