Geographic Structure Research Articles

Analyzing dialect (morpho)syntax in Austria: a non-aggregative dialectometric approach

Abstract This paper aims to identify and analyze geographical patterns of (morpho)syntactic variation in traditional Austrian dialects using non-aggregative dialectometric methods (factor analysis). Based on a comprehensive dialect corpus obtained by direct dialect interviews including 163 speakers from 40 locations throughout Austria, our analyses of 79 variants of 30 (morpho)syntactic variables not only show geographical patterns in Austria’s dialects, but also address the linguistic basis of the geographical structures revealed. In particular, the results show that variables at the morphology–syntax interface contribute most to geographical structuring. We argue that this finding is related to structural conditions of these variables and the historical development of the respective variants.

Tiny Hunters Along the Alpine Fault: Integrative Phylobiogeography Demonstrates High Geographic Structure in a Forest‐Dwelling Aotearoa Harvester Genus (Arachnida, Triaenonychidae: Algidia)

ABSTRACTAimThe archipelago of Aotearoa displays both high biodiversity and a dynamic geologic history, shaped by constantly shifting coastlines and the dramatic effects of glacial cycling on forest cover across the islands. This geographic history has important implications for the evolution of dispersal‐limited forest‐dwelling arthropods, such as Opiliones, which can help us reconstruct key past biogeographic events. In this study, we shed light on the evolutionary history of the triaenonychid genus Algidia Hogg, 1920.LocationThe archipelago of Aotearoa|New Zealand.Time PeriodLate Cretaceous to the present‐day, with particular focus on events in the Oligocene onwards.Major Taxa StudiedAlgidia, Triaenonychidae, Opiliones, Arachnida.MethodsWe utilise an integrative phylobiogeographic approach, incorporating target enrichment sequence capture of ultraconserved elements, divergence dating, species delimitation and ecological niche modeling.ResultsOur genomic data in conjunction with divergence dating find evidence of high geographic structure and the influence of multiple key geologic events in the natural history of Aotearoa, including the origination and continuation of the Alpine Fault, marine transgression during the Oligocene and cycles of glaciation and orogeny that characterised the Pliocene and Pleistocene on the islands. Our results recover 10 putative species, including four that are undescribed. Paleoclimate modelling reflects geographic changes to Aotearoa's coastline which potentially underpin the modern distributions of Algidia, including land bridges in place of the current marine straits Raukawa Moana|Cook Strait and Te Ara‐a‐Kiwa|Foveaux Strait.Main ConclusionsThe phylogeny of Algidia indicates consistent northwards expansion, with the earliest diverging clade, A. homerica, located in Rakiura and southern Te Waipounamu, and subsequently diverging clades moving steadily northwards in their geographic distributions. Diversification of Algidia predates the Oligocene Marine Transgression, lending support to the now well‐established hypothesis that Aotearoa was not fully submerged during the Oligocene. The Alpine Fault seems to be an important feature explaining cladogenesis and diverging populations, including for species found across Raukawa Moana. However, other phenomena, including glaciation, orogeny or continental shifting, are also important explanatory factors in species distributions across Aotearoa.

8000 Years of morphometric evolution of sheep, goat and pig in the northwestern Mediterranean basin

Understanding how domestic mammal species evolved through time provides insight into the artificial and natural selection processes that have shaped the diversity of domestic animals. The focus of this article is the morphometric evolution of sheep, goats and suids in the Northwestern Mediterranean Basin over the last 8000 years, employing a 2D geometric morphometrics protocol applied to the third lower molars. Using a comprehensive dataset comprising 2798 archaeological specimens from 176 sites in Southern France and Spanish Catalonia, along with 1303 modern specimens, we aim to identify and contrast the environmental and anthropic factors influencing species evolution linked to past husbandry practices. Each of these three taxa follows its own evolutionary trajectory, exhibiting variations over time and across different regions. Notably, reduction in the centroid size of sheep molars between the Neolithic and the early Iron Age could potentially be associated with an increased demand for meat and/or shifts in male-to-female ratios. A clear geographical structuring of caprines between the Neolithic and Antiquity is observed, likely influenced by a combination of factors including artificial selection, environmental changes and socio-economic dynamics, as corroborated by previous studies. Moreover, a reduction in molar size during the Middle Ages is observed across all three species, possibly linked to extensive agropastoral practices. Furthermore, divergent processes of breed improvement and standardization are identified in pigs and caprines. This study highlights the complex nature of morphological variations in domestic species, emphasising the multifactorial influences involved. It underscores the importance of interdisciplinary approaches in understanding the factors contributing to morphological transformations over time.

Long-term human influence on the demography and genetic diversity of the hyperdominant Bertholletia excelsa in the Amazon Basin.

The Amazon rainforest is characterized by a limited number of hyperdominant trees that play an oversized role in its ecosystems, nutrient cycle, and rainfall production. Some of these, such as the Brazil nut, appear to have been intensively exploited and dispersed by Indigenous populations since their earliest arrival in this part of South America around 13,000 years ago. However, the genetic diversity-and geographic structure-of these species remains poorly understood, as does their exact relationship with past human land use. We use a new genome assembly for Brazil nut to analyze 270 individuals sampled at areas with varying intensities of archaeological evidence. We demonstrate that overall low genetic diversity, with a notable decrease since the Late Pleistocene, is accompanied by significant geographic structure, where evidence for improved gene flow and regeneration by long-term traditional human management is linked to increased genetic diversity. We argue that historical perspectives on the genetic diversity of key tree species, such as the Brazil nut, can support the development of more active management strategies today.

Origin and Genealogy of Rare mtDNA Haplotypes Detected in the Serbian Population.

Background: The Balkan Peninsula has served as an important migration corridor between Asia Minor and Europe throughout humankind's history and a refugium during the Last Glacial Maximum. Past migrations such as the Neolithic expansion, Bronze Age migrations, and the settlement of Slavic tribes in the Early Middle Ages, are well known for their impact on shaping the genetic pool of contemporary Balkan populations. They have contributed to the high genetic diversity of the region, especially in mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) lineages. Serbia, located in the heart of the Balkans, reflects this complex history in a broad spectrum of mtDNA subhaplogroups. Methods: To explore genetic diversity in Serbia and the wider Balkan region, we analyzed rare mtDNA subclades-R0a, N1a, N1b, I5, W, and X2-using publicly available data. Our dataset included already published sequences from 3499 HVS-I/HVS-II and 1426 complete mitogenomes belonging to West Eurasian and African populations, containing both contemporary and archaeological samples. We assessed the parameters of genetic diversity found in different subclades across the studied regions and constructed detailed phylogeographic trees and haplotype networks to determine phylogenetic relationships. Results: Our analyses revealed the observable geographic structure and identified novel mtDNA subclades, some of which may have originated in the Balkan Peninsula (e.g., R0a1a5, I5a1, W1c2, W3b2, and X2n). Conclusions: The geographic distribution of rare subclades often reveals patterns of past population movements, routes, and gene flows. By tracing the origin and diversity of these subclades, our study provided new insights into the impact of historical migrations on the maternal gene pool of Serbia and the wider Balkan region, contributing to our understanding of the complex genetic history of this important European crossroads.

Features of the biomorphological and geographic structure of segetal floras in a number of regions in Russia

Background. Biomorphological and geographic analyses conducted on long geographic gradients are relevant for identifying botanical and geographic features of segetal floras.Materials and methods. A comparative analysis was used to study biomorphological and geographic elements of segetal floras in nine regions of Russia: Vologda, Leningrad, Novgorod, Sverdlovsk and Rostov Provinces, the Republic of Bashkortostan, the Republic of Crimea, the Udmurt Republic, and Altai Territory.Results. Biomorphological groups in the compared segetal floras contained approximately equal ratios of therophytes and hemicryptophytes, monocarpic and polycarpic herbaceous plants. Meanwhile, the indigenous fraction manifested a higher share of polycarpic herbs (about 60–70%), while monocarpic herbs predominated in the alien fraction (80–90%). For the most part, indigenous plants represented widespread species (Holarctic and Eurasian), mainly plurizonal ones. At the same time, the composition of geographic elements in segetal floras retained the features of their locations. Species of southern distribution prevailed in the segetal flora of Crimea, while Central and East Asian species in Altai Territory. Depending on the zonal arrangement of segetal floras, the shares of boreal, forest-steppe and steppe species changed. The ratios among geographic elements in the alien fractions of the compared segetal floras were relatively stable. The groups of Eurasian and American species were the most numerous.Conclusion. The ratio of life forms (an increased share of therophytes, and a decreased share of phanerophytes) is probably a characteristic feature of the segetal flora, associated with the living environments of plants in agricultural phytocenoses. Geographic analysis confirmed that segetal floras retained their biogeographical features.

Genome Analysis of Japanese Yersinia pseudotuberculosis Strains Isolated From Kawasaki Disease Patients and Other Sources and Their Phylogenetic Positions in the Global Y. pseudotuberculosis Population.

Yersinia pseudotuberculosis (Ypt) is a gram-negative bacterium that infects both humans and animals primarily through fecal‒oral transmission. While Ypt causes acute gastroenteritis in humans, an association with Kawasaki disease (KD), a disease that primarily affects infants and young children and causes multisystemic vasculitis, has also been suspected. Although KD represents a significant health concern worldwide, the highest annual incidence rate is reported in Japan. Previously, a geographical origin-dependent population structure of Ypt comprising the Asian, transitional, and European clades was proposed. However, genomic data on KD-associated Ypt strains is currently unavailable. In this study, to analyze the phylogenetic and genomic features of KD-associated strains, we determined the whole-genome sequences of 35 Japanese Ypt strains, including 11 KD-associated strains, and constructed a genome set (n = 204) representing the global population of Ypt by adding publicly available Ypt genomes. In a phylogenetic analysis, all sequenced Japanese strains, including the KD-associated strains, belonged to the Asian clade, which appeared to be the ancestral clade of Ypt, and the KD-associated strains belonged to multiple lineages in this clade. Strains from patients with Far East scarlet-like fever (FESLF), a KD-related disease, also belonged to the Asian clade. Moreover, no KD strain-specific genes were identified in pan-genome-wide association study analyses. Notably, however, the gene encoding a superantigen called Yersinia pseudotuberculosis-derived mitogen (YPM) showed a distribution pattern highly biased to the Asian clade. Although further studies are needed, our results suggest that Asian clade strains may have a greater potential to trigger KD.

Microsatellite and Mitochondrial COI Provide Novel Insights Into the Population Genetic Structure of White Prunicola Scale (Pseudaulacaspis prunicola) in China.

The white prunicola scale Pseudaulacaspis prunicola (Maskell) is an important pest of fruit and ornamental plants, characterised by its wide distribution, broad host range and distinct biological traits. In this study, a comprehensive population genetic analysis of P. prunicola in China was conducted, focusing on genetic diversity, genetic structure, relationships among geographical populations, and population dynamics. Microsatellite molecular and mitochondrial COI markers were used to examine the genetic diversity and structure of 19 P. prunicola populations across 10 provinces in China. The results revealed low genetic diversity and limited gene flow among populations. A clear geographic genetic structure was identified, with the 19 populations being, divided into four distinct groups, showing a pronounced north-south distribution pattern. Significant genetic differentiation was observed between these groups, with minimal gene exchange. COI-based diversity analyses produced results similar to those obtained from the microsatellite markers. These findings provide valuable insights into the distribution and spread of P. prunicola in China and may help inform the development of effective and targeted pest control strategies.

Uncovering Diversity within the Glomeromycota: Novel Clades, Family Distributions, and Land Use Sensitivity.

Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF, phylum Glomeromycota) are essential to plant community diversity and ecosystem functioning. However, increasing human land use represents a major threat to native AMF globally. Characterizing the loss of AMF diversity remains challenging because many taxa are undescribed, resulting in poor documentation of their biogeography and family-level disturbance sensitivity. We survey sites representing native and human-altered ecosystems across the American continents-in Alaska, Kansas, and Brazil-to shed light on these gaps. Using a recently developed pipeline for phylogenetic placement of eDNA, we find evidence for three putative novel clades within the Glomeromycota, sister to Entrophosporaceae, Glomeraceae, and Archaeosporaceae, with evidence for geographic structuring. We further find that taxa in the Diversisporaceae, Glomeraceae, and Entrophosporaceae relatively high families are overrepresented and more diverse in temperate samples. By contrast, the diversity of taxa that cannot be placed into a family is higher in tropical samples, suggesting that tropical sites harbor relatively high undescribed AMF diversity. Moreover, we find evidence that Entrophosporaceae is more tolerant, while Glomeraceae is more sensitive to disturbance. These results underscore the vast undescribed diversity of AMF while highlighting a way forward to systematically improve our understanding of AMF biogeography and response to human disturbance.

The big tourism success of a small island in the Republic of the Philippines: the case of Siargao

Siargao, which is commonly recognized as the surfing capital of the Philippines, has been chosen as one of the best holiday islands in the world by the tourism experts. Siargao, located in the southeast of the Republic of the Philippines and northeast of the island of Mindanao, is one of the most popular sea tourism destinations of the country, situated within the borders of Surigao del Norte Province.In terms of administrative management, Siargao has 9 districts and 132 barangays, as well as 48 small islands in its immediate vicinity. In this study, on the one hand, the geographical location, administrative structure and general geographical features of the island of Siargao were addressed, on the other hand, popular tourism centers, natural and cultural tourism attractions and tourism potential were investigated. Moreover, both the main tourism advantages and the main tourism disadvantages of the Siargao island were dealt with in the study. Siargao's biggest tourism advantage, despite possessing a very small area, is that it has a great recreation and tourism diversity thanks to its geographical, cultural and ecological diversity and that it has breathtaking natural beauties that are not available anywhere else in the world. The main purpose of this study is both to introduce the tourism potential and natural beauties of this small Philippine island to the readers and offer new holiday options for the inquisitive tourists.

Туристско-рекреационное районирование Чеченской Республики

On the basis of a comprehensive study, the tourism and recreation zoning of the territory of the Chechen Republic was carried out, taking into account the peculiarities of its geographical location, landscape structure, tourist and recreational potential, transport infrastructure and spatial features of the region's recreational network. The methods of analysis, synthesis, content analysis, statistical, comparative and cartographic methods were used in the work. The map-scheme of the proposed zoning was developed using CorelDRAW. For each tourist and recreational district the most significant objects of tourism and recreation are identified and the priority directions of tourism and recreation industry development are substantiated. Minimal diversity of tourist and recreational resources and weak recreational development is found in the lowland (semi-desert) district. Among the promising types of tourism there are scientific-cognitive, sports (fishing and hunting) and health tourism. The widest range of promising types of tourism in the region is identified in the mountainous and high-mountainous areas characterized by high landscape and biological diversity. These include scientific and cognitive, cultural and historical, ethno-cultural, geological, extreme, sports (skiing, speleotourism, rafting, hunting, photo-hunting), health-improving (terrenekur), therapeutic (climatotherapy, phytotherapy) and others. Among the limiting factors of tourism development in these areas is low transport accessibility.

Стратегическое развитие российских нефтегазовых компаний в условиях экономических санкций

The article examines the positive and negative impact of external environmental factors on the Russian oil and gas business in Russia. PESTLE-analysis by the expert method was carried out, on the basis of which the most significant risks for the gas business – reduction of sales in the European market and ban on oil and gas equipment supplies – were identified using quantitative assessments. The impact of sanctions on the operational results of PJSC “Gazprom” was investigated, revealing a substantial decline in revenue and profit from sales, primarily due to the imposition of anti-Russian restrictive measures. These negative trends were partially mitigated by an increase in gas supplies to China and the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS), as well as growing domestic market demands, which altered the geographical structure of sales volumes. Within the framework of a long-term development program, the article substantiates the potential for diversifying gas export supplies to Asia-Pacific countries and identifies revenue growth reserves through the gasification of Russian regions using statistical methods. Additionally, the advantages of redirecting supplies of key oil and gas equipment to Chinese manufacturers were identified, which could significantly reduce both the delivery time and costs by up to 40 %.

Patterns of intraspecific genetic variation of Andoa berthelotiana (Myuriaceae, Bryophyta) in the Azores (Macaronesia)

Macaronesia is home to several endemic bryophytes, such as Andoa berthelotiana. Recent genetic studies revealed the existence of two intraspecific lineages within this species, one in Madeira and the Canary Islands and another in the Azores. However, patterns of intraspecific variation within archipelagos, remain a relatively unexplored area of research. In this study we investigate patterns of intraspecific variation of Andoa berthelotiana within the Azorean archipelago and potential associations with elevation. Our investigation is based on the analysis of chloroplast DNA sequences and AFLP data. The dataset includes trnL-trnF sequences from 23 samples and AFLP data from 34 samples collected in seven of the nine Azorean islands, encompassing elevations of up to 1200 m. For the DNA sequence data haplotype diversity, nucleotide diversity and a statistical parsimony haplotype network were calculated. The AFLP data were analyzed by AMOVA (Analysis of Molecular Variance) and PCoA (Principal Coordinates Analysis). A Chi-Square test was carried out to assess the significance of the relationship between elevation and AFLP groups or trnL-trnF haplotypes, respectively. The observed intraspecific genetic variation clustered into three trnL-trnF haplotypes and two AFLP groups, without a clear geographical structure across the Azorean archipelago. Group AFLP1 and haplotypes trnL_F1 and trnL_F3 only appeared below 600 m elevation, where low-elevation vegetation (coastal woodlands, lowland forests and montane Laurus azorica forests) prevails, while group AFLP2 and haplotype trnL_F2 occurring along the whole elevational range, but with most samples above 600 m. Associations between elevation and molecular groups were significant according to the Chi-Square test. Our study reveals the presence of genetic variation within Andoa berthelotiana in the Azorean archipelago. The two main genetic groups do not seem to be related to geographical location of islands nor groups of islands, but rather to elevation. One group exhibits a broader ecological amplitude, whereas the other may be genetically adapted to environmental conditions at lower elevations (below 600 m), which includes the area where the native laurel forests dominate and where anthropogenic activities have altered the majority of natural vegetation. Conservation efforts should therefore not only consider the species Andoa berthelotiana itself, which is associated with natural forest, but also intraspecific genetic diversity of Andoa populations, in particular genotypes restricted to lower elevations.

Tanzania’s Economic Growth Prospects through EAC and SADC Membership

The article examines the economic effects of Tanzania’s multiple membership in the East African Community (EAC) common market and the Southern African Development Community (SADC) free trade area. Over the past two or three decades, regional integration processes have intensified on the African continent, which have become an important component of the economic development of countries. Geographical and commodity structure of Tanzanian foreign trade in the first two decades of the 21st century has changed significantly: the position of the countries of East Africa has strengthened due to integration within the EAC and rapidly developing Asian economies, trade flows with the former metropolitan countries have weakened, trade with the south of the continent has diversified within the SADC.

World Coal Market: Current State and Long-Term Trends

This paper aims to identify major trends in the evolution of the global coal market in the 21st century. The relevance of the topic stems from the fact that under the Paris Climate Agreement many countries are committed to reduce fossil fuel production, and this is likely to have an impact on global coal production and on international trade flows. To analyse the dynamics and structural changes in global coal production the author uses International Energy Agency data and fill in existing gaps with statistics provided by Euracoal database. The main findings suggest that during 2000–2023 the global coal production has almost doubled, mainly due to the contribution of Asian counties – China, India and Indonesia, being now the largest world exporters of coal. The share of exports in the total world production tended to enlarge from 13% in 2000 to 17% in 2023. While Russia constantly accounts for 5% of the global coal production, it ranks third among the largest coal exporters with a share that grew from 6% in 2000 to 15% in 2023. Fundamental changes have occurred in the geographical structure of world imports. The combined share of China and India expanded during the period 2000‒2023 from 3 to 46%, whereas the combined share of the EU and Japan dropped from 50 to 18%. Meanwhile the global coal market is moving to Asia, its already high grade of geographical concentration is still building up. These trends are typical for production, exports and imports (although to a somewhat lesser extent). The share of the five largest exporters climbed from 62% in 2000 to 82% in 2023, and the share of five largest importers grew from 64 to 72%, respectively.

The impact of foreign investment on strengthening the security of the national economy of Ukraine and investment guidelines for Ukrainian-Polish cooperation

The article examines the theoretical foundations of the category of foreign direct investment and identifies their characteristic features. The importance of foreign investment is substantiated, and both positive and negative consequences of FDI for the country’s economy are identified. The research investigates the dynamics of the inflow and the geographical structure of foreign direct investment by country of receipt of investment, presents the largest investor countries and the most attractive sectors for investment in the Ukrainian economy, and evaluates the degree of deterioration in the investment attractiveness of the national economy. The features of Ukrainian-Polish investment cooperation are studied, and priority directions for developing investment activity are discussed.

Recent Crop-To-Weed Adaptive Introgression Has Reshaped the Genomic Composition and Geographical Structure of US Weedy Rice (Oryza spp.).

Weedy rice is a close relative of cultivated rice (Oryza sativa) that infests rice fields worldwide and drastically reduces yields. To combat this agricultural pest, rice farmers in the southern US began to grow herbicide-resistant (HR) rice cultivars in the early 2000s, which permitted the application of herbicides that selectively targeted weedy rice without harming the crop. The widespread adoption of HR rice coincided with increased reliance on hybrid rice cultivars in place of traditional inbred varieties. Although both cultivated and weedy rice are predominantly self-fertilising, the combined introductions of HR and hybrid rice dramatically altered the opportunities and selective pressure for crop-weed hybridization and adaptive introgression. In this study, we generated genotyping-by-sequencing data for 178 weedy rice samples collected from across the rice growing region of the southern US; these were analysed together with previously published rice and weedy rice genome sequences to determine the recent genomic and population genetic consequences of adaptive introgression and selection for herbicide resistance in US weedy rice populations. We find a reshaped geographical structure of southern US weedy rice as well as purging of crop-derived alleles in some weed strains of crop-weed hybrid origin. Furthermore, we uncover evidence that related weedy rice strains have made use of different genetic mechanisms to respond to selection. Lastly, we identify widespread presence of HR alleles in both hybrid-derived and nonadmixed samples, which further supports an overall picture of weedy rice evolution and adaptation through diverse genetic mechanisms.

Classification of Geographical Land Structure Using Convolution Neural Network and Transfer Learning

Classification of Geographical Land Structure Using Convolution Neural Network and Transfer Learning

Differentiation and Taxonomic Identification of Roburoid Oaks in the Caucasian and Crimean Regions Using Nuclear Microsatellite Markers

The inter- and intra-specific structure of genetic variability was studied using 18 microsatellite loci (nSSRs) in closely related roburoid oaks in the Crimean-Caucasian region.The seven most widespread Quercus taxa in the region were studied in 29 morphologically pure populations from different parts of the North Caucasus, Transcaucasia, Crimea and northeastern Europe. Most taxa were studied using nSSR markers for the first time. Among the 492 trees studied, Bayesian clustering method implemented in STRUCTURE identified clusters corresponding to the pedunculate oak Quercus robur, the Hartwiss oak Q. hartwissiana, the Caucasian oak Q. macranthera, the downy oak Q. pubescens and three subspecies of sessile oak: Q. petraea ssp. petraea, Q. petraea ssp. iberica, Q. petraea ssp. medwediewii. Geographic structure was identified within Q. robur, Q. pubescens and Q. p. ssp. petraea. The 18 nSSR loci used are efficient in the taxonomic assignment of individuals, and identifying hybrids. The close relationship between the “long-pedunculate” roburoid oaks (Q. robur and Q. hartwissiana) is shown, with a greater difference from other species. For one of the subspecies of sessile oak, widespread in the North Caucasus and Crimea Q. petraea ssp. medwediewii (syn. Q. calcarea), or limestone oak, significant differences from other taxa were found, reaching the species level. The assumption of a possible hybrid origin of this taxon as a result of hybridization of Q. petraea and Q. pubescens is not confirmed by genetic analysis. The other two subspecies of Q. petraea (Q. p. ssp. petraea and Georgian oak Q. p. ssp. iberica) are differentiated to a lesser extent and are related to each other, which confirms the legitimacy of distinguishing two geographically isolated taxa at the rank of subspecies. The highest variability was observed in Q. pubescens (He = 0.777). In Q. p. ssp. medwediewii variability was lower than in other widespread taxa (He = 0.652), and was approximately at the level of variability of Q. hartwissiana (He = 0.633) and Q. macranthera (He = 0.659). Clear differentiation of taxa by nuclear markers shows the limited introgression in closely related oak species in the Caucasus and Crimea. The identified genetic clusters can be used as reference groups for further population genetic studies of oaks in the Crimean-Caucasian region.

The macro-structure of football's global migration system: How linguistic, economic, and geographic boundaries constrain player mobility

Sport sociologists study how macro-level factors structure the global migration flows of athletes in professional football with three perspectives that theorize that some combination of cultural-linguistic similarities, global value-added chains, and geographical proximity structure migration in football. However, most studies use imprecise data and lack a micro-level foundation detailing why the hypothesized macro-structural factors shape the recruitment decisions of clubs and the migration choices of players. This study develops a theoretical framework with refutable hypotheses to analyze why the macro-level factors highlighted in existing theories shape the decisions of clubs and players and tests these hypotheses with data on all inter-country transfers from 2006 to 2022. Results indicate that migration connects all countries in world football, but the largest migration flows occur between countries located in close linguistic, economic, and geographic proximity. These results support theories that emphasize how linguistic and geographic boundaries structure migration, but cast doubt on theories of global value-added chains claiming that migration connects different economic tiers in world football. The labor market in football may be global, but most clubs and players operate in a linguistically, economically, and geographically bounded segment of that global labor market.