Environmental education,research and practice,in Bulgaria

Summary Educational reforms in Bulgaria over recent years, have permitted a new and definitive environmental education programme to be introduced. This programme is particularly related to nature conservation. The programme has had an important impact on the whole secondary school curriculum and has also influenced the patterns of teacher training.Dr Zdravka Kostova is a Senior Research Associate at the Educational Research Institute in Sofia, Bulgaria.     

Classroom seating location and its effect on course achievement,participation, and attitudes

Research was reviewed on whether seating location in lecture-style classrooms influences college course grades. Empirical evidence suggests that it does not, or that the influence is so weak as to be of little general theoretical or practical importance. Empirical evidence also suggests, however, that seating location influences class participation and several self-report variables pertaining to attitudes about the course.     

An overview of pollution in Nigeria and the impact of legislated standards on its abatement

Summary The socio-economic and ecological importance of conservation of the environment is incontestable; however, total environmental conservation is an ephemeral goal, if development is to take place. Hence, the need to appraise the current levels of pollution, and environmental protection legislations in Nigeria with a view to enacting a new legislation. New legislated standards are proposed since existing legislations are found deficient. Also the advantages and possible problems of the proposed legislation are discussed.Mr Femi Olokesusi is a Research Fellow at the Nigerian Institute of Social and Economic Research (NISER).     

Land Use, Spatial Scale, and Stream Systems: Lessons from an Agricultural Region

We synthesized nine studies that examined the influence of land use at different spatial scales in structuring biotic assemblages and stream channel characteristics in southeastern Minnesota streams. Recent studies have disagreed about the relative importance of catchment versus local characteristics in explaining variation in fish assemblages. Our synthesis indicates that both riparian- and catchment-scale land use explained significant variation in water quality, channel morphology, and fish distribution and density. Fish and macroinvertebrate assemblages can be positively affected by increasing the extent of perennial riparian and upland vegetation. Our synthesis is robust; more than 425 stream reaches were examined in an area that includes a portion of three ecoregions. Fishes ranged from coldwater to warmwater adapted. We suggest that efforts to rehabilitate stream system form and function over the long term should focus on increasing perennial vegetation in both riparian areas and uplands and on managing vegetation in large, contiguous blocks. Minnesota Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit is jointly sponsered by U.S. Geological Survey Biological Resources Division, the University of Minnesota, The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, and the Wildlife Management Institute.     

Socio-economic dynamics, local development and desertification in western Lesvos, Greece

The basic aim of this article is to briefly explore the links between socio-economic dynamics and desertification in western Lesvos, Greece. The area is characterised by certain socio-economic and development disadvantages, dependence on few productive sectors (mainly on livestock breeding) and by severe problems of land degradation and desertification. The linkages between socio-economic profile, characteristics and development trajectory with the state of environment in the area are identified through a series of in-depth qualitative interviews with local producers (livestock breeders). Research findings reveal the major socio-economic driving forces towards unsustainable productive practices, which contribute to the persistence of the problems of land degradation and desertification.     

Introduction to the special issue: Place,identity and environmental behaviour

Research on identity has proliferated in recent decades, particularly within environmental psychology; the physical environment has been shown to have strong connections to a sense of self, and identity has proved to be an important mediator of behaviour. The concept of identity has been defined and measured, however, in a wide variety of ways. The goal of this special issue is to present some of the recent work tying identity to place and behaviour. In our opening essay we describe some of the distinctions among approaches to identity at different levels of specificity and scale and suggest some criteria to determine meaningful sources of identity, including impacts on cognitive processing, emotional responses, and behaviour. Although a monolithic framework is neither practical nor desirable, we encourage greater conceptual and methodological integration in future research on the interconnections among place, identity, and behaviour.     

Developing the scientific basis for assessing cumulative effects of wetland loss and degradation on landscape functions: Status,perspectives, and prospects

The incongruity between the regional and national scales at which wetland losses are occurring, and the project-specific scale at which wetlands are regulated and studied, has become obvious. This article presents a synthesis of recent efforts by the US Environmental Protection Agency and the Ecosystems Research Center at Cornell University to bring wetland science and regulation into alignment with the reality of the cumulative effects of wetland loss and degradation on entire landscapes and regions. The synthesis is drawn from the other articles in this volume, the workshop that initiated them, and the scientific literature. It summarizes the status of our present scientific understanding, discusses means by which to actualize the existing potential for matching the scales of research and regulation with the scales at which effects are observed, and provides guidelines for building a stronger scientific base for landscape-level assessments of cumulative effects. It also provides the outlines for a synoptic and qualitative approach to cumulative effects assessment based on a reexamination of the generic assessment framework we proposed elsewhere in this volume.The primary conclusion to be drawn from the articles and the workshop is that a sound scientific basis for regulation will not come merely from acquiring more information on more variables. It will come from recognizing that a perceptual shift to larger temporal, spatial, and organizational scales is overdue. The shift in scale will dictate different—not necessarily more—variables to be measured in future wetland research and considered in wetland regulation.     

Impacts of Soil and Water Conservation Practices on Crop Yield,Run-off,Soil Loss and Nutrient Loss in Ethiopia: Review and Synthesis

Environmental Management - Research results published regarding the impact of soil and water conservation practices in the highland areas of Ethiopia have been inconsistent and scattered. In this...     

Economic Development,Income Inequality and Environmental Degradation of Fisheries Resources in Mauritius

This article examines how environmental degradation of fisheries resources in the context of Mauritius is linked up with human investment in education, economic growth, and income inequality. Empirical evidence shows that public-sector investment in education promotes economic growth, but at the expense of greater inequality of income. Among the vulnerable groups affected by this type of development process lies the fisherman community. In fact, children of poor families in coastal Mauritius have constrained access to complete school education because of the persistently high opportunity cost involved. Hence, this community is caught up in a vicious circle, as its children or grandchildren would barely be redeployed elsewhere other than in the fisheries sector itself. Such exclusion might account for the overexploitation of marine resources of the island and the accompanying reduction in fish catch over recent years.*(Paper presented at the Third Research and Training Workshop of the Resource Accounting Network for Eastern and Southern Africa (RANESA), University of Pretoria (Funded by SIDA, Sweden), held in Mauritius, Nov 2000. I am grateful to the participants for their helpful suggestions. Needless to say, the usual disclaimer applies). Published online     

Physical environment,human influences and desertification in Pushkar — Budha Pushkar lake region of Rajasthan,India

Summary The hazard of desertification is now threatening one of the most celebrated and sacred lake regions in India, the Pushkar — Budha Pushkar region, which is situated within the Aravallis, in Rajasthan. While, on the basis of known climatic records and physical potentiality of the land, secular change of climate can be ruled out as a possible cause for the present situation, the location of the zone along the fringe of the desert, and its inherent vulnerable nature due to its terrain characteristics, are more important factors for consideration. A lack of understanding of the type of responses of the terrain to indiscriminate biotic activities, and a reluctance to take any measure to stabilize the ecosystem by the alien group of people resident in the area, have resulted in destruction of the natural vegetation, accelerated the movement of sand from the formerly well-stabilized dunes and sandy plains, and deteriorated the lake environment. However, such destructive trends could still be reversed through well planned programmes of afforestation, soil and water conservation, and people's supportive participation.Dr Amal Kar is a germorphologist currently undertaking research at the Central Arid Zone Research Institute.     

Hot,Salty Water: A Confluence of Issues in Managing Stormwater Runoff for Urban Streams

Research increasingly highlights cause and effect relationships between urbanization and stream conditions are complex and highly variable across physical and biological regions. Research also demonstrates stormwater runoff is a key causal agent in altering stream conditions in urban settings. More specifically, thermal pollution and high salt levels are two consequences of urbanization and subsequent runoff. This study describes a demonstration model populated with data from a high gradient headwaters stream. The model was designed to explain surface water‐groundwater dynamics related to salinity and thermal pollution. Modeled scenarios show long‐term additive impacts from salt application and suggest reducing flow rates, as stormwater management practices are typically designed to do, have the potential to greatly reduce salt concentrations and simultaneously reduce thermal pollution. This demonstration model offers planners and managers reason to be confident that stormwater management efforts can have positive impacts.     

Progress, Challenges and Prospects of Eco-Hydrological Studies in the Tarim River Basin of Xinjiang, China

Eco-hydrological research in arid inland river basins has been a focus of geologists and ecologists as it is crucial for maintaining the sustainable development of socio-economy, particularly in ecologically vulnerable areas. Based on the research work carried out in the Tarim River basin of Xinjiang, northwestern China, this paper summarizes synthetically the climate change and associated responses of water resources in the mountainous area, land use and land cover in the oasis, and plants responding to environmental stresses in the desert area of the river basin. Research gaps, challenges, and future perspectives in the eco-hydrological studies of the Tarim River basin are also discussed.     

The culture of environmental decision-making

Summary This paper describes the rising tide of environmentalism in contemporary culture. It is accepted that this represents a fragile advance in our sensibilities about nature and one another. It has impacted the embodied practices of everyday affairs in decision-making. The sense of environmental risk factors may have contributed to this evolving sensibility towards nature. The rising environmental concern converges with the practices of democracy in the development and expansion of right-to-know laws, both locally and globally. In concert with the right-to-know laws are concepts and practices of sustainable development and the merging of social and environmental justice.Dr Jay Schulkin is a Research Associate at the Wharton Risk Management and Decision Process Center, University of Pennsylvania, and Director of Research at the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists in Washington DC. David Sarokin is Director of the Special Projects Office at the US Environmental Protection Agency, 401 M Street SW, Washington DC 20460, USA. The views in this paper are those of the authors, and not the institutions with which they are affiliated.     

Problems of livestock development in the Himalayan region

Summary This paper outlines the complexities and problems of animal husbandry in the Himalayas of India. In particular, the climatic influences of temperature, rainfall and humidity are emphasised. A wide range of possible improvements to decrease livestock malnutrition and mortality are proposed.Dr J.C. Biswas, BSc, MVSc, works in the Animal Genetics and Breeding Laboratory; Dr R. Somvanshi, MVSc, FRCVS (Sweden) is Veterinary Pathologist in charge of the Clinical Pathology and Medicine Section in Livestock Production Research and Lt.Col. Dr G.S.C. Ranga Rao, MVSc, is Veterinary Parasitologist and Joint Director. All three work at the Indian Veterinary Research Institute.     

Losses of surface runoff, total solids, and nitrogen during bermudagrass establishment on levee embankments

Nutrient and sediment runoff from newly constructed levee embankments pose a threat to water quality during soft armor vegetation establishment. Research was initiated in 2008 and 2009 to evaluate the effect of bermudagrass ( L.) coverage and N source on nutrient and sediment runoff from levee embankments during establishment. Bermudagrass plots were seeded at 195.3 kg pure live seed ha and fertilized at 50 kg N ha using a water-soluble N source, urea or NH-NO, or slow-release N source, S-coated urea (SCU) or urea formaldehyde (UF), with controls unfertilized. Vegetative cover percentage, time until the onset of runoff, runoff volume, and total solids (TS), NO-N, and NH-N concentrations were measured from simulated and natural rainfall events for 70 d in 2008 and 56 d in 2009. Bermudagrass at 90% grass cover delayed the onset of runoff an additional 441 to 538 s and reduced runoff volumes 74 to 84% of that exhibited at 10% grass cover. Nitrogen fertilizers did not accelerate bermudagrass growth sufficiently, however, to reduce TS loading compared with unfertilized bermudagrass in either year of the study. The application of urea and SCU resulted in cumulative N losses of 2.45 and 3.13 kg ha compared with 1.59 kg ha from the unfertilized bermudagrass in 2008, and 1.73 kg ha from NH-NO vs. 0.24 kg ha from controls in 2009. Only UF increased bermudagrass establishment without increasing cumulative N losses compared with unfertilized bermudagrass. Therefore, the benefit of greater erosion and runoff resistance expected from N-accelerated vegetative growth did not occur but had the unintended consequence of higher N losses when water-soluble N and SCU fertilizers were applied.     

Basal area growth of sugar maple in relation to acid deposition,stand health,and soil nutrients

Previous studies have shown in noncalcareous soils that acid deposition may have increased soil leaching of basic cations above the input rate from soil weathering and atmospheric depositions. This phenomenon may have increased soil acidity levels, and, as a consequence, may have reduced the availability of these essential nutrients for forest growth. Fourteen plots of the Forest Ecosystem Research and Monitoring Network in Québec were used to examine the relation between post-industrial growth trends of sugar maple (Acer saccharum Marsh.) and acid deposition (N and S), stand decline rate, and soil exchangeable nutrient concentrations. Atmospheric N and S deposition and soil exchangeable acidity were positively associated with stand decline rate, and negatively with the average tree basal area increment trend. The growth rate reduction reached on average 17% in declining stands compared with healthy ones. The results showed a significant sugar maple growth rate reduction since 1960 on acid soils. The appearance of the forest decline phenomenon in Québec can be attributed, at least partially, to soil acidification and acid deposition levels.     

塑料在湿热和亚湿热气候大气暴露与人工加速试验相关性探讨

介绍塑料在海南湿热和广州亚湿热气候大气暴露试验与人工模拟加速试验结果,寻求塑料在不同条件下老化后性能的变化规律,并探讨塑料大气暴露试验与人工模拟加速试验之间性能变化的相关性。     

Ecology of the mind and educational research: Chemistry,the universal language of nature

Summary The authors advocate the need for a new approach to chemistry, using educational research to permit a fuller appreciation of the functions of the mind and a better understanding of natural processes. Such studies will, the authors believe, clarify the true relationships between energy, matter and information. Their integration, within a conceptually unitary whole, should allow a wider and more fruitful interpretation of reality. An attempt is made to understand the preferential orientation of bond-electrons that give order to a molecular formation, in terms of a tentative reinterpretation of chemistry as a universal language of nature.Dr Paolo Manzelli, senior author of this paper, is Professor in the Department of Chemistry at the University of Florence and Executive Secretary to the International Committee for the Promotion of Advanced Educational Research (Capire). John Eaton, until very recently Head of Education and Media Studies at Farnborough College of Technology, Hants; is now Vice Principal at East Herts College, Broxbourne, Herts, UK.     

Use of agricultural land evaluation and site assessment in Whitman County,Washington, USA

Whitman County, Washington, USA, one of the largest wheat producing counties in the country, developed a land evaluation and site assessment system for evaluating proposed conversions of agricultural land to heavy commercial uses. The system uses soil potential indices to determine a land evaluation score and a nine-factor site assessment system to weigh suitability for development. Details on each of these are provided along with results for four sample sites.Scientific Paper no. 7165, College of Argiculture and Home Economics Research Paper, Washington State University, Pullman, Washington, project no. 0010.