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The article presents the author’s method of selection of priority areas of Ti-Zr placers using an integral indicator. As you know, the integral indicator is the ratio of the total beneficial effect from the development of the deposit to the total costs of operation, it is calculated as the difference between the value of conventional ilmenite (according to the US Geological Survey) (Mineral Commodity..., 2023) and the cost of obtaining overburden and processing the productive layer. Based on the methodology developed and presented in the article, an experiment was conducted on the data of one of the placer deposits located within the Ukrainian placer sub-province. It is proposed to develop it in small blocks that ensure high productivity, minimal impact on the environment and allow replenishment the mineral and raw material base of the titanium industry of Ukraine. This technique can be used at any deposit of titanium-zirconium ores both in Ukraine and abroad. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Rapid urbanization has led to ecosystem fragmentation, conversion, and degradation, posing great threats to natural habitat and biodiversity. The utilization of ecological networks has gained importance in ecological restoration planning to mitigate the negative impacts of urbanization on ecosystems. This study focused on Nanchang City, China, as a case study area to examine the application of integrated ecological networks in 2000, 2010 and 2020. This study analyzed the dynamic characteristics and spatial differences in landscape connectivity, providing evidence-based support for ecological conservation and restoration. The results indicate the following: (1) a decrease in the number of ecological sources and corridors, especially general sources and corridors, along with a decreasing trend in their importance; (2) an increase in ecological barrier points and breakpoints over time, especially in the southeastern region of the study area; and (3) the identification of ecological conservation priority areas, ecological improvement priority areas, and ecological restoration points based on connectivity and dynamic analysis. Multiple priority actions were proposed, which remarkably improved network connectivity and strengthened biodiversity conservation. Our research provides a valuable reference for identifying ecological priorities and developing ecological protection and ecological restoration actions in highly urbanized areas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Rapid urbanization has led to ecosystem fragmentation, conversion, and degradation, posing great threats to natural habitat and biodiversity. The utilization of ecological networks has gained importance in ecological restoration planning to mitigate the negative impacts of urbanization on ecosystems. This study focused on Nanchang City, China, as a case study area to examine the application of integrated ecological networks in 2000, 2010 and 2020. This study analyzed the dynamic characteristics and spatial differences in landscape connectivity, providing evidence-based support for ecological conservation and restoration. The results indicate the following: (1) a decrease in the number of ecological sources and corridors, especially general sources and corridors, along with a decreasing trend in their importance; (2) an increase in ecological barrier points and breakpoints over time, especially in the southeastern region of the study area; and (3) the identification of ecological conservation priority areas, ecological improvement priority areas, and ecological restoration points based on connectivity and dynamic analysis. Multiple priority actions were proposed, which remarkably improved network connectivity and strengthened biodiversity conservation. Our research provides a valuable reference for identifying ecological priorities and developing ecological protection and ecological restoration actions in highly urbanized areas.

This work presents ‘Dove sta di casa la scuola’, an online course for teachers promoted by the Small School Movement during the Covid-19 emergency. The course aimed to provide alternatives to lecture-based distance learning using the domestic environment as a context for ‘low-intensity’ digital learning. Such an experience, involving 7000 Italian teachers, allowed the school system to intervene on those pupils at risk of exclusion from distance learning for reasons related to digital divide conditions. Moreover, it was an opportunity to propose alternatives to a distance model focused solely on the provision of content and video lessons. The training experience has fostered the creation of spaces for the active construction of practices that have crossed multiple and heterogeneous disciplines, ranging from math to philosophy.

Identifying priority areas and allocating suitable measures to control desertification can improve the efficiency and precision of land restoration when funds are limited. However, few studies have attempted to link priority areas and land restoration options to support desertification control at the national level. In this study, a framework was designed to identify priority areas for desertification control by integrating land sensitivity and cost and benefit indicators and then allocate eight land restoration options based on land use type and water resources capacity. The framework was validated in northern China and successfully linked priority areas and land restoration options to support desertification control. In northern China, regions with high priority for desertification control accounted for only 11.5% of the total area and were scattered in central and northwestern areas. Of those high priority areas, 51.2% should be protected without further disturbance, which were primarily distributed in the western part of northern China. Other regions could be moderately developed within the water resources capacity, including development of the ecological industry. In addition, comprehensive policies or projects, including desert national parks, land ownership confirmation, and green finance policy, should be initiated to augment the effects of desertification control and support regional economic development.

Recently, the availability of cheap and effective survey methods increased the number of forest canopy studies. Several studies have described butterfly communities in the upper forest stratum. However, these studies were all conducted in tall forests (20–60 m canopy height). Here we aim to assess the stratification of fruit-feeding butterfly species in two vertical strata of a semi-deciduous seasonal forest. In addition, we present a field guide to assist in future butterfly monitoring. This study was carried out in two areas of semi-deciduous seasonal forest in the Serra da Bodoquena National Park, Mato Grosso do Sul State, Brazil. Sampling monthly for a year both the, canopy and the understory, we recorded 4229 individuals of 65 species. The species community of fruit-feeding butterflies showed a clear vertical stratification. The composition differed significantly between the two vertical strata, with a higher species richness and abundance in the understory, but less diversity compared to the canopy. Species were distributed heterogeneously between the understory and the canopy in this forest of lower canopy height. Considering published literature of the Mato Grosso do Sul State, the Serra da Bodoquena is one of the most species rich areas with regard to fruit-feeding butterflies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Camera placement is very important for surveillance applications. Proposed work presents a new method of optimum placement of visual sensors for maximum coverage of the predefined surveillance space. The surveillance space is modeled as priority areas (PAs), obstacles and feasible locations for placement of cameras. We are using PTZ (pan, tilt, zoom) cameras, which not only reduces occlusion due to randomly moving objects in the PA but also increases the covered area compared to pin hole cameras. The proposed approach will be useful for crowd monitoring in a big surveillance space holding multiple events and having multiple entrances. The problem of optimum camera placement for maximum coverage considering both static and randomly moving obstacles is mapped as a Grey Wolf Optimization (GWO) problem. The proposed algorithm is computationally lighter and converges faster as compared to Genetic Algorithm (GA) based camera placement and Particle Swarm Optimization (PSO) based camera placement algorithm. The concept is validated using simulation as well as the experimental results. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Journal of Ecology & Rural Environment is the property of Journal of Ecology & Rural Environment Editorial Office and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Revista Mexicana de Biodiversidad is the property of Universidad Nacional Autonoma de Mexico, Instituto de Biologia and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Species spatiotemporal responses to human presence and prioritizing conservation areas are essential for effective management and conservation planning. To address this information, we conducted a long-term large mammal survey in both protected areas (PAs) and outside of PAs (non-PA) in Northern Mountain Forest Complex (NMFC), Myanmar by using 174 camera traps from 2015 to 2019. We selected 14 common species for the single species occupancy model and activity pattern analysis to evaluate their spatiotemporal responses to different anthropogenic and environmental variables. Results showed that human presence did not have a significant impact on mammal occupancy, whereas at the community level, it had a significant influence on mammal abundance. Some variables, including distance to settlements, proximity to water sources and forest cover, shaped the habitat occupancy of mammals in NMFC. Regarding the temporal axis, only three out of 14 species had higher temporal activity overlap with humans, while the remaining species showed lower to medium overlap in both PAs and non-PA, confirming that most mammals avoided human presence through temporal rather than spatial scale. Moreover, our priority analysis revealed that non-PA supported a significant proportion of medium- to high-priority areas, particularly in the south-eastern part of NMFC. We concluded that preserving both PAs and non-PA are crucial and human activities have an implicit influence on large mammal conservation in NMFC. The government should prioritize the south-eastern region of outside of the current PAs network and adopt community-based conservation strategies to ensure the efficacy of PA networks and biodiversity conservation in NMFC. • Long-term camera trap survey reveals human presence impacts mammal abundance in northern Myanmar. • Mammals avoid humans using temporal scale, not spatial scale. • Anthropogenic and environmental variables shape mammal habitat occupancy in the area. • Priority analysis highlights high-priority areas for conservation, concentrated in the south-eastern NM. • Conservation efforts inside and outside protected areas are crucial for maintaining biodiversity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Rural households in developing countries often depend on non-timber forest products (NTFPs), including foods, traditional medicines, fuelwood, fodder, and construction and craft materials such as bamboo and rattan, for their livelihoods, but the forests that supply NTFPs are subject to competition from other land uses. NTFP collectors who are unable to sustain their livelihoods because of changes caused in the NTFP collection environment by deforestation and degradation may even convert surrounding forests to agricultural land to compensate for their reduced incomes. This feedback loop of deforestation and degradation can create further conflicts among natural resource users and undermine long-term development goals. Here, we aimed to advance the discussion of forest conservation interventions in protected areas in developing countries—particularly the discussion of patrolling strategies in and around existing wildlife sanctuaries—by presenting a new approach that uses the case of NTFP collection and a human geography perspective. We used a structured questionnaire composed of closed questions to measure the awareness of village households of the impacts of deforestation and/or illegal extraction of trees on NTFP collection over a short period of time (2014–2016) near the Prey Long Wildlife Sanctuary in the eastern part of the Kampong Thom Province, Cambodia. Our survey was based on the conceptual framework of Bohensky and Lynam (Ecol. Soc. 10, 11; 2005) that people in complex adaptive systems change their behaviour after becoming aware of the impact or consequences of a change. The probability of a village having an affected household (i.e., a household that was aware of the impact) was predicted by using generalized linear mixed models. By using identified geospatial indicators of environmental and socioeconomic aspects, including distance between the village and the wildlife sanctuary, size of deforested area per capita in 2014–2016 within a 10-km radius of the village and proportion of households in the village that collect NTFPs for cash income, we predicted the spatial distribution of villages with affected NTFP-collecting households. Priority areas for NTFP collection were then mapped with reference to the identified indicators. By using these results, we present an approach to breaking the deforestation feedback loop by identifying priority areas for patrolling and other forest conservation interventions in the wildlife sanctuary. • We mapped the distribution of NTFP-collecting households affected by deforestation. • We also mapped priority areas for NTFP collection. • These maps help with the triaging of forest conservation interventions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Developing a sustainable activity needs a good plan, so the programs can be effective and have a clear objective. Therefore, a model to help the analysis is significantly needed in determining the priority area to conduct better development in the future. This research applies the concept of Klassen Typology to analyze PDRB data in Papua Province. Based on the result of using Klassen typology analysis method, there are 4 (four) quadrants of area classification in Papua Province. Twenty nine regencies were analyzed based on PDRB data to investigate which area can be used as the development of priority area in the future. The method used in this study is C4.5 and K-Nearest Neighbor. Time complexity becomes test standard of a particular algorithm to get efficient execution time when it is implemented into programming language. The approach of asymptotic analysis using the concept of Big-O is one of the techniques that is usually used to test time complexity of an algorithm. Based on the test result of both methods, it shows that the result of running time of KNN is more stable than of C4.5 although the analysis of Big-O gives the same complexity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In recent decades, much work has been invested to describe forest allocations with high societal values. Yet, few comparative analyses have been conducted on their importance and differences across the regions of the globe. This paper introduces a conceptual framework to characterize forest priority areas defined as areas with identified higher importance of societal values in the context of multi-objective forest management. The six dimensions of the framework (designation objective, prioritization of objectives, governance, permanency, spatial scale, and management regime) characterize the general approach (integrative vs. segregative) to multi-objective forest management and explain the form and role of priority areas for providing forest services. The framework was applied in two case study regions-Pacific Northwest of USA (PNW) and Central Europe (CE). Differences between the regions exist in all dimensions. Late-successional and riparian reserves are specific to the PNW, while protection against natural hazards is specific to CE. In PNW, priority areas are mainly focused on public lands whereas in CE they include public and private lands. Priority areas in PNW are designated in a much larger spatial context and have longer time commitments. In CE, integration of management objectives on priority areas prevails, whereas in PNW priority areas tend to be designated for single objectives. In CE, greater tolerance of timber management within priority areas compared to PNW is allowed. Convergent trends in application of priority areas between the regions indicate mixing of segregation and integration approaches to forest management. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Observational data collected from bibliography and during herpetological surveys in northern Morocco between 1989 and 2014 were plotted to generate updated distribution maps of amphibians and reptiles using a UTM 5 x 5 km grid system. Eleven amphibians and 53 reptiles were observed, including three amphibians and nine reptiles endemic to Morocco. In both taxonomic groups, three distinct species categories were identified in the area: widely distributed species, species restricted to particular environmental characteristics, and species with small and / or fragmented distributions. For total species richness, 10 areas of high diversity were identified. These areas were common to all taxonomic groups and correspond roughly to Mediterranean-type habitats. Amphibians constitute a relatively homogeneous group according to their habitat selection patterns while reptiles can be grouped in three assemblages: 1) generalist species with broad distributions in northern Morocco; 2) species occupying Mediterranean environments, generally abundant in the north-western region; and 3) species that occupy arid habitats, frequently found in the eastern region. The topographic complexity of northern Morocco apparently creates microenvironmental conditions for each group and is related to high levels of species diversity observed: 78% and 52% of the total number of amphibians and reptiles of Morocco, respectively. These findings strengthen the status of northern Morocco as a priority area for herpetofauna conservation at the national level. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Because of limitation of manpower, funding, and land available in conservation, the problem of how to select essential regions to establish protection systems for biodiversity maintenance has been widely discussed. In an effort to address the problem, this study has aimed to select a set of priority areas and to determine their priority order by quantifying human disturbances for each area in the Yangtze River Basin (YRB). This basin covers 2.143millionkm2, or more than 20% of China's territory. The habitats of 627 indicator species were predicted as a proxy for biodiversity. A conservation planning tool, MARXAN, was used to determine the optimal set of planning units, and three different target scenarios were generated. In addition, under the assumption that if two areas have equal value for conservation, the one suffering more severe disturbance needs more urgent protection than the other, priority ranking analysis was carried out using a 6-12-1 BP artificial neural network. Then hierarchical cluster analysis was applied to the classifications of human disturbances to formulate more detailed conservation strategies. By integrating the degree of irreplaceability of each unit, expert experience, and mountain boundaries, 17 biodiversity priority areas containing 33,200units over an area of 0.83millionkm2 were defined. These areas also protected 56% of 32 types of rare forest ecosystem and 76.4% of six types of rare grassland ecosystem on average. According to the evaluation of human impact, a priority order and five types of human disturbance areas were generated. Some protection gaps were also identified, such as the northern part of the Wuyi Mountains. Moreover, the determination of priority nature conservation areas on a large scale can be used to influence the building of a well-connected protection network in each individual area, so that effective genetic communication can occur between species or groups of species. Conservation decisions focusing on the dominant impact factors that are threatening biodiversity sustainability are required as well. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

• A framework for linking priority areas and land restoration options for desertification control were designed. • Sensitivity, cost and benefit were used to determine the priority area. • Land restoration options were classified by water resources capacity and land cover. • High priority areas and land restoration options were located at pixel level in northern China. Identifying priority areas and allocating suitable measures to control desertification can improve the efficiency and precision of land restoration when funds are limited. However, few studies have attempted to link priority areas and land restoration options to support desertification control at the national level. In this study, a framework was designed to identify priority areas for desertification control by integrating land sensitivity and cost and benefit indicators and then allocate eight land restoration options based on land use type and water resources capacity. The framework was validated in northern China and successfully linked priority areas and land restoration options to support desertification control. In northern China, regions with high priority for desertification control accounted for only 11.5% of the total area and were scattered in central and northwestern areas. Of those high priority areas, 51.2% should be protected without further disturbance, which were primarily distributed in the western part of northern China. Other regions could be moderately developed within the water resources capacity, including development of the ecological industry. In addition, comprehensive policies or projects, including desert national parks, land ownership confirmation, and green finance policy, should be initiated to augment the effects of desertification control and support regional economic development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Highlights: [•] Congruence between biodiversity and ecosystem services is weak at the local scale. [•] Regulating and most cultural services may be spatially congruent with biodiversity. [•] Primary data could maximize the congruence of biodiversity and ecosystem services. [•] Systematic conservation maximizes both ecosystem services and biodiversity. [•] Cost-benefit ratio favors conservation when ecosystem services are considered. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Conservation planning is sensitive to a number of scale-related issues, such as the spatial extent of the planning area, or the size of units of planning. An extensive literature has reported a decline in efficiency of conservation outputs when planning at small spatial scales or when using large planning units. However, other key issues remain, such as the grain size used to represent the spatial distribution of conservation features. Here, we evaluate the effect of grain size of species distribution data versus size of planning units on a set of performance measures describing efficiency (ratio of area where species are represented/total area needed), rate of commission errors (species erroneously expected to occur), representativeness (proportion of species achieving the target) and a novel measure of overall conservation uncertainty (integrating commission errors and uncertainty in the actual locations where species occur). We compared priority areas for the conservation of freshwater fish in the Daly River basin (northern Australia). Our study demonstrates that the effect of grain size of species distribution data was more important than planning unit size on conservation planning performance, with an increase in commission errors up to 80% and conservation uncertainty over 90% when coarse data were used. This was more pronounced for rare than common species, where the mismatch between coarse representations of biodiversity patterns and the smaller areas of actual occupancy of species was more evident. Special attention should be paid to the high risk of misallocation of limited budgets when planning in heterogeneous or disturbed environments, where biodiversity is patchily distributed, or when planning for conservation of rare species. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Subsoil compaction is a recognised threat in the European Soil Strategy and knowledge concerning the vulnerability of subsoils to compaction in Europe and the Netherlands is information required for the determination of priority areas (or risk areas) in the future European Soil Framework Directive. In Europe two risk assessment methods (RAM) are used in more than one country to determine the subsoil compaction risk. The first one (RAM-A) initially determines the susceptibility of soils to compaction as a function of texture and packing density. In the second step the vulnerability to compaction is determined as a function of susceptibility and climate. The second RAM (RAM-B) is a mechanistic model in which the soil mechanical strength determines whether a subsoil is susceptible to compaction. The RAMs are used to produce maps presenting the susceptibility and vulnerability to compaction of Dutch subsoils (RAM-A) and maps with the compression strength and maximal allowable wheel load of a Terra Tire to prevent compaction of Dutch subsoils (RAM-B). Both RAMs have weaknesses. RAM-A is an expert model and can be rather arbitrarily with results that are not in agreement with our experience. RAM-B suffers from lack of good data and probably underestimates subsoil strengths. Results of both RAMs are compared to each other and to a map showing the probability that the subsoil is already overcompacted. This probability map is based on bulk density data in the Dutch Soil Database (BIS). There is a good match between the results of both RAMs, however, the match with the probability map (presumed to be “reality”) is not good. In both RAMs sand and loamy sand soils are indicated as more vulnerable than clay soils, while in the probability map sand subsoils suffer less of subsoil compaction than clay soils. Of concern is that, according to the probability map, about 50% of the most productive and fertile soils of The Netherlands have overcompacted subsoils. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

A total of 140 endangered species in Hainan Island were selected as indicator species, and their spatial distribution patterns were analyzed by using mechanism habitat model. Based on the iterative operation with systematic conservation planning tool MARXAN, the priority areas of these species were identified and evaluated. The priority areas had an area of 5383.7 km2, accounting for 15.6% of the total land area of the Island, and mainly distributed in some forest regions (Yinggeling, Jianfengling and Wuzhishan) and in northern part water source regions. In the priority areas, the conservation proportion of 11 1st grade indicator species habitats occupied at least 65% of all the habitats. Through the gap analysis of priority areas and current nature reserves, it was suggested that an expansion of Jianfengling, Yinggeling-Limushan, and Wuzhishan-Diaoluoshan nature reserves and the establishment of Baolonglinchang-Linbiling-Fuwanling protection system should be made, and the protection areas for water source conservation and endangered species should be established in the northern part of the Island. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Green roof is a popular green infrastructure type implemented in highly urbanized areas, but it is difficult to reliably translate local results to urban or watershed scales. It is necessary to develop appropriate methods to quantitatively identify prioritization of green roof retrofitting at urban functional zones (UFZs) where green roof implementation is most needed and suited. In urban regions, various UFZ types may have diverse demands and suitability levels of green roof retrofitting, thus they should be given different spatial prioritization in location planning of green roof practices. In this paper, the spatial potential of green roof retrofitting at UFZs scale was estimated and mapped, a priority index considered the demand for green space, runoff risk and suitability for roof greening of UFZs was developed to identify the priority areas for retrofitting green roofs, and runoff reduction effectiveness of hypothetical green roof retrofitting scenarios under three storm return periods were assessed. Results indicated that the total potential area for green roof retrofitting is 143.62 km2 within the Fifth Ring Road of Beijing, which accounts for 21.52% of the study area; The developed priority index was able to appropriately reflecting the differences on demands and suitability levels of green roof retrofitting in various UFZs; Compared with the baseline scenario (0% retrofitting), the average runoff volume was reduced by 1.34%–2.73% with 10% green roof retrofitting; The maximum average reduction effectiveness achieved was 9.17%–19.05% under a 100% green roof retrofitting scenario. The runoff coefficient within COZ (commercial zone), EGZ (education & government zone) and HRZ (high-density residential zone) was significantly reduced as green roof retrofitting percentages increased. These results can inform urban planners of a meaningful estimator of UFZs scale green roof potential and support for identifying the priority areas for partially implementing green roofs. • A priority index to identify the spatial prioritization of UFZs for retrofitting green roofs was developed. • The potential area for roof greening within the Fifth Ring Road of Beijing was 143. 62 km2. • Functional zones COZ and EGZ had higher priority values for retrofitting green roofs. • Average runoff volume was reduced by 1.34%-2.73% with 10% green roof retrofitting. • The average runoff reduction achieved was 9.17%-19.05% under 100% green roof retrofitting. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Priority areas of biodiversity conservation (PABC) were classified to strengthen biodiversity conservation in China. As there are no such priority areas in Liaoning Province, China, it is important to make up this gap. After calculation of seven indices at three composition levels (ecosystem conservation, human interference, and regionalization for biodiversity conservation), index values, composition values, and comprehensive recognition value for PABCs in Liaoning Province were obtained successively. Suggested territorial scopes of Western Liaoning Priority Area (WPA) and Eastern Liaoning Priority Area (EPA) were then determined in terms of administrative boundaries of towns, counties, and nature reserves. Among them, WPA covers an area of 12951 km 2 , with 53.6% of forest coverage and nine national or provincial nature reserves. The main ecological function of WPA is soil and water conservation. EPA is 20057 km 2 in area, with 78.9% of forest cove-rage and eight national or provincial nature reserves. Water resource conservation is the main ecological function of EPA. Key protected species at national or provincial level and the important ecosystems are densely distributed in those priority areas. It is urgent to carry out biodiversity conservation in these PABCs.