Showing 4 results for Ecosystem Services
Manoj Kumar Arya, Hem Chandra, Aman Verma,
Volume 9, Issue 1 (3-2023)
Abstract
The Nandhour Landscape located in an eco-fragile biodiversity rich Terai Arc Landscape of India is protected in the form of a wildlife sanctuary and is least explored in terms of insect diversity and functions. Therefore, this study aimed to provide baseline information on the biodiversity of insects and their ecological functions in tropical to sub-tropical forest ecosystems which is important for the successful long-term provisioning of ecosystem functions and services in the protected landscape. Using standardized sampling techniques, the present study examined the structure and composition of insect assemblages in terms of their comparative diversity and richness across a range of habitat types in the Nandhour Landscape. Besides, the present study also evaluated the ecological significance of insect fauna. A total of 230 insect species belonging to 47 families and nine orders were recorded from various habitats and Lepidoptera was the most dominant insect order in terms of both richness and abundance, followed by Coleoptera, Hymenoptera, Odonata and others. Species diversity and richness were the highest in dense moist and open dry riverine forests, while the least in plantation forest and agricultural land. The heterogeneous structure and composition substantiated the importance of overall spatial heterogeneity and natural forests in sustaining and maintaining the rich insect diversity. Conservation of insect diversity is highly important as several species provide crucial ecosystem services and aid in the functioning of various ecologically fragile habitats of the landscape.
Volume 10, Issue 3 (10-2020)
Abstract
Aims: The main purpose of the current study is to introduce forests and wild-life environment as a source of endless learning and of course in harmony with nature and natural structures to conceive, lead, guidance, implement and manage the regional planning system. A type of regional planning system that achieves the UN Millennium Development Goals with a deep understanding of ecosystem cultural services.
Instruments & Methods: Research methodology is to explore the evidence of the selected case studies from among the emerging dominant exemplars of low-tech development projects in order to outline significant lessons from nature. “Logical argumentation” is selected as research strategy which is going to be developed by deductive approach and FGD (Focus Group Discussion) and snowball sampling in the cases of the forests and the wild-life environment.
Findings: Nature, wild-life and ecosystem includes invaluable source of inspiration. Nature as a source of hidden geometry emphasizes on form and structure, management and process, cultural and spiritual, and recycling and upcycling.
Conclusion: It is essential to sift to low-tech, green economy and low impact planning for biophilic regional planning; which includes holistic and comprehensive approach, planning for CES for better green economy, low-tech and soft development for environmentally-sensitive areas based on local circumstances, and classification of cultural services in natural ecosystems and reorganizing cultural benefits of ecosystem on the basis of environmental education program.
Volume 13, Issue 3 (9-2023)
Abstract
Aims: The dissertation aims to outline the concept of “biophilic regional planning” with emphasis on low-tech construction and low impact development, and materialize the outlined conept in the case of Meshkindasht City. It aims to show “nature” and “environment” as a valuable and endless source of inspiration in accordance with nature and natural archerypes for idealizing, strategic planning, performance and strategic management.
Methods: The research methodology is combination of descriptive and analytical research methods based on post-posotovism research paradigms. Independent variable of the research is “low-tech construction”.
Findings: Natural recources support “biophilic development" including: 1- Regional Potential Index (RPI), 2- Aspect Ratio (RA) and 3- Tourism Opportunity Spectrum (TOS).
Conclusion: The research shed some light on the concept of “biophilic regional planning” as a constructive strategy for low impact development in natural-resouses-rich landscapes. Based on preliminary analysis regarding to the dissertation topic, the concept of “biophilic regional planning” might be fulfilled via 1- Holistic and comprehensive approach, 2- Planning for CES for better green economy, 3- Low-tech and soft development for environmentally-sensitive areas based on local circumstances, and 4- Classification of cultural services in natural ecosystems and reorganizing cultural benefits of ecosystem on the basis of environmental education program.
Volume 23, Issue 2 (3-2021)
Abstract
Today, national parks as a natural resource capital are facing many challenges. Therefore, economic valuation of its functions and services is one of the most important categories of planning and sustainable ecosystem management. The present study aimed to estimate the economic value of ecosystem services in the Lar National Park, Iran. To this aim, the methods of revealed willingness to pay, imputed willingness to pay, and expressed willingness to pay were used. The results of this research showed the economic value of water resources reservation services (1619.802 Million Dollars, $M), soil conservation services (9.218 $M), soil production services (0.804 $M), recreation services (3.004 $M), habitat service (36.722 $M), production services (1.312 $M), carbon sequestration (847.109 $M), and oxygen supply services (93.618 $M). Finally, the total economic valuation of the use services was estimated to be $1867.087 M. Since more than 97% of the values are related to the water conservation and gas regulation services, sustainable ecosystem management is essential for preserving and expanding these services.
