How to assess exposure of aquatic organisms to manufactured nanoparticles?

Ecological risk of chemicals is measured by the quotient of predicted no-effect concentrations and predicted exposure concentrations, which are hard to assess for manufactured nanomaterials (NMs). This paper proposes modifications to currently used models, in order to make them suitable for estimating exposure concentrations of NMs in the aquatic environment. We have evaluated the adequacy of the current guidance documents for use with NMs and conclude that nano-specific fate processes, such as sedimentation and dissolution need to be incorporated. We have reviewed the literature on sedimentation and dissolution of NMs in environmentally relevant systems. We deduce that the overall kinetics of water-sediment transport of NMs should be close to first order. The lack of data on dissolution of NMs under environmentally realistic conditions calls for a pragmatic decision on which rates to be used in modeling. We find that first order removal kinetics for dissolution seems adequate. Based on limited data from literature, probable removal rates range from 0 to 10(-4)s(-1) for sedimentation, and from 0 to 10(-5)s(-1) for dissolution. Further experimental data at environmentally relevant conditions for sedimentation and dissolution of NMs is needed.     

Who is susceptible and why? An agent-based approach to assessing vulnerability to drought

In this paper, we specify susceptibility to drought from a psychology-based bottom-up perspective. On the basis of the protection motivation theory (Rippetoe and Rogers in J Pers Soc Psychol 52(3):596–604, 1987), we developed the protection-capacity model (Krömker and Mosler in Global environmental change in Alpine regions: impact, recognition, adaptation, and mitigation. Edward Elgar, Cheltenham, pp 93–112, 2002) to analyse the susceptibility with respect to the protection capacity of agents. The protection capacity is determined by the agents’ subjective assessment of the situation, which consists of the appraisal of threat, on the one hand, and the coping appraisal, on the other hand. Additionally, the protection-capacity model specifies several factors which influence the two central appraisal processes. Empirical data were collected in interviews with experts and with a total of 65 exemplarily selected households which are typical for the respective case study regions (Andhra Pradesh, India; Algarve and Alentejo, Portugal; Volgograd and Saratov, Russia). The data were analysed with the help of fuzzy set methodology. Results show that the households of the Indian region are the most susceptible when compared to those of the Russian region with ‘low’ and to households of the Portuguese region with a ‘very low’ degree of susceptibility. Moreover, we identified subgroups within the regions which are characterized by different degrees of susceptibility and a different profile of factors influencing susceptibility. Altogether, the agent-based perspective allows identifying relevant factors that need to be addressed to minimize susceptibility of the population and special subgroups. However, the results are not representative for the case study regions because of the small database. Additionally, more effort is needed to validate the findings.     

‘Subjective resilience’: using perceptions to quantify household resilience to climate extremes and disasters

How should we measure a household’s resilience to climate extremes, climate change or other evolving threats? As resilience gathers momentum on the international stage, interest in this question continues to grow. So far, efforts to measure resilience have largely focused on the use of ‘objective’ frameworks and methods of indicator selection. These typically depend on a range of observable socio-economic variables, such as levels of income, the extent of a household’s social capital or its access to social safety nets. Yet while objective methods have their uses, they suffer from well-documented weaknesses. This paper advocates for the use of an alternative but complementary method: the measurement of ‘subjective’ resilience at the household level. The concept of subjective resilience stems from the premise that people have an understanding of the factors that contribute to their ability to anticipate, buffer and adapt to disturbance and change. Subjective household resilience therefore relates to an individual’s cognitive and affective self-evaluation of their household’s capabilities and capacities in responding to risk. We discuss the advantages and limitations of measuring subjective household resilience and highlight its relationships with other concepts such as perceived adaptive capacity, subjective well-being and psychological resilience. We then put forward different options for the design and delivery of survey questions on subjective household resilience. While the approach we describe is focused at the household level, we show how it has the potential to be aggregated to inform sub-national or national resilience metrics and indicators. Lastly, we highlight how subjective methods of resilience assessment could be used to improve policy and decision-making. Above all, we argue that, alongside traditional objective measures and indicators, efforts to measure resilience should take into account subjective aspects of household resilience in order to ensure a more holistic understanding of resilience to climate extremes and disasters.     

Seize the Opportunity and Meet the Challenge to Push China''''s Sustainable Development Strategy to a New Stage

Since China set the sustainable development strategy, positive progress has been made in implementing the strategy, and active contributions have been made to the sustainable development of mankind. Currently, profound changes are taking place in China's internal and external situation. A new era has begun in the implementation of the sustainable development strategy. We should take full advantage of this opportunity and make use of all favorable conditions and chances to further promote the implementation of the sustainable development strategy.     

Economic and Political Factors that Lead to the Budget Deficit in Hong Kong from 1998 to 2003

Despite the adverse impact of the budget deficit in Hong Kong has been alleviated since the economic recovery from 2003, the fiscal deficit may return when there is another downturn in the economy if the problem is not handled fundamentally.Based on the economic and political situation from 1998 to 2003,the factors that lead to the budget deficit in Hong Kong are analyzed in four perspectives,including(a)increase in public expenditure;(b)decrease in public revenues;(c)poor management of public money and(d) weak administration.With a better understanding on these factors, possible solutions to the fiscal problem faced by the government may be developed.     

Users’ Perspectives About the Potential Usefulness of Online Storylines to Communicate River Research to a Multi-disciplinary Audience

ABSTRACT

Effective communication practices are needed to support adaptive, collaborative and integrative environmental management. We propose the use of online storylines to communicate scientific outcomes in a way that is captivating, easily understood and accessible. Based on 20 interviews, we identified important attributes for the storyline content, structure and user interaction. We designed a storyline example about stakeholders’ perceptions of a river management intervention with consequences on the landscape. The intended audience consists of multi-disciplinary researchers and practitioners that could consider or apply research solutions outside their field of expertise in river management. We introduced the example in a workshop with 14 participants from research and practice. Our findings highlight the importance of including narrative elements via images, interactive figures and timelines to illustrate the research context. Moreover, storylines should explicitly state benefits as well as the limitations of the river research and include a glossary to clarify specific terms.     

Are Chinese consumers at risk due to exposure to metals in crayfish? A bioaccessibility-adjusted probabilistic risk assessment

Freshwater crayfish, the world's third largest crustacean species, has been reported to accumulate high levels of metals, while the current knowledge of potential risk associated with crayfish consumption lags behind that of finfish. We provide the first estimate of human health risk associated with crayfish (Procambarus clarkii) consumption in China, the world's largest producer and consumer of crayfish. We performed Monte Carlo Simulation on a standard risk model parameterized with local data on metal concentrations, bioaccessibility (φ), crayfish consumption rate, and consumer body mass. Bioaccessibility of metals in crayfish was found to be variable (68–95%) and metal-specific, suggesting a potential influence of metal bioaccessibility on effective metal intake. However, sensitivity analysis suggested risk of metals via crayfish consumption was predominantly explained by consumption rate (explaining > 92% of total risk estimate variability), rather than metals concentration, bioaccessibility, or body mass. Mean metal concentrations (As, Cd, Cu, Ni, Pb, Se and Zn) in surveyed crayfish samples from 12 provinces in China conformed to national safety standards. However, risk calculation of φ-modified hazard quotient (HQ) and hazard index (HI) suggested that crayfish metals may pose a health risk for very high rate consumers, with a HI of over 24 for the highest rate consumers. Additionally, the φ-modified increased lifetime risk (ILTR) for carcinogenic effects due to the presence of As was above the acceptable level (10^− 5) for both the median (ILTR = 2.5 × 10^− 5) and 90th percentile (ILTR = 1.8 × 10^− 4), highlighting the relatively high risk of As in crayfish. Our results suggest a need to consider crayfish when assessing human dietary exposure to metals and associated health risks, especially for high crayfish-consuming populations, such as in China, USA and Sweden.     

Is the degrowth debate relevant to China?

In industrialized countries, the idea of degrowth has emerged as a response to environmental, social, and economic crises. Realizing environmental limits to and failures of more than half a century of continual economic growth in terms of social progress and environmental sustainability, the degrowth paradigm calls for a downscaling of consumption and production for social equity and ecological sustainability. The call for economic degrowth is generally considered to be delimited to rich countries, where reduced consumption can save “ecological space” enabling people in poor countries to enjoy the benefits of economic growth. China, as one of the economically most expanding countries in the world, has dramatically improved its living standards, particularly along the Eastern coast, over the latest 30 years. However, China is absent from the international debates on growth. This article discusses the implications of the Western degrowth debates for China. Given the distinctive features of China’s development, the paper aims to enrich the degrowth debates, which have hitherto been dominated by Western perspectives. Based upon reflections on social, environmental, and moral dimensions of economic growth, the paper argues that limited natural resources may not continuously support universal affluence at the current level of the rich countries, a level that China is likely to reach within a few decades. Priority for growth in China should therefore be given to the poor regions of the country, and future growth should be beneficial to social and environmental development.     

Using Multi-destination ZTCM to Evaluate the Recreational Values of Cultural Sights: An Application to Jiayuguan,China

Abstract

This study explained the importance of environmental protection in tourism development and illustrated the relationship between recreational resource valuation and environmental consideration. We compare different models of travel cost method and reiterates long-time existing problems of multi-destination and treats of time opportunity cost (TOC). Taking Jiayuguan’s cultural sights as an example, we establish an updated method called multidestination zonal tourism cost method to evaluate the recreational values (RVs) of selected three cultural sights. We divide trip packages of Jiayuguan’s tourists into 11 portfolios. Each portfolio can be seen as a separate commodity, and each commodity has its own demand curve. According to demand curves we can calculate consumer surplus (CS) of different portfolios of tourist destinations and later we sum up the total travel costs (including travel expenditure and TOC) and CS to come to the RVs of each portfolio. We then apply suitable proportions to calculate the RVs between different destinations in the portfolio. In the end, we add up all the RVs calculated for the objective destination. Using this method, we draw conclusions that Jiayuguan’s RV in 2006 includes national and international values, summing up to 738.4762 million yuan. The tourist expenditure, CS and TOC of Jiayuguan is proportionating 62.96, 32.28 and 4.76%, respectively. This study is also an example of non-market valuation of cultural tourism resources.     

武汉市城郊乡村旅游地的类型划分及时空分布特征研究

在对武汉市城郊534个乡村旅游地进行类型划分的基础上，运用数理统计和空间分析法，对其时空分布特征和影响因素进行研究，得出以下结论：(1）武汉市城郊乡村旅游地在发展过程中，呈现出四个明显的发展时段，旅游极化发展形成的空间冷热点区随时间而发生变化，现已在武汉市西北、西部和南部形成三大旅游集聚区。（2）武汉市城郊乡村旅游地类型日益多元化，从发展初期的休闲观光和乡村文化两种类型逐步增加至休闲观光、乡村文化、农事体验、农业科技、特色村镇等五种类型；不同类型的乡村旅游地发展速度、规模、极化趋势各异。(3）与中心城区距离、相关政策、道路交通条件、水文因素、旅游资源禀赋等均对乡村旅游地的时空分布特征产生影响，各个因素对不同类型旅游地时空分布的影响存在一定差别。     

基于元分析的游客环境责任行为影响因素整合研究

游客环境责任行为对于推进我国旅游目的地生态环境保护及可持续发展具有重要意义，已有研究缺乏对游客环境责任行为影响因素的系统性整合研究。借助元分析法，从756篇国内外文献中筛选出30篇标准文献作为研究数据，对游客环境责任行为（TERB）影响因素进行整合研究。结果显示：（1）个人特征、感知价值、目的地体验、目的地涉入、地方特征、环境态度与地方依恋等7大因素均显著影响TERB，个人特征、感知价值与TERB之间呈中度正相关关系，其余因素与TERB之间均呈高度正相关关系，其中，目的地体验与TERB的正相关关系最强(r=0.600)，而个人特征最小(r=0.260)；（2）样本量、文化背景和出版类型在各因素对TERB的影响过程中具有调节效应，其中，样本量对个人特征、感知价值、目的地体验、目的地涉入、地方特征以及地方依恋与TERB间的关系均具调节作用；文化背景对个人特征、地方依恋与TERB间的关系存在显著的调节作用；出版类型对目的地体验、地方特征与TERB间的关系起到明显调节作用；（3）游客环境责任行为影响机理具有复杂性，不仅受到多个因素的共同影响，而且受到调节变量的影响。最后提出若干管理启示。     

基于百度指数的湖南旅游目的地城市旅游者网络关注度及其空间格局研究

网络关注度从赛博空间层面反映了旅游者对旅游目的地的整体感知。通过社会网络分析方法,以综合运用"直接取词法"和"范围取词法"选定的与湖南旅游目的地城市旅游活动密切相关的共计103个关键词的百度指数构建而成的网络关注度指数为分析数据,对湖南旅游目的地城市的网络关注度及其空间格局进行了系统分析。研究发现:(1)旅游者对湖南各旅游目的地城市的网络关注程度有所差别,但是上述旅游目的地城市的网络关注度在年度周期内呈现出同步波动态势,具有较强的"共现性";(2)旅游者对湖南各旅游目的地城市的网络关注度构成了相对完整的关联结构,但是岳阳与其他旅游目的地城市之间网络信息互动较弱,娄底和益阳与其他旅游目的地城市之间基本没有网络信息互动;(3)旅游者对湖南各旅游目的地城市的网络关注度的网络影响力呈现出明显的等级结构,其中,长沙、郴州和株洲具有显著的"结构洞"优势,对湖南各旅游目的地城市之间的信息流动起到的"桥接"作用明显;(4)旅游者对湖南各旅游目的地城市的网络关注度的空间关联网络可以划分4个板块:其中湘西州位于"经纪人"板块;衡阳等4个节点位于"献媚"位置;长沙等6个节点位于"首属人"位置;娄底、岳阳和益阳则位于"孤立"位置;(5)旅游者对湖南各旅游目的地城市的网络关注度在很大程度上反映了湖南各旅游目的地城市的资源禀赋和旅游产业发展状况,但两者之间并不完全匹配。湖南各旅游目的地城市的资源禀赋和旅游产业是旅游者对湖南各旅游目的地城市产生网络关注度的基础,而网络关注度则主要通过促进或阻碍地理空间因素的方式对湖南旅游目的地城市网络关注度及其空间格局产生影响。鉴于上述研究发现,论文提出,要促进湖南省的旅游产业发展,各旅游目的地城市除了需要强化自身的优质资源建设,凸显各自的旅游发展特质之外,还需要扩大各旅游目的地城市之间的旅游信息交流和合作,尤其需要促进湖南各旅游目的地城市与其他区域之间的旅游者、旅游信息等要素的自由流动,逐步形成多中心、多网络协同发展的旅游空间格局。     

舟山普陀旅游金三角游憩价值评估

旅行费用法（Travel Cost Method,TCM）是相对成熟的游憩价值评价方法。运用旅行费用法的两种模型--分区旅行费用法（Zonal Travel Cost Method,ZTCM）和旅行费用区间分析法（Travel Cost Interval Analysis,TCIA）,以2008年为评价基准年份,以实地调研、问卷调查和访谈等获得的数据为基础,对舟山普陀旅游金三角的游憩价值进行了评估。结果表明：（1）ZTCM评估普陀旅游金三角游憩价值为6396×10⁸元/a,其中直接旅行费用为5071×10⁸元/a,消费者剩余为1325×10⁸元/a;（2）TCIA评估普陀旅游金三角游憩价值为6124×10⁸元/a,其中直接旅行费用为5051×10⁸元/a,消费者剩余为1071×10⁸元/a;（3）ZTCM和TCIA结果的差异主要是消费者剩余的差异。研究提出用两种方法结果的均值作为游憩价值能提高评估结果的准确性     

上海与周边客源地间的旅游业经济联系——基于微博受众群体短期出行类型分析

以上海周边地区的新浪微博用户为研究对象,采集其有关上海的博文和评论,通过词频统计、高频词共现网络、出行特征集合以及客源地经济差异函数,分析以上海为目的地的周边地区人口短期出行类型,探究上海与周边地区间旅游业经济联系的辐射、接受作用及其协调性,从短期旅游视角为上海旅游业经济发展提出合理建议。结果表明：(1)不同微博群体出行上海的频次有明显不同,客源地与上海旅游业经济的辐射力、接受力及其差量、效率既存在差别,又在一定范围内具有一致性,故将上海周边客源地划分为5类,其中合肥、嘉兴、舟山、南通表现最佳;(2)以医疗为目的和周期性商务、学习交流为主的群体对上海旅游业经济有稳定的促进作用,且周期性商务、学习交流群体的信息、出行成本最低,其他类型成本呈“点状”或“梯度”分异;(3)道路通达性与客源地经济差异系数拟合曲线呈“反抛物线”型,其对客源地与上海的旅游业经济协调性有明显影响。     

上海市旅游生态足迹分析

运用生态足迹的理论与方法,结合旅游者的生态消费及结构特征,借助现代地理信息技术,对上海市旅游生态足迹进行了分析。通过测算,2009年上海市旅游生态足迹为66 333 483.428hm2,人均旅游生态足迹为466.547×10-4 hm2;旅游生态承载力为1 900 029.08hm2,人均旅游生态承载力为146.908×10-4 hm2,人均生态赤字为319.692×10-4 hm2。从上海市旅游生态足迹结构来看,旅游交通和旅游购物足迹的比例最大,分别占71.79%和23.76%,旅游餐饮和休闲娱乐其次,分别为3.44%和0.14%,比例最小的是旅游观光和旅游住宿。这表明旅游活动正在过度消耗上海城市资源环境,旅游业目前处于生态赤字状态,因此应采取相关的改进措施,以实现资源保护与旅游发展的平衡,并着手调整旅游产业内部结构,发展环保节能的交通工具,大力推动低碳旅游发展,开发有特色的旅游商品,提高旅游购物消费,在保证生态资源可持续利用的同时保持旅游经济快速发展。     

基于网络信息的江西省乡村旅游地吸引力评价及空间分析

旅游吸引力是目的地旅游发展的动力源泉，基于需求侧的旅游吸引力评价对于乡村旅游地的经营管理和市场营销具有重要的指导意义。以江西省为例，在乡村旅游地类型划分的基础上，构建了基于网络信息的乡村旅游地吸引力评价体系，同时采用空间自相关和核密度分析方法分析了乡村旅游地吸引力的空间分布格局，研究发现：（1）江西省乡村旅游地可以划分为生态观光类、休闲度假类、农事体验类、农业科技类、乡土文化类和特色村镇类六个大类和24个基本类型;（2）江西省乡村旅游地单体吸引力指数相差较大，不同类型乡村旅游地吸引力指数差别显著，生态观光类吸引力指数最高，农业科技类最低;（3）江西省乡村旅游地为旅游者带来了良好的游憩体验，旅游者整体满意度较高，但网络关注度与分享程度相对较低;（4）江西省乡村旅游地吸引力集聚特征显著，且主要集中在“南昌-九江-宜春”、“萍乡-宜春”、“上饶-景德镇”三大片区，各类型乡村旅游地吸引力集聚状况空间差异较大。基于研究结论，文章为江西乡村旅游吸引力的提升及未来乡村旅游的发展提出了针对性的意见与建议。     

自然观光地旅游者的风险感知变化及差异分析——以九寨沟自然风景区为例

旅游风险感知就是旅游者在其旅游行为前及过程中对可能发生的负面结果的感知,风险感知目前已成为旅游安全研究中的重要内容。通过构建旅游者风险感知量表,以九寨沟为案例地进行实证研究得出：（1）旅游者感知风险主要分为3个维度：功能障碍型、危机事件型及文化冲突型;（2）旅游者的总体风险感知较小,其中功能障碍型风险较大,其次为危机事件和文化冲突,并且地震等危机事件并未成为旅游者担心的主要风险;（3）不同旅游者的差异主要体现在“花费冤枉钱”、“迷路或与同伴走失”、“语言障碍”等方面,性别、地域、是否经历过灾害、是否买保险、是否带药品等因素对各类风险感知差异没有显著影响。旅游者风险感知研究为完善旅游安全理论提供了参考,并且对旅游地的风险管理提供了依据,具有指导和借鉴意义     

Pollutant versus non-pollutant generation technologies: a CML-analogous analysis

In this work, we apply the Modern Portfolio Theory and the Capital Assets Pricing Model financial tools to a portfolio of CO₂-emitting generation technologies under diverse scenarios. We will calculate the efficient—in the sense of having the minimum risk for a given level of emissions—portfolios frontier. The Capital Market Line (CML) is the place where all the possible combinations of a specific efficient portfolio and a pollution-free portfolio—made up with nuclear and renewable generation technologies—lie. In Finance, that specific efficient portfolio is called the market portfolio but we will see that in our case it lacks an evident meaning. Therefore, we will explain which should be the reference portfolio for power generation planning analysis. Anyway, the fact is that those combinations are less pollutant than the portfolios in the efficient frontier. Thus, a policy-maker can analyse which is their effect on emissions reduction. We will start analysing the efficient pollutant generation portfolios. Then, we will introduce the CML-analogous lines (CML-A) to allow the possibility of reducing emissions by combining an efficient portfolio with a non-pollutant portfolio—this non-pollutant portfolio is free of both emissions and risk. Results support the necessity of considering the carbon capture and storage technology to achieve a less risky generation mix, with less emissions and allowing a higher diversification due to the presence of cleaner fossil fuel technologies. All of that leads to better levels of energy security.