Eco－tourism industry development──An alternative to sustainable use of landscape resources

Traditional tourism is a source of not only income and recreation but also environmental pollution and landscape resource destruction. How to leave the same or even better landscape resources to future generations is the key to sustainable development of tourism industry. Ecotourism industry could be an approach to sustainable use of landscape resources.The connotation of eco-tourism industry and its differences from the traditional tourism in resource use were given in this paper. The ecological planning for Kangyuan recreation area is taken as an example to demonstrate how to make an eco-tourism industry development plan from a system’s point of view.In terms of the characteristics of the landscape resources, advantageous geographic location and principles for eco-tourism industry development,a suitable structure of the eco-tourism industry was presented. Based on ecological suitability analysis of the landscape resource use-analysis of capacity and constraint of landscape resources, spatial distribution of the industry sectors was given.In the development process, both opportunities and risks exist, cost-benefit analysis is thus made, and cost-effective strategies and policies are provided for the eco-tourism industry development.

Relations between Environmental Right for Citizens and the Right to Use Environmental Resources owned by Company and Enterprise

From angles of administrative law and private law, the article analyzes relations between environmental right for citizens and the right to use environmental resources owned by company and enterprise and points out three principles to balancing two relations: A principle of equal protection, a principle that general interest is superior to special interest as well as taking an account for special interest, in specific circumstances, for example, in the circumstance that clashes between environmental and economic interests can not be avoided, policy makers can put an emphasis on more important social interest according after considering weight of each interest. Finally, the article reaches a conclusion that China should establish system of environmental right for citizens from legislative and administrative levels so that a harmonious society can be constructed with guarantee.

Improving grain yield, nitrogen use efficiency and radiation use efficiency by dense planting, with delayed and reduced nitrogen application, in double cropping rice in South China

Improving both grain yield and resource use efficiencies simultaneously is a major challenge in rice production.However,few studies have focused on integrating dense planting with delayed and reduced nitrogen application to enhance grain yield,nitrogen use efficiency (NUE) and radiation use efficiency (RUE) in rice (Oryza sativa L.) in the double rice cropping system in South China.A high-yielding indica hybrid rice cultivar (Yliangyou 143) was grown in field experiments in Guangxi,South China,with three cultivation managements:farmers’practice (FP),dense planting with equal N input and delayed N application (DPEN) and dense planting with reduced N input and delayed N application (DPRN).The grain yields of DPRN reached 10.6 and 9.78 t ha^(–1) in the early and late cropping seasons,respectively,which were significantly higher than the corresponding yields of FP by 23.9–29.9%.The grain yields in DPEN and DPRN were comparable.NUE in DPRN reached 65.2–72.9 kg kg^(–1),which was 61.2–74.1% higher than that in FP and 24.6–30.2% higher than that in DPEN.RUE in DPRN achieved 1.60–1.80 g MJ^(–1),which was 28.6–37.9% higher than that in FP.The productive tiller percentage in DPRN was 7.9–36.2% higher than that in DPEN.Increases in crop growth rate,leaf area duration,N uptake from panicle initiation to heading and enhancement of the apparent transformation ratio of dry weight from stems and leaf sheaths to panicles all contributed to higher grain yield and higher resource use efficiencies in DPRN.Correlation analysis revealed that the agronomic and physiological traits mentioned above were significantly and positively correlated with grain yield.Comparison trials carried out in Guangdong in 2018 and 2019 also showed that DPRN performed better than DPEN.We conclude that DPRN is a feasible approach for simultaneously increasing grain yield,NUE and RUE in the double rice cropping system in South China.

Effects of deep vertical rotary tillage on the grain yield and resource use efficiency of winter wheat in the Huang-Huai-Hai Plain of China

Tillage represents an important practice that is used to dynamically regulate soil properties,and affects the grain production process and resource use efficiency of crops.The objectives of this 3-year field study carried out in the Huang-Huai-Hai(HHH) Plain of China were to compare the effects of a new deep vertical rotary tillage (DVRT) with the conventional shallow rotary tillage (CT) on soil properties,winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) grain yield and water and nitrogen use efficiency at different productivity levels,and to identify a comprehensive management that optimizes both grain yield and resource use efficiency in the HHH Plain.A split-plot design was adopted in field experiments in the winter wheat growing seasons of 2016–2017 (S1),2017–2018 (S2) and 2018–2019 (S3),with DVRT (conducted once in June 2016) and CT performed in the main plots.Subplots were treated with one of four targeted productivity level treatments (SH,the super high productivity level;HH,the high productivity and high efficiency productivity level;FP,the farmer productivity level;ISP,the inherent soil productivity level).The results showed that the soil bulk density was reduced and the soil water content at the anthesis stage was increased in all three years,which were due to the significant effects of DVRT.Compared with CT,grain yields,partial factor productivity of nitrogen (PFP_(N)),and water use efficiency (WUE) under DVRT were increased by 22.0,14.5 and 19.0%.Path analysis and direct correlation decomposition uncovered that grain yield variation of winter wheat was mostly contributed by the spike numbers per area under different tillage modes.General line model analysis revealed that tillage mode played a significant role on grain yield,PFP_(N) and WUE not only as a single factor,but also along with other factors(year and productivity level) in interaction manners.In addition,PFP_(N) and WUE were the highest in HH under DVRT in all three growth seasons.These results provided a theoretical basis and technical support for coordinating the high yield with high resource use efficiency of winter wheat in the resource-restricted region in the HHH Plain of China.

Land Use Changes in Himalaya and Their Impacts on Environment, Society and Economy: A Study of the Lake Region in Kumaon Himalaya, India

The traditional resource use structure in Himalaya has transformed considerably during the recent past, mainly owing to the growth of population and the resultant increased demand of natural resources in the region. This transformation in resource use practices is particularly significant in the densely populated tracts of Himalaya. As a result, cultivated land, forests, pastures and rangelands have been deteriorated and depleted steadily and significantly leading to their conversion into degraded and non-productive lands. These rapid land use changes have not only disrupted the fragile ecological equilibrium in the mountains through indiscriminate deforestation, degradation of land resources and disruption of the hydrological cycle, but also have significant and irreversible adverse impacts on the rural economy, society, livelihood and life quality of mountain communities. It has been observed that the agricultural production has declined, water sources are drying up fast due to decreased ground water recharge and a large number of villages are facing enormous deficit of critical resources, such as food, fodder, firewood and water, mainly due to unabated deforestation. As a result, the rural people, particularly the women, have to travel considerably long distances to collect fodder and firewood and to fetching water. It is therefore highly imperative to evolve a comprehensive and integrated land use framework for the conservation of the biophysical environment and sustainable development of natural resources in Himalaya. The land use policy would help local communities in making use of their natural resources scientifically and judiciously, and thus help in the conservation of the biophysical environment and in the increasing of the productivity of natural resources. The study indicates that conservation of forests and other critical natural resources through community participation, generation of alternative means of livelihood, and employment in rural areas can help increase rural income as well as restore ecosystem services.

Resource use efficiency, ecological intensification and sustainability of intercropping systems

The rapidly growing demand for food, feed and fuel requires further improvements of land and water management, crop productivity and resource-use efficiencies.Combined field experimentation and crop growth modelling during the past five decades made a great leap forward in the understanding of factors that determine actual and potential yields of monocrops.The research field of production ecology developed concepts to integrate biological and biophysical processes with the aim to explore crop growth potential in contrasting environments.To understand the potential of more complex systems（multi-cropping and intercropping） we need an agro-ecosystem approach that integrates knowledge derived from various disciplines： agronomy, crop physiology, crop ecology, and environmental sciences（soil, water and climate）.Adaptation of cropping systems to climate change and a better tolerance to biotic and abiotic stresses by genetic improvement and by managing diverse cropping systems in a sustainable way will be of key importance in food security.To accelerate sustainable intensification of agricultural production, it is required to develop intercropping systems that are highly productive and stable under conditions with abiotic constraints（water, nutrients and weather）.Strategies to achieve sustainable intensification include developing tools to evaluate crop growth potential under more extreme climatic conditions and introducing new crops and cropping systems that are more productive and robust under conditions with abiotic stress.This paper presents some examples of sustainable intensification management of intercropping systems that proved to be tolerant to extreme climate conditions.

Impact of the 6 February 2023 Earthquake in Turkey on Borjomi Mineral Water Wells

The study of Borjomi mineral water deposit starts from the 30 s of XIX century. Chemical composition of Borjomi deposit mineral water is of great importance for study of issues of mineral water formation, creation of geodynamic model of the deposit and increasing of useful resources. The impact of several strong earthquakes in the region on the wells of the deposit is described. Stability of chemical composition of Borjomi deposit mineral water is proved.

Scientific Basis of Agroforestry Homegardens in Matara District, Sri Lanka: Present Status and Improvement Needs

High diversity of species in agroforestry homegardens play main agro-ecological roles in complex and sustainable land use systems. Efforts are being made in valuing and protecting the age-old practices of agroforestry on scientific basis in homegardens. This study attempted to analyse the scientific basis of households’ practices and to develop strategies for the promotion of sustainable agroforestry homegardens in Matara district of Sri Lanka. Selected households were interviewed measuring their concern using 5-point Likert scale, and analysed the qualitative data using non-parametric statistics. The study revealed that scientific basis of household practices in agroforestry homegardens are moderate in selection of appropriate trees and plants, and management of trees and plant health care. Households pay little concern on scientific basis in planning and site placement, land preparation and establishment of trees/crops, and implementing proper cultural practices. There is no significant correlation between scientific basis of practices in agroforestry in relation with size of homegardens, educational level of households, and across the category of their occupations. Resources to use scientific knowledge in practice, and opportunity to improve scientific skills have moderate correlation significantly while availability of scientific information and access to scientific knowledge have significant but low correlation as applying knowledge on scientific basis. The interest to acquire scientific knowledge, and sufficient time to improve scientific knowledge, and other reasons have no significant correlation with scientific basis of household practices. Carefully planned interventions including policy adjustments and effective extension programs for learning and experimenting together with supportive programs would enhance scientific basis of household practices for agroforestry in homegardens.

Flower Farms Environmental Performance Evaluation in Ethiopia

Cultivation of cut flowers is a new agricultural sector in Ethiopia,which currently generates a high amount of income for the country's develop­ments.Despite its significant contribution to economic developments;many issues were raised from communities and environmentalists con­cerning its environmental performance.Based on this issue the study as­sesses cradle to gate of cut flower production in the Wolmera district.The main objective of the study was environmental performance evaluation of flower farms in Wolmera district,Oromia regional state,Ethiopia related to operational activities throughout entire life cycles of cut flower pro­duction.In this study,primary and secondary data were collected using ISO 14031 standard structured with LCA tool methodology.Data were collected by inventory using an on-site data collection system from its sources.Based on data collected GHG(CO2,N2O,CH4&NH3)emissions to the atmosphere were evaluated by using an inter-governmental panel on climatic changes(IPCC 2006)for inventory data and eutrophication&acidification estimated from data tested at laboratory levels.Similarly,the study also assesses banned chemicals used in the farms through invento­ry data assessment,and about 156 chemicals applied in the farms were collected to screen out those banned chemicals used and the two most extremely hazardous chemicals(Impulse&Meltatix)banned by WHO identified in the study.As it understood from a general assessment of all flower farms;all of them haven't EIA document established before con­struction in the district and production started with having less attention for EHPEA code of conducts in the flower farms which faces the envi­ronments for high impacts by emission emitted from flower farms in the district as a whole.

Increased plant density and reduced N rate lead to more grain yield and higher resource utilization in summer maize

Planting at an optimum density and supplying adequate nitrogen（N） to achieve higher yields is a common practice in crop production, especially for maize（Zea mays L.）; however, excessive N fertilizer supply in maize production results in reduced N use efficiency（NUE） and severe negative impacts on the environment. This research was conducted to determine the effects of increased plant density and reduced N rate on grain yield, total N uptake, NUE, leaf area index（LAI）, intercepted photosynthetically active radiation（IPAR）, and resource use efficiency in maize. Field experiments were conducted using a popular maize hybrid Zhengdan 958（ZD958） under different combinations of plant densities and N rates to determine an effective approach for maize production with high yield and high resource use efficiency. Increasing plant density was clearly able to promote N absorption and LAI during the entire growth stage, which allowed high total N uptake and interception of radiation to achieve high dry matter accumulation（DMA）, grain yield, NUE, and radiation use efficiency（RUE）. However, with an increase in plant density, the demand of N increased along with grain yield. Increasing N rate can significantly increase the DMA, grain yield, LAI, IPAR, and RUE. However, this increase was non-linear and due to the input of too much N fertilizers, the efficiency of N use at NCK（320 kg ha^（–1）） was low. An appropriate reduction in N rate can therefore lead to higher NUE despite a slight loss in grain production. Taking into account both the need for high grain yield and resource use efficiency, a 30% reduction in N supply, and an increase in plant density of 3 plants m^（–2）, compared to LD（5.25 plants m^（–2））, would lead to an optimal balance between yield and resource use efficiency.

Increase of forest carbon biomass due to community forestry management in Nepal

Community forest management helps in mitigating deforestation and forest degradation by addressing the negative aspects of rural livelihoods such as poverty and social exclusion.It is important in regulating global climate by encouraging sequestration of carbon in shoots,roots and soils.We studied the status of community forest management,forest resource harvest and carbon stocks in two community forests of the mid hill region of central and western Nepal.The study was based on primary and secondary data collected through carbon stock measurement from field visits and allometric equations,household surveys,focus group discussions,key informant interviews,and review of past studies.Socioeconomic variables such as gender,age group,livestock and landholding status were related to resource utilization,conservation,and management of community forest.Forest resources such as timber,firewood,fodder and leaf litter were harvested in sustainable ways.People were involved in forest thinning,co-management meetings,guarding and planting trees for forest conservation and management.Density and carbon stock of trees increased gradually in comparison to a previous study.We recommend further research on other community forests for more accurate and better results.

Underground space planning in Helsinki

This paper gives insight into the use of underground space in Helsinki,Finland.The city has an underground master plan(UMP) for its whole municipal area,not only for certain parts of the city.Further,the decision-making history of the UMP is described step-by-step.Some examples of underground space use in other cities are also given.The focus of this paper is on the sustainability issues related to urban underground space use,including its contribution to an environmentally sustainable and aesthetically acceptable landscape,anticipated structural longevity and maintaining the opportunity for urban development by future generations.Underground planning enhances overall safety and economy efficiency.The need for underground space use in city areas has grown rapidly since the 21 st century;at the same time,the necessity to control construction work has also increased.The UMP of Helsinki reserves designated space for public and private utilities in various underground areas of bedrock over the long term.The plan also provides the framework for managing and controlling the city’s underground construction work and allows suitable locations to be allocated for underground facilities.Tampere,the third most populated city in Finland and the biggest inland city in the Nordic countries,is also a good example of a city that is taking steps to utilise underground resources.Oulu,the capital city of northern Finland,has also started to ‘go underground’.An example of the possibility to combine two cities by an 80-km subsea tunnel is also discussed.A new fixed link would generate huge potential for the capital areas of Finland and Estonia to become a real Helsinki-Tallinn twin city.

Reducing water and nitrogen inputs combined with plastic mulched ridge-furrow irrigation improves soil water and salt status in arid saline areas,China

Plastic mulched ridge-furrow irrigation is a useful method to improve crop productivity and decrease salt accumulation in arid saline areas.However,inappropriate irrigation and fertilizer practices may result in ecological and environmental problems.In order to improve the resource use efficiency in these areas,we investigated the effects of different irrigation amounts(400(I1),300(I2)and 200(I3)mm)and nitrogen application rates(300(F1)and 150(F2)kg N/hm^(2))on water consumption,salt variation and resource use efficiency of spring maize(Zea mays L.)in the Hetao Irrigation District(HID)of Northwest China in 2017 and 2018.Result showed that soil water contents were 0.2%-8.9%and 13.9%-18.1%lower for I2 and I3 than for I1,respectively,but that was slightly higher for F2 than for F1.Soil salt contents were 7.8%-23.5%and 48.5%-48.9%lower for I2 than for I1 and I3,but that was 1.6%-5.5%higher for F1 than for F2.Less salt leaching at the early growth stage(from sowing to six-leaf stage)and higher salt accumulation at the peak growth stage(from six-leaf to tasseling stage and from grain-filling to maturity stage)resulted in a higher soil salt content for I3 than for I1 and I2.Grain yields for I1 and I2 were significantly higher than that for I3 and irrigation water use efficiency for I2 was 14.7%-34.0%higher than that for I1.Compared with F1,F2 increased the partial factor productivity(PFP)of nitrogen fertilizer by more than 80%.PFP was not significantly different between I1F2 and I2F2,but significantly higher than those of other treatments.Considering the goal of saving water and nitrogen resources,and ensuring food security,we recommended the combination of I2F2 to ensure the sustainable development of agriculture in the HID and other similar arid saline areas.

Total nitrogen and community turnover determine phosphorus use efficiency of phytoplankton along nutrient gradients in plateau lakes

Numerous studies support that biodiversity predict most to ecosystem functioning,but whether other factors display a more significant direct impact on ecosystem functioning than biodiversity remains to be studied.We investigated 398 samples of the phytoplankton phosphorus resource use efficiency(RUE_(P)=chlorophyll-a concentration/dissolved phosphate)across two seasons in nine plateau lakes in Yunnan Province,China.We identified the main contributors to phytoplankton RUEP and analyzed their potential influences on RUEP at different lake trophic states.The results showed that total nitrogen(TN)contributed the most to RUEP among the nine lakes,whereas community turnover(measured as community dissimilarity)explained the most to RUEP variation across the two seasons.Moreover,TN also influenced RUEP by affecting biodiversity.Species richness(SR),functional attribute diversity(FAD2),and dendrogram-based functional diversity(FDc)were positively correlated with RUEP in both seasons,while evenness was negatively correlated with RUEP at the end of the rainy season.We also found that the effects of biodiversity and turnover on RUEP depended on the lake trophic states.SR and FAD2 were positively correlated with RUEP in all three trophic states.Evenness showed a negative correlation with RUEP at the eutrophic and oligotrophic levels,but a positive correlation at themesotrophic level.Turnover had a negative influence on RUEP at the eutrophic level,but a positive influence at the mesotrophic and oligotrophic levels.Overall,our results suggested that multiple factors and nutrient states need to be considered when the ecosystem functioning predictors and the biodiversityecosystem functioning relationships are investigated.

The Concept of Information Support for Bi-oresource and Ecosystem Research in the North-West Pacific: Theory and Practical Implementation

The first part of the article provides an overview of the theoretical evidence, the main provisions, and the implementation strategy of information support for bioresource and ecosystem research in the north-west Pacific, which has been conducted over the past 20 years in the Russian Far East Research Institute TINRO-Center. In short, the concept consists of a combination of the following four assertions: 1) For the steady and sustainable development of the Russian Far East, the entire Russian Federation and the Asia-Pacific Region in general, environmental, food, economic, and other security is required, which cannot be achieved without the rational use of bioresources based on the ecosystem approach to the management of aquatic bioresources. 2) For the inventory, appraisal, monitoring, forecasting of the state of and management the natural water resources when applying this approach, statistically relevant quantitative information is required on the greatest possible number of constituents of marine biocenosis of the north-western Pacific for the longest possible period of time, which is only available at the TINRO-Center. 3) This valuable data should be organized into databases, based on which geo-information and other electronic information systems are prepared, and based on these map atlases and reference books on natural water resources, using automated workplaces created especially for this. 4) The resulting unique information support will be of great value not only for practical purposes, but also for science, both applied and fundamental. Next comes a summary of the many years of work on the practical implementation of this concept and the key achievements in this field obtained by the TINRO-Center by the end of 2015 are reviewed. At the end, some plans for the near future are outlined.

Research progress in assessment and strategies for sustainable food system within planetary boundaries

Meeting the increasing food demand in a manner that ensures both resources and environmental sustainability poses a global challenge.The conceptual framework of planetary boundaries(PBs)has emerged as a crucial reference in the study of sustainable food system,with specific focuses on key dimensions such as land use change,freshwater use,nitrogen(N)and phosphorus(P)cycles,and greenhouse gas(GHG)emissions.In this study,we summarized the threshold applications of PBs in sustainable food system research at both the global and national(China)scales.Based on these thresholds,we evaluated the sustainability conditions of the food system,considering resources such as cropland,freshwater,N and P applications,as well as environmental impacts including N and P losses,and GHG emissions.In addition,we explored the impacts of single or combined management strategies on sustainable food systems.These strategies included dietary changes,improvements in technologies and management,reductions in food loss and waste,and optimization in agricultural production distribution.Finally,we outlined future research directions in sustainable food system,including enhancing research on the interaction mechanisms among PBs elements within food systems,conducting downscaling studies of PBs elements at national and regional levels,and ensuring the rationality of policy-making for sustainable food systems in China.This study can provide a theoretical foundation and strategies guidance for sustainable food system and agricultural land use management in the future both globally and in China.

comCompetition for resources is ameliorated by niche differentiation between Solidago virgaurea life-history stages in the Arctic

Aims competition has been shown to modify the niche breadth of coex-isting species,but within-species interactions have received little attention.Establishing small juvenile individuals and established,larger,sexually reproducing adult individuals represent two life-his-tory stages within species.We investigated the nitrogen and carbon resource use of adult and juvenile individuals and similarity of sym-biotic fungal community composition in these two plant life stages.We used the plant Solidago virgaurea growing in a simplified system in the low Arctic as model species.Methods Isotopic signatures(foliarδ15N and foliarδ13c)were analysed to characterize nitrogen acquisition and water-use efficiency of the plants.Symbiotic root fungal community composition was esti-mated by cloning and sequencing small subunit ribosomal RNA gene.Important Findings The isotopic signatures differed significantly between the life stages,indicating that the establishing juvenile cohort used relatively more amino acids or gained N through mycorrhizal symbiosis in com-parison to the established adult plants.Symbiotic fungal commu-nities did not differ between the two plant cohorts suggesting a possibility that the plants shared the same mycorrhizal network.We conclude that competition-mediated differences in plant resource use may create niche differentiation between the two life-history stages and enable them to coexist.

USING INTERNET RESOURCES IN THE TEACHING AND LEARNING OF ENGLISH

The paper introduces the use of the Internet for both teacher and learner.It shows how the teacher canuse the Internet both for the selection of authentic materials for classroom use and also as a medium forself-improvement and professional updating through the use of discussion forums and mailing lists.Students can use email for academic contact with their tutors and also for self-study.Email and TheWorld Wide Web are explained and a number of mailing lists and websites recommended.

Soil and land resources for agricultural production:General trends and future scenarios-A worldwide perspective

Based on the global distribution of land and soil quality and the world population,future trends in the agricultural use of land and soil resources are described,which will severely compromise future global food and fiber production through the increase and the spatial changes of world population,through the loss of fertile land caused by insufficient soil management and through urbanisation and industrialization Moreover,future changes in life style and the increasing demand for food and bioenergy,trough changes in world economy,through climate change and a worldwide decrease in fresh water supply,sustainable land use for the production of food and fiber will be under threat.Until 2050 global food production must be doubled for satisfying global needs.Our scenarios should help to preview future changes,to counterbalance and to mitigate possible negative impacts,thus sustaining global food security.