Determining the role of eudaimonic values in conservation behavior

Values are the fundamental reasons why people engage in conservation behaviors. Recent research has called for a more refined approach to studying values in a way that accounts for the concept of eudaimonia. However, the empirical properties for a eudaimonic value scale have not been tested given that previous investigations have remained at the theoretical level. Drawing from an on-site survey of visitors to Denali National Park and Preserve, Alaska, we used a latent profile analysis to better understand the expression of multiple values of nature. Specifically, we segmented respondents by their value orientations with a particular focus on evaluating eudaimonic and hedonic values, alongside the established dimensions of altruistic, biospheric, and egoistic values. We identified 4 distinct subgroups defined by value orientations and validated these subgroups based on measures of conservation behavior and sociodemographic characteristics (e.g., age). These results indicated campaign messaging should harness a combination of eudaimonic, biospheric, and altruistic values to propel individual behavior. We also observed that hedonic and egoistic values defined how people related to nature and played a role, albeit less pronounced, in motivating them to take action. Our study is one of the first efforts to operationalize eudaimonia in a conservation context; thus, we have opened a new avenue for protected-area managers to align their strategies with the underlying values of stakeholders.     

LANDSCAPE ATTRIBUTES AS CONTROLS ON GROITHD WATER NITRATE REMOVAL CAPACITY OF RIPARIAN ZONES1

ABSTRACT: Inherent site factors can generate substantial variation in the ground water nitrate removal capacity of riparian zones. This paper examines research in the glaciated Northeast to relate variability in ground water nitrate removal to site attributes depicted in readily available spatial databases, such as SSUIRGO. Linking site‐specific studies of riparian ground water nitrate removal to spatial data can help target high‐value riparian locations for restoration or protection and improve the modeling of watershed nitrogen flux. Site attributes, such as hydric soil status (soil wetness) and geomorphology, affect the interaction of nitrate‐enriched ground water with portions of the soil ecosystem possessing elevated biogeochemical transformation rates (i.e., biologically active zones). At our riparian sites, high ground water nitrate‐N removal rates were restricted to hydric soils. Geomorphology provided insights into ground water flowpaths. Riparian sites located on outwash and organic/alluvial deposits have high potential for nitrate‐enriched ground water to interact with biologically active zones. In till deposits, ground water nitrate removal capacity may be limited by the high occurrence of surface seeps that markedly reduce the time available for biological transformations to occur within the riparian zone. To fully realize the value of riparian zones for nitrate retention, landscape controls of riparian nitrate removal in different climatic and physiographic regions must be determined and translated into available spatial databases.     

Assessment of volatile organic compound and hazardous air pollutant emissions from oil and natural gas well pads using mobile remote and on-site direct measurements

Emissions of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and hazardous air pollutants (HAPs) from oil and natural gas production were investigated using direct measurements of component-level emissions on pads in the Denver-Julesburg (DJ) Basin and remote measurements of production pad-level emissions in the Barnett, DJ, and Pinedale basins. Results from the 2011 DJ on-site study indicate that emissions from condensate storage tanks are highly variable and can be an important source of VOCs and HAPs, even when control measures are present. Comparison of the measured condensate tank emissions with potentially emitted concentrations modeled using E&P TANKS (American Petroleum Institute [API] Publication 4697) suggested that some of the tanks were likely effectively controlled (emissions less than 95% of potential), whereas others were not. Results also indicate that the use of a commercial high-volume sampler (HVS) without corresponding canister measurements may result in severe underestimates of emissions from condensate tanks. Instantaneous VOC and HAP emissions measured on-site on controlled systems in the DJ Basin were significantly higher than VOC and HAP emission results from the study conducted by Eastern Research Group (ERG) for the City of Fort Worth (2011) using the same method in the Barnett on pads with low or no condensate production. The measured VOC emissions were either lower or not significantly different from the results of studies of uncontrolled emissions from condensate tanks measured by routing all emissions through a single port monitored by a flow measurement device for 24 hr. VOC and HAP concentrations measured remotely using the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Other Test Method (OTM) 33A in the DJ Basin were not significantly different from the on-site measurements, although significant differences between basins were observed.

Implications: VOC and HAP emissions from upstream production operations are important due to their potential impact on regional ozone levels and proximate populations. This study provides information on the sources and variability of VOC and HAP emissions from production pads as well as a comparison between different measurement techniques and laboratory analysis protocols. On-site and remote measurements of VOC and HAP emissions from oil and gas production pads indicate that measurable emissions can occur despite the presence of control measures, often as a result of leaking thief hatch seals on condensate tanks. Furthermore, results from the remote measurement method OTM 33A indicate that it can be used effectively as an inspection technique for identifying oil and gas well pads with large fugitive emissions.     

Evaluating technological innovation impact: an empirical analysis of the offshore wind sector

Environmental Science and Pollution Research - This study analyzed the determinants that impact innovation on offshore wind energy (OSW) for a select group of countries, applying mixed-method...     

Predicting Airborne Particle Levels Aboard Washington State School Buses

School buses contribute substantially to childhood air pollution exposures yet they are rarely quantified in epidemiology studies. This paper characterizes fine particulate matter (PM(2.5)) aboard school buses as part of a larger study examining the respiratory health impacts of emission-reducing retrofits.To assess onboard concentrations, continuous PM(2.5) data were collected during 85 trips aboard 43 school buses during normal driving routines, and aboard hybrid lead vehicles traveling in front of the monitored buses during 46 trips. Ordinary and partial least square regression models for PM(2.5) onboard buses were created with and without control for roadway concentrations, which were also modeled. Predictors examined included ambient PM(2.5) levels, ambient weather, and bus and route characteristics.Concentrations aboard school buses (21 mug/m(3)) were four and two-times higher than ambient and roadway levels, respectively. Differences in PM(2.5) levels between the buses and lead vehicles indicated an average of 7 mug/m(3) originating from the bus's own emission sources. While roadway concentrations were dominated by ambient PM(2.5), bus concentrations were influenced by bus age, diesel oxidative catalysts, and roadway concentrations. Cross validation confirmed the roadway models but the bus models were less robust.These results confirm that children are exposed to air pollution from the bus and other roadway traffic while riding school buses. In-cabin air pollution is higher than roadway concentrations and is likely influenced by bus characteristics.     

Mathematical Modelling of Muscle Effect on the Kinematics of the Head-Neck Complex in a Frontal Car Collision: A Parameter Study

A 2-dimensional multibody model of the head-neck complex with muscle elements was developed to estimate the influence of muscles on the kinematics of the head-neck complex in a frontal car collision. With this model the authors evaluated how strongly the calculated influence of muscles depends on 3 important factors: (a) impact severity, (b) reflex time, and (c) parameters that determine characteristics of different components of the muscle model. When muscles were triggered at the beginning of impact, the maximum angle of the head flexion was decreased by the muscles by 40% in a frontal collision with an acceleration of 15g. The influence of muscles was significant for reflex times lower than 60 (80) ms. The calculated influence of muscles was not sensitive to most parameters of the muscle model.     

Runoff Curve Numbers at the Agricultural Field‐Scale and Implications for Continuous Simulation Modeling

This study used monitoring in the waterways of agricultural fields to understand the use of the runoff curve number (CN) in continuous simulation models. The CN has a long history as a design tool for estimating runoff volumes for large, single storms on small watersheds, but its use in continuous simulation models to describe runoff from smaller storms and relatively small areas is more recent and controversial. We examined 788 nonwinter rainfall events on four agricultural fields over five years (2004‐2008) during which runoff was generated in 87 events. The largest 20 runoff events on each field generated approximately 90% of the total runoff volume. The runoff event CNs showed an inverse correlation with storm depth that could not consistently be explained by previous precipitation. We review how small areas of higher runoff generation within larger areas will systematically increase the apparent CN of the larger area as the storm size decreases. If this variation is not incorporated into a model explicitly, continuous simulation modelers must understand that when source areas are aggregated or when runoff generation is spatially variable, the overall CN is not unique when smaller storms are included in the calibration set.     

Social Planning for Mall Redevelopment: An Australian case-study

This paper provides a case study of recent work undertaken in Melbourne relating to a mall re-development project. It begins by discussing the nature of shopping centres as sites of consumption and non-commercial social activities. It then describes planning and development strategies that provide innovative and socially progressive interventions in regard to the social, physical and regulatory environments of public malls. The importance of seeing such sites as 'community spaces', of promoting activities on the basis of social inclusion, of creating a safe, convivial atmosphere, and of establishing low-key friendly sorts of mall management, are highlighted.     

The circular economy and the Green Jobs creation

Environmental Science and Pollution Research - The circular economy (CE) is a proposal for a new, more sustainable, and durable economy model. As a consequence, this pro-environmental economic...