Human-environment Interactions Research Articles

Rights for nature or protecting people’s rights?: The operationalization of rights of nature in non-indigenous communities in the United States

As the Rights of Nature movement gains political traction globally, researchers must examine how this transnational movement to extend rights to nature or natural entities is being operationalized in place. Proponents of the rights of nature contend transferring rights to nature constitutes a paradigm shift in human-environment interactions and will lead to solutions directed at the root causes of environmental problems. Critics contend that these rights-based governance structures have the potential to do more harm than good for environmental protection depending on the cultural and legal frameworks within which rights of nature are enacted. In this paper, I examine how rights of nature have been operationalized in non-Indigenous communities in the United States through an analysis of rights of nature ordinances passed in these communities between 2006 and 2020. Drawing on theoretical engagements with rights I demonstrate how the reliance on universalizing human rights frameworks and anti-corporation rhetoric both distinguish these ordinances from the broader rights of nature movement and center the rights of people to have access to a clean environment rather than the intrinsic rights of nature. In conclusion, I explore alternatives to how rights of nature are currently operationalized in non-Indigenous communities in the United States and call for increased research on the implications and impacts of rights of nature ordinances to assess whether they achieve their stated goals.

The role of light rail systems in urban regionalisation processes and in defining the bioregional vision of the Pontine plain in Italy

ABSTRACT Urban regionalisation or new regionalism is a land transformation process that involves the emergence of new sprawl settlements in the European Union and North America. These settlements are often composed of residential or micro-productive units that cause ecological fragmentation, biodiversity loss, and spatial reorganisation. This process challenges conventional spatial analytical and planning frameworks and calls for a new approach. This paper argues that bioregional units which account for complex human-environment interactions and the sustainability of natural resources and ecosystems can provide a new analytical and planning framework. Bioregions represent the main living environments for people, and mobility is a key driver shaping their lifestyle choices. This paper explores the role of light rail systems (LRSs) in enhancing the sustainability and well-being of bioregions, using the Pontine bioregion in Italy as a case study. It reviews the bioregional theory and applies the bioregional framework to the Pontine plain presenting the main features of the Pontine bioregion, including its internal and external urban relationships. Building on these analyses, the paper then discusses the proposal of a new railway network system that integrates LRSs as strategic elements for efficient mobility, urban regeneration, social cohesion, and environmental sustainability of the bioregional territory.

Investigating cultural ecosystem services of the Caatinga on Flickr

Public interest in nature can be promoted through social media by assessing the importance of a species to people and identifying new emblems of conservationist appeal. We aimed to assess the public interest in cultural ecosystem services in the Caatinga (seasonal dry forest). Ecosystem services were categorized based on approximately 1500 photographs posted on Flickr. These photographs were analyzed using manual and deep-learning (DL) approaches. The most observed categories for both approaches were “Enjoyment of the Landscape” (36.8%), “Appreciation of Nature – Animals’’ (25.6%), and “Social Activities” (19.3%). However, we found significant differences between manual and DL classifications owing to the difficulties in classifying categories using the DL model. The findings suggest a low cultural ecosystem service representation on the photo-sharing platform Flickr in the Caatinga region, even after removing 67% of the collected data. This may be attributed to the limited interest in Flickr among the Caatinga residents. Deep learning (DL) techniques hold potential for studying cultural ecosystem services, but their efficacy depends on the algorithm's capacity to discern human-nature interactions and various natural elements. Our observations indicate that increasing the scale of the training and test datasets and incorporating additional categories to account for Caatinga diversity may enhance the results.

Indigenous Perspectives on Dismantling the Legacies of Settler Colonialism in Rural Sociology☆

AbstractRural Sociology has failed to incorporate Settler‐colonialism and Indigenous theory in studying rural social relations. This presents a serious gap in the discipline's conceptualization of land as the foundation of social reproduction. Indigenous theory provides rich insights about humans' relations among themselves and with the more‐than‐human that inform our understanding of Settler colonialism as a driver of social formation, and human–environmental interactions more generally. This paper, written by four Indigenous environmental social scientists and one Settler rural sociologist, invites the discipline to engage Indigeneity and Settler colonialism in methodologically, theoretically, and ethically appropriate ways.

A Descriptive Analysis of Human-Environment Interactions in the Suburban Area of Pune City

The Baner-Balewadi was a rural area that transformed into a residential suburb and is now metamorphosing into a commercial and educational hub of Pune city. This area is now a part of Pune Municipal Corporation and is occupied by various schools, universities, and IT companies. The decadal population growth rate of the Baner-Balewadi area is 275%; it is much higher than the Pune district’s and city’s growth rate, which makes it a fascinating area for this study. A cross-sectional survey was conducted in this area covering three major regions: Balewadi Highstreet, Baner-Balewadi road, and NICMAR University. The data for 15 parameters were gathered, a total of 38 survey samples were collected using stratified random sampling, and land use was mapped to understand the grassroots reality. Thereafter, the parameters were analysed using a descriptive statistical technique, and spider mapping was used for data presentation. The strengths and challenges regarding infrastructural services, transportation, socio-economic factors, environment, and land use were identified. The results show that the waste collection is strong, but there are drinking water issues in the area. The recent development is causing stress on the infrastructural services and unregulated land-use change leading to environmental degradation. The metro construction is causing a lot of noise and air pollution, and people will still prefer buses as a transportation medium in the future because of good connectivity. The study is concluded with area-wise parametric recommendations made after examining the advancement, challenges, and gaps identified at the grassroots from both stakeholders’ and experts’ perspectives.

Dynamic patterns and potential drivers of river water quality in a coastal city: Insights from a machine-learning-based framework and water management

River water quality continues to deteriorate under the coupled effects of climate change and human activities. Machine learning (ML) is a promising approach for analyzing water quality. Nevertheless, the spatiotemporal dynamics of river water quality and their potential mechanisms in changing environments remain incomprehensively understood through available ML-based researches. Here, we developed a ML-based framework integrating a self-organizing map (SOM) model with a random forest (RF) model. This framework was applied to simultaneously investigate the spatiotemporal patterns and potential drivers of river permanganate (CODMn), ammonia nitrogen (NH3-N), and total phosphorus (TP) dynamics across 34 sites from 2010 to 2020 in a coastal city threatened by deteriorating water environment in southeastern China. The sites were divided into two clusters in the spatial context with different water quality conditions. The year of 2015 for NH3-N and 2018 for CODMn and TP were identified as the key turning points of water quality variations. Features including sewage discharge, population dynamics, percentage of cultivated land, and fertilizer application contributed greatly to water quality deterioration. The increase in forest vegetation reflected by percentage of forest and leaf area index may improve water quality. The ML-based modeling framework demonstrated a promising way to address the spatiotemporal dynamics of river water quality, and provided insights for water management in a coastal city with intensifying human-nature interactions.

Transformative Earth stewardship: Principles for shaping a sustainable future for nature and society

AbstractEarth stewardship is the proactive shaping of pathways of social‐ecological change to enable people and nature to thrive. Its strategy is to identify and shape sustainable pathways of human–nature interaction. I describe three Earth stewardship approaches to addressing global changes. Two of these (resisting unfavorable change; accepting and adapting to change) are well‐accepted approaches to conservation and sustainability. The third (transformative Earth stewardship to escape unsustainable traps) is more challenging but can sometimes overcome seemingly insurmountable barriers. It can be triggered by a change in vision for society, changes in feedbacks such as social norms and incentives, or engagement of influential actors or institutions. The innovation necessary to trigger profound transformation often requires transdisciplinary perspectives that draw on multiple knowledge systems, modes of communication, and sectors of society.

Integration of cognitive dynamics in the project to address the challenges of climate change.

Abstract This study addresses the pressing need for methodological innovation in response to climate change, with a particular focus on integrating cognitive dynamics with environmental design. The study is grounded in the theories of Extended Mind and Embodied Cognition, and proposes a novel approach that transcends traditional views. This approach uses innovation diagrams to analyse and integrate the physical and social environment as active elements of the cognitive process. The systemic approach is designed to develop practical tools and frameworks for the design of resilient and sustainable urban spaces that enhance human-environment interactions. The project not only seeks to provide new methodological insights but also fosters a holistic view that incorporates ecological sustainability in architectural and urban planning, thereby better addressing global environmental challenges.

Whisperings From The Ordinary: A Conversational Artificial Intelligence (AI) Approach To Bridging The Human-Object Divide

In a world increasingly dominated by connected devices, one realm remains silent: most inanimate objects that surround us. This stark contrast highlights a critical gap in human-environment interaction, one that the present work aims to bridge through the power of intelligent conversation and shared understanding. Traditional IoT methods, while efficient, raise crucial concerns regarding sustainability. Embedding electronics into every object risk exceeding costs and generating substantial e-waste. This necessitates exploration of alternative paradigms that unlock the communicative potential of everyday items without environmental burden. Enter the confluence of object detection and conversational AI. Object detection, encompassing techniques like image classification, empowers machines to perceive their surroundings and make informed decisions based on identified objects. Conversational AI refers to the ability of computers to engage in a natural, human-like dialogue. By fitting in object detection, conversational AI can transform lifeless objects into active and intelligent participants in our lives, fostering a richer relationship with the spaces we inhabit. This paper proposes an AI-powered mobile application that unlocks the communicative potential of everyday items, transforming them from passive elements into active participants in our lives. We are exploring to enhance domestic routines by streamlining daily tasks with object-initiated reminders, proactive maintenance suggestions, and personalized advice. This research delves into the technical aspects, potential applications, and ethical implications of granting voice to the voiceless.

Transitioning from gridlock to sustainability: advancing transport strategies for eco-friendly solutions in high-income countries.

The study aims to comprehend sustainable behaviors in high-income nations, where human-environment interactions are crucial. Increased transportation needs in industrialized countries highlight the importance of environmental challenges affecting human well-being. Railway passenger carrier, automobile energy efficiency, technology breakthroughs, financial incentives, and public-private partnerships (PPPs) affect congestion and sustainability, which the study analyses for sound policy inferences in a panel of 28 high-income nations from 2000 to 2022. The panel ARDL estimates reveal that railway passenger carrier increases carbon emissions in the short run while it improves them over time, highlighting the importance of urban planning. Environmental pollution, energy use, transportation behavior (including PPPs), and technical innovation have an inverse connection, demonstrating the efficacy of energy-efficient transport methods, research and development, and renewable energy sources. However, economic incentives highly correspond with carbon-intensive habits, emphasizing the need for high-income countries to phase them out.

Cross-Cultural Applications of the New Ecological Paradigm in Protected Area Contexts

Working mostly in Western, Educated, Industrialized, Rich, and Democratic countries, environmental psychologists have developed scales assessing relationships between pro-environmental beliefs and behaviors. Working in Tanzanian and Indonesian protected area landscapes, containing important biodiversity and conflict over human-nature interactions, we investigate the utility of the New Ecological Paradigm for measuring pro-environmental beliefs and understanding support for protected area regulations. We found the New Ecological Paradigm ineffective at measuring pro-environmental beliefs in both countries; in Tanzania due to acquiescence bias, and in Indonesia exploratory factor analysis supported none of the original factors, with 4 of 15 statements loading onto a novel “eco-fragility” factor. Individual statements in both countries and the eco-fragility factor in Indonesia were weakly correlated with support for protected area regulations, highlighting while elements of the New Ecological Paradigm can improve understanding of support for protected area regulations, care must be taken when applying psychometric tools in novel cultural contexts.

Numerical modeling of biophilic design incorporating large-scale waterfall into a public building: Combined simulation of heat, air, and water transfer

Biophilic design, which integrates nature into built environments, fosters beneficial human–nature interactions. It has gained traction as a promising solution to achieve a better trade-off between sustainability and occupants' well-being. However, despite its potential, quantitative assessment of biophilic design, particularly water elements, remains limited. This study addresses this gap using a two-step approach that quantifies the effects of biophilic water design on indoor hygrothermal conditions. We first developed a numerical model that couples building energy simulations with computational fluid dynamics to accurately predict the heat, air, and water transfer phenomena caused by waterfalls and ponds, and a novel mathematical model that precisely calculates water evaporation using water potential as the driving force of moisture transfer. Then, using this proposed method, we performed a numerical analysis of an actual public building as the reference space. This analysis quantitatively evaluated the effects of water elements on a hygrothermal environment and their impact on energy conservation. A series of comparisons and discussions based on the simulation results demonstrated the model's capability to accurately simulate the hygrothermal environment influenced by waterfalls and ponds. Moreover, the study confirmed and quantified the effects of waterfalls, specifically its significant evaporative cooling effect during summer, humidifying effect in winter, and heat load reduction benefits. These findings enrich our understanding of the impacts of biophilic water design on indoor environments and energy conservation, thereby contributing to the optimization of biophilic design practices.

Desert-oasis evolutionary process in the Tarim Basin since ∼ 2.2 ka B.P. during the late Holocene and their environmental implications

Oases, serving as ideal locations for human settlements in arid regions, exhibit extreme sensitivity to regional climatic fluctuations. Consequently, the oasis deposition sediments play a pivotal role in the study of regional paleoenvironmental changes and the exploration of prehistoric human-environment interactions. The YSD and STM sections, both typical aeolian-lacustrine sections located at the edge of the Tarim Basin, were investigated in this study. By analyzing optically stimulated luminescence (OSL) dating results and grain-size proxy indicators, the environmental evolution patterns in the Tarim Basin since approximately 2.2 ka BP were reconstructed. Additionally, the parametric end-member analysis on the grain-size data was conducted to explore the environmental significance revealed by each end-member. The research findings indicate that: (1) ∼ 2.2–1.8 ka B.P., sediment morphology and grain-size parameters indicate that the climate in the Tarim Basin recorded by the STM section was relatively dry, with rivers gradually receding and frequent sand-drift activities. During the development of the YSD section (∼1.67–1.5 ka B.P.), the environmental conditions in the Tarim Basin transitioned to a relatively humid phase, with the Yarkand River experienced multiple episodes of natural diluvial deposition. The grain-size data of two sections both comprise five sedimentary dynamic components, serving as sensitive indicators of regional humidity conditions and winter monsoon intensity. (2) The oasis development in the Tarim Basin during the late Holocene (particularly refers to between ∼ 2.2 ka B.P. and ∼ 1.4 ka B.P.) exhibits a significant positive correlation with temperature records. (3) Environmental changes and human activities jointly regulate the spatial and temporal distribution and number of archeological sites during the development of both sections. However, the dominance of the two factors varied across different historical periods.

Landscape positioning of Neolithic mustatil stone structures along the margins of the Nefud Desert, Saudi Arabia

Monumental rectangular stone structures called mustatils are an important emerging feature of the Holocene archaeological record of northwestern Arabia. To date, few have been excavated, with available radiocarbon dates suggesting an age range of ca. 5400–4200 BC. Here we present a rigorous spatial analysis to identify the patterning and landscape context of 169 mustatils in the southern and western margins of the Nefud Desert. This included: (1) a systematic survey of satellite imagery to identify mustatils; (2) viewshed analysis to examine location and landscape visibility; (3) a point process model to understand how diverse environmental and landscape variables affect mustatil locations; (4) mark correlation function to assess spatial patterning of mustatils based on their size. Results indicate that mustatil locations are determined most by proximity to water (likely locations of enhanced surface water occurrence under the enhanced humidity of the Mid-Holocene), on east facing slopes, close to rocky areas, at elevations between 880 and 950 masl, and on or near topographic ridges (positive topographic position index). Viewshed analysis showed that mustatils are preferentially located in areas that have good views, but not the best that are available, indicating complex landscape positioning that balances a range of topographic and behavioural factors. Using a rank permutation method with size (length) of mustatils as a proxy for labour mobilization we show that mustatils within clusters are not arranged hierarchically based on size, and were likely built by non-stratified groups of people. Our analyses show that people were choosing multiple factors when deciding where to build mustatils, and that the distribution of mustatils may relate to different groups of people resulting in the construction of complex ritual landscapes. As one of the earliest examples of large-scale monumental stone structure construction in global prehistory, understanding mustatils can enlighten us on human-environment interaction during the Neolithic.

Urban biodiversity is affected by human-designed features of public squares

Cities are designed primarily for the benefit of humans but also provide habitat for other species. However, understanding how different components of urban vegetation and other features of urban spaces enable different species or species groups to live in the city remains limited. Here we show that, for the City of Munich, designed features of public urban squares strongly determine the occurrence of different species groups. While taxon richness and abundance increased with increasing ‘greenness’ of the square, different taxa responded to different square features, such as the proportion of lawn, the volume of shrubs and the density of trees, as well as the number of people or pets on these squares. Our results highlight that urban design for human needs affects other species that may cohabit these spaces. Consequently, planning strategies for biodiverse cities that aim to enhance human–nature interactions need to be multifaceted, considering the needs of humans and other taxa to create diverse living cities.

HiSC4D: Human-Centered Interaction and 4D Scene Capture in Large-Scale Space Using Wearable IMUs and LiDAR.

We introduce HiSC4D, a novel Human-centered interaction and 4D Scene Capture method, aimed at accurately and efficiently creating a dynamic digital world, containing large-scale indoor-outdoor scenes, diverse human motions, rich human-human interactions, and human-environment interactions. By utilizing body-mounted IMUs and a head-mounted LiDAR, HiSC4D can capture egocentric human motions in unconstrained space without the need for external devices and pre-built maps. This affords great flexibility and accessibility for human-centered interaction and 4D scene capturing in various environments. Taking into account that IMUs can capture human spatially unrestricted poses but are prone to drifting for long-period using, and while LiDAR is stable for global localization but rough for local positions and orientations, HiSC4D employs a joint optimization method, harmonizing all sensors and utilizing environment cues, yielding promising results for long-term capture in large scenes. To promote research of egocentric human interaction in large scenes and facilitate downstream tasks, we also present a dataset, containing 8 sequences in 4 large scenes (200 to 5,000 m2 ), providing 36k frames of accurate 4D human motions with SMPL annotations and dynamic scenes, 31k frames of cropped human point clouds, and scene mesh of the environment. A variety of scenarios, such as the basketball gym and commercial street, alongside challenging human motions, such as daily greeting, one-on-one basketball playing, and tour guiding, demonstrate the effectiveness and the generalization ability of HiSC4D. The dataset and code will be publicly available for research purposes.

Late Pleistocene to Holocene alluvial deposits of the Inaouène Valley and their paleoenvironmental significance (north Morocco)

This study investigates the paleoenvironmental changes and fluvial dynamics in the Inaouène River Valley of central northern Morocco over the last 22,000 years. Through comprehensive field study and radiocarbon dating of Upper Pleistocene and Holocene alluvial deposits, the research identifies six main alluvial units reflecting distinct phases of fluvial activity and environmental conditions. These phases include coarse gravel aggradation between ∼22 and 15 cal kaBP, indicating a braided channel system, followed by multiple fine-dominated alluviation phases occurring at ∼13, ∼10, ∼6–5, ∼3, ∼0.7–0.3, and ∼0.1-0 cal kaBP. The trunk channel evolved from a low-sinuosity wandering style in the Early-Middle Holocene to a high-sinuosity pattern in the Late Holocene. Periods of landscape stability, evidenced by soil formation, were dated around 0.3 and 0.8 cal kaBP, with additional episodes estimated just after ∼12 cal kaBP and around 3.8 cal kaBP. Notably, the study also uncovered evidence of significant human intervention during the Middle Holocene.A comparison with other archives enabled us to reconstruct late Pleistocene and Holocene palaeoenvironmental conditions on both regional and supraregional scales, linking specific stages of floodplain development to prevalent influencing factors. Emphasizing the fluvial system response, we present a cause-effect model that focuses on long-lasting climatic phases (e.g., Last Glacial Maximum, MIS2-MIS1 transition, African Humid Period) as well as sub-millennial to centennial Rapid Climate Changes, North Atlantic cooling events, and solar activity minima. Human intervention played a key role in the Inaouène's evolution during the Middle Holocene, as evidenced by clear anthropogenic markers found in the associated deposits. These findings not only contribute to our understanding of the area's geomorphological history but also highlight its significant archaeological potential, opening new avenues for interdisciplinary research in this understudied region.The study offers new insights into central northern Morocco's late Quaternary alluvial geochronology and paleoenvironmental evolution, aligning with regional findings and contributing to a broader understanding of climate-driven landscape changes and human-environment interactions across North Africa and the Mediterranean.

Sustainable Development Interaction between Humans and the Interior Architecture

This research explores the evolution of sustainability in interior architectural environments by analysing four distinct settings: Egyptian, African, Japanese, and Chinese. These environments were chosen due to their climatic similarities and shared characteristics. The study examines representative dwelling models from each environment to understand how advanced sustainability can be tailored to each context. The research follows a structured approach, beginning with analysing human-environment interactions and the influence of culture on these dynamics. It delves into the evolution of interior architecture through various historical stages, considering factors like urban expansion, globalization, contemporary design, and technological advancements. The study also looks at the economic and social changes that have shaped interior architecture in these diverse environments. By creating a line graph illustrating these developments, the research highlights the progression of interior architecture across different historical periods. The findings suggest that sustainable development in interior architecture can be enhanced by drawing inspiration from ancient cultures. Traditional design elements, such as natural materials, symbolic colours, and energy-efficient layouts, offer valuable lessons for contemporary architects and designers. By integrating these time-tested techniques, modern interior architecture can achieve a balance between cultural heritage preservation and ecological sustainability, leading to designs that are harmonious with the environment.

Revisiting moated sites in Northeast Thailand: integrating spatial analysis with previous and new research insights

Moated sites in northeast Thailand serve as pivotal evidence of human–environment interaction since the Iron Age and have been subject to extensive study. This research conducts a comprehensive examination of moated sites, aiming to analyze their spatial characteristics and relationships with physical environmental factors across various scales, including regional and major river basins. To achieve these goals, advanced GIS tools including average nearest neighbor (ANN) analysis, kernel density estimation (KDE), standard deviational ellipse (SDE) analysis, and the Kruskal–Wallis test are employed. By incorporating a dataset of 468 moated sites and expanding the geographic scope beyond previous studies, this research offers new insights into settlement patterns and environmental interactions. Contrary to earlier interpretations suggesting random dispersion, the study’s findings reveal a clustering pattern, indicating intentional spatial organization by ancient communities. The study also highlights the influence of rainfall on the number of moats, with multiple moats more common in lower rainfall areas and single moats in higher rainfall regions. Additionally, the results observe that sites with more moats are typically found at higher elevations, although no significant correlation between elevation and site size was identified, challenging previous studies' conclusions. These results underscore the importance of local environmental conditions, such as rainfall and elevation, in shaping the distribution and characteristics of moated sites. The findings highlight the complex interplay between environmental factors and human settlement strategies, emphasizing the role of water management in ancient communities.

Enhancing human well-being through cognitive and affective pathways linking landscape sensation to cultural ecosystem services

ContextLandscape sensation is essential for the delivery of cultural ecosystem services (CESs), yet the pathways through which these services are delivered remain inadequately understood. Exploring how people obtain CESs from landscapes facilitates better understanding of the tradeoffs and synergies between ecosystem services and landscape sustainability.ObjectivesThis study aimed to elucidate the sensory pathways that links landscape attributes to CESs, focusing on the roles of cognitive and affective experiences.MethodsWe analyzed social media comments for the measurement scale of cognition. We employed partial least squares structural equation modeling to integrate sensation, cognition, affect, and satisfaction, using questionnaire data (n = 503).ResultsCognitive comprehensions and affective responses play a crucial role in interpreting CESs while sensory experiences do not directly determine people’s satisfaction with CESs. The effective pathways are achieved through the sole mediator of cognition or by serial mediators of cognition and affect. Of the two mediators, cognition has a more profound mediating effect than affect.ConclusionsBoth physical and biological components, such as landscape sensory attributes, as well as cognitive and affective responses, influence human-nature interactions. These components should be considered when promoting the sustainability of human-dominated landscapes.