Effects of Desertification Caused by Lithophaga lithophaga (Mollusca) Fishery on Littoral Fish Assemblages along Rocky Coasts of Southeastern Italy

Abstract:  We surveyed shallow, rocky reefs in southwestern Apulia (Mediterranean Sea) to assess the effects on coastal fish assemblages of the date mussel (  Lithophaga lithophaga ) fishery, an illegal practice that strips the rocky reef bare. We visually sampled fish four times over 15 months at three locations, one affected by date-mussel fishery and two controls. The fish assemblage at the affected location differed significantly from those at the control locations over all sampling times. Herbivorous fishes, sparids, and labrids (genus Symphodus ) contributed most to the differences between the affected location and controls. Lower densities of Symphodus spp. were observed at the affected location, whereas detritivorous fishes were recorded exclusively at control sites. Small serranids and sparids showed temporal trends that differed between the affected location and the control locations. Our results suggest that the date-mussel fishery affects fish assemblages chiefly through reduction of arborescent macroalgae (contributing to habitat complexity and primary production) and emphasize the need for more effective policing against this destructive practice.     

Land Degradation Monitoring in Namibia: A First Approximation

This paper presents development of a first approximation of a Namibian, national level, land degradation monitoring system. The process involved a large number of stakeholders and led to the definition of four primary indicators that were regarded as related to land degradation in Namibia: population pressure, livestock pressure, seasonal rainfall and erosion hazards. These indicators were calculated annually for the period 1971–1997. Annual land degradation risk maps were produced for the same period by combining the indicators. A time series analysis of results generated by indicators was undertaken at two sites. The analysis revealed a general trend towards an increased land degradation risk over the period 1971–1997. A decrease in annual rainfall and an increase in livestock numbers caused this negative trend at one site, while decreased annual rainfall and increased human population were the causes at a second site. Evaluation of resulting maps through direct field observations and long-term monitoring at selected study sites with different conditions relevant for the indicators defined, is an essential next step.     

Land User Participation in Developing a Computerised Decision Support System for Combating Desertification

Combating desertification in natural rangelands has recently become a priority in large parts of southern Africa. Rangeland managers, farmers, scientists, conservationists and land users have been applying a variety of restoration technologies to address this problem. Bush encroachment, as part of the desertification process, involves the natural replacement of the herbaceous plant cover by undesirable problem woody species. The active and passive restoration technologies that are applied, are mainly based on indigenous knowledge and include the chemical, mechanical or manual reclamation of unproductive rangelands, as well as the combating of woody and alien species encroachment. Indigenous practices and knowledge play a major role in the effectiveness and success rate of these technologies. This project faces the challenge of bringing together both local and scientific knowledge in a single user-friendly, computerised Decision Support System (DSS) which is directly accessible by land users to support them in the process of decision making, concerning the combating of desertification. Case studies from central and northern Namibia were used to combine qualitative and quantitative data to develop this Decision Support System. The DSS currently consists of two databases and an expert system, which evaluates the results of land users’ management practices, and provides easily accessible information and advice for participants in the system, based on the incorporated data. The DSS is also linked to national and international web sites and databases to offer a wider range of information on technologies concerning agricultural and conservation practices.     

基于循环经济的西部荒漠化治理途径探讨

荒漠化是制约我国西部地区发展的重要环境问题.本文在分析西部荒漠化现状的基础上,基于循环经济理念,从建立以可再生能源为主体的能源结构、构建产业体系和树立人与自然和谐发展的思维观三个方面提出并探讨了荒漠化的治理途径,为西部地区实现经济、社会和生态环境的协调发展提供借鉴.     

黔中岩溶地区草地下土壤CO_2含量的变化特征

全球碳循环中,CO_2的未知汇可能是陆地生态系统中某一部分,如土壤。土壤中CO_2的含量是大气的几倍至近百倍,它的吸收与释放将影响大气中的CO_2浓度。岩溶地区占全球陆地面积的1/15。对典型的岩溶地区——黔中某地土壤的CO_2进行了四季及昼夜的采样测定,结果表明,该地地表大气的CO_2含量具有季节变化的特征。土壤气中的CO_2浓度为大气CO_2浓度的几倍至一百多倍;自地表向下,随着土壤深度的增大,CO_2浓度升高。土壤CO_2含量的季节变化及昼夜变化,与土壤中CO_2来源和温度等因子变化有关。     

从动力地质作用原理探讨沙漠化成因

大规模沙漠化从岩石记录中可以追溯到中生代中期，第四纪以来南北两半球各存在一条中纬度沙漠带，中国的沙漠化是这个全球沙漠化进程的一个组成部分。沙漠化是在地质演化过程中受内、外动力地质作用联合控制的地质事件。是岩石圈与大气圈、生物圈及水圈强烈作用在地壳表层形成的一种特殊地质现象。这种现象的形成与演化是漫长的和具有周期性的，不会因为局部的条件变化而发生整体意义上的突变。人类活动是局部的，在整个地球沙漠化进程中只是起到一个加速剂的作用。沙漠化过程可分为3个阶段，即物理风化与沙源积聚阶段、风沙作用阶段和沙漠化阶段。沙漠期后沙丘沙经过固化生草、胶结成岩阶段后即形成风成砂岩。     

土地荒漠化的成因、危害及防治对策

土地荒漠化是指在干旱、半干旱和某些半湿润、湿润地区,由于气候变化和人类活动等各种因素所造成的土地退化,它使土地生物和经济生产潜力减少,甚至基本丧失.我国是全球荒漠化面积较大、分布较广、危害较严重的国家之一.近年来由于采取了一系列有效的治理措施,荒漠化和沙化整体扩展的趋势已得到初步遏制,但形势依然严峻.     

桩基础在水城岩溶盆地中的应用

在进行桩基础设计时,桩基础型式的选择是至关重要的。笔者根据在水城(六盘水市)从事岩土工程工作多年的实践经验,对水城岩溶盆地地质构造及主要工程地质问题进行了分析,从安全、经济、实用等角度对比了目前在盆地内建筑物或构筑物所采用的几种主要桩基础型式,并例举了一些工程实例。最后,就水城不同的工程地质条件,总结出相对应的经济适用的桩基础型式。     

宁夏盐池县社会经济与环境协调发展的策略分析

本文通过分析宁夏盐池县的自然条件、自然资源以及社会经济发展与环境的关系,应用权图影响结构模型对该县社会经济与环境系统进行了定量的分析与研究。建立了7个模型,并通过预测、比较实施不同发展策略后各模型的系统状态,找出了使系统优化运行的灵敏调控点,分析了各分项调整策略之间相互制约、相互促进的关系,提出了使该县社会经济与环境协调发展的策略。     

岩溶山区煤炭开采的环境影响与对策浅析

岩溶山区的煤炭开采必将时生态环境造成影响和破环．为确保煤炭生产与生态环境的协调发展，根据岩溶山区资源环境与生态特点。采取积极有效的综合防治措施，以及收取环境恢复治理保证金的建议，可望通过实践取得成效．