Sustainable Management Activities Research Articles

Are Municipalities Ready for Integrating Blue Carbon Concepts?: Content Analysis of Coastal Management Plans in the Philippines

The blue carbon ecosystems are gaining salience in the international arena due to their intrinsic role in climate change mitigation. Reviews on management strategies and plans at the local level are largely overlooked, although they are crucial factors in translating commitments to contextualized actions for sustainable management. The primary goal of this study is to investigate the present coastal management plans for blue carbon ecosystem management strategies using content analysis of the local plans of select municipalities in the Philippines. The analysis generated eight (8) clusters based on keywords focusing on mangrove and seagrass ecosystems, namely: ecological profile, ecosystem services, carbon sequestration, tourism, natural threats, anthropogenic threats, laws, policies, & ordinances, and management activities. The management activities cluster has the most coverage while the carbon sequestration cluster is the least mentioned. There is also a distinct gap in the inclusion of mangroves compared to seagrasses in the coastal management plans where these ecosystems are present in the localities concerned. Mangrove ecosystems are frequently mentioned, covering all clusters while seagrass ecosystems are discussed to less extent in only five (5) clusters. This study also showed that the “blue carbon” concept is not yet fully incorporated in the current management plans where carbon sequestration cluster is only discussed under mangrove ecosystems in one of the sites while no discussions for seagrasses’ “blue carbon” functions. The results of this study can serve as a benchmark for local policy-makers in updating their present management plans particularly in branching their focus on integrated management of seagrass ecosystems and advancing technical capacity and knowledge on blue carbon ecosystems.

Analysis of groundwater table variability and trend using ordinary kriging: the case study of Sylhet, Bangladesh

Many developing countries experience widespread groundwater declination. Sustainable management actions include generation of an accurate groundwater distribution based on an extensive groundwater monitoring network which is often cost prohibiting in the context of a developing country such as Bangladesh. Further, such knowledge is lacking for the Sylhet region where groundwater was documented to be under tremendous pressure. Specifically, the gap in the current literature exists regarding groundwater trends and its areal extent for this region. This paper bridges the gap in research by focusing on trends and spatial and temporal variation of groundwater level changes for this area. This study addresses this problem by creating groundwater level predictions at the ungauged areas using geostatistical methods applied to a detailed set of data. In this study, the spatial variability of annual-average depth to the water table at 46 observation wells in the Sylhet division in Bangladesh is analyzed for 2000, 2005, 2010, and 2015. The geostatistical analysis applies the ordinary kriging method with cross-validation to create the water table maps for the study area. The results indicate a substantial increase in groundwater depths during the studied period from 2000 to 2015 in some locations in the study area. Importantly, this work identifies the vulnerable zones in the area due to the groundwater lowering trend. The study adds to the groundwater management research in developing countries and focuses on the spatial and temporal groundwater variation. The findings from the modeling exercise contribute to identification of the vulnerable areas and therefore help policymakers in making informed decisions to manage groundwater resources in this sensitive region sustainably.

Ecological patterns and effectiveness of protected areas in the preservation of Mimusops species’ habitats under climate change

Understanding the niche and habitat requirements of useful and threatened species, their shifts under climate change and how well protected areas (PAs) preserve these habitats is relevant for guiding sustainable management actions. Here we assessed the ecological factors underlying the distribution of two multipurpose and threatened species, Mimusops andongensis and M. kummel, in Benin, and potential changes in the suitable habitats covered by PAs, under climate change scenarios. Fifty seven occurrence points were collected for M. andongensis and 81 for M. kummel. Associations with 19 bioclimatic (from WorldClim database) and six soil variables (from World Soil Information website) were analyzed using Principal Components Analysis, niche modelling and gap analysis. M. andongensis occurrence is associated with high soil clay, silt, organic carbon and cation exchange capacity. Contrastingly, M. kummel occurrence is linked to high sand content and prolonged water holding capacity. Climatically, M. andongensis occurrence is positively related to mean annual temperature, while M. kummel occurrence is influenced by the seasonality of precipitation and precipitation of the wettest period. Predictions showed affinity of suitable areas with water lines, suggesting that components of soil texture and chemical properties should be considered during modelling. For M. andongensis suitable areas are confined to the Guineo-Congolian zone, while for M. kummel they are mostly located in the Guineo-Sudanian zone and absent from the driest part of the Sudanian zone. Under climate change, moderately to highly suitable areas (probability of occurrence of species>20%) covered by PAs will decrease in the case of M. andongensis, but remain stable for M. kummel. In Benin, PAs are under threat from exploitation and uncontrolled bushfires, which may also affect populations of the two species. Consequently, additional actions are required, including the monitoring of species populations and the extent of different pressures, and the regularization of access to PAs. Populations of these species outside PAs should also be given consideration because of their very limited abundance.

Estimation of carbon stock in true mangrove stands in the Cipalawah Block of Sancang Sea Nature Reserve Garut West Java

This research aims to determine the estimation of biomass, carbon stock, density, and CO2 absorption of true Mangrove stands. This is important to know how much the area of the mangrove forest is able to absorb CO2 from the air, so that it can support the area’s sustainable management activities in relation to reducing the concentration of CO2 in the atmosphere. The research method used is a quantitative descriptive method with purposive sampling data collection techniques. Based on the research results obtained 6 types of mangroves namely Sonneratia alba, Rhizophora gymnorhiza, Aegiceras corniculatum, Avicenia marina, Bruguiera gymnorhiza, and Xylocarpus granatum. Based on the calculation using allometric equations, biomass results were 277.945 tons/Ha, estimation of carbon stock was 127.855 tons/Ha, true mangrove stand density was 737 individuals/Ha, and total CO2 absorption of true Mangrove stands was 468.802 tons/Ha.

Shooting habits and habitats- effects of education and legislation on the phasing out of lead shot

Achieving sustainability often requires fostering changes in norms and behaviours through a combination of restrictions and aware-raising activities. The phasing out of lead in ammunition to reduce lead poisoning in waterfowl provides a case in point. Twenty years after the Parties to the African Eurasian Waterbird Agreement (AEWA) committed to phase out lead shot in wetlands, such bans have been implemented in a third of Europe only. Furthermore, while evidence is scant, compliance varies widely where bans have been introduced. As a result, waterfowl are still suffering from lead poisoning.Here, I survey the use of different types of shot while practicing and when taking game in different habitats in Sweden, one of the Parties to AEWA. Furthermore, I test the hypotheses that mandatory shooter education, or stakeholder communication, influence compliance with existing restrictions in Sweden, as well as the voluntary phasing out of lead shot where its use still is permitted.More than half of the shooters practiced using lead and a third used lead shot over what they considered as wetlands, in both cases in violation of the current legislation. Furthermore, what constitutes a wetland appears to have been unclear to many shooters, especially in alpine areas. Both mandatory education and stakeholder communication were positively related to compliance.Only 12–15 % used lead free alternatives in shooting over habitats where the use of lead shot is permitted. There was a weak positive relationship between stakeholder communication and the voluntary phasing out of lead shot, but no effect from education.I suggest that the planned and ongoing phasing out of lead in ammunition should rest on a combination of legislation, enforcement, education and stakeholder communication in order to be successful. The findings add to our general understanding of how to turn environmental policy into sustainable management actions in practice.

Salven nuestor palenta: análisis prospectivo de 150 niños, niñas y adolescentes de Chile sobre la educación ambiental del futuro

Given the current climate crisis, there is a tension between hopeful, catastrophic and denialist visions of the future. Environmental education fields have promoted constructive visions of the future in which, as a result of collective action, the effects of climate change are mitigated, and communities adapt to new subsistence conditions. This qualitative study reports a prospective analysis of environmental education, based on letters from 150 schoolchildren who participate in a local Chilean program. In this regard, they point out a pool of measures: sustainable management actions; care and preservation of the environment; communication and social organization; and (self)education. They also distinguish certain glocal problems, actors and places that must be considered in the construction of tomorrow. Is discussed the importance of taking these suggestions in political terms and of offering more and better spaces to prefigure the environmental future they want to live.

We need to appreciate common synanthropic plants before they become rare: Case study in Latgale (Latvia)

Local ecological knowledge holds great potential in contributing to sustainable resource management and conservation activities. For this reason, the authors choose to analyse an ethnobotanical dataset from the Baltic Sea region by exploring the relationship between plants and humans on the basis of three main categories: habitat characteristics, distribution in the wild and plant sensitivity to human impact beyond physical distance. The study provides empirical evidence of widespread usage of so-called common species which are widely distributed in the territory and benefit from human activity. When considering the data via the intensity of use, based on detailed use-reports (DUR), the main category is shown to be apophytes (1001 DUR), followed by anthropophytes (426), hemeradiophores (255) and hemerophobes (54). The authors highlight the co-dependency of plants and humans in the medicinal and wild food domains and stress the need for integrated management strategies where local community knowledge plays a part. Keywords: Common Species; Conservation; Ethnobotany; Synanthropic Plants.

Impacts of Future Crop Tree Release Treatments on Forest Carbon as REDD+ Mitigation Benefits

Sustainable forest management activities, such as future crop tree (FCT) release treatments, became part of the REDD+ strategy to avoid carbon emissions from forests. FCT release treatments are intended to achieve increased growth of FCTs by removing competitor trees. This initially leads to a reduction of the forest carbon pool and represents a carbon debt. We estimated that the time it takes for FCTs to offset the carbon debt through increased growth on experimental sites of 10 km² in Belize, Guyana, Suriname, and Trinidad and Tobago. We further investigated whether the costs of treatment can be compensated by the generated financial carbon benefits. An average of 2.3 FCT per hectare were released through the removal of an average of 3.3 competitors per hectare. This corresponds to an average above ground biomass (AGB) deficit of 2.3 Mg FCT−1. Assuming a 30% increase in growth, the FCT would need on average 130 years to offset the carbon loss. For carbon prices from US$ 5 to 100 Mg CO2e−1 an additional increment between 0.6 and 22.7 Mg tree−1 would be required to cover the treatment costs of US$ 4.2 to 8.4 FCT−1. Assuming a carbon price of US$ 10 Mg CO2e−1, the additional increment required would be between 5.8 and 11.4 Mg tree−1, thus exceeding the biological growth potential of most individual trees. The release of FCTs does not ensure an increase in forest carbon stocks, and refinancing of treatment costs is problematic.

일본종합상사의 지속가능경영 활동에 관한 탐색적 연구

일본종합상사의 지속가능경영 활동에 관한 탐색적 연구

Sustainable Management Activities: A Study on the Relations between Technology Commercialization Capabilities, Sustainable Competitive Advantage, and Business Performance

This study investigates the effects of sustainable management activities (knowledge management activities, quality management activities, and competitive intelligence activities) on technology commercialization capabilities, sustainable competitive advantage, and business performance. In addition, it examines the effects of technology commercialization capabilities on sustainable competitive advantage and business performance as well as the effects of sustainable competitive advantage on business performance. We surveyed 409 global firms for 30 days from 1 October 2018 to 30 October 2018 and performed a structural equation model analysis on the data collected. We limited the scope of the survey to employees working at the level of team leader or above in the R&D department. The results showed that quality management activities and competitive intelligence activities have a statistically significant positive effect on technology commercialization capabilities and quality management activities, competitive intelligence activities, and technology commercialization capabilities have a statistically significant positive effect on sustainable competitive advantage. Additionally, sustainable competitive advantage has a statistically significant positive effect on business performance.

공공기관의 지속가능경영활동이 재무요인에 미치는 영향 : 공기업을 중심으로

공공기관은 민간기업보다도 더 높은 사회적 책임을 가지고 지속가능경영을 할 동기와 목적이 있다고 할 수 있다. 본 연구는 공공기관 중 목적으로서의 공공성과 수단으로서의 기업성을 갖는 공기업을 대상으로 지속가능경영활동이 재무요인에 어떠한 영향을 미치는지를 규명하고자 하였다. 연구결과 지속가능경영활동 중 고객만족도가 높은 공기업은 수익성에 유의한 양(+)의 영향을 미치는 것으로 나타났다. 이는 고객만족도의 향상은 고객을 유인하여 수익 향상으로 이어지는 것으로 해석할 수 있다. 또한 경영관리 점수는 재무요인 모든 지표에 대해 유의한 양(+)의 영향을 미치는 것으로 나타났으며 이는 경영관리 평가지표 기본체계가 경영전략, 사회공헌, 업무효율, 조직 및 인적자원 관리, 재무예산관리, 보수 및 복리후생 관리 등으로 구성되어 있어 재무요인과 밀접한 관련이 있기 때문으로 보인다. 반면 사업관리는 모든 재무요인에 유의한 음(-)의 영향을 미치는 것으로 나타났는데 이는 내부의 경영 노력으로 개선시킬 수 있는 부분보다는 전반적인 시장여건에 따라 실적이 크게 좌우되는 측면과 기관의 수용 능력을 충분히 고려하지 않고 급박하게 부여되는 정책목표의 영향이 상당히 크기 때문이라고 보여진다.

Challenges and conservation implications of Polylepis woodlands in the Andean region: Defining actions for sustainable management

Abstract Polylepis species represent one of the most important and endemic woodlands of the mid- and high-elevation regions of the Andean Cordillera. I provide a review of the current situation of Polylepis woodlands, discuss the potential effects of various conservation measures and consider the likely impact of climate change on tree phenology and tree regeneration, aiming to foster the conservation and sustainable management of these woodlands through proper environmental planning. I argue that in addition to the delineation and extension of protected areas, it is essential to incorporate actions such as forestation, forest policies, environmental education and local community participation. To be effective, conservation measures should be implemented in an international transdisciplinary research framework and in harmony with site-specific conditions. Finally, given the likely but uncertain influences of climate change on Polylepis woodlands, further research (and communication of that research) is needed to improve forest management strategies and research priorities for the Andean region.

Drought Risk Assessment in Cultivated Areas of Central Asia Using MODIS Time-Series Data

Drought is one of the most damaging environmental hazards and a naturally occurring phenomenon in Central Asia that is accompanied by crucial consequences for the agriculture sector. This research aimed at understanding the nature and extent of drought over the cropland regions of Central Asia with the help of spatiotemporal information from the region. We assessed drought occurrence using the vegetation health index (VHI). An algorithm was developed to reduce the noise of heterogeneous land surfaces by adjusting the vegetation index and brightness temperature. The vegetation condition index (VCI) and temperature condition index (TCI) were calculated using Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) products for the growing season (April–September) from 2000 to 2015. The intense drought years were identified and a drought map (drought probability occurrence) was generated. The findings of this research indicated regional heterogeneity in the cropland areas having experienced droughts, observed through spatiotemporal variations. Some of the rain-fed and irrigated croplands of Kazakhstan demonstrated a higher vulnerability to annual drought occurrences and climate change impacts, while other cropland regions were found to be more resistant to such changes. The development of policy tools is required to support informed decision-making and planning processes to adapt to the occurrence of droughts. This could be achieved by the timely assessment, monitoring, and evaluation of the spatiotemporal distribution trends and variabilities of drought occurrences in this region. The results from this study focus on the spatiotemporal variations in drought to reveal the bigger picture in order to better understand the regional capacity for sustainable land management and agricultural activities within a changing environment.

A Study on the Effect of Corporate Sustainability Management Activities on Corporate Trust and Purchase Intention

A Study on the Effect of Corporate Sustainability Management Activities on Corporate Trust and Purchase Intention

Corporate Sustainability Management, Earnings Transparency, and Chaebols

This study examines the association of corporate sustainability management with earnings transparency. Based on previous studies that indicate that sustainability management activities reduce earnings management and corporate risk and increase a firm’s value, this study predicts that the firms with effective sustainability management will have a high earnings transparency. In addition, this study examines the differential effect of corporate sustainability management on earnings transparency according to whether or not a firm belongs to a chaebol. We use Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) ratings of the Korean Corporate Governance Service (KCGS) as a proxy for corporate sustainability management and apply the method of Cheng and Subramanyam (2008) to measure earnings transparency. The empirical results show that there is a significant positive relationship between corporate sustainability management and earnings transparency. Furthermore, the association between corporate sustainability management and earnings transparency is more negative for firms belonging to a chaebol. These results indirectly show that firms belonging to a chaebol have a lower level of information asymmetry than firms not belonging to a chaebol. This study focuses on corporate sustainability management as a determinant of earnings transparency, and is useful for examining the effect of belonging to a chaebol on the relationship between sustainability management and earnings transparency. Our results are expected to provide important implications not only for managers, but also for investors and regulators.

First evidence of microplastic pollution in the El Quetzalito sand beach of the Guatemalan Caribbean

In Guatemala, assessment of the impacts of microplastic pollution in marine and coastal protected areas has not yet been carried out. Therefore, the main goal of this paper was to evaluate the abundance, composition, physical forms, and the possible sources of plastic debris in the El Quetzalito Beach. The area was intended for biodiversity conservation but has been excessively contaminated by plastic materials from land-based activities. The results state that plastic debris negatively impact the Caribbean coast of Guatemala and are released by storm water and riverine transport from the Motagua River. With a high abundance of 279 items/m2 (30 items/kg d.w.), composed mainly of polystyrene foam beads (66.8%) and polypropylene fragments (25.8%), the microplastic sources are the deterioration of large plastics. As these plastics are commonly used in industrial, commercial, fishing, and household activities, these findings reinforce the need to improve effective sustainable management actions of solid waste treatment and disposal in the Guatemalan cities.

Measurement of perception and implementation of sustainable supply chain management at PT Tetra Pak Indonesia

Sustainable supply chain management (SSCM) is a form of proactive action taken by the company and its supply chain to remain competitive by introducing products and production processes that are environmentally friendly and socially responsible.PT Tetra Pak Indonesia as a company engaged in the processing and packaging for food and beverages, is committed to reduce the environmental impact of all operations and prioritize environmental aspects for each product and solution offered. Although there have been many sustainability efforts undertaken by PT Tetra Pak Indonesia, the perspective and implementation of its sustainable supply chain management has never been measured. This research was conducted to measure the perception and implementation of sustainable supply chain management (SSCM) activities of PT.Tetra Pak Indonesia, in order to add information about the development of sustainable supply chain management practices in Indonesia. Data were collected in two ways: in depth interviews and questionnaires. Based on the result of interview and questionnaire, PT.Tetra Pak Indonesia gets an actual implementation index value of SSCM activities of 0.88, and has an overall perception index value of 0.85. This indicates that PT. Tetra Pak Indonesia is a company that has a perception towards sustainability and has actually implemented SSCM activities.

Responses of terrestrial animals to forest characteristics and climate reveals ecological indicators for sustaining wildlife in managed forests

Assessing the impacts of forest harvest on biodiversity is a key mandate for demonstrating sustainable forest management in many jurisdictions, yet the identification of an appropriate suite of wildlife and habitat indicators remains a challenge. We used individual species-based modelling and a spatially extensive dataset of forest-dependent bird, amphibian, and mammal species to measure the strength of response and prominent patterns among taxa to variation in forest habitat conditions, ranging from understory site characteristics to landscape level patterns. Our findings revealed that understory habitat was a significant contributor to species relative abundance. Stand level features and climate were generally more important than disturbance or landscape patterns in affecting wildlife response. There was much variability among species in the specific habitat conditions and scales of importance, consistent with the inherent complexity and diversity of forest ecosystems. Our work highlights that setting targets and monitoring for a diverse range of wildlife and habitat indicators at multiple scales, including understory features, may be needed to adequately assess biodiversity response to sustainable forest management activities.

Preface

The International Conference on Forest Products (ICFP) 2019 is held for broadening the forest product science and technology dissemination.The ICFP 2019 is the second international conference, held by the Forest Products Research and Development Center, the Ministry of Environment and Forestry of the Republic of Indonesia. Implementation of the ICFP 2019 is a strategy to expand the research results dissemination to an international level and is a medium for researchers, scientists and stakeholders to exchange information and develop research collaboration.The theme of the ICFP 2019 “Adopting the Renewable Bioenergy and Waste Utilization to Support Circular Economy & Sustainable Environment” is a strategic theme that supports actions for sustainable management of forest resources and the environment. This proceeding present 28 results of research on technology and bioenergy development, increasing the value added of industrial waste and forest harvesting, increasing the value added of NTFPs and biomedicine, processing waste to diversify timber products, processing waste to improve the quality of forest products and biomass utilization. I hope the scientific information presented in this proceeding can be useful for the parties as a basis for policy formulation and the development of science.Thank you.Dr. Wening Sri Wulandari Chairman of Organizing Committee

Challenges in Biodiversity Conservation in a Highly Modified Tropical River Basin in Sri Lanka

Kelani River is the fourth longest river in the South-Asian island, Sri Lanka. It originates from the central hills and flows through a diverse array of landscapes, including some of the most urbanized regions and intensive land uses. Kelani River suffers a multitude of environmental issues: illegal water diversions and extractions, impoundment for hydroelectricity generation, and pollution, mostly from agrochemicals, urban runoff, industrial discharges, and domestic waste. Moreover, loss of riparian forest cover, sand-mining, and unplanned development in floodplains have accentuated the environmental damage. In this study, based on Kelani River basin, we reviewed the status of biodiversity, threats encountered, conservation challenges, and provided guidance for science-based conservation planning. Kelani River basin is high in biodiversity and endemism, which includes 60 freshwater fish species of which 30 are endemic. Urbanization related threats are more severe in the middle and lower reaches while agriculture and impoundments peril the river in upper reaches. Documentation of these threats can be dated back to 1980, yet, Sri Lankan government has failed to take substantial actions for sustainable management of Kelani River basin, despite the presence of nearly 50 legislations pertaining to water and land management. Given high biodiversity richness, human dependency, and evident ecological deterioration, Kelani River basin should be prioritized for biodiversity conservation and sustainable resource management. Conservation and wise use of freshwater resources is a global concern, particularly for developing nations in Asia. Therefore, our review and guidance for scientifically informed conservation would serve as a prototype for basin-wide river management for Sri Lanka as well as for other developing nations of tropical Asia.