Socioeconomic indicators and the survival of the tropical rainforest of cross river state of Nigeria

An internal household survey of socioeconomic indicators in the Cross River State forest communities showed that basic infrastructural facilities such as clean water supply, adequate waste disposal system, good roads and electricity are grossly inadequate. There is a total absence of modern family planning practices in the communities, and population is projected to increase by 44.8% between 2000 and 2015 and 85.4% between 2000 and 2025. The study revealed that about 65% of the population of the rainforest communities consists of subsistence farmers and power chain operators, and besides the 19% of the Cross River State Tropical High Forestry (THF) already reported to have been lost to agriculture and plantation between 1972 and 1991, about 9% was lost between 1991 and 2000. An additional 25% of the THF will be lost by 2025, leaving only 470600 hectares (4706 km²). With 84.1% of community members having an annual income less than $300, the survival potential of the Cross River State rainforest in the next fifty years is very low, unless an effective forest management programme is encouraged by government in partnership with all stakeholders.     

Eco‐Value,Sustainability, and Shareholder Value: Driving Environmental Performance to the Bottom Line

Contrary to popular assumptions, superior eco‐efficiency is associated with superior financial performance throughout a range of industries. In fact, environmental leaders typically outperform laggards by a substantial margin. © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

A case for 2-body material removal in prime LED sapphire substrate lapping and polishing

An alternative, and potentially better, means to process prime LED sapphire wafers is proposed. A brief history of material removal mechanisms suggests that brittle materials can be abraded in a ductile regime and that this can be a superior mode of removal. Advantages in material removal rate, surface finish and subsurface damage for a 2-body ductile removal of sapphire are shown relative to 3-body material removal. A major difficulty with this approach may be getting the LED manufacturing industry to understand that the appearance of the sapphire surface is quite different, unfamiliar yet predictable. Finally, some potential alternative process approaches are discussed that utilize 2-body material removal.     

Shrubsteppe Bird Response to Habitat and Landscape Variables in Eastern Washington, U.S.A.

Abstract: The landscape of the intermountain west has changed dramatically in the last 150 years, particularly in the state of Washington, where over half the native shrubsteppe ecosystem has been converted to agricultural lands, resulting in a fragmented landscape with few extensive tracts of shrubsteppe. We examined the historical and current distribution of shrubsteppe on different soil types in eastern Washington, and we censused bird communities at 78 sites in shrubsteppe from 1991 to 1993. We compared abundance of species among soil types and range conditions and developed models of species occurrence using site-specific vegetation and landscape variables. The pattern of shrubsteppe conversion has resulted in a disproportionate loss of deep soil communities. Eight bird species showed strong relationships with soil type and three with range condition. These associations likely resulted from the influence of soil type and range history on the vegetation of these communities. Brewer's Sparrows (  Spizella breweri ) and Sage Sparrows ( Amphispiza belli ) reached their highest abundances in deep, loamy soils, whereas Loggerhead Shrikes (   Lanius ludovicianus ) were most abundant in deep, sandy soils. Sage Sparrows occurred more frequently in landscapes dominated by shrubsteppe, indicating a negative relationship with fragmentation. Our results suggest that fragmentation of shrubsteppe and the pattern of agricultural conversion among soil types have had detrimental effects on numerous shrubsteppe species. The landscape for species with an affinity for deep, loamy soil communities has changed considerably more than the overall loss of shrubsteppe would indicate. Conservation practices that emphasize retention of shrubsteppe communities on deep soils and that reduce further fragmentation will be critical to the maintenance of avian biological diversity in this system.     

Diamondback Terrapin (Malaclemys terrapin) Mortality in Crab Pots

The entrapment of diamondback terrapins (  Malaclemys terrapin) in crab pots frequently results in drowning and death of the trapped turtles. We determined the rate of capture, size, sex, and age of terrapins captured, and the potential impact crab pot mortality has on local terrapin populations. We estimated terrapin capture rates of 0.17 terrapins/pot/day in shallow water areas of Chesapeake Bay (Maryland, USA). The sex ratio of terrapins caught in crab pots was 3:2 male biased because female terrapins become too large to enter crab pots by the time they reach 8 years of age. Males, however, remain vulnerable to entrapment throughout their life. Our estimates of capture rates and local population size suggest that 15–78% of a local population may be captured in a single year. As a consequence, crab pots may be the major reason terrapins are extirpated in coastal, shallow water areas with heavy crab pot fisheries. Additionally, the selective removal of males may also contribute to female-biased sex ratios observed in this diamondback terrapin population. We developed and tested a modified crab pot that increases terrapin survival and does not reduce the number of crabs caught. Our modified crab pot maintained permanent access to air and prevented the drowning of terrapins. Additionally, our modified crab pot caught more crabs than standard commercial crab pots, suggesting that the modified crab pot could be a viable alternative to standard traps that result in terrapin mortality.     

从《老子想尔注》看早期道教构建理想社会的初步尝试

《老子想尔注》认为实现理想社会的前提条件是"尊道"。道不仅是一个哲学概念,在这里被发挥成至高无上的太上老君,成为理想社会的掌控者。《老子想尔注》理想社会的理论在批判现实问题的基础上展开论述,主要讨论了君臣关系、伦理道德和贫富差异等。维系理想社会秩序的手段是道诫,道诫超越法律,内涵丰富。