Advances in Environmental Research : Volume 86

This volume includes seven chapters and presents some of the latest advancements in environmental research. Chapter One describes the ecological resources of forests and their ability to absorb greenhouse gases and mitigate climate change. Chapter Two highlights the procedure of using eutectic solvents in the extraction of bioactive compounds from medicinal plants. Chapter Three suggests a holistic framework for assessing the environmental sustainability of Bulgarian agriculture. Chapter Four investigates the accountability profile for environmental sustainability of maritime protected areas. Chapter Five discusses the main urban parameters existing in regional models developed at the beginning of the 21st century: The Single-Layer Urban Canopy Model (UCM), the Town Energy Balance (TEB), and the Building Effect Parameterization (BEP). Chapter Six aims to provide information about phytoestrogens and their beneficial and adverse effects. Finally, Chapter Seven proposes two new indexes for measuring particular aspects of environmental stability and sustainable development: the available resource sustainability index and the natural green surface replacement index.