Conservation of the African Great Lakes: A Limnological Perspective

The limnology of Lakes Malawi Tanganyika, and Victoria is discussed with the objective of examining how the physical, chemical, and biological properties of the lakes will determine the response of these ancient great lake ecosystems to human activities. Of the physical properties discussed, large dilution capacities and long flushing times can make the detection and removal of chemical pollutants in these lakes difficult. The outflows of all three lakes are small because of high evaporation losses, and as a result lake levels are responsive to climate changes that would alter evaporation:precipitation ratios. Increased nutrient input to these lakes will likely result in a decrease in the volume of oxygenated water and available fish habitat. Plankton community composition will also change, probably toward dominance by cyanobacteria. While the effects of eutrophication on fish production are difficult to predict, changes in plankton composition would almost certainly be accompanied by changes in fish community structure. Recent studies of water chemistry and plankton productivity in Lake Victoria provide evidence of possible eutrophication. Because land use has a diffuse but potentially large impact on these lakes, conservation strategies must take into account human activities within entire drainage basins. This requires cooperation between riparian countries and technological and financial input from the international community. An immediate need is the establishment of monitoring programs to determine the impact, real or potential, of human activities around the lakes.     

Education for sustainability at the United Nations: making progress?

The authors commence by discussing the role of the United Nations (UN) Commission on Sustainable Development (CSD) in relation to the field of education. The report of the UN Secretary-General to the CSD, Promoting Education, Public Awareness and Training is then evaluated. Novel proposals for the development of an Education 21 programme and for the designation of the educational community as a major group are outlined and advocated. The paper concludes with sections on what was achieved and what remains to be done; recommendations for action are made.     

对美洲热带湿润低地次生林管理的看法

在休闲农地上重新长出的次生林,尽管广被忽视,仍是美洲热带低地重要的景观单元.这些在私人占用土地中"新"的森林资源不是来源于境况较好农民的非持续性的大牧场就是来源于资源贫乏农民的耕种/休闲体系.     

Monitoring air,soil, stream and fish for aerial drift of permethrin

Permethrin drift from two aerial applications at each of two sites in a potato growing area in Ontario were measured to a maximum distance of 61 m outside the treatment area. Droplet drift did not enter the adjacent surface water streams at either study site, since there was little or no wind on the four occasions. The concentration of the insecticide in soil as a result of drifting off site was significantly lower than the amount deposited on the treatment area. The spray drifting off-target was generally made up of droplets <100 m. Permethrin residues were detected in the water and sediment samples collected after treatment along the Bailey Creek and Beeton Creek; however, these levels did not cause lethal or sublethal effects to aquatic invertebrates and fish species. Based on the conditions and results of this study, it is concluded that a buffer zone of 65 m around sensitive and productive bodies of water would be effective and practical.