Effect of ecological engineering on the nutrient content of surface sediments in Lake Taihu, China

Ecological engineering was carried out in Meiliang Bay of Lake Taihu beginning in 2003 in order to improve water quality. There were two main objectives: to improve the growth environment for macrophytes, and to restore macrophyte assemblages. We examined surface sediments once per month beginning in April 2005 to study the response of sediment nutrient content to the ecological engineering. Average total nitrogen (TN) and total phosphorus (TP) concentrations in the surface sediments were 7043 and 1370 mg kg⁻¹, respectively, in May 2005, while after 1 year, TN concentration was reduced to 2929 mg kg⁻¹ and TP concentration was reduced to 352 mg kg⁻¹. We conclude that ecological engineering can lower the nutrient content in surface sediments when it is used to improve water quality.     

Ecological engineering: First steps towards economic analysis

Ecosystems fulfill a large number of ecological and economic functions. Increasing economic activity and population pressure are threatening the quality of ecosystems, and strengthen the need for ecological engineering. In this article some of the economic aspects of ecological engineering are discussed. In particular, the various methods to establish the economic costs and benefits of ecological engineering. For benefit estimation various methods are developed, including the contingent valuation method, the hedonic pricing method, the travel cost method and the shadow project method. The economic background, and the applicability and appropriateness of these methods are discussed. Next, the results of several studies on wetland valuation are shortly presented. It is concluded that the full socio-economic assessment of ecological engineering is still to be developed, and that further cooperation between ecologists and economists is required to make progress in this field that is rapidly gaining importance in policy making, both at the European and the global level.     

Evaluation of chronic toxicities from sediments before and after ecological project in Meiliang Bay, Lake Taihu, using cell bioassays

An ecological project for water purification was conducted in Meiliang Bay, Lake Taihu, which supplies one-third of the drinking water for Wuxi City, China. Sediment dredging was employed. The floating-leaf and floating macrophytes were planted, combined with wave-attenuating, algal bloom blocking to improve the water quality. At the same time, large amounts of fish net were placed in the experimental zone, to which massive periphytes adhere. To evaluate the effectiveness of remediation, many studies were based on chemical analysis or acute toxicity test. In this study, chronic toxicities before and after the ecological project in Meiliang Bay, Lake Taihu, China, were evaluated based on a battery of in vitro bioassays, including EROD bioassay, recombined yeast assay, as well as umu test for detection of Ah-receptor (AhR) agonists, estrogenic chemicals and genotoxic chemicals, respectively. Before remediation, AhR effect, estrogenic effect and indirect genotoxicity were all detected in sediments of Meiliang Bay, Taihu Lake. After amelioration, levels of AhR agonists decreased by 42.3–80.7%, estrogenic chemicals decreased by 71.6–93.9% and indirect genotoxic chemicals decreased by 23.2–75.0%. Results showed that the ecological project effectively removed the chronic toxicants from the sediments.     

Genetic diversity and population structure of Elytrigia pycnantha (Godr.) (Triticeae) in Mont Saint-Michel Bay using microsatellite markers

During the last decade, an invasive wheatgrass species (Elytrigia pycnantha) has colonized the low salt marshes of the Mont Saint Michel Bay resulting in an accelerated change in the vegetation. This study was conducted using microgeographical genetic diversity in order to understand the genetic structure of this invasive and clonal species. Genetic variation and population structure of fifteen populations collected in high and low marsh habitats around the Bay were analyzed using five microsatellite loci. Because E. pycnantha is an allohexaploid, the application of standard genetic diversity statistics was not possible; we chose to summarize genetic diversity using statistics calculated from banding phenotypes. The mean number of alleles per locus was 10.2, the mean number of different alleles per sample was 6.87. The mean number of allelic phenotypes across all populations was 7.21. The mean value of genetic diversity for the species, calculated as the average number of alleles by which pairs of individuals differ, was H's = 1.91 and H't = 2.04. Little genetic differentiation among populations was detected (0.067). The association between pairwise genetic differentiation and geographic distances exhibited no evidence for isolation by distance. A geographical pattern of population differentiation, where a single population GI was clearly separated from the remaining population groups (considered as a metapopulation), was revealed by principal component analysis (PCA), and we propose that this is because GI represents a new genotype.     

Soft shoreline engineering survey of ecological effectiveness

Historically, many urban waterfront shorelines were stabilized using hard shoreline engineering to protect developments from flooding and erosion, or to accommodate commercial navigation or industry. Today, there is growing interest in developing shorelines using ecological principles and practices that enhance habitat and improve aesthetics, while at the same time reducing erosion, providing stability, and ensuring shoreline safety (i.e., soft shoreline engineering). In 2008-2009, a survey of 38 soft shoreline engineering projects in the Detroit River-western Lake Erie watershed was conducted. In total, $17.3 million (combined U.S. and Canadian currency) was spent on these projects. Of the 38 projects implemented, six (16%) had some quantitative assessment of ecological effectiveness, while the remaining 32 lacked monitoring or only had qualitative assessment through visual inspection. Key lessons learned include: involve habitat experts at the initial stages of waterfront planning; establish broad-based goals with quantitative targets to measure project success; ensure multidisciplinary project support; start with demonstration projects and attract partners; treat habitat modification projects as experiments that promote learning; involve citizen scientists, volunteers, and universities in monitoring, and obtain post-project monitoring commitments up front in project planning; measure benefits and communicate successes; and promote education and outreach, including public events that showcase results and communicate benefits.     

粤港澳大湾区水生态修复及展望

水是生态系统物质循环和能量流动的重要纽带,水生态系统修复在区域生态系统修复中起到关键作用。粤港澳大湾区剧烈人类活动对江河湖库生态系统造成破坏和干扰,江河湖库污染严重,水生物减少,导致流域水生态服务功能退化甚至丧失;从生态修复科学内涵出发,判断湾区水生态系统健康状况已处于非生物控制跃迁阈值之下;针对该形势,从工程建设、水环境治理、空间规划和管理机制四个方面,梳理湾区近期开展的与水生态修复相关的水生态文明建设、水污染防治行动计划、水生态空间划定和推进河长制等工作,并对其中用到的技术、指标和制度进行条理;然后以茅洲河流域综合治理和广东万里碧道作为水生态修复的点、面代表,从水生态修复的整体目标、采用的技术措施、效果评价的指标体系和管理制度方法等方面分析当前的工作现状;总结湾区现状水生态修复工作,认为湾区水生态系统的非生物修复阶段基本结束;基于生态系统修复理论结合湾区江河湖库生态系统特点,提出适合湾区的水生态修复框架,讨论水生态系统修复面临的问题和未来工作的展望,为大湾区水生态修复提供直接依据。     

Ecological engineering: A field whose time has come

Ecological engineering is defined as “the design of sustainable ecosystems that integrate human society with its natural environment for the benefit of both.” It involves the restoration of ecosystems that have been substantially disturbed by human activities such as environmental pollution or land disturbance; and the development of new sustainable ecosystems that have both human and ecological value. While there was some early discussion of ecological engineering in the 1960s, its development was spawned later by several factors, including loss of confidence in the view that all pollution problems can be solved through technological means and the realization that with technological means, pollutants are just being moved from one form to another. Conventional approaches require massive amounts of resources to solve these problems, and that in turn perpetuates carbon and nitrogen cycle problems, for example. The development of ecological engineering was given strong impetus in the last decade with a textbook, the journal Ecological Engineering and two professional ecological engineering societies. Five principles about ecological engineering are: (1) It is based on the self-designing capacity of ecosystems; (2) It can be the acid test of ecological theories; (3) It relies on system approaches; (4) It conserves non-renewable energy sources; and (5) It supports biological conservation. Ecology as a science is not routinely integrated into engineering curricula, even in environmental engineering programs, while shortcoming, ecologists, environmental scientists, and managers miss important training in their profession—problem solving. These two problems could be solved in the integrated field of ecological engineering.     

全球四大湾区生态环境综合评价研究

全球四大湾区既是经济发达区,也是生态环境脆弱区,对全球可持续发展至关重要。粤港澳大湾区的生态环境问题正在限制其可持续发展,有碍于全面建成国际一流湾区目标的实现。然而,过去的研究对生态环境方面关注较少,缺少湾区生态环境综合评价体系的构建。通过综合国内外统计和遥感多源数据,建立四大湾区生态环境评价数据库;围绕生态质量,环境质量和资源利用效率建立指标体系,构建湾区生态环境综合评价指数。结果表明:2015年,生态环境综合评价,东京湾区>旧金山湾区>纽约湾区>粤港澳大湾区;生态质量,纽约湾区>旧金山湾区>粤港澳大湾区>东京湾区;环境质量,旧金山湾区>东京湾区>纽约湾区>粤港澳大湾区;资源利用效率,东京湾区>旧金山湾区>纽约湾区>粤港澳大湾区。2005—2015年,粤港澳大湾区环境质量增速缓慢,在生态质量和资源利用效率增幅排名首位。旧金山湾区和纽约湾区优势在生态和环境质量,短板在资源利用效率;东京湾区在资源利用效率方面优势明显,短板在生态质量;综合来看,粤港澳大湾区与其他湾区都存在差距。研究建议粤港澳大湾区从生态空间、生态环境...     

莱州湾地区防治海水入侵灾害的农田生态工程试验研究

针对莱州湾地区面临的干旱缺水、海水入侵严重、土地生产力下降的严峻现状,在莱州和寿光两地进行了以良种选育、结构调整、轮作套种、地膜覆盖、节水灌溉、改土培肥和林农间作等技术为主的农田生态工程试验示范研究,取得了显着生态效益和经济效益。为防治海水入侵灾害,实现农业可持续发展,建立了可供借鉴的典型样板.     

Ecological engineering, design, and construction considerations for marsh restorations in Delaware Bay, USA

Public Service Electric & Gas of New Jersey is restoring approximately 4050 ha of salt marsh along Delaware Bay, USA, to offset possible effects on fish populations in the Bay from their existing once-through cooling system. Planning for this effort started with addressing three questions: Do marshes contribute significantly to fish production? How much marsh produces how much fish? Which marshes should be restored? There is ample evidence that salt marshes produce fish. The area of marsh necessary to offset potential losses was calculated from a simple aggregated food chain model and multiplied by four to provide a comfort level to the regulatory agencies. Marshes chosen for restoration were former salt marshes at appropriate tidal elevations. Planning involved experts in marsh ecology, hydrology, and engineering working with the company and regulatory agencies to establish clearly defined goals for the project. Design followed the advice of the experts and construction was overseen to follow the design. Long-term follow up is through adaptive management that is scheduled to continue for about a decade, depending upon progress of the restoration toward its goals.     

Forest reconstruction as ecological engineering

Land restoration involves reconstruction of the native biota in a sustainable form. If reconstruction involves deliberate manipulation of biological organisms and the physical-chemical environment to achieve specific human goals, it qualifies as ecological engineering. Restoration which uses natural processes to achieve endpoints which are unpredictable but can be accepted because they are “natural” is not ecological engineering. In Japan a system of forest reconstruction has been developed which is based on knowledge of the potential vegetation of a site, knowledge of the methods of germination and growth of the species which compose the mature vegetation and a method of site preparation and planting. This ecological engineering approach has been used on 285 sites, in a variety of habitats, to form dense stands of vegetation to hide industrial complexes, control visual, noise and chemical pollution, stabilize soil and beaches and provide urban green space. The technique has also been used to restore tropical rain forest.     

The emergence of ecological engineering as a discipline

Pioneering efforts in ecological engineering (a precedent setting engineering and applied science discipline in which the self-engineering capabilities of ecosystems are managed for the benefit of the environment and humankind) research and practice have proven to be tremendous strides toward establishing a new engineering discipline with a science base in ecology. Case studies, demonstrations and applications pertaining to restoration, rehabilitation, conservation, sustainability, reconstruction, remediation and reclamation of ecosystems using ecological engineering techniques are numerous. This has brought the field to the current level where many scientists and engineers adequately support the concept of, and need for, ecological engineering, and generally agree that ecological engineering has been sufficiently defined. There is also general agreement that full emergence as an engineering discipline remains a difficult task. Certain general characteristics of existing engineering disciplines can guide the emergence of ecological engineering and thus are a vital context covered in this paper. From the context of engineering practice, three concepts are evident including: (1) establishment of formal foundations for ecological engineering research and development; (2) development of core ecological engineering sciences and curricula; and (3) certification in ecological design. These elements are important components of a formal approach to develop ecological engineering as a principled, quantitative, recognized, practical, novel, and formal engineering discipline that coalesces past and future research and practice into cohesive underpinnings.     

Multi-level assessment of ecological coastal restoration in South Texas

Adaptive management can be a very useful tool for assessing and improving coastal ecological engineering restoration projects. A shoreline restoration project using ecological engineering approaches to mitigate coastal erosion was developed and implemented in 2003 at Loyola Beach, Baffin Bay, TX. The project incorporated riprap, fiber matting, geotextile, and vegetation as an alternative to conventional hard structures for erosion control. As part of the restoration expansion, a detailed evaluation of the previous project was completed at several levels, including the landscape, geotechnical design, environmental and ecological considerations, and social and economic factors. The findings indicated that the vegetation and its underlying geotechnical integrity have played an important role in erosion mitigation. Overall the project was successful in the protection of the shoreline and was shown to be more ecologically beneficial than other hard structures. Based on the preliminary success of the initial project, the restoration techniques were adapted for another beach extension to the west. The assessment did reveal some weaknesses in the original project design including the need for more substantial toe protection and periodic maintenance requirements. Based on these assessments, some additional new methods for the restoration extension were proposed and implemented. The broader applicability of this restoration approach outside the local region has been presented through several outreach activities and delivered to coastal planners and land owners throughout the Texas Coastal Bend and Northern Mexico.     

国内外主要湾区生态系统特征、修复理论与技术模式

通过总结粤港澳大湾区、东京湾区和旧金山湾区等国内外主要湾区的生态系统特征、生态修复理论和实践研究进展,在辨析生态修复概念内涵的基础上,基于Meta-Analysis及综合分析方法,分析了生态系统退化机制及驱动因子,归纳总结湾区生态修复的主要理论基础、技术模式及案例。结果表明:(1)国内外三大主要湾区的生态系统特征为森林占比最高,其次是农田和草地占比,城镇占比第三。森林一般分布在湾区外围,城镇分布在湾区内核河口三角洲附近。(2)湾区生态修复理论包括以恢复生态学、景观生态学和复合生态系统生态学为基础的三种修复理论,生态修复的类别分为补救修复、改善修复、生态恢复和复垦等。(3)湾区生态修复技术模式包括主动修复、被动修复和重建等三类技术模式。在总结梳理生态修复理论和技术模式的基础上,结合当前国内生态修复存在问题,本文提出我国和广东省开展生态修复实践的建议和展望,以期为粤港澳大湾区生态修复提供一定的理论指导。     

林业生态工程措施对滨海盐碱地草本植物的影响

林业生态工程是当前国内滨海盐碱地生态改良的重要措施,这一措施对滨海盐碱地的自然生态系统产生了一定的影响。为揭示林业生态工程措施对滨海盐碱地草本植物的影响,在杭州湾余姚段滨海盐碱地上,应用生态工程措施营造一条长约3.5km、宽约30m的人工林带,分别以林带两侧农田和荒地为对照,运用目测法和样方法,以盐生和耐盐草本植物的种类、物种-面积关系、频度、单位面积生物量、综合优势度比、丰富度、Pielou均匀度指数、Shannon指数和Simpson指数为指标,研究了滨海盐碱地不同处理的草本植物在群落结构和物种多样性上的差异。结果表明:研究区草本植物共有14科30属31种,不同处理的草本植物均以禾本科和菊科为主;与荒地和农田草本群落相比,林业生态工程改良带草本群落的物种数目没有显著变化,但种类组成有了显著的改变,最小面积显著扩大,群落结构复杂化,物种多样性有提高趋势;林业生态工程改良区生境过滤作用发挥着主要作用,而物种间的竞争排斥作用还不明显。林业生态工程措施有效地改变了滨海盐碱地原生草本植物的群落结构和物种多样性,促使研究区草本植物进入一个新的演替进程,显示出较高的生态效益。     

Ecological engineering: A rationale for standardized curriculum and professional certification in the United States

The demand for engineering solutions to ecosystem–level problems has increased as the impact of human activities has expanded to global proportions. While the science of restoration ecology has been developed to address many critical ecosystem management issues, the high degree of complexity and uncertainty associated with these issues demands a more quantitative approach. Ecological engineering uses science-based quantification of ecological processes to develop and apply engineering-based design criteria for sustainable systems. We suggest that in the United States ecological engineering curricula should be offered at the graduate level and should require rigorous Accreditation Board of Engineering and Technology-accredited (or equivalent) undergraduate preparation in engineering fundamentals. In addition to strengthening students’ mastery of engineering theory and application, the graduate curriculum should provide core courses in ecosystem theory including quantitative ecology, systems ecology, restoration ecology, ecological engineering, ecological modeling, and ecological engineering economics. Advanced courses in limnology, environmental plant physiology, ecological economics, and specific ecosystem design should be provided to address students’ specific professional objectives. Finally, professional engineering certification must be developed to insure the credibility of this new engineering specialization.     

Redefining ecological engineering to promote its integration with sustainable development and tighten its links with the whole of ecology

Ecological engineering was defined several decades ago, both in the academic field and in management. However, ecological engineering seems to be re-emerging as an academic field and as a cornerstone concept in French ecologists’ writings. I first summarize Barbault and Pavé's [Barbault, R., Pavé, A., 2003. Territoire de l’écologie et écologie des territoires. In: Caseau, P. (Ed.), Etudes sur l’environnement: de l’échelle du territoire à celle du continent, Tec et Doc Lavoisier, Paris, pp. 1–49] point of view on why ecological engineering now seems rehabilitated in France. I next propose a definition of ecological engineering, in accordance with the two reasons for its French re-emergence, i.e. the prevalence of the concept of sustainable development and the development of applied ecological sub-disciplines. This leads us to suggest that ecological engineering should be ecological in the broad sense, and not only targeted to the ecosystem level. I end the paper by discussing some problems and characteristics of ecological engineering that stem from this definition.     

Integrating hardware, software and mindware for sustainable ecosystem development: Principles and methods of ecological engineering in China

Grounded in human ecological philosophy, ecological engineering in China seeks to find an alternative way to realize sustainable development at ecosystem level through total metabolism of resources, systematic coupling of technologies and cultivation of people's behavior. Here the key is integration of ‘hardware’, ‘software’ and ‘mindware’. Eight design principles of ecological engineering based on eco-cybernetics are discussed, which fall into three categories: competition, symbiosis and self-reliance. The fundamental tasks of ecological engineering are to develop a sustainable ecosystem through the integrative planning of its structure, function and processes by encouraging totally functioning technology, systematically responsible institutions and ecologically vivid culture. A campaign of ecological engineering development in China is introduced, including 29 national comprehensive experimental communities for sustainable development, 51 pilot studies of eco-county development, and 100 ecological demonstration districts. Some fruitful theoretical and applied results have been gained and the case of Dafeng eco-county development is introduced.     

Genome‐scale engineering for systems and synthetic biology

Genome‐modification technologies enable the rational engineering and perturbation of biological systems. Historically, these methods have been limited to gene insertions or mutations at random or at a few pre‐defined locations across the genome. The handful of methods capable of targeted gene editing suffered from low efficiencies, significant labor costs, or both. Recent advances have dramatically expanded our ability to engineer cells in a directed and combinatorial manner. Here, we review current technologies and methodologies for genome‐scale engineering, discuss the prospects for extending efficient genome modification to new hosts, and explore the implications of continued advances toward the development of flexibly programmable chasses, novel biochemistries, and safer organismal and ecological engineering.     

山水林田湖草沙一体化保护和修复工程综合成效评估技术框架

我国实施了诸多生态保护修复工程,取得了显著成效。然而,以往工程多以湿地、森林、草原等单一类型的生态系统为保护修复目标,缺乏区域整体性、系统性考虑。2016年以来,我国开始从完整流域的视角出发,系统考虑生态系统完整性、自然地理单元连续性和社会经济可持续性,实施山水林田湖草沙一体化保护和修复工程。该类工程保护修复目标多样、内容庞杂,因而成效评估面临子项目类型多、空间尺度多、目标维度多、项目实施周期短等诸多挑战。就空间尺度而言,评估对象既要涵盖常规评估中相对较大的、确定的空间范围,也要涵盖具有相对类似生态问题或目标的保护修复单元,以及实际采取措施的子项目;就时间尺度而言,既要考虑工程实施结束时的成效,也要考虑实施结束后的成效动态;就评估内容而言,既要关注社会、生态、经济效益,也要考察工程措施与生态效应之间的关系、不同类型子项目的关联性与协同性、工程的整体性与系统性。研究基于上述背景制定了一个新型评估框架,重点强调基于子项目、保护修复单元以及工程范围三个尺度的指标体系,以及生态、社会、经济、管理四个方面的评估内容。新的评估框架将有助于完善山水林田湖草沙一体化保护和修复工程标准体系,为推进国土空...