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Context: Incorporating ecosystem services (ES) into nature reserves (NR) planning has significant impacts on the environment and human wellbeing. However, the effects of uncertain future socio-environmental dynamics on ES conservation and the gaps in existing NR are unclear. Objective: The present study aims to integrate multiple ES dynamics into future NR planning and quantify the gaps with existing NR. Methods: We first presented a methodological scheme to assess ES dynamics under the Shared Socioeconomic Pathway and Representative Concentration Pathway (SSP-RCP) scenarios in the Yangtze River Economic Belt (YREB) in China during from 2015 to 2100. We then employed a representativeness–vulnerability framework to identify priority conservation areas within the YREB. Results: Except for SSP1-1.9 and SSP4-3.4, all scenarios projected an increase in ecosystem service value (ESV). SSP3-7.0 and SSP4-3.4 were expected to induce the largest ESV changes, with increases of 6.35% and decreases of 6.08%, respectively, during 2015–2100. By integrating future ESV changes into NR planning, we identified priority conservation areas at different time points from 2015 to 2100. Through overlay analysis, we derived bottom-line conservation areas across multiple scenarios and timeframes. The identified bottom-line conservation areas are mainly distributed in eastern Sichuan, western Guizhou, eastern Hubei, and southern Jiangsu, covering 8.62% of the YREB. Notably, only 4.81% of the existing NR areas in the YREB overlap with the identified bottom-line conservation areas. Conclusions: Our analyses reveal gaps between the existing NR and the potential future priority conservation areas in the YREB when considering multiple ES. We emphasize the need to define bottom-line conservation areas based on ES dynamics under various scenarios to address future uncertainties and complexities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Early initiation of breastfeeding (within the first hour postpartum) is crucial for maternal and child health, but Jharkhand exhibits the highest prevalence of delayed initiation, with over three-fourths of mothers affected. Existing literature lacks localized insights into district-level disparities and the socio-economic and healthcare determinants of delayed initiation, particularly in socio-economically disadvantaged regions like Jharkhand. Objectives: This study aims to (1) assess the prevalence of delayed breastfeeding initiation across Jharkhand's districts, (2) create a spatial map categorizing districts into three priority zones (P1, P2, and P3), and (3) identify socio-economic and demographic factors associated with delayed breastfeeding initiation. Methods: A cross-sectional analysis of 5,196 breastfeeding mothers from NFHS-5 (2019–2021) was conducted. District-wise prevalence rates were calculated, and a multivariable logistic regression analysis was performed using Stata-MP-17 to identify significant correlates. Results: Jharkhand's overall prevalence of delayed initiation was 77.1%, with Jamtara (86.6%) and Khunti (84.6%) reporting the highest rates. Twelve districts were categorized as Priority Level 3 (red zone). Key determinants included poor economic background (aOR = 1.379, p ≤ 0.05) and caesarean deliveries (aOR = 2.325, p < 0.001), both of which increased the odds of delayed initiation. Institutional deliveries were associated with significantly reduced odds (aOR = 0.653, p < 0.001). Conclusion: High-priority districts such as Jamtara and Khunti require immediate intervention through targeted maternal health programs promoting institutional deliveries. Strategies must include tailored outreach to disadvantaged groups, awareness campaigns on breastfeeding benefits, and addressing cultural barriers, especially in rural and tribal regions, to improve maternal and child health outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article systematically analyzes the transition to innovative metallurgical technologies in the context of the priority direction of decarbonization. It is determined that at present the main direction of decarbonization can be considered the rapid development of electrometallurgy. Within the framework of this direction, oxygen blowing of liquid metal, extra-furnace treatment, the use of powerful transformers, automatic melting control, processing with synthetic slags, melting in induction furnaces, preliminary heating of the charge, and the widespread use of injection metallurgical processes are recognized as innovative technologies. Reducing energy consumption in the production of electric steel has been put forward as the main task of metallurgical technologies. Two main directions of decarbonization in the steelmaking complex have been identified: intensification of smelting based on increasing the capacity of the furnace transformer and the introduction of modern "oxygen" technologies and a modular system in smelting. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Information gaps about the distribution of species hamper the evaluation of conservation status and decisions on biodiversity conservation, affecting areas with high species richness and endemism to a greater extent. In this context, carrying out biological inventories in protected and unprotected areas is an important tool to fill these gaps by providing data on the composition, richness, and abundance of species in each locality. The southeastern region of Coahuila (northeast Mexico) is a region where biodiversity research is required, as anthropogenic activities pose a serious threat to the avian diversity of this region. The present study aimed to compare the capacity of protected and unprotected areas to support the richness, abundance, and composition of bird species, as well as providing a list of bird species from eight areas located in this region. The point count method was conducted at the sites, and one-way ANOVA was used to determine the effect of area type on species richness and abundance. Based on our field observations, literature review, and digital databases, the avifauna of these eight areas includes 388 species in 63 families. Of these, 5 species are endemic to Mexico, 6 species are of global conservation concern, and 35 species are of regional conservation concern. The species richness found in this study supports the importance of protected and unprotected areas in southeastern Coahuila. The results of our study highlight the need for further assessment to conserve the avian community, especially considering the increasing threats of anthropogenic disturbance, as well as additional studies that will allow for better characterization of the avifauna of the region. This will help to ensure the conservation of the birds currently threatened by strong anthropic pressure due to the conversion of semiarid ecosystems to agricultural and livestock areas as well as increasing urbanization. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The implantation of wind farms in the European territory is being deployed at an accelerated pace. In the proposed framework, the province of La Coruña in the autonomous community of Galicia is tested, with a wide deployment of this type of infrastructure in the territory initiated in the 80s, representing the third autonomous community with the largest exploitation of wind resources, which provides sufficient information, extrapolated to the entire community, to demonstrate the practical usefulness and potential of the method of obtaining the territorial model proposed in this article The regional has been used as the basic administrative subunit of the study variables, considering that the territory thus delimited could have common physical and cultural characteristics. The methodology presented in this article involves the collection and processing of public cartographic data on various factors most repeatedly or agreed upon in the consulted bibliography based on studies by experts in the technical, environmental, and environmental areas, including explanatory variables of risk in a broader context of climate change as the first contribution of this study. Another contribution is the inclusion in the model of the synergistic impact measured as the distance to wind farms in operation (21% of the total area of the sample) to which an area of influence of 4 times the rotor diameter of each of the wind turbines im-planted has been added as a legal and physical restriction. On a solid basis of selection of explanatory variables and with the help of Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and multi-criteria analysis (MCDM), techniques widely documented in the existing literature for the determination of optimal areas for the implementation of this type of infrastructure, a methodological proposal is presented for the development of a strategic, long-term territorial model, for the prioritization of acceptable areas for the implementation of wind farms, including forecasts of increased energy demand due to the effect of climate change and the population dynamics of the study region that may influence energy consumption. This article focuses on the use of multivariate clustering techniques and spatial analysis to identify priority areas for long-term sustainable wind energy projects. With the proposed strategic territorial model, it has been possible to demonstrate that it is not only capable of discriminating between three categories of acceptable areas for the implementation of wind farms, taking into account population and climate change forecasts, but also that it also locates areas that could require conservationist measures to protect new spaces or to recover the soil because they present high levels of risk due to natural or anthropic disasters considered. The results show acceptable areas for wind energy implementation, 23% of the total area of the sample, 3% conservation as ecological spaces to be preserved, and 7% recovery due to high-risk rates. The findings show that coastal regions generally show a more positive carrying capacity, likely due to less dense development or regulatory measures protecting these areas. In contrast, certain inland regions show more negative values, suggesting these areas might be experiencing higher ecological disturbance from construction activities. This information highlights the importance of strategic site analysis to balance energy production with conservation needs. The study provides insights into wind farm deployment that considers the visual and ecological characteristics of the landscape, promoting sustainability and community acceptance. For this reason, these insights can be effectively used for advancing renewable energy infrastructures within the European Union's energy transition goals, particularly under the climate and energy objectives set for 2030. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Background Early initiation of breastfeeding (within the first hour postpartum) is crucial for maternal and child health, but Jharkhand exhibits the highest prevalence of delayed initiation, with over three-fourths of mothers affected. Existing literature lacks localized insights into district-level disparities and the socio-economic and healthcare determinants of delayed initiation, particularly in socio-economically disadvantaged regions like Jharkhand. Objectives This study aims to (1) assess the prevalence of delayed breastfeeding initiation across Jharkhand's districts, (2) create a spatial map categorizing districts into three priority zones (P1, P2, and P3), and (3) identify socio-economic and demographic factors associated with delayed breastfeeding initiation. Methods A cross-sectional analysis of 5,196 breastfeeding mothers from NFHS-5 (2019–2021) was conducted. District-wise prevalence rates were calculated, and a multivariable logistic regression analysis was performed using Stata-MP-17 to identify significant correlates. Results Jharkhand’s overall prevalence of delayed initiation was 77.1%, with Jamtara (86.6%) and Khunti (84.6%) reporting the highest rates. Twelve districts were categorized as Priority Level 3 (red zone). Key determinants included poor economic background (aOR = 1.379, p ≤ 0.05) and caesarean deliveries (aOR = 2.325, p

The editorial titled "Sustainable forest management under climate change conditions - A focus on biodiversity conservation and forest restoration" highlights the importance of forests as critical ecosystems providing essential services and biodiversity. The research topic explores strategies for forest conservation and restoration, emphasizing the need for nuanced approaches to protect Intact Forest Landscapes (IFLs) and enhance resilience. Studies from China on reforestation and carbon neutrality, as well as investigations into vegetation dynamics and species distribution under climate change, contribute valuable insights to sustainable forest management practices globally. The editorial underscores the multifaceted approach required to address the challenges of climate change and biodiversity loss, shaping policies and practices for the long-term health and resilience of forests. [Extracted from the article]

The implantation of wind farms in the European territory is being deployed at an accelerated pace. In the proposed framework, the province of La Coruña in the autonomous community of Galicia is tested, with a wide deployment of this type of infrastructure in the territory initiated in the 80s, representing the third autonomous community with the largest exploitation of wind resources, which provides sufficient information, extrapolated to the entire community, to demonstrate the practical usefulness and potential of the method of obtaining the territorial model proposed in this article The regional has been used as the basic administrative subunit of the study variables, considering that the territory thus delimited could have common physical and cultural characteristics. The methodology presented in this article involves the collection and processing of public cartographic data on various factors most repeatedly or agreed upon in the consulted bibliography based on studies by experts in the technical, environmental, and environmental areas, including explanatory variables of risk in a broader context of climate change as the first contribution of this study. Another contribution is the inclusion in the model of the synergistic impact measured as the distance to wind farms in operation (21% of the total area of the sample) to which an area of influence of 4 times the rotor diameter of each of the wind turbines im-planted has been added as a legal and physical restriction. On a solid basis of selection of explanatory variables and with the help of Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and multi-criteria analysis (MCDM), techniques widely documented in the existing literature for the determination of optimal areas for the implementation of this type of infrastructure, a methodological proposal is presented for the development of a strategic, long-term territorial model, for the prioritization of acceptable areas for the implementation of wind farms, including forecasts of increased energy demand due to the effect of climate change and the population dynamics of the study region that may influence energy consumption. This article focuses on the use of multivariate clustering techniques and spatial analysis to identify priority areas for long-term sustainable wind energy projects. With the proposed strategic territorial model, it has been possible to demonstrate that it is not only capable of discriminating between three categories of acceptable areas for the implementation of wind farms, taking into account population and climate change forecasts, but also that it also locates areas that could require conservationist measures to protect new spaces or to recover the soil because they present high levels of risk due to natural or anthropic disasters considered. The results show acceptable areas for wind energy implementation, 23% of the total area of the sample, 3% conservation as ecological spaces to be preserved, and 7% recovery due to high-risk rates. The findings show that coastal regions generally show a more positive carrying capacity, likely due to less dense development or regulatory measures protecting these areas. In contrast, certain inland regions show more negative values, suggesting these areas might be experiencing higher ecological disturbance from construction activities. This information highlights the importance of strategic site analysis to balance energy production with conservation needs. The study provides insights into wind farm deployment that considers the visual and ecological characteristics of the landscape, promoting sustainability and community acceptance. For this reason, these insights can be effectively used for advancing renewable energy infrastructures within the European Union’s energy transition goals, particularly under the climate and energy objectives set for 2030.

Forest landscape fragmentation poses a significant challenge to the conservation of species diversity. Evaluating the suitability of forest landscape restoration (FLR) becomes essential as it promotes effective management of forest resources and protects species diversity. This study focused on deploying and testing a suitability evaluation framework system for FLR in the Saihanba area of Hebei, China. The framework system incorporated factors such as land cover type, landscape structure, soil quality, and topography. Using the matter-element model, the study evaluated the restoration suitability and identified priority restoration areas. The results revealed that land cover type and landscape structure were the primary factors influencing FLR in the study area. The suitable area for FLR in the study area was about 519.20 km2, accounting for 55.55% of the total area. The area of moderate, marginal, and unsuitable restoration accounted for 17.30%, 23.96%, and 3.18% of the study area, respectively. The suitable restoration areas predominantly consisted of natural secondary forest characterized by large patch areas, short distances between patches, and complex patch shapes. In the study area, the objective of FLR should be protect large and complex shaped patches of natural secondary forests for better conservation of species diversity. The FLR suitability evaluation conducted in this study provide a valuable guidance for promoting species-diversity conservation and restoration of forest ecosystems at the landscape scale in the study area and other similar regions.

This article delves into the issues of equity, diversity, and inclusiveness (EDI) in the engineering disciplines in Canada and Spain and presents the challenges faced by underrepresented individuals and ways to promote an inclusive and diverse environment. Two strategic lines are identified: (a) facilitating university education access to underrepresented and minority groups and (b) guiding such students during university training to set them up for successful future careers. Accordingly, this article shows how the strategies mentioned above are implemented in some selected Canadian and Spanish universities, clearly distinguishing the approach taken in the two countries. In Canada, there is a more decentralized approach to addressing EDI issues, wherein the universities devise their agendas independently. In Spain, on the other hand, there is a stronger and more direct involvement of the government to ensure a comprehensive, system-wide approach to tackling EDI issues in academia. This article helps education policymakers to devise and implement pragmatic strategies for achieving EDI and the relevant UN-defined sustainable development goals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Soil erosion is one of the most serious ecological threats in karst areas of Southwest China. The identification of priority areas for remediation and its driving factors is essential to improving the efficiency of prevention and control. The present study systematically considered natural and socio-economic factors not involved in the revised universal soil loss equation (RUSLE) model, and determined priority areas for soil erosion management based on minimum administrative units and karst landforms. Then, the driving factors were identified by using geographic detector. The results showed that the priority areas were mainly concentrated in the southwest, southeast and northeast, overlapping with the severely eroded areas (Erosion rate=45.79 t·ha−1·a−1). Gradient risk zones had geomorphological differences, but the most eroded zones were all controlled by bedrock exposure rates, elevation, or slope position. The spatial correlation and high erosion rate of priority areas provided opportunities to optimize the efficiency and cost of control. Driving factors were affected by karst landforms. The explanation power of slope position on soil erosion was higher in the peak cluster depressions and karst basins with small undulations ( q ¯ = 11.85 %), while the karst gorges, trough valleys and plateaus with large undulations gradually decreased ( q ¯ = 6.01 %). The interaction of driving factors will enhance the explanatory power for soil erosion. Among them, the repetition rate of elevation was 60%, and the repetition rate of lithology and development index was 40%. This study provides useful information for identifying and managing priority areas for soil erosion control, and enriches the theory of soil and water conservation in karst areas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Santa Cruz department in Bolivia is characterized by a wide range of ecosystems and by its richness in water resources. In recent years, extended drought caused by climate change has led to extensive fire events. Combined with deforestation, this is resulting in the degradation of the region's ecosystems and water resources. To address restoration needs from both a land- and water-management perspective, this study proposes to prioritize restoration areas by applying a multi-criteria analysis (MCA) based on two main principles: (1) using the watershed as the main study unit and (2) involving stakeholders in the definition of priority watersheds. Local stakeholders selected criteria representing water resources, biophysical characteristics, land management, productive areas, and fire disaster threats, and reclassified the spatial information based on perceived importance. Different prioritization scenarios were developed and compared in a Google Earth Engine (GEE) application. Priority restoration areas largely depend on the weighting scheme. Focusing solely on past fires leads to prioritizing the south-east basins, while the conservation of the western watersheds becomes more important when increasing the weight of the water resources criteria. This study represents the first step in developing a participatory MCA tool at the watershed scale in Santa Cruz. Highlighting the impact of different prioritization criteria can support collective decision-making around land and watershed restoration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Design quality indicators have yet to be widely applied for assessing the sustainability of educational infrastructure. In this sector, the indicators have centred around seismic resilience and energy performance in case‐oriented studies dependent on primary data collection. However, access to good quality data about the building stock in European Union member states is required to support the planning of beneficial public educational infrastructure. The aim of this paper is to establish the process of developing a set of key design quality indicators for educational infrastructure in line with European legislation and the Sustainable Development Goals 2030. In total, 31 design quality indicators are proposed to cover the following priority areas: building stock and safety, user experience, energy efficiency, digital infrastructure and equipment, and environment (emissions and natural resources). These proposed priority areas and analysis of the available data reveal a situation in which national and international decision‐making authorities are constrained by the lack of data and their accuracy, obsolescence and vagueness. Currently, one cannot make an unbiased decision on the investments required for educational infrastructure. This means the greatest value of this work lies in potential application of the comprehensive system of priority areas and design quality indicators for international performance comparisons and evidence‐based policy decision‐making processes related to educational infrastructure, for example, investments, engineering and social matters. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ecological restoration can significantly improve ecosystem services and human well-being and provide a basis for regional coordinated development and ecological security. To guide restoration efforts, information on the potential benefits of restoration was required to efficiently target investments. Although the number of studies focusing on ecosystem restoration has increased in recent decades, priority areas that integrate ecological and economic benefits have yet to be identified. We developed and applied a prioritization approach to identify potential priority sites in Beijing. We used the historical environmental data on Beijing to identify areas of degradation and to assess the feasibility of restoration. Ecosystem service and quality degradation, low ecosystem quality, and soil erosion were integrated into one index to indicate the restoration importance. Potential restoration benefits were mapped using the monetary value of six ecosystem services. Based on the importance and benefits of restoration, three scenarios were developed to identify priority restoration areas. In Beijing, restoring 30% of the degraded area (1531 km2) in priority areas by 2050 could increase the annual ecological benefit by more than 5 billion yuan, or approximately 787 million USD, and could decrease the ecological degradation index by 50%. By integrating explicit spatial information on restoration importance and restoration benefits, this methodology provides a feasible way to identify restoration priority areas and assess restoration benefits. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Elucidating the relative importance of landscape composition including habitat structure, landscape features, and environmental factors can help prioritize management action for developing effective conservation measures. The present study aims to investigate the habitat characteristics, relative influence of key habitat environmental factors on the abundance of Gymnosphaera gigantea and to propose suitable habitats for conservation implications in the study area. Statistical modelling, habitat suitability analyses, and micro-level land use planning were done through the generalized linear models (GLMs), geostatistic interpolation based on Entropy Weighted Habitat Index (EWHI) and synthetic indicator (SI), and Strength-Weakness-Opportunity-Threat (SWOT) analysis, respectively, using significant habitat environmental factors derived from principal component analysis (PCA). A total of 57 (28 juvenile and 29 adults) individuals of G. gigantea was recorded from 19 populations with altitude varying from 59–747 m asl. GLMs analysis revealed that the vegetation and water occurrence as well as their combination significantly affects the abundance of G. gigantea. Suitability analysis and micro-level land use planning resulted in two priority areas (priority area I and II) in Tripura having greater potential for future conservation planning and reintroduction of this threatened fern. Overall, considering the fragmented populations and smaller patch size, the conservation of study species will require an integrated landscape as well as local-scale geospatial habitat management strategies to protect the natural populations and enhance the distributional range. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In order to reverse the trend of ecological deterioration and resolve the conflict between ecological conservation and economic development, it is necessary to evaluate the trends of ecosystem services (ESs) and unravel the relationship between ESs and environmental drivers and identify the priority areas for ESs. In this research, we used the Integrated Valuation of Ecosystem Services and Tradeoffs (InVEST) model to quantify the variation of four important ESs (water purification, water yield, soil conservation, and habitat quality) in the Dongting Lake Basin from 2000 to 2015. During the past 15 years, water yield was declined by 3.38% and soil conservation was increased by 1.45%. Water quality purification was deteriorated with the rise in phosphorus export (5.32%) and nitrogen export (4.09%). Meanwhile, habitat quality was decreased by 3.27%. Trade-offs occurred primarily among water yield and other ESs. Social-ecological drivers importance analysis found that water yield was primarily influenced by precipitation and temperature. By contrast, water purification and habitat quality were more affected by the distribution of land use and land cover (LULC). Soil conservation was closely related to precipitation and geographical factor. Based on the distribution of ESs and the intensity of human activities, we delineated priority areas for each ESs using the systematic conservation planning tool (Marxan). LULC shifted most dramatically in water yield reserves (6.49%) with a large amount of lands conversed to cropland (4.4%) and build-up land (0.27%), which further increased the risk of water scarcity, while LULC changed less in other ESs priority areas due to human activities. Our study helps develop conservation strategies within specific area cost-effectively and provides scientific support for future conservation program of ESs formulation and adjustment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: Biodiversity hotspots often span international borders, thus conservation efforts must as well. China is one of the most biodiverse countries and the length of its international land borders is the longest in the world; thus, there is a strong need for transboundary conservation. We identify China's transboundary conservation hotspots and analyse the potential effects of the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) on them to provide recommendations for conservation actions. Location: China, Asia. Methods: We compiled a species list of terrestrial vertebrates that span China's borders. Using their distribution, we extracted the top 30% of the area with the highest richness value weighted by Red List category and considered these transboundary hotspots for conservation priority. Then we analysed protected area (PA) coverage and connectivity to identify conservation gaps. To measure potential impact of the BRI, we counted the species whose distribution range is traversed by the BRI, and calculated the aggregation index, proportion of natural land and night light index along its routes. Results: We identified 1964 terrestrial vertebrate species living in the border region. We identified four transboundary hotspots and found insufficient PA coverage and low connectivity in three of them. The BRI routes intersected all four hotspots and traversed 82.4% (1619/1964) of the transboundary species, half of which (918) are sensitive to the potential risks brought by the BRI. Night light index increased generally along the BRI. However, the proportion of natural land and the aggregation index near the BRI showed different trends in hotspots. Main Conclusions: There is an urgent need for conservation action in China's transboundary region. The BRI should put biodiversity conservation at the core of its development strategy. Furthermore, we suggest using the planned BRI as a platform for dialogue and consultation, knowledge and data sharing, and joint planning to promote transboundary conservation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article delves into the issues of equity, diversity, and inclusiveness (EDI) in the engineering disciplines in Canada and Spain and presents the challenges faced by underrepresented individuals and ways to promote an inclusive and diverse environment. Two strategic lines are identified: (a) facilitating university education access to underrepresented and minority groups and (b) guiding such students during university training to set them up for successful future careers. Accordingly, this article shows how the strategies mentioned above are implemented in some selected Canadian and Spanish universities, clearly distinguishing the approach taken in the two countries. In Canada, there is a more decentralized approach to addressing EDI issues, wherein the universities devise their agendas independently. In Spain, on the other hand, there is a stronger and more direct involvement of the government to ensure a comprehensive, system-wide approach to tackling EDI issues in academia. This article helps education policymakers to devise and implement pragmatic strategies for achieving EDI and the relevant UN-defined sustainable development goals.

Carbon neutrality targets are a common objective for cities and regions worldwide, the achievement of which relies on the transformation of urban infrastructure. Urban green infrastructure (UGI) is the only resilient carbon sequestration subsystem within cities in the carbon cycle process; however, a straightforward and feasible evaluation system for guiding the regulation and planning decisions regarding UGI as a carbon sink has yet to emerge. Here, we simulated the net primary productivity (NPP) of vegetation in Wuhan in 2020 based on the Sentinel-2 improved CASA model and assessed the efficiency of UGI carbon sequestration by combining the biomass-carbon conversion coefficient and zonal statistical tool. Potential influencing variables were explored based on the P-S-R model. Then, the optimal parameter-based geodetector revealed the driving mechanism of spatial heterogeneity in the efficiency of the UGI carbon sequestration service supply in highly urbanized regions, based on which we developed the ‘Carbon Sequestration Enhancement Priority Index’ (CSEPI), a strategic planning tool for identifying priority areas in which to implement carbon sink-enhanced field intervention measures. For these ‘high-priority’ areas, further UGI partition management tools and partition optimisation strategies are proposed. Our study contributes to the scientific planning and management of UGI in the context of combating climate change and with limited national public investment.

Implementing ecological conservation and restoration of territorial spaces is an effective way of building an ecological civilization while maintaining national ecological security in the new ear. However, there is a need to identify priority areas for territorial ecological conservation and restoration from the perspective of landscape connectivity and ecosystem integrity. In Tianjin City, which is a highly urbanized city in northern China, economic development threatens to undermine environmental protection; therefore, its natural resources should be preserved and the degraded ecosystems should be restored. This study used the morphological spatial pattern analysis (MSPA), landscape connectivity assessment, and circuit theory to construct regional ecological networks. Subsequently, the priority areas for territorial ecological conservation and restoration were identified, including ecological pinch points, ecological barriers, and ecological breakpoints. The results showed that the ecological networks contained 2319.67 km2 of ecological sources that were dominated by woodlands, waters and wetlands, while comprising 71 ecological corridors with a total length of 366.91 km and a coverage area of 526.66 km2. The spatial distribution of ecological corridors was closely related to the layout of ecological sources. The priority areas included 31 ecological pinch points, 80 ecological barriers, and 71 ecological breakpoints. Targeted ecological conservation and restoration strategies were proposed by comprehensively analyzing the land-use status and spatial distribution characteristics of diverse priority areas. This study provides scientific spatial guidelines for formulating and implementing territorial ecological conservation and restoration planning by identifying the specific locations of priority areas.

Abstract Objective Priority areas for emergency care research are emerging and becoming ever more important. The objectives of this scoping review were to (1) provide a comprehensive overview of published emergency care priority‐setting studies by collating and comparing priority‐setting methodology and (2) describe the resulting research priorities identified. Methods The Joanna Briggs Institute methodological framework was used. Inclusion criteria were peer‐review articles available in English, published between January 1, 2008 and March 31, 2019 and used 2 or more search terms. Five databases (Scopus, AustHealth, EMBASE, CINAHL, and Ovid MEDLINE) were searched. REporting guideline for PRIority SEtting of health research (REPRISE) criteria were used to assess the quality of evidence of included articles. Results Forty‐five studies were included. Fourteen themes for emergency care research were considered within 3 overarching research domains: emergency populations (pediatrics, geriatrics), emergency care workforce and processes (nursing, shared decision making, general workforce, and process), and emergency care clinical areas (imaging, falls, pain management, trauma care, substance misuse, infectious diseases, mental health, cardiology, general clinical care). Variation in the reporting of research priority areas was evident. Priority areas to drive the global agenda for emergency care research are limited given the country and professional group‐specific context of existing studies. Conclusion This comprehensive summary of generated research priorities across emergency care provides insight into current and future research agendas. With the nature of emergency care being inherently broad, future priorities may warrant population (eg, children, geriatrics) or subspecialty (eg, trauma, toxicology, mental health) focus and be derived using a rigorous framework and patient engagement.

Governments and non-governmental organizations have widely recognized tidal wetland restoration as a sustainable instrument to lessen the threat of climate change, which is reflected by the expansion of the spatial scale of coastal restoration projects. However, approaches to large-scale spatial planning of tidal wetland restoration remain sparse. Previous studies on site selection for restoration planning have focused on the potential supply of ecosystem services (ES) or restoration feasibility with less emphasis on the mitigation of the status of regional ES supply and demand mismatches. We developed a five-step workflow based on systematic conservation planning to identify priority areas for tidal wetland restoration and applied it to the coastal reclaimed areas of Shanghai, China. With this workflow, we analyzed the changes in spatial distribution and the potential ecosystem services supply and restoration costs of priority areas between the two different scenarios of ES demand ignored and ES demand considered. Results showed that the potential restorable areas only accounted for 31.4% (425.2 km²) of the original reclaimed area because of other land use demands (e.g., permanent basic farmland conservation). We extracted 50% of the potential restorable areas as priority areas based on Aichi Target 15. Compared with the ES demand-ignored scenario, the ES demand scenario resulted in a substantial increase in the priority areas of Baoshan District (~177%) and Pudong New Area (~15%) and a small decrease in Chongming District (~4%). No significant change in the potential ES supply for all priority areas was observed between the two scenarios. However, the total restoration cost of the ES demand scenario is 10% higher than that of the ES demand-ignored scenario. Our study highlights the importance of considering the status of regional ES supply and demand (mis)matches in large-scale spatial planning for tidal wetland restoration.

Balancing biodiversity conservation with land use for agricultural production is a major societal challenge. Conservation activities must be prioritized since funds and resources for conservation are insufficient in the context of current threats, and conservation competes with other societal priorities. In order to contribute to conservation priority-setting literature, we applied an environmental model, Pressure–State–Response (PSR), to develop a set of criteria for identifying priority areas for biodiversity conservation in Vietnam. Our empirical data have been compiled from 185 respondents and categorized into three groups: Governmental Administration and Organizations, Universities and Research Institutions, and Protected Areas. The Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) theory was used to identify the weight of all criteria. Our results show that the priority levels for biodiversity conservation identified by these three factors are 41% for "Pressure", 26% for "State", and 33% for "Response". Based on these three factors, seven criteria and seventeen indicators were developed to determine priority areas for biodiversity conservation. Besides, our study also reveals that the groups of Governmental Administration and organizations and Protected Areas put a focus on the "Pressure" factor, while the group of Universities and Research Institutions emphasized the importance of the "Response" factor in the evaluation process. We suggest that these criteria and indicators be used to identify priority areas for biodiversity conservation in Vietnam. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

China is known for its abundant plant resources, but biodiversity conservation faces unprecedented challenges. To provide feasible suggestions for sustainable conservation, we used the species richness algorithm and complementary algorithm to study distribution patterns of 34,082 seed plants based on 1,007,196 county-level distribution records. We reconstructed a phylogenetic tree for 95.35% of species and estimated the spatial phylogenetics, followed by correlation analyses between different distribution patterns. We identified 264 counties concentrated in southern and southwestern mountainous areas as hotspots which covered 10% of the land area of China and harbored 85.22% of the Chinese seed plant species. The biodiversity conservation priorities we identified were highly representative as we have considered multiple conservation indicators. We evaluated the conservation effectiveness and gaps in the network of nature reserves and identified 31.44, 32.95, and 9.47%, respectively, of the hotspot counties as gaps in the national nature reserves, provincial nature reserves and both together, with respectively 55.77, 61.53, and 28.94% of the species. Analysis of the species composition showed there were a large number of threatened and endemic species occurring in the nature reserves' gaps. The conservation gaps need to be filled by establishing new nature reserves or national parks, especially in south-western China, and more attentions should be paid to strengthen the conservation of specific plant taxa due to the apparent mismatches between different distribution patterns. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The paper focuses on analysing the corporate social responsibility (CSR) practices followed by selected prominent companies in India operating in dominant sectors, that is, the sectors contributing largely towards the growth and development of the nation, viz., pharmaceuticals, information technology (IT), cement, and public sector undertakings/public sector enterprises (PSU/PSE). In each sector, three sample companies are selected, based on their dominance in the market, for conducting a comparative analysis on adopted CSR patterns and practices, and to identify the best CSR practices across the companies and sectors. Further, categorisation is made for the various CSR activities and an attempt is made to determine and identify the most preferred and neglected sectors based on the categorisation. From the analysis, it was observed that Category 3 was the most neglected category of CSR areas by all the companies and sectors at large. Lastly, suggestions and recommendations to improve CSR practices and some threats associated with neglecting certain CSR activities are highlighted. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As the most concentrated area of human activities, cities consume many natural resources and discharge a large amount of waste into the natural environment, which has a huge environmental impact. Most of the ecological and environmental problems, such as environmental pollution, global climate change, and loss of biodiversity, are related to urban systems. How to coordinate urban development with the urban ecological carrying capacity is related to the destiny of the city itself, and also to whether its surrounding areas can successfully achieve the goal of high environmental quality and sustainable development. At present, the theory and methods of urban ecological carrying capacity research are relatively new, which has caused problems for policy makers in practical applications. This paper proposes a theoretical framework for urban ecological carrying capacity assessment based on the analysis of ecosystem services supply and demand. Combined with multi-source spatial data and spatial model methods, the supply and demand of ecosystem services were spatially quantified. The capital city of China, Beijing, was the case study area for this research. The spatial differentiation of the supply–demand relationship of ecosystem services is formed. The priority areas for ecological carrying capacity improvement at pixel scale and at the administrative level are obtained, respectively. The results show that the first priority area is concentrated in the center of the urban area, accounting for 31.11% of the total area of Beijing. According to the secondary zone and the specific ecosystem service type, the ecological carrying capacity improvement strategy of different zones is proposed. This study provides a new perspective for investigating urban ecological carrying capacity and for identifying the priority areas for ecological carrying capacity improvement, and helps the policy-makers to design tailored policy actions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

At the present stage of rapid formation of the digital space, the problems of e-commerce development are becoming relevant. The article aims at generalizing and systematizing the existing scientific approaches to the interpretation of the "e-commerce" concept, and substantiating the author’s approach to defining the essence and content of this term. To achieve this goal, methods of analysis and synthesis, comparison, structural and logical generalization, and classification are used. It has been found out that most researchers identify e-commerce with such concepts as e-business, Internet business, IT business, e-marketing, e-trading, digital marketing, Internet-marketing, Internet-trading, Internet-commerce, e-retail, virtual trading, distance trading, electronic trading. Scientific approaches to formulating the term "e-commerce" can be systematized according to classification groups: part of e-business; type of economic activity; economic activity; commercial activity; type of electronic commercial activity; type of entrepreneurship; specific type of trade; marketing strategy; type of business process; electronic interaction of economic entities; type of trade through information and communication technologies; electronic commercial agreement; type of public relations for the sale of goods; a set of rules for the implementation of electronic relations for the purchase and sale of goods. Summing up the results of scientific research on the conceptual framework, the author interprets the term "e-commerce" as a component of e-business, the essence of which is to strengthen partnerships in buying and selling products using digital technologies and information systems; as an effective form of organizing logistics activities of enterprises by using information and communication technologies and systems; as a tool for promoting products in the market using digital technologies.

Purpose. The purpose of the article is to identify key barriers to the effective development of organizational culture in the digital economy, and to develop proposals for the modernization of the organizational culture of enterprises using information and communication technologies. Methodology / approach. The article uses general scientific methods of abstraction and analogy, induction and deduction, analysis and synthesis, generalization, structural-and-logical, economic-and-statistical, expert surveys, hierarchy analysis method. Results. The article presents the results of empirical research to identify contemporary problems, barriers, features, trends and directions of modernization of the organizational culture of Ukrainian enterprises of various types of economic activity. On the basis of the hierarchy analysis method, it is proved that the introduction of digital technologies is the optimal direction for the modernization of the organizational culture of enterprises, since it has the greatest efficiency compared to others. The key barriers hindering the effective development of the organizational culture of enterprises in the era of digital transformations are identified, which are conditionally classified into seven groups: personnel, information, organizational, marketing, educational, technological, investment and financial. Originality / scientific novelty. A substantial structure of organizational culture in the digital economy is proposed, for the first time, the main components of which are digital skills and competencies, the type of thinking and behavior, business relationships and sources of professional knowledge, career development models. The expediency of applying an integrated approach to digital modernization of organizational culture as a symbiosis and a constant relationship of influence factors, constituent elements, digital competencies and skills, information and communication technologies is substantiated. Practical value / implications. The implementation of proposals for the modernization of the organizational culture of enterprises in the era of digital transformation contributes to halving the time-consuming processes of personnel management; increase in employee involvement in the digitalization process by 38 %; optimization of competency and skills management; accelerate the launch of new digital solutions by 33 %; increase employee productivity through a customer-oriented approach; reduction of risks in the selection of personnel; improving the level of logistics services; increase the number of qualified employees; reducing the cost for adaptation, training and certification of personnel and their management as a result of automation and optimization of HR processes up to 90 %, and rational investment in employee development; growth in the average salary of company employees as a result of optimization of administrative costs. The results of the study can be used by public agro-industrial companies.

Purpose. The purpose of the article is a marketing research of the peculiarities of the organizational culture of the food industry enterprises and the identification of tendencies, problems and prospects of its development in the current economic conditions in Ukraine. Methodology / approach. Dialectical method of scientific cognition, complex, systematic, logical approaches were used to achieve this purpose and to solve certain problems. During the research, general scientific methods of abstraction and analogy, induction and deduction, analysis and synthesis, generalization, structural-logical, economic-statistical, mathematical-statistical, expert surveys were applied. Results. The results of the expert survey are presented as a method of empirical research in order to identify current problems, barriers, features, tendencies and ways of developing the organizational culture of the food industry in Ukraine. The barriers that impede the effective development of the organizational culture of enterprises include the following: functional disruptions impede data sharing; lack of digital platforms for managing large databases; lack of digital competence of staff; lack of a well-defined definition of customer orientation; misunderstanding of the essence of the client-oriented approach to the formation of organizational culture; the inability of the company to communicate with customers. It is established that the main obstacles to the transformation of the organizational culture of companies in terms of digitization of the economy are: low level of employee involvement; lack of financial resources; imperfection of organizational structure; lack of clear vision and support for leadership; misunderstanding of digital trends; not making necessary changes to the organizational culture; underdevelopment of IT infrastructure; lack of digital skills; lack of databases. It is proved that there is a direct correlation between the organizational culture of enterprises and financial results. Expert assessment of the influence of endogenous factors on the development of organizational culture of enterprises and the intensity of use of channels of internal communication. Indicators that reflect the characteristics of the organizational culture of enterprises have been identified and calculated. The calculations showed that the level of development of organizational culture at the surveyed enterprises is average and is 0.529. It should be noted that the level of development of organizational culture of food processing enterprises is significantly influenced by such indicators as «Empowerment» (0.663), «Strategic direction and intentions» (0.620), «Teamwork orientation» (0.593), «Objectives and Tasks» (0.570), «Vision» (0.567). However, food companies pay insufficient attention to organizational staff training, employee training, the ability to change under the influence of exogenous factors, and the application of a customer-centric approach to customer service. Originality / scientific novelty. On the basis of Denison’s methodology, the methodical approach to the assessment of organizational culture of the food industry enterprises has been improved. Approbation of the proposed approach showed that the interviewed enterprises have an average level of development of organizational culture (0.505), since the value of the integral indicator is in the range of 0.51–0.75. Practical value / implications. Priority directions of improvement of development of management of organizational culture of food industry enterprises are offered, implementation of which will contribute to optimization and automation of personnel management processes, increase of productivity of employees, increase of profitability level from sales of products, improvement of quality of logistic service and level of customer service.

Legal Reserves (RL) determine a percentage of native vegetation that needs to be maintained in rural properties in Brazil. It can be compensated or allocated by restoring the vegetation on the property itself or in another one. The large-scale restorations projects have a high cost, so it is important to develop forest restoration methodologies that assist in decision making, to identify factors and to map possibilities of allocation of RL. Thus, we aimed to map priority areas for allocating legal reserves and for restoration, a problem of land planning in a general position, applying it to an specific example of the company Suzano S.A. as a case study, the largest pulp and paper company in Latin America, and to discuss the applicability of used criteria. We expect that this methodology would show how much priority and where legal reserves should be allocated, in order to comply with Brazilian legislation. For that, we used Geographic Information System (GIS) and Multiple-Criteria Decision Analysis (MCDA). Selection of criteria was based on territorial planning that assist in forest restoration and of importance to Suzano and they were analyzed by a Hierarchical Analytical Process (AHP) to differentiate the importance of each criterion. According to the Brazil forest code, priority areas for RL allocation should consider river basin plans, Ecological-Economic Zoning, ecological corridors connection with protected areas, sites with greatest importance for the conservation of biodiversity and areas of environmental fragility. We found that most part of the state was classified as lower importance priority areas. Instead, current location of Suzano Legal Reserves is mostly in areas that have higher priorities for RL allocation. Thus, allocation or compensation of environmental debts in other basins, as the New Forest Code allows, should be taken with care, as legal reserves might be placed in low priority areas. Critic watersheds criteria determined the outcomes, but also the priority areas defined by São Paulo state. In the beginning of the UN Decade on Restoration, this study provides inputs to regularize rural properties and for increasing native vegetation cover.

In recent years, payments for ecosystem services (PES) have emerged as a form of financing for the conservation of natural resources, compensating landowners that generate positive environmental externalities. For the PES design process, the spatial targeting approach for identifying priority areas aiming at the environmental recovery and preservation is essential for the efficient allocation of limited financial resources. In this sense, the present work aims to spatially identify priority areas for the implementation of PES schemes, with emphasis on the conservation of water resources, using as case study the Feijão River watershed (FRW), the primary water source for the city of São Carlos-SP, Brazil. For such, we performed a multicriteria evaluation in geographic information system (GIS) environment for mapping priority areas for forest restoration based on relevant criteria for the provision of hydrological services. We then cross-referenced the resulted information plan with estimated opportunity costs for compensating landowners in order to identify higher restoration priorities associated with low cost sites for PES implementation. The results show that 25.6% of the eligible areas have very high priority to forest restoration and are located mainly along the Feijão River watercourse, in direct recharge areas of the Guarani Aquifer System and with predominance of pasture and sugarcane uses, the main driving forces of erosion processes in the watershed. Among the agricultural activities, livestock presented the lowest opportunity cost (US$ 57.91 ha−1.year−1), and 99 rural properties with areas of interest for PES schemes were identified (3.7% of the watershed area), corresponding in full to the payment amount of US$ 52,018.08 per year to producers. Finally, the use of multicriteria evaluation combined with economic analysis of land use presented as a flexible and straightforward methodological approach, whose results can support further watershed planning and management.

In response to deteriorating air quality, South Africa implemented national programmes that aim to manage and regulate ambient air quality and air pollution. Air Quality Management Plans (AQMPs) are clear outlines of measures and resources needed to achieve air quality objectives in a given geographical area and require support from government, business, industry, non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and the public. The success of the AQMPs depends primarily on the support of all stakeholders and the quality of the management plan. The Vaal Triangle Airshed Priority Area (VTAPA) was declared in 2006 as an area where ambient air quality standards are exceeded or may cause adverse air quality impacts. This research study focused on the VTAPA to evaluate the quality of the first and second-generation AQMPs for the VTAPA. Quality evaluation includes an analysis of procedures, processes, methods and documents. Effectiveness refers to the results of individual activities; therefore, the extent to which the AQMP met the expected outcomes of the review package defined the quality of the AQMP report. Both the first and draft second-generation AQMPs were considered to be of good quality. The first-generation AQMP was found to be of better quality than that of the draft second-generation AQMP. Funding mechanisms need to be investigated to assist in implementing intervention strategies in the AQMP as both the first and draft second-generation AQMPs were found to lack the potential to secure funds. Though the draft second-generation AQMP was found to be of lesser quality, the source apportionment study for identification of all sources as well as a better-outlined air quality management system was found to be good improvements to the AQMP.

Plastic-related industrial discharge is suspected as a significant source of microplastics (MPs) in the influent of wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs). However, little is known about the characteristics of MPs in industrial wastewater. Taking the Haicang WWTP in Xiamen, China, as an example, this study compared MPs in industrial wastewater with the domestic one in terms of abundance, particle size, polymer type, shape and color. Wentworth modulus, grain size parameters and principal component analysis (PCA) were performed to describe the MP difference between those two. It was found that the abundance of MPs in industrial wastewater was more than twice that in domestic wastewater, and the flux of MPs discharged into the aquatic environment through industrial wastewater was about 3.2 times that of domestic wastewater. The main shapes of MPs in industrial wastewater and domestic wastewater were fiber and granule, respectively. The proportion of polyester (PES) and polyethylene terephthalate (PET) in industrial wastewater was higher than that in domestic wastewater, related to the type of factories served by the WWTP. Compared with domestic wastewater, the rough surface of MPs in industrial wastewater was more complex and diverse, which might have a high capability of adsorbing other pollutants, thereby causing more significant harm to the environment. Our results supported that industrial sources of MPs are the priority areas in environmental management, and immediate action is taken to prevent industrial-sources MPs from entering the environment.

It is substantiated that the development of scientific and technological progress since the middle of the last century has led to intensive industrialization that, together with globalization processes, has resulted in global climate change. Nowadays, combating global warming is one of the most challenging and urgent tasks of humanity. Sweeping changes in natural systems, primarily an increase in the frequency and duration of droughts, floods, melting glaciers and rising water in the seven seas, biodiversity loss, etc., are the effect of global temperature rise. There is also a deterioration of living conditions and standards of the public, declining food security, especially in low- and middle-income countries. The research outlines the main trends in climate change. It is clarified the impact of climate change on the environment, man, society, and economy. The authors emphasize the significance and role of local actions towards adapting to the effects of climate change, which may become a tool for reducing climate risks in a global environment. It is justified that the challenge of climate change is addressed by joint efforts of each state of the world economic space. The effects of climate change and adaptation measures within economic realms are regarded by relying on global experience. The purpose of the article is to determine strategic guidelines for implementing adaptation measures to the impact of climate change to guarantee global environmental security. The research is based on a systems approach to solving the issue of guaranteeing global environmental security. In this context, it refers to the stimulation of constant economic modernization and the development of a new economic structure of the 21st century aimed at searching for effective mechanisms and tools promoting the measures for reducing greenhouse gas emissions. First of all, this means the implementation of energy-saving technologies, which will reduce the energy intensity of production and thus, increase economic energy efficiency and enhance global environmental security.

During the 20th century, European cities experimented with industrialization processes and the mechanization of agriculture that triggered the rural-urban exodus. A primarily young population left their rural territories of origin to work in cities in the industrial and service sectors. These massive migratory movements catalyzed the depopulation and aging in many rural regions of Europe. Spain, where the great exodus occurred in the 1960s and 1970s, is one of the European countries most affected by depopulation. Significantly, the region of Castilla y León , in the northwest of the country, due to its orographic characteristics and the dispersion of its population in many small municipalities, has been and still is especially vulnerable to the loss of inhabitants in favor of large cities, converting a large part of its territory in an excellent example of demographic desert. The article's objective is twofold: First, to provide a methodology to identify municipalities or geographic areas at risk of digital exclusion and subject to substantial demographic imbalances. Consequently, based on the proposed methodology, to prioritize the areas of Castilla y León where to act to try to reverse the situation. Thus, this study goes beyond previous research. It provides a comprehensive view that integrates demographic and technological aspects. As a result, a specific methodology is proposed, which also connects the above with the European context and policies. Identifying and prioritizing areas for technological improvement in Castilla y León represent a valuable contribution to addressing the challenge of rural depopulation. • Appropriate technological endowment could reverse or stop depopulation. • Technological endowment of rural areas is essential for rural development. • Geostatistical analysis allows for the identification of priority areas for action. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The lack of wall-to-wall biotic inventories poses a significant challenge for conservation biology. Therefore, a primary goal in conserving the unknown (species and their distribution) is finding biodiversity surrogates. This study uses remote sensing techniques and animal distribution in Spain to propose a new surrogate - habitat heterogeneity diversity (HHD). HHD was defined using measures of NDVI (Normalized difference vegetation index) and maximum dispersion approach to identify areas that spam habitat heterogeneity among sites. The efficacy of HHD in selecting sites to represent species was compared to the biotic surrogate rarity-weighted richness (RWR), a single NDVI measure, and a null solution. This study also investigated the spatial patterns of RWR and whether the methodology used to estimate HHD influences its efficiency as a surrogate. RWR patterns generally show high values in the north. While the correlations among RWR values were generally moderate, HHD successfully represented species compared to NDVI and null solutions and, in some cases, RWR. HHD is a robust alternative for complementarity-based solutions for solving problems that require the representation of at least one occurrence per species. Since HHD could be calculated using NDVI variables, the cost of conservation planning could be reduced since remote sensing variables are widely available and accessible most of the time. When validated, HHD could be incorporated into spatial conservation prioritization plans alongside other abiotic-based solutions at the same scale that conservation is practiced. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Marine protected areas (MPAs) are territorial management instruments aimed at conserving ecosystem services, natural resources, protecting habitats, recovering degraded areas and safeguarding associated cultural values. Integrating MPAs into networks has been increasingly recognized as a more effective and successful approach to achieve their goals. In this study, we use social network analysis to assess the interaction networks of environmental, social and management aspects of the MPAs in the Atlantic Forest Central Corridor (Brazil), one of the world's most threatened biodiversity hotspots. Two hypotheses were tested: (i) geographically close MPAs are more likely to interact in certain aspects, and (ii) networks consist of densely connected subgroups of federal and state MPAs (managed by institutions with a broader geographic focus), which interact more among themselves and occupy central positions in the network, while municipal MPAs (managed by institutions with a local geographic focus) occupy a more peripheral or isolated positions. The results support the first hypothesis, indicating how central MPAs exert influence on geographically close areas, increasing their interaction capacities. The second hypothesis was partially supported, with municipal MPAs isolated in the environmental and management networks, but active in the social network. The environmental network showed the greatest number of interactions and was characterized by the formation of four groupings between MPAs, while the social network presented the greatest number of social actors, reaching the greatest strength of interaction between the MPA-actors and presented six groupings. The management network exhibited the formation of three groupings of MPAs and presented the greatest isolation between actors from different groups. Network analysis highlights the central role that some MPAs play in marine conservation and suggests that interactions between MPA managers form organically, but are influenced by homophily and historical components. • Ecological corridors are strategic for maintaining biodiversity. • Marine protected areas (MPAs) interacted in environmental, social, and management aspects. • Central MPAs exert influence on geographically close areas, increasing their interaction capacities. • MPAs interact with each other regardless of their management category. • Homophily is a key driver of interactions between MPAs in Brazil. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The herpetofauna of the Caatinga is still underestimated. A lack of knowledge of this group led the region to be perceived as having low species richness and endemism. This study aims to determine the species composition of the herpetofauna of the municipality of Nordestina. Data were collected using different techniques, such as pitfall traps and active searching. We used a bootstrap method to estimate the species richness of the local herpetofauna. We also calculated dominance and evenness indices. We recorded 3,969 specimens of 49 species. Snakes had the highest species richness, while lizards were more abundant. Anurans comprised 14 ± 0.8 species, with high evenness (J’ = 65.8%) and low dominance (D = 23.3%). The number of squamate species was the same as the amount observed (n = 36), and also had high evenness (J’ = 55.7%) and low dominance (D = 23.9%). In general, the studied area showed a pattern of evenness with low dominance, in addition to environmental stability, which is a characteristic of most conserved environments and leads us to stress the importance of this region to the maintenance of the biodiversity of the Caatinga biome.

The purpose of the work was to monitor the level of financing of innovation activities and regional level technologies transfer by regions of Ukraine on the basis of medium-term priority directions of innovation activity of the strategic priority on the national level “Technological renewal and development of the agro-industrial complex” and to realization of regional innovation priorities on the development and introduction of the latest biotechnologies and veterinary security medicines for farm animals. Materials and methods. Analytical, comparative, graphical, statistical, descriptive, generalization methods were used in the work. The research materials are normative-legislative acts, official information of regional state administrations on the results of innovation activities within the framework of regional development strategies (in 13 regions of Ukraine), regional programs of scientific-technical and innovation development for 2017–2018. Results. The monitoring results give an opportunity: to assess the legal and regulatory framework for the formation of the medium-term priorities of the innovative activity of the agro-industrial complex (AIC) as a state and each individual region and the veterinary sector as a whole (taking into account the needs of the industry in veterinary medicines, veterinary supplies, premixes, vaccines, serum, diagnostic kits, etc.); to evaluate the financial support of medium-term priorities of the innovative activities by local budgets with the provision of veterinary medicines at the regional level; to evaluate the effectiveness of innovation activities for created, acquired and transmitted new technologies in the pharmaceutical sector of veterinary medicine; to compare the obtained indicators with the previous periods, to track their dynamics and the tendency of development of medium-term priority directions of innovation activity at the regional level; to use the results of monitoring in the formation of the list of medium-term priority directions of innovation activity at the regional level up to 2021 in the form of directing funds for struggling with animal diseases and, thus, creating safe conditions for human health. Conclusions. The elaboration of the regulatory framework, namely, the Resolution of the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine from October 18, 2017 No. 980 “Some issues of determining the medium-term priority areas of innovation activity at the sectoral level for 2017–2021”, but this document needs to be improved in the areas of identification the priority directions of innovation activity in the pharmaceutical sector of veterinary medicines.

The article determines the key prerequisites for the formation of the concept “information economy” and studies the evolution of its development. It is established that the majority of researchers identify the information economy with such concepts as digital economy, new economy, post-industrial economy, Industry 4.0, virtual economy, network economy, information and network economy, electronic economy, digital intellectual economy, Internet economy, e-economy, web economy, knowledge economy. Scientific approaches to defining terminology relating to the problems of the development of the information economy are conventionally broken down into classification groups: science, new type of economy, section of economic theory, information environment, system of economic relations, type of economic activity, instrument. Based on the result of the generalization of the existing scientific developments associated with the conceptual apparatus and the analysis of its compliance with modern business conditions, the content of the concept “information economy” is clarified. It is defined as a system of economic relations involving modern information technologies as well as the information environment, which is effectively evolving through the use of digital technologies and functioning of information infrastructure facilities. The article determines the priority areas for the development of the information economy in the global digital space, including: creation of a digital platform as a new business model; use of the concept of Industry 4.0 and smart factory as drivers for the digital transformation of industrial development; implementation of a cyber-physical system as a single complex of information resources, systems and physical processes.