The Norwegian Nature Index: Expert evaluations in precautionary approaches to biodiversity policy

The Norwegian Nature Index is a comprehensive effort to ‘make nature visible’ in communications between policymakers and the general public. To ensure that appropriate ‘early warnings’ for biodiversity loss are made available as a basis for precautionary approaches to sustainability and biodiversity policy, different knowledge sources need to be applied, such as the Red List for threatened species and the Nature Index, which gives a comprehensive overview of biodiversity. The article shows how the Nature Index can be supplemented with ‘early warnings’ of biodiversity from involved scientific experts, who were asked to assess the situation in 2020 for the indicators, in view of all available knowledge. They also assessed the uncertainty in their forecasts and their considerations of the need for and difficulty of implementing management measures to maintain biodiversity at the current level. Particularly for the major ecosystems considered to have a poor state, namely forests and open lowlands, experts indicated that urgent action was needed to improve the state of many indicators and that such management action would be possible. The findings indicate potential for eliciting experts' formal and informal knowledge in assessing the need and potential approaches to biodiversity policy.     

The ambivalent nature of biodiversity: Scientists' perspectives on the Norwegian Nature Index

The Norwegian Nature Index is intended to provide an overview of the state of biodiversity in Norway. From the perspective of the sociology of knowledge, the author explores how biologists make sense of biodiversity and how they identify scientific uncertainty in the context of the Nature Index. Anchoring and themata are employed as tools for analysis in the investigation of scientists' representation of the Nature Index and its subject matter, namely biodiversity. In-depth interviews indicated that most of the scientists perceived the results as intuitively sound, but they also revealed an outspoken ambivalence about compressing complex ecological relationships into standardized numbers. In covering both natural and cultural landscapes as habitats for biodiversity, there seems to be a symbolic mismatch between the operationalization of biodiversity in the index and the intuitive anchoring of biodiversity as ‘untouched’ nature. Hence, the thematizing of the divide between the untouched and what is human may be seen as a form of conceptual uncertainty underlying the Nature Index.     

Political framings of biological diversity: The case of the Norwegian Nature Index

In September 2010, a Nature Index giving information on status and trends in biodiversity in nine larger ecosystems in Norway was presented. In the article, the authors ask how Norwegian youth politicians framed, i.e. articulated, the topic of biodiversity after being introduced to this new information. To answer this question, focus group interviews were conducted with leading youth politicians in the six largest political parties in Norway. A first finding was that knowledge of and interest in biodiversity at the outset was relatively low. In general, the interviews were structured along three dimensions. First, there was a general discussion about nature and biodiversity. Second, biodiversity was discussed in a political context in terms of state versus market, and local versus national and international politics. Finally, the role of science was discussed. In general terms, the study found that biodiversity as an issue is only to a limited extent able to influence established political opinions (no resonance), but is itself adapted to fit established ideologies (master frames).     

中国荒漠类自然保护区保护成效评估指标及其应用

自然保护区的保护成效是近年来一个重要科学问题。中国荒漠类自然保护区面积比例较高,而针对其保护成效问题的研究较少。本文以中国荒漠类自然保护区为研究对象,结合国内外自然保护区保护成效的相关研究,构建了荒漠类自然保护区保护成效评估指标体系,包括5个因素层共计20个评估指标,并在安西极旱荒漠国家级自然保护区进行了示范应用。结果表明:本研究构建的指标体系能够反映荒漠类自然保护区主要保护对象的动态变化,从而为科学客观评估荒漠类自然保护区保护成效、提升管理水平提供重要参考依据。此外,通过示范评估可以看出,安西保护区在物种及珍稀濒危生物保护方面取得了一定成效,但在珍稀濒危及特有物种和生态系统服务功能等方面的科研监测尚有待加强。     

面向地理特征的制图综合指标体系和知识法则的建立与应用研究

本文以地球系统科学、地球信息科学和现代地图学的理论、方法和技术为指导,系统地研究和建立了面向地理特征的制图综合的指标体系和知识法则,并进行了实例应用分析。研究方法是采用地学分析和归纳、地图分析、专家咨询、ＧＩＳ和遥感空间分析等方法来总结、提炼和建立制图综合的指标体系和知识法则。指标类型包括数据指标、文字说明指标、图形指标３种,共分数据库概括(即语义概括)和地图可视化概括(即图形概括)两类。知识法则在横向由几何性知识、结构性知识、过程性知识构成,在纵向按照地物的地理特征描述性知识、操作项选择知识规则、算法选择知识规则、面向专门地理要素和制图综合知识规则、面向区域制图综合的知识规则等过程和方面来组织和分类。在知识库中则按照概括条件、概括行为和概括要求(或概括水平)３个变量来组织,形成三维坐标关系的知识法则内部体系。在实例分析中阐述了珠江三角洲经济区的交通网络图的制图综合过程和结果。     

Measuring Urban Sustainability: the potential and pitfalls of city rankings

Measuring the sustainability of a city, and ranking the city against other cities, is increasingly seen as a way to achieve urban sustainability. A number of studies have highlighted how Sydney is unsustainable, with two recent ranking exercises appearing to confirm these findings by placing Sydney below many other Australian cities for urban sustainability. These two exercises are situated within international moves towards ranking cities. The article explores the assumptions and criteria used by Mercer in its Eco-City Index and the Australian Conservation Foundation in its Sustainable Cities Index. The conclusion discusses how Sydney could become more sustainable, and identifies why normative urban sustainability rankings should be recognised for their potential while simultaneously being treated with caution.     

中国西北干旱区自然保护区生态脆弱性评价——以甘肃西湖、苏干湖自然保护区为例

依据中国西北干旱区生态环境的特性和演化规律,从气候条件、土地资源、生境状态及人为干预4方面筛选12个指标,构建西北干旱区自然保护区生态脆弱性评价指标体系,并对各指标进行分级.采用层次分析法确定指标权重,建立生态脆弱性综合评价模型.在甘肃敦煌西湖自然保护区和苏干湖自然保护区应用表明,指标体系合理,模型适用.评价认为,西湖自然保护区目前总体状态为中,高度脆弱,苏干湖自然保护区为轻,中度脆弱.在原生脆弱性方面,两者等级相当,但西湖更脆弱;在次生脆弱性方面,西湖已受到显著影响,次生脆弱性严重.     

西藏工布自然保护区生态系统服务价值评估与管理

自然保护区已经成为西藏地区脆弱生态系统可持续发展的重要管理模式。本文以工布自然保护区为例,根据西藏森林清查数据、工布自然保护区的实际情况和国内外权威部门公布的生态服务参考价格,参照《森林生态系统服务功能评估规范》,评估了工布自然保护区资源的经济、生态和社会价值。结果表明,工布自然保护区森林生态系统服务价值为1778.56亿元。其中经济价值为694.41亿元,主要是由林木价值和林副产品价值组成;生态价值主要包括水源涵养、保育土壤、固碳释氧、净化大气、森林防护、生物多样性和森林游憩,计算得到的自然保护区生态价值为1083.77亿元;工布自然保护区的社会价值中主要是增加就业与维持社会稳定的总价值3815.41万元。根据得到的评价结果,分析了西藏自然保护区在管理方面的现状及问题,并提出了相关建议。     

新疆生态经济系统的能值分析及其可持续性评估

运用能值理论与方法,对新疆1991～1999年的净能值产出率、能值投入率、环境负荷率、能值-货币比、能值使用强度、电力能值使用量比、可持续发展指数、人均能值用量和人口承载力等9个指标及其变化趋势进行分析,并与其他国家和地区的有关指标进行比较研究。分析结果表明：(1)1991～1999年新疆的净能值产出率曲线为非匀速下降趋势,从1991年的23.6下降到1999年的11.7。尽管净能值产出率有所下降,但仍然大大高于1,这表明新疆向外界输出的能值高于区外对其投入的能值,是一个资源输出型的生态经济区域;(2)新疆的可持续发展指数曲线与净能值产出率变化趋势一致,为非匀速下降趋势,从1991年的262.0下降到1999年的64.1。这表明从1991～1999年新疆的资源被开发和利用的程度有所增加,经济有了一定程度的发展,但开发程度仍较低,经济上还处于极不发达的阶段;(3)环境负荷率的变化曲线呈上升趋势。环境负荷率上升的主要原因是新疆的进口资源及劳务的能值用量增大,尽管如此,由于环境负荷率较低,因此,新疆的经济发展还有较大的潜力。     

基于高光谱与多光谱植被指数的洪河沼泽植被叶面积指数估算模型对比研究

以洪河国家级自然保护区为研究区,2009年8月中旬,在研究区野外实测沼泽植物冠层的光谱反射率和叶面积指数(LAI),将地面实测的植物高光谱反射率以Landsat-5 TM波段范围为基准进行波谱重采样,以重采样后的光谱反射率计算多光谱植被指数,用几种常见的高光谱和多光谱植被指数建立估算沼泽植被叶面积指数的统计回归模型,对比这些模型的精度,选出最优模型.研究结果表明,用各植被指数建立的估算沼泽植被叶面积指数的回归模型分别为二次函数、对数函数或指数函数;各模型对沼泽植被叶面积指数的反演精度差别较大;在全波段高光谱植被指数中,用全波段归一化植被指数H-FNDVI(R930,R515)构建的估算沼泽植被叶面积指数的模型最佳;在常规高光谱植被指数中,用修正简单比率H-MSR构建的估算沼泽植被叶面积指数的模型最佳;在多光谱植被指数中,用多光谱归一化植被指数M-NDVI构建的估算沼泽植被叶面积指数的模型最佳.对比发现,由多光谱数据提取的植被指数构建的模型对研究区LAI的估算效果不太理想,而从实测高光谱数据提取的窄波段特有植被指数构建的估算沼泽植被叶面积指数模型表现出较明显的优势,表明窄波段植被指数更适合用来监测沼泽植被叶面积指数.     

大青沟国家自然保护区土地利用与覆盖变化研究

通过对"科尔沁草原大青沟自然保护区沙漠化程度图"的数字化处理以及相关社会、经济活动资料的收集整理,建立了大青沟及其附近地区土地利用与覆盖变化的地理信息系统数据库。同时,对1958年到1981年20多年间该地区土地利用与覆盖的变化进行了分析。结果显示大青沟自然保护区内天然植被得到了很大程度的恢复,面积由1958年的446hm²增加到了1981年的6094hm²。人工林面积也有所增加。与此同时,大青沟保护区周边地区由于不合理的土地利用,引起了以沙漠化发生发展为显著特征的土地退化过程。流动沙丘面积和斑块数由1958年的916hm²和70块增加到了1981年的9221hm²和300块,半流动、半固定和固定沙丘的面积逐渐减少。在可识别的16种土地类型中,其余土地类型的变化相对较小。值得注意的是该地区水体数量由1958年的50个减少到了1981年的25个左右,面积减少了71hm²。在科尔沁沙地这样一个生态环境脆弱的地区建立自然保护区,而保护区附近地区的土地则发生严重退化,无论这种现象与保护区的建立有无关系,都是值得引起注意的问题。     

向海自然保护区景观格局变化及湿地梯度分布特征研究

应用遥感和地理信息系统技术,对向海自然保护区不同年代景观格局特征,及其重要湿地景观梯度分布特征进行深入的分析。研究发现因受人类活动和气候暖干影响,研究区草地和湿地景观减少趋势明显,而耕地、林地和未利用地增加趋势较为突出;景观丰富度指数逐渐降低,多样性指数保持着小幅度的上升趋势,优势景观越来越不明显。向海自然保护区湿地景观分布呈向西南方向递增;向海核心区湿地景观消退速率也明显快于缓冲区;1960年向海自然保护区核心区内湿地景观梯度区域占了总核心区面积的80％,到2004年DI≥30区域所占比例减少到了45％,保护区湿地景观梯度值呈整体性下降,导致了保护区湿地生态系统功能下降趋势明显。人类活动干扰、气候逐年变暖、蒸发强烈、再加上霍林河上游供水不足导致向海保护区内霍林河河道逐渐干涸,是向海自然保护区景观格局变化的主要驱动因素,并导致河道周边湿地退化过程将向西南方向逐渐推进,因此加强人类活动的自我约束,合理地引用有限资源,加大保护区重要湿地的保护力度已迫在眉捷。     

The Wild Life of Pesticides: urban agriculture,institutional responsibility,and the future of biodiversity in Sydney's Hawkesbury-Nepean River

Agricultural chemicals are a notoriously intractable source of environmental pollution. Offering enhanced agricultural productivity, they simultaneously risk degrading the ecological basis upon which agriculture depends. This paper considers chemicalisation as a cause of the erosion of aquatic biodiversity and ecosystem resilience, focusing on the Hawkesbury-Nepean River and the small-scale horticulturalists who supply the city's fresh vegetable markets, working under the pressure of urbanisation, retail monopolies, indifferent land-use planning, and often without access to information about pesticide use in the languages they understand. Arguing that standard practices of ‘risk management’ are unable to adequately control chemical contamination, the paper presents findings from interviews with actors within the ‘assemblage’ of institutions with responsibility for agriculture, water quality, and environmental protection, in order to assess the effectiveness of pesticide governance in the Greater Sydney Basin. It appears that pesticide pollution is far from being tamed: it is rarely measured nor monitored, neither is it a priority of any particular agency. Arguing that public health, the long-term viability of local farming and the ecological well-being of the Hawkesbury-Nepean River are mutually consistent goals, we conclude that these vital elements of the common-weal are currently subject to a system of ‘organised irresponsibility’. The paper concludes by proposing several ways forward.     

A review of the impacts of pumped hydro energy storage construction on subalpine and alpine biodiversity: lessons for the Snowy Mountains pumped hydro expansion project

ABSTRACT

The Australian government’s proposal to expand the Snowy Hydro Scheme to include a second pumped hydro energy storage (PHES) system, and support for feasibility studies for PHES in Tasmania, offer an opportunity to incorporate more intermittent renewable energy generation into the National Energy Market. However, the infrastructure construction required for PHES expansion may have negative effects for biodiversity in subalpine and alpine areas. To identify the potential effects of PHES on biodiversity in Kosciuszko National Park (KNP), this systematic literature review assesses: (i) the key environmental disturbances likely to arise from PHES construction; and (ii) the specific impacts of these construction processes on biodiversity in subalpine and alpine environments. We find that the effects of PHES construction-related disturbances are likely to be negative for subalpine and alpine biodiversity, with impacts including the proliferation of exotic flora, habitat loss resulting from vegetation clearing, altered landscape hydrology and reduced water quality. Management recommendations to limit these impacts are provided and further research is recommended to assess: (i) the effects of PHES on fish populations in alpine reservoirs; (ii) the utility of spoil as artificial habitat for endemic fauna; and (iii) the chemical and physical impacts of spoil dumping in alpine reservoirs.     

中国公路运输全要素生产率时空演化及区域竞争——基于Hicks-Moorsteen指数框架

运用Hicks-Moorsteen TFP指数法对中国公路运输业全要素生产率进行测度和演化分析。结果发现：2009~2012年中国公路全要素生产率实现了增长,2013~2015年出现下降。2009年来技术进步推动了东部地区公路运输全要素生产率的增长,而运营效率提升则在推动中西部地区公路运输全要素生产率增长时起到了关键作用。中西部地区公路运输效率增长优于东部地区。东部地区在引领技术进步的同时,应注重公路运输效率的提升;中西部地区应注意加大先进技术的引进。政府和主管部门对中西部公路运输应推出持续性支持政策。     

河南省连康山光萼苔科植物区系地理成分研究

该文在研究标本和文献的基础上,介绍河南省连康山自然保护区所产的光萼苔科(Porellaceae)植物2属8种,即光萼苔属Porella(7种)和多瓣苔属Macvicaria(1种)。讨论了它们的生境、识别特征和植物区系地理成分,并编制了河南省连康山自然保护区光萼苔科植物的分属、分种检索表。     

自然保护区生态旅游开发潜力评价指标体系及评价模型——以广西猫儿山国家级自然保护区为例

构建科学合理的评价指标体系和评价模型,准确评价自然保护区生态旅游开发潜力,是自然保护区生态旅游开发确保生态系统不受破坏的前提和基础.在综合分析相关评价模型的基础上,采用德尔菲法确定了自然保护区生态旅游开发潜力评价体系,通过对专家问卷采用层次分析法计算出评价指标体系各层指标的权重,构建了生态旅游开发潜力评价模型,并制定了生态旅游开发潜力评价的总体评价等级.本文以广西猫儿山国家级自然保护区为具体研究对象,通过对建立的生态旅游开发潜力评价模型各要素指标进行测度和调查,计算出开发潜力评价得分,表明猫儿山国家级自然保护区生态旅游开发潜力较大.     

烟台农业产业化发展优势评价与对策

文章评价了烟台市农业产业化发展的优势条件,将其农业产业化的发展历程分为多种经营起步、以农副产品加工为核心的产业化雏形形成、合作组织的出现与农业产业化迅速发展3个阶段。在分析了目前所存在问题的基础上,围绕协调农业产业化与发展区域经济之间的关系,提高农民组织化程度,提高农产品质量,增强、壮大农产品加工企业,因地制宜优化农业产业化地域模式等5个方面提出了进一步发展的对策建议。     

ArcView平台下西双版纳纳板河自然保护区可持续发展信息系统的设计与开发

ArcView是美国ESRI公司研制的基于窗口的集成GIS系统，它以其强大的功能为GIS应用提供了一个有伸缩性的软件平台和二次开发环境。Avenue正是基于这一平台的面向对象的程序设计语言，具有多种用途。文章介绍了基于ArcView平台的西双版纳纳板河自然保护区可持续发展信息系统（NRSDIS）的设计思想、系统结构；探讨了系统界面设计和系统功能开发的主要内容以及如何在ArcView环境下建立该系统的具体实现方法，希望其在自然保护现代化管理中得到广泛应用。     

广东石门台国家级自然保护区及毗邻区域 “假林线”时空变化特征

基于3S技术,利用2011和2015年2期不同时相高分辨率QuickBird影像和DEM数据,研究了广东石门台国家级自然保护区及毗邻区域“假林线”的时空变化特征。结果表明：1）该区域“假林线”分布的海拔介于317~1 569 m,其中80%集中分布在700~1 200 m的范围内。2）与2011年相比,2015年“假林线”在不同坡度和坡向上分布的平均海拔总体呈上升趋势,但变化不显著（P＞0.1）。3）“假林线”主要分布在5°~35°的坡度,极少出现在＜2°的平地或＞55°的垂直坡上。不同坡向“假林线”海拔分布存在很大差异（P＜0.001）,呈现出北坡高于南坡,东坡略高于西坡的特点。各坡向上“假林线”海拔分布的最大值出现在西北坡,最小值出现在南坡。