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Integrated urban green and grey infrastructure
No full textIntegrated urban green and grey infrastructure combines “green” (natural; living) and “grey” (human-made; anthropogenic) infrastructure constituents to provide facilities in support of key (ecosystem) services and functions to urban communities. Integration may occur in the form of green infrastructure adding improved or additional services or functions to grey infrastructure, or grey infrastructure increasing the functionality of green infrastructure. It may also occur along a green-grey continuum based on the proportional composition of green or grey constituents within integrated green and grey infrastructure systems. Integration occurs at three spatial scales (scale of integration): first, at the intracomponent scale when one infrastructure component includes both green and grey constituents (e.g., a biofiltration facility); second, at the intercomponent scale when two components, one grey and one green, work together to provide particular services or functions (e.g., a levee protecting a wetland from coastal floods); and finally, at the system scale when multiple green, grey, and/or green-grey components establish a system (e.g., rain gardens, planters, trees, street furniture, and car parks working together to provide street calming services). Type of integration refers to how green-grey infrastructure constituents are connected with each other. Physical integration means that infrastructure components and/or systems are physically connected (e.g., a water conveyance system). Functional integration means that green, grey, and/or green-grey infrastructure components and/or systems together provide services or function(s) without being physically connected (e.g., street trees, planters, and raingardens along a street providing bird habitat without being physically connected)
Women empowerment and food security: Empirical evidence from Malawi
No full textWomen empowerment is a multidimensional concept, encompassing different aspects such as freedom to make vital decisions, access to economic resources, labor market access and political participation. Evidence suggests that gender equality and women empowerment is an effective tool for enhancing food security. Despite extensive literature on both women empowerment and food security, their relationship remains opaque and mainly unexplored for Malawi. In this paper, we investigate how, and to what extent women empowerment influence food security in Malawi. Based on the theoretical framework of WEAI, we evaluate relationship between empowerment and food security for 256 dual adult households in Chipewa and Chimbuka villages under Traditional Authority Nyoka in Mchinji district in Malawi. Empowerment was measured by a combination of two sub-indexes namely the five domains of empowerment index (5DE) comprising (1) production decisions, (2) access and decisions on productive resources, (3) control of use of income, (4) leadership through group membership, and (5) A2I as well as the Gender Parity Index (GPI) comprising the percentage of women who have not yet achieved empowerment and the average empowerment gap. Food security was examined using Household Food Insecurity Access Scale (HFIAS). We examined the relationship between empowerment and household food security. Our results indicate that the majority of the population in the study area are disempowered and food insecure irrespective of gender with half the population being severely food insecure. We then evaluate the correlation between each of the five domains of empowerment and food security for male and female. Amongst men, higher empowerment in terms of resources, A2I, income and leadership increases food security. On the other hand, it is only production domain of empowerment that is positive and statistically significant for women. The next step is to develop the econometric model to decipher the relationship further
Economic prudence in the age of environmental tempests
No full textA new environment tax may be needed to respond to climate impacts and sea-level rise.
This year, taxpayers will pay billions in responding to Cyclone Gabrielle. Past storm costs are also at the Treasury checkout, with Marlborough having its hand out for a second $80 million in two years.
Government Minister Damien O’Connor was recently quoted as saying the Government “was hard-pressed trying to find funds to respond to Cyclone Gabrielle”.
In determining the taxpayer’s share of regional recovery costs, the Government may need to examine the regional history of land management regulation, such as it has done in Gisborne.
This is because of decades of regional mismanagement of highly erodible steeplands has worsened flood damage to communities, contributed to loss of life, and weakened local economies.
Infrastructure repair and support for community restoration may therefore need to be, at least, partially-funded by regional environmental and climate recovery taxes
Getting certified? Exploring Cambodian vegetable growers’ knowledge and motivation to adapt CamGAP
No full textProblem definition, context, and relevance
Appearance, nutrition, price, and food safety are food attributes that are essential to consumers when purchasing fresh vegetables. While appearance and freshness can be evaluated through sensory inspection at the point of sale, food safety however is indicated through labels on the product packaging
and commonly verified through certification systems (Hu et al., 2022). While food safety standards are high in countries such as the US or Europe, in many developing countries such as Cambodia, standards can be significantly lower (Wongprawmas& Canavari, 2017). To counteract food recalls and establish a minimum baseline of food safety in Cambodian food retail, The Ministry of Agriculture, Fishery and Forestry (MAFF) of Cambodia, in collaboration with non-profit organizations (NGOs), developed the Cambodian Good Agricultural Practices (CamGAP) in 2010 (Mize et al., 2020) CamGAP is a voluntary system based on training, farm audits and certification, that followed on from the ASEAN GAP system which itself had been established following GlobalGAP.
The CAMGAP certification focuses on appropriate food production methods, including responsible use of agrochemicals, land, and water. The certification also targets worker and livestock wellbeing. Despite strenuous efforts by the government, NGOs, and other actors involved in promoting the certification system, the CAMGAP adoption rate among Cambodian vegetable producers has not been widely adopted over a decade later. Governmental efforts included facilitating projects and collaboration, training, and market access to high-value markets for Cambodian growers. However, in 2019 (the most recent statistical information), only 51 farmers had adopted CamGap (Ministry of Agriculture Forestry and Fishery, 2020). The specific reason for the low adoption rate remains to be explored; therefore, the present study was dedicated to filling this research gap. It determined the factors that influence the adoption and diffusion of the CamGAP standard among vegetable growers in Cambodia. A successful adoption process requires knowledge about the certification system, its procedures and techniques, and motivation to adapt, and therefore the study was dedicated to these factors.
Methodology
The study followed a qualitative case study approach, allowing an in-depth understanding of complex issues and real-life phenomena (Yin, 2017). It is suitable when investigating a new issue or phenomenon or adding a fresh perspective to a well-explored one. Case studies are widely used in the social sciences, including agri and horticultural business research. The present case study used a multiple-case study approach because it was expected that there may be differences in motivation and knowledge patterns among vegetable growers in different production regions. The approach allowed for replicating results across cases and identifying differences between groups of cases and specifics of individual cases, to allow for building theory. The differences between cases were identified through constant contrast and comparison (Yin, 2017). The areas and actors involved in the study were identified through an initial conversation with a government official involved in organizing CamGAP training for growers and subsequent purposeful sampling. Purposeful sampling is common in qualitative research for identifying and selecting information-rich cases related to the phenomenon of interest. The purposeful sampling approach was chosen to assure information richness based on the grower's adoption decisions.
All actors came from the Battambang and Kandal provinces, two of Cambodia's four major vegetable production regions. Overall, 20 vegetable growers and 5 extension officers participated in the study. The first author carried out all interviews between May and July 2021. The interviews were carried out via "Zoom and Messenger Room” calls and were arranged by a trained assistant supporting the research team. Zoom and Messenger interviews allowed researchers and participants to be kept safe from a potential Covid-19 infection.
Interviews took between 30 and 60 minutes and were recorded and supported by an interview guide. Topics included experience in production and market access, incentives and barriers to adaption, and knowledge about and experience with CamGAP. Each interview was transcribed verbatim and translated from Khmer to the English language. After the transcription, the iterative and recursive case analysis process was executed. This involved carefully reading the transcription, open, axial, and selective coding of individual interviews and comparing and contrasting within and across cases. Codes were revisited several times until a final coding scheme was established.
Results and discussion
In both the Battambang and Kandal province, the interviewed vegetable growers discussed intrinsic and extrinsic motivation as drivers for whether to adapt to CamGAP and get certified (see Figure 1). Figure 1: Intrinsic and extrinsic motivation to adopt CamGAP. Health, self-esteem, and succession were discussed as intrinsic motivations by growers in both regions. In terms of health, growers that have adopted CamGAP emphasized health as a driver for the decision. Extension officers also highlighted the growers' state of health and inappropriate application of agrochemicals as a significant problem in the provinces. In both provinces, the growers emphasized the risks and side-effects of pest and weed management, more precisely, the application of agrochemicals.
In addition, the best practices and regulations enforced through GamGAP improved the grower's expertise in agrochemical management and application, which allowed for improving their health overall.
A further strong motivation for some growers was the desire to hand the business to the next generation. Farmers wished their children a better, more productive, healthier life. For this reason, they were keen to adopt CamGAP. Other growers, often rather elderly, left the decision to adopt a certification system
to the next generation
The inhibitory effect of copper, zinc, and manganese on Legionella longbeachae and other Legionella spp. in vitro
No full textLegionella longbeachae is an important cause of Legionnaires' disease in Australasia and is associated with exposure to potting soils. Our aim was to identify ways to reduce the load of L. longbeachae in potting soils. Inductively-coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry (ICP-OES) of an all-purpose potting mix showed copper (Cu) concentrations (mg/kg) range from 15.8 to 23.6. Zinc (Zn) and manganese (Mn) were significantly higher than Cu ranging from 88.6-106 to 171-203, respectively. Minimal inhibitory and bactericidal concentrations of 10 salts used in the horticultural industry were determined for Legionella species in buffered yeast extract (BYE) broth. For L. longbeachae (n = 9) the median (range) minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) (mg/L) of copper sulfate was 31.25 (15.6-31.25), zinc sulfate 31.25 (7.81-31.25), and manganese sulfate 31.25 (7.81-62.5). The MIC and minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) were within one dilution of each other. Susceptibility to Cu and Zn salts increased as the concentration of pyrophosphate iron in the media decreased. The MIC values for these three metals against Legionella pneumophila (n = 3) and Legionella micdadei (n = 4) were similar. Combinations of Cu, Zn, and Mn were additive. Legionella longbeachae has similar susceptibility to Cu and other metal ions in comparison to L. pneumophila
Constant carbon dosing of a pilot-scale denitrifying bioreactor to improve nitrate removal from agricultural tile drainage
No full textDenitrifying bioreactors are effective tools for removing nitrate from agricultural drainage water. However, as woodchips age with time, a shortage of labile carbon supply limits nitrate removal by microbial denitrification when high nitrate pulses occur in drainage waters. In this study, we investigated the potential of methanol dosing at a constant rate to increase nitrate removal rates in a 58 m³ pilot-scale bioreactor (25 m³ saturated volume) installed on a dairy farm for two consecutive drainage seasons. The drainage water in the bioreactor had a mean hydraulic retention time (HRT) of 12.7 days and 13.5 days in the 2020 and 2021 drainage seasons. With 14.4 L of methanol solution (8% v/v) added per day, the seasonal nitrate removal rates were 8.6 g N m¯³ d¯¹ in 2020 and 5.1 g N m¯³ d¯¹ in 2021 when the methanol dosing rate was halved. Both rates (2020 and 2021) were enhanced as compared to seasonal rates of 0.67–1.60 g N m¯³ d¯¹ in previous years (2017 and 2018) when the bioreactor was not dosed. When there were very large pulses of nitrate into the bioreactor, which exhausted added methanol, nitrate was observed at concentrations above limiting ranges (> 3 mg N L¯¹) at the outlet on several occasions in 2021. Cumulative nitrate load reductions of 1859 g N and 1620 g N occurred in 2020 and 2021, respectively, resulting in overall nitrate removal efficiencies of 85 and 73%, respectively.
Methanol concentrations decreased by order of magnitude along the bioreactor length, from mean inlet concentrations of 327 mg CH₃OH-C L¯¹ in 2020 (higher dosing rate) to concentrations of <50 mg CH₃OH-C L¯¹ at the outlet. The mean methanol removal rates of 106 g CH₃OH-Cm¯³ d¯¹ in 2020 and 109 g CH₃OH-C m¯³ d¯¹ 1 in 2021. A 90% (2020) and 100% (2021) overall methanol removal efficiency was calculated. With methanol dosing, sulfate removal occurred in the bioreactor, with an average sulfate removal rate of 8.5 g SO₄²¯-S m¯³ d¯¹ in 2020 and 0.5 g SO₄²¯-S m¯³ d¯¹ in 2021. This work demonstrated that methanol additions to bioreactors could enhance denitrification rates even when nitrate was limiting without considerable losses of methanol being released to the receiving waters
Effects of plantain in pasture on nitrous oxide emissions from cattle urine patches, as affected by urine deposition timing and soil type
No full textTwo lysimeter experiments were conducted to quantify the effect of including plantain in pasture on nitrous oxide (N₂O) emissions from cattle urine patches, as affected by urine deposition timing and soil type. In experiment one, two pasture types were tested: (i) perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne)/white clover (Trifolium repens) (PRG/WC), and (ii) perennial ryegrass/white clover/plantain (Plantago lanceolata) (PRG/WC/P) pastures, under four urine application dates (late summer, early autumn, mid-autumn, and late autumn). In experiment two, two pasture types were tested: (i) PRG/WC and (ii) PRG/WC/P on two soil types (Balmoral shallow stony silt loam and Templeton deep stone-less silt loam). Both experiments applied cow urine (700 kg N ha¯¹) and collected gas samples using a closed chamber method. In experiment one and two, the addition of plantain to pasture had no significant effect on N₂O-N emissions. Soil type had no significant effect on N₂O-N emissions. However, urine application timing had a significant effect, with February having the highest average N₂O-N emissions (9.0 kg N₂O-N ha¯¹), followed by March (3.0 kg N₂O-N ha¯¹), April (2.7 kg N₂O-N ha¯¹) and May (1.7 kg N₂O-N ha¯¹). This change in N₂O-N emissions is attributed to cooler conditions reducing microbial activity, subsequently reducing nitrification and denitrification rates
Epistemology of ignorance: The contribution of philosophy to the science-policy interface of marine biosecurity
Get PDFMarine ecosystems are under increasing pressure from human activity, yet successful management relies on knowledge. The evidence-based policy (EBP) approach has been promoted on the grounds that it provides greater transparency and consistency by relying on ‘high quality’ information. However, EBP also creates epistemic responsibilities. Decision-making where limited or no empirical evidence exists, such as is often the case in marine systems, creates epistemic obligations for new information acquisition. We argue that philosophical approaches can inform the science-policy interface. Using marine biosecurity examples, we specifically examine the epistemic challenges in the acquisition and acceptance of evidence to inform policy, discussing epistemic due care and biases in consideration of evidence
Status and prospects of sponge city concept to reduce climate change induced flooding in New Zealand
No full textThe influence of wine involvement on wine tourism motivations and experiences
No full textTo date, there has been relatively limited research on the impact of involvement on motivations to engage in wine tourism, and specifically wine festivals, or the benefits sought from such experiences. This information is important for providers, as understanding tourists’ motivations can better ensure that products and experiences are crafted to meet their needs. This chapter begins with a brief overview of the wine tourism experience, the concept of involvement, and its role in understanding engagement with wine and wine tourism. Previous research that has explored involvement and other forms of psychographic segmentation in the context of wine tourism is reviewed to form a context for analysis of the role of wine involvement in motivations to engage in wine tourism via a wine and food festival. Results confirm previous research that there are significantly different motives for attending festivals based on levels of wine involvement. In particular, low-involvement participants are primarily interested in socializing with friends and family, relaxing, and enjoying the setting and the atmosphere. By contrast, the wine product is central for high wine involvement– trying it, buying it, talking about it with winemakers – but this does not mean the festive and social atmosphere is unimportant for this group. The chapter concludes by discussing the finding’s implications for wine tourism product development and future research