Environmentally Sensitive Areas Research Articles

Density matters? Settlement expansion and land degradation in Peri-urban and rural districts of Italy

Being a relatively less known driver of land vulnerability to degradation in Southern Europe, the net impact of urban expansion on land quality depletion requires a comparative investigation in peri-urban and rural districts. An empirical approach based on the Environmentally Sensitive Area Index (ESAI) was illustrated here with the aim at assessing long-term changes in the level of land vulnerability during a time interval that reflects divergent socioeconomic dynamics in Italy, an affected country according with the United Nation Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD). The degree of land vulnerability increased in a spatially heterogeneous manner over the last 50 years thanks to the synergic impact of climate aridity and landscape transformations. At the same time, urbanization shaped the spatial distribution of vulnerable land at both regional and local scale. Urban-rural gradients were at the base of renewed spatial disparities in land vulnerability between Northern Italy (classified as a ‘non-vulnerable’ region in the National Action Plan to combat desertification) and Southern Italy (classified as a ‘highly vulnerable’ region). These dynamics reflect the expansion of peri-urban areas towards high-quality, productive soils less vulnerable to degradation. By documenting a complex pattern of soil depletion due to urbanization in Italy, the present study contributes to a wider knowledge of the intrinsic linkage between peri-urbanization, (un)sustainable development, and desertification risk in advanced economies.

Assessment of desertification using modified MEDALUS model in the north Nile Delta, Egypt

Understanding spatial patterns of environmentally sensitive areas (ESAs) to desertification is essential for sustainable land use in the drylands. This work is a novel trial for integrating the erosion quality index (EQI) with a modified Mediterranean Desertification and Land Use (MEDALUS) method and factor analysis to define ESAs to desertification. The model was then applied within 8607.13 km2 (860713 ha) in the north Nile Delta of Egypt as a case study. Climate data, satellite imageries, field observations, and samples collected from 105 soil profiles were analyzed to characterize five thematic quality indices of soil, climate, vegetation, management, and erosion. These indices were weighted based on the factor analysis (FA) and superimposed under the GIS environment in a single map using the weighted sum model. The proposed model showed that 72% of the total area was classified as critical-sensitive to desertification where 70% was classified as highly-critical, while 2% as moderately-critical. No significant difference (p < 0.001) was observed between the results of the proposed model and those calculated by the geometric mean algorithm (MEDALUS model) with R2 and root mean square error of 0.88 and 0.11, respectively. The average linear sensitivity analysis showed that using weights derived from the FA could assimilate the results of the proposed model closer to reality rather than equal weights used in the MEDALUS model. The developed model would improve the insight into desertification processes in the studied area, thereby suitable conservation practices would be adopted in time.

Development and Application of Water and Land Resources Degradation Index (WLDI)

Natural resources are gradually coming under continuous and increasing pressure due to anthropogenic interventions and climate variabilities. The result of these pressures is reflected in the sustainability of natural resources. Significant scientific efforts during the recent years focus on mitigating the effects of these pressures and on increasing the sustainability of natural resources. Hence, there is a need to develop specific indices and indicators that will reveal the areas having the highest risks. The Water and Land Resources Degradation Index (WLDI) was developed for this purpose. WLDI consists of eleven indicators and its outcome results from the spatiotemporal performance of these indicators. The WLDI is based on the Standardized Drought Vulnerability Index (SDVI) and the Environmentally Sensitive Areas Index (ESAI). The WLDI is applied for the period from October 1983 to September 1996, considering Greece as a study area. The results of the application of this index reveal the areas with the highest risks, especially in the agricultural sector, with less than the needed water quantities due to extensive periods of droughts. This index could be used by scientists, but also by policy makers, to better and more sustainably manage environmental pressures.

Spatio-temporal assessment of Environmentally Sensitive Areas (ESA) in The Thar Desert India, to combat desertification under UNCCD framework

Globally, desertification is a challenging issue today. As per United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD), it has been altering the quality of life of several people across the world. The study deals with temporal monitoring and mapping land degradation and desertification over the Thar Desert, which occupies the northwestern part of Rajasthan, India, with arid climatic conditions. It is necessary to control desertification by taking a few safety steps to create an early warning system based on scientific facts and satellite and secondary data. The current study has focused on integrating different data (i.e., climate, vegetation, and socio-economic), primary and secondary, as per their availability at a spatial scale for evaluating Environmentally Sensitive Areas (ESA), prone to desertification. It also provides temporal observation of various ESA indicators to measure the intensity and severity of land degradation in desertification. The weightage of ESA indicators was assigned based on Analytical Hierarchical Processes (AHP) to quantifying the Environmental Sensitivity Index (ESI). Overall, current research can guide authorities in proceeding with appropriate measures for addressing the process of land degradation. It would help the concerned authorities to execute suitable actions for combating desertification as apprised in COP-14 meeting under UNCCD framework, lately held in New Delhi (India) in 2019.

Spatio analysis of soil quality assessment in semi-arid ecosystem using a minimum data set

Land degradation especially as a result of the rapid increase in demand and pressure in the population, have emerged as one of the most important problems. Many model approaches, especially regarding land degradation and desertification, have been developed and continue to be developed on the world. The MEDALUS (Mediterranean Desertification and Land Use) which is one of the famous models has been developed for an environment assessment program contributed to by 31 groups and 10 countries in 1999. This model includes the Environmental Sensitive Areas (ESA) index include climate, soil, land use-land cover, and management index. This current study aims to evaluate the soil quality indexes by using the total data set (TDS) and minimum data set (MDS) of the lands in Konya Basin, which is an arid and semiarid terrestrial ecosystem, with MEDALUS approach. The TDS consisted of nine soil quality parameters measured on 1019 samples: pH, Electrical Conductivity (EC), Organic Matter (OM), texture, CaCO3, depth, parent material, and slope. In addition, Principal components analysis (PCA) was used to determine which parameters were to be selected in the MDS. The MDS parameters consisted of slope, pH, OM, CaCO3. After those process, different interpolation models in order to create spatial distribution maps of parameters and SQI (Soil Quality Index). Results classified 13.59% of the total area has as low, while 84.110% of the study area’ soil indicated area moderate by the SQI in terms of. Accordingly MDS, it was determined that 80.41% of the study area was in the medium-quality category, while only 2.01% was in the high-quality category. In the study area, minimum data set is seen that similar to the soil quality distribution in the total data set.

Moving toward the north: A country-level classification of land sensitivity to degradation in Czech Republic

Land sensitivity to degradation is a spatially varying attribute of local systems that experience rapid changes in socio-ecological conditions. To answer the increasing demand of quantitative risk assessment of land degradation and desertification - taken as a final stage of land degradation - in non-affected countries, our study estimates land sensitivity to degradation in the Czech Republic at 1:10,000 scale using the Environmental Sensitive Area (ESA) framework. Czech land was classified into four sensitivity levels (‘insensitive’, ‘potentially sensitive’, ‘fragile’, and ‘critical’). ‘Fragile’ and ‘critical’ land concentrated in accessible lowlands with intensive agriculture. Climate and vegetation quality contributed the most to land sensitivity to degradation in the country. Low soil quality and land management quality were causes of land sensitivity in few, sparse agricultural districts. A comparison with Mediterranean and South-Eastern European countries indicates that land sensitivity to degradation in the Czech Republic is only slightly lower than in neighbouring, affected countries (sensu UNCCD, Annex IV), with the same acting drivers (agriculture intensification and urban sprawl). In light of climate change, national and regional policies are required to face with the increase of land sensitivity in ‘formally non-affected’ countries of Central-Eastern Europe, taking stock of the ‘Mediterranean’ experience in assessing and managing land sensitivity to degradation.

Measuring the response of variable bulk solid fertiliser application by computer-controlled delivery from aircraft

ABSTRACT This work measures the effectiveness of boundary delivery from a new computer-controlled aircraft bulk solid delivery system (Intellispread+). Computer controlled delivery of solid fertilisers by aircraft has been practised commercially in New Zealand since 2014. Aircraft position is determined in relation to a rate change polygon, aircraft ground speed, spread material characteristics, and control system parameters, and the hopper opening is altered to provide the correct rate. All these systems working simultaneously are computationally intense. Effective variable rate application depends on the response to boundary rate changes, aircraft GPS accuracy and update frequency, wind direction and speed, and particle ballistics that determine the deposition of fertiliser. Rapid responses to boundary rate changes improve fertiliser placement accuracy and mitigates off-target application near environmental sensitive areas. The system was tested on a block 200 m long by 18 m wide with 126, 0.5 m2 diameter collector cones, spaced 10 m apart longitudinally and 3 m laterally. A PAL Cresco 600 was flown at 64 ms−1 (130 knots) on three tests to measure performance, shutting off and opening at a boundary and changing rate halfway along the block. For all tests initiation of rate change and completion was achieved within 30 m.

Spatio-temporal evaluation of the urban agglomeration expansion in the middle reaches of the Yangtze River and its impact on ecological lands

In developing countries, urban agglomerations have become one of the most important carriers of urbanization. In China, one of the largest national urban agglomerations is the UAMRYR (urban agglomeration in the middle reaches of the Yangtze River), which has the fastest urban development in Central China and is home to critical ecological spaces. On this basis, this study analyzed the urban expansion and loss of ecological lands in UAMRYR by establishing a spatial database, grid system, rose maps, and scenario simulation. The highlights of results are as follows: the urban expansion of UAMRYR includes four stages of development: steady growth, accelerated development, peak, and deceleration. Polarized development has occurred in the region, with the Wuhan, Changsha-Zhuzhou-Xiangtan, and Nanchang metropolitan areas having high levels of urban expansion while the other cities have varying levels of urban growth. The loss of ecological land was found to have a highly similar curve and spatial distribution with the urban growth. In terms of ecological land types, the loss of agricultural land accounted for more than half of ecological lands lost overall. Losses in forests, grasslands, wetlands, and water areas varied for different areas, depending on particular conditions and specific environmental characteristics of the city. The three metropolitan areas experienced the highest increases in urban built-up areas; they also had the highest loss of ecological land, which can have critical consequences given their proximity to the Yangtze River, Poyang Lake, Dongting Lake, and other important environmental sensitive areas. The simulation results show that the UAMRYR is projected to maintain a rapid expansion rate from 2020 to 2030. If the urban expansion, particularly in the metropolitan areas, is not managed well and controlled, serious ecological damage could be inflicted on the Yangtze River Basin.

Environmental monitoring and hydrological simulations of a natural wetland based on high-resolution unmanned aerial vehicle data (Paulista Peripheral Depression, Brazil)

The main biofuel produced in Brazil is ethanol representing 16% of energy production in the national energy matrix, that is why sugarcane is one of the most important crops for Brazilian agriculture. The land conversion associated with the advancement of agriculture is often carried out inappropriately advancing over areas of high environmental sensitivity, such as natural small wetlands. The level of detail required to monitor subtle changes in their dynamics and landscape makes very high-resolution images (+ 10 cm/pixel resolution) acquired by unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) an excellent data. The objective of this research was to use UAV orthomosaics and digital elevation models to carry out seasonal monitoring, simulate the water flow in the areas of hydric-contribution and inland flooding, and validate the flooding simulations. The studied wetland located in the State of São Paulo (Paulista Peripheral Depression), showed a seasonal surface water storage capacity (28,067 m³) and a loss of approximately 12.27% of its total area between October 2019 and February 2020. The flooding simulations were validated with data observed by the imagery (variation of ± 3.27%.), being possible to be reapplied in several small ecosystems.

Assessing desertification sensitivity map under climate change and agricultural practices scenarios: the island of Crete case study

AbstractThe aim of this study is the assessment of desertification risk for a typical Mediterranean island, in the frame of climate change and the application of good agricultural practices. Based on the MEDALUS Environmentally Sensitive Area Index (ESAI) approach, the sensitivity in desertification is estimated by employing 15 quantitative parameters divided in to four main quality indices: climate, vegetation, soil, and management quality. The methodology applied for a baseline scenario (current conditions), two future climate change scenarios (RCP 4.5 and RCP 8.5) and a soil quality improvement scenario. According to the results, more than 13% of the island's area is characterized as critically sensitive to desertification in the current conditions. This percentage will increase in the future under both the RCP 4.5 and the RCP 8.5 climate scenarios, where the critical areas will rise above to 15%. By applying the soil quality improvement scenario simultaneously with the climate change scenarios, a slight mitigation of desertification risk in the future could be achieved. The methodology developed in this study may be used to assess desertification process under various climate, soil, and land use management scenarios in regions of the Mediterranean Sea.

Tailored Risk Management In Drilling &amp; Completion: Illustrative Case Study Of A Well Campaign

Risk Management (RM) is awell recognised approach to addressprojects uncertainties, to provideaccurate CAPEX estimates and tohave proactive responses tounplanned events.However, RM is often presented asa standard and repetitive process,disregard to projects diversechallenges. This acceptance is amain obstacle to its successfulimplementation, because this canlead to over complex risk studies forsimple matter or, on the contrary,scarce results for intricate issues.Drilling &amp; Completion projectspresent a high versatility ofsituations (from a standard onshoreworkover to a very challenging deepoffshore exploratory campaign).Project challenges can be verydifferent: technical (HP/HT, newtechnologies, etc), environmental(sensitive areas, deep offshoreconditions, etc), economic (marketconditions, etc), or strategic(partnership, etc).The natural consequence is thateach project requires an adequateresponse in terms of RM. Actually,RM toolbox encompasses a numberof different studies, such as riskregisters, risk mapping, probabilisticCAPEX/schedule, fault trees, etc.Not all studies should besystematically performed. Thus, theRM approach must be tailored toeach project challenges, in order tobring the highest added value to thedecision makers.&#x0D; eni Drilling, Completion &amp;Production optimization departmenthas built an integrated RM systemthat provides a properly designedworkflow for treating each projectwith a suitable approach accordingto its maturity and other technical,environmental, economic or strategiccriteria.This paper takes advantage of aneni experience on a well campaignand describes how RM approachsupported strategic decisions on theimplementation of technologies(RSS, continuous circulating system,aluminium drill pipe, ceramicprotectors and centralisers) to reducewell operations uncertainties. Thiscase study encompasses thecomplete decision loop, from thecost/benefit analysis of eachtechnology to the measured benefitsfrom the rig operations in terms ofperformance enhancement.Finally, it substantiates the values ofRM in investment decision byaddressing RM in a practical way.This case study will definitely helpto spread a RM culture withinproject management organizations.

Opportunities to Apply Precision Livestock Management on Rangelands

Precision livestock management has become a new field of study as the result of recent advancements in real-time global positioning system (GPS) tracking, accelerometer and other sensor technologies. Real-time tracking and accelerometer monitoring has the potential to remotely detect livestock disease, animal well-being and grazing distribution issues and notify ranchers and graziers so that they can respond as soon as possible. On-going research has shown that accelerometers can remotely monitor livestock behavior and detect activity changes that are associated with disease and parturition. GPS tracking can also detect parturition by monitoring the distance between a ewe and the remainder of the flock. Tracking also has the potential to detect water system failures. Combinations of GPS tracking and accelerometer monitoring may be more accurate than either device used by itself. Real-time GPS tracking can identify when livestock congregate in environmental sensitive areas which may allow managers the chance to respond before resource degradation occurs. Identification of genetic markers associated with terrain use, decreased cost of GPS tracking and novel tracking data processing should facilitate development of tools needed for genetic selection for cattle grazing distribution. Precision livestock management has potential to improve welfare of livestock grazing rangelands and forested lands, reduce labor costs and improve ranch profitability and improve the condition and sustainability of riparian areas and other environmental sensitive areas on grazing lands around the world.

Assessing the impact of multiple drivers of land sensitivity to desertification in a Mediterranean country

Experiencing climate changes and increased human pressure, Mediterranean regions are considered representative hotspots of desertification. However, relatively few studies have been devoted to quantify the individual impact of different factors shaping land sensitivity to desertification in these contexts. Our study contributes to this deserving (positive and normative) issue with a diachronic analysis of the impact of multiple drivers of desertification risk on six indicators of land sensitivity based on the Environmentally Sensitive Area (ESA) approach. Indicators (average and maximum ESA score, coefficient of variation and normalized range in the ESA scores, share of ‘fragile’ and ‘critical’ areas in total landscape) were calculated in 777 rural districts of Italy at three time points (early-1960s, early-1990s, and early-2010s). Multivariate models were used to determine the impact of 12 predictors (climate, soil, vegetation, and land management quality) on each indicator of land sensitivity. Results of the analysis identified two non-redundant dimensions respectively associated with the average level of land sensitivity and its intrinsic variability across space. Impacts of climate and vegetation qualities on the level of land sensitivity were high, decreasing over time, and more intense respectively in Northern and Southern Italy. Impacts of soil and land management qualities were moderate, increasing over time, and involving almost all the country's area. Our study emphasizes the role of context-based measures promoting sustainable land management. The ‘local’ dimension proved to be crucial in any strategy of risk mitigation undertaken at disaggregated spatial scales.

Introduction of Biological Parameters for Environmentally Sensitive Area (ESA) Classification for Permanent Forest Reserve: A Case Study Based on Small Vertebrates’ Assessments in Selangor

Environmentally sensitive areas (ESAs) is vital for seeking the balance between biodiversity conservation and land use planning based on the concept of sustainable development. However, the classification of ESA in Malaysia grounded on physical attributes and the biological elements neglected. Therefore, the aim of the study is to propose a new approach of ESA for permanent forest reserve classification by integrating biological parameters based on small vertebrates with the existing physical attribute of ESA classification. Three forest reserves in northern Selangor selected and four taxa of small vertebrate e.g. small mammals, birds, amphibians and reptiles assessed to develop the biological parameters. Forty potential biological parameters were listed which were thoroughly screened and examined before final ten parameters were finalised. These parameters were composed of four categories including species diversity, trophic composition, origin of species and conservation status. An initial threshold values for each biological parameter were determined. The finding indicates the parameters are promising and the research need to further fine-tuned by conducting verification tests in various landscapes or regions before being integrated with physical attributes to enhance the existing classification of ESA in Malaysia.

Urban sprawl and desertification risk: unraveling the latent nexus in a mediterranean country

The Mediterranean region is exposed to desertification risk because of the joint impact of soil degradation, land-use change and global warming, although the individual role of such drivers has been occasionally investigated. The present study clarifies the spatial linkage between desertification risk and urbanization, intended as a pervasive form of landscape transformation in Southern Europe, by analyzing trends over time in the Environmentally Sensitive Area Index (1960–2010) at different settlement densities in Italy. Seven density classes, representing a vast range of local contexts from pristine, natural sites to peri-urban conditions with moderate (or high) human pressure, were considered. While land surface with medium-high settlement density increased between 1960 and 2010, reflecting semi-dense urban growth (1960–1990) and settlement sprawl (1990–2010), the spatial distribution and extent of land sensitive to desertification in Italy followed more complex dynamics over both time and space. Divergences in the level of desertification risk along the settlement density gradient increased markedly in 1990 and 2010. The highest level of risk was observed for land with intermediate settlement density, representing economically dynamic rural contexts with high (and possibly increasing) human pressure. Despite some exceptions, a lower level of risk was observed in urban and peri-urban areas with denser settlements. The spatially asymmetric increase in the level of desertification risk contributed to alter the polarization in affected and non-affected areas characteristic of early-1960s Italy. A rising impact of settlement density on desertification risk has been recorded in more recent years. Based on the empirical results of this study, National Action Plans to combat desertification in Mediterranean Europe are definitely required to incorporate specific measures of urban containment and mitigation of the negative effect of sprawl on land degradation at a local scale.

Reporting land degradation sensitivity through multiple indicators: Does scale matter?

This work provides a multi-scale, multi-temporal assessment of the robustness of 6 indicators of land degradation aggregated at various spatial domains relevant to environmental reporting. Based on the Environmentally Sensitive Area (ESA) approach – widely used for environmental reporting of land degradation in Europe – we tested six indicators including (i) the average ESA score, (ii) the maximum ESA score, (iii) the coefficient of variation in the ESA scores, (iv) the normalized range in the ESA scores, as well as the extent of (v) ‘fragile’ and (vi) ‘critical’ areas based on a standard land classification developed on behalf of the ESA framework. Statistical robustness and intrinsic stability of these indicators were verified at six spatial domains (administrative regions, provinces, elevation belts, homogeneous economic districts, rural districts, municipalities) separately for three time points (early-1960s, early-1990s, and early-2010s). Results of a mixed parametric/non-parametric correlation analysis indicate that pair-wise relationships between indicators were mostly linear. A Principal Component Analysis identified two non-redundant dimensions associated with the average level of land degradation sensitivity and its intrinsic variability over space; indicators resulted to be associated exclusively with one of these two dimensions for all study years. Average level of sensitivity and variability over space provide, together, a comprehensive and statistically robust assessment of land degradation at vastly different planning levels, irrespective of the territorial domain adopted for environmental reporting.

Setting ambitious goals for agriculture to meet environmental targets

Setting ambitious goals for agriculture to meet environmental targets

SPATIAL MAPPING OF ENVIRONMENTAL SENSITIVE INDEX IN PULAU HUJUNG AND PULAU TENGAH, JOHOR

This paper addresses the necessity of sea spatial mapping for valuable natural resources of the island ecosystem in Pulau Hujung and Pulau Tengah, Johor. These islands are located in Johor Marine Park, rich with a diversity of marine life, resources, valuable ecosystems, and historical and cultural values. As an environmental asset considered as Environmental Sensitive Areas (ESA), the spatial mapping of its different zonal uses by using the Environmental Sensitive Index (ESI) is crucial in planning and managing natural resources within protected areas. By integrating the data of ESAs into the GIS application via the ESI, the generation of its outcome of digital mapping is easier to understand and applicable in managing the planning of the islands. The indices of ESI comprise of biological and human resources, and shoreline classification. Besides, the research refers to international guidance, namely the IUCN Guideline 2008 where the requirements of ESA protection were clearly stated. The results of the spatial mapping demonstrate that the islands could be categorised as preservation zone, habitat protection zone, general use zone, and buffer zone, in which each of these sea zonal use reflects both its characteristics and importance. The division of clear zones helps the relevant authorities to manage and monitor this special area so that these natural resources, marine life, and ecosystems can be sustained as the natural heritage of the nation. In a conclusion, it is evident that the spatial sea zonal use map is very significant and may benefit many stakeholders involved in planning and managing the waters of the eastern part of Johor.&#x0D;

Factor influencing land degradation sensitivity and desertification in a drought prone watershed in Thailand

This study aimed to assess land degradation sensitivity of an area contributing to desertification risk in Lam Ta Kong Watershed using Environmental Sensitivity Area Index (ESAI). Five risk factors comprised climatic, soil, geographical, land utilization and vegetation, and water resources factors together with fifteen sub-factors were used to analyze the sensitivity to land degradation. The spatial analysis was calculated using Geographic Information System (GIS) and Remote Sensing (RS) techniques. The key factors influencing land degradation risks in the watershed area were analyzed using the triangular fuzzy numbers (TFNs) method. The results showed that approximately 33% of Lam Ta Kong watershed was affected by a high desertification risk excluded the water bodies and around 24.64% of the area suffered from a moderate risk. This research pointed out that key factors causing land degradation and desertification in the watershed area were related to the soil factors, followed by climatic, geographical factors, water resources, and land utilization and vegetation, respectively. The results of this study can be used as a database for planning and implementing area-based mitigations and measures as well as for land use planning in the watershed area.

Spatial Analysis of Artisanal and Small-Scale Mining in the Tarkwa-Nsuaem Municipality of Ghana

Abstract&#x0D; In recent times there have been lots of public outcry on the environmental and public health and safety effects of Artisanal and Small-scale gold Mining (ASM) and the need to monitor ASM activities for reclamation purposes. To effectively develop and deploy policy responses to the environmental and human health effects of ASM, knowledge of the locations and distribution of ASM sites is a prerequisite. However, information regarding ASM hotspots and spatial distribution, the scope and types of ASM operations are hard to find. Therefore, this research was designed to use satellite-based data to map out ASM sites, focusing on the Tarkwa-Nsuaem municipality as the study area. Several image processing techniques were applied on a Landsat 8 satellite image downloaded from the US Geological Survey website. The image processing resulted in the identification of 221 clusters of ASM sites, representing 12.72% of the total size of the study area. To further explore the effects of these ASM sites, Areas of Interest (AOI) including forest reserve, rivers, large-scale mines and urban settlements were defined. By selecting and analysing the location and distribution of the ASM sites in relations to the AOI, the study was effective in identifying environmentally sensitive and critical areas warranting the urgent attention of society to mitigate the health, safety and ecosystem service effects of ASM in the study area. By identifying the environmental sensitive areas being affected by ASM, the findings could support the prioritisation of reclamation efforts.&#x0D; &#x0D; Keywords: Artisanal Small-Scale Mining, Satellite Image, Environmental Effect, Public Health and Safety