Environmental Attributes Research Articles

Well-Being and Sustainable Utilization of Forest Environment with Diverse Vegetation Distributions

Forest landscape space is the basic unit of forest landscape resources. Healthy forest landscape resources can not only improve the sustainable cycle of forest ecological service function, but also have a positive impact on human health and well-being. Evidence supports the view that the forest environment is beneficial to people’s health, and further discussion of the dose response between environmental attributes and physical and mental recovery has been widely carried out by scholars. As an important component of environmental attributes, it is necessary to clarify the relationship between vegetation distribution and users’ health in order to better plan, design, and utilize forest environmental resources. This study mainly used the virtual immersive forest environment video in VR, and used the difference test in SPSS 23.0 to clarify whether the distribution of vegetation in the forest environment will affect the physiological and psychological recovery effect of users. The main results are as follows: (1) Experiencing the forest environment can promote users’ physiological and psychological health, and its recovery effect is significantly better than the indoor environment (p < 0.05). (2) The distribution of vegetation in the forest environment will affect users’ physiological and psychological recovery effect. Among them, in the cluster and randomly distributed forest environments, the relaxation and concentration of users can be improved mainly by alleviating their negative emotions. In the evenly distributed forest environment, users mainly achieve the purpose of relaxation by improving their vitality and positive emotions. These results show that the distribution of vegetation is one of the factors for the restoration of forest environment. In the future design and management of the forest environment, the health and well-being of users can be effectively enhanced by getting involved with the vegetation distribution in the site, aiming to provide a scientific basis for the promotion of the rehabilitation function of forest landscape space and its sustainable utilization, thus promoting the sustainable development of forest resources and improving people’s quality of life.

Effectively Utilizing Infrastructure to Achieve Economic and Societal Growth in Developing Countries

Developing countries can benefit economically and socially from the construction of infrastructure. However, poor policy decisions regarding investment in public goods and services often impede infrastructure’s effectiveness in achieving such benefits. This paper seeks to provide a coherent framework for developing countries to consider when planning and implementing infrastructure projects. Gathering insights and policy suggestions from various relevant studies, it proposes three factors necessary for developing countries to consider. These three factors emphasize individual quality of life and long-term development instead of simple short-term economic growth described by basic economic indicators. They also account for the social and environmental concerns or implications of infrastructure construction, often overlooked in many policy agendas. The first factor is the efficiency of expenditure and accessibility of infrastructure, achieved through the consideration of diminishing returns to scale for capital investment and an emphasis on the delivery, not just the provision, of public services; the second is resilience and sustainability in the context of local environmental attributes and regional independence during the decision-making process; the third is the maximization of indirect benefits, most notably the increases in human capital and productivity caused by infrastructure construction.

Impact of climate change risks on equity capital: Evidence-based on Chinese markets

The economic consequences of climate change at the enterprise level have received considerable attention. This study examines the positive effects of climate change risk on equity capital costs, which are realized through firms' operational risk, financial constraints, and the government's service environment. A higher corporate ESG rating enhances the positive effect of climate change risk on equity capital costs. We also find that the Paris Agreement has a benign policy effect on equity capital costs. Finally, expanding upon this groundwork, a thorough heterogeneity analysis has been conducted, encompassing three distinct dimensions—enterprise risk system, industry environmental attributes, and operational ecosystem.

Latino Enclaves and Healthcare Accessibility: An Ecologic Study Across Five States.

Hispanic or Latino populations (hereafter, "Latinos") are a rapidly expanding U.S. demographic and have documented inequities in preventable diseases and conditions. Many Latinos reside in ethnic enclaves, and understanding the context and healthcare accessibility within these places is critical. This study described the neighborhood social and built environment attributes of Latino enclaves and evaluated associations between enclaves and geographic healthcare accessibility. Cross-sectional ecologic analysis. Our unit of analysis was all neighborhoods (n ~ 20,000 census tracts) in California, Florida, New Jersey, New York, and Texas in years 2000 and 2010. The primary exposure of interest, "Latino enclaves," was defined using neighborhood-level data on the percentage of Latino residents, foreign-born Latinos, Spanish speakers with limited English proficiency, and linguistically isolated Spanish-speaking households. The primary outcome was a neighborhood-level measure of geographic healthcare accessibility of primary care physicians, which accounted for both the supply of physicians and population demand for healthcare (i.e., population size within driving distance). Approximately 30% of neighborhoods were classified as Latino enclaves, 87% of which were enclaves in both 2000 and 2010. Compared with non-enclaves, Latino enclaves had more markers of structural disadvantage including having higher proportions of poverty, uninsured individuals, crowded housing, and higher crime scores. Results from multivariable models suggest that more culturally distinct neighborhoods (i.e., higher enclave score) had lower healthcare accessibility, though when stratified, this association persisted only in high (≥ 20%) poverty neighborhoods. This study highlights several neighborhood structural disadvantages within Latino enclaves, including higher poverty, uninsured individuals, and crime compared to non-enclave neighborhoods. Moreover, our findings point to the need for interventions aimed at improving healthcare accessibility particularly within socioeconomically disadvantaged Latino enclaves. Addressing these inequities demands multifaceted approaches that consider both social and structural factors to ensure equitable healthcare access for Latino populations.

Parsimonious High‐Resolution Landslide Susceptibility Modeling at Continental Scales

AbstractLandslide susceptibility maps are fundamental tools for risk reduction, but the coarse resolution of current continental‐scale models is insufficient for local application. Complex relations between topographic and environmental attributes characterizing landslide susceptibility at local scales are not transferrable across areas without landslide data. Existing maps with multiple susceptibility classifications under‐represent landslide potential in moderate and gently sloping terrain. We leverage an extensive landslide database (N = 613,724), a high‐resolution digital elevation model (10‐m), and high‐performance computing resources, to develop a new nationwide susceptibility map for the contiguous United States, Hawaii, Alaska, and Puerto Rico. We calculate four alternative linear and nonlinear thresholds of topographic slope and relief using an objective split‐sample calibration. We down‐sample our results to a 90‐m grid to account for uncertainty in the digital elevation model and landslide position, and evaluate these thresholds' ability to differentiate areas of greater susceptibility. The less conservative nonlinear model optimally balances our priorities of capturing observed landslides (99%) while minimizing area covered by susceptible terrain (43%). Independent evaluation with four statewide landslide inventories (N = 172,367) reinforces our model selection but highlights spatially variable performance. Therefore, we propose a novel approach to susceptibility classification using the concentration of landslide‐prone terrain within each down‐sampled grid. While landslides are possible within any cells containing susceptible terrain, those with the highest concentration capture the majority of observed landslides. Our new map characterizes landside susceptibility more consistently than prior models; our transparent classification approach also provides flexibility for accommodating different tolerances in risk reduction measures.

Determining dengue infection risk in the Colombo district of Sri Lanka by inferencing the genetic parameters of Aedes mosquitoes

BackgroundFor decades, dengue has posed a significant threat as a viral infectious disease, affecting numerous human lives globally, particularly in tropical regions, yet no cure has been discovered. The genetic trait of vector competence in Aedes mosquitoes, which facilitates dengue transmission, is difficult to measure and highly sensitive to environmental changes.MethodsIn this study we attempt, for the first time in a non-laboratory setting, to quantify the vector competence of Aedes mosquitoes assuming its homogeneity across both species; aegypti and albopictus and across the four Dengue serotypes. Estimating vector competence in relation to varying rainfall patterns was focused in this study to showcase the changes in this vector trait with respect to environmental variables. We quantify it using an existing mathematical model originally developed for malaria in a Bayesian inferencing setup. We conducted this study in the Colombo district of Sri Lanka where the highest number of human populations are threatened with dengue. Colombo district experiences continuous favorable temperature and humidity levels throughout the year creating ideal conditions for Aedes mosquitoes to thrive and transmit the Dengue disease. Therefore we only used the highly variable and seasonal rainfall as the primary environmental variable as it significantly influences the number of breeding sites and thereby impacting the population dynamics of Aedes.ResultsOur research successfully deduced vector competence values for the four identified seasons based on Monsoon rainfalls experienced in Colombo within a year. We used dengue data from 2009 - 2022 to infer the estimates. These estimated values have been corroborated through experimental studies documented in the literature, thereby validating the malaria model to estimate vector competence for dengue disease.ConclusionOur research findings conclude that environmental conditions can amplify vector competence within specific seasons, categorized by their environmental attributes. Additionally, the deduced vector competence offers compelling evidence that it impacts disease transmission, irrespective of geographical location, climate, or environmental factors.

Wearable electro-optical sensor for monitoring of nitrogen dioxide gas in environment

Environmental monitoring for detection of harmful pollutants is a challenge in today’s world. Development of wearable sensors with cost-effectiveness and practicality, while using accessible electronic components can be a solution to this challenge. In the present work ultraviolet light emitting diodes (UV-LEDs) and a Light Dependent Resistor (LDR) pair with carefully designed programmable circuitry is used to detect Nitrogen Dioxide (NO2) in the environment. The sensor is battery operated and rechargeable, making it convenient and eco-friendly. The sensor developed is miniaturized and wearable in nature for the detection of analyte gas in the environment. The sensor is stable and inexpensive as compared to the existing NO2 sensors available, which are electro-chemical, or oxide based. The sensor system is sensitive and selective to its exposure to NO2 gas and has no interference with typical environmental attributes such as humidity and temperature, which is a common challenge in gas detection technologies. The principle of gas detection is absorption based, light falling on the detector absorbed by the test gas present in the environment, thus changing the detector resistance. Absorption-based gas detection is indigenously simple but highly effective technique. This method not only ensures good sensitivity but enhances the selectivity of the electro-optical sensor towards the test gas preventing false triggering in the presence of other interfering gases.

Determinants of Young Polish Consumers’ Food Product Purchases

ABSTRACT This article investigates the factors influencing food product purchases by young Polish consumers aged 18–25 – a group important for the development of the economy. In the process of deciding to purchase specific food products, consumers pay attention to various economic and non-economic factors, including marketing. We carried out survey in October/November 2020 using the CAWI method (Google Forms) to test the importance of 17 factors on young Polish consumers’ food purchases, applying factor analysis and cluster analysis to the resulting data. The results reveal that price and product expiration date are young Polish consumers’ primary concerns when purchasing food products. The study also found that environmental sustainability attributes, although less critical than price or product quality, are increasingly influencing young Polish consumers' purchasing decisions.

Five decades' experience of long‐term soil monitoring, and key design principles, to assist the EU soil health mission

AbstractThe European Union has a long‐term objective to achieve healthy soils by 2050. The European Commission has proposed a Directive of the European Parliament and of the Council on Soil Monitoring and Resilience (Soil Monitoring Law, SML), the first stage of which is to focus on setting up a soil monitoring framework and assessing soils throughout the EU. Situated in NW Europe, the UK has substantial experience in soil monitoring over the last half century which may usefully contribute to this wider EU effort. A set of overarching principles have and continue to guide design of national soil monitoring and may prove helpful as other European countries embark on similar monitoring programmes. Therefore, we present the principles of design from five decades of national soil monitoring. The monitoring discussed is based on a stratified‐random design, has matured in support of policy questions, and operates over space and time scales relevant to the SML. The UK Centre for Ecology & Hydrology (UKCEH) Countryside Surveys (CS) of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, Welsh Government, Environment and Rural Affairs Monitoring and Modelling Programme (ERAMMP) and the England Ecosystem Survey (EES) monitoring programme are national programmes currently operating in the UK. Some important lessons learnt include: adopting a question‐based approach; having a clear robust statistical design for the purpose; selecting indicators that address policy and underlying scientific questions; and selecting indicators that can detect change and use robust and well‐tested methodologies across a wide range of soil and land use types, remaining valid over long time scales, supporting thinking long‐term. Technical lessons learned include the proven cost effectiveness of a stratified‐random design including replication, while adopting a common stratification layer of stable environmental attributes aids comparability between monitoring programmes. Common protocols are vital for future intercomparisons, but a full ecosystem approach that includes co‐located soil and vegetation samples for interpreting a co‐evolving system has proved hugely advantageous. UK monitoring programmes offer a range of experience that may prove valuable to future soil monitoring design to address the major societal challenges of our time, such as maintaining food production and addressing climate change and biodiversity loss.

Active travel, public transport and the built environment in youth: Interactions with perceived safety, distance to school, age and gender

IntroductionThis study examined interactive effects of the built environment, perceived safety, age and gender on active travel and public transport use among adolescents for school journeys. MethodThis study used cross-sectional data from 440 adolescents (mean age 15.4 ± 1.5 years, 58% girls) in Melbourne, Australia. Adolescents self-reported their school travel modes, perceptions of traffic and personal safety. Exclusive active travel and public transport use to/from school were determined. Objective built environment features around home and school (1 km buffer) were generated. Multilevel logistic regression was used to estimate main and interactive associations. ResultsOverall, 18% travelled exclusively by active travel and 32% by public transport. Distance to school was negatively associated with exclusive active school travel (OR = 0.44, 95%CI: 0.34, 0.56). Distance to school moderated the association between some built environment attributes (land use mix, residential density around home, distance to public transport stops) and odds of active school travel. There was a positive association between residential density around school and active school travel among those who perceived their traffic environment to be safer. Boys were more likely than girls to use public transport if they lived further from school. A negative association between distance to a public transport stop from home and the odds of public transport use was observed among those who perceived their environment to be less safe. ConclusionThe findings highlight the complexity of influences on mode choice for the school journey. Distance to school remains one of the most important predictors of active travel/public transport use. Supportive built environment attributes, such as a diverse mix of land use around home had facilitating effects on active travel among adolescents who lived closer to school. Multilevel interventions that target both the environment and perceived safety are needed to promote active travel and public transport use among adolescents.

Assessing the relationship between urban park spatial features and physical activity levels in Residents: A spatial analysis Utilizing drone remote sensing

The park environment is crucial for promoting physical activity (PA). While numerous studies show that park environments influence PA behavior, inconsistencies remain, likely due to varing research methods and parks types. This study employs a fixed spatial grid method to systematically sample four representative parks in Tianjin, China. High-precision orthophoto map (DOM) data from drones provided detailed environmental attributes (like tree canopy area, lawn area, and paved area) and PA characteristics (number of participants, intensity, diversity). The results show: 1) Cluster analysis grouped 1839 park grids into 12 environmental attribute integrations, each correlating with different PA characteristics. “Tree-lined jogging corridors” and “Large sports field areas” exhibit the highest PA intensity, while “Entrance plazas”, “Central plazas,” and “Open sports spaces” have the highest number of participants and PA diversity. 2) Correlation analysis shows that various environmental attributes, including Lawn Area, and Paved Area, are significantly correlated with PA characteristics. 3）Random Forest analysis indicates the key attributes are the paved area for the number of PA participants and PA diversity, and specialized sports facilities area for PA intensity. These findings support urban green space planning and highlight the importance of better park environments for public health.

Modeling pedestrians' activity time-use choices in a virtual urban public space: The influences of the environment and affective experience

Understanding pedestrians' time-use choices for multiple activities in urban public spaces is crucial for developing diverse and inclusive public spaces. Few studies have explored how pedestrians' time-use choices are influenced by the physical environment when engaging in various micro-level activities in public spaces, nor have they captured the influence of experience-based factors (e.g., emotion and perceptions) triggered by varying environments, as well as heterogeneity between individuals. This study employs the multiple discrete-continuous extreme value (MDCEV) model to estimate the effects of public space environmental attributes, visit purpose, emotion, and perceptions on individuals' activity time-use choices using data collected in varying virtual hypothetical public spaces. A latent class MDCEV model incorporating personal variables is used to further examine individual heterogeneity. The results indicate that outdoor dining spaces and benches significantly promote outdoor activities. Emotional pleasure and arousal, as well as perceived legibility and liveness, significantly influence various activities in varying ways and to varying degrees. Differences in activity time-use choice patterns between two groups are revealed - one more emotionally driven and the other more cognitively driven. The results complement existing knowledge of pedestrians' activities and inform the planning and design decisions for positive human-environment interactions in urban public spaces.

Bridging Built Environment Attributes and Perceived City Images: Exploring Dual Influences on Resident Satisfaction in Revitalizing Post-Industrial Neighborhoods

The deterioration of physical spaces and changes in the social environment have led to significant challenges and low life satisfaction among residents in post-industrial neighborhoods. While resident satisfaction is closely linked to the built environment, physical attributes alone do not directly influence human feelings. The perception and processing of urban environments, or city images, play a critical mediating role. Previous studies have often explored the impact of either city image perception or physical space attributes on resident satisfaction separately, lacking an integrated approach. This study addresses this gap by examining the interplay between subjective perceptions and objective environmental attributes. Unlike previous studies that use the whole neighborhood area for human perception, our study uses the actual activity ranges of residents to represent the living environment. Utilizing data from Shenyang, China, and employing image semantic segmentation technology and multiple regression methods, we analyze how subjective city image factors influence resident satisfaction and how objective urban spatial indicators affect these perceptions. We integrate these aspects to rank objective spatial indicators by their impact on resident satisfaction. The results demonstrate that all city image factors significantly and positively influence resident satisfaction, with the overall impression of the area’s appearance having the greatest impact (β = 0.362). Certain objective spatial indicators also significantly affect subjective city image perceptions. For instance, traffic lights are negatively correlated with the perception of greenery (β = −0.079), while grass is positively correlated (β = 0.626). Key factors affecting resident satisfaction include pedestrian flow, traffic flow, open spaces, sky openness, and green space levels. This study provides essential insights for urban planners and policymakers, helping prioritize sustainable updates in post-industrial neighborhoods. By guiding targeted revitalization strategies, this research contributes to improving the quality of life and advancing sustainable urban development.

Microscopic interface deterioration mechanism and damage behavior of high-toughness recycled aggregate concrete based on 4D in-situ CT experiments

High-toughness recycled aggregate concrete (HTRAC), as an innovative green building material, showcases outstanding performance and environmental attributes. To investigate its microscopic structural characteristics and the mechanisms of damage evolution under loading, a series of 4D in-situ X-ray computed tomography (CT) experiments were conducted under uniaxial compression conditions. During the experimental process, detailed scans were performed on six key loading points (0 %, 30 %, 60 %, and 100 % of the peak load, 70 % and 40 % of the post-peak load of the specimen). Advanced three-dimensional image processing techniques were utilized to conduct a comprehensive analysis of internal features within the specimen, including pores, steel fibers, and cracks. The evolution of damage in HTRAC was characterized by both qualitative 2D crack slice analysis and quantitative 3D reconstruction analysis of cracks. Changes in the average grayscale values of CT cross-sectional images were also examined. The deterioration mechanism of recycled aggregate concrete interface cracks was elucidated by the combination of CT images and modeled HTRAC. Furthermore, a statistics model illustrating the interaction mechanism between damage, cracks, and strain was proposed. This study provides technical and theoretical support for the further promotion and application of high-toughness recycled aggregate concrete.

Association between the perceived built environment and health behaviors in older adults: a cross-sectional study from Beijing, China

BackgroundUnder the background of the increasing trend of population aging, the health and quality of life of older adults have become the focus of social concern. As an important part of older adults’ daily life, the design and configuration of the built environment may positively or negatively affect older adults’ health behaviors. Therefore, this study aims to explore the relationship between older adults’ perceived built environments and health behaviors, which is the association between perceived built environments and older adults’ physical activity (PA) and social interactions. This is important for optimizing the community built environment and improving the quality of life of older adults.MethodsIn this study, a questionnaire was surveyed on 916 Chinese older adults aged 60 and above. The questionnaire was used to collect demographic information and social interaction from the participants, and the Physical Activity Neighborhood Environment Scale (PANES) and the Physical Activity Scale for the Elderly (PASE) were used to assess older adults’ subjective perceptions of the built environment in their neighborhoods and their levels of PA, respectively. In data analysis, ANOVA and chi-square tests were used to compare the significance of differences between groups, and multiple linear regression model were used to estimate the association between older adults’ perceived characteristics of the built environment and their PA and social interaction.ResultsAfter controlling for confounders such as gender, age, BMI, and education level, the multiple linear regression model showed that perceived destination accessibility, neighborhood infrastructure, aesthetic qualities, and neighborhood environment indices were significantly correlated with PA (β = 0.083 ~ 0.095, P < 0.05) and social interaction (β = 0.087 ~ 0.144, P < 0.05) among older adults. In addition, neighborhood safety (β = -0.084, P < 0.05), social environment (β = 0.091, P < 0.01), and street connectivity (β = 0.112, P < 0.001) were also strongly associated with older adults’ social interaction.ConclusionsDifferent perceived built environment attributes are correlated with the health behaviors of Chinese older adults to different degrees. This finding helps to guide community planning and construction, provides an empirical basis for improving health behaviors of older adults, and provides an important reference for building healthy communities for older adults and realizing comprehensive healthy development of older adults.Trial registrationThere was no trial registration for this study, but the study was approved by the Institutional Review Board of Tsinghua University (No. THU0120230196).

Examining the perception of undergraduate health professional students of their learning environment, learning experience and professional identity development: a mixed-methods study

BackgroundThe quality of the learning environment significantly impacts student engagement and professional identity formation in health professions education. Despite global recognition of its importance, research on student perceptions of learning environments across different health education programs is scarce. This study aimed to explore how health professional students perceive their learning environment and its influence on their professional identity development.MethodsAn explanatory mixed-methods approach was employed. In the quantitative phase, the Dundee Ready Education Environment Measure [Minimum–Maximum possible scores = 0–200] and Macleod Clark Professional Identity Scale [Minimum–Maximum possible scores = 1–45] were administered to Qatar University-Health students (N = 908), with a minimum required sample size of 271 students. Data were analyzed using SPSS, including descriptive statistics and inferential analysis. In the qualitative phase, seven focus groups (FGs) were conducted online via Microsoft Teams. FGs were guided by a topic guide developed from the quantitative results and the framework proposed by Gruppen et al. (Acad Med 94:969-74, 2019), transcribed verbatim, and thematically analyzed using NVIVO®.ResultsThe questionnaire response rate was 57.8% (525 responses out of 908), with a usability rate of 74.3% (390 responses out of 525) after excluding students who only completed the demographic section. The study indicated a “more positive than negative” perception of the learning environment (Median [IQR] = 132 [116–174], Minimum–Maximum obtained scores = 43–185), and a “good” perception of their professional identity (Median [IQR] = 24 [22–27], Minimum–Maximum obtained scores = 3–36). Qualitative data confirmed that the learning environment was supportive in developing competence, interpersonal skills, and professional identity, though opinions on emotional support adequacy were mixed. Key attributes of an ideal learning environment included mentorship programs, a reward system, and measures to address fatigue and boredom.ConclusionsThe learning environment at QU-Health was effective in developing competence and interpersonal skills. Students' perceptions of their learning environment positively correlated with their professional identity. Ideal environments should include mentorship programs, a reward system, and strategies to address fatigue and boredom, emphasizing the need for ongoing improvements in learning environments to enhance student satisfaction, professional identity development, and high-quality patient care.

Integrated sustainability assessment of wood building products: The case of larch and chestnut cascading systems in Northern Italy

Wood is increasingly being appreciated in construction due to its valuable environmental attributes. This paper explores the environmental and market performance of two wood supply chains in Northern Italy. Larch and chestnut wood are extracted and processed to obtain beams, planks, MDF panels and energy. LCA is performed to evaluate the environmental impacts of 1m3 of extracted wood through a cradle-to-gate approach. Then, a biogenic carbon analysis is carried out using the EN 16449:2014 standard including a comparison of different end-of-life treatments. Also, OSB is proposed as an alternative path for wood chips and contrasted to the current energy scenario. Moreover, solid wood beams and planks are compared with engineered wood products (EWPs). Lastly, a market analysis is conducted to assess the market trends of the different wood products studied.The LCA shows similar results for both wood species across most impact categories, with slightly higher values for the chestnut system. Most impacts are related to the production of MDF boards and the energy valorization of wood chips. Biogenic carbon analysis shows a negative balance of emissions with −314 and −205 kg of CO2 eq for larch and chestnut, respectively. It also suggests that OSB manufacturing can be a valuable alternative to the energy use of wood chips and that the end-of-life treatment with better results is recycling. The comparison of beams and planks with engineered wood products supports that solid wood poses a better environmental alternative in similar applications. Market analysis shows stagnation in the apparent consumption of wood products in the European market and a slight growth in the Italian one between 2018 and 2022. Overall, the systems studied suggest that the potential environmental benefits of using wood in construction are not being matched by current market trends.

Resilient planning pathways to community resilience to tsunami in Chile

There is growing urgency to develop resilient coastal communities worldwide due to an increase in destructive events. Many resilience assessment models, tools, and frameworks are being developed to guide planners and policy makers for planning resilient communities. However, many lack a multidimensional approach, while others disregard regional variations in indicators' importance, and neglect an adequate community involvement level. In turn, these factors hinder the development of a ‘Resilient Planning Pathway’ (RPP), or a set of planning strategies that consider key local environmental attributes and socio-cultural capacities. The RPP approach has been used in the context of vulnerable groups and urban and landscape planning worldwide. The objective of this study is to identify key resilience aspects to develop RPPs in Chilean coastal communities exposed to tsunami hazards. We used a cross-sectional participatory method with public servants and coastal communities which identifies regional variations in resilience dimensions, in order to define challenges for planners and policy makers. A systematic international literature review in Atlas.Ti revealed 78 resilience composite indicators and six resilience dimensions for tsunami hazards in Chile. Composite indicators were evaluated according to their importance and experience by 134 public servants within 42 coastal communities, revealing the aspects that guide the current development of RPPs. Public servants' responses are similar among macrozones and suggest that RPP development has focused on the physical, socio-cultural, and institutional dimensions, neglecting the ecological and economic dimensions. In contrast, the community opinions from 10 representative coastal settlements collected in 29 focus groups indicated that the importance of composite indicators varies among macrozones and with regards to the public servants' responses. This finding suggests commonalities and differences among macrozones regarding the challenges in developing Chilean coastal communities' RPPs. We believe that our methodological approach could help generate similar assessments in other world zones.

Cultivating Environmental Citizenship: Agriculture Teachers’ Perspectives Regarding the Role of Farm-Schools in Environmental and Sustainability Education

Agricultural education is a fertile framework for environmental and sustainability education (ESE). Hence, ‘farm-schools’, which are learning settings around agriculture, can and should play a crucial role in promoting ESE. Farm-school teachers are key to realizing this potential. Therefore, the aim of this study was to examine the perspectives of farm-school teachers concerning the role of farm schools in conducting ESE and their role as environmental and sustainability educators. The research employed a mixed methodology. Quantitative data from close-ended sections of the questionnaire enabled evaluation of the teachers’ environmental literacy and citizenship attributes, which are fundamental for their capacity to incorporate ESE within their teaching. Open-ended sections of the questionnaire and interviews provided in-depth information regarding the teachers’ perspectives and practices concerning ESE (content, values, and pedagogies) within the framework of farm schools. Findings indicate that these teachers have pro-environmental dispositions in their individual lives and as educators and that they incorporate ESE within their teaching, but they exhibit a relatively narrow perspective regarding ESE, focusing largely on content knowledge, with limited focus on values discourse. Providing professional development tailored to the specific attributes and needs of these agriculture teachers will strengthen their capacities in teaching the strategies inherent to ESE, such as facilitating in-depth critical discourse around socio-environmental dilemmas. This will contribute to realizing the full potential of farm schools in terms of contributing to the crucial area of ESE within the educational system, employing agriculture as the curricular platform.

Exploring the impact of university green spaces on Students' perceived restoration and emotional states through audio-visual perception

A growing body of evidence suggests that university green space (UGS) can substantially enhance students' perceived restoration. This study employed virtual reality technology to assess the characteristics of audio-visual elements in three types of UGS, then utilized Peason correlation analysis and structural equation modeling (SEM) to explored environmental audio-visual perception, perceived restoration, and their associations with emotional state. Findings indicate that: (1) Within the same UGS type, the dominance of different audio-visual elements was relatively consistent across various locations. However, there were differences among different UGS types: artificial sounds were dominant in Commuter Green Spaces, while natural sounds were more prominent in Natural Green Spaces, and the perception trends for visual elements were similar to those of the sound sources. (2) Soundscape pleasantness was significantly positively correlated with three dimensions of perceived restoration and positive emotion, negatively correlated with negative emotion, and had similar findings to soundscape pleasantness in visual perception and soundscape eventfulness. (3) The SEM results showed that soundscape pleasantness and eventfulness could directly influence visual perception and positive emotion. In addition, our study also found a cascading mediating effect with visual perception and perceived restoration as core elements. These findings deepen our understanding of how audio-visual perceptions influence emotional restoration and well-being, potentially enhancing both student experiences and the quality of UGS. Furthermore, the findings underscore the complexities involved in perception assessment, influenced by variations in social backgrounds, cultural factors, and individual characteristics. This emphasizes the need for future research to consider these variables comprehensively, aiming to provide a deeper understanding of the specific physical attributes of restorative environments.