Integration Of Ecological Aspects Research Articles

Integration of Ecological Aspects During Process Development and Design – A Case Study of Batch to Continuous Production

Sustainability has become a major topic in product and process development strategy for many companies. Development and design of resource-efficient processes are key factors and represent a substantial contribution to the improvement. The transfer of manufacturing processes from batch to continuous operation may contribute considerably to this goal. The basis for process redesign are experimental trials and the development of suitable equipment. In a case study, such a transfer has been conducted accompanied by technological, economic and ecological assessments. An analysis of the existing batch process supported by material flow modelling generated a reference point for the developed production process.

Economic and Environmental Aware Maintenance Optimization

The increasing awareness of environmental impacts along with the possible ecological impact reductions due to good maintenance leads to a demand for research about integration of ecological aspects in maintenance management. This paper investigates this by developing a framework that integrates ecological aspects in maintenance management. As such, an economic and ecological analysis tool, covering several maintenance policies, is developed. Based on the presented models it is possible to determine the optimal maintenance interval considering an economic, ecological and integrated optimum. Finally, the developed model is verified and validated by application to a case study of a cutting tool of a turning machine.

The Influence of the Environmental Factor on Marketing Strategy: An Applied Study in the Consumer Industry.

In recent years, environment-related issues are gaining great importance within the business world, driving firms to reorient their marketing strategies. This paper analyzes the influence of the environmental factor on the design of firms’ marketing strategies. With this aim, we studied the degree of implementation of ecological marketing strategies in the consumer industry by utilizing the scale proposed by Banerjee (2002). To meet this aim, a market research project was carried out by interviewing 81 managers. Results show that, although the integration of ecological aspects is still in a first phase of initiation, a growing interest has been observed among a segment of firms that expresses a proactive attitude towards the environment and develops green marketing strategies.

Integration of ecological aspects in flood protection strategies: defining an ecological minimum

AbstractPolicy makers are confronted with the question of how to combine sustainable flood protection and floodplain rehabilitation in the best possible way. Both topics deal with spatial planning aspects in a range of scales. This question was the starting point for the development of an evaluation method within the IRMA/SPONGE project INTERMEUSE, illustrated on the basis of assumed flood protection strategies in the Meuse river basin (the ‘sponge’ strategy, the ‘retention’ strategy, and the ‘floodplain lowering’ or ‘winter bed’ strategy). The integration of flood protection and floodplain rehabilitation can be performed on two scale levels that are interrelated: on the regional level the focus is on (large parts of) an entire stream basin; on the local level specific site conditions are taken as starting point. Ecological aspects under study are spatial cohesion of habitats as identified by species population persistence modelling (regional, longitudinal level) and required habitat quality for carabid beetles and for meadow vegetation gradients as assessed by correspondence analysis (local, transversal level). The carabid beetles are taken as indicative for the ecological integrity of the river bed, the meadow vegetation for that of the floodplain.A unifying concept in the evaluation of ecological integrity is the ecological minimum: the critical boundary or minimum level of habitat conditions for a potentially good ecological functioning. It is the least acceptable state for a river ecosystem that is still functional to some extent, compared to a natural river ecosystem. The results of this study show clearly that there is a good chance to combine floodplain rehabilitation aims with flood protection activities, both on a local and on an international scale. Although ecological effect assessment and ecological optimizing (referring to a natural reference state) remain basic, additionally the assessment of the ecological minimum helps to define design strategies for integrated flood protection, especially in situations where there is an opportunity for river rehabilitation. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Reviews: The Great Australian Nightmare: A Critique of the Home-Ownership Ideology, Rental Housing in the 1980s, Quality of Life and Human Welfare: Proceedings of the Third Royal Scottish Geographical Society Symposium, Urban Inequalities under State Socialism, High Technology Small Firms: Innovation and Regional Development in Britain and the United States, Exploring Social Geography, Cities in the Developing World: Policies for

Reviews: The Great Australian Nightmare: A Critique of the Home-Ownership Ideology, Rental Housing in the 1980s, Quality of Life and Human Welfare: Proceedings of the Third Royal Scottish Geographical Society Symposium, Urban Inequalities under State Socialism, High Technology Small Firms: Innovation and Regional Development in Britain and the United States, Exploring Social Geography, Cities in the Developing World: Policies for

Integration of Ecology in Coastal Engineering

This article aims at a brief evaluation of the ECEP-symposium from the viewpoint of ecology. From this viewpoint first of all the importance of coastal zones, and more especially estuaries for man and other life is emphasized. Trial and error in coastal engineering and coastal management is illustrated with some examples derived from the papers of this symposium. On the basis of some rough cost/benefit calculations it becomes clear that without integration of ecological aspects, from the beginning to the end, expensive and unforseen additional expenditures may result with costs comparable or even many times higher than the original project costs. Attention is focussed on the lessons to be learned from the papers. The major observations are briefly classified in order of importance. The main conclusion is first of all to handle carefully the integrity of coastal environments, with special attention for estuaries, and to find solutions for society's problems and wishes without disrupting modifications or transformations. But in doing so the process of change requires a close control in terms of planned modification or transformation, an integral ecosystem approach and an adaptive environmental management strategy. In this relation a new management and design strategy is proposed, with the recognition that we are dealing with a process. It is an open ended strategy which requires adaption to new unforeseen events in decision making or in (new) environments. In conclusion a number of statements are presented.

Symposium on the integration of ecological aspects in coastal engineering projects : to be held at Rotterdam, The Netherlands 6–10 June 1983

Symposium on the integration of ecological aspects in coastal engineering projects : to be held at Rotterdam, The Netherlands 6–10 June 1983