Ecosystem services in coupled social–ecological systems: Closing the cycle of service provision and societal feedback

Both the ‘cascade model’ of ecosystem service provision and the Driver-Pressure-State-Impact-Response framework individually contribute to the understanding of human–nature interactions in social–ecological systems (SES). Yet, as several points of criticism show, they are limited analytical tools when it comes to reproducing complex cause–effect relationships in such systems. However, in this paper, we point out that by merging the two models, they can mutually enhance their comprehensiveness and overcome their individual conceptual deficits. Therefore we closed a cycle of ecosystem service provision and societal feedback by rethinking and reassembling the core elements of both models. That way, we established a causal sequence apt to describe the causes of change to SES, their effects and their consequences. Finally, to illustrate its functioning we exemplified and discussed our approach based on a case study conducted in the Alpujarra de la Sierra in southern Spain.

Electronic supplementary material

The online version of this article (doi:10.1007/s13280-015-0651-y) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.     

Beaver-mediated methane emission: The effects of population growth in Eurasia and the Americas

Globally, greenhouse gas budgets are dominated by natural sources, and aquatic ecosystems are a prominent source of methane (CH₄) to the atmosphere. Beaver (Castor canadensis and Castor fiber) populations have experienced human-driven change, and CH₄ emissions associated with their habitat remain uncertain. This study reports the effect of near extinction and recovery of beavers globally on aquatic CH₄ emissions and habitat. Resurgence of native beaver populations and their introduction in other regions accounts for emission of 0.18–0.80 Tg CH₄ year⁻¹ (year 2000). This flux is approximately 200 times larger than emissions from the same systems (ponds and flowing waters that became ponds) circa 1900. Beaver population recovery was estimated to have led to the creation of 9500–42 000 km² of ponded water, and increased riparian interface length of >200 000 km. Continued range expansion and population growth in South America and Europe could further increase CH₄ emissions.

Electronic supplementary material

The online version of this article (doi:10.1007/s13280-014-0575-y) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.     

The New Zealand experience of varroa invasion highlights research opportunities for Australia

The Varroa mite (Varroa destructor) is implicated as a major disease factor in honey bee (Apis mellifera) populations worldwide. Honey bees are extensively relied upon for pollination services, and in countries such as New Zealand and Australia where honey bees have been introduced specifically for commercial pollinator services, the economic effects of any decline in honey bee numbers are predicted to be profound. V. destructor established in New Zealand in 2000 but as yet, Australia remains Varroa-free. Here we analyze the history of V. destructor invasion and spread in New Zealand and discuss the likely long-term impacts. When the mite was discovered in New Zealand, it was considered too well established for eradication to be feasible. Despite control efforts, V. destructor has since spread throughout the country. Today, assessing the impacts of the arrival of V. destructor in this country is compromised by a paucity of data on pollinator communities as they existed prior to invasion. Australia’s Varroa-free status provides a rare and likely brief window of opportunity for the global bee research community to gain understanding of honey bee-native pollinator community dynamics prior to Varroa invasion.     

Loss of traditional knowledge aggravates wolf–human conflict in Georgia (Caucasus) in the wake of socio-economic change

Reports of the damage from wolf attacks have increased considerably over the last decade in Georgia (in the Caucasus). We interviewed locals about this problem in two focal regions: the Lanchkhuti area (in western Georgia) and Kazbegi District (in eastern Georgia) where livestock numbers had increased by an order of magnitude owing to dramatic shifts in the local economies over the last decade. This coincided with expanding habitats for wolves (abandoned plantations, for example). We found that the perceived damage from wolves was positively correlated with a poor knowledge of wolf habits and inappropriate livestock husbandry practices. Our results suggest a loss of traditional knowledge contributes strongly to the wolf–human conflicts in Georgia. Restoring traditional, simple but good practices—such as protecting herds using shepherd dogs and introducing bulls into the herds—can help one solve this problem.

Electronic supplementary material

The online version of this article (doi:10.1007/s13280-014-0580-1) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.     

中和共沉淀—铁氧体法处理含镍、铬废水的实验研究

利用中和共沉淀—铁氧体法处理甘肃某稀有金属生产企业产生的含镍、铬废水,同时对该废水的处理工艺条件进行了实验研究。经测定,废水中Ni 2+质量浓度为50mg/L,Cr(Ⅲ)质量浓度为87mg/L。通过实验得到处理工艺的最佳条件:投料摩尔比(Fe2+/(Ni 2++Cr2O2-7))为9,pH=9,温度为70℃。出水中镍、铬均可达到《污水综合排放标准》(GB 8978—1996)中第一类污染物最高允许排放浓度的要求,为中和共沉淀—铁氧体法处理混合重金属废水的工艺条件研究提供了参考。     

电絮凝—超滤组合工艺处理设施农业营养废液的试验研究

设施农业营养废液具有氮和磷营养元素含量高、碳元素少、病原菌多的特点,直接排放会污染环境、影响生态平衡,因此排放前需经过适当净化处理。为此,采用电絮凝—超滤组合工艺对设施农业营养废液进行处理,重点研究了电絮凝—超滤组合工艺对营养废液中污染物的去除效果,同时考察了电流密度和电解时间对处理效果的影响。结果表明,电絮凝—超滤组合工艺对大肠杆菌、总磷、总氮和总有机碳(TOC)都有一定的去除效果,在电流密度为1.78mA/cm2、电解时间为30min、超滤压力为0.16 MPa的条件下,其去除率分别为99.88%、99.76%、47.59%、28.72%。因此,电絮凝—超滤组合工艺对设施农业营养废液有较好的处理效果。     

移动床生物膜反应器—膜生物反应器深度处理模拟废水及工业园区综合废水

将移动床生物膜反应器(MBBR)与膜生物反应器(MBR)有机结合,研究了该MBBR—MBR串联系统在水力停留时间(HRT)为17.50、11.75h条件下的脱碳脱氮的效果以及对工业园区综合废水污染物的去除情况。结果表明:(1)MBBR—MBR串联系统脱碳脱氮的效果良好,HRT的改变对系统的去除效果有一定的影响,随着总HRT由17.50h变为11.75h,模拟废水中COD的去除效果降低,但氨氮、硝态氮和TN的去除效果基本不受影响。(2)MBBR—MBR串联系统处理印染工业园区综合废水也有较好的效果,当进水COD、氨氮分别为150~450、20~40mg/L时,出水COD、氨氮平均分别为53.1、1.8mg/L,MBBR—MBR串联系统对COD、氨氮的去除率平均分别为80.4%、93.1%,但系统对TN的去除效果不是很理想。     

硫铁矿烧渣催化类Fenton法深度处理维生素C废水

采用硫铁矿烧渣协同Fe2+催化H2O2的类Fenton法深度处理维生素C制药废水,通过正交实验考察FeSO4投加量、H2O2投加量、搅拌反应时间、曝气时间等因素对低浓度难降解有机物去除的影响程度,并结合单因素实验确定最佳反应条件。结果表明:(1)正交实验中,各因素对催化氧化反应效果的影响程度依次为H2O2投加量搅拌反应时间曝气时间FeSO4投加量;(2)单因素实验中,最佳反应条件为烧渣投加量10g/L、H2O2投加量4.9mmol/L、FeSO4投加量3.9mmol/L、搅拌反应时间20min、曝气时间20min、絮凝沉淀部分聚丙烯酰胺(PAM)投加量5mg/L。在此条件下,COD去除率最高达63.21%。     

负载型颗粒活性炭催化过硫酸钠氧化降解橙黄G

通过在颗粒活性炭(GAC)上负载氧化铁,并以此作为催化剂(Fe/GAC)在常温常压下催化过硫酸钠(PS)产生硫酸根自由基降解偶氮染料橙黄G.研究了体系pH、氧化剂浓度、催化剂浓度对橙黄G去除率的影响,并且对催化剂的重复使用性能进行了测试.结果表明,在Fe/GAC/PS体系中,[OG]0=0.2 mmol/L,[GAC] =1 g/L,[PS]0=2 mmol/L,降解2h后OG去除率为99％,且有较高的矿化率;随着氧化剂浓度和催化剂浓度的增加,OG的去除效率提高;催化剂有较好的重复使用性.利用扫描电镜(SEM)对催化剂进行了表征,可以看出在活性炭上成功负载氧化铁.利用化学分子探针竞争实验鉴定催化反应中的活性物种SO4-·和OH·.     

人工湿地基质中腐殖质的积累与分布特点

腐殖质来源于生物残体的降解,可参与多种污染物迁移转化,具有重要环境生态效应.本研究以常见的水平潜流和垂直流2种系统为研究对象,探讨了以无机基质为主构建的常规人工湿地中腐殖质的积累与分布特点.研究结果表明,随着污水处理运行,水平潜流和垂直流人工湿地中,大部分基质中腐殖质全碳量均有增加,水平潜流系统含量在1.7～ 18 g/kg,垂直流系统在1.9 ～7.5 g/kg;胡敏素是各系统腐殖质的主体组成,含量最高,水平潜流系统含量在1.55～17.22g/kg,垂直流系统在1.43 ～7.21 g/kg.腐殖质另外2种组分,富里酸和胡敏酸碳含量都比较低,水平潜流系统富里酸碳含量在0 ～0.68 g/kg,胡敏酸碳含量0.008 ～0.26g/kg;垂直流系统富里酸碳含量在0.015 ～0.38 g/kg,胡敏酸碳含量在0.05～0.15 g/kg,各系统中富里酸碳含量均高于胡敏酸碳含量;各系统中,根系基质腐殖质全碳及3种组分含量都显著高于非根际基质;不管是水平潜流还是垂直流,低水力负荷系统的比高水力负荷系统更高.