scholarly journals A Study on Optimal Agroforestry Planting Patterns in the Buffer Zone of World Natural Heritage Sites

2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (20) ◽  
pp. 11544
Author(s):  
Xing Luo ◽  
Kangning Xiong ◽  
Juan Zhang ◽  
Dong Chen
Keyword(s):  
Economic Development ◽  
Environmental Protection ◽  
Southern China ◽  
Buffer Zone ◽  
Environmental Cost ◽  
Research Approach ◽  
Natural Heritage ◽  
Heritage Sites ◽  
Heritage Site ◽  
World Natural Heritage

As the protection layer of world natural heritage sites, the buffer zone should enable economic development while protecting the environment. To carry out agricultural activities in the buffer zone, it is necessary to balance agricultural development and environmental protection. In addition, the development of agroforestry has the benefits of developing the economy, maintaining biodiversity, and protecting the environment. In order to promote the coordination of environmental protection and community economic development, it is particularly important to scientifically select agroforestry planting patterns in the buffer zone of world natural heritage sites. This study utilized a mixed-methods research approach that included qualitative and quantitative research. Taking the buffer zone of Shibing Karst Heritage Site in southern China as an example, based on the seven agroforestry planting patterns surveyed in the buffer zone of the world natural heritage site, the four dimensions of net output value, carbon emission, environmental cost, and comprehensive livelihood score of different agroforestry planting patterns were calculated. The sorting scores of the values were calculated as Borda numbers. The sorting scores of the seven agroforestry planting patterns were B(A1) = 17, B(A2) = 18, B(A3) = 8, B(A4) = 8, B(A5) = 14, B(A6) = 12, and B(A7) = 7. The results showed that the priority sequence of seven agroforestry patterns was A2 > A1 > A5 > A6 > A3 = A4 > A7. A2 was the best among the seven agroforestry planting patterns, and A7 ranked last. The results can provide a quantitative evaluation basis for scientific optimization of agroforestry development planting patterns, and provide a reference for promoting the protection of world natural heritage.

scholarly journals Ecosystem Health Assessment of World Natural Heritage Sites Based on Remote Sensing and Field Sampling Verification: Bayanbulak as Case Study

2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (7) ◽  
pp. 2610
Author(s):  
Zhi Wang ◽  
Zhaoping Yang ◽  
Hui Shi ◽  
Fang Han ◽  
Qin Liu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Remote Sensing ◽  
Ecosystem Health ◽  
Buffer Zone ◽  
Ecological Monitoring ◽  
Scientific Basis ◽  
Field Sampling ◽  
Natural Heritage ◽  
Heritage Sites ◽  
World Natural Heritage ◽  
Over Time

Monitoring the ecosystem health for world natural heritage sites is essential for protecting them and benefits the formulation of more targeted protection policies. This study used Bayanbulak world natural heritage site as a case, established a framework for assessing the ecosystem health through remote sensing based on the parameters of ecosystem vigour, organization, resilience, and services. Then, we verified the obtained results through field sampling. The results show that the ecosystem health in the overall study area had declined over time, however, the health within the property zone remained at high levels and stable. The area proportion of low health was low and primarily distributed in the buffer zone. Thus, in general, the ecosystem in the study area was healthy. Besides, the ecosystem health exhibited distinct spatial agglomeration characteristics, and the degree of agglomeration enhanced over time. In addition, the field vegetation samplings were consistent with the changes in the ecosystem health levels, therefore, the result of RS monitoring of ecosystem health were credible. Thus, this study provides a scientific basis for heritage managers to formulate suitable ecological protection policies and should aid further research on the ecological monitoring of heritage sites.

scholarly journals Conservation Value of World Natural Heritage Sites’ Outstanding Universal Value via Multiple Techniques—Bogda, Xinjiang Tianshan

2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (21) ◽  
pp. 5953 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shi ◽  
Shi ◽  
Han ◽  
Liu ◽  
Wang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Scientific Basis ◽  
Community Diversity ◽  
Spatial Econometric ◽  
Natural Heritage ◽  
Heritage Sites ◽  
Space Partition ◽  
Heritage Site ◽  
Outstanding Universal Value ◽  
The Aesthetic ◽  
World Natural Heritage

The protection of World Natural Heritage Sites (WNHSs) has become a global undertaking, wherein Outstanding Universal Value (OUV) is an important aspect of heritage protection. Focusing on the protection of the aesthetic and bioecological values of Bogda (one component of Xinjiang Tianshan WNHS), 17 indicators are selected to construct a Heritage Value Protection Significance Index (HVPSI) and a related Heritage Value Protection Index (HVI). From these, the level of OUV conservation is obtained according to the five aspects of integrity, vulnerability, sensitivity, degree of human impact and environmental factors. The spatial autocorrelation analysis method was applied to the OUV conservation indices to comprehensively reflect the spatial-pattern characteristics of the heritage value in the study area. According to the spatial-division of the HVPSI, the plant community composition and diversity characteristics of different HVPSI zones are analyzed by a field survey (July 2018 and 2019). To verify the rationality of space partition and identify the OUV elements in each HVPSI district, a spatial-econometric model is then used to explore the relationship among HVPSI, HVI and community diversity. This study provides a scientific basis for management of heritage sites and a theoretical basis for further investigation into heritage site indicators.

Monitoring of nitrogen compounds on Yakushima Island, a world natural heritage site

1998 ◽  
pp. 107-113
Author(s):  
Kenichi Satake ◽  
Takanobu Inoue ◽  
Kinichi Kasasaku ◽  
Osamu Nagafuchi ◽  
Takanori Nakano
Keyword(s):  
Nitrogen Compounds ◽  
Yakushima Island ◽  
Natural Heritage ◽  
Heritage Site ◽  
World Natural Heritage

scholarly journals A Qualitative Exploratory Analysis of Ecological Integrity for Safeguarding World Natural Heritage Sites: Case Study of Shiretoko Peninsula, Japan

Heritage ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 2 (1) ◽  
pp. 898-919 ◽  
Author(s):  
Abhik Chakraborty ◽  
Takeshi Takenaka
Keyword(s):  
Forest Restoration ◽  
Ecological Integrity ◽  
Keystone Species ◽  
Infrastructure Development ◽  
Anthropogenic Stress ◽  
Global Trends ◽  
Natural Heritage ◽  
Heritage Sites ◽  
Surrounding Landscape ◽  
World Natural Heritage

This article reports the findings of an exploratory study on the complexity and challenges of managing UNESCO World Natural Heritage Sites (WNHS). Despite their protected status, the majority of the WNHS currently face severe anthropogenic stress. While several studies have analyzed this scenario with spatial analysis and review of global trends, this research provides a qualitative analysis of ongoing fragmentation and impact in a specific site by employing the Ecological Integrity (EI) concept to the Shiretoko Peninsula WNHS in Japan. Insights from key scientific literature are synthesized with those from research and monitoring of the Blakiston’s Fish Owl (a keystone species). Findings indicate that ecosystems of Shiretoko WNHS have not sufficiently recovered from the intensive anthropogenic disruption in the 20th century and in some cases face novel stressors from tourism development after the inscription. Besides, ongoing construction of roads and facilities affects fine-scale heterogeneity in the surrounding landscape. The findings highlight the urgent need of protecting lower trophic level species, stream and forest restoration, and restricting infrastructure development. This implies that WNHS managers must implement measures to meaningfully offset anthropogenic stress on EI, and WNHS management should be integrated with the management of its surrounding landscapes.

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