Sustainable Resource Management Research Articles

Role of Customary Governance in Resource Management of a Legal Pluralist Indigenous Community

This paper explores the role of customary governance in sustainable natural resources management within a pluralist indigenous community. It employs qualitative research design in which key informant interviews, focus group discussions and observations were used as research tools. It discusses how customary governance has worked for the management of resources of Lowa community, Lomanthang, upper-Mustang. It considers legal pluralism and modernization as major theories to analyze sustainable resource management issues in the community setup. The modern governance system has influenced in effecting customary governance system at all levels including the political-economic. The political influence is made subtly through colonizing tools such as development, education, and modernization. The Ghenpa governance system in Lomanthang has withstood several assimilation processes with state intervention and is now strongly opposing the western type of modernization. Although modernization opened the door of Lomanthang to a wide variety of people from outside, the coexistence and complementary relationship between the state legal system and Ghenpa customary governance kept the legal pluralist indigenous community more intact.

Understanding the interactions between biowaste valorisation and the Sustainable Development Goals: insights from an early transition stage

ABSTRACT The valorisation of urban biowaste can contribute to a circular and sustainable resource management. However, biowaste valorisation is not inherently sustainable. This study employs the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to investigate the sustainability implications of biowaste valorisation. A narrative literature review provided an overview of the current scientific knowledge on interactions between biowaste valorisation and selected SDG targets. Then stakeholder interviews yielded insights into such interactions in a national context. Our findings show the potential for 19 synergies and 11 trade-offs between biowaste valorisation and 20 selected SDG targets that are addressed in detail. Although the synergies outnumber the trade-offs, different context-dependencies influence the nature and strength of the interactions. We highlight three types of context-dependencies relating to governance. This study informs the scientific community and decision-makers on planning for sustainable biowaste valorisation that addresses context-dependencies. The insights can guide countries and cities at early transition stages towards biowaste valorisation.

Quantitative and qualitative assessment of groundwater resources for drinking water supply in the peri-urban area of Dhaka, Bangladesh

Groundwater is the primary source of freshwater for drinking, industrial, and agricultural water in many nations worldwide. This vital resource is deteriorating due to rapidly growing urbanization, pollution, overexploitation, and climate change. However, it is unclear how much this specific resource deteriorates over time. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate groundwater resources qualitatively and quantitatively in the peri-urban area of Dhaka, Bangladesh. The study used the modified Mann-Kendall trend test, hotspot analysis, groundwater recharge estimation, multivariate statistical analysis, and the water quality index (WQI) mapping. The trend analysis of groundwater levels indicates that in the most recent year, groundwater levels close to industrial areas have declined at a maximum rate of 1.18 m/year. The estimated groundwater recharge reveals that it is highest (480 mm/year) on rural agricultural land and lowest (220 mm/year) in urban areas. With a 99% confidence level, the groundwater water trend cluster analysis indicates the hotspots of groundwater level depletion near the industrial area. The results showed that Mn, Fe, and As exceeded the World Health Organization's (WHO) recommended limit for drinking water by 76.92%, 61.53%, and 23.07%, respectively. The principal component analysis and hierarchical clustering results indicate that groundwater quality is influenced by rock-water interaction and human interventions. The WQI results suggest that 47.05% of the samples were excellent, 7.69% were good, 9.96% were poor, 17.65% were very poor, and the remaining 17.65% were unfit for drinking purposes. The depletion of groundwater hotspots was identified in northeast region of the study area. Overall, an integrated framework was proposed that offers a holistic approach to sustainable groundwater resource management amid urbanization and industrialization. These findings will provide an essential guideline for groundwater resource management in the peri-urban area of Dhaka city.

Fostering green economic growth through sustainable management of natural resources

This study examines the importance of promoting environmentally friendly economic growth by effectively managing natural resources. It specifically focuses on the period from 2005 to 2014 in the BRICS nations. By employing the sophisticated Propensity Score Matching with Difference-in-Differences (PSM-DID) model, our research reveals intricate relationships between sustainable practices and the advancement of green economic development. The research reveals that the strategic and environmentally conscious management of resources positively impacts the economic growth of BRICS countries. The study highlights the importance of specific policy interventions, urging a coordinated effort to promote sustainable resource practices. This research contributes to the literature on sustainable development and environmentally conscious economic growth by providing detailed and sophisticated insights into the underlying dynamics. It is a solid basis for making well-informed policy decisions in the changing global context.

Ocean governance in practice: A study of the application of marine science and technology research techniques to maritime law enforcement in Taiwan

The research looks into the relationship between technology, international law, and marine policy in Taiwan, specifically looking at how these three factors interact to influence the way the maritime environment is monitored, understood, and regulated. The research explores how cutting-edge innovation has improved sustainable marine resource management by reshaping data collecting, analysis, and decision-making via a comprehensive literature review and case studies focused on Taiwan. The impact of international law, and UNCLOS in particular, on the standards and technologies used in marine resource management is a significant topic covered in the paper. Q&A sessions with experts in maritime policy, technology, and international law provide a qualitative analysis of the current state of marine affairs in Taiwan. The research shows that technology has revolutionized the way Taiwan oversees and monitors its marine environment. More effective and cooperative ocean governance has resulted from the rise of evidence-based decision-making made possible by technological advancements. An example of the regulatory impact of international law is UNCLOS, which sets standards for the sustainable management of marine resources and directs the use of technology. In spite of geopolitical obstacles, Taiwan is well-positioned for successful marine conservation and sustainable resource use thanks to its all-encompassing approach, which is based on continuing conversations and partnerships and is in line with worldwide technological advances and changing regulatory frameworks. This study highlights the interconnected nature of technology, international law, and marine policy, and how these factors influence Taiwan's strategy for preserving marine resources for the future.

Environmentally Friendly Leaching of Antimony from Mining Residues Using Deep Eutectic Solvents: Optimization and Sustainable Extraction Strategies

This paper focuses on the environmental leaching of antimony, a critical mineral, using deep eutectic solvents. Mining residues often contain embedded antimony, posing environmental risks. Deep eutectic solvents, known for being low in toxicity, cost-effective, and environmentally friendly, present a promising avenue for sustainable antimony extraction. The study focuses on optimizing the leaching process through experimental analysis by considering variables such as temperature, time, and percentage of solids. Different deep eutectic solvent (DES) compositions are being studied, including choline chloride with malonic acid, thiourea, and ethylene glycol in different molar ratios, to identify the most effective solvent system for antimony extraction. A sample, originally obtained from mining waste produced via the flotation of antimonite ore, was used to test these three types of DESs. By optimizing the leaching process by changing the ratio of solid and liquid components, as well as the amount of oxidizing agent up to 3 g, iodine, yields of up to 100% were achieved after leaching for 4 h at 100 °C. The aim of the study is to advance sustainable resource management by providing knowledge on an ecological and feasible method of extracting antimony from mine waste, leading to more conscious and efficient resource practices in the mining sector.

Architecting the future: exploring the synergy of AI-driven sustainable HRM, conscientiousness, and employee engagement

This study investigates the interrelations between AI-Driven Sustainable Human Resource Management (HRM), Employee Engagement, Employee Performance, and Conscientiousness Personality, through a survey of 470 employees in Chinese enterprises. Integrating Ability-Motivation-Opportunity (AMO) and Person-Organization (P-O) Fit theories, the research introduces a comprehensive model. Our findings suggest that Artificial Intelligence-Driven Sustainable HRM positively influences Employee Engagement, leading to enhanced performance. Moreover, Conscientiousness Personality serves as a critical moderating factor between AI-Driven Sustainable HRM and Employee Engagement. This study provides a theoretical perspective on the integration of AI-Driven Sustainable HRM and Employee Engagement in Chinese enterprises, uncovering a mediating and moderating mechanism. Through this mechanism, AI-Driven Sustainable HR practices contribute to employee engagement and performance, particularly for those with a high level of conscientiousness.

Sustainable Human Resource Practices and Framework in the Selected Philippine State Universities and Colleges (SUCs): A Case Study

Despite the significance of Sustainable Human Resource Management (SHRM), there is a dearth of academic literature on this subject in the context of Philippine State Universities and Colleges (SUCs). The goal of this research is to analyze current human resource practices, look at the key underlying factors that affect them, and develop a comprehensive and integrated model of human resource management that considers shifting social and economic conditions as well as the demographics of the workforce in SUCs. The proposed model can be used as a roadmap to enhance human resource practices, develop human capital, and create more sustainable human resource planning in the Philippine public sector. For this case study, information was gathered through in-depth interviews with 30 key respondents from selected SUCs who held managerial, supervisory, and rank-and-file positions. The study's findings will offer advice to academic HR managers on how to improve HR procedures and administration to be more employee-focused. Thus, the proposed framework is useful for making decisions about how to sustain employees in the Philippine SUCs.

Temporal and spatial variations of groundwater quantity and quality for drinking and irrigation purposes in the arid and hot weather of Southern Iran

Groundwater provides a reliable water supply of fresh water worldwide for drinking, agricultural, and industrial purposes, especially in areas where surface water is scarce or unreliable, making it an essential resource for human and economic development. Proper management and protection of groundwater resources are crucial to ensure their sustainability and continued contribution to fulfilling the growing water demand worldwide. This study focused on the quantitative and qualitative changes in groundwater in the Kahoorestan Plain, located northwest of the Persian Gulf in southern Iran. The zoning maps produced by Arc GIS revealed a declining trend in the aquifer level and a drop in the groundwater level of 5.24 m over 20 years. The maps of the flow directions also indicated a general trend from the western highlands to the south and southeast regions of the plain. The Piper diagram showed that the predominant hydrochemical facies of the plain area is NaCl. Temporal changes analysis by the Mann-Kendall test revealed that EC, TDS, TH, Na, Mg, Ca, SO4, and Cl parameters have a rising trend in the majority of wells, which attributes to groundwater over-withdrawal, drought, excessive well drilling, and insufficient aquifer recharge. The study’s analysis of the temporal and spatial changes of the water quality index, Schoeller diagram, and Wilcox diagram revealed that the aquifer’s water quality is unsuitable for drinking and irrigation use due to its high salinity and sodium content. The findings underscore the urgency of adopting effective management strategies to ensure the sustainable management of groundwater resources in the region.

Actors participation and power relations of REDD+ implementation in Bale Eco Region, Ethiopia

ABSTRACT The study focuses on actor participation and power dynamics in the REDD+ project within the Bale eco-region, a vital facet of global climate policy for sustainable forest resource management. The Forest Carbon Partnership Facility (FCPF) of the World Bank supports developing countries in preparing for international REDD+ policy implementation, emphasizing the necessity of effective actor participation. The study uses text documents, Socio metric survey, and interviews with project actors and participants. This study employs both qualitative framework and social network analysis (SNA). While SNA looks at power dynamics and interactions between actors, the qualitative framework allows for a comprehensive evaluation of actor participation. The social network data was analyzed using an open source software called NodeXL. Results show that Bale eco-region REDD+ involves actors from different groups. Actors contribute to national strategies, funding, capacity building, and knowledge sharing. However, local communities have limited involvement in decision-making, lack knowledge sharing and capacity building. This hinders the implementation process and contributes to unequal power dynamics and lack the comprehensive input needed for effective and tailored strategies in the region. Calculated centrality values highlight a strong alliance among Ethiopia's national government entity overseeing REDD+ Environment, Forest and Climate Change Commission (EFCCC), and the regional entities Oromiya Forest and Wildlife Enterprise (OFWI), as well as Farm Africa, indicating significant institutional power across national and local levels. EFCCC holds influence in decision-making and strategy development, while OFWI wields substantial regional institutional power in information control and collaboration. Thus, climate policies must prioritize involvement of local communities in decision-making, capacity development, and resource accessibility. This helps to tackle power imbalances through collaborative governance structures. It also enables stakeholders to actively manage forests through imparting skills, knowledge and share benefits equally.

EKONOMI, KEAMANAN DAN DAMPAK LINGKUNGAN DARI PENURUNAN KEJAYAAN MARITIM

Maritime collapse is a complex phenomenon that affects countries around the world. The economic, security and environmental impacts of maritime collapse have far-reaching implications. This research identifies key causal factors, such as exploitation of marine resources, maritime security instability, infrastructure inadequacy, corruption and climate change, and proposes solutions that include sustainable management of marine resources, enhanced maritime security, infrastructure investment, combating corruption and adapting to climate change. In conclusion, holistic efforts are needed to address the issue of Maritime Glory Collapse and ensure economic, national security and environmental sustainability in an increasingly important maritime era.

Environment and Digitalization: The New Paradigms in the European Stock Markets

In a European context in which the objectives of climate neutrality and digitalization appear fundamental, the work analyzes the relationships between the price of the main stock market indices and the most representative variables such as carbon emissions, digitalization, use of renewable energy, research and development expenses, environmental taxes, and all economic and management activities aimed at reducing or eliminating any form of pollution. The analysis was developed through three different regressions involving the long period 1995–2020 and the short period 2017–2020. The results show how increasing carbon emissions and environmental taxes positively impact stock indices. The former is linked to an increase in production and, therefore, economic growth, and the latter encourages sustainability. Taxes on transport and energy in the long term generate higher costs, which damage profitability and negatively impact the performance of stock indices. Finally, in the short term, implementing environmental protection measures or the sustainable management of resources may lead to higher operating costs for the companies involved. These cost increases can negatively impact profit margins and reduce the value of companies. These results, therefore, show us how environmental sustainability has a significant impact on European stock markets; consequently, the relevant regulations and policies should also consider the economic and managerial impacts that companies implement to achieve their objectives of the Green Deal.

Modeling spatial groundwater level patterns of Bangladesh using physio-climatic variables and machine learning algorithms

Groundwater monitoring is essential for sustainable groundwater resource management in a country like Bangladesh, where this precious resource is gradually declining due to over-extraction. However, traditional methods of acquiring groundwater level (GWL) data over a large area are time-consuming and expensive. To address this, this study proposes an alternative approach using freely available daily groundwater storage (GWS) gridded data from the Global Land Data Assimilation System (GLDAS) and other data sources such as population, rainfall, temperature, irrigation, and elevation. By employing different regression and machine learning models like multiple linear regression (MLR), regression trees, support vector machines (SVM), Gaussian process regression (GPR), and artificial neural networks (ANN), the study aimed to model GWL data for Bangladesh at a spatial resolution of 0.25° × 0.25°. In-situ weekly GWL data collected from 844 locations across the country were used for model development. The results indicated that GWS data alone was insufficient to estimate the spatial variability and trend of groundwater in Bangladesh. However, the comparison of different models showed that the ANN model performed better, with an overall correlation coefficient (R) of 0.95 and mean squared error (MSE) of 0.64 m2 when estimating GWL using GWS and other data. The study also identified population and rainfall as the most influential factors in determining GWL. The developed ANN model can be utilized to estimate GWL at locations where observation data are unavailable, enabling the monitoring of GWL for sustainable groundwater management in Bangladesh.

Digital Sustainability for Human Resource Management Canvas Meta-Synthesis Approach

In the era of Digital Transformation (DT) and Sustainable Development (SD), the pivotal role of Human Resources (HR) in addressing business challenges has become increasingly evident. These challenges directly impact different HR departments and processes, prompting a need for a strategic overhaul. HR management should continuously adapt its service delivery model to align with the business model and create a balance between internal and external organizational expectations and employee needs, considering the two fundamental challenges of digital transformation and sustainable development, in an agile manner. The critical role of sustainable human resource management in fostering overall business sustainability is evident. However, in many cases, HR management has failed to recognize and demonstrate its cost structure, revenue flow, and social and environmental benefits transparently for the business. This research focuses on presenting the sustainable digital human resource management canvas and its connection to the business canvas to achieve sustainability in the digital era. Employing a qualitative research methodology, this study conducts a meta-synthesis of two pivotal concepts-sustainable human resource management and digital human resource management- leveraging data from reputable databases including Science Direct, Scopus, and Web of Science. Following meticulous screening and examination, a total of 17 articles from Q1-ranked journals were selected as the final articles for a more detailed and in-depth review. The findings from the meta-synthesis results consist of 5 dimensions and 23 components, ultimately presenting the sustainable digital human resource management canvas by modeling it after the business canvas. The distinct feature of this canvas, compared to other similar and conventional models, is the inclusion of individual sustainability in the value proposition and the creation of a digital value component, including artificial intelligence, the Internet of Things, and big data.

Harmonised statistics and maps of forest biomass and increment in Europe

Forest biomass is an essential resource in relation to the green transition and its assessment is key for the sustainable management of forest resources. Here, we present a forest biomass dataset for Europe based on the best available inventory and satellite data, with a higher level of harmonisation and spatial resolution than other existing data. This database provides statistics and maps of the forest area, biomass stock and their share available for wood supply in the year 2020, and statistics on gross and net volume increment in 2010–2020, for 38 European countries. The statistics of most countries are available at a sub-national scale and are derived from National Forest Inventory data, harmonised using common reference definitions and estimation methodology, and updated to a common year using a modelling approach. For those counties without harmonised statistics, data were derived from the State of Europe’s Forest 2020 Report at the national scale. The maps are coherent with the statistics and depict the spatial distribution of the forest variables at 100 m resolution.

Immobilisation of chromium in magnesium carbonate minerals

AbstractHexavalent chromium (Cr6+) is a toxic carcinogenic pollutant that might be released by the mining and processing of ultramafic rocks and nickel laterites and which requires permanent removal from the contaminated biosphere. Ultramafic material can also serve as a feedstock for the sequestration of CO2 resulting from the growth of new minerals, raising the intriguing proposition of integrated sequestration of both pollutants, CO2 and chromium, into magnesium carbonates. Such a synergistic process downstream of ore recovery and mineral processing could be an elegant proposition for more sustainable utilisation and management of the Earth's resources. We have therefore carried out an experimental and microanalytical study to investigate potentially suitable carbonate minerals. Uptake of chromium in carbonate phases was determined, followed by identification of the crystalline phases and characterisation of the local structural environment around the incorporated chromium centres. The results suggest that neither nesquehonite nor hydromagnesite have the structural capacity to incorporate Cr6+ or Cr3+ significantly at room temperature. We therefore propose that further research into this technology should focus on laboratory assessments of other phases, such as layered double hyroxides, that have a natural structural capacity to uptake both chromium and CO2.

Use of GIS and RS Tools for Analysis of Land Use Land Cover and Land Surface Temperature: A Case Study of District Khairpur, Pakistan

Land use and land cover (LULC) monitoring plays an important role in sustainable planning and management of resources. This research focuses on analysing historical LULC changes over the Khairpur district of Sindh province of Pakistan. Remote Sensing and Geographic Information System (RS & GIS) tools have been employed using the maximum likelihood algorithm of the supervised classification method. Temporal data of the latest high-resolution satellite imagery provided by NASA GLCF (Global Land Cover Facility), Landsat 8 Operational Land Imager (OLI), and Landsat 4, 5 Thematic Mapper (TM) for 2001, 2010, 2015, and 2020 were acquired from Earth Explorer of United States Geological Survey (USGS). The study area is classified into four major classes namely Barren Land, Vegetation, Built-up areas, and Water Bodies. Analysis revealed that for 2001 and 2005 there was no change in barren land area, whereas in 2010 slight decrease in barren land was found which further decreased for the analysis period of 2020, overall barren land class decreased at a rate of 07% (i.e., 74% to 67%) during the analysis period. Also, vegetation and water bodies classes experienced variations throughout the analysis period, however built-up areas showed constant increase throughout the analysis period where built-up area classes increased from 9% to 15%. Whereas land surface temperature (LST) throughout the analysis period showed increasing trends, for both high ranges and low ranges. It was analysed that the areas having dominancy of the barren land class experienced the highest temperature ranges whereas low temperature ranges were discernible in the areas having vegetation covers. It can be concluded from the study that barren land covers the major area of the study area and there is an increase in built-up areas which can further enhance the LST in the study area.

Precision water management in pulses for enhanced resource-use-efficiency

Although greater efforts have been made to realize higher yields with desired quality from a number of high-yielding varieties of pulses with matching agro-technologies and proven tolerance to biotic/abiotic stresses, yet there has been a shortfall (though minimized to a greater extent now) in expected goals in production/productivity in these field crops. Therefore, there is a need for renewed and innovative approach for sustainable cropping intensification with pulses. In this context, water–a critical input for sustained crop production – is becoming limiting both under rainfed and irrigated conditions depending on its availability, competing factors, allocation to priority crops, and season of the year. It deserves all of us to use this precious commodity more judiciously, sensibly and need-based in agriculture through modern technology, especially in presence of diverse constraints. One of the approach for effective on-farm management of water is its precision use. One or two life-saving/supplementary irrigation through water-saving technologies (drip or sprinkler irrigation) during the post-rainy/ fall months or even under dryland condition could sustain productivity of crop. Some of the innovative agro-technologies could reinforce this by way of technology up-scaling and/or providing a sound footing for better water delivery/use. These include precision land levelling, no-till systems, furrow-irrigated raised bed planting, and crop diversification and its residue management. Thus, adaptive strategies for grain legumes or pulses will be highly location specific and offers an alternative for a quantum jump in its production with sustainable resource management and resource use efficiency (RUE). To conclude, strategic water management in pulses could play a significant role in their sustainable intensification/diversification of already scarce resource base in time to come (in the context of Sustainable Development Goals).

A new strategy for groundwater level prediction using a hybrid deep learning model under Ecological Water Replenishment.

Accurate prediction of the groundwater level (GWL) is crucial for sustainable groundwater resource management. Ecological water replenishment (EWR) involves artificially diverting water to replenish the ecological flow and water resources of both surface water and groundwater within the basin. However, fluctuations in GWLs during the EWR process exhibit high nonlinearity and complexity in their time series, making it challenging for single data-driven models to predict the trend of groundwater level changes under the backdrop of EWR. This study introduced a new GWL prediction strategy based on a hybrid deep learning model, STL-IWOA-GRU. It integrated the LOESS-based seasonal trend decomposition algorithm (STL), improved whale optimization algorithm (IWOA), and Gated recurrent unit (GRU). The aim was to accurately predict GWLs in the context of EWR. This study gathered GWL, precipitation, and surface runoff data from 21 monitoring wells in the Yongding River Basin (Beijing Section) over a period of 731days. The research results demonstrate that the improvement strategy implemented for the IWOA enhances the convergence speed and global search capabilities of the algorithm. In the case analysis, evaluation metrics including the root mean square error (RMSE), mean absolute error (MAE), mean absolute percentage error (MAPE), and Nash-Sutcliffe efficiency (NSE) were employed. STL-IWOA-GRU exhibited commendable performance, with MAE achieving the best result, averaging at 0.266. When compared to other models such as Variance Mode Decomposition-Gated Recurrent Unit (VMD-GRU), Ant Lion Optimizer-Support Vector Machine (ALO-SVM), STL-Particle Swarm Optimization-GRU (STL-PSO-GRU), and STL-Sine Cosine Algorithm-GRU (STL-SCA-GRU), MAE was reduced by 18%, 26%, 11%, and 29%, respectively. This indicates that the model proposed in this study exhibited high prediction accuracy and robust versatility, making it a potent strategic choice for forecasting GWL changes in the context of EWR.

Advancing Water Conservation Techniques in Agriculture for Sustainable Resource Management: A review

The evolution and impact of water conservation techniques in Indian agriculture, underlining their vital role in fostering sustainable resource management amidst increasing global water scarcity. It begins by exploring traditional water management practices, illuminating their historical relevance and the constraints they face in meeting contemporary agricultural demands. The focus then shifts to modern water conservation methods, including technological advancements in irrigation, such as drip irrigation, sprinkler systems, and subsurface irrigation, alongside agronomic practices like crop rotation, soil moisture management, and mulching, which collectively enhance water efficiency. It explores into the crucial influence of technology and innovation in Indian agriculture, spotlighting precision agriculture with a particular emphasis on sensors and IoT for water management, remote sensing, satellite imagery, and data-driven methodologies incorporating AI, machine learning, and decision support systems. Additionally, it investigates cutting-edge solutions like hydrogel technology for soil water retention and solar-powered irrigation systems. The review also addresses the significance of supportive policy frameworks, community-oriented water management strategies, and the role of education and awareness, highlighting government initiatives, international collaborations, NGO involvement, and farmer training programs. Regional case studies are presented to analyze the effects of these water conservation practices on sustainability and productivity, offering insights into lessons learned and the potential for replication. Lastly, the review identifies and discusses the challenges and barriers to implementation, encompassing economic and financial limitations, technological and infrastructural gaps, social and cultural obstacles, and environmental considerations. Ultimately, this review emphasizes the need for a holistic approach that synergistically integrates technology, policy, community engagement, and education, crucial for advancing water conservation in Indian agriculture and ensuring its sustainability and resilience amidst diverse environmental and socio-economic challenges.