A sustainable landscape ecosystem design: a case study.

Landscape planning is clearly ecologically and socially relevant. Concern about sustainability between human and environment is now a driving paradigm for this professional. However, the explosion of the sustainable landscape in China is a very recent phenomenon. What is the sustainable landscape? How is this realized in practice? In this article, on the basis of the reviews of history and perplexities of Chinese landscape and nature analysis of sustainable landscape, the ecothinking model, an implemental tool for sustainable landscape, was developed, which applies ecothinking in vision, culture, conservation and development of site, and the process of public participation for a harmonious relationship between human and environment. And a case study of the south entrance of TongNiuling Scenic Area was carried out, in which the most optimum scenario was chosen from among three models according to the ecothinking model, to illustrate the construction of the ecothinking model and how to achieve a sustainable landscape.

Microbial remediation and optimization of oil polluted wetlands at Dalian Bay in China.

OBJECTIVE: The wetland at Dalian Bay in the Northeast of China has been polluted by oil severely. The effect of various microbes and operation parameters on the bioremediation of oil-polluted wetlands at Dalian Bay was investigated and reported previously. In the study, other operation conditions related to the status of medium were investigated via statistical experimental design and analysis and a necessary information is involved to use micro-technology in the application. METHODS: The method used involved the direct inoculation of selected bacteria, which were capable of degrading oil. The operation conditions were further optimized and evaluated by gravimetrical assay. RESULTS: The optimal pH and temperature for the studied bacteria to degrade the existing oil pollutants were established as pH 8.0 and 27 degrees C. The mixed of various bacteria showed better results in terms of oil degradation than any single one. Among the selected four factors, disturbance, oxidant, nutrients, and biosurfactant, the former two contributed more impacts on the oil degradation in the early stage of process, while the latter two became the limiting factors in the late stage. Three sets of optimal conditions were obtained for each individual stage, but no one was suitable for the overall process. CONCLUSION: The study demonstrated the technical feasibility of using direct inoculation into the contaminated soil samples to remove oil pollutants. It suggested that the operation conditions should be monitored and adjusted during the different stages of bio-reactions in the process to achieve the best result of oil degradation.