Man-environment Interactions Research Articles

Uncovering the Impact of Erosion Conservation Techiques on Soil Attributes in Shivaliks of Lower Himalayas of Jammu, India

The present study uncovering the impact of erosion conservation techniques on soil attributes in Shivaliks of lower Himalayas of Jammu. Soil erosion is considered as the main cause of land degradation in hilly areas espially in outer Himalayas. Although the problem persisted on the earth for a longer period, it has become severe in recent times due to increased man-environment interactions. The study was conducted in 2021 at the Merth village of Jammu and Kashmir, India, which is situated in the Kathua district. The catchment area investigated had a clay loam texture and a slope gradient of 3-6%, with a total area of 24.8 acres. The result shows that mean value of bulk density under various erosion control techniques was highest in overgrazing prevention (1.40g cm-3) followed by perimeter runoff control, terrace farming and contour plowing and was lowest in cover crop (1.33g cm-3). The carbon content also increased with the and was highest under cover crop. Carbon act as bridge between nutrient, water and soil. The study strongly recommends adoption of resource conservation techniques for reducing soil erosion & water conservation in submontane Shivaliks.

The Trendermarsch polder (North Frisia, Germany) - Geophysical and geoarchaeological investigations of an anthropogenic medieval coastal landscape and its vulnerability against natural hazards

Since medieval times, North Frisia (Schleswig-Holstein, Germany) has experienced large-scale natural and man-made geomorphological changes. First, Frisian settlers turned the coastal marshes and fenlands into arable land but also increased the region's vulnerability to flooding. Then major storm surges drowned wide areas in 1362 CE and 1634 CE and many (geo-)archives that could provide knowledge about medieval man-environment interactions and the overall appearance of the coastal landscape at that time were irretrievably lost.To better understand the natural palaeogeographical evolution and human intervention with the coastal environment, our research focused on the Trendermarsch polder (Nordstrand), that is one of few sites still reflecting the cultivated marsh landscape of the 13th to 14th cent. AD.Fieldwork comprised DEM analysis, geophysical prospection by electrical resistivity tomography (ERT), seismic reflection measurements, Direct Push (DP)-EC logging and coring to obtain high-resolution stratigraphic data. Sedimentary, geochemical and microfaunal palaeoenvironmental parameter (PEP) analyses of sediment samples allowed to calibrate geophysical and DP-EC results. Radiocarbon dating, archaeological age estimations and historical reports provided a geochronological framework.Results confirm the 12th cent. AD age of the Trendermarsch polder but also reveal distinct phases of channel incisions, that are likely related to extreme events. These tidal channels appeared to be a distinct gateway for storm surges and considerably influenced medieval to early modern land reclamation and cultivation measures. The Trendermarsch therefore sets an impressive example for the interplay of natural processes and man-made geomorphological changes and their consequences for a coastal landscape.

Analysis of thermal plumes forming over male human subjects

Thermal plumes generated by a human being are elements that influence the shape of air flows in a room, mainly when displacement ventilation is used. The characteristics of the airflow in these plumes are usually studied using thermal manikins, which has many advantages during the research of thermal man-environment interactions––owing to the repeatability of tests, lack of fatigue, or taking into account individual human characteristics. However, under actual conditions, thermal plumes are generated by real people, who may move slightly, breathe, and have different body surface shapes and thermoregulatory system reactions. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate the thermal plumes formed over human subjects in an environment typical of office spaces. The study was carried out under conditions of a moderate environment, with men of similar body build, wearing clothes with similar heat insulation, and in a sitting position. The study confirmed that when simulating this process with thermal manikins, it is necessary to get as close as possible to the conditions in which the future occupants of the rooms will be in––as the air velocity values measured over the volunteers are generally lower than the air velocities measured in the study using thermal manikins. It is also necessary to start the thermal manikin breathing process; however, this should be conducted carefully. This significantly affects the obtained results of the air velocity in the thermal plumes and may generate overestimated results.

Environmental, Anthropogenic, and Health Dimensions of Flooding: Perspectives in Man-environment Interactions

Floods are events of great concern because of their adverse impact on the environment and human health. Natural causes of flood include environmental phenomena such as heavy rainfall, overflow of river banks and coastlines, and tidal surges. But beyond the natural, flooding also reflects the outcome of human interaction with the environment in many instances. Poor housing, high population density, poor drainage systems, and global warming are all anthropogenic factors in flooding. On the other hand, disease outbreaks, displacement of populations, economic losses, psychosocial disorders, injuries, and deaths are important problems associated with flooding. The concept of environmentalism provides some basis for understanding the man-environment interactions. Environmental determinism posits that human activities and behaviour is wholly determined by his environment. But the more lenient form of environmentalism is environmental possibilism, a concept that promotes the idea that man can substantially alter his environment to soothe his purposes and activities. However, some of man’s influence on his environment directly or indirectly relates to known causes of flooding such as unplanned housing with poor drainage systems, damming, and climate change effects. The causes and effects of flood have important relationships that can be explored in devising appropriate and sustainable approaches to flooding control. This paper puts in perspective the significance of the man-environment interaction as it relates to flooding and associated problems. It describes some major consequences of flooding in the context of this interaction and sites some examples of major flooding events in the recent past in Nigeria.

Plant–environment interactions through a functional traits perspective: a review of Italian studies

Italy is among the European countries with the greatest plant diversity due to both a great environmental heterogeneity and a long history of man–environment interactions. Trait-based approaches to ecological studies have developed greatly over recent decades worldwide, although several issues concerning the relationships between plant functional traits and the environment still lack sufficient empirical evaluation. To draw insights on the association between plant functional traits and direct and indirect human and natural pressures on the environmental drivers, this article summarizes the existing knowledge on this topic by reviewing the results of studies performed in Italy adopting a functional trait approach on vascular plants, bryophytes and lichens. Although we recorded trait measurements for 1418 taxa, our review highlighted some major gaps in plant traits knowledge: Mediterranean ecosystems are poorly represented; traits related to belowground organs are still overlooked; traits measurements for bryophytes and lichens are lacking. Finally, intraspecific variation has been little studied at community level so far. We conclude by highlighting the need for approaches evaluating trait–environment relationship at large spatial and temporal scales and the need of a more effective contribution to online databases to tie more firmly Italian researchers to international scientific networks on plant traits.

Towards a “behavioural design” approach for seismic risk reduction strategies of buildings and their environment

Earthquake safety paradigms in urban scenarios can be represented by the following: buildings response to ground shaking; possibility to evacuate urban areas; rescuers’ assistance to evacuating pedestrians after reaching assembly points in the urban fabric. The first element is widely investigated and involves studies on buildings vulnerability and site hazard. Last two issues are strongly influenced by urban scenarios modifications due to the earthquake and human behaviours during both event and evacuation. Consequently, understanding how people behave in similar conditions becomes an essential issue in order to properly evaluate the urban risk assessment, efficiently organize evacuation procedures and plan interventions (on critical buildings, infrastructures). Hence, this paper firstly offers an overview of current literature on human behaviour in earthquake so far as urban scenario safety is concerned. Critical factors that determine individuals’ response performances focus on human behaviours and environmental modifications due to the earthquake. The study underlines how some of the assumptions about the existing paradigms seem to be not consistent with the knowledge set out in the literature: individuals’ behaviours are generally neglected while proposing risk-reduction strategies (management, interventions on buildings), and these strategies are supposed to directly induce correct emergency behaviours on people. On the contrary, a successful approach should combine traditional evaluations with innovative analyses on human behaviours and man–environment interactions in earthquake conditions: hence, this paper finally suggests a “behavioural design” approach. Following fire safety engineering criteria, simulation models would be used for evaluating the exposure parameter and check operative strategies for interferences reduction in emergency conditions.

Urban scenarios modifications due to the earthquake: ruins formation criteria and interactions with pedestrians’ evacuation

One of the most influencing elements in inhabitants’ earthquake safety definition is represented by the interactions between people and post-event environment in urban scenarios. Understanding and simulating rules for pedestrians’ motion in earthquake evacuation could be useful to inquire the risk assessment introducing the “human” factor influence: integrated “risk maps” could be realized by combining results of similar analyses with the traditional site hazard, buildings vulnerability and exposition indices. This work proposes an innovative approach based on the analysis of these interactions. Two experimentally-based activities are required: an analysis of human behaviors towards the post-earthquake environment; a relation for defining environmental modifications. Results firstly show a summary of man-environment interactions in earthquake evacuations. A possible criterion for path choice in evacuation is also numerically defined. A theoretical agent-based model is developed on these bases and summarizes phases, motion rules and man-environment interactions in earthquake pedestrians’ evacuation in urban scenarios. Secondly, quick criteria for scenario modifications involving ruins formation are proposed and evaluated: for each building, the percentages of internal and external ruins area is a function of its vulnerability and the expected earthquake Richter magnitude. Moreover, the external ruins formation criterion is validated by comparing predicted and effective values of ruins area depth in real cases. The model could be proposed as a tool for evaluating probable pedestrians’ choices in post-event scenarios, in order to reduce the interferences between the built environment and the evacuation process through interventions on buildings, urban fabric and strategies for emergency management.

Long-term man–environment interactions in the Bolivian Amazon: 8000 years of vegetation dynamics

Only few studies documenting the vegetation history of the Llanos de Moxos, one of the largest seasonally flooded wetland areas in South America, are available and little is known about the environmental impact of pre-Columbian settlements. We use radiocarbon-dated terrestrial plant macrofossils to establish a sound chronology and palynological analyses to reconstruct the vegetation and fire history of the Lago Rogaguado area. The sedimentary pollen and spore record suggests that wetland and wooded savannah (Cerrado) environments occurred around the lake between 8100 and 5800 cal BP. Fire activity was high during this period and was probably connected to the dry Cerrado environments. The pollen evidence suggests early plant cultivation (Zea mays, Annonaceae and Cucurbitaceae) from 6500 cal BP onwards, which is significantly earlier than hitherto assumed for Amazonia. Gallery forests expanded after 5800 cal BP, when fire activity strongly declined. Forest expansion intensified around 2800 cal BP and continued until 2000 cal BP, when forest cover reached its maximum and fire activity its minimum. The late-Holocene forest expansion to the south and the decrease of fire activity may have resulted from a climatic shift to moister conditions (possibly a shorter dry season). New crops (e.g. Avena-type) or adventive plants (e.g. Rumex acetosella-type) document the impact of European economies after ca. 500 cal BP. Land use intensity remained rather stable over the most recent centuries, arguing against a collapse of settlements in response to the arrival of Europeans, as reconstructed from other Amazonian pollen records.

An agent-based simulation model for earthquake pedestrians' evacuation in historical urban fabric

The majority of Italian historical urban fabric is placed in earthquake prone areas. This study introduces the analysis of human behaviors in the earthquake risk assessment at urban scale: man-environment interactions in such conditions highly influence the inhabitants safety, especially in historical city centers. On these bases, this study proposes an agent-based earthquake evacuation simulator. Validation tests are performed on an Italian historical centre, demonstrating the validity of the model. Analysis on “human” behaviors should be combined to traditional evaluation in order to define integrated “risk maps” and “interventions maps”.

EPES – Earthquake pedestrians׳ evacuation simulator: A tool for predicting earthquake pedestrians׳ evacuation in urban outdoor scenarios

Earthquake risk assessment at urban scale does not actually consider human behaviours during both the event and the first evacuation phases. Nevertheless, understanding and simulating these aspects become essential in determining how human behaviours influence inhabitants׳ safety levels, defining combined “risk maps” and evaluating community resilience features. This work proposes an innovative approach by offering a simulator for pedestrians׳ earthquake evacuation in urban scenarios. Firstly, our previous behavioural investigations of real earthquake evacuation from all over the World allow organizing rules in pedestrians׳ evacuation and man–environment interactions in the post-event scenario: an agent-based (ABM) approach is provided for their representation by using the i⁎ language. Secondly, operative criteria for pedestrian motion are provided: in particular, motion law for pedestrians is defined by modifying the Social Force model approach with the behavioural results of our case study. Rules for environmental modifications due to the earthquake are proposed. Finally, the software EPES (Earthquake Pedestrians׳ Evacuation Simulator) is implemented on these bases and validated using a case study (an Italian historical centre). Results firstly summarize the behavioural analysis discussion and the ABM definition. First validations about ruins formations, behavioural aspects, motion speed in evacuations and path choice are offered. EPES is proposed as a tool for evaluating probable pedestrians׳ choices in different scenarios, and checking solutions for reducing interferences between the human evacuation process and the built environment. Operative strategies for interferences reduction could be founded on model previsions, such as interventions on particular buildings, evacuation strategies definition and urban planning.

Population Toxicology - an Example of Super-individual Approach in Human Studies

Authors prove the need of super-individual approach in environmental toxicity studies since the specific hu- man-environment interactions can only be interpreted using basic rules of ecology. The main goal of the paper is to collect, systematize and weigh several new factors of vulnerability of populations to the environmental exposures. Human popula- tions influence and are influenced by the physical settings and cultural systems in which they live. That is; social, cultural, historical, economic etc. determinants are at least so important confounders as genetic or other kind of vulnerability of the population. Authors demonstrate different outcomes of environmental exposures depending on mainly non-material factors. Good examples, when social factors may lead to cultural maladaptation that contributes to the appearance of cognitive or other dysfunctions through biological mechanisms (fiber or metal toxicity) in case of children's elevated blood lead or dis- proportional exposure of subpopulations to asbestos. The novel super-individual approach of human environmental toxi- cology proposed here - as an integrated part of both preventive medicine and ecology - based upon the multiple nature of humans, and will join the present change of paradigm in human environmental studies.

The study of the landscape: from a holistic approach to a social concept of knowledges

Three examples of the study and enhancement of the landscape in Italy are presented. The interdisciplinary approach to this topic is carried out not simply by juxtaposing disciplines, but by the integration of different ambits. In this way, disjunctive thought is substituted by a holistic approach that produces communication more appropriate to research. This offers the scientists a tool that is of paramount importance for their studies, and for ordinary citizens, a new way of considering the landscape. Example 1: Sustainable tourism and man–landscape relationships: Ecomuseum, Castello di Serravalle (Bologna). By studying the landscape of a hilly wine-producing area, it has been possible to observe the signs of reciprocal man–environment interactions that have characterized the area for over two millennia. For this reason, an Ecomuseum was founded, to provide an efficient tool for the enhancement of sustainable tourism, and also to popularize knowledge of local cultural heritage among the citizens. Example 2: Lago Bracciano near Montese (Modena): re-assessment of an Apennine area combining archeology, landscape and history. The landscape of areas containing historical settlements of local populations was reconstructed. This started with archeological and documentary data that had not yet been correlated, which was integrated with geological and geochemical data. In this way, a marginal tourism area has been improved by appraisal of its intrinsic cultural and historical values. Example 3: Geological elements and poetic trails in Frignano Park. This geological–literary itinerary starts from the assumption that there is a specific poetic and cultural value to the Modena Apennines that is linked to the morphological and geological features of this territory. Geology and literature become an accompaniment to a new pilgrimage of knowledge.

Terrestrial laser scanning and electrical resistivity tomography as combined tools for the geoarchaeological study of the Kritsa-Latô dolines (Mirambello, Crete, Greece)

A complex of enclosed karst depressions near Kritsa-Lato (Dikti Mountains, Eastern Crete) was analysed with regard to its surface and subsurface topography using a new multi-method approach. Based on a combination of terrestrial laser scanning, electrical resistivity tomography and geographic information systems, crucial geophysical and morphometrical parametres were derived and correlated with sedimentological results in order to provide first-time insights into the formation, size and archive function of dolines. High-resolution digital elevation models (0.25 m, 2 m) allowed conducting topographical analyses with special respect to micro-relief attributes and traces of former land use, as well as placing all findings into a 3D context for enhanced interpretation. As shown by the results, both limestone dissolution and local tectonics led to the development of an extensive sediment trap, whose subsurface is characterised by a distinct three-part segmentation. Above the bedrock, a highly fractured epikarst zone exhibits features typical of buried karst systems, such as subterraneous sinkholes and pinnacles. In contrast, the near-surface section completely consists of fine-grained, loamy substrates. Despite thicknesses of up to 25 m, the loose infilling entirely lacks stratification and therefore indicates permanent low energetic colluviation processes under rather stable geomorphodynamic conditions during the Quaternary. In respect to the local human impact, several geophysical anomalies suggest the existence of an ancient water harvesting system, which quite likely dates back to Minoan or Dorian times. As water supply must be considered essential for agricultural purposes in the karstified mountains of Crete, the Kritsa dolines must have served as favourable locations for settlement and land use purposes. With the the help of the multi-technique approach, both the geomorphological and the geoarchaeological characteristics of the study area could be captured. The findings help improve the understanding of the landscape evolution and the associated man-environment interactions in Eastern Crete. Combining terrestrial laser scanning and tomographical mapping proves to be particularly suitable for integral surface and subsurface prospecting and therefore promises substantial potential for future studies.

Challenges in Pain Assessment

LAST YEAR WAS the 40-year anniversary of Margo McCaffery's landmark definition of pain: “Pain is what the experiencing person says it is, existing whenever he says it does.” 1 McCaffery M. Nursing Practice Theories Related to Cognition, Bodily Pain, and Man-environment Interactions. University of California at Los Angeles Students’ Store, Los Angeles, CA1968 Google Scholar This definition has been supported by decades of clinical trials of analgesics and other pain research. All accepted pain guidelines today reflect the philosophy of McCaffery's definition, reinforcing that the patient's self-report is the single most reliable indicator of the existence and severity of pain. 2 American Geriatric Society (AGS) Panel on Persistent Pain in Older Persons The management of persistent pain in older persons. J Am Geriatr Soc. 2002; 50: S205-S224 Crossref PubMed Google Scholar , 3 American Pain Society (APS). Principles of Analgesic Use in the Treatment of Acute Pain and Chronic Cancer Pain. 5th ed. American Pain Society, Glenview, IL2003 Google Scholar , 4 Miaskowski C. Cleary J. Burney R. et al. Guideline for the Management of Cancer Pain in Adults and Children. American Pain Society, Glenview, IL2005 Google Scholar , 5 Simon L.S. Lipman A.G. Caudil-Slosberg M. et al. Guideline for the Management of Pain in Osteoarthritis, Rheumatoid Arthritis, and Juvenile Chronic Arthritis. American Pain Society, Glenview, IL2002 Google Scholar Most health care facilities have implemented policies and procedures that mandate this evidence-based approach to pain assessment by requiring nurses to systematically obtain pain intensity ratings, in addition to other elements of assessment, whenever the patient is able to provide them. This process affords a mechanism for patients to communicate with the health care team about their pain and allows the health care team to evaluate the effectiveness of the pain treatment plan. Chris Pasero is a pain management educator and clinical consultant in El Dorado Hills, CA.

Simulating Human Behavior for Understanding and Managing Environmental Resource Use

Computer simulation allows for the experimental study of dynamic interactions between human behavior and complex environmental systems. Behavioral determinants and processes as identified in social‐scientific theory may be formalized in simulated agents to obtain a better understanding of man–environment interactions and of policy measures aimed at managing these interactions. A number of exemplary agent‐based simulation studies is discussed to demonstrate how simulations can be used to identify behavioral determinants and processes underlying environmental problems, and to explore the possible effects of policy strategies. Finally, we highlight how agent‐based simulation may contribute to our understanding of the dynamics of environmental resources, and how to manage them in a sustainable way.

Theoretical approach to the global comfort problem in the man–environment interactions

Considering both the man and the environment as physical systems a new classification of global man–environment relationship is proposed. By means of a convenient intensive quantity characterizing the environment as well as man global behaviour and a convenient coordinate transformation, this classification allows to explain the man–environment relationship in a coordinate space where quantities of all fields are homogeneous. This result makes it easier to study interactions involving more sensations at the same time. Finally, the existence of the comfort state is connected to a necessary analytical condition and, in addition, an analytical way to determine the sensitivity of global comfort against the different sensations is acquired.

“Bonum”: the degree of a universal scale for the comfort metric

The recent concept of biological tolerance proposed in the technical literature for the man–environment interactions makes possible a dimensional transformation of the involved quantities to obtain quantities all homogeneous among them. In the present work, a metric for these transformed quantities is proposed. Hence it is possible to achieve the advantage of having only one metric in studying each kind of interaction. The new scale appears to be a useful instrument in studying together different sensorial interactions and in comparing different algorithms that refer to the same objective quantities.

Man, runoff and the erosion of the coastal slopes of Ashkelon, Israel

In Ashkelon two different man-environment interactions have stimulated coastal slope erosion by enhancing runoff volumes. The first type of interaction is recreation and the second is the result of Bedouin pastoral nomadism. The impact of recreation creates impervious surfaces such as walkways, parking lots, and stairways, in addition to storm sewer outlets that concentrate and enlarge runoff volumes. The impact of pastoral nomadism is limited to the crumbling of the slope surfaces by animal grazing. This creates favorable environments for rapid runoff and erosion. The results of these interactions are a coastal slope surface inundated by dense gulley networks. Large alluvial fans are also built-up at the slope base. The fans limit wave attack and re-enforce the importance of runoff as an agent of coastal slope erosion.

PURPOSEFUL WEATHER MODIFICATION ACTIVITIES IN CANADA: RESPONSES TO AN ENVIRONMENTAL TECHNIQUE

The last decade has witnessed a growing awareness and concern for man-environment interactions, particularly western man's adopted role as master over natural processes. Belief in the need to protect the sanctity of the life-support system has promoted a considerable body of legislation to that end. Not only has there been innovation in terms of the contentof legislation, e.g., emission controls, but also innovation in the intent of legislation, as the traditional mode - of regulation after the fact — evolves into a new role which attempts to anticipate and control before the potentially undesirable event. In the reformulation of our attitudes to the environment, geographical knowledge has both much to offer and much to gain.

An approach to quantifying the exploitability of human ecosystems

Patterns of ecosystem resiliency and differential exploitability by man exist, but they have not yet been worked out in detail This article presents a systematic approach for quantifying the responses of different ecosystems to various levels of human exploitation. It presents a model of the operations of natural ecosystems and suggests a useful analogue between “exploitation” ecosystems and different stages in ecological succession. This analogue enables us to define a coefficient of exploitability which relates the intensity of ecosystem responses to the intensity of management. The coefficient should prove useful in elucidating a number of types of man-environment interactions. It can be calculated from empirical data. Since it is a function of independent ecosystem variables such as climate, we can also suggest its probable global distribution patterns. Sample values of e are calculated from two different types of data. The range of values is greater than one order of magnitude, and their trends are entirely consistent with their predicted distribution.