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A special issue of Sustainability (ISSN 2071-1050). This special issue belongs to the section "Environmental Sustainability and Applications".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (15 September 2023) | Viewed by 13183

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Special Issue Editors

Dr. Wei Shui

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Guest Editor

College of Environment and Safety Engineering, Fuzhou University, Fuzhou 350116, China
Interests: human geography and urban-rural planning; eco-geography; land use/cover change and eco-environmental effects; application of remote sensing and geographic information technology
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Prof. Dr. Qiang Zou

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Guest Editor

Key Laboratory of Mountain Hazards and Earth Surface Process/Institute of Mountain Hazards and Environment (IMHE), Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), Chengdu 610041, China
Interests: disaster-causing mechanism of mountain disasters such as debris flow; risk dynamic; research on disaster information system
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Dr. Xianhui Feng

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Guest Editor

School of Architecture, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou 501641, China
Interests: landscape architecture; urban climate change
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Dr. Feng Yue

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Guest Editor

School of Urban Planning and Design, Peking University, Beijing 100091, China
Interests: landscape ecology; green infrastructure; landscape architecture planning and design
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

In the context of global climate change, anti-globalization and the new coronavirus pandemic, rapid environmental changes pose urgent challenges to sustainable development, causing increased difficulty in achieving goals such as justice, poverty eradication and environmental protection. Environmental, resource-use and sustainable development issues are becoming major challenges to the future of our Earth; how to effectively safeguard sustainable development is the mission of our time. Therefore, we believe that the timing is ripe to explore the intrinsic issues, assumptions, and themes in this field with new theoretical perspectives, interdisciplinary methods and multi-source data.

In response to the Future Earth Initiative and the 17 UN Sustainable Development Goals, we invite you to share your innovative research in the field of ecological environment and society, to this Special Issue, entitled "Our future earth and sustainable ecological environment and society", of the journal Sustainability by MDPI. The main purpose of our Special Issue is to discuss trends, driving mechanisms and interactions between environmental and social systems, and the major issues of food, water, energy and health for sustainable human development, with a focus on the interrelationship between humans and the Earth's environment as advocated by the Future Earth Initiative, incorporating human ecology. With a methodological emphasis on the intersection of the natural and social sciences, new theoretical perspectives are encouraged, and field surveys, in-depth interviews, participatory methods, experiments, remote sensing and GIS, geostatistical techniques, intelligent computing, prediction and simulation are widely used. We hope that the research findings and policy implications will help us to highlight the latest advances in the field of sustainable ecology environment and society and outline possible issues that need to be further explored to better provide a solid scientific basis and technological support for global and regional sustainable development.

Dr. Wei Shui
Prof. Dr. Qiang Zou
Dr. Xianhui Feng
Dr. Feng Yue
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

social ecology
human environment
ecosystem services
biodiversity
ecological products
food–energy–water
livelihoods
immigrants
risk management
resilient society
climate change
monitoring and assessment
simulation

Published Papers (6 papers)

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Research

23 pages, 19826 KiB

Open AccessArticle

The Protection of Urban Spatial Structures in Historic Cities: A Multi-Actor Perspective of the Cultural Space Construction in Fuzhou, China

by Longying Huang, Shuhu Liu and Zhen Kang

Sustainability 2024, 16(1), 385; https://doi.org/10.3390/su16010385 - 31 Dec 2023

Viewed by 827

Abstract

Currently, the role of culture in urban competitiveness is becoming increasingly important. How historic cities identify and protect the spatial structures formed since ancient times, which are the carriers of urban culture, has become an important issue. Fuzhou was awarded the first Global Sustainable Development City in 2023, indicating that it has a set of sustainable models that can be promoted in various aspects, including cultural sustainable development models. As a traditional way to show the spirit of cities, cultural spaces in Fuzhou have existed for 2200 years, which helps us to conduct systematic research. This study explores the role of multiple actors in the preservation and development of urban cultural spaces, using Fuzhou, China, as a case study. Employing historical atlas translation to extract lists and locations of cultural spaces, and GIS technology to display spatial patterns, our research reveals distinctive spatial distribution characteristics of various cultural spaces and the urban structure shaped by diverse stakeholders’ needs. Our findings illustrate the background and distribution pattern of cultural space construction by multi-actors in different periods, offering references for maintaining contemporary urban spatial structure and insights into the sustainable preservation of urban cultural heritage. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Our Future Earth and Sustainable Ecological Environment and Society)

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19 pages, 337 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Ecological Footprint Reduction Behaviors of Individuals in Turkey in the Context of Ecological Sustainability

by Mehmet Ünal and Fatma Ünal

Sustainability 2023, 15(1), 63; https://doi.org/10.3390/su15010063 - 21 Dec 2022

Cited by 4 | Viewed by 2127

Abstract

While people consume natural resources by interacting with the environment, they also cause some environmental changes. Environmental pollution and construction are among the most important reasons for these changes. In addition, the rate of renewal of natural resources remains slow while consumption is increasing. Thus, biocapacity is slow to renew itself compared to consumption, leading to the emergence of an ecological deficit. The largest share in the ecological deficit belongs to personal consumption. Based on this, the attitudes and behavior of individuals in Turkey to reduce their ecological footprint were examined in the context of ecological sustainability. The survey model was adopted in the study. The data collected from 773 people via the scale and various forms were analyzed. The results of the analysis show that the ecological footprint size in Turkey is above the world average in personal consumption. It has been determined that the participants have significant behavioral deficiencies in the behaviors towards reducing the ecological footprint, such as recycling, reusing the product by repairing, composting, not wasting water, food and clothing, and they tend to use packaged products excessively. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Our Future Earth and Sustainable Ecological Environment and Society)

19 pages, 2898 KiB

Open AccessArticle

The Eco-Efficiency of Russian Regions in North Asia: Their Green Direction of Regional Development

by Natalia Borisovna Lubsanova, Lyudmila Bato-Zhargalovna Maksanova, Zinaida Sergeevna Eremko, Taisiya Borisovna Bardakhanova and Anna Semenovna Mikheeva

Sustainability 2022, 14(19), 12776; https://doi.org/10.3390/su141912776 - 7 Oct 2022

Cited by 5 | Viewed by 1612

Abstract

The green economy is one of the important and practical tools of sustainable development, which balances the two directions of regional development: economic growth and preservation of the natural environment. In this paper, we have developed a methodology for investigating the development and implementation of regional green economy policies, using the Russian regions in North Asia as an example. Three main tasks have been accomplished for this purpose: (1) assessment of how sustainable the socio-economic development of the Russian regions in North Asia is; (2) comparative analysis of the sustainability of regional policies (to what extent the federal targets and priorities for the green agenda implementation are reflected in the regional strategic documents); and (3) determination of the green direction for regional development by comparing the results of previous assessments. To assess the sustainability of regional development, we have used a methodology for DEA of eco-efficiency of socio-economic development in the Russian North Asian regions, using a non-oriented slacks-based measure (SBM) model. To assess the sustainability of regional policies, we used a content analysis of regional socio-economic development strategies. We have identified considerable variations among the Russian North Asian regions in the extent to which their socio-economic development is consistent with the principles of a green economy (both in the priorities, tools of regional policies, and the level of eco-efficiency). The content analysis of the regional strategic documents of the Russian North Asian regions, as well as the assessment of the eco-efficiency of their socio-economic development, show that regions with low actual eco-efficiency are planning in their strategies greater efforts for green development than more eco-efficient regions. The approaches we propose can support decision making in the field of eco-economic development as a tool to measure the degree of compliance of regional development with the principles of a green economy. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Our Future Earth and Sustainable Ecological Environment and Society)

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15 pages, 12616 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Urban Green Space Pattern in Core Cities of the Greater Bay Area Based on Morphological Spatial Pattern Analysis

by Zixuan Lian and Xianhui Feng

Sustainability 2022, 14(19), 12365; https://doi.org/10.3390/su141912365 - 28 Sep 2022

Cited by 9 | Viewed by 2187

Abstract

Urban green spaces (UGSs) play a crucial role in supporting urban ecological systems and improving human well-being in cities. The spatial patterns of UGS are vital bases for analyzing various ecological processes. However, few studies have investigated morphological UGS patterns, especially in high-density cities. The Guangdong–Hong Kong–Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA) in China is one of the four major bay areas in the world. The aim of this study was to investigate the patterns and distributions of UGS in the core GBA cities (Guangzhou, Shenzhen, Zhuhai, Hong Kong, and Macao), and discuss the shortcomings and potential environmental impacts of the contemporary patterns of UGS. Morphological spatial pattern analysis (MSPA) was used to analyze the spatial UGS pattern. Seven MSPA metrics (core, islet, perforation, edge, loop, bridge, and branch) were assessed to measure morphological UGS patterns. The results showed that: (1) Hong Kong has the highest quality habitat, with a large and continuous distribution of UGSs, and a few smaller green spaces scattered in built-up areas; (2) Guangzhou’s UGSs are unevenly distributed, with large green spaces concentrated in the northern part of the city and many small, scattered green spaces distributed in built-up areas, demonstrating the most prominent pattern of green space fragmentation; (3) green space patches in the Shenzhen–Hong Kong region exhibit a relatively complex form; and (4) the UGS in Zhuhai–Macao is relatively discrete, and its connectivity is relatively low. These findings not only improve the depth of understanding of the spatial pattern of UGS in the GBA, but also confirm the applicability of MSPA in the analysis of spatial patterns of UGS. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Our Future Earth and Sustainable Ecological Environment and Society)

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25 pages, 3324 KiB

Open AccessArticle

The Influence of Seasonality on the Sustainability of Livelihoods of Households in Rural Tourism Destinations

by Zhen Su, Ruyi Wen, Yanyu Zeng, Kai Ye and Tanaporn Khotphat

Sustainability 2022, 14(17), 10572; https://doi.org/10.3390/su141710572 - 24 Aug 2022

Cited by 9 | Viewed by 2568

Abstract

Even though seasonality is an important concern in tourism research, only a few scholars have focused on the seasonality of rural tourism. Therefore, this study examines seasonality in rural tourism destinations. We adopt a mixed research approach to explore the sustainable livelihoods of households in rural tourism destinations from a seasonality perspective, using the case of rural tourism destinations in Yulong River basin, Guangxi, China. First, in-depth interviews and grounded theory are used to construct a sustainable livelihood model for households in rural tourism destinations under the influence of seasonality. Second, the model is tested using the data envelopment analysis model and statistical analysis. We find that (1) psychological capital, a previously neglected livelihood capital, is an important component of rural households’ livelihood capital in rural tourism destinations under the influence of seasonality; (2) rural tourism does not significantly improve rural livelihoods due to seasonal influences; and (3) participating in tourism work in the off-season and combining it with other work practices are the main livelihood strategies of rural households to cope with seasonality; however, over-dispersing resources reduces the livelihood efficiency. This study’s findings will prove useful for policy formation by governments to deal with seasonality in rural tourism. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Our Future Earth and Sustainable Ecological Environment and Society)

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17 pages, 2737 KiB

Open AccessArticle

What Does Sustainability Mean? Perceptions of Future Professionals across Disciplines

by Andrea Beatriz Damico, José María Aulicino and Jorgelina Di Pasquale

Sustainability 2022, 14(15), 9650; https://doi.org/10.3390/su14159650 - 5 Aug 2022

Cited by 7 | Viewed by 2635

Abstract

Given the negative externalities of the traditional productive system, sustainable development has become a productive alternative that attempts to improve the quality of life of present and future generations. The aim of this research was to understand the degree of perception and knowledge of sustainability of university students attending different courses, who represent future Argentinian professionals. A survey was conducted on a representative sample of those enrolled in the faculties of Agricultural, Economic, and Social Sciences of the National University of Lomas de Zamora, Buenos Aires. The results showed that, in terms of awareness, the environmental dimension of sustainability stands out above the others. Sustainability involves preserving natural resources, favoring biodiversity, reducing environmental risks, and finding a balance between the development of humanity and care for the environment. Only 10% of the respondents identified the three sustainability dimensions contemporaneously, and most of these individuals were not informed through university courses. No substantial differences were found in the knowledge of sustainability among students of different faculties. Universities, as trainers of professionals and leaders, should further develop the subject in their curricula, to improve knowledge of sustainability, so that graduates can better face future professional challenges. Similarly, students should strive to know about sustainability and its components to defend and improve it in all areas of work. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Our Future Earth and Sustainable Ecological Environment and Society)

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