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Biodiversity, Conservation and Sustainable Development: Research and Practices
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Biodiversity, Conservation and Sustainable Development: Research and Practices

A special issue of Sustainability (ISSN 2071-1050). This special issue belongs to the section "Sustainability, Biodiversity and Conservation".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 16 May 2024 | Viewed by 6898

Special Issue Editors

Dr. Olga Jovanović Glavaš

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Biology, Josip Juraj Strossmayer University of Osijek, 31000 Osijek, Croatia
Interests: herpetology; ecology; biodiversity; conservation; sustainability
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Dr. Davorka Hackenberger

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Biology, University of Osijek, Cara Hadrijana 8A, 31000 Osijek, Croatia
Interests: earthworm ecology and taxonomy; soil ecotoxicology; biochemical biomarkers; soil ecology; climate change
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Just a few decades ago, development was in strong opposition to biodiversity protection and conservation. However, in recent years, we have become aware of the benefits of preserving natural ecosystems and biodiversity with regard to human well-being and sustainable development. Today, we strive to integrate biodiversity conservation and economic growth using a holistic approach to sustainable development; although this concept is now widely accepted, many challenges remain.

To address these challenges, synergism between theory and practice is essential. The aim of this Special Issue is to provide a platform to promote the exchange and dissemination of knowledge on the current research and best practices in biodiversity protection and sustainable development.

In this Special Issue, original research articles and reviews are welcome. Research areas may include (but are not limited to) the following:

  • The sustainable conservation of biodiversity;
  • The evaluation and usage of ecosystem services;
  • Applied practices of sustainable development in different parts of the world;
  • Innovative technologies and approaches to conservation and sustainable development;
  • Community-based conservation and participatory approaches;
  • The roles of policy and governance in promoting sustainable development and conservation;
  • Assessing the impact of climate change on biodiversity and ecosystems;
  • Challenges and opportunities in balancing conservation and economic development.

We encourage submissions from researchers, practitioners, and stakeholders across various disciplines, including, but not limited to: ecology, biology, economics, sociology, anthropology, and policy. Our goal is to foster productive dialogue between academia, practitioners, and policy-makers, to advance our understanding of the challenges and opportunities in the field of biodiversity conservation and sustainable development.

We look forward to receiving your contributions to this important topic.

Dr. Olga Jovanović Glavaš
Dr. Davorka Hackenberger
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Sustainability is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2400 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • biodiversity
  • nature conservation
  • sustainable development
  • research
  • practice

Published Papers (6 papers)

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Research

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16 pages, 6024 KiB  
Article
A Biodiversity Monitoring Case Study in Viticulture: Manual and Digitalized Collaborative Methodology to Pursue the European Commission’s Sustainable Challenges
by Sofia Matilde Luglio, Ginevra Bucalossi, Riccardo Lisci, Christian Frasconi, Stefania Lombardo, Marco Vieri, Andrea Pagliai and Daniele Sarri
Sustainability 2024, 16(8), 3469; https://doi.org/10.3390/su16083469 - 21 Apr 2024
Viewed by 535
Abstract
The European Commission (EC) promotes policies addressing the needs of a growing human population while adhering to ecological principles that ensure ecosystem sustainability. Viticulture, one of the most widespread cultivations in the world, is, at the same time, one of the most environmentally [...] Read more.
The European Commission (EC) promotes policies addressing the needs of a growing human population while adhering to ecological principles that ensure ecosystem sustainability. Viticulture, one of the most widespread cultivations in the world, is, at the same time, one of the most environmentally impactful cultivations. Many studies have been conducted worldwide to identify more sustainable practices because vine monoculture, when repeated for long periods in the same territory, combined with low attention to the agronomic balance of vineyards, is causing biodiversity loss. The study aims to implement analytics for the accounting of biodiversity supported by digital tools like smart applications and digital platforms. Two farms were analyzed in a vacated area for red wine production in the center of Tuscany (Italy). A conventional biodiversity assessment protocol was used to evaluate the magnitude of biodiversity. Smartphone applications and a digital database creation platform supported this. The results highlighted an overall low level of biodiversity from a biodiversity perspective, while the use of smart applications and digital platforms represents an efficient tool for mitigating recognition errors in flora and fauna assessments and a powerful instrument for monitoring and tracking farm biodiversity. The study provides an overview of biodiversity status in a wine production area and a methodology to make its assessment easier and more reliable. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Biodiversity, Conservation and Sustainable Development: Research and Practices)
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26 pages, 2575 KiB  
Article
The Evolution of Open Space Planning within a Developing, Biodiverse City (Durban, South Africa)
by Cameron T. McLean, Debra C. Roberts and Rob Slotow
Sustainability 2024, 16(7), 3073; https://doi.org/10.3390/su16073073 - 7 Apr 2024
Viewed by 813
Abstract
Conserving and restoring biodiversity is central to the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals. The need to curb biodiversity loss through the mainstreaming of biodiversity considerations within land-use planning is consistently highlighted in global biodiversity assessments intended for policymakers and practitioners. We present [...] Read more.
Conserving and restoring biodiversity is central to the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals. The need to curb biodiversity loss through the mainstreaming of biodiversity considerations within land-use planning is consistently highlighted in global biodiversity assessments intended for policymakers and practitioners. We present a Global South local government-led examination of the mainstreaming of biodiversity issues within a biodiversity hotspot area. Here, we evaluated the four-decade-long evolution in open space planning in Durban, South Africa, in response to shifting urbanisation, governance and policy/legislative contexts. We assessed the role of science in responding to contextual changes, the need for champions, and key institutional interventions undertaken to embed a biodiversity function within local government. In addition, we investigated how biodiversity concerns have been incorporated into land-use planning applications via the city’s environmental planning function. We provide evidence of the advancement of mainstreaming biodiversity concerns within local government processes, institutional functions, and land-use decision-making. This has been achieved through effective and sustained leadership; the use of science and scientific information in advancing the policy and legislative environment and building political support by responding to shifting governance contexts; investment in institutional scientific capacity and generating scale-appropriate biodiversity information. Learnings from this paper may be useful for other local governments addressing biodiversity loss through land-use planning processes, by identifying critical investment areas that may shorten the time required for effective mainstreaming. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Biodiversity, Conservation and Sustainable Development: Research and Practices)
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26 pages, 603 KiB  
Article
Greening the Future: Harnessing ICT, Innovation, Eco-Taxes, and Clean Energy for Sustainable Ecology—Insights from Dynamic Seemingly Unrelated Regression, Continuously Updated Fully Modified, and Continuously Updated Bias-Corrected Models
by Yupu Wang, Md. Qamruzzaman and Sylvia Kor
Sustainability 2023, 15(23), 16417; https://doi.org/10.3390/su152316417 - 29 Nov 2023
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1342
Abstract
This research endeavors to investigate the impacts of information and communication technology, green technological innovation, and environmental tax on the attainment of ecological sustainability with advanced panel date estimation for 2001–2019. The results of this study demonstrate a noteworthy inverse relationship between information [...] Read more.
This research endeavors to investigate the impacts of information and communication technology, green technological innovation, and environmental tax on the attainment of ecological sustainability with advanced panel date estimation for 2001–2019. The results of this study demonstrate a noteworthy inverse relationship between information and communication technology and ecological footprint, suggesting that progress in ICT has the potential to yield positive consequences in terms of ecological restoration and the promotion of environmental sustainability. Furthermore, this study underscores the significance of GTI in mitigating carbon emissions and effectively addressing environmental challenges. The findings indicate that the incorporation of environmentally sustainable technology can yield favorable ecological consequences and make significant contributions towards the attainment of worldwide climate targets. Nevertheless, the study highlights the importance of considering potential rebound effects. It underscores the imperative for ongoing research and the implementation of comprehensive policies within the realm of environmentally sustainable technology. Moreover, the present study elucidates the favorable ramifications of GF on ecological sustainability, underscoring its pivotal contribution in curtailing carbon emissions, augmenting environmental benchmarks, and facilitating the ecological footprint. Enhancing the utilization of green finance, making adjustments to national regulatory frameworks, and achieving harmonization of public financial incentives to bolster sustainable development are important. Additionally, the study posits that the incorporation of ET can catalyze businesses and individuals to embrace environmentally friendly energy sources and sustainable practices, thereby fostering positive outcomes for the environment. The study offers significant insights into the contributions of information and communication technology, green technology innovation, and environmental technology to advancing ecological sustainability. It emphasizes the need for collaborative endeavors among academia, industry, and government to cultivate a supportive ecosystem for sustainable development. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Biodiversity, Conservation and Sustainable Development: Research and Practices)
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16 pages, 501 KiB  
Article
An Analysis of an Ecological–Economic Model of Asian Elephant Population Development under the Influence of Human Disturbance
by Wei Huang and Wenhui Chen
Sustainability 2023, 15(8), 6910; https://doi.org/10.3390/su15086910 - 19 Apr 2023
Viewed by 1116
Abstract
The population development of Asian elephants (Elephas maximus) has been greatly affected by the intensification of human activities. In this study, development of the Asian elephant population under the influence of human disturbance was analyzed logically, with expansion of the rubber [...] Read more.
The population development of Asian elephants (Elephas maximus) has been greatly affected by the intensification of human activities. In this study, development of the Asian elephant population under the influence of human disturbance was analyzed logically, with expansion of the rubber forest area as the main influencing factor. The ecological–economic model of Asian elephant population development was constructed using the logical analysis method, the population growth model and the integrated environmental–economic control model. The results are as follows: (1) Theoretically, the ecological–economic model could be applied to the analysis of wildlife conservation and regulation and management policies; (2) The data show that in 2016, the intrinsic growth rate of Asian elephants in Xishuangbanna was 0.0216 head/day, which has a strong proliferation capacity, meaning the population will continue to grow under natural conditions. However, at present, the population development of Asian elephants has been negatively affected by human interference, which has reduced the population growth rate of Asian elephants to 0.0193 head/day, and this impact has a tendency to intensify; (3) From 2004 to 2016, the investment rate of Asian elephants increased by 0.182, while the anti-interference protection rate of Asian elephants decreased by 0.227. The overall development trend of Asian elephants was from equilibrium point one (golden age) to equilibrium point two (dark age). Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Biodiversity, Conservation and Sustainable Development: Research and Practices)
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Review

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25 pages, 356 KiB  
Review
Rewilding as a Multifaceted Concept and Emerging Approach: The Romanian Experience
by Gabriel Gorghiu, Mihai Bîzoi, Laura Monica Gorghiu, Claudia Lavinia Buruleanu and Ana-Maria Suduc
Sustainability 2024, 16(4), 1645; https://doi.org/10.3390/su16041645 - 16 Feb 2024
Viewed by 854
Abstract
We conduct a review of the multifaceted rewilding concept and rewilding initiatives worldwide, focusing on specific features and outcomes of European rewilding issues and Romanian rewilding projects. In this review of the literature and case studies, we undertake the following: (a) identify the [...] Read more.
We conduct a review of the multifaceted rewilding concept and rewilding initiatives worldwide, focusing on specific features and outcomes of European rewilding issues and Romanian rewilding projects. In this review of the literature and case studies, we undertake the following: (a) identify the definitions and thorough meanings of the term rewilding worldwide, including its guiding principles aiming at rebuilding the natural ecosystems; (b) map the international and European treaties and policies referring to ecosystems’ restoration, biodiversity, environment, sustainability, and rewilding-related issues; (c) explore the benefits and criticisms associated with the rewilding activities, including from a social perspective; (d) structure an overview on the tools used for rewilding assessment; (e) identify the projects and initiatives developed and on-going in Romania on rewilding. Our findings reveal a great diversity of topics addressed within the rewilding umbrella and also a significant growth in this area, despite the numerous challenges faced by experts and locals (e.g., understanding the context of rewilding and identifying the most suitable modalities of operationalizing it) and questions (such as the following: is rewilding a real need? will it bring benefits to nature and people?) that remained to be answered. In Romania, a series of efforts are being undertaken both by the government and NGOs to restore self-sustaining ecosystems and to raise awareness of this topic among different stakeholders. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Biodiversity, Conservation and Sustainable Development: Research and Practices)

Other

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11 pages, 3660 KiB  
Opinion
Public Policies and Social Actions to Prevent the Loss of the Chiquitano Dry Forest
by Oswaldo Maillard, Carla Pinto-Herrera, Roberto Vides-Almonacid, Paola Pozo, Claudia Belaunde, Nicolas Mielich, Huascar Azurduy and Rosa Leny Cuellar
Sustainability 2024, 16(3), 969; https://doi.org/10.3390/su16030969 - 23 Jan 2024
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1525
Abstract
Despite more than two decades of efforts made to prevent the loss of the Chiquitano Dry Forest on the Bolivian side, deforestation and forest fragmentation driven by agricultural expansion, uncontrolled settlement and forest fires have continued putting its ecological integrity at high risk. [...] Read more.
Despite more than two decades of efforts made to prevent the loss of the Chiquitano Dry Forest on the Bolivian side, deforestation and forest fragmentation driven by agricultural expansion, uncontrolled settlement and forest fires have continued putting its ecological integrity at high risk. Currently, this unique forest is severely vulnerable and under considerable pressure, which should generate worldwide attention and concern, considering its importance in terms of biodiversity and climate. In this opinion piece, we address the approach of policies and social actions to reverse the situation using the experiences of locals. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Biodiversity, Conservation and Sustainable Development: Research and Practices)
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