Predicting Periphyton Cover Frequency Distributions across New Zealand's Rivers

Regression models of mean and mean annual maximum (MAM) cover were derived for two categories of periphyton cover (filaments and mats) using 22 years of monthly monitoring data from 78 river sites across New Zealand. Explanatory variables were derived from observations of water quality variables, hydrology, shade, bed sediment grain size, temperature, and solar radiation. The root mean square errors of these models were large (75‐95% of the mean of the estimated values). The at‐site frequency distributions of periphyton cover were approximated by the exponential distribution, which has the mean cover as its single parameter. Independent predictions of cover distributions at all sites were calculated using the mean predicted by the regression model and the theoretical exponential distribution. The probability that cover exceeds specified thresholds and estimates of MAM cover, based on the predicted distributions, had large uncertainties (~80‐100%) at the site scale. However, predictions aggregated by classes of an environmental classification accurately predicted the proportion of sites for which cover exceeded nominated criteria in the classes. The models are useful for assessing broad‐scale patterns in periphyton cover and for estimating changes in cover with changes in nutrients, hydrological regime, and light.     

Development of an integrated decision-support model for density management within jack pine stand-types

The objectives of this study were to (1) develop a modular-based structural stand density management model (SSDMM) and corresponding algorithmic analogue for natural (naturally regenerated stands without a history of density regulation) and managed (naturally or artificially regenerated stands with a history of density regulation) jack pine (Pinus banksiana Lamb.) stand-types, and (2) demonstrate the utility of the model in operational density management decision-making. Employing an Ontario-centric database consisting of 262 and 221 tree-list measurements obtained from 91 and 139 permanent and temporary sample plots situated within natural and managed stand-types, respectively, combined with data derived from density control experiments and sawmill simulation studies, six integrated estimation modules were constructed: Module A consisted of the parameterization of the core yield–density relationships which together drive the entire yield prediction system (e.g., size–density relationships for quadratic mean diameter, dominant height, mean volume, and mean live crown ratio, and site-specific height–age relationships); Module B consisted of the development of Weibull-based parameter prediction equation systems for recovering diameter distributions and composite height-diameter equations for height estimation; Module C consisted of the development of composite taper equations for predicting log products and stem volumes; Module D consisted of the development of allometric-based composite biomass equations for each above-ground component (bark, stem, branch and foliage) from which biomass estimates and associated carbon-based equivalents were derived; Module E consisted of the development of sawmill-specific composite equations for estimating chip and lumber volumes; and Module F consisted of the development of composite equations for estimating wood density and mean maximum branch diameter. The utility of the model was demonstrated by simultaneously contrasting a set of complex density management regimes (commercial thinning and variable planting densities) in terms of a broad array of stand-level yield outcomes and performance measures: overall productivity, log-product distributions, biomass production and carbon yields, recoverable products (chip and lumber volumes) and associated monetary values, economic efficiency, duration of optimal site occupancy, structural stability, and fibre attributes (wood density and mean maximum branch diameter). In summary, the modular-based SSDMM provides the analytical foundation for evaluating the likelihood of realizing a multitude of stand-level objectives when designing density control regimes for jack pine stand-types.     

A novel participatory and remote-sensing-based approach to mapping annual land use change on forest frontiers in Laos,Myanmar, and Madagascar

Tropical forests are under pressure from both commercial and smallholder agriculture. Forest frontiers are seeing dynamic land use changes that frequently lead to land system regime shifts, posing challenges for the sustainability of entire local social-ecological systems. Monitoring highly dynamic land use change and detecting land system regime shifts is methodologically challenging due to trade-offs between spatial and temporal data resolution. We propose an innovative approach that combines analysis of very-high-resolution satellite imagery with participatory mapping based on workshops and field walks. Applying it in Laos, Myanmar, and Madagascar, we were able to collect annual land use information over several decades. Unlike conventional land use change mapping approaches, which assess only few points in time, our approach provides information at a temporal resolution that enables detection of gradual and abrupt land system regime shifts.     

光照对焦化废水植物毒性的影响

利用植物毒性试验的方法,研究了不同光照条件下,焦化废水对黍和黄瓜种子发芽率,根长,根重,芽重的影响。结果表明,在光条件下用焦化废水对植物进行培养,其毒性较在黑暗培养明显增强,将焦化废水在同样的光照条件下进行预处理后,其荧光光谱发生变化。     

Basic Principles and Ecological Consequences of Altered Flow Regimes for Aquatic Biodiversity

The flow regime is regarded by many aquatic ecologists to be the key driver of river and floodplain wetland ecosystems. We have focused this literature review around four key principles to highlight the important mechanisms that link hydrology and aquatic biodiversity and to illustrate the consequent impacts of altered flow regimes: Firstly, flow is a major determinant of physical habitat in streams, which in turn is a major determinant of biotic composition; Secondly, aquatic species have evolved life history strategies primarily in direct response to the natural flow regimes; Thirdly, maintenance of natural patterns of longitudinal and lateral connectivity is essential to the viability of populations of many riverine species; Finally, the invasion and success of exotic and introduced species in rivers is facilitated by the alteration of flow regimes. The impacts of flow change are manifest across broad taxonomic groups including riverine plants, invertebrates, and fish. Despite growing recognition of these relationships, ecologists still struggle to predict and quantify biotic responses to altered flow regimes. One obvious difficulty is the ability to distinguish the direct effects of modified flow regimes from impacts associated with land-use change that often accompanies water resource development. Currently, evidence about how rivers function in relation to flow regime and the flows that aquatic organisms need exists largely as a series of untested hypotheses. To overcome these problems, aquatic science needs to move quickly into a manipulative or experimental phase, preferably with the aims of restoration and measuring ecosystem response.     

Effect of flame propagation regime on pressure evolution of nano and micron PMMA dust explosions

Experiments using an open space dust explosion apparatus and a standard 20 L explosion apparatus on nano and micron polymethyl methacrylate dust explosions were conducted to reveal the differences in flame and pressure evolutions. Then the effect of combustion and flame propagation regimes on the explosion overpressure characteristics was discussed. The results showed that the flame propagation behavior, flame temperature distribution and ion current distribution all demonstrated the different flame structures for nano and micron dust explosions. The combustion and flame propagation of 100 nm and 30 μm PMMA dust clouds were mainly controlled by the heat transfer efficiency between the particles and external heat sources. Compared with the cluster diffusion dominant combustion of 30 μm dust flame, the premixed-gas dominant combustion of 100 nm dust flame determined a quicker pyrolysis and combustion reaction rate, a faster flame propagation velocity, a stronger combustion reaction intensity, a quicker heat release rate and a higher amount of released reaction heat, which resulted in an earlier pressure rise, a larger maximum overpressure and a higher explosion hazard class. The complex combustion and propagation regime of agglomerated particles strongly influenced the nano flame propagation and explosion pressure evolution characteristics, and limited the maximum overpressure.     

三峡水库调节典型时段对洞庭湖湿地水情特征的影响

洞庭湖与长江联系紧密,三峡工程运行将改变洞庭湖的水文过程,影响湖泊湿地生态系统。为了评估三峡工程运行对洞庭湖湿地的水文影响,选取水文情势变化大且可能对植被生长产生重大影响的汛末蓄水和汛前腾空两个时段,运用反映江湖水动力交互的水动力学方法计算了三峡水库不同调节流量下湖泊水位与流量的变化特征,并结合湖泊高程和面积关系曲线,分析了不同增减下泄流量对洲滩湿地淹没出露的影响。结果表明,洞庭湖吞吐长江,复杂的江湖水动力交互作用使得湿地水文过程变化有明显的非线性。在恒定流条件下,汛末蓄水减泄4 000 m3/s流量可使城陵矶水位降低1 m。同样抬高1 m水位,汛前腾空约需增泄3 500 m3/s。在空间分布上,三峡水库调节对洞庭湖水情影响具有明显的异质性,受江湖关系和湖盆地形的影响,与长江水力联系紧密的东洞庭湖、南洞庭湖东部和西洞庭湖北部受三峡水库调节影响大,而西洞庭湖南部影响较小     

分散填料曝气塔多相流态分析与传氧性能表征

针对分散填料曝气塔中多相流的流态与传氧过程,实验了布气方式以及海绵和陶粒2种填料对于体系的气含率εg、流态以及气-液传质性能的影响。在表观气速U范围(0.01～0.18 m/s)内观察到81孔布气板(Φ1 mm)体系出现3个明显相区,孔数过少(25孔),或者孔间距较小(225孔)均没有明显过渡区,在湍流区(U>0.118 m/s)3种布气板的气含率没有明显差别。海绵填料体积分数εs<25%时体系的气含率没有明显变化,35%时气含率下降且过渡区提前出现。在非均相区,海绵填料明显提高了体系的传质系数KLa。陶粒填料降低了气含率,固含率对εg的影响差别不明显,同时降低了多相流体系的KLa,且随着固含率的增加KLa降低。对比多种操作条件,单位体积空气传氧能力KLa/εg无明显差别,但在81孔布气板的过渡区KLa/εg出现一个明显的极小区间,说明过渡区传氧效率较低。在特定的实验操作条件下,KLa/εg较为稳定,这为深入理解两种气泡群体的共存体系在传氧性能方面各自的权重,提供了重要的量化参考。     

我国土壤环境管理政策制度分析及发展趋势

我国土壤环境修复属于政策驱动型产业,完善政策制度和标准体系对推动我国土壤修复健康发展、保障土壤环境安全具有重要意义。本文从国家和地方两个层面,系统分析了我国当前已经发布的土壤污染防治相关环境管理政策法规和技术标准现状、内容特点及其在推进土壤环境管理过程中发挥的作用,总结归纳出国家层面环境管理文件和地方层面制度建设的不同特点。针对国家层面和地方层面环境管理文件的不同特点,结合"十三五"国家土壤污染防治行动计划体现的土壤环境管理总体思路和任务要求,借鉴国际土壤污染防治制度建设经验,提出"十三五"时期我国土壤污染防治政策制度和标准体系建设的主要方向,即"一中心、三方向",包括基于风险管理的分级分类核心思想,重点提高政策制度操作性、提高技术标准的精细化和针对性、提高关键环境管理的有效性三个主要方向。     

优化教室照明均匀度的模型构建与求解

为了改善教室照明环境,保护学生视力,可通过合理布置教室光源给老师和学生创造一个舒适的视觉环境。本文通过使用照度仪随机采集同一栋楼中不同楼层8个教室在夜间的桌面照度值,对教室照明均匀度进行了调查和分析,结果发现教室存在中间区域照度高、四周照度低以及照明均匀度不高等问题,这主要与我国传统光源分布设计(均匀排列)有关;同时利用Matlab软件构建了优化教室照明均匀度的数学模型,提出两个优化方案,并针对这两个优化方案进行验证和对比,从而得出了更为合理的教室光源分布方式。