Framework for participative reflection on the accomplishment of transdisciplinary research programs

In response to the increasingly complex social–ecological issues facing society, there is a growing trend to conduct environmental research in large collaborative programs. This approach is described as transdisciplinary research as it transcends formal disciplinary boundaries, explicitly acknowledges that many different perspectives are relevant to the resolution of complex problems, and actively involves the users of research. This poses challenges for the evaluation of “impact” as any evaluation process must take into consideration the different expectations, values, culture, language and reward structures of the main participating groups, the funders, researchers and end users. How can these participating groups learn about the progress of a transdisciplinary research program in a way that is purposeful and structured, continues through the life of the program, and includes explicit feedback mechanisms that facilitate adaptation during the course of the program? This paper presents a framework for co-reflecting on the accomplishment of transdisciplinary research programs. The framework incorporates the perspectives of funders, researchers and users, and recognizes that while they place different emphasis on measures of achievement such as efficiency, rigor and relevance, ultimate accomplishment in terms of translating knowledge into practice requires that the needs and expectations of all three groups are adequately addressed. What emerges from the framework is the importance of early investment in processes, behaviors and relationships that foster social learning and the co-production of the knowledge and understanding that are required to ensure relevance; while maintaining emphasis in the traditional areas of formally testing evidence and mentoring young researchers to ensure rigor and build confidence and capacity in transdisciplinary approaches.     

PERFORMANCE AND PERSISTENCE OF GREEN FLUORESCENT PROTEIN （gfp） MARKED AZOTOBACTER CHROOCOCCUM IN STERILIZED AND UNSTERILIZED WHEAT RHIZOSPHERIC SOIL

ThepracticaluseofAzotobacterchroococcumasbiofertilizer hasbeenincreasinglyidentifiedinrecentyears.Oftentheefficacy ofthesebacteriaisassessedonthebasisofcropresponseswithout knowingthesurvival,persistenceandcompetitiveabilityofthein troducedstrain.Inoculat…     

Changing lobster abundance and the destruction of kelp beds by sea urchins

In a study area in Nova Scotia, Canada, abundance of the lobster Homarus americanus decreased by nearly 50% in 14 years. The lobster is a major predator of sea urchins, and during the past 6 years the sea urchin Strongylocentrotus droebachiensis has destroyed 70% of the beds of Laminaria spp. in the area. Implications for management are discussed.     

Evaluating changes in matrix-based, recovery-adjusted concentrations in paired data for pesticides in groundwater

Pesticide concentration data for waters from selected carbonate-rock aquifers in agricultural areas of Pennsylvania were collected in 1993-2009 for occurrence and distribution assessments. A set of 30 wells was visited once in 1993-1995 and again in 2008-2009 to assess concentration changes. The data include censored matched pairs (nondetections of a compound in one or both samples of a pair). A potentially improved approach for assessing concentration changes is presented where (i) concentrations are adjusted with models of matrix-spike recovery and (ii) area-wide temporal change is tested by use of the paired Prentice-Wilcoxon (PPW) statistical test. The PPW results for atrazine, simazine, metolachlor, prometon, and an atrazine degradate, deethylatrazine (DEA), are compared using recovery-adjusted and unadjusted concentrations. Results for adjusted compared with unadjusted concentrations in 2008-2009 compared with 1993-1995 were similar for atrazine and simazine (significant decrease; 95% confidence level) and metolachlor (no change) but differed for DEA (adjusted, decrease; unadjusted, increase) and prometon (adjusted, decrease; unadjusted, no change). The PPW results were different on recovery-adjusted compared with unadjusted concentrations. Not accounting for variability in recovery can mask a true change, misidentify a change when no true change exists, or assign a direction opposite of the true change in concentration that resulted from matrix influences on extraction and laboratory method performance. However, matrix-based models of recovery derived from a laboratory performance dataset from multiple studies for national assessment, as used herein, rather than time- and study-specific recoveries may introduce uncertainty in recovery adjustments for individual samples that should be considered in assessing change.     

PCDDs and PCDFs in human adipose tissue from the EPA FY82 NHATS repository

Analysis for tetra- through octachloro-PCDDs and PCDFs was completed for 46 tissue samples prepared from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) National Human Adipose Tissue Survey (NHATS). The samples were prepared as composites from over 900 specimens to represent the nine U.S. census divisions and three age groups (0–14, 15–44, and 45 plus years). The data demonstrate that PCDDs and PCDFs are prevalent in the general U.S. population and that differences exist with age.     

Watershed Nitrogen and Mercury Geochemical Fluxes Integrate Landscape Factors in Long-term Research Watersheds at Acadia National Park, Maine, USA

This paper is an overview of this special issue devoted to watershed research in Acadia National Park (Acadia NP). The papers address components of an integrated research program on two upland watersheds at Acadia NP, USA (44° 20′ N latitude; 68° 15′ E longitude). These watersheds were instrumented in 1998 to provide a long-term foundation for regional ecological and watershed research. The research was initiated as part of EPA/NPS PRIMENet (Park Research and Intensive Monitoring of Ecosystems Network), a system of UV-monitoring stations and long-term watershed research sites located in US national parks. The initial goals at Acadia NP were to address research questions about mercury, acid rain, and nitrogen saturation developed from prior research. The project design was based on natural differences in forests and soils induced by an intense wildfire in one watershed in 1947. There is no evidence of fire in the reference watershed for several hundred years. We are testing hypotheses about controls on surface water chemistry, and bioavailability of contaminants in the contrasting watersheds. The unburned 47-ha Hadlock Brook watershed is 70% spruce-fir mature conifer forest. In contrast, burned 32-ha Cadillac Brook watershed, 4 km northeast of the Hadlock watershed, is 20% regenerating mixed northern hardwoods and 60% shrub/rocky balds. Differences in atmospheric deposition are controlled primarily by forest stand composition and age. The watersheds are gauged and have water chemistry stations at 122 m (Cadillac) and 137 m (Hadlock); watershed maximum elevations are 468 and 380 m, respectively. The stream water chemistry patterns reflect, in part, the legacy of the intense fire, which, in turn, controls differences in forest vegetation and soil characteristics. These factors result in higher nitrogen and mercury flux from the unburned watershed, reflecting differences in atmospheric deposition, contrasting ecosystem pools of nitrogen and mercury, and inferred differences in internal cycling and bioavailabilty.     

Utility Boiler Operating Modes for Reduced Nitric Oxide Emissions

The information presented is directed to those individuals concerned with reducing nitric oxide (NO) emissions from gas- and oil-fired utility boilers, either as operators,manufacturers, or those having air quality management responsibilities.

The purpose of this paper is to present the results that are being obtained in a continuing program to reduce NO emissions from gas- and oil-fired utility boilers operated by the Southern California Edison Company. First, an understanding of NO formation and the controlling factors is presented, followed by a discussion of the combustion control techniques of ofF-stoichiometric combustion and reduced combustion temperatures. Results of field testing employing these techniques are demonstrated. Finally, boiler operating characteristics affecting NO and the implementation of the techniques for achieving operating reductions in NO emissions are discussed.     

Partnership Forum Framework: Participative Framework for Protected Area Outreach

/ Contemporary trends in natural resource management are reviewed, with specific reference to the shift in conservation management strategies away from law enforcement-based strategies towards strategies aimed at facilitating local community participation in the management of natural resources. This review lays a foundation for the presentation of a conceptual framework, the partnership forum framework, for the planning, implementation, and evaluationof protected area outreach programmes. The framework proposes that protected areas should function as integral components of the local social, economic, and environmental systems and that the integration of the protected area into these systems should be managed through comanagement institutions. The establishment of such institutions is discussed, and it is argued that the development of comanagement institutions can be characterized into four progressive phases: a preliminary communication phase, a problem-solving phase, a pilot project phase, and a comanagement phase. The framework proposes that during the three initial phases the partnership forum members will develop management procedures that they will use during the comanagement phase. The framework is presented as a design skeleton around which the site-specific characteristics of specific protected area outreach programs will combine to form an outreach program, i.e., the framework is process rather than project based.KEY WORDS: Sub-Saharan Africa; Integrated conservation and development     

Bromo- and bromochloro-dibenzo-p-dioxins and dibenzofurans in the environment

At least 36 million pounds of brominated flame retardants are used in the U.S. annually. Most if not all of these materials enter the waste stream via landfilled plastic waste, municipal incinerator fly ash, or automotive fluff waste. Analytical methodology is summarized which is suitable for environmental monitoring of these wastes, and the significance of the analytical results is discussed.