Over the past six decades, one-third of the world's territory has been affected by land-use changes, mainly driven by agricultural practices. For example, in Spain, large areas once covered by forests have been replaced by land for conventional cereal cultivation, leading to a loss of soil organic matter and consequently a decrease in soil microbial activity, which affects P cycling. Recently, management in some of these agricultural systems has shifted toward practices that prioritize soil quality and health, incorporating principles of organic and regenerative agriculture. This study examines a land use change from forest to conventional cereal cultivation and ultimately to organic vineyard management in the Spanish Central Plateau. Soil samples corresponding to four distinct land-use histories (forest, old vineyards, new vineyards, cereal) were analyzed, and the following properties were determined: activities of enzymes related to the P cycle, total P content, Olsen P, microbial biomass DNA, pH, electrical conductivity, and soil organic carbon (SOC). Soils were sampled both in the topsoil (0–20 cm) and in the subsoil (20–40 cm). All analyzed enzymes (acid phosphomonoesterase, alkaline phosphomonoesterase, phosphodiesterase and pyrophosphate-phosphodiesterase) showed the highest activities in the surface layer of forest soils, with the lowest levels observed in vineyard soils at both depths. Microbial biomass DNA was strongly correlated with enzyme activity and SOC ( p < 0.001). Conversely, total P concentrations were highest in the surface soils of agricultural lands, with average values of 154 mg kg⁻¹ in cereal fields, 130 mg kg⁻¹ in old vineyards, and 122 mg kg⁻¹ in new vineyards, while forest soils showed the lowest levels, reaching 98 mg kg⁻¹ . We can conclude that converting forest land to agricultural land increases total and available P at both soil depths. However, the decline in P-related enzymatic activities was restricted to the topsoil, as enzymatic activity in the forest subsoil was already low. • Land-use change alters phosphorus availability and related enzyme activities. • Transitioning from forest to agricultural land decreases P-related enzyme activities. • Agricultural soils show higher total and available P contents than forest soils. • Phosphatase enzyme activities positively correlate with soil organic carbon. • Olsen P negatively correlates with P-related enzyme activities.

In Zambia, clearing land for cultivation is a reported mechanism for making land claims in contexts of uncertain rights and expropriation risk, and leaving land fallow is less common for those with weaker land rights. When only some farmers in a village obtain land title, the land security of untitled landholders, particularly women, can become less secure in contexts where there are fears that chiefs can reallocate land away from untitled smallholders to obtain financial gains from seekers of titled land. On the other hand, if village-level titling signals a general transition towards more transparent regulation and/or more favorable developmental prospects for the area, then local trends in titling may contribute to an increased shared sense of tenure security, even for non-title-holders. Motivated by these hypothesized effects, we examine whether neighborhood titling rates are positively or negatively associated with smallholders leaving land virgin or fallow, after controlling for own-titling status. We show that both own-title status and neighboring titling rates are positively associated with having farmland in virgin and fallow states, i.e., reduced incidence of land clearing, indicating that community titling rates are associated with increased security and expected future returns on uncultivated land. However, these results vary by gender: community titling rates are less strongly associated with decreased land conversion by female household heads (except in the case of leasehold titling) who often have weaker bargaining rights in customary systems. Additionally, we show that, after controlling for one’s own land titling status, neighbors’ titling is associated with greater rental market participation and more longer-term productivity investments. These indirect effects are stronger for leasehold titling as compared with customary land certification, and for titles which have been finalized (compared with titles still being processed). Our analysis indicates that tenure formalization policies may have both direct and indirect effects which differ by type of actor. • We present nationally representative land titling and certification rates in Zambia. • Titling is associated with lower pressure to convert virgin land (clearing to claim). • Titling is also associated with a variety of productive smallholder land investments. • These associations are stronger for formal titling than customary land certification. • Local titling/certification outcomes also induce investment by non-titled neighbors.

Photodegradation of polyamide, polyester, and HDPE aquaculture cage nets: Implications for microplastic pollution.

Single cell oil enriched in ricinoleic acid biosynthesis from glucose via metabolically rewired oleaginous yeast.

ABSTRACT The variation in soil quality due to land use change from forest to rainfed agriculture, rainfed agriculture under forest, and irrigated cultivation in the forested region of Lordegan, Iran, was investigated. A total of 240 soil samples from depths of 0–10 cm and slopes of 0–5% gradient across different land uses including 80 samples for chemical and physical analyses, another 80 samples for biological analyses, and 80 soil cores for bulk density measurements were gathered. Eighteen soil quality indices were assessed. The results indicated that the average diameter weight of soil particles was highest in the forest land use (0.40 mm) and lowest in the irrigated cultivation land use (0.29 mm). The highest amount of particulate organic carbon was found in coarse particles under forest land use at 1.01%, whereas the lowest amount was observed in irrigated cultivation at 0.21%. The highest microbial biomass carbon was recorded in the forest land use at 19.26 g/kg of soil, whereas the lowest was in irrigated cultivation at 7.94 g/kg of soil. This study demonstrated that any alteration in forest land use significantly reduces soil quality.

Simultaneous enantioselective determination of six non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug enantiomers in multi-specie meat products with novel chiral LC-MS/MS method.

Advantages and prospects of developing microalgal industry in hot-dry valley regions of China

Farmers' homegardens (FHGs) in Eastern Tyrol have undergone notable changes over the past century. We examined how traditional farmers' homegardens (TFHGs, as described by contemporary witnesses for 1930-1960) compare with FHGs at data collection point 1 in 1998 & 1999 (DCP-1) and data collection point 2 in 2018 & 2019 (DCP-2). Locally relevant TFHG characteristics were identified through semi-structured interviews with contemporary witnesses (n = 27) conducted in 1998 & 1999 regarding the period from 1930 to 1960. These characteristics were then used to compare paired FHGs (n = 55) across DCP-1 and DCP-2 using paired t-tests and two sided McNemar's tests, alongside qualitative comparisons with TFHGs. TFHGs were very small (max. 20 m²), clearly demarcated, near the farmhouse, managed manually by women with simple tools, and focused on medicinal, aromatic, perfumed and ritual plants; they were considered irrelevant to food security, food diversity, or food quality, and relied on community-sourced plant material. Only a few plant taxa and individuals were reported to be cultivated. By DCP-1/DCP-2, the 55 FHGs studied had a clear demarcation and proximity (1-60 m) to the farmhouse; sizes expanded from small TFHGs to up to 220 m² (mean 74 m² in DCP-1; 76 m² in DCP-2). Unproductive areas appeared in DCP-1 and increased in DCP-2. Infrastructure such as cold frames, greenhouses, water taps, and decorative/recreational items was added in DCP-1; DCP-2 saw greater use of power tools and elevated beds. While the number of cultivated plant taxa and individuals reported for the TFHGs has increased, plant occurrence per FHG has remained stable in DCP-1 and DCP-2 (mean 43; DCP-1 range 15-113; DCP-2 range 15-74), with total taxa similar (360 vs. 355) and food plants the most abundant category; however, mean individual abundance per FHG declined from 773 to 627. Gardeners sourced some plant material locally but increasingly bought seeds and plants from markets. Of key TFHG plants, chives and lettuce persisted widely, while chamomile and peony were infrequent. Traditionally arable field vegetables were absent in TFHGs but present in FHGs; cabbage and potatoes were common and abundant, whereas turnips and broad beans were rare. By DCP-2, eight of the FHGs studied in DCP-1 had been abandoned (e.g. converted into a car park), while a further 14 FHGs were no longer visible as discrete units, having been merged with meadows, orchards, or other farm structures. FHGs combine long-term system consistency with high flexibility, shifting from meeting necessity (TFHGs) toward needs and wants, including quality food and gardening pleasure (DCP-1), and increasingly reflecting personal circumstances as seen in the FHG management (DCP-2; e.g., lawns, sealed surfaces, elevated beds). These changes indicate dynamic adaptation without a turn to cash-crop specialization.

Conventional agriculture on chemical fertilizers and pesticides has serious environmental and health implications. This necessitates the development of more sustainable and eco-friendly alternatives. This study aimed to synthesize zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnONPs) using Cassia absus leaf extract via a green synthesis approach and evaluate their dual role as biofertilizers and biopesticides in sustainable agriculture. The biosynthesized ZnONPs were characterized using UV-Vis spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), scanning electron microscopy-energy dispersive X-ray analysis (SEM-EDX), dynamic light scattering (DLS), and zeta potential analysis. A characteristic absorption peak at 355nm confirmed nanoparticle (NP) formation, whereas XRD analysis revealed a hexagonal wurtzite structure with a crystallite size of 45-55nm. SEM analysis showed spherical to quasi-spherical NPs with an average size of 75nm, whereas DLS indicated a hydrodynamic diameter of 83.5nm and a zeta potential of + 48.7 mV, confirming excellent colloidal stability. The in vitro antibacterial activity of ZnONPs was evaluated against the phytopathogens Ralstonia solanacearum, Xanthomonas euvesicatoria, and Clavibacter michiganensis subsp. michiganensis. Significant inhibition zones of 20mm, 18mm, and 27.5mm, respectively, were observed, with minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) of 30, 40, and 20µg/mL. In pot experiments using Capsicum annuum, ZnONPs significantly enhanced plant growth parameters, including plant height, leaf length, and leaf width, with up to a 37% improvement observed at moderate concentrations (5µg/10 mL). These results demonstrate that ZnONPs offer an effective dual strategy for enhancing plant growth and controlling bacterial pathogens, making them promising candidates for sustainable agricultural applications.

Crimean-Congo haemorrhagic fever (CCHF) is an emerging zoonotic disease of significant public health concern caused by Crimean-Congo haemorrhagic fever virus (CCHFV), primarily transmitted by tick vectors. Its spread is further compounded by global warming, tick range expansion, and traditional farming practices. This study aimed to assess the prevalence of CCHFV in ticks parasitizing livestock in Kermanshah Province, Iran, which borders Iraq, a country that has experienced major CCHF outbreaks in recent years. Serum and tick samples were collected from 302 small ruminants (SRs) in six districts, considering previous CCHF cases and regional differences. Following RNA extraction from both ticks and sera, a homemade real-time RT-PCR was used to detect CCHFV infection. All sera tested negative, while 0.67% (4/604) of ticks were infected with CCHFV (Hyalomma asiaticum and Rhipicephalus sanguineus were positive). This study confirms the circulation of CCHFV in the western region of Iran and, more importantly, reports the detection of an Aigai virus (formerly CCHFV genotype VI or AP-92-like strain) in tick populations for the first time in Iran. These findings emphasize the need for continued molecular surveillance, vector control, and cross-border cooperation to mitigate the risk of CCHF transmission in humans.

Automated weed detection is essential for site-specific herbicide application, that can result into the reduced environmental footprint of conventional agriculture. However, for field deployment of automated weeding devices, occlusion remains a critical challenge that can weaken the precision of weed identification. Here, we compare the performance of Vision Transformers (ViT-B16 & PvTv2) and Convolutional Neural Networks (EfficientNet-B0 & ResNet-50) in accurate weed detection, using controlled synthetic occlusion levels (0%, 25%, and 50%). We found that ViT-B16 has superior occlusion resilience, with image testing accuracy increasing from 80% to 86% under 50% occlusion. In contrast, the testing accuracy of PvTv2, EfficientNet-B0 and ResNet-50 dropped from 45 to 76% under similar conditions. Multivariable regression confirmed architecture type as the dominant testing accuracy driver (p ≤ 0.001), with ViTs outperforming CNNs by an average of 14.56% points. These results suggest that occlusion resilience is not uniform across architectural variants but depends critically on attention-based design. Consequently, for real time deployable automatic weed detection systems, hybrid architectures that balance ViT global context with CNN computational efficiency represent a critical future direction. Such approaches can support precise herbicide application, reduce chemical inputs, and enable more sustainable crop protection through reliable AI-driven automation.

Reversing ongoing biodiversity loss requires effectively managing anthropogenic threats. Although conservation actions can mitigate these threats, prioritizing and targeting such actions remain challenging because species respond differently depending on the nature of the threats and their biological traits. We developed an optimization framework that explicitly considers the abatement of individual threats and species-specific responses to conservation outcomes. We applied the approach in the Peruvian Amazon and selected sites where a shift from conventional agriculture to agroforestry could reduce negative impacts on Red List bird species. We measured species recovery benefit from agroforestry interventions by building on the Species Threat Abatement and Restoration (STAR) metric and using data on the Red List status of bird species, the proportion of species' ranges impacted by agriculture that is targeted for a conservation intervention, and the expected severity of the threat from agriculture for the species. Interventions selected with our approach achieved 43% of the total potential species recovery benefit when all sites were selected compared with the 28% achieved with a traditional return-on-investment-based approach (∼55% improvement) and the 14% achieved with a traditional species-richness-based approach (∼201% improvement) for the same target budget. Furthermore, focusing on species expected to experience the greatest impacts, a common indicator in conservation planning, resulted in substantially less site coverage than the traditional return on investment (∼41-60%) across budgets, indicating the importance of selecting fewer but more valuable sites. These results demonstrate that modeling species-specific responses to the abatement of heterogeneous threats can improve efficiency in conservation planning for biodiversity but that sites targeted for intervention and outcomes vary depending on whether all species or only the species expected to experience the greatest impacts are prioritized.

Malaria remains a major public health burden in Bangladesh, particularly in the Chittagong Hill Tracts (CHT), where indigenous and marginalized populations face persistent transmission risks. The Mass Vaccine and Drug Administration (MVDA) trial is currently being implemented to accelerate malaria elimination. MVDA is socially complex because it involves administering preventive interventions to largely asymptomatic populations in contexts where trust, prior experiences, and sociopolitical factors strongly shape acceptance. Little is known about community perspectives toward such interventions. This study explored local understandings of malaria, health-seeking behaviours, and perceptions of mass vaccine and drug administration in the CHT to inform community engagement and implementation of MVDA. A qualitative study collected data using focus group discussions (FGDs), in-depth interviews (IDIs), and key informant interviews (KIIs) in Lama and Alikadam sub-districts of Bandarban among community members with no prior exposure to formal research activities. Participants were purposively selected using a maximum variation sampling approach to capture diverse perspectives across socio-demographic and stakeholder groups. Participants included community members, village leaders, traditional healers, local pharmacists, village health workers, religious leaders, and local government representatives. A total of 105 participants from heterogeneous backgrounds participated in this study between September and October 2024. Data were transcribed, translated, and underwent primarily inductive thematic analysis led by a trained qualitative researcher, a Bengali non-native to the study site. Interpretation was conducted reflexively, considering the researcher's positionality. Malaria was recognized as a recurrent illness, particularly during the rainy season and among traditional farmers. While awareness of malaria symptoms and prevention had increased through non-governmental and government initiatives, health-seeking behaviour remained pluralistic. Communities relied on traditional healers and informal drug sellers before seeking formal care. Village health workers provided malaria diagnosis and treatment but faced challenges of inconsistent services (e.g., irregular supply of health materials). The recent COVID-19 experience seemed to shape vaccine perceptions, with mandates, and adverse event narratives contributing to mistrust. Knowledge of a malaria vaccine was limited, yet participants expressed conditional acceptance, indicating willingness to participate if interventions were perceived as safe, effective, and transparently communicated. MDAs were viewed more positively than mass vaccine administration(s) although adherence, particularly among children and adults was considered a challenge. Trust in institutions and historical political mistrust emerged as key determinants shaping community attitudes toward MVDA. These findings informed the design of community engagement strategies accompanying the MVDA intervention. The success of MVDA depends on achieving high population coverage, which is contingent on trust, legitimacy, and effective community engagement. In socially and politically complex settings such as the CHT, implementation must be grounded in context-specific strategies that are responsive to local social and cultural dynamics and informed by community perspectives.

Breaking the photosynthetic monopoly on carbohydrate production through artificial synthesis.

Surrounding land use patterns drive the distribution characteristics of antibiotic resistance genes in sediments of a typical freshwater lake.

Geophysical-based assessment of hydrological sustenance in inhabited relict rock glaciers of the semi-arid Western Himalaya, India.

African swine fever (ASF) is a highly contagious disease affecting both free-living wild boars (Sus scrofa) and domestic pigs (Sus scrofa domesticus). In accordance with EU regulations, an ASF outbreak in pig farms necessitates immediate herd culling, leading to severe economic losses and restrictions on pork exports. Therefore, effective epidemiological surveillance of wild boar populations is crucial for monitoring the spread of the disease in the natural environment and preventing transmission to domestic pig farms. This study assessed the effectiveness of an ASF surveillance system consisting of the AtraxASF (unmanned aerial vehicle) and the NeoxASF (fixed-wing aircraft), both equipped with thermal imaging cameras. The study was conducted in Mielec County, Subcarpathian Province, an area with confirmed ASF outbreaks. The proposed surveillance system was used to observe wild boars and identify individuals exhibiting elevated body temperature, which is the earliest detectable symptom of ASF infection. The thermal imaging technology allowed for real-time detection and mapping of potentially infected animals. The system successfully detected wild boars with increased body temperature, demonstrating its potential utility for early detection of ASF in wildlife populations. The application of drone- and aircraft-based monitoring significantly enhanced surveillance efficiency by providing a rapid, non-invasive approach to assessing the health status of wild boar populations in affected areas. The implementation of drone-based surveillance systems and thermal imaging technologies offers a highly effective alternative to traditional epidemiological monitoring methods. The system enhances early detection capabilities, enabling quicker response measures to prevent the spread of ASF to pig farms. Integrating such technologies into existing biosecurity strategies could play a key role in controlling ASF outbreaks and minimizing economic losses in the pig farming sector.

The article presents the results of a study on the development dynamics, specialization, and spatial distribution of peasant (farmer) households in the Republic of Crimea. Based on an analysis of materials from agricultural censuses and data from the Unified Register of Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises, it was established that the number of peasant (farmer) households in the region fluctuated between 2016 and 2025, reaching 1,825 households by mid-2025. A pronounced territorial differentiation is revealed: the largest number of farms is concentrated in the Dzhankoysky, Simferopolsky and Saksky districts. It is determined that the prevailing specialization of peasant (farmer) households in the republic is crop production, particularly the cultivation of grain crops (accounting for 51.14% of all households). Horticulture and viticulture are most developed in the Bakhchisaraysky district (68.92% of all households in the district), while livestock farming is most developed in the Chernomorsky district (34.29% of all peasant (farmer) households in the district). The authors conclude that the effective development of the farming sector requires a differentiated approach to land management and state support, taking into account the established specialization of municipalities. The results of the study can serve as a basis for improving regional land policy and enhancing the rationality and efficiency of agricultural land use.

Comparative metabolomic analysis of flavor and metabolite profiles across cultivated kiwifruit species.

Methanogenic archaea affect the climate through their production of the greenhouse gas, methane. However, it is unclear how a changing climate and other anthropogenic influences impact methanogen physiology and consequent methane flux. The Great Salt Lake (GSL) is an environment that has been heavily impacted by human activity, more than doubling its salt concentration since the last methanogen was cultured from it in 1985. In this study, we enriched a novel methanogen, for which we propose the name Candidatus Methanohalophilus hillemani, from the GSL at a time when its salinity reached a historical high. Interestingly, Ca. M. hillemani does not increase the expression of energy-conservation or osmotolerance proteins when challenged with salinity or oxygen. In contrast, Ca. M. hillemani prioritizes trace metal uptake and immune functions in response to the presence of the sulfate-reducing bacterium Desulfovermiculus. 16S rRNA gene amplicon data from GSL shore soils with extremely high and variable methane flux indicated the presence of Ca. M. hillemani. Our results show that Ca. M. hillemani is active when challenged with environmental stressors and contributes to the methane flux emanating from the GSL.IMPORTANCEMethanogens are microbes that affect the climate through their production of the greenhouse gas, methane. Changes in climate and land-use patterns are drying up saline lakes, damaging their unique economic and ecological value. As lake levels across the globe fall, it is unclear how methanogens and the amount of methane they produce will concurrently shift. In this study, we measured high methane output from the Great Salt Lake (GSL) across seasons and identified a novel methanogen as part of a larger methanogenic community that is responsible for these emissions. We cultured this novel methanogen from GSL sediments and determined that its methane production was largely unaffected by stress conditions. Our findings indicate that methanogens in saline environments, including a novel cultivated species, may be important and continued sources of methane as salinity increases.