ISSN:1322-1698    

DOI:10.1080/14486563.1996.10648351

出版商:Taylor & Francis Group    

年代:1996

数据来源: Taylor

摘要:

Thirteen Australian state of the environment (SoE) reports are reviewed for structural content and indicator usage. Although nearly all the reports acknowledged the importance of using agreed indicators few attempted to do so in a manner that would allow long-term trends to be identified. One of the reasons for the non-use of indicators was that there was no agreed model or theoretical framework on which the analysis could be based. An acceptable or “standard” model does, however, appear to be emerging in the form of the OECD's Pressure State Response model. On the matter of access to environmental data, almost every report commented on the absence of consistent long-term monitoring that could provide the necessary raw data. In addition there was evidence of lack of integration, in terms of the model or report writing strategy, between the national reports and regional (State and Territory) reports. While the written material of individual reports was sometimes independently assessed there was little evidence of any independent auditing of raw data. Most of the reports were written with the dual role of providing basic environmental information to both the general public and decision-makers with the result that some of the reports tended to favour presentation at the expense of scientific rigour. Overall it did not appear that the presently produced Australian SoE reports have approached the level of sophistication needed to compete with economic reporting and that effort would be needed in several areas to enhance their general level of credibility. The environmental cause has in recent years developed a strong qualitative voice in the form of lobby groups and public feedback. However, there is a strong case for strengthening the quantitative voice in SoE reports by incorporating an agreed set of environmental indicators.

ISSN:1322-1698    

DOI:10.1080/14486563.1996.10648352

出版商:Taylor & Francis Group    

年代:1996

数据来源: Taylor

摘要:

In recent years, equity arguments have been used to undermine vital environmental proposals. This article uses three recent environmental issues—the excise on leaded petrol, the carbon tax and native forest logging—to argue that while equity and sustainability are closely linked:

ISSN:1322-1698    

DOI:10.1080/14486563.1996.10648353

出版商:Taylor & Francis Group    

年代:1996

数据来源: Taylor

摘要:

Natural resource managers face a significant challenge in making decisions in the light of the potential off-site impacts of human activities. Decision support systems can play a role in meeting this challenge. However, the development of decision support systems that address complex requirements effectively is exacting. This is further exacerbated where those requirements are evolving rapidly. These issues are addressed here in the context of natural resource management of a catchment scale. In order to provide flexibility in the delivery and use of decision support, a toolkit approach is proposed and its applicability evaluated. Three proof of concept decision support tools and their integration into a higher level tool are described. These examples illustrate both the types of decision support that were required by users and the toolkit approach. We contend that this approach significantly enhances the potential for operational use of decision support systems in environmental management.

ISSN:1322-1698    

DOI:10.1080/14486563.1996.10648354

出版商:Taylor & Francis Group    

年代:1996

数据来源: Taylor

摘要:

Algal blooms have become an important water quality problem in Australia. They are caused by excess phosphorus in waterways from point sources such as sewage treatment plants, cattle feedlots and non-point sources, mainly agriculture and animal industries. There is a need to economically control phosphorus inputs into the waterways. Sewage plants can be upgraded and chemical and biological methods of phosphorus removal can be adopted. The chemical methods remove nearly 90 per cent of the phosphorus at reasonable cost, but further removals result in significant increases in the marginal costs. Biological methods have been successful in certain situations. Physical methods of phosphorus removal are too expensive for adoption. Other options for the reuse of effluent such as land disposal appear to be feasible only in locations where the value of land is low. Command and control methods are adopted for removal of phosphorus from animal industries. For cattle feedlots the costs of compliance appear to be high. The average costs of compliance were estimated to be around $41 and $27 per head in cattle feedlots in New South Wales and Queensland respectively. Fish farms also add phosphorus but the estimated levels are not high. However, salmon and trout farms are licensed because of their high discharge volumes. Removing non-point phosphorus has not attracted much attention in Australia but experience from other countries shows that considerable information is needed for the design of charges and taxes for the removal of agricultural phosphorus. However, ad hoc approaches such as buffer strips, reduction of damage by animals to river banks etc are suitable temporary measures that can usefully be adopted at low cost to reduce nutrient pollution of waterways.

ISSN:1322-1698    

DOI:10.1080/14486563.1996.10648355

出版商:Taylor & Francis Group    

年代:1996

数据来源: Taylor

ISSN:1322-1698    

DOI:10.1080/14486563.1996.10648356

出版商:Taylor & Francis Group    

年代:1996

数据来源: Taylor