Local Land Research Articles

Evaluation of the EarthSHAB stratospheric solar hot air balloon flight prediction model using balloon trajectory data

Abstract The heliotrope is a solar balloon design which is constructed out of painter’s plastic, and the interior is coated in charcoal powder. Darkening the plastic gives the balloon a high solar absorptance, which allows it to ascend into the lower stratosphere and float for hours at a time. The balloons have previously been used to lift scientific instruments into the stratosphere to study chemical explosions, earthquakes, and stratospheric aerosols. They have also been proposed as a platform for planetary exploration. Flight predictions are crucial to pre-flight planning to reduce safety risks and meet flight objectives. However, there exists a wide range of possible flight paths due to varying environmental conditions and solar balloon configurations. EarthSHAB is one such software that was designed to support flight planning using the weather forecasts and balloon properties to predict the flight path of a solar balloon. We compare EarthSHAB simulated flight paths to a set of observed flights paths for the 3.5-m diameter heliotrope design called the “Cloudskimmer.” Using the criteria that the modeled paths must fall within 5% of the observations to be considered successful, we found that EarthSHAB successfully predicted the Cloudskimmer ascent rate and average float altitude 10% and 90% of the time, respectively. We also found that the average difference in the observed and predicted landing locations was 97 km and landing times was 54 ± 38 minutes. Significant deviations between the observed and predicted ascent rates and excursions at float were found to be associated with heavy payloads and convective cloud development, respectively.

A Machine Learning Approach to Adapt Local Land Use Planning to Climate Change

The impacts on living conditions and natural habitats deriving from planning decisions require complex analysis of cross-acting factors, which in turn require interdisciplinary data. At the municipal level, both data collection and the knowledge needed to interpret it are often lacking. Additionally, climate change and species extinction demand rapid and effective policies in order to preserve soil resources for future generations. Ex-ante evaluation of planning measures is insufficient owing to a lack of data and linear models capable of simulating the impacts of complex systemic relationships. Integrating machine learning (ML) into systemic planning increases awareness of impacts by providing decision-makers with predictive analysis and risk mitigation tools. ML can predict future scenarios beyond rigid linear models, identifying patterns, trends, and correlations within complex systems and depicting hidden relationships. This article focuses on a case study of single-family houses in Upper Austria, chosen for its transferability to other regions. It critically reflects on an ML approach, linking data on past and current planning regulations and decisions to the physical environment. We create an inventory of categories of areas with different features to inform nature-based solutions and backcasting planning decisions and build a training dataset for ML models. Our model predicts the effects of planning decisions on soil sealing. We discuss how ML can support local planning by providing area assessments in soil sealing within the case study. The article presents a working approach to planning and demonstrates that more data is needed to achieve well-founded planning statements.

Rainwater harvesting suitability of ground tanks located on stock watering places across Western NSW

ABSTRACT A stock watering place (SWP) is a type of travelling stock reserve, and Western Local Land Services (WLLS) is the controlling authority of SWPs in the semi-arid Western region of New South Wales, Australia. Over half SWPs have ground tanks that were installed in the 1800s to provide water for travelling stock. The location of many SWP ground tanks is thought to have been influenced by traditional Aboriginal knowledge, however, their position for capturing contemporary surface flows has not previously been assessed. This study aims to use multicriteria analysis within a Geographic Information System (GIS) to investigate whether SWP ground tanks are at the most suitable rainwater harvesting (RWH) location. ArcGIS was used to analyse data to identify RWH suitability based on slope, soil group, and drainage density. These layers were then weighted and combined to produce a final RWH suitability map. Results show that most (50.7%) ground tanks are in high RWH suitability locations, 47.9% are in medium RWH suitability, 1.4% are in low suitability, and none are in unsuitable locations. These results indicate that 1800s RWH suitability selection methods were highly effective. The findings of this study will contribute to the WLLS SWP knowledge base and will assist in prioritising SWPs for works to improve RWH efficiency, thereby ensuring reliable stock water on SWPs.

Exploring the Drivers Influencing Multidimensional Alpha and Beta Diversity of Macroinvertebrates in Mountain Streams

Understanding the driving mechanisms of diversity across multiple dimensions is a fundamental task in biodiversity conservation. Here, we examined the alpha and beta diversity of macroinvertebrates in the taxonomic, functional, and phylogenetic dimensions in mountain streams of northwestern Hubei Province, China. We also assessed how much local environmental, land use, climatic, and spatial variables affected these diversities. We found that (1) there were generally weak or no correlations of alpha and beta diversity between taxonomic, functional, and phylogenetic dimensions; (2) compared to both functional and phylogenetic beta diversity, which was mainly determined by nestedness, taxonomic beta diversity was mostly molded by turnover and was much higher; and (3) local environmental variables predominantly influenced taxonomic and functional dimensions of alpha and beta diversity, while spatial factors primarily drove phylogenetic dimension. These results suggest that regulating local habitats is crucial for lotic biodiversity conservation efforts, though spatial processes cannot be overlooked. Furthermore, our findings verify the supplemental role of functional and phylogenetic data in enriching insights provided by taxonomic data alone. This underscores the importance of a multidimensional approach for a more nuanced understanding of community assembly mechanisms, which is crucial for efficient ecosystem management and biodiversity conservation.

Cultural Heritage, Migration, and Land Use Transformation in San José Chiltepec, Oaxaca

Indigenous communities worldwide face increasing challenges from modernization, migration, and economic pressures, which threaten their traditional agricultural systems and cultural heritage. These dynamics often lead to shifts in land use, the erosion of ancestral knowledge, and the weakening of cultural identity. Understanding how these communities adapt to such changes is crucial for sustainable development. This research examines how indigenous communities, particularly San José Chiltepec in Oaxaca, balance the preservation of cultural heritage with adapting to evolving agricultural practices and land use transformations. It emphasizes the critical role of indigenous knowledge in sustainable land management and the importance of cultural identity amidst socio-economic pressures. A mixed-methods approach was employed, integrating geostatistical data, spatial analysis, and qualitative insights from municipal development plans and community-based observations. This provided a detailed understanding of how local conditions and external forces shape land use and conservation. The findings reveal that, while irrigated agriculture and pasturelands have declined, the community has shown resilience through the preservation of seasonal farming and the expansion of secondary vegetation. San José Chiltepec serves as a model for how indigenous communities can maintain cultural and environmental heritage while adapting to modern economic challenges.

Spatial Negative Influence of Cairo Mega Movement corridors on adjacent Local Areas Land Uses and Movement

The research is focused on discussing the importance of transportation in metropolitan areas and analyzing the positive and negative spatial impacts of the major movement corridors in Greater Cairo on the surrounding local areas. It aims to highlight the regional benefits of these corridors while also addressing the spatial challenges faced by the local areas. The study emphasizes the significance of movement circulation for pedestrians and vehicles in the urban functionality of local movement, serving as a connection between land uses and daily activities. While the mega movement corridors have significantly improved access between Greater Cairo's main districts, they have also introduced challenges at the local level. The research examines the impact of the Ain Shams corridor as an example of a new movement corridor introduced by the government in the last 5 years, in two major areas, and additionally, identifies the resulting challenges in land uses and movement circulation in these areas. The findings underscore the importance of segregating movement circulation between the regional and local levels to enhance accessibility for pedestrians and vehicles in local areas. Furthermore, the study reinforces the importance of comprehensive measures to enhance the efficiency of the corridor. Implementing solutions such as dedicated service roads, improved parking infrastructure, and optimized traffic management strategies can play a pivotal role in mitigating congestion and addressing the specific needs of local traffic. By addressing these challenges, the corridor can achieve improved functionality, accommodate the diverse traffic demands, and enhance the overall transportation experience for commuters and urban activities.

Multi-Annual Study of Eriogaster catax (Linnaeus, 1758) (Lepidoptera, Lasiocampidae) Oviposition Strategy in Transylvania's Largest Population: Key Insights for Species Conservation and Local Land Management.

This study provides new insights into the oviposition strategy of Eriogaster catax (Linnaeus, 1758) (Lepidoptera, Lasiocampidae), an endangered species of moth found in semi-natural habitats within agricultural landscapes. Protected under various European directives and listed as Data Deficient by the IUCN, E. catax inhabits warmer regions of the Western Palearctic. Despite noted geographic variations in its ecological preferences, few studies have statistically significant data on its ecology. Our six-year study, conducted within the largest known population of E. catax. in Romania, reveals critical data on its oviposition preferences, including the species' tendency to utilize Prunus spinosa L. and Crataegus monogyna Jacq. shrubs at an average height of 80.48 ± 34.3 cm, with most nests placed within the 41-80 cm range and containing an average of 186 ± 22 eggs. The study also addresses the species' vulnerability to human activities such as bush trimming, agricultural burning, and uncontrolled grazing, particularly due to its low oviposition height. These findings underscore the negative impact of overgrazing and burning practices, particularly when conducted on a large scale, on the conservation of E. catax. The detailed ecological requirements identified in this study are essential for developing effective conservation strategies and habitat management practices. Furthermore, the study highlights the importance of local community involvement and public education in raising awareness about biodiversity and the conservation of endangered species.

Adaptive shading: How microclimates and surface types amplify tree cooling effects?

Shading is the most critical process in tree cooling. Although the influence of tree features on shade supply has been extensively studied, the efficiency of shade performance in diverse environments remains poorly understood. The latter is crucial, as urban areas are highly heterogeneous, and local microclimates and land cover heterogeneity are among the most perceptible and observable aspects. We randomly selected several typical tree patches in Beijing to explore whether and how tree-shade efficiency varies with these factors. We used temporal variations as a proxy to study the impact of microclimatic heterogeneity on tree shade efficiency by comparing sunny and cloudy conditions, as well as different times of the day. In addition, we investigated the differences in shading efficiency over various surfaces by comparing pairs of regular urban surfaces (asphalt, concrete, permeable brick, and grass). We found that tree shade significantly improved the local thermal environment, but its effectiveness varied with the environmental conditions. Tree shading resulted in a higher cooling efficiency under greater external thermal stress. In addition, the cooling efficiency was greater on surfaces with higher temperatures. We also identified a notable characteristic of tree shading for cooling: the thermal environment beneath the tree shade tends to stabilize at a relatively constant value across various external conditions. These results provide practical guidelines for optimizing tree layouts in highly heterogeneous urban environments and enhancing limited tree resources for more effective and economical improvement of urban thermal conditions.

Visualising trade-related virtual urban land transfers in China

ABSTRACT As a type of environmental footprint, the concept of virtual land captures the indirect land use embedded in our consumption and trade activities. Utilising the environmentally-extended multi-regional input–output model (EEMRIO) and Kaleidoscope diagram, we visualise for the first time the interprovincial flow of virtual urban land in China. It unveils the intricate urban network connections and the telecoupled interactions between human activities and land use amidst China's rapid urbanisation phase. The results indicate that the eastern region of China emerges as the primary net beneficiary of virtual urban land, whereas the western region stands as the principal net contributor. The local urban land in 65% of the provinces suffices for their own consumption demands. However, provinces like Zhejiang, Henan, and Jiangsu rely heavily on inter-provincial urban land to fulfil their consumption requirements. Inter-regional trade plays a pivotal role in facilitating the flow of land resources, significantly easing the strain between human demands and land availability in the developed coastal provinces of eastern China. Yet, it imposes additional ecological pressure on the more ecologically vulnerable areas in the west. The insights from this research are poised to offer valuable guidance for the Chinese government in harmonising urban development strategies, industrial distribution and the allocation of construction land on a national scale.

An Examination of the Decision of Microentrepreneurs to Remain in Urban Flood-prone Areas in Marikina City, Metro Manila (NCR), Philippines

Despite the impact of urban flooding on businesses, the choice of microentrepreneurs continuing to stay in flood hazard areas runs counterintuitive to the principles of profitability and sustainability albeit both are the most vulnerable aspects of the business sectors. Existing literature has provided substantial knowledge on the factors affecting an entrepreneur’s choice of operating location but does not go deeper into why entrepreneurs decide to remain and operate in frequently flooded urban areas. A multi-stage cluster sampling technique was used in this study to establish an adequate representation of microentrepreneurs in flood-prone areas of Marikina City in Metro Manila, Philippines, using various statistical tools to evaluate decision factors. The research revealed that component factors such as economic considerations, the microentrepreneur’s socio-spatial relations, and experiences and perception of resilience influence the decision to remain in urban flood-prone areas. Moreover, specific sub-factors under each component factor were identified, which can be grouped into ‘pre-existing’ and ‘learned’ categories, introducing a new location decision model attuned to the dynamics that exists between microentrepreneurs and a natural disaster such as urban flooding. The findings of the study may guide policymakers and urban planners in designing targeted intervention measures that translate to more micro enterprise-responsive disaster risk reduction and management plans. Moreover, by treating microenterprises as separate from the traditional occupations, communities might appreciate the crafting of local land use plans which would successfully improve the overall resilience of this sector in urban flood-prone areas.

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.

Financing urban land development in underdeveloped small cities in western China: The role of earmarked funds

Previous studies suggest that market forces and the strategic behavior of local governments regarding land development jointly contribute to rapid urban expansion in China. In underdeveloped small cities in Western China, the market is weak, and local governments lack the conditions required to promote land-centered urbanization. Surprisingly, these cities have experienced an expansion of urban space faster than the national average. This study presents a significant funding model of urban land development within the framework of the project system. Within this model, central and provincial governments are key providers of land development funds. Local governments design, apply for, package, and implement land development projects. Private developers cooperate with local governments rather than functioning as real initiators of and investors in land development projects. The findings provide new and supplementary evidence about how rapid urban expansion occurs in China, particularly in underdeveloped areas.

Exploring urban and agricultural land use planning

Socio-economic development has accelerated urban expansion, leading to the encroachment of urban space into agricultural space land and seriously undermining the stability of ecosystems. Scientifically optimizing the layout of urban-agricultural space can guarantee China's food security, promote urban development and maintain ecological stability. In this study, we focused on the rapidly growing city of Nankang. We used land, ecological and geographic location data to calculate land suitability, predicted future urban space through the GeoSOS-FLUS model, and finally optimized the agricultural-urban space conflict. The results show that: the areas of farmland with quality evaluation results for grades 1-4 were 7783.13 hm2, 9411.01 hm2, 8738.99 hm2 and 3032.73 hm2, and the areas suitable for construction, more suitable for construction, unsuitable for construction and prohibited from construction accounted for 12.19%, 16.23%, 41.34% and 30.24%, respectively. Combining the FLUS model with the land suitability evaluation results, we found that there is a conflict area of 1841.96 hm2 in the delineation scheme. Adjusting their layout according to the principle of conflict coordination, the optimized area of agricultural-urban space is 28429.34 hm2 and 8968.23 hm2 respectively, accounting for 16.32% and 5.15% of the study area. The result of spatial contradiction optimization satisfies the balance between production and residential space, promotes urban development, protects ecological security, and can provide scientific reference for regional urban ecological environment construction.

Identification of Spatial Distribution of Afforestation, Reforestation, and Deforestation and Their Impacts on Local Land Surface Temperature in Yangtze River Delta and Pearl River Delta Urban Agglomerations of China

Forest change affects local and global climate by altering the physical properties of the land surface. Accurately assessing urban forest changes in local land surface temperature (LST) is a scientific and crucial strategy for mitigating regional climate change. Despite this, few studies have attempted to accurately characterize the spatial and temporal pattern of afforestation, reforestation, and deforestation to optimize their effects on surface temperature. We used the China Land Cover Dataset and knowledge criterion-based spatial analysis model to map urban forestation (e.g., afforestation and reforestation) and deforestation. We then analyzed the impacts of these activities on LST from 2010 to 2020 based on the moving window strategy and the spatial–temporal pattern change analysis method in the urban agglomerations of the Yangtze River Delta (YRD) and Pearl River Delta (PRD), China. The results showed that forest areas declined in both regions. Most years, the annual deforestation area is greater than the yearly afforestation areas. Afforestation and reforestation had cooling effects of −0.24 ± 0.19 °C and −0.47 ± 0.15 °C in YRD and −0.46 ± 0.10 °C and −0.86 ± 0.11 °C in PRD. Deforestation and conversion of afforestation to non-forests led to cooling effects in YRD and warming effects of 1.08 ± 0.08 °C and 0.43 ± 0.19 °C in PRD. The cooling effect of forests is more evident in PRD than in YRD, and it is predominantly caused by reforestation. Moreover, forests demonstrated a significant seasonal cooling effect, except for December in YRD. Two deforestation activities exhibited seasonal warming impacts in PRD, mainly induced by deforestation, while there were inconsistent effects in YRD. Overall, this study provides practical data and decision-making support for rational urban forest management and climate benefit maximization, empowering policymakers and urban planners to make informed decisions for the benefit of their communities.

Frontiers of fortune: mobilising land, water, and collective identity for watermelon production in Southeastern Morocco

ABSTRACT Watermelon production has rapidly increased in Morocco over the last 15 years. Since its independence in 1956, Morocco has promoted the production of early-season fruits and vegetables for European supermarkets to boost the national economy and improve rural livelihoods. Today, the expansion of watermelon production in arid regions of the country has had profound impacts on local land and water resources. In Zagora, a pre-Sahara oasis region in the southeast of the country, watermelons have contributed to the overuse of aquifers, trapping farmers in cycles of accumulating debt, and increasing conflict over land. Drawing on interviews and participant observation with residents and officials from 2021-2023, this paper demonstrates how a pastoral community embraced watermelon production in an effort to engage with the agro-export sector that drives the country's agricultural growth. Yet rather than contributing to the overall development of the region, watermelon production has deepened gender and economic disparities within the community and privileged a small group of farmers with access to capital. Although authorities restricted watermelon production in 2023, larger investors simply moved production, leaving small farmers to confront the volatile market while trying to sustain land, water, and collective identity in the region.

Disproportionate contributions of land cover and changes to ecosystem functions in Kazakhstan and Mongolia

Land use and land cover change (LULCC) have profoundly altered land surface properties and ecosystem functions, including carbon and water production. While mapping these changes from local to global scales has become more achievable due to advancements in earth observations and remote sensing, linking land cover changes to ecosystem functions remains challenging, especially at regional scale. Our study attempts to fill this gap by employing a computationally efficient method and two types of widely used high-resolution satellite images. We first investigated the contribution of landscape composition to ecosystem function by examining how land cover and proportion affected gross primary production (GPP) and evapotranspiration (ET) at six macro-landscapes in Mongolia and Kazakhstan. We hypothesized that both ecosystem and landscape GPP and ET are disproportionate to their composition and, therefore, changes in land cover will have asymmetrical influences on landscape functions. We leveraged a computational-friendly linear downscaling approach to align the coarse spatial resolution of MODIS (500 m) with a fine-grain and localized land cover map developed from Landsat (30 m) for six provinces in countries where intensive LULCC occurred in recent decades. By establishing two metrics—function to composition ratio (F/C) and function to changes in composition change (ΔF/ΔC)—we tested our hypothesis and evaluated the impact of land cover change on ecosystem functions within and among the landscapes. Our results show three major themes. (1) The five land cover types have signature downscaled ET and GPP that appears to vary between the two countries as well as within each country. (2) F/C of ET and GPP of forests is statistically greater than 1 (i.e., over-contributing), whereas F/C of grasslands and croplands is close to or slightly less than 1 (i.e., under-contribution). F/C of barrens is clearly lower than 1 but greater than zero. Specifically, a unit of forest generates 1.085 unit of ET and 1.123 unit of GPP, a unit of grassland generates 0.993 unit of ET and GPP, and a unit of cropland produces 0.987 unit of ET and 0.983 unit of GPP. The divergent F/C values among the land cover classes support the hypothesis that landscape function is disproportionate to its composition. (3) ΔET/ΔC and ΔGPP/ΔC of forests and croplands showed negative values, while grasslands and barrens showed positive values, indicating that converting a unit of forest to other land cover leads to a decrease in ET and GPP, while converting units of grassland or barren to other land cover classes will result in increased ET and GPP. This linear downscaling approach for calculating F/C and ΔF/ΔC is labor-saving and cost-effective for rapid assessment on the impact of land use land cover change on ecosystem functions.

An ecological framework to index crop yields using productivity and Ecosystem Fit: A case study from India

On the global scale, agricultural crop yields have decreased or plateaued over the last several decades. This suggests that the current focus on selecting crop varieties based on a plant’s light-use efficiency (photosynthetic and nitrogen-use-efficiency metrics) may not be sensitive to the site’s edaphic parameters, which limit growth. This study introduces a new framework to determine if crops can achieve higher yield potentials by assessing how plants adapt to the edaphic properties that impact growth, especially when contending with climate change. The new approach calculates an Ecosystem Fit index using a ratio of remotely sensed (or observed) total net primary productivity to the theoretical maximum productivity of the site. Then, it uses that index as a benchmark to judge quantitatively whether any new crop species or variety is improving potential biomass or economic yields at that specific site. It can also determine the best soil types for those crop varieties and monitor their potential adaptability relative to climate change over time. This study used a database of 356 spatially independent reference sites to develop this framework using a landcover classification of crops across 21 ecoregions and five biomes in India. It includes total net primary productivity data, theoretical maximum productivity potential, and soil and climatic data. This comparison showed that the light-use efficiency model, as intended, was not sensitive to variations in soil characteristics, temperature, or precipitation. Our framework showed significant differences in growth by soil type and precipitation and three significant productivity thresholds by soil type. The results of this study demonstrate that total crop productivity and Ecosystem Fit create a useful index for local land managers to assess growth and yield potentials across diverse edaphic landscapes and for decision-making with changing climates.

Local government land monopoly in China: the influence of residential land price on supply

ABSTRACT China’s current land system allows local governments to monopolize land supply, and such monopolist power induces local governments to distort the residential land supply in line with their own interests. This paper uses an overlapping generation model to depict the profit maximization behavior of local governments. The theoretical model suggests that local governments in cities with strong economic conditions would face a lower magnitude of price elasticity of demand and would choose a higher residential land price corresponding to a lower residential land supply to achieve profit maximization. To empirically evaluate the theoretical model, the paper adopts Instrument Variable (IV) estimates and investigates data collected from 142 prefecture-level cities between 2010 and 2020. It suggests there is a negative causal relationship between residential land prices and per capita residential land, thus validating the theoretical model that local governments prioritize profit maximization over meeting the local population’s housing demands.

Pine woodland fire dynamics mirror industrial history at New River Gorge National Park and Preserve, West Virginia, USA

Fire is an important biophysical process in pine (Pinus) and mixed pine-oak (Quercus) forests and woodlands across the Central Appalachian Mountains. Decades of fire exclusion, however, particularly on public lands, have resulted in a well-documented homogenization of species composition and forest structure. Our objective was to inform management and restoration efforts by expanding on previous dendroecological research at New River Gorge National Park and Preserve and adjacent Babcock State Park in southern West Virginia. Specifically, we assessed pine woodland fire activity in the context of local industrial history, land management, and regional drought. Samples cut from 110 fire-scarred pine trees, distributed across four sites, were used to develop a fire-scar record that spans the period 1842–2010; however, sample depth diminishes rapidly before the 1860s. Fires occurred frequently and extensively in the early–mid 20th century, coinciding with peak coal production and population density. Eleven major fires, or years when at least two trees and 25 % of samples recorded a fire scar at an individual site, were documented in the tree-ring record, but none occurred during the federal land management era (1978–present). Synchronous fire events recorded at two or more sites were associated with drier than average September–May (‘dormant season’) climate conditions. Our results indicate that, since the late 19th century, fire activity in pine woodlands at the New River Gorge has been driven primarily by human ignitions associated with industrial activities, and that periods of drought have amplified landscape-scale fire occurrence. Land managers should consider these historical fire patterns when developing restoration strategies that may include prescribed fire, thinning treatments, and managed wildfires.

Assessing and Improving Land Use on Saint Martin Island, Bangladesh: Insights from a Comprehensive Survey

Saint-Martin Island, the only coral island of Bangladesh, covers an area of 8 square kilometers and is a popular tourist destination. Despite its small population of approximately 8,000 residents, effective land utilization is crucial for improving the island's economic condition. With growing population pressures and limited land availability, scientific land use planning becomes essential. This research aims to develop a comprehensive land use plan by conducting a detailed land use survey of Saint-Martin Island. A plot map was obtained from the local land office, and an onsite survey was performed to assess current land use practices. The analysis revealed that a significant portion of the land remains unused, with only 0.6% designated for farming. The majority of residents live in shanties, and multi-storied buildings are rare. Additionally, the number of educational institutions is insufficient. The study highlights the need to cease overexploitation of natural resources and convert unused lands into farmland. A strategic plan for agriculture, fishing, and sustainable resource use is recommended to ensure long-term sustainability and economic development.