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Natural resource management frameworks are important in generating information that promotes the development of appropriate policies and regulation for effective management and utilization of different aspects of ecosystems. The Drivers-Pressure-State-Impact and Response (DPSIR) framework is one of such frameworks which has been widely applied globally in assessing, addressing and communicating with regard to environmental problems. This framework provides a nexus between the causes of environmental problems and the resultant pressures, associated impacts and responses needed to resolve and manage specific environmental issues and challenges. Based on improved management evidence for natural resources enabled by the application of the DPSIR framework globally, this paper is a review of the application of the framework in the management of coastal and marine fisheries resources in Kenya. Findings indicate that there exists a limited number of studies which have adopted the DPSIR framework approach in Kenya, and these are mainly focused on terrestrial ecosystems. However, coastal and marine resources have been well studied in Kenya using different methodological approaches that have given insights into the conditions of resources. This review, therefore, analyzed these studies to understand drivers, pressures, states, impacts and responses in relation to coastal and marine fisheries resources in Kenya. The main drivers observed were a high population growth rate of 3.7% as well as a high dependency rate on natural resources of 74% and 58% in Ngomeni and Kipini fishing areas of north coast Kenya, respectively. There is also a lack of understanding regarding the potential of the DPSIR framework to effectively manage coastal and marine fisheries resources, particularly in the context of sub-Saharan Africa, taking Kenya as a case study. This may result in the development of fisheries regulations that are not holistic in their approach, and therefore, ineffective from a management perspective. Within this context, this paper provides a discourse on how the DPSIR framework may enhance coastal and marine fisheries resources management in Kenya. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As the key source for freshwater resources, urban rivers are essential for human survival and urban socio-economic development. Recently, the functions of urban rivers have been damaged by increasing human activities. A better understanding of the health state of urban rivers is the basis of sustainable urban planning. To this purpose, this research took the Jinshui River as a research area. An indicator system for urban river health evaluation was first established using the driving force-pressure-state-impact- response (DPSIR) framework. The health state of the Jinshui from 2008 to 2017 was then assessed based on the urban river health index, which was calculated by the improved fuzzy matter-element extension model. The results show that the overall health status of the Jinshui has improved, from its unhealthy state in 2008-2016 to a sub-healthy state in 2017. Corresponding response measures have achieved certain results, which have led to an improvement in the health state of the river. However, its health still faced many problems, including pressure from a rapid urbanization rate and population density, a large amount of sewage discharge, and serious water pollution. In general, the health of the Jinshui was still on the low side. Therefore, to ensure sustainable water environment in the region, it is necessary to further govern the water environment and improve the health status of urban rivers. This research can help government easily understand an urban river’s health state and formulate effective measures in the future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Environmental problems - specifically relating to water - have become the key factors restricting sustainable development. To evaluate the performance of water environment, this study takes 31 provinces in China as the research area and constructs a water environment performance evaluation index system based on a DPSIR framework (Drivers, Pressures, State, Impact and Response). The undesirable output slack measure model (SBM) is used to calculate the water environment performance of 31 provinces from 2005 to 2017. According to the study, the performance of the water environment in China shows a trend of decline, and the overall performance is low. The water environment performance in different provinces shows obvious differences. The Tobit model is then introduced to analyze the influence of indicators on water environment efficiency. The driving force indicators have significant negative effects on water environment performance. The pressure indicators have significant positive effects on the water environment performance. The state indicators play a significant role in promoting the improvement of water environment performance. With regard to the impact indicators, both industrial added value water consumption and GDP growth rate have significant negative effects on water environment performance. The impact of different response measures on water environment performance is inconsistent. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Drivers-Pressures-State-Impact-Response (DPSIR) framework was employed to understand the land use policies developed to manage coastal sand dunes and their consequences in Oregon, United States of America, during two contrasting periods: from the 19th to the late 20th century and from there to the early 21st century. A combination of historical data and scientific literature was used for this study. Dune destabilization became a socio-economic issue as Euro-Americans settled in Oregon in the 19th century. Ammophila arenaria and Ammophila breviligulata were widely used for stabilization. This led to a paradigm shift regarding dunes, at a time when their management was becoming more complex due to socio-natural factors. As non-native beachgrasses turned invasive causing the loss of biodiversity and habitats, their removal became the focus to restore the active dunes to support the natural processes of the ecosystem. However, the removal of these beachgrasses, particularly, Ammophila arenaria, results in low dune heights, increasing the risk of coastal flooding by reducing their effectiveness as a natural defense against sea-level rise and extreme storm surges. The reason for the contrasting dune management policies in Oregon since the 1930 s is that the management response to environmental impacts due to human drivers creates new drivers, pressures, and corresponding impacts, as shown in the DPSIR analysis. Thus, land use policies for managing coastal dunes in Oregon and other places must balance efforts to restore the native biodiversity while minimizing coastal flooding in a context of accelerating and continuous sea-level rise in the 21st century. • The DPSIR analysis was used to study the implications of dune management policies. • Past dune stabilization in Oregon (US) led to the spread of invasive grasses. • Removal of invasive grasses increases flooding with sea-level rise in this century. • Optimized policies are required for flood prevention and enhancing biodiversity. • The study shows dune management policies led to new drivers, pressures and impacts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Dehesas and montados are Mediterranean agroforestry systems characterized by scattered oak trees with an understory grazed extensively by livestock and, in some cases, periodically cropped. A long history of traditional management practices has created an open woodland widely recognized for rich biodiversity and multiple ecosystem services. Concerns about challenges to their long-term viability have motivated many disparate scientific studies in recent decades. We provide a synthesis of this growing body of international literature, focusing on the links between land use and management practices, biodiversity, and policy, from a "high nature value farming systems" perspective. The present review comprises 128 empirical studies carried out in Spain and Portugal. Conservation trends were assessed according to categories adapted from the DPSIR (Drivers - Pressures - State - Impacts - Responses) framework. Socio-cultural factors, economic dynamics, and agricultural policies were found to be key drivers of change, resulting in intensification of livestock production and land use simplification, among other effects. Insufficient tree regeneration and a broad range of other factors were identified as pressures that have often negative impacts on biodiversity and ecosystem services, moving the system away from its archetypical ecological state. A variety of management and policy responses were suggested, ranging from specific conservation techniques to landscape-level initiatives. Ecosystem components and management practices were typically studied separately, and mainly from an ecological science perspective, while inter- and transdisciplinary approaches including examination of the role of people were less common. This points to a need to move from single-topic to landscape-level approaches with a broader integration of different disciplines and perspectives.

Highlights • Efforts to adapt new risk management strategies should start with assessment of existing practices. • Most widely adopted measures require less technical knowledge and outside support. • Highly effective measures were low adopted by farmers, water user associations and water managers. • Efforts on technical, financial and management aspects, could considerably improve spate water management. • Weak institutions and lack of resources determine farmer's adaptation strategies downstream spate irrigated systems. Abstract In arid areas, water diverted from highly uncertain flash floods is often the only source of water for crop production. Stakeholders in spate irrigation systems have developed numerous measures to cope with uncertain water supply related to low, high and untimely floods. This research evaluates the effectiveness of these measures using the MULINO Decision Support System (mDSS4) tool which is based on the Driving force-Pressure-State-Impact-Response (DPSIR) framework. Using data from interviews with 101 randomly selected farmers, 17 water user associations (WUAs), and 7 system water managers in the Gash spate irrigation system in Sudan, we compare the effectiveness with the rate of adoption. The results reveal the most effective measures are 1) pre-flood preparedness, 2) risk sharing measures through water and land management during and after flood by WUAs, 3) crop management by farmers; and 4) flexibility in operation by water managers. Unfortunately, the most effective measures are not the most adopted ones. The level of adoption is primarily related to the capacity of the farmers, WUAs and water managers to implement the measures without outside support. Generally, measures taken by downstream farmers are less effective than those adopted by upstream farmers due to weak institutional arrangements and lack of adequate resources. Supporting farmers, WUAs and water managers for a wider adoption of the existing effective measures will greatly improve irrigation performance and hence food security in the study area. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Rapid urbanization presents one of the most urgent challenges of our times. Cities must cope with poor air quality, heat island effects, increased flood risk and the frequency/severity of extreme events (e.g., droughts and heat waves), increasing crime and social inequity, poverty and degraded urban environments, amongst other negative consequences. Climate change adaptation and mitigation as well as sustainable management are therefore key challenges for cities in Europe and around the world. What must be developed therefore is a robust, wide evidence-base and reference framework of nature-based solutions (NBS) – measures that mimic the complex features and processes of natural ecosystems – for local/regional city authorities and other policy and decision makers to increase climate resilience and address inclusive urban regeneration in cities. In response to this need, we propose an applicative framework for NBS using the structure of the DPSIR (Driving force–Pressure–State–Impact–Response) model, in conformity with European Community standards. Indeed, under the umbrella of the EC's Framework Program – Horizon 2020 – international institutions, scientific experts and policy makers worldwide are seeking to increase collaboration with cities to enhance ecosystem services and develop the evidence-base for the economic, social and environmental benefits of nature-based solutions. They are eager to exchange knowledge and inspire positive action for nature in urban areas to meet their growing social and environmental challenges. The time has come to acknowledge NBS as the most fitting response to the numerous challenges posed by our changing climate and for the realization of sustainable and healthy cities. It is hoped that this article will pioneer others in settling the issue for NBS as the undisputable answer to challenged urban landscapes and societies globally. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sustainable valorization of tannery sludge (TS) is vital for achieving several sustainable development goals (SDGs) in the tannery industry. TS is considered a hazardous waste by-product posing a significant environmental challenge. However, TS can be utilized for energy or resource recovery by considering it as biomass and implementing the circular economy (CE) concept. Therefore, this study aims to develop an innovative DPSIR (Driver, Pressure, State, Impact, and Response) framework for promoting sustainable valorization of TS. Further, the study extends to quantify the importance of subjective DPSIR factors by offering interval-valued intuitionistic fuzzy number-based best worst method (IVIFN-BWM), which is relatively new in the literature and able to deal with the uncertainty, inconsistency, imprecise, and vagueness in the decision-making process. The study also investigates the most appropriate TS valorization technologies concerning identified DPSIR factors using a novel IVIFN-combined compromise solution (CoCoSo) approach. This research contributes to the literature by developing a comprehensive solution approach that combines the DPSIR framework, IVIFN-BWM, and IVIFN-CoCoSo method in addressing sustainability and resource recovery challenges for the tannery industry. The research findings highlight the potential of sustainable valorization of TS in reducing the waste amount and promoting sustainability and CE practices in the tannery industry. The findings indicated that response factors 'creation of national-level policies and awareness campaign' and 'facilitating financial support to adopt waste valorization technologies' received the highest priority among other DPSIR factors for managing and fostering sustainable valorization of TS. The IVIFN-CoCoSo analysis confirmed that the most promising TS valorization technology is 'gasification', which is followed by pyrolysis, anaerobic digestion, and incineration. The study's implications extend to policymakers, industrial practitioners, and researchers, who can leverage the research findings to develop more sustainable TS management practices in the tannery industry. • First time offered DPSIR framework for harmful tannery sludge (TS) management. • Presented an integrated IVIFN based BWM and CoCoSo comprehensive solution approach. • 'Creation of national level policies and awareness campaign' received the highest priority. • 'Gasification' as valorization technology received the top priority for TS management. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Coasts are complex natural and human systems subject to change via natural processes and human activity. Assimilation of this diverse set of drivers and responses and the relationships between them is a challenge in coastal management. We investigate the utility of the DAPSI(W)R(M) framework to identify indicators of environmental issues and the relations between human activities and the environment through a practical application on a coast with high levels of tourism-related activities. Components and indicators were assessed by a review of literature and existing data in the Málaga Province of southern Spain, focusing on coastal erosion and its relationship to the natural environment and social systems. The results indicate the utility of the DAPSI(W)R(M) framework to characterize key environmental issues that affect coastal areas, and provide an holistic vision of human activities and environmental processes. The application of this approach can improve coastal management through the development of a simple model that characterizes environmental issues from the causes to the consequences by means of indicators and the relationships between them. The cyclic form of the model permits an easy identification of where problems occur and who is involved with their resolution, helping with stakeholder mapping and decision-making regarding appropriate responses that can be taken to other administrative levels or other heavily developed tourist coastal areas. • The analysis of the utility of the DAPSI(W)R(M) to identify coastal environmental issues. • Environmental coastal proxies identifications and analysis of their relationship. • A practical management application on a southern Spain coast with high levels of tourism. • Notwithstanding some limitations, the DAPSI(W)R(M) approach offers a useful integrative tool for strategic management. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Highlights • This paper follows a stepwise application of Driving forces, Pressures, States, Impacts, and Responses (DPSIR) framework. • This paper explores the use of data analytics to analyze oil spillages in the Area of Niger Delta. • Profiles of tensions regarding oil spillages in conflict zones are visualized and analyzed. • This methodological approach uses both numerical and text data in proffering solutions. • Rural development policies can be enhanced to resolve social and environmental tensions between communities and corporations. Abstract This paper follows a stepwise application of Driving forces, Pressures, States, Impacts, and Responses (DPSIR) framework, and explores the use of data analytics to analyze oil spillages in the oil producing Niger Delta area of Nigeria. Our empirical results show that the major concerns of Shell Petroleum Development Corporation (SPDC) are implementing the 2011 UNEP report on oil spills in Ogoniland, and the cleanup program in the Niger Delta area. However, for the communities, the key issues are Shell Oil spillages and water pollution. The most important actionable option derived in the last step of the DPSIR framework is environmental mediation. This methodological approach uses both numerical and text data in proffering solutions to sustainable development crisis in the area, and can be replicated by policy makers at global levels to tackle similar problems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In response to the intense development of the marine industry around the world, marine industrial parks are increasingly being established in coastal areas. To more effectively ensure the sustainable development of these industrial parks, an indicator system must be constructed to evaluate their sustainability. Therefore, a sustainability indicator system based on the driver-pressure-state-impact-response (DPSIR) framework was developed in this study and used to evaluate the sustainability of Shishi Marine Biotechnology Park, Fujian Province, China, between 2013 and 2016. Both the analytic hierarchy process (AHP) and the entropy method were used to calculate the weights of the indices, and the indicator variables and evaluation models were uniformly transformed to obtain normalized sustainability scores. During the initial development of Shishi Marine Biotechnology Park, excessive exploitation caused serious environmental problems that hindered sustainable development, and the park reached its lowest pressure index score (3.097) in 2015. After park managers, governments, and enterprises implemented some sustainability measures, which are heavily weighted in the calculation of the five indices in this indicator system, the comprehensive sustainability score for this park increased significantly, reaching its highest value of 6.173 in 2016. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Driver-Pressure-State-Impact-Response (DPSIR) framework has been applied to various environmental problems at multiple spatial and temporal scales and attempts have been made to conceptually improve the framework to encompass various stakeholder perspectives. However, recent literature experiences in the field have challenged the inclusive character of the framework applications. In particular, the framework's inability to incorporate the aggregated informal responses of people affected by changes in ecosystem service provisions has not been fully addressed. This limits the framework's validity in categorizing and disseminating information for addressing particular environmental challenges. Herein, we address this problem by analyzing a case study of deforestation and its impact on non-timber forest product collections by rural residents in Cambodia. We incorporate the concept of maladaptive coping strategies into the DPSIR framework and then further elaborate Ness et al.'s (2010) approach of merging the DPSIR framework with Hägerstrand's (2001) system of nested spatial domains . This conceptualizes the incorporation of the aggregated informal responses into the system, as exemplified in the case study. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Groundwater and surface water are often closely coupled and are both under the influence of multiple stressors. Stressed groundwater systems may lead to a poor ecological status of surface waters but to date no conceptual framework to analyse linked multi-stressed groundwater – surface water systems has been developed. In this paper, a framework is proposed showing the effect of groundwater on surface waters in multiple stressed systems. This framework will be illustrated by applying it to four European catchments, the Odense, Denmark, the Regge and Dinkel, Netherlands, and the Thames, UK, and by assessing its utility in analysing the propagation or buffering of multi-stressors through groundwater to surface waters in these catchments. It is shown that groundwater affects surface water flow, nutrients and temperature, and can both propagate stressors towards surface waters and buffer the effect of stressors in space and time. The effect of groundwater on drivers and states depends on catchment characteristics, stressor combinations, scale and management practises. The proposed framework shows how groundwater in lowland catchments acts as a bridge between stressors and their effects within surface waters. It shows water managers how their management areas might be influenced by groundwater, and helps them to include this important, but often overlooked part of the water cycle in their basin management plans. The analysis of the study catchments also revealed a lack of data on the temperature of both groundwater and surface water, while it is an important parameter considering future climate warming. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Environmental problems that seriously affect both natural systems and social development of human beings have drawn extensive attention from governing authorities all around the world, and become an urgent issue to be addressed. Ports play a significant role in the international shipping which inevitably influence the global environment. Thus, the concept of green port is developed to mitigate the negative impacts of inappropriate port operations on environment. This paper analyzes the current status of green port development worldwide. An evaluation model for quantitative measurement of green port development is established based on the Drivers, Pressures, States, Impacts and Responses (DPSIR) framework. The weight of each index composing the evaluation model is calculated through an analytical hierarchy process method, and the evaluation results of the investigated ports with respect to each index are aggregated using an evidential reasoning approach. The evaluation model is further demonstrated through a comparative analysis of five major ports in China. The novel model developed along with the methods applied in this paper can provide significant insights for the comparative evaluation on the development of green ports in other countries and/or regions, as well as a powerful tool to conduct self-assessment of green port development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Basins are one of the bio-geo-physical areas where the ecological processes that generate the ecosystem services (ES) and contribute to human well-being (HWB) are more evident. They are also the physical scenario where the nature-human interaction is more intense. The explicit relationships that link biodiversity, ES and HWB, and the direct and indirect causes responsible for their degradation, have been rarely explored. We used the Driver-Pressure-State-Impact-Response (DPSIR) framework to explore the relationships between the river ecosystem and the Biobío Basin’s social system. We selected 65 basin and regional-scale indicators to analyse the existing trends and associations among the different DPSIR components. The trend analysis results showed major biodiversity loss and how the regulating services and non-material goods of the HWB component deteriorated, while cultural services, direct and indirect pressures and institutional responses increased. The relationships among the different DPSIR components revealed biodiversity loss to be positively associated with cultural services, the material goods of the HWB component and pressures. Indirect drivers were negatively associated with regulating and cultural services, non-material goods and pressures. Institutional responses did not correlate with any DPSIR component. However, these results do not reflect the complexity of the Biobío Basin’s socio-ecosystem. We estimate that the DPSIR framework shows a corseted and reductionist vision of a greater complexity than merely a unidirectional nature-human relationship. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The 2030 agenda for sustainable development adopted in September 2015 advocates for a balanced integration of the economic, social and environmental dimensions of sustainable development. Existing multilateral environmental agreements (MEAs) can provide guidance for policy-makers to promote inclusive and sustainable economic growth, within safe ecological limits. This paper presents a practical approach to mainstream international obligations of MEAs with national development priorities and strategies. It identifies pathways of policy coherence from national strategies to specific instruments and indicators to advance implementation of MEAs and help counties to fulfill agreed obligations. The approach is grounded in the driving forces-pressure-state-impact-response (DPSIR) framework, and it was applied in two national and two regional case studies in the Caribbean. The outcomes from the case studies show that mainstreaming rate of MEAs is low, and linkages across multiple MEAs are rarely considered. The DPSIR framework was useful for addressing national development priorities and those of MEAs in tandem, through adopting a cross-sectoral, multistakeholder perspective. The research shows that addressing environmental degradation and improving MEAs’ implementation requires that international and regional agencies identify linkages among MEAs to assist in creating policy coherence to ensure their integration into national strategies by connecting with policies and strategies in tandem implementation of MEAs for national policy-makers to work with. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Central Vietnamese coast faces increasing impacts on the local livelihoods of coastal communities as a result of the increasing natural hazards which include tropical storms, heavy rains, and floods. A challenge for the local populations is improving their adaptation capacity to climate change hazards in a sustainable way. This study deals with the impacts of climate change-associated hazards and adaptation capacity in coastal communes of the Ky Anh district, Ha Tinh province along the coast in Central Vietnam. A combination of the Stakeholder Delphi technique and the DPSIR (drivers-pressures-states-impacts-responses) framework was used. Delphi questionnaires allowed assessing the consensus among the respondents of a stakeholder group. Twenty questions and 20 statements were listed reflecting the DPSIR components. Thirty-six panel members, which were randomly selected from four stakeholder groups which included local authorities, farmers, fishermen, and fish traders, were involved in a two-round Delphi process. The results show that, both agricultural and non-agricultural sectors are main drivers (D); migration, calamities, population growth, mineral mining, aquaculture processing, and agriculture are main pressures (P); changes in the frequency of extreme weather events, increasing intensity of storms, floods, and droughts indicate main states (S); changes in agricultural land use and productivity are main impacts (I); construction of and upgrading dykes and irrigation systems should be the principal responses (R) in the vision of the local stakeholders. The Kendall’s W value for the second round is 0.681, indicating a high degree of consensus among the panel members and confidence in the ranks. Overall, the study advocates developing sustainable ecosystems, an upgraded New Rural Planning, and renewable energy strategies as the main local adaptations to climate change hazards in this area. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The artisanal fishers from the Pehuen Co and Monte Hermoso (Argentina) are aiming for sustainable use of the common pool resource of their socio-ecological system (SES). However, complex interactions between the artisanal fishers and other actors (the industrial fisheries, natural reserve managers, fish traders, conservationists and governance authorities) are putting the fishing activity at risk. An adaptive management plan has been developed to analyse this SES based on the results of combining the analysis-orientated Systems Approach Framework with the action- oriented multi-Driver-Pressure-System-Impact-Response framework. The overarching issue is the sustainability of the fishery, although there are a number of sub-issues affecting the fishing activities including: restricted access to the sea, damage to the seabed integrity, fishing legislation, distribution of the product, and conflict of conservation with fishing. The most important pressures are overfishing and bottom damage, resulting in habitat deterioration and depletion of the stock. The main impacts on human welfare are the loss of income, the loss of jobs and the loss of biodiversity. A transdisciplinary management plan has been formulated based on common responses to these impacts, such as the organisation of the fishers into local associations, and the creation of a fishing terminal through the synergy of the community with researchers and the governance authorities. The long-term objective is to promote community based management of the natural resources of Pehuen Co and Monte Hermoso. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The large mediatic coverage of recent massive wildfires across the world has emphasized the vulnerability of freshwater resources. The extensive hydrogeomorphic effects from a wildfire can impair the ability of watersheds to provide safe drinking water to downstream communities and high-quality water to maintain riverine ecosystem health. Safeguarding water use for human activities and ecosystems is required for sustainable development; however, no global assessment of wildfire impacts on water supply is currently available. Here, we provide the first global evaluation of wildfire risks to water security, in the form of a spatially explicit index. We adapted the Driving forces-Pressure-State-Impact-Response risk analysis framework to select a comprehensive set of indicators of fire activity and water availability, which we then aggregated to a single index of wildfire-water risk using a simple additive weighted model. Our results show that water security in many regions of the world is potentially vulnerable, regardless of socio-economic status. However, in developing countries, a critical component of the risk is the lack of socio-economic capability to respond to disasters. Our work highlights the importance of addressing wildfire-induced risks in the development of water security policies; the geographic differences in the components of the overall risk could help adapting those policies to different regional contexts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, a qualitative research method using Driver Pressure State Impact Response (DPSIR) framework was employed to assess the drivers of environmental degradation and their implications on Anlo and Sanwoma coastal communities in the Western Region of Ghana. Pollution Index (PI) and Environmental Risk Factor (ERF) were estimated in Pra and Ankobra estuaries, respectively, in Anlo and Sanwoma communities to complement the qualitative assessment in the studied coastal communities. The state and condition of the coastal ecosystems are critical to the well-being and livelihood of the residents of the two coastal communities. Therefore, it was important to assess the drivers of environmental degradation and their consequences on the coastal communities. The findings showed that the coastal communities were severely degraded and were in a vulnerable state due to the impact of drivers such as gold mining, farming, improper waste disposal, and illegal fishing that pressurize the environment. Also, PI and ERFs showed that the estuaries in Anlo and Sanwoma coastal communities were contaminated with metals such as arsenic, lead, zinc, and iron. Some of the impacts of the environmental degradation on the communities included reduction in fish catch and health-related ailments among the residents of the two communities. Unfortunately, regulatory policies by government and efforts of non-governmental organisations and members of the two coastal communities to address the environmental issues have not yielded the desired results. It is recommended that there should be urgent interventions by policymakers to stop further degradations in the coastal communities to enhance the well-being and livelihoods of the residents of Anlo and Sanwoma. • PI indicated that Pb, Cu and Fe exceeded the stipulated standard by USEPA. • Health impacts such as cholera, elephantiasis, bilharzia, child mortality, and poor nutrition. • Coastal ecosystems are threatened and decimated in the coastal communities. • Natural forest habitats of animals have been fragmented and destroyed for farming. • Intensity of shoreline erosion in Anlo is higher compared to Sanwoma community. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

River systems maintain unique biotic resources and provide essential renewable water supplies for humankind. Flood pulses are the key natural drivers of species richness and productivity of the large river-floodplain ecosystems, but traditional water management has sought to reduce the natural variability of river flows to achieve more stable water supplies for socio-economic water needs. The increasing human pressure on river systems directly threatens the biodiversity of fluvial ecosystems across the world. Ecologically sustainable river management is aimed at maintaining the ecological integrity of the affected ecosystems while meeting the intergenerational human needs and sustaining the full array of other goods and services provided by natural river ecosystems. Several criteria of ecologically sustainable water management are outlined, such as the assessment of the reference status, the documentation of the deficiencies of the baseline conditions, the identification of the causes of ecosystem degradation using the DPSIR framework, the analysis of the compatibility of water needs, the definition of the target vision, etc.

Human activities such as urban densification, soil sealing and the spread of service infrastructure are altering the quality and quantity of ecosystems. They are depleting natural capital, like water supply and air quality, on which society depends. To preserve natural capital, the European Commission is promoting new land-use policies, one of which is Green Infrastructure (GI). It has been postulated that GI planning can promote sustainable land-use by supporting a wide range of ecosystem services. Research conducted in the GREEN SURGE project (FP7-ENV.2013.6.2-5-603567) has suggested that a number of tangible benefits accrue when GI planning is implemented at different spatial scales. In support of this, GI has been conceptualized in a case study in Southern Italy using the Driving force–Pressure–State–Impact–Response (DPSIR) framework. This framework was employed to promote the GI approach with the aim of ensuring sustainable land development without compromising natural capital. In fact, the DPSIR framework used in the case study shows how GI, through the provision of ecosystem services, is a response to various critical environmental issues. Despite known limitations as reported in the literature, the DPSIR framework was selected for its simplicity in representing and reporting the interactions between the environment and society. Given the complexity of environmental issues and the presence of various stakeholders involved in decision-making processes, DPSIR provides planning professionals with a streamlined tool to develop strategic solutions for sustainable land-use and for promoting societal wellbeing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Streamflow is one the most important variables controlling and maintaining aquatic ecosystem integrity, diversity, and sustainability. This study identified and quantified changes in 34 hydrologic characteristics and parameters at 30 long term (1939–2016) discharge stations in the Southeast Atlantic and Gulf Coast Hydrologic Region (Region 3) using Indicators of Hydrologic Alteration (IHA) variables. The southeastern United States (SEUS) is a biodiversity hotspot, and the region has experienced a number of rapid land use/land cover changes with multiple primary drivers. Studies in the SEUS have been mostly localized on specific rivers, reservoir catchments and/or species, but the overall region has not been assessed for the long-term period of 1939–2016 for multiple hydrologic characteristic parameters. The objectives of the study were to provide an overview of multiple river basins and 31 hydrologic characteristic parameters of streamflow in Region 3 for a longer period and to develop a conceptual map of impacts of selected stressors and changes in hydrology and climate in the SEUS. A seven step procedure was used to accomplish these objectively: Step 1: Download data from the 30 USGS gauging stations. Steps 2 and 3: Select and analyze the 31 IHA parameters using boxplots, scatter plots, and PDFs. Steps 4 and 5: Synthesize the drivers of changes and alterations and the various change points in streamflow in the literature. Step 6: Synthesize the climate of the SEUS in terms of temperature and precipitation changes. Step 7: Develop a conceptual map of impacts of selected stressors on hydrology using Driver–Pressure–State-Impact–Response (DPSIR) framework and IHA parameters. The 31 IHA parameters were analyzed. The meta-analysis of literature in the SEUS revealed the precipitation changes observed ranged from −30% to +35% and temperature changes from −2 °C to 6 °C by 2099. The fiftieth percentile of the Global Climate Models (GCM) predict no precipitation change and an increase in the temperature of 2.5 °C in the region by 2099. Among the GCMs, the 5th and 95th percentile of precipitation changes range between −40% and 110% and temperature changes between −2 °C and 6 °C by 2099. Meta-analysis of land use/land cover show the region has experienced changes. A number of rapid land use/land cover changes in 1957, 1970, and 1998 are some of the change points documented in the literature for precipitation and streamflow in the region. A conceptual map was developed to represent the impacts of selected drivers and the changes in hydrology and climate in the study region for three land use/land cover categories in three different periods.

We empirically ascertained the impact of COVID-19 pandemic on fisheries sector of Sri Lanka, focusing on the year 2020 which helps identify changes in production and income of the sector. Daily wage and monthly income of stakeholders in the pre-pandemic period are well above the national minimum daily wage and monthly income of the workers in Sri Lanka. Defensive measures taken to curb rapid spread of COVID-19 have given a shock to all stakeholders of the sector. Health and safety measures imposed to avert the spreading of pandemic have compelled the stakeholders to incur extra costs. Study indicates significant impact of the pandemic on production and income of the stakeholders in the fisheries value chain. Comparison of total fish production during 2015–2020 confirms the impacts on the sector and, changes in fish production and income in 2020 completely coincide with COVID-19-time line. Severity of impacts is stakeholder and area specific. Fisheries districts in western province are highly impacted over the other districts. DPSIR framework captures the status of social system and unfolds existing problems in the sector, enabling decision-makers to take policy decisions for future actions. Government of Sri Lanka has taken several steps to revive the sector, and stakeholders have shown an adaptive capacity to cope with impacts of the pandemic. Present crisis in the sector is far from over and, short-term impacts are likely to be followed by long-term crises, thus measures should be taken to revive the sector in new normal conditions and the post-pandemic era. • COVID-19 related lockdowns and restrictions disrupted activities of the stakeholders of fisheries value chain. • The pandemic effects mainly on the fisheries sector by reducing in production quantity and incomes of the stakeholders. • Stakeholders have developed adaptive measures to cope with impact of the pandemic. • DPSIR framework adopted concerning social system help enable decision-makers in taking policy decisions to be made in future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The objective of this article is to assess the condition of and hazards to the natural environment in selected landscape parks in Poland with respect to the impact of agricultural management using the DPSIR method. Our proposed set of indicators, based on generally available and applicable data, shows at the local scale, in a simple way, the condition of functioning of the balance between the natural environment and agricultural management and it assesses the level of repair works in the context of the records of the environmental protection program. The highest negative impact of agricultural management in the areas studied is noticed in the soil environment as well as the contexts of biodiversity and landscape. On the other hand, the lowest influence of agricultural economy was noted in the cases of the atmosphere and hydrosphere. The results of the aggregated indicators also showed lower or higher dependencies between the coverage and the use of the area in landscape parks and the condition of particular elements of the environment and the landscape. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The need for enhanced environmental planning and management for highland aquatic resources is described and a rationale for integrated action planning is presented. Past action planning initiatives for biodiversity conservation and wetland management are reviewed. A reflective account is given of integrated action planning from five sites in China, India and Vietnam. Eight planning phases are described encompassing: stakeholder assessment and partner selection; rapport building and agreement on collaboration; integrated biodiversity, ecosystem services, livelihoods and policy assessment; problem analysis and target setting; strategic planning; planning and organisation of activities; coordinated implementation and monitoring; evaluation and revised target setting. The scope and targeting of actions are evaluated using the Driving forces, Pressures, State, Impacts and Responses framework and compatibility with biodiversity conservation and socio-economic development objectives are assessed. Criteria to evaluate the quality of planning processes are proposed. Principles for integrated action planning elaborated here should enable stakeholders to formulate plans to reconcile biodiversity conservation with the wise use of wetlands. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

The provisioning ecosystem services of Likangala River catchment located in Southern Malawi provides food, construction materials, fuel-wood, timber, ornamental products and water for its inhabitants. However, poor land use practices, deforestation and exploitation of natural resources by local communities have negative impact on the ecosystem services. The aim of this study was to evaluate land cover changes from 1984 to 2013 and how the changes may affect provisioning ecosystem services. Remote sensing techniques were used to inventory temporal changes of land use changes in the catchment and the Drivers, Pressures, States, Impacts, Responses (DPSIR) framework was used to explain the complexity of such changes. The analysis of land use maps indicate that deforestation, river bank cultivation, pollution and over extraction of natural resources were threatening sustainability of provisioning ecosystem services in Likangala River catchment. Land use/land cover change detection between 1984 and 2013 revealed that woodlands have decline by 88.5%, shrublands have declined by 16.7%, agricultural areas have increased by 44.3% and urban areas increased by 143%. The study revealed that the main drivers of change in this catchment are the demand for agricultural land as population grows. The pressures identified are expansion of agricultural land, construction materials, medicinal plants, wood and waste generation. The impacts include declining provisioning ecosystem services, water borne diseases and biodiversity loss through loss of habitats from land use and land cover change. As a response, the study noted that reducing deforestation, enforcement of buffers along river banks, waste management for improving water quality, improving sanitation, providing civic education to communities could assist in improving the state of the catchment. The study highlights the integration of remote sensing techniques for land cover change detection and the use of focus group discussions to capture the understanding and responses of the community to ecosystem degradation in order to achieve the outcome of an ecologically sustainable society. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Al Jabal Al Akhdar, an arid mountain region in northern Oman, has experienced rapid development over the last decades, resulting in the deterioration of water resources. This paper applies the driving force-pressure-state-impact-response (DPSIR) framework as an integrated environmental assessment tool to illustrate the cause-and-effect relationships for sustainable management of water resources in the area. The research aimed to examine social and ecological aspects of mountain water to explore optimal approaches for sustainable use and management. The water resources are affected by increasing drivers of population growth and socio-economic development, through agriculture, tourism, and urbanization, exerting pressures through overconsumption of water, coupled with the exogenous pressure of climate change. The decreased rainfall and increased water demand have resulted in the degradation of water quantity and quality. The declining state of the water resources and reduced area of cultivation have resulted in considerable losses in agricultural income. The Omani government has adopted some responses, including water development projects, acting to reduce pressures as well as to improve the state of water resources. The DPSIR analysis indicates that trade-offs should be made between economic development and the continued supply of water for the agro-ecological system; choices could be in the prioritization of drivers. A dependence on desalinated water will introduce a reliance on a non-renewable external energy supply and is unlikely to ensure water supply at the multi-century timescale of the social-ecological system. In addition, tourism is predominantly based around the disappearing agro-ecosystems which in turn are dependent on the supply of water. Therefore, efforts should be directed towards improving water-use efficiency through installing modern irrigation technology, water conservation methods, use of greywater and treated wastewater, and rainwater harvesting as well as integrated water resources management, and climate change mitigation and adaptation measures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• MF in the ESA had the highest overall environmental quality. • The mean ecological quality of ESA (0.3696) was higher than that of CYP (0.3449). • The Moran's I value of ecological quality in the CYP and ESA both exceeded 0.20. • The strongest correlations were between state indicators and ecological quality. The establishment of a standard and unified evaluation system model and its application to a cross-regional eco-environmental quality evaluation and analysis are required for identifying patterns of change in eco-environmental quality in different regions and the driving factors. This knowledge is important for achieving sustainable development. This study used remote sensing (RS) data and geographic information science (GIS) to construct a unified eco-environmental quality evaluation index system based on the Driving Forces, Pressure, State, Impact and Response (DPSIR) framework and the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP), the Entropy method, and Grey Relational Analysis (GRA). The index system was applied to evaluate the eco-environmental quality of central Yunnan Province (CYP) and eastern South Africa (ESA) at the county scale and to identify driving factors. The results showed that: (1) The mean ecological quality index of all counties (districts/cities) in the ESA in 2019 was 0.3696, which was slightly higher than that of 0.3449 in the CYP, indicating similar total ecological quality between the CYP and ESA. (2) The Moran's I value of eco-environmental quality in the CYP and ESA both exceeded 0, with significant spatial agglomerations. (3) The strongest correlations were between state class indicators and eco-environmental quality in both study areas. The grey relational coefficients exceeded 0.9, representing state indicators (such as vegetation coverage, habitat quality index, remote-sensed vegetation water supply index, vegetation net primary productivity, and annual mean precipitation) as the main driving forces of eco-environmental quality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this article, we have reviewed how the women of Bangladesh are negatively exposed to the COVID-19 pandemic in terms of quality education, employment loss, labour market contribution, domestic violence, and health and wellness, thus putting their lives at more significant risk. We have employed the Drivers-Pressures-States-Impact-Response (DPSIR) framework to analyze the gendered effects of COVID-19 on some specific Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in Bangladesh. We have purposively selected five SDGs, SDG 1 (no poverty), SDG 3 (good health and well-being), SDG 4 (quality education), SDG 5 (gender equality), and SDG 8 (decent work & economic growth), those have direct effects on women's livelihood and well-being. Our DPSIR framework analysis has shown that gendered vulnerabilities have been exacerbated due to the COVID-19 situation with multiple pre-existing socio-cultural norms and various state policies like patriarchal values, stay-home policies etc. As SDG 1 focuses on poverty reduction, and SDG 8 focuses on decent work and economic growth, unemployment, losing job opportunities and economic downturn due to the pandemic have slowed down national growth as well as increased poverty in the country. With excessive pressure on the health sector to deal with COVID-19, women's essential maternal, sexual and reproductive health (SRH) services were neglected and health disparities were also observed. Thus, many women and adolescent girls could not access SRH services when needed that led to a myriad of consequences for SDG 3 achievements. The prolonged shutdown of educational institutes resulted in mass school dropouts, mental health problems, and higher risks of child labour and child marriage among girl children which has significant negative impacts on the achievement of SDG 4. Due to COVID-19-related preventive measures, such as social distancing, and lockdown, women have been involved to do more care and household job following traditional gender roles, experienced work from home, and a 'shadow pandemic' domestic violence amidst the COVID-19. Consequently, the overall gender gap has increased (SDG 5). We have argued that the existing neoliberal market economy has failed to save the global society from a pandemic, therefore, it is important to rethink its development targets and indicators. Moreover, a paradigm shift is recommended by deconstructing present economic systems to build a resilient society based on the caring relationships among nature, humans, and society embracing an ecofeminist perspective., Competing Interests: The authors declare no conflict of interest., (© 2023 The Authors.)

Current low-carbon city initiatives were evaluated using the DPSIR (Driving forces-Pressures-State-Impacts-Responses) causal-effect framework for investigating interactions between environmental issues and human activities. For effective management towards achieving a low-carbon city, integrating the pressure-based, driver-oriented DPSIR approach could help decision makers examine whether greenhouse gas (GHG) reduction approaches deal with the root causes of GHG emissions and work towards low-carbon city development goals. The DPSIR framework was used on 36 global cities to analyse the socio-economic dynamics of GHG emissions and their pressures on the environment, the state of the environment, related climate change impacts and responses from society. The results indicated that numerous cities have awareness of low-carbon plans and that most of these plans are pressure-based and driver-oriented. Most city plans recognise energy, transportation and building as the main driving forces for GHG emissions, which cause environmental pressures, and highlight technical responses to reduce GHG emissions pressures from these root causes. In addition, most plans recognise institutional and cognitional responses to low-carbon city development, such as: policies and legislation; departmental planning and cooperation; measuring, monitoring and reporting performance; capital investment; community education and outreach; and stakeholder involvement. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

System thinking and integrated research are widely applied approaches in environmental management, often facilitating the organization of information from different levels and sources. They are here applied to support the review of (1) political and management instruments and (2) elements that characterize the Bahia de Cádiz Nature Park (Spain). The latter objective is sustained by the DPSIR (Driver-Pressure-State-Impact-Response) framework. A first DPSI conceptual map offers a broader view of the park capturing a range of elements that act at global, national and regional levels. Next, through expert consultation, prioritized DPSI issues describing the current situation of Bahia de Cádiz Nature Park are highlighted. A second DPSI map is designed to explore specific land-use and land-cover changes and their effects on the park's ecological integrity, offering a greater level of detail. 'Responses' are discussed separately, through a review of most recent response actions that have originated at various levels, and future ones proposed by the park's management. The framework proves to be appropriate to identify elements from both social and environmental dimensions, but excludes global-scale elements that do not fit the scope of this analysis. The review hopes to support future integrated research initiatives, involving in-depth analysis though the use of tools as are indicators or models. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]