A review of Australian approaches for monitoring,assessing and reporting estuarine condition: III. Evaluation against international best practice and recommendations for the future

In this final component of a three-part review, we present a national synthesis and evaluation of approaches for monitoring, assessing and reporting estuarine condition across Australia. Progress is evaluated against objective criteria that together provide a model of international best practice. We critically assess the limitations, inconsistencies and gaps that are evident across Australian jurisdictions, and identify common obstacles to future progress. Major strengths and successes are also highlighted, together with specific examples of best practice from around Australia that are transferable to other States and beyond. Significant obstacles to greater national coordination of monitoring and reporting practices include inconsistent spatial scales of management, pluralistic governance structures and the lack of any overarching legislation. Nonetheless, many perceptible advances have been made over the last decade across Australia in estuarine monitoring and health assessment, and there is great potential for further progress. Finally, we provide a list of recommendations to address some of the most pressing limitations and gaps, and support improved future monitoring, assessment and reporting for Australian estuaries.     

A review of Australian approaches for monitoring,assessing and reporting estuarine condition: II. State and Territory programs

In contrast to Europe, the USA and South Africa, Australia has no specific, overarching federal legislation to underpin a nationally-coordinated framework for monitoring, assessing and reporting estuarine condition. This has resulted in a complex mosaic of diverse approaches and governance structures, hindering the ability to make inter-State comparisons. In this second part of a comprehensive three-part review, we present a systematic appraisal of current and impending approaches for measuring and reporting estuarine condition in each of Australia’s States and Territories. A concise summary is provided in each case, supported by extensive appendices containing detailed accounts of relevant monitoring and reporting programs. We synthesise and evaluate this output at the State/Territory level, highlighting areas of improvement and major gaps.     

浅谈高锰酸盐指数在线监测仪器故障分析与排除

针对SERES仪器空白出现与往常故障不同的异常情况,展开对该故障原因分析。在解决故障的过程中,始终坚持实验分析理论指导、监测数据求证的原则。通过对仪器故障前后数据比较,认真寻找故障原因,确诊故障症结。并在总结此次经验的基础上,提出有效的预防措施,为更好地维护在线监测仪器提供了一些参考。     

‘Tolerable’ hillslope soil erosion rates in Australia: Linking science and policy

This paper reviews water-borne soil erosion in Australia in the context of current environmental policy needs. Sustainability has emerged as a central tenet of environmental policy in Australia and water-borne hillslope soil erosion rates are used as one of the indicators of agricultural sustainability in State of the Environment reporting. We review attempts to quantify hillslope erosion rates over Australia and we identify areas at risk of exceeding natural baseline rates. We also review historical definitions of sustainable, or ‘tolerable’ erosion rates, and how to set these rates. There are many ways to estimate hillslope erosion and these can create confusing results. Moreover their application for land management purposes requires nuanced interpretations that ultimately depend on the desired objective of decision-makers. Soil is the earth surficial material that serves as a medium for plant growth and the notion of tolerable soil erosion arose historically to assess the impact of soil loss on agricultural uses. However now that the impact of erosion on aquatic ecosystems been recognized as a major concern for Australia, the concept of tolerable erosion needs to be revised. Here we discuss three definitions of tolerable soil erosion, following recent literature. We derive estimates of long-term agricultural sustainability based on natural soil production rates and discuss this in relation to other defined land-management objectives such as aquatic ecosystem health. We conclude that the desired objectives of land managers must be clearly articulated before questions of ‘where to invest to control erosion’ and ‘how to assess return-on-investment’ can be answered.     

Farm soil carbon monitoring developments and land use change: unearthing relationships between paddock carbon stocks, monitoring technology and new market options in Western Australia

This research provides a synthesis of soil organic carbon (SOC) densities in a range of Australian soils and land use types to decrease uncertainties in agricultural soil carbon (C) sequestration investments. This work provides information on existing Australian C soil stocks, the relationships between SOC with various agricultural and forestry land use changes, and options available for agriculturalists to cultivate and safeguard their C stocks. This work also includes recent developments in C rights, soil C monitoring, and verification technologies and procedures now in use for C stock inventories. This review has a special focus on known changes in SOC stocks, technological and methodological developments in the agricultural region of southern Western Australia (WA).     

Surveying the state of higher education in energy efficiency,in Australian engineering curriculum

This paper presents the method and results of a survey of 27 of the 33 Australian universities teaching engineering education in late 2007, undertaken by The Natural Edge Project (hosted by Griffith University and the Australian National University) and supported by the National Framework for Energy Efficiency. This survey aimed to ascertain the extent of energy efficiency (EE) education, and to identify preferred methods to assist in increasing the extent to which EE education is embedded in engineering curriculum. In this paper the context for the survey is supported by a summary of the key results from a variety of surveys undertaken over the last decade internationally. The paper concludes that EE education across universities and engineering disciplines in Australia is currently highly variable and ad hoc. Based on the results of the survey; this paper highlights a number of preferred options to support educators to embed sustainability within engineering programs, and future opportunities for monitoring EE, within the context of engineering education for sustainable development (EESD).     

The monitoring,Evaluation, reporting,verification, and certification of energy-efficiency projects

In this paper, we present an overview of guidelinesdeveloped for the monitoring, evaluation, reporting,verification, and certification (MERVC) ofenergy-efficiency projects for climate changemitigation. The monitoring and evaluation ofenergy-efficiency projects is needed to determine moreaccurately their impact on greenhouse gas (GHG)emissions and other attributes, and to ensure that theglobal climate is protected and that countryobligations are met. Reporting, verification andcertification will be needed for addressing therequirements of the Kyoto Protocol. While the cost ofmonitoring and evaluation of energy-efficiencyprojects is expected to be about 5–10% of a project'sbudget, the actual cost of monitoring and evaluationwill vary depending on many factors, including thelevel of precision required for measuring energy andGHG reductions, type of project, and amount of fundingavailable.     

Gold mining in Australia: linking historical trends and environmental and resource sustainability

The mining of gold has been and continues to be an important aspect of Australian industry. Gold mining moved quickly from fossicking and alluvial sources in the 1850's to hard rock mining. This paper presents, arguably for the first time, a detailed historical compilation of Australian gold mining production data. This data is then analysed in the context of sustainability, focussing particularly on mineral resource sustainability and the broader aspects of environmental impacts now commonly reported by some mining companies in annual sustainability performance reports. The key trends which are demonstrated by the data include a long-term decline in ore grade, increased open cut mining, substantive increases in tailings and waste rock production, as well as showing the impact of new technologies and economics on available gold resources. The available environmental data on material and energy inputs to and pollutant emissions from gold production is also presented, showing a clear sensitivity to ore grade. In terms of sustainability, these relationships raise significant issues such as increasing greenhouse footprint per unit gold produced, potential impacts on energy and water consumption, as well as overall gold resource sustainability. The paper presents a unique case study of the resource and environmental sustainability of the Australian gold mining sector with major implications for sustainability policy and reporting.     

基于高分1号卫星和地面实测数据的杭州湾河口湿地植物物种多样性研究

遥感监测河口湿地植物物种多样性对于湿地生态环境的保护具有重要意义,利用遥感卫星准确反演湿地植物物种多样性一直是研究的难点。研究以杭州湾河口湿地植物为研究对象,利用地面实测数据,采用植物物种丰富度指数和Simpson指数分析了该湿地植物物种多样性水平。结合高分1号卫星影像,运用半变异函数对该区域植物物种多样性进行了空间异质性分析,探讨了高分1号卫星归一化植被指数（NDVI）用于湿地植物物种多样性监测的最佳遥感尺度,分析该植被指数与植物物种多样性指数的相关性,构建和应用了杭州湾河口湿地植物物种多样性遥感监测模型。结果表明：高分1号卫星NDVI监测湿地植物物种多样性的最佳尺度为19×19像元,利用该尺度及构建的遥感监测模型所得到的杭州湾河口湿地植物物种多样性水平与实际情况相吻合。研究证明利用高分1号卫星可快速有效地监测杭州湾河口湿地植物物种多样性水平。     

江河入海径流通量监测技术研究

江河入海径流通量是影响流域排海污染物通量的关键参数,也是实施污染物入海通量监测的技术难点。本文对江河入海径流通量监测的两项关键技术,即监测断面设置方法和流态监测技术方法进行重点研究。通过比对河口的河流段、过渡段和潮流段地理位置以及水动力特征,分析在不同河段设置入海径流通量监测断面的可行性。同时,研究分析入海河流过渡段流态监测的4种方法即代表点、代表层、代表垂线和组合式测流法的技术特点及适用条件。最后以闸坝影响、过渡段、地形复杂和水深较浅的辽河在线监测试验基地为案例,利用其2016年丰水期在线连续监测数据,对入海径流通量监测方法进行了验证。结果表明该方法可以较为准确地反映江河入海径流通量的状况,研究成果可为我国江河污染物入海通量监测提供技术支撑。     

The environmental monitoring of large international companies. How and what is monitored and why

Monitoring is critical for environmental management. Environmental management decisions are dependent on monitoring; the same holds for reporting for legal purposes and reporting the environmental performance of the company. For improvement-based environmental management, an extensive monitoring system is needed. Such monitoring should be partly physical and partly financial. The core of physical monitoring should consist of materials accounting based on a mass balance of inputs and outputs of plants and measurements of releases. Financial monitoring should be focused on integrating all environmental costs into product costs. The aim of this survey is to find out how and what is actually monitored and why companies are conducting environmental monitoring. To address these issues investigations were carried out using structured interviews in seven large internationally operating companies. We found that legislation is the main reason for monitoring releases. The frequency of monitoring and which materials are monitored are also mainly dependent on legislation. None of the companies in our survey is using the extensive monitoring system needed for improvement-based environmental management. The financial part of the monitoring system was the least developed, but also the physical part showed many deficiencies. High uncertainties are possible in the results of monitoring. The companies studied have no comprehensive policy as to monitoring environmental costs and integrating these costs into product costs. The companies studied are monitoring environmental management system results infrequently. Accounting materials in order to determine a mass balance is not executed by the companies studied. Audits should be part of the monitoring program. All of the companies studied have regular audits. The audits are used mainly by most of the companies to control the working of the environmental management system.     

Forestry projects for climate change mitigation: an overview of guidelines and issues for monitoring,evaluation, reporting,verification, and certification

Monitoring and evaluation of forestry projects is needed to accurately determine their impact on greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and other attributes, and to ensure that the global climate is protected and that country obligations are met. We present an overview of guidelines recently developed for the monitoring, evaluation, reporting, verification, and certification (MERVC) of forestry projects for climate change mitigation.¹ These guidelines are targeted to developers, evaluators, verifiers, and certifiers of forestry projects, and address several key issues, including methods for estimating gross and net carbon savings. The next phase of our work will be to develop a procedural handbook providing information on how one can complete monitoring, evaluation and verification forms.     

Acardiac anomaly: current issues in prenatal assessment and treatment

Acardiac anomaly is a rare condition affecting monochorionic multiple pregnancies. We review this condition with emphasis on its prenatal diagnostic features and treatment options. Due to the parasitic hemodynamic dependence of the acardiac twin on the pump twin, it is important to monitor the pump twin for signs of decompensation and, if indicated, intervene by interrupting vascular supply to the acardiac twin. The goal of treatment is to maximize the pump-twin's chance of survival. To assist with the decision of when to treat, we suggest a new classification system based on prognostic factors, specifically the size and growth of the acardiac twin and the cardiovascular condition of the pump twin. When the acardiac twin is small and no signs of cardiovascular impairment in the pump twin are present, we suggest serial ultrasound surveillance to detect any worsening of the condition. In cases with a large acardiac twin or rapid growth of the acardiac mass, we recommend prompt intervention. Once treatment is indicated, the intrafetal approach to interrupt the vascular supply to the acardiac twin appears to be superior to cord occlusion techniques as it is simpler, safer and more effective. The first line of treatment, if available, should be ultrasound-guided laser coagulation or radiofrequency ablation of the intrafetal vessels. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

The relationship of social capital and fishers’ participation in multi-level governance arrangements

The need for effective multi-level governance arrangements is becoming increasingly urgent because of complex functional interdependencies between biophysical and socioeconomic systems. We argue that social capital plays an important role in such systems. To explore the relationship between social capital and participation in resource governance arenas, we analyzed various small-scale fisheries governance regimes from the Gulf of California, Mexico. The components of social capital that we measured include levels of fishers’ structural ties to relevant groups and levels of trust in different entities (i.e. cognitive component). We collected data using surveys and interviews with residents of small-scale fishing communities adjacent to marine protected areas. We analyzed the data using a logistic regression model and narrative analysis. The results of our quantitative analysis highlight the multidimensional nature of social capital and reveals complex relationships between different types of social capital and fisher participation in monitoring, rulemaking and MPA design. Furthermore our qualitative analysis suggests that participation in fisheries conservation and management is not fully potentialized due to the social and historical context of participatory spaces in Mexico.     

Citizen science for policy development: The case of koala management in South Australia

Citizen science involves the engagement of non-scientists in scientific research. Citizen science projects have been reported to be useful in policy development but there is little detail of how projects have contributed. The citizen science project, the Great Koala Count (GKC) collected ecological data about koalas and social data that have been used in the initial stages of the development of a South Australian Government koala management and conservation policy. After the GKC, we conducted an online survey of people who participated in the project and a control group. The survey focussed on opinions towards possible management options for koalas in South Australia. GKC participants were also asked about project-related changes in knowledge and opinions. We received 970 valid surveys and found some differences in opinions between GKC participants and the control group. Therefore, the GKC did not provide a representative sample of the entire South Australian population. However, we contend that the data from the citizen scientists are still valuable for policy development as it has been provided by people who are highly engaged in the topic (koala management in this case). It can be difficult to engage the public in the policy development process, and the citizen science project enabled the collection of a wide range of opinions, helping to discover and define relevant issues. Additionally, many people learnt about koalas and koala-related management issues, and some changed their opinions regarding koala management, also useful outcomes from the project in the policy development context. Our findings suggest that citizen science is useful for policy makers because projects provide the opportunity for dialogue with the people most interested in the topic of the project.     

基于陆海统筹的河口区生态环境管理对策研究

坚持陆海统筹,是新时代我国加快海洋强国建设的基本原则和重要内容.在生态环境领域,河口区地处陆海交汇区域,是破解陆海统筹环境管理难题的关键区域.目前,河口区环境监督管理存在管理边界不明确、生态环境监测覆盖面不足、缺乏生态环境评价标准等问题.新形势下,亟需进一步优化完善河口区陆海统筹生态环境管理体系,破除陆海空间界限和行政管理壁垒,优化陆海衔接、海陆协同的污染防治体系,建立陆海一体、区域联动的生态环境管理体系.因此,本文提出河口区陆海统筹生态环境质量监管对策,包括划分河口水体管理单元、建立河口区生态环境评价体系、构建河口水环境基准体系、开展流域-河口-近岸海域污染协同治理、建立信息共享和智慧监管平台等,强化河口区生态系统完整性评估,为推进河口区域联动机制的建立及陆海统筹环境管理提供借鉴.     

征地前后农民感知变化与征地意愿的结构方程模型研究——以武汉市江夏区被征农户为例

论文在感知价值的框架下讨论了土地征收前后农民感知维度的变化,构建土地征收前后农民感知维度变化的测度因子与评估指标,运用结构方程模型对土地征收前后农民感知变化与征地意愿之间的关系进行了衡量。结果显示:①土地征收前后农民感知变化包括农民经济状况变化、 农田资金投入变化、 农村公共基础服务变化、 农村公共社会服务变化与农田景观环境变化5个测量维度;②土地征收后农民的经济收入状况、 农田资金投入、 农村公共基础服务、 农田景观环境等变化感知对被征地农民的征地意愿具有正向的影响,而农村公共社会服务变化感知对于农民的征地意愿影响不显著;③感知变化维度上,土地征收前后农田资金投入变化是影响农民征地意愿的主导因素,其次分别为农民的经济收入状况变化、 农村公共基础服务变化和农田景观环境变化。土地征收前后农民感知维度的变化很明确地影响到农民的征地意愿,把握两者的关系有利于政府制定有效的征地补偿和安置政策、 引导失地农民适应身份转型,为解决被征地农民的现实问题提供参考依据。     

Environmental reporting in a developing country: a case study on status and implementation in Malaysia

With the increase in awareness of environmental issues, the level of environmental disclosure and stakeholder demands for environmental information is increasing. New developments in the ISO 14000 standards also make it more evident that a company's environmental performance as well as its environmental reporting should be considered as strategic issues in business strategy. Especially for a developing country like Malaysia, many companies are under external pressures to improve their environmental performance.In this study, a review on the image and environmental disclosure, together with the challenges in environmental information management and a short case study are presented. Subsequently, the paper explores some of the strategic implications of environmental reporting as an important tool for improved environmental management.     

Decline of ‘biodiversity’ in conservation policy discourse in Australia

Market-based instruments along with conceptualizing the environment as a collection of ‘ecosystem services’ has become increasingly common within environmental and conservation policy. This kind of thinking is also increasingly prominent in the public discourse surrounding environment and conservation policy, particularly in the context of communicating the importance of policy measures. Language used in public discourse can have a powerful influence on how people engage with policy issues, and changes within the biodiversity and conservation discourse may have consequences for public engagement in conservation. We explored how these factors are changing with time by documenting the use of the terms ‘bio’ and the prevalence of economic language in the text of 3553 media releases between 2003 and 2014 from the Australian Government environment portfolio, and 1064 media releases from the Australian Conservation Foundation (ACF). Results show that in the last decade, the term ‘biodiversity’ has become less prevalent whilst economic language has increased in both Australian Government and ACF communication. A further content analysis in a subsample of 745 media releases explored the prevalence of ecosystem services framing, results indicating that it has become a mainstream concept. While this may reflect a strategic response by these agencies to better engage with both the general public and decision makers within what is an increasingly dominant neoliberal paradigm, we argue it may also have unintended (possibly adverse) impacts on how people think about and engage with biodiversity conservation.     

边坡工程灾变监测预警研究述评

针对边坡工程灾变监测预警,总结分析了近10年来国内外该方面研究的现状。从边坡工程的灾变种类、发生机理、监测内容及手段、预警方法等方面进行了较为系统的梳理,归纳了边坡工程灾变研究的发展趋势及已有研究中存在的不足,对后续研究及其工程应用提出了建议。期待能够抛砖引玉,完善我国边坡工程安全评价及监测预警方法,提升我国基础设施的韧性防灾水平。