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This research describes how agriculture-based villages have changed due to small sand mining (artisanal) activities: the social meaning or social representation of the mining existence, how much it...

The world's large rivers are facing reduced sediment loads due to anthropogenic activities such as hydropower development and sediment extraction. Globally, estimates of sand extraction from large river systems are lacking, in part due to the pervasive and distributed nature of extraction processes. For the Mekong River, the widely assumed estimate of basin-wide sand extraction is 50 Mt per year. This figure is based on 2013 estimates and is likely to be outdated. Here, we demonstrate the ability of high-resolution satellite imagery to map, monitor, and estimate volumes of sand extraction on the Lower Mekong River in Cambodia. We use monthly composite images from PlanetScope imagery (5 m resolution) to estimate sand extraction volumes over the period 2016–2020 through tracking sand barges. We show that rates of extraction have increased on a yearly basis from 24 Mt (17 to 32 Mt) in 2016 to 59 Mt (41 to 75 Mt) in 2020 at a rate of ∼8 Mt yr−1 (6 to 10 Mt yr−1), where values in parentheses relate to lower and upper error bounds, respectively. Our revised estimates for 2020 (59 Mt) are nearly 2 times greater than previous best estimates for sand extraction for Cambodia (32 Mt) and greater than current best estimates for the entire Mekong Basin (50 Mt). We show that over the 5-year period, only 2 months have seen positive (supply exceeds extraction) sand budgets under mean scenarios (5 months under the scenarios with the greatest natural sand supply). We demonstrate that this net negative sand budget is driving major reach-wide bed incision with a median rate of −0.26 m a−1 over the period 2013 to 2019. The use of satellite imagery to monitor sand mining activities provides a low-cost means to generate up-to-date, robust estimates of sand extraction in the world's large rivers that are needed to underpin sustainable management plans of the global sand commons.

Purpose: This study aims to determine whether sand mining activities in Pasir Sakti District cause environmental damage and directly impact the community's life sector. There are over 1000 hectares of abandoned mining areas. The researcher is interested in examining problems, in this case, how efforts to control environmental damage caused by sand mining activities are progressing and what factors are impeding the implementation of environmental damage control. Research Methodology: This research takes an empirical normative approach to the problem. This is accomplished by describing and analyzing the results obtained from library data and field observations. Results: The findings indicated that a variety made efforts to implement control of parties, including the Environmental Service, the Police, and the community. Socialization of the community is needed in order to deter illegal mining and the resulting environmental damage. As a countermeasure, the imposition of administrative sanctions in government coercion through the control of illegal mining activities. Additionally, community involvement in rehabilitating and reforesting former mining areas contributes to recovery should be imposed. These parties' environmental damage control efforts have been less than optimal due to impeding factors such as a lack of institutional coordination or cooperation among the parties responsible for implementing the control and the absence of strict sanctions against illegal sand miners Contribution: The author proposes a review of existing control programs and increased enforcement efforts against illegal sand miners.

Sand mining activities in Pasir Sakti District, East Lampung Regency, have changed the landscape and the allotment of land around it. The former sand mining area now becomes large puddles that are not utilized. This study aimed to analyze the suitability of water quality in ex-sand mining areas for tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) culture. Observations were carried out at three stations in January-October 2019. Water quality measurements were performed to check water depth, clarity, temperature, current, dissolved oxygen, pH, salinity, nitrate, phosphate, iron, sulfate, and phytoplankton density. Analysis of suitability for aquaculture was carried out using weighting and scoring methods. Based on the results of the suitability analysis, the scoring result of the sand mining land for O.niloticus culture was in the range of 64% -68%. This score is classified as marginally suitable. The parameters with low scores are clarity, dissolved oxygen, temperature, pH, ammonia, phosphate, and iron (Fe) concentration parameters. Meanwhile, salinity, nitrate, sulfate, and phytoplankton density indicate conditions that are suitable for aquaculture. Therefore, severe treatment is needed to improve water quality to make it ideal for O.niloticus culture.

Small islands have the nature of remoteness and vulnerability and commonly occupied by multi-ethnic communities that cause differences in the way they perceive natural resources. This study aimed to find out the communities perceptions on the importance and threat values of resources. This study was conducted through a survey method in Masalembu island, Sumenep Regency, East Java, Indonesia. The data were analyzed using descriptive frequency analysis method. The study shows the resources perceived very important are the sea, mosques and 4 resources with the same score (schools, madrasah, public health centers, and markets). Meanwhile, the top 3 resources that highly threatened are the sea, breakwater, and sand mining. There exists a paradox for marine resources because they are perceived very important and contrastively very threatened at the same time. Comprehensive regulations, programs, and policies are needed in the development related to the sea. In this case, social development, education, health, and economic cannot be ignored. Rehabilitation of mangrove vegetation should be encouraged in ex-mining and abrasion areas, taking roles asbreakwateras well as a means to increase the wealth of marine and coastal resources.

Vietnam is a major rice producer, and much of the rice grown is concentrated in the Red River Delta (RRD) and the Mekong River Delta (MRD). While the two deltas are highly productive regions, they are vulnerable to natural hazards and the effects of human-induced environmental change. To show that the processes and issues affecting food security are reinforcing, interdependent and operating at multiple scales, we used a systems-thinking approach to represent the major linkages between anthropogenic land-use and natural hazards and elaborate on how the drivers and environmental processes interact and influence rice growing area, rice yield and rice quality in the two deltas. On a local scale, demand for aquaculture and alternative crops, urban expansion, dike development, sand mining and groundwater extraction decrease rice production in the two deltas. Regionally, upstream dam construction impacts rice production in the two deltas despite being distally situated. Separately, the localized natural hazards that have adversely affected rice production include droughts, floods and typhoons. Outbreaks of pests and diseases are also common. Climate-change-induced sea level rise is a global phenomenon that will affect agricultural productivity. Notably, anthropogenic developments meant to improve agricultural productivity or increase economic growth can create many unwanted environmental consequences such as an increase in flooding, saltwater intrusion and land subsidence, which in turn decreases rice production and quality. In addition, natural hazards may amplify the problems created by human activities. Our meta-analysis highlights the ways in which a systems-thinking approach can yield more nuanced perspectives to tackle “wicked” and interrelated environmental challenges. Given that deltas worldwide are globally significant for food production and are highly stressed and degraded, a systems-thinking approach can be applied to provide a holistic and contextualized overview of the threats faced in each location.

Increase in the frequency of flash floods owed to climate change, excessive sand mining, and urbanisation of watersheds has accelerated the need to quantify the structural effect of scour-induced structural damages in masonry arch bridges. The structural effects of scour-induced rotation are unaddressed in literature. In this context, a mechanism-based framework based on limit state principles is developed for masonry arch bridges subjected to scour-induced rotation. Critical collapse mechanisms caused by scour-induced rotation are identified, and analysis framework is developed using rigid-body kinematics. The spectrum of bridges under consideration is classified into subsets, and an assessment scheme is developed using fragility curves as a function of scouring location as well as bridge typology.

The study describes the impact of sand mining on the environment in Ohoidertutu Village, West Kei Kecil District, Southeast Maluku Regency. The research method used is a qualitative method with a descriptive approach. The results that the realization of sand mining in Ohoidertutu Village affected people's lives and even caused environmental damage and pollution. The research results explain 1) ownership of mining land is not clear, 2) sand mining does not have a permit, 3) the amount of the market price of sand so that mining is carried out without considering the impact on people's lives and the environment, 4) the condition of the mining area is very apprehensive, 5) sand mining is disturbing the existence of the community, 6) the village government is part of the sand mining, 7) the socio-economic existence of the community is disturbed by the loss of land and agricultural products, 8) sand mining hurts a negative impact on environmental damage and even pollution, loss of forest ecosystems, land and agricultural products, flooding, landslides and even disease outbreaks, 9) handling is still in the planning stage by the village government, and 10) solutions to closing mining land, hoarding, planting trees, cooperating with both the private sector and local governments.

A significant limitation in biodiversity conservation has been the effective implementation of laws and regulations that protect species' habitats from degradation. Flexible, efficient, and effective monitoring and enforcement methods are needed to help conservation policies realize their full benefit. As remote sensing data become more numerous and accessible, they can be used to identify and quantify land-cover changes and habitat loss. However, these data remain underused for systematic conservation monitoring in part because of a lack of simple tools. We adapted 2 algorithms that automatically identify differences between pairs of images. We used free, publicly available satellite data to evaluate their ability to rapidly detect land-cover changes in a variety of land-cover types. We compared algorithm predictions with ground-truthed results at 100 sites of known change in the United States. We also compared algorithm predictions to manually created polygons delineating anthropogenic change in 4 case studies involving imperiled species' habitat: oil and gas development in the range of the Greater Sage Grouse (Centrocercus urophasianus); sand mining operations in the range of the dunes sagebrush lizard (Sceloporus arenicolus); loss of Piping Plover (Charadrius melodus) coastal habitat after Hurricane Michael (2018); and residential development in St. Andrew beach mouse (Peromyscus polionotus peninsularis) habitat. Both algorithms effectively discriminated between pixels corresponding to land-cover change and unchanged pixels as indicated by area under a receiver operating characteristic curve0.90. The algorithm that was most effective differed among the case-study habitat types, and both effectively delineated habitat loss as indicated by low omission (min. = 0.0) and commission (min. = 0.0) rates, and moderate polygon overlap (max. = 47%). Our results showed how these algorithms can be used to help close the implementation gap of monitoring and enforcement in biodiversity conservation. We provide a free online tool that can be used to run these analyses (https://conservationist.io/habitatpatrol).Respaldo a la Conservación de Hábitat con la Detección Automatizada de Cambio en Google Earth Resumen Una limitación significativa en la conservación de la biodiversidad ha sido la implementación efectiva de las leyes y regulaciones que protegen los hábitats de las especies de la degradación. El monitoreo flexible, eficiente y efectivo y los métodos de aplicación son necesarios para que las normas de conservación puedan llevar a cabo su potencial completo. Conforme los datos de telemetría se vuelven cada vez más numerosos y accesibles, su uso puede extenderse a la identificación y cuantificación de los cambios en la cobertura del suelo y la pérdida del hábitat. Sin embargo, estos datos todavía están subutilizados en cuanto al monitoreo sistemático de la conservación en parte debido a la falta de herramientas simples y sencillas. Adaptamos dos algoritmos que identifican automáticamente las diferencias entre pares de imágenes. Utilizamos datos satelitales gratuitos y disponibles para el público para con ellos evaluar la habilidad que tienen los algoritmos para detectar rápidamente los cambios en la cobertura del suelo dentro de una variedad de tipos de cobertura de suelo. Comparamos las predicciones algorítmicas con los resultados de algunas investigaciones en 100 sitios con cambios conocidos en los Estados Unidos. También comparamos las predicciones algorítmicas con polígonos creados manualmente que delinean el cambio antropogénico en cuatro estudios de caso que involucran al hábitat de una especie en peligro: desarrollos de petróleo y gas en la distribución de Centrocercus urophasianus; minas de arena en la distribución de Sceloporus arenicolus; la pérdida del hábitat costero de Charadrius melodus después del huracán Michael (2018); y los desarrollos residenciales en el hábitat de Peromyscus polionotus peninsularis. Ambos algoritmos discriminaron efectivamente entre los píxeles que correspondían al cambio en la cobertura del suelo y los píxeles sin cambio así indicados por el área bajo la curva de característica de receptor operante0.90. El algoritmo más efectivo difirió entre los tipos de hábitat para los estudios de caso, mientras que ambos algoritmos delinearon efectivamente la pérdida de hábitat así indicada por la baja tasa de omisión (min. = 0.0) y comisión (min. = 0.0) y el traslape moderado de polígonos (max. = 47%). Nuestros resultados mostraron cómo pueden usarse estos algoritmos para ayudar a cerrar la brecha en la implementación del monitoreo y aplicación en la conservación de la biodiversidad. Proporcionamos una herramienta gratuita en línea que puede usarse para realizar estos análisis: https://conservationist.io/habitatpatrol.

This article discusses the sand mining in the Brantas River which was initially useful but has turneds to be a threat, and is expected to further enrich the historiography of the river, which has so far focused more on the river as a center of civilization, source of disaster and pollution. By relying on archival sources, contemporary newspapers, and interviews, it is argued that the Brantas river crisis occurred due to the acceleration of sand mining, which was triggered by growing demand for sand for city development and facilitated by the use of modern technology in the form of mechanical sand extracting machines. Mechanical sand mining causes damage to infrastructure and settlements in various places along the river from downstream areas that continue to creep upstream, as well as the loss of biodiversity richness. The search for a solution has been going on for some time, but failed to stop mining and bring the Brantas River out of the crisis. The failure occurred not because of the absence of a legal umbrella, but the difficulty of implementing regulations in the field due to the involvement of unscrupulous officials and politicians in the Brantas sand business, as well as the temptation of large and easy profits from mining in the midst of the limited available alternative employment.

Chinese villages have been historically regarded as autonomous areas without officials from the state. Since the founding of modern China in 1949, the two forces of state and villages that once co-existed and had no influence on each other have produced ever closer relations or even conflicts. The state power has accelerated the process of infiltration into villages in the last decade. Through the observation and research of sand mining in Beicun village, we find that the villagers do not simply resist or obey the state power, but gradually seek the balance between the traditional ritual order and the modern political system. Moreover, with the entry of state power into the village, power dissimilation, such as political favouritism and politicisation of local magnates, are affecting village governance. The key point of reconstructing modern rural political ecology lies in reserving sufficient room for the development of rural conventions under the national political system and in finding balance in the power interactions the state and villages.

This study aims to obtain information about the causes of the rise of sand mining on the coast of Batauga, South Buton Regency. This research uses a qualitative research design with a descriptive analysis method by describing it as it is about the reality obtained in the field. Data collection is done through observation and interview techniques. The results showed that the cause of the rise of sand mining in the Batauga District was caused by several factors, namely: 1). Low level of education and economic factors, sand mining activities do not require special expertise and can make money in a short time unlike farming or fishing, 2.) Lack of understanding and awareness, the community is relatively unaware of and aware of the long-term risks of mining sand, the conviction of the miners if the beach sand will never run out, and the belief that the coastal area is claimed the land as private property so that it has become the community's right to process it 3). Lack of socialization and no penalty (sanctions) for miners, 4). The existence of omission and granting of mining licenses from the government (legality) by withdrawing fees from sand mining.

Coastal erosion remains a problem in many developing countries because of a limited understating of erosion mechanisms and management. Sri Lanka is one of the countries that recognized coastal erosion management as a governmental responsibility, in 1984. Nevertheless, erosion mechanisms have not yet been fully understood. We investigate the status and mechanisms of coastal erosion using empirically collected data and various techniques, such as Geographic Information System analysis of satellite images, drone mapping, bathymetric surveys, hindcasting of wind-induced wave climate, questionnaires, and semi-structured interview surveys. We identified wave climate change, reduction in river sand supply, interruptions from previous erosion management measures, and offshore sand mining as potential causes of erosion considering sediment flux and rates of erosion. Erosion of Marawila Beach began during 2005–2010 and has been continuing ever since, due to a lack of integration in the beach and the entire sediment system. It is necessary to identify the long-term, large-scale changes in the sediment system through data collection. This study highlights the importance of an integrated coastal erosion management plan and could facilitate better coastal erosion management in Sri Lanka, as well as in other developing countries.

This article aims to observe the dynamics of policy implementation involving various stakeholders in the effort of conserving one of the National Parks in Indonesia, particularly Merapi Mountain National Park (Taman Nasional Gunung Merapi – TNGM). Following the Zoning Policy implemented in the TNGM area, there is a zone that should have been protected from mining activities, namely the reconstruction and mitigation zone. However, in its implementation, the conservation collaboration agreement of one of the areas in the zone, namely the Kali Putih Area, is instead used by some parties to engage in sand mining activities. The principal-agent theory is, thus, employed in this study to examine the extent of the relationship of every party in the zoning policy implementation process of an area designated as a Reconstruction and Mitigation Zone. The qualitative approach is used to gain direct insights pertaining to the implementation of efforts conducted by several relevant parties in conserving the Kali Putih Area in TNGM’s Reconstruction and Mitigation Zone. Study results ultimately show that moral hazard in the principal-agent theory should not only be understood as deviant behaviors enacted by the agent, but the moral hazard performed by the agent may also inϐluence the principal’s decision making process. This research is expected to provide an outlook to the government, which functions as the principal in a policy, to make several considerations prior to entering into any collaborative agreement or making any decision, so that the implementation process of policies can align with what has been previously planned.

Mining activities has grown very much, a given result is very given an advantage for the miners. Nevertheless, activities which promise this also also bring an adverse impact on man and the environment when this activity was undertaken not based on the regulation that has been set. Mining illegally also occurred at the sandbanks Parangtritis, sandbanks I know about the Parangtritis are unique and useful for maintained because it is being very specific with the form of a crescent or bacon and is the one and only sandbanks found in the southeast Asia. Arrangement about mining activities that environmentally sound has set out in various regulation, but this appears to have not run as expected, so may is still needed law enforcement tighter and clear to mining sand conducted an illegal. The research was conducted by juridical normative is the approach that was undertaken based on material law by means of reviewing the theory, the concept, a normative law and the regulatory legislation that deals with this research. This approach is known the approach literature, namely by studying books, regulation and other documents related to this research. Criminal law enforcement of the mining sand illegally in sandbanks Parangtritis has started to walk but not yet optimal .The laws governing about mining sand has been is in a few rules, but the law enforcement not is the responsibility of law enforcement officials just, law enforcement is also a responsibility community in an effort to ahead and recover crimes sand mining illegally. Obstacles faced by law enforcement in dealing with crimes sand mining illegal in sandbanks Parangtritis are the lack of legal awareness to the community, economic factors, the lack of knowledge of the community towards the impact of mining sand illegally and factors law enforcement. Key word: Criminal law; Sand Mining; Illegal

Indonesia is a country with abundant natural resources, including those with enough potential, namely the mining sand industry. Mining on a large scale is good for economic growth, but vice versa on the environmental impacts caused. Environmental damage due to exploitation also occurred in Brumbung village, Kediri district. Environmental damage caused by existing sand mining creates problems that must be claimed by all parties. This paper examines how the impact caused by sand mining activities on the surrounding environment. This type of research is descriptive-qualitative, where the research process and understanding are based on the methodology that investigates a phenomenon. To study this problem, observations and questions and answers were made to the miners, the surrounding community and also the relevant offices. The observed location is around the Brantas River where there are sand mining activities in Brumbung Village, Kepung Subdistrict, Kediri District. research in the area is motivated by the phenomenon of the large number of illegal sand mining in the Brantas river, especially in the self-inflated village, which has many pros and cons in the surrounding community. The environment itself is all things, conditions, conditions and influences that are in the space we occupy and affect the things that live, including human life. Population growth has increased the need for clothing, food, shelter, clean water and energy. This results in higher exploitation of natural resources and tends to neglect environmental aspects. Therefore there is a need for research on the study of environmental impacts, both physical and socio-economic activities of sand mining in the berumbung village, in order to obtain an overview of the environmental impacts that occur or will occur. Later this research is to be taken into consideration in making policies related to the problem of sand mining.

This research oriented at the traditional mining sand in the village of Mataraman that is the business sector labor-intensive and has long lasting. The purpose of this research is; to know about the lives of the miners traditional sand in the village of Mataraman sub-district Banjar Regency. The worst of conditions happened in the past years 1995 to 2000, while the best conditions during this time is the condition post monetary crisis over five years 2000 and 2005. Sand mining in the village Mataraman also provides role for the economy villagers Mataraman, the role that the; provide jobs, becomes a magnet the economic activities and expand their villages indirectly also bring economic impact to its villagers.

The aim of this paper is to reveal the dynamics of public policy implication of sand mining in Lumajang Regency. Public policy become a key point of investment movement. Qualitative with phenomenology approach is used. The finding of this paper is the system of SKAB becomes a problem source of sand tax leak take. Letting the column of the tonnage/volume of sand released blank became a strategy for miners to minimize the taxes they must submit to the BPRD, whereas it was the basis for taxation. Duplication of SKAB was what the authors believed as the main cause of a substantial sand tax leak where the taxpayers who were authorized by the BPRD should be able to be responsible for the SKAB. This research could be basic consideration for government to make sand mining public policy correction in order to improve regional original income (PAD).

Riparian zone is a transit zone between Aquatic and terrestrial ecosystem. It is an integral part which plays an important role in the present study. Riparian zone assessment was carried out in the reach of river Narmada from Umardha to Joga village to assess its condition. The status of riparian zone assessment was carried out in the central zone of River Narmada and this reach of river is located from Umardha village (Junction of Dudhi with Narmada) to Joga village (Backwater of Indra sagar reservoir). The riparian zone of any river is an integral part from the ecological point of view and keeping this in mind survey of riparian zone for this reach was done. During the survey of riparian zone QBR index was used to assess its condition. According to the values which was given in QBR index for each parameter of sampling station it was observed that riparian zone of the above said river stretch is in very poor condition with extreme or moderate degradation. Very few locations were found under fair or good condition with minimum or least degradation. Human activities such as construction, sand mining, soil mining, and conversion of forest land for agriculture (deforestation) are noticed under the stretch of river which are being damaged the riparian area. Sand mining the major activity in this area was observed on the largest scale. Livelihood dependence is more responsible for vanishing riparian zone condition on the river banks which are posing adverse impact on the riverine ecosystem.

The research is a field research where primary data were obtained from direct interviews using descriptive analysis techniques with inductive mindset. The research focused on an overview of the practice of buying and selling sand garden using slash system. Results show that the practice of buying and selling with the blow system are found in rural areas, one of them is in the Mount Wurung Mojokerto district, i.e. buying and selling blow sand garden. The price is based on the area of land to be cleared. For example, land with an area of 1400 m2, was agreed by both parties at a price of Rp. 40 million. No provision for the period of sand mining until mining is completed, it can reach 2 to 3 years. Both landowners and buyer do not know the content of sand in the soil of the kebon, which means to buy and sell the sand there is a potential gharar (lack of clarity on both sides) that allows each of them suffered a loss or gain. It is evident that sand trading kebon with the system is not in accordance with Islamic law because the seller or buyer cannot estimate the content and quality of sand in the plot. According to Madhab Hanafi Imam the sale and purchase that contained a little gharar and jizaf, and according to Madhab the Shafi'i Imam it was not permitted because there was potential gharar which allowed each of them has a loss or profit.

The gap in the coastal resources utilization on the North Coast in Serang Regency has the potential to cause conflict between coastal communities dealing with local governments and sea sand mining companies. This research focuses on how the communication practices of the conflicting parties and the typology of conflict, communication interactions in conflict relations and communication strategies in conflict solutions. The research used qualitative approach which was conducted through in-depth interview with informants purposively. The results of the research showed that the dominance of natural resources was the trigger for conflict in the utilization of coastal resources on the North Coast in Serang Regency. The ineffectiveness of government and company communication in managing conflict potentials made coastal communities perceived the sea sand mining activities negatively. Coastal communities fought for their interests in various forms namely demonstrations, anarchism, social conflict between layers and human rights violations. The most active community groups were fishermen because sea sand mining had caused technical problems with fishing and decrease in income. The conflicting parties communicated with each other openly, defensively and in confrontational way. The practice of communication in resolving conflicts ran less effectively because the government and the company did not involve conflicting parties through communication to resolve the conflict. The research findings are the basis of understanding to manage potential conflicts and its escalations through appropriate communication to reach consensus to realize convergence of interests.

This study examined the mangrove degradation in Pahang River Estuary, Pekan sub-district, Pahang between 1990 and 2017 using supervised classification. Landsat 8 OLI and Landsat 5 TM images of Pahang River Estuary have been analyzed using supervised classification and field survey. Based on the accuracy assessment, the confusion matrix for supervised classifications ranged from 77% to 81%. Kappa coefficient (K) for supervised classification ranged between the value of 0.67 and 0.72. The total mangrove covers in 2017 was 1,535.40 ha, decreased by 43.7% or 670.80 ha from its total area of 2,206.20 ha in 1990. The expansion of development area was observed in the past 27 years. Several other causes of mangrove degradation were identified during field survey, including sand mining activities along riverbank, mangrove clearing for aquaculture and agriculture. The rapid development within the coastal area and estuary had suppressed the mangroves propagation over the years. Long term monitoring of mangrove distribution is crucial to ensure the sustainability of the mangrove ecosystem.

Lampung has some spots of mangrove forests which one of them namely Lampung Mangrove Center (LMC). LMC has a potential resources for ecotourism development on the condition that the management is running well. This research aims to analyze the perceptions of key individuals and tourists about ecotourism management . Research location was in Lampung Mangrove Center , Margasari Village , East Lampung District . S nowball sampling interview and literature study was conduc ted in April 2017. Th is study result ed different perception of key individuals and tourist s about ecotourism in Margasari Village. Key individuals assess ed the management has been running well (100%) , but the t ourist s rate d the management is still bad (80%). The entire tourist s (100%) requested the need for improvement for ecotourism infrastructure. The existing issues of ecotourism development in Margasari Village, according to t ourist s and key individuals were minimal access to public transport, less synergize between district g overnment with the community for ecotourism management , and bad image of East Lampung district as conflict areas of sand mining . Keywords : Margasari village, ecotourism, mangrove forest, perception.

Vietnam Mekong Delta (VMD), the country’s most important food basket, is constantly threatened by drought-infused salinity intrusion (SI). The SI disaster of 2020 is recognized as the worst in recent decades, hence inspiring this perspective article. The authors’ viewpoints on the disaster’s impacts and causes are presented. The arguments presented are mainly drawn from (i) up-to-date publications that report on the recent SI intensification in the VMD and (ii) the power spectral analysis results using water level data. We verified the intensifying SI in the VMD both in its frequency and magnitude and remarked on four of the key SI drivers: (i) upstream hydropower dams, (ii) land subsidence, (iii) the relative sea-level rise, and (iv) riverbed sand mining. Also, a non-exhaustive yet list of recommendable management implications to mitigate the negative effects of the SI is contributed. The mitigation measures must be realized at multiple scales, ranging from pursuing transboundary water diplomacy efforts to managing internal pressures via developing early warnings, restricting illegal sand mining activities, alleviating pressures on groundwater resources, and diversifying agriculture.

Sand is considered one of the most consumed natural resource, being essential to many industries, including building construction, electronics, plastics, and water filtration. This paper assesses the environmental impact of sand extraction and the problems associated with its illegal exploitation. The analysis indicates that extracting sand at a greater rate than that at which it is naturally replenished has adverse consequences for fauna and flora. Further, illicit mining activities compound environmental damages and result in conflict, the loss of taxes/royalties, illegal work, and losses in the tourism industry. As sea-level rise associated with climate change threatens coastal areas, sand in coastal areas will play an increasingly greater role in determining the amount of damage from floods and erosion. The present analysis points to the need for swift action to regulate sand mining, monitoring, law enforcement, and international cooperation.

Kelani Ganga is the main source to cater the water requirement of Colombo and Gampaha Districts, Sri Lanka. The main water treatment plant located at Ambatale, with the expanding water requirement of the Port City in Colombo, the demand gap of Ambatale Water Treatment Plant (WTP) will be increased up to about 15.2 m3/s (1.31 MCM/day) by 2040. Kalani river bed has been considerably lowered since 1990s, as excessive sand mining. The intake at Ambathale was frequently subjected to salinity intrusion during the dry periods. As a result, National Water Supply and Drainage Board (NWS&DB) constructed a barrage across the river just downstream of the Ambathale intake to overcome this problem. With the introduction of the barrage, the upstream water levels of the barrage has been increased during the recent floods. A cross sectional survey data was used to gather information on prevailing conditions in river morphology. This paper is evaluated the flood impacts of the barrier for 2016 and 2017 flood events using the hydro-dynamic 1D-2D Model study, built using Flood Modeller and TUFLOW linked software. Though the barrier is most feasible solution for salinity intrusion, it was created the head loss of 0.5 m, and the backwater effect about 10 km upstream for 2016 event and it is recommended either to keep the barrage top level at about −2.5 m AMSL to avoid the significant backwater effect or to move the water intake to the upstream to minimize the impact to the public during the flooding.

Through there are several consequences of sand mining still it cannot be restricted with the presence of huge demand in construction. Hence, objective of Chap. 8 is emphasised the procedure of maximum benefit of river aggregate sand resources with maintain the safe operation and stability of river health, identifies the several mining induced negative consequences, and to ensure potential ways to minimize and mitigate. Sand auditing techniques for actual sand mining allocation and optimizing model (OM) for maximum amount of sand mining during annual and planning period based on cost price relationship, both are helped to fulfil the rational sand mining activities. On the other hand, environmental impact assessment (EIA) is find out the over, optimum and under mining sites along the Kangsabati River as well as to proposed potential mining sites in respect of inter-linking correlation amongst the several parameters of river dynamics using of analytical hierarchy process (AHP) and rapid impact assessment matrix (RIAM). Based on field experience and scientific analysis of data and information, sustainable measures have been suggested sites following some inform about EIA of every response factors. In the context of requirement of the modern civilization, some sustainable management practice may be the remedy to combat with the market situation.

As the rapid development of population would lead to increasing demand for food and land resources, some issues such as deforestation, land restoration from lakes, and the recuperation of grassland can be worse and lead to a ferocious cycle. Landscape reclamation is meant for urban development, road building, housing, crude oil, and sand mining. Both government and private organizations perform reclamation. This chapter reviews issues and challenges of land reclamation process and the strategic solution proposed for its sustainable development. This chapter also illustrates challenges related to recovery processes that are investigated using remote sensing and Geographical Information System technology. Finally, an in-depth assessment of the findings was analyzed that might not only avoid the risk of reclaiming the land but also help to supervise and manage it.

Hasani Q, Pratiwi NTM, Wardiatno Y, Effendi H, Martin AN, Efendi E, Pirdaus P. 2020. Phytoremediation of Iron (Fe) in Ex-sand Mining Waters by Water Hyacinth (Eichhornia crassipes (Mart.) Solms). The high concentration of iron (Fe) has allegedly caused the water quality of puddles at sand mining area. The poor water quality, in which high contentrations of iron will to a reduction in aquaculture production. This study verified the ability of water hyacinths (Eichhornia crassipes (Mart.) Solms.)) as a phytoremediation agent for iron (Fe) concentration in water at the sand mining area, in East Lampung Regency, Indonesia. The study was carried out with 3 treatments and 3 replication each, including the treatment of (i) 25% water surface coverage, (ii) 50% water surface coverage, and (iii) 75% water surface coverage of water hyacinth. Measurement of Fe concentrations, bioconcentration factor (BCF) and translocation factor (TF) once a week, until Fe concentrations in water are adequate for aquaculture. This was achieved for 21 days. The results showed that the highest percentage reduction of Fe (97.49%) was observed at water hyacinth cover area 50%. The highest value of BCF was 2385.51, while the highest TF was 1.14 in stems and 1.02 in leaves. The results of this study open up opportunities for use water in ex-sand mining areas for aquaculture by the community and its management by the Government of East Lampung Regency, Lampung, Indonesia.

Phytoremediation is one effective method used for reducing the iron (Fe) from waters. Azolla pinnata is a plant that has potential as an agent of phytoremediation of Fe in waters. This study aims to verify the ability of Azolla pinnata to reduce Fe from sand excavated water in Pasir Sakti District, East Lampung Regency, Indonesia. The study was conducted with three treatments. The treatments of 25% cover area, 50% cover area, and 75% cover of Azolla pinnata, with three replications each. The experiments were carried out until the water quality became suitable for aquaculture. The results showed that the area cover of Azolla pinnata had a different effect (P

The estimated annual demand for sand for the building industry is around 7 million cubic metres in Sri Lanka [1]. Approximately 50% of the sand production in the country is done through illicit mining, thereby reducing government revenue by around 50% that is to be earned as sand royalties [2]. Without a clear system of collecting royalties and tracking dispatches, there are plenty of errors that arise, and it directly impacts government revenue declines. After attempting to locate illegal sand mining manually through the enforcement team, the Geological Survey & Mines Bureau (GSMB) finally introduced the Mining and Mineral Production (mmPro) monitoring solution to track and manage the sand production and transportation. The solution was deployed as a pilot operation at Manampitiya. By 13th March 2020, the revenue generated within twenty-four days was 4,405,190.40 rupees managed to track real-time. The country's mining industry can be regulated by reducing illicit mining, ensuring that the government revenue is increased via this strategy.

River sand mining has been a concerning problem for the southern Asian developing nations. The rampant growth of urbanisation in developing countries has led to an extensive need for and consumption of sand. The Mekong River and its delta are an essential part of southern Vietnam, and also a global biodiversity hub that is currently being exhausted by intensive sand mining. The understanding of the cause–effect of the sand mining over the Mekong delta region and river, from a systems-thinking perspective, is lacking, not only with Vietnam but also with other countries along the Mekong River. The DPSIR framework (Driver–Pressure–State–Impact–Response) is a useful tool to assess and describe the cause–effect within an ecosystem to aid in a better systems-thinking approach for stakeholders, policy makers, and governance managers to draft response measures. This study used the DPSIR framework to assess the different effects of sand mining on the ecosystem services and human well-being in the Mekong River and delta region of Vietnam. Rapid population growth, urbanisation, and infrastructure development needs remain as primary drivers for the sand consumption. The DPSIR study showed a holistic view of several interlinked pressures and state changes in Vietnam’s Mekong, along with some potential responses, to form systematic, sustainable approaches for mitigating and adapting the impacts caused by extensive river sand mining.

Community access to obtain, control and regulate the use of natural resources around watersheds (DAS) will have an influence on the sustainability of the functions and roles of the watershed. This study aims to describe and explain the access of the community in the utilization of excavated C resources around the watershed. This research was conducted in May-October 2017 in the village of Cemplang, Cibungbulang, Bogor, especially in the Ciaten Cisadane Hulu sub-watershed. Data obtained through in-depth interviews and focus group discussions (FGD) were then analyzed qualitatively using the theory of access from Ribot and Peluso. The results show that various stakeholders / actors were directly involved in natural resource utilization activities in excavation C, especially in sand mining activities in Cemplang village, among others: Village government, mining landowners / entrepreneurs and communities around the sand mining land. Each actor has different interests in the existence of a watershed both socially, economically and ecologically; as well as the power they have. Therefore, the management of the natural resources of the watershed must be carried out in a participatory and adaptive manner so that the sustainability of the watershed functions remains sustainable.access, actors, upstream Cisadane watershed, excavation C.

In recent times sand mining is becoming major issue in India. Though there are severe actions taken from government sectors still we couldn't discover a solution for soil mafia. Unlawful sand mining in India is something of a loosely held bit of information however it has been brought under the scanner as of late after a government worker named Durga Shakti Nagpal was suspended from her post. Ms. Nagpal had picked up consideration from the Indian media for her endeavors to clasp down on the act of sand mafia. Inside 50 kilometers range (around 30 miles) of any building site in India, there is probably sand mining going on along waterway banks and beach front territories. Hence our idea is to propose a short message service to detect the soil mining using internet of things in and around land, rivers. With this SMS we can track the location where the soil mining is abruptly going on and an alert is sent to the nearest police station, Government offices and to the higher officials in the particular area.

This study aims to find out how the implementation of article 65 paragraph 1 of Law No.32 of 2009 and the legal protection of people affected by sand removal in Lumajang Regency. Based on the law adjusted to the experience that occurs in the community to better know and understand the law as a set of rules or positive norms that apply. That the Lumajang District community has a legal protection. But unfortunately, this regulation is not used as a reference for the government in managing the resources contained in Lumajang regency in the form of sand mining assets. In general, the existence of mining will result in losses both in the environment and for the people who live around the mining area. In this case the rights of the Lumajang district community have been violated, such as the right to a healthy life, the right to safety and comfort, and the right to prosperity. DOI: https://doi.org/10.26905/mlj.v1i1.4290.

In this work, quantitative analysis of coastal zone landform morphology is carried out through the integration of landscape index, remote sensing (RS) and geographic information system (GIS) technology, supplemented by geological data. The evolution of the coastal zone landform is investigated using digital elevation model (DEM) data simulation of the surface subsidence characteristics in the surface watershed DEM built on the basis of hydrological models, to analyze the egg coastal zone land subsidence process. The results show that from 1984 to 2004, the land subsidence area in the coastal zone increased from 332.66 hm2 to 1373.16 hm2 (about 4.13 times), with an average annual increase of 7.35%. From 2000 to 2004, it expanded by 12.85%, and the average settlement range increased from 0.18 m to 1.33 m. The expansion of the subsidence area of sand mining was extremely fast, reaching 25.52% from 1984 to 1996, and then decreasing to 5.75% from 1996 to 2000 and 2.4% from 2000 to 2004. Mine collapse increased from 324.35 hm2 in 1984 to 1203.79 hm2 in 2004, a 3.71-fold increase. Sediment deposition increased 20.38-fold from 8.31 in 1984 to 169.37 in 2004. It can be concluded that the subsidence caused by sand mining is more serious than mine collapse.

Umaya R, Hardjanto, Soekmadi R, Sunito S. 2020. Direct economic benefits and human dependence toward Gunung Merapi National Park, Indonesia. Biodiversitas 21: 982-993. Merapi (Java, Indonesia) is recognized as the most active volcano in Indonesia. This area has also gazetted as a national park, called Gunung Merapi National Park (GNMP), despite the existence of humans who live adjacent to the park with high dependency on its resources. The objectives of this study were to determine direct use value (DUV) and investigate human dependence toward the goods and services generated from GNMP. The research was conducted in 27 sub-villages. In total 277 respondents and 62 key informants were selected using purposive sampling and 9 times focus group discussion. The DUV was estimated using market price approach. The results of this study found that the DUV of GMNP was IDR 87,947,589,505 year-1, generated from direct benefit of grasses for animal feedstock (41.74%), sand mining (31.32%), water consumption (20.23%), fuelwood collection (3.57%), ecotourism activities (1.65%), land management for agriculture (1.48%), and orchid conservation program (0.01%). The dominance of DUV derived from grasses collection, sand mining and water consumption was highly correlated with the characteristics of sub-villages communities, influenced by the events of eruption of Merapi volcano, changes in legal status of forest function and market situations. Sub-village communities have historically developed reciprocal relationships with Merapi volcano and its surrounding ecosystem in terms of ecological, economic, and cultural aspects, and they played important roles in natural resources management of Merapi volcano. The findings of this study suggest that an important strategy for GMNP authority is by positioning sub-village communities and their norms as resource beneficiaries and partners in managing the park, highlighting that their existence should not be neglected.

Sand mining which occurs massively along the Progo River causes environmental degradation and infrastructure damage. Financial and ecological compensation funds will be used to compensate for the losses suffered by the community and efforts to conserve the environment. The purpose of this research is to estimate the value of compensation to be willing to accept or willingness to accept (WTA) by the community affected by sand mining in Banaran and Poncosari villages, also the spatial variations in WTA in Banaran and Poncosari villages. We established an ecological compensation accounting system based on respondents’ willingness to accept (WTA) with Contingent Valuation Method (CVM). The results shows respondents in Banaran Village has the highest average WTA value of IDR 271, 142 per month. Meanwhile, the average value of WTA in Poncosari Village is IDR 186, 818 per month. This value illustrates how people extremely feel disadvantaged by the degradation in the quality of the environment that occurs in their residence. WTA value obtained is influenced by the subjectivity of respondents in assessing environmental conditions and can be influenced by income and some economic characteristics. With this compensation, environmental balance is expected to be maintained without neglecting the utilization of natural resources.

Poyang Lake represents a major wetland system in Asia fed by the Hindu Kush-Himalaya (HKH) region. Poyang Lake has a deep legacy and affected many dynasties, cultures and their wealth and fate. Further, this region is a biodiversity hotspot of international relevance featuring fish abundances and major wintering sites for birds of international relevance, e.g. crane species (including the Siberian Crane), geese and songbirds. The status of this ecosystem is currently on the vast decline with water areas and amounts shrinking. Recent and modern upstream processes are a big driver of this situation such as the Three Gorges Dam and dykes, as well as new regional policies and activities related to farming, tourism, urbanization, sand mining. Poyang Lake plays a big international role and is to be considered in the globalization context if serious impacts like global change are to be handled in an effective and relevant measure to safeguard those landscapes and all its members.

Key messagesWhen it comes to mangroves in Vietnam, the payment mechanism for forest environmental services (PFES) can be applied to 8 types of environmental services: (1) carbon absorption and storage; (2) sedimentation and sludge reduction; (3) coastal erosion protection; (4) wave shielding; (5) supplying clean water, filtering heavy metals and pollutants; (6) spawning grounds provision; (7) landscape – tourism; and (8) food and ingredient provision.There are 20 potential buyer groups that could pay for mangrove environment services in Hai Phong. These include: companies focused on dredging, sand mining, clean water, energy, banking, petroleum, entertainment, tourism, shipbuilding, air transport, and producers of agricultural, forestry and aquatic products; fishing and sea ports; those involved in the coastal economic zone; industries focused on mining and metallurgy, transportation and thermal power; dike management groups; and residential communities. While some buyer groups have expressed strong commitment to make payments (e.g. banks, energy companies, those producing agricultural, forestry and aquatic products), more research is needed to understand how willing other parties are to participate in paying for environmental services.In Hai Phong, two of these environmental services – (1) carbon absorption and storage and (5) clean water provision and heavy metal filtration – have the largest number of potential buyers.To develop a mechanism for payment for environmental services, four key questions must be answered: (1) Which services are being paid for? (2) Who is paying? (3) How much is the payment? and (4) What is the revenue and expenditure mechanism? Answering these will need long-term, thorough research, particularly demonstrating stakeholders use of environmental services. Based on the pre-feasibility study in 2018–2019, this policy summary answers the first two questions. The last two will be answered in another policy brief, once the study is complete in 2020.

This chapter examines the legal framework governing mining of sand in Uganda. Under Ugandan laws, sand is generally considered a mineral resource and subject of mineral right as provided for under the Mining Act. The chapter posits that prima facie reading of the general definition of minerals under the Mining Act does not directly show that sand is a mineral particularly when the definition specifically excludes what it calls building minerals which it lists to include sand mined for domestic uses. However, when the general definition is read in the context of the definition of industrial minerals under the Act, it becomes clear that sand enjoys the status of minerals. It is argued that this means that provisions in the Act regarding environmental protection in the course of mineral activities apply to sand mining. The chapter discusses the effects of sand mining on the environment including farmlands. It is thus posited that application of the environmental regime applying to other minerals to sand mining will help to better protect farmlands though more comprehensive regulation on sand mining as in some jurisdictions will offer better protection.

The fine sediment distribution in the seabed is an important indicator for the ecological functioning of shallow coastal seas. In this paper, we investigate the processes and conditions that determine the fine sediment distribution in the Dutch coastal zone surficial seabed, while also assessing the response of the system to human interventions. An extensive sediment dataset, collected in the Dutch coastal zone from 2006 to 2014, is presented. These data are used to map the distribution of fines in the seabed of the DCZ at unique spatiotemporal scales. For the entire Dutch coastal zone, the distribution of fines generally agrees well with previous studies. The recent extension of the Port of Rotterdam, the Maasvlakte 2 reclamation, was found to locally change the distribution of fines. In the sand mining pit and directly south of the reclamation, fines percentages in the seabed increased by more than 10%. We developed a conceptual framework to analyse the distribution of fines and how it is affected by human interventions. Three components are distinguished within this framework: (1) sources of fines; (2) transport pathways; and (3) accumulation potential. These components are determined both qualitatively and quantitatively, based on high-resolution bathymetric and hydrodynamic model data. The distinction between the three components makes it possible to unravel the contributions of different human interventions to the changes in the fines distribution. In the case of Maasvlakte 2, the local increase of fines percentage in the seabed could thus be attributed to a temporary additional source of fines and enhanced accumulation potential. The high spatiotemporal resolution of the new sediment dataset proved crucial to enable development and testing of the framework to evaluate the impact of (large) engineering works on the spatial distribution of fines.

Sand excavations at river beds have compromised the safety of several bridges in recent years. An expressway that connects a huge line bridge is selected as the research object in this study.The phenomenon of the excessive digging of river sand under a bridge is considered, and the influence of the development of bridgeson bridge carrying capacity and safety is studied through theoretical analysis, numerical simulation, and field test.Research results show that dredging under the bridge has reduced the bearing capacities of pile tip soil and single pile, but has less effect on the deflection and bending moment of the pier studand the mid-span deflection on the girder. When test vehicles run on the bridge, the increase in the vertical and portrait dynamic displacements of the sand excavation bridge pier top is less than that of the sand bridge pier. Braking will result in a significant increase in dynamic displacement compared with the working car test data. Experimental data on passing cars are considerably larger than those on the traction test vehicle, and passing cars are seriously overloaded. Under the action of test vehicles and passing cars, the dynamic deflection change of the girder mid-span is not evident. Vehicle weight is the main factor that influences the vertical displacement of the pier top.When avehicle brakes, longitudinal braking force is the main factor that influences the portrait displacement of the pier top. Braking on the bridge is highly detrimental.Therefore, measures, such as speed limit, weight limit, and reinforcement, should be taken to avoid water scouring and to ensure the safety of the bridge structure.

Mining alters the natural landscape and discharges large volumes of wastes that pose serious pollution hazards to the environment, to human health and to agriculture. As a result, the recent 2 decades have witnessed a global surge in research on post-mining landscape restoration, yielding a suite of techniques including physical, chemical, biological (also known as phytoremediation) and combinations. Despite the long history of mining in Africa, no systematic review has summarized advances in restoration research and practices after mining disturbance. Thus, the aim of this review was to document the state-of-knowledge and identify gaps in restoration of post-mining landscape in Africa through literature review. We found that: (1) there has been substantial progress in identifying species suitable for phytoremediation; (2) few studies evaluated the feasibility of organic amendments to promote autochthonous colonization of mine wastelands or growth of planted species; and (3) restoration of limestone quarries in Kenya, sand mining tailings in South Africa, and gold mine wasteland in Ghana are successful cases of large-scale post-mining restoration practices in Africa. However, the pace of post-mining landscape restoration research and practice in Africa is sluggish compared to other parts of the global south. We recommend: (1) mainstreaming the restoration of mine wastelands in national research strategies and increased development planning to make the mining sector “Green”; (2) inventory of the number, area, and current status of abandoned mine lands; (3) expanding the pool of candidate species for phytostabilization; (4) further evaluating the phytostabilization potential of organic amendments, e.g., biochar; (5) assessing the impacts of mining on regional biodiversity.

The Hoi An World Heritage site in Vietnam has faced increasing coastal erosion as a result of both natural and anthropogenic causes since the 2010s. Main drivers are the construction of hydropower dams on the Vu Gia and Thu Bon Rivers, illegal sand mining in the South China Sea, and sea level rise along the Central Coast Vietnam. Coastal erosion affects the tourism attraction of this area. A challenge for both the national government and the local authorities is understanding the nature of the contemporary coastal erosion; this includes the beach erosion and tourism relationship. This study deals with the damage valuation of the beach erosion in relation to the tourism revenue based on the hedonic pricing method. Cua Dai beach of Hoi An is structured into 23 beach sectors along the shore, each of which shows a relative homogeny in physical characteristics, anthropogenic activities, and socioeconomics. The beach value is function of morphological variables such as beach width and distance to the city center, and tourism variables such as tourist area, coastal businesses, the number of hotels, and the number of hotel rooms. The two-stage least squares (2SLS) of the custom-log model is the most accurate approach. The total projected revenue losses are more than an estimated 29 million US dollars by 2040. The present values of the total annual revenue losses in 2020, 2030, and 2040 are about 29.6, 21.4, and 14 million US dollars, respectively, at an interest rate of 5%. The results suggest mitigation strategies and policy recommendations. The proposal includes improving the adaptation capacity to coastal erosion using innovative, smart, and wise solutions. Beach nourishment and coastal defense structures can be sustainable management tools combating coastal erosion only if the multicausal coastal processes are properly considered and a detailed cost–benefit analysis is performed.

Geodiversity is a determinant of mining patterns, because its nature defines the interaction with humans, type of exploitation, and, consequently, ecosystem services (ES) of the final landscape. The environmental recovery obligations defined in the legislation serve as a good guidance, but sand mining companies are not always able to finalize their activity entirely and to comply with the laws. To take this into account, the present study was developed with an objective of analyzing the changes observed in the ES after 70 years of sand exploitation in the Paraiba do Sul River Valley, Brazil. The services of the floodplain soil formation and associated components, such as the quality and quantity of water and refuges provided by the riparian forest, are highlighted in this study. To evaluate the different ESs modified by mining, socio-environmental variables were studied, and the analytic hierarchy process (AHP) method was applied to assign significance to each variable in the phase of closing activities, thus creating a compound index for ES evaluation at mine closure. The closure conditions were analyzed against the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) 6, 8, 9, and 11. The results showed that the companies are small, that they met the legislation in equal criteria of environmental rehabilitation, and that they were induced to a closure standard, reflecting the reforestation with native forest variable, related to the ES of provisioning of habitat to wild fauna. However, the mine facilities variable, associated with the cultural ES of recreation, predominated, because the buildings and access roads were preserved, even though the movable assets were demobilized quickly. It was concluded from the analysis that the scenario of the ES at mine closure is generally linked to geodiversity, company size, and compliance with legal duties.

In recent years, dramatic decline in China’s largest freshwater lake, Poyang Lake, has raised wide concerns about water supply and ecological crises in the middle–lower Yangtze River reaches. To assist in resolving the debates regarding the low water regime of the lake, the current study quantitatively assessed the enhanced water level decline from the changing underlying surface in the Poyang Lake region. It is the first time that the magnitude, temporal–spatial difference, trend development and background mechanism of lake water level variation and its causes are studied comprehensively. The results revealed that the changing underlying surface in the lake region has caused an average decline of annual water level of 0.26 m ~ 0.75 m across the lake during 2000–2014, which shows great seasonal and spatial differences. The enlarged outflow cross–section due to extensive sand mining was the major reason for the effect on water level decline in the northern lake. While, increased water surface gradient should be attributed to water level decline in the southern lake. The long–term increasing trend of annual lake water level decline reflects the cumulative effects of lake bottom topography change caused by the continuous south movement of sand mining activities.

In Israel, the ever-increasing interest in mining and dumping of marine sand in the shallow waters of the Mediterranean (up to depth of 30 m) on the one hand, and the growing concern for the marine environment on the other, have led to the formulation of various policy tools intended for the rational management of this resource. However, the comprehensiveness and sustainability of this policy, and its adherence to international obligations and customs, remains unclear. This paper provides a structured overview of the management policy governing the extraction and dumping of marine sand in the Israeli Mediterranean shallow waters, and the way environmental values are being taken into account in the regulatory process. It then examines the way in which two main international policies—UNCLOS (not yet ratified by Israel) and the protocol on ICZM (ratified by Israel), which provide principles and standards for the management of environmental risks associated with marine mining activities in the Mediterranean Sea—are transposed into local legal procedures and regulatory requirements. The study reveals that the Israeli marine sand regulatory framework embraced most of the environmental principles and guidelines laid down in the main international conventions. However, several essential issues still need to be addressed. At present, the use of marine sand is usually managed with one key activity in mind, without an all-encompassing policy and monitoring program. As a result, the impact of cumulative effect of extracting and dumping activities (the “big picture”) is overlooked. The study recommends to formulate a sound policy that can be adjusted for social/economic developments as they occur, and can facilitate the response to a wide range of future scenarios while adhering to a sustainability agenda. This policy should be based on up-to-date and standardized data gathered through a national monitoring program and stored in an accessible database. The analysis method and results can form a basis for discussion with other experts working in the field, and may be useful for future management decisions and for other coastal regions in the world.

The economic, social and environmental conditions of various European river basins and estuarine systems have changed dramatically in the last decades as a consequence of anthropogenic effects, and they will go on changing in the years to come due to increasing human pressure. Particularly in Portugal, various river-estuary systems have undergone several human interventions, notably engineering works to restore considerable stretches of channels and river banks. A thorough understanding of responses to changes in the morphodynamic processes and new strategies are needed for the use of existing resources in watercourses in order to take into account the many-faceted aims of sustainable development. This paper describes two serious accidents that occurred in Portugal, in consequence of careless management measures that have lasted for several years. It is shown that both accidents could have been avoided if the implemented management methodologies were strictly based on knowledge of the physical processes. This paper also provides a brief description of the nature and distribution of impacts on the river morphology arising out of building and operating large dams. A technical contribution is also offered which although qualitative provides a basic record and explanation of the serious consequences of significant interventions in watercourses, especially when these are not properly assessed or other mitigating circumstances are not taken into consideration.