Leadership: a New Frontier in Conservation Science

Abstract:  Leadership is a critical tool for expanding the influence of conservation science, but recent advances in leadership concepts and practice remain underutilized by conservation scientists. Furthermore, an explicit conceptual foundation and definition of leadership in conservation science are not available in the literature. Here we drew on our diverse leadership experiences, our reading of leadership literature, and discussions with selected conservation science leaders to define conservation-science leadership, summarize an exploratory set of leadership principles that are applicable to conservation science, and recommend actions to expand leadership capacity among conservation scientists and practitioners. We define 2 types of conservation-science leadership: shaping conservation science through path-breaking research, and advancing the integration of conservation science into policy, management, and society at large. We focused on the second, integrative type of leadership because we believe it presents the greatest opportunity for improving conservation effectiveness. We identified 8 leadership principles derived mainly from the "adaptive leadership" literature: recognize the social dimension of the problem; cycle frequently through action and reflection; get and maintain attention; combine strengths of multiple leaders; extend your reach through networks of relationships; strategically time your effort; nurture productive conflict; and cultivate diversity. Conservation scientists and practitioners should strive to develop themselves as leaders, and the Society for Conservation Biology, conservation organizations, and academia should support this effort through professional development, mentoring, teaching, and research.     

Evaluation of suitable tiger habitat in Chandoli National Park,India, using spatial modelling of environmental variables

Application of remote sensing and Geographic Information System (GIS) as a tool has assumed an immense significance in habitat suitability modelling for various wildlife species and now a days these are widely used in conservation biology and wildlife management.     

安全科技人才教育发展战略研究

我国当前安全事故频发与安全科技人才匮乏有一定的关系，安全科技人才教育公共性的缺失是安全科技人才减少的主要原因，国家要走政府主导型的安全科技人才教育发展之路，从战略的高度对其进行研究，本文就这一问题进行尝试性的探索，旨在为我国安全产生提供数量足够的高质量的安全科技人才，为国家作出更大的贡献。     

Development of China-Brazil Earth Resources Satellite (CBERS) and Establishment of China Center for Resources Satellite Data and Application (CRESDA)

Abstract

Building ecocities becomes an objective requirement for sustainable development. This article discusses the relationship between sustainable development and sustainable urban development. On the basis of discussing the sigificance of sustainable urban development and that of an eco-city from different perspectives, it suggests several management strategies for developing an eco-city, a desirable sustainable urban model.     

Investigation on the Degradation of Natural Heritage of Singing Sand Mountain and Crescent Moon Spring at Dunhuang City, China

The main purpose of this study is to put forward a reasonable idea of the general protection for Singing Sand Mountain and Crescent Moon Spring, a rare and unique desert wonder, and of sustainable tourism development based on the research on the ecological environment around. Methods of documentation, case study and comparison were employed. Finally, aiming at solving the problems of natural environment and those existing after the exploitation of Singing Sand Mountain and Crescent Moon Spring the author puts forward three measures： the comprehensive treatment for Crescent Moon Spring （broadening resources of water and reducing expenditures, checking the decreasing depth of Crescent Moon Spring, and improving the geographical environment）, the general protection envisions for Singing Sand Mountain and Crescent Moon Spring and establishing a dynamic monitoring and early-warning system of regional ecosystem.     

大都市群的环境问题及其环境保护战略

从实现新时期统筹发展的国家战略需求出发,剖析了大都市群跨区域交叉污染、复合污染、累计污染的特点,指出这些区域已成为环境资源“漏斗区”和突发性环境危机的风险区。认为只有采取主动引导发展的国家环境战略才能有效地解决大都市群和环境的协调可持续发展问题。阐述了主动环保战略的重大措施包括引导调整发展布局、转变经济增长方式、转变生活方式、创新国家环境管理体制、创新环境科技体系和系统、人工提高环境承载能力等。     

The Conservation Status and Conservation Strategy of Picea neoveitchii

Abstract

Picea neoveitchii is an endemic species in China. It had been listed as an endangered species in red data books. It scatters in several locations of south slope of the Qinling Mountain of China. Upon reviewing the related literature, discussing with leading scholars on gymnosperm, ecology and plant conservation, the field survey was carried out in four locations. There are eleven mature individuals and two seedlings surviving in its natural habitats. With the survey of quadrat method in four locations, related community index were calculated such as relative important value (RIV), species richness, similarity index, diversity index and evenness index etc. The community could be sorted and characterized as three groups based on the community parameters. The analysis of vegetation table elucidates that Picea neoveitchii is a dominant species with low grouping rate in most surveyed sites.

The RAPD analysis shows target species has intraspecific genetic variability. The estimation of Shannon's phenotypic diversity index (Ho) also explains the difference of genetic variations of different locations.

Due to the lack of enough knowledge and professional guide of conservation biological perspective, Picea neoveitchii had been clear-cut for timber production. The extent of occurrence and area of occupancy declined rapidly from 1950s to 1990s. According to the Conservation Category guideline proposed by the World Conservation Union, the conservation status of Picea neoveitchii was reevaluated as Critically Endangered (CR) B2b C2a D. Upon research in areas of ecology, molecular biology, cluster analysis of environmental parameters, a practical conservation strategy is recommended in this research.     

“Fox Tots Attack Shock”: Urban Foxes,Mass Media and Boundary-Breaching

This paper offers a brief comment/analysis of an abridged version of America's Best Idea that was produced and distributed by Earth Ministry (with WETA's approval). There were two versions (one for Christian audiences and the other for "everyone else," i.e. interfaith) that were distributed, along with a study guide, that use Ken Burns' film to teach about/endorse creation care. This paper discusses the ways in which the film is edited to highlight its already salient "God and country" themes and to suggest that this version of the film should prompt critics to reconsider the entirety of (the original) America's Best Idea as a more complex statement of faith/nationalism and to consider the extent to which both of these films suggest a privatized, personal environmental agenda. In other words, the broader discourses of creation care threaten to move environmental concerns out of the realm of policy/public/governance (unless articulated publicly to faith-based justifications) and into the realm of the individual's relationship with God first…and others (family, community, nation, world, and various assemblages, i.e. capitalism) second.     

Ergodynamics and Hybrid Intelligence Systems in the Reliability of Power Plant Operators

Based on ergodynamics and the hybrid intelligence theory, an analysis of the nuclear power plant operator’s performance is given at the levels of strategies, tactics, and actions. Special attention is paid to the strategies used in the course of severe accidents at nuclear power plants. Data from Ukrainian and Russian power plants and training centres and from accidents around the world were collected and processed. It is shown that in an emergency it is essential for the human operator to be flexible. This flexibility includes two main training and personal factors: a large set of strategies and tactics the operator manages to use, and quick transformations between the strategies (tactics). It was also found that some emergency tasks are too complicated: They require simultaneous use of different strategies, with time strictly limited by nuclear power plant dynamics. Those tasks cannot be successfully solved by any individual operator. Hybrid intelligence systems involving different specialists should be used in those cases in order to avoid failures in emergency problem solving.     

我国北方地区城市水资源策略优化研究

在分析各种水资源危机对策的基础上,提出利用阈值分析作为城市水资源策略的优化方法,以确定最佳的水资源策略方案.并以北京市为例,采用该方法对水资源策略进行了初步的优化分析.分析结果表明,北京水资源策略中水源保护的阈值明显优于其他策略的阈值,跨流域调水和海水淡化策略的阈值较高.从长期技术发展看,海水淡化是最有潜力的水资源策略.