Scaling range sizes to threats for robust predictions of risks to biodiversity

Assessments of risk to biodiversity often rely on spatial distributions of species and ecosystems. Range‐size metrics used extensively in these assessments, such as area of occupancy (AOO), are sensitive to measurement scale, prompting proposals to measure them at finer scales or at different scales based on the shape of the distribution or ecological characteristics of the biota. Despite its dominant role in red‐list assessments for decades, appropriate spatial scales of AOO for predicting risks of species’ extinction or ecosystem collapse remain untested and contentious. There are no quantitative evaluations of the scale‐sensitivity of AOO as a predictor of risks, the relationship between optimal AOO scale and threat scale, or the effect of grid uncertainty. We used stochastic simulation models to explore risks to ecosystems and species with clustered, dispersed, and linear distribution patterns subject to regimes of threat events with different frequency and spatial extent. Area of occupancy was an accurate predictor of risk (0.81<|r|<0.98) and performed optimally when measured with grid cells 0.1–1.0 times the largest plausible area threatened by an event. Contrary to previous assertions, estimates of AOO at these relatively coarse scales were better predictors of risk than finer‐scale estimates of AOO (e.g., when measurement cells are <1% of the area of the largest threat). The optimal scale depended on the spatial scales of threats more than the shape or size of biotic distributions. Although we found appreciable potential for grid‐measurement errors, current IUCN guidelines for estimating AOO neutralize geometric uncertainty and incorporate effective scaling procedures for assessing risks posed by landscape‐scale threats to species and ecosystems.     

Conservation resource allocation,small population resiliency,and the fallacy of conservation triage

Some conservation prioritization methods are based on the assumption that conservation needs overwhelm current resources and not all species can be conserved; therefore, a conservation triage scheme (i.e., when the system is overwhelmed, species should be divided into three groups based on likelihood of survival, and efforts should be focused on those species in the group with the best survival prospects and reduced or denied to those in the group with no survival prospects and to those in the group not needing special efforts for their conservation) is necessary to guide resource allocation. We argue that this decision-making strategy is not appropriate because resources are not as limited as often assumed, and it is not evident that there are species that cannot be conserved. Small population size alone, for example, does not doom a species to extinction; plants, reptiles, birds, and mammals offer examples. Although resources dedicated to conserving all threatened species are insufficient at present, the world's economic resources are vast, and greater resources could be dedicated toward species conservation. The political framework for species conservation has improved, with initiatives such as the UN Sustainable Development Goals and other international agreements, funding mechanisms such as The Global Environment Facility, and the rise of many nongovernmental organizations with nimble, rapid-response small grants programs. For a prioritization system to allow no extinctions, zero extinctions must be an explicit goal of the system. Extinction is not inevitable, and should not be acceptable. A goal of no human-induced extinctions is imperative given the irreversibility of species loss.     

Does size matter? Comparing the party politics of climate change in Australia and Norway

ABSTRACT

The implications of state size for the party politics of climate change are examined, and in particular its effect in facilitating or impeding cross-party consensus on the issue. This issue is explored through an in-depth, qualitative comparison of Australia and Norway, which are shown to be comparable in important respects yet differ in terms of their size and climate politics. Original primary data is presented from 44 interviews with policymakers and policy-shapers in both countries, which shows that, to the limited extent that state size moderates the parties’ behaviour, it is the countries’ geographical – not economic – size that matters. Institutional factors are found to play a more significant role, however, and the corporatist features of state-business cooperation, strong ENGOs and compensatory welfare arrangements are highlighted as particularly important.     

上海市青浦区景观格局的粒度效应分析

以上海市青浦区为研究区域，基于ETM遥感影像数据和GIS技术，采用优势规则栅格聚合方法，对分类的ETM数据进行了粒度变换。以景观格局分析程序Fragstats3．3为分析工具，从景观类型水平和景观水平上研究了景观格局的空间粒度效应。研究结果表明：（1）不同的景观类型、不同的景观特征指数对粒度响应存在差异：居住景观和道路景观是对粒度响应最敏感的两种景观类型；形状指数、聚集度指数、斑块数量指数对粒度响应的敏感程度较高，多样性指数、均匀度指数、景观面积比例指数、分维数对粒度响应的敏感程度较低；此外，还发现优势景观随着粒度增加面积增大，形状规则的景观对粒度响应敏感程度低。（2）景观指数的粒度响应曲线存在尺度转折点，且多出现在40、60、80、120m，其中第一尺度区域多为20～40m或20～60m。第一尺度域是选择适宜粒度的较好取值范围，所以本研究中所用景观类型图进行景观指数计算的适宜粒度范围为30-40m。（3）研究发现由不同指数表征相同的生态现象可能会出现相反的粒度效应，在一定程度上体现了景观指数量化景观格局的局限性。     

红壤地区小流域开发治理研究——以玉山县宅前小流域为例

本文以玉山县宅前小流域开发治理规划为例,指出红壤地区小流域治理指导思想和应遵循原则,提出以山顶及坡度≥25°山坡营造防护林,坡度<25°山坡实行等高开垦为水土保持措施;同时兴修水利,建立山地灌溉体系,努力提高劳动者素质,加速区域经济发展,此小流域开发治理将为我国南方未开发的红壤地区充分利用自然资源提出一个典范。     

小直径锥形管成形工艺研究

通过对小直径锥形管的工艺分析 ,介绍了一种成形的工艺方法和措施 ;并就成形、加工模具作了详细说明     

白马发电厂灰水系统管道防垢和污水治理方案探讨

本文叙述了该灰水系统的特点,分析了输灰管和回水管结垢的原因,介绍了各种防垢方法,并根据现场实际情况,提出了将灰水系统管道防垢处理与污水治理紧密结合的防治方案。     

中小型燃煤锅炉湿法除尘废水水质净化技术研究

介绍了利用稀土陶瓷和燃煤炉渣净化锅炉湿法除尘废水的技术研究．并列举实例介绍了该技术在工程中的应用．     

高炉炉体冷却水水质稳定处理

用复合水稳药剂对高炉炉体冷却水进行水质稳定处理,系统处理后结垢附着速度0.14.m·c·m,腐蚀速度0.033mm/a.本法应用于石家庄钢铁厂高炉净环水.