Environmental Conservation Research Articles

Los líderes cómo gestores de la protección del entorno medio ambiental

Introduction: Society, from the most primitive forms, has always needed people to direct its destinies. Human beings with special characteristics that make them stand out from others. These outstanding people are the ones who transform their environment and achieve redundant results for development. Objective: Consistent with the above, the purpose of this article is to highlight the actions that, from different leadership models, are exercised in terms of environmental protection and conservation. Methodology: The review is based on the work of different writers and researchers who describe the different types of leadership and the commitment in which they are immersed in order to develop ideas that materialize in excellent management that results in the conservation and protection of nature. Conclusions: It is concluded that each style or model of leadership has immersed goodnesses directed to the preservation and conservation of the environment, synthesised in the management of leaders and that, due to the crucial moment that Planet Earth is living due to climate change, many of these goodnesses become a restorative balm of the natural environment.

Estimation of suspended sediment load to the Volta Lake under changing climate using empirical discharge-sediment equations

ABSTRACT Reliable estimates of sediment fluxes into rivers provide valuable information for current and future water resource development and management. In this study, empirical equations relating discharge to suspended sediment loads were developed for the three major tributaries (Black Volta, White Volta, and Oti) of the Volta Lake. The empirical equations were fed with projected future river discharges for the three tributaries, to estimate the suspended sediment fluxes into the Volta Lake for the future (2051–2080) relative to a baseline period (2014–2016). The Soil and Water Assessment Tool (SWAT) was used to model the projected discharges. The SWAT model was driven by downscaled climate projections from two regional climate models (RCA4 and RACMO22 T) forced by two emission scenarios (RCP 4.5 and RCP 8.5) from the IPCC Fifth Assessment. Compared to the baseline, the estimated future sediment fluxes show average increments of about 19% and 28%, respectively under RCP 4.5 and RCP 8.5. This has negative consequences as less water is stored for hydropower generation and the lake water becomes more turbid, which inhibits zooplankton and fishery production. The result underscores the need to improve the management of the Lake's watershed by ensuring proper landcover/use planning, afforestation and enforcing regulations on land degradation and general environmental conservation.

Renewable Energy and Sustainability Convergence

The change to renewable energy in the development of senior citizens homes is crucial as professionals in the built environment and organizations are getting more conscious of environmental conservation. The need to cut energy billing costs, raising energy efficiency, and emit little or no greenhouse gases known to be dangerous to human living makes this very imperative. Solar, wind, and geothermal energy sources are gaining ground. This study seeks to examine the benefits of incorporating renewable energy in housing facilities that accommodate senior citizens. The survey research design, employing qualitative and quantitative data from respondents, was analyzed using descriptive statistics and inferential analysis. The study revealed that structures integrated with solar photovoltaic (PV) systems, solar panels and wind power can reduce dependence on conventional power systems, having a notable positive influence on the greenhouse effect through a reduction in the emission of greenhouse gases, providing satisfactory indoor conditions to have a positive impact on elderly health. Favourable government policies and regulations in terms of subsidies, grants and regulation enforcement of regulations would help greatly. The research concluded that in addition to improving the quality of care for elderly residents, the generation of renewable energy promotes the concept of sustainability.

Investigating the environmental capacity of soil heavy metals and its determinants in agro-pastoral regions of the qinghai-tibetan plateau.

Environmental capacity (EC) serves as the basis for environmental planning and management, as a key indicator for assessing environmental risk and quality, and as a foundation for achieving sustainable development. Studies on EC typically address agricultural or urban rather than pastoral areas, with few examining agro-pastoral areas. The EC of the Tibetan Plateau is particularly important, considering its importance as an agricultural area and ecological reserve. To address this gap, the Qingshizui area in Menyuan County, a typical agro-pastoral area on the Tibetan Plateau, was selected to quantify soil EC and its spatial distribution. In terms of the dynamic and static annual soil EC for this region, the heavy metals were ranked as follows, in ascending order: Cd, Hg, Co, As, Sb, Ni, Cu, Pb, Cr, and Zn. Most of the areas with high residual EC were in the west. For the 10 heavy metals, residual EC was significantly affected by geological background. For all the heavy metals except Zn and Hg, residual EC was significantly affected by soil type. The heavy metal elements in the agro-pastoral area's soil are mildly enriched, suggesting minimal human impact. The composite EC index of this soil is 0.98, indicating an intermediate EC and low health risk. This study underscores that integrating agriculture and pastoralism can optimize land use and mitigate ecological pressures associated with these practices when done separately. Our research provides valuable insights for resource optimization, environmental conservation, and enhancing the welfare of farmers and herders in the Qinghai-Tibet region.

Environmental Damage Prevention through Digital Transformation on Tourism Industry in Bali, Indonesia

To control environmental damage due to over-booking homestays in tourist villages in Bali, a digital platform was built. In this study, a platform called dewiku was developed to evaluate and integrate all stakeholders that have a shared responsibility for environmental conservation. dewiku was developed using the concept of E-Commerce involving the standard concept of green tourism villages to prevent environmental damage in Bali. dewiku involved four actors: the Government, Developers, Partners, or Business Actors in homestays and green tourist attractions and tourists. The four actors have a major role in preventing environmental damage due to the comprehensive integrated supervision of the dewiku platform. Partners who will register dewiku E-commerce platform must meet the Green Village (GreenV) standards set and supervised by the Bali Tourism Office. GreenV's questionnaire was taken from previous research and shared with the tourism business owners in Bali, which the village government monitored. This platform was tested using the System Usability Scale (SUS), with respondents at least 15 years interested in traveling to Bali. Survey questions were distributed online through social media, Facebook, and WhatsApp, and the questions were shared using the provided link. This study used a quantitative survey approach. The result indicated an average test of 62, meaning the platform was good enough to be applied in the field. The test results showed that the SUS platform test was quite effective and expected to introduce the dewiku platform to the wider community who will travel to Bali.

COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS OF MULTI-CRITERIA DECISION MAKING METHODS IN DETERMINING REDD+ PROJECT LOCATION

The Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation (REDD+) mechanism is aimed at reducing global greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. This study aims to develop a multi-criteria decision-making (MCDM) model specifically designed to prioritize locations for REDD + projects. The proposed research design focuses on developing a MCDM framework for determining the priority locations for projects using criteria such as climate impact reduction, contributions to local communities, and biodiversity conservation. The study utilized the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP), Simple Additive Weighting (SAW), Weighted Product Method (WPM), Technique for Order Preference by Similarity to Ideal Solution (TOPSIS), and VlseKriterijumska Optimizacija I Kompromisno Resenje (VIKOR) to determine the prioritization of alternatives based on compromise solutions. The success of this research demonstrates that a systematic approach to determining priority locations can be effectively carried out using MCIM. This research is expected to aid policymakers and stakeholders in making more informed and effective decisions for environmental conservation and climate change mitigation.

Religion and Environmental Conservation: A Case Study of Abasua Prayer Mountain Ministry

Religion and Environmental Conservation: A Case Study of Abasua Prayer Mountain Ministry

Willingness-to-Pay for Blue Ecosystem Services of Natural Pools in Sri Lanka: A Discrete Choice Experiment

Ecosystem services offered by freshwater ecosystems, in the form of natural pools have not been fully realized by the public, which has led to limited attention on the conservation of these pools. This study therefore was conducted to investigate the user preferences for sustainable enhancement of recreational values of natural pools and their immediate environment. A total of 320 local users of natural pools located in Rangala and Nillambe were surveyed as the sample. A Discrete Choice Experiment (DCE) was employed to elicit the preference and user Willingness to Pay (WTP). The Marginal Willingness to Pay (MWTP) for the improvement of recreational values of natural pools was estimated using a conditional logit (CL) model. Outcomes of the WTP disclosed a clear preference hierarchy for various enhancements and contributions. Users were willing to pay Sri Lankan Rupees (LKR) 297.6 to reduce the environmental damage by 50% and LKR 84.4 to raise the community income by 20%. The option to have a higher number of recreational activities was highly valued. Respondents were willing to pay a value of LKR 554.8 per year for the multiple benefits provided by the pool ecosystems. Conclusively, the study suggested that efforts to upgrade these natural pools should prioritise income generation, broadening of recreational activities and environmental conservation, in line with respondents’ inclinations.

Концепция экологической цивилизации в Конституции КНР

Since the 18th National Congress of the CPC in 2012, China has been actively promoting the construction of ecological civilization. In 2018, the concept of “ecological civilization” was enshrined in the Constitution of the PRC. At present, building “ecological civilization” has become the legislative goal of many laws in China, and China has also established special tribunals for environmental protection and conservation of ecological resources, which provide judicial specialization of environmental protection. The construction of “ecological civilization” is conducive to the protection of the earth’s three major ecosystems: wetlands, forests and oceans. Enshrining the concept of “ecological civilization” in the Constitution of the People’s Republic of China is of great significance to ensure China’s rule of law in the environmental field and presents China’s experience to the world.

From Tradition to Future: Sundanese Indigenous Laws as the Vanguard of Environmental Conservation and Disaster Mitigation

Environmental conservation and disaster mitigation still emphasize science and technology, while the potential of the socio-cultural wealth within communities remains underutilized. This shows a substantial gap, as active community involvement, rooted in socio-cultural wealth, is essential for effective environmental conservation and disaster mitigation. To address the existing gap, this research aims to identify, analyze, and interpret the values of Sundanese Indigenous laws (Pikukuh) that can be utilized and relevant for these efforts. This study used a qualitative method with a case study design in Kampung Naga, Baduy, Kuta, and Cikondang. The results showed that Pikukuh embodied important values for environmental conservation efforts. These rules played a significant role in conserving forests, improving vegetation conditions, enhancing rainwater absorption, ensuring soil stability, preventing erosion, and maintaining the groundwater cycle. These principles are crucial for mitigating natural disasters like landslides, floods, droughts, and climate change. Pikukuh principles need to be incorporated more broadly and actively applied in policies and strategic initiatives to advance sustainable development, as this goes beyond romanticizing traditions and is essential for securing a sustainable future life

Developing the Digital Museum Using Various Images and Geographic Information Systems

Digital archiving of museum collections is a global trend, but web platforms for archival data are not yet well developed. Many of the portal sites developed in Japan lack images and geographical information, making them difficult to use for non-specialists. Therefore, local museums, such as the Lake Biwa Museum, require web platforms that are easy to use for local users. Recently, rapid developments in digital technology have made it easier and cheaper to customize web platforms. Furthermore, the Japanese Government now provides financial support for the digitization of collections. This has made it possible for museum staff, who are not specialized in digital technology, to develop web platforms. Two projects have therefore been set up. Digital Museums using Various Images (DMVI): 3D and high-resolution images of various collections are made available on websites as databases for the museums' collections, which can also be used for exhibitions. Digital Museums using Geographical Information Systems (DMGIS): in addition to distribution maps of specimens and survey data, maps from the past to the present can be superimposed to understand the changes in the habitats of living organisms. The 3D models developed by DMVI can be rotated, enlarged, and reduced, providing a new experience as if you were holding a valuable material that you would not normally be able to touch. The DMVI project is also working towards the development of illustrated databases limited to the organisms found in Shiga Prefecture. Meanwhile, the easy-to-use illustrated search system, DMGIS, is promoting information on bird distributions and cross-disciplinary mapping. For example, specimens and observation data can be plotted and viewed on current maps, and changes in the distribution of birds can be followed along a time axis. This content is intended for use in environmental education and nature conservation. By building an easy-to-use web platform, the aim is to develop a ‘digital museum.’

Vanaprastha Tourism

In the ever-evolving landscape of global tourism, destinations rich in cultural heritage face the dual challenges of maintaining their unique cultural identities while ensuring economic viability. Bali, known for its holistic traditions, spirituality, and natural beauty, epitomises this balance. Cultural tourism is crucial in preserving and promoting a region's unique heritage, ensuring the sustainability of cultural practices and traditions amidst various challenges. Resilience in cultural tourism empowers communities to protect their heritage from dilution or commodification, ensuring tourism development does not compromise cultural authenticity. However, scholars highlight the pervasive influence of commercialisation in recent tourism practices, which has subtly infiltrated Bali's tourism industry, leading to a shift from rich cultural heritage towards profit-driven ventures. Consequently, Bali's cultural tourism is starting to lose its prominence and relevance. This study aimed to explore and propose a sustainable and holistic form of tourism that can enhance the resilience of Bali's cultural tourism by examining the concept of Vanaprastha Tourism and its relevance to tourism and assessing the potential benefits of implementing Vanaprastha tourism in Bali. The research findings highlight the potential benefits of Vanaprastha tourism, including environmental conservation, cultural preservation, economic diversification, community empowerment, and enhanced well-being for both the host and visitors. The study highlights the importance of blending local wisdom, immersing in the culture, and practising sustainable methods in tourism, as shown by the Vanaprastha Tourism concept. This approach builds a new foundation, strengthens Bali's cultural tourism, and preserves its vibrant and authentic nature. Ultimately, it helps to support the island's economy, society, and environment in the long term.

Use of an Adaptive-Vegetation Model to Restore Degraded Tropical Peat Swamp Forest to Support Climate Resilience

Climate change poses significant challenges to ecosystems globally, demanding innovative methods for environmental conservation and restoration. Restoration initiatives require significant amounts of appropriate vegetation that is both adaptive and tolerant to the specific environmental factors. This study introduces an adaptive-vegetation model designed to support ecosystem resilience in the face of climate change. Traditional restoration methods often neglect dynamic environmental conditions and ecosystem interactions, but the model employs real-time data and predictive analytics to adapt strategies to evolving climate variables. The model takes a comprehensive approach, incorporating climate projections, soil health metrics, species adaptability, and hydrological patterns to inform restoration practices. By using a mix of adaptable native species, the model promotes biodiversity. In conclusion, according to the findings of our review, paludiculture and agroforestry could be implemented as models for improving climate resilience, particularly in tropical degraded peat swamp forests. These two models could improve the environment, the economy, and social functions. Finally, improving all three of these factors improves ecological stability. This adaptive-vegetation model represents a significant shift from static, uniform restoration approaches to dynamic, data-driven strategies tailored to specific environments. The future research directions underscore the need for ongoing innovation in conservation practices to safeguard ecosystems amid unprecedented environmental changes. Future efforts will focus on enhancing the model with advanced machine learning techniques and expanding its application to additional ecological contexts.

Evolution of Land Use and Land Cover Change in Panjim, Goa: A Comparative Analysis from 1990 to 2024

This research paper investigates the dynamics of land use and land cover (LU/LC) change in Panjim, Goa, India, from 1990 to 2024. Using satellite Data and GIS techniques, the study analyzes the spatial and temporal transformations of land cover categories, including forest, agriculture, urban areas, and water bodies. The primary objective is to understand the drivers of LU/LC change and assess their implications for sustainable urban development and environmental conservation. The findings reveal significant urban expansion, encroachment on agricultural lands, and reduction in forest cover. The study highlights the need for effective land use planning and management strategies to mitigate negative environmental impacts and ensure the city's long-term sustainability. Keywords: Land Use, Land Cover, Supervised Classification, Change Detection, Accuracy Assessment

Examining the Correlation Between Sustainable Supply Chains and Economic Growth in the United States

This study addresses the critical intersection of climate change, depleting natural resources, and the urgent need for sustainability initiatives to ensure long-term economic growth and environmental conservation. With a growing demand for eco-friendly products and sustainable business practices, the role of supply chain management in promoting sustainable development has become increasingly significant. Hou et al. (2023) highlighted the convergence between sustainability and supply chains, identifying areas for future research. However, the relationship between sustainable supply chains and economic growth in the United States remains underexplored. This qualitative research aims to investigate this correlation by analyzing relevant literature and empirical studies. The findings will offer recommendations to support the United States in achieving its sustainability and economic growth objectives, considering its position as a global leader.

Penanaman Mangrove sebagai Revitalisasi Ekowisata Desa Kartika Jaya, Kecamatan Patebon, Kabupaten Kendal

The community service program in Kartikajaya Village aims to develop local economic potential through mangrove planting as a tourist attraction. Kartikajaya Village has geographical conditions that support the development of ecotourism, but the lack of public awareness and understanding of the benefits of mangroves is a major obstacle. This activity involves local communities in the process of planting and maintaining mangroves, as well as providing education about the importance of mangroves in maintaining the balance of coastal ecosystems and increasing village tourism attractiveness. The results of this program showed an increase in community awareness of environmental conservation as well as an increase in tourist visits to the village. Thus, mangrove planting not only serves as an environmental conservation effort, but also as a driver of economic growth through the tourism sector in Kartikajaya Village.

Single rollover or dual rollover: How a monopoly NEV manufacturer responds to NEV credit policy

The NEV credit policy plays a crucial role in advancing the new energy vehicle (NEV) industry and environmental conservation. This study investigates the monopoly NEV manufacturer’s optimal rollover strategy (Single Rollover (SR) vs. Dual Rollover (DR)) and pricing scheme (skimming vs. penetration) under the government’s stricter calculation criteria for NEV credit policy, considering a two-period market with strategic consumers. We find that the NEV manufacturer typically adopts a skimming pricing scheme in DR strategy, while a penetration pricing scheme in SR strategy. The choice between SR and DR strategy hinges on the government’s calculation criteria for NEV credits, product upgrade speed, and vehicle environmental performance improvement. When the calculation criterion for NEV credits is moderate, or when it is low, coupled with fast product upgrade speed and marginal improved environmental performance of the new vehicle, SR strategy is beneficial to the NEV manufacturer to avoid the cannibalization between new and old vehicles. In contrast, the NEV manufacturer can benefit from DR strategy through price discrimination between new and old vehicles to attract consumers from different market segments. However, stricter calculation criteria for NEV credits do not always result in higher social welfare.

Assessment of Hospital Managers' Sustainable Leadership Levels

This study aims to evaluate the sustainable leadership levels of hospital managers with the participation of healthcare professionals working in public hospitals in Bitlis province. The cross-sectional and descriptive study was conducted on 354 healthcare professionals and the information form and Sustainable Management Behaviors Scale were used as data collection tools. The demographic analysis of the study shows that the majority of the participants are male, under the age of 30 and have a bachelor's degree. In terms of occupational groups, it was observed that other health personnel and nurses were predominant. The findings revealed that the participants generally evaluated the sustainable leadership behaviors of the managers at a level above medium. Especially environmental sensitivity and conservation sensitivity dimensions have high mean values. Nurses were found to have the most negative opinions about managers' sustainable leadership levels, while administrative staff had the most positive opinions. It was determined that positive perceptions were higher for managers who are experienced, act in accordance with ethical principles and adopt the philosophy of continuous learning. The study draws attention to the importance of sustainable leadership practices in the healthcare sector and offers strategic recommendations to increase the leadership capacity of hospital managers.

Optimization of the Newa-Based Tourism Development Model (Nature, Ecotourism, Wellness, and Adventure) Through the Eco-Wellness Tourism Concept Approach

NEWA (Nature, Ecotourism, Wellness Tourism, and Adventure) is a new trend developing in the tourism industry in the era of the passing of the Covid-19 pandemic. The pattern of NEWA concept development that tends to be fragmentative causes the exploration of each concept to be more limited. Efforts to optimize NEWA are carried out through blending concepts in the frame of eco-wellness tourism. Therefore, an effort is needed to formulate the concept of eco-wellness tourism, as well as how to apply the concept in the implementative realm. This research uses a descriptive qualitative research approach, through the Forum Group Discussion (FGD) technique involving cross-disciplinary experts. Eco-wellness tourism combines healthy tourism destinations in wellness tourism with an environmental conservation orientation typical of ecotourism such as traditional spas, herbal concoctions, gastronomy, aromatherapy, and hypnotherapy as its activities, which are packaged in the concept of interactive activities with nature such as thematic camping, adventure, exploration, and rural tourism.

Research progress on plant‐based glue in meat substitutes: main components, formation mechanisms, challenges, and development

SummaryThe growing recognition of environmental conservation and human well‐being has led to a surge in the advancement of plant‐based meat. These meat alternatives are similar to animal meat products regarding texture, flavour, shape, and other characteristics. These products consist of three main components: plant tissue proteins, fat mimetics, and plant‐based glues that act as binders. Since meat substitutes are subjected to high temperatures and pressures or refrigeration, the junction between the tissue proteins and fat mimetics is prone to cracking, necessitating the development of adhesives with excellent bonding characteristics. The physicochemical properties and functional applications of plant glues are currently attracting significant research attention. Plant‐based glues are essentially gels derived from substances such as proteins, polysaccharides, or various compounds. This article summarised the basic principles of gel formation, focusing on acid‐, salt‐, heat‐, and enzyme‐induced gel formation pathways, as well as the role of pH adjustment and enzyme or salt ion addition in improving their functional properties. Optimal conditions can enhance the adhesive properties of plant‐based glues. This article reviewed the types, gelation mechanisms, influencing factors, and challenges of plant‐based glues to provide a theoretical basis for research on their application potential.