Search

Agricultural water demand (AWD) and irrigation water demand (IWD) were assessed (2009–2018) over India using geostationary and polar orbiting satellites. A novel concept of satellite based composite crop-coefficient was introduced to address bulk AWD from mixed agricultural landscape. Significant spatio-temporal variation of AWD was observed over India. The decadal mean of annual AWD was found to be 1521 km3 contributing around 52% (789 km3) and 48% (732 km3) in kharif and rabi seasons, respectively. The decadal average IWD over India was found to be 360 km3. At annual scale, around 75% of AWD was found fulfilled by effective rainfall and the rest 25% is the IWD. The decadal trend of AWD and IWD showed significant increasing trend over Indian region. The study provides a baseline reference for regional agricultural water management policy over diverse agro-climatic regions of India with an opportunity to optimize AWD and IWD at different locations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Riverbank erosion occurs along many of the Earth's river systems, affecting riverine populations by destroying agricultural land and housing. In this study, we detected past events of riverbank erosion along the Jamuna River in Bangladesh using time series of Sentinel-1 satellite radar imagery, ground range detected (GRD) data with a 12-day revisit cycle, available in the Google Earth Engine (GEE). Eroded land is detected by performing a land cover classification and by detecting land cover changes from vegetated areas before the monsoon to sand or water after the monsoon. Further, settlements are detected as persistent scatterers, and classified as eroded if they are located on eroded land. We found that with Sentinel-1 data, erosion locations can be determined already one month after the end of the monsoon, and hence potentially earlier than using optical satellite images which depend on cloud-free daylight conditions. Further, we developed an interactive GEE-based online tool allowing the user to explore where riverbank erosion has destroyed land and settlements along the Jamuna in five monsoon seasons (2015-2019). The source code of our implementation is publicly available, providing the opportunity to reproduce the results, to adapt the algorithm and to transfer our results to assess riverbank erosion in other geographical settings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Multistakeholder platforms (MSPs) are the subject of increasing attention and investment in the domain of collaborative natural resource governance, yet evidence-based guidance is slim on policy and investment priorities to leverage the MSP approach. We provide a comparative analysis of eight landscape-level MSPs spanning seven countries (Peru, Brazil, India, Tanzania, Ethiopia, and a cross-border case from Kenya and Somalia), representing a diversity of resource systems covering forests, rangelands, and multiuse agricultural landscapes. Applying an adapted social-ecological systems framework, our synthesis identifies the influence of these MSPs on patterns of stakeholder interaction and draws implications for the design and organization of MSPs that are both appropriate and effective. From the cases, we distill lessons addressing: (1) how to design an MSP in relation to the governance context, including the fit between institutional and ecological dimensions of the system and with attention to cross-scale linkages; (2) how to implement inclusive processes that address power inequities, including through capacity building and procedural rules; and (3) how to support adaptive learning to expand the MSP's influence over time, including monitoring outcomes, adapting the scope of stakeholder engagement, and investing in MSP durability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We suspect that trios are unlikely to be unique to Sarus cranes and that this is an overlooked social unit that requires wider attention in other crane species. First, we describe behaviors of one trio observed (by K. S. G. Sundar) in southwestern Uttar Pradesh between 1999 and 2015 while studying Sarus crane population dynamics (please refer to Sundar, 2011). Proportions of Sarus crane groups that were trios were lower in districts with higher Sarus crane densities (Appendix S1: Figure S4). [Extracted from the article]

While studies have explored how habitat amount drives weed assemblages in agroecosystems, knowledge remains limited of the effects of habitat connectivity. The response-effect trait framework provides insights into the mechanisms underpinning the relationship between landscape structure and the taxonomic diversity and abundance of weed assemblages. This study evaluated how habitat connectivity and habitat amount affect weed diversity and abundance in winter cereal fields, and whether these effects are driven by the functional composition of weed assemblages. We sampled weeds in 27 winter cereal fields. We measured habitat connectivity and habitat amount provided by wooded, grassland and cropland elements. We selected five traits related to the dispersal, establishment, and competitive abilities of weed species likely to respond to landscape structure: seed number per plant, type of reproduction, seed dry mass, plant vegetative height and seed germination rate. The functional composition of weed assemblages was assessed using community weighted mean trait values. Weed diversity and abundance were used as proxies of weed management. The taxonomic approach did not reveal any effect of landscape structure on weed diversity and abundance. Only the grassland elements that contributed to habitat connectivity, and to a lesser extent to habitat amount, drove the functional composition of weed assemblages. High habitat amount favoured species with many seeds, while high habitat connectivity favoured species with fewer seeds, a higher ability to reproduce vegetatively and higher seed germination rates. In turn, higher seed germination rates increased weed evenness and reduced weed abundance. Some of these relationships were influenced by the presence of rare species. Overall, high connectivity provided by grassland elements increases weed evenness and reduces weed abundance by shaping weed functional composition. Our study suggests that land-use planning policies that enhance the connectivity provided by grassland elements could be considered as a weed management strategy reconciling ecology and agronomy. [Display omitted] • There is no landscape effect on weed community structure in winter cereal fields • Habitat connectivity and habitat amount drive the functional traits of weeds • High connectivity provided by grassland elements increases seed germination • High seed germination increases weed diversity and reduces weed abundance • High connectivity increases weed diversity and reduces weed abundance by shaping weed functional composition [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Landscape fragmentation is considered a serious threat to eco-environmental integrity and socioeconomic development. Although many studies have focused on landscape fragmentation resulting from agricultural production and urbanization, landscape fragmentation from the aspects of patterns, driving forces, and the policy perspective of ecosystems has rarely been investigated. Oases, as a unique landscape, face severe fragmentation in arid and semiarid regions. This study applied a combination of approaches, including remote sensing image interpretations, landscape fragmentation metrics, and community surveys, to analyze patterns and their driving forces, as well as the policy implications for future land consolidation, in the Hotan oasis of Northwest China from the space and time perspectives. Results show that the frequent occurrence of summer flood events changes the patch number, density, size, and splitting degree of oasis–desert ecotone vegetation. The socioeconomic factors including total population and irrigation area are more important driving forces on oasis landscape fragmentation, compared with natural factors such as temperature and precipitation. Rural expansion, road and canal system developments caused by population growth, and the rising number of households increase oasis landscape fragmentation. Rapid economic development, such as agricultural expansion and urbanization, has imposed the intensification of landscape fragmentation. Fragmentation reaches peak when agricultural development makes up 40–50% of study area. Rural residential reconstruction and farmland transfer policies facilitate the intensive utilization of land toward oasis fragmentation solutions, but many factors, such as landholders' household characteristics and living conditions, are partly responsible for the challenges in land consolidation. This study also demonstrates that intense human activities pose a great threat for land consolidation and sustainable development of oasis landscape. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper analyzes Nepal's current livestock policy, which is rooted in culture and religion, and the extent to which its design has not kept pace with the continuing transformation of the country's agricultural landscape. It estimates the impact of the no-slaughtering of cattle policy on dairy producers using Latin hypercube simulations to quantify a baseline and alternative scenario for cattle milk production. The baseline models the current production system, while the alternative scenario models milk production where producers are allowed to slaughter or export cattle. Results indicate that farmers' profit per liter of milk increases by 19 to 31 percent in the alternative scenario. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Biodiversity in European agricultural landscapes is at stake, with many once widespread species now being endangered, extinct or confined to few areas.So is the Danube Clouded Yellow butterfly, Colias myrmidone, with few populations left in three Eastern European countries, namely Poland, Slovakia and Romania. However, ecological understanding of its relationship to environmental conditions and land‐use practises is piecemeal.Here, we quantify the environmental conditions determining the distribution of C. myrmidone for some of its last known strongholds in Romania.We performed random stratified searches for the butterfly and its hostplant Chamaecytisus sp. in and around three Natura 2000 sites in Transylvania, which we have subdivided into 100 × 100 m grid cells. During 2016–2019, we observed C. myrmidone in 1765 grid cells. Logistic regression modelling related the presence of C. myrmidone and its hostplant to temperature, precipitation, slope, distance to forest, land cover and aspect.The butterfly was more likely to occur with higher temperatures and higher precipitation and was associated with flat and slightly inclined slopes near forests. Furthermore, the probability was higher on grasslands, pastures and in agricultural mosaic landscapes compared to arable land and forests, with a preference for an Eastern and north‐western aspect. We extrapolated these findings to predict potential other areas of occurrences with a precision of 91%.Our resulting map may be useful for conservationists to prioritise assessments and area‐based conservation strategies for safeguarding this highly endangered species also outside the designated Natura 2000 sites. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The problems of atmospheric pollutants are causing significant concern across the globe and in India. The aggravated level of atmospheric pollutants in the surrounding environment poses serious threats to normal living conditions by deteriorating air quality and causing adverse health impacts. Pollutant concentration increases during harvesting seasons of Kharif/Rabi due to stubble burning and is aggravated by other points or mobile sources. The present study is intended to monitor the spatio-temporal variation of the major atmospheric pollutants using Sentinel-5P TROPOMI data through cloud computing. Land Use/Land Cover (LULC-categorization or classification of human activities and natural coverage on the landscape) was utilised to extract the agricultural area in the study site. It involves the cloud computing of MOD64A1 (MODIS Burned monthly gridded data) and Sentinel-5P TROPOMI (S5P Tropomi) data for major atmospheric pollutants, such as CH4, NO2, SOX, CO, aerosol, and HCHO. The burned area output provided information regarding the stubble burning period, which has seen post-harvesting agricultural residue burning after Kharif crop harvesting (i.e., rice from April to June) and Rabi crop harvesting (i.e., wheat from September to November). The long duration of stubble burning is due to variation in farmers' harvesting and burning stubble/biomass remains in the field for successive crops. This period was used as criteria for considering the cloud computing of the Sentinel-5P TROPOMI data for atmospheric pollutants concentration in the study site. The results showed a significant increase in CH4, SO2, SOX, CO, and aerosol concentration during the AMJ months (stubble burning of Rabi crops) and OND months (stubble burning of Kharif crops) of each year. The results are validated with the ground control station data for PM2.5/PM10. and patterns of precipitation and temperature-gridded datasets. The trajectory frequency for air mass movement using the HYSPLIT model showed that the highest frequency and concentration were observed during OND months, followed by the AMJ months of each year (2018, 2019, 2020, and 2021). This study supports the role and robustness of Earth observation Sentinel-5P TROPOMI to monitor and evaluate air quality and pollutants distribution. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Agricultural intensification leads to wide ranging changes in habitats along with reduction in nesting site availability and flower resources for wild pollinators. Yet, little is known about the impact of these changes on functional traits of communal ground‐nesting bees.This study assesses the abundance and body size of a common and widespread North American ground‐nesting bee, Agapostemon virescens, throughout three consecutive years at three land use types: (i) unmowed meadows, (ii) conventional pesticide use and mowed agricultural and (iii) organic pesticide‐free mowed landscapes.We found no difference in abundance among the three land use types, but body size of spring bees was smaller at farmlands than meadow sites. Body size also varied among years, and bees were smaller in years that followed warm and dry summer seasons. Spring bees were particularly small at organic farms in years following dry and warm summers.Our results suggest that the smaller size of overwintering bees at agricultural lands could compromise their long‐term survival. This study indicates that a higher frequency of dry and warm summers as a consequence of climate change can impede bee populations in the future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Tropical dry forests (TDFs) represent 42% of all tropical forests; they are extensive, but little is known of their structure and function. The fine litterfall represents the main route of circulation of organic materials and nutrients in these ecosystems. The objective of this study was to compare several remnants of TDFs located in contrasting landscape units—Mountain and Lomerio—and with different precipitation, in terms of the fluxes of organic materials to the soil, derived from the production of fine litterfall from the canopy. The fine litterfall (including woody material up to 2 cm in diameter) was collected monthly from April 2020 to March 2021, in 29 circular plots of 500 m2 randomly established. High rates of litterfall were recorded in the Lomerio landscape (4.9 Mg ha−1) than in the Mountain landscape (4.5 Mg ha−1). The monthly leaf litter production showed clear seasonal patterns, which were largely driven by the importance of the species in the landscape and the effect of precipitation during the study. Annual fine litter production observed in this study in comparison with other TDFs indicates relevant productivity levels, which contribute to the activation of biogeochemical cycles and improved ecosystem functionality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Water scarcity is a growing challenge in semi-arid and sub-humid areas. There are over 2000 small reservoirs (SRs) with storage capacities of up to 1 × 106 m3 across West Africa's dry areas. Based on a comprehensive literature review, we found strong evidence that SRs enable improved food security, livelihoods, and income diversification through fishing and livestock production. However, their productivity is far below their potential. Evidence on water quantity and quality is scattered, making deriving conclusions difficult. Review findings suggest that, unlike large dams, SRs have minimal impact on water balance and rainfall-runoff. There is, therefore, considerable potential to develop more SRs. However, high rates of sedimentation substantially reduce reservoir storage capacity. Poor irrigation management and agronomic practices also contribute to low productivity. Water quality is not systematically monitored, so SRs can increase health risks such as malaria and schistosomiasis. With the intensification of settlements, livestock, and agriculture around the reservoirs, it is critical to improve water quality and quantity monitoring. We conclude that SRs are important nature-based solutions, but need more investment to support the climate-proofing of agriculture and livelihoods. We recommend governments develop long-term small reservoir support programs to strengthen local capacities to manage the reservoirs and their watersheds sustainably. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Modern agriculture is becoming increasingly pollinator-dependent. However, the global stock of domesticated honeybees is growing at a slower rate than its demand, while wild bees are declining worldwide. This uneven scenario of high pollinator demand and low pollinator availability can translate into increasing pollination limitation, reducing the yield of pollinator-dependent crops. However, overall assessments of crop pollination limitation and the factors determining its magnitude are missing. Based on 52 published studies including 30 crops, we conducted a meta-analysis comparing crop yield in pollen-supplemented versus open-pollinated flowers. We assessed the overall magnitude of pollination limitation and whether this magnitude was influenced by (i) the presence/absence of managed honeybees, (ii) crop compatibility system (i.e. self-compatible/self-incompatible) and (iii) the interaction between these two factors. Overall, pollen supplementation increased yield by approximately 34%, indicating sizable pollination limitation. Deployment of managed honeybees and self-compatibility were associated with lower pollination limitation. Particularly, active honeybee management decreased pollination limitation among self-compatible but apparently not among self-incompatible crops. These findings indicate that current pollination regimes are, in general, inadequate to maximize crop yield, even when including managed honeybees, and stress the need of transforming the pollination management paradigm of agricultural landscapes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The role of shelterbelts within an agricultural landscape is changing significantly. In the past, shelterbelts have been encouraged and established to reduce soil erosion and increase crop yields. Land reform (land privatisation) and advances in production technology led to increases in agricultural holding size. This requires a revision of policy concerning shelterbelt management in rural communities, especially since there is no recent research on community perceptions regarding the adoption and retention of shelterbelts. The specific objective of this research was to identify the public costs, benefits and obstacles from the adoption and retention of shelterbelts. In the summer of 2019, a survey was conducted of territorial communities (hromadas) in Ukraine. It was observed that many of the benefits of shelterbelts were classified as non-economic. Therefore, these benefits are more difficult for the leaders of hromadas to recognise within their management decisions. The costs to hromadas were identified and strongly affected management decisions but the actual monetary costs were not identified. Shelterbelts have the potential to mitigate climate change yet most hromadas do not recognise the social and environmental benefits of shelterbelts within their management decisions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A new approach for sites prioritization and designing measures on land drainage was developed and tested on the 96.5 km2 Žejbro catchment (Czech Republic). The aim was to design an effective, mutually interconnected system of measures, on tiles, manholes, outlets as well as on ditches (s.c. main drainage facilities, MDF) that will increase water retention and storage in intensively farmed and tile-drained catchments and will reduce water pollution from subsurface non-point sources (drainage runoff). This approach consists of (I) selecting suitable sites using the Catchment Measures Need Index (CAMNI) method; (II) obtaining information on land drainage in the area of interest; (III) conducting a field survey and water quality monitoring; (IV) designing appropriate systems of measures; and (V) analysing the estimated costs of the proposed measures. Measures were proposed for fourteen sub-catchments that were selected based on the results of a CAMNI analysis and whether an MDF or a heavily modified stream is present. A total of 44 point measures, 62 areal measures, and 99 line measures were proposed. Implementation of these measures would reduce the load of N-NO3, a major pollutant from drainage runoff, by 44 tons per year (48%). From the financial point of view, these measures are not self-financing and the benefits do not cover the expected costs of their implementation and maintenance. However, these measures have a profound ecological and societal benefits which, when taken into account, make these measures suitable for implementation when (co-)financed from public budgets. Putting the presented approach into practice, for example, in the framework of complex land consolidations or by watershed management authorities, could significantly improve the condition and water regime of intensively drained agricultural landscapes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Land use within a watershed impacts stream channel morphology and hydrology and, therefore, in‐stream solute transport processes and associated transient storage mechanisms. This study evaluated transport processes in two contrasting stream sites where channel morphology was influenced by the surrounding land use, land cover, climate and geologic controls: Como Creek, CO, a relatively undisturbed, high gradient, forested stream with a gravel bed and complex channel morphology, and Clear Creek, IA, an incised, low‐gradient stream with low‐permeability substrate draining an agricultural landscape. We performed conservative stream tracer injections at these sites to address the following questions: (1) How does solute transport vary between streams with differing morphologies? and (2) How does solute transport at each stream site change as a function of discharge? We analysed in‐stream tracer time series data and compared results quantifying solute attenuation in surface and subsurface transient storage zones. Significant trends were observed in these metrics with varying discharge conditions at the forested site but not at the agricultural site. There was a broad range of transport mechanisms and evidence of substantial exchange with both surface and hyporheic transient storage in the relatively undisturbed, forested stream. Changing discharge conditions activated or deactivated different solute transport mechanisms in the forested site and greatly impacted advective travel time. Conversely in the simplified agricultural stream, there was a narrow range of solute transport behaviour across flows and predominantly surface transient storage at all measured discharge conditions. These results demonstrate how channel simplification inhibits available solute transport mechanisms across varying discharge conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fragmentation creates heterogeneous landscapes with different interactions and trajectories. In this scenario, the understanding in how forest fragment sizes influence forest species patterns can lead the way for biodiversity management and conservation in agricultural landscapes. The aim of this study was to compare the density and the diameter distribution of Bertholletia excelsa, Carapa guianensis and Cedrelinga cateniformis among fragments of different sizes, located at the Agro-Extractivist Settlement Project Praialta Piranheira, Pará State, Brazil. Data were collected from adult and sapling trees in six forest fragments. Adult and sapling density was compared among fragment sizes by the Mann–Whitney test, while diameter distributions were compared by a summary statistic calculated using the scores of a PCA produced with the results of the binomial logit model between tree DBH and the cumulative DBH proportions. The density of adult trees of three species is similar among different-sized fragments. Only the saplings of C. cateniformis showed a significant difference in density among fragment sizes. The DBH distribution of adults, for all three species, seems to also not respond to fragmentation, since the differences in the DBH distribution curves among fragments were large. The results of this study suggest that in areas established for agroextractivism, all fragments (large and small) no longer have sustainable populations (except only one C. guianensis population), probably due to anthropic pressure exerted by agroextractivism. So, it is important to ensure the structural and environmental quality of the forest fragments for the conservation of the species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Intensified agricultural production systems relying on larger field sizes and homogeneous landscapes result in land degradation, biodiversity losses, and impaired ecosystem services, particularly regulating services such as water and climate regulation. A multifunctional landscape composition and configuration promises higher ecosystem functionality by balancing ecological and economic provisioning functionality for food, fuel, and fiber. However, to the best of our knowledge, not much is known about the synergies and trade-offs of different landscape compositions and configurations and landscape designs providing ecosystem functionality in economic and ecological dimensions. We addressed the question whether the ecosystem functionality of agricultural landscapes can be improved at given levels of economic valuation. We quantified potential improvements of ecosystem functionality through multifunctional landscape composition and configuration. We identified agricultural landscapes that provide high ecosystem functionality at their level of economic valuation, given that such regions may serve as role models for a target landscape composition. Using an eco-efficiency approach based on the non-parametric order -m estimator, we quantified potential improvements of ecosystem functionality at the agricultural landscapes scale. We used the 20 km2 hexagonal grid level in the Federal State of North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany. We described landscape composition and configuration using spatially explicit land cover data from the Integrated Administration and Control System (IACS); land value data indicated the economic output of the landscape. We investigated robustness of our results under different grid specifications (10–50 km2) and using subsamples of regions with similar environmental conditions. We found on average high eco-efficiency of agricultural landscapes in the study region. We also found notable improvement potentials in at least one ecological indicator that were spatially clustered. The results suggest the potential for Pareto improvements, i.e., increasing landscape eco-efficiency without sacrificing economic outputs. We present a novel empirical approach to evaluate the eco-efficiency of agricultural landscapes and investigate spatial patterns of eco-efficiency at the landscape scale. We modeled landscapes' potential multifunctionality at a fine regional scale using indicators for landscape composition and configuration based on spatially explicit and highly granular land use and land management data. We relied on publicly available data, and our approach can serve to develop monitoring or policy evaluation at the landscape scale. [Display omitted] • Multifunctional landscape composition and configuration promises higher ecosystem functionality. • We quantify improvement potentials of ecosystem functionality for a given level of economic output. • Eco-efficiency analysis uses granular spatially explicit data to represent economic output and ecosystem functionality. • Agricultural landscapes show spatially clustered improvement potentials in at least one ecological dimension. • Approach can serve to develop and monitor locally adapted policies at landscape scale. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Artificial water bodies in agricultural landscapes (hereafter 'farm dams') are established primarily to support livestock and crop production but also provide habitats for a wide range of native species. Managing water quality in farm dams is essential to animal production and biodiversity. Farm dam enhancement, which includes restricting direct access of stock to dams, can improve water quality in farm dams, by reducing soil erosion and direct faecal contamination, as well as reducing the trampling, grazing, and browsing of vegetation in the immediate catchment. We tested farm dam enhancement as a tool to improve and maintain water quality in 109 farm dams across 34 farms over three years in the sheep-wheat belt of southeast Australia. Using Bayesian Linear Mixed Models, we found that farm dam enhancement significantly reduced levels of phosphorus, nitrogen, turbidity, thermotolerant coliforms, Escherichia coli , and pH. Furthermore, our study revealed links between dam enhancement, increases in vegetation cover, and improved water quality. Our results show that restoration efforts in the surrounds of dams can have positive results on water quality. They highlight the importance of restoration in agricultural landscapes to both agricultural production and biodiversity. • Managing water quality in farms dams is essential to production and biodiversity. • Dams can be enhanced by restoring vegetation and reducing direct stock access. • Dam enhancement significantly reduced levels of phosphorus and nitrogen. • It also reduced turbidity, thermotolerant coliforms, and Escherichia coli. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The agricultural landscape, which serves as a space for food production and a habitat for all kinds of living organisms, is under constant pressure to use the land in various different ways, causing constant changes in the environment. Various socio-economic, technical or political drivers have caused land use changes, which are linked to a number of socio-economic and environmental problems, e.g., different possible land uses competing with each other, changes of landscape character, increasing anthropisation of the territory and disruption of spatial ecological stability, threatening the environmental quality and causing overexploitation of natural resources. The aim of this paper is to evaluate land use changes in Slovakia since the 18th century, to identify key periods of land-management practices and prevailing drivers, and to specify the socio-economic and environmental impacts of land-use change. We organized a workshop with guided brainstorming to identify individual eras of agricultural development and their impacts. In total, we identified five main periods of agricultural landscape development and specified the characteristic landscape structure. Knowledge of the basic drivers of land use change as well as of its effects on the land is important for development of effective policies and for ensuring effective protection of the values of traditional agricultural landscape.

We investigated the impact of the effluent from four constructed wetlands on the structure of the macroinvertebrate and macrophyte communities in the receiving watercourses including the river Pesnica and the Sejanci Stream and Pavlovci Stream in NE Slovenia. Macroinvertebrates and macrophytes were sampled on the sites upstream and downstream of the inflows. Selected environmental parameters were also analyzed on each site. Among the measured chemical and physical parameters, the concentration of NH 4 –N in the water was the only one that was changed significantly by the inflow from constructed wetlands (CWs). The metrics obtained on the base of the macroinvertebrate community, including the values of diversity indices, the proportion of sensitive taxa and the saprobic index, revealed no significant statistical differences between the upstream and downstream values. Inflows of effluent also have no detectable impact on macrophytes. The removal of degradable organic matter, nitrogen, phosphorus, and suspended solids from the wastewater in studied CWs was sufficient to support this situation, and this has been encouraging to construct new CWs. • The concentration of NH 4 -N was significantly higher downstream the CWs. • Inflows had no detectable influence on macrophyte and macroinvertebrate communities. • Wider usage of similar CWs is recommended. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pollinator declines have emerged as a major conservation concern across a wide diversity of systems and taxa worldwide. In response to these concerns, active efforts to conserve pollinators are increasingly considered in agricultural landscape design and management, natural area management, and public land decision‐making. An important conservation challenge is translating these efforts to feasible recommendations that agriculturalists across a diversity of systems and contexts can employ to support pollinator communities. In order to develop such a toolbox for agriculturalists, we conducted a meta‐analysis to examine feasible management practices, tools, or decisions, employed in agricultural landscapes, that directly impact pollinator forage and nest site resources. Our search terms netted a total of 743 unique references; from this, we developed a dataset of 209 unique records, derived from 89 unique references, for inclusion in our meta‐analysis. We found that across all treatments aimed at boosting pollinators, there were significant increases in bee abundance, bee species richness, and overall pollinator abundance and visitation rate. We also found specifically that across all study types, the following practices resulted in positive changes in pollinator community responses: reduced distance to natural areas, reduced regional intensity of human modification, increased quantity and quality of pollinator resources within a focal system, plantings adjacent to agricultural areas, and the use of nonconventional agricultural practices. The most consistent pollinator response to treatments was bee species richness, which was significantly increased by plantings adjacent to agricultural areas, distance from natural areas, and quantity and diversity of pollinator resources. Bee species richness also decreased with intensity of human modification. These findings are presented in a toolbox for agriculturalists, containing evidence‐based actions and outcomes to assist practitioners in decision‐making specific to pollinator habitat improvement that could be actionable in the near term. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The study examined the impacts of urbanisation on rural farm families around Akure metropolis. It specifically discussed the perceived features of urbanisation by male and female respondents, examined the perceived effects of urbanisation on agriculture and the constraints encountered by farmers. Multistage sampling procedure was used to select 180 respondents in Akure North and South Local Government Areas. Structured interview schedule was used to elicit information from equal number of male and female respondents. Data were analysed using descriptive and inferential statistics. The findings included that most respondents were within the active age range (40 - 49 years) with more female, many inherited their farm land and the female respondents had more access to land than the male. The male and female respondents differ in most of their ranking of the features of urbanisation and the constraints encountered. The highly ranked constraints encountered by male and female respondents include reduction in farmland, family labour, rise in land conflicts and security issues with variation in types of crop cultivated between male and female respondents. Results of Chi-square analysis showed that sex (X2 = 1.381, p = 0.040), marital status (X2 = 20.05, p = 0.001) and educational status (X2 = 6.312, p = 0.023) were statistically related to the perceived effects of urbanisation in farm communities. Also, farm size had significant (p<0.05) negative correlation with effects of urbanisation on agriculture for both male (r = - 0.306) and female (r = -0.78) while farming experience was positively correlated for both male (r= 0.507) and female (r= 0.810). There exists significant difference between male and female respondents on the perceived effects of urbanisation on farm families while urbanisation had both positive and negative effects on rural farm families and rural development. Therefore, any planned intervention to reduce and mitigate the unplanned outcome of urbanisation should take advantage of the identified positive effects and minimise the negative consequences of urbanisation for the survival of the rural farm families and agriculture. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Context: Most data collection and analyses in soundscape ecology have focused on summer or breeding seasons in urban or protected landscapes, missing important acoustic dynamics in winter, non-breeding periods and in agricultural landscapes, a land-use that constitutes 39% of ice-free surface globally. Objectives: To address these gaps, we examined the variation of winter soundscapes across a rural agricultural landscape of Nebraska, USA. We compared high and low traffic sites, testing if traffic levels affected soundscape structure. Methods: We recorded sound over two winters at 19 sites located adjacent to major and minor roadways. We calculated eight unique soundscape indexes to quantify the soundscape over time as a function of traffic and land cover. We applied filters at 80, 1000, and 2000 Hz. Results: We found clear statistical differences between high and low traffic sites in 7 of 8 soundscape indexes. Soundscape varied throughout the day, but not throughout the season. There was a clear negative correlation between technophony (human-derived sounds) and biophony (ecologically derived sounds) across sites. We found that not all indices may be suitable for all ecosystems. Conclusions: We quantified the effects of noise pollution on the soundscape of understudied habitats during winter months. By using soundscape indexes as surrogates for biodiversity, acoustic sampling could be an effective method for monitoring biodiversity when traditional methods may be ineffective or too costly. However, caution needs to be taken when choosing indices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Kettle holes are found in young moraine landscapes and serve as an important habitat for amphibians. The loss of amphibians has been dramatic in recent decades, mainly because of the increase in land use intensity and deterioration of habitats e.g., kettle holes in agricultural landscapes. We monitored amphibian species on three organically managed farms in north-eastern Germany to get an overview of their occurrence and proof of reproduction to develop effective protection strategies. From 2016 to 2020, we investigated 50 kettle holes in cultivated fields. In 2018, we implemented the nature conservation measure 'cutting back dense wooded belts' in six of these kettle holes. Here, we focused on seven species considering four highly endangered species. We found six to seven species in up to 17 kettle holes in the 44 kettle holes without the measure 'cutting back dense wooded belts'. Bombina bombina occurred at the most kettle holes (57%). The number of kettle holes where amphibians reproduced differed strongly. On average, at least one species reproduced at 58% of the kettle holes. Many kettle holes become overgrown with negative effects for amphibians due to the reduction in solar irradiation and higher water consumption. The nature conservation measure increased the number of species on average from two to four and the number of species with reproduction from one to three. It is one of more than 100 measures in the 'Farming for Biodiversity' project that farmers can choose to receive a nature conservation certificate, which can be used for marketing purposes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Agricultural landscapes support multiple functions and are of great importance for biodiversity. Heterogeneous agricultural mosaics of cropland and grassland commonly result from variable land use practices and ecosystem service demands. Switzerland's agricultural land use is considerably spatially heterogeneous due to strong variability in conditions, especially topography and climate, thus presenting challenges to automated agricultural mapping. Nationwide knowledge of the location of cropland and grassland is necessary for effective conservation and land use planning. We mapped the distribution of cropland and permanent grassland across Switzerland. We used several indices largely derived from Sentinel-2 satellite imagery captured over multiple growing seasons and parcel-based training data derived from landholder reporting. The mapping was conducted within Google Earth Engine using a random forest classifier. The resulting map has high accuracy in lowlands as well as in mountainous areas. The map will act as a base agricultural land cover dataset for researchers and practitioners working in agricultural areas of Switzerland and interested in land cover and landscape structure. The map as well as the training data and calculation algorithms (using Google Earth Engine) are freely available for download on the EnviDat platform 10.16904/envidat.205 (Pazúr et al., 2021). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Economic growth in Indonesia requires the development of infrastructure, such as roads, service buildings, and others. This causes the demand for land to increase, one of which is in Dramaga Village. As a result, there is less agricultural land in Dramaga Village because a lot of agricultural land has been converted. The purpose of this study was to analyze the driving factors for land use change and their impact on the community in Dramaga Village. The study used a qualitative approach, namely direct observation and in-depth interviews supported by secondary data in the form of literature studies, field notes, and supporting documents. The results showed that the driving factors for land use change in Dramaga Village were due to the lack of income from working on the land, no one wanted to work on the land, and the desire to get lots of money instantly, so not a few lands in Dramaga Village were sold and converted become settlements, restaurants, cafes, and other buildings. The development in Dramaga Village is indeed economically beneficial for the surrounding community. However, this raises concerns for farmers that they will lose their livelihoods and cause food problems in Indonesia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Productive land is a source of livelihood for most people, although some farmers can only rent land to others as happened in Ciherang Village. The conversion of agricultural land into non-agricultural areas has increased in Ciherang Village, which is still an area with high rice production. This encourages farmers to have a dual livelihood pattern by working in the non-farm or off-farm sector. This research can explain the relationship between the tenure system and the community's livelihood strategy in responding to the phenomena that occur. The purpose of this study was to analyze the relationship between the tenure system and livelihood patterns. The results of this study show how changes in the tenure system encourage smallholders to change their livelihood patterns in line with massive land conversion. This has encouraged many of the farmers to work in the non-farm and off-farm fields, such as having jobs as drivers or traders. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Prohibition of ownership of agricultural land in absentees is still often found in various areas, especially rural areas. Agricultural land absentee until now can still be found in Suka Maju Village. Implementing the prohibition that has not been able to apply optimally in the village causes a new problem. One of the absentee lands in the village was abandoned by the owner, causing a dispute over the ownership of land rights with the villagers. The purpose of this study was to determine the cause of absentee land ownership in Suka Maju Village and the legal implications that can occur if you own agricultural land absentee. The approach method used in this research is empirical juridical with descriptive-analytical research specifications. The data used in this study are primary data and secondary data, which are then processed using qualitative analysis techniques. The results showed two causes of absentee ownership of agricultural land in Suka Maju Village. First, there is a legal act in the form of buying and selling. Second, a legal event in the form of death causes inheritance. Absentee agricultural land owners can affect the abolition of land rights if their absentee land owner does not carry out the obligations stipulated in the legislation. Heirs who own agricultural land in the absentee are obliged to carry out the provisions stipulated in Article 3c of PP No. 41 of 1964 as one way to save stored land rights. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Context: Evidence-based knowledge is crucial for place-based knowledge production and learning towards sustainable landscapes through stewardship and integrated spatial planning. Objectives: We focus on the landscape service concept as a tool, and three fundamental challenges for its use: (1) how to monitor benefits provided by different landscapes; (2) to demonstrate trade-offs and synergies among benefits in a landscape; and (3) to discuss how to incorporate results from analyses into landscape stewardship and planning. Methods: As a case study we chose the Iranian Qazvin province with diverse natural and anthropogenic landscapes, and top-down societal steering. Five landscape services (water yield, water regulation, pollination, actual net primary production (NPPact) and social-cultural connectivity) were assessed and compared. Results: All landscape services were significantly correlated. Major trade-offs and synergies among services were between NPPact and water yield and regulation. Trade-off and synergy clusters showed that landscape functions depend on both natural and anthropogenic landscape patterns and processes. Conclusions: Providing transparent data about trade-offs and synergies among landscape services can facilitate learning about which services are important among landscapes. For each of six settings we suggest action plans. We discuss the role of Iranian landscape stewardship and planning, and integrative research needs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the western part of the Rio Grande do Sul state - Brazil, there are sand spots (called areais) embedded in the Brazilian Pampa landscape. These sand spots, which are associated with unstable and/or stable aeolian deposits, are a legacy of drier climates from the past rather than the present one. Therefore, they provide important paleoclimatic evidence for understanding the evolution of this landscape. Currently, the sand deposits, which had their genesis in dry climates, are subject, at the same time, to wind action in the dry seasons, and surface and subsurface erosion in the rainy season, which remobilizes the unconsolidated sediments, initiating the sandization process and the formation of sand spots. In this study, we propose to identify, classify, and map these aeolian paleofeatures (stable aeolian deposits and sandstones), to understand their erosional and depositional dynamics, and to evaluate the contexts of evolution and agricultural pressure of grazing and monoculture systems in the study area, which characterize the Pampa. It can be stated that the stable aeolian deposits exhibit forms remodeled by pluvial and fluvial erosions, still presenting different degrees of morphological preservation concerning those of the recent past, which is why the present hills can be associated with Holocene longitudinal dune fields. As for agricultural dynamics, the conversion of these hills, mainly from pastureland, used for grazing, into tree and grain monocultures has intensified the pressure on water resources, herbaceous vegetation, and soils (Quartz Neosols), which are particularly sensitive to water and wind erosion. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Przeglad Prawa Rolnego is the property of Adam Mickiewicz University 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 article attempts to define and determine the intangible components of cultural heritage related to the spatial structure of land in a comprehensive way using computational methods. The components were quantified and a method of empirical evaluation of landscape durability was proposed for agricultural areas of significant cultural and historical value with an evident mosaic structure of fields, baulks, ponds, meadows, and forests. This method allows us to identify places more resistant to political transformation and those with greater cultural potential. The paper proposed an integrated approach to the measuring of the degree of preservation of spatial arrangements in the landscape based on a set of objects that describe the spatial land structure. The article classifies areas by the degree of preservation of rural spatial arrangements of land. The spatial analysis employed facilitated a synthetic quantification of the multi-criteria process. Three groups of factors were used: spatial assessment of land-cover type persistence (u), agricultural land structure persistence (w), and persistence of settlement buildings (z). The final results pinpointed areas in need of strategic intervention to sufficiently protect the rural cultural heritage, properly consider them in zoning planning, and ensure their sustainable development. The proposed tool can be used to monitor the degree of changes in the landscape layout structure when multiple time points are analysed as well. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]