Neighboring Islands Research Articles

Common tenrecs (Tenrec ecaudatus) reduce oxygen consumption in hypoxia and in hypercapnia without concordant changes to body temperature or heart rate.

Common tenrecs (Tenrec ecaudatus) are fossorial mammals that use burrows during both active and hibernating seasons in Madagascar and its neighboring islands. Prevailing thought was that tenrecs hibernate for 8-9months individually, but 13 tenrecs were removed from the same sealed burrow 1m deep from the surface. Such group hibernation in sealed burrows presumably creates a hypoxic and/or hypercapnic environment and suggests that this placental mammal may have an increased tolerance to hypoxia and hypercapnia. Higher tolerances to hypoxia and hypercapnia have been documented for other mammals capable of hibernation and to determine if this is the case for tenrecs, we exposed them to acute hypoxia (4h of 16 or 7% O2), progressive hypoxia (2h of 16, 10 and 4% O2), or progressive hypercapnia (2h of 2, 5 and 10% CO2) at cold (16°C) or warm (28°C) ambient temperatures (Ta). Oxygen equilibrium curves were also constructed on the whole blood of tenrecs at 10, 25, and 37°C to determine if hemoglobin (Hb)-O2 affinity contributes to hypoxia tolerance. In animals held at 16°C, normoxic and normocapnic levels of oxygen consumption rate ( ), body temperature (Tb), and heart rate (HR) were highly variable between individuals. This inter-individual variation was greatly reduced in animals held at 28°C for oxygen consumption rate and body temperature. Both hypoxia (acute and progressive) and progressive hypercapnia led to decreases in as well as the variation in between animals held at 16°C. The fall in oxygen consumption rate in 7% O2 independent of changes in body temperature in tenrecs held at 16°C is unique and not consistent with the typical hypoxic metabolic response seen in other hibernating species that depends on concomitant falls in Tb. In animals held at 28°C, exposure to O2 levels as low as 4% and CO2 levels as high as 10% had no significant effect on , HR, or Tb, indicative of high tolerance to both hypoxia and hypercapnia. High variation in heart rate remained between individuals in all gas compositions and at all temperatures. Tenrec Hb-O2 affinity was similar to other homeothermic placental mammals and likely does not contribute to the increased hypoxia tolerance. Ultimately, our results suggest changes in Ta dictate physiological responses to hypoxia or hypercapnia in tenrecs, responses more characteristic of reptiles than of most placental mammals. Given that numerous anatomical and physiological characteristics of tenrecs suggest that they may be representative of an ancestral placental mammal, our findings suggest the typical hypoxic metabolic response evolved later in mammalian evolution.

Environmental sensitivity of the Caribbean economic growth rate

Abstract. The year-over-year changes in economic growth across the Caribbean Antilles islands demonstrate sensitivity to climatic conditions. Daily wind and rainfall exceedances from passing storms are negatively related to the gross domestic product (GDP). Field regression of the GDP time series from 1971 to 2022 for Puerto Rico and the neighboring Antilles islands reveals links with eastern Pacific sea temperature. A zonal overturning atmospheric circulation over the equatorial Atlantic emerges in composite analysis. Alternating at an approximate 7-year interval, it modulates weather events and economic prosperity in the Caribbean. A multivariate algorithm is developed to predict changes in the annual GDP growth rate. The most influential predictor is precipitable water in the equatorial Atlantic 1 year earlier. Reduced moisture overlain by westerly winds in a global bottleneck at 5° S–5° N, 20–40° W tends to suppress Caribbean storms, leading to economic prosperity in the following year. Statistical methods and risk-reduction strategies are outlined.

Access to Dermatological Appointments Based on Insurance Types in Hawai'i.

Although there is evidence that Medicaid beneficiaries in the continental United States experience barriers to accessing dermatological care, limited data exists on whether these same barriers exist in Hawai'i. Using a secret shopper study design, a total of 46 dermatology offices were contacted, 41 (89%) of which were accepting new patients. Thirty (73%) offices were located on O'ahu, and the remaining 11 (27%) were distributed among the neighboring islands (Hawai'i Island, Kaua'i, Maui). Overall, the acceptance rate for Medicaid (n=14) was 34%, which was significantly lower (P<.0001) than private insurance (n=39 (95%)) and Medicare (n=38 (93%)). The acceptance rate for patients with Medicaid insurance was lower for O'ahu offices (27%) than for neighboring islands' offices (55%), but the difference was not statistically significant (P=.095). Differences in average wait times were not statistically significant among insurance types or between O'ahu and neighboring islands. Overall, these results suggest that Medicaid recipients compared to those with private insurance or Medicare might experience difficulty in accessing dermatological care in Hawai'i.

Did steam boost the height and growth rate of the giant Hunga eruption plume?

The eruption of Hunga volcano on 15 January 2022 produced a higher plume and faster-growing umbrella cloud than has ever been previously recorded. The plume height exceeded 58 km, and the umbrella grew to 450 km in diameter within 50 min. Assuming an umbrella thickness of 10 km, this growth rate implied an average volume injection rate into the umbrella of 330–500 km3 s−1. Conventional relationships between plume height, umbrella-growth rate, and mass eruption rate suggest that this period of activity should have injected a few to several cubic kilometers of rock particles (tephra) into the plume. Yet tephra fall deposits on neighboring islands are only a few centimeters thick and can be reproduced using ash transport simulations with only 0.1–0.2 km3 erupted volume (dense-rock equivalent). How could such a powerful eruption contain so little tephra? Here, we propose that seawater mixing at the vent boosted the plume height and umbrella growth rate. Using the one-dimensional (1-D) steady plume model Plumeria, we find that a plume fed by ~90% water vapor at a temperature of 100 °C (referred to here as steam) could have exceeded 50 km height while keeping the injection rate of solids low enough to be consistent with Hunga’s modest tephra-fall deposit volume. Steam is envisaged to rise from intense phreatomagmatic jets or pyroclastic density currents entering the ocean. Overall, the height and expansion rate of Hunga’s giant plume is consistent with the total mass of fall deposits plus underwater density current deposits, even though most of the erupted mass decoupled from the high plume. This example represents a class of high (> 10 km), ash-poor, steam-driven plumes, that also includes Kīlauea (2020) and Fukutoku-oka-no-ba (2021). Their height is driven by heat flux following well-established relations; however, most of the heat is contained in steam rather than particles. As a result, the heights of these water-rich plumes do not follow well-known relations with the mass eruption rate of tephra.

Ecological Studies on the Soil and Vegetation of Krusadi Group of Islands in the Gulf of Manaar

The account presents the plant ecology with a description of soils and other related features of the Krusadi group of islands situated in the Gulf of Manaar approximately between 9°14'-9°15'N and 79°10.5'-79°14.5' E. Data on pH, organic matter contents, total soluble salts, sodium chloride contents and calcium carbonate contents in the soils of different habitats are presented in tabular form and an attempt made to correlate vegetation with the soil features. A classification of vegetation situations rather than strictly vegetation type has been brought out and comparison made with the main neighbouring island of Rameswaram with similar climate. The paper includes a vegetation map of the area prepared during the field work.

Challenges Faced by Rural Health Care Providers Caring for Parkinson's Disease Patients in Neighbor Islands of Hawai'i.

When compared to their urban counterparts, rural regions have worse health outcomes and more challenges in health care access. As the only island state in the US, Hawai'i's unique geographic layout may magnify these disparities. However, there are limited publications on the impact of urban-rural disparities in health care in Hawai'i. The study team aimed to identify the challenges rural health care providers face when managing treatment of Parkinson's disease (PD), a complex disease. A self-administered survey was sent to 247 eligible providers who practiced in Hawai'i and prescribed PD medications from 2017-2019. The survey assessed: provider's comfort level in PD management; utilization and accessibility of health care services; perspective on barriers to PD care; and perspective on telemedicine. Providers were categorized into O'ahu providers (OP, urban) and neighbor island (Hawai'i, Kaua'i, and Maui) providers (NIP, rural). The final sample size was 44 providers (18% response rate). NIP were significantly less likely than OP to report access to social workers (P=.025), geriatric services (P=.001), and psychologist/psychiatrist/mental health professionals (P=.009). There were no statistical differences in: criteria used for PD diagnosis, resources utilized for PD education, and comfort in prescribing PD medications. The findings show that NIP are just as engaged and capable in providing PD care as OP. However, NIP encounter more limitations to accessibility, which can affect the quality of PD care that their rural patients receive. Further research is needed to understand how these limitations affect health-related outcomes in PD as well as other chronic diseases.

Overview of the Potential and Utilization of Geothermal Energy on Flores Island

Geothermal energy on Flores Island is a suitable subject for a contextual approach in physics studies. Research activities, exploration, and the practical application of geothermal energy rely on fundamental physical concepts and principles. Flores Island and the surrounding archipelago are endowed with significant geothermal potential. Consequently, this research endeavor, aimed at assessing the potential and utilization of geothermal energy on Flores Island, serves as an excellent resource for contextual physics learning, particularly in the context of Flores Island. This research uses a literature study approach by reviewing related literature to obtain information about the research object. Flores Island and its neighboring island groups host 24 volcanoes. Specifically, Flores Island boasts 20 locations with geothermal potential, with resources capable of generating up to 739.5 MWe. Notably, by 2023, three Geothermal Power Plants (PLTP) will be operational on Flores Island, including Ulumbu PLTP, Mataloko PLTP, and Sokoria PLTP. These developments have positioned Flores as the first island in Indonesia to surpass the Renewable Energy mix target of 25.38%.

Interpreting oral conditions of the past: biocultural factors affecting Gran Canaria’s population between the fifteenth and eighteenth centuries (Canary Islands, Spain)

The European colonization of the Canary Islands was accompanied by new farming and food processing techniques as well as new dietary patterns. The current study sheds light on the impact of these new techniques and foodstuffs by delving into the oral conditions of members of this society in this timeframe. The analyses of the oral conditions of 85 adults of the Modern Era of Gran Canaria combined with spatial, temporal, and sex criteria led to identifying a paleodietary profile characteristic of this population. This pattern served to evaluate differences among other populations of the archipelago such as the earlier Indigenous Period of Gran Canaria and the Modern Era populations of the neighboring islands of Tenerife and Lanzarote. This study reveals a high prevalence of caries, dental calculus, and antemortem tooth loss, notably along the lines of sex. Comparisons between the different Indigenous and the Modern populations also point to statistical differences between dental caries and heavy macrowear. The Gran Canaria’s Modern Era population had a carbohydrate-rich diet compatible with the intake of cereal and sugar cane products. Oral conditions among males were likely influenced by the newly introduced consumption of tobacco. The results also confirm that the European colonization strongly altered the dietary patterns and food processing techniques inherited from the Indigenous Period. Finally, the comparisons of the Modern Era populations of the three islands of the archipelago reveal an asymmetry between dietary patterns and food processing techniques from one island to another.

The effects of exposure to refugees on crime: Evidence from the Greek islands

Recent political instability in the Middle East has triggered one of the largest influxes of refugees into Europe. The different departure points along the Turkish coast generate exogenous variation in refugee arrivals across Greek islands. We construct a new dataset on the number and nature of crime incidents and arrested offenders at island level using official police records and newspaper reports. Instrumental variables and difference-in-differences are employed to study the causal relationship between immigration and crime. We find that a 1-percentage-point increase in the share of refugees on destination islands increases crime incidents by 1.7–2.5 percentage points compared with neighboring unexposed islands. This is driven by crime incidents committed by refugees; there is no change in crimes committed by natives on those islands. We find a significant rise in property crime, knife attacks, and rape, but no increase in drug crimes. Results based on reported crimes exhibit a similar pattern. Our findings highlight the need for government provision in terms of infrastructure, social benefits, quicker evaluation for asylum, and social security.

Updated systematic inventory of the non-marine (land/ terrestrial) molluscs occurring in the ABC Islands (Aruba, Bonaire and Curaçao), insular territory located in the Dutch Southeast Caribbean facing to the Western coast of Venezuela

Introduction: Once again, simultaneously with the malacological studies carried about the country of Venezuela (Agudo-Padrón 2023 a-b) and the immediate neighboring islands of Trinidad &amp; Tobago (Agudo-Padrón 2023 c), since 2014 the “Projeto AM” (Brazil) has carried parallel out taxonomic, bioecological and conservation research of the non-marine (land/ terrestrial) molluscs present in the neighbor insular set territory artificially denomined “ABC” (Aruba, Bonaire and Curaçao islands). To date, the aspects of the natural history of this geographic region, equally located in the Northern sector of South America, although in the West sector of the Dutch Southeast Caribbean facing to Venezuela mainland, have been regularly studied. Objective: Substantial updating of this knowledge through an exhaustive review of the regional malacological literature of historical and recent nature available. Methodology: Between 2014 and the present, a sequential review of the species occasionally referred to in the regional literature was carried out, examined from the perspective of the current taxonomy in force. Results and conclusions: Verification and determination of fifty-three (53) valid referred nominal taxons, including 15 subspecies &amp; 38 species of land/ terrestrial gastropods, taxonomically grouped into seventeen (17) families and thirty (30) genera.

Obsidian clasts as sintered remnants of agglutination processes in volcanic conduits, evidence from the Pepom tephras (Sete Cidades), São Miguel, Azores

The youngest explosive eruptions of the Sete Cidades volcano, São Miguel, Azores, are recorded by a series of relatively small-volume (<0.03 to 0.13 km3 DRE) trachytic pyroclastic deposits termed the Pepom tephra deposits. While dominated by crystal-poor to crystal-moderate (<10%) pumice clasts, these deposits also contain a suite of dense glassy clasts of broadly similar crystallinity. The obsidian clasts from a single deposit vary in texture from entirely dense to those that are moderately vesicular and typically single clasts will contain multiple textural domains. The majority (∼71%) of these dense clasts have compositions both from bulk rock and in-situ glass measurements that are identical to those of the pumice clasts within the same deposit. We interpret these dense clasts to reflect sintering of previously fragmented magma at shallow levels in the conduit prior to being re-entrained and erupted with the vesicular magma, in agreement with recent studies focussing on textural observations. Notably, across the exposed volcanic stratigraphy of São Miguel obsidian domes, flows/coulees are not preserved, arguing against the idea that the dense glass clasts within the Pepom tephras are sourced from existing surficial rocks. In contrast, the neighbouring island of Terceira exhibits domes and coulees with large obsidian bands that cut through the crystalline groundmass. Most silicic rocks of Santa Bárbara and Pico Alto volcanoes on Terceira are peralkaline, comenditic to pantelleritic in composition, and at similar conditions (e.g., temperature and water content) have lower viscosities than the trachytic Pepom obsidian clasts. However, the Santa Bárbara silicic lavas on Terceira (the less peralkaline suite) have more obsidian than the more peralkaline Pico Alto domes and coulees indicating that while peralkalinity, developed during magmatic evolution in the crust, may play a role, sintering occurring at shallow levels within the conduit likely is more important in producing obsidian.

Freshwater Fishes of Wetlands in San Agustin, Romblon, Philippines

The Philippines is a globally significant hotspot for biological diversity and a center for endemism, but much of the studies are centered on terrestrial and marine biodiversity, and little is known about the diversity and status of freshwater fishes. In Romblon, no research had been conducted formally on these organisms. Thus, this study was realized. This study aimed to assess the freshwater fishes of San Agustin, Romblon using modified hoop net, gill net, scoop net and hook and line on December 2016 to January 2017, and July 2017 to December 2017. There were thirty-one species of freshwater fishes in San Agustin, Romblon which dominantly belonged to order Perciformes. These are common in the stream, irrigation creek and canal. Majority of these fishes are native to the Philippines and are utilized for food by the locals. Most of these species were classified in the Least Concern category by the IUCN Red List. Since the sampling was conducted during the wet season, this study strongly recommends conducting another investigation during the dry season. Biodiversity assessment on freshwater fishes in San Agustin, Romblon should also be done to prove the diversity of the freshwater fish in the area. On the other hand, this study suggests conducting a Tablas-wide study as well as to the other neighboring Island such as Sibuyan, and Romblon Island.

Distribution and abundance of Peleng Tarsier (Tarsius pelengensis) in Banggai Island group, Indonesia

The Peleng tarsier (Tarsius pelengensis) is poorly known primate, with a range limited to Banggai island-group, Central Sulawesi, Indonesia. It was classified as “Endangered” by IUCN in 2017 based on extremely limited demographic and distributional data. The aim of this study was to collect and analyze data on the population and distribution of Peleng tarsiers. Surveys were conducted over approximately 5 months in 2017 and 2018 across Peleng and the neighboring islands of Banggai, Labobo, and Bangkurung. We determined that tarsiers only occur on Peleng and Banggai Island. The average population density in Peleng and Banggai was estimated to be 234 individuals/km2. This is comparable to the broad ranges of tarsier densities throughout Sulawesi and offshore islands. Peleng tarsiers were found in all elevations (0–937 m above sea level) and nearly all vegetated habitats in Peleng island. Using the IUCN criteria for determining conservation status, in conjunction with our new data, we believe that the Peleng tarsier population should be classified as “Vulnerable”.

Grid-forming VSM control for black-start applications with experimental PHiL validation

The rising penetration of power converters interfaced generation into the electrical grid is leading to a paradigm shift where distributed resources are expected to provide ancillary services. The voltage-source behavior of grid-forming converter (GFC) makes it an attractive black-start provision alternative. This paper thus proposes a modified grid-forming virtual synchronous machine (VSM) control that is tailored for black-start applications. Voltage and power loops in the proposed controller are modified to provide soft energization to mitigate transformers inrush current, in addition to improved voltage support for the restored AC network and a smooth synchronization with neighboring islands or the main grid after a black-start event. The VSM control performance is first validated through simulations. Then, Power Hardware-in-the-Loop (PHiL) technique is used to validate the ability of a hardware GFC equipped with the modified VSM controller to restore a simulated network in a digital real-time simulator (DRTS) platform. Current-type Ideal Transformer Model (I-ITM) interface technique is successfully used in the experiment with time-delay impact compensation in the synchronous dq0 frame. The novel presented PHiL demonstration in this paper paves the way for similar testing of industrial GFCs for black-start and ancillary services provision under flexible network restoration conditions and complexity.

Iterative Parallel–Serial Detection Structure Using MAP Algorithm for Bit-Patterned Media Recording Systems

In bit-patterned media recording (BPMR), data are modulated into the magnetic poles and stored in the magnetic islands. Thus, to increase the areal density (AD) of the storage device, we should reduce the distance between the magnetic islands. This leads to a two-dimensional (2-D) interference, wherein each island is affected by the neighboring islands. Therefore, to handle the 2-D interference, we proposed a parallel–serial structure of the detection based on the maximum <inline-formula xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink"> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$a$ </tex-math></inline-formula> posteriori (MAP) algorithm. The equalized received signal was fed to two branches in parallel. One branch was in the order of horizontal and then vertical detections, and the other was in the reverse order of vertical and horizontal detections. With the MAP algorithm, the serial structure of two branches can improve the bit error rate (BER) performance of the detection. Moreover, we can extract the extrinsic information from the output of the MAP algorithm of two branches and create the iteration of the parallel structure. The original signal was restored with higher accuracy after each iteration. The simulation results showed that the iterative parallel–serial detection structure using MAP improved the BER performance compared to those in previous studies with only parallel or serial structures.

Opioid Withdrawal Abruptly Disrupts Amygdala Circuit Function by Reducing Peptide Actions.

While the physical signs of opioid withdrawal are most readily observable, withdrawal insidiously drives relapse and contributes to compulsive drug use, by disrupting emotional learning circuits. How these circuits become disrupted during withdrawal is poorly understood. Because amygdala neurons mediate relapse, and are highly opioid sensitive, we hypothesized that opioid withdrawal would induce adaptations in these neurons, opening a window of disrupted emotional learning circuit function. Under normal physiological conditions, synaptic transmission between the basolateral amygdala (BLA) and the neighboring main island (Im) of GABAergic intercalated cells (ITCs) is strongly inhibited by endogenous opioids. Using patch-clamp electrophysiology in brain slices prepared from male rats, we reveal that opioid withdrawal abruptly reduces the ability of these peptides to inhibit neurotransmission, a direct consequence of a protein kinase A (PKA)-driven increase in the synaptic activity of peptidases. Reduced peptide control of neurotransmission in the amygdala shifts the excitatory/inhibitory balance of inputs onto accumbens-projecting amygdala cells involved in relapse. These findings provide novel insights into how peptidases control synaptic activity within the amygdala and presents restoration of endogenous peptide activity during withdrawal as a viable option to mitigate withdrawal-induced disruptions in emotional learning circuits and rescue the relapse behaviors exhibited during opioid withdrawal and beyond into abstinence.SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT We find that opioid withdrawal dials down inhibitory neuropeptide activity in the amygdala. This disrupts both GABAergic and glutamatergic transmission through amygdala circuits, including reward-related outputs to the nucleus accumbens. This likely disrupts peptide-dependent emotional learning processes in the amygdala during withdrawal and may direct behavior toward compulsive drug use.

Arboviral disease outbreaks, Aedes mosquitoes, and vector control efforts in the Pacific

Recurring outbreaks of mosquito-borne diseases, like dengue, in the Pacific region represent a major biosecurity risk to neighboring continents through potential introductions of disease-causing pathogens. Aedes mosquitoes, highly prevalent in this region, are extremely invasive and the predominant vectors of multiple viruses including causing dengue, chikungunya, and Zika. Due to the absence of vaccines for most of these diseases, Aedes control remains a high priority for public health. Currently, international organizations put their efforts into improving mosquito surveillance programs in the Pacific region. Also, a novel biocontrol method using Wolbachia has been tried in the Pacific region to control Aedes mosquito populations. A comprehensive understanding of mosquito biology is needed to assess the risk that mosquitoes might be introduced to neighboring islands in the region and how this might impact arboviral virus transmission. As such, we present a comprehensive review of arboviral disease outbreak records as well as Aedes mosquito biology research findings relevant to the Pacific region collected from both non-scientific and scientific sources.

Epidemiology of tuberculosis and susceptibility to antituberculosis drugs in Reunion Island

BackgroundTuberculosis is the first fatal infectious agent in the world with 1.2 million annual deaths for 10 million cases. Little is known about the epidemiology of tuberculosis and its resistance in Reunion Island, which is at the heart of migratory flows from highly endemic Indian Ocean territories.MethodsWe carried out a retrospective observational study of cases of tuberculosis disease in Reunion Island between 2014 and 2018. The epidemiological, demographic, microbiological, clinical and social characteristics were analyzed from mandatory declarations, microbiology database and medical files.Results265 cases of tuberculosis disease were recorded over the period, ie an incidence of 6.2 / 100,000 inhabitants. 114 patients (43%) were born or resided > 6 months in the rest of the Indian Ocean area. The risk of infection was increased if birth in Madagascar (OR 23.5), Comoros (OR 8.9) or Mayotte (OR 6.8). The prevalence of HIV co-infection was low (2.5%). There were 31 cases (14.4%) of resistance to antituberculosis including 3 (1.4%) of multidrug-resistant tuberculosis and 0 case of extensively drug-resistant tuberculosis. The female gender (61.3% of resistant) was associated with resistance. The resistance rate was not significantly different depending on the geographic origin.ConclusionThis is the first exhaustive epidemiological study of tuberculosis in Reunion Island. The incidence there is relatively low but increased for people with links to neighboring islands, particularly Madagascar. The prevalence of multidrug resistance is low, with no associated increased risk for patients from the Indian Ocean area.

Energy performance assessment of Sea Water Air Conditioning (SWAC) as a solution toward net zero carbon emissions: A case study in French Polynesia

Sea Water Air Conditioning (SWAC) technology uses deep ocean water to cool buildings. It is a non-intermittent renewable thermal energy used directly without any transformation. It may replace other air-conditioning systems powered by electrical energy (mechanical vapor compression thermodynamic cycle) or powered by other renewable energies (solar heating and cooling systems). Despite its theoretical appeal as a solution to help achieve net-zero carbon emissions, and the existence of successful deployments, SWAC technology remains scarce worldwide mainly due to its investment cost (CAPEX). One reason for this failure to scale might be the absence of experimental data detailing energy performance of SWAC systems in real-world, commercial settings. Here is presented the performance of an existing 2.4 MW SWAC system, operated by The Brando resort on the atoll of Tetiaroa in French Polynesia. Under a tropical climate, experimental results show that the Coefficient of Performance (COP) of the SWAC system can reach 20 to 150 depending on the secondary loop length, compared with conventional vapor compression systems that peak at around 5 for the most efficient. To put this in terms of carbon emissions avoided, conventional unitary split systems running in similar hotels on neighboring islands in French Polynesia (COP around 3.5) emit some 860 Tons/year compared to the estimated 225 Tons/year emitted (approximated with the emissions factor of French Polynesia in 2019) operating the Tetiaroa SWAC.

Different responses to mega-trends in less favorable farming systems. Continuation and abandonment of farming land on the islands of Lesvos and Lemnos, Greece

Farming systems in marginal or less favored areas of Europe have faced a multitude of challenges as a response to so-called “mega-trends”. A typical response has been land abandonment. The focus of this paper is on the farming systems of the Greek islands of Lesvos and Lemnos. These neighboring islands are geographically very similar but differ greatly in their farming systems, resulting in different responses to the same megatrends. While land abandonment is widespread in the small-scale olive groves of Lesvos, on Lemnos specialization towards animal and dairy products is more common. We performed land cover analysis and interviews with farmers in both areas, in two complementing rounds: one more quantitative that recorded recent changes and farmer rationales and a more qualitative one that investigated longer term trends and decision-making patterns. The analysis revealed that, among others, land ownership and inheritance patterns matter in both areas in different ways, leading to diverse trajectories. On Lemnos, as part of the traditional mixed-farming system (Mandra), land leasing is dominant, separating land users and landowners. Interviews also reveal the different symbolic capital, as olive trees on Lesvos are considered a family asset and not just a land use, something that cannot be said of the leased grazing lands on Lemnos. The market value of the different products is important, but the different trajectories also demonstrate how the rationales behind the responses to mega-trends can guide which trajectories will be dominant in the area. This article highlights the complexity and mix of local drivers and global trends that drive abandonment at both farm and the landscape scales and guides the formulation and application of agricultural policies and public resources for improved management of marginal areas.