Long-term Field Research Research Articles

Xerox soldiers, YouTube commanders and Twitter brigades: information warfare in eastern Congo

Abstract Researching contemporary warfare requires attention to digital connectivity in contexts of crisis and conflict. This article traces the evolution of information warfare with a focus on the digitization, democratization and polarization of conflict-related communication and discourse. We argue that information warfare amplifies with the advent of social media—multiplying the scales for the conduct of hostilities, reducing distance and duration, and democratizing participation—notably in Africa, a continent often considered a trailblazer of digital innovation. Orthodox scholarship, however, tends to focus disproportionately on cases relevant to the global North. Examples include the global ‘war on terror’ or the Russian war against Ukraine. Investigating protracted violent conflict in the global South instead, our analysis fills an important gap in this literature. Through the prism of the African Great Lakes region, the world's deadliest contemporary war zone, we leverage a counterintuitive perspective of a conflict considered backwards in mainstream analysis. Drawing from long-term field research and digital ethnography, we propose the notion of ‘reciprocal warscapes’, where not only do battlefield events influence the underlying politics of conflict but where, reciprocally, digital warfare increasingly shapes the conduct of war itself.

Features of Distribution and Spread of <I>Hyalomma marginatum</I> (Acari, Ixodidae) Ticks in the Crimean Hemorrhagic Fever Focus in the Territory of Russia

The review provides the summarized and updated information on the current distribution of the tick Hyalomma marginatum in the natural Crimean hemorrhagic fever (CHF) focus in Russia. The work is based on the analysis of numerous literature sources, as well as the evidence from the personal collecting of ticks during long-term field research. In addition, the collection of ticks of the Stavropol Research Anti-Plague Institute of the Rospotrebnadzor and the database of H. marginatum collections in various regions of southern Russia were used. When delineating the boundaries of the H. marginatum areal and the CHF focus, we also deployed maps of the epidemiological survey of the focus, weekly and annual final reports on the CHF incidence from the Rospotrebnadzor Administrations. H. marginatum inhabits all regions of the Southern Federal District and the North-Caucasian Federal District, as well as the Crimean Peninsula and the south of the Saratov Region. The northern border of the areal reaches the Lugansk People’s Republic, Rostov, Volgograd, and Saratov Regions. H. marginatum is widely disseminated in the territory of Kalmykia and the Astrakhan Region. In the North Caucasus, it inhabits the entire flatland up to the foothills of the Greater Caucasus. The tick is widely distributed in the Stavropol Territory, populating the entire region. In the mountainous part of the Krasnodar Territory, this species is absent, but common in the rest of the areas. Beyond that, it is found on the Black Sea coast. In Karachay-Cherkessia, Kabardino-Balkaria, North Ossetia and Ingushetia, the tick lives in the northern steppe regions of the republics, in some places it invades the foothills. In Chechnya and Dagestan, the species widely inhabits the steppes and semi-deserts of the Terek-Kuma Interfluve. Moreover, in Dagestan, H. marginatum lives across the plain and foothill territory of the republic and even reaches the highlands up to a height of more than 2000 m above sea level. In addition, it is widely disseminated on the Crimean peninsula, both the flatland and the mountainous part.

The effect of land-use conversion from agriculture to perennial biomass crops and nitrogen fertilizer on soil organic carbon stock in southern Ontario, Canada

Switchgrass [Panicum virgatum, (SG)] and miscanthus [Miscanthus spp., (Mis)] are perennial biomass crops (PBCs) commonly grown in Ontario, Canada. By the integration of PBCs on marginal/degraded agricultural (Ag) fields, a positive gain in soil organic carbon (SOC) sequestration has been reported in the scientific literature. Therefore, using PBCs to enhance SOC sequestration can potentially contribute to Canada's goal to reach net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050. However, long-term field research (>10 years) to clearly demonstrate this trend in Canada is limited. In the above context, this study compared the current SOC stock (Mg C ha−1) in SG and Mis to that of baseline Ag SOC obtained from three different locations, namely Elora (2008–2019), Guelph (2009–2020) and Burlington (2016–2020), Ontario, Canada. SOC stock at the time of land-use conversion from Ag to SG and Mis was considered as baseline. Woodlots (WLs), undisturbed natural forests, were used as reference SOC (potential maximum SOC stock) to predict the potential SOC sequestration in the future by PBCs at the respective locations. Results showed that SOC stocks in all SG fields, Mis fields and WLs were higher compared to respective baseline Ag fields. SOC stocks (Mg C ha−1) in PBCs were significantly higher in Elora (SG: 96.3 ± 3.44, Mis: 100.0 ± 1.48) and Guelph (SG: 88.5 ± 5.72, Mis: 87.9 ± 6.43) over 11 years, whereas SOC stock in Burlington (SG: 87.5 ± 5.04, Mis: 94.7 ± 4.86), showed no significant difference over 4 years compared to their respective baseline Ag fields (77.6 ± 3.09, 59.3 ± 1.17 and 84.1 ± 3.39). All WLs had significantly higher SOC stock compared to their respective baseline Ag fields, showing the potential for future SOC stock gain by PBCs. SOC stock values in SG, with different nitrogen (N) fertilizer application rates (0, 40, 80 and 160 kg N ha−1), were not significantly different. Conversely, SOC stock at all N rates were significantly higher in SG than baseline Ag SOC stock values. For Mis, only N fertilizer rates 40, 80, 160 kg N ha−1 significantly increased SOC stock. However, within the four N fertilizer rates, SOC significantly increased only at 80 kg N ha−1. Increases in SOC stock suggest that converting marginal lands to PBCs over the long-term (>10 years) could create additional terrestrial C sinks. In Canada, there are close to 10 million ha of degraded Ag lands that can potentially be repurposed for PBCs, therefore the conversion of these unproductive Ag lands to PBCs could significantly contribute to Canada's climate mitigation strategies.

Flow Piracy and Percolation in a Hydropower Watershed: Interceptions of Indigenous Languages in Upland Laos

This article draws on findings of long-term field research in upland central Laos, examining the rapidly changing dynamics of language among multilingual Indigenous communities in the upper reaches of Laos’s massive Nam Theun 2 Hydropower Project. The case study of sudden language shift in the context of new transport infrastructure finds disruption of distributional flow at multiple levels, from natural forces to built networks to the circulation of communicative norms and social encounters. This is understood in terms of layered infrastructures, which are distinguished at three main, interarticulated levels: natural (e.g., river systems), technological (e.g., transport networks), and institutional (e.g., language ecologies). A key finding is that linked infrastructures are causally interdependent through mechanisms of flow piracy (intercepting flows and transforming them for new purposes) and percolation (denuding networks and critically reconfiguring them). The case study from Laos of rapid change in the context of a hydropower dam not only refines our conception of infrastructure, but the idea of language itself as an infrastructure helps us to better understand its spatialized dynamics, foregrounding language as a new empirical domain in the study of infrastructure and other socially spatialized networks.

From (in)securitisation to conviviality: the reconciliatory potential of participatory ethnography

Abstract Racialised bilinguals experience marginalisation all over the world. In South-East Europe, millions of bilingual Roma share this experience alongside emerging aspirations of conviviality, which remain rare. This paper considers marginalisation as a consequence of (in)securitisation. The concept of (in)securitisation addresses discursive techniques of power which advocate the protection of some at the price of excluding others. These discursive techniques are exerted on different levels of social interaction, creating and maintaining uncertainty. The paper discusses individual aspirations to conviviality, or peaceful cohabitation, in (in)securitised local realities in a town in Hungary, where 20 % of the population are bilingual Roma. Furthermore, it explores whether the leveraging of translingual practices can be an effective tool for conviviality. The argument is based on long-term field research, and the data used comes from a series of participatory workshops, attended by academic non-local and local participants. Using the method of Moment Analysis to understand workshop discussions, the article focuses on the ways in which participants negotiate the dependencies of (in)securitisation while trying to forge convivial capabilities. Experience shows that acts of (in)securitisation and racialised social roles define relations even within the research group, and only certain types of capabilities considered convivial are suitable to override them.

Engineering and geological aspects in the museumification of architectural and archaeological monuments

Background. Tourism is an important economic sector, attracting a large amount of people to historical sites, including architectural and archaeological monuments. At present, the question of their museumification is resolved by considering their historical value and economic expediency. At the same time, the possibility of physically preserving the structures and materials of extant monuments is frequently ignored. Aim. To substantiate the need to study the engineering and geological conditions during museumification of architectural and archaeological monuments to predict their sustainable functioning. Materials and methods. The results of the authors’ long-term field and desktop research into the impact of engineering and geological conditions on the preservation of architectural and archaeological monuments during museumification were generalized and analyzed. Results. Two different scenarios were formulated for carrying out an engineering and geological assessment of the state of not only already museumified monuments, but also those that are supposed to be museumified in order to ensure their long-term, safe and manageable functioning as museums. Conclusion. The need to involve geologists in solving the question of museumification of architectural and archaeological monuments is substantiated. Examples of successful implementation of such a practice, which allowed emergency situations to be avoided, are provided.

Continuities and Discontinuities in a Transnational Social Field: The Case of the Margovany Roma

This article is based on long-term field research in an Eastern Slovak Romani settlement and an English town to which Roma migrated from the settlement. The paper attempts to disrupt the bipolar approach toward the migration of Roma to England and, at the same time, to point out the transnational interconnectedness of the Romani community and the replication of inter-group boundary patterns. This dynamic approach to migration allows the authors to also consider a different phenomenon, namely, the religious conversion of Roma to Pentecostal churches. This leads to an observation of parallels in the narratives of conversion and migration, which are both based on a dichotomy of “new” and “old”, and inclusion of the phenomenon of religious conversion in the analysis of migration alongside the highlighting of transnational social networks, the acquiring of secondary social bonds, and the strengthening of local inter-group boundaries.

On the forecast control of heating system as an easily applicable measure to increase energy efficiency in existing buildings: Long term field evaluation

The priority for reaching carbon neutral buildings by 2050 is to first increase energy efficiency in existing buildings by use of easily and widely applicable measures that are verified based on long-term field research. One such solution is a forecast control of heating systems, which can be quickly and easily integrated to existing weather based controls. However, there are still no long-term field evaluation and detailed analyses of the main features of such a system, which would provide a clear picture about the system’s energetical and economical features and thus increase their wide application in existing buildings. This paper provides the data from a long term field evaluation of an innovative forecast control of heating systems (forHEAT), which can be easily installed (in less than 2 h) and integrated with existing installations in millions of existing buildings in Europe and throughout the world. The energy consumption for heating was evaluated in seven residential buildings and three public office buildings before and after the installation and use of the forecast control. The resulting energy savings averaged 13.4% in the residential and 10.7% in the public buildings located in continental European climate, with very cold winters. The payback time averaged a 0.6 heating season and in most case studies does not exceed a single heating season.

Economics of alternative tillage systems in dryland crop rotations in U.S. Great Plains

Tillage systems change as new findings or obstacles arise, from conventional tillage (CT) in the past to conservation tillage [reduced tillage (RT) and no-tillage (NT)] to possibly occasional tillage (OT)]. This research was needed to answer the economics of these various tillage systems and how the re-introduction of a single tillage changes the cost and revenue of long-term NT. An Economic analyses of these alternative tillage systems, based on long-term field research, is limited. The specific objective of this research was to quantify the relative economic advantages of various tillage systems (CT, RT, NT, and OT) in a wheat-sorghum-fallow (W-S-F) rotation in the central Great Plains. Results of two long-term field research studies conducted in western Kansas were used for this analysis. The first study was conducted from 2001 to 2018 to compare CT, RT, and NT systems and the second study from 2014 to 2018 at two locations to compare NT with OT. Results showed average NT sorghum yields were more than double the average yields of CT and 58 % greater than RT. There were no significant differences in wheat or sorghum yields between NT and OT. Total cost of production for the W-S-F system increased in the order NT>RT>CT. However, the NT system had the greatest average return, about $76 and $146 ha-1 greater than RT and CT, respectively. Net returns were not different between NT and OT. In support with our initial hypothesis, we concluded that a NT system has yield and profit advantages over RT and CT. And if a onetime OT is necessary in a long-term NT system, crop yields and return will not be significantly affected in the first 5 years after the OT.

Impact of agriculture on lands placed close to mining facilities within the Oskol river basin

The article summarises data received during personal long-term field research and results obtained by means of comprehensive analyses of spatial and statistical databases on agricultural development and open-pit mining within the Oskol river basin from 2005 to 2021. This territory occupies Gubkinsky and Starooskolsky districts of Belgorod Oblast. It was determined that impact coming directly from iron-ore extraction strengthens loads on the environment, especially on agricultural lands situated near the Kursk Magnetic Anomaly. Lands placed close to the Oskol river basin response differently on agricultural activity and open-pit mining that leads to occurring of different levels of the environmental tension. It was identified that the most vulnerable agricultural lands with a “high” level of the environmental tension are placed close to the Kursk Magnetic Anomaly facilities. Territories with a “low” level of the environmental tension lie on the periphery of the studied area. Lands with a “mean” level of the environmental tension are situated between lands of “high” and “low” agricultural loads. These patterns should be taken into account during implementation of land remediation programs. Both the location of agricultural and mining facilities, as well as action of negative natural factors have to be considered equally.

Productivity of buckwheat in 6-field crop rotations in the conditions of the Left Bank Forest Steppe

Aim. The purpose of the study is carried out in the established structure of influence, recruitment and placement of field crops in various crop rotations on overall productivity, yield and quality of buckwheat in particular. The study was carried out in the subzone of unstable moistening of Left Bank Forest-Steppe of Ukraine on typical low-humus Panfilska chernozem research station of the NSC «IZ NAAN». Methods. Growing technology of agricultural crops in experiments is generally accepted and recommended for the research area. Chemical means of protection were used plants for the production of competitive marketable buckwheat products. Results. Studies conducted in a long-term inpatient setting field research, which was established in 2001, on the study of crop rotations on typical ones chernozems of unstable moistening of the Left Bank Forest Steppe, convincingly testify to the fact that during 2016–2020 the research is the most 6-field crop rotations are rational in this zone: soybeans – winter wheat. – sugar beets – spring barley – corn for grains – buckwheat; buckwheat – winter wheat – soybean – spring wheat – winter rye – spring barley for organic of the mineral intensification system (by-products of the precursor + N40P40K40 for buckwheat). Conclusions. Buckwheat yield, which was grown after corn for grain and spring barley as precursors and corresponding set crop rotation, was in the range of: 2.05–2.10 t/ha, while the content of raw protein was contained at the level of 14.7–15.0%. Economic efficiency growing buckwheat in the structure of 6-field crop rotation becomes: conditionally net income – 13.89–14.48 thousand hryvnias/ha for a high level profitability – 130–135%.

The Influence of Mongolian Nomadic Cattle Breeding on Language Use

Abstract The Mongolian nomads’ way of life and perception of the outside world is directly reflected in their thinking and use of language. In the following article, I apply an ethnolinguistic approach to the study of the Mongolian language. I find the theoretical basis in the ethnography of communication (Dell Hymes 1962), which allows for the communication behaviour of nomads to be revealed. The given examples of idioms, phrases, sayings, and proverbs relate to cattle breeding, the essence of nomadic life, and reveal the linguistic means of their metaphorical expression. The article builds on my previous ethnolinguistic research on the colloquial language and is based on material collected during long-term field research, which was subsequently consulted in detail with native speakers.

Nauczanie języka kaszubskiego. Wokół ideologii jezyków kolateralnych

The article discusses the educational consequences of the collateral nature of the Kashubian language in relation to Polish. The collateral nature is defined as the languages’ mutual intelligibility resulting from their formal proximity and the lack of political independence of the language community. Based on longterm field research and in-depth interviews, the analysis touches upon language ideologies in Kashubia which directly impact the process of teaching the Kashubian language. These ideologies – the assumptions about the language and its users rooted in social consciousness – refer to the status of the Kashubian language, its dialectal nature, and the legitimate speakers of Kashubian. Language ideologies related to the collateral nature of Kashubian are responsible for the choice of the teaching methods, the distrust of people associated with education (parents, teachers, students) as to the meaningfulness of teaching, as well as the relationship between the language learnt and spoken by the community

In-stream Mining in Alluvial River Channels: Response, Consequences and Perspectives

Abstract—On the basis of long-term field and analytical research, the response of the channels of different rivers to one of the types of mechanical impact on rivers – the in-stream mining – is considered. The nature and rates of the response of the river channels of free-flowing and regulated rivers to the in-stream mining, disturbance extent of the channel morphology and the rivers hydrological regime are revealed. The purpose of the work is to assess the possibilities of in-stream mining and allowable mine’s sizes which bases on the general principles of the theory of fluvial processes, and to minimize the negative effects of given mechanical disturbances on rivers and floodplains

Ułuda wspólnotowości. Polski badacz na Syberii

Based on the author’s experience in long-term field research among the Sakha (Yakuts) and Buryats, the indigenous peoples of Eastern Siberia, the article deals with the complications of the field anthropologist’s thinking that they should not only understand but also share the mental structures of their subjects. When these subjects were or still are the object of someone else’s colonial superpower policy, the researcher feels absolutely obliged to be an advocate, a defender of their subjects. However, along with the sense of understanding and empathy, doubt arises when the researcher is openly criticised and the oppressors are presented in a positive light. In Siberia such is the case with the sympathising attitude to the myth of the “Great Patriotic War”.

Assessment of the Expected Change in Project Parameters in Terms of the Reliability of Soil Main Channels

The purpose of the research was to determine the possibility of determining the absolute change, its distributive law and reliability interval of the project values during the construction and operation period for the relevant parameters of the operated soil main channels. In this regard, in the soil main channels with different engineering-geological and operational conditions selected as the research object, based on the comparison of the project value of the live sectional area, wetted perimeter, hydraulic radius and bottom slope with the value formed during operation, the absolute change in its functional parameter was applied. The level of dispersion of the parameters formed during the operation of the channels around the point values determined during the projecting, the reliability intervals covering them were evaluated according to the absolute change. The results of long-term field research were carried out using the probability theory and mathematical-statistics methods and the Excel program. It was tested by Pearson criterion that the relative frequency of the absolute change in the studied parameters of the channels obeys the normal distributive law. It was determined that the absolute change occurred with probability of reliability of 5,61 m2 < Δω < 5,89 m2 on the live sectional area, 5,97 m < Δχ < 6,22 m on the wetted perimeter, with reliability intervals of 0,00009 < ΔJ < 0,00017 on the bottom slope in the soil main channels and this change had an effect on the working capacity of the channels. During the projecting of the channels, taking into account the dispersion interval around the point values of the relevant parameters, it was considered important that it should be evaluated according to the reliability interval for the absolute change.

Self-medication in nonhuman primates: A systematic evaluation of the possible function of the use of medicinal plants.

Animal self-medication is thought to provide an adaptive advantage, as species would actively respond to a disease state or homeostatic imbalances. In wild nonhuman primates, it is challenging to differentiate plant use as part of the diet or as medication, especially because self-medication can be preventive or therapeutic. Here, we aimed to compile the available potential evidence on primate self-medication modes, investigating which proposed requirements are fulfilled for each plant species reported to date. We systematically reviewed the scientific literature on plant use for potential self-medication in wild nonhuman primates. To construct the extensive database, we extracted data on the primate species, study area, plant/plant's part used, the requirement(s) met for demonstrating self-medication modes, and self-medicative behavioral patterns. We also updated available information on plant's biological compounds and/or physical characteristics, pharmacological properties, and ethnomedical uses. We identified 575 plant species (135 families), used by 25 primate species (9 families). Plants were used by Old World monkeys (46.5%, n = 268 plant species), followed by apes (41%, n = 235), New World monkeys (13.4%, n = 77), and prosimians (1%, n = 6). We found three general types of self-medicative behaviors: ingestion (including, but not limited to, leaf-swallowing, seed-swallowing, and bitter pith chewing), topical (fur-rubbing), and nest fumigation. Plant uses were associated with antiparasitic, antibacterial, antimalarial, anti-inflammatory, insect repellent, among other properties. Self-medication is widespread in nonhuman primate species across Central and South America, Africa, Madagascar, and Asia. Long-term field research efforts and studies integrating different research sites and topics are urgent to advance our knowledge into the evolution of plant selection, medical traditions, and to bring insights into potentially novel medicinal plants and bioactive compounds to treat emergent or established primate and human diseases.

‘A Tiger’s Coming Down’: Gugak in the Metaverse

Prof. Dr. Jocelyn Clark is an assistant professor at Pai Chai University in South Korea. She has published in academic journals such as The World of Music, Asian Musicology, and Perspectives on Korean Music. Her research interests include orality, music of place, and contemporary “national music” performance practices in Korea, China, and Japan. She is engaged in long-term field research on sanjo and byeongchang, Korean traditional genres of which she is also a practitioner. She commissioned and/or premiered over 30 new works for Korean gayageum.

Mining companies, indigenous communities, and the state: the political ecology of lithium in Chile (Salar de Atacama) and Argentina (Salar de Olaroz-Cauchari)

Based on intensive and long-term field research and document reviews, this article compares the historic evolution of lithium mining in Chile and Argentina. We highlight national development discourses and government regulatory frameworks in both countries. We illustrate and assess the diverse perceptions and strategies of local actors. Finally, we discuss the socio-spatial materialization of lithium mining in terms of power relations, ecology, and economy. Using perspectives from political ecology brings to light different power relations between the state, mining companies, and indigenous communities in Chile and Argentina. These power asymmetries have an enduring influence on local actors' possibilities for taking action.

Tracking Meat of the Sand

Abstract This article explores the skilled arts of tracking and gathering as methods for noticing and theorizing multispecies landscapes in the Kalahari Desert, Botswana. Tracking is typically used to describe a practice of following animals, usually for hunting, whereas gathering primarily refers to the collection of plant and fungal materials. The author presents a case in which these terms have been scrambled during long-term ethnographic field research. The author and his interlocutors tracked the Kalahari desert truffle, an experience that demonstrates how aspects of tracking extend to gathering, but also how the practices are attentive to the movements of landscapes more broadly. This form of tracking attends to multiple spatial and temporal movements that include nonanimals and other nonhumans. It represents a way of noticing the assemblages of more-than-human relations that make up landscapes. These convergences, first identified through tracking, are then explored through the more distributed analytic of gathering. Inspired by Ursula LeGuin’s call to describe stories of gatherers and collectives in her “Carrier Bag Theory of Fiction,” the article argues that thinking tracking through the gathering analytic helps articulate a “carrier bag approach” for understanding landscapes through the gatherings of relations with which they emerge.