Risk management encompasses all measures taken before the occurrence of risk events to mitigate potential future losses. Although volunteer firefighters serve in a voluntary capacity, their disaster response duties expose them to various risks similar to those faced by professional firefighters. Furthermore, due to differences in training, auxiliary methods, and physical conditions, they may encounter distinct risk factors and potentially higher disaster risks. This paper explores risk identification, control, and reduction for volunteer firefighters through organizational responsibilities and risk management perspectives, employing a group decision making model. Utilizing the Operational Risk Management Integration Tools (ORMIT) and the modified Delphi method, the analysis identifies 54 major risk factors for Taitung County's volunteer firefighters during disaster response duties. These risk factors are categorized according to the 5M model (Man, Machine, Media, Management, Mission), prioritized and addressed using the Main Operational Risk Management List (MOL) and the Risk Control Option Matrix (COM). After proposing corresponding risk control measures, the Average Risk Index (ARI) for the "Potential Risks in Volunteer Firefighters' Disaster Response Duties" decreased from 14.31 to 5.06. The Average Risk Rating (ARR) improved from a high-risk level (H-7) to a low-risk level (L-16). The results demonstrate that through risk identification, assessment, and control procedures, the potential risks faced by volunteer firefighters in disaster response can be significantly reduced.

The objective of this work was the development of a framework for assessing just compensation for environmental damage on a single mine site. Previously, the models applied in this work have only been used at the national or regional level. As a result, a sustainable extraction rate was calculated for a single mine site in Potosi, Bolivia for a mixed mine (zinc, lead, and silver). By using an interdisciplinary approach, a dollar value was assessed for environmental damages for a period of years. These were compared to the profitability of the mine with the result being an estimation of the quantity of mining rents that should be reinvested in social and infrastructure capital. This approach assumed that economic development does not exclude environmental protection and may aid in policy decisions at the local level benefiting the longevity of the economy.

This paper delves into the critical exploration of hydrogen supply chains downstream (HSCD) in the Western U.S., responding to the nation’s prioritization of hydrogen as a clean alternative and its ambitious Hydrogen Program Plan for net-zero emissions and enhanced exports. We develop a conceptual model which is utilized to identify gaps in the existing 116 regional and global review papers published from March 2020, the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, to November 2023. This leads us to HSCD segments, decision levels, research properties, and sustainability as the necessary criteria to analyze 48 peer-reviewed original journal papers published about HSCD in the Western U.S. until November 2023. Accordingly, we offer future research directions and contribute to the development of effective strategies for a sustainable hydrogen-based future.

Phosphorus (P) runoff is a major factor contributing to water quality decline in waterways and waterbodies of coastal Western Australia (WA). Soils with naturally low P retention or those with increased P saturation from P application have higher risk of P loss via leaching or runoff. Substantial research has been carried out to minimise P loss via leaching and runoff through modifications of soil P retention capacity. We review literature of P retentive soil amendments, natural clays and tillage of soil to lift clay to the surface to increase P retention and reduce P loss from poorly retentive sandy soils and P stratified soils, and which have been tested for efficacy and safety. This review includes published research, previously unpublished trial data, research in unpublished reports and published research in limited circulation with particular emphasis on the Swan Coastal Plain due to unabated P loss and limited uptake of soil amendment in the region to combat it. Key findings are that amending leaching sands with bauxite residue from alumina refining, neutralised used acid (NUA from mineral sands processing) and clay, as well as tillage or mixing of P stratified soils have been shown to be very effective at reducing P loss. Increases in plant productivity have been found, depending on conditions such as soil pH and soil test P. For the materials tested, soil amendment did not lead to undue uptake of trace elements or concerning levels of radiation. Trials of NUA have shown Mn is close to acceptable limits or slightly exceeds them and is the subject of further research to determine application rates and field conditions required to minimise Mn or other contamination. The P retentive effect of soil tillage is restricted to soils with high P levels in the soil surface and higher P retention below the surface, reachable by soil tillage equipment.

It is paramount to evaluate the spatiotemporal dynamics of land use and land cover (LULC) changes and their drivers. This is because it helps generate information on biodiversity, land productivity, ecology, and livelihoods for decision-making. Due to land degradation, deforestation, shifting cultivation, high population pressure, and the three national megaprojects (NMPs), the Fincha'a Neshe sub-basin (FNSB) LULC, changes may be unprecedented. This study aimed to investigate the spatiotemporal dynamics of LULC changes and their drivers using remote sensing (RS) data and geographic information systems (GIS). Landsat images 5, 7, and 8 were used for the discrete periods of 1986, 2000, and 2016, respectively. Field observations (Ground control points) and interviews were conducted with key participants to validate the data. Supervised classification with a maximum likelihood algorithm was used to classify the Landsat imagery. The results showed that the FNSB experienced substantial changes in LULC between 1986 and 2016, of which 13.8% (457.3 km2 ) were due to NMPs. The cropland cover has expanded by 694.4 km2 (57.81%) at a rate of 24.60 km2 year-1 at the expense of shrubland, forest, wetland, and grassland. In contrast, shrubland, forest, wetland, and grassland have declined at the rates of 16.8, 3.9, 3.4, and 1.7 km2 year-1 over the entire study period. Population growth and NMPs were the principal drivers of the changes in the LULC of the sub-basin. Thus, the LULC transformation rate observed in the sub-basin requires due attention and mitigation strategies, as it might seriously threaten the sustainability of natural resources and NMPs.

This study aimed to assess soil organic carbon (SOC) and total nitrogen (TN) dynamics under fallow lands influenced by the perennial grass Andropogon gayanus and to show how the biological activity is improved during the Sudanian tillage system in the area of Bondoukuy (Western Burkina Faso). Soil samplings were done through cultivated plots (CP), ten (F10) and twenty (F20) years old fallow lands. Measurements were done in thickets and intergrowth areas of the perennial grass in two horizons: the topsoil (0-10 cm) and the subsoil (10-20 cm). Results showed that SOC concentrations are generally higher in the old (0.35%) than in the young fallow lands (0.29%) and in the cultivated plots (0.23%). TN concentrations followed the same pattern (0.022%, 0.017% for the old and young fallows lands and 0.013% for the cultivated plots). The C:N ratio observed (15~20) suggests an important soil organic matter (SOC and TN) maturation state in the fallow lands (F10 and F20) than in the cultivated plots (CP). Soil mineralization is also more important in the two fallow lands than in fields. For the total nitrogen mineralization, we have an important production of mineral nitrogen always in old fallow lands and a positive effect of the thicket on the net mineral nitrogen accumulation (p<0.05). The transition from thicket to intergrowth area permits obtaining positive variations which are relatively significant (p<0.05). A. gayanus fallow lands play an active role in managing SOC and TN dynamics. The most SOC and TN accumulated was found in the topsoil of thickets, where the maximum plant debris is located. Old fallow lands are best conditions for the recovery of SOC and TN from their steady states. Then, when clearing the vegetation for cultivation after the old fallow lands, there is an important input of fresh OM available for plants in the soil for 3 or 4 years. It is recommended to observe the old fallow phase prior to clearing for cropping.

This study aimed to identify and strengthen the resilience of livestock and agro-pastoralists in the face of changing climatic conditions. The study was conducted in the urban commune of Tera. The methodological approach consisted of desk research and data collection. In order to find the number of households to be surveyed in the selected camps, the method of taking a sample (8%) of the target households is adopted. In total, forty-eight (48) herders and agro-pastoralists are selected. The analysis of the perception of the herders and agro-pastoralists on the climate trend showed a decrease in the amount of rainfall (94% of respondents), increasingly high temperatures (92%) and an increase in strong and sandy winds in all seasons (96%). The disappearance of plant cover was the main cause of climate change according to 79.2% of respondents. The impacts of climate change are numerous. Pastoral resources (water and fodder) have been greatly reduced. The health of the animals has been affected, as has their production. Strategies have been developed by farmers and agro-pastoralists to reduce or anticipate the negative effects of climate change. According to some respondents, the strategies have not fully met expectations.

The pest status of Cosmopolites sordidus has been related to farm sanitation, environmental conditions and local weevil biotypes. This study was to confirm the inherent fecundity of endemic weevils, soil moisture effect and planting material health status that may contribute to weevil behaviour. Adult banana weevils were confined to plantain rhizomes, which were then subjected to four soil moisture regimens for 65 days. In another experiment to measure potential fecundity, weevils collected from the farmer’s field were dissected to determine the internal egg follicles. Planting material with different initial weevil egg infestations on the pseudostem were confined below insect screening net in growing pots. Larva damage and stage populations were determined after 22 weeks. The results showed that weevils confined to plants under moisture stress had higher corm damage than irrigated and vigorously growing plants. A lower number of weevils were associated with plants under moisture stress than vigorously growing plants. The maximum number of mature egg follicles present in the ovaries of female weevils was 17. In general, the mean number of mature egg follicles was 4 per female adult weevil. Infested planting material with initial estimated number of 0.3 eggs per sucker resulted in 2.3 adult emergence and ≈ 34% corm cross section damage after 154 days. The potential egg follicles albeit slow weevil population build-up reiterates the k-selected nature of the banana weevil. The egg follicles in adult female ovaries were high and comparable with weevils in other banana growing regions. The default health status of planting material was confirmed to be a contributing factor to weevil build-up in confinement. Soil moisture increased weevil survival but the improved plant vigour compensated for weevil damage.

Developing a simple and proper model that can accurately predict runoff generation for various locations is in strong demand. This study developed a simple model based on the interactive effects of rainfall intensity and soil physicochemical properties on runoff using a locally produced rainfall simulator. The drop velocity (DV) was calculated to be 8.101m/s and 2.443 m/s when operated at maximum and minimum intensity, respectively, and the performance test revealed the experimental coefficient of uniformity (CU) and rainfall intensity from the simulator to be 79.86 % at 31.79 mmhr-1 and 78.03 % at 16.08 mmhr-1 at maximum and minimum intensity respectively. Results showed that the soils were loamy sand, with clay having the lowest percentage between 3.55% - 4% and sand having the highest percentage between 78.4% - 80.1% on both plots. Runoff significantly correlated with pH(H20), nitrogen and rainfall intensity for vegetative plot (p < 0.001, R2 = 86.29%) while for bare plot, runoff significantly correlated with pH (KCl), Electrical Conductivity, Exchangeable Calcium, and rainfall intensity (p < 0.001, R2 = 92.39%). This result revealed that rainfall intensity and alkalinity are key factors influencing runoff in the study location.