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All river ecological integrity is a strategic component for evaluating watershed management programs in an effort to achieve sustainable water management. In this case of handling, Lake Tondano must be synergized with the upstream area in which there are inlet streams. The research objectives were to analyze the potential of functional feeding groups of aquatic insects' larvae through the analysis of spatial distribution and community structure in the Ranoweleng (Noongan), Panasen (Kakas) and Makalonsouw (Tondano) river areas (upstream of the Tondano river) and to analyze the role of larval functional groups in the studied location. Sampling was carried out according to the availability of river microhabitats, namely zones, riffle zones, pool zones using the Surber Sampler as the square of the plot. Sampling of aquatic insect larvae and measurement of environmental parameters is carried out directly in the study river, water quality testing will be carried out at the Manado Environmental Health Technical Center, while identification of aquatic insect larvae and riparian vegetation is carried out at the FMIPA Unsrat Laboratory. This study found 36 types of insect larvae that are included in 28 families in 7 orders that are unevenly distributed. Petrophila sp larvae are found in all river segments. Individual Cheumatopsyche sp. found most at the time of the study. The highest diversity index is found in reference rivers. Functional feeding groups that occupy the Panasen River are Collector filterers (59%) followed by Collector gatherers (19%), whereas in the reference river, Collector gatherers (46%) dominate followed by Collector-filterers (36%). These results indicate that the Lake Tondano inlet rivers are in very disturbed condition so that the ecological integrity is low. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sustainable Development and Scientific Research in Outer Space: The interpretation of the "interest of mankind" principle has led, first, to the adoption of the Moon Agreement and, at the same time, brought to its defeat. At present we see a renovation of interest in the doctrine of the "global commons" within the sustainability policy of men activities on earth and in space, the new challenge is to balance the need to preserve outer space for future generations, the enhancement of scientific research and the freedom to enact space activities compliant with the peaceful purpose principle and all other principles set at the international level. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Precipitation deficits and temperature anomalies are often the main cause for low flows and summer streamflow droughts. However, where groundwater is the main contribution to sustain water availability and ecological integrity during dry spells, the role of recharge and catchment storage is crucial to understand streamflow drought sensitivity. Here we introduce recharge stress tests as complement to climate scenarios to characterize and quantify the streamflow drought sensitivities of catchments. The stress tests are presented by applying them to six headwater catchments in Switzerland with various catchment and streamflow characteristics. The stress tests drive the bucket-type hydrological model HBV in a framework, in which pre-drought recharge conditions can be decreased to test how catchments respond to and recover from drought. We identified an upper limit of stress test durations around 12 months as indicator of maximum recharge- and storage-memory for the study catchments. Varying response on stress testing across the catchments suggests different storage properties and thus different recovery times from drought. From the stress test simulations, we found up to 200 d longer summer streamflow droughts with additional streamflow deficits which account for up to 40 d of median flow. Using a worst-case pre-drought recharge in stress test simulation leads to minimum flow reductions of 50 %–80 % compared with the reference simulation. Based on the results we conclude with recommendations for further stress test research in drought hydrology. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present study aims to assess the ecosystem health of Hongze Lake by constructing a benthic index of biotic integrity (B-IBI). In accordance with the data of benthic animals collected from 10 sampling points (4 reference points and 6 interference points) from October 2012 to October 2013, a total of 19 biological parameters were analyzed for distribution scope, Spearman correlation and identification ability. Eventually, the following parameters were selected to construct the B-IBI for Hongze Lake: the number of (crustacean + mollusk) classification units, Collector%, Predator% and the pollution-tolerant group%. The ratio method was used to unify the dimension in order to calculate the value of each biological parameter. The obtained values were added together to get the final B-IBI value. The health classification criteria were determined based on the 25% quantile of the B-IBI value. The values less than 25% quantile were divided into 4 levels evenly to form the assessment criteria of biotic integrity: B-IBI≥2.48 healthy, 2.01≤B-IBI<2.48 sub-healthy, 1.24≤B-IBI< 2.01 general, 0.42≤B-IBI<1.24 poor, B-IBI<0.42 very poor. The assessment results show that the 10 sampling points of Hongze Lake consist of 4 healthy, 4 sub-healthy, 2 general and 2 poor points. Overall, Hongze Lake is in the state of light–moderate pollution. The B-IBI value is closely related to TN, water temperature and NO3--N, but not with other physiochemical factors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Monumental trees are very important for biodiversity, the integrity of ecosystems worldwide and in many ways for people, because they are essential components of human cultural heritage and identity. Researchers have long claimed the bio-ecological importance of ancient trees and of those with great diameters and heights together with the necessity of preserving them for scientific purposes. In order for a tree to be selected as monument, it must have historical, folkloric or mystical characteristics. Moreover, a tree with strange shape or with great dimension and age can be defined as a monumental tree. In terms of their characteristics, five typologies of monumental trees have been accepted, namely: Historical, Folkloric, Mystical,Dimensional and With strange shapes. The present paper presents an inventory of the resources from Transylvania, together with the description of the most representative trees of the 136 identified as Monumental Trees. This number includes 37 species, with the oak as the best represented species (32%). The paper reports the role in defining the local ”territorial identity” and the necessity to conserve Monumental Trees. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article considers the theoretical aspects and practical methodology of cost-effective eco-directed structural design. Nowadays the problem of ecological safety of the construction process is significant all over the world. Most efficient ways to solve the problem are dealt with keeping the environmental requirements at all phases of construction and best possible conservation of the whole ecosystem. All kinds of environmental harm, caused by construction process, generally could be converted to certain amount of emitted green-gass gases and burnt fossil fuel. These figures could be preliminary estimated and valuated in eco-penalties, separately for materials and technologies used during construction process. Paper starts a discussion to basic principles of these eco-penalties assessment and methods for their implementation into current pricing practice and specialized software for construction cost valuation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Science Advisory Board (SAB) of the International Joint Commission (IJC) is refining a Great Lakes Early Warning System (GLEWS) framework that allows the scientific and management communities to "get ahead of the curve" in addressing an array of emerging/anticipated issues before they threaten the ecological integrity of the Basin. An initial effort generated structural and operational characteristics of GLEWS and is now being refined through the review of other early warning systems; further development of a decision-making protocol; an in-depth analysis of five case studies; and conduct of an experts' workshop. Knowledge gained is facilitating the next critical step; refining the GLEWS framework by identifying, categorizing and prioritizing the likelihood/severity of potential stressors and threats on the basis of their probability of occurrence and potential impact. Operationalizing GLEWS offers tremendous ecological and economic benefits by placing an emphasis on the identification and prevention of issues that might otherwise pose significant and perhaps intractable ecological problems. This presentation will demonstrate the broad applicability of GLEWS by highlighting the outcomes of the literature review, case study analyses and experts' workshop, as well as resultant refinements to GLEWS structure and operation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article is a summary of the results of research performed in the field of educational ecology. The aim of the research was to: substantiate the philosophical-methodological basis of educational ecology, including the various meanings of environmental concept; indicate the developmental perspectives. Research methods: the analysis and evaluation of scientific literature, the reflection on the experience obtained as a result of experimental research performed. Educational ecology is one of the interdisciplinary trends of human ecology with its own history. It offers a wide range of research opportunities in the field of education. There exist the following conceptual approaches of research in the field of educational ecology: the interdisciplinary approach, the ecological approach, the humanistic approach, which complementary supplement each other, ensuring the holistic approach, first of all, systems approach, in the educational research. Educational ecology offers several research perspectives, the substantiation of which we can find in: 1) the human developmental ecology; 2) systems developmental ecology. One of the research perspectives is related to the studies of sustainable development. The research performed in the field of environmental education also has a significant place within the educational ecology. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]