Extensive Agricultural Areas Research Articles

Simulation of floods under the influence of effective factors in hydraulic and hydrological models using HEC-RAS and MIKE 21

Simulating floods and creating vulnerability maps are essential in urban watershed management systems. The present research aimed to simulate floods and assess floodplain risk in the Khalkai watershed located in Gilan Province, Iran. This river is characterized by extensive agricultural areas and urban areas that become flooded during most rainy seasons. Hence, an accurate assessment of flood extent and behavior is necessary. This study employs HEC-HMS, HEC-RAS, and MIKE 21 for advanced hydrodynamic modeling, focusing on two-dimensional (2D) capabilities essential for urban areas and flood is simulated with probability return periods of 50, 100, and 500 years. The research objectives include comparing HEC-RAS and MIKE 21 to identify the most effective flood simulation model, evaluating the impact of hydrological and hydraulic factors, the influence of GPS topographic mapping compared with DEMs extracted from satellite images and assessing land-use changes on flood behavior. Model accuracy is validated against historical flood data, revealing that MIKE 21 effectively addresses challenges related to grid resolution and flood delineation. Results indicate that while HEC-RAS provides a broader extent of flooding, both models offer critical insights into flood depth and flow characteristics. This research contributes to enhanced flood risk management by illustrating the implications of land-use changes on flood events, offering valuable insights for policymakers in mitigating future flood impacts and developing sustainable urban strategies.

Perspectives of adopting integrated weed management in Brazil

Extensive agricultural production areas have made Brazil a key global producer of food and fibres, and a major consumer of herbicides. The country also excels in the field of genetically modified crops. However, challenges like limited technical support for small stakeholders and economic factors have made weed resistance problematic across various cropping systems in Brazil. Despite its growing importance, integrated weed management still faces hurdles in its full adoption. This paper discusses integrated weed management techniques within Brazil's production chains and explores management possibilities within the current technological and economic frameworks. A literature review focused on integrated weed management and its adoption in Brazilian cropping systems was conducted. It is crucial to note that the choice of integrated management techniques should be based on local conditions and challenges, technological levels, and a balance of cost, productivity, sustainability, and diversity. The paper also covers the dynamics of integrated management in response to climate change and emphasizes the significance of community involvement and education. It highlights recent and emerging technologies for managing herbicide-resistant weeds, and how this knowledge can advance integrated weed management in Brazil.

Effects of inorganic and organic pollution on development of Steindachneridion melanodermatum from the Iguaçu river, Brazil

The Iguaçu River basin, known for its rich endemic ichthyofauna, faces a significant threat from chemical pollution. The Jordão River, a major tributary, drains extensive agricultural and livestock areas and receives poorly treated domestic and industrial effluents before joining the Iguaçu River. This study investigated the pollution and toxic effects of water samples from the Iguaçu upstream (UI), Jordão (JR), and their confluence (DI) on Steindachneridion melanodermatum embryos and larvae. Chemical analyses of the water samples revealed that most contaminants were present at levels below detection limits or within the limits established by Brazilian legislation. However, cadmium in UI, aluminum in JR, and lead in DI exceeded the legal limits. Exposure up to 96 h post-fertilization revealed higher mortality and deformity rates in individuals exposed to water samples from UI and JR, despite JR having fewer detected pollutants. JR and DI samples induced increased superoxide dismutase activity, indicating activation of the antioxidant defense system due to xenobiotic exposure. Overall, the integrated biomarker response indexes showed that individuals exposed to JR water displayed the most significant variations in their responses compared to the control treatment, suggesting a higher level of contamination and toxicity. Although a direct link between water quality and toxicity in the Jordão and Iguaçu Rivers was inconclusive, the results confirmed pollution and risks to local wildlife. The study highlighted the harmful effects of pollutants, even at low concentrations. These findings underscore the need for conservation measures to safeguard endemic and endangered species in the Iguaçu River basin. Understanding pollutant effects on native species is crucial for effective mitigation strategies and ecological health preservation.

Analysis of Heavy Metal Cadmium (Cd) Content in Snakehead Fish (Channa striata) from Lake Rawa Taliwang

Rawa Lake Taliwang is the lifeblood of the West Sumbawa Regency community. The lake is surrounded by extensive agricultural areas, making the activities of local farmers a significant contributor to the accumulation of heavy metals in the region. This study aims to determine the cadmium (Cd) content in snakehead fish (Channa striata ) and assess its suitability for consumption. Sampling was conducted using purposive sampling with direct observation at Lake Rawa Taliwang . Nets or traps were employed at two stations, with two replications at each station. Data analysis involved calculating the cadmium content in the laboratory using Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy (AAS). The results revealed that the cadmium concentration in snakehead fish from Lake Rawa Taliwang was 0.45 mg/kg (ppm). This concentration exceeds the permissible limit for metal contamination in food, as stated in BPOM Regulation Number 9 of 2022. As a result, the snakehead fish is deemed unfit for consumption.

Investigation of the Relationship Between Soil Erosion, Land Cover and Hemeroby Level in Cserépfalu by Analysing Soil Profiles

We can measure the effects of anthropogenic processes to the nature in case of hilly agricultural areas with the rate of soil (water) erosion. There is actual question what kind of connection could be shown between the rate of soil erosion, land cover categories and hemeroby levels? How can the intensity of antropogenic effects influence the rate of soil erosion? We did some research work in the North Hungarian Region, in Cserépfalu in 2014. In Cserépfalu, the northern areas are under nature conservation and belong to the Southern Bükk Mountains while the southern dissected pediment is the extensive agricultural territory. We described the soil types in the southern areas using the soil description method of FAO. We collected data about the rate of soil erosion, the land cover types, slope angle, slope forms, slope aspect and data for the relief conditions too. We could point out the sheet erosion around the 15 investigated soil profiles and we could found 3 strongly eroded, 8 medium eroded and 4 accumulated soil profiles. The land cover categories were given based on FAO category system and topographic map from 1990. Our results showed that land cover categories were changed in time and it caused the change of hemeroby levels as well. The intensity of land cultivation in investigated areas was changed. We could point out in some cases that the stronger soil erosion rate was caused by former land cover system. In summary, some former agricultural areas were changed and became as an abandoned areas so that the antropogenic effects were decreased in extensive agricultural areas in Cserépfalu. Our results can be compared with another pediments dissected by valleys where extensive agricultural areas are characteristic in Hungary.

Case Study: analysis of flood adaptation measures through the simulation of an event in the Matina Limón river, Costa Rica

The proximity of urban and extensive agricultural areas to the rivers of the Atlantic watershed in Costa Rica contrasts with its unstable morphology. Additionally, changes on the rain regime have increased the frequency of natural disasters affecting regularly the nearby populations and the economy of the country. Detailed studies demonstrating the impact of rivers in urban areas and high agricultural activity are necessary to establish adequate flood mitigation and control measures. The present study shows a case study of the impact of a 25-year flood event on the flood plain of the Matina River in Costa Rica, by means of a bi-dimensional hydraulic modelling with the aim to contribute to the adequate management of land use and the establishment of protection measures in the study vregion. A digital elevation model, of the topography of the study area, obtained with a LIDAR device, and the estimation of the instantaneous peak flow was obtained with the statistical Weibull distribution for a return period of 25 years, allowed to provide satisfactory information for the flood analysis of complex combinations for surface drainage management. Two scenarios for flood management were analyzed: 1) increasing the dike height, and 2) early opening of an additional mouth at the river outlet during the flood events. The study demonstrated that none of the options were technically feasible and that decision makers should explore other flood mitigation alternatives.

The Importance of Motorcycle Taxi Transport of Agricultural Products and Operator Income in Indonesia

Aims: The purpose of this research is to analyze the operator profile, operational transportation profile and operational costs, as well as the additional income of the operator. Background: South Sulawesi, Indonesia, is known as the city of rice or rice granaries with extensive agricultural areas or rice fields, but road infrastructure is still limited, and there are still many unconnected road networks and the absence of fast, cheap and efficient modes of transportation for agricultural products that can operate. In addition, the level of education and skills of the community is low; limited employment opportunities cause unemployment. Therefore, farming communities create jobs by modifying their two-wheeled motorcycle and becoming operators of motorcycle taxis transporting agricultural products as a livelihood to earn additional income. Objective: The object of the study is motorcycle taxis operator as a means of transporting agricultural products operating in the Sidenreng Rappang Regency, with a very large agricultural area. Methods: The interview survey is conducted on motorcycle taxi operators. A total of 227 operator respondents were surveyed randomly using a survey form that had been previously designed and tested. Primary data is collected through interview surveys which are analyzed and described. Results and Discussion: The results of the study show that the majority of operators have a relatively low education profile, 96% with an education level below high school, 99% working as an operator is a side job, 100% of taxi motorcycles are owned by themselves, the time spent per motorcycle taxi transporting to the destination on average between 100 – 200 minutes per 1,000 – 3,000 kg, operating time used per day is 98% less than 5 hours, operator operating costs per day on average IDR30,600 (equivalent to US$2.1/day), provide additional income per day of IDR173,400 (equivalent to US$12/day) or month between IDR3,500,000 – IDR4,500,000 (equivalent to US$ 241 – US$ 310/month). Conclusion: Motorcycle taxis are one of the solutions for transporting agricultural products in this region and created additional jobs become operators to increase income.

Cultivating vegetables in tailings from the Fundão dam collapse: metal accumulation and risks to food safety.

A great amount of iron ore tailings from the collapse of the Fundão dam in Southeast Brazil was deposited in an extensive agricultural area. The presence of this material creates insecurity for the resumption of agricultural activities, especially the cultivation of vegetables, which can accumulate metals at potentially toxic levels. In this study, two vegetables consumed in the affected area, arugula and radish, were cultivated in tailings and in soil. Productivity, photosynthetic pigment content, photosynthetic performance, metal accumulation, and the possible risk to food safety were analyzed. The productivity of both vegetables, arugula and radish, did not differ between cultivation in tailings and in soil. There were no differences in pigment content nor substantial differences in the photosynthetic parameters of plants grown in the two substrates. Plants grown in tailings had higher Fe, Mn, and Na contents than those grown in soil, reflecting the higher levels of these elements in the former. There were no visual signs of metal toxicity for plants grown in the tailings. The levels of metals potentially ingested through estimated consumption of arugula and radish grown in the tailings were below the maximum allowable limits for human consumption. In addition, calculated risk indices suggest a low potential for harm to the health of consumers of cultivated vegetables in the tailings. The results presented here suggest that agricultural cultivation in the tailings is viable and contribute to the resumption of vegetable cultivation in the region affected by the tailings released with the collapse of the Fundão dam.

Pores size distribution and pores volume density of Mollisols and Vertisols under different cropping intensity managements with no-tillage

In the Argentina Pampas, one of the most extensive agricultural areas in the temperate fringe of southern hemisphere, soil health is jeopardized mostly by the decline of physical and biological properties due to soil fragility and agricultural managements, even under No-tillage (NT). In this study, topsoil physical health of three Mollisols and one Vertisol under two agricultural managements with no-tillage (good and poor agricultural practices -GAP and PAP-, differing mostly in their cropping intensity -CI-) was evaluated by the indirect measurement of porosity features. Two types of pore features derived from soil water release curves (SWRC) of undisturbed samples at three depths (0.0–0.05, 0.05–0.010 and 0.010–0.20 m) were employed: a) pores size distribution (>1000, 300, 50 and < 50 µm) and b) pore volume density parameters: location (Dmode, Dmean and Dmedian) and shape (SD, Skewness and Kurtosis). Pore parameters were related to management variables, to clay mineralogy and to several soil physical and chemical properties allowing to i) evaluate the effects of cropping intensification on soil physical properties; ii) evaluate the effects of intrinsic and dynamics factors on the behaviour of pore variable; iii) build an optimal pore size frequency curve to assess soil health. Among all porosity features assessed, PMac>300 µm and Dmode showed close relationships with agricultural management variables and were positively related to a labile organic carbon fraction (POCc) and to the aggregates stability tests, regardless of the soil type. Thus, they both may be selected as sound indicators of physical health status of different pampean soils under NT cultivation. Particularly, in the PAP treatments and for the three depths evaluated, PMac>300 µm showed values below critical thresholds, highlighting the physical deterioration of soils subjected to this management. Cropping intensification expressed by the CI index was also strongly related with large pores and soil properties (i.e. organic carbon and aggregates stability). These results demonstrate that cropping intensification expressed by the CI index was effective to counteract compaction processes in a variety of soils of the Pampa region and must be seen as an important strategy to avoid porosity loss and to improve the benefits of NT.

Nuevos datos sobre la distribución y hábitat usados por el meloncillo en la península ibérica: ¿Es más común y generalista de hábitat de lo que se conocía?

The Egyptian mongoose is the only mongoose in Europe with well established population since ancient times, and it is only found in the Iberian Peninsula. The objectives of this study are to collect the existing information on confirmed presence of Egyptian mongoose in the Iberian Peninsula, and provide new information on its presence, and habitats where it has been found in recent years. The existing information on its presence in 10x10 km UTM grids was collected, and the data obtained during systematic sampling in several provinces, as well as others obtained opportunistically by the authors, were also included. In each new place where signs of mongooses were found, the habitat was noted. Mongooses have been detected in 30 new grids, which together with the existing information makes a total of 1,771 grids with confirmed presence of the species. Most of the new places correspond to extensive agricultural areas of olive grove or cereal, pastures, marshland or are streams with linear and sparse vegetation. The mongoose seems to have expanded its range during the last decades in the Iberian Peninsula, which, besides to a probable lack of information, may be due to 1) the increase in the Mediterranean scrubland because to the abandonment of traditional agricultural or livestock areas, and 2) a relaxation in habitat use, perhaps promoted by the reduction of direct persecution, which seems to be allowing it to colonize open areas of vegetation, where until now it had not been cited.

Impact Assessment and Geochemical Background Analysis of Surface Water Quality of Catchments Affected by the 2017 Portugal Wildfires

In October 2017, the Mondego hydrological basin was devastated by multiple wildfires. To understand the impacts that these had on surface water quality, monthly monitoring campaigns were implemented in the affected catchments. The campaigns oversaw the water’s physical characteristics and major, minor and trace constituents. Analysis of major changes was performed, as well as comparisons with geochemical backgrounds, determined using publicly available data collected prior to the fires. The backgrounds allowed us to verify which water parameters were most influenced by the fires. Wildfires were responsible for increasing turbidity on all watercourses, and electrical conductivity increased in watercourses with flatter, granitoid/sedimentary-dominated watersheds. Cl−, NO3−, and SO42− surpassed background values in most monitored basins. Changes in Al, Fe, Mn, As, Ba, and Zn concentrations were observed in all watercourses after the wildfires and decreases after intense rainfall. Background values were particularly exceeded for Al in all monitoring points and As in basins with extensive agricultural areas. Burnt plant material and organic matter partially account for the increases in Cl−, NO3−, SO42−, Al, As, Fe, and Mn content. High Al, Fe and Zn with low water conductivity suggests that these elements were associated with sediment loads after the removal of vegetation.

Biomass Gasification of Sengon Sawdust to Produce Gas Fuel

Indonesia is a country with extensive agricultural and plantation areas that produce abundant biomass, some of which are rice husks, coconut shells, corn cobs, and wood waste. Wood waste itself has a very large number of species, for example, Sengon sawdust, Teakwood, Mahogany wood, Lamtoro wood and so on. Sengon wood is usually used as material for craftsmen and furniture, but with advanced technology, it can be done using sengon sawdust to produce syngas with the gasification process. The gasification process uses a gasifier tool. In this study, an independent variable was used in the form of sengon sawdust. While the dependent variable that will be obtained is in the form of syngas output, gasification temperature and time needed to produce syngas. The results showed that the more bait sengon sawdust, the more syngas was produced and the longer the time needed. Based on syngas analysis, CO results were obtained 17.235%; CH4 3.446%; H2 5.089%. It can be concluded that sengon wood powder waste is one of the biomass that can be used as a gasification raw material to meet energy needs.

Alternative pathways to a sustainable future lead to contrasting biodiversity responses

Land-use change is currently the main driver of biodiversity loss. Projections of land-use change are often used to estimate potential impacts on biodiversity of future pathways of human development. However, such analyses frequently neglect that species can persist in human-modified habitats. Our aim was to estimate changes in biodiversity, considering affinities for multiple habitats, for three different land-use scenarios. Two scenarios focused on more sustainable trajectories of land-use change, based on either technological improvements (Pathway A) or societal changes (Pathway B), and the third reflected the historical or business-as-usual trends (Pathway 0). Using Portugal as a case study, we produced spatially-explicit projections of land-use change based on these pathways, and then we assessed the resulting changes in bird species richness and composition projected to occur by 2050 in each of the scenarios. By 2050, alpha and gamma diversity were projected to decrease, relative to 2010, in Pathway 0 and increase in Pathways A and B. However, different pathways favored different species groups, and presented strong regional differences. In the technological improvement pathway, loss of extensive agricultural areas led to an increase in both natural and extensive forest areas. In this pathway, forest species increase at the expense of farmland species, while in the societal change pathway the reverse occurs, as extensive agricultural areas were projected to increase. We show that while multiple positive pathways (A and B) for biodiversity can be envisioned, they will lead to differential impacts on biodiversity depending on the transformational changes in place and the regional socio-economic context. Our results suggest that considering compositional aspects of biodiversity can be critical in choosing the appropriate regional land-use policies.

Uranium in Ohio, USA Surface Waters: Implications for a Fertilizer Source in Waters Draining Agricultural lands

Synthetic fertilizer is a potential source of uranium to natural waters, yet evidence is lacking. We analyzed dissolved uranium concentrations in lakes, reservoirs, and rivers in Ohio, USA during the summer of 2017. All water bodies drain areas of extensive agriculture where phosphate-rich fertilizer is applied. Uranium concentrations ranged from 0.3 to 3.9 µg L−1, with the lowest concentrations observed in the most offshore Lake Erie samples. These results, especially when placed in the context of previous work on both surface and groundwater, suggest that dissolved uranium concentrations in this water emanating from agricultural lands are higher than background, and uranium should be categorized similarly to nitrate and phosphate in that it originates in part from fertilizer application.

Изучение особенностей сельскохозяйственных угодий с использованием цифровых моделей рельефа

The article highlights the stages of work during which the impact of individual terrain properties on arable farming was identified. The possibility of using digital elevation models (DEM) to identify those characteristics that can have a significant impact on such lands was studied. Findings have been made about the relationship between these features and the sites, and their place among other arable land features has been determined. The initial step was to select the baseline data for the area under study and obtain it in the form we needed. Here, techniques for automated DEM acquisition are being developed. At the next stage, individual terrain characteristics, complexity of their acquisition and ranking by importance for this methodology were considered and analyzed. At the final stage the analysis of agricultural lands, their connection with the relief and its characteristics was carried out, practical conclusions were drawn and recommendations were made based on them. It should be noted that the study area — the Vindrei River basin — is very illustrative for showing the advantages of the technology being developed. Its territory is occupied both by extensive agricultural land and forest areas. During the development of the methodology it was important to demonstrate the possibilities of using the technology in the field of nature management and improving economic efficiency of the area.

Modeling Flow, Nutrient, and Sediment Delivery from a Large International Watershed Using a Field‐Scale SWAT Model

AbstractA large international watershed, the St. Clair‐Detroit River System, containing both extensive urban and agricultural areas, was modeled using the Soil and Water Assessment Tool (SWAT) model. The watershed, located in southeastern Michigan, United States, and southwestern Ontario, Canada, encompasses the St. Clair, Clinton, Detroit (DT), Sydenham (SY), Upper, and Lower Thames subwatersheds. The SWAT input data and model resolution (i.e., hydrologic response units, HRUs), were established to mimic farm boundaries, the first time this has been done for a watershed of this size. The model was calibrated (2007–2015) and validated (2001–2006) with a mix of manual and automatic methods at six locations for flow and water quality at various time scales. The model was evaluated using Nash–Sutcliffe efficiency and percent bias and was used to explore major water quality issues. We showed the importance of allowing key parameters to vary among subwatersheds to improve goodness of fit, and the resulting parameters were consistent with subwatershed characteristics. Agricultural sources in the Thames and SY subwatersheds and point sources from DT subwatershed were major contributors of phosphorus. Spatial distribution of phosphorus yields at HRU and subbasin levels identified locations for potential management targeting for both point and nonpoint sources and revealed that in some subwatersheds nonpoint sources are dominated by urban sources.

Global Patterns of Crop Production Losses Associated with Droughts from 1983 to 2009

AbstractDroughts represent an important type of climate extreme that reduces crop production and food security. Although this fact is well known, the global geographic pattern of drought-driven reductions in crop production is poorly characterized. As the incidence of relatively more severe droughts is expected to increase under climate change, understanding the vulnerability of crop production to droughts is a key research priority. Here, we estimate the production losses of maize, rice, soy, and wheat from 1983 to 2009 using empirical relationships among crop yields, a drought index, and annual precipitation. We find that approximately three-fourths of the global harvested areas—454 million hectares—experienced drought-induced yield losses over this period, and the cumulative production losses correspond to 166 billion U.S. dollars. Globally averaged, one drought event decreases agricultural gross domestic production by 0.8%, with varying magnitudes of impacts by country. Crop production systems display decreased vulnerability or increased resilience to drought according to increases in per capita gross domestic production (GDP) in the countries with extensive semiarid agricultural areas. These changes in vulnerability accompany technological improvements represented by per capita GDP increases. Our estimates of drought-induced economic losses in agricultural systems offer a sound basis for subsequent assessments of the costs of adaptation to droughts under climate change.

Evaluation of Droughts and Fires in the Dobrogea Region, Using Modis Satellite Data

Abstract Drought is one of the most significant extreme event facing the world, affecting the society and the environment. Located in SE Romania, Dobrogea Region is characterized by a temperate climate with strong continental influences, being affected by drought episodes which cause significant damages and economic costs over extensive agricultural areas. Risk reduction, continuous vegetation monitoring, and management implementation are facilitated by complementary use of vegetation indices and biophysical parameters derived from satellite products (gridded data) within-situ data (point data). The paper focuses on:i) evaluating the extent and intensity of drought in Dobrogea, Romania, based on Normalized Difference Drought Index (NDDI) and Fraction of Absorbed Photosynthetically Active Radiation (FAPAR); ii) fires analysis, based on the Thermal Anomalies/Fire locations product (MCD14DL); iii)the correlation between the fires with the NDDI; iv) and the correlation between fires with the Land Surface Temperature (LST) product. The vegetation indices, biophysical parameters and fires are computed from Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) daily and eight days’ synthesis products, during 22th of March - 29th of August 2000-2015. The results highlight the areas most affected by drought (moderate, severe and extreme) and fires in the Dobrogea.

ZEOLITE: STRUCTURE AND POTENTIAL IN AGRICULTURE

Zeolite is a hydrated aluminosilicate mineral with a three-dimensional structure. The unique zeolite crystal structure makes zeolites have cation boundary properties, adsorption, molecular sieving, catalysts, capture, and release of air molecules. Many studies in various fields including agriculture have been done by utilizing the properties of the zeolite. Indonesia has an abundant source of zeolite reserves and extensive agricultural areas, making it possible to apply zeolite research results to support sustainable agricultural activities. In this article will discuss the potential utilization of zeolite in agriculture based on the studies that have been done.

An approach for evaluating changes in land-use from energy sprawl and other anthropogenic activities with implications for biotic resource management

This study presents a novel approach for evaluating land-use changes caused by energy development and other anthropogenic activities. We illustrate this technique by assessing the landscape footprint of energy development in the Eagle Ford Shale Play and Permian Basin of Texas, which saw rapid expansion in drilling during 2008–2012. We compare changes in land-use from oil and gas infrastructure construction during this time period with that of wind energy development in West Texas, urbanization in Central Texas, and extensive agricultural areas. Previous studies often use land-use proxies when comparing the footprint of energy infrastructure (e.g., 1 km2 gridded well density or proposed wind project footprints) with other anthropogenic land-change. This study presents an improved technique because it compares high-resolution datasets of agricultural activity and urbanization with mapped—not surrogate—land-change from oil and gas and wind power infrastructure using high-resolution (1 m) aerial imagery. We found that changes in land-use caused by anthropogenic factors affected 1.06% (3456 km2) of the ~ 324,000 km2 study area. Oil and gas development (well pads and pipelines) was ~ 48% of total changes in land-use (but did not account for access roads), changes in agriculture caused ~ 26%, and urbanization was ~ 24%. Construction of wind turbine pads and high voltage power transmission lines was less important (~ 1%). We illustrate this approach for a single species (i.e., Spot-tailed Earless Lizard, Holbrookia lacerata) in Texas. This study is part of an ongoing, multi-year research program generating science to inform the federal Endangered Species Act listing decision for H. lacerata. Additionally, this technique can facilitate effective management of a variety of biotic resources in other rapidly developing environments globally by identifying what anthropogenic activities are most important and where land-change is most intense so that on-the-ground conservation strategies can be implemented where they are needed most.