Alpine cold ecosystem with permafrost environment is quite sensitive to climatic changes and the changes in permafrost can significantly affect the alpine ecosystem. The vegetation coverage, grassland biomass and soil...Alpine cold ecosystem with permafrost environment is quite sensitive to climatic changes and the changes in permafrost can significantly affect the alpine ecosystem. The vegetation coverage, grassland biomass and soil nutrient and texture are selected to indicate the regime of alpine cold ecosystems in the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau. The interactions between alpine ecosystem and permafrost were investigated with the depth of active layer, permafrost thickness and mean annual ground temperature (MAGTs). Based on the statistics model of GPTR for MAGTs and annual air temperatures, an analysis method was developed to analyze the impacts of permafrost changes on the alpine ecosystems. Under the climate change and human engineering activities, the permafrost change and its impacts on alpine ecosystems in the permafrost region between the Kunlun Mountains and the Tanggula Range of Qinghai-Tibet Plateau are studied in this paper. The results showed that the per- mafrost changes have a different influence on different alpine ecosystems. With the increase in the thickness of active layer, the vegetation cover and biomass of the alpine cold meadow exhibit a significant conic reduction, the soil organic matter content of the alpine cold meadow ecosystem shows an exponential decrease, and the surface soil materials become coarse and gravelly. The alpine cold steppe ecosystem, however, seems to have a relatively weak relation to the permafrost environment. Those relationships resulted in the fact that the distribution area of alpine cold meadow decreased by 7.98% and alpine cold swamp decreased by 28.11% under the permafrost environment degradation during recent 15 years. In the future 50 years the alpine cold meadow ecosystems in different geomorphologic units may have different responses to the changes of the permafrost under different climate warming conditions, among them the alpine cold meadow and swamp ecosystem located in the low mountain and plateau area will have a relatively serious degradation. Furthermore, from the angl展开更多
Introduction: Environmental compensation is a legal-administrative instrument used by agencies that supervise the environmental impact assessment (EIA) to offset irreversible impacts generated by development projects....Introduction: Environmental compensation is a legal-administrative instrument used by agencies that supervise the environmental impact assessment (EIA) to offset irreversible impacts generated by development projects. The compensation is usually framed in the principle of ecological equivalence, which seeks to equate the losses due to the impact with a net environmental gain obtained by the compensatory actions. Methods: We analyzed the records of development projects that have merited an environmental compensation plan registered by the National Environmental Technical Secretariat of Costa Rica (SETENA) between January 2018 and June 2020. Results: Seventy-four projects were analyzed;just over 75% of them corresponded to infrastructure projects while the rest concerned exploitation activities of materials and resources. The main impacts that elicited compensation plans were: deforestation and destruction of riverbanks (13%), earthworks (15.5%), poor water management (15.5%), and administrative faults or non-compliance with environmental commitments (62%). The main compensatory measures conducted were: building school infrastructure (20% of the projects), support for environmental education programs (17%), and reforestation programs (>15%), although actions such as the purchase of school supplies, donation of equipment to local communities and the arrangement of roads and causeways were also recorded. In only three projects, the replacement of the impacted habitat was used as compensation for projected damage. Discussion: The registered compensatory measures do not endorse the spirit of return on components equivalent to those impacted that generate a net environmental gain and respond only to impacts that had not been considered during the preliminary evaluation of the project. The compensation plan used in Costa Rica is a sanctioning instrument based on economic valuation and does not guarantee a return equivalent to environmental losses. Therefore, compensation must be integrated in the preliminary evaluations 展开更多
Natural disasters usually involve a phenomenon with consequences that exceed the response capabilities of local communities and have a significant impact on the region’s socioeconomic development. Droughts, floods, a...Natural disasters usually involve a phenomenon with consequences that exceed the response capabilities of local communities and have a significant impact on the region’s socioeconomic development. Droughts, floods, and hurricanes are all natural disasters that jeopardize the environment and the lives of Somalis. Severe floods have devastated the south and central parts of the country multiple times, destroying infrastructure and homes and killing many vulnerable people. Droughts in the south and central parts of the country, particularly in the Middle Shebelle region, have killed a number of children and mothers. It also had a negative influence on crops and cattle. Objective of this study is to know the recurrence of Natural Disasters in Jowhar, Middle Shabelle region, Somalia: The Causes and Impacts. The Somali people are completely aware of natural disasters such as droughts and floods, and they are self-sufficient in dealing with the consequences of these disasters. Furthermore, the Somali government has not fully created environmental laws to protect and conserve the environment, and the majority of laws, rules, acts, and regulations are not used or administered effectively. We also found that the Somali government is not yet financially prepared to deal with these crises, and that there are no strategic plans in the central government or even state administrations to prevent or at least control these disasters from causing extreme harm to the community and the environment.展开更多
The trivialization of empty spaces has long been practiced in the city of Maradi (Niger), particularly in the Zaria 2 (Commune II) and Ali Dan Sofo (Commune III) districts. With stalls in the streets and illegal dumpi...The trivialization of empty spaces has long been practiced in the city of Maradi (Niger), particularly in the Zaria 2 (Commune II) and Ali Dan Sofo (Commune III) districts. With stalls in the streets and illegal dumping grounds, empty plots and the surrounding areas are fairly privileged sources of various wastes. This study aims at analyzing the impact of these empty plots on the local population, through several aspects, especially in terms of the modes of occupation, internal and surrounding practices, physical environment and biodiversity, sanitation and elimination of waste. To do so, two methodological approaches were used: a survey on local population and in situ observation of these spaces. The results not only reveal a difficult proximity situation to the unbuilt but also showed that empty plots constitute not only a form of vegetation conservation for the future as well as clean surfaces which would be called upon to characterize the potential recharge of groundwater. The most potentially useful organic waste would be that of Kadro, especially feathers from poultry that could be used as compost in the fields. In addition to the degradation of urban environments (63% of respondents), the unbuilt area also contributes to poverty reduction and increases food security (69% of respondents). To reduce the negative impacts, the rewarding strategies would be awareness-raising and monitoring measures coupled with a policy of protection and environmental remedies.展开更多
Extraction of mineral resources is the backbone of the national economy in many developed and developing countries of the world. However, the exploitation can have many negative impacts on the immediate environment of...Extraction of mineral resources is the backbone of the national economy in many developed and developing countries of the world. However, the exploitation can have many negative impacts on the immediate environment of the exploitation sites. In this study performed on some mining areas of the Moroccan Anti-Atlas, four principal negative effects were detected: effect on the physiognomy, on safety, on health, and on recovery rate. The principal source of this situation is the exploitation of the ore deposits from top to bottom without using any geological preparation and the use of non-adapted exploitation technics. To minimize these impacts, we propose to establish a geological study and advanced mining exploration before starting exploitation, and follow an exploitation technic well adapted to the morphology of the ore deposit like cut-and-fill mining and sublevel stoping methods.展开更多
The farmers’ perception of climate change and their response was documented in Maruf Kebele of Central Oromia, Ethiopia with questionnaire survey, focus group discussion and field observation. Over hundred randomly s...The farmers’ perception of climate change and their response was documented in Maruf Kebele of Central Oromia, Ethiopia with questionnaire survey, focus group discussion and field observation. Over hundred randomly selected households were included;the community typically includes a large proportion of small holder farmers from poorly equipped, land scarce households with low education and economic status. The results indicated that farmers had a good understanding and perception of the impacts of climate change at the local level;many negative impacts of the climate irregularity had been identified by the community, like reduced crop yield, heating/drying up of environment and soil loss affecting natural plant regeneration from the forest soil seed bank, drying up of streams and springs, disappearance of trees and plants, rarity of wild animals and increasing pests/diseases. Farmers were observed to diversify their livelihood options as part of responding to irregularities in the local weather and adopting a number of steps to change agricultural practices. The results indicate the importance of understanding of community perception in designing policies and projects for effective adaptation strategies allowing local participation to cope with the impacts of climate change.展开更多
基金This study was supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(Grant Nos.30270255 and No.90511003)the"Hundred Talents"Project of the Chinese Academy of Sciences under the leadership of Wang Genxuthe State Key Project(973)(Grant No.2003CB415201).
文摘Alpine cold ecosystem with permafrost environment is quite sensitive to climatic changes and the changes in permafrost can significantly affect the alpine ecosystem. The vegetation coverage, grassland biomass and soil nutrient and texture are selected to indicate the regime of alpine cold ecosystems in the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau. The interactions between alpine ecosystem and permafrost were investigated with the depth of active layer, permafrost thickness and mean annual ground temperature (MAGTs). Based on the statistics model of GPTR for MAGTs and annual air temperatures, an analysis method was developed to analyze the impacts of permafrost changes on the alpine ecosystems. Under the climate change and human engineering activities, the permafrost change and its impacts on alpine ecosystems in the permafrost region between the Kunlun Mountains and the Tanggula Range of Qinghai-Tibet Plateau are studied in this paper. The results showed that the per- mafrost changes have a different influence on different alpine ecosystems. With the increase in the thickness of active layer, the vegetation cover and biomass of the alpine cold meadow exhibit a significant conic reduction, the soil organic matter content of the alpine cold meadow ecosystem shows an exponential decrease, and the surface soil materials become coarse and gravelly. The alpine cold steppe ecosystem, however, seems to have a relatively weak relation to the permafrost environment. Those relationships resulted in the fact that the distribution area of alpine cold meadow decreased by 7.98% and alpine cold swamp decreased by 28.11% under the permafrost environment degradation during recent 15 years. In the future 50 years the alpine cold meadow ecosystems in different geomorphologic units may have different responses to the changes of the permafrost under different climate warming conditions, among them the alpine cold meadow and swamp ecosystem located in the low mountain and plateau area will have a relatively serious degradation. Furthermore, from the angl
文摘Introduction: Environmental compensation is a legal-administrative instrument used by agencies that supervise the environmental impact assessment (EIA) to offset irreversible impacts generated by development projects. The compensation is usually framed in the principle of ecological equivalence, which seeks to equate the losses due to the impact with a net environmental gain obtained by the compensatory actions. Methods: We analyzed the records of development projects that have merited an environmental compensation plan registered by the National Environmental Technical Secretariat of Costa Rica (SETENA) between January 2018 and June 2020. Results: Seventy-four projects were analyzed;just over 75% of them corresponded to infrastructure projects while the rest concerned exploitation activities of materials and resources. The main impacts that elicited compensation plans were: deforestation and destruction of riverbanks (13%), earthworks (15.5%), poor water management (15.5%), and administrative faults or non-compliance with environmental commitments (62%). The main compensatory measures conducted were: building school infrastructure (20% of the projects), support for environmental education programs (17%), and reforestation programs (>15%), although actions such as the purchase of school supplies, donation of equipment to local communities and the arrangement of roads and causeways were also recorded. In only three projects, the replacement of the impacted habitat was used as compensation for projected damage. Discussion: The registered compensatory measures do not endorse the spirit of return on components equivalent to those impacted that generate a net environmental gain and respond only to impacts that had not been considered during the preliminary evaluation of the project. The compensation plan used in Costa Rica is a sanctioning instrument based on economic valuation and does not guarantee a return equivalent to environmental losses. Therefore, compensation must be integrated in the preliminary evaluations
文摘Natural disasters usually involve a phenomenon with consequences that exceed the response capabilities of local communities and have a significant impact on the region’s socioeconomic development. Droughts, floods, and hurricanes are all natural disasters that jeopardize the environment and the lives of Somalis. Severe floods have devastated the south and central parts of the country multiple times, destroying infrastructure and homes and killing many vulnerable people. Droughts in the south and central parts of the country, particularly in the Middle Shebelle region, have killed a number of children and mothers. It also had a negative influence on crops and cattle. Objective of this study is to know the recurrence of Natural Disasters in Jowhar, Middle Shabelle region, Somalia: The Causes and Impacts. The Somali people are completely aware of natural disasters such as droughts and floods, and they are self-sufficient in dealing with the consequences of these disasters. Furthermore, the Somali government has not fully created environmental laws to protect and conserve the environment, and the majority of laws, rules, acts, and regulations are not used or administered effectively. We also found that the Somali government is not yet financially prepared to deal with these crises, and that there are no strategic plans in the central government or even state administrations to prevent or at least control these disasters from causing extreme harm to the community and the environment.
文摘The trivialization of empty spaces has long been practiced in the city of Maradi (Niger), particularly in the Zaria 2 (Commune II) and Ali Dan Sofo (Commune III) districts. With stalls in the streets and illegal dumping grounds, empty plots and the surrounding areas are fairly privileged sources of various wastes. This study aims at analyzing the impact of these empty plots on the local population, through several aspects, especially in terms of the modes of occupation, internal and surrounding practices, physical environment and biodiversity, sanitation and elimination of waste. To do so, two methodological approaches were used: a survey on local population and in situ observation of these spaces. The results not only reveal a difficult proximity situation to the unbuilt but also showed that empty plots constitute not only a form of vegetation conservation for the future as well as clean surfaces which would be called upon to characterize the potential recharge of groundwater. The most potentially useful organic waste would be that of Kadro, especially feathers from poultry that could be used as compost in the fields. In addition to the degradation of urban environments (63% of respondents), the unbuilt area also contributes to poverty reduction and increases food security (69% of respondents). To reduce the negative impacts, the rewarding strategies would be awareness-raising and monitoring measures coupled with a policy of protection and environmental remedies.
文摘Extraction of mineral resources is the backbone of the national economy in many developed and developing countries of the world. However, the exploitation can have many negative impacts on the immediate environment of the exploitation sites. In this study performed on some mining areas of the Moroccan Anti-Atlas, four principal negative effects were detected: effect on the physiognomy, on safety, on health, and on recovery rate. The principal source of this situation is the exploitation of the ore deposits from top to bottom without using any geological preparation and the use of non-adapted exploitation technics. To minimize these impacts, we propose to establish a geological study and advanced mining exploration before starting exploitation, and follow an exploitation technic well adapted to the morphology of the ore deposit like cut-and-fill mining and sublevel stoping methods.
文摘The farmers’ perception of climate change and their response was documented in Maruf Kebele of Central Oromia, Ethiopia with questionnaire survey, focus group discussion and field observation. Over hundred randomly selected households were included;the community typically includes a large proportion of small holder farmers from poorly equipped, land scarce households with low education and economic status. The results indicated that farmers had a good understanding and perception of the impacts of climate change at the local level;many negative impacts of the climate irregularity had been identified by the community, like reduced crop yield, heating/drying up of environment and soil loss affecting natural plant regeneration from the forest soil seed bank, drying up of streams and springs, disappearance of trees and plants, rarity of wild animals and increasing pests/diseases. Farmers were observed to diversify their livelihood options as part of responding to irregularities in the local weather and adopting a number of steps to change agricultural practices. The results indicate the importance of understanding of community perception in designing policies and projects for effective adaptation strategies allowing local participation to cope with the impacts of climate change.
