André Sandim, Dalila Araújo, Teresa Fonseca, Maria Emília Silva
The northern inland region of Portugal has experienced significant population decline due to the exodus of younger generations and an aging population. This has led to the abandonment of traditional activities in these territories, contributing to territorial abandonment, degradation of local economic conditions, increased social vulnerability, and a heightened risk of rural fires. The presence of communal lands, known as “baldios”, is an important facilitator for implementing actions that revitalize local villages, making them more attractive to the community. Forests, which are abundant in the baldios of northern inland Portugal, have the potential to generate environmental, social, and economic value through carbon sequestration, job creation, population stabilization, and wealth generation in the villages. However, the viability of this asset as a driver for sustainable development depends on the forest management model implemented. This case study aims to demonstrate that different forest management models have varied impacts on sustainability indicators, particularly economic and environmental sustainability. Based on naturally regenerated forests in the Carvalhelhos baldio in the Tâmega Valley region, data were collected to simulate in software four management scenarios, varying the number (0 to 4) and age of thinnings until the final cut. The simulation allowed for the calculation of the following economic indicators: Internal Rate of Return (IRR), Net Present Value (NPV), and Net Profitability Index (NPI), as well as environmental indicators related to carbon capture and accumulation, such as Gross Carbon Accumulation, Net Carbon Accumulation, Carbon accumulated in dead and suppressed trees, and carbon balance per management model. The simulations indicate that, for the studied area, Scenario 2, which involves only one thinning, yielded the highest total wood volume (cubic meters per hectare) over the cycle, making it the most suitable for biomass production. Meanwhile, Scenario 4, with three thinnings, showed the best results for individual volume (cubic meters per tree), making it more suitable for producing higher-value logs. Scenario 5 presented the best economic results and carbon capture. In all simulations, Scenario 1 showed the worst performance in the analyzed indicators. It was found that the indicators varied among the studied crop plans, highlighting that the adoption of a silvicultural regime depends on the forest characteristics, objectives, exploitation conditions, and local population sensitivity to regional priorities.
{"title":"Influence of Forest Management on the Sustainability of Community Areas in Northern Inland Portugal: A Simulated Case Study Assessment","authors":"André Sandim, Dalila Araújo, Teresa Fonseca, Maria Emília Silva","doi":"10.3390/su16188006","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3390/su16188006","url":null,"abstract":"The northern inland region of Portugal has experienced significant population decline due to the exodus of younger generations and an aging population. This has led to the abandonment of traditional activities in these territories, contributing to territorial abandonment, degradation of local economic conditions, increased social vulnerability, and a heightened risk of rural fires. The presence of communal lands, known as “baldios”, is an important facilitator for implementing actions that revitalize local villages, making them more attractive to the community. Forests, which are abundant in the baldios of northern inland Portugal, have the potential to generate environmental, social, and economic value through carbon sequestration, job creation, population stabilization, and wealth generation in the villages. However, the viability of this asset as a driver for sustainable development depends on the forest management model implemented. This case study aims to demonstrate that different forest management models have varied impacts on sustainability indicators, particularly economic and environmental sustainability. Based on naturally regenerated forests in the Carvalhelhos baldio in the Tâmega Valley region, data were collected to simulate in software four management scenarios, varying the number (0 to 4) and age of thinnings until the final cut. The simulation allowed for the calculation of the following economic indicators: Internal Rate of Return (IRR), Net Present Value (NPV), and Net Profitability Index (NPI), as well as environmental indicators related to carbon capture and accumulation, such as Gross Carbon Accumulation, Net Carbon Accumulation, Carbon accumulated in dead and suppressed trees, and carbon balance per management model. The simulations indicate that, for the studied area, Scenario 2, which involves only one thinning, yielded the highest total wood volume (cubic meters per hectare) over the cycle, making it the most suitable for biomass production. Meanwhile, Scenario 4, with three thinnings, showed the best results for individual volume (cubic meters per tree), making it more suitable for producing higher-value logs. Scenario 5 presented the best economic results and carbon capture. In all simulations, Scenario 1 showed the worst performance in the analyzed indicators. It was found that the indicators varied among the studied crop plans, highlighting that the adoption of a silvicultural regime depends on the forest characteristics, objectives, exploitation conditions, and local population sensitivity to regional priorities.","PeriodicalId":22183,"journal":{"name":"Sustainability","volume":"33 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":3.9,"publicationDate":"2024-09-13","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142180703","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"环境科学与生态学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
The North China Plain is among the regions most afflicted by ground fissure disasters in China. Recent urbanization has accelerated ground fissure activity in the three counties of the northern North China Plain, posing significant threats to both the natural environment and socioeconomic sustainability. Despite the increased attention, a lack of comprehensive understanding persists due to delayed recognition and limited research. This study conducted field visits and geological surveys across 43 villages and 80 sites to elucidate the spatial distribution patterns of ground fissures in the aforementioned counties. By integrating these findings with regional geological data, we formulated a causative model to explain ground fissure formation. Our analysis reveals a concentration of ground fissures near the Niuxi and Rongxi faults, with the former exhibiting the most extensive distribution. The primary manifestations of ground fissures include linear cracks and patch-shaped collapse pits, predominantly oriented in east-west and north-south directions, indicating tensile failure with minimal vertical displacement. Various factors contribute to ground fissure development, including fault activity, ancient river channel distribution, bedrock undulations, rainfall, and ground settlement. Fault activity establishes a concealed fracture system in shallow geotechnical layers, laying the groundwork for ground fissure formation. Additionally, the distribution of ancient river channels and bedrock undulations modifies regional stress fields, further facilitating ground fissure emergence. Rainfall and differential ground settlement serve as triggering mechanisms, exposing ground fissures at the surface. This research offers new insights into the causes of ground fissures in the northern North China Plain, providing crucial scientific evidence for sustaining both the natural environment and the socio-economic stability of the region.
{"title":"Distribution Characteristics and Genesis Mechanism of Ground Fissures in Three Northern Counties of the North China Plain","authors":"Chao Xue, Mingdong Zang, Zhongjian Zhang, Guoxiang Yang, Nengxiong Xu, Feiyong Wang, Cheng Hong, Guoqing Li, Fujiang Wang","doi":"10.3390/su16188027","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3390/su16188027","url":null,"abstract":"The North China Plain is among the regions most afflicted by ground fissure disasters in China. Recent urbanization has accelerated ground fissure activity in the three counties of the northern North China Plain, posing significant threats to both the natural environment and socioeconomic sustainability. Despite the increased attention, a lack of comprehensive understanding persists due to delayed recognition and limited research. This study conducted field visits and geological surveys across 43 villages and 80 sites to elucidate the spatial distribution patterns of ground fissures in the aforementioned counties. By integrating these findings with regional geological data, we formulated a causative model to explain ground fissure formation. Our analysis reveals a concentration of ground fissures near the Niuxi and Rongxi faults, with the former exhibiting the most extensive distribution. The primary manifestations of ground fissures include linear cracks and patch-shaped collapse pits, predominantly oriented in east-west and north-south directions, indicating tensile failure with minimal vertical displacement. Various factors contribute to ground fissure development, including fault activity, ancient river channel distribution, bedrock undulations, rainfall, and ground settlement. Fault activity establishes a concealed fracture system in shallow geotechnical layers, laying the groundwork for ground fissure formation. Additionally, the distribution of ancient river channels and bedrock undulations modifies regional stress fields, further facilitating ground fissure emergence. Rainfall and differential ground settlement serve as triggering mechanisms, exposing ground fissures at the surface. This research offers new insights into the causes of ground fissures in the northern North China Plain, providing crucial scientific evidence for sustaining both the natural environment and the socio-economic stability of the region.","PeriodicalId":22183,"journal":{"name":"Sustainability","volume":"44 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":3.9,"publicationDate":"2024-09-13","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142180752","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"环境科学与生态学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Renovating aging housing is a critical project at the grassroots of social governance and a significant aspect of public welfare. However, renovation processes often encounter difficulties due to conflicts among muti-level stakeholders, influenced by multiple factors. This paper investigates the stakeholders involved in Elderly Community Retrofit Projects (ECRPs), categorizing them into three primary groups: government organizations, renovation enterprises, and elderly families. Through the study of evolutionary game models, it was found that bounded rational actors continually adjust their optimal strategies in response to environmental changes. The government occupies a central role among stakeholders involved in ECRP. During renovation processes, governments and enterprises should provide elderly households with material or other welfare subsidies as much as possible to promote their active cooperation and participation. The integrity of enterprises is closely tied to the strength of governmental enforcement measures; hence, governments should establish a unified standard system, clarify regulatory content, and foster the orderly development of ECRPs.
{"title":"Exploring Stakeholders in Elderly Community Retrofit Projects: A Tripartite Evolutionary Game Analysis","authors":"Li Guo, Ren-Jye Dzeng, Shuya Hao, Chaojie Zhang, Shuang Zhang, Liyaning Tang","doi":"10.3390/su16188016","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3390/su16188016","url":null,"abstract":"Renovating aging housing is a critical project at the grassroots of social governance and a significant aspect of public welfare. However, renovation processes often encounter difficulties due to conflicts among muti-level stakeholders, influenced by multiple factors. This paper investigates the stakeholders involved in Elderly Community Retrofit Projects (ECRPs), categorizing them into three primary groups: government organizations, renovation enterprises, and elderly families. Through the study of evolutionary game models, it was found that bounded rational actors continually adjust their optimal strategies in response to environmental changes. The government occupies a central role among stakeholders involved in ECRP. During renovation processes, governments and enterprises should provide elderly households with material or other welfare subsidies as much as possible to promote their active cooperation and participation. The integrity of enterprises is closely tied to the strength of governmental enforcement measures; hence, governments should establish a unified standard system, clarify regulatory content, and foster the orderly development of ECRPs.","PeriodicalId":22183,"journal":{"name":"Sustainability","volume":"12 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":3.9,"publicationDate":"2024-09-13","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142180800","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"环境科学与生态学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Tourism eco-efficiency (TEE) is a pivotal metric for assessing tourism’s sustainability and the balance between human activities and the environment, significantly influencing regional economic growth (RGDP). This research utilizes a comprehensive analytical framework, combining the Super SBM-DEA model, the Malmquist index, and spatial econometric models, to analyze the spatial interplay between TEE and RGDP within the Yangtze River Economic Belt (YREB) from 2009 to 2021. The results show that (1) TEE in the YREB exhibits a generally upward trajectory with fluctuations, with upstream and downstream regions consistently outperforming the midstream areas in terms of efficiency; (2) technological progress is identified as the primary driver behind efficiency variations; (3) and there exists a symbiotic relationship between local TEE and RGDP, where the economic prosperity of adjacent regions exerts a competitive pull on local TEE, while the TEE of neighboring areas can slow down local economic growth. The study concludes with strategic recommendations aimed at fostering regional collaborative advancement, offering valuable insights for the sustainable development agenda of nations and regions.
{"title":"Spatial Interaction Spillover Effect of Tourism Eco-Efficiency and Economic Development","authors":"Qi Wang, Qunli Tang, Yingting Guo","doi":"10.3390/su16188012","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3390/su16188012","url":null,"abstract":"Tourism eco-efficiency (TEE) is a pivotal metric for assessing tourism’s sustainability and the balance between human activities and the environment, significantly influencing regional economic growth (RGDP). This research utilizes a comprehensive analytical framework, combining the Super SBM-DEA model, the Malmquist index, and spatial econometric models, to analyze the spatial interplay between TEE and RGDP within the Yangtze River Economic Belt (YREB) from 2009 to 2021. The results show that (1) TEE in the YREB exhibits a generally upward trajectory with fluctuations, with upstream and downstream regions consistently outperforming the midstream areas in terms of efficiency; (2) technological progress is identified as the primary driver behind efficiency variations; (3) and there exists a symbiotic relationship between local TEE and RGDP, where the economic prosperity of adjacent regions exerts a competitive pull on local TEE, while the TEE of neighboring areas can slow down local economic growth. The study concludes with strategic recommendations aimed at fostering regional collaborative advancement, offering valuable insights for the sustainable development agenda of nations and regions.","PeriodicalId":22183,"journal":{"name":"Sustainability","volume":"31 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":3.9,"publicationDate":"2024-09-13","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142180704","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"环境科学与生态学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Francisco A. Ramírez-Rivera, Néstor F. Guerrero-Rodríguez
Solar radiation is a fundamental parameter for solar photovoltaic (PV) technology. Reliable solar radiation prediction has become valuable for designing solar PV systems, guaranteeing their performance, operational efficiency, safety in operations, grid dispatchment, and financial planning. However, high quality ground-based solar radiation measurements are scarce, especially for very short-term time horizons. Most existing studies trained machine learning (ML) models using datasets with time horizons of 1 h or 1 day, whereas very few studies reported using a dataset with a 1 min time horizon. In this study, a comprehensive evaluation of nine ensemble learning algorithms (ELAs) was performed to estimate solar radiation in Santo Domingo with a 1 min time horizon dataset, collected from a local weather station. The ensemble learning models evaluated included seven homogeneous ensembles: Random Forest (RF), Extra Tree (ET), adaptive gradient boosting (AGB), gradient boosting (GB), extreme gradient boosting (XGB), light gradient boosting (LGBM), histogram-based gradient boosting (HGB); and two heterogeneous ensembles: voting and stacking. RF, ET, GB, and HGB were combined to develop voting and stacking ensembles, with linear regression (LR) being adopted in the second layer of the stacking ensemble. Six technical metrics, including mean squared error (MSE), root mean squared error (RMSE), relative root mean squared error (rRMSE), mean absolute error (MAE), mean absolute percentage error (MAPE), and coefficient of determination (R2), were used as criteria to determine the prediction quality of the developed ensemble algorithms. A comparison of the results indicates that the HGB algorithm offers superior prediction performance among the homogeneous ensemble learning models, while overall, the stacking ensemble provides the best accuracy, with metric values of MSE = 3218.27, RMSE = 56.73, rRMSE = 12.700, MAE = 29.87, MAPE = 10.60, and R2 = 0.964.
{"title":"Ensemble Learning Algorithms for Solar Radiation Prediction in Santo Domingo: Measurements and Evaluation","authors":"Francisco A. Ramírez-Rivera, Néstor F. Guerrero-Rodríguez","doi":"10.3390/su16188015","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3390/su16188015","url":null,"abstract":"Solar radiation is a fundamental parameter for solar photovoltaic (PV) technology. Reliable solar radiation prediction has become valuable for designing solar PV systems, guaranteeing their performance, operational efficiency, safety in operations, grid dispatchment, and financial planning. However, high quality ground-based solar radiation measurements are scarce, especially for very short-term time horizons. Most existing studies trained machine learning (ML) models using datasets with time horizons of 1 h or 1 day, whereas very few studies reported using a dataset with a 1 min time horizon. In this study, a comprehensive evaluation of nine ensemble learning algorithms (ELAs) was performed to estimate solar radiation in Santo Domingo with a 1 min time horizon dataset, collected from a local weather station. The ensemble learning models evaluated included seven homogeneous ensembles: Random Forest (RF), Extra Tree (ET), adaptive gradient boosting (AGB), gradient boosting (GB), extreme gradient boosting (XGB), light gradient boosting (LGBM), histogram-based gradient boosting (HGB); and two heterogeneous ensembles: voting and stacking. RF, ET, GB, and HGB were combined to develop voting and stacking ensembles, with linear regression (LR) being adopted in the second layer of the stacking ensemble. Six technical metrics, including mean squared error (MSE), root mean squared error (RMSE), relative root mean squared error (rRMSE), mean absolute error (MAE), mean absolute percentage error (MAPE), and coefficient of determination (R2), were used as criteria to determine the prediction quality of the developed ensemble algorithms. A comparison of the results indicates that the HGB algorithm offers superior prediction performance among the homogeneous ensemble learning models, while overall, the stacking ensemble provides the best accuracy, with metric values of MSE = 3218.27, RMSE = 56.73, rRMSE = 12.700, MAE = 29.87, MAPE = 10.60, and R2 = 0.964.","PeriodicalId":22183,"journal":{"name":"Sustainability","volume":"1 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":3.9,"publicationDate":"2024-09-13","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142180713","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"环境科学与生态学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Evapotranspiration (ET) is a critical component of the hydrological cycle, and it has a decisive impact on the ecosystem balance in arid and semi-arid regions. The Yinchuan Plain, located in the Gobi of Northwest China, has a strong surface ET, which has a significant impact on the regional water resource cycle. However, there is a current lack of high-resolution evapotranspiration datasets and a substantial amount of time is required for long-time series remote sensing evapotranspiration estimation. In order to assess the ET pattern in this region, we obtained the actual ET (ETa) of the Yinchuan Plain between 1987 and 2020 using the Google Earth Engine (GEE) platform. Specifically, we used Landsat TM+/OLI remote sensing imagery and the GEE Surface Energy Balance Model (geeSEBAL) to analyze the spatial distribution pattern of ET over different seasons. We then reproduced the interannual variation in ET from 1987 to 2020, and statistically analyzed the distribution patterns and contributions of ET with regard to different land use types. The results show that (1) the daily ETa of the Yinchuan Plain is the highest in the central lake wetland area in spring, with a maximum value of 4.32 mm day−1; in summer, it is concentrated around the croplands and water bodies, with a maximum value of 6.90 mm day−1; in autumn and winter, it is mainly concentrated around the water bodies and impervious areas, with maximum values of 3.93 and 1.56 mm day−1, respectively. (2) From 1987 to 2020, the ET of the Yinchuan Plain showed an obvious upward and downward trend in some areas with significant land use changes, but the overall ET of the region remained relatively stable without dramatic fluctuations. (3) The ETa values for different land use types in the Yinchuan Plain region are ranked as follows: water body > cultivated land > impervious > grassland > bare land. Our results showed that geeSEBAL is highly applicable in the Yinchuan Plain area. It allows for the accurate and detailed inversion of ET and has great potential for evaluating long-term ET in data-scarce areas due to its low meteorological sensitivity, which facilitates the study of the regional hydrological cycle and water governance.
蒸散发（ET）是水文循环的重要组成部分，对干旱和半干旱地区的生态系统平衡具有决定性影响。银川平原地处中国西北戈壁，地表蒸散发强烈，对区域水资源循环有重要影响。然而，目前缺乏高分辨率的蒸散量数据集，且长时间序列遥感蒸散量估算需要大量时间。为了评估该地区的蒸散发模式，我们利用谷歌地球引擎（GEE）平台获取了银川平原 1987-2020 年间的实际蒸散发（ETa）。具体而言，我们利用 Landsat TM+/OLI 遥感图像和 GEE 地表能量平衡模型（geeSEBAL）分析了不同季节的蒸散发空间分布模式。然后，我们再现了 1987 年至 2020 年的蒸散发年际变化，并统计分析了不同土地利用类型的蒸散发分布模式和贡献。结果表明：（1）银川平原的日蒸散发a在春季以中部湖泊湿地区最高，最大值为4.32 mm day-1；夏季主要集中在耕地和水体周围，最大值为6.90 mm day-1；秋冬季主要集中在水体和不透水区周围，最大值分别为3.93和1.56 mm day-1。(2）1987-2020 年，银川平原的蒸散发在部分土地利用变化较大的地区呈明显的上升和下降趋势，但区域整体蒸散发保持相对稳定，未出现剧烈波动。(3）银川平原地区不同土地利用类型的 ETa 值排序为：水体 > 耕地 > 不透水 > 草地 > 裸地。结果表明，geeSEBAL 在银川平原地区具有很强的适用性。它可以对蒸散发进行精确而详细的反演，由于对气象敏感性较低，在数据稀缺地区评估长期蒸散发具有很大的潜力，有利于区域水文循环和水治理的研究。
{"title":"Tracking Evapotranspiration Patterns on the Yinchuan Plain with Multispectral Remote Sensing","authors":"Junzhen Meng, Xiaoquan Yang, Zhiping Li, Guizhang Zhao, Peipei He, Yabing Xuan, Yunfei Wang","doi":"10.3390/su16188025","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3390/su16188025","url":null,"abstract":"Evapotranspiration (ET) is a critical component of the hydrological cycle, and it has a decisive impact on the ecosystem balance in arid and semi-arid regions. The Yinchuan Plain, located in the Gobi of Northwest China, has a strong surface ET, which has a significant impact on the regional water resource cycle. However, there is a current lack of high-resolution evapotranspiration datasets and a substantial amount of time is required for long-time series remote sensing evapotranspiration estimation. In order to assess the ET pattern in this region, we obtained the actual ET (ETa) of the Yinchuan Plain between 1987 and 2020 using the Google Earth Engine (GEE) platform. Specifically, we used Landsat TM+/OLI remote sensing imagery and the GEE Surface Energy Balance Model (geeSEBAL) to analyze the spatial distribution pattern of ET over different seasons. We then reproduced the interannual variation in ET from 1987 to 2020, and statistically analyzed the distribution patterns and contributions of ET with regard to different land use types. The results show that (1) the daily ETa of the Yinchuan Plain is the highest in the central lake wetland area in spring, with a maximum value of 4.32 mm day−1; in summer, it is concentrated around the croplands and water bodies, with a maximum value of 6.90 mm day−1; in autumn and winter, it is mainly concentrated around the water bodies and impervious areas, with maximum values of 3.93 and 1.56 mm day−1, respectively. (2) From 1987 to 2020, the ET of the Yinchuan Plain showed an obvious upward and downward trend in some areas with significant land use changes, but the overall ET of the region remained relatively stable without dramatic fluctuations. (3) The ETa values for different land use types in the Yinchuan Plain region are ranked as follows: water body > cultivated land > impervious > grassland > bare land. Our results showed that geeSEBAL is highly applicable in the Yinchuan Plain area. It allows for the accurate and detailed inversion of ET and has great potential for evaluating long-term ET in data-scarce areas due to its low meteorological sensitivity, which facilitates the study of the regional hydrological cycle and water governance.","PeriodicalId":22183,"journal":{"name":"Sustainability","volume":"31 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":3.9,"publicationDate":"2024-09-13","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142180715","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"环境科学与生态学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
This article explores the question of the rate of digital progress in the context of the labour market. Specific features of the current situation are discussed: the temporality of socio-technological transformations, which is becoming less and less compatible with the harmonious development of man and society; the pace at which machines acquire intelligence; the total devaluation of mental labour; the unresolved issue of the role of man in the world of intelligent machines; and the criticality of the problem of the labour market due to its global nature, social significance and the rate of socio-technological changes. It is emphasised that these circumstances, already in the short term, threaten the sustainable development of global society, whose reactions to the transformation of technological and socio-economic infrastructure are significantly lagging behind. It is concluded that there is an urgent need to strengthen social responsibility, determined by the new ethics of relations between humans and machines with AI, supplemented by the primacy of the dignity of the social role of humans. The authors point out the urgent need to revise ideas about work as the main purpose of a person and about realisation in the profession as the main factor that determines the self-esteem of an individual and his social status.
{"title":"The Era of Digital Transition in the Prism of the Existential Threat of Job Loss: Corporate Social Responsibility","authors":"Irina Shestakova","doi":"10.3390/su16188019","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3390/su16188019","url":null,"abstract":"This article explores the question of the rate of digital progress in the context of the labour market. Specific features of the current situation are discussed: the temporality of socio-technological transformations, which is becoming less and less compatible with the harmonious development of man and society; the pace at which machines acquire intelligence; the total devaluation of mental labour; the unresolved issue of the role of man in the world of intelligent machines; and the criticality of the problem of the labour market due to its global nature, social significance and the rate of socio-technological changes. It is emphasised that these circumstances, already in the short term, threaten the sustainable development of global society, whose reactions to the transformation of technological and socio-economic infrastructure are significantly lagging behind. It is concluded that there is an urgent need to strengthen social responsibility, determined by the new ethics of relations between humans and machines with AI, supplemented by the primacy of the dignity of the social role of humans. The authors point out the urgent need to revise ideas about work as the main purpose of a person and about realisation in the profession as the main factor that determines the self-esteem of an individual and his social status.","PeriodicalId":22183,"journal":{"name":"Sustainability","volume":"49 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":3.9,"publicationDate":"2024-09-13","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142180705","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"环境科学与生态学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
The macroscopic fundamental diagram (MFD), as a model depicting the correlation between traffic flow parameters at the network level, offers a new way to understand regional traffic state using derived traffic flow data from detectors directly. The accuracy of MFD construction is directly related to factors such as the type of detectors, their distribution, and their quantity within the road network. Understanding these influencing factors and mechanisms is crucial for enhancing the reliability of MFD-based applications such as congestion pricing and threshold control. Present investigations on factors that affect MFD construction’s accuracy have frequently been confined to sensitivity analysis of single-source data and individual influencing factors such as the penetration rate. However, the accuracy of MFD is influenced by a multitude of factors, including the spatial distribution equilibrium, penetration rate, and coverage rate of traffic flow detection equipment. Despite this, this paper utilized the Q-paramics simulation software V6.8.1 to acquire simulated data and employed the orthogonal experimental method from statistics to explore the impact mechanisms of factors on the accuracy of MFD construction. The results of the case study demonstrated that when the penetration rate reaches 20%, the error remains approximately around 10%; once the coverage rate surpasses 45%, the errors stabilize at around 10%. This study provides practical guidance for traffic management and planning decisions aimed at promoting sustainable development through the application of MFD in real-world road networks.
{"title":"Analysis of Factors Affecting the Accuracy of MFD Construction in Multisource Complex Data Scenarios","authors":"Rongrong Hong","doi":"10.3390/su16188018","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3390/su16188018","url":null,"abstract":"The macroscopic fundamental diagram (MFD), as a model depicting the correlation between traffic flow parameters at the network level, offers a new way to understand regional traffic state using derived traffic flow data from detectors directly. The accuracy of MFD construction is directly related to factors such as the type of detectors, their distribution, and their quantity within the road network. Understanding these influencing factors and mechanisms is crucial for enhancing the reliability of MFD-based applications such as congestion pricing and threshold control. Present investigations on factors that affect MFD construction’s accuracy have frequently been confined to sensitivity analysis of single-source data and individual influencing factors such as the penetration rate. However, the accuracy of MFD is influenced by a multitude of factors, including the spatial distribution equilibrium, penetration rate, and coverage rate of traffic flow detection equipment. Despite this, this paper utilized the Q-paramics simulation software V6.8.1 to acquire simulated data and employed the orthogonal experimental method from statistics to explore the impact mechanisms of factors on the accuracy of MFD construction. The results of the case study demonstrated that when the penetration rate reaches 20%, the error remains approximately around 10%; once the coverage rate surpasses 45%, the errors stabilize at around 10%. This study provides practical guidance for traffic management and planning decisions aimed at promoting sustainable development through the application of MFD in real-world road networks.","PeriodicalId":22183,"journal":{"name":"Sustainability","volume":"21 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":3.9,"publicationDate":"2024-09-13","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142180709","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"环境科学与生态学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
The exploitation and utilization of coal resources are closely related to sustainable social and economic development. To uncover the deformation and seepage patterns of coal on the mining process, this study devised a new stress program with simultaneous changes in axial and confining pressures, then performed coal seepage experiments at various gas pressures. The results show that the residual deformation exhibited a stepwise change, the relative residual deformation at the same level decreased gradually, and the increase in gas pressure led to a reduction in residual deformation. In each stress grade, the absolute permeability damage rate increased gradually, while the relative permeability damage rate decreased with the number of cycles, and the growth of gas pressure could decrease the permeability damage rate. The higher gas pressure led to a lower average energy dissipation ratio at each stress level and increased the rate of growth of elastic energy before destruction of the specimens. A higher gas pressure led to a quicker rate of change in damage variables at high stress levels. The findings have implications for the effective mining and sustainable development of coal resources.
{"title":"Deformation, Seepage, and Energy Characteristics of Gas-Containing Coal Rocks under Complex Stress Paths","authors":"Dongming Zhang, Xingfeng Mao, Zhenglin Guo, Jiabo Geng","doi":"10.3390/su16188001","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3390/su16188001","url":null,"abstract":"The exploitation and utilization of coal resources are closely related to sustainable social and economic development. To uncover the deformation and seepage patterns of coal on the mining process, this study devised a new stress program with simultaneous changes in axial and confining pressures, then performed coal seepage experiments at various gas pressures. The results show that the residual deformation exhibited a stepwise change, the relative residual deformation at the same level decreased gradually, and the increase in gas pressure led to a reduction in residual deformation. In each stress grade, the absolute permeability damage rate increased gradually, while the relative permeability damage rate decreased with the number of cycles, and the growth of gas pressure could decrease the permeability damage rate. The higher gas pressure led to a lower average energy dissipation ratio at each stress level and increased the rate of growth of elastic energy before destruction of the specimens. A higher gas pressure led to a quicker rate of change in damage variables at high stress levels. The findings have implications for the effective mining and sustainable development of coal resources.","PeriodicalId":22183,"journal":{"name":"Sustainability","volume":"85 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":3.9,"publicationDate":"2024-09-13","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142180890","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"环境科学与生态学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
The Gulf of Gabès, located off the southern coast of Tunisia, is a region of significant ecological and economic importance, yet it faces a growing threat from abandoned, lost, or otherwise discarded fishing gear, commonly known as ghost gear. This paper addresses the urgent need for a comprehensive conservation code of conduct to mitigate the impacts of ghost gear on marine ecosystems and local communities. Drawing on data and insights from the Life MedTurtles and MedBycatch projects, as well as consultations with local stakeholders, we propose a set of principles and guidelines tailored to the specific socio-economic and political context of Tunisia. Our findings indicate that ghost gear not only endangers marine biodiversity but also affects the livelihoods of local fishers and the sustainability of the region’s fishing industry. The proposed code of conduct emphasizes the roles of government, local communities, and non-governmental organizations in implementing effective management strategies. We also explore the alignment of the proposed measures with existing international laws and policies, ensuring no conflicts arise while reinforcing global conservation efforts. This paper concludes by highlighting the feasibility of the proposed code within the Tunisian context, identifying potential challenges and opportunities for its implementation. Our recommendations aim to foster a collaborative approach to managing ghost gear, contributing to the long-term sustainability of the Gulf of Gabès and serving as a model for similar regions worldwide.
{"title":"Ghost Gear in the Gulf of Gabès (Tunisia): An Urgent Need for a Conservation Code of Conduct","authors":"Wiem Boussellaa, Mohamed Nejmeddine Bradai, Hamed Mallat, Samira Enajjar, Bechir Saidi, Imed Jribi","doi":"10.3390/su16188003","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3390/su16188003","url":null,"abstract":"The Gulf of Gabès, located off the southern coast of Tunisia, is a region of significant ecological and economic importance, yet it faces a growing threat from abandoned, lost, or otherwise discarded fishing gear, commonly known as ghost gear. This paper addresses the urgent need for a comprehensive conservation code of conduct to mitigate the impacts of ghost gear on marine ecosystems and local communities. Drawing on data and insights from the Life MedTurtles and MedBycatch projects, as well as consultations with local stakeholders, we propose a set of principles and guidelines tailored to the specific socio-economic and political context of Tunisia. Our findings indicate that ghost gear not only endangers marine biodiversity but also affects the livelihoods of local fishers and the sustainability of the region’s fishing industry. The proposed code of conduct emphasizes the roles of government, local communities, and non-governmental organizations in implementing effective management strategies. We also explore the alignment of the proposed measures with existing international laws and policies, ensuring no conflicts arise while reinforcing global conservation efforts. This paper concludes by highlighting the feasibility of the proposed code within the Tunisian context, identifying potential challenges and opportunities for its implementation. Our recommendations aim to foster a collaborative approach to managing ghost gear, contributing to the long-term sustainability of the Gulf of Gabès and serving as a model for similar regions worldwide.","PeriodicalId":22183,"journal":{"name":"Sustainability","volume":"69 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":3.9,"publicationDate":"2024-09-13","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142180893","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"环境科学与生态学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
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