Conflict resolution by participatory management: remote sensing and GIS as tools for communicating land-use needs for reindeer herding in northern Sweden

When seeking to resolve complex land-management issues, geographical assessment of resources that are in short supply or in dispute can aid the communication of knowledge and the understanding among and between different stakeholders. In this paper, we illustrate how remote sensing and GIS can be used to gather and compile information regarding land-use activities and patterns among reindeer herders and other land users (forestry, mining, tourism, etc) in northern Sweden. The project represents a novel user-oriented effort largely based on the work carried out by the principal end user, i.e. the reindeer herders themselves. The basis for development of land-use plans for reindeer husbandry, was the following: to collect and digitally systemize traditional ecological and landscape knowledge of reindeer habitat use; to integrate this information with results from field inventories and satellite-based vegetation classifications; to map activities of other land users. The resulting land-use plans provide information that can facilitate consultation between the reindeer herders and other stakeholders and can facilitate operational work in reindeer management. This project can serve as a model for participatory involvement and planning, bringing indigenous knowledge and advanced remote-sensing techniques together in an interactive process.     

Structural characterisation of humic acid-bound PAH residues in soil by 13C-CPMAS-NMR-spectroscopy: evidence of covalent bonds

The fate of 13C-labelled phenanthrene and fluoranthene in different soil systems during biodegradation was studied. The soil humic acid fraction was isolated followed by structural characterisation using 13C-cross polarisation magic angle spinning nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy (13C-CPMAS-NMR). It could be demonstrated that especially the ratio between the concentrations of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and soil humus matrix limits the usefulness of this analytical tool. Based on these results a ratio of 13C-activity(PAH)/13C-activity(soil) approximately 1.5/1.0 in the test material was suggested. The chemical transformation of a PAH and its bound residue formation in a soil system detected by changes of chemical shifts in the 13C-NMR spectrum was proven for the first time. Structural information obtained by NMR spectra were verified by alkaline hydrolysis of PAH/humus-associations and following identification of cleavage products. Ester-bound phenanthrene metabolites such as 1-hydroxy-2-naphthoic acid, ortho-phthalic acid and 3,4-dihydroxybenzoic acid were detected. Additional structural assignments indicated the presence of ether-bound phenanthrene derivatives as well. Using isotopic labelling techniques a quantitative evaluation of bound residue distribution was undertaken. Fifty to seventy percent of phenanthrene metabolites which could be related to the added 13C(1)-phenanthrene were ester bound via their carboxyl groups.     

NitroGenius: a nitrogen decision support system. A game to develop the optimal policy to solve the Dutch nitrogen pollution problem

A nitrogen decision support system in the form of a game (NitroGenius) was developed for the Second International Nitrogen Conference. The aims were to: i) improve understanding among scientists and policy makers about the complexity of nitrogen pollution problems in an area of intensive agricultural, industrial, and transportation activity (The Netherlands); and ii) search for optimal policy solutions to prevent pollution effects at lowest economic and social costs. NitroGenius includes a model of nitrogen flows at relevant spatial and temporal scales including emissions of ammonia and nitrogen oxides and contamination of surface- and groundwaters. NitroGenius also includes an economic model describing relationships for important sectors and impacts of different nitrogen control measures on Gross Domestic Product (GDP), unemployment, energy use, and environmental costs. About 50 teams played NitroGenius during the Second International Nitrogen Conference. The results show that careful planning and selection of abatement options can solve Dutch nitrogen problems at reasonable cost.     

The past impact of livestock husbandry on dispersal of plant seeds in the landscape of Denmark

The recent decline in species richness in (semi)-natural habitats in northern Europe has largely been attributable to habitat destruction, and to subsequent limitation in seed dispersal among fragments. However, some habitat types were probably split up already in the historical landscape, but the segregated parts were probably not isolated to the present degree. This paper seeks evidence for livestock as vectors for propagules at 3 spatial scales in the past cultural landscape. Three main scales at which livestock acted as seed dispersers are important: free movement in the landscape (1-10 km), driving animals to mast feeding or to manors (10-50 km), and the export of living animals (hundreds of km). The emerging picture is for most plant species a dramatically decreased chance of dispersal in the modern landscape. The consequence is probably decreasing species richness in (semi)-natural plant communities, such as pasture, meadow, and heathland.     

In situ biodegradation determined by carbon isotope fractionation of aromatic hydrocarbons in an anaerobic landfill leachate plume (Vejen,Denmark)

Concentrations and isotopic compositions (13C/12C) of aromatic hydrocarbons were determined in eight samples obtained from the strongly anoxic part of the leachate plume downgradient from the Vejen Landfill (Denmark), where methanogenic, sulfate-reducing and iron-reducing conditions were observed. Despite the heterogeneous distribution of the compounds in the plume, the isotope fractionation proved that ethylbenzene and m/p-xylene were subject to significant biodegradation within the strongly anoxic plume. The isotope fractionation factors (alphaC) for the degradation of the m/p-xylene (1.0015) and ethylbenzene (1.0021) obtained from the field observations were similar to factors previously determined for the anaerobic degradation of toluene and o-xylene in laboratory experiments, and suggest that in situ biodegradation is one major process controlling the fate of these contaminants in this aquifer. The isotope fractionation determined for 1,2,4-trimethylbenzene and 2-ethyltoluene suggested in situ biodegradation; however, the isotopic composition did not correlate well with the respective concentration as expressed by the Rayleigh equation. Some other compounds (1,2,3-trimethylbenzene, o-xylene, naphthalene and fenchone) did not show significant enrichments in delta13C values along the flow path. The compound concentrations were too low for accurate isotope analyses of benzene, toluene, 1- and 2-methylnaphthalene, while interferences in the chromatography made it impossible to evaluate the isotopic composition for 4-ethyltoluene, 1,3,5-trimethylbenzene and camphor.In addition to demonstrating the potential of assessing isotopic fractionation as a means for documenting the in situ biodegradation of complex mixtures of aromatic hydrocarbons in leachate plumes, this study also illustrates the difficulties for data interpretation in complex plumes and high analytical uncertainties for isotope analysis of organic compounds in low concentration ranges.     

Bromine in waste incineration partitioning and influence on metal volatilisation

INTENTION, GOAL, SCOPE, BACKGROUND: The halogen bromine is far less abundant than chlorine, but it can be found at high concentrations in special materials like flame retarded plastics. The fate and effects of Br in waste incineration are not well understood. It may have similar implications like Cl for the volatilisation of heavy metals and the formation of low volatile organic compounds. Due to its lower oxidation potential, there is a risk of formation of elementary Br2 in the offgas. OBJECTIVE: Co-combustion tests of different types of Br containing plastic waste materials (up to 22%) and MSW in the TAMARA pilot plant for waste incineration were conducted to investigate the Br partitioning and the influence of Br on metal volatilisation. METHODS: The Br inventory of the fuel mix was elevated to approx. 1 wt-%. All input and output mass flows of the furnace have been sampled and the partitioning of Cl, Br, S, and a number of heavy metals, has been calculated on the basis of closed mass balances. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION: Organically-bound Br was typically released to more than 90% into the raw gas. Elementary Br2 was detected at high Br levels. Its presence was always analysed when all SO2 in the raw gas was oxidised to SO3. Br enhances the volatilisation of metals like K, Zn, Cd, Sn, Sb, and Pb out of the fuel bed principally in the same way as Cl. The tests gave strong indication that the promoting influence of the halogens on metal volatilisation is more pronounced than that of the fuel bed temperature. The volatilised metals are condensated on the fly ashes and are discharged along with the filter ashes. CONCLUSIONS: As long as a surplus of SO2 is present in the raw gas no Br2 is formed. Although the halogen induced transfer out of the fuel bed causes high concentrations of volatile metals in the filter ashes, a recovery is not economically feasible for the time being. The volatilisation gives no rise to metal emission problems as long as efficient dedusting is achieved. RECOMMENDATION AND OUTLOOK: If there is a risk of Br2 formation, in wet scrubbing a reducing agent has to be added to the neutral scrubber for efficient abatement. Filter ashes should be disposed of in a way that enables access for recovery in the future. The exact volatilisation characteristics of the various metals have to be studied in future using specifically tailored experiments.     

Sorption of naphthalene derivatives to soils from a long-term field experiment

The influence of long-term farming practices on the soil's behaviour to adsorb hydrophobic organic compounds (HOCs) over long times was investigated. Adsorption of five naphthalene derivatives (naphthalene, 1-naphthol, 1-naphthylamine, 1-hydroxy-2-naphthoic acid, 1,4-naphthoquinone) was examined on soils with varying amounts and origins of soil organic matter obtained after amendment with different organic materials over more than 40 years. Soil organic matter, pore sizes and aggregate stability were significantly altered influencing the adsorption behaviour of the soils. Samples of soil amended with peat having an organic carbon content of 3.4% sorbed naphthalene derivatives stronger than the soil treated with sewage sludge (2.6% C(org)). All other treatments, calcium nitrate, plots without nitrogen fertilizers, grassland, animal manure, green manure and the fallowed soil sorbed less and no significant difference was found between them although the organic carbon content ranged from 1.0% to 2.6%. Thus, a decrease of the carbon content of a soil does not necessarily imply a reduction of sorption capacities for hydrophobic compounds such as naphthalene derivatives. Furthermore, the importance of protonation of HOCs for the adsorption on soil surfaces was shown. Different polarities of electronic structures of HOCs distinctly influence their adsorption behaviour.     

Arrived in the light: diel and seasonal activity patterns in wild Verreaux’s sifakas (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Propithecus v. verreauxi</Emphasis>; Primates: Indriidae)

Madagascar is characterised by pronounced annual climatic and ecological seasonality and harbours a radiation of closely related sympatric primates (Lemuriformes) that exhibit diurnal, nocturnal and cathemeral activity patterns. We collected continuous activity data over a complete annual cycle from wild diurnal Verreauxs sifakas (Propithecus v. verreauxi) to contribute detailed and comparative data: (1) to characterise their diel and seasonal activity rhythms, (2) to identify factors shaping variation in activity rhythms, and (3) to help reconstruct the evolutionary transition from nocturnal to diurnal activity. We fitted eight adult sifakas from seven different groups living in Kirindy forest with an accelerometer/data logger device and recorded their activity in 5-min bins for a total of 12 months. We characterise P. verreauxi as a strictly diurnal species with a pronounced bimodal activity pattern that briefly changed to a more unimodal pattern during their annual mating season (January to March). We documented significant annual variation in total daily activity, activity time, and activity level, as well as in most parameters characterising their bimodal activity pattern. Despite a significant positive correlation of the animals activity time with day length, pronounced annual variation in the phase position of onset and end of activity in relation to sunrise and sunset times could also be discerned. Minor enhancing effects of moonlight on nocturnal activity were only found for the first 3 h of the inactivity period. Bimodality of the activity pattern and the additional reduction of activity time during the cold and dry winter months associated with reduced food availability can be interpreted as flexible behavioural adaptations to reduce energy expenditure. We therefore propose that energetic and thermoregulatory benefits are important factors shaping these primates activity pattern.Communicated by C. Nunn     

Statistical analysis of effects of measures against agricultural pollution

The Norwegian Government has initiated a plan to reduce agricultural pollution. One of the projects in this plan is aimed at investigating the effects of different measures in order to evaluate their effects and costs.A set of experiments has been designed to estimate the effects of measures to reduce or control the use of fertilizers and erosion. The project started in 1985. It comprises continuous measurements in two water courses in each of four counties: one test drainage area where the relevant measures were implemented at the end of 1986, and one reference area where no specific measures are carried out. A series of chemical parameters are measured together with runoff and other hydrological and meteorogical data.The paper provides a preliminary analysis of the data collected in one of the counties during the period June 1985 to April 1988. It contains examples of analysis of covariance to show possible effects of the measures carried out in the test area.Natural variations in precipitation and pollution are large, making it difficult to see the effects of the measures without using statistical techniques to take the multivariability of the problem into account. Some effects can be shown with analysis of covariance. However, the relatively short measurement period makes it neccessary to be careful when interpreting the results.