Long-term coexistence of non-indigenous species in aquaculture facilities

Non-indigenous species (NIS) are a growing problem globally and, in the sea, aquaculture activities are critical vectors for their introduction. Aquaculture introduces NIS, intentionally or unintentionally, and can provide substratum for the establishment of other NIS. Little is known about the co-occurrence of NIS over long periods and we document the coexistence over decades of a farmed NIS (a mussel) with an accidently introduced species (an ascidian). Both are widespread and cause serious fouling problems worldwide. We found partial habitat segregation across depth and the position of rafts within the studied farm, which suggests competitive exclusion of the mussel in dark, sheltered areas and physiological exclusion of the ascidian elsewhere. Both species exhibit massive self-recruitment, with negative effects on the industry, but critically the introduction of NIS through aquaculture facilities also has strong detrimental effects on the natural environment.     

Introduced marine organisms as habitat modifiers

Introductions of non-indigenous species (NIS) are mostly discussed through their impact on biodiversity. However, NIS can also act as ecosystem engineers, influencing the habitat itself, positively or negatively, directly or indirectly, which should be included when making risk assessments. Special concern should be given to changes in ecological services provided by the ecosystem. Physically, NIS may affect the substrate itself, or alter habitat architecture, indirectly influencing water movements, sediment accumulation, and light conditions. Chemical changes brought upon by NIS occur both on small and large scales, some having positive effects on ecosystem services, others can perturb epibionts. Furthermore, NIS may negatively affect natural resources, aquaculture or create fouling communities, all resulting in a negative impact on economics. However, if removed, already established NIS can be used as bioremediators, having a positive effect on different ecosystems. Using NIS for habitat management may be economically profitable, but could affect the habitat adversely.     

Sustainable Management of Electronic Waste (e-Waste)

Electronic waste or e-waste is one of the fastest growing areas of the international waste stream and is increasing at a much higher rate than all other waste streams. Fast growing electronics industries arising from the demands of information and communication technologies around the world coupled with the rapid product obsolescence and lack of end-of-life management options, have all led to the unsustainable management of the waste stream. Computers are manufactured from over 1,000 materials, many of which are toxic, and they contribute significantly to the e-waste stream, which is estimated to be ca. 20 to 50 million tonnes annually. Design for environment cleaner production, extended producer responsibility, standards and labeling, product stewardship, recycling and remanufacturing are some of the practices adopted by various countries around the world to deal with the e-waste stream. An overview of these practices is presented and the manner in which they contribute to the sustainable management of e-waste is discussed.     

Predicting effects of toxic chemicals in the marine environment

Ecological risks are typically characterized in risk assessment procedures by considering the ratio between exposure concentrations and critical effect concentrations. In OECD countries, critical effect concentrations are typically derived from laboratory-based ecotoxicity tests using well-defined protocols on a limited number of species. More and more countries in the tropics are adopting this approach in environmental assessment, protection, and management. In this article we consider a number of issues associated with such an approach, and in particular potential problems with extrapolating effects on individuals observed in laboratory-based ecotoxicological investigations to effects on ecosystems. It is hoped that by making explicit some of the assumptions made in the potential limitations of these tests, we can better target our limited resources to protect valuable and vulnerable systems.     

EROSION AND SEDIMENTATION PROBLEMS IN SOME ASIAN COUNTRIES

1 INTRODUCTIONFrom 1989 to 1993, as project managers of the UNDP/UNESCO project entitled Regional TrainingProgramme on Erosion and Sedimentation for Asia, the writers had the privilege of meeting manyoutstanding hydraulic engineers of this region and came to learn of some important erosion andsedimentation problems thereof. Some issues as noted by the writers are presented in the followingalong the some comments. These issues are mainly concerned with rivers. It should be stated tha…     

湖泊藻型富营养化控制——技术、理论及应用

湖泊富营养化防治走过了从控制营养盐、直接除藻、到生物调控、生态工程及生态恢复等艰难历程,各国为此投入了巨额资金、然而收效甚微,富营养化依然是全球性重大水环境问题。回顾和分析富营养化湖泊治理研究与实践的成功经验与失败教训,无疑将有助于采取更切实可行的技术有效控制湖泊富营养化。综观全球营养养化治理研究成果,不难看出,富营养化是一个典型的生态问题,生态问题只有用生态学方法解决。在全湖性富营养化难以快速根治的情况下,如何集中技术优势和有限财力,优先解决对人类生活影响较大的局部水域富营养化问题,逐步修复受损的湖泊生态系统,提高水体自净能力、改善水体环境质量并建立湖泊健康生态系统。     

Interrupting a multi-species bioinvasion vector: the efficacy of in-water cleaning for removing biofouling on obsolete vessels

Vector management is the primary method for reducing and preventing nonindigenous species (NIS) invasions and their ecological and economic consequences. This study was the first to examine the efficacy of in-water scrubbing using a submersible cleaning and maintenance platform (SCAMP) to prevent invertebrate species transfers from a heavily fouled obsolete vessel. Initially, prior to treatment, 37 species were recorded in a biofouling matrix that reached 30cm depth in some locations. The bryozoan Conopeum chesapeakensis, and bivalves Mytilopsis leucophaeata and Ischadium recurvum, were dominant sessile species that created structure, supporting mobile biota that included crabs and the associated parasitic barnacle Loxothylacus panopae. Scrubbing had the effect of significantly reducing organism extent and the number of species per sample, but a substantial and diverse (30 species) residual fouling community remained across the entire vessel. Further assessments of management options are needed to prevent potentially damaging NIS transfers. Additional measures taken within an integrated vector management (IVM) strategy may further improve invasion prevention measures.     

Marine biosecurity: The importance of awareness, support and cooperation in managing a successful incursion response

Shipping is almost certainly the most prevalent human-mediated transport vector for non-indigenous species (NIS) within the marine environment. The Royal Australian Navy (RAN) has long acknowledged the importance of sound environmental management and in recent years has taken a proactive approach to addressing risks associated with marine biosecurity. primarily as a result of biofouling on Navy vessel returning from overseas operations. This paper describes two case studies that highlight the effectiveness of the RAN marine biosecurity management framework in identifying an unwanted marine species on Navy vessels, and the successful biosecurity management program that ensued. In particular, the early detection and identification of a suspect NIS, the quick response to the discovery and the collaborative approach adopted between the RAN and the Government regulatory agency (Western Australian Department of Fisheries) charged with coordinating the incursion response serves as a model for how future incursion responses should be reported and managed.     

Application of deep learning in ecological resource research: Theories,methods, and challenges

Ecological resources are an important material foundation for the survival, development, and self-realization of human beings. In-depth and comprehensive research and understanding of ecological resources are beneficial for the sustainable development of human society. Advances in observation technology have improved the ability to acquire long-term, cross-scale,massive, heterogeneous, and multi-source data. Ecological resource research is entering a new era driven by big data. Traditional statistical learning and machine learning algorithms have problems with saturation in dealing with big data. Deep learning is a method for automatically extracting complex high-dimensional nonlinear features, which is increasingly used for scientific and industrial data processing because of its ability to avoid saturation with big data. To promote the application of deep learning in the field of ecological resource research, here, we first introduce the relationship between deep learning theory and research on ecological resources, common tools, and datasets. Second, applications of deep learning in classification and recognition,detection and localization, semantic segmentation, instance segmentation, and graph neural network in typical spatial discrete data are presented through three cases: species classification, crop breeding, and vegetation mapping. Finally, challenges and opportunities for the application of deep learning in ecological resource research in the era of big data are summarized by considering the characteristics of ecological resource data and the development status of deep learning. It is anticipated that the cooperation and training of cross-disciplinary talents may promote the standardization and sharing of ecological resource data,improve the universality and interpretability of algorithms, and enrich applications with the development of hardware.     

The humber observatory: Concepts,instrumentation and software systems

The role of geomorphological research into sediment flux within modern dynamical systems and the consequent role of geomorphological research in the development of practical environmental management tools are seldom reconciled. Sediment fluxes can be estimated using instruments and numerical models, but problems arise when these results are to be interpreted to inform the environmental management debate. This paper presents one set of solutions in which we describe the work of the Humber Observatory and detail the concepts, instrumentation and software systems which have been developed to address such issues. The design and deployment of a new, automated meteorological station, new multiple sensor, radio-linked outstations and the collection of associated tidal and bathymetric data are described, together with discussion of the operational problems and data archiving and output issues. We also describe the numerical models based upon the dynamical equations which have been used to estimate water and sediment fluxes through the Humber Estuary, and we describe the design criteria for new semi-empirical models. Results from the various systems and models are presented as the basis for a regional research capability and in terms of operational delivery for environmental management.     

韧性城市研究进展

研究从韧性城市的概念和其主要研究领域两个方面来梳理其国内外研究进展,发现国外已形成社区韧性、城市网络韧性、城市灾害恢复力和城市灾害风险评估四个研究方面.而国内研究因起步晚,其研究深度和国外相比差距显著,基本处于概念及综述研究阶段。整体来看,韧性城市研究在区域宏观层面已初见成效,在城市中观和微观层面略显不足。     

跟踪国外大地震的震情分析资料库

该项研究为应急跟踪国外灾害地震，提供基础性背景资料的一种快速反应措施，它包括资料库和检索应用软件两部分。资料部分包括以下三个方面的内容：全球灾害性地震活动区的地震地质构造背景；灾害性历史地震目录和活动性数据；各国地震管理和观测研究机构概况以及与之配套的资料检索应用软件等．     

Countermeasures for and Experiences in Seismic Hazard Mitigation in Uganda

For earthquake-prone countries of the world, it is crucial to develop countermeasures and to share experiences in seismic hazard mitigation. The measures for seismic hazard mitigation are related to many factors, e.g., social, economic, and political. Research focused on modern science and technology paves the way for a better understanding of the earthquake phenomenon and helps to plan against its effects in seismically active areas.In this paper, we consider some of the events that occurred in earthquake-prone countries, both developing and developed, which caused devastation to the society and economy. These are mainly major events that have affected a considerable portion of the gross domestic product of these economies.Measures to mitigate seismic hazard are stressed and suggested. In addition, experiences in seismic hazard mitigation in Uganda and the rest of the world are discussed in general terms. Attention is given to geotectonic settings as well as the work of seismic hazard and disaster mana     

Space projections on solar-terrestrial physics

An overview of the current status of research in the field of solar-terrestrial physics conducted by space agencies of various countries is given. The main results of current (Ulysses, SOHO, TRACE, RHESSI, Hinode, and STEREO) and completed (Coronas-F and others) missions as well as the scientific goals and objectives of space projects being prepared and planned (SDO, Solar Probe, Solar Orbiter, Resonance, Interheliosonde, and others) are presented. The space projects are considered in the context of problems of the Sun—Earth system.     

Periodic recharge to finite aquifiers from rectangular areas

Analytical solutions for groundwater flow in unconfined rectangular aquifers are presented for the case of recharge from rectangular areas. The linearised differential equation of the flow is solved using Laplace and finite Fourier transforms. The problem concerns the response of finite aquifers to periodic (seasonal) recharge schemes of variable duration. Results can be obtained for various combinations of Dirichlet and Neumann boundary conditions and can be easily used in a preliminary study of water resources management.     

潜源划分进展及我国海域和邻近海域区划潜源划分问题研究

对于陆域地区,我国已进行5次全国范围大面积地震区划研究工作,获得了丰富研究成果.但对于海域地区地震区划的研究较薄弱,较少涉及海域潜源划分模型.随着经济发展,涉及海域地区的经济活动日益频繁,对海域地区潜源划分研究及进一步地震区划研究工作的需求越来越强烈.为此,详细介绍代表性国家在潜源划分方面采取的原则和方法,总结我国海域...     

Tsunami Risk Management in Pacific Island Countries and Territories (PICTs): Some Issues, Challenges and Ways Forward

The Pacific is well known for producing tsunamis, and events such as the 2011 Tōhoku-oki, Japan disaster demonstrate the vulnerability of coastal communities. We review what is known about the current state of tsunami risk management for Pacific Island countries and territories (PICTs), identify the issues and challenges associated with affecting meaningful tsunami disaster risk reduction (DRR) efforts and outline strategies and possible ways forward. Small island states are scattered across the vast Pacific region and these states have to varying degrees been affected by not only large tsunamis originating in circum-Pacific subduction zones, but also more regionally devastating events. Having outlined and described what is meant by the risk management process, the various problems associated with our current understanding of this process are examined. The poorly understood hazard related to local, regional and distant sources is investigated and the dominant focus on seismic events at the expense of other tsunami source types is noted. We reflect on the challenges of undertaking numerical modelling from generation to inundation and specifically detail the problems as they relate to PICTs. This is followed by an exploration of the challenges associated with mapping exposure and estimating vulnerability in low-lying coastal areas. The latter part of the paper is devoted to exploring what mitigation of the tsunami risk can look like and draw upon good practice cases as exemplars of the actions that can be taken from the local to regional level. Importantly, given the diversity of PICTs, no one approach will suit all places. The paper closes by making a series of recommendations to assist PICTs and the wider tsunami research community in thinking through improvements to their tsunami risk management processes and the research that can underpin these efforts.     

Invertebrate colonization of leaves and roots within sediments of intermittent Coastal Plain streams across hydrologic phases

Ecological flows between habitats are vital for predicting and understanding structure and function of recipient systems. Ecological flows across riparian areas and headwater intermittent streams are likely to be especially important in many river networks because of the shear extent of these interfaces, their high edge-to-width ratio, and the alternation of wet and dry conditions in intermittent channels. While there has been substantial research supporting the importance of riparian-stream linkages above-ground, comparatively less research has investigated below-ground linkages. We tested the hypothesis that riparian roots are colonized by invertebrates as a food source within stream beds of intermittent headwater streams. We compared benthic invertebrate assemblages colonizing three types of buried substrates (leaves, roots, and plastic roots) among three intermittent Coastal Plain streams, each with a different riparian management treatment (clearcut, thinned, and reference), over a 1-year period. Invertebrate density was significantly lower in root litterbags than in plastic roots litterbags, but neither differed from densities in leaf litterbags. Total invertebrate abundances, however, were significantly higher in leaf and root litterbags compared to abundances in plastic root litterbags. Invertebrate biomass and richness did not vary among substrates, but invertebrate density, abundance, and richness all declined from the wet phase (September–December) through the dry phase (June–August). Meiofauna and aquatic dipterans were the primary colonizing invertebrates during the wet phase. Relative abundance of terrestrial taxa increased during the dry phase, but their absolute abundance remained lower than aquatic taxa during the wet phase. Invertebrate composition did not differ among substrate types, but was significantly different among streams and time periods. Cumulative number of dry days, degree days, and redox depth all strongly correlated with assemblage structure as indicated by ordination scores. Our results suggest that subsurface invertebrates respond to leaves and roots as food sources, but assemblage composition is not substrate specific. Colonization of leaves and roots within stream beds by aquatic and terrestrial taxa supports the idea that headwater intermittent streams are important interfaces for the reciprocal exchange of energy and materials between terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems.     

Risk assessment for optimal freshwater inflow in response to sustainability indicators in semi-arid coastal bay

Coastal zones are the primary interface for the exchange of natural and man-made materials between terrestrial and coastal ecosystems. While continuous industrial development and population growth in the coastal region promote unprecedented economic prosperity, water resource management in bay and estuary areas turns out to be a crucial challenge. Therefore, local, state, and federal water planning groups are attempting to manage the supply of freshwater inflow based on sustainability goals, especially for semi-arid coastal regions like South Texas. Surface and ground water management practices in this semi-arid coastal region are implemented to ensure an ever-lasting water supply on one hand and to maintain ecosystem integrity in the bay and estuary system on the other hand. The aim of this study is to apply a stochastic compromise programming model to identify a compromise solution under uncertainty in terms of two competing objectives: minimizing freshwater release from a coastal reservoir and maximizing fishery harvest in its associated bay—Corpus Christi Bay, South Texas. The global criterion method used in the solution procedure seeks to select a compromise solution that possesses the shortest distance from a positive ideal solution (PIS) and the farthest distance from a negative ideal solution (NIS). Solutions were found using three distance-based functions in conjunction with stochastic constraints reflecting the risk levels involved in decision-making. Results indicate that current flows in the mouth of the Nueces River are not sufficient to maintain the salinity level and to satisfy harvest requirements in the Corpus Christi Bay if water supply goal in the city has higher priority. Therefore, a sustainable management plan of exploring the structure of demand and supply is highly desirable in this fast growing urban region.