Temporal variation of the concentration and biochemical composition of seston within the Humboldt Current System off northern Chile (21°S)

Seasonal differences in the concentration and biochemical composition of seston have been assessed for the first time in the Humboldt Current System off northern Chile (21°S). The study comprised four seasonal surveys in the Bay of Chipana, including the summer and winter of 2006 and 2007, when El Niño 2006 and La Niña 2007 developed. Protein, lipid, carbohydrate and biogenic silica contents were measured in samples collected at four selected depths. The highest protein, lipid and carbohydrate concentrations were found at the fluorescence maximum (between 10 and 15 m depth), whereas the highest biogenic silica concentration was found 1 m above the seabed. When El Niño started developing, every variable showed low values throughout the water column; however, the lowest values were found when La Niña conditions dominated, together with low oxygen concentrations. Samples collected within the oxygen minimum zone (65 m depth) showed the lowest values for the water column and the lowest seasonal variations. After the evident decline coincident with El Niño 2006, the abundance and biochemical quality (high protein and lipid contents) of seston recovered earlier in the surface layer (upper 15 m) than at other depths.     

Flash flood mitigation: recommendations for research and applications

Abstract

New technologies promise reduced flash flood losses. However, real-time observations with vast multi-sensor networks, more precise mapping capabilities using remote sensing and GIS, quicker hydrological and meteorological models, and increasing forecast lead times have not reduced losses. In November, 1999, 35 researchers from nine countries met in Ravello, Italy at a NATO sponsored Advanced Study Institute, to discuss these issues and to develop a research agenda that incorporates the various components required to cope with flash floods. The key recommendations from the Institute were: (1) greater emphasis on increasing understanding of the social processes involved in flash flood warning, particularly in the response phases, and (2) the need to reduce vulnerability in sustainable ways compatible with long-term economic and social goals. The relationship between hydrometeorology and social science is seen as critical to advancing our abilities to cope with flash floods.     

基于HFACS的空中相撞事故分析及建议

空中相撞事故往往是由诸多人为差错相互叠加、耦合和作用而导致的,要找出事故的真正诱因,防止类似事故再次发生,难度非常大。为了有效地分析和定位人为差错,以更好地服务于防相撞的管理与决策,提出一种基于人为因素分析分类系统（HFACS）的空中相撞事故分析方法,它按照从显性差错到隐性差错的思路来分析事故的诱因,最终找出组织因素对事故的影响。并利用HFACS对巴西卡欣布上空发生的一起空中相撞事故进行了系统分析。案例分析结果表明,该方法不仅能够找出导致空中相撞事故的人为差错,解释事故发生的原因和过程,而且能够据此提供防止相撞事故发生的安全建议。     

河湖水系连通的理论探讨

在全球气候变化和水资源形势日趋严峻的背景下,为了从根本上提高水资源统筹配置能力、改善河湖健康状况和增强抵御水旱灾害能力,河湖水系连通作为国家新时期的一个治水方略被提出。当前关于河湖水系连通的理论基础研究要落后于实践,尚在探索之中。论文尝试从河、湖与水系等水循环基本概念入手,探讨水系的结构、特征和连通性,揭示水系连通的水循环物理机制,并进一步分析河湖水系连通的战略思想,探明其中涉及的几个关键水循环基础问题,包括水量平衡、能量平衡、水资源可再生性、水循环尺度等问题,为河湖水系连通战略的实施和理论体系的建立奠定基础。     

基于CIS理论的绿色大学评价指标体系研究

通过研究绿色大学建设过程中出现的不足,提出构建绿色大学评价指标体系是建设绿色大学的前提。以CIS（企业识别系统）理论为依据,从理念层、行为层和物质层三个层面进行研究,构建了一个由3个一级指标12个二级指标和45个三级指标构成的绿色大学评级指标体系。最后对绿色大学的评价方法进行了简单陈述。     

The evolution of Müllerian mimicry

It is now 130 years since Fritz Müller proposed an evolutionary explanation for the close similarity of co-existing unpalatable prey species, a phenomenon now known as Müllerian mimicry. Müller's hypothesis was that unpalatable species evolve a similar appearance to reduce the mortality involved in training predators to avoid them, and he backed up his arguments with a mathematical model in which predators attack a fixed number (n) of each distinct unpalatable type in a given season before avoiding them. Here, I review what has since been discovered about Müllerian mimicry and consider in particular its relationship to other forms of mimicry. Müller's specific model of associative learning involving a "fixed n" in a given season has not been supported, and several experiments now suggest that two distinct unpalatable prey types may be just as easy to learn to avoid as one. Nevertheless, Müller's general insight that novel unpalatable forms have higher mortality than common unpalatable forms as a result of predation has been well supported by field experiments. From its inception, there has been a heated debate over the nature of the relationship between Müllerian co-mimics that differ in their level of defence. There is now a growing awareness that this relationship can be mediated by many factors, including synergistic effects between co-mimics that differ in their mode of defence, rates of generalisation among warning signals and concomitant changes in prey density as mimicry evolves. I highlight areas for future enquiry, including the possibility of Müllerian mimicry systems based on profitability rather than unprofitability and the co-evolution of defence.     

Increasing land pressure in East Africa: The changing role of cassava and consequences for sustainability of farming systems

Increasing land pressure during the past three to four decades has transformed farming systems in the mid-altitude zone of East Africa. Traditional millet-, cotton-, sugarcane- and/or banana-based farming systems with an important fallow and/or grazing component have evolved into continuously cultivated cassava or cassava/maize-based systems. Within three to four decades, cassava cultivation increased from 1–11 to 16–55% of cropped fields in our six study sites. Declining soil fertility, and not labour or food shortage, was apparently the primary trigger for this transformation. The land use changes have increased nutrient offtakes and reduced nutrient recycling rates. Cassava and maize now account for 50–90% of nutrient removal. Whereas single-season fallows were the most important source of nutrient recycling on cropped fields in the past, currently cassava litterfall and maize stover contribute roughly 70% of nutrient recycling, with 50–70% of N, P and K recycled in cassava litterfall. This may explain why many farmers reason that cassava ‘rests’ the soil. With increasing land use pressure farmers progressively use cassava as an ‘imitation fallow’ throughout their farm. Farmers increasingly target cassava to poor fertility fields characterized by low pH and available P. High cassava intensities are nonetheless maintained on more fertile fields, probably to guarantee regeneration of soil fertility on all fields. Once cassava is targeted to poor fertility soils, farmers have run out of low-input management options and need to intensify management to maintain system productivity. As cassava is now used by more farmers and on a larger acreage than fallowing in the studied farming systems, cassava cropping could perhaps serve as an excellent entry point to strengthen system sustainability.     

我国现行环境统计指标体系改进方向

我国现行环境统计指标体系在指标的选择和可操作性方面存在缺陷和不足,主要表现为污染物排放量的计算方法模糊、污染物排放标准未能得到有效实施、非重点工业排放量取值比例有待调整、污染源调查范围不能与时俱进、环境质量指标体系未纳入环境统计,这些问题需进一步完善,才能更好地适应环境管理工作需要。     

天津景观水体水生生态系统健康体系的建立与评估

综合多学科、多领域,从生物物理、社会经济和人类健康等方面综合考虑,建立了天津市景观河流健康评价指标体系,包括6个因素24个指标。评估了水生态健康程度。寻求人为压力与天津城市河流水生态系统变化之间的联系,识别河流受损原因．验证河流管理措施的有效性,对有效保障水生态安全、科学治水、综合利用水资源等均具有一定的科学指导作用。     

沈阳市推行排污许可证制度的回顾、反思及对策研究

通过对沈阳市实施排污许可证制度的回顾、发现其存在的问题,并对推行排污许可讧制度提供对策与措施。