Indicators of sustainability as a tool in agricultural development: partitioning scientific and participatory processes

SUMMARY

Sustainable indicators have become popular tools by which policymakers can assess progress towards a more sustainable agriculture. Varying approaches to defining sustainability lead to disagreement about the value of indicators and yet some form of measurement is required so that society can judge the effects of policy. Environmental and social problems and their causes span national boundaries. An international framework for assessing agricultural activities, their effects and the pressures that drive those activities is therefore required. However, a guiding principle of the UN Agenda for Sustainable Development is that global problems require local action. Thus, indicators must provide information for policymakers as well as guidance for farmers and other practitioners. Many indicator programmes currently proposed do not provide this level of guidance as no evaluation as to what level of activity is sustainable has been agreed. A model is presented, to show how scientific and political or participatory approaches may be combined to meet the multiple objectives of involving people, maintaining scientific integrity and providing guidance for policymakers and practitioners alike.     

南四湖湿地景观格局变化的生态系统服务价值响应

利用1987-2010年5期卫星遥感影像监测南四湖湿地景观格局变化,并且采用市场比较法、影子工程法、工业制氧成本法、碳税法和价值替代法等多种评估方法对南四湖湿地景观格局变化的生态系统服务功能价值响应进行深入探讨.结果表明,南四湖湿地中大量芦苇、荷田等自然湿地景观转化为养殖水域、水稻田等人工湿地,景观格局趋于破碎化;湖泊湿地景观格局变化对于湿地的供给功能、调节功能、文化功能和支持功能均有影响,其中对供给功能和调节功能影响最大.以2010年不变价计算,南四湖湿地景观格局变化导致2010年湿地生态系统服务功能价值比1987年减少3.06亿元,其中大气成分调节功能价值损失11.7亿元,净化功能价值损失3.77亿元,涵养水源功能损失0.65亿元,物质生产功能价值增加13.06亿元,其他功能价值对湿地景观格局变化的响应不明显.     

不同类型竹种光合特性的比较研究

光合作用是植物生长和物质积累的基础,其光合特性是高光效竹种选育的重要生理指标。为了更好开发利用我国丰富的竹种资源,确定不同类型竹种的光合性能,掌握其合成有机同化物的能力是必须探索的一个重要问题。文章采用Li-6400光合测定仪,通过对不同地下茎类型的6个竹种光合参数和光响应的测定分析,进一步探讨不同类型竹种存在差异的生理基础,以期对不同类型竹种的选育和经营管理提供依据。试验结果表明:不同竹种净光合速率(Pn)差异显著,大木竹Bambusa wenchouensis(Wen)Q.H.Dai的净光合速率最高,Pn值平均达到8.379μmol·m-2·s-1,毛竹Phyllostachys heterocycla cv.pubescens和雷竹P.praecox cv.prevernalis次之,斑苦竹Arundinaria oleosa和苦竹Pleioblastus amarus最低,总体呈现丛生竹>散生竹>混生竹的趋势,1～2 a生竹净光合速率高于3～4 a生竹,但没有显著差异。气孔导度(Cond)、胞间C02浓度(Ci)、蒸腾速率(Tr)综合说明丛生竹的光合固碳能力最强,其中蒸腾速率与气孔导度与净光合速率关系最为紧密,是影响净光合速率的主导因子。光响应曲线表明当光强刚开始增强时,各竹种间差异较小,但随着光强的继续增加,不同竹种出现很大的差异,其中绿竹Dendrocalamus.oldhami(Munro)Keng的潜在光合能力最高,远高于其他竹种,同样表现为丛生竹>散生竹>混生竹,进一步说明丛生竹种较强的光合固碳能力,从而为今后不同类型竹种,尤其是优良丛生竹种的筛选和开发利用提供理论参考。     

洞庭湖湿地Cd富集植物蒌蒿(Artemisia selengensis)的耐性生理机制研究

采用盆栽植株和外源Cd胁迫的方法,分别对不同生长期蒌蒿植株根、叶组织中的抗氧化酶活性、可溶性蛋白及MDA含量进行测定,以揭示蒌蒿在Cd胁迫下的抗氧化机理和耐受机制。研究结果表明,Cd胁迫对上述生理指标均有显著影响:≤20mg·kg-1的Cd处理可使幼苗期植株器官中的可溶性蛋白含量增加16.5%～19.1%,100mg·kg-1的Cd含量水平则导致其含量减少近30%,可溶性蛋白含量的变化与植株的生物量积累关系密切;3种酶活性在0～10mg·kg-1的Cd处理下未显示出明显变化,幼苗期植株CAT、POD活性在10～80mg·kg-1的Cd胁迫下增加明显,高于此浓度范围则使酶蛋白受到破坏而失活,中等含量水平(≤40mg·kg-1)的Cd处理经过长时间作用可使植株逐渐适应胁迫环境,胁迫强度较大的Cd处理可显著提高SOD酶的活性;Cd胁迫过程中植株MDA积累量不断增加。3种抗氧化酶活性的增强在蒌蒿植株耐受Cd胁迫方面能起到较好的防御作用。     

Multi-objective-based optimal transmission switching and demand response for managing congestion in hybrid power systems

ABSTRACT

This paper proposes a novel congestion management (CM) approach by using the optimal transmission switching (OTS) and demand response (DR) for a system with conventional thermal generators and renewable energy sources (RESs). In this paper, wind and solar PV units are considered as the RESs. The stochastic behavior of wind and solar PV powers are modeled by using the appropriate probability density functions (PDFs). The proposed CM methodology simultaneously optimizes the generation dispatch, demand response, and also the network topology of the power system. The OTS identifies the branches that should be taken out of service by significantly reducing the operating cost of the system while respecting the system security. Here, the total operating cost minimization/social welfare maximization and system losses minimization are considered as the objectives to be optimized. The proposed CM problem is solved using the multi-objective Jaya algorithm and it is used to determine a set of Pareto-optimal solutions. The Jaya algorithm is simple and it does not have any algorithmic-specific parameters to be tuned. This aspect reduces the designer’s effort in tuning the parameters to arrive at the optimum objective function value. A fuzzy logic-based approach is used to identify the best compromise solution. The effectiveness of the proposed CM approach is examined on modified IEEE 30 and practical Indian 75 bus test systems. The obtained simulation results are analyzed and they show the effectiveness of the proposed approach.     

The Water Poverty Index: An application in the Indian context

For developing countries, the proportion of households covered by improved water resources is conventionally used to assess the water stress situation. However, in a developing country like India with a high population growth rate, water demand and supply are considerably mismatched. An agro-based economy with large variations in socio-economic conditions and changing rainfall patterns across the states imposes greater challenge on water resources. Therefore, there is a need to assess the water situation across the country in a holistic manner. This paper proposes application of the Water Poverty Index as a comprehensive policy tool to assess actual water-stress situation across 20 major states in India. This index covers important socio-economic parameters such as access, capacity, use and environment in addition to water resources of each state. The results and findings are expected to be of use to policymakers and implementing agencies. In view of policy formulation, a state performing well on a Water Poverty Index component can act as a benchmark for another state.     

Volatile organic compounds of Acacia longifolia and their effects on germination and early growth of species from invaded habitats

Acacia longifolia, a highly invasive species that invades coastal ecosystems in Mediterranean areas, produces significant impacts at different scales. Abundant foliage and thick canopies create a dense atmosphere that led us to hypothesise that the release of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) could play a role in the reduction of biodiversity observed in invaded areas. Therefore, we suggested that VOCs emitted by A. longifolia could exert inhibitory effects on physiological and biochemical parameters of native species. Using glass chamber bioassays, we evaluated the effect of aerial contact between VOCs from different plant parts of A. longifolia material and some native species. Volatile chemical composition was further analysed using GC-MS. Our results indicated that VOCs produced a notably reduction of seed germination. Furthermore, volatiles from leaves and flowers significantly decreased root length, shoot length and biomass for all species. Proline and malondialdehyde content did not significantly increase after contact with VOCs. Finally, chemical profile of VOCs from flowers, leaves and litter was significantly different, both qualitatively and quantitatively. As far as we know, our results constitute the first evidence of phytotoxicity induced by VOCs from A. longifolia, suggesting that flowers and leaves could influence its surrounding environment through VOCs release.     

Combined use of earthworm (Alma millsoni) and bacterium (Bacillus sp.) improved the bioremediation of spent engine oil contaminated soil

This study was carried out to assess the effectiveness of the combined use of earthworm (Alma millsoni) and bacterium (Bacillus sp.) in the bioremediation of spent engine oil (SEO) contaminated soils. A. millisoni were collected from the Botanical Garden of University of Ibadan, Nigeria. The stock culture of hydrocarbonoclastic Bacillus sp. was used for the bioremediation study. A set-up of eight pots containing 1000?g soil sample and 20?g of cow dung were mixed with 100, 75, 50 and 0?mL SEO respectively. Each of the set up was subjected to bioremediation agents; A. millisoni alone, Bacillus sp alone, A. millisoni and Bacillus sp, no treatment (control) in duplicate. Treatment of 100?ml SEO contaminated soil with combined A. millisoni and Bacillus sp resulted in significantly (P? bacterium > vermi-remediating agents. Earthworms exposed to 100?mLSEO-contaminated soil had higher CAT, SOD, and GPx activities compared to the control. Findings indicated that A. millisoni with Bacillus sp. can synergistically improve bioremediation of SEO contaminated soils.     

Oxidative and genotoxic effects of bisphenol A on primary gill cell culture of Lake Van Fish (Alburnus tarichi Güldenstädt, 1814)

Lake Van is the largest lake in Turkey. The lake limits lifespan due to its high pH and brackish water. For this reason, only a single species of fish (Van Fish) is living in the lake that has been adapted to these conditions. In the present study, we investigated the total oxidant status (TOS), total antioxidant status (TAS), malondialdehyde (MDA) level and DNA damage effect of bisphenol A (BPA) (10^?7, 10^?6 and 10^?5?M) on primary gill cell culture of Van Fish for 24 and 48?h of incubation periods. TAS levels were not changed when compared to those of the control group, but TOS levels were decreased in both 24 and 48?h. The MDA level increased only at the highest concentration (10^?5) at the end of 12 and 24?h (p?.05). DNA damage increased only at the 10^?5?M concentration after 48?h. At the end of the experiment, BPA exposure caused lipid peroxidation and genotoxic effect. These results indicate that high levels of BPA exposure induced oxidative stress and DNA damage by time- and concentration-dependent fashion in the gill cell culture of Van Fish. Gill cell culture is a useful model for the rapid identification of the harmful effects of chemicals in the aquatic environment.     

Inverse uncertainty characteristics of pollution source identification for river chemical spill incidents by stochastic analysis

Identifying source information after river chemical spill occurrences is critical for emergency responses. However, the inverse uncertainty characteristics of this kind of pollution source inversion problem have not yet been clearly elucidated. To fill this gap, stochastic analysis approaches, including a regional sensitivity analysis method, identifiability plot and perturbation methods, were employed to conduct an empirical investigation on generic inverse uncertainty characteristics under a well-accepted uncertainty analysis framework. Case studies based on field tracer experiments and synthetic numerical tracer experiments revealed several new rules. For example, the release load can be most easily inverted, and the source location is responsible for the largest uncertainty among the source parameters. The diffusion and convection processes are more sensitive than the dilution and pollutant attenuation processes to the optimization of objective functions in terms of structural uncertainty. The differences among the different objective functions are smaller for instantaneous release than for continuous release cases. Small monitoring errors affect the inversion results only slightly, which can be ignored in practice. Interestingly, the estimated values of the release location and time negatively deviate from the real values, and the extent is positively correlated with the relative size of the mixing zone to the objective river reach. These new findings improve decision making in emergency responses to sudden water pollution and guide the monitoring network design.

Open image in new window