Green Shield Research Articles

Species diversity of pests of the suborder of shield bugs (Heteroptera) in agrocenoses of the Lazarevsky district of Sochi, Krasnodar Territory, Russia

Aim. The aim of the work was to study the species diversity of pests of the suborder of shield bugs (Heteroptera) in agrocenoses of the Lazarevsky district of Sochi.This paper presents data on the distribution, abundance and density of Heptoptera pest populations in this location. Heteroptera were gathered twice a month during the growing season (April to October) and weekly in the autumn‐winter period (November to March). The choice of registration date during the growing season was determined by the appearance of the first phytophagous individuals after wintering. Identification of the identified phytophages was carried out in the laboratories of the station according to generally accepted methods.The paper presents data on the distribution, abundance and density of pest populations of the suborder of shield bugs (Heteroptera) in the Lazarevsky district of Sochi, Krasnodar Territory. As a result of this research, the species composition of the most common species of bedbugs in this area has been revealed. The most harmful species noted were: berry shield Dolycoris baccarum Linnaeus, 1758; ornate shield Eurydema ornata Linnaeus, 1758; Green shield Nezara viridula Linnaeus, 1758; ruled shield Graphosoma lineatum Linnaeus, 1758; brown‐marbled bug Halyomorpha halys Stål, 1855; oak lace‐maker Corythucha arcuata Say, 1832; sycamore lace‐maker Corythucha ciliata Say; pear lace‐maker Stephanitis pyri Fabricius and linden bug Oxycarenus lavaterae Fabricius, 1787.As a result of the research undertaken, an increase in the total number of bedbug populations, an expansion of trophic connections, an increase in aggressiveness and a change in the status of individual pest species were revealed.

Morocco's green shield: ESG stock performance under global climate, economic, geopolitical and oil uncertainties

This study employs the Nonlinear Autoregressive Distributed Lag (NARDL) model to explore the dynamics of the Moroccan Environmental, Social, and Governance stock market (MASI ESG), considering the influence of global factors, including oil price (Brent), Global Economic Policy Uncertainty (GEPU), geopolitical risk (GPR), and climate policy uncertainty (CPU).A significant positive relationship between MASI ESG and Brent is identified, attributed to Morocco's energy import reliance. Increasing oil prices incentivize sustainable practices, thereby enhancing ESG performance. Conversely, GEPU negatively impacts MASI ESG in the long term, discouraging investors during economic uncertainties, posing a threat to ESG's sustained viability. The study unveils a nuanced relationship between GPR and ESG performance, where geopolitical risk exhibits a dual nature, presenting challenges during long-term turmoil but potentially boosting confidence amid short-term fluctuations.While initially insignificant, CPU demonstrates a sustained positive relationship with MASI ESG over time, emphasizing the growing significance of climate-conscious strategies for long-term ESG performance. We evince the potential of the Moroccan ESG market to contribute to a sustainable future by attracting responsible investments and fostering sustainable business practices. By overcoming challenges and embracing innovation, the Moroccan ESG market can emerge as a model for other developing countries striving for sustainable economic growth.

Effectiveness of Chemical Sanitizers against Salmonella Typhimurium in Nutrient Film Technique (NFT) Hydroponic Systems: Implications for Food Safety, Crop Quality, and Nutrient Content in Leafy Greens.

Hydroponic farming systems play an increasingly important role in the sustainable production of nutrient-rich foods. The contamination of surfaces in hydroponic fresh produce production poses risks to the food safety of crops, potentially endangering public health and causing economic losses in the industry. While sanitizers are widely used in commercial hydroponic farms, their effectiveness against human pathogens on surfaces and their impact on plant health and quality are not known. In this study, we evaluated the efficacy of chemical sanitizers in eliminating Salmonella Typhimurium from inanimate surfaces in commercial hydroponic Nutrient Film Technique (NFT) systems. Further, we assessed the impact of sanitizers on the yield, quality, and nutritional value of lettuce and basil. Sanitizers (Virkon, LanXess, Pittsburgh, PA, USA; SaniDate 12.0, BioSafe Systems, East Hartford, CT, USA; KleenGrow, Pace Chemical Ltd., Delta, BC, Canada; Green Shield, United Labs Inc., St Charles, IL, USA; Zerotol, BioSafe Systems, East Hartford, CT, USA; Bleach, Pure Bright, ON, Canada) were tested against Salmonella Typhimurium inoculated on NFT surfaces (nutrient reservoir, growing channels, top covers, drain lines). The effective treatments were then tested for their impact on lettuce and basil in a split-plot experiment conducted in commercial NFT units. Crop yield, color, and nutrient content (chlorophyll and carotenoids) were measured throughout the crop life cycle. While all quaternary ammonium compounds (QAC), SaniDate 12.0 (200 ppm), Zorotol (5%), and Virkon (1%) eliminated Salmonella Typhimurium from commercial NFT surfaces, chlorine-based sanitizer treatments were statistically similar to water treatments on most surfaces. All chemical sanitizers impacted the yield, color, and nutritional value of lettuce and basil. SaniDate 12.0 (200 ppm) was the least detrimental to crops and was identified as a potential candidate for further validation in commercial hydroponic settings. The findings of this study will be translated into recommendations for the industry and will contribute to the development of future food safety guidelines and policies.

Microbiota of pest insect Nezara viridula mediate detoxification and plant defense repression.

The Southern green shield bug, Nezara viridula, is an invasive piercing and sucking pest insect that feeds on crop plants and poses a threat to global food production. Given that insects are known to live in a close relationship with microorganisms, our study provides insights into the community composition and function of the N. viridula-associated microbiota and its effect on host-plant interactions. We discovered that N. viridula hosts both vertically and horizontally transmitted microbiota throughout different developmental stages and their salivary glands harbor a thriving microbial community that is transmitted to the plant while feeding. The N. viridula microbiota was shown to aid its host with the detoxification of a plant metabolite, namely 3-nitropropionic acid, and repression of host plant defenses. Our results demonstrate that the N. viridula-associated microbiota plays an important role in interactions between insects and plants and could therefore be considered a valuable target for the development of sustainable pest control strategies.

Study of the overwintering ecology of the hazelnut pest, Palomena prasina (L.) (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae) in a perspective of Integrated Pest Management

AbstractPalomena prasina, the green shield bug (GSB), is widely distributed in the Eurosiberian region. In the Southwest of France, it is considered as a serious pest of hazelnuts, its feeding punctures lead to blank hazelnuts and kernel necrosis, causing heavy losses in commercial orchards. To date, no Integrated Pest Management strategy is available to control P. prasina. Control strategies often focus on the pests' spring–summer ecology, when they are in the field or in the vicinity of crops. However, the abundance of pest populations in crops is also related to their autumn‐winter ecology. The present work focussed on the autumn‐winter ecology of P. prasina to identify new opportunities for this pest suppression. We investigate (i) where P. prasina overwinters, (ii) if it aggregates in its overwintering sites and (iii) if it mates while overwintering. Samples were collected over a 2‐year period in different ecosystems (forests, hedges, orchards), in human‐made structures and habitats (litter, bushes/trees, dead trees). The reproductive status of GBS individuals was monitored in winter, and in spring when they emerged from overwintering sites. Our results show that 97% P. prasina adults overwinter in the leaf litter of orchards and natural ecosystems and that 70% overwinter individually. The abundance of GSB in those sites is negatively correlated with litter temperature and positively correlated with humidity levels. Furthermore, adults only mate after leaving their overwintering site. Finally, unexpectedly, there was an important number of overwintering adults hosting endoparasitoids (32%). The fact that GSB overwinters alone in the leaf litter means controlling its populations by destroying the overwintering sites is not a solution. All the same, our results point out some promising lines of research for developing methods to control P. prasina. First, the emergence traps, in particular the cone traps, proved efficient for collecting emerging adults and could be considered for monitoring. Moreover, our observations suggest the existence of long‐range mating signals that could be exploited for trapping. Last but not least, the important number of overwintering parasitised adults is a potential biocontrol avenue.

Determination using field cages of damage types caused by green shield bug feeding on hazelnut kernels

Determination using field cages of damage types caused by green shield bug feeding on hazelnut kernels

The green shield bug, Palomena prasina, and the red-legged shield bug, Pentatoma rufipes, two secondary pests of French hazelnuts

The green shield bug, <i>Palomena prasina,</i> and the red-legged shield bug, <i>Pentatoma rufipes</i>, two secondary pests of French hazelnuts

Understanding Environmental Governance in China Through the Green Shield Action Campaign

ABSTRACT China’s Green Shield Action (GSA) campaign provides critical insights into the nature of environmental politics during a campaign-style inspection under an authoritarian regime. Based on fieldwork in Fujian from 2019 to 2022, the dynamic interactions among stakeholders, the role of campaigns in environmental governance, and the logic behind policy formulation, implementation, and revision were explored. This study finds that in the campaign-style inspection, by applying new technology and improved management, less room was left for local governments to make trade-offs and dilemmas, which further caused high political pressure and conflicts. These outcomes were used as a reference for the central government to adjust its policies and implement regular enforcement with an improved environmental governance system. The campaign-style enforcement is not the opposite of regular enforcement, but these two are closely connected in the case of the GSA.

Two-Lane Highway Capacity Estimation Based on Geometric Features

Abstract The majority of roads in most countries are two-lane highways. These lanes quickly reach their capacity and must be upgraded on a regular basis. To do so, we must first determine the capacity of the street. The primary objective of this study was to determine the effect of carriageway width, the radius of the horizontal curve, and gradients on Passenger Car Unit (PCU) values as well as on capacity of two-lane undivided Highways, and more importantly, to develop a multiple linear regression model to determine the capacity of the highway when all of these factors are present, which has not been previously reported. Green shield’s model was used to estimate the capacity of each element for all thirty-six sections using flow and speed data. Different models were built using regression analysis to estimate capacity independently, and the combined model was developed as a result. It has been noted that with proportionate increases in carriageway width and radius of the curve, there is an equivalent rise in PCU values and highway capacity, providing improved comfort and safety to road users. It was also discovered that when the value of the gradient increases cause increase in PCU values but the highway capacity decreases, thereby increasing the vehicle operating cost. Where all of these characteristics are present simultaneously in a section, the resulting multiple linear regression model was proven to be appropriate. It is believed to be valuable to practitioners as well as in the development or revision of Indian highway capacity manuals.

Economic Damage Levels of the Green Shield Bug (Palomena prasina, Hemiptera: Pentatomidae) in Türkiye Hazelnut Orchards

The green shield bug (GSB) (Palomena prasina, Hemiptera: Pentatomidae) is one of the most important pests of hazelnut in Turkish hazelnut orchards. This harmful insect causes serious yield and quality losses by feeding directly on fruits every year. Their feeding on hazelnut fruits may result in nut abortion (empty nuts) in early season and cause shriveled and corked kernels in kernel expansion period. Insect pest management must be decided by depending on insect population level in field according to integrated pest management concept. Economic injury level (EIL) and economic threshold (ET) are the main essential points that must be considered in decision for insect pest control. Thus, it can be possible to protect the natural environment from unnecessary pesticide applications and the growers from high production costs. Therefore, determining of economic decision levels for controlling pests is critical. This is especially important for hazelnuts, which are grown on hundreds of thousands of hectares of land in Türkiye, and for the GSB, a serious pest that requires a couple of chemical applications per year. The economic decision levels vary mainly due to insect species and their damage potential, crop value in the market and control costs which can change over years and countries. This study aimed to calculate the EIL and ET values for GSB control action in hazelnut orchards in Türkiye using new economic market data. Based on previous research, the authors calculated the yield loss caused by one individual of GSB in this study. Direct yield loss, as well as quality and quantity losses from damaged kernels, were calculated separately and then totaled. The data, including crop value and control costs necessary for calculation was updated from free market sources. In the calculation of EIL/ET, the most common formula (EIL= C/ VxbxK) was used. As a result, the economic threshold for a single insecticide application was determined to be3.8 insect/da (=0.1 ha) for K=1 value and 4.76 insect/da for K=0.8 value, for single insecticide application. When ET values were converted in traditional Turkish approach that is special for hazelnut orchards; ET values for K=1 and K=0.8 were 0.76 insect/ 10 “hazelnut “ocak” (traditional growing of hazelnut plants together) and 0.95 insect/ 10 “ocak” respectively. If 2 applications per year for GSB were considered, ET values were doubled up and calculated to be 7.6 and 9.47 insect/da for K=1 and K=0.8 value respectively, and thusly 1.52 and 1.9 insect/ 10 “ocak” for Türkiye. For practical reasons, the ET value for GSB was recommended as 10 insect/da and 2 insects/10 “ocak”, for Türkiye, with consideration of 2 chemical applications and K= 0.8.

Egg parasitoids of green shield bug, Palomena prasina L. (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae) in hazelnut orchards of Turkey

ABSTRACT Green shield bug (GSB), Palomena prasina L. (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae), is an important pest of hazelnut orchards causing significant yield and quality losses in Turkey. The application of insecticides is the only option to manage GSB in Turkey; however, effective and alternative eco-friendly control practices are needed to manage the pest in the country. Surveys of egg parasitoids using frozen sentinel egg masses were conducted in the main hazelnut-growing regions of Turkey. Furthermore, the composition of native species parasitising GSB eggs and their parasitism rates were determined under field conditions. A total of 11,570 eggs were exposed to field conditions, of which 10,386 eggs were recovered from the surveyed area after 7 days in 2018 and 2019. Trissolcus cultratus, Tr. belenus, Tr. sp1, Telenomus turesis, and Te. sp1 were morphologically identified as egg parasitoids, which was molecularly confirmed based on the cytochrome c oxidase subunit I gene (CO1). The parasitism rate was 9.3% for all eggs exposed to field conditions. Trissolcus cultratus was the predominant species and responsible for 70.06% of the parasitism rate, followed by Tr. belenus (15.75%), Te. turesis (10.26%), Te. sp1 (3.83%), and Tr. sp1 (0.01%). The existence of Tr. cultratus is reported for the first time in Turkey. The egg parasitoid species of GSB determined in this study witnessed the presence of natural parasitism in the natural habitat of the pest. Furthermore, it must be considered that Tr. cultratus can act as a facultative hyperparasitoid.

Fındık Yeşil Kokarcası [Palomena prasina L. (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae)]’nın Yumurta Paket Sayısı ve Üreme Kabiliyeti

This study was conducted to determine the fecundity, oviposition rhythm and clutch number variations of overwintering adult green shield bug (GSB) Palomena prasina (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae) in cages in hazelnut. The adults of GSB collected from hazelnut orchards were taken into cages on selected branches, one pair of overwintering adults were placed in each cage and the study was carried out with 20 repetitions. Daily observations were made during April-June (April 18-June 22) and it was found that the pest laid 94.88 eggs per female as a result of feeding on hazelnut fruits under field conditions. Oviposition period of females was found as 32 days on average. The average number of egg clutches laid per female is 4.38 and it was found that GSB laid eggs from the last week of April until the third week of June. The time required for each oviposition was varied and the average time was found as minimum 5 days and maximum 11.47 days. While postoviposition period was found as 12.25 days on average, death was found to occur on day 54.3 on average in overwintering females. It was found that most of the 79 clutches laid by the pest under cage conditions were included 28 and 14 eggs and there were an average of 21.62 eggs in the clutches laid by the bug. As a result, the determination of reproductive behaviours of the pest will also contribute to biological researches aiming to develop life tables, population models and biological control measures.

Efficacy of Entomopathogenic Fungi, Beauveria bassiana, Isaria fumosorosea and Metarhizium anisopliae Against Green Shield bug, Palomena prasina L. (Heteroptera: Pentatomidae)

In this study, the entomopathogenic fungi; Beauveria bassiana, Isaria fumosorosea and Metarhizium anisopliae were evaluated against fourth nymphs and adults of the green shield bug, P. prasina. The experiment was conducted both under field and laboratory conditions. Isolates included six Beauveria bassiana, one Metarhizium anisopliae and one Isaria fumosorosea. Isolates were bioassayed against nymphs and adults in both under field and laboratory conditions. Four replications of the bioassays were analyzed and evaluated daily for 14 days. LT50 and LT95 values for the experimented isolates ranged from 4.19 to 7.11 days and from 6.68 to 11.30 days, respectively in laboratory for nymphs, ranged from 4.98 to 7.18 days and from 8.03 to 12.22 days, respectively in laboratory for adults. LT50 and LT95 values for the experimented isolates ranged from 6.69 to 10.70 days and from 10.29 to 17.91 days, respectively in field for nymphs, ranged from 7.29 to 10.70 days and from 11.23 to 17.91 days, respectively in field for adults. It was obvious that BB1/21b (Beauveria bassiana) was the most virulent on adults of P. prasina. As a result, while the effect of the isolates used in the study was high due to controlled conditions in the laboratory, it was low in field conditions.

Insect Gut Isolate Pseudomonas sp. Strain Nvir Degrades the Toxic Plant Metabolite Nitropropionic Acid.

ABSTRACTNitropropionic acid (NPA) is a widely distributed naturally occurring nitroaliphatic toxin produced by leguminous plants and fungi. The Southern green shield bug feeds on leguminous plants and shows no symptoms of intoxication. Likewise, its gut-associated microorganisms are subjected to high levels of this toxic compound. In this study, we isolated a bacterium from this insect's gut system, classified as Pseudomonas sp. strain Nvir, that was highly resistant to NPA and was fully degrading it to inorganic nitrogen compounds and carbon dioxide. In order to understand the metabolic fate of NPA, we traced the fate of all atoms of the NPA molecule using isotope tracing experiments with [15N]NPA and [1-13C]NPA, in addition to experiments with uniformly 13C-labeled biomass that was used to follow the incorporation of 12C atoms from [U-12C]NPA into tricarboxylic acid cycle intermediates. With the help of genomics and transcriptomics, we uncovered the isolate’s NPA degradation pathway, which involves a putative propionate-3-nitronate monooxygenase responsible for the first step of NPA degradation. The discovered protein shares only 32% sequence identity with previously described propionate-3-nitronate monooxygenases. Finally, we advocate that NPA-degrading bacteria might find application in biotechnology, and their unique enzymes might be used in biosynthesis, bioremediation, and in dealing with postharvest NPA contamination in economically important products.IMPORTANCE Plants have evolved sophisticated chemical defense mechanisms, such as the production of plant toxins in order to deter herbivores. One example of such a plant toxin is nitropropionic acid (NPA), which is produced by leguminous plants and also by certain fungi. In this project, we have isolated a bacterium from the intestinal tract of a pest insect, the Southern green shield bug, that is able to degrade NPA. Through a multiomics approach, we identified the respective metabolic pathway and determined the metabolic fate of all atoms of the NPA molecule. In addition, we provide a new genetic marker that can be used for genome mining toward NPA degradation. The discovery of degradation pathways of plant toxins by environmental bacteria opens new possibilities for pretreatment of contaminated food and feed sources and characterization of understudied enzymes allows their broad application in biotechnology.

Pest categorisation of Pulvinaria psidii.

The EFSA Panel on Plant Health performed a pest categorisation of Pulvinaria psidii (Hemiptera: Coccidae), the green shield scale, for the EU. P. psidii was originally described from Hawaii on Psidium sp. and it is now established in many countries in tropical and subtropical regions of the world. Within the EU, the pest has been reported from mainland Spain and the Canary Islands. P. psidii is not listed in Annex II of Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2019/2072. It is highly polyphagous, feeding on 230 plant species belonging to more than 70 botanical families with preference for avocado (Persea americana), citrus (Citrus spp.), coffee (Coffea sp.), guava (Psidium guajava), litchi (Litchi chinensis), mango (Mangifera indica), mulberry (Morus sp.) and pomegranate (Punica granatum). It has also been recorded feeding on some solanaceous plants: tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) and pepper (Capsicum annuum), as well as on ornamental plants. Climatic conditions and availability of host plants in southern EU countries would most probably allow this species to successfully establish and spread. Economic impact in cultivated hosts including citrus, mangoes, mulberries, as well as vegetable and ornamental crops is anticipated if establishment occurs. Indeed, P. psidii has already been reported causing damage to Melia azedarach, a widely used ornamental tree that lines streets in Valencia. There is contradictory information regarding impact in mangoes in Spain. This could be due to the relatively recent establishment of the pest. Phytosanitary measures are available to reduce the likelihood of entry and further spread. P. psidii meets the criteria that are within the remit of EFSA to assess for this species to be regarded as a potential Union quarantine pest.

Development of Deep Neural Network Model for the Prediction of Road Crashes in Real Time

Road safety remains a global concern with the number of deaths and injury recorded from road traffic accidents estimated to be 1.5 million and 50 million respectively by 2025. Despite being predictable and largely preventable, the trend of road traffic crash is on the rise in Nigeria with an annual average of 33.7 deaths per 100,000 people. Proactive technique such as real time traffic and crash prediction has the potential to reduce the likelihood of crashes and to improve post-crash response. GoogleNet Convolutional Neural Network was developed in this study to classify road conditions and predict crashes along Ondo – Akure single carriage highway in Nigeria. Traffic flow relationships were established for the empirical data collected through video technique and compared to Green shields, Greenberg and Underwood models. The results were found generally satisfactory at an average coefficient of correlation of 0.96. The developed GoogleNet Convolutional network performed quite satisfactorily at predicting the probability of different traffic conditions – congested traffic (0.98), free-flowing traffic (0.64) and traffic crash (0.94). The developed algorithm can be integrated with traffic cameras and crowd-sourced images in areas that are not within the reach of surveillance cameras and sensors to report traffic condition in real time.

Molecular characterisation and efficacy of entomopathogenic fungi against the Green shield bug Palomena prasina (L.) (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae) under laboratory conditions

ABSTRACT Green shield bug (GSB) Palomena prasina (L.) causes significant yield and quality losses in hazelnut production of Turkey. Alive and dead adults of GSB were collected from the main hazelnut cultivation areas of Turkey during 2018 and 2019. The entomopathogenic fungi (EPF) were isolated from GSB individuals and identified by DNA sequencing of the internal transcribed spacer of the rRNA. Phylogenetic analysis based on the maximum likelihood method of these sequences with reference sequences retrieved from GenBank revealed that 20 native isolates were Beauveria bassiana (6), B. pseudobassiana (1), Cordyceps confragosa (5), Akanthomyces muscarius (4), Purpureocillium lilacinum (2), Isaria fumosorosea (1), and Bionectria sp. (1). Furthermore, the isolates were tested for their efficacy against GSB adults at 1 × 108 spores mL−1 concentration under laboratory conditions. Registered bio-insecticides were applied at the same concentration to compare the efficacy of the isolates. Beauveria spp. isolates were most effective among the tested isolates with LT50 and LT90 values ranging between 3.65–6.14 and 5.26–8.25 days, respectively. These isolates caused 100% mortality in GSB adults within 6–10 days. The isolates of A. muscarius (TR-OR-1) and P. lilacinum (TR-SM-7) were highly effective and caused 100% mortality 10 and 11 days after the treatment, respectively. These results indicated that some EPF isolates obtained in this study are more promising as an alternative control agent against GSB.

Efecto de los daños causados por el insecto escudo verde (Palomena prasina L.) en las características cualitativas de la avellana

Este estudio se realizó en 2018 para determinar el efecto del daño del insecto escudo verde (DV) en las propiedades químicas del cultivar de avellana "Tombul". La composición proximal, proteína, lípidos totales (LT), carbohidratos, relación total de cenizas (CT), vitamina E (VE), fenólicos totales, valores de energía (E), color, composición de ácidos grasos, ácidos grasos totales, oxidación de lípidos e índice de calidad nutricional se determinaron en relación con los daños causados por el insecto. Se encontró que el nivel de LT, CT, VE, E, ácidos grasos monoinsaturados (MUFA) y ácidos grasos insaturados/saturados (UFA/SFA) fue menor en los granos de DV que en los granos buenos (GB). Aunque los granos de DV tienen niveles más altos de yodo, acidez, grasa libre y peróxidos, tienen niveles más bajos de la relación ácido oleico/linoleico y de los valores de rancimat. Además, los granos de DV tienen una relación más baja PUFA/SFA y de hipocolesterolémica/hipercolesterolémica, pero tienen valores de índice de aterogenicidad y trombogenicidad más altos.

Performance road before and during pandemic COVID-19

The COVID-19 case was first identified in Makassar City, Indonesia on March 2020, then continued to experience an increase in positive cases and was designated as a red zone/epicenter of the spread of COVID-19. On April 24, 2020, the city government for the first time took steps to limit activities outside the home for the community to reduce the risk of spreading the COVID-19 virus. On April 29, 2020, Gowa Regency is bordered to the north of Makassar city also implemented mobility restrictions for the community from/to Gowa/Makassar. One of the intercity border roads between Makassar City and Gowa Regency and which is often used as connecting access for the two regions is Daeng Tata Lama Street, Makassar City. The purpose of this research is to compare the performance and traffic modeling of the intercity border road before pandemic condition and during the pandemic. Methods for traffic modeling are Green shields, Greenberg, and Underwood, while Indonesian Highway Capacity Guidelines 2014 method for traffic performance. The results showed that the traffic performance (degree of saturation value) before the pandemic occurred was higher than in the new normal and travel restriction conditions. However, the average speed is lower in the travel restriction and new normal conditions than in the before pandemic condition.

Characteristics of the urban environment in and issues in the creation of a green shield around the city of Makhachkala, Dagestan, Russia

This paper addresses issues of beautifying the capital of Dagestan, Makhachkala, and boosting nature conservation in that city. An insight is provided into the following characteristics of the city's socio-economic and environmental development: the prevalence of haphazard rather than consistent patterns in the development of the living environment of Makhachkala residents and an extreme lack of funding for nature conservation activities. The four key sites within Makhachkala's potential "green shield" are (1) Eltav Forest in the northwest; (2) the Caspian Sea with its sandy beaches in the northeast; (3) Lake Ak-Gel in the southeast; (4) Tarki-Tau Mountain in the southwest. The need is stressed for creative management decisions that will take full account of the ethnocultural and ethnopsychological characteristics of the city's urban environment.