scholarly journals A new approach to assess marine opportunity costs and monetary values for spatial planning and conservation; the case study of Gulf of Naples, Mediterranean Sea, Italy

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Luca Appolloni

Conservation actions (as Marine Protected Areas) are key tools to maintain coastal ecosystems. However, many reserves are characterized by several problems related to inadequate zonings that preclude important areas from economic activities, determining a strong hostility by local populations. Thus, estimations of marine economic values-in-use are needed for protection of marine ecosystem in order to find the best compromise between conservation priorities and local population needs. Algorithms to estimate monetary values of the main human activities in marine territories (large scale and small scale fishings, aquaculture, beach resorts, yachting, diving and commercial shipping) are here implemented using Gulf of Naples (centre Tyrrhenian sea, Italy) as study area example. These algorithms are based on different sources data (questionnaires, monitoring activities, official local authority reports, web and scientific literature). They can also be compared with each other being their outputs all expressed in the same measure unit. During the models development process a new flexible approach, called “Systematic Costs Assessment” (SCA), to assess opportunity costs in systematic conservation planning process was developed and applied. Results show that the total turnover in the Gulf of Naples is 3,950,753,487 € per year and 747,647,887 € per year excluding small scale fishing estimation, and one hectare of marine territory is worth 40,672 € and 7,696 € per year excluding small scale fishing activity. In particular, excluding small scale fishing activity, beach resort and yachting show the highest values referred to one hectare of marine territories. In conclusion, SCA is a flexible approach where no long and costly sampling campaigns are always needed, provided that two assumptions have to be taken into account, in order to estimate credible values-in-use costs: i) do not use economic activities data and ecosystem services data in the same assessment layer, since it could lead to costs overestimation and ii) SCA method are efficient when used by operators with strong knowledge of the study area, since they are able to recognize parameters affecting economic activities of local population.

2021 ◽  
Vol 6 (15) ◽  
pp. 206-223
Author(s):  
Vinícius Verona Carvalho Gonçalves ◽  
Jamerson Aguiar Dos Santos ◽  
Carlos Edwar de Carvalho Freitas

Amazonia is considered to host some of the more productive freshwater fisheries of the world, and these are of key importance to the local population. Accordingly, fishing activity needs to be studied to evaluate its dynamics, so that long-term sustainability of the resource can be assured the fishing. The objective of the current study, therefore, was to analyze seasonal and spatial variation in the production of fish landed in the city of Manacapuru, in Central Amazonia. The landing data was collected daily from January to December 2012 at the main port of landing in Manacapuru, Amazonas, Brazil. Results indicate that lakes were most frequently visited by fishermen, but that rivers had higher catch values. In total, 39 species of fish were landed, with jaraqui escama grossa (Semaprochilodus taenirus) and jaraqui escama fina (Semaprochilodus insignis) being the species most exploited by fishermen. Landing had a seasonal character, with higher values in the rising and high water periods. Significant differences were observed between the different seasonal periods, with peak-flood period having the highest catch per unit effort (CPUE) values. Principal Component Analysis (PCA) revealed that fishing gear varied according to the fishing environment and exploited species.


2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (7) ◽  
pp. 1333
Author(s):  
Simona Saviano ◽  
Giovanni Esposito ◽  
Roberta Di Lemma ◽  
Paola de Ruggiero ◽  
Enrico Zambianchi ◽  
...  

Results on the accuracy of SeaSonde High Frequency (HF) radar wind direction measurements in the Gulf of Naples (Southern Tyrrhenian Sea, Central Mediterranean Sea) are here presented. The investigation was carried out for a winter period (2th February–6th March) and for one summer month (August) of the reference year 2009. HF radar measurements were compared with in situ recordings from a weather station and with model data, with the aim of resolving both small scale and large scale dynamics. The analysis of the overall performance of the HF radar system in the Gulf of Naples shows that the data are reliable when the wind speed exceeds a 5 m/s threshold. Despite such a limitation, this study confirms the potentialities of these systems as monitoring platforms in coastal areas and suggests further efforts towards their improvement.


2018 ◽  
Vol 11 (2) ◽  
pp. 94-102 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. G. Filimonov ◽  
N. D. Chichirova ◽  
A. A. Chichirov ◽  
A. A. Filimonovа

Energy generation, along with other sectors of Russia’s economy, is on the cusp of the era of digital transformation. Modern IT solutions ensure the transition of industrial enterprises from automation and computerization, which used to be the targets of the second half of the last century, to digital enterprise concept 4.0. The international record of technological and structural solutions in digitization may be used in Russia’s energy sector to the full extent. Specifics of implementation of such systems in different countries are only determined by the level of economic development of each particular state and the attitude of public authorities as related to the necessity of creating conditions for implementation of the same. It is shown that a strong legislative framework is created in Russia for transition to the digital economy, with research and applied developments available that are up to the international level. The following digital economy elements may be used today at enterprises for production of electrical and thermal energy: — dealing with large amounts of data (including operations exercised via cloud services and distributed data bases); — development of small scale distributed generation and its dispatching; — implementation of smart elements in both electric power and heat supply networks; — development of production process automation systems, remote monitoring and predictive analytics; 3D-modeling of parts and elements; real time mathematic simulation with feedback in the form of control actions; — creating centres for analytical processing of statistic data and accounting in financial and economic activities with business analytics functions, with expansion of communication networks and computing capacities. Examples are presented for implementation of smart systems in energy production and distribution. It is stated in the paper that state-of art information technologies are currently being implemented in Russia, new unique digital transformation projects are being launched in major energy companies. Yet, what is required is large-scale and thorough digitization and controllable energy production system as a multi-factor business process will provide the optimum combination of efficient economic activities, reliability and safety of power supply.


Think India ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 22 (3) ◽  
pp. 772-779
Author(s):  
T.Vinsela Jeev

During the DMK regime many welfare schemes for implemented for women especially. This schemes for developments for socio and economic activities for women. The poor women, widows, physically challenged were benefited their schemes. The government allotted lot of sewing machines, Free school books, Midday meal schemes, Small scale Industry, Self help groups, Boating supply for fisher mans and many women teachers were appointed in Elementary school, Middle school, High schools. Women’s were appointed in police Department and also so many schemes for the development of socio and economic condition of the poor women people.


2019 ◽  
pp. 68-72
Author(s):  
E. A. Volkova

A monograph “Vegetation and biotopes of the “Narochansky” National Park was published in Minsk, Belarus in 2017, edited by A. V. Pugachevsky (Grummo et al., 2017). It includes the Map of terrestrial vegetation (S. 1 : 60 000) and the Map of biotopes (S. 1 : 60 000). Some small-scale maps such as the Map of changes in forest cover of the “Narochansky” National Park for the period 1985–2016, the Map of forest loss in the “Narochansky” National Park for the period 1985–2016 and a series of inventory and analytical maps on the basin of the Naroch Lake are given. This monograph can be considered as a small regional Atlas with detailed explanatory texts to the maps. It presents the experience on vegetation mapping accumulated in the Laboratory of Geobotany and Vegetation mapping of the Institute of Experimental Botany of the National Academy of Sciences of Belarus. Despite some critical comments, mainly concerning the biotope map, this publication of Belarusian geobotanists deserves an approval. They received the full answers to the questions posed: “What do we protect?” and “What is a current state of the vegetation of the National Park and the main trends of its dynamics? Cartographic design is made at a high level; the maps have both scientific and practical importance in the planning of environmental and economic activities.


Animals ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (4) ◽  
pp. 1047
Author(s):  
Pier Paolo Miglietta ◽  
Federica De Leo ◽  
Benedetta Coluccia ◽  
Yari Vecchio ◽  
Fabian Capitanio

Dairy products play a significant role in the human diet, but they are often associated with high freshwater resource depletion. In Italy, the dairy sector represents more than 12% of the total turnover of the agri-food sector. Trentino Alto Adige is the first Italian region in terms of number of dairy farms, but it does not register a quantitatively consistent dairy production. Notwithstanding, it is characterized mostly by small-scale farms whose strengths are the Protected Designations of Origin and typical mountain productions. The present study aims at: (i) accounting for the virtual water VW of the main dairy products (milk, butter and cheese) produced in Trentino Alto Adige; (ii) estimating the renewable water resources based on the water flow assessment of the study area; (iii) assessing water sustainability comparing the virtual water consumption of the dairy sector at a regional level to the water availability. The findings show that the consumptive virtual water related to dairy production represents about 1% of the water availability in Trentino Alto Adige. Italy’s domestic dairy production is expanding to meet the growing demand, but the expansion of dairy farming in water-stressed regions should be avoided, preferring instead suitable mountain regions where small-scale farms represent a lively entrepreneurial substrate.


Energies ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 14 (8) ◽  
pp. 2263
Author(s):  
Mahmood Ebadian ◽  
Shahab Sokhansanj ◽  
David Lee ◽  
Alyssa Klein ◽  
Lawrence Townley-Smith

In this study, an inter-continental agricultural pellet supply chain is modeled, and the production cost and price of agricultural pellets are estimated and compared against the recent cost and price of wood pellets in the global marketplace. The inter-continental supply chain is verified and validated using an integration of an interactive mapping application and a simulation platform. The integrated model is applied to a case study in which agricultural pellets are produced in six locations in Canada and shipped and discharged at the three major ports in Western Europe. The cost of agricultural pellets in the six locations is estimated to be in the range of EUR 92–95/tonne (CAD 138–142/tonne), which is comparable with the recent cost of wood pellets produced in small-scale pellet plants (EUR 99–109/tonne). The average agricultural pellet price shipped from the six plants to the three ports in Western Europe is estimated to be in a range of EUR 183–204 (CAD 274–305/tonne), 29–42% more expensive that the average recent price of wood pellets (EUR 143/tonne) at the same ports. There are several potential areas in the agricultural pellet supply chains that can reduce the pellet production and distribution costs in the mid and long terms, making them affordable supplement to the existing wood pellet markets. Potential economic activities generated by the production of pellets in farm communities can be significant. The generated annual revenue in the biomass logistics system in all six locations is estimated to be about CAD 21.80 million. In addition, the logistics equipment fleet needs 176 local operators with a potential annual income of CAD 2.18 million.


2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Erica Kilius ◽  
David R. Samson ◽  
Sheina Lew-Levy ◽  
Mallika S. Sarma ◽  
Ujas A. Patel ◽  
...  

AbstractSleep studies in small-scale subsistence societies have broadened our understanding of cross-cultural sleep patterns, revealing the flexibility of human sleep. We examined sleep biology among BaYaka foragers from the Republic of Congo who move between environmentally similar but socio-ecologically distinct locations to access seasonal resources. We analyzed the sleep–wake patterns of 51 individuals as they resided in a village location (n = 39) and a forest camp (n = 23) (362 nights total). Overall, BaYaka exhibited high sleep fragmentation (50.5) and short total sleep time (5.94 h), suggestive of segmented sleep patterns. Sleep duration did not differ between locations, although poorer sleep quality was exhibited in the village. Linear mixed effect models demonstrated that women’s sleep differed significantly from men’s in the forest, with longer total sleep time (β ± SE =  − 0.22 ± 0.09, confidence interval (CI) = [− 0.4, − 0.03]), and higher sleep quality (efficiency; β ± SE =  − 0.24 ± 0.09, CI = [− 0.42, − 0.05]). These findings may be due to gender-specific social and economic activities. Circadian rhythms were consistent between locations, with women exhibiting stronger circadian stability. We highlight the importance of considering intra-cultural variation in sleep–wake patterns when taking sleep research into the field.


Author(s):  
Marc Baeta ◽  
Claudia Rubio ◽  
Françoise Breton

Abstract There is an important small-scale fishery using mechanized dredges and targeting clams (mainly wedge clam Donax trunculus and striped venus clam Chamelea gallina) along the Catalan coast (NW Mediterranean Sea). This study evaluated for the first time the discards and impact of mechanized clam dredging on the Catalan coast. To this end, three surveys were performed on board standard clam vessels (September and November 2016 and January 2017). Surveys were conducted in the three main clam fishing areas (Rosas Bay, South Barcelona and Ebro Delta). The composition of discards and the impact caused to discarded species was assessed using a three-level scale (undamaged; minor or partial damage; and lethal damage). Our study revealed that a large proportion of the catch (between 67–82% weight) is discarded. Even though about 63% of the discarded species were undamaged, 11% showed minor or partial damage and 26% lethal damage. Infaunal and epifaunal species with soft-body or fragile shells were the most impacted by the fishing activity (e.g. the sea urchin Echinocardium mediterraneum (~89%) and the bivalve Ensis minor (~74%)). Our results showed different levels of impact by target species and fishing area.


2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (13) ◽  
pp. 7393
Author(s):  
Agata Nicolosi ◽  
Donatella Di Gregorio ◽  
Giuseppe Arena ◽  
Valentina Rosa Laganà ◽  
Donatella Privitera

The study looks at the problems facing coastal fishing communities. It highlights the impacts that, in the complex framework of the EU reforms, have manifested themselves on economic activities and on society. The aim of the paper is twofold: to examine small-scale artisanal fishing in an area of Southern Italy in order to develop resilience and diversification and at the same time to outline the profiles of local bluefish buyers to highlight development strategies for the sector. The research carried out through a direct survey by administering a questionnaire to fishermen operating in areas of Southern Italy and the data cross-referenced with the opinions of local consumers. A conjoint experiment, followed by a multiple correspondence analysis and cluster identification, was used to outline the profiles of local bluefish buyers. The results of the analysis reveal that the fish market and the restaurant sector are the main distribution channels preferred by fishermen. Furthermore, fishermen are very sensitive to environmental issues and are willing to collaborate and actively participate in the environmental protection of the sea. Consumers recognise the quality of local bluefish, and they implicitly perceive the sustainability of the method of capture. The results show the need to undertake synergistic actions for the fishing industry, capable of activating marketing strategies adequately to support, promote and develop the sector. The results of the study provide helpful information for food companies in order to better segment their market and target their consumers, as well as to effectively promote their product using brands, certifications and traceability.


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