Responsible Land Use Research Articles

Пострадянська ментальна спадщина українського селянства

The subject of this research is the economic traditions of the Ukrainian peasantry. The article aims to provide a historical and economic assessment of the transformation of Ukrainian peasant mentality, substantiating the need to overcome the long-term effects of the Soviet economic model's impact on the current trajectory of agricultural development in Ukraine and the mentality of the Ukrainian peasant. The article outlines various determinants in the development of informal economic institutions in the agricultural sector during the Soviet period, including the repressive mechanisms of state agricultural policy, the unprofessional and irresponsible management of collective farms, changes in the social structure of villages, and the destruction of horizontal social connections. The author reveals long-term socio-economic consequences of agricultural collectivization, such as the eradication of traditional individual family farms, reduced agricultural production efficiency, changes in the social role and status of peasants due to their alienation from land and production means, the elimination of national culture of responsible land use, deterioration of the environmental situation, proletarianization of the population, and the breakdown of informal moral norms, heightened social tension, and societal division, along with the establishment of authoritarianism through mass repression. To mitigate the negative impacts of Soviet agricultural policy, Ukraine’s development strategy should include fostering small family farms, expanding various forms of solidarity-based economic self-organization among Ukrainians, and restoring leadership institutions within rural communities.

Co-creating multimodal transportation hubs in Switzerland: How to close the gap between actors across different scales, levels, and sectors

Transforming railway stations and their surroundings into multimodal transportation hubs (MMTHs) involves numerous actors at different scales and from different economic sectors and levels of government. Successful transformations offer a wide range of benefits to sustainable development, including increased public transportation use and mixed-use, high-density station districts. Intensive collaboration and, ideally, co-creation are critical to achieving these outcomes through MMTHs; however, orchestrating all involved actors is challenging and requires supporting methods, and the knowledge required to develop and refine methods is scarce and rarely subjected to systematic analysis. Based on 15 semistructured interviews and two design thinking workshops attended by 13 and 20 MMTH experts, our study shows that the challenges of co-creating MMTHs relate not only to professional matters but also to managing collaboration and implementation among a large number of actors with various roles and interests. In this paper, we develop design guidelines for reviewing and evaluating two current methods and a prototypical method (the functional model) with the goal of identifying potential improvements and supporting MMTH co-creation in Switzerland. These guidelines cover the broad spectrum of co-creation activities, from organization and design collaboration with relevant actors to the development of a shared vision to support financing and the planning process. The functional model encompasses many aspects of the design guidelines and closes gaps between actors across different scales, economic sectors, and governmental levels. Due to the relatively low effort involved, the method can be repeated as needed throughout MMTH development, which often takes several years. Our study demonstrates that existing MMTH co-creation methods require improvement, and the design guidelines developed here suit this purpose. Our work thus contributes to the further development of MMTH co-creation methods, ultimately supporting sustainable development such as CO2 emission reduction and responsible land use.

ТЕОРЕТИЧНІ ОСНОВИ УПРАВЛІННЯ ЗЕМЕЛЬНИМ КАПІТАЛОМ ФЕРМЕРСЬКИХ ГОСПОДАРСТВ

The efficiency of farmers' management significantly depends on the effective management of land capital. It has been established that the management of land capital of farms is a system that covers all social relations and generally determines the set of relationships between the elements of the management system aimed at the rational and environmentally responsible land use. The subsystems of land capital management of farms are economic, environmental, regulatory, administrative, innovation and management, and land management and technological. The structural model of the system of land capital management of farms includes the subject, object, subject matter, purpose, goals, principles, functions, methods and mechanisms of management. The subject of this system, i.e., the management subsystem, are farms and government authorities of all levels that implement the state land, agrarian and tax policies and supervise compliance with the norms of rational land use. The object of management is differentiated by the depth of the essential content of the definition of “land”, covering land and its fertility, land resources and their capitalization, land and its investment attractiveness, agricultural land (by type) and the efficiency of its usage. The economic interests of landowners, land users, the state, and society are the basis for making managerial decisions by a farmer. It has been shown that the system of land capital management of farms should be based on the following basic principles: systematicity; purposefulness; balance of interests of a farmer, landowners, the state and society in the use of land resources; payment for land use; sustainable development of agricultural land use; rationality and economic feasibility of land use; priority of land protection as the main means of production; responsibility and information. The functions of land capital management of farms include planning of land capital use; forecasting of land capital use in the short, medium and long term; organization of land capital use; motivation and control of rational use of land capital.

Solar-Powered Electric Vehicles: Enhancing Endurance and Sustainability through Photovoltaic Integration

The potential of solar photovoltaic (PV) technology as a transformative and sustainable energy solution in the context of global energy challenges is explored in this work. The advancements in solar PV technology, including innovative cell architectures like heterojunction and Passivated Emitter Rear Contact (PERC) cells, the emergence of perovskite solar cells, and the influence of roll-to-roll manufacturing processes are discussed in this paper. The paper also highlights the diversification of energy portfolios, enhanced energy system reliability, resilient energy infrastructure, energy security, and the profound environmental benefits associated with solar PV technology. The results of a performance study involving a prototype electric vehicle, both with and without integrating a solar panel as an alternative energy source are noted. The findings reveal a substantial increase in the vehicle’s endurance when the solar panel is incorporated, emphasizing the transformative potential of solar PV in reshaping energy systems, mitigating environmental hazards, and promoting responsible land use. The work underscores the ongoing journey towards a cleaner and more resilient energy future, empowered by the harnessing of solar energy.

The wisdom of ecofeminism in Arjasari as a link between Hadith and community practice

This research aims to discuss ecological wisdom in Arjasari as a link between hadith and community practice. This qualitative research used a case study. It used hadith science theory as the formal object, and the practice of ecofeminism the material object. Using observation, interviews, and documentation for data collection, this study analyzed the data through inventory, classification, and interpretation stages. The research involved two community organizations affiliated with the Sapa Institute: Bale Istri Community and Islamic Organization in Arjasari, Bandung, Indonesia, from July 2022 to December 2022. This research is unique because it explores thematic hadiths, which serve as a basic source for integrating Islamic teachings into the practice of ecofeminism. This study explores the matan of traditions related to ecology, using a thematic approach to understand their relevance to contemporary environmental challenges comprehensively. The research shows that ecofeminism practices of community organizations from the perspective of hadith were found in Arjasari Village, Bandung. The identified hadiths emphasize responsible land use, sustainable agriculture, and preservation of natural resources, contributing to developing an ecofeminist framework in Arjasari, harmonizing Islamic values with environmental ethics. This study's unique contribution lies in exploring thematic hadith, which integrates ecofeminist practices. The deliberate linkage of religious principles with ecofeminist discourse promotes the equivalence between environmental standards and Islamic values.

Application of Image Analytics for Tree Enumeration for Diversion of Forest Land

Accurate tree enumeration is essential for responsible forest land diversion in development projects. Conventional manual surveys are slow, costly, and prone to errors. This paper introduces a cutting-edge image analytics solution that leverages satellite imagery and aerial photos to automate tree counting. The primary objective is to develop a robust system that identifies and categorizes trees by crown size, and environmental conditions. Advanced computer vision algorithms are integrated with machine learning models to analyze the imagery. Rigorous validation processes, including comparisons with ground-truth data from manual surveys, ensure high accuracy and reliability. The results are impressive. This solution significantly accelerates tree enumeration, eliminating resource-intensive manual efforts. It consistently demonstrates precision with minimal false positives and negatives. Moreover, it categorizes trees efficiently by species, offering a comprehensive view of the forested area. This project significance lies in its contribution to responsible and sustainable land development practices. By automating tree enumeration, it equips stakeholders with timely, precise data for informed decisions about land usage, conservation, and environmental impact assessments. The solution strikes a balance between development and ecological preservation, optimizing resource allocation while minimizing environmental impact in forested regions. In conclusion, this innovative image analytics solution revolutionizes forest land diversion, enabling efficient and ecologically conscious decision-making. It addresses the critical need for accurate tree enumeration in the face of developmental challenges, fostering responsible land use and environmental stewardship.

The Principles of Land Use in The Morphological Dimension of Spatial Management in An Urban Area of The Province of South Sulawesi (Socio-Legal Review)

Purpose: This study aims to analyze and explain the principles of land use within the dimensions of spatial morphology in urban development patterns in South Sulawesi Province and their relevance to spatial strategy. It also aims to analyze and explain factors affecting urban development patterns in the province concerning spatial strategy. Theoretical framework: Sustainable urban land use emphasizes balancing economic growth, environmental preservation, and social equity. It includes long-term resource sustainability, biodiversity conservation, and climate-resilient communities. Effective urban planning should prioritize inclusivity, community involvement, and sustainable transportation for accessible and functional cities. Regional development theory highlights coordinated policies for sustainable economic growth, environmental protection, and social well-being, including diversifying the local economy and enhancing education and healthcare access. Holistic regional development integrates economic, environmental, and social factors, laying the groundwork for responsible land use. Methods: The research was conducted in five Regency/cities in South Sulawesi: Makassar, Gowa, Pangkaje'ne and Islands, Soppeng, and Palopo, with 80 respondents selected through purposive sampling. The study employed descriptive analysis with qualitative and quantitative approaches. Findings: The findings conclude that the principles of land use in South Sulawesi are less than optimally used as guidelines for urban development despite being incorporated into the spatial planning of the Province and Regency/Cities. Practical implications: The implementation of urban development patterns is suboptimal in coordination with urban spatial plans of the Province and Districts. Legal factors, facilities, legal awareness, and the environment positively influence development patterns, while coordination has a negative impact. Originality/Value: The study recommends revising or issuing spatial planning regulations following Law No. 26 of 2007. Consistent supervision, control, and sanctioning by local governments in urban development in South Sulawesi. Enhancement of facilities for the supervision and control of spatial planning. Increasing public legal awareness through the socialization of spatial arrangement regulations. Inter-agency coordination in urban development through a One-Stop Service Office for optimal access to land use permission and spatial planning following the spatial plans of the Regency/Cities.

Investigation of the importance of criteria in potential wind farm sites via machine learning algorithms

Wind energy has received greater attention than other energy resources due to its superior economics, low greenhouse gas emissions, and limitless wind resources. As a result, wind energy capacity has significantly increased, and the selection of the best locations for wind farms is an issue that has received extensive research. A significant step toward environmentally responsible land use planning is the site suitability assessment for the placement of wind farms. This study was conducted to determine the best locations for wind farms and to prioritize different locations and alternatives in the West of Turkey by using Maximum Entropy (MaxEnt) and Logistic Regression (LR) Methods based on Geographic Information Systems (GIS). Eight criteria were selected for creating the suitability map: air density, power density, wind speed, capacity factor, elevation, slope, aspect, and land use. Both methods were effective at choosing locations for wind farms because all the results were statistically significant in the consistency tests. MaxEnt calculated the potential wind energy fields with high accuracy and reliability with 0.915 AUC and LR multiple R square values of 0.883. Compared to the current installed power values, the MaxEnt analysis results were more consistent with the recent status. İzmir has been calculated as the province with the highest potential for wind energy area of 663 km2 by MaxEnt and 620.4 km2 by LR.

Mechanisms used by plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria to boost plant growth - A Review

Several decades after the green revolution, the agricultural industry depended on artificial chemical fertilisers to achieve higher crop yields. This practice, however, contributes to a hazardous impact on the farming ecosystem, causing a smaller deposit of arable land for crop cultivation and production worldwide. Since the 2000s, people, industries, and governments are aware that it is time for everyone to shift to new technology which promotes responsible land use for agriculture. One of the technologies is plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria to enhance crop productivity and potentially rehabilitate soil health directly or indirectly. This review paper outlines the mechanisms used by plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria to promote plant growth. The tools could be opening up new ideas to address one of the recent and urgent world agriculture issues, food security.

Selecting an Optimal Approach to Reduce Drivers of Climate Change in a Complex Intuitionistic Fuzzy Environment

The sustainability of the climate is a critical concern in the modern world. A variety of acts are included in sustainability that strive to lessen our carbon footprint and maintain the fragile balance of our world. To preserve a sustainable future for future generations, we must cooperate in adopting renewable energy sources, supporting green transportation, and implementing responsible land use. In this article, we propose the concepts of complex intuitionistic fuzzy Dombi hybrid averaging (CIFDHA) and complex intuitionistic fuzzy Dombi hybrid geometric (CIFDHG) operators within the framework of a complex intuitionistic fuzzy environment. Furthermore, we explore several additional important features of these operators. To overcome the limitations of the existing score function within the CIF knowledge context, we present a new and improved score function. Additionally, we apply the proposed score function and newly defined operators to select an optimal strategy for mitigating the drivers of climate change and saving the planet’s valuable resources for a more livable and resilient planet. In order to demonstrate the validity and practicality of the suggested strategies, we conducted a comparative study of these novel techniques with existing methods.

Spatial Distribution of Soil Organic Carbon in Relation to Land Use, Based on the Weighted Overlay Technique in the High Andean Ecosystem of Puno—Peru

Soil organic carbon (SOC) is a crucial component of the planet and is essential for agriculture development. Our region is known for its livestock and agricultural activities. Hence, understanding the spatial distribution of SOC is crucial for sustainable land management of soils in the mountain ecosystems in the Andes. The methodology consisted of obtaining 53 soil samples from depths of 0 to 105 cm, which were analyzed to obtain SOC (Kg/m2) and organic matter (OM) (%). Ordinary kriging, a geostatistical method, was used to determine SOC. Pearson’s statistical method was applied to determine the association between SOC and precipitation, temperature, altitude, and organic matter and gave acceptable correlations of 0.38, −0.32, 0.40, and 0.59. These results were used to apply weighting criteria for climatological and environmental variables. The weighted overlay tool was used for modeling and mapping the spatial variability of SOC. The estimated spatial distribution of SOC in the micro-watershed reveals an increasing trend from south to north, specifically within the 0–20 cm depth profile. The study confirmed through the spatial analysis that regions with intensive agriculture have low reserves (<3 Kg/m2) of SOC, and areas without agricultural activity but with grazing have average resources of 3 Kg/m2 to 5 Kg/m2 of SOC. Finally, in the upper micro-watersheds where there is no agricultural activity, the reserves are high (5 Kg/m2 to 6.8 Kg/m2). Accordingly, we can promote sustainable and responsible land use practices that support long-term productivity, environmental protection, and societal well-being by prioritizing efficient land utilization, soil conservation, biodiversity conservation, land restoration, and informed land use planning in the high Andean ecosystem of Puno–Peru.

Driving Factors of the Hydrological Response of a Tropical Watershed: The Ankavia River Basin in Madagascar

Understanding the hydrological behavior of watersheds (WS) and their driving factors is crucial for sustainable water resources management. However, at large scales, this task remains challenging due to the spatial heterogeneity in landscapes, topography and morphology (T), land cover (LC), geology (G), and soil properties (S). In this context, the aim of this study was to identify the key factors that influence the hydrological signatures of four watersheds: Ankavia (WS1: 55% forest cover), Ankaviabe (WS2: 77% forest cover), Sahafihitry (WS3: 41% forest cover), and Antsahovy (WS4: 48% forest cover), over a 10-month study period. These catchments are located within the SAVA region of northeastern Madagascar and have a humid tropical climate. We investigated the relationship between selected catchment descriptors and hydrological signatures by using a Pearson coefficient-based correlation matrix. More specifically, catchment descriptors (extracted from T, LC, G, and S) were correlated with the following hydrological signatures: base flow index (BFI), mean runoff coefficient (rc), mean peak flow (Qp), mean runoff event time scales (ts), high flows (Q5), low flows (Q95), and mean discharge (q_mean). The analysis revealed that land cover, soil properties, and geology seem to be the best predictors for BFI and Q95, while soil properties mainly govern rc, Qp, Q5, ts, and q_mean. These findings provide valuable insights into the key drivers of hydrological behavior that can inform water resource management strategies. In particular, WS2 exhibits better flood buffering capacity but also experiences lower base flows in the dry season, potentially due to higher evapotranspiration. Conversely, WS3 and WS4 (and to a lesser extent WS1) have lower flood buffering capacity, but these watersheds encounter less pronounced low flows in the dry season due to higher BFIs, possibly attributable to lower evapotranspiration rates. The results underscore the importance of responsible land use practices and conservation efforts, which are essential for the sustainable development of the region. By incorporating these practices into water management strategies, we can help ensure a more stable and reliable water supply for communities and ecosystems within the region.

The Rising Threat of Atmospheric CO2: A Review on the Causes, Impacts, and Mitigation Strategies

The increasing levels of carbon dioxide (CO2) in the atmosphere have become a major environmental challenge due to their contribution to global warming. The primary drivers of the increase in atmospheric CO2 concentrations are the combustion of fossil fuels, deforestation, agricultural practices, or the production of cement, which play a significant role in the increase of CO2 concentration in the atmosphere. However, efforts are being made to mitigate the negative effects of CO2 emissions, including carbon capture and storage (CCS) technologies that aim to capture CO2 from industrial processes and store it in underground geological formations. Methane, another potent greenhouse gas, is another major contributor to climate change and is mainly produced by agricultural activities such as livestock farming and rice cultivation. To address this, sustainable agricultural practices, such as reducing meat consumption and adopting climate-smart farming techniques, are crucial. Ultimately, a sustainable future can be secured for the planet and future generations by implementing effective measures, such as the use of sustainable energy sources, improvements in energy efficiency, responsible land use practices, and reducing the emissions of both CO2 and methane.

СУЧАСНІ НАПРЯМКИ ЗАБЕЗПЕЧЕННЯ КОНКУРЕНТОСПРОМОЖНОСТІ АГРАРНОЇ ПРОДУКЦІЇ УКРАЇНИ

Competitiveness should be understood as the ability of an individual entity to function successfully in a competitive environment, having an absolute or relative advantage over the “main players” – key competitors in the market. It is determined that the competitiveness of products is associated with the appropriate level of its quality, which is better than analogues to meet the needs of consumers. Another component is the cost of products, the nature of which is more variable compared to quality, which explains the formation of quality throughout the production cycle under the influence of mostly objective factors. The cost of production, which consists of cost and profit, has a higher level of variability due to the dependence of the level of profit on the state of market demand. In terms of profit, the competitiveness of products is closely linked to the success of the enterprise, its stability and development potential. Another aspect of product competitiveness is considered market parameters. Thus, “hard” and “soft” factors of product competitiveness were distinguished, where the first group is represented by the quality and cost of production, and the second – profit and marketing. The analysis of the existing criteria of competitiveness of goods allowed to add to the identified factors the following: social targeting, consumer novelty, informativeness, reliability, safety for consumers and the environment, product image. Features of ensuring the competitiveness of products in the agricultural sector are considered. The dependence of agricultural specialization on the location determines the critical dependence of product quality on the resource potential, which requires preservation and reproduction. This necessitates the inclusion of environmentally responsible components of responsible land use in the ways of ensuring the competitiveness of products. It is determined that the most difficult factor in managing the competitiveness of agricultural products is the price due to the peak load in the collection of crops and the need for significant storage reserves for storage of products for a long time. Ways to manage this factor are proposed to consider the development of commodity exchanges, the use of financial instruments, risk insurance. Horizontal integration for small farms and vertical integration for agricultural enterprises are recognized as additional ways to ensure the competitiveness of agricultural products.

Environmentally Responsible Land Use, Spring/Summer 2010, Issue 22

Environmentally Responsible Land Use, Spring/Summer 2010, Issue 22

СУЧАСНІ НАПРЯМКИ ЗАБЕЗПЕЧЕННЯ КОНКУРЕНТОСПРОМОЖНОСТІ АГРАРНОЇ ПРОДУКЦІЇ УКРАЇНИ

The complexity and versatility of the concept of «competitiveness», as well as its consideration at all levels of socio-economic systems requires in-depth analysis of its nature to determine the characteristics of agricultural products, whose exclusive role is related to food security. The purpose of the study is to identify modern areas of ensuring the competitiveness of agricultural products in Ukraine. It is established that the competitiveness should be understood as the ability of a subject to operate successfully in the market, having an absolute or relative advantage over competitors. It is proved that the product competitiveness depends on such factors as: quality, cost, profit, market parameters. «Hard» and «soft» factors of product competitiveness are distinguished. In addition to the above, the following factors or criteria of product competitiveness are considered: social targeting, consumer novelty, informativeness, reliability, safety for consumers and the environment, product image. Features of ensuring the product competitiveness in the agricultural sector are considered. The critical dependence of agricultural specialization on the territory of location is determined, which causes the importance of resource potential, which requires the implementation of measures of responsible land use, which is an ecological component of the competitiveness of agricultural products. The peculiarity of providing labor resources to agricultural enterprises requires the inclusion social aspects in the concept of product competitiveness management. Thus, the priority of sustainable development of agricultural enterprises to ensure the competitiveness of agricultural products is determined. The dependence of the competitiveness of agricultural products on the price factor is considered, which is characterized by significant volatility and the influence of global trends. Ways to manage this factor are proposed: to consider the development of commodity exchanges, the use of financial instruments, risk insurance. Horizontal integration for small farms and vertical integration for agricultural enterprises are recognized as additional ways to ensure the competitiveness of agricultural products. Key words: competitiveness, product competitiveness, agricultural enterprises, agricultural products, quality, cost, price.

Land Use and Land Cover Change in the Kailash Sacred Landscape of China

Land use and land cover change (LUCC) is an important driver of ecosystem function and services. Thus, LUCC analysis may lay foundation for landscape planning, conservation and management. It is especially true for alpine landscapes, which are more susceptible to climate changes and human activities. However, the information on LUCC in sacred landscape is limited, which will hinder the landscape conservation and development. We chose Kailash Sacred Landscape in China (KSL-China) to investigate the patterns and dynamics of LUCC and the driving forces using remote sensing data and meteorological data from 1990 to 2008. A supervised classification of land use and land cover was established based on field survey. Rangelands presented marked fluctuations due to climatic warming and its induced drought, for example, dramatic decreases were found in high- and medium-cover rangelands over the period 2000–2008. And recession of most glaciers was also observed in the study period. Instead, an increase of anthropogenic activities accelerated intensive alteration of land use, such as conversion of cropland to built-up land. We found that the change of vegetation cover was positively correlated with growing season precipitation (GSP). In addition, vegetation cover was substantially reduced along the pilgrimage routes particularly within 5 km of the routes. The findings of the study suggest that climatic warming and human disturbance are interacted to cause remarkable LUCC. Tourism development was responsible land use change in urban and pilgrimage routes. This study has important implications for landscape conservation and ecosystem management. The reduction of rangeland cover may decrease the rangeland quality and pose pressure for the carrying capacity of rangelands in the KSL-China. With the increasing risk of climate warming, rangeland conservation is imperative. The future development should shift from livestock-focus animal husbandry to service-based ecotourism in the sacred landscape.

Best Practices in Responsible Land Use for Improving Biodiversity at a Utility-Scale Solar Facility

Development of a utility-scale solar photovoltaic project involves management of various potential environmental impacts, including impacts on wildlife and habitat. Although solar facility construction activities do involve short-term disturbance, responsibly developed solar power plants can provide shelter, protection, and stable use of land to support biodiversity. Land use practices and their relationship to biodiversity are examined at one of the world’s largest solar facilities, the 550 MW Topaz Solar Farms project in San Luis Obispo County, CA, USA. Pre- and postconstruction biological monitoring data indicate similar to higher vegetation productivity on-site compared to reference sites. Postconstruction monitoring has documented the presence of dozens of wildlife species, including several with special conservation status. Best practices in responsible land use utilized in the Topaz project are specified in the categories of community, biology, water, design and construction, and end of life. These practices, as well as future solar project development innovations that reduce ground disturbance, can be applied to enhance biodiversity at other solar facilities.

Bioenergy and Land Use: Framing the Ethical Debate

Increasingly, ethical concerns are being raised regarding bioenergy production. However, the ethical issues often do not stand out very clearly. The aim of the present paper is to improve on this situation by analyzing the bioenergy discussion from the perspective of land use. From this perspective, bioenergy production may give rise to ethical problems because it competes with other forms of land use. This may generate ethical problems mainly for two reasons. First, bioenergy production may compete, directly or indirectly, with food production; and as consequence the food security of poor people may be adversely affected (social aspects arguments). Secondly, the production of bioenergy may directly or indirectly lead to deforestation and other changes of land use that have a negative effect on greenhouse gas emissions (environmental arguments). So from this perspective the main challenge raised by bioenergy production is to secure responsible land use. The purpose of the paper is not to advocate, or promote, a specific ethical position on bioenergy, but to structure the main arguments found. The paper falls in two parts. One part addresses social aspects arguments for using agricultural land for bioenergy—where food insecurity, malnourishment, and significant food poverty are the main concerns. The second part scopes environmental implications—notably greenhouse gas emissions impact, as affected by deforestation and other (indirect) land-use changes. Alongside showing some of the current dilemmas presented by wider land-use changes, arguments are analyzed from two ethical angels: a consequentialist and a deontological.

Mosquito-borne Diseases as a Consequence of Land Use Change

Human modification of the natural environment continues to create habitats in which mosquitoes, vectors of a wide variety of human and animal pathogens, thrive if unabated with an enormous potential to negatively affect public health. Historic examples of these modifications include of impoundments, dams, and irrigation systems that create havens for the mosquitoes that transmit malaria, dengue, and filariasis. Additionally, contemporary deforestation appears to be associated with the expansion of mosquito distributions and the increase in mosquito-borne disease transmission. These observations are not unique to the developing world, as urban sprawl also contributes significantly to mosquito habitats and offers a sanctuary to some vector populations. With foresight and planning, most of these systems can be appropriately managed to control vector populations and pathogen transmission. The key to disease control is developing an understanding of the contribution of human landscape modification to vector-borne pathogen transmission and how a balance may be achieved between human development, public health, and responsible land use.