Indicators Of Sustainable Use Research Articles

INDICATOR OF SUSTAINABLE WATER RESOURCES USE IN THE TRANSBOUNDARY BASINS

Due to the complex situation of integrated water resources management in transboundary river basins, this research built a set of indicators for sustainable use of water resources by the Delphi method and developed a specific calculation method for 22 indicators of 5 groups. The integrated indicator has 5 assessment levels to demonstrate the magnitude of water use and the renewability of water resources. Using these indicators to evaluate the sustainability of three border provinces in the Mekong transboundary basin which are Kontum, Attapue, and Ratanakiri, this research came to the conclusions that 9/24 districts in three provinces have moderate water use and renewable water resources level; the remaining districts are also using water at a moderate level but with low renewable water resources. Furthermore, research results showed that different governmental policies generated varying impacts on the sustainable use of water resources in three provinces. Hence, this research is an important scientific foundation for the authorities to build cooperative water resource management programs in transboundary river basins. In future research, the availability of a more detailed dataset will enable the construction of a more comprehensive water resource management plan for different phases.

Indicators of Sustainable Use of Wildlife: Problems of Formation and Implementation in the Russian Federation

This article examines the legal category sustainable use of wildlife as a process of realization of rights and obligations by the subjects, based on the provisions of the Concept of Sustainable Development, International law and National legislation on wildlife. This process is aimed at ensuring biological diversity, achieving a balance of economic, environmental and social interests of the citizens, society and the state as a whole, the process, as well as to preserve the reproductive ability of the animal world. Based on the analysis of certain provisions of the legislation on wildlife and law enforcement practice, the author makes a conclusion that Russia lacks a complex system of legal support measures for the sustainable use of wildlife. Legal, economic, ideological, organizational measures, proposed by the author of the article will make it possible to use wildlife in such a way, that will preserve and increase the number of wildlife populations, maintain an ecological balance, and ensure the needs in favorable environment for life and health for the present and future generations. The measures proposed by the author can create the legal basis for sustainable management of wildlife. The author suggests, that these measures can be useful in developing national programs for sustainable use of wildlife; providing incentives for the transition to sustainable use; strengthening the dialogue between the authorities and the population in order to involve them into the process of sustainable use of wildlife, so that to ensure a balance of economic, environmental and social interests.

Sustainable Use of Wildlife Indicators: Formation and Implementation Issues in the Russian Federation

ABSTRACTThe article explores the legal category of “sustainable use of wildlife” as a model for the behavior of subjects in a legal relationship in the sphere of wildlife use and as a fundamental principle aimed at preserving and restoring the entire biodiversity of wildlife. Based on the analysis of certain legislative provisions concerning wildlife and law enforcement practice, the author justifies the conclusion that there are no criteria and indicators for sustainable use of wildlife in the Russian Federation. Indicators for sustainable use of wildlife, proposed by the author, are an important mechanism for monitoring and influencing the system of sustainable wildlife management, the main tool in assessing the effectiveness of the funds used and the levels of achievement. In the author's opinion, these criteria and indicators would be useful for the development of national programs for the sustainable use of wildlife, providing incentives for the transition to sustainable use. Creating mechanisms of this kind could enhance dialogue with the public and involve them in the process of sustainable use of wildlife objects, with a view to balancing between economic, environmental and social interests.

Quantitative criteria for choosing targets and indicators for sustainable use of ecosystems

Wide-ranging, indicator-based assessments of large, complex ecosystems are playing an increasing role in guiding environmental policy and management. An example is the EU’s Marine Strategy Framework Directive, which requires Member States to take measures to reach “good environmental status” (GES) in European marine waters. However, formulation of indicator targets consistent with the Directive’s high-level policy goal of sustainable use has proven challenging. We develop a specific, quantitative interpretation of the concepts of GES and sustainable use in terms of indicators and associated targets, by sharply distinguishing between current uses to satisfy current societal needs and preferences, and unknown future uses. We argue that consistent targets to safeguard future uses derive from a requirement that any environmental state indicator should recover within a defined time (e.g. 30 years) to its pressure-free range of variation when all pressures are hypothetically removed. Within these constraints, specific targets for current uses should be set. Routes to implementation of this proposal for indicators of fish-community size structure, population size of selected species, eutrophication, impacts of non-indigenous species, and genetic diversity are discussed. Important policy implications are that (a) indicator target ranges, which may be wider than natural ranges, systematically and rationally derive from our proposal; (b) because relevant state indicators tend to respond slowly, corresponding pressures should also be monitored and assessed; (c) support of current uses and safeguarding of future uses are distinct management goals, they require different types of targets, decision processes, and management philosophies.

Evaluación de la pesca del pez delfín Coryphaena hippurus (Perciformes: Coryphaenidae) en el Pacífico de Panamá

The dolphinfish (Coryphaena hippunis) is a highly migratory pelagic species commercially exploited by industrial, artisanal and recreational fisheries in tropical and subtropical areas of the world's oceans. Herein, we evaluated the dolphinfish industrial fishery in Pacific Panama for the first time generating a growth model and examining fluctuations in annual total catch and in catch per unit effort (CPUE) over a four-year period (2006-2009). Annual and monthly catch values and biological parameters of 14913 individuals were obtained onboard industrial vessels, landing sites and records from processing plants. Size frequency for industrial vessels showed a normal distribution between 353 and 1,715 mm (average, 1010.85 mm; n = 10,459). Fish weight averaged 4.94 kg (SD). Sex ratio was slightly biased toward females. More than 90% of the analyzed fish were sexually mature. The length-weight relationship was positive and significant, reflecting allometric growth. Growth parameters using the von Bertalanffy equation revealed a growth efficiency of θ = 4.61, which is within the reported range for Coryphaena hippurus (3.95-4.70). The largest fish were between age classes 2 and 3 (700 - 1400 mm). Total catch per year and catch per unit effort (CPUE) per year fluctuated, with the highest values recorded between 2008 and 2009. Catch values reported herein are preliminary and appear to be below those recorded elsewhere in the region and cautiously may represent an indicator of sustainable use of this marine resource even considering the absence of management actions in Panama.

Science as a fundamental framework for shaping policy discussions regarding the use of groundwater in the State of Michigan: a case study

The availability and use of freshwater is a growing concern in the United States and around the globe. Despite apparently abundant water resources, several conflicts over water use have emerged in the Great Lakes region and the State of Michigan. These conflicts resulted in state legislation that both addresses water withdrawal from the Great Lakes Basin and requires the State of Michigan to begin a process to address the sustainability of water resources. The former resulted in Michigan's support of the Great Lakes-St. Lawrence River Water Resources Compact, whereas the latter resulted in the formation of a Groundwater Conservation Advisory Council. This paper focuses primarily on the Council, describing its formation, and the products it generated. In particular, we focus on the development of indicators of sustainable use of water, the creation of a water withdrawal assessment process to determine if a proposed withdrawal will create an adverse resource impact in the state, and how the lessons learned in Michigan may be applied to other units of government addressing similar issues. Attention is also given to the Compact, as it provides important context for the Council's formation.

PLANT PROTECTION PRODUCTS AND THEIR SUSTAINABLE AND ENVIRONMENTALLY FRIENDLY USE

Protection of plants from diseases, pests and weeds plays a decisive role in agricultural development, as an essential part in planning and policy of numerous countries. Since the plant protection products are mainly chemicals and may be not only poisonous for humans and fauna, but they may also pollute water bodies, ground water and soil with hazardous pollutants, their use have to be environmentally friendly and sustainable. The paper discuss some aspects of benefits and risks concerning the use of pesticides as an important tool for plant protection agents, reductions and limitations of uses devoted to the improvement of the residue in plants and food and the environmental quality. It is showed that, although a long-lasting residue may be desirable in some situations because the pesticide is effective for a longer period of time, long-lasting residues are not always desirable. Pesticides are presented as grouped mainly according to their mode of action or the way a pesticide destroys or controls the target pest (herbicides, fungicides, insecticides), and their characteristics, targets, structure and categories are presented, along with their formulation into many usable products for satisfactory storage, effective application, safety of the user and the environment. Existing policies and legislation on pesticides are briefly outlined. In addition, considering the environmental side effects of traditional pesticides, some aspects on the impacts and risks to the environment, human health, non-target organisms in relation with the use of these compounds are highlighted. Several indicators of sustainable use of pesticides are analyzed in terms of the beneficial effect of the product, and also considering monitoring and pollution prevention.

Social and cultural dimensions of rodent pest management

Rice production in Vietnam is threatened by rodent pests, with a significant increase in impact reported from 1990 through to the early 21st century. Pre-harvest rice losses are typically 5-10%, with losses of >20% occurring in some years in some regions. Farmers' rodent control practices are generally reactive and rely essentially on chemical and physical methods. Ecologically-based rodent pest management (EBRM) was developed in the late 1990s to manage rodents in rice-based farming systems in Vietnam and other parts of South-East Asia. EBRM combines both cultural and physical rodent management practices such as synchrony of cropping, short 2-week rat campaigns at key periods in key habitats, increasing general hygiene around villages, and use of a community trap-barrier system. Although EBRM has been reported to be economically profitable, the successful adoption of this set of technologies requires community participation. In this paper we address issues relating to the adoption and sustainability of EBRM in lowland irrigated rice fields in the Mekong Delta in Vietnam. We particularly explore the social and cultural mechanisms involved in maintaining community participation to further understand the conditions under which EBRM works and does not work. Positive indications of sustained use of community-based EBRM include: a policy pronouncement from the prime minister directing the use of integrated rodent management; the use of existing cooperatives for developing community actions; budgetary allocation from provincial and local governments; diffusion of EBRM to provinces in the south and north that are not involved in farmer participatory field trials; and the adoption of EBRM by a non-governmental organization, World Vision Vietnam, in their area-development programs.

Indicadores de uso sustentable del agua en Ciudad Juárez, Chihuahua

Este trabajo propone la generación de indicadores que permitan un avance en la evaluación del uso sustentable del agua en Ciudad Juárez, Chihuahua. Para la medición de sustentabilidad se propone un modelo sistemático que involucra a la sociedad, la infraestructura, las instituciones y el medio ambiente. Se logra avanzar en la generación y medición de indicadores que tienen que ver con la calidad de vida de la sociedad, el estado actual de la infraestructura de agua potable y la respuesta en materia de tratamiento. Estos indicadores son: 1. acceso al agua segura; 2. acceso a instalaciones sanitarias adecuadas; 3. conexiones domiciliarias; 4. precio del agua; 5. consumo del agua; y 6. aguas residuales tratadas. Los resultados indican que en Ciudad Juárez el sistema municipal de agua y saneamiento presenta buenos indicadores de uso sustentable del agua; esto sin considerar la tasa de extracción-recarga del acuífero y la calidad del agua potable. Quedan por trabajar los indicadores sobre las instituciones o el marco legal (gobernabilidad del agua), sobre participación ciudadana y sobre impacto al medio ambiente.

Implications of the Hierarchical Structure of Biodiversity for the Development of Ecological Indicators of Sustainable Use

Implications of the Hierarchical Structure of Biodiversity for the Development of Ecological Indicators of Sustainable Use

Implications of the Hierarchical Structure of Biodiversity for the Development of Ecological Indicators of Sustainable Use

Abstract The increasing interest, and the actual necessity, for adequate means to evaluate how sustainable human activities are, has led to efforts to define indicators of sustainability. We propose the use of ecological indicators of sustainability that take into account the hierarchical structure of biodiversity, distinguishing composition, structure and function at the different levels of biological organization: ecosystem and landscape, community, and population and genetic levels. We evaluated the advantages of selecting and combining indicators of different hierarchical levels by examining several use and management projects. Examples of transformed land like large-scale plantations, perform well when evaluated by ecosystem-level indicators, but lead to neglect of some composition and structure components if evaluated at different levels. Limitations in using a small number of indicators become evident in cases of intensive exploitation of resources, such as the extractive reserves, which yield good...

Water resource quality policy: the approach adopted by the department of water affairs and forestry under the water law principles

An intensive review of existing Water Law has just been conducted by the Department of Water Affairs and Forestry. The review was motivated by the need for preparation for new legislation to support water resource management with a goal of “some for all, forever.” The development of a water resource protection policy was begun in that review. This paper describes the major aspects of the policy at one point in a process of rapid development. Initial proposals are to use the concept of ecological integrity as an indicator of sustainable use of the resource. While management's goal is to ensure all water users will benefit from access to the water resource, ecological integrity provides a good indication of sustainability in the use of the resource. More discussion in this paper is, therefore, centred on ecological integrity than on individual water users under the assumption that the resource will only be able to provide for long term water uses if ecological integrity is assured. A water Reserve has been defined that is intended to protect water resources, so basic human needs can be met and ecological functions and processes can be sustained. Components of ecological integrity, that is, the chemical and physical characteristics of water, the quantity and assurance of water, the habitat (instream and riparian), and the structure and function of the associated biotic communities would be assessed through the use of a resource classification system. The approach integrates resource-directed measures for protection (such as resource quality objectives) with source-directed measures (such as effluent standards).

Water resource quality policy: The approach adopted by the Department of Water Affairs and Forestry under the water law principles

An intensive review of existing Water Law has just been conducted by the Department of Water Affairs and Forestry. The review was motivated by the need for preparation for new legislation to support water resource management with a goal of “some for all, forever.” The development of a water resource protection policy was begun in that review. This paper describes the major aspects of the policy at one point in a process of rapid development. Initial proposals are to use the concept of ecological integrity as an indicator of sustainable use of the resource. While management's goal is to ensure all water users will benefit from access to the water resource, ecological integrity provides a good indication of sustainability in the use of the resource. More discussion in this paper is, therefore, centred on ecological integrity than on individual water users under the assumption that the resource will only be able to provide for long term water uses if ecological integrity is assured. A water Reserve has been defined that is intended to protect water resources, so basic human needs can be met and ecological functions and processes can be sustained. Components of ecological integrity, that is, the chemical and physical characteristics of water, the quantity and assurance of water, the habitat (instream and riparian), and the structure and function of the associated biotic communities would be assessed through the use of a resource classification system. The approach integrates resource-directed measures for protection (such as resource quality objectives) with source-directed measures (such as effluent standards).