Adaptive Management Research Articles

СТРАТЕГІЧНІ АСПЕКТИ УПРАВЛІННЯ ЕНЕРГЕТИЧНОЮ БЕЗПЕКОЮ ПРОМИСЛОВИХ ПІДПРИЄМСТВ В УМОВАХ МІНЛИВОСТІ ЗОВНІШНЬОГО СЕРЕДОВИЩА

The study is devoted to strategic planning and management of energy security of industrial enterprises in the conditions of dynamic changes in global energy markets and modern challenges. The relevance of the topic is due to the critical importance of energy security for ensuring the stability of production processes, optimizing costs, increasing energy efficiency and reducing the negative impact on the environment. At the theoretical level, the study analyzes the key concepts and methodologies underlying the formation of energy security management strategies. Special attention is paid to theoretical approaches to risk forecasting, threat identification, and the integration of the latest technologies, such as artificial intelligence and automated monitoring systems, into the strategic planning process. Theoretical analysis helps to reveal the main principles and strategies that are critical for adapting to a rapidly changing external environment and new threats. At the practical level, the study considers real cases and examples of the implementation of energy security strategies at industrial enterprises. Analyzes of best practices, emergency planning, crisis recovery, and resource management are included. The issue of coordination between different levels of management and integration of the energy security strategy with other corporate plans and state regulatory requirements is considered separately. The study emphasizes the need to create adaptive management systems that not only ensure the reliability of energy supply, but also respond promptly to various threats, including natural disasters, man-made accidents, terrorist acts and cyber attacks. The practical aspect of the research also includes evaluating the effectiveness of monitoring and feedback systems for adapting strategies based on changes in the external environment and monitoring results. The conducted research makes a significant contribution to the scientific discussion on the strategy and planning of energy security management, combining theoretical foundations with practical recommendations. Scientifically based methods of forecasting threats and developing adaptive strategies ensure effective management of energy security of industrial enterprises in the context of modern global challenges and technological changes.

Considerando la adopción efectiva de sistemas agrícolas en el diseño de esquemas para la promoción en el cultivo de árboles, Costa Rica

[Introduction]: The current cultivation of trees is insufficient to cover the national demand for wood, in this way small producers become an alternative solution to this situation, since despite having small areas, in the country there are abundant farms with these conditions; However, the current forest management scheme does not meet adequate standards for the incorporation of these small producers. [Objective]: To present an adaptive forest management scheme (AFMS) to the needs of the small farmer, in addition, to demonstrate the institutional availability to change according to expert criteria. [Methodology]: 1) the factors that influence the decision to adopt an agricultural or forestry production system were identified. 2) a profile of an ideal productive system that met the interests and preferences of the small producer was made, which was compared with the characteristics of agricultural and forestry production. 3) the proposal of an EMFA adjusted to the preferences and interest of the producer was made, which was also compared with the ideal profile. 4) three proposed change actions were presented to experts, obtaining different degrees of possibility of changes in the EMFA. [Results]: The discrepancy of the forest management scheme for the cultivation of trees with the perspective that a small producer has on an ideal production system was evidenced, as well as the substantial improvement that an EMFA would have in the valuation of the small producer and the institutional availability to change the EMFA according to the perspective of the small producers. [Conclusions]: The adjustment of the forest management scheme allows a greater adoption of the activity by the small producer, but it was recognized that any proposal that is made would be successful only if forest governance makes it more flexible and allows change.

Міжнародно–правова практика мобілізації та способу комплектування Збройних Сил

The article examines the peculiarities of the legal regulation of the mobilization process in the United States of America, Great Britain, Finland, and the Baltic countries, the practice of which has its own specifics associated with national traditions, the conditions of military and reserve service, the geographical location of the country, and other characteristic features. It is noted that the full-scale invasion of Russia on the territory of Ukraine forces most European countries to take urgent measures aimed at changing the methods of mobilization for war, as well as shifting the economy to the production of military equipment and the implementation of organizational and legal forms and methods of conscription and replenishment of mobilization resources as in their own countries and in NATO. It has been proven that when a decision is made on the mobilization deployment of the armed forces in the USA, the draft of men is carried out in 6 stages, which include organizational and legal actions aimed at the adoption by Congress of relevant amendments to the mobilization legislation, the procedure for the draft of specific persons based on the drawing of a lottery, the implementation of attestation persons and enlistment of conscripts for active service. The right to serve in the United States, on the basis of secondary education, has all citizens of the United States and citizens of other states who permanently reside in the state. Staffing of the army of Great Britain is mainly carried out on a professional basis. However, the government of the kingdom, in order to reduce the level of crime, youth unemployment and the Russian threat to the West, is inclined to return mandatory military service to the country in 2025. Candidates for joining the army mobilization reserve are recruited by theMilitary Information and Career Bureau. It is outlined that the armed forces of Scandinavia and the Baltic States, in contrast to the armies of the United States and Great Britain, continue to expand the conscription process due to the increased threat from Russia. Thus, the order of recruitment of the armed forces of Finland is carried out on the basis of the Law “On Conscription for Military Service”, in Latvia the mobilization process is regulated by the Law "OnMilitary Service", Lithuania conducts military conscription in accordance with the Law “On Military Conscription”, and in Estonia the legal basis of the defense of the country is regulated by the Law “OnMilitary Service”. It has been proven that military servicemen, conscripts and reservists are mainly criminal, administrative, disciplinary and materially responsible for violating mobilization legislation in NATO countries. It is noted that the domestic mobilization legislation requires targeted legal support, adaptive military management and a complex and systemic approach to the organization of the mobilization process.

Response of black pine (Pinus nigra) in southwestern Anatolia to climate change

Global climate change is one of the most critical challenges facing natural ecosystems. As sedentary organisms, plant communities are especially vulnerable, with climate change significantly impacting their development, productivity, and distribution. This study focuses on modelling and mapping the potential distribution of black pine (Pinus nigra) within the Antalya Regional Forest Directorate under the SSP1 2.6 climate scenario for the years 2040, 2060, 2080, and 2100. The MaxEnt modelling method, combined with the HadGEM3-GC31-LL climate model from WorldClim, was used to assess the impact of climate change on black pine. The current distribution model results showed “good” predictive performance, with AUC values of 0.855 for training data and 0.851 for testing data. Key variables influencing the model included precipitation during the wettest quarter, annual precipitation, maximum temperature of the warmest month, and elevation. Projections indicate that the black pine’s distribution will shrink by 2040, become increasingly fragmented by 2060, and decline further by 2080, with near-total disappearance by 2100. In conclusion, this study highlights the urgent need for adaptive management strategies to address the effects of climate change on black pine forests.

Unveiling The Lived Experiences of School Heads in Managing Intergenerational Diversity among Proficient Teachers

This transcendental phenomenological study explored the lived experiences of school heads in managing intergenerational diversity among proficient teachers in public elementary schools in Noveleta, Cavite. Through in-depth interviews, participant observations, and document analysis, the study revealed how generational differences impacted school management practices. Seven key themes emerged: Intergenerational Dynamics and Work Culture, Leadership and Adaptive Management Strategies, Technological Evolution and Pedagogical Adaptation, Communication, Collaboration, and Team Cohesion, Coping with Change and Navigating Resistance, Personal Well-being and Professional Growth, and Cultural and Societal Influences. The findings highlighted that school heads faced distinct challenges when managing generational gaps in work ethics, discipline, and professional values. Older generations of teachers, such as Baby Boomers and Generation X, exhibited stronger work ethics and commitment, often working through breaks to ensure student learning. In contrast, younger generations, particularly Generation Y and Z, were perceived to prioritize work-life balance and demonstrated less initiative. These differences posed significant challenges in fostering collaboration and innovation within schools. School heads employed adaptive strategies, such as empathetic leadership, fostering open communication, and promoting flexible solutions to bridge these generational divides. Moreover, the study emphasized the need for school management to address stereotypes and biases associated with different generations, creating inclusive environments that promoted cohesion and mutual respect. The implications extended to educational policies and professional development programs aimed at fostering intergenerational understanding and improving staff relations.

Standards‐based evaluation inform ecological restoration outcomes for a major mining activity in a global biodiversity hotspot

The International Principles and Standars for the Ecological Restoration and Recovery of Mine Sites were used to assess the restoration quality of one of the world's largest mines, located in the world's most biodiverse temperate forest. Quantitative analysis of longitudinal data spanning 35 years scored restoration quality at 2‐stars against a 5‐star forest ecosystem restoration target, with little indication of improvements from adaptive management. Two‐thirds of indicator plants were significantly under‐represented in early‐stage restoration and declined with age. Most plant species were effectively absent, including key structural species. Invasive plants and native legumes were persistently overabundant. Time required for the maturation of tree species will prevent the production of fundamental ecosystem features for well over a century (e.g. hollows and fallen logs), inhibiting functional fauna return (reptiles, bats, and conservation priority cockatoos in particular). The significantly different outcome compared with previous assessments is due to the age of restoration assessed and previous assumptions that early‐stage success indicate that restoration is on the correct, prolonged trajectory toward full ecological restoration. However, previous assessment methods did not consider many key metrics of the standards, nor accurately predict future restoration trajectory. In particluar, initial plant species richness (the only measure of biodiversity in the company's restoration completion criteria) did not reflect future restoration quality. These substandard restoration outcomes may result from removing the deep, multi‐layered bauxitic substrate on which the ecosystem evolved and establishing restoration on shallow topsoil over a more homogenized, impervious substrate. This study demonstrates the value of a robust, adaptable multi‐factor framework and methodology to evaluate restoration outcomes.

Patient safety in the pandemic: Experiences of charge nurses.

The aim of this study was to identify charge nurses' experiences ensuring patient safety during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. The research was conducted with charge nurses between July 2021 and February 2022. Research data were collected using a semi-structured interview with two main questions, six sub-questions and an audio recording. Interviews were conducted with 12 charge nurses and lasted ≈30 min. The content analysis method was used to transfer the collected data to written documents and define them to analyse the individual interview data. Content analyses were conducted independently by three different researchers. Inclusion and exclusion criteria for content were established to ensure consistency among all researchers. Researchers independently developed a coding scheme for content analysis based on the research objectives and applied it to the content. Intercoder reliability was assessed with Cohen's kappa coefficient to measure the consistency of coding among researchers. Three main themes were identified as a result of the content analysis. The themes identified after independent examination by the three researchers were 'ensuring safety and protection', 'sustaining motivation and resilience' and 'organizational restructuring and challenges'. This study highlights the challenges faced by charge nurses during the COVID-19 pandemic and their critical role in maintaining patient safety. The findings emphasize the importance of organizational adaptability, continuous motivation and comprehensive risk management strategies. Charge nurses played a key role in enhancing safety measures and fostering a culture of resilience among healthcare staff. Moving forward, these insights should guide health policies and practices to better prepare for future public health crises, ensuring the safety of both patients and staff.

GAME DEVELOPMENT PROJECT MANAGEMENT USING SCRUM FRAMEWORK: HYPERCASUAL GAME CASE STUDY 'RUSH RUNNER'

The research aims to explore and implement an effective Project Management approach in Game Development using the Scrum Framework. A case study was conducted on the development of a hypercasual game titled "Rush Runner." With a focus on rapid iterations, continuous feedback, and adaptation to changes, the Scrum methodology was used to manage the game development workflow from planning to publication. Concrete steps were taken to adapt to user needs and evolving demands as an integral part of the development process. The research findings indicate that the implementation of Scrum had a positive impact on productivity, quality, and user satisfaction in hypercasual game development. Furthermore, the integration of Project Management and the Scrum approach optimized overall time, cost, and quality. These findings provide valuable insights for practitioners and researchers in the field of game development to understand the importance of an adaptive and responsive Project Management approach to market changes and user needs.

Pearl millet phenology assessment: An integration of field, a review, and in silico approach

AbstractPearl millet [Pennisetum glaucum (L.) R.Br.] is an essential subsistence cereal for food security in dryland farming systems of the semiarid tropics (e.g., in sub‐Saharan Africa) and has improved tolerance to drought, heat, and salinity stress compared to other domesticated cereals. Assessing the variation on phenology is critical toward devising effective adaptative management strategies for crop adaptation to current and future climate change. In this context, pearl millet presents a vast genetic diversity, exhibiting sensitivity to temperature and photoperiod. Hence, this study aims to describe the genotypic variability in the phenological responses of pearl millet to temperature and photoperiod, particularly affecting leaf number with implications on the overall total time to flowering. The dataset encompassed 21 publications from seven countries, with experiments conducted from 1965 to 2023, including three field studies from the United States. Broad variability has been reported for phyllochron values ranging from 45 to 111°Cd leaf−1, with a mean value of 67°Cd leaf−1. Thermal time to panicle initiation ranged from 340 to 594°C, but no response to photoperiod duration was found due to the nature of dataset. Maximum number of leaves per shoot ranged from 11 to 25, showing response (1.55–2.15 leaf h−1) to photoperiod due to variations in thermal time to flowering (from 875 to 1346°Cd). Thermal time to flowering increased ca. 323°Cd h−1 under day durations longer than 13.3 h, below which basic vegetative phase duration was close to 1033°Cd. Based on the Agricultural Production Systems sIMulator simulations, different combinations of the above responses (in silico cultivars) generated a great range of times to flowering (44–120 days) for locations in Senegal, Brazil, India, and United States. The findings of this study can help breeders to explore the phenological genetic variability of pearl millet and provide inputs for crop growth models to evaluate future in silico scenarios.

BIODIVERSITY IN INDIA: IMPLEMENTATION AND BARRIERS FOR REGULATORY ACTS

India, a megadiverse country, harbors a significant portion of the world's biodiversity, encompassing a variety of ecosystems, species, and genetic resources. The preservation of this biodiversity is crucial, not only for ecological balance but also for sustaining livelihoods and cultural heritage. Over the years, India has implemented several regulatory acts aimed at conserving its biodiversity. However, the effective enforcement of these regulations faces numerous barriers. This paper explores the current state of biodiversity in India, highlighting the successes and limitations of existing regulatory acts. It examines the barriers to effective implementation, such as inadequate funding, insufficient enforcement, bureaucratic red tape, and conflicts between development and conservation goals. By analyzing case studies and policy reviews, this study aims to provide a comprehensive overview of the gaps and opportunities within India's biodiversity regulatory framework. Recommendations for enhancing the efficacy of these regulations are also discussed, emphasizing the need for improved coordination, community involvement, and adaptive management strategies.

URBAN FLOOD RESILIENCE: A MULTI-CRITERIA EVALUATION USING AHP AND TOPSIS

Floods are increasingly recognized as one of the most destructive natural disasters, driven by urban expansion, climate change, and unregulated development. This is particularly true in developing countries, where rapid urbanization has increased impervious surfaces, amplifying flood risks in urban areas. This study focuses on Albania, evaluating urban resilience against floods through the lens of water-related disaster data. Using a multi-criteria decision analysis (MCDA) approach, specifically the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) and the Technique for Order of Preference by Similarity to Ideal Solution (TOPSIS), the research assesses flood vulnerability and resilience in rapidly urbanizing regions. Integrating AHP and TOPSIS with mixed methods introduces a novel approach, offering a comprehensive evaluation framework for flood risk management. The findings highlight critical vulnerabilities and suggest that targeted urban planning and disaster mitigation efforts can enhance resilience. Future research could incorporate climate projections and granular urban data, supporting a more adaptive flood management strategy.

Conjunctive use in water resource management: current trends and future directions

ABSTRACT Water scarcity and the nееd for sustainable water management practices are pressing global challenges. Conjunctive use, a united management of both surface water and groundwater resources, is being progressively considered as one of the fundamental approaches to solving these issues. This paper gives a detailed overview of the conjunctive use in water resource management considering the present tendencies and directions of development in this sphere. The present study relies on a diverse variety of literature resources which integrate the new techniques, equipment, and policies in respect to conjunctive use. It covers important issues like hydrological modeling, innovative groundwater recharge methods, and integrating conjunctive use techniques into adaptive management system. Moreover, the review also evaluates the roles of different parties, such as government agencies, communities, and industries, involved in the conjunctive use approaches and the promotion of collaborative governance mechanisms. This review identifies that while the conjunctive use approaches are very promising for solutions to water security, fragmented management and poor data integration constrain them. The paper conducts an all-embracing analysis that pinpoints the upcoming problems and solutions, and discovers the need for extensive research and innovation to make the conjunctive water resources management more efficient and resilient.

Feature Engineering for Agile Requirement Management Using Semantic Analysis

Efficient management and prioritization of software requirements are critical challenges in agile projects, where requirements constantly evolve due to changing user needs, business goals, and regulatory updates. This paper explores the role of semantic feature extraction in enabling adaptive management strategies. Using the PROMISE Expanded Dataset and the Coquina Dataset, we employed TF-IDF weighted Word2Vec for advanced tokenization and feature extraction. Latent Dirichlet Allocation (LDA) was used to analyze how preprocessing steps like stop word removal impact topic representation, revealing that removing stop words improved topic specificity and coherence. To address class imbalance, Synthetic Minority Over-sampling Technique (SMOTE) was applied, enhancing the model's ability to handle underrepresented classes effectively. Principal Component Analysis (PCA) reduced the dimensionality of TF-IDF weighted Word2Vec embeddings from 100 features to 30, while Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) identified the most significant features for classification. The results obtained identified three features to have p-values below 0.05 as statistically significant, p-value = 0.0000605, p-value = 0.00000000469, and p-value = 0.0024. These extracted features could be used as input to training machine learning models for predicting and managing software requirements adaptively during agile development. With the reduction of ambiguities and sentiments of the user at the requirement phase, the development phase could be undertaken seamlessly with ease.

Accuracy assessment of the geomorphon approach to detect ecological sites in the Dry Chaco region of Argentina

Ecological sites are a classification of local-land types based on differences in important environmental factors including soil properties, slope and landscape position within a geomorphologic and climatic zone. The concept is pivotal to conduct adaptative management in arid rangelands because it defines homogeneous areas over which specific soil-vegetation-disturbance dynamic occurs. Geomorphon is a computationally efficient method that uses Digital Elevation Models (DEMs) for the classification of landforms at multiple scales. The objective of this study was to evaluate the accuracy of the geomorphon approach to map ecological sites in a 11,259-ha study area within the Dry Chaco region of Argentina, utilizing local topographic positions along soil catena as a predictor of broader ecological sites classes. We used two DEM pixel resolutions (12.5 m and 30 m) and optimized the flatness threshold (t) and search radius (L) geomorphon parameters. As “ground truth” we used legacy data of 62 soil profiles descriptions. The geomorphon elements detected were reclassified into the three main ecological sites of the study area: highlands, midlands and lowlands. We used the overall disagreement (D) as the main metric for evaluating the accuracy of ecological site classifications. We found that: i) the lowest t value (0.05°) captured subtle topographical changes and thus more effectively reflected the soil-landscape relationship, and ii) larger L values paired with the lower pixel resolution (30 m) diminished the impact of minor landforms, improving the accuracy of ecological site detections. We determined that the geomorphon model with the pixel resolution of 30 m, t-value of 0.05°, and L-value of 12 produced the ecological site classification map with the highest accuracy, achieving a moderate-high accuracy (D of 33.9 %). Our study suggests that the geomorphon approach shows potential for consistent, reproducible and easily updatable ecological site mapping over larger areas.

Community resilience to socio-environmental disasters in Itajaí Valley, Brazil

The Itajaí Valley (Brazil) is historically hit by disasters characterized by landslides and floods. Despite some level of preparedness, the changing rainfall regimes which became less predictable and more severe, is exacerbated by uncertainties of climate change challenging the state of resilience in the area. Community perception in disaster risk areas is one of the key components for identifying the state of resilience to disasters. Hence, to better understand the nature of changing resilience, this research aims to identify and compare the state of resilience of communities (SC) in the Itajaí Valley by analyzing risk perception of local communities. A descriptive-evaluative methodology is used through a quantitative survey approach in the at-risk areas in two distinct phases. Data collection in the first phase took place between March and July 2023, a period temporally distant from the last major disaster, which occurred in 2008. The second phase of data collection took place between the floods of October and November 2023. The results of the research indicate that exposure to the October 2023 floods had a substantial impact on the population's perception of risk, in which changes were observed in all the aspects of community resilience analyzed. In this sense, there was a significant increase in resilience during the reorganization phase, strengthening the consensus with studies related to adaptive cycles. The results enable a more precise understanding of vulnerable areas, allowing decision-makers to pinpoint where resources and efforts should be directed with greater accuracy.

Performance analysis of the adaptive cycle engine with cooling air: From propulsion performance, thermodynamic efficiency, exergy and infrared characteristics

The adaptive cycle engine gains significant attention due to its variable thermodynamic cycles and multi-duct characteristics, which are utilized for thermal management to enhance engine performance. This paper explores the features of multi-duct technology in adaptive cycle engines and aims to improve engine flight performance. An analysis is conducted on the impact of duct air bleed on engine propulsion characteristics, thermodynamic cycle properties, and exhaust system infrared radiation characteristics. Initially, a component-level model of the adaptive cycle engine was established, considering CDFS duct, bypass duct, and third duct air cooling devices. This model uses the ducted cold air to cool the temperature of low-pressure turbine exit, center cone wall, and main nozzle expansion section wall. Subsequently, a method for analyzing the infrared radiation of the engine exhaust system was proposed based on the above model, and the performance of engine components and the overall engine was analyzed in terms of energy, exergy, mechanical efficiency, and thermal efficiency. Finally, the numerical simulations of the propulsion performance, thermodynamic efficiency and infrared characteristics of the adaptive cycle engine with cooling air were carried out under conditions of ground takeoff, subsonic cruise, and supersonic cruise. The simulation results show that the cooling air can effectively enhance engine performance and infrared stealth capabilities under various flight conditions. The ducted air extraction measures proposed in the paper could effectively improve the propulsion efficiency and stealth characteristics of the engine, providing important references for the development of more efficient aeroengine.

Efficient CRISPR/Cas9-mediated genome editing in the European corn borer, Ostrinia nubilalis.

The European corn borer (Ostrinia nubilalis) is an agricultural pest and burgeoning model for research on speciation, seasonal adaptation and insect resistance management. Although previous work in O. nubilalis has identified genes associated with differences in life cycle, reproduction, and resistance to Bt toxins, the general lack of a robust gene-editing protocol for O. nubilalis has been a barrier to functional validation of candidate genes. Here, we demonstrate an efficient and practical methodology for heritable gene mutagenesis in O. nubilalis using the CRISPR/Cas9 genome editing system. Precise loss-of-function (LOF) mutations were generated at two circadian clock genes, period (per) and pigment-dispersing factor receptor (pdfr), and a developmental gene, prothoracicotropic hormone (ptth). Precluding the need for a visible genetic marker, gene-editing efficiency remained high across different single guide RNAs (sgRNA) and germline transmission of mutations to F1 offspring approached 100%. When single or dual sgRNAs were injected at a high concentration, gene-specific phenotypic differences in behaviour and development were identified in F0 mutants. Specifically, F0 gene mutants demonstrated that PER, but not PDFR, is essential for normal timing of eclosion. PTTH F0 mutants were significantly heavier and exhibited a higher incidence of diapause. This work will accelerate future studies of gene function in O. nubilalis and facilitate the development of similar screens in other Lepidopteran and non-model insects.

Insights into Blue Whale (Balaenoptera musculus L.) Population Movements in the Galapagos Archipelago and Southeast Pacific.

The Galapagos Marine Reserve is vital for cetaceans, serving as both a stopover and residency site. However, blue whales, occasionally sighted here, exhibit poorly understood migratory behavior within the Galapagos and the broader Eastern Tropical Pacific. This study, the first to satellite tag blue whales in the Galapagos (16 tagged between 2021 and 2023), explored their behavior in relation to environmental variables like chlorophyll-a concentration, sea surface temperature (SST), and productivity. Key findings show a strong correlation between foraging behavior, high chlorophyll-a levels, productivity, and lower SSTs, indicating a preference for food-rich areas. Additionally, there is a notable association with geomorphic features like ridges, which potentially enhance food abundance. Most tagged whales stayed near the Galapagos archipelago, with higher concentrations observed around Isabela Island, which is increasingly frequented by tourist vessels, posing heightened ship strike risks. Some whales ventured into Ecuador's exclusive economic zone, while one migrated southward to Peru. The strong 2023 El Niño-Southern Oscillation event led to SST and primary production changes, likely impacting whale resource availability. Our study provides crucial insights into blue whale habitat utilization, informing adaptive management strategies to mitigate ship strike risks and address altered migration routes due to climate-driven environmental shifts.

Farmer adaptation strategies through local farming systems in Enrekang, Indonesia

Farmers in tropical Indonesia who manage agroecological systems face multiple challenges related to food security. Despite the conditions caused by climate change, these farming households have effectively utilized agroforestry to build food security. However, prolonged dry seasons pose new constraints to their livelihood strategies. This study uses a qualitative methodology and a rural farmer livelihood framework to analyze and evaluate household livelihood strategies, attitudes, and reactions to climate change. The findings show that farmers constantly modify their management techniques using flexible and adaptive decision-making processes to cope with and minimize climate change challenges. Moreover, the role of climate variation as a significant catalyst for change in farming practices is challenging to distinguish from some of the routine problems that farmers face each year. Through knowledge accumulation and adaptive management, farmers in Enrekang utilize several livelihood adaptation strategies to reduce risks in the face of changing climate conditions. In addition, farmers utilize on-farm crops to obtain various ecosystem services that provide services such as food, nutrition, and medicine and improve ecology, nutrient cycling, and climate regulation. Further research is needed to understand how on-farm tree inclusion affects various biophysical properties and the rationale behind species selection.

Reef fish biodiversity and occurrence of endangered sharks within a small marine protected area off Sint Maarten, Dutch Caribbean

AbstractMarine protected areas (MPAs) are common conservation tools supporting the protection of threatened marine fishes, such as sharks. However, the creation of shark MPAs has been less common in the Greater Caribbean region despite a growing need and opportunity. In this study, we evaluated the occurrence of shark and reef fish biodiversity off Sint Maarten, Dutch Caribbean, with a particular emphasis on endangered shark presence within the Man of War Shoal Marine Protected Area (MPA). We utilized baited remote underwater video systems (BRUVs) to gather non-invasive data on the abundance and diversity of reef fish and shark species inside and outside the local MPA. Generalized linear models (GLMs) revealed no significant effect of protection status on the presence of the endangered Caribbean reef shark (Carcharhinus perezi). However, we found a significant influence of depth on shark occurrence, as well as an effect of habitat type on shark and reef fish biodiversity, with reef habitats showing the greatest significance. These results suggest that the effect of small coastal MPAs on bolstering local endangered species conservation in the Dutch Caribbean is likely to vary according to habitat features and how those species utilize those habitats across various life stages. These findings have implications for adaptive MPA management, which should be informed by the ecology and habitat preferences of target species to achieve maximum benefits for biodiversity conservation.