Search

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

Soils are key natural resources for the Earth’s system; however, human impacts, especially, soil erosion are considered serious threats. Therefore, identifying and assessing effective factors to understand erosion hot spots at different scales is critical to developing effective land management plans and ensuring the sustainability of the territory. This study was conducted to determine and prepare an erosion risk map, but to prioritize the survey at different scales, such as sub-basin and watershed ones. To achieve this goal, geographic information system (GIS) and remote sensing data (RS) were used combining the analysis network process method (ANP) and ICONA model (Institute for the Conservation of Nature). As study case, we selected the degraded areas of the Gorganrood watershed located in the north of Iran. The study area was obtained for very low, low, medium, high, and very high-risk classifications of 14.0, 21.4, 17.9, 31.3, and 15.4%, respectively. Results from the ICONA model also indicated that 12.8, 28.8, 22.1, 27.9, 8.5, and 0.03% belong to very low, low, medium, high, very high, and without risk of erosion, respectively. According to the validation results, it was found that the accuracy of ANP and ICONA models are 0.83 and 0.80, respectively, which indicates the suitability of the models for preparing the erosion map of the region is appropriate and useful for designing land management plans. We conclude that both models can be used to develop the erosion map potential and to prioritize sub-basins if a complete database of geomorphological characteriscs and human activities are accurate previously defined.

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

The main objective of the research is to determine the efficiency in population and area coverage of the set of bus stops to existing land uses in the city, allowing the identification of possible shortcomings, which leads to the formulation of restructuring proposals in terms of the location of the stops. The research methodology to be applied includes the use of geostatistical models of accessibility based on GIS-type digital tools, supported by the collection of field information and road inventories. As a main result, it is obtained that the stop-system coverage allows the access of more than 80% of the population in a trip time by walking less than 5 minutes. Likewise, it is possible to identify a robust redundancy concerning the system of stops. Thus, it is concluded that the research process facilitates the evaluation and identification of possible interventions, guaranteeing a better coverage of the stops set regarding the city's existing activities.

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

The main objective of the research is to determine the efficiency in population and area coverage of the set of bus stops to existing land uses in the city, allowing the identification of possible shortcomings, which leads to the formulation of restructuring proposals in terms of the location of the stops. The research methodology to be applied includes the use of geostatistical models of accessibility based on GIS-type digital tools, supported by the collection of field information and road inventories. As a main result, it is obtained that the stop-system coverage allows the access of more than 80% of the population in a trip time by walking less than 5 minutes. Likewise, it is possible to identify a robust redundancy concerning the system of stops. Thus, it is concluded that the research process facilitates the evaluation and identification of possible interventions, guaranteeing a better coverage of the stops set regarding the city's existing activities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This research applies artificial intelligence algorithms for optimizing the water quality monitoring network in a representative basin with intensive agricultural and livestock activities. This study used the water quality database provided by the National Water Commission (CONAGUA). Bi-monthly monitoring was registered from 2013 to 2020 for 23 water quality parameters in 23 sampling locations in tributaries and the mainstream river. Therefore, it was necessary to apply principal component analysis to reduce the dimensionality of the data and thus identify the parameters that contribute most to the variation in the water quality. This artificial intelligence algorithm promoted the ease of clustering sampling sites with similar water quality characteristics by reducing the number of variables involved in the database. The reduction highlighted nutrients (TN and TP), parameters related to dissolved organic matter (NH3-N and TOC), and pathogens such as fecal coliforms. The similarity of sampling sites was determined through hierarchical clustering using the Euclidean distance as a measure of dissimilarity and the Ward method as a grouping method. As a result, nine clusters were obtained for the rainy and dry seasons, reducing approximately 50% of the sampling sites and generating an optimized network of 11 sampling sites. HIGHLIGHTS The monitoring network of a watershed with intensive agriculture was reduced by 50% using artificial intelligence algorithms.; By applying principal component analysis, the variables that contribute the most significant variation to the water quality of the basin, highlighting nutrients, and pathogens were identified.; It was possible to agglomerate sampling sites according to their similarity in terms of water quality.;

The Lagunas de Campillos Natural Reserve and adjacent ponds are fundamentally surrounded by regularly fertilized crop fields and livestock industry, producing leachates which can be found in the ponds. The interest in this Site of European Importance and the RAMSAR wetland complex lies in the habitats within it, which are included in the Directive on Habitats of Community Interest. It is essential to determine the trophic status of the ponds and the quality of these habitats, as well as whether corrective measures need to be established in order to maintain a good environmental status. To characterize and compare the ponds, different parameters were measured, such as conductivity, pH, nutrient concentration, Chl-a concentration, phytoplankton composition, phytoplankton abundance (<20 µm), and the quantification of heterotrophic microorganisms indicating contamination of the aquifers. The obtained results showed that all ponds, except a mesotrophic pond, are eutrophic or even hypertrophic, with high levels of total nitrogen (>8 mg L−1), total phosphorous (>165 μg L−1), and chlorophyll-a concentration. These findings explain the high densities of phytoplankton observed, with the predominant presence of small cells (<3.6 μm ESD). In addition, concentrations of heterotrophs and coliforms are, in some ponds, higher than expected. Eutrophication hinders ecological functions and ecosystem services, which finally affects biodiversity and human wellbeing. Five of the six analyzed ponds are within various protection figures for their essential importance to local and migrating avifauna. Therefore, ponds' status analysis and the implementation of measures for maintaining ecosystem services and trophic state are fundamental for the sustainable management of the studied area. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Urbanization can create uncertainty for biodiversity. Understanding the spatial distribution of trees along urban-rural gradients is crucial for sustainable land management and the conservation of biological diversity. However, limited information is available on the factors influencing the distribution of trees outside forests along urban-rural transition gradients. This paper uses the Preferred Reporting items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) to review how distance from urban centers, land use types, socio-economic disparities, and community attitudes and perceptions impact the spatial distribution of trees outside forests along urban-rural gradients. The review indicates that the species composition, diversity, density, and spatial arrangement of trees outside forests vary along the urban-rural gradient. The most commonly cited factors influencing this distribution are respondents' attitudes and perceptions of trees, socio-economic factors, and land use variations. Distance from the urban center was the least cited factor. However, there is significant variation in how different factors impact this distribution from study to study. Therefore, further research is needed to better understand the factors driving changes in the diversity of trees outside forests in various urban-rural contexts and to determine whether variations exist across different settings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The dynamic soil properties for soil health (DSP4SH) is a Science of Soil Health Initiative that was designed to collect, process, and publicize scientifically rigorous datasets that inform sound indicators and interpretations. The Soil and Plant Science Division of the United States Department of Agriculture - Natural Resources Conservation Service (USDA-NRCS) and university cooperators collected a suite of standardized soil health metrics across eight states (Oregon, Washington, Kansas, Minnesota, Illinois, Connecticut, North Carolina, and Texas) within five soil survey regions (Northwest, North Central, Northeast, Southeast, and South Central). The DSP4SH database provides a substantial dataset of soil health metrics assessed. The dataset is composed of dynamic soil properties (DSP) data collected from each management system or ecological state represented by one to three independent plot replicates. Each plot has a minimum of three pedons. Nine groups from the DSP4SH monitoring network provided datasets used in developing the database. The submitted data includes 37 laboratory measured parameters, 60 variables of layer/horizon descriptions, 41 variables for laboratory analysis conducted at the Kellogg Soil Survey laboratory, and 12 variables for the management systems. An additional 31 variables were developed for site or plot description. Additional variables were developed to normalize the dataset. In preparation for DSP assessment, all tables (except for dataset from KSSL lab) were categorized by management system or ecological state. The categories were business as usual (BAU), the reference condition (Ref) and the soil health management (SHM). The overarching goal of DSP4SH phase 1 and 2 dataset publication is to promote increased accessibility, further analysis of the data, and overall understanding of the benefits of surveying dynamic soil properties for soil health.

Urbanization can create uncertainty for biodiversity. Understanding the spatial distribution of trees along urban-rural gradients is crucial for sustainable land management and the conservation of biological diversity. However, limited information is available on the factors influencing the distribution of trees outside forests along urban-rural transition gradients. This paper uses the Preferred Reporting items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) to review how distance from urban centers, land use types, socio-economic disparities, and community attitudes and perceptions impact the spatial distribution of trees outside forests along urban-rural gradients. The review indicates that the species composition, diversity, density, and spatial arrangement of trees outside forests vary along the urban-rural gradient. The most commonly cited factors influencing this distribution are respondents' attitudes and perceptions of trees, socio-economic factors, and land use variations. Distance from the urban center was the least cited factor. However, there is significant variation in how different factors impact this distribution from study to study. Therefore, further research is needed to better understand the factors driving changes in the diversity of trees outside forests in various urban-rural contexts and to determine whether variations exist across different settings.

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

The High Altitude Fields (HAF) are unique phytosociological features that occur only in certain regions of the Atlantic Forest. It is composed of herbaceous and shrubby vegetation and shallow soils that promote local water infiltration and recharge. Occurring on top of hills, the HAF are isolated units in the landscape, connecting with the matrix through associated ecosystems (springs with riparian forests and “capões de mata”, which are natural islands of arboreal vegetation, commonly associated with rural vegetation, such as high-altitude fields, located above 1,200 m in phytogeographic domains of the Atlantic Forest, Cerrado or Caatinga). These areas have great species endemism, and studies concerning the order Odonata are still scarce. Thus, we aimed to evaluate the ecological responses (richness, diversity, specificity) of adult odonates in these ecosystems. The study was conducted from November 2020 to March 2021 in three areas in the Poços de Caldas Plateau, Minas Gerais state, Brazil. A total of 45 species (247 specimens) were collected, with the highest total richness being recorded for Anisoptera. Among the sampled areas, there was no difference in Anisoptera communities, but there was a difference in Zygoptera species composition. In general, the most preserved remnant of HAF, the greater it presents greater richness of Odonata and harbors a regional pool of species.

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

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

Copyright of Al-Adab / Al-ādāb is the property of Republic of Iraq Ministry of Higher Education & Scientific Research (MOHESR) and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

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

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

In Guayaquil, like many Latin American cities, very dynamic areas coexist with others that are strongly laggingbecause of theirunbalanced territorial growth. Since 2021, the Municipality of Guayaquil has incorporated centralities or multifunctional centers into its planning to optimize its operation and decentralize the traditional center. The centralities can be urban, zonal, neighborhood, or sectoral. This study addresses the zonal centrality of La Alborada, with nuclei of interest and the diversity of local commerce coexisting with a residential environment, makingit necessary to characterize the uses of the land on a medium and small scale in its commercial and residential context. The adopted methodology collects cadastral information from the municipal geoportal to map, update, and classify commercial activities, including the height of buildings, types of roads, and, in general, through observation tours, people's perceptionof public spaces for pedestrian use. The results show diverseactivities and services and commercial use consolidation on the fourteen stages' periphery. They also show non-compliant buildings and the trend towards specialties in commercial uses, with over ten nearby businesses in some stages of a specific activity, such as restaurants and aesthetic treatments. Concluding that the public spaces adjoining the commercial premises are forcibly used as open-air lobbies, forcing the user to occupy spaces provided for pedestrian circulation, affecting the safe, comfortable, and efficient mobility of residents and users.

[Objective] The influence of time variation of topsoil steady state infiltration rate (fc) on water movement and solute transport in the soil profile was studied in order to provide theoretical support for the study of the hydrological cycle model in this region. [Methods] The study was conducted on typical land use types near the Loess Plateau Agricultural Ecological Experimental Station of the Chinese Academy of Sciences. The fc values for a corn field, an apple orchard, and a Robinia pseudoacacia forestland were collected from April to October 2021 using the double ring infiltrometer method. [Results] ① The maximum correlation distance of fc spatial distribution was 7.12 m. ② There was a significant negative correlation between soil bulk density and fc value, while there was no significant correlation between initial soil water content and fc value (p>0.05). ③ From April to May, the fc value for each land use type increased. From June to October, the fc value for each land use type changed differently with time: fc value for the corn field increased first and then decreased, for the apple orchard increased, and for the Robinia pseudoacacia forestland increased first and then stabilized. Variance analysis showed that the fc values for different land uses were significantly affected by time (p

Copyright of Tropical Grasslands / Forrajes Tropicales is the property of International Centre for Tropical Agriculture - CIAT and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Every year we are more and more exposed to the negative impact of microplastic. Our research aimed to determine the amount of microplastic in the snow on sledding hills in green areas of Krakow. The sledding hills in winter are very intensively used by children and it is very important to monitor the condition of these places in terms of microplastic contamination. In our research, we assessed whether children playing on sledding hills may be exposed to microplastic. Our research covered 10 sledding hills of various sizes located in the green areas of Krakow. Our research has confirmed the presence of significant amounts of microplastics in snow collected on sledding hills. Three times as much microplastic was found in the snow on the higher hills (2.78 mg/L) compared to the lower sledding hills (0.96 mg/L). In the snow collected on sledding hills from the green areas of Krakow, a large diversity of microplastic in terms of type, size, color, and shape was noted. The dominant type of microplastic found during the research was polypropylene (PP), polyurethane (PU), hydrocarbon resin (HCR), and polyester (PES). The share of two microplastic fractions of 1.1–2.0 mm and 2.1–3.0 mm accounted for over 50% of the whole amount. After melting the snow, microplastic goes to the soil surface, which can lead to changes in the properties of the soil, and due to its strong hydrophobicity, it will play an important role in the transport of toxic compounds, e.g., polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). Our research suggests limiting the use of plastic sleds and replacing them with wooden sleds, which will not be a source of pollution for urban green spaces used by residents regardless of the season. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Recently, due to rapid industrialization and urbanization, many studies have focused on the assessment of soil metal contamination. The present research aimed to investigate the concentration of potentially hazardous elements (Al, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mg, Mn, Ni, Pb, V and Zn) in three different areas (forest, wildfire forest and urban) of the Mediterranean region. Contamination levels were further assessed calculating different indices: contamination factor (CF), geo-accumulation index (GI) and ecological risk (E). The results showed high concentrations of V, Mg and Mn in forest and wildfire forest soils, as well as high concentrations of Al, Fe, Ni, Pb and Zn in urban soils. According to the contamination indices, Pb exceeded the background level in both wildfire forest and urban soils. According to human risk assessment, inhalation appeared the main route of exposure of metals in soils, especially for children. The overall cancer risk was higher than the safe level, especially for Pb. Different relationships were found between the contamination indices and the potential risk of carcinogenic effects according to the diverse metal concentrations. Particularly, wildfire soils showed human health risks mainly linked to Pb, Cu and Cr contaminations, due to human activities, and Ni, due to both anthropogenic and pedogenetic input. Instead, the urban soils showed that Zn contamination, mainly related to urban traffic, influenced the potential carcinogenetic risk in this area. The carcinogenic risk was higher than acceptable values for all the metals assessed. These findings highlighted the need to develop further management practices to protect soils from metal pollution and reduce human health risks. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The research dealt with the concept of noise pollution and the most important confiscation resulting from the activities established on the various uses of the land in the city of Fallujah, which are evidenced by all the safe limits of global sound levels, as a result of the citizens' overstepping the use of the land by noise activities, with weak application of laws to prevent these polluting practices , Which resulted from the negative effects that affected the health of the population, both physically and psychologically, and then the research concluded with important conclusions and recommendations that would reduce noise pollution in the future

Copyright of Bulletin of Soil & Water Conservation is the property of Bulletin of Soil & Water Conservation Editorial Office and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

The concept of the soil phosphorus storage capacity (SPSC) was successfully used to evaluate the phosphorus (P) loss risk and the P retention capacity of acidic soil. This study extended the concept of SPSC from acidic soil to neutral or alkaline soil. A total of 95 surfaces (0-10 cm) soil samples were collected from the Yellow River Delta (YRD) for use in this study. Batch sorption experiments, correlation analysis, stepwise regression, and a split-line model were used to calculate the threshold value of the degree of P saturation (DPS). The SPSC was developed based on the DPS threshold value. Based on a DPS threshold value of 11.5%, we developed the following equation for calculating the SPSC: SPSC = (11.5% - soil DPS) × (0.113 × SOM (soil organic matter) + 1.343 × CaCO3). In the continuous system in this watershed, from wetland to farmland, the SPSC for vegetable fields (-94.7 ± 79.1 mg/kg) was lowest and that of the restored wetland (76.3 ± 26.1 mg/kg) was the highest. Along the transition zone in the YRD, both the natural soil development and human alternations significantly affected the soil P loss/retention capacity. In terms of P storage, the restored wetlands are the highlands for P retention and the vegetable fields contribute significantly to the P loss in the YRD. As a result, we strongly recommend that the restored wetlands be fully utilised for P retention and that P fertiliser no longer be applied to the vegetable fields to prevent P loss into the watershed.

The city of Greater Cairo contains many areas that are not well exploited, specially which are located on the Nile façade both inside and outside the city, Especially the Nile façade in the area of Rawd al-Faraj, but also we find that these uses are competing and have a negative impact on the Nile façade. Not exploiting them leads to significant economic losses, which, if exploited, will have a strong economic return Because of its unique economic resources, this place overlooks directly on the Nile façade . Therefore, through this research we will be exposed to the knowledge of the uses of the land that was located on the Nile facades in the past and the most important theories that touched on this subject. Many scientists have taken care of the Nile façade in order to reach the most appropriate and exploitative uses of this important economic resource on which some countries are based and rely directly on it as one of the sources of economic and national income for them. Then learn about the different uses that have been localized on the Nile facades of some countries, whether at the global level or local. And apply these results and indicators on the Nile façade in the area of Rawd al-Faraj to see the best uses that can be suggested on this interface there in order to exploit this interface to exploit the best so that it has a strong economic and tourism return. Especially since the state in its strategy tends to exploit these areas, this has become an urgent necessity for every architect or urban and economic expert to show the importance of these regions and their impact on the economies of countries.

Recently, due to rapid industrialization and urbanization, many studies have focused on the assessment of soil metal contamination. The present research aimed to investigate the concentration of potentially hazardous elements (Al, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mg, Mn, Ni, Pb, V and Zn) in three different areas (forest, wildfire forest and urban) of the Mediterranean region. Contamination levels were further assessed calculating different indices: contamination factor (CF), geo-accumulation index (GI) and ecological risk (E). The results showed high concentrations of V, Mg and Mn in forest and wildfire forest soils, as well as high concentrations of Al, Fe, Ni, Pb and Zn in urban soils. According to the contamination indices, Pb exceeded the background level in both wildfire forest and urban soils. According to human risk assessment, inhalation appeared the main route of exposure of metals in soils, especially for children. The overall cancer risk was higher than the safe level, especially for Pb. Different relationships were found between the contamination indices and the potential risk of carcinogenic effects according to the diverse metal concentrations. Particularly, wildfire soils showed human health risks mainly linked to Pb, Cu and Cr contaminations, due to human activities, and Ni, due to both anthropogenic and pedogenetic input. Instead, the urban soils showed that Zn contamination, mainly related to urban traffic, influenced the potential carcinogenetic risk in this area. The carcinogenic risk was higher than acceptable values for all the metals assessed. These findings highlighted the need to develop further management practices to protect soils from metal pollution and reduce human health risks.

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

Anthropogenic land use changes have been recognized with significant effects on the abundance and diversity of antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) in soil, but their impacts on ARGs with potential health risk remained poorly understood. In this study, paired metagenomes and viromes were obtained from soils (Anthrosols and Nitisols) with different land uses including urban parks, road verge, forests, vegetable and paddy in a subtropical city, Xiamen, and soils (Anthrosols) with various long-term fertilization treatments in Dezhou located in temperate region, respectively, to explore the influence of anthropogenic activity on soil resistome. The diversity and abundance of antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) were profiled, and the risk associated factors of ARGs, i.e., genetic location, host, and co-existence with virulence factors (VFs), were systematically investigated at reads and contigs level. We observed that agricultural areas significantly enriched human-related ARGs and viruses, and positively related with clinical ARGs. Most of the ARG-carrying contigs were chromosomes (∼85 %), while, human-related ARGs presented a higher odds ratio to locate on plasmids. Soil VFs exhibited land use pattern and distinct distribution between chromosome and plasmids, but less mobile than ARGs. Analysis of 131,014 soil viral genomes indicated that they barely encoded ARGs, nevertheless, transduction of VLPs was implicated in the spread of ARGs. The results can be mutually verified in Xiamen and Dezhou datasets. Overall, the agricultural soils with dry-farming are hotspots for the clinical ARGs, and the transmission of clinical ARGs between human dominated environments and soil is primarily mediated by plasmids, rather than bacterial chromosomes, and the transduction of human-gut related viruses could participate the process. These results highlight the importance of tracking the fate of clinical ARGs for better evaluating the impacts of human activities on soil resistome.

Study region: The North and South Sources in the upper stream of Qiantang River Basin, China. Study focus: Identifying the relative contribution of climate change and human activities to runoff variation is essential for an enhanced understanding on efficient management of regional water resources. We used multiplied abrupt change testing methods to determine the baseline period (BP) and two variation periods (VP1 and VP2) and used six Budyko-based methods to detect the quantitative hydrological response to climate change and human activities. New hydrological insights for the region: The annual mean runoff of North Source witnessed a decrease in VP1 before it increased during VP2, while it continued to increase in South Source. The climate change dominated the runoff variation in the North Source, while it was human activities that was the main driver for South Source.The human-induced effect contributed to runoff decline in North Source, while it led to the continuous runoff increasing in South Source. It shows that the runoff change due to climate was more sensitive to precipitation than potential evapotranspiration. The land use analysis illustrates that human-induced runoff changes were composed of two aspects: 1) the increased proportion of woodland and decreased ratio of farmland reduced runoff; 2) the increased percentage of town-and-country-land increased runoff. The former influence was relatively limited compared to the latter, as well as the climate change.

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

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

Copyright of Ecosistemas y Recursos Agropecuarios is the property of Universidad Juarez Autonoma de Tabasco and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

This paper investigates the impact that urban sprawl and land use patterns have on freight transport costs at the regional level in Europe. A unique dataset is employed, which distinguishes various aspects of freight transport costs across EU regions. The measurement of sprawl metrics is based on the European soil sealing (artificial land cover) data concerning the land uptake for buildings and related infrastructure, as well as land use data originating from the Land Use/Cover Area frame Survey of Eurostat. The econometric analysis indicates that both the increased scale and compact development of land for urban settlement and specific (industrial, services/residential) activities can significantly reduce average road freight transport costs. The increased land use mixture and the share of industrial activity also have a negative impact on road freight transport costs. The results highlight the importance of integrated spatial/land use planning policies to manage freight transport costs and improve the sustainable urban development of EU regions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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

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

The urban environment is often responsible for negative impacts on the climate and environmental comfort, due to the common climatic interference in highly built and waterproofed environments. One of the ways of mitigating negative environmental and microclimate impacts is the use of green areas in the urban environment. Thus, aiming at the analysis of environmental quality parameters of urban regions, it is essential to monitor the influence of green areas on different meteorological variables. In this sense, the use of information acquisition instruments and methodologies can positively contribute to this analysis, which can support decision-making related to urban planning. Thus, this work aims to develop a sensor network with sensor nodes to assess meteorological variables in urban green areas, aiming to analyze and discuss the influence of green areas on the behavior of CO¬2 concentration, temperature and air relative humidity parameters in an urban environment. The proposed and developed sensor nodes enabled the adequate collection of these variables and, based on the results obtained, it was possible to observe that the green area (permanent preservation area - PPA) contributed positively to these variables in the portion of the study area located in Campinas (SP), presenting lower temperature and CO2 concentration and increased air humidity. However, for the portion of Paulínia (SP), it was possible to observe little influence from the PPA. Influences on these variables, exerted by rural areas and parks, were also identified, contributing to the reduction of meteorological parameters, but different interactions were identified with the CO2 concentration, which may present a possible increase or assist in the reduction of CO2 in the air. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Tropical forests play an important role in carbon storage, accumulating large amounts of carbon in their aboveground and belowground components. However, anthropogenic land-use activities have increasingly threatened tropical forests, resulting in accelerated global greenhouse gas emissions. This research aimed to estimate the carbon stocks in soil, organic layer, and litterfall in tropical montane forests under three different land uses (intact forest, logged-over forest, and plantation forest) at Long Mio, Sabah, Malaysia. Field data were collected in a total of 25 plots from which soil was randomly sampled at three depths. Litterfalls were collected monthly from November 2018 to October 2019. The results showed that the soil in the study area is Gleyic Acrisol, having pH values ranging between 4.21 and 5.71, and high soil organic matter contents. The results also showed that the total soil carbon stock, organic layer, and litterfall is higher in the intact forest (101.62 Mg C ha−1 ), followed by the logged-over forest (95.61 Mg C ha−1 ) and the plantation forest (93.30 Mg C ha−1 ). This study highlights the importance of conserving intact forests as a strategy to sequester carbon and climate change mitigation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Adab Al-Kufa is the property of Republic of Iraq Ministry of Higher Education & Scientific Research (MOHESR) and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)