Differentiated payments for environmental services schemes: A methodology proposal

Payment schemes for environmental services face serious budget constraints in Mexico. Payments are equally distributed among forest owners, and the governmental agencies that make payments to beneficiaries do not evaluate the amount of environmental services produced by forested areas. This lack of evaluation could lead to economic and environmental deficiencies that restrict the possible benefits of such programmes. In general, these programmes do not achieve their conservation objectives, and local beneficiaries are not involved in the design or application of these programmes. Similarly, the Payments for Hydrological Environmental Services(PHES) programme of the State of Mexico, Mexico, makes equal payments to beneficiaries of forested areas considering tree density. The objective of the present work was to create a methodology for determining differentiated payments schemes for hydrological environmental services, prioritising areas that contribute the most to groundwater recharge and promote the participation of society. In the Nevado de Toluca Natural Protected Area, the environmental criteria of forest type, tree density and aquifer overexploitation as well as social participation were considered in a multi-criteria analysis implemented in a Geographic Information System. A methodology was developed to determine differentiated payments based on specific forest characteristics that influence the potential capacity of forests to recharge groundwater reserves in addition to the level of social participation. In particular, social participation is key as it could ensure the viability of PHES programmes as conservation alternatives in forested areas with high groundwater recharge potential.

Mobile Ubiquitous Service Environment

The Mobile Ubiquitous Service Environment (MUSE),established through the coordination and integration of mobile telecommunications and ubiquitous network,in the pursuit of Always Best Experience (ABE),represents the major development trend for the next generation mobile wireless network. Research on MUSE will involve the integration of the computing model system,service platform system,operating system and terminal structure system,all of which involve exploration and innovation of a new networking structure,its control and management as well as way of measuring. The change in network resources triggers the change in network computing models. To let readers have a basic understanding of MUSE,this lecture introduces it in four sections. This section focuses on the development and demand analysis of the service platform.

Emergy evaluation of the artificial forest ecosystems in the watershed of Miyun Reservoir:a case study for ecosystems valuation and environmental management

To build the artificial forest ecosystem is the major eco-economic development model in the watershed of Miyun Reservoir. It is very important to evaluate the benefits of those ecosystems. Emergy theories are very helpful for us to establish a science-based assessment framework. Emergy evaluation of the artificial forest ecosystems in the watershed of Miyun Reservoir is used to asses the relative values of several ecological functions (sometimes called ecosystem services) and main ecosystem storages (sometimes called natural capital). The main driving energies, internal processes and storages are evaluated. The main functions, including transpiration, GPP and infiltration, are evaluated, which are 609em$/ha/yr, 6,245em$/ha/yr and 340em$/ha/yr respectively. The total values of major environmental services are 4,683em$/ha/yr in the artificial forest ecosystem. The main storages of natural capital including live biomass, soil moisture, organic matter, underground water and landform are estimated, which are 112,028em$/ha, 9em$/ha, 40,718em$/ha, 34em$/ha and 6,400,514em$/ha respectively. The largest value is landform, which accounts for 97.7% of these calculated total emdollar values. The concept of replacement value is explored using the emergy values of both ecosystem services and natural capital. The total calculated replacement values are 302,160em$/ha.

Semantic QoS Ontology and Semantic Service Ranking Approach for IoT services

Due to a rapid increase in the number of functionally equivalent web services at open and dynamic Io T service environment,Qo S has become a major discrimination factor to reflect the user's expectation and experience of using a service.There are different languages and models for expressing Qo S advertisements and requirements among service providers and consumers.Therefore,it leads to the issues of semantic interoperability of Qo S information and semantic similarity match between a semantic description of the service being requested by the service consumer,and a formal description of the service being offered by the service provider.In this paper,we propose a hierarchical two-layer semantic Qo S ontology to promote the description and declaration of Qo S-based service information in detail for any domain and application.And,we develop a semantic matchmaking algorithm to compare the web services according to their Qo S information and adopt analytical hierarchy process( AHP) to make decision for the ranked services depending on the Qo S criteria.The comparison study and experimental result show that our proposed system is superior to other service ranking approaches.

Mobile Ubiquitous Service Environment(3)

The Mobile Ubiquitous Service Environment (MUSE),established through the coordination and integration of mobile telecommunications and ubiquitous network,in the pursuit of Always Best Experience (ABE),represents the major development trend for the next generation mobile wireless network. Research on MUSE will involve the integration of the computing model system,service platform system,operating system and terminal structure system,all of which involve exploration and innovation of a new networking structure,its control and management as well as its measurement. The change in network resources triggers the change in network computing models. To let readers have a basic understanding of MUSE,this lecture introduces MUSE in four sections. This section focuses on the system structure of the MUSE service platform.

On the Extent of Environmental Health

Background: Main purpose of this article is to offer information, criteria and conceptual proposals that could clarify the extent or scope of environmental health, and systematize the approaches for its institutional stewardship by environmental health services. Hopefully, it will be useful to managers, professionals, technicians and academics involved in the management, implementation, teaching or research of this multidisciplinary field. Methods: The notion of “environment” is examined, a definition is proposed, and a look is taken at the “green” and “blue” sides of environmental problems. A number of understandings in various countries for “environmental health” are put forth and lists of basic areas for environmental health are analyzed. Results: One finding is that all lists are, in reality, unsystematic groupings of three different constituents: determinants, processes and functions. Consideration of these groupings leads to a homogeneous list of 18 areas and 77 sub-areas. Sets or series are provided for each type of constituent (64 determinants, 18 processes and 25 functions), and their aggregation forms the enormous universe of environmental health activities. On the other hand, certain rules of operation are proposed which make it possible, through a form of algebra, to construct expressions based on the provided sets of constituents. And it becomes possible to employ a common symbolic language for describing or assigning activities in the environmental health services. Conclusions: The article analyses the contemporaneous extent of environmental health.

Mobile Ubiquitous Service Environment (4)

The Mobile Ubiquitous Service Environment(MUSE),established through the coordination and integration of mobile telecommunications and ubiquitous network,in the pursuit of Always Best Experience(ABE),represents the major development trend for the next generation mobile wireless network.Research on MUSE will involve the integration of the computing model system,service platform system,operating system and terminal structure system;and each involves exploration and innovation of a new networking structure,its control and management as well as its measurement.The change in network resources triggers the change in network computing models.To let readers have a basic understanding of MUSE,this lecture introduces MUSE in four sections.This section focuses on the MUSE network architecture and its key technologies.

Reflections on the Green Economy(Redemption of the Principles of Mill and Pigou):A View of a Brazilian Environmentalist

The current context of global efforts in the pursuit of sustainable development can be characterized by the perception of the scientific-technological losses of ecosystems and ecosystem services and their consequences for the survival of humanity in the face of threats of imbalances in the basic conditions for survival such as food production, the environmental quality, natural control of pests and diseases, loses of biodiversity and climate changes. Some recent initiatives at global, regional and local level are pointed and some conceptual trends and deployment strategies advance towards the consolidation of the principles of sustainable development, despite several difficulties for effectively reaching its goals. The trend of gradual changes in the models of developing nations and in the patterns of production and consumption is portrayed objectively, seeking to correlate with principles of environmental economics and green economy, since Cecil Pigou and Stuart Mill principles to recent researches as Kenneth Boulding, Herman Daly, Nicholas Georgescu-Rogen, Franz Capra, Ignacy Sachs, Edgar Morin, beyond others. The ability of the United Nations and governments to intervene in neoliberal logic aiming wider benefit to society and the reduction of the negative effects of market distortions, as striking on the global stage, represents a true redemption of the principles advocated by Cecil Pigou, at the beginning of the last century, both for the global economy and for their effects on environmental and social conflicts, social exclusion resulting from the current economic systems which are not necessary new strategies, principles, or economic formulas, but decision making to tackle the market with seriousness to promote equity, social justice and environmental sustainability, without sacrificing progress and development, as evident in the current discussion of social inclusion and the convergence of individual and collective interests, so far in the development model based on increasing production and consumption, yet with little environmental responsibility.

Effects of urban street trees on human thermal comfort and physiological indices: a case study in Changchun city, China

Planting trees along urban streets is one of the most important strategies to improve the urban thermal environment.However,the net impacts of urban street trees on human thermal comfort and physiological parameters are still less clear.On three similar east-west orientated streets with different degrees of tree cover-low(13%),medium(35%),and high(75%),urban microclimatic parameters and human physiological indices for six male students were simultaneously measured on three cloudless days in summer 2018.The results show that the differences in tree cover were predominant in influencing urban thermal environment and comfort.The street with the highest tree cover had significantly lower physiological equivalent temperature(PET) and more comfortable than the other two streets.The frequency of strong heat stress(PET> 35℃) was 64%,11 %,and 0%,respectively,for streets with low,medium,and high tree cover.For the six male university students,human physiological indices varied greatly across the three streets with different tree cover.Systolic blood pressure,diastolic blood pressure,and pulse rate increased with decreasing tree cover.The results also suggest that urban thermal environment and comfort had considerable impact on human physiological parameters.Our study provides reasons for urban planners to plant trees along streets to improve the thermal environment and promote urban sustainability.

Ethical Dimensions of Payment for Forest Environmental Services

The market-based incentive mechanism of payments for forest environmental services (PFES) seeks to capture part of the benefits derived from forest environmental services and channels them to forest resource owners/managers who generate these services, thus increases their incentives to conserve and manage forest resources. This paper examines some of the most important ethical issues entailed by PFES mechanism. The analysis shows that PFES may not always benefit the poor due to the comparative disadvantages of the poor and the complicated characteristics of forest ecosystem services. It is important and urgent to take ethical dimensions into account in the PFES approaches and design and develop the pro- poor payment mechanism in order to achieve the two objectives of forest conservation and economic development.

Current Status and Progress of Market for Forest Environmental Services

With the analyses of the reasons for the emergence of domestic and overseas markets for forest environmental service and its significance, this paper summarizes the progress in the research on the market and reviews the operations of the markets for 4 kinds of forest environmental services that are watershed protection services, biodiversity protection services, carbon sequestration services and landscape services. At the end, the paper discusses the major problems arising in the creation of markets for environmental services and the developing tendency.

Marketing Practice of Forest Environmental Services in China

The paper discusses marketing practice of forest environmental services in China, in accordance with Pigou's tax, governmental measures and market-based instruments are analyzed. The constrains and opportunities are presented in the paper, and there is still a long way for China to establish better marketing practices for environmental services of forest resources.

Payments for Grassland Ecosystem Services:A Comparison of Two Examples in China and Germany

目前,草地生态系统退化成为全球关注的问题。生态补偿机制(PES)是为了草地生态系统的恢复/保护,采取补贴或支付费用的方式,改变使用者资源利用方式的制度安排。科学、合理的生态补偿制度需要全面地考虑可能出现的风险和挑战:如环境效益的滞后性,不可预见的监督、管理成本和社会经济目标(足额补偿标准、公平)的实现。本文的目标是通过中德两国生态补偿措施的对比(选取中国内蒙古锡林郭勒盟,德国勃兰登堡州为案例区域进行研究),为今后中德两国的生态补偿理论和实践提供依据。研究着重以下四个方面进行分析:中德两国生态补偿的实施框架,目标人群,实施效果评估等。研究结果表明,由于缺乏有效的激励机制,农户作为最基层的执行单位和实施者,其参与的主动性不够,中德两国生态补偿措施实施的成效有待提高。基于研究结果,提出了今后生态补偿项目设计中,中国应侧重于项目实施的监控和管理制度;而德国应在空间目标规划和具体管理措施和方式等方面进行完善。

The net ecosystem services value in China's Mainland

Protection of the ecological environment is an effective strategy for maintaining ecosystem health,improving provision of ecosystem services,and increasing human well-being.However,traditional calculations of the value of ecosystem services(VES)provide weak guidance because they ignore the costs of these services,leading to economically inefficient strategies.To understand the difference between VES and the net ecosystem services value(NES,after subtracting costs from VES)and to improve evaluations of ecosystem services,we estimated NES for China's Mainland(including farmland,grassland,forest,and wetland).NES totaled 10.0×10~3RMB ha^(-1)yr^(-1)in 2014,which is only 35.1%of the corresponding VES.Grassland NES was–0.7×10~3RMB ha^(-1)yr^(-1),in contrast with a positive grassland VES.NES of farmland,grassland,forest,and wetland in2014 totaled 7.2×10^(12)RMB,accounting for 27.0%of China’s GNP.Recent Chinese planning based on VES emphasizes forest conservation and ignores the conservation of other important ecosystems,such as grassland,leading to a continuing loss of China’s natural capital.Due to regional differences in economic conditions,resource endowments,and geographical characteristics,VES and NES differ among regions.To maximize the ecological benefits from conservation,it is necessary to account for these differences by comparing strategies based on NES,thereby choosing projects that maximize both economic and ecological benefits.To maintain the ecological balance,ecological restoration and socioeconomic activities should account for the costs of providing ecosystem services.This is essential to minimize the costs and maximize the benefits of projects.

Analysis of a Discrete-Time Geo/G/1 Queue in a Multi-Phase Service Environment with Disasters

This paper considers a discrete-time Geo/G/1 queue in a multi-phase service environment,where the system is subject to disastrous breakdowns, causing all present customers to leave the system simultaneously. At a failure epoch, the server abandons the service and the system undergoes a repair period. After the system is repaired, it jumps to operative phase i with probability qi, i = 1, 2 ···, n.Using the supplementary variable technique, we obtain the distribution for the stationary queue length at the arbitrary epoch, which are then used for the computation of other performance measures. In addition, we derive the expected length of a cycle time, the generating function of the sojourn time of an arbitrary customer, and the generating function of the server’s working time in a cycle. We also give the relationship between the discrete-time queueing system to its continuous-time counterpart. Finally,some examples and numerical results are presented.

Upstream-downstream linkages of hydrological processes in the Himalayan region

Understanding the upstream-downstream linkages in hydrological processes is essential for water resources planning in river basins.Although there are many studies of individual aspects of these processes in the Himalayan region,studies along the length of the basins are limited.This study summarizes the present state of knowledge about linkages in hydrological processes between upstream and downstream areas of river basins in the Himalayan region based on a literature review.The paper studies the linkages between the changes in the physical environment of upstream areas(land use,snow storage,and soil erosion)and of climate change on the downstream water availability,flood and dry season flow,and erosion and sedimentation.It is argued that these linkages are complex due to the extreme altitudinal range associated with the young and fragile geology,extreme seasonal and spatial variation in rainfall,and diversity of anthropogenic processes.Based on the findings,the paper concludes that integrated systems analysis is required to understand the holistic complexity of upstream-downstream linkages of hydrological processes in the river basin context.The integrated land and water resources management(ILWRM)approach can be instrumental in developing adaptive solutions to problems and can also enable stakeholders of upstream and downstream areas with various interests and needs to work together for the better utilization and management of land and water resources.As a part of this,the specific circumstances of the upstream communities,who live in fragile and inaccessible mountain areas with limited resource opportunities,should be taken into account so that incentive mechanisms can be established to encourage and acknowledge their contribution.

Soil carbon sequestration,carbon markets,and conservation agriculture practices:A hypothetical examination in Mozambique

Payments for Environmental Services(PES)are relatively novel mechanisms whereby the adoption of sustainable management practices by a stakeholder is rewarded by incentives linked to external markets.Adoption of PES for conservation agricultural practices(CAPS)by smallholder farmers may provide opportunities to increase household income or cover the technology costs of adoption if the carbon sequestration benefits of CAPS are quantifiable,adoption rates are accelerated and maintained,a mechanism exists whereby carbon sequestration services can be compensated,and carbon offset exchange markets are viable.This research suggests a methodology to examine a PES market for carbon offsets generated by the adoption of CAPS by farmers in Mozambique.Assuming a cumulative adoption of 60%over a 20-year period,revenue from PES market participation to CA adopters was two times higher than revenue earned when disadoption occurred midway through the simulation.Lower adoption targets are associated with higher per household returns when fertilizer rates typical to the region are increased.Establishing and maintaining a sustainable PES system in the study region would require significant investment in time and resources.The lack of on-the-ground institutions or local support for such a program would also challenge successful implementation.Finally,the programs where participant success depends on external markets,such as the hypothetical one suggested here,are subject to the ebb and flow of foreign demand for carbon offsets.Addressing these three broad constraints to a PES/CAPS program in the region would require grass-roots driven policy initiatives with buy-in at multiple social,economic,and political levels.

MDA-Based 3G Service Creation Approach and Telecom Service Domain Meta-Model

This paper presents a model-driven 3G service creation approach based on model driven architecture technology. The focus of the paper is the methodology of designing telecommunication service-related meta-model and its profile implementation mechanism. This approach enhances the reusability of applications through separation of service logic models from concrete open application programming interface technologies and implementation technologies.

Evolving concepts and opportunities in soil conservation

The terrestrial landscape has changed considerably compared to that of the early 20th century when soil conservation was first institutionalized.Large portions of the land are already intensively managed,and the remainder is increasingly receiving human interventions.Previous work on soil conservation focused attention on technological innovations,particularly control and mitigation of soil erosion.However,land degradation has continued and actually accelerated in many parts of the world,due mainly to demands for continued economic development,using technologies that are highly exploitive.In many cases,this has been facilitated by highly inadequate and unsympathetic institutional,legislative,and policy environments.The paper discusses some of the new driving forces,new international programs,and new potential partners in soil conservation.Increasingly,international efforts to mitigate land degradation are shifting from studies of the biophysical processes to improving the global,national and local enabling policy environment,as well as mainstreaming of soil conservation into national and regional policies and programs.Also,increased emphasis is placed on economic instruments and international markets,such as carbon trading,and incorporation of non-market values in ecosystem investment,such as payment for ecosystem services,certification schemes,etc.The paper discusses some of the opportunities for soil conservation that accrue from these new driving forces.