High Demand For Products Research Articles

Livelihood Implication of Artisanal Mining on Herders in Jema’a and Sanga Local Government Areas of Kaduna State, Nigeria

This study assessed the livelihood implication of artisanal mining on herders in Jema’a and Sanga local government areas of Kaduna state, Nigeria, with a view to providing information for sustainable living. Data for this study was collected through questionnaire survey, in-depth interview and direct field observation. The result showed that herders are involved in artisanal mining due to economic hardship/poverty, quick/high income generation from mining, supplementing income generated from other sources, lack of livestock, availability of minerals, high level of insecurity and Covid-19 lockdown. The result also indicated that artisanal mining increases asset acquisition, empowerment and provision of job to herders, leads to new income generating opportunities, and increase in income due to high demand for animal products, but diminishes available land for grazing, forces herders to relocate to new areas, causes competition for natural resources, lures their younger ones away from herding, prostitution, armed robbery and kidnapping, loss of livestock, pollution of domestic water sources and loss of young herders. It is therefore important that adequate training be given to herders on modern methods of livestock keeping to discourage them from involving in mining of minerals. In order to reduce their vulnerability to mining of minerals, it is also recommended that government and private sectors should work towards reducing poverty and unemployment to all kinds of persons across the country.

Does relative strength influence bench press kinematics in resistance-trained men?

ABSTRACT The aim of the present study was to examine whether relative strength influences lifting kinematics (e.g., lifting time, barbell velocity, vertical displacement) during the bench press (BP) exercise with healthy men. Loaded BP 6-repetition maximum normalized to body mass (i.e., relative strength) was examined in 110 resistance-trained men (age: 22.9 ± 2.5 years, height: 180.9 ± 6.9 cm, body mass: 80.3 ± 7.9 kg), by analysing lifting kinematics using a linear encoder. According to relative BP strength, subjects were classified as beginners, recreationally trained, intermediate, and advanced. Results showed that in the intermediate (p = 0.004, ES = 0.85) and advanced (p = 0.016, ES = 0.81) groups barbell velocity was lower in the sticking region of the BP action, compared with beginners, however there were no significant differences between groups for vertical displacement (p = 0.122–1.000) and lifting time (p = 0.052–1.000). These findings suggest that greater relative strength improves the capacity to perform the eccentric but not the concentric phase of BP. Enhanced barbell lowering indicates that the sticking region is caused by a high demand for eccentric force production during biomechanically disadvantageous conditions.

The Ethiopian agricultural extension services: A mixed perspective

Agricultural extension is the primary mechanism that enhances agricultural production. Thus, the main objective of this paper was to review the Ethiopian Agricultural Extension Services. The literature review was used to collect the data across Ethiopia. This method collected and evaluated the published documents that relate to agricultural extension in the country. The evaluation of various studies showed that agricultural extension contributes to improving farming, improving commercialisation, educating farmers, conserving natural resources, promoting new technology, promoting sustainable agriculture, and disseminating information across various settings. By the same token, weak interaction, low participation, lack of technical skills, missed use of services, the weak link of research extension, a lack of incentives, and a lack of suitable adaptation to technologies constrain the extension system across the country. Likewise, the available agricultural inputs, high demand for agricultural products, available donors, and access to weather roads and media, access to credit, and available manpower were the main prospects of the extension system in Ethiopia. Therefore, the government of Ethiopia needs to resolve the constraints of extension services, while using its prospects in order to improve the agricultural sector.

Trajectory Optimization in Terms of Energy and Performance of an Industrial Robot in the Manufacturing Industry.

Currently, the high demand for new products in the automotive sector requires large investments in factories. The automotive industry is characterized by high automatization, largely achieved by manipulator robots capable of multitasking. This work presents a method for the optimization of trajectories in robots with six degrees of freedom and a spherical wrist. The optimization of trajectories is based on the maximization of manipulability and the minimization of electrical energy. For this purpose, it is necessary to take into account the kinematics and dynamics of the manipulator in order to integrate an algorithm for calculation. The algorithm is based on the Kalman method. This algorithm was implemented in a simulation of the trajectories of a serial industrial robot, in which the robot has a sealer gun located on its sixth axis and the quality of the sealer application depends directly on the orientation of the gun. During the optimization of the trajectory, the application of the sealer must be guaranteed. This method was also applied to three different trajectories in the automotive sector. The obtained results for manipulability and electrical energy consumption prove the efficiency of the algorithm. Therefore, this method searches for the optimal solution within the limits of the manipulator and maintains the orientation of the final effector. This can be used for a known trajectory.

Perspectives and potential applications of endophytic microorganisms in cultivation of medicinal and aromatic plants.

Ensuring food and nutritional security, it is crucial to use chemicals in agriculture to boost yields and protect the crops against biotic and abiotic perturbations. Conversely, excessive use of chemicals has led to many deleterious effects on the environment like pollution of soil, water, and air; loss of soil fertility; and development of pest resistance, and is now posing serious threats to biodiversity. Therefore, farming systems need to be upgraded towards the use of biological agents to retain agricultural and environmental sustainability. Plants exhibit a huge and varied niche for endophytic microorganisms inside the planta, resulting in a closer association between them. Endophytic microorganisms play pivotal roles in plant physiological and morphological characteristics, including growth promotion, survival, and fitness. Their mechanism of action includes both direct and indirect, such as mineral phosphate solubilization, fixating nitrogen, synthesis of auxins, production of siderophore, and various phytohormones. Medicinal and aromatic plants (MAPs) hold a crucial position worldwide for their valued essential oils and several phytopharmaceutically important bioactive compounds since ancient times; conversely, owing to the high demand for natural products, commercial cultivation of MAPs is on the upswing. Furthermore, the vulnerability to various pests and diseases enforces noteworthy production restraints that affect both crop yield and quality. Efforts have been made towards enhancing yields of plant crude drugs by improving crop varieties, cell cultures, transgenic plants, etc., but these are highly cost-demanding and time-consuming measures. Thus, it is essential to evolve efficient, eco-friendly, cost-effective simpler approaches for improvement in the yield and health of the plants. Harnessing endophytic microorganisms as biostimulants can be an effective and alternative step. This review summarizes the concept of endophytes, their multidimensional interaction inside the host plant, and the salient benefits associated with endophytic microorganisms in MAPs.

Effects of Biochar Application Pyrolyzed at Different Temperatures on Soil Properties, Growth and Leaf Secondary Metabolite Accumulation in Cyclocarya paliurus

Cyclocarya paliurus is a well-known multifunctional tree species and its leaves are in especially high demand for tea production and medical utilization in China. To meet the enormous requirements of its leaf production, lots of C. paliurus plantations have been established for harvesting the leaves, producing a large quantity of pruning residues during their management. In this study, biochar at different pyrolysis temperatures (300 °C, 500 °C and 700 °C) were prepared, utilizing the pruning residues, and the effects of biochar additions pyrolyzed at different temperatures on soil properties, growth and leaf secondary metabolite accumulation in C. paliurus were investigated. The results showed that the chemical properties and FT-IR spectra of wheel wingnut-based biochar were significantly influenced by the pyrolysis temperatures, and the application of biochars pyrolyzed at different temperatures significantly affected soil pH and nutrient availability, as well as the growth, nutrient uptake and secondary metabolite accumulation of C. paliurus seedlings (p < 0.05). Correlation analysis indicated that the total contents of polyphenols, flavonoids and triterpenoids in C. paliurus leaves were negatively correlated with the contents of total phosphorus (P) and total potassium (K) in the leaves, but positively correlated with the ratios of carbon (C)/nitrogen (N) and C/P. After 200 days of biochar treatment, the highest biomass production and leaf secondary metabolite accumulation in C. paliurus were obtained in the addition of biochar pyrolyzed at 500 °C. The findings from this pot experiment provide a potential application in C. paliurus plantations, though long-term field experiments are required to optimize the quantity of biochar addition, based on soil conditions and stand age at the planting sites.

Analysis of barriers to organic farming adoption in developing countries: a grey-DEMATEL and ISM approach

PurposeFarmers in India are hesitant to adopt organic farming (OF) despite high demand for organic products and favorable policy measures to encourage the practice. Therefore, this study aims to assess the OF adoption barriers faced by Indian farmers using a systematic method of multi-criteria decision making (MCDM).Design/methodology/approachThe authors explored eighteen barriers to OF adoption by conducting a literature survey and discussion with experts on OF. Then the authors used a combined method of Grey Decision Making Trial and Evaluation Laboratory (DEMATEL) and Interpretive Structural Modeling (ISM) methodology to rank the barriers and analyze their interactions.FindingsThe analysis reveals that “Lack of knowledge and information,” “lack of financial capacity of farmers’ and “lack of institutional support” are the cause (independent) barriers that significantly impact other barriers. The top three effect (dependent) barriers are “lack of availability of organic inputs,” “personal characteristics such as age, attitudes and beliefs” and “lack of premium pricing,” which are affected by the other barriers.Research limitations/implicationsThis research work will help the decision makers understand the barriers to OF adoption in India and their interrelationships. The proposed framework enables them to focus on the high-priority independent barriers, which will subsequently impact the other dependent barriers.Originality/valuePrevious research on OF adoption barriers lacked a multifaceted scientific approach, which is necessary because OF is a complex system and needs a thorough investigation to assess the interaction between the barriers. The research attempts to fill this gap and addresses the complex nature of adoption barriers.

Nanostructured materials for glyphosate capture—A mini-review

Water is an essential part of life, and its availability is important for all living purposes, due to industrial development and the high demand for agricultural products that humans require for their survival, it has produced a high level of environmental pollution, which has generated a problem in recent decades. Among the large number of pollutants that have been found in wastewater is the glyphosate molecule (Gly), the most widely used herbicide for agriculture. Within this context, this mini-review summarizes the current advances and discussions on the development of nanomaterials, focusing on their application to capture the glyphosate molecule and thus, improve wastewater treatment. Metallic organic framework structures, graphene, and porous organic solids are among the most versatile porous materials that have been extensively investigated for application in glyphosate capture. Under this context, the intention of the following review is to provide and summarize the discussion of research advances in the recent capture of glyphosate, from wastewater using nanostructured materials.

Companion plants for conservative management of Tupiocoris cucurbitaceus (Spinola 1852) (Heteroptera: Miridae: Dicyphini) on greenhouse tomato crops

In recent decades, greenhouse crops relevance increased due to the high demand for products outside their growing season, with tomato standing out as one of the most cultivated crops. In these production systems, insects and mites find optimal conditions for their development, achieving high populations that affect crops. Farmers usually control these populations using chemical insecticides, which affect the health of workers and consumers and have negative effects on the environment. Tomato crops suffer damage by lepidopterans and hemipterans, among which those known as whiteflies (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae) perform regular attacks, causing yield and quality losses in the final product. Currently, the use of zoophytophagous predators of the Miridae family, Dicyphini tribe, as an alternative for their biological control, has intensified studies on Tupiocoris cucurbitaceus (Spinola, 1852), a predator of several species of aphids and whiteflies found in Uruguay. A strategy for the conservative management of those species was designed, using companion plants grown together with the crop. By the time the tomato plants were transplanted, Calendula officinalis, Smallanthus connatus, Tithonia rotundifolia, Nicotiana tabacum, Physalis peruviana and Petunia hybrida plants were established as companion species. These plants were monitored weekly together with the tomato plants, and a greater presence of T. cucurbitaceus in the crops with companion plants was found. The results suggest that the incorporated plants were useful for the preservation and retention of predaceous mirids in productive conditions.

Mechanical Properties and Characterization of Graphene Nanoparticles Conductive Ink at Different Pattern

The development of variety printing methods and compatible conductive inks is to support the emerging high demand production of printed electronic devices. Conductive ink is used to create conductive paths as interconnecting tracks for the printed electronic devices. The method of integrating various conductive materials using thermoplastic viscous paste was introduced in order to enhance the ability of conductive ink to conducts electricity. Carbon nanomaterial’s offer many opportunities in the conductive ink application especially for printed and flexible electronics. This study aims to produce highly functional conductive ink using graphene nanoparticles (GNP) with Bisphenol-A (BPA) resins as a binder by investigate the mechanical properties and characterization of graphene nanoparticles conductive ink at of different patterns. The effect of nano-indentation, for straight line shape, curve shape, square shape and zigzag shape circuit printed on thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) substrate were observed. The hardness and elastic modulus for the formulated graphene nanoparticles conductive ink shows that square patterns displayed a better mechanical properties compared to the other patterns. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and energy dispersive x-ray (EDX) finding also show that square pattern has a uniform distribution of (GNP) filler and lowest amount of atomic weight with fine granular particle indicating of lower resistance value which can contribute to have higher conductivity property. Overall obtained results showed that a square pattern produced good performance in term of mechanical properties that can enhance the conductivity of the conductive ink.

Comparative environmental footprints of lettuce supplied by hydroponic controlled-environment agriculture and field-based supply chains

Attributional life cycle assessment was applied to determine environmental footprints of lettuce produced across ten supply chain configurations, based on either hydroponic closed-environment agriculture (CEA) with six different electricity sources, or field supply chains involving regional, continental or inter-continental transport. Hydroponic CEA systems use circa 15 kWh of electricity for lighting, cooling, ventilation and pumping per kg of lettuce supplied. Based on typical current national grid electricity generation mixes with significant fossil fuel dependence, this results in large environmental footprints, e.g. up to 17.8 kg CO2 eq. and 33 g N eq. per kg lettuce – compared with 10 kg CO2 eq. and 16 g N eq. per kg lettuce air-freighted across continents. However, hydroponic CEA can produce orders of magnitude more produce per m2.yr and can be integrated into existing buildings (e.g. on roof tops, in basements and disused warehouses, etc). Factoring in the carbon opportunity costs of land use, and meeting electricity requirements exclusively through renewable generation, could result in closed hydroponic CEA delivering produce with a smaller carbon footprint than most field-based supply chains, at 0.48 kg CO2 eq. per kg lettuce. However, this would only be the case where renewable electricity originates from genuinely additional capacity, and where a land use policy or other mechanisms ensure that modest areas of land spared from horticultural production are used for “nature based solutions” such as afforestation. Hydroponic CEA uses orders of magnitude less direct water than field-based systems, and could help to mitigate water stress and associated soil degradation in arid and semi-arid regions used for horticulture – so long as upstream water stress associated with electricity generation is mitigated. CEA could be one of the least sustainable forms of food production if poorly implemented, and has numerous environmental hotspots. But with careful design and scaling, in appropriate contexts of high demand and low agro-climatic potential for production of horticultural produce, CEA deployment could play a role in sustainable food system transformation, potentially helping to reconnect consumers with (urban) producers. There may be opportunities to link building air handling systems with rooftop or basement CEA requiring inputs of cooling, CO2 and water.

Impacts of Palm Oil-based Biofuel Utilization Promotion Policy in the Thai Transport Sector

This paper aims to provide an analysis of the impacts of the promotion policy of palm oil-based biofuel utilization in the Thai transport sector for the period 2020–2037. For this purpose, three scenarios are developed to represent different proportions of palm oil-based biofuel blending implemented in Thailand and their impacts are analyzed through the application of the Low Emissions Analysis Platform (LEAP) model. The analysis reveals that an increase in the proportion of palm oil-based biofuel in a diesel mix would provide several noticeable benefits, for example, help reducing diesel consumption, decreasing crude oil requirement, and mitigating emissions of CO2 and PM2.5 – a major source of current environmental health problems. In addition, increased proportion of palm oil-based biofuel in the diesel mix would contribute to a growing demand for oil palm production and a plantation area to meet an increase in palm oil-based biofuel production. A high demand for oil palm production and plantation land requirement could, however, be emerging challenges. In order to address these challenges, the effective strategies could include a plan for agricultural crop zoning, crop breeding, the efficiency enhancement of biofuel conversion technology, the reduction of chemical fertilizers and pesticides, and the support from the government for research and development of second-generation biofuels. The analysis will be useful for Thai planners and policy makers to design policies to overcome the issues of energy and food security as well as climate change problems.

An Analysis of the Ethical, Economic, and Environmental Aspects of Entomophagy

Population growth is causing a high demand for meat products, which, coupled with the current climate crisis, has fueled research into alternative protein sources. This review discusses the role of edible insects as an alternative protein source to complement our diet. We compare nutritional, environmental, economic, and food safety aspects between edible insects and current protein sources and conclude with a discussion on ethical considerations. Edible insects are a good protein source, with a higher average protein content than most protein-rich products we consume today. In addition, they provide fiber, fats such as monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFAs) and polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs), and essential amino acids and are also rich in some minerals and vitamins. Product safety is yet to be studied; however, they have a much lower environmental impact than other intensive livestock products. Moreover, the production of edible insects is not expected to be expensive. The consumption of edible insects is a good alternative to conventional animal foods in modern times: a major climate crisis accompanied by numerous societal inequalities due to population growth.

Machining feasibility and Sustainability study associated with air pressure, air flow rate, and nanoparticle concentration in Nanofluid minimum quantity lubrication-assisted hard milling process of 60Si2Mn steel

In recent years, more efficient hard machining processes have notably increased in demand for higher productivity but environmental friendliness. High hardness and strength as well as the enormous amount of cutting temperature are still the biggest obstacles. Nanofluid minimum quantity lubrication (NFMQL)–assisted hard machining has become a feasible and promising solution to overcome these problems. The work presents the experimental study on the effects of air pressure (5, 6, and 7 bar), air flow rate (150, 200, and 250 L/min), and Al2O3 nanoparticle concentration (0.5, 1.0, and 1.5%) on minimum quantity lubrication (MQL) hard milling process of 60Si2Mn (50÷52HRC) using vegetable oil as the based fluid. Box–Behnken experimental design and ANOVA analysis were employed to investigate the influences and interaction effects of input parameters on cutting forces, surface roughness, and surface microstructure. This study will be used for selecting the optimum air pressure, air flow rate, and Al2O3 nanoparticle concentration for efficient cooling lubrication performance of MQL in sustainable hard machining. The obtained results show that the optimal values for air pressure and nanoparticle concentration. For Q = 200 L/min, the optimal p is 6.0 bar and the optimal nanoparticle concentration (NC) is 0.9%. For Q = 250 L/min, the optimal p is 5.2 bar, and the optimal NC is 1.2%. Furthermore, using air flow rate Q = 250 L/min gives better results than Q = 200 L/min, but the selection will be depended on the specific equipment conditions.

A Review on Agroforestry Practices for Improving Socioeconomic and Environmental Status

Agroforestry has been defined as a dynamic ecologically based natural resources management system that through the integration of trees on farms and in the agricultural landscape, diversifies and sustains production for increased social, economic and environmental benefits for land users at all levels. This paper highlights agroforestry practices for improving socioeconomic and environmental status. Agriculture sector has become a major contributor to the national gross domestic product and their high demand for agro-based products has increased the expansion of agricultural land through monoculture systems. However, as the land for agriculture is decreasing, due to converting more natural forests into agricultural land. The unstable nature of the world climate, attributed to human activities, depletion of forest cover due to increased hunger for forest and non-forest products has caused a lot of environmental problems such as, land erosion, flooding, frequent and severe storm, depletion of soil fertility, natural disaster as well as seasonal changes of world climate. The systems as the sustainable agriculture practices they contribute to the positive development in agriculture industry in terms of environmental, social, and economic aspects. It shows that agroforestry systems are performing better than monoculture systems as they are eco-friendly, socially reasonable and economically feasible through diversification of input and output.

Estimating shark body sizes from fins as the future monitoring strategy for shark fin trade in Indonesia

High market demand for shark products makes sharks more threatened due to targeted exploitation, bycatch and intensive utilisation. As the top producer and exporter of shark fins, Indonesia must have accurate and detailed trade data as well as proper monitoring of shark utilisation for implementing better management. This study aimed to estimate the body size of sharks based on their fin measurements. Data collection was done in one of the major shark landing sites at Tanjung Luar Fishing Port (Lombok, West Nusa Tenggara) during 2018-2020. Morphological measurements were taken for economically important and CITES-listed shark species, i.e. Sphyrna lewini, Sphyrna mokarran, Carcharhinus longimanus, Alopias pelagicus, Alopias superciliosus, Isurus oxyrinchus and Isurus paucus caught by both longlines and gillnets. Linear correlations were found in the relationships between body size (total length) and fin sizes (dorsal fin length, dorsal fin height and pectoral fin length), with variations among species. The results of this study will be useful for fishery and quarantine officers in predicting the body size of sharks caught from Indonesian waters and entering the fin trade, as an alternative approach in monitoring sharks as traded commodity, based on fin products. Keywords: CITES, Fins, Monitoring, Sharks, Threatened species, Utilisation

Export Demand of Palm Oil in Malaysia: Analysis using ARDL Approach

The growth of the palm oil industry in Malaysia has established a demand for exports among trading partners worldwide. As a result, Malaysia has gained a reputation as the world's largest producer and exporter of palm oil. Crude palm oil production in 1980 was 2.50 million tonnes; however, by 2019 it had increased to 19.86 million tonnes due to the high export demand for oil palm products. This study studies the export demand for palm oil in Malaysia from 1991 to 2019 by adopting autoregressive distributed lag (ARDL) for cointegration to analyze the export demand determinant, weighted average trading partner income, Malaysian export price, competitor export price, world export price of palm oil, world export price of soybean oil, and real effective exchange rate. The main findings reveal that the factors that determine Malaysian export demands for palm oil are palm oil price changes and trading partner income. In addition, the study also finds that European restrictions on unsustainable palm oil consumption hurt Malaysia’s export demand for palm oil.

Pemanfaatan Limbah Organik Pada Budidaya Tanaman Sayuran Menuju Pertanian Yang Ramah Lingkungan di Kabupaten Polewali Mandar

The vegetable crop cultivation in Polewali Mandar Regency has a great opportunity due to the high market demand for vegetable products. Environmental issues are a global concern for the competitiveness of agricultural products. The quality of organic agriculture or environmentally friendly product has become a concern for consumers regarding food safety, health, and long-life habituation . The farming community in Galung Lombok village, Tinambung District, Polewali Mandar Regency depends highly on the use of synthetic chemical fertilizers and pesticides. On the other hand, harvest waste, household waste and coconut water as a byproduct of coconut processing have not been utilised effectively. Thus, this community service program aimed to utilise household organic waste as organic fertiliser and utilise coconut water as plant growth hormone; as well as educate farmers in implementing environmentally-friendly agricultural businesses. The method used were counselling, training, discussion and demonstration to 25 farmers. The program was able to increase the motivation and knowledge of farmers to implement the cultivation of environmentally friendly vegetable crops by using organic fertilizer from household waste and ZPT from coconut water. The vegetable crop cultivation in Polewali Mandar Regency has a great opportunity due to the high market demand for vegetable products. Environmental issues are a global concern for the competitiveness of agricultural products. The quality of organic agriculture or environmentally friendly product has become a concern for consumers regarding food safety, health and long-life habituation . The farming community in Galung Lombok village, Tinambung District, Polewali Mandar Regency depends highly on the use of synthetic chemical fertilizers and pesticides. On the other hand, harvest waste, household waste and coconut water as a byproduct of coconut processing have not been utilised effectively. Thus, this community service program aimed to utilise household organic waste as organic fertiliser and utilise coconut water as plant growth hormone; as well as educate farmers in implementing environmentally-friendly agricultural businesses. The method used were counselling, training, discussion and demonstration to 25 farmers. The program was able to increase the motivation and knowledge of farmers to implement the cultivation of environmentally friendly vegetable crops by using organic fertilizer from household waste and ZPT from coconut water.

Biomass Estimation of Agave durangensis Gentry Using High-Resolution Images in Nombre de Dios, Durango

The high demand for distilled agave products reduces wild populations. The use of geospatial technologies such as unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) offer enormous benefits in spatial and temporal resolution and lower costs than traditional direct field observation techniques for natural resource monitoring. The objective was to estimate the green biomass (Wt) of Agave durangensis Gentry using high-resolution images obtained by a UAV in Nombre de Dios, Durango. Random sampling was performed in the agave area. A Pearson correlation analysis was performed, followed by a regression analysis. The results showed that NDVI was the most correlated (r = 0.65). The regression analysis showed that the model obtained explains 59% (RMSE = 32.06 kg) of the total variability in the estimation of green biomass (Wt) of agave using images derived from the UAV. The best estimate was achieved with B1, B2, NDVI, GNDVI, EVI2, and SAVI as predictor variables. High-resolution images were shown to be a tool for estimating Wt of Agave durangensis Gentry.

Simulating land use and land cover change under contrasting levels of policy enforcement and its spatially-explicit impact on tropical forest landscapes in Ecuador

This study simulates the future impact of land use and land cover (LULC) change and the enforcement of policy bundles on the multi-functionality of tropical forest landscapes. It focusses on the Northern Ecuadorian Amazonas (NEA) which is characterised by high biodiversity and endemism but at the same time is threatened by deforestation and unsustainable land use practices. Scenario simulations mimic LULC change during 2016–2030 at canton-level (area: 2,146 km²) combining explorative with policy-screening components. Scenarios NATIONAL(+)POLICY, NATIONAL(-)POLICY, REGIONAL(+)POLICY, and REGIONAL(-)POLICY are contrasted by varying deforestation trends (high regional demand for agricultural products vs. national-level structural transformations) and the enforcement/ non-enforcement of policy bundles on forest protection, reforestation and restoration. An indicator-based impact assessment analysed in a spatially-explicit fashion for each scenario in 2030 (i) the evolution of agricultural and forestry-related LULC change trajectories, (ii) future hotspots of deforestation, (iii) remaining forest core zones (FCZ) as key element of habitat integrity, and (iv) the provisioning of long-term carbon sinks. Key findings reveal that only NATIONAL(+)POLICY, as the combination of enforced policy bundles and simulated national LULC change trend extrapolating the long-term reference period 1990–2016, lead to an expansion of forest areas and a 2% carbon stock gain in 2030 compared to 2016. When assuming a linear continuation of this trend, it requires 96 years to reach a similar carbon stock level compared to the reference year 1990. Farm area expansion will continue to affect protected forests in case of scenarios NATIONAL(-)POLICY and REGIONAL(-)POLICY but will be avoided in NATIONAL(+)POLICY and REGIONAL(+)POLICY. The simulated persistence of many farming areas reveals that the likelihood to reforest existing agricultural patches will be rather low. Against expectations, scenario NATIONAL(+)POLICY which assumes net zero deforestation by 2030 led to a high level of FCZ fragmentation contrasting its carbon sink potential (27,971 Mio. Mg ha−1) which performed best among all scenarios. Our study depicts a mismatch of future LULC change realities compared to the anticipated future achievements of the Ecuadorian land use policy framework. The simulated variability of forest change patterns (deforestation, reforestation) and farming trajectories (diversification, intensification, rotation) further suggests to foster more cross-sectoral policy approaches that acknowledges the hybrid role of local stakeholders who can be farmers and forest users at the same time. Our study shows that focusing on preserving carbon stocks and their long-term climate mitigation potential only while neglecting other important ecosystem functions or biodiversity can be a short-sighted policy goal if not accompanied by rural development programmes. We further conclude that scenario-based assessments should become an integral part of multi-stakeholder interactions across relevant levels of decision-making. This can support long-term sustainable land use management which is not only relevant for the case of the Northern Ecuadorian Amazons region but for many other landscapes in transition.