The Biopotentiality Index is a landscape ecology indicator, which can be used to estimate the latent energy of a given land and to assess the environmental impacts due to the loss of naturalness on a landscape scale. This indicator has been applied to estimate the effectiveness of the measures put in place to provide an environmental compensation for the revamping of a composting plant. These compensation measures are represented by a green belt with a minimum width of 25 m all around the plant, representing both a windbreak and a buffer zone, and by two wide wooded zones acting as core natural areas.This case-study shows that the compensation index could be used as a key tool in order to negotiate the acceptance of waste treatment plant with the population. 相似文献
Uncertainty plays a major role in Integrated Coastal Zone Management (ICZM). A large part of this uncertainty is connected
to our lack of knowledge of the integrated functioning of the coastal system and to the increasing need to act in a pro-active
way. Increasingly, coastal managers are forced to take decisions based on information which is surrounded by uncertainties.
Different types of uncertainty can be identified and the role of uncertainty in decision making, scientific uncertainty and
model uncertainty in ICZM is discussed. The issue of spatial variability, which is believed to be extremely important in ICZM
and represents a primary source of complexity and uncertainty, is also briefly introduced. Some principles for complex model
building are described as an approach to handle, in a balanced way, the available data, information, knowledge and experience.
The practical method of sensitivity analysis is then introduced as a method for a posterior evaluation of uncertainty in simulation
models. We conclude by emphasising the need for the definition of an analysis plan in order to handle model uncertainty in
a balanced way during the decision making process. 相似文献
After introducing soft defence techniques as an alternative to hard defence techniques, the need is emphasized to consider
the coastal area as an integral system. By recalling the main driving factors for coastal management: conflict resolution,
resilience and sustainability, we logically arrive at the concepts of ecological engineering and ecotechnology, which are
increasingly acknowledged as possible solutions to achieve sustainable use of coastal space as a resource. In this context,
we refer to the principles of self design and of ecosystem conservation.
In order to deal with real situations we are in need of fundamental ‘tools’ for the application of the soft intervention technology
approach. We therefore introduce the concept of physiographic units and develop an initial elaboration for a coastal stretch
and for coastal wetlands. The latter deserve more attention because of the already established practices of ecotechnology,
at least as far as water and soil quality are concerned, but certainly also concerning morphology, especially in the future.
We conclude by briefly discussing how activities undertaken in two research projects currently being conducted under the framework
of the Marine Science and Technology Program of the Commission of the European Communities are expected to contribute to the
concepts introduced here. 相似文献
This paper compares the life cycle global warming potential of three of Australia’s important agricultural production activities – the production of wheat, meat and wool in grazed subterranean clover (sub-clover) dominant pasture and mixed pasture (perennial ryegrass/phalaris/sub-clover/grass and cape weed) systems. Two major stages are presented in this life cycle assessment (LCA) analysis: pre-farm, and on-farm. The pre-farm stage includes greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from agricultural machinery, fertilizer, and pesticide production and the emissions from the transportation of these inputs to paddock. The on-farm stage includes GHG emissions due to diesel use in on-farm transport and processing (e.g. seeding, spraying, harvesting, topdressing, sheep shearing), and non-CO2 (nitrous oxide (N2O), and methane (CH4)) emissions from pastures and crop grazing of lambs.The functional unit of this life cycle analysis is the GHG emissions (carbon dioxide equivalents – CO2 -e) from 1 kg of wheat, sheep meat and wool produced from sub-clover, wheat and mixed pasture plots. The GHG emissions (e.g. CO2, N2O and CH4 emission) from the production, transportation and use of inputs (e.g. fertilizer, pesticide, farm machinery operation) during pre-farm and on-farm stages are also included. The life cycle GHG emissions of 1 kg of wool is significantly higher than that of wheat and sheep meat. The LCA analysis identified that the on-farm stage contributed the most significant portion of total GHG emissions from the production of wheat, sheep meat and wool. This LCA analysis also identified that CH4 emissions from enteric methane production and from the decomposition of manure accounted for a significant portion of the total emissions from sub-clover and mixed pasture production, whilst N2O emissions from the soil have been found to be the major source of GHG emissions from wheat production. 相似文献
Urban stream restoration continues to be used as an ecological management tool, despite uncertainty about the long‐term sustainability and resilience of restored systems. Evaluations of restoration success often focus on specific instream indicators, with limited attention to the wider basin or parallel hydrologic and geomorphic process. A comprehensive understanding of urban stream restoration progress is particularly important for comparisons with nonurban sites as urban streams can provide substantial secondary benefits to urban residents. Here, we utilize a wide range of indicators to retrospectively examine the restoration of Nine Mile Run, a multi‐million dollar stream restoration project in eastern Pittsburgh (Pennsylvania, USA). Examination of available continuous hydrological data illustrates the high cost of failures to incorporate the data into planning and adaptive management. For example, persistent extreme flows drive geomorphic degradation threatening to reverse hydrologic connections created by the restoration and impact the improved instream biotic communities. In addition, human activities associated with restoration efforts suggest a positive feedback as the stream restoration has focused effort on the basin beyond the reach. Ultimately, urban stream restoration remains a potentially useful management tool, but continued improvements in post‐project assessment should include examination of a wider range of indicators. 相似文献
The spatial distribution of trace elements in surface sediments of the Hooghly estuary was studied over the monsoons in 2014–2017. As, Cd, Ni, Pb and U were two- to sixteen-fold the crust means with increasing levels toward the estuary, with Ni peak during the post-monsoon. Pearson’s correlation matrix, cluster analysis, enrichment factors and pollution index revealed the anthropic source and association of trace elements with Fe, Mn and Al and of Pb with U. Geoaccumulation index revealed for Ni an extremely contaminated situation at the estuary water during monsoon and for Cd a heavily contaminated situation at freshwater location. The potential contamination index was >6; thus, sediments were very severely contaminated by As, Cd and Ni with worst situation for As and Cd at fresh and brackish water and during post-monsoon. The overall ecological risk was severe, 300≤RI<600 at all sites and seasons, especially after the monsoon, at fluvial and brackish locations.