Using Ecological Function to Develop Recovery Criteria for Depleted Species: Sea Otters and Kelp Forests in the Aleutian Archipelago

Abstract: Recovery criteria for depleted species or populations normally are based on demographic measures, the goal being to maintain enough individuals over a sufficiently large area to assure a socially tolerable risk of future extinction. Such demographically based recovery criteria may be insufficient to restore the functional roles of strongly interacting species. We explored the idea of developing a recovery criterion for sea otters (Enhydra lutris) in the Aleutian archipelago on the basis of their keystone role in kelp forest ecosystems. We surveyed sea otters and rocky reef habitats at 34 island‐time combinations. The system nearly always existed in either a kelp‐dominated or deforested phase state, which was predictable from sea otter density. We used a resampling analysis of these data to show that the phase state at any particular island can be determined at 95% probability of correct classification with information from as few as six sites. When sea otter population status (and thus the phase state of the kelp forest) was allowed to vary randomly among islands, just 15 islands had to be sampled to estimate the true proportion that were kelp dominated (within 10%) with 90% confidence. We conclude that kelp forest phase state is a more appropriate, sensitive, and cost‐effective measure of sea otter recovery than the more traditional demographically based metrics, and we suggest that similar approaches have broad potential utility in establishing recovery criteria for depleted populations of other functionally important species.     

Knowledge and Use of Biodiversity in Brazilian Hot Spots

Hot spots in Brazil include a variety of ecosystems, such as mangroves, forests, and the Brazilian savannah, locally called cerrado. Some of the rural populations in these hot spots are the caiçaras in SE Atlantic Forest coast, and the caboclos in the Amazon. In this study, we are concerned especially with the knowledge of caiçaras and caboclos, associated with practices that might have implications for management. Data were gathered through interviews with adults at the various communities studied, and through systematic observations, including samples of fishing trips and the mapping of fishing spots used in the Atlantic Forest coast. The use of resources from the surrounding vegetation includes collection of plants, cultivated fruit gardens, the swidden system, and a careful and managed extraction of fibres. Among animal resources, food taboos seem to be useful practices that might contribute to the maintenance of local natural resources. Potential management practices should be locally developed, such as the informal division of fishing spots in Atlantic Forest sites, and the maintenance of the diversity of cassava varieties in both the Atlantic Forest and Amazonian areas.     

烟气海水脱硫排水水质对周边海域的影响分析

从理论计算和国内外已投运工程的实际运行监测两方面,对海水脱硫排水水质进行了分析,结果表明在采用成熟工艺的前提下,海水脱硫的排水水质包括重金属等指标,全部可以达到我国海水三类标准,绝大部分指标满足海水一类标准,而且通过对国内外已经投运项目的长期监测,也未发现对周围海域的生态环境造成不利影响。     

Adaptation planning for sea level rise: a study of US coastal cities

Sea level rise (SLR) is expected, even without greenhouse gas emissions. As SLR is inevitable, adapting to its impacts has received increasing attention, and local governments are the key actors in this emerging agenda. This study indicates that adaptation planning for SLR should be integrated into two local major planning mechanisms in the United States: the local comprehensive plans and hazard mitigation plans. By evaluating 36 plans from 15 US coastal cities that are considered at high risk and vulnerable to rising sea levels, the results demonstrate that SLR is widely identified, but the overall quality of the plans to address it requires significant improvement. A detailed table of selected plans' characteristics is also provided as a lens on how localities tackle this challenging issue. The paper concludes with planning suggestions for coastal communities to better adapt to SLR.     

海水中石油类国标分析方法存在的问题及改进建议

当前海水石油类分析三种国标方法存在代表性和适用性不足的问题,不同方法的数据间缺乏可比性,给政府和民众控制水体污染、评价水质状况带来偏差和不便。建议国家相关部门修订海水石油类分析方法,将水质石油类分析国标方法统一为红外分光光度法。通过海水样品加标实验验证了该方法的可行性,实际操作简便、准确。     

金属材料及构件在厦门海域腐蚀规律分析

对铝合金型材、铜合金构件、5种波纹管和5种钛合金焊接件等在厦门海域进行了自然环境试验。试验1年后发现:各种钛合金构件和铝合金型材均有优良的耐蚀性能,自然环境中暴露1年后,钛合金构件表面仍保持原有的金属光泽;铜合金构件能较好地防止多种海生物的附着;而不锈钢在海水中易产生局部腐蚀。     

次溴酸盐氧化法测定海水氨氮影响因素的探讨

测定海水中氨氮时,经常会出现曲线线性不好、空白值高等情况。文中通过对实验室环境、实验用水、器皿、试剂、操作过程等因素进行分析探讨,找出了实验出现问题的原因,并进行了校正。     

春季厦门海域表层海水中二甲基硫的含量分布

采用固相微萃取(SPME) 气相色谱法(GC)测定了厦门海域20个站位表层海水中DMS二甲基硫的含量,并对其分布进行分析。结果表明,厦门海域DMS含量在0 65～40 69nmol·L-1,平均浓度为12 83nmol·L-1。其中,西海域的含量最高,东海域次之,同安湾最低。与其它海域海水中DMS浓度比较,厦门海域DMS含量较高,浓度变化范围大,与叶绿素a浓度及表层水温、盐度之间无明显的相关关系。     

Potential Vulnerability Implications of Sea Level Rise for the Coastal Zones of Cochin, Southwest Coast of India

This study presents the results of the impact assessment analysis of the coastal zones of Cochin along the southwest coast of India. The climatological cycle of sea level derived for the region for the period 1939–2003 has shown a range of about 17 cm. From the results obtained on the coastal sedimentary environments, it is found that climate-induced sea level rise scenarios will bring profound effects. It is also revealed that the mean beach slope and relief play a vital role in land loss of the region. The local relief of coastal zone will decrease as sea level rises, thus increasing the percentage of land above mean sea level subjected to episodic inundations. Results of the yearly probability of damages indicated the urgency to upgrade the existing designs of coastal protection structures. A brief characterisation of the issues on infrastructure and uncertainties in policy planning also are attempted.     

Metal Concentrations in Fish Species from the Northeast Mediterranean Sea

Samples of Mugil cephalus and Mullus barbatus were collected in the Northeast Mediterranean coast of Turkey the contents of cadmium, copper, iron, zinc and lead in the liver, gill and muscle tissues were determined by atomic absorption flame spectrophotometry.Except for lead, highest levels of each metal were found in the liver and this was followed by the gill and muscle in both species. Among the metals analyzed, Cu, Zn and Fe were the most abundant in the different tissues while Cd and Pb were the least abundant both in M. cephalus and M. barbatus. Seasonal changes in metal (Cd, Cu, Pb, Fe and Zn) concentration were observed in the tissues of both species, but these seasonal variations may not influence consumption advisories. In general, the highest concentrations were detected for all metals in summer.