Resource recycling and the proper treatment of animal waste to reduce its environmental impact are currently important issues for the livestock industry. A microbial fuel cell (MFC), a new type of bioreactor, is expected to play roles in both waste‐water purification and energy recovery. However, the generation of electricity from cow waste has not yet been examined. In this study, using an MFC, we examined the possibility of generating electricity from dairy‐cow waste slurry, and analyzed the properties of the treated slurry as liquid manure for resource recycling. The MFC treatment of the slurry generated electricity in a dose‐dependent manner, and the maximum power output by the MFC from a 1 g of chemical oxygen demand/L slurry was 0.34 mW/m2. After the MFC treatment, 84% of the biological oxygen demand in the slurry was removed and three essential fertilizer elements (nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium) were retained at 84, 70, and 91% levels, respectively. The amount of ammonia nitrogen in the slurry, as an element of fast‐release fertilizer, was increased by 1.9‐fold. Although the treated slurry displayed properties that made it preferable as liquid manure, further studies to improve the electrical power output by the MFC are required for practical use. 相似文献
Efforts at mitigating global biodiversity loss have often focused on preserving large, intact natural habitats. However, preserving biodiversity should also be an important goal in the urban environment, especially in highly urbanized areas where little natural habitat remains. Increasingly, research at the city/county scale as well as at the landscape scale reveals that urban areas can contain relatively high levels of biodiversity. Important percentages of species found in the surrounding natural habitat, including endangered species, have been found in the urban forest.
This contribution concisely highlights some examples of urban biodiversity research from various areas of the world. Key issues involved in understanding the patterns and processes that affect urban biodiversity, such as the urban–rural gradient and biotic homogenization, are addressed. The potential for urban areas to harbor considerable amounts of biodiversity needs to be recognized by city planners and urban foresters so that management practices that preserve and promote that diversity can be pursued. Management options should focus on increasing biodiversity in all aspects of the urban forest, from street trees to urban parks and woodlots. 相似文献
Urban forestry is generally defined as the art, science and technology of managing trees and forest resources in and around urban community ecosystems for the physiological, sociological, economic, and aesthetic benefits trees provide society. First mentioned in the United States as early as in 1894, the concept underwent a revival during the 1960s as a comprehensive and interdisciplinary approach to the specific challenges related to growing trees in urban environments. Later, urban forestry evoked the interest of scientists and practitioners in other parts of the world. However, harmonization of urban forestry terminology has been complicated by, for example, the involvement of different disciplines and translation difficulties. In many European languages, for example, the direct translation of ‘urban forestry’ relates more to forest ecosystems than to street and park trees. Efforts in North America and Europe defining ‘urban forest’, ‘urban forestry’ and related terms are introduced. A comparative analysis of selected urban forestry terminology in both parts of the world shows that urban forestry has a longer history in North America, based on traditions of shade tree management. Moreover, urban forestry has become more institutionalized in North America. Urban forestry in Europe has built strongly on a century-long tradition of ‘town forestry’. In both parts of the world, definitions of urban forestry and urban forest have become more comprehensive, including all tree stands and individual trees in and around urban areas. Agreement also exists on the multifunctional and multidisciplinary character of urban forestry. These similarities offer opportunities for international harmonization of terminology. 相似文献
Repeated sequences of digitised and geo-referenced historical aerial photography provide a powerful means of understanding
landscape change. We use this method to demonstrate a landscape wide expansion of closed forest (42% increase in total coverage)
in the Australian monsoon tropics over the past five decades. Retrospective habitat suitability models (HSI) of closed forest
derived using four landscape measures (drainage distance, slope angle, aspect and elevation) for imagery taken in 1947 correctly
forecast the subsequent spatial distribution of the expansion, with topographic fire protection primarily determining the
closed-forest distribution. The dynamics of the closed forest-savanna boundary were predicted accurately by generalised linear
models, with closed-forest expansion in fire-protected sites along forest edges and regression in the more fire-prone areas.
Two factors may plausibly explain the expansion of closed forests. First, eco-ethnographic records stress the skilful use
of fire by Aboriginal people in protecting isolated and locally resource-rich closed-forest patches. Second, the recent global
increase in atmospheric CO2 may be changing the competitive balance between savanna and forest by enabling C3 trees to grow fast enough to escape the fire trap presented by flammable C4 grasses. 相似文献
While the cumulative effects of the actions of multiple owners have long been recognized as critically relevant to efforts
to maintain sustainable forests at the landscape scale, few studies have addressed these effects. We used the HARVEST timber
harvest simulator to predict the cumulative effects of four owner groups (two paper companies, a state forest and non-industrial
private owners) with different management objectives on landscape pattern in an upper Michigan landscape managed primarily
for timber production. We quantified trends in landscape pattern metrics that were linked to Montreal Process indicators of
forest sustainability, and used a simple wildlife habitat model to project habitat trends. Our results showed that most trends
were considered favorable for forest sustainability, but that some were not. The proportion of all age classes and some forest
types moved closer to presettlement conditions. The trend for the size of uneven-aged patches was essentially flat while the
average size of patches of the oldest and youngest age classes increased and the size of patches of the remaining age classes
decreased. Forest fragmentation generally declined, but edge density of age classes increased. Late seral forest habitat increased
while early successional habitat declined. The owners use different management systems that cumulatively produce a diversity
of habitats. Our approach provides a tool to evaluate such cumulative effects on other landscapes owned by multiple owners.
The approach holds promise for helping landowner groups develop and evaluate cooperative strategies to improve landscape patterns
for forest sustainability. 相似文献
Urban dwellers experience conflicting thoughts and feelings about urban woodlands; valued for their natural qualities, the relief they provide from the stress of modern urban living and the opportunities they afford for children's play and exploration. At the same time the seclusion inherent in this type of urban greenspace seems fraught with risk from crime, vandalism and abuse. Whilst many of these characteristics are well-researched, less is known about the differing perceptions of particular social groups. This study aimed to explore the ways in which age affects urban dwellers’ aspirations, values and fears concerning the woods, and woodland accessibility, focusing on the views of elderly people (aged over 65). This pilot study was based in Norfolk Heritage Park, an urban park containing a variety of woodland settings located in Sheffield, UK. The questionnaire survey (participantsn=97) revealed that although walking is the most popular leisure activity, most respondents did not visit urban parks as often as they would like, regardless of age. Whilst many of the meanings associated with urban woodland (“relaxation”, “peacefulness”, “seasonal change”, “scenery” and “education”) were shared amongst age groups, it seemed that the elderly respondents particularly valued the woods for their links with the past, and opportunities for immersion in the natural world. Some respondents from all age groups had fears about their personal security in the woodland, and the concerns of the elderly were heightened by their perceived frailty, reduced mobility and sense of vulnerability; this age group had a corresponding need for particular measures to alleviate these problems. The study provides preliminary evidence for the idea that adults of different ages have differing perceptions and requirements in relation to urban woodlands. Due to the small sample size and other methodological issues, further research is needed to confirm and develop the findings. 相似文献