Sustainability

Article

20 pages, 3395 KiB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceArticle

Research on Land Use Changes and Ecological Risk Assessment in Yongjiang River Basin in Zhejiang Province, China

by Peng Tian, Jialin Li, Hongbo Gong, Ruiliang Pu, Luodan Cao, Shuyao Shao, Zuoqi Shi, Xiuli Feng, Lijia Wang and Riuqing Liu

Sustainability 2019, 11(10), 2817; https://doi.org/10.3390/su11102817 - 17 May 2019

Cited by 53 | Viewed by 4571

Abstract

Studying land use changes and ecological risk assessment in Yongjiang River Basin in Zhejiang Province, China, provides theoretical references for optimal configuration of land resources and maintaining stability of ecosystems. Given impacts of land use changes on landscape patterns in the Yongjiang River [...] Read more.

Studying land use changes and ecological risk assessment in Yongjiang River Basin in Zhejiang Province, China, provides theoretical references for optimal configuration of land resources and maintaining stability of ecosystems. Given impacts of land use changes on landscape patterns in the Yongjiang River Basin, ecological risk assessment indexes were constructed and used to analyze temporal and spatial variation characteristics of ecological risk within different periods. Results show that (1) the construction land area was increased quickly, while the cultivated area decreased sharply. A prominent characteristic of land use changes was manifested by transforming cultivated area and forestland into construction land. The utilized degree of the land increased continuously. Spatially, the land utilized degree in northern regions was higher than that in southern regions and the degree in eastern regions was higher than that in western regions. (2) The ecological risk in the Yongjiang River Basin was intensified and the area of high ecological risk was expanded by 893.96 km². Regions with low and relatively low ecological risks concentrated in western and southern regions of the Basin, whereas regions with high ecological risks were mainly in northern and eastern regions. Landscapes in cities and towns at a high economic development level are highly sensitive to human activities. (3) Transformation of ecological risk is complicated. Land area with the ecological risk changing from a low level to a high level was 4.15 times that with the ecological risk changing from a high level to a low level. There were 15 transformation directions among different ecological risk regions. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Environmental Sustainability and Applications)

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11 pages, 2899 KiB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceArticle

Tillage, Cover Crop and Crop Rotation Effects on Selected Soil Chemical Properties

by Samuel I. Haruna and Nsalambi V. Nkongolo

Sustainability 2019, 11(10), 2770; https://doi.org/10.3390/su11102770 - 15 May 2019

Cited by 41 | Viewed by 6613

Abstract

Research results still vary, especially between locations, on the effects of agricultural practices on soil chemical properties and crop yield, and not all reasons for the variation are fully understood. Thus, this study investigated the influence of tillage, cover crop and crop rotation [...] Read more.

Research results still vary, especially between locations, on the effects of agricultural practices on soil chemical properties and crop yield, and not all reasons for the variation are fully understood. Thus, this study investigated the influence of tillage, cover crop and crop rotation management practices on selected soil chemical properties. The study was conducted on a silt-loam soil in central Missouri during the 2011 to 2013 growing seasons. The soil was managed by moldboard plow tillage at two levels (tillage [till] vs. no-tillage [NT]). Cover crop management included cereal rye (Secale cereale) at two levels (cover crop [CC] vs. no cover crop [NC]). The main crops that were grown were a corn (Zea mays L.) and soybean (Glycine max L.) rotation. The soil samples were collected each year at 0–10 cm, 10–20 cm, 20–40 cm and 40–60 cm depths for the analysis of soil chemical properties. The results showed that after 3 years of study, the relative increase in percent soil organic matter (OM) was 4% under the no-till management as compared with moldboard plow tillage. In addition, the relative change in the percentage of OM was 8% greater in the CC management compared with NC. Furthermore, the results show a significant improvement (p = 0.0304) in total carbon with a combination of no-till management and a corn/soybean rotation as compared with continuous corn and soybean. The interaction effects of the management practices on the soil chemical properties were difficult to predict throughout the study. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Sustainable Agriculture)

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15 pages, 2847 KiB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceArticle

Attitude towards Bike Use in Rende, a Small Town in South Italy

by Demetrio Carmine Festa and Carmen Forciniti

Sustainability 2019, 11(9), 2703; https://doi.org/10.3390/su11092703 - 13 May 2019

Cited by 19 | Viewed by 4477

Abstract

The bike can contribute to the development of sustainable mobility. This requires interventions to promote bike use, such as increasing the cyclist safety, construction of bikeways, and provision of ancillary services and bike sharing activities. In the literature many studies focus on bike [...] Read more.

The bike can contribute to the development of sustainable mobility. This requires interventions to promote bike use, such as increasing the cyclist safety, construction of bikeways, and provision of ancillary services and bike sharing activities. In the literature many studies focus on bike use and agree with the application of such interventions. However, these studies are often related to specific urban areas that are very different; the transferability of results and models has not been adequately analyzed. This work investigates the attitudes towards cycling in Rende, a small town in Southern Italy. The aim is to determine in what conditions the users would be willing to use bicycles in relation to the trip purpose, the presence or absence of cycle paths, and the availability of bike sharing services. Different factors, such as age, gender, and occupation, are taken into account. The results show that the bike use could be incentivized by enlarging the existent bike network, adopting bike sharing systems, and promoting specific policies oriented to sustainable transport modes. Furthermore, two aspects emerged from the analysis: the importance of studying the propensity to use bikes by different groups of users and the importance of focusing interventions on market segments with greater willingness to bike. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Sustainable Transportation)

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11 pages, 241 KiB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceArticle

Incorporating Forests, Agriculture, and Energy Consumption in the Framework of the Environmental Kuznets Curve: A Dynamic Panel Data Approach

by Rajan Parajuli, Omkar Joshi and Tek Maraseni

Sustainability 2019, 11(9), 2688; https://doi.org/10.3390/su11092688 - 11 May 2019

Cited by 56 | Viewed by 5846

Abstract

Based on country-specific panel data from 1990–2014 for 86 different countries, we quantify the effects of forests and agricultural land in CO₂ emissions, using the framework of the Environmental Kuznets Curve (EKC). The results from the dynamic panel data method reveal that [...] Read more.

Based on country-specific panel data from 1990–2014 for 86 different countries, we quantify the effects of forests and agricultural land in CO₂ emissions, using the framework of the Environmental Kuznets Curve (EKC). The results from the dynamic panel data method reveal that forests are an important determinant in reducing CO₂ emissions globally, but the effects vary by region. All else constant, we estimate a 0.11% decline in CO₂ emissions per 1% increase in the forest area globally. However, the agricultural sector is found to be a true CO₂ emitter. Our study provides additional empirical evidence for the roles of forests in regulating atmospheric CO₂, further reinforcing the importance of forests in global climate change policies. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Agriculture, Landscape, Ecosystem Services and Biodiversity: New Challenges for Sustainable Development)

15 pages, 1713 KiB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceArticle

Estimation of CO₂ Emissions of Internal Combustion Engine Vehicle and Battery Electric Vehicle Using LCA

by Ryuji Kawamoto, Hideo Mochizuki, Yoshihisa Moriguchi, Takahiro Nakano, Masayuki Motohashi, Yuji Sakai and Atsushi Inaba

Sustainability 2019, 11(9), 2690; https://doi.org/10.3390/su11092690 - 11 May 2019

Cited by 241 | Viewed by 72109

Abstract

In order to reduce vehicle emitted greenhouse gases (GHGs) on a global scale, the scope of consideration should be expanded to include the manufacturing, fuel extraction, refinement, power generation, and end-of-life phases of a vehicle, in addition to the actual operational phase. In [...] Read more.

In order to reduce vehicle emitted greenhouse gases (GHGs) on a global scale, the scope of consideration should be expanded to include the manufacturing, fuel extraction, refinement, power generation, and end-of-life phases of a vehicle, in addition to the actual operational phase. In this paper, the CO₂ emissions of conventional gasoline and diesel internal combustion engine vehicles (ICV) were compared with mainstream alternative powertrain technologies, namely battery electric vehicles (BEV), using life-cycle assessment (LCA). In most of the current studies, CO₂ emissions were calculated assuming that the region where the vehicles were used, the lifetime driving distance in that region and the CO₂ emission from the battery production were fixed. However, in this paper, the life cycle CO₂ emissions in each region were calculated taking into consideration the vehicle’s lifetime driving distance in each region and the deviations in CO₂ emissions for battery production. For this paper, the US, European Union (EU), Japan, China, and Australia were selected as the reference regions for vehicle operation. The calculated results showed that CO₂ emission from the assembly of BEV was larger than that of ICV due to the added CO₂ emissions from battery production. However, in regions where renewable energy sources and low CO₂ emitting forms of electric power generation are widely used, as vehicle lifetime driving distance increase, the total operating CO₂ emissions of BEV become less than that of ICV. But for BEV, the CO₂ emissions for replacing the battery with a new one should be added when the lifetime driving distance is over 160,000 km. Moreover, it was shown that the life cycle CO₂ emission of ICV was apt to be smaller than that of BEV when the CO₂ emissions for battery production were very large. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Environmental Life Cycle Assessment)

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20 pages, 2894 KiB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceArticle

Understanding Consumer E-Waste Recycling Behavior: Introducing a New Economic Incentive to Increase the Collection Rates

by Tetiana Shevchenko, Kirsi Laitala and Yuriy Danko

Sustainability 2019, 11(9), 2656; https://doi.org/10.3390/su11092656 - 9 May 2019

Cited by 98 | Viewed by 24039

Abstract

Consumer electronics are made of a wide range of materials, including precious metals and critical minerals with limited global reserves. Ensuring the recycling of these materials is essential for future use, especially since many renewable energy solutions are based on them. In addition, [...] Read more.

Consumer electronics are made of a wide range of materials, including precious metals and critical minerals with limited global reserves. Ensuring the recycling of these materials is essential for future use, especially since many renewable energy solutions are based on them. In addition, improper end-of-life treatments of these products cause harm to the environment and human health. This study explores the incentives that have been used to increase consumer collection rates for end-of-life electrical and electronic equipment (EoL EEE). Based on extensive global literature reviews, we propose an alternative to existing consumer incentives. The research suggests that implementing an economic incentive based on the electronic bonus card system (EBCS) has several benefits compared to existing incentives. It compensates the consumers for the transaction costs of proper collection and satisfies the consumer perception of EoL EEE as having a residual value. However, application of the EBCS motivation technology will require the cooperation of various stakeholders, including electronics producers and national and international authorities. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Environmental Sustainability and Applications)

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16 pages, 5722 KiB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceArticle

Evaluating the Effects of Human Activity over the Last Decades on the Soil Organic Carbon Pool Using Satellite Imagery and GIS Techniques in the Nile Delta Area, Egypt

by Elsayed Said Mohamed, Mohamed Abu-hashim, Mohamed A. E. AbdelRahman, Brigitta Schütt and Rosa Lasaponara

Sustainability 2019, 11(9), 2644; https://doi.org/10.3390/su11092644 - 8 May 2019

Cited by 36 | Viewed by 5480

Abstract

The study aims to clarify the relationship between soil organic carbon (SOC) and human activity under arid conditions, in the east area of the Nile Delta, Egypt. SOC is one of the critical factors in food production and plays an important role in [...] Read more.

The study aims to clarify the relationship between soil organic carbon (SOC) and human activity under arid conditions, in the east area of the Nile Delta, Egypt. SOC is one of the critical factors in food production and plays an important role in the climate change because it affects the physio-chemical soil characteristics, plant growth, and contributes to sustainable development on global levels. For the purpose of our investigations, 120 soil samples (0–30 cm) were collected throughout different land uses and soil types of the study area. Multiple linear regressions (MLR) were used to investigate the spatiotemporal relationship of SOC, soil characteristics, and environmental factors. Remote sensing data acquired from Landsat 5 TM in July 1995 and operational land imager (OLI) in July 2018 were used to model SOC pool. The results revealed significant variations of soil organic carbon pool (SOCP) among different soil textures and land-uses. Soil with high clay content revealed an increase in the percentage of soil organic carbon, and had mean SOCP of 6.08 ± 1.91 Mg C ha⁻¹, followed by clay loams and loamy soils. The higher values of SOCP were observed in the northern regions of the study area. The phenomenon is associated with the expansion of the human activity of initiating fish ponds that reflected higher values of SOC that were related to the organic additions used as nutrients for fish. Nevertheless, the SOC values decreased in southeast of the study area with the decrease of soil moisture contents and the increase in the heavy texture profiles. As a whole, our findings pointed out that the human factor has had a significant impact on the variation of soil organic carbon values in the Eastern Nile Delta from 1995 to 2018. As land use changes from agricultural activity to fish ponds, the SOCP significantly increased. The agriculture land-use revealed higher SOCP with 60.77 Mg C ha⁻¹ in clay soils followed by fish ponds with 53.43 Mg C ha⁻¹. The results also showed a decrease in SOCP values due to an increasing in land surface temperature (LST) thus highlighting that influence of temperature and ambient soil conditions linked to land-use changes have a marked impact on surface SOCP and C sequestration. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Smart Cities, City Dashboards, Planning and Evaluation of Urban Performances)

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22 pages, 11732 KiB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceArticle

Clustering-Based Modified Ant Colony Optimizer for Internet of Vehicles (CACOIOV)

by Sahar Ebadinezhad, Ziya Dereboylu and Enver Ever

Sustainability 2019, 11(9), 2624; https://doi.org/10.3390/su11092624 - 7 May 2019

Cited by 32 | Viewed by 5750

Abstract

The Internet of Vehicles (IoV) has recently become an emerging promising field of research due to the increasing number of vehicles each day. IoV is vehicle communications, which is also a part of the Internet of Things (IoT). Continuous topological changes of vehicular [...] Read more.

The Internet of Vehicles (IoV) has recently become an emerging promising field of research due to the increasing number of vehicles each day. IoV is vehicle communications, which is also a part of the Internet of Things (IoT). Continuous topological changes of vehicular communications are a significant issue in IoV that can affect the change in network scalability, and the shortest routing path. Therefore, organizing efficient and reliable intercommunication routes between vehicular nodes, based on conditions of traffic density is an increasingly challenging issue. For such issues, clustering is one of the solutions, among other routing protocols, such as geocast, topology, and position-based routing. This paper focuses mainly on the scalability and the stability of the topology of IoV. In this study, a novel intelligent system-based algorithm is proposed (CACOIOV), which stabilizes topology by using a metaheuristic clustering algorithm based on the enhancement of Ant Colony Optimization (ACO) in two distinct stages for packet route optimization. Another algorithm, called mobility Dynamic Aware Transmission Range on Local traffic Density (DA-TRLD), is employed together with CACOIOV for the adaptation of transmission range regarding of density in local traffic. The results presented through NS-2 simulations show that the new protocol is superior to both Ad hoc On-demand Distance Vector (AODV) routing and (ACO) protocols based on evaluating routing performance in terms of throughput, packet delivery, and drop ratio, cluster numbers, and average end-to-end delay. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Smart Mobility for Future Cities)

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15 pages, 15209 KiB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceArticle

Direct Power Control of Matrix Converter-Fed DFIG with Fixed Switching Frequency

by Arzhang Yousefi-Talouki, Shaghayegh Zalzar and Edris Pouresmaeil

Sustainability 2019, 11(9), 2604; https://doi.org/10.3390/su11092604 - 6 May 2019

Cited by 24 | Viewed by 3863

Abstract

In this paper, a direct power control (DPC) technique is proposed for matrix converter-fed grid-connected doubly fed induction generators (DFIGs). In contrast to what has been investigated in the past for direct torque control (DTC) or DPC of matrix converter-fed DFIGs, the active [...] Read more.

In this paper, a direct power control (DPC) technique is proposed for matrix converter-fed grid-connected doubly fed induction generators (DFIGs). In contrast to what has been investigated in the past for direct torque control (DTC) or DPC of matrix converter-fed DFIGs, the active and reactive powers are regulated in a fixed switching frequency using indirect space vector modulation (ISVM) technique. Hence, designing input filters for matrix converters (MCs) becomes convenient. In addition, the reactive component of input side of MC is controlled which leads to reduction of distortion in grid current waveform. Also, an extensive discussion is addressed for nonlinear voltage errors of MC that may cause inaccurate power control. Simulation results done in MATLAB/Simulink show the effectiveness of the proposed method. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Power Electronics for Renewable Energy Systems)

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17 pages, 1033 KiB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceArticle

Selection Criteria for Drought-Tolerant Bread Wheat Genotypes at Seedling Stage

by Hafiz Ghulam Muhu-Din Ahmed, Muhammad Sajjad, Mingju Li, Muhammad Abubakkar Azmat, Muhammad Rizwan, Rana Haroon Maqsood and Sultan Habibullah Khan

Sustainability 2019, 11(9), 2584; https://doi.org/10.3390/su11092584 - 5 May 2019

Cited by 90 | Viewed by 8081

Abstract

Diminishing water resources as a result of excessive use of water for irrigation and climate change posture a severe global threat to food security. Herein, an experiment was conducted to determine the selection criteria for drought-tolerant bread wheat genotypes at the seedling stage [...] Read more.

Diminishing water resources as a result of excessive use of water for irrigation and climate change posture a severe global threat to food security. Herein, an experiment was conducted to determine the selection criteria for drought-tolerant bread wheat genotypes at the seedling stage using morphological and photosynthetic pigmentation-related traits. A panel of 105 wheat landraces, historical Pakistani varieties, and advance breeding lines were evaluated under normal and drought stress using factorial completely randomized design. The root length, fresh weight, dry weight, cell membrane thermo-stability, and chlorophyll b were positively correlated among themselves under both normal and stress conditions. Hence, selection of any one of these traits enhances the performance of other traits. The shoot length was non-significant and negatively associated with all other studied characters except relative water content. The results suggested that selection for shoot length could not improve genetic gain for drought tolerance. Out of 10 principal components (PCs), the first three PCs were showed significant genetic variation under both conditions. The first three PCs showed 74.6% and 76% cumulative genetic variation under normal and drought conditions, respectively. Based on PCA, 10 drought-tolerant and five drought-susceptible genotypes were identified. Overall results suggested that selection for root length, fresh weight, dry weight, cell membrane thermo-stability, and chlorophyll b at the seedling stage would improve genetic gain for drought tolerance. The outperforming genotypes under drought stress conditions can be useful in future wheat breeding programs, and early selection for the traits recommended in this study will be effective for developing high-yielding and drought-tolerant wheat varieties. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable Crop Production Systems)

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14 pages, 2103 KiB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceArticle

Life Cycle Assessment of a Lithium Iron Phosphate (LFP) Electric Vehicle Battery in Second Life Application Scenarios

by Christos S. Ioakimidis, Alberto Murillo-Marrodán, Ali Bagheri, Dimitrios Thomas and Konstantinos N. Genikomsakis

Sustainability 2019, 11(9), 2527; https://doi.org/10.3390/su11092527 - 1 May 2019

Cited by 95 | Viewed by 16098

Abstract

This paper presents a life cycle assessment (LCA) study that examines a number of scenarios that complement the primary use phase of electric vehicle (EV) batteries with a secondary application in smart buildings in Spain, as a means of extending their useful life [...] Read more.

This paper presents a life cycle assessment (LCA) study that examines a number of scenarios that complement the primary use phase of electric vehicle (EV) batteries with a secondary application in smart buildings in Spain, as a means of extending their useful life under less demanding conditions, when they no longer meet the requirements for automotive purposes. Specifically, it considers a lithium iron phosphate (LFP) battery to analyze four second life application scenarios by combining the following cases: (i) either reuse of the EV battery or manufacturing of a new battery as energy storage unit in the building; and (ii) either use of the Spanish electricity mix or energy supply by solar photovoltaic (PV) panels. Based on the Eco-indicator 99 and IPCC 2007 GWP 20a methods, the evaluation of the scenario results shows that there is significant environmental benefit from reusing the existing EV battery in the secondary application instead of manufacturing a new battery to be used for the same purpose and time frame. Moreover, the findings of this work exemplify the dependence of the results on the energy source in the smart building application, and thus highlight the importance of PVs on the reduction of the environmental impact. Full article

(This article belongs to the Collection Urban Energy Management and Sustainable Transportation)

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12 pages, 2459 KiB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceArticle

Energy Consumption at Size Reduction of Lignocellulose Biomass for Bioenergy

by Georgiana Moiceanu, Gigel Paraschiv, Gheorghe Voicu, Mirela Dinca, Olivia Negoita, Mihai Chitoiu and Paula Tudor

Sustainability 2019, 11(9), 2477; https://doi.org/10.3390/su11092477 - 27 Apr 2019

Cited by 49 | Viewed by 6797

Abstract

In order to obtain bioenergy (biogas, biofuel) or pellets, different types of lignocellulosic biomass are subjected to a mechanical pretreatment, first by size reduction, then by separating, and ultimately by fracturing or bio-refining. Biomass processing mainly refers to a grinding process that occurs [...] Read more.

In order to obtain bioenergy (biogas, biofuel) or pellets, different types of lignocellulosic biomass are subjected to a mechanical pretreatment, first by size reduction, then by separating, and ultimately by fracturing or bio-refining. Biomass processing mainly refers to a grinding process that occurs until reaching certain limits. The size reduction process, such as grinding, is an operation that is executed with different levels of energy consumption, considering biomass mechanical characteristics and the necessary grinding level. This paper, illustrates a comparative analysis of experimental results obtained by grinding multiple types of vegetal biomass (Miscanthus, corn stalks, alfalfa, willow) used in the process of bio-refining and bio-fracturing. Experiments were realized using both a laboratory knife mill Grindomix GM200 (Retsch GmbH, Haan, Germany), and a 22 kW articulated hammer mill, using different grinding system speeds and different hammer mill sieves. Results have shown that biomass mechanical pre-processing grinding leads to supplementary costs in the overall process through bio-refining or bio-fracturing in order to obtain bio-products or bio-energy. So, specific energy consumption for grinding using a hammer mill can reach 50–65 kJ/kg for harvested Miscanthus biomass, and 35–50 kJ/kg for dried energetic willow, using a 10 mm orifice sieve, values which increase processing costs. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Economic and Environmental Impact Assessment of Renewable Energy from Biomass)

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17 pages, 7296 KiB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceArticle

Evaluating the Cooling Potential of Urban Green Spaces to Tackle Urban Climate Change in Lisbon

by Cláudia Reis and António Lopes

Sustainability 2019, 11(9), 2480; https://doi.org/10.3390/su11092480 - 27 Apr 2019

Cited by 62 | Viewed by 11454

Abstract

The increase and optimization of urban vegetation has been considered an effective mitigation measure of an urban heat island (UHI), with positive effects on human thermal comfort. In this study, the cooling potential of all green spaces in Lisbon was estimated. For that, [...] Read more.

The increase and optimization of urban vegetation has been considered an effective mitigation measure of an urban heat island (UHI), with positive effects on human thermal comfort. In this study, the cooling potential of all green spaces in Lisbon was estimated. For that, several mobile measurements of air temperature data were made in a single park (Gulbenkian’s Garden). These measurements were used for the interpolation of air temperature. Furthermore, urban biomass was estimated using remote sensing products, namely Landsat satellite images. Ultimately, a linear regression model was built from the relation between vegetation density and air temperature. Results regarding the estimation of biomass (AGB) in the city of Lisbon were higher in winter than in summer. The urban green spaces cooling potential model showed that for every decrease of 1 °C in air temperature between a measuring point and a reference station we need to increase the area covered by vegetation by 50 m² (planar measure). This methodology can be applied in other urban areas for the quantification of the cooling effect provided by vegetation in order to improve urban climate thermal conditions and human well-being and, consequently, to mitigate some consequences of future climate change. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Urban Green Infrastructure and Climate Adaptation)

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25 pages, 3262 KiB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceArticle

Experimental Confirmation of the Reliability of Fanger’s Thermal Comfort Model—Case Study of a Near-Zero Energy Building (NZEB) Office Building

by Michał Piasecki, Małgorzata Fedorczak-Cisak, Marcin Furtak and Jacek Biskupski

Sustainability 2019, 11(9), 2461; https://doi.org/10.3390/su11092461 - 26 Apr 2019

Cited by 44 | Viewed by 6638

Abstract

Designing and constructing near zero energy buildings (NZEBs) is a challenge not only from a structural point of view, but also from the point of view of ensuring appropriate climate comfort for users. The standards describing how to ensure comfort were created in [...] Read more.

Designing and constructing near zero energy buildings (NZEBs) is a challenge not only from a structural point of view, but also from the point of view of ensuring appropriate climate comfort for users. The standards describing how to ensure comfort were created in times when the challenges of building ZEB/NZEB were not yet explored and energy issues were not as important as they are today. Therefore, the assessment of the thermal and climatic comfort of people living and working in such buildings requires a new or revised approach to the methodology of thermal comfort assessment. In this article, the authors present the results of a thermal comfort study based on measurements and thermal sensory tests. Testing was carried out in an experimental office building (passive standard). The main goal of the experiment was to compare the thermal comfort measurement method based on the ISO-Fanger model with the actual comfort results obtained by the panellists in the model office condition. The tests allowed the lowest operating temperature providing thermal comfort (predicted mean vote (PMV) = 0 and −0.5) to be determined. Sensory tests were conducted using three types of questions. The results were compared to the other researchers’ findings. It was noted that the panellists showed better thermal comfort sensation at lower temperatures than would result from the traditional Fanger distribution, so the authors proposed the experimental function of percentage of dissatisfied (PPD) = f(PMV). The authors hope that it contributed to the actual state of knowledge as a “small and specific scale” validation of the existing thermal comfort model. The results also revealed that the method of heating has an influence on the subjective thermal sensation. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advanced Innovative Solutions for Final Design in Terms of Energy Sustainability of Nearly/Net Zero Energy Buildings (nZEB))

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20 pages, 6555 KiB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceArticle

Model-Based Selection of Cost-Effective Low Impact Development Strategies to Control Water Balance

by Johannes Leimgruber, Gerald Krebs, David Camhy and Dirk Muschalla

Sustainability 2019, 11(8), 2440; https://doi.org/10.3390/su11082440 - 25 Apr 2019

Cited by 31 | Viewed by 5062

Abstract

Urbanization induces an increase of runoff volume and decrease of evapotranspiration and groundwater recharge. Low impact development (LID) strategies aim to mitigate these adverse impacts. Hydrologic simulation is a reasonable option to assess the LID performance with respect to the water balance and [...] Read more.

Urbanization induces an increase of runoff volume and decrease of evapotranspiration and groundwater recharge. Low impact development (LID) strategies aim to mitigate these adverse impacts. Hydrologic simulation is a reasonable option to assess the LID performance with respect to the water balance and is applicable to planning purposes. Current LID design approaches are based on design storm events and focus on the runoff volume and peak, neglecting evapotranspiration and groundwater recharge. This contribution presents a model-based design approach for the selection of cost-effective LID strategies. The method is based on monitored precipitation time series and considers the complete water balance and life-cycle-costs, as well as the demand for land. The efficiency of LID strategies (E_LID) is introduced as an evaluation measure which also accounts for emphasizing different goals. The results show that there exist several pareto-optimal LID strategies providing a reasonable basis for decision-making. Additionally, the application of LID treatment trains emerges as an option of high potential. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Nature-Based Solutions for Restoration of Ecosystems and Sustainable Urban Development)

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20 pages, 3492 KiB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceArticle

The Eco-Costs of Material Scarcity, a Resource Indicator for LCA, Derived from a Statistical Analysis on Excessive Price Peaks

by Joost Vogtländer, David Peck and Dorota Kurowicka

Sustainability 2019, 11(8), 2446; https://doi.org/10.3390/su11082446 - 25 Apr 2019

Cited by 20 | Viewed by 6939

Abstract

The availability of resources is crucial for the socio-economic stability of our society. For more than two decades, there was a debate on how to structure this issue within the context of life-Cycle assessment (LCA). The classical approach with LCA is to describe [...] Read more.

The availability of resources is crucial for the socio-economic stability of our society. For more than two decades, there was a debate on how to structure this issue within the context of life-Cycle assessment (LCA). The classical approach with LCA is to describe “scarcity” for future generations (100–1000 years) in terms of absolute depletion. The problem, however, is that the long-term availability is simply not known (within a factor of 100–1000). Outside the LCA community, the short-term supply risks (10–30 years) were predicted, resulting in the list of critical raw materials (CRM) of the European Union (EU), and the British risk list. The methodology used, however, cannot easily be transposed and applied into LCA calculations. This paper presents a new approach to the issue of short-term material supply shortages, based on subsequent sudden price jumps, which can lead to socio-economic instability. The basic approach is that each resource is characterized by its own specific supply chain with its specific price volatility. The eco-costs of material scarcity are derived from the so-called value at risk (VAR), a well-known statistical risk indicator in the financial world. This paper provides a list of indicators for 42 metals. An advantage of the system is that it is directly related to business risks, and is relatively easy to understand. A disadvantage is that “statistics of the past” might not be replicated in the future (e.g., when changing from structural oversupply to overdemand, or vice versa, which appeared an issue for two companion metals over the last 30 years). Further research is recommended to improve the statistics. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Environmental Life Cycle Assessment)

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22 pages, 3296 KiB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceArticle

Monitoring of Landscape Transformations within Landscape Parks in Poland in the 21st Century

by Piotr Krajewski

Sustainability 2019, 11(8), 2410; https://doi.org/10.3390/su11082410 - 23 Apr 2019

Cited by 36 | Viewed by 5312

Abstract

One of the most problematic forms of nature protection in Poland relates to landscape parks. They include the most valuable landscapes, but the areas within the landscape park still have economic uses. Therefore, the monitoring of landscape changes within landscape parks is necessary [...] Read more.

One of the most problematic forms of nature protection in Poland relates to landscape parks. They include the most valuable landscapes, but the areas within the landscape park still have economic uses. Therefore, the monitoring of landscape changes within landscape parks is necessary in order to properly manage these forms of protection. The main objective of the study was to monitor the scale and nature of landscape transformations within the boundaries of landscape parks in Poland during the period 2000–2018 and to assess the possibility of using the landscape change index (LCI) to monitor the intensity of landscape transformations within this type of protected area. Preliminary analyses of the transformations within all landscape parks in Poland showed an upward trend, both in terms of the number of types of identified landscape changes as well as their area. In spite of the large diversity and degree of transformation in landscape parks, several dominant processes can be observed. The largest number and area of changes during each of the analyzed periods were found in transformations within forest landscapes (temporary and permanent deforestation and forest maturation), which constitute the dominant type of land cover within most of the landscape parks. In open landscapes, changes mainly relate to afforestation and natural succession in meadows, pastures, and arable land, as well as the transformation of arable land into mining areas. Twelve case studies, covering all landscape parks in Lower Silesia, have shown that the LCI is an excellent tool for monitoring the intensity of landscape changes, but it is dependent on the accuracy of the source data. The analyses confirmed that, during the study periods, the changes in all 12 Lower Silesian landscape parks were at a low level, but their particular intensification took place in the years from 2012 to 2018. The highest LCI was found in the area where a natural disaster had occurred (air tornado), which destroyed huge areas of forest in landscape parks. After changes in the forest landscape, the most frequently identified type of change in 2006–2012 was the transformation of non-forest landscapes into forest landscapes. The main reason for such changes was the expansion of forest into abandoned arable land, meadows, and pastures. The use of the Corine Land Cover database to calculate the LCI and monitor the intensity of landscape change revealed a low usability of the database for the year 2000 and a high usability for data from 2006 to 2018. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Agriculture, Landscape, Ecosystem Services and Biodiversity: New Challenges for Sustainable Development)

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21 pages, 1373 KiB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceArticle

The Introduction to System Dynamics Approach to Operational Efficiency and Sustainability of Dry Port’s Main Parameters

by Dmitri Muravev, Aleksandr Rakhmangulov, Hao Hu and Hengshuo Zhou

Sustainability 2019, 11(8), 2413; https://doi.org/10.3390/su11082413 - 23 Apr 2019

Cited by 23 | Viewed by 5331

Abstract

The continuous increase of trade between China and Europe brought congestion problems at major Chinese seaports. An effective way to solve this issue is to set up intermodal terminals often called dry ports. However, the dynamics of various influenced factors on dry port’s [...] Read more.

The continuous increase of trade between China and Europe brought congestion problems at major Chinese seaports. An effective way to solve this issue is to set up intermodal terminals often called dry ports. However, the dynamics of various influenced factors on dry port’s implementation calls for the adaptive and flexible planning of the terminal. This paper analyzes the shortcomings of previous research related to the dry port’s implementation from the perspective of the applied numerous parameters concerning evaluating its operational efficiency and sustainability. The operational efficiency and sustainability of a dry port are evaluated by the developed system of the main parameters. This system gives the understanding of how these parameters are interrelated between each other and fills the gap in studies of inverse interrelations between main parameters of a dry port. To fully understand the sustainability of the main parameters of a dry port, this paper puts forward the simulation models description of the developed system. The developed model is a practical tool to evaluate the reliability of hypotheses about the functional interrelations between the main parameters of the dry port, as well as to evaluate the sustainability of the system. Finally, in order to develop functional interrelations between main parameters, the data from several Chinese dry ports has been collected. Finally, the developed multi-agent system dynamics model has been validated in the case study of Yiwu dry port located in Zhejiang, China. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Dry Ports and Sustainable Futures)

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20 pages, 5901 KiB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceArticle

Hybrid Systems Optimization: Application to Hybrid Systems Photovoltaic Connected to Grid. A Mali Case Study

by Amadou Fousseyni Touré, Sid Ali Addouche, Fadaba Danioko, Badié Diourté and Abderrahman El Mhamedi

Sustainability 2019, 11(8), 2356; https://doi.org/10.3390/su11082356 - 19 Apr 2019

Cited by 10 | Viewed by 4638

Abstract

Access to electricity and supplying reliable energy are the key elements that support local economic development and contribute to reducing poverty. Moreover, the problem of environmental protection can be considered as a factor of sustainable development. In response to these many challenges, appropriate [...] Read more.

Access to electricity and supplying reliable energy are the key elements that support local economic development and contribute to reducing poverty. Moreover, the problem of environmental protection can be considered as a factor of sustainable development. In response to these many challenges, appropriate national and regional policies, as well as mechanisms, have been implemented. In Mali, strong dependence on the importation of oil, growth in demand, and the low rate of electrification have pushed the highest authorities to think of diversified technological solutions like renewable energy for the satisfaction of energy demands, especially photovoltaics, for which the country has significant potential. The hybrid systems used is a compromise, because the emission rate of carbon dioxide emitted by thermal power plants must be reduced and limited to preserve supernatural disasters. For this, hybrid photovoltaic systems coupled to the grid increased, but the management of the production of these photovoltaics poses a lot of problem due to its intermittent status. It is in this context that we conducted an optimization study of a hybrid system photovoltaic connected to the grid. We applied our approach to the most extensive distribution post of Mali capital. For the simulation, we used the modeling and simulation tool named HOMER. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Economic Evaluation of Renewable Energy Sources)

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18 pages, 604 KiB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceArticle

An Integrated Analytic Hierarchy Process—Slack Based Measure-Data Envelopment Analysis Model for Evaluating the Efficiency of Logistics Service Providers Considering Undesirable Performance Criteria

by Patricija Bajec and Danijela Tuljak-Suban

Sustainability 2019, 11(8), 2330; https://doi.org/10.3390/su11082330 - 18 Apr 2019

Cited by 27 | Viewed by 4923

Abstract

Sustainable concerns are reputed to be of the utmost priority among governments. Consequently, they have become more and more of a concern among supply chain partners. Logistics service providers (LPs), as significant contributors to supply chain success but also one of the greatest [...] Read more.

Sustainable concerns are reputed to be of the utmost priority among governments. Consequently, they have become more and more of a concern among supply chain partners. Logistics service providers (LPs), as significant contributors to supply chain success but also one of the greatest generator of emissions, play a significant role in reducing the negative environmental impact. Thus, the performance evaluations of LPs should necessarily involve such a measure which, firstly, represents a balance between all three pillars of sustainability and, secondly, consider the desirable and undesirable performance criteria. This paper proposes an integrated analytic hierarchy process (AHP) and slack-based measure (SBM) data envelopment analysis (DEA) model, based on the assumption of a variable return to scale (VRS). An AHP pairwise comparison enables selecting the most influential input/output variables. Output-oriented SBM DEA provides simultaneously evaluation of both the undesirable and desirable outputs. The proposed model was tested on a numerical example of 18 LPs. The comparison of output Charnes, Cooper and Rhodes (CCR) and SBM DEA models resulted in a higher number of inefficient LPs when the SBM DEA model was applied. Moreover, efficiency scores of inefficient LPs were lower in SBM DEA model. The proposed model is fair to those LPs that are environmentally friendly. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Environmentally Sustainable Third Party Logistics)

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16 pages, 3598 KiB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceArticle

Effects of Vegetation Restoration on Soil Bacterial Communities, Enzyme Activities, and Nutrients of Reconstructed Soil in a Mining Area on the Loess Plateau, China

by Pengfei Li, Xingchang Zhang, Mingde Hao, Yongxing Cui, Shilei Zhu and Yanjiang Zhang

Sustainability 2019, 11(8), 2295; https://doi.org/10.3390/su11082295 - 17 Apr 2019

Cited by 42 | Viewed by 5435

Abstract

Soil microbes are the main driving forces and influencing factors of biochemical reactions in the environment. Study of ecological recovery after mining activities has prompted wider recognition of the importance of microbial diversity to ecosystem recovery; however, the response of soil bacterial communities [...] Read more.

Soil microbes are the main driving forces and influencing factors of biochemical reactions in the environment. Study of ecological recovery after mining activities has prompted wider recognition of the importance of microbial diversity to ecosystem recovery; however, the response of soil bacterial communities to vegetation restoration types and soil biochemical properties remains poorly understood. The purpose of this research was to explore the soil bacterial communities and soil biochemical properties at four sampling sites (brushland (BL), forestland (FL), grassland (GL) and unreclaimed land (UL)) on the Loess Plateau, China, to evaluate the effect of vegetation restoration on the reconstructed soil in mining areas. In August 2017, samples were collected at the Heidaigou coal mine dumps. Illumina MiSeq sequencing was used to identify the structure of the soil bacterial community and evaluate its relationships with soil biochemical properties. The results showed that soil biochemical properties (soil organic matter, available phosphorus, urease, sucrase, microbial biomass carbon and microbial biomass nitrogen) were significantly increased in BL, FL and GL relative to UL, indicating that the soil quality was significantly improved by vegetation restoration. In addition, the results showed that the vegetation restoration on the reconstructed soil in the mining area could significantly improve the operational taxonomic units (OTUs), abundance (ACE and Chao1) and diversity (Shannon and Simpson) indices of bacterial community and the dominant phyla were Proteobacteria, Actinobacteria and Acidobacteria. With vegetation restoration, the relative abundance of Proteobacteria and Acidobacteria showed an increasing trend, while that of Actinobacteria showed a decreasing trend, and the dominant phyla were only significantly correlated with a few biochemical properties. Moreover, there were no changes in soil bacterial community structures across the four sampling sites and the response of the bacterial community to biochemical properties was not obvious. This implies that, although the region has experienced about 20 years of vegetation restoration, the microbial community still maintains good stability and lagging response to soil biochemical properties. Since the BL soil had better biochemical properties and higher bacterial richness and diversity, it was recommended as the optimum vegetation restoration type for soil reclamation in this area. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Innovative Management Practices Improving Biodiversity, Soil Parameters and Ecosystem Services of Sites Affected by Human Activities)

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24 pages, 3297 KiB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceArticle

Spatial Pattern of the Unidirectional Trends in Thermal Bioclimatic Indicators in Iran

by Sahar Hadi Pour, Ahmad Khairi Abd Wahab, Shamsuddin Shahid and Xiaojun Wang

Sustainability 2019, 11(8), 2287; https://doi.org/10.3390/su11082287 - 16 Apr 2019

Cited by 57 | Viewed by 6487

Abstract

Changes in bioclimatic indicators can provide valuable information on how global warming induced climate change can affect humans, ecology and the environment. Trends in thermal bioclimatic indicators over the diverse climate of Iran were assessed in this study to comprehend their spatio-temporal changes [...] Read more.

Changes in bioclimatic indicators can provide valuable information on how global warming induced climate change can affect humans, ecology and the environment. Trends in thermal bioclimatic indicators over the diverse climate of Iran were assessed in this study to comprehend their spatio-temporal changes in different climates. The gridded temperature data of Princeton Global Meteorological Forcing with a spatial resolution of 0.25° and temporal extent of 1948–2010 was used for this purpose. Autocorrelation and wavelets analyses were conducted to assess the presence of self-similarity and cycles in the data series. The modified version of the Mann–Kendall (MMK) test was employed to estimate unidirectional trends in 11 thermal bioclimatic indicators through removing the influence of natural cycles on trend significance. A large decrease in the number of grid points showing significant trends was noticed for the MMK in respect to the classical Mann–Kendall (MK) test which indicates that the natural variability of the climate should be taken into consideration in bioclimatic trend analyses in Iran. The unidirectional trends obtained using the MMK test revealed changes in almost all of the bioclimatic indicators in different parts of Iran, which indicates rising temperature have significantly affected the bioclimate of the country. The semi-dry region along the Persian Gulf in the south and mountainous region in the northeast were found to be more affected in terms of the changes in a number of bioclimatic indicators. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Uncertainty of Climate Change Impacts on Hydrology, Water Quality and Ecology)

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25 pages, 4611 KiB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceArticle

Hi-sAFe: A 3D Agroforestry Model for Integrating Dynamic Tree–Crop Interactions

by Christian Dupraz, Kevin J. Wolz, Isabelle Lecomte, Grégoire Talbot, Grégoire Vincent, Rachmat Mulia, François Bussière, Harry Ozier-Lafontaine, Sitraka Andrianarisoa, Nick Jackson, Gerry Lawson, Nicolas Dones, Hervé Sinoquet, Betha Lusiana, Degi Harja, Susy Domenicano, Francesco Reyes, Marie Gosme and Meine Van Noordwijk

Sustainability 2019, 11(8), 2293; https://doi.org/10.3390/su11082293 - 16 Apr 2019

Cited by 58 | Viewed by 11033

Abstract

Agroforestry, the intentional integration of trees with crops and/or livestock, can lead to multiple economic and ecological benefits compared to trees and crops/livestock grown separately. Field experimentation has been the primary approach to understanding the tree–crop interactions inherent in agroforestry. However, the number [...] Read more.

Agroforestry, the intentional integration of trees with crops and/or livestock, can lead to multiple economic and ecological benefits compared to trees and crops/livestock grown separately. Field experimentation has been the primary approach to understanding the tree–crop interactions inherent in agroforestry. However, the number of field experiments has been limited by slow tree maturation and difficulty in obtaining consistent funding. Models have the potential to overcome these hurdles and rapidly advance understanding of agroforestry systems. Hi-sAFe is a mechanistic, biophysical model designed to explore the interactions within agroforestry systems that mix trees with crops. The model couples the pre-existing STICS crop model to a new tree model that includes several plasticity mechanisms responsive to tree–tree and tree–crop competition for light, water, and nitrogen. Monoculture crop and tree systems can also be simulated, enabling calculation of the land equivalent ratio. The model’s 3D and spatially explicit form is key for accurately representing many competition and facilitation processes. Hi-sAFe is a novel tool for exploring agroforestry designs (e.g., tree spacing, crop type, tree row orientation), management strategies (e.g., thinning, branch pruning, root pruning, fertilization, irrigation), and responses to environmental variation (e.g., latitude, climate change, soil depth, soil structure and fertility, fluctuating water table). By improving our understanding of the complex interactions within agroforestry systems, Hi-sAFe can ultimately facilitate adoption of agroforestry as a sustainable land-use practice. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable Agroforestry Systems)

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18 pages, 779 KiB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceArticle

Speed Optimization vs Speed Reduction: the Choice between Speed Limits and a Bunker Levy

by Harilaos N. Psaraftis

Sustainability 2019, 11(8), 2249; https://doi.org/10.3390/su11082249 - 15 Apr 2019

Cited by 52 | Viewed by 6845

Abstract

“Speed optimization and speed reduction” are included in the set of candidate short-term measures under discussion at the International Maritime Organization (IMO), in the quest to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from ships. However, there is much confusion on what either speed optimization [...] Read more.

“Speed optimization and speed reduction” are included in the set of candidate short-term measures under discussion at the International Maritime Organization (IMO), in the quest to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from ships. However, there is much confusion on what either speed optimization or speed reduction may mean, and some stakeholders have proposed mandatory speed limits as a measure to achieve GHG emissions reduction. The purpose of this paper is to shed some light into this debate, and specifically examine whether reducing speed by imposing a speed limit is better than doing the same by imposing a bunker levy. To that effect, the two options are compared. The main result of the paper is that the speed limit option exhibits a number of deficiencies as an instrument to reduce GHG emissions, at least vis-à-vis the bunker levy option. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Green Maritime Transport)

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18 pages, 6577 KiB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceArticle

Impact of Landscape Structure on the Variation of Land Surface Temperature in Sub-Saharan Region: A Case Study of Addis Ababa using Landsat Data (1986–2016)

by DMSLB Dissanayake, Takehiro Morimoto, Yuji Murayama and Manjula Ranagalage

Sustainability 2019, 11(8), 2257; https://doi.org/10.3390/su11082257 - 15 Apr 2019

Cited by 77 | Viewed by 6394

Abstract

Urbanization has bloomed across Asia and Africa of late, while two centuries ago, it was confined to developed regions in the largest urban agglomerations. The changing urban landscape can cause irretrievable changes to the biophysical environment, including changes in the spatiotemporal pattern of [...] Read more.

Urbanization has bloomed across Asia and Africa of late, while two centuries ago, it was confined to developed regions in the largest urban agglomerations. The changing urban landscape can cause irretrievable changes to the biophysical environment, including changes in the spatiotemporal pattern of the land surface temperature (LST). Understanding these variations in the LST will help us introduce appropriate mitigation techniques to overcome negative impacts. The research objective was to assess the impact of landscape structure on the variation in LST in the African region as a geospatial approach in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia from 1986–2016 with fifteen-year intervals. Land use and land cover (LULC) mapping and LST were derived by using pre-processed Landsat data (Level 2). Gradient analysis was computed for the pattern of the LST from the city center to the rural area, while intensity calculation was facilitated to analyze the magnitude of LST. Directional variation of the LST was not covered by the gradient analysis. Hence, multidirectional and multitemporal LST profiles were employed over the orthogonal and diagonal directions. The result illustrated that Addis Ababa had undergone rapid expansion. In 2016, the impervious surface (IS) had dominated 33.8% of the total lands. The IS fraction ratio of the first zone (URZ₁) has improved to 66.2%, 83.7%, and 87.5%, and the mean LST of URZ₁ has improved to 25.2 °C, 26.6 °C, and 29.6 °C in 1986, 2001, and 2016, respectively. The IS fraction has gradually been declining from the city center to the rural area. The behavior of the LST is not continually aligning with a pattern of IS similar to other cities along the URZs. After the specific URZs (zone 17, 37, and 41 in 1986, 2001, and 2016, respectively), the mean LST shows an increasing trend because of a fraction of bare land. This trend is different from those of other cities even in the tropical regions. The findings of this study are useful for decision makers to introduce sustainable landscape and urban planning to create livable urban environments in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Spatio-Temporal Analysis of Urbanization Using GIS and Remote Sensing in Developing Countries)

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24 pages, 4415 KiB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceArticle

Agent-Based Modeling of Sustainable Ecological Consumption for Grasslands: A Case Study of Inner Mongolia, China

by Huimin Yan, Lihu Pan, Zhichao Xue, Lin Zhen, Xuehong Bai, Yunfeng Hu and He-Qing Huang

Sustainability 2019, 11(8), 2261; https://doi.org/10.3390/su11082261 - 15 Apr 2019

Cited by 18 | Viewed by 5607

Abstract

Sustainable ecosystem services consumption is of vital importance to the survival and development of human society. How to balance the conflicts between ecosystem protection and ecosystem services consumption by local residents has been a serious challenge, especially in ecologically vulnerable areas. To explore [...] Read more.

Sustainable ecosystem services consumption is of vital importance to the survival and development of human society. How to balance the conflicts between ecosystem protection and ecosystem services consumption by local residents has been a serious challenge, especially in ecologically vulnerable areas. To explore the reasonable ecosystem services consumption approaches of grassland ecosystems for sustainable land system management, this study takes Hulun Buir of the Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region as a case study region and develops an EcoC-G (ecological consumption of grassland) model based on herders’ livelihood behaviors using the agent-based model technique to simulate the dynamics of ecosystem pressure, livestock production, and living quality of herders under different grassland management scenarios over the next 30 years. The EcoC-G model links the supply and consumption of grassland ecosystem services by calculating the ecosystem net primary productivity (NPP) supply and household NPP consumption. The model includes three sub-models, namely, the individual status transferring sub-model, the households’ grassland-use decision sub-model, and the ecosystem pressure sub-model. In accordance with multi-objective grassland management practices, the following four land management scenarios were simulated: (1) baseline scenario, (2) increasing household’s living standard, (3) ecosystem protection, and (4) balancing living standard improvement with the protection of the ecosystem. The result indicates that by focusing on the NPP supply and consumption of the grassland ecosystem, the EcoC-G is capable of simulating the impacts of herders’ livelihood behaviors on grassland ecosystems. If timely grassland management strategies are implemented, it is possible to relieve the ecosystem pressure and improve the livelihood of local herders. The specific scenario simulation results are: (1) Under the current grassland management mode, the pasture could never be overgrazed, and herders could achieve the basic living standard, but the accumulated wealth decreased due to the decline of livestock. (2) With grazing control, herders can accumulate wealth by increasing the breeding amount and reducing the marketing rate, but the ecosystem consumption pressure can reach a maximum of 2.3 times. (3) With strict restrictions on the livestock number, the pressure on the ecosystem decreases; however, herders might not achieve basic living standards. (4) Modest regulation leads to rational ecological consumption intervals, meaning the ecosystem pressure will become stable and herders can gradually accumulate wealth with the achievement of basic living standards in advance. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Applications of Artificial Intelligence in the Study of Land Use and Land Cover Change)

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26 pages, 5866 KiB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceArticle

Innovation in Road Freight Transport: Quantifying the Environmental Performance of Operational Cost-Reducing Practices

by Valentin Carlan, Christa Sys and Thierry Vanelslander

Sustainability 2019, 11(8), 2212; https://doi.org/10.3390/su11082212 - 12 Apr 2019

Cited by 18 | Viewed by 5627

Abstract

Road transportation is a key mode of transport when it comes to ensuring the hinterland connection of most European ports. Constrained by low profit margins and having to be active in a highly competitive market, companies active in this sector seek multi-dimensional innovative [...] Read more.

Road transportation is a key mode of transport when it comes to ensuring the hinterland connection of most European ports. Constrained by low profit margins and having to be active in a highly competitive market, companies active in this sector seek multi-dimensional innovative solutions that lower their operational costs. These innovative initiatives also yield positive environmental effects. The latter however are poorly recognized. This paper investigates the characteristics of different types of chassis used to transport containers from and to the terminals in the port areas and looks into the details of operational planning practices. It analyses the cost-effectiveness of these innovative solutions highlighting both the costs and the environmental emissions they save. Transport data from a road hauler serving the hinterland connection of a port in Western Europe is used to build up a case study. Results show that by using special types of chassis, which enable the combination of transport tasks in round-trips, the operational costs are reduced by 25% to 35%, and equally the CO₂ emissions are also decreased by 34% to 38%. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Intermodal Transportation and Sustainable Mobility)

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14 pages, 743 KiB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceArticle

Exogenously Applied Bio-Stimulant and Synthetic Fertilizers to Improve the Growth, Yield and Fiber Quality of Cotton

by Muhammad Arif, Shadia Hama Salih Kareem, Nariman Salih Ahmad, Nazim Hussain, Azra Yasmeen, Adeel Anwar, Safina Naz, Javed Iqbal, Ghulam Abbas Shah and Muhammad Ansar

Sustainability 2019, 11(7), 2171; https://doi.org/10.3390/su11072171 - 11 Apr 2019

Cited by 22 | Viewed by 4643

Abstract

The effects of exogenously applied Moringa oleifera leaf extract (MLE), nitrogen and potassium were studied on the productivity and quality of two cotton cultivars (CIM-573) and transgenic Bt cotton (CIM-598). The Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) factorial experiment was conducted at Bahauddin Zakariya [...] Read more.

The effects of exogenously applied Moringa oleifera leaf extract (MLE), nitrogen and potassium were studied on the productivity and quality of two cotton cultivars (CIM-573) and transgenic Bt cotton (CIM-598). The Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) factorial experiment was conducted at Bahauddin Zakariya University, Multan, Pakistan (30.2639 °N, 71.5101 °E; 123 m asl), during 2016 and 2017, with three replications. The analysis of variance revealed the significance of cotton cultivars and foliar applications for the majority of traits studied, in both years. The CIM-573 had superiority for most of the traits studied in 2016 and 2017 trials, while the CIM-598 cultivar had significantly higher record for chlorophyll content, seed cotton yield, mean boll weight, and seed index in 2016 and sympodial branches per plant in 2017. Foliar application of Moringa Leaf Extract (MLE) and synthetic fertilizers showed significant differences for the traits studied compared to the distilled water. Exogenous application of MLE has a positive effect on photosynthetic and enzymatic activities that improve the efficiency of nutrients that are utilized, thereby improving the growth, seed cotton yield and quality of cotton cultivars tested. All the interaction effects had a significant influence on the traits studied, except ginning percentage in 2016. The interaction between the conventional cotton cultivar (CIM 573) and exogenous application of MLE + nitrogen + potassium had significantly higher effect on plant height, cotton yield, staple length, fiber maturity, and fiber strength for the 2017 trial and was superior for the quality parameters in 2017. The interaction of the Bt cotton cultivar (CIM 598) and the foliar application of MLE + nitrogen + potassium had superiority in cotton yield, yield components and the quality parameters in the 2017 trial. Both the CIM 573 and CIM 598 cotton cultivars had consistent expressions for all quality traits studied, although they did fluctuate in their expression to these agronomic traits between the field trials of 2016 and 2017. Additive gene effects could be the explanation for the unstable effects of yield and the related traits in the different environmental conditions of the field trials in the two years. Our results suggest that the exogenous application of MLE alone and in combination with nitrogen and potassium could be used to improve the productivity and the quality of these cotton cultivars. The correlation coefficients indicate strong associations between the agronomic and quality traits, indicating that one or more yield parameters could be used as selection criteria to improve the productivity and quality of cotton. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Sustainable Agriculture)

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15 pages, 1853 KiB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceArticle

An Index-Based Assessment of Perceived Climate Risk and Vulnerability for the Urban Cluster in the Yangtze River Delta Region of China

by Landong Sun, Zhan Tian, Huan Zou, Lanzhu Shao, Laixiang Sun, Guangtao Dong, Dongli Fan, Xinxing Huang, Laura Frost and Lewis-Fox James

Sustainability 2019, 11(7), 2099; https://doi.org/10.3390/su11072099 - 9 Apr 2019

Cited by 16 | Viewed by 5550

Abstract

This paper proposes an index-based assessment tool to consolidate diverse opinions of various stakeholders on their assessments of sector-specific risks posed by climate change, and to aggregate these opinions into intuitive and comparable graphs. This tool enables cities to measure and monitor the [...] Read more.

This paper proposes an index-based assessment tool to consolidate diverse opinions of various stakeholders on their assessments of sector-specific risks posed by climate change, and to aggregate these opinions into intuitive and comparable graphs. This tool enables cities to measure and monitor the multiple factors that contribute to their resilience towards climate risk and hazard in the long term. We applied this tool to five key infrastructure sectors in six representative cities in the Yangtze River Delta region. The graphs generated provide for the first time first-hand insights into the aggregative understanding of various stakeholders with regard to the current and future climate risk in their concerned sectors and cities. Our results indicate that a high level of exposure is not automatically associated with a high level of vulnerability across our selected cities. While all cities need to make efforts to reduce their vulnerability towards climate hazards, those characterized by “lower level of exposure but higher level of vulnerability” need to make more urgent and much greater efforts. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Climate Change and Sustainable Development Policy)

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21 pages, 275 KiB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceArticle

Can Pay-As-You-Go, Digitally Enabled Business Models Support Sustainability Transformations in Developing Countries? Outstanding Questions and a Theoretical Basis for Future Research

by David Ockwell, Joanes Atela, Kennedy Mbeva, Victoria Chengo, Rob Byrne, Rachael Durrant, Victoria Kasprowicz and Adrian Ely

Sustainability 2019, 11(7), 2105; https://doi.org/10.3390/su11072105 - 9 Apr 2019

Cited by 32 | Viewed by 7776

Abstract

This paper examines the rapidly emerging and rapidly changing phenomenon of pay-as-you-go (PAYG), digitally enabled business models, which have had significant early success in providing poor people with access to technologies relevant to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) (e.g., for electricity access, water [...] Read more.

This paper examines the rapidly emerging and rapidly changing phenomenon of pay-as-you-go (PAYG), digitally enabled business models, which have had significant early success in providing poor people with access to technologies relevant to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) (e.g., for electricity access, water and sanitation, and agricultural irrigation). Data are analysed based on literature review, two stakeholder workshops (or “transformation labs”), and stakeholder interviews (engaging 41 stakeholders in total). This demonstrates the existing literature on PAYG is patchy at best, with no comprehensive or longitudinal, and very little theoretically grounded, research to date. The paper contributes to existing research on PAYG, and sustainability transformations more broadly, in two key ways. Firstly, it articulates a range of questions that remain to be answered in order to understand and deliver against the current and potential contribution of PAYG in affecting sustainability transformations (the latter we define as achieving environmental sustainability and social justice). These questions focus at three levels: national contexts for fostering innovation and technology uptake, the daily lives of poor and marginalised women and men, and global political economies and value accumulation. Secondly, the paper articulates three areas of theory (based on emerging critical social science research on sustainable energy access) that have potential to support future research that might answer these questions, namely: socio-technical innovation system-building, social practice, and global political economy and value chain analysis. Whilst recognising existing tensions between these three areas of theory, we argue that rapid sustainability transformations demand a level of epistemic pragmatism. Such pragmatism, we argue, can be achieved by situating research using any of the above areas of theory within the broader context of Leach et al.’s (2010) Pathways Approach. This allows for exactly the kind of interdisciplinary approach, based on a commitment to pluralism and the co-production of knowledge, and firmly rooted commitment to environmental sustainability and social justice that the SDGs demand. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Low Carbon Innovation—Strategic Steps toward Deep Transition)

18 pages, 5400 KiB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceArticle

Estimation of Gridded Population and GDP Scenarios with Spatially Explicit Statistical Downscaling

by Daisuke Murakami and Yoshiki Yamagata

Sustainability 2019, 11(7), 2106; https://doi.org/10.3390/su11072106 - 9 Apr 2019

Cited by 131 | Viewed by 13748

Abstract

This study downscales the population and gross domestic product (GDP) scenarios given under Shared Socioeconomic Pathways (SSPs) into 0.5-degree grids. Our downscale approach has the following features. (i) It explicitly considers spatial and socioeconomic interactions among cities, (ii) it utilizes auxiliary variables, including [...] Read more.

This study downscales the population and gross domestic product (GDP) scenarios given under Shared Socioeconomic Pathways (SSPs) into 0.5-degree grids. Our downscale approach has the following features. (i) It explicitly considers spatial and socioeconomic interactions among cities, (ii) it utilizes auxiliary variables, including road network and land cover, (iii) it endogenously estimates the influence from each factor by a model ensemble approach, and (iv) it allows us to control urban shrinkage/dispersion depending on SSPs. It is confirmed that our downscaling results are consistent with scenario assumptions (e.g., concentration in SSP1 and dispersion in SSP3). Besides, while existing grid-level scenarios tend to have overly-smoothed population distributions in nonurban areas, ours does not suffer from the problem, and captures the difference in urban and nonurban areas in a more reasonable manner. Our gridded dataset, including population counts and gross productivities by 0.5 degree grids by 10 years, are available from http://www.cger.nies.go.jp/gcp/population-and-gdp.html. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Land Cover Changes and Sustainable Urban Growth)

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14 pages, 1345 KiB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceArticle

Contrasting Effects of Tillage and Landscape Structure on Spiders and Springtails in Vineyards

by Alexandra Pfingstmann, Daniel Paredes, Jacob Buchholz, Pascal Querner, Thomas Bauer, Peter Strauss, Sophie Kratschmer, Silvia Winter and Johann Zaller

Sustainability 2019, 11(7), 2095; https://doi.org/10.3390/su11072095 - 8 Apr 2019

Cited by 28 | Viewed by 5175

Abstract

Interactions between predatory species and their potential prey are little studied in vineyards, especially considering the surrounding landscape structure. We examined the effects of soil tillage intensities in vineyard inter-rows on the activity density and diversity of spiders (Araneae) and springtails (Collembola), their [...] Read more.

Interactions between predatory species and their potential prey are little studied in vineyards, especially considering the surrounding landscape structure. We examined the effects of soil tillage intensities in vineyard inter-rows on the activity density and diversity of spiders (Araneae) and springtails (Collembola), their potential preys, and assessed whether these effects are altered by non-crop elements in the surrounding landscape. We collected data in 16 vineyards in Austria; eight were periodically mechanically disturbed (PMD), eight had permanent green cover (PGC). The study vineyards were embedded in landscapes ranging from structurally simple to complex. Both, spiders and springtails were collected with pitfall traps. Data analyses using generalized linear mixed models (GLMM) showed different effects of soil tillage intensities on spiders and springtails and an interaction with semi-natural elements (SNEs) in the surrounding landscape. Activities of springtails were higher under PMD than under PGC while spider activity density remained unaffected. Spider family Shannon diversity was lower under PMD than under PGC, while springtail species Shannon diversity was unaffected by tillage. Under PMD, spider activity and family diversity decreased with increasing SNEs in the surroundings indicating spider emigration away from vineyards. Under PGC, spider activity density increased with increasing SNE proportions in the surroundings when springtail activity density was high. Our findings suggest that recommendations on sustainable vineyard management should include both site and landscape factors. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Agroecology: Principles and Application for Efficient and Sustainable Agricultural Production)

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23 pages, 1347 KiB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceArticle

Evaluation of Suitable Amount of Water and Fertilizer for Mature Grapes in Drip Irrigation in Extreme Arid Regions

by Yusheng Hou, Zhenhua Wang, Huaijun Ding, Wenhao Li, Yue Wen, Jifeng Zhang and Yunqing Dou

Sustainability 2019, 11(7), 2063; https://doi.org/10.3390/su11072063 - 7 Apr 2019

Cited by 20 | Viewed by 3831

Abstract

Low water and fertilizer use efficiency have become important factors restricting the sustainable development of agriculture in extreme arid areas, typically like Xinjiang in China. In order to optimize the water and fertilizer management system of grape drip irrigation in the region, field [...] Read more.

Low water and fertilizer use efficiency have become important factors restricting the sustainable development of agriculture in extreme arid areas, typically like Xinjiang in China. In order to optimize the water and fertilizer management system of grape drip irrigation in the region, field experiments were carried out to study the effects of different water and fertilizer treatments on the physiological growth, yield, and quality of grapes. Meanwhile, principal component analysis, grey correlation analysis, and regression analysis were used to quantify the relative optimal amount of water and fertilizer. The results showed that the effects of water and fertilizer interaction on the photosynthetic index and fluorescence index of grape leaves, in different growth periods, ng reached extremely significant levels (p < 0.01). The physiological indicators showed regular changes with the increase and decrease of water and fertilizer use and the appropriate amount of water and fertilizer could maintain the index at a superior level. Meanwhile, there are differences in the index of different growth stages and regular changes with the growth period. The effects of water and fertilizer interaction on the yield, water use efficiency, and quality of drip irrigation reached a very significant level (p < 0.01). The yield reached the maximum in W3F2 treatment and the yield increased by 29.76% compared with the minimum yield of W1F1. The quality index reached a superior level in W3F2 treatment. The results of principal component analysis and grey correlation analysis showed that the optimal water and fertilizer dosage was W3F2 (irrigation 750 mm, fertilization 750 kg ha⁻¹), of which N (300 kg ha⁻¹)-P₂O₅ (150 kg ha⁻¹)-K₂O (300 kg ha⁻¹), and multiple regression analysis was employed to determine the optimal range of water and fertilizer use is the following: Irrigation volume 725–825 mm and fertilization amount 684–889 kg ha⁻¹, of which N (273.6–355.6 kg ha⁻¹) - P₂O₅ (136.8–177.8 kg ha⁻¹) - K₂O (273.6–355.6 kg ha⁻¹). The research results can provide a scientific basis for the water and fertilizer management and drip irrigation technology of drip irrigation in seedless white grape fields in extremely arid areas and it is of great significance for the efficient use of regional water and fertilizer resources and the realization of sustainable socio-economic development in the region. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Agroecology: Principles and Application for Efficient and Sustainable Agricultural Production)

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18 pages, 1454 KiB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceArticle

Exploring Gaps between Bottom-Up and Top-Down Emission Estimates Based on Uncertainties in Multiple Emission Inventories: A Case Study on CH₄ Emissions in China

by Penwadee Cheewaphongphan, Satoru Chatani and Nobuko Saigusa

Sustainability 2019, 11(7), 2054; https://doi.org/10.3390/su11072054 - 6 Apr 2019

Cited by 27 | Viewed by 6101

Abstract

Bottom-up CH₄ emission inventories, which have been developed from statistical analyses of activity data and country specific emission factors (EFs), have high uncertainty in terms of the estimations, according to results from top-down inverse model studies. This study aimed to determine the [...] Read more.

Bottom-up CH₄ emission inventories, which have been developed from statistical analyses of activity data and country specific emission factors (EFs), have high uncertainty in terms of the estimations, according to results from top-down inverse model studies. This study aimed to determine the causes of overestimation in CH₄ bottom-up emission inventories across China by applying parameter variability uncertainty analysis to three sets of CH₄ emission inventories titled PENG, GAINS, and EDGAR. The top three major sources of CH₄ emissions in China during the years 1990–2010, namely, coal mining, livestock, and rice cultivation, were selected for the investigation. The results of this study confirm the concerns raised by inverse modeling results in which we found significantly higher bottom-up emissions for the rice cultivation and coal mining sectors. The largest uncertainties were detected in the rice cultivation estimates and were caused by variations in the proportions of rice cultivation ecosystems and EFs; specifically, higher rates for both parameters were used in EDGAR. The coal mining sector was associated with the second highest level of uncertainty, and this was caused by variations in mining types and EFs, for which rather consistent parameters were used in EDGAR and GAINS, but values were slightly higher than those used in PENG. Insignificant differences were detected among the three sets of inventories for the livestock sector. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Environmental Sustainability and Applications)

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17 pages, 656 KiB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceArticle

Reducing Working Hours as a Means to Foster Low(er)-Carbon Lifestyles? An Exploratory Study on Swiss Employees

by Hugo Hanbury, Christoph Bader and Stephanie Moser

Sustainability 2019, 11(7), 2024; https://doi.org/10.3390/su11072024 - 5 Apr 2019

Cited by 22 | Viewed by 5745

Abstract

In the ongoing discussions on the transition to low-carbon systems a reduction of working hours has gained increased interest. A shift to lower incomes coupled with more discretionary time might promote low(er) individual carbon lifestyles without impairing individual well-being. Lower carbon emissions have [...] Read more.

In the ongoing discussions on the transition to low-carbon systems a reduction of working hours has gained increased interest. A shift to lower incomes coupled with more discretionary time might promote low(er) individual carbon lifestyles without impairing individual well-being. Lower carbon emissions have been linked to shorter working hours on a macroeconomic level and to lower income, and thus less carbon-intensive activities on an individual level. However, little empirical research has been done on the effects of a self-determined reduction of working time on an intra-individual level. The aim of this paper was to explore whether and how a reduction of working hours facilitates low(er)-carbon lifestyles. We do this by means of 17 qualitative guideline interviews with Swiss employees that had recently reduced their working hours. Our results suggest that the underlying motives behind the employees’ decisions to reduce their working hours are crucial. A beneficial climate-saving effect arose only for those employees who dedicated their newly gained time to binding activities, that require a certain degree of commitment, such as parenting and further education. In contrast, those who reduced their working hours due to a desire for more recreational time risked increasing the carbon intensity of their lifestyles due to carbon-intensive leisure activities. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Low Carbon Innovation—Strategic Steps toward Deep Transition)

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21 pages, 578 KiB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceArticle

Conceptualising the Factors that Influence the Commercialisation of Non-Timber Forest Products: The Case of Wild Plant Gathering by Organic Herb Farmers in South Tyrol (Italy)

by Christoph Schunko, Sarah Lechthaler and Christian R. Vogl

Sustainability 2019, 11(7), 2028; https://doi.org/10.3390/su11072028 - 5 Apr 2019

Cited by 31 | Viewed by 5460

Abstract

The gathering and commercialisation of non-timber forest products (NTFP) in Europe has repeatedly been praised for its potential to support rural development. However, political support mechanisms explicitly targeting NTFP remain underdeveloped. In this study, we aimed to contribute to the design of support [...] Read more.

The gathering and commercialisation of non-timber forest products (NTFP) in Europe has repeatedly been praised for its potential to support rural development. However, political support mechanisms explicitly targeting NTFP remain underdeveloped. In this study, we aimed to contribute to the design of support mechanisms by understanding the factors that influence the commercialisation of wild plants by organic farmers. We first developed a conceptual framework based on fifteen factors and then applied the framework to a case study in South Tyrol (Alto Adige), Italy. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with all fourteen members of the Vereinigung Südtiroler Kräuteranbauer (Associazione Coltivatori Sudtirolesi Piante Officinali), who commercialised wild plant species, and the data were then analysed using qualitative content analysis. Agricultural intensification, pesticide drift, limited access to gathering sites suitable for organic certification, legal restrictions, lack of consumer awareness about the additional value of organic wild plant certification, and limited product diversity were perceived as limiting factors; management techniques in organic farming, organic certification, a trend for wild, regional and healthy foods, the availability of training, and favourable cultural values and attitudes towards wild plant gathering were perceived as supportive. This study offers a comprehensive understanding of the many diverse factors that may influence wild plant commercialisation in Europe and beyond and provides guidance on how political support mechanisms could unlock the much heralded potential of wild plant commercialisation for rural development. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Certified Wild Plant Gathering (in Organic Farming): Sustainability, Food Safety, Compliance and Supply Chains)

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20 pages, 2288 KiB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceArticle

A Field Method for Landscape Conservation Surveying: The Landscape Assessment Protocol (LAP)

by Vassiliki Vlami, Stamatis Zogaris, Hakan Djuma, Ioannis P. Kokkoris, George Kehayias and Panayotis Dimopoulos

Sustainability 2019, 11(7), 2019; https://doi.org/10.3390/su11072019 - 4 Apr 2019

Cited by 28 | Viewed by 8266

Abstract

We introduce a field survey method to assess the conservation condition of landscapes. Using a popular rapid assessment format, this study defines observable “stressed states” identified through the use of general metrics to gauge landscape degradation. Fifteen metrics within six thematic categories were [...] Read more.

We introduce a field survey method to assess the conservation condition of landscapes. Using a popular rapid assessment format, this study defines observable “stressed states” identified through the use of general metrics to gauge landscape degradation. Fifteen metrics within six thematic categories were selected through a literature review and extensive field trials. Field tests on the Greek island of Samothraki show a strong correlation between a single expert’s scores and five assessor’s scores at 35 landscape sites. Only three of the metrics did not maintain a high consistency among assessors; however, this is explained by the difficulty of interpreting certain anthropogenic stressors (such as livestock grazing) in Mediterranean semi-natural landscapes with culturally-modified vegetation patterns. The protocol and proposed index, with five conservation condition classes, identified areas of excellent and good quality, and reliably distinguished the most degraded landscape conditions on the island. Uncertainties and difficulties of the index are investigated, and further research and validation are proposed. The protocol effectively goes beyond a traditional visual aesthetic assessment; it can be used both by experts and non-scientists as a conservation-relevant multi-disciplinary procedure to support a holistic landscape diagnosis. The combination of an on-site experiential survey and its simple integrative format may be useful as a screening-level index, and for promoting local participation, landscape literacy and educational initiatives. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Environmental Sustainability and Applications)

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16 pages, 1603 KiB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceArticle

Decomposition Analysis of Greenhouse Gas Emissions in Korea’s Transportation Sector

by Suyi Kim

Sustainability 2019, 11(7), 1986; https://doi.org/10.3390/su11071986 - 3 Apr 2019

Cited by 36 | Viewed by 6454

Abstract

This study analyzed the greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from the transportation sector in Korea from 1990 to 2013 using Logarithmic Mean Divisia Index (LMDI) factor decomposition methods. We decomposed these emissions into six factors: The population effect, the economic growth effect due to [...] Read more.

This study analyzed the greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from the transportation sector in Korea from 1990 to 2013 using Logarithmic Mean Divisia Index (LMDI) factor decomposition methods. We decomposed these emissions into six factors: The population effect, the economic growth effect due to changes in the gross domestic product per capita, the energy intensity effect due to changes in energy consumption per gross domestic product, the transportation mode effect, the energy mix effect, and the emission factor effect. The results show that some factors can cause an increase in GHG emissions predominantly influenced by the economic growth effect, followed by the population growth effect. By contrast, others can cause a decrease in GHG emissions, predominantly via the energy intensity effect. Even though the transportation mode effect has contributed to a reduction of GHG emissions, it remains relatively small compared to other factors. The energy mix and emission factor effects contributed to the reduction of GHG emissions in the early 2000s, however the effects have led to an increase of GHG emissions since the mid-2000s. Altogether, based on these results, this study suggests some GHG mitigation policies aimed at achieving the national target for this sector. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable Transport: Transport, Environment, and Development)

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15 pages, 4003 KiB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceArticle

Investigation of a Farm-scale Multitrophic Recirculating Aquaculture System with the Addition of Rhodovulum sulfidophilum for Milkfish (Chanos chanos) Coastal Aquaculture

by Bea-Ven Chang, Chien-Sen Liao, Yi-Tang Chang, Wei-Liang Chao, Shinn-Lih Yeh, Dong-Lin Kuo and Chu-Wen Yang

Sustainability 2019, 11(7), 1880; https://doi.org/10.3390/su11071880 - 28 Mar 2019

Cited by 25 | Viewed by 7147

Abstract

Globally, coastal aquaculture is growing due to the large demand for marine products. Specific impacts caused by coastal aquaculture on the environment include the discharge of culture farm effluents, stress on ground water (the absence of recycling), nutrient pollution, and diseases of cultured [...] Read more.

Globally, coastal aquaculture is growing due to the large demand for marine products. Specific impacts caused by coastal aquaculture on the environment include the discharge of culture farm effluents, stress on ground water (the absence of recycling), nutrient pollution, and diseases of cultured animals. Three methods, integrated multitrophic aquaculture (IMTA), recirculating aquaculture system (RAS), and beneficial bacteria for aquaculture, have been developed to solve these problems. In this study, the advantages of IMTA and RAS were integrated to develop a novel multitrophic recirculating aquaculture system (MRAS) to adapt to the farm-scale culturing of milkfish (Chanos chanos). The photosynthetic bacteria Rhodovulum sulfidophilum was added to enhance the performance of the farm-scale milkfish MRAS. This setting could promote growth of beneficial bacteria, such as the nitrogen cycle-associated microbial community and the anoxygenic phototrophic Acidobacteria community. The ammonia level was reduced, and the total phosphorous level was stable in the water recycled in the MRAS. The cyanobacteria, algae, Vibrio, Escherichia, and other potential pathogenic bacteria communities were inhibited in the MRAS. This study provides an effective design of a water recycling aquaculture system. Milkfish, Asian tiger shrimp (Penaeus monodon), Asian hard clam (Meretrix lusoria), and seaweed (Gracilaria sp.) can be cultured and simultaneously produced in the system. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainability of Microbial Ecosystems: Soil and Aquatic Microbial Diversity)

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14 pages, 2745 KiB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceArticle

Influent Forecasting for Wastewater Treatment Plants in North America

by Gavin Boyd, Dain Na, Zhong Li, Spencer Snowling, Qianqian Zhang and Pengxiao Zhou

Sustainability 2019, 11(6), 1764; https://doi.org/10.3390/su11061764 - 23 Mar 2019

Cited by 52 | Viewed by 6486

Abstract

Autoregressive Integrated Moving Average (ARIMA) is a time series analysis model that can be dated back to 1955. It has been used in many different fields of study to analyze time series and forecast future data points; however, it has not been widely [...] Read more.

Autoregressive Integrated Moving Average (ARIMA) is a time series analysis model that can be dated back to 1955. It has been used in many different fields of study to analyze time series and forecast future data points; however, it has not been widely used to forecast daily wastewater influent flow. The objective of this study is to explore the possibility for wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) to utilize ARIMA for daily influent flow forecasting. To pursue the objective confidently, five stations across North America are used to validate ARIMA’s performance. These stations include Woodward, Niagara, North Davis, and two confidential plants. The results demonstrate that ARIMA models can produce satisfactory daily influent flow forecasts. Considering the results of this study, ARIMA models could provide the operating engineers at both municipal and rural WWTPs with sufficient information to run the stations efficiently and thus, support wastewater management and planning at various levels within a watershed. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Rural Sustainable Environmental Management)

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24 pages, 9736 KiB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceArticle

The Environmental Effects of Urban Development in Hanoi, Vietnam from Satellite and Meteorological Observations from 1999–2016

by Thi Mai Nguyen, Tang-Huang Lin and Hai-Po Chan

Sustainability 2019, 11(6), 1768; https://doi.org/10.3390/su11061768 - 23 Mar 2019

Cited by 62 | Viewed by 13215

Abstract

Since 1990 the Hanoi capital region (or Hanoi metropolitan area) in Vietnam has undergone rapid development, which has gone together with increasing socio-economic growth and prosperity. However, the environmental degradation that has accompanied urban development has raised considerable concern from the public in [...] Read more.

Since 1990 the Hanoi capital region (or Hanoi metropolitan area) in Vietnam has undergone rapid development, which has gone together with increasing socio-economic growth and prosperity. However, the environmental degradation that has accompanied urban development has raised considerable concern from the public in recent years. This research investigates the effects of urban development on urban sprawl, urban heat island (UHI), and metropolitan weather phenomena that are related to the quality of urban life in the period from 1999–2016. To achieve these objectives, remote sensing technologies were applied to satellite images at three time points (i.e., 1999, 2009, and 2016) that were associated with the meteorological dataset from ground-based stations. The spatial distribution evolution was examined for the land use/land cover changes while using the normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI) and normalized difference built-up index (NDBI). The increasing impact of urban sprawl on UHI intensity is determined based on the land surface temperature (LST) in multi-temporal forms. Increasing urbanization with the development of gradual outward and northward expansion from the city centre intensified the correlation analysis shows that the UHI. The potential formation of new UHI areas in the near future is also indicated. Furthermore, more than 30% of the metropolitan area is decaying in ecological quality according to an assessment of the urban thermal field variance index (UTFVI). With respect to metropolitan weather, the urbanization in Hanoi affected the observation of meteorological parameters revealed that the relative humidity, total rainfall, temperature, and wind speed over both urban and rural areas. The overall results imply that urban development and its environmental effects and impacts have imposed pressing issues and new challenges to sustainable development in the Hanoi metropolitan area. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Sustainable Urban and Rural Development)

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17 pages, 2747 KiB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceArticle

Shrub Encroachment Shapes Soil Nutrient Concentration, Stoichiometry and Carbon Storage in an Abandoned Subalpine Grassland

by Leilei Ding, Puchang Wang, Wen Zhang, Yu Zhang, Shige Li, Xin Wei, Xi Chen, Yujun Zhang and Fuli Yang

Sustainability 2019, 11(6), 1732; https://doi.org/10.3390/su11061732 - 22 Mar 2019

Cited by 34 | Viewed by 4598

Abstract

Soil nutrient stoichiometry plays a substantial role in terrestrial carbon and nutrient cycling. However, the changes in soil nutrient stoichiometry with shrub encroachment (SE) remain poorly understood, especially in subalpine areas. We examined the changes in soil nutrient concentration, nutrient stoichiometry, and organic [...] Read more.

Soil nutrient stoichiometry plays a substantial role in terrestrial carbon and nutrient cycling. However, the changes in soil nutrient stoichiometry with shrub encroachment (SE) remain poorly understood, especially in subalpine areas. We examined the changes in soil nutrient concentration, nutrient stoichiometry, and organic carbon (OC) storage (at a depth of 0–5, 5–10 and 10–20 cm) in three successional shrub encroachment stages (early, mid and late) in an abandoned subalpine Eulalia pallens (Hackel) Kuntze grassland. An ANOVA showed that SE did not produce serious soil acidification, but significantly increased the soil OC and total phosphorous (TP) concentration, and improved the stoichiometry ratio of soil OC to total nitrogen (OC:TN) in all layers. OC storage tended to increase with SE. SE thus did not indicate degradation of the grassland. A redundancy analysis (RDA) and partial RDA revealed that the shrub relative cover and soil water content were the most important factors affecting the soil nutrient concentration, that the soil available phosphorous (AP), nitrogen, potassium, calcium (ACa), and magnesium concentration and shrub relative cover were the most important factors influencing soil nutrient stoichiometry ratios, and that soil OC:TN, TN:TP, OC:TN:TP, and AP:ACa ratios, bulk density, and pH were the most important factors influencing soil OC storage over SE. Our study provides insights into SE in grassland areas, and potentially provides a useful reference for ongoing grassland conservation and restoration in subalpine regions. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Sustainable Agriculture)

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21 pages, 11594 KiB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceArticle

Daily Accessed Street Greenery and Housing Price: Measuring Economic Performance of Human-Scale Streetscapes via New Urban Data

by Yu Ye, Hanting Xie, Jia Fang, Hetao Jiang and De Wang

Sustainability 2019, 11(6), 1741; https://doi.org/10.3390/su11061741 - 22 Mar 2019

Cited by 67 | Viewed by 5980

Abstract

The protective effects of street greenery on ecological, psychological, and behavioral phenomena have been well recognized. Nevertheless, the potential economic effect of daily accessed street greenery, i.e., a human-scale and perceptual-oriented quality focusing on exposure to street greenery in people’s daily lives, has [...] Read more.

The protective effects of street greenery on ecological, psychological, and behavioral phenomena have been well recognized. Nevertheless, the potential economic effect of daily accessed street greenery, i.e., a human-scale and perceptual-oriented quality focusing on exposure to street greenery in people’s daily lives, has not been fully studied because a quantitative measuring of this human-scale indicator is hard to achieve. This study was an attempt in this direction with the help of new urban data and new analytical tools. Shanghai, which has a mature real estate market, was selected for study, and the housing prices of 1395 private neighborhoods in its city center were collected. We selected more than forty variables that were classified under five categories—location features, distances to the closest facilities, density of facilities within a certain radius, housing and neighborhood features, and daily accessed street greenery—in a hedonic pricing model. The distance and density of facilities were computed through a massive number of points-of-interest and a geographical information system. The visible street greenery was collected from Baidu street view images and then measured via a machine-learning algorithm, while accessibility was measured through space syntax. In addition to the well-recognized effects previously discovered, the results show that visible street greenery and street accessibility at global scale hold significant positive coefficients for housing prices. Visible street greenery even obtains the second-highest regression coefficient in the model. Moreover, the combined assessment, the co-presence of local-scale accessibility and eye-level greenery, is significant for housing price as well. This study provides a scientific and quantitative support for the significance of human-scale street greenery, making it an important issue in urban greening policy for urban planners and decision makers. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Sustainability in Geographic Science)

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25 pages, 6289 KiB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceArticle

Integration of Urban Freight Innovations: Sustainable Inner-Urban Intermodal Transportation in the Retail/Postal Industry

by Zhangyuan He and Hans-Dietrich Haasis

Sustainability 2019, 11(6), 1749; https://doi.org/10.3390/su11061749 - 22 Mar 2019

Cited by 38 | Viewed by 8803

Abstract

Urban population growth has permanently increased the commodity demands and freight flow within urban areas. The retail/postal industry is intent on finding appropriate internal approaches and a new business model to respond to the adverse impacts generated by urban freight activities. Usage of [...] Read more.

Urban population growth has permanently increased the commodity demands and freight flow within urban areas. The retail/postal industry is intent on finding appropriate internal approaches and a new business model to respond to the adverse impacts generated by urban freight activities. Usage of emerging transport modes is an efficient solution for these industries. Nevertheless, considerable research has paid less attention to the implementation status of distribution innovations, as well as to their suitability and application restrictions. Concurrently, a comprehensive consideration of various distribution innovations that operate together as a system is lacking. To this end, this paper adopted a literature review method and GE multifactorial analysis. Specifically, this paper reviewed the related articles that were published in the past six years (2013–2018) to define the concept of distribution innovations. In addition, we adopted the approach of GE multifactorial analysis to analyze the application status of distribution innovations from the perspective of academic research and company implementation. Following the suitability assessment and application of restriction analysis, we proposed the concept of sustainable inner-urban intermodal transport (SIUIT) for the retail/postal industry. This paper contributes to the sustainable urban freight literature by exploring possible future research directions of SIUIT. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Intermodal Transportation and Sustainable Mobility)

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16 pages, 791 KiB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceArticle

The Introduction of Insect Meal into Fish Diet: The First Economic Analysis on European Sea Bass Farming

by Brunella Arru, Roberto Furesi, Laura Gasco, Fabio A. Madau and Pietro Pulina

Sustainability 2019, 11(6), 1697; https://doi.org/10.3390/su11061697 - 21 Mar 2019

Cited by 96 | Viewed by 10408

Abstract

The economic and environmental sustainability of aquaculture depends significantly on the nature and quality of the fish feed used. One of the main criticisms of aquaculture is the need to use significant amounts of fish meal, and other marine protein sources, in such [...] Read more.

The economic and environmental sustainability of aquaculture depends significantly on the nature and quality of the fish feed used. One of the main criticisms of aquaculture is the need to use significant amounts of fish meal, and other marine protein sources, in such feed. Unfortunately, the availability of the oceanic resources, typically used to produce fish feed, cannot be utilized indefinitely to cover the worldwide feed demand caused by ever-increasing aquaculture production. In light of these considerations, this study estimates how aquaculture farm economic outcomes can change by introducing insect meal into the diet of cultivated fish. Several possible economic effects are simulated, based on various scenarios, with different percentages of insect flour in the feed and varying meal prices using a case study of a specialized off-shore sea bass farm in Italy. The findings indicate that the introduction of insect meal—composed of Tenebrio molitor—would increase feeding costs due to the high market prices of this flour and its less convenient feed conversion ratio than that of fish meal. Therefore, the expected environmental benefits of using this highly promising insect meal in fish feed do not align with the current economic interests of the aquaculture industry. To our knowledge, this is the first study to investigate this theme, and it must be noted that our findings cannot be generalized widely because a specific case study was used. Nevertheless, our findings suggest that efforts should be made—at least at the farm level—to find profitable ways to encourage the introduction of this attractive alternative to guarantee both economic and environmental sustainability in the near future. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Sustainable Agriculture)

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13 pages, 2541 KiB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceArticle

Effects of Grazing Exclusion on Biomass Growth and Species Diversity among Various Grassland Types of the Tibetan Plateau

by Suizi Wang, Jiangwen Fan, Yuzhe Li and Lin Huang

Sustainability 2019, 11(6), 1705; https://doi.org/10.3390/su11061705 - 21 Mar 2019

Cited by 52 | Viewed by 4543

Abstract

Livestock grazing is an important determinant of species diversity and plant growth. Overgrazing is identified as one of the most important disturbances resulting in grassland degradation. Although many restoration practices have been implemented, grazing exclusion is one of the most effective methods to [...] Read more.

Livestock grazing is an important determinant of species diversity and plant growth. Overgrazing is identified as one of the most important disturbances resulting in grassland degradation. Although many restoration practices have been implemented, grazing exclusion is one of the most effective methods to restore degraded grasslands. We explored the impact of five years of grazing exclusion on plant growth and species diversity in four types of grasslands: temperate steppe (TS), swamp meadow (SM), alpine steppe (AS), and alpine meadow (AM). Our results showed that grazing exclusion increased plant height, coverage, biomass, and species diversity in all four grasslands. The aboveground biomass in AM (180.8%), TS (117.3%), and SW (105.9%) increased significantly more than AS (10.1%). Grazing exclusion in AM had the greatest effect on proportion of palatable species, and the increase in palatable species in AM was higher than that of the other grassland types significantly. Species diversity increased significantly within the enclosure in SM (23.9%) and AM (20.8%). Our results indicate that grazing exclusion is an effective management strategy to restore degraded grasslands and it works best in alpine meadow. This study contributes to the growing theoretical basis for grassland management strategies and has a significant effect on sustainable development for grassland resources and pastoral areas. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Sustainable Agriculture)

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26 pages, 3410 KiB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceArticle

Adoption of Systemic and Socio-Technical Perspectives in Waste Management, WEEE and ELV Research

by Magnus Andersson, Maria Ljunggren Söderman and Björn A. Sandén

Sustainability 2019, 11(6), 1677; https://doi.org/10.3390/su11061677 - 20 Mar 2019

Cited by 18 | Viewed by 4433

Abstract

A greater quantity and variety of materials are being produced worldwide to meet demand for consumer products, buildings and infrastructure. Additionally, highly diffused products such as cars and electronics have become materially complex and depend on numerous scarce metals. Consequently, managing the societal [...] Read more.

A greater quantity and variety of materials are being produced worldwide to meet demand for consumer products, buildings and infrastructure. Additionally, highly diffused products such as cars and electronics have become materially complex and depend on numerous scarce metals. Consequently, managing the societal supply of a variety of materials and metals sustainably is becoming increasingly important. This includes the use of efficient and effective waste management. However, the current management of waste in general and of waste consumer products specifically, have been pointed out as requiring significant developments to become more advanced to cope with the increasing material complexity. It has also been pointed out that research taking systems perspectives is crucial to improve waste management. Additionally, researching change processes and the co-evolution of social and technical factors (i.e., socio-technical change), has furthered the understanding of how ‘green’ industries develop in other empirical fields. Consequently, both systemic and socio-technical perspectives are likely relevant to waste management research. We used the Scopus database to search for 31 research approaches associated with such perspectives in journal articles writing about waste management in general, waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE) or end-of-life vehicles (ELVs). We conclude that, although the majority of the examined research does not mention the considered approaches, some environmental system analysis approaches are frequently mentioned and show signs of growth in adoption. In contrast, socio-technical approaches are scarcely mentioned. Consequently, we argue that there are relevant scientific tools yet to be adopted in waste management, WEEE and ELV research. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Environmental Sustainability and Applications)

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19 pages, 3031 KiB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceArticle

Clustering Smart City Services: Perceptions, Expectations, Responses

by Miltiadis D. Lytras, Anna Visvizi and Akila Sarirete

Sustainability 2019, 11(6), 1669; https://doi.org/10.3390/su11061669 - 19 Mar 2019

Cited by 98 | Viewed by 8960

Abstract

Smart cities research evolved into one of the most vibrant fields of research and policy-making with sustainability and well-being becoming the bons mots of the debate. The business sector, i.e., the developers and the vendors, form an equally important group of stakeholders in [...] Read more.

Smart cities research evolved into one of the most vibrant fields of research and policy-making with sustainability and well-being becoming the bons mots of the debate. The business sector, i.e., the developers and the vendors, form an equally important group of stakeholders in this context. The question is to what extent that debate yields the kind of output that the end-users would expect and would consider useful and usable. A plethora of smart city services exists. Literature suggests that a myriad of new ICT-enhanced tools could find application in urban space. Methodologically speaking, the question is how to link these two meaningfully. The objective of this paper is to address this issue. To this end, smart city services are mapped and clusters of services are identified; end users’ perceptions and expectations are identified and observations are drawn. The value added of this paper is threefold: (i) at the conceptual level, it adds new insights in the ‘normative bias of smart cities research’ thesis, (ii) at the empirical level, it typifies smart city services and clusters them, and (iii) it introduces a practical toolkit that policymakers, regulators, and the business sector might employ to query end-users’ perceptions and expectations to effectively respond to citizens’ needs. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable Smart Cities and Smart Villages Research: Rethinking Security, Safety, Well-being and Happiness)

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21 pages, 12435 KiB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceArticle

Assessment of Soil Suitability for Improvement of Soil Factors and Agricultural Management

by Sameh Kotb Abd-Elmabod, Noura Bakr, Miriam Muñoz-Rojas, Paulo Pereira, Zhenhua Zhang, Artemi Cerdà, Antonio Jordán, Hani Mansour, Diego De la Rosa and Laurence Jones

Sustainability 2019, 11(6), 1588; https://doi.org/10.3390/su11061588 - 15 Mar 2019

Cited by 72 | Viewed by 11375

Abstract

The dramatic growth of the world’s population is increasing the pressure on natural resources, particularly on soil systems. At the same time, inappropriate agricultural practices are causing widespread soil degradation. Improved management of soil resources and identification of the potential agricultural capability of [...] Read more.

The dramatic growth of the world’s population is increasing the pressure on natural resources, particularly on soil systems. At the same time, inappropriate agricultural practices are causing widespread soil degradation. Improved management of soil resources and identification of the potential agricultural capability of soils is therefore needed to prevent further land degradation, particularly in dryland areas such as Egypt. Here, we present a case study in the El-Fayoum depression (Northern Egypt) to model and map soil suitability for 12 typical Mediterranean crops. Two management scenarios were analyzed: the current situation (CS) and an optimal scenario (OS) of soil variables. The Almagra model was applied to estimate soil suitability under CS and OS. Management options based on the CS assessment were proposed to reduce some limiting factors: a fixed value of 2 dSm⁻¹ for soil salinity and 5% for sodium saturation; these defined the OS. Under optimal management, the OS scenario showed potential, where a notable increase of the area covered by a high suitability class (around 80%) for annual and semi-annual crops was observed. There was also a marked increase (about 70% for CS and 50% for OS) for perennial crops shifting from the marginal to moderate soil suitability class. The results reveal the importance of proper management to massively alter soil suitability into better states in order to achieve sustainable land use in this fertile agro-ecosystem. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable Use of Soils and Water: the Role of Environmental Land Use Conflicts)

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31 pages, 10226 KiB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceArticle

A Novel Hyper-Heuristic for the Biobjective Regional Low-Carbon Location-Routing Problem with Multiple Constraints

by Longlong Leng, Yanwei Zhao, Zheng Wang, Jingling Zhang, Wanliang Wang and Chunmiao Zhang

Sustainability 2019, 11(6), 1596; https://doi.org/10.3390/su11061596 - 15 Mar 2019

Cited by 26 | Viewed by 4587

Abstract

With the aim of reducing cost, carbon emissions, and service periods and improving clients’ satisfaction with the logistics network, this paper investigates the optimization of a variant of the location-routing problem (LRP), namely the regional low-carbon LRP (RLCLRP), considering simultaneous pickup and delivery, [...] Read more.

With the aim of reducing cost, carbon emissions, and service periods and improving clients’ satisfaction with the logistics network, this paper investigates the optimization of a variant of the location-routing problem (LRP), namely the regional low-carbon LRP (RLCLRP), considering simultaneous pickup and delivery, hard time windows, and a heterogeneous fleet. In order to solve this problem, we construct a biobjective model for the RLCLRP with minimum total cost consisting of depot, vehicle rental, fuel consumption, carbon emission costs, and vehicle waiting time. This paper further proposes a novel hyper-heuristic (HH) method to tackle the biobjective model. The presented method applies a quantum-based approach as a high-level selection strategy and the great deluge, late acceptance, and environmental selection as the acceptance criteria. We examine the superior efficiency of the proposed approach and model by conducting numerical experiments using different instances. Additionally, several managerial insights are provided for logistics enterprises to plan and design a distribution network by extensively analyzing the effects of various domain parameters such as depot cost and location, client distribution, and fleet composition on key performance indicators including fuel consumption, carbon emissions, logistics costs, and travel distance and time. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Sustainable Transportation)

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