Recreational potential as an indicator of accessibility control in protected mountain forest areas

The article presents research findings related to recreational use of forests located in protected mountainous areas with forestage of over 80%. The study was designed to identify recreational potential of the Carpathian national parks （Bieszczady National Park, Bahia G6ra National Park, Goree National Park and Magura National Park; southern Poland） and to compare these findings with the actual number of visitors. The information received on the recreational potential of parks is important from the point of view of protection of natural resources and the financial situation of the parks. The calculated ratio may be an effective tool of management for park administration, that allows to reconcile statutory social and protective functions of national parks. The study determined the recreational potential of the forests with the use of recreational valorisation method designed for areas with varied terrain, and the evaluated factors included the stands of trees with their habitat and land relief. The permissible number of national park visitors, expressed as man- hour/ha/year ranges from 19.31 in Bieszczady National Park （BG： 19~ 35＇ E, 49~ 35＇ N） to 32.06 in in Bieszczady National Park （B： 22~ 40＇ E, 49~ lo＇ N）. In 3 out of 4 investigated parks, Magura National Park （M： 21025＇ E, 49~ 30＇ N）, Gorce National Park （G： 20~ lo＇ E, 49~ 35＇ N）, B） recreation carrying capacity was not exceeded, whether or not the strictly protected area is taken into account. Only in BG was the recreation carrying capacity exceeded by nearly 24%, or by 85% if the strictly protected area isexcluded from tourism-related exploitation. The presented procedure for monitoring access to mountain forests in national parks, from the viewpoint of natural resources conservation, can be applied in other mountainous areas covered with forests and exposed to tourist and recreational traffic, and in forests facing particular risk of recreational damage, e.g. in urban and suburban forests growing in areas with varied orography.

The Effects of Natural Capital Protection on Pastoralist's Livelihood and Management Implication in the Source Region of the Yellow River, China

The interaction among different livelihood capitals is a key to generate a deeper understanding of the livelihood sustainability.In this paper,we use net income per capita(economic capital),meat and milk production per capita(physical capital),and areas of fenced pasture,livestock shelter,grassland rodent control and planted grassland(physical capital) as proxy indicators of livelihood promotion,livelihood provision,and livelihood protection respectively.By developing a correlation model between pastoralists' livelihood protection and improvement,we found that(1) there is a statistically significant correlation between the pastoralists' livelihood protection and promotion;(2) based on the maximum effect of pastoralists' livelihood promotion and provision,there is a benchmark in the effect of the intervention intensity of livelihood capital(grassland resource protection) on livelihood improvement;(3) on basis of two indicators,i.e.net income per capita and meat production per capita,the reasonable scales of fenced pasture,livestock shelter and planted grassland are less than 843,860 and 46 thousand hectares(hm2) per year respectively.With the marginal effect of livelihood protection,moderately decreased areas of fenced pasture and planted grassland,and increased area of livestock shelter is a critical to ensure pastoralist's livelihood sustainability.

Integrative Planning and Processes in the Mountain Areas of Mae Hong Son, Thailand

This paper outlines innovative integrative approaches for poverty alleviation based on integrating planning and processes; crossing disciplines and sectors; combining community perception with spatial technology; and creating alliances between community and government agencies. Several tools of development models from Participatory Rural Appraisal （PRA） and 3D Mapping Model programs were applied in the planning model to demonstrate a diversity of integrated development and conservation activities, The planning model was launched with a PRA process evolved a simple community map. The map allowed for the community＇s constraints and potential and related issues to be identified and analyzed by different groups. This initiative was followed by a 3D Mapping Model program, which involved the building of a topographic map. Community＇s resources and landmarks and other meaningful landmarks and data were added. These processes allowed an opportunity for creating a historical timeline, assessing the present and mapping the future of community resources. The planning model serves as a meeting point to support and enhance decentralized governance by providing centrality to the needs and decisions of local communities to improve their quality of life. This has been seen through the adoption of natural resources conservation campaigns by local communities, which include the participation of women, displaced people, ~rassroots organizations, and ~overnment a^encies.

Elementary Introduction and Suggestion on Ecotourism

The ecotourism is a combination of popularizing ecological, scientific knowledge and increasing the nation's awareness of protection of nature. Therefore, it is a better form for national forest parks and nature reserves to fully publicize the necessity of environmental protection. The combination of ecology with tourism is the current world-developing tendency.

Protection and Utilization of Ecotourism Resources at the Estuary of the Yellow River

There are plentiful ecotourism resources at the estuary of the Yellow Rive. The characteristic of the resources are vast, wild. rare, peculiar and fresh. Some natural resources, ecotourism resources on the wetland nature reserve of the estuary, and the special landscape ecology resources are introduced in this paper. The author also suggests that the sustainable development of the travel industry at the estuary should be based on the protection and reasonable utilization of the ecosystem.

Review of Issues Related to Tourism Policies regarding Environmental Management and Customary Practices of Tourism in Gilgit-Baltistan, Pakistan

The purpose of this study is to highlight the issues and problems of tourism planning, policy formulation and implementation in Gilgit-Baltistan-mountainous region of Pakistan-a place which is abound with worth seeing natural scenes and also hub of world＇s highest mountain ranges. Tourism in many countries plays an important role in improving not only economic conditions but it also has been used as a tool to preserve environment. Tourism policy is part of national development policy in many countries, but in Pakistan this sector has been ignored in terms of proper policy formulation and also it was not considered as a potential sector for economic betterment. Although Pakistan, particularly Gilgit-Baltistan is replete with tourism resources, haplessly policy makers never focused on this sector in capitalizing these tourism resources. It also covers the traditional practices of 4 As （Access, Attractions, Accommodation and Acceptance） in Gilgit-Baltistan. In Pakistan, there have been different laws and regulations formulated with the passage of time but they have not been implemented properly. In Pakistan, tourism policy was first prepared in 1983 but it was not enforced appropriately. According to ranking of WEF T＆T （World Economic Forum Travel and Tourism） competitiveness index, Pakistan is ranked below average in policy formulation and implementation.

Participatory and integrated watershed management and community based organgzanon

In Iran, and in order to encourage local watershed management, community based organizations （CBO） like ＂cooperatives of watershed＂, ＂construction groups＂ and ＂watershed management groups＂ have been established to obtain resident＇s cooperation in activities eormeeted with protection, reclamation and exploitation of natural resources in the basins that lead to sustainability within watershed management. This study was done as a ease study to explore the role of Remeleh Group （RG） as a CBO in the management of the ＂Kharkheh＂ sub-basin. Participatory action and learning method was used. Participatory tools including natural resources mapping, flow diagram, transect walk, semi-structured interview and brainstorming were applied. Making the conclusion, it was found that the CBO of Remeleh Group cause： （1） Enhancement of social capital through encouraging cooperation and participatory practices, creating new communication among local residents and outsiders, reducing conflicts and promoting the solidarity among communities in the sub basin of Karldaeh; （2） Sustain livelihood and economic situation through agricultural intensification and livelihood diversification （gardening and agriculture together and reducing migration）; （3） Conservation of environmental and natural recourses via the implementation of watershed activities like vine, terracing, bunding and destocking, seedling, and check dams; （4） Empower local people through carrying out training on the watershed practices.

A List of Important Honeybee Nectariferous and Polleniferous Plant Species in the West Bank Governorates, Palestine

The main goal of this study is to provide information about the foraging value of a number of specific plant species for honeybees in Palestine, since one of the limiting factors of Palestine＇s apiculture industry is the unpredicted seasonality in the blooming phenology of nectariferous and polleniferous plant species. This limiting factor can be overcome by increasing and diversifying the population of bee forage plant species throughout man made plantations. In this survey, a combination of literature and field surveys were used in order to identify and compile a list of plant species, which are of importance for fulfilling the honeybee＇s needs of nectar and pollen. The study was conducted through bi-weekly visit to a numbers of randomly selected sites located in some nature reserves and agricultural fields, within the West Bank Governorates. A total of 143 nectariferous and polleniferous plant species, belonging to 37 families, were identified through direct observation of foraging bees, and/or through literature survey. The dominant families are Compositae with 27 （18.8%） belonging species, followed by Lamiaceae family with 24 （16.7%） belonging species, then followed by Boraginaceae family with 8 （5.5%） belonging species and then followed by other families. The identified plant species was grouped into pollen, nectar and both pollen and nectar sources plant species. The polleniferous plant species group counted 17 which is equivalent to 11.8%; the nectariferous plant species group counted 29 which is equivalent to 20.2%; and the third groups of plant species that have been visited by bees for collecting both pollen and nectar counted 97, which is equivalent to 68%. The chronologies of the blooming plant species were also recorded. It was concluded that any of the studied locations can be profitably utilized for commercial and or large scale beekeeping, if the important limiting factor can be overcome by increasing and diversifying the population of bee forage plant species throughout man made plantations. The paper provides information on the wild and cultivated nectariferous and polleniferous plants that are important for the bees in the West Bank Governorates, Palestine.

Path toward Environment-Friendly Industrialization： A Survey on the Practice of Xixia County

Whether industrialization and environmental protection can coexist has always been controversial theoretical question. On this topic, the protected watershed area of Xixia County provides an interesting case study. 91% of Xixia County＇s 3,15 7 square kilometers, which belongs to Nanyang City of Henan Province and is located in the protected water source area of the country＇s South-to-North Water Diversion Project, is designated water source protection zones. Driven by the need to protect these resources, Xixia County has made remarkable achievements in the field of environmental protection. Simultaneously, the county s economy has also made significant progress. In addition to its favorable geography and natural resources, Xixia County derives its successful environmental protection practices from the following factors： first, a series of environmental protection policies issued by the central government; second, Xixia County＇s emphasis on environmental protection; and third, local businesses＇ efforts to protect the environment. Xixia＇s experience has demonstrated that environmental protection can be successfully balanced with economic development when local industrial development generates resources that contribute to favorable environmental programs.

High-Volume Fly Ash Concrete-A Relevant Step to Sustainable Development

HVFA （high-volume fly ash） concrete could be a sustainable way for by-product utilization to conserve natural resources and protect environment. HVFA concrete can play the role of a high-performance material that may be comparable to the conventional Portland cement concrete. The results of the research programme concerning the relationships between the composition of concrete （w/b ratio, fly ash content and type of cement） and their physical and mechanical properties are presented and discussed in the paper. It is found that the introduction of high-volume fly ash into concrete has caused a decrease in compressive strength at the early age of storage. The significant increase in strength was observed between 28 days and 90 days of curing. The high-volume fly ash concretes were characterized with lower water absorbability and sorptivity than control concrete.

Analysis of Participatory Approach Applied in Creating a New Protected Area Anjozorobe Angavo

The political will in compliance with the Convention on Biological Diversity brings to the establishment of MSPA （Madagascar system of protected areas）. The aim is to conserve biodiversity, alleviate poverty and develop the country. Participation and involvement of local population in natural resources management, consultation with all sectors and responsibilization of regional and local authorities in protected areas management are all the basic principles of MSPA. The paper brought focus in the understanding of this participation of local actors （populations, local authorities） and in their interests to participate in the protected area management in Anjozorobe Angavo. The research has been conducted by doing investigations and meetings with local actors. A typology of participations had been done. It has been indeed noticed that the understanding was differentiated then motivations to participate were not always the environmental one. The populations＇ participation could be either by convenience, or for personal interest, or imposed participation, or conscious participation. But in order to reach the purpose of the protected areas sustainable management, the operator should admit that the participation in protected areas management is imposed naturally and should consider those differences in visions; at last, the approach should motivate local populations to participate consciously.

全球财经媒体纵横录

华尔街日报11月10日博地能源:中印经济或推动煤炭市场回暖博地能源公司首席执行长博伊斯称,印度和中国经济的强劲增长或将拉动煤炭市场在2015年回暖。博地能源公司(Peabody Energy Co.,BTU)首席执行长博伊斯(Greg Boyce)称,印度和中国经济的强劲增长,加之美国经济的稳定复苏,或将拉动煤炭市场在2015年回暖。博地能源是美国产量最大的煤炭生产商。

Pore Size Distribution as a Soil Physical Quality Index for Agricultural and Pasture Soils in Northeastern Iran

Assessment of soil quality is important for optimum production and natural resources conservation. Agricultural and pasture soil qualities of Deh-Sorkh region located at south of Mashhad, northeastern Iran were assessed using the integrated quality index (IQI) and Nemero quality index (NQI) models in combination with two datasets, i.e., total data set (TDS) and minimum data set (MDS). In this study 6 soil properties considered as MDS were selected out of 18 properties as TDS using principle component analysis. Soil samples were divided into 3 groups based on optimum ranges of 8 soil physical quality indicators. Soil samples with the most indicators at optimum range were selected as group 1 and the samples having fewer indicators at optimum range were located in groups 2 and 3. Optimum ranges of soil pore size distribution functions were also determined as soil physical quality indices based on 8 soil physical quality indicators. Pore size distribution curves of group 1 were considered as the optimum pore size functions. The results showed that relatively high organic carbon contents could improve pore size distribution. Mean comparisons of soil physical quality indicators demonstrated that mean weight diameter of wet aggregates, structural stability index, the slope of moisture retention curve at inflection point, and plant available water content in agricultural land use decreased significantly in relation to pasture land use. In addition, the results demonstrated that the studied MDS could be a suitable representative of TDS. 78% of pasture soils had the optimum pore size distribution functions, while this parameter for agricultural soils was only 13%. In general, the soils of the studied region showed high limitations for plant growth according to the studied indicators.

Medicinal Plants Harvesting in Wolong National Nature Reserve

A combination of sample surveys and questionnaires were used to investigate the harvesting of wild medicinal plants （WMP） in Wolong National Nature Reserve （WNNR） from August 2014 to July 2015. These surveys showed that up to 20 families and 45 species of WMP were harvested in WNNR. Gastrodia elata, Paris polyphylla, Fritillaria thun-bergli, Rheum officinale, Rhodiola rosea, Saussurea medusa, Notopterygium root, Radix Ginseng, Buddha＇s palm were harvested intensely. The harvesting, which occurred mainly in autumn and winter （from June to October） in the test area, buffer area and core area, was located mostly in the residential and crop production areas of Wolong Town and Gengda Town, and in the timberline, alpine meadows and scree areas of Dengshenggou Ravine and Balangshan Mountain （specifically in Dengshenggou, Tangfang, Tizigou Ravine, Wei- jiagou Ravine and Reshuihe River areas）. Among all the harvesters, 58% came from inside the WNNR, and 42% came from outside the WNNR; 87% were male, and 13% were female; 6% were under the age of 18, 69% were 19-45 years old, 19% were 46-65 years old, 6% were over 66 years old. The main purpose of harvesting was commercial sale to increase household income. Based on the analysis and discussion of the results, comprehensive management measures were introduced to strengthen the awareness and efficacy of laws and regulations, integrate the enforcement of these laws, establish and strengthen inspections. Skills training and the domestication of the wild medicinal materials were used to encourage the surplus labor force to avoid excessive harvesting and move into other agricultural endeavors.

Salic Horizons in Soils of the USA

The taxonomic hierarchy and nationwide distribution of soils with a salic horizon were studied using the USA Natural Resources Conservation Service Soil Survey Geographic （SSURGO） Database to provide a more holistic view of the role of soil-forming factors in pedogenesis than from isolated case studies. Soils with a salic horizon occupied an area of 11 000 km2, i.e., 0.1% of land area in the contiguous USA. These soils occur narrowly in three great groups （Aquisalids, Haplosalids and Halaquepts）, 11 subgroups, and 97 soil series. Soils with a salic horizon commonly had a mesic （50% of soil series） or thermic （19%） soil-temperature class, an aquic （89%） soil-moisture class, a mixed mineral class （79%）, a calcareous （52%） reaction class, a superaztive （59%） cation exchange activity class, and a fine （24% of soil series）, fine-loamy （24% of soil series）, or fine-silty （19% of soil series） particle-size class. Soils with a salic horizon were concentrated in the Basin and Range Province of western USA. The key pedogenic processes leading to the development of salic horizons were salinization, gleization, and calcification, with some evidence for argilluviation and silicification.