Implementing international environmental agreements in Russia

This exciting book is the first systematic study of how international environmental agreements are transformed into political action in Russia. Using three illuminating case studies on the implementation process in the fields of fisheries management, nuclear safety and air pollution control, this book fills an important gap in existing literature. While the focus in current social science debate on international environmental regimes is accumulating knowledge on 'implementing activities' at both national and international level, this book goes one step further and examines implementation at national and regional level. This topic is of great theoretical relevance to the study of environmental politics since some of the main sources of environmental degradation in Europe are to be found in the Russian Federation. It is also of relevance to the more general debate on contemporary Russian politics and offers valuable new material on regional politics in Russia. With its emphasis on the politics of environmental and resource management, it continues the description and discussion of political processes where most accounts of Russian politics tend to stop. This book will be invaluable for undergraduates, postgraduates and academics studying environmental politics and Russian politics at regional and national level

Implementing international environmental agreements in Russia

This exciting book is the first systematic study of how international environmental agreements are transformed into political action in Russia. Using three illuminating case studies on the implementation process in the fields of fisheries management, nuclear safety and air pollution control, this book fills an important gap in existing literature. While the focus in current social science debate on international environmental regimes is accumulating knowledge on 'implementing activities' at both national and international level, this book goes one step further and examines implementation at national and regional level. This topic is of great theoretical relevance to the study of environmental politics since some of the main sources of environmental degradation in Europe are to be found in the Russian Federation. It is also of relevance to the more general debate on contemporary Russian politics and offers valuable new material on regional politics in Russia. With its emphasis on the politics of environmental and resource management, it continues the description and discussion of political processes where most accounts of Russian politics tend to stop. This book will be invaluable for undergraduates, postgraduates and academics studying environmental politics and Russian politics at regional and national level

The Gemini/HST Cluster Project: Structural and Photometric Properties of Galaxies in Three z =0.28-0.89 Clusters

We present the data processing and analysis techniques we are using to determine structural and photometric properties of galaxies in our Gemini/HST Galaxy Cluster Project sample. The goal of this study is to understand cluster galaxy evolution in terms of scaling relations and structural properties of cluster galaxies at redshifts 0.15 < z < 1.0. To derive parameters such as total magnitude, half-light radius, effective surface brightness, and Sersic n, we fit r^{1/4} law and Sersic function 2-D surface brightness profiles to each of the galaxies in our sample. Using simulated galaxies, we test how the assumed profile affects the derived parameters and how the uncertainties affect our Fundamental Plane results. We find that while fitting galaxies which have Sersic index n < 4 with r^{1/4} law profiles systematically overestimates the galaxy radius and flux, the combination of profile parameters that enter the Fundamental Plane has uncertainties that are small. Average systematic offsets and associated random uncertainties in magnitude and log r_e for n > 2 galaxies fitted with r^{1/4} law profiles are -0.1+-0.3 and 0.1+-0.2 respectively. The combination of effective radius and surface brightness, log r_e - \beta log _e, that enters the Fundamental Plane produces offsets smaller than -0.02+-0.10. This systematic error is insignificant and independent of galaxy magnitude or size. A catalog of photometry and surface brightness profile parameters is presented for three of the clusters in our sample, RX J0142.0+2131, RX J0152.7-1357, and RX J1226.9+3332 at redshifts 0.28, 0.83, and 0.89 respectively.Comment: 31 pages, 15 figure

Liv og lære om strategisk kompetansestyring i Forsvaret

Strategisk kompetansestyring tas i bruk av stadig flere virksomheter som et av flere tiltak for å oppnå sin visjon og målsetning om å inneha eller utvikle relavant komptanse. I privat sektor er en gjennomgående begrunnelse «konkurransefortrinn», i offentlig sektor er begrunnelsen ikke like entydig. Noen deler av offentlig sektor er konkurranseutsatt, mens andre ser nødvendigheten av en strategi for virksomhetens kompetane for kunne utføre sine pålagte oppgaver. Det norske Forsvaret har utarbeidet et direktiv for strategisk kompetansestyring. Direktivet er en nøkkel til forståelse av hvordan en offentlig virksomhet tenker og håndterer en strategi for kompetansestyring. Siktemålet med denne oppgaven er beskrive og utforske hvordan strategisk kompetansestyring forstås og håndteres ut i fra Forsvarets kontekst, og i forhold til strategi, organisasjonsstruktur og kunnskaps- og kompetansesyn

Fauna analyses of a possible electrical cable corridor in the Hardanger fjord

In relation to a possible cable pathway on the sea floor through the inner half of the Hardanger fjord, the Institute for Marine Research has carried out ROV inspections of the benthic faunal communities along 17 selected bottom transects. The surveyed area was restricted to the inner half of the Hardanger fjord – from Sima to Norheimsund in the period 9–29 November 2010. The deep horizontal seabed along the midline of the investigated part of the fjord was dominated by the crustacean Munida sp and its borrow, the sea cucumbers Bathyplotes sp and Stichopous sp, sea-pens, and the echiuran Bonellia sp. The steep walls along the sides of the investigated fjord were populated with less abundant but still relatively frequently-occurring taxa such the sea star Brisingia sp, the large bivalve Acesta sp, and several species of sponges. Though any local recovery time is unknown, we do not consider these populations to be threatened by the possible cable-laying activities. These are not listed in the Norwegian redlist and are not considered as threatened by the OSPAR Convention. However, in the outer part of the investigated area (transects named Kvamsøy cliff wall and Øystese), the vulnerable corals Lophelia pertusa and Anthomastus grandiflorus (redlisted) and Primnoa sp were observed. To avoid threatening impacts to these groups of corals, we therefore recommend using video monitoring during any cable-laying activities

Fauna analyses of a possible electrical cable corridor in the Hardanger fjord

In relation to a possible cable pathway on the sea floor through the inner half of the Hardanger fjord, the Institute for Marine Research has carried out ROV inspections of the benthic faunal communities along 17 selected bottom transects. The surveyed area was restricted to the inner half of the Hardanger fjord – from Sima to Norheimsund in the period 9–29 November 2010. The deep horizontal seabed along the midline of the investigated part of the fjord was dominated by the crustacean Munida sp and its borrow, the sea cucumbers Bathyplotes sp and Stichopous sp, sea-pens, and the echiuran Bonellia sp. The steep walls along the sides of the investigated fjord were populated with less abundant but still relatively frequently-occurring taxa such the sea star Brisingia sp, the large bivalve Acesta sp, and several species of sponges. Though any local recovery time is unknown, we do not consider these populations to be threatened by the possible cable-laying activities. These are not listed in the Norwegian redlist and are not considered as threatened by the OSPAR Convention. However, in the outer part of the investigated area (transects named Kvamsøy cliff wall and Øystese), the vulnerable corals Lophelia pertusa and Anthomastus grandiflorus (redlisted) and Primnoa sp were observed. To avoid threatening impacts to these groups of corals, we therefore recommend using video monitoring during any cable-laying activities

Reactions of Narwhals, Monodon monoceros, to Killer Whale, Orcinus orca, Attacks in the Eastern Canadian Arctic

A Killer Whale attack on Narwhals was observed at Kakiak Point in Admiralty Inlet, Nunavut, Canada, in August 2005. Behavioral responses of both Narwhals and Killer Whales were documented by direct observation. Data collected from Narwhals instrumented with satellite-linked transmitters 5 days prior to the arrival of Killer Whales were used to examine changes in Narwhal movement patterns (e.g., dispersal and clumping) five days before the attack, during the attack, and five days after Killer Whales left the area. A minimum of four Narwhals were killed by 12-15 Killer Whales in a period of 6 hours. Narwhals showed a suite of behavioral changes in the immediate presence of Killer Whales including slow, quiet movements, travel close to the beach (&lt;2 m from shore), use of very shallow water, and formation of tight groups at the surface. These behavioral changes are consistent with Inuit accounts of Killer Whale attacks on Narwhals. During the attack, Narwhals dispersed broadly, the groups were less clumped (standard deviation of inter-whale mean latitudes and longitudes), Narwhal space-use doubled from pre-attack home ranges of 347 km2 to 767 km2 (kernel 50% probability), and Narwhals shifted their distribution further south of the attack site. After the disappearance of Killer Whales, north-south dispersal of Narwhals contracted and was similar to pre-attack levels, total space use decreased slightly (599 km2), yet west-east dispersal remained high. Narwhals were distributed significantly (P &lt; 0.001) more broadly offshore in areas not used before the occurrence of Killer Whales. In general, short-term reactions of Narwhals to Killer Whale presence were obvious; yet normal behavior (as observed from shore) resumed shortly after Killer Whales left the area. Long-term (five day) Narwhal behavioral responses included increased dispersal of Narwhal groups over large offshore areas. This is among the few reports of eyewitness Killer Whale attacks on Narwhals in the high Arctic and is the first time changes in Narwhal behavior have been documented in response to a predation event through the use of satellite telemetry

Implementering av krav til kommersialisering av forskningsresultater ved Universitetet i Tromsø : PhD-kandidatenes holdninger og opplevelse av støtte i forbindelse med kommersialisering av forskningsresultater

Masteroppgave i bedriftsledelse (MBA) - Universitetet i Nordland, 201

Identification of Potential Foraging Areas for Bowhead Whales in Baffin Bay and Adjacent Waters

The bowhead whale (Balaena mysticetus) is the Arctic’s largest and most dependent predator on zooplankton; however, knowledge about its important foraging areas in Baffin Bay and adjacent waters is limited. Data on movement, horizontal velocity (ms-1), dive depth (m), and dive rate (dives h-1) were obtained from 39 bowhead whales (31 females, 6 males, and 2 of undetermined sex) instrumented with satellite-linked time-depth recorders (SLTDRs) in spring 2009 and 2010 in Disko Bay, West Greenland. Thirty-eight whales provided information on dive rates and movement, and potential foraging areas were identified on the basis of low dive rates and stationary behaviour. Nine potential foraging areas were identified: Disko Bay and adjacent region, Clyde Inlet, Isabella Bay, Broughton Island, Cumberland Sound, Frobisher Bay, Hudson Strait, southern Foxe Basin, and northern Foxe Basin. Two females returned to Disko Bay the following spring (duration of tags &gt; 420 days). Their diving behavior indicated that all whales exhibited a large degree of flexibility in their use of potential feeding areas in Baffin Bay and adjacent waters. The variability of habitat selection may buffer against climate-induced changes in the preferred habitats of bowhead whales.La baleine boréale (Balaena mysticetus) est le plus grand prédateur de zooplancton de l’Arctique. Elle est également le prédateur qui dépend le plus de cette espèce. Cependant, on possède peu de connaissances sur les importantes zones d’alimentation de la baleine boréale dans la baie de Baffin et les eaux adjacentes. Des données au sujet des déplacements et de la vélocité horizontale (ms-1), de la profondeur des plongeons (m) et du taux de plongeons (plongeons h-1) ont été obtenues à partir de 39 baleines boréales (31 femelles, six mâles et deux baleines au sexe non déterminé) dotées d’enregistreurs de profondeur temporelle satellitaires (SLTDR) au printemps 2009 et au printemps 2010 dans la baie de Disko, dans l’ouest du Groenland. Trente-huit baleines ont permis d’obtenir de l’information sur le taux de plongeons et les déplacements, de même que sur les zones d’alimentation potentielles en fonction des plongeons en faible profondeur et du comportement stationnaire. Neuf zones d’alimentation potentielles ont été déterminées, soit la baie de Disko et la région adjacente, le passage Clyde, la baie Isabella, la baie Broughton, le détroit de Cumberland, la baie Frobisher, le détroit d’Hudson, le sud du bassin Foxe et le nord du bassin Foxe. Deux femelles sont retournées à la baie de Disko le printemps suivant (durée des étiquettes &gt; 420 jours). Leur comportement de plongée laissait entrevoir que toutes les baleines possédaient un grand degré de souplesse quant à leur utilisation des zones d’alimentation potentielles dans la baie de Baffin et les eaux adjacentes. La variabilité de la sélection de l’habitat peut avoir pour effet d’amortir les changements découlant du climat dans les habitats préférés des baleines boréales