Landscape consequences of aggregation rules for functional equivalence in compensatory mitigation programs

Mitigation and offset programs designed to compensate for ecosystem function losses due to development must balance losses from affected ecosystems with gains in restored ecosystems. Aggregation rules applied to ecosystem functions to assess site equivalence are based on implicit assumptions about the substitutability of functions among sites and can profoundly influence the distribution of restored ecosystem functions on the landscape. We investigated the consequences of rules applied to the aggregation of ecosystem functions for wetland offsets in the Beaverhill watershed in Alberta, Canada. We considered the fate of 3 ecosystem functions: hydrology, water purification, and biodiversity. We set up an affect‐and‐offset algorithm to simulate the effect of aggregation rules on ecosystem function for wetland offsets. Cobenefits and trade‐offs among functions and the constraints posed by the quantity and quality of restorable sites resulted in a redistribution of functions between affected and offset wetlands. Hydrology and water purification functions were positively correlated with one another and negatively correlated with biodiversity function. Weighted‐average rules did not replace functions in proportion to their weights. Rules prioritizing biodiversity function led to more monofunctional wetlands and landscapes. The minimum rule, for which the wetland score was equal to the worst performing function, promoted multifunctional wetlands and landscapes. The maximum rule, for which the wetland score was equal to the best performing function, promoted monofunctional wetlands and multifunctional landscapes. Because of implicit trade‐offs among ecosystem functions, no‐net‐loss objectives for multiple functions should be constructed within a landscape context. Based on our results, we suggest criteria for the design of aggregation rules for no net loss of ecosystem functions within a landscape context include the concepts of substitutability, cobenefits and trade‐offs, landscape constraints, heterogeneity, and the precautionary principle.     

When and how to use Q methodology to understand perspectives in conservation research

Understanding human perspectives is critical in a range of conservation contexts, for example, in overcoming conflicts or developing projects that are acceptable to relevant stakeholders. The Q methodology is a unique semiquantitative technique used to explore human perspectives. It has been applied for decades in other disciplines and recently gained traction in conservation. This paper helps researchers assess when Q is useful for a given conservation question and what its use involves. To do so, we explained the steps necessary to conduct a Q study, from the research design to the interpretation of results. We provided recommendations to minimize biases in conducting a Q study, which can affect mostly when designing the study and collecting the data. We conducted a structured literature review of 52 studies to examine in what empirical conservation contexts Q has been used. Most studies were subnational or national cases, but some also address multinational or global questions. We found that Q has been applied to 4 broad types of conservation goals: addressing conflict, devising management alternatives, understanding policy acceptability, and critically reflecting on the values that implicitly influence research and practice. Through these applications, researchers found hidden views, understood opinions in depth and discovered points of consensus that facilitated unlocking difficult disagreements. The Q methodology has a clear procedure but is also flexible, allowing researchers explore long‐term views, or views about items other than statements, such as landscape images. We also found some inconsistencies in applying and, mainly, in reporting Q studies, whereby it was not possible to fully understand how the research was conducted or why some atypical research decisions had been taken in some studies. Accordingly, we suggest a reporting checklist.     

Evaluation of thermal reaction for two azo compounds by using 20-L apparatus and calorimetry

Azo compounds are widely involved in the industrial processes of dyes, pigments, initiators, and blowing agents. Unfortunately, these compounds have a bivalent unstable –NN– composition, which can be readily broken when the ambient temperature is elevated. Self-accelerating decomposition might cause a runaway reaction and lead to a fire, explosion, or leakage when the cooling system fails or other events occur. This study investigated the explosion properties, thermal stability parameters, and thermal hazard and mechanism of 2,2′–azobisisobutyronitrile (AIBN) and 2,2′–azobis–2–methylbutyronitrile (AMBN). We used a 20-L apparatus, vent sizing package 2, synchronous thermal analysis, and differential scanning calorimetry under explosive, adiabatic, and dynamic conditions to acquire the explosive curves, thermal curves, and thermodynamic parameters of the substances. Moreover, the differential isoconversional method (Friedman method) and ASTM E698 equation were employed to obtain the apparent activation energy E_a. All the experimental results revealed that AIBN is more dangerous than AMBN. The E_a of AIBN was lower than that of AMBN. The results can be used to construct an azo compound thermal hazard database for use for searches and reference examples by industry and related research areas.     

Level of environmental threat posed by horticultural trade in Cactaceae

Ornamental horticulture has been identified as an important threat to plant biodiversity and is a major pathway for plant invasions worldwide. In this context, the family Cactaceae is particularly challenging because it is considered the fifth most threatened large taxonomic group in the world; several species are among the most widespread and damaging invasive species; and Cactaceae is one of the most popular horticultural plant groups. Based on the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Flora and Fauna and the 11 largest online auction sites selling cacti, we documented the international cactus trade. To provide an in‐depth look at the dynamics of the industry, we surveyed the businesses involved in the cactus trade in South Africa (a hotspot of cactus trade and invasions). We purchased seeds of every available species and used DNA barcoding to identify species to the genus level. Although <20% of this trade involved threatened species and <3% involved known invasive species, many species were identified by a common name. However, only 0.02% of the globally traded cacti were collected from wild populations. Despite a large commercial network, all South African imports (of which 15% and 1.5% were of species listed as threatened and invasive, respectively) came from the same source. With DNA barcoding, we identified 24% of the species to genus level. Based on our results, we believe that if trade restrictions are placed on the small proportion of cacti that are invasive and there is no major increase in harvesting of native populations, then the commercial trade in cactus poses a negligible environmental threat. However, there are currently no effective methods for easily identifying which cacti are traded, and both the illicit harvesting of cacti from the wild and the informal trade in invasive taxa pose on‐going conservation challenges.     

长期暴露下纳米TiO2对厌氧颗粒污泥体系稳定性的影响

以厌氧颗粒污泥为研究对象,通过静态试验和连续流厌氧反应器,重点研究了长期暴露下纳米TiO_2在对厌氧产甲烷体系的影响及其在颗粒污泥中的归趋.结果表明,短期急性暴露于150 mg·g-1(以VSS计)的纳米TiO_2尽管会暂时减缓产甲烷速率,但产酸阶段及产甲烷阶段代谢产物总量不会明显受到影响,纳米TiO_2对厌氧颗粒污泥具有较低的急性毒性.反应器运行结果表明,纳米TiO_2的长期暴露可导致挥发性脂肪酸(VFAs)积累及生物气产量降低,产酸菌比产甲烷菌对纳米TiO_2的累积效应更加敏感,纳米TiO_2抑制机制可归因于"物理遮蔽"作用.出水中TiO_2的平均含量只有0.632 mg·L~(-1),绝大多数纳米TiO_2都被截留在了反应器中.FISH检测表明,厌氧颗粒污泥微生物的菌群结构有所变化,纳米TiO_2在反应器内的积累使得甲烷八叠球菌的丰度大幅增加了115.6%,其优势地位明显增强.长短期暴露试验的结果对比也说明,用短期暴露试验来说明纳米颗粒对厌氧体系的长期累积效应具有一定局限性,纳米TiO_2对厌氧颗粒污泥中微生物的负面影响需要较长时间的积累才会显现.本研究结果可为厌氧污水处理体系中纳米颗粒的潜在生态风险评价提供理论支持和参考依据.     

四川德阳地区龙风水库西岸滑坡稳定性分析及防治

本文在对四川德阳地区龙凤水库西岸滑坡的地质地貌条件及变形迹象进行深入调查的基础上,对该滑坡的主要成因及稳定性进行了分析与评价,并有针对性地提出了工程防治方案。研究表明,疏松透水的土层、较强的降雨以及人类耕作活动是导致滑坡发生的主要因素。在天然状态下该滑坡稳定或基本稳定;在天然+地震状态下,该滑坡欠稳定或不稳定;在连续高强度降雨状态下,该滑坡不稳定。故采取截、排水及抗滑桩等工程措施是防治该滑坡的有效方案。     

硫酸羟胺的自加速分解温度和稳定性研究

通过快速筛选热分析试验对硫酸羟胺热危险性进行定性分析,对其热分解过程进行初步研究,获得温度、压力变化规律;再运用C80微量热仪对硫酸羟胺进行深入分析,得到硫酸羟胺的化学反应动力学参数,根据Semenov模型计算其自加速分解温度（SADT）。试验结果表明：由RSD初步筛选试验得到硫酸羟胺在164．2℃时即发生分解放热;用C80法得到硫酸羟胺的起始热分解温度为137．1℃,并计算了该物质在3种典型包装下的自加速分解温度。由SADT得到储存、运输过程中硫酸羟胺的控制温度,从而为减少硫酸羟胺事故的发生提供必要的参考数据。     

干热河谷林地燥红土固碳特征及"新固定"碳表观稳定性

全球气候变化背景下,森林土壤固碳能力及所固定碳的稳定性受到极大关注.基于土壤密度分组和酸水解技术,对比研究了1991年营造的大叶相思(Acacia auriculiformis)林不同阶段(1991、1997、2003和2010年)土壤及其物理和生化组分中有机碳密度.结果表明,造林19 a后林地表层(0～15 cm)和亚表层(15～30 cm)土壤有机碳密度分别为1.40 kg.m-2和0.99kg.m-2.研究期内(1991～2010年)表层和亚表层土壤平均固碳速率分别为37.89 g.(m2.a)-1和16.84 g.(m2.a)-1,且土壤呈现加速固碳特征.2003年林地表层重组有机碳分配比例为71.44%,显著高于2010年(67.99%).2003年林地表层或亚表层轻组顽固性碳指数显著高于重组,但均随林龄的增加而降低,尤其是轻组顽固性碳指数.2003～2010年间燥红土"新固定"碳中57%～70%受物理保护,33%～49%为生化稳定性碳.研究揭示出干热河谷人工林燥红土具备较大的固碳能力.受物理保护碳的生化稳定性低于非保护碳,其稳定性均随林龄的增加而降低.     

基于悬臂梁力学模型分析高边坡危岩体的稳定性——以四川省三清村高边坡W1危岩体为例

四川省苍溪县三清村高边坡的稳定性对当地居民的人身安全构成了威胁,需要对高边坡进行稳定性分析和评价。本文针对三清村高边坡自来水厂段W1危岩体,采用悬臂梁力学模型对其稳定性进行了定量计算及分析,结果表明:将计算所得的W1危岩体截面的最大剪切应力与截面允许的最大剪切应力进行对比,可以判断W1危岩体在自然条件下处于稳定状态,在暴雨和地震条件下处于不稳定状态,该结果与野外的宏观判断结论基本一致。     

降雨条件下某堆积体饱和-非饱和渗流及稳定性分析

降雨是诱发滑坡的主要因素之一。本文以西南地区某堆积体为例,基于非饱和土力学理论,考虑降雨入渗的影响,利用有限元方法,对持续强降雨条件下该堆积体的饱和-非饱和渗流场动态变化、变形破坏机理及稳定性进行了数值模拟和计算,结果表明:降雨入渗使坡体非饱和区土体的基质吸力减小,是导致堆积体稳定性降低的主要因素;随着降雨的持续,堆积体塑性区的范围及贯通距离增加,稳定系数逐渐降低,使整体失稳滑移的危险增大。