Understanding the mechanisms of coastal PM2.5 formation driven by land-sea breeze recirculation and ship emissions.

Food security remains a critical development challenge, particularly in regions facing complex environmental, socio-economic, and geographical constraints. This study aims to analyze the development of food security and examine the determinants influencing the Food Security Index (IKP) in Southeast Sulawesi Province, Indonesia, during the 2018–2023 period. The analysis uses balanced panel data from 17 districts/cities, sourced from official publications of the Central Statistics Agency (BPS). The dependent variable is the Food Security Index (IKP). In contrast, the explanatory variables include the Environmental Quality Index (IKLH), economic growth, population growth, poverty rate, rice productivity, and the proportion of coastal villages/subdistricts. Descriptive analysis and panel data regression were employed, with the Random Effect Model (REM) selected as the best estimation approach based on the Lagrange Multiplier test. The results indicate that the average IKP in Southeast Sulawesi increased over the study period, reflecting overall improvement in food security, although substantial disparities across districts persist. Regression results indicate that population growth, poverty, and coastal geographic characteristics have adverse, significant effects on food security, while rice productivity has a positive, significant impact. In contrast, environmental quality and economic growth do not exhibit statistically significant effects on the IKP during the study period. The model explains 27.57% of the variation in regional food security, highlighting the importance of demographic, socio-economic, productivity, and geographical factors. These findings suggest that improving food security in Southeast Sulawesi requires integrated policies that prioritize poverty reduction, population pressure management, enhancement of staple food productivity, and context-specific strategies for coastal areas, supported by inclusive and sustainable development approaches. This study contributes to the multidimensional interaction of factors shaping food security at the regional level.

In 2024, the Working Group on Marine and Coastal Geography (Arbeitskreis Geographie der Meere und Küsten, AMK) looked back on 40 years of exchange and collaboration between coastal scientists and professionals. Since its foundation in 1983 as a working group of the German Society for Geography (Deutsche Gesellschaft für Geographie, DGfG) (Paffen & Kortum 1984; Zimmermann 1984), the AMK has developed into a central platform for research on coastal geographical research in German-speaking countries, fostering a dialogue across physical and human geography as well as many neighbouring disciplines. This special issue marks the anniversary by highlighting both contemporary research perspectives in marine and coastal geography based on global examples and the practices of coastal observation and protection along the German coasts.

Coconut (Cocos nucifera) is a strategic commodity for agro-industrial development in Indonesia, especially in Sumatra, which is home to 34.5% of national coconut plantations. One of the major producers, with a coastal geography and tropical climate that is highly suitable for coconut plantations, Aceh Barat, is currently facing the threat of degradation of coconut plantation land loss due to the government's Regional Action Plan for Sustainable Palm Oil Plantations (RAD KSB Aceh 2023-2026). This study aims to look at the total coconut plantation land by integrating geospatial analysis (QGIS) and SARIMAX time series modelling to map coconut plantations in 2024, estimate production trends, and assess the viability of the agro-industry amidst land use conflicts. Results from mapping with QGIS software showed a drastic decrease in coconut area from 3,330.25 hectares in 2022 to 928.2 hectares in 2024. The reduction in coconut plantation area is signalled by RAD KSB's oil palm expansion target of 1,078,728 hectares by 2026. In addition, the results of the mapping obtained several sub-districts with the largest contribution in West Aceh, namely Kaway XVI (234.82 ha) and Muereubo (217.46 ha) of coconut plantation area, while Bubon (16.67 ha) and West Woyla (38.42 ha) experienced significant land conversion. The study also calculated coconut fruit production of 1,229,267 kg (1,229 tonnes) per month from 12 sub-districts, and generated revenue from selling only coconuts of IDR 2.23 billion. SARIMAX forecasts showed high accuracy (RMSE: 700-704; MAPE: 0.19-1.05%) for 10 sub-districts, except Bubon (MAPE: 2.13%) and West Woyla (MAPE: 1.05%) due to data volatility. Furthermore, projections for the next five periods were carried out and obtained results, namely, Period 1 (104,425.88 kg), Period 2 (94,851.07 kg), Period 3 (97,399.50 kg), Period 4 (96,721.21 kg), and Period 5 (96,901.75 kg) which were dominated by stable production in the core area of Kaway XVI: 311,870 kg/month, but volatile in smaller areas. Spatial analysis prioritises Samatiga (58.53 ha) and Arongan Lambalek (79.27 ha) for agro-industrial development, with potential for value-added products.

This paper explores the shoreline evolution of Kutubdia Island, situated in the southeast Bay of Bengal, over 36 years (1988-2024). This is mainly to determine long-term changes in the shoreline by using geospatial analysis, which is done by using Digital Shoreline Analysis System (DSAS) and Weighted Linear Regression (WLR) to establish a trend in the change of erosion and accretion. The paper also examines how shoreline movement correlates with vegetation health in order to determine how it helps stabilize the coastline in terms of the Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI). Findings show that a considerable amount of erosion occurred on the coastline, as 88.57 percent of the transects had evidence of shoreline erosion, resulting in a total loss of land of more than 4,990 meters. Regions that had reduced cover of vegetation were identified as prone to erosion, and this justifies the significance of restoring the vegetation in preventing further erosion. To add to this, the research makes projections on the shoreline location in 2034 and 2044, which demonstrate that there is still a loss of land, especially on the lower side of the island. On the basis of such findings, a sustainable coastal management plan has been advanced, which has an emphasis on ecological reinstatement, including the plantation of mangroves and community-customized strategies. The article identifies a pressing need to implement special measures to safeguard vulnerable areas and guarantee a sustainable future of sustaining the ecological resiliency in the coastal environments, serving as a reference to other exposed coastal geographies susceptible to environmental attrition.

Abstract We have characterized the magnitude and spatial extent of observed regional and inter‐regional air temperature trends and warming extremes across Antarctica. Prior studies have used localized observational records to analyze air temperature trends across distinct geographical regions, leaving local and inter‐regional variations to be undetected. Using the high‐resolution temperature product AntAir ICE, air temperature trends and extreme warming events were identified across Antarctica for the period 2003–2021. Unsupervised clustering was applied to austral summer and annual mean air temperature trends to divide Antarctica into 12 regions exhibiting similarity in temperature trends. Our results show a significant annual mean cooling trend of ‒ for the terrestrial Antarctic Peninsula, and an austral summer (annual) warming trend of + (+) in the Ross Sea region's Victoria Land and Transantarctic Mountains. The spatial extent of each of the 12 clusters' extreme air temperature events was mapped in austral summer revealing that West Antarctica has spatially confined events, while East Antarctica events are widespread. ERA5 data indicate that West Antarctica's extreme air temperature events are associated with consistent meridional atmospheric flows. Local to regional extreme warming events in East Antarctica are associated with inland high‐pressure systems, which enhance katabatic winds. Localized warming events around complex coastal geographies appear to be related to mesoscale wind systems such as foehn but require further investigation using mesoscale numerical weather models. This work highlights the necessity for ongoing and new monitoring in regions where critical ecological and physical thresholds are being surpassed.

Teluk Elpaputih District, located in Central Maluku, faces high tsunami risk due to its coastal geography and historical events, including the 1899 Seram tsunami. This study aims to (1) analyze tsunami vulnerability levels and (2) propose spatial utilization models for mitigation. Using GIS-based overlay analysis, parameters such as distance from earthquake source, land elevation, slope, coastal morphology, and presence of barrier islands were evaluated. Results show three vulnerability classes, with high-risk zones concentrated in the southern coastal areas and low-risk zones in the northern mountainous region. Based on these findings, spatial utilization was divided into four zones: protection, restricted, conditional, and development. The proposed model provides guidance for safer, productive, and sustainable spatial planning, supporting disaster risk reduction and regional resilience in Central Maluku.

Ternate Island's coastal geography makes it highly susceptible to tsunamis, and increasing built-up land intensifies this risk. This study analyzes the spatial dynamics of built-up land development in tsunami-prone areas using land cover data from 2005, 2015, and 2025, along with driving factors such as elevation, distance from roads, and economic centers. The Cellular Automata-Markov Chain (CA-Markov) method was used to project land cover for 2035 and 2045. Tsunami hazard zones were modeled using elevation, slope, 2025 land cover, and distances from the coastline and rivers. Overlay analysis of built-up land predictions with tsunami hazard zones reveals a continual expansion of built-up areas over time. Tsunami- prone zones were classified into low (31.77%), medium (24.83%), and high (43.40%) hazard levels. The findings show a direct correlation between the expansion of built-up land and increased exposure to tsunami hazards, emphasizing the need for spatial planning strategies to mitigate future risks.

The spatial distribution of tourist attractions plays a critical role in the development of coastal cities. Qingdao, with its coastal geography, rich cultural heritage, and rapid urbanization, serves as a representative case. This study integrates POI and multi-source data, employing methods such as the average nearest neighbor index, kernel density estimation, standard deviational ellipse, and Geodetector to analyze the spatial characteristics and influencing factors of Qingdao’s tourist attractions. Additionally, path dependence theory is innovatively applied to elucidate the mechanisms of the city’s development trajectory. Both natural and social factors influence this distribution, where the resource environment forms the foundational basis, the economic development provides impetus, and the urban development orientation exerts a regulatory effect. The findings are broadly applicable to other coastal tourist cities and offer strategic insights for sustainable development in such contexts.

This study analyzes urban sprawl in the Algerian cities of Skikda and Tébessa from 1985 to 2024, utilizing supervised classification of Landsat satellite imagery and GIS analysis. Skikda, a coastal city, experienced a 68% increase in built-up areas due to industrial growth and coastal geography, whereas Tébessa, an inland city, saw a 45% increase, with growth moderated by its topography and economic structure. The findings illustrate how socio-economic factors, land-use policies, and geographical characteristics influence urban expansion patterns. Skikda's rapid, scattered growth contrasts with Tébessa's controlled expansion. This study highlights the need for customized urban planning strategies that consider local contexts to manage urban sprawl effectively. By comparing the dynamics of coastal and inland cities, the research provides valuable insights for sustainable urban development in medium-sized Algerian cities, offering a framework for similar studies nationwide.

Shrimp farming has emerged as a significant economic activity in Andhra Pradesh, India, driven by the region's favorable coastal geography and climatic conditions. This study investigates the role of private sector involvement in enhancing extension services for shrimp farmers in the state. Data were collected from 400 farmers across four major shrimp-cultivating districts through structured interviews. Findings revealed a positive farmer perception of private sector extension services and their availability across twelve key areas. However, fourteen constraints limiting the utilization of these services were identified. The study further underscores the dominant position of private companies in controlling shrimp farming inputs and services. Involving the private sector is crucial for the successful delivery of extension services that promote aquaculture development. These results provide insights into the potential and challenges of private sector-led extension in the shrimp aquaculture sector of Andhra Pradesh.

ABSTRACT In 1765, enslaved Africans boarded the Roi Guinguin in Badagry as part of a restitution agreement between a Nantesian slave trading company and an African ruler. These captive Africans endured treacherous journeys from West Africa’s interior to Badagry, then Príncipe, then toward Saint Domingue before being rerouted to Cayenne in Guyane (French Guiana), and then the Îles du Salut for a smallpox quarantine. The captain of the Roi Guinguin and French imperial officials’ fears of smallpox outbreaks and other contagious diseases prompted them to halt and reroute the voyage to refreshment centers and quarantines along the West African and South American coasts. The African captives took these stopovers as opportunities to flee and otherwise resist their enslavement. The enslaved Africans felt West African and European imperialism and commerce come to bear on and in their bodies as slave traders and colonial officials exploited the African and South American coastal geography.

Storm surge is the most dangerous component of landfalling tropical cyclones (TCs). The growing coastal population highlights the importance of research regarding the atmospheric and geographic factors influencing the maximum storm surge height (MSSH). To date, few studies have investigated the influence of coastline concavity. Here, we investigate the hypothesis that TCs making landfall on a concave coastline will have a higher MSSH than TCs making landfall on a convex coastline. The Colorado State University extended best track dataset includes the radius of 34 kt winds (R34), landfall minimum mean sea level pressure (MSLP), landfall maximum sustained winds, and forward speed of TCs. The storm surge database for the US Gulf Coast provides the location and MSSH for TCs impacting the U.S. Gulf Coast. From this, eleven TCs that meet specific criteria and represent the larger population of Atlantic TCs are selected. The adjusted degree of coastline concavity (ADoC) is calculated for each TC using the law of cosines and 50, 100, and 200 km radius buffers around the point of MSSH. A Mann Whitney U test does not indicate any significant differences between the mean MSSH of TCs making landfall on each coastline type. Additionally, results from a simple linear regression F-test suggest that none of the included parameters have a significant influence on MSSH despite the findings of previous research. Still, the Spearman’s Rho correlation values suggest a weak positive relationship between the ADoC and MSSH. This relationship is significant at the 100 and 200 km buffers, which is consistent with the hypothesis. Results are limited by the small sample size. Future research should use a larger dataset and investigate how each individual storm characteristic affects MSSH. KEYWORDS: Tropical Cyclones; Hurricanes; Storm Surge; Coastal Geography; Coastline Concavity; Gulf of Mexico; Law of Cosines

Spatiotemporal physical barrier analysis of southern king crab (Lithodes santolla) catch rates in Magallanes, Chilean Patagonia (2014–2020)

ABSTRACT Urbanized coastal geographies with high population density but with low adaptive capacity are more exposed to threats of both rapid and slow onset weather events. Altered coasts along the Bay of Bengal is one such geography where general urbanization trend coupled with new policy driven tourism activity promotion is increasing exposure to frequent and intense disaster events. Current study takes a deeper dive into a 17 km long coastal stretch along Digha-Shankarpur-Mandarmoni in the Bay of Bengal in India. Community consultation using questionnaire-based survey is the primary source of evidence for this study. Community’s perception about threats from changing weather events and risks perceived by the coastal community engaged in various livelihood categories have been used to assess their resilience status, awareness of various local adaptive interventions and measures undertaken for local resilience building. With already predominant traditional agricultural and fisheries practices, promotion of tourism is altering the natural ecosystem faster through hard infrastructure expansion. The prevalent threats from weather events in the region lead to the loss of ecosystem services with adverse impacts on the communities whose livelihood are closely linked to the ecosystem service flows. In this context, how to build the resilience is the major research question. Nine impact indicators are used to assess risk using qualitative and quantitative methods. The analysis shows that individual and the community scale resilience increases with livelihood diversification, inclusive community engagement, polycentric governance structure, maintenance of diversity in ecosystem service flows, access to science based information on threats and opportunities, inclusion of local knowledge available with the communities in various livelihood categories for designing appropriate social protection measures. The study comes up with policy recommendations. It is important to avoid lack of long-term vision in the policies, enhance local institutional capacity through sector specific associations to deal with multiple threats quickly, overcome lack of awareness about preventive and soft adaptation measures, restoration actions, increase interaction and involvement of local stakeholders for local knowledge. Additionally, it is an urgent need to involve multiple even if sometimes conflicting scientific views on solutions vis-à-vis community wisdom for strengthening resilience.

ABSTRACT This essay adapts presentations the authors shared at the Edge Hill NASSR/BARS conference in the Summer of 2022 into a collaboratively constructed discussion. It reflects on what a recent “coastal turn” in ecocriticism, critical geography, and related fields might contribute to Romantic studies, and considers how coastal geographies (real and imagined) have informed aesthetics, politics, and lived experience, especially in settler-colonial contexts. Ranging from seventeenth-century poetry to contemporary fiction, from British waterways to the Mississippi Basin, it strives to bring Romantic accounts of coastal life into conversation with current modes of ecological thought and new forms of theoretical interrogation.

The movement of viruses in aquatic systems is rarely studied over large geographic scales. Oceanic currents, host migration, latitude-based variation in climate, and resulting changes in host life history are all potential drivers of virus connectivity, adaptation, and genetic structure. To expand our understanding of the genetic diversity of Callinectes sapidus reovirus 1 (CsRV1) across a broad spatial and host life history range of its blue crab host (Callinectes sapidus), we obtained 22 complete and 96 partial genomic sequences for CsRV1 strains from the US Atlantic coast, Gulf of Mexico, Caribbean Sea, and the Atlantic coast of South America. Phylogenetic analyses of CsRV1 genomes revealed that virus genotypes were divided into four major genogroups consistent with their host geographic origins. However, some CsRV1 sequences from the US mid-Atlantic shared high genetic similarity with the Gulf of Mexico genotypes, suggesting potential human-mediated movement of CsRV1 between the US mid-Atlantic and Gulf coasts. This study advances our understanding of how climate, coastal geography, host life history, and human activity drive patterns of genetic structure and diversity of viruses in marine animals and contributes to the capacity to infer broadscale host population connectivity in marine ecosystems from virus population genetic data.

<strong>Highlights</strong> With their predominantly coastal geographies, rapidly growing populations, and emissions-intensive activities, cities are highly vulnerable and major contributors to climate change. Their role as cultural centers, and commerce and innovation hubs, means they are also promising sources of solutions. Taken together, these factors demand a closer examination of the progress and solutions that cities are making to mitigate climate change and adapt to its impacts. However, research on the extent and effectiveness of cities’ implementation efforts is underdeveloped. There is a need to better understand if and how cities are rolling out effective implementation measures, what effects (intended and unintended) such measures are having, and whether their implementation efforts are achieving the transformational changes needed to realize a low carbon, climate-resilient future. This editorial introduces the special issue by exploring these issues and reflecting perspectives from a variety of disciplines both within and outside academia, and in relation to diverse cities in the Global North and South. To better understand the practical dimensions of implementation, and the various obstacles and opportunities faced by public and private sector actors in progressing climate action targets and goals, the editors invited submissions reflective of co-produced research. Though not all took this form, some did and helped to foreground the experiences of those actors who arguably have the most power and responsibility to advance implementation measures, and seed the very institutional arrangements needed for deeper, multisectoral climate action. Collectively, the content of the special issue points to a need for significant investment, policy change, social innovation, and cooperation across societal scales.

Review: <i>Environmental Politics of the Middle East</i>, edited by Harry Verhoeven

Biological invasions constitute an opportunity to study the evolutionary processes behind species’ adaptations. The invasive potential of some species, like the Argentine ant (Linepithema humile), has likely been increasing because they show low intraspecific competition. However, multiple introductions over time or genetic divergence could increase the probability of intraspecific competition, constituting barriers for their dispersal and thus, decreasing invasive success. Here, we studied the genetic and behavioural variability of L. humile workers collected at six locations on the NW coast of the Iberian Peninsula, a possible scenario for multiple introductions and population divergence, due to its high level of maritime traffic and complex coastal geography. We analysed behaviours related to spatial navigation (exploration, wall-following), resources acquisition, and competition (inter and intraspecific aggressiveness) through two relevant seasons for the nest ecology: spring and autumn. Genetic analyses using microsatellites indicated that the nests studied belonged to the most spread supercolony in South Europe. However, we identified the existence of two genetically differentiated clusters in Galiza. Lethal interactions were found between workers from different and similar genetic clusters, but a trend suggests higher agonistic behaviours between the two genetic groups. Genetic differences were positively correlated with the geographical distance, but aggressiveness was not correlated with any of them. Ants from each of the tested nests expressed different behaviours with high plasticity through time. Ants from all nests showed more exploration and aggressiveness, less wall-following and faster detection of food in autumn than in spring, with no intraspecific aggressiveness observed in spring. Our findings suggest competition between nests of the same supercolony and behavioural seasonal variability, supporting the hypothesis of divergent evolutionary processes. The results of our work question the assumed unity of supercolonies of this species and offer insights for understanding the future adaptation of L. humile in the introduced areas.