Impact Food Security Research Articles

Spatial Dynamics and Drivers of Urban Growth in Thua Thien Hue Province, Vietnam: Insights for Urban Sustainability in the Global South

Investigating the historical patterns of urban growth and their drivers is crucial to informing sustainable urban planning policies, especially in cities of the Global South. In Vietnam, most studies focus primarily on city extents, offering little insight into urban growth across various provinces. This study, therefore, combined categorical land use and land cover change detection, Random Forest classification and expert interviews to quantify the urban growth between 2000 and 2020, assess urban encroachment upon other land uses, and identify key drivers shaping this growth in Thua Thien Hue province. Findings show that the urban land areas were 27.94 km2, 82.97 km2, and 209.80 km2 in 2000, 2010, and 2020, respectively. Urban encroachment upon other land use types, especially cropland, barren land, rice paddies, shrubs, and forests, was observed in these periods. Additionally, accessibility to built-up areas, DEM, proximity to rice paddies, slope, proximity to street roads, accessibility to social areas, and proximity to cropland are the major spatial drivers of urban growth in the province. The study concludes that rapid urban expansion is evident in the province at the expense of other land use types, especially agricultural land use types, which may impact food security and livelihoods in the province.

Rabies transmitted from vampires to cattle: An overview.

Rabies is a zoonotic infectious disease of global distribution that impacts human and animal health. In rural Latin America, rabies negatively impacts food security and the economy due to losses in livestock production. The common vampire bat, Desmodus rotundus, is the main reservoir and transmitter of rabies virus (RABV) to domestic animals in Latin America. Desmodus rotundus RABV is known to impact the cattle industry, from small farmers to large corporations. We assessed the main patterns of rabies in cattle attributed to D. rotundus RABV across Latin America. Epidemiological data on rabies from Latin America were collected from the Pan American Health Organization spanning the 1970-2023 period. Analyses revealed an average of 450 outbreaks annually for the countries where D. rotundus is distributed, with at least 6 animals dying in each outbreak. Brazil, Colombia, Peru, and Mexico were the Latin American countries with the highest number of rabies outbreaks during the study period and are the most affected countries in recent years. Findings suggest a re-emergence of bat-borne rabies in the region with more outbreaks reported in recent years, especially during the 2003-2020 period. Rabies outbreaks in cattle in the 2000-2020 period were significantly more frequent than in previous decades, with an increase in cross-species transmission after 2002. The size of outbreaks, however, was smaller in recent years, involving lower cattle mortality. Peru, El Salvador, and Brazil showed a strong association (R = 0.73, p = 0.01) between rabies incidence in D. rotundus (rates per million humans: 1.61, 0.94, and 1.09, respectively) and rabies outbreaks in cattle (rates per million cattle: 465.85, 351.01, and 48.22, respectively). A sustained, standardized, and widespread monitoring of D. rotundus demography and health could serve to inform an early warning system for the early detection of RABV and other bat-borne pathogens in Latin America. Current data can be used to forecast when, where, and in which intensity RABV outbreaks are more likely to occur in subtropical and tropical Latin America. A decrease in the size of outbreaks could suggest that strategies for epidemic management (e.g., education, early diagnosis, vaccination) have been effective. The increase in the number of outbreaks could suggest that the factors facilitating cross-species transmission could be on the rise.

THE IMPACT OF THE IMPLEMENTATION OF GUARANTEED AND INTERVENTION PRICES ON FOOD SECURITY

Improving food security in contemporary conditions directly depends on solving numerous issues. It is crucial to consider that the processes of globalization significantly impact food security. In countries where the influence of import channels on the food market is high, this often leads to a deterioration in food security. Therefore, there is an urgent need for state regulation measures. The regulatory measures implemented by the government to improve food security, especially in the context of globalization and market economies, involve the application of guaranteed and intervention prices. The implementation of both guaranteed and intervention prices is considered one of the indirect tools for regulating the food market and does not contradict the fundamental principles of market economies. The application of these price controls particularly involves the government's procurement processes, which stabilize market prices and the incomes of agricultural producers. Such interventions create favorable conditions for stabilizing food prices and improving food security. In this environment, it becomes possible to improve food security by ensuring equal access to the food market for producers. Imbalances in the food market, particularly among low-income populations, can lead to food security issues.

Identification of Novel Inhibitors of Starch Excess 4 (SEX4).

This study identified several inhibitors of Starch Excess 4 (SEX4), an enzyme in plants' starch decomposition. Our research aims to inhibit starch breakdown by SEX4 with its potential to significantly impact food security, leading to starch accumulation in plants such as potatoes, sweet potatoes, and significant crops like grains and rice. We recognized potential candidates by screening approximately 1840 chemical compounds using the phosphatase assay against pNPP. The IC50 values of the selected candidates were determined through the pNPP assay and the amylopectin assay, while Ki values were confirmed by calculating Vmax, KM, and kcat values. Finally, we compared the IC50 values of Like Sex Four 2 (LSF2) and SEX4 to assess their selectivity. This screening yielded several potential inhibitory compounds, with F05 showing promise in the pNPP assay and F09 and G11 in the amylopectin assay, all demonstrating more selectivity for SEX4 than LSF2. Consequently, we identified seven chemicals as promising inhibitor compounds, offering potential for future research and applications. However, further quantitative structure-activity relationship studies and the practical application to test selected compounds on crops will be necessary in future research.

The Association of Food Security With Hypertensive Disorders of Pregnancy: A National Health Interview Survey Analysis.

Food security is one of the most researched social determinants of health (SDoH), however, there is a lack of literature on the impact of food security on cardiovascular disease in pregnancy. The primary objective was to examine the association between food security with hypertensive disorders of pregnancy. We performed a cross-sectional analysis of 2019-2022 data from the National Health Interview Survey. The study population included women of childbearing age who were either pregnant or recently pregnant. Logistic regression models were developed to examine the association between food security and hypertensive disorders of pregnancy. Of the 1635 women included in the analysis, the rate of hypertensive disorders of pregnancy was 11.1% and the rate of low and very low food security was 5.3% and 4.0%, respectively. The prevalence was 5.8% for hyperlipemia, 0.3% for cardiovascular disease, and 10.5% for diabetes mellitus. The odds of hypertensive disorders of pregnancy were statistically significantly increased among women with low food security compared towomen with high food security (odds ratio [OR] 2.40, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.19-4.81) after adjusting for age, race, ethnicity, insurance status, body mass index, hyperlipidemia, diabetes mellitus, and cardiovascular disease. Further studies are needed to elucidate the causes of hypertensive disorders of pregnancy and interventions to address including the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) and food pantries, as it may be more feasible to address issues of food security among pregnant women.

Social constructs, male prejudices, tradition and culture: are these undermining female-headed farming households’ fundamental right to food security?

PurposeAmidst a substantial body of research investigating gender discrimination within formal employment sectors, this study concentrates on a critical yet frequently overlooked dimension: the non-formal agriculture sector. It aims to elucidate how prevailing male prejudices and entrenched social constructs systematically disadvantage female household heads in their quest for household food security.Design/methodology/approachThis study investigates food security status and statistical disparities between female-headed and male-headed households utilizing data from 63,601 farming households. By identifying the factors contributing to gender-based discrimination, we empirically evaluate their impact on households’ food security by applying the discrete choice ordered logit model.FindingsThe results demonstrate significantly higher levels of food insecurity among female-headed households than their male counterparts (p < 0.05). It empirically establishes that factors contributing to discrimination adversely affect female farmers’ ability to secure food. These factors include challenges in accessing markets, smaller farm sizes and receiving less government assistance than male farmers.Originality/valueWhile previous studies have acknowledged gender discrimination, this research is the first to systematically demonstrate how various factors directly impact food security in female-headed households in Fiji, thereby addressing a critical gap in the literature. Focusing specifically on the intersection of gender discrimination and food security, this study provides robust empirical evidence of the profound influence of gender discrimination and male biases on the food security of these households, thereby making a significant and original contribution to the field and underlining the importance of this research.

A Comprehensive Review of Disease Detection Techniques for Tomato Leaves

Tomato plants plays vital role in global agriculture, significantly impacting food security and economic stability. However, diseases affecting tomato leaves present substantial challenges to crop yields and quality, highlighting the need for effective detection methods. This paper presents a comprehensive review of disease detection techniques for tomato leaves, emphasizing the transformative impact of advancements in image processing, machine learning, and deep learning. Approaches are categorized based on their methodologies, including traditional image processing, machine learning, and cutting-edge deep learning frameworks. Key concepts such as disease segmentation, feature extraction, and transfer learning are defined to provide a foundational understanding. The review also identifies critical research gaps, particularly concerning the generalizability of solutions to real-world conditions and the necessity for computational efficiency in field applications. Organized by method categories, evaluation metrics, and dataset utilization, this review encompasses recent advancements up to 2024, focusing on improving accuracy, scalability, and practical implementation. Ultimately, this work aims to serve as an insightful reference for researchers and practitioners, facilitating the advancement of disease detection systems for tomato leaves for real-world deployment

Prevention of Food Waste in China: Role and Impact of China's Anti-Food Waste Law.

In recent years, despite global improvements in development, food scarcity and waste remain critical issues impacting food security, human health, and environmental sustainability. China's Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs reports that China's food loss and waste rate is approximately 22.7%, amounting to 460 million tons annually, with the consumption and post-harvest processing stages facing the highest losses. To address these issues, China enacted the Anti-Food Waste Law in 2021, aiming to reduce food waste through clear responsibilities, incentives, and penalties for government agencies and relevant stakeholders. While scholars note that the law represents a significant shift from moral to legal governance in tackling food waste, some argue that its provisions lack sufficient specificity. This article assesses the effectiveness of China's anti-food waste legislation using case studies and comparative analyses, highlighting the challenges in defining and implementing the law within China's cultural framework, where food signifies abundance and prosperity. Additionally, the article explores successful international practices, including the 2030 Champions Program and similar efforts in Europe and Japan, to inform China's strategy. The key recommendations for policy improvement include strengthening accountability and governance, establishing a food hierarchy for sustainable resource management, enhancing data collection on food waste, promoting food donation mechanisms, and transitioning from a solely government-led regulatory approach to a multi-dimensional co-regulation model.

Gatifloxacin hydrochloride confers broad-spectrum antibacterial activity against phytopathogenic bacteria.

Bacterial diseases pose significant threats to agriculture and natural ecosystems, causing substantial crop losses and impacting food security. Until now, there has been a less efficient control strategy against some bacterial diseases such as bacterial wilt, caused by Ralstonia solanacearum. In this study, we screened a library of 58 microorganism-derived natural products for their antibacterial activity against R. solanacearum. Gatifloxacin hydrochloride exhibited the best inhibitory effect with an inhibition rate of 95% at 0.0625 mg/L. Further experiments demonstrate that gatifloxacin hydrochloride inhibits R. solanacearum growth in a concentration-dependent manner, with the minimum inhibitory concentration of 0.125 mg/L. Treatment with 0.5 mg/L of gatifloxacin hydrochloride killed more than 95% of bacteria. Gatifloxacin hydrochloride significantly inhibited biofilm formation by R. solanacearum. Gatifloxacin hydrochloride also shows good antibacterial activity against Pseudomonas syringae pv. tomato DC3000 and Xanthomonas campestris pv. vesicatoria. Exogenous application of gatifloxacin hydrochloride suppressed disease development caused by R. solanacearum and P. syringae. In summary, our results demonstrate the great potential of microorganism-derived compounds as broad-spectrum antibacterial compounds, providing alternative ways for the efficient control of bacterial plant diseases.

The contribution of the Gaza Envelope Region to Israel’s food security

BackgroundArmed conflicts can severely impact food security by displacing farmers, destroying farms and agricultural infrastructure, disrupting supply chains, and limiting governance control over highly volatile food markets. In this study, we aim to gain an initial understanding of the impact of the ongoing Israel-Hamas War on local food production in Israel.MethodsThis study examined the challenges of food production in the Gaza Envelope region, a border area in Israel that has been profoundly affected by the recent conflict. The analysis focused on the allocation of land to specific agricultural crops and sectors, along with the nutritional output of these edible crops. The nutritional output was standardized based on the dietary needs of the Israeli population, considering population size and demographic factors. These methods aimed to understand the effects of conflict on crop diversity, the risks posed to specific crops, and the implications for nutritional security.ResultsWe found that the Gaza Envelope region is crucial for the propagation of several key crops, notably cherry tomatoes, radishes, and sweet potatoes. We identified 16 crops whose local production is particularly vulnerable due to their proximity to the conflict, including radishes and potatoes. The nutritional output of the edible crops from the Gaza Envelope region is extensive, producing over 50% of the annual caloric requirements of the Israeli population. Beyond the caloric contribution, the produce from the region is nutrient-dense, supplying more than 100% of the annual Dietary Reference Intakes for the Israeli population of 12 vital nutrients, which include dietary fiber, six vitamins such as Vitamin A, Vitamin C, and Vitamin K, and five minerals including potassium and iron. These findings suggest that the Israel-Hamas War is having detrimental ramifications on local food production in Israel.ConclusionsThe ongoing conflict highlights the critical need for data informed agricultural support and policy adjustments to protect food production in conflict-affected areas. Up-to-date and accurate land use data are essential to assess the initial impact of any disaster swiftly and reliably on these zones. This approach will enable more effective responses to safeguard food security under crisis conditions.

Identification, characterization and pathogenicity of Fusarium species associated with sheath and stem blight - A new record on pearl millet (Pennisetum glaucum R. Br.).

Pearl millet (Pennisetum glaucum R. Br.) is a vital crop, especially in arid and semi-arid regions, where it serves as a staple food for millions. However, the emergence of sheath and stem blight poses a significant threat to its cultivation, potentially impacting food security. A field survey was conducted during the Kharif 2023 across major pearl millet-growing regions in Tamil Nadu, India led to the collection of diseased samples displaying typical symptoms of sheath and stem blight. A total of 14 pure fungal isolates were obtained and designated as FPM1 to FPM14. Morphological examination revealed the presence of microconidia, macroconidia, and chlamydospores, characteristic of Fusarium species. Molecular identification using ITS and β-tubulin gene sequencing confirmed these isolates as members of the Fusarium fujikuroi species complex (FFSC) and Fusarium incarnatum-equiseti species complex (FIESC). The pathogenicity of these isolates was assessed through in vitro and in vivo tests, revealing significant variability in their ability to induce lesions on pearl millet. Isolate Fusarium pseudonygamai FPM2 demonstrated the highest pathogenicity, producing the largest lesions, while isolates viz., Fusarium proliferatum FPM5 and F. proliferatum FPM10 exhibited minimal infectivity. Additionally, the study evaluated the enzyme activity of the virulent isolate F. pseudonygamai FPM2, identifying strong cellulase, xylanase, and protease activities, which are implicated in the disease progression. This study reported the new disease, sheath and stem blight on pearl millet which was caused by Fusarium pseudonygamai in India and based on pathogenicity test and enzyme assay, its virulence factors were confirmed. It further emphasizes how important it is to implement organic disease management strategies to lessen the negative effects of sheath and stem blight on pearl millet agriculture.

Unveiling the Dynamic Between Land Conversion and Food Security of Farmers Households in Bakalan Village, Pasuruan Regency

System Dynamics serves as an approach to unravel behavioral patterns by exploring fundamental structures. In this study, the dynamic system was crafted using STELLA software. The research methodology involved conducting primary surveys with both farmers and conversion farmers' households to gather essential data on their perspectives, practices, and circumstances related to land conversion and food security. Through this data, the System Dynamic model was constructed to depict the interplay among key variables impacting food security, specifically focusing on Food Availability, Affordability, and Needs. The analysis revealed that the Food Affordability indicator consistently played a pivotal role in shaping these trends over the analyzed years. However, a significant discrepancy in food security levels emerged between farming and non-farming households. This divergence primarily stemmed from income inequalities within the agricultural sector, affecting the purchasing power for essential foods like rice across the village. Additionally, a concerning trend of diminishing agricultural land and a subsequent decline in food availability was observed.

Challenges and opportunities to a sustainable bioenergy utilization in climate mitigation: a global perspective

Bioenergy is perceived to play a vital role in climate mitigation, transition to renewable energy consumption, energy security, and local and rural socio-economic development. However, exploiting renewable bioenergy resources may need to be more sustainable in the current predominant paradigm. In this study, we raise two broad research questions: (1) what are the significant challenges to the current global bioenergy production and consumption system, and (2) what are the opportunities for a sustainable and circular bioenergy system? We qualitatively analyzed how the current bioenergy production and consumption system results in unintended negative consequences. Taking the example of biofuels, this research exemplifies some critical systemic flaws in how bioenergy is currently utilized in the transportation sector. We do this by broadening the system boundaries to identify the social, economic, and environmental consequences often distant in time and space. We conducted semi-structured interviews, workshops, and literature studies to gather data on the significant bioenergy production and consumption drivers, socio-economic factors, and ecological impacts. The causal loop diagram technique illustrates this broader system's systemic cause-effect and feedback relationships. In the current system of bioenergy production and consumption, negative socio-economic and ecological consequences limit the potential of exploiting bioenergy for climate mitigation. Firstly, bioenergy is neither carbon neutral nor renewable from a broader systems perspective, given that biomass cultivation, feedstock refining, and processing are closely coupled with natural resource use (e.g., water, energy, chemicals, and fertilizers) and other nutrient cycles (e.g., nitrogen, and phosphorus). Secondly, large-scale bioenergy developments negatively impact food security, land use change, ecosystem services, and biodiversity in certain regions. Thirdly, the current globalized bioenergy economy is fundamentally unsustainable due to the displacement of bioenergy production's negative social and ecological impacts from consumer to producer regions. We identify and discuss the critical system interventions to be placed throughout the system as significant leverages for managing the unintended negative consequences of the present dominant bioenergy production and consumption regimes.

Land use and land cover changes in Notwane watershed, Botswana, using extreme gradient boost (XGBoost) machine learning algorithm

ABSTRACT Botswana’s Notwane watershed is crucial for supplying water to Gaborone and surrounding areas. However, urbanization and climate variability threaten its water resources. Land Use and Land Cover (LULC) changes contribute to climate variability, impacting food security, water supply, and weakening rural economies and socio-cultural structures. This study employs geospatial techniques to model LULC changes and inform sustainable environmental management. This study utilized Extreme Gradient Boost (XGBoost), Support Vector Machine (SVM), and Random Forest (RF) algorithms to classify multi-temporal Landsat images from 1984 to 2022. The XGBoost model achieved the highest overall accuracy of 0.81%. Results indicated a 21,239.2% increase in built-up areas between the year, while agricultural land and natural vegetation decreased significantly by 9.38%. These shifts are driven by urbanization, which heightens climate change through increased greenhouse gas emissions and reduced carbon sinks. Variations in water-covered areas were, influenced by dam construction, droughts, and cyclones. A strong correlation between built-up areas and population data highlights the impact of urban expansion. To ensure sustainable urban growth and mitigate negative effects on biodiversity, urban planners must integrate sustainable land use strategies. These findings highlight the necessity for informed decision-making to balance development with environmental sustainability in the Notwane watershed.

The role of sustainable land management practices in alleviating household food insecurity in Nigeria

Climate change is a major challenge impacting food security globally. Sub-Saharan African (SSA) countries including Nigeria has experienced the negative effect of climate vagaries most especially on agricultural production, thus, leading to food insecurity. However, sustainable land management (SLM) practices have a huge potential to minimize the impacts on food security in a rapidly changing climate. This study estimates the determinants of the adoption of SLM practices and the impact of adoption on household food security among smallholder rice farmers in Ogun State, Nigeria. A multistage sampling procedure was used to select 120 respondents. A Poisson endogenous treatment (PET) model was employed to analyse the determinants of level of adoption of SLM and impact of SLM adoption on household food security level of smallholder rice farmers in the study area. To account for counterfactuals, a doubly-robust augmented-probability-weighted regression adjustment (APWRA) was also used. In the same vein, the study employed the marginal treatment effects (MTE) approach to estimate the treatment effects heterogeneity. The results showed that socio-economic factors greatly influenced the adoption of SLM practices, such as age and educational level of farmers. The effect of SLM adoption on food security of smallholder farmers was found to be improved when they used SLM package consisting of variety of practices, hence, SLM practices have the potential to alleviate food insecurity among rice farmers if well combined and used to a large extent. The study concluded that knowledge in form of formal education, some form of vocational training, and trainings to access weather information were key to influencing SLM adoption among smallholder farmers in the study area. The treatment effects on untreated (ATU) are lower than that of ATE and ATT, confirming the positive selection on unobserved gains. In particular, the ATU results show that for an average non-adopting household, adoption of SLM practices would significantly improve dietary diversity by about 27%. Farm-level policy efforts that aims to equip farmers through education, trainings and disseminating information on climate change would be a huge step towards the promotion of SLM practice which eventually leads to increased food security. The study recommended that continuous adoption and extensive use can be fostered by encouraging farmers to join a social organisation where related and relevant information on sustainable land management practices is shared through trained agricultural extension officers.

Navigating the Pandemic: Insights into Food Security From Oman’s Experience

This study examines the influence of COVID-19 and climate change on food security in Oman using econometric methods. Time series data from 1990 to 2022 encompassing variables such as carbon dioxide emissions (CO2), real GDP per capita (RGDPc), inflation rate (INF), and a pre/post-coronavirus dummy variable (DUMV) are analyzed. The dependent variable, FOOD_Impit, serves as a food security proxy, with data sourced from the World Development Indicators and Global Food Security Index databases. The study employs Johansen cointegration, canonical cointegrating regression (CCR), fully modified least squares (FMOLS), to investigate the effect of COVID-19 on food security in Oman. Johansen and CCR cointegration tests confirm a long-term cointegrating relationship among the variables in Oman, indicating their relevance to food security. However, the analysis reveals that while climate change, represented by CO2 levels, significantly and adversely impacts food security in Oman, the effects of COVID-19, real GDP per capita, and inflation rate are statistically insignificant. In conclusion, this research provides valuable insights into the dynamics of food security and supply chains in Oman. It highlights the severe impact of climate change on food security and advocates for urgent policy reforms. Specifically, it recommends that policymakers focus on enhancing climate resilience within the food sector and invest in boosting domestic food production to reduce import dependency. The study also calls for further research to address potential omitted variables and refine the understanding of food security determinants in Oman, ensuring more robust policy formulation and implementation. JEL classification: F11, F15, F04

Early Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Public Benefits Recipients

AbstractThe COVID-19 pandemic has severely impacted employment, housing, and food security for low-income public benefits recipients. The present study seeks to understand public recipients’ self-reported critical and ongoing needs at the outset of the COVID-19 pandemic. This study uses logistic regression to analyze survey data gathered on 10,089 public benefits recipients in the early stage of the pandemic to better understand their self-reported critical and ongoing needs. We also explored variations in need among different racial/ethnic groups and public benefits receipt status. Our research found that respondents from most racial/ethnic minority groups indicated a significant need for food, housing, and back-rent, with variation among different racial/ethnic groups in expressing specific needs for finding employment and help with applying for public benefits. Our findings also identify SNAP/CalFresh recipients as a particularly vulnerable group, and they were more likely to need help with food insecurity, finding employment, applying for public benefits, and paying backrent. While numerous federal, state, and local programs and initiatives were created to address widespread need, this study identifies potential gaps in these efforts and increases understanding of how to target aid for low-income populations in times of crisis.

Mann-Kendall and Sen's Slope Estimator Test to Analyze Trends for Temperature and Rainfall in Eastern Himalayas of Arunachal Pradesh, India

In the past ten years, climate change has gained significant attention. Global climate change does not always affect various places in the same way. One important weather factor associated with climate change is rainfall. An appropriate first step in assessing how climate change may impact food security and water availability is to examine patterns in temperature and rainfall. The temperature, precipitation, and changes at several Arunachal Pradesh districts from 2001 to 2021 are examined in this study. We examined fourteen districts using the Mann-Kendall (MK) and Sen's Slope estimator test, which may identify long-term monotonic trends as well as variations in temperature and rainfall. The maximum and lowest temperature data revealed notable upward and decrease patterns, indicating that the region had experienced a change in climate. Nonetheless, there was an increase in rainfall patterns.

Innovations in Active Food Packaging During the Pandemic and into the ‘New Normal’

COVID-19 significantly impacted global socioeconomic conditions and food security [...]

Characterization and source apportionment of heavy metal pollution in soil around red mud disposal sites using absolute principal component scores-multiple linear regression and positive matrix factorization models.

In recent years, industrial waste and agrochemicals have reduced soil fertility and productivity, significantly impacting food security and ecosystems. In China, areas near red mud deposits from the aluminum industry show severe heavy metal contamination. This study examines agricultural soil near a red mud site in Shanxi Province, analyzing Cd, Cr, Hg, Ni, Pb, As, Cu, and Zn levels and distribution. Geostatistical methods and GIS are utilized to assess heavy metal pollution using the single factor index, the Nemerow integrated index, and the Hakanson potential ecological risk index. Absolute Principal Component Scores-Multiple Linear Regression (APCS-MLR) and Positive Matrix Factorization (PMF) models are used for quantitative analysis of pollution sources. Research indicates that the average concentrations of eight heavy metals exceed the natural background values of Shanxi, placing them at a severe pollution level with moderate ecological risk. Specifically, indices for As, Pb, and Cr are 3.79, 3.38, and 3.26, indicating severe pollution; Cd, Cu, and Hg at 2.36, 2.62, and 3.00 suggest moderate pollution; Ni at 1.87 shows mild pollution, while Zn at 0.97 is not polluted. Hg presents the highest ecological risk with a coefficient of 120.00, followed by Cd (70.69) and As (37.92). Spatial analysis shows significant correlations among Pb, Zn, Cu, and Ni, while Cr, Cd, Hg, and As show greater variability and weaker correlations. Both models identify five main sources: industrial activities, agricultural fertilizers, red mud leachate, energy combustion, and natural geological backgrounds, with respective contribution rates in the APCS-MLR model at 27.7%, 24.6%, 18.1%, 15.2%, and 14.4%, and in the PMF model at 29.2%, 21.5%, 16.9%, 16.7%, and 15.7%. This study offers a scientific basis for controlling soil pollution in the region, filling a literature gap.