Intensive Agricultural Use Research Articles

Main Problems of Land Use in Gusar-Gonakkend Cadastral District

The work is devoted to the study of land resources of the Gusar-Gonakkend cadastral district. The analysis of the state of soil fertility and the identification of problems and causes in land use are carried out. The analysis of fund and cartographic materials on the object of study is carried out. The study revealed that the main problems in the use of the studied lands are a decrease in the forest fund and a decrease in soil fertility, an increase in salinity, and soil erosion. It was found that 53.2% (241,492 hectares) of the lands of the Gusar-Gonakkend cadastral district are eroded, of which 41.7% (100,702 hectares) are slightly eroded, 30.8% (74,380 hectares) are moderately eroded, and 27.5% (66,410 hectares) are heavily eroded. The area of forests in the study area is 49,111 hectares, i.e., 10.81% of the total area. Unsystematic logging and failure to establish new forests have led to a significant reduction of 48.9% (19,741 ha). The fertility of the lands of the Gusar-Gonakkend cadastral region has decreased as a result of intensive use in agriculture. 16.92% of the lands of group I, 51.88% of the lands of group II, and 27.69% of the lands of group III are used for arable land. 2.2% (10,000 ha) of the area of the study territory is subject to alkalinization.

Temporal and spatial patterns of riparian vegetation in the Colastiné Basin (Argentina) and riparian ecological quality estimation as tools for water management

ABSTRACT Information on the riverbanks can improve our ability to monitor water quality and generate adequate management strategies. This research seeks insights into the riverbanks of eight Colastiné River Basin (Argentina) streams, which have been influenced by intensive agricultural land use for decades. We aim to (a) describe the temporal and spatial distribution patterns of riparian vegetation, (b) assess their current riparian quality through riverbank quality indices, and (c) estimate whether the riparian quality is linked to the water quality. Results of the Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) showed an increasing trend in the vegetation cover with seasonal periodicities during the last 22 years in only 2 streams. Overall, 41% of plant species registered were exotic although native species dominated in most streams. The overall riverbank quality, based on the mean values of four riverbank quality indexes, was regular-to-bad. The overall water quality of the streams was low and significantly correlated to the Riparian Quality Index, suggesting a link between both compartments. More studies are needed to determine the main variables that establish this connection. Further effort is also needed to generate appropriate indices for this region, as no current ones are still developed.

Economic Assessment of Hydrologic Ecosystem Services in Morocco’s Protected Areas: A Case Study of Ifrane National Park

This study delves into the complex interplay between land use dynamics, hydrological services, and intangible benefits within the context of Ifrane National Park (INP) in Morocco. Due to its extensive mountain forests and numerous wetlands, INP is a crucial contributor to the nation’s water supply and a vital source of hydrological ecosystem services (HES). However, climate change and evolving land use patterns have led to diminishing water resources and the desiccation of certain wetlands. This research used the Integrated Valuation of Ecosystem Services and Tradeoffs software (InVEST 3.10.2) for HES quantification and environmental economics approach for monetization to comprehend how HES values respond to challenges posed by urbanization, intensive agriculture, and other land use alterations. This work underscores INP’s role as a significant “water tower”, emphasizing the evolution of its services amidst challenges. Our findings reveal an annual decrease in HES economic value by USD 4000. This economic assessment serves as a compelling tool to enlighten decision-makers and park users about the imperative need to preserve natural ecosystems and use water resources judiciously. It advocates for investments in conservation and restoration within protected areas to sustain these vital services.

Temperate alley‐cropping agroforestry improves pest control potential by promoting spider abundance and functional diversity

Abstract Intensive agricultural land use negatively impacts biodiversity, including arthropod predator diversity and their pest control potential. Alley‐cropping agroforestry systems (integration of tree rows into arable land) are increasingly considered an economically viable alternative for more sustainable and biodiversity‐friendly agriculture. However, their effectiveness in promoting generalist predator diversity and pest control, especially as a function of space (distance from tree rows) and time (across the growing season) remains poorly understood. We assessed how spider abundance, taxonomic and functional diversity (as proxies of pest control potential) respond to temperate alley‐cropping agroforestry systems as compared to open croplands. Additionally, we analysed whether spiders with different habitat preferences (eurytopic, forest and open‐habitat specialists) show distinct responses. Lastly, we analysed whether the influence of agroforestry changes with decreasing tree proximity and across the growing season. Tree row proximity generally benefited the abundance, as well as taxonomic and functional diversity of the overall spider communities. Alley‐cropping promoted the abundance and taxonomic diversity of forest specialists and eurytopic spiders, without negatively affecting open‐habitat specialists. The positive effect of alley cropping was strongest within tree rows and their immediate vicinity, but was still detectable at considerably farther distances. These patterns were temporally dynamic with spider abundance and taxonomic diversity being highest within tree rows in early spring and spiders spilling over to adjacent crop rows in subsequent periods. Synthesis and applications: Overall, our findings highlight that the inclusion of tree rows benefited spiders across the entirety of the 48 m crop rows, independent of crop type. Since the peak in spider abundance and taxonomic diversity in crop rows coincided with crop pest arrival, alley‐cropping agroforestry is expected to benefit agricultural production through increased pest control potential. Alley‐cropping agroforestry may therefore be an important management strategy to develop more sustainable agricultural systems benefiting farmers and biodiversity alike.

Seasonal movements of small-island birds along habitat and elevation gradients highlights the conservation value of small-scale agroforests

Knowledge on species distributions and seasonal movement patterns within landscapes is important for understanding their ecology and roles in agroecosystems, and is critical for enabling their effective conservation and monitoring, particularly in small-island states where conservation resources are limited. We undertook bird surveys to examine species distributions across a range of agricultural land-use intensities and elevations on the Caribbean island of Grenada by collecting data over 6 repeated monthly surveys (3 wet season, 3 dry season) at sites located in a variety of habitats spread over 6–300 m elevation. We observed a gradual upslope increase in bird species diversity and abundance from the mid-wet season to the late-dry season, as well as a movement from reduced-canopy habitats to closed-canopy habitats in the dry season. The mid-elevation hillsides of Grenada consist of a diverse mosaic of closed canopy secondary forest patches, interspersed among more open agroforests and small-scale cropping and grazed areas. These agroecosystems appear to provide important habitats to birds throughout the year, especially open canopy agroforests in the wet season. We also found that open mixed agroforests contained a greater diversity of fruit, flower, and seed resources than closed canopy habitats such as secondary forest, cacao agroforests, young secondary forests, or dry forest scrub; and that plant food diversity was highest in the wet season. However, bird abundance significantly increased in closed canopy forest habitats during the dry season, suggesting that intact canopy forests provide important dry season habitat for many Grenadian birds, which may be particularly important for species in drier lowland areas experiencing more intensive agricultural land use and urban and resort development. Overall, this research demonstrates the importance of maintaining the functional connectivity of treed habitats at local and landscape scales for species conservation, as well as the contribution of diverse, small-scale agriculture to maintaining small-island bird communities.

Land use intensity is a major driver of soil microbial and carbon cycling across an agricultural landscape

Soil carbon (C) storage is a critical ecosystem function that underpins human health and well-being. The acceleration of human-driven land use change, such as agricultural intensification, is a major driver of soil C loss globally. Developing sustainable land use practices that enhance agricultural productivity whilst protecting essential ecosystem functions such as soil C storage is vital. The soil microbiome has a critical role in regulating soil biogeochemical cycling processes, including soil C cycling. Examining the impacts of land use intensity on the soil microbiome enables us to assess the potential effects on long-term soil C stocks. Using metagenomic DNA sequencing and phospholipid fatty acid analysis, we investigated differences in the activity, diversity, and function of the soil microbiome associated with five contrasting land uses across an agricultural landscape. The land uses covered a gradient of disturbance intensities and included remnant native forest, regenerating native bush, exotic plantation forest, dryland pasture, and irrigated pasture. We identified pronounced differences in the soil microbiome associated with each land use, including the diversity and abundance of microbial C and nitrogen (N) cycling genes. Notably, intensive agricultural land uses had a significantly higher diversity and abundance of microbial C-degrading genes, whilst land uses of remnant native forest had the lowest diversity and abundance of microbial C-degrading genes. Our findings suggest that intensive agricultural land use may increase the functional potential of the soil microbiome to mineralize soil C, potentially resulting in a greater loss of soil C as respired CO2 into the atmosphere. This research may be used to support the development of sustainable management practices that promote the persistence of soil C across agricultural landscapes, such as the protection of remnant native forest fragments and greater incorporation of regenerating native vegetation.

Hydrodynamics and water quality of a highly anthropized wetland: the case study of the Massaciuccoli basin (Tuscany, Italy)

Owing to increasing anthropogenic impacts, wetlands have suffered a serious environmental decline in recent decades. The sustainable management of these natural resources is fundamental to maintain both the ecosystems and the economic activities. The Lake Massaciuccoli and nearby areas represent one of the largest residual coastal marshy areas in Tuscany (Italy). This wetland is characterized by large-scale and intensive agricultural use and affected by reclamation activities, with consequent problems of erosion, subsidence and lake eutrophication and siltation. In this context, an integrated study combining hydrochemical data (water levels, electrical conductivity, pH, turbidity, major ions, trace metals) and stable isotopes (H, O, S) has been performed in the southernmost part of the basin, to better disentangle processes and interactions between groundwater and surface water and to understand the origin of solutes and their evolution. Our results indicated that both groundwater and surface water have a meteoric origin and that geochemical composition of groundwater is mainly affected by local geological and biological processes. Moreover, surface water is affected by sea water mixing and evapotranspiration/precipitation processes. The impact of agricultural activity and the use of fertilizers on the water quality appears to be limited as regards nitrates, indicating that less intense agricultural practices implemented in recent years have been successful. As regards sulfates, Fe, and Mn, we cannot fully elucidate the mechanisms underlying human influence, but the oscillation of water level and degradation of peat enhanced by reclamation and agriculture activities likely played an important role in controlling the fate of these elements. Overall, these results underline the importance of integrated approaches to disentangle geochemical processes and will be useful in supporting policy implementation and environmental protection in this valuable area of Tuscany. Findings from this work suggest the need for policy-making authorities to take actions as soon as possible to mitigate risks. Closer co-operation is essential between authorities and farmers to reduce inputs of fertilizers and chemicals into the lake and the surrounding area. Also, additional policy measures should be enforced to reduce the mechanical soil tillage and limit erosion and runoff, such as the NBSs implemented within the Phusicos Project.

METHOD OF ACCOUNTING SOIL-AGROCHEMICAL POTENTIAL FOR OPTIMIZING THE STRUCTURE OF LAND USE OF THE VOLOZHINSK DISTRICT OF THE REPUBLIC OF BELARUS

The article discusses one of the ways to assess the condition of soil cover to improve the efficiency of land management using the example of the Volozhin region of the Republic of Belarus. A comprehensive assessment of the agrochemical and natural potential of the soil is proposed by means of typing the soil cover depending on agrochemical indicators (pHKCl, humus content, mobile compounds of phosphorus and potassium) and a quality score reflecting the natural state of the soil. Using geostatistical methods, the values of agrochemical indicators were interpolated from elementary areas into areas of soil varieties of agricultural lands and classified according to the degree of content of agrochemical elements that made up the agrochemical potential (AP). After crossing the AP with the bonitet score, 9 groups of soils were identified according to soil-agrochemical potential (SAP), of which the largest share (58,2 %) is occupied by soils with average potential (61,950 ha). Based on the results of a spatial assessment of the PAP, it was determined that sod-podzolic and sod-podzolic swampy soils developing on light loams and cohesive sandy loams have the greatest potential. It was also revealed that areas with low PAP gravitate towards the most dissected areas of the terrain with sandy and cohesive sandy soils. Based on the typification carried out, the main types of preferred land use in the Volozhin region were determined: more than half of the agricultural land can be used for intensive agricultural use for arable land (52,1 %) and meadows (12,5 %), traditional land use is possible for 29,3 % territories and only 6,2 % of lands require the use of soil protection farming systems, primarily focused on erosion-hazardous areas of the area.

Interactive effects of agricultural landscape heterogeneity and weather conditions on breeding density and reproductive success of a diurnal raptor.

Agricultural intensification and climate change are serious threats toward animal populations worldwide. Agricultural intensification reduces the heterogeneity of agricultural habitats by diminishing crop variation and destroying microhabitats, such as small woody features, whereas the effects of climate change range from the growing frequency of weather extremes to disrupted prey-predator dynamics. We collected long-term ringing data from a population of Eurasian kestrels (Falco tinnunculus) located amidst agricultural areas in western Finland during 1985-2021, which we combined with density indices of their main prey species (voles), spatial data consisting of land cover classification of kestrel territories, and weather data, to study the effects of different environmental drivers on breeding density and success. We found that the density of inhabited nests rose with vole abundance and springtime snow depth, with the overall trend of population growth being stronger in areas with more heterogeneous landscapes. Clutch size was influenced negatively by the age of male parent and landscape heterogeneity, and positively by vole abundance, with rainfall having a negative influence conditional to other variables. Likewise, the number of produced fledglings was affected by male age, but it was additionally positively associated with landscape heterogeneity and its interaction with rainfall, with greater fledgling output in heterogeneous landscapes during high precipitation. The discrepancy between factors predicting large clutches and high numbers of fledglings suggests that while kestrels do not prefer heterogeneous landscapes when prospecting for territories, heterogeneous habitats provide better circumstances for foraging during the nestling period, which ensures nestling survival, particularly during adverse environmental conditions. Therefore, breeding in areas under intense agricultural use is more suboptimal to kestrels than their territory preferences would indicate. As changing climate may reduce prey availability and heighten the probability of weather extremities, agricultural intensification may lead to weaker reproductive success in densely populated farmland habitats.

BİTKİSEL KÖKENLİ GIDALARDA YÜKSEK POLARİTELİ PESTİSİTLERİN SIVI KROMATOGRAFİ/KÜTLE SPEKTROMETRİSİ YÖNTEMİYLE ANALİZİ

Pesticides in foods of plant origin are becoming a major issue due to their intensive use in agriculture. Since pesticides are potentially harmful to the environment and consequently to human health through the consumption of pesticide contaminated foods. The European Community and also the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry in Turkish Republic established maximum residue levels (MRLs), based on the assumption that good agricultural practice is applied at the use of pesticides in farming, for pesticide residues in food of plant origin. As a consequence food commodities have to be controlled to assure the non-violation of the MRLs. Thus an appropriate control of their residues in samples has to be operated. 
 In this study, we inferred the analytical methods for highly polar pesticides in foods of plant origin via LC-MS/MS after extraction with acidified methanol according to QuPPe (Quick Polar Pesticides) method. Optimization of 13 highly polar pesticides was carried out with LC-MS/MS Q-Trap. After the optimization process has been completed, the samples to be taken according to the SANTE (Guidance document on analytical quality control and method validation procedures for pesticide residues and analysis in food and feed) guidelines have been carefully selected, including high water, high acid/high water, high sugar/low water, high oil/low water and high starch/low water content and difficult or unique commodities. Six samples carefully selected according to the SANTE guideline were carried out at two different concentrations, one of at the detection limit which is 10 µg/L. At the end of the studies, it was found that the RSD criteria for repeatabilitiy was below 20 % for all substances. In addition, the recovery value for all substances was in the range of 70 – 120 %. As a result, 13 different polar pesticides can be analyzed in product groups of plant origin via LC-MS/MS method developed by using hypercarb column.

Determination and quantification of microplastics in compost

AbstractAlthough microplastics (MPs) in solid organic waste have been intensively studied, the presence of MPs in organic fertilizer and their potential as new emerging pollution to environment because of their use in agriculture has not been explained completely. Therefore, the identification and quantification of MPs in commercially available compost is important. This study aimed to estimate the quantity of MPs in commercial composts. The characteristics of MPs (shape, color, size, and type of polymers) were identified. This study found that MPs in commercial compost samples were found, reaching up to 160 particles/200 g of compost with various colors (blue, black, red, yellow, and white). The identified MPs had various sizes (0.1–1 mm) and shapes (81.8% fragment, 16.2% fiber, and 2% filament). The findings of this study are very important and significant to inform community and policymakers regarding the presence of MPs in commercial compost, hence, their intensive use in agriculture must be controlled and careful.

Agroecological assessment of the efficiency of utilization of quail manure in the restoration of disturbed sod-podzolic soils with the formation of a stable herbage

The most acute environmental problems of our time include large volumes of bird droppings produced annually at large livestock complexes. At the same time, the sod-podzolic soils dominating in the Non-Chernozem zone of the European part of Russia are characterized by low reserves of humus, which quickly fall with intensive agricultural use and soil anthropogenic degradation. To restore degraded sod-podzolic soils, a peat-sand substrate enriched with compost from quail manure without and with the application of phosphogypsum to stabilize organic compounds of compost was used with the support of project No. 075-15-2021-1030 of the Ministry of Science and Higher Education of Russia. The vegetation experiment showed the maximum increase in plant biomass of the herbage in the variant with the combined use of compost and phosphogypsum: respectively, 30% higher than the control one. In the summer, there is an increased intensity of soil CO2 emissions in the variants with compost, but with a multiple more active increase in grass biomass growing, so one can talk about the atmosphere carbon sequestering nature of the technology of utilization of quail droppings during the restoration of disturbed sod-podzolic soils with the formation of a stable herbage.

ОСОБЕННОСТИ ВЛИЯНИЯ АНТРОПОГЕННЫХ И КЛИМАТИЧЕСКИХ ФАКТОРОВ НА СОСТОЯНИЕ ЗЕМЕЛЬ СЕЛЬСКОХОЗЯЙСТВЕННОГО НАЗНАЧЕНИЯ ЗАПОРОЖСКОЙ ОБЛАСТИ

Purpose: to substantiate the features of the impact of anthropogenic and climatic factors on the condition of agricultural lands in Zaporizhia region. Discussion. The intensive agricultural use of soils in Zaporizhia region has led to a number of negative environmental changes and deterioration of their properties. The main factors of anthropogenic impact of agriculture on land resources are the irrational use of agricultural land, agricultural sphere pollution, plant chemicalization, scientifically unsubstantiated application of organic and mineral fertilizers. The negative impact is an increase in the disturbed lands area and the lack of reclamation. High ploughing of agricultural lands in Zaporizhia region (84.8 %), the use of heavy tillage machinery, erosion control measures neglect, as well as the ineffective use of funds aimed at erosion control, lead to an increase in eroded lands. The special military operation conducted in the Zaporizhia region also had a significant impact on the land fund structure. The region belongs to the zone of risky agriculture, which is associated with insufficient natural moisture against the background of increasing air temperature. Reduction of the negative impact of air and soil drought on the agricultural crop productivity can be achieved through irrigation. However, with the Kakhovka reservoir dam destruction, irrigation of fields became impossible. Conclusions. Significant anthropogenic impact on the region territory is associated with agricultural production, namely, with crop production and, accordingly, high agricultural development of the territory. The intensity of adverse natural processes depends on the natural features of the territory – relief, soil type and their mechanical composition, climatic indicators and wind exposure. As a result of the analysis of soil and climatic conditions of Zaporizhia region, the relevant data is presented.

Taxonomic and Functional Diversity of Bees in Traditional Agroecosystems and Tropical Forest Patches on the Yucatan Peninsula

Background and Research Objectives: Habitat matrices of intensive agricultural use are generally inhospitable to native bees in fragmented forests. However, in some tropical regions of the world, agricultural landscapes are dominated by traditional agroecosystems, which harbor high plant diversity and are subject to low-intensity management. These agroecosystems can therefore provide suitable habitats and important floral resources for the bee community. The objective of this study was to compare the taxonomic and functional diversity of bees in traditional agroecosystems and forest patches within an agricultural landscape of the Yucatan Peninsula. Methods: Sampling was conducted in two traditional agroecosystems (homegardens and a rainfed polyculture known as milpa) and forest patches as a control (N= 24 sites in total. Hereafter: habitats), using two complementary sampling techniques: pan traps and a sweep net. Taxonomic and functional diversity metrics were calculated and compared among habitats. Results: The three habitats were generally similar in terms of taxonomic and functional diversity. Differences were only detected among habitats in the inverse of Simpson’s diversity index and number of functional groups (functional entities), with higher values in the agroecosystems than in the forest. Conclusion: Taxonomic and functional diversity was similar in the traditional agroecosystems and forest patches, suggesting that these agroecosystems can provide temporal adequate resources for most bee functional groups and that movement of bees is possible among these habitats. Conservation Implications: Maintenance of low-intensity management practices and high (agro)biodiversity found in traditional agroecosystems is crucial for the conservation of native bees. It is therefore important to incorporate these systems into management strategies at the landscape level. Since traditional agroecosystems and forests have different land tenure systems (government, private, and communal), conservation strategies at this level require the involvement of different sectors of society.

Bioremediation of Pesticide-Contaminated Soils through Composting: Mechanisms, Factors, and Prospects

Pesticide contamination of soils poses a significant environmental and agricultural challenge on a global scale, with escalating pesticide consumption in various regions. Composting has emerged as a cost-effective and sustainable bioremediation method for pesticide-contaminated soils. This review article delves into the mechanisms, factors influencing efficiency, and the pros and cons of composting as a strategy to address pesticide pollution in soils. Pesticides enter soil environments through both point sources, such as spillage from storage or disposal areas, and non-point sources, including intensive agricultural use and household applications. The physical and chemical characteristics of pesticides, coupled with soil factors like permeability and particle size, influence their fate and behavior in soils. Composting, as a bioremediation method, offers several advantages, including complete destruction of pesticide compounds through microbial degradation, transforming them into less hazardous products. Key factors affecting composting efficiency include nutrient availability, particle size, temperature, pH, oxygen, and moisture content, all crucial for microorganism growth and pesticide degradation. This article underscores the importance of maintaining optimal conditions for these factors to ensure the high performance and efficiency of pesticide degradation during composting. It also discusses the potential drawbacks of this method. Composting proves to be a promising and eco-friendly approach for remediating pesticide-contaminated soils, addressing both environmental concerns and the need for sustainable agricultural practices.

Chemical degradation of agricultural soil under arid conditions by the accumulation of potentially toxic elements and salts

This study evaluates agricultural soil degradation by accumulation rates of chemical species and salinity/sodicity, their distribution, and the degree of contamination. Soil samples were collected from farmlands with intensive production system in the northern part of the Jiménez-Camargo aquifer, Chihuahua, Mexico. The physicochemical parameters and the chemical species were obtained based on Mexican regulations and UV–Vis spectrophotometry. The soil degradation was assessed using contamination-degree and soil-quality indices. A log-transformation (clr) of data facilitated cluster multivariate and related spatial distribution analysis. Chemical properties were found grouped within geogenic elements and salts. The results showed an alkaline pH with a wide range of ECe of 0.24 to 4.91 dS m−1. About 72% of the agricultural land showed a high sodicity/salinity degree, contributing to soil damage in the root zone of crops. Soil quality also is negatively affected by As, P, S, as well as salinity/sodicity, contributing to agri-environmental vulnerability of these farmlands. Hence, intensive agricultural land use contributes to severe ecological consequences such as groundwater depletion and water-quality degradation, as well as salinity/sodicity of soil, increased irrigation demand to flush salts from the soil zone, and enhancement of potentially toxic elements in soil-water-crops. In conclusion, monitoring these lands and source-water management are needed to mitigate soil-water degradation combined with agri-environmental policies through sustainability strategies that control supply and demand of land and water. The indices used here provide the metrics needed to help monitor and assess these changes for decision makers guiding sustainability and food security.

Potassium transport and use efficiency for sustainable fertigation in protected cropping

AbstractThe increasing demand for high‐quality horticultural produces in global markets has driven the growing crop production under protected cropping, which are usually more efficient in fertilizer use compared to field cultivation. As one of the key macronutrients, available potassium (K+) resources have decreased due to the expansion of intensive agriculture and excessive use of K fertilizers. Currently, limited strategies have been adopted to improve crop quality in protected cropping with sustainable use of K+ fertigation and its comprehensive understanding at physiological and molecular levels. Therefore, we highlight the importance of optimal use of K+ in fertigation in protected cultivation that may also enhance crop quality characteristics. We review different K+ channels and transporters from various protein families responsible for K+ absorption and distribution across different plant tissues. An analysis of the literature on transcriptome, ionome, proteome and metabolome profiles of crops suggests the crucial roles of K+ in maintaining ion homoeostasis and modulating stress responses. It reveals that optimal K+ fertigation levels in protected cropping not only aids in maintaining the overall crop growth and production but also participates in maintaining the fruit quality. This review can potentially guide crop production and resource use efficiency in protected cropping, contributing to global food security and a better sustainable agricultural and environmental future.

GENERAL ASPECTS OF RESTORATION (RECONSTRUCTION) OF DRAINAGE SYSTEMS ON AGRICULTURAL LANDS (REVIEW OF PUBLICATIONS)

The article presents a review of publications on the actual problem of restoring the functional capacity of drainage systems, which in modern conditions of climate change and military aggression acquires special significance not only from the standpoint of the need to increase the productivity of drained lands, but also to ensure the water security of our country. The study of problems and setting of directions for restoration (reconstruction) of drainage systems in Ukraine and regions of the world was performed using bibliometric analysis. For analytical research, domestic and foreign literary sources of a 55-year period were studied, the main number of which falls on the period 2002-2022. The conducted analysis made it possible to determine the main directions that are considered when solving the problems of restoration (reconstruction) of drainage systems on agricultural lands worldwide and in Ukraine. Approaches to the operation, maintenance, and controlled decommissioning of drainage systems are based on the development of scenarios for the adaptation to climate change, therefore, the priority of the state policy in a number of countries is, first of all, the restoration of systems, which allows to ensure the adaptation of agricultural production to modern climate changes. Worldwide, the assessment of the reclamation fund is carried out constantly and the need for reconstruction and modernization of drainage systems is determined according to the design characteristics and technical condition also providing for the restoration of their water-regulating function. The basis for the reconstruction of drainage systems is the economic and technical justification of feasibility, the application of the progressive methods of drainage, the priority implementation of restoration measures in the areas of drainage systems, which are in working condition, and on the drained territories, where intensive and medium-intensity agricultural use of the drained lands is planned. The scientists' developments are aimed at creating economically viable technical options for the restoration (reconstruction) of drainage systems, which take into account the directions of their use and investment options for reconstruction. Studying the global experience of restoration (reconstruction) of drainage systems on agricultural lands and its use is important for the implementation of the provisions of the "Strategy of Irrigation and Drainage in Ukraine for the period until 2030".

Settlement patern of Lusatian culture in Podlasie (NE Poland) and man-environment interaction

Abstract Three sites from network of 27 structures of the Late Bronze/Early Iron Age Lusatian culture from NE Poland (Biebrza and Narew river basins) and man-environment interaction were study. These circular structures have a relatively uniform location, structure, type of construction and dimension. Two areas within these structure coud be distinguished: a protective area consisting of a system of ditches and embankments and a central area consisting of a flat central square with only some archaeological traces of economic activity. Determining the function of the structures is extremely difficult. Their structure does not indicate the defensive function of the objects. Their location near peat bogs may suggest their use as corals for grazing animals and intensive agricultural use of the environment are reflected in the valley bottom sediments. There are many indications that we are dealing here rather with a kind of stable socio-administrative-religious centre concentrating dispersed in the microregion population of the Lusatian culture.

Understanding the Food‐Energy‐Water Nexus in Mixed Irrigation Regimes Using a Regional Hydroeconomic Optimization Modeling Framework

AbstractUnderstanding the nexus between food, energy, and water systems (FEW) is critical for basins with intensive agricultural water use as they face significant challenges under changing climate and regional development. We investigate the food, energy, and water nexus through a regional hydroeconomic optimization (RHEO) modeling framework. The crop production in RHEO is estimated through a hierarchical regression model developed using a biophysical model, AquaCropOS, forced with daily climatic inputs. Incorporating the hierarchical model within the RHEO also reduces the computation time by enabling parallel programming within the AquaCropOS and facilitates mixed irrigation—rainfed, fully irrigated and deficit irrigation—strategies. To demonstrate the RHEO framework, we considered a groundwater‐dominated basin, South Flint River Basin, Georgia, for developing mixed irrigation strategies over 31 years. Our analyses show that optimal deficit irrigation is economically better than full irrigation, which increases the groundwater pumping cost. Thus, considering deficit irrigation in a groundwater‐dominated basin reduces the water, carbon, and energy footprints, thereby reducing FEW vulnerability. The RHEO also could be employed for analyzing FEW nexus under potential climate change and future regional development scenarios.