Land Degradation Research Articles

Climate and Land Use Change Pressures on Food Production in Social-Ecological Systems: Perceptions from Farmers in Village Tank Cascade Systems of Sri Lanka

Climate and land use change pressures are critical to food production in Social-Ecological Systems (SESs). This study assessed farmers’ perceptions of the pressures of climate and land use changes alongside their impacts on food production in Mhahakanumulla Village Tank Cascade System (MVTCS), a SES maintained by traditional agricultural land use systems in the dry zone of Sri Lanka. This study used both rating and ranking scale questions to quantify farmers’ perceptions. The tobit regression model was employed to evaluate how farmer perception was influenced by socio-economic factors. The results showed that most of the farmers had experienced that the climate of the MVTCS area had changed over time, and they perceived variability of rainfall patterns as the most prominent and influential climate change. The increased cost of production, wildlife damage, and land degradation were ranked by the farmers as the most impactful factors of food production due to climate change. The farmers rated deforestation and land clearing as the most influential and impactful changes in land use, while wildlife damage and land degradation ranked as the highest impacts on food production due to land use changes. Among the socio-economic determinants, training and income/profit positively influenced farmer perceptions of the severity of both climate and land use change. The level of farmer’s adaptation to climate change had a negative association with their perception of the severity of climate change. Household size negatively influenced the perceptions of the severity of climate change while positively influencing perceptions of land use change impacts. Among the spatial determinants, farm size and downstream locations of MVTCS positively influenced perceptions of the severity of both climate and land use change. Thus, the effectiveness of adaptation strategies towards climate and land use change pressures depends on how well they are understood by the farmers. The study findings provide helpful insights for formulating localized land use policies and climate change adaptation strategies in these globally important landscapes with a combination of both top-down and bottom-up approaches.

Ecological unequal exchange: Evidence from imbalanced cropland soil erosion and agricultural value-added embodied in global agricultural trade

The cropland soil erosion (CSE), a major driver of land degradation and water pollution, is directly caused by agricultural production processes driven by food demand in a globalized food market. However, it is essential to determine what role global trade and agricultural value chains play in regional CSE, especially when imbalanced erosion is embodied in global agricultural trade. In this study, the Revised Universal Soil and Water Loss Equation and the Environment Expanded Multi Region Input-Output Model were used to quantify the global distribution of CSE and the value added in global agricultural value chains to identify trade imbalances. We introduce the Local Environmental Coefficient, the Regional Environmental Coefficient, and the Agricultural Trade Environment Inequality (AEI) index, which were used to analyze the overall and bilateral inequalities in agricultural trade among the world’s regions. The results showed that 34.65 % of the global CSE was embodied in international trade, whereas the ratio of the value added was 30.80 %. The global trade in agricultural products is generally unbalanced, as indicated by the AEI index of developed regions such as Norway and Japan, which is more than 30 times higher than that of regions such as China and Brazil, and more than 20 times higher than the global average. In terms of bilateral trade, China, the United States, and Brazil face more prominent imbalances in their international trade. Major agricultural producers generally bear more environmental costs with less value-added benefits in trade. This study quantifies, for the first time, the implied imbalances of CSE transfer in agricultural trade. Global ecological governance thus requires accountability from all regions, especially in an era of increasing globalization of agricultural trade. Timely adoption of ecological compensation and technology transfer for both large agricultural producers and less-developed regions are key to achieving sustainable global agricultural production.

What do tree-growth archives tell us about anthropogenic pressures and their mitigations in the Atlantic Forest?

The Atlantic Forest is a complex and heterogeneous biome, reflecting significant biodiversity that has historically been threatened by anthropogenic pressures. In this sense, solutions to these issues are needed and growth rings could represent an opportunity for this. This review aimed to compile studies addressing growth rings in the Atlantic Forest. We sought to answer whether these studies are contributing to an understanding of the impacts of environmental problems on trees and the implementation of environmental solutions. From 105 articles published on growth rings in the Atlantic Forest, most have contributed to exploring the climatic responses of trees. Compiling the results of these studies, we show a similar tendency for tree growth in the biome to be positively influenced by water conditions. However, it is important to highlight that few papers have focused on issues such as land degradation, climate change, biological invasions and restoration approaches. Although it has been shown that dendrochronology is a collaborative science among researchers, there is a gap in studies and research groups in the northeast and southwest regions and with the applications of multiproxy research. There are studies worldwide that address environmental problems using different growth ring approaches to evaluate matters including climate change, pollution, tree health, carbon sequestration and environmental monitoring. In this sense, there is a need and opportunity for tree ring research in the Atlantic Forest biome on these issues.

Extent and drivers of land productivity degradation at the territorial level in Eastern DR Congo

Land degradation is a global environmental problem that affects the livelihoods of communities. Understanding the extent and causative factors of this phenomenon is important to design the cause-targeted strategies to cope with this problem. This study aimed to assess the effects of biophysical and socio-economic factors on the occurrence of land productivity degradation at the territorial level in Eastern DR Congo, using the Kalehe territory as a case study. The land productivity dynamics were determined based on the trend analysis of Landsat-based NDVI annual composites over the 1987-2020 period. Additionally, a binary logistic regression model was developed to identify the determinant factors and to map the susceptibility of this degradation at the territorial level. The results revealed that 31.25% (1303.175 km2) of the territory had experienced a decrease in land productivity, with 10.8% (453.83 km2) characterized by a significant decrease at the confidence level of 90%, representing the hotspots area of land productivity degradation where conservation actions should be prioritized. This decrease in land productivity is location-specific as it depends on the land cover types and health zones. It is likely to occur at high altitudes, in areas close to artisanal mining sites, rivers, and administrative centers. These results imply that policy interventions to cope with the problem of land productivity degradation should be developed following the heterogeneity of the landscape, and sustainable land management practices that take into account both the biophysical and socio-economic drivers of land degradation should be implemented in this region to achieve the land degradation neutrality by 2030.

Monitoring urban growth and landscape fragmentation in Kaduna, Nigeria, using remote sensing approach

This study assessed urban growth in Kaduna using remote sensing indices, landscape metrics, and Landsat images (2003, 2013, and 2023). Land use/land cover was carried out using the decision tree algorithm, while the transition matrix was computed using ArcGIS 10.8. Landscape fragmentation was assessed using Fragstat 4.3. The results revealed that between 2003 and 2023, bare land, built-up areas, and water bodies increased by 596 km2, 121.04 km2, and 0.22 km2, respectively, while cultivated land and tree cover decreased by 525.54 km2 and 191.91 km2, respectively. For the rate of change, bare lands, built-up areas, and water bodies increased by 29.81 km2, 6.05 km2, and 0.01 km2 annually, respectively, while cultivated lands and water bodies decreased by 26.28 km2 and 9.60 km2, respectively. For the land-use transition, 112.71 km2 of the built-up areas remained persistent. Cultivated lands, tree cover, and water bodies transitioned to built-up areas, losing 85.43 km2, 13.91 km2, and 0.91 km2, respectively. Landscape fragmentation analysis revealed that the number of patches increased from 405 in 2003 to 614 in 2023. Patch density, largest patch index, total edge, edge density, area-weighted mean shape index, and fractal dimension index decreased between 2003 and 2013 but increased between 2013 and 2023, indicating urban sprawl. However, the area-weighted mean contiguity index consistently increased between 2003 and 2023. The study concluded that urbanization is the leading driver of landscape fragmentation. This study recommends that development should be controlled to reduce encroachment on agricultural lands and habitats, thereby reducing landscape fragmentation and land degradation.

Soil erosion assessment using SWAT, in relation withLand use, agricultural practices, and future climate change in a semi-arid catchment in Tunisia

Abstract Soil erosion is a severe environmental concern arising from intensive agricultural uses, land degradation, and anthropogenic activities. This problem threatens agricultural productivity and sustainable development, particularly in emerging countries. Therefore, evaluating soil erosion is essential in conservation, planning, and management on a watershed or basin scale. This study aims to assess the erosion of soil loss in the El Gouazine Watershed, central Tunisia, using the Soil and water assessment tool (SWAT). We define the impact of soil and water conservation management implementation combined with climate change scenario. We identified the spatial distribution of erosion rates based on soil properties, topography, and land use. The observed specific erosion rate of the watershed is estimated at 1.6 t.ha−1.yr−1, whereas according to the SWAT model, the average soil loss rate is 1.4 t.ha−1.yr−1. Furthermore, the obtained results highlight importance of the slope factor in affecting the severity of the soil loss rates in the El Gouazine watershed. It was also demonstrated that it’s urgent to prioritize other measures such as contour cropping or conservation agriculture, to enhance and strengthen the soils’ resistance against the detachment due to discharge water. In this context, this research found that these techniques decrease considerably the soil loss by 22% for the strip cropping, 33% for the No-tillage, and 72% for the bench terracing. Moreover, these farming techniques, contribute at the same time to the amelioration of the water balance by reducing the evapotranspiration and enhancing the soil water storage. To go further in this study a soil erosion forecast using the worst-case scenario for climate change RCP 8.5 was conducted. an overview of the future soil erosion patterns is obtained. We noticed then a decrease of the average annual soil loss rate until 2050 and then a prominent increase from 2051 to 2100.

Desertification of Bengal Dryland Areas Possible under Projected Climate Conditions

Drylands are some of the most sensitive areas to climate change and human activities around the globe. Assessment of future climate trend scenarios provides valuable practical information for dryland management decision-making. According to Huang et al. (2017), more than 50% of global drylands will expand by this century, with a maximum (78%) of newly expanded dryland occurring in developing countries. To understand the potential for expansion of drylands and desertification, we examine critical predictor variables (temperature and precipitation) of Bengal dryland expansion to guide early actions to mitigate and prevent desertification. Using trend analysis of bias-corrected CMIP6 projected climate change data for temperature and precipitation (2022-2041), results indicate future dryland expansion is possible from increases in temperature and declines in monsoonal precipitation. Over the next two decades (2022-2041), Bengal dryland areas will be 0.1-0.5°C warmer, and rainfall will decrease by 2.57-13.43cm total during the monsoon period. Given these variables are critical predictors of dryland expansion because of their role in driving evapotranspiration and soil moisture deficits; we anticipate an increase in the population affected by water scarcity, land degradation, and desertification. Our work provides information critical for effective dryland management, biodiversity conservation, and land-use planning under future climate conditions.

Evaluating the spatiotemporal land ecological changes in the Yangtze-to-Huaihe Water Diversion Project area.

As a fundamental component of human existence, land is inextricably linked to human development, and its ecological functions are closely associated with multiple sustainable development goals. This paper presents a framework for constructing and optimizing ecological function space, with the Yangtze-to-Huaihe Water Diversion Project area serving as a case study. A comprehensive land ecological index system is established, encompassing natural foundation, land degradation, land production, ecological structure, and ecological protection. An identity-discrepancy-contrary connection method is employed to investigate changes in regional land ecological functions before (2013) and during (2017, 2020, and 2022) the project's construction based on remote sensing data. The results indicated that the mean values of the land ecological index for each period were 0.1883, 0.1981, 0.2253, and 0.1370, respectively. The study calculated the connection, differences, and contradictions in the land ecological impacts across the counties, revealing a gradual decrease in differences and a growing prominence of contradictions. The land ecology of the Yangtze-to-Huaihe Water Diversion Project area is affected by the project construction, particularly within the construction area, showing an overall improvement. Most counties exhibited a trend of ecological improvement compared to the land ecology before the project's construction. However, after the project implementation, most districts demonstrated a trend of ecological deterioration. As the distance from the construction canal increases, the characteristics of each section and stage vary, generally exhibiting an exponential decrease in the land ecological index. The study highlighted the significance of enhancing the land ecological pattern, improving water quality, increasing water supply along the project, and alleviating groundwater overexploitation. The study can serve as a reference for land ecological protection and restoration in water transfer areas and river basins worldwide.

Surface deformation and its implications for land degradation after the 2021 Flores earthquake (M7.4) using differential interferometry synthetic aperture radar

On December 14, 2021, an earthquake with a magnitude of 7.4 originated from the Flores Sea, impacting Kalaotoa Island in Indonesia, resulting in significant structural damage. Macroseismic observations at the site classified that there were 120 buildings slightly damaged, 108 buildings moderately damaged, and 201 buildings heavily damaged. The shakemap shows that Kalaotoa Island experienced VI-VII MMI shaking. The results of the field survey showed many indications of subsidence as many fractures were found in Kalaotoa Island. This study employed Differential Interferometry Synthetic Aperture Radar (DInSAR) to quantify land subsidence and uplift in Kalaotoa Island before and after the earthquake. Sentinel-1A satellite radar data from December 2 and December 14, 2021, were analyzed. The results revealed subsidence of up to 12 cm in Garaupa Raya Village and uplift of up to ±10 cm in Lembang Mate’ne Village. Approximately 50.50% of Kalaotoa Island experienced subsidence (39.4 km²), primarily in Garaupa Village (18.85 km²), while 49.02% of the island experienced uplift (38.2 km²), mostly in Lembang Mate’ne Village (19.03 km²). This spatial analysis underscores the efficacy of DInSAR in detecting and mapping surface deformation, offering critical insights for earthquake preparedness, mitigation efforts for impacted landscape topography, stability soils, structure of ecosystems, and infrastructure resilience.

Exploring soil erodibility: integrating field surveys, laboratory analysis, and geospatial techniques in sloping agricultural terrains

The escalating trend of land degradation poses a significant challenge, especially in sloping agricultural terrains, driven by the increasing global demand for food and the limited availability of flat arable land. In response to these challenges, farmers are compelled to shift their focus towards cultivating sloping terrains. This research aimed to employ a comprehensive methodology that integrates on-site field surveys, meticulous laboratory soil analyses, and geospatial data for mapping soil erodibility. The parameters under scrutiny encompass various crucial aspects, including soil texture (ranging from coarse sand to very fine sand, silt, and clay), soil structure, organic matter content, and permeability. The meticulous examination of these factors serves as the foundation for calculating soil erodibility, utilizing the well-established Wischmeir and Smith formula developed in 1978. The research findings present a nuanced understanding of soil erodibility in the study location, revealing a spectrum spanning low to very high erodibility. Specific units, such as Unit 1, Unit 2, Unit 3, Unit 7, Unit 9, Unit 10, Unit 13, and Unit 16, exhibit very low to low erodibility. In contrast, Unit 4, Unit 6, Unit 14, and Unit 15 showcase moderate erodibility, while units like Unit 5, Unit 8, Unit 11, Unit 12, Unit 17, and Unit 18 are characterized by moderately high to very high erodibility. These insightful results shed light on the diverse erodibility levels within the studied locations and provide valuable guidance for formulating sustainable land management practices.

Participatory Mapping of Ethnoecological Perspectives on Land Degradation Neutrality in Southern Burkina Faso

In the Sahel region of West Africa, land degradation has raised concerns about the threat of desertification, leading to the establishment of the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) in 1994. Over time, the focus has shifted from simply combating desertification to a more comprehensive international program focused on preserving the health of our land by offsetting any damage with restoration efforts by 2030 to sustain ecosystem functions and services. This balancing process—which is in line with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)—is known as Land Degradation Neutrality (LDN). We examine Land Degradation Neutrality (LDN) patterns, namely degradation and rehabilitation processes, by integrating participatory mapping with high-resolution satellite imagery with local stories, observations, historical records, and existing studies. The data elicited an understanding of the processes driving land degradation and adaptation strategies among three distinct ethnic groups of crop and livestock farmers in the village of Yallé in southern Burkina Faso. Some of these people were originally from this region, while others moved from places where the land was already degraded. Participants in the study had diverse experiences and perceptions of land degradation, its drivers, and adaptation strategies, which were influenced by their ethnicity, livelihood activities, and life experiences. These differences highlight the impact of cultural and socioeconomic factors on how people view land degradation, as well as the role of local knowledge in managing the environment. The study emphasizes the necessity of incorporating ethnoecological perspectives into projects focused on Land Degradation Neutrality (LDN) to better understand land degradation and improve land management. This integration can significantly contribute to strengthening global sustainability and community resilience.

Changing Agriculture Patterns and Environment Concerns

Over fifty-percent of India's population depends on agriculture for their living, as it plays a major role in the country's food security. Agriculture has been and is still the foundation of the Indian economy. From Post-Independence subsistence-oriented and feudal systems to modern technologically sophisticated and market-driven agriculture, the sector's history is shaped by government reforms, technological advances, and socio-economic shifts. In this context this paper examines the Post-Independence agrarian structure, the transformative Green Revolution which comes with a number of environment concerns ranging from increased green-house gas emission contributing to global warming and climate change accompanied by land degradation, soil and water pollution. The paper also critically assesses the implications of climate change on crop production, water resources, and rural health and livelihoods and outlines future directions for sustaining agricultural growth and ensuring food security.

Obstacles and challenges of rural development in Afghanistan: examining problems and solutions

This study investigates the multifaceted challenges hindering rural development in Afghanistan, employing an IMRAD structure to present findings. The introduction outlines the significance of rural development, noting that approximately 71% of the Afghan population resides in rural areas, predominantly engaged in agriculture. The methods section details a comprehensive document analysis and literature review from 2020 to 2024, focusing on institutional, socio-cultural, economic, environmental, and infrastructural barriers. Results indicate that ineffective governance, centralization, and socio-cultural issues such as gender inequality and low educational attainment severely impede progress. Additionally, economic challenges, including high poverty rates and unemployment, exacerbate the situation. Environmental concerns like land degradation and inadequate infrastructure further threaten rural livelihoods. The discussion emphasizes the interconnectedness of these challenges, advocating for a holistic approach that includes decentralization, community engagement, and investment in sustainable agricultural practices. The conclusion presents strategic recommendations for policymakers and stakeholders, highlighting the necessity of a coordinated, community-driven approach to achieve sustainable rural development in Afghanistan. By addressing these interconnected barriers, Afghanistan can foster long-term growth, stability, and improved quality of life for its rural populations.

Response to Addition of Lighting Duration and Electrical Induction in Lettuce (Lactuca sativa L.) Plant on the Uptake of Nitrogen, Phosphors, Potassium and Yield

Background: The impact of excessive use of chemical fertilizers and pesticides causes problems of land degradation, low fertility levels and reduced cation exchange capacity. To increase nutrient uptake and yield of lettuce plants, cultivation techniques using induction and additional lighting are needed. The aim is to increase nutrient absorption and plant yields. Methods: The research design used a split plot with Factorial Randomized Groups. Factor 1 Lighting duration (P) for 4 and 8 hours per day and Factor 2, induction with DC (Direct Current) current (S). Induction 1 time per day (S1); The treatment in this study was repeated 4 times. Induction 2 times per day (S2) and Induction 3 times per day (S3). Result: The combination P2S2 showed good results regarding the uptake of Nitrogen (20.1 Kg.Ha-1), Phosphorus (2.71 Kg.Ha-1) and Potassium (67.23 Kg.Ha-1) in plant leaves. The P1S2 treatment showed a leaf area of (1652.19 cm2). The adding 4 hours of light and an induction interval of 2 times per day gave good results on the uptake of Nitrogen, Phosphorus and Potassium in the leaf of lettuce plants.

Land use and land management in Kazakhstan

Global climate warming annually leads to a decrease in the agro-climatic potential of farming, many areas of traditional cultivation of land become unsuitable for agriculture due to desertification, swamping and erosion processes. Purpose - the concept of sustainable land use is considered, taking into account foreign experience. Methods are based on the system analysis of works of domestic and foreign scientists and data from the Bureau of National Statistics of the Agency for Strategic Planning and Reforms of the Republic of Kazakhstan, analytical reports of the Committee on Land Resources Management. Results - different approaches to solving the problems of agroindustrial complex are presented, the main trends in the development of the agrarian sector of the republic, the need to combat land degradation, to preserve their productivity and ecosystem functions are shown. Conclusions - the analysis of world practice shows that the principles of land cultivation based on environmental, social and economic criteria should be implemented based on the effective use of agricultural land, that is, through the optimization of agricultural land fund. The research has an interdisciplinary character. The systematic study of this issue contributes to the application of rational methods of land management in agricultural production. The authors note that the use of digital technologies in the sphere of land relations will help to increase the efficiency of production and economic activity, to unite the main factors and efforts of the participants of this process in a single information space, to increase the reliability and completeness of transmitted data. Digital infrastructure in the farming system is the driver of future development. Provision of all types of services in accordance with land legislation should be digitized.

THE ROLE AND IMPACT OF VEGETATION ON THE URBAN FABRIC. CASE OF GUELMA CITY

In cities, land use changes caused by various human activities can affect how natural ecosystems function. In this context, it is increasingly important for cities to consider the role of vegetation in preserving a sustainable environment. A diachronic analysis of landscape changes was applied to assess the presence and distribution of vegetation to determine whether it was evolving or regressing. This phenomenon was studied within the current administrative boundaries of the city of Guelma (Algeria). For this purpose, as an approach based on landscape metrics, several Landsat TM and ETM+ remote sensing satellite images were used throughout the period 1987-2019. A set of landscape indices, including NP, AREA_MN, LPI, PLAND, AI and LSI, were calculated to map land cover, the mechanism of land cover and vegetation change, and their impact on the urban ecosystem. The geo-statistical procedure was carried out using a geographic information system Qgis combined by statistical software using Fragstats to calculate various landscape metrics at class level for the analysis of fragmentation . The results of the landscape metric analysis show that the decrease in average area and the increase in the number of green patches are important indicators of land degradation, meaning that the mechanism of landscape degradation and transformation is progressive. This underlines the need to give particular attention to land use and land cover in the region to ensure the sustainable allocation of natural resources.

Using remote sensing data to study anthropogenic land degradation in Khulna Division, Bangladesh for SDG indicator 15.3.1

The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) include a goal on land degradation: indicator 15.3.1 (proportion of degraded land over total land). It is not always easy to monitor the SDGs, and remote sensing could be an effective tool for monitoring several SDGs. This study assessed land degradation in Bangladesh's Khulna Division over the past two decades. The Trends.Earth toolset was used to assess land degradation during the baseline period (2001–2015) and the reporting period (2016–2020). Inputs include data from the United Nations Convention on Desertification, and outputs include three sub-indicators: land productivity, land cover change, and soil organic carbon (SOC) stocks. Over the past 20 years, the land use and land cover, land productivity, and SOC content of the study area have undergone substantial changes. A significant change was observed in croplands, water bodies, and built-up areas. Croplands have been converted into settlements and tree cover. Nonetheless, there is an increase in land productivity in the area (>64 %) accompanied by a small percentage of decreasing productivity (approximately 9 %). Accordingly, the SOC in major land areas (84.68 %) is stable with 66,475 tons of carbon lost from croplands. Overall, this area reveals substantial progress in SDG indicator 15.3.1 with a clear transformation of degraded land (from 10.38 % to 8.46 %) into stable land (32.09 %–64.01 %). Land degradation is mostly seen in Khulna, Bagerhat, Satkhira, Kushtia, and Jashore areas. Land covers change for urbanisation, developments, water logging, and salinity intrusion cause land degradation. Despite poor representation of the SOC and normalised difference vegetation index datasets in the waterlogged areas, the Trends.Earth-generated results are informative and stand alone. With the results of this study, policymakers may be able to develop more appropriate land management plans by better understanding the complex interconnections of land change processes.

A Review of the Current Status of Soil Organic Matter in China's Arable Land

Soil organic matter (SOM) in China's arable land is a critical foundation for maintaining agricultural productivity and ecosystem health. However, in recent years, the content of SOM has shown a declining trend due to unsustainable agricultural practices, excessive use of chemical fertilizers, and land degradation. This decline has adversely affected soil fertility, water retention capacity, biodiversity, and carbon sequestration. Although certain regions have seen improvements through the application of organic fertilizers, straw return, and conservation tillage, the overall SOM levels remain low. Therefore, there is an urgent need to develop comprehensive management strategies to increase SOM content, promote sustainable agricultural development, and protect the ecological environment.

The pastoral station: an overlooked ‘outback’ location space in Australia’s regional screen history

ABSTRACT The pastoral station is an under-examined location space in Australia’s screen history. Using the case study of Belmont Station in far west NSW and focusing specifically on the production of television advertisements in the 1980s−1990s, this article proposes the pastoral station as a popular filming location for Australian ‘outback’ imaginaries. Furthermore, I argue that the station has embedded environmental and spatial histories that have enabled it to develop as a film-friendly screen infrastructure. Firstly, the article proposes a new approach to screen studies in Australia that draws from media infrastructures and environmental history to address previously unknown screen production histories. The article then introduces the pastoral station in line with the reoccurring aesthetics of the ‘outback’ imaginary. Finally, it examines how the environmental affordances of the station such as geography, property holdings, and in-house labour ensured a film-friendly location space. Reflecting on environmental histories, it reveals how land degradation caused by settler-colonial industries has shaped the geophysical environment, and how this has in turn shaped the ‘outback’ imaginary. Overall, the article purports that by examining how screen production is co-produced by humans and non-humans, new screen histories are illuminated.

Effect of Environmental and Anthropic Conditions on the Development of Solanum peruvianum: A Case of the Coastal Lomas, Lima-Peru

Land degradation and the effects of climate change are increasing arid lands, accelerating desertification, and leading to the loss of ecosystem services worldwide. This research focused on evaluating how human impact and environmental factors affect the development of Solanum peruvianum in its natural habitat of coastal lomas. The study was carried out in the coastal lomas of Mangomarca-Peru, where phenotypic and ecological data on the plants were collected. Information was also gathered on human impacts on the nutritional characteristics of the soils. Then, five types of organic amendments were used to improve the physical and chemical characteristics of the degraded soil, and the development and photosynthetic activity of S. peruvianum were evaluated. As a result, under the study conditions, it was found that S. peruvianum was established approximately 33.74 cm from the rocks, in a range of 300 to 650 m asl. The maximum height of the plants was 90 cm, with a stem diameter at ground level of 2 cm. S. peruvianum produced fruits between January and July, with a seed germination rate of 36% in 25 days. On the other hand, the anthropogenic impact on the soil reduced 58% of organic material (OM), 71% of nitrogen, 40% of P2O5, and 13% of K2O and increased the concentration of magnesium oxide, calcium oxide, pH, and electric conductivity (EC). The organic amendments bokashi, compost, and biochar, when mixed with the degraded soil, increased the pH, OM, N, P, and EC; however, the plants died after 25 days. On the other hand, the application of the Premix5 substrate for 100 days favored the growth of 52.84 cm and 38.29 cm in the preserved soil and 23.21 cm in the black soil mixed with blond peat, and it should be noted that the substrates presented an acid pH and EC > 0.1. Regarding photosynthetic phenotyping, S. peruvianum plants grown in their natural habitat and in Premix5 showed a higher proton flux (vH+), linear electron flow (LEF), and maximum quantum yield (Fv’/Fm’). On the contrary, they showed a lower NPQt value than plants grown in preserved and black soil mixed with blond peat.