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Sustainable Development of the Territory and Use of Natural and...
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Sustainable Development of the Territory and Use of Natural and Cultural Resources to Improve the Quality of Life of Residents

A special issue of Land (ISSN 2073-445X). This special issue belongs to the section "Land, Biodiversity, and Human Wellbeing".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (22 December 2023) | Viewed by 21668

Special Issue Editors

Prof. Dr. María de la Cruz del Río-Rama

E-Mail Website1 Website2
Guest Editor
Business Management and Marketing Department, Faculty of Business Sciences and Tourism, University of Vigo, 32004 Ourense, Spain
Interests: business; finance and tourism, resource and service management, natural resource, sustainable rural development, water resources management, financial economics; accounting and management; sustainability; entrepreneurship; innovation; quality and environmental management systems
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Dr. Claudia Patricia Maldonado-Erazo

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Facultad de Recursos Naturales, Escuela Superior Politécnica de Chimborazo, Riobamba 060155, Ecuador
Interests: business and tourism; cultural and natural resource; heritage; sustainable rural development; community-based tourism; entrepreneurship; innovation and creativity
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Dr. Amador Durán-Sánchez

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Financial Economy and Accounting Department, Faculty of Business, Finance and Tourism, University of Extremadura, 10071 Cáceres, Spain
Interests: business; finance and tourism; resource and service management; natural resource; sustainable rural development; water resources management; financial economics; accounting and management; sustainability; entrepreneurship; innovation; quality and environmental management systems
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Prof. Dr. José Álvarez-García

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Financial Economy and Accounting Department, Faculty of Business, Finance and Tourism, University of Extremadura, 10071 Cáceres, Spain
Interests: business; finance and tourism; resource and service management, natural resource, sustainable rural development, water resources management, financial economics; accounting and management; sustainability; entrepreneurship; innovation; quality and environmental management systems.
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

In the current context, natural and cultural resources have become a factor in the development of territories. For this reason, the use of natural and cultural resources by human beings aimed at satisfying their subsistence needs (food, health, economic and leisure) have become a tool for the development of the community that lives in enclaves where those resources are located. This development will allow for improvements in the quality of life of its residents (social, economic and cultural well-being) which benefits their health and safety. The importance of using these resources in a sustainable way should not be forgotten, since they are generally scarce resources, which implies considering their renewal capacity and, therefore, avoiding their over-exploitation. In this sense, respect for natural resources, their enhancement, the environmental management of the territories, cooperation and commitment are key to their use by human beings.

The scope of this Special Issue is broad and manuscripts that present conceptual and/or empirical works from all areas of knowledge on the sustainable use of the natural and cultural resources of territories for improvements in the quality of life of the residents are welcome. We welcome both original research articles that offer interesting empirical insights and novel theoretical contributions, as well as review articles.

Specifically, the following topics are welcome:

  • Topics related to the sustainable territory and the sustainable use of natural and cultural resources.
  • Natural resources, environment and sustainability.
  • Actions to enhance the value of natural and cultural resources allowing the development of territories. Among others, those related to:
    • Agroecology, understood as a set of practices that seeks sustainable agricultural systems that optimize and stabilize production.
    • Efficient use of water resources.
    • Forest exploitation.
    • Mining resources.
    • Renewable and non-renewable energy resources.
    • Conservation and recovery of the landscape.
    • Conservation and improvement of biodiversity.
    • Conservation and enhancement of natural spaces.
  • Use of natural and cultural resources for tourism purposes.
  • Other topics related to the theme.

Prof. Dr. María de la Cruz del Río-Rama
Prof. Claudia Patricia Patricia Maldonado-Erazo
Prof. Amador Durán-Sánchez
Prof. Dr. José Álvarez-García
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Land is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2600 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • sustainability
  • sustainable territory
  • sustainable development
  • sustainable management
  • sustainable development goals (SDG)
  • regional and local development
  • natural and cultural resources
  • water resources
  • forest exploitation
  • mining resources
  • renewable and non-renewable energy resources
  • natural spaces
  • improvement in biodiversity
  • quality of life
  • sustainable tourism

Published Papers (14 papers)

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Research

24 pages, 5530 KiB  
Article
Interdependence in Coastal Tourist Territories between Marine Litter and Immediate Tourist Zoning Density: Methodological Approach for Urban Sustainable Development
by Juan Diego López-Arquillo, Cristiana Oliveira, Jose Serrano González and Amador Durán Sánchez
Land 2024, 13(1), 50; https://doi.org/10.3390/land13010050 - 31 Dec 2023
Viewed by 1093
Abstract
The coastal strip, characterized by the urbanization of coastal tourist territories (CTTs), has expanded over decades through civil engineering, altering the shoreline dynamics and creating artificial beaches crucial for tourism. To examine the relationship between extensive land use in CTTs for tourism and [...] Read more.
The coastal strip, characterized by the urbanization of coastal tourist territories (CTTs), has expanded over decades through civil engineering, altering the shoreline dynamics and creating artificial beaches crucial for tourism. To examine the relationship between extensive land use in CTTs for tourism and residences and the presence of marine litter, a specific parametric study was conducted along the coast of Tenerife, the largest island in the Canary Islands. Due to Tenerife’s geographical location and exposure to the descending Gulf Stream flow, the coastal waters in the selected zone experience waste impact at both local and global scales. However, the presence of marine litter deposited by ocean currents is at a micro level and falls outside the scope of this report. This study parameterised urban reality in study areas, and the presence of macro waste has been parameterised using standardised units of measurement. This enables the establishment of source measurements that will contribute to preventative measures against this type of coastal pollution. The interdependence between tourist zoning, civil seafront engineering works along the seafront, and marine litter presence in inaccessible and visible areas for tourists requires a methodology to better understand waste origin and loading areas. This knowledge is crucial for an effective local monitoring system. A quantitative overlay reading methodology has been designed in the urban setting through calculations of urban densities, while examining the waste in these areas’ immediate infralittoral flooring through the use of visual underwater extraction. Anticipating the type and quantity of waste in each area will allow for the implementation of effective awareness, promoting action for preventative and corrective measures at the urban level. The results show a direct dependence between urban density and the presence of waste, as well as an equation that makes it possible to anticipate the amount of waste according to urban density and its relational vector. There is no discontinuity between them, as each area is affected by others to the extent that they establish the parametric continuity conditions determining each field. Therefore, it is possible to relate them beyond a one-on-one relationship. This approach fosters sustainable tourism development, reducing pressure on the sea and enhancing the utilisation of tourism revenues in measures to address waste-related challenges and promotes sustainable tourism development in Europe’s coastal regions. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable Development of the Territory and Use of Natural and Cultural Resources to Improve the Quality of Life of Residents)
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17 pages, 1101 KiB  
Article
The Effects of Perceived Cultural and Tourism Public Services on Visitor Satisfaction and Quality of Life: A Multiple Mediation Model
by Lisheng Weng, Lingzhi Tan and Yifeng Yu
Land 2023, 12(11), 2033; https://doi.org/10.3390/land12112033 - 08 Nov 2023
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 951
Abstract
The provision of cultural and tourism public services in tourism destinations exerts a substantial influence on visitor experience and their overall quality of life. The current study applied structural equation modeling to empirically investigate the relationship between perceived cultural and tourism public services [...] Read more.
The provision of cultural and tourism public services in tourism destinations exerts a substantial influence on visitor experience and their overall quality of life. The current study applied structural equation modeling to empirically investigate the relationship between perceived cultural and tourism public services of visitors and their quality of life. Additionally, the mediating effects of perceived value, expectancy disconfirmation, and satisfaction in the above-mentioned influence relationship was also explored. In order to collect data, a field survey was conducted in a world heritage site located in Nanjing, Jiangsu Province, China. A total of 550 questionnaires were delivered, out of which 518 valid questionnaires were retained for subsequent analysis. The results demonstrate that perceived cultural and tourism public services of visitors have significant and positive influence on their perceived value, and visitors’ perceived value has a positive effect on their expectancy disconfirmation. Moreover, there is a strong and positive relationship between visitors’ expectancy disconfirmation and their satisfaction and quality of life. Additionally, the mediating effect of perceived value, expectancy disconfirmation, and satisfaction exist, and these three mediating variables serve as full mediators. The present study addresses the theoretical and practical implications, limitations, and potential areas for further research. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable Development of the Territory and Use of Natural and Cultural Resources to Improve the Quality of Life of Residents)
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14 pages, 560 KiB  
Article
The Influence of Farmers’ Cognition on Forest Land Transfer Behavior: A Case Study of Chengdu City
by Ying Cheng, Zhongbao Liu, Yuan Hu and Weizhong Zeng
Land 2023, 12(10), 1892; https://doi.org/10.3390/land12101892 - 09 Oct 2023
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 956
Abstract
In the context of China’s forest rights reform, promoting forest land circulation is the key to revitalizing forest land resources and promoting the development of the forestry industry. Based on the theoretical analysis of the effect of farmers’ cognition on forest land transfer [...] Read more.
In the context of China’s forest rights reform, promoting forest land circulation is the key to revitalizing forest land resources and promoting the development of the forestry industry. Based on the theoretical analysis of the effect of farmers’ cognition on forest land transfer behavior, data from 790 farmers in typical areas of Chengdu were used for empirical testing with the binary logit model. At the same time, the effects of the cognitive differences of the farmers with different education levels on forest land circulation are discussed. Finally, appropriate instrumental variables were selected to modify the model, and the IV probit model was used to test the endogeneity of the model. The results showed that the (1) farmers’ cognition had a significant positive effect on the forest land transfer behavior. Among them, in the order of the degree of impact, were the following: ecological cognition, policy cognition, risk cognition, social regulation, and benefit cognition. (2) Among the groups with different education levels, farmers with lower education levels will consider more aspects than farmers with higher education levels when choosing to transfer forest land. By broadening the research into the cognitive composition of farmers, this study deepens our understanding of the influence of farmers’ cognition on forest land transfer behavior. Moreover, it is found that Chinese farmers have strong ecological rationality in addition to economic rationality, and ecological cognition plays a greater role in forest land transfer behavior than benefit cognition, which is of considerable significance for further research on forest land transfer behavior. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable Development of the Territory and Use of Natural and Cultural Resources to Improve the Quality of Life of Residents)
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20 pages, 2397 KiB  
Article
Sustainable Tourism of Important Plant Areas (IPAs)—A Case of Three Protected Areas of Vojvodina Province
by Igor Trišić, Danka Milojković, Vladica Ristić, Florin Nechita, Marija Maksin, Snežana Štetić and Adina Nicoleta Candrea
Land 2023, 12(7), 1278; https://doi.org/10.3390/land12071278 - 23 Jun 2023
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1036
Abstract
In the northern part of Serbia, where the Autonomous Province (AP) of Vojvodina is located, a total of 27 important plant areas (IPAs) have been established. Within three selected IPAs, there are different biocenoses inhabited by endemic plant and animal species, which form [...] Read more.
In the northern part of Serbia, where the Autonomous Province (AP) of Vojvodina is located, a total of 27 important plant areas (IPAs) have been established. Within three selected IPAs, there are different biocenoses inhabited by endemic plant and animal species, which form a unique sensitive ecosystem. Furthermore, in these areas, there are wetlands and areas important for geodiversity maintenance. The three studied IPAs include the territory of special nature reserves of the same name: the Special Nature Reserve (SNR) Zasavica, the SNR Obedska Bara, and the SNR Koviljsko-Petrovaradinski Rit. In these selected protected areas, tourist activities are carried out at different levels of development and through various forms of tourism. This research used quantitative methodology to examine the degree of sustainable tourism development and its impact on residents. A total of 1134 respondents were surveyed using a questionnaire as an instrument. The obtained results indicate that the selected IPAs can be destinations for sustainable tourism development. Ecological and sociocultural dimensions of sustainability contribute to this type of tourism to the greatest extent. Analyzing the data related to the impact of sustainable tourism on the respondents’ satisfaction, we concluded that they feel a certain satisfaction with sustainable tourism in all three investigated protected areas. The survey results called attention to the possibility of developing nature-based forms of tourism, in which the residents’ role in tourism planning and development should be strengthened. All forms of tourism that are developed here should have the primary goal of protecting nature in these IPAs. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable Development of the Territory and Use of Natural and Cultural Resources to Improve the Quality of Life of Residents)
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12 pages, 3179 KiB  
Article
Resource Flows, Uses and Populations Territorial Attachments: The Case of the Oyapock Watershed (French Guiana, Amapá State of Brazil)
by Mehdi Saqalli, Cristian Rojas Cifuentes, Eric Maire, Mariana Janaína dos Santos Alves, Rafael Costa Santo, Doryan Kaced, Benoît Gaudou and Anne-Emmanuelle Fiamor
Land 2023, 12(5), 991; https://doi.org/10.3390/land12050991 - 29 Apr 2023
Viewed by 1574
Abstract
This article presents a stakeholders’ mapping exercise in 2017 and 2018 in the Oyapock watershed. Ninety-two maps were obtained covering almost the entire watershed. Results show that roads are becoming a more significant spatial reference to people, apart from the population minority living [...] Read more.
This article presents a stakeholders’ mapping exercise in 2017 and 2018 in the Oyapock watershed. Ninety-two maps were obtained covering almost the entire watershed. Results show that roads are becoming a more significant spatial reference to people, apart from the population minority living along the river. This latter polarizes itself into Brazilian colonization down and midstream, legal farmers on the Brazilian side, illegal gold diggers on the French Guiana side, and an Amerindian demographic growth upstream, both at the expense of the historical Saramaka/Creole area. Recent roads sticking each bank of the Oyapock River to their hinterland, Brazil, and France, respectively, like rubber bands, are separating them slowly, despite the bridge, primarily useless for now. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable Development of the Territory and Use of Natural and Cultural Resources to Improve the Quality of Life of Residents)
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34 pages, 13021 KiB  
Article
The Effects of Tourism on Local Development in Protected Nature Areas: The Case of Three Nature Parks of the Sierra Morena (Andalusia, Spain)
by María Bahamonde-Rodríguez, Giedrė Šadeikaitė and Francisco Javier García-Delgado
Land 2023, 12(4), 898; https://doi.org/10.3390/land12040898 - 17 Apr 2023
Cited by 4 | Viewed by 2201
Abstract
In rural spaces, new activities are developed to add to the traditional ones in the context of multifunctionality, considering the protection and enhancement of natural and cultural heritage, as in natural parks. These incorporate new recreational and tourist functions, understood as an instrument [...] Read more.
In rural spaces, new activities are developed to add to the traditional ones in the context of multifunctionality, considering the protection and enhancement of natural and cultural heritage, as in natural parks. These incorporate new recreational and tourist functions, understood as an instrument for local development. This research aims to study the relationships between tourism and local development in three natural parks (Sierra de Aracena and Picos de Aroche, Sierra Norte de Sevilla, and Sierra de Hornachuelos) in Andalusia (Spain). The research uses a mixed methodology consisting of, on the one hand, selective interviews with stakeholders focused on tourism and local development processes and, on the other, secondary data to analyse the repercussions on local development. The results show (1) the prevalence among the informants of the economic dimension in local development above the environmental and sociocultural dimensions; (2) the influence of declarations of protection and implementation of development policies on the growth of the tourist offer; (3) uneven tourism development in the different municipalities and natural parks; and (4) the limited effects of tourism on local development. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable Development of the Territory and Use of Natural and Cultural Resources to Improve the Quality of Life of Residents)
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13 pages, 5795 KiB  
Article
Determination of Soil Physical Properties and Pre-Sowing Irrigation Depth from Electrical Resistivity, Moisture, and Salinity Measurements
by Christian Y. Cordero-Vázquez, Omar Delgado-Rodríguez, Rodolfo Cisneros-Almazán and Héctor J. Peinado-Guevara
Land 2023, 12(4), 877; https://doi.org/10.3390/land12040877 - 13 Apr 2023
Viewed by 1329
Abstract
Seeds require adequate soil moisture prior to planting, and pre-sowing irrigation depth (PSID) represents the optimum seed moisture level. This work proposes a new methodology to obtain soil physical properties and PSID, that includes the application of the electromagnetic profiling method (EMP) as [...] Read more.
Seeds require adequate soil moisture prior to planting, and pre-sowing irrigation depth (PSID) represents the optimum seed moisture level. This work proposes a new methodology to obtain soil physical properties and PSID, that includes the application of the electromagnetic profiling method (EMP) as a fast and non-invasive technique. Soil electrical resistivity measurements obtained from an EMP survey are combined with soil moisture and salinity information as experimental input for the PetroWin program. The PetroWin program uses Ryjov’s theoretical model to determine fines content and porosity, and then, PSID values are determined. At the study site, variations in soil resistivity were controlled by variations in fines content and soil moisture, and not by variations in soil salinity. The rooting depth of the crops was limited by a soil thickness of 0.6 m. A PSID between 8 and 9 cm was determined for the site, resulting in a total water volume required of 5313 m3 to ensure that soil moisture reaches the field capacity. The proposed methodology constitutes an effective and efficient tool for the determination of the physical properties and irrigation parameters of agricultural soils and, consequently, for the sustainable use of irrigation water. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable Development of the Territory and Use of Natural and Cultural Resources to Improve the Quality of Life of Residents)
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17 pages, 1423 KiB  
Article
Achieving Sustainable Development Goals in Ghana: The Contribution of Non-Timber Forest Products towards Economic Development in the Eastern Region
by Yaw Okyere Akomaning, Samuel Antwi Darkwah, Iva Živělová and Petra Hlaváčková
Land 2023, 12(3), 635; https://doi.org/10.3390/land12030635 - 07 Mar 2023
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1841
Abstract
Globally, non-timber forest products (NTFPs) continue to contribute vastly to addressing the food, poverty reduction, income, and livelihood requirements of people in rural areas. However, as of now, there are no specific existing data highlighting the periodic contributions of NTFPs to the economy [...] Read more.
Globally, non-timber forest products (NTFPs) continue to contribute vastly to addressing the food, poverty reduction, income, and livelihood requirements of people in rural areas. However, as of now, there are no specific existing data highlighting the periodic contributions of NTFPs to the economy of the eastern region and the country. In Ghana, insufficient attention has been paid to the legislative and regulatory environments for the creation of NTFPs. Since forest policies continue to classify NTFPs as “minor” forest products, they receive less attention than wood in forest management initiatives and policies. The absence of a definitive policy on NTFPs has hampered their promotion, commercialization, and supply chain management. This study analyses the contribution of NTFPs towards economic development in the eastern region and the achievement of SDGs in Ghana. Through focus group discussions and a thematic analysis, it was concluded that NTFPs contribute immensely towards the economic development of the eastern region and the country through employment and direct taxes. Ultimately, it is evident from the study that the destruction of the Atiwa Forest Reserve for the purpose of bauxite mining will widely hinder the country’s achievement of its SDGs. Additionally, the study found that residents will continue to exploit forest resources if the core concerns of institutional deficiencies and rural poverty are not addressed. To curb this situation, there should be the sustainable, regulated, and authorized harvesting of NTFPs/NWFPs, community/user empowerment, and sectoral education and training programmes, etc. Even though these are common solutions, the study found them extremely rare within the study area. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable Development of the Territory and Use of Natural and Cultural Resources to Improve the Quality of Life of Residents)
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20 pages, 1370 KiB  
Article
Characteristics and Roles of School Gardens in Urban Areas of Japan: Perspective of School Managers
by Rushi Wang and Shigeto Yanai
Land 2023, 12(3), 565; https://doi.org/10.3390/land12030565 - 26 Feb 2023
Viewed by 1657
Abstract
Children spend most of their time at school; thus, agricultural experiences (AEs) in school gardens through school organizations are important for children to remain connected to agriculture and nature. Although various studies confirm the tremendous benefits of school gardens, the lack of studies [...] Read more.
Children spend most of their time at school; thus, agricultural experiences (AEs) in school gardens through school organizations are important for children to remain connected to agriculture and nature. Although various studies confirm the tremendous benefits of school gardens, the lack of studies on the characteristics of school gardens and the factors that influence the effectiveness of their AEs is telling. In this study, a questionnaire was developed and sent to the school garden managers of the public elementary schools in an urban area in Japan to analyze the characteristics of school garden and their influencing factors through descriptive analysis and inferential statistics. The results identified the location effects on the type of school gardens: school gardens inside the school are better able to ensure the safety of children but have less connection with the community; school farms outside the school are better able to ensure a place for children to have AEs; schools with both a school garden and farm have a stronger connection to the community than those with only school gardens, however, safety is decreased. In addition, the lack of budget, teachers, supportive policies, and motivation among school garden managers in operating school gardens was noted. Therefore, ensuring government support, coordinating the time of school garden managers, and strengthening the connection and cooperation between elementary schools and local communities are primary issues for consideration in the future. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable Development of the Territory and Use of Natural and Cultural Resources to Improve the Quality of Life of Residents)
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20 pages, 2733 KiB  
Article
Social Use through Tourism of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of the Amazonian Kichwa Nationality
by Claudia Patricia Maldonado-Erazo, María de la Cruz del Río-Rama, Erica Estefanía Andino-Peñafiel and José Álvarez-García
Land 2023, 12(3), 554; https://doi.org/10.3390/land12030554 - 24 Feb 2023
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1276
Abstract
The traditional trend in heritage management focuses on a conservationist strategy, i.e., keeping heritage in a good condition while avoiding its interaction with other elements. This condition results in the link between heritage and tourism to be established as juxtaposed process, which gives [...] Read more.
The traditional trend in heritage management focuses on a conservationist strategy, i.e., keeping heritage in a good condition while avoiding its interaction with other elements. This condition results in the link between heritage and tourism to be established as juxtaposed process, which gives rise to the need to broaden the concept of heritage and how it can be used through tourism to contribute to the local development of communities. The objective of this study is to show the different mechanisms of social use that the intangible cultural heritage of the different peoples and nationalities of Ecuador can have. For this purpose, the San Antonio de Killu Yaku community, parish of Puerto Napo, canton Tena, Napo province, is taken as a case study, based on an analysis of the current situation of tourism in the community. The cultural resources of the territory are taken as a starting point to transform them into tourist attractions for the construction of a thematic heritage space, in order to minimize the concern about the erosion and lack of appreciation of the ancestral manifestations and knowledge that the nationality possesses, due to the accelerated globalization of society. The analysis corresponds to a descriptive process of all the information collected with the proposed exploitation mechanisms through tourism activities. During the process, an increase in the exchange of knowledge was shown, as well as a constant cultural insurgency in which people maintain themselves to safeguard their cultures. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable Development of the Territory and Use of Natural and Cultural Resources to Improve the Quality of Life of Residents)
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21 pages, 3086 KiB  
Article
Multitemporal Incidence of Landscape Fragmentation in a Protected Area of Central Andean Ecuador
by Carlos Rosero, Xosé Otero, Cinthya Bravo and Catherine Frey
Land 2023, 12(2), 500; https://doi.org/10.3390/land12020500 - 17 Feb 2023
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1192
Abstract
Monitoring land cover changes in protected areas is crucial to control the conservation efficiency of biodiversity and natural ecosystem conditions, especially in Ecuador, one of the most megadiverse countries in the world. Therefore, the purpose of the present study has been to estimate [...] Read more.
Monitoring land cover changes in protected areas is crucial to control the conservation efficiency of biodiversity and natural ecosystem conditions, especially in Ecuador, one of the most megadiverse countries in the world. Therefore, the purpose of the present study has been to estimate spatiotemporal changes in the landscape and the level of fragmentation using remote sensing in Llanganates National Park (PNL), a protected area in central Andean Ecuador. To obtain land cover, satellite images were processed using the Maximum Likelihood Classification (MLC) algorithm. After statistical analysis, it was encountered that there is no significant difference in land cover change between the years 1991 to 2016 nor among the three watersheds, while the level of fragmentation in the PNL is low. Land cover changes in the study area are not evident, as it is a protected area where ecosystems are usually expected to maintain their initial conditions over time. Therefore, with these results it has been concluded that the biodiversity and landscape conservation processes in the PNL are effective. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable Development of the Territory and Use of Natural and Cultural Resources to Improve the Quality of Life of Residents)
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16 pages, 2836 KiB  
Article
Historical Centres, Protected Natural Areas, Communities and Sustainable Development: A Possible Balance
by Antonio Bertini and Tiziana Vitolo
Land 2023, 12(2), 403; https://doi.org/10.3390/land12020403 - 02 Feb 2023
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1345
Abstract
The paper illustrates how the recovery and valorisation of protected natural areas can constitute, for the local communities of small inland areas in Italy, a flywheel of sustainable development with beneficial effects for the entire ‘country system’. Through a SWOT analysis and having [...] Read more.
The paper illustrates how the recovery and valorisation of protected natural areas can constitute, for the local communities of small inland areas in Italy, a flywheel of sustainable development with beneficial effects for the entire ‘country system’. Through a SWOT analysis and having selected the indicators for the chosen territory, which is the Roccamonfina Volcanic Area and Garigliano Mouth Regional Natural Park in the Campania Region, the characteristics of the area were highlighted as well as all the municipalities that contribute to defining the park area. The methodology adopted was chosen to identify a sample area whose peculiarities are applied and scalable to other contexts with similar conditions. The paper aims to contribute to the debate on the valorisation of protected areas in Southern Italy to promote the enhancement of production potential in sectors such as enhancing ecological quality, agricultural supply chains and projects linked to tourism sustainability. Promoting the role of agriculture, through the valorisation of quality agricultural supply chains and projects linked to tourism sustainability, can contribute to the economic development of Italy’s inland areas. The authors believe that the sustainable development of southern Italy’s protected areas can take place in territories with a characteristic identity based on environmental quality, territorial cohesion and the recovery of food habits. In the absence of adequate solutions, the protected natural areas and the communities that inhabit them risk deterioration, with the consequent loss of identities—cultural, historical, territorial—that must instead be preserved, handed down and enhanced. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable Development of the Territory and Use of Natural and Cultural Resources to Improve the Quality of Life of Residents)
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18 pages, 3276 KiB  
Article
Hierarchical Structure and Organizational Model of County Tourism Network of the Tibetan Plateau
by Shanshan Shi, Menghao Liu and Jianchao Xi
Land 2022, 11(11), 1880; https://doi.org/10.3390/land11111880 - 23 Oct 2022
Viewed by 1425
Abstract
Hierarchical structures and organizational models highly affect the sustainable operation of the spatial network of tourism destinations. This paper adopted the modified tourism gravity model and social network analysis method to reveal the spatial characteristics of the tourism network on the Tibetan Plateau [...] Read more.
Hierarchical structures and organizational models highly affect the sustainable operation of the spatial network of tourism destinations. This paper adopted the modified tourism gravity model and social network analysis method to reveal the spatial characteristics of the tourism network on the Tibetan Plateau based on tourism flow data in 2019. The results are as follows: (1) the spatial organization of tourism flows was unbalanced, showing the characteristics of “high in the east and low in the west”; (2) The county tourism flow formed a multidimensional system of spatial hierarchy with Chengguan District of Lhasa, Golmud City, and Pengzhou City as the top nodes, the spatial polarization characteristics, and zonal distribution differences were evident; (3) The inter-county tourism linkage conformed to the law of distance decay, and the multiple network structure hierarchy features highlighted the complex linkage pattern; (4) The tourism network had a more distinctive dominant flow and was influenced by county-level administrative divisions; (5) The tourism linkage network formed eight subgroups with significant geographical characteristics. This study provides recommendations for optimizing the spatial structure of the Tibetan Plateau county tourism network for the government. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable Development of the Territory and Use of Natural and Cultural Resources to Improve the Quality of Life of Residents)
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21 pages, 2562 KiB  
Article
Quality Evaluation and Obstacle Identification of Human Settlements in the Qinghai–Tibet Plateau Based on Multi-Source Data
by Hejie Wei, Yingying Gao, Qing Han, Ling Li, Xiaobin Dong, Mengxue Liu and Qingxiang Meng
Land 2022, 11(9), 1479; https://doi.org/10.3390/land11091479 - 04 Sep 2022
Cited by 8 | Viewed by 1587
Abstract
The unique high/cold environment of the Qinghai–Tibet Plateau (QTP) limits the natural distribution of the population living there and threatens local residents’ health. Thus, exploring the quality of human settlements in this area is of great significance. In this study, 5 first-level indicators [...] Read more.
The unique high/cold environment of the Qinghai–Tibet Plateau (QTP) limits the natural distribution of the population living there and threatens local residents’ health. Thus, exploring the quality of human settlements in this area is of great significance. In this study, 5 first-level indicators and 25 second-level indicators were initially selected, and the entropy TOPSIS method was used to determine the weight of each indicator and evaluate the quality of the human settlements in each county of the QTP. Then, the coefficient of variation and spatial autocorrelation were used to analyze the spatial differences in human settlement quality. Finally, the obstacle degree model was used to identify those obstacles that affect the quality of the human settlements in the QTP. This study has gathered important findings. (1) The human settlement quality in these counties can be divided into 18 high-level areas, 45 mid- and high-level areas, 44 mid-level areas, 79 mid- and low-level areas, and 28 low-level areas. (2) In terms of spatial patterns, the north is higher than the south, the east is slightly higher than the west, and the surrounding area is higher than the interior. (3) In the clustering model, the high–high clustering trend is mainly concentrated in the north of the QTP, whereas the south-central part of the QTP and the zone where Tibet, Qinghai, and Sichuan meet exhibit obvious low–low clustering. (4) The variability of human settlement quality occurs in the order of Sichuan < Yunnan < Gansu < Xinjiang Autonomous Region < Tibet Autonomous Region < Qinghai. (5) The main first-level obstacles affecting human settlement quality in the counties of the QTP are living conditions, construction level of public service facilities, and infrastructure. The main second-level obstacles are the number of living service facilities, the number of residential districts, and the density of the road networks. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable Development of the Territory and Use of Natural and Cultural Resources to Improve the Quality of Life of Residents)
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