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BackgroundOrganophosphorus pesticides (OP) have been associated with various human health conditions. Animal experiments and in-vitro models suggested that OP may also affect the gut microbiota. We examined associations between ambient chronic exposure to OP and gut microbial changes in humans.MethodsWe recruited 190 participants from a community-based epidemiologic study of Parkinson's disease living in a region known for heavy agricultural pesticide use in California. Of these, 61% of participants had Parkinson's disease and their mean age was 72 years. Microbiome and predicted metagenome data were generated by 16S rRNA gene sequencing of fecal samples. Ambient long-term OP exposures were assessed using pesticide application records combined with residential addresses in a geographic information system. We examined gut microbiome differences due to OP exposures, specifically differences in microbial diversity based on the Shannon index and Bray-Curtis dissimilarities, and differential taxa abundance and predicted Metacyc pathway expression relying on regression models and adjusting for potential confounders.ResultsOP exposure was not associated with alpha or beta diversity of the gut microbiome. However, the predicted metagenome was sparser and less evenly expressed among those highly exposed to OP (p = 0.04). Additionally, we found that the abundance of two bacterial families, 22 genera, and the predicted expression of 34 Metacyc pathways were associated with long-term OP exposure. These pathways included perturbed processes related to cellular respiration, increased biosynthesis and degradation of compounds related to bacterial wall structure, increased biosynthesis of RNA/DNA precursors, and decreased synthesis of Vitamin B1 and B6.ConclusionIn support of previous animal studies and in-vitro findings, our results suggest that ambient chronic OP pesticide exposure alters gut microbiome composition and its predicted metabolism in humans.

ABSTRACT Population genomics has great potential to inform applied conservation management and associated policy. However, the bioinformatic analyses and interpretation of population genomic datasets can be daunting and difficult to convey to nonspecialists, including on‐the‐ground conservationists that work with many state, federal and international agencies. We think that individual population genomic metrics of interest can be interpolated and ultimately distilled into thematic GIS layers that represent spatiotemporal genomic potential (or conversely, susceptibility) in conservation monitoring. As examples relevant to ongoing conservation efforts, we use introgressive hybridisation and individual heterozygosity to illustrate a conceptual approach for mapping population genomic susceptibility. The general framework of thematic layers could be extended to integrate key genomic metrics (e.g., runs of homozygosity and genomic load) that are relevant to many conservation efforts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Climate change is creating massive worldwide risks to people's lives and livelihoods. Developing comprehensive and reliable techniques to estimate climate risk is crucial for climate mitigation and adaptation process. By employing multi-criteria decision-making (MCDM) techniques using principal component analysis (PCA) and the analytical hierarchy process (AHP), this study assessed climate change risks in Raichur Taluk, Karnataka, India. The study developed a novel PCA drought index (PCADI) using ArcGIS incorporating eight drought risk indicators. Ten flood risk parameters were employed using the AHP technique and the flood risk map was created for the Taluk by overlaying the selected weighted thematic layers. As a result, several villages within the Taluk are prone to flooding. Extreme climatic events evaluated by the reconnaissance drought index, standardised precipitation index, and streamflow drought index indicated 20 years of unique drought episodes with differing severity and flood risk over seven different periods. Our study further demonstrated that the annual average count of rainy days when RR ≥ 10 mm and RR ≥ 20 mm was recorded to be 18.33 and 6.49, respectively, showing a declining trend that may worsen the water situation. Results also show shifts in temperature extremes, with decreasing cold days (TX10p) and nights (TN10p) and increasing hot days (TX90p) and nights (TN90p). The validation results indicate strong and significant correlations between meteorological and remote sensing drought indicators; SPI_12 with NDVI and VCI (r = 0.908, p < 0.05; r = 0.983, p < 0.01), VCI with SP1_6 (r = 0.988, p < 0.01), and VCI with RDI (r = 0.988, p < 0.01). The result from the present study along with socioeconomic information of the Raichur Taluk can be used to develop better policies underlying better climate resilient strategies for the Taluk in the future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Environmental conditions highly affect decomposition rates and therefore a forensic practitioner should consider context‐specific information when estimating the post mortem interval (PMI). Traditional methods of collecting environmental data, however, are time‐consuming and often impractical for large‐scale studies or routine forensic investigations. This study developed an automated computer method by employing the technology of geographic information systems (GIS) and Python programming language to provide contextual information for bodies found outdoors in Greece. The generated coding script underwent testing on 95 bodies in various stages of decomposition, which were examined between the years 1999 and 2022 at the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens and the Forensic Medical Service of Thessaloniki. Using ArcGIS Pro software and publicly available online data, a multilayer map was developed. Individual layers included high‐resolution aerial images and data on the European Nature Information System ecosystem type, the Köppen–Geiger climatic type, the population density, the elevation, and the slope. Additionally, 99 national weather stations and their corresponding meteorological data were integrated. By leveraging the geographical coordinates of the recovery site of each case and information about the decedent's disappearance and recovery dates, this script automatically generates details from each of the above layers. Additionally, it calculates the accumulated degree days (ADD) and accumulated humidity days (AHD) values by extracting data from the nearest weather station. The GIS‐based approach enables rapid, objective, and reproducible taphonomic profile construction, which can greatly improve the reliability of PMI estimations. By utilizing this method, forensic practitioners can accurately evaluate environmental effects on decomposition, thus standardizing taphonomic profiling globally. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Most studies (13/20) supported unhealthy food environments as a risk factor of CVD. • Healthy food environments were positively linked with CVD in 3 out of 7 studies. • The relationship between comprehensive food environments and CVD was inconsistent. • Future studies should examine food environments and CVD in developing countries. Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the leading cause of death worldwide, particularly affecting low- and middle-income countries. Food environments may be linked with the risk of CVD; however, current study findings regarding their relationship are inconsistent. A systematic review of their associations is needed to guide interventions to improve cardiovascular health. This systematic review aimed to comprehensively assess the relationship between food environments and CVD outcomes, including incidence, hospitalization, mortality, and recurrence rates. According to PRISMA guidelines, a systematic search was conducted until 28th March 2024, using eight databases, including PubMed, Embase, Ovid, CINAHL, Web of Science, Cochrane Library, China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), and Wanfang Data. The review quality was assessed according to the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) and Newcastle-Ottawa Scale (NOS). The included studies were categorized based on their exposure factors into unhealthy, healthy, and comprehensive food environments, encompassing facilities that offer healthy and unhealthy foods. The findings were narratively synthesized according to this classification. A total of 23 studies, encompassing 13 cross-sectional studies and 10 cohort-longitudinal studies, were included in this review. Among the 20 studies on unhealthy food environments, 13 found a positive association with CVD outcomes. Of the seven studies on healthy food environments, 3 found a negative association with CVD outcomes. Additionally, 4 out of 8 studies on comprehensive food environments found a significant but inconsistent association with CVD outcomes. This study suggested that unhealthy food environments are probably associated with CVD outcomes. At the same time, there is currently no conclusive evidence to indicate a relationship between healthy food environments or comprehensive food environments and CVD outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The study aimed to determine the perception on the integration of Geographic Information System (GIS)-based learning among the college students and tried to analyze the student's academic competency, mastery goals and in determining their academic performance towards GIS integration. The study employed descriptive correlational design to collect quantifiable information of the respondents towards the integration of GIS-based learning in which one hundred eighteen (118) randomly selected Civil Engineering students of MSU-IIT who undergone GIS in the 1st semester A.Y. 2022-2023. The results revealed that in the perception on the integration of Geographic Information System (GIS)-based learning in the classroom as to the academic competency the respondents strongly agree with the total average weighted mean of x=3.25 and the SD + 0.42, thus, as to their mastery goal results showed that respondents agree with the total average weighted mean of x=2.59 and the SD + 0.55, hence, there was a significant relationship between the academic performance and the demographic profile in terms of age. However, the data demonstrated that age and mastery objective play a key role in the integration of GIS-based learning, indicating that age was solely influenced by this element, which was associated with the content's mastering. As a result, we may conclude that using GIS-based teaching improves respondents' academic achievement. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The size and shape of an animal's breeding territory are dynamic features influenced by multiple intrinsic and extrinsic factors and can have important implications for survival and reproduction. Quantitative studies of variation in these territory features can generate deeper insights into animal ecology and behavior. We explored the effect of age, breeding strategy, population density, and number of neighbors on the size and shape of breeding territories in an island population of Passerculus sandwichensis (Savannah Sparrow). Our dataset consisted of 407 breeding territories belonging to 225 males sampled over 11 years. We compared territory sizes to the age of the male territorial holder, the male's reproductive strategy (monogamy vs. polygyny), the number of birds in the study population (population density), and the number of immediate territorial neighbors (local density). We found substantial variation in territory size, with territories ranging over two orders of magnitude from 57 to 5,727 m2 (0.0057–0.57 ha). Older males had larger territories, polygynous males had larger territories, territories were smaller in years with higher population density, and larger territories were associated with more immediate territorial neighbors. We also found substantial variation in territory shape, from near-circular to irregularly shaped territories. Males with more neighbors had irregularly shaped territories, but shape did not vary with male age, breeding strategy, or population density. For males that lived 2 years or longer, we found strong consistent individual differences in territory size across years, but weaker individual differences in territory shape, suggesting that size has high repeatability whereas shape has low repeatability. Our work provides evidence that songbird territories are highly dynamic, and that their size and shape reflect both intrinsic factors (age and number of breeding partners) and extrinsic factors (population density and number of territorial neighbors). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Land cover change research is salient in providing information for land use planning and management in urban areas. This study therefore analysed land cover change in four local government areas in Ogun State, Nigeria. Using remote sensing and geographic information system, Landsat images were analysed between 2001, 2013 and 2020 with both unsupervised and supervised image classifications. Results showed that between 2002 and 2013, there was a 41.14% decrease in forest area which further reduced by 41.92% by 2020. Agricultural land increased by 66.47% between 2002 and 2013 but reduced by 43.24% by 2020. Urban areas increased by 108.66% between 2002 and 2013 while by 2020 they had gained 42.19% additional land. It is concluded that the 2005–2025 Ogun State regional planning policy has so far been less than effective due to massive ecological change caused by urban expansion in the region. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The early nineteenth-century bildungsroman is often understood as a coming-of-age story of the protagonist, which implies that temporality is more constitutive for its composition than spatiality. In contrast, my paper focuses on the motif of travelling in German and British bildungsroman narratives. Opposed to the previous allegorical understanding of the Romantic bildungsroman, I suggest that the methods of the spatial humanities open up a new perspective on bildungsroman narratives by showing how their travel itineraries were used in the construction of Europe before and after the Napoleonic Wars. The itineraries annotated from the corpus suggest that the classic Grand Tour to Italy remain important, especially in German Romanticism, whereas northern regions are also popular in British texts. A few narratives emphasise the region of Greece in defining the European frontier in relation to the Ottoman Empire, while Russia and Poland are not popular settings for bildungsroman narratives. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In light of the pressing need for optimizing the cost and efforts involved in geotechnical investigations, this study presents a spatial analysis and interpretation of geological and geotechnical database of Riyadh City. By consolidating available data from geotechnical investigation reports of the study area, spatial maps have been developed focusing on subsoil types and rock quality designation. The application of the geostatistical analyst extension in ArcMap highlights significant spatial variation in subsoil characteristics, leading to a more accurate zonation of geotechnical profile. It is emphasized that among several interpolation methods, the inverse distance weighting emerges as a better approach for representing these variations, enabling the creation of detailed geotechnical zonation maps. Considering its importance, the data on groundwater table depths at various locations were also retrieved and visualized illustrating the frequency of presence of groundwater in bedrock (limestones) or in the surface soils. This insight can be instrumental in strategizing groundwater pumping for water supply as well as designing dewatering systems for potential excavations in the study area. The findings of this study indicate that a GIS-based overview of subsoil profiles allows the construction engineers to plan and execute projects more effectively, resulting in considerable savings in time and financial resources associated with site investigations as well as contributing the sustainable development of infrastructure projects in the region. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The primary objective of this study is to employ Multi-Criteria Decision Analysis (MCDA) and Geographical Information System (GIS) techniques to identify and assess potential sites for astronomical observations in Antarctica. Our study focuses on the development of the Suitability Index for Astronomical Sites in Antarctica (SIASA). This index is formulated by merging data from satellites and models, providing extensive temporal and spatial coverage over two decades. To assess its suitability, we employed a combination of MCDA and GIS techniques, allowing us to evaluate various data, including cloud cover (CC), precipitable water vapor (PWV) levels, elevation, atmospheric temperature and wind speed. Our analysis confirmed the exceptional characteristics of Antarctica: An average of 361 cloud-free days per year, exceptionally low PWV values (0 mm), and an average elevation of 2.300 meters. The stable atmospheric wind profile further enhances its suitability for astronomical observations. Long-term trends and correlations of the data were also studied. SIASA values identified the eastern and inner parts of the Transatlantic Mountains as highly favorable for astronomical observations, while the coastal areas were considered less suitable. The best sites cover 10% of Antarctica in all SIASA scenarios, with Dome A, Ridge A and Dome F having the highest values of all stations. These findings hold considerable importance in planning future astronomical sites on the continent. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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The selection of emergency assembly points within the urban area holds significant importance for ensuring swift and effective intervention in the aftermath of a potential disaster until temporary shelter areas are prepared. In both historical and instrumental periods, Erzincan (Türkiye) has experienced major earthquakes resulting in significant loss of life and property. The likelihood of similar earthquakes occurring in Erzincan in the future remains high. Therefore, it is necessary to identify safe areas where people can assemble after an earthquake, moving away from hazardous zones. The aim of this study is to analyse the capacities and adequacies of emergency assembly points, which constitute a step in disaster management and enhance the earthquake resilience of the city, using Geographic Information Systems (GIS) based on selected criteria (accessibility, spatial distribution, proximity to healthcare facilities, size, capacity adequacy, and proximity to fault avoidance zones), and to propose solutions. The assessment revealed that the available assembly points are not homogeneously distributed throughout the city and are inadequate to meet the available building and population density. Therefore, in addition to the available 38 emergency assembly points, 67 new alternative emergency assembly points have been identified. The proposed emergency assembly points (in the 75–100% range) increased the number of neighborhoods within the 250 m service area by 43.75% and 42.5% for 500 m.The findings underscore the necessity for more comprehensive and effective planning for Erzincan in the event of a potential disaster or emergency. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Infected COVID-19 patients, especially after March 11, 2020, grew drastically in Oman. Hence, a variety of measures were issued to restrict all social gatherings, commercial activities, and mandating preventative health practices. This study aimed to i) understand distribution patterns and impact of decisions and responses at the spread of confirmed cases; ii) highlight and verify most concentrated regions with infections; and iii) overview spatial changes of cases overtime. The analysis was carried out using inverse-distance-weighted interpolation and hotspot (Getis-Ord GI*) techniques. Results showed a substantial relationship between spatial structure of COVID-19 and population distribution and density. COVID-19 has increased by 11.5% weekly in the capital, which were locked down since April 2020. However, after health quarantine was lifted on May 29, 2020, weekly cases surged in the capital. Al-Batinah-North and Dhofar recorded an increase of 32.1% and 30.5%, respectively, after restrictions had eased. The analysis illustrated that spread of COVID-19 was shifting from Northeast to Southeast and later shifted back to the Northeast of the country at the end of year 2022. This study is beneficial for pertinent organizations to perform detailed studies for developing and monitoring disease systems and dominating relevant factors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The concept of “15 min cities” has gained attention as a model for sustainable urban development, emphasizing access to essential services within a short timeframe through active transportation modes. This study provides multiple approaches to measure accessibility and assess urban area development using the 15 min city criteria. Focusing on District 6 of Tehran, Iran, the research utilizes three computational methods—Euclidean distance, network distance, and temporal distance—to define the boundaries of 15 min zones and evaluate the distribution and diversity of essential service destinations within these areas. Furthermore, it primarily compares the accuracy and applicability of the three methods, highlighting the strengths of each in identifying ideal and non-ideal neighborhoods. Through processing and analysis of spatial data, the findings indicate that 64% of the studied neighborhoods meet ideal conditions, providing access to 11 types of essential facilities within a 15 min radius. The study identifies inequalities in access to specific amenities such as sports facilities, green spaces, and public transportation across different neighborhoods. The results demonstrate a high correlation between Euclidean and temporal distance methods, indicating the potential for simpler approaches in specific scenarios. Overall, this study presents a standardized modeling framework for evaluating urban areas based on the 15 min city criteria and provides insights for policymakers and urban planners in implementing strategies for sustainable access and optimizing essential destination distribution. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hospitals provide a variety of health care services and are therefore an important part of societal infrastructure. However, choosing an appropriate hospital location necessitates a thorough examination of several potential alternatives and approaches. Infrastructure, geo-environmental and social factors are the main criteria. We established a suitability model based on hybrid geographic information systems (GIS) based on multi-criteria decision-making (GIS-MCDM) and used it to determine suitable locations for constructing new hospitals. As a pilot study, the proposed model aimed at enhancing spatial accessibility to healthcare in an underprivileged region in the Poonch District of Jammu and Kashmir, India. The study region's few hospitals and health centres are compounded by Poonch's rapidly rising population, requiring new healthcare infrastructure like hospitals. We screened potential locations for a new hospital using a map with a set of variables, including population density, networks and the location of existing healthcare facilities together with the presence of rivers, slope, elevation and land use leading to a suitability index ranging from low to high. The technical approach used assisted the finding of a highly suitable area (rank 1) covering about 9.4% of the study area, with a majority of potential new hospital locations in the southern and mid-eastern parts. The study outcome should help regional planners and health-care policymakers decide on a hospital location leading to well-distributed resources and reduction of geographical inequities with regard to healthcare access. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Informed decision regarding cultivating the right crop in the right land will guarantee maximum production, which is the need of the hour to meet the world's burgeoning food demand and to ensure the sustainability of agriculture. The present study aimed to identify the land suitability for major crops in the semi-arid ecosystem of Palani block in Tamil Nadu by integrating the analytical hierarchy process (AHP) and geographic information system (GIS). Soil slope and various soil characteristics influencing crop growth such as soil depth, texture, drainage, gravelliness, pH and organic carbon were considered for assessing the land suitability. Weights and scores were assigned to the selected criteria and their respective sub-criteria based on their relative significance in influencing crop growth. It was found that soil drainage and texture were the most influencing factors for paddy cultivation, with weights of 0.49 and 0.27, respectively. For field beans, coconut, and guava, texture and depth were identified as the major influencing factors with high weightages ranging from 0.26 to 0.40. Results indicate that about 22% (8627 ha) of the study area was highly suitable for field beans, followed by paddy (18%). In contrast, paddy and coconut registered the largest land area under the marginally suitable class and were deemed unsuitable for about 19% and 21% of the land, respectively. For guava and field beans, respectively 37% and 44% of the land were found moderately suitable while 77% and 76.6% of the land were found suitable. Soil texture, soil depth, and drainage were identified as the major impediments to coconut and paddy suitability. An error matrix was generated by comparing the land suitability derived through the AHP–GIS method with the farmers' opinions on land suitability for different crops. It indicated a high agreement between the suitability classes and farmers' opinion for field beans, followed by coconut, guava and rice with kappa indices of 0.64, 0.51, 0.49 and 0.40 and overall accuracy of 75%, 65%, 62% and 60%, respectively. The present study not only helps in identifying suitable areas for crop cultivation, but also recommends land management strategies to each land parcel to improve land productivity and sustainability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Many anthropogenic activities release pollutants that can find their way to drinking water sources, potentially impacting human health and water treatment costs and causing environmental depletion in watersheds. Planning and management of land use are therefore necessary to protect drinking water sources, an essential and complex endeavour. Regulatory frameworks often require identifying and evaluating land parcels with activities that should be controlled or forbidden. In order to support these tasks, we developed a sociotechnical multicriteria evaluation approach, based on ELECTRE III, for assessing the contamination potential of parcels. By incorporating stakeholders' values and different types of data (quantitative, qualitative, and spatial), this novel approach is a comprehensive way for assessing potential threats to drinking water sources. It was applied in Quebec City, Canada, and led to a spatial decision support system currently used operationally by the municipality. It is generalizable and can be adapted to other watersheds. It helps decision-makers in prioritizing field inspections in the watershed in order to apply source water protection actions where needed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The study was carried out to evaluate hydro geochemistry and the risk of groundwater and surface water pollution in the Kombolcha area. To achieve this, hydrogeochemical analysis, water heavy metal, geospatial data analysis, correlation matrix, principal component analysis, Heavy metal Pollution Index (HPI), and Water Quality Index (WQI) methodologies were employed. A total of 36 samples (both water and effluent samples) had been collected and assessed for major physicochemical variables and heavy metals. Hydrogeochemical methods showed groundwater mineralization due to (1) silicate weathering, (2) cation exchange processes, and (3) anthropogenic sources (i.e., contaminated discharge of sulphate, carbonate, and trace metal effluents). The study result revealed that major ions dominating the area are Ca2+ > Na+ > Mg2+ > K+, HCO3− > SO 2− > Cl− > NO3−, and Fe > Mn > Pb > Cr > Cd for cations, anions and trace metals respectively with all heavy netals had mean concentrations above the WHO recommended limits. Calculated Pollution indices revealed 50.7% of the sample belongs to a low level of pollution, while 35% and 14.3% belong to a medium and high level of pollution respectively which consequently translating the area into high groundwater pollution zones. The correlation matrix revealed that no significant correlation exists between the water quality variables (Cl and NO3− with Fe, Pb, Cr, Mn, and Cd). PCA was applied on the data set to identify the spatial sources of pollution in groundwater and in the first principal component analysis, Mn, Fe, Cr, Pb, and Cd (in descending order) were found in amounts greater than 0.5, confirming that these metals were from anthropogenic sources. The combined assessments based on WQI and HPI, the study showed that water samples in the proximity of industrial sites are polluted by factories effluent and uncontrolled waste disposal due to urbanization. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Bottom sediments play a pivotal role in wetland productivity, and here, eight Gangetic floodplain wetlands of India were studied to assess the sediment physicochemical characteristics and textural analysis. Methods: Sediment samples that were collected from each wetland in monsoon and non-monsoon seasons were analysed. ANOVA, Principal component analysis and multiple correlation analysis were used for statistical analysis. Results and Discussion: Throughout the study period, pH (6.90-8.04), EC (0.20-1.64 dS/m), CaCO3 (1.75%-14.50%), available nitrogen (10.22-22.23 mg/ 100 g sediment), total nitrogen (80.4-333.8 mg/100 g sediment), available phosphorus (0.20-5.61 mg/100 g sediment), and total phosphorus (19.63-173.33 mg/100 g sediment) were recorded. The sediment quality parameters differ significantly (p > 0.05) among the wetlands. Seasonal variation was only observed on total nitrogen and total phosphorus contents. Sediments were dominated by sand. Sediment nutrient (C, N, and P) stoichiometry of wetlands depicted a comparatively little higher C/P (5.96-66.32) ratio and lower C/N (3.34-22.76) and N/P (1.12-9.25) ratios, which revealed that the physicochemical characteristics of the sediments are influenced by anthropogenic sources. Principal component analysis showed the influence of both natural and anthropogenic causes on wetland ecosystems. The geographic information system (GIS) interpolation approach was used in combination with laboratory analysis methods to give a complete spatial resolution of the sediment quality of each wetland. The study suggests that these wetlands' sediment quality is favorable for fish culture but requires proper management practices to achieve sustainable production. As it is the first time where monitoring physicochemical properties of sediments of these wetlands are presented, this study can be used as a baseline data for comparison in future environmental assessments of the wetlands. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aims to analyze the connectivity of non-containerized ports, particularly in the sub-commodity of vegetable/animal oils and fats, within the operational area of PT Pelindo Multi Terminal. Using Social Network Analysis (SNA) and Geographic Information System (GIS) techniques, this study builds a network based on nodes (ports) and assesses inter-node connections with metrics such as degree centrality, betweenness centrality, and hub index. Gephi application was used for the calculation of network metrics, while QGIS visualized the shipping routes. The research revealed that high traffic ports such as Belawan, Dumai, and Tanjung Priok play a crucial role in the network. The findings support recommendations for infrastructure development and implementation of an integrated Terminal Operations System (TOS) to improve logistics efficiency. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The quality and level of groundwater tables have rapidly declined because of intensive pumping in Punjab (Pakistan). For sustainable groundwater supplies, there is a need for better management practices. So, the identification of potential groundwater recharge zones is crucial for developing effective management systems. The current research is based on integrating seven contributing factors, including geology, soil map, land cover/land use, lineament density, drainage density, slope, and rainfall to categorize the area into various groundwater recharge potential zones using remote sensing, geographic information system (GIS), and analytical hierarchical process (AHP) for Punjab, Pakistan. The weights (for various thematic layers) and rating values (for sub-classes) in the overlay analysis were assigned for thematic layers and then modified and normalized using the AHP. The result indicates that about 17.88% of the area falls under the category of very high groundwater potential zones (GWPZs). It was found that only 12.27% of the area falls under the category of very low GWPZs. The results showed that spatial technologies like remote sensing and geographic information system (GIS), when combined with AHP technique, provide a robust platform for studying GWPZs. This will help the public and government sectors to understand the potential zone for sustainable groundwater management. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Rapid urbanization in developing countries presents a critical challenge in the need for extensive and appropriate road expansion, which in turn contributes to traffic congestion and air pollution. Urban areas are economic engines, but their efficiency and livability rely on well-designed road networks. This study proposes a novel approach to urban road planning that leverages the power of several innovative techniques. The cornerstone of this approach is a digital twin model of the urban environment. This digital twin model facilitates the evaluation and comparison of road development proposals. To support informed decision-making, a multi-criteria decision-making (MCDM) framework is used, enabling planners to consider various factors such as traffic flow, environmental impact, and economic considerations. Spatial data and 3D visualizations are also provided to enrich the analysis. Finally, the Dempster–Shafer theory (DST) provides a robust mathematical framework to address uncertainties inherent in the weighting process. The proposed approach was applied to planning for both new road constructions and existing road expansions. By combining these elements, the model offers a sustainable and knowledge-based approach to optimize urban road planning. Results from integrating weights obtained through two weighting methods, the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) and the Bayesian best–worst Method (B-BWM), showed a very high weight for the "worn-out urban texture" criterion and a meager weight for "noise pollution". Finally, the cost path algorithm was used to evaluate the results from all three methods (AHP, B-BWM, and DST). The high degree of similarity in the results from these methods suggests a stable outcome for the proposed approach. Analysis of the study area revealed the following significant challenge for road planning: 35% of the area was deemed unsuitable, with only a tiny portion (4%) being suitable for road development based on the selected criteria. This highlights the need to explore alternative approaches or significantly adjust the current planning process. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To analyze the epidemiological characteristics and epidemic situation of children with Kashin-Beck disease (KBD) in China, and provide the basis for formulating prevention and control measures. Fixed-point monitoring, moving-point monitoring, and full coverage of monitoring were promoted successively from 1990 to 2023. Some children (7–12 years old) underwent clinical and righthand X-ray examinations every year. According to the KBD diagnosis criteria, clinical and X-ray assessments were used to confirm the diagnosis. In 1990, the national KBD detectable rate was 21.01%. X-ray detection decreased to below 10% in 2003 and below 5% in 2007. Between 2010 and 2018, the prevalence of KBD in children was less than 0.4%, which fluctuated at a low level, and has decreased to 0% since 2019. Spatial epidemiological analysis indicated a spatial clustering of adult patients prevalence rate in the KBD areas. The evaluation results of the elimination of KBD in China over the last 5 years showed that all villages in the monitored areas have reached the elimination standard. While the adult KBD patients still need for policy consideration and care. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The conventional on-site survey for railway flood safety is inadequate for the increasing demand of flood hazard assessment. This study introduced an integrated desktop system to enhance the efficiency and precision of flood hazard monitoring. By integrating drone multimodal data with railway geographic information, the system addressed the challenges of hazard identification, management, and reporting. Based on the WPF framework and integrated with the Cefsharp and Vue. js, it seamlessly combined 3D scenes with data operations and employed an OpenGL-based 3D GIS engine for multimodal data display and spatial analysis. A classified hazard marking function and an offline SpatiaLite database ensured data persistence and portability. Tested on a 300 km railway section with 148 key flood points and two phases of drone data, the system demonstrates effective multimodal data management and real scene visualization for hazard assessment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article is focused on the valorization of the cultural heritage represented by sulphur mines in Sicily, Italy. In particular, it represents a first approach finalized to create geo-touristic routes and improve the knowledge of the cultural and industrial Sicilian sulphur heritage. For this purpose, a geographic information system (GIS) was used to create a specific database of the study area. At the same time, a careful territorial analysis was carried out to design a possible sulphur cultural tourist itinerary, following the regional Sicilian laws of the 1990s. In order to achieve the final goal, different actions were preformed, including collection of bibliographic data and reports, sites surveys to define the actual state of the sites, and collaboration with public and private bodies such as universities, Institute for Environmental Protection and Research (ISPRA), local governments and associations. The results achieved could represent a good grow opportunity for an economic and touristic growth. In particular, the creation of the Sulphur Cultural Itinerary represented a good way to increase the Sicilian tourist attraction. The itinerary was focused on the data available on the Touring Club's guidebook, but there were differences and improvements. The main differences concerned both the starting point, for its notable landscape, naturalistic and scientific values, and the itinerary roads, some of which were no longer accessible. The outcome reached was a starting point for all stakeholders of geoheritage, such as municipalities, tourism agencies and academics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Globally, deserts are considered as fragile and unique biomes. They not only have the capacity to provide various ecosystem services, and possess great tourism potential and scientific value, but also are susceptible to modifications or alterations in their geomorphology. Despite the strategic importance of these ecosystems at a global level, there is limited specialized research directed towards the study of deserts in Ecuador. The purpose of this research is to determine the susceptibility to degradation and carrying capacity of environmental units to support tourist and recreational activities, thereby offering the community a sustainable resource over time. The delimitation of environmental units was carried out based on the identification of land use and land cover through the supervised classification method. Multicriteria analysis was used to obtain the areas susceptible to degradation, where the environmental units were evaluated through expert evaluation. Once the results of the previousmethodologieswere obtained, areas with environmental and tourist potential were identified using the hosting capacity matrix, which is based on anthropic activities developed in the area. Subsequently, a proposal for conservation strategies and activities at the national and local levels was formulated. Five categories of land use and land coverwere identified, resulting in 11 environmental units represented in spatial data. It was determined that approximately 31% of the territory is more susceptible to degradation, while the remaining 69% is less susceptible. Based on the susceptibility of these areas, 7 activities and 2 tourist routes were designated to help reduce anthropogenic pressure. Additionally, the community was provided with 5 proposals for conservation strategies at the national level, 4 at the local level, and 4 activities to be developed based on the findings identified during the investigation. This highlights the significant potential that the Palmira Desert has to become a conservation area. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Green spaces play a critical role in enhancing the urban environment, improving livability, and providing essential ecosystem services. A city should have at least 25% green space from an environmental and health point of view. However, quantitative estimation is required to assess the extent and pattern of green space changes for proper urban management. The present study aimed to identify and track the changes in urban green spaces within the Dhaka South City Corporation (DSCC) of Bangladesh over a 30-year period (i.e., 1991–2021). Geospatial techniques were utilized to analyze green space dynamics using Landsat 4–5 TM satellite images from 1991, 2001, and 2011 and Landsat 8 images from 2021. Supervised image classification techniques and Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) analysis were performed to assess the urban green space dynamics in DSCC. The results of our study revealed a significant 36.5% reduction in vegetation cover in the DSCC area over the study period. In 1991, the green area coverage in DSCC was 46%, indicating a relatively healthy environment. By 2001, this coverage had declined sharply to 21.3%, further decreasing to 19.7% in 2011, and reaching a low of just 9.5% in 2021. The classified maps generated in the study were validated through field observations and Google Earth images. The outcomes of our study will be helpful for policymakers and city planners in developing and applying appropriate policies and plans to preserve and improve urban green spaces in DSCC in Bangladesh and other Asian megacities with high population density. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The scientific selection of photovoltaic (PV) sites is essential for achieving sustainable development of renewable energy and ensuring regional ecological security. In western China, extensive land resources coexist with a fragile ecological environment. To this end, we propose a PV siting framework based on policy restrictions and construction suitability. This paper evaluated the PV construction suitability index (CSI) from four dimensions of topography, climate, location, and ecology and proposed typical "PV+" models. Then, Qilian County was selected as a case study. The results showed the following: (1) In Qilian, 59.97% (8333.18 km2) of the area is unsuitable for development due to policy restrictions, leaving 40.03% (5563.02 km2) available for PV construction. (2) The most suitable areas are approximately in the western and southern areas, where there is a lot in common with the reported PV sites under construction. (3) Three distinct PV development models are proposed according to policy guidelines and local circumstances, including the PV + pastoralism model, PV + mine rehabilitation model, and PV + hydropower model. The results can be used to determine the suitable areas for solar PV farms and the appropriate development model, as well as promote the sustainable development of renewable energy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Geographic Information Systems (GISs) cover a wide range of Earth and environmental science disciplines that have become essential for spatial data management, easing the digital transformation needs of our society. Despite the usefulness of GISs, they remain underutilised in academia, and many students do not understand the possibilities that these tools offer. To familiarise university students with the potential of GISs, we designed 11 short clips (less than 5 min long) recorded by Earth scientists with diverse backgrounds who shared their work experience with GISs to solve real-world problems. Through these short clips, we emphasised not only the multidisciplinary uses of GISs but also provided professional references for undergraduate students, including societal aspects such as gender equality, national and international mobility, private-to-public-sector transitioning, and different family circumstances. As a result, the students expressed their interest in the applications of GISs, many of which were completely new to them, highlighting the potential of GISs in terms of entrepreneurship and their usefulness in mitigating global change. Thus, we were able to transfer knowledge from research to university education and foster spatial data management skills in Earth science. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

One of the most significant natural resources, groundwater is essential to providing a long-term, reliable and sustainable global water supply. Therefore, delineating Groundwater potential zones (GWPZs) is crucial in effectively managing groundwater reserves. The present study attempts to delineate GWPZs in the Siliguri subdivision of West Bengal using integrated Remote Sensing (RS), Geographic Information System (GIS) and Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP) in the light of a considerable shift in the patterns of groundwater usage, especially considering the ongoing rise in demand for groundwater owing to a variety of causes. Raster layers of fourteen causative factors Viz. geomorphology, lithology, lineament density, soil texture, elevation, slope, land use and land cover (LULC), river density, rainfall, pre-monsoon groundwater depth, post-monsoon groundwater depth, groundwater fluctuation, topographic wetness index (TWI) and topographic roughness index (TRI) are used to delineate GWPZs using AHP in GIS software. The final GWPZs map was categorised into five classes: very high (25.67%), High (31.77%), moderate (20.73%), low (17.67%) and very low (4.15%). The results are further validated by evaluating the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve with the groundwater level depth from 39 dug wells. The ROC curve shows that the AUC value is 0.818, representing a prediction accuracy of 81.80%. The comprehensive map of GWPZs will enhance managing natural assets to guarantee the continued preservation of water resources and the development of agriculture. The method utilised in this research may be used in other natural contexts with a comparable environment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Soil erosion is a severe issue posing a number of adverse effects on the environment. It is a prominent hazard damaging the fertile agricultural land. Therefore, in this study, a spatio-temporal assessment of soil erosion was carried out in the Swat River Basin, Pakistan by employing the Revised Universal Soil Loss Equation (RUSLE). The parameters of the RUSLE model are rainfall erosivity, soil erodibility, slope length and steepness, land management and support practice. These factors were developed from monthly mean rainfall data obtained from the Regional Metrology Department Peshawar, FAO soil database, land use data prepared from Landsat-5 and 8 satellite imageries, topographic data obtained from the ALOS PALSAR Digital Elevation Model (DEM). The analysis discovered that 13% of the study area experienced severe erosion. Results of the spatial distribution and vulnerability to erosion within the Swat River Basin have been categorized into different zones such as very low (59.7%), low (19.5%), moderate (5.37%), high (6.86%), and very high (5.96%). These results accentuate the necessity for mitigation measures in the study area to mitigate the loss of valuable topsoil. This research possesses the potential to offer valuable insights into decision-making and planning to reduce the risk of erosion. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Wallacea attracts much attention from researchers because it is a meeting point between Asia and Australia with rich biodiversity. Therefore, bioenergy source identification in this region is crucial to better understanding biomass potential and utilization. On the other hand, national bioenergy development usually refers to government policies, including granting permits to use forest land, especially on unproductive land. Thus, balanced utilization of tropical forests as an energy source is required. It must consider several aspects comprehensively, including its function in protecting the surrounding landscape, contributing to food security, and creating economic opportunities for communities around forest areas. This paper addresses biomass utilization in the Wallacea region aligned with Indonesian policy targets for bioenergy generation to achieve the net zero emission target by 2060. The study is carried out by limiting the scope of the area and relying on international databases and the nation's potential targeting biomass research. In addition, the recent development of conversion technologies is adjusted based on available biomass types, including geographic information systems for potential biomass analysis. The analysis and data synchronization are presented in charts, graphs, and tables. In the early section, the potential of biomass in the Wallacea is explained. The following section discusses several scenarios, routes, and utilization technology options for biomass utilization. Various studies that have been conducted are presented in this section, including machine learning adoptions to model and optimize biomass conversion processes. Furthermore, challenges and opportunities are discussed by looking at various factors, such as accessibility, socio-economics, life cycle assessment, and environmental issues. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Even with pre-drilling geophysical surveys, the failure rates and suboptimal productivity of some boreholes within the University of Ilorin (UNILORIN) are a cause for concern. This present study investigated the hydrogeological capability and potentiality of some borehole sites at the university. To achieve this, an inventory of 47 boreholes with an existing lineament density map and Groundwater Potential Zonation (GWPZ) map of Ilorin South Local Government Area were integrated. These boreholes were categorized based on the lineament density, and groundwater potentiality. The results showed that 96% of the sampled boreholes were sited on zones of low groundwater potential (LGWP) while 4% were on zones of moderate groundwater potential (MGWP). Also, 17% of the boreholes coincided with zones of moderate lineament density, 83% of boreholes coincided with zones of low lineament density and no borehole was found to coincide within areas of high lineament density. The findings suggested that 83% of these boreholes (39 units) were drilled due to exigencies (e.g., cost consideration, proximity to facilities etc.) while only 17% of these boreholes (8 units) were drilled on account of scientific necessity or after the appropriate geoscientific evaluation was done. The findings in this study will benefit stakeholders and practitioners in water resource management in building robust models and databases at both regional and local levels. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Al-Doura region is undergoing a deterioration in soil quality as a result of the ongoing expansion of residential areas. The expansion is leading to environmental degradation, affecting native plant life and the overall ecosystem. This study employed remote sensing techniques to analyze and comprehend land patterns in the Doura region throughout a defined timeframe, with particular emphasis on the influence of the Doura refinery. The research conducted from 2013 to 2023 was categorized into five distinct areas: urban, water, soil, streets, and plants. This categorization was achieved by utilizing remote sensing data and the ENVI tool. The classification was executed via the support vector machine classifier. The results demonstrate notable changes in the Doura, marked by a swift and substantial growth of the metropolitan region. The expansion has led to a significant reduction in green spaces, with the urban area comprising 21.21% in 2013, rising to 36.71% in 2018, and further increasing to 60.16% in 2023. The categorizations suggest a decrease in the availability of arable land, indicating the expansion of the residential area of Al-Doura. Urban development intensifies land surface temperatures and adds to air pollution. A sustainable approach is necessary to address the presence of the Al-Doura refinery, with a focus on achieving a balance between economic and environmental requirements. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In Togo, and especially in the peri-urban areas of Greater Lomé, flood hazards and their effects on communities and ecosystems have increased in recent years due to global changes. This is predominantly due to increasing urbanization and the changing climate. This study explores the application of remote sensing, geographic information system (GIS) and analytical hierarchy processes (AHP) for flood hazard mapping in Greater Lomé. Maps of seven (7) drivers of flood hazards, namely flow accumulation, rainfall intensity, geology and soil, land use, slope, elevation and distance from the drainage network, were prepared by integrating remote sensing data into a GIS environment. The weight of each factor was estimated via the AHP method and used in the estimation of the flood hazard index (FHI). The results show that there is a high or very high susceptibility of flooding in 53.4% of the Greater Lomé suburbs, while there is a moderate to low susceptibility of flooding in about 46.59% of it, and 0.01% of the study area. The generated map is a useful tool for decision-makers and practitioners in charge of flood risk and disaster management when developing plans to reduce the risk of both current and future floods in the study area. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nowadays, within the built environment, railway infrastructures play a key role to sustain national policies oriented toward promoting sustainable mobility. For this reason, national institutions and infrastructure managers need to increase their awareness in relation to the current and future climate risks on their representative systems. Among climate change impacts, preventing the effects of sea-level rise (SLR) on coastal railway infrastructures is a priority. The first step in the climate change adaptation policy cycle is the development of an ad hoc climate risk assessment. In this view, this research develops a vulnerability and a risk assessment metric to identify the hotspots within a national coastal railway due to the SLR impacts. The proposed methodology required different steps to quantify the SLR projections and the vulnerability characteristics of the assets, in terms of sensitivity and adaptive capacity. The investigated case study is the coastal railway infrastructure in Italy, thanks to an initial approach of co-design participative processes with the national Infrastructure Manager: Rete Ferroviaria Italiana (RFI). The results of this application, although not included in the paper due to confidential reasons imposed by the infrastructure manager — led to a clear identification of the areas and the coastal railway sections which are exposed to high levels of risks and of the places which require priority actions for urgent adaptation in a view of climate proof infrastructures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Central Chernozem region of Russia has undergone significant changes in socio-demographic processes over the past half-century. The aim of this study was to establish the impact of metropolization on the demographic transformation of sparsely populated rural settlements for the Central Chernozem region and to develop a demographic forecast for 2030. The study’s goals were to (1) determine the scale of regional metropolises; (2) identify the impact of metropolization on the quantitative indicators of sparsely populated rural settlements; (3) establish trends in their transformation; and (4) compile a medium-term demographic forecast for the Central Chernozem region. The set objectives were achieved by integrating methods for spatial-temporal and comparative geographical analysis, statistical methods, and a combination of official statistics with sociological methods. Analysis of the level of urbanization of the regions in modern conditions (20th and 21st centuries) showed that, although this process was and remained below the national average, it did not prevent the formation of regional metropolises (Belgorod, Stary Oskol, Kursk, Voronezh, Lipetsk, Tambov) as an obvious outcome of urbanization processes. A regional pattern of degradation of the network of rural settlements, mainly the smallest and small in terms of population (1-25, 26-50 people), which make up over one third of all settlements in the Central Chernozem region of Russia, was determined. A stable long-term trend of growth in the number of abandoned villages and hamlets was established. Between the last two All-Russian population censuses (11 years), their number increased by 45%. The forecasting results obtained confirm the established patterns in the medium-term trend of “compression” of rural settlement around regional metropolis (with some exceptions). The medium-term demographic forecast showed that population concentration in metropolitan areas and further socio-demographic desertification in peripheral areas will continue with growing territorial differentiation. The obtained results of the study of the transformation of settlement systems of the Central Chernozem region as a result of the metropolization of regional centers can help government institutions in strategic planning of territorial development.

To reduce soil erosion, one of the most important issues is to quantify the amount of erosion and sediment so that planners can make correct decisions in line with the integrated management of watersheds. In this research, in order to evaluate the rate of erosion in the Gaushan watershed, we used the global equation of soil erosion in three dimensions and the geographic information system and remote sensing. The results of RUSLE 3D model were compared with the results of RUSLE model and real values. The rain erosivity factor was calculated using rainfall data and interpolation techniques. Soil erodibility was obtained using the soil map of the region. Land cover factor was calculated using NDVI index. The LS factor was also obtained using the DEM. The main difference between the RUSLE 3D model and the RUSLE model is the difference in how to calculate the LS factor in the RUSLE 3D model. The obtained results showed that the annual average erosion is 5.02 ton/ha/y. In the detailed studies of Gaushan watershed, the rate of erosion is 4.5 ton/ha/y. These results show that the RUSLE 3D model, in which the LS factor has been modified, has been able to estimate the basin erosion well.

Overfishing causes a significant decline in blue swimming crab (Portunus pelagicus) populations, an essential marine resource for Thailand. This research aimed to identify suitable nursery areas for this species throughout the four distinct monsoon seasons. This is the first comprehensive study of habitat characteristics: water temperature, pH, salinity, dissolved oxygen, marine sediment, seagrass beds, and suitability assessment of nursery areas, using a combined approach of Analytic Hierarchy Process and Geographic Information Systems. Our findings reveal that highly suitable nursery habitats comprise a small percentage of the total study area, varying with the monsoon season: 1.66% in the Northeast Monsoon (NEMS), 1.00% in the NEMS transition (NEMST), 1.11% in the Southwest Monsoon (SWMS), and 1.97% in the SWMS transition (SWMST). These areas are concentrated along the coastlines of Sed Island, Phum Riang, Takrob, Tha Thong, and Donsak. Sed Island was designated as a fishery refuge zone in 2022. The identified nursery areas coincide with existing crab banks, highlighting the model's accuracy. Conversely, unsuitable areas were predominantly in shellfish farming zones and low-salinity estuaries. By identifying suitable nursery grounds for the blue swimming crab, this study offers valuable information that can support Thailand's sustainable management and conservation efforts for this species. Doi: 10.28991/HEF-2024-05-03-01 Full Text: PDF

Background: The world economy is significantly impacted by floods. Identifying flood risk is essential to flood mitigation techniques. AIM: The primary goal of this study is to create a geographic information system (GIS)-based flood susceptibility map for the study area. Methods: Ten flood-influencing factors from a geospatial database were taken into account when mapping the flood-prone areas. Every element demonstrated a robust relationship with the probability of flooding. Results: The highest contributing elements for the flood disaster in the study region were drainage density, distance, and the curvature. Flood susceptibility models’ performance was validated using standard statistical measures and AUC. The ROC curves demonstrated that all ensemble models had good performance on the validation data sets (AUC = >0.97) with high accuracy scores of 0.80. Based on the flood susceptibility maps, most of the northwest regions of the study area are more likely to flood because of low land areas, areas with a lower gradient slope, linear and concave shape curvature, high drainage density with high rainfall, more “water bodies,” “crops land,” and “built areas,” abundance on sea and surface water, and Quaternary types of soil feature and so on. The very high flood susceptibility class accounts for 18.2% of the study area, according to the RF-embedding model, whereas the high, moderate, low, and very low susceptibility classes were found at about 20.0%, 24.6%, 24.3%, and 12.9%, respectively. Conclusion: In comparison with other commonly used applied approaches, this research presents a novel modeling approach for flood susceptibility that integrates machine learning and geospatial data. It has been found to be stronger and more efficient, highly accurate, has good prediction performance, and is less biased. Overall, our research into machine learning-based solutions points in a positive path technologically and can serve as a reference manual for future research and applications for academic specialists and decision-makers.

This article is focused on the valorization of the cultural heritage represented by sulphur mines in Sicily, Italy. In particular, it represents a first approach finalized to create geo-touristic routes and improve the knowledge of the cultural and industrial Sicilian sulphur heritage. For this purpose, a geographic information system (GIS) was used to create a specific database of the study area. At the same time, a careful territorial analysis was carried out to design a possible sulphur cultural tourist itinerary, following the regional Sicilian laws of the 1990s. In order to achieve the final goal, different actions were preformed, including collection of bibliographic data and reports, sites surveys to define the actual state of the sites, and collaboration with public and private bodies such as universities, Institute for Environmental Protection and Research (ISPRA), local governments and associations. The results achieved could represent a good grow opportunity for an economic and touristic growth. In particular, the creation of the Sulphur Cultural Itinerary represented a good way to increase the Sicilian tourist attraction. The itinerary was focused on the data available on the Touring Club's guidebook, but there were differences and improvements. The main differences concerned both the starting point, for its notable landscape, naturalistic and scientific values, and the itinerary roads, some of which were no longer accessible. The outcome reached was a starting point for all stakeholders of geoheritage, such as municipalities, tourism agencies and academics.

Globally, deserts are considered as fragile and unique biomes. They not only have the capacity to provide various ecosystem services, and possess great tourism potential and scientific value, but also are susceptible to modifications or alterations in their geomorphology. Despite the strategic importance of these ecosystems at a global level, there is limited specialized research directed towards the study of deserts in Ecuador. The purpose of this research is to determine the susceptibility to degradation and carrying capacity of environmental units to support tourist and recreational activities, thereby offering the community a sustainable resource over time. The delimitation of environmental units was carried out based on the identification of land use and land cover through the supervised classification method. Multicriteria analysis was used to obtain the areas susceptible to degradation, where the environmental units were evaluated through expert evaluation. Once the results of the previous methodologies were obtained, areas with environmental and tourist potential were identified using the hosting capacity matrix, which is based on anthropic activities developed in the area. Subsequently, a proposal for conservation strategies and activities at the national and local levels was formulated. Five categories of land use and land cover were identified, resulting in 11 environmental units represented in spatial data. It was determined that approximately 31% of the territory is more susceptible to degradation, while the remaining 69% is less susceptible. Based on the susceptibility of these areas, 7 activities and 2 tourist routes were designated to help reduce anthropogenic pressure. Additionally, the community was provided with 5 proposals for conservation strategies at the national level, 4 at the local level, and 4 activities to be developed based on the findings identified during the investigation. This highlights the significant potential that the Palmira Desert has to become a conservation area.

The study assesses the ecological capacity and land use planning in Alborz Province, Iran for different purposes namely irrigated agriculture, dryland farming, orchards and forestry, rangelands, residential and industrial areas, as well as conservation efforts. Key factors considered include topographic criteria (slope, slope direct, elevation), soil and land criteria (land resources, land use suitability classification, and current land use), as well as vegetation cover, erosion, climatic parameters, and water resources. The analytic hierarchy process (AHP) and pairwise comparisons using geographic information system (GIS) inform the ecological capacity map after weighting and combining the criterion maps. This map is then overlaid with land use maps for specific purposes, such as irrigated agriculture, dryland farming, orchards, forestry, and rangelands. From the results, slope and land resources significantly influence the desired land uses in the study area. Analysis of the land use planning map revealed that within the study area, 63,621 ha (11%) were suitable for irrigated agriculture, 66,730 ha (13%) for orchards and forestry, 79,435 ha (16%) for rangelands, 224,812 ha (44%) for conservation purposes, and 71,471 ha (14%) for residential and industrial development.

Little is known about older adults' physical exercise destinations. We studied associations between physical activity (PA) level and physical exercise destinations (total number and surrounding environment) in community-dwelling 75- to 85-year-old adults living in Central Finland. Participants (N = 901) reported the amount of at least moderate-intensity PA and physical exercise destinations. Distance from home, land use, and locations of sport facilities were defined using a geographic information system. A general linear model showed that older adults with higher PA reported higher numbers of physical exercise destinations and destinations further away from home than those reporting lower PA. Binary logistic regression showed that higher PA increased the odds of reporting a distant destination identified as a sports facility and of reporting destinations located in residential, service, forest, and water body areas, respectively. Physical exercise destinations in different environments may attract older people to go out and be more physically active. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]