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Abstract Understanding the spatial distributions of multiple ecosystem services (ESs), their associations, and their underlying socio-ecological contributing factors is critical for ES management. Using the city belt along the Yellow River in Ningxia, northwestern China, as a case study, this study quantified the spatial distribution of six ESs (food production, carbon sequestration, carbon storage, nutrient retention, sand fixation and recreational opportunity), analyzed the synergy and trade-off relations among them through correlation analysis, classified ES bundles through a self-organizing map method (SOM), explored the impacts of socio-ecological factors on the ESs through Ordinary Least Square regression (OLS) and Geo-detector analysis, delineated socio-ecological clusters using the SOM, and characterized the relationship between ES bundles and driver clusters through overlap analysis. The results suggest that spatial associations among ESs can be predicted by their driving mechanisms. Synergy relations existed among crop production, carbon sequestration, carbon storage and nutrient retention, and these were impacted by similar driving mechanisms. Synergy also existed between sand fixation and recreational opportunity, but significant differences existed in their driving mechanisms. Trade-off relations were shown between ESs in these two groups at the whole region scale. Three bundles were detected among the six ESs: bundle 1, characterized by recreational opportunity of high supply and other services of limited supply, was located in the transitional region between the central plain and the fringe mountains, and mainly driven by climate and proximity factors; bundle 2, characterized by high sand fixation, medium carbon storage and limited other services, was located in the northwestern and southern mountains and driven by climate and geography factors; bundle 3, characterized by high food production, carbon sequestration, carbon storage and nutrient retention of medium supply and other two services of limited supply, was located in the central plain and driven by vegetation coverage and proximity factors. Human activities can partly overcome the limitations of ecological conditions, thus specific strategies for different regions are proposed to maintain and improve ESs under global climate change.

Abstract Taking the cases of Peru and Ghana, this paper examines overlaps between the extraction of minerals, oil and gas on the one hand, and river basins, agricultural land use, and protected areas on the other hand. In particular the paper considers how far such overlaps can be revealed and analyzed on the basis of (relatively) accessible and affordable data, without having to use more expensive data generated by remote sensing or fieldwork. We use concessions as our indicator of the presence of extractive industry activity, focusing on both mineral and hydrocarbon concessions, and areas of exploration and of active resource exploitation. High portions of agricultural land use in both countries are located within areas that are subject to mineral or hydrocarbon concessions (38% in Peru, 39% in Ghana), predominantly within areas in which exploration activities are permitted or occurring (36% in Peru, 35% in Ghana). While overlaps between concessions and areas protected for conservation were much smaller (10% for Peru, 2% for Ghana), concessions overlapped with a larger portion of titled indigenous communities in Peru (35%). These findings help visualize the geographies of uncertainty and risk that the expansion of extractive industry creates for populations dependent on agriculture, land, water and other resources in areas affected by concessions. The visualizations – and the evidence of quite different degrees of overlap, depending on the type of resource in question – suggest the relative strength of different modes of land and resource governance in the face of extractive industry. Notwithstanding their well-documented fragilities, institutions for habitat conservation seem to have been better able to resist pressures on them from the extractive sector than do those for regulating water resources, agricultural land and indigenous communities which appear far less able to moderate the expansion of resource extraction.

Scholars and experts in air transport generally assume the distance flown between airports is the shortest route (also known as the great-circle distance or the orthodromic route). Howev-er, in the real world, planes follow longer itineraries. This paper reviews the factors of de-tours, based on interviews with pilots and experts in air navigation. Factors relate to (1) technical constraints, (2) natural processes (including meteorological conditions) and obsta-cles, (3) geopolitical factors and (4) social factors, which are all explored in this paper. Their temporary vs. permanent and spatial impact (small vs. long detours) varies signifi-cantly among factors and among cases, as well as their avoidable nature. Appropriate poli-cies could lower detours. In addition, these results echo academic debates on the meaning of distance. info:eu-repo/semantics/published

The HIV/AIDS epidemic remains a major public health issue across the globe, and it is of particular concern in sub-Saharan Africa. Utilization of sexual and reproductive health (SRH) services can significantly impact HIV prevention, transmission, and treatment. SRH service utilization may be determined by individual characteristics, such as education and economic status, but also by the location and accessibility of health care facilities. Using population-based survey data, this study applies exploratory spatial analysis techniques to examine spatial patterns of SRH service utilization among rural married women in southern Mozambique. Clustering among those using services is found as are spatial associations, indicating significant spatial variability in the utilization of health services. The findings provide valuable insights for current and future health care program planning and configuration.

The most binding nature protection policy in the Netherlands and EU primarily designates areas based on ecological value, ensuring their sustained protection. Of less concern to these policies are the current and future needs of the average citizen, experiencing increases in education, income and health. This paper argues that although existing policies protect biodiversity needs, the spatial-emotional needs of this increasingly ‘satisfied’ population is of similarly high importance. Drawing upon tourism, planning and psychological research, we analyze the spatial and emotional characteristics of favorite natural places in the Netherlands selected on the Hotspotsmonitor survey by N = 1,715 members of a Dutch nature conservation organization. Content analysis of the open question, “Why is this your favorite place?” identified three categories: peace & quiet, let’s explore and peak. These were mapped using GIS to identify predominant hotspots and compared against the most binding nature protection policy – Natura 2000. The important societal benefits of augmenting ecologically based nature protection policies with emotional valuation are discussed.