Landscape Design Mode Based on the Integration of Ecology, Production and Life

Taking landscape design of Suburban Park in Yulin City for example, this paper applied the design thoughts of integrating multiple planning, defining concepts and objectives, specified the design strategies of restoring ecology, improving life and promoting production, and disclosed the landscape design mode based on the integration of ecology, production and life in which ecological landscapes, productive landscapes and living landscapes promote and coexist harmoniously with each other.

Suitability Evaluation of Rural Settlements Based on Accessibility of Production and Living： A Case Study of Tingzu Town in Hubei Prov- ince of China

Rural settlements are the main carriers of agriculture, rural areas and farmers; thus, optimizing the production and living space of rural settlements is highly significant to rural development. Taking the effective allocation of resources as the starting point, a suitability evaluation system of rural settlements, based on accessibility of production and living, was proposed in this study to provide scientific basis for the optimization of production and living space. The accessibility of production and living was measured by an improved two-step floating catchment area method, which considered proximity and availability based on the inclination of rural residents. The suitability evaluation system consisted of traditional suitability evaluation and newly proposed limiting factor identification based on the loss score proportion of suitability. Tingzu Town of Hubei Province, China, was chosen as the case study area. Based on the results of the suitability evaluation system, corresponding suggestions on rural land consolidation, industry division, as well as the layout of health care and education facilities were proposed to optimize the production and living space of rural settlements in Tingzu Town. It is found that the suitability evaluation based on accessibility of production and living is more scientific and accurate than the traditional ones which significantly overestimate production and living convenience. Moreover, the limiting factor identification can help us put forward suggestions according to local conditions and bring about the highly targeted optimization of production and living space of rural settlements.

Environmental Burden of Charcoal Production and Use in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania

Tanzanian forests are excessively threatened by increased charcoal production fuelled by increased demand crucially in Dar es Salaam city which consumes nearly 70% of all the charcoal produced in the country. Through use of ecological modeling software STELLA? the environmental burden of charcoal production and use in Tanzania has been established. The study has revealed that the country losses 150,433 ha of forest per year. Due to increase in population by year 2030 almost 2.8 million ha of forests will have been lost. This is equivalent to 8.5% of the total forest cover the country had in 2009. The environmental burden includes air pollution characterized by a total emission of 49, 1.0, and 9.0, 12 million tonnes of CO2, SO2, NOx, and CH4, respectively by 2030. Other adverse impacts include loss of forest cover which ultimately causes degradation of soil quality by increased soil erosion, degradation of water sources and disruption of rainfall pattern including inducing draught. Taking into account that the agriculture in Tanzania is primarily rain fed, this has an adverse impact in agricultural production. In the current exploitation of this important natural resource, its sustainability is severely challenged and the whole concept of the forest being renewable is put into question. From these findings, it is recommended that concrete and deliberate efforts be made to reduce and eventually prohibit the use of charcoal in cities and towns.

Typical Correlation Analysis between Forage Type Triticale Production Performance and Different Pilot Ecological Factors

Domestic and foreign researches on triticale mainly focus on hereditary traits and excellent characteristics,but there are few reports on triticale yield and quality in the severe cold pastoral areas of Gansu and Qinghai.In this study,Gannong 2 triticale cultivars have been bred and planted in typical ecological areas according to the characteristics of different ecological regions.By studying the relationship between quality traits and various ecological factors,the effects of different ecological factors on the quality of Triticale hay have been clarified,which provides a reasonable basis for future triticale breeding and large-scale and targeted planting layout.The production performance and nutritional qualities of Triticale Trial in Maqu County,Gansu Province and Gannong No.2 in Dulan County,Qinghai Province are obviously superior to other pilot sites.Through reasonable fertilization,the production performance and nutritional quality of triticale are the best.Triticale production performance is significantly related to climatic factors in different pilots.The most suitable planting area for Gannong 2 is Maqu County,Gansu Province.

Clean Production and Ecological Industry:A Key to Eco-city Development

Eco-city development is a healthy process towards sustainable development, within the carrying capacity of local ecosystem through changing production mode, consumption behavior and decision instrument based on ecological economics and system engineering. The key to its planning is an ecological integration to make trade-off between economic wealth and environmental health, between material and spiritual civilization, between natural and human eco-cybernetics. Integration, demonstration, citizens’ participation and scientists’ and technician’s catalyzing are the key instruments for the implementation of the ecocity plan. "Clean production" and "ecological industry" are key elements in comprehensive development towards an eco-city. Beyond the technical and management questions, how to interlink production, consumption and reduction at the local and regional level, the spatial and urban dimension should be considered in order to perform an integrative urban eco-space.

Pollen Production in Relation to Ecological Class of Some Hydrophytes and Marsh Plants

The knowledge of quantitative production and method of dispersal give some idea about the frequency of presence of particular plant pollen grains in the atmosphere or hydrosphere. Pollen production in terms of number per anther along with the particular anther number per flower, anther length, pollen grain size, mode of anther dehiscence was determined for 51 angiospermous hydrophytes and marsh species occurring in Tripura, India. Pollen production is species specific. The level of pollen production directly related to the anther size and anther number per flower. However, no such correlation could be drawn between pollen production and size of pollen grains. Most of the hydrophytic taxa of the present investigation are anemophilous. The anemophilous taxa are characterized by high pollen production. However no correlation could be drawn from the present study between the high pollen production and mode of anther dehiscence as in all the studied taxa they show only one kind of anther dehiscence.

Ecological Structure and Fruit Production of African Fan Palm (<i>Borassus aethiopum</i>) Populations

Ecological structure and fruit production of African fan palm stands in Benin were studied on the basis of surveys laid out in ten (10) populations located in three ecological zones. Dendrometric and fruit production parameters such as: diameter at breast height (dbh), total height (TH), number of fruit bunch per tree, number of fruits per tree, number of seeds per fruit, fruit length and width were measured on all African fan palm trees within thirteen (13) plots of 1,000 m2. Diameter and height classes distribution of the palms in each ecological zone adjusted to Weibull distribution showed a bell shaped curve with left dissymmetry, characteristic of young stands (form coefficient between 1 and 3.6). African fan palm stem number was 156 trees/ha. Variation of dbh, TH, number of fruit bunch per tree were highly significant between populations and ecological zones (P < 0.05%). Trees from Sudanian zone were highly grown (mean dbh = 52.2 cm) while those of Sudano - Guinean transition zone were less (mean dbh = 32.73 cm) and dominated by female trees. African fan palm stands of Pahou is suitable for seed collection for in situ conservation of the species while those of Ouorghi and Akomiah could provide fruits for edible hypocotyls production.

Why Linear Thermodynamics Does Describe Change of Entropy Production in Living Systems?

We propose a hypothesis according to which there is a hierarchy of included steady states in living systems. Each steady state is not stable and exists only in a certain frame of time, named characteristic time. Evolution of system to any steady state leads to a change of boundary conditions for all steady states having lesser characteristic time. It should not be very rapid. In the opposite case, the level of entropy production could change so much that the system achieves a critical unstable point of any included steady state. Passing through the critical point leads to reorganization of the entire hierarchy of the steady states or to the complete collapse of the system as a dissipative structure. Also one should take into account that living systems are the result of long-term biological evolution. The species that are able to maintain their integrity for the longest time interval have evolutionary advantage. Therefore, it is quite likely that difference between current value of the entropy production and value of the entropy production in nearest steady state is small enough to satisfy the laws of linear thermodynamics. Experimental data confirm the hypothesis. Limits of applicability of linear thermodynamics to biological systems are discussed.

Relationship between ecological economics and circular economy,eco-industry,cleaner production,and other relevant categories

Eco-industry, circular economy, cleaner production, industrial ecology or industrial ecosystem and other subjects are all categories related to sustainable development. This paper studies the relations and differences between the four categories and sustainable development as well as ecological economics. Circular economy, eco-industry, industrial ecosystem and cleaner production were put forward during the revolution in “end treatment pattern” of traditional industrial society. Industrial ecology, eco-industry and circular economy theory are three content expansions of cleaner production. Ecological economics is of instructive function theoretically and methodologically for circular economy, eco-industrial, cleaner production and industrial ecology. Circular economy theory is easier to be accepted, compared with ecological economics theory. And circular economy in nature is the complete application of ecological economics theory.

From Less or No Waste Manufacturing and Cleaner Production to Recycle Economy -- A Review on the Theoretical Research and Practice of Ecological Enterprises in China

Based on systematical research on the conception evolution of ecological enterprise, theoretical and practical development of constructing ecological enterprise, the paper makes conclusion that ecological enterprises are developing into a new stage in which governments are launching some pilot projects about constructing ecological enterprises. And after that, governments should make policies to spread construction of ecological enterprises, to construct ecological enterprises in legal system and conforming to the standard as soon as possibly. 5o that, the basic units of ecological economy that fit to the conditions of China will be set up.

Study on Formation Mechanism of Farmer Production Consumption Ecologization——Empirical Analysis Based on TPB Model

Ecological transformation of production consumption is an effective channel of establishing ecological agriculture mechanism. In this paper,based on TPB( Theory of Planed Behavior),using factor analysis and regression analysis,empirical test on formation mechanism of farmer production consumption ecologization behavior transformation is conducted. Research results show that behavior attitude,subjective norm and control cognition of farmer production consumption ecologization have significantly positive influences on behavior response of farmer production consumption ecologization. Among them,power of behavior attitude is farmer's economic rationality and ecological rationality; power of subjective norm is system norm,government guidance and social pressure; power of control cognition is policy judgment and ability perception. Finally,for the analyzed conclusions,policy suggestions are proposed from many aspects,which could provide reference effect for guiding farmer production consumption ecologization and establishing rural eco-civilization.

Sustainable Potato Production in the Mountain Area of Ecuador, an Approach to Increase Productivity with Small Scale Farmers

Ecuador potato crop is family based production system. Potato production has two roles in their economy, the first is providing food for their families and the second is a source of income for the household. However small scale farmers have limited access to local markets and most of the sales are through intermediates’ who purchase directly in the field at the lowest price possible. Potato production challenges for the small-scale farmers are among others availability of quality potato seed, direct sales, purchase of agrochemical inputs to maintain their crops and lack of education. In 2021, only 4% of potato farmers used certified seed. Potato yield is still low around 16.1 t·ha-1, in the last 10 years the total potato cultivated area was reduced by at least 50%. The farmers produce “Bokashi” and other organic fertilizer and these are effective to improve soil fertility and plant health. Homemade bio-pesticides reduce agrochemical pesticides. The Decision Support System (DSS) is a handheld device to control late blight, minimizes fungicide applications and improve fungicide rotation. In 2018 Candidatus Liberibacter solanacearum (Lso), the causal agent of zebra chip, and its vector, the potato psyllid Bactericera cockerelli, together created havoc for farmers and researchers. Promotion of early potato varieties INIAP—Libertad is an alternative to lower the impact of this newest pest.

Coordinated development of land multi-function space: An analytical framework for matching the supply of resources and environment with the use of land space for ecological protection, agricultural production and urban construction

Based on the carrying capacity of the resources and the environment,this article defines the connotation of the land multifunctional space(LMFS)from three aspects,ecological protection,agricultural production and urban construction,in the new era of land space planning system.Moreover,a framework is constructed for the coordinated development of the multi-functional oriented space to match the use of land space(ULS)with the supply of resources and environment(SRE).Based on this,the technology and methods of comprehensive evaluation,dominance recognition,and matching relationship division functions of the use of land space(FULS)and functions of the supply of resources and environment(FSRE)are discussed.The advantageous functions of the use of land space(AFULS)and advantageous functions of the supply of resources and environment(AFSRE)are also identified in the study area.A LMFS coordinated development system integrating“function position-comprehensive partition-regulation strategy”is proposed.Through the empirical study of Shandong province,we found that,first,the FULS of ecological protection space in the province is mainly found in high value areas,and the FSRE is mainly in low value areas,which has certain complementarity in the space.The FULS of agricultural production space is mainly observed in high value areas,the FSRE is mainly in middle value areas,and the spatial distribution is balanced and staggered.The FULS of the urban construction space and the FSRE are mainly in middle values areas,and the spatial distribution is basically similar.Second,the FULS in the study area is dominated by the single advantage of agricultural production and urban construction,while the FSRE has a relatively balanced distribution of the advantages of ecological protection,single agricultural production and compound advantages of agricultural production and urban construction,and urban construction and ecological protection.The matching between the two is mainly at high and middle levels.Specifically,70%of the province’s land space still has a certain development and utilization potential,and 30%of ULS intensity is close to or exceeds the resource and environment carrying capacity.Third,considering the comprehensive impact of resource endowment,social and economic development and policy and institutional environment on different matching relationships,this paper constructs the land spatial development strategic pattern of“two screens-seven regions-multicore”positioning and“four regions-eight categories”hierarchical area of Shandong at the macro level,and puts forward a differentiated land space development strategy.

Application of ecological footprint in ecological industrial systems:a study case of maize-MSG production systems

To improve the comparability of the research results of ecological industry, the ecological footprint is appliedto analyze the resource utilization and environmental pollution in various subsystems, taking maize-MSG as a case.Results show that the production process from maize to MSG is a extended process of ecological footprint, and that theecological footprint of the maize production is the biggest; the extension of ecological footprint is followed by the increaseof footprint profit, which means that the extension of production chain is an important method to improve the resourcesprofit; the systems have a big proportion of the indirect energy ecological footprint; the air and water pollution in MSGsubsystem is the most serious. At last, it can be identified that ecological footprint is a good method to measure resourceutilization and environmental pollution in various subsystems of an integrated ecological industry.

Characteristics and Trends of Urban Waterfront Human Settlements Based on CiteSpace

Urban waterfront human settlements have gradually become a hot topic for research in recent years.Using CiteSpace,597 publications from 2017 to 2023 that were retrieved from the Web of Science were analyzed and sorted out,and the following characteristics were found:(1)The research hotspots transitioned from thermal comfort evaluation to the functional mechanism of water bodies,and then to the impact on the environment and residents’behavior.(2)The integration of disciplines has promoted the diversification of perspectives on urban waterfront human settlements,and the content has become more concentrated in interdisciplinary fields.Research on corresponding technology and methods of urban waterfront human settlement has improved,and so has the extensiveness of the experiments.(3)The research on urban waterfront human settlement from the perspective of ecology has been improving.The research focuses more on the harmonious coexistence of ecological and cultural values and human beings.

Potential production and spatial distribution of hybrid poplar as a biofuel crop in Connecticut,USA

The objective of this study was to assess the biomass production potential from hybrid poplars using marginal lands in the state of Connecticut,USA.A land-use suitability model was developed to identify and classify marginal lands in the state that could be used for growing hybrid poplars as a biofuel woody energy crop.The model was built on a geographic information system(GIS)platform,consisting of an exclusion area section,an ecological suitability section,and an economic/land-use suitability section.The model then was used to estimate the total biomass of the land-cover forests,annual biomass from forest and agricultural residues,and in particular the production potential of biomass from hybrid poplars over marginal lands in the state at county level.The results indicated that about 50%of the land in this state is unavailable for hybrid poplar cultivation and that less than 5%is highly suitable.The amount of usable area is highly variable on the county level.Without large-scale land use change,it appears that biofuel production in this state can only be a supplemental resource to the current energy supply.

The Cultural Ecology Protection and Management of Urban Forests in China

Forests have economic,ecological,social and cultural functions.Forests Cultural ecology,the counterpart of forest ecology,is the integration of human spirit formed on the basis of natural forest and living systems.In recent years,China's urbanization rate has increased from 28%in 1993 to 45.68%in 2008,and ecological protection of urban forest has made great progress,but insufficient attention was paid to the forest cultural ecology protection and the relevant regulatory was not well performed.In order to strengthen the protection of forest cultural ecology and the management,the study showed that the social economic development of China has become mature and entered the consumption phase,besides,cultural ecology protection of forest will be the essence of urban forestry development in the future,so more and more attention will be paid to the protection of urban forest cultural ecology,especially with the enhancement of urbanization in China.The study suggests that protection of urban forest cultural ecology should be included into the forest legislation and management.The development planning of urban forest development should be strengthened to highlight the organic combination of material wealth production and spiritual wealth production,and finally promote protection of urban forest culture and the development of green culture.

Cyber-Physical-Social System Between a Humanoid Robot and a Virtual Human Through a Shared Platform for Adaptive Agent Ecology

Two artificial agents(a humanoid robot and a virtual human) are enriched with various similar intelligence,autonomy, functionalities and interaction modalities. The agents are integrated in the form of a cyber-physical-social system(CPSS) through a shared communication platform to create a social ecology. In the ecology, the agents collaborate(assist each other) to perform a real-world task(search for a hidden object)for the benefits of humans. A robot-virtual human bilateral trust model is derived and a real-time trust measurement method is developed. The role of taking initiative in the collaboration is switched between the agents following a finite state machine model triggered by bilateral trust, which results in a mixedinitiative collaboration. A scheme is developed to evaluate the performance of the agents in the ecology through the CPSS.The results show that the robot and the virtual human perform satisfactorily in the collaboration through the CPSS. The results thus prove the effectiveness of the real-world ecology between artificial agents of heterogeneous realities through a shared platform based on trust-triggered mixed-initiatives. The results can help develop adaptive social ecology comprising intelligent agents of heterogeneous realities to assist humans in various tasks through collaboration between the agents in the form of a CPSS.

Assessing the impacts of ecological-living-productive land changes on eco-environmental quality in Xining City on Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, China

The Ecological-living-productive land(ELPL)classification system was proposed in an effort to steer China's land pattern to an ecological-centered path,with the development model shifting from a single function into more integrated multifunction land use.The focus is coordinating the man-land contradictions and developing an intensive,efficient and sustainable land use policy in an increasingly tense relationship between humans and nature.Driven by socioeconomic change and rapid population growth,many cities are undergoing urban sprawl,which involves the consumption of cropland and ecological land and threatens the ecological balance.This paper aims to quantitatively analyze the critical effects of ELPL changes on eco-environmental quality according to land use classification based on leading function of ecology,living and production from 1990 to 2015 with a case study of Xining City.Also,four future land use scenarios were simulated for 2030 using the Future Land Use Simulation(FLUS)model that couples human and natural effects.Our results show a decrease in productive land(PL)and an increase in ecological land(EL)and living land(LL)in Xining City.Forestry ecological land(FEL)covered the top largest proportion;agriculture productive land(APL)showed the greatest reduction and urban and rural living land(U-RLL)presented a dramatic increase.The eco-environmental quality improved in 1990-2010,mainly affected by the conversion of APL to FEL and GEL.However,the encroachment of U-RLL into APL,other ecological land(OEL)and FEL was the main contributor to the decline in eco-environmental quality in 2010-2015 as well as the primary reason for the increase area of lower-quality.The Harmonious Development(HD)-Scenario,characterized by a rational allocation of LL and PL and a better eco-environment,would have implications for planning and monitoring future management of ELPL,and may represent a valuable reference for local policy-makers.