Emergy Evaluation of a Village Ecosystem in Wolong Nature Reserve in China |
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Authors: | Chen Yong Kontoleon Andreas Chen Guojie |
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Institution: | 1. Institute of Environment and Regional Development, Sichuan University , 610064 , Chengdu , Sichuan , China Yongchenscu@163.com;3. Department of Land Economy , University of Cambridge , CB3 9EP , Cambridge , UK;4. Institute of Mountain Hazards and Environment, Chinese Academy of Sciences , 610041 , Chengdu , Sichuan , China |
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Abstract: | Abstract Due to historic reasons, there are several human settlements in nature reserves and national parks, which may constitute a threat to biodiversity. Establishment of nature reserves may however generate constraints for development of local communities residing in these reserves. The village ecosystem of Zhuanjinglou Village in Wolong Nature Reserve includes population, farming and livestock (domestic and alpine) and forest ecosystem. An emergy analysis of agro-ecosystem (including the farming and livestock ecosystem) and energy consumption in Zhuanjinglou Village indicates that livestock ecosystem plays an important role in village ecosystem, which may be the source of great pressure on the state of the local environment. The increasing ratio of electricity in energy consumption may play a positive role for environmental conservation. Despite some successful experiences, there are some remaining issues that need to be addressed in the ecological rehabilitation of the village ecosystem. |
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Keywords: | nature reserve village ecosystem emergy analysis human settlement |
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