Agricultural Activities Research Articles

A geospatial approach to identifying and mapping areas of relative environmental pressure on ecosystem integrity

The influence of increasing anthropogenic pressure on ecosystem integrity, such as land use change, is resulting in many ecosystems experiencing a decline in their ability to maintain balanced functions and services. Identifying and quantifying these pressures over different scales is challenging and thus impacting the achievement or maintenance of key environmental outcomes. In this study, a GIS-based and scalable tool was developed, the Relative Environmental Pressure (REP) Tool, to address these challenges. The REP tool combines an ecosystem integrity conceptual framework with a weighted linear combination analysis to quantify and rank relative environmental pressure across the scale of interest. The REP Tool was developed as an automated Python-based model in a PyCharm working environment using ArcGIS Pro Arcpy scripting. The REP Tool was applied to spatially contiguous geospatial data for the Province of Alberta, Canada and dynamically scaled relative to Hydrologic Unit Codes at level 8 (HUC8) along with regional and sub-regional scale sub-watersheds. Both cumulative and individual relative pressure levels were calculated and mapped for specific ecosystem integrity framework-derived Environmental Pressure Groups (EPGs) including Atmospheric Alteration, Sedimentation, Habitat Alteration, Hydrologic Alteration, and Social Pressure. Data driven Jenks natural breaks were then applied to classify the relative environmental pressures into a nine-level ranking system. The resulting visualization and data outputs from the REP Tool clearly show that the highest cumulative relative environmental pressure values align with the distribution of major population centres, zones of intense agriculture and major industrial activity. These regions reflect the physiography of Alberta with the Rocky Mountain and Boreal natural regions dominated by low relative environmental pressure. As scales become smaller and more refined, the location of the higher relative environmental pressure levels typically become more subdivided with greater spatial precision where higher pressured areas are located. These patterns are repeated when looking at individual EPGs but with enhanced differentiation of pressure as scales are refined. The framework and geospatial science driven approach behind the REP Tool can be universally applied to support enhanced understanding of relative environmental pressures in, or between regions, as well as informing adaptive environmental resource management and monitoring activities.

How does off-farm work experience motivate rural residents’ agricultural entrepreneurial intentions in China?

ABSTRACT China’s rural vitalization is a major task in promoting common prosperity, but rural brain drain is one of the main obstacles. However, arousing enthusiasm for agricultural entrepreneurship and promoting agricultural industry development remains under-analysed. Using data from 3987 rural residents in China, this article theoretically analyses how rural residents’ off-farm work experience (OWE) affects their agricultural entrepreneurial intentions (AEI). Dealing with endogeneity problems, the empirical results with IV-Probit model show that rural residents’ OWE positively influences their AEI. Mechanism analysis revealed that local social capital and formal financial cognition promote their OWE. The heterogeneity analysis indicated that the effects of OWE on AEI are more significant in counties with lower economic development or higher social welfare levels. Furthermore, OWE particularly affects opportunity-based and outside-village AEI. The results imply that: First, the government should strengthen the county-level entrepreneurial environment, especially in lower development regions. Second, encourage good village governance benefits for AEI. Third, government and financial apartments should broaden formal finance to help rural residents with OWE engage in agricultural entrepreneurial activities.

Bioupcycling Methane and CO2 for Succinate Production by an Engineered Type I Methanotrophic Bacterium.

Methane, a byproduct of agricultural activities, has shown potential as a nonedible substrate for biomanufacturing. The production of succinate by a methanotrophic bacterium utilizing methane presents an innovative route for the sustainable synthesis of chemicals. In this study, Methylotuvimicrobium buryatense 5GB1S was genetically modified through the reconstruction of an artificial serine cycle to enable the bioconversion of both methane and CO2 into succinate. The 13C labeling analysis confirmed the CO2 fixing in M. buryatense 5GB1S, leading to a 46% improvement in carbon conversion efficiency and a 107% increase in succinate production compared to the wild-type strain. The transcriptome data on carbon metabolisms was assessed to guide future optimizations for strengthening the overall carbon flux from methane to succinate. Finally, the maximum succinate titer of 299.36 mg/L was achieved under oxygen-limited conditions in 3 L bioreactors, which resulted in the volumetric productivity of 199.60 mg/L/day, representing a 23-fold enhancement compared to the wild-type strain. This study offers a new strategy for upcycling greenhouse gases into succinate in a sustainable manner through methanotrophic-based biomanufacturing.

Unveiling nitrate contamination and health risks: Insights from groundwater quality assessment and Monte Carlo simulation along the Southern Caspian Sea Coasts

Groundwater resources are at great risk of contamination due to increased industrial and agricultural activities, population growth and urban expansion. This study investigated factors controlling spatio-temporal variability in groundwater quality and nitrate concentration at the southern coast of Caspian Sea, Iran to provide public health risk assessment. Na-Cl (44.8%) and Ca-HCO3 (58.6%) types water were the dominant hydrogeochemical facies in dry and wet seasons, respectively. Most of the examined groundwater samples were found unfit for drinking but appropriate for agricultural irrigation. The chemistry of groundwater predominantly influenced by combination of local lithology and ion exchange in aquifer as well as seawater intrsuin. Nitrate concentration varied from 0.05 to 200 mg/L with a mean value of 33.1 mg/L in which 13.7% and 27.5% of samples showed concentration higher than WHO's recommended value in dry and wet seasons, respectively. The highest nitrate concentrations were observed at locations in proximity to human settlements including cities, villages as well as agricultural lands. The identified pollution hotspots confirm nitrate contributions from un-treated wastewater effluents and agricultural practices with minimum contribution from industrial activities. The result of Monte Carlo simulation revealed that children were at highest risk from drinking of groundwater containing nitrate. This study highlights the urgent need for action to address the growing threat to groundwater quality and public health posed by contamination from various sources in the southern coasts of Caspian Sea.

Spatio-temporal analysis of land use and land cover dynamics in a part of Southern Nigeria

Agriculture, industrialization, transportation, urbanization and other anthropogenic activities have impacted on the natural cover of the earth surface, hence the dual concepts of land use and land cover (LULC). This study analyses spatio-temporal dynamics in LULC in part of southern Nigeria (path 189 and row 056) between 2002 and 2023using satellite imageries: namely, Landsat Enhanced Thematic Mapper Plus ETM+ of 2023, 2014 and 2002. The classification of land coverwas done with the aid of ArcGIS.The study revealed spatial dynamics in LULC over the study period. The percentage of the study area under cultivation increased from 7.96% in 2002, 17.79% in 2014 to 30.67% in 2023. Also, built-up area increased from 4.36% in 2002, 8.29% in 2014 but decreased to 7.06% in 2023. While areas of dense forest were 34.59% in 2002, 21.42% in 2014 and 11.57% in 2023, bare surface was 4.94% in 2014, 1.19% in 2002 and 25.34% in 2023.Oil spill was 6.13% in 2002, 6.42% in 2014 and 2.07% in 2023. Secondary regrowth/Plantation was 0.19%, 4.22% and 5.53% in 2002, 2014 and 2023 respectively. Water bodieswere 3.37% (2002), 7.06% (2002) and 11.27% (2023). The study recommends enactment of an enabling law or enforcement of existing laws governing forest protection and raising awareness and education of inhabitants on the need to preserve the natural land cover.

Ecological quality of the Jucusbamaba River, a high Andean urban river in northeastern Peru

The Jucusbamaba River, located in the northeastern region of Peru, flows through two towns that use its waters for agricultural activities. However, these activities generate waste discharged back into the river, which is additionally polluted by untreated domestic wastewater discharges. The main objective was to evaluate the ecological quality of this lotic system, analyzing biotic and abiotic parameters during two seasons. The biotic parameters included microinvertebrates and fecal coliforms, while the abiotic parameters encompassed temperature, pH, dissolved oxygen, electrical conductivity, turbidity, total dissolved solids, and biochemical oxygen demand. Six sampling points were established where physicochemical and microbiological parameters were analyzed. Simultaneously, quantitative sampling of macroinvertebrates was carried out at the same points to evaluate their diversity using Shannon- Wiener, Margalef and Simpson indices. The Andean Biotic Index (ABI) and the Biotic Family Index (FBI) were calculated to determine the ecological quality of the river using macroinvertebrates. Finally, the spatio-temporal variation of macroinvertebrate composition and physicochemical and microbiological parameters were analyzed. Very high concentrations of BOD, total dissolved solids, and electrical conductivity were obtained in the dry season, while in the rainy season, they were pH, dissolved oxygen, and turbidity. 12548 individuals from 6 classes, 11 orders, and 26 families were collected. The greatest richness of macroinvertebrate families was found at points 1 and 2, with Trichoptera, Ephemeroptera and Plecoptera individuals predominating. There was evidence of temporal variation in physicochemical and microbiological parameters, as well as in macroinvertebrate composition. It was concluded that the ecological quality of the Jucusbamba River decreases as it follows its course due to anthropic disturbances. This research can be used to develop management plans, awareness-raising, and sanitation measures to ensure the protection and conservation of the Jucusbamaba River.

Agroforestry Model in Leimea Sorin Village, Emerera District, Timor Leste

Agroforestry is an optimal and sustainable management of land use, by combining forestry and agricultural activities on the same land management unit by taking into account physical, social and economic environmental conditions. The purpose of this study is to calculate the value of farmers' income from the results of the agroforestry model, and the best feasibility analysis on consideration of three factors, namely economic, social and ecological. This research was carried out in the village of Leimea Sorin, Ermera District, Timor Leste in March-May 2021 using qualitative and quantitative methods. The data used in this study are data obtained directly from agroforestry farmers in the Ermera district of Timor Leste by means of interviews with the help of a questionnaire. Economic data analysis using three criteria NPV, BCR and IRR, and social and ecological analysis using qualitative descriptive. The results of the financial analysis show that the NPV is $ 220,184.66, the BCR is 28.7 and the IRR is 35%. The results of the social analysis show that the social aspect in the application of agroforestry in the village of Leimea Sorin Balu is the local community of the Kemak ethnic group of agricultural crops as their daily livelihood such as vanilla, coffee, teak, and others. And the ecological aspect is the results of the study show that the agroforestry model in the village of Leimea Sorin is an agroforestry system that has polycultural properties, and provides various benefits for the community compared to non-agroforestry systems.

Cleaning practices of transport vehicles by commercial and non-commercial livestock markets users in Scotland

BackgroundLivestock markets are critical intermediaries in the movement of cattle and sheep between herds and to abattoirs. Disease prevention strategies promoting Cleansing & Disinfection (C&D) of vehicles moving animals from markets are in place in Scotland to reduce the risk of widespread transmission of pathogens within the livestock industry. However, little is known about how market users implement C&D on their vehicles and how these may differ between sectors of the industry. MethodsAn online questionnaire was completed by 72 Scottish market users to investigate C&D practices on livestock transport vehicles. Respondents were grouped based on their farming activities and biosecurity practices were compared between commercial and non-commercial users. ResultsThe results showed a lower-than-expected use of brush or disinfectant and a shorter-than-expected time spent on C&D. Particularly, 43.6 % of respondents spent less than 30 min to C&D their vehicle, with no significant differences between respondents from commercial and non-commercial sectors (P = 0.75). Overall, we found little differences in C&D practices and level of training between sectors, highlighting the industrywide deficit in biosecurity knowledge. ConclusionsThese results highlight a need to improve the messaging and awareness on good C&D practices on transport vehicles. Regular training on C&D practices is recommended, particularly for commercial livestock transport.

Hydrogeochemical and isotopic investigations of groundwater in the reclaimed desert located between EL Nasr canal and Mariut Tableland, NW Coast, Egypt

A complete understanding of groundwater dynamics and its interaction with surface water under the impact of agricultural activities is vital for local agriculture, ecology, and residents of dry regions, which is not commonly recognized in arid areas. This research outlines the geochemical characteristics, recharge sources, and potential factors impacting groundwater quality in a new land reclamation located in the small basin of Abu Mina, which is part of the Western Nile Delta region.1 Thirty-one groundwater samples and two surface water samples were collected in 2021 to represent the Pleistocene aquifer and were subjected to multivariate statistical, hydrochemical, and stable isotope analyses. Data analysis demonstrates that Na+ > Ca2+ > Mg2+ > K+ and SO42– > Cl– > HCO3– > NO3– are the predominant cations and anions, respectively. Groundwater salinity ranged from 465.60 to 6455.18 mg/l, with slightly alkaline. Most of the water samples fall into one of three types of facies: Ca–Cl, Na–Cl, and Mixed Ca–Mg–Cl, in decreasing order. The meteoric genesis index (r2) indicates that deep meteoric water percolation dominates the Pleistocene aquifer. The aquiline diagrams, correlation matrix, and different ionic ratios indicate that evaporation, reverse ion exchange reactions, and the dissolution of carbonate and silicate minerals are the main processes governing groundwater chemistry. Factor analysis (FA) indicated that three factors explain groundwater hydrochemistry, accounting for 71.98% of the total variance. According to the rotating components matrix (F1–F3), the chemistry of the Quaternary aquifer is principally affected by evaporation, ion exchange reactions, and anthropogenic influences. Additionally, salinity increases due to the return flow of irrigation activities and mixing between old and recent water. The stable isotopes (δ18O and δ2H) indicate that the Quaternary aquifer receives groundwater recharge through the return flow of excess irrigation and canal seepage. Under desert reclamation conditions, groundwater salinization processes should be given special consideration. All groundwater samples are appropriate for agricultural irrigation based on the Sodium Adsorption Ratio (SAR), Permeability Index (PI), Percent Sodium (%Na), and Residual Sodium Carbonate (RSC).

Residential Hollowing and Its Drivers in Traditional Chinese Villages: Case Study of Wentang Village, Anhui Province

This study investigates the vacancy of traditional dwellings in Wentang Village, Qimen County, Anhui Province, China, and explores the underlying mechanisms driving the phenomenon of hollowing out. Through field surveys, interviews, and data analysis, the study reveals that the vacancy rate of traditional dwellings in Wentang Village is as high as 73%, compared to a significantly lower rate of 18.4% for newly built houses. The findings indicate that the hollowing out of the village is driven by factors such as urbanization, shifts in agricultural production methods, and changes in family structures. The study concludes that residents have experienced a phased migration from traditional dwellings to newly built houses and subsequently to urban residences. This transition is accompanied by increasing connections between villages and cities, as well as a decline in agricultural activities, which is pushing rural labor towards non-agricultural employment.

What can I do as a farmer to reduce losses? Willingness to use meteorological information as an exit strategy to deal with meteorological hazards

Meteorological information and forecasts are of great importance to reduce agro-meteorological hazards. However, the gap between production and application of these forecasts is one of the most ambiguous issues of crop management at the farmers’ level. In this regard, investigating the factors influencing Iranian farmers willingness to use meteorological information and predictions was selected as the main aim of the present study. To this end, an extended version of Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB) was employed and modeled. The results revealed that attitude towards the use of meteorological information and predictions, subjective norms in the use of meteorological information and predictions, perceived behavioral control and self-identity in the use of meteorological information and prediction, and moral norm variables regarding the use of meteorological information and predictions positively and significantly affected willingness to use meteorological information and predictions. These variables could account for 46% of willingness to use meteorological information and predictions variance. According to the results, it was suggested that by creating multimedia programs, the agricultural community become aware of the benefits and consequences of using meteorological information in their activities. Furthermore, it was recommended that social cooperation and research groups be formed on the use of meteorological information in agricultural activities. This can contribute to examine the various dimensions (strengths, weaknesses, threats, and opportunities) of using meteorological information from a collective perspective. Making a social decision in this regard can have a profound effect on a person’s subjective norms and dramatically increase the speed of using meteorological information. The results of this study can help policymakers and decision-makers in the field of agriculture to design suitable intervention programs for the effective use of meteorological information by farmers. Also, the results of this study help farmers to effectively reduce the impacts of meteorological hazards.

A Mobile based Decision Support System for Postural Evaluation of Agricultural Activities with Rapid Entire Body Assessment (REBA)

Agriculture is an unorganized sector and it is a very high drudgery prone profession due to the absence of awareness and entry of advanced agricultural technologies. Many farming activities and operations are carried out by farm workers in the agriculture sector, where they are subject to very poor working conditions which can lead to physical and mental stress. Workers in agriculture experience musculoskeletal disorders in various body parts throughout various agricultural operations. These problems are caused by heavy work loads, repetitive movements, uncomfortable postures, prolonged periods of time spent in neutral or unsupported positions and the use of conventional equipment and implements that are not ergonomically built. The ergonomic risk factors present in the workplace can be examined using various evaluation instruments to ascertain the workers abilities and drawbacks. The work-related risks are measured using the scientifically validated posture assessment instruments. Rapid entire body assessment (REBA) is a technique that assess a person’s complete body including wrists, fore arms, elbows, shoulders, neck, trunk, back, legs and knees. It uses a systematic process to find the postural musculoskeletal disorders and risks associated with the job tasks. A mobile application is developed to assess the agricultural activities on the basis of physiological analysis and postural analysis using REBA ergonomics technique. The application evaluates the drudgery involved in the agricultural work by using physical assessment followed by postural ergonomics methods and provide recommendation of correct posture to avoid developing musculoskeletal disorders.

Remote Sensing and Geospatial Approaches for Studying the Environment Affected by Human Activities

In the past few decades, drastic human activities such as urban expansion, agricultural and pastoral activities, water conservancy construction, deforestation, mining, and tourism have significantly altered regional ecological environments [...]

Performance Evaluation of a Romanian Zeolite: A Sustainable Material for Removing Ammonium Ions from Water

Ammonium ion is a chemical species that is found in abundance in natural waters, whether underground or surface, but also in wastewater resulting from agricultural and industrial activities. Even if the removal of the ammonium ion from water has been studied for a very long time, it has been found that its removal is far from being solved. In this study, we evaluated the performance of the ammonium ion adsorption process on two adsorbents, zeolite clinoptilolite, ZR, a sustainable material (manufacturer: Zeolite Development SRL, Rupea, Brasov, Romania), and the other granular activated carbon type, Norit GAC 830 W. Zeolite ZR is found in very large deposits in Romania; it is a natural, cheap material with costs between 50 and 100 EUR/ton, compared to other adsorbents that cost over 500 EUR/ton and which can be regenerated and reused in the technological process of water treatment and purification, but also after exhaustion, as an amendment for the soil. In the first step, this paper presents the mineralogic (XRD) and structural (SEM and EDX) characterization of the ZR and the determination of the pH zero-point charge, pHZPC, for all the adsorbents. Studies were carried out in equilibrium and kinetic conditions. The efficiency of the adsorbent was investigated in different experimental conditions by varying the initial concentration, particle size, temperature, pH, ionic strength, and contact time. The mathematical models and parameters specific to the adsorption isotherms that best describe the experimental results were identified. Langmuir, Freundlich, Temkin, and Dubinin–Radushkevich mathematical models were used for comparison. The Langmuir isotherm proved to be the most appropriate to describe the adsorption of ammonium ions on all types of adsorbents used. The adsorption capacity of ammonium ions from synthetic solutions at 20 °C, pH = 6.09, for the range of initial concentrations 0–50 mg/L for Rupea zeolite is in the range of 10.46 mg/g−12.34 mg/g, and for granular activated carbon GAC W830, it is 16.64 mg/g. It was found that the adsorption capacity of the ammonium ion on both activated carbon and zeolite increases with increasing temperature and pH. Also, it was observed that as the ionic strength increases, the adsorption capacity decreases for all four adsorbents. Kinetic models were also identified that best describe the experimental processes. In this sense, pseudo-first order, pseudo-second order, intra-particle diffusion and the Elovich model were used. The results of the investigation showed that second-order kinetics governs the adsorption process on ZR, and pseudo-first order governs activated carbon.

Regional differences in beef cattle trade and movements associated with the COVID-19 pandemic in Australia

Context The COVID-19 pandemic caused mandated restrictions on movements and distancing of people with implications for meat supply chains. Despite the COVID restrictions, agricultural activities were permitted to continue as essential services in Australia. However, there were reported shortages of meat on the shelves of supermarkets and a general increase in the price of meat in Australia during the COVID period. Hence, there is a need to establish whether the restrictions affected upstream activities in Australia’s beef supply chain. Aim This study aims to examine the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and confounding factors including rainfall and export bans on beef cattle trade and movement in Australia. Methods Using annual data on beef cattle sold, purchased, transferred off-farm and transferred onto farms sourced from the database of the Australian Bureau of Agricultural and Resource Economics and Sciences, a t-test analysis was conducted to establish the significant changes in cattle movement and trade for the pre-COVID (2014–2019) and COVID (2020–2022) periods. Additionally, a flexible least squares model augmented with a flexible generalised least squares model was used to assess the impact of confounding factors on cattle trade and movement. Key results The results indicate no significant change in the proportion of beef cattle sold nationwide. Tasmania, New South Wales, and Western Australia (WA) recorded significant changes (1.4% increase, 3.6% increase, and 3.8% decrease, respectively) in the proportion of beef cattle purchased. For WA, these changes were localised to changes that occurred in WA Central and Southern Wheat Belt and WA Southwest Coastal regions. Moreover, rainfall did not significantly impact cattle trade but did affect cattle movements. The export ban only significantly impacted beef cattle sold in Queensland. Conclusions Overall, the findings suggest that most regions in Australia did not experience significant changes in farm-level decisions regarding beef cattle movement and trade during the COVID period. Instead, minor adjustments were made to address the demand changes. Implications The findings imply that adopted policies that facilitated the implementation of biosecurity bubbles and the movements of animal transport workers for breeding facilities and abattoirs during the COVID period were effective in normalising farm-level operations.

II. Péter brazil császár szerepe a Brazíliába irányuló szíriai-libanoni bevándorlásban

After the abolition of the institution of slavery in 1888 and the boom in coffee cultivation, a labor shortage emerged in Brazil. The problem was to be solved by the organized resettlement of foreign, primarily European workers. Immigrants willing to work on the coffee plantations were provided with various subsidies by the state. Although only those immigrants engaged in agricultural work on the plantations received government support, this did not mean that the state prohibited spontaneous immigration. Spontaneous immigrants were those who did not arrive in Brazil through recruitment or agency activity and did not receive government support. Such were the Syrian–Lebanese workers who were mainly engaged in commercial rather than agricultural activities. From the second half of the nineteenth century, they left the Ottoman Empire in increasing numbers to try their luck in the Latin American country. The aim of this paper is to prove, relying on primary sources and the results of secondary literature, that even though Syrian-Lebanese immigration to Brazil was spontaneous, Pedro II of Brazil had an important role in encouraging it.

Determinants of multiple maize technology package adoption in Ethiopia: evidence from the Sidama region

The adoption of improved agricultural technology packages is vital in Ethiopia, as the expansion of cultivable land appears nearly exhausted and population size has skyrocketed. However, the country has shown a low adoption rate. Thus, this study aimed to explore the factors that hinder or facilitate the adoption of multiple maize technology packages and intensity of adoption in the northern Sidama zone of Ethiopia. A multistage sampling procedure was applied to gather cross-sectional data from 424 farm households owning 545 maize plots. A multivariate probit and two-limit Tobit models were applied to address the study objectives. The conditional probability results confirmed that maize technology packages are complementary (positive relationship). This infers that agriculture-focused policies that influence the adoption of a single component of technology packages can have a reinforcing advantage over the adoption of other technologies. Furthermore, the results from the models showed that farmers with greater experience, family size, plot size, livestock and oxen ownership, number of maize plots owned, off-farm income, access to credit, extension services and membership in institutions are more likely to adopt at least one of the improved technology packages and achieved a better status of intensity of adoption. Therefore, it is crucial to reinforce and deliver quality extension services, provide credit access, motivate youth to be involved in farming activities, inspire membership and ease the system to access inputs and technologies for broader adoption of technology packages.

Analysis of Water Quality of Le'an River in Poyang Lake Basin Based on CCME-WQI Method

As the largest freshwater lake in China, Poyang Lake plays a key role in supporting the balance of aquatic ecosystems, and the water quality of its inlet rivers affects the lake's water quality. Le'an River, a typical inlet river of Poyang Lake, was selected as the research object. Based on the water quality data of six monitoring points in the upper, middle, and lower reaches of the mainstream of Le'an River from 2012 to 2020, the CCME-WQI method was used to evaluate the water quality of the river after systematically analyzing the spatiotemporal variation of the concentration of pollutants in the mainstream of the river. Finally, the main influencing factors of the water quality of the river were extracted and analyzed according to the PCA method. The results showed that： ① The water volume upstream and downstream of the river was more seriously polluted in the pre-study time period, which was due to the presence of Dexing Copper Mine in the upstream and small and medium-sized mines and farmland downstream. ② Before 2017, the water volume downstream of Le'an River had the worst water quality, with TP and NH4+-N exceeding the standard rate of 43.3% and 85.0%, respectively, and the lowest WQI mean value of 86.2. After 2017, due to the effective management of pollutant discharges in the watershed, the water volume downstream of the river improved significantly and continued to be in an excellent state, and the mean value of the WQI reached 100.0. ③ The factors influencing the water quality of the mainstem of the Le'an River could be divided into four categories： human activities, seasonal factors, atmospheric deposition of pollutants, and the physical and chemical properties of the water volume itself, with human activities being the dominant factor for water quality changes at Dawuhekou and Shizhenjie, whereas the seasonal factors had the greatest influence at the remaining locations. ④ Organic matter pollution was obvious in the upper and lower Le'an River water volume, and the water volume at Dawuhekou was mainly affected by nearby mining activities, whereas the water volume at Shizhenjie was mainly affected by agriculture. Le'an River had serious organic matter pollution downstream before 2017, and mining and agricultural activities in the watershed had a high degree of impact on water quality. The treatment of mineral processing wastewater should be upgraded, and the discharge of pollutants from agriculture in the downstream of the watershed should be regulated.

An unconventional approach to evaluating the environmental role of a productive system: An environmental assessment of beef farms in North-West Italy

The environmental impact of livestock is often evaluated separately from the other agricultural activities involved in an integrated system, such as that of the rearing of Piemontese cattle in the area of origin of the breed. The most frequently used assessment methods (e.g. Footprint approaches or a Life Cycle Assessment) are in fact often used, through a product-based approach, to analyse a single productive process, but such methods do not consider the production of agro-ecological services, and they neglect the interactions that characterise complex systems. Moreover, such methods often only consider the negative aspects of the environmental impact and misrepresent less intensive agriculture practices. However the current gaps in knowledge about the carbon sequestration of agricultural ecosystems, which are complex and integrated systems, require further investigation and other types of analysis tools. A carbon (C) balance of 1223 Piemontese breed beef farms, located in North-West Italy, has been calculated to evaluate whether such a method could be applied to overcome the aforementioned limitations, to evaluate whether it could be used to describe a complex and integrated system, to highlight the relationships that exist between rearing and agricultural activities and to characterise their environmental roles. Conducting a mass balance involves considering the input and output material flows and their accumulation within a system. Thus, the data necessary to quantify the C input, output and internal fluxes of a system at the farm gate, pertaining to the vegetable and animal production processes (productive factors, crop yields, animal performances, productions and sales, reuses), were collected from official documentation, and were then completed and verified through site visits. The mass balance of the system was transformed into C fluxes using stoichiometric coefficients. The fluxes evaluated for the balance were then used to estimate the changes in the C stocks to highlight not only the C emissions or losses from the system, but also their contributions towards reducing environmental hazards. A sensitivity analysis was carried out to evaluate the uncertainty and the robustness of the obtained results. The net C exchange from plants was the flux that contributed the most, amounting to 94.3 % of the inputs, and this was followed by soil losses and animal gases released through respiration and enteric fermentation, which amounted to 42.8 and 36.2 % of the outputs, respectively. The C stored and released by the considered system was calculated considering the C fluxes. Plant, animal and soil storage sites were included in the system, whereas the air site was left out. A constant C content was assumed for the soil. The productive activities of the selected group of beef farms in the Consortium were calculated to remove 96.1 103 t of C from the atmosphere (air site) over a period of one year, and that this amount of C was transferred to plant growth and agricultural products (plant site) and to an increase in live weight (LW) of the animals (animal site). The rates of the stored C to agricultural and wooded areas and to the LW of the animals slaughtered in one year were 1.18 t ha−1 and 2.24 t C t−1 LW, respectively. The sensitivity analysis demonstrated that the C balance was always positive, even for the worst scenario. This study has shown that the examined beef production system, when analysed as an integrated and complex system, can be considered an important C sink and that it is necessary to reconsider the role that livestock, and ruminants in particular, play in the global greenhouse effect.

Microplastic and Nanoplastic in Crops: Possible Adverse Effects to Crop Production and Contaminant Transfer in the Food Chain.

With the increasing amounts of microplastic (MP) deposited in soil from various agricultural activities, crop plants can become an important source of MP in food products. The last three years of studies gave enough evidence showing that plastic in the form of nanoparticles (<100 nm) can be taken up by the root system and transferred to aboveground plant parts. Furthermore, the presence of microplastic in soil affects plant growth disturbing metabolic processes in plants, thus reducing yields and crop quality. Some of the adverse effects of microplastic on plants have been already described in the meta-analysis; however, this review provides a comprehensive overview of the latest findings about possible adverse effects and risks related to wide microplastic occurrence in soil on crop production safety, including topics related to changes of pesticides behavior and plant pathogen spreading under the presence MP and possibly threaten to human health.