Preservation Of Natural Areas Research Articles

Tourism, Economic Growth, and Environmental Pollution in APEC Economies, 1995–2020: An Econometric Analysis of the Kuznets Hypothesis

Tourism plays an important role in fostering economic growth within the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) forum member countries. Nevertheless, the development of this sector has resulted in significant depletion of natural resources and pollution. This research aims to determine the relationship between tourism, economic growth, and environmental pollution in both developing and developed APEC economies from 1995 to 2020. By adopting the Environmental Kuznets Curve (EKC) framework, two dynamic panel data models are estimated employing Dynamic Ordinary Least Squares (DOLS), and causal relationships are established using the Dumitrescu–Hurlin test. The results indicate that tourism and economic growth have had a positive influence on the rise of environmental pollution in both groups of economies during the specified period. This research offers new insights by analyzing twelve developing and nine developed APEC economies over a span of 25 years, estimating two DOLS models, conducting Dumitrescu–Hurlin causality tests, and presenting evidence of EKC for both types of economies. Consequently, the implementation of policies that foster the preservation of natural areas, the utilization of renewable energies, and the promotion of sustainable tourism practices is recommended.

Planning and Preservation of Natural Areas in Urban Contexts: Application of Biophilic Approach in Kufa City

This paper focuses on sustainable biophilic planning and its application in urban natural spaces. It examines key factors, such as natural green and blue spaces, that contribute to preserving natural areas in biophilic cities. Field surveys, observation, GIS, and mathematical models were used to analyze indicators derived from these factors in Kufa City, Iraq. The study identifies several effective indicators for achieving biophilic planning characteristics in Kufa City, including the urban forest index, urban orchard index, green eco-corridor index, and diversity of uses index. The findings highlight that Kufa City possesses important biophilic city characteristics, primarily due to its natural areas, as indicated by factors such as urban forests, urban pastures, and diverse land uses. These results suggest that Kufa City has the potential to transform into a biophilic city by leveraging its abundant natural areas. This has significant implications for enhancing the city's sustainability and livability.

Are threatened species special? An assessment of Dutch bees in relation to land use and climate.

Red Lists are widely used as an indicator of the status and trends of biodiversity and are often used in directing conservation efforts. However, it is unclear whether species with a Least Concern status share a common relationship to environmental correlates compared to species that are on the Red List. To assess this, we focus here on the contribution and correlates of land use, climate, and soil to the occurrence of wild bees in the Netherlands. We used observation data and species distribution models to explain the relation between wild bees and the environment. Non-threatened bees had a relatively higher variable importance of the land use variables to their models, as opposed to the climate variables for the threatened bees. The threatened bees had a smaller extent of occurrence and occupied areas with more extreme climatic conditions. Bees with a Least Concern status showed more positive responses to urban green spaces and Red List species showed a different response to climatic variables, such as temperature and precipitation. Even though Red List bees were found in areas with a higher cover of natural areas, they showed a more selective response to natural land use types. Pastures and crops were the main contributing land use variables and showed almost exclusively a negative correlation with the distribution of all wild bees. This knowledge supports the implementation of appropriate, species-specific conservation measures, including the preservation of natural areas, and the improvement of land use practices in agricultural and urban areas, which may help mitigate the negative impacts of future global change on species' distributions.

Multifunctionality of green corridors during pandemic lockdowns: a case study of Riobamba city in Ecuador

The pandemic has demonstrated several weaknesses and inequalities in the way society live and develops within cities, such as economic losses, massive contagions, and above all, the lack of control and people's lack of awareness about the crisis. This study aims to investigate the transformation of cities with a shortage of green spaces into cities with green and sustainable planning, the association between urban greenery and physical activity during the Covid-19, and urban green corridors as a planning tool for urban green areas.
 The green corridor was born out of a social need in the face of a health crisis and the improvement of the urban environment. This research employs three methods to study: empirical judgment and experience analysis and network analysis. All those who could not cope with the lockdown exposed green and recreational spaces in Riobamba, since only 7% of those surveyed stayed at home, while 70% left their homes for green or recreational spaces within the urban area and 23% left the city. This shows how the quality of green areas can positively affect people’s behaviors during the Covid-19. This effect highlighted the preservation of natural areas, urban reforestation, and re-naturalization of spaces. The urban green corridor is a system that connects several spaces, creating two interactions: the first is how the city can provide the necessary infrastructure during a crisis, and the second is how it energizes and prioritizes the health and supply systems for urban residents, creating safe spaces for each of the city's sectors.

Crowberry Bog (Olympic Peninsula, USA)

Just north of the Hoh River on the western Olympic Peninsula in Washington State lies a unique wetland called Crowberry Bog. What it lacks in size – approximately 12 hectares – it more than makes up for as the southernmost and only documented raised bog in the western contiguous United States. In recognition of its distinctiveness, the bog was designated as a state Natural Area Preserve by the Washington Department of Natural Resources (DNR) in October of 2019. The 95-hectare preserve protects the bog as well as parts of the surrounding forested area.

The palaeontological heritage of Ribeira de Cacela (Algarve, Portugal). Its preservation in the Portuguese context

The protection of palaeontological heritage is justified by its own specificity, which results from its limited visibility, spatial variability, irreproducibility and importance as a record of past biodiversity. Until the present in Portugal the laws concerning the preservation of natural areas are focused mainly on the protection of threatened living species and their habitats, neglecting any geological aspect, and even less the concept of palaeontological heritage. The present analysis refers to the fossil-site of Ribeira de Cacela, included in the Natural Park of Ria Formosa (Algarve, southern Portugal), which represents a site of great paleontological interest. No particular palaeontological inventory being still available, and no any effective protective measures having yet been applied, the result is a continuous dilapidation of the palaeontological heritage, caused by sediment removal and, especially, by the continuous exploitation of sites by uncontrolled fossil collectors. The obvious consequence is the loss of important scientific information. Considering the palaeontological importance of this area, as well as its scientific, educational and cultural interest, a formal proposal will be made to the lnstituto da Conservaçao da Natureza (the Portuguese Nature Conservation Institute), in order to nominate this outcrop as a Natural Monument and to promote its protection. Although the proposed legal protection is expected to be a long and difficult process, they will be rewarded by the resulting benefits.

Attitudes to forest conditions and fishing activities in the mountain area in Japan

Stream fishing plays a key role in provisioning services for obtaining fish, and also provides cultural services in terms of enjoyable walking along streams while listening to the sounds of flowing water. However, in Japan, the economic value of stream fishing has been emphasised mainly from the viewpoint of the fishing industry. Few attempts have been made to estimate the socioeconomic importance of stream fishing as an ecosystem service. In this study, a questionnaire survey was conducted to elucidate the current status of stream-fishing activities and people’s awareness of forest conditions. The contributions of stream fishing to the local economy were evaluated in terms of fry release and angler numbers. Respondents to the questionnaire reported changes in the forest and reduced numbers of fish. However, there were considerable differences in recognising the importance of both the forest and fishing, based on the respondents’ residential area and whether they interacted with the forest. Distance from the mountains, potential for industrial activity, depopulation, and interest in mountains and nature closely influenced the respondents’ behaviour. In an area where many people regard fishing as a source of food, specific fish were collected, the respondents fished all year round and ate the fish they caught. In this area, and considerable amounts of fish were harvested. Because people want to catch and eat many stream fish, the quantities of fry released has also increased, which might attract anglers from other regions, increasing the numbers of anglers. This would contribute to greater quantities of fish being harvested from this area in the future. In providing incentives for anglers, some people may be destroying their local natural environment. The goal of appreciating the scenic beauty of the landscape while having a low environmental impact is needed to ensure the preservation of local natural areas.

Long-Term Community Dynamics Reveal Different Trajectories for Two Mid-Atlantic Maritime Forests

Maritime forests are threatened by sea-level rise, storm surge and encroachment of salt-tolerant species. On barrier islands, these forested communities must withstand the full force of tropical storms, hurricanes and nor’easters while the impact is reduced for mainland forests protected by barrier islands. Geographic position may account for differences in maritime forest resilience to disturbance. In this study, we quantify two geographically distinct maritime forests protected by dunes on Virginia’s Eastern Shore (i.e., mainland and barrier island) at two time points (15 and 21 years apart, respectively) to determine whether the trajectory is successional or presenting evidence of disassembly with sea-level rise and storm exposure. We hypothesize that due to position on the landscape, forest disassembly will be higher on the barrier island than mainland as evidenced by reduction in tree basal area and decreased species richness. Rate of relative sea-level rise in the region was 5.9 ± 0.7 mm yr−1 based on monthly mean sea-level data from 1975 to 2017. Savage Neck Dunes Natural Area Preserve maritime forest was surveyed using the point quarter method in 2003 and 2018. Parramore Island maritime forest was surveyed in 1997 using 32 m diameter circular plots. As the island has been eroding over the past two decades, 2016 Landsat imagery was used to identify remaining forested plots prior to resurveying. In 2018, only plots that remained forested were resurveyed. Lidar was used to quantify elevation of each point/plot surveyed in 2018. Plot elevation at Savage Neck was 1.93 ± 0.02 m above sea level, whereas at Parramore Island, elevation was lower at 1.04 ± 0.08 m. Mainland dominant species, Acer rubrum, Pinus taeda, and Liquidambar styraciflua, remained dominant over the study period, with a 14% reduction in the total number of individuals recorded. Basal area increased by 11%. Conversely, on Parramore Island, 33% of the former forested plots converted to grassland and 33% were lost to erosion and occur as ghost forest on the shore or were lost to the ocean. Of the remaining forested plots surveyed in 2018, dominance switched from Persea palustris and Juniperus virginiana to the shrub Morella cerifera. Only 46% of trees/shrubs remained and basal area was reduced by 84%. Shrub basal area accounted for 66% of the total recorded in 2018. There are alternative paths to maritime forest trajectory which differ for barrier island and mainland. Geographic position relative to disturbance and elevation likely explain the changes in forest community composition over the timeframes studied. Protected mainland forest at Savage Neck occurs at higher mean elevation and indicates natural succession to larger and fewer individuals, with little change in mixed hardwood-pine dominance. The fronting barrier island maritime forest on Parramore Island has undergone rapid change in 21 years, with complete loss of forested communities to ocean or conversion to mesic grassland. Of the forests remaining, dominant evergreen trees are now being replaced with the expanding evergreen shrub, Morella cerifera. Loss of biomass and basal area has been documented in other low elevation coastal forests. Our results indicate that an intermediate shrub state may precede complete loss of woody communities in some coastal communities, providing an alternative mechanism of resilience.

Accessibility of protected natural areas of regional significance: a case study from Samara Oblast, Russia

A significant role is assigned to the preservation of natural areas in the paradigm of sustainable development both in the international and regional aspects. Protected natural areas of regional importance make it possible to solve the problem of the preservation of natural ecosystems. The aim of the research is to establish for the municipal districts of Samara Oblast: dynamics, formation features and provision of PAs of regional significance. In the course of the study, on the basis of analysis, logical presentation, and statistical research, the authors established: the dynamics, features of the formation and provision of the municipal districts of Samara Oblast with specially protected natural areas of regional significance. The authors show a significant variability in areas, specific value and provision of the local population with specially protected natural areas, the relationship of individual parameters. The authors also built a rating and compiled a classification of municipal districts according to the given indicators. The authors identified the categories of municipal districts with a high, medium and low share of specially protected natural areas in the total area of the subregional area and the provision of the population with protected areas. The authors studied various options or models of compensatory benefits and environmental costs of municipal areas, taking into account specially protected natural areas of federal significance and the influence of the urban environment. The results of the analysis make it possible to use the obtained materials for making current managerial decisions in the interaction of regional environmental authorities with the administrations of municipal districts, for correcting the prospective scheme for the development of specially protected natural areas of regional significance, and for modernizing the development strategies of territories.

Green city. sustainability of urban landscapes

The article deals with the main problems of preserving the ecological balance of urban spaces. A number of measures are proposed that contribute to the formation of a comfortable living environment, the preservation of natural areas, and the creation of a green framework of the city as a continuous system.

A comprehensive framework based on GIS-AHP for the installation of solar PV farms in Kahramanmaraş, Turkey

Solar photovoltaic (PV) technologies receive investment, support, and incentives despite their apparent high costs. In terms of renewable energy policies and spatial planning, site selection for solar PV farms is a critical issue. A novel comprehensive framework for assessing the site suitability of solar PV farms is proposed, which considers the preservation of natural, ecological conservation, and cultural areas. The framework combines a Geographical Information System (GIS) with layers of satellite-derived data for energy resources as well as locally collected data, and the Multi Criteria Decision Making (MCDM) method based on the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP). In the GIS environment, maps belonging to fourteen sub-criteria of the three main criteria (Geography, Climate and Location) for Kahramanmaraş, Turkey were obtained, as well as suitability map derived from their weighted sum. The AHP method generates the appropriate weight for each input criteria using a pairwise comparison matrix. GHI, aspect, distance from power line network, land use/cover, annual average temperature, and others were found as the most necessary sub-criteria, respectively. According to the findings, 9.62% of study area very low, 20.15% is low, 22.51% is moderate, 23.98% is high and 23.74% is very high, and 26% is unsuitable for solar PV farms. Based on the results, the northern districts of the study region were determined to be the most suitable for the construction of solar PV farms. When existing five PV farms' location selection decisions were examined, it was observed that the investment outcomes were consistent with the results of the study. The proposed framework is projected to minimize the cost, time, and resources used on the construction of solar PV farms.

Strategies for Green Economy in China

The transition to a “green” economic model is a complex strategic task that requires a combination of two previously incompatible development vectors: maintaining dynamic economic growth and preserving the natural environment on a long-term basis. No country has yet been able to cope with such complexity, nevertheless, an active search for a new balanced model continues, with the development of appropriate strategies. China is among the countries moving in this direction. The article analyzes the influence of social, economic, and environmental factors on the prospects for the development of a green economy and the preservation of natural areas in China. The dynamics of changes in the ecological situation from 1970 to 2018 is investigated. The authors propose a methodology for assessing the state of the environment based on demographic dynamics, economic indicators, and the level of technological development. Over the past 50 years, China has experienced intensive industrial development, as a result of which the degradation of valuable natural assets is increasing in most regions. At the same time, efforts are being made in a number of provinces to remedy the situation through the formulation of new policies, the first results of which have been already visible. The government has established a new environmental legislation designed to scale the green practices of the pioneering regions throughout the country, including the trend toward the de-urbanization of individual megacities and others. The implementation of this strategy will be facilitated by the expansion of interdisciplinary scientific research, the development of complex technological solutions, and development programs that simultaneously take into account various factors.

Floristics of Difficult Creek Natural Area Preserve: a Piedmont mafic woodland complex in Halifax County, Virginia, U.S.A.

The 331-hectare (819-acre) Difficult Creek Natural Area Preserve (DCNAP) was established in Halifax County, Virginia to protect and manage habitat for rare vascu-lar plant species and animals, and to restore plant communities. Mafic metavolcanic rocks of the Virgilina Formation and felsic metavolcanic and metasedimentary rocks of the Aaron Formation comprise the geologic units on the preserve. The Virgilina-derived soils have high shrink-swell potential, a dense hardpan layer, relatively high base status, and a significant gravelly or stony component; these soil conditions support the highest density of rare plant species known on the preserve. The first noteworthy vascular plant species were documented from the property in 1972 by botanist Alton Harvill of Longwood University, but detailed investigations of the flora did not begin until the site was revisited by the second author in 1993. Rare plant inventory has been the primary focus of botanists since that time. In 2001, the property was acquired by the Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation, Division of Natural Heritage (DCR) and dedicated as a state Natural Area Preserve, at which point active management for natural communities and associated rare species was initiated. Since the rare plants on site thrive in open woodland or savanna-like conditions, prescribed burns and timber harvests have been used by DCR stewards to restore habitat after decades of fire suppression and conversion of hardwood stands to loblolly pine plantations. In 2018, a thorough floristic study was initiated to highlight the significance of this flora beyond the documentation of rare plants. The two-year inventory documented 653 plant taxa, comprising 326 genera in 106 families. Fourteen of these species are of conservation concern at the global or state level; an additional 12 taxa are considered uncommon and of potential conservation concern (Townsend 2019). These rare or uncommon species are components of two globally rare plant communities. In addition, the globally rare lepidopteran, Erynnis martialis (Mottled Duskywing), occurs on the preserve, the only extant population known in Virginia. Due to agricultural impacts and widespread fire exclusion, few analogs to this flora exist within the southern Piedmont of Virginia.

Application of the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) to select the best oil spill cleanup method in marine protected areas for calm sea condition

<p>Oil spill cleanup is a complex and expensive activity. There are several commonly used techniques available today. The paper suggests criteria for the selection of the best available technique that could be employed in case of oil spills in the Mediterranean Sea under specific circumstances, i.e. calm sea and presence of marine protected areas, in order to prevent pollution. Not all the available techniques could be considered. Only three of them could be selected, as these allow the preservation of natural areas, as well as the protection of threatened species and their habitats. The Analytic Hierarchy Process method has been preferred among the great variety in multi-criteria decision making tools for the selection of the best available technique. This is a widespread decision support tool suitable for the selection of the best alternative solution to a particular problem. Twenty professionals with different expertise evaluated, through pair-wise comparisons, the alternative options to choose in a protected area. The selected emergency cleanup technique must be readily available and operational in a short time. The results give a preference to new sorbents, followed closely by the magnetic nanocomposites technique.</p>

Willingness to pay of trail runners for sustainable country park use in Hong Kong

Trail running has evolved from a fringe to mainstream activity but is associated with a rise in adverse environmental impacts including trail degradation, littering and disturbance of wildlife. This study explores the preferences of trail running race participants for sustainable use of country parks in Hong Kong. We use a face-to-face survey and discrete choice experiment methodology to measure the willingness to pay of race participants for the provision of drinking water fountains, biodiversity conservation, trail maintenance and green auditing of race events. The results suggest that there is a latent desire among trail runners to contribute to the preservation of natural areas through a surcharge on top of race entry fees. Mean willingness to pay for the provision of drinking water, conservation of biodiversity and trail maintenance is estimated in 2018 to be USD 12, USD 19 and USD 24 respectively. Furthermore, from stakeholder interviews it is concluded that the proposed fund-raising mechanism of a surcharge on top of the race entry fee would be readily accepted by trail runners, race organisers, NGOs and the government. This paper presents a practical and acceptable model that tackles environmental degradation caused by trail running whilst instigating a more democratic management approach between the government and other park stakeholders.

Intensification: A Key Strategy to Achieve Great Animal and Environmental Beef Cattle Production Sustainability in Brachiaria Grasslands

Intensification of tropical grassland can be a strategy to increase beef production, but methods for achieving this should maintain or reduce its environmental impact and should not compromise future food-producing capacity. The objective of this review was to discuss the aspects of grassland management, animal supplementation, the environment, and the socioeconomics of grassland intensification. Reducing environmental impact in the form of, for example, greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions is particularly important in Brazil, which is the second-largest beef producer in the world. Most Brazilian pastures, however, are degraded, representing a considerable opportunity for the mitigation and increase of beef-cattle production, and consequently increasing global protein supply. Moreover, in Brazil, forage production is necessary for seasonal feeding strategies that maintain animal performance during periods of forage scarcity. There are many options to achieve this objective that can be adopted alone or in association. These options include improving grassland management, pasture fertilization, and animal supplementation. Improving grazing management has the potential to mitigate GHG emissions through the reduction of the intensity of CO2 emissions, as well as the preservation of natural areas by reducing the need for expanding pastureland. Limitations to farmers adopting intensification strategies include cultural aspects and the lack of financial resources and technical assistance.

The conception and development tendencies of the helicourts network design in the world

The article analyses the origin and development of helicourts [1,2]. This is the new type of constructions which located on top of the roofs of skyscrapers and designed for users of air transport. Historical analysis was performed on the topic of cities design within the vertical plane, including the idea of traffic separation. The modern tendencies of how this issue is resolved were analyzed on the example of São Paulo and Kyiv. It is established, that in modern metropolitan areas there is ongoing new technological revolution, which aims at a radical change of transportation mode in cities, leading to the emergence of the modern aircraft. The main principles of formation of helicourt design decisions within the structure of high-rise buildings in metropolitan areas are: structurality, dominance and form. It has been determined, that the preservation of historical development, natural areas, and improvement of both transport connectivity and the environment where human activity is concentrated in cities can be solved by the introduction of a complex of structures that serves helicopter aviation, and that are located within the structure of multi-storey buildings.

Sustainable Management of Eremanthus erythropappus in Minas Gerais, Brazil – A Review

ABSTRACT We reviewed key studies published so far regarding Eremanthus erythropappus (DC.) MacLeish (Candeia), in order to approach the sustainable management of this species. The objective of this study was to discuss what is already known by the scientific community, presenting the current scenario and outlining the main challenges that still need to be addressed. Candeia is a tree species found in some Brazilian states, being used in the production of fence posts, and essential oils. It aids in the preservation and restoration of natural areas when properly managed, promoting social development through the creation of jobs and economic growth, due to the current high demand and market value for its products. Due to the high value of its timber, there is a strong anthropic pressure on this species, and it has consequently been exploited in an unsustainable manner. However, already published research suggests that well-managed stands of Eremanthus erythropappus can be economically feasible.

Environmental Correlates to Population Structure and Health of the Rare Piratebush (Buckleya distichophylla) within Poor Mountain Natural Area Preserve, Virginia

Piratebush (Buckleya distichophylla, Santalaceae) is a dioecious, hemi-parasitic shrub endemic to the Blue Ridge Ecoregion of the Appalachian Mountains. The Poor Mountain Natural Area Preserve (PMNAP) in southwestern Virginia protects the densest known population of this rare plant. Permanent transects were set within this natural area to measure population density, size-class structure and health indicators, and to analyze their relationship to ecological parameters. Within PMNAP, there were 9 ± 2 piratebush per 100 m2 of forest floor with a mean size of 4 ± 1 stems of 1.9 ± 0.6 cm diameter at ground height. Individual shrubs grew across a broad range of aspects, slopes (2–50%), and canopy cover (0–100%), exhibiting minimal crown death and a wide range of foliar color value. Weighted size class structure distribution was positively skewed, with low indication of recent seedling recruitment. Observed adventitious vegetative regeneration may mask the frequency of genetically distinct individuals, and indicate less genetic diversity within this population. Weighted size class was positively correlated to forest canopy cover (P < 0.001) and southerly aspect (P = 0.071). Foliar color value was positively correlated with canopy openness (P < 0.001) but neither weighted size class nor plant vigor. This study indicates that successful sexual reproduction within this piratebush population may be rare, and establishes a detailed baseline assessment of the largest extant piratebush population, enabling future study of factors relevant to the long-term viability of this species.

Climate Change and Oregon Law: What is to Be Done?

While some deny the fact or intensity of climate change, science affirms that reality. However in the United States, lobbyists and inertia hinder legal responses to this phenomenon in Congress and the Supreme Court tends to limit the effect of public agency action through manipulation of the law of takings and the irregular review of federal agency action, practical responses to climate change in the United States are more often found at the state level, for states traditionally govern the law of property and land use on the everyday level and provide for multiple laboratories to approach climate change solutions. Common law and state statutory law regarding property may be static or dynamic. The Supreme Court has intimated that too quick a change in property law may result in a “taking,” but, over time, most state legislatures and courts have evolved the law of property to be responsive to multiple social goals. The tension here will be between those who view property law as essentially static or dynamic. As the effects of climate change increase, property doctrines involving change of the interface between land and water (including those of accretion, reliction and avulsion) will also change. Moreover, the responsibilities of property owners to avoid nuisance activities and bear costs of necessary infrastructure as an incidence of ownership, will also necessarily change. Similarly, land use must also respond to climate change in terms of natural resources (the types and impacts of farm and forest uses, preservation of wetlands, natural areas and other specific resources), the allocation and use of water, coastal lands protection and efficiency of urban land uses all lend themselves to state direction and local government implementation of climate change goals and strategies. Issues to be addressed in the United States include the flexibility of property and planning law to science and social need, the responsiveness of takings law and judicial review of administrative action, and the inclusion of climate change considerations in land use and infrastructure decisions (which involve the type of energy facilities chosen, public liability and the use of insurance to allow restoration of structures destroyed by natural disasters, and the need for compact, energy-efficient cities). We conclude that three major principles must be considered and applied by states: sequestration, mitigation and adaptation. Sequestration raises the public consciousness of the accumulation of CO2 that must be accommodated, while mitigation and adaptation emphasize to the public a balance to be achieved with every public action. State and local government action is much more likely in the short and medium term to achieve an adequate response to climate change than that of the federal government.