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The Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) is a voluntary land conservation initiative implemented by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). The program aims to improve the natural environment and enhance wildlife by incentivizing landowners to convert sensitive agricultural land into vegetative cover. This mini review synthesizes known peer-reviewed research on the effects of CRP on hydrological processes, highlighting the effects on water quality, groundwater levels, surface water yields, surface water runoff, and effects on the hydrological cycle. These studies show that the CRP appears to have a positive impact on water quality, decreasing the levels of nitrogen and suspended solids. Furthermore, the CRP denotes positive results when used to manage excess runoff on surrounding land. Regarding groundwater volume, the impact of CRP varied by location and showed limited changes in volume. Despite these findings, this review highlights the need for further and continued research on the effects of CRP on hydrology to improve monitoring strategies and increase its benefits on the environment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

ABSTRACT Many important pro‐environmental conservation practices do not only require money, but they also require time. This paper examines what role the shadow price of time plays in shaping green preferences across different behavioral domains. Using household production theory, we develop a simple model of “selfish” green consumer behavior that predicts how (i) rising wages and (ii) longer working hours influence how consumers trade‐off between purchasing relatively expensive green goods and engaging in time‐intensive conservation practices. The model predicts that rising wages will increase the consumer's Willingness To Pay (WTP) for green goods, but also reduce their propensity to adopt time‐intensive conservation practices. A second prediction is that self‐perceived financial stress and time stress will have asymmetric effects on inhibiting the adoption of green purchasing and conservation practices. Although time stress is predicted to have no significant influence on consumers' tendency to purchase green goods, it will inhibit the consumers' tendency to engage in time‐intensive conservation practices. The reverse is true for financial stress. Empirical evidence sourced from a French household survey supports these hypotheses and policy implications are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: The research examines the variation of soil erodibility index and physical characteristics due to iron placer mining activities and assesses the environmental impact of mining project by using MICOLD matrices. Methods: The research employed field samplings, laboratory analysis, and statistical analysis to study the variation of soil erodibility index and physical characteristics caused by iron placer mining activities. The study collected soil samples from the study area and conducted laboratory analysis to examine the physical and chemical properties of the soil. Statistical analysis was performed to analyze the data and identify the variation in soil erodibility index compared to natural conditions. Also, by modifying ICOLD matrices, environmental impact assessment of the project was evaluated. Results: The results of the paper indicate that there are significant differences between treated and untreated soils in terms of physical and chemical properties. The soil erodibility property (Ks) differs by −14.71% from natural conditions in top soils, although not significant statistically. In subsoil, Ks, clay, sand, Sp, Cu, Zn, Mn, Fe, and K differ significantly from untreated conditions (−43.38%, 35%, −15.07%, 5.28%, −192.50%, −242.55%, −101.86%, −333.34%, and −31.41%). The matrix of prediction and identification of the impacts related to the implementation of the mining project was created in two phases (construction phase and exploitation phase), the results of which show the total points in the construction phase and the exploitation phase have positive impacts and are equal to +71 and +171, respectively. Conclusions: The study examines the effects of iron placer mining operations on soil erosion characteristics and erodibility and suggests environmentally friendly solutions for minimizing the effects of mining on soil erosion. The research findings highlight the importance of considering physical characteristics of soils such as texture, infiltration, bulk density, and soil erodibility in evaluating the performance and efficiency of any project implemented on the Earth's surface. It emphasizes the need for designing well‐operated devices and structures with little environmental damage to promote eco‐innovation and green growth. The paper suggests that the environment is the most critical aspect of green surface mining, followed by efficiency and safety, and highlights the importance of microorganisms in mining environments and their role in constructing and producing primary succession for plant communities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cotton cultivation in the United States is relevant globally, with the nation ranking among the top producers and exporters. This study examines conservation practice adoption trends and technological advancements in U.S. cotton production, focusing on sustainability and productivity. Efforts to improve cotton farming practices have reduced its environmental impacts, including decreased soil loss, water usage, and greenhouse gas emissions. Precision agriculture technologies have been instrumental in enhancing efficiency and reducing input costs, albeit with varying degrees of success. To gain deeper insights into cotton grower challenges and needs, a Natural Resource Survey was conducted in 2023 with 753 respondents. As a follow-up to the 2008 and 2015 surveys, the insights from this survey provide valuable data on grower practices and priorities, highlighting the increasing influence of climate change on cotton production. The findings underscore the importance of conservation agriculture and ongoing research to address grower concerns while improving production efficiency. Particularly noteworthy are the outcomes indicating an increase in cover crop adoption and a decrease in tillage practices, reflecting the industry's commitment to sustainability. This study contributes to understanding the dynamics shaping the U.S. cotton industry and offers insights into the challenges and opportunities for continual improvement in U.S. cotton cultivation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study uses choice experiment data to explore the role of program attributes and farmer characteristics in explaining differences in farmers' behavior toward carbon payment programs. Results show that most farmers in the study prefer the status quo over carbon payment programs for switching to carbon-sequestering conservation practices. Farmers have negative preferences toward contract length and positive preferences toward government or not-for-profit organizations as governing entities. Besides program attributes, farmers' climate consciousness and adverse weather experiences influence their choices and willingness to accept carbon payments. The results suggest the potential for targeting carbon payments to specific groups of farmers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Identifying the contribution of different land uses plays a crucial role in preventing erosion and prioritizing land management activities. This research aimed to assess the impacts of various land use scenarios on mitigating soil erosion in the North West Urmia region of Iran. In addition to the current scenario, 12 land use management scenarios were identified based on the observed trend in changes in land use patterns throughout the study area utilizing GIS. The RUSLE was used, and the necessary input parameters of the RUSLE model, were prepared. The erosion mapping has been done using overlaying the input layers. The baseline scenario (current condition) resulted in an erosion amount of 17.22 (t/ha/yr). Introducing soil conservation techniques in dry farming on steep terrain, as depicted in scenario 6 (conservation and restoration of plowed rangelands), resulted in a reduction of the erosion rate from 17.22 to 9.75 (t/ha/yr). On the other hand, scenario 20, characterized by severe rangeland degradation and overgrazing, exhibited the highest estimated erosion rate at 30.42 (t/ha/yr). In contrast, the most substantial erosion reduction of 43.37% was evident in scenario 6 (conservation and restoration of plowed rangelands). It was observed that the P-factor (support practice factor) had a more pronounced impact than the C-factor (crop/vegetation and management factor) in mitigating erosion. These findings suggest the potential for utilizing a scenario-based framework to evaluate the impact of management scenarios on erosion and prioritize soil and water management measures and strategies.

The Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) is a voluntary land conservation initiative implemented by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). The program aims to improve the natural environment and enhance wildlife by incentivizing landowners to convert sensitive agricultural land into vegetative cover. This mini review synthesizes known peer-reviewed research on the effects of CRP on hydrological processes, highlighting the effects on water quality, groundwater levels, surface water yields, surface water runoff, and effects on the hydrological cycle. These studies show that the CRP appears to have a positive impact on water quality, decreasing the levels of nitrogen and suspended solids. Furthermore, the CRP denotes positive results when used to manage excess runoff on surrounding land. Regarding groundwater volume, the impact of CRP varied by location and showed limited changes in volume. Despite these findings, this review highlights the need for further and continued research on the effects of CRP on hydrology to improve monitoring strategies and increase its benefits on the environment.

AbstractThis study aims to explore the values and conservation threats of Nazugn Mariam monolithic rock-hewn church, a typical instance not only show the country’s long forgotten, ill-considered and endangered ancient rock-hewn churches in the rural areas but also its underdeveloped heritage management system. The study employed both primary and secondary sources which were collected through field observation, interviews and review of written sources. The result of the study showed that the monolithic rock-hewn church of Nazugn Mariam entails significant environmental, spiritual, historical, and architectural values which are not known due to its remoteness. However, this important hypogeum is continually deteriorated due to natural agents such as torrential summer rainfall at one time and sunlight at the other time. Besides, locally practiced repairing works are unwise which neither restore lost architectural features nor effective in sustaining the hypogeum in its current situation. New retrofitted materials like concreted basaltic stone are completely uninformed interventions that not only could not have restored lost values but also endangering this important hypogeum, calling for urgent collaborated restoration work. The conservation problems of this hypogeum attest the country’s poorly developed cultural heritage management system that couldn’t reach out cultural heritage in the remote areas.

Cotton cultivation in the United States is relevant globally, with the nation ranking among the top producers and exporters. This study examines conservation practice adoption trends and technological advancements in U.S. cotton production, focusing on sustainability and productivity. Efforts to improve cotton farming practices have reduced its environmental impacts, including decreased soil loss, water usage, and greenhouse gas emissions. Precision agriculture technologies have been instrumental in enhancing efficiency and reducing input costs, albeit with varying degrees of success. To gain deeper insights into cotton grower challenges and needs, a Natural Resource Survey was conducted in 2023 with 753 respondents. As a follow-up to the 2008 and 2015 surveys, the insights from this survey provide valuable data on grower practices and priorities, highlighting the increasing influence of climate change on cotton production. The findings underscore the importance of conservation agriculture and ongoing research to address grower concerns while improving production efficiency. Particularly noteworthy are the outcomes indicating an increase in cover crop adoption and a decrease in tillage practices, reflecting the industry’s commitment to sustainability. This study contributes to understanding the dynamics shaping the U.S. cotton industry and offers insights into the challenges and opportunities for continual improvement in U.S. cotton cultivation.

Substantial evidence has shown that involvement in peer-to-peer farming networks influences whether a farmer decides to try a new practice. Formally organized farmer networks are emerging as a unique entity that blend the benefits of decentralized exchange of farmer knowledge within the structure of an organization providing a variety of sources of information and forms of engagement. We define formal farmer networks as farmer networks with a distinct membership and organizational structure, leadership that includes farmers, and an emphasis on peer-to-peer learning. This study complements existing ethnographic research on the benefits of organized farmer networking by examining farmers in one longstanding formal farmer network, Practical Farmers of Iowa. Using a nested, mixed-method research design, we analyzed survey and interview data to understand how participation and forms of engagement in the network are associated with the adoption of conservation practices. Responses from 677 farmers from a regular member survey disseminated by Practical Farmers of Iowa in 2013, 2017, and 2020 were pooled and analyzed. GLM binomial and ordered logistic regression results indicate that greater participation in the network, particularly through in-person formats, has a strong and significant association with greater adoption of conservation practices. Logistic regression results show that building relationships in the network is the most important variable for predicting whether a farmer reported adopting conservation practices as a result of participation in PFI. In-depth interviews with 26 surveyed member farmers revealed that PFI supports farmers to adopt by providing information, resources, encouragement, confidence building, and reinforcement. In-person learning formats were more important to farmers relative to independent formats because they were able to have side conversations with other farmers, ask questions, and observe results. We conclude that formal networks are a promising way to expand the use of conservation practices, particularly through targeted efforts to increase relationship building in the network through face-to-face learning opportunities.

Maximizing the impact of agricultural wastewater conservation practices (CP) to achieve total maximum daily load (TMDL) scenarios in agricultural watersheds is a challenge for the practitioners. The complex modeling requirements of sophisticated hydrologic models make their use and interpretation difficult, preventing the inclusion of local watershed stakeholders' knowledge in the development of optimal TMDL scenarios. The present study develops a seamless modeling approach to transform the complex modeling outcomes of Hydrologic Simulation Program Fortran (HSPF) into a simplified participatory framework for developing optimized management scenarios. The study evaluates seven conservation practices in the Pomme de Terre watershed in Minnesota, USA, focusing on sediment and phosphorus pollutant load reductions incorporating farmers' opinions to guide practitioners toward implementing cost-effective CPs. Results show reduced tillage and filter strips are the most cost-effective practices for non-point source pollution reduction, followed by conservation cover perennials. The integration of SAM with HSPF is crucial for sustainable field-scale implementation of conservation practices through enhanced involvement of amateur-modeling stakeholders and farmers directly connected to fields. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

When the Venice Charter was published in 1964, the preservation of 20th Century or Modern Architectural Heritage was not yet a global problem. Following international documents addressing various additional aspects and conservation theory based on the Charter expanded the definition of monument focused on the tangible significance of the architectural product, from the iconic to everyday places, and the tool for evaluation is changed from a criteria list to a value-based approach. Although there appears to be a common understanding about the diverse architectural heritage of the earlier periods in preservation laws worldwide, there is no such consensus about the 20th century due to the theoretical difficulties in evaluating the recent past and this situation results in risks against their recognition and proper restoration practices. This paper aims to create a new discussion platform for our neoliberal world based on the current challenges of value assessment and limits of change. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Current and proposed policies aim to leverage the Federal Crop Insurance Program (FCIP) to promote conservation practices. This study uses corn farm‐level survey data to inform the effectiveness of targeting FCIP participants. We implement an unsupervised machine learning algorithm to assess what conservation practices are most common among participants. We find that farms that use crop insurance have higher adoption rates for practices that are generally profit‐maximizing. We also calculate nitrogen balance, a yield‐scaled measure of nitrogen fertilizer's potential environmental impact. We find a positive relationship between crop insurance and nitrogen balance closer to the optimum. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Particle size distribution (PSD) assessment, which affects all physical, chemical, biological, mineralogical, and geological properties of soil, is crucial for maintaining soil sustainability. It plays a vital role in ensuring appropriate land use, fertilizer management, crop selection, and conservation practices, especially in fragile soils such as those of the North-Western Himalayas. Materials and methods: In this study, the performance of eleven mathematical and three Machine Learning (ML) models used in the past was compared to investigate PSD modeling of different soils from the North-Western Himalayan region, considering that an appropriate model must fit all PSD data. Results and discussion: Our study focuses on the significance of evaluating the goodness of fit in particle size distribution modeling using the coefficient of determination (R2adj = 0.79 to 0.45), the Akaike information criterion (AIC = 67 to 184), and the root mean square error (RMSE = 0.01 to 0.09). The Fredlund, Weibull, and Rosin Rammler models exhibited the best fit for all samples, while the performance of the Gompertz, S-Curve, and Van Genutchen models was poor. Of the three ML models tested, the Random Forest model performed the best (R2 = 0.99), and the SVM model was the lowest (R2 = 0.95). Thus, the PSD of the soil can be best predicted by ML approaches, especially by the Random Forest model. Conclusion: The Fredlund model exhibited the best fit among mathematical models while random forest performed best among the machine learning models. As the number of parameters in the model increased better was the accuracy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The research aims to show local residents of Malolos that reviving the Kamestisuhan District will bring benefits to the province and will demonstrate heritage's meaning to society by engaging participants to assess people-centered approaches hoping to result in gaining support from them for its on-going use and protection. The study utilized a mixed method research design, specifically interview guide and survey, to gain local understanding of needs and opportunities of 11 conservation practitioners, 65 Bulakenyos from different localities wherein the majority are from Malolos, and 55 college students from Bulacan State University in Malolos. The results of this research show that the Kamestisuhan District of Malolos should be protected as a heritage site to maintain its identity and culture because raising awareness of cultural heritage can also open opportunities for bigger tourism plans and livelihood for locals. Media such as TV, documentaries, social media, radio, journal publications, and film can be used to raise awareness about heritage conservation. Modern media can create a more solid foundation for building the image and popularity of the district. This study concluded that stakeholders of heritage conservation believe they can effectively raise awareness about the importance of heritage if they have sufficient knowledge and money to spread information, research and promotion, conduct seminars, and engage in information campaigns. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article discusses the decrease in adoption of cover crops and no-till practices in the United States, despite the overall increase in these conservation practices. The authors analyze data from the U.S. Census of Agriculture and highlight the consequences of disadoption, such as reduced soil health and the release of carbon. They emphasize the need to understand regional patterns of adoption and disadoption to inform conservation programs. The article also mentions the role of economic incentives and cost-share programs in farmer adoption, as well as the potential negative implications for carbon and ecosystem services markets. The document is a research article that explores the adoption and impact of cover crops in the United States, providing insights into the benefits, challenges, and economic effects of implementation. It emphasizes the importance of cover crops in promoting soil health and sustainability in agriculture. The article is published in Choices Magazine, a free publication of the Agricultural & Applied Economics Association. [Extracted from the article]

There is a strong relationship between water and soil conservation practices and food security in Lorestan province in Iran. Socioeconomic and sociodemographic factors effect adoption of conservation practices in the region. The food security status of 296 random households was assessed with face-to-face interviews using the Household Food Insecurity Assess Scale. Our findings revealed that 78.7% of the sampled households experienced varying levels of food insecurity, including marginal (22%), moderate (10%), and severe (46%) status, while 21.3% were food secure. Among the surveyed farmers, water conservation exhibited a stronger correlation with food security compared to soil conservation. We identified several key factors, including education, employment, microcredit funds, NGOs’ supports, and government subsidies that influenced the adoption of different water and soil conservation practices. To effectively manage water and soil resources while considering socioeconomic factors, food security status, and the preservation of limited resources, it is crucial to reevaluate the existing practices and policies governing resource management in the study area. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The energy consumption of intensive tillage practices is higher, decreasing soil and environment sustainability. Conservation agriculture practices i.e. reduced or no-tillage could be suitable options to conserve energy and environment and increase profitability. However, previous studies evaluated the energy consumption, productivity and profitability in two or three tillage systems, a comprehensive assessment of multiple tillage systems is needed. Therefore, six tillage i) conventional (CT), ii) conventional with bed (CTB), iii) reduced (RT), iv) reduced with bed (RTB), v) zero (ZT), and vi) zero with bed (ZTB) were practiced to evaluate the energy consumption, productivity of wheat-maize and their economic returns. The results showed that CT, RTB, RT, ZTB, and ZT reduced 21% and 13%, 81% and 93%, 36% and 56%, 169% and 263%, and 81% and 152% energy consumption than CTB in wheat and maize, respectively. Considering mean productivity, CT and CTB increased by almost wheat (953.43 ​kg ​ha−1) and maize (466.66 ​kg ​ha−1) yields. However, ZT, and RT had higher EP (energy productivity, 32%) and EUE (energy use efficiency, 30%) in wheat, 14% EP and 10% EUE as compared to CTB in maize. The lower EP and EUE in maize were mainly due to higher inputs/energy consumption in comparison to wheat. The input cost of CT, and CTB was higher in wheat than in other tillage practices, but the wheat yield was statistically similar in CT, CTB, RT, and RTB in both years. The RT had a higher benefit-cost ratio (BCR) in wheat (1.52) and maize (0.74) than intensive CT practice (1.44 (wheat), 0.61 (maize)). In wheat, EUE and EP were significantly higher under RT and ZT treatments, however, both were significantly reduced under bed plantation, contrarily no specific trends were observed in maize. In conclusion, RT could be used for wheat cultivation that consumed lower energy inputs and produced higher EUE, EP, and statistically equal grain yield as compared to CT. However, this practice might not be useful for maize cultivation and needs further evaluation.

ABSTRACT Water erosion is one of the main cause of soil degradation and the pollution of water resources. The aim of the present study is to update and evaluate the seasonal variation of the erosivity index and the Modified Fournier Index as a tool to predict rain erosivity for the state of Rio Grande do Sul. A series of monthly average rainfall data was used from 112 rainfall stations based on the Climatological Norms of the period between 1991 and 2020. Based on 16 regression equations, the values of the Modified Fournier Index (MFI) and the EI30 index were estimated, assessing their spatial and seasonal variation. Results show a strong seasonal variation with greater erosivity in the months of April, October and December. The EI30 varied between 3500 and 12500 MJ, ha-1 h-1 year-1. A significant spatial variation could be observed, with an increase in values in the east-west direction.

Despite years of efforts to improve water quality, harmful algal blooms remain a chronic phenomenon, with devastating environmental, economic, and social impacts in many regions worldwide. In this study, we assessed the complexity of nutrient pollution attributed to harmful algal blooms in South Florida (USA) by analyzing 20 years of flow and nutrient data within two headwater basins in the Lake Okeechobee (LO) watershed. The study used an established advanced regression method, the Weighted Regression on Time, Discharge, and Season (WRTDS) method, as an analysis framework to examine the impact of nutrient management practices on water quality trends. The WRTDS method produced total phosphorus (TP) and total nitrogen (TN) concentration and flux trends, which were then compared with existing and historic nutrient management records within the basin. Results from this study highlight divergences in progress to improve water quality. Nutrient management practices only had a weak impact on TP and TN flux trends in one of the two basins, where TP flux decreased 2% per year, and TN flux decreased 0.1% per year. TP and TN flux increased in the second basin. Variances of improvement between the two basins are likely attributable to differences in contemporary point source loading and legacy nutrient pools from non-point source inputs 20 years or more before the analysis period. The long-lasting impacts of legacy nutrients also emphasize a need for investments in technologies and practices that can withdraw nutrients from enriched soil and water. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Conservation practices used on agricultural cropland can provide important ecosystem services. The United States relies largely on voluntary programs to incentivize adoption of conservation practices, but the success of these efforts relies on good program design. We use a choice experiment to evaluate farmers' willingness to adopt more intensive in‐field conservation practices (continuous no‐till, conservation crop rotation, cover crops, and variable rate application of inputs) using a nonlinear extended expected utility framework that incorporates risk under a conservation contract. We contribute to the literature by providing insights regarding producers' preference for incentive payment mechanism (federal program or carbon market) and the incentive payment needed to induce additionality and practice continuity. We find that although an additional payment might be needed to promote practice continuity among farmers who have previously adopted cover crops, in the case of continuous no‐till, adopters might be willing to forgo additional payment to continue benefiting from the use of this practice. Our results also revealed producers prefer conservation contracts accruing higher off‐farm environmental benefits and federally administered over carbon market programs. This is an important result given an increased public interest in climate change and new proposed carbon mitigation policies and private carbon market initiatives. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Substantial evidence has shown that involvement in peer-to-peer farming networks influences whether a farmer decides to try a new practice. Formally organized farmer networks are emerging as a unique entity that blend the benefits of decentralized exchange of farmer knowledge within the structure of an organization providing a variety of sources of information and forms of engagement. We define formal farmer networks as farmer networks with a distinct membership and organizational structure, leadership that includes farmers, and an emphasis on peer-to-peer learning. This study complements existing ethnographic research on the benefits of organized farmer networking by examining farmers in one longstanding formal farmer network, Practical Farmers of Iowa. Using a nested, mixed-method research design, we analyzed survey and interview data to understand how participation and forms of engagement in the network are associated with the adoption of conservation practices. Responses from 677 farmers from a regular member survey disseminated by Practical Farmers of Iowa in 2013, 2017, and 2020 were pooled and analyzed. GLM binomial and ordered logistic regression results indicate that greater participation in the network, particularly through in-person formats, has a strong and significant association with greater adoption of conservation practices. Logistic regression results show that building relationships in the network is the most important variable for predicting whether a farmer reported adopting conservation practices as a result of participation in PFI. In-depth interviews with 26 surveyed member farmers revealed that PFI supports farmers to adopt by providing information, resources, encouragement, confidence building, and reinforcement. In-person learning formats were more important to farmers relative to independent formats because they were able to have side conversations with other farmers, ask questions, and observe results. We conclude that formal networks are a promising way to expand the use of conservation practices, particularly through targeted efforts to increase relationship building in the network through face-to-face learning opportunities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Although agricultural practices and landuse strategies are among the major sources of nitrous oxide (N2O) emission into the atmosphere, managed agricultural soils can mitigate atmospheric greenhouse gases (GHG) because soils can serve as a sink as well as a source for N2O. Peer-reviewed articles on soil N2O flux from agroforestry, corn-soybean, grassland, and forests were retrieved using Web of Science for the review. Forest and agroforestry systems showed the lowest average N2O flux: 0.3 and 0.7 kg N2O–N ha−1 yr−1 respectively, while the greatest N2O emission was attributed to corn [Zea mays L.]/soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.] rotation system (2.16 kg N2O–N ha−1 yr−1). Among all landuse, silvopasture (agroforestry) showed the lowest average yearly N2O flux (0.06 kg N2O–N ha−1 yr−1) followed by deciduous forest (0.2 kg N2O–N ha−1 yr−1). Soil inorganic N uptake by extensive grass and tree roots in agroforestry systems (silvopasture, shelterbelt, and alleycropping) reduced N2O emission. Tillage practices, fertilizer application, and soil saturation conditions in compacted soils are important factors that increased the emission of N2O. No-till practice in crop rotation systems showed lower N2O emissions compared to conventional tillage. Soil tillage and soil compaction due to livestock grazing, stimulate N mineralization, denitrification process, and N2O emission. This review revealed that adopting conservation practices like agroforestry can help reduce N2O emissions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Systematic assessment of arable land use is a fundamental prerequisite to explore its sustainable development path. Agricultural infrastructure integrated with the tillage conditions and soil properties was used to evaluate the state of regional arable land use and its potential for sustainable productivity. We propose a combined weighting method integrating Delphi and entropy weights to consider both decision objectives and indicator attributes. The proposed approach takes into account both expertise and data feature, making the evaluating results more rational and applicable. The impacts of large‐scale land use change and regional urban distribution on soil properties and agricultural infrastructure were also explored to develop more rational and differentiated conservation strategies. Our evaluation showed that 44% and 48% of the soil properties of arable land in Heilongjiang Province, China, are in the excellent or good grades, respectively, meaning that no or only minor remediation measures are needed to achieve optimum conditions. Agricultural infrastructure deserves more attention from the management than soil properties, as only 16% and 24% of area have the same excellent and good grades. The results of the evaluation with a combination of subjective and objective weights are closer to a normal distribution curve than if only expert weights are used, which confirms our hypothesis that the new weighting method is more reasonable. The newly proposed weighted design method and index provide a better understanding of the sustainable productivity of agricultural areas and have a promising application in large‐scale black soil areas worldwide. The future rough growth strategy for resources will result in degradation and posed risks to regional ecological conservation. At the provincial level (up to 130 km), agricultural infrastructure declines and then rises as fields move away from cities, with the inflection point at 55 km. State‐owned farms are mainly responsible for this inflection point, which shift the agents of arable land from small farmers to large capital, with remote arable land receiving more investment. The impact mechanisms of urbanization should be deeper explored to address the challenges for arable land conservation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nutrient export from the agricultural Midwest threatens the Gulf of Mexico and new conservation practices are needed to reduce the loss of nutrient from subsurface tile drainage systems. Oxbows are natural waterbodies formed when a river cuts off a meander loop and water quality benefits of reconstructed oxbows are being increasingly recognized. In this study, we monitored four reconstructed oxbow sites (two tile‐fed, two non‐tile) over a 2‐year period in north‐central Iowa and assessed their capacity for NO3‐N and dissolved reactive phosphorus (DRP) reductions. Water flow and quality monitoring of tiles, shallow groundwater, oxbow and receiving streams documented that the oxbows were dominated by tile drainage inputs. NO3‐N concentrations were highest in the drainage tiles flowing into the tile‐fed oxbows (mean 8–10 mg/L) and much lower in floodplain groundwater (<1–2 mg/L). Annual NO3‐N loads into the tile‐fed oxbows were substantially larger than input loads into the non‐tiled oxbows. For the two tile‐fed oxbows, the 2‐year NO3‐N retention efficiencies were very similar (0.76–0.77) and on a monthly basis, greater retention efficiencies were measured in summer and fall. DRP concentrations and loads into the tile‐fed oxbows were too low to allow for meaningful estimates of retention. Reconstructing oxbows to receive tile drainage water should be considered a sustainable conservation practice for tile drainage treatment in agricultural areas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The implementation of habitat management guidelines for golden‐winged warblers (Vermivora chrysoptera) is believed to benefit additional species. To address widespread population declines of the golden‐winged warbler, species‐specific best management practices were developed and are guiding habitat‐based conservation programs across the species' breeding range. To date, thousands of hectares of golden‐winged warbler nesting habitat have been created across portions of the Appalachian Mountains and Great Lakes regions in the United States. The American woodcock (Scolopax minor) is expected to benefit from this habitat management. The woodcock has been declining for decades (0.84%/year in the eastern United States) largely because of loss of early successional communities like those required by the golden‐winged warbler. We examined the extent to which habitat management targeting golden‐winged warblers contributes to American woodcock conservation goals across a broad geographic extent. Additionally, we assessed various site‐ and landscape‐level factors to elucidate the context dependencies associated with successful conservation outcomes for this non‐target species. From 2015 to 2017, we conducted 1,554 American woodcock surveys at 774 unique locations treated with golden‐winged warbler best management practices across the Great Lakes and Appalachian Mountains. Woodcock density was 0.84–1.24 males/ha in the Great Lakes region and 0.30 males/ha in the Appalachian Mountains. Density was also dependent upon within‐stand conditions (e.g., basal area, woody regeneration) and landscape features (e.g., wetland cover, mixed forest cover), the latter of which yielded strong geographic heterogeneity in woodcock densities. American woodcock can benefit from habitat management targeting the golden‐winged warbler, but the extent of these benefits is influenced by regional, landscape, and within‐stand contexts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Conservation practices are tools used to help conserve and improve natural resources necessary to maintain sustainable arable crop production. This study assessed the extent of use of conservation practices among arable crop farmers in Oyo State, Nigeria. A multistage random sampling procedure was used in selecting 200 arable crop farmers. Data were collected through the use of a structured interview schedule. Percentages and mean statistic were used in presenting the results. Findings showed that the major conservation practices adopted by arable crop farmers were mulching (100%), crop rotation (100%), ridging (100%), bush following (99.0%) and mixed cropping (99.0%). The most frequently utilized conservation practices were ridging (95.0%), mulching (91.0%) and mixed cropping (89.9%). Population pressure on land (𝑥̅ =3.77) and availability of funds (𝑥̅ =3.74) are factors influencing the effective use of conservation practices. The results further revealed that long-term continuity of yield from land (𝑥̅ =2.84), long-term sustainability and productivity of land (𝑥̅ =2.76) and increased yields (𝑥̅ =2.69) were reasons for conservation practices by arable crop farmers. To ensure improvement in yields, arable crop farmers should be extensively encouraged through access to land and funds to promote the adoption of conservation practices.

Wind erosion represents one of the major land degradation forms that significantly threatens sustainable development across the globe. A series of conservation practices have been widely developed and tested in order to effectively reduce wind erosion rates in non‐irrigated dry and semi‐dry lands. However, a comprehensive investigation regarding the efficacy of conservation practices and potential impacting factors on erosion control at the global scale has not been undertaken. In this study, a synthesis was conducted, based on data from global experimental plots, to comprehensively examine the efficacy of varying conservation practices, and their effectiveness at reducing erosion, in different geographical regions, under varying climatic conditions, and with different soil properties. The results showed that conservation practices were able to reduce wind erosion rates by over 52% globally. Straw use and soil stabilizer were the most effective measures in wind erosion control, which could reduce erosion rates by over 70%. Wind erosion control efficacy of conservation practices differed among climatic zones, continents, and countries. Notably, the lowest efficacy was observed in dry climatic zones. Erosion control efficacy highly depended on climatic conditions, such as mean annual precipitation (MAP), mean annual temperature (MAT), wind speed, and soil properties, such as water content and clay content. We further observed a positive correlation between wind erosion reduction rates and straw mulching rates, suggesting a straw mulching rate of at least 40% was necessary in order to reach a potential erosion reduction rate of 70%. To sum up, this study illustrates that the overall efficacy of conservation practices in wind erosion control is highly effective at the global scale, but the specific effects vary among different regions, and depend on conservation practice type, climatic condition, and soil property. The lower erosion reduction rate of dry regions at high erosion risk suggests the high erosion control pressure, and more effective measures should be considered and developed. The results of this study are, importantly, complementary to existing wind erosion control guidelines. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

ABSTRACT Conservation management practices with minimum soil mobilization, maintenance of amounts of straw in the soil, and chiseling of ratoons interrows can be beneficial to soil quality, nutrition and sugarcane yield; however, the combination of these practices and their influence over the culture cycle should be better understood. This study aimed to assess the effects of levels of remaining straw and chiseling in the cultivation of ratoons on soil fertility, nutritional status and yield of stalks and sugar in one sugarcane cycle (five ratoons), under no-tillage and conventional tillage systems. The study was performed in Dourados municipality, Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil, in areas with a Oxisol (Latossolo) with very clayey texture. Design in randomized blocks was adopted, with four repetitions, in a subdivided portions scheme. Portions were composed of levels of remaining straw (0, 50 and 100 %), annually, and collected alternately in odd years (0I) and even years (0P) established after the plant harvest; sub-portions were composed of systems with and without chiseling. In the fourth ratoon, leaf diagnosis was made with quantification of macro-nutrient contents, and during the fifth ratoon soil samples were collected for chemical analyses. By the end of the cycle, accumulated yields of stalks and sugar were determined. In both management systems, keeping 100 % of straw improved soil fertility and kept higher yield levels in one sugarcane cultivation cycle, while chiseling did not influence soil fertility, nutrition and sugarcane yield. The use of no-tillage farming for sugarcane cultivation proved to be feasible in corrected environments, and did not reduce stalk and sugarcane yield. Straw removal influenced nutrient leaf contents, regardless of soil management.

Conservation practices (CPs) are used in agricultural watersheds to reduce soil erosion and improve water quality, leading to a sustainable management of natural resources. This is especially important as more pressure is applied on agricultural systems by a growing population and a changing climate. A challenge persists, however, in optimizing the implementation of these practices given their complex, non-linear, and location-dependent response. This study integrates watershed modeling using the Annualized Agricultural Non-Point-Source model and a GIS-based field scale localization and characterization of CPs. The investigated practices are associated with the implementation of riparian buffers, sediment basins, crop rotations, and the conservation reserve program. A total of 33 conservation scenarios were developed to quantify their impact on sediment erosion reduction. This approach was applied in an ungauged watershed as part of the Mississippi River Basin initiative aiming at reducing one of the largest aquatic dead zones in the globe. Simulation results indicate that the targeted approach has a significant impact on the overall watershed-scale sediment load reduction. Among the different evaluated practices, riparian buffers were the most efficient in sediment reduction. Moreover, the study provides a blueprint for similar investigations aiming at building decision-support systems and optimizing the placement of CPs in agricultural watersheds. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Despite years of efforts to improve water quality, harmful algal blooms remain a chronic phenomenon, with devastating environmental, economic, and social impacts in many regions worldwide. In this study, we assessed the complexity of nutrient pollution attributed to harmful algal blooms in South Florida (USA) by analyzing 20 years of flow and nutrient data within two headwater basins in the Lake Okeechobee (LO) watershed. The study used an established advanced regression method, the Weighted Regression on Time, Discharge, and Season (WRTDS) method, as an analysis framework to examine the impact of nutrient management practices on water quality trends. The WRTDS method produced total phosphorus (TP) and total nitrogen (TN) concentration and flux trends, which were then compared with existing and historic nutrient management records within the basin. Results from this study highlight divergences in progress to improve water quality. Nutrient management practices only had a weak impact on TP and TN flux trends in one of the two basins, where TP flux decreased 2% per year, and TN flux decreased 0.1% per year. TP and TN flux increased in the second basin. Variances of improvement between the two basins are likely attributable to differences in contemporary point source loading and legacy nutrient pools from non-point source inputs 20 years or more before the analysis period. The long-lasting impacts of legacy nutrients also emphasize a need for investments in technologies and practices that can withdraw nutrients from enriched soil and water.

Water quality practices are commonly implemented to reduce human impacts on land and water resources. In series or parallel in a landscape, systems of practices can reduce local and downstream pollution delivery. Many practices function via physical, chemical, and biological processes that are dependent on weather and climate. Climate change will alter the function of many such systems, though effects will vary in different hydroclimatic and watershed settings. Reducing the risk of impacts will require risk-based, adaptive planning. Here, we review the literature addressing climate change effects on practices commonly used to mitigate the water quality impacts of urban stormwater, agriculture, and forestry. Information from the general literature review is used to make qualitative inferences about the resilience of different types of practices. We discuss resilience in the context of two factors: the sensitivity of practice function to changes in climatic drivers, and the adaptability, or relative ease with which a practice can be modified as change occurs. While only a first step in addressing a complex topic, our aim is to help communities incorporate consideration of resilience to climate change as an additional factor in decisions about water quality practices to meet long-term goals. HIGHLIGHTS Many water quality practices function via physical, chemical, and biological processes sensitive to weather and climate.; Climate change presents a risk to practice-based investments in water quality protection; more resilient practices can help reduce this risk.; Practice resilience can be characterized in terms of sensitivity to changes in weather and climate and ability to modify the practice over time.; This review is intended to help communities and water resource managers consider climate resilience when adopting practices to meet water quality goals.;

Conservation practices such as crop rotation, filter strips, and constructed wetlands are nature-based approaches intended to safeguard natural resources in agricultural landscapes. In this study, we reviewed the literature on how conservation practices, both at watershed and field scales, have been proven to subdue flood peaks, surface runoff, soil erosion, sediment transport, and nutrient loss. We classified different conservation practices based on the mode of their application (i.e., in-field, edge-of-field, and structural practices) and described what prior research efforts have concluded about the efficacy of different practices. At the field scale, practices such as reduced or no-till farming, grassed waterways, and creation of wetlands significantly reduced the peak flow. Similarly, water quality was improved with implementation of conservation practices such as using cover crops, filter strips, and managing residue and tillage. The assessment of conservation practices across the literature was found to be challenging as different conservation practices showed a similar response, thus making it complex to assess the individual effect. A wide range of challenges related to the data, modeling/analysis, and management aspects of conservation practices were identified, and recommendations were provided to overcome these challenges.

Conservation practices are tools used to help conserve and improve natural resources necessary to maintain sustainable arable crop production. This study assessed the extent of use of conservation practices among arable crop farmers in Oyo State, Nigeria. A multistage random sampling technique was used in selecting 200 arable crop farmers. Data were collected through the use of structured interview schedule. Percentages and mean statistic were used in presenting the results. Findings show that, the major conservation practices adopted by arable crop farmers were mulching (100%), crop rotation (100%), ridging (100%), bush fallowing (99.0%) and mixed cropping (99.0%). The most frequently utilized conservation practices were ridging (95.0%), mulching (91.0%) and mixed cropping (89.9%). Population pressure on land (x? =3.77) and availability of funds (x? =3.74) are factors influencing the effective use of conservation practices. The results further revealed that long term continuity of yield from land (x? =2.84), long term sustainability and productivity of land (x? =2.76), increased yields (x? =2.69) were reasons for conservation practices by arable crop farmers. It is therefore recommended that arable crop farmers should be extensively encouraged through access to land and funds to promote the adoption of conservation practices to enhance arable crop productivity.

The Shell Creek Watershed (SCW) is a rural watershed in Nebraska with a history of chronic flooding. Beginning in 2005, a variety of conservation practices have been employed in the watershed. Those practices have since been credited with attenuating flood severity and improving water quality in SCW. This study investigated the impacts of 13 different controlling factors on flooding at SCW by using an artificial neural network (ANN)-based rainfall-runoff model. Additionally, flood frequency analysis and drought severity analysis were conducted. Special emphasis was placed on understanding how flood trends change in light of conservation practices to determine whether any relation exists between the conservation practices and flood peak attenuation, as the strategic conservation plan implemented in the watershed provides a unique opportunity to examine the potential impacts of conservation practices on the watershed. The ANN model developed in this study showed satisfactory discharge–prediction performance, with a Kling–Gupta Efficiency (KGE) value of 0.57. It was found that no individual controlling variable used in this study was a significantly better predictor of flooding in SCW, and therefore all 13 variables were used as inputs, which resulted in the satisfactory ANN model discharge–prediction performance. Furthermore, it was observed that after conservation planning was implemented in SCW, the magnitude of anomalous peak flows increased, while the magnitude of annual peak flows decreased. However, more comprehensive assessment is necessary to identify the relative impacts of conservation practices on flooding in the basin. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Extreme weather events have cost lives and financial losses across the United States. Moreover, they are expected to increase in frequency, and this will exacerbate their impact on vulnerable sectors such as agriculture. But how farmers could adapt to extreme weather events by adopting different conservation practices has received slight attention in the literature. This study examines how farmers' perceptions of drought and flooding influence their decisions to implement conservation practices in their conventional crop fields. Out of the 350 farmer responses we received, fewer than half indicated a likelihood to adopt no-tillage/reduced tillage (43%), cover crops (40%), crop diversification (37%), and integrated crop-livestock grazing (29%). Using this data and a multivariate probit modeling framework, we show that farmers’ decisions can be partly explained by their perception of drought but not by their perception of flooding. Specifically, the perceived number of drought years significantly increases the likelihood of adopting no-tillage/reduced tillage and diversified cropping in the future. However, the number of drought years is not significantly associated with the use of cover crops and integrated crop-livestock grazing. These results suggest that the effects of extreme weather events on adoption of conservation practices as adaptive measures vary across different practices. Therefore, adaptation policies that make use of conservation practices must be tailored to farmers’ needs and priorities to be effective.

From the 1950’s onward, the myriad qualities of all plastic objects were praised without a second thought. This enthusiasm significantly delayed the awareness of their enormous impact and it took almost half a century to consider these objects a part of post-war culture. This essay aims to sketch the history of the appreciation of the relevance of plastics in the museum world, specifically as a part of design heritage, seen from the viewpoint of the collector and the conservator-restorer. The case of the Design Museum Brussels, established in 2015, shows how a collaborative and interdisciplinary approach on conservation can be developed to the benefit of our plastics heritage.

Conservation agriculture practices are a crucial factor in mitigating and controlling erosion by water. To address water erosion estimates, most environmental models use the USLE, RUSLE, and MUSLE models. Management practices that affect soil erosion by modifying the flow pattern, such as contour farming, strip farming, or terracing, are represented within these models as a support practice (P) factor. However, due to the difficulty in accurately mapping the P-factor, many studies choose to ignore it, using only the default value P-factor 1which represents the absence of sowing at the level or cultivation in strips. This study proposes a methodology that evaluates the current P-factor based on the angle between the crop row orientation and the elevation contour lines. The method was tested in four areas under soybean crop fields in southern Brazil, totaling 25 km2. The reason for choosing four areas is to select different characteristics of rural properties and topographic conditions. The ideal values of the P-factor are expected to be between 0.5 and 0.6; however, in our case, a P-factor greater than 0.8 was obtained in 60% of the area, indicating the low occurrence of contour farming reduces erosion rates. The results show that policymakers could potentially use this methodology (angle between the crop rows and contour lines) to run soil-erosion risk scenarios for a broader application of contour farming. This allows the P-factor to be quantified via a thematic map instead of assigning uniform P-factor values. With a detailed study of the P-factor on the slopes, there is a better understanding of where to target support practices to reduce erosion.