Targeting sites for conservation: using a patch-based ranking scheme to assess conservation potential

Rare habitats are increasingly threatened by fragmentation and measures are required to conserve these valuable resources. Here, we present a method of targeting habitat patches for conservation using a Geographical Information System. We ranked patches of chalk grassland in the Chiltern Hills Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty using simple abiotic criteria, namely: patch area, patch shape, proximity to areas of the same habitat and surrounding land-use type. We compiled a regionally specific list of indicator species and ranked the habitat patches based on their alpha diversity (calculated from species richness). We compared the results of the two ranking schemes and identified key aggregations of the existing reserve network. These could form the basis of future habitat expansion as required by the United Kingdom Biodiversity Action Plan.     

An Integrated Framework for Multipollutant Air Quality Management and Its Application in Georgia

Air protection agencies in the United States increasingly confront non-attainment of air quality standards for multiple pollutants sharing interrelated emission origins. Traditional approaches to attainment planning face important limitations that are magnified in the multipollutant context. Recognizing those limitations, the Georgia Environmental Protection Division has adopted an integrated framework to address ozone, fine particulate matter, and regional haze in the state. Rather than applying atmospheric modeling merely as a final check of an overall strategy, photochemical sensitivity analysis is conducted upfront to compare the effectiveness of controlling various precursor emission species and source regions. Emerging software enables the modeling of health benefits and associated economic valuations resulting from air pollution control. Photochemical sensitivity and health benefits analyses, applied together with traditional cost and feasibility assessments, provide a more comprehensive characterization of the implications of various control options. The fuller characterization both informs the selection of control options and facilitates the communication of impacts to affected stakeholders and the public. Although the integrated framework represents a clear improvement over previous attainment-planning efforts, key remaining shortcomings are also discussed.     

Opportunity costs of implementing forest plans

Intellectual concern with the National Forest Management Act of 1976 has followed a course emphasizing the planning aspects of the legislation associated with the development of forest plans. Once approved, however, forest plans must be implemented. Due to the complex nature of the ecological systems of interest, and the multiple and often conflicting desires of user clientele groups, the feasibility and costs of implementing forest plans require immediate investigation. For one timber sale on the Coconino National Forest in Arizona, forest plan constraints were applied and resulting resource outputs predicted using the terrestrial ecosystem analysis and modeling system (TEAMS), a computer-based decision support system developed at the School of Forestry, Northern Arizona University, With forest plan constraints for wildlife habitat, visual diversity, riparian area protection, and soil and slope harvesting restrictions, the maximum timber harvest obtainable was reduced 58% from the maximum obtainable without plan constraints.Former Graduate Student at Northern Arizona University.     

核电站FDA安全管理信息流系统模型的构建研究

为了从安全信息的角度完善核电站的事故致因机理,并在实践中加强核电站的安全管理,首先以安全信息为视角,以系统安全行为链为主线,建立核电站FDA安全管理信息流系统模型,该模型由运行操作人员、核电站企业、国家核安全局3条子链和1条必要安全信息主链构成;然后结合模型和核电站具体工作流程,分析得到3个子事故域和1个总事故域,并归纳出核电站安全运行各阶段所需的必要安全信息;最后结合事故域,分析模型在核电站安全管理中的实际应用价值。     

基于图形熵的化工应急响应预案复杂度评价

面对突发化工事故,应急处理是控制事故后果、减少损失的有效措施,应急响应预案是应急处理的依据和指南。应急处理中人与系统的交互作用对于事故的缓解或恶化起着至关重要的作用,目前在应急人因失误的研究中纷纷强调操作员操作经验的重要性,而忽略了由于预案逻辑结构过于复杂、可读性太差导致操作员因不能完全理解预案而造成的操作失误,因此讨论了预案复杂度的评价方法。基于图形熵的概念,将文本预案转化为相应的图形,通过计算图形的一、二阶熵确定步骤的5个复杂度因子,进而通过合并步骤复杂度计算任务复杂度。最后,以化工＂切换备用泵＂的应急操作实例对计算方法进行了验证和说明,并针对计算结果给出了减小复杂度的具体措施。实践证明,该方法是有效的。     

清洁能源实施效果评价

2001年11月启动的中国国家"十五"攻关重大专项"清洁能源行动"涉及17个试点示范城市,经过3年多的探索与实施,取得了明显成效.着重从污染物排放、空气质量、清洁能源消费、人均能耗和万元产值能耗等环境效益方面对清洁能源实施效果进行科学评价,为推广试点示范城市的先进经验和城市可持续发展提供依据.     

Pesticide residues in products of plant origin in the European Union

The results of a co-ordinated monitoring programme for pesticide residues in the European Union and Norway carried out in 1996 and 1997 are presented. The aim of this programme is to work towards a system, which makes it possible to estimate actual dietary pesticide intake for the population of the European Union. Based on a statistically dérived sampling plan and within the limited number of pesticides/commodities analysed, the most critical pesticides (benomyl group and dithiocarbamates) and commodities (mandarine and lettuce) were identified. In case of detected non-compliances, repeated sampling and, if necessary, enforcement actions are to be taken by national authorities. The programme will be continued in the next years.     

环境内分泌干扰物的评价方法及其生物检测技术

由于化学分析设备与技术的不断提高,大量的有机化学物质不断地从环境介质和食品中被检出。尽管这些物质的浓度很低,但是毒理学的研究表明,一些环境内分泌干扰物质(Environmental Endocrine Disruptors,EDCs)在很低浓度就能导致生物健康负效应。如何在种类众多的环境化学物质,以及在成分复杂的环境提取物中识别具有低剂量效应的有害物质并加以管理十分重要。本文以EDCs为对象,结合近几年来的文献,综述了其可能造成的危害,重点分析了EDCs的作用机制、筛选评估方法及生物检测技术,旨在为今后环境有害物质的筛选与风险识别研究提供借鉴。     

Safety rules: procedural freedom or action constraint?

The paper presents a partial classification of safety rules as constraints imposed from outside on the freedom of choice of individuals or companies. The classification is linked to the Reason model of skill-, rule-, and knowledge-based behaviour. The imposition of constraints is related to a number of criteria concerning the context and use of the rules to arrive at proposals for when and where to apply what type of rule. To illustrate the principles discussed an example is given of the rule from the Dutch Working Environment legislation concerning the requirement to use “current state of the art in prevention” in companies. The paper proposes providing procedural rule support to companies on how to meet the rule, in the form of a data bank of practicable solutions to health and safety problems.     

实施中国环境标志计划,促进相关行业节能减排

通过对中国环境标志计划由来和发展以及环境标志定义的介绍,阐述了中国环境标志标准遵循的原则、框架及标准类别,介绍了中国环境标志认证制度和模式,分析了中国环境标志计划的实施对相关行业节能减排的促进作用,说明了中国环境标志计划已成为国家推动节能减排和循环经济战略的重要手段。