Coastal Regions Research Articles

The Impact of Pilot Policies for Smart Cities on Carbon Emissions in Cities along the Eastern Coast of China

Based on panel data from 111 prefecture level cities in the eastern coastal region of China from 2006 to 2021, this article regards the three batches of smart city pilot policies implemented since 2012 as a "quasi natural experiment", uses the asymptotic difference in differencesAA (DID) method to explore their impact on carbon emissions in the eastern coastal region of China, and verifies the scientific and credibility of the research results through multiple robustness tests. Then, heterogeneity analysis and mechanism analysis are conducted to explore the impact mechanism of smart cities on carbon reduction according to policies. The research results indicate that, firstly, the pilot policy of smart cities is beneficial for reducing carbon emissions in the eastern coastal areas of China, and this result remains robust after robustness tests such as PSM-DID (propensity score matching), placebo test, and exclusion of other policy interferences. Secondly, the pilot policies of smart cities have different carbon emission reduction effects in cities with different characteristics, and have more significant carbon emission reduction effects on small cities, non resource-based cities, and high GDP cities. Thirdly, the pilot policy of smart cities promotes the green and low-carbon development of cities in the eastern coastal areas of China by enhancing technological level and optimizing industrial structure.

Delineation of fresh groundwater potentiality zones in saline coastal aquifers, Southwest Bangladesh using remote sensing and GIS approaches.

Bay of Bengal in southern Bangladesh is a major source of water from coastal aquifers, but prone to contamination by seawater intrusion,making climate-vulnerable populations and economies unfit for potable, agricultural water, adopting crops, etc. The study area located in Khulna district lies in the southwestern coast of the country is among the most vulnerable due to its salinity issues. Therefore, this study identified fresh groundwater potential zones in the southwestern coastal zones of the country suited for community usage helping coastal peoples meet their demands. This study focused on twelve thematic layers employing remote sensing and GIS with analytical hierarchy process. Here, groundwater salinity is 84% brackish to saline over 70% of the region [electric conductivity: 295-16,295 micro-Siemens/cm]. However, groundwater chloride in 88% signifies a slightly to medium salty zone. The annual average rainfall reduced surface water infiltration in 75% of the area with little to very slightly soil salinity. The fresh groundwater resource zone has classified based on its potentiality as: very high (0.52%)-for drinking, agricultural irrigation, or industrial work; high (25%)-marginal salinity suitable for agricultural or industrial uses; low (11%)-low salinity, but usable for high salt tolerant crops in irrigation; and very low (64%)-very high groundwater salinity, and not suitable for human consumption and community uses. Finally, this study will help develop sustainable groundwater resources in the coastal region and a fresh groundwater supply plan in saline-prone areas.

Evaluation of the Ixodicidal Effect of Neem Essential Oil (Azadirachta Indica) in Domestic Dogs Infested by Ticks (Rhipicephalus Sanguineus) in the Veterinary Clinic Castim from the City of Arenillas Province El Oro

The present investigation was carried out to evaluate the ixodicide effect of Neem Essential Oil (Azadirachta indica) in domestic dogs infested by ticks (Rhipicephalus sanguineus) that were admitted to the CASTIM Veterinary Clinic, through the use of a shampoo based on Neem essential oil. (Azadirachta indica) at two concentration doses of 20% and 30% and with its positive control Derrivante (Ethion¬ + Cypermethrin) at 10%. thus determining: the effectiveness of the concentration of Neem oil, the time range in which the ixodicide effect occurs after application and the comparison of the positive control Derrivante (Ethion + Cypermethrin) at 10% vs. Neem essential oil 20% and 30%. evidencing its effectiveness, promoting the solution to the problem presented by most dogs at the Coastal or Littoral region level. In this research projected a total of 36 dogs male and female patients were analyzed by non-probabilistic consecutive sampling significance level of 0.05% admitted to the Veterinary Clinic CASTIM in a period of four months, classifying them according to size, type of coat (short and long) and their habitat (inside and outside the home) as indicators in which the acaricide efficiency of essential oil of Neem both 20% and 30% with residual effect 15 days were assessed in addition to the commercial product have Derrivante (ethion + Cypermethrin) as a positive control. According to data obtained, Neem Oil 30% had a greater effect in relation to the concentration to 20%, demonstrating the degree of infestation of ticks declined significantly as at 5 observation.

China's carbon neutrality policy facilitates halving industrial water withdrawal

Abstract China concurrently confronts acute water resource challenges and substantial carbon emissions, with its industrial sector being a significant freshwater consumer and a primary carbon emitter. China has committed to achieving carbon neutrality by 2060, yet the exact impact of this goal on industrial water withdrawal (IWW) remains unclear. Here, we project IWW in China considering both scenarios with and without the carbon neutrality target, based on industry-specific water quota standards and projections of industrial product output. Our findings indicate a 53.76% (51.41 km³) reduction of IWW by 2060 under a carbon neutrality scenario, compared to business-as-usual, with the IWW peak advancing from 2035 to 2025. The thermal power industry holds the largest water withdrawal reduction, accounting for 75.74% (38.94 km³) of the total reduction. Additionally, both the East coastal region and the Middle Yangtze River region could reduce 62.08% (31.96 km³) of IWW under the CN scenario, with Jiangsu province emerging as a significant contributor. This study provides a reliable basis for evaluating the potential for future water withdrawal reduction within the industrial sector and suggests that achieving the carbon neutrality target could offer a promising direction for alleviating China's water scarcity challenges.

Explainable Ensemble Learning Approaches for Predicting the Compression Index of Clays

Accurate prediction of the compression index (cc) is essential for geotechnical infrastructure design, especially in clay-rich coastal regions. Traditional methods for determining cc are often time-consuming and inconsistent due to regional variability. This study presents an explainable ensemble learning framework for predicting the cc of clays. Using a comprehensive dataset of 1080 global samples, four key geotechnical input variables—liquid limit (LL), plasticity index (PI), initial void ratio (e0), and natural water content w—were leveraged for accurate cc prediction. Missing data were addressed with K-Nearest Neighbors (KNN) imputation, effectively filling data gaps while preserving the dataset’s distribution characteristics. Ensemble learning techniques, including Random Forest (RF), Gradient Boosting Decision Trees (GBDT), Extreme Gradient Boosting (XGBoost), and a Stacking model, were applied. Among these, the Stacking model demonstrated the highest predictive performance with a Root Mean Squared Error (RMSE) of 0.061, a Mean Absolute Error (MAE) of 0.043, and a Coefficient of Determination (R2) value of 0.848 on the test set. Model interpretability was ensured through SHapley Additive exPlanations (SHAP), with e0 identified as the most influential predictor. The proposed framework significantly improves both prediction accuracy and interpretability, offering a valuable tool to enhance geotechnical design efficiency in coastal and clay-rich environments.

Community Structure of Intertidal Macrofauna: Spatial Autocorrelation of Two Rocky Coasts of Gujarat, India

The present study describes the community structure of intertidal macrofauna on two rocky coasts of the Kathiawar Peninsula, Gujarat State. The results show significant spatial autocorrelation between the two study sites, with the Mantel correlogram identifying contrasting patterns of species distribution across the coasts. The Veraval coast shows a strong positive correlation owing to its rocky coastal regions. The homogeneity of the intertidal habitats leads to a diverse and cohesive macrofaunal community. In contrast, the Adri coast displays a negative correlation, attributed to the heterogeneous habitats of its intertidal zones. The combination of sandy and rocky patches creates a range of microhabitats, resulting in distinct ecological regions within the coast. This environmental variability promotes a more distinct and less uniform distribution of species. The study underscores the importance of conducting further ecological research on diverse marine ecosystems, particularly in areas with varied habitat types.

Integrating machine learning algorithms and fuzzy AHP for assessing livelihood vulnerability in Southwestern Coastal Bangladesh

The people living in the coastal regions of Bangladesh rely significantly on nature for their livelihoods, which renders them sensitive to climate change. The aim of this study is to determine the key indicators which contribute more to livelihood vulnerability of disaster-prone Gabura union in southwestern coastal Bangladesh. To achieve this goal, three machine learning algorithms are employed for determining the key indicators of livelihood vulnerability. Subsequently, a livelihood vulnerability index (LVI) is constructed using these key indicators with the weighting of indicators facilitated by Fuzzy AHP method. And finally, a livelihood vulnerability map (LVM) is generated to visualize the spatial distribution and analysis of livelihood vulnerability within the union. The study employs a mixed-methods approach, including questionnaire surveys, focus group discussions, key informant interviews, and remote sensing image analysis. A household survey of 950 households tracked livelihood vulnerability using 25 indicators across three domains of vulnerability, e.g., exposure, sensitivity, and adaptive capacity. ArcGIS and Google Earth Engine facilitated spatial data analysis. The Gabura Union exposed high vulnerability (LVI 0.63), driven by elevated exposure (0.61) and sensitivity (0.59) and lower adaptive capacity (0.30). The Livelihood Vulnerability Map (LVM) illustrates vulnerability across wards of the union, emphasizing high vulnerability zones on the periphery of the union, along the Kopothakho and Kholpetua rivers while central part of the union shows a moderate vulnerability level. The study's novelty lies in effectively integrating multiple methods for livelihood vulnerability assessment. Policymakers should target interventions focusing on areas along the Kopothakho River, to enhance community resilience.

Molecular diversity and seasonal dynamics of Ostreococcus (Mamiellophyceae, Chlorophyta) in typical mariculture bays based on metabarcoding analysis

Ostreococcus (Mamiellophyceae, Chlorophyta) is a cosmopolitan genus of marine pico-phytoplankton and the smallest free-living photosynthetic eukaryotes with cell size of 1–2 μm. To understand the diversity and spatio-temporal distribution of Ostreococcus in the Rongcheng coastal regions in northern China, metabarcoding analysis based on the 18S rDNA V4 molecular marker was applied to study the molecular diversity and seasonal dynamics of Ostreococcus in three typical mariculture bays (Rongcheng Bay, Lidao Bay and Sanggou Bay). A total of 103 amplicon sequence variants (ASVs) annotated as Ostreococcus were detected in these three typical mariculture bays throughout the year. The top five ASVs in terms of abundance were ASV4, ASV9, ASV14, ASV28 and ASV109, totally occupying 99.1% of Ostreococcus reads. Phylogenetic analysis showed that these five dominant ASVs represented two Ostreococcus ecotypes (OI and OII) and were grouped into four Ostreococcus clades including Ostreococcus lucimarinus (ASV9) and Ostreococcus tauri (ASV28 and ASV109) in OI, and Ostreococcus sp. RC1 (ASV4) and Ostreococcus sp. RC2 (ASV14) in OII, which provided direct evidence to support the co-existence of two ecotypes in the Rongcheng coastal regions. Five dominant ASVs in OI and OII exhibited two distinct seasonal distribution patterns. Three dominant ASVs (ASV9, ASV28 and ASV109) in OI could be detected in all four seasons of the year, exhibiting native distribution properties, while two ASVs (ASV4 and ASV14) in OII decreased sharply in winter and could not be detected in spring, exhibiting characteristics of alien inputs. The composition, succession and association of Ostreococcus community were mainly driven by water temperature in these mariculture bays. This study helps us systematically understand the molecular diversity and distribution patterns of Ostreococcus in typical mariculture bays in northern China, laying the foundation for understanding and revealing the ecological functions of pico-phytoplankton.

A globally sampled high-resolution hand-labeled validation dataset for evaluating surface water extent maps

Abstract. Effective monitoring of global water resources is increasingly critical due to climate change and population growth. Advancements in remote sensing technology, specifically in spatial, spectral, and temporal resolutions, are revolutionizing water resource monitoring, leading to more frequent and high-quality surface water extent maps using various techniques such as traditional image processing and machine learning algorithms. However, satellite imagery datasets contain trade-offs that result in inconsistencies in performance, such as disparities in measurement principles between optical (e.g., Sentinel-2) and radar (e.g., Sentinel-1) sensors and differences in spatial and spectral resolutions among optical sensors. Therefore, developing accurate and robust surface water mapping solutions requires independent validations from multiple datasets to identify potential biases within the imagery and algorithms. However, high-quality validation datasets are expensive to build, and few contain information on water resources. For this purpose, we introduce a globally sampled, high-spatial-resolution dataset labeled using 3 m PlanetScope imagery (Planet Team, 2017). Our surface water extent dataset comprises 100 images, each with a size of 1024×1024 pixels, which were sampled using a stratified random sampling strategy covering all 14 biomes. We highlighted urban and rural regions, lakes, and rivers, including braided rivers and coastal regions. We evaluated two surface water extent mapping methods using our dataset – Dynamic World (Brown et al., 2022), based on Sentinel-2, and the NASA IMPACT model (Paul and Ganju, 2021), based on Sentinel-1. Dynamic World achieved a mean intersection over union (IoU) of 72.16 % and F1 score of 79.70 %, while the NASA IMPACT model had a mean IoU of 57.61 % and F1 score of 65.79 %. Performance varied substantially across biomes, highlighting the importance of evaluating models on diverse landscapes to assess their generalizability and robustness. Our dataset can be used to analyze satellite products and methods, providing insights into their advantages and drawbacks. Our dataset offers a unique tool for analyzing satellite products, aiding the development of more accurate and robust surface water monitoring solutions. The dataset can be accessed via https://doi.org/10.25739/03nt-4f29 (Mukherjee et al., 2024).

A holistic approach to salinity intrusion vulnerability assessment using geospatial technologies: An application for mekong delta of vietnam

Saltwater intrusion is a critical natural hazard impacting millions of lives globally, particularly in the Mekong Delta, Vietnam. This study presents a comprehensive approach to assessing saltwater intrusion vulnerability, combining hazard, exposure/sensitivity, and adaptive capacity. We developed a salinity intrusion hazard map using data from 68 monitoring stations and 156 prevention culverts collected on February 23, 2020. Twenty-eight indicators representing exposure, sensitivity, and adaptive capacity were standardized and weighted using the Iyengar-Sudarshan method. Our analysis revealed that 15.74 % of the study area, particularly Mo Cay Bac and Mo Cay Nam districts in Ben Tre province and Dam Doi district in Ca Mau province, exhibits very high vulnerability to saltwater intrusion. These findings provide critical insights for designing effective saltwater intrusion warning systems and implementing targeted disaster risk management strategies in the Mekong Delta. The approach and results are also applicable to similar coastal deltas and regions worldwide, offering a valuable framework for mitigating saltwater intrusion impacts.

Lifestyle and risk factors associated with elevated prostate-specific antigen levels in rural men: implications for health counseling.

The use of prostate-specific antigen (PSA) for early detection of prostate cancer (PCa) is common but controversial. In rural areas, PSA is widely used for screening because it is convenient and early-stage PCa often shows no symptoms. Studies suggest that PSA levels are linked to factors like unhealthy lifestyles, obesity, lack of exercise, inflammation, and aging. Proper use and interpretation of PSA are crucial for healthcare providers, especially in primary care settings. This study aims to explore the prevalence and factors linked to higher PSA levels in rural men. We conducted a community-based cross-sectional study from March to December 2023 in the western coastal region of Taiwan. Men aged 40-75 years participated, completing a lifestyle questionnaire and providing blood samples for cardiometabolic biomarkers and PSA levels. PSA levels of ≥ 4.0 ng/mL were considered elevated. We used propensity score matching (PSM) and genetic matching (GM) for analysis, followed by regression analysis. In total, 3347 male adults with a mean age of 56.3 years (SD=11.8, range 40-75), and without cancer-related diseases, were enrolled. Findings indicated that 3.9% (n=130) of men aged 40-75 years had a PSA ≥ 4 ng/mL. and many of them did not adopt health-related behaviors, including inadequate servings of vegetables, water intake, and engaging in regular exercise. Furthermore, more than half of the participants had high blood pressure, and over one-quarter exhibited a higher waist-hip ratio and cardiometabolic diseases. After employing propensity score matching (PSM) and genetic matching (GM) with respect to age and education, the multivariate logistic regression model indicated that less water intake (p<0.01), higher waist-hip ratio (> 0.95) (p<0.05), and being diagnosed with cardiometabolic diseases (p<0.05) were significantly associated with a higher serum PSA level. This study revealed that inadequate water intake and obesity related diseases are significant risk factors associated with elevated PSA levels among male adults living in rural areas. It is important for frontline healthcare providers to carefully interpret the meaning of a high PSA level. Additionally, launching a longitudinal study is necessary to further investigate its relation to PCa.

Hydrometeor categorization in stratiform and convective precipitation systems over a tropical coastal region

Hydrometeor categorization in stratiform and convective precipitation systems over a tropical coastal region

Ecological connectivity of the Qiongzhou Strait: a case form Orangefin Ponyfish (Photopectoralis bindus) haplotype diversity and genetic structure

Grasping the genetic structure of marine fish populations is vital for comprehending species connectivity patterns and determining the appropriate spatiotemporal scales for conservation management strategies. Here, we analyzed the population genetics of the Orangefin Ponyfish (Photopectoralis bindus Valenciennes, 1835) by examining a portion of the gene coding for the mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit I. The aim was to evaluate the haplotype pattern, genetic structure, demographic history, as well as the influence of ecological connectivity through the Qiongzhou Strait on the distribution patterns of this species in the northern South China Sea and the Beibu Gulf. In total, 257 specimens yielded only 13 haplotypes, with the predominant haplotype present at all sampling locations. The analysis revealed a “star-like” haplotype pattern, indicating low levels of both haplotype and nucleotide diversity. Additionally, a small but significant genetic structure was observed between the coastal regions flanking the Leizhou Peninsula. These patterns in the haplotype network and genetic structure may be significantly influenced by contemporary currents, particularly through the connectivity of the Qiongzhou Strait. Tajima’s D and Fu’s Fs demonstrated pronouncedly negative values, along with a unimodal mismatch distribution, suggested a recent demographic expansion of Photopectoralis bindus during the late Pleistocene, likely influenced by fluctuations in sea levels.

Combined Effects of Fishing and Environment on the Growth of Larimichthys polyactis in Coastal Regions of China

In fisheries’ stock assessments, the concept of “growth plasticity”—the ability of organisms to modulate their growth rates in response to environmental conditions—has gained attention in recent years. Historically, the impacts of fishing activities and environmental fluctuations were considered separately, while their combined effects have recently come into focus. This study collected 834 adult small yellow croakers (Larimichthys polyactis) from the northern Yellow Sea, the central Yellow Sea, the southern Yellow Sea, and the northern East Sea by trawling during 2020–2021. Using otolith increments as a proxy for annual somatic growth, the study reconstructed otolith chronologies during 2015–2020 for these four stocks. The results of the mixed-effects modeling suggested that temperature during spawning and previous overwintering seasons had comparable importance for the annual growth of small yellow croakers, with higher temperature promoting growth. The growth of small yellow croakers was also found to be correlated with ENSO events, with a lag of 1 to 2 years. A further investigation into combined effects revealed that higher fishing pressure might inhibit the small yellow croaker’s response to favorable environmental conditions. Furthermore, considering the potential differences in growth plasticity among stocks, an analysis was conducted on the spatial variations in growth response to these factors. The analysis revealed that, compared to the stocks in the Yellow Sea, the stock from the East China Sea could exhibit higher growth, superior adaptability to temperature, and a distinctive response to fishing pressure. In conclusion, the present study, while primarily focusing on temperature, preliminarily analyzed the combined effects of fishing and environment and underscored the differences in growth plasticity between stocks in the Yellow Sea and the East China Sea. Despite the limited factors analyzed in this study, it suggests a direction for future studies, highlighting the necessity to include more environmental factors, and even population factors (e.g., the biomass of preys), for a more comprehensive understanding of the combined effects. Based on the observed differences between the two potential subpopulations, this study also provides new insights for the management of the small yellow croaker based on metapopulation dynamics.

Evaluation of Cloud Masking Methods using Sentinel-2 Satellite Images on Google Earth Engine: A Case Study in Vietnam

The production of cloudless images from the optical satellite are critical in Earth surface monitoring. In 2015,Sentinel-2A was successfully launched into orbit by the European Space Agency. Sentinel-2 imagery is currently theprimary source of data for Earth monitoring. There are several ways to create cloudless images from multi-temporalSentinel-2 optical satellite imagery on the Google Earth Engine (GEE) platform. These include the Fmask (Function ofmask) method, the Fmask CDI (Cloud Displacement Index) method, and the Fmask CSP (Cloud Score Plus) method. Inthis paper, the authors build a program and evaluate the cloud masking methods on the GEE platform in Song Hinhdistrict, Phu Yen province, which is situated in the South-Central Coast region of Central Vietnam. The Song Hinh districtis a suitable study area for the evaluation of cloud masking methods on optical satellite images due to its diverse andcomplex terrain, which includes numerous peaks and valleys and a variety of climatic conditions. This article illustratesthe results of three cloud masking methods on Sentinel-2 images. In contrast to the Fmask method, the Fmask CDI andFmask CSP methods provide more benefits in detecting clouds and cloud shadows, resulting in more accurate outcomes

On the patterns and mechanisms of residual currents and suspended sediment transport in the Lingdingyang of the Pearl River Delta

Tide-averaged current, i.e., Eulerian residual current (ERC), indicates net transport of sediment and pollutants in coastal and estuarine regions. In this paper, we examine the dynamics of tidal currents and associate residual currents (RCs), suspended sediment transport and its governing mechanisms in the Lingdingyang (LDY) of the Pearl River Delta based on field data and numerical modeling. Results indicate that seaward ERCs dominate throughout the LDY. The ERCs are greater in the wet seasons than that in the dry seasons. The ERCs are smaller in the middle layer of the water column over the shoals, whereas they ware are larger in the middle layers in deep channels. The ERCs mainly discharge into the sea through the deep channel and west shoal, forming a slack water zone in the middle shoal. Vertical circulation structures of ERCs are controlled by the channel-shoal structure. A dual ERC circulation structure was observed between the channels, which is characterized with seaward and landward ERCs at the surface and bottom layers, respectively. As a result, the residual sediment transports are seaward, with large rates at the shoal than in the channel. Seaward ERCs explain residual sediment transport in the deep channel. Both ERCs and Stokes RCs (SRCs) are important over the shoal. Tidal pumping is of secondary importance and its direction varies over time and in space. These findings provide a scientific basis for understanding the channel-shoal evolution and maintenance of the navigational waterway in the LDY.

Influence of Different Rates of Salinity on Flowering, Yield and Fruit Nutritional Value of Three Okra [&amp;lt;i&amp;gt;Abelmoschus esculentus &amp;lt;/i&amp;gt;(L.) Moench] Cultivars in far North Region of Cameroon

&amp;lt;i&amp;gt;Context: &amp;lt;/i&amp;gt;Salinity is in coastal, arid and semi-arid regions a major constraint in the productivity and agricultural development around the world. &amp;lt;i&amp;gt;Objectifs: &amp;lt;/i&amp;gt;The objective of this study is to evaluate the effect of salinity on the growth, the nutritional value of the fruits of three okra (&amp;lt;i&amp;gt;Abelmoschus esculentus &amp;lt;/i&amp;gt;L.) cultivars including two local (Javia and Parkwa) and a hybrid variety (Hire). &amp;lt;i&amp;gt;Methodology: &amp;lt;/i&amp;gt;This is how four solutions of different NaCl concentrations from 0, 60, 120 to 240 mM were used to water okra plants at the four-leaves stage and this for two months in completely randomized device with four repetitions. &amp;lt;i&amp;gt;Results: &amp;lt;/i&amp;gt;The results have differneces and similarities between the three varities during saline treatments. Salinity causes a decrease in growth, performance yield (from 0 to 240 mM NaCl to 28%, 23.6% and 22% in Parkwa, Hire, Javia cultivars respectively), mineral elements, antioxidants components and accumulation of Na content (to 45% in Parkwa, 23% in Hire and 18.4% in Javia from 0 to 240 mM NaCl) and flowering period (from 0 to 240 mM NaCl to 27.5%, 23.1% et 21.9% in Parkwa, Hire, Javia respectively). The reductions generated by salt have been less strong in Javia and Hire cultivars while the reductions were stronger at Parkwa cultivar. In addition, NaCl, at high concentrations, advantage of osmoticum accumulation involved in the osmotic ajustement mechanisms and would also serve as osmoprotector. Accumulation of osmolytes is salinity tolerance index that explains the maintenance of good water status in okra.&amp;lt;i&amp;gt; Conclusion:&amp;lt;/i&amp;gt; Cultivars Javia and Hire were the most salt tolerant while the Parkwa was the most sensitive. The good behaviour of Javia and Hire varieties in the face of salinity can be considered for their use to better enhance the sahelian and coastal areas.

A framework for appraising the status of disaster resilience within the multi-hazard environment of coastal Bangladesh

Fostering resilience is widely acknowledged as a crucial strategy for mitigating the escalating risks posed by climate-related disasters around the world. Resilience assessment plays a vital role in this endeavour by assessing the baseline level of resilience, identifying the key resilience factors, and monitoring progress towards building resilience with time. Given this context, and considering the evolving conceptualization of resilience, we devised a framework for appraising the status of resilience across the coastal region of Bangladesh. Our framework represents a significant scholarly contribution, as it encompasses a broad spectrum of resilience dimensions, including stability, recoverability, and transformability. To operationalize this framework, we selected thirty context-specific variables and organized them systematically around these three overarching components. Employing a simple weighted average methodology, we constructed sub-indices for each component, which were subsequently aggregated into a composite resilience index. For spatial visualization, our findings were mapped in a Geographic Information System (GIS) environment. Our analysis revealed Chattogram, Barguna, and Khulna as the most resilient districts. This manifests the potential for resilience enhancement even within areas exposed and inherently sensitive to multiple hazards through the optimal use of available resources. Notably, in the trio of districts, Barguna exhibited the highest stability index score, Chattogram showcased the highest recoverability score, and Khulna emerged with the top transformability index score. This finding underscores the significance of incorporating diverse capacities in resilience frameworks. These insights offer valuable guidance for refining resilience assessment frameworks in other developing countries of the world. Furthermore, the outcomes of our assessment can serve as a baseline for the coastal administrators of Bangladesh while developing disaster management policies and actions centering around fostering resilient communities. Thus, our study not only contributes to disaster theory, but holds practical implications for evidence-based decision-making to secure a more resilient future of the coastal communities of Bangladesh.

Soil-Improving Effect of Sesbania–Sorghum Rotation in a Heavily Saline–Alkaline Coastal Region

Soil-Improving Effect of Sesbania–Sorghum Rotation in a Heavily Saline–Alkaline Coastal Region

Students' Perspectives on their ideal English professor in class

This research aims to identify students' perspectives on their ideal English professor, characteristics and skills and investigate whether they would like to learn a second language and consider it to aid their professional life. Therefore, a survey was done online with N= 220 learners taking the A1 English level in a public university in the coastal region of Ecuador. The data collected comprised 19 statements divided into three categories ( 1. The perspective in the English professor's Identity; (2. Perspectives on the English Professor's Instruction; (3. Teachers Profile. The analysis uses descriptive statistics. The results demonstrate that students prefer flexible English professors who motivate them to learn a second language, which is essential for them. Most of the students agree that the ideal English professor must have a good proficiency in English level and studied in the field. In summary, as students like to learn a second language, believing it is essential for their professional career, they would prefer a professor who adapts to their necessities.