The institutional design of forest certification standards initiatives and its influence on the role of science: the case of forest genetic resources

In the 1990s a wide array of non-governmental certification initiatives emerged as a way to promote the sustainable management of resources in sectors such as fisheries and forestry. In this paper, we examine two related questions about these initiatives: how does the institutional design of certification initiatives affect the way science is used in the development of certification standards and in whose interest is science employed? Using the empirical case of forest certification and the specific standards various initiatives have created to address the management of forest genetic resources, we show how structural aspects of decision-making processes affects the standards adopted and the rationalization for their appropriateness. Two basic models of decision-making-stakeholder participation and technical expertise-are discussed in relation to three certification initiatives active in North America-the Canadian Standards Association, the Sustainable Forestry Initiative and the Forest Stewardship Council. By examining the standards these initiatives set for the management of forest genetic resources, we illustrate how two dimensions of science-uncertainty and the logic of cause and effect-are used to rationalize cautious and rigid versus flexible and discretionary standards for the management of forest genetic resources. Our findings indicate that the design or structure of certification decision-making processes, and their embedded balance of authority, mediate the form of standards initiatives will justify on the basis of science.     

Prenatal diagnosis of a craniopharyngioma using ultrasonography and magnetic resonance imaging

We report an infant with a craniopharyngioma which was detected in utero. Maternal uterine ultrasonography, done at 27 weeks because of polyhydramnios, revealed a 4 cm midline mass near the base of the fetal skull. At 31 weeks, magnetic resonance imaging of the maternal abdomen confirmed the presence of a mass in the region of the third ventricle and revealed hydrocephalus. Two days post-partum a computed tomography (CT)-guided needle biopsy of the mass was performed and recovered tissue which was histologically consistent with a craniopharyngioma. The infant' s postnatal period was complicated by seizures, which were treated with phenobarbital, and by progressive hydrocephalus, necessitating placement of a ventriculo-peritoneal shunt. He also received therapy for central hypothyroidism and diabetes insipidus. The infant' s parents refused permission for attempted resection of the tumour and he died at 8 weeks of age. This represents the second reported case of an antenatally detected craniopharyngioma. Four other cases of different intracranial tumours have been detected in utero using ultrasound, with no reported survivors past 3 days of age. There is a uniformly poor prognosis of such infants, but earlier diagnosis and intervention may change this result.     

Changes in maternal serum alpha-fetoprotein levels associated with intrauterine genetic diagnostic procedures

The amount of fetal—maternal transfusion during invasive intrauterine diagnostic instrumentation was determined by measuring the increase in maternal serum alpha-fetoprotein (Δ AFP) caused by the procedure. Fetal liver biopsy or fetoscopy for purposes other than blood sampling caused a mean Δ AFP of 11.4 ng/ml and 34.2 ng/ml, respectively. Fetoscopy with fetal blood sampling produced a mean Δ AFP of 211.8 ng/ml, while fetoscopy followed by placentesis caused a mean Δ AFP of 462.8 ng/ml (representing a 1.07 ml fetal—maternal transfusion). Although this magnitude of fetal—maternal transfusion is an acceptable risk for the fetus, it is a sufficient transfusion to cause blood cell antigen sensitization.     

The use of Doppler-shifted echoes as a flutter detection and clutter rejection system: the echolocation and feeding behavior of Hipposideros ruber (Chiroptera: Hipposideridae)

Summary Hipposideros ruber use CF/FM echolocation calls to detect the wing flutter of their insect prey. Fluttering prey were detected whether the insects were flying or sitting on a surface, and prey in either situation were captured with equal success (approximately 40% of capture attempts). Stationary prey were ignored. The bats did not use visual cues or the sounds of wing flutter to locate their prey. Wing flutter detection suggests that H. ruber exploit the Doppler-shifted information in echoes of their echolocation calls. These bats fed primarily upon moths, usually those of between 10 and 25 mm wingchord, although moths of less than 5 mm and greater than 40 mm wingchord were also attacked and captured. They showed no evidence of selecting moths on the basis of species or other taxonomic distinction, and occasionaly captured other insects.     

REGION OF INFLUENCE REGRESSION FOR ESTIMATING THE 50-YEAR FLOOD AT UNGAGED SITES1

ABSTRACT: Five methods of developing regional regression models to estimate flood characteristics at ungaged sites in Arkansas are examined. The methods differ in the manner in which the State is divided into subregions. Each successive method (A to E) is computationally more complex than the previous method. Method A makes no subdivision. Methods B and C define two and four geographic subregions, respectively. Method D uses cluster/discriminant analysis to define subregions on the basis of similarities in watershed characteristics. Method E, the new region of influence method, defines a unique subregion for each ungaged site. Split-sample results indicate that, in terms of root-mean-square error, method E (38 percent error) is best. Methods C and D (42 and 41 percent error) were in a virtual tie for second, and methods B (44 percent error) and A (49 percent error) were fourth and fifth best.     

The role of co-products in stabilizing the metal mining industry

The objective of this paper is to test the hypothesis that cyclical metal mining activity is more stable when multi-metal products are produced. A theoretical short-run supply curve for a metal is developed showing by-product, co-product, and main product behaviour. This curve is used to illustrate co-product pricing trends that are indicative of different cyclical behaviour patterns. The non-parametrical sign test is used to test co-product price trends for the US metal mining industry. The results indicate that multi-metal production stabilizes the mining industry in the short run but not in the long run.     

DYNAMICS OF ADDED NITRATE AND PHOSPHATE COMPARED IN A NORTHERN CALIFORNIA WOODLAND STREAM1

ABSTRACT: Injections of NO₃ and PO₄ were made during September 1975 into Little Lost Man Creek, a small pristine stream in Redwood National Park, California. Chloride, a conservative constituent, was added in a known ratio to the nutrients. Nutrient loss at a downstream point was calculated using concentration of added Cl as a reference. Nitrate nitrogen (NO₃-N), added for 4 h, reached 920 μg/1 (above 5 μg/1 background) just below the injection point, but increased only to 405 μg/1 at 310 m downstream. The concentration decrease was attributed to dispersion and to uptake by stream biota. Percent of NO₃-N lost decreased with increasing concentration of NO₃-N. Phosphate phosphorus (PO₄-P) was added a week after the NO₃-N for 3 h, causing a concentration increase of 296 μg/1 (above 13 μg/1 background) just below the injection point, of 161 μg/1 at 90 m downstream, and of 98 μg/1 at 310 m. Percent loss of PO₄-P at downstream sites increased with increasing PO₄-P concentration and also for a short period after peak concentration occurred, but then decreased as PO₄-P concentration continued decreasing. Differences in stream response to added NO₃-N and PO₄-P are attributed to differing rates of reaction with biota and differing degrees of interaction with abiotic stream solids.     

FLOOD INUNDATION IN THE SOUTHEASTERN UNITED STATES FROM AIRCRAFT AND SATELLITE IMAGERY1

ABSTRACT: Panchromatic black and white, color, and color infrared photographs and thermal infrared imagery are compared for a capability to show flood boundaries. In open agricultural and urban areas, these boundaries are easily delineated on all types of am. Boundaries are more difficult to see in wooded areas. In March, hardwood trees are dormant, but black and white photographs and color photographs show only the tops of these trees. Color infrared photographs in January and March have a distinctive color or tone in inundated woods; the limit of this tone is the flood boundary. Daytime thermal infrared imagery in March shows that inundated woods are cooler than dry land but warmer than open water. After about April 1, both color infrared photography and thermal infrared imagery show only the top of the tree canopy and do not reflect underlying flood water. Inundated areas can be delineated easily on ERTS satellite imagery from December through March. On imagery from May 4–5, 1973, however, most inundation boundaries had to be drawn as dashed lines; the tree canopy obscures flood waters in wooded areas. Despite this problem, the results of mapping flood boundaries on May imagery are believed to be reasonable for the scale of the imagery.