Environmental Communication as Nexus

This essay examines zoos as a site of struggle in the construction of meanings and memories of human–nature relations. Modern zoos are symbols of imperial power and celebrations of the domination of nature. The grafting of “tropic worlds” onto these monuments of modernity renders the meaning of zoos more ambiguous, reflecting discursive struggles over the meaning of nature, questions about the wisdom of development and progress, recognition of the need for conservation and preservation, and nostalgia for a nature that has been lost. Through a close textual reading of “The Rainforest” at the Cleveland Metroparks Zoo, this essay explores the simulation of nature in zoos and “tropic worlds” in North American cities. These hyperreal spaces contain an extraordinary amount of the history and politics of the culture that constructs them for fascination, edification, conservation, commodification, and salvation. At stake in these simulated natures is not only the constructions of nature as spectacle and animals as commodities, but also the use of knowledge to maintain certain forms of domination and the “writing” of industrial culture's historical memory of nature and human–nature relations.     

Development of the PRCQ: A measure of perceived restorative characteristics of zoo attractions

This study describes the development of the Perceived Restorative Characteristics Questionnaire (PRCQ), a measure of perceived restorative characteristics of zoo attractions. The questionnaire was administered in two zoo attractions. The hypothesized five factor structure of the PRCQ, and relations between perceived restorative characteristics and experienced pleasure in and preference for the attractions were examined. In Study 1, 137 visitors of a Dutch zoo evaluated perceived restorative characteristics of a butterfly garden; In Study 2, 158 visitors evaluated those of a baboon attraction. In Study 1 three factors emerged (fascination, escape and coherence); In Study 2 four factors could be distinguished (fascination, novelty, escape, coherence). Compatibility did not appear as a separate factoring either study. Perceived fascination and escape were significant predictors of experienced pleasure and preference in both attractions. The implications of the findings are discussed.     

利用水生植物改善北京动物园水环境的研究初探

近年来，北京动物园的水体出现严重的富营养化问题，为了净化水环境，本课题采用了水生植物净化水体的生态工程方法进行了研究。研究结果表明，利用水生植物不仅能净化北京动物园水体，而且还有利于营造水上园林景观和水禽创造适宜的生存环境。从单一水生植物的净化作用上看，水葫芦的净化效果最好，次之为睡莲和野生荷花。人工种植的荷上对较差；多种水生植物的组合更有利于植物在净化作用上的优势互补，从而能始终保持较好的净化效果。此外，试验还发现香蒲的适生水深为0.3-0.4m。     

海藻提取物EClean生物工程技术处理富营养型地表水

以北京动物园的地表水为例，利用引进的海藻提取物EClean生物工程技术对富营养化地表水进行处理试验研究。试验结果表明：应用此项技术有效降低了水体的浊度、COD和BOD5，水体脱氮降磷明显，藻类细胞密度下降，水体富营养化得到控制，减轻了“水华”藻类的危害。此技术在北京动物园富营养化水体的治理上表现出明显的应用效果。     

海藻提取物EClean生物工程技术处理富营养型地表水

以北京动物园的地表水为例,利用引进的海藻提取物EC lean生物工程技术对富营养化地表水进行处理试验研究。试验结果表明:应用此项技术有效降低了水体的浊度、COD和BOD5,水体脱氮降磷明显,藻类细胞密度下降,水体富营养化得到控制,减轻了“水华”藻类的危害。此技术在北京动物园富营养化水体的治理上表现出明显的应用效果。