Expansion of Nature Conservation Areas: Problems with Natura 2000 Implementation in Poland?

In spite of widespread support from most member countries’ societies for European Union policy, including support for the sustainable development idea, in many EU countries the levels of acceptance of new environmental protection programmes have been and, in particular in new member states, still are considerably low. The experience of the countries which were the first to implement union directives show that they cannot be effectively applied without widespread public participation. The goal of this study was, using the example of Poland, to assess public acceptance of the expansion of nature conservation in the context of sustainable development principles and to discover whether existing nature governance should be modified when establishing new protected areas. The increase in protected areas in Poland has become a hotbed of numerous conflicts. In spite of the generally favourable attitudes to nature which Polish people generally have, Natura 2000 is perceived as an unnecessary additional conservation tool. Both local authorities and communities residing in the Natura areas think that the programme is a hindrance, rather than a help in the economic development of municipalities or regions, as was initially supposed. This lack of acceptance results from many factors, mainly social, historic and economic. The implications of these findings for current approach to the nature governance in Poland are discussed

Chemical speciation and ecological risk assessment of arsenic in marine sediments from Izmir Bay (Eastern Aegean Sea)

Total arsenic, arsenic(III) and (V), Fe, and Mn were measured in 17 surface sediment samples from Izmir Bay. The concentrations and ecological risk of As were characterized in the sediment affected by urban and agricultural activities. Total As ranged from 8.87 to 28.3 mu g g(-1) dry weight (96.5-99.9 % as inorganic As). Distribution of total As and total As/Fe followed a different trend in sediments at all sampling sites. Arsenite (As(III)) was the most dominant form followed by As(V), while organic arsenic represented a minor constituent (0.03 to 3.49 %). The highest concentration of total As was observed at Gediz River estuary and exceeded lower threshold value (threshold effects level (TEL)). Due to the biological reduction of As(V) and abundance of Fe (oxyhydr)oxides in the sediments, most inorganic As in the Izmir Bay was present as As(III). Besides, the levels of As were >TEL and <PEL at all stations, suggesting that As may not currently impose ecologically dangerous impacts in the sedimentary environment of Izmir Bay. At all sampling sites in the Izmir Bay, nevertheless, natural sources of As need to be considered to explain the distribution patterns. This work highlights the need for arsenic speciation analysis to accurately assess potential toxicity of marine resources and provides a crucial baseline to assess the impact of future development within this region