Functional regulatory spaces and policy diffusion in Europe: The case of mountains

The aim of this article is to propose a new analytical framework for comparing and explaining the emergence and diffusion of European regional mountain initiatives (ERMIs), envisaged as ‘functional regulatory spaces’ (FRS). The article examines three exploratory hypotheses. The first hypothesis considers that the different ERMIs (Alps, Pyrenees, Jura, Carpathian, Balkan Mountains, Dinaric Arc, Caucasus) can be compared, distinguished, and classified using the FRS approach. The second hypothesis addresses the relationship between the degree to which ERMIs correspond to an ideal-type FRS and their role and position within policy diffusion processes. We suggest that the more an ERMI corresponds to an ideal-type FRS, the more important is its role in diffusion processes. The third hypothesis focuses on the relationship between the degree of formalization and institutionalization of ERMIs and their role in policy diffusion processes. We argue that the more and the earlier an ERMI is “formalized” and “institutionalized” in a clear and robust way as a “mature” FRS, the more important its role, and the more central its position, in diffusion processes. This article is a very first attempt to link FRS and policy diffusion concepts. As such it seeks to assess the link's feasibility and relevance, rather than a definitive empirical (in)validation of the three hypotheses.     

Soil burdens of persistent organic pollutants - Their levels, fate and risk. Part II. Are there any trends in PCDD/F levels in mountain soils?

Good quality data apt for an assessment of temporal trends of polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins and furans (PCDDs/Fs) in soils are difficult to obtain since there is a general lack of information on their residues in soils. Variability of soil profiles, non-homogeneity of samples, and often also inconsistency of applied sampling procedures further complicate this problem. To assess spatial and temporal trends of contamination, three soil sampling campaigns have been performed over the period of 12 years at the mountain forest sites in the Czech Republic. Relation between the air, needle and soil contaminations was addressed in addition to time-related variability of soil. It has been confirmed that soil is a good matrix for evaluation of spatial distribution of persistent organic pollutants (POPs) but difficult for establishment of temporal trends. A slow rate of the soil-forming processes and their site-specificity was generally the major source of uncertainties.     

Conservation Implications of Drastic Reductions in the Smallest and Most Isolated Populations of Giant Pandas

Abstract: In conservation biology, understanding the causes of endangerment is a key step to devising effective conservation strategies. We used molecular evidence (coalescent simulations of population changes from microsatellite data) and historical information (habitat and human population changes) to investigate how the most‐isolated populations of giant pandas (Ailuropoda melanoleuca) in the Xiaoxiangling Mountains became highly endangered. These populations experienced a strong, recent demographic reduction (60‐fold), starting approximately 250 years BP. Explosion of the human population and use of non‐native crop species at the peak of the Qing Empire resulted in land‐use changes, deforestation, and habitat fragmentation, which are likely to have led to the drastic reduction of the most‐isolated populations of giant pandas. We predict that demographic, genetic, and environmental factors will lead to extinction of giant pandas in the Xiaoxiangling Mountains in the future if the population remains isolated. Therefore, a targeted conservation action—translocation—has been proposed and is being implemented by the Chinese goverment.     

Impacts of Dams on Flow Regimes in Three Headwater Subbasins of the Columbia River Basin,United States1

Moore, Johnnie N., Alicia S. Arrigoni, and Andrew C. Wilcox, 2012. Impacts of Dams on Flow Regimes in Three Headwater Subbasins of the Columbia River Basin, United States. Journal of the American Water Resources Association (JAWRA) 48(5): 925‐938. DOI: 10.1111/j.1752‐1688.2012.00660.x Abstract: We compared long‐term changes in flow regimes resulting from climate change with those resulting from dams in three matched pairs of natural and modified headwater subbasins of the Columbia River. Based on the analysis of 12 flow‐regime metrics, we found that damming had minimal effect on most quantity of flow metrics, but major effect on timing of flow metrics, especially those representing “spring runoff.” In all modified subbasins, “spring runoff” metrics occurred much earlier than natural flow (up to ～44 days earlier for April‐July flows). Storage capacity modulated the magnitude of timing of flow‐metric changes, with the largest storage capacity leading to the most change. However, even in subbasins with low storage capacity, we found significant change in most timing of flow metrics. We also found that damming, especially in subbasins with higher storage capacity, overwhelmed climate variability in all basins for most flow metrics. This shows that reservoir operations need to be modified to more closely match the natural timing of flow regimes to promote positive ecologic response in modified rivers, even in basins where quantity of flow metrics have not changed substantially as a result of damming.     

温度和水分对大兴安岭多年冻土区森林土壤有机碳矿化的影响

温度和水分是影响土壤有机碳矿化的重要因素,而北方高纬度地区对气候变化响应敏感.本文选取大兴安岭多年冻土区落叶松和樟子松两种森林土壤(0～15 cm)为研究对象,通过测定不同温度(5、10和15℃)及水分(设置土壤含水率分别为30%、45%和60%)处理下的土壤有机碳矿化速率,以明确多年冻土区土壤有机碳矿化对不同梯度环境变化及其交互作用的响应.结果表明:研究区土壤累积碳矿化量为0.39～2.29 mg·g~(-1),落叶松林土壤高于樟子松林土壤,且矿化率随着培养时间延长呈先降低后稳定的趋势;土壤有机碳矿化程度随温度升高而显著增加(p0.001),但其对水分的响应因林型而异,落叶松土壤有机碳矿化程度随水分增加而降低,樟子松土壤有机碳矿化程度随水分增加而增加;温度和水分的交互作用对土壤有机碳矿化程度的影响未达到显著水平;土壤有机碳矿化的温度敏感性以土壤含水量为30%的落叶松土壤培养时最低(2.11),以土壤含水量为60%的落叶松土壤培养时最高(2.50),水分和林型对其影响不显著.     

贺兰山北段羊氟中毒区氟污染研究

宁夏贺兰山煤炭开采和煤层自燃已有300多年历史,该区近30年来开采强度加大,自燃程度趋重。本工作深入调查和系统测试了该区地表土和牧草等共计137件样品中的氟含量,结果显示:地表土中氟含量总均值为707±126μg/g,显著高于当地氟背景值;牧草氟含量为218±42μg/g,表明羊氟中毒可能与地表土及牧草高氟息息相关。地表土中硫酸盐均值为1771±130μg/g,而p H均值为5. 92±0. 82,与当地背景值相比,该区硫酸盐含量显著偏高,酸性明显较强。研究表明,贺兰山北段地表土存在酸污染及硫酸盐污染,并伴随氟污染,可能源于该区域采煤、用煤及煤层自燃历史悠久,导致氟化物、酸性硫酸盐沉降并存,随之污染牧草,进而引发羊氟中毒。     

Hysteresis in Reversal of Central European Mountain Lakes from Atmospheric Acidification

Extremely high emissions of S and N compounds in Central Europe (both 280 mmol m^-2 yr^-1) declined by 70and 35%, respectively, during the last decade. Decreaseddeposition rates of SO₄ ^-2, NO₃ ^-, and NH₄ ⁺ in the region paralleled emission declines. The reduction in atmospheric inputs of S and N to mountain ecosystemshas resulted in a pronounced reversal of acidification in the Tatra Mountains and Bohemian Forest lakes. Between the 1987–1990and 1997–1999 periods, concentrations of SO₄ ^-2 and NO₃ ^- decreased (average ± standard deviation) by 22±7 and 12±7 mol L^-1, respectively, in theTatra Mountains, and by 19±7 and 15±10 mol L^-1, respectively, in the Bohemian Forest. Their decrease was compensated in part (1) by a decrease in Ca²⁺ + Mg²⁺ (17±7 mol L^-1) and H⁺ (4±6 mol L^-1), and an increase in HCO₃ ^-(10±10 mol L^-1) in the Tatra Mountains lakes, and (2) by a decrease in Al (7±4 mol L^-1), Ca²⁺ + Mg²⁺ (9±6 mol L^-1), and H⁺ (6±5 mol L^-1), in Bohemian Forest lakes. Despite the rapid decline in lake water concentrations of SO₄ ^-2 and NO₃ ^- in response to reduced S and N emissions, their present concentrations in some lakes are higher than predictionsbased on observed concentrations at comparable emission rates during development of acidification. This hysteresis in chemical reversal from acidification has delayed biological recovery of the lakes. The only unequivocal sign of biological recovery hasbeen observed in erné Lake (Bohemian Forest) where a cladoceran species Ceriodaphnia quadrangular has recentlyreached its pre-acidification abundance.     

Snow-avalanche hazards, Southern Glacier National Park, Montana: The nature of local knowledge and individual responses

A survey was conducted of well-educated residents of East Glacier Park, Montana, who are frequently isolated by snow avalanches. It showed that people in this area do not alter driving habits during times of avalanche danger, are not aware of the local avalanche warning system, and have not efficiently garnered information about the avalanche hazard.     

Public Water Sources in Rural Watersheds of Nepal’s Middle Mountains: Issues and Constraints

Inadequacy and poor quality of water supply for domestic purposes is increasingly becoming a concern in rural catchments of the Middle Mountains of Nepal. Water quantity is an issue in pocket areas of these catchments, while water quality is subject to concern in most of the water sources. Microbiological contamination in particular poses a risk to human health. In addition, sediment pollution during the monsoon season is perceived as an issue by the local residents. Elevated phosphate and nitrate levels in many water sources indicate intensive interaction with surface water hailing from agricultural areas and human settlements. These water quantity and quality concerns in two watersheds of Nepal, the Jhikhu Khola and the Yarsha Khola watersheds, are not isolated cases. Similar problems are reported from other watersheds monitored under the People and Resource Dynamics in Mountain Watersheds of the Hindu Kush-Himalayas (PARDYP) project in China, India, and Pakistan and the literature of this region.     

Local Circulation with Aeolian Dust on the Slopes and Foot Areas of the Tianshan and Kunlun Mountains around the Taklimakan Desert, China

Four automatic weather stations (AWS) were installed on the slopes and foot areas of the Tianshan and Kunlun Mountains along a longitude of 80 degrees east: (1) Taglak 2400 m a.s.l., (2) Aksu 1000 m, (3) Kartash 2800 m, and (4) Qira 1700 m. These two slopes face the Taklimakan Desert. Tagliak lies on the southern slope of Tianshan, and Kartash on the northern slope of Kunlun. The meteorological characteristics of the mountainous regions were investigated using surface data obtained during an intensive observation period (IOP) in spring 2002. It was found that visibility on the slopes decreases in the daytime, and there is no relationship between visibility and wind speed in the mountainous areas. Two snow layers containing dust particles were observed in the snow cover in Taglak during the IOP in spring 2003. These results suggest that a warm air parcel containing aeolian dust climbs over the slopes of the mountainous areas, and dust particles in the mountainous areas are transported from the foot areas.