Ecosystem science: toward a new paradigm for managing Australia's inland aquatic ecosystems

2009 ◽  
Vol 60 (3) ◽  
pp. 271 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gene E. Likens ◽  
Keith F. Walker ◽  
Peter E. Davies ◽  
Justin Brookes ◽  
Jon Olley ◽  
...  

Freshwater ecosystems are a foundation of our social, cultural, spiritual and economic well being. The degraded condition of many of Australia’s river ecosystems is testament to our failure to manage these resources wisely. Ecosystem science involves the holistic study of complex biophysical systems to understand the drivers that influence ecological pattern and process. Ecosystem science should underpin both water management and policy. Our understanding of aquatic ecosystems lags behind the increasing problems caused by past land and water management. Current post-graduate training programmes will not provide the aquatic ecosystem scientists needed by government and management agencies to prevent further degradation. We advocate new initiatives to capture the skills, knowledge and innovation of our research community by engaging scientists and managers in large-scale, long-term ecosystem science programmes across Australia and to integrate these programmes with community aspirations, policy, planning and management. We call on management agencies to increase their support for and uptake and use of ecosystem science. We also advocate establishment of national archives for long-term ecologically-relevant data and samples, and clear custodial arrangements to protect, update and facilitate knowledge-transfer. These initiatives need to be supported by more extensive, better-funded post-graduate and post-doctoral programmes in ecosystem science and management.

Author(s):  
O.P. Kovtun ◽  
S.V. Kuzmin ◽  
O.V. Dikonskaya ◽  
B.I. Nikonov ◽  
V.B. Gurvich ◽  
...  

The paper presents long-term experience of interaction between practitioners of the State Sanitary and Epidemiological Service (until 2005) and Rospotrebnadzor (since 2005), the institutions of science for Rospotrebnadzor, Ural State Medical University in preparing graduates of a medical-preventive profile, starting from pre-university work with schoolchildren to the introduction of modern technologies of practice-oriented training of students, specialists post-graduate training of the State Sanitary and Epidemiological Service and Rospotrebnadzor.


2018 ◽  
Vol 47 (3-4) ◽  
pp. 229-240 ◽  
Author(s):  
K. Tanigawa

The accident at Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant occurred following the huge tsunami and earthquake of 11 March 2011. After the accident, there was considerable uncertainty and concern about the health effects of radiation. In this difficult situation, emergency responses, including large-scale evacuation, were implemented. The Fukushima Health Management Survey (FHMS) was initiated 3 months after the accident. The primary purposes of FHMS were to monitor the long-term health of residents, promote their well-being, and monitor any health effects related to long-term, low-dose radiation exposure. Despite the severity of the Fukushima accident and the huge impact of the natural disaster, radiation exposure of the public was very low. However, there were other serious health problems, including deaths during evacuation, increased mortality among displaced elderly people, mental health and lifestyle-related health problems, and social issues after the accident. The Nuclear Emergency Situations – Improvement of Medical and Health Surveillance (SHAMISEN) project, funded by the Open Project For European Radiation Research Area, aimed to develop recommendations for medical and health surveillance of populations affected by previous and future radiation accidents. This paper briefly introduces the points that have been learned from the Fukushima accident from the perspective of SHAMISEN recommendations.


2015 ◽  
pp. 1-16
Author(s):  
Robert Levine

This paper examines the impact of temporal experience—time use, conceptions of time and temporal norms—on happiness and well-being and suggests public policies to enhance these experiences. First, it reviews literature concerning the interrelationships of time, money and happiness. Second, it reviews data and issues concerning the use of work and non-work hours around the world. Third, it describes a broader range of temporal issues to be considered in policymaking decisions, e.g. clock versus event time-keeping, monochronic versus polychronic approaches, the definition of wasted time, the pace of life, and temporal orientation. Finally, suggestions are of ered for the formulation of time-use policies intended to increase individual and collective happiness. It is a virtual truism that the way we use our time is the way we live our lives. Our time is our most valuable possession. Much of this time, however, is controlled by others, ranging from our employers to our closest family members. It is also clear that there are profound dif erences-- individual, socio-economic, cultural and national--in the degree to which people hold control over their own time (e.g., LEVINE, 1997; LEE, et al., 2007). It may be argued that public policies are needed to protect the “temporal rights” of individuals, particularly those who are most vulnerable to exploitation. This paper was sparked by an ambitious large-scale project in which I had the opportunity to participate. The project was initiated in the Spring of 2012 following a United Nations resolution, adopted unanimously by the General Assembly, placing “happiness” on the global agenda. The nation of Bhutan was asked to convene an interdisciplinary group of international “experts” to craft recommendations for policies to raise worldwide happiness; more specifically, to develop a “new paradigm for world development.” Bhutan, a small, landlocked, relatively poor Himalayan nation, was chosen for this task because of its pioneering Gross National Happiness (GNH) project. “Progress,” the GNH designers declared, “should be viewed not only through the lens of economics but also from spiritual, social, cultural and ecological perspectives.” Happiness and development, in other words, depend on more than growth and the accumulation of money. England, Canada and other countries and country-level organizations have subsequently followed Bhutan’s lead and established GNH measures of their own (LEVINE, 2013). One of the nine core domains of Bhutan’s GNH index is “time use,” which comprised my section of the report. The present paper draws heavily on that report and the insights that research of ered me. I will address four major sets of issues: I. The inter-relationships of time, money and happiness. Most importantly, what is the relevance of time use to well-being and happiness? II. Time Use: Work hour issues and policies. III. Other temporal factors that need to be considered when formulating policies to increase happiness. IV. Suggestions for policymaking: The call for a “Temporal Bill of Rights.”


Author(s):  
Oxana Martirosyan ◽  

The economic crisis caused by the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic has led to serious long-term consequences for young people around the world, primarily because States have suspended funding for education and a large number of youth projects, and many children and adolescents have not been able to implement their plans for quality education and decent work. The international labour organization conducted a large-scale study on “Youth and COVID-19: impact on jobs, education, rights and mental well-being”, covering 112 countries and 120 thousand respondents. The article presents some results of this study, reflecting the situation in the youth labor market.


FACETS ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 3 (1) ◽  
pp. 300-314 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nick Gayeski ◽  
Misty MacDuffee ◽  
Jack A. Stanford

The identification of sustainably managed fisheries is problematic for marketers and consumers of Pacific salmon food products owing to lack of well-defined and robust criteria that take into account current ecosystem science of salmon. We present the rationale for an alternative conceptual framework for salmon management that supports the development of sustainable sourcing criteria. Our approach contrasts with current large-scale fisheries certification programs such as that of the Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) and general consumer recommendation services such as Monterey Bay Aquarium’s Seafood Watch (SFW) program. Our framework is based on the “place-based” character of salmon populations and recognition of fundamental aspects of salmon ecology, particularly the evolution of population life histories that are locally adapted to freshwater spawning and rearing habitats. We describe how this framework underpins development of science-based sourcing criteria and how it differs in important respects from the industrial approach that historically and currently is the basis for most salmon management. We conclude with a discussion of how the framework and its application may provide a model for redirecting salmon management, in general, towards a more science- and place-based approach and why that is likely to be sustainable in the long term in a way that most contemporary salmon management is not.


2020 ◽  
Vol 22 (2) ◽  
pp. 135-142

This review provides an overview of the literature regarding digital technology use and adolescent well-being. Overall, findings imply that the general effects are on the negative end of the spectrum but very small. Effects differ depending on the type of use: whereas procrastination and passive use are related to more negative effects, social and active use are related to more positive effects. Digital technology use has stronger effects on short-term markers of hedonic well-being (eg, negative affect) than long-term measures of eudaimonic well-being (eg, life satisfaction). Although adolescents are more vulnerable, effects are comparable for both adolescents and adults. It appears that both low and excessive use are related to decreased well-being, whereas moderate use is related to increased well-being. The current research still has many limitations: High-quality studies with large-scale samples, objective measures of digital technology use, and experience sampling of well-being are missing.


Water ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (6) ◽  
pp. 861
Author(s):  
Paul G. Whitehead ◽  
Gianbattista Bussi ◽  
Jocelyne M. R. Hughes ◽  
Ana T. Castro-Castellon ◽  
Magnus D. Norling ◽  
...  

With widespread, long-term historical use of plastics and the presence of microplastics in a range of new and existing products, there is rising concern about their potential impacts on freshwater ecosystems. Understanding how microplastics are transported and distributed along river systems is key to assessing impacts. Modelling the main flow dynamics, mixing, sedimentation and resuspension processes is essential for an understanding of the transport processes. We use the new, processed based, dynamic, integrated catchments (INCA) microplastics model and apply this to the whole of the freshwater catchment of the River Thames, UK, to evaluate inputs, loads and concentrations along the river system. Recent data from UK water industry studies on microplastics in effluent discharges and sewage sludge disposal has been utilised to drive the INCA microplastics model. Predicted concentrations and microplastic loads moving along the river system are shown to be significant, with a build-up of concentrations along the river, with increasing deposition on the riverbed. The potential impacts on aquatic ecosystems are evaluated and a review of policy implications is explored.


2021 ◽  
Vol 100 ◽  
pp. 01002
Author(s):  
Natalia Zakharchenko ◽  
Dariusz Pawliszczy ◽  
Nataliia Orlova ◽  
Nataliya Navolska ◽  
Oksana Apostolyuk

The purpose of the study- is to substantiate the problems and prospects of forming a "green" economy and a way to implement sustainable development at the national level. Regional and global levels in the long run. The active growth of "green" enterprises, the introduction of innovative technologies and the reduction of waste and harmful emissions in various sectors of Ukraine's economy, the transition to energy-saving technologies and biofuels and "greening" of agriculture promise to ensure the country's energy security. This allows for increased incomes and formal employment in these sectors of the economy in the short and long term, while providing more environmental, economic and social benefits, which in general leads to a higher level of well-being of the population and the country. At the same time, although the transition to a "green" economy will require large-scale investments, these investments can be mobilized through sound government policies and innovative financing mechanisms.


Author(s):  
Muhammad Izzuddin Hamzan ◽  
Mohamad Jeremi Jeffrey ◽  
Ahmad Sukari Halim

Illicit penile augmentation is thought to be a common practice in Southeast Asia. This article aimed to explore the demographics of the patient who had illicit penile augmentation, its complications, surgical methods employed for removal as well as the long-term outcome following treatment, specifically on sexual satisfaction. Method. Records of patients with a penile foreign body to the Reconstructive Science Unit were retrieved. Demographics, presenting symptoms, surgical methods and outcomes were recorded and analyzed. Results. A total of 14 patients was identified. The median age at implantation and duration is 36 years old and 48 months respectively. The penile subdermal injection was the sole method utilized with the use of liquid silicone in 7 patients. Constant pain, painful erection, and discomfort were common symptoms (42.8%). All patients underwent surgical excision followed with either native (penile skin) full-thickness skin graft (FTSG), distant donor FTSG or primary closure. Five out of 7 patients report improved sexual satisfaction post-surgery. Conclusion. This report demonstrated two groups of men with distinct age, duration of implant and possibly differing motivation for penile augmentation. The various complications presented stem from inflammation and scarring. Distant FTSG donor has a superior take rate compared to native FTSG. Long term outcome following treatment on sexual well-being is generally good. Illicit penile augmentation is generally unsafe, however, a large-scale study is required to establish the prevalence of the practice. 


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