THE CONTINUING DEBATE OVER THE EXHAUSTION OF NONFUEL MINERAL RESOURCES

The author examines the various views of mineral scarcity, distinguishing between the physical view and the economic view of exhaustion, with the aim of clarifying where the debate stands now and why.     

Conservation Value of Sites of Hybridization in Peripheral Populations of Rare Plant Species

Abstract:  Populations at the periphery of a species' range are of interest to conservation biologists because they can show marked genetic differentiation from populations at the center of a range and because of potential hybridization among rare and common species. We examined two closely related Cyclamen species. One is a narrow endemic, and the other is more geographically widespread (both protected by law in continental southern France). We used floral traits and genetic variability to test for hybridization among the species in peripheral populations of the rare species. The species co-occurred on Corsica in a disjunct, peripheral part of the distribution of the endemic species and in an ecologically marginal area for the widespread species. The two species have hybridized and the endemic species showed high levels of introgression with its widespread congener. Genetic and floral variability in sites with both species was markedly higher than in sites with a single species. Our results highlight the need for a conservation strategy that integrates hybrid populations because they represent a source of novel diversity that may have adaptive potential.     

An Account of Co-ordination Mechanisms for Humanitarian Assistance During the International Response to the 1994 Crisis in Rwanda

This paper examines the co-ordination strategies developed to respond to the Great Lakes crisis following the events of April 1994. It analyses the different functions and mechanisms which sought to achieve a co-ordinated response – ranging from facilitation at one extreme to management and direction at the other. The different regimes developed to facilitate co-ordination within Rwanda and neighbouring countries, focusing on both inter-agency and inter-country co-ordination issues, are then analysed. Finally, the paper highlights the absence of mechanisms to achieve coherence between the humanitarian, political and security domains. It concludes that effective co-ordination is critical not only to achieve programme efficiency, but to ensure that the appropriate instruments and strategies to respond to complex political emergencies are in place. It proposes a radical re-shaping of international humanitarian, political and security institutions, particularly the United Nations, to improve the effectiveness of humanitarian and political responses to crises such as that in the Great Lakes.     

Evaluation of Two Kurdish Refugee Camps in Iran, May 1991: The Value of Cluster Sampling in Producing Priorities and Policy

Following the end of the Gulf war in March 1991, Kurdish refugees from Iraq crossed the border into Western Iran. To plan public health interventions and to assist in priority setting for scarce resources, a rapid epidemiological assessment of two camps, Hafez and Kaliche, was conducted in May 1991. A 30 cluster sampling method was used to determine the demographics of the camp population, the morbidity and mortality from certain diseases, and the nutritional status of the children <5 years of age. The estimated population of the camps at the time of the survey was 28,500 and 22,500 for Hafez and Kaliche respectively; children < 5 years of age accounted for approximately 25 per cent of both camp populations. The mortality rate was highest in Hafez and estimated to be 2.5/10,000 per day (95%CI:0.3–5) for adults (> 14 years of age) and 4.9/10,000 per day (95%CI:2.4–7.4) for children. Diarrhoeal and respiratory diseases accounted for major morbidity in both camps with diarrhoea the commonest stated cause of death. Little malnutrition was found but it was greater in Hafez where 6 per cent (19/327) of the children between 1 and 5 years of age had a mid upper arm circumference (MUAC) <12 cm and eleven (5.2 per cent) of the 211 children measured for height and weight were below 80 per cent of the median (95%CI:2.6%;7.8%). The survey identified that morbidity and mortality were less severe than in the Kurdish camps on the Turkish border and provided information for camp authorities to plan appropriate relief interventions.     

CYCLICAL INSTABILITY: A GROWING THREAT TO METAL PRODUCERS AND CONSUMERS

This article first identifies the underlying features of the supply and demand for metals responsible for market instability. These include the unresponsiveness of supply in the short term to increases in price once output approaches the limits of existing capacity, the unresponsiveness of demand in the short term to changes in price and the shifts in demand over the business cycle due to changes in income. The consequences of cyclical volatility are examined next. In some industries, market instability is reflected by frequent and sharp fluctuations in price. In others, producers set prices and keep them relatively stable. Even these industries, it is argued, suffer from cyclical volatility. The latter simply manifests itself in other ways. Finally, two developments are considered that suggest the problem of cyclical volatility may be growing more acute over time. The first concerns the willingness of metal producers, fabricators, and others to vary their inventories so that metal stocks are drawn down when consumption is relatively high and built up when consumption is down. The second development involves the trend over time in the magnitude and synchronization of business cycles in the major industrialized countries. Cet article commence d'abord par déterminer les caractéristiques de l'offre et de la demande concemant les métaux qui sont responsables de l'instabilité du marché - le manque d'élasticité de l'offre à court terme aux augmentations de prix lorsque le montant de la production approche les limites de sa capacité, le manque d'élasticité de la demande à court terme aux changements de prix et l'ajustement de la demande aux variations des revenue pendant le cycle industriel. Les conséquences de la volatilité cyclique sont examinées ensuite. Dans quelques industries, l'instabilité du marché se reflète par de fréquentes et violentes fluctuations dans les prix. Dans d'autres, les producteurs fixent les prix et les maintiennent relativement stables. Mais, même ces industries souffrent des fluctuations cycliques. Ces dernières simplement se manifestent d'autres façons. Finalement, l'article étudie deux éléments qui suggèrent que le problème des fluctuations cycliques peut devenir plus aigu avec le temps. Le premier concerne la volonté des producteurs de métaux, des transformateurs et autres d'adapter leurs inventaires de façon à ce que les stocks de métaux baissent lorsque la consommation est relativement élevée et augmentent lorsque celle-ci décroît. Le deuxième élément comprend la tendance en fonction du temps concernant l'importance et la synchronisation des cycles industriels dans les principaux pays industrialisés. Este artículo identifica primero los aspectos subyacentes en la oferta y demanda de metales que son responsables de la inestabilidad del mercado, tales como la falta de reacción de la oferta en el corto plazo al incremento de precio cuando el nivel de producción se aproxima a la capacidad límite de producción, la inelasticidad de la demanda en el corto plazo y el desplazamiento de la demanda durante el ciclo económico debido a cambios en el nivel de ingreso. Luego se examinan las consecuencias de la “volatilidad” cíclica. En algunas industrias la inestabilidad del mercado se refleja en frecuentes y bruscas fluctuaciones de precio. En otras, los productores fijan los precios y los mantienen relativamente estables. Se dice que aún en estas industrias ocurre la “volatilidad” cíclica la que se manifieste en forma distinta. Finalmente se consideran dos tendencias que sugieren que el problema de la “volatilidad” cíclica está tomándose cada vez más aguda. La primera se refiere al deséo de los productores de metales, fabricantes y otros de variar sus inventarios de manera que éstos disminuyan cuando el consumo es relativamente alto y aumenten cuando el consumo es bajo. La segunda se refiere a la tendencia que está siguiendo la magnitud y sincronización de los ciclos económicos de los principales países industrializados.     

Energy Use and Conservation in Developing Country Industries

This article compares, contrasts and analyzes energy use data in five worldwide manufacturing subsectors. It documents the differences in energy input/production output ratios among industries and among countries, and outlines areas of opportunity for implementing energy conservation measures. Special attention is given to the energy use record in developing countries and to assessing their particular problems and limitations in reducing industrial energy demand.
Cet article établit des comparaisons, fait ressortir des contrastes et présente une analyse des données sur l'utilisation de l'énergie dans cinq sous-secteurs industriels mondiaux. Il explique les différences qui existent dans le taux de rendement relatif aux entrées-sorties dans les industries et les pays. Il désigne des secteurs où peuvent s'appliquer des mesures de conservation d'énergie. Une attention toute particulière est accordée aux tendances d'utilisation de l'énergie dans les pays en développement et à revaluation des problèmes et limitations qu'ils confrontent à réduire la demande d'énergie industrille.
Este artículo analiza comparativamente la información sobre uso de energía en cinco ramas industriales. Documenta los ratios insumo/producto en varios países e indica las oportunidades para establecer medidas para la conservacón de energa. Se da especial atención a los patrones de uso de energía en los países en desarrollo y evalúa los problemas particulares y limitaciones para la reducción del uso de energía en la indústria.     

Home Range Size and Choice of Management Strategy for Lynx in Scandinavia

Annual and seasonal home ranges were calculated for 47 Eurasian lynx in four Scandinavian study sites (two in Sweden and two in Norway). The observed home ranges were the largest reported for the species, with study site averages ranging from 600 to 1400 km² for resident males and from 300 to 800 km² for resident females. When home range sizes were compared to the size of protected areas (national parks and nature reserves) in Scandinavia, it was concluded that very few protected areas contained sufficient forest to provide space for more than a few individuals. As a direct consequence of this, most lynx need to be conserved in the multiuse seminatural forest habitats that cover large areas in Scandinavia. This conservation strategy leads to a number of conflicts with some land uses (sheep and semidomestic reindeer herding, and roe deer hunters), but not all (forestry and moose harvest). Accordingly research must be aimed at understanding the ecology of these conflicts, and finding solutions.