Field Observations Research Articles

Assessing the effectiveness of integrated watershed management practices and suggesting innovative strategies in southern Ethiopia

Integrated watershed management plays a vital role in promoting sustainable water resource management and addressing environmental challenges. This study aims to analyze and assess the effectiveness of existing IWM practices and develop new strategies to improve watershed management. The data collection process encompassed comprehensive field observations, surveys, and consultations with the stakeholders. According to a hydrometer test, loam soil was the average dominant soil type in Elgo and Kola shell kebele. The assessment of existing soil water conservation initiatives adhered to the rigorous standards set by the Ministry of Agriculture. From 2016 to 2022, Elgo Kebele saw significant land use changes: agriculture expanded by 11.24 %, bare land by 2.05 %, water bodies by 1.79 %, and settlements by 0.54 %, while forests declined by 15.34 %. In Kola Shele, agriculture, water bodies, and settlements slightly increased by 0.5 %, 1.03 %, and 0.033 %, respectively, with decreases in bare land (1.82 %) and forest (0.05 %). Only 25 % of sampled plots met the criteria for effective soil water conservation systems, indicating challenges in current practices. For cultivated land with less than a 15 % slope and vertisol, recommended conservation practices include broad bed and furrow, conservation tillage, grass strips, grassland improvement, and mulching. For slopes greater than 50 %, hillside terracing, graded bunds, and trenches are advised. Additional measures, such as water harvesting, grass waterways, revegetation, and actions against illegal farming, were proposed. In summary, this study highlights the urgent need for improved IWM practices, and used to enhance watershed management, address environmental and socio-economic issues, and promote sustainable land use in the study.

A systematic risk assessment approach for urban roadside infrastructure assets

Revealing potential risks and the influence of these risks on urban roadside vulnerable/risky zones has been a great deal for the last decades owing to increasing vehicular mobility. This study aimed to develop a risk assessment methodology for urban roadside infrastructure assets. In this context, seven risk parameters that are likely to affect hazardous aboveground assets installed on urban roadsides were determined, and weights of each parameter (order of importance) were presented based on expert surveys and literature information using the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) method. Mathematical models were set up for each risk parameter using real field data, The American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO), literature, related standards, and expert surveys by linear, nonlinear, and binary logistic regression analyses. Risk groups were created, and precautions were offered. The efficiency of the models was verified based on the 28 accident records and field observations in 172 assets. When considering the assets that undergo traffic accidents, 71% of the total assets are ranked in the critical and high-risk group. This ratio is consistent with the risk group definitions assigned in this study; thus, the model proposed is accurate and can be applied reliably. The verification process of the total risk model was sufficiently successful to be used in practice and can be generalized by considering the road and traffic characteristics, infrastructure facilities, and future requirements of the regions or countries that reflect similar historical and cultural concerns. Practitioners, governmental institutes, and researchers can apply this methodology to provide their own data with high transparency and reliability.

Interaction of pans and groundwater: A case study in the Khakhea- Bray Transboundary aquifer portion in South Africa

Understanding the groundwater-surface water interaction is important for the sustainable management of water resources and ecology. Most of the studies on groundwater-surface interactions are confined to aquifer-river and aquifer-lake interactions. The interactions of water pans and groundwater have not received much attention. The study aims to provide insights into the interaction of the pans and groundwater at a case study in the Khakhea-Bray dolomite Transboundary Aquifer (TBA) shared by Botswana and South Africa. The study uses field observations, geology, hydrogeophysics, and stable isotopes complimentary tools. Complimentary tools provide several evidence to corroborate the findings. The hydrogeophysics taps into the recently developed Telluric Electric Frequency Selection Method (TEFSM). Groundwater discharge zones/springs were delineated at the geological contact of the boundary of the Khakhea-Bray dolomite transboundary aquifer and the granite of the Kalahari group. 4 of the 33 research pans are in the groundwater discharge zone and are classified as groundwater dependent. The findings highlight the benefits of complimentary approaches to corroborate the findings on groundwater-surface water interactions. The TEFSM hydrogeophysics can be able to delineate groundwater discharge zones, aquifer boundaries, and the mapping of TBAs. More studies are recommended to test the TEFSM hydrogeophysical approach to study groundwater-surface water in different hydrological environments.

Mathematical model of oxygen minimum zones in the vertical distribution of oxygen in the ocean.

Processes determining the amount and spatial distribution of dissolved oxygen in the ocean have been a focus of intense research over the last two decades. Anomalies known as Oxygen Minimum Zones (OMZs) have been attracting growing attention, in particular because their growth is believed to be a result of the global environmental change. Comprehensive understanding of factors contributing to and/or controlling the emergence and evolution of OMZs is still lacking though. OMZs are usually thought to result from an interplay between the oxygen transport through the water column from the ocean surface and variable oxygen solubility at different water temperature. In this paper, we suggest a different, novel mechanism of the OMZ formation relating it to the oxygen production in phytoplankton photosynthesis in a stratified ocean. We consider a simple, conceptual model of the coupled phytoplankton-oxygen dynamics and show that the model predictions are in qualitative agreement with some relevant field observations.

Inter- and intra-annual variability and climatic responses of ecosystem water use efficiency in a cool-temperate freshwater wetland

Wetland ecosystems play a pivotal role in terrestrial carbon and water cycles, thereby possessing great potential to regulate terrestrial water use efficiency (WUE), which is calculated as the ratio of gross primary productivity (GPP) to evapotranspiration (ET). However, it remains unclear the possible changes in wetland WUE under present and future climate conditions. In this research, WUE variations in a Phragmites australis-dominated freshwater wetland were determined by the eddy covariance method during 2020–2023. Further, we projected future GPP, ET, and WUE under four Representative Concentration Pathway (RCP) scenarios based on five Earth System Models. The 3-year average field observation suggested that the P. australis marsh exhibited high GPP (1149 g C m−2), but consumed large amounts of water through ET (611 mm H2O), resulting in relatively low WUE (1.89 g C mm−1 H2O). During wet years, the studied marsh consumed much more water through evaporation than through transpiration, thus exhibiting lower WUE. Contrarily, large amounts of water were utilized to maintain high primary productivity through transpiration in 2021–2022 dry year, leading to higher WUE. In future scenarios, GPP in the P. australis marsh shows consistently faster uptrends compared to ET from 2020 to 2100, consequently yielding persistent growths of WUE. Future growths of WUE indicate that P. australis marsh tends consume more water for maintaining productivity levels rather than loss via evaporation under future climate conditions, thereby intensifying the carbon–water interaction. Driven by the most rapid growth of environmental drivers, the RCP8.5 scenario shows the fastest increasing trends in GPP, ET, and WUE among four RCP scenarios, whereas the reverse ocurres under RCP2.6 scenario. Overall, our study advocates for more comprehensive research encompassing field observation and model simulation to address the current knowledge gap regarding the response of wetland WUE to contemporary and future climate change.

Estimasi Cadangan Batugamping Menggunakan Block Model Berdasarkan Metode Interpolasi IDW pada IUP OP 231 Karangkemojing

The increasing development of infrastructure development has an impact on the increase in cement demand. Cement is used as the main raw material in making concrete and other construction materials. Therefore, limestone mining as a raw material for cement is also increasing. One of the areas that has prospects for limestone mining is IUP OP 231 Karangkemojing which is still in the exploration stage. The purpose of this study is to determine the geological and geomorphological conditions of the study area, determine the amount of limestone reserves, and determine the estimated mine life based on production targets. The methods used in this research are field observation and laboratory analysis including petrographic analysis and X-Ray Fluorescence (XRF) analysis. Furthermore, the calculation of limestone reserves was carried out using block modeling and the Inverse Distance Weighting (IDW) interpolation method processed using Surpac software. Based on field geological mapping, the research area is included in the wavy hilly and steep hilly structural landforms, which consist of two lithological units, namely sandstone and claystone intermixture units and limestone units. The results of the calculation of limestone reserves in the study area were obtained at 61,444,362 tons with an estimated mine life of about 24 years and 6 months.

Climate change, livelihood resilience, and gender: An intersectional analysis of Vietnam's forest-dependent communities

Integrating gender-disaggregated data and adopting a gender-focused perspective are crucial for a comprehensive understanding of climate change issues. This study provides empirical evidence from two ethnic minorities in Vietnam, highlighting how perceptions of livelihood resilience vary by gender, geographical context, and ethnicity, with a particular emphasis on their intersections. Over 13 months, data were gathered through 3 focus group discussions, in-depth interviews with 9 key informants, field observations, and surveys of 136 households. The findings revealed a low average Household Livelihood Resilience (HLR) score of 0.434, indicating limited resilience among forest-dependent households facing external shocks. Notably, a significant gender gap was evident, with men demonstrating higher resilience levels than women, a disparity attributed to entrenched social norms and cultural practices. Women, often confined to domestic roles, faced barriers to community involvement and access to financial resources, which weakened their ability to cope with and recover from adverse events. To address these issues, the study advocates for climate actions that prioritize gender equality and aim to enhance women's resilience. This includes amplifying their voices through tailored training programs and initiatives such as women-managed microfinance groups. The study also emphasizes the policy implications for advancing gender equality, sustainable forest management, and livelihood resilience. However, this work has limitations, including a small sample size and reliance on self-reported data, which may introduce biases. Future research should involve a larger, more diverse sample of forest-dependent communities and examine various dimensions of vulnerability to provide a more nuanced understanding of resilience factors.

‘No trees around, but we paint some on our walls’: cultivating the ‘green’ image within schoolscapes in India

ABSTRACT Compared to various market, state, and civil society sectors, schools’ experiences of urban ‘greening’ in India remain curiously under-researched, despite the fact that schoolscapes are emerging as both awareness-raising agents for and fantastical visions of ‘green’ living. The paper seeks to address this lacuna in schoolscape scholarship by examining the experiences of four government schools in suburban Mumbai. Drawing on oral testimonies of teachers, and field observations, the paper elucidates a contrast between the ‘green’ vision, and the ground realities of school practitioners. While the official logic of ‘greening’ might have been predicated on the need to establish harmony between human well-being and planetary health, the actual performance of ‘greening’ schoolscapes brings into play dynamic and multifarious imaginings of school-nature relation arising from signifiers which do not fully reflect urban realities and school life in particular, but still engender a desire for those imaginings.

Policy implementation and strategic effects: Assessing the impact of parliamentary thresholds on Indonesia’s political system and governance

This study examines the impact of parliamentary thresholds on the Indonesian political system through the lens of the Routine Policy Implementation Model and the Strategic Policy Implementation Model. The main objective is to evaluate the effectiveness of parliamentary thresholds in managing political fragmentation, assess their impact on stability and representation in the legislative system, and understand their implementation’s technical and strategic implications. Using a qualitative approach supported by interview studies and field observations, this research combines analysis of election data in the 2009, 2014, and 2019 elections with a qualitative assessment of policy changes and political dynamics. The Routine Policy Implementation Model focuses on the technical aspects of threshold implementation, including vote counting procedures and seat allocation efficiency. Meanwhile, the Strategic Policy Implementation Model examines the broader implications of these thresholds for political consolidation, government effectiveness, and the representation of minor parties. The results show that the parliamentary threshold has significantly reduced political fragmentation by consolidating the number of parties in Parliament, resulting in a legislative system that is cleaner and easier to administer. However, this consolidation has also marginalized small parties and limited political diversity. The novelty of this study lies in its comprehensive analysis of how parliamentary thresholds affect administrative efficiency and strategic political stability in Indonesia, compared to democratic countries in transition, such as Slovenia and Montenegro. In conclusion, although parliamentary thresholds have increased political stability and government effectiveness, they have also raised concerns about the reduced representation of small and regional parties. The study recommends maintaining balanced thresholds that ensure stability and diversity, implementing mechanisms to review thresholds periodically, and involving diverse stakeholders in adjusting policies to reflect evolving political dynamics. This approach will help balance the need for a stable legislative environment with broad representation.

Land use transformations in the Brazilian Savanna: A decade of soil erosion and runoff measurements

Changes in land cover and land use (LULC) are one of the main drivers of erosion and runoff. How ever, most research has relied on short-term observations and only focused on one or two land cover types. We investigated the long-term trade-off between common agricultural land covers (sugarcane, pasture, and soybean), runoff, and soil loss rates. We compared these to native forest (wooded Cerrado) and bare soil. The field observations were done in 100 m2 experimental plots in Brazil maintained during the past 10 years. The paper provides three main contributions: (1) long-term runoff and soil loss rates of plots under different LULCs, (2) comparison of runoff, soil loss, and pedological characteristics between plots constructed 10 years apart, and (3) analysis of the trade-off between different LULCs. When ranking land covers based on runoff and soil loss rates, there is a shift in ranking positions, making it difficult to determine which one is more environmentally harmful. However, it is evident that whatever agricultural practice is used, there is a significant impact when compared to native forest. For example, the area converted to pasture resulted in almost 20 times higher runoff, while conversion to sugarcane resulted in 5 times higher soil loss. Not only land cover plays a major influencing factor, but also weathering exposing time. Areas under the same land cover and environmental conditions had different rates of soil loss and runoff due to long-term exposure effects such as soil crusting. Our findings have high relevance for the hydrological and agricultural community by demonstrating (i) the magnitude of trade-off in terms of soil loss and runoff due to land cover changes and (ii) that soil loss should not be assumed to be a linear process over time, as it is commonly assumed.

Management of Agropastoral Waste in Ivory Coast: Case of the Sassandra Agricultural Basin

Agropastoral waste constitutes real bio-resources whose valorization could contribute to improving the living conditions of populations, reducing pressure on forest resources, slowing down deforestation and reducing GHG emissions. This study made it possible to examine the management of agropastoral waste in the Sassandra agricultural basin. The survey and field observation carried out made it possible to note that in the agricultural basin of Sassandra we find coffee hulls, bunches, fibers, hulls from oil palm, cassava stems, ears, stems, corn cobs and straw, rice husks and stalks as well as livestock residues such as slurry, manurebones, feathers and animal droppings. Regarding the management method, it appears that straws, husks, ears, stalks and stems are mainly used for livestock feed. Regarding the pods, these are either used for composting. As for the stems, hulls, fibers and bunches, they are also abandoned in the fields. Thus 85% of planters use agricultural residues to feed livestockwhile 12% of planters compost it. A proportion of 3% use them for other purposes. As for waste from livestock farming, waste from cattle, sheep and poultry farming is either sold or used for spreading. As for pig waste, it is sold. A share of 80% of breeders sell their waste. In addition, a proportion of 15% spread it in the fields. Another 5% of breeders use them for other purposes.

Haunting the Ganges: addressing the issues of ghost gear in the Ganga River through an incentive-based institutional mechanism

Abandoned, lost, or otherwise discarded fishing gears, also known as ghost gears (GG), are major contributors to global marine and freshwater plastic pollution. GG can lead to the accidental entanglement of several threatened freshwater and marine species, especially the air-breathing aquatic vertebrates, which is a matter of global concern. There is a lack of know-how and mechanisms for collecting and recycling GG, leading to their constant accumulation in aquatic ecosystems. In this study, we have examined the mortalities of threatened aquatic species in fishing nets and have proposed an incentive-based standard operating procedure (SOP) for effective collection and disposal of GG based on field observations and extant national and international policies and made recommendations for a net buyback scheme as a possible downstream solution to reduce GG in the Ganga River Basin. It is proposed that the collection of GG can be done by the local level institutions of fishing community through the fair-price shops. The nets are then to be deposited at the block-level processing centres to be transported to the district-level consolidating centres. Recycling partners identified by the Government of India will then collect the nets directly from district centres for further upcycling and recycling. A multi-level, multi-stakeholder approach with strong upstream and downstream linkages backed with appropriate policy interventions is needed to tackle the ghost gear issue in the Ganga River basin.

Evaluation of the Implementation Status of the Nepal Rural Road Standards (NRRS) Concerning Geometrical Parameters: A Case Study of Morang District of Nepal

Maintaining the effectiveness of the transportation system is essential to economic growth. Poor road upgrading methods in many developing nations, however, are making it impossible for traffic to flow freely. Nepal developed the Nepal Rural Road Standards (NRRS) of 2055, District Transportation Master Plan (DTMP), and Municipality Transportation Master Plan (MTMP) to regulate the construction of rural road infrastructure. These guidelines provide guidelines for rural road planning, design, building, and maintenance, among other aspects. However, each geometric design has certain features, and parameter requirements depending on the region and location to be applied. This study aims to compare the geometrical features of the rural roads that have been built with the Nepal Rural Road Standards (NRRS) 2055, second revision (2071). Using a random sampling approach, six rural roads in the Morang district were selected for the data collection. To gather geometrical data, field observations and measurements were made at random chainages. This study evaluates various geometric parameters using linear and angular field measurements. Mapping conducted via smart road software ensures road geometry compliance, including aspects such as curve radius, shoulder width, gradient, sight distance, carriageway, and additional widening. The findings demonstrate that strict adherence to established standards substantially enhances road safety. Based on the results of the field observation, the geometric elements have been built according to design specifications, except for the additional widening at shoulder width and horizontal.

NURSERY PEST PROBLEMS ON Acacia mangium, Cinamomum cassia and Illicium verum IN BAC KAN PROVINCE, VIETNAM

Acacia mangium, Cinamomum cassia, and Illicium verum are pivotal forestry species in Bac Kan province, where they contribute significantly to economic and environmental welfare. A. mangium's wood is essential for the pulp industry, while C. cassia and I. verum provide essential oils with extensive industrial applications. Despite their economic value, increased plantation areas have exacerbated insect pest outbreaks, affecting tree growth and yield. However, the focus of previous research on insect pests has primarily been on plantations, leaving nursery infestations largely unexplored. This study aims to overcome this gap by investigating insect pest species diversity in nurseries in Bac Kan province. Field observations and standard plot surveys were conducted in Cho Moi district and Bac Kan city, resulting in the collection of 72 survey forms. The survey revealed significant insect pest species compositions in A. mangium, C. cassia, and I. verum nurseries. Notably, Helopeltis theivora was identified as the primary pest infesting young A. mangium trees, while Echinothrips sp. emerged as the main pest species in C. cassia nurseries, and others affected I. verum nurseries. These findings underscore the need for ongoing monitoring and research to develop effective pest management strategies. Such insights are crucial for sustaining the economic and environmental benefits of these forestry species in Bac Kan province.

Features and processes of rock weathering in central Dronning Maud Land, Antarctica

In this study, we have investigated rock weathering phenomena in the central part of Dronning Maud Land, Antarctica. The area is characterized by low mean annual temperatures (−18 °C), strong katabatic winds, and minimal liquid water at the surface. Weathering features, including ventifacts, tafoni, and grus accumulations, are characterized through field observations, rock surface temperature measurements, and microscopic analysis. Abrasion by sand and ice particles transported by strong winds has locally resulted in ridge-shaped ventifacts and rock surfaces with elongated pits, furrows, and grooves. The abrasion-caused features, such as polished facets, keels, and grooves, indicate a northeast-facing wind direction, aligning with the present-day wind regime. The dominant weathering processes in coarse-grained intrusive rocks are oxidation and granular disintegration. Fe-oxidation induces cracking, increasing the porosity and enhancing susceptibility to further weathering. Additionally, temperature fluctuations on rock surfaces caused by solar radiation create thermal stress, which can lead to the formation of microcracks. These microcracks, formed due to thermal expansion, are likely to propagate through subcritical cracking, which is a slow, long-term process. Together, Fe-oxidation, thermal expansion, and subcritical cracking are important mechanisms contributing to long-term weathering and rock decay. Salt weathering, facilitated by snow and ice meltwater, particularly within tafoni, leads to flaking and disintegration of the parent rock. These findings shed light on the complex interactions shaping the geomorphology of central Dronning Maud Land and provide insights into long-term weathering processes operating in Antarctica's extreme environment.

Развитие системы педагогического образования в Республике Гана

Relevance. Integration of African students into the Russian cultural and educational space is one of the most effective means of fostering friendly bilateral relations in order to implement Russia’s humanitarian policy on the African continent. Pedagogical education can become an important form of cooperation; it may include enrolling foreign students in higher education programs and expanding our work in educational centers abroad. Such a center promoting Russian culture among students was opened in the Republic of Ghana in 2003. However, our understanding of the organization of pedagogical education – primarily the system of teacher training – will contribute to deeper integration into the Ghanaian educational system in order to achieve the above-mentioned objective. We should aim to comprehend the internal structure, objectives, content, management, and evolving directions of the Ghanaian educational system, grounded in its history. The aim of the research is to analyze the contemporary system of teacher training education in the Republic of Ghana. The methodology uses a cultural approach, blending comparative and historical pedagogical methods with analysis of scientific literature, state educational documents, reports of the Ministry of Education and international organizations, enhanced by field observations and interviews with representatives of Ghana’s higher education. The findings reveal a dynamic evolution in Ghana’s higher education system, highlighting its contemporary structure, governance, and educational policies concerning teacher training. Conclusion: the study identifies the principles underpinning the organization of Ghana’s national pedagogical education and notes the active renewal phase of the teacher training system, which aligns with national interests yet relies on international support (methodological and financial). Therefore, at the moment, Ghana is as open as possible for cooperation in teacher training education. Practical application: the research results are valuable for the development of the Center for Open Education in Ghana and for creating joint training programs under the Russian Federation’s Humanitarian Policy abroad. Additionally, the results can contribute to comparative pedagogy courses at university level.

Application of artificial neural network for description of the Earth remote sensing data to identify natural habitats used by European elk, Alces alces (Linnaeus, 1758), in autumn-winter period 2023

The paper presents the results of using neural networks of pixel-by-pixel image classification to decipher multichannel space images obtained by the Landsat 8 satellite. Natural habitats were identified based on differences in phytocenotic characteristics of land areas. The level of use of areas by elk was determined by the occurrence of elk presence indicators, which were the density of winter excrement piles (in spring) and the abundance of winged forms of the monoxenous ectoparasite of elk, Lipoptena cervi (Linnaeus, 1758), as measured by the number of individuals attacking the census taker (in the summer-autumn period). The material that forms the basis for deciphering was obtained by the route census method in different areas of the Leningrad Province. High values of the measured parameters were recorded in reforestation areas, in wet pine and birch forests, in aspen forests, on the edges of raised bogs and in overgrown fields – typical elk winter feeding habitats. Based on the data on the maximum values of the measured parameters, a positive correlation was established for the first time between the abundance of winged forms of L. cervi and the physiological activity of the host (the density of the piles of “winter” excrement). The paper also provides a valid reference to the material of schematic maps developed for a part of the territory of the Leningrad Province and Saint Petersburg. The scheme of the use of areas by elk is compiled on the basis of the relative index calculated from the measured parameters of the survey. Field observation areas and territories close to them were most reliably identified (90–95% accuracy). For areas not covered by field observations, the paper provides comments on the main inaccuracies of the schemes and the reasons for the identified discrepancies, based on an analysis of literary sources devoted to similar research topics. The results of the study indicate that the frequency of attacks of winged forms of L. cervi can be used as an additional criterion for assessing the stationary preferences of elk in the winter period using information on the period of active flight, and the decoding method mentioned in the paper can be used in limited areas of specific territories, including reserves, areas of hunting farms and district forestries.

Transverse faulting in the Paradox Basin, Colorado Plateau, USA: Active, intermittent faulting over a 300 million year history of strain accommodation and fluid flow

The Paradox Basin (Colorado Plateau, USA) is dominated by major, first-order northwest-trending structures commonly 40 km or more in trace length, including (1) regional salt wall corridors related to passive diapirism during Pennsylvanian to Jurassic time, (2) gentle upright folds produced by Laramide shortening during the Late Cretaceous through early Cenozoic, (3) late Laramide normal faults, and (4) normal faults representing Neogene salt dissolution collapse. Less obvious at a regional scale are the fault zones aligned perpendicular (northeast-trending) to the dominant structural grain. There are 16 such faults zones, marked by short trace lengths (3−12 km), small offsets (10−100 m), and predominantly extensional kinematics. Based on published geological maps, field observations of fault zone properties (including fluid flow indicators), and kinematic analysis, we interpret these structures as transverse accommodation faults. Co-spatial structural associations reveal the transverse fault zones were active intermittently, likely as a means of minimizing along-strike strain incompatibility that accrued along the first-order structures as they evolved during late Paleozoic to Late Jurassic halokinesis, (mild) Late Cretaceous to Eocene folding, late Laramide normal faulting, and Neogene to recent collapse faulting. Locally, transverse faulting was influenced by reactivation of northeast-striking faults that offset sub-salt formations, including basement. Active, intermittent transverse faulting over the past ∼300 m.y. is consistent with the synthesis of published interpretations and age determinations focusing on the timing of diverse fluids that exploited the permeability of the transverse fault zones. The Paradox Basin, with its enormous subsurface salt volume and enduring fluid flow, has been an ideal dynamic environment for producing intermittently active transverse accommodation faulting.

Exploring the significance and priority of digital product passports implementation in building renovation projects targeting circular economy

PurposeThis study explores the significance and implementation priorities for Digital Product Passports (DPP) in the context of building renovation projects. It aims to reveal bottlenecks and how a data-driven workflow bridges the DPP understanding/implementation gap, facilitating the transition towards practices aligned with the EU Green Deal goals.Design/methodology/approachA mixed-methods embedded design was employed for a real-case study exploration. Desk research and field observations ground the two-level analysis combining project documentation, namely the Bill of Quantities (BoQ), with different criteria in digitalisation and sustainability, such as economic ratio, 3D modelling, waste management, hazards, energy performance and facility management. All results were interpreted from the DPP lens.FindingsThe analysis revealed a system for identifying building products representing a significant part of the renovation budget. About 11 priority DPPs were found. Some are crucial for both the deconstruction and construction phases, highlighting the need for an incremental and strategic approach to DPP implementation.Research limitations/implicationsThe study is limited to a single case study. Constraints are minimised given the sample's archetype representativeness. The outcomes introduce the need for strategic thinking for incremental DPP implementation. Future research will explore additional criteria and cases.Originality/valueThe research has resulted in a classification framework for DPPs' significance and priority, which is provided with case results. The outcome of the framework provides views on concept alignment to make the implementation in construction more straightforward. Its practical use can be replicated in other projects, emphasizing the importance of data structure and management for the circular economy.

Factors of winter moisture movement in arable soils of the Ishim steppe

Based on the materials of long-term field observations in the southern regions of the Omsk region, the influence of the main factors on the winter movement of moisture in arable soils of the Ishim steppe was traced. The penetration depth of 0 °С determines the lower boundary and vertical thickness of the moisture freezing layer. The distance between its lower edge and the penetration depth of 0 °С is 20–40 cm. The penetration depth of 0 °С is predetermined by the air temperature and the thickness of the snow cover and reaches 170–240 cm. The forms of moisture dominant in the soil are associated with the granulometric composition. Film moisture prevails in the heavy loamy, highly silty soil-ground strata of the Ishim steppe. The content of capillary-backed and free gravitational water does not exceed 6% of the soil volume at full moisture capacity, which determines the small volume of moisture freezing (up to 50 mm). Thermogradient migration of moisture is determined by field methods in highly moistened soil-ground strata. High humidity of the soils and rocks of the Ishim steppe is associated with their granulometric composition and the close occurrence of groundwater. If in the second ten days of October groundwater is recorded at a depth of less than 3 m, the layer of moisture freezing at the end of March is noted in the depth range between 40–80 and 160–200 cm, the volume of cryogenic accumulation is 30–50 mm, including in the upper meter layer – 10–25 mm. If groundwater is detected at a depth of more than 3 m in the autumn, the freezing layer is fixed at 80 to 160–200 cm, the moisture gain in it is 15–30 mm, in the 0–100 cm layer the moisture content does not change. The role of cryogenic accumulation in replenishing the post-vegetation moisture deficit in the root layer of spring grains is modest. This process is significant for the formation of conditions for anaerobiosis and the development of modern hydromorphism in the lower soil horizons and in the subsoil strata.