Habitat as a mediator of mesopredator‐driven mammal extinction

A prevailing view in dryland systems is that mammals are constrained by the scarcity of fertile soils and primary productivity. An alternative view is that predation is a primary driver of mammal assemblages, especially in Australia, where 2 introduced mesopredators—feral cat (Felis catus) and red fox (Vulpes vulpes)—are responsible for severe declines of dryland mammals. We evaluated productivity and predation as drivers of native mammal assemblage structure in dryland Australia. We used new data from 90 sites to examine the divers of extant mammal species richness and reconstructed historic mammal assemblages to determine proportional loss of mammal species across broad habitat types (landform and vegetation communities). Predation was supported as a major driver of extant mammal richness, but its effect was strongly mediated by habitat. Areas that were rugged or had dense grass cover supported more mammal species than the more productive and topographically simple areas. Twelve species in the critical weight range (CWR) (35–5500 g) that is most vulnerable to mesopredator predation were extirpated from the continent's central region, and the severity of loss of species correlated negatively with ruggedness and positively with productivity. Based on previous studies, we expect that habitat mediates predation from red foxes and feral cats because it affects these species’ densities and foraging efficiency. Large areas of rugged terrain provided vital refuge for Australian dryland mammals, and we predict such areas will support the persistence of CWR species in the face of ongoing mammal declines elsewhere in Australia.     

Developing a saltmarsh monitoring methodology to meet multiple policy and management objectives in Scotland

To meet Scotland’s conservation and legislative requirements to monitor and set management objectives for saltmarsh habitat, a national survey was developed jointly funded by Scottish Natural Heritage and the Scottish Environment Protection Agency. This national survey focussed on developing a fine scale vegetation map of all Scottish saltmarshes over 3 ha, which was digitised using GIS software. A condition monitoring protocol was also developed to assess the health of key ecological parameters of the saltmarsh system. A total of 7,704 ha of coastal habitat was surveyed as part of the project, which included 5,840 ha of saltmarsh vegetation and 1,864 ha of associated vegetation. The condition monitoring protocol results show that targets relating to the presence of built structures and transition integrity are not achieved more frequently than others. Targets for stock grazing intensity; the maintenance of saltmarsh extent; and poaching damage are also not achieved frequently. Further research is required to accurately reflect the condition of pioneer saltmarsh.     

A monitoring of environmental effects from household greywater reuse for garden irrigation

The option of reusing greywater is proving to be increasingly attractive to address the water shortage issue in many arid and semiarid countries. Greywater represents a constant resource, since an approximately constant amount of greywater is generated from kitchen, laundries, bathroom in every household daily, independent of the weather. However, the use of greywater for irrigation in particular for household gardening may pose major hazards that have not been studied thoroughly. In this study, a 1-year monitoring was conducted in four selected households in Perth, Western Australia. The aim of the monitoring works is to investigate the variability in the greywater flow and quality, and to understand its impact in the surrounding environments. Case studies were selected based on different family structure including number, ages of the occupants, and greywater system they used. Samples of greywater effluent (showers, laundries, bathtub, and sinks), leachate, soil, and plants at each case study were collected between October 2008 and December 2009 which covered the high (spring/summer) and low (autumn/winter) production of greywater. Physical and chemical tests were based on the literature and expected components of laundry and bathroom greywater particularly on greywater components likely to have detrimental impacts on soils, plants, and other water bodies. Monitoring results showed the greywater quality values for BOD, TSS, and pH which sometimes fell outside the range as stipulated in the guidelines. The soil analyses results showed that salinity, SAR, and the organic content of the soil increased as a function of time and affected the plant growth. Nutrient leaching or losses from soil irrigated with greywater shows the movement of nutrients and the sole impact from greywater in uncontrolled plots in case studies is difficult to predicted due to the influence of land dynamics and activities. Investigative and research monitoring was used to understand greywater irrigation in households. Greywater quality is very site specific and difficult to predetermine or control except for the use of some recommended household products when using greywater. Investigative and research monitoring was indicated that greywater quality is very site specific and difficult to predetermine or control except for the use of some recommended household products when using greywater.     

爆炸性气体在连续拐弯管道中传播特性的实验研究

针对复杂燃气管网燃气爆炸致灾严重,传播规律复杂的问题,利用实验室加工成的连续拐弯管道,模拟研究了复杂燃气管网爆炸性气体通过连续拐弯管道时的火焰传播速度、爆炸波超压变化情况。研究结果表明,当整个管道内充满瓦斯气体时,通过连续拐弯后,火焰传播速度和爆炸波超压值产生显著变化,在连续拐弯管道拐弯处为一扰动源,诱导附加湍流,气流湍流度增大,管道拐弯增加了燃烧区的湍流度,火焰燃烧产生加速度,加速燃烧产生更大能量以推动加速传播。研究结果对指导现场如何防治复杂燃气管网气体爆炸,减轻爆炸的威力具有重要作用。     

非法废物贸易机制及相关对策研究

针对国际上某些发达国家向发展中国家越境转移废物这一倍受关注的现象,阐述了废物贸易,尤其是非法废物贸易产生的机制和发生的后果,对目前有关废物越境转移的国际公约作了介绍,并着重探讨了中国对于非法废物贸易相应国内立法及应采取的措施。      

江苏省高宝湖区湖泊群富营养化特征分析

对江苏省高宝湖区高邮湖、宝应湖、邵伯湖和白马湖湖泊富营养化共性与差异性特征进行了分析。结果表明,2009—2014年,4个湖泊总体处于中营养—轻度富营养之间,综合富营养状态指数值在年内均呈波动变化,丰水期明显大于枯水期;主要营养因子水平在4个湖泊之间均存在较明显的差异,尤其是TN和SD 2项指标阶梯状差异较为明显,Chl-a也呈现不同程度的年内分布水平差异,并在春、夏季存在藻类暴发风险;各湖泊Chl-a与环境因子相关性差异较大,宝应湖、白马湖以及总体分析的高宝湖群Chl-a均与水温、TP相关性显著,TP应是高宝湖群藻类生长限制的主导营养因子;各湖泊富营养化特征存在差异性,总体上宝应湖与白马湖富营养化特征较为类似,与高邮湖差异较大,邵伯湖富营养化特征与高邮湖接近,又兼有与宝应湖、白马湖相似性特征。     

基于生态系统健康的辽宁省海洋生态承载力评价

针对自然生态系统和传统承载力研究中评价标准相对单一的问题,提出基于生态系统健康的海洋生态承载力概念,探讨其内涵和基本特征,建立计量模型,提出生态承载力评价指标体系和标准的确定方法。以辽宁省为研究区域,构建了适合该区域的基于系统健康的生态承载力评价指标体系、权重和评价标准,对2000-2010 年的海洋生态承载力水平进行深入分析。结果表明,辽宁省海洋生态承载力指数呈波浪式上升,其健康等级从不健康升到亚健康。其中资源承载力长期处于亚健康;生态弹性力从不健康到亚健康,2010 年达到健康;人类活动潜力则一直处于不健康状态,最近两年有所好转。今后应加强海洋生态承载力各指标的优化,提高生态承载力水平和健康等级,实现海洋经济的可持续发展。     

全球稀土贸易的资源环境净效益与公平性

为解决稀土资源贸易的资源环境不公平问题,结合生命周期评价方法与成本效益分析方法,核算了稀土资源产品国际贸易中所有国家的实际资源环境净效益,并判断未来国际制造业的三大主要发展趋势带来的影响.结果表明,2018年稀土资源产品国际贸易的实际资源环境净效益高达85亿美元,主要贡献来自于稀土原材料产品.未来国际制造业的发展格局下,尽管绿色发展与气候目标政策会降低17%的净效益,但依然是改善资源环境不公平问题的关键政策路径;产业链转移重构政策会减少11%的净效益,加剧经济水平较低国家的资源环境不公平问题;新兴制造业发展政策会增加76%的净效益,但经济水平较低国家的资源环境不公平问题依然较为严峻.     

北京城区典型内涝积水原因诊断研究——以上清桥区域为例

近年来城市暴雨频发导致内涝灾害广受关注,系统分析城市内涝原因是当前城市水文研究的热点和难点。论文以北京市典型积水点上清桥易积水区为例,基于排水管网、地形、下垫面、河道边界等数据构建研究区精细化洪涝模型,并以2012年“7·21”和2016年“7·20”两场典型暴雨的实测积水深度验证模型的适用性。结果表明,上清桥区域管网现状排水能力小于1 a一遇,当发生1 a一遇及以上设计降雨时上清桥有发生积水的风险。引起研究区积水频发主要有四方面因素,按主次关系排列：局部地势因素>管网因素>下垫面因素>河道顶托,最后基于分析结果系统提出解决上清桥区域积水的改造方案。