Leopold Matrix Research Articles

Assessment of the influence of anthropogenic factors on elements of the ecological network in Vojvodina (Serbia) using the Leopold matrix

Salt steppes and marshes represent the most valuable ecosystems in the world, providing numerous ecosystem services that are extremely vulnerable to anthropogenic influences. These types of habitat in the territory of Serbia are most dominant in Banat and a significant portion of them is under protection or in the process of becoming protected. The section surrounding the protected areas of Slano Kopovo Special Nature Reserve, Rusanda Nature Park and Okanj Bara Special Nature Reserve with the non-building area of Novi Becej, Kumane, Melenci, Elemir and Taras cadastral municipalities, has been chosen for the analysis. The aim of this paper was to assess the influence of specific anthropogenic factors on the elements of an ecological network using the analytical method that can generate the required results in a manner suitable for presentation to various stakeholders. To achieve this aim, the Leopold matrix model, used for assessing anthropogenic influence on the environment, has been chosen. The specificity of this issue of protecting and preserving elements of an ecological network resulted in the need to isolate and evaluate the factors affecting the preservation of habitats and functionality of ecosystems, unlike the concept of Leopold matrix, which treats all factors as equally important in the process of evaluation. Evaluation results indicate significant effects of historical, perennial manner of using the area and other resources in the non-building area.

The Use of AHP Multi-Criteria Method and Leopold Matrix to Assess the Impact of Gravel and Sand Pits on the Environment of the Jasiolka Valley

Streszczenie Zadaniem sieci Natura 2000 jest zachowanie bioróżnorodności przy zrównoważonym rozwoju regionów. Działalność górnicza może być prowadzona, gdy nie oddziałuje negatywnie na obszary ochronione. W artykule opisano przedmioty ochrony na obszarze Natura 2000 Jasiołka. Scharakte- ryzowano rodzaje negatywnego oddziaływania eksploatacji złóż żwirowo-piaskowych na środowisko przyrodnicze. Przedstawiono wpływ wydobycia złóż piasków i żwirów w Trzcianie na przedmioty ochrony sieci Natura 2000. Przeprowadzono ocenę tego wpływu z wykorzystaniem wielokryterialnej metody AHP i macierzy Leopolda. Oceny wpływu eksploatacji kruszyw na środowisko dokonało 35 ekspertów, których kompetencja obejmowała wszystkie elementy oceny analizowanego problemu. Reprezentowali oni następujące dziedziny nauki: geologia, górnictwo, zarządzanie środowiskiem, inżynieria środowiska, ochrona środowiska, ekologia. Eksploatacja złoża piasków i żwirów w Trzcianie wywiera największy wpływ na biosferę, w szczególności na florę, następnie na hydrosferę i litosferę. Oddziaływanie to jest jednak mało znaczące. Wydobycie kruszywa naturalnego w Trzcianie nie posiada znamion negatywnego wpływu na okoliczne obszary Natura 2000. Eksploatacja kopaliny w niewielkim stopniu wpływa na stosunki wodne obszaru. Zmiana rzeźby terenu, szaty roślinnej i degradacja gleby są przejściowe. Rekul- tywacja w kierunku rolnym umożliwiła powrót do zagospodarowania terenu zgodnego z tym, jaki był przed przystąpieniem do eksploatacji. Stwierdzono, że inwestycja po zakończeniu wydobycia i po rekultywacji wodnej wzbogaci siedliska rzeczne i dolinowe, tworząc nowe miejsca dla rozrodu i bytowania fauny. Podkreślono, że zrekultywowane tereny są cennym elementem środowiska: siedliskiem chro- nionych roślin oraz miejscem wypoczynku i żerowania wielu gatunków zwierząt. Opisany przykład oddziaływania eksploatacji kopaliny na środowisko skłania do spojrzenia na górnictwo jako na działalność tworzącą nowe wartości. Ocena rzeczywistego wpływu górnictwa na środowisko na podstawie działających żwirowni pozwala znaleźć optymalne rozwiązanie dla obu stron.

ATUAÇÃO DA DEFESA CIVIL NA AVALIAÇÃO E ANÁLISE DE RISCOS AMBIENTAIS

The procedures used in risk assessment differ according to the nature of the phenomenon addressed, because the risk assessment involves information relating to projects implemented and their possible consequences. Analysis activities and sectorization risk of destabilization of slopes processes undertaken in November 2011 and February 2012 surveys consisted of techniques for the identification of critical points, risks and vulnerabilities thus helping the actions taken by the Civil Defense and evaluation of achievement preventive works according to the potential environmental effects of the risk areas and the degree of reversibility of environmental impacts for urban squatter settlements called neighborhood Ivaldolândia, Conjunto Vida Nova, Mazagao and Mutirao located in the Municipality of Alagoa Nova, PB, Brazil. The analysis of environmental risks and impacts involved the delineation of the study area, identifying the type of geodynamic processes, risk mapping and elaboration of the Leopold matrix. Through the analysis of the environmental impacts relevant risk areas of the city of Alagoa Nova Paraiba is possible to adopt mitigation measures and assess the importance, magnitude and frequency that such events occur. It appears that the stabilization of soil slopes and retaining walls using vegetation and the removal of people from critical areas minimize the vulnerability of the population. The position of the housing relative to the inclination of the slope generates risk which makes it imperative to avoid drastic changes in topography and observe the minimum clearances established along the slopes.

Establishment Impacts Assessment of the Industrial Units on Rural Economy (Case Study: Central District of Firouzabad County, Fars Province)

The main aim of the present study is an establishment impacts assessment of the industrial units on rural economy in two rural zones at central district of Firouzabad township, Fars province. On this basis are applied the methodology of Environmental Impacts Assessment and the technique of Leopold Matrix. Implemented variables of this study include twelve economical dependent variables and six independent variables related to industrial units. Then the spatial alternatives in this study include two rural zones of Ahmadabad and Jaydasht. Ahmadabad rural zone in the present conditions is the location and concentration center of the agriculture-related industrial units, while Jaydasht rural zone is the established host of non-agriculture productive industrial units without direct relation to agricultural progresses. In the present conditions for establishment of agriculture-related and non-agriculture productive industries in Ahmadabad and Jaydasht alternatives respectively, the results of Leopold matrix indicated the values of the economical impacts equal to 83 and 67, respectively. Whereas changing the established pattern of industrial units in to alternatives, the predictive impact values will have decreased to 38 and 58 in Ahmadabad and Jaydasht rural zones, respectively. This decreasing trend from 83 to 38 (more than two time levels) will have had more importance and intensity in Ahmadabad rural zone. Therefore to strength of economical fundaments has been proposed the preservation of the present established pattern of industrial units and the perfection of the major useful impacts of economical indicators including employment ratio and per capita stored capital in the study area

The Use of the Leopold Matrix in Carrying Out the EIA for Wind Farms in Serbia

Although the Energy Sector Development Strategy of the Republic of Serbia until 2015 envisages an increasing share of renewable energy (RE) in the total energy balance of the country and although there are plenty of wind energy initiatives resulting in the elaboration of planning and project documentation, no wind farms have yet been built in Serbia. One of the significant problems in the realization of these projects is the unjustifiable resistance of a part of local authorities and population, particularly related to the possible environmental impacts of the planned projects. In this context, the paper addresses the possibility of using the Leopold matrix in carrying out the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) for “Kladovo” Wind Farm in Serbia (case study). The Leopold matrix is a framework method for assessing the environmental impact of a project. The novelty in this method, presented herein, refers to the evaluation of planned project activities relative to a group of criteria related to: significance (spatial dispersion), probability and duration of impact. The obtained EIA results have enabled the precise identification of possible environmental impacts of “Kladovo” Wind Farm project, as well as removal of dilemmas and problems related to the public resistance to the realization of the project through a transparent relationship with stakeholders.

Uncovering causes and effects of desertification using a Leopold matrix in Binh Thuan Province, Vietnam

Vietnam is a coastal country projected to be heavily affected by climate change. Binh Thuan Province is part of the driest region of Vietnam and is prone to desertification. An expert panel participated in developing a Leopold matrix which allowed for identification of desertification impact factors on the province’s socioeconomic activities and assessment of the strength of cause–effect relationships in terms of magnitude and importance. Land use planning, surface water, and the length of the dry season are considered the most important causes, with the overall highest scores for both magnitude and importance in the cause–effect relationship. The largest effects of the different factors are perceived on water supply for agriculture and household use. Water availability and land use planning are important remedial action domains, while drought and land cover require monitoring to assess impacts. The indicators of cause and effect can be used in a longer-term general monitoring and assessment framework to ...

Sustainable research and development of the small uninhabited islands: the case of Ionian Oinoisses

It is acceptable that the uninhabited islands of small size, due to their isolation from the mainland, offer remarkable habitats for the distribution and conservation of significant protected flora and fauna species. Many of these islands hosted in the past settlements, castles, etc., that now have been abandoned, though the charasteristics of the landscape and the types of economy have not been altered to present. Albeit they do not sustain human habitation, the deterioration of their enviroment is owing to human intervention. The Oinousses island complex (consisting of three major islands: Sapientza, Schiza and Agia Mariani) retain a well-preserved and undisturbed natural environment as well as a rich wild life biodiversity. The main aim of the current research is to provide an effective tool which will serve the sustainable counterbalance development in remote insular areas around Greece. This will be achieved by using an enviromental assessment methodology (Leopold Matrix) that will contribute to the evaluation of the emergent environmental impacts. The monitoring and management of these islands in the future will be based on the conservation of their insular features (as a basic principle of sustainability) and the soft actions that must be adopted with respect to their natural environment.

Environmental impact of castor oil catalytic transfer hydrogenation

In the vegetable oil chemical industry, hydrogenation is one of the most important processes. An alternative method for vegetable oil hydrogenation is the use of catalytic transfer hydrogenation (CTH), which can utilize organic molecules as hydrogen donors at ambient pressure. These alternative processes should be optimized in relation to the variables required for a good conversion and impacts should also be known to be minimized. An assessment of the environmental impact of laboratory scale chemical processes is an important tool to improve the technological aspects of a process (increased yields, reduced production times, lower costs) and it can also lead to the creation of a cleaner technology. Using the Leopold Matrix, we have succeeded in developing a more efficient and cleaner process for the CTH of castor oil using Raney Ni as a catalyst and cyclohexene or isopropanol as a hydrogen donor solvent. The results of the technical and environmental assessments showed that the extent of conversion for the unsaturation reaction was high (>99 %), and the environmental impact of the process could be significantly reduced to create a cleaner technology. It was found, after process optimization, that the remaining environmental impacts were negative (67.48 %), local (78.95 %), temporary (95.33 %), direct (80.12 %), and reversible (95.32 %).

Environmental impact assessment of Uakari Floating Lodge using interaction matrixes.

Tourism impacts the environment. Therefore, the knowledge of mechanisms that allow doing an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) is critical. Among other methods we emphasize the Leopold Matrix, a kind of interaction matrix that allows clear visualization of the potential impact of a venture or project. This article aims to show the potential environmental impact of Uakari Floating Lodge, through an adaptation of the Leopold Matrix, evaluating the Magnitude and Importance of their environmental impacts. We found 28 environmental aspects in Uakari Lodge, being “generation of domestic wastewater” and “accumulation of used batteries” the most significant internal aspects, and “utilization of lubricating oil and fuel in motor boats rides” and “generation of gases from fuel combustion in boat rides” the most significant external aspects. All of them were identified as environmental aspects with potential for Direct (84.6%), Reversible (76.9%), Insignificant (46.2%) or Moderated (53.8%), and Local (100%) impacts. The results indicate the environmental aspects raised have low impact to the natural environment, considering the enterprise scale. However, we should find ways to mitigate their effects, once the Uakari Floating Lodge is located in a Protected area (Area).

Optimization of biodiesel production for self-consumption: considering its environmental impacts

Abstract In the present study, we worked to optimize biodiesel production with a production capacity of 40–200 L day −1 , taking into consideration the necessity of identifying and reducing the impacts of the process so as to construct appropriately scaled equipment. To analyze the impacts, we built an interactive matrix derived from the Leopold Matrix. This matrix considers the various steps in the process and attempts to minimize their impacts. The identified measures were implemented, thereby reducing the environmental impacts of biodiesel production by the equipment developed in the study. The main measures were the substitution of raw materials, equipment design modifications and the elimination of losses during the process. We highlight that the relevant results were obtained with the equipment modifications which has as a consequence a reduced long-term negative impact (20%), a minimum irreversible negative impact (5%) and an improvement of the regional and local positive impacts of 8–40%. Replacing the methanol with ethanol there was 69.9% less negative impacts compared to the previous results with methanol. This equipment is suitable for the local production of biodiesel on family farms.

Risk Assessment of Desertification for Binh Thuan Province, Vietnam

ABSTRACT Vietnam is one among five ranked countries with high-risk injury due to the phenomenon of climate change. Geographically, Binh Thuan, a coastal province, is located in the Southern Centre area. Currently, natural disasters have become more frequent, particularly drought. Desertification has become more serious. Besides the natural causes as described above, there are several affected by human activities such as high population and poverty, inappropriate cultivating technique, deforestation, ill-adopted legal framework, weak management capacity, lack of adequate knowledge, and a lack of awareness in local population. To assess risks of desertification for the Binh Thuan province (Vietnam), a risk assessment model based on a Leopold matrix was applied. As a result, a model of cause and effect showed six degrees of impacts of environmental and social conditions on the socioeconomic developments from very highly to very unlikely significance. Risk assessment allows for a general figure of various impacts of desertification on the socioeconomic developments in Binh Thuan, Vietnam.

Environmental impact assessment of Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) Awka Mega Station

In this work, the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) study of the NNPC mega station, Awka, was carried out. The methodology involved collection of baseline information, assessment of the project impact on the environment, preparation of environmental management plan and assessment of the effectiveness of the mitigation measures. Data for impact assessment were generated using: Overlay; Leopold matrix; Peterson matrix and Batelle environmental evaluation techniques. Overlay technique was used to collect data related to environmental factors through aerial photography, topography and land inventory mapping. Impact of interactions between the station developmental activities such as temperature, rainfall, soil, air and water qualities were determined using Leopold matrix technique. Impact of human involvement in the station project was categorized into ecological, physical, chemical, esthetical and socio-economic. From this categorization, environmental quality indices were estimated using a 0 1 scale function under Batelle technique. The results of the mean and standard deviation analysis of the environmental baseline data on the meteorological parameters considered, show that the percentage of the variance and/or errors from the mean is not more than 10% on the average. Hence the installation of a mega station in the study area is possible at a reduced cost and negligible effect on the environment.

Controle de processo erosivo provocado por rompimento de adutora na Serra da Mantiqueira, SP, Brasil

Na escarpa sul da Serra da Mantiqueira, divisor geográfico nordeste entre o estado de São Paulo e Minas Gerais, ocorreu um acidente ambiental causado pelo rompimento de uma adutora cuja finalidade é a de conduzir a água de um reservatório localizado a 1.820 m de altitude até a casa de máquinas onde há geração de energia elétrica, e que está localizada a 750 m. Esse acidente resultou na formação de uma cicatriz na floresta da encosta, com supressão do solo e da vegetação. Para reverter os processos erosivos formados no local, foi desenvolvida uma metodologia utilizando quatro barreiras (numeradas de I a IV) formadas por mudas de Bambusa mutiplex (Lour.), bambu cuja finalidade foi a de desviar as águas de escoamento superficial, proporcionando, dessa forma, a regeneração da vegetação nativa. Colmos de bambu consorciados com o plantio de Bambusa multiplex foram utilizados para contenção dos detritos em duas ravinas formadas pela erosão. O desenvolvimento da vegetação foi monitorado por 18 meses e avaliado por meio da aplicação de uma Matriz de Leopold, composta por cinco aspectos, que são: erosão, regeneração da vegetação, sucesso do plantio de bambu, conservação das estruturas montadas e funcionalidade. O uso da matriz teve a finalidade de demonstrar a eficiência das intervenções com a utilização de bambu. O resultado da matriz permitiu classificar quantitativa e qualitativamente as intervenções realizadas, obtendo-se cinco níveis, sendo as barreiras I, II e IV consideradas de muito "alta eficiência", e a barreira III, de "alta eficiência". A contenção das ravinas foi considerada de "média" a muito "alta eficiência".

Ecopedological research for ecological rehabilitation of degraded lands from Eastern Romania

The assessment study of the global ecological impact tries to highlight the main factors and negative ecological determinants, due to a lack or excess, and it also focuses on highlighting the main negative ecological effects with the aim to rehabilitate and restore the ecological balance within degraded ecosystems. The methodology used in the assessment process was based on graphs, tables in the shape of Leopold matrix, considerably improved by authors. In order to assess qualitatively the negative ecological effects, a reliability scale with 3 indicators and 3 graduations was used, designed to underline the importance of the impact (minor, medium, and major), the quality of the impact (neutral, negative, and positive) and the certainty of the appearance of a negative impact (improbable, probable, and certain). Our research was accomplished in the pasture ecosystem degraded by pluvial erosion from the Tutova Hills, located in the Eastern part of Romania. This ecosystem is characterized through active geo-morphological processes in the depth and on the surface and it drew attention to the presence of 8 negative ecological factors grouped in 3 main categories: geo-climatic, pedological, and anthropogenic. 8 main negative effects were identified and quantified by means of 3 qualitative indicators with 3 graduation scales. The analysis of the current state of the effects of the complex ecological impact upon the degraded ecosystem ask for a series of urgent measures elaborated by scientists, researchers, and representatives of the local administration system. The aim of these measures is to improve the ecological balance and to eliminate the negative anthropogenic impact that augments and aggravates the action of the negative geo-climatic and pedological factors, in of with the protection of soil quality.

Diagnostic of ribeirão Mestre d’Armas sub-basin using two methods of rapid environmental assessment, Federal District, Central Brazil

Rapid environmental assessments have been used to describe the quality and semi-quantitative attributes of the ecosystems along an environmental gradient using visual observations and few measurements. The aim of this study was to identify and measure anthropogenic impacts on ribeirão Mestre d’Armas sub-basin, Federal District, Central Brazil, and to propose its environmental zoning. This study was performed using two methods based on rapid environmental assessment: a rapid river assessment protocol, to evaluate in an integrated form the features of a lotic system section according to the conservation or degradation condition of the fluvial environment; and the Leopold matrix, to identify and evaluate the anthropogenic impacts. The environmental zoning of this sub-basin detected three areas: preserved, transition and urban areas. The environmental assessment revealed, the preserved area had lotic stretches with natural features under low magnitude of impacts, except on burned areas. In the transition area, there was a predominance of lotic stretches with altered features, due to agriculture and livestock activities of intermediate level of impacts. Finally, the urban area had altered and impacted lotic stretches of higher magnitude due to anthropogenic impacts. Thus, this study revealed large differences among the areas detected by environmental zoning, according to the methods used. These methods were considered complementary in relation to environmental diagnostic of the ribeirão Mestre d’Armas sub-basin.

Hazardous waste landfill site selection in Khorasan Razavi Province, Northeastern Iran

The disposal is the final step of any hazardous waste management plan. An inappropriate landfill site may have negative environmental, economical, and ecological impacts. Therefore, landfills should be sited carefully by taking into account various rules, regulations, factors, and constraints. In this study, candidate sites for hazardous landfills in the northeastern Khorasan Razavi province are determined using the integration of geographic information system and landfill susceptibility zonation methods. For this, the inappropriate areas were first removed from the model, and the suitability of remaining regions were evaluated using 15 different criteria in two steps. With this done, nine candidate sites were selected as the most suitable locations. Finally, the selected landfill sites were proposed based on environmental impact assessment (Leopold matrix) and economical studies. This study shows that Maasumabad, Kheirabad, Mayamey, and Yonsi are the best locations for the constitution of landfill in Khorasan Razavi province, respectively.

Building consensus through the application of a decision support tool for land managers

The economic and practical reality for local government and other land managers is the need to prioritise resources. Ku-ring-gai Council on Sydney's North Shore has improved transparency of funds allocation in planning recurrent and capital works projects through the application of a bushland priority rating tool. Council staff adapted the traditional 1971 Leopold matrix in a similar way to how the University of Western Sydney adapted it when examining the impact of tourism on the economy, community, and environment of Manly in 2007. The tool integrates technical knowledge acquired from multiple research projects and local community perceptions to rank the value and level of socio-environmental pressure exerted on each reserve. The outcome is a ranking system that dissolves bias, and accords equity amongst competing points of view to ensure the natural assets of greatest value receive adequate funding.

The identification, analysis, and assessment of desertification due to environmental resource degradation in Anantapur

Desertification of susceptible dry lands due to environmental resource degradation is a global phenomenon, which assumes a greater importance even in the Indian context. Anantapur district, located in the Rayalseema region of the south-central part of peninsular India, is one such dry area experiencing desertification condition due to environmental resource degradation that is conditioned by natural factors and exacerbated by anthropogenic factors. The current paper attempts to depict the degradation status while examining all major resource parameters covering both natural and anthropogenic causes of desertification. Environmental indicators are used to identify the phenomenon and secondary data is used to structure the various arguments implying desertification in the study area already taking place due to natural vulnerability, which is exacerbated by human pressures leading to environmental resource degradation. An assessment of desertification is made using the Leopold matrix; however, given the complexity of interactions present in the matrix, an index reflecting the level of desertification was structured so as to act as an aggregate of the interactions between activities and parameters. The article, however, does not venture into establishing direct cause-effect relationships, as these interactions are quite complex and intertwined to model in the framework adopted.

Organizational learning and environmental impact assessment at Colombia's Cauca Valley Corporation

During the 1976–1993 period, the design and implementation of the environmental impact assessment (EIA) program of the Corporación Autónoma Regional del Valle del Cauca (Cauca Valley Corporation, hereafter CVC or “the Corporation”) were affected by “learning by imitating” and “learning by doing.” Learning by imitating took place when CVC copied the use of the Leopold Matrix, an EIA procedure popular in the US during the 1970s. Learning by doing occurred in 1979 when the Corporation held public hearings to discuss the site for a controversial factory in Caloto. CVC's experience demonstrates that organizational learning with respect to EIA can help an organization meet its own goals, but that learning does not necessarily lead to environmental improvements. The use of the Leopold Matrix summarized the judgements of technical experts, but it frequently did not inform decision-making. For 13 years after the public meetings for the factory in Caloto, CVC avoided involving the public in its EIA work.

Open cast mine monitoring and environmental impact studies through remote sensing ‐ a case study from Goa, India

Environmental impact of opencast iron ore mines in Goa, India has been studied using remote sensing data and limited ground based information with the help of Leopold matrix method, factor analysis and cluster analysis methods. From the remote sensing studies it was observed that increase in mining activities are associated with decreasing vegetation and land degradation in the study area. Turbid zones of surface water were also demarcated through remote sensing study. The Leopold matrix method suggested three project actions viz. surface excavations, surface transport and solid waste disposal responsible for affecting soils, landforms, ground water and flora. From the factor analysis and cluster analysis of soil chemical data four zones of soil samples and the impact of mine wash off overburden on the soil quality was established. The marginal impact of mining on ground water was inferred from the preliminary results of oxygen isotope study.