Genetic structuring of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Latris lineata</Emphasis> at localized and transoceanic scales

Striped trumpeter (Latris lineata) is a demersal teleost distributed around the temperate clines of all the major oceans in the southern hemisphere. Within Tasmanian waters the species is managed as a single stock, although no studies have been performed to confirm genetic panmixia. A protracted pelagic larval phase and a recent transoceanic tag recapture of an adult fish suggest significant potential for genetic mixing between widely separated populations. Phylogenetic analysis of mitochondrial DNA control region sequences suggested no genetic mixing between Tasmania, New Zealand and St Paul/Amsterdam Islands, evidence for the first time that there is population structure at a transoceanic scale for this species. In addition, an analysis of molecular variance coupled with phylogenetic analyses suggested no significant structuring of striped trumpeter from three locations around Tasmania. The information provided in this study is useful for the design of modern fisheries management techniques such as spatially implemented marine reserves. In addition, species-by-species knowledge about population structures of marine species facilitates ecologically useful generalizations concerning their population dynamics and key issues on the broader ecology of the oceans.     

It's Good to Talk! Environmental Information and the Greening of Industry

This paper focuses on one aspect of industry's contribution to safeguarding the environment: the use and production of environmental information. Access to such information is an important part of the government strategy for promoting shared responsibility for the environment. The objective of the paper is to assess how far public regulation, private regulation and self regulation provide an incentive to industry to use and produce environmental information.     

Brazilian biofuels and social exclusion: established and concentrated ethanol versus emerging and dispersed biodiesel

Increasing interest in biofuels trade between developed and developing countries has spurred worldwide discussions on issues such as subsidies and the ‘food for fuel’ crisis. One issue missing in recent discourse is the pressure exerted on developing countries to adopt large-scale mechanized farming practices to increase economic efficiencies. Such approaches often exclude small-scale farmers from participating in the emerging biofuels market, thus exacerbating poverty and social exclusion. Drawing on both qualitative and technical data, we discuss such pressures using Brazilian ethanol and biodiesel production. Pressure from international markets to become more economically efficient may contribute towards the erosion of recent schemes to encourage social benefits for small farmers in biodiesel production. We conclude with trade and policy implications.     

Cities vs. agriculture: A review of intersectoral water re-allocation

Water demand management, or making better use of the water we have — as opposed to augmenting supply — is increasingly proposed as a way of mitigating water-scarcity problems. Moving water away from agriculture to uses with higher economic value is one of the main measures widely seen as desirable. Sectoral "allocation stress" is seen as resulting from the disproportionate share, and inefficient use of water in the agricultural sector. This apparent misallocation is often attributed to the failure of government to allocate water rationally.
This paper revisits this commonly-accepted wisdom and examines the nature of urban water scarcity, showing the importance of economic and political factors, shaped by incentives to decision-makers, and sometimes compounded by climatic conditions. It shows that cities' growth is not generally constrained by competition with agriculture. In general, rather than using a narrow financial criterion, cities select options that go along the "path of least resistance," whereby economic, social and political costs are considered in conjunction. The question of allocation stress is thus reframed into an inquiry of how transfers effectively occur and can be made more effective.