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Copyright of Social Sciences Studies is the property of Social Sciences Studies and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Mountain landscapes support hydric and biodiversity potential under different ownership and land use perspectives. A focal point justifying their preservation is often the legislation’s ethical endorsement. Yet, when scales for assessment diverge without a common analytical purpose, the protective measures may become either ambiguous or insufficient. By considering that mountain cryosphere landscapes have both subjective and supply values, we focused on approaches to protect them and examined conceptual dissonances in their assessment. This ambiguity was examined by analyzing the hydric storage potential of the mountain cryosphere in semi-arid regions in the Andes. We reviewed the technical aspects of cryosphere hydrology and how current legislation aims to preserve freshwater supply and non-instrumental value. The analysis found a clash between instrumental and non-instrumental values and, most importantly, the neglect of a temporal dimension for landscape evolution. Particularly, landscape protection becomes suboptimal as scales of analysis for use and non-use values diverge. Therefore, we recommend analyzing mountain cryosphere landscapes as overlapped sub-units bearing a unified potential (future value) as a hydric resource. This analysis should fit the most inclusive scale on which transaction costs reflecting needs and insurance values reflecting management quality are optimal.

Mountain landscapes support hydric and biodiversity potential under different ownership and land use perspectives. A focal point justifying their preservation is often the legislation's ethical endorsement. Yet, when scales for assessment diverge without a common analytical purpose, the protective measures may become either ambiguous or insufficient. By considering that mountain cryosphere landscapes have both subjective and supply values, we focused on approaches to protect them and examined conceptual dissonances in their assessment. This ambiguity was examined by analyzing the hydric storage potential of the mountain cryosphere in semi-arid regions in the Andes. We reviewed the technical aspects of cryosphere hydrology and how current legislation aims to preserve freshwater supply and non-instrumental value. The analysis found a clash between instrumental and non-instrumental values and, most importantly, the neglect of a temporal dimension for landscape evolution. Particularly, landscape protection becomes suboptimal as scales of analysis for use and non-use values diverge. Therefore, we recommend analyzing mountain cryosphere landscapes as overlapped sub-units bearing a unified potential (future value) as a hydric resource. This analysis should fit the most inclusive scale on which transaction costs reflecting needs and insurance values reflecting management quality are optimal. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article provides a comprehensive analysis of Palaeolithic sites as geoheritage objects. It also examines in detail the state of their preservation and the main problems related to the process of organising the protection of Palaeolithic heritage monuments in Ukraine (using the example of Palaeolithic sites in the Podillya region). The study focuses on the distinctive features of these geoheritage objects, emphasising their natural significance and unique historical features. Based on a detailed analysis of natural conditions, as well as legal aspects, this article presents ideas and best practices that can significantly change the Ukrainian approach to the preservation and management of Palaeolithic heritage. It highlights the importance of Palaeolithic sites as natural and cultural monuments that deserve our utmost care and attention. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Apart from interactivity, representativeness (in the meaning of grandness) is the basic and required characteristic of public open spaces. The representativeness of public open spaces (POS) is understood in terms of their ability to portray cities and their inhabitants as a whole. This study considers the historical value of public spaces and determines their contemporary role as spaces for representing cities. Moreover, we explore the relationship between the natural value of such places and their representativeness function. It was necessary to define the criteria determining the representativeness of public spaces, including their physical, semiotic, and functional features. The study was carried out in the midtown zone of Szczecin. The subject of the study is urban landscape objects. The landscape, according to the definition presented by the European Landscape Convention, is part of the land, as perceived by local people and visitors, which evolves through time as a result of being acted upon by natural forces and human beings. The landscape approach used in this research enables an assessment that requires taking into account and comparing many aspects that build the layers of the landscape. Qualitative and quantitative research methods were used to assess the characteristics that distinguish POS in the symbolic, formal, location-related and functional layers and to examine their ecological value. The results of the study generally confirmed our hypothesis: i.e., embedding the studied POS within the city's tradition—with its strong semiotic connections and with the specific history of the place (genius loci)—increases the space's range of contemporary, representative functions. At the same time, an apparent decrease in the prestige of the studied POS was observed. Although they originally had high historical value, they either lost key artifacts constituting that identity or were excluded from the main functional and compositional axes of the city. Moreover, this study proves that the representativeness of POS, conditioned by historical value and contemporary functional, spatial, and location features, is generally inconsistent with their high natural value. Still, this inconsistency does not have to be a mean contradiction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Electronic Turkish Studies is the property of Electronic Turkish Studies and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

The concept of HNVF raises thanks to the integration of biodiversity theme into the CAP. The precise definition of the topic and the application of a correct identification procedure deeply affect the assessment needs of European RDPs. Nevertheless, the level of HNVF knowledge is rather limited due to a methodological variability and a structural lack of suitable data. The research aims at overtaking HNVF identification difficulties complying with specific Community requirements and the use of an efficient theoretical framework that allows accurate location and monitoring over time. The methodology results in characterization and accurate HNVF map for the Apulia Region that can effectively calibrate the implementation of the regional management policies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article proposes a procedure for determining the location of potential spatial conflicts. The author presents issues concerning spatial conflicts which may arise as a result of different uses of spaces adjacent to each other. The proposed procedure has been tested on one of the districts of Poland's Warmińsko-Mazurskie Voivodeship, namely Nidzicki District. In order to determine the use of the space, CLC databases made available by the Chief Environmental Protection Inspectorate were used. Based on them, the use of fragments of space, which were also differentiated due to their natural value, was determined. For the thus described space, a map of burden of potential spatial conflicts was compiled. The proposed method may be used as a tool supporting the processes of space planning and monitoring the environmental changes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Saber, Ciencia y Libertas is the property of Saber, Ciencia y Libertad and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

The article proposes a procedure for determining the location of potential spatial conflicts. The author presents issues concerning spatial conflicts which may arise as a result of different uses of spaces adjacent to each other. The proposed procedure has been tested on one of the districts of Poland’s Warmińsko-Mazurskie Voivodeship, namely Nidzicki District. In order to determine the use of the space, CLC databases made available by the Chief Environmental Protection Inspectorate were used. Based on them, the use of fragments of space, which were also differentiated due to their natural value, was determined. For the thus described space, a map of burden of potential spatial conflicts was compiled. The proposed method may be used as a tool supporting the processes of space planning and monitoring the environmental changes.

Copyright of Acta Universitatis Lodziensis. Folia Geographica Socio-Oeconomica is the property of Wydawnictwo Uniwersytetu Lodzkiego and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Na terenie „Krainy dolin” w Bieszczadach Zachodnich zachodzą obecnie niekorzystne zmiany sukcesyjne polegające między innymi na wymieraniu cennych gatunków roślin, a niekiedy nawet całych zespołów roślinnych oraz zanik mozaikowego układu biocenotycznego. Z tego względu bardzo ważne jest prowadzenie badań mających na celu ocenę walorów przyrodniczych tak cennego obszaru jakim niewątpliwie jest obszar gminy Lutowiska.

Data were collected on the ichthyofauna of the Lake Velence from 38 sampling sites, on 9 sampling days during 2017 June. The data were collected by using battery operated electric fishing gears working with pulsating direct current, from boat and wading in the water. After the identification of the species all individuals were released, specimen collection was not implemented. The exact sites of the sampling were identified by GPS, the obtained EOV coordinates were processed using a commercial spatial analyst software. The analysis of the faunistical data was carried out using the Access data base management software. The number of individuals and the geocoordinate data were registered on site using a digital dictaphone. During our survey 11.928 fish specimen were cought and identified, representing 19 species. One of the 19 species (Weatherfish - Misgurnis fossilis) is protected at national level in Hungary, while two species (Asp - Leuciscus aspius; Weatherfish - Misgurnis fossilis) are listed in the Appendices of the Habitat Directive. The occurance of the invasive alien species black bullhead (Ameiurus melas) is completely new information, since recently the presence of the species was not mentioned by the previous papers from the Lake. Based on the number of species determined, the absolute (TA: 37) and relative (TR: 1,276) conservation values of the fish fauna were expressed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An assessment of the natural value of some extensively managed agroecosystems in Latium region (central Italy) has been made, through the collection of floristic and phytosociological data and the development of new indices (Floristic Naturalness Index – FNI and a set of synthetic indices). The survey allowed the evaluation of the study areas as High Natural Value Farmland areas. In a GIS environment, a mapping of the naturalness levels was then carried out. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Many environmental philosophers have held naturalness to be a primary source of nature's value. Seen this way, the nature that is most valuable is wild nature, and 'wild' is that which is unmodi?ed by human activity. However, accounts of our attributions of value to the wild often have an aura of elusiveness to them, as if what really matters about nature being wild could not ultimately be captured by words. In an attempt to account for what really matters, I relate our fascination with wild nature to a famous Wittgensteinian quote-'Ethics and Aesthetics are one and the same' (Tractatus 2006a: 28, §6.421)-and inspect the ways in which important dimensions of our attributions of value to wild nature can be elucidated by re?ecting on such cryptic identi?cation. I claim that the experience of wild nature more than any other experience forces on us the adoption of what Wittgenstein called the view sub specie aeternitatis ('through the lens of eternity') leading us to appreciate the miraculous character of anything being the case at all, ourselves included. Accordingly, the value of wild nature lies in its being a most powerful gesture towards the miracle of existence. The experience of wild nature shows us the good of being alive rather than not. This sort of experience is one in which ethics and aesthetics are one and the same. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Ochrona Srodowiska i Zasobów Naturalnych is the property of Sciendo and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Research Papers of the Wroclaw University of Economics / Prace Naukowe Uniwersytetu Ekonomicznego we Wroclawiu is the property of Uniwersytet Ekonomiczny we Wroclawiu and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

The study presents the findings of research into the effect of the variability of site conditions on their floristic composition providing a basis for the identification of lower phytosociological units. Patches of Arrhenatheretum elatioris described with the assistance of phytosociological surveys conducted using the Braun-Blanquet method were subjected to multi-criteria evaluation. On their basis, the following parameters were determined: ecological and botanical structure, geographic-historical distribution, the structure of the life-groups of the floristic types identified, as well as natural values by the Oswit method and sward fodder value according to Filipek. In order to determine the causes of the floristic variability observed, the following soil conditions were assessed: moisture content, soil reaction and nitrogen content by Ellenberg's indicator method, as well as potassium, magnesium and phosphorus content by the appropriate laboratory methods. Typical forms of Arrhenatheretum elatioris phytocenoses were found to develop on mucky soils in moderately moist sites. Patches of ryegrass occurring in sites with a periodically higher moisture content on organic soils refer to the Alopecuretumpratensis association. On the other hand, the sward of ryegrass meadows developed on dryer, mineral soils was characterised by increased numbers of species characteristic for xerothermic swards from the Festuco-Brometea class and sandy plant communities from the Koelerio glauca-Corynephoretea canescentis. More intensive utilization, primarily-fertilisation, was among the causes of the development of species-poor phytocenoses of low natural value but sward of a good fodder value. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Synthetic biology makes use of genetic and other materials derived from modern biological life forms to design and construct novel synthetic organisms. Artificial organisms are not constructed from parts of existing biological organisms, but from non-biological materials. Artificial and synthetic organisms are artefactual organisms. Here we are concerned with the non-instrumental value of such organisms. More specifically, we are concerned with the extent to which artefactual organisms have natural value, inherent worth and intrinsic value. Our conclusions are largely supportive of the value of artefactual organisms. However, they do not constitute a comprehensive ethical evaluation of them. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]