Open pit limit optimization considering economic profit,ecological costs and social benefits

Pit limit design has,up to date,focused mainly on maximization of economic profit alone,with environmental and social issues largely ignored.This paper focuses on incorporating both environmental and social issues in the pit limit design process and provides an approach to pit limit optimization that is in compliance with sustainable development.The case study demonstrates that ecological costs have a substantial down-sizing effect and social benefits have a substantial up-sizing effect on the optimal pit limit.When the ecological costs are factored in,the optimal pit limit is 37.5%smaller than the economically optimal pit limit.However,when the social benefits are factored in,the optimal pit limit is 48.3%larger than the economically optimal one.The overall optimal pit limit,with the economic profit,ecological costs and social benefits simultaneously considered,is a result of balancing conflicting goals of maximizing economic profit,minimizing ecological cost,and maximizing social benefit.

Service Object-based Evaluation Framework of Economic, Social and Ecological Benefits of Urban Green Spaces

Researchers' understandings of economic, ecological and social benefits of urban green spaces were discussed from many perspectives, connotations of such three major benefits were redefined, existing problems in the present evaluation were analyzed. According to service objects of urban green spaces, 6 relationship fields were classified, specifically, global ecology, regional environment, regional health, basic life, spiritual life and material life, a basic framework for evaluating economic, ecological and social benefits of urban green spaces was proposed.

Promoting Sustainability with Ecological,Economic and Social Dimensions in Developing Countries

Sustainable development is one of the most important ideas,and goals of our time.It is defined as"development which meets the needs and aspirations of the current generation and develops safe and sound society for future generation".Achieving sustainable development thus involves a vigorous and urgent debate on different dimensions.The different dimensions of sustainability as a framework involve all issues such as science,technology,economic growth and development,health,education,finance investment and trade,politics,natural disasters,population growth and terrorism,etc.No single dimension is responsible to develop sustainable society.This article mainly described the integrated relationship among the three dimensions of sustainability.

Development of living floor spaces on the basis of ecological economic and social programs

Human activities moves to an ecological disaster. The technocratic approach to the organization of activity breaking environment ecology forces to defend the Nature accidents. The mankind crossed line of technological development when the Planet became vulnerable. Will help to rescue mankind from an ecological disaster, ecological thinking and behavior of people, and their ecological responsibility, the moral relation to the nature;harmonization of vital system by waste-free industrial cycles of the combined productions;eco-world formation. The problem of global ecological stabilization can be solved by implementation of social and economic interdisciplinary programs, such as, first, the ecological program “Clean Air, Clear Water, Pure Food, Net Energy, Pure Cities and Villages, Pure Nature”, secondly, the program of development ecological and health the preserving with the filled economy resources, thirdly, the “Development Health of the Preserving Medicine and Health System” program, fourthly, the program of the ecological focused interdisciplinary education, fifthly, the program of peaceful, humane environmental policy, sixthly, the program of civil education of harmonious life for a sustainable development, seventhly, the program of formation of fair democracy as way of life of society. Social and economic programs for stabilization of ecology need to be realized under the competent direction and control of the institutionalized infrastructure of scientific and educational society and on the basis of ecological thinking and behavior of all segments of the population. World community will have to undertake decisive measures to stabilize the environmental ecological processes in order to keep modern and future generations supplied with a harmony between the meeting of their reasonable needs, social and economic problems decision, with the life on the Earth being preserved.

Vulnerability and adaptation of an oasis social–ecological system affected by glacier change in an arid region of northwestern China

The Hexi Inland River Basin in an arid region of northwestern China was chosen as the study area for this research. The authors define the vulnerability of an oasis social-ecological system to glacier change; select 16 indicators from natural and socioeconomic systems according to exposure, sensitivity, and adaptive capacity; and construct a vulnerability-assessment indicator system aimed at an inland river basin in the arid region of Northwestern China. Vulnerability of the oasis socialecological system affected by glacier change in the study area is evaluated by Spatial Principal Component Analysis(SPCA) under the circumstance of glacier change. The key factors affecting the vulnerability are analyzed. The vulnerability of the oasis social-ecological system in the Hexi Inland River Basin affected by glacier change is of more than medium grade, accounting for about 48.0% of the total number of counties in the study area. In terms of the spatial pattern of the vulnerability, the oasis economic belt is the most vulnerable. With the rapid development of the area's society and economy, the exposure of the system to glacial changes is significantly increased; and an increase in glacial meltwater is not enough to overcome the impact of increased exposure, which is the main reason for the high vulnerability. Based on the result of the vulnerability analysis and combined with the present industrial structure in the Hexi Inland River Basin, near-,medium-, and long-term adaptation initiatives are put forward in the article.

Role of permafrost in resilience of social-ecological system and its spatio-temporal dynamics in the source regions of Yangtze and Yellow Rivers

Permafrost is one of the key components of terrestrial ecosystem in cold regions. In the context of climate change, few studies have investigated resilience of social ecological system(SER) from the perspective of permafrost that restricts the hydrothermal condition of alpine grassland ecosystem. In this paper, based on the structural dynamics, we developed the numerical model for the SER in the permafrost regions of the source of Yangtze and Yellow Rivers, analyzed the spatial-temporal characteristics and sensitivity of the SER, and estimated the effect of permafrost change on the SER. The results indicate that: 1) the SER has an increasing trend, especially after 1997, which is the joint effect of precipitation, temperature, NPP and ecological conservation projects; 2) the SER shows the spatial feature of high in southeast and low in northwest,which is consistent with the variation trends of high southeast and low northwest for the precipitation, temperature and NPP, and low southeast and high northwest for the altitude; 3) the high sensitive regions of SER to the permafrost change have gradually transited from the island distribution to zonal and planar distribution since 1980, moreover, the sensitive degree has gradually reduced; relatively, the sensitivity has high value in the north and south, and low value in the south and east; 4) the thickness of permafrost active layer shows a highly negative correlation with the SER. The contribution rate of permafrost change to the SER is-4.3%, that is, once the thickness of permafrost active layer increases 1 unit, the SER would decrease 0.04 units.

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.

Ecology and social system of northern gibbons living in cold seasonal forests

Gibbons in China represent the northernmost margin of present day gibbon species distribution （around N25°）. Compared to tropical habitats, northern gibbon habitats are characterized by low temperatures and remarkable seasonal variation in fruit abundance How gibbons adapt to their cold and seasonal habitats and what ecological factors affect their sociality are key questions for understanding their ecology and social system evolution, the elucidation of which will contribute to the conservation of these special populations/species. According to preliminary short-term studies, northern gibbons consume more leaves and use larger home ranges than tropical gibbons. Interestingly, some Nomascus groups consist of more than one adult female. However, these preliminary results are not well understood or incorporated into current socio-ecological theories regarding gibbon species. To better understand northern gibbons, our team has systematically studied three habituated groups of Nomascus concolor, three groups of N. nasutus, and two habituated groups of Hoolock tianxing since 2002. In this paper, we stress the challenges facing gibbons living in northern habitats and summarize their behavioral adaptations to their harsh environments. We also describe the northern gibbon social system and discuss the potential relationships between their ecology and sociality. Finally, we highlight future research questions related to northern gibbons in China.

On Deng Xiaoping＇s important contribution to the construction of socialist economic system with Chinese characteristics

Deng Xiaoping is the founder of the theory of socialism with Chinese characteristics,and made important contributions to the construction of the system.Among them,his theoretical achievements and practical exploration of the economic system construction had played an important role in the formation of the socialist system with Chinese characteristics.

Towards Quantitatively Understanding the Complexity of Social-Ecological Systems——From Connection to Consilience

The complexity of social-ecological systems(SES) is rooted in the outcomes of node activities connected by network topology. Thus far, in network dynamics research, the connectivity degree(CND), indicating how many nodes are connected to a given node, has been the dominant concept. However, connectivity focuses only on network topology, neglecting the crucial relation to node activities, and thereby leaving system outcomes largely unexplained. Inspired by the phenomenon of ‘‘consensus of wills and coordination of activities' ' often observed in disaster risk management, we propose a new concept of network characteristic, the consilience degree(CSD),aiming to measure the way in which network topology and node activities together contribute to system outcomes. The CSD captures the fact that nodes may assume different states that make their activities more or less compatible.Connecting two nodes with in/compatible states will lead to outcomes that are un/desirable from the perspective of the SES in question. We mathematically prove that the CSD is a generalized CND, and the CND is a special case of CSD. As a general, fundamental concept, the CSD can facilitate the development of a new framework of network properties, models, and theories that allows us to understand patterns of network behavior that cannot be explained in terms of connectivity alone. We further demonstrate that a co-evolutionary mechanism can naturally improve the CSD. Given the generality of co-evolution in SES, we argue that the CSD is an inherent attribute rather than an artificial concept, which underpins the fundamental importance of the CSD to the study of SES.

SOCIAL AND ECONOMIC MEASURES FOR THE ECOLOGICAL ENVIRONMENT CONSTRUCTION IN THE LHASA AREA,TIBET

Human activities, especially the irrational exploitation and utilization of resources, are one of the roots of the ecological environmental problems, so the ecological environment construction needs a series of auxiliary social, economic and institutional measures to ensure its smoothly fulfillment. The Lhasa area is being confronted with such major environmental problems as grassland degeneration, land desertification, shrubbery damage and wetlands degeneration. Besides the role of the natural environment itself, the main social and economic roots of these ecological environmental problems are the rapid population growth, the disordered economic expansion, the imperfect managerial system and the backward grassland construction. Based on the analysis of the above-mentioned causes, this article suggests such social, economic and institutional measures as the control of the rural population growth, the perfection of the grassland management, the acceleration of the pasture construction, the integration of agriculture and animal husbandry, the rational planning of land use for urban construction, to ensure the economic feasibility and social acceptability of the ecological environment construction.

Social System Historical Modeling of Western Economies and its Implications for Eastern Economies

The two purposes of the research are(a)to develop an analytical model that views the economy/polity as a social system with interactive subsystems of actors:households,firms,government,political parties and other significant actors,and(b)apply the analytical model to construct and verify a timeline that figures major events in world development that shaped the evolution of the western economies,and the relative strength of their interacting subsystems.The timeline highlights the changing and evolving dominance of the major subsystems in the economic history of the western world.We differ from the convention of looking at history as the occurrence of exogenous consequential events and offer instead a system dynamics analysis that makes historical events endogenous and to be affected by the powerplay within the system.The current dominance of the firm subsystem in western countries is demonstrated to be the accumulated result of centuries of past events:wars,discoveries,colonies,trade,political enlightenments,and industrial revolutions that strengthened participation and interactions in the firm subsystem at the cost of weakened dominance of rival subsystems(those of traditional households,theocrats,manors,communes,royals,and the modern state subsystem).The behavioral orientation of a social system is explainable in terms of(a)interactive influence(which occurs during the participation and interaction of agents in multiple settings,with some settings having more interactive influence than others),and(b)regulative influence(where the conduct of the one subsystem overrules that of other subsystems).Western economic history suggests a positive conditional correlation and convergence between(a)and(b).Being conditional,the convergence between(a)and(b)may not hold in other world contexts,i.e.,China,India,Arab and African countries.

Alignment of social and ecological structures increased the ability of river management

Large hydrologic basins involve multiple stakeholders, and coupled dynamic social and ecological processes. Managing such basins has long been a challenge. Balancing the demand for water from nature against that from humans is always difficult, particularly in arid watersheds. Here, we analyze potential institutional causes of ecological degradation and how it can be reversed by introducing new forms of governance. The framework and assumptions are illustrated using China’s second-largest endorheic basin, where empirical evidence shows that the introduction of a new governing authority connecting midstream and downstream actors facilitated the establishment of a new governance regime that is better aligned with the biophysical scales of the watershed. A trans-regional water allocation project initiated by the new higher-level authority successfully rescued downstream oases and restored a dried terminal lake. These outcomes suggest that when social and ecological structures are better aligned our ability to manage the interplay between social and ecological processes increases. However, the lack of direct connection between the actors of the middle and lower reaches resulted in the paradox of an increase in water demand. We therefore suggest that measures to stimulate the emergence of horizontal social ties linking different critical groups of actors across the watershed could further the alignment of the institutional and biophysical structures-without these changes sustainable management of river basins and other common pool resources will remain problematic.

Social network analysis and network connectedness analysis for industrial symbiotic systems： model development and case study

An important and practical pattern of industrial symbiosis is rapidly developing： eco-industrial parks. In this study, we used social network analysis to study the network connectedness （i.e., the proportion of the theoretical number of connections that had been achieved） and related attributes of these hybrid ecological and industrial symbiotic systems. This approach provided insights into details of the network＇s interior and analyzed the overall degree of connectedness and the relationships among the nodes within the network. We then characterized the structural attributes of the network and subnetwork nodes at two levels （core and periphery）, thereby providing insights into the operational problems within each eco-industrial park. We chose ten typical eco-industrial parks in China and around the world and compared the degree of network connectedness of these systems that resulted from exchanges of products, byproducts, and wastes. By analyzing the density and nodal degree, we determined the relative power and status of the nodes in these networks, as well as other structural attributes such as the core-periphery structure and the degree of sub-network connectedness. The results reveal the operational problems created by the structure of the industrial networks and provide a basis for improving the degree of completeness, thereby increasing their potential for sustainable development and enriching the methods available for the study of industrial symbiosis.

A STUDY ON STRUCTURAL ANALYSIS OF SUBURBAN ECOLOGICAL AND ECONOMIC SYSTEM ─Taking Tianjin Suburbs and Counties for Example

Along with the development of urban economy. the growth of urban population and the increase of needs of urban society, the suburban ecological and economic system changes constantly and profoundly in its structure and function.Intensifying the research on structural analysis of suburban ecological and economic system is of great significance for grasping light the laws governing the development and evolution of the suburban ecological and economic system and leading this system onto a path of sound circle. By making comprehensive use of the cluster analysis and latent structural analysis the author attempts to explore a new avenue of revealing the structure of suburban ecological and economic system, taking Tianjin suburbs and counties as an example. The results obtained from the above-stated analyses show that it is entirely possible and extremely effective to study the structure and function of suburban ecological and economic system and provide scientific evidence for control of this system by using mathematical methods and statistical analyses.

ECOLOGICAL LANDSCAPE EFFECTS OF WINDBREAK SYSTEMS IN DESERT ZONE OF WESTERN CHINA

This paper, by applying the theories of landscape ecology, illustrates the role and mechanism of windbreak system in the establishment and maintenance of oasis ecosystem on the basis of systematic analysis of characteristics and ecological crises of China's desert, and especially of desert zone in western China. Furthermore, direct economic benefits are summarized.

The Baikal Basin as a Transboundary Ecological and Economic System

This article considers a necessity to assign the Baikal basin as an integrated transboundary ecological-economic system where an incongruity of global ecological and local economic interests is observed. The existing problems and limitations of further development of the Baikal ecological-economic system are singled out.

Functions, Problems and Countermeasures of China’s Rural Ecosystems

At present,the whole country is fully implementing rural revitalization strategy and actively promoting rural ecosystems development in China.From the perspective of ecology and agroecology,the main functions of rural ecosystem in China,the current outstanding problems,and the corresponding countermeasures and measures are discussed in the paper,in order to provide references for promoting the implementation of the strategy of rural revitalization and the sustainable development of rural ecosystem.China’s rural ecosystem has multi-functions such as carrying population,improving environment,providing products,increasing income,expanding employment and tourism,inheriting culture,popularizing science and technology,educating people,training talents,and providing places for the aged urban residents.Currently,there are still many problems and challenges in rural ecosystem in China,such as ecological destruction,waste of resources,environmental pollution,natural disasters,economic poverty,backward science and education,laggard culture and medical care,lack of public services,bad social morality,loss of villagers and disappearance of villages.In order to promote implementation of rural revitalization strategy and to promote sustainable development of rural ecosystems in China,the following measures should be taken based on the principles of integrating “tri-benefits”(economic,ecological and social benefits),gradual progress,comprehensive governance,adaptation to local conditions and long-term efforts and success.Eventually,the following measures are suggested:① enhancing awareness;② planning well;③ improving environment;④ optimizing ecological structure;⑤ improving ecological functions;⑥ improving ecological conditions;⑦ strengthening public services;⑧ improving laws and regulations;⑨ improving great investment;⑩ accelerating personnel training.

SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY AS A NEXT STEP IN DEVELOPMENT OF SYSTEMIC BEHAVIOR TOWARD SYSTEMS SOLUTIONS OF SYSTEMIC PROBLEMS OF TODAY

Data are clear： humankind is facing a global socio-economic crisis. Global bodies search tbr solution in ending the neoliberal monopolistic, rather than free market, economy, and in introduction of systemic behavior under the label of social responsibility. To support this effort, the research that is reported about in this contribution, suggests systemic perception of social responsibility to cause the end of abuse, strategy of promotion of social responsibility, and of suitable economic preconditions, supported by several lines of action, which everybody can trigger.

On the analogy in evolution processes and the behavior of a magnetically ordered systems

Common regularities in the biology evolution and the magnetization processes of magnetically ordered materials have been demonstrated. The arrays of the experimental data have been accumulated in the registration process of a weak polarization-optical response of borate iron at the presence of external magnetic field. It is shown that the magnetic behavior of response in some respects analogous to processes in biologically systems, such as differentiation, convergence, the development of clones, etc. It is predicted the existence of the weaving development that combines the characteristics of the processes of differentiation and convergence. More detail are considered the phenomenon nie the branch points;it is shown the possibility of the acceleration, retardation, and wavelike development. The proposed approach may be useful for comparison, the study and predict development scenarios for actual organized systems of various natures (ecological, social, financial, informative etc.), and high degree of hierarchical complexity.