Levels Of Intensification Research Articles

Nitrogen fertilization allows grazing intensification without degrading soil physical quality

Increasing pasture biomass production through nitrogen fertilization enables greater stocking rate and grazing intensification in pastoral livestock production systems. However, grazing intensification can compromise the soil physical quality if stocking rates exceed the soil bearing capacity to support treading. The objective was to quantify the impact of long-term (12 years) intensified grazing of Panicum maximum Jacq. cv. IPR-86 Milênio on the physical quality of a sandy soil (Luvisol Ferric soil) under subtropical climate. The 12-year field experiment was arranged in a completely randomized split-plot design with four replicates. The approach for moving the animals in and out of the paddocks varied across harvests. In the first five harvests, the period of use and rest was fixed with each paddock being occupied for 5 days followed by 35 days of rest (i.e., 40-day grazing cycle). In the subsequent harvests, the timing for moving animals in and out of each paddock was based on pasture height, with entry set at 0.90 m and exit at 0.40 m. Grazing intensification levels (IL) consisted of different animal stocking rates, grazing cycles, and forage biomass, which varied depending on the nitrogen application doses: 0 (IL-0), 150 (IL-150), 300 (IL-300), and 450 (IL-450) kg of N ha−1 year−1. Undisturbed soil samples were taken at four depths (0–0.10, 0.10–0.20, 0.20–0.30, and 0.30–0.40 m) in two sampling positions (under plants vs. between plants) and used to measure several soil physical properties (e.g., bulk density, macroporosity, mesoporosity, microporosity, water and air storage capacity, available water, pore size distribution, and water retention curve). The impact of grazing intensification on soil physical quality was minor, occurring only between plants and at the 0–0.10 m depth, where an increase in soil bulk density and a decrease in microporosity was observed. Grazing intensification also increased the water retention capacity between plants. Regardless of the sampling position and the grazing IL, water and air storage capacity was not detrimental to plant development. Overall, the increased animal stocking rate resulting from the greater pasture biomass production due to improved nitrogen fertilization does not degrade soil physical quality.

Can open access weeds occurrences across the European Union become a proxy for agricultural intensification?

Diverse communities of arable plants contribute to the long-term sustainability of agroecosystems and support a large variety of ecosystem services. Agricultural intensification influences the composition and structure of these communities and is one of the major drivers of biodiversity loss in Europe. Several European Union (EU) policies seek to reverse agroecosystems degradation and need biodiversity data-based indicators. Here we focus on arable fields with crops and arable plants. Open access to biodiversity data, such as through the Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF), opens multiple options to develop large-scale indicators. We investigate whether occurrences of certain weeds from GBIF could become indicators of lower levels of agricultural intensification. For this, we designed an EU-scale data-driven proof of concept, using a 2018 EU28-wide 10 m resolution map of maize and a total of 2,082,796 occurrences data for 156 weed species associated to this crop. A total of 12 arable plants sensitive to intensification were identified that could possibly become indicators. We also show how GBIF data is able to capture the effect of proxies for agricultural intensification on plant communities associated with crops. Even with the limitations of studying only one crop for a single year, we present some of the potential of these data to assess the condition of agroecosystems. Novel integration of biodiversity relevant observations across scales will need to underpin the characterization of agroecosystems to inform farm, as well as landscape management and policy impact evaluation.

Prevalence, antimicrobial resistance and genomic comparison of non-typhoidal salmonella isolated from pig farms with different levels of intensification in Yangon Region, Myanmar

In Myanmar, where backyard, semi-intensive, and intensive pig (Sus scrofa domesticus) farming coexist, there is limited understanding of the zoonotic risks and antimicrobial resistance (AMR) associated with these farming practices. This study was conducted to investigate the prevalence, AMR and genomic features of Salmonella in pig farms in the Yangon region and the impact of farm intensification to provide evidence to support risk-based future management approaches. Twenty-three farms with different production scales were sampled for two periods with three sampling-visit each. Antimicrobial susceptibility tests and whole-genome sequencing were performed on the isolates. The prevalence of Salmonella was 44.5% in samples collected from backyard farms, followed by intensive (39.5%) and semi-intensive farms (19.5%). The prevalence of multi-drug resistant isolates from intensive farms (45/84, 53.6%) was higher than those from backyard (32/171, 18.7%) and semi-intensive farms (25/161, 15.5%). Among 28 different serovars identified, S. Weltevreden (40; 14.5%), S. Kentucky (38; 13.8%), S. Stanley (35, 12.7%), S. Typhimurium (22; 8.0%) and S. Brancaster (20; 7.3%) were the most prevalent serovars and accounted for 56.3% of the genome sequenced strains. The diversity of Salmonella serovars was highest in semi-intensive and backyard farms (21 and 19 different serovars, respectively). The high prevalence of globally emerging S. Kentucky ST198 was detected on backyard farms. The invasive-infection linked typhoid-toxin gene (cdtB) was found in the backyard farm isolated S. Typhimurium, relatively enriched in virulence and AMR genes, presented an important target for future surveillance. While intensification, in terms of semi-intensive versus backyard production, maybe a mitigator for zoonotic risk through a lower prevalence of Salmonella, intensive production appears to enhance AMR-associated risks. Therefore, it remains crucial to closely monitor the AMR and virulence potential of this pathogen at all scales of production. The results underscored the complex relationship between intensification of animal production and the prevalence, diversity and AMR of Salmonella from pig farms in Myanmar.

Performance evaluation of Uruguayan dairy farming systems

In the last 20 years, the Uruguayan dairy sector has intensified and concentrated on higher cow productivity, maintaining the herd, smaller land, and fewer farms. The research aims are to identify, describe, and evaluate the economic performance of different types of dairy farms. A sample of 284 farms from the National Dairy Farm Survey 2019 was used (representing 2,021 dairies); using k-means Cluster analysis with the variables: cow productivity, stocking rate, land productivity, concentrate, roughage, and grass intake (per hectare). We identified six farm types, three with high participation of grass in the cows’ diets (HG, 60% or more of dry matter intake), and the other three focused on supplementation (HS); with three intensification levels (1-low, 2-intermediate and 3-high productivity per ha). For the 2018/19 season three types of farms presented the best economic performance (HS-3, HG-3, and HG-2), including those with the highest stocking rate and grass intake per hectare, and more than USD 225 Economic Farm Surplus (EFS) per hectare with the lower unitary cost. Other two types exhibited intermediate economic performance (HS-2 and HG-1) with EFS close to zero and unitary cost similar to price. And one type (HS-1) displayed the worst economic performance, with negative indicators and the largest number of farms with very low productivity.

ВЛИЯНИЕ АГРОТЕХНОЛОГИИ ВОЗДЕЛЫВАНИЯ ГОРОХА НА БИОЛОГИЧЕСКИЕ И АГРОХИМИЧЕСКИЕ СВОЙСТВА ЛУГОВО-ЧЕРНОЗЕМНОЙ ПОЧВЫ

The aim of research is to establish patterns of changes in biological and agrochemical parameters of meadow-chernozem soil with long-term use of resource-saving treatments and chemicalization means in the conditions of the southern forest-steppe of Western Siberia. Stationary studies were conducted in the forest-steppe of the Omsk Region in a grain-fallow crop rotation (fallow – wheat – peas – wheat – barley) under a pea crop at the Omsk Agricultural Research Center. The parameters of changes in the number of individual physiological groups of microorganisms and indicators of biological activity of meadow-chernozem soil under peas were established using agricultural technologies with different levels of intensification, including the minimum-zero tillage system in crop rotation. It was determined that when using complex chemicalization agents in combination with No-till technology of soil cultivation, the activity of bacteria capable of fixing atmospheric nitrogen increased by 34 %, saprotrophic and amylolytic microorga¬nisms – by 13 and 17 % in relation to the control, respectively. The activity of the oxidation-reduction enzyme catalase when using intensification agents, regardless of the technology of pea cultivation, decreased to 28 % of the control. The use of intensification agents led to an increase in the content of nitrate nitrogen in the soil during the budding period, mobile phosphorus by 4 or more times. When assessing the anthropogenic impact on soil microflora, we used the definition of total biological activity, including all the studied biological tests in relative percentages. According to this indicator, soil cultivation options are arranged in a row in ascending order: combined < moldboard < minimum-zero.

Technology Intensification and Farmers’ Welfare: A Case Study from Karnataka, a Semi-arid State of India

Technology adoption has been advocated to be an important way to improve agricultural productivity and welfare of the farmers in the semi-arid regions across the globe. Government of Karnataka implemented Bhoosamrudhi programme in four districts of the state (Bidar, Chikballapur, Dharwad and Udupi) as a pilot project to increase the crop yield and income of smallholder farmers. This programme was launched on the theme of technology adoption, along with convergence among different departments of agriculture. Farmers have been classified into five categories based on their levels of technology intensification to assess the impact of different levels of technology intensification on their income level. The research is built on a primary survey conducted in pilot districts of the state in 2018 over a sample of 1,465 farmer households. The results are generated using econometric methods of propensity score matching (PSM) and inverse probability weighted with regression adjustment (IPWRA), which highlight that higher the intensification, higher the net returns to the farmers. The results state that non-adopters would benefit additional ₹3,200 per month if they adopt at least one level of technology intensification. Hence, this programme turned out to be a successful model for smallholder farmers in semi-arid region of India. Steps should be taken to maintain and expand the momentum of the adoption to ensure food and livelihood security in the economy. JEL Codes: Q16, Q54, Q55, C13

Antimicrobials Use by Smallholder Dairy Farmers in Peri-Urban Area of Nakuru Kenya: Knowledge, Attitudes and Practices

In dairy intensification, mastitis infections become prevalent and induce frequent Antimicrobial Use (AMU), sometimes inappropriately. This poses public health risks because of growing Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR), which calls for stewardship programs informed by Knowledge, Attitude and Practices (KAPs) about AMU and AMR to halt or reverse the worrying trend. Data was obtained in cross sectional survey conducted in four peri-urban wards around Nakuru city in Kenya. Randomly selected sample farmers (n=124) with free-grazing, semi-zero-grazing or zero-grazing dairy management, representing increasing dairy intensification levels provided data on the KAPs. Chi-square test statistics was fitted to establish associations between KAPs and dairy intensification levels. Among the sample farmers, six in ten (58.8 percent) had intensified dairy production, at least six in ten were marketing milk through informal outlets and were using antimicrobial drugs. Compliance with the withdrawal period was high and increased (p<0.05) with increasing intensification from free-grazing to zero-grazing. Within antibiotic withdrawal period, at least seven in ten farmers did not sell milk, fewer than four in ten consumed their milk at home and fewer than three in ten fed the milk to calves. Though independent of dairy intensification level (p>0.05), using antimicrobials for mastitis treatment increased while sourcing information on antimicrobial use from extension and veterinary officers decreased, with increasing intensification level. Farmers with some training on prudent antimicrobial use and with positive attitudes that milk from antimicrobial treated cows is unsafe, antimicrobial resistant pathogens and residues can be passed from milk to humans, mastitis can be treated without antimicrobial drugs, and antimicrobial residues can end up accumulating in the soils increased (p>0.05) with increasing dairy intensification levels. These results show that regarding AMU and AMR, farmers become more knowledgeable, with positive attitudes and good practices as they intensify their dairy management. The implication is that intensification of dairy management motivates farmers to gain more knowledge, acquire positive attitudes and apply good practices towards responsible prudent use of antimicrobials in livestock. Therefore, strengthening stewardship with targeted training and sensitization can foster prudent and responsible antimicrobial use.

Effects of intercropping on the herbage production of a binary grass-legume mixture (Hedysarum coronarium L. and Lolium multiflorum Lam.) under artificial shade in Mediterranean rainfed conditions

Growing perennial legumes in the understory layer in agroforestry systems is a strategy to improve the sustainability of agricultural systems, i.e., by increasing land productivity, fostering carbon sequestration and nutrient cycling and reducing reliance on inorganic nitrogen fertilizers for tree crops. In many parts of Central Italy, sulla, a biennial autochthonous legume, is widely adopted in forage cropping systems for its productivity and nutritive value and it is often intercropped with ryegrass for a better utilization as grazed temporary grassland. To evaluate the agronomic performance of these perennial species grown under different levels of light reduction, an artificial shade plot trial was established in the coastal plain of Pisa, Central Italy, with the aim to simulate the effect of tree presence with different levels of shade intensification in rainfed conditions. The experiment layout complies with a 2-way completely randomized design with four replicates. The two factors tested were the forage species (namely sulla, ryegrass and their intercropping) and the level of shade (no shade, moderate shade − 30% light reduction-, and intense shade − 50% light reduction-). Shading significantly reduced the above ground biomass (AGB) production, especially for the intense shading (on average about − 20% with respect to the full sun). The mixture resulted as the most productive crop, yielding on average about + 30 and + 40% AGB in comparison to sulla and ryegrass pure stands, respectively. The findings about the effect of the shading on AGB production showed that mixture was a suitable sward, especially under moderate shading conditions. Further studies are needed with the purpose to investigate the productive performance of these swards in real agroforestry conditions.

Do rotations and intercrops matter? Opportunities for intensification and diversification of maize-based cropping systems in Zambia

ContextRealizing the double-edged goals of food security and crop diversification require knowledge of crop yield response to different agricultural practices and the extent to which such response is context dependent. This is particularly important in Southern Africa where cropping systems are dominated by maize and smallholders use few external inputs. ObjectiveThe objectives of this study were (1) to evaluate the performance of cropping systems with different levels of legume diversification and intensification on maize productivity across the main agroecological zones and farming systems of Zambia, and (2) to establish the minimum land required to reach maize self-sufficiency at household level with the different cropping systems tested. MethodsSix maize-based cropping systems, comprising maize monocropping, maize-legume rotations and intercrops under ‘conventional’ tillage and conservation agriculture, were evaluated across 40 farms in contrasting agro-ecological zones and farming systems of Zambia. A household survey was conducted in the same communities hosting the on-farm trials to quantify the share of households with enough maize cultivated area to benefit from the tested cropping systems. ResultsMaize yield measured in the on-farm trials ranged, on average, between 3.6 and 5.4 t ha−1, which was greater than mean maize yields reported by farmers not hosting on-farm trials during the same growing seasons and in the same sites. Our results showed a clear positive effect of legume rotation on maize yield in Eastern province only, where cropping systems including groundnut as rotation crop yielded between 1.0 and 2.0 t ha−1 more maize than other cropping systems. Pigeon pea intercrops and Gliricidia hedgerows, crop residue management, and tillage practice had no significant effect on maize yield in any of the provinces. Finally, nearly 35, 50, and 70% of surveyed farms in Northern, Eastern, and Southern province would have enough land to achieve the same level of maize production obtained on their farm with the yields, and associated area requirements, of the maize-legume rotations tested in the on-farm trials. ConclusionLegume rotations can increase maize productivity on land abundant farms in high potential maize production areas of Southern Africa, whereas legume intercrops have benefits at cropping systems level and should be targeted to land constrained farms. SignificanceThe study contributes to better understand the niche for diversified maize-based cropping systems with legume rotations and intercrops in Southern Africa, along with their impacts on maize productivity at the field level and their land requirements at the farm level.

The Paradoxical Effects of High Work Methods and Work Scheduling Autonomy

Abstract: Job autonomy is traditionally seen as a core job characteristic with positive effects on work outcomes. However, in today’s world of work, excessive levels of job autonomy have also been suggested to lead to demands with negative downstream effects. We investigated paradoxical effects of high levels of two autonomy facets with regard to work engagement. In an experimental vignette study ( N = 228 German employees), we manipulated two autonomy facets in a 2×2 between-subject design (high vs. low work methods autonomy vs. work scheduling autonomy). We found evidence for paradoxical effects for one facet: High levels of work scheduling autonomy directly stimulated work engagement but led to higher levels of work intensification therefore also (indirectly) hindering work engagement. To our knowledge, our findings are the first to provide evidence of the simultaneous paradoxical effects of work scheduling autonomy and an explanation for detrimental effects on work engagement via the intensification of work.

Wellbeing, support and intention to leave: a survey of nurses, midwives and healthcare support workers in Wales

Background/Aims Low morale and burnout is a widely acknowledged problem among healthcare professionals, with implications for staffing levels and quality of care. This study aimed to provide insight into the wellbeing of nurses, midwives and healthcare support workers, and propose strategies to support a resilient workforce and organisational development. Methods An online survey was conducted with 462 nursing and midwifery staff at one NHS health board in Wales. Validated scales were used to measure key indicators, such as workload, bullying and burnout. Descriptive analysis was undertaken of the quantitative data and content analysis of the qualitative data. Results The survey found high levels of work intensification and burnout, with considerable proportions of respondents reporting intentions to leave their job and profession. Low levels of organisational support and trust in senior management were reported, which qualitative analysis indicated was contributing to intention to leave. Conclusions Healthcare leaders need to place more importance on the wellbeing of staff and consider the impact of workplace climate. An inclusive, localised approach to challenges in the working climate is recommended to effectively promote a resilient and sustainable workforce.

Effects of process intensification on homogeneity of an IgG1:κ monoclonal antibody during perfusion culture

The pharmaceutical industry employs various strategies to improve cell productivity. These strategies include process intensification, culture media improvement, clonal selection, media supplementation and genetic engineering of cells. However, improved cell productivity has inherent risk of impacting product quality attributes (PQA). PQAs may affect the products’ efficacy via stability, bioavailability, or in vivo bioactivity. Variations in manufacturing process may introduce heterogeneity in the products by altering the type and extent of N-glycosylation, which is a PQA of therapeutic proteins. We investigated the effect of different cell densities representing increasing process intensification in a perfusion cell culture on the production of an IgG1-κ monoclonal antibody from a CHO-K1 cell line. This antibody is glycosylated both on light chain and heavy chain. Our results showed that the contents of glycosylation of IgG1-κ mAb increased in G0F and fucosylated type glycans as a group, whereas sialylated type glycans decreased, for the mAb whole protein. Overall, significant differences were observed in amounts of G0F, G1F, G0, G2FS1, and G2FS2 type glycans across all process intensification levels. G2FS2 and G2 type N-glycans were predominantly quantifiable from light chain rather than heavy chain. It may be concluded that there is a potential impact to product quality attributes of therapeutic proteins during process intensification via perfusion cell culture that needs to be assessed. Since during perfusion cell culture the product is collected throughout the duration of the process, lot allocation needs careful attention to process parameters, as PQAs are affected by the critical process parameters (CPPs).Key points• Molecular integrity may suffer with increasing process intensity.• Galactosylated and sialylated N-glycans may decrease.• Perfusion culture appears to maintain protein charge structure.

Whole soil fatty acid lipidic signature discriminates agriculture intensification in no-till systems

Argentinean farmers are adopting alternative agricultural systems based on diversification and intensification of crop rotations in no-till agriculture in order to improve soil health and recover degraded soils after years of monocropping. This is achieved by reducing fallow periods, increasing the intensity of crop rotations with maize and soybean in summer, and establishing different winter crops, including cover crops. We evaluated whole soil fatty acids (WSFA) signature in agricultural cropping systems with different levels of intensification in three on-farm experiments in Argentinean Argiudolls soils, along an on-field 8-year assay and measuring at 5 and 8 years after the beginning of the intensification. Contrasted treatments were: typical rotation, intensified rotation with cereals and intensified rotation with legumes. They were compared to an implanted pasture, and a pasture converted to intensified rotation. Eight years after the beginning of the trial, the intensified crop rotations were separated from the typical rotation by multivariate analysis of WSFA. This technique was able to distinguish between agricultural treatments with subtle differences in management, separating the intensified rotations, which later showed higher crop productivity. Conversion of pasture back to agriculture showed a delay of three years before changing the lipidic signature according to WSFA-based indicators. The outstanding conclusion is that mono-unsaturated fatty acids (MUFA) are the most relevant fatty acid functional group for land use discrimination, with a similar potency to the whole lipidic pattern. Within the MUFA group, the fatty acids 16:1w5c and 18:1w5c, appeared as potential biomarkers of these alternative agricultural practices.

Rapidly increased greenhouse gas emissions by Pacific white shrimp aquacultural intensification and potential solutions for mitigation in China

The Pacific white shrimp (Litopenaeus vannamei) plays a crucial role in global aquaculture, contributing significantly to farmed shrimp production, with China being a major contributor. In the last two decades, China's production of farmed L. vannamei experienced substantial growth due to expanded aquaculture areas and intensification. These processes can lead to increases in greenhouse gas emissions. However, the magnitude of greenhouse gas emissions from L. vannamei aquaculture systems remains unclear. Therefore, in this study, we systematically quantified greenhouse gas (carbon dioxide, methane, and nitrous oxide) emissions in L. vannamei farming systems with different levels of intensification. Various emission sources were assessed, including infrastructure, energy use, feed production, and pond aquatic emissions. The estimates indicate that greenhouse gas emissions increased from 6159.35 ± 475.24 kg CO2e/t of L. vannamei in semi-intensive systems to 24,059.81 ± 3846.31 kg CO2e/t of L. vannamei in super-intensive systems. The increase in greenhouse gas emissions was primarily due to energy use (2395% increase) and infrastructure (15,939% increase). As a result, the greenhouse gas emissions from China's shrimp farming industry increased three-fold (from 5633.37 ± 177.40 to 19,730.68 ± 635.52 million kg CO2e) from 2003 to 2022, mainly contributed by coastal provinces. As the demand for high-quality aquatic products continues to increase, coupled with the urgent necessity to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, there is a crucial requirement to lower the emissions associated with each unit of L. vannamei production. The results of this study suggest that reducing fossil fuel use, improving feed efficiency, promoting biofloc technology, and integrated multi-trophic aquaculture systems may help to build climate-resilient sustainable aquaculture.

ВЛИЯНИЕ ПРИМЕНЕНИЯ СРЕДСТВ ИНТЕНСИФИКАЦИИ НА БИОЛОГИЧЕСКУЮ АКТИВНОСТЬ И ФИТОСАНИТАРНОЕ СОСТОЯНИЕ ПОЧВЫ ПОД ПОСЕВОМ ГОРОХА

The aim of research is to determine the parameters of biological activity of meadow-chernozem soil and its phytoimmunity in grain-fallow crop rotation at different levels of cultivation intensification and the use of chemicals. The studies were carried out in a long-term (launched in 1973) stationary experiment in grain-fallow crop rotation (fallow – wheat – peas – wheat – barley) under pea crop in the Federal State Budgetary Scientific Institution Omsk Agrarian Scientific Center. In certain periods of 2022 and 2023, with favorable soil moisture, the presence of a significant amount of plant residues in the variant with minimum-zero tillage and the use of complex chemicals, the number of soil micromycetes and nodule bacteria increased to 93.0 thousand and 13.9 million CFU/g, respectively. The total number of soil microflora in the arable layer under different soil cultivation systems for peas without the use of complex chemicals was 51.4–61.2 million CFU/g with a difference of 19.0 % in the ascending series: No-till < moldboard < combined. The use of mineral fertilizers in combination with plant protection products in moldboard and combined tillage did not have a significant effect on the amount of soil microflora, a slight decrease to 17.0 % within the experimental error was noted. In the variants with No-till tillage in combination with intensification products, stimulation of the growth of the number of microorganisms to 22.0 % in relation to the control was noted. On average, according to the soil tillage factor, the greatest development of pea root rot was observed in the No-till variant (3.8 %), a slight decrease (3.2–3.6 %) – in moldboard and combined tillage. The use of plant protection products during the growing season of peas made it possible to reduce the development of root rot by 47.0 % relative to the control, depending on the soil tillage method. With combined treatment, the greatest prevalence of pea root system disease was noted (37.8 %), the least – with No-till treatment (30.8 %). In laboratory conditions, using the wet chamber method, a complex of root rot pathogens was determined, among which fungi of the genus Fusarium spp. prevailed.

Nutrient cycling in dairy systems under different levels of intensification

Nutrient cycling in dairy systems under different levels of intensification

Метаморфозы бюджета времени и интенсивность труда работников высокотехнологичных отраслей

This study explores how extensive time and intensive development factors interact during technological transitions by analyzing changes in the time budgets of workers in knowledge-intensive, creative fields. While theoretical literature highlights the growing significance of free time, increasingly influenced by hidden labor activities, this research shifts focus to the systemic and structural changes in time budgets and the ways they affect productivity. The primary objective is to identify the links between time budget transformations and the rising labor intensity in high-tech industries across various countries, united by their accelerated development. The study seeks to create a typology of these metamorphoses in relation to labor intensity dynamics, employing empirical data and correlation analysis based on national statistical groupings. The findings reveal a complex and sometimes contradictory relationship. On one hand, an optimal balance between labor and non-labor time expenditures emerges, shaped by national-cultural values, which influences labor intensification levels. On the other hand, creative labor is subjected to two opposing forms of exploitation: extensive, characterized by increased working hours, and intensive, marked by heightened pressure per unit of time. This study offers insights from cross-country comparisons to inform socio-economic policy adjustments, focusing on balancing labor productivity growth with public consumption. Achieving this balance is vital for sustainable economic development and enhancing workers' quality of life amid rapid technological change.

Evaluating sustainable intensification levels of dryland agriculture: A focus on Xinjiang, China

Adequate tools for evaluating the Sustainable Intensification of Agriculture (SIA) level are crucial, especially in drylands with limited resources. Based on emergy indices and environmental footprints, We propose an evaluation framework for the case of major crop intensification in Xinjiang, China, and examine the local SIA from 2001 to 2020. The results show that increases in emergy input (EI) of the crop system were achieved with simultaneous increases in water consumption and carbon emissions. The most EI to the system is from economically non-free non-renewable resources (75.1 %), and only 5.4 % from environmentally free renewable resources. The emergy output (EO) of cotton was less than 80 % of wheat and maize, but the carbon footprint (CF) and water footprint (WF) of cotton were much higher than wheat and maize (>1.18 times and > 5.01 times, respectively). We group historical results covering emergy indices, CF, WF, and other production indicators into five dimensions and comprehensively evaluate the level of SIA in Xinjiang according to the changes in the five dimensions. It was found that raising the SIA depended on improving management, productivity, and environmental impact dimension from 2000 to 2005. After 2005, the SIA’s down-turning was due to the trade-offs between management, environmental dimensions, and their indicators and the continuous reduction of sustainability of other dimensions. In addition, the progress and realization of SDG 2, SDG 6, SDG 7, SDG 8, SDG 11, and SDG 12 can effectively improve the SIA. Our study serves as a helpful example for evaluating the level of sustainability of intensive agricultural policies not just in Xinjiang but also in other drylands of the world.

Modeling of the flow and heat exchange in pipes with turbulators of viscous heat carriers in the laminar region, as well as in the transition to turbulent flow

Objective. Mathematical modeling of heat transfer in pipes with turbulators for viscous heat carriers at Reynolds numbers characteristic of laminar and transient flow regimes is carried out by the calculation method. The solution of the heat exchange problem for semicircular cross-section flow turbulators based on multiblock computing technologies based on the solution of the Reynolds equations (closed for the transient mode using the Menter shear stress transfer model) and the energy equation (on multi-scale intersecting structured grids) by the factorized finite-volume method (FCOM) was considered.Method. The calculation was carried out on the basis of a theoretical method based on the solution of the Reynolds equations, closed for transient modes using the Menter shear stress transfer model, and the energy equation on multiscale intersecting structured grids (FCOM), by a factorized finite-volume method.Result. Both local and averaged characteristics of the flow and heat exchange in pipes with turbulators for a viscous coolant for laminar and transient flow modes of the coolant were obtained using the FCOM method in the work, which made it possible to determine for these modes the levels of heat exchange intensification that satisfactorily correlate with the existing experiment.Conclusion. The calculated relative hydraulic resistance for low turbulators increases quite slightly, and for medium-altitude turbulators reaches 2÷2.5 to the critical Reynolds number, and subsequently it increases up to 3 times; for high turbulators, the relative hydraulic resistance increases up to 4 times even before the transition flow regime is reached, after which it increases up to 4.5 times. The calculated relative isothermal intensified heat exchange under the laminar flow regime of a viscous coolant for relatively high turbulators increases almost 2 times; for relatively medium heights of turbulators — almost one and a half, and for low relative heights, the intensification of heat exchange is insignificant.

Variation in avian responses to rice intensification in the central plains of Thailand guides conservation opportunities

Multiple studies indicate that grassland and farmland birds are declining in temperate zones, but few have been conducted in the tropics. Here we examined effects of rice intensification on landbird communities and estimated habitat-specific densities of eight songbird species of national and/or global conservation concern in the central plains of Thailand where rice is intensively cultivated often with triple annual rice crops. From 1410 point-counts, we observed 236 species including 26 landbirds of conservation concern. The landbird species community was significantly associated with different intensification levels, with eleven species of concern primarily found in single-cropped fields. Three of the eight focal species (i.e., Horsfield's bushlark Mirafra javanica, Oriental skylark Alauda gulgula, and striated grassbird Megalurus palustris) had lower densities with increased intensification. Natural habitat features (i.e., field margins, reedbeds, and scattered trees) positively influenced densities of all species, even those unaffected by intensification. Densities of Manchurian reed warbler Acrocephalus tangorum, streaked weaver Ploceus manyar, and Asian golden weaver P. hypoxanthus were positively correlated with increases in field margins and reedbeds. Plain-backed sparrow Passer flaveolus density was positively related to presence of scattered trees. Long-tailed shrike Lanius schach density appeared to have a positive correlation with field margins and was significantly negatively correlated with urbanization. Our findings underscore the necessity of adopting policies that encourage wildlife-friendly land management in Southeast Asia, reducing intensification of agricultural landscapes that support species of conservation concern and preserving natural habitat features. Long-term population monitoring is also needed to better understand trends and judge management efficacy.