Land Use Evolution and Land Ecological Security Evaluation Based on AHP-FCE Model: Evidence from China

China experienced rapid urbanization and socioeconomic development at an unusual rate during the past four decades. Against such background, land use evolution and land ecological security have both been affected in a volatile way. Therefore, it is necessary to investigate the land use and the land ecological security in China. However, the traditional assessment approaches have paid more attention to the environmental and economic factors than the sustainable development of ecology, which cannot comprehensively assess the land ecological security. From the perspective of ecological sustainable development, this study identifies 3 main factors and 17 sub-factors. We also construct a model to integrate the FCE approach with the AHP. The results show that from 2004 to 2017, China’s land use structure was unbalanced. The construction land, mining land, and cultivated land increased rapidly, leading to the shrinkage of ecological land. Moreover, the weight of the sustainable development of resources and the environment, economic sustainable development, social sustainable development are 0.3341, 0.3780, and 0.2879, respectively, demonstrating that economic sustainable development is the most important factor affecting land ecological security. Finally, although the value of comprehensive land ecological security in China has been on the rise from 2004 to 2017, it remains at an unsecured level. Moreover, the value of the sustainable development of resources and the environment has been declining since 2011 and is lower than the values of economic sustainable development and social sustainable development. This study demonstrates that more attention should be paid to enhancing land ecological security, especially promoting the sustainable development of resources and the environment.

Cultural heritage management and the effect of corruption in Nigeria: hampering sustainable development via cultural heritage destruction

PurposeThe aim of this research is to discuss the effect of corruption on conventional management of cultural heritage (CH) resources in Nigeria. It identifies the means by which the effect can be curtailed to bring about proper management system in the CH sector and pave the way for economic/sustainable development through cultural tourism in the country.Design/methodology/approachThe research draws from both exploratory and comparative approaches. It took a study of selected locations and museums in the six geopolitical zones of the country, with a review of literatures on cultural heritage management (CHM). It also gives summarized information on the present overall effect of corruption in the CH sector of Nigeria.FindingsThe research reveals that there are some levels of mismanagement and destruction of CH resources in the country. This is manifested in acts of museum theft, illicit trafficking, unlawful possession and general mishandling of CH, as well as the deterioration of facilities in the sector. The research gathered that the problem came as a result of wrongful appointment of none heritage experts as heads of heritage-related institutions and agencies. It also results from lack of required attention by the government and other relevant stakeholders (such as community leaders/members, academics and law enforcement agencies, inter alia) toward CH preservation, protection, management and promotion for sustainable development. The research recommends that the government and other CH stakeholders (mentioned above) should make efforts to address the issues discussed, so as to improve the management of CH in the country for sustainable development.Originality/valuePrior to this research, there has been no publication addressing the effect of corruption on CHM in this context and location. The article makes recommendations that call for action and also set grounds for future discourse.

Does Social Trust Stimulate Regional Eco-Efficiency? Evidence From China

Ecological efficiency is an important part of economic sustainable development. As the transitional economy with “weak institution” features, the informal institutions have a vital role in China’s economic development. Using panel data from 2001 to 2016, this paper estimates eco-efficiency of China’s 30 provinces based on Super-SBM DEA with global Malmquist index and investigates the governance role of a typical informal institution, namely social trust, in regional eco-efficiency. Empirical results show the following: 1) From 2001 to 2016, the accumulated changes of regional eco-efficiency are all greater than 1, indicating that all provinces in China are actively changing its development mode to improve eco-efficiency. 2) Social trust plays a significantly positive role in improving regional eco-efficiency. 3) Moreover, this effect is more pronounced in regions with poor legal development. 4) The mechanism tests further show that social trust can improve regional eco-efficiency through promoting regional green innovation and developing regional finance. Our findings shed light on the implications of informal institutions, and in particular on the value of social trust in realizing green economic development in emerging market.

Standardisation of Halal Industry towards Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) (Penyeragaman Industri Halal ke arah Matlamat Pembangunan yang Mampan (SDG))

The purpose of this paper is to analyse the prospects and challenges of the halal industry towards achieving health, environmental, social and economic sustainable development goal. This study relies on qualitative approach to gather data from secondary sources. The paper uses doctrinal approach to analyse the relationship between halal industry, maqāṣid sharīʿah and the sustainable development goals. The increase in demand for halal products is due to greater awareness and religious consciousness of most consumers, particularly among Muslim nations. However, there have been rising concerns about how halal industry can achieve sustainable health, environment, social and economy development goals. Even though halal industry assures halal (permissible) food by forbidding swine and alcohol businesses, it also entails an end to end ṭayyib (wholesomeness) of the products and services for a sustainable ecosystem as imbedded in maqāṣid sharīʿah. This paper explicates useful issues and challenges that principal institutions of the halal industry need to address to achieve halal sustainable development goals. Keywords: Standardization, Ḥalālan, Ṭayyiban, Maqāsid Shariah, Fatwā, Sustainable Development Goals. Abstrak Tujuan kajian ini dibuat adalah untuk menganalisis prospek dan cabaran industri halal ke arah mencapai matlamat pembangunan mampan sama ada dari segi kesihatan, alam sekitar, sosial dan ekonomi. Kajian ini mengaplikasikan kaedah kualitatif melalui pengumpulan data dari sumber sekunder. Ia menggunakan pendekatan doktrin di dalam menganalisa hubungan di antara industri halal, maqāṣid sharīʿah dan matlamat pembangunan mampan. Peningkatan permintaan terhadap produk halal adalah disebabkan oleh kefahaman serta kesedaran agama yang tinggi di kalangan pengguna, terutamanya di kalangan negara-negara Islam. Walau bagaimanapun, terdapat kebimbangan yang semakin meningkat berhubung bagaimana industri halal boleh mencapai matlamat kesihatan, alam sekitar, sosial dan pembangunan ekonomi yang mampan. Walaupun industri halal memberi jaminan makanan halal (dibenarkan) dengan melarang perniagaan babi dan alkohol, ia juga melibatkan jaminan hujung ke hujung (keseluruhan proses) adalah produk serta perkhidmatan yang ṭayyib bagi mewujudkan ekosistem yang mampan sebagaimana termaktub di dalam maqāṣid sharīʿah. Kajian ini menerangkan isu-isu serta cabaran yang perlu ditangani oleh institusi-institusi utama dalam industri halal untuk mencapai matlamat pembangunan halal yang mampan. Kata Kunci: Penstandardan, Ḥalālan, Ṭayyiban, Maqāsid Shariah, Fatwā, Matlamat Pembangunan yang Mampan.

A New Life for Forest Resources: The Commons as a Driver for Economic Sustainable Development—A Case Study from Galicia

Communal forests are a unique land tenure system and comprise a singular legal category in Galicia. Their persistence over time demonstrates that this community-owned resource has overcome the “tragedy of the commons”, showing their capability to successfully develop self-governing institutions. However, communal forests have rarely been studied through the lens of economics. This minimizes the opportunity to explore to what extent communities of communal forests might be a driving force of general well-being, citizen empowerment, equity, employment, and local development. In this paper, we focus on this gap and address the opportunities. We detail this special ownership structure that allows residents of rural areas to exploit the forest as if they were a single owner. Moreover, we highlight the potential of communal forests to exploit local resources far beyond extractive processes, enabling the generation of greater added value to the economy while favoring a responsible treatment of resources. This enables productive activity integrated with the rest of the primary sector, while allowing for the maintenance of the population and supporting the local economy. Our results reveal a set of inefficiencies that can jeopardize common forest opportunities to become a sustainable economic activity, such as underqualified management, a low level of interest and commitment among community members, and excessive focus on logging. Thus, we propose several actions to improve collective engagement and active membership to better manage Galicia’s forests.

Approaches to Assessing the Performance of Professional Expert Communities

The article proposes the authors’ approach to assessing professional expert communities (PECs), based on the creation of a criteria scale and indicators of community activities. Using the comparative case study method, an analysis of the successful experience of 18 professional communities selected from an array of communities actively represented in cooperation with the institutes of the National Qualifications System is carried out. The content of the research is based on the use of the following research methods: content analysis, interviews with representatives of professional expert communities, case studies. It was found that the most successful communities, leading in the rating according to the results of the assessment, are the most consistent with indicators related to social criteria, and the least - to the material and technical, or economic. In addition, these PECs have a particular impact on socio-economic sustainable development from the viewpoint of the internal and external environment.

Economic restructuring and sustainable development under the Internet finance mode

In this information age, the traditional economic mode is shifting towards the Internet finance mode, leading the global economy into an Internet-dominated “new normal”. Against this backdrop, Internet finance has brought much convenience to our lives. This study, based on data analysis, made comparisons of economic structures between China and abroad, and between individuals and enterprises, and studied actual cases to introduce the economic restructuring and economic sustainable development in the Internet finance mode.

Ajattelun taidon tasot maantieteen ylioppilaskokeessa taloudellisen kestävän kehityksen koekysymyksissä ja vastauksissa

Tutkimme artikkelissamme sitä, miten ajattelun taidon tasot ilmenevät maantieteen ylioppilaskokeen taloudellista kestävää kehitystä käsittelevissä kysymyksissä sekä esseevastauksissa. Kestävään kehitykseen liittyvät ylioppilaskoekysymykset ovat usein vaativia, koska ne ovat tietoa laajasti soveltavia ja niissä yhdistetään useiden maantieteen kurssien ja muiden oppi-aineiden sisältöjä. Luokittelimme kahden ylioppilaskoekysymyksen tehtävänannot ja niissä vaadittavat ajattelun taidon tasot Bloomin taksonomian mukaan ja vastaukset SOLO-taksonomian mukaan. Tehtävänannot edellyttivät pääasiassa ymmärtämistä, soveltamista, analysointia ja arvioimista. Keskimäärin vastausten ajattelun taidon tasot jäivät tehtävänantojen vaatimuksista noin puoliväliin. Harvat parhaista ylsivät vaaditulle tasolle vastauksissaan. Sisällönanalyysin perusteella opiskelijat hallitsivat hyvin reiluun kauppaan ja luonnonvarojen kestämättömään käyttöön liittyviä sisältöjä, mutta osasivat heikosti taloudellisen kestävän kehityksen perimmäisen ajatuksen. Vastauksista puuttui myös pohdintaa tulojen epätasaisesta jakautumisesta lähde- ja kohdemaan välillä. Tulosten perusteella suosittelemme lukion maantieteen opettajia keskittymään entistä enemmän sen varmistamiseen, että opiskelijat ymmärtävät teemojen syvemmän luonteen ja problematiikan. Vastaustekniikkaa, esseevastausten jäsentelyä ja syy-seuraussuhteiden perustelemista tulisi harjoitella entistä enemmän. Geography matriculation examination and levels of thinking skills in questions and answers on economic sustainability Abstract In this study, we have researched how the complexity in students’ understanding can be seen in the Finnish matriculation examination at the end of upper secondary school. We concentrated on exam questions related to economic sustainable development because it is the common subject in several disciplines taught in the Finnish upper secondary school. In addition, economic sustainable development as a study content demands complex understanding. We analyzed two matriculation examination questions according to Bloom’s taxonomy. Similarly, we analyzed the essay answers according to the SOLO taxonomy. Those questions required comprehension, application, analysis, and evaluation. On average, students’ essay answers reached the middle level. Only rarely students reached the highest levels of complexity in understanding. According to the content analysis, students knew well the contents of the fair trade and the unsustainable use of natural resources. However, they did not manage so well the core idea of the economic sustainable development. Moreover, students did not know so well the unequal distribution of incomes between the source and destination countries. We suggest that teachers in the upper secondary school should secure that students have adopted the core of the economic sustainable development. Teachers should also emphasize answering techniques, structuring essay answers, and reasoning causal relationships. These will enhance the complexity in understanding seen in the students’ essay answers. Keywords: Bloom’s taxonomy, upper secondary school, student assessment, SOLO taxonomy, economic sustainable development, matriculation examination

The Characteristics and Mechanism of Changes in the Marine Environmental Capacity of the Estuaries of Haizhou Bay in Northern Jiangsu from 2006 to 2016

To calculate the environmental capacity of the estuaries of Haizhou Bay in northern Jiangsu, China in 2006 and 2016, this study employed the share ratio approach and established a tidal hydrodynamic model and a water quality diffusion model by the Delft 3D software to perform the numerical simulation. The article compared the environmental capacity in 2006 and 2016, and analyzed the changes between these years. The scenario analysis method was used to explore the influence of factors on the environmental capacity and quantify the contribution of each influencing factor. The results show that the theoretical environmental capacity was reduced by 32.718 tons/day (28.56%) from 114.571 tons/day in 2006 to 81.853 tons/day in 2016. The remaining environmental capacity was reduced by 6.955 tons/day (56.92%) from 12.219 tons/day in 2006 to 5.264 tons/day in 2016. The changes in topography and the amount of runoff into the ocean through the estuaries of Haizhou Bay between 2006 and 2016 reduced the total environmental capacity of the estuaries by an influence ratio of 0.363:0.637. The study will provide the management of the marine environment of Haizhou Bay with information to control the aggregate pollutants flowing into the ocean and support the social and economic sustainable development of Haizhou Bay.

New Archaeological Discoveries in The Geological Formations and Heritages along the Ba River Ancient Valley

In dry season of 2019, a series of new mix-heritages containing both of natural/geological and prehistoric archaeological values were discovered along the Ba river ancient valley by the field survey team of the project TN17/T06. The archaeological relics were uncovered right in the geological heritage sites such as: waterfalls, fossil sites, ancient terraces, and low mountain slopes along the Ba river ancient valley, which belong to eluvial, deluvial, proluvial and alluvial formations of Pleistocene age. Hundreds of stone tools, including dozens of petrified wood tools were collected, such as: uni-facial and bi-facial tools, end-chooper, side-chopper, scraper, spearhead tool, flake and core tools, etc. The materials of the tools were made of quartz, quartzite, siliceous stone, opal-chalcedony, petrified wood and basalt, which were recognized as geological heritages (A type: Paleontology; D type: Rock; F type: Minerals, according to the classification in the Circular 50/2017-TT-BTNMT of MONRE) of the heritage region. The collected artifacts characterise technique and geometric shape types of Paleolithic age. The archaeological discoveried sites were highly evaluated by Vietnamese and foreign archaeologists because they play a great important role in studying Paleolithic stage in Gia Lai province and The Central Highlands particularly, and in Vietnam and Southeast Asia generally. Besides, they have increased comprihensive heritage values of the region, as well as provided double invaluable resources (both natural and cultural heritage) for tourism exploitation and socio-economic sustainable development.