Environmental and Sustainability Indicators最新文献_第4页

Integrating climate indices and land use practices for comprehensive drought monitoring in Syria: Impacts and implications

IF 5.4 Q1 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES

Environmental and Sustainability Indicators

Pub Date : 2025-02-08 DOI: 10.1016/j.indic.2025.100631

Shifa Mathbout , George Boustras , Pierantonios Papazoglou , Javier Martin Vide , Fatima Raai

This study explores the dynamics of drought in Syria, highlighting the importance of integrating multiple indices with land-use practices for effective monitoring and mitigation. The Climatic Research Unit Timeseries (CRU TS) dataset aligns strongly with observed data, demonstrating high Correlation Coefficients (CC) and Nash-Sutcliffe Efficiency (NSE) values for precipitation and temperature. Despite slight discrepancies, the dataset effectively captures Syria's climatic characteristics. An analysis of drought records from 1981 to 2021 indicates an overall trend of increasing aridity, marked by significant drought events in 1999, 2010, 2014, 2017, and 2021. Temperature-based indices underscore the necessity of incorporating temperature data, especially for semi-arid regions. The study evaluates agricultural drought using the Vegetation Health Index (VHI), revealing severe to moderate drought conditions across Syria, with croplands performing slightly better than non-agricultural lands. Correlation analyses of Drought Indices (DIs) demonstrate strong relationships, despite variations in severity classifications. Agricultural Drought Indices (AgrDIs) align more closely with Meteorological Drought Indices (MetDIs), but disparities exist. The intensification of drought has likely exacerbated agricultural challenges, increased socio-economic vulnerabilities, and contributed to unrest and migration, emphasizing the broader geopolitical consequences of climate-induced stress. This underscores the urgent need for further research on future climate risks to water resources, social stability, and economic systems.

{"title":"Integrating climate indices and land use practices for comprehensive drought monitoring in Syria: Impacts and implications","authors":"Shifa Mathbout , George Boustras , Pierantonios Papazoglou , Javier Martin Vide , Fatima Raai","doi":"10.1016/j.indic.2025.100631","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.indic.2025.100631","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>This study explores the dynamics of drought in Syria, highlighting the importance of integrating multiple indices with land-use practices for effective monitoring and mitigation. The Climatic Research Unit Timeseries (CRU TS) dataset aligns strongly with observed data, demonstrating high Correlation Coefficients (CC) and Nash-Sutcliffe Efficiency (NSE) values for precipitation and temperature. Despite slight discrepancies, the dataset effectively captures Syria's climatic characteristics. An analysis of drought records from 1981 to 2021 indicates an overall trend of increasing aridity, marked by significant drought events in 1999, 2010, 2014, 2017, and 2021. Temperature-based indices underscore the necessity of incorporating temperature data, especially for semi-arid regions. The study evaluates agricultural drought using the Vegetation Health Index (VHI), revealing severe to moderate drought conditions across Syria, with croplands performing slightly better than non-agricultural lands. Correlation analyses of Drought Indices (DIs) demonstrate strong relationships, despite variations in severity classifications. Agricultural Drought Indices (AgrDIs) align more closely with Meteorological Drought Indices (MetDIs), but disparities exist. The intensification of drought has likely exacerbated agricultural challenges, increased socio-economic vulnerabilities, and contributed to unrest and migration, emphasizing the broader geopolitical consequences of climate-induced stress. This underscores the urgent need for further research on future climate risks to water resources, social stability, and economic systems.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":36171,"journal":{"name":"Environmental and Sustainability Indicators","volume":"26 ","pages":"Article 100631"},"PeriodicalIF":5.4,"publicationDate":"2025-02-08","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143420248","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

引用次数: 0

The response of the water cycle to landscape configuration and composition in two Chilean basins

IF 5.4 Q1 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES

Environmental and Sustainability Indicators

Pub Date : 2025-02-08 DOI: 10.1016/j.indic.2025.100629

Marieta Hernández-Sosa , Mauricio Aguayo , Jorge Hurtado , Ovidio Llompart

Land use/cover change (LUCC) and landscape patterns have an important influence on the hydrological cycle. However, it is still unknown how hydrological processes and streamflow respond to changes in landscape configuration and composition in hydrological basins. The relationship between landscape metrics and hydrological variables in two Chilean basins was analyzed for the last 4 decades. Aggregation, shape and diversity metrics were obtained using Fragstats software, and hydrological components were simulated by the TETIS hydrological model. Pearson correlation coefficients (PCC) and partial least squares (PLSR) analysis were used to determine how landscape patterns influence hydrological processes and streamflow behavior. The most significant negative correlations occur in the wet season between aggregation and shape metrics on crop soils and evapotranspiration, infiltration, and baseflow regime behavior. The PLSR analysis shows that the second component-related landscape metrics of young plantations explain the highest percentage of variation in hydrological components. The results of this research improve our understanding of the effects of landscape configuration and composition on the hydrological cycle and can be used for land planning and water resource management within the basins.

{"title":"The response of the water cycle to landscape configuration and composition in two Chilean basins","authors":"Marieta Hernández-Sosa , Mauricio Aguayo , Jorge Hurtado , Ovidio Llompart","doi":"10.1016/j.indic.2025.100629","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.indic.2025.100629","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Land use/cover change (LUCC) and landscape patterns have an important influence on the hydrological cycle. However, it is still unknown how hydrological processes and streamflow respond to changes in landscape configuration and composition in hydrological basins. The relationship between landscape metrics and hydrological variables in two Chilean basins was analyzed for the last 4 decades. Aggregation, shape and diversity metrics were obtained using Fragstats software, and hydrological components were simulated by the TETIS hydrological model. Pearson correlation coefficients (PCC) and partial least squares (PLSR) analysis were used to determine how landscape patterns influence hydrological processes and streamflow behavior. The most significant negative correlations occur in the wet season between aggregation and shape metrics on crop soils and evapotranspiration, infiltration, and baseflow regime behavior. The PLSR analysis shows that the second component-related landscape metrics of young plantations explain the highest percentage of variation in hydrological components. The results of this research improve our understanding of the effects of landscape configuration and composition on the hydrological cycle and can be used for land planning and water resource management within the basins.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":36171,"journal":{"name":"Environmental and Sustainability Indicators","volume":"26 ","pages":"Article 100629"},"PeriodicalIF":5.4,"publicationDate":"2025-02-08","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143379364","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

引用次数: 0

Does social capital influence the intensity of conservation agriculture adoption among smallholder farmers in Malawi?

IF 5.4 Q1 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES

Environmental and Sustainability Indicators

Pub Date : 2025-02-08 DOI: 10.1016/j.indic.2025.100630

Harry Mathanda , Innocent Pangapanga-Phiri , Adane Tufa , Julius Mangisoni , Arega Alene , Hambulo Ngoma , Horace Happy Phiri , David Chikoye

Addressing persistent food insecurity requires increased and sustained agricultural productivity in spite of compounding challenges of worsening climate shocks and soil degradation. However, despite numerous initiatives by stakeholders like the Malawian government, along with strong scientific evidence supporting Conservation Agriculture (CA), adoption rates in Malawi remain lower than expected. This study examined social capital as a catalyst for the adoption of CA. It used data from 1512 randomly selected smallholder farmers to investigate how different elements of social capital influenced farmers’ decisions to adopt CA practices. The study findings revealed that social capital elements, namely, group membership and relationships with leadership positively influenced CA adoption. Additionally, factors such as cultivated land size, access to extension services, livestock ownership, and credit availability contributed to the number of CA practices adopted. While the transition to full CA adoption remained limited compared to partial adoption, the study revealed promising trends toward greater uptake. Consequently, these findings highlight the need for agricultural policies that promote farmer organizations, community engagement, and training programs to strengthen social networks and enhance the adoption of CA practices in Malawi.

{"title":"Does social capital influence the intensity of conservation agriculture adoption among smallholder farmers in Malawi?","authors":"Harry Mathanda , Innocent Pangapanga-Phiri , Adane Tufa , Julius Mangisoni , Arega Alene , Hambulo Ngoma , Horace Happy Phiri , David Chikoye","doi":"10.1016/j.indic.2025.100630","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.indic.2025.100630","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Addressing persistent food insecurity requires increased and sustained agricultural productivity in spite of compounding challenges of worsening climate shocks and soil degradation. However, despite numerous initiatives by stakeholders like the Malawian government, along with strong scientific evidence supporting Conservation Agriculture (CA), adoption rates in Malawi remain lower than expected. This study examined social capital as a catalyst for the adoption of CA. It used data from 1512 randomly selected smallholder farmers to investigate how different elements of social capital influenced farmers’ decisions to adopt CA practices. The study findings revealed that social capital elements, namely, group membership and relationships with leadership positively influenced CA adoption. Additionally, factors such as cultivated land size, access to extension services, livestock ownership, and credit availability contributed to the number of CA practices adopted. While the transition to full CA adoption remained limited compared to partial adoption, the study revealed promising trends toward greater uptake. Consequently, these findings highlight the need for agricultural policies that promote farmer organizations, community engagement, and training programs to strengthen social networks and enhance the adoption of CA practices in Malawi.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":36171,"journal":{"name":"Environmental and Sustainability Indicators","volume":"26 ","pages":"Article 100630"},"PeriodicalIF":5.4,"publicationDate":"2025-02-08","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143420249","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

引用次数: 0

Historical and projected forest cover changes in the Mount Kenya Ecosystem: Implications for sustainable forest management

IF 5.4 Q1 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES

Environmental and Sustainability Indicators

Pub Date : 2025-02-07 DOI: 10.1016/j.indic.2025.100628

Brian Rotich , Abdalrahman Ahmed , Benjamin Kinyili , Harison Kipkulei

Understanding historical patterns of forest cover change (FCC) is critical for predicting future trends and informing sustainable management strategies. This study quantified and analyzed historical and projected FCC in the Mount Kenya Ecosystem (MKE), central Kenya. Land Use Land Cover (LULC) maps for 2000, 2014, and 2023 were classified using Random Forest (RF) in Google Earth Engine (GEE). Explanatory factors of LULC change (slope, aspect, population density, proximity to rivers, roads, and towns) were used to project LULC for 2035 using Cellular Automata and Markov Chain Analysis (CA-MCA).

Six LULC types (open forest, closed forest, cropland, bareland, built-up, shrubland and grassland) were successfully classified with accuracies exceeding 82.5% and Kappa coefficients above 0.77. Between 2000 and 2023, open forest (+201.12 km²), cropland (+218 km²), bareland (+290.09 km²), and built-up areas (+0.27 km²) expanded, while closed forest (−141.55 km²) and shrubland and grassland (−567.93 km²) declined. An overall Kappa coefficient value of 0.78 and an accuracy of 82% indicated good results for LULC statistics and projected map for 2035. LULC projections for the year 2035 under the Business as Usual (BAU) scenario suggest continued expansion of cropland (+174.70 km²), built-up areas (+0.49 km²), and open forest (+471.72 km²), with declines in closed forest (−423.53 km²) and shrubland and grassland (−357.79 km²).

These results highlight the ongoing pressures on the MKE's biodiversity and ecosystem services. The study's methods offer a replicable framework for assessing FCC in similar ecosystems to inform evidence-based conservation and land management policies.

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引用次数: 0

Sustainable performance measurement in brick kilns: Proposal of an index with objective and subjective data 砖窑的可持续绩效衡量：利用主客观数据编制指数的建议

IF 5.4 Q1 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES

Environmental and Sustainability Indicators

Pub Date : 2025-02-06 DOI: 10.1016/j.indic.2025.100623

Manuel de Jesús Melo-Monterrey, Patricia S. Sánchez-Medina, María del Rosario Reyes-Santiago

This research aims to construct a sustainable performance index for small brick businesses using both objective (emissions measurement) and subjective data (opinions and perceptions of business performance) throughout the brick manufacturing process. The proposed sustainable performance index, which includes both subjective and objective data, generates a more comprehensive index by integrating diverse types of data. To collect information, a structured questionnaire was developed and applied face-to-face to 142 brick-making business owners located in five metropolitan municipalities of Oaxaca (ZMO), Mexico. The measurement of polluting emissions was carried out on-site using Temptop 2000 and Testo 340 equipment. An exploratory factor analysis was conducted with the collected data and the reliability and validity of the scales were tested. The results present a sustainable performance index that integrates the economic dimension, covering commercial and financial phases; the environmental dimension, subdivided into process emissions and production inputs, and the social performance dimension. The component that scored lowest was production inputs, while the component that scored highest was financial performance. The municipality with the worst ranking position is Santa Cruz Amilpas, and the best-positioned municipality is San Andrés Huayapam. These results are significant for the government, producers, and authorities as they provide a basis for defining strategies aimed at sustainable brick production. This includes incorporating technology to enhance economic returns, mitigating negative environmental and human health impacts, and ensuring appropriate social development for employees.

{"title":"Sustainable performance measurement in brick kilns: Proposal of an index with objective and subjective data","authors":"Manuel de Jesús Melo-Monterrey, Patricia S. Sánchez-Medina, María del Rosario Reyes-Santiago","doi":"10.1016/j.indic.2025.100623","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.indic.2025.100623","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>This research aims to construct a sustainable performance index for small brick businesses using both objective (emissions measurement) and subjective data (opinions and perceptions of business performance) throughout the brick manufacturing process. The proposed sustainable performance index, which includes both subjective and objective data, generates a more comprehensive index by integrating diverse types of data. To collect information, a structured questionnaire was developed and applied face-to-face to 142 brick-making business owners located in five metropolitan municipalities of Oaxaca (ZMO), Mexico. The measurement of polluting emissions was carried out on-site using Temptop 2000 and Testo 340 equipment. An exploratory factor analysis was conducted with the collected data and the reliability and validity of the scales were tested. The results present a sustainable performance index that integrates the economic dimension, covering commercial and financial phases; the environmental dimension, subdivided into process emissions and production inputs, and the social performance dimension. The component that scored lowest was production inputs, while the component that scored highest was financial performance. The municipality with the worst ranking position is Santa Cruz Amilpas, and the best-positioned municipality is San Andrés Huayapam. These results are significant for the government, producers, and authorities as they provide a basis for defining strategies aimed at sustainable brick production. This includes incorporating technology to enhance economic returns, mitigating negative environmental and human health impacts, and ensuring appropriate social development for employees.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":36171,"journal":{"name":"Environmental and Sustainability Indicators","volume":"26 ","pages":"Article 100623"},"PeriodicalIF":5.4,"publicationDate":"2025-02-06","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143395909","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

引用次数: 0

Urban expansion-induced land use land cover changes and the subsequent changes in ecosystem service and land surface temperature in the central highland of Ethiopia

IF 5.4 Q1 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES

Environmental and Sustainability Indicators

Pub Date : 2025-02-06 DOI: 10.1016/j.indic.2025.100626

Belew Bekele , Wu Wei , Lemma Tsegaye , Mengistu Tilahun , Tadie Girma , Haile Ketema

Human activities that impact the environment are recognized as major contributors to climate change and alterations in ecosystem services. However, the ecological and socioeconomic impacts resulting from such human-induced changes are rarely examined at the current study site. Therefore, this study aims to examine human-induced pressure on the normal functioning of vital environmental services like ecosystem service values (ESV) and selected climatic variables like Land Surface Temperature (LST) using the most fragile and dynamic Central Ethiopian highland as a case study site. Geospatial analysis was mainly used to analyze data obtained from Landsat imageries and field investigation. The result shows that during 1990–2000, water bodies, built-up area, forest land, and farmland gained about 164.7%, 130.9%, 27.6%, and 25.5% of their area in 1990, respectively, whereas grassland exhibited the highest loss (77.3%) of its area during the same period. For the entire study landscape, the total estimated ESVs were 691.4, 731.5, and 704.6 million US$ha-1year-1 for 1990, 2000, and 2020, respectively, and these values changed with changes in the areas of each land use/cover class. The Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) has shown positive values for vegetation-related land use/cover classes, whereas it has shown negative values for non-vegetation-related classes, and LST decreased with an increase in NDVI values. In general, there have been significant changes in land use/cover in the central highland of Ethiopia over the past three decades, and this in turn has brought significant impacts on ESVs and LST. Therefore, appropriate policies need to be devised soon to regulate LUCCs for the sustainable use of vital environmental services.

{"title":"Urban expansion-induced land use land cover changes and the subsequent changes in ecosystem service and land surface temperature in the central highland of Ethiopia","authors":"Belew Bekele , Wu Wei , Lemma Tsegaye , Mengistu Tilahun , Tadie Girma , Haile Ketema","doi":"10.1016/j.indic.2025.100626","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.indic.2025.100626","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Human activities that impact the environment are recognized as major contributors to climate change and alterations in ecosystem services. However, the ecological and socioeconomic impacts resulting from such human-induced changes are rarely examined at the current study site. Therefore, this study aims to examine human-induced pressure on the normal functioning of vital environmental services like ecosystem service values (ESV) and selected climatic variables like Land Surface Temperature (LST) using the most fragile and dynamic Central Ethiopian highland as a case study site. Geospatial analysis was mainly used to analyze data obtained from Landsat imageries and field investigation. The result shows that during 1990–2000, water bodies, built-up area, forest land, and farmland gained about 164.7%, 130.9%, 27.6%, and 25.5% of their area in 1990, respectively, whereas grassland exhibited the highest loss (77.3%) of its area during the same period. For the entire study landscape, the total estimated ESVs were 691.4, 731.5, and 704.6 million US$ha-1year-1 for 1990, 2000, and 2020, respectively, and these values changed with changes in the areas of each land use/cover class. The Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) has shown positive values for vegetation-related land use/cover classes, whereas it has shown negative values for non-vegetation-related classes, and LST decreased with an increase in NDVI values. In general, there have been significant changes in land use/cover in the central highland of Ethiopia over the past three decades, and this in turn has brought significant impacts on ESVs and LST. Therefore, appropriate policies need to be devised soon to regulate LUCCs for the sustainable use of vital environmental services.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":36171,"journal":{"name":"Environmental and Sustainability Indicators","volume":"26 ","pages":"Article 100626"},"PeriodicalIF":5.4,"publicationDate":"2025-02-06","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143402737","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

引用次数: 0

Advanced analysis of soil pollution in southwestern Ghana using Variational Autoencoders (VAE) and positive matrix factorization (PMF)

IF 5.4 Q1 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES

Environmental and Sustainability Indicators

Pub Date : 2025-02-06 DOI: 10.1016/j.indic.2025.100627

Raymond Webrah Kazapoe , Daniel Kwayisi , Seidu Alidu , Samuel Dzidefo Sagoe , Aliyu Ohiani Umaru , Ebenezer Ebo Yahans Amuah , Millicent Obeng Addai , Obed Fiifi Fynn

The study combined the Positive Matrix Factorization (PMF) receptor model with the Variational Autoencoders (VAE) Machine Learning technique and ecological risk indices to study the spatial distribution, sources and patterns of soil pollution in the study area. 719 soil samples were analysed for selected Potentially Toxic Elements (PTEs) concentrations. As (9.68 mg/L), and Pb (7.43 mg/L) reported elevated levels across the area linked to mining activities. The PTEs displayed a decreasing trend in the order Ba > Cr > V > Zn > Cu > Ni > As > Pb > Co. The Pearson correlation matrix outlines two main groups of PTEs: (1) moderate correlation (Ba, Cr, Cu, Ni and V) and (2) weak correlation (As, Pb and Zn). These relationships are corroborated by the VAE, which outlined a low contribution by As and a high contribution by V to all the latent dimensions. The PMF revealed three factors: Factor 1 (geogenic): Ba (77.5%), Cu (54.4%), Ni (66.4%), V (54.0) and Cr (46.8%). Factor 2 (mixed) Co (61.6%), Pb (64.8%) and Zn (71.0%). Factor 3 (anthropogenic) As (86.7%). The degree of contamination analysis depicts that 69.03% of the samples are moderately polluted, while 15.14% and 0.28% revealed considerable and very high pollution, respectively. The pollution load index shows that 20% of the samples depict the existence of pollution. The Potential Ecological Risk Index (RI) values showed that most samples (97.08%) suggest low pollution, while 2.92% depict moderate pollution. Integrating chemometric and machine learning techniques provides a dynamic system that can monitor pollution shifts early, to aid remediation efforts in highly affected areas.

{"title":"Advanced analysis of soil pollution in southwestern Ghana using Variational Autoencoders (VAE) and positive matrix factorization (PMF)","authors":"Raymond Webrah Kazapoe , Daniel Kwayisi , Seidu Alidu , Samuel Dzidefo Sagoe , Aliyu Ohiani Umaru , Ebenezer Ebo Yahans Amuah , Millicent Obeng Addai , Obed Fiifi Fynn","doi":"10.1016/j.indic.2025.100627","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.indic.2025.100627","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The study combined the Positive Matrix Factorization (PMF) receptor model with the Variational Autoencoders (VAE) Machine Learning technique and ecological risk indices to study the spatial distribution, sources and patterns of soil pollution in the study area. 719 soil samples were analysed for selected Potentially Toxic Elements (PTEs) concentrations. As (9.68 mg/L), and Pb (7.43 mg/L) reported elevated levels across the area linked to mining activities. The PTEs displayed a decreasing trend in the order Ba > Cr > V > Zn > Cu > Ni > As > Pb > Co. The Pearson correlation matrix outlines two main groups of PTEs: (1) moderate correlation (Ba, Cr, Cu, Ni and V) and (2) weak correlation (As, Pb and Zn). These relationships are corroborated by the VAE, which outlined a low contribution by As and a high contribution by V to all the latent dimensions. The PMF revealed three factors: Factor 1 (geogenic): Ba (77.5%), Cu (54.4%), Ni (66.4%), V (54.0) and Cr (46.8%). Factor 2 (mixed) Co (61.6%), Pb (64.8%) and Zn (71.0%). Factor 3 (anthropogenic) As (86.7%). The degree of contamination analysis depicts that 69.03% of the samples are moderately polluted, while 15.14% and 0.28% revealed considerable and very high pollution, respectively. The pollution load index shows that 20% of the samples depict the existence of pollution. The Potential Ecological Risk Index (RI) values showed that most samples (97.08%) suggest low pollution, while 2.92% depict moderate pollution. Integrating chemometric and machine learning techniques provides a dynamic system that can monitor pollution shifts early, to aid remediation efforts in highly affected areas.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":36171,"journal":{"name":"Environmental and Sustainability Indicators","volume":"26 ","pages":"Article 100627"},"PeriodicalIF":5.4,"publicationDate":"2025-02-06","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143379365","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

引用次数: 0

Farmland Abandonment—Migration—Wildlife encroachment nexus: Insights of smallholders of the Karnali Basin, Nepal

IF 5.4 Q1 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES

Environmental and Sustainability Indicators

Pub Date : 2025-02-06 DOI: 10.1016/j.indic.2025.100625

Basanta Paudel , Yili Zhang , Mohan Kumar Rai , Linshan Liu , Pashupati Nepal , Narendra Raj Khanal , Zhaofeng Wang , Binghua Zhang , Dianqing Gong , Bo Wei , Changjun Gu

Mountainous regions of Nepal's Himalaya are greatly affected by farmland abandonment. The increase in farmland abandonment is clear, however, its associated nexus has yet to be explored. To elucidate this important issue, three ecological villages are studied from the Karnali River Basin, Nepal. A questionnaire survey of 169 households was conducted in 2022. Binary logistic regression (BLR) was used to analyze the factors influencing farmland abandonment. Results show that the proportion of farmland abandonment is higher in the Mountain and Hill regions compared to the Tarai. Almost 38% of the total farmland in the Mountain region has been abandoned, with 96.6% of this total classified as Bari land (unirrigated farmland). This study found a close nexus between migration, wildlife encroachment, and farmland abandonment. Higher rates of international labor migration and permanent migration from highland-to-lowland were noticeably triggering farmland abandonment. Almost 25% of the respondents from Tarai migrated from the Mountain and Hill regions. The BLR results indicate that triggering variables from different drivers include loss and damage caused by wildlife encroachment, lack of machinery for farming, long distance to farmland, access to irrigation, increased migration rates and labor shortage, and climate-induced natural disasters (floods, landslides, droughts) play a major role in farmland abandonment. The results of constraints to agriculture indicate that socioeconomic and location variables are the leading constraints compared to institutions and environment, and need to minimize such constraints to agriculture and improve production on a regional basis, which would serve to reduce farmland abandonment within the region.

{"title":"Farmland Abandonment—Migration—Wildlife encroachment nexus: Insights of smallholders of the Karnali Basin, Nepal","authors":"Basanta Paudel , Yili Zhang , Mohan Kumar Rai , Linshan Liu , Pashupati Nepal , Narendra Raj Khanal , Zhaofeng Wang , Binghua Zhang , Dianqing Gong , Bo Wei , Changjun Gu","doi":"10.1016/j.indic.2025.100625","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.indic.2025.100625","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Mountainous regions of Nepal's Himalaya are greatly affected by farmland abandonment. The increase in farmland abandonment is clear, however, its associated nexus has yet to be explored. To elucidate this important issue, three ecological villages are studied from the Karnali River Basin, Nepal. A questionnaire survey of 169 households was conducted in 2022. Binary logistic regression (BLR) was used to analyze the factors influencing farmland abandonment. Results show that the proportion of farmland abandonment is higher in the Mountain and Hill regions compared to the Tarai. Almost 38% of the total farmland in the Mountain region has been abandoned, with 96.6% of this total classified as <em>Bari</em> land (unirrigated farmland). This study found a close nexus between migration, wildlife encroachment, and farmland abandonment. Higher rates of international labor migration and permanent migration from highland-to-lowland were noticeably triggering farmland abandonment. Almost 25% of the respondents from Tarai migrated from the Mountain and Hill regions. The BLR results indicate that triggering variables from different drivers include loss and damage caused by wildlife encroachment, lack of machinery for farming, long distance to farmland, access to irrigation, increased migration rates and labor shortage, and climate-induced natural disasters (floods, landslides, droughts) play a major role in farmland abandonment. The results of constraints to agriculture indicate that socioeconomic and location variables are the leading constraints compared to institutions and environment, and need to minimize such constraints to agriculture and improve production on a regional basis, which would serve to reduce farmland abandonment within the region.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":36171,"journal":{"name":"Environmental and Sustainability Indicators","volume":"26 ","pages":"Article 100625"},"PeriodicalIF":5.4,"publicationDate":"2025-02-06","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143387934","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

引用次数: 0

GIS-based assessment of soil erosion impact and mitigation strategies for sustainable agriculture in Ghana's most vulnerable region

IF 5.4 Q1 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES

Environmental and Sustainability Indicators

Pub Date : 2025-02-01 DOI: 10.1016/j.indic.2024.100551

Stephen Sodoke , Samuel Ato Andam-Akorful , Ebenezer Ebo Yahans Amuah , Ebenezer Gyampoh Amoah , Kwame Anokye , Douti Biyogue Nang , Raymond Webrah Kazapoe

The study estimated the average annual soil loss for sustainable crop production in the Upper East of Ghana, using the Revised Universal Soil Loss Equation, sensitivity, correlation and regression analyses to understand the factors driving erosion in the area. Rainfall data from Climate Hazards Group InfraRed Precipitation with Station data (CHIRPS) was used to determine the rainfall erosivity, soil erodibility from the Harmonized World Soil Database, the Slope Length and Steepness from the Shuttle Radar Topographic Mission data, the Cover Management and Control Practices from Landsat satellite data from the years 2000, 2010 and 2020. The northeastern region was identified as the most susceptible to soil loss. The region recorded an annual average soil loss of 50.26 tons/ha/yr, 56.50 tons/ha/yr and 39.61 tons/ha/yr in 1990–2000, 2001–2010 and 2013–2020, respectively. A sensitivity analysis showed that C and R factors profoundly impact soil loss in the region. The regression analysis (R-squared = 0.686, n = 1374) revealed that the significant factors influencing soil erosion are slope (p < 2e-16), cover management (p < 2e-16), and support practices (p < 2e-16), while rainfall erosivity (p = 0.37036) and soil erodibility (p = 0.06753) are not significant predictors. Further findings also showed that erosion in the area affects crop production, food security and livelihoods, public health and wildlife. The study recommends a strategic and integrated approach to soil conservation which incorporates more research on sustainable land management, soil health, climate-smart agriculture, and local knowledge for sustainable land management.

{"title":"GIS-based assessment of soil erosion impact and mitigation strategies for sustainable agriculture in Ghana's most vulnerable region","authors":"Stephen Sodoke , Samuel Ato Andam-Akorful , Ebenezer Ebo Yahans Amuah , Ebenezer Gyampoh Amoah , Kwame Anokye , Douti Biyogue Nang , Raymond Webrah Kazapoe","doi":"10.1016/j.indic.2024.100551","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.indic.2024.100551","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The study estimated the average annual soil loss for sustainable crop production in the Upper East of Ghana, using the Revised Universal Soil Loss Equation, sensitivity, correlation and regression analyses to understand the factors driving erosion in the area. Rainfall data from Climate Hazards Group InfraRed Precipitation with Station data (CHIRPS) was used to determine the rainfall erosivity, soil erodibility from the Harmonized World Soil Database, the Slope Length and Steepness from the Shuttle Radar Topographic Mission data, the Cover Management and Control Practices from Landsat satellite data from the years 2000, 2010 and 2020. The northeastern region was identified as the most susceptible to soil loss. The region recorded an annual average soil loss of 50.26 tons/ha/yr, 56.50 tons/ha/yr and 39.61 tons/ha/yr in 1990–2000, 2001–2010 and 2013–2020, respectively. A sensitivity analysis showed that C and R factors profoundly impact soil loss in the region. The regression analysis (R-squared = 0.686, n = 1374) revealed that the significant factors influencing soil erosion are slope (p < 2e-16), cover management (p < 2e-16), and support practices (p < 2e-16), while rainfall erosivity (p = 0.37036) and soil erodibility (p = 0.06753) are not significant predictors. Further findings also showed that erosion in the area affects crop production, food security and livelihoods, public health and wildlife. The study recommends a strategic and integrated approach to soil conservation which incorporates more research on sustainable land management, soil health, climate-smart agriculture, and local knowledge for sustainable land management.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":36171,"journal":{"name":"Environmental and Sustainability Indicators","volume":"25 ","pages":"Article 100551"},"PeriodicalIF":5.4,"publicationDate":"2025-02-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143180111","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

引用次数: 0

Unveiling urban biodiversity: An interdisciplinary hands-on project that catalyzes awareness

IF 5.4 Q1 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES

Environmental and Sustainability Indicators

Pub Date : 2025-02-01 DOI: 10.1016/j.indic.2024.100561

Ana Paula Oliveira , António Bajanca , Ana Paramés

Urbanization, a global phenomenon, has significantly transformed ecosystems, often leading to the loss of biodiversity. Despite these challenges, urban green spaces (UGS) continue to serve as essential refuges for diverse flora and fauna within cities. This study presents an interdisciplinary, hands-on project implemented at the Portuguese Higher Institute of Education and Sciences (ISEC Lisboa), employing a Project-Based Learning (PBL) approach to explore and enhance urban biodiversity awareness. Involving 75 students from ISEC Lisboa, the project effectively demonstrated the efficacy of the PBL methodology in promoting student engagement and yielding concrete outcomes, such as a comprehensive survey documenting 71 species (39 fauna and 32 flora). To amplify the project's impact, the findings were disseminated through a well-structured communication strategy, that actively involved the students, including an on-campus exhibition and the publication of both a book and an e-publication. The participation of local schools and the recognition of the project through an environmental awareness award underscored its success in connecting academic research with community education, showcasing its potential as a model for similar urban initiatives. This study highlights the significant role of UGS as powerful educational resources that foster a deeper understanding of ecological principles and promote sustainable urban living. Additionally, it emphasizes the crucial responsibility of higher education institutions in advancing biodiversity conservation, habitat protection, and advancing broader ecological priorities to support the development of resilient and sustainable urban environments.

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引用次数: 0