scholarly journals On Intergenerational Commitment, Weak Sustainability, and Safety

2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (13) ◽  
pp. 5381
Author(s):  
Alan Randall
Keyword(s):  
Environmental Ethics ◽  
Environmental Economics ◽  
Production Systems ◽  
Geographic Area ◽  
Human Migration ◽  
Management Tools ◽  
Regional Specialization ◽  
Weak Sustainability ◽  
Brundtland Commission ◽  
Openness To Trade

This article examines sustainability from a policy perspective rooted in environmental economics and environmental ethics. Endorsing the Brundtland Commission stance that each generation should have undiminished opportunity to meet its own needs, I emphasize the foundational status of the intergenerational commitment. The standard concepts of weak and strong sustainability, WS and SS, are sketched and critiqued simply and intuitively, along with the more recent concept of WS-plus. A recently proposed model of a society dependent on a renewable but vulnerable resource (Barfuss et al. 2018) is introduced as an expositional tool, as its authors intended, and used as a platform for thought experiments exploring the role of risk management tools in reducing the need for safety. Key conclusions include: (i) Safety, in this case, the elimination of risk in uncertain production systems, comes at an opportunity cost that is often non-trivial. (ii) Welfare shocks can be cushioned by savings and diversification, which are enhanced by scale. Scale increases with geographic area, diversity of production, organizational complexity, and openness to trade and human migration. (iii) Increasing scale enables enhancement of sustainable welfare via local and regional specialization, and the need for safety and its attendant opportunity costs is reduced. (iv) When generational welfare is stochastic, the intergenerational commitment should not be abandoned but may need to be adapted to uncertainty, e.g., by expecting less from hard-luck generations and correspondingly more from more fortunate ones. (v) Intergenerational commitments must be resolved in the context of intragenerational obligations to each other in the here and now, and compensation of those asked to make sacrifices for sustainability has both ethical and pragmatic virtue. (vi) Finally, the normative domains of sustainability and safety can be distinguished—sustainability always, but safety only when facing daunting threats.

Weed Problems in Uruguayan Agriculture: Evolution and Current Situation

2021 ◽  
Vol 32 (5) ◽  
pp. 203-207
Author(s):  
M. Alejandro Garcia ◽  
Lucia V. Meneses ◽  
Tiago Edu Kaspary
Keyword(s):  
Weed Management ◽  
Agricultural Production ◽  
Production Systems ◽  
Integrated Weed Management ◽  
Zero Tillage ◽  
Weed Species ◽  
Management Tools ◽  
Herbicide Resistant ◽  
Species Frequencies ◽  
Agricultural Production Systems

Uruguayan agriculture has undergone dramatic changes in the last 50 years driven by the adoption of new agricultural production systems that incorporate zero tillage and herbicide resistant crops. This has resulted in a shift in weed species frequencies and the dispersion of introduced herbicide resistant weed populations. Finally, integrated weed management tools are being developed by research and extension services to manage herbicide-resistant (HR) weeds better and to reduce environmental impact of herbicides.

A holistic carrot production system for season-long weed management

2020 ◽  
Vol 34 (6) ◽  
pp. 876-881
Author(s):  
Jed B. Colquhoun ◽  
Richard A. Rittmeyer ◽  
Daniel J. Heider
Keyword(s):  
Weed Management ◽  
Production System ◽  
Production Systems ◽  
Foliar Application ◽  
Weed Species ◽  
Crop Failure ◽  
Management Tools ◽  
Canopy Development ◽  
Weed Density ◽  
Industry Standard

AbstractWeed management in carrot is challenging, given slow and inconsistent crop emergence and early-season growth and the lack of practical season-long management tools such as herbicides. We investigated holistic carrot production systems with a focus on minimizing inputs while optimizing resource use. In an overall sense, results of this work were consistent between years, and stark. The choice of carrot variety had a moderate influence on carrot foliar canopy development and, subsequently, weed density. For example, ‘Cupar’ carrot formed a complete crop canopy sooner than the other dicer-type ‘Canada’ variety. Likely as a result, density of weed species such as spotted ladysthumb and common lambsquarters was less where ‘Cupar’ was grown compared with where ‘Canada’ was grown. Gibberellic acid as a foliar application was not successful in these studies and, in a few cases, may have even increased weed-seed germination and establishment. Adding two carrot rows to the current regional industry-standard three-row bed system not only enhanced competitiveness with weeds but also improved carrot yield without additional fertilizer, water, or pest management inputs. By far, though, the most successful strategy to reduce weed density while maintaining or improving carrot yield was to delay seeding by 17 to 19 d. We anticipate more holistic production system research that integrates low-input alternatives in other crops as herbicide-resistant weeds proliferate while few new herbicides are developed. As was demonstrated in this research, such novel approaches can be successful without adding significant economic burden to the farmer or increasing risk of crop failure.

scholarly journals Mitochondrial genome diversity on the Central Siberian Plateau with particular reference to the prehistory of northernmost Eurasia

PLoS ONE ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 16 (1) ◽  
pp. e0244228
Author(s):  
Stanislav V. Dryomov ◽  
Azhar M. Nazhmidenova ◽  
Elena B. Starikovskaya ◽  
Sofia A. Shalaurova ◽  
Nadin Rohland ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Geographic Area ◽  
Human Migration ◽  
Mitochondrial Genomes ◽  
South Central ◽  
Sayan Region ◽  
Mtdna Sequence ◽  
History Of ◽  
Genome Level ◽  
Mitochondrial Genome Diversity ◽  
Mtdna Diversity

The Central Siberian Plateau was the last geographic area in Eurasia to become habitable by modern humans after the Last Glacial Maximum (LGM). Through a comprehensive dataset of mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) genomes retained in the remnats of earlier (“Old”) Siberians, primarily the Ket, Tofalar, and Todzhi, we explored genetic links between the Yenisei-Sayan region and Northeast Eurasia (best represented by the Yukaghir) over the last 10,000 years. We generated 218 new complete mtDNA sequences and placed them into compound phylogenies with 7 newly obtained and 70 published ancient mitochondrial genomes. We have considerably extended the mtDNA sequence diversity (at the entire mtDNA genome level) of autochthonous Siberians, which remain poorly sampled, and these new data may have a broad impact on the study of human migration. We compared present-day mtDNA diversity in these groups with complete mitochondrial genomes from ancient samples from the region and placed the samples into combined genealogical trees. The resulting components were used to clarify the origins and expansion history of mtDNA lineages that evolved in the refugia of south-central Siberia and beyond, as well as multiple phases of connection between this region and distant parts of Eurasia.

THEORETICAL CONSTRUCTION OF THE ENVIRONMENTALLY FRIENDLY SOCIO-ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT MODEL

2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
Volobymyr Hobela ◽  
◽  
Nataliya Blaga ◽  
Halyna Leskiv ◽  
◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Theoretical Analysis ◽  
Social Development ◽  
Environmental Ethics ◽  
Environmental Economics ◽  
Environmental Issues ◽  
The State ◽  
Environmental Philosophy ◽  
Ecological Ethics ◽  
Actual Problem ◽  
Ecological Worldview

The research was devoted to the actual problem of forming the concept of ecologically safe social development, which substantiates the relevance of this problem because of the state of the economy and the current environmental issues. The theoretical analysis of the main provisions and directions of ecological ethics is carried out, their influence on consciousness and behavior of the person in ecological and economic systems is analyzed. The relationship and interaction of environmental ethics, social ecology, environmental philosophy, and environmental economics were considered. The most acceptable provisions of environmental ethics are highlighted, taking into account modern realities and their impact on the ecological and economic system and social development. Theoretical bases and basic approaches to ensuring ecologically friendly development were investigated; their structuring and analysis were conducted. The basic concepts of social development transformation into ecologically friendly were considered and their theoretical analysis was carried out, the basic advantages and lacks the specified concepts taking into account a current state of economy and environmental issues were allocated. Taking into account empirical researches and results of a comparison of the main provisions was concluded the necessity of introducing the basic provisions of the concept of degrowth for the state economic and ecological safety maintenance. Detailed analysis and characterization of the key provisions of the degrowth concept. The theoretical basis of this concept was analyzed; its main goals and objectives were formed. Based on the results of the analysis, a theoretical model of ecologically friendly development of the state’s economy was developed, which provides for the development of a certain direction of environmental ethics, formation of the most acceptable ecological worldview, based on the concept of degrowth and provides intensive greening of all spheres of human activity.

scholarly journals 16 Opportunities and challenges from deep-phenotyping of dairy cattle

2020 ◽  
Vol 98 (Supplement_4) ◽  
pp. 5-6
Author(s):  
John B Cole ◽  
Sophie A E Eaglen ◽  
Christian Maltecca ◽  
Han A Mulder ◽  
Jennie Pryce
Keyword(s):  
Dairy Cattle ◽  
High Speed ◽  
New Technologies ◽  
Production Systems ◽  
Genetic Selection ◽  
Milk Composition ◽  
Animal Performance ◽  
Management Tools ◽  
Internet Connections ◽  
On Farm

Abstract Genetic selection has been a very successful tool for the long-term improvement of livestock populations, and the rapid adoption of genomic selection over the last decade has doubled the rate of gain in some populations. However, the full expression of genetic potential requires that animals are placed in environments that support such performance. Increasingly complex dairy cattle production systems require that all aspects of animal performance are measured across individuals’ lifetimes. Selection emphasis is shifting away from traits related to animal productivity towards those related to efficient resource utilization and increased animal welfare. However, phenotypes for many of these new traits are difficult or expensive to measure, or both. This is driving interest in sensor-based systems that provide continuous measurements of the farm environment, individual animal performance, and detailed milk composition. The goal of phenomics is to provide information for making decisions related to on-farm management, as well as genetic improvement. However, many challenges accompany these new technologies, including a lack of standardization, the need for high-speed Internet connections, increased computational requirements, and training to integrate these tools with more traditional management tools. There also is a lack of translational research on the use of these data for real-time precision management. We will identify opportunities and challenges associated with phenomics and discuss on-farm applications of these new tools.

DEVELOPING AND CALIBRATING A STOCHASTIC RAINFALL GENERATOR MODEL FOR SIMULATING DAILY RAINFALL BY MARKOV CHAIN APPROACH

2015 ◽  
Vol 76 (15) ◽  
Author(s):  
N. S. Dlamini ◽  
M. K. Rowshon ◽  
Ujjwal Sahab ◽  
A. Fikri ◽  
S. H. Lai ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Markov Chain ◽  
Production Systems ◽  
Transition Probabilities ◽  
Daily Rainfall ◽  
Rainfall Series ◽  
Climate Data ◽  
Management Tools ◽  
Stochastic Weather Generator ◽  
Markov Chain Approach

Rainfall is an important parameter in tropical humid regions for which paddy production systems depend. A significant portion of paddy water requirements is supplied by natural rainfall. Several studies have predicted changes in rainfall patterns and in the amount of rain that may be obtainable in future owing to climate change. There is increased concern about future water availability for an important crop such as rice. Need to develop new water management tools for sustainable production is inevitable, but such tools require long-term climate data that is credible and consistent with the time. This study concerns itself with evaluating a stochastic weather generator (WGEN) model for simulating daily rainfall series. The model is assessed using long-term historical rainfall data obtained from a rice growing irrigation schemes in Malaysia. The model is based on a first-order two-state Markov chain approach which uses two transition probabilities and random number to generate rainfall series. Selected statistical properties were computed for each station and compared against those retrieved from the model after model training and testing. The results obtained from these comparisons are quite satisfactory giving confidence about the performance and future outputs from the model. The model has shown good skill in describing the rainfall occurrence process and rainfall amounts for the area. The model will be adapted in a subsequent study for downscaling and simulating effective daily rainfall series corresponding to future climate scenarios.

scholarly journals Increasing Grazing in Dairy Cow Milk Production Systems in Europe

2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (6) ◽  
pp. 2443 ◽  
Author(s):  
Deirdre Hennessy ◽  
Luc Delaby ◽  
Agnes van den Pol-van Dasselaar ◽  
Laurence Shalloo
Keyword(s):  
Milk Production ◽  
Dairy Cow ◽  
Production Systems ◽  
Management Strategies ◽  
Cow Milk ◽  
Pasture Management ◽  
Management Tools ◽  
Grazed Pasture ◽  
Challenges And Opportunities ◽  
Tools And Techniques

In temperate regions of Europe where grass grows for most of the year, grazed pasture is the lowest cost feed for milk production. Grazed pasture can make a contribution to dairy cow feeding systems in other parts of Europe, but is less important. While there are many challenges to maintaining or increasing the proportion of grazed grass in dairy cow diets, there are also opportunities to increase its contribution. Grass use and quality can be challenging for several reasons, including the cow and sward interaction, and factors influencing dry matter intake. Adapting grazing management strategies can provide opportunities for incorporating grazing and perhaps increase grazing in dairy cow milk production systems. Pasture management tools and techniques offer the opportunity to increase herbage use at grazing. While there are many benefits of grazing including economic, environmental, animal welfare and social, there are also the challenges to maintaining grazed pasture in dairy cow diets. The objective of this paper is to present an overview of the challenges and opportunities for grazing in dairy milk production systems.

Overall equipment effectiveness (OEE) evaluation for an automated ice cream production line

2019 ◽  
Vol 69 (5) ◽  
pp. 1009-1032 ◽  
Author(s):  
Panagiotis H. Tsarouhas
Keyword(s):  
Operations Management ◽  
Production System ◽  
Production Line ◽  
Production Systems ◽  
Ice Cream ◽  
Management Tools ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Pareto Analysis ◽  
Automated Production ◽  
Working Day

Purpose As overall equipment effectiveness (OEE) is a metric to estimate equipment effectiveness of production systems, the purpose of this paper is to identify strategic management tools and techniques based on OEE assessment of the ice cream production line. Design/methodology/approach This paper presents the collection and the analysis of data for ice cream production under real working conditions. The data cover a period of eight months. A framework process to improve the OEE of an automated production system was proposed. Six major stoppage losses, i.e. equipment failure, setup and adjustment, idling and minor stoppage, reduced speed, defects in the process, and reduced yield, were examined with the help of Pareto analysis. In addition, the actual availability (A), performance efficiency (PΕ) and quality rate (QR) measures, together with the complete OEE for each working day, week and month of the production line were shown. Findings The main goal of the study is to identify major stoppage losses, in order to examine and improve the overall equipment efficiency (OEE) of the ice cream production line through the application of an adequate management, i.e. TPM approach. Based on the obtained results, maintenance management strategy and production planning have been suggested to improve their maintenance procedures and the productivity as well. Originality/value The proposed method can be applied to each automated production system. The main benefits of this method are the improvement of productivity, quality enhancement of products, the reduction of sudden breakdowns and the cost of maintenance. Moreover, the analysis provides a useful perspective and helps managers/engineers make better decisions on the operations management of the line, and suggestions for improvement were proposed and will be implemented accordingly.

Stale Seedbed Techniques for Organic Vegetable Production

2006 ◽  
Vol 20 (4) ◽  
pp. 1052-1057 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nathan S. Boyd ◽  
Eric B. Brennan ◽  
Steve A. Fennimore
Keyword(s):  
Weed Control ◽  
Weed Management ◽  
Production Systems ◽  
Production Costs ◽  
Vegetable Production ◽  
Clove Oil ◽  
Herbicide Application ◽  
Management Tools ◽  
Organic Vegetable Production ◽  
The Difference

Weed control in organic vegetable production systems is challenging and accounts for a large portion of production costs. Six methods to prepare a stale seedbed were compared on certified and transitional organic land in Salinas, CA, in 2004. Weed control operations occurred on raised beds 2 to 3 d before planting baby spinach or a simulated vegetable planting. A flamer and an herbicide application of 10% v/v of a clove oil mixture (45% v/v clove oil) at 280 L/ha (iteration 1) or 15% v/v of a clove oil mixture (45% clove oil) at 467 L/ha (iterations 2 and 3) were used to control weeds without disturbing the soil. Top knives on a sled, a rolling cultivator, and a rotary hoe were used to control weeds while tilling the bed top. A bed shaper–rototiller combination was also used, which tilled the entire bed. Broadleaf weed control was 36% with clove oil, 63% with the rotary hoe, and significantly higher (87 to 100% control) with the remaining treatments in iteration 1. Broadleaf weed control was consistently lower (72 to 86% control) with the flamer than all other treatments (95 to 100% control) in iterations 2 and 3. The difference between sites can probably be attributed to differences in weed size. The flamer and the clove oil herbicide had the lowest number of weeds emerging with the crop following stale seedbed formation. The most expensive technique was clove oil at $1,372/ha. The estimated cost of forming the stale seedbed with the remaining weed management tools ranged from $10 to $43/ha.

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