Effects Of Land Use Research Articles

Effects of land use and land cover change under shared socioeconomic pathways on future climate in the Yellow River basin, China

The Yellow River basin of China has experienced significant land use and land cover change (LUCC) due to excessive exploitation of nature resources, ecological degradation, and rapid urbanization, which plays an important role in the regional climate. It is crucial to explore the climate patterns of the basin under different future development scenarios to mitigate climate issues and achieve “carbon peaking and carbon neutrality goals”. Here we utilized land use and land cover (LULC) data and projections of future climate under two shared socioeconomic path – representative concentration path (SSP245 and SSP585) scenarios. Using the Weather Research and Forecasting (WRF) model, we simulated four future spatial variation patterns of temperature and precipitation in the basin. Results indicated that under the SSP245 and SSP585 scenarios, the temperature is projected to increase by 0.18 °C and 0.46 °C, respectively, while precipitation is expected to rise by 32.21 mm and 134.24 mm, respectively. The impact of LUCC was found to be relatively minor and mainly concentrated in the middle reaches of the basin. It resulted in a slight increase in temperature in both scenarios and an increase in precipitation in SSP245, but a decrease in precipitation in SSP585. Changes in farmland and urban area exhibited a certain warming effect in both scenarios, with urban areas having a greater influence, leading to a temperature increase by 0.25 °C and 0.28 °C, respectively. Forest, grassland, and bare areas had a lesser impact on temperature and showed different trends under two scenarios. Regarding precipitation, forests and urban areas had a greater influence in both SSP245 and SSP585 scenarios. This study identified the significant role of LUCC under different development scenarios in shaping future temperature and precipitation changes, providing valuable insights for effectively addressing climate issues in the Yellow River basin. It also highlights the need for clear policy recommendations and identifies institutions or agencies responsible for implementing such recommendations.

The hidden threat of heavy metal leaching in urban runoff: Investigating the long-term consequences of land use changes on human health risk exposure

This study evaluated the potential effects of long-term land use and climate change on the quality of surface runoff and the health risks associated with it. The land use change projection 2030 was derived from the main changes in land use from 2009 to 2019, and rainfall data was obtained from the Long Ashton Research Station Weather Generator (LARS-WG) model. The Long-Term Hydrological Impact Assessment (L-THIA) model was then utilized to calculate the rate of runoff heavy metal (HM) pollutant loading from the urban catchment. It was found that areas with heavy development posed a significantly greater public health risk associated with runoff, with higher risks observed in high-development and traffic areas compared to industrial, residential, and commercial areas. Additionally, exposure to Lead (Pb), Mercury (Hg), and Arsenic (As) was found to contribute significantly to overall non-carcinogenic health risks for possible consumers of runoff. Carcinogenic risk values of As, Cadmium (Cd), and Pb were also observed to increase, particularly in high-development and traffic areas, by 2030. This investigation offers important insight into the health risks posed by metals present in surface runoff in urban catchment areas under different land use and climate change scenarios.

Association between early life exposure to agriculture, biodiversity, and green space and risk of inflammatory bowel disease: a population-based cohort study

Specific pollutants and environmental exposures are implicated in modulating inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) risk. However, the role of environmental exposures, particularly during the early life period, towards IBD risk, has not been systematically evaluated. We conducted a nationwide population-based cohort study during the study period extending from January 1, 1995, to September 1, 2020, using cross-linked Danish registers, maps, and inventories to ascertain the impact of agricultural land use, biodiversity, green space, urban space, blue space, and normalized difference vegetation index during pregnancy and the first two years of life on IBD, Crohn's disease (CD), and ulcerative colitis (UC) risk, using adjusted Cox proportional hazards regression analyses. We adjusted for covariates sex, maternal age at delivery, calendar year of birth, municipal-level socioeconomic status, and first-degree relative with IBD. Of 1,438,487 individuals included in the study who were followed from age 2 years until a median (IQR) age of 14 (8-20) years, 3768 individuals were diagnosed with IBD. Exposure to the second, third and highest quartiles of agriculture land use during early life, relative to the lowest quartile, were associated with increased CD risk (aHR 1.12, 95% CI 1.01, 1.26, 1.19, 95% CI 1.05, 1.34 and, 1.24 95% CI 1.06, 1.46, respectively). There was no association of agriculture land use with UC risk. Conversely, exposure to the third quartile of biodiversity in early life, compared to the lowest quartile, were associated with a lower CD risk (aHR 0.86, 95% CI 0.75, 0.98). A protective effect of greenspace was noted in the highest quartile for CD (aHR 0.87, 95% CI 0.78, 0.98). In a nationwide cohort with long-term follow up data, early life environmental exposures were associated with modulation of CD risk, with a harmful effect of agriculture land use and protective effect of biodiversity and green space. Danish National Research Foundation, the International Organization for the Study of Inflammatory Bowel Disease, the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.

Spatial population distribution dynamics of big cats and ungulates with seasonal and disturbance changes in temperate natural forest

Wildlife conservation and management in human-dominated landscapes are major concerns for wildlife ecologists and managers. The dynamics of human disturbance, combined with seasonal limitations in the availability of nutritious foods, may restrict wildlife population growth and recovery. However, understanding how large mammal species adjust their population distribution in forest habitats with seasonal changes in food and disturbances requires a deeper and more extensive analysis. In this study, we found that three ungulate species, roe deer (Capreolus pygargus), sika deer (Cervus nippon), and wild boar (Sus scrofa), employ robust, conservative, and flexible distribution strategies, respectively, to adapt to the effects of seasonal changes and human disturbances. Moreover, croplands, villages, and grazing have some negative effects on the distribution of roe deer and sika deer, while wild boar can be highly abundant near human land use. Additionally, roe deer, sika deer, and wild boar are also affected by the abundance of shrub species they consume. During the cold season, the populations of the Amur tiger (Panthera tigris altaica) and Amur leopard (P. pardus orientalis) were primarily located near roads and dense forests, respectively. In the warm season, the distribution of both big cats was influenced by prey abundance, and Amur tigers also avoided grazing livestock. Nevertheless, the negative effects of human land use on Amur tigers and wild boars increased during the warm season, which was attributed to more frequent human activities during that time. Consequently, it is crucial to implement season-specific habitat management, particularly by regulating human disturbances during the warm season, in order to promote the recovery and expansion of populations of big cats and ungulates.

Beyond Park Boundaries: Exploring The Effect of Surrounding Land Use on Sound Levels of ParksBeyond Park Boundaries: Exploring The Effect of Surrounding Land Use on Sound Levels of Parks

Urban parks in big cities can help reduce noise while providing spaces for recreation and rest, but their size, location and surroundings can limit their environmental benefits. This article will discuss how surrounding land use affects noise levels in a particular park, as well as how park landscaping can limit noise exposure. Four study areas were selected from Kuala Lumpur and Putrajaya to highlight a range of land uses, locations and park sizes. The sound levels were measured twice for each site-morning and evening-using measurement points along the park path and the SL-5868P sound level meter. The results showed that the study area exceeded the recommended noise limit of 55dBA as stipulated by Malaysian Noise Limit and World Health Organization guidelines. In addition, there was a pattern of influence on the measured noise levels based on land use and landscape around the park. Parks located in dense land use have higher noise levels, but have lower variation in noise levels within the park due to higher surrounding noise levels, compared to parks with more than 87% tree cover. The KLCC park, with 76% tree cover, has an overall higher noise level of more than 60dBA, indicating that the tree cover serves as a noise barrier for the park. Therefore, park planning should be tailored to its location and environment, while landscaping can be used to reduce noise levels and keep them within noise limits. In the future, the soundscape idea may be taken into account to enhance Malaysia's park environment.

Expansion of apple cultivation increases the abundance of codling moth (Cydia pomonella) in agricultural landscapes of China.

Agricultural land-use change is an important driver of pest population dynamics, and can alter source-sink dynamics and the concentration-dilution effects of the landscape. Understanding the effects of land use on pests at both landscape and regional levels is essential for the development of sustainable pest management strategies given the large changes occurring in cropping systems in China. At the landscape level, we investigated the impacts of landscape composition and edge density on pheromone trap catch of codling moth (Cydia pomonella) in apple orchards, in Aksu, Xinjiang, China. At the regional scale, we conducted a meta-analysis using data from studies performed across the Aksu area in recent decades, to assess the relationship between trends in codling moth abundance and the area of apple cultivation. Both extensive planting of apple and large areas of annual crops in the landscape increased the abundance of codling moth, whereas the presence of secondary host plants (peach, pear, walnut, plum, and apricot) had a negative effect. Seminatural habitats and landscape edge density did not significantly affect codling moth abundance. The responses of different generations of codling moth to landscape factors were varied. At the regional level, codling moth occurrence was positively correlated with the expansion of apple production areas. Expansion of apple cultivation increases the abundance of codling moth in agricultural landscapes. We recommend decreasing the area devoted to monocultures of apple when designing agricultural landscapes and increasing plantings of secondary host crops to dilute and reduce the abundance of codling moth. © 2024 Society of Chemical Industry.

Inferring the heterogeneous effect of urban land use on building height with causal machine learning

ABSTRACT Machine learning has become an important approach for land use change modeling. However, conventional machine learning algorithms are limited in their ability to capture causal relationships in land use change, which are important knowledge for planners and decision makers. In this study, we showcase the usefulness of causal machine learning to understand the heterogeneous causal effect of changing land use on building height through a case study in Shenzhen, China. Also, by leveraging the power of causal machine learning, we identify the key conditions under which greater building height change would occur after land use interventions. The results suggest that building height would increase by 3.68 floors and 1.61 floors on average if industrial land is converted to residential and commercial, respectively, and 2.35 floors if commercial land is changed to residential land. The heterogeneity of causal effect is also captured for different land use change scenarios. The factor analysis based on the decision tree algorithm reveals the key conditions on which greater building height increase would occur by changing land use. Overall, this study can contribute to literature by providing an effective approach to counterfactual land use change modeling with enhanced explainability.

Correction to: The effect of land use and land cover changes on soil erosion in semi-arid areas using cloud‑based google earth engine platform and GIS‑based RUSLE model

Correction to: The effect of land use and land cover changes on soil erosion in semi-arid areas using cloud‑based google earth engine platform and GIS‑based RUSLE model

Investigating the dynamic nature of landslide susceptibility in the Indian Himalayan region.

Landslide susceptibility zonation (LSZ) mapping is used to delineate areas prone to landslides and is critical for effective landslide hazard management. The existing methodologies for generating such maps tend to neglect the influence of dynamic environmental variables on landslide occurrences, which may lead to obsolete and erroneous estimates of landslide susceptibility (LS) for a concerned area. Although recent studies have started to report the effects of Land Use/ Land Cover (LULC) variation on LSZ mapping, variations in other dynamic variables like rainfall, soil moisture, and evapotranspiration apart from LULC may also influence slope stability in mountainous regions. The present study investigates the impact of variations in these four variables on the LS distribution, of a selected Indian Himalayan region between 2017 and 2021. Random Forest (RF) susceptibility models are utilized for evaluating the LS for the selected years and geospatial technologies are employed for LS change detection. The results indicate up to 19% variations in the spatial extent for some of the zones of the generated LSZ maps. The research findings of this study are crucial since they reveal the impact of dynamic behavior on LS, which has not been previously documented in the literature.

Exploring the relationship between land-use and pesticides in freshwater ecosystem: A case study of the Araguaia River Basin, Brazil

Freshwater aquatic ecosystems are vulnerable to human activities within their surroundings, presenting a concerning scenario for aquatic organisms and human subsistence. Therefore, understanding the occurrence of pesticide contamination is a necessary condition to safeguard aquatic biodiversity and human health. We analysed the pesticide residues in water samples, using the solid-phase extraction (SPE) technique and determination by ultra performance liquid chromatography coupled with tandem mass spectrometry (UPLC‒MS/MS). We also we investigated whether land use influences water contamination by pesticides in the middle and upper Araguaia River basin, situated in the central region of Brazil in the Cerrado biome. We evaluated the effect of land use and land cover type on pesticide occurrence in nine subbasins using mixed linear models. We registered the occurrence of pesticides in all subbasins. After water analysis a total of eight pesticides were found: atrazine, carbendazim, cyanazine, imidacloprid, 2,4-D, clomazone, chlorpyrifos-ethyl, and imazalil. Atrazine and carbendazim were detected during both sampling years. The active ingredient atrazine and clomazone were registered in all studied subbasins, with concentrations ranged from 0.006–0.207 µg L−1 and 0.183–0.373 µg L−1, respectively. There were no significant relationships observed between the number of pesticides and the type of land use and land cover, a result possibly related to the short sampling period, as these pesticides are largely used for fungi and insect control in agricultural areas. The presence of pesticides in the water may have potentially detrimental effects on aquatic biodiversity because sampled pesticides have been associated with anomalies in ontogenetic development, diseases, and mortality in organisms. Based on European legislation, it was evident that most of the subbasins had pesticide concentrations in the water exceeding the safety levels for human consumption. Thus, it is crucial for Brazilian legislation to establish maximum limits for pesticide concentrations in water to ensure safe drinking water for the Brazilian population. Additionally, a permanent monitoring system should be established to understand contamination trends in this basin and to take appropriate actions to mitigate adverse impacts.

Land use is a stronger determinant of ecological network complexity than the number of trophic levels.

Land modification causes biodiversity loss and ecosystem modification. Despite many studies on the impacts of this factor, there is little empirical evidence on how it affects the interaction networks of plants, herbivores and their natural enemies; likewise, there is little evidence on how those networks change due to differences in the complexity of the communities they comprise. We analyzed the effects of land use and number of trophic levels on the interaction networks of exotic legume species and their associated arthropods. We collected seedpods from five exotic legume species (one of them invasive) in four land use types (urbanization, roadside, L. leucocephala plantation, wooded pasture) on Santa Cruz Island in the Galapagos, and obtained all arthropods that emerged from the seeds. Then, we built and analyzed the interaction networks for each land use at two community scales, each with different numbers of trophic levels: (1) three levels: plant-seed beetle-parasitoid (PSP), and (2) more than three levels: plant-seed beetle-parasitoid-predator and other trophic guilds (PSPP). Land use was more relevant than number of trophic levels in the configuration of species interactions. The number of species and interactions was highest on roadsides at PSPP and lowest in plantations at PSP. We found a significant effect of land use on connectance and interaction evenness (IE), and no significant effect of number of trophic levels on connectance, diversity or IE. The simultaneous analysis of land use and number of trophic levels enabled the identification of more complex patterns of community structure. Comparison of the patterns we found among islands and between exotic and native legumes is recommended. Understanding the structure of the communities analyzed here, as well as the relative contribution of their determinants of change, would allow us to develop conservation plans according to the dynamics of these neo-ecosystems.

Effect of Long-Term Different Land Uses on Improving Stable Humic Compounds in Arenosol

There has not been enough research conducted on the effect of land use on the composition of humus in Arenosols. This long-term study (1995–2022) aimed to determine the differences in the formation of humic compounds in the natural and agricultural ecosystems of Arenosols. Soil samples were collected from six plots at two soil depths (0–15 and 15–25 cm), with four replicates. Conclusions were reached based on the results of the accumulation of humic substances (HSs) and their qualitative fractional composition, C/N ratio, humification degree (HD), and the optical properties of the humus substances. Afforestation, after 27 years, significantly increased (+6.7 g kg−1) the soil organic carbon (SOC) and influenced the qualitative composition of HS: HA + FA 79.3% of the SOC. Grassland cultivation showed faster (+3.8 g kg−1) SOC sequestration, a higher HA/FA ratio, and an increased HD. Arenosols may be used in crop rotation with approximately 40% leguminous plants to maintain a stable humus balance. Additionally, the effects of mineral fertilisers on the humification processes and humus quality of +2.59 g kg−1 SOC, +1.27 g kg−1 humin in crop rotation, +3.26 g kg−1 SOC, and 2.82 g kg−1 humin in a grass cultivation field were established. For SOC accumulation and a larger humus amount of a better quality, it is recommended that an Arenosol is used, as it is suitable for use in perennial cut grasslands, natural grasslands, and pine afforestation.

Incorporating small‐scale disturbances in models of forest structure and aboveground biomass of tropical mountains

AbstractSeveral efforts have been made to model forest structure and estimate global aboveground biomass (AGB) magnitude and distribution. However, AGB models still show large uncertainties, especially over tropical mountains that are difficult to survey and understudied. Although forest disturbance and land use greatly influence forest structure and AGB accumulation, they are rarely considered in forest structure and AGB models. Including the effect of forest disturbance and land use could improve model performance. In this study, we used Landsat time series analysis and forest inventory data to assess and model the effect of small‐scale disturbance and land use on tropical montane forest structure and AGB. We explored two approaches: abrupt forest change detection, using the algorithm Breaks For Additive Seasonal Trend (BFAST), and gradual vegetation change by calculating the variation of remote sensing vegetation indices over time. We found that tropical montane landscapes are very dynamic and heterogenous. Out of the 284 forest plots analyzed, 27% had abrupt disturbances at least once between 1993 and 2014, and some of them showed abrupt disturbances several times. Forest plots with abrupt disturbances exhibit statistically significant lower basal area, tree height, and AGB than plots without abrupt disturbances. Using linear mixed‐effects models, we found that the number of breakpoints, annual Normalized Difference Vegetation Index SD, and Normalized Difference Water Index minimum values over time were the most informative variables for predicting forest structure, particularly basal area (adjusted R2 = 0.61). These variables are easy to calculate and could add significant power to forest structure and AGB models. In conclusion, incorporating small‐scale disturbance to model forest structure and AGB at regional scales is feasible through the identification of recent abrupt and gradual forest change using remote sensing time series. Including recent forest disturbance variables as predictors in forest structure models can greatly improve biomass predictability and mapping in dynamic landscapes.

Short‐ and long‐term legacies of carbon sequestration, and nutrient burial in floodplain wetlands of agricultural and forested catchments, Indiana, United States

AbstractSoil organic carbon (C) sequestration and nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) burial were measured in two floodplain wetlands' soils of the West Fork of the White River watershed (Indiana, United States) whose catchments differed in land use to better understand how land use practices affect wetland C and nutrient retention. The catchment of one floodplain, Upper West Fork, is dominated by row crop agriculture (61%) whereas the second catchment, Beanblossom Creek, is mostly forested (85%). Soils (0–30 cm) of the two floodplain wetlands had similar bulk density (1.23 g/cm3). Soil organic C and N were low in both floodplains but the percent organic C and N was two times greater (3.3% C, 0.22% N) in the agricultural floodplain than in the floodplain in the forested catchment (1.5% C, 0.14% N). Soil P was three times greater in the agricultural (1100 μg/g) than in the forested floodplain (350 μg/g). Recent soil accretion based on 137Cs which provides a historical record since 1964 (60 years), was two times greater in the agricultural floodplain (2.2 mm/year) than in the forested catchment (1.0 mm/year). Sediment deposition (2500 g/m2/year), C sequestration (90 g/m2/year), and N burial (7.5 g/m2/year) were three times greater in the agricultural floodplain and P burial was seven times greater (3.0 vs. 0.41 g/m2/year). Long‐term measurements (100 years) based on 210Pb did not show large differences in C sequestration and N burial between the two floodplains though soil accretion and sediment deposition were greater in the forested floodplain. We attribute these higher rates to greater erosion in the watershed before 1950 when the catchment had more agricultural land and before instruction on best management practices to reduce soil erosion. These findings confirm previously published studies that show that P enrichment and accumulation in floodplain soils represent legacy effects of agricultural land use in the catchment.

Estimating Soil Erosion and the Effect of Changing Land Use and Land Cover in the Bringi Catchment’s Devalgam Watershed Using RS and GIS

Abstract: One of the main factors contributing to soil degradation worldwide is soil erosion. The geographical variability of erosion at the Devalgam watershed was evaluated using the Revised Universal Soil Loss Equation (RUSLE) model in a GIS environment. DEM ASTER (30 m × 30 m). The model was fed with annual rainfall data from 1990, 2000, 2010, and 2020 as well as soil and LULC maps. In the Devalgam watershed, the mean annual soil loss ranged from 0 to 127.32, 140.34, 146.49, and 187.23 t/ha/yr for the years 1990, 2000, 2010, and 2020. The mean annual sol loss was calculated to be 16.6, 18.3,19.1, and 22.08 t/ha/yr. According to a zonal statistical analysis of soil erosion for various types of land cover, open forests and barren areas were more likely to experience erosion with the least susceptible to erosion were vegetation, built-up areas, orchards, and agriculture, with estimates of 85.12 and 52.35 t/ha/yr, respectively. According to the current study, managing natural resources is increasingly dependent on the LULC change in the Devalgam Watershed. GIS and remote sensing technologies have shown to be useful tools for analyzing LU/LC changes on a watershed-by-watershed basis. Six LU/LC classes were used to categorize the study area: built-up, barren terrain, vegetation, farmland, woodland, and orchards. and it was discovered that, out of the total area, or 2058.618 hectares, the least area was covered by orchards (0.5%), while the highest area was covered by forest (30.5%), followed by barren ground (25.7%). The examination of the overlay of analysis of the changes from 1990 to 2020 was conducted using LANDSAT-5 1990 over LANDSAT-8 OLI 2020. The findings also indicate that whereas the area under agricultural, builtup areas, barren land, and orchards expanded by 123%, 36.5%, 0.5%, and 36.4%, respectively, the area under forests and vegetation dropped by 17.3% and 48%. With a kappa coefficient of 0.84, 0.71, 0.75, and 0.87, respectively, the overall accuracy for the categorized imageries LANDSAT-5 (1990), LANDSAT-7 (2000), LANDSAT-7 TM (2010), and LANDSAT-8 OLI (2020) was determined to be 86.6%, 76.6%, 80%, and 90%.respectively

Disclosing the effects of climate, land use, and water demand as drivers of hydrological trends in a Mediterranean river basin

Mediterranean basins face significant water scarcity which demands examining long-term data to prospect their trends in water availability and quality. This study focuses on The Onyar River (Inner Catalan basins, NE Spain), to explore its historical streamflow changes, the influencing climatic and land-use factors, and the consequential impacts on water quality. We analyse key hydro-climatic variables—streamflow, precipitation, temperature, and evapotranspiration (both PET and AET)— across a 60-year span (1960 -2020) and their relationship with recent stream water chemistry data (2007-2020). We compare these patterns to the changes in land use, and to the variations in water demand according to urban use, livestock, and crop production estimates. Our findings highlight a consistent decline in streamflow, most pronounced over the last two decades, accompanied by an increase in PET, and a probable decrease in groundwater recharge. Notably, these changes co-occurred with higher concentrations of river water ammonium and nitrate. We attribute these patterns to changes in land use such as afforestation and intensive fertilization, as well as increased groundwater withdrawal, particularly during irrigation seasons. Additional factors include growing urban water demand and the discharges of treated wastewater back into the river system. This study offers a comprehensive overview of the declining water quantity and quality in the Onyar River, attributing these trends to an interplay of climatic and anthropogenic factors. The findings underscore the need for integrated water resource management strategies to mitigate the implications of these changes.

Effects of climate, land use, and human population change on human–elephant conflict risk in Africa and Asia

Human-wildlife conflict is an important factor in the modern biodiversity crisis and has negative effects on both humans and wildlife (such as property destruction, injury, or death) that can impede conservation efforts for threatened species. Effectively addressing conflict requires an understanding of where it is likely to occur, particularly as climate change shifts wildlife ranges and human activities globally. Here, we examine how projected shifts in cropland density, human population density, and climatic suitability-three key drivers of human-elephant conflict-will shift conflict pressures for endangered Asian and African elephants to inform conflict management in a changing climate. We find that conflict risk (cropland density and/or human population density moving into the 90th percentile based on current-day values) increases in 2050, with a larger increase under the high-emissions "regional rivalry" SSP3 - RCP 7.0 scenario than the low-emissions "sustainability" SSP1 - RCP 2.6 scenario. We also find a net decrease in climatic suitability for both species along their extended range boundaries, with decreasing suitability most often overlapping increasing conflict risk when both suitability and conflict risk are changing. Our findings suggest that as climate changes, the risk of conflict with Asian and African elephants may shift and increase and managers should proactively mitigate that conflict to preserve these charismatic animals.

Bovine anaplasmosis in Zimbabwe: spatio-temporal distribution and environmental drivers

Understanding the spatial and temporal distribution of Bovine anaplasmosis is crucial for identifying areas of high prevalence for targeted disease control. This research was aimed at modelling and mapping the B. anaplasmosis potential distribution, and identify hotspots as well as significant variables explaining the occurrence of the disease. The Getis Ord G i * statistic for Hotspot analysis was used as well as MaxEnt ecological niche modelling. The effects of time, land-use, and agro-ecological regions on B. anaplasmosis occurrence were tested using Analysis of Variance (ANOVA). Results showed that several districts in Zimbabwe are suitable for the occurence of the disease for example Binga, Seke, Buhera, Kwekwe, Gweru, Mhondoro, Chegutu, Sanyati, and in the North: Mbire, Muzarabani, Mt Darwin, Shamva, Bindura, Zvimba and Makonde. Morbidity and mortality hotspots were detected in Gokwe-south, Kwekwe, and Chirumhanzu districts. Binga, Gokwe-south, Gutu, Hurungwe, Mazoe, Nkayi, Shamva, and Kwekwe districts also experienced high disease incidences. Temperature seasonality, precipitation seasonality, mean diurnal range, and isothermality were the most important variables in explaining 93% of B. anaplasmosis distribution. Unlike land-use and agro-ecological regions, time (months) had a significant effect on B. anaplasmosis occurrence with July and September having significantly (p < 0.05) higher cases and deaths than the rest of the months. The results of this study provide insights into the management strategies and control of B. anaplasmosis in Zimbabwe. It is thus concluded that geo-spatial techniques, combined with ecological niche modelling can provide useful insights into disease prevalence and distribution and hence can contribute to effective management and control of B. anaplasmosis in Zimbabwe.

PENGARUH BEBERAPA TIPE PENGGUNAAN LAHAN TERHADAP SIFAT KIMIA TANAH DI KECAMATAN WULA WAIJELU KABUPATEN SUMBA TIMUR

The availability of nutrients in the soil is also very important whether the soil conditions are low, medium or high. It is important to know the chemical properties of the soil, because they can be used as a basis for determining the type and dose of fertilizer. This research was conducted to determine the effect of land use on the chemical properties of soil in the Wula Waijelu subdistrict, East Sumba Regency. This research was conducted from December 2023 to January 2024. The methods used in this research were survey methods and laboratory analysis. Determining the sampling location was carried out using the purposive sampling method (done deliberately by looking at land use at the research location). The parameters observed were P-total, K-total, base saturation (KB), cation exchange capacity (CEC), pH, C-organic. The results of the research show that land use (rice fields, plantations/gardens, moors/farms and shrubs) does not have a real influence on soil chemical properties such as total P, total K, KB, CEC, pH and C-organic in Wulla Waijelu sub-district, Regency East Sumba. The shrub land use type gave the highest values for P-total (39.44 ppm), K-total (0.73 me/100 g), base saturation (KB) (75.04%). Cation exchange capacity (CEC) with the highest value in field land use, pH in neutral and alkaline conditions while C-organic with the highest value in paddy field use

The legacy of millennial-scale land-use practices on landscape composition, diversity and slope erosion in the subalpine areas of Eastern Carpathians, Romania

We conducted multi-proxy analyses in two subalpine lakes, Lake Gropile, in the Rodna Mountains and Lake Vinderelu in the Maramureș Mountains, the Eastern Carpathians, Romania, to investigate the effect of different land-use practices on landscape composition, diversity and slope erosion. In the case of Lake Gropile, results evidenced a more extended tree and shrub cover and high fire activity between 6400 and 2800 cal yr BP, accompanied by reduced soil erosion, which appeared more strongly regulated by climatic conditions. Anthropogenic impact became evident 2800 years ago, when landscape openness, pasturing, and disturbance of soil cover increased and intensified over the last four centuries. In the case of Lake Vinderelu, intensified burning was followed by grazing around 1200–1100 cal yr BP and continued throughout the last millennium. Results also highlight the site-specific effects of land-use on vegetation composition and landscape diversity. For Lake Vinderelu, a combined effect of local burning and grazing in removing shrub cover appear to be the main drivers of changes in landscape diversity and structure. At Lake Gropile, fire was more connected to shrub cover changes while grazing to herbaceous cover diversity. Moderate to low grazing appeared to benefit both subalpine ecosystems, creating rich grassland-shrub mosaic communities, while overgrazing reduced landscape diversity and exacerbated erosion. Our findings document the millennial-scale legacy of land-use practices on the subalpine landscapes in this region. We propose that these semi-natural ecosystems hold important ecological and cultural value, and recommend their maintenance through controlled, low intensity pasturing and/or burning.