scholarly journals Financial analysis of converting rural lawns to pollinator habitat in the U.S. Corn Belt

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Adam Janke ◽  
John C. Tyndall ◽  
Steven P. Bradbury
Keyword(s):  
Financial Analysis ◽  
Soil Health ◽  
Danaus Plexippus ◽  
Wildlife Habitat ◽  
Environmental Benefits ◽  
Rural Landscapes ◽  
Financial Benefits ◽  
Perennial Vegetation ◽  
Habitat Conversion ◽  
Intensively Managed

Conservation efforts in rural landscapes seek to improve the multifunctional nature of land uses for people and the biotic communities that support them. In these environments, existing turf grass lawns mowed routinely thorough the summer presents an opportunity where changes in management from intensively managed monocultures toward diverse native perennial vegetation can stack environmental benefits by improving soil health, water quality, and wildlife habitat. Conversion of lawns to pollinator habitat can help achieve continental goals of reversing declines in high-profile species like monarch butterflies Danaus plexippus and native bees. Here, we present a study that examines the financial implications for landowners and managers considering conversion of lawns to pollinator habitat in rural landscapes. We examined financial factors over a 10-year management horizon in three unique scenarios with a range of expenses; self-maintenance of lawns, contracted maintenance of lawns, and establishment and management of pollinator habitat. Our analyses indicate conversion to pollinator habitat was appreciably less expensive ($54-$167/acre/year) than continued self-care ($637-$1,007/acre/year) or contracted care ($326-$1034/acre/year) of lawns over a 10-year period. These results establish the financial benefits for landowners or land managers considering an alternative management paradigm of existing lawns. These financial benefits complement existing literature demonstrating multiple ecological benefits of diverse native perennial vegetation.

scholarly journals Water Quality and Financial Analysis of a System Combining Rainwater and Greywater in a House

Water ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (7) ◽  
pp. 930
Author(s):  
Gustavo Rosa ◽  
Enedir Ghisi
Keyword(s):  
Water Consumption ◽  
Potable Water ◽  
Treatment Process ◽  
Financial Analysis ◽  
Good Alternative ◽  
Water Savings ◽  
Financial Benefits ◽  
Before And After ◽  
Local Water ◽  
Water Tariffs

This study aimed to evaluate the installation of a system that combines rainwater to wash clothes and greywater to flush toilets in a house located in Florianópolis, southern Brazil. The evaluation consisted of determining the potable water savings, performing a financial analysis, and verifying the possibility of using rainwater and reusing greywater according to the local legislation. The reduction in potable water consumption was determined by comparing the monthly water and sewage bill, before and after installing the system, combining rainwater and greywater. The financial analysis was performed considering the financial benefits, operational costs, costs for installing the system, and local water tariffs. After installing the system, there was a decrease of 38.0% in the monthly potable water consumption, which represents a decrease of 7.00 m3 in the monthly potable water consumption. The payback periods for the old and new water tariffs were equivalent to, respectively, ten years and seven months, and eight years and five months. Both rainwater and greywater had parameters with concentrations higher than the limits established by the legislation. Therefore, the rainwater had to go through a device for discarding the first flush and needed disinfection; and the greywater needed to go through a treatment process. The results indicated that the system combining rainwater and greywater shows significant potential for potable water savings, which can be a good alternative to the preservation of potable water resources. It is important to note that current studies on rainwater use and greywater reuse are mainly related to non-potable purposes, but it was shown herein that rainwater can be used for washing clothes.

scholarly journals Socio-Technical Viability Framework for Micro Hydropower in Group Water-Energy Schemes

Energies ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 14 (14) ◽  
pp. 4222
Author(s):  
Kemi Adeyeye ◽  
John Gallagher ◽  
Aonghus McNabola ◽  
Helena M. Ramos ◽  
Paul Coughlan
Keyword(s):  
Cost Savings ◽  
Environmental Benefits ◽  
Technology Readiness ◽  
Water Networks ◽  
Policy Context ◽  
Recovery Potential ◽  
Sustainability Strategy ◽  
Financial Benefits ◽  
Group Water ◽  
Political Dimensions

Most renewable energy (RE) studies focus on technology readiness, environmental benefits and/or cost savings. The market permeation, viability and adoption of RE technologies such as micro hydropower (MHP), however, require the alignment of other interrelated factors, such as the socio-technical, institutional and political dimensions. This is particularly the case where the energy recovery potential in decentralised water networks is being explored as part of a wholesome sustainability strategy by and for individual and communal prosumers. This study employs a socio-technical approach to understand factors that influence the perceived viability and adoption of MHP in group water-energy schemes. Methods included a progressive literature review to formulate a conceptual framework for the implementation of MHP systems. The framework was validated using survey data from representative stakeholders from groups schemes in Ireland and Spain. These stakeholders were sampled and surveyed at the stage of considering the adoption of MHP in their water networks. The findings highlight the push–pull factors and discusses the opportunities and barriers to the adoption of MHP systems. It confirms that the market, institutional and policy context, cost and financial benefits, social support and collaborative services combine to influence the adoption of MHP technology. Thus, a framework for evaluating the socio-technical viability of MHP systems based on these more realistic integrated, multi-dimensional criteria is proposed.

scholarly journals Effect of different organic manures and fertilizers on growth and yield of knol-khol (Brassica oleracea var. gongylodes L.)

2020 ◽  
Vol 3 (2) ◽  
pp. 56-62
Author(s):  
Md. Anichhul Islam ◽  
Md. Yamin Kabir ◽  
Nubayra Tasnim Shuvra ◽  
Md. Amirul Islam ◽  
Md. Hasibur Rahaman Hera
Keyword(s):  
Brassica Oleracea ◽  
Block Design ◽  
Soil Health ◽  
Poultry Manure ◽  
Environmental Benefits ◽  
Growth And Yield ◽  
Cost Ratio ◽  
Cow Dung ◽  
Benefit Cost Ratio ◽  
Benefit Cost

AbstractA field experiment was carried out to investigate the effect of different manures and fertilizers on the growth and yield of knol-khol (Brassica oleracea var. gongylodes) at Dr. Purnendu Gain Field Laboratory of Agrotechnology Discipline, Khulna University, Khulna from November 2014 to February 2015. The single factor experiment comprised of different types of fertilizers and manures viz., T0 (Control), T1 (Recommended doses of NPK), T2 (Cow dung), T3 (Vermicompost), T4 (Poultry manure), T5 (50 % Cow dung + 50 % NPK), T6 (50% Vermicompost + 50% Cow dung), T7 (50% Vermicompost + 50 % Poultry manure) and T8 (25% Cow dung+ 25% Vermicompost+ 25% Poultry manure + 25% NPK). The Experiment was laid out in Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) with four replications. The maximum plant height was obtained from the treatment T1 at 25, 35 and 45 Days after transplanting (DAT). The maximum spread of canopy was 36.75 cm, 52.50 cm and 66.05 cm from the treatment T3, T7 and T2, respectively. The maximum economic yield (21.92 t/ha) and biological yield (40.083 t/ha) were found in the treatment T1 and T7, respectively. Highest benefit cost ratio (3.07) was obtained from the treatment T1whilethe minimum (0.57) was obtained from T3 which indicates that high cost of vermicompost affect net return severely. Although, T1 produced maximum benefit cost ratio, the treatment T4 and T2 are very close to T1 and also statistically similar. So, we can consider poultry manure and cow dung for our soil health, environmental benefits and ecological safety.

scholarly journals Two Novel Energy Crops: Sida hermaphrodita (L.) Rusby and Silphium perfoliatum L.—State of Knowledge

Agronomy ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (7) ◽  
pp. 928
Author(s):  
Laura Cumplido-Marin ◽  
Anil R. Graves ◽  
Paul J. Burgess ◽  
Christopher Morhart ◽  
Pierluigi Paris ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Greenhouse Gas Emissions ◽  
Greenhouse Gas ◽  
Energy Production ◽  
Biogas Production ◽  
Soil Health ◽  
Farming Systems ◽  
Environmental Benefits ◽  
Bioenergy Crops ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Gas Emissions

Current global temperature increases resulting from human activity threaten many ecosystems and societies, and have led to international and national policy commitments that aim to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Bioenergy crops provide one means of reducing greenhouse gas emissions from energy production and two novel crops that could be used for this purpose are Sida hermaphrodita (L.) Rusby and Silphium perfoliatum L. This research examined the existing scientific literature available on both crops through a systematic review. The data were collated according to the agronomy, uses, and environmental benefits of each crop. Possible challenges were associated with high initial planting costs, low yields in low rainfall areas, and for Sida hermaphrodita, vulnerability to Sclerotinia sclerotiorum. However, under appropriate environmental conditions, both crops were found to provide large yields over sustained periods of time with relatively low levels of management and could be used to produce large energy surpluses, either through direct combustion or biogas production. Other potential uses included fodder, fibre, and pharmaceutical uses. Environmental benefits included the potential for phytoremediation, and improvements to soil health, biodiversity, and pollination. The review also demonstrated that environmental benefits, such as pollination, soil health, and water quality benefits could be obtained from the use of Sida hermaphrodita and Silphium perfoliatum relative to existing bioenergy crops such as maize, whilst at the same time reducing the greenhouse gas emissions associated with energy production. Future research should examine the long-term implications of using Sida hermaphrodita and Silphium perfoliatum as well as improve knowledge on how to integrate them successfully within existing farming systems and supply chains.

Environmental Impacts and Benefits of Agroforestry

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shibu Jose
Keyword(s):  
Soil Health ◽  
Agroforestry Systems ◽  
Economic Benefits ◽  
Environmental Benefits ◽  
Small Scale ◽  
Tropical Regions ◽  
Agronomic Crops ◽  
The World ◽  
Negative Impacts ◽  
Small Scale Farmers

Agroforestry systems, the planting of perennial trees and/or shrubs with annual agronomic crops or pasture, have been proposed as more environmentally benign, alternative systems for agricultural production in both temperate and tropical regions of the world. Agroforestry provides a number of environmental benefits as confirmed by scientific literature. The four major environmental benefits of agroforestry are (1) climate change mitigation through carbon sequestration, (2) biodiversity conservation, (3) soil health enrichment, and (4) air and water quality improvement. In addition to environmental benefits, the economic benefits of multiple crops within agroforestry systems have also generated interest in their adoption by farmers the world over. The major negative impacts come from conversion or degradation of forests following certain traditional practices, which may not fit in the definition of modern agroforestry. Challenges remain for widespread adoption of agroforestry, particularly in the temperate world; however, a new resurgence of interest in this land-use practice among small-scale farmers has shed light on a path toward its possible success. Past evidence clearly indicates that agroforestry, as part of a multifunctional working landscape, can offer not only economic return, but also a number of ecosystem services and environmental benefits for a sustainable society.

scholarly journals A Review on the Current State of Knowledge of Growing Conditions, Agronomic Soil Health Practices and Utilities of Hemp in the United States

Agriculture ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (4) ◽  
pp. 129 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ifeoluwa Adesina ◽  
Arnab Bhowmik ◽  
Harmandeep Sharma ◽  
Abolghasem Shahbazi
Keyword(s):  
United States ◽  
Contaminated Soils ◽  
Management Practices ◽  
Emerging Market ◽  
Soil Health ◽  
The United States ◽  
Environmental Benefits ◽  
Research Needs ◽  
Hemp Seed ◽  
Wide Range

Hemp (Cannabis sativa L.) is an emerging high-value specialty crop that can be cultivated for either fiber, seed, or cannabidiol (CBD). The demand for hemp and its products has been consistently on the rise in the 21st century. The United States of America (USA) has reintroduced hemp and legalized its production as an agricultural commodity through the 2018 Federal Farm Bill. Although there is a renewed interest in the adoption of hemp due to the emerging market, its production in the United States (US) remains limited partly because of unclear agronomic guidance and fertilization recommendations. This review article provides information on the current agronomic management practices that are available in the literature and identifies the future research needs for cultivating this multipurpose crop to address the growing market demands. Hemp production could be beneficial if managed properly. Hemp fertilizer requirements vary in accordance with the type of hemp grown (seed, fiber, or CBD), soil, environmental conditions and requires a wide range of macro- and micronutrients. Integrating management practices in hemp cultivation intended to build soil health is promising since the hemp cropping system is suitable for crop rotation, cover cropping, and livestock integration through animal waste applications. Hemp also has significant environmental benefits since it has the potential to remediate contaminated soils through phytoremediation, convert high amounts of atmospheric CO2 to biomass through bio-sequestration, and hemp biomass for bioenergy production. This review identifies that most of the agronomic research in the past has been limited to hemp fiber and, to some extent, hemp seed but not CBD hemp. With the increase in the global markets for hemp products, more research needs to be conducted to provide agronomic guidelines for sustainable hemp production.

scholarly journals Conservation Reserve Program: Environmental Benefits Update

2007 ◽  
Vol 36 (2) ◽  
pp. 267-280 ◽  
Author(s):  
LeRoy Hansen
Keyword(s):  
Crop Production ◽  
Conservation Reserve Program ◽  
Current Level ◽  
Wildlife Habitat ◽  
Environmental Benefits ◽  
Conservation Practices ◽  
Environmental Benefit ◽  
Farm Production ◽  
Forest Lands ◽  
National Environmental

This paper presents the methodology, assumptions, and data used to generate regional and national environmental benefit estimates of the USDA's Conservation Reserve Program (CRP). It's assumed that, without the program, production and conservation practices on CRP lands would be the same as those used on surrounding lands. When range and forest lands are (are not) included as land-use options, 54 (71) percent of the CRP land would be in crop production—which is consistent with past analyses. Soil erosion would be 222 to 248 million tons per year—about 11 percent—higher than the current level. Benefits are estimated by applying environmental benefit models, estimated in previous analyses, to the CRP's estimated effect on erosion and wildlife habitat. Nationally, the CRP is estimated to provide $1.3 billion in annual benefits, which represents 75 to 80 percent of the program's cost. In seven of the 10 USDA Farm Production Regions, the CRP's environmental benefits exceed costs. Thus, reallocating acreage to these regions could increase net program benefits. However, because many benefits could not be estimated, one cannot conclude that regional and national benefits do not exceed costs.

scholarly journals Lifting the lid on the black box of corporate real estate decision-making; dealing with surplus property

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Howard Cooke ◽  
Rianne Appel-Meulenbroek ◽  
Theo Arentz
Keyword(s):  
Financial Analysis ◽  
Mental Representations ◽  
Self Esteem ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Financial Benefits ◽  
Corporate Real Estate ◽  
Strategy Alignment ◽  
Key Variables ◽  
Business Metrics ◽  
Lease Accounting

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to identify the variables that influence corporate real estate (CRE) decision-making and gauge their relative importance to each other, thereby understanding the consequent challenges/implications for CRE managers (CREM’s). Design/methodology/approach Interviews were undertaken with experienced CREM’s using the causal network elicitation technique to create decision networks for the variables they considered for the specifically defined scenario: dealing with surplus property from a change of business strategy. These networks illustrate the complexity of the mental representations required for the realignment of the CRE portfolio. The key variables are more extensive than alignment theory suggests, namely, financial stakeholders. Additional variables identified include risk, lease accounting, costs, financial analysis, business metrics and motivational drivers. The latter indicates the importance of self-esteem and peer recognition for CREM’s and financial benefits for the C-suite. Accordingly strategy alignment needs to incorporate CRE both in terms of strategy creation and implementation. Findings These networks illustrate the complexity of the mental representations required for the realignment of the CRE portfolio. The key variables are more extensive than alignment theory suggests, namely, financial stakeholders. Additional variables identified include risk, lease accounting, costs, financial analysis, business metrics and motivational drivers. The latter indicates the importance of self-esteem and peer recognition for CREM’s and financial benefits for the C-suite. Accordingly, strategy alignment needs to incorporate CRE both in terms of strategy creation and implementation. Originality/value This research appears to be the first that looks in detail at the mental representations used by decision-makers while making CRE decisions.

scholarly journals Diversity Is Not Everything

Land ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (10) ◽  
pp. 1091
Author(s):  
Drew A. Scott ◽  
Kathryn D. Eckhoff ◽  
Nicola Lorenz ◽  
Richard Dick ◽  
Rebecca M. Swab
Keyword(s):  
Soil Health ◽  
Plant Conservation ◽  
Base Cations ◽  
Plant Species Richness ◽  
Wildlife Habitat ◽  
Native Plant ◽  
Cool Season ◽  
Native Prairie ◽  
Subsequent Decrease ◽  
Over Time

Since the passage of legislation in 1977, Appalachian mineland reclamation is typically completed using non-native C3 grasses and forbs. Alternatively, reclamation with native prairie (C4) grasses and forbs offers a more ecologically friendly alternative that can contribute to native plant conservation and potentially improve soil properties more quickly than shallower rooted C3 cool-season grasses. We assessed the establishment of native prairie after reclamation, evaluating three treatments for six years after planting—traditional cool season planting, native prairie planted at light density, and native prairie planted at heavy density. All treatments reached the objectives of reclamation—percentage of ground covered by vegetation—within 2 years after planting. All treatments at all sites, except for one site by treatment combination near a forest, showed an increase in plant species richness and Shannon–Wiener diversity in the first four years of reclamation, a peak around 5 years, and subsequent decrease. Little difference in plant richness and Shannon–Wiener diversity among treatments was observed. However, the two native seed mixes quickly diverged from the traditional mix in terms of community structure and diverged further over time, with both native treatments heading towards a more desirable native prairie grassland state, while the traditional mix remained dominated by non-native cool season grasses. The native treatments also exhibited greater increase in microbial biomass and fungi:bacteria ratio over time compared to the traditional mix. Soil organic carbon increased over time regardless of seed mix treatment. Exchangeable base cations and phosphorus generally decreased over time, as expected, regardless of seed mix treatment, likely due to uptake from established plants. Native grassland species were able to establish despite inclusion of some traditional species in the native mix. Native plant establishment likely resulted in benefits including pollinator resources, bird and wildlife habitat, and increased soil health, and we recommend that native prairie mixes be used directly in reclamation moving forward, as they are able to meet reclamation goals while establishing a successful native prairie plant community.

scholarly journals Peculiarities of the environmental light pollution in Chernivtsi Region

2021 ◽  
pp. 66-75
Author(s):  
А. V. Zhuk ◽  
O. D. Zarochentseva
Keyword(s):  
Web Application ◽  
Industrial Development ◽  
Urban Expansion ◽  
Wildlife Habitat ◽  
Light Pollution ◽  
Analysis Tool ◽  
Night Time ◽  
Data Set ◽  
Rural Landscapes ◽  
Medical Disorders

Introduction. Every year industrial development and economic growth make light pollution worsen on a global scale. It is a well-known fact that artificial outdoor lighting causes destruction of wildlife habitat, impacts circadian rhythms of all living beings, disrupts animal behavior and leads to medical disorders of humans. Over the last decade scientists switched their focus from artificial sky glow over large cities to light pollution of rural landscapes, protected areas and roadways.  The purpose of this paper consists in assessing night-time light emissions over Chernivtsi Region as well as over city of Chernivtsi using satellite measurements. Methods. Measurements of night-time light emissions were obtained with the help of GIS web application Radiance Light Trends and the light trends analysis tool. The application allows examination of changes in light pollution across selected areas since 1992 and performs time-series analysis with fitting an exponential curve into the data set. Results. The trend in light emissions observed by satellites for Chernivtsi Region indicated brightening at the rate of 2.45 % per year from 1992 to 2014, and 2.93 % per year from 2014 to 2021. The marked increase in the intensity of atmospheric light pollution over Chernivtsi Region is largely attributable to urban expansion of district centers, national & international routes and resort complexes. At the same time, the spatial pattern of the light environment over city of Chernivtsi indicated a nearly constant level of aggregate annual light radiance for the last 8 years. A large irregularly shaped "light spot" was detected on the territory of the Prut-Siret interfluve. It crosses the region from the northwest to the southeast and covers the regional center with its suburbs and the national highway H-10. The night light radiance constitutes 47.49∙10-9 mW/cm2 sr in the center of the spot and more than 1∙10-9 mW/cm2 sr at its edges. The highest level of light pollution in Chernivtsi Region was registered in January, and the lowest – in March. Night-time light emission over two most illuminated highways remains relatively constant regardless of the season. Conclusion. The study highlights that despite low population and low economic activity, rural landscapes demonstrate a trend towards increasing brightness of the night sky. The findings provide a quantitative reference for light pollution management in the region and for further research in the area. 

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document