Many would agree that the efficiency of agri-environment schemes (AES) could be improved, but how? A new study considers how AES could deliver ecosystem services better, using peatlands in the UK as a case study. The researchers suggest a number of approaches to improving the link between the payments given to farmers and the environmental benefits they deliver; these include methods of targeting payments to particular areas.

Energy demand is on the rise globally, and this is predicted to continue in coming decades. Increasing energy production to meet this demand requires materials — both metals and non-metal minerals — from a number of countries. As some materials are in short supply, it is important to consider material dependency and availability when developing national energy plans for the future. This study is the first to address material dependency effects on a nation’s energy development plans, with the UK and Turkey as case studies.

Ecosystems provide myriad services upon which human societies and economies depend. However, most efforts to quantify and conserve these ecosystem services (ES) focus more on service ‘supply’ (functions which potentially benefit humans) than on ‘demand’ (human desire for that supply). This study maps supply and benefit for three ES — flood mitigation, crop pollination, and nature-based recreation — in the state of Vermont, northeast USA, and finds that efforts to conserve ES could be more efficient if policymakers consider ‘demand’, whilst also decreasing trade-offs with biodiversity protection and conservation.

Research into reuse of domestic 'greywater' (non-toilet wastewater) has found that typical treatment systems can significantly reduce overall water consumption. However, non-biodegradable micropollutants will continue to reach municipal wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs), unless a new disposal route is found for the greywater treatment sludge.

Rodents poisoned by pest control substances may pose a threat to protected birds if the carcasses are not removed quickly enough. A new study found that dead water voles on farmland were scavenged rapidly by red kites and buzzards, suggesting that regular removal is needed to reduce poisoning risks.

Weathering of treated wood and other construction materials can lead to the release of chemicals into the environment. Researchers have investigated the release of biocides from wood and roof paints, demonstrating that the amount of water in contact with exposed surfaces is a key factor in determining the level of active chemicals released. The study provides guidance for testing biocidal products in line with the European Biocidal Products Regulation.

The pathways for removal of dissolved phosphorus within biofiltration systems have been examined in a new study. Over 95% of phosphorus was removed over the study period, with the majority of phosphorus stored within plants. The researchers say the findings demonstrate the value of using suitable plant species within biofiltration systems to treat polluted water.

There is a growing body of scientific research into the health benefits of urban forests, such as improving air quality and providing recreational space. However, new research challenges the assumption that their overall impact on quality of life is always positive and land planners need to take into account ecosystem disservices as well as services, say the researchers.

What is the value of clean air? Answering such a question may be achieved by asking citizens how much they are willing to pay. However, some individuals give 'protest vote' responses to such questions. Recent research in EU countries found that the main reasons for this were because they felt that the polluters themselves or the government should be responsible for such costs.

A new study quantifies the economic and environmental potential of powering docked ships in European ports using local electricity networks. The authors give key recommendations on policy actions to enable implementation in European harbours.

Several mitigation techniques can greatly reduce spray drift pollution from pesticide spraying in agricultural systems, shows a new study. Researchers tested the effectiveness of several strategies; results ranged from a 38% reduction in spray drift using low-drift equipment to a 98% reduction when hedgerows are present alongside fields.

The BIOAMBIENT.ES project is the first human biomonitoring programme to estimate levels of environmental pollutants at national level in Spain. This study reports its findings on polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), chemicals that are ubiquitous in the environment. The results will help to establish reference values, identify highly exposed populations and evaluate effectiveness of policies.

Synthetic biology (SB) is the design of new biological parts or systems. It could be influential in finding solutions to environmental challenges, but there are also concerns it could be hazardous. A new study has investigated the issues surrounding the application of SB and suggested policy strategies to oversee this area.

Do you find the Science for Environment Policy RSS feeds useful? Could they be improved? We would be grateful if you could spare a few moments to provide some feedback on the feeds with our short online survey for subscribers:http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/VMHTCLQ. Thank you for your time.

Grey published a vlog, Myke is back to Mega Office, and they both know what day starts the week.

CBS News

HOBART renters are paying more per week than those in most other Australian capital cities.

Casting has been announced for the premiere of a new musical next month.

The Kings Langley Players continues its 95th anniversary celebrations with a popular black comedy.

Juliet & Romeo, Lost Dog’s award-winning version of Shakespeare’s teenage love story, has been playing to sell-out audiences all over the UK since February 2018.

The post Making music with Voog the singing keyboard appeared first on The Lead SA.

FREDERICKSBURG, Va. ⸺  Long-term repair work is underway to rebuild state-maintained roads that sustained severe damage during Tropical Storm...

To mark the new decade, Bushey Museum’s latest exhibition plays on the phrase “20/20 Vision”. It has nothing to do with being able to see perfectly, but concentrates on items in the museum’s collection from 1820 and 1920 with additional loan items completed in 2020.

A NEW exhibition will explore the role of fake news in our lives.

When it comes to the subject of iconic Russian empress Catherine the Great – her alter ego in the upcoming TV series, The Great - Elle Fanning isn’t so different from the rest of us.

A new book will tell the story of Watford’s lost places.

Police would like to speak to two men following investigations of fraudsters scamming an elderly woman.

A destructive display of batting power propelled Watford Haidery to their first Watford Observer Fourteen14 Shield triumph for 30 years as holders Abbots Langley were swept aside by more than 100 runs in last night’s final.

Steven Finn feels Middlesex’s Vitality Blast side possess similar qualities to the team that clinched the county’s first and only T20 triumph 11 years ago.

The post Fee breaks back Honeymoon mine plans appeared first on The Lead SA.

Great British Bake Off semi-finalist, Stacey Hart, has taken on a new challenge - creating delicious treats without using refined sugar. Here the baker from Hertfordshire explains what prompted her to make changes and shares her recipes.

Wherever you stand on the plastic straw debate, food writer Melissa Hemsley is right: “You don’t get two in your mojito on a Friday night now!”

When I told people I was going to try axe throwing, I was met mostly with confused expressions. While in America the target sport has fast become a popular pastime, the UK has yet to catch up. That is about to change, however, as the world’s largest urban axe throwing company, Bad Axe, has just opened its first venue outside of North America.

Following on from a hugely successful first year of touring, live music experience Rock For Heroes is returning next month.

The post First crush makes wine history for Eyre Peninsula appeared first on The Lead SA.

The post $50 million luxury hotel planned at iconic Barossa Valley winery appeared first on The Lead SA.

Kings Langley’s unbeaten run in 2020 came to an end on Tuesday night as they suffered a 2-0 home defeat to St Albans City in the semi-finals of the Herts Senior Challenge Cup.

Shannon Courtenay's upcoming fight is among the latest sporting events to have been suspended due to the coronavirus outbreak, with Matchroom Boxing pushing back a number of their bills.

The founder and general manager of Oxhey Jets has vowed to the club will survive the coronavirus pandemic and has contacted the Football Association with a proposal on how the lower league football season can be completed.

Watford’s Premier League escapology act is well and truly on after they ran out convincing 3-0 winners against Aston Villa to make it seven points from their last three games.

Media Release

Media Release

Media Release

Media Release

 
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 WTNT84 KNHC 140307
 TCVAT4
 
 HUMBERTO WATCH/WARNING ADVISORY NUMBER 6
 NWS NATIONAL HURRICANE CENTER MIAMI FL     AL092019
 1107 PM EDT FRI SEP 13 2019
 
 .TROPICAL STORM HUMBERTO
 
 CAUTION...THIS PRODUCT ONLY APPROXIMATELY CONVEYS THE EXTENT OF
 TROPICAL CYCLONE WIND AND SURGE WATCHES AND WARNINGS. PLEASE SEE
 THE LATEST PUBLIC ADVISORY FROM THE NATIONAL HURRICANE CENTER FOR
 THE PRECISE LATERAL EXTENT OF WIND WATCHES AND WARNINGS ALONG THE
 COAST...AS WELL AS THE APPROXIMATE LATERAL EXTENT OF SURGE WATCHES
 AND WARNINGS. THE PRECISE EXTENT OF SURGE WATCHES AND WARNINGS
 CAN BE FOUND IN THE NWS NATIONAL DIGITAL FORECAST DATABASE HAZARD
 GRIDS.
 
 FLZ047-054-059-064-141-147-140415-
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 1107 PM EDT FRI SEP 13 2019
 
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 KAREN WATCH/WARNING ADVISORY NUMBER 13
 NWS NATIONAL HURRICANE CENTER MIAMI FL     AL122019
 547 AM EDT WED SEP 25 2019
 
 .TROPICAL STORM KAREN
 
 CAUTION...THIS PRODUCT ONLY APPROXIMATELY CONVEYS THE EXTENT OF
 TROPICAL CYCLONE WIND AND SURGE WATCHES AND WARNINGS. PLEASE SEE
 THE LATEST PUBLIC ADVISORY FROM THE NATIONAL HURRICANE CENTER FOR
 THE PRECISE LATERAL EXTENT OF WIND WATCHES AND WARNINGS ALONG THE
 COAST...AS WELL AS THE APPROXIMATE LATERAL EXTENT OF SURGE WATCHES
 AND WARNINGS. THE PRECISE EXTENT OF SURGE WATCHES AND WARNINGS
 CAN BE FOUND IN THE NWS NATIONAL DIGITAL FORECAST DATABASE HAZARD
 GRIDS.
 
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 NESTOR WATCH/WARNING ADVISORY NUMBER 10
 NWS NATIONAL HURRICANE CENTER MIAMI FL     AL162019
 445 PM EDT SAT OCT 19 2019
 
 .POST-TROPICAL CYCLONE NESTOR
 
 CAUTION...THIS PRODUCT ONLY APPROXIMATELY CONVEYS THE EXTENT OF
 TROPICAL CYCLONE WIND AND SURGE WATCHES AND WARNINGS. PLEASE SEE
 THE LATEST PUBLIC ADVISORY FROM THE NATIONAL HURRICANE CENTER FOR
 THE PRECISE LATERAL EXTENT OF WIND WATCHES AND WARNINGS ALONG THE
 COAST...AS WELL AS THE APPROXIMATE LATERAL EXTENT OF SURGE WATCHES
 AND WARNINGS. THE PRECISE EXTENT OF SURGE WATCHES AND WARNINGS
 CAN BE FOUND IN THE NWS NATIONAL DIGITAL FORECAST DATABASE HAZARD
 GRIDS.
 
 FLZ027-028-034-118-127-128-134-192145-
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 445 PM EDT SAT OCT 19 2019
 
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