Environmental restoration of Minamata: new thinking brings new advances

This paper discusses the idea of environmental restoration and the creation of sustainable cities of industry and culture by spotlighting how the city of Minamata, Japan, which was severely affected by environmental damage, is rejuvenating itself by means of a unique strategy based on a new way of thinking and the fostering of human resources. Taking its lead from the concept of environmental capacity building, this paper focuses on environmental restoration as (1) a mending process for the social environment and human relationships, (2) a strategy of actor participation, particularly citizen participation, in environmental restoration, and (3) a role for human resource development.     

Quantifying disturbance effects on vegetation carbon pools in mountain forests based on historical data

Although the terrestrial carbon budget is of key importance for atmospheric CO₂ concentrations, little is known on the effects of management and natural disturbances on historical carbon stocks at the regional scale. We reconstruct the dynamics of vegetation carbon stocks and flows in forests across the past 100 years for a valley in the eastern Swiss Prealps using quantitative and qualitative information from forest management plans. The excellent quality of the historical information makes it possible to link dynamics in growing stocks with high-resolution time series for natural and anthropogenic disturbances. The results of the historical reconstruction are compared with modelled potential natural vegetation. Forest carbon stock at the beginning of the twentieth century was substantially reduced compared to natural conditions as a result of large scale clearcutting lasting until the late nineteenth century. Recovery of the forests from this unsustainable exploitation and systematic forest management were the main drivers of a strong carbon accumulation during almost the entire twentieth century. In the 1990s two major storm events and subsequent bark beetle infestations significantly reduced stocks back to the levels of the mid-twentieth century. The future potential for further carbon accumulation was found to be strongly limited, as the potential for further forest expansion in this valley is low and forest properties seem to approach equilibrium with the natural disturbance regime. We conclude that consistent long-term observations of carbon stocks and their changes provide rich information on the historical range of variability of forest ecosystems. Such historical information improves our ability to assess future changes in carbon stocks. Further, the information is vital for better parameterization and initialization of dynamic regional scale vegetation models and it provides important background for appropriate management decisions.     

Environmental effects of energy systems: The OECD COMPASS project

Energy and environment are complementary goals of industrial society. The OECD COMPASS project recognises the need for comprehensive information and assessment of the environmental implications of energy strategies and systems, not just energy sources, for effective policymaking in both energy and environmental fields. Energy systems are viewed from the end-use perspective in comparing the environmental effects of different trends and strategies in energy use. This paper discusses methodological criteria for effective assesstment in the environmental field, and some applications to the environmental implications of energy use in space heating and cooling, involving three case studies in different OECD countries. Some conclusions are drawn concerning energy-environment policy, in particular concerning the role of comparative assessment techniques in policymaking.     

Environmental effects from the use of traditional biomass for heating in rural areas: a case study of Anogeia,Crete

Environment, Development and Sustainability - In several European rural communities, woody biomass is counted among the most important energy sources for heating and cooking. However, the use of...     

Environmental tobacco smoke: The use of mathematical models to predict health effects

The mathematical model used by Repace and Lowrey to arrive at the quantitative estimate of five lung cancer deaths per year 100, 000 persons exposed to ETS is questioned based on data from published international studies. A challenge of the Repace and Lowrey calculations is necessary to allay the concern which has arisen from the uncritical acceptance of the preliminary accusative estimates.     

Land cover effects on water balance partitioning in the Colombian Andes: improved water availability in early stages of natural vegetation recovery

Regional Environmental Change - Vegetation actively affects different components of the water budget in multiple spatial and temporal scales. Changes in vegetation cover and structure—such as...     

The role of private rural properties for conserving native vegetation in Brazilian Southern Amazonia

Regional Environmental Change - The State of Mato Grosso in Brazil has undergone intensive land use changes over the past decades. Native ecosystems have been converted into agrosystems for the...     

环境承载力理论在区域规划环境影响评价中的应用

环境承载力分析是区域规划环境影响评价的评价方法之一。对环境承载力的合理分析，能够反映区域社会经济和资源环境的协调程度，准确地评估区域规划对环境造成的影响，使评价更具科学性。在环境承载力定义的基础上，通过建立一定的指标体系，结合发展变量与限制变量之间关系的描述，研究了区域环境承载力的利用强度，由此提出了一种更为直观的环境综合承载力量化方法——环境承载力综合指数。并将其应用到广州市南沙国际汽车城规划环境影响评价中，为该规划的进一步完善提出了合理的建议。该方法能够准确反映区域规划对环境的影响，为区域的协调发展提供科学依据。     

Mechanisms of the effects of solar radiation and terrain anisotropy on the vegetation of dark conifer forests in the Pechora-Ilych state biosphere reserve

Consideration is given to three mechanisms of the topography-modulated influence of solar radiation and terrain anisotropy on the vegetation. Variables in the equations describing these mechanisms take into account (1) doses of photosynthetically active radiation, (2) the thermal regime of slopes, and (3) anisotropy resulting from wind impact and interspecific competition. Approaches (1) and (2) single out southern and southwestern slopes, respectively, whereas in approach (3) slopes of any aspect can be found distinguished. Statistical analysis of correlations between the total coverage of vegetation layers and the topography of the terrain has shown that mechanisms (2) and (3) play a leading role in the study area.     

Environmental monitoring using surface water, river sediments, and vegetation: A case study in the Famatina Range, La Rioja, NW Argentina

This work discusses trace elements studied beneath the semiarid endorheic region of the Famatina Range (La Rioja, NW Argentina). The results obtained in 27 control sites allow the determination of five distinct geochemical patterns in the Famatina Range. Pattern 1 reflects the composition of underlying Paleozoic and Tertiary bedrock (background level: water pH, 7.5–9; specific conductance, 0.2–0.7 mS cm⁻¹), which is influenced by mineralization. Pattern 2 exhibits water pH, 6; specific conductance, 0.7 mS cm⁻¹; high contents of Cu, Cd, Rb, Zn, Sn, and Be in waters; and high contents of Cu, Cd, Zn, Pb, Cr, Sb, Ag, Be, Co, Ni, Bi, Rare Earth Elements (REE), Li, Ba, Cs, and Sr in sediments. Pattern 3 exhibits water pH, 3–4; specific conductance, 1.0 mS cm⁻¹; high contents of Pb, Co, Be, Au, As, Cr, Hg, Th, Ba, Cs, Rb, Sb, Y, Zr, REE, and Hf in waters; high contents of Cd, Zn, Mo, and As in sediments). Pattern 3 is also modified by the input of elements from a source external to the Famatina Range. Pattern 4 exhibits water pH, 7–8; specific conductance, 1.5–2.3 mS cm⁻¹; high contents of B, Li, Ba, Sr, and Zn in waters; high contents of Li, Cr, Sr, Ni, and Cs in sediments. Finally, Pattern 5 is developed on the red sandstones from De la Cuesta Formation (water pH, 8; specific conductance, 2.5–5.0 mS cm⁻¹; high contents of Sr, Mo, U, B, Li, Rb, and Hf in waters; high contents of B, Ba, Cs, Li, and Rb in sediments). The mobility of above-mentioned elements is mainly related to water pH changes and evaporation processes.     

Multivariate statistical methods as a tool for model-based prediction of vegetation types

The current research was carried out to find the most effective environmental factors in plant species occurrence and providing their predictive habitat models. For this purpose, study was conducted in Poshtkouh rangelands of Yazd province in the central of Iran. For modeling, vegetation data in addition to site condition information including topography, climate, geology and soil were prepared. CCA and Logistic regression (LR) techniques were implemented for plant species predictive modeling. To plants predictive mapping, it is necessary to prepare the maps of all affective factors of models. To mapping soil characteristics, geoestatistical method including variogram analysis and Kriging interpolation were used. Based on obtained predictive models for each species (through LR method) and for whole species (through CCA method) related predictive maps were prepared in GIS. The accuracy of predictive maps were tested with actual vegetation maps. Vegetation modeling results with CCA indicates that predictive map of vegetation corresponds with actual map (with high accuracy). Predictive maps of Cornulaca monachantha, Ephedra strobilacea-Zygophyllum eurypterum, Seidlitzia rosmarinus, and Tamarix ramosissima, which have narrow amplitude, has high accordance with actual vegetation map prepared for the study area. Among species of study area, predictive model of Artemisia sieberi, due to its ability to grow in most parts of Poshtkouh rangelands with relatively different habitat conditions, is not possible. Comparing CCA and LR methods showed that each technique has its advantages and drawbacks. In general, LR will provide better specific-model, but CCA will provide a broader overview of multiple species.     

Seasonality of cooling tower drift in vegetation at ORGDP

Cooling tower operation at the Oak Ridge Gaseous Diffusion Plant (ORGDP) requires the addition of a chromated corrosion inhibitor to the recirculating cooling water (RCW) system. Fluctuations in the RCW flow rates of the ORGDP cooling towers correlates with operational levels of the enrichment plant. Drift fraction is a function of the RCW flow rate, with variations in chromium deposition reflected in vegetation contamination. Fescue grass and litter were collected in the plant environs along a distance gradient, during different seasons, and analyzed for chromium. Foliar chromium concentrations were maximum (1390 μg/g) during the winter months, decreasing in spring and summer months (190 and 173 μg/g, respectively) at 13 m as the demand for cooling decreased with lower plant operations. In contrast, concentrations in litter increased with time, ranging from 894 μg/g at 13 m during the winter to 1890 and 2140 μg/g during the summer and fall months. The accumulation of chromium in the litter component was likely related to more exchange sites associated with increased litter biomass due to the seasonal senescence of foliage, whereas decreased accumulations on foliage reflected high mobility of the drift residue due to leaching and a short lifespan of individual leaves. In addition to operational considerations, the data illustrate the importance of seasonal considerations in the use of biological materials in a monitoring program.     

Examining Environmental Kuznets Curve for river effluents in India

This study aims to determine the trade-off between river pollution and the growth of the economy in the context of India using the concept of Environmental Kuznets Curve (EKC). According to EKC theory, environmental pressure tends to rise faster than income growth in the early stages of economic development and then declines in the later stages with further economic growth. The present study has used the cross-sectional time series data for river pollutants of Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD) and Dissolved Hydrogen Ions (PH) across various states of India for the period 1990–1991 to 2005–2006. This study shows why the conventional EKC model is not sufficient to ascertain the declining path of pollution as the economy grows in the second stage. The paper uses the modified EKC theory where the EKC curve is proposed to have 2 turning points. Our results indicated ‘tilted-S shaped’ relationship which contradicts EKC in the early stages. Most of the regions that were studied have crossed the first turning point but are still to cross the second turning point, which means that there will be an ascent in the pollution level in the future. This calls for more stringent environment policies complementing the desired growth path.     

Drying wastes from urban forestry as an option for their recovery and use in furniture and small wooden objects

The management of urban trees generates wood wastes that are commonly destined for use as firewood or compost. However, they can be used for more noble purposes such as making furniture or small wooden objects. This study aimed to investigate the drying and the shrinkage of the wood of seven typical urban afforestation species to determine the possibility of high-valued alternative use(s). Samples of these species (Cenostigma pluviosum (DC.) E. Gagnon & G.P. Lewis.; Delonix regia (Bojer ex Hook.) Raf.; Ficus benjamina L.; Licania tomentosa (Benth.) Fritsch; Nectandra megapotamica (Spreng.) Mez; Terminalia catappa L.; and Tipuana tipu (Benth.) Kuntze) underwent a drastic drying test in a laboratory oven at 103?±?2 °C, followed by weighing on an analytical balance to monitor the weight over a 24-h period, separated into four intervals of 4 h and one of 8 h. The drying rate, shrinkage and anisotropy coefficient of the species were evaluated. Wood wastes of the species C. pluviosum and L. tomentosa showed greater shrinkage during drying, with the lowest drying rates being found among the other species. F. benjamina, D. regia, N. megapotamica, T. catappa and T. tipu showed lower values of shrinkage and regular anisotropy coefficients close to ideal for application to make small wooden objects according to the characteristics of the species already present in the industrial market. The seven species thus have potential for application in the production of small wooden objects and furniture. This use is a potential alternative for environmental and social betterment.

     

A Review of Environmental Sociology and the Sociology of Natural Resources： Insights for the Development of Environmental Sociology in China

Environmental sociology and the sociology of natural resources are two key subdisciplines of the sociological study on the interactions between nature and human society. Previous discussion on the relationships of these two fields has largely focused on their distinctions and synthesis in western （particularly American） academia. Environmental sociology emerged as an important sociological subdiscipline in China in the early 1990s and is under vigorous disciplinary construction at present. By contrast, the sociology of natural resources is still a novel term for most Chinese researchers. This article provides a systematic review of recent literature on the relationships between environmental and natural resource sociologies, which should provide important implications for the further development of environmental sociology in China.     

Lead content in roadside vegetation as indicators of atmospheric pollution

Leaves of six plant species from 31 different locations in Ibadan, Nigeria, were analysed for their lead content. The lead concentrations found ranged between 12 and 32 μg/g, 50 m or more away from the roadside, between 47 and 115 μg/g in the residential low traffic density areas, 5 m from the roadside, and between 165 and 312 μg/g in the commercial high traffic density roadsides, 5 m away from the roadside.     

2030年可持续发展议程对全球及中国环境治理的影响

《2030年可持续发展议程》已经形成了社会、经济与环境三大支柱的格局.根据进程追踪的方法,本文通过回顾环境进入《2030年可持续发展议程》目标的过程,着重分析环境目标未来15年将对全球与中国环境治理产生的重要影响.在全球环境治理层面的基本结论是:①全球环境治理体系的重要性将显著上升.②新型伙伴关系将强化环境非政府组织与市民社会的作用.③未来全球环境治理将形成以数据和指标为驱动的特点.④联合国系统内环境机构的作用将进一步强化,联合国环境署的发展受到关注.⑤环境与气候变化中的资金融资与技术转让渠道将进一步多元化.⑥气候变化问题与其他环境问题将在全球和国家层面深度融合.对中国环境治理的积极影响,体现在:①《2030年可持续发展议程》将为中国经济的转型升级和可持续发展提供新的强大动力,并形成倒逼机制;②将显著提升中国公众的环保意识;③为中国在全球治理中发挥关键性作用提供了难得的着力点;④将使中国的区域合作更加“绿色化”.当然,在新常态的经济形势下,全球可持续发展的环境目标也使得中国环境治理的压力与责任不断增加.同时,《2030年可持续发展议程》也存在一系列问题与不足之处:①目标过多且模糊不清,实现难度大.②当前所罗列的一些目标间可能包含潜在的冲突,需要进一步的研究与论证.③环境目标缺乏量化的标准.尽管如此,就环境目标而言,《2030年可持续发展议程》比千年发展目标更加综合、全面和系统,是当今国际社会应对环境问题集体努力的成果,必须高度重视与研究.     

Soil as a factor of vegetation regeneration in natural pastures

Data are presented that show the significance of the humus state of chernozem soils, their amphiphilic (hydrophobic-hydrophilic) components, and related physical properties (density, structural condition, and water permeability) for regeneration of natural vegetation and restoration of its species com-position in pasture ecosystems.