Regional Differences Research Articles

A Cross‐Community Comparison of Antecedents of Hurricane Ian Risk Perceptions and Evacuation Behaviours

ABSTRACTThis study seeks to understand how historical models of risk perception and protective action antecedents, as predicted by The Protective Action Decision Model (PADM), apply across micro‐regional differences in the context of Florida counties during the 2022 Hurricane Ian, and how these regional differences may lead to differences in reception, perception and response to information and evacuation warnings across the state. Two Florida communities (Southwest vs. Central and Eastern regions) with different typography, historical disaster experience, demographics and existing hazard adjustment programs were surveyed and compared. Results showed that, within the same hurricane event and broader geographic region (Florida), the two community locations differ in their reliance on information sources, social cues and prior hurricane experiences to inform risk perceptions and evacuation decisions. Additionally, different mediation patterns of risk perceptions were found between the antecedents and evacuation behaviours for the different community locations. The findings imply the importance to consider regional variations and to strategize messaging communicating risk and self‐protective behaviours accordingly.

Changes in low-carbon transportation efficiency of Chinese roads after considering the impact of new energy vehicles

China aims to attain peak carbon emissions by 2030 and achieve carbon neutrality by 2060. As a top-ranked carbon-emitting industry, the transportation industry faces a severe low-carbon transformation situation. The rapid development of new energy vehicles (NEVs) has become an important means to improve the low-carbon transportation efficiency of Chinese roads. Existing studies rarely consider the impact of the development of NEVs, and a regional imbalance exists in the development of low-carbon transportation in China. This study takes the sales of NEVs as an important exogenous variable and uses a modified meta-dynamic non-radial directional distance function (DDF) to analyze the low-carbon transportation efficiency of Chinese roads. After incorporating the sales of NEVs into the analysis system, China's overall road transportation efficiency has significantly improved. The present value of the average annual low-carbon transportation efficiency has increased by 0.06-0.1 compared to the original value, but there are regional differences. The eastern region, with its technological advantages, has achieved the best performance with an average low-carbon transportation efficiency of 0.92. The substitution of NEVs has significantly improved the efficiency of low-carbon transportation on roads in central China. The improvement of low-carbon transportation efficiency on roads in western China is limited due to factors such as the low popularity of NEVs. We delved into the reasons for the development of NEVs to improve the efficiency of low-carbon transportation on roads, discussed the improvement of carbon emissions through the promotion of NEVs, analyzed the regional imbalance of low-carbon transportation efficiency on roads, and provided policy recommendations for the future development of NEVs from the perspective of regional differences.

Meta-analysis of legumes and groundnut production trends and variability in the Global South

This study examined the production trends and variability of grain legumes in the Global South from 2000 to 2022, with a particular emphasis on groundnut yields and regional differences. From 2000 to 2022, global legume production in the Southern Hemisphere increased by approximately 20-30%, driven by rising demand for plant-based proteins and expanded cropping areas in countries like Brazil and Argentina. Improved agricultural practices have further enhanced yields. In contrast, groundnut production experienced a more moderate growth of around 10-15%, influenced by favourable conditions and expanded cultivation in regions such as Argentina and South Africa. While demand for groundnuts remains strong, market fluctuations and competition with other crops continue to shape its production dynamics. The analysis covered a range of legumes, including common beans (Phaseolus vulgaris), cowpeas (Vigna unguiculata), pigeon peas (Cajanus cajan), groundnuts/peanuts (Arachis hypogaea), soya beans (Glycine max), bambara groundnuts (Vigna subterranea), chickpeas (Cicer arietinum), lentils (Lens culinaris), mung beans (Vigna radiata), black gram (Vigna mungo), faba beans (Vicia faba), lablab beans (Lablab purpureus), tepary beans (Phaseolus acutifolius), African yam beans (Sphenostylis stenocarpa), Kersting's groundnut (Macrotyloma geocarpum), lima beans (Phaseolus lunatus), black beans (Phaseolus vulgaris), adzuki beans (Vigna angularis), moth beans (Vigna aconitifolia), horse gram (Macrotyloma uniflorum), broad beans (Vicia faba), winged beans (Psophocarpus tetragonolobus). Regional data revealed significant differences in legume production. In Sub-Saharan Africa, cowpeas and groundnuts are vital, with cowpeas grown over 11.4 million hectares on average yielding 450 kg ha-1, and groundnuts covering 9.1 million hectares with an average yield of 1,007 kg ha-1. Chickpeas and pigeon peas dominate South Asia's production, whereas Latin America features prominent soya bean and groundnut cultivation. Oceania's legume farming is less extensive, focusing on chickpeas and mung beans. Descriptive statistics revealed that Egypt led in groundnut production with an average yield of 3,279.1 kg ha-1 and a low coefficient of variation (CV) of 4.89%, indicating stable production. Conversely, Mozambique had the lowest average yield at 322.9 kg ha-1, with a high CV of 30.23%, reflecting greater variability. The Principal Component Analysis (PCA) identified five principal components explaining 70.9% of the total variance, with the first two components (PC 1 and PC 2) accounting for 51%. Bangladesh and Brazil were major contributors to PC 1, while Algeria and Senegal influenced PC 2. These findings highlight the considerable regional variability in yields and stability in legume production. Future research should address these disparities and enhance resilience through targeted agricultural practices and policy interventions.

Gradient design for Si-based microspheres as ultra-stable Li-storage anode

High-capacity Si-based microspheres are being spotlighted as a promising substitute for commercial spherical graphite anodes in the development of high-energy lithium-ion batteries. Nevertheless, the formidable challenge of their severe mechanochemical degradation during the (de)lithiation process remains unaddressed currently. Herein, we present a Si-based microsphere prepared by the oxygen pumping mechanism under a cost-efficiently low-temperature (250 °C) molten salt reduction environment. By optimally controlling oxygen gradient distribution, the resulted Si-based microspheres exhibit the unique coherent architecture ranging from ordered crystalline Si core to disordered SiO2(v) shell. Their structural coherence but regional difference in function achieves a perfect combination of structural compatibility and optimized chemo-mechanical effect, endowing the obtained Si-based microspheres with a nearly intact morphology after 1500 cycles and a 97% capacity retention after 1000 cycles at 2 A g-1. Our design broadens research directions for Si anode material design, which will accelerate the practical application of micro-sized Si anode materials.

The East Asian monsoon variability in the Nihewan Basin, northern China, during the Early Pleistocene: A grain size end-member modelling analysis

The Pleistocene sediments of the Nihewan Basin in northern China preserve a detailed terrestrial sediment archive for reconstructing the palaeoenvironment and palaeoclimate changes during early times of hominin occupation in E Asia, following the earliest locations outside of Africa. In this study, we investigate the composite 86.2-m long NH-T section of Dachangliang which was formed with an astronomically tuned age between ca. 1.66 and 0.78 Ma. Parameterized grain size end-member modelling analysis is applied for the first time in the Nihewan Basin to unravel the characteristics of sediment sources, transportation dynamics, and climatic signals in the region. The grain-size distributions of the NH-T sediment samples are attributed to a mixture of four distinct end members (EMs 1-4). EM 1 represents a global atmospheric fine silt component (mode at 7.9 μm) which probably resulted from high-altitude westerly transport from distal sources. EM 2, a medium silt component (mode at 27.6 μm) was probably transported by the low-level westerly winds during the spring from a relatively proximal source in comparison to EM 1. EM 3, a coarse silt component (mode at 59.9 μm), represents short distance suspended materials that were blown out by N or NW winds of the East Asian winter monsoon (EAWM). EM 4 is a fine sand component (mode at 221.1 μm), probably representing fluvial deposits carried by overland flow. Therefore, the temporal fluctuations in the abundances of EMs 1-3 are used to infer the history of the East Asian summer monsoon (EASM) (EM 1), of dust-storm outbreaks during springtime (EM 2), and of the EAWM (EM 3). The NH-T climate record shows an overall increase in EM 3 peaks, accompanied by a decrease in EM 1 minima from ca. 1.45 to 0.82 Ma, indicating a long-term aridification and cooling trend in the Nihewan Basin. At ca. 1.25 Ma, the EM patterns transition from short-frequency to longer fluctuations, apparently coinciding with the onset of the Mid-Pleistocene transition (MPT). Periods of stronger EASM with more frequently warm and wet conditions probably occurred in the basin between ca. 1.66-1.62, 1.52-1.25 and after 0.82 Ma. Intensified EAWM conditions probably prevailed in the basin during the intervening periods from ca. 1.62-1.52 and the MPT 1.25-0.82 Ma. The inferred warmer and wetter conditions likely supported hominin activities in the Nihewan Basin, in contrast to mostly colder and drier conditions. Nevertheless, the higher number of discovered Palaeolithic sites and recorded lithic artifacts from the first half of the MPT apparently reflects the successful adaptability of hominins to the prevailing cold climate. The relatively consistent patterns observed between the variations of a median grain-size stack of the Chinese Loess Plateau (CLP MD) and EM 3, and of the magnetic susceptibility stack of the CLP (CLP MS) and EM 1, indicate the climatic sensitivity of these EMs in response to the long-term glacial/interglacial oscillations previously inferred from the CLP. However, significant differences in the CLP MD and CLP MS on the one hand side and in the trends of the EMs 3 and 1 on the other suggest that regional climate conditions varied between the CLP and the Nihewan Basin. Further research is required to explore such regional climate differences and their possibly underlying factors in the Early Pleistocene.

Unveiling the dynamic flows and spatial inequalities arising from agricultural methane and nitrous oxide emissions

Tracing the spatial transfer and heterogeneity of agricultural methane (CH4) and nitrous oxide (N2O) emissions in China is a prerequisite for the sustainable transformation of agricultural systems. In this study, we established a research framework for evaluating agricultural CH4 and N2O flows and convergence. Using this framework, we established an inventory of China's agricultural CH4 and N2O emissions calculated according to the IPCC inventory guidelines, built a food trade model to simulate the spatial transfer, and revealed the regional differences. Finally, we analyzed the influence mechanism by combining extended Kaya identity and the logarithmic mean divisia index (LMDI) model. We found that inter-regional transfer of agricultural CH4 and N2O emissions in China have intensified, increasing from 56.14 % of total transfers in 2000 to 67.28 % in 2019. The spatial inequalities of agricultural CH4 and N2O increased, and emission intensity varied more within regions than between regions, with per capita emissions showing a club convergence with “intragroup convergence and intergroup divergence”. Although the contribution of agricultural CH4 and N2O emissions varies across provinces, controlling emissions intensity and land use intensity while maintaining GDP per capita is the key to emission mitigation. Our study provides theoretical support for prioritizing policies to mitigate agricultural CH4 and N2O emissions.

Geographical classification of population: Analysis of amino acid in fingermark residues using UHPLC-QQQ-MS/MS combined with machine learning

ObjectiveTo determine the living regions of individuals based on amino acids in fingermark residues and to establish a rapid and accurate regional classification method using machine learning. Methods: A total of 71 fingermark donors from six different provinces in various regions of China were selected. The content of 18 amino acids in their fingermarks was detected using UHPLC-QQQ-MS/MS. Classification models were established using various machine learning algorithms, and the cross-validation accuracy of 72 combinations, including feature engineering, classification algorithms, and optimization algorithms, was compared. Results: UHPLC-QQQ-MS/MS successfully quantified 16 amino acids. Significant differences in the relative content of amino acids were found between the fingermarks from the eastern and western regions of China, as well as among neighboring provinces. The combination of SFS+SVM+BO was identified as the optimal classification model, achieving an accuracy of 90.14%. Conclusion: The study found regional differences in the relative content of amino acids in fingermarks and established a regional classification method combining UHPLC-QQQ-MS/MS and machine learning. The method developed in this study can be applied to incomplete or distorted fingermarks, and the experimental results can be directly used in police investigations. This research uncovers the multidimensional information carried by fingerprint substances, demonstrating innovation and application value. It not only saves and shortens investigation time and provides investigative leads, but also enables previously unusable physical evidence to play a role again, enhancing the profiling of suspects.

Estimating groundwater recharge across Africa during 2003–2023 using GRACE-derived groundwater storage changes

Study Region:Africa, with its diverse climatic zones from the humid Congo Basin to the arid Sahara Desert, where groundwater is influenced by climate variability, land use, and human activities. Study Focus:The main objective is to estimate groundwater recharge across Africa from 2003 to 2023 using a novel approach that uses GRACE-derived groundwater storage changes. New Hydrological Insights for the Region:This study provides new insights into the spatial patterns and temporal variability of groundwater recharge across Africa, highlighting the influence of climate variability on the continent’s groundwater resources. Key findings include distinct regional differences in recharge, with higher values in humid regions like the Congo Basin and lower values in arid regions like the Sahara Desert. Substantial interannual variability in recharge is largely driven by year-to-year variations in precipitation and modulated by major modes of climate variability, especially the Pacific Decadal Oscillation. The sensitivity of groundwater recharge to hydroclimatic extremes, with droughts causing significant declines and wet periods leading to above-average replenishment. Regions with low recharge rates or high variability, such as Northern Africa, are particularly vulnerable to climate change impacts and unsustainable groundwater abstraction. The findings emphasize the need for sustainable groundwater management strategies that consider the spatial and temporal variability of recharge, as well as the potential impacts of climate change on groundwater resources.

Community structure of fish larvae associated with advections of the Kuroshio and its neighboring waters

The Kuroshio has been long thought to be disadvantageous as nursery grounds for larval fishes due to the low plankton standing stocks under the oligotrophic conditions. Despite of the potential risk for survival and growth, early life stages of various fishes appear abundantly in the Kuroshio and its neighboring waters. Here, we report what kind of taxonomic groups establish community structure of larval fishes in the Continental shelf waters (CW) and the Kuroshio (KW). 16 orders and 78 families were classified in the present study. Mesopelagic fishes more abundantly appeared in the KW than in the CW, while larval fish abundance was not different between the two areas. Multivariate analysis demonstrated the regional difference of the taxonomic compositions, represented by Callionymidae, Bothidae, Labridae and Bregmacerotidae for the CW and Gonostomatidae, Myctophidae and Notosudidae for the KW. Abundance of fish larvae to ambient salinity exhibited significantly positive correlations for Gonostomatidae, Sigmops gracilis and Myctophum orientale predominated in the KW and negative correlations for Labridae appeared abundantly in the CW. These results suggest that mixture of advected specimens from the coastal and Kuroshio waters also contribute to larval fish community with high biodiversity and comparable abundance between the Kuroshio and its neighboring waters.

Analysis of Family Wealth and Participation in Commercial Insurance Behavior within the Influence of Confucian Culture

Based on the data samples from the China Household Finance Survey (CHFS) in 2017 and 2019, this study delves into the intrinsic relationship between Confucian culture, family wealth, and household participation in commercial insurance. The research findings indicate that Confucian culture positively promotes household participation in commercial insurance; an increase in family wealth significantly enhances households' willingness to participate in commercial insurance. Further analysis reveals that family satisfaction plays a crucial intermediary role between Confucian culture and household participation in commercial insurance. Additionally, the impact of Confucian culture on household commercial insurance participation behavior exhibits significant regional differences.

Regional differences of the impact of COVID-19 pandemic on cancer diagnosis rate in Portugal

Regional differences of the impact of COVID-19 pandemic on cancer diagnosis rate in Portugal

Weakened and Lowered Sensitivity of Extreme Precipitation Over the Global Land Monsoon Regions During the Last Glacial Maximum

AbstractThe Last Glacial Maximum (LGM) provides an opportunity to estimate how extreme precipitation may respond to large radiative forcing and hence the constraints for its future behavior. Using daily outputs from the Paleoclimate Modeling Intercomparison Project, we illustrate a decrease in extreme precipitation intensity over the global monsoon regions during the LGM relative to preindustrial, accompanied by increased extreme precipitation frequency, although regional differences exist. The weakened extreme precipitation is dominated by the thermodynamics (∼92%) linked to change in temperature, with the dynamic component linked to change in vertical velocity contributing to regional differences. Furthermore, we show a ∼3.6% decrease in extreme precipitation per 1°C cooling during the LGM, lower than the sensitivity (∼5%/°C) in future warming scenarios. Our results are in line with the proxies‐based drier conditions and lower equilibrium climate sensitivity during the LGM, and may advance understanding of extreme precipitation variation in a warmer future.

Sociolinguistic Conditions of Functioning of the Welsh Variant of English (Wenglish)

Geographical differences in the usage of the Welsh dialect of English (Wenglish) and its relationship to Standard English are examined in this article. The author examines two distinct trends that contribute to the shifts in Standard English and the dialect. Following the identification of several Wenglish-speaking regions, comparative analysis is used to look at the geographical variations in Wenglish based on the region of Wales. Based on a speaker's age and place of residence, usage by Welsh and Wenglish speakers is examined. It is observed that younger Wenglish speakers are moving away from the traditional dialect due to pressure from contemporary society, fashion, and globalization, while elder speakers of the language tend to employ a more conservative variation. From a historical, cultural, and linguistic perspective, comparisons to different forms of English are made. Given the regional differences in Wenglish, the author concludes that Wenglish is a distinct language phenomena and poses the question of which forms might be regarded as the standard. All forms are said to be legitimate, but some are so widely accepted that they are used more frequently than the others and are thus advised to be "correct."

Regional Differences and Digital Transformation of Manufacturing Companies in China: A Systematic Literature Review

This paper systematically evaluates the regional variations on digital transformation in the context of China's manufacturing industry. This is still a controversial issue in the existing literature. It demonstrates the significant disparity in digital progress across the Chinese regionally different environments from the eastern coast to the less developed areas in central and western China. After the literature review is done, research finds the factors that differentiate the region from others in China, including economic development levels, technological infrastructure, human capital, government policies etc. On the other hand, it identifies the challenges, trends, and possibilities from the implementation of the digital revolution in industrial manufacturing. On one hand, it also advises the corporate executives and policy makers who are planning to achieve this by digging deeper into digital transformation on a both local and national levels. The research concludes that the area-specific policies along with the investments should be considered as the key tools for achieving balanced growth in the regions. Apart from that, they suggest that overcoming regional imbalances can increase the general competitiveness and the sustainability of the Chinese manufacturing industry. It emphasizes the importance of influential strategies to bridge the digital divide and foster equitable growth across different regions.

Seasonal hotspots of beach litter in the North-East Atlantic linked to aquaculture and river runoff

Macroplastic pollution is a pervasive global environmental challenge, adversely affecting marine ecosystems, wildlife and human health. Understanding temporal variations is crucial for identifying pollution sources and developing effective mitigation policies. However, in-situ data from beach surveys are often irregular, both spatially and temporally, and highly variable, complicating robust statistical conclusions. Here we employ a Bayesian machine learning framework to investigate seasonal variations, identify regional hotspots and elucidate their anthropogenic drivers. Using data from 3866 surveys across 168 western European beaches, we leverage a spatial log-Gaussian Cox Process to enhance statistical inference by integrating information from nearby beaches. Distinct seasonal patterns emerge, with winter and spring exhibiting the highest pollution levels, while pronounced regional differences highlight seasonal pollution hotspots in the western Iberian Peninsula, French coastline, Irish Sea and Skagerrak region. These peaks are attributed to riverine emissions and aquaculture activities, highlighting the potential impact of these sources on beach pollution. Our findings advocate for enhanced, time-specific monitoring to effectively manage litter hotspots, emphasizing the importance of aquaculture-related plastic emissions.

China’s WTO Accession’s Effect on Chinese Society

The significant effects of China’s 2001 admission to the World Trade Organization (WTO) on Chinese society are examined in this research. With an emphasis on four main areas—economic transformation and growth, social ramifications of economic development, cultural transformations and shifting societal values, and government policy responses—it examines the complex aftereffects of this historical event during the last 20 years. The report emphasizes how China’s economic growth, industrial landscape, and integration into international trade networks have all been accelerated by WTO membership. It also looks at societal problems, such as regional differences, income disparity, and environmental problems. The study also covers the cultural shifts in consumer identity and behavior and how the government has adjusted its policies to reflect these developments. This study advances our knowledge of the wide-ranging effects of China’s WTO membership on its economy and society by offering a thorough summary of these interrelated elements.

Spatial-Temporal Variations and Severity of the 2020 Catastrophic Floods in the Yangtze River Basin from Sentinel-1 SAR Data

Flood is one of the most frequent natural disasters in the Yangtze River Basin. Flood risk evaluation is of great social significance, especially for large hydrological systems. Rainfall is both temporal and spatial, influencing surface hydrological activities. The water body range is the final outcome of a flood and can be observed from synthetic aperture radar (SAR) images under any weather condition. A flood severity evaluation model is proposed to quantitatively evaluate the flood based on water body range from area disparity and flood duration. Large hydrological objects usually span a wide range and have significant differences. This results in different initial water areas in each region. This approach addresses the issue through normalization processing. In this paper, Sentinel-1 data are used to extract the temporal water body using the adaptive bimodal method, and the water level data were also incorporated to improve the observation frequency for water area. The flood severity evaluation approach can be used to assess flood risk between any region of large hydrological systems or any flood event, regardless of their regional spatial differences and rainfall duration differences. The results show that: (1) In general, the average water body area in 2020 was 20.40% larger than it was in 2019, and the daily water body areas in 2020 were all greater than the average of 2019 with 71.36% of the days in 2020 having an area greater than the maximum in 2019. The flood severity in 2020 was 1.75 times as much as that of 2019; (2) Reach performance indexes in 2020 were in order of Yueyang (2.21) > Jiujiang (2.04) > Hankou (1.44) > Chizhou (1.32), which were inconsistent with the spatial site; (3) Flood event impact indexes in 2020 were in order as No.2 (1.64) > No.3 (1.61) > No.1 (1.44) > No.4 (1.17) > No.5 (1.15); (4) The flood was more likely the result of cumulative rainfall for 30 days.

Subjective Well-Being Among African Americans: Findings from the National Survey of American Life

ABSTRACT Life satisfaction and happiness are related but distinct assessments of life quality with established links to sociodemographic and health factors. Despite a rich literature on quality of life, there remains a paucity of research on this topic among African Americans. This investigation explored (1) the sociodemographic correlates of life satisfaction and happiness and (2) how life satisfaction and happiness are related to health factors and adversity-relevant life circumstances. Ordinary least squares regression was used to identify correlates of life satisfaction and happiness among a nationally representative sample of African American adults (National Survey of American Life). Findings confirmed several sociodemographic and health correlates, as well as unique differences. Regional differences indicated that residents in the Northeast had lower life satisfaction ratings, while those in the West had higher happiness ratings. Education was negatively related to both life satisfaction and happiness. Self-rated physical health and oral health and adversity-relevant life circumstances were associated with both life satisfaction and happiness. In contrast, self-rated childhood health and experiences of everyday racial discrimination were only associated with happiness, while being a parent was only associated with lower life satisfaction. Noted differences suggest that, while related, satisfaction and happiness represent distinct assessments of life quality.

Study of Immune Evasion Mechanisms of Chronic Hepatitis B Virus in Chronic Hepatitis B Patients

Chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection remains a global health challenge due to its complex immune evasion mechanisms and limitations of current treatments. This paper provides a comprehensive overview of the current understanding of HBV immune evasion strategies, including viral mutations, immunosuppressive environments, and T-cell dysfunction. It highlights recent advancements in research, such as novel therapeutic approaches like gene editing and immune checkpoint inhibitors, and discusses their potential benefits and limitations. Despite the effectiveness of existing vaccines in preventing new infections, their impact on chronic infections is limited, and new therapeutic vaccines face significant hurdles. The translation of laboratory findings into clinical applications presents additional challenges related to safety, efficacy, and patient variability. The increasing global prevalence of HBV further complicates research and treatment, exacerbated by regional differences in epidemic characteristics and resource limitations. Future research should focus on deeper exploration of HBV immune evasion mechanisms and the development of improved treatment strategies and vaccines to achieve more effective HBV management and control. This paper aims to provide a detailed analysis of these aspects, offering insights into current progress and future directions in the fight against chronic HBV infection.

Optimizing Water Resource Allocation for Food Security: An Evaluation of China’s Water Rights Trading Policy

Water scarcity is a critical barrier to sustainable food production and food security. To address this issue, China introduced a pilot policy for water rights trading in 2014. Using panel data from 29 provinces (cities and districts) in China from 2006 to 2022, this paper investigates the impact of the water rights trading policy on food security and explores its underlying mechanisms through the DID model. It is found that (1) the water rights trading policy substantially boosts food production in pilot areas and mitigates the effects of water scarcity on food security. (2) The water rights trading policy enhances food security by advancing water-saving irrigation technology and optimizing crop-planting structures. (3) The impact of the water rights trading policy proves more pronounced in areas with lower water use efficiency and higher food production potential. Therefore, it is recommended that the government continue advancing the water rights trading policy and adjust it dynamically based on regional differences. Additionally, strengthening guidance on water-saving irrigation technologies and optimizing cropping structures will further enhance the adaptive capacity of the agricultural system, helping to ensure food security.