Awareness of the adverse ecological effects of road and other large construction projects has resulted in a rapidly growing demand to quantitatively predict and evaluate the effects on gene flow among plants and anima...Awareness of the adverse ecological effects of road and other large construction projects has resulted in a rapidly growing demand to quantitatively predict and evaluate the effects on gene flow among plants and animals in natural habitats.In this study,we evaluated the effects of different road construction scenarios on animal species movement by using the methods of ecological landscape connectivity in the typical regions of Yunnan Province,China.The results showed landscape connectivity levels(Probability of Connectivity(PC))decreased after road construction and species with lower dispersal abilities were more affected to the subsequent habitat fragmentation.First level roads affected landscape connectivity most significantly.At a distance of 100 m,the PC index decreased more than 50%.Further analysis suggested that the use of landscape connectivity to assess landscape processes revealed the adverse effects on the species movement more effectively compared with the traditional landscape pattern analysis.In addition,we conducted a graph theory and a least-cost modeling discussion,it is obvious that they are powerful tools to represent and analyze landscape networks with respect to related species movement.Network analysis offers a quantitative and simple but effective tool for ecological process assessment and biological conservation on large scales.展开更多
Strategic environmental assessment (SEA) in China has developed rapidly since it was introduced into China in the 1990s. Chinese government promulgated the Environmental Impact Assessment Law of China (hereinafter ref...Strategic environmental assessment (SEA) in China has developed rapidly since it was introduced into China in the 1990s. Chinese government promulgated the Environmental Impact Assessment Law of China (hereinafter referred to as the EIA Law) in 2002. In this law, it is stipulated clearly that regional and sector plans should be assessed. Through investigating materials and analyzing literatures, this article analyses the practical and academic study achievements of SEA in China that have been achieved since the EIA Law was implemented, probes into the current situation of the main level of SEA in China-plan EIA, then summarizes the development characteristics, and eventually, puts forward the development trends of SEA in China. The research conclusions can offer the foundations for comprehending systematically the progress of SEA in China.展开更多
The assessment of ecological impacts represents a key element of biodiversity offsetting success. After briefly introducing the main controversies arisen on biodiversity monetization and defining biodiversity banking ...The assessment of ecological impacts represents a key element of biodiversity offsetting success. After briefly introducing the main controversies arisen on biodiversity monetization and defining biodiversity banking schemes, discussions will be focused on evaluation methods mobilized in the context ofbiodiversity offset banking. Although there is currently no fixed framework assessing environment due resolutely to the specific nature of biodiversity, evaluation methods are analyzed through a review of the academic and empirical literature. This step allows to select few methods justifying these choices and presenting their pros and cons by keeping the aim to contribute to the debates. Thus, ecological assessments （service-to-service and resource-to-resource） and economic valuations （value-to-value and value-to-cost） carried out in biodiversity banking schemes will be distinguished. Finally, this paper will emphasize the inherent differences of the two evaluating forms and their specificities on the one hand, and highlight their opportunities and risks from methodological perspective on the other hand.展开更多
The purpose for seafarers＇ competence assessment is to evaluate the practical operational ability of the applicants and the weight of the index directly influences the accuracy of the assessment results. This paper t...The purpose for seafarers＇ competence assessment is to evaluate the practical operational ability of the applicants and the weight of the index directly influences the accuracy of the assessment results. This paper takes the assessment of route making as an example, makes use of the analytic hierarchy process in determining the weight of the indexes to provide theoretical reference for the perfection of seafarers＇ competence assessment.展开更多
Ballast water has been a topic of concern for some time because of its potential to introduce invasive species to new habitats. To comply with the International Convention for the Control and Management of Ships' ...Ballast water has been a topic of concern for some time because of its potential to introduce invasive species to new habitats. To comply with the International Convention for the Control and Management of Ships' Ballast Water and Sediments, members of the International Maritime Organization(IMO) must equip their ships with on-board treatment systems to eliminate organism release with ballast water. There are many challenges associated with the implementation of this IMO guideline, one of which is the selection of species for testing the ecological impacts of the treated ballast water. In the United States, ballast water toxicity test methods have been defined by the United States Environmental Protection Agency. However, the test methods had not been finalized in China until the toxicity test methods for ballast water were established in 2008. The Chinese methods have been based on species from three trophic levels: Skeletonema costatum, Neomysis awatschensis, and Ctenogobius gymnauchen. All three species live in broad estuarine and open sea areas of China; they are sensitive to reference toxicants and acclimatize easily to different conditions. In this paper, the biological characteristics, test processes and statistical analysis methods are presented for the three species. Results indicate that the methods for evaluating these three organisms can be included in the ecological toxicity tests for treated ballast water in China.展开更多
Railway induced vibrations and noises are a growing matter of environmental concern. The rapid development of transportation and increases in vehicle speeds and vehicle weights have resulted in higher vibration and no...Railway induced vibrations and noises are a growing matter of environmental concern. The rapid development of transportation and increases in vehicle speeds and vehicle weights have resulted in higher vibration and noise levels. In the meantime vibrations and noises that seem to have been tolerated in the past, are now more often considered to be a nuisance. Methodology of assessing ground-borne vibrations for railway traffic is presented based on the Federal Railway Administration （FRA） Guidance Manual-High-Speed Ground Transportation Noise and Vibration Impact Assessment. Effectiveness of wave barriers such as open trench, in-filled trench, and piers for reduction of vibrations induced by railways and the procedure for barrier selection are discussed. Finally, an example of vibration assessing of Suvarnabhumi Airport Rail Link is presented to demonstrate the methodology.展开更多
This article provides a comparison of several Life Cycle Assessment methodologies and their conformity to the ISO 14001 Standards. The study found that all methods surveyed meet the basic requirements of ISO 14001 in ...This article provides a comparison of several Life Cycle Assessment methodologies and their conformity to the ISO 14001 Standards. The study found that all methods surveyed meet the basic requirements of ISO 14001 in regards to evaluating the environmental impact with integrated hybrid method most satisfying the requirements.展开更多
基金Under the auspices of Nonprofit Environment Protection Specific Project of China(No.201209029-4)
文摘Awareness of the adverse ecological effects of road and other large construction projects has resulted in a rapidly growing demand to quantitatively predict and evaluate the effects on gene flow among plants and animals in natural habitats.In this study,we evaluated the effects of different road construction scenarios on animal species movement by using the methods of ecological landscape connectivity in the typical regions of Yunnan Province,China.The results showed landscape connectivity levels(Probability of Connectivity(PC))decreased after road construction and species with lower dispersal abilities were more affected to the subsequent habitat fragmentation.First level roads affected landscape connectivity most significantly.At a distance of 100 m,the PC index decreased more than 50%.Further analysis suggested that the use of landscape connectivity to assess landscape processes revealed the adverse effects on the species movement more effectively compared with the traditional landscape pattern analysis.In addition,we conducted a graph theory and a least-cost modeling discussion,it is obvious that they are powerful tools to represent and analyze landscape networks with respect to related species movement.Network analysis offers a quantitative and simple but effective tool for ecological process assessment and biological conservation on large scales.
基金the support of Youth Foundation of Study on Discipline Development,Harbin University (Grant No.HXKQ200812)
文摘Strategic environmental assessment (SEA) in China has developed rapidly since it was introduced into China in the 1990s. Chinese government promulgated the Environmental Impact Assessment Law of China (hereinafter referred to as the EIA Law) in 2002. In this law, it is stipulated clearly that regional and sector plans should be assessed. Through investigating materials and analyzing literatures, this article analyses the practical and academic study achievements of SEA in China that have been achieved since the EIA Law was implemented, probes into the current situation of the main level of SEA in China-plan EIA, then summarizes the development characteristics, and eventually, puts forward the development trends of SEA in China. The research conclusions can offer the foundations for comprehending systematically the progress of SEA in China.
文摘The assessment of ecological impacts represents a key element of biodiversity offsetting success. After briefly introducing the main controversies arisen on biodiversity monetization and defining biodiversity banking schemes, discussions will be focused on evaluation methods mobilized in the context ofbiodiversity offset banking. Although there is currently no fixed framework assessing environment due resolutely to the specific nature of biodiversity, evaluation methods are analyzed through a review of the academic and empirical literature. This step allows to select few methods justifying these choices and presenting their pros and cons by keeping the aim to contribute to the debates. Thus, ecological assessments （service-to-service and resource-to-resource） and economic valuations （value-to-value and value-to-cost） carried out in biodiversity banking schemes will be distinguished. Finally, this paper will emphasize the inherent differences of the two evaluating forms and their specificities on the one hand, and highlight their opportunities and risks from methodological perspective on the other hand.
文摘The purpose for seafarers＇ competence assessment is to evaluate the practical operational ability of the applicants and the weight of the index directly influences the accuracy of the assessment results. This paper takes the assessment of route making as an example, makes use of the analytic hierarchy process in determining the weight of the indexes to provide theoretical reference for the perfection of seafarers＇ competence assessment.
基金Supported by the National Key Technology R&D Program of China(No.2006BAC11B05)
文摘Ballast water has been a topic of concern for some time because of its potential to introduce invasive species to new habitats. To comply with the International Convention for the Control and Management of Ships' Ballast Water and Sediments, members of the International Maritime Organization(IMO) must equip their ships with on-board treatment systems to eliminate organism release with ballast water. There are many challenges associated with the implementation of this IMO guideline, one of which is the selection of species for testing the ecological impacts of the treated ballast water. In the United States, ballast water toxicity test methods have been defined by the United States Environmental Protection Agency. However, the test methods had not been finalized in China until the toxicity test methods for ballast water were established in 2008. The Chinese methods have been based on species from three trophic levels: Skeletonema costatum, Neomysis awatschensis, and Ctenogobius gymnauchen. All three species live in broad estuarine and open sea areas of China; they are sensitive to reference toxicants and acclimatize easily to different conditions. In this paper, the biological characteristics, test processes and statistical analysis methods are presented for the three species. Results indicate that the methods for evaluating these three organisms can be included in the ecological toxicity tests for treated ballast water in China.
基金Acknowledgments The work reported herein was supported by the Special Program for International Cooperation and Exchange of the Ministry of Science and Technology, China （No. 2010DFA82340）, and the Natural Science Foundation of China （No. 50978099）.
文摘Railway induced vibrations and noises are a growing matter of environmental concern. The rapid development of transportation and increases in vehicle speeds and vehicle weights have resulted in higher vibration and noise levels. In the meantime vibrations and noises that seem to have been tolerated in the past, are now more often considered to be a nuisance. Methodology of assessing ground-borne vibrations for railway traffic is presented based on the Federal Railway Administration （FRA） Guidance Manual-High-Speed Ground Transportation Noise and Vibration Impact Assessment. Effectiveness of wave barriers such as open trench, in-filled trench, and piers for reduction of vibrations induced by railways and the procedure for barrier selection are discussed. Finally, an example of vibration assessing of Suvarnabhumi Airport Rail Link is presented to demonstrate the methodology.
文摘This article provides a comparison of several Life Cycle Assessment methodologies and their conformity to the ISO 14001 Standards. The study found that all methods surveyed meet the basic requirements of ISO 14001 in regards to evaluating the environmental impact with integrated hybrid method most satisfying the requirements.
