Land Characteristics Research Articles

Potential development of tropical fruits on Kundur Island, Riau Islands Province, Indonesia

Kundur Island has incredible potential for tropical fruits in Riau Islands Province. Land utilization for tropical fruit planting must be supported by land resource data, such as maps of characteristics and land suitability, to optimize tropical fruit production. This study aimed to evaluate the land suitability and determine the dominant limiting factors for tropical fruit growth and development. Land suitability was evaluated by matching the land characteristics, soil, and climatic requirements for durian, rambutan, and duku. The land suitability classes for durian, rambutan, and duku on Kundur Island are mostly marginal (S3), covering an area of 28,361 ha (90.51%), while the rest are moderately suitable (S2) and unsuitable (N). The limiting factors are drainage, root conditions influenced by peat thickness, nutrient retention, nutrient availability, depth of sulfide material, and erosion hazards. Improvements can be made by managing drainage, using cover crops, fertilization, and providing soil ameliorants. Treatments to increase land suitability must be implemented to enhance the potential of durian, rambutan, and duku plantations to be suitable (S1) or moderately suitable (S2). Land potential development for durian, rambutan, and duku is conducted by prioritizing environmental aspects and land sustainability.

Branching out: Feasibility of examining the effects of greenspace on mental health after traumatic brain injury.

This pilot study's aim was to determine the feasibility of examining the effects of an environmental variable (i.e., tree canopy coverage) on mental health after sustaining a brain injury. A secondary data analysis was conducted leveraging existing information on mental health after moderate to severe traumatic brain injury (TBI) from the TBI Model System. Mental health was measured using PHQ-9 (depression) and GAD-7 (anxiety) scores. The data were compared with data on tree canopy coverage in the state of Texas that was obtained from the Multi-Resolution Land Characteristics (MRLC) Consortium using GIS analysis. Tree canopy coverage as an indicator of neighborhood socioeconomic status was also examined using the Neighborhood SES Index. Tree canopy coverage had weak and non-significant correlations with anxiety and depression scores, as well as neighborhood socioeconomic status. Data analysis was limited by small sample size. However, there is a higher percentage (18.8%) of participants who reported moderate to severe depression symptoms in areas with less than 30% tree canopy coverage, compared with 6.6% of participants who endorsed moderate to severe depression symptoms and live in areas with more than 30% tree canopy coverage (there was no difference in anxiety scores). Our work confirms the feasibility of measuring the effects of tree canopy coverage on mental health after brain injury and warrants further investigation into examining tree canopy coverage and depression after TBI. Future work will include nationwide analyses to potentially detect significant relationships, as well as examine differences in geographic location.

Land Resource-Based Cocoa Development Potential in North Luwu District, South Sulawesi Province, Indonesia

Developing crops based on land resources is necessary for increasing cocoa production. This study aims to analyze the potential for developing cocoa based on information on land resources in the form of characteristics and land distribution in the North Luwu District. The distribution of cocoa was interpreted using onscreen satellite imagery. Land suitability data were compiled by matching land characteristics with the Cocoa Land Suitability Criteria. The potential availability of land and directions for crop development were determined based on the overlay results of land suitability classes with land-use maps and area status. Based on this study, the North Luwu District is part of an active tectonic region and has eight soil types: alluvial, regiosol, renzina, kambisol, gleisol, podsolik, mediteran, and oxisol. The land suitability class for cocoa plants was marginally suitable. The total land area that has the potential to develop cocoa plants is 68,804 ha, with the diversification and extensification of the two development patterns. North Luwu District has the potential to develop cocoa plantations with several appropriate agricultural technology efforts to support the increased production and quality of cocoa plants.

Assessment of the potential of organic land for food crops and horticulture in the tropical areas to support SDGS

Directives for commodity development must take into account ideal land use. Land degradation will result from poor land management practices that go beyond the land’s carrying capacity. territory use planning for the growth of certain commodities is part of the direction of commodity development in a territory. The matching technique and the scoring method are the two main approaches that are typically used to evaluate land capabilities. The matching approach compares and matches land features with criteria for the land capacity classes to determine potential in each specific unit using tabular analytic techniques. The criteria for land suitability classes for food crops, namely rice, and horticulture crops, specifically snakefruit, were matched with climate data, data from observations in the field (physical environmental conditions), and data from laboratory study. The value of the Lumajang Regency’s land potential index was calculated and ranged from potential class II (high) to potential class V (extremely low). Potential class IV (low) covers an area of 21,852.20 ha or 12%, class V (very low) area of 883.13 ha, and class II (height) covers an area of 30,318.18 ha or 17% of the entire area of Lumajang Regency. Potential class III (middle) is the biggest class, encompassing 128,090.41 hectares or 70%. The Padang and Sumbersuko sub-districts include the majority of the potential class II regions, while Randuagung, Klakah, Kedungjajang, Gucialit, Senduro, Pasrujambe, Sukodono, and Pasirian sub-districts have part of the remaining class II areas.

POTENSI LAHAN TANAMAN SAYURAN DI DANAU ALANI DESA BUKO KECAMATAN BUKO SELATAN KABUPATEN BANGGAI KEPULAUAN

This study aims to determine the potential of vegetable crops in Lake Alani, Buko Village, South Buko District, Banggai Islands Regency and recommend the distribution of directions for the development of vegetable crops in Lake Alani, Banggai Islands Regency. This research will be carried out in Lake Alani and its surroundings located in Buko Village, South Buko District, Banggai Islands Regency. This research will be conducted in March - May 2023. Research is conducted in qualitative form to identify the quality and characteristics of land as parameters. Data on the quality and characteristics of the land are then compared (matching) with the criteria of land suitability classes that have been prepared based on the requirements for use or growing needs of Lettuce (Lactuca sativa) and Eggplant (Solanum melongena), where in the results of plant criteria obtained the actual land suitability class at the research site on Lettuce (Lactuca sativa) and Eggplant (Solanum melongena) classified as class (S3 = marginal), then by increasing improvement efforts obtained potential land suitability classes in lettuce and eggIn general, both types of vegetable crops namely Lettuce (Lactuca sativa) and Eggplant (Solanum melongena) can be developed for cultivation at the research site in Lake Alani, Buko Village, South Buko District, Banggai Islands Regency, by carrying out land processing such as liming or adding organic matter and fertilization plant crops are classified (S2 = moderately appropriate) in the development of vegetable crops.

EVALUASI KESESUAIAN LAHAN UNTUK PENGEMBANGAN PETERNAKAN PUSAT PERBIBITAN TANDOS DESA BUMI BERINGIN KECAMATAN LUWUK UTARA

This research aims to determine the land suitability analysis of elephant grass, setaria and legume groups, and knowledge of potential land suitability and improvement efforts. The method used is the matching method to obtain results from land suitability evaluation, land characteristics and quality data with land suitability criteria for elephant grass plants (Pennisetum purpureum SCHUM.), setaria plants (setaria sphacelata), and legume group plants. The research results obtained were at point 1 with marginal criteria (S3, war). Next, point 2 and point 4 get marginal criteria (S3, nr,na), and point 3 gets marginal criteria (S3,wa,na,na). This is due to several limiting factors at the research location, namely, drainage, wet saturation, and N-Total and K2O which are classified as very low (SR). Efforts to improve the land include improving the drainage system, such as constructing drainage channels, liming and applying fertilizer to the land of the Tandos Nursery Center with a medium to high level of tillage. so that based on these improvement efforts, potential land suitability for elephant grass, setaria and legume groups is obtained at points 1, 2, 3 and 4 on the land of the Tandos Nursery Center, Bumi Beringin Village, North Luwuk District, namely at points 1 and 3 of the S1 criteria ( very suitable) at points 2 and 4 with criteria S1 (very suitable).

EVALUASI PELAKSANAAN REVEGETASI PADA LAHAN PASCATAMBANG BATUBARA (STUDI KASUS DI PT. X DI KABUPATEN TANAH BUMBU PROVINSI KALIMANTAN SELATAN)

Coal mining company in PT. X, in Tanah Bumbu District, South Kalimantan Province, uses the open-pit mining method, causing the initial vegetation loss of an area. PT. X has rehabilitated areas affected by mining by reclamation and revegetation to comply with government regulations. The types of vegetation that grew in the post-mining land revegetation area in the planting years 2012, 2014 and 2016 were acacia (Acacia mangium WILLD), trambesi (Samanea saman), sea sengon (Paraserianthes falcataria), and woody and fruit plants such as mahogany (Swietenia macrophylla), agarwood (Aquilaria moluccensis), meranti (Shorea Spp.), sungkai (Peronema canescens), rubber (Hevea brasiliensis), durian (Durio zibethinus), jackfruit (Artocarpus heterophylla), cashew (Anacardium occidentale), mango (Mengifera indica) and galam (Melaleuca cajuputi). Land characteristics have a steep slope of 35° in 2012 and range from 5°-20° in 2014 and 2016 The drainage system for planting years 2012, 2014 and 2016 looks good no erosion strains, planting years 2014 sites are flooded. The results of soil analysis are pH 4.48 - 4.97; the value of C-organic compounds 0.20% (very low) - 1.33% (medium); P2O5 1.89 mg/100g-1 (very low) - 40.10 mg/100g-1 (high); K2O with values of 8.57 mg/100g-1 (low) - 15.50 mg/100g-1 (medium), 0.20 me/100g-1 (very low) – 19.59 me/100g-1 (low); Mg-exchange at a value of 0.10 me/100g-1 (very low) - 0.20 me/100g-1 (low); Na-exchange of 0.05 me/100g-1 - 0.10 me/100g-1 is low; K-exchange with a value of 0.03 me/100g-1 - 0.05 me/100g-1 is very low, CEC 27.85 me/100g-1 - 52.48 me/100g-1 is low, saturation 0.95% (very low) - 41.56 (high). Based on the success rate of reclamation with revegetation parameters according to the Regulation of the Minister of Forestry No.P.60/Menhut-II/2009, it can be concluded that the success of revegetation obtained for the overall value with an overall value of 24 out of the target value of 50 with a percentage of plant growth of 27%, then the success value of revegetation is categorized as low.

AGRICULTURAL LAND AND FORESTRY ZONATION AS DISASTER MITIGATION EFFORTS TO DAS KAONISIK DISTRICT, DISTRICT TINGGIMONCONG GOWA

Determination of land for the development of agricultural and forestry crops important to know as mitigation in the watershed Kaonisik Tinggimoncong Gowa district in South Sulawesi. Based on land suitability and productivity data supporting the use of land for agriculture and forestry crops on some land units. Land suitability classes determined by laboratory and field test results on a number of land characteristics that are matched to the criteria of the guidelines to grow plants with CSR/FAO staff (1983). Land mapping unit is the smallest unit that is used as the evaluation unit, obtained through remote sensing interpretation, analysis, topographical maps, geological maps, soil maps, land use, slope and soil, passed penampalan (overlay) to acquire land units map. The results showed that: 1) land suitability classes for agricultural crops; corresponding marginal (S3) 12 land units: 1450 ha (38.5%), does not match the current (N1) 1 unit area: 80.5 ha (2.2%), and not suitable permanent (N2) 11 land units: 2094 ha (59.3%). The limiting factor is the dominant medium roots (r), nutrients available (n), and terrain (s), while for forest plants: as marginal (S3) 8 units of land: 952 ha (24.9%), it is not appropriate at this time (N1) 6 unit of land: 644 ha (17.7%), not suitable permanent (N2) 10 land units: 2029 ha (57.4%). The limiting factor is the dominant medium roots (r). 2) Agihan sub-class of land suitability potential (S3rns) for the coffee plant in the village of Jonjo, Baliti, Majannang, Borong Bulo, Laloasa, Bangkitonro, Bontopanno, Gallang, with an area of 1450.5 ha Pattiro (38.5%), according to the plant sengon marginal (S3ns) Majannang village, Borong Bulo, Jonjo, Laloasa, Tonrokombang, and Manimbahoi with an area 952 ha (24.9%).

A Spatio-Temporal Encoding Neural Network for Semantic Segmentation of Satellite Image Time Series

Remote sensing image semantic segmentation plays a crucial role in various fields, such as environmental monitoring, urban planning, and agricultural land classification. However, most current research primarily focuses on utilizing the spatial and spectral information of single-temporal remote sensing images, neglecting the valuable temporal information present in historical image sequences. In fact, historical images often contain valuable phenological variations in land features, which exhibit diverse patterns and can significantly benefit from semantic segmentation tasks. This paper introduces a semantic segmentation framework for satellite image time series (SITS) based on dilated convolution and a Transformer encoder. The framework includes spatial encoding and temporal encoding. Spatial encoding, utilizing dilated convolutions exclusively, mitigates the loss of spatial accuracy and the need for up-sampling, while allowing for the extraction of rich multi-scale features through a combination of different dilation rates and dense connections. Temporal encoding leverages a Transformer encoder to extract temporal features for each pixel in the image. To better capture the annual periodic patterns of phenological phenomena in land features, position encoding is calculated based on the image’s acquisition date within the year. To assess the performance of this framework, comparative and ablation experiments were conducted using the PASTIS dataset. The experiments indicate that this framework achieves highly competitive performance with relatively low optimization parameters, resulting in an improvement of 8 percentage points in the mean Intersection over Union (mIoU).

ANALISIS EKOLOGI PADA SKEMA IZIN PEMANFAATAN PERHUTANAN SOSIAL DI KAWASAN HUTAN LINDUNG GUNUNG RAKUTAK JAWA BARAT

Social forestry is a program that aims to realize sustainable forest management. There are three important components in Social Forestry, namely ecology, economy, and social. Ecological characteristics are one important aspect that indicates the success of the program. The purpose of this study was to identify the ecological characteristics of the Social Forestry Permits (SFP) scheme in Mount Rakutak Protected Forest, KPH Bandung Selatan. The data collected are land characteristics and vegetation characteristics. The method used is field observation, codding and literature study. The land characteristics in Mount Rakutak Protected Forest area are loam-sandy soil, soil temperature ranges from 20.5°C-29.8°C, soil moisture ranges from 13-90%, soil pH ranges from 2-6.9, and slope ranges from 60 -85%. The total land cover area decreased by 0.04 m2 in 2019, and, the average NDVI in 2021 (after SFP) has decreased compared to 2015 (before SFP). The results show that the SFP Scheme has not had a significant impact on forest coverage in Mount Rakutak Protected Forest area. Vegetation characterization based on vegetation composition was classified as moderate with an average of 3 species found in each village. The vegetation diversity index is low to medium with values ranging from 0-1.95, and there are four dominant species, namely Eucalyptus spp., Pinus merkusii, Persea americana, and Coffea robusta. Based on ecological analysis, it indicates that the Social Forestry Program with the SFP scheme has not shown a sustainable condition.

A fully automatic framework for sub-pixel mapping of thermokarst lakes using Sentinel-2 images

Mapping and monitoring thermokarst lakes are crucial to understanding the impact of climate change on permafrost regions and quantifying permafrost-related carbon emissions. Several automatic methods based on remote sensing images have been developed for thermokarst lake mapping. However, mixed pixels containing both land and water characteristics in the lakeshore zones pose a significant challenge to the accuracy of these methods. Furthermore, few approaches were able to fully automate the identification of thermokarst lakes without the manual training sample selection or parameter tuning. In this study, we present a fully automatic framework for thermokarst lake mapping using moderate-resolution Sentinel-2 images. The proposed method combines multidimensional hierarchical clustering and sub-pixel mapping (SPM) based on the radial basis function (RBF) interpolation and Markov random field (MRF) (referred to as RBF-then-MRF SPM), so as to achieve thermokarst lake mapping at a spatial resolution of 3.3 m. We apply the proposed method to two representative thermokarst lake distribution regions in the Northern Hemisphere and achieve a mean Kappa coefficient of 0.89 and 0.99, and a mean Quality of 89.86% and 96.60% on the central Tibetan Plateau and the northern Seward Peninsula, respectively. The results demonstrate that the proposed method significantly improves the accuracy of mixed pixel extraction, and the automatic thermokarst lake mapping is applicable to diverse permafrost regions.

Spatial Pattern of Large-Scale Agricultural Land and Spatial Heterogeneity of Influencing Factors in the Mountainous Areas of Western China—Wuling Mountains as an Example

The scaling of agricultural land is a trend in land use transformation and is important for modernizing agriculture. Therefore, the reasons for large-scale agricultural land formation should be explored. The spatial distribution of large-scale agricultural land and the factors for its formation vary between different regions. Currently, the exploration of the formation mechanism of large-scale agricultural land from the perspective of heterogeneity is not yet sufficient. Therefore, the main objectives of this article are as follows: first, analyze the spatial pattern characteristics of large-scale agricultural land; second, explore the spatial heterogeneity characteristics of influencing factors from both global and local perspectives; third, explore the mechanism of the formation of large-scale agricultural land from the perspective of heterogeneity. The results indicate the following: (1) The large-scale agricultural land distribution pattern in the Wuling Mountains area was high in the east and low in the west. (2) Natural conditions, production factors, and location conditions all significantly impacted large-scale agricultural land, but with differences in their degree of influence. From a local perspective, the influences of various factors in different regions also exhibited spatial heterogeneity. These two types of heterogeneity can be attributed to the differences in regional development stages. (3) Natural conditions, location conditions, and production factors had negative, positive, and positive effects on the agricultural land scale, respectively, but the influence of the first two decreased with the improvement in the regional development stages. The influence of different factors on production factors was related to the regional development stage, and production factors that were suitable for the regional development stage had a greater impact. The conclusion can provide differentiated policy support for regional land use in practice.

Some issues of correlation between the state land cadastre and land monitoring

The article is devoted to some issues of correlation between the state land cadastre and land monitoring. It is emphasized that such functions as the state land cadastre and land monitoring play a significant role in the management system in the field of land use and protection. It is emphasized that the State land cadastre and land monitoring are the main source of information on the qualitative and quantitative state of land. Such information is necessary for solving relevant tasks and making informed decisions in the field of land management.
 It is emphasized that land monitoring, which is carried out with the aim of obtaining information on the qualitative state of land resources, plays a significant role in the implementation of cadastral activities and is one of its directions.
 It is emphasized that the State Land Cadastre, as a function of management in the field of land use, protection and restoration, is closely interrelated with such functions as land monitoring and control over land use and protection. It is emphasized that these functions have the feature of complementing each other, which makes it possible to achieve the goals and objectives in the field of public administration in the land sector.
 The author examines the functions inherent in the State Land Cadastre, one of which is information. The author also notes that based on the data obtained during land monitoring, the State Land Cadastre's database on the qualitative characteristics of land is filled with information on land. In addition, the overall goal of the state land cadastre and land monitoring is to protect and preserve land resources. Thus, the tasks of land monitoring include information support of the state land cadastre, which in turn complements the content of land cadastral activities.
 It is emphasized that the State Land Cadastre and land monitoring are the main sources of information on the state of land resources which allow obtaining objective data throughout the country. The information contained in the State Land Cadastre system and obtained in the course of land monitoring serves as the legal basis for making the necessary decisions by public authorities in the field of land use and protection. Formation of a database based on monitoring information is one of the means of ensuring cadastral activities.

Research Progress on Cultivated Land Quality Grade Evaluation and Obstacle Factor Identification

The evaluation of cultivated land quality can reflect the different characteristics of cultivated land, which is of great significance to the sustainable development of agriculture. On the basis of literature research, this paper summarizes the development and characteristics of land quality evaluation at home and abroad, and the research status of cultivated land obstacle factor identification, and looks forward to the development direction of cultivated land quality evaluation and obstacle factor identification research.

Detection Ground Deformation Characteristics of Reclamation Land with Time-Series Interferometric Synthetic Aperture Radar in Tianjin Binhai New Area, China

In order to alleviate the conflict between populations and land resource, Tianjin adopted multi-phase reclamation projects to the formed large-scale artificial reclamation land. The reclamation areas, however, are prone to subsidence, which poses a significant threat to infrastructure as well as the safety and assets of the residents. The SBAS-InSAR was used to acquire surface deformation of Tianjin Binhai New Area from January 2017 to December 2022, analyze in depth the response relationship between land subsidence, reclamation project time, and land-use type. There is a strong correlation between surface deformation and reclamation time. Severe land subsidence occurred over newly reclaimed areas. In the offshore direction, the deformation values of the Nangang Industrial Zone, the Lingang Industrial Zone, and Hangu Harbor were −98 mm to −890 mm, 45 mm to −580 mm, and −140 mm to −290 mm, respectively. Significant differences in deformation were detected among different land-use types where reclamation projects were completed in the same time. Subsidence was positively correlated with surface load; in areas with higher surface loads, the surface settlement was also more severe. The average surface settlement for the heavy shipyard, with 67 grain storage tanks and 27 grain storage tanks, road, and bare land were −201 mm, −166 mm, −107 mm, −64 mm, and −43 mm, respectively. This study reveals significant differences of surface deformation in the reclamation completed at different times, and determines that the load is the main driving factor of settlement difference in the reclamation land completed at the same time. This has important guiding significance for preventing and controlling geological disasters in the reclamation area and later development planning.

Methods for Parametric Identifi cation of Systematic Errors of Onboard Measurements of Aerodynamic Angles in Aircraft Flight Tests

Methods of the actual values of the angles of attack and slip determination in the technology of air data systems estimation using satellite navigation systems during aircraft flight tests of are stated. Also methods of parametric identification of mathematical models of on-board aerodynamic angles measurements errors are presented. The technology has been developed and implemented in the practice of flight tests at Flight Research Institute. The technology shows high efficiency of solving tasks of air data on-board systems, vertical separation systems, flight performance and takeoff and landing characteristics estimation in flight tests. The technology covers a wide range of issues of aerometric measurements, many of which have already been published. Here, attention is paid to measurements of aerodynamic angles. The features of determining the angles of attack and slip using data from air data systems, satellite and inertial navigation systems are shown. Equations for determining the angles of attack and slip during testing, factors of measurement errors, the structure of the mathematical model of the aerodynamic errors of the angle of attack on-board measurements are presented in a stationary approximation. Algorithms for solving problems in steady and unsteady modes of flight, takeoff and landing are considered. The completeness of the solution for the wind speed vector is noted. Estimates of methodological errors in determining aerodynamic angles using the technology are made. Compliance with modern requirements is showing. The effectiveness of the technology is confirmed by the materials of flight tests of a short-range aircraft. Typical examples of test materials presentation, features of measurements depending on the type of test mode, aerodynamic influence factors are shown.

Legal regulation of land parcel normative monetary valuation approval by local self-government authorities

Introduction. In this paper, the legal nature of decisions made by local self-government authorities regarding the approval of technical documentation for normative monetary land valuation is analyzed. The recognition of these decisions as regulatory legal acts has been a complex issue, resulting in numerous disputes within the Ukrainian judiciary. The aim of this analysis is to enhance understanding and offer guidance on the implementation of these decisions within a legal framework. The purpose of the paper is to assess the legal standing of determinations issued by local self-governing bodies when it comes to the approval of normative monetary land assessments. We aim to determine whether such decisions can be considered regulatory legal acts and how this affects the economic and administrative relations between public administration entities and business entities. Results. During the analysis, key aspects of law as a societal phenomenon, legal norms, normative legal acts, and their history of emergence were thoroughly examined. Technical documentation related to normative monetary land valuation was also extensively explored. Particular attention was given to the history of land appraisal instruments, demonstrating that the primary objective of these instruments has always been to establish the objective natural characteristics of land, upon which land fees are calculated. Conclusion. The results of this research clearly indicate that decisions made by local self-government authorities concerning the approval of normative monetary valuation do not qualify as regulatory legal acts. They do not include mandatory legal norms established by law and do not regulate economic or administrative relations between public administration entities and business entities. In practice, this means that business entities have the opportunity to reduce land fees payable to the local budget. The conclusions of this study, supported by legal doctrine and the practical contributions of legal professionals, can be a valuable addition to the field of land law science and practical activities within this realm.

Агроэкологическая оценка почвенного покрова при поднятии гидроморфных луговых залежных земель в условиях черноземных почв Пензенской области

The article presents the results of a comprehensive agroecological assessment of the soil cover of hydromorphic meadow fallow lands of the Bashmakovsky district of the Penza region. Agroecological assessment of soil availability with macro- and microelements, landscape agroecological assessment and soil characteristics of meadow fallow lands were carried out on the territory, through field and laboratory research methods. As a result of the conducted research, digital models of the relief and density of the upper soil horizon of the analyzed area were constructed, the assessment of soils according to their availability of macro- and microelements was carried out. Keywords: AGROECOLOGICAL ASSESSMENT OF LANDS, MEADOW CHERNOZEMS, FALLOW LANDS, HYDROMORPHIC SOILS

Associations between vacant urban lands and public health outcomes in growing and shrinking cities

Vacant urban land, although not officially designated as a green space, often exhibits a semi-wild natural state due to being left open to colonization by nature. Attention to the effects of vacant urban land on human health has increased due to both rising urban vacancy rates and non-communicable diseases (NCDs). However, relationships between many vacant land characteristics (such as vegetation coverage, size, duration, and location) and NCDs have not been comprehensively examined, especially comparing shrinking (depopulating) and growing (populating) cities. This study evaluates St. Louis, MO (shrinking), and Los Angeles, CA (growing) to explore these relationships using ordinary least squares (OLS) interaction analysis with a moderator approach. Results show that associations between vacancy rate, duration, location, and NCDs differ significantly between city types. Vegetation coverage and size are associated with specific NCDs, but there are no differences between city types. Unlike the largely dilapidated vacant lands in the shrinking city, which tend to harm public health, vacant lots in the growing city were more functional green spaces that can, in some cases, even mitigate NCDs. Interestingly, In St. Louis, the shorter the average duration of the vacant land, the greater the risk of NCDs in a shrinking city. This is because vacant land can be contagious to nearby lots if not treated, leading to more newly emerged vacant lands and reducing the average duration of vacant land. In such cases, census tracts with the lower duration of vacant lands in St. Louis tend to be areas facing persistent environmental degradation and high public health threats. Regarding location, vacant lands near industrial areas were linked to negative health outcomes in the Los Angeles (growing), while those near single-family and commercial areas posed higher risks of NCDs in the St Louis (shrinking). The findings aid decision-making for land supply regulation and regeneration as well as urban green space management to promote human health and well-being.

How do conservation policies, climate and socioeconomic changes impact Hyrcanian forests of northern Iran?

Sustainable forest management (SFM) practices are required to conserve forest ecosystem services. International agreements and national management plans have been developed to avoid deforestation and increase forest sustainability. Due to the high rate of deforestation and its increasing trend in the past, the most important conservation policy (the Forest Rest Plan) in Hyrcanian forests (HFs) has been in place since 2016 to conserve the HFs, which are a UNESCO World Heritage site. The aim of the Forest Rest Plan (FRP) is to increase the crown cover, resilience, and production of HFs. Here, we apply a robust methodology based on Landsat-8-derived spectral-temporal features, spatial analysis, stepwise multilevel logistic regression, and scientific forest management knowledge to determine how the FRP, climate change, anthropogenic activities, and the environmental conditions influence deforestation and forest recovery. We identified and evaluated 18 explanatory variables, including socioeconomic, climatic, and physiographic factors, to determine the key drivers of forest cover change. Our findings revealed complex interactions between distinct land features that occur at multiple spatial and temporal scales in HFs as connected human–natural systems. Further, we found a decreasing trend in deforestation and a growing trend in forest recovery resulting from implementation of the FRP. Additionally, our stepwise multilevel logistic regression identified impacts of climate change, human pressure, and some physiographic factors, such as forest density, on deforestation and forest recovery. We conclude that while some positive impacts can already be identified, additional adaptive, preventative, and restorative strategies must be developed to reach all FRP objectives.