Changing the Course of Biodiversity Conservation in the Caatinga of Northeastern Brazil

Abstract:  The 735,000-km² Caatinga is a mosaic of thorn scrub and seasonally dry forests, with more than 2000 species of vascular plants, fishes, reptiles, amphibians, birds, and mammals. Endemism in these groups varies from 7% to 57%. Inappropriate land use has already caused serious environmental damage and accelerating desertification, which is currently threatening about 15% of the region. Moreover, the rich and diversified biota of the Caatinga is poorly protected: only 11 reserves (<1% of the region) are strictly protected areas. A conservation strategy for the Caatinga biota should be designed to (1) avoid further habitat loss and desertification, (2) maintain key ecological services necessary for improving the living standards of the rural population, and (3) promote the sustainable use of the region's natural resources. Implementing an effective conservation agenda for the Caatinga is not an easy task but, with creativity and consistent financial support, it should be possible to nurture this unique biome and guarantee the preservation of its rich and diversified fauna and flora, and, with this, the well-being of its rural populations.     

城市绿地土壤呼吸时空变异及其影响因素

2012年7月-2012年12月,采用LI—COR-8100测定了柳树、圆柏和杏树3种北京绿化树木的土壤呼吸速率,并分析了生物因子和非生物因子对土壤呼吸的影响。结果表明：3个树种的土壤呼吸速率平均值为：柳树3．53μmol／（m2·s）,圆柏2．68μmol（m2·s）,杏树2．38μmol／（m2·s）;3种树木土壤呼吸速率呈现相似的月动态,与温度呈极显著指数相关,而与土壤水分相关性不显著。8月柳树和圆柏的土壤呼吸显著高于杏树;9月柳树的土壤呼吸显著高于圆柏和杏树;10—11月3种树木之间差异性不显著。8—9月土壤呼吸速率和温度、树木胸径、总碳、总氮、有机碳及硝态氮显著相关,而与碳氮比、叶面积指数呈极显著负相关。逐步回归分析表明,8—9月间3种树木的土壤呼吸主要受到树木胸径和叶面积指数的影响,模型解释率为42．0％（p=0．001）。     

Dermal Insecticide Residues from Birds Inhabiting an Orchard

The US Environmental Protection Agency conducts risk assessments of insecticide applications to wild birds using a model that is limited to the dietary route of exposure. However, free-flying birds are also exposed to insecticides via the inhalation and dermal routes. We measured azinphos-methyl residues on the skin plus feathers and the feet of brown-headed cowbirds (Molothrus ater) in order to quantify dermal exposure to songbirds that entered and inhabited an apple (Malus x domestica) orchard following an insecticide application. Exposure to azinphos-methyl was measured by sampling birds from an aviary that was built around an apple tree. Birds sampled at 36 h and 7-day post-application were placed in the aviary within 1 h after the application whereas birds exposed for 3 days were released into the aviary 4-day post-application. Residues on vegetation and soil were also measured. Azinphos-methyl residues were detected from the skin plus feathers and the feet from all exposure periods. Our results underscore the importance of incorporating dermal exposure into avian pesticide risk assessments.     

基于关联向量机回归的水质预测模型

提出了一种基于关联向量机回归的水质时间序列预测模型,并以该模型对氢离子浓度指数(p H值)、溶解氧(DO)、高锰酸盐指数(CODMn)和氨氮(NH3-N)4种重要水质指标进行预测.首先采用国家环保部发布的四川攀枝花龙洞水质自动监测数据进行实验,对该模型的有效性进行了验证;然后将关联向量机回归预测模型与支持向量机回归预测模型进行比较.为了比较不同核函数的预测效果,实验中预测模型的核函数分别采用了线性函数和高斯函数.实验结果表明,关联向量机回归模型的预测效果不亚于支持向量机回归模型;且在给出预测值时,还能同时给出预测结果的可信程度.     

论小城镇核心竞争力的构建和提升

小城镇作为中国城镇化进程的重要组成部分,对于我国城镇发展的作用举足轻重.研究我国小城镇的核心竞争力问题,有助于加深对小城镇经济发展的认识,帮助政府部门从更高的层次制定小城镇经济发展战略.本文界定了小城镇核心竞争力的概念,探讨了培育和提升小城镇经济核心竞争力的重要意义,并从自然环境、人文环境、基础设施、软件环境、创新能力及产业集群等方面对小城镇核心竞争力的构成进行分析;针对小城镇核心竞争力的构建和提升,提出了优化小城镇发展环境,完善小城镇创新体系,增强小城镇产业集群的发展等建议;得出了发展小城镇经济的关键是要增强其竞争力,而要保持小城镇经济持续的竞争优势,关键在于小城镇经济核心竞争力的培育和提升的结论,为促进我国小城镇经济的持续、快速发展及核心竞争力的构建与提升提供参考和借鉴.     

流动注射分光光度法在线分析水中总铁

采用流动注射邻菲哕啉分光光度法在线分析水中总铁,考察了显色剂、消解液、酸度、反应盘管长度、载流流量、注样体积、采样时间等因素对试验的影响。方法在0.100mg／L-10.0mg／L范围内线性良好,检出限为0.04mg／L,实际水样平行测定的RSD≤3.7％,加标回收率为95.0％-96.0％。     

Images of nature: collaboration at the intersection of nature, art and technology

This paper argues that interdisciplinary collaboration between the sciences, the arts/humanities and engineering will provide innovative responses to important changes in our natural environment. Specifically, it will introduce ??Images of Nature??, a case study on creative collaboration and a multi-level research project at Purdue University, headed by Prof. Shannon McMullen and Prof. Fabian Winkler. By bringing together scientists, engineers and artists, ??Images of Nature?? aims to convey the significance of new understandings of nature in images and tangible artifacts (e.g., data visualization, functional devices, generative and kinetic installations) for the public. It is our hope that this project will be the starting point for a flexible network connecting science, engineering and the arts on Purdue??s West Lafayette campus to enrich STEM education and provide a local model for STE(A)M (STEM disciplines plus Art), which emphasizes creativity and innovation; critical thinking and problem solving; flexibility and adaptability; cross-disciplinary communication and collaboration in the context of our changing natural environment.     

Particulate Air Pollution In the United States

A study was conducted to identify, characterize, and quantify the national particulate air pollution problem from stationary sources. Particulate emissions from stationary sources were determined from data on emission factors, grain loadings, and material balances. The principal method used for establishing the tonnage emitted by an industry utilized uncontrolled emission factors. Total tonnage emitted by a given industry was calculated from four quantities: (1) an emission factor for the uncontrolled source; (2) the total tonnage processed per year by the industry; (3) the efficiency of control equipment used; and (4) the percentage of production capacity equipped with control devices.

Particulate emissions from stationary sources in the United States currently total approximately 18 X 10⁶ ton/yr. The major stationary sources of particulates include electric power generation plants, the crushed stone industry, the forest products industry, agriculture and related operations, the cement industry, and the iron and steel industry.

Three methods were developed to project the total quantity of particulate pollutants emitted up to the year 2000. In making these forecasts, these factors were considered (1) changes in production capacity; (2) improvements in control devices; and (3) regulatory action to enforce installation of control equipment.

These forecasts indicate that particulate emissions can be reduced from the current level of 18 X 10⁶ ton/yr to 3 X 10⁶ ton/yr by 2000 based on the most optimistic forecast. The projections also suggest that major reductions of particulate matter will most likely occur by installation of control equipment on uncontrolled sources and by shifts to more efficient types of collection equipment on existing controlled sources.