Finding all optimal solutions to the reserve site selection problem: formulation and computational analysis

The problem of selecting nature reserves has received increased attention in the literature during the past decade, and a variety of approaches have been promoted for selecting those sites to include in a reserve network. One set of techniques employs heuristic algorithms and thus provides possibly sub-optimal solutions. Another set of models and accompanying algorithms uses an integer programming formulation of the problem, resulting in an optimization problem known as the Maximal Covering Problem, or MCP. Solution of the MCP provides an optimal solution to the reserve site selection problem, and while various algorithms can be employed for solving the MCP they all suffer from the disadvantage of providing a single optimal solution dictating the selection of areas for conservation. In order to provide complete information to decision makers, the determination of all alternate optimal solutions is necessary. This paper explores two procedures for finding all such solutions. We describe the formulation and motivation of each method. A computational analysis on a data set describing native terrestrial vertebrates in the state of Oregon illustrates the effectiveness of each approach.     

Governing the termination problem in solar radiation management

ABSTRACT

Technologies for Solar Radiation Management (SRM) could limit global warming by manipulating the Earth’s radiation balance. A major objection to SRM is the termination problem: the catastrophic consequences that are likely to result from its sudden discontinuation. The termination problem limits the reversibility of policy choices and poses the risk of inadvertent or enforced program collapse. It is often considered a major impediment to the governability of SRM. In a first attempt to systematically engage with the question of institutional design for resolving the termination problem, the scenarios in which the termination problem arises as well as their respective drivers are identified. Scenarios and drivers are then used to derive institutional solutions in the form of excludable benefits, scientific oversight and phase-out mechanisms. While other objections to SRM may remain valid, it is concluded that the termination problem raises fewer challenges for international governance than is usually assumed.     

Characterisation of HTO diffusion properties by an in situ tracer experiment in Opalinus clay at Mont Terri

A long-term single borehole diffusion experiment using tritiated water as tracer was carried out in Opalinus clay, an argillaceous rock formation that is accessible at the Mont Terri Underground Research Laboratory, situated in the Swiss Jura. The tracer was diluted in reconstituted formation water and introduced into a packed-off section of a borehole located in saturated rock. Pressure in this interval was maintained equal to the pore pressure of the surrounding rock in order to prevent any hydraulic gradient around the borehole and to avoid advective transport processes. The evolution of the tracer concentration in the injection system was monitored over time. After 1 year of diffusion, the claystone surrounding the interval was retrieved by overcoring the whole borehole and packer system, and by an adjacent oblique borehole. Compressed air was used as drilling fluid to reduce rock disturbances. The recovered overcore was sampled along profiles perpendicular to the borehole wall with a view to determining the tracer-concentration profiles in the rock. To avoid further evaporation of tritiated water, subsamples were immediately transferred into polyethylene bottles and disaggregated by adding a known amount of tracer-free water. Fifteen profiles were determined and showed a decreasing tracer concentration with distance into the rock. The pore-water contents were constant along those profiles, confirming that only very little water was lost during overcoring operations. The evolution of tritium-tracer concentration in the injection system over time and in situ profiles were interpreted with a 3-D numerical simulation of the experiment. That allowed for the identification of the transport parameters (orthotropic diffusion tensor and porosity) by minimising the relative quadratic error between the experimental and simulated data. The fitting is good and the results are consistent with data obtained on drill-core samples. The result of tritiated water is discussed regarding (1) the potential effect of mechanical and/or chemical disturbances around the injection borehole and (2) the specific behaviour of tritiated water.     

排污收费存在的问题及其对策

排污收费是国家环境管理的重要经济手段，具有强制性。作者着重论述了现行排污收费中存在的问题，分析了主要原因，并结合环境监察工作实际，提出了相关的对策和建议。     

三峡工程移民安置区的环境问题与对策

提出三峡工程移民安置区的主要环境问题，并说明采取的防治对策及措施。     

环境监测质量保证工作的有效开展

主要对环境监测质量保证工作中出现的问题进行了阐述，并就如何有效开展环境监测质量保证工作提出了几点建议。     

沃洲湖水质保护及其思考

沃洲湖景区建设的全面启动将给沃洲湖的水质保护带来严峻挑战。分析了沃洲湖水质保护的重要性,目前的水质现状以及存在的主要环境问题,针对性地提出了一些思考意见。     

浅谈我国西部大开发中的生态建设和环境保护

本文通过对我国西部地区环境问题的讨论，指出加强生态建设和环境保护是西部大开发的根本和切入点。是可持续发展的必然要求；并在此基础上提出了在西部地区进行生态建设和环境保护的一些具体措施。     

环境问题中受益者和受害者关系动态初步分析

从理论上揭示环境问题分化产生受益者和受害者的效应对社会生活和社会系统的作用和影响，勾绘出研究框架；运用种群生态学和社会生态学方法和思路，对受益者和受害者之间的比例、数量动态、时空距离、空间分布模式、形状、受益者和受害者相互间排列和相互间关系进行分析，在此基础上探讨分析受益者和受害者之间关系动态，行为策略对环境状况的影响，强调受益者和受害者的合作是突破环境问题困境唯一途径。     

浅谈企业环境信息公开

现代环境管理强调公众参与.其前提是环境信息对公众的公开.企业主动披露其环境信息属于其中一种方式.本文通过阐述企业环境信息公开对于环境改善和促进企业发展的作用,针对中国现阶段企业环境信息公开的状况和存在的问题,提出了相关的建议,希望借此推动更多的企业开展环境信息公开.