Towards carrying capacity assessment for aquaculture in the Bolinao Bay, Philippines: A numerical study of tidal circulation

The increase in intensive aquaculture production in the Bolinao Bay, Philippines reached the point of harmful influence to production stock. Up to the present, there has been no estimation of aquaculture carrying capacity which is based on quantification of processes responsible for (a) water quality inside the units, (b) impact to the seabed and (c) water quality in the whole Bolinao Bay. The numerical estimation of tidal circulation, which is the most dominant part of the hydrodynamical regime in the Bolinao Bay, represents an unavoidable step in the carrying capacity determination considering points (a), (b) and (c). The hydrodynamical model we apply is a free surface, 3D finite element tidal model, forced with sea elevation dynamics at three open boundaries. It incorporates an increase in bottom stress drag coefficients in the coral areas and advanced transport corrected advection scheme. The model simulations of water flow show good agreement with measured currents in the central part of the Bolinao Bay, southern and northeastern channel, while agreement in the areas in vicinity of northern channel is not as tight. In order to provide an insight into the water exchange in aquaculture units, to support local water quality models and seabed deposition models (points (a) and (b)), the area is mapped with neap tide mean, spring tide mean and 14-day mean current velocity contours. The highest 14-day mean velocities are attained in the southern channel (>17 cm s⁻¹), while the mean velocities characteristic for northern part (<6 cm s⁻¹) and shallow areas of coral reefs (<2 cm s⁻¹) are much lower. Area-mean difference between spring tide and 14-day mean velocities is estimated to be 18.32% (std=7.31%), while difference between neap tide and 14-day mean velocities is 17.62 % (std=11.19%). To support global basin-wide water quality models (point (c)), retention of water in the bay is estimated by Lagrangian and Eulerian calculation procedure of mean residence time field. Both calculations estimate the highest (no-wind) residence times (Lan: 25.4 days, Eul: 21.03 days) in the central northern part, but most of the area (Lan: 73.11%, Eul: 79.31%) is characterized by residence time values significantly lower than 15 days. The results are readily applicable for upcoming implementation in the models of local (aquaculture units, seabed) and basin-wide (Bolinao Bay) nutrient dynamics, primary and secondary production, organic matter decomposition and oxygen dynamics.     

Ecotourism and Community Development: Case Studies from Hainan,China

The connections between people, parks, and tourism have received significant attention in recent years, recognizing the potential for mutually beneficial relationships. Ecotourism has been promoted and widely adopted as a strategy for funding conservation initiatives, while at the same time contributing to the socioeconomic development of host communities and providing for quality tourism experiences. Parks are among the most common ecotourism destinations. Employing interviews, observations and secondary sources, this study assesses the current status of ecotourism at two protected areas in Hainan, China, where it is being promoted as a strategy for balancing regional economic growth and conservation objectives. Through an evaluation of the existing tourism–park–community relationships, opportunities and constraints are identified. Ecotourism development was found to be at an early stage at both study sites. Socioeconomic benefits for the local communities have been limited and tourism activity has not contributed revenues towards conservation to date. Community residents, nevertheless, generally support conservation and are optimistic that tourism growth will yield benefits. In light of the study findings and the salient literature, planning direction is offered with the intention of enhancing the capacity of ecotourism to generate benefits for both communities and the parks, and thus contribute to the sustainable development of the region more generally. Lessons derived have broad applicability for ecotourism destinations elsewhere.     

Cross-Cultural Management of Pest Animal Damage: A Case Study of Feral Buffalo Control in Australia’s Kakadu National Park

Government agencies responsible for pest animal management often assume that their views and assumptions about the benefits of control are widely shared, especially if these pests are exotics. This was certainly the case when tens of thousands of feral Asian water buffalo (Bubalus bubalis) were to be culled in Australias Kakadu National Park as part of a national Brucellosis and Tuberculosis Eradication Campaign (BTEC). Implementation of the campaign sparked considerable dispute between officials and aboriginal and non-aboriginal interests about the risks posed by buffalo relative to their value as a potential resource. Drawing upon a variety of written and oral sources relating to the era of buffalo control in Kakadu, this paper critically analyzes the way in which detriment caused by buffalo was appraised and managed under the BTEC program. In particular, the paper focuses the ways in which the BTEC program affected aboriginal people in Kakadu, who view buffalo as a source of customary and economic benefit as well as a source of change on their lands. The paper then considers what lessons can be learned from the BTEC for the development of sensible feral management objectives and strategies. It is argued that effective management of feral animals such as buffalo will require environmental managers to engage with local people and involve them in the definition and management of pest animal damage and methods of control.     

Financial services and disaster risk finance: Examples from the community level

Increased attention has recently been given to the possible role of financial services in the management of natural disaster risk. Local communities have been at the forefront of developing innovative disaster risk finance strategies and implementing risk-oriented incentive programs. In view of increasing risks, including the impacts of climate change, such programs will become more important. This paper examines four models and some recent experiences in using financial services at the community level. The paper offers an overview of advantages and limitations of each model to manage disaster risk in communities. Examples include a federal government initiated scheme of social protection funds, a local government risk reduction scheme, an insurance product provided by a non-governmental organization , and a micro-insurance scheme. Finally, the paper offers some directions about specific ways that the public and private sectors, in collaboration with other partners can improve finance alternatives for disaster management at the community level. It appears that a range of follow-up studies and further dialogue is needed, in order to expand the knowledge on what types of risk finance models can help manage and reduce the financial impacts of natural disasters.     

The Middle Eastern small towns

In recent years there has been a large increase in the number of small towns with populations between 5,000 and 10,000 in the Middle East. They represent an immense variety of urban types fulfilling a great range of functions. This paper looks at the characteristics of these settlements and argues that they have been largely neglected in the study of Middle East urbanisation and calls for comprehensive national urban planning orientated towards the needs of small towns.     

大港发电厂温排水对附近海域浮游动物影响研究

分别于2010年夏、冬季对大港发电厂温排水口附近海域浮游动物进行调查。结果表明:调查区浮游动物以桡足类和幼虫类占优势,群落结构相对稳定,但丰度明显低于渤海湾其他海区,种类组成、丰度和多样性指数具有夏季高于冬季、近岸低于远岸的时空变化特征。临近温排水口的TJHS1117站位的浮游动物群落物种数、丰度及多样性等在6个调查站位中都处于最低,可见温排水对浮游动物群落结构及平面分布有一定的影响。     

大纵湖大型底栖动物群落结构与水质生物学评价

2013年1月中旬对大纵湖5个采样点的大型底栖动物进行调查,共采集底栖动物29种,其中DZ1的优势种为苏氏尾鳃蚓(Branchiura sowerbyi);其他各点的优势种为长角涵螺(Alocinma longicornis)。采用理化分析、Shannon-Wiener指数、Margalef指数、BPI指数对各点水质进行了综合评价。结果表明:DZ4属于β-中污染水质,其他各点属于α-中污染水质;对主要的环境因子与底栖动物密度进行相关性分析,发现DO与底栖动物群落未显著相关,NH3-N、NO-3-N、CODMn等因子更能代表水体的污染水平和营养状态,且随着营养状态的升高,耐污种类的颤蚓类数量呈现出增高趋势;寡毛类、蛭类、摇蚊幼虫、水生昆虫和软体动物5者之间除了寡毛类和蛭类存在极显著正相关性之外,其他无显著相关性。     

精准扶贫下社区发展基金(CDF)项目的多元管理与机制创新——基于内蒙古阿拉善盟的实证研究

内蒙古自治区阿拉善盟的荒漠生态系统是我国西北地区的一条重要生态防线,其生态环境直接影响到首都北京和华北地区的生态安全。精准扶贫是党和政府推动国家发展的重要战略目标。2015年11月-2017年1月,采用入户访问和半结构访谈的方式,对阿拉善盟开展社区发展基金项目的4个嘎查(村)的农户进行随机问卷调查。并分别在2005年、2008年、2015年对其中两个嘎查参与社区发展基金项目的15位农户的家庭收入和产业结构进行跟踪调查研究。结果表明:该区域将已有社区发展基金项目和政府精准扶贫重点项目相结合,实现了政府资本、社会资本(SEE)、民间资本(村民)的整合和统筹使用,提高了公共资金的使用效率;参加社区发展基金项目后,社区村民的收入结构和产业结构发生了大幅变化,促进了农业的转型升级,即提升了村民的自我管理能力,拓展了村民的收入来源,减轻了村民对区域自然资源的依赖程度,有利于村民的减贫和区域可持续发展。该区域集政府资本、社会资本(SEE)、民间资本(村民)等多方资金为一体的社区发展基金项目,为荒漠复合生态系统的建设和区域经济可持续发展提供了借鉴,是我国当前生态文明建设的有益尝试。     

《社会生活环境噪声排放标准》应用中应注意的若干问题

本文对《社会生活环境噪声排放标准》在应用中可能遇到的问题进行了分析,通过具体实例提出了解决问题的办法。     

Influence of trees on the spatial structure of arbuscular mycorrhizal communities in a temperate tree-based intercropping system

Tree-based intercropping (TBI) is an ecologically sustainable agricultural practice that may promote a more diverse arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungal community compared to conventional systems, but the influence of the dynamics of these systems on AM fungi has not been established. Soil and root samples were collected in the intercropping alleys along transects perpendicular to tree rows occupied by white ash (Fraxinus americana), poplar (Populus deltoids × nigra), Norway spruce (Picea abies), and rows without trees (control). Molecular analysis of the AM fungal community at the TBI site revealed 17 phylotypes belonging to the Glomeraceae. Overall, the AM fungal community in the TBI site was comparable to other conventional agricultural systems; with the majority of phylotypes belonging to Glomus group A. AM fungal phylotype richness and community composition significantly differed among the treatments in the TBI site. AM fungal communities were more diverse in cropping alleys adjacent to trees that associate with AM fungi than trees that do not associate with AM fungi. Norway spruce had a negative influence on the AM fungal community as tree rows and bordering intercropping alleys had a significantly lower phylotype richness and different community composition. These results suggest that to maintain a diverse AM fungal community throughout TBI systems, it may be best to incorporate tree species that associate with AM fungi.