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.     

Distinguishing ecological engineering from environmental engineering

This paper uses complex system thinking to identify key peculiarities of ecological engineering. In particular it focuses on the distinction between the purpose-driven design of structures in environmental engineering and the natural process of self-organization characteristic of life, which needs to be integrated into ecological engineering.Conventional engineering addresses the problem of fabrication of an organized structure, say a road, which reflects a goal at the outset, as well as considerations external to the road. At the outset there is an essence of which the organized structure is a realization. This realization belongs to a certain type (apartment building, suspension bridge). The type is in relation to: (a) the expected contexts (e.g. housing in Manhattan, a bridge in rural Africa) and (b) location-specific socio-economic constraints (low/high economic budget). Conventional engineering does not question the goals of the selected plan and can only object to the feasibility of a proposed typology in a given context. Engineers deal with the challenge of the realization of a plan at a given point in space and time.The central dogma of biology identifies organisms as informationally-closed and this makes possible their use as machines. Ecological systems, on the contrary, are informationally-open. They cannot be used as machines to create functional structures, because they are becoming in time. For engineered structures to work it is usually required that there is (1) stability of system components; (2) admissibility of a workable context; (3) validity of purpose and concept. Ecologically-engineered structures challenge these requirements because of specificity of required environments and lability of system parts over the time the engineered structure functions. Other engineering is better if it achieves flexibility, but ecological engineering must be so flexible as to take on a looping character that updates the system to meet changing requirements. Accordingly, the original goals cannot be taken for granted later in the process of ecological engineering. Ecological engineering has to be a flexible iterative process of design, in which the designer must continually update goals, essences, typologies and processes of realization.     

滩地林业生态工程与钉螺孳生关系的研究

研究表明,草滩钉螺密度与淹水时间呈正相关,淹水时间与林木生长性能呈负相关．淹水期每增加１天,钉螺密度上升２２６９个·ｈｍ－２．滩地实施抑螺林业生态工程３年后钉螺密度下降８４％．     

米草生态工程加环效益能值分析

根据生态工程加环原理,在互花米草生态工程(Spartina alterniflora Ecological Engineering,SAEE)基础上设计一个深度开发的增益环,选取天然植物纤维与互花米草提取物——生物矿质液(Biological Mineral Liquid,BML)共同制成降脂胶囊,并应用能值分析的方法对SAEE+胶囊的加环设计(SAE Eand Capsule SAEEC)进行了经济、生态、社会复合效益评估,与SAEE相比,加环设计(SAEEC)的经济投入增加,能值投资比率(Emergy investment ratio,EIR)是SAEE的1．37倍;经济收益是SAEE的2．13倍,经济收益产投比是SAEE的1．46倍;净能值效益(Netemergy yield,NEY)是SAEE的3．18倍,净能值产出率(Evaergy yield ratio,EYR)是SAEE的2．20倍,经济效益和生态效益均得到提高,体现了生态工程加环增益的基本设计原则。     

Concepts and methods of ecological engineering

Ecological engineering was defined as the practice of joining the economy of society to the environment symbiotically by fitting technological design with ecological self design. The boundary of ecological engineering systems includes the ecosystems that self organize to fit with technology, whereas environmental engineering designs normally stop at the end of the pipe. For example, the coastal marsh wildlife sanctuary at Port Aransas, Texas, developed when municipal wastewaters were released on bare sands. The energy hierarchy concept provides principles for planning spatial and temporal organization that can be sustained. Techniques of ecological engineering are given with examples that include maintaining biodiversity with multiple seeding, experimental mesocosms, enclosed systems with people like Biosphere 2, wetland filtration of heavy metals, overgrowth and climax ecosystems, longitudinal succession, exotics, domestication of ecosystems, closing material cycles, and controlling water with vegetation reflectance.     

资源生态化利用中的生物加工过程

自然的生态系统目前正受到现代生产方式的严重挑战,其结果造成能源短缺,资源匮乏,环境污染等问题,对人类生存构成危机。人类需要一种遵循地球生态系统规律的,自然与社会环境协调发展的生态化超现代化生产方式。其核心技术是资源生态化利用。对资源生态化系统中宏观的、介观的和微观的化学和生化过程问题进行初步探讨：宏观尺度上的生态平衡、物质与能量的循环转化,介观尺度上物种进化、繁殖与死亡,生物食物铁的形成,微观尺度上生物体内代谢过程中的物质转化与传递等。资源利用生态化的基础是生物加工过程,因此实现资源生态化利用不仅要效法自然的生态系统,还要注重现代工程技术、现代生物技术在生态化系统应用中理论和技术的创新。合理利用生物加工过程可以解决人类面临的资源、能源、环境与健康等重大问题,并实现可持续发展。     

用生态工程技术控制农村非点源水污染

非点源污染的本质是农村生态系统的严重失调,生态工程技术是进行流域生态修复,强化物质循环的有效方法,非点源污染的治理策略有控制径流污染和控制源头污染两个方面。本文介绍了多水塘系统,植被缓冲带,湿地系统,生态农业、坡面生态工程和污染物生态处理6种生态治理技术,它们的有机结合可形成控制非点源污染的流域生态工程,执行时,应该因地制宜,还要加强资金、管理和教育的投入。     

From a civil engineering project to an ecological engineering project: An historical perspective from the Mont Saint Michel bay (France)

Because of an excess of sedimentation due to natural and anthropogenic causes, the Mont Saint Michel (France) is becoming less frequently surrounded by seawater during high tide events. This prestigious monument and its bay have both been recognized by multiple national and international institutions for cultural and ecological richness. Diverse human activities such as tourism, fisheries, and farming also occupy the Mont Saint Michel Bay. The French government has been faced with a challenge of preserving the integrity of the bay, while restoring the ‘insularity’ of what used to be an island, the Mont Saint Michel. The objective of this paper is primarily to demonstrate how environmental scientists and ecologists influenced a typical civil engineering project and modified it into a civil/ecological engineering project, more respectful of both environment and human interests. To achieve this objective, we first retrace the formation of the Mont Saint Michel Bay, under both geological and historical perspectives, to provide the necessary background for the understanding of the actual restoration project. Some of the first projects that were proposed were designed to destroy the area of salt marshes that surrounded the Mont Saint Michel, with no consideration for the ecological integrity of the site. We conclude by presenting the current project in which France will invest over 130 million USD in the next few years. If this final project cannot be recognized truly as an ecological engineering project, it has the merit of being a compromise between various partnerships which have been debating for more than a century.     

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.     

区域生态服务价值对土地利用变化的响应——以重庆市沙坪坝区为例

土地利用通过生态进程与服务间的相互作用影响生态系统提供的产品与服务.本研究以重庆市沙坪坝区为例,采用GIS与实地调查,运用Costanza等提出的生态服务价值系数,结合敏感度分析,探讨了区域生态服务价值对土地利用变化的响应.结果表明,重庆市沙坪坝区在1992～2002年间生态服务价值从1.74×10⁷ ＄降低到1.68×10⁷ ＄,净损失5.40×10⁵ ＄,平均土地净损失生态服务价值13.62＄·hm^-2;赋予各种土地利用类型生态服务价值系数的大小对区域总的生态服务价值变化影响不明显,其变化趋于相对稳定;耕地、林地和园地生物量生态服务价值系数总和接近于区域真实值,水域生态服务价值系数偏大,调整30%为每年5 667＄·hm^-2,更接近于真实值;运用现状数据库、变更数据库和Costanza模型估算区域土地利用变化导致生态服务价值变化切实可行,可为区域土地利用效益评价及土地利用规划提供借鉴.     

Emergence and development of agro-ecological engineering in China

Chinese agricultural eco-engineering is a newborn scientific field which emerged in the practices of sustainable development of agriculture. Based on the discussion of the emergence and development of China’s agricultural eco-engineering, this paper analyzes the characteristics and components of the system. As a case study, the paper introduces the application of ecotechnology and its comprehensive effect in Baiquan county, Helingjiang province, China.     

农作物秸秆体外发酵营养特性及其组合利用研究

采用体外产气技术,研究了不同粗饲料及其组合的体外发酵特性,探讨了合理利用不同粗饲料的有效途径.结果表明,玉米秸秆青贮后其理论最大产气量及产气速率比玉米秸分别高19.1%和8.2%.组合秸秆的理论产气量及产气速率要高于单一秸秆,发酵48 h后,组合秸秆的产气量可获得显著的正组合效应.可以认为,青贮玉米秸秆及不同粗饲料间进行组合可有效提高其营养特性.粗料间进行组合时,以青贮玉米秸与小麦秸或稻秆按25∶75和50∶50的比例组合较为适宜.     

雨水回收利用生态工程及其应用——以中国科学院研究生院怀柔新校区为例

为了节约北京市的水资源,减少雨水中所携带的污染物排放对环境造成的污染,结合中国科学院研究生院怀柔新校区即将建设的实际工程,对怀柔区的自然环境特征进行了调查,并根据现有校园规划设计方案,对园区内水量平衡进行计算,在最大化收集雨水和剩余中水的基础上,得出为保持园区内水量平衡,每月所需补充或外排的水量。同时,基于水量平衡表所得出的园区内水量较为丰富的结果,采用了自然回收净化、部分间接利用的雨水回收利用生态工程,并提出雨水回收利用流程的方案:针对校园内不同汇水面上的雨水质量不同的特点,分别对它们设计了不同的回收方法,使之最终汇入园区内的景观水系。景观水体中的水通过景观水处理装置进行循环处理,保证水的质量。灌溉绿化及清洗道路可直接抽取景观水使用。应用雨水回收生态工程取得了很好的生态效益与社会效益,既节约了水资源,又可以补充地下水源,防洪减排,还能减少雨水所携带的污染物对环境的破坏。     

论转基因林木的潜在生态风险性

基因工程技术为加快林木遗传改良进程开辟了一条崭新的途径．由于林木栽培环境复杂、生产周期长、经营管理粗放,且主要为风媒传粉植物等原因,与集约化程度较高的农作物相比,转基因林木环境释放及推广的潜在生态风险性更大．如转基因林木大量种植可加速该树种遗传多样性水平降低,导致遗传脆弱性;转基因林木的长期持续强选择压力作用导致害虫、病菌协同进化;外源基因逃逸有可能使非转基因植物的生态适合度增强或降低,进而影响到自然界的物种多样性等。     

Growth of corn in saline waters

Eight cultivars of Zea mays plus the wild species Zea diploperennis were screened for seedling saline tolerance up to 3.2% NaCl. The best performances were given by the cultivars Mo 17 and commercial Hawaiian Super Sweet Hybrid. These two were then field grown on coral-cinder beds using drip irrigation with fresh of half-strength sea water (1.5–1.7% dissolved solids). Growth and chemical data for Mo 17 at 12 weeks show reduced growth but the same percentage dry matter. Ash, protein and total sulfur were higher in saline plants, silica and total phosphorus lower. Na, K. Mg, and Cl were elevated and Ca reduced slightly. Fe was also increased in saline plants. Both Mo 17 and Super Sweet Hybrid corn flowered and produced seed which retained essentially normal viability both in fresh and salt water.     

夏玉米水分利用效率的时空变化规律研究

通过小区试验,本实验在不同生育阶段控水条件下,对玉米不分利用效率（ＷＵＥ）的时空变化规律进行研究。同雄期是玉米的需水关键期,该时期控制供水较充分,供水减产１８．２％,ＷＵＥ减小１６．８％灌浆期适度控水有利于节水增产。拔节期供水对作物株高和干物质积累影响明显,拔节期耗水量对玉米产量形成重要。     

德清县生态农业建设综合评价

应用综合指数法对德清县1990～1998年的生态农业建设进行综合评价。结果显示德清县生态农业系统的综合效益及资源利用、生态、经济和社会功能效益都呈上升趋势,其中1998年的综合效益指数比1990年提高了1．36倍．各效益指数在上升过程中出现波动,说明德清县生态农业建设还存在一些不足,尤其是农村产业结构调整、乡镇企业污染、系统稳定性等有待进一步改善．     

湖泊富营养化治理的生态工程

1996年对长春南湖的富营养化实施了生治理工作,调查结果表明,通过收获水生高等植物和鱼产品带出湖体的P量分别为149．6和189．9kg,通过蚌体生长固定的P量为153.4kg,三者合计492.9kg,与湖体会年P输入量大体持平,生态工程运转后,水质明显好转,湖水中的总P浓度逐年下降,浮游植物个体密度减小,种类数增加,生态工程是城市湖泊富营养化治理较为理想的方法。     

福建省生态足迹和生态承载力的动态变化

利用生态足迹理论,计算分析了福建省1999～2003年5年间的生态足迹变化过程.结果表明,福建省人均生态足迹由1999年的1.428 hm²上升至2003年的1.658 hm²,人均生态承载力由1999年的0.683 hm²减少到2003年的0.607 hm²,生态赤字逐年提高,生态足迹与生态承载力之间的矛盾加剧,生态环境处于不安全状态.生态足迹供需结构分析表明,福建省人均生态足迹供需存在严重的不平衡,其需求以草地和化石燃料为主,两者占总量的55.74%～63.43%,而供给以耕地为主,草地仅占人均生态承载力的0.77%～0.82%,化石燃料的供给几乎为零.5年间万元GDP生态足迹总体上呈下降趋势,表明福建省的资源利用率不断提高.与此同时,结合福建省经济发展现状和资源分布特点,提出了减少区域生态赤字的对策.     

秸秆覆盖和灌溉对冬小麦农田光能利用率的影响

研究了秸秆覆盖和灌溉对冬小麦农田光能利用率的影响.结果表明,秸秆覆盖降低了冬小麦的基本苗、分蘖数及生育前期的叶面积指数,但到生育后期,覆盖处理的叶面积指数反而升高.覆盖和灌溉降低了光合有效辐射（PAR）的底层透射率和冠层反射率,使PAR总截获率升高.覆盖和灌溉主要增加了40～60 cm高度的PAR截获率.覆盖处理籽粒光能利用率降低,茎叶光能利用率和总光能利用率升高.