Human-environment Interactions Research Articles

Enhancing healthcare environment design evaluations through an interactive virtual reality-based approach: A design science research

Ignoring a large number of occupants and their behavior in the Healthcare Environment Design Evaluations (HEDE) may lead to biased evaluation results and inefficiencies in the collaborative design process. This study aims to propose a VR-based approach integrating dynamic virtual crowds and human-environment interactions to improve participants’ spatial perception thereby increasing the effectiveness and efficiency of HEDE. This study followed Design Science Research (DSR) to develop an interactive VR-based workflow which was tested in a controlled experiment on the renovation of a real trauma intensive care unit and evaluated by 14 stakeholders including staff and architects. Results of the evaluation showed that dynamic virtual crowds and human-environment interactions helped participants improve spatial perception and were considered crucial for HEDE. The interactive VR-based approach met the criteria of “satisfaction” in terms of accuracy and efficiency. This study underscores the synergy between advanced technology and human-centered design, contributing to social sustainability.

Occurrence, probable causes, and management of forest wildfires in the Northern Highlands of Pakistan

Pakistan is forest-deficient and cannot afford forest losses associated with large-scale wildfire destruction. The Northern Mountainous Range (NMR) in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province has substantial forest cover, yet complex human-environment interactions have created vast fire-prone areas. This study examines the historical and environmental drivers of wildfires in the NMR and prospective management strategies to reduce their devastating impacts. We reviewed news articles and surveyed local fire management offices to obtain records of fire occurrences to develop a spatial model. We used the maximum entropy (MaxEnt) model to evaluate wildfire probability based on climatic influences and found district Swat and neighboring areas in the NMR region to be a forest fire hotspot due mainly to factors of precipitation. Furthermore, an analysis was conducted on regional environmental governance, encompassing legislative factors that impede fire safety and deficient fire management budgets. In addition, we detailed the recognized causes of forest fires in the area, revealing a significant human contribution. There is a rising consensus that governance regionally, locally, and within communities must comprehensively handle the compounding and complicated concerns surrounding wildfires. This extensive analysis seeks to impact regional management to support fire protection through actions to update the forest policy, encourage participatory planning and governance at the local level, prepare for future forest fires by allocating enough budget for emergency disasters, raise public awareness, and educate the public about forest fire dangers.

Ecosystem Services Evaluation of the Danube Delta: An Analysis Using Hierarchical Multifactor Regression

Abstract The present study aims to assess the ecosystem services of the Danube Delta through a complex multi-factor hierarchical regression analysis. Using three different regression models, the research addresses multiple dimensions of human-nature interaction in this area of major ecological and cultural importance. First, the attractiveness of ecosystem services (VF1) was investigated, identifying a positive impact of improved infrastructure and tourism service provision on the local economy and visitor experience. It was also found that this attractiveness needs to be weighed with specific demographic and social needs. Secondly, the current perception and potential for conservation and tourism (VF2) was examined, revealing the link between effective resource management and the region’s tourism value. Thus, positive perceptions of conservation practices were found to be determinant in establishing the value of the Delta as a tourist destination. Finally, the impact of obstacles to Delta development (VF3) was considered, highlighting the importance of an integrated approach to development planning in the region. The recognised obstacles involve environmental, economic and social factors, and indicate the need for balanced management of natural resources. The results of the study highlight the need for multidisciplinary collaboration for effective management of the Danube Delta, emphasising the need to protect this unique habitat while promoting sustainable and inclusive development for the benefit of current and future generations.

From Folklore to Film: The Politics of Storytelling and Ecological Agency in the film Kantara

In 2022, the Kannada film “Kantara” captivated audiences with its unique blend of folklore, environmentalism, and political commentary. This paper argues that “Kantara” transcends conventional cinema to become a powerful agent of ecological discourse and empowerment. Set against India’s backdrop of complex human-nature interactions, “Kantara” weaves a narrative that resonates with contemporary concerns. Drawing upon postcolonial ecocriticism, indigenous studies, and film theory, this analysis delves into the film’s layered meanings. We examine how “Kantara” intertwines the legend of a forest deity with the struggles of a tribal community facing displacement. The film celebrates indigenous knowledge and critiques exploitative development through its portrayal of traditional rituals and beliefs. “Kantara” goes beyond storytelling; it immerses viewers in a sensory experience. Breathtaking visuals and a powerful musical score paint a vivid picture of the sacred forest and its inhabitants, creating a deep emotional connection. Ultimately, “Kantara” compels viewers to become active participants in the dialogue surrounding ecology and social justice. By analyzing the film’s subversive potential and its celebration of community resilience, we argue that it acts as a catalyst for ecological agency, inspiring viewers to advocate for sustainable practices and fight for cultural preservation. This paper contributes to the growing scholarship on folklore, film, and environmental activism in India. By offering a detailed analysis of “Kantara,” we aim to enrich the discourse on cinema’s role in fostering critical engagement with ecological and social issues. Examining the film’s nuanced portrayal of folklore, its powerful environmental message, and its subversive political commentary, we hope to shed light on the transformative potential of storytelling in shaping a more just and sustainable future.

Formation Process and Spatial Representation of Tourist Destination Personality from the Perspective of Cultural Heritage: Application in Traditional Villages in Ancient Huizhou, China

Tourism destinations are cultural heritage and spatial landscape systems of organic coexistence between humans and the Earth, and are formed through the long historical evolution of a specific geographical environment. With the development of large-scale cultural and tourism projects and the construction of scenic areas, many tourist destinations face conflicts between people and the environment and the crisis of discontinuity in the landscape and the cultural context. The concept of tourist destination personality provides a perspective for studying the interaction between humans and the environment in tourist destinations. However, existing research has not delved into the mechanisms of temporal–spatial interaction and spatial representation of regional cultural heritage in regional systems. Therefore, from the perspectives of geography and urban–rural planning, this study selects traditional villages in ancient Huizhou as the research object and employs relevant theories from cultural ecology to construct a paradigm for analyzing the formation path of tourist destination personality based on a cultural core from a regional systemic perspective. Building on this, this study develops a coupling analysis framework for the “accumulation anchoring” of heritage landscape representation in traditional villages in ancient Huizhou based on a cognitive understanding of tourist destination heritage landscape and a ‘time–space’ interactive model. The research reveals that the formation of personality in traditional villages in ancient Huizhou centers around cultural cores such as production methods, social organizations, construction mechanisms, and social beliefs. It is driven by basic forces such as resource endowment vitality, a social structure driving force, and a historical choice regulatory force, with the logic of forming dominant functions and obtaining expected benefits such as the core. The spatial representation of traditional village heritage in ancient Huizhou exhibits a synergistic evolution mechanism between ‘culture and landscape’. The research process and conclusions provide a basic framework and methodological system for the study of tourist destination personality and heritage revitalization, expanding the understanding of the process of human–environment interaction and spatial patterns in tourist destinations.

Представления россиян о природе: ценностно-смысловой анализ (на примере Москвы и Московской области)

The relationship between man and nature is one of the key topics in the scientific and public discourse of our time. The authors of the article aim to analyze the ideas of modern Russians about nature. Within the frame-work of the work, a value-semantic analysis of the problems is carried out, the basis of which is the study of values related to nature, as well as semantic aspects of human-nature interaction. The results of the conducted sociological research indicate that the respondents have a certain degree of environmental consciousness, but also a certain degree of spiritual distance from nature. It is important to draw a research conclusion about the intergenerational continuity of ideas about nature, the absence of significant differences in these ideas be-tween men and women. Work is essential for the formations of ecological culture and decision-making for the conservation of our planet’s nature and public health.

How to Create and Foster Sustainable Smart Cities? Insights on Ethics, Trust, Privacy, Transparency, Incentives, and Success

This paper describes the motivation, framework, concepts, method, implementation, and results of the HCII2023 Design Café, a dedicated participatory highly interactive design workshop held in Copenhagen in July 2023. Motivated by the ubiquitous challenges our world is facing, this initiative had the goal to explore six main issues from an interdisciplinary perspective with a focus on the UN SDG 11: “Sustainable Cities and Communities” and the HCI Grand Challenge 2 “Human-Environment Interactions.” The six issues were formulated as questions and presented to the participants working in small groups. (1) How to create inclusive and ethical smart cities? (2) How to establish trust between people and smart environments? (3) How to address privacy concerns in smart environments that adopt the “disappearing computer” paradigm? (4) How to promote explainability and transparency of policies and measures to citizens of smart cities or in smart environments in general? (5) How to design incentives and rewards for engagement and sustainable behavior in smart cities at a personal as well as collective/corporate level? (6) How to measure success and impact in sustainable smart city projects? The method and approach of the Design Café is a tailored composition of a guided, structured format combined with and inspired by processes of informal communication and exchange of knowledge and ideas. Aligned moderation, a minimum set of rules, a set of relevant topics and an interdisciplinary group of motivated participants working in rotating formations provides the structure for achieving results. The results show that the six issues are not independent of each other, but require a holistic view, considering the various dependencies as well as synergies when exploring solutions. Nevertheless, the importance of first establishing higher-level goals based on ethical and inclusive approaches fostering human dignity and human rights were key. Acceptance of overall goals, processes, rules, and regulations was considered as the fundamental pre-requisite for sustainable change towards a declared goal. Acceptance needs trust and privacy as well as explainability and transparency of policies and measures. The role of incentives and rewards for engagement and sustainable behavior was twofold. Offering incentives must include planning on how to measure their impact. Effective measurement of success and impact depends heavily on how the institutions address privacy. Explainability and transparency should become one of the ethical guidelines that steer and control concepts, decision making, and implementations of all activities. The scale of these societal challenges still needs to be recognized by those responsible. It is essential to educate decision makers in the psychological needs and effects of sense making, comprehensibility, and finally acceptance and well-being moving towards a humanity-centered design.

Evolving Urban Expansion Patterns and Multi-Scenario Simulation Analysis from a Composite Perspective of “Social–Economic–Ecological”: A Case Study of the Hilly and Gully Regions of Northern Loess Plateau in Shaanxi Province

Over recent decades, the hilly and gully regions of the northern Loess Plateau in Shaanxi province have grappled with severe soil erosion and a precarious ecological milieu. Shaped by urbanization policies, this locale has encountered a gamut of issues, including an imbalance in human–environment dynamics and the degradation of ecological integrity. Consequently, the comprehension of how urban expansion impacts the optimization of regional landscape configurations, the alignment of human–environment interactions in the Loess Plateau’s hilly and gully domains, and the mitigation of urban ecological challenges assumes paramount importance. Leveraging data from land use remote sensing monitoring, alongside inputs from natural geography and socio-economic spheres, and employing methodologies such as landscape pattern indices, we conduct an exhaustive analysis of Zichang City’s urban fabric from 1980 to 2020. Furthermore, employing the CLUE-S model, we undertake multifaceted scenario simulations to forecast urban expansion in Zichang City through to 2035. Our findings delineate two distinct phases in Zichang City’s urban expansion trajectory over the past four decades. From 1980 to 2000, urban construction land in Zichang City experienced a phase of methodical and steady growth, augmenting by 64.98 hectares, alongside a marginal decrease in the landscape shape index (LSI) by 0.02 and a commensurate increase in the aggregation index (AI) by 1.17. Conversely, from 2000 to 2020, urban construction land in Zichang City witnessed an epoch of rapid and haphazard expansion, doubling in expanse, marked by a notable escalation in LSI (2.45) and a corresponding descent in the AI (2.85). The precision of CLUE-S model simulations for Zichang City’s land use alterations registers at 0.88, fulfilling the exigent demand for further urban expansion and land use change prognostication. Under the aegis of the natural development scenario, the augmentation of urban construction land in Zichang City primarily encroaches upon grassland, farmland, and woodland, effectuating an increase of 159.81 hectares. Conversely, under the ambit of urbanization development, urban construction land contends predominantly with farmland, grassland, and woodland, heralding an augmentation of 520.42 hectares. Lastly, under the mantle of ecological protection, urban construction land expansion predominantly encroaches upon grassland, farmland, and woodland, resulting in an augmentation of 4.27 hectares. Through a nuanced analysis of the spatiotemporal evolution of urban expansion and scenario-based simulations, this study endeavors to furnish multi-faceted, scenario-driven, and policy-centric insights for regional planning, urban spatial delineation, and regional ecological safeguarding.

Into the wild: uncertain frontiers and sustainable human-nature interactions.

Humans seldom consider themselves as animals, and that humans are animals is a truth frequently turned into an insulting metaphor indicating "uncivilized" behavior in many cultures. Interestingly, the "civilizing" aspects of Western Culture in the Global North are historically derived from traditions of democracy based on living in cities from which the wild has been banished. This is embedded in the English language since civilizing and civilization come from the Latin for city, civitas, the place where citizens hold voting rights. Beyond the gates of civilization is the wild. How the wild and nature have been constructed and demarcated is an enormously complex and enduring challenge in western philosophy as it relates to knowledge-making, existence, truth, and reality. Indeed, whilst people generally believe they know what nature means, they rarely realize that little in nature is wild. Furthermore, the concept of uncertainty, central to the pandemic, is compounded by climate instability and a potentially disastrous future. This is breaking down what is known, requiring porous and flexible conceptual frontiers and a transdisciplinary approach. This article traces the linguistic separation of humans from their animal origins and wilder environments for political and increasingly greedy economic purposes. It explores the acknowledged complexity of healthy human-nature interactions, juxtaposing information mainly from the humanities and social sciences. Demonstrating how unhealthy the current paradigm has proven to be for humans and the natural world, it brings together conflicting information to disrupt traditional certainties using an innovative bricolage methodology. It weaves and combines different ways of knowing as it considers forms of knowledge-making, rewilding, foraging, the place of magical thinking, and vital force. It concludes that a new paradigm is needed to enable a way of working toward any vision of healthy human-nature interaction.

Indigenous Well-Being: An Anishinaabek Youth Leadership Approach

Successfully addressing the most challenging issues of our time (climate change, biodiversity loss, and pandemics among them) will require transformative change in all areas of human society. We must embrace new perspectives with respect to our interactions with all life. Indigenous knowledge can aid global society in developing sustainable models for human-nature interaction. Indigenous youth are increasingly expressing solutions that can help put us on a clear path forward. The ongoing paternalistic nature of dominant society nonetheless means that Indigenous youth voice continues to be overlooked in most instances, even in programs that are ostensibly developed for the benefit of Indigenous and other youth. In this article, we place Indigenous youth voice front and centre as we describe an Indigenous youth-designed and led initiative aimed at improving mental health and overall wellbeing of specifically Indigenous youth.

Development of novel variable building skin with solar concentrating technology for obtaining energy benefits and optimizing indoor daylighting

Variable building skin, as an interface for human-environment interaction and communication, can adjust the state of the building skin according to the user's needs to optimize the indoor environment. However, many current variable building skin prototypes predominantly draw inspiration from the natural environment (bionics) or material properties, with limited consideration given to integrating solar energy resources, resulting in variable building skins lacking energy production performance. Simultaneously, this development mode also results in most current variable skins controlling the indoor light environment through reflection or shading, failing to maximize solar resource use, and even reducing indoor daylighting comfort. Therefore, it is necessary to explore the additional benefits of variable skins and develop novel energy production skins, which are driven by the goals of decarbonization and comfortable indoor daylighting environments. This study develops a novel variable building skin utilizing solar concentrating technology, with the aim of generating additional energy benefits and optimizing indoor daylighting. Additionally, we perform comprehensive simulations and comparative experiments on the newly developed energy production variable building skin to assess their performance and viability regarding energy production (additional benefits) and optimization of indoor daylighting (fundamental role). The simulation results show that the developed energy production building skin can optimize indoor daylighting and generate energy benefits. Compared to common skin and no skin, the energy production skin can generate a maximum of 5.73 kWh and a minimum of 0.84 kWh in a single day. Additionally, compared to no skin, it can increase the useful daylight illuminance (UDI) by a maximum of 9.36% and reduce the daylight glare probability (DGP) at the second viewpoint by a maximum of 16.71%. The energy production variable building skin maximizes using the sun's resources while balancing aesthetics and application. It can provide design inspirations and methods for transitioning variable building skins toward energy production skins.

Land-use intensification dominates China's land provisioning services: From the perspective of land system science

A pressing challenge to global sustainability is meeting the escalating needs of a growing population while safeguarding land resources from degradation. In recent decades, China's rapid growth, expanding population, urban sprawl, and diminishing high-quality farmland have presented a compelling case suitable for exploring solutions and challenges related to this critical issue. Therefore, there is an urgent need for comprehensive and detailed information regarding land systems. Here, we developed the first fine-scale dataset of the China Land System at a spatial resolution of 1 km, covering the period from 2000 to 2015. By leveraging this comprehensive land information, we identified five primary types of land systems and their respective subsystems, thereby delineating distinct patterns of human–environmental interaction. Land system dynamics followed diverse developmental trajectories characterized by incremental shifts toward more functionally centralized systems. Land use intensification played a significant role in increasing the population capacity and food production in China, contributing nearly 93.94% and 84.99%, respectively. In contrast, land cover changes accounted for only 4.69% and 11.43%, respectively. These findings underscore the tendency of previous studies to overestimate the impact of land cover change and underestimate the influence of land use intensification in meeting the growing demands of land-based production. This study emphasizes the importance of transcending traditional land cover-based approaches and integrating land systems into land representation and global land change scenario simulations to promote sustainability.

“I am a Fisher”: Identity and livelihood diversification in Lake Tanganyika Fisheries, Tanzania

Human-environmental interaction is central to natural resources management. This interaction determines how the resource is utilized in a given cultural context. In Lake Tanganyika, evidence indicates a decline in fish catches. Despite this decline, fishers have demonstrated little motivation to leave fishing or diversify. A qualitative study was conducted to explore how identity influenced the phenomenon. Interviews, focus group discussions, and observation were employed to generate data. The findings of this study indicated that interactions between the fishing communities and the Lake generated identity, in which fishers came to identify themselves with the Lake. This identity shaped the fishing practices and influenced the motivation to not leave fishing or diversify. Strong attachment to the Lake and fishing activities contributed to little motivation to leave fishing or engage in other sources of livelihood, especially for old fishers. This was also the case for some young fishers in rural areas of the studied communities. This study concludes that considering how fishers identify with the resource is vital for developing future strategies to improve fisheries management. This may include options to expand. Highlights Identity shapes and influences fishing practices How fishers identify themselves with fisheries resources influences their likelihood to diversify or leave fishing activity It is necessary to consider the role of identity in designing future fisheries management strategies

Deciphering the dynamics of human-environment interaction in China: Insights into renewable energy, sustainable consumption patterns, and carbon emissions

The increasing acknowledgment of the complex interplay between human actions and the natural world has generated a need to decipher human-environmental interdependence's ecological dynamics. The present research examines the intricate dynamics of the interplay between humans and the environment in China spanning 1975 to 2022. The results show that coal energy (i.e., -0.057, p < 0.050) and fossil fuel consumption (i.e., -0.766, p < 0.050) negatively affect renewable energy outcomes, highlighting the need for transitioning to cleaner energy sources. Conversely, energy use (0.006, p < 0.000), carbon pricing (0.480, p < 0.050), economic growth (0.0005, p < 0.050), and public awareness (0.040, p < 0.010) are positive drivers of renewable energy outcomes, suggesting the importance of policies promoting sustainable energy practices and raising environmental consciousness. Regarding sustainable consumption practices, materialistic practices (-0.0.004, p < 0.050), marketing strategies (-1.642, p < 0.000), and socioeconomic status (-2.026, p < 0.050) have adverse effects, while environmental awareness exhibits a positive influence. These findings underscore the significance of promoting environmentally conscious behavior and addressing societal factors that hinder sustainable consumption patterns. Furthermore, the study reveals that hedonic adaptation (0.036, p < 0.050) contributes to increased carbon emissions, indicating the need for strategies that mitigate the impact of changing living standards on the environment. Conversely, media penetration (-0.028, p < 0.010) and effective government communication are associated with decreased carbon emissions, underscoring the potential of media campaigns and informative communications to foster behavioral changes and encourage sustainable practices. Regulators may develop all-encompassing strategies to fight environmental damage and encourage a better tomorrow by providing incentives for using alternative energy sources, encouraging environmentally aware consumerism, and using the power of the press.

Investigating the Upper Holocene palaeoenvironment and human subsistence strategy in the Khor Rori coastal area by studying mollusc remains from the Inqitat plateau (Dhofar, Sultanate of Oman)

ABSTRACTArchaeological shells have a great potential for reconstructing past environments and human–environment interactions. The Inqitat plateau (Khor Rori Archaeological Park, Oman) shows rich mollusc assemblages, present in the HAS1 settlement and in a shell midden nearby (Iron Age). By analysing the environmental requirements of the species identified in the assemblages, we reconstruct the past coastal environment and investigate its exploitation by the local population and human activities during the settlement occupation. This is the first multidisciplinary investigation of Iron Age molluscs from Dhofar. Our results indicate that the environment surrounding the site was characterised by rocky shores and shallow‐water sandy to sandy‐muddy substrates, where locals collected shells. Mangrove species were recovered in few numbers, indicating that this environment was restricted or not exploited. Furthermore, a different use of shells between circular houses within the settlement and the midden was observed; in the former, species used as ornaments are more abundant, whereas, in the latter, species used for food purposes are found, confirming the primary use of the midden as a dump. The presence of easily accessible settings for mollusc collection in the site's vicinity and the richness in food resources due to a coastal upwelling makes this region very attractive for human populations.

Holocene flood records and human impacts implied from the pollen evidence in the Daming area, North China Plain

Understanding the environmental significance of pollen and spores in alluvial plains is important for stratigraphic correlation and paleoenvironmental reconstruction. This paper presents palynological data from the North China Plain and explores their relationship with paleoflood records and human impacts since the Holocene. Our data reveal that pollen concentration and pollen assemblage vary in flood deposits (including overbank deposits and slackwater deposits) and inter-flood deposits (including sandy soils and lacustrine deposits). Flood deposits have higher fern percentages (28.6%) and lower herbaceous percentages (14.8%) compared to inter-flood deposits, though slackwater deposits share similar pollen concentrations and assemblages with sandy soils. Notably, overbank deposits are characterized by pollen-poor zones and aggregation of deteriorated pollen grains, especially in Unit III (755–385 cm, ca. 3.2–2.2 ka) and Unit V (190–0 cm, after ca. 0.6 ka). These findings suggest that overbank deposits correspond to strengthened hydrodynamic conditions at the flood-peak stage. Furthermore, the indicative pollen and spores provide compelling evidence for intensifying human impact in the North China Plain since the late Holocene. An aggregation of Selaginella sinensis at the depth of 640–610 cm indicates deforestation in the uplands since ca. 2.9 ka. Similarly, a sharp increase in Malvaceae percentage at the depth of 285–215 supports historical records of initial cotton planting in the Tang Dynasty (ca. 1.4–1.1 ka). The study underscores the value of palynological analysis for reconstructing paleoenvironment and human-environment interactions, providing a robust framework for understanding landscape evolution in the North China Plain.

Exploring the potential for online data sources to enhance species threat mapping through the case study of global bat exploitation.

Expanding digital data sources, including social media and online news, provide a low-cost way to examine human-nature interactions, such as wildlife exploitation. However, the extent to which using such data sources can expand or bias understanding of the distribution and intensity of threats has not been comprehensively assessed. To address this gap, we quantified the geographical and temporal distribution of online sources documenting the hunting and trapping, consumption, or trade of bats (Chiroptera) and compared these with the distribution of studies obtained from a systematic literature search and species listed as threatened by exploitation on the International Union for Conservation of Nature Red List. Online records were collected using automated searches of Facebook, Twitter, Google, and Bing and were filtered using machine classification. This yielded 953 relevant social media posts and web pages, encompassing 1099 unique records of bat exploitation from 84 countries. Although the number of records per country was significantly predicted by the number of academic studies per country, online records provided additional locations and more recent records of bat exploitation, including 22 countries not present in academic literature. This demonstrates the value of online resources in providing more complete geographical representation. However, confounding variables can bias the analysis of spatiotemporal trends. Online bat exploitation records showed peaks in 2020 and 2014, after accounting for increases in internet users through time. The second of these peaks could be attributed to the COVID-19 outbreak, and speculation about the role of bats in its epidemiology, rather than to true changes in exploitation. Overall, our results showed that data from online sources provide additional knowledge on the global extent of wildlife exploitation, which could be used to identify early warnings of emerging threats and pinpoint locations for further research.

Refining Holocene sea‐level variations for the Lofoten and Vesterålen archipelagos, northern Norway: implications for prehistoric human–environment interactions

ABSTRACTThe Lofoten and Vesterålen archipelagos are located off the outer coast of northern Norway far from the center of the former Fennoscandian Ice Sheet and near the continental shelf edge. Existing relative sea‐level (RSL) data indicate a pronounced mid‐Holocene transgression and interesting connections with the region's prehistoric human settlement history. Here we present seven new sea‐level index points from isolation basins and five terrestrial limiting points from a coastal sedimentary sequence to refine the region's RSL history. Ingression and isolation contacts in isolation basin sediment cores are identified using sedimentary geochemical data, scanning X‐ray fluorescence profiles and phytoplankton analysis. The ages of these contacts are determined using radiocarbon‐based age models. Our index points range from 11.2 to 1.5k cal a bp and are combined with previously published data to predict the spatiotemporal evolution of sea level in this region using an ensemble of spatiotemporal empirical hierarchical models (STEHME). The new RSL curve constrains the timing of the mid‐Holocene transgression, which occurred from c. 9 to 6k cal a bp when sea level increased from −4 to 7 m above present day. From c. 6 to 5k cal a bp, RSL rapidly fell to c. 4 m above present values, and more gradually declined at an average rate of c. 0.8 m ka−1 over the last 5k cal a bp. Isobase maps derived using the STEHME show a decrease in the regional shoreline gradients since the transgression maximum from 0.25 to 0.07 m km−1. Our data also better define how RSL variations influenced the location and preservation of coastal settlement locations and harbors from the early Stone Age through historic intervals, improving understanding of regional human–environment interactions.

Revised pre-Younger Dryas chronocultural sequence at the Pilauco site, north-western Patagonia (40°–44°S)

AbstractThis project in southern Chile's Lake Region analysed late Pleistocene human–environment interactions. Two field seasons in 2020 and 2022 provided a new lithic collection dating to around 17 300–12 800 cal BP, which indicates human presence in north-western Patagonia prior to the Younger Dryas period.

Sustaining subak, the balinese traditional ecological knowledge in the contemporary context of Bali

Abstract Subak is a local organization that formalizes the Balinese traditional ecological knowledge and wisdom in managing and distributing water for agricultural purposes. This organization combines cosmology, spirituality, science, ecology, and engineering dimensions of knowledge. As the current development of Bali Island as one of the international tourist destinations has changed its landscape which involves various factors such as physical, social, and cultural. Hence, to what extent the traditional ecological knowledge (TEK) practice can be sustained in the current context and development setting become our focus of study. This paper has three objectives. The first is to collate/document the various perspectives of TEK from sustainable agriculture practices, ecological principles, water irrigation systems, and spiritual practices and values as part of the learning document. The second is to analyze the interdependence of the human and environmental systems in the context of the socio-ecological system framework for Subak TEK and its cultural sustainability. Third, to outline the potential effort to sustain Subak TEK by strengthening its adaptive capacity in the broader context of learning to strengthening the community based tourism planning. This study deploy the socio-ecological system, SES framework as the underlying theory and analysis and explore diverse initiatives to sustain Subak in the future. The study was conducted in conjunction with a sustainability leadership program which deployed an inter- and transdisciplinary approach of sustainability science that focuses on Subak as its case. Situational and content analysis from the workshop discussion notes is used to provide examples that describe diverse initiatives in tourism, agriculture, and education. The study found out that the SES framework of analysis in Subak TEK documented several core ritual activities, the interpretation of THK philosophy and its local wisdom and values which represent the interaction the social and natural system. Hence, demonstrate as a living monument with strong human institutions and nature interaction. Further, the Subak TEK has substantial community capital values that need to be strengthened by integration in the formal and non-formal education, the enhancement of the Tri Hita Karana (THK) awards and accreditation for tourism operators and hotels in the broader context of education for sustainable development framework as well as community-based tourism development planning. This initiative need to be supported by a community-based tourism by involving Pekaseh and youngsters in the current context of Bali community-based tourism.