Search Results (531)

A just and sustainable energy transition in historically coal-dependent regions like Kentucky requires more than the adoption of new technologies and market-based solutions. This study uses a stated preferences approach to evaluate public support for various attributes of energy transition programs, revealing broad backing for moving away from coal, as indicated by a negative willingness to pay (WTP) for the status quo (–USD 4.63). Key findings show strong bipartisan support for solar energy, with Democrats showing the highest WTP at USD 8.29, followed closely by Independents/Others at USD 8.22, and Republicans at USD 8.08. Wind energy also garnered support, particularly among Republicans (USD 4.04), who may view it as more industry-compatible and less ideologically polarizing. Job creation was a dominant priority across political affiliations, especially for Independents (USD 9.07), indicating a preference for tangible, near-term economic benefits. Similarly, preserving cultural values tied to coal received support among Independents/Others (USD 4.98), emphasizing the importance of place-based identity in shaping preferences. In contrast, social support programs (e.g., job retraining) and certain post-mining land uses (e.g., recreation and conservation) were less favored, possibly due to their abstract nature, delayed benefits, and political framing. Findings from Kentucky offer insights for other coal-reliant states like Wyoming, West Virginia, Pennsylvania, Indiana, and Illinois. Ultimately, equitable transitions must integrate local voices, address cultural and economic realities, and ensure community-driven planning and investment. Full article

Drylands cover approximately 41% of Earth’s land surface, supporting about 500 million people and 45% of global agriculture. Groundwater is essential in drylands and is crucial for maintaining ecosystem services and offering numerous benefits. This article, for the first time, analyses and valuates the hydrological ecosystem services (HESs) provided by groundwater in a region of the Colorado River Delta in Mexico, an area with uncertain economic impact due to water scarcity. The main water sources are the Colorado River and groundwater from the Mexicali and San Luis Rio Colorado valley aquifers, both of which are overexploited. Valuation techniques include surrogate and simulated market methods for agricultural, industrial, urban, and domestic uses, the shadow project approach for water conservation and purification cost avoidance, and the contingent valuation method for recreation. Data from 2013 to 2015 and 2020 were used as they are the most reliable sources available. The annual value of HESs provided by groundwater was USD 883,520 million, with water conservation being a key factor. The analyzed groundwater uses reflect differences in efficiency and economic value, providing key information for decisions on governance, allocation, conservation, and revaluation of water resources. These results suggest reorienting crops, establishing differentiated rates, and promoting payment for environmental services programs. Full article

Grassland communities consist primarily of perennial herbaceous species, with grasses forming a dominant or significant component. These ecosystems have been utilised for economic purposes since the earliest periods of human history. In the natural environment, they fulfil numerous critical functions that, despite increasing awareness of climate change, often remain undervalued. Grasslands contribute directly to climate regulation, air purification, soil conservation, flood mitigation, and public health—all of which positively affect the well-being of nearby populations. Moreover, they satisfy higher-order human needs known as “cultural” services, providing aesthetic enjoyment and recreational opportunities. These services, in tangible terms, support the development of rural tourism. The objective of this study was to examine the perception of cultural ecosystem services provided by different types of grassland communities—meadows, pastures, and lawns. The study employed a structured questionnaire to evaluate the perceived significance and functions of these communities. Respondents assessed their aesthetic and recreational value based on land-use type. To quantify these dimensions, the study applies the Recreational and Leisure Attractiveness Index (RLAI), the Aesthetic Attractiveness Index (AAI), ranking methods, and contingent valuation techniques. Based on the respondents’ declared WTP (willingness to pay) and WTA (willingness to accept) values, statistically significant differences in the perceived value of land-use types were identified. Lawns were rated highest in terms of recreational attractiveness, meadows in terms of aesthetics, while pastures achieved the highest economic values. Significant differences were also observed depending on respondents’ place of residence and academic background. The results indicate that the valuation of cultural services encompasses both functional and psychological aspects and should be integrated into local land-use and landscape planning policies. Full article

Estimating the economic value of recreation and ecotourism is essential for sustainable ecosystem management and informed environmental policymaking. However, values derived from individual studies often vary because of subjective preferences and contextual variability, making it challenging to obtain generalizable estimates. To address this issue, this study employed a meta-regression analysis synthesizing 179 willingness-to-pay (WTP) observations obtained from 48 individual valuation studies conducted across various recreational and ecotourism sites in the Republic of Korea. Focusing specifically on national parks, which are prominent providers of cultural ecosystem services, we examined how site characteristics, study design factors, and valuation methodologies influenced estimated WTP values. Outliers were systematically identified and treated using statistical methods, with the random-effects model utilizing studentized residuals yielding the most robust results. Our findings revealed that national parks and studies employing the travel cost method (TCM) were associated with significantly higher WTP values. By applying the developed meta-regression model, we estimated that the total value of recreational and ecotourism services provided by national parks in the Republic of Korea was approximately USD 865.0 million in 2020. These results highlight the effectiveness of meta-regression analysis in synthesizing heterogeneous valuation studies, facilitating more accurate benefit transfers, and offering empirical insights to guide ecosystem service policy and management decisions. Full article

Guadua amplexifolia J. Presl is a Neotropical bamboo native to southern Mexico through Central America to Colombia, where it thrives in riparian zones of the San Jorge River basin. Despite its ecological and socio-economic importance, its environmental dynamics and provision of ecosystem services remain poorly understood. This study (1) quantifies spatial and temporal land use/cover changes in the municipality of Montelíbano between 2002 and 2022 and (2) evaluates the ecosystem services that local communities derive from in 2002, 2012, and 2022, and they were classified in QGIS using G. amplexifolia. We applied a supervised classification of Landsat imagery (2002, 2012, 2022) in QGIS, achieving 85% overall accuracy and a Cohen’s Kappa of 0.82 (n = 45 reference points). For the social assessment, we held participatory workshops and conducted semi-structured interviews with artisans, fishers, authorities, and NGO representatives; responses were manually coded to extract key themes. The results show a 12% decline in total vegetated area from 2002 to 2012, followed by an 8% recovery by 2022, with bamboo-dominated stands following a similar pattern. Communities identified raw material provision (87% of mentions), climate regulation (82%), and cultural–recreational benefits (58%) as the most important services provided by G. amplexifolia. This is the first integrated assessment of G. amplexifolia’s landscape dynamics and community-valued services in the San Jorge basin, highlighting its dual function as a renewable resource and a natural safeguard against environmental risks. Our findings offer targeted recommendations for management practices and land use policies to support the species’ conservation and sustainable utilization. Full article

Globally, forest leisure and recreation (FLR) activities are widely recognized not only for their environmental and social benefits but also for their economic contributions. To better understand these economic contributions, it is vital to examine how the regional economic levels of customers vary when consuming FLR. This study aimed to empirically examine whether the regional economic level of residents (i.e., gross regional domestic product; GRDP) is classifiable using FLR expenditure data, and to interpret which variables contribute to its classification. We acquired anonymized credit card transaction data on residents of two regions with different GRDP levels. The data were preprocessed by identifying FLR-related industries and extracting key spending features for classification analysis. Five classification models (e.g., deep neural network (DNN), random forest, extreme gradient boosting, support vector machine, and logistic regression) were applied. Among the models, the DNN model presented the best performance (overall accuracy = 0.73; area under the curve (AUC) = 0.82). SHAP analysis showed that the “FLR industry” variable was most influential in differentiating GRDP levels across all the models. These findings demonstrate that FLR consumption patterns may vary and are interpretable by economic levels, providing an empirical framework for designing regional economic policies. Full article

The global shift toward sustainable transportation has gained increasing interest, promoting the use of electric vehicles (EVs) as an environmentally friendly alternative to conventional vehicles as a result of a complex interaction between economic incentives, social dynamics, and environmental imperatives. This study is based on the Extended Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology (UTAUT2) to understand the key factors influencing consumers’ intentions in the Sultanate of Oman toward adopting electric vehicles. It is based on a mixed methodology combining quantitative data from a questionnaire of 448 participants, analyzed using ordinal logistic regression, with qualitative thematic analysis of in-depth interviews with 18 EV owners. Its results reveal that performance expectations, trust in EV technology, and social influence are the strongest predictors of EV adoption intentions in Oman. These findings suggest that some issues related to charging infrastructure, access to maintenance services, and cost-benefit ratio are key considerations that influence consumers’ intention to accept and use EVs. Conversely, recreational motivation is not a statistically significant factor, which suggests that consumers focus on practical and economic motivations when deciding to adopt EVs rather than on their enjoyment of driving the vehicle. The findings of this study provide valuable insights for decision-makers and practitioners to understand public perceptions of electric vehicles, enabling them to design effective strategies to promote the adoption of these vehicles in the emerging sustainable transportation market of the future. Full article

With the advantages of industrial integration, China’s recreational fishery sector represents a new trajectory in the transformation of the fishery industry. Coastal regions possess abundant fishery resources and have favorable geographical conditions, offering natural advantages for developing recreational fishing. However, substantial variations can be observed among regions regarding their resource endowments and economic conditions, leading to diversity in the driving forces and paths of recreational fishery development. This study employs panel data for 11 coastal provinces, municipalities, and autonomous regions in the Chinese mainland from 2005 to 2023 to explore the driving forces and regional heterogeneity of recreational fishery development. This paper employs fixed-effects estimation and further incorporates a mediating-effect model to explore the role of market demand in shaping the development path of recreational fisheries. The results are as follows: (1) Natural resource endowments and market demand are key driving forces that promote growth in the output value of recreational fisheries. (2) There is heterogeneity in the driving forces across regions. In areas with richer resource endowments or lower economic development levels, recreational fishery growth relies more on natural resource-driven mechanisms, whereas in regions with weaker resource endowments or higher economic development levels, market demand plays a more dominant role. (3) Market demand drives recreational fishery growth through the expansion of the tertiary sector. This paper offers a valuable reference for policymakers seeking to allocate resources more efficiently, support balanced regional development, and formulate tailored development strategies in accordance with local conditions, thereby facilitating the sustainable and high-quality development of the recreational fishery industry in the Chinese mainland. Full article

Mangrove wetlands, acting as significant traps for marine debris, have received insufficient attention in previous research. Here, we conduct the first comprehensive investigation into the magnitude, accumulation, source, and fate of marine debris across seven mangrove areas in the northern South China Sea (MNSCS) during 2019–2020. Systematic field surveys employed stratified random sampling, partitioning each site by vegetation density and tidal influence. Marine debris were collected and classified in sampling units by material (plastic, fabric, styrofoam), size (categorized into small, medium, and large), and origin (distinguishing between land-based and sea-based). Source identification and potential risk assessment were achieved through the integration of debris feature analysis. The results indicate relatively low debris levels in MNSCS mangroves, with plastics dominant. More than 70% of all debris weight with plastics (48.34%) and fabrics (14.59%) is land-based, and more than 70% comes from coastal/recreational activities. More than 90% of all debris items with plastics (52.50%) and Styrofoam (36.32%) are land-based, and more than 90% come from coastal/recreational activities. Medium/large-sized debris are trapped in mangrove wetlands under the influencing conditions of local tidal level, debris item materials, and sizes. Our study quantifies marine debris characteristics, sources, and ecological potential risks in MNSCS mangroves. From environmental, economic, and social sustainability perspectives, our findings are helpful for guiding marine debris management and mangrove conservation. By bridging research and policies, our work balances human activities with ecosystem health for long-term sustainability. Full article

This article analyzes the revitalization process of the Kraków Fortress in the context of the amendment to the Revitalization Act of 29 July 2024, focusing on the legal, financial, social, and environmental effects of these changes. The aim of the work is to assess how the new regulations have affected the effectiveness of the revitalization of historic military facilities and the financial and participatory mechanisms that have enabled their effective implementation. The authors adopted an interdisciplinary approach, combining legal, urban, conservation, and social analysis, and applied the case study method of five forts: 52 “Borek”, 52a “Jugowice”, 2 “Kościuszko”, 49 “Krzesławice”, and 31 “Św. Benedict”. The selection of cases was based on different stages of implementation, financing models, and social functions. The research showed that the amendment to the Act accelerated decision-making processes and enabled more flexible management of space and better acquisition of financial resources, including from the EU and SKOZK. The use of a mixed financing model (local, European, private funds) and strong social participation contributed to the durability and acceptance of the projects. The effects of revitalization include, among others, an increase in the number of visitors (from 20,000 to 75,000 per year), the creation of approx. 120 jobs, and a reduction of energy consumption by over 30%. Revitalized facilities today perform cultural, educational, and recreational functions, supporting social integration and the development of a local identity. The article indicates that the Kraków model can be a model for other cities with military heritage. It also draws attention to the need to develop nationwide standards for the adaptation of historic buildings and recommends further research on the socio-economic durability of revitalization projects. Full article

Various activities, whether economic, social, or environmental, exert pressure on a coastal area. The extent of economic activities taking place in coastal regions is continuously increasing, particularly in tourism, maritime transport, port operations, and fisheries and aquaculture. Therefore, the decision to establish activities in a coastal area is complex and requires careful consideration by all stakeholders who use this space, which is potentially one of the most important natural resources for the development of any coastal country. This research is focused on assessing the justification for establishing economic activities in a coastal area, taking into account the interconnection of spatial, safety, environmental, and social factors. Therefore, three possible scenarios have been proposed: the location of the communal port, the location of the nautical port-marina, and the location of the marine entertainment and recreation centre. The goal was to develop a model that would enable the objective assessment and selection of the most suitable activity that would simultaneously benefit society and have the least harmful impact on the environment. Therefore, a multi-criteria analysis was conducted using the AHP (Analytic Hierarchy Process) method. The decision-making process was based on the expert validation of criteria, sub-criteria, and alternatives. An analytical tool called Expert Choice was used to synthesise the results and select the optimal activity. The sensitivity analysis confirmed the stability and reliability of the obtained results, with the AHP method proving to be an effective tool in structuring the decision-making process regarding the establishment of activities in the coastal area. Based on the results of the multi-criteria assessment, planning the establishment of activities is an important precondition for the long-term and sustainable development of coastal activities in an area. Full article

Harmful algal blooms (HABs) are one of the major environmental concerns, as they have various negative effects on public and environmental health, recreational services, and economics. HAB modeling is challenging due to inconsistent and insufficient data, as well as the nonlinear nature of algae formation data. However, it is crucial for attaining sustainable development goals related to clean water and sanitation. From this point of view, we employed the sparse identification nonlinear dynamics (SINDy) technique to model microcystin, an algal toxin, utilizing dissolved oxygen as a water quality metric and evaporation as a meteorological parameter. SINDy is a novel approach that combines a sparse regression and machine learning method to reconstruct the analytical representation of a dynamical system. The model results indicate that MAPE values of approximately 2% were achieved in three out of four lakes, while the MAPE value of the remaining lake is 11%. Moreover, a model-driven and web-based interactive tool was created to develop environmental education, raise public awareness on HAB events, and produce more effective solutions to HAB problems through what-if scenarios. This interactive and user-friendly web platform allows tracking the status of HABs in lakes and observing the impact of specific parameters on harmful algae formation. Full article

Background: As global ageing accelerates, countries worldwide are increasingly facing social and economic challenges posed by rising older populations. Many nations are responding by optimizing healthcare systems, strengthening community-based ageing models, and promoting healthy ageing policies. The Naturally Occurring Retirement Community (NORC) is gaining recognition as a promising approach due to its cost efficiency and ability to meet diverse ageing-related needs. However, systematic research on the service models of NORCs remains scarce. Objective: This study aims to systematically examine the service offerings of Naturally Occurring Retirement Community Supportive Service Programs (NORC-SSPs) and analyze how these programs contribute to supporting ageing in place. Methods: A qualitative content analysis was conducted on official website information from 60 NORC-SSPs in New York State. Service categories were identified, coded, and compared across different geographic and structural contexts. Results: The analysis shows that education, healthcare management, and recreational activities are the most frequently provided services, with health-related services playing a central role in supporting older adults to age in place. Differences in service priorities were also observed between rural and non-rural settings, as well as between vertical and horizontal built environments, reflecting the adaptability of NORC-SSPs to varying community conditions. Conclusions: By identifying key service characteristics, this study provides insights for policymakers and practitioners in Australia and other countries seeking to implement sustainable, community-based models of ageing support. Grounded in the concept of “ageing in place”, the findings contribute to the development of inclusive and flexible service systems for older adults. Full article

This study presents an integrated modeling framework that combines CO₂ emissions and economic valuation to advance sustainable water management, focusing on the Segura River Basin in southeastern Spain. Characterized by arid conditions and severe water stress, the basin serves as an exemplary case for evaluating the trade-offs between environmental sustainability and economic productivity. The framework integrates CO₂ emissions models with economic analyses to quantify the carbon footprint and economic returns across five key water demand sectors: agriculture, industry, urban, recreational and environmental. Results demonstrate substantial variations in both CO₂ emissions and economic returns across and within these sectors, underscoring source-specific differences. Agriculture stands out as a key sector that balances carbon sequestration with productivity, whereas urban and industrial sectors exhibit energy-intensive water demands that significantly increase emissions. Additionally, there is notable heterogeneity in economic performance and CO₂ emissions within each sector. By linking CO₂ emissions with economic outcomes, the framework enables users to assess the relationship between economic value and CO₂ emissions across water demand units, supporting informed decision-making on the most sustainable allocation strategies. A critical finding is the negative economic impact of using desalinated water in agriculture, where high costs substantially reduce profit margins. These insights inform policies aimed at enhancing resource efficiency, promoting low-carbon water sources and aligning water management strategies with both environmental and economic goals. This approach guides sustainable water allocation in water-scarce regions. Full article

This article examines the land-use politics of recreation development in rural China. Extending the lens of spatial informality, it analyzes how the appropriation and acquisition of space by small suburban leisure enterprises have constituted a de facto vehicle for rural spatial reconfiguration amidst land-use constraints. Drawing on ethnographic fieldwork and case studies, we illuminate emerging scenarios in which inbound businesses burgeoned through the production of informal spaces, which were subsequently formalized or tolerated by local governments geared towards social economic growth. More so, we reveal the potential and limitations of such an informal-to-formal approach for rural spatial reconfiguration by showing how its sustainability and survival depend upon the enterprises’ ability to enter into a tacit alliance of interests with local authorities. This article casts new light on emerging bottom-up processes of spatial reconfiguration, alongside its repercussions for local suburbs, in the development of rural tourism and suburban leisure. It further suggests that, as an analytical approach, a nuanced understanding of rural restructuring under the recent national rural revitalization strategy can benefit from moving beyond the sole emphasis on formal institutions to analyze the role played by ordinary market actors and their spatial practices that shape rural territories and spatial relationships. Full article