Lowland Regions Research Articles

Impact of Long-Term Drought on Surface Water and Water Balance Variations in Iran: Insights from Highland and Lowland Regions

Droughts have a significant impact on surface water resources, especially in arid and semi-arid regions. Computational and data handling limitations have constrained previous time-series analyses. However, advances in cloud computing services and remote sensing technology allow for a more detailed examination. This study integrates multi-source satellite-derived data with a cloud computing platform to assess the impact of long-term drought on surface water and water balance in Iran from 2000 to 2021. Given the varying effects of drought on highlands and lowlands, the analysis was conducted at three levels: the entire country, the highlands, and the lowlands. The results of this study reveal imbalances between water balance from 2000 to 2021, with notable disparities observed during 2000–2007, 2009–2014, and 2016–2019. The results also show varying drought trends (e.g., −1.22 in 2000 and −0.73 in 2021), with severe conditions captured in 2008 (SPI: −1.92). Additionally, our analysis illustrated that lowlands were more impacted by droughts compared to highlands. Long-term drought and permanent surface water had correlation values of 0.33 across the country, 0.33 in the highlands, and 0.31 in the lowlands. For seasonal surface water, coefficients were 0.18 for the entire country, 0.16 for the highlands, and 0.18 for the lowlands. Overall, long-term drought had minimal effect on reducing surface water. These findings show that drought is only part of the explanation for the decrease in surface water resources.

Population Distribution in Guizhou’s Mountainous Cities: Evolution of Spatial Pattern and Driving Factors

Guizhou is a typical mountainous province and is also one of the lowland regions in China that has attracted a population influx. Here, using population density data from 2000 to 2020 as the basic dataset and the coefficient of variation method and standard deviation ellipse analysis, we investigated the spatial characteristics across different years. The results show: Firstly, Guizhou’s population has a distinct spatial distribution, characterized by a lower population density in the southeast and a higher density in the northwest as well as an increasing polarization of population concentration toward the centers of prefecture-level cities and provincial capitals. Fluctuations in population density resemble a central siphon effect, which is particularly pronounced in the provincial capital and show a significant gravitational pull. Secondly, the coefficient of variation in population density across Guizhou’s counties is spatially divided by Guiyang, showing higher values in the east and lower values in the west. Furthermore, the ellipse of the standard deviation of population density is gradually shrinking, indicating an increasingly concentrated population distribution. Thirdly, the explanatory power of the population and socio-economic systems on the population distribution in Guizhou is significantly greater than that of the natural systems. Population distribution and migration patterns have shifted from purely “economic driven” to coexisting with “economic and comfort-oriented” trends, and there is an urgent need to improve the comfort level of public services as a typical supply, in order to boost Guizhou’s population attraction.

Modeling the Bioclimatic Range of Musa ingens (Giant Highland Banana) under Conditions of Climate Change Scenarios

Climate change significantly impacts living organisms, leading to alterations in their range, distribution, and abundance. This study estimates the potential distribution of representatives of the family Musaceae, noted for their large size and importance to tropical ecosystems. We focus on Musa ingens Simmonds 1960 and employ bioclimatic variables and in situ datasets to model its species distribution. We differentiate potential distribution areas for M. ingens and present a prognostic map of its distribution under four climate change scenarios. Precipitation during the warmest quarter emerges as the primary factor influencing the spatial distribution of M. ingens. Under the RCP (Representative Concentration Pathway) 6.0 scenario, the potential distribution shows an initial decrease, followed by a significant increase by 2070. Meanwhile, the RCP 8.5 scenario indicates an increase in 2050, with a subsequent six percent decrease in 2070. Under the RCP 4.5 scenario for 2050, the species distribution shifts regionally, particularly around the Osua Trikora Mountains and the highlands of the Giluwe Mountains to Mount Victoria. By 2070, the feasible area is expected to expand. Notably, the RCP 2.6 scenario for 2070 predicts a dramatic reduction in habitable area around Mount Bintang Lestari, on the border between Indonesia and Papua New Guinea, rendering the entire lowland region of Papua uninhabitable. Consequently, a sharp decline in the population of M. ingens in this area is predicted.

A stoichiometric insight into the seasonal imbalance of phosphorus and nitrogen in central European fishponds

BackgroundThis study examines seasonal and regional trends in chlorophyll-a concentrations and the dynamics of nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) in 32 fishponds (resulting in 150 pond-year cases) employed for fish production. Fishponds have a poor ecological state, requiring further insights for pond management. To gain those insights, monthly data on the pond environment were collected over the growing seasons from April to September (up to 14 years) across lowland to highland regions in Czechia. We used a ratio of dissolved inorganic nitrogen to total phosphorus (DIN:TP) to investigate seasonal patterns of N and P limitations.ResultsFishponds in the lowland region (below 199 m above sea level, a.s.l.) were predominantly N-limited (80%), while ponds in the midland region (200–449 m a.s.l.) exhibited P limitation at the beginning of the growing season (April–May) and N limitation by the end of the season (August–September; 90% of fishponds). Highland fishponds (above 450 m a.s.l.) showed frequent P limitations, especially during the beginning of the season. Chlorophyll-a concentrations varied on both regional and seasonal scales, with the overall phytoplankton biomass peak at 31 ha of pond surface area. Chlorophyll-a remained stable at the beginning of the season regardless of the DIN:TP ratio but increased with a lower DIN:TP ratio by its end. The chlorophyll-a concentrations were lowest at the beginning and highest at the end of the season and decreased with altitude.ConclusionsSeasonal and regional variations in nutrient limitations and chlorophyll-a occur in fishponds. Our study suggests that targeted seasonal nutrient input and enhanced monitoring can significantly improve fishpond management practices and ecosystem stability.

Prevalence of metabolic syndrome in sickle cell disease patients: A cross‐sectional study at a tertiary hospital in Nepal

AbstractBackgroundSickle cell disease (SCD) is the most common hemoglobinopathy caused by an autosomal recessive genetic disorder leading to increased morbidity and mortality rates. SCD is prevalent in the Tharu community in the lowland (Terai) region of Nepal. Prevalence of metabolic syndrome among adults with SCD is poorly studied.MethodologyThis prospective cross‐sectional study was conducted at Seti Provincial Hospital in Dhangadhi, Nepal, among 140 adolescents and adults with SCD, aged 15–60 years. Anthropometric and laboratory data were collected using an assisted questionnaire, and the SPSS software version 23 was used for data analysis. Descriptive and inferential statistics were used to summarize the presence of metabolic syndrome and were stratified in separate analyses by age and sex. National Cholesterol Education Program‐Adult Treatment Panel III criteria were used to define metabolic syndrome.AimThis cross‐sectional study aimed to assess the prevalence of metabolic syndrome among SCD patients with SCD registered at the Seti Provincial Hospital in Dhangadhi, Nepal.ResultsThe prevalence of metabolic syndrome in the study participants was 7.8%. Our study revealed 5% of the patients overweight, and 1.4% obese. In this study, the mean triglyceride level was 118.5 mg/dL, and the mean high‐density lipoprotein (HDL) level was 36.2 mg/dL (men) and 36.7 mg/dL (women). This study found that the mean fasting blood glucose level was 88.6 gm/dL. Similarly, 3.5% of patients had increased systolic blood pressure, and 7.8% had raised diastolic blood pressure. Study shows that changes in triglyceride level (p = 0.013), waist circumference, and HDL level (p = 0.0001 and 0.0048, respectively) are significantly associated with smoking or alcohol consumption; however, change in blood pressure (p = 0.013) and fasting blood sugar level (p = 0.086) are not associated with smoking or alcohol consumption.ConclusionStudy concluded that though a lower proportion of SCD patients met the criteria for metabolic syndrome than in studies conducted in developed countries, it is crucial to consider metabolic syndrome while managing patients with SCD. Nevertheless, the authors advocate a more comprehensive study to draw significant conclusions.

Comparative transcriptome analyses of cardiac tissue reveals differential gene expression profiles in sheep in response to altitudinal adaptation

The present study aims to elucidate the transcriptomic changes occurring in the cardiac tissue of sheep breeds acclimated to highland versus lowland regions in India. The Changthangi sheep thrives in cold arid highlands of Ladakh in contrast to the Muzzafarnagri sheep which is native to the sub-tropical plains characterized by sweltering heat and high humidity. Four biological replicates of heart tissue from each breed were used to generate the RNA sequencing data. Both breeds exhibited high expression of genes related to crucial cardiac functions such as muscle contraction, hypertrophy and calcium ion homeostasis. Differential gene expression analysis identified distinct expression profiles associated with altitudinal adaptation, with enrichment of apoptotic signals in Changthangi and glycosaminoglycan metabolism in Muzzafarnagri sheep. Gene co-expression network highlighted the significance of apoptosis and EGFR pathway that may orchestrate adaptive responses to low oxygen levels in Changthangi sheep found in high altitude. The nodal genes identified in Muzzafarnagri sheep play essential roles in stress responses and MAPK signaling pathways, pivotal for cellular adaptation and survival under adverse conditions. The key genes identified within our study present compelling candidates for future studies in altitudinal adaptation in ovines. This comprehensive analysis provides valuable insights into the genetic basis of cardiac adaptation to altitude in sheep, shedding light on the molecular pathways involved in physiological adjustments to high-altitude environments.

Assessing the Potential Impacts of Climate Change on Drought in Uzbekistan: Findings from RCP and SSP Scenarios

Future climate change and its impact on drought is critical for Uzbekistan, located in Central Asia, the world’s largest arid zone. This study examines the evolving intensity of climate change and drought events using multi-model ensembles (MMEs) derived from the Coupled Model Intercomparison Project Phase 5 and 6 (CMIP5 and CMIP6) simulated under the Representative Concentration Pathway and Shared Socioeconomic Pathway (RCP and SSP) scenarios. The projections show different rates of increase in temperature and precipitation under the RCPs and SSPs. Projected temperature increases are expected to reach up to 2–2.5 °C under SSP1-2.6, SSP2-4.5, and SSP3-7.0, by mid-century. By 2080–2099, an increase is projected of 2–3 °C in monthly mean temperatures throughout the year (SSP1-2.6), and a more pronounced increase in summer up to 3–4 °C (SSP2-4.5) and 4–6 °C (SSP3-7.0), with a marked contrast in conditions between the mountainous and desert regions of Uzbekistan. Regional changes in precipitation over the study periods show relatively little variability, except for FD, where notable trends are found. Under SSP1-2.6 and SSP2-4.5, the increase in precipitation is relatively modest, whereas the changes in SSP3-7.0 are more substantial, with some regions experiencing variations of up to 10–20 mm per period. The Standardized Precipitation Evapotranspiration Index (SPEI), calculated based on the projected temperature and precipitation, provides an estimate of future drought trends. Our results show increasing aridity under all scenarios by mid-century, with longer-term projections indicating stabilization around different SPEI values by 2100: RCP2.6 and SSP1-1.9 stabilize around −1.0; RCP4.5, RCP6.0, SSP2-4.5, and SSP3-7.0 stabilize around −1.5; while RCP8.5 and SSP5-8.5 scenarios project values of −2 or less by 2100. Notable differences in the SPEI index are found between lowland and foothill regions. In view of Uzbekistan’s heavy reliance on agriculture and irrigation, which are the sectors that are expected to be mostly affected by climate change, our study provides a scientific basis for informed policy decision-making. This includes various aspects such as planning and management water resources, as well as the broader socioeconomic development of the country.

Relationship between potentially toxic elements and macrophyte communities in the Sava river

Freshwater ecosystems are at significant risk of contamination by potentially toxic elements (PTEs) due to their high inherent toxicity, their persistence in the environment and their tendency to bioaccumulate in sediments and living organisms. We investigated aquatic macrophyte communities and the concentrations of As, Cu, Cd, Cr, Pb, Zn, Ni and Fe in water and sediment samples to identify a pollution pattern along the Sava River and to investigate the potential impact of these PTEs on the diversity and structure of macrophyte communities. The study, which covered 945 km of the Sava River, showed a downstream increase in sediment concentrations of the analyzed elements. Both species richness and alpha diversity of macrophyte communities also generally increase downstream. Ordinary and partial Mantel tests indicate that macrophyte communities are significantly correlated with sediment chemistry, but only weakly correlated with water chemistry. In the lowland regions (downstream), beta diversity decreases successively, which can be attributed to an increasing similarity of environmental conditions at downstream sites. Species richness is relatively low at sites with low concentrations of Cr, Cd, Fe, and Cu in the sediment. However, species richness increases to a certain extent with increasing element concentrations; as element concentrations increase further, species richness decreases, probably as a result of increased toxicity. Some species that are generally more tolerant to high concentrations of PTEs are: Ceratophyllum demersum, Iris pseudacorus, Najas marina, Butomus umbellatus, Vallisneria spiralis, Potamogeton gramineus and Bolboschoenus maritimus maritimus. Potamogeton perfoliatus and the moss species Cinclidotus fontinaloides and Fontinalis antipyretica have narrow ecological amplitudes in relation to the concentrations of PTEs in the sediment.

Do protected areas enhance surface water quality across the Brazilian Amazon?

Protected Areas (PAs) are pivotal instruments in natural resource conservation and maintaining or enhancing ecosystem services, including hydrological functions. In the Amazon, the impact of PAs on the quality of river waters remains largely overlooked. Therefore, this study aims to evaluate whether Environmental Protected Areas (EPAs) and Indigenous Lands (ILs) efficiently protect the quality of surface waters in the Brazilian Amazon. Water quality variables from river gauge stations distributed across the lowlands Amazon are analyzed according to baseline river hydrogeochemistry classification, both inside and outside PAs. This study found that whitewater and clearwater rivers coursing within EPAs and ILs show lower turbidity and electrical conductivity compared to those outside PAs, likely due to the buffering effect of dense forest cover within protected landscapes. Moreover, data indicate that protected areas enhance the water quality from upstream unprotected landscapes in the Brazilian Amazon. These results highlight the need to further invest on effective mechanisms of water resource conservation across lowland tropical regions, and particularly in the Earth’s largest watershed.

Annual and spatial variation in adult and brood abundance in a sub-Arctic wader

ABSTRACT Capsule Numbers of adult Eurasian Whimbrels Numenius phaeopus declined steeply across Iceland’s largest lowland basin during 2012–2021, but the abundance of broods during 2013–2021 did not decline. Sites with more adults generally held more broods. Aims Many Arctic-breeding waders are experiencing population declines, and it is imperative to gain a better understanding of how habitats and demography interplay in driving the dynamics of wader populations. We investigated the temporal and spatial variation in the abundance of Eurasian Whimbrel adults and broods (a proxy for productivity), and also the habitat associations of adults and broods, to assess whether sites holding more adults were also more productive. Methods Temporal and spatial variation in the abundance of Eurasian Whimbrels were analysed using generalized linear models in an 11-year dataset of adult counts and a nine-year dataset of brood counts, collected in a road-based survey across Iceland’s largest lowland region. Results We found a strong decline in the adult population but no trend in brood abundance, which showed high annual variation. Both the adults and broods occurred in a range of semi-natural habitats, but broods occurred less frequently in cultivated, built-up and forested habitats than expected by chance. More broods were associated with survey points that had a higher abundance of adults, suggesting the sites holding more adults are also more productive. Conclusions Spatial variation in brood abundance is largely a proximate product of local adult abundance, whereas its temporal variation seems strongly affected by annual environmental conditions. Incorporating such results into landscape planning, and prioritizing habitats for conservation where adults are more abundant, should also favour more productive sites in this Icelandic population.

Local Climate Identity in the Architecture of Traditional Mosques in Warm Humid Tropics: The Case in Lowland and Mountainous Regions of Aceh, Indonesia

Local Climate Identity in the Architecture of Traditional Mosques in Warm Humid Tropics: The Case in Lowland and Mountainous Regions of Aceh, Indonesia

GIS-based spatio-temporal analysis of rainfall trends under climate change in different agro-ecological zones of Wolaita zone, south Ethiopia

Understanding the spatiotemporal dynamics of climatic conditions within a region is paramount for informed rural planning and decision-making processes, particularly in light of the prevailing challenges posed by climate change and variability. This study undertook an assessment of the spatial and temporal patterns of rainfall trends across various agro-ecological zones (AEZs) within Wolaita, utilizing data collected from ten strategically positioned rain gauge stations. The detection of trends and their magnitudes was facilitated through the application of the Mann–Kendall (MKs) test in conjunction with Sen's slope estimator. Spatial variability and temporal trends of rainfall were further analyzed utilizing ArcGIS10.8 environment and XLSTAT with R programming tools. The outcomes derived from ordinary kriging analyses unveiled notable disparities in the coefficient of variability (CV) for mean annual rainfall across distinct AEZs. Specifically, observations indicated that lowland regions exhibit relatively warmer climates and lower precipitation levels compared to their highland counterparts. Within the lowland AEZs, the majority of stations showcased statistically non-significant positive trends (p > 0.05) in annual rainfall, whereas approximately two-thirds of midland AEZ stations depicted statistically non-significant negative trends. Conversely, over half of the stations situated within highland AEZs displayed statistically non-significant positive trends in annual rainfall. During the rainy season, highland AEZs experienced higher precipitation levels, while the south-central midland areas received a moderate amount of rainfall. In contrast, the northeast and southeast lowland AEZs consistently received diminished rainfall across all seasons compared to other regions. This study underscores the necessity for the climate resilient development and implementation of spatiotemporally informed interventions through implementing region-specific adaptation strategies, such as water conservation measures and crop diversification, to mitigate the potential impact of changing rainfall patterns on agricultural productivity in Wolaita.

Afforestation of a floodplain system in Paraguay with eucalyptus: Effects on soil properties and nutrient stocks

The gramineous species Andropogon lateralis and Paspalum notatum dominate lowland habitats in Paraguay. These habitats include wetlands and aquifers that provide essential ecosystem services, such as soil C storage, biodiversity, water flow regulation and water quality. Large areas of these valuable natural ecosystems have been transformed into intensive agricultural systems, including sugarcane and eucalyptus plantations. The transformation potentially affects water flow and lake and stream recharge and threatens the native biodiversity of the ecoregion. The soils in these zones are characterised by high C stocks, high acidity, nutrient limitation (low cation exchange capacity and base saturation) and a sandy texture, and they may be sensitive to perturbations. This study aimed to assess the impact of eucalyptus plantations on soil properties and nutrient and C stocks in afforested lowland regions in a subtropical area and to generate information relevant to sustainable management. For this purpose, 62 eucalyptus plantations of ages between 2 and 10 years and 8 native grassland plots were selected for study. The experimental design enabled us to estimate the amounts of nutrients extracted throughout the plantation rotation and to evaluate the impacts on soil properties (at 0–40 cm depth) and on soil carbon and nutrient stocks. The eucalyptus biomass production amounted to 215 Mg ha−1 after 10 years. The significant loss of soil C, which had decreased to 40 % after a decade, was attributed to the initial soil preparation, intensive drainage and the lower input of organic remains than in the natural grasslands. The significant decreases in soil nutrient stocks (N, P, Ca, Mg, and K), reaching between 50 % and 60 % throughout the rotation, were attributed to uptake of these elements by the trees. The bulk density increased by up to 1.3 g cm−3. The data suggest that establishing eucalyptus plantations in these lowland habitats leads to soil degradation and may reduce the environmental services supplied by the ecosystems. Local authorities must develop and implement territorial land plans and silvicultural practices in order to prevent degradation of these critical ecosystems.

Adaptive convergence and divergence underpin the diversity of Asteraceae in a semi-arid lowland region

Asteraceae is the most diverse family primarily found in semi-arid areas and species from the same botanical family have comparable phenotypes, occupy semi-arid habitats, and have adaptive convergences to environmental stress. Such characteristics aid in understanding adaptive radiations of recent groups on a regional scale and their successful establishment in habitats with challenging climatic and edaphic conditions. We investigated the adaptive convergence of the family as well as the fragile balance between fine-scale variation in adaptive traits and general convergence towards stress-tolerance and adaptation to aridity, using thorough field surveys and trait-based ecological approaches. Data was collected between 2020 and 2022 using the quadrat approach encompassed across 60 sites and five habitat types. Multivariate statistical methodologies were applied to analyze plant traits and soil variables. The tribes Cichorieae, Cardueae, and Heliantheae emerged as dominant contributors to the flora, illustrating their adaptability to varied ecological conditions. Microphyll emerged as the dominant leaf type, and therophytes prevailed as the most abundant life form. Urban habitats exhibited heightened sensitivity to Asteraceae species, as reflected in diversity indices. Canonical Correspondence Analysis demonstrated the significant influence of soil moisture, pH, phosphorus, and soil saturation on species distribution, with indicator species analysis highlighting habitat-specific plant-environment relationships. The study further classified species into adaptive strategies using CSR (competitive strategy-stress tolerant strategy-ruderal strategy) categorization. While some species exhibited pronounced R or S strategies, a majority demonstrated mixed strategies, such as R/CR, R/CSR, CS/CSR, emphasizing the versatility of adaptation strategies within the Asteraceae family. The findings underscore the intricate interplay between environmental variables and Asteraceae phylogenetic and functional diversity, highlighting the significance of soil properties in influencing plant distribution in semi-arid ecosystems. This research contributes valuable insights into the ecological dynamics of Asteraceae, shedding light on their responses to diverse environmental conditions and providing a nuanced understanding of the factors influencing their spatial distribution.

Discovering the ecological structure of different macrophyte groups in rivers using non-parametric and parametric multivariate ordination techniques

This paper analyses various methods of ecological ordering that are often used in modelling the relationship between vegetation and habitat. The results of direct gradient ordination by Canonical correspondence analysis (CCA), which is based on correlation, were compared with Non-metric multidimensional scaling (NMDS), which is based on rank analyses. Both tools were also compared with Detrended correspondence analysis (DCA), which is a popular indirect gradient analysis method. The macrophyte assessment was conducted at 98 river locations in the lowland regions of Poland. Each of the surveyed locations falls within a consistent abiotic category: small to medium-sized lowland rivers with a sandy bottom. Habitat elements analysed included limnological variables and geographic parameters, and the botanical survey focused on submerged macrophytes, including vascular plants, as well as bryophytes and algae. Firstly, it was shown that various analytical tools for determining the importance of ecological factors (Monte Carlo test, BIOENV) identify slightly different significant factors responsible for the development of macrophytes in rivers. Secondly, considerable similarity was found in the structure of macrophyte communities generated on NMDS and DCA biplots, while macrophyte communities were presented very differently based on CCA. Thirdly, the ecological preferences of aquatic plants based on one-dimensional analyses primarily reflected the results of CCA, whereas they did not always follow the ecological pattern revealed by NMDS. Finally, by conducting separate studies for non-vascular plants and vascular macrophytes, it was confirmed that different ecological drivers are responsible for the development of particular groups of macrophytes

A warmer climate impairs the growth performance of Central Europe's major timber species in lowland regions

Recent hot droughts have caused tree vitality decline and increased mortality in many forest regions on earth. Most of Central Europe's important timber species have suffered from the extreme 2018/2019 hot drought, confronting foresters with difficult questions about the choice of more drought- and heat-resistant tree species. We compared the growth dynamics of European beech, sessile oak, Scots pine and Douglas fir in a warmer and a cooler lowland region of Germany to explore the adaptive potential of the four species to climate warming (24 forest stands). The basal area increment (BAI) of the two conifers has declined since about 1990–2010 in both regions, and that of beech in the warmer region, while oak showed positive BAI trends. A 2 °C difference in mean temperatures and a higher frequency of hot days (temperature maximum >30 °C) resulted in greater sensitivity to a negative climatic water balance in beech and oak, and elevated sensitivity to summer heat in Douglas fir and pine. This suggests to include hot days in climate-growth analyses. Negative pointer years were closely related to dry years. Nevertheless, all species showed growth recovery within one to three years. We conclude that all four species are sensitive to a deteriorating climatic water balance and hot temperatures, and have so far not been able to successfully acclimate to the warmer climate, with especially Douglas and beech, but also Scots pine, being vulnerable to a warming and drying climate.

Users' Perceptions of Access to and Quality of Unified Health System Services in Brazil: A Cross-Sectional Study and Implications to Healthcare Management Challenges.

Evaluating the access to and quality of healthcare services from the users' perspective is an important assessment process to identify priorities. This study assessed the profile of health service usage and the views of the Unified Health System (SUS) users about the access to and quality of SUS public health services. A cross-sectional study was conducted with participants from the Coastal Lowlands Region of the Rio de Janeiro State/Brazil, between August and November 2023. The association between categorical variables was analyzed using the Pearson Chi-Square test, using R software 4.3. A total of 200 individuals were interviewed using a 66-question survey instrument. Participants who reported using SUS services more frequently rated this system as essential (p-value = 0.031). However, overall, 64% of participants rated the quality of care to be very bad/bad and 34.9% rated access as very bad/bad. Access was considered poor by respondents who used public services rarely or sometimes (p-value = 0.002). In terms of accessing SUS services consultations provided by specialists (e.g., neurologists), these were available only in another municipality (p-value = 0.001). Many participants were SUS dependent for health services, and gaps and weaknesses were observed regarding users' perspectives of the access to and quality of SUS health care. Policymakers should prioritize evaluations and dialogue with the community to make SUS services responsive and to optimize value-for-money in health service planning.

A spatio-temporal analysis of environmental fate and transport processes of pesticides and their transformation products in agricultural landscapes dominated by subsurface drainage with SWAT+

Pesticides are detected in surface water and groundwater, endangering the environment. In lowland regions with subsurface drainage systems, drained depressions become hotspots for transport of pesticides and their transformation products (TPs). This study focuses on detailed modelling of the degradation and transport of pesticides with different physico-chemical properties. The objective is to analyse complex hydrological transport processes, to understand the temporal and spatial dynamics of the degradation and transport of pesticides. The ecohydrological model SWAT+ simulates hydrological processes as well as agricultural management and pesticide degradation, and can therefore be used to develop pesticide loss reduction strategies. This study focuses on modelling of three pesticides (pendimethalin, diflufenican, and flufenacet), and two TPs, flufenacet-oxalic acid (FOA) and flufenacet sulfonic acid (FESA). The study area is a 100-hectare farmland in the northern German lowlands of Schleswig-Holstein that is characterized by an spacious drainage network of 6.3 km and managed according to common conventional agricultural practice.SWAT+ modelled streamflow with very good agreement between observed and simulated data during calibration and validation. Regarding pesticides, the model performance for highly mobile substances is better than for non-mobile pesticides. While the transport of the moderately to very mobile substances via tile drains played an important role in both wet and dry conditions, no transport via tile drains was modelled for the highly sorptive and non-mobile pendimethalin.In conclusion, the model can reliably represent the degradation of moderately to very mobile pesticides in small-scale tile drainage-dominated catchments, as well as surface runoff-induced peak loads. However, it has weaknesses in accounting for the subsurface transport of non-mobile substances, which can lead to an underestimation of the subsequent delivery after precipitation events and thus underestimates the total load.

Ecosystem Services Supply from Peri-Urban Watersheds in Greece: Soil Conservation and Water Retention

The main objective of this study is to investigate the supply of ecosystem services (ESs) within peri-urban watersheds (PUWs) across Greece, utilizing earth observation (EO) data and empirical models. To achieve these goals, several open-access geospatial datasets were utilized and processed within a GIS environment. Specifically, the supply of soil conservation and water retention services was assessed at the watershed scale. The results indicates that the supply soil conservation service withing the examined PUWs range from 44.41 t ha−1 y−1 to 441.33 t ha−1 y−1 with an average value of 161.99 t ha−1 y−1. Water retention services vary from 35.09 to 154.63 mm within the PUWs, with an average of 91.45 mm. Additionally, the variation in ES values across distinct altitudinal zones and ecosystem types provides useful insights for implementing protection and management measures. It is evident from the analysis that the soil conservation service gradually increases with elevation, with alpine and subalpine areas exhibiting the highest values. Moreover, mountainous and semi-mountainous regions demonstrate higher values compared to the estimated average soil conservation services of the entire study area. Furthermore, the provision of water retention services varies across different altitudinal zones. Specifically, the mountainous and semi-mountainous areas exhibit the highest values, followed by the subalpine and hilly regions, while lower values are observed in the lowland and alpine regions. The analysis also reveals distinct patterns in ecosystem services across various ecosystem types within the PUWs. Woodland and forest, along with heathland and shrubs, demonstrate higher values in terms of both soil conservation and water retention services. Our findings contribute to understanding the dynamics of ESs in PUWs, highlighting their significance for sustainable land management, and informing policy decisions aimed at preserving ecosystem health and resilience.

Review of the high bed–low ditch system as an alternative to lowland paddy in tropical and subtropical Asia

Many forms of traditional raised bed systems could be found around the world. Several of them have been identified as Globally Important Agricultural Heritage Systems (GIAHS) sites by Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations. Unlike traditional raised bed systems with similar structures in the Americas, the high bed–low ditch (HBLD) system in tropical and subtropical Asia, which is originated and developed from rice production, has been playing an important role in enhancing food security and maintaining farmer livelihood for centuries. Moreover, products provided by HBLD system are not only important for the livelihood of the local farmers, but also important for people living in the nearby towns and cities especially for vegetable and fruit supply. In this system, the ditches or sunken beds can be used to lower the groundwater table, retain nutrients and soil particles washed from the bed, grow rice or aquatic vegetables, and raise fish or shrimp. The HBLD system can also help to reduce salinity in coastal lowlands due to the presence of ditches. The raised beds can be used to grow various upland crops. Compared with rice monocropping, the adoption of HBLD system significantly improves the cropping intensity, productivity, employment, and income of farmers. Famers’ long-term practices fully demonstrate that this system is a type of sustainable agriculture with strong adaptability to the changes of natural environment. However, it should also be noted that the large-scale development of HBLD systems is not simply dependent on natural conditions, but is also determined by specific socioeconomic factors, such as good transportation facilities, a well market system, and a sufficient supply of labor. As a model of equilibrium between food production and high levels of biodiversity maintenance, the HBLD system is an important agricultural heritage system with global significance, and it should be well preserved and utilized in new ways to realize its important multiple functions under conditions of rapid urbanization in lowland and coastal regions.