• Title/Summary/Keyword: ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT

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Assessment of Site Environmental Factors on the Structure of Forest Vegetation in Naejang-san National Park Using Canonical Correlation Analysis (정준상관분석을 통한 내장산국립공원 산림식생구조의 입지환경 평가)

  • Kim, Tae-Geun;Cho, Young-Hwan;Oh, Jang-Geun
    • Korean Journal of Ecology and Environment
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    • v.46 no.4
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    • pp.561-569
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    • 2013
  • This study examines locational environment factors that may affect the vegetation structure in the forests of Naejang National Park. To that end, we selected LAI (Leaf Area Index), diameter at breast height, and tree height as structural variables as well as altitude above sea level, gradient, slope direction, soil moisture, topographic location, and amount of solar radiation as locational environment factors, using the method of canonical correlation analysis in order to find out correlation between them. As to the simple correlation between the locational environment factors and structural variables, the correlation coefficient was relatively low (0.6). The values of LAI, measured along the ridge with higher altitudes, decreased as the soil moisture and solar radiation increased. However, LAI increased as the gradient increased and the slope direction faced the north (farther from the east). In respect of the diameter at breast height, the diameter decreased as the altitude and gradient increased. But the diameter increased as the moisture and solar radiation increased. The tree height decreased as the moisture increased and the site was closer to the ridge. These various correlations show a variety of locational environment factors in the national park, implying that the structural variables are affected by complex locational environment factors. This study conducted a canonical correlation analysis on locational environment factors which may affect the vegetation structure, and the result showed that LAI increased and tree height & diameter at breast height decreased as the solar radiation & moisture decreased and altitude increased. Although more factors that may affect vegetation structure (e.g. climate) should be taken into account, this study is significant in that the vegetation structure, which can adapt to more unfavorable conditions in terms of solar radiation, moisture, and higher altitudes, could be inferred in a statistical way. The results of this study, especially the locational environment factors based on DEM, can be used for assessing diversity of vegetation structure in a forest and for monitoring the structure in a national park on a regular basis so as to establish more effective maintenance plans of a park.

The Antioxidant Effect of Vitamin C and Deferoxamine on Paraquat-induced Cytotoxicity in Cultured Lymphocytes (배양림프구에서 Paraquat의 세포독성에 대한 Vitamin C와 Deferoxamine의 항산화 효과)

  • Eo Eun-Kyung;Kim Kyung-Hee
    • Journal of The Korean Society of Clinical Toxicology
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    • v.4 no.1
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    • pp.7-16
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    • 2006
  • Purpose: As basic information of antioxidant treatments for the patient with paraquat intoxication, in human peripheral lymphocytes, the cytotoxicity of paraquat was measured, and to evaluate the antioxidant effect of vitamin C and deferoxamine against this cytotoxicity, malondialdehyde (MDA), superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity and total antioxidant status (TAS) were measured. Methods: From 10 healthy adults, after obtaining a consent, 20ml peripheral blood was collected. Experimental groups were divided to (1) control group, the group treated with an identical amount of saline, (2) P group: the group treated with paraquat only, (3) PV group: the group treated with paraquat followed by vitamin C 30 minutes later, (4) PD group: the group treated with paraquat followed by deferoxamine 30 minutes later, (5) PVD group: the group treated with paraquat followed by vitamin C 30 minutes later and subsequently deferoxamine one hour later, and (6) PDV group: the group treated with paraquat followed by deferoxamine 30 minutes later and subsequently vitamin C 1 hour later, and thus to total 6 groups. In each group, 10 samples of peripheral blood was assigned and $100{\mu}M\;paraquat,\;100{\mu}M$ vitamin C, and $100{\mu}M$ deferoxamine were used as reagent. Lymphocytes were isolated, cultured, and cytotoxicity was measured by the Microculture Tetrazolium method (MTT assay), MDA and SOD activity, and TAS concentration were measured. Results: In regard to the cytotoxicity measured in each group, their cytotoxicity was decreased in the group treated with antioxidants, in comparison with the group treated with paraquat only. In the cases that the order of the treatment of these two antioxidants was altered, viability in the PDV group $(1.077{\pm}0.121)$ was increased more that the PVD group $(0.888{\pm}0.152)$ statistically significantly (p=0.018). Concerning the amount of MDA, in comparison with the P group $(6.78{\pm}0.93{\mu}mol/L)$, after the treatment of each antioxidant, the concentration of MDA was decreased statistically significantly (p<0.05). In the group treated with two antioxidants together, in comparison with the group treated only with one antioxidant, the amount of MDA was increased statistically significantly $(PV:\;3.96{\pm}0.98{\mu}mol/L,\;PD:\;4.92{\pm}1.50{\mu}mol/L,\;PVD:\;3.22{\pm}0.83{\mu}mol/L,\;and\;PDV:\;3.42{\pm}0.95{\mu}mol/L,\;p=0.007)$. The concentration of SOD measured in the blood in each group after the administration of paraquat, in comparison with the control group, a pattern of the elevation of SOD activity and subsequent decrease was detected, however, it was not statistically significant. In the comparison of the groups treated with antioxidants, in comparison with the P group $(1419.9{\pm}265.9{\mu}mol/L)$, SOD activity was decreased statistically significantly in only the PDV group $(1176.4{\pm}238.9{\mu}mol/L)$ (p=0.017). In regard to TAS measured in each group, in comparison with the P group $(0.87{\pm}0.05{\mu}mol/L)$, in all groups treated with the antioxidants, the PV group was $1.00{\pm}0.03{\mu}mol/L$ (p=0.005), the PD group was $9.01{\pm}0.24{\mu}mol/L$ was $4.64{\pm}3.98{\mu}mol/L$ (P=0.005), and the PDV group was $9.41{\pm}0.27{\mu}mol/La$ (p=0.005), and thus total antioxidant activity was increased statistically significantly In a multiple comparison test, the PDV group showed the highest total antioxidant activity (p<0.0001). Conclusion: The result of the assessment of the antioxidant effect of vitamin C and deferoxamine on paraquat-induced cytotoxicity showed that in regard to cytotoxicity, SOD activity and TAS measurement, the best result was observed in the PDV group. Therefore, it was found that vitamin C and deferoxamine were effective antioxidants for the paraquat-induced cytotoxicity, and it suggests that the administration of deferoxamine followed by vitamin C may improve their antioxidant effect more.

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Study on the Antioxidant Effects of Nano-Selenium Microcapsule (Nano-Selenium Microcapsule의 항산화에 관한 연구)

  • Jeong, Hun;Yoo, Il-Su;Kim, Kyung-Sun;Lee, Soon-Young;Mun, Yeun-Ja;Jeon, Byoung-Kook;Ryu, Moon-Hee;Choi, Kyung-Soon
    • The Korean Journal of Food And Nutrition
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    • v.25 no.3
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    • pp.564-569
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    • 2012
  • Selenium was initially considered toxic to humans, but it was then discovered that selenium is essential for normal life processes. Selenium plays important roles in antioxidants. It is expected that chitosan microcapsules containing nano-selenium will be able to be used as a key material in bio-medical and cosmetic applications. The high concentration of chitosan derivatives guarantees increased antioxidative activity. Both inorganic and organic forms of selenium can be nutritional sources. The antioxidant properties of selenoproteins help prevent cellular damage from free radicals. The objective of this experiment was to study the antioxidative activity of chitosan nano-selenium. Our experiments were divided into five groups, in the presence of various concentrations(0.1%, 0.3%, 0.5%, 0.7%, and 0.9%) of chitosan. We performed an assessment of the antioxidant properties and cytotoxicity of respective concentrations of chitosan nano-selenium. The antioxidant activity was examined by the free radical scavenging activity on 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl(DPPH) assay. The cytotoxicity effect was measured by means of 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazole-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide(MTT) assay. As a result, the electron donating abilities of 0.1%, 0.3%, 0.5%, 0.7%, and 0.9% of chitosan nano-selenium exhibited effective andioxidant scavenging activity at 12.5 ${\mu}g/m{\ell}$ against DPPH radicals. 0.3% chitosan nano-selenium did not show cytotoxicity on human keratinocytes. In general, the cytotoxicity of 0.1% and 0.9% chitosan nano-selenium showed the lowest effects. Though low cytotoxicity of 0.5% and 0.7% chitosan nano-selenium exhibited 29.67% and 38.4% against human keratinocytes on adding 100 ${\mu}g/m{\ell}$ and 50 ${\mu}g/m{\ell}$, respectively, cell vitality was recovered with 200 ${\mu}g/m{\ell}$. These findings support the notion that chitosan nano-selenium may be useful as a new active ingredient source for bioactive compounds.

Analysis of the Relevance to Education for Sustainable Development and the Inquiry Tendency of 2015-Revised Middle School Home Economics Textbooks: Focusing on the 'Adolescence Consumption Life' Unit (2015 개정 중학교 가정 교과서 지속가능발전교육(ESD) 연관성 및 탐구 성향 분석: '청소년기의 소비생활' 단원을 중심으로)

  • Kim, Saetbyeol;Kim, Yeasle
    • Journal of Korean Home Economics Education Association
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    • v.32 no.3
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    • pp.161-177
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    • 2020
  • This research aims to identify the relevance of 'Adolescence consumption' units to ESD(Education for Sustainable Development), and to analyze the unit's inquiry tendency through the Romey analysis method. The assessment criteria in association with ESD developed in the previous literature were summarized and established to set up an analysis framework consisted of 11 key points including environmental perspective (natural resources, climate change/disaster prevention and mitigation, and sustainable rural and urban systems), economic perspective (corporate sustainability, market economy, and poverty gap mitigation), and socio-cultural perspective (human rights/peace/human protection, cultural diversity and understanding, health/safety, civic engagement, and management of nation). With this framework, the learning contents of 'adolescence consumption life' unit in twelve middle school Home Economics textbooks were analyzed including the texts, images/illustrations/tables/graphs, and activities. The analysis revealed that the core elements of the 'market economy' and 'management of nation' from the economic perspective were presented in three different formats: texts, images/illustrations/tables/graphs, and activities. However, relatively insufficient contents were presented in terms of health/safety, civic engagement, sustainable rural and urban systems, and corporate sustainability, and thus, development of textbooks dealing with various ESD contents is neededrecommended. Additionally, most textbooks' texts and images/illustrations/tables/graphs tend to be authoritative, while activities and assignments exhibited an inquiry tendency. It is advisable to incorporate a wider variety of ESD-related content in Home Economics classes and creatively employ inquiry-based learning activities for the development of pro-sustainable-development consumption values and behavioral tendencies among young students.

Development and Application of an Evaluation Model for Biotope Appraisal as Related to Nature Experiences and Recreation (비오톱의 자연체험 및 휴양가치 평가모형 개발과 적용)

  • Cho, Hyun-Ju;Lee, Hyun-Taek;SaGong, Jung-Hee;Ra, Jung-Hwa
    • Journal of the Korean Institute of Landscape Architecture
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    • v.38 no.4
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    • pp.11-24
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    • 2010
  • The main focus of this research is the establishment of a systemic evaluation model based on objective evaluation indices, which are drawn to assess the experiencing of nature and recreational value at the level of the district unit. First of all, as a result of a literature review, a total of 10 indices can be drawn including vegetation structure, pavement rate, and hemeroby to evaluate an assessment of natural experiences and recreational value. Also, as a result of expert survey analysis, all evaluation index items were above 4.4, which is a high importance average. Hemeroby and unique landscape factor items in particular were above 5.8, which is very high. In addition, as a result of implementing a factor analysis to classify evaluation indices according to characteristics, three factors arise: 'landscape structure and quality of natural experience', 'typical availability', and 'quality of aesthetic and visual sense.' Based on the above survey analysis results, the 'quality of aesthetic and visual sense' was the highest, at 3.510. The classification 'landscape structure and quality of natural experience' was the lowest, at 3.035. A systemic value evaluation model was established by comprehensively analyzing these results. To verify the validity of the evaluation model drawn, real sites are selected and applied. First of all, as a result of a biotope types classification of sites, biotope type groups are classified into a total of 13 including the stream biotope while its subordinate biotope types are classified into a total of 61 groups. Lastly, as a result of biotope value evaluation, which was a previously established evaluation model, there are a total of 16 types including vegetation-abundant natural rivers and small-scale woodlands near forests in grade I. There are 9 types in grade II, 8 in grade III, 8 in grade IV, 19 in the least-valuable grade V.

Assessment of Liquefaction Potential Using Correlation between Shear Wave Velocity and Normalized LPI on Urban Areas of Seoul and Gyeongju (정규화LPI와 전단파 속도의 상관관계를 활용한 서울과 경주 지역 액상화 위험도 평가)

  • Song, Young Woo;Chung, Choong Ki;Park, Ka Hyun;Kim, Min Gi
    • KSCE Journal of Civil and Environmental Engineering Research
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    • v.38 no.2
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    • pp.357-367
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    • 2018
  • Recent earthquakes in Gyeongju and Pohang have raised interest in liquefaction in South Korea. Liquefaction, which is a phenomenon that excessive pore pressure is generated and the shear strength of soil is decreased by repeated loads such as earthquakes, causes severe problems such as ground subsidence and overturning of structures. Therefore, it is necessary to identify and prepare for the possibility of liquefaction in advance. In general, the possibility of liquefaction is quantitatively assessed using the Liquefaction Potential Index (LPI), but it takes a lot of time and effort for performing site response analysis which is essential for the liquefaction evaluation. In this study, a simple method to evaluate the liquefaction potential without executing the site response analysis in a downtown area with a lot of borehole data was proposed. In this simple method, the correlation between the average shear wave velocity of the target location ground and the LPI divided by thickness of liquefiable layer was established. And the applicable correlation equation for various rock outcrop accelerations were derived. Using the 104 boreholes information in Seoul, the correlation equation between LPI and the shear wave velocity (ground water level: 0m, 1m, 2m, 3m) is obtained and the possibility of liquefaction occurrence in Seoul and Gyeongju is evaluated. The applicability of the proposed simple method was verified by comparing the LPI values calculated from the correlation equation and the LPI values derived using the existing site response analysis. Finally, the distribution map of LPI calculated from the correlation was drawn using Kriging, a geostatistical technique.

Estimation and assessment of baseflow at an ungauged watershed according to landuse change (토지이용변화에 따른 미계측 유역의 기저유출량 산정 및 평가)

  • Lee, Ji Min;Shin, Yongchun;Park, Youn Shik;Kum, Donghyuk;Lim, Kyoung Jae;Lee, Seung Oh;Kim, Hungsoo;Jung, Younghun
    • Journal of Wetlands Research
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    • v.16 no.4
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    • pp.303-318
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    • 2014
  • Baseflow gives a significant contribution to stream function in the regions where climatic characteristics are seasonally distinct. In this regard, variable baseflow can make it difficult to maintain a stable water supply, as well as causing disruption to the stream ecosystem. Changes in land use can affect both the direct flow and baseflow of a stream, and consequently, most other components of the hydrologic cycle. Baseflow estimation depends on the observed streamflow in gauge watersheds, but accurate predictions of streamflow through modeling can be useful in determining baseflow data for ungauged watersheds. Accordingly, the objectives of this study are to 1) improve predictions of SWAT by applying the alpha factor estimated using RECESS for calibration; 2) estimate baseflow in an ungauged watershed using the WHAT system; and 3) evaluate the effects of changes in land use on baseflow characteristics. These objectives were implemented in the Gapcheon watershed, as an ungauged watershed in South Korea. The results show that the alpha factor estimated using RECESS in SWAT calibration improves the prediction for streamflow, and, in particular, recessions in the baseflow. Also, the changes in land use in the Gapcheon watershed leads to no significant difference in annual baseflow between comparable periods, regardless of precipitation, but does lead to differences in the seasonal characteristics observed for the temporal distribution of baseflow. Therefore, the Guem River, into which the stream from the Gapcheon watershed flows, requires strategic seasonal variability predictions of baseflow due to changes in land use within the region.

Technical Standards and Safety Review of the Low and Intermediate Level Radioactive Waste Disposal Facility (중.저준위 방사성폐기물 처분시설에 대한 기술기준 및 안전심사)

  • Cheong, Jae-Hak;Lee, Kwan-Hee;Lee, Yun-Keun;Jeong, Chan-Woo;Rho, Byung-Hwan
    • Journal of Nuclear Fuel Cycle and Waste Technology(JNFCWT)
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    • v.6 no.4
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    • pp.357-368
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    • 2008
  • On July 31, 2008, the Government issued the construction and operation permit for the first low and intermediate level radioactive waste disposal facility in the Republic of Korea. In this paper, the fundamental regulatory framework, regulatory requirements and technical standards of the disposal facility are introduced, and the phased review process adopted for evaluation of the safety of the facility is briefly described. The Atomic Energy Act sets forth a stepwise regulatory framework for the whole life-cycle of the disposal facility such as siting, design, construction, operation, closure and institutional control. More detailed regulatory requirements and technical standards are stipulated in the subsequent regulations of the Atomic Energy Act and a series of Notices issued by the Ministry of Eduction, Science and Technology. The Korea Institute of Nuclear Safety, as entrusted by the Ministry under the Atomic Energy Act, conducted safety review on the disposal facility, and evaluated the compliance with relevant criteria in all technical elements(i.e. siting and structural safety, radiological environmental impact, operational safety, systems and components, quality assurance, and total systematic performance assessment, etc.). The overall safety review process can be phased into inception phase, initial review phase, main review phase and completion phase. The review results were reported to and deliberated by the five Sub-committees of the Special Committee on Nuclear Safety, and then reported to the Ministry. The Ministry issued the construction and operation permit of the disposal facility through the deliberation of the review results by the Nuclear Safety Commission. Hereafter, the safety of the repository will be reassured by a series of subsequent regulatory inspections and reviews under the Atomic Energy Act. In addition, the licensee's continuous implementation of the "Safety Promotion Plan" may also enhance the long-term safety of the repository and contribute to build-up the confidence of the safety case.

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Microbiological Safety Assessment to Secure Safety of Food Service in University (대학 내 급식소의 안전성 확보를 위한 미생물학적 안전성 평가)

  • Kim, Kyeong-Yeol;Nam, Min-Ji;Nam, Bo-Ram;Ryu, Hee-Jung;Heo, Rok-Won;Shim, Won-Bo;Chung, Duck-Hwa
    • Journal of Food Hygiene and Safety
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    • v.25 no.1
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    • pp.49-58
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    • 2010
  • The objectives of this study were to investigate the microbial contamination levels on food service in university and to provide the information of microbial contamination to improve food safety. A total of 288 samples were collected during summer and winter season between 2006 and 2008 from 4 food services located in the university in Western Gyeongnam and were used to detect sanitary indicator bacteria [aerobic plate count (APC), coliform, and Escherichia coli] and pathogenic bacteria (Staphylococcus aureus, Salmonella spp.). As a result, APC and coliform for hand and kitchen utensils which are used often by the employee were detected at high levels of 1.1~5.5 and 1.3~5.3 log CFU/($100\;cm^2$, hand), respectively. The contamination levels of APC and coliform in cooked foods and drinking water were 0.8~6.4 and 1.3~5.0 log CFU/(g, mL), respectively. Especially, the cooked foods showed the highest contamination for APC (2.1~6.4 log CFU/g) and coliform (1.0~5.0 log CFU/g). We think the reason that the cooked foods may be contaminated with APC and coliform on cooking process by using employee's hand and kitchen utensils. Moreover, S. aureus for hand and kitchen utensils was detected at levels of 2.8~3.0 and 2.0~2.3 log CFU/(g, hand), but Salmonella spp. was not detected. According to the above results, contamination levels of the samples were mostly decreased irrespective of summer and winter season. The results obtained indicated that it is necessary to periodic monitoring for microorganism contamination and education about personal and environmental hygiene to employee for ensuring food safety of food service in university.

Complex Terrain and Ecological Heterogeneity (TERRECO): Evaluating Ecosystem Services in Production Versus water Quantity/quality in Mountainous Landscapes (산지복잡지형과 생태적 비균질성: 산지경관의 생산성과 수자원/수질에 관한 생태계 서비스 평가)

  • Kang, Sin-Kyu;Tenhunen, John
    • Korean Journal of Agricultural and Forest Meteorology
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    • v.12 no.4
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    • pp.307-316
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    • 2010
  • Complex terrain refers to irregular surface properties of the earth that influence gradients in climate, lateral transfer of materials, landscape distribution in soils properties, habitat selection of organisms, and via human preferences, the patterning in development of land use. Complex terrain of mountainous areas represents ca. 20% of the Earth's terrestrial surface; and such regions provide fresh water to at least half of humankind. Most major river systems originate in such terrain, and their resources are often associated with socio-economic competition and political disputes. The goals of the TERRECO-IRTG focus on building a bridge between ecosystem understanding in complex terrain and spatial assessments of ecosystem performance with respect to derived ecosystem services. More specifically, a coordinated assessment framework will be developed from landscape to regional scale applications to quantify trade-offs and will be applied to determine how shifts in climate and land use in complex terrain influence naturally derived ecosystem services. Within the scope of TERRECO, the abiotic and biotic studies of water yield and quality, production and biodiversity, soil processing of materials and trace gas emissions in complex terrain are merged. There is a need to quantitatively understand 1) the ecosystem services derived in regions of complex terrain, 2) the process regulation occurred to maintain those services, and 3) the sensitivities defining thresholds critical in stability of these systems. The TERRECO-IRTG is dedicated to joint study of ecosystems in complex terrain from landscape to regional scales. Our objectives are to reveal the spatial patterns in driving variables of essential ecosystem processes involved in ecosystem services of complex terrain region and hence, to evaluate the resulting ecosystem services, and further to provide new tools for understanding and managing such areas.