A Long-Term Perspective on Resilience in Socio-Natural Systems

2005 ◽  
pp. 227-264 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sander E. van der Leeuw ◽  
Christina Aschan-Leygonie
Keyword(s):  
Natural Systems

An Overview of the Crystal Chemistry, Durability, and Radiation Damage Effects of Natural Pyrochlore

2000 ◽  
Vol 663 ◽  
Author(s):  
G.R. Lumpkin ◽  
R.C. Ewing ◽  
C.T. Williams ◽  
A.N. Mariano
Keyword(s):  
Radiation Damage ◽  
Large Body ◽  
Amorphous State ◽  
X Ray Diffraction ◽  
Natural Systems ◽  
Pyrochlore Group ◽  
Thermal Histories ◽  
Host Rocks ◽  
Long Term Behavior

ABSTRACTNumerous studies of pyrochlore group minerals have been completed over the previous 15 years, providing researchers in the field of nuclear waste disposal with a large body of data relevant to the behavior of these minerals in natural systems. The information obtained from studies of natural pyrochlore is applicable to the formulation of diverse waste form compositions and provides data for the assessment of the long-term behavior. Although resistant to dissolution, pyrochlore is subject to chemical alteration by ion exchange with hydrothermal fluids and low temperature ground water; however, Th and U are generally immobile and are retained in the structure. X-ray diffraction, TEM, EXAFS-XANES, and other techniques have been employed in studies of radiation damage. These studies reveal the classic sequence of damage microstructures with increasing dose and provide details about the structure of the amorphous state. Furthermore, the radiation damage studies are now complemented by data relating to the thermal histories of some of the host rocks.

scholarly journals Integrating Economic dynamics into Ecological Networks: The case of fishery sustainability

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Paul Glaum ◽  
Valentin Cocco ◽  
Fernanda S. Valdovinos
Keyword(s):  
Network Theory ◽  
Management Strategies ◽  
Single Species ◽  
Fishing Effort ◽  
Ecological Networks ◽  
Ecological Network ◽  
Ecological Dynamics ◽  
Natural Systems ◽  
Insight Into

Summary/AbstractUnderstanding and sustainably managing anthropogenic impact on ecosystems requires studying the integrated economic -ecological dynamics driving coupled human-natural systems. Here, we expand ecological network theory to study fishery sustainability by incorporating economic drivers into food-web models to evaluate the dynamics of thousands of single-species fisheries across hundreds of generated food-webs and two management strategies. Analysis reveals harvesting high population biomass species can initially support fishery persistence, but threatens long term economic and ecological sustainability by indirectly inducing extinction cascades in non-harvested species. This dynamic is exacerbated in open access fisheries where profit driven growth in fishing effort increases perturbation strength. Results demonstrate the unique insight into both ecological dynamics and sustainability garnered from considering economically dynamic fishing effort in the network.One Sentence SummaryIntegrating economic drivers into ecological networks reveal non-linear drivers of sustainability in fisheries.

scholarly journals Aem Analyses of SRL 131 Glass Altered as a Function of SA/V

1991 ◽  
Vol 257 ◽  
Author(s):  
James J. Mazer ◽  
John K. Bates ◽  
Bruce M. Biwer ◽  
C. R. Bradley
Keyword(s):  
Experimental Studies ◽  
Volume Ratio ◽  
Scaling Factor ◽  
Experimental Results ◽  
Geologic Repository ◽  
Short Term ◽  
Natural Systems ◽  
Test Conditions ◽  
Solution Volume

Experimental studies of silicate glass/water reactions at low temperatures have previously identified the glass surface area-to-solution volume ratio (SA/V) as a significant rate determining parameter [1-4]. The value produced when SA/V is multiplied by reaction time, hereafter referred to as SVT, has been proposed as a scaling factor for comparing experimental results collected under different test conditions and for extrapolating short-term results to longer periods of time. Developing an understanding of the effect of SAN is needed for modeling experimental results where SA/V ranges in value or may vary during experiments. It is also useful to understand the effect of SA/V for modeling natural systems where this value almost certainly varies, such as during the hydrothermal diagenesis of natural glasses or projecting the long-term reaction of water and borosilicate nuclear waste glass in a geologic repository.

Bio-Inspired Distributed Electroactive Polymer Actuators for Possible Space Applications: Concept Design

2008 ◽  
Vol 61 ◽  
pp. 180-185 ◽  
Author(s):  
Federico Carpi ◽  
Carlo Menon ◽  
Danilo De Rossi
Keyword(s):  
Electroactive Polymer ◽  
Concept Design ◽  
Space Applications ◽  
Natural Systems ◽  
Dielectric Elastomer Actuators ◽  
Research Activities ◽  
New Concepts ◽  
Reliability And Robustness ◽  
Technical Solutions

Technologies for space applications are often considered to be rather conservative, aimed at ensuring reliability and robustness. Nevertheless, novel concepts coming from research activities have been and are always the lymph for the development of successful and competitive new solutions. This paper presents new concepts and ideas inspired by natural systems with distributed actuation embedded in their structure, considered as ideal models for possible uses in space applications. Preliminary concepts for possible technical solutions for long-term future implementations are here proposed and briefly analyzed. Peristaltic-like actuations obtained by the use of dielectric elastomer actuators is proposed as one of the most promising solutions. Experimental performances of a single actuation unit are here presented and directions for future implementations are proposed.

Cold Ischemic Organ Preservation: Lessons from Natural Systems

2004 ◽  
Vol 52 (5) ◽  
pp. 315-322 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kenneth B. Storey
Keyword(s):  
Recovery Of Function ◽  
Cdna Array ◽  
Natural Systems ◽  
Organ Specific ◽  
Complementary Deoxyribonucleic Acid ◽  
Biochemical Mechanisms ◽  
New Research ◽  
Shock Proteins

Mammalian hibernators offer natural models for investigating solutions to the metabolic injuries that accrue during cold ischemic storage of human organs removed for transplant. Knowledge of the biochemical mechanisms that regulate and stabilize metabolism to ensure long-term viability in the hypometabolic, hypothermic state of hibernation could lead to applied treatments that could increase the time that excised organs can be maintained in cold storage and/or improve recovery of function after implantation. New research has documented the widespread role of reversible protein phosphorylation control of metabolism in achieving the coordinated suppression of metabolic rate that greatly extends viability during torpor. Analysis of hibernation-induced gene expression is proving to be of crucial importance for identifying the genes and proteins that are up-regulated to address organ-specific concerns during torpor. In particular, the power of complementary deoxyribonucleic acid (cDNA) array screening is identifying families of proteins that are up-regulated during hibernation (eg, serpins, heat shock proteins, antioxidants, membrane transporters) and highlighting previously unrecognized areas of cellular metabolism as contributing to the hibernation phenotype. These offer new targets for innovative applied treatments that could enhance cytoprotection and cold ischemia survival of organ explants.

scholarly journals Understanding the Dynamics of a Coastal Lagoon: Drivers, Exchanges, State of the Environment, Consequences and Responses

Geosciences ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (8) ◽  
pp. 301
Author(s):  
Samantha Chacón Abarca ◽  
Valeria Chávez ◽  
Rodolfo Silva ◽  
M. Luisa Martínez ◽  
Giorgio Anfuso
Keyword(s):  
Land Use ◽  
Impact Evaluation ◽  
Coastal Ecosystems ◽  
Ecosystem Dynamics ◽  
Methodological Framework ◽  
Negative Consequences ◽  
Natural Systems ◽  
La Mancha ◽  
State Of The Environment

At present, many coastal ecosystems worldwide are highly affected by anthropic activities. La Mancha lagoon, in the state of Veracruz, Mexico, is an important ecosystem due to the wide array of ecosystem services that it provides. In this paper, an analysis of the environmental balances of the lagoon is outlined, using the Drivers, Exchanges, State of the Environment, Consequences and Responses (DESCR) tool. The methodological framework considers the interrelationships between the natural systems and the forces of change that alter the performance of the natural environment, in order to provide an overview of actions that may reduce negative consequences. The study area has been impacted by anthropic development, such as changes in land use for agricultural and livestock activities, loss of mangroves due to logging and modifications, carried out by local fishermen, to the natural hydrodynamics of the lagoon that alter the salinity and affect the ecosystem dynamics. Following analysis of the area, using the DESCR tool, the responses proposed include long-term environmental impact evaluation, with the aim of preserving the local coastal ecosystems.

Improving Social Capital, A Solution to Manage Water Conflicts

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Behavar Deylami ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Social Capital ◽  
Public Participation ◽  
Extreme Events ◽  
Water Systems ◽  
Water Conflicts ◽  
Reciprocal Relationships ◽  
Natural Systems ◽  
Natural Component ◽  
Human Component

Abstract Water systems are categorized as coupled human-natural systems. It is argued that extreme events are primarily associated with the natural component of the system, while conflicts are considered as part of the human component of the water systems. Since the system is coupled, both human and natural components interact with each other. For instance, extreme events such as droughts can trigger conflict among societies. What needs to be noted here is that such disturbances in both systems are, to some extent, inevitable. However, by using the proper mechanisms and leverages, they can be alleviated. Enhancing social capital among stakeholders is one of those leverages to reduce the conflicts' likelihood or at least intensity. Social capital reflects people’s collective level of awareness on the issues, their reciprocal relationships, and public participation. In other words, social capital captures three concepts of “Public Justice,” “Public Cohesion,” and “Public Participation.” This paper aims to descriptively analyze the effect of social capital in social conflicts in the context of water systems. The results of this study indicated that social capital is effective in alleviating water conflicts, but requires large and long-term investments. Therefore, it can be used to alleviate conflicts to reduce vulnerability, and achieve development. Keywords: Social capital, Water systems, Conflict, Vulnerability

scholarly journals N<sub>2</sub>O emissions from the global agricultural nitrogen cycle – current state and future scenarios

2012 ◽  
Vol 9 (10) ◽  
pp. 4169-4197 ◽  
Author(s):  
B. L. Bodirsky ◽  
A. Popp ◽  
I. Weindl ◽  
J. P. Dietrich ◽  
S. Rolinski ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
21St Century ◽  
Material Flow ◽  
Plant Biomass ◽  
Second Step ◽  
N2o Emissions ◽  
Natural Systems ◽  
Grazed Pasture ◽  
Current State ◽  
Land Use Optimization

Abstract. Reactive nitrogen (Nr) is not only an important nutrient for plant growth, thereby safeguarding human alimentation, but it also heavily disturbs natural systems. To mitigate air, land, aquatic, and atmospheric pollution caused by the excessive availability of Nr, it is crucial to understand the long-term development of the global agricultural Nr cycle. For our analysis, we combine a material flow model with a land-use optimization model. In a first step we estimate the state of the Nr cycle in 1995. In a second step we create four scenarios for the 21st century in line with the SRES storylines. Our results indicate that in 1995 only half of the Nr applied to croplands was incorporated into plant biomass. Moreover, less than 10 per cent of all Nr in cropland plant biomass and grazed pasture was consumed by humans. In our scenarios a strong surge of the Nr cycle occurs in the first half of the 21st century, even in the environmentally oriented scenarios. Nitrous oxide (N2O) emissions rise from 3 Tg N2O-N in 1995 to 7–9 in 2045 and 5–12 Tg in 2095. Reinforced Nr pollution mitigation efforts are therefore required.

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