Opportunities For Sustainable Management Research Articles

REDD+: The Opportunity for Sustainable Management in Zagros Forests

ABSTRACT The Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Degradation (REDD+) projects aim to prevent deforestation and greenhouse gas emissions as a policy to combat climate changes. This article evaluates changes to the Zagros’ Forest cover in 20 years and predicts the implications of implementing the REDD+ project in the next two decades. Using Landsat Forest cover maps and a logistic regression model the potential for forest cover transfer to non-forest regions was modeled to identify regions at risk of deforestation. A Markov chain was implemented to predict the changes. Receiver Operating Characteristics (ROC) was employed for validation, and the Voluntary Carbon Standard (VCS) was utilized to model the REDD+ project baseline to predict the forest cover changes. The findings indicate, 37,809 hectares of forest cover were lost in the past 20 years and with this trend, the amount of greenhouse gas emissions will increase. However, implementing the REDD+ project can prevent the release of 1,714,534.13 tCO2e. Therefore, this deteriorating forest possesses the potential to reduce CO2 emissions by preventing deforestation, identifying deforestation-prone areas and implementing the REDD+ project utilizing the methodology presented. Climate change mitigation, carbon sequestration, and biodiversity protection are just a few of the benefits of REDD+ projects that can aid sustainable forest management

EVALUATION OF THE IMPLEMENTATION OF WASTE GENERATION REDUCTION INTO COMPOST WITH WINDROW SYSTEM IN THE TALANG GULO FINAL PROCESSING, JAMBI CITY

Talang Gulo Final Processing Site, Jami City will make efforts to reduce biodegradable waste consisting of leaf waste. The processing process that can be applied is by converting it into compost with an aerobic process with a windrow system. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the composting system and the results of existing waste processing. This research was conducted by direct observation and secondary data collection from the local management inventory. The composition of biodegradable waste in Jambi City consists of 47.4% food waste and 2.1% garden waste. However, the application of food waste is quite difficult to handle because of its characteristics, therefore garden waste is a priority for reduction by the government. The results of monitoring for one month in a row mean that the waste entering the compost facility is 4086 kg/day. The percentage of waste reduction from composting activities in total can be 0.986% of the total waste generation of Jambi City, or 45.426% of the total waste generation of Jambi City's gardens. The final measurement results of compost have met the quality standard of SNI 19-7030-2004 which has been set by the Indonesian government. The value of water content, pH, C – Organic, N – Total, C/N, P2O3, and K2O Total is 13.64%; 7,12; 4.77%; 0.42%; 11.4% 45.01%; and 0.25%, respectively. It is hoped that even though the achievement of waste reduction from this activity is still low, if it is seen from the opportunities for sustainable management and social support from the community and the government, it will reduce waste generation in Jambi City.

Correction: Tzanakakis et al. Challenges and Opportunities for Sustainable Management of Water Resources in the Island of Crete, Greece. Water 2020, 12, 1538

The authors wish to make the following corrections to the published paper [1], there were mistakes as follows: 1 [...]

Experimental study on infiltration pattern: opportunities for sustainable management in the Northern region of India

Abstract The infiltration process plays a key role in designing groundwater recharge, irrigation, and drainage systems, and contamination evaluation is controlled by numerous factors, among which soil physical properties and land use & land cover (LULC) are the prime factors. A comprehensive understanding of the spatial water infiltration characteristics over the soil which is site-specific and more complex due to non-uniformity could enhance the agriculture water use efficiency and mitigate water-related issues. The present study deals with the measurement of field infiltration characteristics using a mini disc infiltrometer in all 24 blocks of Gaya districts, Bihar, which covers a wide spectrum of soil types. Results showed that the average cumulative infiltration rate (IR) for the study area varies between 0.38 and 2.20 cm/min with an average rate of 1.16 cm/min. The initial IR among all blocks was found to be high but decreased gradually with each successive reading. Moreover, the land use under forest cumulative IR was more than the cumulative IR for urban and grassland. Eight blocks (33.3%) have an IR more than the average infiltration of the area which is good for storing the water in the aquifer and suggested constructing a recharge structure. Further investigation revealed a small IR in the inundated area, because of the maximum soil water table. The ready-to-use map showing the IR for the district is prepared which could be used by any decision-taking during the high or low rainfall, understanding the hydrological process, development of any reference guide for farmers for increasing the agriculture productivity and soil-water management.

Exploring coastal development scenarios for Zanzibar: A local microcosm-inspired Delphi survey

Tropical coastal systems are undergoing rapid change, which impacts people and natural resources, and that requires innovative governance processes to be turned into an opportunity for sustainable management. Focusing on Unguja, the main island of the Zanzibar archipelago in Tanzania, this study explores the current state of the island's coastal systems, as well as probable and desirable scenarios for the future. Based on a two-round iterative Delphi survey aimed at coastal science & management experts, research priorities are identified, and explorative scenarios are proposed. The findings indicate that demographic pressure is expected to have a high impact, and that competing coastal land use claims balancing between tourism infrastructure development and local fisheries-related land are to be expected. Sustainable alternative livelihood strategies are however expected to be part of the solution, for a resilient coastal system, if inclusive governance and management strategies are put in place, e.g. regarding access to coastal resources. This study combines the predictive and normative components of explorative scenarios and its approach and findings can be inspiring in the whole Western Indian Ocean region, beyond the Zanzibar case study.

E-Waste Supply Chain in Mexico: Challenges and Opportunities for Sustainable Management

Electronic waste is a widespread environmental problem. From all waste streams, e-waste is registering one of the largest growing rates (between 3% and 5%). In Mexico, the e-waste recovery system comprises a mix of formal and informal sectors not well known to date. The goal of this article was to analyze electronic waste in Mexico through the active actors in the recovery chain. This article presents the evolution of studies on electronic waste in Mexico. The legal regulations and public policies were analyzed, as were the existing practices of electronic waste handling, and some challenges facing this country for waste flow management. A management model is proposed which highlights components that must be considered in the model and the opportunities and challenges to transition from an unbundled handling, which still has practices that lack environmental and technical support, to sustainable management.

DEVELOPMENT OF THE INTERNATIONAL SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH INFRASTRUCTURE FOR THE LOWER DANUBE REGION

Purpose. The main objective is common information about the creation, nature and scientific basis of a new research infrastructure that combines the world's leading expertise and provides access to a range of river and marine ecosystems. Providing a single center for knowledge sharing, access to harmonized data, a platform for interdisciplinary research, education and training, that provides opportunities for sustainable management and environmental protection. The general goal is to develop quality to a pan-European level of research. Methods. Interdisciplinary dialogue at different levels between scientists of different disciplines had been used. Results. The ability to take into account inter-disciplinary relationships is crucial to bridging the gap between scientific disciplines, as well as barriers between scientists and politicians, water managers and entrepreneurs. An education system is being developed for the development of transnational cooperation in order to facilitate the exchange of data and knowledge, which will make a significant contribution to increasing efficiency and capacity building. Users are offered research in the fields of geology, biology, ecology, chemistry, physics, numerical and physical modeling, climatology, social and economic sciences and the development of new technologies for freshwater, terrestrial and marine environments and transition areas. Conclusions. The final result allows identifying the most important scientific parameters in the river-sea ecosystem, identifying current environmental problems covering the river-sea system for solving key social problems and related scientific and political needs.

Guiding Principles for Small-Scale Forestry in a Watershed of the Venezuelan Andes: Constraints and Opportunities

In the Venezuelan Andes, some small-scale forest plantations have become an important resource basis for forest management. In this paper, the forestry management progress in the Mucujun river watershed is analyzed. Constraints and opportunities for sustainable management within national policies, local regulations, environmental features and social benefits are also examined. Plantation assessment, and biophysical, legal and socioeconomics information, are used for guiding small-scale forestry practices in this watershed, with emphasis on the main principles of landscape management. These plantations have become an important part of the socio-ecological landscapes with potential for wood production—in the context of low intensity and low environmental impact environmental services and amenity—because of the two protected areas within the watershed. Current forest stand conditions, however, reflect that management requires improvement. Furthermore, the analysis suggests that improvement of local livelihoods may be achieved with a small-scale forestry approach, taking properly into account the basic criteria of social involvement and management of planted forests, while maintaining ecosystem services including biodiversity and water supply.

Forested Landscapes in Perspective: Prospects and Opportunities for Sustainable Management of America's Nonfederal Forests. National Research Council Committees

<i>Forested Landscapes in Perspective: Prospects and Opportunities for Sustainable Management of America's Nonfederal Forests</i>. National Research Council Committees