Natural Resource Management Research Articles

Ethical Implications of the Manna Narratives in Exodus 16: Implications for Socio-Economic Development in Contemporary African Society

This article focuses on the ethical implications of the Manna Narratives in Exodus 16 and the relevance of these principles for the Socio- economic development in contemporary African society besieged with hunger, starvation, economic crunch and political instability. Some of the principles that can be derived from this narrative are the principle of labour, rest, of sharing, of responsible utilization, contentment and of consciousness of God’s concern for humankind and creation. Modern African leadership and followership with their underlying economic and political philosophy of winner takes all appears to violate these principles and by so doing plunged the society into a bizarre world of hunger, starvation, scarcity, economic crunch and political instability. The socio-economic implication of the Manna Narratives is thus highly relevant as a panacea in all genuine discussions and actions towards proper economic planning, management of abundant natural resources and other efforts towards alleviating the sufferings of the people and ensuring peaceful and stable society.

Looking to the Future of Bali Tourism: Strategy for Sustainable Governance Transformation in Law No. 15 of 2023

Bali's tourism plays a crucial role in Indonesia's economy but has negative environmental and socio-cultural impacts due to rapid growth. Law No. 15 of 2023 marks a significant step toward sustainable tourism governance by regulating natural, cultural, and social resource management. This study uses a qualitative descriptive approach, with literature reviews and interviews with policymakers, industry players, and local communities, to explore the strategy for transforming Bali's tourism governance under this law. Results show that the law strengthens community participation and conservation, yet challenges remain in implementation and the need for better collaboration among stakeholders. The study highlights the importance of consistent regulation and collaboration in achieving sustainable tourism in Bali.

Analyzing the impact of agricultural drought on meteorological drought within Pakistan’s upper Indus, Kabul, and Jhelum River basins

Pakistan has experienced unpredictable drought conditions in recent years which affected the livelihood, therefore, it is imperative to understand the response of agricultural to meteorological drought and the natural influencing mechanisms. In this paper, the Mann-Kendall approach was employed to identify the mutation changes for long-term agricultural and meteorological drought conditions at annual and seasonal time scales Palmer drought severity index (scPDSI) and standard precipitation evapotranspiration index (SPEI) during 1970–2016 in the upper Indus, Kabul and Jhelum River basins. The wavelet coherence is further used to assess the relationship between meteorological and agricultural drought and the large-scale mechanisms. The entire basin exhibited a substantial trend in agricultural drought at annual and seasonal scales, and abrupt changes appeared during 1973, 1983, 1993, 1997, 2003, and 2015. The 2001 drought showed a widespread significant extreme encompassing over 58% of its total area. The response time lag of agricultural drought to meteorological drought exhibits considerable seasonal variation, with quicker responses in winter and autumn and slower responses in summer, largely due to the buffering capacity of soils. The intermittent interannual signals appeared more robust over 8–16 months, whereas a significant coherence cycle of 64–128 months is dominant after mid-90s with IOD, ENSO, SOI, PDO, and NAO in the study area. The findings will help in formulating the future policies related to drought in the country for sustainable natural resources management.

Cryoconcentration of olive mill wastewater for application in leather tanning process: an alternative end to protect the environment and save raw materials consumption.

The aim of this work is the cryoconcentration of olive mill wastewater (OMW) to produce highly concentrated polyphenols solutions that can be applied in the tanning industry. The treatment by cryoconcentration consists of four steps: cooling, freezing, sweating, and melting. The operation purifies the ice in depth by partially melting the impure zones trapped in the pockets of concentrated solutions formed in the ice. Cryoconcentration yields five types of fractions liquid solutions with different concentrations of organic and mineral matter: two highly concentrated solutions compared to the raw OMW, a solution with a similar concentration to the initial one, and two purified solutions with significantly lower concentrations than the initial solution. In three cycles, the technique increased the concentration of total phenols from 22.9 to 103.2g L-1. The cryoconcentrated solutions have been applied to tanning hides in static mode without stirring and in rotary mode. The study revealed the significant impact of the polyphenolic compounds concentration in cryoconcentrated OMW and the duration of tanning on the rise in the shrinkage temperature of the leather product. The shrinkage temperature of leather tanned with cryoconcentrated OMW is between 75°C and 80°C. Tanning with cryoconcentrated OMW produces leathers having good mechanical properties (tear strength, tensile strength, and elongation) and a darker color than that of mimosa- and chestnut-tanned leathers. Finally, cryoconcentrated OMW can be considered a new source of tannins for the ecological tanning of leather, which is aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) adopted by the United Nations for the management of natural resources and the reduction of environmental impact, through the valorization of waste and by-products.

Where is the Eastern Larch Beetle? An Exploration of Different Detection Methods in Northern Wisconsin

Foresters and natural resource managers are increasingly exploring opportunities for the early detection of emerging forest health concerns. One of these emerging concerns is the eastern larch beetle (ELB, Dendroctonus simplex LeConte), a native insect of tamarack (Larix laricina (Du Roi) K., Koch). Historically, the ELB attacked only dead or dying trees, but with climate change, it is now becoming a damaging disturbance agent that affects healthy trees as well. This shift creates a need to evaluate the methods used to detect and quantify the impacted areas. In northern Wisconsin, USA, 50 tamarack stands or aerial detection polygons were surveyed in the field during the 2023 growing season to explore different detection tools for ELBs. We visited 20 polygons identified by aerial sketch map surveys as having ELB mortality, 20 tamarack stands identified by the Astrape satellite imagery algorithm as disturbed, and 10 randomly selected stands from the Wisconsin forest inventory database (WisFIRs) for landscape-level context. For each of the detection methods and the Random stands, information on species composition, mortality, signs of ELB, invasive species, and water presence was quantified. ELBs were common across the landscape, but were not always associated with high levels of mortality. While overstory tree mortality was frequently observed in both aerial sketch map surveys and Astrape, it was not always linked to tamarack mortality. Current methods of detection may need to be re-evaluated in this environment. Tamarack stands in northern Wisconsin were highly heterogeneous in species, which is likely contributing to the difficulties in identifying both tamarack mortality and tamarack mortality specifically caused by ELBs across the two detection methods. Given the evolving impacts of climate change and the shifting dynamics between forests and insects, it is essential to evaluate and innovate detection methods to manage these ecosystems effectively.

Evaluation of Management Effectiveness of an Outstanding Marine Protected Area in Southwest Coast of Türkiye: On the Road to 30 by 30

The global increase in Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) is driven by international goals, like the Aichi Targets (2010) and the Kunming Global Biodiversity Framework (2023), which aim for 30% of land and sea to be protected by 2030. Despite these ambitious targets, experts agree that numerical goals alone are insufficient to address biodiversity loss and ensure ecosystem functionality. This has sparked significant research on the effective management of MPAs, highlighting the importance of biological, socio-economic, and managerial resilience. Various tools have been developed to support these aspects. However, even in areas with management plans, enforcement, and monitoring, stakeholder involvement in assessment processes is vital to equitable and sustainable management. Using Gökova MPA as a case study, this research evaluated its management over a three-year period by applying an assessment tool previously used by co-managing actors. Findings indicate that assessment results can vary depending on who conducts them, and structural challenges, such as coordination issues among governing bodies and overlapping authorities, further complicate management. These insights have been used to formulate recommendations for policymakers and conservation practitioners, emphasizing that reaching the “30 by 30” target requires not only increased area coverage but also improved management practices that incorporate stakeholder perspectives to achieve sustainable management of natural resources.

Situating the “human” in forest landscape restoration

Globally, forest landscape restoration (FLR) is gaining ground, alongside other forms of restoration under the UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration. In most cases, projects and initiatives fail to consider human dimensions that influence the processes and outcomes of the restoration effort. These dimensions refer to how and why humans value natural resources; how humans want resources to be managed; and how humans affect or are affected by natural resource management decisions. Using the model of the forest transition curve that shows the trajectory from loss of forests to restored forests, we discuss how FLR intersects in different ways with this transition curve. We conclude that: 1) definitions and their implications are a fundamental challenge for FLR; 2) there is an intrinsic interdependence between people and forests that varies across spatial and temporal scales and that is mediated by institutions; 3) power differentials among stakeholders create imbalances in restoration; 4) conflicts around restoration result from differing interests, power and values. Equitable and durable restoration requires a much greater inclusion of human dimensions along all steps of the process.

Geoinformation modelling of the watershed area of small and medium-sized rivers for environmental audit

Abstract Developing and improving environmental audit methodologies is integral to natural resource management. This paper presents an innovative approach to studying and analysing anthropogenic impacts on the territories whose boundaries are limited by the watershed area of a small or medium-sized river. Using geoinformation technologies and high-resolution digital elevation models allowed us to create an accurate geospatial model of anthropogenic transformations of the Oril River watershed area within the Dnipropetrovsk region (Ukraine). The proposed approach to identifying potentially hazardous objects is based on surface slopes and their distance from the riverbed within the watershed area. Based on the modelling results, a refined watershed area of the Oril River with a total area of 11.1 thousand square kilometres was developed. Digitalisation and categorisation of anthropogenically transformed lands allocated for residential development, industrial enterprises, farms, agricultural land, roads, and railwayswithin the Oril River watershed in the Dnipropetrovsk region (3963 km2) were conducted. It was found in the investigation that 79% of the study area comprises anthropogenically transformed land primarily used for agricultural and industrial activities. The modelling results underscore that agricultural activity serves as the principal source of anthropogenic pressure on the ecosystems of the studied area. The proposed improvements to the environmental audit methodology can be used in developing regulations to limit the negative impact of economic activity on the environment. This will ensure the region’s sustainable development and fulfil Ukraine’s obligations to preserve natural resources including international standards. The conclusions of the article point to the need to further improve the tools for assessing anthropogenic impact and planning environmental protection measures.

Assessing the impact of financial development, eco-innovations on sustainable development: insights from industrial economies of E7

ABSTRACT Despite the global emphasis on sustainable development, existing research often overlooks how financial development, geopolitical stability, eco-innovations, and natural resource management interact to shape sustainable outcomes in emerging economies, especially the E7. This study addresses this gap by examining these factors’ complex impacts on sustainable development in the E7, where economic growth frequently conflicts with environmental and social goals. By integrating financial and geopolitical dimensions with ecological innovation and resource use, this study offers novel insights into sustainable development in rapidly industrializing economies. This study investigates the impact of financial development (FD), geopolitical risk (GPR), eco-innovations (EI), natural resources (NRR), and economic growth (GDP) on sustainable development (SD) in E7 countries. Using CIPS unit root tests, the cross-sectional autoregressive distributed lag (CS-ARDL) model, and momentum quantile regression (MMQR), results confirm FD and EI positively impact SD in both the short and long term, aligning with SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth) and SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure). GPR, however, hinders SD, underscoring SDG 16 (Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions). NRR management reveals a mixed impact on SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production). This study highlights the importance of eco-innovation and geopolitical stability in advancing economic, ecological, and social goals for sustainable development.

Natural Resources Management as Drivers of Economic Growth: Fresh Insights from a Time Series Analysis of Saudi Arabia

Natural resources management has played an important role in uplifting the growth performance of countries over the years. However, for the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA), very little is known regarding the influence of natural resources on economic growth. Therefore, this study focused on investigating the relationship between natural resources and economic growth by focusing on the KSA. This study was based on data for the period 1973–2022 analyzed through “Autoregressive Distributed Lag (ARDL)” modeling. To identify the directions of the relationships between the selected variables, the present study carried out causality testing. The findings indicate that natural resources improved the growth of KSA, which was an indication of the “resource blessing” hypothesis. Other variables, such as education, employment, and investment, also contributed positively to the growth of the KSA economy. Surprisingly, openness to trade decelerated the growth performance. In the short run, again, we found a positive impact of natural resources, education, investment, and employment on growth. Finally, openness to trade maintained its negative impact on growth in the short run. The causality analysis displayed both one-way and two-way relationships between the selected variables. This study suggests that KSA authorities must focus on gearing up the process of economic diversification. Moreover, increased investment, both in physical and human capital, is needed to improve and sustain long-term growth.

Green Finance Dynamics in G7 Economies: Investigating the Contributions of Natural Resources, Trade, Education, and Economic Growth

Despite the growing emphasis on sustainable development, the role of green finance in the context of G7 economies remains largely unexplored. The increasing emphasis on green financial transformation motivates this study to analyze the influence of natural resources (NARSs), population (POPS), education (EDCT), trade (TRD), and economic growth (ECNG) on green finance (GRF) in G7. Using panel data from 1996 to 2021, this study employs the Pooled Mean Group Autoregressive Distributed Lag (PMG-ARDL) methodology to investigate both the long-run and short-run relationships among these variables. To address the issue of possible heterogeneity, this study uses Cross-Sectional Autoregressive Distributed Lag (CS-ARDL). Before applying the PMG-ARDL methodology, this study conducted a series of pretests to ensure data reliability and address potential endogeneity issues. These included tests for cross-sectional dependence, slope homogeneity, variance inflation factor (VIF) analysis, Cross-sectionally Augmented Im-Pesaran-Shin (CIPS) unit root testing, and the Westerlund cointegration test. The PMG-ARDL outcomes show a positive relationship between NARS, ECNG, POPS, TRD, EDCT, and GRF. Specifically, a 1% increase in NARS, ECNG, POPS, TRD, and EDCT leads to a corresponding increase in GRF by 0.050%, 1.98%, 1.81%, 0.62%, and 0.20%, respectively. This study provides valuable policy recommendations for G7 countries, emphasizing the need for targeted strategies to enhance green finance through the sustainable management of natural resources, economic growth, education, and trade.

Revitalizing Malang's Environmental Future: Harnessing the Green Economy through Collaborative Governance

The decline in the Environmental Quality Index (IKLH) in Malang City highlights worsening environmental conditions, particularly in water quality, which saw a drastic reduction from 69.26 in 2020 to 29.26 in 2022. This significant drop reflects the ineffective management of natural resources, including water, land cover, and air quality. With Malang’s IKLH standing at 56.31 in 2022, the need for urgent improvement is clear. Addressing this requires concrete actions, starting with an analysis of environmental governance that engages key stakeholders such as the environmental agency, health agency, public works and spatial planning agency, and local environmental communities. A collaborative governance approach, grounded in the Green Economy Index (GEI), is proposed, integrating social, economic, and environmental dimensions. This study utilizes soft systems methodology and Penta helix analysis, incorporating perspectives from the government, community, academia, the private sector, and media. The aim is to develop an integrated governance model to enhance Malang’s environmental quality. The analysis underscores a lack of coordination between government agencies, environmental groups, and the public, which hampers effective environmental management. By implementing the GEI framework, the proposed model seeks to address these gaps and optimize Malang City’s environmental quality.

“We Have Some Growing Pains”: Developing A New Regional Recreation Conflict Model Through Examination of the Growth of Mountain Biking

Mountain biking (MTB) is growing in popularity nationwide. This trend is mirrored in the Northern Forest and intensified during COVID-19. The growth of MTB represents an opportunity for rural communities to transition to a new economy centered on forest-based recreation to attract new individuals, called lifestyle seekers, who are interested in moving into communities with recreation opportunities. Questions about the impacts MTB has on forests and forest-dependent communities place pressure on natural resource managers and decision makers. We explored questions of impacts and conflict in rural communities through semi-structured interviews and focus groups. We analyzed these interviews using the Expanded Conflict Framework as a theoretical frame. Our results highlighted that the influx of recreationists into forested communities had positive impacts on local economies but more negative impacts on other social factors, such as community cohesion. We propose a new model, The Regional Recreation Conflict Model, for thinking about these tensions.

Impact of Covid–19 and Foreign Direct Investment on Indonesia’s Economic Growth

This study seeks to investigate the effects of COVID-19, foreign direct investment, inflation and rents from natural resources on Indonesia’s economic growth from 1990 to 2021. The analysis method used in this research is ordinary least square (OLS). A time-series data from an Indonesian study between 1990 and 2021. The results of this study indicate that COVID-19 and inflation have a significant adverse effect on Indonesia’s economic growth. Foreign direct investment and natural resource rents have a considerable beneficial impact. The results of this study are expected to be one of the key references in developing policy; strengthening basic needs facilities, controlling inflation, making policies that stimulate FDI, and continuing natural resource management.

Natural Resource Management in Depopulated Regions of Serbia—Birth of Rural Brownfields or Final Abandonment

Numerous research studies have long established the causes and consequences of the depopulation of certain regions in Europe, but it seems that there are no systematic approaches to implementing the policy of managing abandoned areas. Following years of demographic decline in settlements, the 2022 census revealed depopulated clusters in Serbia—regions with 20 or fewer residents or even no inhabitants at all. The areas of depopulated settlements are growing territorially from the south towards the north. This paper adopts a broader interpretation of brownfield land, defining it as any previously used land that is no longer employed for commercial purposes, serving as the theoretical foundation. Although they seem economically hopeless, some depopulated clusters have become the subject of research for the exploitation of mineral resources such as gold, copper, zinc, uranium, lithium and coal. The main problem is that depopulated clusters have acquired an ecological stability that would be disrupted by the opening of mines and massive construction. The changes in land use were analyzed using time series data and a formal database of natural resources from these communities. The primary methodological framework was based on the correlation between population size, utilized areas, and the ecological stability coefficient. This study aimed to explore the relationship between the proportion of arable land within a spatial unit and its depopulation rate while also examining how arable land and mineral resources could influence the potential revitalization of rural wastelands in Serbia’s depopulated areas. The primary findings indicate a significant correlation between population decline and changes in the natural environment of abandoned clusters, as well as the significant potential of clusters as rural brownfields. While it is natural to continue with ecological and green space projects, the current liberal and centralized mining management policy can create major problems for the remaining population.

Analysis of The Concept of Green Legislation on Draft Regulation on Groundwater Conservation and Biopore Infiltration Holes in Cirebon City in 2024

Background. Aim. This study aims to analyze the application of the concept of Green Legislation to the Draft Regional Regulation (Raperda) on Groundwater Conservation and Biopore Infiltration Holes in Cirebon City in 2024 Methods. This research uses a normative juridical method, which focuses on studying legal doctrines, legal principles, and regulations relevant to the research topic. Result. Based on an analysis of the 2024 Cirebon City Groundwater Conservation and Biopore Infiltration Hole Draft Regulation, it was found that a number of Green Legislation principles have been implemented, reflecting sustainability, wise management of natural resources, and environmental protection. The analysis results show that this draft regulation has included several principles of Green Legislation, such as regulations regarding water conservation and bio-pore management. However, there are gaps in implementation that need to be corrected. Conclusion. Therefore, the Cirebon City Government needs to improve the quality of the preparation of the Regional Regulation on Groundwater Conservation and Biopore Infiltration Holes by strengthening the integration of Green Legislation principles, especially aspects of sustainability, community participation, and wise management of natural resources. This effort can start by clarifying technical standards for constructing infiltration pits, improving the supervision and law enforcement system, and involving the community in socialization and policy implementation. Implication. Harmonization is needed between this Raperda and national policies such as the Job Creation Law to minimize the potential for regulatory conflicts and achieve the goal of preserving groundwater resources effectively and consistent with the principles of sustainable development.

Shrinking wetland: spatio-temporal dynamics of the Panidihing Bird Sanctuary, India

ABSTRACT Wetlands are complex ecosystems that experience periodic flooding and drying based on the availability of water and precipitation. The relationship between climate variability and high flood levels (HFLs) is a crucial subject in such wetlands. Climatic attributes during the monsoon season were analysed along with the spatio-temporal dynamics of the Panidihing Bird Sanctuary (PBS) of Sibsagar district, Assam, India. The normalised difference vegetation index (NDVI) and the normalised difference water index (NDWI) were taken into account using Landsat imageries accessed from Google Earth Engine (GEE). The results show that the annual average precipitation, temperature and relative humidity (RH) for two decades were 1416.4 mm, 27.3°C and 80.1%, respectively. The Desang River shows a significant positive correlation between SWM rainfall and the HFL. Net changes in the area of NDWI between monsoon and post-monsoon were – 9.2% in the ‘No change' category and – 2.7% in the ‘Very high’ change category. The PBS and its vicinity witnessed changes in vegetation as indicated by NDVI with decreases of 9 and 4 km2 for 2001 and 2021, respectively. Climate change, HFLs and the water body dynamics in the sanctuary could potentially be helpful for natural resource management and planning efforts in the sanctuary and similar ecological settings elsewhere.

Assessing the Socio-Economic and Biophysical Recourses for the Identification and Prioritization Constraints of Selected Watershed in Eastern Hararghe, Oromia, Ethiopia

Watershed development is an important component of rural development and natural resource management strategies in many countries. To implemented community based participatory integrated watershed management program by CALM P4R at selected watershed, the baseline survey study is important to solve biophysical and socioeconomic related problems. The study was conducted to assess the socioeconomic status, potential and constraints of selected watershed identified, to assess biophysical data of model watershed documented and to prioritize issues for interventions in model watershed indicated in the East Hararghe zone for further improvements to promote Sustainable and productive livelihood through the integration of different watershed components in participatory approach. Household interview and biophysical resources assessment followed by watershed mapping techniques were used for the data collection. Purposive sampling methods were used to select 121 households in three watersheds. Descriptive statistics by frequency distributions, means and percentage and diversity indices were used for data analysis. The results indicated that problems were identified and prioritized by the community of the watershed. Overall results indicated that land degradation and soil erosion were a serious concern and watershed management programs could be strengthened. Different prioritized problems in relation to soil fertility management, soil, water conservation and water shade management and Agro-forestry, forage development and forestry practices concerns across the watershed. Soil erosion control measures, soil fertility enhancement practices, SWC practices, niche compatible multipurpose trees introduction, home garden agroforestry and other interventions were proposed. Awareness creation and strengthening capacity of rural communities on integrating natural resource management technologies for effective soil and water conservation measure should be enhanced through participatory integrated watershed management were proposed.

El matorral micrófilo del Semidesierto Queretano: conocimiento actual, amenazas y propuestas de conservación

Querétaro—one of the five smallest states in Mexico—has a great biodiversity expressed in multiple ecosystems and vegetation types. In this diversity of environments, the arid zones cover about 40% of the surface, and they are home to different types of xerophytic scrubs, among which the microphyllous scrub stands out for its high diversity of flora and fauna and high presence of endemic species, some of them under threat category in national and international lists. This paper analyzes the Querétaro microphyllous scrubland (MMQ, for its initials in Spanish) with a broad perspective, including its physical, biological, and social characteristics, to propose actions that favor its conservation. First, it describes the landscape in which it is located, the characteristics of its plant community, and the most relevant features of its biodiversity. Next, the article explains the relationship that nearby populations have established with the MMQ through the use of its resources and recounts how several of these practices have become threats to the permanence of the vegetation. Finally, it presents some proposals for the conservation of the MMQ, highlighting its declaration of natural reserve that, based on scientific research about its biological diversity, ecological processes, and the human-nature relationship, at least, as well as on environmental education and the incorporation of traditional practices, promotes the sustainable management of natural resources, the promotion of productive projects, and the valuation of the environment by local inhabitants and visitors. The combination of these actions will favor the permanence of this unique community in the Mexican arid zones.

Spatially Explicit Model to Disentangle Effects of Environment on Annual Fish Reproduction

ABSTRACTPopulation growth models are essential tools for natural resources management and conservation since they provide understanding on factors affecting renewal of natural animal populations. However, we still do not properly understand how the processes underlying reproduction of natural animal populations are affected by the environment at the spatial scale at which reproduction actually happens. A particular challenge for analyzing these processes is that observations from different life cycle stages are often collected at different spatial scales, and there is a lack of statistical methods to link local and spatially aggregated information. We address this challenge by developing spatially explicit population growth models for annually reproducing fish. Our approach integrates mechanistic Ricker and Beverton–Holt population growth models with a zero‐inflated species distribution model and utilizes the hierarchical Bayesian approach to estimate the model parameters from data with varying spatial support: local scale count data on offspring and environment, and areal data from commercial fisheries informing about a spawning stock size. We show, both theoretically and empirically, that our models are identifiable and have good inferential performance. As a proof of concept application, we used the proposed models to analyze the drivers of whitefish Coregonus laveratus (L.) s.l.) reproduction along the Finnish coast of the Gulf of Bothnia in the Baltic Sea. The results show that the proposed model provides novel understanding beyond what would be attainable with earlier methods. The distributions of the reproduction areas, spawner density, and maximum proliferation rate were strongly dependent on local environmental conditions, but the effects and the relative importance of the covariates varied between these processes. The proposed models can be extended to other systems and organisms and enable ecologists to extract a better understanding of processes driving animal reproduction.