Determinants of crop-livestock integration in Brazil: Evidence from the household and regional levels

Integrated crop-livestock systems (iCL) are advocated as a promising strategy to increase agricultural production and rehabilitate degraded pastures while mitigating GHG emissions. Although iCL in Brazil has increased over the past few years, it still occupies a small share of the country’s total agricultural area. We investigate the determinants of iCL occurrence in Mato Grosso state, a globally important producer of beef cattle and grains that has experienced rapid land cover change and environmental degradation in recent decades. Our analysis encompasses two typical cases of iCL in Mato Grosso (the rotation of soy followed by pasture, and soy followed by maize and pasture) as well as biophysical, socioeconomic, and institutional factors observable at the household and/or municipality levels that may influence the wide-scale occurrence of iCL. Evidence at both scales suggests that knowledge and supply chain infrastructure play an important role in early occurrence of iCL, as they are more common in regions closer to iCL research stations and processing facilities of grains and cattle. On average iCL adopters are more educated and have better access to technical assistance and sector information than specialized farmers or ranchers. Most iCLs are concentrated near established soy areas and greater similarity exists between municipalities with iCL and soy-dominant municipalities vs. pasture-dominant municipalities. Our findings reveal the importance of specific conditions for iCL occurrence and iCL promotion in livestock-dominant regions. Incentives targeted at ranchers are crucial for the achievement of the Brazilian Government’s goal to restore degraded pastures through agricultural intensification.     

The connection between fisheries resources and spatial land use change: The case of two New England fish ports

This study examined interactions between targeted fish populations, aspects of the fishing industry and land use changes along two ports in New England. By tracking changes in land uses over a two-decade period using parcel level data and geographic information system (GIS) tools, we examined the relationship of changes in species biomass, landings and other fishing industry variables to community spatial change. Using logistic regression models we assessed the impacts on essential infrastructure for continued fishing industry activity. Our findings have implications for land use policy that should accompany efforts being made to rehabilitate fish stocks; it should ensure that current marine infrastructure will remain in place to support the fishing industry if and when species rebound. Our models show that in New Bedford Harbor, the larger of the two ports, increasing scallop biomass (considered a long-term factor) is associated with the increase of marine-related land uses. In Provincetown Harbor, short-term factors, such as value and volume of fish landings as well as stock sizes, influence land use change. These findings suggest that the smaller port (Provincetown) is more vulnerable to market conditions and therefore in need of greater land use controls to prevent the conversion of marine-related uses. We propose some directions for further research and present the methodology used as one that can be applied to research questions of a similar nature.     

Integrated assessment of cropping patterns under different policy scenarios in Quzhou County,North China Plain

Agricultural land use is affected by government policies and leads to different consequences of regional sustainability. In this work, changes in cropping patterns including acreage, cropping locations and management-related environmental impacts were simulated under various policy scenarios for Quzhou County, China. This county is in China's major agricultural region, the North China Plain. Four dominant crop systems were categorized (winter wheat/summer maize, winter wheat/summer maize/spring maize, cotton, and vegetables) and analyzed, following two alternative policy scenarios that either prioritized government funding to subsidize crop production (“subsidy” scenario) or promoted advanced irrigation techniques (“technique” scenario). Input–output coefficients for all four crop systems were determined, mainly irrigation demand, yield, and price of produce, but other factors like a limited area of arable land and scarce regional water resources were also considered. For the simulation, a LINDO Inc. system was linked with the CLUE (Conversion of Land Use and its Effects) model. Temporal changes of crop systems were simulated with the LINDO system, whereas spatial dynamics of cropping patterns were simulated with the CLUE model, based on land suitability maps. The results show that crop patterns changed variably with time under the two scenarios, and water availability was the primary constraint on sustainability of land use. Under the subsidy scenario, winter wheat/summer maize/spring maize became dominant across the entire county, replacing other crop systems. In contrast, the vegetable system gradually occupied farmland surrounding the township under the technique scenario. The different policies produced opposite consequences for regional sustainability. Although a “subsidy” policy contributed to farmers’ income, it did not encourage water conservation for sustainable crop production, leading to land abandonment because of water shortage. In contrast, the “technique” policy partially cut direct financial benefits to farmers, but promoted water conservation and made a substantial contribution to agricultural sustainability.     

How to achieve best-practice integrated land-use and safety assurance policy for hazardous on-farm water storage

Communities downstream of hazardous on-farm water storages are at threat because of the severe consequences of potential dam failure. This threat exists due to inadequate development and integration of land-use planning and safety assurance policies in relation to private dams. Adequate policy integration is key to saving lives, public and private property and the environment downstream from dam failure. Whilst numerous studies have explored land-use policy and its relationship to safety, there has been limited attention to the safety risk posed by dams above increased housing development. Thus, this paper aims to explore the interrelated land-use policy and engineering issues associated with planning for and assuring safety of hazardous farm dams involving land developments and how best to integrate the policies. The extent of this problem is demonstrated in the Australian context but also has international relevance. Key guidance on the design of best-practice integrated land-use planning and safety assurance policy is provided based on (1) a comparative review of policy and practice in a wide range of different jurisdictions in Australia against indicative evidence of policy performance to determine best-practice policy elements for integration, and (2) development of a cost-effective flood safety review/design tool to help policymakers and planners with the integration process as well as minimising cost burdens to dam owners. This guidance follows on from previous research reported in this journal to help jurisdictions world-wide address the threats associated with farm dams and land developments within catchments.     

Principles for integrated environmental management of military training areas

Military Training Areas (MTAs) cover an estimated 200–250 million hectares globally, occur in all major ecosystems, and are potentially significant conservation assets. In some jurisdictions, MTAs may be the largest terrestrial land use category that is owned and operated by a sovereign government. Despite this, MTAs are not recognised as either a conservation or environment protection resource. Further, no MTAs are managed for their environmental values, defined as aspects of the environment that are valued by society, nor is there any specific MTA management guidance that details how both the military training and environmental values of a MTA can be maintained.We conducted a desktop review of Australian and German MTA management documentation to determine whether they contained management principles that recognised both military training and environmental values. Management documentation from these two countries was chosen as they are considered to be among countries at the forefront of MTA management globally. Our review determined that both the Australian and German management regimes do not have specific management principles for these values. This is likely to be the case for the majority of MTAs globally.For the first time, we develop MTA management principles that integrate the management of both military training objectives and environmental values. Key to achieving this integration is an understanding of the intersection of the impacts of military training on the environment, and the known, or potential, environmental values of a particular training area.To assist with the implementation of the management principles, we developed a new conceptual framework for the management of MTAs. The framework contains two adaptive management loops. The first focuses on the management of environmental values of MTAs, the second targets the military training values of MTAs. These two management loops facilitate for the development of management practices that optimise MTA management for both military training and biodiversity conservation.     

人才整体开发创新推动企业经济发展

中国加入WTO以后，中国建筑业正面临激烈的人才竞争。本以上海隧道工程股份有限公司的人才整体开发思路为背景，通过实证分析，探讨了人才整体开发持续创新以及人才资源合理开发，深入分析了企业人才整体开发创新对企业经济发展的推动作用。     

基于多目标优化的水上休闲资源整合决策模型与应用研究——以长三角为例

长三角区域的同城化趋势和都市休闲化发展加快了水上休闲资源的整合进程,而整合过程中各相关利益主体之间的矛盾与冲突也由来已久。本文运用多目标优化的视角,通过对问题的实地调研和剖析设定三大目标函数与两大约束条件,构建水上休闲资源整合决策模型,并提出非劣性解的求解思路与相关对策,旨在为问题的解决构建一套定性的分析框架和定量的测度手段,切实推进长三角休闲(旅游)的一体化进程。     

Marketing of competence-based solutions to buyers in exploratory relationships: Perspective of OEM suppliers

In face of mounting challenges from delocalized production, commoditized products, and escalated demand from professional buyers, providing solutions rather than selling products has been put forward in the normative literature as a promising business model for creating high-value differentiated offerings. Nonetheless, empirical survey research into the processes whereby traditional suppliers of “basic products, spare parts and services” migrate towards marketing of “integrated solutions” is still sparse. Grounded in a competence-based marketing view, the current research addressed the research problem of how OEM suppliers upgrade their value offerings via competence-based solutions. The research model was tested by a sample of 403 contract/OEM manufacturers located in China. This resultant findings revealed the processes undertaken by OEM suppliers during the development of competence-based solutions, found out the internal coordination and innovation capabilities required to support competence-based solutions, and uncovered the external communication/disclosure of competence needed to strengthen the link between competence-based solutions and upgraded relationship value.     

进口增长对我国经济安全的影响分析

针对入世后我国进口贸易的快速增长(特别是能源进口的迅速增长)是否威胁到国家经济安全这一问题,本文从定量的角度建立了一套指标体系,并结合我国进口贸易增长现状的最新数据,评价了我国的进口安全状况,结果表明:尽管1999年后我国进口贸易迅速增长,但除了部分重要商品和产业领域应引起关注外,进口基本没有影响国家的经济安全。     

风险管理集成方法在跨国经营财务风险识别与控制中的应用

跨国公司财务风险识别和控制的难度,决定了原来的风险识别和控制方法不够全面,需要一种有效的风险识别和控制方法——集成方法。该方法将跨国经营财务风险的识别与控制扩大到财务整体,并充分考虑风险量变到质变的过程。从风险的源头进行风险识别,有利于提高跨国经营中财务风险控制的效果。