Synthetic Turfgrass and the Nine Principles of Florida-Friendly Landscaping™

Synthetic turf is a manufactured product that utilizes synthetic fibers that mimic the aesthetic look of natural grass. While designed to imitate the look of natural turf, synthetic turf does not provide the ecosystem benefits of a natural turf system. This publication examines the properties of synthetic turf in relation to each of FFL’s nine principles. A new publication of the UF/IFAS Environmental Horticulture Department; 4 pages.https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/ep612

Trends in Local Ecosystem Governance

The physical and biological factors that together determine ecosystem structure and function will be subject to enormous pressures under future climate regimes. These pressures will impact ecosystem processes and services, ranging from impacts on biodiversity to loss of essential ecosystem benefits. Ecosystem management to maintain desired ecosystem conditions will become increasingly important. Existing governance structures are insufficient to provide the necessary guidance for these management efforts. The legal literature is increasingly focused on local ecosystem governance as a viable option to fill this governance gap. For example, increasing recognition of the value of ecosystem services to local communities has driven increased efforts to protect those services through local ecosystem initiatives. The local ecosystem governance scholarship is diffuse, making the literature difficult to access. Based on a review of the legal literature on local ecosystem governance over the last 20 years, this article marshals the theoretical arguments for and against local governance and identifies ongoing efforts to implement local ecosystem governance. The article also identifies both emerging challenges to local ecosystem governance and potential ways to address those challenges. From this review emerges actionable recommendations and critical research needs to improve local ecosystem governance.

​Faba Bean (Vicia faba L.), A Promising Grain Legume Crop of Bangladesh: A Review

Faba bean is one of the multi-purpose oldest crop which is used as a source of dietary protein in human, as fodder and forage for livestock, feed for poultry and for available nitrogen for the biosphere. It is cool season grain legume that is grown in large areas in various countries in the world including a limited locality in Bangladesh. Diverse ecosystem benefits are expected from inclusion faba bean in cropping systems. This article reviews the published work mentioning potential uses of faba bean world-wide, challenges and its cultivation possibilities in Bangladesh.

Comparative Ecosystem Benefits of Common Urban Trees and Palms in South Florida

This new 2-page factsheet was written to support urban forestry Extension clientele queries for information guiding Florida HOA and property owner decisions on whether to replace hardwood trees with palms, due to palms’ compact growth habit and lower leaf-shed volume, compared to hardwood trees. Written by Marguerite Beckford and Gary W. Knox, and published by the UF/IFAS Environmental Horticulture Department.

Applicability of Accounting to Ecosystems in Iraq: A Study of Habbaniyah Lake

إمكانية تطبيق المحاسبة عن النظم الايكولوجية في العراق: دراسة حالة بحيرة الحبانية مهند عبد حسين أ.م. د. فيان عبدالرحمن ياسين الجامعة التقنية الوسطى / الكلية التقنية الادارية, بغداد المخلص: تنبع أهمية هذا البحث من أهمية تطبيق المحاسبة على النظم الايكولوجية في العراق , حيث توفر محاسبة النظم الايكولوجية بيانات كمية وقيمية وحسابات معمقة للنظم الايكولوجية تتمثل في حسابات مدى وحالة النظم الايكولوجية , كذلك نتيجة نشاط النظم الايكولوجية وحساب الموجودات للنظم الايكولوجية, وقد تضمن الجانب النظري الإطار المفاهيمي لماهية للنظم الايكولوجية وخصائصها وطبيعة عملها وأهميتها والتعريف بمحاسبة النظم الايكولوجية وكيفية تطبيقها , أمَا الجانب العملي للبحث فقد استندت الدراسة على البيانات الحقيقة المتوافرة والتي تم جمعها من الجهات ذات العلاقة بالنظام الايكولوجي لبحيرة الحبانية , وأمَا في ما يتعلق في قياس منافع وخدمات النظام الايكولوجي فقد تم الاعتماد على مقترحات المنظمات الدولية المهتمة في تطبيق المحاسبة عن النظم الايكولوجية , وقد تم التوصل الى إمكانية تطبيق المحاسبة عن النظم الايكولوجية في العراق , وأظهرت نتائج الحسابات الكمية أنً كمية تخزين المياه في النظام الايكولوجي تتناسب طرديا مع المنافع والخدمات للنظام الايكولوجي و المرونة في استقبال الاطلاقات المائية التي يمتاز بها النظام الايكولوجي تتناسب عكسيا مع تخفيض خطر الفيضان وأنٌ التدفقات المائية من خارج الدورة الهيدرولوجية تكون سلبية , أمٌا نتائج الحسابات القيمية فقد أظهرت معلومات مهمة عن النظام الايكولوجي (بحيرة الحبانية) تتمثل في حسابات النتيجة الموجبة لكل سنوات الدراسة وحسابات كمية وقيمية عن الموجودات للنظام الايكولوجي قيد الدراسة. الكلمات المفتاحية: محاسبة النظم الايكولوجية، النظم الايكولوجية, موجودات النظم الايكولوجية RESEARCH ARTICLE Applicability of Accounting to Ecosystems in Iraq: A Study of Habbaniyah Lake Muhannad Abd Hussain Dr. Vian Abdul Rahman Yaseen Middle Technical University / College of Administrative Technology, Baghdad Abstract: The significance of this research lies in the importance of applying accounting to ecosystems in Iraq. Ecosystem accounting provides quantitative and value data and certain calculations of ecosystem. It includes measuring the level and status of ecosystems, as well as the effect of ecosystem functioning and valuating ecosystems assets, the theoretical framework includes the conceptual framework of what ecosystems are, their characteristics, nature of their function and their importance and the definition of the ecosystem accounting and how to apply it. As for the application of the practical side of the research, the study was based on the actual data available that collected from the relevant authorities of the ecosystem of Habbaniyah Lake. As for evaluating the ecosystem benefits and services, the proposals of international organizations interested in applying accounting to ecosystems have been relied upon. The applicability of applying accounting to ecosystems in Iraq has been reached, and the results of quantitative calculations showed that the amount of water storage in the ecosystem is directly proportional to the benefits and services of the ecosystem, and the flexibility to receive water releases that characterizes the ecosystem is inversely proportional to reducing the risk of flooding and that water flows from outside the hydrological cycle are negative. The results of the value calculations used in the research have revealed important information about the ecosystem (Habbaniyah Lake). This is represented in the positive result observed for all years of the study and the quantitative and value calculations of the ecosystem assets under study. Keywords: Ecosystem accounting, ecosystems, ecosystem assets