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Climate change is known to subject the functioning of agroecosystems to high levels of biotic and abiotic stress and has a significant impact on agricultural production worldwide. Crop rotation is believed to be one way of adapting agriculture to climate change compared to monoculture This study aimed to examine the maize-wheat rotation impact on soil nitrogen dynamics and leaching losses. A study has been carried out on the experimental field of Tsalapitsa, Plovdiv region on Fluvisol. In this maize-wheat rotation experiment, we compared three fertilization treatments with increasing nitrogen and phosphorus rates to a control with no fertilization. In 2020, grain maize (Zea mays L.) FAO group 310, was grown with fertilizer rates (T0N0P0; T1N120P80; T2N160P120; T3N200P160). In the period 2020/2021, wheat, (Triticum aestivum L.), was grown with the following fertilizer variants - (T0 N0P0; T1N100P60; T2 N140P100; T3 N180P140). The field plots were equipped with modification of Ebermayer type of lysimeters, which collect water from 100 cm depth of soil profile. The volume of lysimetric waters was calculated, the nitrogen content and its leaching were analyzed. The study found that the lysimetric water volume after maize cultivation was 75.95 liters per square meter, approximately 2.5 to 3 times higher than that observed after wheat cultivation. Nitrogen content varied with fertilization rates, ranging from 10.8 to 37.5 mg/L for maize and 8.73 to 23.58 mg/L for wheat. The losses of the element with drainage runoff with the first crop were -- 5.6-28.5 kg.ha-1, and with wheat -- 1.2-6.3 kg.ha-1, respectively. It was established that when cereal crops were grown the losses of nitrate nitrogen out of the root zone were significantly reduced. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

All over the world, agriculture will have to adapt to new climatic conditions. Experts from the International Food Organization have concluded that after 2030, crop yields will decrease in many regions of the world due to climate change. For agriculture, the greatest danger is posed by such manifestations of climate change as rising temperatures, changing precipitation patterns, sea level rise (for coastal lowlands) and frequent droughts and floods, especially in areas prone to natural disasters. These changes are affecting agriculture, and the problem of ensuring food security is becoming more acute. This article discusses the problem of rational use of agricultural land in the Western region of Kazakhstan in the context of climate change. The main focus is on the need to adapt agriculture to new climatic conditions and the efficient use of available land resources. The paper presents the key aspects of this problem, analyzes possible solutions and offers recommendations for the sustainable development of agriculture in the region. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Due to the effects of climate change and overgrazing in recent decades, alternative stable states in the alpine Kobresia meadow degradation process have coexisted in the same geographical and climatic environment, with variations occurring among microsites. Methods: We used a space‐for‐time substitution approach to explore the synergies of microsite variation according to its numerical characteristics and the proportion of each stable state at various stages of succession in alpine Kobresia meadows on the Qinghai–Tibetan Plateau. Results: (1) The highest average aboveground biomass in summer was 196.2 ± 20.3 g m−2, with significantly higher levels of biomass in ≤3.65 sheep unit ha−1 than in other levels of grazing intensity, while the parameters showed no significant differences among grazing intensity levels in >3.65 sheep unit ha−1. (2) The importance of plant functional groups, aboveground biomass, and niche breadth of Poaceae and Cyperaceae significantly decreased as the grazing intensity increased. (3) The effects of ≥0°C accumulated temperature, total precipitation, altitude, longitude, and latitude cumulatively contributed less than 20% of the variation in the distribution of functional group characteristics across microsites. Conclusions: (1) Overgrazing decreases primary production in alpine Kobresia meadows, but ecosystem responses regulate plant community structure and botanical components so as to partially counteract grazing disturbance. (2) Overgrazing changed the proportion of microsites, which in turn led to regime shift in the plant community and subsequent synergies between the microsites of plant communities and their stable states. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Constructing multispecies submerged vegetation systems and maintaining stable seasonal succession is crucial for restoring shallow eutrophic lakes. However, little is known about the interactions between successional and existing species of different growth forms, particularly under the low light and high nutrient conditions of eutrophic lakes. We measured the functional traits of mature Vallisneria natans (Lour.) Hara plants and Potamogeton crispus L. shoots in monoculture and mosaic patterns under different light and nutrient conditions. The effect of light on functional traits of the submerged macrophyte species was more significant than that of nutrients, but the reverse was true for P. crispus biomass allocation. Moreover, interspecific interactions affected only the submerged macrophytes under the low light condition and varied with species. Specifically, the interaction of P. crispus to V. natans was biased towards competition, while the interaction of V. natans to P. crispus was converted from facilitation to competition by eutrophication, particularly in the homogenous mosaic growth pattern. This study demonstrates that sufficient light is a prerequisite and patch planting is an effective means to form a multispecies submerged vegetation system. In addition, we emphasize that the coexistence of eutrophication and low light will likely result in a competition between submerged macrophytes thus simplifying the vegetation, even if their growth forms and growing seasons are different. These findings help explain the collapse of multispecies submerged vegetation and guide the restoration of aquatic plants in eutrophic lakes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

During the 1980s and 1990s the Holdridge Life Zones system was one of the first and most influential ecological classifications used to predict the effects of climate change on vegetation worldwide. This was not its original purpose. This classification, first published in 1947 and revised in 1967, was explicitly designed to boost agricultural efficiency in the Greater Caribbean tropics. Leslie Holdridge, an American forester, developed his life zone scheme while leading extractive American scientific missions to procure Caribbean commodities like rubber and cinchona during World War II. Drawing on these experiences, he theorized that climate naturally shaped discrete ecological regions (life zones), which he believed were inherently suited to certain types of land use, such as the cultivation of particular tropical commodities. This essay thus argues that Holdridge Life Zones constructed climate as a normative force to prescribe efficient and sustainable land use throughout the Greater Caribbean. However, as later ecologists and biogeographers extended the Holdridge Life Zones classification to the global scale, this normativity was successfully erased. This essay thus investigates an overlooked and pioneering intersection of ecology and climate science, moving beyond formalized programs like the International Biological Program to reveal the centrality of resource extraction and the Greater Caribbean in shaping global bioclimatic knowledge. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

RT-PCR method was performed using four different nucleic acid extraction methods to identify viroids; peach latent mosaic viroid (PLMVd) and hop stunt viroid (HSVd) which causes serious damage to stone fruits. Leaf samples were collected from fruit orchards showing viroid-like symptoms in İzmir province. Silica capture, citric buffer, lithium chloride, and ames buffer methods were used to extract total nucleic acids. The four extraction methods were compared using samples collected during the vegetation period from naturally infected trees (plum, apricot, and peach). They were evaluated with RT-PCR tests. In 64 stone fruit tree samples, only the silica capture method gave reliable and accurate results in RT- PCR molecular tests for the detection of PLMVd and HSVd. The other wielded nucleic acid extraction methods were found to be ineffective for the isolation of the viroid RNAs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The mangrove ecosystem is one of the unique and vulnerable coastal ecosystems. Unique because the mangrove ecosystem is an ecological system consisting of tropical coastal vegetation communities dominated by several types of mangrove trees that are able to grow and develop in tidal muddy coastal areas. One of the mangrove ecosystems in Bali is in the Ngurah Rai Grand Forest Park. Purpose: This study aims to determine the species composition and Important Value Index of mangrove ecosystems in Ngurah Rai Forest Park. The Importance Value Index can provide an overview of the influence or role of a mangrove plant species in an area. Method: Analysis of mangrove vegetation was carried out using a combination of the strip method and the grid line method. Results: Based on the analysis results found 12 main mangrove species found in Tahura Ngurah Rai namely S. alba, S. caseolaris, R. apiculata, R. mucronata, R. stylosa, A. lanata, A. marina, B. gymnorrhiza, X Grenade, Lumnitzera racemosa, Aegiceras corniculatum, Ceriops tagal. The mangrove species S. alba and R. apiculata have the highest Importance Value Index (INP), which means that these types have a high influence and role in the Tahura Ngurah Rai mangrove ecosystem. Conclusion: Based on the formulation of the problem above, the results of the study found 12 main mangrove species found in Tahura Ngurah Rai, namely S. alba, S. caseolaris, R. apiculata, R. mucronata, R. stylosa, A. lanata, A. marina, B. gymnorrhiza, X. granatum, Lumnitzera racemosa, Aegiceras corniculatum, Ceriops tagal. The mangrove species S. alba and R. apiculata have the highest Importance Value Index (INP), which means that these types have a high influence and role in the Tahura Ngurah Rai mangrove ecosystem. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The recent advancements in sequencing technologies and informatic tools promoted a paradigm shift to decipher the hidden biological mysteries and transformed the biological issues into digital data to express both qualitative and quantitative forms. The transcriptomic approach, in particular, has added new dimensions to the versatile essence of plant genomics through the large and deep transcripts generated in the process. This has enabled the mining of super families from the sequenced plants, both model and non-model, understanding their ancestry, diversity, and evolution. The elucidation of the crystal structure of the WRKY proteins and recent advancement in computational prediction through homology modeling and molecular dynamic simulation has provided an insight into the DNA–protein complex formation, stability, and interaction, thereby giving a new dimension in understanding the WRKY regulation. The present review summarizes the functional aspects of the high volume of sequence data of WRKY transcription factors studied from different species, till date. The review focuses on the dynamics of structural classification and lineage in light of the recent information. Additionally, a comparative analysis approach was incorporated to understand the functions of the identified WRKY transcription factors subjected to abiotic (heat, cold, salinity, senescence, dark, wounding, UV, and carbon starvation) stresses as revealed through various sets of studies on different plant species. The review will be instrumental in understanding the events of evolution and the importance of WRKY TFs under the threat of climate change, considering the new scientific evidences to propose a fresh perspective. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Yerba-mate (Ilex paraguariensis) is a perennial native tree from South America. Improper management of yerba-mate crops results in low yield. This work evaluated the recovery and the vegetative capacity of the crop after coppicing. Methods: A 2-year field observation approach was used and the study area was monitored from 2019 to 2021 in a 20-year-old yerba-mate crop with low yield. Drastic coppicing was used as a strategy, aiming to study the effect of the month and the height of pruning. Four groups were defined combining the trunk heights of 10 and 40 cm and the months of pruning June and August. Results: Yerba-mate plants showed a low mortality rate of 2%. In the first year after the intervention, the height of the cutting was the most important factor that influenced the amount of primary and secondary branches, validating response surfaces with r2 values of 0.9942 and 0.9084, respectively. In the second year of the experiment, full recovery in productivity was reached, with a mean rise of 109.7% in the plants of the group coppiced in June 40 cm above the soil. Conclusion: The techniques used in this study are appropriate for vigor recovery in yerba-mate plants inadequately managed and allow a new architecture on plants, enabling mechanical harvesting. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Breadfruit (Artocarpus altilis) is a domesticated tree crop found throughout the insular Pacific and in other tropical regions of the world where it has been introduced, most notably in the Caribbean. Although breadfruit thrives in Hawai'i, as it has since before European contact, efforts to introduce breadfruit to the mainland United States have been challenged by the tree's intolerance for even mildly cold temperatures. Historically, only extreme southern Florida has been consistently warm enough to support breadfruit cultivation. Today, however, likely owing to warming temperatures associated with global climate change, but possibly also the selection of breadfruit varieties with improved cold tolerance, an increasing number of growers based throughout Florida are finding success cultivating breadfruit trees and producing fruit. Using a mixed-methods approach including interviews and surveys among forty-three Florida-based breadfruit growers, this article investigates the current status and geographical range of breadfruit in the mainland United States and considers both the sustainability implications and the remaining environmental challenges regarding its cultivation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The soil loss has become a problem of environmental degradation in Southeastern Brazil. In a region of tropical climate, with precipitations concentrated in summer and sandy soils, the substitution of native vegetation by pasture and cultivation of sugarcane caused changes in the hydrological regime of the hydrographic basins. Soil degradation conditions, with marks present in the landscape, need to be quantified by empirical methods. In the estimates of water erosion, the most used method is the Universal Equation of Soil Losses. The method of estimating soil losses by generating geographic information and spatial data. The Confusion Stream’s basin is located in a region with replacement of pasture areas planted by sugarcane crop for fuel production. This research aims to estimate soil losses in a basin from comparative data from 2009 and 2018, derived from analysis of CBERS satellite images, with spatial resolution of 20 meters, in the mapping of land cover, through the classification of images in the IDRISI geographic information system. Rainfall erosivity factors and soil erodibility were obtained from secondary sources. The topographic factor was obtained from the processing of data from the Shuttle Radar Topography Mission. The areas of the land cover classes were related to factor C of the USLE and data estimates of secondary sources of erosivity factor (R), erodibility factor (K) and topographic factor with the data of slope (LS). From these parameters, an estimate of soil loss was presented for the basin of Confusion’s Stream. The soil loss in the basin of Confusion’s Stream was estimated by 2018 data at 2,484 t/ha/y. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present study aims to use remote sensing techniques and geographic information systems (GIS) in monitoring and detecting droughts in the steppe regions (Tiaret city as a model) during the period (2002-2022). In pursuit of this aim, some indicators were used, such as the surface temperature index (LST), soil moisture index (SMI), standardized difference vegetation index (NDVI), and aridity index (AI). Depending on the Terra satellite's visuals, which are specialized in observing the earth and tracking changes that may occur in it. The purpose of the study is to demonstrate the extent to which the Algerian steppe regions, particularly the southern ones, are vulnerable to drought as a result of the climatic changes that the globe is experiencing in general. This is confirmed by the indicators that were used in this study (LST), (SMI), ( NDVI), (and AI), In addition to this, unregulated activities, such as grazing, unplanned reclamation, and others, have exacerbated the severity of the problem, and in order to safeguard this environment, it must be regularly monitored and protected. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The impact of abrasion and tidal flooding will result in public security and human security disturbances. The ultimate impact of a disaster that is not handled properly is that it will disrupt state security. This study uses a qualitative descriptive design method. The purpose of this study was to analyze how far the mitigation of coastal abrasion and tidal flooding using mangrove forest vegetation mitigation and its effect on regional resilience in Muaragembong District, Bekasi Regency. The research was carried out at Mekar Beach, Simple Beach, Bhakti Beach, and Happy Beach, with 16 informants. Research data were analyzed using four steps. The results of the study show that the development of mangrove forests as a mitigation of sustainable vegetation is still being carried out by applying a new method called challenging the ocean currents from behind, and regional resilience is only supported by the existence of good social capital. The conclusion is that even though the development of mangrove forests only strengthens social and community capital, it is able to support the resilience of the Muaragembong region and support ensuring national security. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Soybean is a globally valued and sought-after crop due to its high protein and oil content in the beans, as well as its ecological adaptability. Water is an indispensable component for plant life, and its absence is the most important abiotic factor negatively influencing the quality and quantity of agricultural yields. Analyzing the climatic conditions in Central Moldavia, there has been an observed increase in temperatures in recent years, coupled with a reduction in precipitation. This paper presents the results obtained from a bifactorial experiment aimed at determining the influence of growth regulators on the water regime of soybean plants in response to climate change, achieved through the application of different growth regulator treatments. The experiment was conducted in the experimental field of A.R.D.S. Secuieni in the year 2023. According to the determinations made, the rate of dehydration varied both according to the soybean variety and the applied treatment. In the first hour of dehydration, the percentage values of total water content ranged from 79.92 % (untreated Onix variety) to 92.79 % (Iris variety treated with Toprex), and after 24 hours, the values of total water content ranged from 25.69 % (Ziana variety treated with Moddus Evo) to 33.54 % (Iris variety treated with Toprex). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose of research carried out in 2022 at Ezăreni Farm (47°05'-47°10 ' North latitude and 27°28'-27°33' Eastern longitude) belonging to the Ia Şi University of Life Sciences, was to analyze the competitiveness of the species Festuca arundinacea Schreb. and Trifolium pratense L., grown alone or in simple mixtures, under different conditions of fertilization with complex mineral fertilizers, under the climatic conditions from Moldavian Forrest Steppe. The studied factors were: species or mixture of grasses and perennial legumes, with 5 graduations, respectively a1 - Festuca arundinacea Schreb. (100%); a2 - Festuca arundinacea Schreb. (75%) and Trifolium pratense L. (25%); a3 - Festuca arundinacea Schreb. (50%) and Trifolium pratense L. (50%); a4 - Festuca arundinacea Schreb. (25%) and Trifolium pratense L. (75%); a5 - Trifolium pratense L. (100% ) and fertilization with mineral fertilizers, with 5 graduations, respectively b1 - unfertilized, b2 - N50P50; b3 - N75P75; b4 - N100; b5 - N150P150. In the second year of vegetation, the RYT index (Relative Yield Total) recorded values >1, except for variants fertilized with N150P150, showing that the Festuca arundinacea Schreb. and Trifolium pratense L. species competes for the same vegetation factors, and the CR index for the Festuca arundinacea Schreb. species was higher than in the case of the Trifolium pratense L. species only at a percentage of participation in the mixture of 75%, under fertilization conditions, in which case the species was more competitive. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Until the publication of our work, "Summary of vegetation coenotaxons in the basin of the river Lotru", in 2019, no other study on flora of Brezoi had been published. In the present work we introduce 32 herbaceous vegetal associations from Brezoi, of either hydrophile, hygrofile or mesophile character. The undergoing research covered 1999, 2002, 2004, 2007 and most particularly 2009-2015. The associations have been identified through phytocoenologic inventories of the floristic composition on test surfaces, and through typical species. The inventories have been mostly performed downstream of Brezoi, and upstream from the Lotru River-Olt River confluence, on altitudes comprised between 300 m și 330 m above the sea level. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The iconic southern New England landscape is a densely populated region in which historic villages and growing cities are set within an expansive forest. While oaks are dominant or significant species in 60% of these forests, they face pressures that compromise their health and ability to regenerate. Threats include deer herbivory and insect defoliation, while drought and climate-change stresses compound other disturbance factors. With traditional silviculture methods no longer working reliably and landowner motivations changing, new management options are needed. A 2019-22 initiative led by the Forest Stewards Guild and state agencies has engaged partners in Connecticut, Massachusetts, and Rhode Island to collaborate in promoting stewardship that will support and improve the resiliency of the region's oak forests. One promising output of this collaboration is a web-based Oak Resiliency Assessment Tool that professionals and landowners can use. Looking forward, researchers at the University of Connecticut and University of Rhode Island are leading a study designed to test different management approaches to help regional oak forests adapt to changing climate conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Regarding the important effects of thermal comfort on residents, especially in hot regions, our study aimed to investigate and determine the influence of vegetation on the external thermal comfort conditions in the Algerian Sahara. In our work, we examine the determining factors of thermal comfort at three points in the Ksar of Ain Madhi by coupling in-situ measurement and simulation with the Rayman 1.2 software. The measured parameters are air temperature (Ta), relative humidity (HR). The simulated parameters are global actual radiation (Gact), direct actual radiation (Sact), surface temperature (Ts), mean radiant temperature (MRT), predicted mean vote (PMV) and physiological equivalent temperature (PET), this work is such a lesson of sustainability that we should take into account for future urban development especially in hot arid regions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pan-sharpening is a pixel-level image fusion process whereby a lower-spatial-resolution multispectral image is merged with a higher-spatial-resolution panchromatic one. One of the drawbacks of this process is that it may introduce spectral or radiometric distortion. The degree to which distortion is introduced is dependent on the imaging sensor, the pan-sharpening algorithm employed, and the context of the scene analyzed. Studies that evaluate the quality of pan-sharpening algorithms often fail to account for changes in geographic context and are agnostic to any specific applications of an end user. This research proposes an evaluation framework to assess the effects of six widely used pan-sharpening algorithms on normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI) calculation in five contextually diverse geographic locations. Output image quality is assessed by comparing the empirical cumulative density function of NDVI values that are calculated by using pre-sharpened and sharpened imagery. The premise is that an effective algorithm will generate a sharpened multispectral image with a cumulative NDVI distribution that is similar to the pre-sharpened image. Research results revealed that, generally, the Gram–Schmidt algorithm introduces a significant degree of spectral distortion regardless of sensor and spatial context. In addition, higher-spatial-resolution imagery is more susceptible to spectral distortions upon pan-sharpening. Furthermore, variability in cumulative density of spectral information in fused images justifies the application of an analytical framework to assist users in selecting the most effective methods for their intended application. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Natural or anthropogenic urban vegetation is an important resource for urban planning, risk assessment, and sustainable development of a city. Quito is a megadiverse city due to its location and topography, but the socioeconomic diversity generates more contrasting conditions of certain behaviors and habits related to urban infrastructure. The contrasts of vegetation and green spaces in the different sectors of Quito also reflect the diversity of the city. This study examines the effects of socioeconomic conditions on the loss or increase of urban vegetation. The exploratory regression method (spatial) and logit model (non-spatial) were used to explain the socioeconomic effects on urban vegetation density at the level of urban parishes. On the one hand, the Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) was calculated as the dependent variable based on the 2021 sentinel images. On the other hand, the independent variables were structured based on the socioeconomic level, the land valuation areas of Quito (AIVAS), and the quality of life index. This article contributes to establishing baseline information that helps structure the conditions, strategies, and investments to design and implement plans and programs for urban drainage, ecosystem benefits, and sustainable development in the city of Quito. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The intensity of solar energy that is received by a particular location is affected by most meteorological conditions including, the solar irradiance received by the location, precipitation, extreme heat as a result of the surface or ambient temperature, etc. We obtain the monthly global solar irradiation and ambient temperature for the three (3) eco-climatic zones in the south of Nigeria (17 locations) for 12 years (2005 - 2016) from the Photovoltaic Geographical Information System (PVGIS) Satellite. The goal of this study is to understand how regional meteorological conditions affect radiation and temperature reception. Monthly and annual trends were plotted and compared for both variables in each region to show the similarity or dichotomy in their trends. The Mann-Kendall (M-K) trend test has been adopted to reveal the changes in the variations on an annual basis, and results showed that the trend were not significant for both variables. Box plots have been used to give a better description of the data, and compared to show similarities and differences. Finally, we adopted the Gaussian (normal) distribution to show, understand and compare the data distribution. Linear regression plots for each zone shows that the relationship between the solar irradiation and temperature is high. Results show that the climate and vegetation of a region contributes majorly to the variation of radiation and temperature. Inhomogeneity of data or results for locations in the same zones may be attributed to local meteorological conditions. The results obtained here will prove vital in decision making relating to the adoption of solar energy technologies in the region. Results show that the climate and vegetation of a region contributes majorly to the variation of radiation and temperature. Inhomogeneity of data or results for locations in the same zones may be attributed to local meteorological conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study was conducted at Gara Gola, in the Oromia regional state of Ethiopia, to examine the carbon sequestration potentials under three altitudinal gradients [i.e., Lower altitude (LA: 1500-1800 m.a.s.l.); Middle altitude (MA: 1801-2000 m.a.s.l.) and upper altitude (UA: 2001-2300 m.a.s.l.)]. A total of 60 quadrats of 20m x 20m, 5m x 5m, and 1m x 1m with six horizontal transect lines were employed to gather data on the tree, shrub, herbaceous, and soil, respectively. To estimate organic carbon percentage, soil parameters were collected from three soil profiles (i.e., 0 to 10 cm, 10 to 20 cm, and 20 to 30 cm). The mean total carbon stock of the study area was 641.18 Mg ha-1. MA had relatively higher TC than the other gradients. But the LA had the lowest TC stock, due to a high amount of human and animal interference. The results showed that the UA had significantly higher above-ground (AGC) and below-ground carbon (BGC) stocks with 147.3±39.4 Mg ha-1 and 18.37±7.8 Mg ha-1, respectively, compared to other gradients. However, LA had the lowest AGC (66.8±8.7 Mg ha-1) and BGC (12.06±2.6 Mg ha-1). Lower altitude exhibited a significantly higher SOC value than the other two altitudinal gradients followed by MA. The UA had the lowest SOC value. SOC across the three soil profiles follows a reduction trend from topsoil depth to lower soil depth with significant variation. In conclusion, LA should embrace better ecological, policy, and socioeconomic considerations than the other gradients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper has been attempted the Land use Land cover Change analysis of Jaunpur district U.P. a scarce resource due to immense agricultural and change is essential for the selection, planning and implementation of land use schemes to meet the increasing demands for basic human needs and welfare. Middle Ganga Plain. The main objective of this study is to analyses the land use pattern in Jaunpur district in 2001 and 2021 and trace the change in land use pattern. investigation has been largely based on secondary data like Landsat 7 (ETM +) dated 24 October 2001 and Landsat 8 (OLI& TIRS) dated 24 October 2001 data of path and row 142/43 for the years 2001 and 2021 have been downloaded from the USGS website, survey of change analysishas been done by using vegetation was notified in 2001, while in 2021, it reduced and 156 km2 noted, which in the wetland. The water body accrues the total 246 km2 area in 2001 while it has been negatively changing in 2021 and shrink within 166 km2. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study shows how beaver digging activity can affect water body morphology and local biota under modern environmental conditions in a small floodplain lake. The total area of microhabitats created by beavers was found to reach 7% of water body area and 30% of littoral-zone area. It was noted that the zoogenic microhabitats are different when depth is greater and plant cover is smaller, especially of emergent vegetation. Helophytes Sparganium erectum and Alopecurus aequalis were found to prefer the beaver-unaffected part of the littoral. Invertebrates Naucoris sp. and Hydrophilus sp. prefer beaver microhabitats, whereas Planorbis planorbis, Lymnaea palustris, and Hydrous sp. prefer thickets of emergent plants in beaver-unaffected littoral areas. Adult crucian carps Carassius carassius proved to be abundant in the beaver-unaffected part of the water body, while the adult weatherfish Misgurnus fossilis prefers beaver burrows, and its fry inhabit beaver-unaffected sites. A similar situation was observed for marsh frogs Pelophylax ridibundus: adults prefer beaver microhabitats in June, but frog tadpoles mainly inhabit a beaver-unaffected littoral. Tadpoles of Pelobates vespertinus proved to be slightly aggregated near beaver burrows in July. The beaver activity was found to slightly increase β-diversity within the water body according to Jaccard indices. The results confirm that the beaver-created heterogeneity is important for aquatic biota under conditions of shallowing of floodplain water bodies. This study shows how beaver digging activity can affect water body morphology and local biota under modern environmental conditions in a small floodplain lake. The results confirm that the beaver-created heterogeneity is important for aquatic biota under conditions of shallowing of floodplain water bodies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Agriculture is the largest determinant of a country's economic development. Approximately 70 % of the Indian populace is reliant on farming. Caused by a multitude of climatic circumstances, plants become susceptible to severe disease outbreaks. Those diseases begin with the plant leaves and then spread to the rest of the plant, affecting both the quantity and quality of the crops that may be grown. A person's eye can't distinguish and diagnose the disease on each crop in the region because of the enormous quantity of plants. As a result, it's critical to properly identify the individual plant to prevent the illness from spreading. As a result of this research, we have developed a system for detecting and diagnosing plant leaf diseases using "Machine Learning (ML)" techniques, and then suggest the type of disease to cure on time. Our strategy is geared toward raising agricultural yields by focusing on agricultural production. In general, most methods employ a set of fundamental procedures, including such as data acquisition, preprocessing, segmentation, extraction of features, selection of optimal features, and classifications. In this research, we have proposed an "Advanced version of KMeans Clustering (AKMC)" approach for segmenting leaves image and an advanced version of the "K-Nearest Neighborhood (AKNN)" approach for classifying leaf diseases. The AKNN classification model has been used to recognize "Alternaria Alternata", "Anthracnose", "Bacterial Blight", "Cercospora Leaf Spot", and "Healthy Leaves" in the leaf image. Using a nonparametric procedure, this classifier can make classifications. Data for this research is obtained from the "Manu's Disease data set" from openly available resources. The programming tool "MATLAB R2017" with a system configuration "Intel Core i7 CPU with a 64-bit Operating System" was used to evaluate the simulations. The experimental parameters such as "Accuracy", "Recall (Sensitivity)", "Precision", and "F-measure" are compared and tabulated for the proposed "AKNN" and the existing "Bacterial Foraging Optimization based Radial Basis Function Neural Network (BRBFNN)". The performance of the proposed method surpasses the existing method according to the results. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The vegetation around the mouth of the Cagüey River, located within the Río Máximo Fauna Refuge, north of Camagüey, was characterized. Six vegetal formations were identified and described, following the phytosociological method. The relevance of species richness in the general diversity of the ecosystems was demonstrated, with higher values in the evergreen microphyllous forest and the gallery forest. The synanthropic index showed the existence of intense human activity in the past and serious damage to the original vegetation cover. The following points were clarified in relation to the control of invasive species, the recovery of taxa threatened with extinction, and the rehabilitation of ecosystems, in the context of the management measures implemented by the protected area. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of the article. The article is devoted to the study of one from forms of syndynamics in Late Pennsylvanian time, namely phytocoenogenesis. The study of the phytocoenogenesis of ancient plant communities, i.e., the formation of new types of palaeophytocoenoses, is based on the research of vegetation diversity that is reflected in the ecological-floristic classification of the Late Pennsylvanian phytocoenoses of the Donets Basin by the Brown-Blanquet method. Material and research methods. The phytocoenogenetic researches consisted of the analysis of the changes of the species and syntaxonomic composition of vegetation cover throughout the Late Pennsylvanian. The peculiarities and main factors of phytocoenogenesis have been identified on the palaeosyntaxa in rank of the orders of the following vegetation types: wetland forests and woodlands of coastal lowlands, wetland forests and woodlands of deltaic plains, seasonally dry woodlands of river valleys and lagoon coasts. The palaeophytocoenotic data are based on the plant fossil assemblages from lacustrine, lacustrine-swamp, lacustrine-deltaic, floodplainlacustrine, floodplain and lacustrine-lagoon deposits in more than 17 localities and 11 boreholes located within the Bakhmutska and Kalmius-Toretska troughs. Research results. Based on the analysis of the phytocoenogenetic processes (progressive and regressive development of plant communities) and the manifestations of phytocoenogenesis (formation of new communities and loss of old communities) in the development of the Late Pennsylvanian vegetation, three models of the formation of new communities and one model of the loss of communities from vegetation cover have been proposed. Each of the models reveals the relationship between the phytocoenogenetic processes and environmental changes. The evolution-progression model reflects the progressive development of palaeophytocoenoses that is expressed by the appearance of evolutionary new coenopopulations in the conditions of the expansion of landscape types (expanding biotopes). The migration-progression model conforms to the progressive development of palaeophytocoenoses as a result of the migration of plants from decreasing landscape types to expanding ones (expanding biotopes). The substitution-regression model is consistent with the regressive development of palaeophytocoenoses along with structure simplification and dominant substitution of plant communities due to the contraction of certain landscape types (decreasing biotopes). The elision-regression model of the loss of communities reflects the regressive development of palaeophytocoenoses that is expressed by the decrease in the number of coenopopulations and the number of individuals in remaining coenopopulations in the conditions of the contraction of some landscape types (decreasing biotopes). The scientific novelty. For the first time, the Late Pennsylvanian vegetation dynamics (syndynamic) have been studied. The proposed three models of the formation of new communities and one model of the loss of communities reveal the main directions in evolution of palaeophytocoenoses and give the first ideas about phytocoenogenesis in late Palaeozoic times. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The grasslands from Sadu River basin located between the Cindrel Mountains (Cibin) and the Șteflești Mountains (Lotru), from 380 m to 1,850 m altitude, on all the exhibitions, mostly sunny, have a remarkable phytodiversity. The average number of plant species on a survey of 100 m2 is 66 and the vegetation cover of the sample areas of 90% of which 60% participation of good forage species and 30% species harmful to grass and animal products. The average productivity of the pastures used in grazing regime was estimated at 40.8 pastoral value (PV) and 6.05 t/ha of green fodder mass (GM) with a capacity of 0.70 UVM/ha in a season of 135 days. The average productivity of grasslands used mainly for hay or mixed forraging is on average higher than 46.5 PV and 10.39 t/ha MV. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

İncreasing climate change effect with decreaing and limation of food sources, alternative and well adopted pathway should used. Proso millet is one of human food alternative, its dry enviroment crops. Panicum miliaceum is used in human and animal nutrition. Recently it has been grown in the Konya region in an irrigated schemes for its grain. Proso millet grains have vital economic and nutrition potential. Previously were used to feed pet birds and poultary. Under Konya conditions, the farmer obtained about 150-200 kg/da grain yield. Crop seeds are harvested in 90-100 days, using a combined harvester. The crop possesses a vital capacity of being a promising crop that might contribute to human food security. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Understanding the long-term effects of tree species on soil properties is crucial for the development of forest restoration policies in relation to the choice of species that meet both environmental and local livelihood needs. This study was performed in the Arboretum of Ruhande, Southern Rwanda, where monocultures of 148 deciduous and 56 conifer species have been established in 0.25 ha replicated plots from 1933 onwards. We investigated the effects of six exotic and two native tree species planted in monoculture plots and native species mixed within one self-regenerated plot on soil properties in two layers (0-5 cm and 5-10 cm depth). We measured general soil properties (pH, SOM, exchangeable base cations) and water-soluble C and N as a proxy for soil functioning. Changes in soil properties were observed in the upper soil layer for all tree species. Planting Eucalyptus species caused soil acidification, whereas soil exchangeable cations and pH were higher under native species (Entandrophragma excelsum and Polyschias fulva) and mixed native species. The effects of tree species were more pronounced for hot water-extractable C and N than for other soil properties. Their analyses could be used for detecting changes in soil functioning linked to vegetation types. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Vegetation recovery after the large wildfires that occurred in central Portugal in 2017 is assessed in the present study. These wildfires had catastrophic consequences, among which were human losses and a vast extent of forest devastation. Landsat 8 OLI images were used to obtain the land use and cover (LUC) classification and to determine the Normalized Burned Ratio index (NBR) for different times. NBR results were used to determine the difference between the NBR (dNBR) before the fire (pre-fire) and after the fire (post-fire), and the results obtained were cross-checked with the LUC. The dNBR results were cross-referenced with biophysical data to identify the characteristics of the most important burned areas in need of vegetative recovery. The results showed the spatial differentiation in vegetation recovery, highlighting different factors in this process, in particular the type of vegetation (the predominant species and bank of seeds available), the biophysical characteristics of burned areas (for example, the soil type in burned areas), the continentality gradient, and the climate conditions. The vegetation recovery was differentiated by time according to the species present in the burned areas pre-fire. In general, shrubland recovery was faster than that of tree species, and the recovery was more marked for species that were regenerated by the rhizomes after fire. The recovery process was also influenced by the season in the study area. It was more efficient in the spring and at the beginning of the summer, highlighting the importance of optimal conditions needed for vegetation regeneration, such as the temperature and precipitation (soil humidity and water availability for growing plants). The results of this research are important to forest planning: the definition of the strategies for the ecosystems' recovery, the adoption of preventive measures to avoid the occurrence of large wildfires, the modification of anthropogenic practices, etc. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Although accurate estimates of biomass loss during peat fires, and recovery over time, are critical in understanding net peat ecosystem carbon balance, empirical data to inform carbon models are scarce. During the 2019 dry season, fires burned through 133,631 ha of degraded peatlands of Central Kalimantan. This study reports carbon loss from surface fuels and the top peat layer of 18.5 Mg C ha-1 (3.5 from surface fuels and 15.0 from root/peat layer), releasing an average of 2.5 Gg (range 1.8-3.1 Gg) carbon in these fires. Peat surface change measurements over one month, as the fires continued to smolder, indicated that about 20 cm of the surface was lost to combustion of peat and fern rhizomes, roots and recently incorporated organic residues that we sampled as the top peat layer. Time series analysis of live green vegetation (NDVI trend), combined with field observations of vegetation recovery two years after the fires, indicated that vegetation recovery equivalent to fire-released carbon is likely to occur around 3 years after fires. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We conducted an anthracological analysis of charcoal remains from Border Cave's member 1RGBS to provide environmental context for the site's occupation ca. 74 ka. Charcoal specimens were analyzed to assess their quality and quantity, and identify their tree taxa to reconstruct the vegetation communities available to the site's occupants. Specimens were analyzed using light stereomicroscopy and following standard anthracology methods. We identified the tree taxa that grow predominantly in the savanna, forest, and grassland vegetation communities. Using the current distribution of these communities as a reference, we suggest that the archaeological Border Cave landscape included vegetation types that now grow in southern Africa's interior warm parts. Our data revealed that Tarchonanthus sp. was collected most abundantly at this time, possibly for its medicinal and cosmetic properties. Euphorbia species were also collected, perhaps for their latex before their wood was burned. Furthermore, green wood logs of Tarchonanthus sp. were burned or discarded into the fire; this is evidenced by the high proportion of fragments of this species bearing radial cracks. There may have been unfavorable environmental conditions in the archaeological landscape that resulted in the wood vessel occlusion of many trees. These were likely episodic microclimatic conditions around the cave during some growth phases of the trees. These conditions and their intensity, however, were not fatal to the trees in this dataset. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Crop planting area and spatial distribution information have important practical significance for food security, global change, and sustainable agricultural development. How to efficiently and accurately identify crops in a timely manner by remote sensing in order to determine the crop planting area and its temporal–spatial dynamic change information is a core issue of monitoring crop growth and estimating regional crop yields. Based on hundreds of relevant documents from the past 25 years, in this paper, we summarize research progress in relation to farmland vegetation identification and classification by remote sensing. The classification and identification of farmland vegetation includes classification based on vegetation index, spectral bands, multi-source data fusion, artificial intelligence learning, and drone remote sensing. Representative studies of remote sensing methods are collated, the main content of each technology is summarized, and the advantages and disadvantages of each method are analyzed. Current problems related to crop remote sensing identification are then identified and future development directions are proposed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

One more African new species belonging to the genus Leiurus Ehrenberg is described. The description is based on two pre-adult male specimens collected in the region of Kaura Namoda, NW of Nigeria. The new species shows affinities with other Leiurus species distributed in the Western portion of Africa; however several characteristics attest that this population is certainly distinct. The ecological features of the type locality are particular since the area is characterised by savannah-like vegetation, instead of arid-desert formations; formation previously defined exclusively for Leiurus savanicola described from Cameroon. The type locality of the new species is the most Southwestern region of Africa in which a Leiurus species was collected. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

When modeling the prognostic changes in the temperature regime over the territory of Ukraine, the data of the research project for modeling the regional climate and assessing the consequences of its change (CORDEX) were used. The climate projection structure is based on a series of global climatic models (GCM) developed within the framework of CMIP5 project. The influence of the temperature factors on passing the phenological phases and oats yield in the South of Ukraine, implementing the RCP4.5 and RCP8.5 climate scenarios and comparing them with the long-term data is analyzed. As a result of the analysis of the changes in the temperature regime it was revealed that it will be warming the plants vegetation period. The probable change in the oats yield in the southern part of Ukraine under the conditions of climate change using the crop formation model was considered. It is assumed that by 2050 the timing of sowing and germinating the seedlings will be shifted to an earlier date, and the oats yield will increase by 1.26-1.32 times. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Drought is a complex phenomenon that has severe impacts on the environment. Vegetation and its conditions are very sensitive to drought effects. This study aimed to monitor and assess the drought severity and its relationships to some ecological variables in ten districts of Erbil Governorate (Kurdistan Region), Iraq, throughout 20 years (1998-2017). The results revealed that droughts frequently hit Erbil throughout the study period. The Landsat time-series- based on Vegetation Condition Index (VCI) significantly correlated with precipitation, Digital Elevation Model (DEM), and latitude. Extreme VCI-based drought area percentages were recorded in 1999, 2000, 2008, and 2011 by 43.4%, 67.9%, 43.3%, and 40.0%, respectively. The highest crop yield reduction in the study area occurred mainly in 2000, 2008, and 2012 due to low precipitation rates. These results reveal the capability of the VCI for drought characteristics and highlighting relationships with some ecological variables, which provide vital information to the decision-makers, environmental, and economic sectors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Self-organisation is a ubiquitous phenomenon in ecosystems. These systems can experience transitions from a uniform cover towards the formation of vegetation patterns as a result of symmetry-breaking instability. They can be either periodic or localised in space. Localised vegetation patterns consist of more or less circular spots or patches that can be either isolated or randomly distributed in space. We report on a striking patterning phenomenon consisting of localised vegetation labyrinths. This intriguing pattern is visible in satellite photographs taken in many territories of Africa and Australia. They consist of labyrinths which is spatially irregular pattern surrounded by either a homogeneous cover or a bare soil. The phenomenon is not specific to particular plants or soils. They are observed on strictly homogenous environmental conditions on flat landscapes, but they are also visible on hills. The spatial size of localized labyrinth ranges typically from a few hundred meters to ten kilometres. A simple modelling approach based on the interplay between short-range and long-range interactions governing plant communities or on the water dynamics explains the observations reported here. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, Eryngium billardieri was collected from Patnos district of Ağrı province during the vegetation period. While some of the collected plant was stored fresh in a -86oC freezer, the other part was preserved as herbarium material. After the species of the plant were identified, methanol and pure water extracts were prepared from the aerial parts of the fresh and herbarium samples. The phenolic contents of the extracts were determined by using HPLC. Moreover, various in vitro antioxidant properties and DNA protective properties of the relevant extracts were tested. The comparison of the test results showed that the phenolic compounds of the fresh plant extracts were more than that of herbarium extracts. Although both extracts showed good antioxidant activities, their activity was lower than the standart antioxidants. Moreover, herbarium extracts were seen to have a relatively better effect on the pUC18 DNA stabilization, irrespective of the presence of H2O2 in the environment. Having considered that there is limited number of studies on E.billardieri in the literature, this study will offer important insights into the studies in this area. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, we present a case study of the micromammal sequence from Marine Isotope Stage 5 (130,000–71,000 YBP) at Blombos Cave on the southern Cape coast of South Africa. Our analyses of the micromammal assemblage from 100,000 to 76,000 YBP shed light on micromammal taxonomic distributions, local palaeoenvironments, and site formation processes at this renowned Middle Stone Age site. Taphonomic analyses indicate that spotted eagle owls (Bubo africanus) were the main predator species responsible for accumulating the micromammals, but with contributions from barn owls (Tyto alba). In addition, the micromammal bones have been subjected to a range of post-depositional processes, some of which are associated with microbial actions likely resulting from human or animal activities in the cave. We have recorded three species in the archaeological assemblage that do not occur in the Blombos area today. These are the Hottentot golden mole (Amblysomus hottentotus), Duthie's golden mole (Chlorotalpa duthieae), and Laminate vlei rat (Otomys laminatus). The biodiversity indices based on micromammal species suggest that local vegetation consisted of different habitats that could sustain a diverse small mammal population. During MIS 5c/5b, the diversity of species declined, but there was still a mosaic of vegetation habitats present in the local area. On a larger temporal scale, climate conditions were slightly more humid than at present, and winter rainfall was seemingly greater. The amount of winter rainfall would have been similar to locations currently c. 50–150 km further west of Blombos Cave. However, based on micromammal proxies, there were seemingly no major fluctuations visible in climate or vegetation composition during the entire 24,000-year period. We suggest that the explanation could be multifaceted, two potential factors being predator bias derived from the owls' preference for generalist micromammal species or an actual reflection of local stable climatic and environmental conditions in the Blombos area. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Riparian forests are structured and maintained by their hydrology. Woody riparian plants typically adapt to the local flood regime to maximise their likelihood of survival and reproductive success. Understanding how extant trees form and reproduce in response to flood disturbance is crucial for predicting vegetation changes and informing restoration. Working in a temperate evergreen riparian forest, we aimed to determine whether disturbance-based responses of plants found in other ecosystems also typify woody plants in riparian forests where disturbances are often mild or chronic, non-lethal, annual events. Using plant surveys and 20-year modelled hydrological data, we examined whether (1) the morphology (main stem diameter, height, crown width, crown extent, stem leaning) and (2) reproduction type (sexual and asexual reproduction) and extent of three dominant woody species (Eucalyptus camphora, Leptospermum lanigerum and Melaleuca squarrosa) vary with flood regime (flood frequency and flood duration); and (3) whether different morphology is associated with different reproductive strategies. Increased flooding generally resulted in increased stem numbers and greater stem leaning—morphologies associated with asexual reproduction—of our study species. More frequent flooding also reduced plant size and sexual reproduction in E. camphora. Sexual reproduction in the studied species was more common in taller plants with single, more upright stems in good condition. Flexible morphology and plastic reproductive strategy may constitute an adaptation of trees to mild or chronic disturbance in floodplains. Our findings suggest that flood regime (i.e. variable frequency and duration of flooding events) is critical to the structural integrity and self-maintenance of species-diverse riparian forests. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Global warming has significantly altered the distribution and productivity of vegetation owing to shifts in plant functional traits. However, chlorophyll adaptations—good representative of plant production—in grasslands have not been investigated on a large scale, hindering ecological predictions of climate change. Three grassland transects with a natural temperature gradient were designed in the Tibetan, Mongolian, and Loess Plateau to describe the changes in chlorophyll under different warming scenarios for 475 species. In the three plateaus, variations and distributions of species chlorophyll concentration and composition were compared. The results showed that the means of chlorophyll concentration and composition (chlorophyll a/b) increased with the mean annual temperature. Still, their distributions shifted in opposite manners: chlorophyll concentration was distributed in a broader but more differential manner, while chlorophyll composition was distributed in a narrower but more uniform manner. Compared to chlorophyll concentration, chlorophyll composition was more conservative, with a slight shift in distribution. At the regional level, the chlorophyll concentration and composition depend on the limitations of the local climate or resources. The results implied that warming might drive shifts in grassland chlorophyll distribution mainly by alternations in species composition. Large-scale chlorophyll investigations will be useful for developing prediction techniques. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The movements of ancient crop and animal domesticates across prehistoric Eurasia are well-documented in the archaeological record. What is less well understood are the precise mechanisms that farmers and herders employed to incorporate newly introduced domesticates into their long-standing husbandry and culinary traditions. This paper presents stable isotope values (δ13C, δ15N) of humans, animals, and a small number of plants from the Hexi Corridor, a key region that facilitated the movement of ancient crops between Central and East Asia. The data show that the role of animal products in human diets was more significant than previously thought. In addition, the diets of domestic herbivores (sheep/goat, and cattle) suggest that these two groups of domesticates were managed in distinct ways in the two main ecozones of the Hexi Corridor: the drier Northwestern region and the wetter Southeastern region. Whereas sheep and goat diets are consistent with consumption of naturally available vegetation, cattle exhibit a higher input of C4 plants in places where these plants contributed little to the natural vegetation. This suggests that cattle consumed diets that were more influenced by human provisioning, and may therefore have been reared closer to the human settlements, than sheep and goats. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As sea levels rise and the frequency of flooding events increases, so do efforts to stabilize coastal shorelines. Nature‐based solutions to shoreline stabilization ("green" solutions, as opposed to traditional "grey" shoreline hardening) have been increasingly adopted in the Gulf of Mexico and mid‐Atlantic regions of the United States, but they are only beginning to be implemented, documented, and understood in the northeastern United States. This case study contrasts two shoreline stabilization projects directly across from each other on the banks of the Mystic River, Boston Harbor, MA. These two projects, one private and one public, employ a spectrum of green‐grey shoreline stabilization techniques. Originally planned as traditional grey shoreline stabilizations, both projects shifted toward greener solutions due to local environmental group advocacy, highlighting the influence of outside groups as advocates for nature‐based solutions. This study documents the evolution of both projects, highlighting common challenges in permitting and vegetation maintenance, as well as critical differences in project goals, funding sources, and biodiversity impacts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A GIS-based Normalized Differential Vegetation Index (NDVI) was analyzed using space-based data between 1972 and 2011 as Input data. The result of the NDVI using Landsat 7 ETM+ shows clearly that the values range from 0.19 to −0.31. Mountains and highlands of the Itagunmodi-Igun area revealed stressed vegetation cover between 0.11 to −0.31. The NDVI was also performed on Landsat imageries of four different epoch: 1972, 1986, 2000, and 2010. Results showed that vegetation index ranged from −0.105 to 0.033, −0.25 to 0.480, −0.313 to 0.19 and −0.29 to 0.5 in 1972, 1986, 2000 and 2010 respectively. The analysis revealed that the study area experienced an increase in biomass between 1972 and 1986 but with some areas experiencing outright disappearance of vegetation as indicated by the lower bands of index values in 1972 (−0.105) and 1986 (−0.25). The result showed that the Basin experienced a rapid and significant increase in biomass between 2000 and 2010, as indicated by the lower bands of index values in 2000 (−0.291) and 2010 (0.5). The results of the NDVI in 1972 ranged from −0.105 to 0.033 while NDVI in 1986 ranged from −0.25 to 0.480 which indicated a significant increase in the vegetation index. The results of the NDVI in 2000 ranged from 0.291 to 0.5 also indicated a significant increase in the vegetation index. The study concluded that artisanal mining could cause land and vegetation degradation with consequent loss of biodiversity, ecological modification. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Landslide is a natural disaster that has caused great property losses and human casualties in the world. To strengthen the target prevention and management level, ZhaShui county, Shaanxi province, is selected as the research area to evaluate the landslide susceptibility. First of all, under the premise of considering the correlation, 10 evaluation factors closely related to landslide disaster (i.e., elevation, rainfall, rock group, slope, slope aspect, vegetation index, landform, distance to residential area, distance to road, distance to river system) are taken together with non-landslide points, which are selected under multi-constraint conditions to form a sample data-set. Secondly, the sample dataset is substituted into the Support Vector Machine (SVM) model optimized by firefly algorithm for training and prediction. Finally, the result map was partitioned according to the natural discontinuous point method, and the landslide susceptibility map was obtained. The results show that the model optimized by the firefly algorithm has higher accuracy, and the landslide susceptibility results are more consistent with the actual distribution of disaster points. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]