Fallow Land Research Articles

Optimizing Cotton Irrigation Strategies in Arid Regions Under Water–Salt–Nitrogen Interactions and Projected Climate Impacts

Optimizing irrigation and nitrogen (N) management in saline soils is critical for sustainable cotton production in arid regions that have been subjected to climate change. In this study, a two-year factorial field experiment (3 salinity levels × 3 N rates × 3 irrigation quotas) is integrated with the RZWQM2 model to (1) identify water–N–salinity thresholds for cotton yield and (2) to project climate change impacts under SSP2.4-5 and SSP5.8-5 scenarios (2031–2090) in Xinjiang, China, a global cotton production hub. The results demonstrated that a moderate salinity (6 dS/m) combined with a reduced irrigation (3600 m3/hm2) and N input (210 kg/hm2) achieved a near-maximum yield (6918 kg/hm2), saving 20% more water and 33% more fertilizer compared to conventional practices. The model exhibited a robust performance (NRMSE: 5.94–12.88% for soil–crop variables) and revealed that warming shortened the cotton growing season by 1.2–9.5 days per decade. However, elevated CO2 (832 ppm by 2090) levels under SSP5.8-5 increased yields by 22.6–42.1%, offsetting heat-induced declines through enhanced water use efficiency (WUE↑27.5%) and biomass accumulation. Critically, high-salinity soils (9 dS/m) required 25% additional irrigation (4500 m3/hm2) and a full N input (315 kg/hm2) to maintain yield stability. These findings provide actionable strategies for farmers to optimize irrigation schedules and nitrogen application, balancing water conservation with yield stability in saline-affected arid agroecosystems that have been subjected to climate change.

Impact of land management on herbaceous vegetation diversity and forage provision in the Great Green Wall in Burkina Faso

AbstractBackgroundIn West African semi‐arid areas, grazing ecosystems are exposed to severe anthropogenic and climatic pressures. However, little is known about the contribution of local land management practices to increasing herbaceous forage in semi‐arid environments. To recommend sustainable practices, this study therefore assessed the effect of three land management types on the diversity, functional structure and forage provision of the herbaceous vegetation in the Great Green Wall in Burkina Faso.MethodsFloristic diversity, functional structure and the aboveground biomass of the herbaceous vegetation were assessed in 60 plots across three land management types, including fenced land (less disturbed), community forest (moderately disturbed) and fallow land (highly disturbed).ResultsThe herbaceous vegetation species richness increased with disturbance, where fenced land (71 species) had lower richness than community forest (95 species) and fallow land (103 species). The dominant life forms in each land management type were therophytes (fenced land: 75.73%, community forest: 78.87% and fallow land: 77.89%). The average cover of grasses (p < 0.001) and forbs (p = 0.049) varied significantly and showed a trend opposite to that of anthropogenic pressure. However, the net pastoral value (p = 0.002) and the total biomass (p < 0.001) decreased significantly according to the disturbance gradient. The net pastoral value ranged from 32.83% in fenced land to 27.69% in fallow land. The total biomass was higher in fenced land (1317 kg ha−1) than in community forest (1205 kg ha−1) and fallow land (1009 kg ha−1).ConclusionsThis study highlights an increase in herbaceous vegetation diversity, which is offset by a decline in the pastoral value of the grazing lands across the disturbance gradient.

Postagrogenic Dynamics of Different-Aged Soils of Northwest Russia

The postagrogenic transformation of landscapes is one of the key problems leading to a decrease in soil fertility in the territory of Northwest Russia. In order to assess the degree of land degradation, field studies of soils from fallow lands in the Leningrad Region were carried out. Different evolutionary trends of ontogenesis of soils with types of soil parent materials were revealed. At morphological and micromorphological levels, degradation processes of old-arable horizons were noted, including secondary podzolization and decreasing Ap horizon thickness. Using a CHN analyzer, the stock levels of soil organic carbon and nitrogen of the studied chronoseries were estimated. The data obtained show that the carbon stocks of old-arable soils are lower than the benchmark ones due to the weak development of the Oi horizon. Carbon dynamics varied substantially by parent materials: soils on silt–clay materials showed a low 7.1% carbon decrease, while soils on sandy and bottom sediments increased by 139% and 163%, respectively, in old-arable horizons by the accumulation of coarse forms of carbon. For nitrogen, it was revealed that the highest stocks are observed in old-ploughed soils, which is due to the input of a large amount of plant residues from small-leaved forests. The content of biogenic elements in the soil showed separate evolutionary direction depending on parent materials: soils on silt–clay materials showed 7.6% phosphorus depletion and 15% potassium loss over 15–30 years, while soils on sandy materials demonstrated 18% phosphorus loss and 114% potassium increase during 30–86 years of fallow state. On the contrary, the content of nitrate and ammonium forms of nitrogen was higher than in the benchmark zonal soils, with nitrate nitrogen increasing by 150 times on sandy parent materials and ammonium nitrogen increasing by 102% in soils formed on bottom sediments over 35–70 years, which is due to the transformation of grass and forest plant residues. The duration of transformation and regradation of soils of fallow land depends on geogenic and bioclimatic conditions that determine the direction and speed of changes.

Boosting the Water Productivity of Dry‐Season Crops in Eastern India: A Field‐Based Study in Diverse Agro‐Climatic Regions

ABSTRACTIncreasing water productivity and mitigating the impacts of climate shocks is central to achieving food and water security. This study employed a household survey and farmer field experiments in four districts of Odisha and Assam states in Eastern India to understand and build farmers agricultural resilience. Household survey of 1627 farmers showed that ‘access to irrigation’, ‘system rice intensification (SRI)’, and ‘better seeds and biofertilizers’ significantly reduce farmers' vulnerability to poverty. However, the adoption of efficient irrigation practices, critical for building agricultural resilience, remains low. To increase awareness and adoption through demonstration of benefits, farmer field experiments were conducted for efficient irrigation interventions, including soil moisture sensor‐based (SMS) irrigation, drip, and sprinkler for non‐paddy crops, and alternate wetting and drying (AWD) and SRI for paddy. The interventions led to 8–69% water savings, 2–220%, 15–600%, and 34–346% increases in crop yield, irrigation (IWP), and economic water productivity (EWP), respectively, with drip irrigation showing greatest increase, followed by sprinkler and SMS. The AWD and SRI interventions showed 26–59% water savings, 2–131%, 40–600%, and 39–550% increases in yield, IWP, and EWP, respectively. Results show that if implemented in existing irrigated vegetable areas, these interventions could reduce fallow lands by 4–60% in both states.

Techno-Economic and Socio-Cultural Determinants of Beekeeping Integration within Agricultural Production Systems of Landowners in and Around the Luki Biosphere Reserve (Kongo Central, DR Congo)

Land capital and compensation preferences emerge as the principal determinants governing the integration of beekeeping into the agricultural production systems of landowners in and around the Luki Biosphere Reserve (LBR) in the Democratic Republic of Congo. This study investigates the techno-economic and sociocultural factors shaping this integration, with the aim of identifying key barriers and proposing context-specific interventions. A purposive sampling strategy was employed, targeting farmers who demonstrated an explicit interest in the concentrated apiary approach, following preparatory consultations with local village authorities to facilitate engagement. Findings indicate that landowners most receptive to beekeeping adoption possess extensive and diversified landholdings, spanning multiple agroecological zones, with diverse cropping systems and a significant proportion of fallow land. While demographic characteristics such as age and gender were found to be non-determinant, apicultural knowledge, and compensation arrangements, specifically a preference for long-term agreements (exceeding five years) and annual in-kind payments representing at least 10% of production, play a pivotal role in decision-making. The study underscores the crucial importance of economic incentives and capacity building to foster the sustainable integration of beekeeping practices. Accordingly, development initiatives promoting concentrated apiaries should primarily target landowners with secure tenure rights, substantial and diversified land assets, and a readiness to engage under mutually advantageous partnership terms.

Land use and land cover changes and their effect on forest cover dynamics: A CA–ANN model in East Khasi Hills, Meghalaya, India

Land use and land cover (LULC) changes, driven by urbanization and human activities, play an important role in forest cover dynamics. Understanding the interactions of these factors is essential for addressing environmental impacts and formulating sustainable policies for forest management. This study investigated the effects of urbanization on LULC changes from 2002 to 2022 using support vector machine (SVM) algorithm in East Khasi Hills, Meghalaya, India. Landsat 7 ETM+ imagery from 2002 and Landsat 8 OLI/TIRS imagery from 2013 and 2022 were used in this study. Seven land use classes, dense forest, moderate forest, sand bar, fallow land, settlement, water body, and agriculture were categorized. Dense forest has declined by 33 km2 from 2002 to 2022, indicating persistent deforestation. Moderate forest expanded until 2013 but declined later in 2022, suggesting degradation. Agricultural land increased gradually by 157 km2 from 2002 to 2022, likely due to shifting cultivation and land reclamation. Water bodies exhibited a minor fluctuation, while fallow land declined by 85 km2. Sand bars remained stable, showing only a minor change, suggesting minimal sedimentation effects. The results suggest the gradual expansion of built-up areas by 30 km2, along with the increase in agricultural lands. The predicted LULC changes for 2030 and 2040 indicate ongoing deforestation and rapid expansion of settlements. A comprehensive study with additional data is needed to help policymakers, particularly those responsible for forest management in the East Khasi Hills, to better understand LULC changes and their impact on forest cover dynamics.

Land use effects on soil properties and carbon stocks of agricultural and agroforestry landscapes in a rainforest zone of Nigeria

<p>This study examined the impacts of land use on the physical and chemical properties of soils of land use types along agroforestry and agricultural landscapes in a rainforest zone of Nigeria. The land use systems are forest, agroforestry, fallow, and ornamental plant fields in addition to permanent crop fields (cocoa, oil palm, and citrus) and annual crop fields (maize). Profile pits were dug on the land use types and samples were collected 0–20 cm and 20–50 cm for laboratory analysis. Soil samples were collected from undisturbed soil and profile pits for bulk density and moisture content determination following standard analytical procedures. Among the land use types, physical properties (sand, clay, soil bulk density) and chemical properties (soil pH, SOC, total N, P, K, Ca, Mg, and CEC) differed significantly. Bulk density, pH, SOC, total, and stocks of SOC and N differed statistically for 0–20 and 20–50 cm soil depths with downward increases in N and SOC stocks along sampling depth. Permanent croplands (forest and agroforestry fields) had higher soil pH, SOC, total N, and CEC, while arable crop fields had relatively lower pH, SOC, TN, P, K, Ca, Mg, and CEC. Arable fields had significantly lower C and N stocks within 50 cm compared with permanent crop fields, which may be attributed to continuous tillage by the smallholder farmers and soil erosion-enhanced SOC and N removal from top soil. For both permanent and annual crop fields, SOC and total N stocks ranged from 5.75 to 3.12 kg/m<sup>2</sup> for 0–20 cm depths and 2.44 to 1.93 kg/m<sup>2</sup> for deeper (20–50 cm) layers. Relative to forest soil, stocks of SOC in the surface soils (0–20 cm) decreased in the order: agroforestry > ornamental plant field > cocoa > fallow land > citrus > oil palm > annual cropping system. Following this decreasing order, soil deterioration indices are equivalent to 27% > 28% > 30% > 31% > 32% > 34% > 38% compared with forest soil, respectively. Strong significant correlations (<i>p</i> < 0.05) were observed between SOC and TN stocks and some soil properties (bulk density, clay contents, pH, and CEC) with R<sup>2</sup> values ranging from 1.0 to 0.85. It is concluded that the soil's physical and chemical properties and carbon storage potential differed among the land uses of the study site.</p>

Changing jobs, changing landscapes: Do land use patterns reflect occupational shifts?

AbstractThis study examines the interplay between demographic shifts in occupational patterns and corresponding changes in land use practices in the Kamrup district of Assam, India during 2010 and 2024. Through extensive field surveys and data analysis across villages in the district, the research identifies significant declines in traditional occupations such as farming and fishing, alongside notable growth in non‐traditional sectors including service, business and labour. These shifts reflect broader socio‐economic transformations driven by environmental factors like recurrent floods, economic pressures, educational advancements and governmental policies like the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA). Consequently, there has been a reduction in agricultural land and an increase in fallow lands and vegetation cover, impacting soil health and biodiversity. The findings underscore the district's adaptation to economic and environmental challenges, reshaping local landscapes and livelihood strategies. Policy recommendations emphasise sustainable agricultural practices, resilience against natural disasters, and inclusive socio‐economic development to support ongoing transitions and foster community resilience in rural Assam.

Fallowed agricultural lands dominate anthropogenic dust sources in California

Air pollution remains a major problem in many parts of California, significantly impacting public health and regional climate. However, the contribution of anthropogenic dust from agricultural sources, among major pollutants in California’s semi-arid Central Valley, remains largely unclear. Here, we used the Cropland Data Layer from the U.S. Department of Agriculture to identify crop types and land use/cover and leveraged satellite-derived estimates of major dust events between 2008 and 2022 over California. We identified fallowed land—an unplanted agricultural land parcel—as a key anthropogenic dust source in California. Specifically, we find that the Central Valley accounts for about 77% of total fallowed land areas in California, where they are associated with about 88% of major anthropogenic dust events. We also find that the geographic coverage of these fallowed lands expanded between 2008 and 2022 with associated increasing anthropogenic dust activities. Additionally, these anthropogenic dust activities are sensitive to the drought severity over the fallowed lands, with potential cumulative effects on downstream dust burden during prolonged multi-year drought conditions. Overall, our results have important implications for public health, including increased risk for Valley fever and for regional climates, such as increases in extreme precipitation and snowmelt over the Sierra Nevada.

Are you ready for the tick season? Spring dynamic of tick diversity and density in urban and suburban areas

BackgroundOccurrence of tick-borne diseases (TBD) is often seasonal and associated with seasonal activity of appropriate tick vectors. As seasonal activity of ticks differs, the risk of contracting particular TBD should change between and within seasons. It is of key importance to monitor seasonal dynamic of tick vectors, especially in human-associated habitats. The aim of the current study was to compare activity and density of Ixodes ricinus and Dermacentor reticulatus during spring season in urban and suburban habitats.MethodsSystematic tick collection by dragging was performed every 1–2 weeks between mid-March and mid-June 2021 at 15 sites: 6 in Warsaw (urban areas) and 9 in suburban areas.ResultsDuring 178 field collections of ticks, including 131 collections from urban sites and 47 collections from rural areas, 738 ticks (385 adult D. reticulatus and 353 I. ricinus) were collected. Dermacentor reticulatus ticks are found from the beginning of spring, peaking in April and May, and I. ricinus ticks are present from early April, peaking in April and May as well. I. ricinus were abundant in rural and urban areas, including botanical garden and forest kindergarten area. Dermacentor reticulatus were found in urban fallow lands but were not collected in parks. These ticks were abundant in fallow lands, meadow, and mixed forest. DNA of B. burgdorferi s.l. and Rickettsia spp. was identified in ticks from urban areas.ConclusionsDue to the marked differences in spring dynamic of D. reticulatus and I. ricinus, the sampling effort should be repeated at least three times per season for accurate estimation of tick occurrence (presence/absence) and density. Due to “exchange” of tick species, total tick density remains high through the spring season of activity, which may result in high transmission of tick-borne pathogens (TBPs). Tick densities are dependent on the habitat type and may be low in well-managed agricultural habitats (crop fields, pastures, chicken yard), but high in semi-natural habitats (fallow lands, rural forests). Numerous I. ricinus populations can be maintained in urban green areas such as botanical gardens. Ticks from urban areas can serve as vectors of important TBPs (B. burgdorferi s.l., Rickettsia spp.).Graphical

Exploring the Functional Potentials of Hydric Soils of Low and Wetlands of Delta State Nigeria

This study explores the functional potential of hydric soils located in the lowlands and wetlands of Delta State, Southern Nigeria. Often dismissed due to seasonal inundation and persistent saturation, hydric soils develop under anaerobic conditions that limit oxygen availability. Despite these constraints, such soils exhibit significant levels of organic matter and fertility that could be optimized for agricultural use, especially within the context of sustainable land management and environmental conservation. A field survey method was employed, involving the collection of ninety (90) soil samples—thirty (30) each from three stratified zones representing lowland and wetland environments across the Delta State. These samples were subjected to detailed laboratory analyses to determine their physicochemical properties. The resulting data were statistically analyzed to identify patterns in soil fertility, nutrient content, and suitability for cultivation. Results indicated a consistent presence of organic matter and similar nutrient availability across the studied landscapes, comparable to those in forest and fallow lands. This similarity supports the argument that lowland and wetland soils, though often underutilized, can serve as viable alternatives to conventional arable lands. Their utilization may reduce reliance on rainforest areas and promote ecological balance. In conclusion, the study underscores the importance of re-evaluating hydric soils for agricultural purposes. Leveraging their potential could support precision agriculture, reduce soil degradation, and contribute to achieving Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) 12 and 13 related to responsible consumption and climate action. Thus, hydric soils represent both a challenge and an opportunity in modern land use planning.

Plant Diversity and Carbon Storage Potential Across Different Land Use Types in Infrastructure Development Landscapes in Cameroon: Implications for no Net Loss of Biodiversity

This study investigated biodiversity change and carbon storage potential of different land use types in infrastructure development landscapes in Cameroon, focusing on the Dibombe Hydropower Project area in the Littoral Region of the Country. Line transects were used to collect flora inventory data in seven different land use types. We assessed flora diversity, aboveground biomass (AGB), and the presence of threatened species across various land use types, including riparian forests, cocoa plantations, fallow land, and croplands. Our findings reveal rich biodiversity across the study area, with forests harbouring the highest species diversity (159 species, Simpson Diversity Index of 0.92). Cocoa plantations also showed significant diversity (136 species, Simpson Index of 0.89), suggesting their potential role in restoration of degraded landscapes and biodiversity conservation. Riparian forests haboured the highest AGB of 100 tons/ha, highlighting their importance for carbon sequestration. The study identified two endangered species, Guibourtia tessmannii and Microberlinia bisulcata and 23 vulnerable species, underscoring the conservation value of the ecosystem. The high presence of cocoa agroforest with rich biodiversity potential demonstrates their potential for integrating biodiversity conservation. Our results emphasize the significance of a landscape-level approach to biodiversity offsetting stating that the combination of biodiversity rich land use types with high carbon storage land use types can serve as a model in offsetting biodiversity loss within large infrastructure development landscapes under minimal construction impacts. The study provides valuable insights for policymakers and project developers in designing effective NNL approaches including accounting for carbon stock in conservation aims and promotion the use of agroforestry systems in restoration of degraded landscapes and biodiversity conservation.

The History of The Nukus-Chimbay Railway Construction

The article examines the construction history of the Nukus-Chimbay railway, which plays a significant role in developing the productive forces of the northern regions of the republic, further developing new virgin lands and fallow lands, and further improving the cultural and living standards of the population.

Nature-based solutions for enhancing CO2 sequestration and rehabilitating degraded lands through silvo-aromatic system and soil moisture conservation techniques.

Nature-based solutions for enhancing CO2 sequestration and rehabilitating degraded lands through silvo-aromatic system and soil moisture conservation techniques.

Russian Pioneers of Virgin Lands from China: Re-Emigrants in Eastern Siberia in 1954–1955

The article is devoted to the problems of the history of the resettlement of the Russian-speaking population of North-Eastern China to the regions of Eastern Siberia for the development of virgin and fallow lands. In 1954–1955, the leadership of the USSR organized the repatriation of the Russian-speaking population from the People's Republic ofChina to their historical homeland. The repatriation was formalized in the form of resettlement for the development ofvirgin and fallow lands, Russian re-emigrants arrived in the regions of Russia and Kazakhstan as virgin land settlers. The easternmost regions of the Soviet Union where the re-emigrants were settled were the Irkutsk Region and the Krasnoyarsk Territory. The study was conducted based on office documents stored in the regional archives of Eastern Siberia, as well as personal sources and the recollections of the re-emigrants themselves. The mass and voluntary relocation of Russians from the PRC to the USSR began after the adoption of the resolution of the CPSU Central Committee in 1954 "On the further increase in grain production in the country and on the development of virgin and fallow lands", but this issue was resolved at the level of Soviet-Chinese relations back in 1953. The settlers from the PRC made up only a few percent of the total number of virgin land settlers, and a significant part of them already in 1954–1955 left agricultural enterprises, practically not taking part in the development of virgin and fallow lands. The problems of preparing the repatriation of theRussian-speaking population to the USSR, as well as their actual participation in the development of virgin and fallow lands, indicate that resettlement to develop virgin lands was a form of repatriation, with a concomitant solution to the problems of developing virgin and fallow lands. The resettlement of re-emigrants from China became an important factor in the development of the Krasnoyarsk Territory and the Irkutsk Region, not only in terms of developing virgin and fallow lands in these regions. Resettlement to develop virgin lands turned out to be the optimal repatriation of Russians from China totheir historical homeland in form and content.

Agronomic Effects of Different Rock Powder Rates Associated with Irrigation Water Depths: Potential for Lettuce (Lactuca sativa L.) Production

Lettuce is among the 10 most valued vegetables for fresh consumption in Brazil. The use of rock powder in lettuce crops for soil acidity correction or fertilization is an option for reducing production costs. In this context, the objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of rock powder rates mica schist and irrigation water depths on the development and production characteristics of lettuce crops. The study was conducted in the experimental area of the State University of Goiás, using pelletized seeds of the lettuce cultivar Crespa Vanda. A randomized block experimental design with four replications was used, in a 4 × 4 factorial arrangement composed of four irrigation water depths: 50%, 75%, 100%, 125% of crop evapotranspiration (ETc), and four rock powder rates: 6, 8, 10, and 12 tons per hectare (t ha−1), associated with mineral soil fertilizer application, totaling 16 treatments and 64 experimental plots. The variables evaluated were plant height, stem diameter, number of leaves, head diameter, total fresh weight, commercial fresh weight, leaf area index, useful leaf area, estimated yield, chlorophyll a, chlorophyll b, and water use efficiency. The data were subjected to regression analysis and principal component analysis. The variables studied exhibited predominantly low to medium coefficients of variation in all treatments, confirming the homogeneous conditions and precision of the study. The treatment with the highest rock powder rate (12 t ha−1) provided the best results regarding agronomic effects for all lettuce crop variables evaluated. This rate provided better plant growth and development, resulting in improved response for production variables that are agronomically and economically relevant. The highest water use efficiency was found for the water depth of 50% ETc; however, the best lettuce production results were found for the irrigation water depth of 100% ETc. This water depth highlighted the strong correlation of commercial and total fresh weights with commercial and total production, as they are production components of the crop.

Are less polluting and synergistic farming technologies complementary?

AbstractThe objective of our paper is to provide an explanation for the lack of joint adoption by farmers of cleaner technologies in banana production, specifically fallow period (FP) and disease-free seedlings (DFS). Our hypothesis is that while these technologies are synergistic from an agronomic and environmental perspective, and thus efficient from a social interest perspective, they are substitutable rather than complementary from a farmer’s private interest perspective. In other words, farmers receive lower returns from adopting both technologies together than from adopting them in isolation. To test this hypothesis, we present a unified empirical framework for assessing complementarity. We estimate a structural model of complementarity that overcomes the unobservable heterogeneity bias found in previous models using a database of 607 banana farmers in the French West Indies. Our results support our hypothesis, showing a substitution effect between FP and DFS rather than a complementarity effect. Moreover, we observe a contrasting profile of adopting farmers: smallholders who are reluctant to change adopt FP, while more specialized farmers who anticipate a pesticide ban adopt DFS. A public policy that promotes joint adoption should compensate smallholders for the cost of the DFS technology, while compensating more productive farmers for leaving their land fallow.

Soil characteristics and bacterial community characteristics of shelterbelts of different tree species in black soil region of China

To understand how surface soil characteristics and bacterial communities are affected by the establishment of farmland shelterbelts. Five types of shelterbelts in the mid-west of Heilongjiang Province China were selected for the study. The physicochemical characteristics and bacterial diversity of Populus×xiaohei monoculture (X), Larix gmelinii monoculture (L), Pinus sylvestris monoculture (Z), Pinus sylvestris and Larix gmelinii mixed forest (ZL), and Fraxinus mandshurica and Larix gmelinii mixed forest (SL), as well as in fallow land (CK), were measured and analyzed, respectively. Soil physicochemical characteristics and bacterial diversity (via high-throughput sequencing) were analyzed across 0–20 cm depths. Results showed that shelterbelts significantly altered soil characteristics: X increased moisture, ammonium nitrogen, and microbial biomass nitrogen but reduced aeration. ZL exhibited the highest bacterial richness and enhanced water-holding capacity, aeration, and nutrient retention (total organic carbon, nitrogen, phosphorus). ZL outperformed monocultures in promoting soil health, with available potassium (0–10 cm) and pH (10–20 cm) identified as key drivers of bacterial community variation. Unique genera like Krasilnikovia and Rubrobacter dominated shelterbelt soils, reflecting species-specific effects. Shelterbelts induced surface accumulation of nitrate-nitrogen, potassium, and microbial biomass carbon. Overall, Pinus sylvestris and Larix gmelinii mixed forests optimized soil structure, microbial diversity, and nutrient cycling, underscoring their ecological benefits for sustainable agroforestry. This study highlights the critical role of mixed forest shelterbelts in enhancing soil health and microbial biodiversity, which are essential for sustainable land management practices in the black soil region of China.

CHANGES IN LAND RESOURCES IN EUROPEAN UNION MEMBER STATES

Economic development, in addition to quantitative and qualitative progress, is also associated with structural changes. This particularly concerns agricultural land resources. The analysis included in the paper concerns changes in land resources in the countries that were members of the European Union in 2024. Both changes in the utilized agricultural area (UAA) and changes in the area of arable land (AL), permanent meadows and pastures, permanent crops, temporary fallow and arable land area per capita were analyzed in detail. For most indicators, the assessment was carried out for the years 1993-2022, which conditioned the availability of data. The results of the analysis included indicate a significant loss of agricultural land resources in the EU-27 countries. This process should be assessed as a major threat to the food security of the EU and individual countries. Agricultural land designated for the development of industry, communication infrastructure or housing development should be considered as irretrievably lost from an environmental point of view.

MAPPING OF BAMBOO GROVES IN KARBI ANGLONG DISTRICT, ASSAM USING GEOSPATIAL TECHNOLOGIES

Bamboo forms an essential and integral component of the natural landscape as well as the socio-cultural and economic lives of the people of Northeast India. India is home to nearly 45% of global bamboo patches and Northeastern Region (NER) comprises of two-thirds of the total growing stock of the country. However, there has been a lot of challenges and loopholes identified in terms of availability of consistent and accurate data on different aspects of bamboo such as area coverage, productivity, carbon sequestration, feedstock, consumption & livelihood. Earth observation data has been proved to be highly instrumental and successful towards spatial mapping of natural resources, including bamboo ecosystems. The present study aimed at delineating & analyzing the bamboo groves of Karbi-Anglong district of Assam using geospatial technologies. Random Forest Classifier technique was adopted for supervised classification in Google Earth Engine (GEE) using the necessary scripts and codes. Bamboo Index (BI) for the study area was computed by incorporating Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) and Stress Index (SI). Results of the research work revealed that bamboo patches in the study area had BI values ranging from 0.42 to 0.49. Furthermore, majority of the area was observed to be occupied by the forests (Tropical Moist Deciduous Forests & Tropical Semi-Evergreen Forests) followed by Bamboo groves, Agriculture, Fallow Land, Barren Land, Waterbodies and Built-up areas. The findings were instrumental in contributing to the ambit of information on the Bamboo Groves of Karbi-Anglong District, Assam. This could prove to be vital in creation of a reliable database for monitoring and management of one of the most essential renewable Non-Timber Forest Resources considered as ‘green gold’ and ‘poor man’s timber’ thereby contributing towards elimination of few of the gaps and challenges which has direct implications on the growth and development of the bamboo sector in Northeastern region.