Effect of the allelochemicals from the macrophyte Egeria densa on the competitive interactions of pelagic and littoral cladocerans

Macrophytes release allelochemicals, which affect pelagic cladocerans such as Daphnia. Using population growth experiments, we analysed the effects of allelochemicals from the macrophyte Egeria densa on the interaction between Daphnia mendotae and three littoral cladocerans (Diaphanosoma birgei, Macrothrix triserialis and Simocephalus mixtus). We found that allelochemicals from E. densa increased the abundance of all the tested cladocerans in spite of the presence of a competitor. This effect was stronger (nearly three to four times higher than in controls) for D. birgei and M. triserialis in the absence of D. mendotae. Independent of the presence of allelochemicals, S. mixtus, but not D. birgei and M. triserialis, reduced the abundance of D. mendotae as compared to controls. The rate of population increase (r) per day was significantly elevated due to the presence of Egeria’s allelochemicals (from 0.07–0.16?d^?1 without allelochemicals against 0.12–0.24?d^?1 with allelochemicals). In our competition experiments, the rates of population increase of the cladocerans were lower than those in single-species cultures when cultured in the absence of allelochemicals. However, in the presence of allelochemicals this trend was not consistent. Thus, the positive effects of Egeria’s allelochemicals over the cladoceran populations may enhance the grazing pressure on phytoplankton.     

The role of scientists in statutory interpretation of the U.S. Endangered Species Act

Like many federal statutes, the U.S. Endangered Species Act (ESA) contains vague or ambiguous language. The meaning imparted to the ESA's unclear language can profoundly impact the fates of endangered and threatened species. Hence, conservation scientists should contribute to the interpretation of the ESA when vague or ambiguous language contains scientific words or refers to scientific concepts. Scientists need to know at least these 2 facts about statutory interpretation: statutory interpretation is subjective and the potential influence of normative values results in different expectations for the parties involved. With the possible exception of judges, all conventional participants in statutory interpretation are serving their own interests, advocating for their preferred policies, or biased. Hence, scientists can play a unique role by informing the interpretative process with objective, policy‐neutral information. Conversely, scientists may act as advocates for their preferred interpretation of unclear statutory language. The different roles scientists might play in statutory interpretation raise the issues of advocacy and competency. Advocating for a preferred statutory interpretation is legitimate political behavior by scientists, but statutory interpretation can be strongly influenced by normative values. Therefore, scientists must be careful not to commit stealth policy advocacy. Most conservation scientists lack demonstrable competence in statutory interpretation and therefore should consult or collaborate with lawyers when interpreting statutes. Professional scientific societies are widely perceived by the public as unbiased sources of objective information. Therefore, professional scientific societies should remain policy neutral and present all interpretations of unclear statutory language; explain the semantics and science both supporting and contradicting each interpretation; and describe the potential consequences of implementing each interpretation. A review of scientists’ interpretations of the phrase “significant portion of its range” in the ESA is used to critique the role of scientists and professional societies in statutory interpretation.     

Evaluating soundscape intentions in landscape architecture: a study of competition entries for a new cemetery in Järva,Stockholm

While soundscape is increasingly acknowledged within landscape planning and design discourse, there is little research that clarifies how soundscapes are actually dealt with in landscape architecture practice – partly owing to methodological insufficiencies. This paper, therefore, describes a model for evaluating soundscape treatment in landscape design proposals, focusing on three key aspects. With the dual aim of testing the model, and learning more about how soundscape is approached in practice, the paper spotlights a major design competition for a new cemetery in Sweden. The model proved fruitful and easy to apply. It showed that only limited attention was paid to soundscape in the competition as a whole, and was a useful means of pinpointing proposals where soundscape was fully considered as a design feature; one competition entry that did so is described in the paper. Discussions cover design practice, trends in the competition and model application.     

Minimizing disruptions caused by damming and ensuring the health of downstream ecosystems

In view of the Brazilian Ten‐Year Energy Expansion Plan 2021, this article presents a discussion on environmental flow (e‐flow). The authors analyze the literature to show the evolution of publications concerning e‐flow releases from the perspective of ecosystems services preservation considering results from different case studies from throughout the world. Finally, two main recommendations are drawn regarding e‐flow are: (1) performing a holistic approach to e‐flow planning, including hydrological, hydraulic, water quality, habitat, and riparian zone considerations; and (2) installing in new structures adequate bottom outlets to allow a range of adjustable e‐flow from reservoir dams to reproduce natural flow variations.     

Robust technology policy against emission leakage: The case of upstream subsidies

Asymmetric regulation of a global pollutant between countries can alter the competitiveness of industries and lead to emissions leakage, which hampers countries’ welfare. In order to limit leakage, governments consider supporting domestic trade-exposed firms by subsidizing their investments in abatement technology. The suppliers of such technologies tend to be less than perfectly competitive, particularly when both emissions regulations and advanced technologies are new. In this context of twin market failures, we consider the relative effects and desirability of subsidies for abatement technology. We find a more robust recommendation for upstream subsidies than for downstream subsidies. Downstream subsidies tend to increase global abatement technology prices, reduce pollution abatement abroad and increase emission leakage. On the contrary, upstream subsidies reduce abatement technology prices, and hence also emissions leakage.     

基于排污许可的环境标准制度改革完善研究

排污许可制度是固定点源环境管理的基础核心制度,政府以排污许可证为载体,对固定污染源的污染物排放限值、排污行为等进行许可,以排放标准的要求作为基本依据,并以环境质量标准为依据,对非达标区实施更为严格的排污许可限制。然而,现有的部分行业排放标准由于制定时间较早、科学技术支撑方法不足、与环境质量改善难以挂钩等问题,难以满足新排污许可证制度改革要求。本文在研究现行环境标准体系对排污许可制度的支撑作用与相互关系的基础上,研究了基于排污许可制的排放标准存在的主要问题,并以健全排污许可制度的环境标准支撑为目的,提出了现行环境标准体系的完善和修订建议。     

企业环境管理制度优化及其信息系统框架设计研究

污染源大数据是环保大数据的重要组成部分,然而在以环境管理制度为基础的污染源数据管理过程中,一直存在制度衔接不流畅、数据不共享等诸多问题。本文调研考察了现有各项环境管理制度的衔接情况,提出以排污许可制度为核心,通过与其他环境管理制度有效衔接,实现环境管理的各个环节的有效覆盖。通过SWOT分析法对基于"一证式"改革的环境管理制度优化方案的可行性和必要性进行了深入分析,并以排污许可证为核心,设计企业环境管理信息系统框架。试生产与竣工环保验收实效不足,可转为企业自行备案;将环评审批结论纳入排污许可证,可大幅度减轻企业相关环境管理业务人员的负担。环境管理制度的优化必须建立在部门职能转变与整合之上;同时,还必须获得国家层面的立法与行政的支持;社会舆论的关注与支持也将推动环境管理制度优化的进程。以排污许可证管理为核心的信息系统框架可以有效实现污染源排放信息整合共享。     

美国光化学污染监测的经验与启示

针对光化学污染的严峻形势,中国应尽快建立国家层面的光化学监测网络,完善光化学监测的技术体系与质量管理体系,为重点地区光化学污染防治工作提供监测数据支持。研究在总结美国光化学评估监测网络发展历程、运行及其监测目标、技术体系和质量管理体系的基础上,提出了明确光化学监测目标、制定优先监测VOCs名单、完善光化学监测技术体系和质量管理体系、建立光化学监测数据共享平台以及开展VOCs源解析等建设中国光化学监测网络的具体建议。     

烟尘烟气监测全程序质量监督评价方法研究

建立了烟尘、烟气监测全程序质量监督体系,确定了监督检查工作需要控制的环节,并细化了各环节需要重点关注的内容。以层次分析法等关键技术为基础,通过赋予监测全过程各环节不同的指标权重,建立了统一化、标准化的综合评价模式。研究将评价体系分为2个层次,一级指标3个,二级指标19个,并确定了每个指标的测评内容及计算方法。将该体系应用于6家监测机构的质量监督工作,证明其实用性和适用性良好。     

Vocal Activity as a Low Cost and Scalable Index of Seabird Colony Size

Although wildlife conservation actions have increased globally in number and complexity, the lack of scalable, cost‐effective monitoring methods limits adaptive management and the evaluation of conservation efficacy. Automated sensors and computer‐aided analyses provide a scalable and increasingly cost‐effective tool for conservation monitoring. A key assumption of automated acoustic monitoring of birds is that measures of acoustic activity at colony sites are correlated with the relative abundance of nesting birds. We tested this assumption for nesting Forster's terns (Sterna forsteri) in San Francisco Bay for 2 breeding seasons. Sensors recorded ambient sound at 7 colonies that had 15–111 nests in 2009 and 2010. Colonies were spaced at least 250 m apart and ranged from 36 to 2,571 m². We used spectrogram cross‐correlation to automate the detection of tern calls from recordings. We calculated mean seasonal call rate and compared it with mean active nest count at each colony. Acoustic activity explained 71% of the variation in nest abundance between breeding sites and 88% of the change in colony size between years. These results validate a primary assumption of acoustic indices; that is, for terns, acoustic activity is correlated to relative abundance, a fundamental step toward designing rigorous and scalable acoustic monitoring programs to measure the effectiveness of conservation actions for colonial birds and other acoustically active wildlife. La Actividad Vocal como un Índice Escalable y de Bajo Costo del Tamaño de Colonia de las Aves Marinas