scholarly journals Estimation of the value of forest ecosystem services to develop conservational strategy management (strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats)

2017 ◽  
Vol 63 (No. 7) ◽  
pp. 300-312 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jahanifar Komeil ◽  
Amirnejad Hamid ◽  
Abedi Zahra ◽  
Vafaeinejad Alireza
Keyword(s):  
Land Use ◽  
Ecosystem Services ◽  
Water Conservation ◽  
Carbon Fixation ◽  
Negative Impact ◽  
Land Use Changes ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Soil Protection ◽  
Forest Land ◽  
Policy Makers

Forests ecosystems provide several undisputable benefits which policy-makers blink since these values do not record in conventional markets or are difficult to measure. This paper indicates that the annual value of the ecosystem services such as water conservation, soil protection, carbon fixation, nutrient cycling, water purification, air pollution absorption and recreation provided by forests is not only worth millions of dollars, but also in per hectare terms much more than hitherto known. After estimating the value of ecosystem services, results are available to policy-makers and experts at a brainstorming and by using SWOT, conservational strategies for long-term management based on strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats were developed. Ecosystem services value for the Mazandaran Forest Reserve ranged from 14.2 to 14.8 million USD or about 6,676.9–6,785.6 USD·ha<sup>–1</sup>. Given these results, raising the society awareness of the negative impact of forest land use changes based on the functional value were proposed as conservational strategies to prevent the forest land use change. If these are accounted for, then governments and societies faced with the development versus conservation dilemma can create more understanding decisions and policies that will assist to conserve forests and the ecosystem services they provide, and thereby promulgate human well-being and sustainable development.

scholarly journals Assessment of Potential Supply of Ecosystem Services in Coimbra Municipality

Proceedings ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 30 (1) ◽  
pp. 25
Author(s):  
Leitão ◽  
Ferreira ◽  
Ferreira
Keyword(s):  
Land Use ◽  
Ecosystem Services ◽  
Urban Areas ◽  
Land Use Changes ◽  
Qualitative Evaluation ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Positive Potential ◽  
Environmental Pressures ◽  
Quantitative Classification ◽  
Natural Systems

Land-use changes driven by human activities affect natural systems. Urbanization, forest monoculture and intensive agriculture are changing the functioning of many biotic and abiotic processes. This tends to decrease the ability of ecosystems to provide services, which leads to several problems particularly in cities. This study investigates the ability of urban areas with great population and environmental pressures, to supply ecosystem services. The study was carried out in Coimbra municipality, through the assessment of regulation, provisioning and cultural services. The quantification of ecosystem services was based on the evaluation performed by experts familiar with the study area, through questionnaires. A total of 31 questionnaires were completed. The experts ranked the potential supply of 30 ecosystem services for the 33 existent land-uses. based on a qualitative evaluation: “strong adverse potential”, “weak adverse potential”, “not relevant”, “low positive potential” and “strong positive potential”. The qualitative evaluation was converted into a quantitative classification (−2, −1, 0, 1, 2). The values were used to develop an ecosystem services quantification matrix and to map the information in the study area, using Geographic Information Systems (GIS). Despite the limited ecosystem services provided by urban areas, agricultural fields and especially green spaces are relevant for the provision of resources essential for human survival and well-being. The methodology used in this work is still useful for the quantification of ecosystem services in cities with characteristics associated with the Mediterranean climate. This type of studies are important to (i) anticipate problems originated from the loss of ecosystem services, (ii) identify good and bad practices of land use changes, (iii) the role of connectivity in maintaining biotic and abiotic processes, and (iv) develop practices that promote the sustainable development of societies.

scholarly journals Sustainable Development Under Competing Claims on Land: Three Pathways Between Land-Use Changes, Ecosystem Services and Human Well-Being

2020 ◽  
Vol 32 (2) ◽  
pp. 316-337 ◽  
Author(s):  
Flurina Schneider ◽  
Mélanie Feurer ◽  
Lara Maria Lundsgaard-Hansen ◽  
Win Myint ◽  
Cing Don Nuam ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Land Use ◽  
Sustainable Development ◽  
Ecosystem Services ◽  
Land Use Changes ◽  
Well Being

On the way Towards a Balanced Forestry Land Use: The Economy of State Forestry Enterprises in Small Polissia of Ukraine in the Context of the COVID-19 Pandemic

2021 ◽  
pp. 115-128
Author(s):  
Yoshihiko Okabe ◽  
◽  
Orest Furdychko ◽  
Oksana Drebot ◽  
Nina Palianychko ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Land Use ◽  
Negative Impact ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Economic Regulation ◽  
Capital Investments ◽  
Forest Land ◽  
Economic Preferences ◽  
State Forestry ◽  
Policy Priority ◽  
The Impact

The COVID-19 pandemic, creating massive social and economic challenges, has started additional risks in ensuring balanced forest land use at the national, regional, and global levels. In this regard, the issues of preserving ecosystems and improving the well-being of citizens, avoiding the risk of deforestation and degradation of forests due to the negative impact of the pandemic on the economy of the forestry sector have become relevant. The article's purpose is a theoretical and methodological substantiation of ensuring a balanced use of forestry lands in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic, which is associated with economic regulation, investments, and the level of financial support. The object of this study is five state forestry enterprises of the Small Polissia region of Ukraine, referred to the jurisdiction of the State Forestry Agency. The main economic problems and financial needs of the studied state forestry enterprises were identified by analyzing the dynamics of their income, the level of depreciation of fixed assets, the volume of capital investments, labor productivity, and workers' wages. Based on the analysis of reporting indicators of state forestry enterprises in the Small Polissia region of Ukraine, conceptual frameworks for coordinating efforts to ensure the balanced use of forestry lands in Ukraine have been prepared. Measures were proposed to help mitigate the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the social and economic dimensions of forestry land use. Recommendations for financing forestry activities, accelerating transformational changes in investment support of the forestry industry, revising the tax burden on state forestry enterprises have been substantiated. Balanced forest land use can reduce the risk of future pandemics. Therefore, its financing and incentives based on economic preferences should be a public policy priority on sustainable development.

The impact of two decades of land-use changes in potential ecosystem services supply in a Portuguese municipality - Coimbra

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Inês Amorim Leitão ◽  
Carla Sofia Santos Ferreira ◽  
António José Dinis Ferreira
Keyword(s):  
Land Use ◽  
Ecosystem Services ◽  
Urban Areas ◽  
Agricultural Land ◽  
Urban Expansion ◽  
Land Use Changes ◽  
Qualitative Evaluation ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Positive Potential ◽  
The Impact

&lt;p&gt;Land-use changes affect the properties of ecosystems, and are typically associated with decreasing ability to supply services, which in turn causes a decrease in the social well-being. Urbanization is identified as one of the main causes of ecosystem degradation, once it is considered an artificial space that replaces natural areas.This study investigates the impact of land-use changes during 20 years (1995-2015) on the potential supply of ecosystem services in Coimbra municipality, central Portugal. The assessment was based on the evaluation performed by 31 experts familiar with the study area, through questionnaires. The experts ranked the potential supply of 31 ecosystem services, grouped in regulation, provisioning and cultural services, for the several land-uses existent. Experts performed a qualitative evaluation, considering &amp;#8216;strong adverse potential&amp;#8217;, &amp;#8216;weak adverse potential&amp;#8217;, &amp;#8216;not relevant&amp;#8217;, &amp;#8216;low positive potential&amp;#8217; and &amp;#8216;strong positive potential&amp;#8217;. The qualitative evaluation was converted into a quantitative classification (-2, -1, 0, 1, 2). Quantitative values were then used to develop an ecosystem services quantification matrix and to map the information in the study area, using Geographic Information Systems (GIS). An urban expansion from 14% to 18% was recorded over the last 20 years. Agricultural land decreased 8% due to conversion into forest (4% increase) and urban areas (4% increase). This has led to a decrease in the supply of provision (e.g. food) and regulation services (e.g. flood regulation). In fact, over the last years, recurrent floods have been increasingly noticed in Coimbra city. On the other hand, the growth of forest areas has led to an increase in general ESs supply. The adverse impacts of urbanization were partially compensated by enlarging the benefits provided by forest areas, which is the land-use with greatest ESs potential supply. In order to support urban planning and develop sustainable cities, it is essential to quantify the potential supply of ecosystem services considering local scale and characteristics.&lt;/p&gt;

scholarly journals Linking Demographic Factors, Land Use, Ecosystem Services, and Human Well-Being: Insights from an Sandy Landscape, Uxin in Inner Mongolia, China

2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (9) ◽  
pp. 4847
Author(s):  
Jing Zhang ◽  
Xueming Li ◽  
Tongliga Bao ◽  
Zhenghai Li ◽  
Chong Liu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Land Use ◽  
Ecosystem Services ◽  
Policy Development ◽  
Inner Mongolia ◽  
Demographic Factors ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Policy Makers ◽  
The Social ◽  
Supply Capacity ◽  
The Relationship

Ecosystem services are fundamental in supporting human well-being which is a core component of sustainability. Understanding the relationship between ecosystem services (ESs) and human well-being (HWB) in a changing landscape is important to implement appropriate ecosystem management and policy development. Combining with demographic, economic, and cultural factors, their land use are the elements linking ESs and HWB at fine scale. Within this context, the purpose of this study is to evaluate household HWB changes in the past decade, and understand the relationship between demographic factors, land use, ESs, and HWB in the social-ecological landscapes of Uxin, in Inner Mongolia. Our results indicate that: the levels of HWB of local herder families were slightly improved from 2007 to 2016; changes in family demographic factors enhanced their land use intensity, resulting in an increased supply capacity of ecosystems and improved HWB; in addition, regulating services contributed more to HWB than provisioning services. The results of this study can help improve the understanding of the relationship between ESs and HWB, and provide valuable information to policy-makers to maintain particular ESs or to improve HWB.

scholarly journals Spatial-Temporal Changes and Driving Factors of Land-Use Eco-Efficiency Incorporating Ecosystem Services in China

2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (2) ◽  
pp. 728
Author(s):  
Yahong Liu ◽  
Hailian Sun ◽  
Lei Shi ◽  
Huimin Wang ◽  
Zhai Xiu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Land Use ◽  
Ecosystem Services ◽  
Land Use Changes ◽  
Land Development ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Temporal Changes ◽  
Driving Factors ◽  
Stirpat Model ◽  
Rapid Urbanization ◽  
The Impact

With rapid urbanization in China, the dramatic land-use changes are one of the most prominent features that have substantially affected the land ecosystems, thus seriously threatening sustainable development. However, current studies have focused more on evaluating the economic efficiency of land-use, while the loss and degradation of ecosystem services are barely considered. To address these issues, this study first proposed a land use-based input–output index system, incorporating the impact on ecosystem services value (ESV), and then by taking 30 provinces in China as a case study. We further employed the super-efficiency slacks-based model (Super-SBM) and the Stochastic Impacts by Regression on Population, Affluence and Technology (STIRPAT) model to explore the spatial–temporal changes and driving factors of the evaluated land-use eco-efficiency. We found that the evaluated ESV was 28.09 trillion yuan (at the price of 2000) in 2015, and that the total ESV experienced an inverted U-shaped trend during 2000–2015.The average land-use eco-efficiency exhibited a downward trend from 0.87 in 2000 to 0.68 in 2015 with distinct regional differences by taking into account the ESV. Our results revealed that northeastern region had the highest efficiency, followed by the eastern, western, and central region of China. Finally, we identified a U-shaped relationship between the eco-efficiency and land urbanization, and found that technological innovation made great contributions to the improvement of the eco-efficiency. These findings highlight the importance of the ESV in the evaluation of land-use eco-efficiency. Future land development and management should pay additional attention to the land ecosystems, especially the continuous supply of human well-being related ecosystem services.

scholarly journals Land use changes in Zhangjiakou from 2005 to 2025 and the importance of ecosystem services

PeerJ ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 9 ◽  
pp. e12122
Author(s):  
Kaipeng Xu ◽  
Yanyan Chi ◽  
Rongfeng Ge ◽  
Xiahui Wang ◽  
Siyang Liu
Keyword(s):  
Land Use ◽  
Ecosystem Services ◽  
Water Conservation ◽  
Land Use Changes ◽  
Urban Ecosystem ◽  
Development Planning ◽  
Ecosystem Functions ◽  
Operating Characteristics ◽  
Land Use Types ◽  
S Model

Changes in local land use affect regional ecological services, development planning, and optimal use of space. We analyzed the effects of changes in land use from 2000 to 2025 on the spatial distribution of ecosystem services using CLUS-S modeling to evaluate ecosystem functions in Zhangjiakou, China. We found that the urban ecosystem area in Zhangjiakou increased and farmland decreased between 2000–2025. Water conservation was relatively high and was concentrated in the nature reserves of southern Zhangjiakou. Soil conservation was mainly distributed in eastern and southern counties. The results of the CLUE-S model showed that the relative operating characteristics of the six land use types were > 0.70, and the logistic regression equation was able to successfully explain the distribution pattern of the different types of land use.

scholarly journals The Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on the Working Conditions, Employment, Career Development and Well-Being of Refugee Researchers

Societies ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (3) ◽  
pp. 71
Author(s):  
Ourania Tzoraki ◽  
Svetlana Dimitrova ◽  
Marin Barzakov ◽  
Saad Yaseen ◽  
Vasilis Gavalas ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Online Survey ◽  
Negative Impact ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Appropriate Technology ◽  
Public Authorities ◽  
Policy Makers ◽  
Home Setting ◽  
The Public ◽  
Work From Home ◽  
The Impact

The ongoing ‘refugee crisis’ of the past years has led to the migration of refugee researchers (RRs) to European countries. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, RRs often had to work from home and/or to continue their social, cultural and economic integration process under new conditions. An online survey carried out to explore the impact of the pandemic on the refugee researchers showed that RRs found it difficult to adapt their everyday working life to the ‘home’ setting. The majority have had neither a suitable work environment at home nor the appropriate technology. Although they stated that they are rather pleased with the measures taken by the public authorities, they expressed concern about their vulnerability due to their precarious contracts and the bureaucratic asylum procedures, as the pandemic has had a negative impact on these major issues. The majority of RRs working in academia seem not to have been affected at all as far as their income is concerned, while the majority of those employed in other sectors became unemployed during the pandemic (58%). Recommendations are provided to the public authorities and policy makers to assist RRs to mitigate the consequences of the pandemic on their life.

scholarly journals Effects of Vegetation Restoration on Soil Erosion on the Loess Plateau: A Case Study in the Ansai Watershed

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (12) ◽  
pp. 6266
Author(s):  
Hui Wei ◽  
Wenwu Zhao ◽  
Han Wang
Keyword(s):  
Land Use ◽  
Soil Erosion ◽  
Loess Plateau ◽  
Water Conservation ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Land Use Changes ◽  
Vegetation Restoration ◽  
The Loess Plateau ◽  
Local Soil ◽  
Erosion Environment

Large-scale vegetation restoration greatly changed the soil erosion environment in the Loess Plateau since the implementation of the “Grain for Green Project” (GGP) in 1999. Evaluating the effects of vegetation restoration on soil erosion is significant to local soil and water conservation and vegetation construction. Taking the Ansai Watershed as the case area, this study calculated the soil erosion modulus from 2000 to 2015 under the initial and current scenarios of vegetation restoration, using the Chinese Soil Loess Equation (CSLE), based on rainfall and soil data, remote sensing images and socio-economic data. The effect of vegetation restoration on soil erosion was evaluated by comparing the average annual soil erosion modulus under two scenarios among 16 years. The results showed: (1) vegetation restoration significantly changed the local land use, characterized by the conversion of farmland to grassland, arboreal land, and shrub land. From 2000 to 2015, the area of arboreal land, shrub land, and grassland increased from 19.46 km2, 19.43 km2, and 719.49 km2 to 99.26 km2, 75.97 km2, and 1084.24 km2; while the farmland area decreased from 547.90 km2 to 34.35 km2; (2) the average annual soil erosion modulus from 2000 to 2015 under the initial and current scenarios of vegetation restoration was 114.44 t/(hm²·a) and 78.42 t/(hm²·a), respectively, with an average annual reduction of 4.81 × 106 t of soil erosion amount thanks to the vegetation restoration; (3) the dominant soil erosion intensity changed from “severe and light erosion” to “moderate and light erosion”, vegetation restoration greatly improved the soil erosion environment in the study area; (4) areas with increased erosion and decreased erosion were alternately distributed, accounting for 48% and 52% of the total land area, and mainly distributed in the northwest and southeast of the watershed, respectively. Irrational land use changes in local areas (such as the conversion of farmland and grassland into construction land, etc.) and the ineffective implementation of vegetation restoration are the main reasons leading to the existence of areas with increased erosion.

scholarly journals Decreased cortisol among hikers who preferentially visit and value biodiverse riparian zones

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Ellie Opdahl ◽  
Kathryn Demps ◽  
Julie A. Heath
Keyword(s):  
Ecosystem Services ◽  
Human Health ◽  
Salivary Cortisol ◽  
Hot Spots ◽  
Negative Impact ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Riparian Areas ◽  
Indirect Pathway ◽  
Aesthetic Value ◽  
Gps Tracks

AbstractWhile outdoor recreationists often report increases to their well-being for time spent in nature, the mechanisms through which local ecologies affect human health have been difficult to quantify, and thus to manage. We combine data from pre-post salivary cortisol measures, GPS tracks, visitor photos, and surveys from 88 hikers traversing several types of landscape within peri-urban public lands in southwest Idaho, USA. We find that time in biodiverse riparian areas and areas of perceived aesthetic value correlates with decreases in salivary cortisol and improved well-being for hikers. Wildlife sightings were not associated with changes in salivary cortisol, but were associated with riparian travel and aesthetic preferences, indicating an indirect pathway for ecosystem services. Additionally, wildlife sightings decreased on high-use days, even though hikers did not perceive a negative impact of their recreational activity. These results suggest that cultural and physiological ecosystem services of nature depend on the ecological community of the area. Preferential visitation and high service value of riparian areas by hikers and wildlife alike target shared riparian areas as hot spots for management efforts to promote both ecological and human health within an increasingly urbanizing world.

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