BSENEFICIAL USE POTENTIAL OF DRY WEATHER FLOW IN THE LAS VEGAS VALLEY,NEVADA1

ABSTRACT: Historically ephemeral washes in the Las Vegas Valley have become perennial streams in the urbanized area, and the primary source of these perennial flows appears to be the overirrigation of ornamental landscaping and turf. Overirrigation produces direct runoff to the washes via the streets and results in high ground water levels in some areas. Elevated ground water levels result in discharge to the washes because of changes in the natural balance of the hydrologic system and construction site and foundation dewatering. In recognition of the resource potential of these flows within the Las Vegas Valley, of the potential for dry weather flows to convey pollutants from the Valley to Lake Mead, and of the need to characterize dry weather flows under the stormwater discharge permit program, the quantity and quality of dry weather flow in Flamingo Wash was investigated during the period September 1990 through May 1993. This paper focuses on the resource potential of the flow (quantity and quality) as it relates to the interception and use of this water within the Valley. Economic and legal issues associated with the interception and use of this resource are not considered here.     

Evaluation and valuation of wildlife resources

Issues of resource conservation and development are essentially about choice between alternative uses of land. Resource evaluation in rural planning has usually been based on assessments of land quality or capability in relation to a variety of alternative uses. In the case of wildlife, choices have to be made as to whether the wildlife resource is worth conserving at all and if so, which sites should be used. Considerable efforts have been made to rationalise, improve and make explicit the way in which choices are made, and this paper reviews the current position and draws attention to issues and developments which could lead to improvements in current practice.     

FACTORS CONTROLLING RUNOFF NUTRIENT LOSS FROM CULTIVATED LAND IN EASTERN SOUTH DAKOTA1

ABSTRACT A stepwise multiple regression was used to evaluate the relative importance of antecedent-, event-, and high-intensity-precipitation amounts; runoff volume; and precipitation nutrient contents and concentrations in determining nutrient losses in runoff. Plots were fertilized at high, medium, and low rates and had cultivation ridges oriented up-and-down slope or on the contour. Runoff volume was the important factor in determining the loss of NO₃, soluble PO₄, total PO₄, and soluble K ions in runoff from fallow, corn, or soybean plots. NH₄-N loss was controlled mainly by the precipitation content and antecedet precipitation since fertilizer had been applied. Nutrient losses were greater from plots fertilized at the high rate and from plots with cultivation ridges oriented up-and-down slope rather than on the contour.     

SOIL EROSION AWARENESS AND USE OF CONSERVATION TILLAGE FOR WATER QUALITY CONTROL1

Water pollution through loss of topsoil from farmland continues to be a major problem, despite nearly 50 years of providing farmers technical and financial assistance for soil and water conservation. The technology for controlling erosion and water pollution is available, but farmers have been slow in implementing control practices. Past research has shown that farmers tend to be unaware of the seriousness of the erosion problem on their own operations. Using a random sample of farmers from central Iowa, the relationship is examined between awareness of a soil erosion problem and the use of conservation tillage. Results indicate that awareness of a soil erosion problem effects the use of conservation tillage, and that awareness can be enhanced by experiential educational strategies such as the development and implementation of a soil and water conservation plan.     

EVALUATING INTERDEPENDENT WATERSHED CONSERVATION AND GROUND WATER MANAGEMENT REFORMS1

Abstract: Conserving the watershed can help to preserve ground water recharge. Preventing overuse of available water through pricing reforms can also substantially increase the value of an aquifer. Inasmuch as users are accustomed to low prices, efficiency pricing may be politically infeasible, and watershed conservation may be considered as an alternative. We estimate and compare welfare gains from pricing reform and watershed conservation for a water management district in Oahu that obtains its water supply from the Pearl Harbor aquifer. We find that pricing reform is welfare superior to watershed conservation unless the latter is able to prevent very large recharge losses. Watershed conservation that yields net gains in combination with pricing reform may cause net losses without the pricing reform. If adoption of watershed conservation delays the implementation of pricing reform, the benefits of the latter are significantly reduced.     

浅谈卧龙特区梯级电站建设对自然保护区的影响

根据笔者参加卧龙特区梯级电站规划中了解到的一些情况,首先阐述了保护区的自然环境和社会环境以及在此背景上造成的当前大熊猫的处境。接着分析了梯级电站建设可能带来的生态效益、经济效益和社会效益。同时,又估计到会带来的一些不利影响,重点是对大熊猫的生存环境方面。最后,从加强自然保护角度建议对方案中在核心区布置的一些梯级电站应持慎重态度,并提了几点保护措施。     

Balancing urban development and endangered species: The coachella valley habitat conservation plan

Habitat conservation plans (HCPs) permitted under Section 10(A) of the federal Endangered Species Act, have been increasingly used to overcome conflicts between urban development and species conservation. This article profiles one such HCP, the Coachella Valley (CA) Fringe-Toed Lizard Habitat Conservation Plan. The second HCP officially approved by the US Fish and Wildlife Service, the Coachella Valley case is frequently cited as a model for resolving conservation and development conflicts. The article begins with a discussion of the use of HCPs, and then provides a detailed discussion of Coachella Valley experience, its history, specific provisions, and success to date. A final section examines whether Coachella Valley does in fact represent a positive model. It is argued that the HCP has been less than fully successful and leaves unresolved a series of fundamental ethical and policy questions concerning the protection of endangered species. Funding for this report was provided by the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation. Any opinions, findings, conclusions, or recommendations are those of the author and do not necessarily represent the views of the Foundation.     

山东省生物旅游资源及其开发保护

本文对生物旅游资源的概念和山东省生物旅游资源的现状、开发和保护作了初步探讨。生物旅游资源是旅游资源体系的重要组成部分,主要包括植物旅游资源和动物旅游资源两大类。山东省地理位置优越,生态环境多样,因而具有极为丰富的生物旅游资源.突出表现在种类丰富,珍稀种类众多,时空分布格局较好,鸟类、温带花果为其优势资源,具有较高的观赏、游览和科学考察价值。丰富的生物旅游资源在山东的旅游业中占有独特的位置,应该科学、合理地加以开发,开展生态旅游、观鸟旅游、观果、赏花旅游及科学考察旅游,在开发利用的同时,加强保护。     

毕节地区各土类水土保持树种的Fuzzy评价

根据毕节地区16个主要造林树种的生态生物学特性,结合本区气候和土壤生态条件,运用 Fuzzy 二级评价模型,对各土类水土保持树种的适宜程度进行了综合评价。     

陕南化龙山珍稀濒危植物的保护和利用

化龙山是大巴山系在川陕境内的最高山峰,海拔２９１７．２ｍ,植物资源丰富,有野生维管植物１９７７种,隶属１８６科８１５属。化龙山是陕西省珍稀濒危植物资源最丰富的地区,共有国家保护的珍稀濒危植物２２科３０属３３种,其中属一级保护１种,二级保护１１种,三级保护２１种,属濒危２种,稀有１４各,渐危１７种,珍稀濒危植物古老成分较多,并以第三纪孑遗成分为主单少型属和中国特有属分别是１６属和１０属。这些珍稀濒危