The Influence of Place Attachment and Experience Use History on Perceived Depreciative Visitor Behavior and Crowding in an Urban National Park

Research on recreational place attachment suggests that place identity, or the emotional/symbolic ties people have to places, and place dependence, which describes a functional attachment to a specific place, influence the perception of social and environmental site conditions. Recent research, however, has found that place attachment is not always a predictor of such perceptions. This study investigated the influence of place attachment and experience use history on the perception of depreciative visitor behavior, recreation impacts and crowding in an urban national park. In 2006, 605 on-site visitors to the heavily-used Viennese part of the Danube Floodplains National Park were asked about past experience, place attachment, perceptions of depreciative visitor behavior, crowding, changes in visitor numbers during the past ten years, and recreation impacts on wildlife. Confirmatory factor analysis confirmed the two dimensions of place attachment. Linear regression analyses found that place identity and place dependence were related to some perceived depreciative visitor behaviors and visitor number changes but not to crowding, while experience use history additionally related to perceived crowding. Visitors with higher place attachment and past experience were more sensitive to social and environmental site conditions. Management implications of the findings are discussed.     

Die Organisation der Früherkennung von Umweltproblemen im Rahmen der wissenschaftlichen Beratung der Umweltpolitik

This study is based on the theses that

1. early diagnosis is indispensable for the management of environmental problems in the context of precautionary policy, which have the character of a “creeping disaster” and that
2. the public must play the active role that is adequate within a democratic society.

In the context of the study, three existing advisory committees for environmental policy as well as two concepts which have not been put into effect are investigated. In the second part of the study the concepts and the working method of the three existing advisory committees are portrayed: the Council of Experts for Environmental Questions (SRU), the German Advisory Council on Global Change (WBGU), and the Office of Technology Assessment of the Federal Parliament (TAB). In part I, the concept of the Picht commission from 1972, which has never been implemented in this form was introduced. Part III deals with the critique of these committees and with an alternative concept of early diagnosis which has not yet been put into effect. In part IV, the work of the oldest of the committees, the SRU, is examined with respect to the three most important environmental problems of the last 15 years.     

A pipette method for rapid karyotyping in prenatal diagnosis

The 'pipette method' is introduced as a method of prenatal diagnosis which is in competition with the 'in situ' and the 'trypsinization' technique. It is sufficiently standardized for routine diagnosis and the banding techniques currently used in prenatal diagnosis (G, Q, C-banding and NOR) have been adapted for it. In 180 cases from 27 different centres, the 'pipette method' was employed for chromosomal harvesting in order to save time. An average of 6·6 days was taken to achieve a result. There was a pathological karyotype in 28 cases (16·1 per cent) and this high proportion can be related to cases where ultrasound scan has led to a diagnosis of 'suspected chromosomal abnormality'. This technique is also of use in advanced stages of pregnancy. The early recognition of the fetal karyotype can contribute to the future management of the pregnancy. The 'pipette method' can also be used in chromosomal harvesting of tumour cells and fibroblast cultures.     

Kosovo-Konflikt: Ökologische Auswirkungen

10 years ago, the WWF (World Wide Fund for Nature) began to support the work of environmental protection in the countries of Eastern Europe. A main topic is the Danube-Carpathian Program. With the beginning of the bombardements, connected with great amounts of chemicals released directly and as clouds from the fires and explosions, the question raises: What are the consequences for mankind and nature? Is there a risk for the Danube-Carpathian Program? The WWF feels responsible for reporting about these consequences. In July 1999, a group of two Oil Experts and two scientists (each a chemist and a toxicologist) visited Belgrad, Pan?evo and Novi Sad, took samples of soil and water, and estimated the contents of dangerous substances. The first findings and the first consequences for nature and human health are described.     

Efficacy and toxicity of self-polishing biocide-free antifouling paints

The ban on harmful substances in antifouling paints requires the development of new antifouling strategies. Alternatives should be as effective as conventional paints but of lower toxicity. In the present study two commercially available, self-polishing antifouling paints were examined in order to get information on their antifouling properties and toxicological potential. Efficacy was shown in settlement assays with the marine barnacle species Balanus amphitrite, however, efficacy was related to toxic effects observed on target and non-target organisms. Toxicity of the paint extracts was concentration-dependent and differed according to the paint and the species investigated. Toxicity could at least partially be attributed to zinc leached from the paints. Effects of a water-soluble paint were more pronounced in larvae of B. amphitrite, Artemia salina and in the green algae Dunaliella tertiolecta. Embryos of the freshwater species Danio rerio and Vibrio fisheri were more affected by a paint based on organic solvents.     

Inter-relation between environmental monitoring data,human exposure and health effects

To determine whether a population has been affected by a chemical, evidence of exposure must be established. The mere presence of a chemical in the surroundings of a population may not, in all instances, result in actual exposure. Not all such exposures will cause health effects; nor is it always possible to establish that illness has or will result from exposure to chemicals. The inability to establish health effects in humans cannot a priori be translated to mean that a specific chemical is harmless. On the other hand, it must be determined whether health studies would be fruitful. If exposure was so minimal that no health effects are expected, then no health studies should be conducted.