Night-time economy vitality index: Framework and evidence

This study aims to develop a multi-dimensional night-time economy vitality index (NTEVI) to measure the vitality of night-time economic (NTE) activities in Zhejiang Province, China, covering its 11 cities and 90 counties. Comprising 44 supply and demand indicators of the NTE, the index was composed of an overall index and six major sub-indices that measured the vitality of six typical NTE subsectors, including catering, shopping, recreation, accommodation, touring, and fitness. The NTEVI was calculated using a unique multi-source dataset based on hourly online transaction data from a leading Chinese online-to-offline service platform, monthly night-time electricity consumption data, and official statistics from 2019 to 2020. Robustness and sensitivity analyses were conducted to ensure high credibility of the index results. The findings of this study suggested that the NTEVI was highly and significantly correlated with night light indices, economic indicators, and tourism demand measures. By identifying regional and temporal differences across several service sectors over time at the county, city, and provincial levels, the NTEVI serves as a powerful numerical and visual tool: it offers key information to guide policy formulation, resource allocation, and policy evaluation. In the context of COVID-19, the index analyses also reflect the NTE recovery process in Zhejiang Province. Our findings indicate that it is important for the Chinese government, regional authorities, and enterprises to encourage the NTE as a main driver of economic revitalization.

Improving the theoretical and methodological framework of the system for analyzing the balanced state of social and economic development of regions

This paper reviews the results obtained by Russian and foreign researchers of the importance of balanced development of a region as an autonomous system. The author proposes an algorithm for generation of balanced regional development indicators as well as determination of «regional vitality index», provides an example of graphic representation of the results for the proposed method. Additionally, the paper contains the set of assumed indicators based on a social nature of the state. Regions, as used herein, are classified into balanced, socially oriented, and economically oriented, and strategic directions are defined on the basis of existing vector of development and regional vitality index, i. e. type of the region. Key takeaways and recommendations are listed in the conclusion. In particular, the results of determining the «region vitality factor» make it possible to estimate the level of regional social and economic development with the possibility of quantitatively calculating functional imbalances, determining (if any) the vector and magnitude of deformation. The consistency of the approach to the formation of blocks of indicators allows considering the key aspects of social and economic development of the region.

The assessment of woody plants vital state in the landscaping of Ishim

This paper analyzes the current state of landscaping in Ishim. The data on the qualitative and quantitative characteristics of woody plants have been obtained for the first time; the assessment of trees and shrubs state is based on the analysis of the vitality index. A database of green plants within 21 objects in Ishim was created and analyzed. The paper also contains data on the species diversity of trees and shrubs in Ishim. It turned out that the objects under study have trees and shrubs placed in special dividing strips, linearly, in rows or in small compact groups, less often they are planted singly. The species composition is represented by 47 species from 28 genera, 16 families and 2 divisions. The biomorphological structure is represented by trees (25, or 53% of species) and shrubs (22, or 47% of species). The total composition of tree and shrub plantations, determined by the number of trunks (bushes) and the percentage of woody plants, is 2854; the composition of the preserved ones is 2 815 (99%) pieces; the ones assigned for removal are 39 (1%) pcs. The vitality index shows that among 85% of the studied objects of the town at the time of the survey were healthy, among 10% of the objects they were qualified as damaged, among 5% of them were severely damaged. Based on the results of examining crowns and trunks of woody plants, signs of diseases and pests, a plan of measures for the treatment, restoration and preservation of woody plants was drawn up and recommendations were given for caring, sanitary felling and removal of single specimens.

Asexual Regeneration Response of Ilex canariensis Poir. to Management of the Canopy of Pinus radiata D.Don

Exotic afforestation can provide suitable conditions for native shade-tolerant species restoration without threatening native forests. This study analyzes the impact of different thinning intensities of the canopy of an exotic Pinus radiata stand on the asexual regeneration response of Ilex canariensis, a native laurel forest species in the Canary Islands, Spain. The results provide useful indications for how to manage P. radiata stands to promote recovery of native plant communities. For different stand treatments were selected: stand clear cut, low intensity thinning (10–15%), high intensity thinning (25%), and a control. The stand clear cut management revealed Ilex canariensis individuals with a higher number of sprouts and more leaf cover; however, the height of these sprouts two years after the cut did not reach the values of individuals prior to this management. Consequently, the vitality index following clear cut management is significantly lower with respect to the other treatments. Thinning management is shown not to be so useful to promote the growth and vitality of Ilex canariensis individuals. The results suggest that thinning over 50% could be more appropriate in the case of Pinus radiata, allowing resprouting of Ilex canariensis in the understory and improvement in the vitality index.