Driver Pressure Research Articles

Ecological Evaluation of Land Resources in the Yangtze River Delta Region by Remote Sensing Observation

The evaluation of land ecological security (LES) evaluates how human activity and land use affect land ecosystems. Its ultimate objective is to provide guidance and assistance for decision making in order to preserve and restore the efficacy and health of terrestrial ecosystems. The assessment model presented in this article is comprehensive and integrates the advantages of both subjective and objective weighting techniques. This study extends the “Pressure–State–Response” (PSR) model to “Driver–Pressure–State-Impact–Response” (DPSIR) and combines it with TOPSISI to determine the weights of each contributing component. Furthermore, the geographical and temporal distribution patterns of regional land ecological security levels were investigated using GIS geostatistical approaches. According to this study, (1) the Yangtze River Delta region’s LES index, with a mean value in the fairly safe range, is generally safe. The year 2019 marks an inflection point for the index, with the highest level of ecological safety on land. The primary element is the modification of environmental policies that are enacted by the government. (2) The LES status is divided into two stages during the course of this study. The Yangtze River Delta region’s LES quickly develops throughout the first stage (2012–2019), which sees a shift in the safety rating from IV to II. The second stage (2019–2023) sees a progressive improvement in the LES index and a shift in the safety category from Class II to Class I. (3) Important variables influencing the geographical distribution of LES in the Yangtze River Delta region include barrier elements, including soil and water erosion areas, flood disaster areas, grain planting areas, urban green covering areas, and effective irrigation areas of farmland.

An Index System for the Evaluation of the Effectiveness of Forest Ecological Product Value Realization in China

Forest Ecological Product Value Realization (FEPVR) is an important way for China to promote the transition and development of forestry and realize common prosperity. It is critical to assess the effectiveness of FEPVR rationally to obtain a comprehensive understanding of the progress of ecological civilization. Based on the Driver–Pressure–State–Impact–Response (DPSIR) model, in this study, we developed an evaluation index system for FEPVR effectiveness containing five subsystems and 37 indicators and assessed the effectiveness of FEPVR in China from 2011 to 2022 by using the linear weighted sum method, the coupling degree of coordination model, and Spearman’s correlation analysis. The results showed that the composite index increased from 0.1980 in 2011 to 0.6501 in 2022, with a general upward trend, but there is still great potential for improvement. The main contribution was from the Response subsystem. The year 2017 was an important turning point for FEPVR in China because its development started to speed up; the status of coupling coordination between different subsystems was gradually improving but was still at a low level. The relationship between all indicators was dominated by a non-significant correlation (52.4%), and the overall synergistic effect (27.8%) was greater than the trade-off effect (19.8%). This study provides a new perspective for evaluating the effectiveness of FEPVR and a decision-making reference for clarifying the direction of FEPVR optimization.

Insights into shock velocity variation in double-diaphragm shock tubes

A comprehensive understanding of shock formation and propagation in shock tubes is crucial for their diverse applications. The shock velocity in single-diaphragm shock tubes, characterized by initial acceleration and subsequent attenuation due to viscous effects, has been extensively investigated. However, limited studies exist on the double-diaphragm mode of operation. In this study, shock tube experiments were conducted using helium at pressures of 10–60 bar as driver gas and argon at pressures of 100–600 Torr as driven gas. The shock velocity profiles in the double-diaphragm mode show a sequence of acceleration and deceleration stages of the shock front, strongly influenced by the driver-to-driven pressure ratios (P41) and the pressure in the intermediate section (Pmid). Particularly, at high values of P41, peak shock velocities can exceed those measured near the end wall by about 12%. Large axial temperature gradients arise in the driven gas due to the accelerating and decelerating shock. Selecting appropriate diaphragms to maintain the intermediate section's pressure close to the value of the driver pressure can reduce peak shock velocities and post-shock temperatures. An in-house one-dimensional (1D) weighted essentially non-oscillatory scheme-based code was utilized to analyze wave interactions in the shock formation region, revealing that the post-shock gas behind the secondary diaphragm and inhibition of the primary diaphragm's opening and subsequent reopening can lead to unique shock profiles in double-diaphragm shock tubes. These insights deepen our understanding of wave propagation in shock tubes and suggest ways to mitigate undesirable effects in double-diaphragm shock tubes.

Green Transition Assessment, Spatial Correlation, and Obstacles Identification: Evidence from Urban Governance Data of 288 Cities in China

The green transition of China’s cities is crucial for ecology civilization realization. Based on the driver–pressure–state–impact–response (DPSIR) framework, an integrated technique for order preference by similarity to ideal solution (TOPSIS) model with entropy weight, this study achieved the comprehensive assessment of the green transition of 288 province-level municipalities and prefecture-level cities in China over 18 years from 2002 to 2019, in addition to the spatial correlations and obstacles analysis. The results indicate that major cities in China have a more significant green transition value, and the eastern region is developing fast, while the northeast region is relatively slow. There was heterogeneous spatial distribution for green transition, because of the disequilibrium sustainable development of 288 cities. Green transition has a significantly positive spatial autocorrelation in the cities of China, the high–high significant clusters greatly increased, and the main locations changed from the northeast to southeast of China. Frequent obstacles were also found, including road infrastructure construction, water resources, and the green coverage of urban built-up areas. Based on these results, several policy implications were put forward, including the optimization of environmental laws and regulations, the development of green transportation infrastructure, resource conservation and the circular economy, the establishment of a green financial system, and increasing the linkage for the green transition of different cities.

The Environmental Impact of E-Waste Microplastics: A Systematic Review and Analysis Based on the Driver–Pressure–State–Impact–Response (DPSIR) Framework

Microplastics resulting from the fragmentation of plastics in electronic waste (e-waste) are an emerging but understudied environmental concern. This systematic review employs a Driver–Pressure–State–Impact–Response (DPSIR) framework to investigate the sources, prevalence, and environmental effects of e-waste microplastics, identifying knowledge gaps. The available literature on e-waste microplastics was retrieved from Scopus and Web of Science (n = 24), and trends in electrical and electronic equipment were retrieved from European Union databases. The growing incorporation of electronics into daily life results in a global annual growth rate of 3–4% for e-waste, of which only 17.4% is collected for recycling. E-waste microplastics are frequently found in soils near disposal or disassembly facilities, potentially leaching hazardous metals (e.g., Pb) or organic compounds (e.g., flame retardants). These microplastics contaminate the food chain and can have adverse effects on the soil and gut microbiome, organisms, and human health, either independently or associated with other chemicals. Responses include the implementation of regulations, improvement of waste management systems, and mitigation measures. Despite these concerns, the literature on the topic remains limited, emphasizing the need for additional research on the identification of e-waste microplastics and their toxicity.

Adaptive pneumatic soft gripper with embedded flexible bending sensor

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to introduce a variable distance pneumatic gripper with embedded flexible sensors, which can effectively grasp fragile and flexible objects. Design/methodology/approach Based on the motion principle of the three-jaw chuck and the pneumatic “fast pneumatic network” (FPN), a variable distance pneumatic holder embedded with a flexible sensor is designed. A structural design plan and preparation process of a soft driver is proposed, using carbon nanotubes as filler in a polyurethane (PU) sponge. A flexible bending sensor based on carbon nanotube materials was produced. A static model of the soft driver cavity was established, and a bending simulation was performed. Based on the designed variable distance soft pneumatic gripper, a real-time monitoring and control system was developed. Combined with the developed pneumatic control system, gripping experiments on objects of different shapes and easily deformable and fragile objects were conducted. Findings In this paper, a variable-distance pneumatic gripper embedded with a flexible sensor was designed, and a control system for real-time monitoring and multi-terminal input was developed. Combined with the developed pneumatic control system, a measure was carried out to measure the relationship between the bending angle, output force and air pressure of the soft driver. Flexible bending sensor performance test. The gripper diameter and gripping weight were tested, and the maximum gripping diameter was determined to be 182 mm, the maximum gripping weight was approximately 900 g and the average measurement error of the bending sensor was 5.91%. Objects of different shapes and easily deformable and fragile objects were tested. Originality/value Based on the motion principle of the three-jaw chuck and the pneumatic FPN, a variable distance pneumatic gripper with embedded flexible sensors is proposed by using the method of layered and step-by-step preparation. The authors studied the gripper structure design, simulation analysis, prototype preparation, control system construction and experimental testing. The results show that the designed flexible pneumatic gripper with variable distance can grasp common objects.

Perspectives on Drivers of Biodiversity and Environmental Changes in the Keta Lagoon Ramsar Site of Ghana

There is a general decline in biodiversity and the environment of coastal wetlands worldwide. Reasons for the decline obviously include overexploitation of wetland resources, climate change and industrialization, to mention but a few. This study used a purely qualitative approach using mainly focus group discussions (FDGs) in the framework of Driver–Pressure–State–Impact–Response (DPSIR) to examine the changes occurring in the largest coastal wetland in Ghana—the Keta Lagoon Complex Ramsar Site (KLCRS). The results indicate that the state of the environment is bedevilled with species loss, increases in salinity, decreases in the physical size of fish species and many others. Pressures and related drivers were noted by the respondents. The results point to the fact that communities are not oblivious to the adaptation measures to implement in order to overcome the degradation of KLCRS. Overall, this study points to the fact that local communities have a good knowledge and understanding of their environment and are always in a position to offer ideas related to managing the environment if given the chance.

Complementary Approaches to Planning a Restored Coastal Wetland and Assessing the Role of Agriculture and Biodiversity: An Applied Case Study in Southern Italy

The European Parliament has recently passed the “Nature Recovery” law to restore degraded ecosystems and prevent natural disasters as part of its “Biodiversity Strategy 2030” and “Green Deal”. In this respect, wetlands can provide a wide range of ecosystem services such as biodiversity conservation, hydrological land protection, provision of products, cultural and recreational benefits, and many others. However, they are still threatened by the expansion of agricultural land, overexploitation of water resources, water pollution, climate change, etc. Wetland conservation, however, is essential and requires coordinated action by managers, policymakers, stakeholders, and scientists. A systemic planning and design process is required to address these complex challenges. This research aims to outline an integrated, comprehensive, and well-structured planning framework for wetland systems that can be applied to different wetland types, in line with institutional wetland policy, governance, and management. The methodological approach developed in this study aims to integrate a longer-term strategy plan with a shorter-term action plan by combining the Yeomans scale of permanence and the Driver–Pressure–State–Impact–Response model. This innovative approach was applied to a specific case study and may guide further wetland planning in the future. The Nominal Group Technique was used, a consensus method aimed at achieving a general agreement and convergence of opinion. An expert group of seven members with different technical backgrounds was engaged and expert consultation was found to be a simple and rapid technique for carrying out wetland planning. The expert judgements were sound, consistent, and did not overlap (i.e., were not redundant). “Pressures” and “Impacts” were identified by the experts and clustered according to corresponding “States” and “Drivers”. Expert scoring allowed the resulting “Responses” to be ranked in terms of their relevance and influence on the development of the wetland strategy and action plan, while a priority order for their implementation was assessed according to the Yeomans scale of permanence. Agriculture was the highest rated ‘Driver’; similarly, Biodiversity (habitats and species) was the ‘State’ with the highest score. Therefore, their combination (agriculture and biodiversity) should be considered as the strategic cornerstone of the whole planning framework. This means designing and implementing a system in which agriculture and nature (in our case a wetland) are allied ecological systems in mutual compensation, according to the way natural elements are embedded in the agricultural system. A collection of factsheets containing the full list of responses considered in the Wetlands Action Plan, with detailed operational actions, is provided in the Appendixes.

Analysis of Spatial Relationship Based on Ecosystem Services and Ecological Risk Index in the Counties of Chongqing

Due to the insufficient research on the spatial relationship and driving mechanism of ecosystem services and ecological risks and the current background of rising ecological risks and dysfunctional ecosystem services in local areas, analyzing the relationship and driving mechanism is an urgent task in order to safeguard regional ecological security and improve ecosystem services at present. Taking Chongqing as an example, the study scientifically identifies the spatial relationship between ecosystem services and ecological risks and their driving factors at district and county scales based on the constructed Ecosystem Service—Driver–Pressures–Status–Impacts–Responses (ES-DPSIR) model. The main findings include (1) significant variation in the spatial distribution of the comprehensive ecosystem service index, where the lowest ecosystem service index (0.013) was found in the main urban area of Chongqing and the scores gradually increased outward from this center, reaching 0.689 in the outermost areas; (2) an increase in the comprehensive ecological risk index from east to west, ranging from −0.134 to 0.333; (3) a prominent spatial relationship between ecosystem services and ecological risks, with 52.63% of the districts and counties being imbalanced or mildly imbalanced; and (4) significant differences between development trends of ecosystem services-–ecological risks, including 60.53% imbalanced and 30.47% mildly balanced districts. This study identified and analyzed the spatial change characteristics of ecosystem services and ecological risks based on the ES-DPSIR model, explored the driving factors, and provided new ideas for the relationship and driving research. The results of the study could provide effective ways and references for improving regional ecological security and enhancing the capacity of ecosystem services.

Driving Forces and Socio-Economic Impacts of Low-Flow Events in Central Europe: A Literature Review Using DPSIR Criteria

Recent drought events in Europe have highlighted the impact of hydrological drought and low-flow events on society, ecosystems, and the economy. While there are numerous publications about flood risk management and the socio-economic consequences of floods, these have hardly been systematically dealt with in the scientific literature regarding low flows. This paper fills this gap by summarizing the current state of research in the form of a systematic literature review combining the criteria of the drivers–pressures–state–impacts–responses (DPSIR) framework with the propositional inventory method. In particular, the driving forces of low-flow events, their pressures, and the impacts on different economic sectors such as navigation, fisheries, industry, agriculture, forestry, energy, and tourism and recreation as well as resulting competitive usage claims for water and responses are presented and validated through expert interviews. In doing so, the study examines the causal chain of low-flow events and serves as a fundamental base for the future development of a damage cost database for low-flow events by preparing literature data on the socio-economic consequences of low-flow events for parameterization.

Experimental and numerical investigation of vertical shock tube performance for blast load testing of geological media

In this paper, a new vertical shock tube test facility is described that has been designed and established for a research program aimed at studying the response of the geological media subjected to blast loading. In the present study, the vertical shock tube test facility is studied, and its performance is evaluated by characterizing generated blast waves considering two different diaphragm types; Aluminium and Lexan, and two driver gases; Nitrogen and Helium. The driver pressure in the vertical shock tube is varied by using Aluminium diaphragms of different thicknesses and groove depths and Lexan diaphragms of different thicknesses and numbers. The blast wave generated in the vertical shock tube is evaluated by studying its pressure loading profile, blast properties, Friedlander wave fit, trinitrotoluene equivalence, and by comparing it with idealized shock wave theory. The measured blast waves have properties that are a function of the driver pressure and driver gas. The positive-phase duration segment of the measured pressure wave is comparable to the blast waves in the actual free-field explosions. Based on the experimental results, the equations for the determination of driver pressure and peak-reflected overpressure considering Lexan diaphragms are also proposed. The profile of the measured pressure wave in the vertical shock tube demonstrated its capability in generating an air blast loading in controlled laboratory conditions. Finally, the three-dimensional finite element simulations are also performed, and results are validated with the experimental data.

Evaluation of Tourism Ecological Security and Its Driving Mechanism in the Yellow River Basin, China: Based on Open Systems Theory and DPSIR Model

Tourism ecological security (TES) has gradually become a frontier topic because it is related to the virtuous circle of ecosystems and sustainable development, especially in river basins with fragile ecosystems. Based on the Driver–Pressure–State–Impact–Response (DPSIR) model and open systems theory, we constructed a TES evaluation system in the Yellow River Basin (YRB), China. Then, the TES index was measured from 2004 to 2019 and its spatio-temporal characteristics and driving mechanism were analyzed. The results show that: (1) In terms of temporal evolution, the comprehensive TES index shows a steady upward trend, but the difference between cities increases over time. Moreover, the proportion of cities with low status levels of TES declined rapidly, while the proportion of cities with high status levels of TES has grown slowly. (2) Spatially, low-TES value cities have always been in the majority, and the high-value cities show a scattered spatial distribution, most of which are along the river. Moreover, TES is randomly distributed in space before 2013, but it shows a significant positive spatial clustering feature thereafter. Specifically, the range of hot spots extends from the intersection of the middle and upper reaches to downstream, while the cold spots are always scattered. Furthermore, the trend surface in the east–west direction is always smooth, while it gradually manifests an inverted U-shape in the north–south direction. (3) In the dynamic transfer, TES lacks the vitality of transfer, but the probability of shifting upward becomes more significant when adjacent to higher-level cities; the opposite is true when adjacent to lower-ranked cities. (4) In terms of the driving mechanism, the factors related to tourism and the economy are the most important driving forces, and the effect of tourism-related factors on TES is becoming increasingly significant. Moreover, the driving mechanism is constructed. Finally, this study provides targeted policy implications for improving TES in the YRB, which has reference value for the development of ecological protection and high-quality tourism.

Assessment of environmental degradation in two coastal communities of Ghana using Driver Pressure State Impact Response (DPSIR) framework

In this study, a qualitative research method using Driver Pressure State Impact Response (DPSIR) framework was employed to assess the drivers of environmental degradation and their implications on Anlo and Sanwoma coastal communities in the Western Region of Ghana. Pollution Index (PI) and Environmental Risk Factor (ERF) were estimated in Pra and Ankobra estuaries, respectively, in Anlo and Sanwoma communities to complement the qualitative assessment in the studied coastal communities. The state and condition of the coastal ecosystems are critical to the well-being and livelihood of the residents of the two coastal communities. Therefore, it was important to assess the drivers of environmental degradation and their consequences on the coastal communities. The findings showed that the coastal communities were severely degraded and were in a vulnerable state due to the impact of drivers such as gold mining, farming, improper waste disposal, and illegal fishing that pressurize the environment. Also, PI and ERFs showed that the estuaries in Anlo and Sanwoma coastal communities were contaminated with metals such as arsenic, lead, zinc, and iron. Some of the impacts of the environmental degradation on the communities included reduction in fish catch and health-related ailments among the residents of the two communities. Unfortunately, regulatory policies by government and efforts of non-governmental organisations and members of the two coastal communities to address the environmental issues have not yielded the desired results. It is recommended that there should be urgent interventions by policymakers to stop further degradations in the coastal communities to enhance the well-being and livelihoods of the residents of Anlo and Sanwoma.

Spatiotemporal patterns and driving mechanism of tourism ecological security in Guangxi, China

Tourism ecological security (TES) is an important index reflecting the sustainable development of the regional economy. The construction of the China and ASEAN Free Trade Area has increased the total tourist consumption of Guangxi province by 36.48%. Unfortunately, overconsumption of resources, air pollution, disturbance of indigenous life, and other environmental degradation problems emerged due to the significant increase in tourists. Measuring the resilience of the tourism ecosystem is an urgent need to promote the high-quality development of tourism in Guangxi. To explore the dynamic changes in TES and its driving mechanism, the DPSIR (driver–pressure–state–impact–response) model for the tourism ecosystem was developed. The dynamic changes in TES and its driving mechanism from 2010 to 2019 were analyzed using fuzzy matter-element analysis, Markov chains, Geodetector, and other methods. The results show that: (1) the TES value increased steadily by 72.73%; the improvement speed was Northeast > Southwest > Southeast > Northwest; (2) TES was negatively correlated with location, 14 cities developed independently; (3) the TES has a smaller probability to shift the lower level; (4) urbanization, water consumption, green area, tourism revenue, and the number of students in colleges had significant effects on TES. Four policies were proposed to improve TES: (1) developing forest tourism; (2) implementing greening projects in abandoned mining areas; (3) increasing tourism technical personnel; and (4) reducing clearance time for inbound tourists.

Land Degradation–Desertification in Relation to Farming Practices in India: An Overview of Current Practices and Agro-Policy Perspectives

Land degradation and desertification (LDD) has gained worldwide policy attention due to decline in land quality and the resultant economic burden accrued upon a vast population reliant on land-based natural capital. In India, the impacts are becoming apparent as 24 out of 29 states have been experiencing LDD since the early 2000s. Here, we adopt a mixed-method approach combining hierarchical cluster analysis (HCA) and multilinear regression analysis (MLRA) with contextual assessments to draw on, using state-level information from 2011–2013, an age-old question: do farming operations aggravate LDD? The HCA identified 11 states that currently lead the trajectory with the highest state-wise percentages of LDD areas under ‘water erosion’, ‘salinity’, and ‘water logging’, which are the three most widely reported impacts of farming practices on land systems’ sustainability as apparent in the relevant LDD literature. MLRA of the 11-state cluster revealed that state-wise NPK fertilizer-application rates (p < 0.01); number of moldboard ploughs (p < 0.01); net irrigated area (p < 0.01); groundwater-sourced irrigation (p < 0.05); and multiple cropping practices (p < 0.01) exacerbate LDD, while bio-pesticides (p < 0.05) and zero-till drills (p < 0.01) do the opposite. In recent years, the government has introduced several improved measures, such as nutrient-based subsidies (NBS) and integrated nutrient management (INM), to help farmers optimize agrochemical applications, thus moving from traditional practices (input intensive) to a more land-conservation-centric approach. However, at the cognitive level, farmers are unsure/unaware of the benefits. Moreover, due to various institutional weaknesses, lack of sensitization, extension services, capacity building, incentives, and certain inherent flaws in these newer strategies, their uptake remains low, while traditional practices continue at the grassroots. We attempt to broaden the regulatory purview by reflecting on the DPSIR framework (Driver–Pressure–State–Impact–Response), highlighting the role of indirect drivers of LDD that largely influence farmers’ preferences for certain practices. In the final section, we emphasize the need for a data revolution to support process-level research to be able to devise more informed and targeted LDD control–abatement strategies, which is currently largely absent.

Spatiotemporal evolution and influencing factors of provincial tourism ecological security in China

The scientific evaluation of tourism ecological security (TES) is vital for promoting sustainable tourism development and ecological environmental protection. Using the Driver–Pressure–State–Impact–Response model, this study constructed a theoretical framework for evaluating TES. An improved Technique for Order Preference by Similarity to Ideal Solution method, spatial autocorrelation, a standard deviational ellipse and center of gravity model, and a Geographically and Temporally Weighted Regression model were used to evaluate the provincial TES level, spatiotemporal pattern and evolution trajectory, and key influencing factors in China. The results showed that (1) over the study period, China’s provincial TES level increased, and the overall TES was at the critical security level. Among the six geographical units, the average TES decreased as follows: Central and South China > East China > Southwest China > North China > Northwest China > Northeast China. (2) The spatial correlation of TES in the study area was positive. The local spatial autocorrelation was positive (high-high) in the southeast of the Heihe–Tengchong Line, and the northwest side showed a “low–low” correlation. The area of the standard deviational ellipse shrunk inward over the years, and the center of gravity of the ellipse moved from northeast to southwest. (3) The factors affected China’s provincial TES are ranked as follows in the order of importance: sulfur dioxide emissions, number of star-rated hotels, natural population growth rate, international tourism revenue, the number of days on which air quality is equal to or above Grade II, domestic sewage discharge, and the growth rate of the tertiary industry. This study suggests that measures such as strengthening environmental governance and ecological protection, coordinating human–nature relationships, adopting differentiated tourism development, and improving TES impact factors can improve China’s provincial TES level.

A method for correcting the high-frequency mechanical vibration effects in the dynamic calibration of pressure measurement systems using a shock tube

The extremely rapid reflection of a shock wave from the end wall generated in the shock tube, in addition to the high-frequency content of pressure, inevitably also excites mechanical vibrations. These can potentially produce acceleration-induced spurious signals as part of the dynamic output of the pressure measurement system being calibrated. This paper proposes and evaluates a method for correcting the frequency response of a pressure measurement system obtained with a calibration using a shock tube for the acceleration-induced errors due to vibrations. The proposed method is based on the predetermined frequency response of the pressure measurement system to the accelerations and simultaneous measurements of the vibration accelerations of the pressure sensor during its calibration in the shock tube. The acceleration-induced errors were corrected for a piezoelectric pressure measurement system calibrated in a diaphragmless shock tube developed at the National laboratory for pressure and vacuum at RISE Research Institutes of Sweden, where different vibrational conditions were induced by changing the initial driver pressure, while keeping the initial driven pressure constant. The uncertainty of the correction of the frequency response of the piezoelectric pressure measurement system being calibrated was determined by considering the uncertainty contributions of the measured acceleration frequency response of the pressure measurement system, the measured acceleration of the pressure sensor during its calibration in the shock tube, the generated reference end-wall step pressure and the repeatability of the correction. The results show that the proposed method effectively eliminates acceleration-induced errors in the sensitivity and phase frequency responses of an acceleration-sensitive piezoelectric pressure measurement system being calibrated with a shock tube.

Analysis of the Factors Affecting China’s Manufacturing Servitization from the Perspective of the Ecological Environment

Manufacturing servitization (MS) can effectively alleviate the contradiction between economic growth and ecological carrying capacity and can promote energy conservation and emission reduction in the manufacturing industry (MI). However, China’s MI is in the primary stage of servitization and lacks sufficient ability to provide services; thus, the environmental benefits of MS are not obvious. Therefore, in the context of current pressure to normalize environmental protection, how servitization can drive low-carbon development in MI while taking into account economic development has become an important topic at present. Thus, this study constructs an evaluation index system of factors based on a driver–pressure–state–impact–response (DPSIR) model, and uses the decision-making trial and evaluation laboratory (DEMATEL) and interpretive structural modeling (ISM) model to analyze the causal relationship and key elements among the influencing factors. The results show that from the perspective of the ecological environment, many factors affect MS, although to varying degrees. Among them, the proportion of R&D personnel, input intensity, and the proportion of clean energy are the main factors. Based on the transmission mechanism among these factors, we propose two paths to realizing the service-oriented, low-carbon development of China’s MI.

Sustainability of urban expansion in Africa: a systematic literature review using the Drivers–Pressures–State–Impact–Responses (DPSIR) framework

Sustainability of urban expansion in Africa: a systematic literature review using the Drivers–Pressures–State–Impact–Responses (DPSIR) framework

Post-Construction, Hydromorphological Cumulative Impact Assessment: An Approach at the Waterbody Level Integrating Different Spatial Scales

The environmental impact assessment is a process required in many countries. It highlights future activities with a significant impact on the environment. Water, as an environmental factor, needs adequate methods for quantifying cumulative impact of hydrotechnical works. In most cases, for new developments, baseline data is collected before the beginning of the construction, but for waterworks already in place, a different approach is needed. In line with the EU Water Framework Directive (Directive 2000/60/EC), the overall purpose of the research is to develop an approach for the hydromorphological cumulative impact assessment integrating different spatial scales for existing water intakes with transversal barriers on mountain rivers in Romania. Being a research study developed for a specific issue—post-construction impact assessment, some innovative actions were required. Lack of information in the pre-construction phase was an important constraint. Customizing formulas of certain indicators established within the Romanian method for hydromorphological status assessment of rivers proved to be a practical solution to show both local and waterbody hydromorphological impact. Upscaling the impact from the local scale to the river sector and the waterbody allows awareness of the spatial extent of the impact and understanding of the importance of the thresholds of significant impact for a broader audience. In order to better highlight the approach, this paper shows practical examples. The whole chain of the drivers–pressures–state–impacts–responses (DPSIR) framework is applied in the case of two river water bodies with hydropower generation facilities in place. In addition, some recommendations for actions are provided.