Indicators Of Environmental Quality Research Articles

ИЗУЧЕНИЕ РАСТИТЕЛЬНОГО ПОКРОВА МАЛЫХ И СРЕДНИХ ГОРОДОВ РОССИИ: СОВРЕМЕННОЕ СОСТОЯНИЕ

In the review article, the authors give the analysis of scientific publications related to the study of vegetation in small and medium-sized Russian towns over the past 10 years. The main topical areas in which research is currently being carried out include the study of urban flora, analysis of plantings state, assessment of the vegetation state as an indicator of the urban environment quality (bio-indication), selection of trees assortment for urban andscape design and introduction of species, the features of landscaping in different natural conditions, and the formation of urban ecological framework. It is noted the fragmentary nature of vegetation studies in small and medium-sized towns of Russia, not being conducted in most regions at all. There predominate empirical studies focused on describing the state of the vegetation cover in separate towns. Comprehensive research is not carried out widely. It is mainly used the inventory research methods. In the publications, there are no vegetation maps for small and medium-sized towns. Furthermore, there is no retrospective analysis of the urban flora and vegetation transformation. The authors of the most publications note the prevalence of inherited problems in the state of urban green spaces in the country, caused by the planning spontaneity in the Soviet period, the failure to incorporate environmental factors into the urban development planning, including the location of industrial enterprises, as well as the lack of programs for the development of green urban infrastructure, the perception of green plantings as an element of land improvement, rather than an environmentally significant factor.

Environment and sheep wool quality indicators

The features of the skin histology and the determination of the quality indicators of wool of young female Tsigai breed sheep are presented in the article. A positive correlation was found between the fineness of the wool and the live weight (p ≤ 0.05); between the shearing of natural wool and the fineness of the wool (p ≤ 0.05); between the shearing of natural wool and the live weight (p ≤ 0.05); between the washed wool and the fineness of the wool (p ≤ 0.05) and the shearing of natural wool (p ≤ 0.05). There is no reliable relationship between the fineness and the percentage of the washed wool shearing. However, the percentage of the shearing of washed wool is negatively related to the live weight (p ≤ 0.05), the shearing of natural wool. The greatest thickness of the skin was on the back and leg are 968.07 and 968.24 microns respectively. It is assumed that the skin regeneration occurs due to the cells of the basal layer. This is due to the fact that the thickness of the basal layer decreases in the following order: side-back-leg-neck, which correlates with the degree of exposure to damaging factors on these areas.

How do urban population growth, hydropower consumption and natural resources rent shape environmental quality in Sudan?

Despite the overwhelming research and useful outcomes on the relationship between hydropower consumption, urban population growth, and environmental quality, the empirical studies have mostly relied on partial indicators of environmental quality and employed conventional econometric models in which structural shocks are not controlled. Therefore, this study aims to offering a new perspective for the dynamic connection between hydropower consumption, urban population growth, natural resources rent, and ecological footprint within the context of Sudan during the period spanning 1990Q12018Q1. The study applied SVAR model to monitor the structural shocks, by decomposing shocks through relevant matrices and composite shocks through recursive impulse responses via a triangular matrix. In addition, the study employed the wavelet coherence technique to explore the lead-lag relations among the purposed variables. The findings of SVAR model uncover that hydropower consumption and economic growth significantly reduce the pollution in the long run, while urban population growth can do so in the short run. Moreover, natural resources rent, and industrial production are found to have detrimental effects on environment quality. The wavelet coherence analysis discloses that ecological footprint is lagging in hydropower consumption and natural resources rent. Meanwhile, ecological footprint leads the rest of the variables. The findings clearly reveal that hydropower plays an essential role in the fight against the environmental pollution in Sudan. Accordingly, the study suggests that throughout the energy sector reforms, more emphasis should be placed on the expansion of hydropower plants accompanied by strong environmental measures. Furthermore, the study recommends implementing efficient and sustainable urban policies by coordinating actions across state and regional urban institutions.

Методика оцінки впливу показників якості довкілля на поширеність хвороб населення районів Рівненської області

The article presents materials based on the methods of evaluation of environmental quality indices influence on the prevalence and sickness rate of region agrosphere population. Within the period of the year 2018 the state of environment in the region and districts of Polissia zone was characterized by the existence of pollutants emission into atmosphere — from 1,6 to 7 kg per a person, discrepancy of fresh water quality to the state sanitary standards 2.2.4-171-10 according to chemical — from 11,4 to 33,5 % and microbiological indices — from 19,3 to 44 %, contents of Cesium-137 in the soils — from 0,06 to 0,94 cure per square kilometre, in Forest-Steppe zone by existence of forest areas — from 17 to 25 %; pollutants emission into atmosphere — from 1,9 to 47,7 kg per a person, discrepancy of fresh water quality to the state standards according to chemical — from 12,6 to 36,6 %, and microbiological indices — from 13,6 to 32,2 %, coming out radon from the soil surface — from 28 to 89 mBk (m2×c). The pointed out distinctions in the state of environment of regional districts promoted the differentiation of diseases spreading among population. It is ascertained that prevalence and population sickness rate in the districts and region, as well as death-rate of small children under a year of life, born alive, greatly depend from rather weak to moderate connection on the following indices of environment quality: stimulators — areas of forests and territories covered with woods, mobile forms of zinc; destimulators — values of radon flow density, emission of pollutants into atmosphere, indices of fresh water quality discrepancy to the standards. It is suggested to calculate qualitative and quantitative indices of region agrosphere ecological safety as to prevalence of respiration and digestion organs, systems of blood circulation, neoplasms, small children under a year of life mortality using dependencies which have the type of falling parabolas of the second order from min — 0 till — max that are determined for level of the region. The prevalence and sickness rate of region population concerning diabetes fluctuate in the limits of 236 to 406 cases out of 10000 people correspondingly. The results of regressive analysis prove that the increase of mobile forms of zinc contents in the soils of the region would promote the decrease of prevalence and sickness rate of region population suffering from diabetes.

Development of an Urban Canadian Environmental Quality Index (Can-Eqi)

Development of an Urban Canadian Environmental Quality Index (Can-Eqi)

Атласная информационная система «Региональные столицы Юга Европейской России»

Regional capitals are an important category of cities in the South of European Russia, where more than a quarter (25.6 %) of the population of the macroregion lives and a significant demographic potential of the region is concentrated. The south of European Russia includes regions with natural population growth which are rare for modern Russia, regions and capitals with high rates of migration growth, as well as territories with an unfavorable demographic situation. To study territories with such a differentiated multidimensional demographic situation, geoinformation technologies were used to consolidate statistical data from various sources, conduct spatial analysis, model and visualize the processes under study. The realization of this request is possible with the use of atlas information systems (AIS), which are actively used in various subject areas, including the study of socio-economic and demographic processes. As part of the research, we have developed an atlas information system “Regional Capitals of the South of European Russia”, consisting of 2 main blocks: a structural block includes a basic GIS platform, a cartographic framework, a geodata database and a modeling and visualization unit responsible for the preparation of cartographic and visual models. AIS contains 6 thematic sections: ethnodemographic and migration processes (“Population size”, “Demographic indicators”, “Migration indicators”, “Ethnic structure of the population”), “Covid-19” (contains indicators for the sick, deceased, cured of coronavirus infection, natural population growth), “Big Data (Big Data)” consolidating indicators on the real estate market and the urban environment quality index as important factors in the formation of the demographic and migration situation. This makes it possible to conduct modeling, thematic mapping, creation of various visual plots for comprehensive complex spatial analysis. It allows to increase the level of analytics in the process of making economically determined management decisions in the regional capitals of Southern European Russia. Additionally, the possibility of integrating AIS with Web services is described.

Environmental Monitoring in Northern Aksu, China Based on Remote Sensing Ecological Index Model

In order to understand the development status of ecological environment quality in the Aksu region of China, to effectively adjust the ecological environment quality, so as to promote the sustainable development of its social economy and ecological environment protection. This paper selects the Landsat series remote sensing images of the northern Aksu region in 2013, 2016, and 2019, and uses the tools such as ENVI5.3 and ArcGIS 10.8.1 to process the image data accordingly. The principal component analysis method is used to calculate the Remote Sensing Ecological Index (RSEI) of the northern Aksu region. The data show that: 1) The ecological environment quality index in the northern Aksu region in 2013, 2016, and 2019 was 0.706087, 0.25243 and 0.362991 respectively; 2) The areas where the ecological environment quality declined significantly in the northern Aksu region were the human settlements and the Gobi, fan-shaped land and other special terrain areas; 3) The humidity index and the heat index are the two factors that have the greatest impact on the ecological environment quality in the northern Aksu area. The data as a whole show that the ecological environment in the northern part of the Aksu region has deteriorated seriously, and the severely deteriorated area is close to the human living area.

СОЦИАЛЬНЫЕ ПРОБЛЕМЫ МАЛЫХ ГОРОДОВ В ЗЕРКАЛЕ ИНДЕКСА КАЧЕСТВА ГОРОДСКОЙ СРЕДЫ

The article presents some research results of 16 small towns in Russia: Likhoslavl, Kimry, Sokol, Krasavino, Aksai, Millerovo, Izobilny, Novoaleksandrovsk, Balakhna, Zavolzhye, Sredneuralsk, Irbit, Shelekhov, Winter, Bolshoy Kamen and Spassk-Dalny. The problems of small towns with different historical genesis, social and industrial infrastructure, differing in area, population, and development of the urban environment are shown. Special attention is paid to the problems of the socio-cultural sphere, with access to political and managerial practices. Difficulties of access to medicine, education, culture against the background of outdated infrastructure and organization of the urban environment are noted. In the field of education, there is a shortage of places in kindergartens and schools, the deterioration of old buildings, which in some places is 50% or more, and the need for major repairs of old schools and the opening of new ones, outdated material base requiring renovation, a shortage of teaching staff, the absence of specialized training institutions, poor Internet quality. In small towns, organizations of additional education for children — cultural, sports and leisure — are poorly represented. The indicators of the urban environment quality index of these small cities for 2018-2021 and the winners of the competition for the best projects of a comfortable urban environment are analyzed. The compliance with the realities of the name of the project "All-Russian competition of the best projects for creating a comfortable urban environment in small towns and historical settlements", which is expressed in the point improvement of individual urban areas of small towns, is questioned.

Patient well-being, adaptation of and to indoor conditions, and hospital room design: two mixed methods case studies

ABSTRACT Research indicates that adaptation influences how people experience indoor conditions (ICs), and that the built environment influences both adaptation, via perceived control, and well-being. Their interlinkage is, however, not well understood. Therefore, we investigated how the design of hospital rooms can contribute to patients’ well-being by supporting their adaptation of and to ICs via perceived control. Two mixed methods case studies were conducted at hospital wards in Belgium, each concurrently collecting qualitative and quantitative data. These included interviews with 16 (case 1) and 19 (case 2) patients, self-documentation by 8 patients (case 1), sensor measurements of indoor environmental quality indicators (e.g. sound, light, and temperature levels) (cases 1 and 2) and questionnaires among 84 (case 1) and 238 (case 2) patients. Focusing on the built environment’s role in adaptation allows characterizing known adaptation strategies in more detail. When perceiving control over adaptable building characteristics, patients can adapt ICs or adapt to ICs by choice. When not perceiving such control, they may still adapt sensations or their position. Without any perceived control, adapting to ICs is imposed. The built environment can support patients’ adaptation by supporting their autonomy and competences. In this way it can foster both patients’ eudaimonic as well as their hedonic well-being.

Difficulties in Comparison Among Different Microplastic Studies: The Inconsistency of Results and Lack of Guide Values.

Difficulties in Comparison Among Different Microplastic Studies: The Inconsistency of Results and Lack of Guide Values.

Urban development and interethnic intolerance: Evidence from Russia

This work is devoted to the study of the impact of urban development on interethnic intolerance. Although studies on the impact of urbanization and the economic well-being of cities on interethnic intolerance have been conducted in other countries, no similar scientific work has been conducted in Russia. The purpose of this paper is to determine factors related to urban development that influence the level of interethnic intolerance in a Russian city and to clarify the nature of this influence. The assumption of the presence of such an influence is based on the fact that the comfort of the urban environment can play the role of an indicator of economic well-being, while the exacerbation of social conflicts during periods of economic instability is scientifically substantiated. This influence is studied using an econometric study on a sample of 66 Russian cities with a population of over 100 thousand people, where 2 or more crimes motivated by interethnic intolerance were committed during the period 2007–2019. The information base for the study was obtained from the website of the SOVA Center for Information and Analysis, the statistical databases of Rosstat and EMISS, and the official website of the urban environment quality index. Based on the results obtained, it is concluded that interethnic intolerance is reduced due to a comfortable urban environment. Also, according to the study, in more populated Russian cities the level of interethnic intolerance is higher, whereas the incomes of city residents reduce it.

Urban development and interethnic intolerance: Evidence from Russia

This work is devoted to the study of the impact of urban development on interethnic intolerance. Although studies on the impact of urbanization and the economic well-being of cities on interethnic intolerance have been conducted in other countries, no similar scientific work has been conducted in Russia. The purpose of this paper is to determine factors related to urban development that influence the level of interethnic intolerance in a Russian city and to clarify the nature of this influence. The assumption of the presence of such an influence is based on the fact that the comfort of the urban environment can play the role of an indicator of economic well-being, while the exacerbation of social conflicts during periods of economic instability is scientifically substantiated. This influence is studied using an econometric study on a sample of 66 Russian cities with a population of over 100 thousand people, where 2 or more crimes motivated by interethnic intolerance were committed during the period 2007–2019. The information base for the study was obtained from the website of the SOVA Center for Information and Analysis, the statistical databases of Rosstat and EMISS, and the official website of the urban environment quality index. Based on the results obtained, it is concluded that interethnic intolerance is reduced due to a comfortable urban environment. Also, according to the study, in more populated Russian cities the level of interethnic intolerance is higher, whereas the incomes of city residents reduce it.

On assessment of Rospotrebnadzor surveillance and control activities efficiency and effectiveness aimed at preserving the health of workers

In order to achieve the national development purposes of the Russian Federation for the protection and improvement of public health as declared in the strategic documents, under conditions of limited budgetary resources it is relevant to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of public administration, including that of organizations carrying out control and supervision functions. The aim of the study was to develop methods for assessing the efficiency and effectiveness of Rospotrebnadzor control and supervision activities and the interpretation of the assessment results, as well as to test the proposed approaches in the analysis of the regional distribution of efficiency and effectiveness indicators in the Russian Federation Regions. Using methods of mathematical statistics, the cause-effect relationships between medical and demographic indicators, environmental quality indicators and Rospotrebnadzor activities in the triple system "Rospotrebnadzor activities - environmental quality - public health" were established and parameterized. The actual and prevented health and demographic (morbidity and mortality) economic losses associated with the negative impact of environmental factors have been assessed as a result of control and supervision activities. The calculation of indicative indicators of effectiveness and efficiency of control and supervision activities of Rospotrebnadzor in the Russian Federation Regions and the Russian Federation in general, has been carried out. The analysis of the regional distribution of the indicator of the effectiveness of the control and supervision activities of Rospotrebnadzor is performed. Using the method of k-means cluster analysis, typology of the Russian Federation Regions was carried out according to a set of indicators characterizing the performance of Rospotrebnadzor, the level of macroeconomic development of the region and the amount of funds allocated for control and surveillance activities to ensure sanitary and epidemiological welfare in the Russian Federation Regions. The results obtained from the analysis of the regional distribution of indicative indicators and the typology of the Russian Federation Regions (compared with the national average) can be used as a reference point for the Russian Federation Regions when assessing management reserves and developing programmes of measures to reduce risks to public health.

Do China's Urban-Environmental Quality and Economic Growth Conform to the Environmental Kuznets Curve?

The environmental Kuznets curve (EKC) expresses the relationship between environmental quality and economic growth. Based on the defects of previous studies on EKC using only environmental pollution indicators, this study holds that environmental quality is the result of pollutants after treatment, absorption, and self-purification, including two dimensions of pollution and absorption. Therefore, the environmental pollution and absorption data of 74 key environmental monitoring cities in China from 2005 to 2017 were selected, and a comprehensive index of environmental quality was constructed using the vertical and horizontal grading method. Then, based on the relevant economic growth indicators of these cities, they were divided into first-tier and new first-tier, second-tier, third-tier, and below. It was found that the EKC of the total sample, the first-tier and new first-tier cities, and the second-tier cities presented an inverted N-shape and had passed the second inflection point, where environmental quality continues to improve with the deepening of economic growth. There was no EKC in the third-tier and below cities. The findings have important implications. China can cross the second inflection point of the EKC and improve environmental quality at a low income level. Therefore, by vigorously developing cleaner production technologies and raising residents’ awareness of environmental protection, it is possible to improve environmental quality at a lower income level than expected, which provides a useful reference for other developing countries.

POTENCIAL USO DE LOS MACROINVERTEBRADOS COMO INDICADORES DE LA CALIDAD DEL AGUA EN CUENCAS ALTAS DE BAJO IMPACTO: CASO DE LA CUENCA DEL ARROYO SAN FRANCISCO, URUGUAY

Stream macroinvertebrate communities are modulated by different processes at different spatial scales, from watershed to reaches and local scale, which can be directly or indirectly affected by human activities and changes in land use. This study evaluated the effect of water quality on macroinvertebrate structure in the San Francisco drainage basin, Lavalleja, Uruguay. We measured in situ physico-chemical water variables and collected a total of 50 macroinvertebrate samples using a surber in 10 reaches in different stream’s order and basin size. Macroinvertebrate community structure were analyzed using density, richness, and two common bioindicator indexes: percentage of number of Ephemeroptera, Plecoptera and Trichoptera (%EPT) and percentage of Oligochaeta (%Oligochaeta). We did not find a significant relationship between physico-chemical water variables and stream order, the low order streams had comparatively higher water nutrient concentration and higher conductivity. Stream order showed a significant positive relationship with %EPT and a negative relationship with %Oligochaeta. No patterns were found for density and taxonomic richness. Some components of macroinvertebrate community structure in the streams belonging to the San Francisco stream basin could largely be explained by water quality, in this case connected to stream order. We found evidence of the great potential for using macroinvertebrates as environmental quality indicators, even in well preserved drainage basins.

Linking carbon emission and economic growth: Case from developing economies of the Asian region

As an indicator of environmental quality, carbon dioxide (CO2) emission has gained much attention in the pre-existing pieces of literature. Because of their complex link with economic development, human activities, etc., it's always being an issue of discussion and is largely neglected in the country's political decision-making. The present study probes the association between economic growth and carbon dioxide emission in the context of developing nations in the Asian region, by incorporating urbanization, merchandise trade, Foreign Direct Investment and renewable energy consumption for the period of 10 years (i.e., 2009–2018). For the analysis, the Granger causality relationship is used with an appropriate panel data regression model. The results of the causality analysis indicate that there prevails a relationship running from economic growth, merchandise trade to CO2 emissions, whereas renewable energy consumption has an inverse and significant impact on CO2 emissions. Therefore, to enhance the environmental quality, more renewable energy sources should be used which helps in the betterment of human welfare. To overcome the problem of CO2 emission and tackling climate change has become an essential part of the national as well as international climate policy agenda.

Making introductory economics more relevant: Using personalized connections to introduce environmental economics

Instructors have used real-world problems in introductory economics classrooms for over three decades, but today’s students continue to perceive that economics is not relevant for their lives. I provide three teaching modules associated with pollution externalities designed to improve student perceptions of relevance and make the study of environmental problems “more useful for more people.” I provide a new context-rich problem that helps students make a personal connection with local environmental quality indicators. Two additional modules are included. The second module engages students with the interdisciplinary field of environmental justice. The third module explains how a Nobel Prize winner Ronald Coase’s influential and controversial insight about reciprocal harm can help encourage critical thinking about negative externalities in a world with transaction costs. In such a world, the module focuses on the legal system's role and Coase’s overlooked view that factors other than efficiency should be considered. Finally, I include supplementary materials and tips for instructors wishing to use one or more modules in their classrooms.

Measurement of Composites Index on Low Carbon Development Supporting Food Security

Since the concept of low carbon development (LCD) was adopted at the 1992 Rio de Janeiro Earth Summit, Indonesia has been committed to implementing the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions. In 2020, the country issued Presidential Regulation No. 18, which made LCD one of the national priority programs to maintain economic and social through low emission activities and reduce the overexploitation of natural resources. The LCD is a way for the country to overcome the tradeoff between economic growth and environmental degradation. Nevertheless, LCD is a new initiative for Indonesia, so it needs strategic indicators that influence the achievement of development. This paper attempts to integrate macro-regional development indicators that combine each region’s gross domestic product, human development index, and unemployment rate with LCD indicators, including the environmental quality index and g reenhouse gas emissions. The combined indicators were constructed by composite index through the Shannon entropy method, geometric and arithmetic means using the technique for order preference by similarity to ideal solution (TOPSIS) method. The results show significant differences among provinces concerning to macro-regional indicators once the LCD indicators were incorporated. The results of this analysis could be used by policymakers to evaluate the green development of regions.

Evaluasi Aspek Desain Jalan Pada Jalur Pedestrian Di Jalan Lingkar Luar Kebun Raya Bogor

Bogor population density is 1.030.720 people, with the highest density district is Central Bogor (12.758 population/km2). Many centers of activity have resulted high population mobility. For that, adequate facilities and infrastructure is required to meet the needs of pedestrian mobility, as known as pedestrian way. To realize the effectiveness and avoidance of accident risk, good street design is a must in the pedestrian way design as public facility. Therefore, evaluation of street design aspect on pedestrian way at Bogor Botanical Garden ringroad is needed to study the quality of the walkability. Using the Pedestrian Environmental Quality Index (PEQI) method, the effectiveness of the pedestrian pathway will be assessed to create safe and appropriate pedestrian way. From the results of the evaluation of 46 subsegments, there are 10 subsegments classified as I (very high), 18 as class II (high), 8 as class III (average), and 10 as class IV (minimum). Overall, the pedestrian way of Bogor Botanical Garden Outer Ringroad has final score of 65.56 which categorized as class II (high). The design recommendations have the concept of active living with improving the public health through increased physical activity.

The Application of Active Biomonitoring with the Use of Mosses to Identify Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons in an Atmospheric Aerosol.

The use of biological indicators of environmental quality is an alternative method of monitoring ecosystem pollution. Various groups of contaminants, including organic ones, can be measured in environmental samples. Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) have not yet been determined by the moss bag technique. This technique uses several moss species simultaneously in urban areas to select the best biomonitoring of these compounds, which are dangerous to humans and the environment. In this research, a gas chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry was used for the determination of selected PAHs in three species of mosses: Pleurozium schreberi, Sphagnum fallax and Dicranum polysetum (active biomonitoring) and for comparison using an air filter reference method for atmospheric aerosol monitoring. The chlorophyll fluorescence of photosystem II (PSII) was also measured to assess changes in moss viability during the study. As a result of the study, the selective accumulation of selected PAHs by mosses was found, with Pleurozium schreberi being the best bioindicator—9 out of 13 PAHs compounds were determined in this species. The photosynthetic yield of photosystem (II) decreased by 81% during the exposure time. The relationship between PAHs concentrations in mosses and the total suspended particles (TSP) on the filter indicated the possibility of using this bioindicator to trace PAHs in urban areas and to apply the moss bag technique as a method supporting classical instrumental air monitoring.