scholarly journals Reading an Urban Palimpsest: How the Gradual Loss of an Urban Stream Impacts Urban Form's Connections and Ecosystem Functions

2021 ◽  
Vol 3 ◽  
Author(s):  
Luna Khirfan ◽  
Niloofar Mohtat ◽  
Ben Daub
Keyword(s):  
Ecosystem Services ◽  
Spatial Data ◽  
Urban Form ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Public Support ◽  
Urban Stream ◽  
Ecosystem Functions ◽  
Aerial Photos ◽  
Cultural Services ◽  
The Impact

Fluvial reclamation to facilitate urban development leads to culverting, hence, a loss of urban streams. Using the palimpsest analogy, we examine how the Amman Stream in Amman (Jordan) historically provided regulatory and socio-cultural ecosystem services through its socio-spatial (longitudinal, lateral, and vertical) connections. We then explore the impact of the stream's culverting, partially in 1967 then completely in 1997, on these connections and, consequently, on ecosystem services. To overcome data paucity, our methodology relied on constructing spatial data by georeferencing and digitizing aerial photos and satellite images (from 1953, 1975, 1992, and 2000) using ArcGIS. We augmented our data with archival research (historic and contemporary documents and maps), an online survey among Amman's residents, and in situ observations and photography. The results reveal striking contrasts between the historic and contemporary configuration of urban form vis-à-vis the Amman Stream. Throughout its early urban history during the Classical and early Islamic periods, the urban form elements reflected reverence and prudence toward the Amman Stream as manifested in the investment in water infrastructure and the alignment of thoroughfares, civic monuments, and bridges that collectively capitalized on the land relief (the strath) and established strong connections with the Amman Stream, maximizing, in the process, its regulatory and socio-cultural services. In contrast, the contemporary urban form replaced the stream with car-oriented roads, hence, eradicated its regulatory services and replaced its socio-spatial connections with urban socio-economic and cultural fissures. Accordingly, we propose to daylight (de-culvert) the Amman Stream to restore its regulatory and socio-cultural services and its socio-spatial connections. We substantiate the feasibility of daylighting through: (1) morphological analysis that reveals that roads cover most of the stream; (2) the survey's findings that indicate public support; and (3) the cascading benefits for the larger watershed in a water insecure region.

scholarly journals Identifying Users’ Requirements for Emergency Mapping Team Operations in the Dominican Republic

2020 ◽  
Vol 9 (3) ◽  
pp. 165
Author(s):  
Gregorio Rosario Michel ◽  
Santiago Muñoz Tapia ◽  
Fernando Manzano Aybar ◽  
Vladimir Guzmán Javier ◽  
Joep Crompvoets
Keyword(s):  
Dominican Republic ◽  
Spatial Data ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Caribbean Region ◽  
Geospatial Information ◽  
Data Infrastructure ◽  
Future Studies ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
The Caribbean ◽  
The Impact

In recent years, a growing number of stakeholders have been taking part in the generation and delivery of geospatial information and services to reduce the impact of severe natural disasters on the communities. This is mainly due to a huge demand for accurate, current and relevant knowledge about the impacted areas for a wide range of applications in risk-informed decision makings. The aim of this paper is to identify users’ requirements for emergency mapping team (EMT) operations in the Dominican Republic (DR). An online survey was applied to collect data from key users involved in the Inter-Institutional Geospatial Information Team in DR. Our findings suggest a set of users’ requirements for EMT operations: (1) standardization; (2) establishing and maintaining a spatial data infrastructure; (3) partnership; (4) effective communication among stakeholders; and (5) capacity building. A better understanding of the users’ requirements and the associated information workflows will lead to a superior level of readiness for EMT operations in DR. This knowledge will support future studies/practices at the local and national levels in the Caribbean region, which share similar challenges in terms of natural hazards and development issues.

Response of ecosystem functions to climate change and implications for sustainable development on the Inner Mongolian Plateau

2018 ◽  
Vol 40 (2) ◽  
pp. 191 ◽  
Author(s):  
Guozheng Hu ◽  
Jocelyn Davies ◽  
Qingzhu Gao ◽  
Cunzhu Liang
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Sustainable Development ◽  
Ecosystem Services ◽  
Future Climate ◽  
Ecosystem Functions ◽  
Carbon Exchange ◽  
Mongolian Plateau ◽  
Recent Climate Change ◽  
Recent Climate ◽  
The Impact

The responses of ecosystem functions in Inner Mongolian grasslands to climate change have implications for ecosystem services and sustainable development. Research published in two previous Special Issues of The Rangeland Journal shows that recent climate change added to overgrazing and other factors caused increased degradation of Inner Mongolian rangelands whereas on the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau, climate change tended to ameliorate the impacts of overgrazing. Recent climate change on the Mongolian Plateau involved warming with increasingly variable annual precipitation and decreased summer rainfall. Future climate projections are different, involving modest increases in precipitation and further climate warming. Research published in the current Special Issue shows that precipitation is the climate factor that has the most substantial impact on ecosystem functions in this region and is positively correlated with plant species diversity, ecosystem carbon exchange and Normalised Difference Vegetation Index. Increased flows of provisioning and regulating ecosystem services are expected with future climate change indicating that its impacts will be positive in this region. However, spatial heterogeneity in the environments and climates of Inner Mongolia highlights the risk of over-generalising from local-scale studies and indicates the value of increased attention to meta-analysis and regional scale models. The enhanced flows of ecosystem services from climate change may support sustainable development by promoting recovery of degraded grasslands with flow-on benefits for livelihoods and the regional economy. However, realising these potential benefits will depend on sound landscape management and addressing the risk of herders increasing livestock numbers to take advantage of the extra forage available. Investment in education is important to improve local capacity to adapt rangeland management to climate change, as are policies and strategies that integrate social, economic and ecological considerations and are tailored to specific regions. Gaps in understanding that could be addressed through further research on ecosystem functions include; belowground carbon exchange processes; the impact of increased variability in precipitation; and the impact of different management practices under changed climates.

Trade-offs and Synergies of Ecosystem Services in Karst Area of China Driven by Grain-for-Green Program

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Xiaofeng Wang
Keyword(s):  
Ecosystem Services ◽  
Net Primary Production ◽  
Karst Area ◽  
Ecosystem Functions ◽  
Water Yield ◽  
Natural Ecosystem ◽  
Grain For Green ◽  
Grain For Green Program ◽  
Trade Offs ◽  
The Impact

<p>As an important means regulating the relationship between human and natural ecosystem, ecological restoration program plays a key role in restoring ecosystem functions. The Grain-for-Green Program (GFGP, One of the world’s most ambitious ecosystem conservation set-aside programs aims to transfer farmland on steep slopes to forestland or grassland to increase vegetation coverage) has been widely implemented from 1999 to 2015 and exerted significant influence on land use and ecosystem services (ESs). In this study, three ecological models (InVEST, RUSLE, and CASA) were used to accurately calculate the three key types of ESs, water yield (WY), soil conservation (SC), and net primary production (NPP) in Karst area of southwestern China from 1982 to 2015. The impact of GFGP on ESs and trade-offs was analyzed. It provides practical guidance in carrying out ecological regulation in Karst area of China under global climate change. Results showed that ESs and trade-offs had changed dramatically driven by GFGP . In detail, temporally, SC and NPP exhibited an increasing trend, while WY exhibited a decreasing trend. Spatially, SC basically decreased from west to east; NPP basically increased from north to south; WY basically increased from west to east; NPP and SC, SC and WY developed in the direction of trade-offs driven by the GFGP, while NPP and WY developed in the direction of synergy. Therefore, future ecosystem management and restoration policy-making should consider trade-offs of ESs so as to achieve sustainable provision of ESs.</p>

scholarly journals Insect Cultural Services: How Insects Have Changed Our Lives and How Can We Do Better for Them

Insects ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (5) ◽  
pp. 377
Author(s):  
Natalie E. Duffus ◽  
Craig R. Christie ◽  
Juliano Morimoto
Keyword(s):  
Ecosystem Services ◽  
Cultural Values ◽  
Belief Systems ◽  
Public Support ◽  
Daily Basis ◽  
Waste Recycling ◽  
Cultural Services ◽  
The Media ◽  
Multi Level ◽  
The Relationship

Societies have benefited directly and indirectly from ecosystem services provided by insects for centuries (e.g., pollination by bees and waste recycling by beetles). The relationship between people and insect ecosystem services has evolved and influenced how societies perceive and relate to nature and with each other, for example, by shaping cultural values (‘cultural ecosystem services’). Thus, better understanding the significance of insect cultural services can change societies’ motivations underpinning conservation efforts. To date, however, we still overlook the significance of many insect cultural services in shaping our societies, which in turn likely contributes to the generalised misconceptions and misrepresentations of insects in the media such as television and the internet. To address this gap, we have reviewed an identified list of insect cultural services that influence our societies on a daily basis, including cultural services related to art, recreation, and the development of traditional belief systems. This list allowed us to formulate a multi-level framework which aims to serve as a compass to guide societies to better appreciate and potentially change the perception of insect cultural services from individual to global levels. This framework can become an important tool for gaining public support for conservation interventions targeting insects and the services that they provide. More broadly, this framework highlights the importance of considering cultural ecosystems services—for which values can be difficult to quantify in traditional terms—in shaping the relationship between people and nature.

scholarly journals The Impact of Forest Usage and Accessibility on the Perceptions of its Users and Surrounding Residents

Urban Science ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (4) ◽  
pp. 79
Author(s):  
Gloria C. Blaise ◽  
Jeffrey A. Brown ◽  
Rebecca C. Jordan ◽  
Amanda E. Sorensen
Keyword(s):  
Ecosystem Services ◽  
Protected Areas ◽  
Public Perception ◽  
Perceived Value ◽  
Resource Conservation ◽  
The State ◽  
Positive View ◽  
Cultural Services ◽  
The Public ◽  
The Impact

Forests provide valuable ecosystem services to individuals that live near them and visit them. However, many forests, especially in highly developed areas, are specifically managed for resource conservation purposes. A common practice for conservation is restricting access to people to ensure minimal human-driven harm. While the restriction of human access to a forest increases its biological ecosystem services, it limits its cultural services and may reduce the public’s perceived value of the forest. To investigate how access influences the perceived value of a forest, two forests in the state of New Jersey, USA, were compared. The forests, the Rutgers Ecological Preserve (RUEP) and Hutcheson Memorial Forest (HMF), represent accessible and inaccessible forests respectively. The study reported here evaluated the effects of visitation and accessibility on public perception of both sites. Residents near the RUEP and HMF, and visitors of both sites, were surveyed (n = 48). The results of the surveys demonstrated that the frequency of visitation and community location can have noticeable influences on a number of variables, including one’s belief that forests provide important services and the thought that protected areas take away from an individual’s freedom to use the area. A more positive view of the forests was present in those who visited the public forest most often.

scholarly journals Local Perceptions on the Impact of Drought on Wetland Ecosystem Services and Associated Household Livelihood Benefits: The Case of the Driefontein Ramsar Site in Zimbabwe

Land ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (6) ◽  
pp. 587
Author(s):  
Thomas Marambanyika ◽  
Upenyu Naume Mupfiga ◽  
Tatenda Musasa ◽  
Keto Ngwenya
Keyword(s):  
Ecosystem Services ◽  
Bird Species ◽  
Ramsar Site ◽  
Wetland Ecosystem ◽  
Cultural Services ◽  
Ground Water Recharge ◽  
Household Livelihood ◽  
Household Heads ◽  
Wetland Resources ◽  
The Impact

The paper assesses local people’s perceptions on the impact of drought on wetland ecosystem services and the associated household livelihood benefits, focusing on the Driefontein Ramsar site in Chirumanzu district, Zimbabwe. Field data were obtained using a questionnaire from 159 randomly selected households, key informant interviews and transect walks. The study findings show that provisioning, regulating and supporting services are severely affected by a high frequency of drought, occurring at least once every two years, compared to cultural services. There is a reduction in water for domestic use and crop farming, pasture for livestock, fish, thatch grass and ground water recharge. Although cultural services such as traditional rain-making ceremonies and spiritual enhancement are largely unaffected by drought, the wetland’s aesthetic value was reported to be diminishing. The habitat and breeding areas of endangered crane bird species were perceived to be dwindling, affecting their reproduction. All the household heads are not formally employed and largely depend on the wetland resources for food and income. However, drought is adversely affecting wetland-based agricultural activities that are key pillars of the households’ economy. Therefore, there is a need for alternative livelihood strategies that enable local communities to adapt to drought impacts without exerting more pressure on the declining wetland resources.

Effects of Quarantine Due to the COVID-19 on Sleep Duration and Quality in Algerians

2020 ◽  
Vol 60 (2) ◽  
pp. 182-193
Author(s):  
Kacem Abdelhadi ◽  
Houar Abdelatif ◽  
Zerf Mohamed ◽  
Bengoua Ali
Keyword(s):  
Statistical Analysis ◽  
Sleep Quality ◽  
Sleep Duration ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Public Awareness ◽  
Italian Version ◽  
Sleep Timing ◽  
Algerian Population ◽  
Significant Change ◽  
The Impact

SummaryThis study tests the impact of COVID-19 on sleep of Algerian population before and during the COVID-19 quarantine by an estimated online survey, adapted from the PSQI Italian version. Including 1210 participants (age between 18-60 years old). The statistical analysis was carried out using SPSS version 22.0 software. Our results showed a significant change in sleeping quality during quarantine, the sleep timing markedly changed, we also noticed additional use of sleeping medications. Algerian scientists recommend to build public awareness and to provide necessary information regarding Algerian sleep quality, especially for Algerian adults.

Referendum konstytucyjne we Włoszech. Jak głosowanie ludowe wpływa na system polityczny państwa?

2017 ◽  
pp. 110-127 ◽  
Author(s):  
Elżbieta Kużelewska
Keyword(s):  
Political System ◽  
Public Support ◽  
The Political ◽  
The Government ◽  
The Impact

This article analyses the impact of constitutional referendums on the political system in Italy. There were three constitutional referendums conducted in 2001, 2006 and 2016. All of them have been organised by the ruling parties, however, only the first one was successful. In the subsequent referendums, the proposals for amending the constitution have been rejected by voters. The article finds that lack of public support for the government resulted in voting „no” in the referendum.

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