@phdthesis{Helbron2008, author = {Helbron, Hendrike}, title = {Strategic environmental assessment in regional land use planning : indicator system for the assessment of degradation of natural resources and land uses with environmental potential for adaption to global climate change (LUCCA)}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:kobv:co1-opus-5848}, school = {BTU Cottbus - Senftenberg}, year = {2008}, abstract = {Strategic Environmental Assessment in regional land use planning (here: SEA-REP) is a systematic process in Germany, which aims at an optimisation of the integration of environmental policies into decision-making at regional scale. It therefore plays an essential role for the comparison of site alternatives, and the implementation of mitigation and adaptation measures of negative effects of both regional development and climate change. Significant findings and personal experiences gained in an INTERREG project (‛transSEA') created a fundamental basis for this doctoral research. The main objective was to develop the ‛LUCCA' indicator system, which is a result of an analysis of land use types, that are increasingly important for effects of global climate change, and should therefore adapt to future conditions with regional land use planning. This system was developed from current German practice of the methodological application of SEA-REP in the core assessment of site-specific impacts on the affected area and impact zone. Main objectives were to integrate spatial effects of climate change into SEA-REP, and to develop a method to make particularly the tendency of physical degradation of natural resources in a region transparent. The research was based on a comprehensive analysis of best practice of SEA and assessment methods applied in German case studies of regional land use planning. Proposed was a a two-tiered environmental baseline- and objective-led approach of impact assessment. Its first tier is a site-specific assessment of significant impacts of regional plan designations and their alternatives. An environmental conflict analysis has the aim to apply assessment thresholds of conflict intensity for each impact factor affecting the importance of assessed components of LUCCA. Results are three classes of conflict intensity, which were determined and can be measured with the help of state indicators, impact indicators and assessment thresholds. 12 LUCCA indicators were defined in connection to regional environmental orientation objectives, environmental components, land uses and further criteria for indicator selection. The second tier is represented by an overall strategic assessment of the regional plan and its designation criteria. This assessment additionally considers positive and cumulative impacts, as well as structural alternatives. The result of the research is a standard concept for environmental orientation objectives, guidance indicators and assessment ranges for the LUCCA indicator system. Regional environmental orientation objectives, which represent outcome values of the future state of environment, were derived from existent environmental quality objectives and environmental quality standards. For each LUCCA indicator mitigation and adaptation measures of regional planning and requirements for tiering to SEA of lower land use planning were proposed. Recommendations for vital and critical action are addressed to competent national and regional authorities of spatial and sector planning. These involve the direct integration of concerns of climate change into SEA-REP, the regional operationalisation of environmental objectives for adaptation to climate change, an improved cooperation between spatial and sector planners concerned with the future use of land and resources, and, last but not least, an involvement of the public in the setting of regional objectives for the future state of a region's environment. Recommendations for the competent national and federal ministries are the integration of substantial standards into legislation, the setting of binding standards for a stricter reduction of land consumption, the determination of clear responsibilities and activities at all planning levels, and the release of guidance for effective regional land use planning practice that enhances adaptation to climate change. The main recommendations for European regional planning bodies are to establish regional environmental objective concepts for SEA-REP, update regional environmental data profiles, apply the SEA-REP+LUCCA indicator system, develop a tiered decision-support system, challenge conventional regional planning, improve cooperation with sector planning and involve the public in the development of adaptation strategies. A recommended adaptation task at regional planning level is the designation of strictly safeguarded priority areas with specific functions of land uses for the mitigation of negative effects of climate change. Such priority areas, which should be area-specifically defined in a regional land use map, should be linked to the implementation of binding adaptation measures in lower land use planning and at project level. An operationalisation of proposed assessment steps will be necessary for the regional-specific geographic and bio-physical conditions of the EU regions. The thesis concludes with future research needs and an outlook on the potential future role of SEA-REP. A clear responsibility of the future tasks of SEA-REP and LUCCA was recognised as a formal driving force for adaptation of land use to effects of climate change. Improved knowledge on spatial effects of climate change and vulnerability assessments will be required for an effective revision and application of SEA-REP and LUCCA. SEA should gain further importance in a transparent and participative decision-making. Environmental concerns and the protection of LUCCA will have to gain more weight, if the significance of danger and harm, caused by effects of climate change and anthropogenic land degradation, shall be mitigated now and in the future.}, subject = {Umweltvertr{\"a}glichkeitspr{\"u}fung; Raumordnung; Klima{\"a}nderung; Risikoanalyse; Bewertungssystem; Strategische Umweltpr{\"u}fung; Raumplanung; Klimawandel; Risikoanalyse; Bewertungsmethoden; Strategic environmental assessment; Land use planning; Climate change; Risk analysis; Assessment methods}, language = {en} } @phdthesis{Mbachu2021, author = {Mbachu, Ikechukwu}, title = {Flood vulnerability assessment and adaptive capacity of smallholder farmers : a case study of the Orashi basin in the Niger Delta}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:kobv:co1-opus4-57211}, school = {BTU Cottbus - Senftenberg}, year = {2021}, abstract = {In most studies on flood risk in Nigeria, priority is given to urban flood risk than rural flood risk. Smallholder farmers who mostly inhabit rural areas and flood plains are known to be at great risk of flooding, but to date, there have been no studies on the impacts they experience and how they cope with these impacts. To establish the existence of significant change in precipitation in the study area, statistical analysis of precipitation data was conducted using linear regression and non-parametric Mann Kendall test. Landsat satellite images for 1986, 2003 and 2016 were obtained from the United States Geological Survey's (USGS) website and used to collect and analyze data related to land use. To determine flood risk in the context of land use change, the HEC-HMS model version 3.5 was used. Land use maps corresponding to 1986, 2003, and 2016 LULC conditions were analysed and prepared for the calculation of CN values using Soil Conservation Service (SCS-CN) method. CN map was prepared by integrating the maps of hydrologic soil groups and land use in ArcGIS software. Based on selected morphological parameters, a flood risk map was developed for the study area. The morphologic flood risk showed that most parts of the basin face moderate flood risk. Higher runoff values were observed under 2016 LULC conditions mainly due to intense deforestation relative to those of 1986 and 2003. The results indicated that runoff and peak discharge are significantly affected by deforestation instead of changes in the rainfall pattern. Flood inundation maps of the study area were prepared for the flood events of 2012 and 2015. Maximum depth for the 2012 and 2015 flood events was calculated as 10.58m and 7.39m, respectively. The socioeconomic aspects of the research were conducted using household survey method. Using snowball sampling techniques, 400 flood-affected households were selected. The results show that the adaptive capacity of smallholder farmers in the study area remains very low and hampered by several factors such as poverty and weakened social networks. The synopsis of the examined variables leads to the following conclusion: Instead of climatic factors - as one indicator of vulnerability - it is social inequality and poverty in the region as well as the structural economic differences between various groups that mainly drives vulnerability in the study area.}, subject = {Vulnerability; Flood; Smallholder farmers; Climate change; Adaptive capacity; Hochwasserrisiko; Anpassungsf{\"a}higkeit; Kleinbauern; Klimawandel; Verletzlichkeit; Nigeria; Nigerdelta; Hochwasser; Kleinbauer; L{\"a}ndlicher Raum; Niederschlagsmessung; Anf{\"a}lligkeit; Klimawandel}, language = {en} } @phdthesis{Malijani2020, author = {Malijani, Oris Chapinga}, title = {Mining in the context of African World Heritage cultural landscapes : an assessment of management planning effectiveness}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:kobv:co1-opus4-56332}, school = {BTU Cottbus - Senftenberg}, year = {2020}, abstract = {Sub-Saharan African cultural landscapes are adversely impacted by various development pressures, which calls for a holistic and integrated approach in their management. Mining development has been ranked highly by UNESCO World Heritage Centre, as one of the most common factors threatening the conservation and management of World Heritage properties around the world. For instance, out of 141 World Heritage properties which submitted their state of conservation reports in 2015, 18\% were affected by mining activities. Out of these, 84\% of the properties that were threatened by mining development were either cultural landscapes, natural properties and or mixed properties. African World Heritage cultural landscapes are the ones highly affected and threatened by planned and on-going mining and exploration activities. Therefore, research was carried out using the Mulanje Mountain Cultural Landscape of Malawi and Mapungubwe Cultural landscape of South Africa. Specifically, the study aimed at examining the existing cultural landscape management theories and concepts in order to understand the key elements to be integrated into the suggested strategic management planning methodological framework. It also aimed at evaluating the impact of mining development on the conservation and management of African cultural landscapes. The study also investigated the stakeholder's views and perception about the impact of mining activities on cultural and natural heritage values of the landscapes. To achieve the research objectives, the literature was reviewed, firstly to determine the dimensions of cultural landscapes, and secondly, to determine the dimensions of mining development in World Heritage cultural landscapes. The study used two case studies as an effective comparative research strategy in the investigation of the conflicting issues of mining development against the conservation of the attributes of the two cultural landscapes. A case study research strategy was combined with other research methodologies. These included interviews, focus-group-discussions, observations, field site surveys, qualitative content analysis, and thematic analysis. The study has revealed that stakeholder participation and inclusion is a key element in the integration of mining development in cultural landscape planning. This research has contributed to the methodological gap in cultural landscape management planning by developing and applying an integrated strategic management planning methodological framework. The application of this framework has shown that the governance in place for Mulanje Mountain cultural landscape conformed to the requirements of a long-term and holistic planning process and the participation and empowerment of multiple stakeholders in that process.}, subject = {Cultural landscapes; Mining development; World Heritage; Management planning; Conservation; Kulturlandschaften; Bergbauentwicklung; Welterbe; Managementplanung; Naturschutz; Subsaharisches Afrika; Welterbe; Kulturlandschaft; Naturschutz; Bergbau; Management}, language = {en} } @phdthesis{SotoEstrada2008, author = {Soto-Estrada, Engelberth}, title = {Strategic Environmental Assessment of a Land-Use Programme in the Riviera Maya, Mexico : analysis of alternatives, development of a monitoring concept and GIS-monitoring assessment}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:kobv:co1-opus-4105}, school = {BTU Cottbus - Senftenberg}, year = {2008}, abstract = {Ecological Land-Use Planning (ELUP) is the central strategy implemented in Mexico to achieve sustainable development. However, even after more than a decade of experience there are no concrete evaluations to determine how the implemented ELUP-Programmes (ELUPP) have influenced regional development and thus what the consequences on the environment are. In this investigation, some of the key stages of the Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) are carried out on the ELUPP Cancun-Tulum, which is considered to be one of the most important land-use programmes in Mexico. Aim of the study: To achieve the SEA key principles, i.e. to identify reasonable alternatives and to improve the ELUPP Cancun-Tulum. Special emphasis is dedicated to the selection of environmental indicators for monitoring and to the supervision of the programme implementation using a GIS-remote sensing approach. Method of investigation: The baseline environment in the Riviera Maya and the ELUPP Cancun-Tulum's framework are first examined. Next, an identification of alternatives at regional level is effectuated using geographic information systems (GIS). A monitoring scheme is then proposed to supervise the implementation of the ELUPP Cancun-Tulum. The supervision mechanism is based on a pressure-state-response (PSR) indicator framework. Finally, six environmental indicators are examined using GIS-remote sensing techniques. The assessment encompasses the remote sensing interpretation of two Landsat Geocover Mosaics, and the determination of six landscape spatial indices to evaluate extend and pattern of fragmentation of vegetation. Results and technical applicability: A reasonable alternative site location for the development of New Tulum (which is one of the cities included in the ELUPP Cancun-Tulum) was proposed. A monitoring mechanism was suggested to supervise the ELUP implementation, including the identification of 19 environmental indicators. The GIS-remote sensing analysis demonstrated that there has been a reduction in the total area of habitat available and that fragmentation of vegetation increased in the Riviera Maya. The results reported here can be used to improve the ELUPP Cancun-Tulum. In addition, this investigation may be useful to improve other ELUP-Programmes in Mexico.}, subject = {Mexiko; Landnutzung; Umweltvertr{\"a}glichkeitspr{\"u}fung; Geoinformationssystem; Strategische Umweltpr{\"u}fung; GIS; Mexiko; Strategic environmental assessment; GIS; Mexico}, language = {en} } @phdthesis{Pohl2006, author = {Pohl, Annette}, title = {Ausstattung und Belastbarkeit Th{\"u}ringer B{\"o}den mit Schwermetallen und As unter Ber{\"u}cksichtigung geogener Grundgehalte und anthropogener Eintr{\"a}ge}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:kobv:co1-opus-368}, school = {BTU Cottbus - Senftenberg}, year = {2006}, abstract = {Auf Basis von 174 Profilaufschl{\"u}ssen und unter Einbeziehung von vielen tausend Datens{\"a}tzen aus weiteren Projekten des Freistaates Th{\"u}ringen werden Hintergrundgehalte f{\"u}r Schwermetalle und Arsen in Th{\"u}ringer B{\"o}den und Substraten erarbeitet und entsprechende Hintergrundwerte f{\"u}r Oberb{\"o}den abgeleitet. Die Hintergrundgehalte wurden unter geologisch - lithologischen Gesichtspunkten systematisiert, da sich im Verlauf der Arbeiten herausstellte, dass diese in ihrem Einfluss auf den Schwermetallgehalt gegen{\"u}ber weiteren den Schwermetallgehalt von B{\"o}den pr{\"a}genden Faktoren wie bodenphysikalische / bodenchemische Eigenschaften (Ton, pH, organische Substanz) oder Siedlungsdichte dominieren. Die Arbeit zeigt f{\"u}r den Freistaat Th{\"u}ringen, dass sich die Schwermetallgehalte des geologischen Materials und der daraus gebildeten B{\"o}den gut in das f{\"u}r viele andere Bundesl{\"a}nder gewonnene Bild einordnen. Gleichzeitig gibt sie einen {\"U}berblick {\"u}ber die vor allem geogen bedingte aber deutlich anthropogen {\"u}berpr{\"a}gte Vielfalt der Schwermetallausstattung Th{\"u}ringer B{\"o}den und daraus ableitbarer tolerierbarer Zusatzbelastungen. Von 10 fl{\"a}chenm{\"a}ßig bedeutungsvollen Substratgruppen Th{\"u}ringens sind die Oberb{\"o}den aus L{\"o}ß und aus Sandsteinen des Buntsandstein generell gering mit Schwermetallen belastet. Alle anderen sind demgegen{\"u}ber erh{\"o}ht, unterschreiten aber in der Regel mit dem 90er Perzentil die Vorsorgewerte der BBodSchV wobei diese elementspezifisch in unterschiedlichem Maße ausgesch{\"o}pft werden. Es muss bei der Beurteilung von Bodenuntersuchungsergebnissen jedoch immer beachtet werden, dass kleinr{\"a}umig in Th{\"u}ringen lithostratigraphische Einheiten mit sehr hohen Schwermetallkonzentrationen ausstreichen k{\"o}nnen.}, subject = {Th{\"u}ringen; Bodenverschmutzung / Schwermetall; Arsenbelastung; Geogener Faktor; Schwermetalle; Arsen; Hintergrundwert; Vorsorgewert; BBodSchV; Heavy metals; Arsenic; Background value; Precautionary values; German-Soil-Protection-Act}, language = {de} } @phdthesis{Lucke2007, author = {Lucke, Bernhard}, title = {Demise of the Decapolis : past and present desertification in the context of soil development, land use, and climate}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:kobv:co1-opus-3431}, school = {BTU Cottbus - Senftenberg}, year = {2007}, abstract = {Desertification is seen as a severe threat to Mediterranean ecosystems and the desert fringes. Both land use and climate variations may lead to an advance of the desert, and human and natural factors can be connected in feedback relationships. This makes it difficult to describe cause-and-effect relationships, and to predict the impact of global warming. A key is understanding historic desertification, since the investigation of the past allows to better separate the roles of man and weather. These questions were investigated in the Decapolis region in northern Jordan, an area in the transition zone between the Arabian desert and the Mediterranean climate belt. It had been assumed that historic desertification in the Decapolis was connected with severe degradation of soils, and caused by agricultural mismanagement and deforestation. This idea served as explanation for economic decay and abandonment of cities, too. However, the greatest part of the erosion took place during the last Ice Age and the Younger Dryas. There is no indication that the inanimate landscape changed significantly since the Bronze Age. Historic field systems were partially preserved and seem reflected by distinct soil development, indicating that the impact of land use was more complex and less devastating than previously assumed. Historic human impacts on the natural environment seem limited, and certainly not connected with desertification. Romantic northern European misconceptions of how a "natural" landscape should look like may in this context have contributed to a negative assessment of traditional agriculture in the Mediterranean. Comparative analyses of soils and colluvia, air photos, historic travel reports, tree rings and climate reconstructions indicate that population growth was behind the flourishing of the Decapolis, which took place mostly under favourably stable climatic conditions. Periods of decline seem triggered by climatic anomalies. As it seems, climate change was previously understood too linearly: extreme rainfall events can be more devastating than drought, and temperature, wind and rainfall distribution over the year are important as well. Cool and dry periods at the end of the last Ice Age were connected with incision and sometimes dramatic erosion. Climatic fluctuations during history may have been connected with pests, famines, plagues, and wars which caused dramatic drops of population levels. The ecological sensitivity of the desert belt may have aggravated the impact of climate variations. Economic recovery took place only when population levels rose again. It is so far unknown how climate will develop under global warming, but an increasing number of anomalous events could have dramatic impacts. The key for dealing with global warming seems therefore adaptation to climatic irregularities.}, subject = {Jordanien ; Desertifikation; Desertifikation; Boden; Landnutzung; Klima; Arch{\"a}ologie; Desertification; Soil; Land use; Climate; Archaeology}, language = {en} } @phdthesis{Ritschel2006, author = {Ritschel, J{\"u}rgen}, title = {Belastung der B{\"o}den des Landes Brandenburg mit PAK und PCB : Akkumulationsf{\"a}higkeit und Transferverm{\"o}gen}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:kobv:co1-opus-272}, school = {BTU Cottbus - Senftenberg}, year = {2006}, abstract = {Im Rahmen der Arbeit werden nutzungs- und standortspezifische Hintergrundwerte f{\"u}r organische Schadstoffe (PAK, BaP und PCB) in Brandenburger Oberb{\"o}den abgeleitet. Dabei wird der Medianwert im Sinne eines Hintergrundwertes, der den Normalzustand beschreibt, verwendet. Das 90er Perzentil charakterisiert eine den Normalzustand {\"u}berschreitende Schadstoffkonzentration und fungiert als Referenzwert. Um den Transfer von PAK und PCB vom Boden in die Pflanze zu ermitteln, wurden Gef{\"a}ßversuche mit f{\"u}r Brandenburg typischen B{\"o}den und Kulturen sowie Erhebungsuntersuchungen auf landwirtschaftlichen Fl{\"a}chen ausgewertet. Gepr{\"u}ft wurde der Schadstofftransfer in die Fruchtarten Mais, Kartoffel, M{\"o}hre, Salat, Spinat, Gras und Weizen. Festzustellen war, dass sich der PAK- und PCBTransfer in die Pflanze unter den Bedingungen der relativ leichten und schlecht mit organischer Substanz versorgten B{\"o}den des Landes Brandenburg auf niedrigem Niveau bewegt.}, subject = {Brandenburg; Bodenverschmutzung; Polycyclische Aromaten; Polychlorierte Biphenyle; Hintergrundwert; Oberboden; Polycyclische Aromatische Kohlenwasserstoffe; Polychlorierte Biphenyle; Referenzwert; Background value; Topsoil; Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons; Polychlorinated biphenyl; Reference value}, language = {de} } @phdthesis{Nunoo2010, author = {Nunoo, Edward Kweku}, title = {Measuring progress towards sustainable forest management and policy implications: a case study of the High Forest Zone in Ghana}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:kobv:co1-opus-18924}, school = {BTU Cottbus - Senftenberg}, year = {2010}, abstract = {Sustainable forest management in 1992 was recognized by the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development as the most important contribution the forestry sector can inject into any sustainable development initiative. The author's extensive literature review established this as the premise on which Ghana's quest for sustainable economic growth and development strategies is being implemented. Since embarking on this endeavour, conscious efforts have been made to define essential components of forest resources against which sustainability assessments could be performed in Ghana. The conceptual framework of the present research rests on FAO's concept on criteria and indicators as useful tools in monitoring progress towards sustainable forest management and resource-use. In addition, an empirical approach seeks to elicit answers from staffs involved in the management of natural resources as well as from other stakeholder groups in order to address four pertinent questions as; i. the specifics of forest management practices and policies that exist in Ghana's high forest zone, ii. interactive forces that come into play with the identification and development of national level criteria and indicators for sustainable forest management, iii. who constitute the stakeholders and lastly, iv. the extent to which progress towards sustainable forest management has been achieved and in which direction it is moving. First a quantum of forest management policy documents were reviewed out of which applicable criteria and measurable indicators, specific to the high forest zone of Ghana, were identified. Together with stakeholder's involvement, performance scores were established for indicators identified within the trio-sectors (forest ecosystem, forest communities and the economy) for sustainability assessments. Based on actual performance scores, measures of successes towards sustainable forest management operations were quantitatively performed with estimated maximum and minimum thresholds levels at which resource-use would be sustainable using the measure of forest resource-use sustainable scale-MoFRUSS. Outcomes of these measurement operations, as depicted on the scale, revealed the actual extent to which stakeholder's initiatives, towards sustainable forest management have progressed and in which direction they are moving. The study also offers optional policy baskets for resource management interventions from which the Socio-eco-Economy bundle is the most recommendable if the environmental aspect of Ghana's Vision 2015 (sustainable development) is to be achieved; with improved societal well-being, improved environmental health and vitality and improved economic growth and development. The study concludes with recommendations to both policy makers and the other vested stakeholders a viable opportunity which could be harnessed to improve on management's performance through avoided deforestation.}, subject = {Ghana; Forstwirtschaft; Waldbau; Nachhaltigkeit; Nachhaltiges Forstmanagement; Leistungsindikatoren; Fortschritt hin zu SFM; Erfolgsindikatoren; Handlungsempfehlungen; Sustainable forest management; Performance indicators; Progress towards SFM; Measures of success; Policy implications}, language = {en} } @phdthesis{Onyango2010, author = {Onyango, Vincent}, title = {Confirming SEA definitional concept: assessing the extent to which SEA and environmental integration can be evaluated quantitatively and behaves systematically}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:kobv:co1-opus-18969}, school = {BTU Cottbus - Senftenberg}, year = {2010}, abstract = {Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) is a concept and a decision-making support tool. Based on its definitions, it is claimed that SEA can 1) contribute to the integration of environmental concerns into strategic decisions: policies, plans and programmes (PPPs); and that SEA 2) is a systematic process. Although these claims are widely acknowledged in SEA research and practice, they remain largely unsubstantiated empirically. To date, SEA research is dominated by qualitative-type approaches, investigating aspects of effectiveness, of context and of elements of good practice. Quantitative-type research has been rare, and often criticised on the basis that it is unable to capture and address the dynamic nature of PPP-making processes, i.e. the involvement of a wide range of actors, the input of new information and the existence of different views and interests, which give rise to uncertainty and unpredictability. Nevertheless, the potential of quantitative research in SEA has yet to be fully explored, and the extent to which SEA is meeting the two definitional claims mentioned above remains untested and undetermined. Within this context, this study aims to apply a quantitative research approach to SEA and verify the extent to which SEA contributes to environmental integration (EI) and the extent to which SEA behaves systematically. It achieves this by looking at UK practice as a case study. It applies questionnaire survey, correlation analysis and sensitivity analysis as methods of quantitative research approach. The findings of this research confirmed that quantitative methodologies can be successfully applied to evaluate the presence and quality of SEA procedures and their outputs. Furthermore, the degree of EI reflected in plans and programmes (PPs) because of the SEA, as reflected in the PP's environmental objectives and indicators, can be quantitatively evaluated. However, to enhance this quantitative evaluation process, clearer and more precise environmental objectives are needed. Of the two definitional SEA claims evaluated, that (1) SEA contributes to EI in PPPs and that (2) SEA is a systematic process), there was weak evidence to support the claim that SEA significantly achieved EI within UK SEA practice. Of the second claim, it was concluded that the UK SEA process behaves as a systematic process composed of negative and positive feedbacks. Moreover, the UK SEA process is a stable system prone to over-development and with inadequate negative feedbacks to facilitate self-regulation of the SEA process towards a certain range of EI. Based on the findings, it is recommended that if SEA effectiveness and theory-building are to be enhanced, application of more quantitative methods and hypothetico-deductive paradigms of scientific enquiry should be applied in order to test and verify stated hypotheses. Application of other quantitative methods such as Factor Analysis and/or Principal Component Analysis should be considered in order to further establish the explanatory elements for EI achievement, and contributory roles of various SEA elements in achieving EI. Furthermore, quantitative approaches can facilitate calibrating of SEA reports and EI achieved, and enhance standardisation and quality control. It is further recommended that if SEA is to be understood as a systematic process with dynamic interactions amongst its elements, then further research needs to be conducted to improve follow-up mechanisms and establish quality hold points in order to enhance quality assurance. Specifically, more negative feedback loops or best practice standards and quality control hold points should be integrated into the SEA system in order for it to better self-regulate towards achieving a defined range of EI.}, subject = {Umweltanalyse; Strategische Planung; Umweltpolitik; Nachhaltige Entwicklung; Strategische Umweltpr{\"u}fung (SUP); Quantitative Bewertung; Methodentriangulation; Sensitivit{\"a}tsanalyse; SUP-System; Strategic Environment Assessment (SEA); Quantitative evaluation; Triangulation method; Sensitivity analysis; SEA system}, language = {en} } @phdthesis{Afanasyev2010, author = {Afanasyev, Vyacheslav}, title = {Evaluating Ukraine's agro-industrial sector: comprehensive assessment with the view of sustainability improvement and European integration}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:kobv:co1-opus-19027}, school = {BTU Cottbus - Senftenberg}, year = {2010}, abstract = {Being one of Ukraine's major sources of economic revenue, the country's agro-industrial sector proved, at the same time, to be perhaps the most vulnerable branch of economy in the times of political and social turbulence. While the state is searching for the ways of strengthening its positions at the global market, its agricultural potential to a considerable extent remains both under- and misused. Based on comprehensive historic analysis, this research establishes the origins of the current situation and assesses the possibilities of positive change. Utilizing the experience of other European countries' with regards to making agriculture more sustainable and competitive in the modern world, the author describes the ways of applying these practices against the background of Ukrainian socio-political system. Drawing knowledge from the experience of Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) worldwide, this research aims at harmonizing their methods with evaluation demands in Ukrainian agriculture. It discusses and criticizes the existing assessment approach and suggests measures necessary for making it more comprehensive. The author offers profound analysis of Ukrainian agricultural policies to date, reviews national regulating directives and outlines country-specific challenges as to improving agricultural sustainability. In order to provide Ukrainian decision-makers with a clear and all-round tool for assessing the advances and failures of the acting state policies in the AIS, a set of reliable indices for evaluating agricultural performance has been developed by the author, which is largely based on the widely-acknowledged Driving Force - State - Response framework offered by the Organization of Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) and Human Development Index (HDI) from United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) methodology. At the same time, the newly developed set takes into consideration the peculiarities of Ukrainian socio-political setting. Three major categories of indicators were chosen as a backbone for further elaboration, namely economic, social and political. Therefrom results a list of twelve relevant indices. At the concluding stage of the research, they were processed and transformed to three top-level indices: Economic Development Index, Environmental Situation Index and Social Development Index. These three indices are intended for clear and illustrative presentation of the current situation for high level decision-makers and governmental bodies. Methodology utilized for the purposes of this research with necessary adaptation and fine tuning can also be used with other set of initial data, indicators and indices. Application field can also be downscaled from the highest (national) to the lowest (regional) level by adapting the indicator-indices system to the initial input data. This will considerably simplify the compilation and presentation of regional reports and will provide transparency for interregional comparison within the country.}, subject = {Ukraine; Landwirtschaft; Umweltvert{\"a}glichkeitspr{\"u}fung; Nachhaltigkeit; Ukraine; Landwirtschaft; Bewertung; Nachhaltigkeit; Indikator; Ukraine; Agriculture; Evaluation; Sustainability; Indicator}, language = {en} }