Environmental Conservation Programs Research Articles

Pengembangan Kapasitas Kelompok Tani Tunas Makmur Dalam Pengelolaan Produk Nanas Di Kelurahan Sungai Pakning Kabupaten Bengkalis

This research was conducted because Sungai Pakning Village, Bengkalis Regency, was one of the areas that experienced land and forest fires that occurred in Riau Province in 2015. So far, peatland management has often failed, both by the government and companies. One of their failures is that they only focus on land restoration and ignore community empowerment. With the independent peat village program created by PT. Pertamina RU II Production, Sungai Pakning, Bengkalis Regency. Among the independent peat village programs, there is an environmental conservation program which has become the center of attention for environmental observers, namely the development of peat forests to manage pineapple products. This research aims to determine the capacity development of the Tunas Makmur Farmer group in managing pineapple products and to find out what are the supporting factors for capacity development in the Tunas Makmur Farmer group in Sungai Pakning, Bengkalis Regency. This research was conducted using a qualitative descriptive method. Data was obtained through interviews and field observations. The results of this research show that the capacity development measure according to Ilato has demonstrated good capacity in aspects of organizational structure, decision making processes, work procedures and mechanisms and inter-organizational relationships. Good capacity development is supported by 1) facilities and infrastructure, which are being developed continuously, 2) good cooperation between various parties or institutions involved in developing the capacity of the Tunas Makmur Farmers Group.

A ecological study of galamsey activities in Ghana and their physiological toxicity

Background: Small-Scale Small-Scale Gold Mining (ASGM), locally known as "galamsey," has emerged as a pervasive issue in Ghana characterized with environmental degradation, land and water resource depletion, health hazards for miners, social and economic impacts. This comprehensive review explores the ecological and health effects of galamsey operations across different regions of the country. Methods: The study employs a systematic analysis method to examine the available literature from 2000 to 2023. Various academic databases, including PubMed, Google Scholar, JSTOR, and relevant government publications, were searched to gather relevant information. Findings: The review reveals that galamsey has had significant ecological consequences, including deforestation, habitat destruction, water pollution, and soil degradation, which have adversely affected Ghana's natural beauty. These environmental challenges pose a threat to local ecosystems and resources, particularly in the Ashanti, Western, and Central regions of Ghana. Moreover, the study highlights the physiological health issues faced by galamsey miners, such as accidents, physical strain, mental strain, kidney problems, respiratory disorders, and metabolic diseases. The presence of elevated levels of mercury, cyanide, arsenic, and cadmium in both the environment and the human body are directly linked to ASGM in Ghana. About seventy percent (70%) of the houses in ASGM community relied on surface water, and all of the homes utilized the fields or bush as their main toilet. Conclusion: Implementing remote sensing, geospatial technologies, promoting clean mining technologies, integrating environmental conservation, occupational safety and public health awareness are key technical and innovative measures to mitigate galamsey in Ghana. Novelty/Originality of this article: This study proposes an integrated approach to address the impacts of galamsey, combining remote sensing and geospatial technologies with public health and environmental conservation programs. The model can provide a comprehensive understanding of the spatial and temporal impacts of ASGM and enable more targeted interventions.

Comparative analysis of soil pollution management policies in China and the United States: Towards sustainable environmental strategies

Soil pollution is a significant worldwide issue that has adverse effects on food security, public health, and environmental sustainability. The paper aims to examine additional research on assessing the extent of soil contamination, identifying its origins, and evaluating the efficacy of regulatory and technical solutions in addressing this issue. This study examines the soil pollution regulations of China and compares them to those of the United States. It purposes to identify areas where both countries are moving towards sustainable soil management by reducing sources of pollution. This study will utilize a literature analysis to examine the historical background, effectiveness, and diverse factors associated with economic development and environmental conservation programs. Both countries have built risk-based control systems that adhere to the polluter pays principle and comply with internationally recognized standards. The paper identifies the difficulties in putting the regulations into practice and suggests that future research should focus on doing comparative assessments with other nations, evaluating the effectiveness of the implementation process, and exploring technical advancements for soil remediation. This comparative analysis highlights the significance of soil pollution reduction and efficient management strategies, since they hold global significance.

An overlooked source of false positives in eDNA-based biodiversity assessment and management

Biodiversity conservation and management in urban aquatic ecosystems is crucial to human welfare, and environmental DNA (eDNA)-based methods have become popular in biodiversity assessment. Here we report a highly overlooked source of significant false positives for eDNA-based biodiversity assessment in urban aquatic ecosystems supplied with treated wastewater - eDNA pollution originating from treated wastewater represents a noteworthy source of false positives. To investigate whether eDNA pollution is specific to a certain treatment or prevalent across methods employed by wastewater treatment plants, we conducted tests on effluent treated using three different secondary processes, both before and after upgrades to tertiary treatment. We metabarcoded eDNA collected from effluent immediately after full treatment and detected diverse native and non-native, commercial and ornamental fishes (48 taxa) across all treatment processes before and after upgrades. Thus, eDNA pollution occurred irrespective of the treatment processes applied. Release of eDNA pollution into natural aquatic ecosystems could translate into false positives for eDNA-based analysis. We discuss and propose technical solutions to minimize these false positives in environmental nucleic acid-based biodiversity assessments and conservation programs.

Methods for assessing spillover effects between concurrent green initiatives

This research presents the methods that are used to examine the dynamics and potential spillover effects of various global environmental conservation programs. We specifically show the data and models that we use to analyze the interactions and mutual influences between the U.S.'s Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) and Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP), as well as those between China's Grain-to-Green Program (GTGP) and Forest Ecological Benefit Compensation (FEBC). Additionally, this study illustrates information about global initiatives, their interconnected impacts, and the associated policy strategies for environmental conservation. By utilizing multivariate regression, logistic regression, eigenvector spatial filtering, and scenario modeling, the research aims to understand the collective influence of these initiatives on broader environmental objectives. The findings of this study provide valuable insights for improving conservation policy designs and effectiveness.•Multivariate and logistic regression analyses to dissect global environmental conservation program interactions and mutual influences.•Eigenvector spatial filtering to address spatial autocorrelation and enhance the accuracy of the model results and our interpretations.•Scenario modeling to project potential future outcomes and impacts.

Which environmental factors influence the distribution patterns of an endangered freshwater mussel (Unio crassus)?

Freshwater mussels (Bivalvia: Unionida) are valuable components of river ecosystems. Among them, the thick-shelled river mussel (Unio crassus) is globally endangered, and its populations are decreasing in many European catchments. Over the last decade, it has become a focal point of environmental conservation programs. A comprehensive understanding of the relationship between the species and its environment is therefore required to optimize those programs. Yet, despite being increasingly studied, freshwater mussel ecological requirements remain complex to establish as they appear to be species- and region-related. We reviewed the potential environmental factors which have been showed to impact freshwater mussels, and therefore possibly U. crassus. We compiled datasets of environmental factors and occurrence of U. crassus across the study area (Wallonia, Belgium). Logistic regression models were built to identify the main driving factors. Results underscore the predominant significance of hydro-geomorphological variables in shaping distribution patterns. Specific stream power had a significantly negative impact on the distribution of U. crassus, while the probability of occurrence increased with catchment area, and with contrasted high- and low flows during the year. The high prediction accuracy of the hydro-geomorphological model supports the idea of a considerable influence of hydro-geomorphological habitat on the species. Other parameters are also relevant in predicting mussel distribution, like the percentage of land covered by meadows, elevated heavy metals concentrations and fish richness.

Nonlinear effects of conservation reserve program rental rates on land enrollment under varying crop price regimes

AbstractWe use a panel smooth transition regression model to investigate the influence of Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) rental rates on land enrollment under different crop price regimes. We employ a flexible estimation technique, allowing the CRP rental rate incentives to vary with crop prices, and construct a Hausman‐type instrumental variable to address endogeneity. Simulations are conducted to assess the impact of varying crop prices on CRP acreage and its associated environmental effects. Results reveal a nonlinear relationship between rental rates and enrollment, with the impact diminishing as crop prices increase. A 10% rise in CRP rental rates corresponds to a 5.1% expansion in enrollment, reducing to 4.2% when crop prices reach a specific threshold. High crop prices lead to fewer acres enrolled, decreased carbon sequestration, increased phosphorus and nitrogen runoff, and increased sediment loss. Our findings highlight the importance of considering price fluctuations in conservation planning as it has significant implications for environmental conservation policies and programs.

PEMBERSIHAN PANTAI DAN PENANAMAN LIMA RIBU MANGROVE MAHASISWA DENGAN MASYARAKAT DESA MANGUNHARJO SEMARANG BARAT

PEMBERSIHAN PANTAI DAN PENANAMAN LIMA RIBU MANGROVE MAHASISWA DENGAN MASYARAKAT DESA MANGUNHARJO SEMARANG BARAT

Implementation of Sasi which impact on the sustainability of ecosystem services in Maluku

Sasi is one of the local wisdom from Maluku as a form of prohibition for the community in taking natural products based on a certain time that has been determined by the authorized customary institution in an area. However, local wisdom is often ignored and considered outdated in the development of environmental conservation programs. Whereas in practice, armed with local knowledge capital such as biological and ecological knowledge, indigenous people have been able to successfully protect potential ecological processes and regenerate various varieties of plants and animals that are sasi. In addition, Sasi implementation activities can also have an impact on local ecosystem services so that the sustainability of local communities can take place economically, socially, culturally, and ecologically. The purpose of this research is to find out the implementation activities of Sasi and the ecosystem services that are produced sustainably for the people of Maluku. The method used in this research is a systematic literature review. The results of this study show that Sasi implementation activities have a positive impact on ecosystem services in an area.

Community Empowerment Through Environmental Conservation Program

Pemberdayaan masyarakat sangat penting untuk terus ditingkatkan dalam upaya mewujudkan tujuan pembangunan secara berkelanjutan sebagai bagian pengoptimalan potensi masyarakat itu sendiri. Untuk mewujudkan pemberdayaan tersebut salah satunya dengan melaksanakan program konservasi lingkungan. Metode yang digunakan dalam mini riset ini adalah studi literatur dan analisis konten. Melalui pendekatan ini, informasi akan dikumpulkan dari berbagai sumber seperti jurnal ilmiah, laporan riset, dan publikasi terkait lainnya. Data yang terkumpul akan dianalisis untuk mengidentifikasi strategi dan praktik terbaik dalam pemberdayaan masyarakat melalui program konservasi lingkungan.

Spatial soil loss prediction impacted by long-term land use/land cover change: a case study of Swat District.

Soil erosion is a destructive consequence of land degradation caused by deforestation, improper farming practices, overgrazing, and urbanization. This irreversible effect negatively impacts the limited renewable soil resource, causing soil truncation, reduced fertility, and unstable slopes. To address the anticipation of erosion modulus resulting from long-term land use and land cover (LULC) changes, a study was conducted in the Swat District of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (Kpk), Pakistan. The study aimed to predict and evaluate soil erosion concerning these changes using remote sensing (RS), geographic information systems (GIS), and the Revised Universal Soil Loss Equation (RUSLE) model. We also evaluated the impact of the Billion Tree Tsunami Project (BTTP) on soil erosion in the region. Model inputs, such as rainfall erosivity factor, topography factor, land cover and management factor, and erodibility factor, were used to calculate soil erosion. The results revealed that significant soil loss occurred under 2001, 2011, and 2021 LULC conditions, accounting for 67.26%, 61.78%, and 65.32%, falling within the category of low erosion potential. The vulnerable topographical features of the area indicated higher erosion modulus. The maximum soil loss rates observed in 2001, 2011, and 2021 were 80 t/ha-1/year-1, 120 t/ha-1/year-1, and 96 t/ha-1/year-1, respectively. However, the observed reduction in soil loss in 2021 as compared to 2001 and 2011 suggests a positive influence of the BTTP on soil conservation efforts. This study underscores the potential of afforestation initiatives like the BTTP in mitigating soil erosion and highlights the significance of environmental conservation programs in regions with vulnerable topography.

Who Gives to Organizations that Protect Water? Using Three Normative Lenses to Distinguish Intenders from Nonintenders

ABSTRACT This study, conducted using a non-experimental and cross-sectional survey, was undertaken to explore distinguishing characteristics between intenders and non-intenders regarding donation behaviors to organizations that work to protect water resources. The case presented here was drawn from the state of Florida, U.S. where many organizations rely on public donations to complete their missions. An electronic, opt-in, nonprobability survey panel design employing a representative quota sample was used to recruit residents for data collection. Three normative lenses were used to compare the two groups. The findings of the study revealed that intenders had greater generalized (injunctive and descriptive), expectancy-based (injunctive and descriptive), and value-expectancy (injunctive and descriptive) normative beliefs compared to non-intenders. Among the three normative types, generalized normative beliefs provided the most robust distinction between the two groups with generalized descriptive norms being the most important distinguishing factor. This finding reveals potential donors’ perceptions of whether the important people in their lives are engaged in donating to these organizations are more important than whether they perceive approval or expectation to do so. In terms of personal characteristics, results showed intenders were significantly younger, more likely to hold a professional degree or have a higher income, and more likely to have made a financial donation in the past relative to their counterparts who lacked intent. It is recommended that organizations focus on effectively showcasing donation behaviors of important others and targeting previous and younger donors to enhance public donations for water resources or similar environmental conservation programs.

COMMUNITY KNOWLEDGE AND PERCEPTIONS TOWARDS ILLEGAL WASTE DISPOSAL: A CASE STUDY OF SUNGAI BESAR COASTLINE MANGROVES FOREST IN SELANGOR, MALAYSIA

Mangroves around the world are under constant threat from household waste pollution. Illegal landfills were found at the Sungai Besar coastline mangrove forests near Kampung Baru Nelayan, Selangor, Malaysia. Therefore, this study aims to gauge residents’ level of knowledge and perceptions on illegal waste disposal in mangrove forests. A total of 304 respondents participated in this study. The data were analysed using descriptive statistics, non-parametric methods, and linear regression. The mean knowledge score was 0.70 ± 0.09 (range: 0-1), and the mean score for perception was 4.57 ± 0.47 (range: 1-5). Further analysis revealed that occupation played a significant role in determining measured knowledge and perception among the respondents (p-value < 0.01). Government employees were found to have higher knowledge and perception scores than unemployed residents. Targeted environmental education and conservation programs directed towards unemployed residents are recommended to increase their knowledge and perception of illegal waste disposal in mangrove forests.

Komunikasi Lingkungan Pemerintah Membangun Kesadaran Masyarakat Tentang Kegiatan Penambangan Emas Ilegal Di Kabupaten Kuantan Singingi

The decline in the water quality of the Batang Kuantan river is caused by excessive human activity, and what has attracted the most attention is the activity of Unlicensed Gold Miners (PETI), PETI activities are people who changed jobs from being farmers to becoming gold miners, due to economic factors. PETI makes river water black and smelly, this is caused by the washing and panning process using mercury or quicksilver. To make the public aware, environmental communication is needed which explains the state of the environment, its impacts and handling, and the main communicator in this environmental communication is the Government (DLH) which is committed to environmental management. Therefore, this research aims to find out the government's environmental communication planning (DLH) as a communicator in environmental conservation programs, to find out the implementation of the Government (DLH) in implementing environmental damage prevention programs. This research uses a qualitative method with a descriptive approach with the technique of determining research subjects, namely purposive . The author uses data collection techniques through interviews, observation and documentation. The number of informants was five people according to the criteria determined purposively. The data analysis technique in this research uses the Miles and Huberman Model and the data validity checking technique, namely triangulation. The results of the research show that environmental communication carried out by the Government (DLH) in implementing the environmental damage prevention program carried out by the Government (DLH) requires communication planning. The planning carried out consists of analyzing the problem, analyzing the audience, formulating goals, developing messages, planning media production. Apart from that, the implementation of environmental communication activities from DLH includes socialization actions, raids/raids, and appeals to the community in Cerenti District, especially the community of Sikakak Village.

Community-Based Tourism optimization through institutional entrepreneurship in Sidomulyo Tourism Village

Purpose — This study aimed to analyze the institutional entrepreneurship strategies to optimize community-based tourism practices in Sidomulyo Tourism Village.Method — This qualitative descriptive research focuses on the Tourism Awareness Group as the management institution of Sidomulyo Tourism Village. The data collection techniques are observation in Sidomulyo Tourism Village, in-depth interviews with the managers of the Tourism Awareness Group, and documentation. All discovered data is analyzed using Discursive Institutionalism.Result — We distinguished institutional entrepreneurship strategies into two dimensions: ideas and discourses. These strategic ideas include: managing the tourism village independently, re-justify Tourism Awareness Group goals following CBT aspects, re-arrange the formation and function within the Tourism Awareness Group component, involving the community in every step of the tourism village development, and communities get a fair reward for their participation, promoting community investment, creating product innovations, collaborating with universities and other tourism institutions, and also establish an environmental conservation and cultural preservation program with the community. Then, these ideas must be carried out in coordinative and communicative discourse. The Tourism Awareness Group actors who know communication skills and networks in the tourism sector are needed to convey these ideas.Contribution — This research contributes to discuss institutional entrepreneurship in tourism which still rarely to be studied.

Dynamic System Modeling and Sustainability Strategies for Circular Economy-Based Dairy Cow Waste Management

Dairy farming activities produce waste that can have a negative impact on the environment. The processing of livestock waste will reduce pollution and support environmental conservation programs that are currently being intensified by the West Java Provincial Government, Indonesia. An economic approach that can minimize waste and maximize resources is the circular economy (CE) approach. CE can occur at the macro-, meso-, or microlevels. The application of micro-scale CE can be carried out in a business activity. One of the micro business groups that have implemented the CE concept in Bandung Regency, West Java Province, Indonesia, is the Taruna Mukti Farmer Group, which is located in the Citarum River sub-basin area. From 2008 to 2022, this group processed 49,580 tons of cow dung into organic fertilizer. However, there has been a decline in livestock waste processing, where production reduced from 3700 tons in 2018 to 1280 tons in 2021, then to only 500 tons in 2022. Therefore, this study aims to design a sustainable strategy for livestock waste management based on CE in the Taruna Mukti Farmer Group. The method used is in-depth interviews with the Drivers, Pressure, State, Impact, Response (DPSIR) approach. In addition, this study will also describe the CE model in the management of dairy cattle waste. Key Informants come from the Farmer Group and related stakeholders. Based on the results of the study, it is known that the dairy cattle waste management model in the Taruna Mukti Farmer Group is a form of implementing the CE concept with a circular flow of material and involving various stakeholders and an extensive marketing network. With the current conditions, the simulation results of processing livestock waste into organic fertilizer show a decline/unsustainability. To support the sustainability of livestock waste management, a response is needed in the form of strengthening the internal management of the Farmer Group’s organization, regular assistance and supervision from the local government and non-government organizations, and guidance regarding the marketing of organic fertilizers and ease of access to markets.

DYNAMICS OF WATER QUALITY PARAMETERS IN HYDROGRAPHIC CATCHMENTS WITH NATIVE FOREST AND PINE-PLANTED FORESTS

The search for productive forests in line with an environmental balance is one of the tasks of good sustainable forest management, in which studies on water quality in production areas support the improvement of environmental conservation programs. Thus, this study aimed to determine the water quality in watersheds covered with native forest and pine-planted forests and to evaluate the effects of forest operations and precipitation on the dynamics of physical and chemical parameters of water. Data were collected for 10 years (2005 - 2015) in a fortnightly sampling frequency. The concentrations of nitrate, phosphorus, potassium, calcium, and magnesium were determined, as well as the physical parameters of total suspended solids, pH, turbidity, apparent color, and electrical conductivity in the water. Data were analyzed using the Mann-Whitney test at 5% probability and through multivariate analysis (principal component analysis and hierarchical cluster analysis). The water quality of both watersheds is similar and there is no significant difference between the physical parameters. While the watershed composed of native forest has a higher concentration of NO 3 - , K, and Mg in the water, the watershed with planted forests of Pinus has a higher concentration of Ca. There was a chemical and physical difference in the dynamics of the water concerning its precipitation. Mosaic forest management can influence the stability of quality parameters.

Influence of climatic phenomena and deforestation on hydroenvironmental fragility, Gurupi River watershed, Northern Brazil

In recent decades, climatic and anthropogenic pressures have caused serious environmental problems. The joint analysis of geo-environmental variables, through geoprocessing techniques, can support the estimation of the contribution of each environmental component to hydro-environmental fragility (HF). The aim of this work was to analyze the contribution of climatic phenomena and deforestation in the HF of the Gurupi River Watershed (GRW). Precipitation data were extracted from the Climate Hazards Group InfraRed Precipitation with Stations (CHIRPS); land use and cover were obtained from the MapBiomas Project; drainage network was acquired from the National Water and Sanitation Agency (ANA); slope data were gathered from the National Institute for Space Research (INPE); soil data were obtained from the Brazilian Agricultural Research Corporation (EMBRAPA); geomorphological units were extracted from the Brazilian Institute of Geography and Statistics (IBGE); and rock data were based on the Geological Survey of Brazil (CPRM). For the mapping of HF, the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) was adopted to weigh the importance of each variable in four extreme precipitation year scenarios (1989, 2012, 2015, and 2019). It was observed that spatial precipitation is considerably different in extreme years. Results showed that deforestation has increased over the years; and that static geo-environmental variables (drainage, slope, soils, geomorphological units, and rocks) have larger feature domains that favor the increase of HF in the GRW. The HF of the GRW showed significant differences in the analyzed scenarios. Policies and environmental conservation programs are needed in the GRW.

Payment for Environmental Services in Indonesia: Mutually Beneficial Watershed Environmental Management Model

Payment for Environmental Services (PES) is an effort and commitment of the world community in tackling the symptoms of global warming and damage to the ozone layer that will affect global climate change. Using field research methods, research data is collected through in-depth interviews with stakeholders in environmental services return programs in this research area. Research data is analyzed and described qualitatively for further conclusions. The concept developed upstream and downstream watershed relationships through the PES mechanism is based on the principle of voluntary agreement and awareness of maintaining the watershed ecosystem. The experience of implementing the PES Program in the Cidanau Watershed of Banten Province of Indonesia, managed by an independent institution. The PES program, in addition to its role as an environmental conservation program in the Cidanau watershed, also has socio-economical benefits for the community, environmental service (ES) users, and providers.

Donations for environmental sustainability and subjective well-being: Evidence from 37 nations

This study investigates donations for environment sustainability and emotional well-being using a large-scale survey of 100,956 observations from 37 nations on 6 continents based on the internet and face-to-face methods according to goal framing theory. The relationship between individuals’ pro-environmental conservation behavior (donations and volunteerism) and positive and negative emotions was determined using an ordered logit model. We found that people engaged in donations (cash and goods) or volunteering had an increased likelihood of experiencing positive emotions and a reduced probability of experiencing negative emotions. Similarly, the results confirmed that 27 of 37 nations, including China, India, the United States and Japan. Donating for nature less than 9% of income was associated with a higher probability of positive emotional well-being and a lower likelihood of negative emotion. Worldwide institutions, such as the United Nations, have constructed new environmental conservation programs that may be an option for contributing to sustainability.