Threats to intact tropical peatlands and opportunities for their conservation

Large, intact areas of tropical peatland are highly threatened at a global scale by the expansion of commercial agriculture and other forms of economic development. Conserving peatlands on a landscape scale, with their hydrology intact, is of international conservation importance to preserve their distinctive biodiversity and ecosystem services and maintain their resilience to future environmental change. We explored threats to and opportunities for conserving remaining intact tropical peatlands; thus, we excluded peatlands of Indonesia and Malaysia, where extensive deforestation, drainage, and conversion to plantations means conservation in this region can protect only small fragments of the original ecosystem. We focused on a case study, the Pastaza‐Marañón Foreland Basin (PMFB) in Peru, which is among the largest known intact tropical peatland landscapes in the world and is representative of peatland vulnerability. Maintenance of the hydrological conditions critical for carbon storage and ecosystem function of peatlands is, in the PMFB, primarily threatened by expansion of commercial agriculture linked to new transport infrastructure that is facilitating access to remote areas. There remain opportunities in the PMFB and elsewhere to develop alternative, more sustainable land‐use practices. Although some of the peatlands in the PMFB fall within existing legally protected areas, this protection does not include the most carbon‐dense (domed pole forest) areas. New carbon‐based conservation instruments (e.g., REDD+, Green Climate Fund), developing markets for sustainable peatland products, transferring land title to local communities, and expanding protected areas offer pathways to increased protection for intact tropical peatlands in Amazonia and elsewhere, such as those in New Guinea and Central Africa which remain, for the moment, broadly beyond the frontier of commercial development.     

RUNOFF PREDICTION USING REMOTE SENSING IMAGERY1

ABSTRACT: Percent imperviousness is an important parameter in modeling the urban rainfall-runoff process and is usually determined using manual methods such as random sampling or conventional accounting methods. In this study two computerized methods are used for estimating the percent imperviousness of urban watersheds using high altitude remote sensing imagery. These methods include the Laser Image Processing Scanner and the Video-Tape Camera system. Imperviousness is directly estimated in the former method while in the latter it is estimated as a function of the statistics of the responses on emulsions of the imagery. The percent imperviousness computed by utilizing remote sensing imagery was used with the conceptual models of rainfall-runoff models. The models were applied to four urban watersheds and the runoff prediction results indicate that imperviousness determined by using remote sensing imagery was as accurate as that obtained by the manual methods, and that the use of remote sensing imagery requires significantly less time and money.     

Feasibility of metabolic parameter estimation in pharmacokinetic models of carbon tetrachloride exposure in rats1

Carbon tetrachloride (CCl₄) is a toxic chemical that was once used in degreasers and detergents, and some remnants of the chemical may be present in the water supply. Physiologically-based pharmacokinetic (PBPK) modeling can assist in understanding resulting internal doses of CCl₄ after exposure, but the pharmacokinetic parameters describing the metabolism of CCl₄ are not well characterized. The goal of this study was to provide insights into how to more accurately estimate these values in rats using PBPK modeling and data from previous studies. Three different PBPK models were constructed to describe CCl₄ exposure in rats via inhalation, oral ingestion, and venous injection. Each of these models was compared to data, and sensitivity analysis was performed for each model to determine whether the available data could be used to accurately determine the metabolic parameters of interest. These parameter sensitivities were so low that optimization to the available data yielded physiologically unrealistic results. Model sensitivities were analyzed for different doses and routes of exposure in order to find experimental conditions that would allow for greater identifiability of the metabolic parameters. Data were simulated from these models at optimal conditions with varying levels of noise from a normal distribution. Optimizations were then performed to confirm that the original values could be obtained. The experiments developed are left as suggestions for investigators who wish to further pursue estimating these metabolic parameters.     

Determination of wavelength-averaged,near UV quantum yields for environmental chemicals

The present study describes a procedure for determination of an average quantum yield for the wavelength range of 310 to 410 nm. Solutions of the pollutant in sealed Pyrex tubes are irradiated in a Rayonet photoreactor fitted with fluorescent lamps emitting maximally at 355 nm. The integrated spectral overlap and the photolysis half-life for both the chemical actinometer and the pollutant are determined and from these data the quantum yield is calculated. The method has been evaluated by measuring quantum yields for organophosphorus, chlorinated hydrocarbon, and dinitroaniline pesticides and $\text{p}$-nitroanisole/pyridine mixtures. Corrected quantum yields are obtained on simultaneous irradiation of the trifluralin actinometer.     

Determination of rotenoids and piperonyl butoxide in water, sediments and piscicide formulations

Rotenone is a naturally occurring insecticide and piscicide (fish poison) found in many leguminous plants. This paper describes high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) methods for the quantitative analysis of rotenone's principal biologically active components (rotenone, tephrosin, rotenolone, deguelin) and the synergist piperonyl butoxide (PBO) in various media. Compounds were separated on a C18 reversed phase column with an acetonitrile-0.025 M phosphoric acid mobile phase and detected by UV absorbance or fluorescence (PBO only). Solid phase extraction (SPE) was used in either coupled (on-line) mode with a C18 concentrator column or automated off-line mode using Empore C18 disks. The on-line extraction efficiency was improved significantly by adding small amounts of methanol to water. Method detection limits (MDLs) for rotenoids and PBO in reagent water were 0.3 and 2 micrograms L-1, respectively, with optimal recoveries ranging from 90% to 99%. Aquatic sediments were extracted with methanol and the extracts were diluted in water prior to analysis by coupled SPE-HPLC. In wet sediments, detection limits were approximately 20-100 micrograms kg-1 with recoveries of 71% to 87%. Sonication in dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) followed by dilution in acetonitrile and filtration allowed determination of the active ingredients in powdered rotenone formulations. Details of sample preparation, cartridge column cleanup and analyte confirmation are provided.     

Socially cooperative choices: An approach to achieving resource sustainability in the coastal zone

Achieving resource sustainability, particularly in the coastal zone, is complicated by a variety of interdependencies and trade-offs between economic, social, and ecological variables. Although trade-offs between each of these variables are important, this paper emphasizes the social components of resource management. In this regard a distinction is made between individual and cooperative choices. Individual choices frequently are made from a shortterm, self-interested perspective, whereas cooperative choices are made from a long-term, community and resource-sustainability perspective. Typically, when presented with a spectrum of resource management decisions, individuals have a tendency to act in a self-interested manner. Thus, cooperative benefits, such as reduced conflict and improved resource certainty, are not realized. An overview of selected aspects of social dilemma theory suggests that socially cooperative choice outcomes are attainable in coastal zone management by integrating structural and behavioral solutions in resource use decision making. Three barriers to successful integration of structural and behavioral solutions are identified as self-interest, mistrust, and variable perceptions of resource amenities. Examples from coastal zone management indicate that these barriers may be overcome using approaches such as scopereduction, co-management, community education, and local participation. The paper also provides comment on the potential benefits of integrating structural and behavioral solutions in international coastal zone management efforts.