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This article is a methodological approach to landscape analysis, changes in land use and quantification of the variations registered in the Arribes del Duero (Salamanca, Spain), region through the implementation of physiographic metric techniques and the use of Geographic Information Systems. The evolution of the uses and covers of the land that occurred in the Spanish rural world, largely parallel to its demographic dynamics of depopulation and aging, has aroused the interest of its study. This fact has intensified, even more so, in those regions whose geographical singularities have served as a driver of conservation measures, becoming at the same time limiting factors of mechanization and intensification, thus turning their future towards the reduction of agricultural activity and abandonment. Cartographic development must be considered the key element in the investigation of territorial transformations. Its analysis, through the application of landscape indices or metrics, will give a specific evolutionary model. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The runoff threshold is the amount of precipitation that exceeds the infiltration capacity of the soil and from which water begins to flow over the land surface. Its spatial variation will determine the appearance of a series of processes and risks such as soil erosion, sediment transport, water pollution or flooding, all of which are of great interest in the field of land planning and management. This article provides an update of the runoff threshold in the territorial scope of the Demarcación Hidrográfica de las Cuencas Mediterráneas Andaluzas and evaluates the spatial changes occurred between 1990 and 2018 because of land use dynamics. For this purpose, the methodology described in Regulation 5.2-IC related to surface drainage, of the Instrucción de Carreteras (Ministerio de Obras Pu'blicas y Urbanismo [MOPU], 1990; Ministerio de Fomento, 2016, 2019) was used. The results obtained show very contrasting runoff threshold values, with maximums in the western sector and minimums in the eastern sector. On the other hand, the dynamics of land use changes have led to a significant increase in impermeable surfaces and sclerophyllous vegetation, which has generated a clear reduction in runoff threshold values in different areas, mainly in the eastern region. Specifically, the former forest areas, currently occupied by sclerophyllous vegetation, stand out, with a reduction of 17 mm over an area of approximately 229.1 km2. The conversion of agricultural lands into urban areas is also noteworthy, with a decrease in their retention capacity by up to 14 mm of precipitation, covering a total area of 97.1 km2. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Neltuma flexuosa is the main tree species in the Central Monte which presents important ecological and socio-cultural functions. Grazing and wood extraction, the most widespread human uses in the region, can modify the growth of Neltuma trees and generate changes in the woodland dynamics, which, in turn, is influenced by water availability. Our aim was to assess the growth pattern of N. flexuosa trees that inhabit open woodlands of the Central Monte and associate it to land use and to the climate. Dendrochronological methods were employed to analyze wood samples collected in areas destined for conservation, grazing use and wood extraction. Trees in the wood extraction area grew approximately twice that of the individuals in grazing fields and the protected area between 1977 and 2000, reaching their maximum growth rate between 20 and 40 years of age. In opposition, the maximum growth rate in the protected area and in the grazing fields occurred at approximately 70 years of age. A positive correlation between rainfall and growth was observed, however the association between climate and growth was low. Our results show that the different land uses have affected the radial growth pattern of N. flexuosa trees. The resprout capacity of the species would have allowed its recovery at the tree level, which, combined with a change in the intensity of anthropogenic use, enabled the recovery of the N. flexuosa population and the reestablishment of the forest. These results suggest that the extensive grazing and the extraction of wood to domestic use are activities compatible with the sustainable use of the woodland. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aims to monitor the dynamics of urban growth in Guercif City, Morocco, and the accompanying contraction of agricultural land over a period of 68 years (from 1954 to 2022). Remote Sensing (RS) and Geographic Information Systems (GIS) have been relied mainly on as tools to track the sequence of this urbanization expansion. This research was based on the analysis of data from a range of geographical resources, especially the topographic map for the period of the fifties and sixties, and then satellite images of the Landsat in the period of the seventies and beyond. The approach we have adopted in this study enabled us to adjust the dynamics of the studied phenomenon and to determine its temporal and spatial dimensions. One of the most important conclusions we have reached in this context is that since 1954 Guercif City and its surroundings have lost important areas of agricultural land, mostly in the form of olive groves, totaling 218 hectares in 2022, due to urbanization expansion, for which rural migration was the most important factor. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper assessed soil degradation over different land uses in the Kebbi area, Northwestern Nigeria. The specific objectives entailed identifying major forms of soil loss in the study area, estimating soil loss and examining the responses of soil physico-chemical properties over dominant land use types. Slope angles were determined using a GPS, a handheld Abney level, ranging poles and a 30 m measuring tape while gully depths, widths and lengths were taken at 5 m-30 m intervals. Key soil physico-chemical parameters were determined using standard procedures. Descriptive statistics such as mean, standard deviation and coefficient of variation were used to summarize the data generated from the study. The analysis of variance and the student's t-test was used to test for significant association between and within pairs of land uses. The results show that slopes range from 4° - 16°, while the magnitude of soil loss ranged between 3580.32 m³ in K1 (Kalgo 1), 3550.89 m³ in G2 (Goru 2) and 161.01 m³ in A1 (Angwar Daji 1). Results show significance at p= 0.05 in bulk density values over the different land uses with the highest bulk density value of 1.78 g/cm³ in badland and lowest value of 1.35 g/cm³ in plantation land use. Total nitrogen range between 0.01 - 0.38% with the least values in badland and scrubland, while soil base saturation is highest over plantation (76.3%) and lowest in badland (50.4%). The study concludes that the dominant geomorphic responses identified in the study area are gully initiation and development and a varying magnitude of soil degradation over the different land uses. The findings should facilitate policy initiation to rehabilitate degraded lands, adopt sustainable soil management practices such as tree planting while linking geomorphological information to infrastructural planning and development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The effects of the health crisis associated with the COVID-19 pandemic, which overlapped with the consequences of the 2008 economic crisis, have had a major social and economic impact on the monofunctional tourist territories. Urban and tourism development has been possible on the Alicante coast thanks to environmental and urban planning regulations that permit an intense occupation of the coast and pre-coastal area. The real estate crisis gave rise to a change in paradigm, and regulatory reforms have been implemented based on the guiding principle of environmental sustainability and balanced territorial development. This study aims to evaluate whether this paradigm shift in territorial planning has translated into urban planning and has modified urban-touristic dynamics on the Alicante coast. To achieve this, we have analyzed official statistical information, municipal and regional-scale territorial planning documents and conducted interviews with stakeholders (government authorities, private sector representatives, civil society groups, and experts in territorial and tourism planning). The results reveal that the actions have not been uniform along the coast. The different responses (return to pre-pandemic conditions, that is, the continuous growth of the activity as opposed to the containment of the urban and tourist development in line with policies to ensure sustainability and climate change adaptation) reveal the existence of conflicts and tension between the different sectors and social agents. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study investigates changes in soil properties, specifically soil organic carbon (SOC) and total nitrogen (TN), associated with different land use systems derived from forests in the rainforest zone of Nigeria. The land use systems examined include mature oil palm plantation (OP), bush fallow or secondary forest (BF), alley cropping with multi-purpose trees (AC), and continuous cassava cropping with and without fertilizer (FC and UC). Converting forests to cultivated land led to a decrease in SOC and TN content and storage across all soil depths (0-10 cm, 10-20 cm, and 20-40 cm). In the top 0-10 cm depth, the average decrease in SOC and TN storage was 63% and 62%, respectively, while for 0-40 cm, the decrease was 48% and 46%, respectively, for all land use systems derived from forests. Furthermore, the study reveals that even after 5, 10, and 30 years of secondary forest regrowth (BF), alley cropping (AC), and oil palm plantation (OP), respectively, the fertility levels were not restored to those observed in the primary forest. These findings underscore the capacity of forest soils to conserve and enhance soil SOM (soil organic matter), which in turn plays an essential role in SOC sequestration, TN storage, and soil nutrient conservation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Land Uses. • Carbon Stock. This study was conducted in the Gurra watershed of the Chelia District to determine the current state of soil characteristics as well as the current organic carbon and equivalent CO 2 sequestration potential of the watershed's various land uses (forest, grazing, and agricultural). Random sampling techniques were used to collect composite soil samples from 0 to 30 cm depth for each land use, which was then tested for selected soil physicochemical parameters using conventional protocols. The forest and cultivated land textural classes were clay loam. "Soil pH in forest and grazing lands was 5.9 and 5.2, respectively". Higher bulk density in grazing (1.12 g/cm3) and lower bulk density (0.89 g/cm3) in forestland were recorded. The values of micronutrients Fe, Cu, Mn and Zn (282.07, 3.768, 44.94 and 2.82 ppm) and Fe, Cu, Mn and Zn (107.44, 0.93, 16.51 and 0.43 ppm) were recorded in forest and cultivated lands, respectively. Similarly, the highest (10.24%) and lowest (4.31%) soil organic matter were recorded in forest and cultivated lands. The same was true for TN (0.56, 0.22)%, available P (16.28, 0.28) ppm and total P (37.28, 0.64) ppm, cation exchange capacity (64, 37.30) cmol(+)kg−1, exchangeable bases (54.26, 21.66) cmol (+)kg−1 and organic carbon (5.94, 2.5)%. However, exchangeable acidity (1.6, 0.48) cmol (+) kg−1 was recorded in cultivated land and lowest in forestland. The watershed sequestered 84,150 tons of CO 2 e and stored 22,930 tons of soil organic carbon with an estimated value of USD 336,600 in the current value. Similarly, the SOC sequestration potential and equivalent CO 2 sink potential decreased by 14.58, 8.92 and 6.33 t/h and 53.52, 32.72 and 23.23 t/ha in forest, grazing and cultivated lands, respectively. Land uses have an effect on soil physicochemical proprieties and on climate change. The lowest amounts of organic carbon, organic matter and total N were recorded in cultivated land. The soil organic carbon storage potential of cultivated land (6.33 Mg/ha) was almost 2 times lower than that of forestland (14.58 Mg/ha). In this study, forestland was the major reservoir of soil organic carbon and sink of CO 2 e. It also played a significant role in mitigating climate change, improving the fertility and productivity of the lands. The effects of land use changes can be seen not only in soil properties but also in climate change. Therefore, due attention should be given to improving soil properties, conserving natural resources by using crop residue and crop rotation, applying fallowing and agro-forestry practices and incorporating soil organic carbon in green economy policies and planting N-fixing species in the area. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Springs are important ecosystems in terms of environmental services and their quality has been degraded by various land uses. Aquatic insects are strongly affected by anthropogenic impacts. For this reason, researchers, use the taxonomic and functional structure of the Ephemeroptera, Plecoptera, and Trichoptera (EPT) assemblages for the evaluation of environmental quality of Neotropical springs in areas cultivated with eucalyptus. In this respect, we tested the hypothesis that taxa richness is lower in eucalyptus areas, and the taxonomic composition and functional diversity are different from those of forest areas. In order to verify this hypothesis, we used a pond net sampler to collect the substrate of 20 springs in Southeastern Brazil. Our results showed that in areas planted with eucalyptus, springs showed less richness of genera and a different EPT taxonomical composition compared to springs in forest areas. We also found that respiration and body size were the functional traits most influenced by abiotic variables in springs both in eucalyptus and forest areas. The reduced marginal vegetation and homogenization of the canopy in eucalyptus areas reduced the quality of the plant matter, altering the substrate composition and water quality of springs in those areas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The study focuses on the effects of slope on the infiltration process and runoff generation for the soil samples from landfill, agricultural and bare surfaces under similar simulated rainfall. Hillslope experimental setup was designed to conduct the experiments with the slope of 10, 20 and 30°. The results indicate that minimum and maximum infiltrated volumes were presented by landfill soil (at 30°) and agricultural soil (at 10°), respectively. Results also reported that, apart from the slope, the amount of induced runoff was significantly affected by land uses and type of surface erosion. The experimental observations were used to estimate empirical infiltration model parameters using nonlinear least square and Artificial Neural Network (ANN) two-layer back-propagation, describing the variation of infiltration rates with slope and soil samples, which showed a decent agreement with the observed data presenting an average R2 and NSE as 0.88 and 0.92, respectively. The efficiency of ANN performance was also found to be associated with a higher proportion of training data. The findings have extensive implications for evaluating the rainfall-runoff process and infiltration estimation for chosen land uses in the urban area. Research highlights: The infiltration process was significantly affected by urban land uses (agricultural land, bare surface and solid waste landfill) as soil samples from landfill and agricultural soil samples showed the lowest and highest cumulative infiltration, respectively, for selected slope ranges 10, 20, 30°. An increment in slope from 10° to 20° caused the reduction in cumulative infiltration by 10.1% and 17.2% and 3% for bare surface, landfill soil and agricultural soil, respectively. Similarly, an increment in slope from 10° to 30° caused the reduction of infiltrated volume by 23.9, 23.8 and 25.4% landfill soil, bare surface soil and agricultural soil, respectively. An increment in slope from 10° to 20° caused 1.31, 1.13 and 1.27 times increment in the runoff for bare surface, landfill soil and agricultural soil, respectively. Similarly, an increment in slope from 10° to 30° caused a 1.65, 1.25, and 4.65 times rise in runoff volume at the downslope for bare surface, landfill soil and agricultural soil, respectively. Experiments had shown no significant relation of slope variation with initial infiltration rate (fo) and constant infiltration rate (fc), although rates were found dependent on land uses and highly influenced by surface erosion mechanism. The Horton model has demonstrated the most efficient results compared to other models for all focused inclined surfaces of soil samples extracted from targeted land uses. The ANN model can be used for parameter estimation based on the field experimental inputs for different land uses with various slopes. The overall performance of the ANN model was found suitable for estimation of the model parameters by evaluating average R2 and NSE as 0.943 and 0.93, respectively, for all mentioned scenarios. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Land use change is a major predictor for variations in soil bacteria, which plays a key role in maintaining soil multifunctionality and function of terrestrial ecosystems. The effects of land use change on the soil bacterial community in an alpine region at the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau (QTP) were still unclear. In this study, we investigated soil bacterial profiles under grazed grassland, enclosed grassland, continuous cropland, rotation cropland and abandoned cropland in the Tianzhu alpine agro-pastoral ecotone. Our results showed that Proteobacteria, Acidobacteria and Actinobacteria were the most three abundant phyla regardless of land use change, accounting for over 60% of the total. Cultivation declined soil bacterial alpha diversity without recovering even after abandonment. Over 73% variations in bacterial diversity can be explained by soil physical and chemical properties. In addition, soil moisture could be the main driver for the difference in bacterial structure between croplands and others. Soil bulk density, pH, organic carbon and total nitrogen contents seem to be the key factors determining the difference in bacterial structure between abandoned croplands and others. Our results have implications for comprehensive understanding about the responses of the soil bacterial community to land use change in alpine regions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bactrocera oleae is the main pest in olive groves, and its management requires a sustainable perspective to reduce the use of chemical products. Landscape context is being considered as an important driver of pest reduction, but results on B. oleae show inconsistency to date. Most of landscape-pest control studies focus on the dynamics of the pests within the focal crop, ignoring these dynamics in other land uses. Here we present a study in which we analyze the seasonal population dynamics of the olive pest B. oleae in the most important land uses of a typical olive landscape in Portugal. We found that B. oleae is present in all the land uses and the dynamics are very similar to those in the olive groves. However, the presence of these land uses in the landscape did not display any increase in B. oleae abundance within the olive groves. In contrast, a landscape mainly composed by olive groves increased the abundance of this pest. Importantly, more diverse landscapes surrounding olive groves reduce the abundance of the olive fly. Based on these findings, we can conclude that B. oleae is present in all the land uses of the studied landscape but that this presence does not imply an increase of B. oleae in olive groves. Indeed, other land uses can promote landscape diversification which is a driver of the reduction of B. oleae populations in olive groves. We thus encourage olive stakeholders to increase landscape diversification around their farms by promoting/restoring other crops/habitats. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Soil functions as the largest storehouse for terrestrial carbon and influences the global carbon cycle. Land uses have a significant effect on soil carbon storage and its dynamics. Pokkali agro-ecosystem represents unique tidal wetlands of Kerala where the land use consists of traditional way of rice and prawn rotational farming. The present investigation was conducted to assess the soil carbon pools from different land uses in the Pokkali agro-ecosystem. The composite soil samples collected from three different land uses in the Pokkali ecosystem namely rice-prawn, rice alone, and prawn alone from Kumbalangy, Rice Research Station, Vyttila, and Kadamakkudy respectively were analyzed for pH, electrical conductivity, bulk density, texture and cation exchange capacity. Soil carbon pools like soil organic carbon, labile carbon, water-soluble carbon, microbial biomass carbon, and total carbon were estimated. Land uses significantly influenced different carbon pools of the Pokkali agro-ecosystem. Different carbon pools such as soil organic carbon (16.49 g kg-1), labile carbon (2153.56 mg kg-1), water-soluble carbon (46.10 mg kg-1), microbial biomass carbon (249.83 mg kg-1) and total carbon (18.4 g kg-1) were highest in rice-prawn land use which signifies the sequestering capacity of these soil due to abundance of organic matter. Higher soil organic carbon stock indicates the great potential of the Pokkali soil to store carbon and reduce greenhouse gases in the atmosphere. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Soil erosion has posed a serious threat to the ecological balance and food security in the most fragile environment of the Loess Plateau. Frequent human activities are drastically changing the spatial pattern of land use in the economic and social development. Therefore, it is of great significance to predict the soil erosion under different strategies of land use for the regional coordinated development in the future. Taking the Jiuyuangou watershed as the research object, this study aims to propose an improved FLUS-CSLE model for the prediction of the spatial distribution pattern of land use in different scenarios. The vegetation coverage factor (B) and the tillage measure factor (T) were also calculated in the future scenario. The CSLE model was used to evaluate the soil erosion status in the historical period (2010-2020). The vegetation coverage factor and tillage measure factor were combined to predict the soil erosion under various scenarios of land use in 2025. Finally, a systematic analysis was made to determine the response of land use types to soil erosion status. The results show that: 1) The land use types were grassland (62.23%) and forest land (28.41%), followed by cropland, buildings, and water in the study area. There were the great variations in the spatial distribution pattern of land use. Specifically, the areas of forest and grassland increased by 8.36% from 2010 to 2020, whereas, the area of cropland was decreased by 30.3%. 2) The average modulus of soil erosion in the three years of 2010, 2015, and 2020 were 19.49, 15.83, and 20.7 t/(hm2·a), respectively, indicating a trend of first decreasing and then increasing. The soil erosion modulus of land use types was ranked in the descending order of the cropland (40.56 t/(hm2·a)) > grassland (18.79 t/(hm2·a)) > building (10.25 t/(hm2·a)) > forest land (8.02 t/(hm2·a)). 3) Under the positive ecological protection scenario, the area of forest and grassland in 2025 was basically the same as that in the natural development scenario, but the proportion of forest land increased. The area of forest and grassland was increased by 5.06% compared with the economic growth scenario. The area of cropland was increased by 1.20% compared with the natural development scenario and decreased by 14.73% compared with the economic growth scenario. 4) The soil erosion moduli were 24.3, 22.9, and 18.3 t/(hm2·a), respectively, under the natural development, economic growth, and ecological protection scenarios of the watershed in 2025. Therefore, an active ecological protection mode can be expected to appropriately expand the building area in the needs of economic development. Anyway, a rapid and efficient prediction of soil erosion can be given for the management strategies in the various scenarios of land use in the future. The findings can also provide the scientific reference for the decision-making on land use, as well as soil and water conservation in the watershed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aims to define and analyze patterns of the current land use in the city of Beit Lahia, the percentage occupied by each use, the extent of their conformity with the planning standards, and the detection of factors directed to land use, The study used the functional, analytical, descriptive, and historical methodology, The study addressed the first topic of Study methodology, then the second topic of population and their geographical, and the third topic included the factors that target the use of the land, the last topic reviewed the uses of land and identity The functionality of the city, and at the end of the research came the results and recommendations. It was found that population is growing at a high rate, with the population doubling about (25( times in an estimated period of (50) years, which affected the pattern of use the land, and it turns out that the used area constitutes about 85.8% of the total area. The rest is empty land and area suitable for future construction and expansion equal to 14.2%. Also, it appears that the patterns of land use in the city are not in conformity with the planning standards except for agricultural and space use. It was also possible to reach the functional structure of the city so that it falls within the services function as 57% of the total workers work in services. The study also recommended the necessity of setting local planning standards for land uses that take into account scientific and practical dimensions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The increase in human activities in urban areas resulting from the urbanisation process continues to put immense pressure on urban ecological resources including water bodies. This study seeks to assess the relationship between the various categories of human activities within the 100 m buffer of the major water bodies in the Kumasi Metropolis and the chemical and biological composition of the pollutants that are emitted into the water bodies. The findings of this study showed that the Kumasi Metropolis is confronted with weak enforcement of regulations that protect water bodies. For example, along the Subin River, human activities such as commercial activities and the development of squatter settlements did not conform to the standard setback average distance of 100 feet in the Zoning Regulation and Planning Standards. There is a need for city authorities to strategically respond to the various human activities that threaten the sustainability of water resources in cities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the south of Bahia state, a large part of the native Atlantic Forest areas has been modified for the cultivation of cocoa (Theobroma cacao). These crops are cultivated under the shade of the canopy of native trees, a system locally known as the "cabruca" agroforestry system. This study aimed to evaluate the relationship of Odonata assemblages (adults and larvae) in cocoa farming areas and to identify the relationships of these species with local and spatial environmental variables of the monitored sites. Altogether, adult and larvae were sampled at 22 sites. Physical and physicochemical water variables were recorded for each site. A total of 1336 dragonflies were collected, of which 20 were Zygoptera species and 30 were adult Anisoptera representatives. The different life stages were related to environmental variables such as conductivity, watercourse channel width, and dissolved oxygen. The space predictors were also associated with the assemblages, mainly for adults. The present study identified that cabruca areas maintain a great diversity of dragonflies, including species that are considered to be forest specialists and more sensitive to landscape changes. The characteristics of this cropping system are considered to be favorable for the conservation of the biodiversity of the Atlantic Forest. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, we assessed the effects of multiple land uses and local habitat variables on the composition of fish functional trophic groups (FTG's) and on the ecomorphological traits of fish in Amazonian streams. We evaluated land use types and local habitat variables in 26 streams distributed within a land use gradient. Land use and habitat variables affected the composition of FTG's, as evidenced by the increased abundance of diurnal channel drift feeders in areas with high dissolved oxygen and deeper thalweg. At the same time, diurnal surface pickers, as well as diggers, and ambush and stalker predators were more abundant in streams with higher canopy density. Only habitat variables affected the ecomorphological characteristics of the species. Fish with higher values of relative caudal peduncle length were positively associated with high canopy density, while fish with greater relative mouth width were negatively associated with the variables impact in the riparian zone and cover of fish shelter. The stream fish functional structure was mainly affected by the impacts caused to the local habitat resulting from different land uses. Thus, preserving forest remnants, as well as recovering degraded areas, is essential for the maintenance of aquatic biodiversity in the region. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

When making foraging decisions, animals evaluate the risk of being preyed upon or hunted. This applies particularly to large-bodied, long-lived species with a long evolutionary history of human persecution, such as wild boars (Sus scrofa). Wild boar populations are rapidly expanding throughout natural, agricultural, and urban areas worldwide, thus escalating human–wild boar conflicts. Most of these conflicts are associated with crop and garden damages by foraging wild boars. To study the foraging behavior of wild boars across a gradient of human risk, we evaluated the combined effects of hunting, land use type, and wild boar group size and structure on boar use of feeding devices. We installed corn-supplemented feeding devices in four land-use types and hunting combinations: urban areas with and without hunting, rural areas (namely, agricultural areas with hunting), and nature reserves without hunting. Our results show that rural areas and urban areas were the most important predictors of the wild boars' decision to eat or not and the time it took them to start eating from the moment they arrived at the feeding device (TBE—Time Before Eating). In addition, our study suggests that the TBEs of urban boars were significantly lower compared to boars from nature reserves. We further found that TBEs of urban boars were significantly lower than TBEs of boars in nature reserves. Our results suggest that the foraging behavior of wild boars varies spatially, corresponding to the different land-use types. We propose that the readiness of boars to forage in urban areas results from their habituation to human presence and lower perception of risk. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Urban sprawl against the agricultural lands is considered one of the most important problems resulted from the swift housing growth in the developing states, for the agricultural lands are exposed to pressures and erosion as a result of this sprawl, urbanization process and weakness of deterrent laws. The Amara City had witnessed a noticed growth in averages of housing as a result of development requirements, population in the city rose from 272286 persons in 1997 to 577543 persons in 2020, and consequently caused settlement of numbers of inhabitants in the agricultural zones and changed plenty of land; from agricultural to housing and service ones, the matter that shared in the decrease of agricultural lands in Amara City, the thing that the occupied lands, preoccupied with housing and services amounted to 251 hectares during the five stages in which the city passed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

When making foraging decisions, animals evaluate the risk of being preyed upon or hunted. This applies particularly to large-bodied, long-lived species with a long evolutionary history of human persecution, such as wild boars (Sus scrofa). Wild boar populations are rapidly expanding throughout natural, agricultural, and urban areas worldwide, thus escalating human–wild boar conflicts. Most of these conflicts are associated with crop and garden damages by foraging wild boars. To study the foraging behavior of wild boars across a gradient of human risk, we evaluated the combined effects of hunting, land use type, and wild boar group size and structure on boar use of feeding devices. We installed corn-supplemented feeding devices in four land-use types and hunting combinations: urban areas with and without hunting, rural areas (namely, agricultural areas with hunting), and nature reserves without hunting. Our results show that rural areas and urban areas were the most important predictors of the wild boars' decision to eat or not and the time it took them to start eating from the moment they arrived at the feeding device (TBE—Time Before Eating). In addition, our study suggests that the TBEs of urban boars were significantly lower compared to boars from nature reserves. We further found that TBEs of urban boars were significantly lower than TBEs of boars in nature reserves. Our results suggest that the foraging behavior of wild boars varies spatially, corresponding to the different land-use types. We propose that the readiness of boars to forage in urban areas results from their habituation to human presence and lower perception of risk. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aimed to determine the presence of metal elements in fruits and leaves of three tree species as bioindicators in San Luis Potosi, Mexico. Ninety fruit and 90 leaf samples (30 per tree species) were collected at five sites (agricultural, suburban, commercial and services, urban, and mining), using the site and the presence of P. laevigata, S. molle, and A. farnesiana as references. Total concentrations of 13 metal elements were determined using an inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometer (ICP-MS). The species were significantly affected by Co, As, and Pb (ANOVA, p≤0.05). Considering the land use and the species, the contents determined in the leaves and fruits of the three species had sufficient and phytotoxic contents of Al, Cd, Co, Ni, Mn, Ti, and Cr, and excessive ranges with the possible phytotoxic effect of As, Cu, Pb, Zn, V, and Fe. The A. farnesiana had the highest concentrations of 12 heavy metals analyzed (HM). The variation in total metal concentrations between leaves and fruits ranged from 84.70 to 99.06%, with V, As, and Cr being prominent. The functionality of these tree species as phytoremediators and bioindicators is reviewed to evaluate environmental impacts on land use. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Evergreen coniferous forestlands increased the complexity of fungal networks. • Topsoil organic carbon fractions shaped complex lipid metabolism pathways. • Specific keystone taxa were potential drivers for soil water repellency. Soil water repellency (WR) is an important hydrological function in the terrestrial water cycle as it prevents water from penetrating into the soil and exacerbating soil erosion. Vegetation restoration may greatly affect WR by increasing soil organic carbon (OC) storage and altering microbial community composition in response to environmental stressors in the loess hilly areas of China. Yet, the regulating mechanisms of WR by changes in microbial functional profiles across land use types in these regions are poorly characterized. In this work, solid-state13C nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy and shotgun metagenomics sequencing were applied to systematically assess the effects of land use types on the OC fractions, soil bacterial and fungal community composition, as well as microbial functional profiles. We found that artificial evergreen coniferous forestland caused more severe WR and increased the complexity of fungal networks. Besides, the artificial evergreen coniferous forestland had larger impacts on labile OC fractions, microbial communities,and lipid metabolic pathways in topsoil compared to other land use types. What's more, keystone genera (e.g., Conexibacter , Streptomyces , and Sphaerobolus) and functional genes (ACAT , atoB , ACSL , fadD , ACADM , acd , paaF , echA , and FAS2) were driven by soil properties that contributed significantly to WR. Collectively, our results indicate that topsoil OC fractions interact with keystone taxa to influence WR by regulating functional genes in lipid metabolic pathways. These findings greatly boost our understanding of assessing the SWR risk against the backdrop of climate change and lay a theoretical foundation for formulating rational vegetation restoration management strategies based on variations in SWR of forest (grassland) ecosystems on the Chinese Loess Plateau. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The study was conducted to assess the long-term effects of predominant land uses on physicochemical properties, nutrient status and their interactions in soils of south-western Punjab representing the semi-arid soils of India. From each site, soil samples of three predominant land use viz. croplands, horticultural lands and uncultivated lands were collected from 0–15, 15–30, 30–60 and 60–90 cm depths. Soils of both croplands and horticultural lands were classified as sandy loam whereas uncultivated lands showed loamy sand texture with relatively higher pH, electrical conductivity (EC) and bulk density (Bd). Greater soil organic carbon (SOC), available nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P) and micronutrients (Zn, Cu, Fe and Mn) in horticulture might be due to the higher addition of OC and mineral nutrients through the decomposition of leaf litterfall and root deposits over their removal from soils while long-term use of potassic fertilizer raised the available K contents in croplands. Profile study up to 90 cm depicted the largest sequestration of 74.89 Mg C ha−1 under orchards which was 40 and 70% higher than croplands and uncultivated lands respectively. Significant variability in water-stable aggregates (WSA) (R2 = 0.5843, p < 0.05) and mean weighted diameter (MWD) (R2 = 0.6497, p < 0.01) with SOC indicated better soil stability in horticulture due to the presence of higher SOC. Positive relations of soil available micronutrients with SOC and finer soil particles were supported by the results of correlation, Principal component analysis and dendrogram indicating horticulture as a potent source of available micronutrients. An overall superiority of horticultural land use over the other two land uses in terms of nutrient status and soil stability suggests its inclusion as a positive strategy that could be taken into account in policymaking for maintaining productivity along with the sustainability of the concerned land degradation prone area. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cities are among the most complex products of human initiative and activity, and they provide us with enormous examples of the diversity of physical forms, economic foundations, and functional models within the framework of urban development and many cities suffer from urban expansion and urban sprawl and change their urban structure (relationships and elements). This makes the provision of a sustainable urban transport system the main challenge and objective faced by those in the transport sector, Because of its role in resolving pivotal issues related to urban growth, land use, energy consumption and climate change. This is evident in third world cities, especially in the city of Baghdad, as there is a common demand to make public transportation integrated and attractive, with a long-term impact to improve the quality of life in cities. This research studies the experience of the Brazilian city of Curitiba as a global model for solving problems related to urban transport in developing cities. It can serve as a reference case in the planning of the integrated transport policy and the realization of a practical, efficient and cost-effective transport system, Which was based mainly on the integration of land uses with the public transport system and the road network and the strengthening of the relationship with the administration and the participation of the private sector. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

During recent decades, tree mortality and dieback have been reported in forest ecosystems across global biomes. Although numerous forest species, including those of the genus Quercus, have been affected by hotter and drier conditions in the Mediterranean Basin during the last decades, there is scarce information regarding the interactive role of past management and climate across large areas of south-western Europe. Here, we examined the influence of several climatic factors (mean annual temperature, annual precipitation) over the last 3 decades, latitude, land management and site conditions on the cork oak (Quercus suber L.) population dynamics given their high ecological and economic relevance. We sampled 20 plots across contrasting environmental conditions in SW Iberian Peninsula with different land property (public vs. private) to characterize cork oak tree size, stand density, mortality ratio and regeneration. We observed widespread effects of latitude (8.9% at northern vs. 15.6% at southern plots) and land property (6.9% in private properties vs. 13.9% in public ones) on tree mortality. Tree density and basal area differed with latitude, with higher values (307.2 trees ha-1 and 38.4 m2 ha-1, respectively) at northern populations. In addition, the more intense cork-focused productive management resulted in higher tree sizes in private (mean DBH = 47.3 cm) than in public (mean DBH = 37.8 cm) plots. Tree regeneration was higher in northern forests (94.9 ± 25.2 vs. 26.0 ± 6.1 saplings ha-1 for the southern location), being this difference more pronounced in public plots. These findings highlight the importance of sustainable forest management in public and private forests for further reduction of mortality processes, as well as for enhancing the regeneration aimed to the conservation of cork oak under forecasted drier conditions of these economically invaluable Mediterranean forests. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Geophysicists use electrical methods to investigate and characterise the earth's subsurface geology. This study aims to evaluate the performance of copper and conventional stainless-steel electrodes in subsurface tomographic investigations using electrical resistivity tomography (ERT) and induced polarisation (IP) at two sites in Penang, Malaysia. Site 1 and Site 2 employed profile lengths of 200 m and 100 m, with electrodes spacing of 5.0 m and 2.5 m, respectively. In the results of the final data inversion, it was observed that the ERT and IP tomographic models of Site 1 have the best convergence limits with percentage relative differences (copper as reference model) ranging from -70% to 70%, while Site 2 recorded -8% to 8%. The electrodes performance evaluation showed that population root mean square (RMS) error and population mean absolute percentage error (MAPE) of data points between copper and stainless-steel electrodes yielded large values for Site 1 with values above 28% and that of Site 2 was less than 4%. Hence, copper (good electrical conductivity and non-polarisable) electrodes have improved the quality and quantity of infield data which give low values of population RMS error and population MAPE compared to conventional stainless-steel electrodes, especially for large unit electrode spacing surveys. Most notably, this work has contributed to the understanding of the capability of copper electrodes in providing precise and reliable inversion models for subsurface tomographic investigations in pre- and post-land uses (engineering work), hydrogeology/groundwater, environmental studies, etc. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The type of hazards and hazardous events in watersheds, depend on land uses around them. Atrazine is an organic pollutant widely applied as a pesticide and it is a potential chemical hazard present in water sources, which cause water pollution and negative effects on aquatic life and human health, due to its high solubility and persistence in soil. However, for developing countries, monitoring and quantification of atrazine can be complex and costly; thus, to contribute to establishing strategies for risk assessment in water supply watersheds, it was evaluated the potential use of an easy, rapid, and low-cost technique such as ultraviolet (UV) absorbance to identify the presence of atrazine. It was conformed distilled and surface water samples doped with Atrazine, and there were correlated with the UV typical spectrum indicator of organic material presence (wavelength λ: 200 - 300 nm). The optimal λ range was 203 - 223 nm to identify this substance at levels possible to be found in surface sources, being UV223 more adequate than UV254, which is more used to identify the presence of natural organic matter, which shows that UV223 is a complementary tool to chemical risk assessment for atrazine in drinking water supply systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Determine soil zinc cycle using isotopic tracing from karst area. • Zinc behaviors strongly controlled by rock weathering and leaching processes. • Cultivation limits δ66Zn fractionation, grazing induces heavier δ66Zn compositions. Stable isotopes are increasingly employed to identify anthropogenic disturbances and geogenic processes of zinc (Zn) in terrestrial ecosystems. To reveal how land use affects the transformation of soil Zn, profile samples were collected from abandoned cropland (AC), grazing shrubland (GS), and natural land (secondary forest land, SF) in a typical karst area, and analyzed the Zn content and isotopic composition. Results exhibited that soil Zn contents in forest (SF: 72.50 ∼ 131.20 mg/kg) were more variable than those in agricultural lands (AC: 74.53 ∼ 112.20 mg/kg; GS: 48.26 ∼ 82.57 mg/kg). Rock weathering was the main contributor to soil Zn in each profile. Differences among profiles arose from partially assimilative Zn returning to the forest through plant debris, whereas leaching processes coupled with the consumption of crop production and livestock led to Zn loss. The δ66Zn varied in the largest range in SF (−0.26 ‰ to 0.04 ‰), and the extremums were both in the upper soil (0 to 80 cm). After the decomposition of plant debris, vegetation preferentially assimilated lighter δ66Zn, while retaining heavier δ66Zn in the surface soil. Moreover, the soil solution also had a lighter δ66Zn composition that leached downward. The narrowest range of δ66Zn composition was in AC (−0.14 ‰ to −0.02 ‰). The assimilation of crops exhausted the lighter δ66Zn fraction during cultivation, and the heavier δ66Zn fraction continued to be lost by leaching after stopping tillage. The δ66Zn composition ranged from −0.18 ‰ to 0.00 ‰ and decreased with depth in the GS. Animal excrement supplied unintentionally heavier δ66Zn compositions during grazing and obviously disturbed soil Zn behavior under the effects of vertical leaching. Both the content and isotopic composition showed that soil Zn dynamics were highly sensitive to agricultural activities. This study reveals a potential feedback mechanism for soil Zn behavior during agricultural disturbances, which is beneficial for optimizing land management in karst areas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Rapid population growth and climate change are poised to significantly impact water resources and agriculture. Consequently, it becomes imperative to delve into the repercussions of climate change on agriculture and natural resources in developing nations. In this research, an economic–hydrological model was employed to assess the influence of climate change on water management and cropping patterns in the Eastern border catchment of Iran. The climatic data used in this study, spanning the years 1997–2022, encompassed daily rainfall and temperature records from the Khorasan and Sistan & Balouchestan meteorological organization, as well as the Iranian Statistical Center. Monthly water discharge data were obtained from the Khorasan and Sistan & Balouchestan regional water authority, while information on crop levels and agricultural inputs was collected from the Khorasan and Sistan & Balouchestan agricultural jihad organization. The findings reveal that areas dedicated to cultivating high-yield crops experienced a decrease when associated with high water consumption, whereas the cultivation areas of high-yield crops expanded when water consumption was reduced. The implementation of modern irrigation methods, such as pressurized irrigation, not only conserves valuable water resources but also enhances efficiency, ultimately resulting in decreased water consumption and increased production. Consequently, the provision of enhanced training programs aimed at educating farmers about these practices and facilitating their adoption can play a pivotal role in adapting to and mitigating the challenges posed by climate change. • Impact of Climate Change: Influence on water management and cropping patterns. • Data Sources: climatic data (1997–2022) from meteorological and water authorities. • Crop Area Dynamics: High-yield crop areas decreased with high water consumption while expanding with reduced consumption. • Irrigation Efficiency: to reduce water consumption and increase production. • Call for Action: Emphasis on farmer education and adoption of efficient practices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Agricultural intensification, by changing land use and modifying the yearly configuration and composition through crop sequences, affects the abundance and diversity of pollinators and, consequently, pollination. This study aims to assess the impact of the characteristics of agricultural landscapes on pollinator abundance in the Mediterranean region. We studied the response of three major wild pollinator groups (hoverflies, bumblebees, and wild bees) to four landscape characteristics: three related to composition, namely, equivalent crop diversity in the sampling year (eRg), previous year equivalent crop diversity (eRgP) and percentage of seminatural habitats (SNH), and one related to landscape configuration, namely, mean field size (MFS). For this evaluation, we selected twenty-two oilseed rape fields (OSRs) differing in surrounding landscape characteristics within a 1-km radius. Multimodel inference indicates that landscape variables affect pollinator groups differently. The percentage of SNH was the most important variable having a positive influence on the abundance of bumblebees, while eRgP and MFS were found to be important for the abundance of wild bees and hoverflies. These data allow us to prioritize actions aimed at specific groups of pollinators, improve agricultural landscape schemes, promote the conservation of wild pollinators, promote crop diversity at the landscape scale and increase the extent of seminatural areas. • Pollinators respond differently to the heterogeneity of the agricultural landscape. • Previous year crop diveristy is the most important landscape feature for total pollinator abundance. • Greater crop diversity and smaller fields benefit the abundance of wild bees. • Seminatural habitats are the most important feature for the abundance of bumblebees. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Environmental conditions play an important role in controlling the fate of organic carbon (OC) in earthworm casts. However, the mechanisms that lead to the destabilization of OC in casts deposited in different land use systems are poorly understood. In this study, we investigated the impact of land use on the fate and composition of particulate organic matter (POM) and mineral-associated organic matter (MAOM) in earthworm casts under tropical conditions. We conducted a 400-day field exposure experiment in a woodland and a meadow in northern Vietnam with earthworm casts and soil aggregates without trace of earthworm activity (reference soil) under natural rainfall conditions. We analyzed the element content, stable carbon isotope composition and mid-infrared signatures of the two types of materials after 9 and 400 days of field exposure. The results showed that the casts were initially enriched in OC as compared to the reference soils, with the MAOM fraction accounting for over 90% of the earthworm-induced OC accumulation. The POM fraction occluded in casts consisted of fresh plant material and disappeared during the 400 days of field exposure. Enrichment and composition of OC differed between woodland and meadow casts. POM and MAOM showed contrasting persistence in the two land use systems. While woodland casts showed the highest potential to stabilize OC, the actual amount of cast OC stabilized for more than 400 days was more important under meadow. The processes affecting cast OC dynamics were contrasting in both systems. Under woodland, cast OC destabilization was most probably related to microbial degradation, while under meadow, OC accumulation was most probably related to root activity. Our study highlights that the impact of earthworms on the origin, composition, and fate of cast OC in tropical environments is strongly influenced by land use. • Earthworms induce SOC storage as MAOM rather than occluded POM. • Landuse influences composition of earthworm induced SOC in fractions. • Occluded POM in earthworm casts is susceptible to loss on an annuel timescale. • Landuse influences persistance of earthworm induced SOC in MAOM fractions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Risk assessments and source analyses are important tools for the control of heavy metal soil pollution. In this study, the receptor model positive matrix factor method (PMF) and the health risk model are used to quantitatively evaluate the human health risks (carcinogenic and non-carcinogenic) of different pollution sources. The results showed that nickel, copper, and lead were significantly enriched due to human activities. The PMF model identified four pollution sources, among which agricultural activities contributed the most to soil heavy metal contamination (33.72%). Although the non-carcinogenic and carcinogenic risks to children were higher than those of adults, the health risks to both cohorts showed the same trend in the different land-use types. In terms of cancer risk, agricultural activities were the largest source of pollution, accounting for 37%, 41%, and 38% of the carcinogenic risk in construction, agricultural, and forest lands, respectively. Non-carcinogenic risks were primarily due to industrial emissions, and industrial activity was second only to agricultural activity in carcinogenic risk. This suggests that sources that contain dangerous heavy metals, such as Cr may lead to higher health risks. The results of this study provide a scientific basis for the quantitative assessment of health risks under different land-use. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Riparian forests are among the most vulnerable ecosystems. Ecological restoration is needed to maintain the ecosystem services they provide. The main goal of the present study was to generate a map of riparian zones identifying forest and transformed areas as a base for their restoration in Tucumán, Argentina. We compared different buffers width: one according to legal requirement (60 m) and two scientific-technical suggestions (100 and 250 m). To explore the occupation of the agronomic production units (cadastral units) by the buffers, we analyzed riparian land cover among different agro-ecological regions and the percentage of production units area affected. Land cover maps were performed through a supervised classification of Sentinel in Google Earth Engine. Our results revealed that between a 40 and 60 percent of the riparian zones, mainly covered by agriculture, need to be restored to reach the 60 and 250 m of buffer strip respectively. Considering the 60 m buffer, riparian zones were covered by agricultural and urban uses in a 23.5% (1959 ha) in the foothills, 50.9% (7784 ha) in the wet plains, and 36.8% (3113 ha) in the dry plains. Therefore, different efforts must be made for an efficient and effective restoration. The amount of area needed to restore the legal requirement could be an attainable objective considering the global and regional restoration goals. In addition, majority of the production units included less than 20% of their surface in a riparian zone. However, we suggest including socio-ecological approaches for restoration projects to know social actors perceptions and avoid major restriction for agronomic production. The cartography performed will be a valuable tool for the implementation of restoration projects for a priority area in Argentina. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Improved plant nutrition to get high productivity is under severe influence of human activities drastically impacting the soil-plant ecosystem. In the scenario of increased global socio-economic demand for food, the changes in land use systems to gain higher agricultural productivity are disrupting the soil properties as well as the associated soil services. This work investigated the impact of different land use systems on phosphorus (P) and associated soil nutrients including K, Ca and Mg across six different land use systems in Abbottabad, Pakistan. Phosphorous fractions were determined by the modified sequential extraction procedures and the concentration of nutrients was measured by double acid digestion. Results revealed the significant variations across different land use systems for P where different P fractions were found considerably varying in order of HCL>NaOH>NaHCO3>H2O extractable phosphorus. Interestingly, nutrients were found to be varying from thick forest to cultivated lands. Results demonstrate that the shift from the thick forests to thin forests or arable lands may increase the P losses and ultimately disturb the associated soil-plant nutrient status thus should remain intact to promote the plant productivity in a sustainable way. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Precise knowledge of the soil organic carbon (SOC) stocks under various land uses is needed to meet the Kyoto Protocol and for the sustainability of natural resources. The purpose of the present study was to (1) gauge the depth and spatial distribution of the soil bulk density (BD), soil organic carbon (OC) stocks, and soil organic matter (OM) among the various land uses in the northern Nile Delta in Egypt; (2) estimate the soil carbon sequestration rate (CSR) under different land uses in the region; and (3) establish baseline data for SOC stocks in future studies on the dynamics of SOC. The study area was divided into ten sampling zones to represent each land use in the northern Nile Delta. Each sampling zone was further divided into four sampling sites to represent virgin lands and fish farms, and twelve sites were used to represent three crop types and four cultivation histories. The crops included clover, (Trifolium alexandrinum L.), sugar beet (Beta vulgaris L.), and rice, (Oryza sativa L.) and the years spanned were 5, 15, 30 and 50. The effects of the crop type on the SBD, SOC content, and SOC stocks were significant. In general, the SOC stocks increase as the number of years of cultivation increased. Thematic maps were produced using Geographical Information Systems (GIS) mapping. The Inverse Distance Weighted (IDW) technique in ArcGIS10.4 software revealed that the spatial pattern of the SBD, OC content, and stocks conformed to the soil analysis results. The SOC stocks of the croplands and fish farms were 1.6 and 1.5 times higher, respectively, compared to those of virgin land. Rice cropland had the lowest SBD (1.34 g cm−3) and the highest OC stocks (7.46 g C kg−1). The conversion of virgin land into croplands or fish farms actively contributed to the carbon storage rate (CSR). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Historically, the Sierra de Maracaju, an important relief unit in the department of Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil, has had a conflictive relationship with the imposed territorial dynamics regarding the use and occupation of land. The objective of the article is to present the landscapes of the Sierra de Maracaju and to propose landscape units by understanding their physical-cultural structures and land uses, on the basis of the 1986 and 2016 scenarios. The research included fieldwork and spatialization of data in geographic information systems that made it possible to identify six landscape units. Higher indexes of preservation and conservation of native vegetation were observed in areas where landscape structures show greater incline. Correspondingly, in flatter relief areas and landscapes suitable for agricultural and livestock activities, the level of preservation and conservation of native vegetation decreased considerably during the period analyzed. Findings show that the territorial dynamics constructed historically to produce export commodities are closely linked to the transformations of landscapes in the Sierra. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The complexity and uncertainty of pore structures, hinder the understanding of the water infiltration process along a soil profile. In this study, soil pore structures quantified by X-ray computed tomography (CT) scanning and infiltration processes traced using stable hydrogen and oxygen isotopes were lin k ed under three land uses (forestland, citrus land, and rainfed cropland) in the red soil region of southern China. Our results showed that 95% of the soil pore diameters in the surface layer (0–20 cm) in forestland, citrus land, and rainfed cropland were concentrated in the ranges of 0.05–2.46, 0.05–2.24 and 0.05–1.04 mm, respectively. Rainfed cropland had the most soil micropores, along with a high porosity and poor connectivity, while there were more large, well-connected tubular pore channels in the forestland and citrus land. Hydrogen and oxygen stable isotopes were effective in tracing soil water infiltration processes under saturated and near-saturated conditions. The soil infiltration depths of citrus land, forestland, and rainfed cropland were 45, 40, and 25 cm, with "new water" volumes of 37.2, 26.4, and 22.3 mm, respectively. CT-based porosity and the soil texture were considered crucial indicators in the evaluation of the exchange between "old water" and "new water" during infiltration processes. More specifically, the soil structure of the limiting layer not only controlled the infiltration rate but also played an extremely important role in the infiltration mechanism, reflected by the different ratios of "new water". The soil pore characteristics mainly affected soil water transport, while other soil properties played more important roles in soil water retention. • Land use affected the profile distribution of soil pore characteristics. • More information came from the stable isotope abundance of soil water than its contents. • The exchange ratio of "new water" and "old water" was obtained by stable isotopes. • Soils with well-connected structures had a higher proportion of "new water". • The pore structure of the limiting layer controlled the infiltration rate and mechanism. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The intensification of climate extremes and land uses poses a major challenge for water managers, especially in heavily populated basins with large reservoirs, multiple uses, and inter-basin transfers. In this study, we analyzed water security in the Paraíba do Sul River basin, responsible for supplying a significant fraction of the needs of Brazil's two largest metropolitan areas through water transfer. Unless existent studies emphasize aspects of water scarcity disregarding other competitive water use, we considered the impacts on hydropower generation in a fully integrated modeling framework, which includes reservoir operation rules. To achieve this, we integrated future projections of land uses, global climate change (RCP 4.5 and RCP 8.5), and water demand for the period 2016–2055. Most of the climate change scenarios suggested a reduction in the frequency of both high and low flows, by nearly 25%, which resulted in an increase in flow regularization in the main basin's reservoirs. An undesirable consequence of those trends was the reduction of hydropower generation. Regarding water supply to the metropolis outside the basin, results indicated a possibility of a more contentious water governance scenario. The long-term sustainability of the basin's water resources will require implementing policies to enhance water use efficiency and reuse, in combination with other renewable energy sources. • Scenarios suggested a reduction media of nearly 20% in both high and low flows. • The firm energy could decrease 45% in 2035–2055 in the Jaguari reservoir. • Water transfer to the metropolitan region of São Paulo is met in all scenarios. • Scenarios indicate water shortages in the metropolitan region of Rio de Janeiro. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Elevated nitrogen (N) deposition due to intensified emissions of NH 3 and NO x is a global problem with profound consequences on living organisms and the environment. Although N emission rates are currently considered to be high in East Asia, reports on the current N deposition level and composition are still limited, especially in northeastern China, where official N deposition monitoring sites are unavailable. This limits our understanding of the spatio-temporal N deposition patterns and their influencing factors at regional to continental scales. Here, we used data collected mostly during 2019 at 38 sites, comprising 7 sites in northeastern China and 31 EANET (Acid Deposition Monitoring Network in East Asia) sites in middle and east Russia, Mongolia, central and southern China, South Korea and Japan to explore the spatial-seasonal variations and drivers of ammonium and nitrate deposition across the Northeast Asia. Total bulk inorganic N (TIN) deposition was 3.7–24.5 kg N ha−1 yr−1 and NH 4 +-N/NO 3 −-N ratio in the TIN was 0.8–2.8 in northeastern China. The bulk/wet TIN deposition averaged 7.5 kg N ha−1 yr−1 (predominantly in the form of ammonium-N: NH 4 +-N/NO 3 −-N = 1.4) over the Northeast Asia region, with the highest rates being observed in northeastern China (11.6), as well as central and southern China (10.7), followed by east Russia, South Korea and Japan (5.6), and the lowest in middle Russia and Mongolia (1.5). This regional bulk/wet TIN deposition level is about twice of the wet TIN deposition level in Europe and the United States. The TIN deposition in summer and spring was 45–467% higher than in autumn and winter. Out of the ten land uses considered, only agricultural and urban land uses significantly positively correlated with NH 4 +-N and NO 3 −-N deposition rates across all monitored sites. This study suggests that the ongoing agricultural and urban expansions are likely to enhance N deposition and its associated effects across global ecosystems. [Display omitted] • Total inorganic N deposition was 3.7–24.5 kg N ha−1 yr−1 in northeastern China. • TIN deposition ranged 0.4–24.5 and averaged 7.5 kg N ha−1 yr−1 over Northeast Asia. • NH 4 +-N dominated TIN deposition (NH 4 +-N/NO 3 −-N = 1.4) in Northeast Asia. • TIN deposition level in NE Asia is about twice that reported in Europe and the USA. • NH 4 +-N and NO 3 −-N deposition increased with increasing farmland and urban coverage. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Although criminology presumes that the physical structural qualities of neighbourhoods have important consequences for crime, there is a dearth of research to test the effects of different land uses on crime rates. Using data on a sample of Philadelphia census blocks, I compute the percentage of the block area classified into seven land use categories, and I use Poisson models to test the localized and broader spatial impact of each of these land uses on crime, controlling for key sociodemographic characteristics. The results show that to effectively understand the interplay between physical structure and crime rates, researchers should disaggregate nonresidential land uses, account for the surrounding environment in which neighbourhoods are situated and analyse a specific form of moderation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A large-scale and high-dropout water-level-fluctuation zone (WLFZ) was formed by the construction of cascaded large dam in the southwest hydropower base of China. The original land use patterns changed significantly by the formation of the WLFZ, which possibly affected the soil organic carbon (SOC) stocks and local carbon cycle. However, little is known about the effects of land uses before dam construction on the SOC stocks in the WLFZ. To address this, we chose the Nuozhadu mega reservoir built in 2014 in the upper Mekong River basin as our study area. We established five sampling transects around the reservoir and sampled them in 2015. Each transect contained three vertical sampling lines representing three land-use types: natural forest, farmland, and rubber plantations. SOC stocks were determined in the WLFZ and in the infralittoral reference zone (IRZ), and the interactions among SOC, land uses, soil erosion, inundation, and other soil physicochemical properties were analyzed to establish the factors controlling SOC in the WLFZ. The average soil organic carbon density (SOCD) was not significantly different between the WLFZ and IRZ, but it differed significantly among the three types of land uses. The SOC stocks in natural forests of the WLFZ and IRZ were significantly greater than those in the other land use types. The SOCD decreased with increasing elevation in the natural forest and rubber plantation in the WLFZ, while no significant trend was found in farmland. These results indicated that the construction of a large dam in southwestern China may not lead to significant changes in regional SOC stocks, but it can result in the redistribution of SOC in the large-scale and high-dropout WLFZ. Land use before dam construction can affect the background concentrations of SOC, soil physicochemical properties, and soil erosion rate in the WLFZ, which controlled the redistribution of SOC. Unlabelled Image • The dam construction effects on soil organic carbon (SOC), which was seldom studied, was chosen as the topic. • SOC density in WLFZ (water-level-fluctuation zone) was only 0.8% lower than that in IRZ (infralittoral reference zone). • SOC densities were different significantly among different types of land use. • Land use before dam construction was the overriding factor influenced SOC stocks in the WLFZ. • Dam construction did not cause the loss of SOC in the WLFZ, but its redistribution. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To support sustainable urban planning and the design of water pollution mitigation strategies, the spatial and temporal trends of water quality in urban streams needs to be further understood. This study analyses over ten years of surface water quality data from 53 upstream catchments (20 of them predominated by a single type of land use) and two lowland sites across Greater Melbourne, Australia. We evaluated the impact of various catchment characteristics, especially urban land uses, on spatial and temporal urban water quality trends. Here, we focused on common urban pollutants: total suspended solids (TSS), total phosphorous (TP), total nitrogen (TN), zinc (Zn), copper (Cu) and nickel (Ni). Site median nutrient and heavy metal concentrations were negatively correlated with the catchment's elevation and its average annual rainfall. Further analysis shows that such trends were driven by the geographical pattern of Melbourne – i.e. low-laying sites tend to have less rainfall and be more urbanised. Only median concentrations of heavy metals (Zn and Cu) were correlated to catchment imperviousness. Further characterising of the urban environment was done into specific land uses (residential, industrial and commercial), yet median concentrations of all pollutants were not significantly correlated with land uses. This is because simple metrics, such as land use proportions, do not adequately reflect the significant variability in pollution sources that can exist even within the same land use type. Indeed, our temporal analysis found that the water quality difference between catchments with similar land uses is likely caused by their site-specific pollutant sources (construction and illegal discharge) and environmental management actions (wastewater management actions) regardless of similarities in land use. A 3-stage urbanisation cycle (development, operation and renewal) is suggested to further explain the urban water quality variance, but more data from small areas of an urban catchment is required to directly understand the unique impact of each urbanisation stage on water quality. • Imperviousness explains the spatial variation of median Zn and Cu in urban streams. • Land use classifications were unable to describe the difference of median pollution concentrations between sites adequately. • Water quality varies significantly between catchments with similar land uses due to site-specific pollution sources. • Wastewater-related sources and environmental management actions influenced long-term water quality changes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Rural population decline since the mid-twentieth century entails changes in the management of traditional agricultural and livestock activities that are reflected in the dynamics and evolution of forest masses. In this sense, the analysis of the upper forest limit ecotone in the headwaters of the Nansa River, object of this work, allows to verify these transformations. To carry out the study, we analyzed the historical demographic and socioeconomic context that explains its evolution through the available statistical data; photointerpretation analyzes have been carried out on the dynamics of the upper limit of the forest in this area and and, based on the definition of sampling plots and the use of dendrochronological techniques, different structures and processes of revegetation of the area, especially arboreal for the species Betula alba var. alba and Fagus sylvatica, have been characterized, related to the presence of disturbances and the historical use of space. The results obtained share the characteristics of the Cantabrian mountain environment, showing how the changes in the dynamics of the upper limit of the forest since the mid-twentieth century, have been accompanied by the loss of population, the abandonment of the scarce agricultural space and new models and livestock management, which are reflected in different structures and patterns of regeneration within the forest masses of the upper limit. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We study the transition to a carbon-free economy in a model with a polluting non-renewable resource and a clean renewable resource. Transforming primary energy into ready-to-use energy services is costly and more efficient energy transformation rates are more costly to achieve. Renewable energy competes with food production for land and the food productivity of land can be improved at some cost. To avoid catastrophic climate damages, the pollution stock is mandated to stay below a given cap. When the economy is not constrained by the cap, the efficiency of energy transformation increases steadily until the transition toward the ultimate green economy; when renewable energy is exploited, its land use rises at the expense of food production; food productivity increases together with the land rent but food production drops; the food and energy prices increase and renewables substitute for non-renewable energy. During the constrained phase, the economy follows a constant path of prices, quantities, efficiency rates, food productivity and land rent, a phenomenon we call the 'ceiling efficiency paradox'. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper we have carried out a diachronic analysis about land uses evolution in Oliva through a mixed method of research, based on photo-interpretation of aerial images (years 1956, 1991, 2015) using GIS techniques, on the one hand, and by means of a comprehensive bibliographic and field work, on the other hand. From this multimethod analysis, urban development and territorial dynamics are studied in a coastal paradigmatic municipality to explain the urbanistic development of the Valencian Mediterranean coast in the last decades. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cation exchange capacity (CEC), as an important indicator of soil quality, represents the ability of the soil to hold positively charged ions. In this study, CEC was successfully predicted using different statistical methods, including artificial neural networks (ANNs) involving multi-layer perceptron (MLP), radial basis function (RBF), multiple linear regression (MLR) and nonlinear regression (NLR). About 293 soil samples were collected from North East India, which are under three land uses (shifting agriculture (jhum), forest and cash crops). Also, 70% of the samples (205 samples) was selected as the calibration set and the remaining 30% (88 samples) used as the prediction set. Soil pH, texture, bulk density (BD) and organic carbon (OC) were used as predictor variables to estimate CEC. The CEC-pedotransfer function (CEC-PTF) performance was evaluated with the coefficient of determination (R²), root mean square error (RMSE) and standard error for the estimate (SEE) between the observed and predicted values. The results indicated that the nonlinear model (R² = 0.91 and SEE = 1.82 for training) for cash-crop system, and RBF (R² = 0.91 and SEE = 3.83 for training) for jhum system were the best models to estimate CEC. In contrast, RBF (R² = 0.67 and SEE = 14.87 for training) for forest system was the worst model to estimate CEC. The results confirm that clay and OC were the most influential variables to predict CEC in the cash-crop system, whereas BD and OC were more suitable for jhum system. Although the ANNs provided suitable predictions of the entire dataset, NLR gave a formula to estimate soil CEC using commonly tested soil properties. Thus, NLR provided a reasonable estimate of CEC for most soils analysed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The rexistatic characteristics of eco-geomorphological systems in Mediterranean environments predispose to the existence of certain risks of flooding and soil erosion. These are fast answer geosystems to change and very sensitive to land uses changes. This paper uses a large and significant region such as Malaga province to assess how the land uses has acted positively or negatively on these risks. A diachronic analysis of both processes is carried out and the variations in their intensity are evaluated to do this. Runoff threshold and the potential erosion of soils have been used as indicators, and two scales have been worked on, the provincial one, to obtain a comparative vision of the distribution of the processes, and a more detailed one, to identify accurately which are the territorial changes that explain the main increases and decreases in erosion and flooding. In the two selected periods, the results show the geographic distribution of both risks, and, on the other hand, the influence that processes such as littoralization, tourism, periurbanization, forest fires or reforestations have had on them. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract This paper presents the estimates of nitrogen and phosphorus loads associated with different land uses in a semi-arid watershed in the Brazilian northeast (NE). To calculate the annual loads and calibrate de estimates, we used emission factors related to natural processes and human activities from land uses and monitored the nutrient concentrations in surficial waters. The concentrations of TN were above the 2.18 mg N L−1 limit for lotic environments while the TP exceeded the limit value of 0.15 mg P L−1 established in the Brazilian legislation. The total loads L e N , P corresponded to 16,621 t N yr−1 and 3,211 t P yr−1 or 1,292 t N km−2 yr−1 and 250 t P km−2 yr−1. The anthropogenic emissions accounted for 82.1% of the N and 91.3% of the P emitted. The results for the Salgado river basin are lower than those estimated globally, but exceed the values obtained for the South American continent in an order of magnitude. The use of nutrient loads instead of concentrations, particularly in areas where detailed studies on nutrient concentrations are unavailable, such as in the semi-arid NE Brazil, may become a satisfactory approach to evaluate the sensitivity of aquatic systems to a further introduction of anthropogenic effluents. Graphical abstract Image 1 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Riparian vegetation is a crucial component of fluvial systems and serves multiple socio-ecological functions. The objective of this review is to follow the scientific trajectory of studies of riparian vegetation throughout history and across regions and fields of knowledge. Such a synthesis is challenging because riparian vegetation is an open co-constructed socio-ecological system at the crossroads of the biosphere, hydrosphere, lithosphere, atmosphere and anthroposphere; thus, it exhibits a wide range of ecological patterns and functioning depending on climatic, morphological and land-use contexts. To address this, we used qualitative and quantitative approaches in our review of the scientific literature. From the scientific perspective, how riparian vegetation is studied has changed over time (e.g. development of modeling and geomatic approaches) and varies among fluvial systems and geographic areas (e.g. its relation to groundwater is usually studied more in Oceania and Asia than on other continents). This review revealed the lack of a single and well-identified scientific community that focuses on riparian vegetation. This is probably due to the nature of the subject, which includes diverse fields of knowledge and several applied issues: biodiversity, forestry, water quality, hydromorphology, restoration, ecology, etc. Some topics are actively regenerated (e.g. biogeomorphological approaches) and others are emerging, which reflects general trends in ecology (e.g. functional approaches). The literature review indicates that a substantial amount of knowledge already exists; therefore, a major priority of our study is to produce a clear and integrative understanding of riparian zone functioning to address the inherent complexity of these zones and remain valid across a wide diversity of geographical contexts. It is also essential to develop detailed analysis of the sociocultural dimension of riparian vegetation to understand the ecology of riparian zones and to improve riparian vegetation management according to local recommendations in order to maintain and improve its functions and services in the face of global changes. Graphical abstract Unlabelled Image Highlights • Review of the scientific literature revealed great diversity in studies on riparian vegetation • Consistent topics from the 20th century to the present are related to the components studied, such as the structure of riparian vegetation • Several topics have undergone substantial recent development, in parallel with general scientific trends (i.e. process-based) or as a result of technological progress (i.e. large-scale modeling and remote sensing) • Future challenges include better knowledge sharing, integration of the social dimension and multiple pressure sources, and consideration of all geographic contexts [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]