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Estimates of the land area occupied by wind energy differ by orders of magnitude due to data scarcity and inconsistent methodology. We developed a method that combines machine learning-based imagery analysis and geographic information systems and examined the land area of 318 wind farms (15,871 turbines) in the U.S. portion of the Western Interconnection. We found that prior land use and human modification in the project area are critical for land-use efficiency and land transformation of wind projects. Projects developed in areas with little human modification have a land-use efficiency of 63.8 ± 8.9 W/m2 (mean ±95% confidence interval) and a land transformation of 0.24 ± 0.07 m2/MWh, while values for projects in areas with high human modification are 447 ± 49.4 W/m2 and 0.05 ± 0.01 m2/MWh, respectively. We show that land resources for wind can be quantified consistently with our replicable method, a method that obviates >99% of the workload using machine learning. To quantify the peripheral impact of a turbine, buffered geometry can be used as a proxy for measuring land resources and metrics when a large enough impact radius is assumed (e.g., >4 times the rotor diameter). Our analysis provides a necessary first step toward regionalized impact assessment and improved comparisons of energy alternatives.

Monitoring agricultural land over vast geographical areas presents challenges due to the absence of accurate, comprehensive and precise data, which has become a complex process that is difficult to do in terms of both timespans and consistency. Hence, this study presents an improved approach for the identification of agricultural land by utilizing the capabilities of Sentinel-1 and Sentinel-2 satellites with a variety of vegetation and non-vegetation indices and machine learning algorithms. The Multispectral Correlation Mapper (MCM) and Random Forest (RF) algorithms are adopted to train different agricultural lands, crop types and sowing and cultivation seasons. The 45-bands mega-file data cube (MFDC) fusion for each season incorporates essential indices and features derived from the Sentinel-1 and Sentinel-2 datasets for both seasons, i.e. Rabi (winter-spring season) and Kharif (summer-autumn season). The proposed method demonstrated resilience when applied to satellite datasets while effectively reducing the impact of non-agricultural elements such as shrubs, grass, bare soil and orchards. The results demonstrate a notable ability to differentiate between the Rabi and Kharif seasons, resulting in a high level of precision in measuring the extent of cultivated land during the Rabi and Kharif seasons with an area of 626,947 acres and 590,858 acres, respectively. The total land area, ascertained from the observation of the comprehensive cropping pattern and agricultural modifications during the entire year (June 2021–May 2022) is 635,655 acres. The validation exercise shows the higher accuracy of this method for cropland, with an overall accuracy of 98.8%, kappa of 0.97, user accuracy of 98.69% and producer accuracy of 99.13%. Additionally, it was spatially compared with the ESRI, ESA and MODIS cropland layers and government statistical data. Furthermore, the research investigates the temporal dynamics of agricultural growth phases using spectral bands and indices. This approach improves the accuracy of precise cropland identification and provides useful insights into crop phenology. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Potato Verticillium wilt (PVW) caused by Verticillium dahliae is a vascular disease, that seriously affects potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) yield and quality worldwide. V. dahliae occupies the vascular bundle and therefore it cannot efficiently be treated with fungicides. Further, the application of these pesticides causes serious environmental problems. Therefore, it is of great importance to find environmentally friendly biological control methods. In this study, bacterial strains were isolated from agricultural lands on which potato had been cultured for 5 years. Five strains with a broad-spectrum antagonistic activity were selected. Among these five strains, Bacillus velezensis XS142 showed the highest antagonistic activity. To study the mechanism of XS142, by which this strain might confer tolerance to V. dahliae in potato, the genome of strain XS142 was sequenced. This showed that its genome has a high level of sequence identity with the model strain B. velezensis FZB42 as the OrthoANI (Average Nucleotide Identity by Orthology) value is 98%. The fungal suppressing mechanisms of this model strain are well studied. Based on the genome comparison it can be predicted that XS142 has the potential to suppress the growth of V. dahliae by production of bacillomycin D, fengycin, and chitinase. Further, the transcriptomes of potatoes treated with XS142 were analyzed and this showed that XS142 does not induce ISR, but the expression of genes encoding peptides with antifungal activity. Here we showed that XS142 is an endophyte. Further, it is isolated from a field where potato had been cultured for several years. These properties give it a high potential to be used, in the future, as a biocontrol agent of PVW in agriculture. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Soil nutrient levels play a crucial role in determining crop yield. A comprehensive understanding of the spatial distribution patterns and evaluation grades of soil nutrients is of significant practical importance for informed fertilization practices, enhancing crop production, and optimizing agricultural land utilization. This study focuses on the urban area of Kashi Prefecture in Xinjiang as a case study. Utilizing soil sample data, GIS spatial interpolation analysis was conducted, incorporating plot boundary information to propose a comprehensive evaluation method for assessing soil nutrient levels at the plot level. Experimental findings revealed the following: (1) The average values of soil organic matter (SOM), total nitrogen (AN), total potassium (AK), and total phosphorus (AP) in the study area were determined to be 13.3 g/kg, 0.74 g/kg, 0.33 g/kg, and 0.03 g/kg, respectively. Among these, AN and SOM were classified as the fourth grade, indicating relatively deficient levels, while AK and AP were classified as the first and second grade, indicating relatively abundant levels. (2) The comprehensive evaluation of soil nutrient grades in the study area primarily fell within the third, fourth, and second grades, representing areas of 29.08 km2, 25 km2, and 4.05 km2, accounting for 50.03%, 43%, and 6.97% of the total area, respectively. (3) The evaluation results of soil nutrient levels at the plot level emphasized the boundary characteristics and provided a more refined assessment grade. This evaluation method is better suited to meet the practical production requirements of farmers and is considered feasible. The outcomes of this study can serve as a reference for precision agriculture management. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Co‐occurrence networks offer insights into the complexity of microbial interactions, particularly in highly diverse environments where direct observation is challenging. However, identifying the scale at which local and non‐local processes structure co‐occurrence networks remains challenging because it requires simultaneously analyzing network structure within and between local networks. In this context, the rumen microbiome is an excellent model system because each cow contains a physically confined microbial community, which is imperative for the host's livelihood and productivity. Employing the rumen microbiome of 1012 cows across seven European farms as our model system, we constructed and analyzed farm‐level co‐occurrence networks to reveal underlying microbial interaction patterns. Within each farm, microbes tended to close triangles but some microbial families were over‐represented while others under‐represented in these local interactions. Using stochastic block modeling we detected a group structure that reflected functional equivalence in co‐occurrence. Knowing the group composition in one farm provided significantly more information on the grouping in another farm than expected. Moreover, microbes strongly conserved co‐occurrence patterns across farms (also adjusted for phylogeny). We developed a meta‐co‐occurrence multilayer approach, which links farm‐level networks, to test scale signatures simultaneously at the farm and inter‐farm levels. Consistent with the comparison between groups, the multilayer network was not partitioned into clusters. This result was consistent even when artificially disconnecting farm‐level networks. Our results show a prominent signal of processes operating across farms to generate a non‐random, similar (yet not identical) co‐occurrence patterns. Comprehending the processes underlying rumen microbiome assembly can aid in developing strategies for its manipulation. More broadly, our results provide new evidence for the scale at which forces shape microbe co‐occurrence. Finally, the hypotheses‐based approach and methods we developed can be adopted in other systems to detect scale signatures in species interactions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Data regarding rural youths' experience with firearms, including safety training, is highly limited despite their frequent presence in homes. Our objective was to investigate rural adolescents' use of firearms and whether they had received formal firearm training. Methods: A convenience sample of 2021 National FFA (formerly Future Farmers of America) Convention & Expo attendees were given an anonymous survey at the University of Iowa Stead Family Children's Hospital injury prevention booth. The survey explored their use of rifles/shotguns and handguns and whether they had completed a certified firearm safety course. Descriptive and comparative analyses, including multivariable logistic regression analyses, were performed on compiled data. Results: 3206 adolescents ages 13–18 years participated with 45% reporting they lived on a farm or ranch. The vast majority of participants (85%) had fired a rifle/shotgun; 43% reported firing them > 100 times. Of those that had fired rifles/shotguns, 41% had done so before 9 years old. Most had also fired a handgun (69%), with 23% having fired handguns > 100 times. Of those that had fired handguns, 44% had done so before 11 years. Average age for first firing rifles/shotguns was 9.5 (SD 3.1) years, and 11.1 (SD 3.0) years for handguns. Males, non-Hispanic Whites, and those living on farms or in the country had significantly greater percentages who had fired a rifle/shotgun or a handgun. Significant differences were also seen by U.S. census region. Over half (64%) reported having gone hunting. Of those that had used a firearm, 67% had completed a firearm safety training course. Overall, 23% were/had been members of a school or club shooting team and of these, 87% had taken a safety course. Conclusions: Most FFA member participants had fired both rifles/shotguns and handguns, many at very young ages. Significant differences in firearm use were noted by demographic factors including the home setting (i.e., farms and ranches) and their U.S. census region. Nearly one-third of adolescent firearm users had not received formal safety training. Promoting firearm safety should include advising families on when it is developmentally appropriate to introduce youth to firearms and on the importance of firearm safety training. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Smallholder farmers, who mostly engage in low-value agriculture in the drylands of Northern Africa, were the first to have felt the effects of climate change, with threats to their livelihoods and food security. The increasing costs of agricultural production, poor water and energy infrastructure, loss of agricultural land due to urban expansion, fragmented resource management, and unsustainable management practices all contribute to this vulnerability to climate change. This highlights the urgent need for innovative practices in farming systems. Within the framework of the water–energy–food–ecosystem nexus, this paper explores innovative practices in dryland farming systems, by assessing their impact on water, energy, food, and ecosystem through stakeholder perception. In this work, we aim to present a systems approach for assessing the resilience of the water–energy–food–ecosystem nexus in arid and semiarid regions. By using a multi-criteria analysis (MCA) approach, the study—which focuses on the Fès–Meknès region in Morocco—involves local actors to help researchers identify the key variables in order to assist farmers in their adaptation to climate change. The findings revealed different priorities between farmers and other stakeholders regarding the adoption of agricultural innovations. Farmers prioritize innovations that guarantee higher profitability and more market opportunities, such as integrating olive trees with cereal crops, by highlighting the importance of sustainable income sources. Meanwhile, stakeholders, such as researchers, engineers, government officials, and agribusiness entrepreneurs, prioritize innovations that emphasize high water use efficiency, which is crucial for the resilience of dryland farming areas: for instance, rainwater harvesting or the use of drought-resistant crop varieties that directly address the need for water conservation. But in doing so they are overlooking broader aspects within the water–energy–food–ecosystem nexus. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

East Asian herbivorous waterfowl intensively use farmland in spring, next to their natural habitat. Accordingly, they might have expanded their migration strategy from merely tracking the green wave of newly emerging vegetation to also incorporating the availability of post-harvest agricultural seeds (here dubbed the seed wave). However, if and how waterfowl use multiple food resources to time their seasonal migration is still unknown. We test this migration strategy using 167 spring migration tracks of five East Asian herbivorous waterfowl species and mixed-effect resource selection function models. We found that all study species arrived at their core stopover sites in the Northeast China Plain after agricultural seeds became available, extended their stay after spring vegetation emerged and arrived at their breeding sites around the emergence of vegetation. At the core stopover sites, all study species used snowmelt as a cue to track seed availability, although smaller-bodied species tended to arrive later. At the breeding sites, swans tracked the onset of vegetation emergence and geese tracked the mid- or end phases of snowmelt. Our findings suggest that waterfowl track multiple resource waves to fine-tune their migration, highlighting new opportunities for conservation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article presents a pedagogic review and explanation of a core idea in location theory. Central to the analysis is the von Thünen model, a cornerstone of agricultural land use theory. The model is adapted to non‐uniform transport surfaces, enabling an exploration of how improved transport corridors, such as roads and canals, alter economic landscapes. The article explores the influence of enhanced transport corridors within agricultural growing regions and provides a conceptual framework for understanding the impacts of improved transport infrastructure. By examining incremental changes of varying effectiveness, we shed light on the multifaceted effects of these corridors. Using a spatial‐price equilibrium model, findings reveal and quantify how these improvements contribute to increased supply, price moderation, and cost reduction. Networks that provide full connectivity with large reductions in transport cost have the greatest effect, as might be expected, but there are subtle spatial zones displaying differential impacts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Arsenic (As) toxicity is a serious hazard to agricultural land due to growing industrialization, which has a negative effect on wheat crop yields. To address this issue, using seaweed extract and Azospirillum brasilense has emerged as an effective strategy for improving yield under stress conditions. However, the combined application of A. brasilense and seaweed extract in wheat crops under As toxicity has not been fully explored. The effectiveness of combining A. brasilense and seaweed extract in reducing As toxicity in wheat production was examined in this study through a 2-year pot experiment with nine treatments. These treatments included a control with no additives and two As concentrations (50 and 70 μM). At 50 and 70 μM, As was tested alone, with seaweed extract, with A. brasilense, and both. Significant results were achieved in reducing As toxicity in wheat crops. Arsenic at 70 μM proved more harmful than at 50 μM. The application of A. brasilense and seaweed extract was more effective in improving crop growth rates, chlorophyll levels, and stomatal conductance. The combined application notably decreased As concentration in wheat plants. It was concluded that applying A. brasilense and seaweed extract not only improves wheat growth but can also improve soil parameters under As toxicity conditions by increasing organic matter contents, boosting nutrient availability, and increasing the production of antioxidant enzymes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Global climate change (CC) significantly impacts sustainable food systems and the agricultural sector, primarily through increasing adverse weather events. This study aims to explore the adaptation strategies farmers use to address these challenges and evaluate the effectiveness of climate-smart agricultural (CSA) practices on food performance. Methods: We collected data from 720 crop farmers located in three provinces of Pakistan using a random sampling method. To address potential biases, this study employed the endogenous switching regression (ESR) model. This model effectively addresses endogeneity and selection bias by considering both observable and unobservable characteristics. Results: Study findings indicate that CSA practices substantially enhance net farm returns, reduce volatility, and mitigate downside risks. The analysis also highlights key features affecting the acceptance of CSA practices, including higher education, age, climate information, and availability of agricultural extension services. Discussion: These insights are essential for policymakers, offering a framework for informed decision-making to tackle CC's effects on food production, improve living standards, and enhance global food security. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Land cover products provide the key inputs for terrestrial change monitoring and modeling. Numerous land cover products have been generated in the past few decades, but their performance on the southeastern Tibetan Plateau remains unclear. This study analyzed 15 land cover products for consistency through compositional similarity and overlay analyses. Additionally, 1305 validation samples from four datasets were employed to construct confusion matrices to evaluate their accuracy. The results indicate the following: (1) Land cover products exhibit relatively high consistency in 62.92% of the region. (2) Land cover products are strongly influenced by terrain fluctuations, showing lower consistency at elevation below 200 m and instability in land cover classification with increasing elevation, particularly between 2800–4400 m and 4800–5400 m. (3) The accuracy for forest, water, and snow/ice is relatively high. However, there is a relatively lower accuracy for wetland and shrubland, necessitating more field samples for reference to improve classification. (4) The average values of the four validation datasets show that the overall accuracy of the 15 products ranges from 50.97% to 73.50%. For broad-scale studies with lower resolution requirements, the CGLS-LC100 product can be considered. For studies requiring a finer scale, a combination of multiple land cover products should be utilized. ESRI is recommended as a reference for built-up land, while FROM-GLC30 can be used for cropland, although misclassification issues should be noted. This study provides valuable insights for analyzing land cover types on plateaus to refine classification. It also offers guidance for selecting suitable land cover products for future research in this region. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The transformation of radioactive contamination of agricultural lands with 137Cs isotope is one of the evidences of soil erosion. Changes in the radionuclide content and the corresponding rates of soil loss can be assessed quantitatively by repeated soil sampling at key sites over long time intervals. Being highly labor-consuming, such studies are few in number; they have not been conducted previously in the zone of intense Chernobyl contamination in the Central Russia. The method of repeated sampling (resampling) was used in 2023 within the plowed slopes of a small catchment in the southern part of Tula region, 26 years after the first sampling in 1997. The changes in 137Cs deposits (kBq/m2) that occurred during this period turned out to be statistically significant, with an average reduction of more than 10%. According to a proportional erosion conversion model based on relative changes in 137Cs deposits, the average annual rate of washing off was estimated at 11.7 t /ha. Such values of soil loss are comparable in general with the previously published results of independent mathematical modeling for this area. Thus, the use of resampling method, including that at new sites, appears to be promising for assessing the rate of soil loss. In addition, it permits us to verify the existing erosion models and to trace long-term trends in the spatial transformation of radioactive contamination. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

One of the important areas of soil erosion science is the development of soil conservation measures. The analysis of published works shows that in Russia most of the techniques and methods to control soil erosion were developed in the 1960s–1980s. In recent decades, interest in scientific and practical developments in this area has been declining. Published data on erosion control measures are poorly systematized, and their generally accepted classification is absent. The typification of erosion-control measures proposed by the authors made it possible to systematize all these measures found in the works and to create their register in the form of a table. Information about the efficiency of erosion control measures is scarce and contradictory. The results of agrotechnical measures are best studied. Non-inversive tillage is the most efficient among agrotechnical measures, it helps to reduce soil erosion by 70–90% according to published data; other agrotechnical measures, on average, reduce the rate of soil erosion by half. Climate change and socioeconomic transformation in the agricultural and industrial complex of Russia in recent decades have led to significant changes in the rate and volume of soil erosion. However, the analysis of literature indicates a shortage of works aimed at adapting existing erosion control measures, or developing new measures with due account for global and regional changes in erosion/deposition processes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present work was conducted to evaluate the chromium contamination and its relationship with soil components of the Eastern Ghouta of Damascus, Syria. Various areas were chosen in the terms of chromium content analysis. Soil samples were collected from these areas to a depth of 60 cm from the three layers, at intervals of 20 cm. The results showed that the levels of total and CrVI were within the normal limits in Al-Maamouniye (uncontaminated with chromium), Jobar (agricultural land), and Ein Tarma (agricultural land). While it exceeded the maximum permissible limit (MPL) as per FAO and WHO on the area of Tanneries (Dabagat). The soil content of CrIII (536.99, 474.34, 415.77 mg kg–1) and CrVI (0.12, 0.51, 0.75 mg kg–1) were determined in the layers of 0–20, 20–40, 40–60 cm, respectively. The results also showed that 80% of chromium was associated with organic matter in the soil of Al-Dabagat region. In contrast, approximately 85% of chromium was available in the remaining part of the Mamounia soil. It was noted the content of chromium, which is associated with iron and manganese oxides, were high. Although chromium was exchangeable and bounded to CaCO3, however, its quantity was negligible. The results showed that the concentration of CrVI increased with depth at all the selected areas, in contrast to CrIII which decreased with the depth of soils. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Durant, D. and Kernéïs, E., 2024. Investigating the farm resilience of polder environments after seawater flooding: Results from Storm Xynthia (2010). Journal of Coastal Research, 40(5), 887–900. Charlotte (North Carolina), ISSN 0749-0208. Climate forecasts predict that global warming will cause sea-levels to rise and will increase the frequency of storms in the future, thus also increasing the risk of submersion of coastal agricultural areas. Yet very few studies examine the consequences of seawater flooding, from either an agricultural or an environmental point of view. This study therefore investigates the resilience of coastal farming systems through the case study of the Saint Laurent de la Prée research farm hit by the Storm Xynthia in 2010. Two aspects of resilience are analysed here: (i) the soil characteristics of the system (indicators: salinity, sodicity and structural stability) after the submersion, and the system's ability to recover its productive capacity on croplands (crop yields) and on permanent grasslands (fodder production); and (ii) the ecological resilience of permanent grasslands (indicators: species richness and diversity). Results showed that the system recovered its productive capacity in 2012, so after two years, when the research farm engineers recorded a return of the crops and grasslands to a production level that they considered satisfactory. For crop soils, there was a quick recovery of salinity levels, but the structural stability after the storm was largely degraded and had not totally recovered by 2012. On grasslands, the farm suffered two successive years of low grassland productivity, partially due to a temporary shift in plant species' composition. Finally, two dimensions of resilience are discussed here: (i) the speed of recovery; and (ii) the ability to learn from the storm, in view of the increasing risks of coastal submersion in the future. As it appears that flood protection policy must consider local and long-term impacts of seawater flooding on agricultural lands, this study can provide useful information for further research on the foresight scenarios and adaptive strategies required. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Lead toxicity was significantly reduced in rice plants by applying CeO 2 NPs and FeONPs. • Nanoparticle application caused significant reduction in MDA, H 2 O 2 , and electrolyte leakage. • Nanoparticles reduced Pb uptake in plants. • The growth of rice plants was stimulated by nanoparticle application. Nanotechnology offers creative and effective solutions for addressing various environmental issues, such as heavy metals (HM). The rapidly increasing HM concentrations in agricultural land have drawn considerable attention. Nanoparticles (NPs) have special physiochemical features that help reduce stress. This study assessed the viability of applying CeO 2 NPs and FeONPs to rice plants at a concentration of 25 mg/L to effectively remove the detrimental effects of lead (Pb) by using various concentrations (100 and 200 ppm) on plant development and growth. To achieve the desired concentrations, a Pb solution was prepared by dissolving lead nitrate in distilled water and added to the soil. Interestingly, the application of CeO 2 NPs and FeONPs resulted in a notable increase in plant growth, biomass, gas exchange characteristics, antioxidant enzymatic activity (SOD, POD, APX, and CAT), their gene expressions, as well as other antioxidants (phenols, prolines, amino acids, flavonoids, anthocyanins, and ascorbic acids) while simultaneously reducing oxidative stress (MDA, H 2 O 2 , and electrolyte leakage) and Pb uptake in rice. Conversely, Pb elevation in the soil increased oxidative damage and organic acid exudation pattern in the rice. At 200 ppm, a significant rise in Pb content (416.67 % and 380 %) was found in the roots and leaves of rice plants. According to our findings, rice growth can be bio-stimulated by CeO 2 NPs and FeONPs. Subsequent investigations should focus on the persistent ecological consequences and molecular mechanisms associated with the application of cerium oxide and iron oxide nanoparticles in agriculture to reduce Pb-induced oxidative stress. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sediment fingerprinting is increasingly being used to provide information that can help guide management decisions at the watershed scale. The objectives of this study were to investigate the implications of different sediment fingerprinting sampling designs on characterizing sediment dynamics in the Beheshtabad Watershed in Chaharmahal va Bakhtiari Province, western Iran. First, nitrogen, organic carbon, phosphorus, potassium, calcium, sodium, zinc, manganese, iron, and lime fingerprints were used to discriminate among four potential sediment sources including agricultural topsoil, rangeland, as well as rainfed and urban lands. Then, the suspended sediment was collected from drainage areas at five sites. Nested and local-location fingerprinting sampling designs were employed to evaluate the influence of geomorphic connectivity and land use on apportionment results by using the same source and sediment data set. By averaging all locations using the nested method, agricultural land with an average of 69% had the highest contribution to sedimentation followed by rainfed land with an average of 19.9%, rangeland with an average of 6.8%, and urban lands with an average of 5.99%. Compared to the mean of the total method samples, the local method showed greater soil loss from agricultural lands and lower soil loss from rangeland and rainfed lands. Generally, surface soil in sediments came from agricultural land use. According to the results, total nitrogen, phosphorus, organic carbon, and calcium were the optimum tracers that correctly distinguished source samples. Overall, each of the two fingerprinting sampling designs provided the same information. Thus, the fingerprinting method can determine the sources of sediments. Given the importance of the fingerprinting method, future studies can focus on determining the appropriate combination of tracers and the effect of sediment sampling time. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Poplar (Populus species and their hybrids) plantations can produce large amounts of biomass on agricultural land during the first rotation. However, there is limited knowledge regarding plantation re-establishment through re-sprouting (second rotation) after harvest, stand management options for such plantations, and biomass production during rotation length up to 20 years. In this study, we analysed biomass production responses to thinning treatments in an 18-year-old second rotation poplar plantation in Southern Sweden. The first rotation plantation was established with clone OP42 (Populus maximowiczii A. Henry × P. trichocarpa Torr. and Gray). The thinning experiment was conducted seven years after the first rotation harvest, comprising four treatments: unthinned – 6000 stems ha−1, light thinning – 3000 stems ha−1, medium thinning – 1100 stems ha−1, and heavy thinning – 550 stems ha−1. Eleven years after thinning, standing volume/biomass reached 484 m3 ha−1 (162 Mg DM ha−1) in the unthinned and medium thinning plots, 443 m3 ha−1 (148 Mg DM ha−1) in lightly and 338 m3 ha−1 (113 Mg DM ha−1) in heavily thinned plots. The mean annual increment was not different among the unthinned, light, and medium thinnings, 26 m3 ha−1 yr−1 (9 Mg DM ha−1 yr−1). The total production, including living, dead and removed trees, was highest following the medium thinning, 695 m3 ha−1 (233 Mg DM ha−1). Gradual self-thinning in the unthinned and lightly thinned plots was increased by a drought period. Overall, this study suggests that the second rotation of poplar plantations has high biomass production and provides an alternative to planting after harvest. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper revisits the debate on the relationship between farm size and utilisation of agricultural land. Since the 1960s, a large number of studies have been examining this relationship and suggesting possible explanations supporting their thoughts. Three significant hypotheses exist in the literature forwarded by different scholars in this regard: an inverse relationship, a positive and a U-shaped one. Using the recent data from the Agriculture Census of India, this paper attempts to analyse the spatio-temporal trends of the relationship between farm size and land utilisation and examine the hypotheses and explanations already advanced, taking a state-level analysis in India. We found an inverse relationship where smaller farms are more fully and intensively used compared to the larger farms; however, the increasing share of unutilised land among the small and medium farms in the recent decade of 2005–2006 to 2015–2016 indicates a losing ground of small farmers because of ongoing agrarian distress. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Agricultural land, water, and fertilizer utilization significantly impact the nutrient and water balances and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. This study explores the impacts of agricultural water, land, and fertilizer management on the trade-offs between economic benefit, GHG emissions, and water, salinity, nitrate, and phosphate balances by employing crop growth, flow, and solute simulation models, linked with an optimization algorithm. The coupled models can simulate flow, crop growth, and nutrient transport, and capture the water and solutes interaction between the farmland soil zone and saturated groundwater zone, while considering spatial heterogeneity of soil, crop, fertilizer, and irrigation. The optimization model was used to find the trade-offs between the conflicting objectives of maximizing the net economic benefit and minimizing GHG emissions. The optimal water and land allocation schemes, fertilizer application, and crop type were obtained under wet, normal, and dry hydrological years. Then a simple rule was introduced based on the optimum results of the wet, normal and dry years. The proposed methodology was applied to the Dashteabbas irrigation network in southwest Iran. The results showed that the mass loading of salt, nitrate and phosphate decreases to water bodies by 7%, 37%, and 37%, respectively, and less land (−19%), water (−16%), and fertilizer (−35%) are exploited. Also, despite the lower net benefit of the optimum solution (12% lower than the current situation), the GHG emissions (28% lower than the current situation) would decrease, indicating that the introduced rule can help decision-makers to promote coordinated economic and environmental development in the agricultural irrigation systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

One of the challenges in global change research is the significant uncertainty in global historical land use and land cover (LUCC) datasets, which are widely used as foundational data. In addition to the regional cropland area reconstructions, improving the grid allocation method is another feasible way to raise the reliability of historical LUCC data. In this study, an integrated reconstruction of the national cropland areas over the past 200 years was developed for 36 European countries. After that, the allocation algorithm was built using physiogeographic variables and historical city sites for accounting for land suitability and cultivation preferences, respectively. Finally, cropland data in Europe with a spatial resolution of 5′×5′ at five time sections from AD 1800 to 2000 were generated using the optimal allocation algorithm in accordance with the stages of the regional history. The results were as follows: (1) The dominant factors governing the distribution of croplands in Europe vary at different agricultural stages, but the results can be merged together. Land suitability was more optimal for allocation during the modern agricultural stage (AD 1950 and 2000); the priority index combined with land suitability and cultivation preference was more reasonable for allocation during the traditional agricultural stage (AD 1800). The average of the allocations by priority index and the land suitability could be adopted as the allocation results during the transitional stage (AD 1850 and 1900) because the grids for absolute differences within ±10 and ±20 percentage points between the results obtained from the above two allocations were above 80% and 95%, respectively, which means the two allocation results could be merged. (2) Over the past 200 years, the total cropland area in Europe first increased to a peak in AD 1900 and then decreased. Spatially, the centre of the higher cropland fraction shifted from the western part of Europe in AD 1800 to the eastern part of the continent after AD 1950. (3) Both the cropland area and the spatial distribution in this study are more reasonable than the global dataset HYDE3.2. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper evaluates the effect on livestock production and rural population of the land consolidation (LC) processes that occurred over recent decades in Asturias, an autonomous region located in north‐west Spain. We use a novel Difference‐in‐Difference (DiD) model which allows for multiple LCs at different points in time and for spatial spill‐overs. As many parishes have been involved in two or more LC processes, we test whether we can simplify our analysis using a specification for these parishes that accumulates the effect of consecutive, and often distant, LC processes. We find that this simplification can be implemented when we analyse the effect of the LC processes on parishes' livestock production, but not when we examine their effects on parish population. We find that parish livestock production increases on average by about 3% once we take into account spatial effects, and that LC processes have especially attenuated the decline in the number of farms in (coastal) parishes where dairy farms predominate. We do not find strong evidence regarding the effectiveness of LC processes in redressing rural depopulation, except in some of the parishes located in western Asturias. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

It is generally accepted that in order to preserve the sustainability of resource utilization worldwide, it is imperative to maximize the positive environmental effects and minimize the negative ones in agriculture. To assess the impact of agricultural ecosystems on environmental footprints in China, this study used a time-series econometric approach spanning the period from 1990 to 2020. The suitability of the variables was confirmed through stationarity tests, followed by the application of the Johansen technique. The Johansen technique's findings showed that long-run co-integration is present in both exogenous and endogenous variables. Moreover, the bound testing technique with the ARDL model was applied to validate the long-run results. The findings revealed a positive correlation between agricultural ecological footprints and factors such as agricultural land, energy consumption, fertilizer usage, and agricultural employment with short-run elasticity. In the long run, agricultural land, energy consumption, and fertilizer usage were all identified as having a positive impact on the ecological footprint. Consequently, the agricultural ecosystem faces strain due to stringent agricultural practices aimed at enhancing production. The integration of modern technology becomes imperative to reduce carbon emissions, promote environmentally-friendly industries, and enhance the nation's land bio-capacity, thereby mitigating the strain on the ecological ecosystem. This study offers valuable insights for academia, policymakers, researchers, and planners in formulating a comprehensive strategy and vision for establishing sustainable food production and fostering favorable environmental conditions, particularly pertinent to China and with broader applicability to the global context. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Soil aggregate functions in maintaining soil structure and protecting soil organic carbon (SOC). To illustrate the influence of land use change on soil aggregate total SOC and aggregate-associated SOC, we conducted a meta-analysis using data from published journals. Overall, land use changes significantly improved soil macro-aggregate and total SOC by 7.3% and 19.8%, respectively, compared with the primary land use type. The WSA0.25 tended to increase by 63.8% and 37.9% in forest and grassland, respectively, while it decreased by 21.9% and 11.2% in farmland and garden, compared to primary land use. The change from ecological land to agricultural land significantly decreased WSA0.25 by an average of 24.3%, but agricultural land change to ecological land increased WSA0.25 by 49.2%. Soil clay, SOC, bulk density, and pH were the most important factors in explaining the variance in macro-aggregate content. The SOC content increased by 44.1% and 74.4% in forest and grassland, respectively, while it decreased by 16.2% in farmland. Changing agricultural land to ecological land increased the SOC and macro-aggregate associated SOC by 52.6% and 50.0%, respectively, and a positive correction was observed between macro-aggregate associated SOC and the content of WSA0.25 rather than MSA0.25. Our meta-analysis provided a scientific basis to enhance soil structural stability and increase SOC storage. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Societal Impact Statement: Increasing crop productivity is often proposed as a key goal for meeting the food security demands of a growing global population. However, achieving high crop yields alone without meeting end‐use quality requirements is counter to this objective and can lead to negative environmental and sustainability issues. High yielding feed wheat crops in the United Kingdom are a typical example of this. The historical context of UK agricultural industrialisation, developments in plant breeding and wheat end‐use processing are examined. We then outline how employing innovations in plant breeding methods offer the potential to redress the balance between wheat quantity and quality. Summary: Bread wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) has historically been an important crop for many human civilisations. Today, variability in wheat supply and trade has a large influence on global economies and food security. The United Kingdom is an example of an industrialised country that achieves high wheat yields through intensive cropping systems and a favourable climate. However, only a minority of the wheat grain produced is of suitable end‐use quality for modern bread baking methods and most wheat produced is fed to livestock. A large agricultural land area and input use dedicated to producing grain for animal rather than human food has wide‐ranging negative impacts for environmental sustainability and domestic food production. Here we present an historical perspective of agricultural and economic changes that have resulted in UK production primarily focussing on wheat quantity over quality. Agricultural intensification, liberalisation of free trade in agricultural commodities, innovations in the milling and baking sector, developments in scientific understanding of genetics and plant breeding, and geopolitical changes have all played a role. We propose that wheat breeding plays a crucial role in influencing these issues and although wheat breeders in the United Kingdom have historically applied the most‐up‐to‐date scientific advances, recent advances in genomics tools and quantitative genetics present a unique opportunity for breeders to redress the balance between quantity and quality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Societal Impact Statement: Agricultural techniques are inherently connected to social organization. Under colonialism, broadly understood as foreign powers suppressing (parts of) a local population, escape agriculture offers a way to avoid despotism by producing food and other produce in independent and sustainable ways. Crop diversity plays an important role in escape agriculture, demonstrated here by the variation of rice varieties on Maroon farms in Suriname. Histories of Maroon agricultural practices, and similarly marginalized groups in (formerly) colonized regions, are informative for current interventions in agriculture. Agronomic support to marginalized groups will only be successful when addressing historically grown social disengagement. Summary: Rationale: Food is essential for successful marronage and produced by means of escape agriculture. Today, communities in the interior of Suriname continue to farm by following practices of escape agriculture. Our study traces the historical development of these farming practices, in particular the extensive cultivation of rice. Our aim is to show that the diversity of rice varieties used in their fields reveals the sophisticated farming techniques and social significance of escape agriculture.Methods: We visited about 60 farm plots upstream the main rivers of Suriname where we interviewed the person in charge about the rice varieties grown in their fields. We asked about origin, names, and characteristics of each rice variety. We also screened historical sources, primary and secondary, as well as anthropological accounts of these communities for historical evidence of rice cultivation and varietal diversity.Results: Plots were farmed primarily by women and contained a broad range of different rice varieties. Naming and origin stories show a clear reference to the escape from plantations and the leading role of women in farming and food security. In some fields, a small patch was reserved for a rice type with very dark grains, used mostly for ritual purposes. Results also show adoption of more recently introduced rice varieties.Conclusion: Rice plays a key role in escape agriculture as practiced by Maroon communities in Suriname. Rice varieties are used as agricultural markers of difference. Agricultural techniques are inherently connected to social organization. Under colonialism, broadly understood as foreign powers suppressing (parts of) a local population, escape agriculture offers a way to avoid despotism by producing food and other produce in independent and sustainable ways. Crop diversity plays an important role in escape agriculture, demonstrated here by the variation of rice varieties on Maroon farms in Suriname. Histories of Maroon agricultural practices, and similarly marginalized groups in (formerly) colonized regions, are informative for current interventions in agriculture. Agronomic support to marginalized groups will only be successful when addressing historically grown social disengagement. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Social network analysis could be a useful tool in the understanding of many aspects of animal movements because the movement of pigs between farms is one of the main routes for the spread of infectious diseases. Its outputs may highlight information about pig farms and areas that are highly connected and identify key players in animal traffic. The purpose of the study was to identify key farms in the live pig movement network and detect municipalities in North Macedonia which are at risk of disease transmission due to increased pig movements. To this end, completed live pig movement data in the period 2019-2020 extracted from the electronic national database in the system of identification and registration of animals, from the Food and Veterinary Agency of the Republic of North Macedonia was used. Igraph package in R programming language was used to carry out the analysis and spdep package to test spatial autocorrelation. Our findings showed that the size of the network was 320 nodes and 859 links. It was found that 215 (67.2%) farms had in-degree values in the range 1-164 and 137 (42.8%) farms had out-degree values in range of 1-166. Twenty-four farms (7.5%) showed a betweenness centrality value of 1-72, and the cut-point analysis detected 56 farms (17.5%), with most farms located in central, east, and southeastern parts of the country. Network density showed 0.008 or 0.8% and clustering coefficient (transitivity) of 0.017. Moran's I statistic for spatial autocorrelation of municipalities with summarised in-degree showed negative value (-0.003, P=0.295) and municipalities with summarised out-degree showed positive value (0.126, P=0.031). This study identified pig farms that could influence the animal flow and their geographical location. The municipality of Veles was identified as the area with the highest arrivals and departures of pig batches. Findings may be useful to inform decision-makers to target farms and municipalities for surveillance and to organise official control and early detection of contagious swine diseases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Land suitability (LS) classifications are essential for efficient and sustainable agricultural land use. With climate change, future LS classifications are necessary to ensure that crop growth remains sustainable and prevents land degradation. This study develops a current LS classification for rainfed corn (Zea mays) growth in the state of Georgia, USA, which is validated using historical census data on yield, acres planted, and corn crop lost. Significant (p < 0.05) differences were found between yield, acres planted, and crop loss percentage across LS classes for many years. Soil factors (Ph and soil texture) showed significant differences in fewer years compared to climate and topography factors, as soil factors can be altered by management practices such as liming and irrigation. Future LS classes determined by climate factors indicated a shift to the northwest of 150–300 km by the year 2100 based on the RCP4.5 or RCP8.5 emissions scenarios. The northwards shift in more suitable land due to rising maximum temperatures is expected to limit rainfed corn growth in Georgia in the future. As urban areas become more suitable for corn growth, farmers may need to plant crops earlier, irrigate, or switch to different crops. These results have important implications for agricultural planning and policy in the state of Georgia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Today, energy crops that are undemanding to soil fertility are increasingly used for the production of biofuel, electricity, and heat. Favorable climate, large areas of agricultural lands of Ukraine create the necessary conditions for growing the most popular energy crops, which will be able to supply the domestic market, as well as export. The article is aimed at studying the accumulation of chemical elements phosphorus (P), potassium (K), copper (Cu), zinc (Zn), cadmium (Cd), lead (Pb) in the vegetative mass of Miscanthus, Silphium perfoliatum L. and Sida hermaphrodita L. Rusby for their cultivation in the conditions of the Western Forest Steppe of Ukraine on gray forest soils. The article presents the results of own field and laboratory research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Soil erosion is a complex and highly heterogeneous process with a wide range of environmental and economic impacts. Its estimation is particularly challenging and modelling is typically used for erosion estimation over large areas. The aim of this study was to compare the two leading empirical and physical erosion estimation models, i.e. the Revised Universal Soil Loss Equation (RUSLE) and the Water Erosion Prediction Project (WEPP). The models were calibrated and validated using data collected from field experiments conducted in agricultural lands of Mexico. The simulated rainfall experiments involved measuring erosion from field plots subjected to four tillage systems (No crop, Conventional tillage, Conventional tillage + residues, and Handspike) under two antecedent soil moisture conditions (dry and wet). Different calibration approaches based on the factors K and C for RUSLE, and interrill erodibility and hydraulic conductivity in WEPP were tested. The best-performing methods in RUSLE involved measuring the K factor and adopting the recommended C factor by the National Forestry Commission of Mexico. In WEPP, the best results were obtained when interrill erodibility was estimated from experimental measurements. Overall, RUSLE outperformed WEPP in most of the treatments except for CT under WAMC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Congressional Budget Office (CBO) projections of USDA's mandatory farm and nutrition program outlays are important in shaping US agricultural policy. Using CBO projections and observed outcomes from 1985 through 2020, we examine the degree to which projections of farm, supplemental nutrition assistance program (SNAP), and child nutrition program outlays are unbiased, efficient, and informative. We find that projections for farm and child nutrition program outlays are unbiased, SNAP outlays are unbiased at short‐term but are downward biased beyond a 3‐year horizon. All three series of projections are inefficient. SNAP and child nutrition program outlay projections are informative up to a 5‐year horizon, but the farm program outlay projections are informative for only a 1‐year horizon. Disaggregated farm program data since 2008 suggests that the uninformativeness principally stems from conservation and commodity program projections. The findings may be valuable to CBO, as they continue to improve projections, and to projection users, in adjusting their expectations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aimed at investigating the harm from ecosystem services (ESs) according to agricultural land conversion (ALC) by using meta-analysis. The results of meta-regression showed that spatiotemporal effects had significant influences on some ES losses, and the maximum spatial impacts were relevant to Asia and Europe. Moreover, the results of ALC rate coefficients in meta-regression indicated that three large losses of ES were related to soil erosion (0.314), air pollution (0.202), and climate change (0.161). Therefore, the ALC should be done at a suitable conversion rate to reduce ES losses. Accordingly, administrators are suggested to consider careful research planning for the ALC in the process of economic development. Other strategies highlighted the importance of ALC–ES interactions for human well-being, such as measuring the pricing of goods and services based on land resources, continuously monitoring illegal ALC, and imposing taxes on unplanned ALC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Climate change and anthropogenic activities (changes in rainfall and temperature pattern) activities have significantly affected agricultural activity and crop production. So, studying cropland greenness and crop yield trends is essential to understand their impacts and to ensure food security. The present study attempted to depict the cropland greenness and wheat yield trends in Uttar Pradesh (UP) state, India, during 2001–2019. The Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) based Normalised Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) dataset was used to decipher the cropland greenness trends through the Mann-Kendall (MK) test. Furthermore, the wheat yield dataset from Baghel and Sharma (2022) was used to depict the wheat yield trends using the Thiel-Sen slope test from 2001 to 2019. The study's results showed that ~ 37.3% (82,041 km2) area of the total agricultural land was with positive cropland greenness (NDVI) trend, and 1.67% (3673 km2) area was under a negative cropland greenness trend. On the other hand, ~ 8463 km2 (at 99% significance level) and 160,557 km2 (90% significance level) area corresponding to the ~ 4% and 73%, respectively, of the total agricultural land has shown positive (increasing) wheat yield trends during 2001–2019. In conclusion, the findings of this study emphasize the need for ongoing monitoring and a comprehensive understanding of cropland greenness and wheat yield trends over different agroclimatic zones. By gaining insights into these trends, policymakers and stakeholders can develop and implement effective mitigation and adaptation strategies to minimize the adverse effects of climate change and anthropogenic activities on agricultural systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Shangshan is the earliest Neolithic culture discovered in the lower Yangtze region and is significant as one of the origins of rice agriculture worldwide. During the Early Holocene, the Shangshan human groups settled in the river basins of the upper Qiantang region and transitioned from hunter-gatherers to farmers. Little is known about the dominant factors motivating them to settle down and their occupation patterns for adapting to local environments. To address these issues, we applied an ad hoc method by coupling landform classification, geomorphic fieldwork, accessibility analysis, and flood risk assessment. The results of geomorphic and accessibility analyses show that the ancient residents preferred to occupy the edges of the Middle Pleistocene terraces along second- and third-order streams. These locations are mainly situated in the centers of river basins and have height differences of 5–15 m, less than approximately 15-min walking distance from streams, providing them with stable residential spaces and accessible water resources. Within the 10-min territorial scope, there are always some fluvial plains near the terrace edges, indicating that the plain is another critical landform utilized by the residents. The wide plains and a plain-terrace-upland geomorphic assemblage, within 1-h and 2-h scopes, respectively, imply that the residents started to develop agricultural land while they also exploited diverse environments to ensure a plentiful food supply. Furthermore, the hydrologic analysis and assessment reveal that the residents were aware of the potential flood risks: their settlements are located at 30-min walking distance or greater from the high-order streams; most sites are exposed to low flood risks, with average percentages of unflooded territory greater than 67% and 43% in the minor and large flood scenarios, respectively; and each site has sufficient arable land with areas of 5–23 km2 within a 1-h scope, even under the large flood scenario. Overall, these results reveal that the river basins provided favorable living environments, and the residents could flexibly manage the landscapes to ensure stable settlements and food production, thus enabling the appearance and development of a sedentary society and rice agriculture during the early Holocene. Ultimately, the methods used in this study provide an effective approach to exploring the occupation patterns of prehistoric residents in the river basins. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Garlic is one of the most significant vegetable crops; however, western Ethiopian agricultural land soils are limited by acidic soil, and garlic yield and profit margins continue to be low. The objective of the current experiment was to determine whether the economic viability of garlic production in Gimbi, Western Ethiopia, could be supported by the simultaneous application of biochar, lime, and inorganic fertilizer. The experiment comprised 14 treatments laid out in a RCBD with 3 replicates. The use of combined coffee husk biochar (CHB), soil test‐based value lime (STV), and inorganic fertilizer (NPSB) rates at comb4 and comb11, respectively, resulted in the maximum net benefit costs of 955,461.25 ETB ha−1 in farm 1 and 1,086,776.22 ETB ha−1 in farm 2, whereas costs were incurred with total variable costs of 21,317.75 ETB ha−1 and 16,038.78 ETB ha−1, respectively. The treatments with the highest marginal rates of return in farms 1 and 2 were those that included CHB, STV, and NPSB at comb4 (marginal rate of return = 266,932.80%) and comb12 (marginal rate of return = 29,558.12%), respectively. The difference in economic benefit may have originated from the soil buffer capacity response to ameliorant rates, as the soils of farms 1 and 2 were strongly acidic and very strongly acidic soils. This variation influences plant nutrient uptake, biomass yield, and yield components by enhancing the fertility characteristics of the soil. Therefore, the combined CHB, STV, and NPSB rates at comb4 per hectare in strongly acidic soils and comb12 per hectare in very strongly acidic soils could result in the highest economic return rate for the production of garlic and improve soil fertility. Since only two locations were studied, multilocation research is needed to give a firm recommendation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Small concentrations of herbicide, such as those found in drift, can affect nontarget plants at different life‐history stages including seed germination and seedling emergence as well as seedling growth. Fragmented landscapes, such as those in the northern Great Plains, lead to increased proximity of ecological restoration sites to agricultural lands using herbicides. Germination, emergence, and growth are crucial life‐history stages leading to ecological restoration success, but these stages are sensitive to impacts from external factors such as herbicide exposure. A lab germination experiment and a greenhouse emergence experiment were performed to examine the effect of herbicides (2,4‐dichlorophenoxyacetic acid [2,4‐D], atrazine, and trifluralin) on species used in ecological restorations in the northern Great Plains. Seed germination, seedling emergence, and seedling growth of many study species decreased with exposure to herbicides at different concentrations representative of herbicide drift. At concentrations as low as 0.1% recommended application rate 2,4‐D elicited broad effects on final seed germination percentage and germination rate. Atrazine affected seedling emergence and growth for a number of study species at concentrations as low as 10% recommended application rate. Trifluralin affected germination, emergence, and growth of the fewest number of study species. The information gained from these experiments can be used to inform restoration practitioners of best practices and recommended species to use when implementing ecological restoration adjacent to agricultural lands. Environ Toxicol Chem 2024;00:1–11. © 2024 The Author(s). Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of SETAC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Rapid urbanization in cities brings about both opportunities and challenges for national development. This study focuses on investigating the dynamics of urbanization and its impact on livelihoods using land use/land cover change in Adama City, located in the Oromia Regional State. Various datasets from the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), including Landsat Thematic Mapper (LTM), Landsat Enhanced Thematic Mapper Plus (ETH+), and Operational Land Imager (OLI), were utilized. Geographic Information System (GIS) and remote sensing tools were employed to extract relevant information from these datasets for years from 1986 to 2022. In addition, findings pertain to the impact of urbanization on income diversification and the overall welfare of farm households near Adama City was aligned with the study. The findings reveal that built-up areas and agricultural land exhibit the most significant changes over the examined period. However, these changes occur in opposite directions. The built-up area has experienced a substantial increase of 60% from 1986 to 2022, while agricultural land has decreased by 40% during the same timeframe. The conversion of farmland to built-up areas negatively impacts farm households by reducing farming activities and increasing reliance on non-farm activities, resulting in lower consumption expenditures for rural households near urban areas compared to those farther from the urban center. The result underscores the need for policies that promote appropriate land management and a well-planned urbanization process to ensure sustainable urban development. Furthermore, it is vital to enhance understanding of the spatial and temporal dynamics of urban growth and its impacts on farm households residing near urban areas. By addressing these issues, sustainable food security and poverty reduction objectives can be better achieved in peri-urban areas of the region. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The dual pressures of climate change and population growth have made the development of new grains a necessity. Agriophyllum squarrosum (sand rice) has high adaptability to harsh environments and does not occupy agricultural land. It is widely cultivated and consumed in Central Asia. Sand rice, together with quinoa and buckwheat, belongs to the same pseudocereals group with rich nutritional value and gluten‐free properties; however, its nutritional composition and health benefits differ from those of quinoa and buckwheat. Sand rice seeds are a rich source of nutrients and bioactive compounds, including proteins, amino acids, unsaturated fatty acids, and crude fiber, which are similar to those in buckwheat and quinoa; however, their starch content is relatively low. Sand rice seeds also possess phenolic acids and flavonoids, which exhibit antioxidant, anticancer, anti‐diabetes, and anti‐inflammatory properties. Furthermore, sand rice extracts are considered suitable for treating some chronic diseases. Overall, sand rice is considered a good plant‐based food that can be used to develop various functional foods and beverages or mixed with other grains in different recipes. However, advancements in the processing technology of sand rice‐based foods are required to fully exploit the potential of sand rice in the food industry to improve human health. This review analyzes the current understanding of the nutritional content of sand rice by comparing it with that of quinoa and buckwheat. Furthermore, its potential medicinal activity and feasibility as a functional ingredient to improve food quality is discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Soil nitrification, driven by ammonia‐oxidizing archaea (AOA) and ammonia‐oxidizing bacteria (AOB), is a crucial process in maintaining the soil nitrogen (N) balance. However, the influence of AOA and AOB on soil gross nitrification rates (GNR) in response to vegetation restoration remains unclear, particularly in karst regions. In this study, we investigated soil GNR and the abundance, diversity, and community composition of AOA and AOB across after vegetation restoration. Four land use types were examined: plantation forest (PF), forage grass (FG), a combination of plantation forest and forage grass (FG), and cropland (CR, control). Soil ammonium N (NH4+) was higher in the vegetation restoration compared to that in cropland, whereas nitrate N (NO3−) exhibited the opposite trend. Soil GNR were reduced by 55.4%–90.3% in the vegetation restorations compared to that in cropland. The abundance, Chao1, and Shannon index of AOB were lower in vegetation restorations compared to cropland, respectively. The abundance and diversity of AOA were higher than those of AOB but were unaffected by vegetative restoration. Furthermore, AOB community is more sensitive to vegetation restoration than AOA community. Specifically, the abundance of AOB taxa belonging to the genera Nitrosospira and Nitrosovibrio was decreased by the restoration efforts. In addition, soil nutrients availability (e.g., NH4+, NO3−, and phosphorus) and AOB index (e.g., Shannon index) were the main factors driving soil GNR. This study highlights the importance of AOB in driving soil nitrification during vegetation restoration and emphasizes the necessity to optimize soil nitrogen management in karst ecosystems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: There is a global priority to ensure food security, environmental conservation and sustainability. The adoption of inputs such as organic manures, biofertilisers, and biopesticides has been widely promoted as a way to enhance agricultural sustainability, yet their adoption rates remain notably low. The study examines the determinants and impact of the adoption of multiple sustainable inputs by paddy farmers in India. The study also examines the drivers behind the intensity of their adoption and their technical efficiency. Methods: The study utilises the survey dataset on paddy farmers from "Situation Assessment of Agricultural Households and Land and Livestock Holdings of Households in Rural India" of the 77th National Sample Survey (NSSO) round. The reference period for data collection was the agricultural year from July 2018 to June 2019. The analytical methods employed include the Multivariate Probit and Ordered Probit models, Seemingly Unrelated Regression, Regression Adjustment model, and Stochastic Frontier method. Results: The empirical findings reveal that the adoption and intensity of sustainable inputs depend significantly on factors such as the household head's age and education, household size, and access to extension services. Adopting sustainable inputs has significant benefits, such as increased harvest value. However, the currently available technical advisory services are limited in effectively promoting the expenditure on sustainable inputs. Technical efficiency analysis underscores the potential for improvement and the importance of utilising optimal input levels. The research findings provide strong evidence in favour of advocating for the use of sustainable inputs in paddy farming. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Wild biodiversity is usually larger in semi-natural habitats than in croplands, but this pattern is not ubiquitous because it varies among taxa and geographic regions. Knowing how the diversity of natural enemies is structured at the landscape level is important to better understand when semi-natural habitats promote the conservation of natural enemies and ultimately enhance biocontrol. We explore the relative influence of agricultural abandonment and the proportion of semi-natural habitats at the landscape level on the diversity and abundance of parasitoid wasps in the Ichneumonidae family. We studied changes in parasitoid diversity both at local and regional scales (i.e. alpha vs beta diversity), and both at the taxonomic and functional level (i.e. species vs guild identities). We extracted landscape features in circular buffers of varying radii to perform a multi-scale analysis, and to assess at which scale landscape-level effects influenced parasitoid assemblages. We found that parasitoid alpha and beta diversity decreased with an increasing proportion of semi-natural habitats. The multi-scale analysis revealed that for this group of natural enemies, landscape-level effects occur at mid to low distances (i.e. less than 500m). Our results provide insights into the origin of pest natural enemies, their spillover to croplands, and may help to understand under which circumstances semi-natural habitats fail at promoting biocontrol services. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Willow is a promising biomass resource for addressing the challenges of securing stable domestic biomass fuels in Japan and utilising abandoned agricultural land. Among the willow species, Salix pet-susu Kimura KKD (known as ezonokinu willow, EW) stands out for its growth, high production, storage stability, production stability, and business stability. Previous studies have investigated fuel characterisation through gasification (co-gasification) of various biomass mixtures to enhance feedstock flexibility for gasifier commercialisation. However, the synergistic effects of co-gasification using fuels containing EW blended with Japanese cedar, a commonly planted forest species in Japan, remain unexplored. Therefore, this study explored CO2 co-gasification with different blend ratios of EW/cedar blended char and evaluated the fuel characteristics for each blend ratio to elucidate the synergistic effects. The prepared char samples were utilised in the CO2 gasification test with TG-DTA as the analyser. The results suggest that in the initial stages of the willow/cedar blended char co-gasification reaction, pore size and specific surface area significantly influence the reaction rate. Subsequent stages of the reaction are influenced by the promoting and inhibiting effects of inorganic components, which impact co-gasification. The synergy factor results for the willow/cedar blended char co-gasification suggest a reaction pathway. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

While there are many global geospatial datasets representing the extent of agriculture, they predominantly represent croplands. Only a couple of global data products represent the full global agricultural footprint, including pastures. Our own research team's most recent complete publicly available agricultural land cover dataset, including both croplands and pastures, represent circa 2000. These data, distributed on a graticule of 5 arcminutes (~10 km2 at the equator), have been integrated into a considerable number and diversity of research studies, modeling, data science and media applications. Further, users of these data have been interested in them for studying a variety of issues such as land use, food security, climate change and biodiversity loss. Here we present an updated dataset on the global distribution of agricultural lands (cropland and pasture) circa 2015 (15 years on since the initial study). Past studies that have constructed such datasets have been one-off exercises that have been infrequently repeated due to the amount of effort required. Therefore, in this work, we developed a transparent and reproducible approach to update our data product while also enabling easier reproduction of future datasets. We distribute our 2015 product at the same resolution and formats as the prior product, and accompany it with a full set of replicable code and data for reconstruction. In this article we explain how the data was constructed, with links to the permanent DOIs where the data can be readily downloaded by the user community (Mehrabi et al. 2024; DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.11540554). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Salinization is a major cause of soil degradation that affects several million hectares of agricultural land, threatening food security and the sustainability of agricultural systems worldwide. Nevertheless, despite the negative impact of salinity, salt-affected land also provides several important ecosystem services, from providing habitats and nurseries for numerous species to sustainable food production. This opinion paper, written in the framework of the EU COST Action CA22144 SUSTAIN on the sustainable use of salt-affected land, therefore, focuses on the potential of halophytes and saline agriculture to transform and restore key functions of these salt-affected and marginal lands. As the current knowledge on sustainable saline agriculture upscaling is fragmented, we highlight (i) the research gaps in halophyte and salinity research and (ii) the main barriers and potentials of saline agriculture for addressing food security and environmental sustainability in terms of population growth and climate change. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A precise and up-to-date Land Use and Land Cover (LULC) valuation serves as the fundamental basis for efficient land management. Google Earth Engine (GEE), with its numerous machine learning algorithms, is now the most advanced open-source global platform for rapid and accurate LULC classification. Thus, this study explores the dynamics of the LULC changes between 1993 and 2023 using Landsat imagery and the machine learning algorithms in the Google Earth Engine (GEE) platform. Focus group discussion and key informant interviews were also used to get further data regarding LULC dynamics. Support Vector Machine (SVM), Random Forest (RF), and Classification and Regression Trees (CART) were demonstrated for LULC classification. Six LULC types (agricultural land, grazingland, shrubland, built-up area, forest and bareland) were identified and mapped for 1993, 2003, 2013, and 2023. The overall accuracy and kappa coefficient demonstrated that the RF using images comprising auxiliary variables (spectral indices and topographic data) performed better than SVM and CART. Despite being the most common type of LULC, agricultural land shows a trend of shrinking during the study period. The built-up area and bareland exhibits a trend of progressive expansion. The amount of forest and shrubland has decreased over the last 20 years, whereas grazinglands have exhibited expanding trends. Population growth, agricultural land expansion, fuelwood collection, charcoal production, built-up areas expansion, illegal settlement and intervention are among causes of LULC shifts. This study provides reliable information about the patterns of LULC in the Robit watershed, which can be used to develop frameworks for watershed management and sustainability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]