Ciliated Protist Communities in Soil: Contrasting Patterns in Natural Sites and Arable Lands across Italy

Soil physical and chemical properties do affect forests (plant) growth and soil management systems. Some key and important physical and chemical properties of soil are mineral content, texture, cation exchange capacity, bulk density, structure, porosity, organic matter content, carbon-to-ni- trogen ratio, color, depth, fertility, and pH. Sustainable forest management and soil quality parameters may include such terrestrial functions as carbon sequestration, land use management, erosion control, plant productivity and a soil’s capacity to produce biomass. Sustainable forest management consistently requires enhancement of both the chemical and physical properties of forest soil quality. Land use and change in land use as well as forest management systems, are main indicators that may determine which soil properties induce changes in any forest site. Forest management and crop yield are key issues of environmental/productivity quality in addressing carbon mitigation and absorption in plant species and agricultural productivity. Five distinct forest soils under major physical properties and chemical properties were evaluated at the forest ecology laboratory. The results were determined while considering regional forest management regimes. Correlation analysis in Deqing forest soil showed that higher correlation of NMC at 25-50cm depth, BD at 0-25cm as well as 25-50cm while EC was high on 0-40 and 0.60 At the Guangzhou site, acidic levels (pH 0-25cm) indicated minor correlation and soil salinity (EC 25-50cm) also showed minor correlation. The trend was same the at the Changtan forest site where soil salinity showed only minor significant relationship (0-25cm). A percentage assessment of SOC (g/kg) among the forest sites by plot observation showed that Deqing forest site, Changtan and Nanling were well distributed which confers best forest management regimes that yield to good forest soil chemical and physical properties. This study gave scientific insight and boast plant functional nutrient interaction as well as stability towards better agricultural productivity and forest management systems. This is in agreement that good management and less disturbance in forest soils are major component of physical and chemical properties interaction, thereby for effective integrated forest and agricultural management systems.

Niumasi Coal Mine (located in Shaodong City, Hunan Province, China) was an important producing area of high-quality coking coal in Hunan Province. After large-scale mining of underground coal seams in the area, there has been a large area of surface subsidence and serious land damage. The damaged land urgently needs to be reclaimed. In this paper, the suitability of land reclamation as arable land in Niumasi coal mining area was comprehensively evaluated, and a catastrophe progression model (CPM) for the suitability evaluation of land reclamation as arable land in coal mining area was put forward with the help of the catastrophe theory. The suitability classification was divided into four grades: suitable, moderately suitable, less suitable, and unsuitable. Eleven parameters including terrain slope grade, effective thickness of soil layer, soil parent materials, soil contamination, organic content, alkali hydrolyzable nitrogen (N), available phosphorus (P), available potassium (K), ground collapse, land destruction extent, and conditions of irrigation and drainage were selected as evaluation indicators, and the classification standards of each evaluation indicator was determined. Using MATLAB software to generate a total of 1200 samples (300 samples per level) between the arrays corresponding to each level of standards according to the normal distribution principle, of which 800 samples were used as training samples to establish the catastrophe progression criteria, and 400 samples as test samples to verify the reliability of the proposed criteria. According to CPM, the suitability status of the four land samples in Shuijingtou working area of Niumasi Coal Mine were identified. The evaluation results show that the suitability level of three lands are all ‘Moderately suitable’, and one sample is ‘Unsuitable’. Mining coal has the greatest damage to paddy fields, followed by the dry farming lands and vegetable lands, and the least impact to the forest lands. CPM can not only evaluate the suitability of land reclamation, and comprehensively compare the suitability degrees, but also can assess the damage degree of coal mining to different types of lands. This paper aims to provide a new idea for the study of quantitative evaluation methods of land reclamation suitability. The results have reference and guiding significance for the comprehensive evaluation of the suitability of land reclamation as arable land in coal mining areas.Article highlightsThe catastrophe theory can be used to evaluate the suitability of land reclamation as arable land in coal mining area. A catastrophe progression model for the suitability evaluation of land reclamation as arable land in coal mining area was put forward.Using MATLAB software to establish the catastrophe progression criteria according to the normal distribution principle.The results have reference and guiding significance for the comprehensive evaluation of the suitability of land reclamation as arable land in coal mining areas.

Periodic studies were conducted in four selected sites of Branwar foresfiet area of Kashmir Himalaya in the year 2010 to 2011 for assessing ecological distribution and diversity of trees and shrubs. The Plant Community Organizational features, ecological distribution and diversity of different study sites in the Branwar Forest during 2010 to 2011 are markedly variable with regard to the life-forms namely, trees and shrubs. A total of five tree species belonging to four families were recorded at the different study sites. Near village (NS) site (I) had five species and riparian forest (RS) site (II) had three tree species, while dam forest (DS) site (III) and protected forest (PS) site (IV) had two species each. Among the trees Abies pindrow and Pinus wallichiana were present at all the study sites. The shrub species present at the study sites ranged from 03 for protected forest (PS) site and 06 for near village (NS) site. The number of shrub species present at near village (NS) site was 06, at riparian forest (RS) site, 05 species were present; while, at dam forest (DS) site and protected forest (PS) site, 04 and 03 species of shrubs were present, respectively. Among the shrub species Indigofera heterantha was present at all the study sites. In the present study, low tree species diversity index was found at the unprotected sites of near village site and riparian site compared to the protected sites of dam forest site and protected forest site. With increasing disturbance in the forests the plant species diversity, richness and evenness are significantly reduced. The increase in shrub diversity and evenness at near village (NS) site and riparian forest (RS) site may be due to less competition and availability of more space due to less vegetation. Key words: Richness, Species Diversity, community, Habitat, dispersal, Vegetation.

This paper presents an Excel approach for infiltration capacity for different types of lands. That is to employ the popular Microsoft Excel software to represent the measured infiltration data graphically. Regression analysis is performed for the accumulated infiltration versus the time. Equations are obtained to predict the accumulated infiltration at required times.
 Thirty one raw infiltration measurements from various sources are gathered, studied and analyzed applying this approach. Measurements include different types of soil textures and land covers. The infiltration rates are measured by the commonly used infiltrometer. Both single infiltrometer and double infiltrometer are employed.
 It is concluded that the presented Polynomial infiltration model of Excel approach for the accumulated infiltration is associated with high accuracy, where the values of coefficient of determination (R2) range between 0.9850 and 0.9998. The obtained equations can help in irrigation processes.
 All the gathered raw experimental infiltration measurements are also analyzed employing Horton and Kostiakov infiltration models. It is found that the Polynomial infiltration model of Excel approach has higher accuracy, followed by Kostiakov model, and finally Horton model. The values of different constants of Horton and Kostiakov infiltration models for all cases are obtained. The accuracy of the Polynomial, Horton and Kostiakov infiltration models are studied considering the types of soil texture and land cover.
 Investigating the constants A, B and C of the obtained equation of the polynomial infiltration model of Excel approach, it is found that all A values are negative, all B values are positive, and all C values are positive except for sandy clay and sandy clay loam soils. There is no specific trend for the effect of the associated land cover on constants A, B, and C except for loamy sand soil, where B and C values for bare land are greater than their values for irrigated land.

The article presents a comprehensive study aimed at the theoretical substantiation and assessment of ecological and economic determinants of agricultural land value formation in de-occupied territories (using the Brovary district of the Kyiv region as a case study). The relevance of the research is driven by the necessity for an objective evaluation of land assets directly affected by hostilities. To achieve the research objectives, a comparative analysis of market prices was conducted, contrasting the pre-war period (2021–2022) with the post-occupation period (2024–2025) based on secondary market data.The results of the analysis revealed a significant decrease in the average value of agricultural land. It was determined that different types of land use in this category experienced different decreases in value. Key ecological and economic factors that affect the change in the value of land were identified and substantiated, in particular, technogenic pollution as a result of military actions and changes in the structure of the offer market. The study also took into account the factor of the high cost of demining and, if necessary, reclamation of agricultural land.The results of the study emphasize the heterogeneity of the impact of war on different types of agricultural lands and indicate the need to develop comprehensive programs of restoration, reclamation and economic stimulation to increase the investment attractiveness of these territories.Received: 09.12.2025;Accepted:18.03.2026

The Florida Land Value Survey, conducted by the Food and Resource Economics Department at the University of Florida, provides estimates of the value of different types of agricultural land for geographic regions of the state. The survey questionnaire was designed to obtain estimates of the market value for different types of land as of May 2005. Survey respondents included rural appraisers, farm lenders, real estate brokers, farm managers, land investors, county extension agents, personnel from the Farm Services Agency and the Natural Resource Conservation Service, county property appraisers, and other persons who develop and maintain information about rural land values in their areas. Respondents provided 185 usable county reports for the 2005 survey. This document is FE625, one of a series of the Food and Resource Economics Department, UF/IFAS Extension. Original publication date January 2006. FE625/FE625: Strong Nonagricultural Demand Keeps Agricultural Land Values Increasing (2005) (ufl.edu)

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of organic residue inputs on microbial biomass carbon (MBC), microbial biomass nitrogen (MBN), enzyme activities (FDA and DHA), and soil organic carbon (SOC) in plots in an organic farming system. Soil samples were collected from experimental plots under a randomized block design using organic (ORG) and conventional (CNV) farming systems to grow acerola (Malpighia glaba L.). A native vegetation (NV) site was used as reference. The highest values of SOC (19.9 and 8.7 g kg-1), were obtained in ORG sites, at depths of 0–10 and 10–20 cm, respectively, while the lowest values were found in CNV (5.5 and 4.1 g kg-1), and NV (9.7 and 4.5 g kg-1) sites measured at similar depths. MBC and MBN measurements were both higher in ORG soils with MBC measurements of 308 and 122 mg kg-1 in ORG and CNV soil respectively, and MBN values of 72 and 47 mg kg-1 in ORG and CNV soils, respectively. Total enzyme activity was highest in ORG soils with FDA values at 15.2, 6.2, and 8.5 mg kg-1 in ORG, CNV, and NV soils, respectively. DHA values were 5.7, 2.4, 3.2 mg kg-1, in ORG, CNV, and NV soils, respectively. However, the specific activity of enzymes did not vary between systems. The results confirm that inputs of organic residues increase the content of organic C, microbial biomass, and total enzyme activity in soils under the organic farming system.

The objectives of our research were to assess the soil enzyme activities in relation with soil physicochemical and oxide minerals in the coastal agroecosystem of Puducherry region, India. Soils from nine farms in organic (ORG), sustainable (SUS), and conventional (CON) farming were sampled. Organically managed farming system soils contain significantly higher amounts of soil total N, organic carbon, and a higher level of microbial biomass C and N. Urease, protease, β-glucosidase, cellulose, saccharase, xylanase, and alkaline phosphatase enzyme activities were higher in organic farming system soils compared to sustainable and conventional farming soils. In addition, silt, clay, Al2O3, CaO, Fe2O3, K2O, MgO, MnO, Na2O, and P2O5 oxides were higher in organic farming soil and they showed a significant positive correlation with soil enzyme activities. Our study revealed that soil enzyme activities and soil minerals were significantly affected by farm management practices. The organic farming system had improved the soil health, enzyme activities, and plant available nutrients in coastal agro-ecosystem.

Parasites and parasite management practices of organic and conventional dairy herds in Minnesota

Актуальность исследования. Вьетнам – аграрная страна, в настоящее время его развитие идет по пути индустриализации, но правительство по-прежнему озабочено количественными и качественными показателями сельскохозяйственных угодий. Поэтому прогнозирование ресурсного потенциала разных видов земельных угодий Вьетнама играет ключевую роль в управлении земельными ресурсами страны. Исследования ресурсного потенциала земель проведены на примере административной области Тиенхая, которая является прибрежным регионом страны, где преобладает сельскохозяйственный сектор экономики и характерны многие виды земельных угодий. Цель: оценка пригодности земель разных угодий для прогноза использования их в будущем. Объектом исследования являются земельные угодья государственной собственности района Тиенхая социалистической республики Вьетнам. Методы: методы эмпирического уровня: описание, наблюдение, измерение, сравнение, анкетный опрос, обобщение и моделирование. Для выявления динамики площадей земель различных категорий использовались космические снимки, а для их обработки – ГИС-технологии. При оценке пригодности земель к различным видам землепользований применялись методы ФАО (продовольственная и сельскохозяйственная организация ООН) и экспертных оценок. Важность факторов трансформации земель для разных видов их пользования рассчитана по методу аналитической иерархической процедуры Саати. Для разработки прогнозной модели трансформации земельных угодий во Вьетнаме выбраны цепи Маркова и современные компьютерные программы и технологии. Результаты. На основе дешифрирования космоснимков территории и ГИС-технологий построена матрица вероятности трансформации земельных угодий в Тиенхае с 2005 по 2015 гг. Нормированный вектор относительной важности факторов трансформации при оценке ресурсного потенциала земель для разных видов использования по методу аналитической иерархической процедуры Саати сформирован с помощью экспертов. Разработаны карты пригодности земель для различных типов земельных угодий. Создана модель прогноза земельных угодий в районе Тиенхая к 2025 г. По модели спрогнозированы площади землепользований в районе исследований через 10 лет.

The purpose of this project was to determine key environmental and economic relationships between agricultural practices and wetlands in the Prairie Pothole Region (PPR) of eastern South Dakota. Water quality and water quantity variables were the key environmental parameters examined. Economic cost and returns by farm management system and wetland proximity were the key economic parameters. The three farm management systems examined were conventional {CON), transitional no-till (TNT), and organic (ORG) • 'lhe 'lNr an::i a:N management systems used synthetic fertilizers and chemical pesticides. The ORG system used no synthetic fertilizers and generally no chemical pesticides. The ORG system had greater emphasis on alfalfa and lower emphasis on corn and soybean production. Water budgets were determined for upland and wetland sites. At the wetland site, runon was the major input to the water budget (60%). overflow accounted for 36% of the wetland output and surface storage /seepage accounted for 40%. Evapotranspiration at the wetland site was much lower than at the upland site. Nitrate concentrations were consistently higher in the semipermanent wetland areas than the seasonal wetland areas. The data show a steady decrease in phosphate concentration as we move upland in the landscape. Higher concentrations in wetland than upland groundwater may indicate that some soluble P is moving through the system and/or the sorption capacity of wetland soils is exceeded. . Economic returns and costs of the three farming systems were estimated for 1992 - 1994 at the whole-farm and crop field level. The relative ranking of net returns by management systems were: TNT > CON > ORG, unless organic premiums are a major source of gross income. Production costs per acre by management system from lowest to highest were ORG < TNT < CON. The organic (ORG) system had lower reported average yields and considerably lower production costs per acre than the other management systems. The TNT system had the least diversity of crop rotations, intermediate-level production costs, and similar yields or higher yields than reported in the CON system. The added costs of more tillage and machinery operations in the CON system exceeded any reduction in chemical costs compared to the TNT system. Biomass production and most corn/soybean yields were lowest adjacent to wetland sites and increase to peak production at 150' to 300' feet out. Several years of crop budget estimates for ORG, CON, and TNT fields adjacent to monitored wetland sites indicated substandard net returns in most years.

Analyzing the factors influencing the choice of the government on leasing different types of land uses: Evidence from Shanghai of China

There are 209 UNESCO World Natural Heritage sites around the world that provide an outstanding amount of universal value. Among them, 37 are in Latin America, and seven in Brazil. There are two natural sites in the Brazilian Atlantic Forest of significant concern: (i) Atlantic Forest South-East Reserves and (ii) Discovery Coast Atlantic Forest Reserves. Climate change poses a very high threat to these forest reserves. The fragmented forests are believed to be particularly vulnerable to the expected impacts of climate change such as erosion and water availability. This paper presents an analysis about the potential biophysical climate change impacts in these two World Natural Heritage sites. An impact model was built using climate variables and climate extremes from two regional climate models available for Brazil: Eta-HadGEM2-ES and Eta-MIROC5. Simulations were made using two different greenhouse gases emissions scenarios (RCP4.5 and RCP8.5) and two timeframe windows (1961–2005/2071–2100). Erosion, soil water availability and occurrence of phytophysiognomies were analyzed in this research. Critical areas in the reserves were identified and should now be set by government as priority in the national climate adaptation strategy.

The Ecological Footprint (EF), a physical indicator to measure the extent of humanity’s use of natural resources, has gained much attention since it was first used by Wackernagel and Rees in 1996. In order to appraise land area types with different levels of productivity, they introduced the concept of an equivalence factor. This relates to the average primary biomass productivities of different types of land (i.e. arable land, pasture, forest, water/fishery, built-up land and fossil energy land) to the regional average primary biomass productivity of all land types in a given year. Hence, the equivalence factor is an important parameter in the EF model and it directly affects the reliability of all results. Thus, this article calculates equivalence factors on the national and provincial levels in China based on Net Primary Production (NPP) from MODIS 1 km data in 2008. Firstly, based on the Light Utility Efficiency and CASA model, the NPP of different biologically productive lands of China and of different provinces was calculated. Secondly, China’s equivalence factor for 6 land area types was calculated based on NPP: arable land and built-up land has an equivalence factor of 1.71, forest and fossil energy land has a factor of 1.41, pasture has a factor of 0.44 and water/fishery 0.35; Finally, the equivalence factor of 6 land area types in different provinces was also calculated. The NPP of each ecosystem type varies along with the equivalence factor in different provinces. However, the ranking of the equivalence factors in different provinces remain the same, with that of arable land being the largest, and the water/fishery being the smallest.

This paper investigated the arable crop farmers’ perception of youth roles in agricultural innovation management system in farming communities of Osun State. Specifically, problems militating against the effective participation of youths in innovation management system among the arable crop farmers were empirically investigated. Quantitative data were collected through a multi-stage sampling procedure, using structured interview schedule to elicit information from one hundred and twenty six respondents. Data were analysed using descriptive and inferential statistics. The mean age of respondents was about 53 years, while majority (96.0%) were married with about 5 people as mean household size. Also, the identification of youth roles in agricultural innovation management system (r=0.721, P ≤0.01) had a positive and significant relationship with the perception of youth roles in agricultural innovation management. Among others, the study concluded that arable farmers have access to few innovations while non-lucrativeness of farming accounts for the major problems militating against effective youth participation in arable farming. In