Diffusion of innovative agricultural production systems for sustainable development of small islands: A methodological approach based on the science of complexity

In order to develop small islands, not only must a vital agricultural system be maintained, but the range of opportunities for tourism must be increased with respect to both the seaside and the environmental features of the rural landscape. As an alternative to the traditional and economically declining ones, many innovative production processes can be identified, but their success depends on their interaction with the physical, biological, economic and social environment. In order to identify the main nodes and the most critical interactions, so as to increase the probability of success of a new productive process, a methodological approach based on the science of complexity is proposed for the cultivation of capers (Capparis spinosa L.) on the island of Pantelleria. The methodology encompasses the identification of actors and factors involved. the quantitative evaluation of their interactions with the different stages of the productive process, and a quasiquantitative evaluation of the probability that the particular action will be performed successfully. The study of “traditional,” “modernized,” and “modernized-sustainable” processes, shows that the modernized-sustainable process offers mutually reinforcing opportunities in terms of an integrated development of high-quality agricultural products and the enhancement of environmental features, in conjunction with high-efficiency production techniques, in conjunction with high-efficiency production techniques, in a way that suits the development of Pantelleria. There is a high probability of failure, however, as a result of the large number of critical factors. Nevertheless, the present study indicates which activities will enhance the probability of successful innovation in the production process.     

小城镇环境污染与防治

发展小城镇是我国城市化过程的必由之路,但小城镇在快速发展的过程中产生了很多环境问题,本文分析了产生这些问题的原因,并提出了环境保护的对策及措施。     

The challenge of sustainable development in small island developing states: case study on tourism in the Caribbean

Small island developing states (SIDS) in the Caribbean have long specialised in primary commodity exports, and traditional export sectors continue to be a major source of employment. The challenge of sustainable development for the Caribbean SIDS has two dimensions. The first is to adjust to the economic and social impact of the loss of preferential markets for traditional exports and of the dismantling of the ISI apparatus erected during the post-World War II period. The second is to ensure that existing and new patterns of production and consumption comply with the criteria for sustainable development, which is here defined as environmental, socio-cultural and economic sustainability.
This article outlines the potential contribution of sustainable tourism to the larger goal of sustainable development in the SIDS in the Caribbean. It reviews current literature on sustainable development and sustainable tourism, particularly their application to the Caribbean SIDS, and evaluates the Caribbean tourism industry from the point of view of sustainable tourism. Conclusions are drawn and proposals made for a policy-oriented agenda in support of the quest for sustainable tourism in the SIDS in the Caribbean.     

The vulnerability and resilience of small island developing states in the context of globalization

In spite of the wide diversity in the economic performance of small island developing states (SIDS), the apparent prosperity of several SIDS has entailed a global misrepresentation of the economic situation of these countries. While their vulnerability to natural disasters is not denied, the general risk of economic marginalization that many SIDS face in the context of globalization may not have received sufficient attention. The paper attempts to highlight what matters most in the consideration of the economic vulnerability of SIDS and in the debate to prevent their marginalization. It examines the main types of external shocks to which SIDS are vulnerable, and discusses the economic handicaps that are fundamental causes of this vulnerability. Economic specialization (with the predominance of international trade in services) is then a central notion in the analysis of island vulnerability: a better specialization, which may involve diversification and always implies greater international competitiveness, can reduce the exposure or vulnerability of SIDS to external shocks, and induce greater economic stability in these countries. Hence the importance of developing policies to circumvent the specific handicaps of islands and facilitate the realization of new trading opportunities through an emulative use of globalization forces.     

Experimental and LES investigation of premixed methane/air flame propagating in a chamber for three obstacle BR configurations

The paper aims at revealing the effect of blockage ratio (BR) on the flame acceleration process and the flame-vortex mechanism in an obstructed chamber based essentially on the experimental and numerical methods. In the experiments, high-speed video photography and pressure transducer are used to study the flame shape changes and pressure dynamics. In the numerical simulations, large eddy simulation (LES) with the flame surface density (FSD) model is applied to investigate the interaction between the moving flame and vortices induced by obstacle. The results demonstrate that the flame propagation process can be divided into four stages, namely spherical flame, finger-shaped flame, jet flame and volute flame for three obstacle BR configurations, and a small recirculation zone is observed above the obstacle only for BR = 0.5. The peak of flame tip speed and pressure growth rate increases with the blockage ratio. The generation and evolution of the vortex behind the obstacle can be attributed to the initial flame acceleration, while the subsequent flame deceleration is due to the flame-vortex interaction. In addition, the transition from a “thin reaction zones” to a “broken reaction zones” is also observed in the simulation.     

"威望"号轮油污事件对航运业的警示

通过对“威望”轮油污事件的分析，提出当务之急是从有关薄弱环节着手，强化安全责任链意识和机制，创建船舶安全信息保障系统，常抓不懈，跳出事故周期律等的相应对策，以遏止目前海上频发的油轮事故。     

开发小区交通噪声环境影响分析技术探讨

经济开发区小区的建设会给区域噪声环境带来与单项工程建设不同的和更大的影响，其中交通噪声是区域环境噪声的重点，文章探讨了开发小区交通运输噪声环境影响分析与车流量预测和噪声预测的几种技术方法。     

小船的防油污措施

行驶于中国江河湖海的成千上万艘小于４００ 总吨的船舶，是造成水域环境油污染的主要原因之一。国际防污公约对这类船舶的防油污措施并无详细规定。文中介绍一种相应的举措，可供各地主管部门、船东、船舶修造厂、船员等参考。     

Distribution of Al-, Fe- and Mn-pools and their correlation in soils from two acid deposition small catchments in Hunan, China

Distribution of Al-, Fe- and Mn-pools was investigated in five forest soil profiles (consisting of four horizons) in each of two Hunan catchments (BLT and LKS) where acid deposition has been considered critical. Al- and Fe-pools were higher in BLT than those in LKS, but Mn-pools much lower in BLT. Mn-pools vary from topsoils to bottom soils, but there are different trends for different Mn speciation. Al- and Fe-pools, except amorphous Fe_ox, were positively correlated to contents of soil organic matter (OM) showed by the loss on ignition in the two catchments. Accumulation of Al- and Fe-pools may occur in the area where soil organic matter was enriched (e.g. in top soil and rhizosphere soil). However, no direct correlation is observed between Mn and OM. Acidic atmospheric deposition may affect transforming among speciations of Al-, Fe- and Mn-pools and leaching of soil Al, Fe and Mn through formation of soluble organo-metal dissolved Al which was potentially toxic, increased. There were significant correlations between Al-pools complexes or change of oxidation–reduction conditions. Mn_ex (exchangeable Mn) and Mn_ox (amorphous and organic Mn) were highly linearly correlation with soil pH values at LKS but at BLT. Under acid deposition, the availability of the nutrient Fe increased with the amount of dissolved Al, which was potentially toxic, in the two catchments. There are no significant correlations between Al_ex (exchangeable Al) and Mn_ex, Fe_ex (exchangeable Fe) and Mn_ex in this work, indicating potentially toxic Mn increase seldom accompanying with Al increase in the two catchments.