• Indicators for monitoring and evaluating research-for-development: A critical review of a system in use

  Brian M. Belcher; Rachel Claus; Rachel Davel; Frank Place (Elsevier, 2024-12-01)

  Research-for-development (R4D) refers to research activities specifically designed to address critical social, environmental, and economic challenges and improve human well-being. It is essential to have well-designed indicators to monitor and evaluate progress, guide decision-making, and support learning and improvement. This paper reviews and compares two sets of indicators in use by a large international research consortium: i) ad hoc indicators developed by and for individual (non-pooled) projects, and ii) a standard set of indicators designed as part of a common results framework for a new portfolio of research initiatives. We assess both sets of indicators against the SMART (specific, measurable, achievable, relevant and time-bound) criteria, identify common errors in indicator formulation, compare the thematic coverage of the two sets of indicators, and derive lessons for improved indicator formulation. A large proportion of the non-pooled indicators fail to meet the SMART criteria. The indicators in the standard set are stronger, but with scope for improvement, especially in terms of relationship to the result of interest, specification of the indicator, measurability, standardization of outcome indicators, and impact indicators. We recommend having a balanced set of indicators of key outputs, outcomes, and impacts, based on clear and well-defined result statements.
• A global comparative analysis of local recreation behaviors and values in peri-urban forests

  Marc Djahangard; Sophie Buckwitz; Chika Hioki; Jingyu He; Zhenbang Zhou; Han Zhang; Rasoul Yousefpour (Elsevier, 2024-12-01)

  Recreation is an essential ecosystem service (ES) provided by urban and peri-urban forests. In the context of adapting forest management to social demands, it is important to understand recreation behavior and the value that people place on their recreation. This study presents a comparison of recreation behavior and willingness to pay (WTP) across four peri-urban forests located in Freiburg (Germany), Oakville (Canada), Xi'an (China) and Zomba (Malawi). WTP was asked under two contingent valuation scenarios, one to improve the forest management according to the respondents' preferences for forest characteristics and the other to sustain the forest under climate change impacts. We conducted on-site surveys, focusing on the inhabitants of the associated cities. While the recreationists were generally satisfied with the forest infrastructure (e.g., paths), they were rather dissatisfied with the facilities (e.g., sanitation and drinking water). The mean annual WTP (adjusted by purchasing-power-parity, PPP) to improve the forest management was 21.07US$ PPP in Freiburg, 18.53US$ PPP in Oakville, 8.32US$ PPP in Xi'an, and 3.52US$ PPP in Zomba. Under climate change impacts, the mean annual WTP was 27.96US$ PPP in Freiburg, 19.29US$ PPP in Oakville, 7.52US$ PPP in Xi'an, and 3.53US$ PPP in Zomba. The statistical analysis revealed a positive effect of income on WTP in Freiburg, Oakville, and Xi'an. In addition, in Freiburg, education increased WTP, while in Xi'an, younger participants were more likely to pay. In Freiburg and Zomba, belief in climate change was found to increase the probability of WTP under the climate change scenario. Regarding the payment vehicle, a local tax and a voluntary donation were preferred in Freiburg and Oakville, an entry fee in Xi'an, and there was no preference in Zomba.
• Perceived accessibility matters: Unveiling key urban parameters through traditional and technology-driven participation methods

  Mariana Huskinson; Leticia Serrano-Estrada; Pablo Martí (Elsevier, 2024-12-01)

  The demand for innovative solutions to address urban complexities, with accessibility being crucial for sustainable environments, is growing globally. As demographic shifts and disability prevalence evolve, understanding spatial dynamics affecting accessibility becomes urgent. The research hypothesis suggests that investigating both physical and perceived accessibility realms reveals critical insights into challenges individuals face in public spaces. This study explores public participation methods of different nature to evaluate their effectiveness and complementarity in portraying perceived accessibility in urban spaces. A multi-method approach, integrating participant observation tools like self-completion questionnaires and semi-structured interviews with non-participant technology-driven data sources like Foursquare, Twitter, and Google Places, was employed. The analysis focused on two areas in Alicante, Spain. Findings emerge in four phases: (1) identifying perceived accessible public spaces via questionnaires, (2) discerning influential parameters from interviews, (3) conducting a comprehensive analysis incorporating quantitative and qualitative methods, and (4) establishing correlations between parameters gathered through the methods. The results underscore the importance of diverse public participation methods in urban planning, offering a comprehensive framework for future research to improve accessibility and inclusivity in urban environments. Understanding the relationship between physical urban features and citizens' perceptions advocates targeted interventions for improved accessibility and socially inclusive environments.
• Decoding the mystery of Bangladesh's jute decline: A climate crisis or plastic predicament

  Sayedul Anam; Md Azizur Rahman; Md Arif Hassan (Elsevier, 2024-12-01)

  Bangladesh is one of the areas in Asia most vulnerable to climate change, with a mostly agricultural economy. Although jute was formerly an important cash crop, its production has steadily declined. However, the use of plastic products instead of jute-made goods is increasing rapidly. This study investigates whether plastic and climate change seriously threaten jute crops in Bangladesh. The dataset includes observations from 1988 to 2021, and various methods are used, including the Augmented Dickey-Fuller (ADF) test, Johansen cointegrating regression estimators, and fully modified Autoregressive Distributed Lag (ARDL). The findings show that floods and rainfall significantly harm jute production in Bangladesh. However, plastic usage which is measured by the use of plastic has no statistically significant effects on jute production. Therefore, to safeguard jute production in Bangladesh, the government should prioritize climate-resilient agricultural practices, such as improved flood management and the introduction of flood-resistant jute varieties. Additionally, promoting jute-made products over plastic alternatives can help revive the jute industry and reduce plastic pollution.
• Water provision benefits from karst ecosystems: An example for Watuputih groundwater basin, North Kendeng Mountain, Indonesia

  Elham Sumarga; Louise Willemen; Dian Rosleine; Faradhitya Syahida Fitria; Karla Agatha; Novayeni Sinaga (Elsevier, 2024-12-01)

  Karst ecosystems offer a wealth of ecosystem services, but their protection is increasingly challenging due to degradation and land-use conversion, including limestone mining. This study investigates the water provision service derived from karst ecosystems threatened by limestone mining in the Watuputih groundwater basin, Central Java, Indonesia. Water supply was quantified by measuring water discharge rates from major springs around the basin. Water usage was quantified for household consumption, agriculture, and recreation. This study also measured water infiltration rates in mining and non-mining areas to indicate the effects of limestone mining to hydrological processes. This study identified three primary springs around the basin: Sumber Seribu spring, Brubulan spring, and Kalutan spring, with discharge rates of 1080 L per second, 85 L per second, and 0.76 L per second, respectively. A local water company extracts water from Sumber Seribu spring at a rate of 80 L per second to supply approximately 57,600 individuals. The water supply from the three springs can irrigate approximately 1594 ha of rice fields. Water from Sumber Seribu spring also supports recreational activities in Sumber Semen recreation park, attracting an average of 19,173 visitors per year. This study revealed a complete impairment of soil's water infiltration capacity in limestone mining areas. These findings underscore the pressing need to safeguard the Watuputih groundwater basin and to mitigate the detrimental effects of limestone mining on hydrological processes. This involves designating the Watuputih karst ecosystem as a protected area, implementing Payment for Ecosystem Services (PES) programs, and restoring degraded post-mining sites.
• Ecosystem services driving factors and ecological conservation pattern construction, Qinghai-Tibet Plateau

  Zongxing Li; Jian Xue; Lanping Si; Fa Du; Juan Gui; Baijuan Zhang (Elsevier, 2024-12-01)

  Given that the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau (QTP) is an important ecological security barrier in western China, changes in its ecosystem services (ESs) have received attention. Using multivariate datas and model simulations, we evaluated the ESs of the QTP, revealed their driving factors, and constructed ecological conservation pattern based on ecosystem services index (ESI) and ecosystem sensitivity (ES). The results showed that: (1) The overall ESs of the QTP from 2000 to 2020 were positive, with a spatial distribution characteristic of decreasing from southeast to northwest. Forest and grassland were the key land use types promoting ESs. (2) Natural factors had a stronger influence on ESs than socioeconomic factors, with precipitation, FVC (Fractional Vegetation Cover) and NPP (Net Primary Productivity) had the strongest explanatory power for ESs. (3) The proportion of the collaborative development area (CDA), consolidation and enhancement area (CEA) and priority protection area (PPA) to the total area of the QTP was 19%, 56% and 25% respectively. The CDA should follow the concept of natural restoration and green development. The CEA should optimize the management system and do a good job of environmental management in combination with artificial restoration. The PPA should strictly prevent disturbances caused by human activities and protect the originality of natural landscapes such as glaciers, snow and permafrost.
• Integrated coastal vulnerability index for coastal flooding: A case study of the Croatian coast

  Ivan Marić; Monika Peer; Anita Čipak; Kristian Kobaš; Ante Šiljeg; Nino Krvavica (Elsevier, 2024-12-01)

  The combination of accelerated urbanization and tourism-related activities, along with frequent coastal flooding, has generated pressure on the coastline of the Republic of Croatia (RH). In this paper, an integrated coastal vulnerability model (ICVI) for coastal flooding was developed. The ICVI was generated using a GIS multicriteria approach and derived from two sub-indices: the physical vulnerability index (CVIN) and the socio-economic vulnerability index (CVIS). In total, 30 criteria were used in the derivation of the ICVI, with twelve contributing to CVIS and eighteen to CVIN. The ICVI model is represented as a line divided into smaller segments, each segment indicating ICVI vulnerability levels ranging from 1 (very low) to 5 (very high). The accuracy of CVIN was evaluated using 159 geocoded coastal flood locations obtained from various websites and the official register of Hrvatske Vode flood events from 2008 to 2023. More than 80% of geocoded flood locations are situated in areas with very high (5) or high (4) CVIN. Furthermore, out of 32 settlements with officially registered flood events, 90.6% of them are located in areas with very high or high ICVI. Since all data used in the ICVI derivation were acquired from open-source databases and a user-friendly GIS-MCDA toolbox was utilized, this paper presents a cost-effective approach to modeling integrated coastal vulnerability. This model can guide decision-makers and provide them with new insights for implementing an effective integrated coastal zone management strategy.
• Towards net-zero carbon emissions: A systematic review of carbon sustainability reporting based on GHG protocol framework

  Hussein H. Sharaf-Addin (Elsevier, 2024-12-01)

  The growing threat of climate change, driven largely by carbon emissions, has made the transition to net-zero carbon emissions a critical global priority. In this systematic literature review conducted between 2021 and 2024 within the oil and gas domain, the investigation focuses on the pathway toward achieving net-zero carbon emissions. The study focuses on the role of carbon sustainability reporting, specifically those aligned with the Greenhouse Gas (GHG) protocol framework, in facilitating this transition. Employing the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) framework, this research thoroughly examines 34 papers specifically published in the oil and gas sector. This rigorous approach yielded 96 relevant studies encompassing a diverse range of industries. The analysis delves into the adoption, implementation, and impact of carbon sustainability reporting practices that adhere to the GHG Protocol Framework. The findings identified key themes within the collected research, including the effectiveness of carbon sustainability reports in driving organizational practices towards carbon neutrality, the challenges encountered on the path to net-zero carbon emissions, and the broader implications for policy development and future research directions. By synthesizing the findings from this extensive selection of studies, this review offers a comprehensive role of the carbon sustainability reporting within the oil and gas industry based on the GHG protocol framework. Furthermore, it proposes valuable recommendations for advanced initiatives towards a carbon-neutral future.
• Evaluating the implementation of the sustainable sites initiative (SITES) and its adaptation potential in China

  Fengdi Ma (Elsevier, 2024-12-01)

  The importance of green infrastructure for achieving urban sustainability is increasingly recognized globally. Originating in the United States, the Sustainable Sites Initiative (SITES) is an international green rating system designed to guide sustainable landscape development and evaluate sustainability throughout the entire lifecycle of landscapes and other outdoor spaces. Despite its international scope, the performance of SITES has not been quantified in diverse contexts. Understanding the performance of SITES is crucial for practitioners and regulatory authorities; however, quantitative analysis of previous projects is lacking. Furthermore, the adaptation of SITES in China requires further exploration. This study addresses these gaps by utilizing a dataset of SITES v2 certified projects to examine the achievement of sections and credits across various projects, aiming to understand performance patterns and identify barriers to certification. Performance was assessed using score ratios to measure how effectively projects met potential credits, and Association Rules Mining was employed to explore relationships between related credits. Furthermore, a detailed case study of Beijing Central Green Forest Park was conducted to assess the adaptability and applicability of SITES within the Chinese context. Our findings indicate significant variability in the difficulty of achieving certification across different sections. Among 1166 potential rules, 128 pairs of related credits were identified, suggesting substantive associations among the credits. The case study of Beijing Central Green Forest Park resulted in an overall score ratio of 82%, achieving 171 scores, which underscores the potential of SITES as a valuable sustainability tool in China. However, variability in section performance, particularly lower scores in the Materials Selection section, highlights the challenges faced and emphasizes the need for further adaptations of the SITES criteria to better align with local conditions.
• Navigating the financial sector's role in energy transition: A comprehensive assessment through the lens of the energy trilemma

  Mayank Parashar; Ritika Jaiswal (Elsevier, 2024-12-01)

  Global energy concerns and climate change underscore the need to address energy trilemma (ET), which is the delicate balance of energy security, equity, and environmental sustainability. Navigating this trilemma requires financial and economic development to promote investments in clean energy solutions. In this context, the present study examines the influence of financial development and macroeconomic factors on ET in 18 emerging nations from 2000 to 2021. It also analyzes the implications of the Paris Agreement and the Kyoto Protocol on this relationship. The findings reveal that financial development indicators help reduce greenhouse gas emissions and improve access to clean fuels and technologies. Conversely, it negatively impacts the primary energy supply from renewable sources and the share of electricity from wind energy. Nonetheless, these outcomes persist even after ratifying the Kyoto and Paris Agreement. These unfavorable results are caused by prevailing financial barriers, which are further impeded by technological, environmental, and socioeconomic challenges. Thus, this research highlights the importance of targeted policy reforms in facilitating an effective energy transition and offers actionable recommendations for policymakers aimed at achieving sustainability goals.
• “The interplay between carbon emissions and inequality: A complex networks approach”

  José Alejandro Fernández Fernández; Miguel Ángel Casquet Cano; Sonia Quiroga (Elsevier, 2024-12-01)

  The sustainable development process faces two key challenges: income inequality and carbon emissions, but their relationship remains unclear. This study analyzes interrelations between greenhouse gas emissions (GHG) and income inequality across European countries, using the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) framework. First, the main determinants of greenhouse gas emissions are identified through Random Forest analysis, then two inequality groups are created via cluster analysis based on SDG1 and SDG10. Finally, two complex networks are constructed based on the inequality groups and main emission determinants to determine the most relevant factors influencing each group's impact on global emissions.Our research reveals significant differences between countries with low and high levels of inequality. In the high-inequality group, productivity and emissions are negatively correlated, whereas, in the low-inequality group, the relationship is positive. This trade-off indicates that countries with lower inequality tend to have greater energy efficiency, but improvements in quality of life lead to higher consumption levels, influenced by the Marginal Propensity to Emit and consumer status levels. The negative relationship in the high-inequality group suggests a potential income threshold where productivity increases reduce emissions due to energy efficiency offsetting consumption increases. In agricultural activities, countries with higher inequality see a positive impact on emissions, whereas in countries with lower inequality, agriculture tends to be more productive with lower emissions. In countries with higher inequality, increased government investments correlate with higher emissions. Conversely, in countries with lower inequality, investments align with zero-carbon efforts, showing a negative correlation with emissions.
• Geoparticipation as a tool for mapping calamities mosquito hotspots: A case study from Litovelské Pomoraví, Czechia

  Oldřich Rypl; Jaroslav Burian; Jiří Pánek; Jan Brus (Elsevier, 2024-12-01)

  The coexistence of humans and nature has been a recurring theme throughout history, gaining particular importance in the context of climate change and the sustainability of our planet for future generations. However, the delicate balance between humans and nature is often disrupted, as exemplified by the Litovelské Pomoraví Protected Landscape Area in Czechia, where close interaction between humans and mosquitoes is a persistent issue. In this area, when environmental conditions are favorable for mosquito outbreaks, the local population living near the floodplain forests experiences significant discomfort for extended periods. The risk of mosquito overpopulation has intensified in recent years, largely attributed to climate change. Rising water temperatures in breeding habitats accelerate the developmental cycles of certain mosquito species, shortening the time required for maturation. This study aims to utilize modern geoinformation techniques to assess mosquito activity within the Litovelské Pomoraví region and evaluate the perceived impact on human populations. The methodological approach integrates the development of a representative population distribution layer and participatory mapping. These efforts culminate in the identification of active mosquito zones and the quantification of the at-risk population. While long-term data indicate that the situation is not deteriorating significantly, the study confirms that elevated mosquito activity continues to disrupt the daily lives of residents and visitors. Notably, summer mosquito outbreaks exert a broader impact than spring outbreaks, affecting both a larger geographic area and a greater proportion of the population.The study's primary output, the spatial delineation of active mosquito zones and the identification of continuously populated areas at risk, holds significant value for the integrated management of the region. These findings can help mitigate the annual occurrence of mosquito outbreaks, improve the health of the floodplain forest ecosystem, and promote biodiversity conservation.
• Development of shallow landslide susceptibility maps incorporating relative spacing index for forest management

  Hiroki Asada; Yuta Hasegawa; Tomoko Minagawa (Elsevier, 2024-12-01)

  This study aims to obtain valuable insights into forest management that can reduce the risk of shallow landslides. We developed shallow landslide susceptibility maps (SLSMs) incorporating tree height and the relative spacing index as indicators of forest management for Cryptomeria japonica and Chamaecyparis obtusa plantations, focusing on the shallow landslides that occurred during the July 2012 Northern Kyushu heavy rain in the Aso region of Kumamoto Prefecture. We created SLSMs by developing a Random Forest model. The explanatory variables included tree height and relative spacing index, topography, geology, rainfall, and other factors totaling eleven factors. The area under the curve for the model was 0.94, indicating very high accuracy. The importance of the relative spacing index was comparatively low. The impact of forest management on shallow landslides was quantitatively assessed via a partial dependence plot for the relative spacing index. The results indicated that the relative spacing index that minimized the landslide probability was 23.7, below the cut-off value that distinguishes between landslide and non-landslide. In addition, the SLSMs indicated that implementing forest management with a uniform relative spacing index of 23.7 could reduce the ‘Very High' susceptibility area by 77.76 ha compared to the case without forest management. The threshold of the relative spacing index obtained in this study are crucial for future plantation forest management practices aimed at reducing the risk of shallow landslides.
• Estimating a national critical mineral security index in Indonesia using analytical hierarchy process

  Nyayu Aisyah; Nugroho Adi Sasongko; Yoyon Wahyono; Martin Anda; Allan Trench (Elsevier, 2024-12-01)

  Critical minerals are key to guaranteeing energy security and economic stability in a nation. Indonesia, as the largest country in Southeast Asia, has significant reserves of critical minerals. The current circumstances, however, pose substantial challenges for Indonesia as it strives for self-sufficiency in various sectors. Indonesia must pay attention to its natural resource management, especially that of critical minerals. This study aims to present information on securing critical mineral resources in Indonesia by constructing a Critical Mineral Security Index (CMSI). This study used a quasi-qualitative method, wherein the Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP) was used as the process of analysis. A total of four dimensions have been proposed in this study—availability, accessibility, technology-efficiency, and environmental, social, and governance (ESG) dimensions with a total of 29 indicators. The results of the AHP confirm that the security level of critical mineral resources in Indonesia is 5.57. The results indicate that the availability dimension has the highest weight compared to the other dimensions, equal to 47.6%. While the accessibility dimension has the lowest level of resistance. The government should, therefore, prioritize improving the indicators of accessibility dimensions. These results have policy implications for the energy and mineral sector in the future, to further reinforce energy and mineral security on a national scale, which may ultimately support transition energy in Indonesia and strengthen national defense.
• Copper concentration in the vineyard and forest topsoils. A comparative study with individual pollution indices

  Cristian Vasilică Secu; Dan Cristian Lesenciuc (Elsevier, 2024-12-01)

  The study objectives were to evaluate the soil pollution with Copper (Cu) for different land uses, namely the cultivated and abandoned vineyards, the stripped soil from the abandoned vineyard, and the topsoil under forest vegetation, using individual pollution indices. Soil samples were systematically collected from the A horizon in both cultivated and abandoned vineyards, and from the local forest, and from three soil profiles. To assess the soil quality, the Enrichment Factor (EF), Geoaccumulation Index (Igeo), and Pollution Index (PI) were calculated based on values obtained from soil sample analysis and various thresholds or guideline values. The individual pollution indices reveal the following sequence for Cu concentration: stripped soil in the abandoned vineyard > soil in the abandoned vineyard > soil in the cultivated vineyard > soil in the forest. When using Romanian or Finnish standards, the PI shows more variability than EF and Igeo indices, leading to different soil contamination classifications. Indices based on conservative elements and local geochemical background provide more stable results, especially for cultivated soils. The volume of treatments applied can explain the higher concentration of Cu in the abandoned vineyard compared to the cultivated one (ampelographic collection). The Specific Pollution Index provides a two-dimensional assessment of pollution through the difference in Cu concentration in the upper part of the soil in two ecosystems (viticulture and forestry), adjusted to the content of the same element in the local geochemical background.
• Marine microbial community taxonomic and functional indicators to volcanic and anthropogenic stressors in Deception Island, Antarctica

  Bernardo Duarte; Ana Cruz-Silva; Eduardo Feijão; Marcelo Pereira; Mónica Nunes; Andreia Figueiredo; Ana Rita Matos; Ricardo Dias; Vanessa Fonseca; Carla Gameiro (Elsevier, 2024-12-01)

  In recent years, the growth in Antarctic tourism has stimulated research on the anthropogenic impacts on the region, boosted by advances in OMIC technologies applied to polar microbial communities. This study aimed to assess the human impacts on marine prokaryotic and viral communities of Deception Island by identifying potential taxonomic, functional, and resistome indicators of both anthropogenic and natural/volcanic pressures. Proteobacteria, Bacteroidetes, and Actinobacteria were the dominant phyla, with notable variations attributed to volcanic activity and anthropogenic pressure. The abundance of Euryarchaeota in regions with increased volcanic activity underlines their adaptability to extreme conditions. Their mercury resistance coupled with their ability to cope with toxic heavy metals is a critical component in managing volcanic mercury concentrations. Actinobacteria, Cyanobacteria, Planctomycetes, and Synergistetes showed distinctive abundance patterns with potential ecological implications related to volcanic environments. Functional analyses revealed the enrichment of functions associated with metal-based, hydrocarbon degradation, and nitrogen metabolism. Submarine volcanic vents contributed significantly to the shape of functional diversity. Identification of specific functions related to nosocomial infections and gastroenteritis highlights the impact of anthropogenic activities on functional traits. Antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) showed nuanced patterns influenced by both anthropogenic pressure and volcanic activity. Actinobacteria were correlated with increased ARG abundance, which was enhanced by wastewater disposal. Remarkably, Fumarole Bay showed an increased prevalence of certain ARGs, despite a lower anthropogenic impact, suggesting a unique selective pressure induced by volcanic activity. The responsiveness of these indicators to varying levels of pressure characterizes them as valuable tools for assessing and mitigating anthropogenic impacts on the marine waters of Deception Island.
• Influence of livelihood functional diversity on agro-food systems in rural communities from different macro regions of Brazil

  Rodrigo Jesus Silva; Gabriela Bielefeld Nardoto; Luiz Antônio Martinelli (Elsevier, 2024-12-01)

  Urbanization has changed the livelihood diversity of rural communities worldwide. This study aimed to fit an indicator of the functional diversity of livelihood activities to assess the heterogeneity of socioeconomic conditions and their influence on agro-food changes in rural communities in Brazil. This study was conducted in three macro regions of Brazil, through semi-structured questionnaire interviews conducted in 1012 households to verify details about food patterns, self-consumption farms, and socioeconomic conditions. Data from questionnaires were analyzed using multivariate statistical models to appraise similarities among communities and determine the relative influence of socioeconomic factors on agro-food patterns. Specific socioeconomic status and use of natural resource data were analyzed while adjusting for Petchey and Gaston's indicator of functional diversity to evaluate the heterogeneity of local livelihood activities and socioeconomic conditions. This indicator summarizes the proportional livelihood richness in all sampled places, as better conditions for survival were found in specific localities of the central-west and eastern Amazon regions of Brazil. We also verified that the remote areas of the Goiás and Pará states were regions with the most significant maintenance of traditional food habits and use of natural resources. Although these results do not allow us to establish that all of these areas are undergoing an agro-food transition process, some localities are more likely than others to adjust their livelihood strategies to face global food changes. This interdisciplinary approach facilitated the identification of the most similar groups regarding their livelihoods and socioeconomic conditions that influenced the agro-food transition process in rural regions.
• Detection of Hydrological Alteration and soil erosion in a conserved tropical sub-humid ecosystem of Ethiopia

  Aschalew K. Tebeje; Misbah A. Hussein; Tewodros T. Assefa; Demesew A. Mhiret; Fasikaw A. Zimale; Wubneh B. Abebe; Anwar A. Adem; Seifu A. Tilahun; Gizaw Desta; Mohammed A. Ahmed (Elsevier, 2024-12-01)

  Soil erosion poses a significant challenge in the sub-humid Ethiopian highlands, yet research on the long-term effectiveness of soil and water conservation (SWC) practices in this region using pre- and post-conservation approaches remains limited. This study addresses this knowledge gap by evaluating the impact of SWC practices on water balance and soil erosion in the Debre Mawi watershed. The study covers two-period analyses: pre-conservation (2010–2014) and post-conservation (2015–2022) using the Soil and Water Assessment Tool (SWAT) to simulate hydrological water balance. Hydrological changes were assessed with the Indicators of Hydrological Alteration (IHA) software. Spatial and weekly sediment distribution were also computed. Results showed the SWAT effectively simulated stream flow, though sediment yield estimation was less accurate. The data demonstrated a reduction in surface runoff by 18% and a decrease in sediment yield by 75%. Conversely, evapotranspiration and groundwater storage experienced increases of 13% and 34%, respectively. The decrease in runoff and sediment can be attributed to the implementation of SWC structures with infiltration furrows, which are presently filled with sediment. Moreover, the expansion of eucalyptus tree acreage may deplete soil water during dry periods, thereby prolonging the time needed for the soil to become saturated and produce runoff, but the impact has yet to be quantified. The IHA analysis confirmed a decrease in mean annual flow from 0.06 m3/s to 0.02 m3/s, and sediment concentration decreased from 831.2 mg/l to 285 mg/l between the pre-and post-conservation periods. The study detected that soil erosion is higher than the allowable limits recommended for Ethiopia even after implementing SWCPs. Additionally, sediment transport reduced after the first three weeks due to improved ground cover and soil stability, although significant amounts were recorded until the end of the rainy season, primarily from gullies. The study found significant hydrological alterations in flow and sediment dynamics following the implementation of SWC practices, particularly pronounced in the early years post-conservation (2015–2018). However, the effectiveness of SWC practices diminished over time, with conditions beginning to revert to pre-conservation levels after 10 years. This suggests that these techniques (infiltration furrows) may be unsuitable for sub-humid watersheds, or that they require improved design and major maintenance beyond the third year. This study offers valuable insights into the dynamics of SWC interventions, underscoring the importance of integrating agronomic practices with SWC efforts to sustain long-term soil and water conservation in Ethiopia's sub-humid highlands. Future research should explore the hydrological effects of eucalyptus expansion and refine SWC practices suited to these unique conditions.
• Seagrass mapping of north-eastern Brazil using Google Earth Engine and Sentinel-2 imagery

  Emma Deeks; Karine Magalhães; Dimosthenis Traganos; Raymond Ward; Iran Normande; Terence P. Dawson; Pavel Kratina (Elsevier, 2024-12-01)

  Seagrass ecosystems are globally important blue carbon sinks and support significant marine and terrestrial biodiversity. However, human-induced climate change coupled with other anthropogenic pressures have substantially reduced seagrass distributions, making them one of the most threatened ecosystems on Earth. The challenges associated with seagrass conservation include substantial data gaps and limited low-cost, near-real monitoring methods. To address these challenges, we used 507 Sentinel-2 satellite images, filtered between August 2020 and May 2021, in the Google Earth Engine cloud computing environment for regional scale seascape habitat mapping in north-eastern Brazil, a region where conservation efforts are particularly hampered by data limitations. We mapped 9452 km2 of coastline up to a depth of 10 m. We identified 328 km2 of seagrass ecosystems, providing vital open access positional information for a variety of research applications. We also assessed the capability of Sentinel-2 in monitoring temporal changes in coastal habitats, and revealed up to 15.9% declines in seagrass meadow coverage in specific areas over a five-year period in north-eastern Brazil. Our results demonstrate that Sentinel-2 is an effective tool in mapping seagrass distributions at a regional scale. The resulting maps are critical for supporting the conservation of Neotropical coastal biota, including the endangered Antillean Manatee. Our study emphasises the importance of replicable and systematic monitoring methods in the race to conserve threatened coastal ecosystems globally.
• Assessment of dust emissions and their controlling factors on the Hoh Xil, north-central part of the Qinghai-Tibetan plateau

  Yawei Fan; Heqiang Du; Zhiwen Han; Xiufan Liu; Xinlei Liu; Zongxing Li (Elsevier, 2024-12-01)

  Dust emissions can lead to a series of environmental hazards and are thus a global concern. However, due to the difficulties of dust source identification, there are still great uncertainties in the calculation of dust yield on a global scale. The Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau presents some challenges for understanding the region's calculation of the global dust budget. To address these issues, the Hoh Xil Plateau, a typical dust source on the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau, was selected as the study area for analyzing dust emission processes and associated influencing factors via a robust model. The results showed that dust emissions on the Hoh Xil Plateau occurred mainly in spring and winter. The wide distribution of bare land and sandy land on the Hoh Xil Plateau is the main reason for the high dust emissions. Wind speed is the dominant factor influencing annual dust emission, while precipitation and temperature were negatively correlated with the dust emission. The recession of expansive lakes in the region resulted in an increase in sandy lake-shores, which induced a potential increase in dust emissions. In addition, the effects of human activities on dust emissions were evident. Positive and negative effects on dust emission changes coexisted on the Hoh Xil Plateau and depended on the development of the county-level economy and the implementation of ecological engineering measures. We believe that this study will clarify the dust yield of the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau and provide valuable information for understanding the driving factors that cause variations in aeolian processes on the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau.

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