Indicator development in sustainability impact assessment: balancing theory and practice     

Helga Pülzl  Irina Prokofieva  Staffan Berg  Ewald Rametsteiner  Filip Aggestam  Bernhard Wolfslehner 《European Journal of Forest Research》2012,131(1):35-46

In this article, the development and operationalisation of forestry-wood chain indicators within the frame of sustainability impact assessment are discussed. The analytical framework follows a distinction between indicator definition and selection in a first phase, and a second operational phase of indicator application in terms of interconnecting material flows, calculation of chain performance and utilisation within evaluation components. A clear boundary drawing effort in terms of the development of indicator definitions, related subclasses, and measurement units as well as the creation of conversion factors between indicator values and individual chain stages supports this. Economic, social and environmental indicators have to respond to data collection needs on individual process levels (that correspond to sub-divisions of the forestry-wood chain). For the usage of indicators within evaluation tools, a functional hierarchy has to be provided that supports clear preference elicitation as well as information on related externalities. In total, this paper aims at demonstrating an enhanced spectrum in the use of sustainability indicators, and the challenges that arise from a developing and applying multi-functional indicators in sustainability impact assessment.  相似文献   

Effects of management intensity and soil chemical properties on <Emphasis Type="Italic">Rumex obtusifolius</Emphasis> in cut grasslands in Lower Austria     

Patrick?HannEmail author  Claus?Trska  Bernhard?Kromp 《Journal of pest science》2012,85(1):5-15

Rumex obtusifolius (broad-leaved dock) is a widely distributed weed in managed grasslands and is an indicator for excessive grassland management. Especially in organic farming, its control is highly labour and energy intensive. The effects of management extensification on R. obtusifolius were investigated by on-farm trials with reduced cutting frequencies and manuring amounts from 2004 to 2006 at three sites in Lower Austria. The sites distinctly differed in their nutrient availabilities (LiCl-extract; Ca: ranged from 1,380 to 2,062 mg/kg DM, Mg: 211–611 mg/kg, P: 4–40 mg/kg, K: 57–334 mg/kg). At one site reduced management intensity had a significant decreasing effect on R. obtusifolius infestation, whereas at the other sites no effect was observed. Consequently, extensification as a measure for controlling this weed can be effective under certain conditions. Soil analyses indicated that Ca and Mg concentrations were negatively correlated to R. obtusifolius density, and the site where infestation declined under reduced management was characterised by abundant Ca and Mg in the topsoil. K showed a weak positive correlation with plant density development and P was not related to R. obtusifolius. According to the literature, an abundance of Ca and Mg in the soil could reduce the competitiveness of the species. Consequently, high concentrations of these nutrients might enhance the probability for an effective R. obtusifolius control by management extensification. Further research is required to clarify the influence of Ca and Mg on the competitiveness of R. obtusifolius, and may lead to recommendations for the management of this weed.  相似文献   

Effects of zilpaterol hydrochloride and days on the finishing diet on feedlot performance, carcass characteristics, and tenderness in beef heifers     

RJ Rathmann  BC Bernhard  RS Swingle  TE Lawrence  WT Nichols  DA Yates  JP Hutcheson  MN Streeter  JC Brooks  MF Miller  BJ Johnson 《Journal of animal science》2012,90(9):3301-3311

British × Continental heifers (n = 3,382; initial BW = 307 kg) were serially slaughtered to determine if increasing days on the finishing diet (DOF) mitigates negative consequences of zilpaterol HCl (ZH) on quality grade and tenderness of beef. A 2 × 3 factorial arrangement of treatments in a completely randomized block design (36 pens; 6 pens/treatment) was used. Zilpaterol HCl (8.33 mg/kg DM) was fed 0 and 20 to 22 d before slaughter plus a 3 to 5 d withdrawal to heifers spending 127, 148, and 167 DOF. Feedlot and carcass performance data were analyzed with pen as the experimental unit. Three hundred sixty carcasses (60 carcasses/treatment) were randomly subsampled, and strip loin steaks were aged for 7, 14, and 21 d for assessment of Warner-Bratzler shear force (WBSF) and slice shear force (SSF) with carcass serving as the experimental unit for analysis. No relevant ZH × DOF interactions were detected (P > 0.05). Feeding ZH during the treatment period increased ADG by 9.5%, G:F by 12.5%, carcass ADG by 33.6%, carcass G:F by 35.9%, carcass ADG:live ADG by 15.6%, HCW by 3.2% (345 vs. 356 kg), dressing percent by 1.5%, and LM area by 6.5% and decreased 12th-rib fat by 5.2% and yield grade (YG) by 0.27 units (P < 0.01). Feeding ZH tended to decrease marbling score (437 vs. 442 units; P = 0.10) and increased WBSF at 7 (4.25 vs. 3.47 kg; P < 0.01), 14 (3.57 vs. 3.05 kg; P < 0.01), and 21 d (3.50 vs. 3.03 kg; P < 0.01). Feeding ZH decreased empty body fat percentage (EBF; 29.7% vs. 30.3%; P < 0.01) and increased 28% EBF adjusted final BW (473.4 vs. 449.8 kg; P < 0.01). Analysis of interactive means indicated that the ZH × 148 DOF group had a similar percentage of USDA Prime, Premium Choice, Low Choice, and YG 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5 carcasses (P > 0.10) and decreased percentage of Select (30.4 vs. 36.6%; P = 0.03) and Standard (0.2 vs. 0.9%; P = 0.05) carcasses compared with the control × 127 DOF group. As a result of ZH shifting body composition, extending the DOF of beef heifers is an effective feeding strategy to equalize carcass grade distributions. This can be accomplished along with sustaining the ZH mediated advantages in feedlot and carcass weight gain.  相似文献   

Zur Verbreitung und Bedeutung von Pilzkrankheiten in K?rnerfuttererbsen (Pisum sativum L.) in Deutschland     

Oliver Pflugh?ft  Carolin Merker  Andreas von Tiedemann  Bernhard C. Sch?fer 《Gesunde Pflanzen》2012,64(1):39-48

Monitoring of the pathogen spectrum in grain peas (Pisum sativum L.) was conducted in Germany between 2005 and 2007. The outcome of this study implies that the infections of pathogens depend on the annual weather condition and the geographic area.Ascochyta pinodes, which infects aerial plant organs, was the pathogen found most frequently (on average 61, 8%). Especially in years with moist weather conditions a more severe spreading of the pathogen could be observed. Similarly, the occurrence ofBotrytis cinerea depends on the weather conditions. In 2007 were optimal conditions for infections and consequentlyB. cinerea was found with a high frequency of about 70%. Regarding diseases on root and stem base, this study clearly shows that infection of less prominent Fusarium species, such asF. redolens andF. avenaceum was significantly higher compared toF. oxysporum andF. solani.  相似文献   

Activity of feline interferon-omega after ocular or oral administration in cats as indicated by Mx protein expression in conjunctival and white blood cells     

Bracklein T  Theise S  Metzler A  Spiess BM  Richter M 《American journal of veterinary research》2006,67(6):1025-1032

OBJECTIVE: To assess the biological response to recombinant feline interferon-omega (rFeIFN-omega) following ocular or oral administration in cats via estimation of Mx protein expression in conjunctival cells (CCs) and WBCs. ANIMALS: 10 specific pathogen-free cats. PROCEDURES: In multiple single-dose drug experiments, each cat received various concentrations of rFeIFN-omega administered topically into both eyes (50 to 10,000 U/eye) and orally (200 to 20,000 units). The same cats received saline (0.9% NaCl) solution topically and orally as control treatments. The CCs and WBCs were collected prior to treatment (day 0), on day 1, and every third or seventh day thereafter until samples yielded negative results for Mx protein. Samples were examined for Mx protein expression via immunohistochemistry and immunoblotting procedures involving murine anti-Mx protein monoclonal antibody M143. RESULTS: After topical application of 10,000 U of rFeIFN-omega/eye, CCs stained for Mx protein for a minimum of 7 days, whereas WBCs were positive for Mx protein for a minimum of 31 days. After topical application of lower concentrations, CCs did not express Mx protein, in contrast to WBCs, which stained for Mx protein at 1,000 units for at least 1 day. Following oral administration, Mx protein was expressed in WBCs at rFeIFN-omega concentrations as low as 200 units, whereas CCs did not stain for Mx protein at any concentration. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Results indicate that Mx protein expression (a marker of the biological response to rFeIFN-omega) in CCs and WBCs of rFeIFN-omega-treated cats depends on the dose of rFeIFN-omega, site of administration, and cell type.  相似文献   

The Who and Why of Wilderness Medicine Conference Attendance     

Richard W. Trierweiler 《The Forestry Chronicle》2013,24(1):84-85

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Assessing the effects of plant protection products on organic matter breakdown in arable fields—litter decomposition test systems     

Thomas Knacker  Bernhard FörsterJörg Römbke  Geoff K Frampton 《Soil biology & biochemistry》2003,35(10):1269-1287

There is a need for plant protection products (PPPs) to be assessed for their effects on the breakdown of organic matter (OM), which is an important functional process in terrestrial ecosystems. Little information is available on to how to assess effects of PPPs on this complex system and formal guidelines for a standardised test method are lacking. We critically reviewed the literature to determine appropriate methods to investigate OM breakdown for the risk assessment of PPPs. Five methods appeared to be potentially suitable: namely the use of mini-containers or litter-bags to enclose OM, cotton-strip and bait-lamina assays which provide an artificial OM substrate, and stable isotopes to track the chemical decomposition of OM. These methods were compared on the basis of 10 suitability criteria, which included ecological relevance, ease of use and relevance to risk assessors. Each test method has limitations but the use of litter-bags, which is the most frequently used method, has distinct advantages over the other approaches. Accordingly, literature describing OM breakdown in litter-bags when applying PPPs are reviewed, gaps in the methodology are highlighted and recommendations for the development of a standardised and validated test method are proposed.  相似文献   

Field measurements of the water content in the top soil using a new capacitance sensor with a flat sensitive volume     

Bernhard Ruth  Jean Charles Munch 《植物养料与土壤学杂志》2005,168(2):169-175

Water content directly near the soil surface plays an essential role for degradation of natural organic material and agrochemicals by soil microbes. Furthermore, the water losses by evaporation depend sensitively on the top‐soil water content. Rain, irrigation, evaporation, and the water flow between the soil horizons together with the natural inhomogeneity of soils cause a high spatial gradient and a pronounced time dependence of the water content in the top soil. To understand processes in top soil such as redox gradients, the knowledge on ecological conditions in the top soil, which is subject to rapid changes, is essential. In order to meet the requirements for such field measurements, a capacitance sensor with a depth resolution of 1 cm and an active area of 7.5 cm × 14 cm was constructed and operated by a special electronic circuit. Field measurements using these sensors at 1 cm depth showed the high dynamics when measurements were carried out every 10 min. As simultaneous measurements of the soil temperature at 1 cm depth exhibit large temperature variations during the day, its influence on the measurements must be compensated for. As the data, measured during drying periods, allow the assessment of the temperature coefficient, the water content at a reference temperature can be calculated. The course of the water content reflects precipitation events and quantifies the drying of the soil, providing these parameters for process evaluation. Furthermore, the diurnal variation exhibits the drying during the day and the possible rewetting from deeper horizons during the night.  相似文献   

Cloudwater chemistry in the subcooled droplet regime at Mount Sonnblick (3106 M A.S.L., Salzburg,Austria)     

Bernhard Brantner  Helga Fierlinger  Hans Puxbaum  Axel Berner 《Water, air, and soil pollution》1994,74(3-4):363-384

Cloudwater and wet precipitation (snow) samples were collected at Mount Sonnblick during two field campaigns in May and November 1991. A newly designed active cloud water samples was used. Concentrations of major anions, cations and carboxylic acids were determined. Cloudwater and wet precipitation samples were generally more acidic in the warm season than in the cold season. Average cloudwater pH was 4.2 in May and 4.5 in November, average pH in snow was 4.4 in May and 5.1 in November. Average levels for sulfate (May: 96 μeq L^?1, November: 64 μeq L^?1) and nitrate (May: 27 μeq L^?1, November: 32 μeq L^?1) in cloudwater at SBO (3 km altitude) were considerably lower than at high mountain sites (0.9–2 km altitude) in the Eastern U.S.A. Cold season levels of sulfate in cloud water at SBO were as low as cloud water levels observed in Alaska. Equivalent concentrations of sulfate, nitrate and ammonium in snow precipitation were basically lower or equal compared to cloudwater but showed higher concentrations and stronger acidity in both phases in May than in November. Cloud to snow ratios for major ions were higher in November showing a wider spread than in May. Average cloud to snow ratios for sulfate were 2.4 in May and 3.5 in November. For nitrate the ratio was 1.7 in May and 2.1 in November. The lower cloud to snow ratios for nitrate are explained by the ability of the ice phase to scavenge nitric acid. Cloud to snow ratios were similar to measurements from the Swiss Alps and generally equal or lower than high elevation cloud to rain ratios from the U.S.A. Cloud to snow ratios for sulfate were used to reconstruct the mixing ratio of sublimation grown ice phase and cloud water droplets during the riming process of the ice particles in the seeder-feeder mechanism. The mixing ratio of ice phase and cloud droplets was estimated to be 1.4 in May and 2.5 in November. Sulfate to nitrate ratios were higher in cloud water than in snow and within the range of values found in North America. Generally, sulfate was more concentrated than nitrate at an equivalent basis for both cloudwater and rainwater. Total equivalent concentrations of acetate were generally higher than those of formate which is in contrast to measurements at remote high elevation sites in the U.S.A.  相似文献   

BMBF Coordinated Research Project SEDYMO (2002-2006) - Sediment Dynamics and Pollutant Mobility in River Basins   总被引：1，自引：0，他引：1  

Ulrich?F?rstnerEmail author  Bernhard?WestrichEmail author 《Journal of Soils and Sediments》2005,5(3):134-138

-  DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1065/jss2005.08.002 Background and Scope   Characteristic dynamic features of sediment-related processes in rivers include (i) dramatic effects of stormwater events on particle transport, (ii) rapid and far-reaching effects of sulfide oxidation during resuspension, and (iii) biological accumulation and potential release of toxic chemicals. Pollutant mobility is the net result from stabilizing and mobilizing effects in both hydraulic and chemical fields. In practice, emphasis has to be given to fine-grained sediments and suspended matter, since these materials exhibit large surface areas and high sorption capacities. Discussion   Organic materials are highly reactive. Degradation of organic matter will induce depletion of oxygen and may enhance formation of flocs and biofilms. Study of variations of sediment and water chemistry should predominantly include changes of pH and redox conditions, competition of dissolved ions and processes such as complexation by organic substances. All these processes will influence solution/solid equilibrium conditions and have to be studied prior to modeling the overall effects of pollutants on the water body and aquatic ecosystems. Conclusion   The cooperative program SEDYMO ('Fine Sediment Dynamics on Pollutant Mobility in Rivers') is funded by the German Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF) since May 2002. It comprises 13 research projects and its interdisciplinary approach focuses on the release of DOC, nutrients and pollutants into the open water due to hydrodynamic processes in rivers and estuaries. Three themes are studied: 'experimental techniques', 'processes and properties', 'development/validation of models'.  相似文献