Sustainable Management Policies Research Articles

Sustainable environmental governance as the implementation of state defense policy

Background: Land waters in urban areas often become a source of problems if they are not managed wisely and firmly. The threat and risk of danger, disease and even death always haunt the people who live on the banks of the river. Poverty and slum areas are negative effects of less than optimal land water management in urban areas. The Indonesian government has taken various steps to address this, but the lack of urban land for settlement is the reason why immigrants from other regions reside and reside in dangerous areas such as riverbanks. The compulsion to live minimally in urban areas is a burden for local governments in their efforts to increase welfare as well as improve sustainable urban governance. Many other cities in developed countries have made efforts to improve inland water areas to alleviate poverty and at the same time beautify the urban landscape. The experts agreed to hold discussions to formulate the best policy steps for sustainable urban governance in Indonesia. Methods: In the process of data analysis and decision making related to sustainable environmental governance as implementation of national defense policy, this article utilizes the Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP) Data Processing Method. Finding: The results of in-depth discussions and interviews with experts in the field of environment, urban governance, economic experts and poverty management experts from various institutions such as the Ministry of Social Affairs, PUPR Ministry, Spatial Planning and City Planning Services, Academics and also the Military were processed using the Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP). Conclusion: The best decision alternative will be a recommendation for policy makers regarding sustainable urban governance. Novelty/Originality of this study: This study is relevant to the Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP) Method to formulate sustainable urban water management policies in Indonesia, involving various experts and related institutions to overcome poverty and improve urban landscapes. Therefore, this study can show policy recommendations based on various aspects and views.

Climate change and coastal erosion hotspots in West Africa: The case of Togo

Global warming is a worldwide phenomenon with disastrous implications ranging from ocean warming and glacier melting to sea level rise and coastal damage. This research assesses climate change trends, investigates coastal erosion hotspots and forecasts shoreline dynamics in West Africa. It also includes information on coastal erosion impacts and current coastal defence measures. The data set includes annual mean sea level anomaly, eddy kinetic energy, wave energy data and monthly climate data, such as precipitation, temperature, wind speed, and sunshine, from 1988 to 2023. Additionally, field survey data and Sentinel-2 satellite images were employed from 2015 to 2023 for coastal erosion monitoring. The Mann-Kendall test and Sen's slope test have been employed for climate trend analysis, while the DSAS tools have been used to identify coastal erosion hotspots and forecast future trends. The results revealed a significant increasing trend in annual sea level rise anomaly, annual wave energy, annual eddy kinetic energy, monthly temperature, and monthly sunshine. According to the shoreline dynamics investigation on Togolese coastal area, the Aflao-Port transect had significant accretion rates (up to 15 m/years), whereas the Port-Aneho transect experienced coastal erosion (up to −12 m/years). Climate change may increase wave energy intensity in certain regions, while coastal development can alter littoral transport and shoreline changes. Although there are soft and hard stabilisation solutions to counteract coastal erosion, such as groynes, sandbags, reforestation, and a series of nozzles in Togolese coast, the phenomenon of coastal erosion has evolved in recent years. Future projections in 2033 show that coastal erosion could move from 50 to 250 m inland. It is recommended that climate trend indicators, shoreline dynamics, and coastal stabilisation solutions be incorporated into all coastal and marine policies for sustainable management, with a view to ensuring minimal disruption to the ecosystem services provided by the sea and coast to people.

Groundwater-dependent ecosystem map exposes global dryland protection needs

Groundwater is the most ubiquitous source of liquid freshwater globally, yet its role in supporting diverse ecosystems is rarely acknowledged1,2. However, the location and extent of groundwater-dependent ecosystems (GDEs) are unknown in many geographies, and protection measures are lacking1,3. Here, we map GDEs at high-resolution (roughly 30 m) and find them present on more than one-third of global drylands analysed, including important global biodiversity hotspots4. GDEs are more extensive and contiguous in landscapes dominated by pastoralism with lower rates of groundwater depletion, suggesting that many GDEs are likely to have already been lost due to water and land use practices. Nevertheless, 53% of GDEs exist within regions showing declining groundwater trends, which highlights the urgent need to protect GDEs from the threat of groundwater depletion. However, we found that only 21% of GDEs exist on protected lands or in jurisdictions with sustainable groundwater management policies, invoking a call to action to protect these vital ecosystems. Furthermore, we examine the linkage of GDEs with cultural and socio-economic factors in the Greater Sahel region, where GDEs play an essential role in supporting biodiversity and rural livelihoods, to explore other means for protection of GDEs in politically unstable regions. Our GDE map provides critical information for prioritizing and developing policies and protection mechanisms across various local, regional or international scales to safeguard these important ecosystems and the societies dependent on them.

Managing ecosystem services in oleaginous forests for bioenergy provision and climate change mitigation

Oleaginous forests provide diverse ecosystem services, including timber, seed yield (a vital feedstock for biodiesel production), and substantial carbon savings. These carbon savings encompass carbon sequestration related to timber growth and carbon savings resulting from substituting fossil fuel with biodiesel. However, oleaginous forests are vulnerable to seed wasp attacks (disservice), which significantly threaten both seed yield and carbon savings. Using an integrated ecological-economic model that includes Faustmann's Land Expectation Value model and a pest damage control model, we aim to understand the intricate relationship among multiple ecosystem services and disservices of oleaginous forests. The results reveal four distinct phases contingent on varying pesticide application rates: the pesticide under-use phase, substitution phase, complementary phase, and over-use phase. Notably, a potential avenue to minimize pest damage is identified during the complementary phase by reducing the optimal rotation age at the expense of decreased carbon sequestration and bioenergy provision, posing a challenge to climate change mitigation. These findings have implications for formulating policies to manage conflicting ecosystem services of energy forests, offering valuable insights into the intersection of sustainable forest management and climate policy.

Length-Weight Relationship and Condition Factor of Synodontis schall (Bloch & Schneider, 1801), from Roseires Reservoir, Sudan

This study was carried out to investigate the length-weight relationship and condition factor of the Mochokid catfish S. schall, a commercially important fish species in the Roseires reservoir on the Blue Nile, Sudan. A total of 643 specimens were collected using the multi-filament gillnets of mesh sizes (4.0, 8.0, 10.0, and 12.0 cm) and twine (No. 2 and 12) during the period from November 2015 to October 2016; Samples were collected from four sites namely: Awal Bab, Elregiba, Kirma, and Wad El Mahi.; The length and weight of sampled fish were measured and recorded on the sampling sites and used to determine a length-weight relationship. The growth coefficient (b) ranged from 1.196 to 2.649, with moderate to high correlations (r) between 0.437 and 0.798. Values of (b) were less than 3 indicating a negative allometric growth pattern, whereas weight increased at a lower rate than length. The condition factor (K) ranged from 1.966 ± 0.696 to 3.856 ± 3.856, suggesting the fish were in good health condition throughout the sampling sites. The findings of this study provide valuable insights into the biological aspects of S. schall, which can form the basis of sustainable management and conservation policy for the fishery resource of this economically important fish species in the Roseires reservoir.

Land use and land cover patterns as a reflection of subsurface architecture groundwater quality in a large urban center (Varanasi) in the Ganges river basin, India

Varanasi is an exponentially developing city in the Himalayan-sourced Ganges river basin. To understand the sustainable groundwater-sourced drinking water in Varanasi, it is essential to study the land use-land cover that reflects the surface geomorphology vis-a-vis sub-surface geology, and influence groundwater conditions. We incorporate lithological and groundwater data obtained from an extensive network of boreholes in and around the city at 110 sites, reaching a maximum depth of 100 m below ground level (bgl). The unconsolidated subsurface are primarily composed of sand, silt, clay, and gravel where, silty clay layer. Groundwater quality and stresses were determined through multi-dimensional hydrogeological approaches. The data were analyzed through multivariate statistics (Principal Component Analyses to identify the governing factor influencing the broad hydrogeochemistry. PC1 for urban areas has higher loading values for Fe, Cl− compared to Semi-urban areas highlighting contamination by municipal wastewater. PC2 for urban areas shows higher loading values for Mg2+ and HCO3− compared to semi-urban areas. Due to heavy urbanization in Varanasi, the aquifer suffers substantial groundwater abstraction during particular times of the day compared to the agricultural lands. An increase of about 9% in built-up areas within a span of 10 years (2012–2022) poses a threat to the aquifer system of our study area, jeopardizing access to sustainable drinking water. With the expansion of urbanization and unregulated groundwater extraction, the vulnerability of the aquifer system will probably increase in the foreseeable future. Implementation of sustainable water management policies, engaging all economic sectors of the population in Varanasi, can expedite the process and safeguard the aquifer from attaining its emerging vulnerability. Thus, comprehending evolving groundwater risks through non-invasive methods like that discussed in the present study, holds significant promise for effectively targeting safe groundwater availability in future.

Leveraging Life Cycle Assessment and System Dynamics Model Analysis for an Integrated Household E-Waste Management System in Yaoundé, Cameroon

Electronic waste (E-waste) is a global environmental issue and a contemporary challenge in developing countries, where implementing sustainable E-waste management policies is required to mitigate the adverse impacts of inappropriate treatment and disposal. This study assesses the environmental and human health impacts of the current E-waste management system in Yaoundé. The study then proposes an integrated E-waste management system (IEMS) with policy instruments for increased formal E-waste collection and reduced environmental impacts from informal E-waste treatment. Life cycle assessment (LCA) was utilized to identify high-impact contributing processes within the current E-waste management system (EMS) and to determine the optimum scenario for an integrated system. The system dynamics model (SDM) analysis ascertained the efficiency of the E-waste policy under the IEMS. Results show that the IEMS can reduce global warming potential, fine particulate matter formation, and human carcinogenic toxicity from one ton of E-waste treatment by 27%, 16.3%, and 34%, respectively. Regarding the policy efficiency simulation for the IEMS, the policy instrument (Policy 1), with levies on electronic appliance producers, proved environmentally efficient in reducing the quantity of informal recycling. It was also more economically viable for the recycling fund to increase formal E-waste collection and subsidize formal treatment within the context of the IEMS. The study outcome is informative for E-waste management policy planning in developing economies.

Comparison of direct and indirect soil organic carbon prediction at farm field scale

To advance sustainable and resilient agricultural management policies, especially during land use changes, it is imperative to monitor, report, and verify soil organic carbon (SOC) content rigorously to inform its stock. However, conventional methods often entail challenging, time-consuming, and costly direct soil measurements. Integrating data from long-term experiments (LTEs) with freely available remote sensing (RS) techniques presents exciting prospects for assessing SOC temporal and spatial change. The objective of this study was to develop a low-cost, field-based statistical model that could be used as a decision-making aid to understand the temporal and spatial variation of SOC content in temperate farmland under different land use and management. A ten-year dataset from the North Wyke Farm Platform, a 20-field, LTE system established in southwestern England in 2010, was used as a case study in conjunction with an RS dataset. Linear, additive and mixed regression models were compared for predicting SOC content based upon combinations of environmental variables that are freely accessible (termed open) and those that require direct measurement or farmer questionnaires (termed closed). These included an RS-derived Ecosystem Services Provision Index (ESPI), topography (slope, aspect), weather (temperature, precipitation), soil (soil units, total nitrogen [TN], pH), and field management practices. Additive models (specifically Generalised Additive Models (GAMs)) were found to be the most effective at predicting space-time SOC variability. When the combined open and closed factors (excluding TN) were considered, significant predictors of SOC were: management related to ploughing being the most important predictor, soil unit (class), aspect, and temperature (GAM fit with a normalised RMSE = 9.1%, equivalent to 0.4% of SOC content). The relative strength of the best-fitting GAM with open data only, which included ESPI, aspect, and slope (normalised RMSE = 13.0%, equivalent to 0.6% of SOC content), suggested that this more practical and cost-effective model enables sufficiently accurate prediction of SOC.

The Kerch Peninsula in Transition: A Comprehensive Analysis and Prediction of Land Use and Land Cover Changes over Thirty Years

This study presents an in-depth analysis of land use and land cover change on the Kerch Peninsula over a period spanning three decades. Convolutional neural networks were employed in conjunction with satellite imagery analysis to map and quantify the changes in land use and cover. This revealed significant trends and transformations within the peninsula’s landscape. The analysis revealed a notable increase in urban expansion, particularly at the expense of natural ecosystems. Furthermore, there was a notable reversion of agricultural lands to grasslands, driven by economic downturns and reduced agricultural activity. These land cover changes underscore the urgency of implementing sustainable land management policies. The study recommends the establishment of conservation easements to protect remaining natural ecosystems, the initiation of reforestation programs to restore degraded lands, and the development of comprehensive water management strategies to address the peninsula’s hydrological challenges. Furthermore, the study underscores the pivotal importance of integrating change analysis and predictive modeling to anticipate future land cover scenarios and inform effective land management strategies. The model developed through this research, which employs advanced remote sensing and GIS technologies, provides a robust framework for understanding and managing land use and land cover change. This model can serve as a reference for similar regions globally, offering insights that can inform sustainable land use practices and policy decisions. The findings of this study have implications that extend beyond the Kerch Peninsula. They provide insights that can inform the management of land use changes and the conservation of natural landscapes in regions facing comparable socio-economic and environmental challenges.

Utilisation of Sentinel-2A Imagery for Estimation of Mangrove Carbon Stock in Mamminasata Area, South Sulawesi

Population growth and land conversion have led to the degradation of mangrove forests on the southern coast of South Sulawesi, especially the Mamminasata area. Reduced mangroves increase carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. However, data on the potential carbon absorption of mangroves is still lacking. To overcome this, remote sensing is used to estimate carbon reserves. This reseach utilises Sentinel-2A imagery to estimate mangrove carbon stocks in Mamminasata. The image processing process includes radiometric correction, atmospheric correction, image classification, and extraction of NDVI values. The NDVI value is used to classify the density of mangroves into sparse, medium, and dense, covering 1,244.75 hectares. Field data collection was carried out through a survey of forest stand measurements. The results of NDVI transformation show a value range of 0.2 to 0.8 for mangrove objects in the Mamminasata area. The NDVI data on the analysed images were then made into three density classes. The rare density class has a carbon value of 3.56 – 21.16 Ton C/ha, the medium density class is between 21.17 – 31.49 Ton C/ha, and the dense density class is between 31.50 – 39.18 Ton C/ha. Regression analysis shows a strong correlation between NDVI and carbon stock (R² = 0.7134). This study confirms the effectiveness of remote sensing in environmental monitoring and mangrove conservation. These findings support conservation efforts and sustainable management policies by highlighting areas with high carbon sequestration potential.

Multi-objective optimization of forest ecosystem services under uncertainty

Forest ecosystems deliver multiple services crucial for human wellbeing and welfare, with complex relationships among forest ecosystem services (FESs). Implementing sustainable forest management (SFM) policy requires insights into trade-offs, conflicts and synergies among key FESs, necessitating decision-support tools for multiple objectives. However, uncertainty in key parameters adds complexity. We formulated a tri-objective optimization problem concentrating on three vital ecosystem services in Nordic boreal forests: timber supply, climate change mitigation, and biodiversity conservation. Furthermore, future timber price uncertainty was integrated into the optimization model. Utilizing the TreeSim individual-tree growth and yield simulator, we simulated forest growth and yields, carbon stocks, and biodiversity values. Pareto-optimal solutions were found for four distinct management strategies using the epsilon-constrain method to solve the optimization problem. These management strategies differed in spatial restrictions on harvest location and timing, including considerations like harvest adjacency, green-up and maximum harvest opening area (MOA). The analysis revealed trade-offs among all three objectives, with variations influenced by management intensity. Furthermore, within the Pareto solutions for each strategy, a compromise solution was identified based on the knee-point method. The study demonstrated nuanced impacts of green-up constraints related to harvest practices, showing minor effects on harvesting, carbon sequestration, and biodiversity conservation when MOA was restricted to 35 hectares or less. However, more substantial impacts were observed with a MOA limited to 60 hectares or in a strategy without spatial restrictions. Our results underscore the importance of considering multiple objectives in forest management and policy under uncertain wood prices, preventing undesired effects from a singular or deterministic approach. This work provides insights into trade-offs and synergies, contributing to strategic planning and policy design.

Association Analysis of the Spatial and Temporal Changes in Vegetation Photosynthesis Levels with Land Cover Changes in China Based on Solar-Induced Fluorescence

Understanding the relationship between vegetation photosynthesis levels and land use changes is crucial for assessing ecosystem health and plant growth status. Existing studies have not fully considered temporal and spatial dimensions, resulting in an incomplete understanding of the relationship between vegetation photosynthesis levels and land use. Based on solar-induced fluorescence (SIF) data from 2001 to 2022, this study used the Mann-Kendall (MK) test and spatial association analysis to explore the associations between temporal and spatial changes in vegetation photosynthesis levels and land cover change (LCC) in China. The contributions and findings are as follows: (1) A computational framework was utilized to comprehensively measure the spatial correlation between LCCs and chlorophyll levels based on their spatial co-occurrence. (2) The MK test results of the annual and monthly average vegetation photosynthesis levels revealed that most regions in China exhibited increasing trends, accounting for 90.01% and 91.78%, respectively. Moreover, the vegetation photosynthesis levels in western China had a downward trend, indicating that the vegetation ecosystem in this region may be under a certain degree of pressure or may face the risk of degradation. (3) Some economically developed provinces are facing ecological pressures caused by urbanization and industrialization, which have led to the degradation of vegetation ecosystems and a decrease in vegetation photosynthesis levels. (4) Highly supportive areas of the land use–vegetation photosynthesis level association analysis were mainly distributed in grassland and forest areas, indicating the effectiveness of forest protection and grassland management policies. Moreover, the decrease in vegetation photosynthesis mainly occurred in barren areas, illustrating that the management and protection of this type of land still need to be strengthened. These findings underscore the complex interplay between land use and vegetation health, providing insights for sustainable land management policies.

Exploration of Composting Strategies for Sustainable Organic Waste Management in Urban Environments

<p>The management of organic waste in urban environments poses significant challenges due to the high volume of waste generated and limited disposal options. Composting is a promising technique for converting organic waste into valuable compost that can be used to improve soil health and reduce the environmental impact of waste disposal. However, there is a need to assess various composting methods to determine their efficacy, feasibility, and environmental benefits in urban settings. This research aims to conduct a comprehensive assessment of composting methods for organic waste management in urban environments. The study will focus on evaluating different composting techniques, including traditional composting, vermicomposting (using worms), and aerobic composting systems. Factors such as process efficiency, compost quality, nutrient content, odor control, and greenhouse gas emissions will be considered in the evaluation. The research will involve field experiments to compare the performance of various composting methods using different types of organic waste commonly generated in urban areas, such as food waste, yard waste, and agricultural residues. Parameters such as temperature, moisture content, pH levels, and microbial activity will be monitored throughout the composting process to assess decomposition rates and nutrient retention. In addition to technical aspects, socio-economic factors and feasibility in urban contexts will be examined, including cost-effectiveness, scalability, community acceptance, and regulatory compliance. The study will also explore the potential for integrating composting into existing waste management systems and strategies for promoting compost use in urban agriculture and landscaping. The findings of this research will contribute to enhancing organic waste management practices in urban environments by identifying the most effective composting methods and providing recommendations for sustainable waste management policies and practices.</p>

Sustainable dynamic planning and policy implementation for water, energy and food resources

The current investigation focuses on analyzing dynamic approaches to sustainable water resource management policies, considering the interconnectedness of water, food and energy resources. This analysis takes into consideration changes in demand resulting from population growth and economic development over a twenty-year timeframe, employing a systems dynamics methodology. Initially, the model was developed and simulated using data from the case province as a macro-scale representation of the water-food-energy resource framework, while also factoring in the continuation of current conditions. Through sensitivity analysis utilizing the Monte Carlo model, the study addresses the formulation of sustainable water resource policies across four main categories: water demand management, water supply management, food resource management, and energy resource demand management. Additionally, it explores the integration of policies within an optimal framework. The simulation of proposed solutions revealed that a combination of water demand management and food resource management yielded the most promising outcome. Specifically, the recommended solution entails enhancing water irrigation efficiency by 17 % through the expansion of pressurized irrigation network coverage, adjusting cropping patterns by 12 %, reducing agricultural product losses by 7 % via improved food supply management, minimizing food demand by 7 % due to reduced food consumption losses, and achieving an annual 8 % increase in crop performance. These selected policies form the foundation for sustainable water resource management strategies.

Assessing Challenges to Solid Waste Management in Urban Local Authorities in Uganda: A Case Study of Arua Municipality

Purpose: Waste generation is associated with and comes with human activities and as such, waste management is an issue which should be shared by every individual, community, organisation or Country worldwide. Depending on climate, life style and behavioural differences, level of industrialisation, available waste management programmers and economic incentives, the problem of waste generation and its management continues to be a major environmental problem in urban centres worldwide. This Paper attempts to assess the Challenges to Solid Waste Management in Urban Local Authorities in Uganda with specific reference to Arua Municipality in North Western Uganda. A Case study design was used. Materials and Methods: A sample of 391 respondents was selected out of a Target population of 7,881 which included; Heads of Households, Business Operators, Elected leaders, Heads of Departments and Solid waste Collectors. The Methods for data collection adopted were Questionnaires, Interviews, Observation and Documentary Review. The Researcher used Regression Technique for data analysis. Findings: The study findings showed that, urban population growth had an inverse relationship with solid waste management while funding had a positive significant effect on solid waste management. The study further found out that, urban population behaviour had a negative relationship with solid waste management. Implications to Theory, Practice and Policy: From these findings the researcher concluded that lack of waste segregation; inadequate facilities and equipment, lack of legislation and bye-laws, and ineffective enforcement are among the major challenges to solid waste management in Arua Municipality. Based on the above findings, the researcher recommends the following; Solid waste segregation (separation), enforcement, legislations and bye-laws, provision of adequate solid waste management facilities and equipment and training/Capacity building programmes on solid waste management. The study findings will help policy makers in formulating sustainable solid waste management policies and designing appropriate methods of managing solid waste in urban Local Authorities. The study findings will help raise awareness on issues pertaining to solid waste management at community level. This awareness will help build initiatives to reduce the solid waste management problem in Arua Municipality. The study will further contribute to the body of knowledge on the studies already conducted on solid waste management in developing countries.

Analyzing Land Use and Land Cover Dynamics Using Geospatial Approaches: A Case Study of District Lahore, Pakistan

The present study focuses on the city of Lahore due to the substantial impacts of LULC on land-atmosphereclimatic interactions. This study aims to find and interpret the variations in land use patterns in Lahore during 20 years(2003, 2013, and 2023) with a ten-year interval. For in-depth analysis, four different classes- built-up, barren land,vegetation, and water bodies were determined. Several pre- and post-processing procedures were carefully carried outto improve the accuracy of the results after Landsat 7, Landsat 8, and Sentinel 2 satellite imageries had been utilized.The methodology included supervised classification using the maximum likelihood algorithm along with changedetection to evaluate and interpret the LULC alterations. The extent of change is demonstrated by quantitative datashowing that the built-up area increased from 308.6491261 sq. km in 2003 to 336.9702759 sq. km in 2023. On theother hand, there was a drop of 1099.13587 sq. km in barren land and a decrease of 10.47416794 sq. km in waterbodies. Despite a notable rise between 2003 and 2013, vegetation cover decreased by 328.4721624 sq. km by 2023.This study offers important insights for sustainable urban development and land management policy in addition tofurthering our understanding of the dynamics of land use and land cover in Lahore

Quantifying the supply-demand relationship of ecosystem services to identify ecological management zoning: A case study in mountainous areas of northwest Yunnan, China

Establishing ecological management zones based on the supply-demand relationship of ecosystem services (ESs) is essential for fostering sustainable development within social-ecological systems and improving human well-being. In this study, the spatial pattern between supply and demand in five ESs (grain production (GP), carbon sequestration (CS), soil conservation (SC), water conservation (WC), and habitat quality (HQ)) is analyzed using the ESs supply-demand ratio (ESDR) method, the spatial autocorrelation method, and the coupled coordination degree model. Zoning is performed according to the differences in their spatial combinations, and differential zoning management policies are proposed. The following results were obtained: (1) In terms of the ESDR, except for a slight increase in GP surplus from 2010 to 2020, there is a decline in the surplus of the other four ESs. (2) CS, WC, and HQ are dominated by cluster types LH and HL. GP and SC are dominated by cluster types HH and LL. The average value of the coupling coordination degree (CCD) of comprehensive ESs supply and demand show five types: moderate disharmony, slight disharmony, near disharmony, basic coordination, and slight coordination. (3) Based on the multiple spatial heterogeneity of ESs supply and demand, differentiated ecological management strategies are proposed at the grid scale. Overall, this study discover the spatial pattern of mismatch between the supply and demand of ecosystem services (ESs) in mountainous urban areas. This contribution enhances the discourse surrounding sustainable development theory and advances research on the coupling of social-ecological systems. Furthermore, it offers valuable insights for the formulation of sustainable ecological management policies tailored to mountainous urban settings.

Assessment of plant biodiversity in tropical dry forests of Sialkot, Pakistan; insight into environmental, anthropogenic influence and conservation strategies

The tropical dry forests (TDF) have an enormously rich flora and fauna that offer various ecological services to the surrounding human societies. Biodiversity assessment is mandatory for implementing any sustainable forest management policy, which is why it is one of the important criteria and indicators currently used. Threats to TDF biodiversity are the primary challenges arising from environmental concerns caused by anthropogenic activity leading to global warming issues. The study aimed to investigate the vegetation assessment and several environmental and anthropogenic variables influencing forest biodiversity from 5 threatened forest sites of District Sialkot (Ghalotian, Kishan Garh, Daburgi Chanda Singh, Pir Kot, and Ghulab Garh), Pakistan. We collected 170 distinct plant species, including 135 dicots, 27 monocots, seven pteridophytes, and one bryophyte, categorized into 138 genera and 62 families, divided into 114 herbs, 32 trees, and 24 shrubs. The phytosociological analysis described the quantitative characteristics, including % frequency, % density, % cover, and importance Value Index (IVI) of all forest areas. Gulab Garh forest has the richest biodiversity forest area, and herbs are the dominant species that have been documented. Environmental factors such as temperature, precipitation, organic matter, soil pH, Ca+2, Mg+2, Na+, Cl−, and electric conductivity (EC) strongly affect forest vegetation investigated by principal coordinate analysis. Shannon and Simpson’s diversity indexes reveal that all sites contain loamy and sandy soil and display a significant relationship between alpha diversity and richness. Increasing trends in temperature and decreasing trends in rainfall suggested that climate significantly affects the Sialkot region’s plant biodiversity. SWOT analysis highlighted that population growth leads to increasing anthropogenic activities such as constructing housing societies and roads, inadequate farming, and excessive grazing, impacting the forest vegetation and altering TDF ecosystem properties/services and functioning. Our findings reinforce the vegetational assessment and importance of local forest biodiversity and significant environmental drivers that influence the plant species diversity in TDF areas. Future conservation strategies are suggested to reduce unlawful resource consumption, restore plant biodiversity in designated protected areas, and conserve rare species locally.

An analytical review on the integrated management of river resources through Namami Gange

ABSTRACT The Ganga basin is witnessing accelerated deterioration of agricultural fields, with severe soil erosion leading to nutrients leaching into the river, wreaking havoc on the river's ecosystems. Many Ganga River management plans have been implemented in the past, but a more coordinated and integrated effort that tries to implement basin management strategies with technology preparedness considered critical for the preservation of agricultural regions had been lacking. The Namami Gange Program (NGP) is a first of its kind integrated conservation mission pillared on sustainable water management policies and practices, launched in 2014. Unfortunately, scientific literature on its overall functioning and progress is almost non-existent. This review presents its overall functioning, critically analyses its associated components, and presents case studies, pilot studies, along with analytical critiques. An objective analytical evaluation of the NGP has been provided concluding with sectoral interventions. We have concluded that the ambitions for boosting energy production, irrigation, manufacturing, and expanding the river as an inland waterway interfere with the Ganga cleanup because they are both part of the growth strategy pushed by the administration.

A logistic regression model to facilitate setting of organic waste composting policy for sustainable waste management

A logistic regression model to facilitate setting of organic waste composting policy for sustainable waste management