Search Results (146)

This paper investigates the cultural, spiritual, and ecological use and value of fish by-products in the material practices of Alaska Native (Indigenous Peoples are the descendants of the populations who inhabited a geographical region at the time of colonisation and who retain some or all of their own social, economic, cultural, and political institutions. In this paper, I use the terms “Indigenous” and “Native” interchangeably. In some countries, one of these terms may be favoured over the other.) and Greenlandic Inuit women. It aims to uncover how fish remnants—skins, bones, bladders, vertebrae, and otoliths—were transformed through tanning, dyeing, and sewing into garments, containers, tools, oils, glues, and adornments, reflecting sustainable systems of knowledge production rooted in Arctic Indigenous lifeways. Drawing on interdisciplinary methods combining Indigenist research, ethnographic records, and sustainability studies, the research contextualises these practices within broader environmental, spiritual, and social frameworks. The findings demonstrate that fish-based technologies were not merely utilitarian but also carried symbolic meanings, linking wearers to ancestral spirits, animal kin, and the marine environment. These traditions persisted even after European contact and the introduction of glass trade beads, reflecting continuity and cultural adaptability. The paper contributes to academic discourse on Indigenous innovation and environmental humanities by offering a culturally grounded model of zero-waste practice and reciprocal ecology. It argues that such ancestral technologies are directly relevant to contemporary sustainability debates in fashion and material design. By documenting these underexamined histories, the study provides valuable insight into Indigenous resilience and offers a critical framework for integrating Indigenous knowledge systems into current sustainability practices. Full article

Mushrooms are eukaryotic organisms with absorptive heterotrophic nutrition, capable of feeding on organic matter rich in cellulose and lignocellulose. Since ancient times, they have been considered allies and, in certain cultures, they were seen as magical beings or food of the gods. Of the great variety of edible mushrooms identified worldwide, less than 2% are traded on the market. Although mushrooms have been valued for their multiple nutritional and healing benefits, some cultures perceive them as toxic and do not accept them in their culinary practices. Despite the existing skepticism, several researchers are promoting the potential of edible mushrooms. There are two main methods of mushroom cultivation: solid-state fermentation and submerged fermentation. The former is the most widely used and simplest, since the fungus grows in its natural environment; in the latter, the fungus grows suspended without developing a fruiting body. In addition, submerged fermentation is easily monitored and scalable. Both systems are important and have their limitations. This article discusses the main methods used to increase the performance of submerged fermentation with emphasis on the modes of operation used, types of bioreactors and application of morphological bioengineering of filamentous fungi, and especially the use of intelligent automatic control technologies and the use of non-invasive monitoring in fermentation systems thanks to the development of machine learning (ML), neural networks, and the use of big data, which will allow more accurate decisions to be made in the fermentation of filamentous fungi in submerged environments with improvements in production yields. Full article

Based on a literature review, the present article aims to present ecotourism as a transformative factor in the economic, social, cultural, and environmental contexts, revealing key elements for the sustainable development of ecotourism. To ensure that this objective is met, the review combines the insights of classical authors and many recent authors who have best addressed the subject. The review carefully selected consensual and contradictory arguments, reflecting on the relevance of each group, particularly in aspects such as the influence of emotional experience on behaviour and satisfaction, strategy and competitive advantage, cooperation and sustainability, and the influence of resilience on ecotourism. The impact of each perspective was presented without ignoring the major constraints that ecotourism faces in its search for a position in the tourism industry. This led the study to accept the fact that the active participation of the community is indispensable in the formula for the success of ecotourism. Some statistical data were consulted and analysed, which enabled the study to determine the quantitative impact of ecotourism on economic, social, and environmental life. In terms of benefits to communities, the review clarifies the fact that ecotourism serves as an instrument that mobilizes not only the additional value of products and services traded in the process, but also the return on investments and job creation. The combination of visiting activities with the involvement of tour guides contributes to maximizing profits in the destinations, thus supporting solid economic, social, and environmental development for the benefit of both ecotourism promoters and local communities. However, the analysis makes it clear that the economic, social, and environmental benefit depends on the degree of involvement of the local population. In terms of usability, for other studies, this review can contribute to the understanding and positioning of ecotourism in the search for a balance between satisfying socioeconomic and environmental interests. Additionally, it can serve as an aid to policy makers in their decisions related to ecotourism. Full article

This study investigates the impact of cultural openness on intertemporal consumption behavior in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region, using panel data from 14 countries spanning 2010 to 2022. Unlike prior research that primarily focused on lifestyle shifts or product preferences, this study explores how cultural globalization influences the trade-off between present consumption and future savings, as captured by the consumption-to-savings ratio (LCESR). Cultural openness is operationalized using the Cultural Globalization General Index (LCGGI), and its effect is analyzed alongside key control variables including Internet penetration, real GDP per capita, inflation, and tourism. To address endogeneity and unobserved heterogeneity, this study employs the system Generalized Method of Moments (GMM) estimator, supported by robustness check models. The findings reveal a significant positive relationship between cultural openness and LCESR in both the short and long run, indicating that increased exposure to global cultural flows enhances consumption tendencies in the region. Internet penetration and inflation negatively affect saving behavior, while GDP per capita shows a positive effect. Tourist arrivals exhibit limited influence. This study also highlights the importance of historical consumption behavior, as the lagged dependent variable strongly predicts the current LCESR. Robustness checks confirm the consistency of the results across all models. These insights suggest that cultural openness, digital infrastructure, and macroeconomic stability are pivotal in shaping consumption/saving patterns. The results carry important implications for financial education, digital consumption governance, and cultural policy strategies in the MENA region and similar emerging markets undergoing rapid cultural integration. Full article

Alkalihalophilus marmarensis is an obligate alkaliphile with exceptional tolerance to high-pH environments, making it a promising candidate for industrial bioprocesses that require contamination-resistant and extremophilic production platforms. However, its practical deployment is hindered by limited biomass formation under extreme conditions, which constrains overall productivity. This study presents a model-driven investigation of how pH (8.8 and 10.5), culture duration (24 and 48 h), and nitrogen source composition (peptone and meat extract) affect cell dry mass, lactate, and protease synthesis. Using the response surface methodology and multi-objective optimization, we established predictive models (R² up to 0.92) and uncovered key trade-offs in biomass and metabolite yields. Our findings reveal that peptone concentration critically shapes the metabolic output, with low levels inhibiting growth and high levels suppressing protease activity. Maximum cell dry mass (4.5 g/L), lactate (19.3 g/L), and protease activity (43.5 U/mL) were achieved under distinct conditions, highlighting the potential for targeted process tuning. While the model validation confirmed predictions for lactate, deviations in cell dry mass and protease outputs underscore the complexity of growth–product interdependencies under nutrient-limited regimes. This work delivers a foundational framework for developing fermentations with A. marmarensis and advancing its application in sustainable, high-pH industrial bioprocesses. The insights gained here can be further leveraged through synthetic biology and bioprocess engineering to fully exploit the metabolic potential of obligate alkaliphiles like A. marmarensis. Full article

The agricultural products trade network is essentially a complex adaptive system formed by nonlinear interactions between countries. Based on the complex system theory, this study reveals the dynamic self-organization law of the RCEP regional agricultural products trade network by using the panel data of RCEP agricultural products export trade from 2000 to 2023, combining social network analysis (SNA) and the temporal exponential random graph model (TERGM). The results show the following: (1) The RCEP agricultural products trade network presents a “core-edge” hierarchical structure, with China as the core hub to drive regional resource integration and ASEAN countries developing into secondary core nodes to deepen collaborative dependence. (2) The “China-ASEAN-Japan-Korea “riangle trade structure is formed under the RCEP framework, and the network has the characteristics of a “small world”. The leading mode of South–South trade promotes the regional economic order to shift from the traditional vertical division of labor to multiple coordination. (3) The evolution of trade network system is driven by multiple factors: endogenous reciprocity and network expansion are the core structural driving forces; synergistic optimization of supply and demand matching between economic and financial development to promote system upgrading; geographical proximity and cultural convergence effectively reduce transaction costs and enhance system connectivity, but geographical distance is still the key system constraint that restricts the integration of marginal countries. This study provides a systematic and scientific analytical framework for understanding the resilience mechanism and structural evolution of regional agricultural trade networks under global shocks. Full article

Marble votive reliefs from rural sanctuary contexts have seldom undergone archaeometric investigation, despite their potential to illuminate regional trade and production networks. This study focuses on such reliefs from Philippopolis and its hinterland, with particular emphasis on cult sites in Roman Thrace. Using a stable isotope (δ¹³C and δ¹⁸O) and trace element analysis via ICP-MS, integrated with petrography, the provenance of marble used in these artefacts was determined. The results identify Asenovgrad marble—prevalent in the Rhodope Mountains—as the primary material, with a minority of examples sourced from Prokonnesos and the southeastern Rhodopes. The predominantly fine-to-medium-grained nature of Asenovgrad marble may have facilitated the execution of small, detailed iconography. The consistent use of this local stone across votive types and deities implies centralised production, likely by one or more local workshops. These findings contribute to our understanding of marble selection, workshop localisation, and regional connectivity during the Roman period. They also highlight the importance of combining geochemical and petrographic methods for reliable marble provenance. This research demonstrates that even modest sanctuaries can yield critical data on raw material distribution and artisanal practices within broader economic and cultural frameworks. Full article

The Huangshan site in Nanyang, situated at the junction of the Nanyang Basin and the Jianghan Plain, represents a critical region for understanding the northward expansion of rice farming in China. Due to the scarcity of suitable organic material, the dating of the channel section at Huangshan relies primarily on cultural relics. By employing grain-size analysis, pollen analysis, and phytolith analysis on sediment samples from the site’s river section, we established a comprehensive framework of hydrology, climate, vegetation, and agricultural activities during the Yangshao to Qujialing periods (ca. 7000–4600 BP). The findings indicate a relative decline in temperature during the Yangshao period, followed by a return to warm and humid conditions during the Qujialing period, which coincided with the peak intensity of rice farming. The continuous expansion of rice farming at the Huangshan site during prehistoric times is likely linked to the northward spread of Qujialing culture. The large-scale production of rice not only provided an economic foundation for the growth of the Huangshan settlement but also facilitated its development into a regional hub for jade production and trade. This study offers new environmental archaeological insights into the interactions between the middle Yangtze River region and the Central Plains during the late Neolithic period. Full article

This paper considers the critical role of local markets in sustaining rural communities and forests through the trade of Boswellia serrata Roxb. gum-resin as a culturally significant non-timber forest product (NTFP). Despite its cultural significance in Hindu rituals, little is known about the market dynamics at the consumer end of the value chain. This is one of the first detailed studies on consumer behavior and seller economics of B. serrata gum-resin in temple contexts. Open-ended surveys with sellers and consumers reflect seller activities, incomes, and consumer perceptions within the markets, providing insights into the dynamics of the gum-resin value chain and the implications for sustainability. Challenges gum-resin sellers face are brought to light, with a notable struggle to secure a significant portion of the final product’s value. Consumer perceptions are identified as a pivotal aspect influencing this NTFP’s market dynamics. The study emphasizes the importance of understanding consumer demand and preferences in shaping market size and sustainability practices. The research advocates for establishing structured markets to enhance returns for harvesters and reduce costs for consumers. In providing insights into the socio-economic aspects of temple markets for B. serrata gum-resin, this study contributes to the understanding of NTFP value chains and their broader impact on the sustainability of forest-dwelling communities and forest ecosystems. The findings underscore the need for informed interventions and policy measures to address challenges, promote equitable practices, and ensure the long-term viability of NTFP-based economies. Full article

The Baluchistan melon fly (Myiopardalis pardalina) is a highly invasive tephritid pest. It poses a critical threat to global cucurbit production, with crop losses exceeding 90% during outbreaks. This review synthesises current research on the pest’s biology, ecology, and management, focusing on its severe economic repercussions for key crops—including melon, watermelon, and cucumber—across Africa, Asia, and Europe. M. pardalina has a four-stage life cycle (egg, larva, pupa, and adult) and distinct morphological adaptations. The species’ geographic range continues to expand, driven by global trade networks and its adaptability to shifting climatic conditions. Infestations by this pest severely reduce fruit yields, undermining food security and destabilising rural economies reliant on cucurbit cultivation. We evaluate diverse control strategies, including monitoring and quarantine methods, cultural practices, physical controls, chemical management, biological agents, and emerging genetic tools. This review emphasises the urgency of adopting integrated pest management (IPM) to strategically balance efficacy, ecological sustainability, and operational scalability. By consolidating fragmented knowledge and identifying critical research gaps, this work provides a framework for mitigating M. pardalina’s impacts, offering actionable insights to safeguard agricultural productivity and enhance resilience in vulnerable regions. Full article

Archaeology is a well-established discipline that sheds light on human history and uncovers the mysteries of materials, their origins, production methods, and areas of use. It provides significant insights into various topics such as the production history of glass and other materials, trade routes, manufacturing processes, degradation mechanisms, regional usages, and coloring com-positions. Glass, an ancient yet contemporary material, can transmit, absorb, and reflect light. Appreciating glass art requires recognizing its rich history, offering artists technical and aesthetic possibilities in modern life and architecture. This study examines the influence of archaeological research and the artistic character of ancient glass on contemporary glass art. Archaeological findings from Turkey and around the world have been reviewed, with a particular focus on the Phrygian Valley, located in and around Eskişehir, an important region for the Phrygian civilization. Artifacts unearthed through excavations and sur-face surveys conducted in the Phrygian Valley, and preserved in the Eskişehir Eti Archaeology Museum, have been analyzed. The museum houses approximately 22.500 artifacts, including sculptures, steles, ceramics, glass vessels, metal objects, jewelry, and coins. Inspired by these artifacts and Phrygian culture, original glass designs have been created using techniques such as stained glass, lampworking, and glass painting. The aim of the study is to interpret Phrygian art and culture through innovative designs. Full article

As a typical ecologically fragile mountainous area, Liangshan Yi Autonomous Prefecture in Sichuan Province faces challenges of irrational land resource allocation and uncoordinated urbanization. This study employs an ecological niche width model to quantify the functional status of “production-living-ecological” functions (PLEFs) between 2010–2020. Methodologically, we integrated spatial autocorrelation analysis and Spearman’s correlation coefficients to systematically evaluate spatiotemporal synergies and trade-offs among PLEFs. Based on this, spatial clustering patterns were further analyzed using Maxwell’s triangle and K-means algorithms to delineate functional zones. Key findings include: (1) Production function (PF) and living function (LF) exhibit a “core-periphery” spatial pattern (high-value clusters in the south, low-value contiguous areas in the north), while ecological function (EF) displays a “high-low-high” ring-shaped pattern (high values in the northwest and southeast, declining in the central region due to development pressure); (2) synergy and trade-off relationships coexist in the study area. Synergies and trade-offs coexist among PLEFs. The synergistic effect between PF and EF strengthens significantly, the trade-off relationship between PF and LF weakens slightly, and the trade-off between LF and EF remains prominent; high-low (HL) clusters and low-high (LH) clusters exceed 55%; (3) based on synergy/trade-off relationships, the study area is divided into six functional zones (e.g., economic priority zones, ecological protection zones), with proposed optimization strategies such as “intensive valley development, eco-cultural tourism in border areas, and urban-rural coordination in central regions,” providing scientific support for sustainable territorial spatial utilization in mountainous areas. Full article

Livelihood diversification for traditional villages is essential to reducing poverty, addressing rural hollowing, and achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Shanxi Province—with its wealth of ancient villages, diverse cultural heritage, and unique landscapes—serves as a critical case for analyzing livelihood strategies. This research proposes a framework for livelihood diversification in Shanxi Province’s 619 traditional villages. Firstly, we constructed an indicator system to measure livelihood assets, including ecological stability, economic feasibility, land productivity, cultural inheritance, and social service capacity. Then, the trade-offs and synergies between each pair of assets are explored based on the correlation tests and the Geographically Weighted Regression (GWR) model. Finally, the Self-Organizing Map (SOM) model is employed to cluster the dominant livelihood assets of the sample villages. The results indicated that (1) the current sustainable livelihood levels of traditional villages in Shanxi Province exhibit spatial differentiation and imbalance. (2) The analysis confirms significant synergy between cultural inheritance, social service capacity, and economic feasibility, suggesting that appropriate protection and enhancement of local culture positively correlates with sustainable economic and social development in the villages. (3) Utilizing the SOM clustering model, six distinct types of sustainable livelihood strategies for traditional villages in Shanxi Province were successfully identified. Furthermore, a county-scale “multi-livelihood zoning” strategy has been proposed. The findings of this research can serve as a valuable reference for strategic planning and the implementation of rural revitalization. Full article

Assessing the value of ecosystem products over time can reflect the effectiveness of ecosystem protection and serve as a measurable indicator in national park management. This study focuses on the Three-River-Source National Park (TRSNP), located in the Tibetan Plateau, the “Water Tower of China”. We developed an accounting system for ecosystem products in the TRSNP and assessed their value for 2015 and 2020. Key findings include the following. (1) The validation of the system’s scientific basis with a comprehensive indicator framework covering material products, regulating services, and cultural services. (2) The total value of ecosystem products in TRSNP increased by 31.19% from 2015 to 2020. Driven by policies such as grazing bans and the restoration of grasslands, the value of material products saw a decrease during the same period, while the value of regulating services experienced an increase. Notably, among the regulating services, the value associated with soil conservation emerged as the highest. (3) The value of regulating services varies across different regions due to the influences of land use types and soil erosion types. Among these, the value of regulating services per unit area is highest in the Lancang River source region, followed by the Yellow River source region, and the value was the lowest in the Yangtze River source region. (4) Recommendations include enhancing the value of agricultural and animal husbandry products to increase the overall agro-pastoral income, focusing on soil protection and restoration in the Yangtze and Yellow River source regions, and exploring strategies for the trading of ecological resource rights for soil retention in the Lancang River source region. This research offers a pertinent case study for ecosystem product value assessment, contributes a scientific ecological protection effect evaluation system for TRSNP, and provides a relevant scientific basis for the management of TRSNP. Full article

A Kuznets-like curve for unemployment suggests that unemployment initially rises with early economic development due to sectoral shifts but decreases as economies mature, diversify, and adapt. This explains how gross national income (GNI) per capita influences or mediates the effect of globalization on unemployment. This study investigates the impact of the interaction between GNI per capita and economic globalization on unemployment rates in 158 countries from 1991 to 2019 using the spatial Durbin model (SDM) and a weight matrix based on cultural, political, social, language, and historical backgrounds and trade pacts (CPSLHT) for better estimates. The results indicate that the direct and indirect effects of gross domestic product (GDP) on unemployment are negative and significant in the short and long term. Population growth positively and significantly impacts unemployment, while female labor force participation shows negative and significant indirect effects. The net migration effect is negative but insignificant in the overall model and becomes significant in the decomposed globalization models. The direct and indirect effects of inflation were consistently negative and significant. Trade openness exerts a significant indirect negative effect on unemployment, while the interaction between GNI per capita and economic globalization, especially through trade and foreign direct investment, also reduces unemployment. Persistent unemployment and spatial spillover effects highlight the importance of regional cooperation. Controlling population growth, enhancing GDP growth, permitting mild inflation, promoting female workforce participation, and adopting effective migration policies can reduce global unemployment. Full article