Conservation Of Natural Ecosystems Research Articles

Towards Environmental Sustainability: Integrating RS and GIS for Ecology Assessment

The environment provides numerous benefits for human well-being, such as ecosystem services. These services directly and indirectly depend on the physical state of the ecosystem. However, the over-exploitation of natural resources along with socio-economic factors, i.e. economic growth, poverty, agriculture expansion, population growth and weak environmental governance and regulation for fulfilling the human needs for food, fuel, and shelter, is leading to the degradation of the ecological health of an area. Therefore, monitoring and assessment of spatial and temporal changes in the ecology of a region in terms of vital ecological services is very critical and would help the decision-makers to develop and plan appropriate adaptation and mitigation measures for the conservation of natural ecosystems at various scales to ensure environmental sustainability. The present study aimed to assess the ecological status of the Mahi Bajaj Sagar catchment area in Rajasthan (India) from the year 2000 to 2020, using remote sensing-based indices. Indicators such as greenness, dryness, and heat index have been selected as per the pressure-state-response (PSR) framework. Multi-spectral remote sensing data and image processing methods have been used to estimate these indicators, and a remote sensing-based Ecological Status Index (RSBI) has been generated by their integration using the principal component analysis (PCA) to assess the ecological status of the Mahi Bajaj Sagar catchment. Findings from the study indicate a consistent decline in the overall ecological status of the Mahi Bajaj catchment, where decreased forest areas have a pronounced effect on ecological health. Interestingly, approximately 43.6% of the area displayed resilience to changes in ecological status; however, 36.4% of the area exhibited signs of ecological degradation. Our study underscores the efficacy of a remote sensing-based approach in quantifying and detecting ecological changes, offering a promising methodology for monitoring and assessing the ecological health of large areas that can help promote environmental sustainability. Keywords: Environmental Sustainability, Ecological Status, RSBI, Remote Sensing, PSR Framework

Land Use Changes and Agricultural Developments in the Tocantins-Araguaia Basin: 1985 to 2022

Objective: To evaluate land use changes and investigate agricultural expansion in the Tocantins-Araguaia basin from 1985 to 2022. Theoretical framework: The Tocantins-Araguaia basin has undergone significant changes in land use and occupation, mainly due to the rapid expansion of agriculture and livestock. This expansion, driven by factors such as the growing demand for food and agricultural commodities, has generated socio-environmental impacts and increased discussion about sustainable use practices in the basin. Methods: Images from the MapBiomas Project were used to generate land use maps and statistical analyses. Results and discussion: The results indicate changes in land use and cover in the basin over the analyzed period. There was a reduction in forest areas, most of which were converted into agricultural areas, which showed significant growth. Analysis of the evolution of agricultural production in the basin revealed an increase in the area allocated to agriculture, mainly for crops such as soybeans, sugar cane and other temporary crops. Research implications: Patterns of change in land use highlight the pressing need to adopt sustainable agricultural development strategies that reconcile food production with the conservation of natural ecosystems and the well-being of family farmers and local communities. Originality/Value: It is important to understand the trends and effects of changes in land use in the basin to guide sustainable natural resource management policies and minimize potential negative effects of these changes on the environment and local communities.

Monitoring vegetation patterns and their drivers to infer resilience: Automated detection of vegetation and megaherbivores from drone imagery using deep learning

Ecological pattern theory has highlighted spatial vegetation patterns that can be used as indicators of ecosystem resilience. Combining this spatial pattern theory with aerial imagery from drones and automated image processing with deep learning methods, we show how monitoring of natural ecosystems can be enhanced through quantifying vegetation spatial patterns. We demonstrate this approach in a tropical seagrass ecosystem with a high abundance of turtles that generate vegetation patches when grazing. Past field observations suggest that patch size and density reflect the seagrass meadow resilience, but understanding the natural variation in vegetation patchiness is crucial. Employing the deep learning methods of semantic segmentation and object detection, we quantify vegetation patchiness metrics and turtle distribution across 12 ha of seagrass meadow in the years 2012 and 2022. The resulting output facilitates spatial and temporal comparisons, revealing areas of low resilience. In 2012, turtle grazing across the entire site yielded vegetation patch sizes averaging 2 ± 0.2 m2 (95% confidence interval). Reduced patch sizes of 0.24 ± 0.05 m2 and 0.67 ± 0.6 m2 at the reef edge and beach slope respectively, in conjunction with a reduced patch density, indicated lower resilience at the seagrass meadow edges. Analysis of the 2022 dataset indicates a general decrease in patch size over time, suggesting declining resilience. A retraining experiment of the semantic segmentation model was conducted where the initial model was retrained on the 2022 dataset and demonstrated the adaptability of the deep learning methods. Despite using different equipment, the model achieved high accuracy with only 5–10 additional training images. By providing the tools to conduct these analyses, we aim to stimulate the uptake of deep learning for enhancing the data obtained from aerial imagery to improve the monitoring and conservation of natural ecosystems.

Silvicultural Practices for Diversity Conservation and Invasive Species Suppression in Forest Ecosystems of the Bundala National Park, Sri Lanka.

Forest ecosystems in Sri Lanka are under pressure from intensive human activity and climate change. Invasive species are one of the greatest threats to autochthonous species and ecosystems. In Bundala National Park of Sri Lanka, there are efforts to control and limit the spreading of unwanted invasive Prosopis juliflora (Sw.) DC. and Opuntia dillenii (Ker-Gawl.) Haw., which poses a significant risk to natural ecosystem conservation. Nine different treatment variants (four replications) were used to test which management approach provides the control of Prosopis juliflora. This research is based on nine repeated measurements from 2017 to 2021 on 36 permanent research plots (each 625 m2) with 27 observed plant species and a total of 90,651 recorded plant individuals. The results confirmed that the dynamics of species richness, heterogeneity, and evenness showed significant differences between treatments during the five years of dynamics. The lowest species diversity was found in the control variant, followed by treatments based on the hard pruning and thinning of Prosopis juliflora trees. In contrast, strategies emphasizing the complete uprooting of Prosopis juliflora trees, replanting, and support of the natural regeneration of native species showed high species diversity and a high overall number of plant species. Generally, treatments had a significant effect on species diversity and the number of individuals of Prosopis juliflora, while changes in the overall number of plant species were more affected by time and succession. Silvicultural treatments including pruning, uprooting, and thinning have proven to be essential tools for nature conservation across various sites, aimed at enhancing habitat diversity in the face of ongoing climate change.

Evaluation of Environmental Security of Ukraine during the Russian Invasion: State, Challenges, Prospects

The authors propose to use the method of expert evaluations for studying the state of environmental security of Ukraine during the russian invasion of Ukraine as one of the most acceptable from the point of view of a combination of intuitive and rational approaches. In general, the amount of damage caused to the environment of Ukraine during the russian invasion due to various negative environmental events is 224982 million UAH. From the studies carried out, it is clear that the following components are the most problematic for the complex state policy in the field of environmental security of Ukraine: natural resource efficiency policy, environmental policy, licensing and standardization policy. Considering the situation in the field of environmental security of Ukraine during the russian invasion of Ukraine, it is recommended to supplement Ukraine Recovery Plan with the following National programs: (і) reforming public administration in the environmental industry; (іі) climate policy: preventing and adapting to climate change; (ііі) effective waste management; (іv) conservation of natural ecosystems and biological diversity. Restoration and development of protected areas and facilities. The authors underline that intensification of the European integration policy will also contribute to the ecologization of the consciousness of Ukrainians. It is about a more economical attitude of the public towards natural resources, the responsibility of everyone for a clean environment for themselves and subsequent generations.

Assessing the impact of free-ranging cats (Felis silvestris catus) and dogs (Canis lupus familiaris) on wildlife in a natural urban reserve in Mexico City

Conservation of natural ecosystems embedded in urban contexts is a big challenge because diverse anthropogenic factors continuously impact native biodiversity and ecological processes. One such factor is the pervasive presence of free-ranging predators, especially cats (Felis silvestris catus) and dogs (Canis lupus familiaris), which may severely affect local wildlife. The “Reserva Ecológica del Pedregal de San Ángel” (REPSA), located within the main campus of the Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (UNAM), in southern Mexico City, is an important natural area that protects a peculiar volcanic spill ecosystem holding native and endemic biodiversity. In 2012, UNAM launched a control program of cats and dogs in REPSA that is still active. To assess the potential impact of cats and dogs on wildlife species, we used live and camera traps coupled with capture-recapture analyses to evaluate changes in the vertebrate community, particularly in the presence and abundance of two medium-size native mammals (Didelphis virginiana and Bassariscus astutus), before (2008–2009) and during (2017–2019) the control program. Results showed that the abundance of dogs decreased between the two periods, but not so the abundance of cats, whereas the native vertebrate diversity increased from the pre-control stage to the control period. Furthermore, we found a negative, non-significant relationship between the abundance of D. virginiana and that of dogs, and a positive, also non-significant relationship between the presence and abundance of B. astutus with the abundance of dogs. We conclude that the control program of free-ranging predators has been beneficial for the conservation of native vertebrates and recommend its continuation and enhancement.

Quantitative Evaluation of the Integrity of Natural Ecosystems and Anthropogenic Impacts in Shennongjia National Park, China

China launched its pilot national park system in 2015, and Shennongjia National Park has attracted much attention as one of the first batch of pilot national parks. The primary goal of national park construction in China is to effectively protect the integrity and authenticity of nationally important natural ecosystems. Based on the theory of landscape ecology, this study interpreted data from high-resolution remote sensing images and used landscape pattern analysis, spatial correlation analysis, and geographic weighted regression analysis to quantitatively evaluate the integrity of natural ecosystems at the landscape scale. A more accurate and operable calculation method was proposed to analyze the spatial variation in natural ecosystem integrity and to explore the scope and intensity of the impact of different anthropogenic activities on natural ecosystem integrity. The results showed that: (1) from the perspective of the spatial distribution patterns of natural ecosystem integrity, the degree of natural ecosystem integrity of Shennongjia National Park was generally high, with an integrity index value of 96.06, and the proportion of high-integrity areas accounted for 72.38%. The integrity index value of the strict protection zone was 98.83, and the proportion of the low-integrity index area only accounted for 0.01% of the strict protection zone, which was mainly distributed in the main urban areas of the nearby townships and along the highways in the national park, as well as in other areas with intensive anthropogenic activities. (2) From the perspective of the degree of impact of anthropogenic activities on natural ecosystem integrity, population density (0.3344), traffic accessibility (0.2389), traditional utilization activities (0.1101), and industrial and mining activities (0.0095) were, in descending order, the most impactful, and there was no significant correlation between ecotourism activities and natural ecosystem integrity. (3) From the perspective of the impact range of anthropogenic activities on natural ecosystem integrity, traditional utilization activities had the largest impact, accounting for 19.71% of the total area of the national park. The area affected by population density accounted for 1.52%. Industrial and mining activities had an influence of 4.75%, and the area affected by traffic accessibility accounted for 9.28%. Through conducting quantitative research into the integrity of natural ecosystems in Shennongjia National Park, this study provides a new research paradigm for the conservation of natural ecosystems and for the sustainable development of resources in protected areas, which is of great significance for the sensible development of national park conservation and management.

ECONOMIC PROPOSAL FOR THE COMPENSATION OF ENVIRONMENTAL GOODS AND SERVICES IN THE MOORS AND FORESTS OF THE PROVINCE OF CHIMBORAZO.

This article presents an economic proposal for the compensation of environmental goods and services in the páramos and forests of the province of Chimborazo. It is based on the recognition of the importance of these ecosystems in the provision of various environmental services, such as climate regulation and biodiversity conservation, among others; the proposal prioritizes water resources since they are threatened by various human activities, such as deforestation, extraction of natural resources and livestock and agricultural activity. Therefore, there is a need to establish a compensation mechanism for owners and communities that contribute to the conservation of these ecosystems and promote their sustainable use. The proposal presented in this article is based on the implementation of a system of payments for environmental services, through which owners and communities that commit to conserve and properly manage moorland and forest ecosystems would be compensated monetarily. The financing of this payment system would come from various mechanisms, such as public funds, international cooperation resources and contributions from the private sector.
 The implementation of this economic proposal that aims to conserve 756 hectares through a payment of 596,836 through the implementation of projects would encourage the conservation of natural ecosystems in the province of Chimborazo and promote their sustainable use, generating benefits for both the environment and the people who depend on them.

ПОЛЯРНО-АЛЬПИЙСКИЙ БОТАНИЧЕСКИЙ САД-ИНСТИТУТ КАК ОСОБО ОХРАНЯЕМАЯ ПРИРОДНАЯ ТЕРРИТОРИЯ И МЕСТО ДЛЯ РАЗВИТИЯ ТУРИЗМА: ПРЕДСТАВЛЕНИЯ ЖИТЕЛЕЙ КИРОВСКО-АПАТИТСКОГО РАЙОНА

Today, the demand for environmentally responsible tourism is growing noticeably. Travelers demonstrate an interest in exploring undisturbed nature that can be found in special protection areas. As part of a network of such areas, botanical gardens can become important elements in the development of sustainable tourism in regions and cities. However, this is no easy task, as it requires preserving natural ecosystems while providing comfortable conditions for tourists. One of the foundations for environmental activities is the opinion of local communities about nature conservation. As the first step towards promoting sustainable tourism on the territory of the Polar-Alpine Botanical Garden-Institute of N. A. Avrorin (PABGI; Kola Science Centre of the Russian Academy of Sciences), the only botanical garden in Russia operating in the Arctic, a survey was conducted to investigate the opinions of local residents about this institution as a special protection area and the possibilities for tourism development. The Botanical Garden is an essential element of the historical and cultural landscape not only of the city of Kirovsk but also of the neighboring city of Apatity. The respondents generally demonstrated a high level of environmental awareness. However, questions about the PABGI’s territorial boundaries and the species of plants listed in the Red Book of the Murmansk region posed challenges. The survey revealed that residents of the Kirovsko-Apatitsky district have a positive attitude towards tourism development on the PABGI’s territory. They recognize that it is a protected area and that maintaining special visitation rules is crucial. The results indicate that PABGI needs to intensify its efforts in organizing educational events and interacting with the population, as respondents repeatedly noted the need to expand such activities. According to the citizens, the territory of the botanical garden is a platform where researchers, residents, nature, and culture can interact. Currently, PABGI faces difficulties in performing functions other than its primary ones of natural ecosystem conservation and research. This is largely because special regulations are required on the territory of protected areas, and there are not enough opportunities for sustainable tourism development. A consistent strategy for improving and developing tourism infrastructure needs to be developed in the future.

XÁC ĐỊNH PHẠM VI CHE PHỦ CỦA CÂY DỪA NƯỚC TẠI KHU DỰ TRỮ SINH QUYỂN CÙ LAO CHÀM-HỘI AN BẰNG DỮ LIỆU SENTINEL-2A

The mangrove palm grows at the Thu Bon river’s mouth. Mangrove palm has contributed to the conservation of natural ecosystems, and the biological diversity of Cu Lao Cham – Hoi An Biosphere Reserve, as well as the socio-economic development of Hoi An city. However, in recent year, its coverage has been gradually reduced due to human socio-economic activities. This study has used not only the raw bands of the Sentinel-2A image but also some spectral indices have been calculated via the band ratio for classifying land covers. The principal component analysis (PCA) was applied to these all bands to eliminate redundant and noise contributions in data. Mangrove palm was separated from other land cover categories with an object-based image classification approach using Support Vector Machines (SVMs) algorithm because of its high efficiency, performance, and flexibility. The obtained map indicates that mangrove palm principally distributes on the left bank of Thu Bon River with a total area of 147 ha by 2019. The validation, was realized by comparing the classification results with random samples through the visual interpretation of Google Earth high resolution image. The error assessment shows that the overall accuracy is about 88.67% and the Kappa coefficient reaches 0.84. Although there are some differences related to the spatial resolution of Sentinel-2 images, such obtained results may support authorities in decision-making by providing maps able to suggest necessary responses for the conservation of mangrove palms this coastal area.

REVISIÓN SISTEMATIZADA DEL MÉTODO COSTO DE VIAJE: UNA APROXIMACIÓN A LA VALORACIÓN ECONÓMICA DE ÁREAS NATURALES PROTEGIDAS

<p><strong>Background:</strong> In protected natural areas (PNA), as units for the management and conservation of natural ecosystems, the challenge of economically valuing their environmental services sometimes makes it difficult to improve the design of their conservation plans and prevents a correct estimation of economic and social impacts on the well-being of present and future generations. Therefore, indirect estimation methods of the recreational value are used. <strong>Objective:</strong> Systematically analyze the advances in the estimation of the recreational value of the PNA, through the travel cost method (TCM). <strong>Methodology: </strong>A systematic literature review was carried out, based on SALSA (Search, AppraisaL, Synthesis, Analysis) and the PRISMA protocol (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analyses), in the following databases: Scopus, Science Direct, JSTOR, Springer Link, Dialnet, Google Scholar. Inclusion and exclusion criteria were used for studies carried out in PNA at a national and international level, in the period from 2010 to 2020. <strong>Main findings.</strong> Regarding the different approaches of the travel cost method, the individual approach provides more realistic estimates and has greater statistical support than the zonal approach; since it obtains the data directly from tourists through surveys, which allows estimating the real expenses they made during their trip. <strong>Implications:</strong> Derived from the complexity of estimating the value of an intangible, such as these areas of environmental services. The economic valuation exercise results in the estimation of the price of the service from the consumer's demand and not from its offer. In this sense, the TCM seeks to estimate the use value of the PNA, and not their market value as such. Hence, such assessment is a support tool for the managers of these sites, in order to: estimate adequate access fees; evaluate investments in the valued area; as well as expose specific approaches and techniques for data processing. <strong>Conclusions:</strong> The variables that influence the recreational value are: age, income level, distance traveled from the tourist's place of residence to the PNA, transportation costs, lodging, food costs, visits to other sites, perception of environmental quality, and willingness to pay (WTP) for the service. It is recommended to delve into intangible valuation techniques, so that society becomes aware of the benefit that PNA represent for a nation, and in this way public and private investments in this area are promoted; since in addition to improving the protection of biodiversity, it contributes to regional development.</p>

Innovative solutions for the conservation of natural ecosystems

The article discusses the importance of involving local people in conservation activities. Traditional knowledge and practices can play an important role in the sustainable management of natural resources. By involving local people in decision-making and incentivizing them to conserve nature, a sense of ownership and responsibility for protecting ecosystems can be created. This approach has been particularly successful in community-based conservation initiatives, where local people are actively involved in monitoring and managing protected areas. Another innovative solution is the concept of ecological corridors. These are strips of land that connect fragmented habitats, allowing for the movement of species and the exchange of genetic material. By creating these corridors, conservationists can help prevent isolation of populations and increase their resilience to environmental changes. As the world grapples with the urgent need to protect and restore natural ecosystems, innovative solutions are emerging to address this global challenge. By adopting innovative approaches, we can work towards a more sustainable and resilient future in which natural ecosystems thrive and continue to provide essential services for future generations.

Target orientations of the development of state policy for the sustainable development of the "green" economy in Ukraine

The purpose of the article is to determine the target guidelines for the state policy of sustainable development of the "green" economy in Ukraine. The article uses general scientific and special research methods, the use of which contributed to the solution of the problem in the process of obtaining theoretical and practical results. When studying literary sources, the monographic method was used. The study of concepts, developments, approaches in order to generalize the results of scientific developments of domestic and foreign researchers to solve the problems of formation and implementation of the state policy for the sustainable development of the "green" economy, the method of systematization was used. The methods of classification, induction and deduction were used to determine the targets to which the state policy of sustainable development of the "green" economy should be directed. The abstract-logical method is used for theoretical generalizations and the formation of conclusions. It is proved that the complexity of the problem of formation and implementation of the state policy for the sustainable development of the "green" economy provides for the use of a long-term strategic approach, which will harmoniously integrate such a policy into the public administration system of Ukraine, which is in the process of reforming and adapting to European legislation, which is supported by a number of international obligations. It has been determined that the goal of state policy is to stabilize and improve the state of the environment of Ukraine in order to create an environmentally friendly natural environment for the life and health of the population, the introduction of an ecologically balanced system of nature management and the conservation of natural ecosystems, which are important for all life on planet Earth. The article proposes the Conceptual provisions for the development of a strategy for the state policy of sustainable development of the "green" economy in Ukraine, providing for a gradual move away from the traditional economy (with its areas of activity that are not energy and resource efficient and pollute the environment) to the "green" economy (which is based on qualitative structural shifts, innovative activities and industries that do not harm the environment, efficient use of natural resources, etc.).

Constructing an indices system for evaluating the ecological integrity of forests in western Sichuan, China based on structural equation modeling

With the concern for biodiversity conservation and ecological sustainability, the traditional method of assessing conservation management based on single elements such as timber production, stand structure, and forest area is no longer applicable. Especially for China, where the primary goal of national park conservation management is to “protect and maintain the authenticity and integrity of natural ecosystems”, it is necessary to construct a set of indicators that can comprehensively evaluate the effectiveness of natural ecosystem conservation management. Therefore, in this study, we take Jiuzhaigou and Giant Panda National Park, in Sichuan, China, as examples, and construct a set of ecological integrity evaluation indices system from the perspective of attributes of forest ecosystems. Initially, we screened the candidate indicators based on the coefficient of variation, distribution range, and redundancy analysis and identified 16 indicators as the evaluation indices of ecological integrity. Next, the model fit and the interrelationship of the components of the ecological integrity model were verified using a combination of structural equation modeling and actual data. The model validation results showed that: (1) CMIN/DF = 1.66, RMSEA = 0.058, GFI = 0.954, and other model fit metrics have reached the best reference standard, indicating that the ecological integrity model overall fit is high. (2) In the parameter estimation results of the model observed and latent variables, the ecological integrity model explained 96%, 85% and 89% of the variance in species composition, stand structure and ecological processes, respectively, indicating that the evaluation indices selected can effectively predict the ecological integrity of forests. In addition, we used the factor loadings in the structural equation model to calculate the weights of the indices and used the weighted sum to calculate the ecological integrity. A one-way ANOVA was conducted to compare the differences among the ecological integrity of forests of different origins, forest types and life forms. The relative importance and linear regression were used to elucidate the main factors affecting forest ecological integrity. The results showed that (1) except for the scrub community, the mean value of forest ecological integrity was >0.45, which was in the middle-to-upper level. (2) the ecological integrity of forests of different origins and different forest types showed a changing pattern: natural forest > plantation forest, mixed forest > pure forest. (3) Stand age and elevation strongly influenced the ecological integrity of forests, with relative contribution rates of 64.54% and 11.88%, respectively.

SPIRITUAL AND MORAL VECTOR OF THE FUTURE CHOICE: TO A STRATEGY FOR SUFFICIENT DEVELOPMENT

The article considers a complex of global problems of modernity that pose a threat to the near future of mankind. It is noted that the end of the twentieth century was marked by the decline and extinction of environmental protests, the period of active struggle for the improvement of the Planet ended. The highest point of such protests can be considered the UN Conference on Environment and Development in Rio de Janeiro (Brazil) in 1992 at the level of heads of state and government. Everything that was said and adopted at the conference about environmental danger has not lost its relevance today, and in some areas the situation has become significantly aggravated and aggravated. This is especially true for industrial development, the careful conservation of natural nonrenewable resources, and the understanding of the fact that the restorative abilities of nature are not unlimited. In the last decade, the arms race again prevailed, samples of new equipment are being created on a fundamentally new technological basis, and environmental costs are not always taken into account. The dismantled Chernobyl nuclear power plant has stood as a menacing reminder of human recklessness for almost four decades. In the period of modern geopolitical squabbles, the struggle for resources has escalated to the limit, and the environmental factor becomes a bargaining chip, but humanity does not solve the problems of cleansing the natural environment for life and development. The first quarter of the XXI century in the world is characterized by global instability. There is exponential population growth, lack of natural resources and living space, environmental pollution, the emergence of previously unknown diseases such as Covid-19, the gap between rich and poor is widening, the vast majority of people lack financial resources, etc. In these emergency conditions points of growth of a new civilization are crystallizing, where the main challenge is clearly becoming a new vision of the role of the natural environment in the life of mankind. A strategy of sufficient development is proposed, where the paths of a new vector of social and economic prospects are outlined on the basis of its coordination with the laws of biosphere evolution, the patterns of conservation of natural ecosystems and the biosphere as a whole are revealed, the expediency of developing environmentally friendly technologies and establishing a new humanism as a necessary condition for achieving a secure future is indicated.

Ecosystem approach in international environmental law: from the idea of conservation of natural ecosystems to the emergence of a holistic concept

The article explores the historical foundations of the formation and development of the ecosystem approach in international environmental law from the idea of conservation of natural ecosystems to the emergence of a holistic concept within the framework of the Convention on Biological Diversity, which was adopted on June 5, 1992, and which considers the ecosystem approach as a strategy for the integrated management of land, water and living resources that promotes conservation and sustainable use in an equitable way.It has been proven that certain aspects of this approach can be traced in previously adopted acts, among which Declaration on the maritime zone 1952, Convention on Wetlands of International Importance Especially Waterfowl Habitat 1971, Declaration of the United Nations Conference on the Human Environment 1972, Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora 1973, Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement 1978, Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals 1979, Convention on the Conservation of European Wildlife and Natural Habitats 1979, Convention on the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources 1980, World Charter for Nature 1982, United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea 1982, Declaration on Conservation of Flora, Fauna and their Habitats 1988, Convention on the Protection of the Alps 1991, Convention on the Protection and Use of Transboundary Watercourses and International Lakes 1992, Convention on the Protection of the Marine Environment of the Baltic Sea Area 1992, Convention on the Protection of the Black Sea Against Pollution 1992, Declaration on Environment and Development 1992, etc.On the basis of a thorough analysis of the above-mentioned and other international legal documents, the conclusion is made about their influence on the process of formation of the ecosystem approach at the international level.

Environmental Fragility Zoning Using GIS and AHP Modeling: Perspectives for the Conservation of Natural Ecosystems in Brazil

The degradation of natural ecosystems triggers global environmental, economic, and social problems. To prevent this, it is necessary to identify the aptitude of priority areas for conservation or use by considering land fragility from multiple environmental and spatial perspectives. We applied the concept of environmental fragility to a hydrographic basin in southeastern Brazil that establishes (i) potential fragility levels according to slope, soil classes, geological domains, drainage hierarchy, and rainfall information using an algebraic map, and (ii) emerging fragility levels via the addition of the land-use parameters. The methodological approach involved the integration of the analytic hierarchy process (AHP) and weighted linear combination (WLC) into a geographic information system (GIS). The medium and slightly low fragility classes predominated in terms of potential (~60%), and emerging (~70%) environmental fragility models used to model the basin. The model indicated that high and extremely high potential fragilities were concentrated in the upper basin, a region that is considered a global biodiversity hotspot. The areas with high/extremely high classes of emerging fragility in the upper basin decreased, indicating that the natural cover classes and land-use types are not in danger. We also introduce acceptable conservation practices for land management and use according to the environmental fragility categories established in the present work. The methodology applied in this study can be replicated in other global ecoregions. It provides low-cost territorial and environmental zoning and flexible replication and can be adjusted by administrators who are interested in land-use planning.

Development and evaluation of PCR primers for environmental DNA (eDNA) metabarcoding of Amphibia

Biodiversity monitoring is important for the conservation of natural ecosystems in general, but particularly for amphibians, whose populations are pronouncedly declining. However, amphibians’ ecological traits (e.g. nocturnal or aquatic) often prevent their precise monitoring. Environmental DNA (eDNA) metabarcoding – analysis of extra-organismal DNA released into the environment – allows the easy and effective monitoring of the biodiversity of aquatic organisms. Here, we developed and tested the utility of original PCR primer sets. First, we conducted in vitro PCR amplification tests with universal primer candidates using total DNA extracted from amphibian tissues. Five primer sets successfully amplified the target DNA fragments (partial 16S rRNA gene fragments of 160–311 bp) from all 16 taxa tested (from the three living amphibian orders Anura, Caudata and Gymnophiona). Next, we investigated the taxonomic resolution retrieved using each primer set. The results revealed that the universal primer set “Amph16S” had the highest resolution amongst the tested sets. Finally, we applied Amph16S to the water samples collected in the field and evaluated its detection capability by comparing the species detected using eDNA and physical survey (capture-based sampling and visual survey) in multiple agricultural ecosystems across Japan (160 sites in 10 areas). The eDNA metabarcoding with Amph16S detected twice as many species as the physical surveys (16 vs. 8 species, respectively), indicating the effectiveness of Amph16S in biodiversity monitoring and ecological research for amphibian communities.

The decline of technogenic civilization: Sufficient development strategy

The first quarter of the 21st century was marked by global instability. Sharp climate changes, biodiversity loss, exponential population growth, a lack of natural resources and living space, environmental pollution form a complex of current global issues that pose a threat to the humanity’s future. The article demonstrates the destructive nature of the established consumer vector of development, which underlies the modern economic model, and also reveals the negative aspects of scientific and technological progress that led to the global environmental crisis. Overcoming these negative trends presupposes the choice of new strategies for socioeconomic development, which are based on its alignment with the laws of evolution of the biosphere. The achievement of a secure future implies the preservation of natural ecosystems considering their ability to self-repair disturbed processes within the economic capacity of the biosphere, since its excess leads to a violation of the biological cycle of energy and matter, and to the ecological imbalance in the biosphere. Taking into account the patterns of conservation of natural ecosystems and the biosphere as a whole, the authors propose the strategy of sufficient development, and determine related implementation measures. They include development of environmentally safe technologies and the approval of a new humanism as a necessary condition for achieving a secure future. The authors argue there is a need in the radical revision of value orientations in order to achieve a secure future. This revision presupposes redirecting people from the anthropocentric orientation in relation to nature to the bio-anthropocentric orientation, which takes into account the need to preserve nature and the spiritual world, and preserves the moral foundations of the development of society.

Role of integrating beekeeping with water shade management in Ethiopia

The review was conducted to assess the available scientific information on the role of beekeeping in improving the livelihood of the beekeeper and enhancing watershed rehabilitation. Honeybees and flowering plants have a well-developed system of interdependence. However, the rich biodiversity of Ethiopia is under serious threat from deforestation and land degradation, overexploitation, overgrazing, habitat loss, invasive species, and some water pollution. The underlying causes for these problems emanate from poverty, population growth, lack of alternative livelihoods, inadequate policy support, inappropriate investment, and inadequacy of law enforcement. More than 5 million beehives in Ethiopia have managed approximately 1.4-1.7 million farm households with 45,905 tons of honey production per year. Beekeeping is important as a strong incentive and the cheapest eco-friendly approach to promote conservation of natural ecosystems as an adjunct to conventional subsistence agriculture in the face of the growing human population and demand for land. Many countries introduced improved beekeeping as reforestation incentives, paying particular attention to plant flowering trees that provide nectar and pollen while generating income for local communities from bee products. The most serious constraint of the honey bee is the application of chemicals such as fungicides, pesticides, and herbicides, which hinder the productivity and production of honey bee colonies. Therefore, the focus should be given to those chemicals that do not harm honey bees, and the application should not match with flowering seasons to minimize the poisoning effect on the honey bee.