Potential Conservation Research Articles

Engaging internal and external audiences to develop and promote zoo-based conservation efforts.

As place-based conservation organizations, zoos are in a central position to support individuals in making small changes in their lives that will support the protection of wildlife and their habitats. This paper describes the secondary analysis of data collected from multi-phase front-end, exploratory evaluation that informed the development of a conservation action campaign in association with a non-profit, urban zoo. In phase one, internal organization staff were invited to attend workshops during which they brainstormed potential conservation actions that they felt were important for the zoo to promote. They identified and ranked 164 unique actions. In phase two, the ranking was used to narrow down the 164 actions to 20 actions which were used to develop a survey administered to visitors who opted in to receiving online surveys from the zoo. The survey asked participants to state their interest in each of the 20 conservation actions. The Transtheoretical Model of Behavior Change informed the analysis of responses. Through this approach we identified actions that people were already doing, interested in doing, and not interested in doing. The responses from this survey were used to narrow down the list further to 10 actions used in a survey in phase three. This second survey administered to zoo visitors on grounds asked participants which of the 10 actions they would be most interested in doing, and the perceived barriers and benefits of doing them. This process allowed us to use evidence-based decision making to choose which conservation actions would resonate most with the community for our conservation action campaign. We also were able to identify values visitors held that might influence environmentally friendly behaviors. Visitors who responded to this survey tended to respond in ways that aligned with self-transcendent values. The research suggests that the campaign should focus on habitat restoration and remediation and purchasing wildlife friendly coffee and other products.

Kentish Plover (Charadrius alexandrinus) and Little Tern (Sternula albifrons) prefer shells for nesting: A field experiment

Shorebird populations are declining worldwide, mainly due to human disturbances and loss of coastal wetlands. However, supratidal habitats as saltpans could play a role in buffering human impact. Saltpans have shown to be important as feeding or breeding sites of some shorebird species. A potential conservation strategy to increase shorebird populations in saltpans is to manipulate the cues that birds use to select optimal breeding habitat. Here it is hypothesized that shorebirds are attracted to bivalve shells due to the advantages they offer. Following this hypothesis, we supplemented a restored saltpan in 2019 and 2021 with bivalve shells, expecting an increase in the number of breeding birds’ nests. More than 75% of Kentish Plover (Charadrius alexandrinus) and Little Tern (Sternula albifrons) nests were found in patches with shells in both years. The best model for both species indicates that the presence of shells is the factor that most correlates with the location of nests. The probability of choosing one place over another to settle their nest increases in areas with an abundance of shells, double in the case of the Kentish Plover and triple in the case of the Little Tern. The result of this study may constitute a valuable tool for attracting birds to restored saltpans and could contribute to the success of expensive restoration projects where time is usually a constraint.

Vulnerability status and efficacy of potential conservation measures to reduce tuna fishery bycatch of the Critically Endangered East Pacific leatherback turtle Dermochelys coriacea

Industrial tuna and artisanal fisheries targeting multiple species in the eastern Pacific Ocean (EPO) interact with the Critically Endangered East Pacific (EP) leatherback turtle Dermochelys coriacea. In 2021, a revised Inter-American Tropical Tuna Commission (IATTC) resolution on sea turtles aimed to reduce sea turtle bycatch in EPO industrial tuna fisheries and ensure their safe handling and release. A new ecological risk assessment approach—Ecological Assessment for the Sustainable Impacts of Fisheries (EASI-Fish)—was used to assess vulnerability status and to better understand the potential efficacy of 70 scenarios that compared simulated conservation and management measures (CMMs) for EPO industrial (purse-seine and longline) and artisanal (longline and gillnet) fisheries to the status quo in 2019. In 2019, a fishing mortality proxy (F̃2019) and the breeding stock biomass per recruit (BSR2019) exceeded precautionary biological reference points (F80% and BSR80%), classifying the stock as ‘most vulnerable’. Industrial and artisanal longline fisheries had the highest impacts because they had the highest areal overlap with the modelled EP leatherback distribution. Of the 70 CMM scenarios, 42 resulted in significant improvements in vulnerability status (i.e. to ‘least vulnerable’). The use of large circle hooks, finfish bait, and best handling and release practices each decreased vulnerability; however, the most effective scenarios involved using these 3 measures in concert. The benefits predicted from EASI-Fish for CMM scenarios assume full compliance and attaining the modelled levels of efficacy, our modelling provides stakeholders with evidence-based recommendations to address key threats to EP leatherback turtles to improve their conservation status by reducing fishing impacts.

Conserving at-risk aquatic species in agricultural drains

Many of Canada’s waterways are modified by the deepening and straightening of stream channels, converting them into agricultural drains to create arable land. While these agricultural drains support diverse aquatic communities and provide important habitat for species at risk, current policies allow for maintenance activities that threaten the survival and longevity of at-risk fish populations. Using three case studies from Ontario, we highlight current challenges to protecting aquatic species at risk in agricultural drains and potential conservation actions that can be taken to protect and restore aquatic species at risk and their habitat within those drains. Conservation actions may vary from ecological modeling to collaborative development of mitigation techniques, and restoration of naturalized habitat in anticipation of future alterations. We provide nine recommendations (including improved legislation, permitting, mitigation, and compliance) on how to better conserve and protect aquatic species at risk in agricultural drains in the future.

Creating wetland islands to enhance shoreline habitat for fish recruitment in a modified shallow lake

Abstract Soft shoreline engineering is increasingly used to combine shoreline fortification with the enhancement of biodiversity and biological production of land–water transitions. From 2016 to 2021, the large‐scale ecosystem restoration project Marker Wadden has created new multiple wetland islands from local sediments in the highly modified Lake Markermeer, the Netherlands. Instead of replacing steep rip‐rap shorelines with soft shorelines, new islands with soft land–water transitions were engineered to offset the marked declines in bird and fish populations in this Natura 2000 area, protected under the European Union Birds and Habitats Directives. This new approach was evaluated by assessing the added value of the newly created wetland islands with soft shorelines to the existing steep rip‐rap fortified shores of the lake, for the enhancement of fish spawning and nursery habitat. Young‐of‐the‐year fish densities at the Marker Wadden islands were highest in sheltered bays and wetlands with nutrient‐rich silt sediments, and lowest at wind‐exposed sandy beaches. Both newly engineered soft shorelines and existing rip‐rap shorelines contributed to habitat diversity, although fish densities declined considerably with increasing exposure to wind‐induced wave power. Building soft shorelines as a new archipelago instead of replacing existing shoreline habitats increased the total length of the land–water transitions in the lake. The 800 ha Marker Wadden archipelago covers only 1% of the 70,000 ha lake surface area, but provides a 16% increase in shoreline habitat and a fivefold increase in soft shoreline for the lake. We conclude that designing wetland islands as a means of lake restoration can contribute effectively to sheltered habitat enhancement for fish spawning and nurseries, and thereby to the potential conservation of fish communities. The approach of building islands achieves this without compromising the complementary functionality of the original, more mature, shorelines of the lake.

Advanced flexible photocatalytic fuel cell using TiO2/carbon quantum dots photoanode for green electricity production

Flexible electronics have attracted great attention in recent years. However, the matching power sources of these flexible electronics now are mostly rigid, greatly hindering the way of all-flexible electronics. Here, a flexible photocatalytic fuel cell (fPFC) was designed to produce a stable energy output (highest power density of 40.1 mW·cm−2·g−1 in artificial sweat) while purify wasted water simultaneously. The fPFC is consisted of TiO2/carbon quantum dots (CQDs) photoanode and Ag cathode. The experimental results show that the combination of TiO2 and CQDs can broaden the range of light absorption of TiO2. Thus, the photocurrent density of TiO2/CQDs fPFC can reach up to 252.3 mA·cm−2·g−1, while the photocurrent density of pure TiO2 fPFC is 87.4 mA·cm−2·g−1. The photocurrent density of TiO2/CQDs fPFC is 188.7% higher than that of TiO2 fPFC. The maximum power density of TiO2/CQDs fPFC in flatting state is about 40.1 mW·cm−2·g−1. This TiO2/CQDs fPFC has better performance than fPFC in other literature. Besides, TiO2/CQDs fPFC in the bending state can also achieve a good performance. Four fPFCs can be easily constructed into a bracelet and generate electricity, and there is no significant change in opening voltage under flatting and bending states. This eco-friendly system has great potential in energy conservation and portable electronics, and can be applied in the following aspects: (i) wearable technology that utilizes organic waste for power generation; (ii) flexible configuration of traditional sewage treatment.

Temperature Self-Adaptive and Color-Adjustable Smart Window Based on Templated Cholesteric Liquid Crystals.

Cholesteric liquid crystals (CLCs) exhibit selective reflection due to their self-assembled helical superstructures. Reconfigurable templates can achieve integration functions via inducing processes of molecular assemblies. Here we demonstrate temperature self-adaptive and color-adjustable smart windows using CLCs, which are fabricated via the templating method and exhibit simultaneous reflections in the visible and infrared spectra. Reflection bands formed by the refilled CLC materials can be adjusted reversibly both upon thermal and electrical actuation. In CLC with adjustable reflection in the infrared, the central wavelength of the infrared reflection band can be adjusted from 950 nm to 1305 nm via temperature, and from 1150 nm to 950 nm via electric field. A temperature variation of 10.3 °C within 55 s was induced by the single-layer templated CLC cell, and a comfortable temperature range could be effectively maintained by the CLC cell in a varied environment. In CLC with dynamic color in the visible spectrum, color shifts from 530 nm to 650 nm tuned by temperature and from 530 nm to 440 nm adjusted by electric field were obtained. Temperature-responsive reflection in the infrared spectrum contributes to automatic thermal management, and electric-field-induced band shift in the visible spectrum enables active dynamic color adjustment. The presented templated CLC smart windows show considerable potential in energy conservation and biological clock regulation fields.

Apicomplexan phosphodiesterases in cyclic nucleotide turnover: conservation, function, and therapeutic potential.

Apicomplexa encompasses a large number of intracellular parasites infecting a wide range of animals. Cyclic nucleotide signaling is crucial for a variety of apicomplexan life stages and cellular processes. The cyclases and kinases that synthesize and respond to cyclic nucleotides (i.e., 3',5'-cyclic guanosine monophosphate and 3',5'-cyclic adenosine monophosphate) are highly conserved and essential throughout the parasite phylum. Growing evidence indicates that phosphodiesterases (PDEs) are also critical for regulating cyclic nucleotide signaling via cyclic nucleotide hydrolysis. Here, we discuss recent advances in apicomplexan PDE biology and opportunities for therapeutic interventions, with special emphasis on the major human apicomplexan parasite genera Plasmodium, Toxoplasma, Cryptosporidium, and Babesia. In particular, we show a highly flexible repertoire of apicomplexan PDEs associated with a wide range of cellular requirements across parasites and lifecycle stages. Despite this phylogenetic diversity, cellular requirements of apicomplexan PDEs for motility, host cell egress, or invasion are conserved. However, the molecular wiring of associated PDEs is extremely malleable suggesting that PDE diversity and redundancy are key for the optimization of cyclic nucleotide turnover to respond to the various environments encountered by each parasite and life stage. Understanding how apicomplexan PDEs are regulated and integrating multiple signaling systems into a unified response represent an untapped avenue for future exploration.

Occurrence and Characteristics of Cut Injuries in Hedgehogs in Germany: A Collection of Individual Cases.

The number of European hedgehogs (Erinaceus europaeus) is in long-term decline across Europe. Recently, an additional threat to hedgehogs' lives has been cutting injuries caused by garden care equipment, but to date, there have been no reliable data on their spatial and temporal occurrence as well as characteristics such as mortality rate. Usually, found injured hedgehogs are admitted to care centres. In this study, data on hedgehogs with cutting injuries were collected from care centres throughout Germany. Over a period of 16 months, data on a total of 370 hedgehogs with cut injuries were reported by 71 care centres. At least 60% of these hedgehogs were found more than 12 h after the accident and at least 47% did not survive as a result of the injury. The comparatively high mortality rate coupled with a possible high number of unreported cases of hedgehogs with laceration injuries show that these accidents pose an additional, serious danger to hedgehogs, both impacting the welfare of individual animals and having a broader effect on the conservation potential of this species. Moreover, the data collected objectify the current discussion on the need for possible technical or political solutions to prevent such injuries.

Measurement and influencing factors of TFEE, and potentials of energy conservation and emission reduction in china based on GW-SBM and bootstrap model

With the aggravation of energy shortage and ecological deterioration, it becomes more and more essential for China to improve energy efficiency and realize the targets of energy conservation and emission reduction. This paper focuses on the measurement of the total factor energy efficiency (TFEE), the potentials of energy conservation and emission reduction, and the influencing factors of TFEE in China. Firstly, the model of Gray Weight Slack-Based Measure (GW-SBM) is established, with the weights of the indicators obtained via the grey relational analysis method, to calculate the TFEE of thirty provinces and six regions in China from 2009 to 2019. Then, the potentials of energy conservation and emission reduction are analyzed on the basis of TFEE measurements. Finally, the influencing factors of TFEE are identified via the truncated bootstrap model. The findings show that the TFEE values of 30 provinces fluctuate in the range of 0.20 and 1.0, varying significantly among provinces. Energy conservation potential reached 8.7490 million tons of standard coal (potential 39.06%), which means that more than one-third of energy consumption is inefficient. The top two factors in the TFEE measurement identified by the truncated bootstrap model, are energy consumption structure and environmental protection expenditure. Based on the research conclusions, this paper puts forward some countermeasures and suggestions.

Urban Beetle Diversity in Natural History Collections—A Hundred-Year Perspective

Natural history museum collections are essential for understanding biodiversity and environmental changes, especially in large cities with rapid urbanization. While the collaboration between curators and taxonomists with ecologists becomes more frequent, the museum collections still are not used to their full potential. This study aimed to digitize beetle specimens from Zagreb, which are kept in the Croatian Natural History Museum collections, provide recent nomenclature, analyse the proportion of currently endangered species, georeference, and compare the sampling locations with today’s iNaturalist citizen science records, as well as land cover changes between the time of collection creation and now. Comparing the sampling locations of collection specimens and citizen science records, it is possible to track the city’s expansion. Beetle family composition is more similar in the city centre than on the outskirts of Zagreb, where land cover changes are more pronounced. The districts in the northern part of Zagreb held higher numbers of threatened saproxylic beetles in both museum collections and citizen science records, highlighting the importance of urban parks and forests and providing insights into potential conservation threats. Museum collections have proved to be a valuable source of biodiversity records frozen in time, helping us track the urban beetle fauna decline.

Is single or synergistic environmental permit trading system more effective? A study based on Chinese industry

Under the ambitious pledge of carbon peaking and carbon neutrality, China is facing the stringent pressure of energy conservation and emissions abatement. The environmental permit trading such as the carbon emissions trading scheme (CETS) and the energy-use permit trading scheme (EPTS) have been implemented. However, it is unclear that whether the synergistic trading system is more effective compared with the single trading scheme and which trading system is applicable for different entities. We established three non-parametric optimization models for single and synergistic trading scenarios to estimate the potential industrial outputs, energy conservation and carbon emissions reduction of different regions and sectors. The results indicate that the synergistic trading system generates more potential outputs and energy savings, but the CETS can generate greater emissions reduction potential. The central and the eastern regions can respectively choose the synergistic trading system and the single trading system. The high-emission and high energy-use industries have more synergistic environmental potential and thus the synergistic trading system is more appropriate. However, negative environmental potential implies that moderate governance and supervision from the government is necessary. The methodological and analytical novelty of the study can support the proposal targeted policy recommendations, accelerate the construction of synergistic trading system and adopt system suiting local conditions.

Traditional homegardens change to perennial monocropping of khat (Catha edulis) reduced woody species and enset conservation and climate change mitigation potentials of the Wondo Genet landscape of southern Ethiopia

Smallholder farmers in the Wondo Genet were forced to switch from long-standing, diverse traditional home gardens to monoculture khat production due to increasing population pressure-induced farmland constraints. The composition of woody species and the biomass carbon stock are thought to drop as homegardens transition from polyculture to monoculture; however there is little quantitative evidence to support this claim. This study was started to assess the effects on woody species, enset, and biomass carbon of converting traditional homegardens to a fast spreading perennial monocropping of khat (Catha edulis Forskal). In 10 m × 10 m (100m2) plots from 43 farms with neighboring land use patterns for each homegarden and khat, woody species and enset were inventoried, the total number of tree, shrub, and enset species counted, as well as the height and diameter of each species measured. To determine the biomass carbon stock of each land use type, both general and species-specific allometric equations are used. Simpson's diversity index, Shannon-Wiener, and Shannon equitability were used to evaluate the diversity of enset and woody species. There were 27 different types of woody species identified, with trees making up 67 % of the total and shrubs accounting for 33 %. Shannon, Simpson, and the richness of woody species all decreased by 46 %, 51 %, and 38 %, respectively, in comparison to residential gardens. For homegardens and khat, respectively, the mean Evenness values were 0.876 and 0.539. In homegardens, Coffea arabica was the most valuable woody species, followed by Cordia africana Lam, Persea americana, Eucalyptus camaldulensis, and Grevillea Robusta. In contrast, Catha edulis was the most valuable woody species in the Khat land use type, followed by Coffea arabica, Croton macrostachyus Del, and Cordia africana. In comparison to homegardens, the above-ground, below-ground, and total biomass carbon reported in khat land use types were reduced by 18 %, 63 %, and 42 %, respectively. Grevillea and Eucalyptus species made up 51 % of the total biomass carbon stock in the homegardens, which suggests that khat and quickly expanding fast-growing plants have displaced native woody species.Understanding the long-term effects of agro-biodiversity loss requires greater research on the implications of the decline in woody species diversity and biomass carbon stock on soil fertility and sustainable farming. This is due to the numerous functions that woody species and enset play.

Comparison of the gut fungal communities among Hooded crane (Grus monacha), Greater white-fronted goose (Anser albifrons), and Bean goose (Anser fabalis) at Shengjin Lake, China

The gut microbes regulate a variety of essential functions in avian hosts. Gut microbes are crucial for understanding avian specie’s ecological role and potential impact on the ecosystem. A wide range of factors shape the gut microbial diversity and communities in avian hosts, including similarity in genotype and shared evolutionary history, particularly in two closely related host species than distinctly related hosts. In this study, high-throughput sequencing methods were applied to compare and study the similarities and differences in the gut fungal communities of two geese from the same genus Anser, Greater white-fronted goose (Anser albifrons, WG), Bean goose (Anser fabalis, BG) with Hooded crane (Grus monacha, HC) sympatric in overlapping niches at Shengjin lake, China. Our findings supported our hypothesis that the two closely related geese shared similar gut fungal alpha diversity patterns compared to Hooded cranes due to similarity in genotype and evolutionary history. In particular, the fungal community composition in the gut of Greater white-fronted goose showed larger variation relative to the other two species. This result suggested that dietary preferences might regulate the gut fungal communities, as Hooded crane and Bean goose share parallel dietary preferences. The results of the abundance null deviation model showed higher values of null deviation (NDV) in Greater white-fronted goose and Bean goose, indicating that the two closely related goose species might be associated with more robust gut filtering for their fungal community relative to Hooded crane species. The fungal co-occurrence networks were complex, with higher stability in the two congeneric geese species relative to Hooded crane. Moreover, 29 animal fungal putative pathogens were identified with high diversity and relative abundance in the two congeneric geese due to their complex migration patterns compared with Hooded cranes. However, due to niche overlap, direct or indirect association may lead to the dissemination of gut microbes among sympatric avian species. These findings have important implications for ecological research, conservation efforts, and wildlife health management. Moreover, these findings illuminate potential ecological and conservation repercussions and increase our understanding of the complex interactions between avian species and their gut flora.

Paper waste from instructions for use brochures in cataract surgery implant packaging in Europe and the United States.

To assess the extent of paper waste generated per year by instructions for use (IFUs) brochures included in intraocular lens (IOL) packaging in Europe and the U.S. Rothschild Foundation Hospital, Paris, France; Royal Free London NHS Foundation Trust; Center for Sight, London, United Kingdom. Experimental study. A sample of IOLs were collected and each IFU was weighed. In addition, the cumulative weight of these brochures used in cataract surgeries performed annually in Europe and the U.S. was estimated, and the potential annual paper conservation that could be achieved if all manufacturers adopted electronic IFUs (e-IFUs) in Europe and the U.S. was determined. The mean and standard deviation of the weight for overall IFUs, classic IFUs, and e-IFUs were 17.6 ± 13.8 g, 23.5 ± 13.2 g, and 2.9 ± 1.9 g, respectively. The estimated cumulative weight of paper generated from the IFUs accompanying implants used in European and U.S. cataract surgeries is 153 tons. If all manufacturers transition to e-IFUs, the cumulative weight saved would be 128 tons (-84%), equivalent to 120 tons of carbon dioxide equivalent and the preservation of more than 2000 trees annually. The classic IFUs in IOL packaging result in a significant amount of paper waste annually. Therefore, there is an urgent need for a rapid transition to e-IFU technology. The adoption of e-IFUs has already been authorized in Europe and the U.S., and it is crucial to expedite this process.

Vulnerability of multi-designated landscape and its connectivity toward conservation: A case study in Kampar Kerumutan, Riau, Indonesia

Indonesia is declared by the United Nations as a country that meets its conservation targets. However, Indonesia has not maximized the potential conservation of its territory, and the ecosystem is still threatened by anthropogenic activity, particularly due to small and large scales cultivation. Besides, the Government of Indonesia (GoI) built taskforces at the national level to avoid greenhouse gas emissions through FOLU Net Sink 2030 that could tackle climate and biodiversity crises. Therefore, identifying OECMs and creating a sustainable management framework by elaborating on the carbon pool and its dynamics across the Indonesian landscape is crucial to meet the targets of the global conservation agenda. Kampar Kerumutan Landscape (KKL) is one of the critical landscapes in Indonesia with high potential conservation for biodiversity and high intervention from various concessions. Our result showed that most KKLs were categorized as potential restoration areas. Industrial forest plantations (IFP) had the highest threat for conservation. To connect the potential highly conserved areas within KKL for species mobility, restoration projects (particularly in IFP, Protected Areas, and Non-managed areas) should be conducted to achieve human and nature balance in the KKL.

Land Snails at the Zoo: A Biodiverse Community with Conservation and Educational Potential

The combination of animals and plants in zoological gardens provides the opportunity for conservation within the grounds. An example is pollination gardens that support free-moving butterflies and bees. Pollination gardens and other areas with plants also support a wide range of other non-captive animals, including soil-associated invertebrates. This study targeted land snails, a species-rich group that links the brown decomposition food web and the plant-based web that is preyed upon by fireflies and birds, among others. A survey of 24 sites within the Oklahoma City Zoo and Botanical Garden revealed a diverse snail fauna of 23 species. The majority were native species but included 10 non-native species that are common regional urban species, likely introduced through the plant trade. No distributional pattern of snails was evident, probably because of the similar management scheme throughout the zoo. Snails and other observed soil-associated invertebrates (e.g., isopods, millipedes, and earthworms) support non-captive birds and other animals. Lightly managed areas with leaf litter and downed wood are especially conducive to snails and other soil-associated invertebrates and are nesting sites for bees. These communities can form conservation demonstration areas that can be the basis of educational programs, including outreach programs.

Decarbonisation and preservation of natural resources along the cement and concrete value chain

AbstractThere are major challenges which the cement industry in Germany and the entire cement and concrete value chain are facing in their quest for climate neutrality and preservation of natural resources. The studies on decarbonisation and resource conservation recently published by VDZ underline the claim of German cement manufacturers to actively promote decarbonisation and to further significantly reduce the use of primary raw materials in the value chain of cement and concrete. Within the context of a 2050 scenario, various potentials for decarbonisation and resource conservation are being identified and quantified. In addition, the necessary prerequisites and action strategies for implementing the savings potential are explained.

Cost‐optimal Strategy for Energy Conservation Design Code of Building Envelop in Taiwan

<p>本文透過EPBD2010的建築能效成本最佳化原則以及建築外殼的熱流解析，來檢討台灣現有建築外殼節能法規的節能效益與成本效益。本文首先強調起源於寒帶氣候「高隔熱、高氣密」節能技術的德國「被動式建築認證」，並不符合溫熱氣候國家之建築節能成本最佳化策略，接著再分析2008年以來一系列論文，曾經揭露建築外殼保溫層設計或雙層外殼設計，在亞熱帶氣候會導致高空調耗能上升之「隔熱反效果現象」，因此呼籲亞熱帶與熱帶氣候國家切忌引入寒帶氣候流行的「高隔熱、高氣密」節能手法，以防止節能反效果效應。透過在亞洲地區303城市一個透天住宅與一間辦公建築空間的全年空調負荷分布分析，發現其中住宅的「隔熱反效果現象」是越往熱帶的南台灣越顯著，而辦公、商業類建築的「隔熱反效果現象」是越往涼爽的北台灣越顯著，但台灣無庸置疑是處於亞熱帶與熱帶的最顯著「隔熱反效果現象」區域，因此台灣現有建築節能法規應避免強化建築外殼的隔熱與氣密規範以避免節能反效果。本文同時採用由寒帶到熱帶12個城市的全年室內外溫差與當地建築節能法規對住宅外殼的熱傳透率U值規範，來分析住宅建築外殼隔熱規範的嚴格程度，由此發現台灣現行建築外殼隔熱法規在12個城市中已接近一個非常合理的嚴格程度、可說已接近成本最佳化水準。本文最後以近零碳建築定義之節能50%基準，來分析包括外殼、空調、照明的整體節能潛力，發現空調、照明的節能設計比建築外殼節能設計有高出4.7~7.1倍的節能潛力。因此在「隔熱反效果現象」與成本最佳化原則雙重考量之下，台灣的淨零建築已不必要求強化建築外殼節能法規，相反地應針對更高CP值、更有節能動力的空調、照明設備系統的能效設計，積極推動強制性法制化工作。</p> <p> </p><p>This paper used the cost‐optimal principle of EPBD2010 and building envelop thermal analysis to investigate the energy conservation effect and cost efficiency of existing energy conservation design code of building envelop in Taiwan. This paper firstly pointed out the Germany’s passive house certification system which emphasizing the energy conservation technology of high insulation and high airtight design which origin in cold climatic is not march the cost‐optimal strategy of building energy conservation in hot or warm climates, then analyzed a series of papers from 2008 which have revealed that more building envelop insulation or double skin design in subtropical climates might lead the increasing phenomenon of AC energy consumption, so called anti-insulation effect, so as to appeal the tropical and subtropical countries should not to introduce the cold climate’s building energy conservation technologies of high insulation and high airtight design of building envelop to prevent the opposite effect of energy conservation. Through analyzing the air conditioning thermal load distributions in 303 Asian countries for a house and an office building space, this paper found that the anti-insulation effect of residential building appeals to more significant in southerner tropical Taiwan and the anti-insulation effect of office or commercial building appeals to more significant in northerner subtropical Taiwan, it is no doubt that Taiwan is located among tropical and subtropical climates which are the most significant areas of anti-insulation effect, so that the existing Taiwan’s building energy design regulation should to be avoided to strengthen the insulation and airtight code of building envelop to avoid the anti-effect of energy conservation. As the same time, this paper analyzed the strict level of envelop insulation code of residential building in 12 cities from cold to tropical climates by comparing the annual indoor-outdoor temperature difference and the thermal transmission rate U value of the local building regulations and found Taiwan’s existing building envelop insulation code is close to a very appropriate strict standard and could be considered as a cost‐optimal level among the 12 cities. Finally, this paper analyzed the total energy conservation potential of building envelop, air conditioning and lighting by the criteria of 50% energy saving rate in nearly zero carbon building definition and found that the energy conservation potential in air conditioning and lighting design is about to 4.7~7.1 times comparing to building envelop design. So that, to consider both the anti-insulation effect and cost‐optimal strategy, Taiwan’s net zero building policy is not necessary to strengthen the existing building envelop regulation and need more aggressive to promote the mandatory legalization in the energy efficiency design of air conditioning and lighting design which is higher CP value and more energy saving power.</p> <p> </p>

Potential of Sense of Place in Cultural Heritage Conservation: A Systematic Review

Sense of place is a fundamental aspect of cultural heritage conservation and management, as it plays an important role in understanding the connection between individuals and the places they inhabit. This study aims to provide heritage managers and scholars with up-to-date insights into the importance of a sense of place in maintaining cultural heritage. The main objectives of this research are to explore whether a sense of place’s role in cultural heritage research has been adequately investigated and to assess the sense of place potential in cultural heritage conservation. We conducted a systematic literature review of 42 articles to achieve these goals. Through thematic analysis, this study reveals a sense of place’s impact on various aspects of cultural heritage conservation. From the results, six prominent themes emerged, highlighting that a sense of place is a key determinant in the effectiveness of cultural heritage management initiatives. Based on these findings, authors advocate for enhanced collaboration between the government and local communities, acknowledging the importance of heritage tourism and reinforcing policies for cultural heritage conservation to bolster the sense of place. In future research, examining a sense of place can expand to interdisciplinary intersections, quantitative studies, cross-national comparative research, and the exploration of the role of technology in augmenting both the sense of place and cultural heritage conservation.