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Madagascar is famous for its exceptional present and past diversity, yet its Holocene small mammal fauna remains poorly documented. In this work we present the first taxonomic study of the Children's Cave rodent and tenrec subfossil assemblages collected by Forsyth Major as early as 1895 near Antsirabe in the Central Highlands. We found five rodent species, three endemic and two non-native, as well as six species of tenrecids. This assemblage represents one of the earliest records of Rattus rattus and Mus musculus in the Central Highlands of Madagascar. It is also the first record of Macrotarsomys bastardi in that region, a species that does not currently occur there, and which may indicate a slight environmental change with more bush and forest at the time of the site formation. We find that the native and invasive subfossil specimens do not differ in size and morphology from modern representatives, except for Macrotarsomys. Some proportional differences in rodent taxa are evident between the two Central Highland subfossil assemblages of Children's Cave and the nearby site of Lavajaza, as well as differences in rodent and tenrecid species composition from other sites in southern parts of Madagascar. Therefore, we are unable to draw any conclusions about the contemporaneity of the Lavajaza and Children's Cave assemblages nor can we attempt to estimate the relative age of the subfossil fauna. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The interactions of the different monsoon systems across Southeast Asia create extreme climate phenomena. Central Vietnam, located near the centre of this transitional region, has encountered numerous effects. As a result, its sediments from lakes or speleothems are valuable archives for interpreting past climate variability. However, there is still a lack of high-resolution paleoenvironmental and palaeoclimatic reconstructions during the Holocene in Vietnam. Our study presents a paleoenvironmental diatom-based record of sediment cores collected from Biển Hồ maar lake (14°03′N, 108°00′E) in the Central Highlands of Vietnam covering nearly the entire Holocene. Based on changes in diatom assemblages in the sediment sequence, we identified two periods of the Early Holocene (~11,700–7800 cal BP) and the Mid- to Late-Holocene (~7800–360 cal BP), which mark a remarkable shift in the environment around Biển Hồ. Alternations of key diatom species during the Early Holocene indicate intensity variations between water-mixing and thermal stratification mechanisms in meso-eutrophic conditions. During the Mid- to Late-Holocene, the complete dominance of Aulacoseira granulata var. granulata implies year-round destratification and intense mixing of the lake water column in a permanently eutrophic environment. Its morphological variability reveals intervals of dry environmental conditions driven by pronounced droughts across the Asian continent. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Over the last few decades, when researching ethnic minority communities, researchers have increasingly focused on the local knowledge assets that the community has amassed through productive labour and life organisation. The Central Highlands is a multi-ethnic area that still retains various and distinct sources of traditional knowledge, which play a crucial role in the community's long-term development. Based on the materials gathered, the paper primarily examines the function of indigenous knowledge as a development resource in the Central Highlands region. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study investigates the archaeological potential of Dak Nong Province, Vietnam, as revealed by fieldwork in the Dak Song and Dak Mil districts. We conducted field surveys at various sites, resulting in the discovery of a rich prehistoric heritage in the region, despite challenges posed by complex natural conditions. While artifact distribution and concentration vary across sites, we identified significant concentrations in areas near lakes, rivers, and streams. We find that at locations such as Village 9A, volcanic Lake Dak Mil, and Tay Son Village, traces of concentration are faint. In contrast, at sites such as Dak Peur Border Gate and Tan Lap Village, there are traces of a dense population and long occupation by prehistoric people. The prehistoric inhabitants of Dak Mil and Dak Song districts often lived along lakes, rivers, and streams that did not dry up in the dry season; they lived in a large area and were highly mobile. Our preliminary research highlights the value of Dak Nong Province in studying the early stages of prehistory and cultural development in the Central Highlands region of Vietnam. This also underscores the importance of preserving and promoting archaeological heritage in Dak Mil and Dak Song districts.

Tourism is a very important part of Vietnam's economy, and the country's central highlands offer a lot of chances to grow tourism. However, due to the challenging terrain, remote location, and diverse ethnic populations, creating sustainable tourism in this area poses a significant challenge. To address this issue, our study employs quantitative research methodologies, including questionnaire surveys conducted with local stakeholders. Our research identifies cultural, economic, infrastructural, policy, and regulatory factors as critical drivers of long-term tourism growth in the region. The results show that sustainable tourism growth in Vietnam's central highlands needs a complete plan that considers the area's unique natural and cultural environment. In addition, our research gives policymakers and people in the tourism industry important information they can use to promote sustainable tourism development in this region. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Host-tourist interaction is a core attraction of ethnic tourism. Yet both parties may confront challenges in such interactions because of different cultural backgrounds. This study aims to investigate host-tourist interaction issues in Vietnam's Central Highlands by adopting a qualitative approach wherein 31 semi-structured interviews were conducted with villagers. Results find that villagers interacted with domestic tourists mostly in private houses, tourist attractions and facilities, and on tours. In such settings, the content of interactions varied from low to high intensity. Derived from the Coordinated Management of Meaning (CMM) theory [Pearce, W. B., & Cronen, V. E. (1980). Communication action and meaning. Praeger], verbal (language) and non-verbal behaviour and cultural patterns were the greatest interaction difficulties. While interaction difficulties occurred across different settings, higher intensity interactions resulted in more positive outcomes. This study enriches the existing knowledge on interaction between ethnic hosts and domestic tourists in the intra-national context. The interpretive theoretical and methodological utility of CMM provided insight into interaction difficulties, and opportunities to facilitate positive interactions in ethnic tourism development. Further implications for villagers, tourists, local policymakers, and tour operators were suggested to build long-term sustainability of the host-tourist relationship in the Central Highlands. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Characterizing the mechanisms influencing the distribution of genetic variation in aquatic species can be difficult due to the dynamic nature of hydrological landscapes. In North America's Central Highlands, a complex history of glacial dynamics, long-term isolation, and secondary contact have shaped genetic variation in aquatic species. Although the effects of glacial history have been demonstrated in many taxa, responses are often lineage- or species-specific and driven by organismal ecology. In this study, we reconstruct the evolutionary history of a freshwater mussel species complex using a suite of mitochondrial and nuclear loci to resolve taxonomic and demographic uncertainties. Our findings do not support Pleurobema rubrum as a valid species, which is proposed for listing as threatened under the U.S. Endangered Species Act. We synonymize P. rubrum under Pleurobema sintoxia —a common and widespread species found throughout the Mississippi River Basin. Further investigation of patterns of genetic variation in P. sintoxia identified a complex demographic history, including ancestral vicariance and secondary contact, within the Eastern Highlands. We hypothesize these patterns were shaped by ancestral vicariance driven by the formation of Lake Green and subsequent secondary contact after the last glacial maximum. Our inference aligns with demographic histories observed in other aquatic taxa in the region and mirrors patterns of genetic variation of a freshwater fish species (Erimystax dissimilis) confirmed to serve as a parasitic larval host for P. sintoxia. Our findings directly link species ecology to observed patterns of genetic variation and may have significant implications for future conservation and recovery actions of freshwater mussels. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Within its core highland range, Leadbeater's possum (Gymnobelideus leadbeateri) occurs predominantly in tall montane ash forest dominated by Eucalyptus regnans, E. delegatensis and E. nitens. To improve predictive modelling of suitable habitat, we surveyed ash/non-ash ecotones and also explored the species' recently extended eastern distribution. We detected Leadbeater's possums at 19 sites, including six in non-ash forest dominated by £ dalrympleana, E. viminalis or E. kybeanensis. This extends its known distribution by 5.5 km and appears to delineate the north-eastern limit of its range. Our results add to previous findings indicating Leadbeater's possums have slightly broader range limits and habitat flexibility than previously thought. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bamboos are widely distributed in a variety of habitats in the Central Highlands. Different researchers treat species differently, leading to ambiguous reporting of generic and infrageneric taxa. Following extensive research, this paper is an updated enumeration report on the bamboos that have been found there. The result has recorded 29 species of bamboo belonging to 15 genera. The Bambusoideae grow naturally in almost all regions, in an altitudinal range that extends from 200 m up to 2,160 m. Bamboo in the Central Highlands is distributed in three vegetation types: degraded natural forests in valleys and mountain gorges, along rivers (twenty-one species); primary forest, mixed with broadleaved trees (six species); and dry dipterocarp forest (two species). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The doryline ant genus Eburopone Borowiec, 2016 currently contains only one valid species, E. wroughtoni (Forel, 1910) from southern Africa, with a considerable number of undescribed species awaiting formal description in the Afrotropical and Malagasy regions. In the present paper, Eburopone easoana sp. nov. is described based on workers and dealate queens from a colony series collected in an evergreen forest on the Dak Lak Plateau of Vietnam (Ea So Nature Reserve, Dak Lak Province). The worker of the new species is morphologically clearly distinguished from E. wroughtoni by the combination of following characteristics: i) frontal line distinct, extending a little beyond mid-length of cranium; ii) anterior (frontoclypeal) margins of torulo-posttorular complex not forming conspicuous lobes protruding over anterior clypeal margin in full-face view; iii) mandibles when closed in full-face view forming only a little space between anterior clypeal margin and mandibles; iv) promesonotal suture faint and inconspicuous; v) abdominal segment III in dorsal view distinctly wider than long, with lateral margins only feebly convex. This represents the first discovery of the genus Eburopone in the Oriental realm, revealing the disjunct distribution of the genus. A partial sequence of the mitochondrial COI gene (658 bp) is provided as a DNA barcode for the new species. A worker-based key to the doryline genera of the Oriental realm is also provided. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article systematizes the documentation of prehistoric archaeological relics and artifacts from Dak R’lap District, Dak Nong Province. The article also presents the results of investigations, new discoveries, and surveys conducted by the author together with archaeologists from the Vietnam Institute of Archaeology. The author outlines the characteristics, properties, and dates of relics and artifacts; describes the locations, roles, and close relationship of relics and artifacts discovered in Dak R’lap District with the prehistory of Dak Nong in particular and the Central Highlands and Southeast in general. This research provides more data for the construction of prehistoric archaeological maps; facilitates researching, compiling, and educating on local history; and promotes sustainable cultural tourism development in Dak Nong Province in general.

Dark soil pits and graves are critical documents discovered in volcanic cave C6.1. As a result of the investigation and excavation of cave C6.1 conducted in 2017, 2018, and 2019, we have discovered vestiges of nine dark soil pits and seven relatively intact graves, together with teeth and other human remains scattered in the cultural layer. This is an important source of information on the racial composition of the prehistoric inhabitants of the Central Highlands during the Neolithic period, as well as the paleoenvironment, environmental adaptations, and flora and fauna that prehistoric inhabitants exploited for their livelihoods. This article introduces documents and reconstructs the socioeconomic picture of the prehistoric inhabitants of cave C6.1. It also contributes scientific documents for the general conservation and promotion of heritage to develop sustainable cultural tourism in Dak Nong Province.

This study aimed to develop maps for Fasciola hepatica infection occurrence in dairy cattle in the districts of Matahuasi and Baños in the Peruvian central highlands. For this, a model based on the correlation between environmental variables and the prevalence of infection was constructed. Flukefinder® coprological test were performed in samples from dairy cattle from 8 herds, during both the rainy and wet season. Grazing plots were geo-referenced to obtain information on environmental variables. Monthly temperature, monthly rainfall, elevation, slope, normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI), enhanced vegetation index (EVI), normalized difference water index (NDWI), distance to rivers, urban areas and roads were obtained by using remote sensor images and ArcGIS®. Multilayer perceptron Artificial Neural Networks modeling were applied to construct a predictive model for the occurrence of fasciolosis, based on the relationship between environmental variables and level of infection. Kappa coefficient (k > 0.6) was used to evaluate concordance between observed and forecasted risk by the model. Coprological results demonstrated an average prevalence from 20% to 100%, in Matahuasi, and between 0 and 87.5%, in Baños. A model with a high level of concordance between predicted and observed infection risk (k = 0.77) was obtained, having as major predicting variables: slope, NDWI, NDVI and EVI. Fasciolosis risk was categorized as low (p

Billolivia maiana is described as a new species narrowly endemic to Cu Prong mountain, Dak Lak province, Central Highlands of Vietnam. This third recorded yellow-flowered species of the genus is characterized by the absence of stolons, glabrous young leaves, smaller leaves with short petioles, compacted inflorescence with short peduncles, rays and pedicels, white upper lobes of corolla with yellow margin and purple lines throughout, undulate disc-lobes and glabrous ovary. The new taxon is described and illustrated with field photographs of detailed botanical characteristics and assessed as CR following the IUCN Redlist Categories. A key to all yellowflowered Billolivia taxa is provided. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The epics told by two ethnic groups, the Xo Dang and the Bahnar, belong to the Central Highlands epic region and have similarities in content and form. This article introduces some basic general features of the Xo Dang and Bahnar epics in terms of theme, plotline, and characterization, and analyzes the cause and meaning of the similarities. We use comparative, interdisciplinary research methods to clarify the similarities in the epic art of the two ethnic groups, thereby showing the unity in the diversity of the epic region of the Central Highlands.

To better understand fire regimes and their relation to climate in the seasonal tropical forests of continental Southeast Asia, we developed the first multi‐century tree‐ring based fire history chronology for the region. The chronology included 776 fire scars collected at Bidoup NuiBa National Park (BNNP) in the Central Highlands of Vietnam and spans the period 1636–2020. Fires were recorded in 116 years, representing 47% of the years covered by the 249‐year period between the first fire scar (1772) and the last (2020). While only 9% of years within the sampled BNNP forests experienced fires before 1905, 70% recorded fires between 1906 and 1963 and 90% showed evidence of fire after 1963. Fire occurrence was highly correlated with climate indices (wet season Nino 3.4 and dry season regional Palmer Drought Severity Index) during the period 1906–1963, but showed no significant correlation after 1963. Our fire reconstruction from BNNP suggests that the fire regime has shifted from one driven primarily by climate to one in which human activities dominate the occurrence of fire within these seasonal tropical landscapes. Plain Language Summary: In many parts of the world fires shape forest structure, composition, and dynamics. While fire regimes and their long‐term impacts on forests have been described for many temperate forests, we know little about the impact of fire in tropical forests. We used tree rings from two tropical conifers (Pinus kesiya and Keteleeria evelyniana) to develop the first multi‐century fire chronology from continental southeast Asia. We used it to reconstruct over 200 years of fire activity in the Central Highlands of Vietnam. We found that fire occurrence in the region was associated with climatic conditions prior to 1963. However, since then an increase in human settlement and activities within these landscapes has led to a massive increase in fire frequency and extent. Our tree‐ring based fire‐history reconstruction shows that the overwhelming pressure of human ignitions have effectively eliminated climate as a factor limiting fires in these landscapes. Key Points: First annually resolved, multi‐century fire history reconstruction from monsoon AsiaSeasonal and interannual drought conditions have historically been an important driver of fire activity in the regionIn the 1960s the fire regime shifted from patchy to landscape‐scale occurrence, which was associated with a sudden increase in the regional human population [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: Coelogyne lecongkietii (C. sect. Panisea) was found in Lac Duong District, Lam Dong Province, southern Vietnam (Da Lat Paleau, Central Highlands), and is described here as a new species for science. It resembles C. sagittata in having the backward pointed side-lobes of the lip, but strongly differs in the smaller flower, shorter side-lobes, and distinct, rounded column wings. This paper presents a standard taxonomic description of the new species including illustrations and data on its habitat and phenology. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The author uses analysis, synthesis, and comparison methods to give readers a comprehensive view of the heroic female character in fairy tales and epics of some ethnic minorities in the Central Highlands. It is an exciting and unique topic since the female hero has not been paid much attention and is rarely mentioned in research papers. Therefore, in this article, the writer has made significant contributions and new findings of the brave female heroes in fairy tales and epics of the Central Highlands. Their talents, wisdom, dignity, and extraordinary health are united. They won battles against sinister villains to protect the peace, prestige, and honor of their villages and themselves when those are violated, which is similar to male heroes. In particular, the heroic female character represents the matriarchy’s authority and the village’s wish for wealth and happiness. Through the image of the heroine, readers will understand more about the regional culture, including customs, habits, lessons about humanity, and beautiful features in the beliefs of ethnic minorities in the Central Highlands.

The paper uses VOSviewer to examine research on tourist demand and gender in tourism development to gain an overview of the research environment and associated research materials worldwide, as well as in the Central Highlands of Vietnam in particular. Based on a previously examined model of community-based tourist demand in the Central Highlands, this study employs AMOS multigroup analysis to establish the impact of gender on the link between independent and dependent factors. The research findings establish how gender impacts each particular need, with men and women having varying degrees of influence. The study suggests several consequences based on the research findings that can be implemented in the Central Highlands to better fulfill and serve the requirements of local visitors for community-based tourism, thereby creating the groundwork for future growth. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Much of Europe's remaining wilderness areas are found in Iceland, yet few are formally protected despite ongoing threats from renewable energy exploitation and 4 × 4 usage. Robust and repeatable approaches are required to map wilderness landscape qualities in support of developing policy on designations that meet international standards. We present an approach to mapping wilderness that is based on internationally recognised methods and customised to suit the unique nature of Icelandic landscapes. We use spatially explicit models of wilderness attributes that measure human impact from vehicular access, land use and visible human features rather than relying on proxy measures such as buffer zones. Seventeen wilderness areas are identified across the Central Highlands and surrounding areas, totalling some 28,470 km2. These are compared to existing mapping projects. The character of these areas is described using additional spatial data models on openness, ruggedness and accessibility from settlements, together with information on mobile phone coverage and grazing patterns. This is the most detailed mapping of wilderness in Iceland to date and an important step towards the formal definition of boundaries of wilderness areas meeting IUCN Category 1b and Wild Europe Working Definition in Iceland. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract To better understand fire regimes and their relation to climate in the seasonal tropical forests of continental Southeast Asia, we developed the first multi‐century tree‐ring based fire history chronology for the region. The chronology included 776 fire scars collected at Bidoup NuiBa National Park (BNNP) in the Central Highlands of Vietnam and spans the period 1636–2020. Fires were recorded in 116 years, representing 47% of the years covered by the 249‐year period between the first fire scar (1772) and the last (2020). While only 9% of years within the sampled BNNP forests experienced fires before 1905, 70% recorded fires between 1906 and 1963 and 90% showed evidence of fire after 1963. Fire occurrence was highly correlated with climate indices (wet season Nino 3.4 and dry season regional Palmer Drought Severity Index) during the period 1906–1963, but showed no significant correlation after 1963. Our fire reconstruction from BNNP suggests that the fire regime has shifted from one driven primarily by climate to one in which human activities dominate the occurrence of fire within these seasonal tropical landscapes.

National parks serve a dual purpose: they aim to protect pristine nature and they are intended to facilitate visitation and provide necessary services. However, as visitation increases, it becomes challenging to establish a balance between visitation and the preservation of nature. This paper aims to examine the attitudes of tourism service providers in Iceland towards a proposed national park in the Central Highlands of Iceland, where pristine nature and wilderness are the main attraction, as well as the grounds for conservation. A mixed methodological approach was applied with an online questionnaire survey among all day-tour operators and travel agencies in Iceland, along with 48 semi-structured interviews as follow-up for a deeper understanding. In total, 382 companies answered the online survey, representing a 40% response rate. The results demonstrate that there are mixed opinions on whether the establishment of a national park is the best way to maintain the qualities of the area, with various arguments for and against the national park. Nevertheless, most tourism service providers want to have a say in its governance. It is however important to remember that the tourism industry exploits nature as a market-driven commodity, as its voice must always be evaluated in light of this. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Central Highlands (Tây Nguyên) is a center of yellow camellia diversity in Vietnam and the world. The Central Highlands contains 18 of Vietnam’s yellow camellia species, accounting for 37% of yellow camellia species in Vietnam and 28% of yellow camellia species worldwide. Moreover, all 18 yellow camellia species in the Central Highlands are endemic to Vietnam. The camellias of the Central Highlands belong to nine sections, accounting for 75% of the world. The yellow colors occur in three groups: pale yellow, yellow, and yellow with compound colors. The yellow camellia distribution is dispersed at 500–1600 m elevation in evergreen broadleaf forests and mixed wood-bamboo forests.

Eighteen yellow Camellia species are found in the Central Highlands of Vietnam. Their morphological characteristics are described and illustrated. Based on the morphological characteristics of the leaves, flowers, and fruit, a dichotomous key has been constructed.

Camellia quynhii is described and illustrated as a new species of section Stereocarpus (Pierre) Sealy from 12th village, Vu Bon Commune, Krong Pak District, Dak Lak Province. C. quynhii resembles C. dormoyana (Pierre) Sealy but differs in several morphological characteristics: sepals 6–7; petals about 12–15; filaments tomentose at the base; style 3(–4), basally united; capsule 3(–4) locular, 2–6 seeds in each locule. Information on its phenology, distribution, ecology, and conservation status is also provided.

By century XX, the Central Highlands was being the traditional residence of indigenous ethnic minorities. In 1858, the French colonialists established plantations of industrial crops all over the area, which ended up forming the first wave of the Kinh people's migration to the Central Highlands. In 1957, the Republic of Vietnam government created the second wave of Kinh emigration to the Central Highlands through the Land Development Program. In the period 1965–1975, the violent escalation of the Vietnam War prompted the 3rd wave of war refugees migrating to the Central Highlands. The 4th wave (1976–1989) was the result of the efforts of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam to redistribute human resources throughout the country, in which a large part of the population from the plains was moved to the Central Highlands to build new economic zones. By early 1990s, with the worldwide 'coffee boom' and the legal recognition of private economic sector, the wave of free migration to the Central Highlands to plant coffee trees exploded - this was the 5th wave. The continuum of the above five waves of migration has completely changed the population and land ownership structure of the Central Highlands as well as brought great alterations to the socio-economic life of this region. While investigating such changes, our article seeks to provides a comprehensive explanation on the process in which the Kinh gained their dominance on the Central Highlands over the five waves of their migration to the plateau. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Following the end of anticolonial warfare in Vietnam, the German Democratic Republic (GDR) joined efforts by the Council for Mutual Economic Assistance (CMEA) to rebuild the devastated country through construction of new industry and infrastructure. Modernisation projects carried out by the GDR left an enduring imprint on the Vietnamese landscape, serving as evidence of its goodwill practices and solidarity with liberation struggles in the Global South. Underlying such development imperatives, however, were civilizing logics that exacerbated social inequalities and unsettled claims to flattened hierarchies. This article uses the example of a ‘mutually beneficial’ coffee project between Vietnam and East Germany in the 1980s to ask: whose interests did mutual aid serve? It argues that CMEA objectives to modernise Vietnam and assist with its post-war recovery paid insufficient attention to the interests of its indigenous population, resulting in unintended harms, also to biodiversity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Global warming enhances atmospheric moisture loading and will likely affect the East-Asian monsoon system across Vietnam. The absence of a long written climate history from Vietnam creates a reliance on geological archives of past monsoon history and regional paleoenvironmental changes to provide a framework for evaluating current climatic trends. Biển Hồ lake (14°03′ N, 108°00′ E) is a volcanic crater (i.e. maar) in Vietnam's Central Highlands that has been accumulating sediment since the Pleistocene. Field campaigns between 2016 and 2018 recovered an abundance of gravity and piston sediment cores extending to a depth of ~15 m, covering approximately the last 30 ka BP. The paleoenvironmental interpretation of Pleistocene and Holocene sediment requires knowledge of modern lacustrine and sedimentary conditions, as well as the origin and transport pathways of the catchment material. Here, we focus on a high-resolution sedimentological and geochemical reconstruction of the recent environmental history - from 1950 AD to the present - based on sediment cores from Biển Hồ maar, in direct comparison with local and regional weather and historic records. The uppermost sedimentary record reflects a substantial anthropogenic influence such as deforestation, military use, crater breaching, dam and sill construction, and reforestation that strongly modified the maar's morphology and hydrology. A strong increase in sedimentation rate during the 1960–70s in Biển Hồ cores coincided with U.S. military activities and water withdrawal. A breach in the maar's rim and the connection to a new external reservoir in 1983-1984 AD increased Biển Hồ water level. Reforestation around most of Biển Hồ's rim in the 1990s curbed erosion and sedimentation rate. Nutrient availability in Biển Hồ declined in the past ~10 years after the installation of a concrete sill between Biển Hồ and the reservoir to limit water exchange with the more nutrient-rich reservoir. This paper is a calibration study on modern sediment to provide an empirical basis for the interpretation of Biển Hồ's deeper Holocene and pre-Holocene sedimentary record. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Background Smart grid rooftop solar electricity is a useful power resource and a viable alternative to conventionally generated energy. In the context of Vietnam, it could help people control their own source of electrical power and reduce power outages. This problem is expected to worsen in the future. Previous studies have shown that very few smart grid rooftop solar electricity systems have been installed by households in the Daklak Province, in the Central Highlands of Vietnam, and that as of 30th May 2019, only 18 out of 435,688 households had installed such a system. Moreover, only a small number of people knew about this resource. Method Based on previous investigations, this study proposed a research model that includes factors, which might affect the intention to instal smart grid rooftop solar electricity systems. However, the amount of money that people would be willing to pay (WTP) for the installation of such systems depends on their current electricity consumption. Therefore, to investigate this issue, a questionnaire was developed to survey 300 households in the Daklak Province, in the Central Highlands of Vietnam. A probit binary model was used to analyse the collected data from the questionnaire for this study. Results After interviewing the respondents from the 300 households in the research area and introducing into the concept and benefits of the smart grid solar electricity generating systems, they were more aware and knowledgeable of the concept. Thirty-three percent of households mentioned that they intended to instal such a system and were willing to pay between USD 1240 and USD 2220 for an appropriate-sized system based on their current electricity consumption and needs. Those households that possessed a high awareness of smart grid rooftop solar power were more likely to express the intention to instal such a system. However, it was also revealed that government incentives and household attitudes were important factors that influence the intention to instal such a system. In contrast, factors such as environmental concerns and the innovativeness of households were less influential. Conclusion The awareness and understanding of the 309 households surveyed in this study regarding smart grid rooftop solar electricity systems and government incentives were the leading factors that affected the people’s intention to instal such systems. The majority of the respondents were willing to pay between USD 1240 and USD 2220 for installing such a system. In progressing this initiative in Vietnam, based on the results of this study, the Vietnamese government could identify those households that have the necessary degree of knowledge and awareness of such systems and offering incentives to instal such systems. The government could also develop communication programmes and other initiatives to enhance the understanding and awareness of the community of rooftop solar electricity so that programmes for the development of alternative energy sources could be more effective.

Abstract Background Plague is endemic to the central highlands of Madagascar. Sporadic human cases or outbreaks can occur annually in these areas. In Madagascar, the associations between endemicity and the knowledge, attitudes and practices (KAP) of the population with regard to this disease remain poorly documented. The aim of this study was to assess KAP related to plague among the population living in the central highlands. Methods A cross-sectional survey was conducted in the general population from June to August 2017. Based on the reported cases of plague between 2006 and 2015 in two central highland districts, a KAP questionnaire was administered in the population. Based on the proportion of correct answers provided by respondents, KAP scores were classified into three KAP categories: low (< Mean - SD), medium (Mean ± SD) and good (> Mean + SD). Multivariate analyses were performed to determine the associations between population KAP scores related to plague and sociodemographic and epidemiological factors. In addition, individual interviews and focus groups with health professionals were conducted to assess plague perception. Results A total of 597 individuals participated in the survey; 20% (n = 119) had a good KAP score, 62% (n = 370) a medium KAP score and 18% (n = 108) a low KAP score. Among the 119 respondents with good KAP scores, 80% (n = 95) resided in Ambositra district, and 20% (n = 24) resided in Tsiroanomandidy district. According to the health professionals in the two districts, populations in endemic areas are well aware of the plague. There were significant associations (p

Abstract Background Human plague cases, mainly in the bubonic form, occur annually in endemic regions of the central highlands of Madagascar. The aim of this study was to compare the dynamics of the epidemiological features of the human plague in two districts of the central highlands region. Methods In Madagascar, all clinically suspected plague cases that meet clinical and epidemiological criteria specified in the World Health Organization (WHO) standard case definition are reported to the national surveillance system. Data on plague cases reported between 2006 and 2015 in the districts of Ambositra and Tsiroanomandidy were analysed. Statistical comparisons between the epidemiological characteristics of the two districts were conducted. Results A total of 840 cases of plague were reported over the studied period, including 563 (67%) probable and confirmed cases (P + C). Out of these P + C cases, nearly 86% (488/563) were cases of bubonic plague. Reported clinical forms of plague were significantly different between the districts from 2006 to 2015 (p = 0.001). Plague cases occurred annually in a period of 10 years in the Tsiroanomandidy district. During the same period, the Ambositra district was characterized by a one-year absence of cases. Conclusion The differences in the epidemiological situation with respect to the plague from 2006 to 2015 in the two central highlands districts may suggest that several factors other than biogeographical factors determine the representation of the plague and its dynamics in this region. Considering the epidemiological situations according to the specific contexts of the districts could improve the results in the fight against the plague in Madagascar.

Much of Europe’s remaining wilderness areas are found in Iceland, yet few are formally protected despite ongoing threats from renewable energy exploitation and 4 × 4 usage. Robust and repeatable approaches are required to map wilderness landscape qualities in support of developing policy on designations that meet international standards. We present an approach to mapping wilderness that is based on internationally recognised methods and customised to suit the unique nature of Icelandic landscapes. We use spatially explicit models of wilderness attributes that measure human impact from vehicular access, land use and visible human features rather than relying on proxy measures such as buffer zones. Seventeen wilderness areas are identified across the Central Highlands and surrounding areas, totalling some 28,470 km2. These are compared to existing mapping projects. The character of these areas is described using additional spatial data models on openness, ruggedness and accessibility from settlements, together with information on mobile phone coverage and grazing patterns. This is the most detailed mapping of wilderness in Iceland to date and an important step towards the formal definition of boundaries of wilderness areas meeting IUCN Category 1b and Wild Europe Working Definition in Iceland.

Gastrochilus pankajkumarii, found in the Central Highlands of Vietnam, is described as a new species for science. The protologue includes color analytical photos of the new species and data on phenology, ecology, and distribution. Morphological comparisons with similar species are presented. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Religious changes are an unavoidable part of social life that follows the progression of social history. The religious lives of the ethnic minorities in the Central Highlands are changing in a variety of ways and at various levels. This article uses analytical and synthetic research methodologies to examine the following aspects of the ethnic minorities' religious lives in the Central Highlands: the significant shift from polytheism to monotheism and religious diversity; transformation of religious beliefs and practices; transformation of ecclesiastical institutions and communities in religions. Thereby, the face of beliefs and religious lives, as well as the impact of religious transformation on the lives of ethnic minorities in the Central Highlands of Vietnam today has been clarified. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Coffee is highly vulnerable to climate change, thus impacting coffee-dependent livelihoods and economies. As rising temperatures continue to reduce the suitability of many historical coffee-growing regions, some farmers are practicing regenerative, organic coffee farming as a means of climate change mitigation. In the Central Highlands, the primary coffee growing region of Vietnam, conventional sun-grown, monocrop coffee requires intensive inputs, including fertilizers, pesticides and water. However, some farmers are converting their conventional sun farms to organic shade farms utilizing regenerative farming techniques for both environmental and economic reasons. This study examined regenerative farming practices and sustainable coffee in a small ethnic minority village in Lâm Ðồng province. The comparative analysis between soil samples taken from a regenerative shade-grown coffee farm and two conventional sun-grown coffee farms revealed that the soil of the regenerative farm, enriched with organic manure, is comparable to, or healthier than, the soil on the conventional farms enriched with chemical fertilizers. The results indicate that regenerative farming practices promote biodiversity; however, they also maintain microclimates that promote the growth of Roya fungus, which can decrease coffee yields. The economic analysis of farm costs and net returns found that regenerative farming practices decrease external inputs through a system of crop diversification and integrated livestock production that improves productivity and economic performance while preserving the ecological and environmental integrity of the landscape. Regenerative agriculture is an important step toward climate change adaptation and mitigation; however, in order for the farm communities in the Central Highlands to make the transition to regenerative agriculture, the success factors and benefits of this method must be demonstrated to the coffee farmers.

Background: Smart grid rooftop solar electricity is a useful power resource and a viable alternative to conventionally generated energy. In the context of Vietnam, it could help people control their own source of electrical power and reduce power outages. This problem is expected to worsen in the future. Previous studies have shown that very few smart grid rooftop solar electricity systems have been installed by households in the Daklak Province, in the Central Highlands of Vietnam, and that as of 30th May 2019, only 18 out of 435,688 households had installed such a system. Moreover, only a small number of people knew about this resource. Method: Based on previous investigations, this study proposed a research model that includes factors, which might affect the intention to instal smart grid rooftop solar electricity systems. However, the amount of money that people would be willing to pay (WTP) for the installation of such systems depends on their current electricity consumption. Therefore, to investigate this issue, a questionnaire was developed to survey 300 households in the Daklak Province, in the Central Highlands of Vietnam. A probit binary model was used to analyse the collected data from the questionnaire for this study. Results: After interviewing the respondents from the 300 households in the research area and introducing into the concept and benefits of the smart grid solar electricity generating systems, they were more aware and knowledgeable of the concept. Thirty-three percent of households mentioned that they intended to instal such a system and were willing to pay between USD 1240 and USD 2220 for an appropriate-sized system based on their current electricity consumption and needs. Those households that possessed a high awareness of smart grid rooftop solar power were more likely to express the intention to instal such a system. However, it was also revealed that government incentives and household attitudes were important factors that influence the intention to instal such a system. In contrast, factors such as environmental concerns and the innovativeness of households were less influential. Conclusion: The awareness and understanding of the 309 households surveyed in this study regarding smart grid rooftop solar electricity systems and government incentives were the leading factors that affected the people's intention to instal such systems. The majority of the respondents were willing to pay between USD 1240 and USD 2220 for installing such a system. In progressing this initiative in Vietnam, based on the results of this study, the Vietnamese government could identify those households that have the necessary degree of knowledge and awareness of such systems and offering incentives to instal such systems. The government could also develop communication programmes and other initiatives to enhance the understanding and awareness of the community of rooftop solar electricity so that programmes for the development of alternative energy sources could be more effective. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Human plague cases, mainly in the bubonic form, occur annually in endemic regions of the central highlands of Madagascar. The aim of this study was to compare the dynamics of the epidemiological features of the human plague in two districts of the central highlands region.Methods: In Madagascar, all clinically suspected plague cases that meet clinical and epidemiological criteria specified in the World Health Organization (WHO) standard case definition are reported to the national surveillance system. Data on plague cases reported between 2006 and 2015 in the districts of Ambositra and Tsiroanomandidy were analysed. Statistical comparisons between the epidemiological characteristics of the two districts were conducted.Results: A total of 840 cases of plague were reported over the studied period, including 563 (67%) probable and confirmed cases (P + C). Out of these P + C cases, nearly 86% (488/563) were cases of bubonic plague. Reported clinical forms of plague were significantly different between the districts from 2006 to 2015 (p = 0.001). Plague cases occurred annually in a period of 10 years in the Tsiroanomandidy district. During the same period, the Ambositra district was characterized by a one-year absence of cases.Conclusion: The differences in the epidemiological situation with respect to the plague from 2006 to 2015 in the two central highlands districts may suggest that several factors other than biogeographical factors determine the representation of the plague and its dynamics in this region. Considering the epidemiological situations according to the specific contexts of the districts could improve the results in the fight against the plague in Madagascar. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Plague is endemic to the central highlands of Madagascar. Sporadic human cases or outbreaks can occur annually in these areas. In Madagascar, the associations between endemicity and the knowledge, attitudes and practices (KAP) of the population with regard to this disease remain poorly documented. The aim of this study was to assess KAP related to plague among the population living in the central highlands.Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted in the general population from June to August 2017. Based on the reported cases of plague between 2006 and 2015 in two central highland districts, a KAP questionnaire was administered in the population. Based on the proportion of correct answers provided by respondents, KAP scores were classified into three KAP categories: low (< Mean - SD), medium (Mean ± SD) and good (> Mean + SD). Multivariate analyses were performed to determine the associations between population KAP scores related to plague and sociodemographic and epidemiological factors. In addition, individual interviews and focus groups with health professionals were conducted to assess plague perception.Results: A total of 597 individuals participated in the survey; 20% (n = 119) had a good KAP score, 62% (n = 370) a medium KAP score and 18% (n = 108) a low KAP score. Among the 119 respondents with good KAP scores, 80% (n = 95) resided in Ambositra district, and 20% (n = 24) resided in Tsiroanomandidy district. According to the health professionals in the two districts, populations in endemic areas are well aware of the plague. There were significant associations (p <  0.05) of not owning a mobile phone, having no contact with a former plague case, and living in Tsiroanomandidy district with a lower KAP score.Conclusion: The results of the study showed the need to adapt plague control interventions to the local context to allow a better allocation of human and financial resources. Doing so would minimize delays in patient management care and increase community resilience to plague epidemics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sri Lanka is a tropical island and lies in the Indian Ocean, near the southwestern tip of India sharing the same continental shelf. The island has a highly varied climate and topography, spanning from coastal region and lowlands with a tropical climate to central highlands with a cool temperate climate. Sri Lanka harbours a rich diversity of bryophytes. The aim of this study was to trace the species richness patterns and phytogeographic affinites of Sri Lankan thalloid liverworts and hornworts. The analysis is based on comprehensive field excursions carried out throughout the island covering all possible geographic localities. Distribution patterns were deduced for each taxon reported and phytogeographic affinities were traced on the basis of its present worldwide distribution. Their distribution patterns were compared with the floristic regions recognized for flowering plants of Sri Lanka. A variation in the species diversity and pattern of aggregation of species in different climatic and topographic zones was observed. Central Highlands in the wet and intermediate zones, represented the center of diversity of almost all reported taxa. Thalloid liverworts and hornworts are distributed in all floristic regions recognized for angiosperms, except in the coastal, marine and dry zone floristic regions. Zones of highest taxonomic diversity or "hotspots", have been inferred for taxa encountered in the island. Seventy five percent of all thalloid liverworts and hornworts reported from Sri Lanka are shared with the Western Ghats of India and 90% of taxa are shared with mainland India. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Mapping policy fragmentation highlights the challenge policy integration faces. • Influencing the mandates of competing sectors is key for effective policy integration. • A whole-of-government approach can help to reshape priorities of other sectors. • It is unclear policy integration can succeed in stemming strong market pressure. The Vietnamese National REDD + Action Plan (NRAP) seeks to reduce emissions from forest clearing and land use, especially from the main drivers of coffee and rubber commodity expansion. Achieving the NRAP goals, however, means negotiating a complex and fragmented forest policy arena, with conflicting sector goals, disconnects between global and local ambition and action, and imbalanced power dynamics between actors. We map the fragmentation of this policy arena and explore the extent to which the NRAP is able to integrate policy responses to drivers to achieve emissions reductions. We examine what the NRAP sought to integrate, what was not taken into account, what is integrated at which scale, and which actors are part of integration (or not) across the policy process components. We conclude that if policy integration does not affect a 'whole of government' shift in priorities or change in mandate among driver sectors, fragmented policy arenas will persist and forest-based climate mitigation objectives will not be achieved. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, different criteria to determine the rainy season onset date (RSOD) and its predictability in the Central Highlands (CH) of Vietnam are investigated. Using daily rainfall amounts from 10 meteorological stations for the period 1981–2015, four criteria to determine the RSOD were tested in order to select the one that most reasonably depicts the climatology of the RSOD over the CH. Results show that the RSOD varies strongly from year to year. In the long‐term mean, the onset starts first in southern parts of the CH and then progresses to the northern parts. The earliest onset date is around the beginning of April, and the latest in the second half of May. The average RSOD is on 28 April with a standard deviation of 14 days. Thus, the RSOD is distinct from the summer monsoon onset, namely, leading the mean summer monsoon onset by about 3 weeks in some years. In terms of remote influences, the RSOD in the CH has a high correlation with the El Niño–Southern Oscillation phenomenon, with most RSODs being later during El Niño years, while being earlier during La Niña years. The RSOD in the CH also shows high correlations with sea surface temperatures (SSTs), 850‐hPa zonal winds (U850) and mean sea level pressures (PMSL) over certain regions of the Pacific and Indian Oceans. Building on these relationships, the RSOD can be successfully predicted using large‐scale fields of SST, U850 and PMSL as predictors in two different approaches, namely the field mean and principal component analysis. This suggests that the overall approach can also be applied in predicting the RSOD in the CH on sub‐seasonal to seasonal timescales. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The climate change impacts are felt by all facets and sectors of ecosystems, covering flora, fauna and environment. Sri Lanka is considered as a vulnerable, small island country that is under serious threat from climate change impacts. The most profound impacts of climate change in Sri Lanka will be on agriculture and food security, water and coastal resources, biodiversity changes, and human health. Sri Lanka's biodiversity is significantly important both on a regional and global scale as it has the highest species density for flowering plants, amphibians, reptiles, and mammals. Sri Lanka's varied ecosystems provide many services that are of significant economic value and play a crucial role in providing goods and ecosystem services. The subsequent sections featuring specific aspects of biodiversity in forests, freshwater wetlands, coastal and marine systems and agricultural systems, provide greater detail on the ecosystem services and bio-resources. Habitat loss and fragmentation, invasive alien species, deforestation and forest degradation, development projects, environmental pollutions and climate change (global warming) are the major threats to the biodiversity of the country. Climate change impacts on environment lead to a reduction in the distribution and abundance of species, especially endemics, which may even result in their global extinction. The introduction of various policies and guidelines in relation to environment is a good sign for conservation of ecosystems and biodiversity. The government of Sri Lanka has been implementing various environmental projects aiming at reducing deforestation and degradation of ecosystems. Policies and measures already developed under such initiatives will no doubt preserve natural habitats for plant and animal species. However, being a developing country with many economic challenges, the funds and expertise available for monitoring climate change impacts and biodiversity conservation are not sufficient.

This study aimed to develop maps for Fasciola hepatica infection occurrence in dairy cattle in the districts of Matahuasi and Baños in the Peruvian central highlands. For this, a model based on the correlation between environmental variables and the prevalence of infection was constructed. Flukefinder® coprological test were performed in samples from dairy cattle from 8 herds, during both the rainy and wet season. Grazing plots were geo-referenced to obtain information on environmental variables. Monthly temperature, monthly rainfall, elevation, slope, normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI), enhanced vegetation index (EVI), normalized difference water index (NDWI), distance to rivers, urban areas and roads were obtained by using remote sensor images and ArcGIS®. Multilayer perceptron Artificial Neural Networks modeling were applied to construct a predictive model for the occurrence of fasciolosis, based on the relationship between environmental variables and level of infection. Kappa coefficient (k > 0.6) was used to evaluate concordance between observed and forecasted risk by the model. Coprological results demonstrated an average prevalence from 20% to 100%, in Matahuasi, and between 0 and 87.5%, in Baños. A model with a high level of concordance between predicted and observed infection risk (k = 0.77) was obtained, having as major predicting variables: slope, NDWI, NDVI and EVI. Fasciolosis risk was categorized as low ( p  < 20%), medium (20% <  p  < 50%) and high ( p  ≥ 50%) level. Using ArcGIS 10.4.1, risk maps were developed for each risk level of fasciolosis. Maps of fasciolosis occurrence showed that 87.2% of Matahuasi area presented a high risk for bovine fasciolosis during the dry season, and 76.6% in the wet season. In contrast, 21.9% of Baños area had a high risk of infection during the dry season and 12.1% during the wet season. In conclusion, our model showed areas with high risk for fasciolosis occurrence in both districts during both dry and rainy periods. Slope, NDWI, NDVI and EVI were the major predictors for fasciolosis occurrence., Competing Interests: Daniel A. Zárate-Rendón reports article publishing charges, equipment, drugs, or supplies, and travel were provided by Flemish Interuniversity Council. David Godoy Padilla reports financial support and travel were provided by National Commission for Scientific and Technological Research National Fund for Scientific and Technological Development., (© 2023 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Ltd on behalf of World Federation of Parasitologists.)

The doryline ant genus Eburopone Borowiec, 2016 currently contains only one valid species, E.wroughtoni (Forel, 1910) from southern Africa, with a considerable number of undescribed species awaiting formal description in the Afrotropical and Malagasy regions. In the present paper, Eburoponeeasoana sp. nov. is described based on workers and dealate queens from a colony series collected in an evergreen forest on the Dak Lak Plateau of Vietnam (Ea So Nature Reserve, Dak Lak Province). The worker of the new species is morphologically clearly distinguished from E.wroughtoni by the combination of following characteristics: i) frontal line distinct, extending a little beyond mid-length of cranium; ii) anterior (frontoclypeal) margins of torulo-posttorular complex not forming conspicuous lobes protruding over anterior clypeal margin in full-face view; iii) mandibles when closed in full-face view forming only a little space between anterior clypeal margin and mandibles; iv) promesonotal suture faint and inconspicuous; v) abdominal segment III in dorsal view distinctly wider than long, with lateral margins only feebly convex. This represents the first discovery of the genus Eburopone in the Oriental realm, revealing the disjunct distribution of the genus. A partial sequence of the mitochondrial COI gene (658 bp) is provided as a DNA barcode for the new species. A worker-based key to the doryline genera of the Oriental realm is also provided., Competing Interests: The authors have declared that no competing interests exist., (Aiki Yamada, Dai Dac Nguyen, Katsuyuki Eguchi.)

Aim: We used genome‐scale sampling to assess the phylogeography of a group of topminnows in the Fundulus notatus species complex. Two of the species have undergone extensive range expansions resulting in broadly overlapping distributions, and sympatry within drainages has provided opportunities for hybridization and introgression. We assessed the timing and pattern of range expansion in the context of late Pleistocene–Holocene drainage events and evaluated the evidence for introgressive hybridization between species. Location: Central and southern United States including drainages of the Gulf of Mexico Coastal Plain and portions of the Mississippi River drainage in and around the Central Highlands. Taxon: Topminnows, Genus Fundulus, subgenus Zygonectes—Fundulus notatus, Fundulus olivaceus, Fundulus euryzonus. Methods: We sampled members of the F. notatus species complex throughout their respective ranges, including numerous drainage systems where species co‐occur. We collected genome‐wide single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) using the genotype‐by‐sequencing (GBS) method and subjected data to population genetic analyses to infer the population histories of both species, including explicit tests for admixture and introgression. The methods employed included STRUCTURE, principal coordinates analysis, TreeMix and approximate Bayesian computation. Results: Genetic data are presented for 749 individuals sampled from 14 F. notatus, 20 F. olivaceus and 2 F. euryzonus populations. Members of the species complex differed in phylogeographic structure, with F. notatus exhibiting geographic clusters corresponding to Pleistocene coastal drainages and F. olivaceus comparatively lacking in phylogeographic structure. Evidence for interspecific introgression varied by drainage. Main conclusions: Populations of F. notatus and F. olivaceus exhibited contrasting patterns of lineage diversity among coastal drainages, indicating interspecific differences in their Pleistocene southern refugia. Phylogeographic patterns in both species indicated that range expansions into the northern limits of contemporary distributions coincided with and continued subsequent to the Last Glacial Maximum. There was evidence of introgression between species in some, but not all drainages where the species co‐occur, in a pattern that is correlated with previous estimates of hybridization rates. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Central Highlands have a strategical role to play in Vietnam's socioeconomic and cultural development. Not just forming a natural corridor along the borders with Southern Laos, Northeastern Cambodia, and the Central Coastal Vietnam, the region is also home to distinctive cultural values of indigenous ethnic minorities. Therefore, formulating comprehensive policies for the Central Highlands to serve multiple purposes, like narrowing the development gap with other regions and improving people's living standards while preserving traditional cultural values, has been of great significance. The paper provides clarification of some achievements in preserving the Central Highlands culture over time, presenting current challenges as well as some suggestions for preserving and promoting traditional culture of ethnic minorities in the coming time. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]