Nature Protection Research Articles

Using vulnerability assessment to characterize coastal protection benefits provided by estuarine habitats of a dynamic intracoastal waterway.

The existence of coastal ecosystems depends on their ability to gain sediment and keep pace with sea level rise. Similar to other coastal areas, Northeast Florida (United States) is experiencing rapid population growth, climate change, and shifting wetland communities. Rising seas and more severe storms, coupled with the intensification of human activities, can modify the biophysical environment, thereby increasing coastal exposure to storm-induced erosion and inundation. Using the Guana Tolomato Matanzas National Estuarine Research Reserve as a case study, we analyzed the distribution of coastal protection services-expressly, wave attenuation and sediment control-provided by estuarine habitats inside a dynamic Intracoastal waterway. We explored six coastal variables that contribute to coastal flooding and erosion-(a) relief, (b) geomorphology, (c) estuarine habitats, (d) wind exposure, (e) boat wake energy, and (f) storm surge potential-to assess physical exposure to coastal hazards. The highest levels of coastal exposure were found in the north and south sections of the Reserve (9% and 14%, respectively) compared to only 4% in the central, with exposure in the south driven by low wetland elevation, high surge potential, and shorelines composed of less stable sandy and muddy substrate. The most vulnerable areas of the central Reserve and main channel of the Intracoastal waterway were exposed to boat wakes from larger vessels frequently traveling at medium speeds (10-20 knots) and had shoreline segments oriented towards the prevailing winds (north-northeast). To guide management for the recently expanded Reserve into vulnerable areas near the City of Saint Augustine, we evaluated six sites of concern where the current distribution of estuarine habitats (mangroves, salt marshes, and oyster beds) likely play the greatest role in natural protection. Spatially explicit outputs also identified potential elevation maintenance strategies such as living shorelines, landform modification, and mangrove establishment for providing coastal risk-reduction and other ecosystem-service co-benefits. Salt marshes and mangroves in two sites of the central section (N-312 and S-312) were found to protect more than a one-quarter of their cross-shore length (27% and 73%, respectively) from transitioning to the highest exposure category. Proposed interventions for mangrove establishment and living shorelines could help maintain elevation in these sites of concern. This work sets the stage for additional research, education, and outreach about where mangroves, salt marshes, and oyster beds are most likely to reduce risk to wetland communities in the region.

THE ESSENCE OF MIND STRATEGY IN THE RELATIONSHIP WITH NATURE: HUMAN-NATURE-WISDOM UNITY

A systematic approach requires combining the knowledge of related subjects (e.g., natural sciences) into a whole and making conditions for the learners to research, draw conclusions, process abundant and diverse information, improve and change, complete their knowledge, i.e., eliminate common/traditional subject barriers, refuse narrow empiricism. The field of science education is wide, complex and diverse. It is not only the transmission of natural science knowledge but also ecological, environmental, antidrug, sexual, antinicotine education, healthy lifestyle training, etc. Today’s society is dealing with very relevant issues of nature protection, nature conservation, ecology, environmental protection, and other problems. All this requires a new approach from all of us, the efforts of various field specialists, eliminating all separating barriers. Global problems are a common concern for all of us. This is just because not a single problem is isolated from another, most of them are intertwined, fully determined, united in their nature. Therefore, knowing (clarifying) connections is complicated and hardly achievable. Their solution is possible only when they are comprehensively analysed by closely linking them together.

Influencing Factors and Evaluation of Groundwater Ecological Function in Arid/Semiarid Regions of China: A Review

In arid and semi-arid areas, due to drought climate and shortage of water resources, groundwater is crucial for natural ecological protection and economic development. It serves a dual role as a resource function and an ecological function. However, with the continuous improvement of the exploitation and utilization of groundwater by human activities during rapid economic development, the phenomenon of groundwater overexploitation is becoming more and more serious, which has destroyed the natural balance of groundwater recharge and discharge. As a result, natural vegetation has lost the maintenance of the ecological function of groundwater, and a series of ecological and environmental problems have occurred, such as natural vegetation degradation, land desertification, sandstorms, and so on. In recent years, scholars have carried out research on groundwater resource management and optimization of water resource allocation, trying to solve the problem of water balance in arid regions. However, there is still a lack of comprehensive understanding and systematization regarding influencing factors and degeneration mechanisms related to groundwater’s ecological function. By summarizing and analyzing the previous research results, this paper summarizes the influencing factors, evaluation methods, existing problems and future directions of groundwater ecological function research in China to provide a reference for rational exploitation and utilization of groundwater and ecological protection. This paper is divided into four main contents. The first part introduces the definition of groundwater ecological function (GEF); the second part summarizes the research status of influencing factors of GEF, including the groundwater table depth, vegetation root system and lithologic structure of vadose zone, etc.; the third part analyzes the evaluation of groundwater ecological function; the fourth part discusses the existing problems in the study of groundwater ecological functions, and based on the above research the evaluation framework of GEF is proposed with the Shiyang River basin as a case study; and finally, it highlights the future research directions about GEF.

Porcine Mandibular Bone Marrow-Derived Mesenchymal Stem Cell (BMSC)-Derived Extracellular Vesicles Can Promote the Osteogenic Differentiation Capacity of Porcine Tibial-Derived BMSCs.

Existing research suggests that bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) may promote endogenous bone repair. This may be through the secretion of factors that stimulate repair processes or directly through differentiation into osteoblast-progenitor cells. However, the osteogenic potential of BMSCs varies among different tissue sources (e.g., mandibular versus long BMSCs). The main aim of this study was to investigate the difference in osteogenic differentiation capacity between mandibular BMSCs (mBMSCs) and tibial BMSCs (tBMSCs). Bioinformatics analysis of the GSE81430 dataset taken from the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database was performed using GEO2R. BMSCs were isolated from mandibular and tibial bone marrow tissue samples. Healthy pigs (n = 3) (registered at the State Office for Nature, Environment, and Consumer Protection, North Rhine-Westphalia (LANUV) 81-02.04.2020.A215) were used for this purpose. Cell morphology and osteogenic differentiation were evaluated in mBMSCs and tBMSCs. The expression levels of toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) and nuclear transcription factor κB (NF-κB) were analyzed using quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) and Western blot (WB), respectively. In addition, mBMSC-derived extracellular vesicles (mBMSC-EVs) were gained and used as osteogenic stimuli for tBMSCs. Cell morphology and osteogenic differentiation capacity were assessed after mBMSC-EV stimulation. Bioinformatic analysis indicated that the difference in the activation of the TLR4/NF-κB pathway was more pronounced compared to all other examined genes. Specifically, this demonstrated significant downregulation, whereas only 5-7 upregulated genes displayed significant variances. The mBMSC group showed stronger osteogenic differentiation capacity compared to the tBMSC group, confirmed via ALP, ARS, and von Kossa staining. Furthermore, qPCR and WB analysis revealed a significant decrease in the expression of the TLR4/NF-κB pathway in the mBMSC group compared to the tBMSC group (TLR4 fold changes: mBMSCs vs. tBMSCs p < 0.05; NF-κB fold changes: mBMSCs vs. tBMSCs p < 0.05). The osteogenic differentiation capacity was enhanced, and qPCR and WB analysis revealed a significant decrease in the expression of TLR4 and NF-κB in the tBMSC group with mBMSC-EVs added compared to tBMSCs alone (TLR4 fold changes: p < 0.05; NF-κB fold changes: p < 0.05). Our results indicate that mBMSC-EVs can promote the osteogenic differentiation of tBMSCs in vitro. The results also provide insights into the osteogenic mechanism of mBMSCs via TLR4/NF-κB signaling pathway activation. This discovery promises a fresh perspective on the treatment of bone fractures or malunions, potentially offering a novel therapeutic method.

Coping with marsh floods and fires: Resilience at the pile‐dwelling site of Dispilio, Northwestern Greece

AbstractLacustrine environments are considered favorable locations for Neolithic settlements, constituting a reliable year‐round water resource, which contributes to fertile arable land, rich biodiversity, and natural protection. Living by the wetlands, however, is characterized by intensive ecological vulnerabilities, that is, floods and fire events. These recurrent episodes are difficult to trace in the occupation layers since natural processes combined with human activities can form variable mixed microenvironments. Consequently, the direct impact of these events on the biography of the settlement and the decision‐making of its inhabitants is understudied. This paper presents a high‐resolution, microstratigraphic analysis at the Neolithic pile‐dwelling settlement of Dispilio (Kastoria, northern Greece) to trace past ecological threats and unravel the resilience strategies of the lake‐dwellers against the continuously altered microenvironments. By correlating the results with regional environmental and cultural events, this paper questions the role of environmental changes as triggers for cultural modifications and considers a wide range of strategies for coping with wetland hazards.

Ayurveda Perspective of Environmental Sustainability for the Economic Crisis–A Review

Ayurveda, the science of life is a comprehensive system of health care of great antiquity, based on experiential knowledge and grown with perpetual expansion. Ayurveda treatment combines products of plant derivatives as well as animal, metal, and mineral, diet, exercise, and lifestyle. According to WHO 88% of all countries are estimated to use traditional medicine, such as herbal medicines, acupuncture, yoga and indigenous therapies. U.S. Environmental protection Agency defines, Environmental sustainability is the responsibility to conserve natural resources and protect global ecosystems to support health and well-being, now and in the future. The objective of this study has been aimed to review on Ayurveda system of medicine for environmental sustainability. The study was carried out as a review study and data was collected from Ayurveda authentic texts, previously published research papers and journal articles. As per findings, Ayurveda provides clear guidelines for lifestyle and nutrition, all of which fit within the framework of Dharma (Moral principles) which promotes responsibility for the whole society. According to Ayurveda, lifestyle helps to protect a healthy environment and support nature. It also means the natural care of sustainable food sources and agriculture preserves not only life but also responsible and safe ways of nutrition, careful approach and planning to preserve and guarantee the abundance of all medicinal plants in nature. Sustainable food aims to avoid damaging or wasting natural resources. The major four elements of environmental sustainability which are air and water management and risk reduction have been described in Ayurveda authentic texts. As adaptations the concepts such as the knowledge of Ritucharya (regimen for various seasons) and Dina Charya (daily regimen) in Ayurveda, are the key to survival, thus essential to maintain a healthy life which helps to free from lifestyle diseases in humans and leads to maintaining good relationship with their environment. The predictive approach of Ayurveda based on the constitutional knowledge about human being shall assist to solving a serious challenge of the modern life. Modern drug-based medicine is becoming increasingly inaccessible to the majority of the world‘s poor. The neglect of environmental, spiritual and psychological factors behind health and disease does not allow a simple, abstemious lifestyle. Ayurveda offers a sound, millenary natural alternative to the prevailing medical system on its way to individual well-being, improving health economy and social-economic development. &#x0D; Keywords: Ayurveda perspective, Economic crisis, Environmental sustainability

Architectural Heritage and Archetypal Landscape Approaches Facing Environmental Hazards

The research question in this paper concerns elements of nature, such as earth, water, fire, and air, as they have a dual meaning, indicating both hazard and heritage. The relationship of cities with blue–green infrastructure is an example of this. Cities might be surrounded by either water or forest, though the latter has been less investigated as a nature-based solution for climate change adaptation. The connection between water and architecture can also be seen in the seafront type of architectural design, in the architecture of harbours, port facilities, aquariums or thermal baths. This paper aims to present a comprehensive analysis of all of these various architecture programs that were carried out during the first half of the twentieth century. Although the styles of Art Nouveau and Interwar were widely spread, otherness in regional geographical locations drew lessons from the vernacular architecture. Inspiration was drawn mainly from southern Europe in the Cycladic islands for the interwar/international style and towards the east and centre of the continent in Romania and Hungary and up to the north in the Baltic states for the national romantic art nouveau style. A local seismic culture is prevalent in areas that are affected by earthquakes. In the context of the geological conditions related to water and earthquake hazard, the anthropic reshaping of rivers and canals (and alluvial soil deposits) generates liquefaction vulnerability. Significant also is the way in which the urban wildland interface shapes the relationship between wild green space and cities. Urban protected nature parks and urban forests contribute to wellbeing but are also vulnerable to wildfire. This research attempts to find equivalents to the local seismic culture in cases of climate change-induced hazards, such as floods and wildfires, in Romania, Italy and Portugal. As part of the project presented for the case study featured in this paper, significant documentation was achieved through literature reviews and field trips. For the latter, walkscape methodology was used, which was also useful for the first round of results and the mapping required to indicate earthquake hazards near water locations in Bucharest, Romania.

Spatio-temporal Evolution and Multi-scenario Simulation of Carbon Storage in Karst Regions of Central Guizhou Province：Taking Puding County as An Example

Regional land use change is the main cause for the change in karst carbon storage. It is important to analyze the spatial and temporal evolution and future spatial distribution trends of carbon storage in typical counties in central Guizhou's karst region， such as Puding County， to improve regional carbon storage， optimize land ecological security patterns， and promote low-carbon sustainable urban development. The PLUS-InVEST model was coupled， based on the interpreted land use data and future land prediction， the spatial and temporal evolution characteristics of land use change and carbon storage in Puding County from 1973 to 2020 were inverted， and the spatial pattern evolution of land use and carbon storage change under different scenarios in 2060 were simulated and predicted. The results showed： ① from 1973 to 2020， the overall carbon storage in Puding County increased by 6.61×105 t， showing an upward trend. The spatial distribution showed a significant increase in the northeastern and southwestern parts of Puding County and a significant decrease in the south-central parts. The change was due to the increase in carbon storage in dryland to shrubland and forest land and the decrease in carbon storage in areas where paddy fields are converted to construction land. ② The land use change in Puding County in the historical period was mainly reflected in the continuous expansion of construction land and the increased fluctuation of the proportion of forest land and shrub forest land， and the change in land use in different scenarios projected in 2060 retained the change characteristics of the historical period. ③ In 2060， the carbon storage in Puding County under the scenarios of natural evolution， ecological protection， and economic development increased by 2.93×105， 5.40×105， and 1.11×105 t， respectively， compared with that in 2020. Of these， the increase in ecological protection scenarios was the most significant， with the transfer of dryland to shrubland being the main reason for the increase in regional carbon sequestration capacity. These results can serve as a scientific reference for land use management decisions and the formulation of emission reduction and sink increase policies in Puding County. The future land use planning of karst areas should be guided by the goal of "carbon neutrality" in 2060， take appropriate ecological protection measures， strictly control the rapid expansion of construction land to paddy fields， optimize the land use structure， and effectively improve the level of regional carbon storage.

Concept for intrathecal delivery of brain recording and stimulation device.

Neurological disorders are common, yet many neurological diseases don't have efficacious treatments. The protected nature of the brain both anatomically and physiologically through the blood brain barrier (BBB) make it exceptionally hard to access. Recent advancements in interventional approaches, like the Stentrode™, have opened the possibility of using the cerebral vasculature as a highway for minimally invasive therapeutic delivery to the brain. Despite the immense success that the Stentrode™ has faced recently, it is limited to major cerebral vasculature and exists outside the BBB, making drug eluting configurations largely ineffective. The present study seeks to identify a separate anatomical pathway for therapeutic delivery to the deep brain using the ventricular system. The intrathecal route, in which drug pumps and spinal cord stimulators are delivered through a lumbar puncture, is a well-established route for delivering therapies to the spinal cord as high as C1. The present study identifies an extension of this anatomical pathway through the foramen of Magendie and into the brains ventricular system. To test this pathway, a narrow self-expanding electrical recording device was manufactured and its potential to navigate the ventricular system was assessed on human anatomical brain samples. While the results of this paper are largely preliminary and a substantial amount of safety and efficacy data is needed, this paper identifies an important anatomical pathway for delivery of therapeutic and diagnostics tools to the brain that is minimally invasive, can access limbic structures, and is within the BBB.

Investment outlays on nature protection in the context of the share of areas of high environmental value in the regions of Poland

The aim of the study is to determine whether there is a relationship between the value of investments made for nature protection and the area of legally protected areas in Poland. The research problem concerns investment outlays incurred for nature protection in relation to the surface of areas with high natural values in Poland, taking into account the division into voivodeships in the years 2002-2021. In general, the area of legally protected areas in Poland did not show high variability in the analysed period, while the assessment of the relationship between the variables showed differences between voivodships. The results of the statistical analysis showed that there is a positive relationship between investment outlays, and the share of legally protected areas and that the level of investment outlays incurred for nature protection is not proportional to the share of legally protected areas.

Analysis of the current state of the developement in the area of secured routes (via ferratas) in Slovakia

Analysis of the current state of the developement in the area of secured routes (via ferratas) in Slovakia

Environmental sustainability in high‐income countries: Does natural resource protection, financial inclusion, and energy innovation matters?

AbstractEnvironmental sustainability (ES) is critical for high‐income countries (HICs) because of their high ecological footprints. They are responsible for global environmental problems as they consume more natural resources, produce more output, and generate more greenhouse gases than other countries, which could have severe consequences for land degradation. In the context of resource conservation and land development policies, this study examined the impact of natural resource protection (i.e., land, water, and biodiversity), financial institution inclusion, financial market inclusion, and energy innovation (EI) on the enhancement of ES in 15 HICs from 1995 to 2020. The study applied Feasible GLS and Prais–Winsten regression to consider cross‐sectional dependence, autocorrelation, heteroscedasticity, and slope heterogeneity problems for unbiased and robust findings along with 2nd generation cointegration tests and the JKS Granger non‐causality test. Natural resource protection, financial institution inclusion, financial market inclusion, and EI have positive effects on ES, along with green energy and environmental regulations. It was also found that an increase in real income negatively impacts ES, as it increases the use of natural resources and energy and generates more waste and pollution which further accelerates land degradation. Cointegration and causality also exist between variables of interest. This shows that protecting natural resources, increasing financial inclusion, and EI can be successful strategies for fostering a green transition, reducing environmental impacts, and embracing more sustainable practices and laws to meet development goals and develop sustainable land use policies. This study suggests that HICs should protect land, water, and biodiversity, promote green financing, digital payments, EI, energy diversification, and environmental protection to achieve ES which is critically important to reduce land degradation.

Impacts of multi-scenario land use change on ecosystem services and ecological security pattern: A case study of the Yellow River Delta

The Yellow River Delta (YRD), a critical economic zone along China's eastern coast, also functions as a vital ecological reserve in the lower Yellow River. Amidst rapid industrialization and urbanization, the region has witnessed significant land use/cover changes (LUCC), impacting ecosystem services (ES) and ecological security patterns (ESP). Investigating LUCC's effects on ES and ESP in the YRD is crucial for ecological security and sustainable development. This study utilized the PLUS model to simulate 2030 land use scenarios, including natural development (NDS), economic development (EDS), and ecological protection scenarios (EPS). Subsequently, the InVEST model and circuit theory were applied to assess ES and ESP under varying LUCC scenarios from 2010 to 2030. Findings indicate: (1) Notable LUCC from 2010 to 2030, marked by decreasing cropland and increasing construction land and water bodies. (2) From 2010 to 2020, improvements were observed in carbon storage, water yield, soil retention, and habitat quality, whereas 2020–2030 saw increases in water yield and soil retention but declines in habitat quality and carbon storage. Among the scenarios, EPS showed superior performance in all four ES. (3) Between 2010 and 2030, ecological sources, corridors, and pinchpoints expanded, displaying significant spatial heterogeneity. The EPS scenario yielded the most substantial increases in ecological sources, corridors, and pinchpoints, totaling 582.89 km2, 645.03 km2, and 64.43 km2, respectively. This study highlights the importance of EPS, offering insightful scientific guidance for the YRD's sustainable development.

Effects of Land Use Changes on Water Quality and Flooding in Upper Nan River, Thailand

Land use change is a crucial issue when considering global dynamics and their interactions with the hydrologic properties of the soil and water management in catchment areas. Between 2017 to 2018, research was conducted on the effects of land use changes on water quality and flooding in the upper Nan River Basin. In Nan Province, land use is distributed as follows: natural forest protection covers 61.77 percent, agricultural purposes account for 35.23 percent, residential areas constitute 1.95 percent, and water usage represents 0.7 percent. The results indicate that the expansion of urban and agricultural regions has impacted the water quality of the river basin. A significant positive correlation was observed between agricultural land use and total phosphate content, while a strong negative correlation was found between forest land and total phosphate content. Residential occupancy and water quality demonstrated a strong correlation with total coliform contents. There were significant differences in water quality between the wet and dry seasons, particularly temperature, turbidity, total solids, total dissolved solids, and conductivity. Moreover, increases in annual and seasonal stream flow amounts were noted in relation to water levels and residential and construction projects.

Are Differing Viewpoints Amongst Key Actors Influencing Implementation of Key Eu Marine Environmental Policies? Case Of Strictly Protected Areas

The transboundary nature of marine ecosystems and their more difficult accessibility create challenges for the conceptualisation of effective marine conservation, because of the compleity of the marine functioning and often unclear competences. Marine conservation thus often relies on (international) policies. The EU environmental policies are known for their high ambition levels. However, their implementation has been subpar so far. This study investigates the viewpoints of marine nature, wilderness, and strict protection in the EU seas and whether those help eplain why the implementation of EU marine environmental policies has been incoherent and uncoordinated so far. The viewpoints and nature imaginaries were investigated amongst key actors in policy implementation from national to the EU and Regional Sea Conventions levels, using policy analysis, diagramming, and Living Q workshops. The results show a variety of divergent viewpoints that frame marine issues in different ways, resulting in different interpretations of common policies and definitions, as well as a variety of policy implementation priorities. The variety of different values associated with marine nature, wilderness, and the role of EU policies is thus likely to influence the way common EU policies will be implemented in the future and by etension their effectiveness.

Penanaman 1000 Pohon Cemara Laut Untuk Mitigasi Abrasi di Pantai Larangan Tegal

Larangan Tegal Beach is located in the northern part of Central Java and is a tourist destination among other beaches such as Pulau Kodok beach, Komodo beach, and others. On the way to the beach, visitors will see ponds and mangrove trees lining the edge of the road. However, unfortunately, this beach is experiencing soil erosion which is quite worrying. Every time the sea water rises, the environment around the beach, especially the stalls that serve as resting places for tourists along the beach, will be submerged. The impact of coastal erosion is not only limited to inundation of sea water, but also has negative consequences for the environment and local communities. To overcome this abrasion problem, an activity was carried out to plant 1000 sea pine trees around the coast, especially in the areas of Kedungkelor Village, Munjungagung Village, and Bojongsana Village where the procurement of sea pine tree seeds came from the Tegal Regency National and Political Unity Agency (Kesbangpol) in collaboration with the Pancasakti Tegal University Campus and the Bhakti Negara Islamic Institute for the planting process. Through this activity, it is hoped that it can reduce the impact of land erosion on the coast and provide natural protection for coastal areas from strong winds and sea waves. It is hoped that this effort can protect the coast from damage that may arise due to storms and extreme weather

Parents’ Environmental Literacy: From Knowledge to Pro-Environmental Behavior

Background: Environmental problems are still unsolved, so it is necessary to strengthen parents’ environmental literacy because they play an active role in modeling behavior for their children, including pro-environmental behavior and awareness.&#x0D; &#x0D; Purpose: this study investigated parents’ environmental literacy in pro-environmental behavior, including consumption-related behavior (C-RB) and nature protection behavior (NTB), based on environmental knowledge, environmental affect, and environmental self-efficacy (ES-e).&#x0D; &#x0D; Methodology: The research data collection was done by using a questionnaire in Likert scale format. The study participants were 275 parents. They have early childhood, which determines by accidental sampling from eight provinces in Indonesia. Data analysis begins with descriptive and correlational analysis and continues with structural equation modeling (SEM) analysis to test hypotheses and research models.&#x0D; &#x0D; Results: This study found that pro-environmental behavior is influenced by environmental knowledge by mediating environmental affect and ES-e. Its path is that environmental knowledge affects environmental affect and ES-e and then has implications for pro-environmental behavior.&#x0D; &#x0D; Practical implications: The significant direct and indirect effects were confirmed, therefore a new model of the effect of environmental knowledge on pro-environmental behavior mediated by environmental affect and ES-e was found. This model can explain the dynamics parents’ environmental literacy: from environmental knowledge to pro-environmental behavior through the mediating mechanism of environmental affect and ES-e. Therefore, practitioners, academics, and researchers can discuss, adapt, or adopt these findings to develop pro-environmental in the future.

SAFE ENVIRONMENTAL POLICY IN CONTEXT IMPLEMENTATION OF SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT GOALS

The article examines the current state of the formation of the state regulatory system and the problematic issues of ensuring a safe environmental policy in the context of the implementation of the goals of sustainable development in Ukraine in new conditions. The theoretical and methodological provisions were substantiated and the conceptual principles of improving the state regulation of the nature protection system were developed. Environmental safety policy is an important component of state policy in the field of national security. In the context of the implementation of the goals of sustainable development in Ukraine, it is necessary to improve the system of state regulation of the nature protection system. Environmental problems can lead to destabilization of society, disruption of the normal functioning of the economy and deterioration of the quality of life of the population. Therefore, it is important to develop and implement effective measures to ensure environmental safety. The measures proposed by the authors of the article are relevant and can contribute to the improvement of the system of state regulation of the nature protection system in Ukraine.

Improved indicators for the integrated assessment of coastal sustainable development based on Earth Observation Data

ABSTRACT Target 14 of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG 14) depicts a better future regarding the capacity of coastal environments to cope with several developmental challenges. However, gaps in the data and indicators restrict the effective implementation of this global plan. In this context, under the umbrella of the Digital Belt and Road (DBAR) Program, the DBAR_COAST working group (WG) aims to solve the problems of coastal sustainable development along the Maritime Silk Road (MSR). This paper demonstrates the recent efforts of the DBAR_COAST WG to develop indicators based on Earth observation (EO) data (i.e. the natural coastal protection index (NCPI), the local proportion of habitats protected index (LPHPI), and the coastal eco-erosion index (CEEI)), which complement the existing indicators related to SDGs 14.2, 14.5 and 14.7. These indicators all satisfy indicative, robust, scientifically sound and accessible data principles. Based on them, both the coastal protection (NCPI = 0.97) and protected area coverage (LPHPI = 0.38) in the MSR still had much room for improvement in 2020, and pressure from aquaculture expansion (CEEI = 0.11) showed significant regionally spatial heterogeneity. These indicators serve to provide a guideline for indicator-based assessment in monitoring the progress toward achieving SDG 14.

The issue of increasing legal responsibility for environmental damage

Protection of nature, during an armed conflict, should be recognized as an absolute value. The result of the Russian military aggression in Ukraine was the large-scale destruction of the living environment, massive pollution of the land, atmosphere and water environment with the use of methods and means of conducting military operations aimed at causing great and long-term damage. The brutality of the Russian Federation’s military invasion of Ukraine led to dire humanitarian consequences and serious environmental damage. Ukraine will be left with a toxic environmental legacy for future generations. Based on this, our state is obliged to create a sufficiently clear legal field at the national level, which would include responsibility for causing damage to the environment. The imposition of legal responsibility for offenses in the field of environmental protection should be a signal that such behavior is unacceptable.&#x0D; The Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe adopted a resolution on the negative impact of war on nature, which defined the crime of “ecocide”. The resolution recognizes the need to amend the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court by adding a new criminal act. The article analyzes the provisions of the current criminal legislation on ecocide. Taking into account the negative experience of Ukraine during the conduct of military operations, it can be stated that the environment has a direct, primary impact on the life and health of people and all living beings, which are recognized as the highest value. Damage to the environment, as a result, leads to the deterioration of the conditions of existence of all types of flora and fauna. That is why the offense of ecocide needs to be distinguished in international legal acts on a level with such crimes as genocide, crimes against humanity, acts of aggression and war crimes.