196,139 research outputs found
Perceived benefits from reclaimed rural landscapes: Evidence from the lowlands of the Po River Delta, Italy
No full textThe attention towards residents' perceptions of ecosystem services for an efficient management of rural landscapes is gaining momentum. One noteworthy aspect is the identification of links between perceived supply and societal demand of ecosystem services, as they can disclose leverages to improve rural policies. The objectives of this study are: i) to assess residents' perceptions of ecosystem services attributed to typical landscape elements; and ii) to characterise the perception of different groups of residents. We present the results from a residents' survey based on a phone-questionnaire carried out in a reclaimed coastal area, where vulnerabilities such as anthropic impact legacies and natural hazards are exacerbated. The aim of the questionnaire concerns the collection of information regarding people perception of benefits attached to a set of rural landscape elements and demand for services. The results show that awareness of regulating functions, the presence of disservices and the link with local food production relate with residents' perception of benefits from landscapes. Furthermore, we note that local landscape and the meaning attributed to historical land reclamation initiatives has a lasting influence on the perception of ecosystem services and that of such perceptions are significant for the design of land use policies
Benefits for the local society attached to rural landscape: An analysis of residents' perception of ecosystem services
No full textEcosystem services are the benefits for society deriving from ecosystems. The perception of ecosystem services by local residents is relevant to understand the extent to which such services contribute to society and regional development. The objective of this study is to assess the perception of ecosystem services associated to rural landscape by local residents and to use them to respond to two main questions: Are residents able to attribute flows of services from specific landscape elements to the different socioeconomic sectors? Are such perceptions affected by the different landscape features of the area of residency (e.g. rural vs. urban dwellers)? The analysis is carried out using data from a survey (n=295) in a rural area located in North Italy (Po Delta lowlands, Province of Ferrara). The results show that the urban population has a rather generic and positive consideration of ecosystem services associated to rural landscape elements and that perception is largely related to their recreational experience. The rural population has a more complex understanding of services and is more prone to acknowledge disservices associated to specific elements and/or specific socio-economic sectors. Such differences are likely connected to a more direct experience and to the different spatial scales that affect the perception of ecosystem services. The results indicate that cultural services such as recreation and actions linked to the promotion of the territory are commonly acknowledged. On the other hand, initiatives to enhance the awareness of less visible services (e.g. regulation services) would be useful for improving the valorization of specific landscape elements
Agricultural policies and the emergence of voluntary landscape enhancement efforts: an exploratory analysis of rural tourism using an agent-based model
No full text<div><p>Conservation and enhancement of ecosystem services have become a priority of rural policies. Feedback loops from rural policies on ecosystem service supply have often been highlighted in the literature, but only vaguely investigated. In this paper, we model feedback loops from rural policies through an agent-based model, and we analyse whether feedback loops can indirectly create a system in which voluntarily landscape enhancement emerges from the interactions between farmers and rural tourists. The results suggest that, in certain conditions, feedback loops from policies can be a relevant element to take into account, but that greater attention to the ecosystem service demand is required.</p></div
Analysis and assessment of mountain pastures by integration of multispectral and ancillary data
No full textThe paper shows some operational techniques for the characterisation and mapping of pastoral resources in mountain areas. The utility of multispectral images was evaluated to produce thematic cartography of the studied pastures and to determine their pastoral value, a useful parameter for management purposes. Data collected by the multispectral ASTER sensor, with a 15 m spatial resolution in the VISNIR, 30 m in the SWIR, and 90 m in TIR, and the MODIS sensor, with a daily temporal step and a 250 m spatial resolution, were used. The images are classified using a maximum likelihood algorithm, while multivariate locally calibrated regression is applied to extend the pastoral value over the whole area. Results show a low capability of the satellite images in discriminating the different pasture vegetation types, whereas the assessment of pastoral value produces more promising achievements (r = 0.647;, RMSE = 6.99)
Distribuzione del reddito primario e secondario delle famiglie nella SAM del 1998 per le quattro macroregioni italiane
No full textRiflessioni sul caso Milano in vista della variante al PGT
No full textL'articolo contiene una riflessione sulle presenti vicissitudini del caso milanese e un contributo sulle prospettive della politica urbanistica milanese, che possa costituire un riferimento nella discussione sulla nuova Variante PGT avviata dal Comune
A systematic review of attributes used in choice experiments for agri-environmental contracts
No full textContract attributes are strong motivators for eliciting farmers’ preferences for a particular agri-environmental scheme. Our study aims to conduct a systematic literature review to highlight the attributes used in choice experiment studies of agri-environmental schemes using the PRISMA framework. We obtained 34 studies for an in-depth review, through which we extracted 32 attributes that were classified into five typologies: ‘monetary’ (7 attributes), ‘general’ (4 attributes), ‘flexibility’ (6 attributes), ‘prescription’ (12 attributes), and ‘purpose’ (3 attributes). Though monetary attributes should theoretically define farmers’ choices; general design and flexibility attributes are more critical for farmers’ participation and willingness to accept. The study also discusses the lesser-used attributes that could be potentially explored in future studies. Thus, our review can be used as a reference by future AES studies to select their bundle of choice attributes and test with a broader range of attributes in their choice experiments
Spatial data integration for the environmental characterization of pasture macrotypes in the Italian Alps
No full textIn the Italian Alps, local climate, topography and soil play a dominant role in pasture distribution. In this study, pre-existent layers of spatial data were used to identify the geographical locations of the main pasture communities (macrotypes) dominating these mountainous areas and to characterize them environmentally. The influence of the environment on macrotype distribution was assessed by principal component analysis (PCA) and a kernel density estimation (KDE) on nine explanatory variables extracted from soil-topography-climatic gridded maps. Results indicated the reliability of the method. The ecological description disentangled from PCA and KDE analysis fitted well with the ecological exigencies of seven macrotypes, identified as most representative in terms of their extent, ecological and pastoral importance across the Alps. This was more evident for high-altitude communities and xeric species, but less evident for the more ubiquitous, mixed or fragmented macrotypes. The results show that three main environmental regions can be distinguished across the area: a relatively wet and cold region located at the highest altitudes dominated by mountainside pasture macrotypes; an intermediate area comprising macrotypes without any marked environmental needs; and relatively dry and warm areas at the lowest altitudes dominated by xeric species and rich semi-natural grasslands. Method strengths, weaknesses and possible applications of the results are discussed
Climate change impacts on distribution and composition of the Alpine Natural Pasturelands
No full textDr. Duane M. Jackson, Morehouse College, July 2011
No full textThis video is a conversation with Dr. Duane M. Jackson. Dr. Jackson talks about his paper, "Recall and the Serial Position Effect: The Role of Primacy and Recency on Accounting Students' Performance." Jackie Daniel, AUC Woodruff Library, is the interviewer
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