Adoption Of Conservation Measures Research Articles

Electricity conservation behaviors: Evidence from Kuwaiti households

Objectives: This study examined households’ electricity conservation behavior in Kuwait by estimating models for 8 curtailment and 8 efficiency measures using data from a 2017 household survey. The objective was to determine factors driving household curtailment and efficient electricity conservation measures. Method: Given Kuwait’s demographic composition, separate econometric models were used for Kuwaitis and expatriates. Results: The different models suggest that households engaged in conservation efforts by investing in efficient technologies and by changing habits and practices with more profound effects among expatriate households. The models for efficiency measures were found to exhibit better fit compared to the curtailment measures. Among the different explanatory variables, dwelling and households’ socioeconomic characteristics were found to have limited bearing on conservation behavior. Conclusion: The results provide some evidence in favor of the theory of planned behavior where there was a relationship between environmental awareness and social interaction, and electricity conservation was established as expatriates and, to a lesser extent, nationals were more likely to adopt conservation measures in response to public campaigns.

Combined demographic, ecological and genetic tools reveal connectivity within a fragmented butterfly population

Combined demographic, ecological and genetic tools reveal connectivity within a fragmented butterfly population

Effect of land use on soil macrofauna in Southern Ghana

ABSTRACT The study explored the impact of land use changes on soil biodiversity, focussing on soil invertebrates in a converted natural forest. Using parallel transects 1 km in length positioned 200 m apart across cocoa, coffee, and cashew farms and natural forest areas, we sampled soil invertebrates with pitfall traps. The findings reveal a significant decline in soil invertebrate populations in cocoa, coffee, and cashew farmlands compared to natural forest. The number of soil invertebrates recorded in the wet season was generally less than the number found in the dry season. Mean soil invertebrate count in the natural forest was approximately double that of the count in cashew farms. Soil invertebrate density was highest in the dry season in the natural forest and lowest in the cashew farms. The study contributes a holistic understanding of the intricate relationships between land use changes and soil biodiversity, emphasizing the urgency of adopting conservation measures and policy interventions to safeguard the rich diversity of soil ecosystems for future generations.

ANALYSIS OF CONSTRAINING FACTORS REGARDING ADOPTION OF SOIL AND WATER CONSERVATION PRACTICES IN THE POTHOHAR, PUNJAB

The current study was conducted at Institute of Agri. Extension, Education and Rural Development, University of Agriculture, Faisalabad in 2022. Rawalpindi district was selected purposively as it receives maximum rainfall. Four out of seven tehsils of Rawalpindi were selected purposively based on maximum numbers of farmers. A sample size of 381 respondents was drawn using surveysystem.com. Proportionate sampling technique was used to interview 214, 104, 32 and 31 farmers from tehsil Gujar Khan, Rawalpindi, Kotli Satiyan and Kahuta respectively. Mix methods research design was used to conduct the study. Quantitative and qualitative data were collected using well-structured interview schedule and a comprehensive interview guide respectively. Research findings revealed that awareness and adoption level of farmers regarding various soil and water conservation practices was unsatisfactory. High level adoption gap was found regarding different soil and water conservation practices: crop rotation (92.4%), intercropping (99.7%), cover cropping (99.8%), terracing (96.1%), broad bed and furrow system of land configuration (96.6%), sowing drought resistant varieties (86.3%), contour farming (85%) and mulching (97.9%). It was concluded that farmers were not only deprived of the advisory services but also the required trainings and technical assistance regarding adoption of conservation measures. Therefore, provision of trainings and demonstration facilities were strongly recommended to educate the farmers regarding basic soil and water conservation measures. Moreover, farmers should also be provided with financial assistance in form of subsidized input supply.

Unveiling the hidden treasures: the vital contributions of Bhitarkanika mangrove in supporting local communities

Mangroves are salt-resistant vegetation that inhibit the muddy intertidal region of tropical and sub-tropical countries. Bhitarkanika Mangrove Sanctuary is one of the hotspots of Odisha state due to its wide range of biodiversity. Mangroves are always integral to the coastal livelihood by providing goods and services to the communities. The importance of mangroves gets neglected by sideling its provision of valuable resources and protection services against cyclones and storms. The present article studied the benefits provided by the Bhitarkanika Mangroves forests to the local communities and focuses on the sustainable conservation of resources for the future. Evidence-based suggestions are suitable for achieving the sustainability of local communities by adopting conservation measures.

Mitigating elasmobranch fin trade: A market analysis for made-to-measure interventions

Mitigating elasmobranch fin trade: A market analysis for made-to-measure interventions

Analysis of the Population Structure and Dynamic of Endemic Salvia ceratophylloides Ard. (Lamiaceae)

Understanding how changes of any origin interact with the structure and survival of entire populations is very important for the protection and conservation of threatened, rare and/or endemic species. In this study, structure and population dynamics of Salvia ceratophylloides Ard., a precious endemic species, belonging to the subgenus Sclarea (Moench) Benth., section Plethiosphace Benth. (Lamiaceae) exclusive to the suburban environments of Reggio Calabria (Southern Italy), was analysed. Interactions between this species and its different growth habitats were examined. Moreover, the disturbance factors which directly affect the demographic viability of the species, influencing its growth, reproduction and distribution in its distribution area were identified. From 2019 to 2021, a census by counting individuals of all the known stations, recorded according to a specific protocol, was carried out. The recorded data were statistically analysed and compared with those of the phytosociological surveys carried out using the Braun-Blanquet method and summarised in phytosociological classes, in accordance with the hierarchical floristic classification system of vascular plant communities, accepted at national and European levels. The structure of the different populations was also related to the different threat factors that afflict S. ceratophylloides. It was observed that the most structured populations of S. ceratophylloides were found in natural and semi-natural environments where the anthropogenic disturbance was minor, while populations with an irregular structure were found in sites exposed to disturbances of various origins. The different phytosociological classes do not interact directly on population structure. The most important factors affecting structure and distribution are disturbances of various origins, in particular anthropogenic and phytosanitary disturbances. In order to keep populations balanced and stable over time, it would be useful to adopt conservation measures for the species and the habitat in which they live, with practical solutions for the following: (a) to limit infestations by insects that parasitize stems and seeds; (b) to prevent mowing, fires, grazing and the introduction of invasive alien species.

Determinants of Adoption of Soil and Water Conservation Practices in Rainfed Agriculture: A Case Study in Pothohar Region, Pakistan

Of the total thirteen rain-fed districts in the Pothohar region, Punjab province of Pakistan, four (Rawalpindi, Jhelum, Chakwal and Attock) are completely rain-fed. Erratic rainfall, moisture, soil degradation, soil erosion and droughts are prominent issues in the Pothohar region, augmenting the dire need for soil and water conservation.; to explore the determinants of the adoption of soil and water conservation practices, this study was conducted in Rawalpindi district because it receives maximum rainfall; which is most of the time lost due to absence of sufficient storage reservoirs exuberating the soil erosion and natural resource degradation. A total of 381 respondents participated in the study respondents were interviewed face-to-face on a structured, validated and reliable questionnaire. The Chi-square test of statistics and a binary logistic model were applied to the collected data using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS). Results demonstrated a statistically significant (P0.05) association between age, farm size, farming experience, and annual income, with awareness and adoption of soil and water conservation practices. Both awareness and adoption of conservation practices were insignificant (P0.05) with the educational level of respondents. Regression analysis confirmed that awareness and adoption of conservation measures were influenced significantly by the predictors' lack of motivation, reliance on off-farming income sources, and inadequate demonstrations. This study complements the adoption of soil and water conservation technologies in the environment of the Pothohar region. To meet this objective, institutional services need to be mainstreamed. Public sector agricultural extension should emphasize awareness campaigns, advisory services, and training programs for farmers and the establishment of demonstration plots specifying the adoption of soil and water conservation techniques.

Latitudinal variation in the woody species diversity and population structure of Lannea microcarpa Engl. and K. Krause in Burkina Faso

Latitude is source of variations of plant species diversity and stand structure. This study aimed to characterize the populations of the African grape tree, Lannea microcarpa, in its range in Burkina Faso. Data were collected according to oriented sampling scheme, based on the presence of the species. Overall, 140 inventory plots of 1000 m2 each were considered across the sub-Sahelian, north-Sudanian and south-Sudanian phytogeographical zones. Tree diameter at breast height (DBH) and total height of L. microcarpa individuals were measured and all woody species in each plot were recorded. A comparative analysis was made between zones for woody flora diversity associated with L. microcarpa, dendrometric and stand structure parameters. The results revealed a total woody flora richness of 109 species. Correlogram analysis revealed that species associated with L. microcarpa differed between phytogeographical zones. Ten species showed a probability of association with L. microcarpa. The density of L. microcarpa populations and the floristic diversity of its habitats decreased significantly (p < 0.001) from sub-Sahelian to south-Sudanian zones. The diameter classes’ structure in the three phytogeographical zones revealed unstable populations with a predominance of intermediate classes compared to extreme classes. The height structure of juveniles is marked by a poor transition between the different classes, showing unpredictable regeneration of L. microcarpa in the three phytogeographical zones. The results of this study draw attention to the need to adopt conservation measures for the species. In this sense, the data on the comparative demographic characteristics can serve as a basis for the implementing of adequate management strategies of natural populations of the species across its distribution range in Burkina Faso.

Assessment of Fish Abundance, Biodiversity and Movement Periodicity Changes in a Large River over a 20-Year Period

A river is an ecosystem where fish fauna represents an important structural element. To re-establish connectivity, it is imperative to allow movement between functional habitats. Due to the hydromorphological complexity of large anthropized rivers and the lack of study techniques that can be used in such environments, relevant data with regard to fish ecology are scarce. On the River Meuse, Belgium, at a point 323 km upstream from the North Sea, the Lixhe hydroelectric dam is equipped with two fishways. Both were continuously monitored using capture traps for 20 consecutive years (from 1999 to 2018), representing 4151 monitoring events. The objectives of the present study were to describe the overall abundance and movement indicators of mainly holobiotic potamodromous fish species and to analyse their temporal evolution. We captured 388,631 individuals (n = 35 fish species) during the 20 years of fishway monitoring; 22.7% were adults (&gt;75% of which were cyprinids), and 83.3% juveniles (&gt;90% cyprinids). From 1999 to 2018, the results showed a drastic reduction in yearly captures for some native species as well as the apparent emergence of non-native (e.g., Silurus glanis) and reintroduced species (e.g., Salmo salar). The annual capture periodicities associated with environmental factors were clearly defined and were mostly related to the spring spawning migration of the adult stage. This long-term monitoring demonstrated how the fishways are used by the whole fish community and allowed a better understanding of their movement ecology in a large lowland anthropized river. The appearance of non-native species and the drastic decline in abundance of some common and widespread European fish should prompt river managers to adopt conservation measures.

Watershed Prioritization Based On Morphometry Analysis for Groundwater Potential in Panjhara River Basin, Sakri Taluka, Maharashtra (India)

Drainage basin analysis is giving a quant quantitative description water resource of the area. The aim of present study is to identify the morphometric parameterseters of watershed condition in Panjhara River basin of Sakri Taluka in the state Maharashtra, India. Study Study areas divided in to 6 sub-watersheds which are nomenclature by groundwater survey and development agency for upper Panjhara River. The study area is having homogeneity in texture and lack of structural contcontrol. The steam order is 1st to 6thin all sub-watersheds rsheds with dendritic drainage pattern. The work included as as the significance of digital elevation model (DEM) for gat gathering details on Drainage Network (stream order, streamstream number, stream length, stream length ratio and bifurca bifurcation ratio), drainage texture (stream frequency, drainage density, constant of channel maintenance, length of of overland flow, total basin relief and relief ratio) and basin geometry (form factor, elongation ratio, texture ratio, circularity ratio drainage texture and compactness coefficient) characteristics. Each parameter has been been assigned their ranks according to their weightage and and low parameter value is ranked as first and so on. The lowest value sub-watershed TE-103 is considered as high priority for adopting conservation measures. The suitable locations for conservation structures like check dam, nala plugging and percolation tank in high prioritized sub-watersheds, were also identified for the appropriate land and water management system. The highly prioritize rioritized zone in structural condition will also useful for mark important location for structures. Although undersrstanding of soil erosion and deposition of earth material.

Forest Owners\u2019 Willingness to Implement Measures to Safeguard Biodiversity: Values, Attitudes, Ecological Worldview and Forest Ownership Objectives

The effective implementation and development of conservation schemes to which participation of forest owners is voluntary, requires an understanding of forest owners’ views on measures to safeguard forest biodiversity. The Forest Biodiversity Program for Southern Finland is currently the most important instrument of voluntary forest conservation in Finland. The aim of this study is to explore what kind of methods the forest owners are willing to implement to safeguard biodiversity in their own forests and to identify forest owner groups based on these views. The aim is also to compare forest owners’ values, attitudes, endorsement of an ecological worldview and objectives for forest ownership as well as the background characteristics in these groups. The data were collected in 2015, by a nationwide mail survey sent to 3000 Finnish family forest owners (n = 1035). Five forest owner types were identified: Conservationists, Moderate conservationists, Compensation oriented, Promoters of biodiversity through forest management and Uninterested. Previous experience of implementation of voluntary measures to safeguard biodiversity and positive attitudes towards conservation were important in explaining the willingness to adopt conservation measures. The results can be utilized in developing voluntary conservation programs and in targeting advisory services related to biodiversity protection to different forest owner groups more accurately. The results support the need for flexible voluntary conservation programs, including a large variety of mechanisms to protect nature values in family owned forests.

Impact of the adoption of vegetative soil conservation measures on farm profit, revenue and variable cost in Darjeeling district, India

AbstractThis study evaluates the effects of vegetative soil conservation practices (afforestation and/or bamboo planting) on farm profit and its components, revenue and variable cost. Since farmers self-select themselves as adopters of conservation measures, there could be a problem of selection bias in evaluating their soil conservation practices. We address the selection bias by using propensity score matching. We also check if there exists spatial spillover in adoption of vegetative conservation measures and how it affects matching. We use primary survey data from the Darjeeling district of the Eastern Himalayan region for the year 2013. Our results suggest strong spatial correlation. We find that the propensity score estimated from the spatial model provides better matches than the non-spatial model. While the results show that vegetative soil conservation can lead to significant gains in revenue, it also increases costs so that no significant gains in profit accrue to farmers.

Gibraltar, Land Reclamation, the Environment and Brexit

The implementation of EU environmental legislation in Gibraltar will be analyzed in this Paper. An study strongly affected by the historical Anglo-Spanish dispute concerning sovereignty over Gibraltar (Rock and Isthmus), which also extends to the surrounding maritime spaces, the airspace over the territory and the internal waters of the port of Gibraltar. Since environmental matters are the responsibility of the Government of Gibraltar, this latter is also responsible for transposing environmental directives, whereas the UK is answerable to the EU for compliance with them.It also will be analyzed the lack of cooperation between the States, that is evidenced by the overlapping of spaces protected surrounding Gibraltar, as Sites of Community Importance (SCI) and Special Areas of Conservation (SAC), for which the adoption of conservation measures is envisaged, including regulation of fishing activity and navigation, environmental impact assessment of projects with transboundary effects that may derive from the practice of land reclamation (in accordance with the Environmental Impact Assessment Directive), pollution prevention, bunkering and scientific research. For several years, these activities have been challenged at the European level by the NGO ‘Campo de Gibraltar Verdemar-Ecologists in Action Association’, and have also been the subject of complaints and protests on the part of the Spanish Government to the UK.Finally, the effect of Brexit on marine environment protection and the expansion of maritime spaces around Gibraltar will be studied, specially the Spanish-British Memorandum of Understanding of 2018 on environmental cooperation which was referenced by the Protocol on Gibraltar included in the Agreement on the Withdrawal of the UK from the EU.

The prevalence of heavy metals in Cladophora glomerata L. from Farahabad Region of Caspian Sea – Iran

ABSTRACTThe presence of toxic heavy metals in the environment is considered as a risk factor for adverse human and environmental health effects. Farahabad Region is a tourist center in the southern coast of Caspian Sea in Mazandaran Province of Iran. Environmental monitoring of this site is important for public health for individuals visiting and residing in this region. Although numerous biomonitoring data are available globally, very few if any apparent investigations have been conducted in this region. In this study, concentration of three heavy metals chromium (Cr), lead (Pb), and cadmium (Cd) was determined for one year in Cladophora glomerata, the predominant macroalga species present in this region. Detection of heavy metals was performed with atomic absorption spectrophotometer using standard methods. Results showed that the range of Cr metal in various algal samples was 29–55 ppm/g dry weight. The levels of Pb in algal samples (Cladophora) ranged from 2 to 8 ppm/g dry weight. The Cd concentrations in C. glomerata biomass ranged from 1.5 to 8.2 ppm/g dry biomass. In view of potential threats of such high metal concentrations in coastal waters and in algal tissues, it is necessary to adopt conservation measures to ensure public health safety.

Encouraging Landscape Water-Conservation Behaviors #5: Segmenting the Audience Based on HOA Status

The newest article in the Encouraging Landscape Water-Conservation Behavior series, this 6-page fact sheet provides Extension professionals with information on segmenting audiences based on their home owner association status. It provides data that shows how HOA membership potentially affects the barriers that households face when adopting conservation measures and explains how Extension professionals should use this information to enhance programming by strategically planning programs based on the similarities between clients. Written by Laura A. Warner, Alexa J. Lamm, Emmett Martin, Joy N. Rumble, and Esen Momol, and published by the Department of Agricultural Education and Communication, April 2016.

Population, Basking and Hatching Success of Gavialis gangeticus in Narayani River, Chitwan National Park, Nepal

This study was carried out to investigate the habitats and abundance of the Gharials in Narayani river of Chitwan National Park from 2012 to 2013. A total of 38 Gharials including 3 hatchlings, 8 juveniles, 12 sub-adults and 15 adults were recorded during the study period. Only one breeding male was observed reflecting the critical condition for the breeding in the wild within Chitwan National Park. The abundance of the gharial was restricted in 2 areas, namely Khoria muhan and Velaunji due to suitability of the habitat conditions and minimum human disturbances. The Basking activities in relation to depth showed that &gt; 80 % of the Gharials selected sandy banks. Among the 2 populations, the gharials in Khoria muhan preferred shallow to moderate depth of water because of presence of braided channels in the area. In contrast, the Gharials in Velaunji select deep water course of the main channel. The park management must adopt conservation measures such as ban of fishing and regular monitoring of habitats and population to maintain long term conservation of gharials in Narayani river.J. Nat. Hist. Mus. Vol. 27, 2013: 1-11

FLORÍSTICA, DIVERSIDADE E DISTRIBUIÇÃO ESPACIAL DAS ESPÉCIES ÁRBOREAS DE UM TRECHO DE FLORESTA ESTACIONAL SEMIDECIDUAL DA SERRA DA CONCÓRDIA, RJ

ResumoO estudo foi realizado na borda de um fragmento de Floresta Estacional Semidecidual na Serra da Concórdia, Vale do Paraíba do Sul (RJ). Foram instaladas amostras em dois sítios, cada uma com 10 subparcelas de 100m2, totalizando 0,2 ha. Foi coletado o material botânico das árvores com Diâmetro à Altura do Peito (DAP) maior ou igual a 5,0 cm. Foram amostrados 247 indivíduos, pertencentes a 43 espécies e 23 famílias. A síndrome de dispersão zoocórica, com 51,8% dos indivíduos e 48,8% das espécies e o grupo ecológico das pioneiras, com 33,3% dos indivíduos e 29,7% das espécies, foram os que apresentaram maior ocorrência. Foram analisados os índices de diversidade de Shannon (H’) e de Pielou (J), além do padrão de distribuição das espécies, através do índice de Morisita (Id). Os valores para os dois primeiros índices foram, respectivamente, 3,15 e 0,84. O padrão de distribuição espacial das espécies revelou que 34,1% das espécies apresentaram padrão de dispersão agregado, 29,5% uniforme e 6,8 % aleatório. A Serra da Concórdia é considerada um importante remanescente da Mata Atlântica do médio Paraíba do Sul, o que reforça a adoção de medidas de conservação desse grande repositório da biodiversidade regional.Palavras-chave: Ecologia florestal; floresta de encosta; índice de Morisita; Mata Atlântica. AbstractFloristic, diversity and spatial distributions of tree species in a Semideciduous Forest site in Sierra of Concórdia, RJ, Brazil. This research was conducted at the edge of a fragment of semideciduous forest in Serra da Concórdia, Valley of Paraíba do Sul ( RJ ). Samplings were installed in two sites, with 10 parcels of 100m2 each, totaling 0.2 ha. The botanical material was collected from trees with diameter at breast height (DBH) greater than or equal to 5.0 cm. The results revealed 247 trees belonging to 43 species and 23 families. The number of trees and of species were higher for dispersion syndrome of zoochory (51.8% of trees and 48.8 % of the species) and for ecological group of pioneers (33.3 % of subjects and 29.7 % of the species). The diversity index of Shannon (H'), of Pielou (J), and the distribution pattern of the species by the Morisita index (Id) were analyzed. The values for the first two indexes were respectively 3.15 and 0.84. The spatial distribution of the species revealed that 34.1 % had aggregated dispersion pattern, 29.5% uniform distribution, and 6.8 % presented random distribution. The forest of the Serra da Concórdia is considered an important remnant of the Atlantic Forest in the middle Paraíba do Sul, which reinforces the adoption of conservation measures for that great repository of regional biodiversity.Keywords: Forest ecology; slope forest; Morisita index; Atlantic Forest.

Assessment of Water Quality and Eutrophication of Lakes

In this study, water quality and eutrophication aspects of Mansar, Surinsar, Tsokar, Tsomoriri and Renuka lakes have been discussed. The water quality parameters were compared with BIS standards for drinking purposes. The values of physico-chemical water quality parameters for Mansar and Surinsar lakes (Jammu Division) were found within the desirable limits except low DO in hypolimnion. Whereas, the values of physico-chemical parameters for Tsomoriri and Tsokar lakes (Ladakh region) were found beyond limits having much higher concentration of pH, total dissolved solids, total hardness, chloride, calcium, magnesium. The water quality of Renuka lake shown higher concentration of magnesium, iron, manganese, lead, total coliform, faecal coliform and low DO in hypolimnion. The eutrophication status assessed on the basis of phosphate concentration show eutrophic condition of Mansar, Surinsar, Tsomoriri and hyper-eutrophic condition of Tsokar and Renuka lake. The results indicate that efforts are required to lower the existing eutrophication levels by adopting conservation measures for the lakes.

An analysis of the joint adoption of water conservation and soil conservation in Central Chile

An analysis of the joint adoption of water conservation and soil conservation in Central Chile