Land use transformations in Sonipat District,Haryana,driven by urbanization,industrialization,and land acquisitions,have posed significant ecological and socio-economic challenges,particularly concerning food security...Land use transformations in Sonipat District,Haryana,driven by urbanization,industrialization,and land acquisitions,have posed significant ecological and socio-economic challenges,particularly concerning food security.This study investigates the interplay between these land use changes and their environmental implications at macro(district)and micro(village)levels,focusing on agricultural productivity and resource sustainability.The study employs a mixed-method approach,integrating secondary data from official datasets and primary data gathered through structured household surveys,focus group discussions,and visual analysis techniques.Data from 20 villages,selected based on predominant land use characteristics,were analysed using statistical and geospatial tools,including ArcGIS and STATA,to quantify food grain losses and evaluate environmental degradation.Findings of this study reveal a 19%reduction in agricultural land over two decades(2000-2024),correlating with increased residential and industrial areas.Groundwater resources face severe overexploitation,with pollution from industrial clusters further degrading water and soil quality.The study estimates a total food grain loss of 1.5 million kilograms across surveyed villages due to land acquisitions.A strong positive correlation(R^(2)=0.98)between land acquisition and food loss underscores the direct impact of urbanization on agricultural output.The research underscores the urgency of sustainable land management practices,including preserving agricultural lands,optimizing groundwater usage,and enhancing community involvement in planning.By addressing these challenges,the study advocates for balanced urban expansion and food security to ensure ecological and economic resilience in the region.展开更多
Background: Severe acute malnutrition (SAM) is one of the major public health problems associated with increased mortality in under-five children. In low-income countries, renal dysfunction (RD) contributes to about 3...Background: Severe acute malnutrition (SAM) is one of the major public health problems associated with increased mortality in under-five children. In low-income countries, renal dysfunction (RD) contributes to about 34% mortality in under-five children with severe acute malnutrition. This study aimed to determine the impacts of severe acute malnutrition on the kidney among the admitted under-five children. Methods: In this prospective longitudinal observational study, a total of 190 children aged 6 to 59 months were enrolled from Iringa and Dodoma tertiary hospitals. Socio-demographic, clinical and laboratory data were collected using a structured questionnaire. Estimated Glomerular Filtration Rate (eGFR) and urine albumin creatinine ratio (uACR) were used to determine RD. Data analysis was done using SPSS version 26 and statistical significance was assumed for factors with p-value Results: Out of 190 children with severe acute malnutrition, 36 (19%) had renal dysfunction. Factors associated with RD in malnourished children were the history of local herbs used within one week (AOR = 5.85, 95% CI [1.41, 24.319], p = 0.0152), Acute watery diarrhea with severe dehydration (AOR = 2.15, 95% CI [1.033, 4.711], p = 0.0166), and positive urine leukocytes (AOR = 19.91, 95% CI [4.09, 96.989], p = 0.0002). At three months of follow up, out of 36 children with RD, 20 (55.56%) attained full recovery, while 4 (11.11%) developed chronic kidney disease (CKD). Children with RD had prolonged hospital stays for more than 14 days with a mean 12.25 ± 5.00 days compared to those with no RD with a mean 6.29 ± 1.68 days (p Conclusion: Renal dysfunction is common among children with severe acute malnutrition. It is associated with prolonged hospital stays and increased mortality. Further studies which can determine the burden of RD in children with severe acute malnutrition as compared to those with no severe acute malnutrition are needed.展开更多
Caffeine is a widely consumed stimulant known for its cardiovascular and metabolic effects.However,its impact on cardiovascular risk,including arrhythmias,in older adults remains underexplored.Emerging evidence highli...Caffeine is a widely consumed stimulant known for its cardiovascular and metabolic effects.However,its impact on cardiovascular risk,including arrhythmias,in older adults remains underexplored.Emerging evidence highlights sex-specific differences in caffeine metabolism,which may influence its role in cardiovascular health.This perspective examines the interaction between caffeine,hormonal changes,metabolic processes,and lifestyle factors,focusing on older women compared to men.Understanding these differences is essential for tailoring dietary and clinical recommendations to mitigate cardiovascular risks and promote healthy aging.展开更多
This study examines the effects of rapid land use changes in India,with a specific focus on Sonipat District in Haryana—a region undergoing significant urban expansion.Over the past two decades,rural landscapes in So...This study examines the effects of rapid land use changes in India,with a specific focus on Sonipat District in Haryana—a region undergoing significant urban expansion.Over the past two decades,rural landscapes in Sonipat have undergone notable transformation,as open spaces and agricultural lands are increasingly converted into residential colonies,commercial hubs,and industrial zones.While such changes reflect economic development and urban growth,they also raise critical concerns about sustainability,especially in terms of food security,groundwater depletion,and environmental degradation.The study examines land use changes between 2000 and 2024 using remote sensing techniques and spatial analysis.It further incorporates secondary data and insights from community-level interactions to assess the socio-economic and ecological impacts of this transformation.The findings indicate rising land fragmentation,loss of agricultural livelihoods,pressure on civic infrastructure,and increasing pollution—factors that threaten long-term regional sustainability.The study underscores the urgent need to reconcile urban development with environmental and social sustainability.By offering a detailed case study of Sonipat,this research contributes to the broader discourse on India’s urbanisation pathways.It aims to provide policymakers,planners,and researchers with evidence-based recommendations to manage land transitions more responsibly,promoting urban growth models that ensure ecological integrity,equitable development,and long-term resilience.展开更多
Global deforestation has been recognized as an important factor influencing climate change over the past century.However, uncertainties remain regarding its biophysical impacts on temperature across China. Utilizing m...Global deforestation has been recognized as an important factor influencing climate change over the past century.However, uncertainties remain regarding its biophysical impacts on temperature across China. Utilizing monthly data from eight global climate models of the Land Use Model Intercomparison Project, a multimodel comparison was conducted to quantitatively analyze the biophysical impacts of global deforestation on near-surface air temperature in China, using a surface energy balance decomposition method. Results show a 38%(29% to 45%) reduction in forest cover in China(ensemble mean and range across eight models) relative to pre-industrial levels, and an annual cooling of 0.6 K(0.05 to1.4 K) accompanied by global deforestation. Notably, surface albedo causes a cooling effect of 0.6 K(0.2 to 2.0 K), while surface latent and sensible heat fluxes partially offset this cooling by 0.2 K(-0.2 to 0.5 K) and 0.2 K(-0.04 to 0.6 K),respectively. These effects are more pronounced in winter and spring in deforested regions. Furthermore, the separation of atmospheric feedbacks under clear-sky and cloudy conditions show that the cloud radiative effect only accounts for 0.1 K(-0.1 to 0.4 K), while the clear-sky surface downward radiation is a significant cooling factor, contributing up to-0.5 K(-1.2 to 0.004 K), particularly in summer. However, the consistency of these models in simulating the impact of surface latent heat flux and albedo on surface temperature in China in response to deforestation is somewhat poor, highlighting the need to improve these related processes.展开更多
The well-facilitated farmland projects(WFFPs)involve the typical sustainable intensification of farmland use and play a key role in raising food production in China.However,whether such WFFPs can enhance the nitrogen(...The well-facilitated farmland projects(WFFPs)involve the typical sustainable intensification of farmland use and play a key role in raising food production in China.However,whether such WFFPs can enhance the nitrogen(N)use efficiency and reduce environmental impacts is still unclear.Here,we examined the data from 502 valid questionnaires collected from WFFPs in the major grain-producing area,the Huang-Huai-Hai Region(HHHR)in China,with 429 samples for wheat,328 for maize,and 122 for rice.We identified gaps in N use efficiency(NUE)and N losses from the production of the three crops between the sampled WFFPs and counties based on the statistical data.The results showed that compared to the county-level(wheat,39.1%;maize,33.8%;rice,35.1%),the NUEs for wheat(55.2%),maize(52.1%),and rice(50.2%)in the WFFPs were significantly improved(P<0.05).In addition,the intensities of ammonia(NH3)volatilization(9.9-12.2 kg N ha–1),N leaching(6.5-16.9 kg N ha–1),and nitrous oxide(N2O)emissions(1.2-1.6 kg N ha–1)from crop production in the sampled WFFPs were significantly lower than the county averages(P<0.05).Simulations showed that if the N rates are reduced by 10.0,15.0,and 20.0%for the counties,the NUEs of wheat,maize,and rice in the HHHR will increase by 2.9-6.3,2.4-5.2,and 2.6-5.7%,respectively.If the N rate is reduced to the WFFP level in each county,the NUEs of the three crops will increase by 12.9-19.5%,and the N leaching,NH3,and N2O emissions will be reduced by 48.9-56.2,37.4-42.9,and 46.0-66.5%,respectively.Our findings highlight that efficient N management practices in sustainable intensive farmland have considerable potential for reducing environmental impacts.展开更多
[Objective]As hydrogen energy has gained new momentum recently,analyzing the economic and social impacts of developing a hydrogen energy sector can inform further policy formation and investment decision making in thi...[Objective]As hydrogen energy has gained new momentum recently,analyzing the economic and social impacts of developing a hydrogen energy sector can inform further policy formation and investment decision making in this regard.[Method]Considering the increasingly important role of East Asia Summit(EAS)region in both economic growth and green energy transition,this paper developed a demand-driven model for the hydrogen energy supply chains to comprehensively and quantitatively evaluate the economic and social impacts hydrogen energy development in the EAS region.[Result]This model provides estimates of the capital investment required,the number of new jobs created,the potential carbon emissions reduction,the subsidies needed in the early stages of development,and the impacts on key energy security indicators.[Conclusion]This study find that hydrogen energy development has a significant job creation effect,and that the total investment and the fiscal burden appear to be manageable for countries in the EAS region.In addition to substantial carbon emissions reduction,positive social impacts also include general improvements in energy security indicators.展开更多
Although hunting in the north-eastern Atlantic forest of Brazil began more than 500 years ago, no study to date has evaluated its impacts on the region’s mammalian fauna. For one year we carried out diurnal and noctu...Although hunting in the north-eastern Atlantic forest of Brazil began more than 500 years ago, no study to date has evaluated its impacts on the region’s mammalian fauna. For one year we carried out diurnal and nocturnal surveys using the Line Transect method in seven forest fragments varying from 7.32 ha to 469.76 ha, within a 4000 ha forest island archipelago, in Pernambuco State, Atlantic forest of northeastern Brazil. We calculated species density, population size, biomass and synergetic biomass, and recorded direct and indirect human impacts along the study transects. We recorded 44 mammalian species, of which 45.5% (n = 20) went extinct through hunting. The smallest forest fragment had the lowest richness, diversity, population size, and total biomass. It also had no synergetic biomass. The largest fragment had the highest richness, total density, and population size. There was a statistically significant relationship between fragment area and number of gunshots heard and suspended hunting platforms found;between population size and gunshots heard, suspended hunting platforms, free-roaming and feral dogs, and between total density and free-roaming and feral dogs. After more than 500 years of colonization hunting is still devastating, with larger fragments being linked to more hunters. Higher mammal abundances attracted more free-roaming and feral dogs, which have adapted to hunt wildlife on their own. Unless we protect every single forest fragment and create sustainable landscapes, we will not be able to save this hotspot’s hotspot.展开更多
The impacts of natural boulders carried by debris flows pose serious risks to the safety and reliability of structures and buildings.Natural boulders can be highly random and unpredictable.Consequently,boulder control...The impacts of natural boulders carried by debris flows pose serious risks to the safety and reliability of structures and buildings.Natural boulders can be highly random and unpredictable.Consequently,boulder control during debris flows is crucial but difficult.Herein,an eco-friendly control system featuring anchoring natural boulders(NBs)with(negative Poisson's ratio)NPR anchor cables is proposed to form an NB-NPR baffle.A series of flume experiments are conducted to verify the effect of NB-NPR baffles on controlling debris flow impact.The deployment of NB-NPR baffles substantially influences the kinematic behavior of a debris flow,primarily in the form of changes in the depositional properties and impact intensities.The results show that the NB-NPR baffle matrix successfully controls boulder mobility and exhibits positive feedback on solid particle deposition.The NB-NPR baffle group exhibits a reduction in peak impact force ranging from 29%to 79%compared to that of the control group in the basic experiment.The NPR anchor cables play a significant role in the NB-NPR baffle by demonstrating particular characteristics,including consistent resistance,large deformation,and substantial energy absorption.The NB-NPR baffle innovatively utilizes the natural boulders in a debris flow gully by converting destructive boulders into constructive boulders.Overall,this research serves as a basis for future field experiments and applications.展开更多
In China,electric vehicle(EV)fast-charging power has quadrupled in the past five years,progressing toward 10-minute ultrafast charging.This rapid increase raises concerns about the impact on the power grid including i...In China,electric vehicle(EV)fast-charging power has quadrupled in the past five years,progressing toward 10-minute ultrafast charging.This rapid increase raises concerns about the impact on the power grid including increased peak power demand and the need for substantial upgrades to power infrastruc-ture.Here,we introduce an integrated model to assess fast and ultrafast charging impacts for represen-tative charging stations in China,combining real-world charging patterns and detailed station optimization models.We find that larger stations with 12 or more chargers experience modest peak power increases of less than 30%when fast-charging power is doubled,primarily because shorter charg-ing sessions are less likely to overlap.For more typical stations(e.g.,8-9 chargers and 120 kW·charger^(−1)),upgrading chargers to 350-550 kW while allowing managed dynamic waiting strategies(of∼1 minute)can reduce overall charging times to∼9 minutes.At stations,deploying battery storage and/or expanding transformers can help manage future increases in station loads,yet the primary device cost of the former is∼4 times higher than that of the latter.Our results offer insights for charging infrastructure planning,EV-grid interactions,and associated policymaking.展开更多
Climate change poses a significant threat to global health.It exacerbates existing health challenges and generates new ones.Therefore,innovative solutions to mitigate and adapt to its adverse effects are urgently requ...Climate change poses a significant threat to global health.It exacerbates existing health challenges and generates new ones.Therefore,innovative solutions to mitigate and adapt to its adverse effects are urgently required.This article explores the potential of digital health technologies to address the challenge posed by climate change-related health issues.It discusses their dual functionality of diminishing the carbon footprint of healthcare services and increasing understanding and governance of climate-sensitive diseases.Notably,with advanced technologies such as Generative medical AI(GMAI)presenting environmental concerns like substantial energy consumption during data processing and the generation of electronic waste,it is essential to underscore the significance of their responsible development and implementation of these technologies.This will ensure that the benefits of digital health technologies can be maximized while minimizing their ecological drawbacks.This study,therefore propose,a framework for leveraging digital health technologies to support climate change adaptation,including disease surveillance,telemedicine,patient support systems,and public awareness campaigns.展开更多
This work addresses challenges and opportunities in the evaluation of solar power plant impacts,with a particular focus on thermal effects of solar plants on the environment and vice-versa.Large-scale solar power plan...This work addresses challenges and opportunities in the evaluation of solar power plant impacts,with a particular focus on thermal effects of solar plants on the environment and vice-versa.Large-scale solar power plants are often sited in arid or desert habitats,which tend to include fauna and flora that are highly sensitive to changes in temperature and humidity.Our understanding of both shortwave(solar)and longwave(terrestrial)radiation processes in solar power plants is complete enough to render the modeling of radiation fluxes with high confidence for most applications.In contrast to radiation,the convective environment in large-scale solar power plants is much more difficult to characterize.Wind direction,wind speed,turbulence intensity,dust concentration,ground condition,panel configuration density,orientation and distribution throughout the solar field,all affect the local environment,the balance between radiation and convection,and in turn,the performance and thermal impact of solar power plants.Because the temperatures of the two sides of photovoltaic(PV)panels depend on detailed convection-radiation balances,the uncertainty associated with convection affects the heat and mass transfer balances as well.Those balances are critically important in estimating the thermal impact of large-scale solar farms on local habitats.Here we discuss outstanding issues related with these transfer processes for utility-scale solar generation and highlight potential pathways to gain useful knowledge about the convective environment directly from solar farms under operating conditions.展开更多
In practical engineering applications,composite laminates frequently encounter complex multiple low-velocity impact events.The damage coupling caused by the different Angles Between Impact Positions(ABIP)is a key fact...In practical engineering applications,composite laminates frequently encounter complex multiple low-velocity impact events.The damage coupling caused by the different Angles Between Impact Positions(ABIP)is a key factor in reducing the load-bearing capacity of the laminates.It is worth noting that in real impact events,the delamination damage information of laminates is easier to capture directly.Therefore,it is crucial to predict the damage tolerance of laminates by analyzing their delamination damage images.This paper adopts an integrated finite element model to present an in-depth study on the damage characteristics and Compression-After-Impact(CAI)strength of carbon/glass hybrid laminates subjected to multiple low-velocity impacts at different ABIP.By leveraging the recognition capabilities of Convolutional Neural Networks(CNN)and taking into account the impact of noise,it aims to establish the implicit mapping relationship between delamination damage images and impact parameters,as well as CAI strength.This approach facilitates the inverse inversion of impact parameters for multiple low-velocity impacts of laminates under different ABIP,as well as effective prediction of CAI strength.展开更多
The fatigue fracture under cyclic dynamic direct tensions of brittle rock is an important mechanical characteristic index for the evaluation of geological disasters and underground engineering safety.However,most stud...The fatigue fracture under cyclic dynamic direct tensions of brittle rock is an important mechanical characteristic index for the evaluation of geological disasters and underground engineering safety.However,most studies focus on macroscopic fracture mechanical properties,and the mechanism linking the macroscopic fracture with the microcrack growth during the cyclic dynamic direct tensile loading of brittle rocks is rarely studied.In this paper,a micro-macro fracture model explaining the stress-strain constitutive relationship is established at the last impact failure after being subjected to multiple cyclic direct tensile impacts of brittle rocks.This model is based on the wing crack extension model under direct tensile loading,the quasi-static and dynamic fracture toughness relationship,the suggested crack rate and strain rate relationship,the relationship of damage and dynamic tensile fatigue life N,the relationship of dynamic fracture toughness and dynamic tensile fatigue life N.The variations of dynamic mechanical properties of rocks with dynamic tensile fatigue life for different initial crack sizes and angles within the rocks are further discussed.The compressive strength,elastic modulus,crack initiation stress,limit crack extension length and crack extension rate descend and the failure strain ascends with an increment of dynamic tensile fatigue life in rocks.This study's results provide help for the safety and stability of the underground surrounding rocks under blasting working or seismic disasters.展开更多
The NdFeB scrap,as a representative solid waste of rare earths,possesses significant recyclable value.This study focused on NdFeB waste and investigated the environmental impacts of pyro-and hydro-metallurgical proces...The NdFeB scrap,as a representative solid waste of rare earths,possesses significant recyclable value.This study focused on NdFeB waste and investigated the environmental impacts of pyro-and hydro-metallurgical process(PH-M process)and its improved version,the pyro-and hydro-metallurgical improvement process(PH-Mi process).The results demonstrate that,although the PH-Mi process consumes higher amounts of energy,electricity,and chemicals compared to the PH-M process,it is more environmentally friendly and economically efficient(i.e.,net profit increased by 34.12%).To quantify and compare the environmental performance of the two scenarios,life cycle assessment methodology was applied.It is concluded that the PH-Mi process is superior to the PH-M process for eutrophication potential(EP)and the total environmental impacts.In comparison with PH-Mi process,PH-M process exhibits a certain advantage in terms of carbon footprint due to increased consumption of electricity and chemicals after the technological upgrade.展开更多
During times of war, it is rare to find a government willing and able to require the military to fund and support environmental impact studies. In the 1960s, many United States scientists expressed concerns about the ...During times of war, it is rare to find a government willing and able to require the military to fund and support environmental impact studies. In the 1960s, many United States scientists expressed concerns about the use of herbicides during the Vietnam War. This protest was led by Dr. Arthur Galston and eventually included scientists with the National Academy of Science. By 1970, the Department of Defense (DoD) was ordered to permit the scientists to visit South Vietnam during the war to document these impacts. In all 1500 scientist days were spent in South Vietnam. In addition, the US government and military funded research studies on the impact of herbicides on animals. The goal of military use of herbicides, as chemical weapons, was to defoliate jungle forests and destroy food crops as a strategy to win battles and the war. The primary objective of this research study is to describe how it is possible for a country to fund and carry out scientific studies during the conduct of a war rather than decades later. The environmental impact study findings often lack boots on the ground validation and can be inaccurate or misleading in some situations. The United States (US) and other countries, including Russia and Ukraine, need to learn the historical lessons from the US use of herbicides, containing dioxin TCDD and/or arsenic (As), as chemical weapons during the Vietnam War.展开更多
The global demand for renewable energy has resulted in a rapid expansion of offshore wind farms(OWFs)and increased attention to the ecological impacts of OWFs on the marine ecosystem.Previous reviews mainly focused on...The global demand for renewable energy has resulted in a rapid expansion of offshore wind farms(OWFs)and increased attention to the ecological impacts of OWFs on the marine ecosystem.Previous reviews mainly focused on the OWFs’impacts on individual species like birds,bats,or mammals.This review collected numerous field-measured data and simulated results to summarize the ecological impacts on phytoplankton,zooplankton,zoobenthos,fishes,and mammals from each trophic level and also analyze their interactions in the marine food chain.Phytoplankton and zooplankton are positively or adversely affected by the‘wave effect’,‘shading effect’,oxygen depletion and predation pressure,leading to a ±10% fluctuation of primary production.Although zoobenthos are threatened transiently by habitat destruction with a reduction of around 60% in biomass in the construction stage,their abundance exhibited an over 90% increase,dominated by sessile species,due to the‘reef effect’in the operation stage.Marine fishes and mammals are to endure the interferences of noise and electromagnetic,but they are also aggregated around OWFs by the‘reef effect’and‘reserve effect’.Furthermore,the complexity of marine ecosystem would increase with a promotion of the total system biomass by 40% through trophic cascade effects strengthen and resource partitioning alternation triggered by the proliferation of filter-feeders.The suitable site selection,long-term monitoring,and life-cycle-assessment of ecological impacts of OWFs that are lacking in current literature have been described in this review,as well as the carbon emission and deposition.展开更多
This report provides an overall assessment of land fragmentation problems in East Africa. Many parts of East Africa have become highly fragmented, putting development systems and activities in these areas at risk of c...This report provides an overall assessment of land fragmentation problems in East Africa. Many parts of East Africa have become highly fragmented, putting development systems and activities in these areas at risk of complete collapse. Land fragmentation occurs when land gets converted for agriculture, industrialization, or urbanization, invaded by non-local plants, or enclosed for individual use and by subdividing farmlands into subsequent smaller units called parcels with varying average farm sizes. Fragmentation results from inappropriate agricultural development processes and ineffective land use planning that fails to recognize how farmland is used, and the importance of its interconnected areas. Insecurity of tenure and resource rights are key factors in making this possible. Land fragmentation is one of the key reasons why the ability of most resources in East Africa becomes scarcer, and those remaining become “privatized” by more powerful community members—keen to maintain their access to them. Such individualistic attitudes are new and disadvantage the poorest even further by affecting the traditional customary safety nets and agricultural outputs. Neither the government nor customary governance systems effectively protect resource access for the poorest. This review summary report identifies the key causes, measures, and implications, government interventions, and the common remedies to land fragmentation problems in the East African Countries of Kenya, Uganda, Rwanda, and Tanzania including neighboring Ethiopia, and the Sudan. The findings indicated from 2005 to 2015, the population kept increasing for all the named countries in East Africa with Rwanda and Uganda having a substantial increase in population density. The study review further explores the trend in the performance of agriculture by average farm sizes within the intervals of five years by highlighting their strong linkages and found that the average farm size has declined drastically, especially for Kenya. This can only mean that small farms kept becoming smaller and smaller and that there were more small-scale farmers. The results further depicted that the major and commonly cultivated food crops among the East African countries include maize, sorghum, rice, cassava, sweet potatoes, bananas, Irish potatoes, beans, peas, etc., with maize yields (Mt/ha) in 2003 for Uganda being the highest (1.79 Mt/ha) and the lowest in Rwanda (0.77 Mt/ha) respectively. Therefore, from the review results, recommendations are being made as to how the negative impacts of land fragmentation on agricultural productivity can be reduced or mitigated. One way is by community sensitization and awareness about the importance of land consolidation and its proposition on farm productivity.展开更多
Tobacco is an essential cash crop in Zimbabwe and a strategic livelihood option for hundreds of thousands of rural households. However, the crop is linked to negative environmental, economic, and social impacts. The e...Tobacco is an essential cash crop in Zimbabwe and a strategic livelihood option for hundreds of thousands of rural households. However, the crop is linked to negative environmental, economic, and social impacts. The existing studies on tobacco cultivation in Zimbabwe present contradictory findings on the determinants and impacts of adoption, leaving unanswered questions about the crop’s sustainability impact in the country. This article investigates the determinants of smallholder farmers’ decisions to grow tobacco and the associated impacts of adoption. Random and purposive sampling were used to select 273 household surveys, including tobacco and non-tobacco smallholder farmers, and 56 expert interviews to answer the research questions. We employed regression models alongside expert interviews and document analysis to identify the determinants influencing the decision-making process of smallholder farmers in Zimbabwe regarding tobacco cultivation. Additionally, our investigation aimed to elucidate the perceived impacts associated with the adoption of this agricultural practice. The regression analysis indicated that the farmer’s age, education level, farming experience, family size, household income, and perceived high farm profitability are significant drivers of tobacco adoption. We also discovered divergent and convergent perceptions of the critical impacts of tobacco cultivation. The study highlights the need for proactive multi-stakeholder collaboration and sustainable financial arrangements to address the negative impacts of tobacco production. As the primary stakeholder responsible for regulating and promoting agricultural activities, the Zimbabwean government should provide meaningful financial support, increase access to credit, and ensure better market facilities for alternative crops to reduce the over-dependence on tobacco.展开更多
Globally, human activities have a significant impact on the diversity, abundance, and distribution of large mammals in Protected Areas (PAs). These disturbances increase human pressure on biodiversity and species habi...Globally, human activities have a significant impact on the diversity, abundance, and distribution of large mammals in Protected Areas (PAs). These disturbances increase human pressure on biodiversity and species habitats, highlighting the need for conservation. This study aimed to assess the abundance and distribution of large mammals in different habitat types within Nimule National Park (NNP) and understand the impacts of human activities on them. Data on the abundance and distribution of large mammals and their respective habitat types were collected through line transect surveys. Human activity signs were observed and recorded along the transect lines. To estimate the impacts of human activities on the diversity, abundance, and distribution of large mammal species, as well as to identify any significant differences between them and their habitat types, the study utilized the Kruskal Wallis test, Polynomial multiple regressions, and diversity indices. The findings from the Shannon-Weiner and Simpson indices indicated that large mammal species were more diverse inside the park (H’ = 1.136;D = 0.570) compared to the buffer zone (H’ = 0.413;D = 0.171), with 85% (443 out of 510 samples) recorded within Nimule National Park. The species abundance showed a semi-balanced status (0.58). The diversity results among different habitat types revealed that large mammals were more diverse and highly distributed in both open woodlands (244) and dense woodlands (192), while riverine vegetation had the lowest diversity (8). Statistical tests demonstrated a highly significant difference at a 99% confidence interval (p-value = 0.01) between habitat types and identified species of large mammals. Additionally, the results highlighted the high abundance of Uganda kob (274), baboons (141), and warthog (57) across most habitat types, accounting for at least 75% of their distribution. The most prevalent human activities observed were cattle footprints (27%) and cattle dung (14%). Human footprints and tree cutting combined accounted for 9%, indicating the practice of livestock grazing, poaching, encroachment, and fuelwood collection by local communities. However, these activities did not appear to significantly impact the diversity, abundance, and distribution of large mammals in Nimule National Park. Therefore, it is crucial to foster shared responsibilities and engage relevant stakeholders in the management and conservation of large wildlife species. Regular community awareness programs should be implemented to cultivate a sense of ownership. Moreover, it is recommended that a comprehensive survey be conducted on the population status of all mammal species in Nimule National Park, including its surrounding Buffer Zone. Monitoring the impact of human activities on their behavior and habitats using satellite images should also be carried out at least every five to ten years.展开更多
文摘Land use transformations in Sonipat District,Haryana,driven by urbanization,industrialization,and land acquisitions,have posed significant ecological and socio-economic challenges,particularly concerning food security.This study investigates the interplay between these land use changes and their environmental implications at macro(district)and micro(village)levels,focusing on agricultural productivity and resource sustainability.The study employs a mixed-method approach,integrating secondary data from official datasets and primary data gathered through structured household surveys,focus group discussions,and visual analysis techniques.Data from 20 villages,selected based on predominant land use characteristics,were analysed using statistical and geospatial tools,including ArcGIS and STATA,to quantify food grain losses and evaluate environmental degradation.Findings of this study reveal a 19%reduction in agricultural land over two decades(2000-2024),correlating with increased residential and industrial areas.Groundwater resources face severe overexploitation,with pollution from industrial clusters further degrading water and soil quality.The study estimates a total food grain loss of 1.5 million kilograms across surveyed villages due to land acquisitions.A strong positive correlation(R^(2)=0.98)between land acquisition and food loss underscores the direct impact of urbanization on agricultural output.The research underscores the urgency of sustainable land management practices,including preserving agricultural lands,optimizing groundwater usage,and enhancing community involvement in planning.By addressing these challenges,the study advocates for balanced urban expansion and food security to ensure ecological and economic resilience in the region.
文摘Background: Severe acute malnutrition (SAM) is one of the major public health problems associated with increased mortality in under-five children. In low-income countries, renal dysfunction (RD) contributes to about 34% mortality in under-five children with severe acute malnutrition. This study aimed to determine the impacts of severe acute malnutrition on the kidney among the admitted under-five children. Methods: In this prospective longitudinal observational study, a total of 190 children aged 6 to 59 months were enrolled from Iringa and Dodoma tertiary hospitals. Socio-demographic, clinical and laboratory data were collected using a structured questionnaire. Estimated Glomerular Filtration Rate (eGFR) and urine albumin creatinine ratio (uACR) were used to determine RD. Data analysis was done using SPSS version 26 and statistical significance was assumed for factors with p-value Results: Out of 190 children with severe acute malnutrition, 36 (19%) had renal dysfunction. Factors associated with RD in malnourished children were the history of local herbs used within one week (AOR = 5.85, 95% CI [1.41, 24.319], p = 0.0152), Acute watery diarrhea with severe dehydration (AOR = 2.15, 95% CI [1.033, 4.711], p = 0.0166), and positive urine leukocytes (AOR = 19.91, 95% CI [4.09, 96.989], p = 0.0002). At three months of follow up, out of 36 children with RD, 20 (55.56%) attained full recovery, while 4 (11.11%) developed chronic kidney disease (CKD). Children with RD had prolonged hospital stays for more than 14 days with a mean 12.25 ± 5.00 days compared to those with no RD with a mean 6.29 ± 1.68 days (p Conclusion: Renal dysfunction is common among children with severe acute malnutrition. It is associated with prolonged hospital stays and increased mortality. Further studies which can determine the burden of RD in children with severe acute malnutrition as compared to those with no severe acute malnutrition are needed.
文摘Caffeine is a widely consumed stimulant known for its cardiovascular and metabolic effects.However,its impact on cardiovascular risk,including arrhythmias,in older adults remains underexplored.Emerging evidence highlights sex-specific differences in caffeine metabolism,which may influence its role in cardiovascular health.This perspective examines the interaction between caffeine,hormonal changes,metabolic processes,and lifestyle factors,focusing on older women compared to men.Understanding these differences is essential for tailoring dietary and clinical recommendations to mitigate cardiovascular risks and promote healthy aging.
文摘This study examines the effects of rapid land use changes in India,with a specific focus on Sonipat District in Haryana—a region undergoing significant urban expansion.Over the past two decades,rural landscapes in Sonipat have undergone notable transformation,as open spaces and agricultural lands are increasingly converted into residential colonies,commercial hubs,and industrial zones.While such changes reflect economic development and urban growth,they also raise critical concerns about sustainability,especially in terms of food security,groundwater depletion,and environmental degradation.The study examines land use changes between 2000 and 2024 using remote sensing techniques and spatial analysis.It further incorporates secondary data and insights from community-level interactions to assess the socio-economic and ecological impacts of this transformation.The findings indicate rising land fragmentation,loss of agricultural livelihoods,pressure on civic infrastructure,and increasing pollution—factors that threaten long-term regional sustainability.The study underscores the urgent need to reconcile urban development with environmental and social sustainability.By offering a detailed case study of Sonipat,this research contributes to the broader discourse on India’s urbanisation pathways.It aims to provide policymakers,planners,and researchers with evidence-based recommendations to manage land transitions more responsibly,promoting urban growth models that ensure ecological integrity,equitable development,and long-term resilience.
基金supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant No.42305041)the Natural Science Foundation of Hubei Province of China (Grant No.2020CFB331)supported by the National Key Scientific and Technological Infrastructure project “Earth System Numerical Simulation Facility” (Earth Lab)。
文摘Global deforestation has been recognized as an important factor influencing climate change over the past century.However, uncertainties remain regarding its biophysical impacts on temperature across China. Utilizing monthly data from eight global climate models of the Land Use Model Intercomparison Project, a multimodel comparison was conducted to quantitatively analyze the biophysical impacts of global deforestation on near-surface air temperature in China, using a surface energy balance decomposition method. Results show a 38%(29% to 45%) reduction in forest cover in China(ensemble mean and range across eight models) relative to pre-industrial levels, and an annual cooling of 0.6 K(0.05 to1.4 K) accompanied by global deforestation. Notably, surface albedo causes a cooling effect of 0.6 K(0.2 to 2.0 K), while surface latent and sensible heat fluxes partially offset this cooling by 0.2 K(-0.2 to 0.5 K) and 0.2 K(-0.04 to 0.6 K),respectively. These effects are more pronounced in winter and spring in deforested regions. Furthermore, the separation of atmospheric feedbacks under clear-sky and cloudy conditions show that the cloud radiative effect only accounts for 0.1 K(-0.1 to 0.4 K), while the clear-sky surface downward radiation is a significant cooling factor, contributing up to-0.5 K(-1.2 to 0.004 K), particularly in summer. However, the consistency of these models in simulating the impact of surface latent heat flux and albedo on surface temperature in China in response to deforestation is somewhat poor, highlighting the need to improve these related processes.
基金supported by the National Key Research and Development Program of China(2022YFB3903505)the National Natural Science Foundation of China(72221002)。
文摘The well-facilitated farmland projects(WFFPs)involve the typical sustainable intensification of farmland use and play a key role in raising food production in China.However,whether such WFFPs can enhance the nitrogen(N)use efficiency and reduce environmental impacts is still unclear.Here,we examined the data from 502 valid questionnaires collected from WFFPs in the major grain-producing area,the Huang-Huai-Hai Region(HHHR)in China,with 429 samples for wheat,328 for maize,and 122 for rice.We identified gaps in N use efficiency(NUE)and N losses from the production of the three crops between the sampled WFFPs and counties based on the statistical data.The results showed that compared to the county-level(wheat,39.1%;maize,33.8%;rice,35.1%),the NUEs for wheat(55.2%),maize(52.1%),and rice(50.2%)in the WFFPs were significantly improved(P<0.05).In addition,the intensities of ammonia(NH3)volatilization(9.9-12.2 kg N ha–1),N leaching(6.5-16.9 kg N ha–1),and nitrous oxide(N2O)emissions(1.2-1.6 kg N ha–1)from crop production in the sampled WFFPs were significantly lower than the county averages(P<0.05).Simulations showed that if the N rates are reduced by 10.0,15.0,and 20.0%for the counties,the NUEs of wheat,maize,and rice in the HHHR will increase by 2.9-6.3,2.4-5.2,and 2.6-5.7%,respectively.If the N rate is reduced to the WFFP level in each county,the NUEs of the three crops will increase by 12.9-19.5%,and the N leaching,NH3,and N2O emissions will be reduced by 48.9-56.2,37.4-42.9,and 46.0-66.5%,respectively.Our findings highlight that efficient N management practices in sustainable intensive farmland have considerable potential for reducing environmental impacts.
文摘[Objective]As hydrogen energy has gained new momentum recently,analyzing the economic and social impacts of developing a hydrogen energy sector can inform further policy formation and investment decision making in this regard.[Method]Considering the increasingly important role of East Asia Summit(EAS)region in both economic growth and green energy transition,this paper developed a demand-driven model for the hydrogen energy supply chains to comprehensively and quantitatively evaluate the economic and social impacts hydrogen energy development in the EAS region.[Result]This model provides estimates of the capital investment required,the number of new jobs created,the potential carbon emissions reduction,the subsidies needed in the early stages of development,and the impacts on key energy security indicators.[Conclusion]This study find that hydrogen energy development has a significant job creation effect,and that the total investment and the fiscal burden appear to be manageable for countries in the EAS region.In addition to substantial carbon emissions reduction,positive social impacts also include general improvements in energy security indicators.
文摘Although hunting in the north-eastern Atlantic forest of Brazil began more than 500 years ago, no study to date has evaluated its impacts on the region’s mammalian fauna. For one year we carried out diurnal and nocturnal surveys using the Line Transect method in seven forest fragments varying from 7.32 ha to 469.76 ha, within a 4000 ha forest island archipelago, in Pernambuco State, Atlantic forest of northeastern Brazil. We calculated species density, population size, biomass and synergetic biomass, and recorded direct and indirect human impacts along the study transects. We recorded 44 mammalian species, of which 45.5% (n = 20) went extinct through hunting. The smallest forest fragment had the lowest richness, diversity, population size, and total biomass. It also had no synergetic biomass. The largest fragment had the highest richness, total density, and population size. There was a statistically significant relationship between fragment area and number of gunshots heard and suspended hunting platforms found;between population size and gunshots heard, suspended hunting platforms, free-roaming and feral dogs, and between total density and free-roaming and feral dogs. After more than 500 years of colonization hunting is still devastating, with larger fragments being linked to more hunters. Higher mammal abundances attracted more free-roaming and feral dogs, which have adapted to hunt wildlife on their own. Unless we protect every single forest fragment and create sustainable landscapes, we will not be able to save this hotspot’s hotspot.
基金financial support from the National Natural Science Foundation of China(Grant No.41941018).
文摘The impacts of natural boulders carried by debris flows pose serious risks to the safety and reliability of structures and buildings.Natural boulders can be highly random and unpredictable.Consequently,boulder control during debris flows is crucial but difficult.Herein,an eco-friendly control system featuring anchoring natural boulders(NBs)with(negative Poisson's ratio)NPR anchor cables is proposed to form an NB-NPR baffle.A series of flume experiments are conducted to verify the effect of NB-NPR baffles on controlling debris flow impact.The deployment of NB-NPR baffles substantially influences the kinematic behavior of a debris flow,primarily in the form of changes in the depositional properties and impact intensities.The results show that the NB-NPR baffle matrix successfully controls boulder mobility and exhibits positive feedback on solid particle deposition.The NB-NPR baffle group exhibits a reduction in peak impact force ranging from 29%to 79%compared to that of the control group in the basic experiment.The NPR anchor cables play a significant role in the NB-NPR baffle by demonstrating particular characteristics,including consistent resistance,large deformation,and substantial energy absorption.The NB-NPR baffle innovatively utilizes the natural boulders in a debris flow gully by converting destructive boulders into constructive boulders.Overall,this research serves as a basis for future field experiments and applications.
基金the support of the National Natural Science Foundation of China(72325006,72488101,and 72293601)the Sze Family Foundationthe Climate Imperative Foundation(#2024-001465)
文摘In China,electric vehicle(EV)fast-charging power has quadrupled in the past five years,progressing toward 10-minute ultrafast charging.This rapid increase raises concerns about the impact on the power grid including increased peak power demand and the need for substantial upgrades to power infrastruc-ture.Here,we introduce an integrated model to assess fast and ultrafast charging impacts for represen-tative charging stations in China,combining real-world charging patterns and detailed station optimization models.We find that larger stations with 12 or more chargers experience modest peak power increases of less than 30%when fast-charging power is doubled,primarily because shorter charg-ing sessions are less likely to overlap.For more typical stations(e.g.,8-9 chargers and 120 kW·charger^(−1)),upgrading chargers to 350-550 kW while allowing managed dynamic waiting strategies(of∼1 minute)can reduce overall charging times to∼9 minutes.At stations,deploying battery storage and/or expanding transformers can help manage future increases in station loads,yet the primary device cost of the former is∼4 times higher than that of the latter.Our results offer insights for charging infrastructure planning,EV-grid interactions,and associated policymaking.
基金supported by the Science and Technology Innovation 2030 Major Project(2023ZD0508506)National Key Research and Development Program of China(2022YFC2305104).
文摘Climate change poses a significant threat to global health.It exacerbates existing health challenges and generates new ones.Therefore,innovative solutions to mitigate and adapt to its adverse effects are urgently required.This article explores the potential of digital health technologies to address the challenge posed by climate change-related health issues.It discusses their dual functionality of diminishing the carbon footprint of healthcare services and increasing understanding and governance of climate-sensitive diseases.Notably,with advanced technologies such as Generative medical AI(GMAI)presenting environmental concerns like substantial energy consumption during data processing and the generation of electronic waste,it is essential to underscore the significance of their responsible development and implementation of these technologies.This will ensure that the benefits of digital health technologies can be maximized while minimizing their ecological drawbacks.This study,therefore propose,a framework for leveraging digital health technologies to support climate change adaptation,including disease surveillance,telemedicine,patient support systems,and public awareness campaigns.
基金Partial funding from the John Dove Isaacs Endowed Chair for Natural Philosophy in Engineering at UC San Diego。
文摘This work addresses challenges and opportunities in the evaluation of solar power plant impacts,with a particular focus on thermal effects of solar plants on the environment and vice-versa.Large-scale solar power plants are often sited in arid or desert habitats,which tend to include fauna and flora that are highly sensitive to changes in temperature and humidity.Our understanding of both shortwave(solar)and longwave(terrestrial)radiation processes in solar power plants is complete enough to render the modeling of radiation fluxes with high confidence for most applications.In contrast to radiation,the convective environment in large-scale solar power plants is much more difficult to characterize.Wind direction,wind speed,turbulence intensity,dust concentration,ground condition,panel configuration density,orientation and distribution throughout the solar field,all affect the local environment,the balance between radiation and convection,and in turn,the performance and thermal impact of solar power plants.Because the temperatures of the two sides of photovoltaic(PV)panels depend on detailed convection-radiation balances,the uncertainty associated with convection affects the heat and mass transfer balances as well.Those balances are critically important in estimating the thermal impact of large-scale solar farms on local habitats.Here we discuss outstanding issues related with these transfer processes for utility-scale solar generation and highlight potential pathways to gain useful knowledge about the convective environment directly from solar farms under operating conditions.
基金supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(Nos.12372068 and 12202066)。
文摘In practical engineering applications,composite laminates frequently encounter complex multiple low-velocity impact events.The damage coupling caused by the different Angles Between Impact Positions(ABIP)is a key factor in reducing the load-bearing capacity of the laminates.It is worth noting that in real impact events,the delamination damage information of laminates is easier to capture directly.Therefore,it is crucial to predict the damage tolerance of laminates by analyzing their delamination damage images.This paper adopts an integrated finite element model to present an in-depth study on the damage characteristics and Compression-After-Impact(CAI)strength of carbon/glass hybrid laminates subjected to multiple low-velocity impacts at different ABIP.By leveraging the recognition capabilities of Convolutional Neural Networks(CNN)and taking into account the impact of noise,it aims to establish the implicit mapping relationship between delamination damage images and impact parameters,as well as CAI strength.This approach facilitates the inverse inversion of impact parameters for multiple low-velocity impacts of laminates under different ABIP,as well as effective prediction of CAI strength.
基金supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(Grant Nos.51708016,52438007 and 12172036)the R&D program of Beijing Municipal Education Commission(Grant No.KM202110016014)+1 种基金the Pyramid Talent Training Project of Beijing University of Civil Engineering and Architecture(Grant No.JDYC20200307)the Graduate Innovation Program of Beijing University of Civil Engineering and Architecture(Grant No.PG2025060).
文摘The fatigue fracture under cyclic dynamic direct tensions of brittle rock is an important mechanical characteristic index for the evaluation of geological disasters and underground engineering safety.However,most studies focus on macroscopic fracture mechanical properties,and the mechanism linking the macroscopic fracture with the microcrack growth during the cyclic dynamic direct tensile loading of brittle rocks is rarely studied.In this paper,a micro-macro fracture model explaining the stress-strain constitutive relationship is established at the last impact failure after being subjected to multiple cyclic direct tensile impacts of brittle rocks.This model is based on the wing crack extension model under direct tensile loading,the quasi-static and dynamic fracture toughness relationship,the suggested crack rate and strain rate relationship,the relationship of damage and dynamic tensile fatigue life N,the relationship of dynamic fracture toughness and dynamic tensile fatigue life N.The variations of dynamic mechanical properties of rocks with dynamic tensile fatigue life for different initial crack sizes and angles within the rocks are further discussed.The compressive strength,elastic modulus,crack initiation stress,limit crack extension length and crack extension rate descend and the failure strain ascends with an increment of dynamic tensile fatigue life in rocks.This study's results provide help for the safety and stability of the underground surrounding rocks under blasting working or seismic disasters.
基金supported by the National Key R&D Program of China(No.2020YFC1909005).
文摘The NdFeB scrap,as a representative solid waste of rare earths,possesses significant recyclable value.This study focused on NdFeB waste and investigated the environmental impacts of pyro-and hydro-metallurgical process(PH-M process)and its improved version,the pyro-and hydro-metallurgical improvement process(PH-Mi process).The results demonstrate that,although the PH-Mi process consumes higher amounts of energy,electricity,and chemicals compared to the PH-M process,it is more environmentally friendly and economically efficient(i.e.,net profit increased by 34.12%).To quantify and compare the environmental performance of the two scenarios,life cycle assessment methodology was applied.It is concluded that the PH-Mi process is superior to the PH-M process for eutrophication potential(EP)and the total environmental impacts.In comparison with PH-Mi process,PH-M process exhibits a certain advantage in terms of carbon footprint due to increased consumption of electricity and chemicals after the technological upgrade.
文摘During times of war, it is rare to find a government willing and able to require the military to fund and support environmental impact studies. In the 1960s, many United States scientists expressed concerns about the use of herbicides during the Vietnam War. This protest was led by Dr. Arthur Galston and eventually included scientists with the National Academy of Science. By 1970, the Department of Defense (DoD) was ordered to permit the scientists to visit South Vietnam during the war to document these impacts. In all 1500 scientist days were spent in South Vietnam. In addition, the US government and military funded research studies on the impact of herbicides on animals. The goal of military use of herbicides, as chemical weapons, was to defoliate jungle forests and destroy food crops as a strategy to win battles and the war. The primary objective of this research study is to describe how it is possible for a country to fund and carry out scientific studies during the conduct of a war rather than decades later. The environmental impact study findings often lack boots on the ground validation and can be inaccurate or misleading in some situations. The United States (US) and other countries, including Russia and Ukraine, need to learn the historical lessons from the US use of herbicides, containing dioxin TCDD and/or arsenic (As), as chemical weapons during the Vietnam War.
基金supported by the National Key R&D Program of China(No.2022YFE0209500)the Industry-Academy cooperation project(No.E2021000435)+2 种基金the National Natural Science Foundation of China(No.41877310)the Network Information Security and Information Special Application Demonstration Project(Cultivation Project)of Chinese Academy of Sciences(No.CAS-WX2023PY-0103)the Innovative practice training program for college students of Chinese Academy of Sciences(No.117900M002)。
文摘The global demand for renewable energy has resulted in a rapid expansion of offshore wind farms(OWFs)and increased attention to the ecological impacts of OWFs on the marine ecosystem.Previous reviews mainly focused on the OWFs’impacts on individual species like birds,bats,or mammals.This review collected numerous field-measured data and simulated results to summarize the ecological impacts on phytoplankton,zooplankton,zoobenthos,fishes,and mammals from each trophic level and also analyze their interactions in the marine food chain.Phytoplankton and zooplankton are positively or adversely affected by the‘wave effect’,‘shading effect’,oxygen depletion and predation pressure,leading to a ±10% fluctuation of primary production.Although zoobenthos are threatened transiently by habitat destruction with a reduction of around 60% in biomass in the construction stage,their abundance exhibited an over 90% increase,dominated by sessile species,due to the‘reef effect’in the operation stage.Marine fishes and mammals are to endure the interferences of noise and electromagnetic,but they are also aggregated around OWFs by the‘reef effect’and‘reserve effect’.Furthermore,the complexity of marine ecosystem would increase with a promotion of the total system biomass by 40% through trophic cascade effects strengthen and resource partitioning alternation triggered by the proliferation of filter-feeders.The suitable site selection,long-term monitoring,and life-cycle-assessment of ecological impacts of OWFs that are lacking in current literature have been described in this review,as well as the carbon emission and deposition.
文摘This report provides an overall assessment of land fragmentation problems in East Africa. Many parts of East Africa have become highly fragmented, putting development systems and activities in these areas at risk of complete collapse. Land fragmentation occurs when land gets converted for agriculture, industrialization, or urbanization, invaded by non-local plants, or enclosed for individual use and by subdividing farmlands into subsequent smaller units called parcels with varying average farm sizes. Fragmentation results from inappropriate agricultural development processes and ineffective land use planning that fails to recognize how farmland is used, and the importance of its interconnected areas. Insecurity of tenure and resource rights are key factors in making this possible. Land fragmentation is one of the key reasons why the ability of most resources in East Africa becomes scarcer, and those remaining become “privatized” by more powerful community members—keen to maintain their access to them. Such individualistic attitudes are new and disadvantage the poorest even further by affecting the traditional customary safety nets and agricultural outputs. Neither the government nor customary governance systems effectively protect resource access for the poorest. This review summary report identifies the key causes, measures, and implications, government interventions, and the common remedies to land fragmentation problems in the East African Countries of Kenya, Uganda, Rwanda, and Tanzania including neighboring Ethiopia, and the Sudan. The findings indicated from 2005 to 2015, the population kept increasing for all the named countries in East Africa with Rwanda and Uganda having a substantial increase in population density. The study review further explores the trend in the performance of agriculture by average farm sizes within the intervals of five years by highlighting their strong linkages and found that the average farm size has declined drastically, especially for Kenya. This can only mean that small farms kept becoming smaller and smaller and that there were more small-scale farmers. The results further depicted that the major and commonly cultivated food crops among the East African countries include maize, sorghum, rice, cassava, sweet potatoes, bananas, Irish potatoes, beans, peas, etc., with maize yields (Mt/ha) in 2003 for Uganda being the highest (1.79 Mt/ha) and the lowest in Rwanda (0.77 Mt/ha) respectively. Therefore, from the review results, recommendations are being made as to how the negative impacts of land fragmentation on agricultural productivity can be reduced or mitigated. One way is by community sensitization and awareness about the importance of land consolidation and its proposition on farm productivity.
文摘Tobacco is an essential cash crop in Zimbabwe and a strategic livelihood option for hundreds of thousands of rural households. However, the crop is linked to negative environmental, economic, and social impacts. The existing studies on tobacco cultivation in Zimbabwe present contradictory findings on the determinants and impacts of adoption, leaving unanswered questions about the crop’s sustainability impact in the country. This article investigates the determinants of smallholder farmers’ decisions to grow tobacco and the associated impacts of adoption. Random and purposive sampling were used to select 273 household surveys, including tobacco and non-tobacco smallholder farmers, and 56 expert interviews to answer the research questions. We employed regression models alongside expert interviews and document analysis to identify the determinants influencing the decision-making process of smallholder farmers in Zimbabwe regarding tobacco cultivation. Additionally, our investigation aimed to elucidate the perceived impacts associated with the adoption of this agricultural practice. The regression analysis indicated that the farmer’s age, education level, farming experience, family size, household income, and perceived high farm profitability are significant drivers of tobacco adoption. We also discovered divergent and convergent perceptions of the critical impacts of tobacco cultivation. The study highlights the need for proactive multi-stakeholder collaboration and sustainable financial arrangements to address the negative impacts of tobacco production. As the primary stakeholder responsible for regulating and promoting agricultural activities, the Zimbabwean government should provide meaningful financial support, increase access to credit, and ensure better market facilities for alternative crops to reduce the over-dependence on tobacco.
文摘Globally, human activities have a significant impact on the diversity, abundance, and distribution of large mammals in Protected Areas (PAs). These disturbances increase human pressure on biodiversity and species habitats, highlighting the need for conservation. This study aimed to assess the abundance and distribution of large mammals in different habitat types within Nimule National Park (NNP) and understand the impacts of human activities on them. Data on the abundance and distribution of large mammals and their respective habitat types were collected through line transect surveys. Human activity signs were observed and recorded along the transect lines. To estimate the impacts of human activities on the diversity, abundance, and distribution of large mammal species, as well as to identify any significant differences between them and their habitat types, the study utilized the Kruskal Wallis test, Polynomial multiple regressions, and diversity indices. The findings from the Shannon-Weiner and Simpson indices indicated that large mammal species were more diverse inside the park (H’ = 1.136;D = 0.570) compared to the buffer zone (H’ = 0.413;D = 0.171), with 85% (443 out of 510 samples) recorded within Nimule National Park. The species abundance showed a semi-balanced status (0.58). The diversity results among different habitat types revealed that large mammals were more diverse and highly distributed in both open woodlands (244) and dense woodlands (192), while riverine vegetation had the lowest diversity (8). Statistical tests demonstrated a highly significant difference at a 99% confidence interval (p-value = 0.01) between habitat types and identified species of large mammals. Additionally, the results highlighted the high abundance of Uganda kob (274), baboons (141), and warthog (57) across most habitat types, accounting for at least 75% of their distribution. The most prevalent human activities observed were cattle footprints (27%) and cattle dung (14%). Human footprints and tree cutting combined accounted for 9%, indicating the practice of livestock grazing, poaching, encroachment, and fuelwood collection by local communities. However, these activities did not appear to significantly impact the diversity, abundance, and distribution of large mammals in Nimule National Park. Therefore, it is crucial to foster shared responsibilities and engage relevant stakeholders in the management and conservation of large wildlife species. Regular community awareness programs should be implemented to cultivate a sense of ownership. Moreover, it is recommended that a comprehensive survey be conducted on the population status of all mammal species in Nimule National Park, including its surrounding Buffer Zone. Monitoring the impact of human activities on their behavior and habitats using satellite images should also be carried out at least every five to ten years.
