Applicability of Montreal Process Criterion 5 — maintenance of rangeland contribution to global carbon cycles

SUMMARY

Within the Montreal Process, Criterion 5 — Maintenance of Forest Contribution to the Global Carbon Cycle — encompasses: Indicator 26, biomass and carbon pools; Indicator 27, carbon fluxes from these pools; and Indicator 28, contribution of forest products. I have reviewed the applicability of each indicator to rangelands, the potential limitations of these indicators for rangelands ecosystems, the data available to quantify these indicators and have identified research needs. Indicator 26, and 27 are applicable to rangeland ecosystems. Estimation of the total ecosystem biomass and carbon pools from rangelands is currently feasible, albeit precision is limited by data availability. Simulation models quantify fluxes from rangeland ecosystems, however, belowground dynamics, particularly under changing management, are not well known. For Indicator 28, rangeland products do not constitute a large potential for carbon sequestration.     

Applicability of Montreal Process Criterion 4 — soil and water conservation — to rangeland sustainability

SUMMARY

Criterion 4 of the Montreal Process addresses the conservation of soil and water resources as a way to assess the sustainability of a nation's forests. For the most part, the indicators under this criterion are relevant to rangelands. The area and percent of rangeland with significant soil erosion apply equally well to both biomes. Percent of streams with flow rates and timing outside its range of historical variation is also equally important, although a measure of proper functioning and condition may provide a better measure of the indicator. The area and percent of rangeland with diminished soil productive capability because of a loss of reduced organic matter or changed physical characteristics can be useful indicators locally and regionally.     

Can forest management be used to sustain water-based ecosystem services in the face of climate change?

Forested watersheds, an important provider of ecosystems services related to water supply, can have their structure, function, and resulting streamflow substantially altered by land use and land cover. Using a retrospective analysis and synthesis of long-term climate and streamfiow data (75 years) from six watersheds differing in management histories we explored whether streamflow responded differently to variation in annual temperature and extreme precipitation than unmanaged watersheds. We show significant increases in temperature and the frequency of extreme wet and dry years since the 1980s. Response models explained almost all streamflow variability (adjusted R2 > 0.99). In all cases, changing land use altered streamflow. Observed watershed responses differed significantly in wet and dry extreme years in all but a stand managed as a coppice forest. Converting deciduous stands to pine altered the streamflow response to extreme annual precipitation the most; the apparent frequency of observed extreme wet years decreased on average by sevenfold. This increased soil water storage may reduce flood risk in wet years, but create conditions that could exacerbate drought. Forest management can potentially mitigate extreme annual precipitation associated with climate change; however, offsetting effects suggest the need for spatially explicit analyses of risk and vulnerability.     

Migration of aluminum from food contact materials to food—a health risk for consumers? Part III of III: migration of aluminum to food from camping dishes and utensils made of aluminum

Background

When cooking on a barbecue grill, consumers often use aluminum grill pans. For one, the pan catches the fats and oils that would drip into the embers causing the formation of potentially noxious smoke, and the pan also protects the food from being burned by direct heat from the coals. In addition, new aluminum products for use in ovens and grills are becoming increasingly popular. Due to their light weight and excellent heat transfer camping, utensils made of aluminum are, for example, often used by fishermen and mountain climbers. Preparing food in aluminum utensils can, however, result in migration of the aluminum to the foodstuffs.

Results/Conclusions

In this study presented here, it was found that the transfer limit of 5.00 mg/L for aluminum is not exceeded using simulants for oil or for tap water; however, with an aqueous solution of 0.5% citric acid, the limit is clearly exceeded at 638 mg/L. This means that the Tolerable Weekly Intake (TWI) is exceeded by 298% for a child weighing 15 kg and for an adult weighing 70 kg it is equivalent to 63.8% of the TWI, assuming a daily uptake of 10 mL marinade containing lemon juice over a period of 1 week. Preparation of a fish dish with a marinade containing lemon juice in camping dishes would result in the TWI being exceeded by 871% for a child weighing 15 kg and by 187% for an adult weighing 70 kg assuming a daily uptake of 250 g over a period of 1 week.

     

Migration of aluminum from food contact materials to food—a health risk for consumers? Part II of III: migration of aluminum from drinking bottles and moka pots made of aluminum to beverages

Background

Drinking bottles and stove-top moka pots made of aluminum have become very popular. Storing drinks in bottles and preparing coffee in a moka pot may result in the migration of aluminum to the beverage.

Results/Conclusions

In a systematic study of aluminum drinking bottles, it has been shown that drinking a mixture of apple juice and mineral water in an aluminum bottle may reach 86.6% of the total weekly intake (TWI) for adults, and drinking tea from an aluminum bottle may exceed the TWI (145%) for a child weighing 15 kg. In contrast, preparing coffee in an aluminum moka pot results in a maximum of 4% to TWI, if an average of 3.17 L coffee is consumed per week, even if the pots are washed in the dishwasher, against the explicit instructions of the manufacturer.

     

Genetic connectivity of the ecosystem engineer Perumytilus purpuratus north to the 32°S southeast Pacific ecological discontinuity

Connectivity in benthic marine animals with complex life cycles occurs primarily during the pelagic larval stage and depends deterministically on oceanographic dynamics. The scale of such larval dispersal is highly uncertain due the difficulty of direct measurement and poor knowledge of larval dynamics and ocean flow variability. This study characterizes the pattern of genetic connectivity in the ecosystem engineer Perumytilus purpuratus between latitudes 23°S and 33°S, which includes the ecological discontinuity reported for many taxa north to 32°S at the southeast Pacific. The genetic discontinuity observed in P. purpuratus around 26°S is described herein while that detected at 28°S is in line with the ecological discontinuity (in coverage, recruitment and density) previously reported for this mussel between 28°S and 32°S. Both discontinuities delimitate two major gene pools upon Bayesian inferences on geographical variation of five microsatellite loci. Interestingly, marker Pepu1 was responsible for most variation between pools and was potentially under selection. In fact, inferences excluding Pepu1 produced a single gene pool (k = 1) in central-northern Chile. The IBD connectivity pattern observed among P. purpuratus beds distributed in the interval 23°S–33°S is congruent with processes driven by larval dynamics, and the dominant equatorward Humboldt Current along a coast largely unaffected by ice during the last Pleistocene glaciation. However, the selective scenario unveiled by microsatellite Pepu1 inside the 25°S–28°S ecological discontinuity is consistent with selective processes associated with specific mesoscale properties operating in this area. This study highlights the usefulness of integrating different oceanographic scales, ecological data and population genetics to better understand connectivity of benthic marine species.     

The effect of selenium on fluoride — clay interactions: Possible environmental health implications

Previous epidemiological studies have shown that dental fluorosis is endemic in the lowland, dry zone of Sri Lanka, which is considered to be an area in which excessive quantities of fluorides are present in the drinking water supplies. It has been found that kaolinitic clay forms a suitable raw material in the defluoridation of water.It is shown that there is a noticeable effect of selenium and media pH on the reactions involved in the interaction of fluoride with clay. In this study, 1 mM fluoride solutions containing SeO ₃ ^2– (selenite) concentrations of 0 mM, 0.1 mM, 0.5 mM and 1 mM were used in the reactions with kaolinitic clay. The effect of pH was monitored in the range 4 to 8. It was observed that fluoride adsorption was maximum at a pH of 5.6 without either SeO ₃ ^2– or SeO ₄ ^2– , the adsorption capacity being 15.2 mol F^– g^–1 clay. However, when the SeO ₃ ^2– concentration was increased up to 0.5 mM at this optimum pH, the adsorption capacity reduced to 12.8 mol F^– g^–1 clay. Monitoring of the effect of SeO ₄ ^2– and media pH on fluoride adsorption showed that when the SeO ₄ ^2– concentration increases from zero to 0.1 mM, there is a reduction of fluoride adsorption capacity. However, when the SeO ₄ ^2– concentration is further increased from 0.1 mM to 1.0 mM, there was an increase in the fluoride adsorption capacity, indicating a more consistent effect of SeO ₃ ^2– on fluoride-kaolinitic clay interaction than SeO ₄ ^2– .Fluoride concentrations in drinking water supplies have a marked effect on dental health and the geochemistry of selenium appears to play an important role in the geochemical mobility of fluoride ions.     

Construction of an ecosystem service value evaluation system for the Longquan Mountain Urban Forest Park in Chengdu City Based on the Analytic Hierarchy Process北大核心CSCD

As a special ecosystem, an urban forest park, which is different from a regular “forest park”, is one of the key elements involved in improving the urban ecological environment and promoting the sustainable development of a city. The “urban forest park” can also significantly improve living conditions by acting as a greenbelt. The Chengdu Longquan Mountain Urban Forest Park is a rare mountain urban forest park located in the center of the city. This “urban forest park” not only provides more ecological products and maintains ecological security but also meets the growing needs of people for food, environmental quality, and spirituality. To comprehensively assess the ecological value of the Chengdu Longquan Mountain Urban Forest Park, this study used the literature analogy and questionnaire survey methods to establish a targeted ecosystem service assessment system in this study area. In addition, combined with the hierarchical analysis method, the indicator system was tested, and the specific evaluation index was determined. In the Longquan Mountain Urban Forest Park Ecosystem Service Value Index System, three first-level indicators, such as ecological material products (with a weight of 0.412 6), ecological regulation (0.327 5), and dwelling culture (0.259 9); eight secondary indicators, such as product production (0.206 3), resource supply (0.206 3), and biodiversity (0.194 4); and twenty-three tertiary indicators, such as air negative oxygen ion (0.154 7), habitat quality (0.095 9), and ecological health benefit (0.075 5), were identified. From the weights of the first and second indicators, it was clear that the supply of ecological material products is the main service function in the Longquan Mountain Urban Forest Park ecosystem. Moreover, from the weights of the third indicator, the public’s cognition and concept of the ecosystem service value of the “urban forest park” gradually shifted from the supply service of products and resources to cultural services. In summary, the ecosystem service value assessment system designed for the Longquan Mountain Urban Forest Park in this study has certain feasibility and extensibility that lays a theoretical foundation for the scientific assessment of ecological value and ecological value realization mechanism for other “forest parks” worldwide. © 2022 Authors. All rights reserved.     

Erratum to “Modelling the responses of the Lagoon of Venice ecosystem to variations in physical forcings”: [Ecol. Model. 170 (2003) 265–289]

A Finite Element Ecological Model for the Lagoon of Venice (VELFEEM) has been used to test the responses of the Lagoon of Venice ecosystem to variations in physical conditions.The model is obtained by coupling a finite element hydrodynamic model, that computes the velocity fields of water, an energetic model to compute the water temperature fields, and an ecological model that simulates the dynamic of phytoplankton, zooplankton, nutrients (ammonia, nitrate and phosphate) organic detritus (organic nitrogen, organic phosphorous and CBOD) and dissolved oxygen.The transport model is a two-dimensional barotropic finite element model which allows for a better resolution of the lagoon morphology.The ecological model has been developed by starting from the ecological module EUTRO of WASP (Water Analysis Simulation System released by US EPA), and by adapting it to the peculiarity of the Lagoon of Venice.A reference condition has been identified by running a 1-year simulation under climatologic condition. Then, the sensitivity to physical forcing (tide and wind) and to the input of macronutrients has been investigated, by comparing model predictions of spatial and temporal evolution of major state variables and of an aggregate index of Water Quality Trophic Index (TRIX).     

Which forcing factors fit? Using ecosystem models to investigate the relative influence of fishing and changes in primary productivity on the dynamics of marine ecosystems

Fishing mortality and primary production (or proxy for) were used to drive the dynamics of fish assemblages in 9 trophodynamic models of contrasting marine ecosystems. Historical trends in abundance were reconstructed by fitting model predictions to observations from stock assessments and fisheries independent survey data. The model fitting exercise derives values for otherwise unknown parameters that specify the relative strength of trophic interactions and, in some instances, a time series anomaly for changes in primary production. We measured how much better or worse were model predictions when bottom-up forcing by primary production were added to top-down forcing by fishing. Searching for cross system patterns, the relative contribution of fishing and changes in primary production, mediated through trophic interactions, are evaluated for the ecosystems as a whole and for selected similar species in different ecosystems. The analysis provides a simple qualitative way to explain which forcing factors have most influence on modeled dynamics. Both fishing and primary production forcing were required to obtain the best model fits to data. Fishing effects more strongly influenced 6 of 9 of the ecosystems, but primary production was more often found to be the main factor influencing the selected pelagic and demersal fish stock trends. Examination of sensitivity to ecological and model parameters suggests that the results are the product of complex food-web interactions rather than simple deterministic responses of the models.     

Bioaccumulation of potentially toxic elements within the soil–plant system in Central Balkan region: analysis of the forest ecosystem capacity to mediate toxic elements

Environmental Geochemistry and Health - The accumulation of potentially toxic elements (PTEs) in terrestrial ecosystems has become a global concern, as PTEs may exert a wide range of negative...     

Migration of aluminum from food contact materials to food—a health risk for consumers? Part I of III: exposure to aluminum,release of aluminum,tolerable weekly intake (TWI), toxicological effects of aluminum,study design,and methods

Background

In spite of the prevalence of aluminum in nature, no organism has been found to date which requires this element for its biological functions. The possible health risks to human beings resulting from uptake of aluminum include detrimental effects to the hemopoietic system, the nervous system and bones. Aluminum is used in many fields and occurs in numerous foodstuffs. Food contact materials containing aluminum represent an anthropogenic source of dietary aluminum.

Results

As a result of their frequent use in private households a study was undertaken to detect migration of this metal to foodstuffs from drink containers, coffee pots, grill pans, and camping cookware made of aluminum.

Conclusions

An estimate of the health risk to consumers is calculated, based on the tolerable weekly intake (TWI) specified by the European Food Safety Authority of 1 mg/kg body weight for all groups of people. In some instances the TWI is significantly exceeded, dependent upon the food contact material and the food itself.

     

Accelerating the practical application of MOFs for hydrogen storage——from performance-driven to application-oriented

Metal-organic frameworks(MOFs) are highly promising porous materials known for their exceptional porosity, extensive surface area, and customizable pore structures, making them an ideal solution for hydrogen storage. However, most MOFs research remains confined to the laboratory, lacking practical applications. To address this, the author proposes a shift towards practical applications, the creation of a comprehensive MOFs database, alignment of synthesis with practical considerations, and diversification of MOFs applications. These steps are crucial for harnessing the full potential of MOFs in real-world energy challenges.     

Concentrations of inorganic elements in 20 municipal waters in Sweden before and after treatment – links to human health

The water chemistry of 20 municipal water treatment plants in southern Sweden, representing various bedrock situations, and water qualities, were investigated. Four water samples, raw and treated, were collected from each plant and analyzed by predominantly ICP-OES and ICP-MS at four occasions from June to December, 2001. The concentrations of Ca, Mg, K, Na, HCO₃ and a number of micronutrients, varied considerably in treated waters from the studied plants (ranges; Ca: 9.1–53.7 mg L⁻¹, Mg: 1.4–10.9 mg L⁻¹, K: 1.1–4.8 mg L⁻¹, Na; 5.4–75.6 mg L⁻¹, HCO₃: 27–217 mg L⁻¹). The elimination of Fe and Mn from raw water was efficient in all treatments investigated, giving concentrations in treated waters below the detection limits at some plants. Softening filters gave waters with Ca-concentrations comparable to the softest waters in this study. Adjustment of pH by use of chemicals like lye, soda or lime, modified the consumer water composition significantly, besides raising the pH. It was estimated that drinking water contributed to approximately 2.2–13% of the daily Ca uptake, if the gastrointestinal uptake efficiency from food and water was estimated to be around 50%. The corresponding figures for Mg was 1.0–7% and for F 0–59%. None of the studied elements showed any significant time trends in raw or treated waters during the follow-up period. The concentrations of potentially toxic metals such as Al, Pb and U were low and did not indicate risks for adverse health effects (ranges; Al: 0.5–2.3 μg L⁻¹, Pb: 0–0.3 μg L⁻¹, U: 0.2.5 μg L⁻¹).     

Ecosystem health assessment of urban rivers and lakes — Case study of “the six lakes” in Beijing, China

The assessment of the ecosystem health of urban rivers and lakes is the scientific basis for their management and ecological restoration. This study developed a three-level indicator system for its assessment. The results indicated that: Zhonghai and Nanhai are in the state of transition from unhealthy to critical state and all the other lakes are in unhealthy states. Water environmental quality, structure and function of the aquatic ecosystem, and the structure of waterfront areas were the constraints. Nanhai was ranked as poor and the others were all ranked as very poor. However, the ecological environment of Zhonghai and Nanhai were better than the others, the sums of the degree of membership to the healthy state and critical state were all close to 0.6. and the restorations of these lakes were moderate. The sums of the degree of membership to the healthy state and critical state of the other lakes were under 0.3, as it was difficult to restore these lakes. Some suggestions on scientific management and ecological restoration of the six lakes were proposed: ①To control non-point pollution and to improve the water quality of six lakes and the water entering into these lakes; ②To improve the hydrological conditions of six lakes; ③To rehabilitate the aquatic ecosystem and waterfront areas.     

WINDA—a system of models for assessing the probability of wind damage to forest stands within a landscape

An integrated system of models, WINDA, is presented for calculating the stand-wise probabilities of wind damage, uprooting and breakage of trees within a landscape. The calculations are made point-wise at exposed stand edges. WINDA integrates a modified version of the dose/response model HWIND [Can. J. For. Res. 29 (1999) 647], the airflow model WASP [Wind Atlas Analysis and Application Program (WASP), Risø National Laboratory, Roskilde, Denmark], and a component for calculating the zero-plane displacement and surface roughness and uses a GIS for geographical computations. The likelihood of damage is calculated using extreme value theory. WINDA was able to predict damage that compared well with observed extensive damage within 6.7 km² large landscape in southern Sweden. Output from the system of models was most sensitive to modifications in the input variables tree height and diameter at breast height and to the internal parameter critical friction velocity. The mechanistic modelling approach makes WINDA useful for evaluating effects on the probability of wind damage of silvicultural treatments and forestry activities as well as of a changed climate.     

Preliminary study on health risk from mercury exposure to residents of Wujiazhan town on the Di’er Songhua river, Northeast China

Mercury concentrations in hair are typically used as a biomarker to assess exposure to mercury. A total of 108 hair samples were collected from residents (age range 5–73 years) of Wujiazhan town, northeast China, to determine total mercury concentrations. Hair mercury concentrations ranged from 0.16 to 199 mg kg^–1 with an average value of 3.41 mg kg⁻¹. The relationships between mercury concentration and gender and between hair mercury concentration and age were not significant. Overall, 16.7% of all samples were above the RfD value published by the United States Environmental Protection agency. The results indicate that there may be some been health risk from mercury exposure to the residents in the study area.     

Balancing the response to predation—the effects of shoal size,predation risk and habituation on behaviour of juvenile perch

Group size, predation risk and habituation are key drivers of behaviour and evolution in gregarious prey animals. However, the extent to which they interact in shaping behaviour is only partially understood. We analyzed their combined effects on boldness and vigilance behaviour in juvenile perch (Perca fluviatilis) by observing individuals in groups of one, two, three and five faced with four different levels of predation risk in a repeated measures design. The perch showed an asymptotic increase in boldness with increasing group size and the highest per capita vigilance in groups of two. With increasing predation risk, individuals reduced boldness and intensified vigilance. The interaction between group size and predation risk influenced vigilance but not boldness. In this context, individuals in groups of two elevated their vigilance compared to individuals in larger groups only when at higher risk of predation. Further, as only group size, they significantly reduced vigilance at the highest level of risk. With increasing habituation, solitary individuals became considerably bolder. Also, predation risk affected boldness only in the more habituated situation. Hence, repeated measures may be essential to correctly interpret certain relationships in behaviour. Our results suggest that perch may adjust boldness behaviour to group size and predation risk independently. This is rather unexpected since in theory, natural selection would strongly favour an interactive adjustment. Finally, vigilance might be particularly effective in groups of two due to the intense monitoring and detailed response to changing levels of risk.     

Arsenic levels in rice grain and assessment of daily dietary intake of arsenic from rice in arsenic-contaminated regions of Bangladesh—implications to groundwater irrigation

Chronic exposure to arsenic (As) causes significant human health effects, including various cancers and skin disorders. Naturally elevated concentrations of As have been detected in the groundwater of Bangladesh. Dietary intake and drinking water are the major routes of As exposure for humans. The objectives of this study were to measure As concentrations in rice grain collected from households in As-affected villages of Bangladesh where groundwater is used for agricultural irrigation and to estimate the daily intake of As consumed by the villagers from rice. The median and mean total As contents in 214 rice grain samples were 131 and 143 μg/kg, respectively, with a range of 2–557 μg/kg (dry weight, dw). Arsenic concentrations in control rice samples imported from Pakistan and India and on sale in Australian supermarkets were significantly lower (p < 0.001) than in rice from contaminated areas. Daily dietary intake of As from rice was 56.4 μg for adults (males and females) while the total daily intake of As from rice and from drinking water was 888.4 and 706.4 μg for adult males and adult females, respectively. From our study, it appears that the villagers are consuming a significant amount of As from rice and drinking water. The results suggest that the communities in the villages studied are potentially at risk of suffering from arsenic-related diseases.