Life Sciences Commons^™

Reducing Food Scarcity: The Benefits Of Urban Farming, S.A. Claudell, Emilio Mejia

Journal of Nonprofit Innovation

Urban farming can enhance the lives of communities and help reduce food scarcity. This paper presents a conceptual prototype of an efficient urban farming community that can be scaled for a single apartment building or an entire community across all global geoeconomics regions, including densely populated cities and rural, developing towns and communities. When deployed in coordination with smart crop choices, local farm support, and efficient transportation then the result isn’t just sustainability, but also increasing fresh produce accessibility, optimizing nutritional value, eliminating the use of ‘forever chemicals’, reducing transportation costs, and fostering global environmental benefits.

Imagine Doris, who is …

Developing Characteristic Resource Plants To Build A Beautiful China, Lei Shi, Zheng'an Liu, Lijun Wang, Qingyan Shu, Meiyu Sun, Wei Duan, Hui Li

Bulletin of Chinese Academy of Sciences (Chinese Version)

It is an important way to solve the contradiction among ecology, production and life in natural protected areas and ecologically fragile region by constructing the three-production integration mode of characteristic resource plants. In order to fully tap and make use of the outstanding characteristics of oil tree peony, wine grape and aromatic plants, this study carried out technology integration of variety screening, planting, harvesting, processing, product research and development, and industrialization demonstration in and around natural protected areas and ecologically fragile region. Through the economic benefits generated, the life of the people in the natural protected areas and ecologically fragile …

An Innovative Restoration Mode “Macrophytes–Fishes–Benthons–Birds” Implemented In Aesthetic Plateau Wetlands, Junxing Yang, Xiaoai Wang, Xiaofu Pan, Yuanwe Zhang, Heqi Wu, Anli Wu

Bulletin of Chinese Academy of Sciences (Chinese Version)

Affected by both increasing human activities and climate change, Yunnan Plateau lakes were faced with threats such as water level decreasing, water-body reducing, and severe pollution. Many indigenous species were endangered or even disappeared. The ecological restorations implemented since 1980s almost all used alien species. As an inevitable result, severe negative impacts from alien species were observed on the Plateau wetland ecosystem and indigenous species. To solve these problems, with the support of relevant projects, an innovative restoration mode mainly with indigenous flag-species “macrophytes – fishes – benthons – birds” was proposed. This innovative mode was implemented respectively in Dianchi …

Innovation And Practice On Biodiversity Conservation In Sanjiangyuan National Park, Xinquan Zhao, Shixiao Xu, Liang Zhao, Tongzuo Zhang, Linyong Hu, Qi Li, Tongqing Guo

Bulletin of Chinese Academy of Sciences (Chinese Version)

Sanjiangyuan National Park, is one of the first batch of national parks in China, and serves as the largest national park in China. As an important ecological security barrier and a alpine biological germplasm resource base, it has significant conservation value in China and even in the world. Lots of protocols have been taken aiming at ecological tacking protection issues including loss of biodiversity and wildlife habitats, degradation of alpine grassland and overgrazing in Sanjiangyuan National Park. It promotes the implementation of major ecological restoration projects, and has formed the Sanjiangyuan National Park Biodiversity Conservation and Ecological Protection Program with …

Conception On Asian Elephant Ecological Corridor Planning With Implications For Conservation, Xueyou Li, Qiupeng Yu, Zhechang Hu, Xuelong Jiang

Bulletin of Chinese Academy of Sciences (Chinese Version)

In order to practice the concept of coordinated development of “Lucid Waters and Lush Mountains are Invaluable Assets” and “mountains, rivers, forests, farmlands, lakes, grasslands and deserts are part of the community of life”, this study takes “pursuing green development and promoting harmony between humanity and nature” proposed in the report of the 20th National Congress of the Communist Party of China as the theoretical guidance. With the goal of enhancing ecosystem integrity and connectivity, enhancing population communication, enhancing population viability, and providing a model for the construction of ecological corridors for flagship species, based on the current distribution and …

Self-Reported Consumption Of Bottled Water V. Tap Water In Appalachian And Non-Appalachian Kentucky, Jason W. Marion

Journal of Appalachian Health

Introduction: Quantitative studies on drinking water perceptions in Appalachia are limited. High-profile water infrastructure failures in the U.S. and Eastern Kentucky, coupled with human-made and natural disasters in the Appalachian Region, have likely impacted opinions regarding tap water.

Purpose: To use existing unexplored data to describe baseline tap water v. bottled water consumption in Kentucky.

Methods: Telephone-based cross-sectional data were obtained from the 2013 Kentucky Health Issues Poll (KHIP) directed by the Foundation for a Healthy Kentucky. Among many items in KHIP, self-reported consumption of bottled water over tap water, reasons for bottled water use, and demographic data were obtained. …

Research On China’S Marine Protected Areas Policy Based On Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework 2030 Targets, Ke Duan, Xiulin Wang

Bulletin of Chinese Academy of Sciences (Chinese Version)

The Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework adopted by the United Nations Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) at the Conference of Parties (COP15) has set a series of targets, including protecting at least 30% of the oceans by 2030 worldwide. In China, how to build a marine ecological civilization in synergy with the targets has become an important issue. This study analyzes the necessity of accelerating the construction of marine protected areas in China from the perspectives of adapting to international trends, fulfilling the responsibilities of international conventions, safeguarding maritime rights and interests, and implementing the maritime power and strategy. The feasibility …

Industrialization Of Tall Wheatgrass For Construction Of “Coastal Grass Belt”, Hongwei Li, Qi Zheng, Jianlin Wang, Hongyong Sun, Kexin Zhang, Hongman Fang, Xuerong Xing, Weicai Yang, Xiaofeng Cao, Xiaojing Liu, Haichun Jing, Kang Chong, Zhensheng Li

Bulletin of Chinese Academy of Sciences (Chinese Version)

Tall wheatgrass (Elytrigia elongata) is a perennial cool-season bunchgrass with high productivity and tolerance to salt and alkali, waterlogging, and drought. Since first introduced into China in 1950s, tall wheatgrass has long been used as a wild parent for distant hybridization with wheat (Triticum aestivum). During 1980s─1990s, a few tall wheatgrass varieties were introduced to China as forage grass, nonetheless, currently they are still not widely cultivated and no variety was certificated. In 2020, Zhensheng Li put forward a proposal to construct “Coastal Grass Belt” on saline and alkaline soils in the Circum-Bohai sea region, which provides an opportunity for …

Discovering Dune: Essays On Frank Herbert’S Epic Saga., Edited By Dominic J. Nardi And N. Trevor Brierly, G. Connor Salter

Mythlore: A Journal of J.R.R. Tolkien, C.S. Lewis, Charles Williams, and Mythopoeic Literature

G. Connor Salter reviews Discovering Dune: Essays on Frank Herbert’s Epic Saga, edited by Dominic J. Nardi and N. Trevor Brierly, considering its new contributions to studies of Frank Herbert's work. Essays included fit into four categories (Politics and Power, History and Religion, Biology and Ecology, and Philosophy, Choice and Ethics) and range from Herbert's use of ecology in Dune to how game theory may help explain certain characters' apparent ability to see the future. Discovering Dune also includes an appendix which contains the only up-to-date bibliography of Herbert's work (primary and secondary sources).

Strategies For Achieving Agriculture Carbon Peak And Carbon Neutrality In China Based On View Of Biogeochemical Cycle, Shiqi Yang, Xin Yan

Bulletin of Chinese Academy of Sciences (Chinese Version)

Biogeochemical cycle is the basic theory of matter (elements) flow among atmosphere, hydrosphere, biosphere and lithosphere, which provides important guidance to achieving the national goal of agriculture carbon peak (ACP) and agriculture carbon neutrality (ACN). As a basic industry, agriculture has large-scale temporal and spatial influence on the greenhouse effect, hence great importance should be attached to ACP and ACN in order to assist the overall strategy of achieving national carbon peak and neutrality. Based on the view of biogeochemical cycle and connotations of ACP and ACN, this article analyzes the paths to achieve ACP and ACN, and discusses the …

Thoughts And Suggestions On Oasis Ecological Construction And Agricultural Development In Hexi Corridor, Wenzhi Zhao, Heng Ren, Jun Du, Rong Yang, Qiyue Yang, Hu Liu

Bulletin of Chinese Academy of Sciences (Chinese Version)

Oasisization is an external manifestation of the temporal and spatial evolution of oasis in arid areas, and the regional water carrying capacity is the key to restricting oasis agriculture and ecological protection in arid areas. The Hexi Corridor is not only an important passage from the east to the west in China, but also an important carrier of regional development; it is not only an important ecological barrier in Northwest China, but also a typical irrigated agricultural area. After more than 60 years of construction, the Hexi Corridor has made remarkable achievements in social progress, traffic conditions, ecological construction and …

Analysis Of Germany’S Experience On Development Of Biosphere Reserves And Suggestions To China, Yijie Xian, Ning Liu, Na Qiao, Qiang Fang, Qunli Han, Ding Wang

Bulletin of Chinese Academy of Sciences (Chinese Version)

Germany has integrated biosphere reserves into the national strategy of sustainable development, and has built an outstanding biosphere reserve system nationwide, which has played a key role in maintaining the stability of ecosystem, exploring sustainable use of natural resources, innovating social development models, prospering local economies and providing an important platform to carry out comprehensive research on human and nature relationship. The experience of Germany includes:long and solid accumulation in the development of protected areas; deep understanding from authorities and the folk of the concept of Man and the Biosphere Programme (MAB) and the value of biosphere reserves, and more …

Enhancement Of Coastal Blue Carbon: Concepts, Techniques, And Future Suggestions, Guangxuan Han, Weimin Song, Yuan Li, Leilei Xiao, Mingliang Zhao, Xiaojing Chu, Baohua Xie

Bulletin of Chinese Academy of Sciences (Chinese Version)

The blue carbon function and carbon sequestration potential of coastal ecosystems, such as salt marshes, mangroves and seagrass beds, have emerged as one of the long-term solutions to mitigate global climate change. However, the blue carbon sequestration technology has been neglected in most ecological protection and restoration projects of coastal ecosystems. Besides, in the process of project implementation and management, the dynamic monitoring and systematic evaluation of carbon sink are imperfect. This study proposes the concept of enhancement of coastal blue carbon, focusing on four key technologies of soil carbon emission reduction technology, plant carbon sequestration technology, soil microbial carbon …

Status Quo Of Research And Suggestions On Reduction Of Non-Co2 Greenhouse Gas Emission From Chinese Farmland, Guangbin Zhang, Jing Ma, Hua Xu, Xiaoyuan Yan

Bulletin of Chinese Academy of Sciences (Chinese Version)

The mitigation of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions is of great significance for controlling global warming. In 2014, the CH₄ and N₂O emissions from farmland accounted for 4.3% of the total GHG emissions in China. After the carbon peak target in 2030, fossil energy in China will be gradually replaced by clean energy, and then the contribution of CH₄ and N₂O emissions from farmland will be enlarged, leaving that the urgency and importance of emission reduction becomes increasingly prominent. However, available technologies of emission mitigation have not been fully adopted and promoted due to the …

The Future Of Pandemics: Land Use Controls As Means Of Preventing Zoonotic Disease, Bailey Andree

Pace International Law Review

Zoonotic diseases are increasing in frequency as climate change worsens around the world, with the recent COVID-19 pandemic highlighting the inadequate mechanisms in place to counteract disease spread. This article reviews various zoonotic diseases and their patterns of spread, highlighting land use change as the key driver of disease to demonstrate the need for legal intervention. International land use law is a little-developed subsect of environmental law that holds the key to combating this disease spread, and this article proposes solutions through this legal lens. Land use techniques which may be used to combat disease spread include conservation laws, setback …

Maine’S Potential To Be A Global Leader In Sustainable Seaweed Harvesting And Management, Hannah M. Webber, Stefan Claesson, Shep Erhart, Catherine V. Schmitt, Jessica F. Muhlin

Maine Policy Review

A multitude of macroalgae (i.e., seaweed) species that are harvested in Maine are economically and ecologically important. Currently, management of these resources in Maine is focused on rockweed (Ascophyllum nodosum). This seaweed grows in abundance along intertidal rocky shores and provides a number of benefits including serving as habitat and nursery for many species including fin-fish, coastal protection from storms and sea level rise, carbon sequestration, and is a harvestable natural resource used primarily in fertilizer and animal feed production. It is critical that these functions and benefits are maintained and harvesting activities managed to ensure a sustainable …