Peace Region Research Articles

Multiphase flow modelling of gas migration from a hypothetical integrity-compromised petroleum well in the peace region of North-eastern British Columbia, Canada

Well-integrity failure occurs in a small subset of petroleum wells, resulting in release of fugitive gas into intersected geologic formations. Released fugitive gas from geoenergy systems is a growing environmental concern that can contaminate groundwater aquifers and emit greenhouse gases (GHGs) to atmosphere. Currently, the roles of well-cement quality and properties of intersected geologic formations on the environmental outcomes of well-integrity failure is poorly understood. To advance understanding, we numerically modelled a hypothetical fugitive methane release from a petroleum well intersecting the Sunset Paleovalley aquifer system in Northeast British Columbia, Canada. We simulate a 10-year release and migration of fugitive gas into a two dimensional, two-phase, two-component advective flow field with the subsurface properties informed by field and laboratory data. We evaluate the effects of cement quality, gas release depth, and geologic heterogeneity on fugitive-gas containment or emission by defining and/or evaluating three key numbers: a) emission-retention ratio (ERR), b) well integrity index (WII), and c) fugitive gas mobility ratio (MR) over relevant spatiotemporal scales. We show that ERR and WII capture the bifurcated impacts of fugitive gas from petroleum wells, including groundwater contamination and atmospheric emissions. A WII close to one reduces vertical fugitive-gas migration along the well bore, fosters lateral migration into intersected geologic materials and significantly limits GHG emissions to atmosphere. MR and ERR values show fugitive-gas migration and fate are primarily controlled by the casing annulus cement quality, particularly when fugitive gas is released at shallow depths. We conclude that the quality of petroleum-well cement is among the parameters controlling the migration pathways, impacts, and fate of fugitive-gas release.

Varroa destructor economic injury levels and pathogens associated with colony losses in Western Canada

IntroductionThe honey bee parasitic mite, Varroa destructor, is considered the main factor associated with winter colony losses. To control this mite, beekeepers must implement Integrated Pest Management (IPM) strategies. An effective IPM strategy is based on timely monitoring of mite levels to treat the colonies when the mites reach an economic threshold and before they grow to damaging levels (economic injury level). Additionally, concerns have been raised about the possible interaction between V. destructor and other stressors; stressors acting additively or synergistically may lead to high colony mortality.MethodologyVarroa destructor levels were recorded in colonies from five regions of British Columbia, Canada: Lower Mainland, Kootenay, Okanagan, Cariboo, and Peace. Mite levels were analyzed for associations with colony strength and mortality, as well as with other pathogens that were identified using total RNA sequencing.ResultsThe Kootenay and Lower Mainland regions had the highest V. destructor levels in the fall (3.38±0.65 and 2.51±0.57, respectively) followed by the Okanagan (1.54±0.36), Cariboo (1.31±0.39), and Peace (0.66±0.25) regions. The Peace region had a significantly lower proportion of dead colonies than the other regions. Varroa destructor levels in the fall significantly predicted odds of colony mortality in the spring. Colonies with ≥ 1% mite infestation in the fall (August) had a significantly higher mortality rate (p=0.005) compared to colonies with <1% mite levels. Therefore, treatment is recommended above that threshold. Also, deformed wing virus-B levels were 8.4 times higher than those of deformed wing virus-A variant in all the regions and were highest in the Kootenay region, which also had the highest rate of colony losses. Lastly, Malpighamoeba mellificae and Nosema (Vairimorpha) apis transcripts were identified along with other pathogens that deserve further investigation, including Apis mellifera filamentous virus, Apis rhabdovirus, Lake Sinai virus, Varroa tymo-like, and Apis mellifera solinvivirus 1.DiscussionThe dynamic nature of host-pathogen interactions requires frequent pathogen surveillance to determine the prevalence and levels of parasitic mites and associated infectious diseases, and their impact on honey bee health, not only in the regions of this study, but globally. Nevertheless, more studies are needed to determine the nature of the type of interaction between the identified pathogens and V. destructor. Also, more research is needed to evaluate their potential impact on colony survival, to provide accurate mite and disease control recommendations to beekeepers.

An ankylosaur femur from the mid-Cretaceous of the peace region of northeastern British Columbia

Dinosaur skeletal material from the mid-Cretaceous of Canada is rare; however, the Cenomanian-aged Dunvegan Formation of northeastern British Columbia and northwestern Alberta is rich with ichnofossils attributed to nodosaurid ankylosaurs. A long bone (Hudson's Hope Museum specimen HH 2017.010.002) collected in 1993 from the Murray River of northeastern British Columbia is identified here as an ankylosaur femur. Femoral measurements of the bone plotted against femoral measurements of major dinosaur clades, combined with observations on femoral features, indicate that the bone belongs to an ankylosaur. The specimen is too damaged to assign to Nodosauridae or Ankylosauridae. HH 2017.010.002 represents the first limb bone material recovered from the Dunvegan Formation; previous ankylosaur material described from the Dunvegan Formation includes associated vertebrae and ribs from British Columbia and osteoderms from Alberta, as well as the presumed nodosaurid footprints Tetrapodosaurus borealis Sternberg, 1932. The Cenomanian is a time of great ecological change in North America, including the possible extirpation of ankylosaurid ankylosaurs. Fossils from the Dunvegan Formation can thus yield important insight into the responses of fauna to this major transition.

Turkish-Israeli relations: ‘the golden years’, 1991–2000

ABSTRACT In 1949, Turkey became the first Muslim country to formally recognize Israel. Initially, relations were limited to trade and transportation; a partnership to counter the United Arab Republic’s pan-Arab influence in the region. Diplomatic relations would cool however, following Israel’s reunification of Jerusalem in 1967. By 1994, Turkey no longer had any illusion that the post-Gulf War Middle East would be a peaceful region. By early 1996, the alliance between Israel and Turkey had reached an all-time high with the signing of an agreement on military cooperation and training, followed by a second one in defence, research and development, and technology transfer. Throughout the second half of the 1990s, the Turkish military continued to oversee foreign and defence policy, which remained firmly tied to the West. The Israeli-Turkish alliance was also viewed as a critical buffer against Syria and Iran, sponsors of terrorist organizations Hamas and Hezbollah, with Syria also backing the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK). The strategic connection with Israel was so valued that when former Turkish Prime Minister Necmettin Erbakan mulled rapprochement with Iran, the military forced him to resign, resulting in a more pro-western government.

British Columbia beekeeping revenues and costs: survey data and profit modeling.

British Columbia beekeepers, like many beekeepers around the world, are currently facing declines in honey bee health and high overwinter colony losses. To better understand the economics and the cycle of yearly colony loss and replacement of this critical agricultural industry, we collected and analyzed survey data on beekeeping costs and returns. Forty British Columbia beekeepers provided details about revenue sources, variable costs, capital costs, and investments. Ten surveyed beekeepers managed between 1 and 9 colonies, 10 managed between 10 and 39 colonies, 9 managed between 40 and 100 colonies, 5 managed between 101 and 299 colonies, 3 managed between 300 and 699 colonies, and 3 managed 700 colonies or more. The data was used to calculate beekeeping profit and to parameterize a model that explores the economic impact of colony loss rates and replacement strategies. Survey results show that when the data is aggregated, revenues exceed costs for beekeeping operations in British Columbia with a per colony profit of $56.92 or $0.87 per pound of honey produced. Surveyed operations with fewer than 100 colonies have negative profits, while operations with 100-299 colonies have positive profits. Surveyed operations in the Cariboo, North Coast, and Okanagan regions have the highest profits while surveyed operations in the Peace region have the lowest profits. Profit modeling shows that replacing losses with packages generates lower profit than replacing losses with split colonies. Our modeling shows that operations that diversify their revenue to include bee sales and commercial pollination accrue higher profits and can withstand higher winter loss rates.

Cluster formation as a sustainable rural development tool in Ukraine

The difficult situation in Ukraine in general and in the agricultural sector in particular, caused by the war: destruction of settlements with infrastructure, property damage to business entities, impossibility of conducting economic activity in the temporarily occupied territories and territories where active hostilities are taking place, relocation of business, massive displacement of the population to more peaceful regions – necessitates a rethinking of pre-war approaches to the development of rural areas. This study focuses on one of the most promising tools – clusters. Since proper legal regulation is crucial for the effective development of clustering processes, the purpose of the study is to analyse the state of legal support for clustering in rural areas, considering the requirements of smart specialisation, to identify the main problems and to develop proposals for their solution. This goal was achieved through the use of several methods of scientific knowledge: dialectical (philosophical), analysis, formal legal, hermeneutical, abstract logical, and historical and legal. As a result, the author formulates a definition of the concept of “cluster”, which enshrines its features (voluntary association of entities with the status of entrepreneurs, sectoral or intersectoral nature). The purpose of the cluster activity is substantiated: creation of products and/or provision of services, promotion of sustainable development of rural areas. It is established that clusters combining agricultural production with other, in particular non-agricultural, activities are promising for rural areas. The necessity to consider the provisions of smart specialisation of regions in the formation of clusters is proved. Proposals have been developed regarding the formation of the legal framework for the formation and functioning of clusters by supplementing the normative acts of economic legislation with provisions on the form of organisation of cluster formations; defining clustering as a promising task in the national and agrariansectoral strategic planning documents; basic directions of state support for the creation and functioning of clusters in the field of agriculture/in rural areas. The results obtained are of theoretical importance for the development of the science of agrarian and commercial law. The conclusions of the work are also of practical value since they can be considered in the content of the improved legislation on clusters and smart specialisation of regions

Diasporaa etnokultuuriline portree Kesk-Venemaal: Kama-tagused udmurdid, moodustumine, kultuur ja suhted naabritega

The Eastern Udmurt are a peripheral Udmurt ethnographic group whose members live mostly in Bashkortostan. This article introduces the reader to the migrations that led to the formation of this group, and to the main cultural characteristics that determine the originality of the Eastern Udmurt. Their settling in the Bashkir lands took place due to the penetration of the Russian power in the Volga region, which happened in the sixteenth century through warfare that damaged the local population. They started to settle in more peaceful regions, and the migration was continued in the subsequent centuries, reaching the peak with the forceful Evangelisation of the eighteenth century. This culture is rich and original: it has retained many Udmurt features as the ethnic religion that is still alive, and has merged with Turkic features in several important aspects, such as language, costume, and music. This continues with the observation of Eastern Udmurt organisations and the relation to their core territory, nowadays the Republic of Udmurtia.

Penanganan Konflik Ambon dalam Analisis Dialektics Peace-Reconciliation dari Bar- Siman-Tov

Abstract The concept of conflict management often focuses only on how to stop the conflict. However, how to prevent these conflicts from happening again, and how to maintain permanent peace, often escapes scientific studies and the attention of conflict theorists and parties concerned with world peace. Based on this phenomenon, Bar-Siman-Tov developed a theory regarding the creation of lasting peace (stable peace) through a dialectic between the "peace approach" (top down structural) and the "reconciliation approach" (bottom up social psychological). The research is aimed at analyzing the Ambon conflict using the Bar-Siman-Tov theory. The Ambon conflict is a big story in the history of the Indonesian nation. Maluku, known as a peaceful region with all its plurality, was tested in 1999-2002 by a major conflict. The method used is the library method by collecting data through various written sources. The results of the study show that the dialectic of a structural "peace approach" with a grassroots "reconciliation approach" is capable of creating stable peace. Keywords: stable peace; peace; reconciliation; dialectics

Prevalence of Giardia lamblia Infection among Pupils and Students from Selected Schools in Nsukka Metropolis, Enugu State

Globally, Giardia lamblia is the most common intestinal protozoa parasite with about 200 million yearly infections in Africa, Asia, and Latin America. The parasite is common in third-world countries with poor living conditions. The current surge in terrorism across Nigeria has forced people to migrate into relatively peaceful regions and Nsukka has been one of the cities in Nigeria that have witnessed the influx of migrants. This migration aids the spread of G. lamblia and thus puts the public health of the inhabitants of Nsukka metropolis at risk. The current state of G. lamblia infection in Nsukka metropolis is not known and this knowledge gap hampers effective planning by public health officers and policymakers to safeguard the public health of the inhabitants. The objectives of this study were to provide information on the prevalence of G. lamblia infection among pupils and students from selected schools within Nsukka metropolis and to provide data on the age group that is more vulnerable to the parasitic infection among the studied population for public health campaign against the parasite. Faecal samples were collected from 170 individuals from five different schools. The faecal samples were examined for G. lamblia under the microscope using formol-ether concentration and direct smear methods. The prevalence of G. lamblia is 38.2%. The prevalence is higher in males (40.3%) than in females (36.7%). El-Shaddai Nursery and Primary School (ENPS) and University of Nigeria Nsukka (UNN) recorded the highest prevalence of 53.3% each. Children in the age groups 3 - 7 years had the highest prevalence of 66.7%. Giardia lamblia is widespread among children and university students in Nsukka metropolis.

Evaluating propensity for fugitive gas migration from integrity compromised oil and gas wells in the Peace Region, British Columbia, Canada, with a petrophysical approach

Oil and gas wells can suffer integrity failure resulting in the release of fugitive gas, formed primarily of methane, into the subsurface and atmosphere. Factors affecting fugitive gas migration in the subsurface, and in particular within and between shallower units intersected by energy wells (i.e. <100 m depth), are usually poorly considered with little focus on specific lithological characteristics that control gas movement, determine environmental impacts and influence how best to detect, monitor and quantify fugitive gases. To better understand and identify properties that can control fugitive gas migration in shallow sedimentary rocks that form the Peace Region of British Columbia, Canada, we developed a workflow by which a series of rock cores from units present in the area were obtained and their flow properties characterised. Insights on propensity for fugitive gas migration within and between these rocks were achieved through laboratory techniques and analytical calculations that are usually applied to the study of deeper hydrocarbon migration and seal integrity. These included Mercury Intrusion Porosimetry, petrographic analysis, X-ray computed tomography, as well as estimations of threshold capillary pressure, gas-column heights, hydrostatic pore pressure and total displacement pressure. Results show a congruent correlation between the examined petrophysical rock characteristics and flow propensity. We find that high capillary pressure will act as an effective mechanism for limiting vertical gas migration in the region, even when potential barrier facies have porosities of more than 10% and permeability of 0.26 mD. Additionally, results suggest that the propensity of studied shallow sediments to transmit fugitive gases will be controlled by heterogeneity, permeability anisotropy and the presence of secondary structural features, such as microfractures. Our approach for evaluating the propensity of fugitive gas migration could be applied elsewhere to enhance understanding of potential migration pathways and aid in development of effective monitoring and detection strategies that can better anticipate gas behaviour in the subsurface and prognosticate reactive transport, impacts and fate.

Последствия вступления Финляндии и Швеции в НАТО для национальной безопасности России

The accession of Finland and, in the foreseeable future, Sweden to NATO shapes a new strategic and international political reality in the Scandinavian-Baltic region. The “Nordic balance” and the idea of this space as a “region of eternal peace” are irretrievably becoming the things of the past, posing a set of new challenges and threats to the Russian Federation. Russia has always taken into account the gradual withdrawal of Sweden and Finland from the policy of neutrality/non-alignment and their transformation into de facto associate members of NATO, although considered the threat of formal Alliance’s northern expansion as insignificant in the short and medium term. However, it is obvious that since February 2022, the arguments of doubling the length of Russia’s border with the alliance and the compelled military-technical response in this case have ceased to be considered in Sweden and Finland as significant in foreign policy and defense planning. The purpose of the article is to analyze the current security situation in the Scandinavian-Baltic region, scenarios for the accession of Finland and Sweden to the North Atlantic Alliance, and possible consequences for Russia. The methodological basis of the article is scenario analysis. The first and the most likely scenario assumes more active relations with the Alliance (increase in the number and scale of military exercises, strengthening of the eastern border of Finland, expansion of the Baltic Air Policing mission to Finland, etc.) without a significant increase in military deployment and infrastructure. Two other scenarios, which are possible with the further deterioration of the European security system, allow the deployment of nuclear weapons in the region as the last resort, although this seems extremely unlikely today. However, even in the case of accession in accordance with the first scenario, the Russian Federation might face a whole range of threats and challenges, including, but not limited to, the deployment of missile defense infrastructure and nuclear-capable weapon systems, an improvement of the conditions for strengthening the NATO’s military activities in the Arctic, the possibility of transferring a large amount of Sovietdesigned military equipment to Ukraine by Finland, etc.

Impact of the Russian Invasion on Mental Health of Adolescents in Ukraine

Very limited evidence is available on the psychological impact of war on adolescents in Ukraine. This study compared war experiences and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), anxiety and depression in adolescents living in war-torn and peaceful regions of Ukraine, more than 2 years after Russia first invaded in2014. The cross-sectional study included 2,766 students aged 11-17 years living in the war-torn Donetsk region and in Kirovograd in central Ukraine. Self-reported PTSD, depression, and anxiety were assessed by Harvard Trauma Questionnaire, Patient Health Questionnaire-9, and Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7. Data were collected from September 2016 to January 2017. Binary and multinomial logistic regression models were used to examine the association between PTSD, anxiety, and depression and regions. War trauma and daily stress were higher in adolescents in the Donetsk region; 881 (60.2%) adolescents had witnessed armed attacks, 204 (13.9%) were victims of violence, and 409 (27.9%) were forced to leave their homes. They also had significantly increased risks for PTSD (odds ratio [OR] 4.11, 95% CI 2.37-7.13), severe anxiety (OR 3.10, 95% CI 1.83-5.27), and moderately severe/severe depression (OR 2.65, 95% CI 1.79-3.92). Traumatic events and daily stress were strongly associated with psychological distress in adolescents living in a war-torn region in Ukraine. These findings can help in understanding, measuring, and addressing the long-term impact that the current escalating war in Ukraine will have on adolescents' mental health and social functioning.

Changing Geo-Political Dynamics Of China-Pakistan Relations

In the 1940’s , China emerged as a new country on the world map. Pakistan was founded two years earlier than China. The geopolitical dynamics brought the two countries together ever since. While facing their own internal or external challenges, the two sides developed a close partnership in culture, society, and ideology, setting up a unique example of mutual understanding and cooperation. This article gives a detailed discussion and analysis on the relations of the two countries from a geopolitical perspective from 1950s to 2020s, a span of 70 years. The article starts with the diplomatic relations between the two sides in the 1950s, when the first generation leaders developed the diplomatic ties in a positive way. The friendship moved forward with frequent official visits, the building of the Karakorum Highway, the secret channel Pakistan played for China to establish diplomatic ties with US, mutual support on international issues. In the 21st century, the two sides enhanced their relations to all weather strategic relations under the background of BRI and CPEC. The article draws the conclusion that China's elevation and economic preeminence is shaping a new, prosperous and vibrant region. South Asia’s demographic and huge economic potential are promising. The two countries can join hands together to make this dream of a prosperous, secure and peaceful region by aligning with those who wish to win the race, leaving losers behind.

Burial ground Kariv-I in the Context of the Ethnic and Cultural Situation of the Last Quarter of the 2nd Century AD in the Area of Western Buh and Upper Dnister Regions

The article characterizes the ethnocultural situation in the basins of the Western Buh and the Upper Dnister Rivers of the last quarter of the II century AD. It is based on cultural situation associated with the consistent residence in these areas of the population of Przeworsk and Wielbark cultures, as well as the appearance of new polyethnic group such as Kariv in the last quarter of the second century AD. The “Kariv group” is currently represented by a cremation burial ground on the site Kariv-I in the Chervonohrad district of Lviv Oblast, and by single burials sites in Rechychany and Slovita near Lviv in Western Ukraine and by a number of accidental single finds. The community of the “Kariv group” can be characterized as a mix of Przeworsk, Suebian, Western Baltic and possibly Venedian cultural elements. It can be clearly seen both in the nature of how the graves were constructed and in the ritual actions connected with the burial itsel. The existing dating material (fibulae, spurs, drinking horn tips, amphorae, glass and bronze vessels, etc.), most of which comes from the closed complexes of the Kariv site, allows us to determine the chronology of the Kariv group to the second half of the second century CE, or phase B2/C1. Its appearance can be related to the events of the Marcomannic Wars in the Middle Danube region. The wars were attended by various ethnic groups from the territory of the European Barbaricum, including the northern tribes of the Lombards, Chauci and others. As a result of the difficult political and economic conditions, after they were defeated in the war, some members of the barbaric coalition could have left the area near the Danube limes and move to the north to the territory of more peaceful regions of the European Barbaricum. The disappearance or assimilation of the “Kariv group” population chronologically matches the arrival of the Wielbark culture in the Western Buh and Podollian areas.

ВПЛИВ ЗБРОЙНОЇ АГРЕСІЇ РФ НА ЕНДОГЕННИЙ ПОТЕНЦІАЛ РЕГІОНІВ УКРАЇНИ

Ендогенний потенціал є фундаментом соціально-економічного розвитку регіонів і держави в цілому, джерелом їх соціально-економічного прогресу. Війна РФ проти України спричинила безпрецедентну гуманітарну кризу, зниження економічної динаміки і втрату ендогенного потенціалу регіонів країни. Проаналізовано масштаби втрат ендогенного потенціалу регіонів України в умовах війни. Показано втрати людського і трудового капіталів регіонів країни через міграцію населення за кордон, а також внутрішнє переміщення з регіонів, де ведуться активні бойові дії, у більш безпечні області. Розраховано приблизний обсяг втрат споживчого попиту регіонами України внаслідок внутрішнього переміщення населення; виявлено посилення міжрегіональних диспропорцій споживчого попиту, зумовлене переміщенням населення з регіонів, де ведуться бойові дії, у більш спокійні регіони. Розраховано, що станом на початок червня з української економіки за кордон «перемістилося» приблизно 1,9 млрд дол. споживчого попиту. Виявлено зниження якості та рівня життя наявного населення України, а також його соціально-психологічну дезадаптацію в умовах війни. Проаналізовано поведінку бізнесу і встановлено масштаби його втрат, які мали місце в перші місяці війни, показано основні напрями адаптації до нових умов діяльності – релокація виробничих потужностей і працівників, галузева трансформація бізнесу. Розглянуто вплив втрат ендогенного потенціалу регіонів України в умовах війни на недоотримання доходів місцевими бюджетами. Вказано на посилення ролі місцевого малого бізнесу в наповненні регіональних бюджетів у частині акумулювання місцевих податків і зборів.

Integration of perennial forage seed crops for cropping systems resiliency in the Peace River region of western Canada

The Peace River region is one of the northern agricultural frontiers in Canada, undergoing farmland expansion as well as intensification with input-intensive industrial agriculture. The cropping systems evolved with the rotations between annual grain and perennial forage crops as a prudent adaptation to fragile, crust-forming, runoff-prone, poorly developed, platy-structured acidic Luvisolic soils. In recent years, there is a decline in the acreage of perennial forage seed crops leading to simplified low-diversity cropping systems with heavy reliance on external inputs. The production systems have been prone to the rapid evolution of herbicide-resistant weeds, and outbreaks of crop diseases and insect pests in the face of global warming. A number of studies conducted in the Peace River region and other parts of North America have shown multiple benefits of integrating perennial forage crops in the cropping systems. By virtue of high root-to-shoot ratio and perennial growth, forage seed crops can provide multiple ecological services in the fragile Luvisolic soil through increased soil organic matter, carbon sequestration, soil biological diversity, soil structural improvement, nutrient mobilization, crop protection and environmental health, thereby creating conducive effects to the resilient performance of the cropping systems. This review discusses the merits of crop rotations in general and those of perennial forage seed crops in particular in the face of changing climate, with special reference to studies conducted in the Prairies and Peace region of western Canada. Research opportunities are highlighted to elucidate multidimensional ecosystem services from diversified cropping sequences integrating perennial forage seed crops.

Keeping the peace in Southeast Asia: ASEAN and the quest for positive peace

Southeast Asia has gone through a remarkable transformation in recent decades and seen peaceful change since the end of the Cold War era despite great power interference and rivalry and ongoing territorial disputes including the South China Sea conflict. The region has transformed its image from the so-called Balkans of the East in the 1960s and 1970s to an economically competitive and peaceful region today. Despite these accomplishments, the record of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) in maintaining regional peace and security has also been seriously challenged, particularly at the domestic and transnational level. The paper argues that the Southeast Asian experience of peaceful change calls for a different framework of analysis that goes beyond the traditional International Relations theories which do not provide a compelling answer to whether regional peace has prevailed. It reviews ASEAN’s approaches to managing peace and security in Southeast Asia and brings close attention to domestic and international dynamics. The paper claims that the Southeast Asian states’ approach to positive peace, reflected in the notion of comprehensive security and the building of national and regional resilience, is instructive in understanding peaceful transformations in the region.

Fertilizer Effects on Soil Moisture Changes during Crop Growing Seasons of Dryland Agriculture in Northwestern Alberta, Canada

Efficient use of limited soil moisture resources is important for crop production in dryland agriculture in the study area. Understanding the changes in soil moisture during crop growing seasons can improve crop production. The objectives of the current study were to assess the effects of fertilizer application on soil moisture content (SMC) and its depletion patterns during the growing season. Changes in SMC in the 0-10, 10-20, 20-30, and 30-40 cm depths soil were monitored during the 2013-2015 growing seasons under canola (Brassica napus L.) and barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) crops with 0 and 100% rates of commercial chemical fertilizers. The crops were grown using direct seeding (DS) on a clay loam soil in the southeast Peace Region (legal: NW7-77-20W5; GPS: 55o39&amp;prime;38.43&amp;Prime; N, 117o6&amp;prime;10.64&amp;Prime; W) of Alberta, Canada. Fertilizer application reduced the SMC at all the soil depths during considerable crop growing seasons. Depletion of SMC started earlier in fertilized pots in 2013 and 2014, but not in the drier early season of 2015. Rapid depletion during the early and middle of growing seasons was followed by slower or no soil moisture depletion by crops near the end. The SMC tended to be somewhat lower under 100 than 0% fertilizer by the end of the growing seasons, with few exceptions. The start of SMC depletion and appearance of fertilizer rates effect after seeding was also influenced by the amount of SMC at seeding in spring, i.e. earlier in dry year of 2015 than in other years with higher SMC in spring and more rain. The results demonstrated that applying fertilizer increased soil water use by plants regardless of the crop type or growing season. They also indicated that if more soil moisture was available, the differences between fertilizer treatments might have continued for extended periods, and yields of fertilized crops may have benefitted more.

Progress of cooperation for sustainable development of the greater Mekong subregion and Vietnam's contribution

The Greater Mekong Subregion (GMS) includes the territories of the following countries: China, Laos, Myanmar, Thailand, Cambodia and Vietnam, established in 1992 because of the common flow of the Mekong River. With the goal of sustainable development, the operation of GMS has made many positive contributions to the general development of the region as well as the socio-economic development of the member countries. The article presents the process of Vietnam joining the GMS since 1992 and being a founding member of this organization with its advantages and limitations. It is a country located in the lower Mekong River, very vulnerable and vulnerable if the GMS cooperation process takes place without sustainability. As a country with a position in the region, a responsible member to the international and regional community, Vietnam participates in the GMS process with the desire to build the GMS into a region of peace and stability and develop. Therefore, overcoming barriers and difficulties, Vietnam has actively enhanced multilateral and bilateral cooperation and has made many positive contributions to GMS cooperation programs and projects. Vietnam's contribution shows the spirit of positive and proactive international integration.

Early season root growth, soil aggregation and stratification of nutrients and soil properties after six annual treatments of fertilizer rates and seeding systems

Fertilizer application and tillage practices have been found to influence root growth and soil properties. The objectives of the current study were to assess the response of early season root growth of canola (Brassica napus L.) and barley (Hordeum vulgare L.), aggregates stability in the 0–7.5 cm of soil, and nutrient concentrations and soil properties in the 0–7.5, 7.5–15.0, 15.0–22.5 and 22.5–30.0 cm soil, to 6 years of different soil test-based fertilizer rates and seeding systems. Before these assessments, soil test-based fertilizer rates (0, 60, 100 and 140%) and seeding systems (direct seeding, DS; and minimum tillage, MT) had been used for six years (2010–2015) to grow crops on a clay loam soil in the southeast Peace Region (legal: NW7-77-20W5; GPS: 55°39′38.43″N, 117°6′10.64″W) of Alberta, Canada. The length, surface area, volume and number of tips for canola and barley roots in the early growing season (from May 11 to June 17) of 2015 were greater with the 100% than the 0% fertilizer rate. They also tended to be greater under the DS than MT system. The length, surface area and volume of roots were greater for barley than canola, while the number of tips for both crops were in a similar range. The stability of soil aggregate (after the 2015 growing season) showed positive effects of fertilizer application and reduced tillage intensity. Soil samples collected in the spring 2016 indicated increased stratification of some nutrients and soil properties from higher fertilizer rates. These trends were more evident under the DS than the MT seeding system. Organic matter content and P concentration declined with depth, while pH, Ca and Mg increased with depth, and the change with depth tended to be greater at the 100% than 0% fertilizer rate. No change in stratification of NO3-N and SO4-S was noticed as a result of fertilizer rates. Overall, 6 years of different fertilizer rates and tillage systems influenced the early season growth of canola and barley roots, the soil aggregates stability and the stratification of some nutrients and soil properties.