Measuring the impacts of community-based grasslands management in Mongolia's Gobi

We assessed a donor-funded grassland management project designed to create both conservation and livelihood benefits in the rangelands of Mongolia's Gobi desert. The project ran from 1995 to 2006, and we used remote sensing Normalized Differential Vegetation Index data from 1982 to 2009 to compare project grazing sites to matched control sites before and after the project's implementation. We found that the productivity of project grazing sites was on average within 1% of control sites for the 20 years before the project but generated 11% more biomass on average than the control areas from 2000 to 2009. To better understand the benefits of the improved grasslands to local people, we conducted 280 household interviews, 8 focus group discussions, and 31 key informant interviews across 6 districts. We found a 12% greater median annual income as well as a range of other socioeconomic benefits for project households compared to control households in the same areas. Overall, the project generated measurable benefits to both nature and people. The key factors underlying project achievements that may be replicable by other conservation projects include the community-driven approach of the project, knowledge exchanges within and between communities inside and outside the country, a project-supported local community organizer in each district, and strong community leadership.     

The formal darwinism project in outline: response to commentaries

The broader context for the formal darwinism project established by two of the commentators, in terms of reconciling the Modern Synthesis with Darwinian arguments over design and in terms of links to other types of selection and design, is discussed and welcomed. Some overselling of the project is admitted, in particular of whether it claims to consider all organic design. One important fundamental question raised in two commentaries is flagged but not answered of whether design is rightly represented by an optimisation program, and another from one commentary of whether the coreplicon dissolves in the face of multi-generational imprinting. Calls for the project to be extended to design at levels above and below the individual are considered sympathetically, but judged impractical at the high level of abstraction of the project. All claims of substantive technical error are emphatically rejected. Close technical readings are welcomed that, among other things, represent the project as 'axiomatizing fitness'. The prospects for the project are set out in the light of this highly varied set of commentaries.     

Convergence of multisensory inputs in Xenopus tadpole tectum

The integration of multisensory information takes place in the optic tectum where visual and auditory/mechanosensory inputs converge and regulate motor outputs. The circuits that integrate multisensory information are poorly understood. In an effort to identify the basic components of a multisensory integrative circuit, we determined the projections of the mechanosensory input from the periphery to the optic tectum and compared their distribution to the retinotectal inputs in Xenopus laevis tadpoles using dye‐labeling methods. The peripheral ganglia of the lateral line system project to the ipsilateral hindbrain and the axons representing mechanosensory inputs along the anterior/posterior body axis are mapped along the ventrodorsal axis in the axon tract in the dorsal column of the hindbrain. Hindbrain neurons project axons to the contralateral optic tectum. The neurons from anterior and posterior hindbrain regions project axons to the dorsal and ventral tectum, respectively. While the retinotectal axons project to a superficial lamina in the tectal neuropil, the hindbrain axons project to a deep neuropil layer. Calcium imaging showed that multimodal inputs converge on tectal neurons. The layer‐specific projections of the hindbrain and retinal axons suggest a functional segregation of sensory inputs to proximal and distal tectal cell dendrites, respectively. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Develop Neurobiol, 2009     

The role of trust in restoration success: public engagement and temporal and spatial scale in a complex social‐ecological system

The social dimensions of river restoration are not well understood especially in the context of large‐scale restoration projects embedded in a complex social‐ecological system. This study used in‐depth interviews with diverse stakeholders to examine perceptions of restoration success on the Clark Fork River Superfund project in Western Montana. Trust emerged as critical to restoration success and was influenced by public engagement, and by spatial and temporal scale. At this large scale, multiple relationships between agencies, NGOs, businesses, landowners, and other stakeholders meant that building trust was a complicated endeavor. The large spatial scale and long time frame made public engagement challenging, and landowners in particular were critical of the project, expressing mistrust in both agencies and the project as a whole. However, projects focused on smaller spatial scales, such as particular stream reaches, appeared to inspire more effective collaboration. Relationships between organizations were important at this large scale, but inter‐organizational conflict affected trust across the project. Further, because trust requires accepting vulnerability, recognizing the differential vulnerability that particular groups and communities experience, based on the risks and benefits they accrue relative to the project, is important.     

Evaluating Stream Restoration in the Chesapeake Bay Watershed through Practitioner Interviews

River restoration is an integral part of restoring the Chesapeake Bay. As part of the National River Restoration Science Synthesis (NRRSS), we conducted 47 independent interviews with stream restoration project managers randomly selected from a database of 4,700 projects in the Chesapeake Bay watershed. Here we present results from those interviews and characterize patterns in project goals, design, and expenditures, trends in project evaluation, and characterize project success as reported by interviewees. Interviewed practitioners reported that the majority of their projects were designed by private consultants. One‐third of projects were part of a watershed management plan and 70% were linked to other projects within the same watershed. Most interviewees considered their projects to be successful, and 76% of projects had conducted some form of project‐associated monitoring. Although most interviewees based their evaluation of success on observations or monitoring data, respondents indicated that very few projects had explicitly stated quantifiable project objectives within their design plans. Many interviewed practitioners specifically commented at the end of the surveys on the important role of stakeholder involvement and the need for initiatives to fund project monitoring.     

In Defence of the Vegan Project

The vegan project is defined as the project that strives for radical legal reform to pass laws that would reserve the consumption of animal products to a very narrow range of situations, resulting in vegan diets being the default diets for the majority of human beings. Two objections that have been raised against such a project are described. The first is that such a project would jeopardise the nutritional adequacy of human diets. The second is that it would alienate human beings from nature. It is argued that neither undermines the vegan project.     

River and Riparian Restoration in the Southwest: Results of the National River Restoration Science Synthesis Project

Restoration activity has exponentially increased across the Southwest since 1990. Over 37,000 records were compiled into the National River Restoration Science Synthesis (NRRSS) database to summarize restoration trends and assess project effectiveness. We analyzed data from 576 restoration projects in the Southwest (NRRSS‐SW). More than 50% of projects were less than or equal to 3 km in length. The most common restoration project intent categories were riparian management, water quality management, in‐stream habitat improvement, and flow modification. Common project activities were well matched to goals. Conservative estimates of total restoration costs exceeded $500 million. Most restoration dollars have been allocated to flow modification and water quality management. Monitoring was linked to 28% of projects across the Southwest, as opposed to just 10% nationwide. Mean costs were statistically similar whether or not projects were monitored. Results from 48 telephone interviews provided validation of NRRSS‐SW database analyses but showed that project costs are often underreported within existing datasets. The majority of interviewees considered their projects to be successful, most often based upon observed improvements to biota or positive public reaction rather than evaluation of field data. The efficacy of restoration is difficult to ascertain given the dearth of information contained within most datasets. There is a great need for regional entities that not only track information on project implementation but also maintain and analyze monitoring data associated with restoration. Agencies that fund or regulate restoration should reward projects that emphasize monitoring and evaluation as much as project implementation.     

Using the two-hybrid screen in the classroom laboratory

The National Science Foundation and others have made compelling arguments that research be incorporated into the learning of undergraduates. In response to these arguments, a two-hybrid research project was incorporated into a molecular biology course that contained both a lecture section and a laboratory section. The course was designed around specific goals for educational outcomes, including introducing research to a wide range of students, teaching students experimental design and data analysis, and enhancing understanding of course material. Additional goals included teaching students to search genomic databases, to access scientific articles, and to write a paper in scientific format. Graded events tested these goals, and a student evaluation indicated student perception of the project. According to our analysis of the data, the yeast two-hybrid screen was a success: several novel clones were identified; students met expectations on graded lab reports, the poster session, and the final paper; and evaluations indicated that students had achieved the outlined goals. Students indicated on the evaluations that the research project increased their interest in research and greatly improved understanding of the course material. Finally, several students in the course intend to submit the findings of the research project to an undergraduate research journal.     

退耕还林(草)工程对渭河流域生态系统服务的影响

退耕还林(草)工程作为中国启动的重要生态补偿项目,对维护国家生态安全起着关键作用,系统剖析退耕还林(草)工程对生态系统服务的影响,有助于为健全生态补偿制度提供借鉴。本研究以渭河流域为例,基于土地利用数据、气象数据等资料,在分析退耕还林(草)工程实施以来渭河流域土地利用和生态系统服务时空变化的基础上,运用Invest模型、地理加权回归等方法,探究退耕还林(草)工程对渭河流域水源涵养、土壤保持、碳储量、生境质量等生态系统服务变化的影响。结果表明: 退耕还林(草)工程实施以来,渭河流域林草覆盖率呈波动上升趋势,林草面积增加2704.49 km²。2000—2018年间,渭河流域水源涵养、土壤保持、碳储量、生境质量均呈波动上升趋势,其中,水源涵养和固碳服务增幅较大,生境质量和土壤保持增幅较小。退耕还林(草)工程有效提升了渭河流域的水源涵养、土壤保持、固碳、生境质量等生态系统服务,但对不同地域单元生态系统服务影响强度不同。     

Microenterprise in health care and health education

Over the last decade, development aid has increasingly used a more collaborative model, with donors and recipients both contributing ideas, methods and goals. Though many examples of collateral aid projects exist in agriculture, business administration and banking, few have found their way into health care and health education, a typically donor-dominated model. The following case report describes a collateral project in health care education. This case report analyzes data-inducing project proposals, personal interviews and project reports obtained through standard archival research methods. The setting for this joint project was the collaboration between international nongovernmental (NGO) aid foundations and the faculty of a major sub-Saharan African Medical School's Department of Anesthesia. The initial goal of this project was to improve record keeping for all anesthetic records, both in the operating theatres and outside. Analysis of the data was performed using ethnographic methods of constant comparative analysis. The purpose of the analysis was to critically evaluate both the goals and their results in the Department of Anesthesiology. The findings of this analysis suggested that results included not only quality assurance and improvement programs in the department but also advances in the use of critical incidents as teaching tools, hospital-wide drug and equipment utilization information and the initiation of an outreach program to district hospitals throughout the country for similar projects.     

赣州市山水林田湖草修复工程生态保护效益

山水林田湖草生态保护修复工程是国家为了实现自然资源整体保护、系统修复和综合治理,在全国范围内组织实施的重大工程。生态资产和生态系统生产总值(Gross Ecosystem Product, GEP)是评估生态保护效益的两项重要指标,能够客观反映修复工程对区域范围内生态系统状况的改善情况。以江西省赣州市为例,通过核算赣州市、工程区和非工程区的生态资产和GEP,并对比分析其核算结果,以探究山水林田湖草修复工程的生态保护效益,并对影响工程区内外GEP变化的主要因素进行分析,以从不同角度有效保护生态环境,为生态保护修复工程效益的长期发挥提供科学依据。结果如下：(1)生态资产方面,赣州市自然生态系统面积增加,生态系统质量整体趋于好转,生态资产综合指数上升了12.89%。其中,工程区自然生态系统面积增幅最大,为3.23%;非工程区生态系统质量提升最大,生物量和植被覆盖度分别提升了12.93%和2.08%。(2)GEP方面,赣州市GEP呈增长趋势。2015—2019年,赣州市、工程区和非工程区GEP分别增加了142.10、7.58、134.52亿元,增幅分别为1.38%、3.90%、1.33%。(3...     

上海大莲湖湖滨带湿地的生态修复

采用改变土地利用模式、水系改造和植被配置等技术开展了上海青浦大莲湖湿地修复示范工程。本文从2008年8月到2010年3月跟踪调查了土地利用方式、鸟类群落、两栖爬行类、水质等多类指标来对示范工程进行评估。结果表明,实验区生态系统的生境结构和生物多样性组成都发生了明显的变化。实验区内土地利用由主要以人工养殖鱼塘和林地为主的人工湿地(人工鱼塘占50%,林地占25%),转变为以开放性水域和乔灌草相结合的半自然状态下的自然湿地(明水面面积占30%,各类植被群落占50%,人工鱼塘完全消失),植被从只有片段化林地转变为乔木、灌木丛、草本植物及各类水生植物相结合的格局;工程后鸟类种类和数量均高于工程前(新纪录到11种鸟类),鸟类多样性指数和均匀性指数也有明显增加,其中目标鸟类——雁鸭类新增6种,种类和数量都呈显著增加;两栖爬行类种类变化不大,共记录到6科12种,但整体数量比工程前增长了59.1%;水质指标的变化也很突出,与工程前人工鱼塘相比,实验区内水体中总氮(TN)、硝态氮(NO3-N)、总磷(TP)、叶绿素a(Chla)、高锰酸钾指数(CODMn)等主要指标均有显著下降(P<0.05),水质改善显著。由此说明,修复工程改善了大莲湖湖滨带湿地的生态环境,生物多样性得到较好的恢复,呈现出良好的湿地修复效果。     

基于赤水河流域生态补偿的政府和社会资本合作项目风险识别与分担

赤水河流域为生态脆弱区域,现行的流域生态补偿机制存在补偿资金来源单一、总量不足且持续性较差、补偿方式较为单一等问题。将政府和社会资本合作（Public-Private Partnership,PPP）模式应用于建立赤水河流域生态补偿机制,有助于拓宽补偿资金来源、增加资金总量、丰富补偿方式,推动各利益相关方收益共享、风险共担。与传统PPP项目相比,基于流域生态补偿的PPP项目具有更为复杂的风险结构,风险因素的正确识别和合理分担是成功运用PPP模式完善赤水河流域生态补偿机制的关键。识别基于赤水河流域生态补偿的PPP项目运作关键环节,甄别各环节面临的主要风险因素;基于云理论建立风险分担模型;将有关风险在政府和社会资本间进行分担。研究结果表明：（1）基于赤水河流域生态补偿的PPP项目运作过程共包括项目准备、项目实施和项目合同终结等三个阶段、共11个关键环节,各环节共面临26个主要风险因素。（2）分析了有关风险因素可能对赤水河流域生态补偿机制或PPP项目产生的不利影响,并指出了风险引致方。（3）在项目准备阶段,政府拥有绝对的资源优势,以政府为主承担主要风险;在项目实施阶段,项目风险总体上由政府承担为主向社会资本承担为主转移,80%的风险主要由社会资本承担;特许经营期满后,社会资本将项目的经营权（或所有权与经营权同时）向政府移交,在项目合同终结阶段,有关风险再次以政府承担为主。     

Innovations in human genetics education. Medical student elective in clinical genetics.

The fourth-year medical student elective in clinical genetics has been enhanced by the addition of a problem-solving project. The assignment requires students to pose and answer a practical question about a professionally relevant genetic problem. Exemplary questions and the details of the exercise are given. Six of 10 students choosing an elective in clinical genetics have undertaken the project. Their feedback suggests that the requirements of decision making, library research, discussion with consultants, and medical writing in a limited time period are beneficial additions to the standard elective.     

Coastal community empowerment in processing Kappaphycus alvarezii: a case study in Ceningan Island,Bali, Indonesia

This paper reports on a project to engage researchers and seaweed farmers in an intervention to improve livelihoods as a part of coastal community empowerment in Ceningan Island, Bali, Indonesia. An easy and manageable seaweed processing technology and introduction of the processing technology was developed in order to improve income and livelihoods by improving skills and knowledge of seaweed farmers in Ceningan Island in seaweed processing technology and business plan and managerial of seaweed processing products. This project was started with a field survey and followed by two workshops. The project was started with a field survey to identify major issues or problem faced by the seaweed farmers and to determine target and segmentation of workshop participants. Two workshops then were conducted based on field data to introduce “seaweed for food” processing technology, and the second workshop was conducted to introduce business plan and managerial knowledge that can be applied by seaweed farmers. As a result of this project, 35 people became capable of producing various seaweed-based food products and continued to operate in a small-scale manner under the guidance of IDEP Foundation. The project proved to be a renaissance for Ceningan Island coastal community to realize how potential their seaweed processing could be. Windows of opportunity lie in front of them to establish small and medium enterprises on seaweed products and to build those products as souvenir icon from Ceningan Island, Bali.     

Freshwater Habitat Restoration Actions in the Pacific Northwest: A Decade's Investment in Habitat Improvement

Across the Pacific Northwest (PNW), both public and private agents are working to improve riverine habitat for a variety of reasons, including improving conditions for threatened and endangered salmon. These projects are moving forward with little or no knowledge of specific linkages between restoration actions and the responses of target species. Targeted effectiveness monitoring of these actions is required to redress this lack of mechanistic understanding, but such monitoring depends on detailed restoration information—that is, implementation monitoring. This article describes the process of assembling a database of restoration projects intended to improve stream and river habitat throughout the PNW. We designed the database specifically to address the needs of regional monitoring programs that evaluate the effectiveness of restoration actions. The database currently contains spatially referenced, project‐level data on over 23,000 restoration actions initiated at over 35,000 locations in the last 15 years (98% of projects report start or end dates between 1991 and 2005) in the states of Washington, Oregon, Idaho, and Montana. Data sources included federal, state, local, nongovernmental organization, and tribal contributors. The process of database production identified difficulties in the design of regional project tracking systems. The technical design issues range from low‐level information such as what defines a project or a location to high‐level issues that include data validation and legalities of interagency data sharing. The completed database will inform efficient monitoring design, effectiveness assessments, and restoration project planning.     

Bioinformatics Projects Supporting Life-Sciences Learning in High Schools

The interdisciplinary nature of bioinformatics makes it an ideal framework to develop activities enabling enquiry-based learning. We describe here the development and implementation of a pilot project to use bioinformatics-based research activities in high schools, called “Bioinformatics@school.” It includes web-based research projects that students can pursue alone or under teacher supervision and a teacher training program. The project is organized so as to enable discussion of key results between students and teachers. After successful trials in two high schools, as measured by questionnaires, interviews, and assessment of knowledge acquisition, the project is expanding by the action of the teachers involved, who are helping us develop more content and are recruiting more teachers and schools.