Community attitudes toward forest conservation programs through collaborative protected area management in Bangladesh

The formulation of conservation policies with options for creating protected areas is significantly influenced by the social factors of the surrounding communities. Therefore, indigenous knowledge, attitudes and perceptions of the local communities need to be explored during the planning and implementation stages of conservation projects. A government-initiated experiment in co-management was conducted in the Rema-Kalenga Wildlife Sanctuary, Bangladesh. This paper analyzes the attitudes toward conservation by members of local communities living in and around the wildlife sanctuary. Training incentives on alternative income-generating (AIG) activities and allotment of agricultural lands were distributed among the Forest User Groups. It is of interest to policy makers and resource managers whether this technique leads to improved attitudes on the part of local people. Although there were different attitudes toward protected areas and conservation, overall, a favorable attitude of the respondents was observed. The opinions of respondents also varied based on factors such as village position, village dependency level on forest resources, ethnicity and gender. Increase in annual income resulting from the augmented skills by trainings on AIG activities and getting agricultural lands leased from the Forest Department contributed significantly to the variation in respondents’ conservation attitudes. It is suggested that eliminating inequity and inequality in incentive distribution, discovering and launching training on more need-based livelihood activities, and liberalizing the restriction of resource extraction from the protected area by fixing the harvesting limit would encourage the community to be more cordially and actively involved in the conservation efforts of the sanctuary.     

Anaerobic Biodegradation of Poly (Lactic Acid) Film in Anaerobic Sludge

The anaerobic biodegradation rates of four different sizes of poly (lactic acid) (PLA) films (thickness 25???m) in anaerobic sludge at 55?°C were examined. The anaerobic biodegradation rates of small pieces of PLA film were slower than for large pieces of PLA film. We also examined whether PLA film could also be used as a reference material in the anaerobic biodegradation test in addition to PLA powder. The anaerobic biodegradation rate of PLA film became slower with lower activity sludge, but the rate of decrease was gradual, and the anaerobic biodegradation rate of PLA film was faster than the PLA powder (125?C250???m). The anaerobic biodegradation rate of the PLA powder (125?C250???m) reflected the plastic anaerobic biodegradation activity of the sludge more accurately than the thin PLA film (thickness 25???m). Consequently, PLA powder (125?C250???m) is more suitable than thin PLA film (thickness?<?25???m) for use as a reference material to assess the plastic anaerobic biodegradation activity of the sludge in an anaerobic biodegradation test at 55?°C.     

Growth and photosynthetic responses of two pine species (Pinus koraiensis and Pinus rigida) in a polluted industrial region in Korea

We investigated the effects of pollutants on two pine species (Pinus koraiensis and Pinus rigida) in an industrial region in Korea, using a physiological approach. The concentrations of fluorine (F) and chlorine (Cl) in the atmosphere, in precipitation and soil water at the damaged site were all significantly higher than at a control site. Moreover, the concentrations of F, Cl and Mn in pine needles were significantly higher, and essential elements and chlorophyll in needles were significantly lower at the damaged site than at the control site. The photosynthetic capacities, shoot length and survival statistics of needles of the two pines were all significantly reduced at the damaged site compared to the control site, especially P. rigida. Based on our comparison of photosynthetic responses and the concentrations of F, Cl and Mn in needles of the two pine species, P. koraiensis is more resistant to excess Mn in its needles than P. rigida.     

Manganese toxicity as indicated by visible foliar symptoms of Japanese white birch (Betula platyphylla var. japonica)

For the purpose of a field diagnosis of Mn toxicity, we showed the possibility of using visible foliar symptoms of Japanese white birch (Betula platyphylla var. japonica Hara) as indicator. To examine the relationship between the expression of visible symptoms and leaf Mn concentrations, white birch seedlings were grown under four different Mn levels: 1 mg Mn l-1 as control, 10, 50 and 100 mg Mn l-1. Foliar symptoms of Mn toxicity for white birch were: (1) chlorosis at entire young leaves in the 50 and 100 mg Mn l-1 treatments; and (2) brown speckles at the leaf marginal and interveinal area for old leaves in the treatments greater than 1 mg Mn l-1. Mn preferably accumulated into the leaf marginal and interveinal area, where the brown speckles were observed. The mechanism determining the expression of symptoms seems to be associated with the physiological state related to leaf age as well as Mn distribution and concentration within a leaf.     

Local Circulation with Aeolian Dust on the Slopes and Foot Areas of the Tianshan and Kunlun Mountains around the Taklimakan Desert, China

Four automatic weather stations (AWS) were installed on the slopes and foot areas of the Tianshan and Kunlun Mountains along a longitude of 80 degrees east: (1) Taglak 2400 m a.s.l., (2) Aksu 1000 m, (3) Kartash 2800 m, and (4) Qira 1700 m. These two slopes face the Taklimakan Desert. Tagliak lies on the southern slope of Tianshan, and Kartash on the northern slope of Kunlun. The meteorological characteristics of the mountainous regions were investigated using surface data obtained during an intensive observation period (IOP) in spring 2002. It was found that visibility on the slopes decreases in the daytime, and there is no relationship between visibility and wind speed in the mountainous areas. Two snow layers containing dust particles were observed in the snow cover in Taglak during the IOP in spring 2003. These results suggest that a warm air parcel containing aeolian dust climbs over the slopes of the mountainous areas, and dust particles in the mountainous areas are transported from the foot areas.     

Transition to large-scale organic vegetable production in the Salinas Valley, California

Studying the management strategies suited to large-scale organic production, particularly during the mandated 3-year transition period from conventional management, is a unique research challenge. Organic production traditionally relies on small, diverse plantings and complex management responses to cope with soil fertility and pest pressures, so research should represent decision-making options of an organic grower at the farm scale. This study analyzes crop, soil, pest and management changes during the organic transition period on two ranches (40 and 47 ha) in the Salinas Valley, California in cooperation with a large conventional vegetable producer, Tanimura and Antle, Inc. Permanent transects were established across the two ranches at the onset of adoption of organic practices, and soil and plants were sampled at harvest of almost all crops, while all management operations were recorded by the co-operator. The 10 ha blocks were divided into many small plantings, and 17 different cash crop and cover crop species were planted during the transition period. Management inputs consisted of a range of organic fertilizers and amendments, sprinkler and drip irrigation, cultivation and hand-hoeing, and several types of organic pesticides. Results from the 3-year period followed these general trends: increase in soil biological indicators (microbial biomass and arbuscular mycorrhizae), low soil nitrate pools, adequate crop nutrients, minor disease and weed problems, and sporadic mild insect damage. Multivariate statistical analyses indicated that some crops and cultivars consistently produced higher yields than others, relative to the maximum yield for a given crop. Multi-factor contingency tables showed clear differences in insect and disease damage between crop taxa. Although Tanimura and Antle, Inc. used some of the principles of organic farming (e.g., crop diversity, crop rotation, and organic matter (OM) management), they also relied on substitution-based management, such as fertigation with soluble nutrients, initially heavy applications of organic pesticides, and use of inputs derived from off-farm sources. Their initial production of a large number of crop taxa in small plantings at staggered intervals proved to be an effective strategy for avoiding risks from low yields or crop failure and allowed them to move towards a smaller number of select, successful crops towards the end of the transition. This study demonstrates the feasibility of large-scale producers to transition to organic practices in a manner that was conducive to both production goals and environmental quality, i.e., increased soil C pools, low soil nitrate, and absence of synthetic pesticides.     

CuCl2-catalyzed PCDD/F formation and congener patterns from phenols

Homologue and isomer patterns of polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxin (PCDD) and polychlorinated dibenzofuran (PCDF) in CuCl2-catalyzed formation were studied in an isothermal flow reactor using a distribution of 20 phenols as measured in municipal waste incinerator (MWI) exhaust gases. A mixture of 20 phenols was synthesized and used as reactants for this study because phenols are known to be key precursors in the formation of PCDD/F. Experiments were conducted at 400 degrees C. The 92% of nitrogen (N2) and 8% of oxygen (O2) were used as a carrier gas. PCDD/F homologue and isomer patterns with dibenzo-p-dioxin (DD) and dibenzofuran (DF) were obtained from a mixture of 20 phenols. DF+PCDF formation was favored over DD+PCDD formation. The major homologue groups formed were non-chlorinated DD and DF, and PCDD/F homologue fraction decreased with the degree of chlorination. PCDD/F homologue and isomer distributions were almost constant. Phenol and lower chlorinated phenols present in high amount played an important role in PCDD/F congener distributions. The results presented here can be used as characteristics or fingerprints for homologue and isomer patterns of PCDD/F formation attribution in CuCl2-catalyzed reaction from phenols.     

Examining farmland applications of composted biosolid wastes depending on nutrient balance in soils

This study emphasizes nutrient balance of soils in the farmland application of composted biosolid wastes. The loading rates of plant nutrients following the compost application to farmland in Japan were estimated and compared with the nutrient uptake of agricultural plants. Results show that the current compost application in Japan can meet the requirements of agricultural plants for plant nutrient Ca, except for K, Mg, P, Fe, Mn, Cu, and Zn. The compost application could realize the safe disposal of biosolid wastes and the effective recycling of plant nutrients in composts to soils without causing heavy metal accumulation. The application manner of composts affects the heavy metal accumulation in farmlands. Field examination indicates that the excessive compost application has led to the heavy metal accumulation in compost-amended farmlands. Measuring the nutrient balance in compost-amended farmlands is well suitable for explaining the accumulation of heavy metals, such as Cu and Zn.     

Effects of deicing salt on the vitality and health of two spruce species,Picea abies Karst., and Picea glehnii Masters planted along roadsides in northern Japan

In northern Japan, the growth of Picea abies Karst., and Picea glehnii Masters, which have been planted along the highways, is often suppressed due to several environmental stresses. To examine the adverse effects of deicing salt, the primary source of stress,we measured needle life span, photosynthetic capacity, and water potential and transpiration rate of the two spruce species at a site with damaged trees, near the roadside and a site with healthy trees, located far from the highway. Results from the analysis showed large amounts of sodium and chlorine in the soil and snow at the damaged site. These elements had accumulated in the needles of the spruce. Moreover, physiological traits of the spruce, at the damaged site were also affected. Therefore, we concluded that poor physiological traits might be attributed to an accumulation of deicing salt in the needles, resulting in the suppression of tree growth.     

Preparation conditions and swelling equilibria of biodegradable hydrogels prepared from microbial poly(γ-glutamic acid) and poly(ε-lysine)

Biodegradable hydrogels prepared by -irradiation from microbial poly(amino acid)s are reviewed. pH-sensitive hydrogels were prepared by means of -irradiation of poly(-glutamic acid) (PGA) produced byBacillus subtilis IFO3335 and poly(-lysine) (PL) produced byStreptomyces albulus in aqueous solutions. The preparation conditions, swelling equilibria, hydrolytic degradation, and enzymatic degradation of these hydrogels were studied. A hydrogel with a wide variety of swelling behaviors has been produced by -irradiation from a mixture solution of PGA and PL.Paper presented at the 4th International Workshop on Biodegradable Plastics and Polymers, October 11–14, 1995, Durham, New Hampshire, USA.