Spatial concentration distributions of sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides in Patras, Greece, in a winter period

An economic and quick methodology for performing a preliminary spatial assessment of a city air quality with the purpose to identify locations and zones susceptible to high pollution levels is proposed. A Patras case-study is selected, regarding the air pollutants of sulfur dioxide (SO₂) and oxides of nitrogen (NO_x). A total number of 451 samples of short duration, of which 225 were randomly picked in morning rush hours and 226 within evening rush hours, were collected from 50 locations of the major Patras area during a year period, when peaks of primary air pollutants usually occur. Concentration measurements at prescribed locations used to statistically calculate spatial average concentrations approximating 1-h mean values with mean probable errors less than 25.9% for SO₂, NO and NO_x and less than 15.5% for NO₂. Then iso-concentration contour diagrams plotted indicate high pollution zones and possibly appropriate locations for continuous or random monitoring according to the European Community (EC) Directives. The 1-h mean concentrations were in good correlation to the corresponding traffic rates and useful relationships are given (0.54 ≤ r ≤ 0.63). In addition, comparisons with data available for other cities, as well as with the limit and guide values provided by the EC and the World Health Organization (WHO) were given. The present data could be useful for the design and optimization of a city network of stations for monitoring air quality, for environmental impact assessments, future reference and comparisons due to city development needs, as well as for validating dispersion models.     

改善空气质量健康效益的非市场价值评估

采用目前美国国家海洋局(NOAA)推荐的双边界二分式条件价值评估方法,对北京市空气质量改善产生的健康效益进行评估.对北京市城八区居民共发放880份调查问卷,调查居民对通过改善空气质量进而使健康免受危害计划的最大支付意愿.结果表明:未来5年内北京市居民每户的平均最大支付意愿为652.33元/a,居民健康总经济效益现值为61.08×108～75.41×108元;支付意愿影响因素分析表明,支付意愿与居民家庭经济状况、受教育程度、健康状况有正向关系,男性比女性的支付意愿高.分析结果与经济学原理相符,该评估的可靠性得以验证.      

Sensitivity of species-distribution models to error,bias, and model design: An application to resource selection functions for woodland caribou

Models that predict distribution are now widely used to understand the patterns and processes of plant and animal occurrence as well as to guide conservation and management of rare or threatened species. Application of these methods has led to corresponding studies evaluating the sensitivity of model performance to requisite data and other factors that may lead to imprecise or false inferences. We expand upon these works by providing a relative measure of the sensitivity of model parameters and prediction to common sources of error, bias, and variability. We used a one-at-a-time sample design and GPS location data for woodland caribou (Rangifer tarandus caribou) to assess one common species-distribution model: a resource selection function. Our measures of sensitivity included change in coefficient values, prediction success, and the area of mapped habitats following the systematic introduction of geographic error and bias in occurrence data, thematic misclassification of resource maps, and variation in model design. Results suggested that error, bias and model variation have a large impact on the direct interpretation of coefficients. Prediction success and definition of important habitats were less responsive to the perturbations we introduced to the baseline model. Model coefficients, prediction success, and area of ranked habitats were most sensitive to positional error in species locations followed by sampling bias, misclassification of resources, and variation in model design. We recommend that researchers report, and practitioners consider, levels of error and bias introduced to predictive species-distribution models. Formal sensitivity and uncertainty analyses are the most effective means for evaluating and focusing improvements on input data and considering the range of values possible from imperfect models.     

Energy flow modeling and sensitivity analysis of inputs for canola production in Iran

This study examines energy use patterns and the relationship between energy inputs and yield for canola production in Golestan province of Iran. Data used in this study were obtained from 130 randomly selected canola farms using a face to face survey. The results revealed that total energy of 17,786.36 MJ ha⁻¹ was required for canola production and fertilizer, diesel fuel and electricity were the main energy consuming inputs. Energy use efficiency and energy productivity were 3.02 and 0.12 kg MJ⁻¹, respectively. Moreover, in specifying a functional relationship the Cobb-Douglas production function was applied and the results showed that machinery, fertilizer, diesel fuel and water for irrigation energies significantly contributed to yield. Also, the marginal physical productivity (MPP) technique was applied to analyze the sensitivity of energy inputs. It was found that, canola production had more sensitivity on machinery, fertilizer and water for irrigation energies; so that an additional use of 1 MJ from each of the machinery, total fertilizer and water for irrigation would lead to an increase in production by 0.93, 0.61 and 0.24 kg, respectively. However, electricity and seed energies were contributed negatively to yield, which may result in inverse effect on yield and impose risks to the environment.     

《物权法》为什么没有规定渔业环境权?

渔业环境权是渔业权人在得到许可的渔业水域从事养殖、捕捞等生产活动时所拥有的保护渔业水域环境的权利。根据物权理论，渔业环境权是一种基于国家对渔业水域的所有权上派生的用益物权，是《物权法》中养殖权和捕捞权的构成要件，它同养殖或捕捞水生动（植）物的所有权、对得到许可的水域（水体）的占有或使用权一起，构成完整的养殖权或捕捞权。这就是现行法律制度没有规定独立的渔业环境权的原因。     

Effects of Riparian Areas,Stream Order,and Land Use Disturbance on Watershed‐Scale Habitat Potential: An Ecohydrologic Approach to Policy1

Abstract: Spatio‐temporal linkages between hydrologic and ecologic dimensions of watersheds play a critical role in conservation policies. Habitat potential is influenced by variation along longitudinal and lateral gradients and land use disturbance. An assessment of these influences provides critical information for protecting watershed ecosystems and in making spatially explicit, conservation decisions. We use an ecohydrologic approach that focuses on interface between hydrological and ecological processes. This study focuses on changes in watershed habitat potentials along lateral (riparian), and longitudinal (stream order) dimensions and disturbance (land use). The habitat potentials were evaluated for amphibians, reptiles, mammals, and birds in the Westfield River Watershed of Massachusetts using geographic information systems and multivariate analysis. We use a polynomial model to study nonlinear effects using robust regression. Various spatial policies were modeled and evaluated for influence on species diversity. All habitat potentials showed a strong influence along spatial dimensions and disturbance. The habitat potential for all vertebrate groups studied decreased as the distance from the riparian zone increased. Headwaters and lower order subwatersheds had higher levels of species diversity compared to higher order subwatersheds. It was observed that locations with the least disturbance also had higher habitat potential. The study identifies three policy criteria that could be used to identify critical areas within a watershed to conserve habitat suitable for various species through management and restoration activities. A spatially variable policy that is based on stream order, riparian distance, and land use can be used to maximize watershed ecological benefits. Wider riparian zones with variable widths, protection of headwaters and lower order subwatersheds, and minimizing disturbance in riparian and headwater areas can be used in watershed policy. These management objectives could be achieved using targeted economic incentives, best management practices, zoning laws, and educational programs using a watershed perspective.     

南水北调中线工程渡槽的综合防洪风险分析

远距离输水工程沿途往往要跨越众多河系,交叉建筑物极易受到洪水的冲击,这就需要对其防洪风险给出定量的评估。以可靠度理论为基础,根据渠道所穿越的各条河流的水文、气象、地质、工程结构的随机特征给出了引水工程交叉建筑物的综合防洪风险计算方法;并以南水北调中线工程河北省段3座渡槽为例对该方法进行了验证。结果表明:南水北调中线工程河北省段渡槽的综合防洪风险小于万分之一。     

福建省台风灾害时空变化分析

根据福建省灾害性气象年鉴和福建省气候影响评价资料,建立以县域为单元的福建省台风灾害数据库,运用Excel软件和M ap info技术,重建了1980~2005年福建台风灾害时空动态格局。研究表明:福建台风灾害年际变化总体呈波动上升趋势,年内80%左右集中在7~9月份,群发性强。空间上集中在沿海地区,灾情明显存在3个高值中心,即闽中的莆田、福清、长乐和平潭,闽南的漳浦、云霄和诏安,闽东北的霞浦和福鼎;致灾因子与灾情灾次比空间分布错位,体现承灾体脆弱性对台风灾害的影响。分阶段研究表明:台风灾害致灾因子变化不太明显,但灾情呈明显增强趋势,进一步反映环境不稳定性和承灾体脆弱性对台风灾害的影响机制。     

浅议工业污染源全面达标试点中的环境监测工作

本文简要介绍了中山市在国家环保总局“十五”环境规划期间做为第一批工业污染源全面达标试点城市,环境监测部门发挥出的重要职能和作用。对工业污染源全面达标验收工作做了全面而客观的总结和评估,为日后开展此项工作的兄弟单位提供了有益的经验和启示。     

体育运动对提高大学生社会适应能力的作用

体育运动的社会特性毋庸置疑是提高人的社会健康水平，同时，人在体育运动时，既要定位与合作，又存在相互竞争的现象。这对提高大学生的社会适应能力具有一定的积极意义。