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Rodríguez P, Benra F, Fischer J, Romano S, Soler R. Navigating social-ecological changes: A mixed-method analysis of extensive livestock systems in southern Patagonian forests, Argentina. Ambio 2024:10.1007/s13280-024-02029-0. [PMID: 38684629 DOI: 10.1007/s13280-024-02029-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2023] [Revised: 01/23/2024] [Accepted: 04/18/2024] [Indexed: 05/02/2024]
Abstract
Sustainable livestock management plays a crucial role in food production, climate change mitigation, and cultural preservation. Our study aimed to identify and analyse the diversity of social-ecological conditions that characterize extensive livestock systems in southern Patagonia. We integrated data collected from interviews and secondary sources and analysed data using hierarchical cluster analysis and non-metric multidimensional scaling to identify distinct ranching types. A qualitative analysis of key informant interviews identified key social-ecological changes for each type. The results emphasize the impact of administration, production, and biophysical factors on shaping different livestock ranching schemes. Further, we identified three significant social-ecological changes driving the dynamics of these systems, including shifts from (1) sheep to cattle ranching, (2) domestic to feral cattle ranching, and (3) landowners to tenant land managers. These findings have implications for policymakers seeking to develop strategies tailored to diverse realities, ensuring the sustainability of livestock systems in Tierra del Fuego.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paula Rodríguez
- Austral Center for Scientific Research (CADIC), National Scientific and Technological Research Council (CONICET), Bernardo Houssay 200, CP 9410, Ushuaia, Tierra del Fuego, Argentina.
| | - Felipe Benra
- Social Ecological Systems Institute, Leuphana University Lüneburg, Universitätsallee 1, 21335, Lüneburg, Germany
| | - Joern Fischer
- Social Ecological Systems Institute, Leuphana University Lüneburg, Universitätsallee 1, 21335, Lüneburg, Germany
| | - Silvina Romano
- Institute of Economic Development and Innovation, National University of Tierra del Fuego, Fuegia Basket 251, CP 9410, Ushuaia, Tierra del Fuego, Argentina
| | - Rosina Soler
- Austral Center for Scientific Research (CADIC), National Scientific and Technological Research Council (CONICET), Bernardo Houssay 200, CP 9410, Ushuaia, Tierra del Fuego, Argentina
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2
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Pike F, Lindström L, Ekstedt J, Jiddawi NS, de la Torre-Castro M. Dynamic livelihoods, gender and poverty in marine protected areas: Case study from Zanzibar, Tanzania. Ambio 2024:10.1007/s13280-024-02010-x. [PMID: 38647618 DOI: 10.1007/s13280-024-02010-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/16/2023] [Revised: 11/24/2023] [Accepted: 03/14/2024] [Indexed: 04/25/2024]
Abstract
Livelihood initiatives are common within marine protected areas (MPAs) aiming for poverty alleviation or higher income opportunities. However, results can be mixed in reality, as well as change over time. Furthermore, who benefits is a key consideration, as results can vary based on inequalities, including gender. Here, the monetary outcomes of different livelihood strategies were investigated across three MPA regions in Zanzibar, Tanzania. Using a quantitative approach, the results show that livelihoods have shifted in a six-year period, with livelihood strategies differing in poverty incidence and income. Livelihood initiatives, namely seaweed farming and tourism, did not provide significantly higher monetary returns compared to long-standing livelihoods, such as fisheries. Seaweed farming showed income stability but a high poverty incidence predominantly within women-headed households. During the study period, men primarily remained in fisheries, whilst women shifted to small-scale businesses and fisheries, largely exiting seaweed farming. This underscores a need for adaptive, gender sensitive management within fast changing coastal contexts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Felicity Pike
- Department of Physical Geography, Stockholm University, Stockholm, Sweden.
| | - Lars Lindström
- Department of Political Science, Stockholm University, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Josefin Ekstedt
- Centre for Blue Governance, Department of Sustainability and Planning, Aalborg University, Aalborg, Denmark
| | - Narriman S Jiddawi
- Zanzi Marine and Coastal Solutions, P.O. Box 4108, Chukwani, Zanzibar, Tanzania
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Kwakwa PA, Aboagye S, Alhassan H, Gyamfi BA. Reducing agricultural nitrous oxide emissions in China: the role of food production, forest cover, income, trade openness, and rural population. Environ Sci Pollut Res Int 2023; 30:95773-95788. [PMID: 37556053 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-023-28990-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/05/2023] [Accepted: 07/22/2023] [Indexed: 08/10/2023]
Abstract
In the light of China's carbon-neutral goal, this study examines how food production, forest cover, trade openness, and rural population contribute to the quest of addressing China's agricultural nitrous oxide emissions. Time series data ranging from 1971 to 2018 was used for analysis in this study. The autoregressive distributed lag (ARDL) technique was employed to evaluate potential cointegration as well as to ascertain the long and short-run effects of food production, forest cover, income, trade openness, and rural population on agricultural nitrous oxide emission. The Toda-Yamomoto causality analysis was also used to identify the causal relations between covariates (food production, forest cover, income, trade openness, and rural population) and the outcome variable (agricultural nitrous oxide emission). The long-run evidence is that rural population in itself tends to increase agricultural nitrous oxide emissions likewise food production. There is also validation of the existence of environmental Kuznets curve for agricultural nitrous oxide emissions. Moreover, income interacts with rural population to reduce agricultural nitrous oxide emissions in the long-run. Causality analysis indicated rural population affects the level of forest cover; forest cover is found to cause agricultural nitrous oxide emissions but the converse is not established, and income as well as the interaction between income and rural population determines agricultural nitrous oxide emissions. The short-run dynamics results establish an oscillatory equilibrium convergence for agricultural nitrous oxide emissions in event of structural disturbances. From the findings, the EKC hypothesis is relevant by offering avenue to reduce emission. Thus, income growth remains helpful in addressing nitrous oxide emission from the agricultural sector. However, research is needed to unravel why nitrous oxide tends to increase in many forest areas. Since food production cannot be halted, policy makers need to enhance the uptake of efficient food production technologies including developing and using more renewable energy for food production. It is important for authorities to attend to rural development in order to mitigate agricultural nitrous oxide emissions in China.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paul Adjei Kwakwa
- School of Arts and Social Sciences, University of Energy and Natural Resources, Sunyani, Ghana.
| | - Solomon Aboagye
- Department of Economics, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Hamdiyah Alhassan
- Department of Economics, University for Development Studies, Tamale, Ghana
| | - Bright Akwasi Gyamfi
- School of Management, Sir Padampat Singhania University, Bhatewar, Udaipur, Rajasthan, India
- Department of Business Administration Faculty of Economics and Administrative Sciences, Istanbul Gelisin University, Istanbul, Turkey
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4
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Suárez Roldan C, Méndez Giraldo GA, López Santana E. Sustainable Development in Rural Territories within the Last Decade: A Review of the State of the Art. Heliyon 2023; 9:e17555. [PMID: 37496929 PMCID: PMC10366403 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2023.e17555] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/17/2022] [Revised: 06/15/2023] [Accepted: 06/20/2023] [Indexed: 07/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Rural territories play an important role when progress is made toward a balanced regional development; thus, an analysis is required of the components and/or factors which have contributed to sustainable development. Therefore, the main subdimensions and variables identified represent the ecological, social and economic dimensions in rural areas. Rural area development is characterised by complex social phenomena, such as the lack of job opportunities, conditions of poverty, unequal development and health services coverage and quality, among others. Consequently, the dynamics and realities of rural territories pose great challenges to sustainable development, arising the following question: What components and/or factors represent sustainable development in rural territories? Therefore, this study aims to use SLR to identify a set of variables relevant to sustainable development in rural territories under the economic, social, and ecological dimensions of sustainability. Based on the foregoing discussion, the systematic literature review (SLR) method is applied. This procces consists of four phases: approach, search and selection, extraction, and information analysis. Then, five subdimensions and 59 variables are established in the Economic Dimension, seven subdimensions and 63 variables in the Social Dimension and five subdimensions and 42 variables in the Ecological Dimension. The results contribute to the comprehensive analysis of the object of study, the main subdimensions in which the ecological, social, and economic dimensions of sustainable development in rural territories are found. Likewise, it is intended to relate all these components found with some of the objectives of sustainable development so that, having a positive impact on these variables, the fulfilment of these objectives is reached to improve the well-being of rural regions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carolina Suárez Roldan
- Universidad Distrital Francisco José de Caldas, Colombia
- Universidad Cooperativa de Colombia, Colombia
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Geß A, Hazar Kalonya D. Sustainable Husbandry?-A Comparative LCA of Three Lamb Breeding Systems in Turkey. Circ Econ Sustain 2023; 3:1-23. [PMID: 36685986 PMCID: PMC9834030 DOI: 10.1007/s43615-023-00249-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/24/2022] [Accepted: 12/31/2022] [Indexed: 01/13/2023]
Abstract
The agricultural sector has historically been the forefront economic sector in Turkey and is crucial for the rural sustainability and the pastures that are critical for biodiversity. However, inadequate policies and factors such as climate change and malpractices result in brittle pastures, rural-urban migration, and a declining agricultural sector. Also, pastures have been left without function and appropriated to other land uses such as quarries, energy power plants, and mines. Although the husbandry sector produces significant greenhouse gas emissions, pastures have a significant capacity of CO2 sequestration. In this study, Life cycle assessment (LCA) is applied to quantify the advantages and disadvantages of the transition between extensive and intensive production. The methodology presents a holistic analysis of the several impact categories and amounts of relevant products, services, and resource emissions along their life cycles. In order to assess the environmental effects of the lamb meat production, three sheep breeding systems in Turkey are evaluated. The study aims to promote a sustainable use of natural resources/assets without compromising the quality, competitiveness, or animal welfare and obtain recommendations for the future husbandry systems and rural development in Turkey. As an overall result, it can be stated that the intensification of sheep farming can lead to a decrease of greenhouse gas emissions per kg of meat. However, extensive sheep farming shows less impacts on soil acidification or eutrophication and can even be beneficial for erosion resistance or biodiversity if properly managed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andreas Geß
- Department of Life Cycle Assessment, IABP, University of Stuttgart, Wankelstrasse 5, 70563 Stuttgart, Germany
| | - Dalya Hazar Kalonya
- Department of Urban and Regional Planning, Pamukkale University, Denizli, Turkey
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Mosquera-Vásquez T, Combariza-González J, Cuéllar-Gálvez D, Melgar-Quiñonez H. Differential elements of a successful agricultural innovation scaling-up model. Eval Program Plann 2022; 94:102116. [PMID: 35868114 DOI: 10.1016/j.evalprogplan.2022.102116] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/10/2021] [Revised: 05/31/2022] [Accepted: 06/18/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Worldwide, there is currently an increasing demand for an active connection between the generation of innovations and the achievement of their escalation. Between 2015 and 2018 the scaling up of three varieties of yellow potatoes was carried out in Colombia within the framework of the "More Nutritious Potatoes" project, which had results beyond the objectives and goals proposed in a period of 28 months. One of the results of the project was the design of a Scaling-up model of innovations that linked agriculture with nutrition. This article answers the question: Which were the elements of the scaling-up model that allowed the results obtained in the More Nutritious Potatoes Project? To respond, a set of reference criteria was constructed from the literature. These criteria were contrasted with the theoretical project scaling-up model and its subsequent implementation in the field, using focus groups as a methodology and the model design analysis and its execution by the leaders and the evaluator of the project. The project's Scaling-up Model (SM) was found to include all benchmarks, in addition to identify three key elements that made the results possible: (i) the characteristics of the innovation, (ii) the trans-disciplinary work and (iii) facilitating elements of the process. The results of this exercise complement the evaluated scaling-up model and become benchmarks in the design of innovation scaling-up processes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Teresa Mosquera-Vásquez
- Universidad Nacional de Colombia - sede Bogotá, Facultad de Ciencias Agrarias, Bogotá D.C. Colombia.
| | | | - David Cuéllar-Gálvez
- Universidad Nacional de Colombia - sede Bogotá, Facultad de Ciencias Agrarias, Bogotá D.C. Colombia
| | - Hugo Melgar-Quiñonez
- McGill University, Macdonald Campus, 21111 Lakeshore Road. CINE Building room 208, Ste Anne de Bellevue, Quebec H9X 3V9, Canada
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Roscher MB, Eriksson H, Harohau D, Mauli S, Kaltavara J, Boonstra WJ, van der Ploeg J. Unpacking pathways to diversified livelihoods from projects in Pacific Island coastal fisheries. Ambio 2022; 51:2107-2117. [PMID: 35316506 PMCID: PMC9378810 DOI: 10.1007/s13280-022-01727-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/17/2021] [Revised: 12/14/2021] [Accepted: 03/01/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Livelihood diversification has become an integral focus of policies and investments aiming to reduce poverty, vulnerability, and pressure on fishery resources in coastal communities around the globe. In this regard, coastal fisheries in the Pacific Islands have long been a sector where livelihood diversification has featured prominently. Yet, despite the widespread promotion and international investment in this strategy, the ability of externally funded livelihood diversification projects to facilitate improved resource management and rural development outcomes often remains inconsistent. We argue these inconsistencies can be attributed to a conceptual ambiguity stemming from a lack of attention and awareness to the complexity of livelihood diversification. There is still much to learn about the process of livelihood diversification, both in its theoretical conceptualizations and its practical applications. Herein, we utilize a common diversity framework to clarify some of this ambiguity by distinguishing three diversification pathways. These pathways are illustrated using an ideal-typical Pacific Island coastal household and supported by examples provided in the literature that detail livelihood diversification projects in the Pacific. Through this perspective, we seek a more nuanced understanding of what is meant within the policy and practice goal of livelihood diversification. Thereby enabling more targeted and deliberate planning for development investments that facilitates outcomes in support of sustainable livelihoods.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthew B. Roscher
- Australian National Centre for Ocean Resources and Security (ANCORS), University of Wollongong, Squires Way, Wollongong, NSW 2500 Australia
| | - Hampus Eriksson
- Australian National Centre for Ocean Resources and Security (ANCORS), University of Wollongong, Squires Way, Wollongong, NSW 2500 Australia
- WorldFish, Jalan Batu Maung, Batu Maung, 11960 Bayan Lepas, Penang Malaysia
| | - Daykin Harohau
- College of Science & Engineering, James Cook University, Townsville, QLD 4811 Australia
| | - Senoveva Mauli
- Australian National Centre for Ocean Resources and Security (ANCORS), University of Wollongong, Squires Way, Wollongong, NSW 2500 Australia
| | - Jeremie Kaltavara
- Australian National Centre for Ocean Resources and Security (ANCORS), University of Wollongong, Squires Way, Wollongong, NSW 2500 Australia
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Rutsaert P, Chamberlin J, Oluoch KO, Kitoto VO, Donovan J. The geography of agricultural input markets in rural Tanzania. Food Secur 2021; 13:1379-91. [PMID: 34976233 DOI: 10.1007/s12571-021-01181-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/12/2021] [Accepted: 06/08/2021] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
Abstract
The expansion of agro-dealers into remote areas can be seen as conducive to more smallholders adopting new technologies and inputs, to include improved seed and fertilizer. However, lower travel costs may be offset by agro-dealer decisions on stocking and pricing, reflecting both travel time from wholesale markets as well as the level of competition in localized areas. This paper investigates the geographical distribution of agro-dealers and related patterns of local market competition on the availability and prices of maize seed and fertilizer. We use a unique census of agro-dealers in eight districts of Tanzania (n = 299) which maps distribution points for agricultural inputs in these areas. Results suggested that despite a high number of agro-dealers, almost 30% of farmers lived more than an hour travel time from at least one agro-dealer. Instead of wide geographical coverage, agro-dealers tended to be found in clusters, with strong variation in cluster sizes between different districts. Overall, more remote agro-dealers faced less competition, resulting in fewer stocked product choices and charging higher prices to customers, even after controlling for travel time from district headquarters. Remote farmers are disadvantaged in their uptake of new technologies and critical production inputs due to lack of competition among agro-dealers. Our results suggest that highly aggregated and/or simplified measures of market access fail to reflect important heterogeneity in the market access conditions faced by farmers; a better understanding of distribution networks and competition is needed.
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Thorsøe MH, Andersen MS, Brady MV, Graversgaard M, Kilis E, Pedersen AB, Pitzén S, Valve H. Promise and performance of agricultural nutrient management policy: Lessons from the Baltic Sea. Ambio 2022; 51:36-50. [PMID: 34043157 PMCID: PMC8651915 DOI: 10.1007/s13280-021-01549-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/10/2020] [Revised: 12/20/2020] [Accepted: 02/26/2021] [Indexed: 05/23/2023]
Abstract
Following decades of international collaboration to restore the Baltic Sea, we provide an assessment of the domestic implementation of measures agreed to limit diffuse agricultural pollution and the patterns of policy instruments applied. Despite the Helsinki Convention being unusually specific in detailing what measures countries should introduce, we find many shortcomings. These are most pronounced in the larger countries (Poland, Germany and Russia), while smaller countries perform better, notably Sweden and Estonia. The patterns of policy instruments applied differ, influenced by domestic politics. The limited use of complementary policy instruments suggests that other priorities overrule full and effective implementation, with engagement mirroring the advantages that a restored Baltic Sea can bring to countries. Using the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development to support farmers in managing nutrients, particularly advisory services and investments in modern manure management technologies, represents a significant opportunity for reducing agricultural pollution in most countries.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Mikael Skou Andersen
- Department of Environmental Science, Aarhus University, Nordre Ringgade 1, 8000 Århus C, Denmark
| | - Mark V. Brady
- AgriFood Economics Centre, Department of Economics, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences (SLU) and Centre for Environmental and Climate Science (CEC), Lund University, Box 730, 220 07 Lund, Sweden
| | - Morten Graversgaard
- Department of Agroecology, Aarhus University, Blichers Alle 20, Foulum, 8830 Tjele, Denmark
| | - Emils Kilis
- Baltic Studies Centre, Kokneses prospekts 26-2, Riga, 1014 Latvia
| | - Anders Branth Pedersen
- Department of Environmental Science, Aarhus University, Frederiksborgvej 358, Risø, 4000 Roskilde, Denmark
| | - Samuli Pitzén
- Finnish Environment Institute (SYKE), Latokartanonkaari 11, 00790 Helsinki, Finland
| | - Helena Valve
- Finnish Environment Institute (SYKE), Latokartanonkaari 11, 00790 Helsinki, Finland
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Brady MV, Andersen MS, Andersson A, Kilis E, Saarela SR, Hvarregaard Thorsøe M. Strengthening the policy framework to resolve lax implementation of the Baltic Sea Action Plan for agriculture. Ambio 2022; 51:69-83. [PMID: 34145560 PMCID: PMC8651863 DOI: 10.1007/s13280-021-01573-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2020] [Revised: 11/27/2020] [Accepted: 05/04/2021] [Indexed: 05/23/2023]
Abstract
In this perspective article, we provide recommendations for strengthening the policy framework for protecting the Baltic Sea from agricultural nutrient pollution. The most striking weakness is the lax implementation of prescribed abatement measures, particularly concerning manure management, in most countries. Institutions of the EU should also be leveraged for achieving Baltic Sea Action Plan (BSAP) goals. In contrast to the Helsinki Convention, the European Union has economic, political and legal mandates to further implementation and compliance. Equally important is the need for strengthening of local institutions, particularly Water Boards and independent agricultural advisory services in the eastern Baltic Sea Region countries. There is also an urgent need for implementation of voluntary land-use measures where EU funding available to farmers is more broadly and effectively used by providing it on the basis of estimated abatement performance, which can be realized through modelling. The enormous potential for funding performance-based schemes, manure management infrastructure and advisory services through the EU's Common Agricultural Policy are currently underutilized.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mark V. Brady
- Department of Economics, AgriFood Economics Centre, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences (SLU), Box 730, 220 07 Lund, Sweden
- Centre for Environmental and Climate Science (CEC), Lund University, Box 188, 221 00 Lund, Sweden
| | - Mikael Skou Andersen
- Department of Environmental Science, Aarhus University, Nordre Ringgade 1, 8000 Århus C, Denmark
| | - Anna Andersson
- Department of Economics, AgriFood Economics Centre, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences (SLU), Box 730, 220 07 Lund, Sweden
| | - Emils Kilis
- Baltic Studies Centre, Kokneses prospekts 26-2, Riga, 1014 Latvia
| | - Sanna-Riikka Saarela
- Finnish Environment Institute (SYKE), Latokartanonkaari 11, 00790 Helsinki, Finland
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Pokorny B, Pacheco P, de Jong W, Entenmann SK. Forest frontiers out of control: The long-term effects of discourses, policies, and markets on conservation and development of the Brazilian Amazon. Ambio 2021; 50:2199-2223. [PMID: 34637088 PMCID: PMC8507351 DOI: 10.1007/s13280-021-01637-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/10/2020] [Revised: 03/22/2021] [Accepted: 09/21/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
With the Brazilian military governments of the 1960s, systematic economic development of the Amazon began. Social and environmental concerns have entered Amazonian discourses and policies only since the 1990s. Since then, reports of threats to forests and indigenous people have alternated with reports of socio-economic progress and environmental achievements. These contradictions often arise from limited thematic, sectoral, temporal, or spatial perspectives, and lead to misinterpretation. Our paper offers a comprehensive picture of discourses, policies, and socio-environmental dynamics for the entire region over the last five decades. We distinguish eight historical policy phases, each of which had little effect on near-linear dynamics of demographic growth and land-use expansion, although some policies showed the potential to change the course of development. To prevent local, national, and international actors from continuing to assert harmful interests in the region, a coherent long-term commitment and change in the collective mindset are needed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Benno Pokorny
- Faculty of Environment and Natural Resources, University of Freiburg (Germany), Tennenbacher Strasse 4, 79106 Freiburg, Germany
| | - Pablo Pacheco
- World Wide Fund for Nature, 1250 24th St NW, Washington, DC 20037 USA
| | - Wil de Jong
- Center for Southeast Asian and Integrated Area Studies, Kyoto University (Japan), 46 Shimoadachichou, Sakyoku, Kyoto, 606-8501 Japan
| | - Steffen Karl Entenmann
- Chair of Silvicutlure, Faculty of Environment and Natural Resources, University of Freiburg (Germany), Tennenbacher Strasse 4, 79106 Freiburg, Germany
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Gharaibeh AA, Alhamad MN, Al-Hassan DA, Abumustafa NI. The impact of the spatial configuration of socioeconomic services on rural-urban dependencies in Northern Jordan. GeoJournal 2021; 87:4475-4490. [PMID: 34539045 PMCID: PMC8442520 DOI: 10.1007/s10708-021-10504-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 08/23/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
This study investigates the actual use of services and accessibility of employment places by rural residents while interacting with their surrounding towns, urban center, and the county rural center. This study reveals the factors contributing to rural-urban dependence in a developing country in terms of services and job utilization. Its pursuit is developing policies for regional sustainability. Therefore, a rural survey was carried out to identify the actual dependence. The study found that rural residents were integrated significantly with the urban center regarding shopping, education, and medical services rather than jobs, with minor interdependencies among rural towns. The continued and mass dependence on the urban center was depleting rural resources creating a rural-urban gap in economic development. The study recommended a development strategy that emphasizes the importance of preserving rural living and jobs. It emphasized the importance of the urban center in providing jobs for the rural people rather than long journeys to obtain services.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anne A. Gharaibeh
- Department of City Planning and Design, College of Architecture and Design, Jordan University of Science and Technology, P.O. Box 3030, Irbid, 22110 Jordan
| | - Mohammad N. Alhamad
- Department of Natural Resources and Environment, Jordan University of Science and Technology, P.O. Box 3030, Irbid, 22110 Jordan
| | - Doraed A. Al-Hassan
- Department of City Planning and Design, College of Architecture and Design, Jordan University of Science and Technology, P.O. Box 3030, Irbid, 22110 Jordan
| | - Naser I. Abumustafa
- Qatar Finance and Business Academy (QFBA), Northumbria University, Doha, Qatar
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Abstract
This paper studies the perceived difficulty of recruiting scarce competencies to rural regions. Furthermore, the role of policy in facilitating and enhancing recruitment to and better skills matching in rural regions is discussed. Based on a survey targeted to the business sections of Swedish municipalities, the results show that recruitment is perceived to be difficult in both rural and nonrural regions and that the difficulty of recruiting for the right skills results in a lack of skills matching and constitutes an obstacle to growth. Rural regions located close to urban areas can to some extent mitigate these recruitment problems, and their locations pose less of a barrier in recruitment processes compared to those of remotely located rural regions. Which policies can help remedy recruitment problems faced in rural regions? In both rural and nonrural regions, incentives for writing off student debt and relocation support for accompanying persons and tandem recruitment are perceived to be the most promising policies. Rural regions are more receptive to the implementation of such policies. Finally, the need for flexibility and policies that can be adapted to the regional demand for labour are stressed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kristina Nyström
- Division of Sustainability, Industrial Dynamics & Entrepreneurship, Department of Industrial Economics and Management, KTH, The Royal Institute of Technology, Lindstedsv 30, SE‑100 44 Stockholm, Sweden
- The Ratio Institute, P.O Box 3203, SE103 64 Stockholm, Sweden
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Rufai AM, Ogunniyi AI, Abioye OD, Birindwa AB, Olagunju KO, Omotayo AO. Does economic shocks influence household's healthcare expenditure? Evidence from rural Nigeria. Heliyon 2021; 7:e06897. [PMID: 34013077 PMCID: PMC8113843 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2021.e06897] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/10/2020] [Revised: 01/29/2021] [Accepted: 04/21/2021] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Health is profoundly influenced by several factors outside the traditional realm of healthcare. This paper employed a two-step Heckman selectivity model to examine factors influencing the decision to spend on health and the effects of economic shocks on health expenditure. The results from the first stage shows that the likelihood of spending on health increased with age, education, income, and decreases if the household is living in the northern region of Nigeria and uses mosquito bed-net. The findings from the second stage estimation show that a fall in the price of food items, an increase in the price of inputs for household enterprises and loss of job are the significant shocks that affect household health expenditure. Based on these findings, this study concluded that fall in the prices of major food items consumed within the household increased income available for health care among the farmers. Going forward, the study recommends the provision of holistic health-economic-welfare interventions for the marginalized rural populace in Nigeria.
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Saitone TL, Aleks Schaefer K, Scheitrum DP. COVID-19 morbidity and mortality in U.S. meatpacking counties. Food Policy 2021; 101:102072. [PMID: 33846663 PMCID: PMC8026277 DOI: 10.1016/j.foodpol.2021.102072] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/23/2020] [Revised: 03/01/2021] [Accepted: 03/06/2021] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
In this paper, we investigate the extent to which the presence of a large meatpacking (i.e., beef, pork, and broiler chicken) plant has affected county-level COVID-19 transmission dynamics. We find that-within 150 days after emergence of COVID-19 in a given county-the presence of a large beef packing facility increases per capita infection rates by 110%, relative to comparable counties without meatpacking plants. Large pork and chicken processing facilities increase transmission rates by 160% and 20%, respectively. While the presence of this type of industrial agricultural facility is shown to exacerbate initial disease transmission affecting large numbers of individuals in the community, over time daily case rates converge such that rates observed in meatpacking- and non-meatpacking counties become similar. In aggregate, results suggest that 334 thousand COVID-19 infections are attributable to meatpacking plants in the U.S. with associated mortality and morbidity costs totaling more than $11.2 billion.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tina L Saitone
- Department of Agricultural and Resource Economics, University of California, Davis, United States
| | - K Aleks Schaefer
- Department of Agricultural, Food, and Resource Economics, Michigan State University, United States
| | - Daniel P Scheitrum
- Department of Agricultural and Resource Economics, University of Arizona, United States
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16
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Lai J, Widmar NO. Revisiting the Digital Divide in the COVID-19 Era. Appl Econ Perspect Policy 2021; 43:458-464. [PMID: 33230409 PMCID: PMC7675734 DOI: 10.1002/aepp.13104] [Citation(s) in RCA: 88] [Impact Index Per Article: 29.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2020] [Revised: 09/18/2020] [Accepted: 09/21/2020] [Indexed: 05/21/2023]
Abstract
The digital divide limits opportunities for those without ready access to Internet. Movement online of essential activities during COVID-19 took inadequate Internet service from inconvenient to emergency/crisis for many households. A negative correlation between rurality and Internet speed was found at the county level, highlighting the struggle for rural areas. Schools tackle challenges of providing equitable educational access by attempting to provide access for students, while even households with service available struggle to maintain sufficient speeds and/or can afford it. Essential activities moved online, yet sufficient Internet is an essential public service that remains unattainable for many US households.
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Otter P, Sattler W, Grischek T, Jaskolski M, Mey E, Ulmer N, Grossmann P, Matthias F, Malakar P, Goldmaier A, Benz F, Ndumwa C. Economic evaluation of water supply systems operated with solar-driven electro-chlorination in rural regions in Nepal, Egypt and Tanzania. Water Res 2020; 187:116384. [PMID: 32980605 DOI: 10.1016/j.watres.2020.116384] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/10/2020] [Revised: 08/29/2020] [Accepted: 09/02/2020] [Indexed: 05/03/2023]
Abstract
Reliable data on the economic feasibility of small-scale rural water supply systems are insufficient, which hampers the allocation of funds to construct them, even as the need for their construction increases. To address this gap, three newly constructed water supply systems with water points in Nepal, Egypt, and Tanzania were accompanied by the authors throughout the planning and implementation phases and up to several years of operation. This study presents an analysis of their economic feasibility and suggests important factors for successful water supply system implementation at other rural locations. The initial investment for construction of the new water supply systems ranged from 23,600 € to 44,000 €, and operation and maintenance costs ranged from 547 € to 1921 € per year. The water price and actual multi-year average quantity of tapped water at each site were 7.7 €/m³ & 0.67 m³/d in Nepal, 0.7 €/m³ & 0.88 m³/d in Egypt and 0.9 €/m³ & 8.65 m³/d in Tanzania. Although the new water supply systems enjoyed acceptance among the consumers, the actual average water quantity tapped ranged from just 17 to 30 % of the demand for which the new supply systems were designed. While two of three sites successfully yielded a cash surplus through the sale of water, sufficient for operation, maintenance and basic repairs, no site showed a realistic chance of recovering the initial investment (reaching the break-even point) within the projected lifetime of the technical infrastructure. Reaching the break-even point within 5 years, which would be necessary to attract private investors, would require an unrealistic increase of the water price or the water consumption by factors ranging from 5.2 to 9.0. The economic viability of such systems therefore depends strongly on the quantity of water consumed and the water price, as well as the availability of funding from governments, NGOs or other sponsors not primarily interested in a financial return on their investment.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Thomas Grischek
- HTW Dresden, Friedrich-List-Platz 1, 01069 Dresden, Germany.
| | - Martina Jaskolski
- Institute of Global Health and Human Ecology, School of Sciences and Engineering, The American University in Cairo, Egypt.
| | - Emanuel Mey
- iSAtech water, GmbH, Alt-Moabit 59-61, 10555 Berlin, Germany.
| | - Nico Ulmer
- Leuphana University of Lüneburg, Universitätsallee 1, 21335 Lüneburg, Germany
| | - Peter Grossmann
- Waterkiosk Foundation, Bederstrasse 49, 8002 Zurich, Switzerland.
| | - Fabien Matthias
- Nepals e.V., Reichenbergerstr. 14, 88045 Friedrichshafen, Germany.
| | - Pradyut Malakar
- International Centre for Ecological Engineering, University of Kalyani, Kalyani, West Bengal 741235, India
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18
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Omotayo AO. Parametric assessment of household's food intake, agricultural practices and health in rural South West, Nigeria. Heliyon 2020; 6:e05433. [PMID: 33204885 PMCID: PMC7653069 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2020.e05433] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/25/2019] [Revised: 08/03/2020] [Accepted: 11/02/2020] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Food intake and health are important component of agriculture. The contribution of these duo have a lot to say about the productivity of farmers in the nations of the world. The results presented here relied on data collected on households' food intake nutrition and health profile through multistage random sampling of 420 households selected from the Southwest, Nigeria using well-structured questionnaires. Descriptive statistics (percentage, frequency, mean) and inferential statistics (Logistic regression and Negative Binomial). The result shows that the farmers were ageing, given an average of (53 ± 11.44 years). The Logistic regression model of the effect of farming households food intake on health showed that gender of the households' head, marital states of the head, household food security and knowledge of nutrition significantly reduced the probability of reporting good health while the educational year(s) of the farmers, total cost of health and consumption of fruit increased it. In addition, the Negative Binomial Regression model, employed in the assessment of the effect of farming households' nutrition on health indicated that gender, marital status, and consumption of milk and total cost of health significantly increased day(s) incapacitated while the year(s) of education reduced it. It was therefore concluded that diversity of food intake among the farmers was low. Ageing, education and large household size among others, were also identified as major problem among the rural farmers. It was however recommended that considerable investment in human capital should be encouraged since food diversity and nutrition education enhances households’ food intake and health status.
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Meinhold K, Darr D. Using a multi-stakeholder approach to increase value for traditional agroforestry systems: the case of baobab ( Adansonia digitata L.) in Kilifi, Kenya. Agrofor Syst 2020; 95:1343-1358. [PMID: 38624558 PMCID: PMC7646497 DOI: 10.1007/s10457-020-00562-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/31/2019] [Accepted: 10/20/2020] [Indexed: 06/28/2023]
Abstract
The baobab tree (Adansonia digitata L.) is an integral component of many dryland farming systems in sub-Sahara Africa. Such traditional agroforestry systems can foster a variety of benefits; besides positive livelihood implications baobab can particularly address food security objectives due to its highly nutritious fruits. However, many bottlenecks persist inhibiting the broader potential of indigenous trees in farming systems and their increased utilisation and commercialisation. We suggest that traditional farming systems with baobab trees can be advanced by stimulating the emergence of local markets for baobab products while promoting businesses and innovations aimed at meeting the arising market demand. Increasing the perceived value of local agroforestry products in combination with facilitating additional commercialisation pathways will in turn lead to food security and livelihood benefits. Using a multi-stakeholder approach such considerations were put into practice in Kilifi, Kenya, by initiating a community-based enterprise development producing high-quality baobab powder and oil. Initial results demonstrate behavioural changes, an improved practical knowhow with regard to baobab management and utilisation, and an increased consumption of baobab, which may already contribute to food security objectives. Baobab is increasingly seen as a valuable resource as opposed to 'food for the poor' and a tree possessed by evil spirits. This may lay the groundwork for further value addition activities and enterprise development in the communities. With baobab being a common, yet so far underutilised feature of local farming systems in Kilifi, activities based on its increasing commercialisation can be complementary and easily integrable to prevailing livelihood strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Dietrich Darr
- Rhine-Waal University of Applied Sciences, Kleve, Germany
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20
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Oestreicher JS, do Amaral DP, Passos CJS, Fillion M, Mergler D, Davidson R, Lucotte M, Romaña CA, Mertens F. Rural development and shifts in household dietary practices from 1999 to 2010 in the Tapajós River region, Brazilian Amazon: empirical evidence from dietary surveys. Global Health 2020; 16:36. [PMID: 32321543 PMCID: PMC7178734 DOI: 10.1186/s12992-020-00564-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/12/2019] [Accepted: 04/01/2020] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Research on changing dietary practices is rare in lower and middle income countries, and understanding the impact of global economic processes on population health and nutrition is important, especially of rural communities. We analyzed the diet of 22 families in Brasília Legal, a riverside community in the Tapajós River region of the Brazilian Amazon, using nonparametric tests to compare dietary surveys taken in 1999 and 2010. RESULTS Data from the two surveys show that food obtained through commercial supply chains became more frequent in household diets, corresponding to significant increases in daily consumption of food items rich in energy, protein, and sugar. At the same time, there was a decline in traditional Amazonian food intake. CONCLUSIONS Comparing these results with household socio-economic characteristics and drawing on open-ended interviews, we consider the multiple influences that economic development processes may have had on local diets. The introduction of new income sources and employment opportunities, infrastructural and transportation expansion, as well as environmental change appear to have influenced the observed dietary shifts. Such shifts are likely to have important implications for the nutritional status of communities in the Amazon, highlighting concerning trade-offs between current development trajectories and human health. Public policies and health education programs must urgently consider the interactions between sustainable development priorities in order to address emerging health risks in this rapidly changing region.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jordan Sky Oestreicher
- Centro de Desenvolvimento Sustentável, Universidade de Brasília, Campus Universitário Darcy Ribeiro, Gleba A, Asa Norte, Brasília, DF 70910-900 Brazil
| | - Deusilene Pereira do Amaral
- Centro de Desenvolvimento Sustentável, Universidade de Brasília, Campus Universitário Darcy Ribeiro, Gleba A, Asa Norte, Brasília, DF 70910-900 Brazil
| | - Carlos José Sousa Passos
- Centro de Desenvolvimento Sustentável, Universidade de Brasília, Campus Universitário Darcy Ribeiro, Gleba A, Asa Norte, Brasília, DF 70910-900 Brazil
| | | | | | | | - Marc Lucotte
- Université du Québec à Montréal, Montréal, Canada
| | | | - Frédéric Mertens
- Centro de Desenvolvimento Sustentável, Universidade de Brasília, Campus Universitário Darcy Ribeiro, Gleba A, Asa Norte, Brasília, DF 70910-900 Brazil
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Abu Samah A, Shaffril HAM. A comparative study between mainland and islander small-scale fishermen's adaptation towards climate change. Environ Sci Pollut Res Int 2020; 27:11277-11289. [PMID: 31965496 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-019-07143-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/10/2019] [Accepted: 11/21/2019] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
The existing literature have demonstrated a considerable amount of existing studies that merely interest on scientific perspectives by examining the physical environmental changes rather than conducting social-based studies that allow for the comparison of adaptation ability between mainland and island small-scale fishermen. Therefore, the current research attempts to fill this gap by investigating the adaptation level of mainland and island small-scale fishermen towards climate changes for the purpose of further identifying any significant differences regarding their adaptation aspects. The primary aim of the current research is to conduct a comparative study with the purpose of assessing the environmental change adaptation ability between the mainland and the islander small-scale fishermen. In the context of the current research, a quantitative approach was employed by selecting a total of 600 samples through several levels of cluster sampling. The instrument for the study was developed based on the 16 adaptation variables that were suggested within the adaptation framework proposed by the International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources. The data were analysed using SPSS, whereby to achieve the study's main objective, inferential analysis which refers to the independent t test was performed to examine any possible significant difference that might exist. In regard to this matter, various significant differences between the islander and the mainland fishermen managed to be detected in 10 adaptation aspects out of the 16 adaptation variables which include the capacity to adapt to change (monetary and emotional adaptability); the level of interest in adapting to change; the ability to plan, learn, and reorganize; and attachment to occupation. Accordingly, a number of recommendations were discussed at the end of this study which is hoped to assist the involved and relevant parties in arranging better adjustment approaches for small-scale fishermen in Malaysia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Asnarulkhadi Abu Samah
- Faculty of Human Ecology, Universiti Putra Malaysia, 43400, Serdang, Selangor, Malaysia.
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22
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Omotayo AO. Data on the agricultural household's dietary diversity and health in the South West geopolitical zone of Nigeria. Data Brief 2020; 30:105413. [PMID: 32215312 PMCID: PMC7083774 DOI: 10.1016/j.dib.2020.105413] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/24/2020] [Revised: 03/02/2020] [Accepted: 03/04/2020] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Food intake remains an essential component of human health life and productivity. Poor health inextricably threaten the ability of several developing nations to achieve the Millennium Development Goals by 2015, this stubborn threat is still a major concern to the achievement of the sustainable development goals (SDG. 2030). The economic burdens of poor nutrition and ill health in the development of African continent cannot be overemphasized. Therefore, eating a varied, well-balanced food groups daily, in the recommended amounts is important. Considering the existing malnutrition and ill health situation report in Nigeria, rural farmer's dietary diversity and health record is important for pertinent policy evaluation since these people are the principal operators of the nations' food system but yet one of the most vulnerable category of the countrie's working class. The survey that gave this dataset was conducted through a multi stage sampling technique with a well structured questionnaires with in the months of September 2014 and April 2015 from households selected from 18 randomly sampled villages. The administered questionnaires were divided in seven sections namely; respondent's socio-economic characteristics, health and environmental profile, food utilization and nutrition, requested information about respondent's agricultural labour productivity, agricultural production cost and return, cost implication of health and nutrition and dietary diversity nutrition and other problems. The questionnaires were written in English language but translated in local language during the interview for ease of understanding by the participants, the survey successfully ended with a total of 420 properly filled and captured questionaires which was quite representative. The dataset is hereby made available as it is considered vital for policy recommendations.
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Abildso CG, Dyer A, Daily SM, Bias TK. Evaluability assessment of "growing healthy communities," a mini-grant program to improve access to healthy foods and places for physical activity. BMC Public Health 2019; 19:779. [PMID: 31221120 PMCID: PMC6585124 DOI: 10.1186/s12889-019-7156-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2018] [Accepted: 06/11/2019] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Mini-grants have been used to stimulate multisector collaboration in support of public health initiatives by funding non-traditional partners, such as economic development organizations. Such mini-grants have the potential to increase access to healthy foods and places for physical activity through built environment change, especially in small and rural towns in the United States. Although a promising practice, few mini-grant evaluations have been done. Therefore, our purpose was to conduct an Evaluability Assessment (EA), which is a process that can help promising programs that lack evidence advance toward full-scale evaluation. Specifically, we conducted an Evaluability Assessment of a statewide mini-grant program, called “Growing Healthy Communities” (GHC), to determine if this program was ready for evaluation and identify any changes needed for future implementation and evaluation that could also inform similar programs. Methods Telephone interviews with directors of six past mini-grant recipient organizations were conducted to assess implementation and evaluability. The six interviews were split equally among agencies receiving funding for food-oriented projects and physical activity-oriented projects. Within- and cross-case thematic analyses of interview transcripts were conducted. Results Organizational capacity was a universal theme, reflecting other key themes (described in detail in the manuscript) that affected program implementation and evaluation, including collaboration, limited time and measurement integration. Conclusions. The EA process provided pilot data that suggest that other state, regional, and national funders should provide centralized assistance for data collection and evaluation from the outset of a mini-grant award program. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (10.1186/s12889-019-7156-8) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christiaan G Abildso
- West Virginia University School of Public Health, 64 Medical Center Drive, PO Box 9190, Morgantown, WV, 26506-9190, USA.
| | - Angela Dyer
- West Virginia University School of Public Health, 64 Medical Center Drive, PO Box 9190, Morgantown, WV, 26506-9190, USA
| | - Shay M Daily
- University of Southern Maine, Portland, ME, 04104, USA
| | - Thomas K Bias
- West Virginia University School of Public Health, 64 Medical Center Drive, PO Box 9190, Morgantown, WV, 26506-9190, USA
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24
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Gong P, Li X, Zhang W. 40-Year (1978-2017) human settlement changes in China reflected by impervious surfaces from satellite remote sensing. Sci Bull (Beijing) 2019; 64:756-763. [PMID: 36659545 DOI: 10.1016/j.scib.2019.04.024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 114] [Impact Index Per Article: 22.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/31/2018] [Revised: 03/03/2019] [Accepted: 03/04/2019] [Indexed: 01/21/2023]
Abstract
Impervious surfaces are the most significant feature of human settlements. Timely, accurate, and frequent information on impervious surfaces is critical in both social-economic and natural environment applications. Over the past 40 years, impervious surface areas in China have grown rapidly. However, annual maps of impervious areas in China with high spatial details do not exist during this period. In this paper, we made use of reliable impervious surface mapping algorithms that we published before and the Google Earth Engine (GEE) platform to address this data gap. With available data in GEE, we were able to map impervious surfaces over the entire country circa 1978, and during 1985-2017 at an annual frequency. The 1978 data were at 60-m resolution, while the 1985-2017 data were in 30-m resolution. For the 30-m resolution data, we evaluated the accuracies for 1985, 1990, 1995, 2000, 2005, 2010, and 2015. Overall accuracies reached more than 90%. Our results indicate that the growth of impervious surface in China was not only fast but also considerably exceeding the per capita impervious surface area in developed countries like Japan. The 40-year continuous and consistent impervious surface distribution data in China would generate widespread interests in the research and policy-making community. The impervious surface data can be freely downloaded from http://data.ess.tsinghua.edu.cn.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peng Gong
- Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Earth System Modeling, Department of Earth System Science, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China; Tsinghua Urban Institute, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China; Center for Healthy Cities, Institute for China Sustainable Urbanization, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China.
| | - Xuecao Li
- Department of Geological and Atmospheric Sciences, Iowa State University, Ames, IA 50011, USA
| | - Wei Zhang
- Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Earth System Modeling, Department of Earth System Science, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China
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Abstract
Farming and rural development are central to the diversity of global food systems and diets, both significant factors in determining the nutrition and health outcomes of the world's population. Diets are not static and indeed are changing due to globalization, urbanization and demographic shifts. In addition, multiple burdens of malnutrition (both undernutrition and overweight and obesity) are not improving fast enough and in some cases, reversing for the worse. Unhealthy diets are major contributors to these burdens. Rural people and particularly smallholder farmers, are critical in delivering the key nutrients in the global food supply that make up our diets for human health. However, rural populations in some parts of the world are often poor, and suffer burdens of malnutrition on both ends of the spectrum - undernourished or overweight. They are also faced with significant challenges, often due to poor investment towards rural development. Challenges include natural resource declines, climate change risk, women disempowerment, conflict, and urbanization; which wreak havoc on these populations. If actions are not taken and their livelihoods are not prioritized, it will be a challenge to achieve sustainable development in these rural places that are so essential for future food systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jessica Fanzo
- Berman Institute of Bioethics, Nitze School of Advanced International Studies and Bloomberg School of Public Health, Johns Hopkins University, 1809 Ashland Avenue, Baltimore, MD 21205, United States.
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26
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Ruíz-Guevara C, De León-González F, Soriano-Robles R, Pérez-Carrera AL, García-Hernández LA. Altitude effects on technology and productivity of small bovine farms (milk meat) in Veracruz (Gulf of Mexico). Trop Anim Health Prod 2017; 50:469-476. [PMID: 29086149 DOI: 10.1007/s11250-017-1451-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/29/2017] [Accepted: 10/18/2017] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
The dual-purpose bovine system represents 98.4% of the bovine livestock of Veracruz, the main cattle-producing state of Mexico. This system supplies calves to meat companies, a sector in which Veracruz has been the national leader in the last decade. The objective of the present study was to analyze the effect of the altitudinal zonation of farms on livestock technology and productivity in a microbasin of the Gulf of Mexico where small farms predominate. Structured interviews were applied to producers located in three altitudinal zones (at average altitudes of 50, 140, and 450 m, respectively, for lower, middle, and upper zones). Sample size was 135 farms having similar land surface (within a range of 15-22 ha). The results indicated multiple differences among farms located in the three zones. Farms in the middle and lower zones presented higher productive indicators than those in the upper zone. Differences in herd structure and management resulted in important differences in productivity, income, and profits in milk and calf production. We concluded from this study that altitudinal zonation in Veracruz had a clear effect on the differentiation of small farms, which are representative of dual-purpose cattle. The upper zone performs cattle activity under conditions with greater disadvantages in the analyzed region.
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Affiliation(s)
- C Ruíz-Guevara
- Doctorado en Ciencias Agropecuarias, Universidad Autónoma Metropolitana (Xochimilco), Calzada del Hueso 1100, Colonia Villa Quietud Coyoacán, 04960, Ciudad de México, Mexico
| | - F De León-González
- Departamento de Producción Agrícola y Animal, Universidad Autónoma Metropolitana (Xochimilco), Calzada del Hueso 1100, Colonia Villa Quietud, 04960, Ciudad de México, Coyoacán, Mexico.
| | - R Soriano-Robles
- Departamento de Biología de la Reproducción, Universidad Autónoma Metropolitana (Iztapalapa), Avenida San Rafael Atlixco 186, Colonia Vicentina, 09340, Ciudad de México, Iztapalapa, Mexico
| | - A L Pérez-Carrera
- Universidad de Buenos Aires, Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias, Centro de Estudios Transdisciplinarios del Agua (CETA), Av. Chorroarín 280 (C1427CWO), Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - L A García-Hernández
- Departamento de Producción Agrícola y Animal, Universidad Autónoma Metropolitana (Xochimilco), Calzada del Hueso 1100, Colonia Villa Quietud, 04960, Ciudad de México, Coyoacán, Mexico
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Prospero-Bernal F, Martínez-García CG, Olea-Pérez R, López-González F, Arriaga-Jordán CM. Intensive grazing and maize silage to enhance the sustainability of small-scale dairy systems in the highlands of Mexico. Trop Anim Health Prod 2017; 49:1537-1544. [PMID: 28766038 DOI: 10.1007/s11250-017-1360-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2017] [Accepted: 07/06/2017] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
The effects of two innovative feeding strategies-intensive grazing (GR) and maize silage (MS)-on the sustainability of small-scale dairy systems (SSDS) were assessed in the highlands of central Mexico. On a total of 24 farms, four innovations were adopted between 2011 and 2014. Five farms continued their conventional feeding strategy (CC) of cut-and-carry pasture supplemented with commercial concentrate and ground corn grain, as well as straws (maize, oat, and wheat) in the dry season of feed scarcity; six farms implemented MS in the dry season; six farms GR of pastures; and seven farms implemented both GR and MS. Assessment in 2015 showed that farms which implemented both GR and MS had a higher local diversity score (P ≤ 0.001), higher scores for ethics and human development, and a higher score in economic independence (P ≤ 0.05) than farms that implemented only one of the innovations. The overall sustainability score (with range 0-100) was 46 for CC, 47 for MS, 52 for GR, and 55 for GR + MS. The innovations reduced feeding costs and enhanced sustainability, particularly when GR + MS were both implemented.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fernando Prospero-Bernal
- Instituto de Ciencias Agropecuarias y Rurales, Universidad Autónoma del Estado de México, Instituto Literario #100, 50000, Toluca, Estado de México, Mexico
| | - Carlos Galdino Martínez-García
- Instituto de Ciencias Agropecuarias y Rurales, Universidad Autónoma del Estado de México, Instituto Literario #100, 50000, Toluca, Estado de México, Mexico
| | - Rafael Olea-Pérez
- Facultad de Medicina Veterinaria y Zootecnia, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Av. Universidad #3000, 04510, Coyoacan, CDMX, Mexico
| | - Felipe López-González
- Instituto de Ciencias Agropecuarias y Rurales, Universidad Autónoma del Estado de México, Instituto Literario #100, 50000, Toluca, Estado de México, Mexico
| | - Carlos Manuel Arriaga-Jordán
- Instituto de Ciencias Agropecuarias y Rurales, Universidad Autónoma del Estado de México, Instituto Literario #100, 50000, Toluca, Estado de México, Mexico.
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Abstract
We report on the prevalence and patterns of non-farm enterprises in six sub-Saharan African countries, and study their performance in terms of labor productivity, survival and exit, using the World Bank's Living Standards Measurement Study - Integrated Surveys on Agriculture (LSMS-ISA). Rural households operate enterprises due to both push and pull factors and tend to do so predominantly in easy-to-enter activities, such as sales and trade, rather than in activities that require higher starting costs, such as transport services, or educational investment, such as professional services. Labor productivity differs widely: rural and female-headed enterprises, those located further away from population centers, and businesses that operate intermittently have lower levels of labor productivity compared to urban and male-owned enterprises, or enterprises that operate throughout the year. Finally, rural enterprises exit the market primarily due to a lack of profitability or finance, and due to idiosyncratic shocks.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paula Nagler
- School of Business and Economics, Maastricht University and UNU-MERIT/MGSoG, Maastricht, The Netherlands
| | - Wim Naudé
- School of Business and Economics, Maastricht University and Maastricht School of Management, Maastricht, The Netherlands
- IZA-Institute for the Study of Labor, Bonn, Germany
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Boonstra WJ, Björkvik E, Haider LJ, Masterson V. Human responses to social-ecological traps. Sustain Sci 2016; 11:877-889. [PMID: 30174745 PMCID: PMC6106248 DOI: 10.1007/s11625-016-0397-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/08/2015] [Accepted: 09/07/2016] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
Social-ecological (SE) traps refer to persistent mismatches between the responses of people, or organisms, and their social and ecological conditions that are undesirable from a sustainability perspective. Until now, the occurrence of SE traps is primarily explained from a lack of adaptive capacity; not much attention is paid to other causal factors. In our article, we address this concern by theorizing the variety of human responses to SE traps and the effect of these responses on trap dynamics. Besides (adaptive) capacities, we theorize desires, abilities and opportunities as important additional drivers to explain the diversity of human responses to traps. Using these theoretical concepts, we construct a typology of human responses to SE traps, and illustrate its empirical relevance with three cases of SE traps: Swedish Baltic Sea fishery; amaXhosa rural livelihoods; and Pamir smallholder farming. We conclude with a discussion of how attention to the diversity in human response to SE traps may inform future academic research and planned interventions to prevent or dissolve SE traps.
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Andersson K, Lawrence D, Zavaleta J, Guariguata MR. More Trees, More Poverty? The Socioeconomic Effects of Tree Plantations in Chile, 2001-2011. Environ Manage 2016; 57:123-36. [PMID: 26285776 PMCID: PMC4700076 DOI: 10.1007/s00267-015-0594-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/09/2014] [Accepted: 08/10/2015] [Indexed: 05/04/2023]
Abstract
Tree plantations play a controversial role in many nations' efforts to balance goals for economic development, ecological conservation, and social justice. This paper seeks to contribute to this debate by analyzing the socioeconomic impact of such plantations. We focus our study on Chile, a country that has experienced extraordinary growth of industrial tree plantations. Our analysis draws on a unique dataset with longitudinal observations collected in 180 municipal territories during 2001-2011. Employing panel data regression techniques, we find that growth in plantation area is associated with higher than average rates of poverty during this period.
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Affiliation(s)
- Krister Andersson
- The Center for the Governance of Natural Resources, Institute of Behavioral Science, University of Colorado at Boulder, Boulder, CO, USA.
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31
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Boggia A, Rocchi L, Paolotti L, Musotti F, Greco S. Assessing Rural Sustainable Development potentialities using a Dominance-based Rough Set Approach. J Environ Manage 2014; 144:160-167. [PMID: 24945703 DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvman.2014.05.021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/28/2014] [Revised: 05/19/2014] [Accepted: 05/21/2014] [Indexed: 06/03/2023]
Abstract
Rural Development is a priority in Europe and it is supported by specific, financial programmes. At the same time, sustainability is the key word for the European Union to construct programmes and policies for all human activities. However, measuring sustainability of rural areas is not easy, due to their particular features. The improvement of knowledge on sustainability in rural areas is important to build long term policies and strategies for those territories. The objective of this study is the development of a decision support system based on the Dominance-based Rough Set Approach (DRSA), to assess the level of Rural Sustainable Development in specific areas. We used DRSA to analyze the level of sustainability of the 92 municipalities of the Region of Umbria, Italy. The results were synthesized in a final ranking, taking into account the equilibrium and the integration between development and sustainability of each municipality. DRSA showed a high potential in the context of management or planning, and for supporting Decision Makers. DRSA is able to give a ranking as well as an explanation of the main factors driving sustainable development in rural areas.
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Affiliation(s)
- Antonio Boggia
- University of Perugia, Borgo XX Giugno, 74, 06121 Perugia, Italy.
| | - Lucia Rocchi
- University of Perugia, Borgo XX Giugno, 74, 06121 Perugia, Italy.
| | - Luisa Paolotti
- University of Perugia, Borgo XX Giugno, 74, 06121 Perugia, Italy.
| | | | - Salvatore Greco
- University of Catania, Corso Italia, 55, 95129 Catania, Italy; Portsmouth Business School, Operations & Systems Management University of Portsmouth, Portsmouth PO1 3DE, United Kingdom.
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32
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Honadle BW, Zapata MA, Auffrey C, vom Hofe R, Looye J. Developmental evaluation and the 'Stronger Economies Together' initiative in the United States. Eval Program Plann 2014; 43:64-72. [PMID: 24365696 DOI: 10.1016/j.evalprogplan.2013.11.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/14/2012] [Revised: 11/21/2013] [Accepted: 11/27/2013] [Indexed: 06/03/2023]
Abstract
This article describes a developmental evaluation and explains its impact on the Stronger Economies Together (SET) initiative of the U.S. Department of Agriculture in collaboration with the Nation's four Regional Rural Development Centers and Land-Grant universities. Through a dynamic process, this evaluation of the early phases of an initiative led to continuous program alterations based on feedback. The relationship of the evaluation team to the initiative's coordinating team enabled seamless transfer of observations, suggestions, and recommendations to decision makers. The multidisciplinary character of the evaluation team provided a diverse set of perspectives with a depth of subject matter and knowledge from relevant fields. One lesson is that developmental evaluators must be flexible, nimble, creative, and adaptive. When expected data are imperfect or nonexistent, the team must collect alternate information and make recommendations to improve data collection. As the initiative proceeded and modifications came about, the evaluation team had to recognize the changes in the program and focus on different questions. This experience with developmental evaluation provides insights into how interdisciplinary teams may need to change course and conduct a developmental evaluation when a formative evaluation was originally envisioned.
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Affiliation(s)
- Beth Walter Honadle
- Program Monitoring and Research Division, Office of Policy Development and Research, U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, Washington, DC, United States.
| | - Marisa A Zapata
- School of Planning, Portland State University, United States
| | | | | | - Johanna Looye
- School of Planning, University of Cincinnati, United States
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Kyriazopoulos AP, Arabatzis G, Abraham EM, Parissi ZM. Threats to Mediterranean rangelands: a case study based on the views of citizens in the Viotia prefecture, Greece. J Environ Manage 2013; 129:615-620. [PMID: 24036095 DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvman.2013.08.035] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/11/2012] [Revised: 07/26/2013] [Accepted: 08/14/2013] [Indexed: 06/02/2023]
Abstract
Rangelands in Greece constitute a very important natural resource as they occupy 40% of the total surface. Not only is their forage production essential for the development of extensive livestock farming, but also they play a key role in outdoor recreational activities, protection from erosion, provision of water supplies and biodiversity conservation. However, land use changes, inappropriate management and wildfires threaten their existence. The research was conducted among the citizens of Viotia prefecture, an area close to Athens, Greece, using personal interviews with a structured questionnaire in 2008. The aim was to record citizens' opinions regarding the threats to rangelands. The results suggest that the main threats as perceived by the respondents, are land use changes especially for urban development, and wildfires. The application of cluster analysis highlighted the differentiation among the respondents in ranking these threats. The more ecologically aware citizens recognised that mismanagement, abandonment and agriculture also threaten rangelands. These threats can have a considerable impact on the lives of the local people. Policy makers and managers should take the opinions of local citizens into consideration, and engage them in decision making so that sustainable management policies could be applied.
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Affiliation(s)
- Apostolos P Kyriazopoulos
- Laboratory of Range Science, Department of Forestry and Management of the Environment and Natural Resources, Democritus University of Thrace, 193 Pantazidou Street, 68200 Orestiada, Greece.
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34
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Van Berkel DB, Verburg PH. Combining exploratory scenarios and participatory backcasting: using an agent-based model in participatory policy design for a multi-functional landscape. Landsc Ecol 2012; 27:641-658. [PMID: 25983392 PMCID: PMC4426888 DOI: 10.1007/s10980-012-9730-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2011] [Accepted: 02/20/2012] [Indexed: 05/12/2023]
Abstract
While the merits of local participatory policy design are widely recognised, limited use is made of model-based scenario results to inform such stakeholder involvement. In this paper we present the findings of a study using an agent based model to help stakeholders consider, discuss and incorporate spatial and temporal processes in a backcasting exercise for rural development. The study is carried out in the Dutch region called the Achterhoek. Region-specific scenarios were constructed based on interviews with local experts. The scenarios are simulated in an agent based model incorporating rural residents and farmer characteristics, the environment and different policy interventions for realistic projection of landscape evolution. Results of the model simulations were presented to stakeholders representing different rural sectors at a workshop. The results indicate that illustration of the spatial configuration of landscape changes is appreciated by stakeholders. Testing stakeholders' solutions by way of model simulations revealed that the effectiveness of local interventions is strongly related to exogenous processes such as market competition and endogenous processes like local willingness to engage in multifunctional activities. The integration of multi-agent modelling and participatory backcasting is effective as it offers a possibility to initiate discussion between experts and stakeholders bringing together different expertise.
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Affiliation(s)
- Derek B. Van Berkel
- Institute for Environmental Studies (IVM) and Amsterdam Global Change Institute, VU University, De Boelelaan 1087, 1081 HV Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Peter H. Verburg
- Institute for Environmental Studies (IVM) and Amsterdam Global Change Institute, VU University, De Boelelaan 1087, 1081 HV Amsterdam, The Netherlands
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