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Combating wildlife crimes in South Africa requires accurate identification of traded species and their products. Diagnostic morphological characteristics needed to identify species are often lost when specimens are processed and customs officials lack the expertise to identify species. As a potential solution, DNA barcoding can be used to identify morphologically indistinguishable specimens in forensic cases. However, barcoding is hindered by the reliance on comprehensive, validated DNA barcode reference databases, which are currently limited. To overcome this limitation, we constructed a barcode library of cytochrome c oxidase subunit 1 and cytochrome b sequences for threatened and protected mammals exploited in southern Africa. Additionally, we included closely related or morphologically similar species and assessed the database's ability to identify species accurately. Published southern African sequences were incorporated to estimate intraspecific and interspecific variation. Neighbor-joining trees successfully discriminated 94%–95% of the taxa. However, some widespread species exhibited high intraspecific distances (>2%), suggesting geographic sub-structuring or cryptic speciation. Lack of reliable published data prevented the unambiguous discrimination of certain species. This study highlights the efficacy of DNA barcoding in species identification, particularly for forensic applications. It also highlights the need for a taxonomic re-evaluation of certain widespread species and challenging genera. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Rapidly rising populations and likely increases in incomes in sub-Saharan Africa make tens of millions of hectares of cropland expansion nearly inevitable, even with large increases in crop yields. Much of that expansion is likely to occur in higher rainfall savannas, with substantial costs to biodiversity and carbon storage. Zambia presents an acute example of this challenge, with an expected tripling of population by 2050, good potential to expand maize and soya bean production, and large areas of relatively undisturbed miombo woodland and associated habitat types of high biodiversity value. Here, we present a new model designed to explore the potential for targeting agricultural expansion in ways that achieve quantitatively optimal trade-offs between competing economic and environmental objectives: total converted land area (the reciprocal of potential yield); carbon loss, biodiversity loss and transportation costs. To allow different interests to find potential compromises, users can apply varying weights to examine the effects of their subjective preferences on the spatial allocation of new cropland and its costs. We find that small compromises from the objective to convert the highest yielding areas permit large savings in transportation costs, and the carbon and biodiversity impacts resulting from savannah conversion. For example, transferring just 30% of weight from a yield-maximizing objective equally between carbon and biodiversity protection objectives would increase total cropland area by just 2.7%, but result in avoided costs of 27-47% for carbon, biodiversity and transportation. Compromise solutions tend to focus agricultural expansion along existing transportation corridors and in already disturbed areas. Used appropriately, this type of model could help countries find agricultural expansion alternatives and related infrastructure and land use policies that help achieve production targets while helping to conserve Africa's rapidly transforming savannahs.This article is part of the themed issue 'Tropical grassy biomes: linking ecology, human use and conservation'.

Examining the genetic structure of species allows an estimate of the level of evolutionary connectivity between localities; this information is important for marine biodiversity protection, in particular, for the delineation of marine protected areas. In this context, a total of 601 Lutjanus kasmira (Forsskal, 1775) were sampled in 16 localities of the western Indian Ocean and analyzed with both mitochondrial cytochrome b sequencing and eight microsatellite loci genotyping. Both genetic markers indicate that differentiation was not significant even between samples separated by more than 4000 km. This absence of genetic differentiation among samples was favored by ecological plasticity of the species and is now ensured by resultant high levels of dispersal. Nevertheless, some significant genetic structure was detected for the areas of Mauritius and Moroni, as well as within populations in all localities, which will have to be explained by additional studies on local processes. Etudier la structure genetique des especes permet d'estimer le degre de connectivite evolutive qui existe entre differentes localites pour ces especes; cette connaissance est importante dans le cadre de la protection de la biodiversite marine, et plus particulierement pour la delimitation d'aires marines protegees. Dans ce contexte, 601 Lutjanus kasmira (Forsskal, 1775) ont ete echantillonnes dans 16 localites de l'ouest de l'Ocean Indien. La structure genetique existant entre ces localites a ete determinee par le sequencage du gene mitochondrial cyctochrome b et le genotypage des individus a huit loci microsatellites. Les deux marqueurs genetiques indiquent une absence de difference significative entre les sites echantillonnes, et ce meme entre des echantillons distants de plus de 4000 km. Cette absence de structure genetique est principalement liee a l'ecologie de l'espece, d'une part son importante plasticite ecologique et d'autre part sa forte capacite de dispersion. Neanmoins, de legeres differences genetiques sont observees pour les sites de Maurice et Moroni, ainsi qu'une structure entre individus au sein de chaque localite et restent encore a expliquer notamment par l'etude des processus locaux de renouvellement des populations., Introduction Examining the genetic structure of species allows for estimates of the level of individual exchange between populations and the identification of barriers to gene flow. This constitutes a recognized [...]

In Kenya, "Ugali", made from milled whole sifted dry maize (corn) flour, is the popular staple food consumed by nearly 80% of the population. The overreliance on "Ugali" has posed a major problem socially, economically and politically. Ugali is generally perceived to have higher energy and satiety compared to other carbohydrate staple foods. A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted using 322 purposefully selected respondents. The objective was to determine the preference ranking of selected commonly consumed carbohydrate energy staple foods by Very Active Manual Workers (VAMW). The VAMW require high energy in order to sustain their very active lifestyle. Three group categories were targeted: VAMW, moderately active Civil servants (CS) and University students (US). Structured questionnaires were administered to respondents to indicate their top ranking and preferred staple foods among six commonly consumed carbohydrate energy foods - Ugali, rice, chapati, Irish potatoes, bananas (Matoke), and "others" category (foods such as Githeri (mixed maize and beans), cassava, spaghetti, noodles, Sweet potatoes, and bread among many alternatives). The foods were ranked according to the most preferred to the least preferred on a scale of 1 to 6. Results indicated a higher preference for Ugali by all respondent groups. The mean rank for Ugali by VAMW was 1.134±0.492, followed by chapati 2.588±0.976, third was rice 3.27±1.242, fourth was Irish Potatoes 4.299±0.970, fifth bananas (matoke) 4.588±1.068, and sixth was "others" 5.165±1.296. US preference ranking for Ugali was 1.628±1.067, rice 2.5±1.085, chapati 2.564±1.083, Irish potatoes 4.053±0.943, bananas 4.394±0.918, and others 5.872±0.421; CS ranking for Ugali was 1.471±0.930, rice 2.608±l.101, chapati 3.09±1.264, bananas 4.029±1.173, Irish potatoes 4.51±0.972, and others 5.284±1.396. Combined groups mean was 1.410±0.064 and food preference ranking was very significantly different, P < 0.0001. Pairwise comparison of mean ranks indicated a significant difference between rank means of all groups, but there was no significant difference between the ranking for rice versus chapati, and Irish potatoes versus bananas. The VAMW had a higher preference for Ugali compared to the moderately active groups. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Water scarcity has directly influenced food security across the world. Water scarcity issues remain a major crisis in South Africa which derives the bulk of its food from the local agricultural sector. Likewise, water scarcity is a major challenge to agriculture crop productivity among under-resourced farmers in Limpopo Province which is also the country's economic hub. The current study was undertaken to explore the challenges of water scarcity and the subsequent threat posed to food security at the Luvhada Irrigation Scheme in Limpopo Province and possible solutions thereof. An explorative case study design was utilised. Respondents were selected using the random sampling technique. Data were collected using open and close-ended questionnaires. Quantitative data were analysed using the IBM Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) version 25 (descriptive statistics) while the Atlas ti version 8 software (network diagram technique) was used to analyse qualitative data from the open-ended questions. The major agricultural water challenges in the area were mainly broken canal challenge (35.7%), blocked furrows (16.67%), damaged furrows (26.19%), lack of alternative water sources (11.90%), inadequate water sources and competition for water (9.52%). Thus, major recommendations to improve water access at the scheme encompasses the construction of water storage facilities; construction of pipe lines and technically sound irrigation systems; drilling of boreholes; and full utilisation of water from the Nzhelele River. The recommendations are critical to improving water access and improving water conservation particularly at current times where water scarcity is rapidly increasing in Limpopo and South Africa at large. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In South Africa, small-scale farmers in rural areas are likely to suffer most from water scarcity, as they do not have adequate resources to deal with the threat. Yet, there is little understanding of farm-level resilience mechanisms against water scarcity in Vhembe District, a typical rural setting in the country. The current study was undertaken to identify and explain small-scale farmers' resilience factors to water scarcity at the farm level. The study was conducted at the Luvhada Irrigation Scheme in Limpopo Province. An explorative case study design was adopted. Eighteen respondents were purposively sampled and data were collected using semi-structured interview guides. The ATLAS.ti version 8 software (network and primary document table tools) was utilised to analyse data. Results illustrated water access challenges that encompassed dilapidated canal infrastructure, low water pressure and irregular water access. Management challenges such as insensitiveness of schedules to crop variety, limited irrigation time and disproportionate water distribution were further highlighted. To address these challenges, mechanisms such as regular canal maintenance, reduction of farming area and irrigation scheduling are applied to retain resilience. However, these mechanisms are survivalist in nature, as they did not translate to increased crop production. Thus, small-scale farmers need to be capacitated on modern water management mechanisms and be provided with resource to build on the existing water management mechanisms in the area. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mohammed Khaled Al-Hanawi,1 Martin Limbikani Mwale,2 Noor Alshareef,1 Ameerah MN Qattan,1 Khadijah Angawi,1 Rasha Almubark,3,4 Omar Alsharqi1 1Department of Health Services and Hospital Administration, Faculty of Economics and Administration, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah 80200, Saudi Arabia; 2Department of Economics, Faculty of Economic and Management Sciences, University of Stellenbosch, Cape Town, South Africa; 3Research and Studies Department, Saudi Food and Drug Authority, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia; 4Sharik Association for Health Research, Riyadh, Saudi ArabiaCorrespondence: Mohammed Khaled Al-HanawiDepartment of Health Services and Hospital Administration, Faculty of Economics and Administration, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah 80200, Saudi ArabiaEmail mkalhanawi@kau.edu.saBackground: The rapid spread of COVID-19 worldwide has confined millions of people to their homes and has caused a substantial degree of psychological distress. This study aims to investigate the psychological distress impact of the COVID-19 pandemic among the Saudi population.Methods: This is a cross-sectional study, using data collected from 3036 participants via an online self-reported questionnaire. The psychological distress was constructed using the COVID-19 Peritraumatic Distress Index to classify individuals in the sample as having normal, mild or severe distress levels. The study used descriptive analysis and multinomial logistic regressions to examine the sociodemographic factors associated with psychological distress levels during the COVID-19 pandemic.Results: The evidence showed that 40% of the Saudi population are distressed due to COVID-19, of whom approximately 33% are mildly distressed, while 7% are severely distressed. The distress levels are particularly high amongst the young, females, private sector employees and health workers, especially those working on the frontline.Conclusion: The COVID-19 pandemic is associated with increased distress amongst people living in Saudi Arabia. In support of evidence found in other countries, the study has established that the distress levels vary across different sociodemographic characteristics. Therefore, limiting people’s psychological damage demands both medium- and long-term policy strategies, which include mapping the rates of stress and anxiety for effective psychological treatment allocation and establishing innovative online methods of heightening people’s mental wellbeing.Keywords: COVID-19, distress, health workers, psychological, public, Saudi Arabia

Mohammed Khaled Al-Hanawi,1 Martin Limbikani Mwale,2 Tony Mwenda Kamninga3 1Department of Health Services and Hospital Administration, Faculty of Economics and Administration, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia; 2Department of Economics, Faculty of Economic and Management Sciences, Stellenbosch University, Cape Town, South Africa; 3Department of Economics, Faculty of Social and Health Sciences, Millennium University, Blantyre, MalawiCorrespondence: Mohammed Khaled Al-Hanawi Email mkalhanawi@kau.edu.saBackground: Saudi Arabia’s healthcare sector is growing at a hasty stride; nevertheless, the quality of healthcare consumption remains challenged by the growing caseload in free public health facilities. Insurance could ease this pressure by moving some healthcare demand to private facilities conditional on its ability to enact health-seeking behaviour. These potential effects remain under-investigated. Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate whether health insurance nudges health-seeking behaviour using data from Saudi Arabia.Materials and Methods: The study used nationally representative secondary data, obtained from the Family Health Survey, conducted in 2018, in Saudi Arabia. Health-seeking behaviour was measured by individual attendance of medical check-up. To account for endogeneity due to non-random selection of individuals into insurance, the analysis employed the inverse propensity weighting and the instrumental variables methods.Results: The results revealed that health insurance leads to increased chances of going for medical check-up. The effects are higher amongst non-Saudi nationals relative to citizens. Furthermore, people who purchase personal health insurance schemes are more likely to go for checks-ups, followed by individuals provided by the private sector and government sector. Finally, the study found that insurance positively nudges hypertension, diabetes, and cholesterol specific medical check-ups.Conclusion: The findings indicated the need for health policy to increase access to health insurance in Saudi Arabia. A notable policy response is the introduction of national health insurance coverage, which has already proven in other countries as an effective measure to attain universal access to improved health. Nevertheless, results from this study highlighted variations in demand for health seeking based on type of insurance with highest returns in personal insurance. Policy should leverage on this behaviour response by introducing insurance packages that share premiums with citizens to incentivise utilisation. The results can also be used to design policy responses to demand for insurance, in the entire Arabian Gulf region, since these countries have similar health financing mechanism with Saudi Arabia.Keywords: healthcare financing, health insurance, health sector, national health programs, Saudi Arabia