scholarly journals Effects of different intensities of long-term grazing on plant diversity, biomass and carbon stock in alpine shrubland on the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau

PeerJ ◽  
2022 ◽  
Vol 10 ◽  
pp. e12771
Author(s):  
Jinlan Wang ◽  
Wen Li ◽  
Wenxia Cao ◽  
Shilin Wang
Keyword(s):  
Tibetan Plateau ◽  
Plant Diversity ◽  
Structural Equation ◽  
Grazing Intensity ◽  
Belowground Biomass ◽  
Equation Model ◽  
Herbaceous Plants ◽  
C Stock ◽  
Soc Stock

Grazing is the main grassland management strategy applied in alpine shrubland ecosystems on the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau. However, how different intensities of long-term grazing affect plant diversity, biomass accumulation and carbon (C) stock in these ecosystems is poorly understood. In this study, alpine shrubland with different long-term (more than 30 years) grazing intensities (excluded from grazing for 5 years (EX), light grazing (LG), moderate grazing (MG) and heavy grazing (HG)) on the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau were selected to study changes in plant diversity, aboveground biomass and C accumulation, as well as distribution of C stock among biomass components and soil depths. A structural equation model was used to illustrate the impact of grazing on the soil carbon stock (SOC). The results showed that the Shannon–Wiener diversity index and richness index of herbaceous plants, shrubs, and communities first significantly increased and then decreased with increasing grazing intensity, reaching maxima at the LG site. The aboveground and belowground and litter biomass of understory herbaceous plants, shrubs and communities decreased with increasing grazing intensity, reaching maxima at the EX site. The aboveground and belowground biomass C storage decreased with increasing grazing intensity, reaching maxima at the EX site. The SOC stock and total ecosystem C stock decreased with increasing grazing intensity, reaching maxima at the EX and LG sites. A structural equation model showed that grazing-induced changes in the belowground biomass of understory herbaceous plants greatly contributed to the SOC stock decrease. Thus, considering the utilization and renewal of grassland resources, as well as local economic benefits and ecological effects, LG may be a more rational grazing intensity for species diversity conservation and ecosystem C sequestration in alpine shrubland. Our results provide new insights for incorporating grazing intensity into shrub ecosystem C stock and optimizing grazing management and grassland ecosystem C management.

scholarly journals Driving Mechanism of Farmers’ Utilization Behaviors of Straw Resources—An Empirical Study in Jilin Province, the Main Grain Producing Region in the Northeast Part of China

2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (5) ◽  
pp. 2506
Author(s):  
Hongpeng Guo ◽  
Shuang Xu ◽  
Xiaotong Wang ◽  
Wen Shu ◽  
Jia Chen ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Structural Equation ◽  
Positive Impact ◽  
Agricultural Waste ◽  
Equation Model ◽  
Subjective Norms ◽  
Jilin Province ◽  
Policy Implications ◽  
Driving Mechanism ◽  
Perceived Behavior Control

In recent years, the unsustainable behaviors of straw utilization have led to waste straw being one of the sources of agricultural non-point source pollution. Studying the resource utilization of crop straw is conducive to expediate the development of ecological and green agriculture. More importantly, it has long-term significance for the recycling of agricultural waste, improving the quality of rural life, and the employment of farmers. Based on the theory of planned behavior (TPB), taking the representative survey questionnaire of farmers in Jilin Province, China as the sample, the structural equation model (SEM) was constructed to study the main factors that drive the utilization behaviors of straw resources of farmers and to explore the driving mechanism of the farmers behaviors in Jilin Province. The results show that the behavioral attitude and subjective norms of farmers in Jilin Province not only indirectly affect their actual behaviors through behavioral willingness, but also has significant direct effects on their behaviors. The most critical factors that affect the willingness of farmers to utilize the straw resources in Jilin Province are subjective norms and moral responsibilities. The subjective norms of farmers have a direct and significant positive impact on their willingness and behaviors. Behavioral attitude and perceived behavior control have a significant positive impact on their willingness. The behavioral willingness has a significant positive impact on their actual behaviors. This study provides guidance for the utilization of straw resources policy implications.

scholarly journals LULUCF Including - Excluding Emissions and Health Expenditures Path and Panel Data Analysis of Solution Result Relationship Example of G7 Countries

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Zişan Yardım Kılıçkan ◽  
Rıdvan Karacan
Keyword(s):  
Land Use ◽  
Panel Data ◽  
Structural Equation ◽  
Fossil Fuels ◽  
Panel Data Analysis ◽  
Health Expenditures ◽  
Equation Model ◽  
Total Emission ◽  
G7 Countries

<p>Traditional production is carried out using fossil fuels. In recent years, the destructive effects of fossil fuel elimination especially on human health and the environment became prominent. This effect leads to an increase in health expenditures (HE), and health problems that are severe and require long term therapies. To counter this problem, some countries have taken some measures to mini the effects of fossil fuels. One of these measures is called “Land Use, Land Use Change and Forestry” or LULUCF for short. LULUCF aims to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in the atmosphere by natural means that are cheap. In this regard, this paper aims to analyze the effects of harmful gases of total emissions in terms of health expenditures both including LULUCF (LI) and excluding LULUCF (LE). Panel data methodology and SPSS Path (Structural Equation) Model were used and cover G7 countries between 1990 and 2016. It was found that there is no linear relationship between LE and HE and LI has no effect on HE. Path analysis showed a negative correlation between LI total emission and SH and a positive correlation between LE total emission and HE.</p>

scholarly journals Utility of a psychological framework for carnivore conservation

Oryx ◽  
2012 ◽  
Vol 46 (4) ◽  
pp. 525-535 ◽  
Author(s):  
Neil H. Carter ◽  
Shawn J. Riley ◽  
Jianguo Liu
Keyword(s):  
Structural Equation ◽  
Equation Model ◽  
Panthera Tigris ◽  
Multiple Use ◽  
Government Officials ◽  
Carnivore Conservation ◽  
Carnivore Species ◽  
Chitwan National Park ◽  
Tiger Population

AbstractConserving threatened carnivore species increasingly depends on the capacity of local people to cohabit with those species. To examine such capacity we developed a novel psychological framework for conservation in regions of the world where there are human–carnivore conflicts, and used the Endangered tiger Panthera tigris to explore the utility of this framework. Specifically, we tested three hypotheses in Chitwan National Park, Nepal, where increasing human–tiger conflicts potentially jeopardize long-term coexistence. We administered a survey to 499 individuals living < 2 km from the Park and in nearby multiple-use forest, to record preferred future tiger population size and factors that may influence preferences, including past interactions with tigers (e.g. livestock predation) and beliefs and perceptions about tigers. Over 17% of respondents reported that a tiger had attacked their livestock or threatened them directly. Results from a structural equation model indicated that respondents who preferred fewer tigers in the future were less likely to associate tigers with beneficial attributes, more likely to associate tigers with undesirable attributes, and more likely to believe that government officials poorly manage tiger-related risks and that people are vulnerable to risks from tigers. Our framework can help address current and future conservation challenges because it (1) integrates an expansive and generalized set of psychological concepts, (2) enables the identification of conservation interventions that foster coexistence between people and carnivores, and (3) is suitable for broad application.

scholarly journals LULUCF Including - Excluding Emissions and Health Expenditures Path and Panel Data Analysis of Solution Result Relationship Example of G7 Countries

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Zişan Yardım Kılıçkan ◽  
Rıdvan Karacan
Keyword(s):  
Land Use ◽  
Panel Data ◽  
Structural Equation ◽  
Fossil Fuels ◽  
Panel Data Analysis ◽  
Health Expenditures ◽  
Equation Model ◽  
Total Emission ◽  
G7 Countries

<p>Traditional production is carried out using fossil fuels. In recent years, the destructive effects of fossil fuel elimination especially on human health and the environment became prominent. This effect leads to an increase in health expenditures (HE), and health problems that are severe and require long term therapies. To counter this problem, some countries have taken some measures to mini the effects of fossil fuels. One of these measures is called “Land Use, Land Use Change and Forestry” or LULUCF for short. LULUCF aims to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in the atmosphere by natural means that are cheap. In this regard, this paper aims to analyze the effects of harmful gases of total emissions in terms of health expenditures both including LULUCF (LI) and excluding LULUCF (LE). Panel data methodology and SPSS Path (Structural Equation) Model were used and cover G7 countries between 1990 and 2016. It was found that there is no linear relationship between LE and HE and LI has no effect on HE. Path analysis showed a negative correlation between LI total emission and SH and a positive correlation between LE total emission and HE.</p>

Customers’ emotional reactions in the banking industry

2015 ◽  
Vol 33 (3) ◽  
pp. 243-260 ◽  
Author(s):  
Veljko Marinkovic ◽  
Vladimir Obradovic
Keyword(s):  
Service Quality ◽  
Structural Equation ◽  
Affective Commitment ◽  
Banking Industry ◽  
Emotional Reactions ◽  
Equation Model ◽  
Central Position ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Antecedents And Consequences

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to identify antecedents and consequences of customers’ emotional reactions in the banking industry. In this context, a model based on segmenting all variables into three segments is proposed. Design/methodology/approach – The research was conducted on a sample of 211 respondents. Data analysis was conducted in AMOS 18. In order to assess the overall model fit, confirmative factor analysis (CFA) was used. To test the research hypotheses, a structural equation model was used. Findings – The research results indicate that trust, social bonds, image and service quality are statistically significant drivers of satisfaction. Of these variables, only service quality has no significant impact on affective commitment. Trust stands out as the variable with the greatest impact on customer emotional responses. Satisfaction is also an important determinant of customers’ behavioral intentions. Practical implications – Results of the present study indicate that management should pay considerable attention to strengthening intangible elements that imply the development of long-term relationships with clients. Originality/value – By designing a new model that includes antecedents and consequences of emotional reactions of customers, the present research contributes to theory in the field of services marketing. The model is characterized by its three-tier structure, whereby satisfaction and affective commitment occupy a central position.

scholarly journals A structural equation model of cooperative member satisfaction and long-term commitment

2019 ◽  
Vol 22 (2) ◽  
pp. 247-263 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jasper Grashuis ◽  
Michael Lee Cook
Keyword(s):  
Structural Equation Model ◽  
Structural Equation ◽  
The United States ◽  
Equation Model ◽  
Negative Consequences ◽  
Term Survival ◽  
Farmer Cooperatives ◽  
Attitudes And Perceptions ◽  
Member Satisfaction

The organizational growth of farmer cooperatives is tied to increased heterogeneity in member attitudes and perceptions. To inform possible solutions, a better understanding of the complex interrelationships of member attitudes and perceptions is necessary. Using survey responses from 1,116 members of an organic marketing cooperative in the United States, this paper develops a structural equation model of six factors: organic lifestyle, mission support, participation, trust, satisfaction, and long-term commitment. The final model illustrates nine significant relationships, including satisfaction and long-term commitment. The result suggests the long-term survival or viability of farmer cooperatives is not only dependent on its financial performance but also the utility of its members. In terms of member attitudes and perceptions, trust and mission support may offer the best opportunities for farmer cooperatives to foster member satisfaction and thus address the negative consequences of heterogeneity.

The Effect of Widowhood on the Health Status of Older Persons

1986 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
pp. 9-25 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kenneth F. Ferraro
Keyword(s):  
Health Status ◽  
Life Events ◽  
Structural Equation ◽  
Older Persons ◽  
Equation Model ◽  
Life Event ◽  
Long Term Consequences ◽  
The Impact ◽  
The Relationship

Interest in the relationship between stress and the onset of illness has stimulated research on the impact of various life events on health status. This article is an analysis of the health consequences of widowhood—the life event considered to require the most readjustment. Considering both objective and subjective measures of health, a structural equation model is developed and tested with panel data of a sample of elders. The findings indicate that widowhood results in an immediate decrease in perceived health but that the long-term consequences are minimal. Also, certain categories of elders shown to be health optimistic are able to maintain their optimism after widowhood. The results are interpreted as reflecting relativity in medical perceptions and favor a transitional model for explaining the normalization of disability.

A network perspective and value added tasks: the case of agri-food value chain

2016 ◽  
Vol 28 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
luai Jraisat
Keyword(s):  
Value Chain ◽  
Structural Equation ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Value Added ◽  
Equation Model ◽  
Key Factors ◽  
Firm Level ◽  
Four Levels ◽  
Food Value

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to illustrate how network perspective can be used to determine the importance of key dimensions of network in driving firm's performance within an Agri-Food Value Chain (AFVC). It aims to analyze how factors of network and value added tasks have an impact on firm’s performance in the context of agri-food sector Design/methodology/approach This research employs a quantitative method. Based on an illustrative empirical case, the research tests a simple variance-based reflective Structural Equation Model (SEM) with main effects based on a sample of 200 firms within AFVC in Jordan. Findings The results identify the high-order factors of business networks and demonstrate the role of network perspective on firm’s performance, acting as the main strategy to improve long-term business in AFVC. The results show that firm's performance is mostly driven by the three key factors of network (actors, resources and activities), as well as by the four levels of value added tasks (form, time, place and possession). Research limitations/implications This research has important implications for different level managers at firms. By understanding the various factors that are most important between partners at the firm level and between firms in a network, managers can focus their efforts on these factors in order to foster successful long term businesses and their performances. We further provide some managerial recommendations for more effective management of AFVC in terms of leveraging firm's performance. Originality/value This is one of few studies that investigate factors of network in value chain firms. The results show that the network perspective can link both the key factors of network and the levels of value added tasks for better firm's performance in AFVC.

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