Conservation Of Land Resources Research Articles

Impact of Sustainable Land Management Program on the Livelihoods of Smallholder Farmers in Semen Bench District, South West Ethiopia

The Sustainable Land Management Programme was launched in 2008 to address to reduce land degradation, improve land productivity, contribute significantly to adaptation to and mitigation of climate change, to protect of soil erosion, conserve to natural resources, and improve of smallholder farmers' standard of living. The overall objective of the study is to impact of a sustainable land management program in southwest Ethiopia's Semen Bench district on the livelihoods of smallholder farmers. The study used to cross-sectional survey study design. Two Kebeles were purposively selected based on participation and coverage of soil and water conservation practices implemented by sustainable land management program established in the study area. systematic sampling techniques was used to select 124 respondents from the Kebeles household heads. The data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, chi-square test, and independent sample t-test. The study revealed significant differences in maize yield, taro and coffee yields. The results also showed a highly significant difference (p<0.05) in the mean total yearly income of adopter and non-adopter households, at 24,963.8±2783.12 and 14,927.9±2200.2 birr, respectively. It is determined that the implementation of a sustainable land management program enhances agricultural productivity and household income by conserving land resources. To improve household income, crop productivity, and land resource conservation, this study suggests that farmers be incentivized and supported to adopt integrated sustainable land management approaches.

Population Pressure and Changing Land Use Land Cover in Morigaon District, Assam, India - A Geospatial Analysis

Objective: This study intends to prioritize the underlying mechanisms underpinning the spatial-temporal variations in Land Use and Land Cover (LULC) change in the Morigaon district, located in the middle part of Brahmaputra valley of Assam, India covering an area of 1498 km2.At the same time, this study focuses on the impact of population pressure on changing LULC in the study area. Methods: This research adopted geospatial approach for analysing land use land cover change in the study area. Satellite images from the years 1992 to 2022 have been utilized to identify the land transformation. The analysis of the land transformation has taken into account the five main LULC classifications of agriculture, forest, water bodies, built-up lands, and sand deposits. It has been discovered that the LULC classes identified in this study, which comprise both natural and anthropogenic elements, have a very strong link with the population growth in the Morigaon district. To show the relationship between population expansion and LULC indicators Pearson correlation method is used. Findings: Water bodies, forests and agriculture have significantly decreased by 0.13%, 4.66% and 1.64% respectively due to substantial anthropogenic activity during the past 30 years. In contrast, sand deposits and built-up lands increased by 3.13% and 3.30%. To show the relationship between population expansion and LULC indicators Pearson correlation method is used. Very significant relationships have been found between population and built-up lands with rho value 0.95. The relationship between population with agriculture, forest, water bodies and sand deposits have been seen with rho value -0.51, -0.89, -0.64 and 0.97 respectively. The loss of the geographic extent of natural classes like water bodies, forests, signifies that the geometrical progression in the human population has greatly amplified anthropogenic activities. Novelty: The novelty lies in adopting geospatial techniques that would certainly enhance land resource conservation. Environmental concerns have been increasing due to significant land surface change, which is predominantly the result of human-induced activities. In the studied area, socioeconomic, demographic, and proximity factors have a significant impact on the LULC change processes. The findings can be utilized to forecast potential LULC scenarios and offer direction for land management strategy. Keywords: LULC, Satellite Images, Anthropogenic, Pearson Correlation, Proximity Factor

Nigerian Land Resources and Conservation Strategies: A Critical Analysis of Economic and Non-Economic Issues

Land is an indispensable resource for all of man’s activities, and being an asset with zero elasticity in its physical supply requires adequate sustainability and conservation. Over the years, various strategies have been generated and adopted to ensure conservative management of land resources. This paper examines Nigerian land resources and conservation strategies, critically analyzing the economic and non-economic issues. Land resources conservation in Nigeria indulges economic issues from agriculture, urbanization and industrialization which affect the availability and accessibility of land for various uses, while the non-economic issues from cultural, social and environmental factors and policies are basically concerned with the determination and control of the use of land resources. These have to be considered with emanating challenges and surmounted to ensure land resources conservation for sustainability considering future generations. Policymakers, researchers and stakeholders in the environmental field have to work and operate in synergy, evaluating workable and favourable conservation strategies: balancing economic and non-economic land related issues to achieve overcoming emanating issues, thereby sustaining the goal of Land resources conservation in Nigeria.

Fault current calculation and grounding scattering optimization of 220 kV tunnel cable systems

Grounding faults in tunnel cables have received widespread attention. Establishing a fault model for tunnel cable systems in specific environments and proposing a fault current simulation method with high-speed computation and precise calculation accuracy is crucial for its stable operation. Additionally, optimizing grounding scattering method with better fault current scattering ability and conservation of land resources is of utmost importance. The metal sheath fault current of the tunnel cable is deduced using the double-sided elimination method. Based on the finite element method, three types of grounding scattering methods (i.e., spiral, cage and bearing platform) of working shafts are deduced. The ground surface potential of the working shaft is inferred with reference to human body safety limits. The result shows that the maximum cable sheath fault current reach 136.74 kA when the fault location is set at the beginning of the 1st major section. The cage grounding method effectively reduces the fault current density at the grounding point of the working shaft from 13,401.3A/m2 to 7192.8A/m2. When the number of vertical graphene conductors is increased to 6, the ground surface potential of the working shaft is 917.64 V, which is within the permissible range (955 V) for human body safety.

Land cover changes in rural communities of Zimbabwe pre and post land reform era; a case of Shurugwi South constituency

ABSTRACT The study assessed land cover changes in rural communities of Zimbabwe pre and post land reform era (1980 - 2020). A mixed methods research design was adopted with the use of both qualitative and quantitative research methods. Remote sensing, questionnaires, interviews and observations were used for data collection. Microsoft Excel and ArcMap 10.5 software were adopted for data analysis. Results indicated that clearance of land for agriculture especially crop production, wood abstraction for domestic use and selling, establishment of settlements were the major drivers of change in Shurugwi South. Between 2000 and 2020, results showed that water bodies, shrub land and dense woodlands declined whilst grassland and cultivated/bare land increased. Findings indicated that the rates of increase in cultivated/bare lands and grassland were faster between 2000 and 2020. More so, generally water bodies and shrub land decreased during the 2000–2020 period. These changes indicated that land reform program and associated land reallocation in 2000 influenced the rates and pattern of land cover changes. The changes in land ownership and use rights following the land reforms affected land use patterns between 2000 and 2020. Naturally vegetated land is depleting hence the need for land resource conservation.

Impact of fertilizer and pesticide reductions on land use in China based on crop-land integrated model

While chemical fertilizers and pesticides have significantly enhanced crop productivity per unit of land in China, the excessive utilization of these chemicals has led to a range of environmental issues that are not conducive to the sustainable development of China’s agriculture. Controlling the use of fertilizers and pesticides in crop cultivation is therefore necessary and has been adopted as an action plan since 2015 in China. However, the effects of fertilizer and pesticide reductions have not been systematically investigated. This paper explores how yields and land use for rice, wheat, corn, and soybean cultivation shift when reducing their fertilizer and pesticide inputs using China’s provincial crop-land integrated partial equilibrium model (the CPMCL model). Simulation results for different scenarios show that, among the studied crops, rice and wheat exhibit greater adaptability than corn and soybeans. Reducing the use of fertilizers and pesticides within the interval from 0% to 3.5% may increase the total demand of land resources for crop production from 0.220% to 4.21%. Limited land resources will be allocated to more profitable crops to maximize output, which means the land use for wheat production may increase over 20% while for rice, corn and soybean may decrease around 4% under the shock of fertilizer and pesticide reductions. Merely reducing fertilizer and pesticide inputs in crop cultivation may exacerbate the conflict between crop production and land resource conservation in China, which means the technology and efficiency of fertilizer and pesticide use needs to be improved. The findings of this paper can help formulate more province-specific and crop-targeted plans to properly reduce fertilizer and pesticide use, thus promoting sustainable land use while ensuring food security and protecting the environment.

Spatial and Temporal Evolutionary Characteristics of Vegetation in Different Geomorphic Zones of Loess Plateau and Its Driving Factor Analysis

Based on MODIS NDVI and a meteorological dataset, this study analyzed the spatial and temporal variation characteristics of vegetation cover in different geomorphic zones of Loess Plateau (LP) from 2000 to 2020 with trend analysis, partial correlation, residual analysis and the CA–Markov method and discussed the driving factors. The research results show that: (1) There are spatial differences in vegetation coverage in different geomorphic regions. The Loess Hills and Forests zone (LF) exhibits the highest coverage, with a multi-year average of 86.64%, and the Arid Grassland (AG) has the poorest vegetation with only 8.53%. Overall, there has been significant improvement in vegetation coverage over the past two decades, although certain geomorphic zones, particularly the Highland Steppe zone (HS) and Alluvial Plains zone (AP), show signs of degradation. (2) Relative humidity has the greatest impact on vegetation among the three climate factors, i.e., relative humidity, precipitation and temperature. Relative humidity predominantly promotes vegetation in all geomorphic zones. Temperature generally inhibits vegetation growth, except in the Wind Sandy zone (WA) and AG. The impact of precipitation on vegetation depends on the region. A lag effect is observed, with temperature and humidity showing a one-month lag and precipitation showing a two-month lag on vegetation response. (3) Human activities play a crucial role in promoting vegetation, particularly in the WA zone, in which the percentage of area where human activities contribute to vegetation has changed from 13.80% to 86.85%, an increase of 73.05%, while the HS experiences an inhibitory effect due to overgrazing and water resource overutilization. Similarly, the AP zone’s vegetation growth is hindered by urban development and land use changes. (4) Land use change significantly impacts vegetation dynamics on the LP. Over the past two decades, the area of forest lawn increased by 122,800 km2, which is 1.5 times more than the area of reduction. However, conversion to building land has hindered vegetation growth in certain regions. A comprehensive strategy is required to conserve land resources and promote healthy vegetation growth on the LP.

Land Areas Management for Development of Tourism Different Types

This paper discusses the importance of the use of land resources for the development of tourism and recreational activities. The study of economic mechanisms of nature management stimulates interest in various forms of tourism, such as ecotourism, agrotourism, forest tourism. The expansion of the tourism industry, combined with a decrease in international tourist flows, leads to an increase in the number of specially protected natural areas. Land management is a system of measures aimed at compliance with land legislation, regulation of land relations and ensuring the rational use and conservation of land resources. The influence of factors connected with natural and cultural features of tourist places influences the development of land resources. In this paper, some researches are conducted to analyze how an efficient land management can stimulate different types of tourism. 

Анализ устойчивости агроландшафтов в лесостепной зоне Красноярского края и мероприятия по их охране

The purpose of the study. On the basis of an assessment of the conditions and factors affecting the agro landscapes of an agricultural organization, design a set of protective measures aimed at increasing their sustainability. Research methods. The methodological basis was the systematic approach and its variety in the study of landscapes – landscape analysis. The methodological base should include the works of domestic and foreign scientists aimed at solving the problem of conservation of land resources and their protection. Statistical processing of analytical materials was carried out using dispersion and cluster analyses. The cartographic method and methods of GIS technologies were also used in the analysis of areas and modeling of processes. Research results. An agro-ecological assessment of the territory of agricultural land use, with an area of more than 16 thousand hectares, located in the forest-steppe of the Krasnoyarsk Territory, was made. It has been established that the territory is typical and the results obtained can be used in the analysis of sustainability and the development of measures for the protection of agricultural land uses operating in similar natural and climatic conditions in the Russian Federation and the Republic of Kazakhstan. Landscape areas are defined on the map-scheme, conditions and factors influencing the stability of agrolandscapes are described. It has been established that the main limiting factor influencing the stability of the territory is deflation, which manifests itself differently within landscape areas. A scientifically based complex of protective agro-, phyto-, forest reclamation measures has been developed, corresponding to the allocated land categories in the landscape-agro-ecological zoning scheme, aimed at increasing the efficiency and sustainability of agricultural land use. Conclusion. 1. An assessment of the sustainability of landscape areas (agrolandscapes) of an agricultural organization has been made. 2. Unique schematic map of landscape areas, steepness of slopes, erosion hazard of the territory, landscape-erosion zoning, and studied agricultural land use were compiled, the ecological state of the territory was determined. 3. A complex of agro-, phyto-, forest reclamation measures is presented, differentiated according to landscape areas for deflation-hazardous land categories in the landscape-agro-ecological zoning scheme, aimed at their protection and increasing the sustainability of the agricultural land use area. 4. The results of scientific research can be applied by agricultural producers, research institutions, regional and municipal authorities in the organization, planning, monitoring, evaluation and management of land resources in the Russian Federation and the Republic of Kazakhstan.

Geoinformatic approach to potential soil erosion risk assessment in Tulasi watershed

The disintegration of soil grains caused by raindrops initiates the erosion process and is the primary source of erosion on small and steep slopes. Soil loss occurs all across the world, but poor countries are more vulnerable to it due to failure to replenish lost soil and minerals. Asian countries have been highlighted as one of the locations on the globe where soil erosion has proven to be a difficult challenge in terms of development and land resource conservation. Because India is the world's second most populous country and agriculture is the backbone of the Indian economy, sustainable land management approaches are urgently needed to protect production potential and provide an adequate supply of healthy food for millions. The Tulasi watershed in Maharashtra, India, is distinguished by heavy rain during the monsoon season, undulating and rocky topography and bare hilltops, all of which increase runoff capacity and make top soil more prone to detachment and loosening. In light of this, the current study employs geo-information technologies and the RUSLE model to derive erosion factors such as rainfall erosivity, soil erodibility, slope length and steepness, land cover and management and to estimate the amount and spatial distribution of soil loss in the study area.

Exploring the land use and land cover change in the period 2005–2020 in the province of Errachidia, the pre-sahara of Morocco

The study investigates the land use and land cover (LULC) in Errachidia province (Pre-Saharan of Morocco) in the period 2005–2020. To this end, remote sensing (RS) tools such as LULC, the normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI), the normalized difference water index (NDWI), the Enhanced Vegetation Index (EVI), Gravity Recovery and Climate Experiment (GRACE) satellite data, and precipitations were processed and combined. The monitoring of LULC over this period reveals different changes in this area. Generally, for water bodies, two trends can be observed, an increasing trend since 2006 and a decreasing trend from 2011 to the present. However, an increasing trend was recorded for the urban-and-built-up-lands and the grasslands categories. NDVI, NDWI, and EVI showed three major peaks recorded in the same periods (in 2007, 2009, and 2015). In terms of water storage, three phases were found. The first depicted the lowest groundwater quantities with a decreasing trend, which corresponds to a period of drought and/or human pressure. The second phase, the most important that recorded the greatest storage of water while the third phase corresponds to low storage with a decreasing trend. LULC of croplands reveals a slightly increasing trend from 2012 to 2020, which shows an orientation to an extension of crops mainly of date palm encouraged by government programs. A strong correlation between the seasonal NDVI and water storage using GRACE-Data for the period was found. In the end, recommendations on the adaptation to CC were proposed. The findings demonstrate that RS techniques are useful tools to detect hydrological droughts, observe, and conserve land resources. In arid areas such as Errachidia, the solution lies in rationalizing the use of water resources protecting them from uncontrolled anthropogenic events, which may alleviate the pressure. To support local sustainable development, environmental scientists and decision-makers may use the outputs of this study.

Physico-Chemical Characterization and Evaluation of Soil Structural Stability in the Oued Joumouaa Watershed (Western Prerif)

Soil degradation leads to alteration of ecological and economic functions due to a decrease in productivity and quality of the soil. The aim of the present study was to assess soil degradation by identifying physic-chemical soil factors in order to identify soil properties that could be used as indicators for future soil quality conservation programs and their relationship with soil erosion risk in the Oued Joumouaa watershed. Soil samples from three locations with, on average, from 0 to 20 cm depth. distributed on three stations, in a random way. Using discriminant and factor analyses, principal soil factors were identified. The results of the physico-chemical analyses (texture, pH, organic matter, calcium carbonate, assimilable phosphorus, exchangeable potassium, structural stability), show that the soils have silty-clayey-sandy textures, moderately basic pH (7.8 to 8), carbonate rate which varies from (16.86 to 20.36). The organic matter varies from 1.73 to 3.94. The assimilable phosphorus varies from 13.46 to 14.85, The structural stability of these soils under water revealed that they are generally unstable, with average weight diameters ranging from 0.56 (station 1) to 1.1 (station 2) and 1 (station 3). Therefore, it is suggested that the present study can be applied to projects with special relevance to soil scientists, environmental scientists and planning agencies that can use the present study as baseline data to combat land degradation and conserve land resources in an efficient manner.

Spatiotemporal Changes in Ecosystem Services Value and Its Driving Factors in the Karst Region of China

Over the last few decades, most regional ecosystem services (ESs) have significantly deteriorated, primarily driven by an increase in human dominance over the natural environment. Creating an assessment framework of ESs and identifying its driving factors at the regional scale is challenging for researchers, administrators, and policy-makers. In this study, we attempt to quantify the economic value of ESs (ESV) in Guizhou Province from 2000 to 2018, one of the most prominent areas of karst landforms in China. We identified the major factors affecting ESs using the geographical detector (GD) model. Then, we conducted a multiscale geographically weighted regression (MGWR) analysis to examine the spatial differentiation of the causal effects of both natural and anthropogenic factors on ESs. Our results demonstrate the following: (1) the total ESV of Guizhou Province was approximately USD 81,764.32 million in 2000, USD 82,411.06 million in 2010, and USD 82,065.31 million in 2018, and the increase of USD 300.99 million from 2000 to 2018 was the result of the remarkable conversion from cultivated land to forestland; (2) significantly considerable differentiation existed in the spatial distribution of ESV at the county level, with a higher value in the eastern region and a lower value in the western region; (3) among the driving factors, population density had a more significant effect on the spatial differentiation of ESV than did natural factors; and (4) agricultural output value was the dominant factor influencing the ESV during the study period, with a significantly positive correlation, whereas per capita GDP and population density had significantly negative impacts on ESV, according to the effective performance of the MGWR model that evaluated the spatial heterogeneity in geospatial relationships between the driving factors of ESV. Our findings can provide notable guidance to land administrators and policy-makers for effective land resource conservation and management plans, thereby improving regional sustainability.

Simulation of Subsurface Drainage in the Sugarcane Crop under Different Spacing and Drain Depths

Agricultural land drainage is an instrument for growing production and a tool for the conservation of land resources. The performance of land drainage systems is thus critical for achieving sustainable agricultural production Recently, many types of software have been developed in this field for modeling and simulating the performance of these systems. SISDRENA is a simulation model of the performance of underground drainage systems. The main objectives of this paper are to simulate different combination of depths and spaces between drains and to analyze their impact on potential sugarcane productivity in the western plains of Venezuela using a land drainage system model. Therefore, three climatic scenarios were defined by annual precipitation: dry years (25% below average), normal (mean) and humid (75% above average). The scenarios were implemented in three different soil types: sandy loam, loam and silt loam, with a hydraulic conductivity of 0.19, 0.26 and 0.04 m day−1, respectively. The simulation of the yield related to soil deficit (YRD) and water stress (YRW) indicated that the highest yields were reached for the larger spacing between drains and the high conductivity hydraulic of soils. In relation to the average relative productivity (YT), it was shown that in soils with a greater water retention capacity there is an inversely proportional relationship between the spacing between drains and the productivity. We concluded that in order to reach the maximum sugarcane yield, the effect of hydraulic conductivity is more important than the changes in the precipitation pattern.

Dedicated satellite remote sensing combined with global navigation satellite system data used to remotely measure the status of land desertification

Desert use and its management play a significant role in the conservation of land resources. The premise of developing and using deserts based on local conditions includes managing the physical characteristics of sandy desert land. We explore the various achievements of remote sensing of bare soil moisture and, specifically, employ two methods involving the remote sensing of surface physical characteristics, dynamic measurements, and Global Navigation Satellite System-Reflectometry (GNSS-R) sensing by satellite. Some observation parameters of the Earth’s surface emissivity are summarized, which were attained through remote observations. In addition, the bright temperature inversion model on the soil temperature, moisture content, and texture, and the GNSS-R soil moisture sensor and inversion model were analyzed. The influence of horizontal polarization of the surface roughness on the results of dedicated satellite measurement of emissivity was also analyzed. Further, a sensing separation model of soil moisture particle size for GNSS-R was derived. Soil moisture is related to soil reflectivity. The soil particle size determines soil porosity, which is directly related to the evaporation rate of water and affects the surface temperature, thereby affecting soil emissivity. We determined that a level of complementarity exists between the enhancement of emissivity and attenuation of reflectivity by roughness as well as between the emissivity of dedicated satellite measurement line polarization and the reflectivity of GNSS-R measurement with circular polarization. Based on this complementarity, a method of GNSS-R and dedicated satellite collaborative measurement of soil texture using satellite data is proposed. The experimental results show that the two methods are sensitive to the soil moisture content, but the sensitivity to the mixed components of sandy soil is very poor. Both the sensitivity of GNSS-R sensing to sand particle size and sand surface temperature are better than those of dedicated satellite sensing.

Spatio-temporal differentiation and policy optimization of ecological well-being in the Yellow River Delta high-efficiency eco-economic zone

With the development of the Millennium Ecosystem Assessment, more people are becoming aware of the importance of ecosystem protection. As a crucial part of the human well-being, ecological well-being has always had essential scientific research value. In this paper, authors take the Yellow River Delta high-efficiency eco-economic zone as a case study, based on the theory of land ecosystem services to study the ecological well-being. With the help of expert coefficient value assessment for different types of land use, authors have researched the spatiotemporal differentiation and influence mechanism of regional ecological well-being, using the Coupling Coordination Degree (CCD) model and Geographic Weighted Regression (GWR) model. The results found small differences in change of resource well-being (RW) and large differences in change of environmental well-being (EW) from 1990 to 2020, and the RWs and EWs of the central cities including Dongying Core, Hekou Core, Kenli, Hanting Core and Changyi are higher than those of their surrounding counties. The coupling coordination relationship of RW and EW in the central cities including Dongying Core, Hekou Core and Changyi is larger than in their surrounding counties. Population urbanization (PU) and industrial urbanization (IU) are important factors of change in land use and ecosystem services which influence the human well-being, PU affects RW more significantly, and IU affects EW more significantly. In order to further promote the sustainable ecological well-being of the Yellow River Delta region, authors recommend the conservation of land resources, technological innovation of environmental management and the formulation of environmental law. It provides significant enlightenment and decision support for strengthening the environmental protection of the Yellow River Delta high-efficiency eco-economic zone.

Monitoring and Analysis of Degraded Land in Rasulabad Block of Kanpur Dehat District Using Remote Sensing and GIS Techniques

Abstract: Land degradation is seen as a development or additional that reduces current and/or potential soil capability to produce products and goods. This implies a decline from a higher to a lower state due to a decline in land capacity, productivity, and biodiversity loss. This can be both natural and human-induced. Natural causes embody earthquakes, tsunamis, droughts, avalanches, landslides, volcanic eruptions, floods, tornadoes, and wildfires. Whereas human-induced soil degradation results from land clearing and deforestation, inappropriate agricultural practices, improper management of industrial effluents and wastes, over-grazing, careless management of forests, surface mining, urban sprawl, and commercial/industrial development. Inappropriate agricultural practices embody excessive tillage and use of heavy machineries, excessive and unbalanced use of inorganic fertilizers, poor irrigation and water management techniques, chemical or pesticide overuse, inadequate crop residue and organic carbon inputs, and poor crop cycle planning. Some underlying social causes of soil degradation in Asian nation square measure land shortage, decline in per capita land handiness, economic pressure onto land, land occupancy, poverty, and population increase.. The aim of the current study is to prepare baseline data to combat land degradation and conserve land resources in an economical and efficient manner. To assess land degradation with the help of Remote Sensing (RS) and Geographical Information System (GIS) – in Rasulabad Block of Kanpur Dehat district, Uttar Pradesh, different levels of analysis were performed to estimate the extent of land. Degradation to assess saline or salt-free soils and calcareous or sodium soils and to match this data with satellite studies. The spatial variability of these soil parameters was shown in soil maps created in a GIS environment. A temporary study of the 2017 and 2021 Sentinel satellite datasets was done to find the parameters that are responsible for land degradation. The severity of land degradation was calculable quantitatively by analyzing the physico-chemical parameters within the laboratory to see salinity and sodicity of soils and further correlating them with satellite-based studies. The pH varied between 7.1 and 8.2, electrical conductivity (EC) between 0.23 and 0.6 miliSiemens/m and the methyl orange or total alkalinity between 0.095 and 0.225 (HCO3 ) gL-1 as CaCO3. The spatial variability in these soil parameters was pictured through soil maps generated in a GIS environment with the help of IDW Interpolation. The results revealed that the soil in the study area was exposed to salt intrusion, most of the soil samples of the study area were slightly or moderately saline with a few salt-free sites. Moreover, the majority of the soil samples were calcareous and a few samples were alkaline or sodic in nature. Keyword: Land degradation, Sodic land, Saline land, GIS, IDW Interpolation.

Вплив систем землеробства та обробітку грунту на основних шкідників пшениці озимої

The intensification of agriculture has a number of negative consequences, and the conservation of land resources during their active exploitation is an important problem nowadays, paying attention to the ever-growing food increase necessity. The world organic farming practice shows that we are very limited in the agricultural crops pests regulation. Artificial natural enemies increasing and the landscape altering to enhance biological control are not popular solutions and have contradictory efficiency. Monitoring of the winter wheat entomocomplex number was carried out according to conventional methods. It was performed at 48 plots, where 12 variants were placed in 4 replicates during 2019 - 2021. The article contains the research results show that farming systems have a significant impact on the main winter wheat pests, and that they can control the ecological system at the level of the economic harm threshold. The way the soil was treated did not change the number of Schizaphis graminum R., Eurygaster integriceps P., and Oulema melanopus L., while chisel cultivation of 20–22 centimeters provided regulation of Anisoplia austriaca H. and Haplothrips tritici Kurd number way more below the dangerous level for years of observation. Whenever the soil was treated to a depth of 6-8 centimeters, the number of these pests increased significantly and varied from 2.0 ind./m2 to 14.4 ind./m2. Therefore, this data shows the efficiency of insecticidal winter wheat treatments multiplicity reduction in an ecological system without the risk of crop loss due to the plant damaged by pests in combination with chisel soil cultivation.

Why are wildlife on the Maasai doorsteps? Insights from the Maasai of Tanzania

The purpose of this study was to examine the particular reasons why the Maasai ecosystem is home to the spectacular assemblages of the remaining African terrestrial wildlife populations. We highlight how the adherence to locally devised rules, values, and practices play an important role in the management and conservation of land resources particularly wildlife resources. This article indicates that despite the external pressures to dismantle Maasai ecological strategies and practices through imported religions, Western-oriented education, constraining policies, and the cumulative loss of land, the community has continued to maintain significant practices for the conservation of Tanzania’s wildlife ecosystems and livestock. The article extends the overall argument that indigenous practices are central to a continued nurturing of biodiversity conservation.

A novel approach to preparing ultra-lightweight ceramsite with a large amount of fly ash

The disposal of fly ash has become a serious problem in China due to its rapid increase in volume in recent years. The most common method of fly ash disposal is solidification-stabilization-landfill, and the most common reuse is low-value-added building materials. A novel processing method for preparing ultra-lightweight ceramsite with fly ash was developed. The results show that the optimal parameters for preparation of ultra-lightweight ceramsite are as follows: mass ratio of fly ash:kaolin: diatomite =80:15:5, preheating temperature of 800C, preheating time of 5 min, sintering temperature of 1220°C, and sintering time of 10 min. The expansion agent is perlite, at 10 wt.% addition. Finally, a ceramsite with bulk density of 340 kg/m, particle density of 0.68 g/cm3, and cylinder compressive strength of 1.02 MPa was obtained. Because of its low density and high porosity, ultra-lightweight ceramsite has excellent thermal insulation performance, and its strength is generally low, so it is usually used in the production of thermal insulation concrete and its products. The formation of a liquid-phase component on the surface, and generation of a gas phase inside ceramsite during the sintering process, make it possible to control the production of the suitable liquid phase and gas in this system, resulting in an optimization of the expansion behavior and microstructure of ceramsite. These characteristics show the feasibility of industrial applications of fly ash for the production of ultra-lightweight ceramsite, which could not only produce economic benefits, but also conserve land resources and protect the environment.