Inaction levels for the red imported fire ant, Solenopsis invicta (hym.: formicidae): A predator of the boll weevil, Anthonomus grandis (col.: curculionidae)

The density of red imported fire ants, Solenopsis invicta Buren (Hymenoptera: Formicidae), necessary to limit boll weevil abundance, Anthonomus grandis Boheman (Coleoptera: Curculionidae), below the action level was determined. An inaction level of 0.4 fire ants per shake bucket sample (i.e., four ants per 10 plant terminals) will provide boll weevil control approximately 90% of the time. A dynamic inaction level is also provided. Total mortality of boll weevil developmental stages including eggs through teneral adults averaged 97.9%. Of 100 boll weevil eggs deposited in cotton squares (flower buds), an average of two adults survive of which about half are female. Thus, the net replacement rate per generation (R_o is 1.0 which, in this case, indicates a stable boll weevil population.     

环境侵害民事诉讼若干问题探讨

随着社会经济发展到一定阶段,人们的物质文化需求与日益脆弱的环境现实必然产生矛盾--即发展与环境的矛盾.而这种矛盾所导致的结果就是环境侵害案件的不断增多,而由于我国长期以来一直是一个以计划经济为主的发展中国家,法制建设不足,只是在近二十五年中立法工作才得以提速、加强.而这当中,对环境保护及环境违法处置方面的立法尤显不足,由此造成目前现实中的环境侵害案件,用传统诉讼制度来解决时,问题和缺陷日益显露.深入研究此类案件的特点,将有利于司法部门正确解决纠纷,切实保护当事人的权利.本文对环境侵害之诉讼要件中的诉讼主体的确定,诉讼请求的根据与范围、证明规则,以及诉讼时效等问题进行了初步探讨.     

建设项目竣工环境保护验收监测应注意的问题

针对建设项目竣工环境保护验收监测中存在的问题,阐述了工况控制、总量监测、环境相容性等环节的技术要求和注意事项,并就与之相关的公众参与、监测人员的素质等问题展开了讨论。     

Perceptions of the security and attractiveness of urban parking lots

This study concerns design features of urban parking lots which can increase the perception of such areas as both safe and attractive. College students evaluated the attractiveness and perceived security associated with 180 scenes of parking lots adjacent to commercial and multi-family residential structures in Atlanta and Athens, Georgia, U.S.A. High intergroup correlations (r > 0·90) indicated the reliability of evaluations of both perceived features. Regressions of physical features on perceived security ratings and attractiveness ratings yielded highly predictive models (R² = 0·76 and 0·80, respectively). For both sets of ratings a Maintenance and Design factor accounted for the most variance. Although attractiveness ratings were higher as the total amount of vegetation increased in a scene, security was in general rated higher only when vegetation was well maintained and appeared to be installed as part of a landscape design. Attractiveness was generally higher for multi-family residential scenes than for commercial scenes. Perceived security was higher for frontal views of structures, especially when entrances were proximate to the viewer. Research implications are discussed in terms of the impact of natural features in urban areas for increasing attractiveness and reducing fear of crime.     

Effects of labelled meaning on the affective quality of housing scenes

A series of studies examined the effects of labelled meaning on affective response to housing scenes. Students at Ohio State University assessed their feelings towards imagined housing (public or private) and cities (Memphis, Houston and San Francisco). Expected differences in the affective quality were found. Responses to color photographs of specific housing scenes labelled as either private condominiums or public housing were obtained. Differences in scene-affect as a function of labelled meaning were found. Responses to housing scenes labelled as located in either Memphis, Houston or San Francisco revealed no differences in scene-affect as a function of label meaning. This latter finding was confirmed in a non-repeated measure examination. Differences in the fittingness, potency or relevance of the information provided may account for the pattern of findings.     

Community opinion concerning airport noise-abatement alternatives

In the present study we examined (1) community opinion of airport noise-abating alternatives and (2) the influence of perceived control on attitudes concerning noise-abatement policies and annoyance toward aircraft noise. We proposed that residents who perceive themselves as having little control over aircraft noise exposure would express higher levels of annoyance than residents who believe they have some degree of control. Furthermore, residents with low levels of perceived control would be less favorable toward proposed noise-abatement alternatives. Survey results collected from 239 households within the 65 CNEL contour of a community airport in Southern California support these hypotheses. Findings indicate strong public support for noise abatement and strong opposition to land-use alternatives. In addition, residents' perceptions of control in the airport planning and management process are significantly related to their annoyance with noise and their opinions about noise management policies.     

Is there a correlation between the number of mutagens and the number of nonmutagens in an environmental sample?

We have adapted a procedure which was developed for studying the correlations in the distribution of genetic factors, such as sex ratios in siblings, to obtain estimates of the correlation between the number of mutagens and the number of nonmutagens in a sample. Positive correlations with correlation coefficients in excess of 0.8 were obtained. The high correlation suggests that it is possible to estimate the number of mutagens in samples with N > 100 compounds as (0.064 ± 0.01) N.     

Experiments comparing the use of kites and gas bangers to protect crops from woodpigeon damage

Woodpigeon damage to spring cabbage on two farms in different years was greatly reduced when a large kite was flown over the fields. Protection continued for over 3 months with no sign of habituation to the kite by pigeons. Woodpigeons avoided flying or settling within 250 m of the kite. Damage in fields with a gas banger exceeded that in fields with a kite, especially in severe winter weather. “Humming line” proved ineffectual in reducing damage. On these lowland farms it was necessary to launch the kite on most mornings, but if such launching can be carried out, kites can be effective in reducing damage by woodpigeons.     

环保行政处罚中的一事不再罚

"一事不再罚原则"是一项重要的国际责任制度,起初只适用于刑法领域,后来逐渐发展到行政法领域,我国行政处罚法引入这一原则,有其特殊的内涵。本文从其特殊内涵出发,借鉴刑法罪数理论,并结合环保工作实际,从一事不再罚原则在环保行政处罚中的具体应用方面进行探讨。     

Chattanooga shale exploitation and the aquatic environment: The critical issues

Early identification of the critical environmental issues arising from new energy technologies is needed to ensure adequate consideration of these issues in all phases of research and development. This study examines the potential hazards to aquatic ecosystems from large-scale exploitation (190,000 Mg/day) of the Chattanooga Shale Formation, an immense reserve of oil shale and uranium in Kentucky, Tennessee, and Alabama. Using existing data on regional ecology, hydrology, mining operations, and raw and spent shale chemistry, we identified two major, related environmental issues: (1) the potential for extensive adverse effects on aquatic communities through degradation of water quality and habitat; and (2) the potential conflict between the requirements for shale exploitation, and the habitat and water quality needs of threatened or endangered species. Specific hazards to aquatic ecosystems include erosion, sedimentation, acid mine drainage, raw and spent shale leachates, and surface disposal of immense quantities of solid wastes. Twelve of 19 federally designated, threatened or endangered fish and mollusks in the shale-bearing region were identified as known or recent inhabitants of the counties believed to be most favorable for the exploitation of shale. Of these, five species occur as single populations or are limited to a single river system. The potential for adverse effects on these species is greatest in the counties near the Tennessee-Alabama state line. Future research needs include physical, chemical, and toxicological characterizations of shale leachates and studies of the transport and fate of leachable contaminants. Such research can provide the guidance necessary to minimize impacts on aquatic communities resulting from extraction, retorting, and disposal of shale.