Some lessons for resilience from the 2011 multi-disaster in Japan

With the goal of resilience becoming ever more present in diverse policy discourses, it is important to reflect critically on its meaning and realisation. In this viewpoint, we re-emphasise that understanding the systemic nature of social and ecological interactions and interdependencies is fundamental to developing resilience to shocks and stresses in whatever context they materialise. Through the lens of the 2011 Japanese multi-disaster, we reflect on some of the difficulties in generating knowledge to underpin resilience-building processes and illustrate some dilemmas inherent in seeking to cultivate resilience in practice. Events in Japan underscore the complex vulnerabilities of place in multi-hazard scenarios and highlight, in particular, the choices to be made in determining which systemic interactions are to be imagined, characterised, assessed and forewarned and which are not. These events also emphasise that while resilience ultimately must be located where consequences are felt, strategies for a resilient future have to take on the multi-scale interactions and tensions within which local processes are embedded. There are dangers, we argue, in thinking about resilience in overly simple and non-systemic ways and in responding to these challenges only as a matter of extended techno-managerial competence.     

Simulation of flow and shear stress distribution on the Oceano Dunes,implications for saltation and dust emissions

Environmental Fluid Mechanics - Wind-driven shear stresses drive saltation and dust emissions over sand dunes. However, the complex topography of coastal dunes and practical difficulties in...     

Artificial light at night (ALAN) causes variable dose-responses in a sandy beach isopod

Artificial Light at Night (ALAN) is expanding worldwide, and the study of its influence remains limited mainly to documenting impacts, overlooking the variation in key characteristics of the artificial light such as its intensity. The potential dose–response of fitness-related traits to different light intensities has not been assessed in sandy beach organisms. Hence, this study explored dose-responses to ALAN by exposing the intertidal sandy beach isopod Tylos spinulosus to a range of light intensities at night: 0 (control), 20, 40, 60, 80 and 100 lx. We quantified the response of this species at the molecular (RNA:DNA ratios), physiological (absorption efficiency) and organismal (growth rate) levels. Linear and non-linear regressions were used to explore the relationship between light intensity and the isopod response. The regressions showed that increasing light intensity caused an overall?~?threefold decline in RNA:DNA ratios and a?~?threefold increase in absorption efficiency, with strong dose-dependent effects. For both response variables, non-linear regressions also identified likely thresholds at 80 lx (RNA:DNA) and 40 lx (absorption efficiency). By contrast, isopod growth rates were unrelated (unaltered) by the increase in light intensity at night. We suggest that ALAN is detrimental for the condition of the isopods, likely by reducing the activity and feeding of these nocturnal organisms, and that the isopods compensate this by absorbing nutrients more efficiently in order to maintain growth levels.

     

Characterisation of cysteine proteinase activities in the digestive tract of juvenile <Emphasis Type="Italic">Paragnathia formica</Emphasis> isopods,ectoparasites of estuarine fish

Juveniles of Paragnathia formica Hesse (Isopoda; Gnathiidae) are haematophagous ectoparasites, feeding on fish blood which supplies the nutrients for their development through growth and moulting, and the subsequent survival and reproduction of the free-living adults. Little is known of the mechanisms of digestion in juvenile gnathiids, and biochemical studies on the digestive tract of these interesting estuarine isopods have not been undertaken previously. Here, functionally active cathepsin-like cysteine proteinases are identified in the digestive system of juvenile praniza (fed) and zuphea (unfed) forms. The physiological pH of the digestive tract and the optimum proteolytic activities detected in praniza 3 homogenates using the cathepsin B/L, cathepsin B, and cathepsin H fluorogenic substrates, N-Carbobenzoxy-Phe-Arg-4-methoxy-2-naphthylamine (Z-phe-arg-MNA), N-Carbobenzoxy-Arg-Arg-4-methoxy-2-naphthylamine (Z-arg-arg-MNA) and Arg-4-methoxy-2-naphthylamine (H-arg-MNA), respectively, are in the acidic range (pH 5.8–6.7). Inhibition profiles against Z-phe-arg-MNA and Z-arg-arg-MNA using the cathepsin B inactivator urea, and cysteine proteinase inhibitors, support the presence of cathepsin L- and B-like enzymes. These proteolytic activities are 10–50 times higher in homogenates of praniza 3 compared with zuphea 3 forms. Histochemistry of praniza 3 sections reveals that the predominant enzyme activity towards Z-phe-arg-MNA is limited to the digestive glands during early and mid stages of digestion; later, this activity appears in the lining of the anterior hindgut. Moreover, activity towards Z-arg-arg-MNA is generally restricted to the digestive glands, and only occasionally present in the anterior hindgut. In conclusion, the digestive glands are the main site of cathepsin-like cysteine proteinase activities in P. formica juveniles; these enzymes appear to be important to the digestion of host fish blood enabling development through to the free-living adult.     

NEAR‐STREAM LANDUSE EFFECTS ON STREAMWATER NUTRIENT DISTRIBUTION IN AN URBANIZING WATERSHED1

ABSTRACT: We investigated spatial and temporal relationships among surface and subsurface watershed attributes and stream nutrient concentrations in urbanizing Johnson Creek watershed in northern Oregon. We sampled stream water at eight urban and five nonurban locations from March 1998 through December 1999. We sampled eight wells distributed over the two primary aquifers in the watershed. Using a Geographic Information System (GIS), percentages of landuse attributes within a radius of 30, 91, and 152 m from each sample site were quantified. We analyzed relationships between (1) nutrient concentrations and percentage cover of different landuse attributes, and (2) nutrient concentrations and underlying hydrologic units. We did not find a significant relationship between ground water chemistry and stream water chemistry. We found elevated levels of phosphorus (P) concentrations correlated with urban landuse, while higher nitrogen (N) concentrations were correlated with nonurban (primarily agricultural) landuse. We concluded that elevated levels of N in nonurban areas of Johnson Creek watershed were associated with agricultural practices. We further concluded that urban development factors such as increases in storm drains, dry wells, and impermeable surfaces may be responsible for higher input of P to the stream in urbanizing areas of the Johnson Creek watershed.     

An environmental threshold for degree of phosphorus saturation in sandy soils

There is critical need for a practical indicator to assess the potential for phosphorus (P) movement from a given site to surface waters, either via surface runoff or subsurface drainage. The degree of phosphorus saturation (DPS), which relates a measure of P already adsorbed by a soil to its P adsorption capacity, could be a good indicator of that soil's P release capability. Our primary objective was to find a suitable analytical protocol for determining DPS and to examine the possibility of defining a threshold DPS value for Florida's sandy soils. Four farmer-owned dairy sprayfields were selected within the Suwannee River basin and soil profiles were randomly obtained from each site, as well as from adjacent unimpacted sites. The soil samples were divided either by horizon or depth, and DPS was determined for each soil sample using ammonium-oxalate (DPS(Ox)), Mehlich-1 (DPS(M1)), and Mehlich-3 (DPS(M3)) extracts. All methods of DPS calculations were linearly related to one another (r2 > 0.94). Relationships between water-soluble P and DPS indicate that the respective change points are: DPS(Ox) = 20%, DPS(M1) = 20%, and DPS(M3) = 16%. These relationships include samples from Ap, E, and Bt horizons, and various combinations thereof, suggesting that DPS values can be used as predictors of P loss from a soil irrespective of the depth of the soil within a profile. Taking into consideration the change points, confidence intervals, agronomic soil test values, and DPS values from other studies, we suggest replacing Mehlich-1 P values in the Florida P Index with the three DPS categories (DPS(M1) = <30, 30-60, and >60%) to assign different P loss ratings in the P Index.     

The effects of soil amendments on heavy metal bioavailability in two contaminated Mediterranean soils

Two heavy metal contaminated calcareous soils from the Mediterranean region of Spain were studied. One soil, from the province of Murcia, was characterised by very high total levels of Pb (1572 mg kg(-1)) and Zn (2602 mg kg(-1)), whilst the second, from Valencia, had elevated concentrations of Cu (72 mg kg(-1)) and Pb (190 mg kg(-1)). The effects of two contrasting organic amendments (fresh manure and mature compost) and the chelate ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) on soil fractionation of Cu, Fe, Mn, Pb and Zn, their uptake by plants and plant growth were determined. For Murcia soil, Brassica juncea (L.) Czern. was grown first, followed by radish (Raphanus sativus L.). For Valencia soil, Beta maritima L. was followed by radish. Bioavailability of metals was expressed in terms of concentrations extractable with 0.1 M CaCl2 or diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid (DTPA). In the Murcia soil, heavy metal bioavailability was decreased more greatly by manure than by the highly-humified compost. EDTA (2 mmol kg(-1) soil) had only a limited effect on metal uptake by plants. The metal-solubilising effect of EDTA was shorter-lived in the less contaminated, more highly calcareous Valencia soil. When correlation coefficients were calculated for plant tissue and bioavailable metals, the clearest relationships were for Beta maritima and radish.     

Aquaculture practices and potential human health risks: current knowledge and future priorities

Annual global aquaculture production has more than tripled within the past 15 years, and by 2015, aquaculture is predicted to account for 39% of total global seafood production by weight. Given that lack of adequate nutrition is a leading contributor to the global burden of disease, increased food production through aquaculture is a seemingly welcome sign. However, as production surges, aquaculture facilities increasingly rely on the heavy input of formulated feeds, antibiotics, antifungals, and agrochemicals. This review summarizes our current knowledge concerning major chemical, biological and emerging agents that are employed in modern aquaculture facilities and their potential impacts on public health. Findings from this review indicate that current aquaculture practices can lead to elevated levels of antibiotic residues, antibiotic-resistant bacteria, persistent organic pollutants, metals, parasites, and viruses in aquacultured finfish and shellfish. Specific populations at risk of exposure to these contaminants include individuals working in aquaculture facilities, populations living around these facilities, and consumers of aquacultured food products. Additional research is necessary not only to fully understand the human health risks associated with aquacultured fish versus wild-caught fish but also to develop appropriate interventions that could reduce or prevent these risks. In order to adequately understand, address and prevent these impacts at local, national and global scales, researchers, policy makers, governments, and aquaculture industries must collaborate and cooperate in exchanging critical information and developing targeted policies that are practical, effective and enforceable.