The global adoption of sustainable development practices is gaining momentum, with an increasing emphasis on balancing the social, economic, and environmental pillars of sustainability. This study aims to assess the current state of these pillars within the uMlalazi Local Municipality, South Africa, and evaluate the initiatives in place to address related challenges. The purpose is to gain a deeper understanding of how effectively these three pillars are being addressed in the context of local governance. Using qualitative research methods, the study gathered data from a sample of five key informants, including three local government officials, one councillor, and one chief information officer from the local police. Data was collected through open-ended interview questions, with responses recorded, transcribed, and analysed for thematic content. The findings reveal significant gaps in the municipality’s approach to sustainability, including the absence of formalized trading areas, limited community input in planning and decision-making, high crime rates, and persistent unemployment. These issues were found to be interlinked with other challenges, such as inefficiencies in solid waste management. Additionally, the study confirms that the three pillars of sustainability are not treated equally, with economic and social aspects often receiving less attention compared to environmental concerns. This highlights the need for the municipality to focus on formalizing trading areas, encouraging local economic growth, and enhancing public participation in governance. By implementing incentives for greater community involvement and addressing the imbalances between the sustainability pillars, uMlalazi can make significant progress toward achieving more sustainable development.
A Detailed geophysical investigation was conducted on Knossos territory of Crete Island. Main scope was the detection of underground archaeological settlements. Geophysical prospecting applied by an experienced geophysical team. According to area dimensions in relation to geological and structural conditions, the team designed specific geophysical techniques, by adopted non-catastrophic methods. Three different types of geophysical techniques performed gradually. Geophysical investigation consisted of the application of geoelectric mapping and geomagnetic prospecting. Electric mapping focusses on recording soil resistance distribution. Geomagnetic survey was performed by using two different types of magnetometers. Firstly, recorded distribution of geomagnetic intensity and secondly alteration of vertical gradient. Measured stations laid along the south-north axis with intervals equal to one meter. Both magnetometers were adjusted on a quiet magnetic station. Values were stored in files readable by geophysical interpretation software in XYZ format. Oasis Montaj was adopted for interpretation of measured physical properties distribution. Interpretation results were illustrated as color scale maps. Further processing applied on magnetic measurements. Results are confirmed by overlaying results from three different techniques. Geoelectric mapping contributed to detection of a few archaeological targets. Most of them were recorded by geomagnetic technique. Total intensity aimed to report the existence of magnetized bodies. Vertical gradient detected subsurface targets with clearly geometrical characteristics.
Objective: To study the growth, accumulation and soil nutrient content of each overseeded species under different interharvesting intensity treatments of Eucalyptus, and to explore the best re-cultivation method suitable for mixed overseeded species after Eucalyptus interharvesting. Methods: In Guangxi state-owned Qipo forest, Eucalyptus tailorii with different planting densities (DH32-29) were mixed with Castanopsis hystrix, Mytilaria laosensis and Michelia macclurei, and four different treatments (CK, LT, MT and HT) were established for re-cultivation of Eucalyptus near-mature forests with different logging intensities, and the differences in growth conditions and soil physicochemical properties of each species were analyzed. Results: (1) As the proportion of Eucalyptus allocation decreased, the growth of Eucalyptus diameter at breast height, tree height and individual wood volume could be promoted; the growth of the three parameters of HT and MT Eucalyptus were significantly different from LT and CK. (2) The average wood volume per plant of the set species in the CK and LT treatments was Mytilaria laosensis > Michelia macclurei > Castanopsis hystrix, while in the MT and HT treatments it was Mytilaria laosensis > Castanopsis hystrix > Michelia macclurei. (3) The differences in soil aeration, total saturated water holding capacity, capillary water holding capacity, and field water holding capacity in soil layers of different depth varied. In the same soil layer, soil aeration, total porosity and capillary porosity were HT > CK > LT > MT; saturated water holding capacity and capillary water holding capacity were HT > CK > LT > MT, while field water holding capacity was CK > HT > LT > MT. (4) Organic matter, pH, total nitrogen, total phosphorus, total potassium, fast-acting nitrogen, fast-acting phosphorus, and fast-acting potassium changed with varying soil depth in each treatment.
The debate on relocating Indonesia’s national capital from Jakarta stems from critical issues such as overpopulation, social inequality, environmental degradation, and natural disaster risks. These challenges highlight the need to reassess Jakarta’s viability as the nation’s administrative center. This study evaluates Indonesia’s readiness to address the complexities of relocation by analyzing Jakarta’s socio-economic, political, cultural, and geographical conditions. Using a systematic literature review (SLR) with a qualitative approach, the research explores key questions: Do Jakarta’s conditions necessitate relocation? What challenges might arise from the move? How prepared is Indonesia to tackle these challenges? The SLR process includes defining questions, sourcing literature from reputable databases, applying inclusion/exclusion criteria, and synthesizing data for analysis. Findings reveal Jakarta’s multifaceted challenges, including social disparities, environmental degradation, disaster risks, and governance issues, which emphasize the urgency of considering relocation. However, the study also identifies significant hurdles, such as high costs, logistical complexities, potential social conflicts, and environmental risks at the new capital site. Relocating the capital is a strategic and complex undertaking that requires meticulous planning. Indonesia must weigh Jakarta’s current issues, address potential relocation challenges, and ensure readiness for risk mitigation and sustainable development. Comprehensive and thoughtful planning is essential to achieve a successful and balanced transition.
All ophiolite associations mark epochs of active tectonic movements, which lead to significant petrological processes and modification of the relief of the Earth’s crust. Here we present a geological-petrographical characterization of one ophiolitic associations composed of: a) serpentinites; b) amphibolites-metamorphosed volcanic rocks and tuffs; c) metagabbros and metagabbrodiabases, placed among the Proterozoic metamorphic complex in the Rhodope Massif of Bulgaria on the Balkan Peninsula, South-Eastern Europе. The goal is to clarify the paleogeographical and geological setting during its creation. The methods of lithostratigraphic profiling and correlations on the database of geological field mapping were used, supplemented by microscopic, geochemical and isotopic studies of numerous rock samples. The summarized results confirm a certain stratigraphic level of the Ophiolite Association among the metamorphic complex and a complicated and protracted heterogenetic development, which is typical for the ophiolite associations created in eras of closing oceans, opposite movement of tectonic plates, subduction-obduction environment with appearance of autochthonous Neoproterozoic magmatism. Obducted fragments of serpentinites mark an old erosional continental surface, subsequently covered by transgressively deposited pelitic-carbonate sediments. The general conclusion of our study confirms the concept that the metamorphic complex of the Rhodope Massif represents a unified stratigraphic system consisting of two petrographic groups of different ages, with which we oppose the idea of a trust construction, launched by a group of geologists.
Sustainable ocean tourism is required to establish a balance between the environmental, economic, social and cultural aspects of ocean tourism development. Sustainable ocean tourism also contributes to local and national economies, enhancing the quality of social life and protecting the ecology. Sustainable ocean tourism expands the positive contribution of tourism to biodiversity conservation and poverty reduction and aims to attain the common goals of sustainable developments for ocean tourism. Sustainable ocean tourism is possible due to the roles of regulators and private and government institutions. Government policies, regulations and guidelines play vital roles towards achieving the sustainability of ocean tourism. However, the role of institutions also cannot be ignored, which provide support in the innovation of technologies and the implementation of policies. The paper targets to investigate the roles of regulations, policies and institutions in the sustainability of ocean tourism. A primary online survey on the perception of tourism experts was conducted for this study using Google Forms. The tourism experts were invited from all over the world to participate in the survey. The study received a total of 33 responses, out of which only 30 valid responses were considered. Using the Tobit regression model, the study found that, while regulations in India relative to foreign countries significantly boost the sustainability of ocean tourism, government policies and public institutions in India relative to foreign countries remain insignificant in predicting the sustainability of ocean tourism. Therefore, government policies and public institutions in India need to be revised and reformulated to make them important drivers of the sustainability of ocean tourism.
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