Fishery bulletin / U.S. Dept. of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, National Marine Fisheries Service.

v.102 (2004)

Using life strategies to explore the vulnerability of ecosystem services to invasion by alien plants

Invasive plants can have different effects of ecosystem functioning and on the provision of ecosystem services, from strongly deleterious impacts to positive effects. The nature and intensity of such effects will depend on the service and ecosystem being considered, but also on features of life strategies of invaders that influence their invasiveness as well as their influence of key processes of receiving ecosystems. To address the combined effect of these various factors we developed a robust and efficient methodological framework that allows to identify areas of possible conflict between ecosystem services and alien invasive plants, considering interactions between landscape invasibility and species invasiveness. Our framework combines the statistical robustness of multi-model inference, efficient techniques to map ecosystem services, and life strategies as a functional link between invasion, functional changes and potential provision of services by invaded ecosystems. The framework was applied to a test region in Portugal, for which we could successfully predict the current patterns of plant invasion, of ecosystem service provision, and finally of probable conflict (expressing concern for negative impacts, and value for positive impacts on services) between alien species richness (total and per plant life strategy) and the potential provision of selected services. Potential conflicts were identified for all combinations of plant strategy and ecosystem service, with an emphasis for those concerning conflicts with carbon sequestration, water regulation and wood production. Lower levels of conflict were obtained between invasive plant strategies and the habitat for biodiversity supporting service. The added value of the proposed framework in the context of landscape management and planning is discussed in perspective of anticipation of conflicts, mitigation of negative impacts, and potentiation of positive effects of plant invasions on ecosystems and their services.

Privatization and competition in the delivery of local services: An empirical examination of the dual market hypothesis

This paper empirically analyses the hypothesis of the existence of a dual market for contracts in local services. Large firms that operate on a national basis control the contracts for delivery in the most populated and/or urban municipalities, whereas small firms that operate at a local level have the contracts in the least populated and/or rural municipalities. The dual market implies the high concentration and dominance of major firms in large municipalities, and local monopolies in the smaller ones. This market structure is harmful to competition for the market as the effective number of competitors is low across all municipalities. Thus, it damages the likelihood of obtaining cost savings from privatization.

IPH Response to Dept of Justice and Equality Review of the Code of Practice on the Sale and Display of Alcohol in Mixed Trading Premises

IPH responded to the Department of Justice, Equality and Defence review of the voluntary Code of Practice for the display and sale of alcohol in supermarkets, convenience stores and similar mixed trading outlets. The voluntary Code was introduced in 2008 as an alternative to the statutory rules for structural separation of alcohol products in mixed trading outlets which are set out in section 9 of the Intoxicating Liquor Act 2008. Interested bodies and individuals were invited to submit comments on the Compliance Report for 2011 and on the effectiveness of the voluntary approach to structural separation by 20th December 2011. The Minister said he intended to also seek the views of the Minister for Health and the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality before reaching any decision on whether to bring the statutory rules in the 2008 Act into operation.

IPH response to Review of Maternity Services in Northern Ireland

IPH responded to the Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety consultation on a draft maternity strategy for Northern Ireland. The strategy contains a number of proposals, which, if implemented, will significantly change how maternity services are delivered in the future. The draft strategy aims to provide women, professionals, commissioners and policy makers with a clear pathway for maternity services from preconceptual care through to postnatal care.  It places an emphasis on early direct contact with a midwife and a better understanding of the role of the midwife and obstetricians. It sets out clear recommendations for tackling public health issues such as obesity, smoking and alcohol abuse in pregnancy; providing more choice; providing care closer to home and ensuring safe, high quality care tailored to meet the needs of the woman.

Independent Review of Autism Services final report (PDF 565 KB)

Independent Review of Autism Services final report

Audit of Maternity Services Executive Summary( PDF 915 KB)

Audit of Maternity Services Executive Summary

Future of Fertility Services in Northern Ireland (From People to Parents)

Future of Fertility Services in Northern Ireland (From People to Parents)

Sperrin Lakeland Trust - Comprehensive Assessment of Acute Services at Sperrin Lakeland Trust

Sperrin Lakeland Trust - Comprehensive Assessment of Acute Services at Sperrin Lakeland Trust

Draft Recovery of Health Services Charges (NI) Order 2004 - Explanatory Memorandum (PDF 296 KB)

Draft Recovery of Health Services Charges (NI) Order 2004 - Explanatory Memorandum

Draft Recovery of Health Services Charges (NI) Order 2004 (PDF 306 KB)

Draft Recovery of Health Services Charges (NI) Order 2004

Recovery of Health Services Charges (NI) Order 2004 - Regulatory Impact Assessment (PDF 254 KB)

Recovery of Health Services Charges (NI) Order 2004 - Regulatory Impact Assessment