Mountain Village Research Articles

Assessment of the anthropogenic transformation of post-forest vegetation in the village of Guzeripl and its environs (the Republic of Adygea, the Western Caucasus) based on the composition and structure of complexes of dominant species

Definition of the ceno-flora or regional flora in the cenosis, the proportion of species resistant or non-resistant to impacts has become widespread among the methods of indicating disturbances in vegetation cover.However, such studies, if they are conducted on a large spatial scale, require significant time and do not imply spatial detailing of the results. It is suggested that for several reasons it would be useful to use dominant species to solve this problem. The goal of the research is to demonstrate the possibilities of one of the variants of this approach using the example of vegetation of a small settlement (the mountain village of Guzeripl). It consists in studying the composition (level of synanthropization) and structure of species complexes that dominate communities in relatively large visually homogeneous areas of the terrain (0.15–0.2 ha). The results have shown that, on average, the highest level of synanthropization (transformation) is characteristic of dominant complexes of young fallow lands, a lower level of wastelands and roadsides, and a significantly lower level of old fallow lands and hayfields. In general, communities with a moderate degree of disturbance predominate in the study area. The results also indicate that the impact of anthropogenic factors on areas of vegetation leads to changes not only in the composition of dominant complexes, but also in their structure, the parameters of which can be considered as an additional tool for indicating anthropogenic disturbances.

­Soviet ‘Easterns/Osterns’ of the 1920s: Adventure Films on the Caucasian Frontier of Russia

The article elucidates the issue of representation in Soviet cinema of historical events that transpired during the formation of the Caucasian frontier and the interactions that emerged between the indigenous population and the tsarist troops. The term “Eastern” is analogous to the term “Western” which refers to films about the exploration of the Wild West. This is a useful way of conceptualizing Soviet silent films created on Caucasian material from the 19th–early 20th centuries. This article aims to examine feature films from the 1920s that depict Russia’s advance into the Caucasus. It seeks to identify similarities and differences between these films and the first Soviet “Easterns/Osterns” and “Westerns,” as well as to analyze the influence of ideological attitudes in historical science on the interpretation and depiction of events that took place on the Caucasian frontier. The visual sources utilized in this study include the silent films ‘Abrek Zaur’ (1926), ‘The Law of the Mountains’ (1927), and ‘Zelimkhan’ (1929). Additionally, published materials from the 1920s, including periodicals such as newspapers and magazines, were consulted. The study yielded insights into the stylistic similarities between classic Westerns and the first Soviet Easterns, including the portrayal of protagonists, the use of action and stunts, and the incorporation of jumps. The content of the films is correlated with real historical events, but they reflect the Bolshevik paradigm of history in the study of ethnosocial conflicts in the Caucasus. In films about highlanders, masculine culture is a dominant feature due to gender attitudes and the national cultural identity of the peoples of the Caucasus. Films about mountaineers were instrumental in shaping perceptions of the Caucasus during the early decades of the twentieth century. They illustrate the attributes of traditional culture, daily life, customs of mountain village inhabitants, the characteristics of the landscape, and architectural features. In general, films of an adventurous nature created on Caucasian material are of interest to those with an affinity for classic cinema, particularly the earliest Soviet Eastern films, as well as to researchers seeking to gain insight into significant historical and cultural information. This article is intended for those engaged in the study of the history of Soviet cinema.

정선의 옛길 ‘안돌이지돌이다래미한숨바우’의 보존·전승을 위한 리스토리텔링 전략

‘Andoljidolidaeraemihansumbau’ straddled a remote canyon area in Odaecheon Stream of Jeongseon, Gangwon state, is the longest old road name in Korea with outstanding historicity, regionality, and mystique, but it is on the verge of being abandoned and forgotten. In this study, I collected the origin stories of place names through field trips and in-depth interviews with stakeholders, and analyzed the narratives by applying David Herman’s Archetypal Narrative Structure Theory and then created re-story conservation plans by using Karen Bain’s Storytelling Model. As a result, the meaning of the place name was analyzed as ‘a risky rocky cliff road where even squirrels sigh in bewilderment because they had to barely go around holding the rock or turning their back.’ Combining the orthodox and heterodox oral traditions, it contained an active view of life and high-heartedness against the threats of nature, and the spirit of community collaboration in the life of isolated mountain villages. In order to preserve it as a cultural resource, the strategy of reinforcing the completeness of the existing story and integrating the landscape and traditional elements of the surrounding nine village to create a ‘Andori Old Road Byeolcheonji Forest Village’ was found to be suggestive and effective.

Effects of landform and building layout on outdoor thermal environment: a case study of mountain villages in severely cold regions

ABSTRACT In the global context of climate change and frequent occurrence of extreme temperature variations, the impact of harsh climates on the outdoor thermal environment in remote, cold, mountainous villages is particularly pronounced, leading to many negative effects. The geoorphology of the village sites and their building layouts are important factors affecting the outdoor thermal environment. Therefore, exploring the spatiotemporal characteristics of these factors is significant for optimizing village construction and improving living environments. In this study, taking Fangjialiang Village in a cold mountainous area as an example, we analysed the outdoor thermal environment from a spatiotemporal perspective through comprehensive field investigations and measurements. The findings obtained are summarized as follows: (1) Landform elements were limited by boundary and azimuth constraints (difference in time temperature decay rate between the valley interior and valley edge area: ΔK = 0.48°C/m). (2) The temperature inversion phenomenon in the valley was significant (the average rate of temperature increase with elevation was 0.037°C/m). (3) The vertical distribution of the temperature was more susceptible to the influence of the difference in elevation inside the village (ρ≈–0.48). The average rate of temperature decrease with elevation is 0.489°C/m. (4) A compact building layout could sustainably weaken the effects of topographic elements (e.g. the average temperature sequenced as: closed internal courtyard (Avg = 14.60°C)> semi-open horizontal village street (Avg = 13.58°C)> fully open space (Avg = 13.11°C)). Therefore, the results of the study further revealed the coordinated relationship between the natural environment and rural settlements, proved the integrated effects of village siting and building layout, and provided useful insights for the construction and living environment optimization of mountain villages.

The Influence Of Transparency, Accountability, Community Participation On Village Fund Management In Realizing Good Governance In Mountain Villages In Tigabinanga District" Karo District

The Influence Of Transparency, Accountability, Community Participation On Village Fund Management In Realizing Good Governance In Mountain Villages In Tigabinanga District" Karo District

Three-Dimensional Analysis of the Maxillary Sinuses in Ancient Crania Dated to the V-VI Centuries BCE from Opi (Italy): Volumetric Measurements in Ancient Skulls from the Necropolis of Opi, Abruzzi, Italy.

Cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) can provide precise information about complex anatomical structures as it is characterised by rapid volumetric image acquisition with high resolution. The aim of this study was to provide measurements for 20 ancient skulls of the Samnite people found in the necropolis of Opi, a small and isolated mountain village in Abruzzo, a region in central Italy. All the images (left and right) of the 20 ancient skulls from Opi were acquired. All the data are the property of the Department of Innovative Technologies in Medicine and Dentistry of G. D'Annunzio University, Chieti, and different parameters (area and volume) were measured and evaluated. The mean and standard deviation of the facial measurements were also calculated. All the data were subjected to statistical analysis. CBCT scan data of 20 fossil skulls did not show significant values regarding the MS area and the volume between the right and left sides. In the ancient skulls, no difference was found between the right and left sides.

A Comparative Study of Highland Riparian Landscape Structure in Ubud, Indonesia and Banaue, Philippines

Abstract In Southeast Asia, Indonesia and the Philippines boast unique riparian areas crucial for ecological balance. These zones, nestled in mountainous terrains, act as vital links between land and water ecosystems, rich in biodiversity and cultural significance. However, they face threats from human development, causing fragmentation and altering their functions. To comprehend these changes, a study compared the landscape structure of two mountain villages in Ubud, Indonesia, and Banaue, Philippines. Using the landscape profile method, the study examined the relationship between landscape elements, highlighting Batad and Tegalalang’s distinct characteristics and challenges. While both areas featured forests, agriculture, and built-up areas, Batad exhibited less fragmentation. Terraced rice fields played critical roles in supporting water flow and biodiversity but faced risks from agrochemical use. Tegalalang faced environmental challenges like inadequate waste management and water scarcity, emphasizing the need for sustainable practices. The study’s adaptation of the landscape profile method provided valuable insights into landscape fragmentation, aiding in understanding and addressing ecological complexities in riparian zones. This research highlights the importance of preserving and managing riparian areas in mountainous regions to sustain their ecological functions amidst growing human impacts.

Quantitative analysis of spatial gene in traditional villages: a case study of Korean traditional villages in Northeast China

ABSTRACT Traditional villages possess distinct regional cultural traits and serve as a concrete manifestation and inheritance of traditional culture. In today’s era, where the preservation of traditional villages is emphasized, the study of Korean traditional villages in Northeast China, with their ethnic culture and unique spatial patterns, becomes significantly important. In this paper, we adopt the spatial gene perspective and establish a framework for analyzing spatial genes in traditional villages. Based on frequency analysis of qualitative data obtained from NVivo 14, 16 spatial gene entries were identified. Village spatial gene entries were quantified using ArcGIS, FRAGSTATS and other software. Additionally, 47 spatial gene fragments were extracted using the natural breaks method. Spatial gene sequences were mined using Spearman correlation analysis, and spatial gene maps were created. The study results indicate that: (1) the primary genes of traditional Korean villages include close to mountain, close to water, globular boundary, low integration road, etc. (2) There are significant correlations between spatial genes such as distance from mountains, mountain coverage and road integration, water coverage and boundary shape index. (3) Plain, mountain, and hill-type villages differ in characteristics such as road linear density, water coverage, and courtyard type.

Application of Geographic Information System (GIS) Technology to Formulate Unused Spring Water Optimization Strategy

Background: This article presents the findings of a comprehensive community empowerment program that focused on the application of Geographic Information System (GIS) technology for the optimization strategy formulation of unused spring water. Contribution: The contribution of this program address the challenge for better utilization of unused spring water and promote sustainable water management practices. Method: The study employed GIS technology to identify and map unused springs, followed by hydrological analysis and water quality assessment to inform the development of optimization strategies. Results: This program suggested infrastructure development, water conservation measures, and distribution network design to enhance water availability. Conclusion: The findings show that GIS approach is suitable for further applications in other Indonesian mountainous villages with similarly shared community traits. However, further some locality aspects, including, but not limited to community leadership and economic power, need to be assessed further, as they play significant influences on the success of the program

Study on the mechanism of livelihood behavior decision of rural residents in ethnic tourism villages in Western Sichuan

In recent years, tourism has flourished in ethnic areas of China as an important tool for rural revitalization and has become an important stimulus to promote the transformation of rural residents’ livelihood. However, rural residents in tourist villages in ethnic areas still face various livelihood risks, and academic literature has paid little attention to the mechanism’s substrate these household livelihood decision-making behaviors, and the differences in adaptive capacity and decision-making behaviors between mountainous minority villages and non-tourist villages are not sufficiently clear. Based on survey data of 284 rural residents in tourist and non-tourist villages in ethnic areas of western Sichuan, this study analyzed the adaptive capacity and differences of rural households using the comprehensive index method and Kruskal-Wallis test, and constructed a disordered multi-classification logistic regression model to explore the mechanism of rural residents’ livelihood behavior decisions. The results indicate that: (1) The adaptive capacity of rural residents in tourist villages in western Sichuan ethnic areas is slightly higher than that of non-tourist villages. (2) Tibetan households have the strongest adaptive capacity, and there is a significant difference between the adaptive capacity of Tibetan households and the rest of the minority households except Han Chinese. (3) The households with tourism-oriented livelihood strategy have the highest adaptive capacity, followed by households with tourism expansion livelihood strategy, while households with other types of livelihood strategies had the lowest livelihood adaptive capacity.(4) Compared to other types of livelihood strategies, when the policies are favorable and the ethnic culture is more primitive, rural residents are more inclined to choose tourism-oriented livelihood strategies, followed by tourism expansion livelihood strategies. When rural residents have higher adaptive capacity and more advantages in the market economy, they prefer tourism expansion strategies, followed by tourism-oriented strategies.

Characteristics and Influencing Factors of Spatiotemporal Distribution of Rural Houses Construction Development in Mountainous Villages of China (1980–2019): A Case Study of Qingyuan Town

Rural house is a fundamental component of rural settlements, and understanding its construction and development characteristics is crucial for rural land use and development planning. This paper focuses on the spatiotemporal characteristics and influencing factors of Rural Houses Construction Development (RHCD) from 1980 to 2019 with a case study of Qingyuan Town in China. Based on the literature review and filed research, a set of evaluation indicators for RHCD was established. The article calculates RHCD indicators from temporal and spatial dimensions, uses the location entropy method to demonstrate the spatial distribution of indicators, and classifies the RHCD type of 14 villages in Qingyuan Town using clustering algorithms. It also analyzes the influencing factors of spatiotemporal distribution. The results show that the RHCD in Qingyuan Town exhibits typical characteristics of mountainous areas and aligns with the development trends of rural society in China. Population growth, geographical location, and economic development are the primary driving factors for the quantity indicator (Qi), while economic growth, construction technology, industrial development, and policy adjustments are the key factors influencing the form indicator (Fi). In future policy-making, greater emphasis should be placed on optimizing development strategies, improving data and monitoring systems, and integrating administrative strength with actual development needs.

Exploring Reasons and Perspectives Behind Decisions to Forego Hospital Births Among Remote Rural Populations in Bokeo Province, Lao PDR

Maternal mortality remains high among marginalized rural populations in Laos. Remote mountain villages in Bokeo Province typify persistent health access divides facing minor subgroups amidst infrastructure gaps and scattered habitation. This study explores complex drivers behind shunning hospital births using focused rural ethnography. Between October and November 2023, this qualitative study interviewed 40 participants including pregnant women, postpartum women, and their relatives across 5 villages in Bokeo Province regarding barriers to hospital births. Open-ended discussions aimed to elucidate motivations and barriers embedded in their decision to avoid formal delivery care, despite mortality awareness. Transcriptions from Lao were translated to Thai, maintaining cultural nuances. Thematic analysis identified patterns in women’s attitudes and barriers to hospital childbirth. A collaborative coding process revealed constraints on access, affordability, and autonomy, explaining why vulnerable groups often forego hospital births despite risks. The result founded that prohibitive transportation deficiencies including impassable roads, exorbitant driver fees and unreliable conveyance options were primary obstacles. Prohibitive direct and indirect costs compounded struggles for impoverished families. Restrictive traditions persisted among certain ethnicities. Discrimination fears and hospital foreignness also provoked wariness among a minority. Multidimensional geographical, financial and sociocultural barriers intersect to obstruct rural groups from accessible emergency obstetric care in Laos. Infrastructural strengthening, financial protection and public education can relieve these pronounced constraints denying the marginalized realization of maternal health rights.

Does Social Forestry Contribute to Farmers’ Income?: A Case Study of Two Mountainous Villages on Java Island, Indonesia

Social Forestry has been implemented in Indonesia to address environmental conservation and poverty alleviation. However, the effectiveness of this initiative in increasing household income is often subject to scrutiny. This study examines the impact of Social Forestry on household income by comparing Social Forestry members and non-members in two mountainous villages on Java Island. Specifically, the analysis focuses on household surveys conducted in Tombo village in Central Java and Cibulao sub-village in West Java. A negative correlation between membership and household income is observed in Tombo, whereas a positive correlation between membership and farm income is observed in Cibulao. Considering these findings, we posit that pre-implementation land tenure and accessibility may affect the economic outcomes of the program.

Corrected speciation and gyromitrin content of false morels linked to ALS patients with mostly slow-acetylator phenotypes

A case-control study of sporadic amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) in a mountainous village in the French Alps discovered an association of cases with a history of eating wild fungi (false morels) collected locally and initially identified and erroneously reported as Gyromitra gigas. Specialist re-examination of dried specimens of the ALS-associated fungi demonstrated they were members of the G. esculenta group, namely G. venenata and G. esculenta, species that have been reported to contain substantially higher concentrations of gyromitrin than present in G. gigas. Gyromitrin is metabolized to monomethylhydrazine, which is responsible not only for the acute oral toxic and neurotoxic properties of false morels but also has genotoxic potential with proposed mechanistic relevance to the etiology of neurodegenerative disease. Most ALS patients had a slow- or intermediate-acetylator phenotype predicted by N-acetyltransferase-2 (NAT2) genotyping, which would increase the risk for neurotoxic and genotoxic effects of gyromitrin metabolites.

Beta diversity partitioning reveals homogenization in bird community composition within the forest-agriculture landscape of the northern Taiwan coast

ContextThis study examined how human-induced landscape changes affected bird diversity in mountain villages with mixed forests and cultivated fields.ObjectivesWe focused on the bird species composition (beta diversity) to determine whether species homogenization varied with forest cover differences. This study developed it as a novel metric potentially quantifying homogenization level comparison in species functional groups.MethodsBird surveys were conducted at 27 sites with forest cover scattered from 0 to 100%. Bird species were divided into forest birds and nonforest birds. Beta diversity was partitioned into turnover and nestedness-resultant components, and their contribution ratio to Sørensen beta was used to examine the effect of forest cover and pairwise cover difference.ResultsOur results indicated that forest birds exhibited low turnover and low nestedness, whereas nonforest birds exhibited nestedness distribution characteristics. The nestedness-resultant contribution ratio of nonforest birds was higher, driven by forest cover difference (slope = 0.0080, Pseudo R2 = 0.35**) than that of forest birds (slope = 0.0018, Pseudo R2 = 0.02**). Thus, we quantify the result of forest cover decreased lead to the dominated by nestedness species in nonforest birds.ConclusionsThese findings highlight the distinct effects of environmental changes on these two bird functional groups. Although the Sørensen beta diversity increases with forest cover decrease, most are contributed by nestedness-resultant nonforest birds and lead to homogenization. Thus, it is recommended that conservation plans should separately address forest and nonforest bird species to avoid the risk of underestimating species homogenization due to anthropogenic land-use and habitat degradation.

Differentiation of rural summer health tourism for urban elderly: Tourist segmentation based on tourism experience

An increasing number of mountain villages in China are developing rural summer health tourism for the urban elderly (RSHTUE). However, Chinese RSHTUE destination operators provide almost the same services without considering the heterogeneity of RSHTUE tourists. This study classified RSHTUE tourists into four clusters based on their tourism experiences: self-actualizers, health seekers, loneliness relievers, and urban escapees. Chi-square was performed to identify differences in the socio-demographic characteristics among the four clusters. RSHTUE should be developed for differentiation. Results of this study can guide destination managers in accurately identifying segmented tourists and providing tailored services to meet the needs of different tourist segments.

Sensing, knowing, and making water quality along Marikina River in the Philippines.

Water quality is a major concern around the world, but assessments of quality often privilege producers, regulators and experts over consumers. With water supplies and sources constantly in flux, how do ordinary people experience and "sense" quality? How do they define "good" or "good enough" water, and what practices do they engage in to "make" good water? In this article, we attend to these questions by presenting findings from an open-ended qualitative study carried out along the Marikina River, Manila, the Philippines - a waterway that courses from rural and mountainous villages to highly urbanized communities. First, we describe the sensorial and cognitive attributes that people associate with the different water sources in their environment, as well as their decision-making regarding what kind of water to use for which purposes. Second, we present the "making" of water quality: how, in a context of polluted environments and water scarcity, do people try to secure water they consider acceptable for themselves and their families. Our findings reveal water quality as a contested, relational domain-one that reinforces social and health disparities and calls for further scholarship.

The Structures of Dialect as the Founding Element of Social Identity: The Case of Bursa City

Identity is a concept that consists of many concrete and abstract elements, both individually and socially. Individuals form groups emotionally and consciously within the framework of this concept and build different social identities. Social identity brings individuals together within their groups around similarities and differences, completing it as an integral part of their own self. Social identity constructs individuals and groups in societies by representing them with many character traits and self-creation motivation. Language is one of the most important characteristics in self-motivation and representation in the social identities of individuals and groups. Spoken language and its varieties (dialects) shape the identity of the individual throughout their life from birth and help them to reveal their subjectivity within the framework of a separate social group identity. Spoken language and its varieties (accent/idiom/dialect) shape the identity of the individual throughout their life and help them to reveal their subjectivity within the framework of social group identity. The subject of this study is the status of the dialect element as one of these preserved features constituting and developing the social identity of the individual in the city of Bursa. Data were collected through field research, using the qualitative analysis method. As the structure of dialects is most intensively observed in villages, the sample consisted of people selected only from the villages of Bursa city, mountain villages in particular. The people chosen in terms of representation ability were individuals with different characteristics pertaining to education, age, and occupational groups. The linguistic features and structure of the dialect used in Bursa are not examined in the study. The aim of the study is to reveal, with the qualitative field study conducted with the source persons, that the social identity approach is one of the representations that builds the individual and society.

Second homes: from family project to tourist destination – planning and policy issues

ABSTRACT Second homes in Norway were traditionally dispersed within amenity-rich landscapes and natural environments. However, as the stock and demand for higher standards and contemporary infrastructure increased, awareness of extensive land use became more intrusive and triggered calls for national policy interventions to restrain and steer further development. This paper delves into the trajectory of second-home development in Norway over recent decades, specifically focusing on nine mountain villages. This paper is based on secondary research data spanning from 1970 to the present derived from national statistics, previous studies, documents and relevant literature and presents the following key findings: a) The emergence of new second homes is increasingly evident in well-established tourist destinations, evolving into full-fledged “mountain villages” and occurring in a limited, yet prominently visible number of locations; b) Rather than advocating for nationwide restrictions on second-home development and the construction justified with dense development in limited locations, a more effective approach involves placing greater emphasis on the local context resulting in more tailored developments to facilitate benefits while mitigating adverse impacts.

Traditional Ecological Farming Practices in the Eastern Himalayan Mountain Environment: Case of a Naga Village, Nagaland (India)

The farming systems practised by the tribal communities in the mountain environment of the North-Eastern region of India are eco-friendly and local climate responsive. These play a significant role in ensuring food security and conserving the local agro-ecological diversity. These farming practices are rooted in the local ecological set up, and they reflect the Indigenous people’s response to the environment of the area. The inhabitants of the Khonoma village of Kohima district, Nagaland, the study village, have been traditionally practising unique Alder tree-based jhum (shifting) cultivation, terrace-based panikheti (wet cultivation) and kitchen gardening based on their Indigenous knowledge and skills. They have been practising mixed farming by integrating crops, fish and livestock. The local communities have also evolved some methods for managing the natural settings to sustain their agriculture and livelihoods. This study is an attempt to investigate the methods of traditional farming system of Khonoma, a mountain village in the Eastern Himalayas. This study is based on primary data/ information collected through household survey using semi-structured household survey schedule, participatory rural appraisal (PRA), focus group discussion (FGD), and interviews with key informants and personal field visit in early 2021. The terrace-based panikheti, adopted by the people of Khonoma village, has been proved a location specific eco-friendly method for soil and water conservation. The Alder tree-based jhum practice, as opined by the villagers, is a sustainable livelihood option in the context of the mountain ecological setting and unique cultural values of the people.