Natural Resources and Conservation Commons^™

Strategic Insights For Developing Protected Areas System With National Parks As Mainstay In New Era: Marking 20 Years Of “Lucid Waters And Lush Mountains Are Invaluable Assets”, Baorong Huang, Xuetian Hu, Huizhi Zhang, Ling Tang, Zhi Wang, Zhi Zhang

Bulletin of Chinese Academy of Sciences (Chinese Version)

In the new era, the advancement of Chinese path to modernization places new demands on the development of a protected areas system with national parks as the mainstay. At the same time, as reform deepens, the system faces emerging challenges, including outdated conservation concepts, insufficient systemic integration, proliferation of management exclusions, and weak social functions, hindering the effective transformation of lucid waters and lush mountains into invaluable assets. This study recommends that, guided by the two mountains concept and aligned with the strategic goals of national modernization, China must comprehensively advance the construction and reform of the protected areas system …

Prospective And Strategic Value Of Roadmap For Regional Sustainable Development Research—Post-Evaluation Of Regional Development Research In China: A Roadmap To 2050, Rui Guo, Hanchu Liu, Jie Fan

Bulletin of Chinese Academy of Sciences (Chinese Version)

In 2007, the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) pioneered China’s 2050 science and technology development strategy and roadmap research, published the “Innovation 2050” strategic research series in 2009. The Regional Development Research in China: A Roadmap to 2050 (hereafter referred as to Roadmap) was one of these 19 reports. This study evaluates the implementation effectiveness of CAS’s regional sustainable development initiatives since publication through the lens of Xi Jinping’s Thought on Ecological Civilization particularly the “lucid waters and lush mountains are invaluable assets” (two mountains) concept, while concurrently assessing the Roadmap’s strategic research outcomes. Key findings include the followings. (1) …

Innovative Practices And Application Exploration Of Gross Ecosystem Product (Gep) Accounting In Lishui City, Zhejiang Province, Qin Qiao, Qingxia Lin, Yi Li, Huiyi Yu, Chao Zhang

Bulletin of Chinese Academy of Sciences (Chinese Version)

Improving the mechanism for realizing the value of ecological products is a crucial approach to implementing the concept that “lucid waters and lush mountains are invaluable assets,” and it holds significant importance for promoting the transformation of ecological value and the green transition of the economy and society. As China’s first pilot city for the ecological product value realization mechanism, Lishui City has consistently innovated in gross ecosystem product (GEP) accounting and the application of its outcomes, offering a model and reference for nationwide ecological product value realization. This study systematically examines Lishui’s exemplary practices in ecological product value realization …

Vivid Practice Of Enriching People With Tea In Wuyishan, Nanping, Fujian, Zhenlin Fan, Shengmeng Zheng, Jiamei Wu, Sen Liang

Bulletin of Chinese Academy of Sciences (Chinese Version)

The tea industry serves as the hallmark of Wuyishan City, Fujian Province, and represents a distinctive sector that promotes local prosperity and urban development. Wuyi Mountain leverages its Danxia landform ecological foundation and centuries-old tea culture heritage to integrate the coordinated development of tea culture, tea industry, and tea science and technology, thereby establishing an innovative pathway for transforming “lucid waters and lush mountains” into “ecological premiums” and ultimately into “invaluable assets”. To address structural issues in the traditional tea industry, Wuyishan has promoted ecological cultivation as the foundation for enhancing processing standardization and brand development, thereby facilitating industrial transformation …

Empowering High-Quality Development In Mengyin County Of Shandong Province Through Honey Peach Industry, Xue Wang, Yunquan Miao, Liangjie Xin

Bulletin of Chinese Academy of Sciences (Chinese Version)

As a typical old revolutionary base area county, mountainous county, and national key ecological function zone, Mengyin County has deeply implemented the concept of “lucid waters and lush mountains are invaluable assets” (two mountains concept), empowering the high-quality development of its peach industry through ecological means. By optimizing the ecological environment, Mengyin has laid a solid foundation for the peach industry, transforming its pristine ecology into a natural competitive advantage for industrial growth. Leveraging scientific and technological innovation, the county has driven the upgrading and extension of the peach industry chain, while simultaneously pioneering circular agriculture models and integrating tertiary …

How To Realize Value Of Public Ecosystem Services And Promote Its Supplement? A Government Solution In Beijing, Baolong Han, Qi Wang, Haoqi Wang, Zhiyun Ouyang

Bulletin of Chinese Academy of Sciences (Chinese Version)

The regulating services provided by ecosystems are an important safeguard for regional ecological security, and are typical public service products characterized by non-excludability and non-rivalry. Compared with the material provisioning products and cultural service products of ecosystems, regulating services face significant shortcomings in market-based value realization and monetization capacity, making them difficult to trade and monetize. This study systematically introduces the experiences of Beijing and particularly Yanqing District and Mentougou District in overcoming bottlenecks and promoting the monetization and enhancement of regulating service products. In the area of value realization, major efforts have focused on policy preparation and the cultivation …

Practice Path And Empirical Evidence Of “Lucid Waters And Lush Mountains Are Invaluable Assets” Concept In Changshan Archipelago, Northern Yellow Sea, China, Hui Wang, Sirui Chen, Rina Wu

Bulletin of Chinese Academy of Sciences (Chinese Version)

Against the backdrop of the in-depth integration of China’s “maritime power” strategy, the “dual-carbon” goals and the concept that “lucid waters and lush mountains are invaluable assets” (hereinafter referred to as the two mountains concept), the Changshan Archipelago, as the only border island group in China and the largest island group in the northern Yellow Sea, have the dual attributes of an ecological barrier and an economic carrier. It is an ideal sample for exploring the transformation of the two mountains concept on islands. This study elaborates on its strategic positioning in safeguarding national maritime frontier security, maintaining the northern …

Atmospheric Water Resources Utilization: Technology, Applications, And Ecological Economic Benefits, Min Chen, Tiejian Li, Yuefei Huang, Guoxin Chen

Bulletin of Chinese Academy of Sciences (Chinese Version)

Water resources are important elements for maintaining ecological balance and ensuring biodiversity, which are also the basic resources for the development of agriculture, industry, and services. It is of great significance to alleviate the shortage of water resources and reduce drought losses in western China by using low-frequency and intense sonic rain enhancement technology to actively utilize abundant atmospheric water resources and increase regional precipitation. This study introduces the principle of low-frequency and intense sonic rain enhancement technology using acoustic cloud water resources, and analyzes its rain enhancement effect and ecological and economic benefits by taking the acoustic rain enhancement …

Scientific Interpretation Of Notion That “Lucid Waters And Lush Mountains Are Invaluable Assets” And Its Case Study, Kai Fang, Chenglin Li, Sirui Zhu, Ling Zhu, Wei Wu

Bulletin of Chinese Academy of Sciences (Chinese Version)

The notion that “lucid waters and lush mountains are invaluable assets” serves as a basis of thinking for embracing ecological civilization in China’s new era. This study makes an effort to define both ecological economization and economic ecologization, identify the typologies, and elaborate on the theoretical logic of interaction between them. By proposing such a conceptual framework, the study further looks back to the practical experiences in Anji County, the birthplace of the notion, by focusing on the practical logic of the interaction between them. Finally, the study comes up with policy recommendations for the notion: establishing ecological product markets …

Learning From “Nature-Based Solutions” To Promote Optimal Management Of Integrated Ecological Conservation And Restoration In Qinghai-Xizang Plateau, Jun Wang, Bojie Fu, Xiao Zhang, Yanxu Liu, Wenwu Zhao

Bulletin of Chinese Academy of Sciences (Chinese Version)

The Qinghai-Xizang Plateau plays an important role as an ecological security barrier for China and the world, where the ecological environment has generally improved in recent years. Nevertheless, the Qinghai-Xizang Plateau still faces management challenges in dealing with the three relationships, namely, key problems and coordinated governance, natural recovery and artificial restoration, and high-quality development and high-level protection. This study proposes the application of “Nature-based Solutions” for adaptive management, including the implementation of ecological protection and restoration planning based on the “three-scale framework”, the ecological protection and restoration projects adaptation management under climate change and human disturbance based on quantitative …

Oregon State Rank Assessment For Midget Quillwort (Isoetes Minima), Lindsey K. Wise

Institute for Natural Resources Publications

Oregon state conservation status assessment for midget quillwort (Isoetes minima) using NatureServe methodology, 2024.

Recommendations For The Revision Of Animal Units And Their Application In The Western Australian Rangelands, Ian Mclean, Sally Finch

Natural resources commissioned reports

This report provides recommendations for the practical application of a methodology for calculating and applying Animal Units in the rangelands of Western Australia.

Animal Units have evolved over time, in their definition, derivation and the size of the standard animals used. This has resulted in their being varying and inconsistent approaches within and across jurisdictions which has limited their application.

The Animal Unit methodology applied in this report is used in other rangeland and pastoral regions, it therefore progresses a nationally consistent approach.

The standard animals used in this methodology are:

• Animal Equivalent (AE), a 450 kg Bos taurus steer …

Exploring Producers' Willingness To Pay For Ecosystem Services: Three Essays On Soil Health, Location Preferences, And Cover Crop Adoption, Kaouter Essakkat

Dissertations and Doctoral Documents, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, 2023–

This dissertation comprises three essays: one assessing Midwest producers' willingness-to-pay (WTP) for soil health-enhancing ecosystem services (ES), another examining the impact of policy implementation locations on WTP, and a third identifying factors influencing producers' adoption of cover crops (CC).

The first essay pioneers the understanding of agricultural producers’ valuation of soil health-associated ES amid growing concerns of soil degradation due to agricultural intensification. Using a discrete choice experiment, this study assesses producers’ WTP for a policy that incentivizes ES provision, specifically improved water quality, carbon sequestration, and enhanced crop yield. Surveying producers across Iowa, Kansas, and Nebraska, our results show …

Population Demography, Occupancy, And Connectivity Of Invasive Bigheaded Carp In The Platte River, Nebraska And Its Tributaries, Blake W. Logan

School of Natural Resources: Dissertations, Theses, and Student Research

Silver Carp Hypophthalmichthys molitrix and Bighead Carp H. nobilis, collectively referred to as bigheaded carp, are invasive species in the United States of America that have expanded their range throughout the Missouri River basin in the last three decades. It may be desirable to develop management plans directed at the monitoring, control, or removal of bigheaded carp within the Missouri River basin. However, a knowledge gap exists regarding bigheaded carp ecology in Missouri River tributaries, which may be important for the development of management plans. As such, this study characterized bigheaded carp population demographics, occupancy, and connectivity in …

Virtual Fencing In Livestock Management: Effects On Beef Cattle Stress And Enhancing Wildlife Conservation, Kaitlyn E. Dozler

School of Natural Resources: Dissertations, Theses, and Student Research

I examined the effects of virtual fencing on beef cattle stress and how implementing the technology can aid wildlife habitat conservation at the University of Nebraska Gudmundsen Sandhills laboratory (GSL) near Whitman, NE. First, I examined how virtual fencing influences acute heart rate changes in beef cattle fitted with the virtual fencing collars. No significant difference in the average heart rate of a cow (P > 0.05) was observed between the 30 min control and virtual fenced periods for both trial dates. Second, I examined the influence of topography on wildlife species richness and presence at GSL using wildlife camera …

Spatial Ecology Of Mountain Lions Throughout Their Distribution In California, Kyle D. Dougherty

School of Natural Resources: Dissertations, Theses, and Student Research

Mountain lions (Puma concolor) have been studied extensively throughout their wide geographic distribution in the Western Hemisphere, but most research has been conducted at relatively small spatial scales. We used GPS telemetry data contributed by researchers in 16 study areas throughout California to advance understanding of mountain lion spatial ecology. First, we investigated multi-scale resource selection of mountain lions relative to spatially varying risk of intentional human-caused mortality associated with livestock depredation management. We show that individuals that proactively avoided mortality risk when selecting home ranges were able to relax their avoidance of risk when making resource selection …

Hybridization Between The Rare Gray-Headed Chickadee And The Abundant Boreal Chickadee In The Midst Of Shifting Climate, Matthew R. Armstrong

School of Natural Resources: Dissertations, Theses, and Student Research

As species respond to changing climate, distributions and abundances may shift and alter species interactions. Hybridization, a relatively widespread phenomenon becoming more common with climate change, can have beneficial and detrimental effects on population growth rates and genetic integrity. Beneficial effects due to the introduction of advantageous alleles and increased genetic diversity may result from hybridization. Species may also accrue fitness costs associated with changing climates if mismatches occur between environmental variables and phenotypes. The gray-headed chickadee, Poecile cinctus lathami, is an extremely rare songbird that has experienced marked declines in recent decades within its restricted distribution in Alaska …

The Colorado Wolf Reintroduction Portrayal In News Media, Megan K. Mcarthur, Monica V. Ogra

Student Publications

The Colorado gray wolf (Canis lupus) reintroduction began in December 2023 in the hope of restoring this once native population to the area, and it has received mixed responses from the media. By answering the research question of 'How has the wolf reintroduction in Colorado been framed in news media?', this research poster looks at the portrayal of the reintroduction in news articles from six months before and after the first wolves were released. Media is an influential factor in people's opinions and it is important to be aware of the information being shared and any bias within them.

New Insights On Hybridization In Potamogeton Floridanus (The Florida Pondweed), Kaitlyn R. Sampson

Graduate Theses and Dissertations (2019 - present)

Freshwater ecosystems are some of the most important and highest threatened habitats in the world, and aquatic plants play an important, but often-overlooked, role in maintaining them. Potamogeton is a diverse and ecologically important aquatic plant genus well known for taxonomic difficulty and rampant hybridization. lbis study aimed to 1) test the hypothesis that Potamogeton jloridanus (Florida pondweed) is a hybrid between P. oakesianus and P. pulcher, and 2) to investigate correlations in ecological conditions for the focal species. This study revealed the discovery of a new population of P. jloridanus in Big Coldwater Creek in Santa Rosa Co., FL, …

Testing Multiple Environmental Dna Substrates For Detection Of The Cryptic And Critically Endangered Burrowing Freshwater Crayfish Engaewa Pseudoreducta, Kathryn L. Dawkins, Paul Nevill, Brian Chambers, Shane Herbert, Quinton F. Burnham

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Effective conservation of endangered species depends on knowledge of their distributions, but species detection can often be challenging. An example of this is provided by the Critically Endangered Margaret River burrowing crayfish (Engaewa pseudoreducta), which is highly cryptic. Due to the burrowing habit of this crayfish, detection of this species currently requires a great deal of effort, the results are often non-conclusive, and, as it involves manual excavation of their burrows, the habitat of this and other species is destroyed in the detection process. In response to these challenges, this study developed and optimized a species-specific probe-based qPCR assay targeting …

Exploration Of New Paradigm For Comprehensive Large-Scale Think Tank Research Issues—Strategic Research Practice Of Ecological Barrier Construction In Western China, Jiaofeng Pan, Lu Zhao, Feng Zhang

Bulletin of Chinese Academy of Sciences (Chinese Version)

The ecological environment in western China is relatively fragile. Play leading role of science and technology to promote the construction of ecological barrier in western China, has immeasurable strategic significance for promoting a new pattern of western development, building a Beautiful China, and promoting sustainable development and long-term stability of China. Chinese Academy of Sciences took the initiative to launch the major consulting project of “strategic research on science and technology supporting the construction of ecological barriers in western China”. This is a comprehensive Think Tank research, which has complex cross-domain, cross-regional, and interwoven characteristics. According to the requirements of …

Editorials For Special Topic “Strategic Research On S&T Supporting Construction Of Ecological Barrier In Western China”

Bulletin of Chinese Academy of Sciences (Chinese Version)

No abstract provided.

Innovative Pathways And Perspectives For Construction Of Ecological Barriers On Loess Plateau, Zhisheng An, Weijian Zhou, Yansui Liu, Zhao Jin, Yunqiang Wang, Baoyuan Liu, Guobin Liu, Zhouping Shangguan, Yihe Lü, Fei Wang, Wanquan Ta, Wenke Wang, Houyuan Lü, Haibin Wu

Bulletin of Chinese Academy of Sciences (Chinese Version)

The ecological barriers on Loess Plateau are crucial components of ecological security strategy framed as a pattern of “Three Zones and Four Belts” in China, and serve as a vital safeguard to reduce the flooding risks of the Yellow River and the safety of the North China Plain. Since the founding of the People’s Republic of China, the construction of the ecological barriers on the Loess Plateau has already gained some remarkable achievements, nevertheless, there are still some challenges upon us, such as intensified risks of extreme climate events and natural disasters, proper threshold of balance between ecological construction and …

Technological Challenges And Development Directions Of Ecological Security Barrier Construction In Yun-Gui-Chuan-Yu Region, Peng Cui, Yongping Yang, Genxu Wang, Bo Zhu, Xuyang Lu, Geng Sun, Xiaoyong Bai, Sirui Zhang, Yonggang Ge, Jiao Wang

Bulletin of Chinese Academy of Sciences (Chinese Version)

The Yun-Gui-Chuan-Yu Ecological Security Barrier is situated in Southwest China, encompassing the provinces of Sichuan, Chongqing, Guizhou, and Yunnan. It serves as a vital water source conservation area and a core zone for biodiversity protection for the Yangtze, Yellow, and Pearl River basins, playing a crucial role in China’s national ecological security. Since the 18th National Congress of Communist Party of China, under the guidance of Xi Jinping’s Thought on Ecological Civilization, the region has made significant strides in water resource protection, soil erosion and mountain disaster control, biodiversity conservation, and ecosystem restoration, resulting in noticeable improvements in environmental quality …

Science And Technology Support For Climate Change Mitigation And Adaptation Over Western China, Huijun Wang, Huopo Chen

Bulletin of Chinese Academy of Sciences (Chinese Version)

In the context of accelerating global warming, the western China has experienced intensified climate extremes, with frequent occurrences of meteorological, hydrological, and ecological disasters. The unpredictability of these events has increased, posing significant challenges to disaster prevention and mitigation as well as sustainable development in these areas. In this context, this study, based on a scientific assessment of the facts and risks of climate change in the western China, has identified several fundamental, critical, and strategic scientific and technological tasks to support the development of the western China in the field of climate change. Corresponding suggestions and measures are also …

Science And Technology Support Ecosystem Protection And Restoration In Western China To Ensure Ecological Security Of The Country, Zhiyun Ouyang, Lingqiao Kong, Binbin Huang, Weihua Xu, Bojie Fu

Bulletin of Chinese Academy of Sciences (Chinese Version)

The western China has developed the Earth’s unique ecosystems, which is not only the main provider of ecosystem products and the important barrier of ecological security in China, but also the key area of ecosystem protection and restoration because of its ecological fragility. In recent years, a series of the major protection and restoration projects of ecosystems have been implemented, and have achieved remarkable progress in western China. Nevertheless, due to its ecosystem instability and unsustainability, ecological security is still facing severe challenges in western China. This study first analyzes the crucial roles of the western region as an ecological …

Biodiversity Conservation In Western China With Scientific And Technological Support: Current Status, Challenges, And Suggestions, Fuwen Wei, Hang Sun, Jiaojun Zhu, Baoguo Li, Gexia Qiao, Shilong Chen, Jiang Zhu, Xiaoge Ping

Bulletin of Chinese Academy of Sciences (Chinese Version)

As a megadiverse country, China has made significant progress in biodiversity conservation in recent years. The western region is a critical area for biodiversity conservation in China, boasting rich species resources and a high proportion of endemic species. However, its ecosystems are fragile and vulnerable to the impacts of multiple factors like climate change and human activities. Scientific and technological support has played a vital supporting role in biodiversity conservation, providing comprehensive support from monitoring and assessment to restoration and decision-making through biodiversity surveys, scientific research, and the establishment of monitoring networks. Nevertheless, challenges remain, including gaps in taxa and …

Strategic Analysis Of Technological Support For Environmental Pollution Prevention And Control In China’S Western Ecological Barrier Region, Yawei Wang, Juan Li, Guibin Jiang

Bulletin of Chinese Academy of Sciences (Chinese Version)

As a crucial pillar of the national ecological security strategic framework, the Western Ecological Barrier Zone demonstrates irreplaceable ecological value in key areas such as water conservation, climate regulation, and carbon sink balance, leveraging its unique geographical endowments and ecosystem services. The governance effectiveness of this region not only directly impacts the advancement of the Beautiful China initiative but also holds significant implications for the comprehensive realization of the Dual Carbon strategic goals. This study focuses on the critical issue of environmental pollution prevention in western China. By elucidating the regional distinctive geographical and climatic characteristics, the study systematically analyzes …

Scientific And Technological Measures To Support Sustainability Of Water Resources In Western China, Jun Xia, Xi Chen, Qiuhong Tang, Hongwei Lu, Shaofeng Jia, Genxu Wang, Jingjie Yu, Jinzhu Ma, Xingcai Liu

Bulletin of Chinese Academy of Sciences (Chinese Version)

Under the combined impacts of climate change and human activities, the ecological barrier regions of western China exhibit significant reductions in solid water storage, increases in liquid water, declining water resource stability and non-steady-state characteristics in hydrological systems. Water allocation risks have increased, making it exponentially more difficult to ensure water security. Transboundary water resource development can lead to spillover risks, requiring urgent research on sustainable water resource use and adaptation strategies. The water cycle in western China is driven by both natural and anthropogenic factors, yet fundamental research on water cycle dynamics and resource management under changing environments remains …

Exploration On Path Of Ecological Protection And Economic Development In Qilian Mountain National Park Region, Xinmiao Tian, Qi Feng

Bulletin of Chinese Academy of Sciences (Chinese Version)

National parks are a kind of special protected areas established under the leadership of the government with the core objective of protecting the integrity of natural ecosystems and biodiversity, which emphasizes the balance between human activities and nature protection in order to achieve sustainable coexistence of human being and nature. The construction of a system of nature reserves with national parks as the core is a major breakthrough progress in the institutional framework of China’s ecological civilization, and a key area for promoting the construction of Beautiful China and realizing the modernization of harmonious coexistence of human being and nature. …