A Global Indicator for Biological Invasion

Abstract:  "Trends in invasive alien species" is one of only two indicators of threat to biodiversity that form part of the Convention on Biological Diversity's (CBD) framework for monitoring progress toward its "2010 target" (i.e., the commitment to achieve by 2010 a significant reduction in the current rate of biodiversity loss). To date, however, there is no fully developed indicator for invasive alien species (IAS) that combines trends, derived from a standard set of methods, across species groups, ecosystems, and regions. Here we provide a rationale for the form and characteristics of an indicator of trends in IAS that will meet the 2010 framework goal and targets for this indicator. We suggest single and composite indicators that include problem-status and management-status measures that are designed to be flexible, readily disaggregated, and as far as possible draw on existing data. The single indicators at national and global scales are number of IAS and numbers of operational management plans for IAS. Global trends in IAS are measured as the progress of nations toward the targets of stabilizing IAS numbers and the implementation of IAS management plans. The proposed global indicator thus represents a minimum information set that most directly addresses the indicator objective and simultaneously aims to maximize national participation. This global indicator now requires testing to assess its accuracy, sensitivity, and tractability. Although it may not be possible to achieve the desired objective for a global indicator of biological invasion by 2010 as comprehensively as desired, it seems possible to obtain trend estimates for a component of the taxa, ecosystems, and regions involved. Importantly, current indicator development initiatives will also contribute to developing the mechanisms necessary for monitoring global trends in IAS beyond 2010.     

Conservation Biology, Genetically Modified Organisms, and the Biosafety Protocol

Abstract:  Concerns have been raised regarding the potential adverse effects on biological diversity of the use of living modified organisms (LMOs, which are commonly known by similar terms such as genetically modified organisms). At the international level these concerns are addressed in part by an agreement known as the Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety and include potential toxic effects of insect-resistant crops on nontarget organisms and potential ecological effects of gene flow from modified crops, fish, microorganisms, or insects to wild species or counterparts. We reviewed the protocol's main provisions, including those dealing with risk assessment and risk management, decision making on imports, documentation accompanying shipments, and liability resulting from damages caused by LMOs. A medium-term program of work has been adopted by the parties, which includes the potential contribution of conservation biologists to delivering capacity building, developing risk assessment guidance, evaluating mechanisms of potential ecological damages from LMOs, and other issues. Conservation biologists and other experts have opportunities to influence the negotiations and implementation of the protocol by providing inputs at meetings, offering expertise to governments and organizations, and participating in or developing relevant projects and initiatives. Involvement of conservation biologists in the implementation and further development of the protocol would contribute to its effectiveness.     

关于《湿地公约》中"湿地"定义的汉译

湿地公约文本使用的英语是英国英语，其使用的词汇与美国英语有微妙的区别，湿地国际(中国)官方文本对《湿地公约》中湿地定义的汉译不确切。文章讨论了英国英语和美国英语中与湿地有关的几个词语在含义上的差别，重译并解剖了几个典型的湿地定义。     

试论企业环境治理存在的若干问题

环境治理是贯彻环境保护法,保护环境的有效手段之一,也是必走之路。所以保护环境,走可持续发展之路,最终还得看环境治理的成效如何。本文对当前企业界环境治理所存在的问题进行了探讨,并提出了建议。     

煤渣填料固定化菌膜处理餐厅污水

以煤渣为填料,采用人工筛选优势菌挂膜固定化技术和直流式供水送风形式,对酒家、宾馆的餐厅污水进行生物接触氧化处理,COD和BOD的去除率可>90％,处理后排放水质可稳定达到COD≤100mg·1~(-1),BOD≤30mg·1~(-1),SS≤30mg·1~(-1),NH_3—N≤15mg·1~(-1)。推广应用结果表明,具有显著的经济效益和环境效益。     

黄河口孤东油田灾害环境评价

孤东油田系新开发的油田工程之一。 位于黄河入海口的滨海地带,自然环境复杂。其中,风暴潮、黄泛和河口蚀退等不利的灾害因素,对油田安全生产的威胁比较突出。在掌握这些灾害因素时空分布规律及其影响程度的基础上,相应地提出了加固油田堤防工程、河口海岸工程等环境保护对策的意见。     

环境影响评价中的公众参与现状及其改进建议

通过对30多份环境影响报告书的分析,针对我国目前的公众参与现状及存在的问题,提出改进建议。     

Twenty-five years of biomonitoring lead in the Frankfurt/Main area

The present study is an example of the historical monitoring of heavy metals. The specific question it aims to explore is: to what extent has the lead content of selected organisms used for biomonitoring in Frankfurt/Main—one of the cities in Germany most heavily affected by automobile traffic—changed as a result of legislation on leaded gasoline?

Data on the lead content of the moss speciesBryum argenteum Hedw. from the years 1974, 1975 and 1978 and data on the lead content of the outer bark of the ash speciesFraxinus excelsior L. from 1973 served as the basis for the repeated measurements. Remeasurement was successful in 76.5% (i.e. 124 trees at 26 growth sites). The study produced the following results:

• ? As was expected, the lead content of the short-term accumulatorBryum argenteum Hedw. was distinctly lowered with a decreasing particulate lead concentration. However, the reduction factor varied greatly between the different growth sites.
• ? On the other hand, the lead content measured in the outer bark layers ofFraxinus excelsior L. has risen markedly during the past two decades. Whereas in 1973 nearly all trees examined displayed very low concentrations of lead (< 38 ppm), only 9.5% were still in this category in 1997 and nearly 30% exhibited high or even unacceptable lead concentrations (< 150 ppm → > 225 ppm). Various factors have to be taken into account to explain this increase. First of all, bark is a long-term accumulator for heavy metals like lead and its enrichment capacity could have increased as the surface becomes rougher over time. Furthermore, lead is most probably leached out of the bark to a lesser degree now than in the 1970s, owing to the reduced concentration of sulphuric acid in the rain. The dramatic growth of automobile traffic in the Frankfurt/Main area during the period covered by the study undoubtedly plays an important role as well.

     

内蒙古地区矿区总体规划开展生物多样性评价的情况和建议

通过整理分析内蒙古矿区总体规划环评,分析生物多样性现状评价情况,提出发展内蒙古矿区规划环评巾生物多样性评价的几点建议。