Areas Of Country Research Articles

Uncovering the impacts of depleting aquifers: A remote sensing analysis of land subsidence in Iran.

Intensive groundwater pumping, previously unrecognized in its full extent, is blamed for aquifer degradation and widespread land subsidence in Iran. We use a 100-meter resolution satellite survey from 2014 to 2020 to assess the recent implications of groundwater usage across the country. Results indicate that approximately 56,000 km2 (3.5%) of the country's area is subject to land subsidence, primarily linked to irrigation; 3000 km2 of this area experiences subsidence rates greater than 10 cm/year. The central plateau catchment hosts two-thirds of the country's depleting aquifers, with locations sinking at rates higher than 35 cm/year. The results suggest an annual groundwater depletion of 1.7 billion cubic meters (BCM) from confined and semiconfined aquifers, with the long-term inelastic compaction for most aquifers being approximately one order of magnitude larger than their seasonal elastic response. This underscores the permanent loss of aquifers that jeopardizes the sustainability of water resources across Iran.

Assessing the Role and Capacity of Water Management Organizations for Ensuring Delta Food Security in Bangladesh

The coastal zone, consisting of one-third country's area, is the most climate-vulnerable region of Bangladesh. The country has invested significantly in coastal zone through the construction and rehabilitation of polders. Despite vast opportunities, land productivity in the polders is very low due to poor water governance and management. To improve in-polder water management, the responsibility of operation and maintenance of the polder water infrastructure has been transferred to Water Management Organizations (WMOs) since 2001. WMOs are currently voluntary organizations but are very important for micro-level agricultural water management. A study was conducted in 2017 and 2018 in a medium saline polder; with a major focus on organizational behaviour: hierarchy in decision-making, transparency, financial accountability, leadership, internal communication, and motivational incentives of the WMOs. The data were collected through a structured questionnaire from 192 respondents of randomly selected eight Water Management Groups (WMGs – the lowest tier of WMOs), out of 40 WMGs of the polder. The results revealed that the WMGs operations are not fully participatory in principle yet. Even the transparency, financial accountability, leadership, and internal communications within WMGs are not strong enough to take the organizational responsibility to address future challenges in food security of the climate-vulnerable polder communities. Improving drainage through efficient water management showed a yield gain of at least 1.5 t/ha in the wet season only. In addition, improved drainage fosters sustainable year-round cropping with high-yielding, high-value and nutrition-rich crops with 2 to 3 times higher productivity than the traditional cropping system. Therefore, investment in water governance particularly in improving drainage in the polders could be a major game-changer in sustaining the food security of the climate-vulnerable polder communities of Bangladesh. The study identified the knowledge gap as a significant concern that demands the need for capacity building of the WMOs.

Prevalence and coping of depression and anxiety among college students during COVID-19 lockdowns in China

BackgroundThis study sought to investigate the prevalence of anxiety, depression and mixed anxiety-depression disorder among college students during COVID-19 shelter-in-place lockdowns in China. MethodsParticipants (N = 2818) were selected from 8 provincial regions across the country in areas that were under lockdown mandates. The dependent variables were anxiety and depression. Multiple regression models were tested using anxiety and depression as the respective outcome variables, and binary logistic regression was conducted with anxiety-depression comorbidity as the dependent variable. Explanatory variables were changes in (social) media use and communication behaviors, perceived effectiveness of daily activity involvements as well as a number of demographic and environmental factors. ResultsBeing a college senior, prior anxiety/depression history, having family members and residents in neighborhood tested positive with COVID were all important predictors of elevated anxiety, depression and their comorbidity. Increased face-to-face family communication and reading more e-books were associated with reduced anxiety, depression and their comorbidity. Listening to music and playing video games were correlated with lower anxiety but not depression. ConclusionsDraconian shelter-in-place lockdowns as strictly enforced in China within a short notice could be detrimental to individual mental health and psychological well-being. Findings in this research can provide practical guidance for college counselors and health professionals in targeting particular segments of the student population in providing tailored psychological, therapeutic and material services during disruptive moments and public health crises. The central role of family communication in the emotional and social support process deserves critical contemplation.

Region‐specific drivers cause low organic carbon stocks and sequestration rates in the saltmarsh soils of southern Scandinavia

AbstractSaltmarshes are known for their ability to act as effective sinks of organic carbon (OC) and their protection and restoration could potentially slow down the pace of global warming. However, regional estimates of saltmarsh OC storage are often missing, including for the Nordic region. To address this knowledge gap, we assessed OC storage and accumulation rates in 17 saltmarshes distributed along the Danish coasts and investigated the main drivers of soil OC storage. Danish saltmarshes store a median of 10 kg OC m−2 (interquartile range, IQR: 13.5–7.6) in the top meter and sequester 31.5 g OC m−2 yr−1 (IQR: 41.6–15.7). In a global context, these values are comparatively low. Soils with abundant clay (> 20%), older and stable saltmarshes in mesohaline settings, and with low proportion of algal organic material showed higher OC densities, stocks, and accumulation rates. Grazing led to significantly higher OC stocks than neighboring ungrazed locations, likely due to trampling modifying soil abiotic conditions (higher erosion‐resistance and higher clay content) that slow carbon decay. Scaling up, Danish saltmarsh soils, comprising about 1% of the country's area, have the potential to yearly capture up to 0.1% of Denmark's annual consumption‐based CO2 emissions. Our research expands the baseline data needed to advance blue carbon research and management in the Nordic region while highlighting the need for a more comprehensive approach to saltmarsh management that considers the full range of services of these ecosystems and does not only focus on climate benefits.

History of the Conditions and Political Situation of Kingdoms in Indonesia

The aim of this research is to examine the political conditions and situations that influence the Indonesian government. This research aims to examine the political conditions and situations that influence the Indonesian government. With a focus on political science, organizational structure, and inter-organizational relationships, this research uses a multidimensional approach to understand the evolution of policy between countries in the area of political science, organizational structure, and inter-organizational relationships. This research uses a multidimensional approach to understand the evolution of policy between countries in area. Using historical analysis, this research examines political evolution from the past to the present, identifying significant changes and key factors that influence the political system in each country. Political evolution from the past to the present, identifying significant changes and factors which influences the political system in each country. A comparative approach is used to compare political systems, power structures, and interactions between kingdoms, possibly identifying differences and similarities that influence political stability in various kingdoms. In addition, learning studies will provide deeper knowledge about the political dynamics that influence and shape government in Indonesia, as well as their implications for the country's political development. More in-depth knowledge about the political dynamics that influence and shape the Indonesian government, as well as their implications for political development country.

416 Urgency to Address Infrastructure in Animal sciences–A Preliminary Report

Abstract The purpose of the ASAS Public Policy Committee (PPC) is to help ASAS shape public policy and public opinion on current issues affecting farms and companion animals. PPC sets goals to make federal agencies aware of the scientific expertise and resources available within ASAS that could be used to develop science-based federal policies affecting poultry and livestock production. Recent reports point to a poor state of agricultural facilities at public colleges of agriculture which puts research priorities related to adaptation to and mitigation of climate change, food safety, zoonotic disease preparedness, animal populations and their care, diet-health, nutrition, biosecurity, new biobased packaging, energy innovations, and advanced market analysis at risk (APLU, 2021). To ascertain input specific to the Animal Sciences (AS), an IRB approved ‘Survey About Infrastructure in Animal Sciences’ (#22-495) was offered by the PPC to department heads and faculty of Animal Science programs across the country. The survey instrument was constructed to allow open-ended responses as well as 5-point Likert scale questions regarding participants views about infrastructure (IF) and thereby learn what members closest to the animal sciences community perceive to be the strengths, weaknesses, and opportunities for improvement in our research infrastructure. Analysis of coded responses in the open-ended questions among varied disciplinary arenas within AS revealed ‘facilities’ as the largest Grand Challenge. About 98% of respondents affirmed sustainable food and animal production is a critical national asset in terms of economic growth and development and 98% indicated an overlooked maintenance of IF in AS undermines national food security. Additionally, 68% indicated the state of core labs, at least for AS programs are only average or below. All respondents (100%) agreed that without comprehensive investment in infrastructure within AS, the USA will continue to fall behind in competing with other countries in areas of research. Study results provided insight into potential consequences of deferred maintenance which should elevate awareness of urgency to address the deficiencies. Since IF needs included future workforce development and working environments, an eroded IF and consequences of deferred maintenance threatens the capacity of AS to pursue Grand Challenges in research and ability to create future workforce readiness of graduates from AS programs.

" Iraqi-Turkish relations after 2014 and their future "

Turkey worked to restore its political relations with Iraq after the government of Mr. "Haider Al-Abadi" won the confidence of Parliament in 2014، but this relationship faced a set of thorny issues، including the terrorist ISIS occupation of the city of Mosul and its control over a third of the country's area، and the Turkish military intervention in Regions of northern Iraq under the pretext of protecting national security، in addition to the water crisis and the decrease in the level of the Tigris and Euphrates rivers due to the operation of the Turkish dams.

Habitat range shift and prediction of the potential future distribution of Ricinodendron heudelotii (Baill.) Heckel in Benin (West Africa)

Ricinodendron heudelotii (Baill.) Heckel is an important nutraceutical reservoir. Its Sustainable exploitation requires information on its potential distribution in the current context of rapid population growth and climate change threats. This study aimed to map the suitable areas for its domestication and conservation under current and future climate conditions in Benin. Occurrence data were recorded and combined with the environmental layers of two climatic scenarios (optimistic RCP 4.5 and pessimistic RCP 8.5) following the biodiversity modelling approach (biomod2). Currently, about four percent (5082 Km2) of the country's area mainly located in the sub-humid and the humid zones were potentially suitable for R. heudelotii distribution. Under future climatic conditions the potentially suitable areas were mainly in the sub-humid zone, but almost all the highly suitable areas located in the humid zone will become medium suitable areas by the years 2055 and 2085 horizons. This study shows that, whatever the future climatic scenarios, R. heudelotii will substantially maintain the size of its range across the country. These findings allow undertaking anticipated actions to better adapt to the potential effects of climate change and to better guide policies for the conservation and development of forest resources.

Evaluation of the Effect of the ENSO Cycle on the Distribution Potential of the Genus Anastrepha of Horticultural Importance in the Neotropics and Panama.

Climate variability has made us change our perspective on the study of insect pests and pest insects, focusing on preserving or maintaining efficient production systems in the world economy. The four species of the genus Anastrepha were selected for this study due to their colonization and expansion characteristics. Models of the potential distribution of these species are scarce in most neotropical countries, and there is a current and pressing demand to carry out this type of analysis in the face of the common scenarios of climate variability. We analyzed 370 presence records with statistical metrics and 16 bioclimatic variables. The MaxEnt method was used to evaluate the effect of the ENSO cycle on the potential distribution of the species Anastrepha grandis (Macquart), Anastrepha serpetina (Wiedemann), Anastrepha obliqua (Macquart), and Anastrepha striata (Schiner) as imported horticultural pests in the neotropics and Panama. A total of 3472 candidate models were obtained for each species, and the environmental variables with the greatest contribution to the final models were LST range and LST min for A. grandis, PRECIP range and PRECIP min for A. serpentina, LST range and LST min for A. obliqua, and LST min and LST max for A. striata. The percentage expansion of the range of A. grandis in all environmental scenarios was 26.46 and the contraction of the range was 30.80; the percentage expansion of the range of A. serpentina in all environmental scenarios was 3.15 and the contraction of the range was 28.49; the percentage expansion of the range of A. obliqua in all environmental scenarios was 5.71 and the contraction of the range was 3.40; and the percentage expansion of the range of A. striata in all environmental scenarios was 41.08 and the contraction of the range was 7.30, and we selected the best model, resulting in a wide distribution (suitable areas) of these species in the neotropics that was influenced by the variability of climatic events (El Niño, Neutral, and La Niña). Information is provided on the phytosanitary surveillance systems of the countries in areas where these species could be established, which is useful for defining policies and making decisions on integrated management plans according to sustainable agriculture.

GIS-MCDM based framework to evaluate site suitability and CO2 mitigation potential of earth-air-heat exchanger: A case study

The Earth-Air-Heat-Exchanger (EAHE) is an effective solution for reducing energy demand. GIS based tools are commonly used to assess the suitability of EAHE sites, relying on geospatial data for geological and climatic parameters. However, lack of comparable data for different regions limits their applicability. In this regard, a framework that utilizes ERA5 reanalysis data to derive necessary geological and climatic parameters is proposed and demonstrated by considering India. Findings indicate that 25% of country's area falls under excellent category, benefiting 21% of the population. Additionally, 47% and 32% of the area are classified as moderate and good, respectively, providing thermal comfort to 51% and 28% of the population. Technical suitability of installing EAHE in an excellent category region is assessed through design and simulation study. Field studies are performed to collect climatic and geological parameters required for design. A computer model is developed using these design variables to determine the outlet temperature from EAHE. The simulation studies align with site suitability maps generated using GIS-MCDM framework, highlighting its reliability. Carbon footprint analysis reveals that EAHE adoption can reduce CO2 by 66.2% compared to conventional air conditioning units. The proposed GIS-MCDM framework can be extended to other regions lacking field data.

The brief characteristic of certain aspects of functioning of health care systems of Iran and the United Arab Emirates (a review)

The article presents review of publications and national reports concerning various aspects of functioning of health care systems of Iran and the UAE. It is noted that the state in these countries plays different role in supporting population with medical care. It is larger and more significant in Iran than in the UAE. At that, private medical organizations dominate in health care of both countries in area of out-patient care (in the UAE it expressed more intensively). The analysis of medical insurance demonstrated that in the UAE insurance systems and accessibility of medical care for citizens and expatriates differ significantly. It is emphasized that quality and accessibility of medical care in Iran was impacted by international sanctions that in the first place affected provision of patients with imported medicines. The characteristics of these health care systems include the transfer of functions of provision of medical and educational services to medical universities in Iran and implementation of mandatory private health insurance in the UAE.

Catena of Ultisols from southeastern Brazil: Assessing variation within and among pedons

Despite having the second largest territorial extension in Brazil (2,281,135 km2, constituting 26.79% of the country's area), the variability of Ultisols' attributes has not received proportional attention compared to Oxisols (31.61% of the country's area). A very representative catena of Ultisols derived from gneiss in Southeastern Brazil was analyzed to assess the variation of their physical, chemical, magnetic and mineralogical attributes within and among pedons. For that, a complete series of traditional and novel techniques were employed: conventional morphological, physical and chemical analyses, digital morphometrics via X-ray fluorescence spectrometry, magnetic susceptibility analyses and X-ray diffraction. Analyses highlighted how low natural soil fertility varied within and in between soil profiles. The differential concentration of residual elements Zr and Ti, the magnetic susceptibility values and mineralogy data indicated that the Inceptic Hapludult, situated at the inferior third of the catena, received sediments from upslope Ultisol areas. Kaolinite largely predominated in the clay fraction. Digital soil morphometrics allowed for a more objective and detailed assessment of the variation of Ultisols' attributes in the studied catena. It confirmed the field identification of the B/C horizon in the Typic Rhodudult and indicated variation of soil parent material. Enhancing soil variability assessment by combining conventional and digital methods can enrich the knowledge about landscape evolution and help devise better management practices.

Climate change effects on desert date Balanites aegyptiaca (L.) Delile in Benin: Implications for conservation and domestication

AbstractEffectiveness of Balanites aegyptiaca conservation and sustainable exploitation requires a better knowledge of the intrinsic environmental factors linked with its current and future geographic distribution. This study aimed to map suitable areas for the conservation and domestication of B. aegyptiaca under present‐day and future climate conditions in Benin. A total of 424 occurrence records of B. aegyptiaca were combined with the environmental variables of two climatic scenarios (optimistic RCP 4.5 and pessimistic RCP 8.5) following the biodiversity modeling approach (biomod2). Findings were that under current and future climate conditions (RCP 4.5 and 8.5), almost one‐third of the country's area (protected and non‐protected areas), mainly located in the semiarid zone, presents a high probability of suitable areas for the conservation and domestication of B. aegyptiaca by 2055 time horizon. Exceptionally, a fine portion of medium suitable area for its distribution was found in the coastal area. Whatever the future climatic scenarios, a probable potential extension of the suitable areas (2.52% for RCP 4.5 and 0.43% for RCP 8.5) will be noted, thus emphasizing a positive impact of climate changes on the species. These findings are timely and could be used for setting appropriate management policies targeting the species in Benin.

Solar PV power plant site selection using a GIS-based non-linear multi-criteria optimization technique.

The ongoing rise in energy consumption imposed serious environmental challenges by using fossil fuels. The use of renewable energy sources is being increasingly explored as a potential answer for achieving sustainable energy production and minimizing adverse environmental effects. In the modern day, photovoltaic (PV) systems are viewed as a possible replacement for fossil fuels as a clean energy source. The installation of solar PV power plants requires vast land and huge investment. Therefore, it is necessary to select a suitable site to achieve maximum efficiency and low cost. A feasible location of photovoltaic (PV) system must consider certain criteria including land restrictions, access to roads, and transmission lines. This study analyzed ten factors grouped into four categories: geographic, technical, economic, and flood susceptibility criterion. The data of each factor is extracted from various governments, United Nation (UN), and non-government organizational bodies. Weights were assigned to ten factors by using a non-linear multi-criteria optimization technique called full consistency method (FUCOM). A geographic information system (GIS) software, ESRI ArcGIS pro, performs the weighted overlay analysis of the ten factors with weighted importance calculated by the above technique. A suitability map is created showing that a total of 2.02% of the country's area is suitable for PV power plants, which are further divided into five suitability classes. The results highlight the distribution of suitable sites for the construction of solar PV power plant throughout the country. A sensitivity analysis is performed to highlight the impact of the factor on the final suitability map. These findings can promote the future widespread development and application of solar energy resources.

An annotated checklist and distribution of earthworms from Venezuela (Megadrili: Crassiclitellata)

An earthworm checklist has produced 78 nominal taxa (species/subspecies) of earthworm reported to date in Venezuela. The list of nominal taxa was obtained through literature review and the distribution maps were plotted by ecoregion. The 78 species/subspecies are divided into 24 genera and 6 families. Native earthworm species were more widely distributed than peregrine and exotic and are more associated with the conserved areas. Exotic species had been collected mainly in the north of the country in areas with at least some disturbance history. The peregrine species P. corethrurus is also widely distributed but with a preference for disturbed areas or related to its native natural grassland condition near the Guayana's shield. This is the first accurate assessment of Venezuela's earthworm species and subspecies in the last 14 years.

Water quality of The Gambia River: A prospective drinking water supply

Drinking water in The Gambia is mostly derived from boreholes that could potentially be contaminated. The Gambia River, a major river in West Africa that covers 12 % of the country's area, could be more exploited for drinking water supply. During the dry season, the total dissolved solids (TDS), ranging from 0.02 to 33 g/L in The Gambia River, decreases with the distance to the river mouth with no major inorganic contamination. The freshwater (<0.8 g/L TDS) starts from Jasobo at approximately 120 km from the river mouth and extends by about 350 km to the eastern border of The Gambia. With a dissolved organic carbon (DOC) ranging from 2 to 15 mgC/L, the natural organic matter (NOM) of The Gambia River was characterised by 40–60 % humic substances of paedogenic origin. With such characteristics, unknown disinfection by-products could be formed if chemical disinfection, such as chlorination, was implemented during treatment. Out of 103 types of micropollutants, 21 were detected (4 pesticides, 10 pharmaceuticals, 7 per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS)) with concentrations ranging from 0.1 to 1500 ng/L. Pesticides, bisphenol A and PFAS concentrations were below the stricter EU guidelines set for drinking water. These were mainly confined to the urban area of high population density near the river mouth, while the quality of the freshwater region of low population density was surprisingly pristine. These results indicate that The Gambia River, especially in its upper regions, would be well suited as a drinking water supply when using decentralised ultrafiltration treatment for the removal of turbidity, as well as, depending on pore size, to a certain extent microorganisms and DOC.

Features of the management of the territories of National nature parks

According to the data of the State Cadastre, at the beginning of 2021, the nature reserve fund counted 8,633 territories and objects with a total area of 4.1 million hectares, which was 6.8% of the country's area. These territories are under the authority of various departments. The main purpose of protected areas is to preserve unique landscapes, species of flora and fauna for future generations. Today, the task is to increase the area of the nature reserve fund. It has been established that national natural parks (NPPs) are one of the largest objects of the protected fund in terms of area. To date, 56 NPPs have been created, which occupy an area of 1,399,161 hectares, which is 30.6% of the entire nature reserve fund. Administrations have been created in national parks to implement the functions entrusted to the park. These include preservation and protection of unique landscapes, conducting scientific research, recreational activities and educational work. The territory of the park includes lands of different purposes. These are mainly forests and other wooded areas (60%), the sea - 21%, inland waters - 6%, agricultural land - 5%, For the effective management of the national natural park, projects are being developed for the organization of the territory of the NPP for the protection, reproduction and recreational use of its natural complexes and objects. At the same time, a project approach is used, which makes it possible to achieve the strategic goals of the park with the help of the proposed measures. It is proposed to grow energy willow on agricultural lands. The environmental component of the project is important, as we have zero carbon emissions when using willow as fuel, which is important at the current price of energy resources. A technological map of growing has been developed, the efficiency of growing energy willow in the territories of the Nobel NPP has been calculated.

Uncertainty and demand for business loans: A study of selected countries in the euro area

This paper studies the effect of uncertainty shocks on the demand for business loans in individual euro area countries. The results of Bayesian vector autoregression (VAR) model impulse response functions show that in some countries the overall demand for business loans, and particularly the demand for business loans for fixed-investment financing, respond significantly negatively to the shock.

The European mantis Mantis religiosa (Linnaeus, 1758) (Mantodea: Mantidae) in Poland – the present status and changes in range

This paper presents the past and present occurrence of Mantis religiosa in Poland and discusses range changes of this species during the last 100 years (1923–2021), based on 2664 records, 2029 of these unpublished. Up to 1994, the species was restricted to a relatively small area in the south-eastern part of Poland (3.3% of the country's area). During 27 years (1995–2021), M. religiosa spread from there to the north, west and south, increasing its range more than 20 times, to 77% of Poland’s area. At present, only north-western part of the country and central part of mountainous belt in the south are not occupied or sparsely occupied by this species. The average annual increase in European mantis range in Poland in the years 2013–2021 was eight times faster than during the earlier period (1995–2012).

ROMANIA'S NATIONAL AND NATURAL PARKS AND THEIR ECOLOGICAL AND ECOTURISTIC IMPORTANCE

Ecotourism is essential to protect and preserve the natural and cultural heritage, to develop local communities socially and economically and to increase the environmental education. To conserve the biological diversity, Romania has established many protected natural areas (over 7% of the country's area or about 18% if Natura 2000 sites considered). Romania has 32 protected natural areas of national interest: the Danube Delta Biosphere Reserve, 13 national parks and 18 natural parks. Besides these major protected areas, there are 941 scientific reserves, nature monuments and nature reserves nationwide, exceeding 300,000 hectares. Although Romania has a significant ecotourism heritage with great potential for valuation and an adequate legislative framework, ecotourism is still a fairly narrow segment of tourism market, facing many problems, such as: poor local cooperation, modest national and international promotion, limited supply, poor diversification, poor development of ecotourism infrastructure in protected areas, labor migration, low level of training of those employed in the field. Using a proper management and infrastructure, these protected areas could receive more visitors, which would increase tourism revenue and improve the current precarious situation of financing protected areas.