Developing and Implementing Multiple-Use Forest Management Planning in Turkey

This paper explains briefly the conceptual framework of an ecosystem-based multiple-use forest management planning focusing on biodiversity conservation and participation. Some results from a case study were documented to realize the implementation of the concept. A strong liaison between the related institutions and major stakeholders and the effective use of Geographic Information System (GIS) and Remote Sensing (RS) are necessary. Effective participation is evident only with the involvement of enthusiastic and skillful stakeholders. A case study of ??neada, Turkey, supported the idea that participation as communication has better possibilities to promote multiple-use forest management than participation as information gathering. Primary challenges relate to the effectiveness of conservation program, availability of coherent biodiversity data, capacity building; awareness, training, and common understanding of biodiversity and protected area concept; coordination among the related institutions and stakeholders; and willingness and enthusiasm of authorities to accept and implement the concept.     

Towards Understanding the Impacts of the Pet Food Industry on World Fish and Seafood Supplies

The status of wild capture fisheries has induced many fisheries and conservation scientists to express concerns about the concept of using forage fish after reduction to fishmeal and fish oil, as feed for farmed animals, particularly in aquaculture. However, a very large quantity of forage fish is being also used untransformed (fresh or frozen) globally for other purposes, such as the pet food industry. So far, no attempts have been made to estimate this quantum, and have been omitted in previous fishmeal and fish oil exploitation surveys. On the basis of recently released data on the Australian importation of fresh or frozen fish for the canned cat food industry, here we show that the estimated amount of raw fishery products directly utilized by the cat food industry equates to 2.48 million metric tonnes per year. This estimate, plus the previously reported global fishmeal consumption for the production of dry pet food suggest that 13.5% of the total 39.0 million tonnes of wild caught forage fish is used for purposes other than human food production. This study attempts to bring forth information on the direct use of fresh or frozen forage fish in the pet food sector that appears to have received little attention to this date and that needs to be considered in the global debate on the ethical nature of current practices on the use of forage fish, a limited biological resource.     

开发研制预防污染的绿色化学产品

文章叙述绿色化学在环境保护中的应用,绿色化学是一门从源头上彻底阻止污染的化学,简介了几种开发研制的对人类健康和环境安全的绿色化学产品及研究开发进展。     

土壤水库和森林植被对水资源的调节作用

以湖南省土地、森林利用状况等有关资料为基础,从土壤和森林对降水形成径流的影响,调节水资源的数量和方式,防洪抗旱减灾方面的作用3个层次,详细地剖析了土壤水库和森林植被对水资源的调节作用。结果指出,土壤水库和森林植被能够调节水资源,其潜力非常大。合理利用土壤水库和森林植被可以蓄水保土减蚀,削减洪峰,减少自然灾害。     

Determination of PCDDs,PCDFs, PCBs and HCB emissions from the metallurgical sector in Poland

Background The aim of the project was to measure the actual emissions of PCDD/F, PCBs and HCB from 20 selected metallurgical installations in Poland, in order to update the national inventory of dioxin emission from metallurgical industry for developing a strategy for dioxins and furans emission abatement from the subject facilities (UNEP 2005). Methods Sampling methodology used in this work was developed at the Cracow University of Technology because of the complexity of simultaneous sampling and determining PCDFs, PCDDs, PCB and HCB. For the determination a GC-MS/MS system was used. Results and Discussion Results from the work indicate that the highest dioxins and PCB concentrations were recorded for iron ore sintering plants at 1.10–1.32 ng total¹ TEQ/Nm³ followed by aluminium scrap melting at 0.03–0.66 ng total TEQ/Nm³. The highest HCB concentrations at 613–1491 ng/Nm³ were also recorded for iron ore sintering plants, whereas at aluminium plants the HCB concentrations were in the range of only 10.1–22.7 ng/Nm³. Conclusions The above investigations indicate that secondary aluminium production is the most significant dioxins source, if calculated as emission factor values. However, iron ore sintering plants are operating at much higher production capacity, causing this process to become the major source of dioxins, PCB and HCB pollution to the atmosphere in Poland. Recommendations and Perspectives Based on the performed tests and the environmental reviews of selected plants several recommendations were formulated for the reduction of generation or of emission of these pollutants from iron ore sintering plants, electric arc furnace steel production processes, hot-blast furnace operations, secondary aluminium smelting and primary zinc production from zinc cathodes.     

Nitrogen Content of Letharia vulpina Tissue from Forests of the Sierra Nevada, California: Geographic Patterns and Relationships to Ammonia Estimates and Climate

Nitrogen (N) pollution is a growing concern in forests of the greater Sierra Nevada, which lie downwind of the highly populated and agricultural Central Valley. Nitrogen content of Letharia vulpina tissue was analyzed from 38 sites using total Kjeldahl analysis to provide a preliminary assessment of N deposition patterns. Collections were co-located with plots where epiphytic macrolichen communities are used for estimating ammonia (NH₃) deposition. Tissue N ranged from 0.6% to 2.11% with the highest values occurring in the southwestern Sierra Nevada (range: 1.38 to 2.11). Tissue N at 17 plots was elevated, as defined by a threshold concentration of 1.03%. Stepwise regression was used to determine the best predictors of tissue N from among a variety of environmental variables. The best model consisted only of longitude (r ² = 0.64), which was reflected in the geographic distribution of tissue values: the southwestern Sierra Nevada, the high Sierras near the Tahoe Basin, and the Modoc Plateau, are three apparent N hotspots arranged along the tilted north–south axis of the study area. Withholding longitude and latitude, the best regression model suggested that NH₃ estimates and annual number of wetdays interactively affect N accumulation (r ² = 0.61; % N ∼ NH₃ + wetdays + (NH₃ × wetdays)). We did not expect perfect correspondence between tissue values and NH₃ estimates since other N pollutants also accumulate in the lichen thallus. Additionally, other factors potentially affecting N content, such as growth rate and leaching, were not given full account.     

Ozone and/or Water Stresses Could have Influenced the Betula ermanii Cham. Forest Decline Observed at Oku-Nikko, Japan

A serious forest decline of Betula ermanii Cham. has been observed at Mt. Mae-Shirane, Oku-Nikko, Japan, where high ozone (O₃) concentration and severe water deficiency have been measured. In order to consider the possibility whether O₃ and/or water stresses could have been the causes of the forest decline of B. ermanii, plant growth experiments were conducted in environment-controlled growth cabinets. Two-year-old seedlings of B. ermanii were exposed to either charcoal-filtered air (O₃ concentration <5 ppb) or 50 ppb O₃ (daily average, ranging between 20–100 ppb) for 123 days at 20.0/12.5 ± 1.0°C (day/night) and 70/80 ± 7% relative humidity (day/night). Simultaneously, seedlings were treated with three watering regime: 1.0 < pF < 1.8 (no water stress), 1.8 < pF < 2.5 (mild water stress) or 2.5 < pF < 3.0 (severe water stress). O₃ exposure significantly reduced the dry weights of leaf, root and the whole plant, while water stress significantly reduced the dry weights of each organ and the whole plant. Significant reductions of net photosynthesis, transpiration and stomatal conductance were also observed under O₃ and/or water deficiency treatments, while contents of RuBP carboxylase/oxygenase (Rubisco), chlorophyll _a+b and some essential nutrient elements (N, P, K, Mg and Ca) were not markedly changed. It was suggested that the decrease in net photosynthetic rate induced mainly by stomatal closure was the major cause of the growth reduction under O₃ and/or water stresses. No significant interactions between O₃ and water stresses were observed in terms of the depression of dry matter production, which suggested that simultaneous stress treatments of O₃ exposure and water deficiency could affect the tree growth of B. ermanii additively.     

Are Nitrogen-Fertilized Forest Soils Sinks or Sources of Carbon?

We developed a simple conceptual model that tracks nitrogen and carbon jointly through an N fertilized forest ecosystem. The stimulation of growth increases the litterfall and imports substrate for soil microorganisms. Microbial biomass forms according to the supply of C and N. The formation of microbial biomass is accompanied by respiratory C losses. The quantity of CO₂ efflux depends on the C use efficiency of microbes. When excess N is available, the microbial activity is accelerated and the demand for substrate is high. Litterfall supplies an insufficient amount of C to the soil. In such a case, labile soil C is mineralized and the net effect of N fertilization is a loss of soil C. A strong N fertilization effect on the aboveground biomass can offset the soil C loss. In the case of a low N dosage or high N losses due to leaching or emission of nitrogen oxides, the soil C loss is small. The conceptual model was applied to a case study. The field data, collected over a time span of several decades, could not support sound conclusions on the temporal trend of soil C because the spatial and temporal variability of the chemical data was high. The conceptual model allowed to give an evaluation of the fertilization effect on soil C based on reproducible principles.     

Temporal Changes in Forest Landscape Patterns in Artvin Forest Planning Unit, Turkey

Understanding the historical dynamics, composition, and environmental disturbances of forest landscapes provides a context for monitoring changes, describing trends, and establishing reference conditions. This study analyses the temporal changes in forest ecosystem structure in Artvin Forest Planning Unit (AFPU), Turkey, during 1972–2002 period based on digitized forest stand type maps using geographic information system (GIS) and interpretation of satellite data. The results showed that there was a net decrease of 450 ha in total forested areas between 1972 and 2002. Forest ecosystem structure changed over time depending on a few factors such as demographic movements, insect outbreaks, dam and road construction, unregulated management actions, and social pressure. In conclusion, temporal changes and the factors affecting these changes should be determined for sustainable management of natural resources.     

Minimization of the environmental impact of chrome tanning: a new process with high chrome exhaustion

In all tanning technology operations wastes are generated. These reach the environment as residual waters, solid and liquid waste as well as atmospheric emissions and odours.

This study tests an alternative method to the traditional tanning method at an industrial level. The new method is based on tanning without float and by significantly increasing the temperature at the end of the tanning process. The properties of the leathers obtained using the two methods have been compared and the results indicate that those leathers have similar physical, chemical, and organoleptic properties. However, the differences existing from the environmental point of view are significant. It is not necessary to use clean water for this tanning. Moreover, there is a 75% reduction of the residual float, a 91% reduction of the chrome discharged, and a 94% reduction of the chlorides discharged. A financial assessment was carried out to demonstrate that the newly proposed system is 32% more economic than the traditional one.