Ecological risk assessment of metals in roadside agricultural soils: A modified approach

The threat of metal contamination of roadside agricultural soils poses severe ecological risks throughout the globe due to dual contamination by intensive agriculture and traffic-related activities. Therefore, the present study was conducted to assess ecological risks posed by metals (Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mn, Pb, and Zn) in intensively cultivated roadside agricultural soils of Punjab, India. The results of the contamination assessment factors i.e. Contamination Factor (CF) and Enrichment Factor (EF) indicated that the studied soils were moderately to highly contaminated with metals. It was observed that the Modified Risk Index (MRI), which is based upon EF, indicated the ecological risks of metals more efficiently than the traditional Ecological Risk Index (RI), which is based upon CF in the present study. The MRI values indicated that the metals posed considerable to high risk in 67.86% samples as compared to only 7.14% samples based upon RI values. Thus, MRI can be considered as a more efficient risk indicator in comparison to RI. Spatial distribution maps of MRI indicated to higher metal contamination in inner urban parts of study area due to higher traffic and industrial activities.     

Ecological Risk Assessment of a Metal-Contaminated Area in the Tropics. Tier II: Detailed Assessment

This study presents data on the detailed evaluation (tier 2) of a site-specific ecological risk assessment (ssERA) in a former smelter area contaminated with metals (Santo Amaro, Bahia, Brazil). Combining information from three lines of evidence (LoE), chemical (ChemLoE), ecotoxicological (EcotoxLoE) and ecological (EcoLoE), in the Triad approach, integrated risk values were calculated to rank sites and confirm the potential risk disclosed with tier 1. Risk values were calculated for the habitat and for the retention functions in each sampling point. Habitat function included the ChemLoE calculated from total metal concentrations. The EcotoxLoE was based on reproduction tests with terrestrial invertebrates (Folsomia candida, Enchytraeus crypticus, Eisenia andrei), shoot length and plant biomass (Avena sativa, Brassica rapa). For the EcoLoE, ecological parameters (microbial parameters, soil invertebrate community, litter breakdown) were used to derive risk values. Retention function included the ChemLoE, calculated from extractable metal concentrations, and the EcotoxLoE based on eluate tests with aquatic organisms (Daphnia magna reproduction and Pseudokirchneriella subcapitata growth). Results related to the habitat function indicated that the metal residues are sufficient to cause risk to biota, while the low metal levels in extracts and the general lack of toxicity in aquatic tests indicated a high soil retention capacity in most sampling points. Integrated risk of tier 2 showed the same trend of tier 1, suggesting the need to proceed with remediation actions. The high risk levels were related to direct toxicity to organisms and indirect effects, such as failure in the establishment of vegetation and the consequent loss of habitat quality for microorganisms and soil fauna. This study shed some light on the selection of tools for the tier 2 of an ssERA in tropical metal-contaminated sites, focusing on ecological receptors at risk and using available chemical methods, ecological surveys and ecotoxicity tests.     

Total nitrogen and pH-controlled chemical speciation,bioavailability and ecological risk from Cd,Cr, Cu,Pb and Zn in the water level-fluctuating zone sediments of the Three Gorges Reservoir

We investigated the distribution and chemical speciation of Cd, Cr, Cu, Pb and Zn in the water level-fluctuating (WLF) zone of the main stream (MS) and tributaries (ZX and MX) of the Three Gorges Reservoir. We evaluated the ecological risk and pollution level from heavy metals based on the Potential Ecological Risk Index (RI), Risk Assessment Code (RAC), and Ratio of Secondary Phase and Primary Phase (RSP). Our results indicated that the total and bio-available heavy metal contents were higher in the tributaries than in the MS. Moderate pollution from Cd and light pollution from Pb were observed both at the MS and ZX sites, whereas the MX site exhibited a pattern of heavy Cd pollution and light Cr and Pb pollution. In our study area, the results indicated that Cd exhibited a higher ecological risk than did the other heavy metals. Finally, the pH and nitrogen content of sediments may play a key role in controlling the amount of heavy metal bioavailability, further inducing a higher potential ecological risk.     

Landscape Ecotoxicology and Assessment of Risk at Multiple Scales

Traditional approaches to ecotoxicology and ecological risk assessment frequently have ignored the complexities arising due to the spatial heterogeneity of natural systems. In recent years, however, ecologists have become increasingly aware of the influence of spatial organization on ecological processes. Landscape ecology provides a conceptual and theoretical framework for the analysis of spatial patterns, the characterization of spatial aspects of ecosystem function, and the understanding of landscape dynamics. Incorporating the insights of landscape ecology into ecotoxicology will enhance our ability to understand and ultimately predict the effects of toxic substances in ecological systems. Ecological risk assessments need to explicitly consider multiple spatial scales, accounting for heterogeneity within contaminated areas and for the larger landscape context. A simple simulation model is presented to illustrate the effects of spatial heterogeneity by linking an individual-based toxicokinetic model with a spatially distributed metapopulation model. Dispersal of organisms between contaminated and uncontaminated patches creates a situation where risk analysis must consider a spatial extent broader than the toxicant-contaminated area. In general, the addition of a toxicant to a source patch (i.e., a net exporter of individuals) will have a greater impact than the same toxicant addition to a sink patch (i.e., a net importer of individuals).     

Role of Ecological Modeling in Risk Assessment

Ecological models are useful tools for evaluating the ecological significance of observed or predicted effects of toxic chemicals on individual organisms. Current risk estimation approaches using hazard quotients for individual-level endpoints have limited utility for assessing risks at the population, ecosystem, and landscape levels, which are the most relevant indicators for environmental management. In this paper, we define different types of ecological models, summarize their input and output variables, and present examples of the role of some recommended models in chemical risk assessments. A variety of population and ecosystem models have been applied successfully to evaluate ecological risks, including population viability of endangered species, habitat fragmentation, and toxic chemical issues. In particular, population models are widely available, and their value in predicting dynamics of natural populations has been demonstrated. Although data are often limited on vital rates and doseresponse functions needed for ecological modeling, accurate prediction of ecological effects may not be needed for all assessments. Often, a comparative assessment of risk (e.g., relative to baseline or reference) is of primary interest. Ecological modeling is currently a valuable approach for addressing many chemical risk assessment issues, including screening-level evaluations.     

Compromised Chemical Toxicity in Year-Weathered Soils: Implications for Compromised Toxicity Factors

With contaminated terrestrial sites always being multiple decades old before they first submit to health risk assessments for humans and ecological receptors, there is great opportunity for soils to elicit markedly lesser chemical toxicity than would be expected. Soil aging and weathering foster various physico-chemical processes that reduce the toxic potency or bioavailability of sequestered chemicals. Because only brand new and unadulterated chemicals with seemingly maximum potencies are used in animal dosing that supports toxicity factor derivation, measured chemical concentrations in soil can be misleading, producing exaggerated risk and hazard outcomes. We sought to determine the extent to which toxicity reduction occurs in experimentally amended soils, working with large soil volumes exposed to the unimpeded ambient condition for a calendar year. A broad toxicity testing matrix for two chemicals (i.e., multiple test species, endpoints, effect level concentrations, and soil types), found species’ responses in contaminated soils to be indistinguishable from those in control soil 80% and 98% of the time for the inorganic and organic compounds used, respectively; a case in point was lead with a soil concentration of 11,000 mg/kg. The results suggest that incorporating a toxicity reduction term is an indispensable task when deriving toxicity factors.     

露天煤矿区生态风险评价方法

以露天煤矿区这一脆弱生态系统为对象进行了生态风险评价方法的探讨 ,阐述了生态风险评价的基本概念。针对露天矿区生态环境特点 ,通过描述露天矿区的主要生态环境问题 ,分析了矿区风险源、风险受体以及评价终点 ,最后建立了典型露天煤矿区生态风险的评价指标体系 ,对露天矿区这一典型退化生态系统进行了生态风险评价方法及评价步骤的探索     

Ecological Risk Assessment Approaches Within the Regulatory Framework

Ecological risk assessment has a short history but a framework similar to human health risk assessment. The Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) and the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA) played a significant role in the development of the ecological risk process. Data developed and risk procedures used within TSCA and FIFRA have become generally standardized. Fundamental components of the risk process require data on the effects of chemicals in the form of concentration (or dose) — response profiles for species and an exposure profile to quantify the magnitude, spatial and temporal patterns of exposure relevant to significant biological endpoints being studied. Risk characterization generally involves comparing exposure and effects using point estimates (e.g., quotient method) but risk estimation is moving toward a probabilistic approach by comparing distributions of values with more consideration of the sources of uncertainty. Ecological testing guidelines in TSCA and FIFRA are discussed along with the risk characterization process used in each statute.     

密云水库流域多尺度景观生态风险时空演变趋势

密云水库作为北京重要的地表饮用水水源地、水资源战略储备基地受到广泛关注，相关研究多基于流域尺度，缺乏多尺度针对水源保护区的生态风险评价，开展多尺度生态风险评价有利于指导密云水库流域高质量和可持续发展。以1990、2000、2010和2018年4期土地利用数据为基础，基于景观指数，采用地统计学方法，分析流域土地利用类型及变化，从流域尺度、水源保护区尺度构建生态风险评价模型，揭示生态风险时空变化。结果表明：(1)流域内主要土地利用类型为林地和草地，随着城市扩张和“退耕还林”等政策实施，耕地和未利用地面积减少，建设用地面积增加，流域景观趋于复杂和分散，破碎化程度加剧；(2)生态风险区域在流域尺度呈“边缘高、中间低”的空间分布规律，高风险区域面积逐渐向低风险区域转移，高风险区域集中分布在流域边缘的南部密云区、兴隆县、赤城县和流域北部丰宁县，生态安全逐渐提高。(3)水源保护区尺度呈“中间高、边缘低”的空间分布规律，高风险面积逐渐减少且空间分布集中，生态风险趋于减弱。(4)流域景观生态风险呈正相关关系，Moran’s I指数均大于0,分别为0.322、0.305、0.298和0.317,1990年...     

基于最小累积阻力模型的东北地区生态安全格局构建

生态安全格局对于缓解生态保护与经济发展之间的矛盾具有积极意义。以东北地区为研究对象,综合参考《生态保护红线划定技术指南》、《全国生态功能区划》以及东北地区自然资源禀赋和社会经济发展水平,基于水源涵养、防风固沙、生物多样性维持与保护等功能指标和敏感性指标划分生态源地;利用夜间灯光数据修正基本生态阻力面,并运用最小累积阻力模型划分缓冲区、识别生态廊道和生态战略节点,从而构建东北地区生态安全格局。结果表明:东北地区生态源地总面积为6.50×10⁵km²,占全区土地总面积的45.02%,包括18个生态源地,主要分布在大兴安岭、小兴安岭、长白山脉和西部草原的部分区域;划分了高、中、低3个水平缓冲区,关键生态廊道中心线总长11073.52km,生态战略节点29个,在东北地区形成以生态源地为中心的网状空间布局。结果可为保障区域生态系统服务功能和可持续发展政策的制定提供科学参考。     

基于GIS的关键性生态空间辨识——以鄱阳湖生态经济区为例

生态空间承担着维持区域生态平衡的使命,并为社会提供持续不断的生态空间服务,是区域土地生态能持续地提供自然空间服务的基本保障。以自然生态环境脆弱的鄱阳湖生态经济区为研究区,结合国内外学者的相关实践经验和研究成果,基于RS和GIS等相关空间信息技术,通过生态系统服务功能重要性评价和生态系统敏感性评价方法,因地制宜地选取了相应评价指标,以栅格为单元辨识了鄱阳湖生态经济区关键性生态空间。研究结果表明:鄱阳湖生态经济区关键性生态空间面积为27751.25 km~2,占研究区总面积的52.55%,其中底线型生态空间面积为17125.31 km~2,占研究区总面积三分之一,危机型生态空间面积为4431.19 km~2,占研究区总面积的8.39%,缓冲型生态空间面积为6194.75 km~2,占研究区总面积的11.73%。在现状土地利用生态安全冲突分析中,有14.29%的耕地、9.31%的建设用地处于关键性生态区内。     

Performing Spatially and Temporally Explicit Ecological Exposure Assessments Involving Multiple Stressors

Ecological risk assessments have traditionally focused on estimating risk associated with a receptor's exposure to chemical stressors in abiotic (soil, water, etc.) and biotic (tissues, prey items) media. However, a free-living receptor is also constantly challenged to avoid or minimize adverse effects associated with those physical (e.g., loss of habitat) and biological (e.g., lack of adequate food) stressors that are already a consistent and natural part of its everyday existence. All three stressors, as well as their relative spatial and temporal positions with respect to each other and the receptor, may interact in ways that alter a chemical stressor's relative contribution to a receptor's overall risk. Evidence suggests that better representations of a chemical stressor's true contribution to overall risk would result if spatial, temporal, and multiple stressor interactions were more routinely considered and quantified. However, examples of this occurring in typical ecological risk assessments are rare, due, in part, to a lack of practical and accessible procedures for this purpose. This article outlines a procedure to give ecological risk assessment practitioners greater access to spatial, temporal, and multistressor techniques, describes an implementable spreadsheet-based model for performing calculations associated with this procedure, and discusses the types of ecological, life history, and landscape information needed to parameterize this model.     

Ecological differentiation,speciation, and rarity: How do they match in Tephroseris longifolia agg. (Asteraceae)?

Tephroseris longifolia agg. is a complex group of outcrossing perennials distributed throughout Central Europe. Recent morphological study revealed six morphotypes corresponding to five previously distinguished subspecies, together with Alpine and Pannonian morphotypes of T. longifolia subsp. longifolia. The delimited morphotypes differ in relative DNA content, geographical range, and rarity. We compared ecological niches of the six morphotypes in order to assess the impact of ecological differentiation on the speciation processes within the T. longifolia agg. Further, we examined whether morphotypes with small range are more ecologically specialized than their widespread relatives. The distribution area of the aggregate includes the Alps, Apennines, Carpathians, and the Pannonian Basin. Ecological variables linked to climate, topography, soil, and vegetation were gathered from 135 circular plots recorded in 35 localities. Related variables were grouped to describe the partial ecological niches: climatic, topographic, pedological, biotic, and coenotic (based either on vascular plants or on bryophytes), each of them visualized as an envelope in the two‐dimensional nonmetric multidimensional scaling ordination space. Each partial ecological niche for a given morphotype was characterized by its position (location of the envelope centroid), breadth (surface of the envelope), and overlaps with envelopes of the other morphotypes. Mantel statistics based on Spearman correlation coefficients were used to quantify differentiation of morphotypes in ecological parameters represented by the partial ecological niches. The significant niche differentiation was confirmed for climatic, topographic, pedological, and vascular plant‐based coenotic niches. Ecological niche differentiation corresponded well to morphological and partially also to karyological differentiation. Narrowly distributed morphotypes occupied more specific habitats and had narrower ecological niches than their widespread relatives. Ecological differentiation could be considered an important driver in allopatric speciation within the T. longifolia agg. Our results demonstrate that quantification of ecological divergence is helpful in assessing evolutionary history of closely related taxa.     

Case–Case Comparison of Candida auris Versus Other Candida Species Bloodstream Infections: Results of an Outbreak Investigation in Colombia

Background

Candida auris is an emerging multidrug-resistant yeast that causes outbreaks in healthcare settings around the world. In 2016, clinicians and public health officials identified patients with C. auris bloodstream infections (BSI) in Colombian healthcare facilities. To evaluate potential risk factors and outcomes for these infections, we investigated epidemiologic and clinical features of patients with C. auris and other Candida species BSI.

Methods

We performed a retrospective case-case investigation in four Colombian acute care hospitals, defining a case as Candida spp. isolated from blood culture during January 2015–September 2016. C. auris BSI cases were compared to other Candida species BSI cases. Odds ratio (OR), estimated using logistic regression, was used to assess the association between risk factors and outcomes.

Results

We analyzed 90 patients with BSI, including 40 with C. auris and 50 with other Candida species. All had been admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU). No significant demographic differences existed between the two groups. The following variables were independently associated with C. auris BSI:?≥?15 days of pre-infection ICU stay (OR: 5.62, CI: 2.04–15.5), evidence of severe sepsis (OR: 3.70, CI 1.19–11.48), and diabetes mellitus (OR 5.69, CI 1.01–31.9).

Conclusion

Patients with C. auris BSI had longer lengths of ICU stay than those with other candidemias, suggesting that infections are acquired during hospitalization. This is different from other Candida infections, which are usually thought to result from autoinfection with host flora.

     

污染土壤生态修复理论内涵的初步探讨

污染土壤修复的目的是转移或转化土壤中有毒有害污染物,消除或减弱污染物毒性,恢复或部分恢复土壤的生态服务功能.由于土壤污染大多属于复合污染,通常需要用多种方法联合修复污染土壤.用一种统一的方法涵盖多种修复方法,注重系统内在修复功能同外加修复功能的有机结合,以及土壤生态服务功能的全面恢复是污染土壤修复的发展趋势.本文据此提出了污染土壤生态修复的概念,并指出生态修复应该遵从生态学的3个原理和3个原则.在生态修复中,生物修复的作用十分重要,但不同方法之间的组合服从于工艺优化原则.人为强化、激活土壤系统的净化功能,并实现同外加净化功能的耦合,可使修复效率大大提高.生态因子调控是污染土壤修复的必要前提,是生态修复的基本特征,是强化修复效果的重要手段.生态修复应该具有协调性、高效性与稳定性特征.生态修复的最终目标是土壤生态功能的恢复,生态修复的基准应该根据土壤的生态功能建立.生态修复理论将在指导污染土壤修复的实践方面发挥重要作用.     

Toward a “Risk Index” to Assess Work Schedules

This article describes our preliminary attempt to develop a Risk Index to estimate the risk of human error on different work schedules based on trends in the relative risk of accidents and injuries, rather than on hypothetical intervening variables such as alertness, fatigue, or performance on interpolated tasks. We briefly review trends in risk from the published epidemiological studies that have ensured that the a priori risk was constant. A simple Risk Index based on an additive model is developed on the basis of these trends, and we illustrate how it may be used to assess work schedules. Finally, we compare the results from this Risk Index with those from the UK HSE's Fatigue Index and point out the discrepancies that emerge. We conclude that our risk-based modeling approach may assist in developing safer work schedules and also increase our understanding of this complex, multifaceted area.     

Exposure and Multiple Lines of Evidence Assessment of Risk for PCBs Found in the Diets of Passerine Birds at the Kalamazoo River Superfund Site,Michigan

Dietary exposures of passerine birds at the Kalamazoo River, Michigan, were examined due to the presence of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) in the terrestrial and aquatic food webs. Average potential daily doses in diets were 6- to 29-fold and 16- to 35-fold greater at a contaminated location than at a reference location for PCB exposures quantified as total PCBs and 2,3,7,8–tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin equivalents (TEQs), respectively. Birds with diets comprised of primarily aquatic insects had greater dietary exposure than birds with diets of primarily terrestrial insects. Risk associated with dietary exposure varied with the selection of the threshold for effects including hazard quotients, which exceeded 1 in instances where the most conservative toxicity reference values were utilized. Risk based on concentrations of PCBs in the tissues indicated little risk to avian species, and co-located studies evaluating reproductive health did not suggest that observed incidences of diminished reproductive success were related to PCB exposure. Measures of risk based on comparison to toxicity reference values (TRVs) were consistent with direct measures of ecologically relevant endpoints of reproductive fitness, but uncertainty exists in the selection of threshold values for effects in these species especially based on TEQs. This is largely due to the absence of species-specific, dose-response relationships. Therefore, the best estimate of risk is through the application of multiple lines of evidence.     

基于改进遥感生态指数的宁夏沿黄平原区生态环境质量评价

区域生态环境质量评价是国民经济建设与可持续性发展规划的基础，是生态学研究的主要方向之一。以土地利用/覆盖数据和Landsat OLI数据为基础，分别在ArcGIS和GEE平台上进行景观多样性指数（Landscape Diversity Index，LDI）与归一化植被指数（Normalized Difference Vegetation Index，NDVI）、湿度（Wet Index，WI）、归一化裸土和建筑指数（Normalized Difference Building-Soil Index，NDBSI）、遥感生态指数（Remote Sensing Based Ecological Index，RSEI）和改进遥感生态指数（Modified Remote Sensing Ecological Index，MRSEI）的计算。在LDI最佳尺度约束下分析表明，宁夏沿黄平原区景观多样性指数具有显著尺度依赖特征（P<0.001），阈值出现在3000 m×3000 m。主成分分析（Principal Component Analysis，PCA）解释了研究区改进遥感生态指数主要受到NDVI和LDI影响，其中NDVI是PC1（特征值贡献率68.98%）的决定因子，特征向量为0.8901；LDI为次要决定因子，特征向量为-0.4146，该分量在MRSEI计算中分值较高。LDI是PC2（特征值贡献率28.76%）的决定因子，特征向量为0.9100；NDVI为次要决定因子，特征向量为0.4056，该分量在MRSEI计算中分值较低。从MRSEI在应用中可信性来看，其在分析中采用LDI替代LST有效地避免了RSEI分析中NDBSI和LST之间存在的生态学意义重复表达和多因子向量投影中的高度聚集。研究区空间异质性主要以"差"和"较差"级别分布在不同土地利用/覆盖类型交错区且以环绕研究区为主要特点。在"差"到"好"梯度上，斑块密度为减少趋势由8.3个/km²减少到5.9个/km²，而平均斑块面积呈增加趋势由0.120 km²增加到0.169 km²。综合来看宁夏沿黄平原区生态环境质量总体MRSEI值为0.0117刚好超过"较好"水平下限。     

Updating the “Risk Index”: A systematic review and meta-analysis of occupational injuries and work schedule characteristics

Fatigue is a major risk factor for occupational ‘accidents’ and injuries, and involves dimensions of physical, mental, and muscular fatigue. These dimensions are largely influenced by temporal aspects of work schedules. The “Risk Index” combines four fatigue-related components of work schedules to estimate occupational ‘accident’ and injury risk based on empirical trends: shift type (morning, afternoon/evening, night), length and consecutive number, and on-shift rest breaks. Since its first introduction in 2004, several additional studies have been published that allow the opportunity to improve the internal and external validity of the “Risk Index”. Thus, we updated the model’s estimates by systematically reviewing the literature and synthesizing study results using meta-analysis. Cochrane Collaboration directives and MOOSE guidelines were followed. We conducted systematic literature searches on each model component in Medline. An inverse variance approach to meta-analysis was used to synthesize study effect sizes and estimate between-studies variance (‘heterogeneity’). Meta-regression models were conducted to explain the heterogeneity using several effect modifiers, including the sample age and sex ratio. Among 3,183 initially identified abstracts, after screening by two independent raters (95–98% agreement), 29 high-quality studies were included in the meta-analysis. The following trends were observed: Shift type. Compared to morning shifts, injury risk significantly increased on night shifts (RR = 1.36 [95%CI = 1.15–1.60], n = 14 studies), while risk was slightly elevated on afternoon/evening shifts, although non-significantly (RR = 1.12 [0.76–1.64], n = 9 studies). Meta-regressions revealed worker’s age as a significant effect modifier: adolescent workers (≤ 20 y) showed a decreased risk on the afternoon/evening shift compared to both morning shifts and adult workers (p < 0.05). Number of consecutive shifts. Compared to the first shift in a block of consecutive shifts, risk increased exponentially for morning shifts (e.g., 4th: RR = 1.09 [0.90–1.32]; n = 6 studies) and night shifts (e.g., 4th: RR = 1.36 [1.14–1.62]; n = 8 studies), while risk on afternoon/evening shifts appeared unsystematic. Shift length. Injury risk rose substantially beyond the 9th hour on duty, a trend that was mirrored when looking at shift lengths (e.g., >12 h: RR = 1.34 [1.04–1.51], n = 3 studies). Rest breaks. Risk decreased for any rest break duration (e.g., 31–60 min: RR = 0.35 [0.29–0.43], n = 2 studies). With regards to time between breaks, risk increased with every additional half hour spent on the work task compared to the first 30 min (e.g., 90–119 min: RR = 1.62 [1.00–2.62], n = 3 studies). Rest break duration and interval seem to interact such that with increasing duration, the time between breaks becomes irrelevant. The updated “Risk Index”. All four components were combined to form the updated model and the relative risk values estimated for a variety of work schedules. The resulting “Risk Map” shows regions of highest risk when rest breaks are not taken frequently enough (i.e. <4 h) or are too short (i.e. <30 min), when shift length exceeds 11 h, and when work takes place during the night (particularly for >3 consecutive night shifts). The “Risk Index” is proposed as an empirical model to predict occupational ‘accident’ and injury risk based on the most recent data in the field, and can serve as a tool to evaluate hazards and maximize safety across different work schedules.     

Regional Index of Ecological Integrity: A need for sustainable management of natural resources

An ecosystem is a complex composition of physical, chemical and biological components. This complex system remains in a healthy state if the system can maintain the ecological equilibrium among its components. Anthropogenic disturbances are the prime stressors that affect this equilibrium through creating fragmentation, ecosystem sensitivity, loosening landscape connectivity and disrupting ecological integrity. As different types of ecosystem are interconnected, a comprehensive monitoring and evaluating criteria is needed for measuring its integrity at regional level for conservation planning. A Regional Index of Ecological Integrity can be a suitable approach for sustainable management of regional ecosystem. Therefore, this paper presents (i) the characteristics of ecological integrity, (ii) the spatial processes induced by anthropogenic stressors and (iii) an approach to develop a composite Regional Index of Ecological Integrity (RIEI). The prime objective is to establish a thought and a way to develop a composite index of ecological integrity at the regional level. Here, we demonstrate different compositional, structural and functional indicators/indices related to fragmentation, representativeness of protected area, ecosystem sensitivity, and landscape connectivity for the development of a Regional Index of Ecological Integrity (RIEI).