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Issue 360, 6 February 2013
Science for Environment Policy
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Social Innovation and the Environment
New In-depth Report
Grassroots innovations which bring both social and environmental improvements are
explored in the latest In-depth Report from Science for Environment Policy, published online
today. From urban beekeeping in Copenhagen to pedal-powered distribution in Paris and
community farming in London, social innovation can help create new jobs, improve social
inclusivity and strengthen local economies, whilst delivering benefits for nature, air quality
and climate change mitigation, among many other valuable functions. The report presents
case studies of social innovation as well as research into frameworks and evaluation methods
which can help policymakers understand social innovation and its environmental
implications. Download report (PDF)
In this issue
Increasing aridity will disrupt soil nutrient cycles in global drylands
The drying of soils under global warming could disrupt the balance of nutrients in large areas
of the Earth's land surface, according to new research. The study focused on 'drylands' – arid
areass with low levels of rainfall – which support over 38% of the world''s population. Such
nutrient imbalances could diminish the provision of ecosystem services, such as food
production and carbon storage, the researchers say.
(more...) Download article (PDF)
Urban habitats as a refuge for biodiversity: A case study in Greece
Cities located in biodiversity hotspots can provide valuable refuges for a wide range of
plants, a recent study suggests. Of the 379 plant species and sub-species recorded in the
city of Ioannina, Greece, 27 were of conservation interest. Town planners can ensure that
cities play an important role in supporting regional biodiversity when designing future urban
developments, the researchers say.
(more...) Download article (PDF)
The effects of nuclear power cooling systems on the critically endangered European
eel
A case study in Sweden has shown that critically endangered European eels are being lost
when they are sucked into the local nuclear power station's cooling system. A process to
pump the eels back into the sea could be beneficial to this species, the researchers conclude.
(more...) Download article (PDF)
Case studies from Greenland, Poland and the Ukraine on levels of banned flame
retardants
Certain chemicals that were once used as flame retardants are now banned in the EU, but
can remain in the environment. A new study adds to our limited knowledge regarding the
presence of the chemicals polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) and polybrominated
biphenyls (PBBs) in humans. The study suggests levels in Polish and Ukrainian men are lower
than in those living in the US and Greenland.
(more...) Download article (PDF)
Biodiversity protection in the Netherlands
Two thirds of natural areas in the Netherlands suffer from at least one of four key
environmental pressures including nitrogen pollution, drying, acidification and habitat
fragmentation, a new study suggests. Possible solutions to enable the country to meet its
commitments under the EU's biodiversity targets include moves towards sustainable farming
and reduction of nitrogen outputs, the researchers conclude.
(more...) Download article (PDF)
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Commission.
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Full articles
Increasing aridity will disrupt soil nutrient cycles in global drylands
The drying of soils under global warming could disrupt the balance of nutrients in large areas
of the Earth's land surface, according to new research. The study focused on 'drylands' – arid
arreas with low levels of rainfall – which support over 38% of the worrld's population. Such
nutrient imbalances could diminish the provision of ecosystem services, such as food
production and carbon storage, the researchers say.
Drylands cover about 41% of the Earth's land surface and there is concern that the predicted
increase in aridity under climate change could disrupt the cycles of nutrients such as carbon,
nitrogen and phosphorus within the soil. To evaluate the possible extent of this disruption,
this study assessed the effect of aridity on the balance of these three nutrients in soil from
224 dryland sites spanning all continents except Antarctica.
The results showed that soil samples from more arid areas were associated with lower
concentrations of carbon and nitrogen but higher phosphorus. The presence of carbon and
nitrogen in the soil is linked to biological processes such as photosynthesis, nitrogen fixation
by plants and decomposition of litter. In drier conditions there is likely to be less plant cover,
which will negatively affect these biological processes, therefore reducing the amounts of
carbon and nitrogen in soils. However, less plant cover will favour physical processes such as
rock weathering, which increases the amount of phosphorus in soils.
In less arid conditions phosphorus becomes available for uptake by plants and microbes
through the action of enzymes in the soil that are dependent on nitrogen. In turn, the levels
of nitrogen rely on good availability of carbon. Thus the cycles that mediate the levels of
available phosphorus, carbon and nitrogen are coupled. However, in arid conditions there is a
decoupling of these cycles, since phosphorus is no longer reliant on the levels of the other
two nutrients because it is also produced by rock weathering.
This decoupling of cycles with increasing aridity leads to an imbalance in the nutrients. In the
face of global warming this has implications for dryland ecosystems and the services they
provide. For example, reductions in the availability of nitrogen in soil can limit plant growth,
reducing the CO2 uptake and further contributing to global warming. In addition, the
imbalance in nutrients may affect biodiversity by allowing some plants to out-compete
others.
The research provides insight into the effect of aridity on the world's drylands. Considering
the predicted worldwide decrease of soil moisture by the end of the 21 st century, this
knowledge can help inform the evaluation of critical global tipping points of ecosystems and
the services they provide.
Source: Delgado-Baquerizo, M., Maestre, F.T., Gallardo, A. et al. (2013). Decoupling of soil nutrient cycles as a function of
aridity in global drylands. Nature. 502:672-676. DOI: 10.1038/nature12670.
Contact: mdelbaq@upo.es
Read more about: Biodiversity, Climate change and energy, Soil
Urban habitats as a refuge for biodiversity: A case study in Greece
Cities located in biodiversity hotspots can provide valuable refuges for a wide range of
plants, a recent study suggests. Of the 379 plant species and sub-species recorded in the
city of Ioannina, Greece, 27 were of conservation interest. Town planners can ensure that
cities play an important role in supporting regional biodiversity when designing future urban
developments, the researchers say.
Cities are part of the wider landscape and those that are located in or near biodiversity
hotspots may be home to a range of wildlife. However, urban development also destroys and
fragments habitats, resulting in a loss of species, as well as enabling the introduction and
spread of invasive plants and animals.
In this study researchers aimed to understand the extent to which cities located in
biologically important areas can provide suitable habitats for a wide diversity of plants. The
researchers focused on Ioannina, a city in north western Greece which is in or near several
national and EU protected areas, including a national park, an urban pine forest and a lake.
They surveyed four areas, each 16 hectares in size, from the city centre to the outer
suburbs, which represented different states of urbanisation.
Altogether, the researchers identified 11 different habitat types containing 379 species and
sub-species of plants, including native and non-native species. Twenty-seven (approximately
7%) were plants of conservation interest which are either endemic to Greece or the Balkans,
or are considered under threat by EU or international bodies. Non-native plants accounted
for approximately 11% of the identified species and subspecies and only four non-native
species were found in all four study areas.
Habitats were classed as either semi-natural or anthropogenic, i.e., extensively altered by
human activities. Semi-natural pine forests contained the smallest proportion of non-natives
and the greatest proportion of plants of conservation interest. However, over half (68%) of
all plant species and subspecies were found in anthropogenic habitats and the largest range
of habitats and plant diversity was found in the citadel in the centre of the city.
Two plants of conservation interest were found in all 11 habitats, both semi-natural and
anthropogenic, which is uncommon for studies of urban ecosystems. Some of these species
were in fact found growing in highly disturbed anthropogenic habitats, including rubble,
roadways and pavement cracks. Anthropogenic habitats contained 30 non-native plants that
were not found in semi-natural habitats; however, compared with cities in central and
northern Europe, there was a relatively small proportion of non-native plants found overall.
These findings suggest that there are European cities in which typical anthropogenic habitats
are important to biodiversity protection. According to the researchers, future studies should
be directed towards discovering these urban hotspots, assessing the key habitats, and
introducing urban planning policies based on in situ nature conservation.
Source: Kantsa, A., Tscheulin, T., Junker, R.R. et al. (2013). Urban biodiversity hotspots wait to get discovered: The
example of the city of Ioannina, NW Greece. Landscape and Urban Planning. 120: 129-137.
DOI:10.1016/j.landurbplan.2013.08.013.
Contact: afroditi.k@geo.aegean.gr
Read more about: Biodiversity, Green infrastructure, Urban environment
The effects of nuclear power cooling systems on the critically endangered
European eel
A case study in Sweden has shown that critically endangered European eels are being lost
when they are sucked into the local nuclear power station's cooling system. A process to
pump the eels back into the sea could be beneficial to this species, the researchers conclude.
Nuclear power stations require large amounts of water for their cooling systems and 86% of
the world's nuclear reactors use water from natural ecosystems, drawing water from the sea
or a nearby river and pumping it back after use. This practice can trap and kill aquatic
species which are sucked up with the water. Technology used to pump fish and other species
back into their natural environment could be valuable, especially for species of conservation
concern.
This study examined a case study in Sweden, focusing on the impacts of this practice on the
European eel (Anguilla anguilla). This remarkable animal undergoes a vast migration from
the Sargasso Sea off North America to the freshwater lakes, rivers and streams of Europe
and back. The species is now critically endangered globally, possibly as a result of a
combination of different factors, including climate change, overfishing and pollution.
The research was carried out at the Forsmark nuclear power plant in eastern Sweden. At the
plant the water is pumped into a filtering station and any animals or debris are discarded. In
2010 and 2011 the researchers recorded the number and weight of the fish trapped over a
24 hour period every week.
The results showed that over the two years, 58 600 000 fish, totalling 101 100 kg, were
trapped at the filtering stations. Overall, 1943 European eels were caught in 2010 and 1166
in 2011. The researchers calculated that, if a system were put in place to pump the fish back
into the sea, as has been implemented at some other plants, approximately 1300 eels would
be saved. This was calculated using the data from this study and previous research from
other power stations into the survival rates of eels that are pumped back.
The most common fish caught were three-spined sticklebacks, however, large numbers of
herring were also caught, especially in spring and autumn. The numbers of herring are of
particular importance since the herring fishery in the area supports local livelihoods. In fact,
the numbers of herring trapped at the power plant in 2011 reached a third of the herring
landings by fishermen in the Forsmark area in the same year. The researchers were not able
to investigate whether this is affecting herring populations in the long term, but suggest
further research is needed on this.
Overall, this study showed that a system to return European eels to the sea would help
conserve this species. While the researchers did not investigate the economic profitability of
this possibility, they stress the fact that the European eel is globally endangered and
therefore such investment may be considered worthwhile.
Source: Bryhn, A. C., Bergenius, M. A. J., Dimberg, P. H. et al. (2013). Biomass and number of fish impinged at a nuclear
power plant by the Baltic Sea. Environmental Monitoring and Assessment. 185:10073–10084. DOI 10.1007/s10661-01133313-1.
Contact: andreas.bryhn@slu.se
Read more about: Biodiversity, Marine ecosystems
Case studies from Greenland, Poland and the Ukraine on levels of banned flame
retardants in humans
Certain chemicals that were once used as flame retardants are now banned in the EU, but
can remain in the environment. A new study adds to our limited knowledge regarding the
presence of the chemicals polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) and polybrominated
biphenyls (PBBs) in humans. The study suggests levels in Polish and Ukrainian men are lower
than in those living in the US and Greenland.
PBDEs and PBBs were used mainly as flame retardants in electronics, furniture and carpets.
There are three main types of PBDEs: penta- and octa-PBDE, which were banned in the EU in
2004; and deca-BDE, which will soon be restricted. PBDEs may interfere with male
reproductive and hormonal processes, and with brain development. PBBs have been linked
with cancer and were phased out in the 1980s.
All of these banned and restricted chemicals can still be found in consumer products that
have not yet been replaced. As they are not chemically bound to the products they are used
in they can leach into the environment, for example during disposal.
The researchers measured levels of various PBDEs and one PBB in blood samples taken from
men living in Greenland, Poland and the Ukraine. This was the first large scale study to
measure PBDEs and PBB levels in individuals from these countries. The study group included
99 men from Greenland, 100 from Poland and 100 from the Ukraine, all of whom were
between 18 and 50 and were recruited via hospitals and clinics, as the partners of women
receiving antenatal care.
Samples from nearly all the men contained at least one PBDE or PBB, and 35 contained all of
those that the researchers tested for. Depending on the specific chemical, levels were
between 3 and 15 times lower in the European men sampled, compared to men from
Greenland. However, levels in Greenlandic men are still lower by at least half than levels
measured previously in US men.
Previous research indicates that Western Europe and North America may be major sources of
PBDEs and PBBs for Greenland, as these chemicals are transported by air and can travel long
distances. In addition, the chemicals accumulate in fish, so different diets may account for
differing levels between countries –“ and potentially explain the higher levels in Greenland.
Locally, open-air fires and incineration of waste may also be an important source.
The researchers were unable to make links between measured concentrations and factors
that might influence exposure levels, such as owning items of furniture likely to contain
PBDEs and PBBs. However, previous studies have identified links to smoking and living in a
low income household, which are both associated with higher blood levels of these chemicals.
A limitation of this study is that it focused on a specific subset of PBDEs and one PBB; the
authors say that in future research novel flame retardant chemicals should also be taken into
account.
Source: Lenters, V., Thomsen, C., Smit, L.A.M. et al. (2013). Serum concentrations of polybrominated diphenyl ethers
(PBDEs) and a polybrominated biphenyl (PBB) in men from Greenland, Poland and Ukraine. Environment International. 6:
8-16. DOI: 10.1016/j.envint.2013.09.001.
Contact: V.C.Lenters@uu.nl
Read more about: Chemicals, Environment and health
Biodiversity protection in the Netherlands
Two thirds of natural areas in the Netherlands suffer from at least one of four key
environmental pressures including nitrogen pollution, drying, acidification and habitat
fragmentation, a new study suggests. Possible solutions to enable the country to meet its
commitments under the EU's biodiversity targets include moves towards sustainable farming
and reduction of nitrogen outputs, the researchers conclude.
The Natura 2000 network1 was established to prevent biodiversity and habitat loss across
Europe and to fulfil the EU's obligations under the UN Convention on Biological Diversity 2.
According to the Natura Barometer, as of January 2014, 27 221 sites in 28 EU member
states are protected under Natura 2000, covering 18% of total land area 3. This includes 203
sites in the Netherlands, which cover 14% of the country's total land area.
In the Netherlands, some of the most important pressures on biodiversity are intensive
agriculture and industry, leading to nitrogen pollution and drought or desiccation of land by
lowering of the groundwater level. These pressures have resulted in acidification of soil,
eutrophication and habitat fragmentation.
For this study the researchers focused on nitrogen deposition, desiccation, acidification and
habitat fragmentation in the Netherlands. They mapped these pressures for both Natura
2000 and other, natural sites because many species are dependent on habitats both within
and outside the network.
For nitrogen deposition, they set a critical load that indicates a limit above which significant
harmful effects are assumed to occur. This limit was exceeded across 70% of the total area
studied. There were 26 habitat types, including fens and raised bogs, where the limit was
exceeded for 95% of the area studied. In maps combing all four environmental pressures,
nitrogen deposition was often associated with desiccation. Thirty of the 63 habitat types
studied were dependent on groundwater levels. For these habitat types, 91% of the area
studied suffered from desiccation, the affected area making up a fifth of all natural land in
the Netherlands.
The results also show that 40% of soils suffer from acidification, with sandy soils being worst
affected. Finally, habitats were not badly fragmented, but connectivity of habitats was low
for six of the 80 species considered.
Overall, two thirds of the natural areas in the Netherlands suffer from at least one of the four
pressures. The researchers conclude that desiccation and nitrogen pollution are the major
obstacles to meeting the objectives of the Natura 2000 network in the Netherlands and the
Dutch government must take extensive measures to improve conditions. Sustainable farming
and reduction of nitrogen outputs may form a key part of the solution, they conclude.
1.
2.
3.
http://ec.europa.eu/environment/nature/natura2000/index_en.htm
http://www.cbd.int/
http://ec.europa.eu/environment/nature/info/pubs/docs/nat2000newsl/nat34_en.pdf
Source: Wamelink, G.W.W., De Knegt, B., Pouwels, R. et al. (2013). Considerable environmental bottlenecks for species
listed in the Habitats and Birds Directives in the Netherlands. Biological Conservation. 165: 43-53. DOI:
10.1016/j.biocon.2013.05.012.
Contact: wieger.wamelink@wur.nl
Read more about: Agriculture, Biodiversity