Knowledge Production and Learning for Sustainable Landscapes: Forewords by the Researchers and Stakeholders

This special issue of AMBIO presents a new approach to sustainability science that goes beyond interdisciplinary research. Using coupled natural and human systems, or landscapes, as multiple case studies in Europe’s East and West knowledge production and learning toward transdisciplinary research was applied in Sweden, countries in Central and Eastern Europe, and Russia. First, the research group Forest-Landscape-Society summarizes the research program (2005–2012) behind this special issue of AMBIO and its development to participate in transdisciplinary research. Second, stakeholders at multiple levels provide their views on the new approach presented and reported.     

Industrial applications of natural fibre-reinforced polymer composites – challenges and opportunities

The growing industrial demand for sustainable materials has led to a paradigm shift in the focus from synthetic polymers towards natural fibres. This paper deals with the challenges and opportunities associated with the use of natural fibre-reinforced polymer composites in various industrial applications. Natural fibres being biodegradable, light in weight, cost-effective and environment friendly are good candidate materials for modern industrial applications. Use of natural fibres in various industries with a focus on automotive and furniture industry has been discussed. The commonly used natural fibres in polymer composites including jute, hemp, sisal, kenaf, bamboo, cotton, flax, abaca, coir etc. have been dealt with in this paper. The literature revealed that tensile strength and other mechanical properties of these fibres are comparable to synthetic fibres like glass or carbon fibres. However, the temperature stability of polymers limits their extensive use and remains an issue to be addressed.     

基于景观格局的盐城海岸带土地利用时空变化分析

在GIS和RS技术支持下,以行政区划为评价单元,通过土地利用转移矩阵、景观格局指数对盐城海岸带土地利用变化的主要方式、景观格局特征及时空分异规律进行定量分析。结果表明:2000~2010年,盐城海岸带土地利用类型以耕地、建设用地和水域为主,其中耕地是盐城海岸带的优势类型,虽然近年来呈逐渐下降的趋势,但仍是区域景观基质类型,均占总面积的78%以上;海岸带景观水平趋于破碎化,区域景观格局更加复杂化、分散化和多样化;研究区北部景观水平特征指数较中部、南部为高。自然地理条件、经济发展水平及不同土地利用方式所带来的利益差异是导致盐城海岸带景观格局变化的关键驱动因素。     

Statistical Issues in Assessing Anthropogenic Background for Arsenic

Conceptual and statistical issues surrounding the estimation of a background concentration distribution for arsenic are reviewed. How background area is defined and samples collected are shown to impact the shape and location of the probability density function that in turn affects the estimation and precision of associated distributional parameters. The overall background concentration distribution is conceptualized as a mixture of a natural background distribution, an anthropogenic background distribution and a distribution designed to accommodate the potential for contamination site samples being included into the background sample set. This concept is extended to a discussion of issues surrounding estimation of natural and anthropogenic background distributions for larger geographic areas. Finally, the mixture model is formally defined and statistical approaches to estimating its parameters discussed.     

Long Term Monitoring of Hydrocarbon Contamination Using Multi-Level Vapor Phase Piezometers

This study evaluated the feasibility of supplementing groundwater monitoring protocols by assessing the vadose zone for the extent of residual subsurface contamination. The study also characterized the response of the soil gas signatures with respect to different soil types and degrees of contamination. A field study was conducted at a former gasoline vending station located in Ottawa, Canada. The current state of contamination was determined by analysis of soil samples taken from boreholes. A series of 10 nested soil gas wells with monitoring depths of 0.75, 1.5, 2.25 and 3.0 m were then installed. Using these wells, soil gas surveys were performed at regular intervals over an extended period to quantify Gaseous TPH (TPH g ), oxygen and carbon dioxide concentrations in the soil gas. Results indicate that soil gas wells located near the source term exhibited characteristic soil gas signatures and significant fluctuations in TPH g , oxygen, and carbon dioxide concentrations with time. Soil gas wells located beyond the soil contamination demonstrated limited correlation between TPH g , oxygen and carbon dioxide concentrations and decreased seasonal variability.     

南岳自然保护区藤本植物多样性

为了弄清南岳自然保护区内藤本植物资源现状,对该区内藤本植物进行了多样性调查研究。结果表明：野生藤本植物共计59科129属282种（含变种）,其中蕨类植物有3科5属6种,双子叶植物有50科112属250种,单子叶植物有6科12属26种,裸子植物缺乏。该区地理成分复杂多样,科级地理成分有8个分布型,属级地理成分有12个分布型,种级地理成分有11个分布型,均以热带成分为主,温带成分占有较大比例,说明该区热带成分向温带渗透和过度的性质。藤本植物的生活型,以木质藤本占优势,为6064%,草质藤本占39.36%,一年生藤本占1441%。藤本植物的攀援类型分为4型9亚型,以缠绕类为主,占37〖JP2〗94%;其次为吸固类,占2305%,又可分为不定根类、吸盘类和寄生类3亚型;卷曲类占2093%,又可分为须卷类、柄卷类和枝卷类3亚型;刺蔓类最少占1809%,又可分为枝蔓类和钩刺类2亚型。该区藤本植物资源丰富,在垂直绿化与经济开发上具有十分广阔的前景     

A relationship between the natural radioactivity and mineralogical composition of the Ponnaiyar river sediments, India

The natural radiation level has been determined for the sediment samples of Ponnaiyar River, India with an aim of evaluating the radiation hazard. The average activity concentrations are within the world and Indian average values although some extreme values have been determined. The magnetic susceptibility measurement has been carried out to know the magnetization nature of the sediments. More downstream (mouth) of the river has quite higher magnetic susceptibility values. The mineralogical characterizations of the sediments have been carried out using Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) spectroscopic and XRD technique. The minerals such as quartz, microcline feldspar, orthoclase feldspar, kaolinite, calcite, gibbsite, montmorillonite, smectite, palygorskite and organic carbon are identified from FTIR analysis. Few minerals like zircon, monazite and hornblende are identified only in XRD analysis. The relative distribution of major minerals is determined by calculating extinction coefficient. The calculated values show that the amount of quartz is greater than microcline feldspar and very much greater than kaolinite in all the sites. The content of quartz and microcline feldspar is decreases, and kaolinite gradually increases towards the river mouth. Multivariate Statistical analyses were carried out between the parameters obtained from radioactivity analysis and other analyses to know the existing relations. Obtained results are discussed and suggested that the natural radioactivity level of the present sediments is mainly controlled by clay content and lesser extent to magnetic susceptibility.     

Marine Parks for protection and tourism in Turkey

Protected Turkish areas in the Mediterranean region are compared with those of other Mediterranean countries. Policies followed in Turkey for conservation protection of the natural and cultural environment and the use of coastal resources for tourism are discussed. The purpose and application of Turkish law is examined with respect to the interaction between the protection of coastal areas and tourism. Modifications on the administrative and management regulations in Turkey enabling a better use of coastal areas is suggested by combining coastal tourism and protection. The necessity and importance of estabilishing and managing Marine Parks in short-and long-term plans are acknowledged.     

The ecological footprint: an exhibit at an intergenerational trial?

This paper aims at assessing the extent to which the ecological footprint indicator (EF) can be regarded as an exhibit allowing an intergenerational trial about the use of natural resources. For that purpose, we examine various criticisms questioning the relevancy of EF measures for the study of environmental justice between generations. We explore the difficulties raised by the physical—and highly aggregated—nature of EF measures, as well as problems related to the number, the possible non-existence, and the tastes of future generations. The extent to which postulates on nature’s regeneration and technological progress affect the significance of EF studies is also discussed. It is concluded that those criticisms, by identifying various weaknesses of EF measures for the study of intergenerational justice, point to several crucial refinements of existing EF-based analyses.

Climate change and natural disasters: macroeconomic performance and distributional impacts

Commonly occurring natural events become natural disasters when they affect the population through death and injury, and/or through the destruction of natural and physical capital on which people rely for their livelihood and quality of life. Climate change plays a role in that it tends to increase the frequency and intensity of weather-related natural disasters. Additionally, climate change may put people at risk by influencing access to water, coastal flooding, disease and hunger, and leaving them with a more degraded environment, leading, in turn, to increased vulnerability. The purpose of this paper is to present a review and synthesis of the literature and case studies addressing differential impacts of climate change-related natural disasters on a society and its economy. Developed and developing countries show different vulnerabilities to natural disasters. Even within countries, impacts vary significantly across population and economic sectors. When losses from natural disasters are large, their cumulative effect can have notable macroeconomic impacts, which feed back to further pronounce existing income inequalities and lower income levels. Impacts tend to be most pronounced for women, the young and elderly, and people of ethnic or racial minorities.