Natural Resources Management and Policy Commons^™

The Effectiveness Of The Minnesota Buffer Law And Its Impacts On People, Ellen P. Isakson

Journal of Earth and Life Science

In January 2015, the then-governor of Minnesota Mark Dayton announced new legislation that would require 50-foot vegetation buffers along all waterways in Minnesota; this legislation would come to be known as the Minnesota buffer law, exact requirements being “perennial vegetative buffers of up to 50 feet along lakes, rivers, and streams and buffers of 16.5 feet along ditches” (Albert, 2017; MN Board of Water and Soil Resources [MN BWSR] 4 ). A buffer in the context of vegetation and natural resource management is a strip of vegetation around a body of water “designed to intercept stormwater runoff and minimize soil …

Three Essays On Sustainability Economics, Hélène Flore Nguemgaing

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

As global economies face increasing resource dependencies and supply chain challenges, it becomes essential to understand the vulnerabilities that threaten economic stability. This dissertation investigates three empirical issues in agribusiness and critical minerals using econometric models to estimate the following: 1) the impact of supply chain disruptions on stock market returns during COVID-19; 2) the extraction of rare earth elements from acid mine drainage treatment by investigating the impacts of ownership and legislation in West Virginia and Pennsylvania; 3) China-to�FOBb (Free-on-Board) price transmission in rare earth elements markets: a copula-based dynamic tail dependence analysis.

The first essay evaluates how events …

Laboratory Investigation Of Shape And Initial Orientation Effects On Surf Zone Object Migration, Temitope E. Idowu, Jack A. Puleo

Civil & Environmental Engineering Faculty Publications

Discarded objects like munitions in marine environments pose public safety risks. The behavior of various density objects deployed at four cross-shore positions in the surf zone of a large-scale 120 m x 5 m x 5 m wave flume were observed under different forcing conditions. Net migration was predominantly directed offshore, with approximately 70 % offshore migration observed near the outer surf zone. Density, shape, and initial orientation were identified as important to object behavior, with density acting as the dominant driver in 67 % of the object pairing scenarios. The influence of shape and initial orientation on net migration …

Complexity, Polycentricity, And Climate Change: An Embedded, Multi-Level Case Study Of A Climate Meta-Network, Timothy Staub

Antioch University Dissertations & Theses

The earth is in crisis, and without urgent, systemic, and collective global action to address the emerging threat of climate change, we will continue to see catastrophic events impacting humanity, threatening our very survival in many regions of the world. Temperatures will rise, ice shelves will melt, seas will rise, crops will fail, water scarcity from drought and new weather patterns will increase and spread, wildfires will accelerate, and food and water insecurity, violence, and the largest human migration in history will ensue. These climate crises will displace over 1.2 billion people by 2050 at a rate currently exceeding 21.5 …

Colorado River Insights, 2025: Dancing With Deadpool, Colorado River Research Group

Books, Reports, and Studies

No abstract provided.

Scientifically Improving Human-Nature Relationship In Desertification Areas, Bojie Fu, Yanxu Liu, Shuai Wang, Junfeng Song, Zejiang Li

Bulletin of Chinese Academy of Sciences (Chinese Version)

The expansion trend of desertification in China has been fundamentally restrained. In the new era, scientifically improving the relationship between human and nature in desertification areas to promote regional sustainable development has become an important demand for desertification combat in China. We summarize four key challenges to sustainable development in desertification areas, including increasing human demand on water, increasing land use intensity, increasing climatic risk, and insufficient industrial innovation. Based on the theoretical understanding of the coupling relationship between human and nature, the evolution of human-nature relationship in combating desertification can be divided into four stages, namely, extensive land exploitation, …

Action Logic And Agenda Game Of Global Methane Emission Control And China’S Countermeasures, Bo Zhang, Jinling Guo, Bing Zhong, Junlian Gao, Guosheng Zhang, He Liu

Bulletin of Chinese Academy of Sciences (Chinese Version)

Originated from the global response to climate change, methane emission control has evolved into a focus of international climate negotiations in recent years. At present, the agenda for controlling methane emission in global climate governance is basically taking shape, but in the process of shifting from scientific consensus to political consensus, the content of the topic and the focus of the game continue to evolve. To carry out global action, it is necessary to address issues such as the allocation of responsibilities, international rules, climate investment and financing, and risk prevention, as well as the basic capacity guarantees behind them. …

Overall Promotion Of Integrated Management And Utilization Of Saline-Alkali Land In Northwest China: Conditions, Challenges, And Recommendations, Qi Feng, Xinwei Yin, Meng Zhu, Jutao Zhang, Wei Liu, Haiyang Xi, Tengfei Yu, Linshan Yang, Wen Liu, Zhixiang Lu

Bulletin of Chinese Academy of Sciences (Chinese Version)

Cultivated land is the lifeblood of grain production and the foundation for food security. Saline-alkali land in Northwest China is an important cultivated land reserve resource and a potential granary for guaranteeing national food security, so the high-quality promotion of comprehensive management and utilization of saline-alkali land in Northwest China is a strategic measure to achieve the goal of “storing grain in land and technology”. Based on a profound understanding of the great significance for promoting the integrated management and utilization of saline-alkali land in Northwest China, this study systematically summarizes the quantity, distribution pattern, and utilization potential of saline-alkali …

Research And Reflection On Transformation Of Resource-Based Cities In China—A Case Study Of Datong City, Shanxi Province, Zhijian Xiong, Hong Zhao, Xiuli Liu

Bulletin of Chinese Academy of Sciences (Chinese Version)

Currently, there are 262 resource-based cities in China, of which mature and declining cities account for 79.39%. These cities have made significant contributions to the country’s economic and social development, but now they are facing severe challenges and difficulties, and their transformation problems urgently need to be solved. This work studies the mechanism of resource-based transformation and proposes strategies for the transformation of resource-based cities: (1) Transformation should be comprehensive, balanced, and sustainable; (2) Transformation should fully leverage the leading role of the market while also taking into account the fundamental role of the government; (3) Transformation should fully leverage …

Green Certificate Of “Lucid Waters And Lush Mountains” And The Yellow River Demonstration, Guangqian Wang, Deyu Zhong

Bulletin of Chinese Academy of Sciences (Chinese Version)

Guided by the “Lucid Waters and Lush Mountains are Invaluable Assets”, this work systematically studies the mechanism for realizing ecological value and proposes an implementation plan centered on a Green Certificate system for ecological assets, to be advanced in three stages. The Green Certificate serves as an objective and quantifiable proof of ecological assets, integrating four categories of ecological products—ecological water, soil and water conservation, carbon sequestration, and afforestation (grass planting)—into a unified, tradable rights certificate system. This provides an institutional foundation for transforming “Lucid Waters and Lush Mountains” into “Gold and Silver Mountains” through market mechanisms. Taking the Yellow …

Research On Regional Suitability Assessment And Promotion Mechanisms Of Conservation—Based Utilization Models For Black Soil, Xiaojie Liu, Liangjie Xin, Jiliang Ma, Yuxian Wang, Fan Zhang

Bulletin of Chinese Academy of Sciences (Chinese Version)

Black soil represents a high-quality and scarce arable land resource, serving as a critical foundation for ensuring food security in China. However, prolonged development and utilization have resulted in varying degrees of degradation of black soil in Northeast China, directly affecting national food security and ecological stability. Since 2015, China has initiated and progressively intensified efforts in black soil protection. Technical models such as the “Lishu Model” and the “Longjiang Model” have been developed, demonstrated, and promoted, leading to increasingly significant conservation outcomes. Nevertheless, current technical models for black soil protection face dual challenges: unclear suitability boundaries and difficulties in …

Evolutionary Logic And Development Trends Of China’S Ecological And Environmental Fiscal Polocies—Quantitative Analysis Based On Policy Texts, Yu Qi, Wumei Shi, Yankun Xu

Bulletin of Chinese Academy of Sciences (Chinese Version)

The modern fiscal system has a unique role in promoting the development of green transformation, taking into account the different interests of different subjects, linking different governance links, and balancing the distribution of benefits between regions and generations, and has become a tool that is increasingly relied upon to improve the basic system of ecological civilization, sound ecological and environmental governance system, and innovate the mechanism of green and low-carbon development. Through a retrospective study of 1 516 policy texts issued by the central government departments since the reform and opening up of China, which are closely related to “ecological …

Comparison And Enlightenment Of International Renewable Energy Legislation Systems, Lanchun Li, Wei Feng, Wei Chen, Qing Liu

Bulletin of Chinese Academy of Sciences (Chinese Version)

The high-quality development of renewable energy cannot be achieved without legal system guarantees. In the new era, the deepening of national major strategies such as energy revolution, high-quality development, and dual carbon have put forward new and higher requirements for China’s renewable energy legal system. Based on the perspective of “past-now-future”, this study systematically reviews the development process and evolution trend of international renewable energy legal systems, extracts typical experiences of major countries, and compares and summarizes the analyses of China’s legal systems. In light of gaps, it is proposed to further improve the revision of the Renewable Energy Law …

Optimization For Qinghai-Xizang Plateau Ecological Security Barrier System, Bojie Fu, Yanxu Liu, Wenwu Zhao, Xiaoming Feng, Shiliang Liu, Chiyuan Miao, Xuhui Wang, Chunyang He, Changjia Li, Aizhong Ye, Zhongmin Hu, Zhifeng Liu, Dingyang Zhou

Bulletin of Chinese Academy of Sciences (Chinese Version)

The ecological security barrier system is a composite system to maintain ecological security and sustainable development within and outside the region. This system enables the maintenance of the structure and function of the ecosystem in the ecological security barrier region relatively shielded from or minimally impacted by external environmental threats, so that forms a multilevel and orderly stable pattern. Over the period from 2000 to 2020, the ecosystem water conservation function was on the rise, and the soil conservation function, net ecosystem productivity, and habitat quality were generally stable in the Qinghai-Xizang Plateau. Comparing the previous three national parks and …

Coordination Degree Of Composite Systems And Its Application, Ke Qi, Jiaojun Zhu, Dexiong Teng, Xiao Zheng, Huaiqing Zhang

Bulletin of Chinese Academy of Sciences (Chinese Version)

A composite system (CS) is an organic whole composed of multiple subsystems. It has the property of operating in a coordinated manner through the interconnection and interaction between its subsystems, which could be evaluated by the indicator of coordination degree of composite systems (CDoCS). However, there is currently a lack of quantitative methods for CDoCS and the CDoCS-based technology for composite system optimization. As a result, there is a lack of effective solutions to the problems caused by the disharmony of composite systems such as the mountain-water-forest-farm-lake-grass-sand systems (i.e., composite ecosystems) and the social-economic-natural systems. Therefore, the connotation of CDoCS …

International Game And Strategic Analysis Of China’S Methane Emission Control, Zixu Su, Xinhe Bao

Bulletin of Chinese Academy of Sciences (Chinese Version)

Against the backdrop of methane emission control becoming a hot spot in global climate governance, China, as a major methane emitter, has committed to announcing its 2035 Nationally Determined Contributions covering all greenhouse gases before COP30, drawing significant attention from the world. In order to systematically analyze the international dynamics and China’s response strategies in methane emission control, this article explains the necessity and urgency of methane mitigation based on the current situation of global methane emission, and also clarifies essential meaning of international game to reveal China’s challenge and opportunity amid the backlash against globalization. Besides, it sorts out …

Carbon Emission Estimation For Computing Infrastructure: Methods, Progress, And Prospects, Xiaohong Chen, Liaoying Cao, Yangjie Wang, Zhuqian He, Wenzhi Cao

Bulletin of Chinese Academy of Sciences (Chinese Version)

As a foundational pillar of an increasingly digital and intelligent society, computing infrastructure embodies a dual nature—marked by high energy consumption and potential for emission reduction simultaneously. This duality positions it as a critical domain requiring balance under China’s dual-carbon goals. Nevertheless, there remains no clear consensus on methods for estimating its carbon emissions. Its ambiguity stems from differences in the applicability of assessment methods across various lifecycle stages, as well as a fragmented understanding of its intrinsic emissions and enabling effects on carbon mitigation. This study systematically reviews estimation methodologies from both broad and narrow perspectives, highlighting the heterogeneity …

Ecological View And Practice Of Chinese Path To Modernization, Yue Shi, Jiangling Zhu, Jingyun Fang

Bulletin of Chinese Academy of Sciences (Chinese Version)

The Chinese path to modernization is characterized by emphasizing the harmony between humanity and nature. It upholds the principles of respecting, obeying, and protecting nature to achieve a coordinated integration of economic development and ecological conservation. This ecological view stems from China’s modernization practices, aligns with universal principles of modernization, and roots in features that are unique to China. It stresses a correct understanding of the human–nature relationship, the importance of systematic ecological planning and the central role of ecosystems in ecological conservation, and the necessity of following the laws of nature. Drawing on the experiences and lessons from Western …

Upholding “Triple Real” Vision For Ocean Negative Carbon Emissions To Advance Global Climate Governance, Nianzhi Jiao, Chuanlun Zhang, Tingwei Luo, Jihua Liu

Bulletin of Chinese Academy of Sciences (Chinese Version)

Addressing climate change is a formidable challenge for humanity, and achieving the temperature control goals of the Paris Agreement cannot rely solely on greenhouse gas emission reductions—negative emissions are an inevitable solution. The ocean, as the planet’s largest active carbon reservoir, holds immense potential for negative emissions, yet there is no internationally recognized pathway to realize it. The UNESCO-IOC international program of Ocean Negative Carbon Emissions (ONCE) builds on the original theory of the microbial carbon pump (MCP) and integrates known ocean carbon sequestration mechanisms BCMS (standing for biological carbon pump, carbonate counter pump, MCP, solubility carbon pump) to propose …

Mutual Empowerment And Synergies For Enhanced Outcomes: Pioneering A New Paradigm For Biodiversity Conservation—Significance Of Man And The Biosphere Programme For China And The World, Baotong Dong

Bulletin of Chinese Academy of Sciences (Chinese Version)

The core of the Man and the Biosphere Programme (MAB) lies in promoting biodiversity conservation and sustainable development. This study discusses the significance of MAB for the management of protected areas and biodiversity conservation in China and globally, evaluates the valuable insights that MAB provides for China’s biodiversity conservation efforts, examines the supporting role of China’s conservation practices in implementing MAB methodology, and offers perspectives on future pathways to strengthen global biodiversity conservation.

Building New-Style Protected Area System With Chinese Characteristics And Promoting Innovative Development Of The Man And The Biosphere Programme, Zhen Yan

Bulletin of Chinese Academy of Sciences (Chinese Version)

Through innovative efforts to develop a national park-centered protected area system, China has made notable progress in science-based classification, protected areas consolidation and optimization, development and management, legal safeguards, and monitoring and oversight. These achievements have provided robust support for implementing the Man and the Biosphere Programme (MAB), fostering a Chinese paradigm thereof. This paradigm features coordinated large-scale ecological conservation and improved livelihoods, integrated trans-boundary protection alongside monitoring and oversight, sustained advances in scientific research, and a balance between strict protection and rational utilization. Going forward, China will press ahead with building the world’s largest national park system, to serve …

Fruitful Cooperation Between China And Unesco In New Era, Changwei Qin

Bulletin of Chinese Academy of Sciences (Chinese Version)

Since the 18th National Congress of the Communist Party of China, especially since President XI Jinping’s historic visit to the UNESCO Headquarters and his important speech delivered at the visit, China-UNESCO cooperation has achieved fruitful results. This study outlines China and UNESCO’s joint efforts and cooperation in promoting exchange and mutual learning among civilizations, implementing UNESCO’s priority strategies, as well as the outcomes of cooperation in the fields of education, science, culture, and communication and information.

Achievement Of Chinese Biosphere Reserves Network And Suggestions For Its Development, Yaping Zhang, Ding Wang, Qiang Fang, Xiangjun Chen

Bulletin of Chinese Academy of Sciences (Chinese Version)

As the largest national platform for China’s implementation of UNESCO’s Man and the Biosphere Programme (MAB), the establishment of the Chinese Biosphere Reserves Network (CBRN) marks the Programme’s entry into a phase of integrated development in China. By leveraging regional and thematic networks of MAB, organizing multi-thematic training courses, constructing a multi-level talent cultivation system, hosting annual conference, running publications, promoting public communication with social media, strengthening the introduction and application of high technology, and establishing base for strategic research, CBRN has made significant achievements in international cooperation, capacity building, cultivation of youth talents, awareness raising, experience sharing, information exchange, …

Future Development Strategy And Action Plan For World Network Of Biosphere Reserves, Yu Wei, Xiaoli Shen, Yueyu Zou, Keping Ma

Bulletin of Chinese Academy of Sciences (Chinese Version)

Global environmental governance is currently encountering serious challenges. The lack of integration between biodiversity conservation and Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) has imposed significant stress on the Earth system. Ecologically significant regions, particularly those with limited resources, are confronted with issues such as weak governance structures and restricted developmental opportunities. As the core platform of the Man and the Biosphere Programme (MAB), the World Network of Biosphere Reserves (WNBR) serves as a global model for reconciling conservation with sustainable development. Nevertheless, it continues to face major obstacles, including insufficient alignment with international frameworks, inadequate financial and human resource allocation, limited coordination …

Contribution Of Biosphere Reserves To Global Biodiversity Conservation And Climate Change, Zhiyun Ouyang, Yunong Yao, Jun Tang, Weihua Xu, Xiaosong Li, Li Zhu, Lei Cao, Mingli Lin, Yueyu Zou

Bulletin of Chinese Academy of Sciences (Chinese Version)

Biosphere Reserves are areas recognized by UNESCO that represent key terrestrial, coastal, and marine ecosystems. These areas are strictly protected and designed to fulfill three primary functions: conserving biodiversity, promoting sustainable development, and supporting scientific research and education. As of now, 759 biosphere reserves have been established in 136 countries and regions worldwide, supporting the livelihoods of approximately 236 million people. The total area of biosphere reserves covers 7.67 million km2, accounting for 4.10% of global terrestrial area, 5.08% of freshwater surface, and 0.21% of marine areas. The reserves encompass diverse ecosystems, including 2.22 million km2 of forests, 2.24 million …

Practical Experience And Achievements In Sustainable Development Of World Network Of Biosphere Reserves, Weihua Xu, Zuchen Ma, Günter Köck, Wenlu Chen, Zhiyun Ouyang

Bulletin of Chinese Academy of Sciences (Chinese Version)

As the core of the UNESCO “Man and the Biosphere Programme” (MAB), the World Network of Biosphere Reserves holds irreplaceable strategic value in harmonizing ecological conservation with regional sustainable development. Based on the four strategic objectives outlined in the Strategy for the Man and the Biosphere Programme (2015–2025), this study systematically analyzes the innovative practices across representative global reserves, revealing critical pathways and implementation outcomes for the sustainable development of biosphere reserves. The research demonstrates that the scientific conservation measures—including the establishment of biodiversity monitoring systems, systematic habitat restoration, and the development of genetic resource conservation networks—have significantly enhanced biodiversity …

Transboundary Conservation Of Biosphere: Case Study From Xishuangbanna World Biosphere Reserve, Lin Wang, Lifan Wang, Xiaoyan Yi, Yun Yang, Ruichang Quan

Bulletin of Chinese Academy of Sciences (Chinese Version)

Transboundary conservation, as a pivotal strategy in addressing the global biodiversity crisis, plays a critical role in maintaining ecological connectivity and promoting regional ecological security and sustainable development. Under the initiative of the Xishuangbanna World Biosphere Reserve and with bilateral governmental support from China and Laos, a contiguous transboundary protected area spanning approximately 220 km and encompassing 200 000 hectares was established along their shared border in 2012. This study elucidates the importance of transboundary conservation. Using the Xishuangbanna World Biosphere Reserve as a case study, the joint efforts between China and Laos are examined, and the effectiveness in the …

Strengthen S&T Empowered Green Development To Promote Harmonious Coexistence Between Humans And Nature, Jianguo Hou

Bulletin of Chinese Academy of Sciences (Chinese Version)

No abstract provided.

Building A Community Of All Life On Earth: Man And The Biosphere Programme Bridging China And The World, Hongping He

Bulletin of Chinese Academy of Sciences (Chinese Version)

The Man and the Biosphere Programme (MAB) launched by UNESCO has achieved remarkable accomplishments over more than half a century in the aspects of biodiversity conservation, interdisciplinary research, technological innovation, knowledge sharing, international cooperation, etc. China, as an active participant to MAB, is productive in the development of national network, nomination and periodic review of biosphere reserves, international cooperation, and so on, thus contributing to global environmental governance and building of a community of all life on Earth. To enable MAB to more effectively address global common environmental challenges and achieve the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, it is recommended …

Goals Of Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework And Solutions By China’S Biosphere Reserve Network, Guangchun Lei

Bulletin of Chinese Academy of Sciences (Chinese Version)

Biodiversity is the core element of earth life system, and it is also the source of food, drinking water, health, security, and social welfare for people. Biodiversity contains critical genetic resources that help people to response to future uncertainties, in particular, hold solutions to climate change. However, due to population outbreak, technology advancement, and unsustainable production and consumption, the earth ecosystem has been under significant development pressure, which indicated by human ecological footprint of 170% that earth ecosystem can provide, which led to continuous loss of biodiversity. If such trend continues, the sixth massive biodiversity extinction will unavoidable. This study …