Rider preferences and economic values for equestrian trails

Recreational horseback riding is an important, but less studied, component of human interaction with the natural environment and often occurs alongside other outdoor recreational activities. Using choice experiment data collected from a survey conducted in Kentucky, this study assesses rider preferences and economic values associated with various equestrian trail attributes for daylong horseback riding trips in rural trail systems. Results indicate that while individuals have different opinions, trail attributes such as length of trail, scenic views, and travel distance from home all have significant economic implications. In addition, riders prefer trails that are restricted for horse riding only. Willingness to pay estimates of all attributes increase substantially when the travel cost to reach the trail is also considered. Policy implications on maintaining current and creating new trails in a multi-user setting are given, such as the opportunities for separating horseback riders from other users while still providing other beneficial attributes like options for longer trails and scenic views to all groups.     

Predatory behavior and chemical communication in two Metapone species (Hymenoptera:Formicidae)

Summary. Colonies of two species of Metapone (M. madagascarica, M. new species.) were collected in Madagascar and established in laboratory nests. It could be demonstrated that both species are specialist predators of termites (Cryptotermes kirbyi). During hunting the ants sting the termites and thereby paralyze and preserve the prey alive. In this way prey can be stored in the ant nest for extended periods. During foraging and colony emigrations the ants lay chemical trails with poison gland secretions. Among the seven compounds identified in the venom only methyl pyrrole-2-carboxylate elicits trail following behavior in both Metapone species. Received 11 February 2002, accepted 23 February 2002.     

Snorkelling and trampling in shallow-water fringing reefs: risk assessment and proposed management strategy

Shallow reefs (reef flats <1.5 m) in the northern Red Sea are impacted by growing tourism that includes swimmers, snorkellers and reef walkers but have largely been neglected in past studies. We selected a fringing reef along the lagoon of Dahab (Sinai, Egypt) as a model for a management strategy. Point-intercept line transects were used to determine substrate composition, coral community and condition, and the coral damage index (CDI) was applied. Approximately 84% of the coral colonies showed signs of damage such as breakage, partial mortality or algal overgrowth, especially affecting the most frequent coral genus Acropora. Questionnaires were used to determine the visitors' socio-economic background and personal attitudes regarding snorkelling, SCUBA-diving and interest in visiting a prospective snorkelling trail. Experiencing nature (97%) was by far the strongest motivation, and interest in further education about reef ecology and skill training was high. Less experienced snorkellers and divers--the target group for further education and skill training--were those most prepared to financially support such a trail. We therefore recommend a guided underwater snorkelling trail and restricting recreational use to a less sensitive 'ecotourism zone' while protecting the shallow reef flat. Artificial structures can complete the trail and offer the opportunity to snorkel over deeper areas at unfavourable tide or wind conditions. This approach provides a strategy for the management and conservation of shallow-water reefs, which are facing increasing human impact here and elsewhere.     

Trail discrimination signal of Lasius japonicus (Hymenoptera: Formicidae)

Summary. Trail-following behavior of Lasius japonicus was colony-specific in the field, while trail pheromone activity was not. We found that the footprint substance caused colony-specific trail-following behavior only when working in conjunction with the trail pheromone. The footprint substance alone did not lead the workers to follow trails. The substance consisted mainly of hydrocarbons with composition almost identical to that of cuticular hydrocarbons, except for the absence of n-alkanes. Nestmate workers shared footprint hydrocarbon profiles as well as cuticular hydrocarbons, but the profiles differed among colonies. We therefore consider that the footprint hydrocarbon profiles serve as the trail discrimination signal in L. japonicus.     

浅谈3000t/d水泥生产线窑尾收尘系统改造

介绍了南阳航天水泥厂3000t/d水泥生产线窑尾收尘系统的改造背景、技术方案、施工方案和工程造价。改造采用了在原窑尾反吹风高温玻纤袋收尘器旁并联一台同类型单排袋式收尘器的方案,以增大窑尾袋收尘器过滤面积和降低过滤风速。该窑尾收尘系统的改造取得了明显的成效。     

沈阳市2001年-2006年生态足迹分析与可持续发展

生态足迹从具体的生物量角度研究自然资本消耗的空间,为核算地区资本利用状况提供框架,进而可判断区域可持续发展状态。文章在简要介绍生态足迹的概念与计算模型基础上,定量研究了沈阳市2001年-2006年六年间的生态足迹和生态承载力的变化规律和特征,根据计算进行分析,结果表明人类负荷超过其生态容量,生态承载严重不能满足生态足迹的需求,社会经济处于一种不可持续的发展状态,为使沈阳市的生态建设可持续的发展提出生态恢复措施。     

生态足迹与可持续发展初步分析——以北京市、沈阳市、哈尔滨市为例

生态足迹从具体的生物量角度研究自然资本消耗的空间，为核算地区资本利用状况提供框架，进而可判断区域可持续发展状态。文章在简要介绍生态足迹的概念与计算模型基础上，定量研究了北京市、沈阳市、哈尔滨市等三城市2003年－2006年4年间的生态足迹和生态承载力的变化规律和特征。根据计算进行分析，结果表明人类负荷超过其生态容量，生态承载均不能满足生态足迹的需求，社会经济处于一种不同程度不可持续的发展状态。为使城市生态建设可持续的发展提出生态恢复建议及措施。     

Optimization of process parameters using response surface methodology for bioconversion of activated sludge by Penicillium corylophilum

The optimization of process parameters for the bioconversion of activated sludge by Penicillium corylophilum was investigated using response surface methodology （RSM）. The three parameters namely temperature of 33℃, agitation of 150 r/min, and pH of 5 were chosen as center point from the previous study of fungal treatment. The experimental data on chemical oxygen demand （COD） removal （%） were fitted into a quadratic polynomial model using multiple regression analysis. The optimum process conditions were determined by analyzing response surface three-dimensional surface plot and contour plot and by solving the regression model equation with Design Expert software. Box-Behnken design technique under RSM was used to optimize their interactions, which showed that an incubation temperature of 32.5℃, agitation of 105 r/min, and pH of 5.5 were the best conditions. Under these conditions, the maximum predicted yield of COD removal was 98.43%. These optimum conditions were used to evaluate the trail experiment, and the maximum yield of COD removal was recorded as 98.5%.     

玉龙雪山牦牛坪高山草甸的干扰格局分析

近几年玉龙雪山生态旅游热升温,对该区域生态环境和植被资源的影响日趋显著,研究该区域高山草甸所受干扰对制定该区域的生态保护、可持续发展对策具有重要意义。为明晰人类活动对玉龙雪山高山草甸的影响,选取该区域典型高山草甸分布区域作为研究区,分析其草甸退化格局,通过干扰强度模型量化研究区的干扰格局,并利用方差分解确定不同干扰对高山草甸退化的贡献率。结果表明：（1）放牧干扰主要集中在牲畜饮水点附近,旅游干扰更多作用于景区观景台和寺庙附近,干扰活动分布与路径体系相吻合,游径布设和游客行为扩散模式决定了旅游干扰的格局;（2）草甸退化程度随干扰程度的增加而升高,干扰强度最大的区域与草甸的重度退化区域重合;（3）总体上旅游较放牧对草甸退化的贡献作用更大,但存在空间差异。在玉龙雪山牦牛坪景区,旅游干扰已逐渐取代放牧干扰成为主要干扰因素,且路径体系与旅游干扰格局具有较高的吻合度,对草甸退化格局的影响在逐渐增加。综上,建议选取使用率高的非正式路径修建为正式路径,保护和恢复分布在使用率低的非正式路径旁的植被和土壤,以降低旅游干扰对高山草甸的影响。     

Managing brown bears and wilderness recreation on the Kenai Peninsula,Alaska, USA

The Russian River-Cooper Lake-Resurrection River trail system, on the Kenai Peninsula, Alaska, traverses essential brown bear habitat. To set management guidelines for this area, the trail system was monitored using questionnaire cards and electronic trail counters from 1984 through 1987. This helped to determine the extent and type of human use and human-bear encounters in the area. Management recommendations were intended to reduce the potential displacement of brown bears by hikers and to inform wilderness users of the proper camping techniques to avoid attracting bears to the campsite. An average of 5800 visitors hiked or camped along the trail system each year. Encounters between hikers and brown bears averaged 7/yr while encounters with black bears averaged 35/yr. Minor problems occurred with both the electronic trail counters and the questionnaire. Modilications to these methods are discussed. A Limits of Acceptable Change format should be considered for the trail system to determine the character and future direction of recreational activities and monitoring of the trail system should continue in the future.