Sustained Yield Forestry in Sweden and Russia: How Does it Correspond to Sustainable Forest Management Policy?

This paper analyzes how sustained yield (SY) forestry is defined and implemented in Sweden and Russia, two countries with different forest-industrial regimes. We first compare definitions of SY forestry in national legislation and policies. Then we study forest management planning in two large forest management units with respect to: delivered forest products and values, how the harvest level of timber is defined, where the harvest takes place, and what treatments are used to sustain desired forest products and values. In Sweden SY forestry is maximum yield based on high-input forest management, and in Russia it is forestry based on natural regeneration with minimum investments in silviculture. We conclude that how SY forestry contributes to SFM depends on the context. Finally, we discuss the consequences of SY forestry as performed in Sweden and Russia related to its ability to support diverse forest functions, as envisioned in sustainable forest management policy.     

基于Sentinel-2数据的苏州消夏湾生态安全缓冲区植被生长状况遥感监测评估

利用2021—2022年Sentinel-2卫星搭载的多光谱成像仪（MSI）遥感数据，通过SNAP遥感软件提供的植被生物物理参数处理模块（Biophysical Processor），反演了苏州消夏湾生态安全缓冲区的5种植被生物物理参数，包括植被吸收光合有效辐射比例（FAPAR）、植被覆盖度（FVC）、叶面积指数（LAI）、冠层叶绿素含量（CCC）和冠层含水量（CWC），开展植被生态环境监测评估研究。结果表明，该生态安全缓冲区2021年建成并投入运行后，植被覆盖度和生物量有所增加，区域植被冠层结构有所改善，植被生物物理参数从一定的角度反映了消夏湾生态安全缓冲区发挥了生态涵养成效。该研究方法能在大尺度上快捷、高效地反演植被生物物理参数，可为通过植被遥感动态监测评估生态安全缓冲区的生态功能提供有益的借鉴。     

Scaling down the “Netherlands Fallacy”: a local-level quantitative study of the effect of affluence on the carbon footprint across the United States

Much quantitative research examining the determinants of the ecological footprint has been conducted cross-nationally, where data on cross-boundary flows have been readily available. While local-level studies of the footprint do exist for specific localities, most quantitative research at this scale has examined direct environmental impacts attributed to the internal activities of the locality, for instance, carbon emissions. Our analysis builds on this previous work by exploiting a local-level carbon footprint dataset with coverage for 28,321 zip codes across the United States. Following prior research, we focus on the effect of local affluence, measured in terms of median household income. In spatial regression models, we regress the per capita carbon footprint on local affluence, controlling for a variety of other factors. Consistent with previous work, we find that affluence is positively correlated the carbon footprint and there is no evidence of an environmental Kuznets curve. In the conclusion, we review the results of the study and discuss their implications for policy, specifically in terms of cross-boundary environmental problems.     

Technologies for pollutant removal and resource recovery from blackwater: a review

● Blackwater is the main source of organics and nutrients in domestic wastewater. ● Various treatment methods can be applied for resource recovery from blackwater. ● Blackwater treatment systems of high integration and efficiency are the future trend. ● More research is needed for the practical use of blackwater treatment systems. Blackwater (BW), consisting of feces, urine, flushing water and toilet paper, makes up an important portion of domestic wastewater. The improper disposal of BW may lead to environmental pollution and disease transmission, threatening the sustainable development of the world. Rich in nutrients and organic matter, BW could be treated for resource recovery and reuse through various approaches. Aimed at providing guidance for the future development of BW treatment and resource recovery, this paper presented a literature review of BWs produced in different countries and types of toilets, including their physiochemical characteristics, and current treatment and resource recovery strategies. The degradation and utilization of carbon (C), nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) within BW are underlined. The performance of different systems was classified and summarized. Among all the treating systems, biological and ecological systems have been long and widely applied for BW treatment, showing their universality and operability in nutrients and energy recovery, but they are either slow or ineffective in removal of some refractory pollutants. Novel processes, especially advanced oxidation processes (AOPs), are becoming increasingly extensively studied in BW treatment because of their high efficiency, especially for the removal of micropollutants and pathogens. This review could serve as an instructive guidance for the design and optimization of BW treatment technologies, aiming to help in the fulfilment of sustainable human excreta management.     

西宁市浅层地下水化学特征及形成机制

地下水是西部干旱地区重要的供水水源，随着西部大开发战略的深入，工业化和城市化发展加大了西宁市对地下水资源量的需求，不合理的开发利用已引起地下水环境发生变化，探明地下水化学演化特征及形成机制，对防止其恶化，确保可持续利用至关重要.运用水化学和多元统计技术相结合的方法，分析了西宁市地下水化学特征，探讨了地下水的形成机制和不同因子的影响程度.结果表明，西宁市浅层地下水化学类型多达36种，以HCO₃-Ca(Mg)(占比60.00%)和HCO₃·SO₄-Ca(Mg)(占比11.81%)为主，草地、林地和裸地中地下水化学类型5～6种，建设用地和耕地中地下水化学类型复杂，多达21种，表明受到人类活动影响较强.研究区地下水化学演化过程主要受岩石风化溶滤、蒸发结晶和阳离子交换作用综合影响，主要控制因素分别是水-岩相互作用(贡献率为27.56%)、工业废水排放(贡献率为16.16%)、酸碱环境(贡献率为16.00%)、化肥、农药的过量施用(贡献率为13.11%)和生活污水(贡献率为8.82%).针对西宁市地下水化学特征及其人类活动影响，提出...     

Exploring constraints and incentives for the adoption of agroforestry practices on degraded cropland in Uzbekistan

Agroforestry is often an economically viable land-use option for the environmental rehabilitation of salinized cropping areas in irrigated drylands, but afforestation initiative at the farm level is subject to various socio-political constraints. We analyzed the factors that affect farmer decisions with respect to the agroforestry adoption using an ex ante approach through Ethnographic Decision Tree Modeling (EDTM). Constraints on agroforestry adoption were identified via a review of legal documents, focus-group discussions, and a farm survey in northwest Uzbekistan. The findings highlighted the importance of farmer perceptions of risk with respect to decision making surrounding the adoption of alternative land uses. The EDTM analysis allowed determining those policy incentives for afforestation that could directly influence the decision-making process of potential participants. In particular, there is a need for increased land-use flexibility, improved land tenure and tree plantation proprietorship security, increased awareness raising and training in agroforestry practices, and greater institutional support.     

Study on the mechanical and environmental properties of concrete containing cathode ray tube glass aggregate

Cathode ray tube (CRT) glass is considered a hazardous material due to its lead toxicity. In addition, current disposal practices are being phased out due to their adverse environmental impacts. In this project, CRT glass was used as a fine aggregate replacement in concrete. Life-cycle material characterization was conducted by evaluating the durability and strength of the CRT-Concrete. Leaching tests were also conducted to investigate whether the material meets drinking water limits for Pb. Test results show that the plastic state of the CRT-Concrete was affected by the angularity of the glass particles. Moreover, the compressive strength of CRT-Concrete met and exceeded that of the control specimen. However, CRT-Concrete was susceptible to expansive alkali-silica reactions when more than 10% CRT replacement was used. Environmental leaching results show that lead concentrations from CRT-Concrete are below the drinking water limits depending on the CRT volume replacement and if biopolymers are used.     

Sustainable consumption and production: Trends, challenges and options for the Asia-Pacific region

This paper highlights current trends in consumption and production patterns in Asian developing countries and emerging economies. It describes the main challenges and opportunities for Asian countries making the transition towards sustainable consumption and production patterns. The main challenge for Asian economies is to address the unsustainable consumption patterns of urban consumers, which entails a policy shift from the current focus on pollution and inefficient industrial production. In view of future consumption trends and the global convergence of consumption patterns, the characteristics of the emerging 'global consumer class' are examined, with particular focus on urban ecological footprints and carbon emissions. Furthermore, the difference between urban and rural consumption is discussed, together with opportunities for low-carbon urban development in the megacities of Asian developing countries. To conclude, the paper presents an overview of current policy measures taken in Asian countries to green economic development and realise sustainable consumption and production patterns.     

地区发展差异与湖北省可持续发展战略

湖北省的经济发展水平与全国其它地区存在着较大的差异，从全国范围看，湖北省多年一直处在中等偏下的水平，而在长江流域，近年湖北省一下游省市的差距在迅速扩大；在中心地区各省中，湖北则相对领先。     

Methods to empirically estimate direct and indirect rebound effect of energy-saving technological changes in households

Energy efficiency policies have a special importance within carbon emission reduction policies to mitigate the climate change effects. However, potential reductions of energy consumption and, consequently, its resulting emissions, can be offset through the so called “rebound effect”. The concept of “rebound effect” refers to a set of mechanisms whereby the improvement of efficiency reduces the cost of the energy service and this results in the household energy consumption rising and totally or partially negating the reduction achieved by the energy efficiency improvement. This paper provides a methodology to estimate the static direct plus indirect rebound effect of energy efficiency improvements in the use of energy in households. It is based on the combination of econometric estimations of energy demand functions, re-spending modelling and generalised intput-output of energy modelling. It also provides estimations for Catalonia.