Attitudes of Communities in Rural Areas towards the Development of Wind Energy

The objective of the study was to demonstrate attitudes towards wind energy facilities in the area of the Korsze Commune. The results of the study were processed using structure indices calculated from the respondents’ answers, which were analyzed in terms of social and economic factors. The study revealed that both the NIMBY syndrome and the lack of civic engagement influence attitudes towards renewable energy technologies in rural areas. The NIMBY (“not in my backyard”) term describes negative public attitudes towards proposed development projects. However, some trends towards more pronounced attitudes can be observed, depending on socioeconomic conditions. The research results imply that the measures taken to promote renewable energy technologies should be designed differently depending on the socioeconomic situation of the targeted audience. Young people might be reached via social media appropriate to their age, and through campaigns promoting local investments. For older people, traditional ways of communication can be used, but the information transmitted should include specific benefits for the whole society as well as for individual households. The conducted research revealed that, despite the fact that many authors deny the occurrence of NIMBY syndrome in relation to the wind energy, the NIMBY problem has occurred in the Korsze Commune. The biggest challenge in the survey was the unwillingness of the residents to participate in it, which only confirms the lack of social involvement.

Horizontal Visibility in Forests

The important variable of horizontal visibility within forest stands is gaining increasing attention in studies and applications involving terrestrial laser scanning (TLS), photographic measurements of forest structure, and autonomous mobility. We investigated distributions of visibility distance, open arc length, and shaded arc length in three mature forest stands. Our analysis was based (1) on tree position maps and TLS data collected in 2013 and 2019 with three different scanners, and (2) on simulated digital twins of the forest stands, constructed with two pattern-generation models incorporating commonly used indices of tree position clumping. The model simulations were found to yield values for visibility almost identical to those calculated from the corresponding tree location maps. The TLS measurements, however, were found to diverge notably from the simulations. Overall, the probability of free line of sight was found to decrease exponentially with distance to target, and the probabilities of open arc length and shaded arc length were found to decrease and increase, respectively, with distance from the observer. The TLS measurements, which are sensitive to forest understory vegetation, were found to indicate increased visibility after vegetation removal. Our chosen visibility prediction models support practical forest management, being based on common forest inventory parameters and on widely used forest structure indices.

Association between Greenness Structures and Frailty in an Elderly Prospective Longitudinal Cohort in China

Background: Frailty is the accumulation of aging-induced deficits, leading to vulnerability and death. There is evidence of negative associations between greenspaces measured with normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI) and frailty. However, NDVI is not as informative as greenness structure indices which reflect characters such as shape and connectivity. We aim to study the association between greenness structures and frailty in an elderly Chinese cohort. Methods: We included older adults from 2008-2014 waves of the China Longitudinal Healthy Longevity Survey (CLHLS). We used greenspace indices from satellite to quantify greenspace structures at county-level: area-edge, shape, and proximity, and calculated frailty index (FI) as a health outcome. We did cross-sectional analyses using linear regression and logistical regression, and longitudinal analyses using the generalized estimating equations (GEE). All models were adjusted for covariates. Results: Among 8,776 participants at baseline, the mean LPI, SHAPE, COHESION, and FI were 7.93, 8.11, 97.6, and 0.17. The correlation between NDVI and greenness structure was unnoticeable. In cross-sectional analyses, we found negative consistent dose-response relationships for greenspace structures and frailty, especially in females, city residents, people without a spouse, and with deteriorated frailty. Compared to participants living in the lowest quartile of greenness structure, those in the highest quartile of LPI, SHAPE, and COHESION had 32%, 44%, and 37% lower odds of frailty. However, we did not find a significant association in longitudinal analyses due to higher mortality rate and FI of participants without follow-up surveys.Conclusions: The larger value of area-edge, shape, and proximity is related to a lower likelihood of frailty. Assessing complex shapes and connecting fragmentary greenspaces are informative to public health through city planning.

TomoSAR Mapping of 3D Forest Structure: Contributions of L-Band Configurations

Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) measurements are unique for mapping forest 3D structure and its changes in time. Tomographic SAR (TomoSAR) configurations exploit this potential by reconstructing the 3D radar reflectivity. The frequency of the SAR measurements is one of the main parameters determining the information content of the reconstructed reflectivity in terms of penetration and sensitivity to the individual vegetation elements. This paper attempts to review and characterize the structural information content of L-band TomoSAR reflectivity reconstructions, and their potential to forest structure mapping. First, the challenges in the accurate TomoSAR reflectivity reconstruction of volume scatterers (which are expected to dominate at L-band) and to extract physical structure information from the reconstructed reflectivity is addressed. Then, the L-band penetration capability is directly evaluated by means of the estimation performance of the sub-canopy ground topography. The information content of the reconstructed reflectivity is then evaluated in terms of complementary structure indices. Finally, the dependency of the TomoSAR reconstruction and of its structural information to both the TomoSAR acquisition geometry and the temporal change of the reflectivity that may occur in the time between the TomoSAR measurements in repeat-pass or bistatic configurations is evaluated. The analysis is supported by experimental results obtained by processing airborne acquisitions performed over temperate forest sites close to the city of Traunstein in the south of Germany.

Indonesia Local Industry Structure and Firms Productivity in Industrial Area

Using three industry structure indices: specialization, diversification, and competition, we explore how local industry structure may affect firm productivity in the industrial estates. Based on unbalanced panel data of large and medium-sized industrial firms in Indonesia during 2010-2015, our study found that local industry structure influences firm productivity, measured as total factor productivity (TFP). The effect differs between firms outside the industrial estate and firms in the industrial estate. Specialization decreases the productivity of both firms in the industrial estate and outside. Diversification has a positive effect on increasing firm productivity in the industrial estate. As for firms outside the industrial estate, diversification has a negative effect, but the effect is less significant. Meanwhile, local industry competition has a positive and significant effect on firm productivity outside the industrial estate, but the effect is not significant for firms within the industrial estate. Empirically, firms in industrial estates may only benefit from a diversified local industry structure.JEL Classification: D24, L52, R10How to Cite:Rinayanti., & Qibthiyyah, R. M. (2021). Indonesia Local Industry Structure and Firms Productivity in Industrial Area. Signifikan: Jurnal Ilmu Ekonomi, 10(1), 93-112. doi: http://doi.org/10.15408/sjie.v10i1.17197.

Diversity and microhabitat use of benthic invertebrates in an urban forest stream (Southeastern Brazil)

ABSTRACT This work aimed to assess the diversity and microhabitat use of benthic invertebrates in an urban forest stream in southeastern Brazilian region. The invertebrates were sampled in a headwater stream, located at the Tijuca Forest, Rio de Janeiro. Three types of microhabitats were sampled (litter, sand and stone) using a Surber sampler. Specimens were identified to the family-level and rarefaction curves were constructed for the total sampling and for each type of microhabitat. Community structure indices (abundance, taxonomic richness, diversity, and dominance) were calculated for each microhabitat. Differences among indices were tested through a repeated measure ANOVA, and differences among microhabitatsʼ composition through a PerMANOVA. A total of 9,800 specimens were registered in which Chironomidae was the most abundant. The rarefaction curves did not reach the asymptote. Community structure indices exhibited differences (RM ANOVA; p < 0.001), as well as microhabitats’ composition (PerMANOVA; p < 0.001). Abundance and taxonomic richness were the highest in litter, diversity was higher both in litter and stone, and sand had the highest dominance. Results highlighted that the variety of microhabitats may enhance local diversity and that the differences in resources availability of each type of microhabitat determine the distribution of these invertebrates.

A comparison of the accuracy of different types of samples for spatial structure indices determination in beech forests in Serbia

In this paper we compared the accuracy of different samples (minus the sample with the NN1 edge correction and buffer zone, plus sample and modified cluster sample) to determine indices of spatial structure in beech forests in Serbia, which can be used in regular forest inventory. The research was conducted in 11 forest stands of different structure at the territory of Central Serbia. Field data used for the assessment of spatial structure indices were collected across the examined stands on the sample plots of different sizes, using systematic grid, with the square layout of sample plots (100x100 meters). The study was conducted on 242 sample plots. For accuracy comparison of different sample types, five indices were used: Uniform angle index, Mean directional index, Species mingling index, DBH differentiation and DBH dominance indices. One-way ANOVA showed that at the stand level there were no statistically significant differences between mean values of indices obtained by different sample types. However, Simple linear correlations confirmed for most indices that if the spatial structure is to be determined with accuracy at the level of sample plots (in this case, a circular fixed radius plot of 5 acres) it is necessary to use a plus sample during data collection. For species mingling and DBH differentiation indices, Simple linear correlations show that both minus sampling with edge correction buffer zone and modified cluster sampling with somewhat less accuracy can be used to a certain extent. Minus sampling with NN1 edge correction is not practical for use on sample plots of this size in beech forests in Serbia.

Seasonal variation of the hydro-environmental factors and phytoplankton community around waters in Tincan Island, Lagos State, Nigeria

The phytoplankton diversity, pigment, abundance and distribution in relation to physico-chemical parameters were studied from four stations for a period of five months (May – September 2018) and were analysed using standard procedures. Rainfall was highest (329.5 mm) in September and lowest (142.7 mm) in July. The total suspended solid (TSS) had a mean value of 63.10±12.81 mg/L and the total dissolved solids (TDS) had the highest value of 15189 mg/L in May which was not significantly different around the sampling points {P > 0.05}. The pH and nitrate level recorded had a mean value of 7.25±0.33 and 3.11±1.33 mg/L respectively. Microscopic identification revealed a total of 129 species belonging to 62 genera, 22 families and five divisions in the following order of specie abundance: Bacillariophyceae (65 taxa) > Cyanophyceae (27 taxa) > Chlorophyta (20 taxa) > Dinophyceae (10 taxa) > Euglenophyceae (7 taxa). The high dominance of Microcystis aeruginosa observed was indicative of organic pollution. The range of community structure indices were as follows: Margalef Index (0.1406 – 5.295) and Shannon – Weiner Index (0.02644 - 0.4979). The relatively high nutrient status favours the high abundance of phytoplankton which is understood to be deleterious to the ecosystem. Municipal wastes must be treated or recycled before discharge and a continuous environmental surveillance is required to maintain the biological integrity of this area. Keywords: Phytoplankton, Physicochemical Parameters, Nutrient Status and Tincan Island

BIOLOGICAL FEATURES OF GROWTH, DEVELOPMENT AND PRODUCTIVITY INDICATORS OF ANIMALS OBTAINED FROM CROSSING OF CATTLE OF DIFFERENT BREEDS

The results of research on the biological features of growth, development and productivity of animals obtained from crossbreeding of cattle of different origins are presented. The aim of the research was to study the biological features of growth, development and productivity indicators in local animals of cattle obtained from crossing dairy cows with meat bulls. The research was conducted through research and production experiments, groups were formed on the principle of pairs of analogues. It was found that local animals at birth had a higher live weight compared to purebreds. The only exceptions are crossbreeds with Aberdeen Angus. The advantage in live weight in domestic animals was: the second group - 72.6 kg, or 16.9%; third - 62.6 kg, 14.6%; fourth - 87.4 kg, 20.4%; fifth - 66.1 kg, 15.4%; sixth - 30.7 kg, 7.1%. Between six and nine months, the average daily gain in domestic animals was higher except for the sixth group. The advantage was in the second group +100 g, in the third +227 g, in the fourth +159 g, in the fifth +111 g, and in animals of the sixth group the lag was -164 g. In the subsequent periods of cultivation local bulls prevailed. purebred according to this indicator. For the entire period of cultivation, from birth to 18 months, the advantage was the second group of 119 g, the third - 118 g, the fourth - 154 g, the fifth - 112 g, the sixth - 28 g. There are also differences in indicators measurements among animals of different groups, so the largest oblique length of the torso and chest girth had crossbreeds of the second and fourth groups, and the smallest of the third group. Similar results were obtained by latitudinal measurements. Analysis of data on linear growth and body structure indices indicate good development of animals and fairly harmonious body shapes. However, the differences between purebred animals and crossbreeds are observed and quite significant. The highest pre-slaughter weight was in animals of the second group of 500.7 kg. (+78.8 kg.). A similar situation is observed in terms of slaughter mass. The largest slaughter weight was obtained from animals of the fifth group 319.3 kg. (+83 kg). The animals of the fifth group also had the heaviest carcasses of 310.1 kg (+79 kg).