Understanding the conflicting values associated with motorized recreation in protected areas

The International Union for the Conservation of Nature World Parks Congress in 2014 reported that the quality of management of protected areas is crucial in halting the loss of the world’s biodiversity and meeting global environmental challenges. However, increasingly high-impact activities, including motorized recreation are occurring in protected areas such as national parks, creating an ongoing clash of values and further compromising protected area management. This paper discusses the values of protected areas in the context of increasingly high-impact motorized usage, the impact of divergent values placed on green spaces such as national parks, and perceptions about these spaces. Given the changing global context of this millennium, and increasing populations requiring space for high-impact activities including motorized recreation, rethinking recreation in protected areas is needed. A protected area classification to accommodate high-impact activities away from vulnerable natural areas may assist in maintaining protected area quality.     

Effect of chlorsulfuron on growth of submerged aquatic macrophyte Potamogeton pectinatus (sago pondweed)

Research has been conducted on the effect of chlorsulfuron on non-target plants but little information is available on its effects on aquatic macrophytes. Potamogeton pectinatus (sago pondweed) is an ecologically important submerged aquatic macrophyte found in freshwater bodies. Many species of wildlife use this plant as a food source. The objective of this study was to measure the phytotoxic effects of chlorsulfuron on sago pondweed. P. pectinatus plants were exposed to chlorsulfuron at 0, 0.25, 0.50, 1.0, or 2.0 ppb, in an environmental growth chamber. Plants exposed to 0.25 ppb chlorsulfuron showed a reduction in length (76%), number of leaves (50%), and number of stems (50%), compared to control plants. A reduction (47%) was also observed in the length of stems produced by plants treated with > or = 0.50 ppb chlorsulfuron. Significant reductions in wet and dry weights, and increased mortality were observed on treatments with > or = 1.0 ppb chlorsulfuron.     

Arrested municipal solid waste incinerator fly ash as a source of heavy metals to the UK environment

Arrested fly ash samples from most currently operating municipal solid waste (MSW) incinerators in the UK have been analysed for a range of elements. Some of the more important heavy metals ranged in concentration as follows: Cd, 21-4646 (median = 271) mg kg(-1); Cu, 296-1307 (642) mg kg(-1); Cr, 44-1328 (574) mg kg(-1); Ni, 45-2204 (74) mg kg(-1); Pb, 447-9704 (4337) mg kg(-1); and Zn, 2285-13,500 (9232) mg kg(-1). These concentrations represent considerable enrichments relative to median UK soil concentrations. Enrichment ratios (defined as median fly ash: median UK soil) were as follows: Mn 1.6; Co 2.6; Ni 3.3; Ba 11; Sr 11; Cr 15; Cu 35; Pb 108; Zn 113; Cd 387. It is estimated that MSW incinerator ash contributes c. 15 t Cd and 241 t Pb to UK landfill sites per annum. These figures compare with previous studies by Hutton & Symon (Hutton, M. & Symon, C. (1986). The quantities of cadmium, lead, mercury and arsenic entering the UK environment from human activities. Sci. Total Environ., 57, 129-50.) which estimated that annual inputs to UK landfills from coal fly ash are c. 60 t Cd and 1270 t Pb. However, it is argued that metals associated with MSW ashes are potentially of greater environmental significance than in coal ashes, because they are much more available and present at much higher concentrations.     

Conserving alpha and beta diversity in wood-production landscapes

International demand for wood and other forest products continues to grow rapidly, and uncertainties remain about how animal communities will respond to intensifying resource extraction associated with woody bioenergy production. We examined changes in alpha and beta diversity of bats, bees, birds, and reptiles across wood production landscapes in the southeastern United States, a biodiversity hotspot that is one of the principal sources of woody biomass globally. We sampled across a spatial gradient of paired forest land-uses (representing pre and postharvest) that allowed us to evaluate biological community changes resulting from several types of biomass harvest. Short-rotation practices and residue removal following clearcuts were associated with reduced alpha diversity (−14.1 and −13.9 species, respectively) and lower beta diversity (i.e., Jaccard dissimilarity) between land-use pairs (0.46 and 0.50, respectively), whereas midrotation thinning increased alpha (+3.5 species) and beta diversity (0.59). Over the course of a stand rotation in a single location, biomass harvesting generally led to less biodiversity. Cross-taxa responses to resource extraction were poorly predicted by alpha diversity: correlations in responses between taxonomic groups were highly variable (−0.2 to 0.4) with large uncertainties. In contrast, beta diversity patterns were highly consistent and predictable across taxa, where correlations in responses between taxonomic groups were all positive (0.05–0.4) with more narrow uncertainties. Beta diversity may, therefore, be a more reliable and information-rich indicator than alpha diversity in understanding animal community response to landscape change. Patterns in beta diversity were primarily driven by turnover instead of species loss or gain, indicating that wood extraction generates habitats that support different biological communities.     

Growth and population structure of Lepidochitona cinereus (Mollusca: Polyplacophora) infected with Minchinia chitonis (Protozoa: Sporozoa) at Easthaven,Scotland

Growth and population structure of Lepidochitona cinereus was studied at Easthaven in Scotland. Length was isometrically related to height and breadth, while tissue dry weight was negatively allometric. Length-shell weight relationships were variable with the time of year. Periods of differential growth were associated with the onset of growth in spring and gonad development in July. The use of growth-check lines to age individuals is described. Population structure and growth was investigated using a combination of winter growth-check line and length-frequency analyses. Infection with the protozoan Minchinia chitonis is shown to cause enhanced growth and deviation from the normal growth curve. Individuals survived for a maximum of 5 winters and length-frequency data could be interpreted only after growth-check line analysis due to extensive overlap of year-class size ranges. Year-class success was variable, and the present population was dominated by older year-classes.     

Synergistic effects of salinity,temperature and heavy metals on mortality and osmoregulation in marine and estuarine isopods (Crustacea)

The effects of cadmium (3CdSO₄·8H₂O), zinc (ZnSO₄·7H₂O) and lead [Pb (NO₃)₂] on mortality, and cadmium, zinc and mercury (HgCl₂) on osmoregulation, have been recorded for marine and estuarine species of isopods (Crustacea). The marine species studied were Idotea baltica, I. neglecta, I. emarginata and Eurydice pulchra, which were adapted to 100, 80, 60 and 40% sea water (SW) (100% SW э 34‰ S). The estuarine species used were Jaera albifrons sensu stricto and J. nordmanni, which were adapted to 100, 50, 10 and 1% SW. Both groups of isopods have low mortalities in 100% SW with 10 and 20 ppm of cadmium, zinc and lead, but a decrease in salinity caused an increase in the toxicities of these metals and reduced the LT₅₀ values (time, in hours, to 50% mortality). Mortalities at 10°C were generally higher than those recorded at 5°C. Cadmium had no significant effect on the osmoregulation of I. baltica and I. emarginata in 100 and 80% SW at 5°C, but this metal significantly lowered the blood osmotic concentration of I. neglecta in 80% SW. Zinc did not alter the haemolymph osmotic concentration of I. neglecta in 100 and 80% SW, but significantly lowered the blood osmotic concentration of I. baltica in 100% SW. Cadmium, zinc and mercury also significantly altered the osmoregulatory ability of J. albifrons in dilute saline.     

Local‐level governance of risk and resilience in Nepal

This paper explores the circumstances in which communities may effectively reduce risks. It draws on the example of two ‘Risk and Resilience Committees’ (RRCs) that were established in Nepal as part of an action research project: one in Panchkhal in the central region, operating as a community‐based organisation (CBO); and the other in Dhankuta in the eastern region, embedded in municipal government. In‐depth interviews were conducted with RRC members. Wider community preferences for risk reduction were examined through a questionnaire survey. In Dhankuta, the RRC obtained further funding, developed strong upward and downward institutional links, and applied a ‘disaster risk reduction lens’ to existing local government responsibilities. In Panchkhal, RRC activities have been limited by funding and have focused on the strengthening of livelihoods. It may be concluded tentatively that community‐based disaster risk reduction activities are more successful when they are institutionally embedded in local government structures.     

Role of iron chemistry in controlling the release of pollutants from resuspended sediments

Aquatic sediments often contain a large number of chemical contaminants that are potential pollutants. It is often presumed that such contaminants are released to the water column during sediment resuspension and, in there, adversely impact aquatic life and other beneficial uses of the water. However, extensive laboratory and field studies of about 100 contaminated sediments from across the United States that specifically addressed this type of release showed that of about 30 common heavy metals, organic compounds, and other potential pollutants, only manganese II and ammonia were released to then remain in the water column after sediment resuspension. These results indicated that the chemistry of aqueous iron controls the availability of many contaminants in resuspended sediment. The formation of ferric hydroxide during sediment suspension into the water column, as a result of the reaction between ferrous iron in the sediments and dissolved oxygen in the water column, leads to rapid scavenging of many contaminants in the Fe(OH)₃ precipitate. The scavenged contaminants are redeposited in the sediments. This article reviews the role of the aqueous chemistry of iron as it relates to controlling the release of potential pollutants from resuspended sediments. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

The need to look beyond the production and provision of relief seed: experiences from southern Sudan

Free distribution of seeds in selected areas of southern Sudan has been widespread as a way of increasing food security. Field research in areas targeted for seed relief found that farmer seed systems continue to meet the crop and varietal needs of farmers even following the 1998 famine. Donor investments in seed multiplication of improved sorghum have not been sustained due to a lack of effective demand for the improved seed beyond that created by the relief agencies. The article argues that rather than imposing outside solutions, whether through seed provisioning or seed production enterprises, greater attention needs to be given to building on the strengths of existing farmer systems and designing interventions to alleviate the weaknesses. The case is made to support dynamically the process of farmer experimentation through the informed introduction of new crops and varieties that can potentially reinforce the strength and diversity of local cropping systems.