The emerging discipline of urban ecology is shifting focus from ecological processes embedded within cities to integrative studies of large urban areas as biophysical-social complexes. Yet this ...discipline lacks a theory. Results from the Baltimore Ecosystem Study, part of the Long Term Ecological Research Network, expose new assumptions and test existing assumptions about urban ecosystems. The findings suggest a broader range of structural and functional relationships than is often assumed for urban ecological systems. We address the relationships between social status and awareness of environmental problems, and between race and environmental hazard. We present patterns of species diversity, riparian function, and stream nitrate loading. In addition, we probe the suitability of land-use models, the diversity of soils, and the potential for urban carbon sequestration. Finally, we illustrate lags between social patterns and vegetation, the biogeochemistry of lawns, ecosystem nutrient retention, and social-biophysical feedbacks. These results suggest a framework for a theory of urban ecosystems.
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BFBNIB, DOBA, IZUM, KILJ, NMLJ, NUK, PILJ, PNG, SAZU, SIK, UILJ, UKNU, UL, UM, UPUK
A landmark book that strives to provide both grand theory and practical application, innovatively describing the structure and dynamics of human ecosystemsAs the world faces ever more complex and ...demanding environmental and social challenges, the need for interdisciplinary models and practical guidance becomes acute. The Human Ecosystem Model described in this landmark book provides an innovative response. Broad in scope, detailed in method, at once theoretical and applied, this grand study offers an in-depth understanding of human ecosystems and tools for action. The authors draw from Goethe'sFaust, classic anthropology and sociology studies, contemporary ecosystem ecology, Buddhist ethics, and more to create a paradigm-shifting model and a major advance in interdisciplinary ecology.
•Soil multifunctionality (SMF) is tested in PE microplastics (MPs) polluted dryland.•8 major function groups (across 21 functions) explain 78.6 % of SMF variation.•6 major ecological functions ...generally exhibit positive contributions to SMF.•This is due to foam-modified effects of MPs on ecological & productive functions.•MPs generally induce positive effects on SMF, but not negative ones in dryland.
Soil multifunctionality (SMF) denotes soil capability to concurrently offer diversified functions. Here, we unveiled the long-term effects of polyethylene microplastics (MPs) on SMF along their physical forms and concentrations in dryland. General linear model showed that eight major function groups (across 21 functions) explained 78.6 % of SMF variation. Direct or indirect productive functions of soil, including plant productivity and its physical property stability, contributed to SMF by 8.65 % and 13.68 %, respectively. Ecological functions, including microbial activity (12.73 %), bacterial composition diversity (10.69 %), bacterial functional diversity (11.71 %), carbon storage (9.98 %), nitrogen storage (3.54 %) and pollutant metabolism function (7.62 %), exhibited positive contributions to SMF. These were somewhat dependent on MPs physical forms and concentrations, and mostly attributed to the foam-modified effects of MPs on soil bulk density, and functional trade-off between conservation and services. Overall, MPs induced positive effects on SMF, challenging the widespread viewpoint that MPs only produced negative impacts in dryland.
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This paper illustrates some theoretical possibilities for research on leisure behavior. There is an attempt to make explicit two hypotheses which often are implicit in our explanations of variation ...in leisure behavior. The origins, utility and limitations of these two hypotheses - "compensatory" and "familiarity" - are examined by using data on three styles of family camping. When confronted with these data, it appears that both familiarity and compensatory desires converge upon a specific activity. To understand the sources of this convergence, a third hypothesis - "personal community" - seems a useful alternative. This hypothesis suggests that the nature of those intimate social circles which surround the individual may be the crucial determinant of variation in leisure style. Our data on family camping suggest that future research should consider such a possibility.
This study follows the 20-year period of a forestry innovation—the share-holding integrated forestry tenure (SHIFT) system—its adoption, diffusion, adaptation and transformation in Sanming ...Prefecture, Fujian Province of the People’s Republic of China. Our research suggests that the adoption of this innovation in forest management institutions and technologies tends to follow the familiar “s” curve. However, the prevailing patterns in the social, economic, cultural, and biophysical environments that encouraged the adoption have changed overtime as it moved to an adaptive phase. The need for flexibility and resiliency in forestry strategies is necessary if the goals and objectives promised by innovation are to be sustained.
SHIFT was initiated as an innovative rural development program of “private-like” forest management, where villagers became shareholders in the community forestry operation and obtained employment through a system of tenure contracts. SHIFT has proven to be an effective system for the regeneration and protection of Sanming’s forests. Changing conditions in the social, economic, cultural, and biophysical environments of Sanming have undermined the value of the shareholding system and the benefit distribution of tenure contracts. However, villager confidence in the SHIFT system remains positive as direct dividend benefits have been replaced by those accrued through the harvest of non-timber forest products and a new household tenure contract to supply individual household forest product needs.
The value of interdisciplinary research (IDR) to ecology, the difficulties of conducting IDR and the keys to successful IDR collaboration are examined. One of the most significant systemic limits of ...IDR is that most leading journals are disciplinary territory.
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The fourth volume in the Harte Research Institute’s landmark scientific series on the Gulf of Mexico provides a comprehensive study of ecosystem-based management, analyzing key coastal ...ecosystems in eleven Gulf Coast states from Florida to Quintana Roo and presenting case studies in which this integrated approach was tested in both the US and in Mexico. Two overview chapters cover related information on Cuba and on coastal zone management in Mexico. The comprehensive data on management policies and practices in this volume give researchers, policy makers, and other concerned parties the most up-to-date information available, supporting and informing initiatives to sustain healthy ecosystems so that they can, in turn, sustain human social and economic systems in this important transnational region.
Combined with the second volume in this series, which examines the coastal and ocean-based economy of the Gulf region, Ecosystem-Based Management provides pivotal empirical information on how human activity can be managed in an environmentally sustainable way. This important research points the way to better stewardship of the Gulf’s valuable natural resources, ensuring their availability for future generations.
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