Hydrogeological assumptions for stormwater management in Tallinn

Baltica ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 33 (1) ◽  
pp. 71-84
Author(s):  
Rein Perens ◽  
Arvo Käärd ◽  
Anto Raukas

Most cities in temperate climate zones, including Tallinn, face the threat of torrential rains and resultant floods, which cause extensive damage to city economies. The main causes of floods are climatic; however, unreasonable building activity and insufficiently developed and maintained drainage systems also contribute to this problem. The percentage of impervious pavement has increased with the consolidation of buildings and road networks. Rainwater drainage is an important issue in a number of different areas of human activity ranging from town planning and environmental protection to building, maintenance and operation of rainwater drainage systems. Hence, to deal with the rainwater drainage issue, it is necessary to develop an integrated and scientifically justified strategy. The present study represents a constituent part of the relevant strategy development process. The authors pay special attention to options for increasing rainwater percolation in different environmental conditions, including geological setting, topography and different soil filtration properties.

Parasitology ◽  
2020 ◽  
pp. 1-5
Author(s):  
Chatree Chumnandee ◽  
Nawarat Pha-obnga ◽  
Oskar Werb ◽  
Kai Matuschewski ◽  
Juliane Schaer

Abstract Parasites of the haemosporidian genus Polychromophilus have exclusively been described in bats. These parasites belong to the diverse group of malaria parasites, and Polychromophilus presents the only haemosporidian taxon that infects mammalian hosts in tropical as well as in temperate climate zones. This study provides the first information of Polychromophilus parasites in the lesser Asiatic yellow bat (Scotophilus kuhlii) in Thailand, a common vespertilionid bat species distributed in South and Southeast Asia. The gametocyte blood stages of the parasites could not be assigned to a described morphospecies and molecular analysis revealed that these parasites might represent a distinct Polychromophilus species. In contrast to Plasmodium species, Polychromophilus parasites do not multiply in red blood cells and, thus, do not cause the clinical symptoms of malaria. Parasitological and molecular investigation of haemosporidian parasites of wildlife, such as the neglected genus Polychromophilus, will contribute to a better understanding of the evolution of malaria parasites.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ikenna D Ebuenyi ◽  
Emma M. Smith ◽  
Alister Munthali ◽  
Steven W. Msowoya ◽  
Juba Kafumba ◽  
...  

Abstract Background: Equity and inclusion are important principles in policy development and implementation. The aim of this study is to explore the extent to which equity and inclusion were considered in the development of Malawi’s National Disability Mainstreaming Strategy and Implementation Plan. Methods: We applied an analytical methodology to review the Malawi’s National Disability Mainstreaming Strategy and Implementation Plan using the EquIPP (Equity and Inclusion in Policy Processes) tool. The EquIPP tool assesses 17 Key Actions to explore the extent of equity and inclusion. Results: The development of the Malawi National Disability Mainstreaming Strategy and Implementation Plan was informed by a desire to promote the rights, opportunities and wellbeing of persons with disability in Malawi. The majority (58%) of the Key Actions received a rating of three, indicating evidence of clear, but incomplete or only partial engagement of persons with disabilities in the policy process. Three (18%) of the Key Actions received a rating of four indicating that all reasonable steps to engage in the policy development process were observed. Four (23%) of the Key Actions received a score five indicating a reference to Key Action in the core documents in the policy development process. Conclusion: The development of disability policies and associated implementation strategies requires equitable and inclusive processes that consider input from all stakeholders especially those whose wellbeing depend on such policies. It is pivotal for government and organisations in the process of policy or strategy development and implementation, to involve stakeholders in a virtuous process of co-production – co-implementation – co-evaluation, which may strengthen both the sense of inclusion and the effectiveness of the policy life-cycle.


Author(s):  
Nagla Rizk ◽  
Sherif Kamel

In 2011, Egypt’s uprising was realized due to a large number of reasons, including the capitalization on information and communication technology (ICT) as an enabling platform. The experience in Egypt demonstrated the impact of ICT. However, its effect on societal transformation is not yet completed. A need exists to revisit the newly emerging role that ICT can play in the 21st century that goes beyond socioeconomic development and growth. ICT strategy development and implementation must cater to the different needs of the community while realizing universal access in terms of ICT literacy and its effective utilization for developmental purposes. Building the ICT infrastructure and infostructure in the development process must be coupled with concrete projects and initiatives that engage the society at large with its multiple stakeholders from public, private, government, and civil society organizations irrespective of their locations or background. This article describes the evolution of the ICT sector in Egypt with an emphasis on national ICT strategy development and deployment as an integral element of Egypt’s overall development process within the context of a an emerging economy and the various growing potentials ICT offers for its socioeconomic development.


2019 ◽  
Vol 16 (23) ◽  
pp. 4687-4703 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jyrki Jauhiainen ◽  
Jukka Alm ◽  
Brynhildur Bjarnadottir ◽  
Ingeborg Callesen ◽  
Jesper R. Christiansen ◽  
...  

Abstract. Drained organic forest soils in boreal and temperate climate zones are believed to be significant sources of the greenhouse gases (GHGs) carbon dioxide (CO2), methane (CH4) and nitrous oxide (N2O), but the annual fluxes are still highly uncertain. Drained organic soils exemplify systems where many studies are still carried out with relatively small resources, several methodologies and manually operated systems, which further involve different options for the detailed design of the measurement and data analysis protocols for deriving the annual flux. It would be beneficial to set certain guidelines for how to measure and report the data, so that data from individual studies could also be used in synthesis work based on data collation and modelling. Such synthesis work is necessary for deciphering general patterns and trends related to, e.g., site types, climate, and management, and the development of corresponding emission factors, i.e. estimates of the net annual soil GHG emission and removal, which can be used in GHG inventories. Development of specific emission factors also sets prerequisites for the background or environmental data to be reported in individual studies. We argue that wide applicability greatly increases the value of individual studies. An overall objective of this paper is to support future monitoring campaigns in obtaining high-value data. We analysed peer-reviewed publications presenting CO2, CH4 and N2O flux data for drained organic forest soils in boreal and temperate climate zones, focusing on data that have been used, or have the potential to be used, for estimating net annual soil GHG emissions and removals. We evaluated the methods used in data collection and identified major gaps in background or environmental data. Based on these, we formulated recommendations for future research.


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