Multicriteria analysis as a tool to investigate compatibility between conservation and development on Salina Island,Aeolian Archipelago,Italy

Several multicriteria evaluation techniques have been developed since the 1970s. The need to compare different territorial policies has justified their introduction into environmental research. These methods are based on the numerical manipulation of heterogeneous information, which varies in terms of reference scale and type of measure (continuous, ordinal, qualitative, binary, etc.). During recent years, diverse investigations have focused on general conditions on Salina, the “green island” of the Aeolian archipelago. Such studies, within an interdisciplinary project, aimed to explore the possibility of implementing conservation strategies that are compatible with human needs, landscape preservation, and sustainable economic development. Three different evaluation techniques are applied, namely multicriteria weighted concordance and discordance analysis and a qualitative procedure. They are used to compare four alternative plans for the socioeconomic development of Salina Island. These plans lie between extreme alternatives: total protection of natural resources and maximizing economic development based on tourism. The plans are compared to each other on the basis of 14 criteria that reflect the socioenvironmental perception of Salina's inhabitants. The approach used in this research seems particularly fruitful because of its flexibility: it offers decision makers the chance to manage heterogeneous data and information that is not easily quantifiable. Such “soft” information helps to evaluate environmental conditions more precisely, and to make a less damaging choice among alternative development plans.     

Enhanced learning from multi-stakeholder partnerships: Lessons from the Enabling Rural Innovation in Africa programme

Despite increasing interest and support for multi‐stakeholder partnerships, empirical applications of participatory evaluation approaches to enhance learning from partnerships are either uncommon or undocumented. This paper draws lessons on the use of participatory self‐reflective approaches that facilitate structured learning on processes and outcomes of partnerships. Such practice is important to building partnerships, because it helps partners understand how they can develop more collaborative and responsive ways of managing partnerships. The paper is based on experience with the Enabling Rural Innovation (ERI) in Africa programme. Results highlight the dynamic process of partnership formation and the key elements that contribute to success. These include: (i) shared vision and complementarity, (ii) consistent support from senior leadership; (iii) evidence of institutional and individual benefits; (iv) investments in human and social capital; (v) joint resources mobilization. However, key challenges require coping with high staff turnover and over‐commitment, conflicting personalities and institutional differences, high transaction costs, and sustaining partnerships with the private business sector. The paper suggests that institutionalizing multi‐stakeholder partnerships requires participatory reflective practices that help structure and enhance learning, and incrementally help in building the capacity of research and development organisations to partner better and ultimately to innovate.     

SIMULATION/OPTIMIZATION TECHNIQUES FOR MULTI-BASIN WATER RESOURCE PLANNING1

A set of simulation and optimization tools capable of analyzing the development and operation of a complex, multi-basin, interconnected water resource are explained. These models provide valuable information regarding the important questions: (1) “When should new projects be build?” (2) “How big should they be?” and (3) “How should the system be operated?” Since these tools were developed by and for practicing engineers, their applicability to real-world problems is mandatory. To assure this, testing was done on an actual proposed project, the Texas Water System.     

Response of Fish and Macroinvertebrate Bioassessment Indices to Water Chemistry in a Mined Appalachian Watershed

Multimetric indices based on fish and benthic macroinvertebrate assemblages are commonly used to assess the biological integrity of aquatic ecosystems. However, their response to specific stressors is rarely known. We quantified the response of a fish-based index (Mid-Atlantic Highlands Index of Biotic Integrity, MAH-IBI) and a benthic invertebrate-based index (West Virginia Stream Condition Index, WV-SCI) to acid mine drainage (AMD)-related stressors in 46 stream sites within the Cheat River watershed, West Virginia. We also identified specific stressor concentrations at which biological impairment was always or never observed. Water chemistry was extremely variable among tributaries of the Cheat River, and the WV-SCI was highly responsive across a range of AMD stressor levels. Furthermore, impairment to macroinvertebrate communities was observed at relatively low stressor concentrations, especially when compared to state water quality standards. In contrast to the WV-SCI, we found that the MAH-IBI was significantly less responsive to local water quality conditions. Low fish diversity was observed in several streams that possessed relatively good water quality. This pattern was especially pronounced in highly degraded subwatersheds, suggesting that regional conditions may have a strong influence on fish assemblages in this system. Our results indicate that biomonitoring programs in mined watersheds should include both benthic invertebrates, which are consistent indicators of local conditions, and fishes, which may be indicators of regional conditions. In addition, remediation programs must address the full suite of chemical constituents in AMD and focus on improving linkages among streams within drainage networks to ensure recovery of invertebrate and fish assemblages. Future research should identify the precise chemical conditions necessary to maintain biological integrity in mined Appalachian watersheds.     

半导体企业的EHSMS评价体系研究

为了给员工提供安全、环保、健康的工作环境,半导体制造企业必须建立环境管理和职业健康安全管理体系(EHSMS).为此,评价EHSMS运行的有效性、完整性以及合法性就显得十分重要.本文在分析半导体企业污染物影响环境和健康基础上,建立了EHSMS评估体系.为了实施EHSM评估系统,方便半导体企业用户使用,提出了一套EHSM评价系统的计算机软件解决方案.     

基础设施与区域经济发展环境

基础设施及其所形成的环境是人类自己营造的基础物质环境之一。是区域经济发展环境的主要组成部分。本文从四方面系统阐述了基础设施与区域经济发展之间的关系。提出了基础设施的引导与从属功能、带状经济的激发器和助推嚣等观点。分析了基础设施在改瞢生产环境与效率、空间经济集聚与扩散中的作用。以及基础设施短缺对区域经济发展的影响等。同时时归纳总结了我国土范国内已经形成的基础设施走廊的基本概况。     

企业环保设施市场化运营瓶颈的经济博弈分析

从经济学角度构建了企业环境污染的理论模型。并运用制度经济学与博弈论原理揭示我国企业环境污染行为与企业环保设施市场化运营瓶颈的内在原因，据此给出制度改革的有效建议。     

矿井主通风机叶轮磨损失效的评价

矿井主通风机叶轮严重磨损威胁着矿井安全生产 ,研究主通风机叶轮磨损和正确地评价叶轮的磨损失效 ,对煤矿安全生产具有重大的现实意义。应用气—固两相流动理论分析了主通风机叶轮的磨损部位 ,结论与现场叶轮的实际磨损相吻合。提出了叶轮磨损过程的 3个阶段。利用材料磨损理论分析了主通风机叶轮磨损机理 ,得出了叶轮磨损是以气体动力学磨料的冲蚀磨损为主 ,低应力擦伤型磨料磨损、腐蚀磨损为辅的结论。依据国家标准 ,结合矿井主通风机工作特点 ,从安全角度提出了矿井主通风机叶轮磨损永久失效的判据 ,并给出了判定标准。     

简易石灰石/石膏湿法烟气脱硫技术在连州电厂的应用

在介绍了连州电厂的广东省第一套简易石灰石／石膏湿法烟气脱硫（FGD）系统主要设计参数和工艺流程的基础上，重点对FGD系统在近2年的运动过程中出现的主要问题进行了分析，包括系统与锅炉的相互影响，烟道腐蚀问题，脱硫石膏与灰渣水的混排及吸收塔内搅拌器叶片的损坏等，同时从技术，经济两方面对该套FGD系统进行了总体的评价。     

环境承载力与环境扶贫

随着人类环境意识的觉醒与升华，引发了对自身生存环境的更深层次的思考。本文就环境承载力的内涵与外延以及它既会造成贫困又可解脱贫困的关键作用进行了研究和探讨。