Fallow Land Research Articles

Ecological potential of soils of old-growth natural forests Skole Beskydy (Ukrainian Carpathians)

The ecological potential of the soils of natural old-growth forests is analyzed. It has been found that the upper horizon of brown mountain-forest soils is characterized by excellent indicators of total porosity (63,63 %), soil water permeability (3,08 cm⸱min-¹), soil bulk density (0,88 g⸱cm-³) and catalase enzyme activity (4,9 cm3 O2 per 1 g of soil per 1 min). The results indicate excellent ecological potential of the soils, which allows using their indicators as a reference for restoring soil cover under the forest ecosystems of the Skole Beskydy. The recreational and agrogenic impact on soils in the mountainous region was also analyzed. It was found that the upper humus-accumulative horizon suffers the most from plowing, trampling by livestock, and damage by erosion processes caused by prolonged recreational use. While cattle grazing is seasonal, the impact of recreationists is increasing and corresponds to stages II and IV of recreational degradation, soils under arable land are subject to the greatest anthropogenic impact in terms of time interval due to the transfer of the upper horizons downwards, and vice versa. The processes of soil recovery under pasture, after the removal of agrogenic load, are much faster than under plowed areas. Arable land undergoes several successive stages of recovery (arable land → fallow land → shrub vegetation → woody vegetation I (mainly gray alder and birch-aspen stands) → woody vegetation II (indigenous forest-forming species of the region), where the process itself takes 150-200 years. Третє місце серед досліджуваних ділянок посідають туристичні шляхи. Зазначимо, що само відновлення стежок відбувається здебільшого на початку ІІ стадії дегресії, ІV стадія потребує реконструкції, а період відновлення сягає кілька десятків років. The analysis of water-physical properties under old-growth natural stands as a benchmark shows that the density of soil structure increases by 1,2 times on the category II trail and 1.5 times on the category IV trail Based on the results of the analysis of data made within the soil profile, it was found that under pasture the soil is compacted to a depth of 10 cm, under arable land - to the depth of plowing, and on trails the compaction is 5-10 cm in the initial stages and reaches 30 cm to the depth of the parent rock at the IV stage of recreational degradation. Systematic monitoring of the tourist routes and ecological trails of the Skole Beskydy National Park will help prevent degradation processes in a timely manner. In the areas with low recreational load, it is proposed to mark the tourist trails, and for safety and convenience, to install bridges with handrails over mountain streams. On the trails of the IV category, it is necessary to mark the routes, limit the access of recreationists in bad weather to the outstanding attractions. Key words: еcological potential of soils; old-growth natural forests; trail; land use; brown mountain-forest soils; forest floor; mountainous region.

Analysis and Future Projections of Land Use and Land Cover Changes in the Hindon River Basin, India Using the CA-Markov Model

Land use and land cover change is a significant issue in emerging countries. The enormous rate of population growth, industrialization, and urbanization is responsible for these developments. Monitoring and mapping of changes in land cover and land use is essential to the sustainable development and management of the area. The study attempts to track changes in LULC pattern for the years 2002, 2013, and 2023 in the Hindon River Basin, a major tributary of the Yamuna River, using remote sensing and geographic information system techniques. Images obtained from Landsat data were employed to extract historical land use and land cover maps. Additionally, the CA-Markov model was implemented to forecast future land use and land cover patterns. This study examines the historical and predicted LULC in the area. Field observations and site-specific interviews were used to confirm and determine the ground realities. High-resolution images were used to evaluate the accuracy of the classified map. According to the results, the agricultural land decreased from 60.98% in 2002 to 54.70% in 2050, while built-up areas increased from 12.95% to 21.25% during the same period. By 2050, vegetation is predicted to increase to 2.58%, whereas surface water, fallow land, barren areas, and dry water bodies are predicted to decrease to 0.58%, 18.87%, 1.20%, and 0.83%, respectively. The rapid pace of urbanization is facilitating economic growth within the country; however, this development is occurring at the expense of the natural landscape, which subsequently diminishes the overall quality of human life. In order to maintain sustainable development in the Hindon Basin, proper urban planning is essential. Important policy implications for the sustainable management of land use and conservation in the Hindon River basin are highlighted by the study’s research and findings.

Different Species and Cultivars of Broad Beans, Lupins, and Clovers Demonstrated Varying Environmental Adaptability and Nitrogen Fixation Potential When Cultivated as Green Manures in Northeastern Portugal

The success of growing legumes as green manure depends on their spatial and temporal integration within agroecosystems, which minimizes competition with cash crops, and on their nitrogen (N) fixation potential. This study evaluated seven legume species for biomass production, N fixation, and suitability for use in cropping systems in northern Portugal. Oats (Avena sativa L.) were grown to estimate the N fixation using the difference method, as a non-legume reference crop is required for this purpose, and oats are widely grown in the region. The study was conducted over four cropping cycles (2021–2024) in two climate zones across four land plots. The results indicated that the biomass production and N fixation varied by the species/cultivar and cropping cycle, which was significantly influenced by spring precipitation. Broad beans (Vicia faba L.) failed to develop in one cycle on highly acidic soil (pH 4.9), showing negative N fixation values when calculated by the difference method. Conversely, the lupins maintained a relatively high level of N fixation across all the conditions, demonstrating strong environmental adaptability. Thus, the N fixation values across the four cycles ranged from −5.4 to 419.4 kg ha−1 for broad bean (cv. Favel), while yellow lupin (Lupinus luteus L.) exhibited average values between 204.0 and 274.0 kg ha−1. The percentage of N derived from the atmosphere (%Ndfa) ranged from −13.3 to 91.6, −39.4 to 85.8, 83.8 to 94.7, 74.9 to 94.3, 72.8 to 92.2, 23.1 to 75.8, and 11.7 to 21.7 for these species/cultivars. Due to their environmental adaptability, biomass production, and N fixation capacity, these legumes could be used as green manure in inter-rows of woody crops or in summer annual crops like tomatoes and maize, grown in winter as an alternative to fallow land. The lupins showed strong promise due to their environmental resilience.

Investigating the urban eco-environmental quality utilizing remote sensing based approach: evidence from an industrial city of Eastern India

Urbanization, coupled with industrialization, leads to both economic growth and exponential urban growth, resulting in deteriorating environmental quality in urban areas, which poses a significant threat to the sustainability of cities. Hence, to restore biodiversity and ensure regional sustainability, it is necessary to immediately evaluate the eco-environmental quality of urban areas. The present research investigates the spatio-temporal changes in urban eco-environmental quality of the Asansol industrial city using an integrated ‘Urban Eco-Environmental Index’ (UEEQI) developed utilizing the Google Earth Engine platform and a remote sensing-based approach. The study used four spectral indices, including Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI), Modified Normalized Difference Water Index (MNDWI), Normalized Difference Built-up Index (NDBI), Normalized Difference Bareness Index (NDBaI), along with Land Surface Temperature (LST) (as a thermal index), derived from the remote sensing data to measure environmental quality. Global Moran’s I and LISA were used to quantify spatial autocorrelation, showing the clustering of similar values or outliers of UEEQ within geographic space. The findings showed that high mean values of NDBI and NDBaI contributed to a lower mean UEEQI value of 0.38 in 2021 compared to previous decades. The spatio-temporal distribution of UEEQI showed that the ‘Very Poor’ category had grown from 0.06% in 1991 to 2% in 2021, while the ‘Poor’, ‘Good’, and ‘Excellent’ categories had declined. Over the 30 years, the UEEQI showed a rising trend of ‘Highly Degraded’ and ‘Degraded’ areas while decreasing the trend of ‘Improved’ or ‘Highly Improved’ environmental quality in the city. Moran’s scatter plot illustrated a highly positive clustered pattern of UEEQ across the city. Hotspots were mainly found in urbanized areas that had an “Average” urban eco-environment quality. Conversely, areas covered with bare surfaces, fallow lands, and brickfields were recognized as Coldspots. This study is crucial for determining specific regions of declining environmental quality and encourages local authorities and decision-makers to integrate eco-environmental conservation zones into city planning to foster healthier, more resilient, and sustainable cities.

Soil Carbon Sequestration in Different Land Use Types

Assessing the influence of agricultural land use on soil carbon sequestration is important for the management of soil carbon stocks in cultivated sandy soils. Soil carbon sequestration in different land use types was studied in Benin, Edo State, Nigeria. Three oil palm fields, OM1, OM2, and OM3, of different years of establishment and management practices were selected, along with nursery (NUR), livestock (LIV), vegetable (VEG), arable (ARB), and fallow (FAL) land. Soil samples were collected in the representative portion of each land use and analyzed for particle size distribution, bulk density, total nitrogen, available phosphorus, organic carbon, and pH, while the soil carbon sequestration was calculated. OM1 (6.72 tons/ha) and LIV (6.40 ton/ha) sequestered more carbon than other land use types, revealing the potential of oil palm to sequester carbon in sandy soils. There is a significant relationship between bulk density and soil carbon sequestered in the land use; therefore, practices that will improve the soil bulk density and increase the soil organic matter were recommended.

Determinants of Agricultural Land Fallowing in Kerala, India: Insights and Implications

Kerala's land use dynamics have undergone significant transformations, with increasing fallows emerged as a key concern amid changing land utilization patterns. The study explores key factors contributing to the fallowing of agricultural land in Kerala. The research was conducted across three districts selected based on implementation of fallow land development schemes representing the northern, central, and southern regions of the state. A total of 360 farmers were surveyed, comprising 180 farmers with owned fallow land and 180 beneficiaries of fallow land development schemes. Data were collected using a pretested interview schedule, developed through extensive literature review and expert inputs. Factor analysis was employed to identify key determinants. Six major factors with eigenvalues greater than one were extracted, explaining 58.95% of the cumulative variance. These factors include perspectives on fallowing, socio-economic attributes, land use experience, risk contingencies, personal traits, and economic and agro-ecological features. The findings highlight that perspectives on fallowing contribute the largest variance (21.96%), emphasizing the importance of farmers' perception on causes and consequences of fallowing. Socio-economic attributes (11.25%) underline the role of family size, subsidiary enterprises, land value, and wage rate in influencing land use decisions. Land use experience (9.06%) reflects farming experience and preceding crop cultivated. Risk contingencies (6.22%) emphasize challenges like wild animal attacks and distance of farm land from road. Personal traits (5.50%) comprise of age and personal reason for fallowing. Economic and agro-ecological features (4.96%) including income, extreme weather events and land fragmentation, also emerged as critical determinants. The study provides a comprehensive understanding of the multi-dimensional factors driving agricultural land fallowing in Kerala, offering insights for policymakers and stakeholders to design targeted interventions to promote sustainable land use.

Evaluation of Soils Affected by Salts in the Al-Jufra - Sokna Area

This study was conducted to assess the extent of the impact of natural, environmental and human factors on soil salinity and its distribution variation in the Al-Jufra region, specifically in the Al-Hamam Agricultural Project - Sokna, in addition to identifying the type of soil prevailing in the region. To achieve the objectives of this study, a series of laboratory experiments were conducted where samples were collected from the surface layer 0 - 30 cm and the subsurface layer 30 - 60 cm and were prepared and some physical and chemical properties were estimated, including pH, EC, CaCO3, O.M. CEC. After conducting the tests, it was noted that most of the soils in the study area have three different types of texture. The results of the chemical analysis showed a high electrical conductivity of the surface layer soil compared to the subsurface layer. On the other hand, the results showed high ESP values for most soils, as its value in the surface layer was higher than the lower layer of the soil. The study shows the role played by human factors in the increasing phenomenon of salinization of agricultural soils in the project area through mismanagement by leaving the land fallow after exploitation, and the lack of drains and the low efficiency of the existing ones.

Development of a machine for cultivation and sowing of grain crops

BACKGROUND: When designing sowing machines, requirements are imposed to ensure soil preparation and sowing of grain crops as part of the implementation of energy-saving technology, since their productivity largely depends on these types of work. Thus, increasing the efficiency of sowing machines is an urgent task. AIM: – the development of a seeder design that allows, with maximum simplification of the design compared with analogues, reducing metal consumption and increasing the manufacturability of the product, both in production and in operation, to ensure the best conditions for the growth of crops and a significant increase in yield. In one pass, the seeder sows the main crop, small-seeded crop (binary component) and introduces mineral fertilizers, and can also be used when putting waste and fallow lands into circulation. METHODS: Methods of system analysis, mathematical modeling, and experiment planning were used in the development of the drill design. Experimental studies were conducted in the field and laboratory conditions in accordance with existing methods, using modern electronic and mechanical devices. Experimental data processing was carried out in the environment of the MathCAD system, Microsoft Office Excel. RESULTS: In contrast to known analogues, the proposed technical solution of the seeder simplifies the design, reduces the weight and improves the manufacturability of the product - on a simple frame welded in one plane from pipes, but free enough for the passage of crop residues and soil particles, on one side are installed stands with tines for mounting discs, and on the other - for mounting the hopper. The plane of attachment of tines for disc mounting is as close as possible to the soil surface, which reduced the load on the frame and reduced its material intensity. The seed drill-cultivator developed by the authors allows to realise all operations related to soil cultivation and sowing of grain crops Translated with DeepL.com (free version). CONCLUSIONS: The design solutions for the cultivator planter obtained by the authors simplified the design of the planter compared to its analogues, reduced its metal consumption, and therefore its weight, which makes it possible to use tractors of a smaller class with lower fuel consumption. The adjustment of the angle of attack of the discs has also been simplified, and the additional installation of baking powder has reduced the clogging of the seeder with crop residues and soil lumps.

An in-depth multiscale analysis of farmland abandonment and recultivation dynamics in the Yangtze River Delta, China: A landscape ecology perspective empowered by google earth engine

Farmland abandonment represents the extreme utilization of marginal land and results from the interplay between humans and the environment. In the Yangtze River Delta region of China, a significant economic hub, understanding the landscape patterns and driving mechanisms of farmland abandonment and recultivation land is crucial for regional sustainable development. This study aims to map the extent of farmland abandonment in 2020 and recultivation land in 2021 across the Yangtze River Delta, analyze the landscape patterns of farmland abandonment and recultivation land on multiple scales, and explore their driving mechanisms. Utilizing multi-source data and the Land Use Trajectory Change Method on the Google Earth Engine platform, we classified land use and identified farmland abandonment, fallow land, active farmland, and recultivation land. Spatial statistical analysis was conducted to investigate the distribution and patterns of farmland abandonment and recultivation land at Yangtze River Delta, provincial, and municipal scales. Additionally, a stepwise multiple linear regression model was employed to dissect the main driving forces of farmland abandonment and recultivation land. Results revealed that farmland abandonment in the Yangtze River Delta region exceeded an abandonment rate of 10%, with a reclamation rate in the following year of less than 30%. The spatial distribution of farmland abandonment and recultivation land varied significantly across different scales. On the Yangtze River Delta scale, farmland abandonment was positively influenced by altitude, distance to rivers, and temperature, while recultivation land was positively correlated with night light intensity. At the provincial and municipal scales, the driving forces exhibited scaling effects, with different factors becoming significant. Our findings contribute to a deeper understanding of the complexity and diversity of farmland abandonment in the Yangtze River Delta region. The results provide a scientific basis for formulating land use policies, promoting sustainable agricultural development, and ensuring ecological balance. By uncovering the land use status and ecosystem balance influenced by human-environment interactions, this study offers insights into achieving a harmonious coexistence between economy, society, and ecology in the Yangtze River Delta region.

A threefold plant specialist – distribution, habitat requirements and nesting biology of the rare leafcutter bee Megachile genalis in the eastern Swiss Alps (Hymenoptera, Megachilidae)

The leafcutter bee Megachile genalis Morawitz, which nests in thick, erect and usually hollow plant stems, is rare and endangered throughout Europe. In Switzerland, it was recorded only six times in the Grisons between 1932 and 2019. In order to create the necessary basis for the conservation of this rare bee, its distribution, habitat requirements and nesting biology were investigated in the eastern Swiss Alps by systematically searching for its nests, by DNA metabarcoding of the cell-building material, by analysing the pollen contained in abandoned brood cells and larval faeces, and by deducing aspects of the species’ nesting biology from collected old nests. A total of 141 new and 64 old nests were discovered at elevations between 600 m and 1270 m in – with decreasing frequency – the Albula Valley, the Lower Engadine, the Domleschg and the Ruinaulta. The nests were exclusively built in living stems of Peucedanum verticillare (Apiaceae), an up to 2–3 m tall umbellifer that grew on fallow land, road and railway embankments, scree slopes, ruderal areas and forest clearings. The leaf fragments used by the females of M. genalis to construct the brood cells in 20 selected nests were largely from shrubs and trees of the Rosaceae (e.g. Rosa, Rubus, Prunus, Sorbus), rarely also from Corylus (Betulaceae). The pollen in 65 brood cells was exclusively collected on thistles (e.g. Arctium, Carduus, Cirsium) and other Asteraceae. The nests were characterised by a surprisingly high variability in their architecture. They consisted of i) an approximately 6 mm x 9 mm large nest opening gnawed by the female bee at a height of 22–217 cm above ground with her mandibles, which are well adapted to penetrate the hard stem walls due to their enlarged base indicating strong adductor muscles and the short and chisel-like shape; ii) a 5–25 mm thick nest plug built 1.5–45 cm below the nest opening from pith particles, leaf fragments and/or grass fibers; iii) 1–14 brood cells usually arranged in one cigar-like series and lying 11–99 cm below the nest opening; and iv) a facultative 4–40 mm thick basal plug consisting of pith particles and/or leaf fragments. Brood mortality was high: at least 56% of 284 brood cells were unsuccessful due to parasites, mould or unknown reasons, and reproduction completely failed in almost half of 46 nests. The most harmful brood parasite was Melittobia acasta Walker (Hymenoptera, Eulophidae), which infested 19% of the brood cells and 28% of the nests. Measures to conserve the population of M. genalis in the eastern Swiss Alps should focus on the conservation and propagation of suitable habitats for P. verticillare in close vicinity to Asteraceae-rich areas and on the promotion of thistles.

Temporal Trends in Soil Health and Productivity on Reclaimed Natural Gas Pipeline Rights‐of‐Way on Cropland

ABSTRACTThe construction of underground pipelines negatively impacts soil productivity in various ecosystems. However, the temporal progression in the recovery of soil productivity following the reclamation of cropland impacted by natural gas pipeline rights‐of‐way (ROWs) construction remains unclear. This study examined temporal, post‐reclamation changes in selected soil health indicators and productivity on reclaimed underground natural gas pipeline ROWs on cropland. Soil and crop samples were collected from ROWs ranging in time elapsed since reclamation (TSR) from 6 to 12 years and from adjacent undisturbed locations (off‐ROW) in the same field. The soil samples were analyzed for soil health indicators (permanganate‐oxidizable carbon (POXC), soil respiration, and autoclaved citrate‐extractable (ACE) protein) and selected chemical properties. Crop samples were assessed for grain and total biomass yields as well as grain protein content. Compared to the off‐ROW, soil organic C on the ROWs was 29% (6‐year ROW) and 33% (9‐year ROW) lower than on the off‐ROWs. Soil respiration recovered within 6 years of ROW reclamation, whereas it took 12 years for POXC and ACE protein to recover to off‐ROW levels. Grain and biomass yields 12 years post‐reclamation were still 42% and 36%, respectively, lower on the ROWs than on the off‐ROWs. However, measured soil attributes recovered faster than crop variables, indicating that pipeline construction on cropland has longer‐term impacts on crop yields than on soil attributes. These results indicate that, although underground pipeline construction has detrimental impacts on soil and crop attributes, these attributes would slowly recover to pre‐construction levels with increasing TSR.

Use of small-sized units when spreading fertilizers on mountain slopes

BACKGROUND: The results of RD on a laboratory sample of the unit for spreading mineral fertilizers on mountain slopes, which can increase labor productivity and yield rate of mountain forage lands by 15–20%, are presented. AIM: Development of a small–sized laboratory sample of the unit for surface spreading of mineral fertilizers, ensuring accelerated restoration of productive and qualitative functions of natural grass stands of fallow forage lands. METHODS: The technical expertise and testing of the unit and the technology were carried out in the mountainous zone of the Republic of North Ossetia — Alania (Dargava basin, the station of North Caucasian Research Institute of Highland and Piedmont Agriculture) at an altitude of 1540 meters above sea level. The indicators of the test conditions and functional performance of the unit have been determined according to the OST 10.5.1-2000 industry standard. Surface fertilization was carried out according to the OST 10.7.1.-2000. “Testing of agricultural machinery. Machines for applying mineral fertilizers, lime materials and gypsum” industry standard. The study subject was the technology of spreading granular fertilizers, the design of the unit and working bodies: pendulum spreading devices, spreading rates and method of spreading fertilizers. RESULTS: A laboratory sample of the small-sized unit based on the KChG-2.4 cultivator of North Caucasian Research Institute of Highland and Piedmont Agriculture design for surface application of mineral fertilizers has been developed and manufactured. The block module is a hinged frame structure with a tow-lifting device, pendulum spreading tubes and rolling rollers installed on it. The considered motion of the mining unit is across the slope from top to bottom in a shuttle manner with rolling of the sown granules by rolling rollers. The tests were carried out on a rarefied section of the northern slope with a steepness of 13–16° in the area “Sugsadtanrag”. CONCLUSION: The practical application of the small-sized unit for surface spreading of mineral fertilizers with their subsequent rolling in areas in mountainous and foothill zones will ensure a reduction in the degradation processes of slope areas by accelerating the restoration of the quality and quantity of perennial grasses of fallow forage lands.

Agronomic and Economic Evaluation of Common Bean-Tef in Double Cropping System

Double-cropping of cereals with legumes is a usual practice by small-holder farmers in southern parts of Ethiopia but crop compatibility and sequencing are the major problems for their soil fertility as well as profitability. Thus, it was important to conduct research on double cropping systems that can make the farmers more profitable on small land to reduce crop failure with current climate change. Thus, an experiment was done to evaluate the effects of these crops as double cropping on the productivity of tef and to evaluate the agronomic and economic value of common bean-tef in double cropping system for an improved production system at Shashemene district during the cropping season of 2022 and 2023 using RCBD design. The experiment consisting of twelve treatments including one common bean and three N rate with three tef varieties was sowed as the preceding and succeeding crop respectively and three sole tef varieties used as a control. The preceding crop the Hawassa dume common bean variety had 8 ton/ha dry biomass and 35 Qt/ha grain yield. The variance analysis showed that all the growth and yield parameters of tef except harvest index were significant such as Plant Height, Panicle Length, Straw Yield, Biomass yield, Grain Yield (p<0.05).

Analyzing land use land cover dynamics under rapid urbanization using multi-temporal satellite imageries and geospatial technology for Jamshedpur city in India

Land use land cover (LULC) is considered as one of the most important driving factors behind the global environmental change. The rapid changes in the LULC patterns than ever before, mostly in developing countries, are frequently considered by widespread urban sprawling, land degradation, reduction of agricultural land, and alteration into other land use categories, resulting in enormous costs to the environment. Using a combined remote sensing and GIS technique, this study investigates the spatial urban expansion and its impacts on other LULC categories from 1987 to 2016 in Jamshedpur, India, based on the acquired multispectral satellite imageries, field observations, and demographic data. A visual-based image analysis technique was employed to develop a LULC map for the period of 1987, 2004, and 2016, and the precision of the maps was determined by overall accuracy and kappa statistic methods. The compact urbanization over the city was quantified using both landscape metrics and Shannon’s entropy method. The results of the change detection showed that the built-up area has experienced more than fifty percent growth during the 1987 – 2016 period. It is the main driving factor behind the reduction in the area of other land use categories: agricultural land (−87.12 %), vegetation (−67.51 %), riverbed (−46.25 %), and forest cover (−27.92 %). Although barren land and fallow land were the most dynamic land use categories, it increased by 281.84 % and 119.66 %, respectively. The change matrix between 1987 and 2016, indicated the maximum transformation (+455.23 %) of fallow land to settlement. Geographically, there is a continuous growth in the built-up area from the city center to the fringes as a result of suburbanization. The values of Shannon’s entropy during 1987, 2004, and 2016 were 1.11, 1.19, and 1.57, respectively. The demographic analysis shows that the annual population for the period of 1971–1981, 1981–1991, 1991–2001, and 2001–2011 has changed by + 3.89 %, +2.09 %, +2.91 %, and + 1.95 % per year, respectively. The population growth, aggregated settlements and land scarceness in Jamshedpur were found to be the key reasons behind the urban growth and development. This study emphasizes the critical need for sustainable urban development practices and robust land use strategies to alleviate the environmental impacts of rapid urban expansion. It will lay a valuable groundwork for future research focused on integrating land use management with urban growth frameworks to achieve balanced and resilient development in Jamshedpur.

Local agro-industrial by-products offer feasible options to supplement breeding rams in mixed farming systems of Ethiopia

This study assessed the supplemental effect of flushing Menz breeding rams with local agro-industrial by-products on their reproductive performance and semen quality. In a completely randomized design, rams (n=49) with an initial weight of 25.69+2.8 kg and average age of 18.79±3.9 months were allocated to seven treatments with seven replicates. Supplementation consisted of varying combinations of metabolizable energy (7.02, 8.14, 9.91 MJ ME/kg DM) and crude protein (CP) (8.17 and 12.5%) levels above the basal diet (pasture grazing). The experimental treatments were control, T0 (8 hours of free grazing in natural pasture and fallow lands providing 4.7 MJ/Kg metabolizable energy and 6.65 CP) supplemented with T1 (500g oats grain), T2 (500g maize bran), T3 (500g wheat bran), T4 (300g oat grain +150g broken lentil grain), T5 (300g maize bran + 150g broken lentil grain), T6 (400 g wheat bran). Supplementation significantly (P<0.05) improve body condition score, scrotal circumference, semen ejaculation volume, spermatozoa concentration, and predictive potential of rams to serve ewes. Notably, all variables within the supplemented groups showed no significant differences (P>0.05), except for scrotal circumference, where T1 and T3 showed a greater increase (P<0.05) compared to other treatments. High and positive correlations (r=0.89) between scrotal circumference and volume of semen were observed. Semen volume and concentration correlated positively (r=0.7 and r=0.9 respectively) with the rams’ potential to serve ewes. It is concluded that the reproductive activity of Menz rams is influenced by their nutritional state. Agro-industrial by-products can supply adequate protein and energy levels to enhance reproductive potential of rams. The studied agro-industrial by-products are relatively inexpensive and easily accessible compared to commercial concentrates. Hence, based on the cost-effectiveness of supplementary feed used; it is recommended that T3 and T6 wheat bran-based supplementation strategies be employed to enhance the reproductive performance, semen quality, and the potential of Menz rams to serve ewes. Further research is needed to evaluate how different seasons affect the levels of protein and energy supplementation required for ram flushing.

Study of the natural habitats of the great grasscutter (Tryonomys swinderianus TEMINK, 1827) with a view to its conservation in situ at Sangarédi, Boké prefecture

The Sangarédi area, located in the prefecture of Boké, has vegetation essentially composed of tree and shrub savannah, the natural biotope of the great grasscutter. Today, this vegetation is under serious threat from human activity, with mining companies exploiting large areas, thereby destroying the environment. This state of affairs has contributed to a reduction in the habitat of this animal, which is highly prized by the local population. The aim of the study was to contribute to the identification, location and characterisation of the habitats of the great grasscutter in Lower Guinea, with a view to its conservation in situ. A questionnaire was drawn up and applied to a sample of 260 individuals in 3 selected localities in the Sangarédi sub-prefecture. The results of this study revealed forest galleries and fallow land in which the great grasscutter is found. 54 sites were identified. The existence of the cane rat was confirmed in five (5) habitat types. In situ conservation of natural habitats is one of the safest alternatives for preserving the grasscutter.

Assessment of dyna clue model for prediction of spatio-temporal dynamics of urbanisation and green space in Jaipur district, Rajasthan (India)

Urbanisation in Jaipur, Rajasthan’s capital, has significantly impacted land use and land cover (LULC) over the past four decades. This study addresses the pressing issue of how rapid urban expansion affects green spaces and environmental balance. Utilizing satellite imagery and a support vector machine (SVM) algorithm, LULC maps for 1993, 2003, 2013, and 2023 were generated to analyze changes in land cover, including agriculture, barren land, built-up areas, vegetation, wasteland, fallow land, and water bodies. The Dyna-CLUE model, incorporating variables such as elevation, slope, aspect, and proximity to streams and roads, was employed to forecast LULC changes for 2033 and 2043. The findings reveal a marked increase in built-up areas at the expense of vegetative cover, driven by urbanization, infrastructural development, agricultural expansion, climate change, and policy decisions. With Kappa coefficients indicating high agreement between classified land cover and ground truth data (84–90% accuracy), the study projects continued urban growth and further decline in vegetation. This underscores the urgent need for sustainable land use planning and environmental conservation in Jaipur. Proposed strategies to address these issues include establishing ecological zones, enforcing green building regulations, promoting mixed-use development, and implementing a 15-min green space policy. These measures aim to enhance green space distribution and support Jaipur’s transition towards a greener urban environment.

AN INTEGRATED APPROACH TO IDENTIFY SUITABLE AREAS FOR THE LOCATION OF PUBLIC FACILITIES USING MULTI-CRITERIA ANALYSIS BASED ON GIS AND AHP IN THE CITY OF EL KHROUB, ALGERIA

Random and spontaneous urban growth is the result of massive natural population growth, as it is in all developing countries. As for our study air, it also results from the unloading of the mother city of Constantine to the satellite city of El-Khroub, which gave urbanization the power to take over its vast environment, An uneven distribution of public facilities in the city’s major districts, as well as traffic jams. This work attempted to determine the suitability of urban land for the location of public facilities in the city. It should be noted that land suitability assessment is a major factor in urban planning and management. Our land adequacy assessment is subject to the AHP model, calculating the weighting of various criteria including physical, socio-economic, environmental and urban. The final adequacy analysis revealed the proportion of land most suitable, estimated at 3.52% of the total area, covering mainly fallow land. The results of this study provide a detailed mapping of urban development potential, integrating both existing data and future projections.

Accuracy Assessment of Land Use Land Cover Classification Using Machine Learning Classifiers in Google Earth Engine; A Case Study of Jammu District

Abstract. LULC (Land Use and Land Cover) involves classifying and describing different land types and their usage. Using satellite imagery for LULC mapping is increasing in remote sensing. This study focuses on Jammu district in India, situated between mountain ranges from north and south make it eco-sensitive zone. Expanding of human activity and loss of natural resources make it vulnerable if mismanaged. Study of LULC is important because of it and this study deals with efficiency and accuracy of various machine learning classifiers for LULC. This study uses machine learning classifiers - Random Forest (RF), Support Vector Machine (SVM), Gradient Boosted Trees (GTB), and Classification and Regression Trees (CART) - for the task, leveraging Google Earth Engine (GEE). Sentinel-2 satellite data from January 1 to March 31, 2023, with specific spectral bands (B4, B3, B2 &amp;amp; B8, B4, B3), were used for image preprocessing. Six classes: built-up, water, agricultural land, fallow land, forest, and barren land, each with 100 sample points, were used for classification. After training, the classifiers' accuracy was evaluated using Overall Accuracy and Kappa Coefficient. The results showed RF as the top performer with an overall accuracy of 99.36% and a Kappa coefficient of 99.11%, followed by SVM, GTB, and CART. This highlights the effectiveness of machine learning classifiers, especially RF and SVM, in accurately mapping LULC patterns in Jammu district, suggesting RF's potential as a reliable tool for remote sensing-based LULC mapping.

The impact of long-term organic horticultural systems on energy outputs and carbon storages in relation to extreme rainfall events

Enhancing resilience of agroecosystems of Mediterranean area is a challenge that involves both researchers and different stakeholders and, in this context, increasing crop diversity by redesigning agricultural systems can be considered among the most important tools. Therefore, the response of agroecological practices to climate change effects was tested in a long-term experiment on organic horticultural crops (MITIORG), which is characterized by a soil hydraulic arrangement in ridges, strips and the use (with different management options) of cover crops within cash crops rotations. The main objective of this study was to show how powerful is the sustainability assessment of agroecological practices by converting crops yield and biomass into energy outputs and carbon storages, in diversified horticultural systems. The obtained outputs (expressed in energy and carbon equivalents) were evaluated and analyzed considering the site-specific meteorological data in more than 10 horticultural cropping cycles, from autumn-winter 2014–15 to autumn-winter 2020–21. The Ridge and Strips (RS) system 1 (RS1 - cover crops as living mulch on ridges and break crops in strips, both with no-till termination) showed an enhancement of about 18 % of energy output and carbon (C) storages compared to RS2 (ridges and strips with green manured cover) when extreme precipitation events occurred. Moreover, RS3 (ridges and strips without cover crops) recorded a reduction of about 5 and 9 % of energy output and C storage, respectively, compared to the mean of RS1 and RS2 in periods with extreme events. Our results highlighted that using more diversified agroecological systems improved their overall average outputs, ensuring greater resilience during extreme weather events, since at least part of crop productions was safeguarded. Therefore, it is important to combine techniques that allow long-term resilience, such as choosing and well managing cover crops (agroecological service crops), according to site and systems specific conditions.