Land Area Research Articles

Relationship between regional economic development and its associated land use changes: A case study of Shaanxi province in China

Land use (LU) policies exert a profound influence on socio-economic dynamics. However, the intricate relationship between these two aspects has yet to receive comprehensive examination, especially when focusing on specific LU types and smaller-scale geographical regions. We, therefore, elucidate the complex interplay between economic development, urbanization levels, and LU changes, drawing from extensive datasets concerning LU and economic activities in Shaanxi, China. This region holds particular significance as it represents an emerging economy with a strategic role in the national economic landscape. The LU change was assessed by two indicators, comprehensive index of land use degree (CILUD) and single land use dynamic degree (SLUDD). Three findings were yielded. First, the rapid progress in socio-economic indicators is significantly underpinned by environmentally sustainable economic development practices, thereby underscoring the potential resolution of the perennial dilemma between economic growth and environmental conservation. Second, the tension between the conversion of arable land and the process of urbanization, which stimulates regional economic growth, poses a considerable challenge to maintaining sustainable agriculture and ensuring future food security. Third, the reserved land area should not be occupied without constrains for inland regions. We consequently propose suggestions aimed at addressing these dilemmas by constructing environment-friendly economy, halting urbanization expansion by increasing LU density, halting the occupation of reserved land, and increasing cropping efficiency. Together, these strategies potentially do not only advance progress towards the Agenda for Sustainable Development Goals but also greatly boost the regional economy.

Can limiting global temperature rise to below 2°C warming prevent the emergence of unprecedented drought?

In the context of anthropogenic global warming, unprecedented drought is expected to emerge over some regions where drought conditions exceed the variation range of the natural state. However, it is still unclear how the 1.5°C and 2°C warming targets proposed by the Paris Agreement will delay or even prevent the emergence of unprecedented drought. To illustrate the benefits of the two warming targets for mitigating drought conditions, this study investigated the time of emergence (TOE) of unprecedented meteorological drought as indicated by the Standardized Precipitation Evapotranspiration Index (SPEI) using the Coupled Model Intercomparison Project Phase 6 (CMIP6) model ensembles forced by 4 Shared Socioeconomic Pathways (SSP1-2.6, SSP2-4.5, SSP3-7.0, and SSP5-8.5). In particular, the pattern of TOE is explored for 4 pseudo warming scenarios under which global mean surface temperature (GMST) increases by 1.5°C, 2°C, 3°C, and 4°C above pre-industrial levels, respectively. The results suggested that: (1) Under the 1.5°C and 2°C warming scenarios, unprecedented meteorological drought is anticipated to emerge over southern Africa, Arabian Peninsula, central Asia, Mongolia, southwestern South America, and western and eastern Australia. (2) Under the 3°C and 4°C warming scenarios, unprecedented meteorological drought will expand to western North America, the Amazon, and the Mediterranean. (3) The comparisons with the exposure under the 3°C and 4°C warming scenarios show that the aspirational 1.5°C and 2°C Paris Agreement warming targets can prevent at least 0.6 × 107 km2 of land area, 1.4 × 108 people, and 0.6 × 106 km2 of cropland area from suffering the emergence of unprecedented meteorological drought.

An Assessment of Landscape Perception Using a Normalised Naturalness Index in the Greater Seoul Area

This study analysed the greater Seoul area (GSA) in terms of naturalness, a representative indicator of natural scenic beauty, and created an assessment map, shifting from a traditional urban development perspective to a landscape perspective. It also developed a “normalised naturalness index” by combining the results of the expert metric score with the Hemeroby index, which was used as a naturalness assessment representative item. Then, it interpreted the naturalness status of the GSA landscape characteristics. As a result, the landscape of the GSA demonstrates the following five characteristics: First, the central business districts in the capital city of Seoul are densely developed areas with a very high degree of human intervention. Second, the satellite cities built to solve Seoul’s housing and logistics problems are rated as “a little less, but still heavily humanised” as a landscape characteristic. These areas are becoming increasingly humanised. Also, it is worth noting that the third characteristic, regarding moderate landscape areas, has a distinctly different meaning for areas outside of the city boundary, as well as those within the city boundary. Although these areas are in the same statistical category, they have two different meanings: one is the area where the average values converged on “moderate” by virtue of urban forests near the city centre, and the other is the area outside of Seoul that has a Hemeroby value of 0.5–0.6, which refers to open spaces such as agricultural lands, wetlands, or coastal areas. Fourth, suburban forests are reserved with legal restrictions to curb excessive urban sprawl, as well as parts of the demilitarised zone along the border areas of North and South Koreas. The last landscape characteristic is illustrated in the scenic area of the eastern woodlands. The normalised landscape naturalness index developed through this study provides an overall understanding of the environmental state of the GSA. Future research may build on the results of this study to refine methods for assessing public perceptions of naturalness.

Deforestation‐Driven Increases in Shallow Clouds Are Greatest in Drier, Low‐Aerosol Regions of Southeast Asia

AbstractAnthropogenic activity drives extensive tropical deforestation, particularly in Southeast Asia where 16% of total forest cover was lost between 2000 and 2020. While land surface changes significantly affect the atmosphere, their net impact on convective clouds is not well‐constrained. Here, we use satellite data to demonstrate long‐term deforestation in Southeast Asia robustly alters cloud properties and provide the first observational evidence that the magnitude of this response depends on the atmospheric environment. Deforestation drives a shift toward more widespread, shallower clouds during the daytime, with amplified effects in dry inland areas compared with moist coastal regions. Aerosols only weakly modulate the cloud fraction response, but offset the cloud top height response to deforestation, suggesting the influence of aerosol indirect effects. We conclude that the local signature of forest loss is not uniform, and regional differences in climatology must be considered when assessing deforestation impacts on clouds and the climate system.

The Concurrent Application of Phosphogypsum and Modified Biochar as Soil Amendments Influence Sandy Soil Quality and Wheat Productivity

Sandy soil covers a significant portion of Egypt’s total land area, representing a crucial agricultural resource for future food security and economic growth. This research adopts the hypothesis of maximizing the utilization of secondary products for soil improvement to reduce ecosystem pollution. The study focuses on assessing the impact of combining phosphogypsum and modified biochar as environmentally friendly soil amendments on loamy sand soil quality parameters such as soil organic carbon, cation exchange capacity, nutrient levels, and wheat yield. The treatments were T1: the recommended NPK fertilizer (control); T2: 2.5 kg phosphogypsum m−2 soil; T3: 2.5 kg rice straw biochar m−2 soil; T4: 2.5 kg cotton stalk biochar m−2 soil; T5: 2.5 kg rice-straw-modified biochar m−2 soil; T6: 2.5 kg cotton-stalk-modified biochar m−2 soil; and T7 to T10: mixed phosphogypsum and biochar treatments. The results revealed that the combined use of phosphogypsum and modified cotton stalk biochar (T10) significantly enhanced soil organic carbon (SOC) by 73.66% and 99.46% in both seasons, the soil available N both seasons by 130.12 and 161.45%, the available P by 89.49% and 102.02%, and the available K by 39.84 and 70.45% when compared to the control treatment. Additionally, this treatment led to the highest grain yield of wheat (2.72 and 2.92 Mg ha−1), along with a significant increase in straw yield (52.69% and 59.32%) compared to the control treatment. Overall, the findings suggest that the combined use of phosphogypsum and modified biochar, particularly cotton-stalk biochar, holds promise for improving loamy sand-soil quality and wheat productivity.

Understanding the link between climate change adaptation and household food security among shrimp farmers in Indonesia

This study investigates the impact of climate change adaptation strategies on household food security in Indonesia based on a comprehensive analysis of data from 445 shrimp farmers. Employing the innovative Two Stage Predictor Substitution (2SPS) method, the research reveals key determinants influencing farmers' decisions to adopt adaptation measures. Factors such as mechanization, proximity to main roads, cultivated land area, participation in field schools, and individual perceptions of climate change significantly affect climate change adaptation. Importantly, the study uncovers a strong positive relationship between the level of adaptation implemented and household food security among shrimp farmers. This correlation means that the more intense the adaptation practices are, the better the household food security status will be. This study also demonstrates that the impact of climate change adaptation on food security is particularly pronounced among farmers with lower income levels and smaller cultivated land areas. This positive effect diminishes for households with higher income levels and larger land areas. These findings underscore the need to tailor adaptation strategies, particularly for small-scale farmers, and customize interventions to ensure food security in the face of climate change challenges.

Measuring the Gains and Losses of Virtual Water Flows in China’s Coastal Areas

The virtual water flow behind product trade provides researchers with ideas to alleviate water problems in China’s coastal areas, with accompanying resource and economic implications. This paper adopts a multi-region input–output model to calculate virtual water flows in coastal areas and analyses resource benefits and economic benefits, by combining the water stress index and shadow price, to measure gains and losses of virtual water flow. This study shows that (1) China’s coastal areas depends on external water supplies; (2) virtual water flows between coastal and inland areas generated 38.26 billion m3 of net scarce water savings and CNY 31,751 billion of net economic benefits, indicating that coastal areas benefited from virtual water flows from both resource and economic perspectives; (3) virtual water flows among coastal provinces and cities caused 11.10 billion m3 of net scarce water losses, but generated CNY 9784 billion of net economic gains, indicating that a further intensification of water stress in coastal areas, but such a virtual water flow pattern was beneficial from an economic perspective. This paper reveals the resource and economic impacts of virtual water flow at the national scale and among coastal provinces and cities and further proposes suggestions for promoting the beneficial flow of virtual water in coastal areas.

Spatiotemporal Evolution and Impact Mechanisms of Gross Primary Productivity in Tropics

Gross primary productivity (GPP), representing organic carbon fixation through photosynthesis, is crucial for developing science-based strategies for sustainable development. Given that the tropical region harbors nearly half of all species, it plays a pivotal role in safeguarding the global environment against climate change and preserving global biodiversity. Thus, investigating changes in vegetation productivity within this region holds substantial practical importance for estimating global vegetation productivity. In this study, we employed an enhanced P model to estimate vegetation GPP in the tropical region from 2001 to 2020, based on which we quantified the spatiotemporal changes and associated mechanisms. The results reveal that the annual mean GPP in the tropical region ranged from 2603.9 to 2757.1 g·cm−2 a−1, demonstrating an overall apparent increasing trend. Inland areas were mainly influenced by precipitation, while coastal areas were primarily influenced by temperature. Land cover changes, especially conversion to cropland, significantly influence GPP, with deciduous—evergreen forest transitions causing notable decreases. Climate change emerges as the dominant factor affecting GPP, as indicated by the contribution rate analysis. This research interprets the spatiotemporal pattern and mechanisms of GPP in the tropics, offering valuable insights for sustainable ecosystem management.

Response of soft rock and sand compound soil structure to freeze-thaw cycles in Mu Us Sandy Land, China

In order to accurately understand the relationship between soil structure and climate feedback in the frozen soil area of Mu Us Sandy Land, China, and to explore the key control factors for the structural stability of soft rock and sand compound soil under freeze-thaw environment, the indoor freeze-thaw simulation experiment was applied. The results show that the freeze-thaw period, clay content, organic matter and their interactions have significant effects on the stability of composite soil aggregates. After 10 freeze-thaw cycles, the aggregate content in the 1:0, 1:1, 1:2, and 1:5 composite soil with a diameter greater than 1 mm decreased by 55%, 34%, 44%, and 57%, while the aggregate content with a diameter less than 1 mm increased by 91%, 70%, 66%, and 87%, and the aggregate composition of each particle size is mainly concentrated in the range of 0.25–0.5 mm. Under freeze-thaw conditions, the changes of clay and aggregate content in different proportions of composite soil is the same, all showing 1:1>1:2:>1:5, and 1:1 composite soil with >0.25 mm aggregate content is the highest. Under freeze-thaw alternations, 1:1, 1:2 and 1:5 composite soil aggregates (<0.5 mm) showed a significant positive correlation with soil organic matter, while there is no significant correlation between large aggregates (>1 mm) and soil organic matter. In conclusion, the freeze-thaw cycle reduces the structural stability of composite soil aggregates, and clay are the key controlling factors for the formation and structural stability of composite soil aggregates.

Tangible or intangible satisfiers? Comparative study of visitor satisfaction in a nature-based tourism destination in the pre- and during-COVID pandemic

Nature-based destinations started to become objects of travel for various visitor segments during the COVID-19 pandemic. The changing environment and the travel conditions influence overall visitor satisfaction and its determinants. This study identifies the role of tangible and intangible factors in forming overall visitor satisfaction with a stay in a nature-based tourism destination and their changes due to the COVID-19 pandemic. A Generalized Linear Model with a logit link function was used to identify the significant satisfiers and to determine the factors that play a critical role in visitor satisfaction in the during-COVID era compared to the pre-COVID period. The results show that intangible satisfiers play a more significant role than tangible ones in the COVID time. Surprisingly, natural features are insignificant in explaining overall satisfaction at a nature-based destination in the during-COVID in comparison with the pre-COVID period. In contrast, active sports options have become a significant satisfier in the COVID era. This comparison results contribute to the current theory, and the findings indicate the practical implications for Destination Management Organisations regarding sustainable tourism development. Management implications•Destination Management Organisations (DMO) in nature-based destinations should become more conscious of changing visitor structures concerning destination satisfaction.•DMOs could focus more on promoting activities such as active sports options and tourism infrastructure than natural features regarding current visitor preferences; however, sustainability should be a fundamental goal of competitive tourism destinations.•There is a need to carefully deal with the expanding tourism infrastructure development and prevent uncontrolled growth of commercial activities and attractions that would act against the interests of residents and endanger the value of the natural environment.•DMOs should educate the changing visitors about the importance of responsible tourism.•DMOs should focus on environmental-friendly activities which do not negatively impact nature in terms of using land and natural areas for commercial activities and construction.•DMOs should make efforts to attract their environmental sensitive pre-COVID visitors and target new segments searching for health and sustainability, such as the Lifestyle of Health and Sustainability (LOHAS) segment and the Free Independent Travellers (FIT).

Farmer-Agropastoralist Conflict Escalation in Morogoro Region, Tanzania: A Structural and Process Analysis

In Africa, access to natural resources such as land, water, forest, and wildlife reserve areas is a key factor for socio-economic development. The scarcity and degradation of these resources in rural environments threaten human security, leading to conflicts. Conflicts between agropastoralists and farmers are increasing in Tanzania. This research deployed the Social Conflict Theory that embeds structural and process elements to address the question of why and how the conflict between farmers and agropastoralists has escalated into deadly violence in the Morogoro region, Tanzania. Qualitative and ethnographic research methods were used. Results demonstrate that the way farmers lose their land by illegal means (e.g., bribes, force and coercion, and deception and stealth) is a critical factor that contributes more to land resource conflicts. We argue that land resource-related conflicts in Tanzania cannot be explained solely by a single driver (e.g., limited land resources), but by a combination of drivers including the illegal mechanisms used to control access to land resources. Conflicts between farmers and agropastoralists in the Morogoro region escalated to violence following the general patterns and transformation dynamics (i.e., process variables) described in Social Conflict Theory. These process variables involve tactics shifting from light to heavy, goals shifting from specific to general, and involvement shifting from few to many. The analysis of conflicts by focusing on process variables (conflict dynamics) enabled the identification of new factors (culture and age of participant in the conflict) that helped explain why some conflicts between farmers and agropastoralists escalate to deadly violence. The study recommends the formation of a loose coalition (e.g., Elders’ Tribunal) which includes equal representation of members from the farmer and agropastoralist communities which may help solve the current conundrum caused by top-down administrative procedures and practices, which often leads to outcomes that are ineffective and unsatisfactory to all parties

What remains to be discovered: A global assessment of tree species inventory completeness

AbstractAimRecent unprecedented efforts to digitise and mobilise biodiversity data have resulted in the generation of ‘biodiversity big data’, enabling ecological research at scales previously not possible. However, gaps, biases and uncertainties in these data influence analytical outcomes and the validity of scientific research and conservation actions. Here, we estimated tree species inventory completeness globally and identified where future surveys should focus to maximise regional inventories.LocationGlobal.MethodsWe analysed spatial patterns in sampling effort of tree species occurrence records from the Global Biodiversity and Information Facility (GBIF) and estimated global tree species inventory completeness for 100 × 100 km grid cells (sampling units) and ecoregions. We also identified forested areas for future botanical exploration, by examining the spatial overlap between inventory completeness, remaining natural habitat and protected areas and degrees of forest modification by anthropogenic pressure (forest integrity).ResultsSpatial patterns in sampling effort and tree species inventory completeness were unevenly distributed around the world. Only 35% of ecoregions and 18% of sampling units can be considered well surveyed, most of which were concentrated in the Global North, including Europe, North America and Australia. Large areas in species‐rich tropical regions, especially in Southeast Asia, remained poorly documented. Moreover, our results showed that many areas with low inventory completeness overlapped with ecoregions retaining less than 50% of natural habitat and protected land area, as well as sampling units with low forest integrity.Main ConclusionsDue to limitations in biodiversity data, simply sampling more will not necessarily lead to increasing knowledge. We illustrated how gaps in these data can be used to improve existing knowledge by identifying priority areas for future surveys. With ongoing anthropogenic impacts and escalating rates of biodiversity loss, limited resources should be allocated to strategically survey regions likely to yield new knowledge and improve biodiversity representativeness.

Escalating hot-dry extremes in Southwest China Karst

Study regionSouthwestern China of Hubei, Hunan, Guangxi, Guangdong, Yunnan, Guizhou, Sichuan, and Chongqing. Study focusCompound hot-dry extreme events (CHDEs) are escalating disproportionately worldwide, posing significant challenges across various sectors. Yet, their driving mechanisms and characteristics at a regional scale remain largely uncertain. This study used a copula-based approach to construct the daily Standardized Compound Hot-Dry Index (SCHDI) to discern the intensifying trends of hot-dry extremes from 1963 to 2022, especially under different karst landscapes in Southwestern China. New hydrological insights for the regionSCHDI variations show an escalation of hot-dry conditions across most areas, with a notable increase in extreme hot, dry, and hot-dry events. There was a consistent increase in the frequency, duration, severity, and intensity of CHDEs, with larger magnitudes observed in non-karst areas. However, karst regions exhibited a higher escalation rate in intensity, especially over the most recent three decades. Land areas affected by less severe CHDEs (e.g., abnormal: −0.31%/year) show decreasing trends over 1993–2022, while the most extreme category (e.g., extreme: 0.34%/year) has increased. The areas affected by CHDEs showed a greater increase in trend slope compared to hot or dry events alone. Additionally, these trends are further influenced by large-scale circulation patterns. Our study highlights the role of karst landscapes in escalating hot-dry extremes in Southwestern China Karst.

Coastal Zone Management in Response to Sea Level Rise in the 21st Century: A Study from Hurst Spit to Lymington, South England

This study examines the coastal region spanning from Hurst Spit to the mouth of the Lymington River along the Western Solent coast in Hampshire, South England. The area comprises critical habitats for international bird species on the seaward side and is protected by a seawall on the landward side. Rising sea levels pose a significant threat to this area, including habitat loss and potential seawall breaches. To address the uncertainty in sea level rise projections for the 21st century, this study utilises data processing in ArcGIS, including LiDAR data, tidal data, and sea level rise projections. It adopts contingency allowances for sea level rise, resulting in a projected 0.89 metre by 2100. Analysis reveals a significant transformation in habitat distribution, with standing water and mudflats expanding while salt marshes and dry land areas diminish. Salt marsh areas are projected to contract by 64.6%, with the pioneer salt marsh facing the greatest loss. The report recommends a proactive approach, including realigning the seawall in vulnerable areas, allowing for the creation of new salt marshes. This managed intervention strategy can reduce habitat loss to approximately 17.43%, mitigating the potential ecological and human habitat impacts of rising sea levels in that region.

Suitable forestry machines for mechanical fuel load reduction and salvage recovery: a short review

Forest fires are one of the most severe incidents that can destroy large areas of forest lands and cause substantial damages to the nearby residential areas and farmlands. Human efforts to reduce the likelihood of starting forest fires include prescribed burning, mechanical fuel load reduction and livestock grazing. Following natural disasters in forest areas, a salvage recovery operation is usually conducted that may cause some environmental impacts. This article aimed to review the literatures to provide a summary of different types of machines and working methods that have been studied in different countries. The review results showed that the most common method for mechanical fuel load reduction was mechanised cut-to-length using a harvester and a forwarder. This method has been widely applied in Canada, USA, Europe, and Oceania. In some countries (e.g. Australia and USA) the whole tree method is also applied for mechanical fuel load reduction. This method was often conducted using feller-bunchers, grapple skidders and chippers/grinders. The majority of mechanical fuel load reduction projects produced the extra fibre which could be used for bioenergy purposes. The number of salvage recovery studies was limited compared with studies on mechanical fuel load reduction. Salvage recovery operations applied a cut-to-length and whole tree harvesting methods. Windthrown trees were extracted to the roadside using heavy size forwarders or grapple skidders in flat/moderate terrains while tower yarders were applied in steep terrains. Detailed information on work productivity is described in this article which can be of use to the academic and industrial users. 

Spatial-Temporal Process of Land Use/Land Cover and Desertification in the Circum-Tarim Basin during 1990–2020

The problem of desertification in the Tarim Basin, an area with a unique geography and climatic conditions, has received extensive research attention not only in China but also around the world. Between natural factors and human activities, the latter are considered the main cause of desertification, with the excessive use of land resources accelerating its risk. This study classified the degree of desertification into five types, no, light, moderate, severe, and extremely severe desertification, and focused on the spatio-temporal changes in LULC, desertification development, and their relationship in the Circum-Tarim Basin during the period of 1990–2020, and the results indicated the following. (1) Over the 30-year study period, farmland development was frequent in the basin. The total farmland area increased significantly by 1.40 × 104 km2, which resulted from the occupation of grassland (mainly low-covered and medium-covered grassland) and unused land (mainly saline–alkali land). (2) There was a general alleviation of the effects of desertification, but also local deterioration. The area of no-desertification land has significantly increased (an increase of 2.10 × 104 km2), and the degree of desertification has shifted significantly to adjacent lighter degrees, but the area of extremely severe desertification in certain regions has increased (an increase of 7.89 × 104 km2). (3) There was an inseparable relationship between LULC and desertification. Oasisization and desertification were two processes that interacted and were interrelated. There was an approximately 54.42% increase in no-desertification land area mainly occurring in the region where LULC types changed (Region II), although this area only accounted for 9.71% of the total area of the basin. There was an approximately 98.28% increase in the area of extremely severe desertification occurring where there were no changes in LULC types (Region I). Region II demonstrated the best effects of desertification prevention and control in the 30-year study period in the Circum-Tarim Basin. Land development and oasis expansion have led to concentrated water use, resulting in water scarcity in certain areas, which cannot support the needs of vegetation growth, thus aggravating the degradation. Hence, “adapting measures to local conditions, rational planning, zoning policies, precise prevention and control” will be the way forward for desertification control in the future in the Circum-Tarim Basin.

Improved Land Use Efficiency Through Spectral Beam Splitting in Agrivoltaic Farms

Installing photovoltaic (PV) collectors above arable land (Agrivoltaics) can aid with the shortage of available land area for solar power generation and food production. Most open field agrivoltaics are based on opaque PV devices which absorb photosynthetically active radiation (PAR, 400-700 nm), reducing crop yield and increasing variability in light distribution across the field. This research evaluates the performance of spectral beam splitter integrated photovoltaic (BSIPV) modules using a PV performance model. A high percentage (66 %) of PAR incident on the spectral beam splitter is transmitted effectively to the plants, while the near infrared radiation (NIR, > 700 nm) is reflected to the adjacent bifacial opaque photovoltaic module to generate power. In the model, seven rows of modules were placed uniformly across the field at a height of four meters from the ground. Considering a cool season (November – March) in Yuma, Arizona, in a conventional opaque PV agrivoltaic farm received 43 % lower total daylight integral (TDLI) across the season in comparison to open field with a coefficient of variation (ratio of standard deviation to mean expressed in percentage) of 56 % in TDLI across the field. On the other hand, the BSIPV agrivoltaic farm limited the drop in TDLI to 7 % in comparison to open field and the coefficient of variation to 14 % across the field. Thus, BSIPV showed a 36 % improvement in TDLI relative to the conventional opaque PV agrivoltaic farm. The results of the current study justify further research on the proposed collector concept.

Optimizing oil palm farming: Soil quality, fertilization and agro-environmental performance

The essential role of fertilization in the management of oil palm plantations cannot be overstated, with the understanding that effective strategies must be fine-tuned to accommodate the diversity of soil types present. The nuanced response of oil palm to fertilization under different soil conditions underscores the critical nature of this research. This study investigates the relationship between oil palm farming practices and agro-environmental performance of plantations. This research aims to understand the complex mechanisms influencing plantation productivity. Five agronomic field experiments were carried out on various soil types (Podzol, Inceptisol, Peat) during 2022. These experiments involved various types of soil and used different plant materials in a total land area of 33 hectares. The results of the peat soil trials revealed a positive effect of RP fertilizer on leaf phosphorus (P) content and a visible gradient in potassium (K) content with different doses of KCl. Average plantation yields peaked in 2022, showing the best yields ever recorded. On the contrary, experiments in podzolic soils showed that oil palm responded better to organic fertilizers than to mineral fertilizers in podzolic soils. The inceptisol soil revealed a significant increase in leaf potassium (K) content with KCl dose, confirming the positive effect of fresh oil palm empty fruit bunches (EFB) on potassium levels. In particular, EFB acts as a good K fertilizer, positively influencing the K content but negatively affecting the calcium content (Ca) due to K/Ca antagonism. These findings emphasize the need for diversified agricultural strategies to optimize oil palm cultivation, increase productivity, and reduce dependence on external input.

Agrivoltaic Systems: Potential Opportunities for South Africa

South Africa has seen a drastic uptake of solar photovoltaic (PV) systems with an increasing number of solar farms over the last decade. From an available land perspective, there is also much potential to significantly expand the generation capacity, when compared to the rest of the world. More than 80% of the land area has a solar resource greater than 1600 kWh/m2/yr. Over 79% of the land is used for agricultural purposes, yet only 22.5% of the installed PV capacity is in the agricultural sector. This highlights the potential of dual land usage with agrivoltaic systems. This paper investigates the opportunities to develop such systems by considering agricultural production in South Africa that may be suitable – to pave the way forward for the implementation of appropriate agrivoltaic systems in the country. A Geographic Information System (GIS) analysis was undertaken, considering the solar resource and land with a slope of less than 2 degree – to minimise construction costs. Current large-scale solar projects in South Africa indicate that at least 0.6 GWh of electricity can be generated annually per hectare. The current total capacity (of all sources) generated around 237 TWh of electricity in 2022. To generate an equal amount of electricity with agrivoltaic systems would then (roughly) require less than 400 thousand hectares of agricultural land; or less than 2% of the available land suitable for agrivoltaic systems (depending on the designed panel density). Further site-specific techno-economic analyses are underway to provide greater insight into the potential opportunities for South Africa.

Islamic Environmental Ethics: Preserving the Sacred Balance

Islamic environmental ethics derive from the theological underpinnings of Islam, highlighting the interconnections of all the elements in the universe. Rooted in the concept of Tawhid, a central tenet in Islamic theology, these ethics underscore the belief in the Oneness of God as the creator of the entire universe. Currently, we find ourselves in a world where persistent human actions are causing detrimental impacts on our environment. Anthropogenic activities, including water pollution, air pollution, and land pollution, coupled with inhumane treatment towards other living beings, contribute to the widespread destruction of numerous species, organisms, water bodies, land areas, the ozone layer, and various natural resources. This collective behavior poses a significant threat to the delicate balance of our ecosystems. Environmental challenges have become unavoidable, exacerbated by a general lack of public awareness and the escalating environmental harm caused by irresponsible actions. Islamic environmental ethics offer a framework of principles and moral standards aimed at ensuring the preservation and wellbeing of the natural environment. This paper aims to explore the Islamic perspective on the environment, encompassing both biotic and abiotic components. It will delve into the principles of environmental ethics in Islam, elucidating the role assigned to human beings in this perspective. Furthermore, it will examine Islam's attitude towards the environment, addressing issues related to natural resources and emphasizing the responsibility of humans to act as conscientious stewards of the Earth.