Groundwater is a vital yet increasingly vulnerable resource, with nitrate contamination posing a significant risk to human beings and the ecosystem. The present study offers an integrated, sustainability-focused assessment of groundwater quality in India's eastern littoral state, based on groundwater quality data from 422 sampling locations. In 2024, nitrate concentrations peaked at 387ppm, with an average of over 37ppm; notably, more than 20% and 17% of samples exceeded the Bureau of Indian Standards and World Health Organization guidelines, respectively. Both non-carcinogenic and carcinogenic health risks were assessed, revealing that nitrate poses risks through oral and dermal exposure, while nitrite contributes to cancer risk through ingestion. Principal component analysis multiple linear regression highlighted strong correlations among nitrate and macro-elements such as sodium, chloride, calcium, magnesium, and potassium, indicating common anthropogenic sources such as fertilizer runoff and wastewater infiltration. Multivariate analysis showed that nitrate is the dominant contaminant influencing groundwater quality shifts from 2020 to 2024, largely driven by agricultural intensification and sewage disposal contributions. These findings underscore the critical importance of adopting strategic intervention policies and promoting resilient groundwater governance frameworks across national and international scales.

Agriculture intensification, massively relying on pesticides, led to the widespread contamination of noncrop terrestrial ecosystems. Soil contamination with pesticide residues widely occurs but its cryptic effects on terrestrial biotic interactions remain unclear, especially at the metabolic scale. We studied the effects of an environmental dose of the herbicide isoproturon on an isoproturon-degrading Sphingomonas soil bacteria - Lolium perenne (Poaceae) and Rhopalosiphum padi (Hemiptera: aphididae) system - in the laboratory. This system is typical of contaminated peri-agricultural ecosystems, such as vegetated buffer strips. We found that isoproturon and its main degradation product transferred from the substrate to aphids, accumulating in plant shoots. No macroscopic effects of the herbicide were observed, but primary metabolites varied in both plants and herbivores. Inoculation of isoproturon-degrading bacteria reduced isoproturon levels in the substrate and suppressed most metabolic variations. Moreover, inoculation of the non-degrading bacterial strain impacted plant metabolism, potentially through mutualistic interaction, underlining the close link between soil microbiota and aboveground organisms. This study shows that isoproturon residues can transfer in a typical grassland trophic system, altering the metabolism of each biological level. It emphasizes the need to consider above- and belowground interactions when assessing seminatural ecosystems' responses to chronic contamination.

Introduction Optimizing nutrient cycling in diversified cropping systems is essential for sustainable agriculture. While intercropping legumes with cereals can enhance complementary resource use, the interaction between phosphorus (P) fertilization and such systems in restructuring rhizosphere microbiomes and driving synergistic productivity gains in alkaline soils remains unclear. Methods We conducted a long-term field experiment, integrating amplicon sequencing with comprehensive agronomic and soil analyses to investigate this interaction in a maize-peanut intercropping system under P fertilization. Results Phosphorus fertilization significantly increased the yields of intercropped maize (by 52.12%) and peanut (by 43.60%), while simultaneously enhancing the intercropping yield advantage (IYA; +60.77%) and land equivalent ratio (LER; +2.54%). Soil P availability was the dominant environmental driver, explaining 73.46% and 84.39% of the variance in bacterial and fungal community structure, respectively. Phosphorus addition and intercropping selectively enriched keystone functional taxa, including the nitrifying bacterium Nitrospirae and the saprophytic fungus Mortierellomycota , whose abundances correlated strongly with improved soil nutrient availability and crop performance. Concurrently, intercropping suppressed the pathogen-rich phylum Ascomycota. Discussion Our findings demonstrate that the synergy between P fertilization and intercropping enhances crop productivity through a microbiome-mediated mechanism. This synergy restructures the rhizosphere community into a functionally beneficial state, fostering a self-reinforcing plant–microbe–soil feedback loop. This study provides a mechanistic framework for developing integrated, microbiome-informed management strategies to support sustainable agricultural intensification.

Field studies on pesticide impacts often lack detailed use data, struggle to disentangle their effects from agricultural intensification, and overlook the diversity of substances. Using a newly released French database on pesticide purchases, we investigated their relationship with bird abundances. We first validated that purchase data reflects environmental contamination by comparison with independent data on pesticide residues in surface waters. We then related the local purchases of 242 active substances to the abundance of 64 common bird species in croplands. Pesticide quantities correlated negatively with the abundance of 84.4% of the species, while we accounted for other aspects of agricultural intensification. We obtained similar results with a more integrative pesticide metric, combining quantity, toxicity and degradability of the substances. This result suggests a widespread negative impact of environmental contamination, extending beyond farmland specialists to common bird species foraging in croplands, with potential cascading effects within and outside these landscapes.

Agricultural soils are the largest anthropogenic source of nitrous oxide (N2O), primarily due to excessive nitrogen (N) fertilization and inefficient N management. Mitigating N2O emissions from croplands without compromising productivity is therefore a major global challenge for climate and environmental sustainability. A three-year split-plot field experiment was conducted in an arid maize production region of northwestern China to examine how green manure intercropping combined with reduced chemical N input regulates N2O emissions and soil N residues. The main plots comprised maize monoculture (M), maize intercropped with common vetch (M/V), and maize intercropped with rape (M/R), while subplots consisted of local conventional N application (N1: 360 kg N ha−1) and a 25% reduced rate (N2: 270 kg N ha−1). Results indicated that intercropping with green manure can offset the reduction in maize grain yield caused by a 25% decrease in N supply. Green manure intercropping significantly decreased cumulative N2O emissions compared with monoculture maize, and the mitigation effect was further strengthened under reduced N input. The M/V system under reduced N input exhibited the strongest mitigation effect, reducing N2O emissions per unit of grain yield by 9.2–11.5% compared with the M/R system. This reduction was driven by the ability of M/V to stabilize soil mineral N availability. Notably, the independent maize growth stage contributed 52.6–66.9% of total seasonal N2O emissions, emphasizing it as a critical period for emission mitigation. Overall, integrating green manure intercropping with reduced chemical N input effectively mitigates N2O emissions while maintaining maize productivity in arid regions, providing a practical strategy for sustainable and environmentally responsible agricultural intensification.

Abstract Sustainable agricultural intensification requires a precise understanding of how land use decisions influence soil organic carbon (SOC) sequestration under varying environmental conditions. We apply causal machine learning to evaluate the heterogeneous impact of winter wheat-based rotations on SOC at the field-level across Lithuania. Using a nationwide dataset collected over five years (2018–2022), including crop types, management practices, soil properties, and environmental conditions, we estimate how the effects of winter wheat-based rotation vary across space and climate. Our results indicate that winter wheat generally enhances SOC levels, but its effectiveness is modulated by climate. Cooler regions experience higher SOC gains, whereas warmer regions show diminished or even negative effects. Future climate projections suggest that the potential for winter wheat sequestration may decline under high-emission scenarios. These findings highlight the importance of localized agricultural strategies that account for climate variability to maximize SOC sequestration and ensure long-term soil sustainability.

This study investigates how cattle production, energy intensity in agriculture, and environmental degradation (cattle-related CO2eq emissions) interact in Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC). Using Vector Autoregressive (VAR) and Panel VAR models on data from 12 countries between 2000 and 2018, the results show that cattle production Granger-causes both energy intensity and CO2eq emissions, and that energy intensity itself Granger-causes CO2eq emissions, indicating a clear, unidirectional causal chain. Impulse-response functions suggest that shocks to cattle production initially raise energy intensity and CO2eq emissions but eventually lead to reduced CO2eq emissions (at the end of the study period). Forecasts project rising cattle output, declining energy intensity, and a gradual decrease in CO2eq emissions, suggesting partial decoupling of productivity from environmental harm. Although energy efficiency gains offer mitigation potential, sustained growth in cattle production may offset these improvements without systemic change. These findings underscore the critical role of clean energy and sustainable intensification in cattle systems. The framework developed is applicable beyond LAC, offering insights for other regions facing similar challenges in balancing agricultural growth with environmental sustainability.

Leptospirosis is a significant zoonotic disease that remains highly endemic in tropical and subtropical regions. The pathogenic Leptospira spp. can persist for extended periods in both aquatic and terrestrial environments, posing a long-term threat to public health. However, most studies have focused on pathogenesis and host-pathogen interactions. The ecological and microbial components were examined. This review explores the ecological determinants of Leptospira survival, emphasizing microbial interactions and their relevance within the One Health framework. Leptospira persistence is influenced by abiotic stressors (temperature, pH, moisture, and soil minerals), biotic interactions (such as co-aggregation with other bacteria, protozoan predation, and bacteriophage activity), and anthropogenic factors including deforestation, agricultural intensification, and urbanization. Evidence shows that Leptospira survive best under high humidity, neutral to alkaline pH, and moderate temperatures, while extreme stressors such as drought, high temperature, or microbial antagonism reduce their viability. Understanding how these abiotic, biotic, and anthropogenic drivers shape bacterial persistence provides insight into the ecological resilience of Leptospira and its transmission dynamics. This review underscores the need to coordinate cross-sectoral measures and integrated surveillance linking environmental, animal, and human health through ecologically informed tools such as eDNA and climate-based risk modeling.

The intensification of shrimp farming contributes to the accumulation of toxic nitrogen compounds, which in turn affect productivity and complicates water quality management, especially under conditions of reduced salinity. This study evaluated the effects of 25% (CO, T2) and 50% (T1) water exchange, in combination with a bioaugmentation treatment using native Bacillus (T2), on nitrogen compound concentrations and bacterial community structure in Litopenaeus vannamei culture under reduced salinity conditions (4ppt). The results demonstrated that treatment with native Bacillus megaterium and Bacillus paralicheniformis (T2) leads to a significant reduction in nitrite and nitrate concentrations, reaching nearly 0 mg/L from day 4. In contrast, T1 and CO treatments showed markedly higher concentration, reaching up to 5 mg/mL and 160 mg/L, respectively. The full-length 16S rRNA gene used for the metataxonomic analysis revealed changes in bacterial composition towards species with nitrifying and probiotic potential, with native Bacillus strains detected exclusively in T2. In addition, a reduction in bacterial diversity was detected, and significant differences were observed between the bacterial communities of T2 and those of T1 and CO (p = 0.001, R2 = 0,328). The shotgun analysis further revealed a higher abundance of enzymes related to nitrification and dissimilatory nitrate reduction to ammonium in T2 treatment. The results highlighted the active involvement of Gram positive – Bacillus and Gram-negative bacteria such as Shewanella and Psychrobacter, and suggesting heterotrophic nitrification and aerobic denitrification. Overall, native B. megaterium and B. paralicheniformis provided an effective bioaugmentation strategy for the managing nitrate and nitrite in low-salinity shrimp farming, providing an eco-friendly alternative that may enhance productivity and reduce the industry´s water footprint.

Shelterbelts support edge birds but limit grassland and wetland specialists in agricultural landscape.

The global decline in biodiversity, mainly caused by human activities such as land use change, agricultural intensification, habitat degradation, and climate change, is impacting many species, including raptors. The lesser kestrel (Falco naumanni), a threatened colonial raptor strongly associated with traditional agricultural landscapes, has experienced marked distributional and demographic changes across Spain. Understanding the environmental and anthropogenic factors shaping its occurrence is essential for guiding effective conservation actions. In this study, we combined national-scale presence data with local breeding information to identify the main drivers influencing the species’ spatial patterns and potential causes of local population change. Nationally, the lesser kestrel showed positive associations with prey availability, grasslands, and non-irrigated croplands, while urban areas, water bodies, and higher altitudes negatively affected its occurrence. Climatic variables, particularly precipitation during the warmest quarter and temperature seasonality, were also significant predictors. At the local scale (Córdoba province), colony abundance increased in non-irrigated agricultural areas and certain human-modified habitats, but declined in woodlands, open natural areas, and landscapes characterised by larger patch sizes. Overall, our findings highlight the relevance of preserving heterogeneous, traditional agricultural mosaics and maintaining prey-rich open habitats. By integrating national and local perspectives, this study identifies priority areas for conservation and provides actionable insights to support efforts aimed at halting the decline of the lesser kestrel in Spain.

The potential of variable-rate technology for sustainable intensification of European arable farming

This study examines how settler-driven environmental change shaped malaria transmission and mortality in 19th-century southern Ontario. It aimed to understand the biosocial and ecological conditions that sustained endemic malaria in a temperate, colonial context. We analyzed 2702 deaths attributed to probable malaria from 1831 to 1900 using civil, cemetery, parish, and municipal records. Each record was coded for age, sex, occupation, region, and season of death. To assess environmental influences, we incorporated monthly temperature and rainfall data from Toronto as a regional climate proxy. We examined demographic and spatial patterns at multiple scales, including towns, settlement type (urban/rural), and regional groupings, alongside temporal and seasonal variation. Statistical comparisons were used to explore associations, including nonlinear modeling of rainfall and malaria mortality. Probable malaria mortality declined over time but persisted throughout the century. Children under 5 accounted for over half of recorded deaths, while adults in agricultural occupations were also disproportionately affected. Rural areas, particularly in western Ontario, experienced the highest mortality. Generalized additive model (GAM) results indicated a strong nonlinear association between rainfall and malaria deaths (p < 0.001), while temperature was not a significant predictor. Malaria's persistence in 19th-century Ontario reflected a structural embedding of disease risk within settler-transformed landscapes. Deforestation, altered hydrology, and agricultural intensification created ecologies conducive to mosquito breeding. Vulnerability was not evenly distributed but shaped by age, labor, and proximity to altered environments. These findings underscore the importance of integrating environmental and historical data to reconstruct past disease ecologies and illustrate how evolutionary mismatch can drive vulnerability even in short-lived endemic contexts.

Integrated biomarker assessment of sublethal effects of a tebuconazole-based fungicide in Rhinella arenarum larvae.

Agricultural intensification increases rather than reduces pressure on the Amazon Forest: Jevons' paradox prevails in the cases of soy and cattle in Brazil (2001–2021)

Background: In Uganda, climate change is amongst the most substantive challenges inflicting on the wellbeing of humans in many parts of the country. In the central and south western parts of Uganda where the majority of the population rely on subsistence agriculture, climate change has adversative effects. In rural areas, low resilient capacity to shocks exacerbates the impacts of climate change such as food production catastrophe, hence resulting into food insecurity. It is upon the above experiences that this study assessed emphasis on mitigation strategies and practices of climate change among farmers Nakasongola district by using qualitative research. This research was guided by one research question, namely: what are the mitigation strategies practiced by local people to minimize the impact of climate change? Material and method: The study employed a case study design where several instrumental bound cases are examined. We utilized multiple data collection methods to explore perceptions of climate change. Qualitative data for this study was generated from 15 selected households through focus group discussions, key informant interviews, and in-depth interviews. Data were collected using semi-structured interviews from fifteen purposefully selected local farmers from selected sub counties. Results: The findings of this study revealed that, farmers were found to practice mitigation strategies such as afforestation, agroforestry and agricultural intensification as ways to overcome climate change. Conclusion: Local farmers have intensively initiated agricultural policies that strive to protect the environment and such mitigation strategies are meant to enhance the capability of smallholder’s farmers to deal with the persistent effects of climate change

Integrated rice-fish farming represents a paradigm shift toward sustainable agricultural intensification in Bihar's agricultural landscape. This comprehensive research examines Magur fish (Clarias batrachus) rice transplanting integrated fish farming systems, analysing their productivity potential, economic viability, and sustainability benefits within Bihar's specific agro-ecological context. Data synthesized from ICAR research facilities, government fisheries statistics, and peer-reviewed publications (2014-2024) reveals that Bihar has achieved remarkable aquaculture growth, progressing from 4.79 lakh metric tonnes (2014-15) to 8.73 lakh metric tonnes (2023-24), achieving 81.98% production increase and attaining 4th position nationally in fish production. Field investigations and techno-economic analyses demonstrate that rice-fish integrated systems incorporating Magur achieve average fish yields of 500-1,000 kg/ha annually with rice yield enhancements of 8-25% compared to monoculture systems. Economic modelling indicates net returns of ₹2,45,000-₹3,04,900/ha for diversified rice-fish-horticulture integration models, representing 2.31-2.36 benefit-cost ratios. This analysis establishes rice-fish farming as a scientifically validated, economically sustainable, and environmentally beneficial production system with exceptional livelihood potential for Bihar's smallholder farming communities, directly supporting state and national food security objectives while promoting agrarian transformation and natural resource optimization.

Many populations of the weatherfish ( Misgurnus fossilis L.) in north-western Europe have experienced significant declines since the end of the Second World War. These declines have been largely attributed to changes in land use practices, such as agricultural intensification and urban development, as well as a deterioration in water quality across their natural habitats. Several of the remaining weatherfish populations are currently characterized by poor conservation status. Decades of habitat fragmentation have resulted in reduced genetic diversity, increased levels of inbreeding, and the presence of phantom populations—small, isolated groups that are demographically unstable and genetically unsustainable in the long term. Although traditional approaches to aquatic restoration—such as habitat enhancement, water quality improvement, and the removal of migration barriers—remain essential and should be prioritized, they are often insufficient to recover genetically depleted populations. To support the recovery of these populations, a targeted breeding program was developed, funded by LIFE B4B, for the weatherfish. This involved introducing genetic material from populations with high genetic diversity into extant, inbred populations. Over recent years, the protocol for artificial reproduction has been gradually optimised, resulting in a stable and scalable production of large numbers of juvenile weatherfish. In parallel, a release program for this endangered species was implemented in Flanders. Thousands of farmed young-of-the-year individuals were introduced at eight sites within the species’ historical range. Additionally, as part of a complementary reintroduction strategy, tens of thousands of juvenile fish (2–4 weeks old, 10–20 mm in length) were released into carefully selected river sectors. Recent monitoring at one of the release sites revealed encouraging results, with high survival rates and numerous juveniles originating from natural recruitment. While it is still too early to declare the project a definitive success, the re-establishment of natural reproduction represents a critical first milestone. Ongoing genetic analyses will be necessary to assess the extent of admixture between the introduced genetic lines and the resident populations (Suppl. material 1).

The practice of rice–fish production dates back to the 15th–12th centuries BC in ancient China (Halwart and Gupta 2004). This symbiotic farming method offers numerous benefits for both rice cultivation and fish rearing. Fish thrive in a protected environment without the need for additional feed, while simultaneously contributing to the control of aquatic insect pests, soil aeration, and plant fertilisation. In Hungary, rice was cultivated on a scale of approximately 50,000–60,000 hectares prior to the 1960s, and carp production in rice fields was developed but declined with the onset of agricultural intensification. The subsequent use of insecticides temporarily halted this organic approach. However, in recent decades, increasing interest in organic rice production has led to a renewed focus on rice–fish systems and related research (Simon-Kiss 2001). In 2010 and 2012, experiments were conducted in Szarvas, Hungary, in which weatherfish ( Misgurnus fossilis ) and crucian carp ( Carassius carassius ) fingerlings were stocked in rice paddies for a two-month rearing period from July to September. The objectives of the study were to assess the growth and survival of these species and to evaluate the technology for future research and development. Following an unsuccessful preliminary trial with weatherfish in 2010, the experiment was repeated in 2012. Two paddy fields were stocked with fingerlings as follows: field "Monoculture": 250 crucian carp (total length [TL]: 13 ± 1.6 mm) field "Biculture": 250 crucian carp (TL: 13 ± 1.6 mm) and 400 weatherfish (TL: 15 ± 2.6 mm). field "Monoculture": 250 crucian carp (total length [TL]: 13 ± 1.6 mm) field "Biculture": 250 crucian carp (TL: 13 ± 1.6 mm) and 400 weatherfish (TL: 15 ± 2.6 mm). The fish adapted well to the agricultural environment and exhibited good growth under extensive rice-fish rearing conditions. Final body weights of weatherfish juveniles ranged from 4.1 to 18.9 g, while crucian carp reached 1.9–18.5 g. Survival rates varied between species, with weatherfish showing a survival rate of 10.5% and crucian carp survival ranging from 36.0% to 40.8%. No statistically significant differences (p &amp;lt; 0.05) were observed in final body weight or survival rates of crucian carp between the monoculture and biculture in rice fields. However, Fulton's condition factor was significantly higher (p &amp;lt; 0.05) in the monoculture system, indicating a slight negative effect on crucian carp growth performance when reared in biculture with weatherfish (Table 1). These preliminary observations suggest that rice fields may serve as effective sites for the ex-situ conservation of weatherfish and crucian carp. During the 45-day experimental period, both species exhibited strong performance and high growth potential. Further research is required to optimise the technology and improve the survival and harvesting efficiency of weatherfish. Rice fields represent suitable habitats for the extensive rearing of juvenile fish, while the biological control provided by these species can also support organic rice production (Suppl. material 1).

Efficiency in the utilization of agricultural land can affect population growth through food availability and reduce pressure on natural resources. The objectives of the research are (1) To analyze the factors affecting the efficiency of agricultural land use in Golo Manting Village, (2) To identify appropriate strategies to improve land quality. The research method used is a quantitative method with multiple regression analysis. The results of the study indicate that (1) The efficiency of agricultural land use in Golo Manting Village is influenced by various factors, but statistical tests show that land area, food crop production, and agricultural technology do not have a simultaneous effect. This indicates that other factors such as irrigation quality, type of fertilizer, planting patterns, and farmers' knowledge and skills are more dominant in determining the level of land efficiency (2) the use of modern agricultural technology effective land management can increase food crop production. (3) Agricultural intensification through the use of superior seeds, proper land management, and good fertilization can improve food crop production and the efficiency of agricultural land utilization. This research concludes that effective land management and the use of modern agricultural technology can enhance the efficiency of agricultural land use and food crop production in Golo Manting Village.