A multi-level perspective on climate risks and drivers of entrepreneurial robustness – Findings from sectoral comparison in alpine Austria

Recent works on organizational adaptation to climate change have repeatedly stressed that – despite concerns about large-scale impacts of climate change on supply chain networks – studies on climate change adaptation in manufacturing industries are still surprisingly scarce. The following study develops a systemic analytical framework based on which climate risks for manufacturing industries are reviewed and drivers (defined as supportive factors) of entrepreneurial robustness are examined. The analysis builds upon a case study in the alpine Austrian state of Tyrol where an intense regional rise of average temperatures occurs, going along with increased risks of natural mountain hazards and exposed settlement structures. In this climate-sensitive setting the authors conducted a survey on risk perceptions among 102 managers from manufacturing firms. Based on a comparison of the sectors metal and engineering, timber products, and construction, the authors argue that drivers of entrepreneurial robustness can be subsumed under five major strategic principles: (a) the deployment of slack resources, (b) vertical supply chain integration, (c) manufacturing flexibility, (d) material efficiency, and (e) technological risk prevention. Departing from the empirical results, the authors argue that across these principles the development of drivers depends on an interplay of structural prerequisites and human decisions on the levels of the focal firm, the supply chain network, and the political, economic, and geographic environment. In this sense, the authors conceptualize different forms of contingencies – thus effects influencing the development of drivers – within an ontology which may support further system-oriented analysis of climate change adaptation in industry.     

Downstream effects of dams on livelihoods of river-dependent communities: the case of Ghana’s Kpong Dam

Construction of dams affects the livelihoods of the population living along the dammed river. There is a need for more studies to guide dam development policies and management to safeguard the livelihoods of local river users. This paper examines the effects of dams on the socio-economic livelihoods of downstream communities by drawing on the Kpong Dam in Ghana constructed from 1979 to 1982 with the goal of supplying energy and for irrigation purposes. Primary data were collected in resettled and non-resettled downstream communities using a mixed-research approach. This case study highlights how the Kpong Dam has affected the downstream river-dependent population whose livelihoods, particularly farming and fishing revolved around the seasonal flow regimes of the Volta River. Our study challenges the general perception that dams increase agricultural production by illustrating that developing ancillary facilities such as irrigation schemes as part of dam projects can enhance all-year-round agricultural production to improve food and income security of downstream households only when constraints such as lack of farm inputs are addressed. To safeguard livelihoods and limit the social impacts of dams, compensation schemes and alternative livelihood activities should be designed to include resettled and non-resettled communities along the downstream areas affected by dam projects.     

沙坡头生态水文学研究进展及水量平衡自动模拟监测系统

在中国科学院野外站网络重点科技基础设施建设项目的支持下,沙坡头沙漠研究试验站建成了以36台大型称重式蒸渗仪为主体的中国北方不同气候带沙区水量平衡自动模拟监测系统——Lysimeter群。概述了沙坡头生态水文学研究进展。介绍了Lysimeter群建设的科学目标、构建思路、建设内容和预期研究方向。Lysimeter群由大型称重式蒸渗仪、各类探头、移动大棚和降水模拟器等组成,具有集成性和唯一性。该平台可全自动模拟控制降水和地下水位,量化植物水分来源;自动监测蒸散发、植物蒸腾、土壤水渗漏、土壤水分、温度和电导率等。该平台的建成将提升在不同尺度上认知中国沙区生态和水文过程、植被重建的生态水文学和环境胁迫生理生态学机理等相关领域的研究能力,回答不同沙区土壤水分植被承载力和人工植被稳定性维持的生态水文阈值等国家在防沙治沙实践中所面临的核心科学问题。     

Effect of Covering-soil Thickness on Crop Growth on Bare Rock nd Gravel Land in an Ecological Restoration Project

To study the mechanism by which the thickness of covering soil effects crop growth in an ecological restoration project of bare rock and gravel land, the physiological characteristics of summer maize were observed during 2010-2015. This experiment was set up on exposed rock land, which had been covered by soil with six different thicknesses: 30 (C30), 40 (C40), 50 (C50), 60 (C60), 80 (C80) and 100 cm (C100). During the experiment, soil physical properties and the physiological traits and yields of crops were recorded. The results indicated several effects. 1) With the same thickness level, soil bulk density of the covering soil increased in successive planting years. There was a logarithmic relationship between soil bulk density and covering thickness. There was also a strong algorithmic relationship between covering thickness and sedimentation coefficient (R²=0.91). 2) The thickness of covering soil had a significant influence on both the height of summer maize, and soil and plant analyzer development (SPAD) values. In each treatment, the growth rates of the crops during the jointing and booting stages were higher than that in the booting to grain filling stage. After two years of land-use, the mean height of the crop in the C50 treatment was 8.16%, 3.32%, 3.31%, 9.86% and 7.55% higher than that for the C30, C40, C60, C80 and C100 treatments, respectively. The differences between treatments were significant (p < 0.05). SPAD values were highest at the heading stage. The highest value for the C50 treatment was 298.41 after two years of land-use. 3) Soil thickness significantly affected yields and the water use efficiency (WUE) of summer maize. The highest average crop yield and WUE value during the experimental period for the C50 treatment were 4614.12 kg hm^-2 and 13.57 kg hm^-2 mm, respectively. For the C50 treatment the multi-year average water use efficiency was significantly higher than that of the other treatments in 2010-2015. In conclusion, a soil thickness of 50 cm covering the bare exposed rock was adequate as a tillage layer for the crop, and all crop growth indexes in this treatment were better than for other soil thicknesses. The results provide a scientific basis for the land remediation and ecological restoration of bare rock and gravel land. At the same time, for Africa, where one-third of the land is desert, arable land resources are relatively scarce and agricultural ecology is fragile, can serve as a significant reference to improve the ecological environment, develop arable land resources and increase agricultural income.     

Adaptation and poverty reduction in Mozambique: an opportunity for developing countries to lead§

Climate change disproportionately impacts the world’s poorest countries. A recent World Bank report highlighted that over 100 million people are at risk of falling into extreme poverty as a result of climate change. There is currently a lack of information about how to simultaneously address climate change and poverty. Climate change challenges provide an opportunity for those impacted most to come up with new and innovative technologies and solutions. This article uses an example from Mozambique where local and international partners are working side-by-side, to show how developing countries can simultaneously address climate change and poverty reduction using an ecosystem-based adaptation approach. Using ecosystem-based adaptation, a technique that uses the natural environment to help societies adapt to climate change, developing countries can lead the way to improve climate adaptation globally. This paradigm shift would help developing countries become leaders in ecosystem-based adaptation and green infrastructure techniques and has implications for climate policy worldwide.

POLICY RELEVANCE

The Paris Agreement resulting from the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) 21st Conference of Parties (COP 21) in December 2015 was rightly lauded for its global commitment to cut greenhouse gas emissions. However, COP 21 was also historic because of its call for non-party stakeholders to address climate change, inclusion of a global goal of ‘enhancing adaptive capacity, strengthening resilience and reducing vulnerability’, and the United States’ commitment of $800 million to adaptation funding. The combination of recognizing the need for new stakeholders to commit to climate change adaptation, the large impact climate change will have on the developing world, and providing access to funds for climate change adaptation creates a unique opportunity for developing countries to pave the way in adaptation policies in practices. Currently, developing countries are creating National Adaptation Plans (NAPs) for the UNFCCC. Through including a strong component of ecosystem-based adaptation in NAPs, developing countries can shape their countries’ policies, improve local institutions and governments, and facilitate a new generation of innovative leaders. Lessons learned in places like Mozambique can help lead the way in other regions facing similar climatic risks.     

农户尺度的黄土高原乡村干旱脆弱性及适应机理

干旱脆弱性及人类对干旱的适应机理分析是干旱及半干旱地区人地关系研究的重要内容,也是西北地区乡村人地系统可持续性研究的新视角。本文运用Turner脆弱性分析框架,将其改进应用到黄土高原乡村农户的干旱脆弱性及其适应领域,选取榆中县和长武县气象数据和农户调查数据,应用主成分分析、综合指数法、差异性分析和鲁棒性分析等方法分别对指标权重、农户干旱脆弱性指数及其差异性与脆弱性指数的不确定性进行分析与检验,并从适应能力、适应策略和适应模式三个层面揭示适应机理。主要结论为：①中连川乡农户干旱脆弱性指数大于洪家镇,且不同村落间农户干旱脆弱性指数差异显著;②农户干旱适应机理为暴露—敏感性影响农户收入,农户生计系统是适应干旱暴露扰动的决定因子,农户类型、生计方式、土地利用、灌溉设施和政策扶持的差异性产生不同的适应模式和适应效果;③农户干旱脆弱性指数排名出现频率较高且排名变化范围较小,具有较强的鲁棒性,表明农户干旱脆弱性计算结果具有稳健性。     

全球变化背景下景观生态适应性特征

全球变化包含气候变化、经济发展、土地利用变化等自然、人为及共同作用下引发的转变,是当前景观结构与功能保障面临的主要挑战。景观生态适应性是指景观这一地表镶嵌体吸纳上述影响并维持主要功能的特性,涉及不同景观类型、组成单元及层级在不同时空尺度中的不同程度转变。本文从景观生态学视角切入,以景观系统作为缓解与适应全球变化冲击的主体,整合农业景观、城市景观等相关研究案例,凝练当前景观系统适应全球变化过程的特征为：①由部分因子的绝对主导转向复合因子共同作用;②景观类型内部趋同,景观多样性及独特性降低;③同类景观间功能等级分明、分工明确,跨区域时空联系增强;④不同景观类型间空间边界清晰,过渡带景观功能退化。就当前全球变化议题,建议后续研究应加强：不同景观类型或组成单元的适应能力对比及其不确定性分析;基于景观系统整体健康的适应途径尺度联系解析;多学科、多部门研究在全球变化情景下的有效整合;景观系统适应性或适应能力量化分析方法的深化。     

禁食暂养对卵形鲳鲹有水保活生理响应的影响

【目的】探究禁食暂养对卵形鲳鲹有水保活生理响应的影响,为卵形鲳鲹的保活运输奠定基础。【方法】通过测定暂养过程中水体的总氨氮和pH值、卵形鲳鲹血液生理生化指标、肌肉氧化应激指标等的变化,分析确定卵形鲳鲹有水保活的禁食暂养条件。【结果与结论】禁食暂养过程中,随着暂养时间的延长,水体总氨氮含量与pH值显著上升,但在禁食暂养时间为6 h时,其总氨氮质量浓度为3.22 mg/L和pH值为7.80;禁食暂养6 h可以降低或减少卵形鲳鲹的应激,使血液中乳酸脱氢酶(LDH)和谷草转氨酶(AST)活性以及皮质醇(Cortisol)、血糖(GLU)、尿素氮(BUN)和总胆固醇(T-CHO)含量处于较低水平,分别为2785.53 U/L、19.04 U/L、158.72 ng/mL、2.98 mmol/L、4.35 mmol/L和4.96 mmol/L;同时减轻了应激带来的肌肉组织氧化损失,使过氧化氢酶(CAT)活性和丙二醛(MDA)含量维持在较低水平,分别为6.34 U/L和5.86 mmol/L;卵形鲳鲹适宜的暂养条件为在鱼水比m鱼∶m水=1∶20和(25±1)℃的洁净海水中暂养6 h。     

黄条（鱼师）(Seriola aureovittata)生长对工厂化养殖密度的微生态适应特性

研究低(5 kg/m³)、中(10 kg/m³)、高(15 kg/m³)三个养殖密度对工厂化养殖黄条（鱼师）生长的影响, 从消化道菌群角度分析了养殖黄条（鱼师）的生长的密度适应性。利用Illumina MiSeq平台对不同养殖密度条件下黄条（鱼师）的消化道(胃、肠道、幽门盲囊)菌群进行16S rRNA高通量测序, 并进行了菌群的多样性、结构特征和菌群基因功能预测的分析。结果显示, 相较于中、低密度组, 高养殖密度显著(P<0.05)抑制了黄条（鱼师）的终末体质量、特定生长率并显著上调了血清应激相关激素水平。消化道微生物群落在属水平上, 乳杆菌属(Lactobacillus)、鞘氨醇单胞菌属(Sphingomonas)、双歧杆菌属(Bifidobacterium)、Faecalibaculum、Ruminococcaceae_UCG等在中、高密度组中丰度降低, 克雷伯氏菌属(Klebsiella)等在中、高密度组中丰度增加, 均与低密度组差异显著(P<0.05)。KEGG通路分析发现, 各养殖密度组的菌群基因主要集中在代谢、环境信息过程、遗传信息过程三个一级功能通路。该实验设置的中、高密度组相对低密度组, 消化道菌群的组成和结构上呈现有益菌(乳酸杆菌属等)显著性减少和条件致病菌(克雷伯氏菌属)显著性增加(P<0.05)的趋势。在菌群功能方面, 与低密度组相比, 中、高密度组消化道特别是在代谢、遗传及环境信息过程的二级功能通路上注释的tags数目相对低密度组显著增加(P<0.05)。研究结果为建立工厂化养殖模式下适宜密度调控和健康养殖技术建立提供了理论依据。     

Perceptions of Climate Change and Adaptation Responses in a Local Community: the Barwon Estuary Complex,Victoria

The climate change focus in Australia has shifted from mitigation to adaptation with an emphasis on place-specific case studies. The Barwon Estuary Complex (BEC) on the Bellarine Peninsula, central Victoria, was the focus of this place-specific study in which 37 local stakeholders were consulted through a series of semi-structured interviews on the impacts of climate change on their coastal community. Overall there was uniformity in stakeholder perceptions of the climate change impacts and vulnerabilities pertaining to the BEC. In contrast, discussion on adaptation drew a diversity of responses. While 53 per cent of stakeholders indicated a need to limit the use of hard structures, and rather plan around a changing estuarine environment, opinion amongst the community group was divided. Some believed ‘retreat is the only option’ whilst others felt ‘there won't be much leaving’. The present level of confusion around adaptation highlights the imperative of commencing discussions now to allow sufficient time to develop strategies which are both environmentally and socially responsible. This is important as ultimately it will be the community that will determine whether adaptation strategies are adopted or met with resistance.