Land Productivity Research Articles

The Impact of Agricultural Digitization on Land Productivity: An Empirical Test Based on Micro Panel Data

Digital technology has transformed agriculture by changing traditional production methods and resource allocation. This paper investigates how agricultural digitization affects land productivity, based on farm household data. Findings indicate that agricultural digitization significantly enhances land productivity, with results remaining robust under sensitivity and endogeneity tests. Heterogeneity analysis reveals that the positive effects are more pronounced for larger landholdings, lower levels of human capital, and older farming populations. Mechanism analysis indicates that agricultural digitization improves land productivity by optimizing resource allocation, reducing pollution, enhancing risk resilience, and facilitating the adoption of new technologies. These findings provide valuable insights for developing countries pursuing agricultural digital transformation.

Soil quality indicator-based land productivity modelling for agricultural sustainability.

Rapid population expansion has made food security a global concern for humanity, necessitating a sustainable assessment of natural resources. Well evaluated and managed soil is one of the most significant resources that can assist close the gap between supply and demand for food to attain food security. A precise assessment of land productivity (LP) is essential for sustainable land use management. The primary aim of this research is to predict the land productivity index (LPI) for certain locations on Egypt's northwest coast under current conditions using soil quality indicators (SQIs). Additionally, the study proposed relevant management actions to boost land productivity in the future. To achieve this aim, a spatial model was created to assess LPI for some areas in the north western coast of Egypt. LP equation was used to estimate current land productivity index (CLPI) and potential land productivity index (PLPI). Results found that the study area mainly located under two classes of CLPI, e.g., average (class ⅡⅠ) represents an area of 13322.63 ha (67.55%) and good grade (class Ⅱ) covers an area of 4339.78 ha (22%). PLPI grades were good (II) and average (III) with an area of 16192.54 ha (82.10%) and 1903.23 ha (9.65%), respectively. The finding showed that more than 60% of the studied area was converted from poor and average class to good class after applying the proposed solutions of soil improvement. The methodology presented here can easily be replicated under similar circumstances in arid zones, allowing local governments and decision-makers to utilize the quantitative results obtained to ensure sustainable development.

Land productivity and environmental sustainability for G7 economies: Does an inverted U‐shaped curve exhibit green finance?

AbstractLand productivity including both water and agriculture are equally important for sustainable environment. The study investigate the role of water productivity and agriculture land along with the non‐linear effect of green finance on environment. Specifically, this research aims to investigate the effect of agriculture land, water productivity, green finance, environmental taxes and technologies on environmental sustainability in the Group of Seven (G7) countries, covering the timeframe of 1990–2020. The study also scrutinized the effect of green innovation and environmental regulations on the environment. This study uses novel panel data methods that are robust to nonparametric data. The empirical data are confirmed to be nonnormally distributed; therefore, the quantile regression approach is used. The empirical results confirmed an inverted U‐shaped curve for green finance, as its linear term is positive, and its nonlinear term negatively impacts carbon emissions. This supports the idea that green finance is effective for a group of seven economies; however, its magnitude should increase. Moreover, agricultural land, water productivity, environmental regulations, and green innovation negatively impact carbon emissions. By contrast, increasing economic activities, such as gross domestic product, increase carbon emissions. This study recommends increasing the focus on green finance, agricultural land, water productivity, and environmental regulations for the G7 countries to achieve the target of COP 27 and address climate change.

Impact of Spatial Evolution of Cropland Pattern on Cropland Suitability in Black Soil Region of Northeast China, 1990–2020

Agricultural land resources are essential for food production, and thus it is vital to examine the spatiotemporal changes in these resources and their impacts on land suitability to optimize resource allocation. In this study, we investigated the spatial evolution of cropland resources through land use change analysis by utilizing four periods of land use data from 1990 to 2020 in the black soil region of northeast China (BSRNC). Employing niche theory, we developed a cultivability evaluation model tailored to the BSRNC, which was used to assess the impact of the spatial changes in cropland patterns over the past 30 years on land suitability. Our key findings are as follows: (1) Cropland resources have generally tended to expand in the BSRNC, with an increase of 7.16 × 103 km2 in the cultivated area and a northeastward shift in the cropland center by 52.94 km, indicating significant changes in the spatial configuration of the land. (2) The region’s cultivable land resources were substantial, covering 694.06 × 103 km2, or 55.78% of the total area, with notable spatial variability, influenced by the regional climate and topography. (3) The land cultivability has slightly improved, as shown by a 0.10 increase in the cultivability index, but a significant declining trend in the cultivability of cropland was observed after 2000. Our findings provide valuable insights to help accurately assess land productivity in the BSRNC and facilitate the sustainable use and conservation of black soil.

Effects of Different Intertillage Practices on Soil Biochemical Properties and Soybean Yield in Soybean Fields

Heilongjiang Province, China, is a major soybean-producing area where low temperatures in early spring and poor soil moisture retention are the main limiting factors leading to low soybean yields. To improve land productivity, this study was conducted in Heilongjiang Province, China, from 2020–2021 via a field plot trial method, where four different intertillage treatments were set up in 2020: conventional intertillage (T1), early intertillage (T2), conventional subsoiling (T3), and early subsoiling (T4). In 2021, the effects of intertillage on soil biochemical characteristics and soybean yield formation were systematically analyzed under the T5 treatment (subsoiling at the stage of full development from the fourth to the fifth compound leaf) and the T6 treatment (soil culture at the stage of full development from the fourth to the fifth compound leaf). The results of the experiment revealed that deep loosening in advance improved the chemical properties of the soil. Compared with those of the T1 treatment, the contents of the organic carbon, total nitrogen, and available phosphorus and potassium in the early subsoiling treatments (T4, T5, and T6) were significantly increased. Intertillage time and depth had a strong influence on the soil microbial characteristics. Early medium intertillage could significantly increase the species abundance of bacteria and fungi in the soil, whereas subsoiling could increase the relative abundance ratio and uniformity of the dominant species. Compared with that in the T1 treatment, the yield of soybean in the T4 treatment was significantly greater, with yield increases ranging from 18.71% to 19.36%. In summary, the intertillage measures of one deep loosening and one medium soil cultivation at the stage of full development from the fourth to the fifth compound leaf and one large soil cultivation at the stage of full development from the sixth to the seventh compound leaf can be adopted on the basis of early deep loosening 4–5 d after soybean sowing to achieve high soybean yields. The results provide a theoretical basis for increasing the yield and efficiency of soybean fields under corn–soybean rotation, as well as innovation and development of cultivation systems

Efficiency of Land Degradation Neutrality Assessment Indicators of United Nation to Identify Land Degradation in a Semi‐Arid Environment

ABSTRACTThe primary objective of this study was to contribute to a deeper understanding of land degradation neutrality (LDN), with a specific focus on Malatya province, located in the semi‐arid region of eastern Türkiye. This case study served as a foundation for establishing a framework to monitor land degradation over time. The research employed three key sub‐indicators—land cover (LC), land productivity (LP), and carbon stocks—following the guidelines of SDG 15.3.1. To assess changes in these sub‐indicators, the SDG 15.3.1 indicator was calculated using 2015 as the baseline year and the preceding period (2000–2015) for comparison. The results indicated that approximately 3.24% of the study area experienced land degradation, primarily attributed to a decline in LP. Of this degradation, about 89.15% was linked to LP loss, while LC (5.91%) and soil organic carbon (SOC) (4.94%) contributed smaller proportions. The study also identified regional variations in land degradation, with intensified degradation occurring in areas undergoing rapid urbanization.

Zinc oxide nanoparticles foliar use and arbuscular mycorrhiza inoculation retrieved salinity tolerance in Dracocephalum moldavica L. by modulating growth responses and essential oil constituents

The production of medicinal plants under stressful environments offers an alternative to meet the requirements of sustainable agriculture. The action of mycorrhizal fungus; Funneliformis mosseae and zinc in stimulating growth and stress tolerance in medicinal plants is an intriguing area of research. The current study evaluated the combined use of nano-zinc and mycorrhizal fungus on the physiochemical responses of Dracocephalum moldavica under salinity stress. The study employed a factorial based on a completely randomized design with three replications. The treatments were different levels of salinity (0, 50, and 100 mM NaCl), two levels of mycorrhiza application (0 and 5 g kg− 1 of soil), and two levels of foliar spraying of nano zinc oxide (0 and 1000 ppm). Salinity decreased the photosynthetic pigments content, SPAD value, and chlorophyll fluorescence data (Fm, Fv, Fv/Fm). Plant dry weight, Na+ content, and essential oil content were significantly higher at 50 mM salinity + co-application of mycorrhiza and nano zinc oxide. Electrolyte leakage increased under salt stress, while mycorrhizal inoculation compensated for the trait. The main essential oil constituents were geranyl acetate, nerol, geranial, geraniol, viridiflorol, hexadecane, humulene, and germacrene D. Energy metabolism demonstrates the effectiveness of treatment combinations in promoting the biosynthesis and accumulation of essential oil components. The overall results with more comprehensive field-based studies would be advisable for the extension section to utilize marginal salty lands for the reliable production of a valuable medicinal plant.

The impact and mechanism of E-commerce of agricultural products on nongrain production of cultivated land in rural China.

Improving China's grain production level is conducive to achieving the sustainable development goal of zero hunger worldwide by 2030. As an important innovation in sales channels, e-commerce of agricultural products (EAP) directly affects grain production. However, no study has directly discussed the impact and mechanism of EAP on nongrain production of cultivated land (NGPL). Using data from large-scale household survey in rural China and econometric methods, this study analyzed the mechanism and effect of EAP on NGPL. The results show that EAP had a positive effect on NGPL. This conclusion is still valid after a series of robustness tests. EAP can improve farmers' timely access to agricultural product transaction information and promote the adjustment of farmland size. It leads to an increase in the planting of cash crops and an intensification of NGPL under the pursuit of maximizing profits. EAP mainly had a direct impact on large-scale farmers, those who have received e-commerce training, and farmers whose main source of income is agricultural income. China can fully leverage the advantages of rural e-commerce development to create agricultural brands and promote the upgrading of grain industry, improve the economic benefits of growing grain. It is also necessary to strengthen e-commerce training for farmers, improve their digital technology application capabilities and promote the high-quality agricultural products from villages to cities.

Available land for cellulosic biofuel production: a supply chain centered comparison

Abstract The land that is potentially available to produce dedicated cellulosic bioenergy crops, often referred to as ‘marginal’ land, depends heavily on the underlying assumptions used to classify and identify it. In this study we compare three definitions and types of marginal land to identify the interactions between the bioenergy landscape and the logistics networks needed for the biofuel supply chain. Typical studies of the scale, cost, and greenhouse gas (GHG) mitigation potential of cellulosic biofuel take a land-centered approach which may neglect to account for the trade-offs between establishing bioenergy crops and the supply chain design decisions needed to allow those crops to be converted to liquid fuel. A mathematical programming approach is used to minimize the total annualized cost of a large-scale field-to-product system producing bioethanol in the USA midwest. Results show that a high concentration of marginal land leads to efficient systems and that the bioenergy landscape design becomes increasingly important with a higher emphasis on GHG mitigation. Additionally, targeted landscape design (including fertilization) with a focus on fields with high soil carbon sequestration potential can greatly reduce the system-wide GHG emissions for only a small increase in the unit cost of biofuel.

The protection planning of small and micro habitats in urban fringe areas: Enlightenment from the management of high natural value farmland in the EU to the maintenance of bio-diversity in urban areas in China

<p>The habitat unit in urban fringe is an important link to support regional biodiversity; due to the influence of urban system and agricultural system, most of them are semi natural, appeared with diverse types, small patches, scattered layout, and generally relying on low intensity farming activities. Export-oriented expansion of urban construction land and intensive agricultural production are prone to reduce the scale and quality of semi natural habitats in urban fringe areas; and the existing measures cannot effectively protect them. High natural value farmland management is an effective measure of the EU to protect semi-natural habitats related to agriculture and maintain regional biodiversity. Through combing the main points of high natural value farmland such as type definition, evaluation, identification, maintenance management, etc., this paper proposes the suggestions for optimization of small and micro semi-natural habitat protection in China: (1) strengthening the recognition of the value of small and microhabitats and related land use; (2) identifying small and micro-habitats that are conducive to the maintenance of biodiversity, and incorporating them in the overall protection of regional network; (3) combining the rigidity and flexibility of land use control, with the consideration of complex function demands; (4) Converging with the existing statutory planning to enhance the protection efficiency of small and micro habitats.</p>

THE PROBLEM OF SOIL DEFLATION IN THE AGROLANDSCAPES OF VOLGOGRAD REGION ARID ZONE

Background. The climate is changing towards aridization and increasing on anthropogenic impact lead, among the other things, for example, a deflation, a loss of soil fertility and a desertification of agricultural landscapes, which negatively gives effect on their environmental sustainability and agricultural productivity. Purpose. It is needed to identify the influence and mechanism of influence of deflationary processes on the ecological balance of agricultural landscapes, and we need to solve some unresolved problems and ways to develop research on wind erosion of soils in the arid zone. Materials and methods. The methods of research of agricultural landscapes were used (methods of FGBNU VNIALMI, FGBNU "Rosinformagrotekh", State Scientific Institution VNIIZPE), which used generally accepted methods. Agricultural landscapes were built by using various agricultural technologies were studied as objects. Results. The revelation of those data proved that the stability of agricultural landscapes is high with direct sowing technology, where the level of deflation is 8%, while the classical agricultural technology it is 31%. The mechanism of soil and territory degradation in the conditions of Volgograd region under the influence of deflation and the level of decrease in arable land productivity, where the damage to agricultural production in the region was amounted to 27.6 billion rubles, have been established also. The influence of the entire complex of anthropogenic impacts on the properties and structure of soils included their erodibility, deflationary activity and, in general, on the formation of ecologically balanced agricultural landscapes which has been proven successfully. The promising areas of research have been identified also in this article. Conclusion. We proved that new experimental material on deflation in the zone of light chestnut soils has been obtained. Soil deflation was pronounced using classical agricultural technology. The need to develop a system of criteria for assessing the territories of the arid zone of the Russian Federation and methods for mapping territories.

Land survey assistance and its potential for the provision of sustainable agricultural land in East Barito District [Pendampingan survei lahan dan potensinya untuk penyediaan lahan pertanian berkelanjutan di Kabupaten Barito Timur

The conversion of rice paddy fields into oil palm plantations and mining sites in East Barito Regency, Central Kalimantan, poses a significant threat to the sustainability of agriculture. If this trend continues, the availability of land suitable for farming will decline. This study aims to assist local communities in the identification and management of sustainable agricultural land. The activities were conducted in Wuran Village, Karusen District, East Barito Regency, Central Kalimantan, from July to August 2024. The methods employed in this community service include interviews and assistance in soil suitability surveys as well as analysis of nutrient content at the site. Interview results indicate that 90% of respondents found the program beneficial. Soil surveys, analyzed with pH as a primary indicator, revealed a low pH of 4.5, necessitating interventions to raise it closer to the neutral pH of 6. Efforts undertaken include improving water management through the construction of bunds and the application of lime. Nutrient analysis showed that nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and potassium (K) levels were categorized as moderate to low. To enhance land productivity, it is recommended to increase doses of urea, SP-36, and KCl according to guidelines, along with the application of organic amendments such as straw. In conclusion, the enthusiasm of the community for the assistance provided indicates the potential for sustainable agricultural practices on their land. The findings of this study are expected to serve as a reference for the development of more sustainable agricultural strategies in the region.

Assessment of Goat Feed Resources and Nutritional Quality of Major Available Feed Stuffs in Dollo Zone, Somali Region, Ethiopia

The aim of this study was to assess goat feed resources and evaluate nutritive value of major available feed resources in Warder, Danod, and Daratole districts of Dollo zone, Somali Regional State, Ethiopia. A total of 156 households (52 from each district) who own goats were randomly selected for the study and interviewed using a pre-tested, semi-structured questionnaire. The study revealed that major feed sources for goats during wet season were natural pasture and fodder trees with 63.5% & 36.5%, respectively. On the other side, the major sources of feed in the dry season were natural pasture (42.3%) followed by fodder trees (30.8%) and crop residues (26.9%), respectively. Drought (46.2%), weed dominance (38.5%) and overstocking (15.4%) were reported as the major factors affecting grazing land productivity in the study area. The major factors affecting availability of feed resources were climate variability, lack of input, population growth, lack of awareness about feed conservation mechanisms, & lack of extension of extension services. Regarding to chemical composition of the sampled feeds, a significant difference was observed in CP, NDF, ADF and ash between seasons. The DM content of the sampled feeds ranged from 88.6% to 90.9% in wet season, while during the dry season, it ranged from 91.1% to 92.4%. The CP content ranged from 5.3% to 10.7%, while in the dry season, it ranged from 2.4% to 4.4% and a significant drop was observed in the dry season. The NDF contents ranged from 53.3 to 84.9%. The ADF content also ranged from 10.5% to 27.3% in wet season and from 7.6% to 31.9% in dry season. The ash content also ranged from 8.3% to 21.3% in wet season and from 4.5% to 14.3% in dry season. Therefore, the study suggests that it is essential to promote drought-resistant forage cultivation, implement effective feed conservation practices, strengthen extension services, manage grazing pressure sustainably, adapt to climate variability, and conduct further research on the nutritive value of local feed resources.

Сутність і зміст кліматичного фінансування

Introduction. The present day is characterized by the destructive consequences of climate change, such as rising temperatures, prolonged droughts, melting glaciers, sea-level rise, catastrophic floods, extreme weather events, and emergencies; biodiversity loss; increasing forest fire risks; declining land productivity; crop failures; reduced eco-friendliness of agricultural products; degradation of fish stocks; increased morbidity and mortality; limited tourism; migration, and humanitarian issues such as loss of property and livelihoods. It can be stated that there is a triple planetary crisis: climate change, biodiversity loss, and environmental pollution. Consequently, the global community's agenda includes counteracting these negative consequences for humanity – not only minimizing the negative impact but also restoring ecosystems. Problem Statement. Achieving these goals is impossible without proper financial support, which is feasible primarily through a clear understanding of the essence, content, and functions of climate financing, identifying its directions and types, and developing a conceptual model for climate financing. Objective. To define the essence and content of climate financing. Methods. A systematic approach, monographic and historical methods, methods of generalization, comparative and expert analysis were used. Results. Approaches to interpreting climate financing have been clarified, its significance, essence, and content have been identified. The authors present definitions of the terms «climate finance» and «climate financing», a classification of its types, and directions of climate financing. Conclusions. Taking into account such components of climate financing as funding for public climate, environmental, industrial, and energy policies that promote the implementation of projects for prevention / mitigation / adaptation to climate change / restoration / transformation; financing public / private / mixed climate investments; and elements of the financial system related to climate finance will enable the effectiveness of measures in combating the negative consequences of climate change.

Reserves for increasing the yield of field crops on chestnut soils of the dry steppe of western Siberia

The research was carried out in order to assess reserves for increasing the yield of spring soft wheat, oats and sunflower on chestnut soils of the dry steppe of the south of Western Siberia to increase the productivity of arable land. The work was performed in 2016–2023 in a long-term stationary field experiment in the West Kulunda subzone of the Altai Territory. The experimental scheme provided for a comparative study of the effectiveness of field crop rotations with different saturation of wheat and sunflower on non-fertilized and fertilized (N30). On chestnut soils of the dry steppe, the effect of nitrogen fertilizers was decisive in changing the yield of wheat by pure steam (87.4 % influence), strong ‒ oats (68.2 %) and sunflower (57.5 %), significant ‒ wheat by non‒paired precursors (36.8 %), significant – arable land productivity (24.2 %), whereas The effect of crop rotation was decisive in changing the productivity of arable land (74.2 %), strong ‒ wheat by non-paired precursors (62.5 %), significant ‒ sunflower (41.4 %) and oats (31.5 %), weak ‒ wheat by steam (11.7 %). The most favorable conditions for wheat and sunflower were formed after steam, for wheat by non‒steam precursors – when placed after oats, and oats after wheat in grain-to-crop crop rotations with one sunflower field. The productivity of arable land was minimal in crop rotations without sunflower (0.46…0.57 thousand grain units/ ha), with its share of 16.7…25 % increased by 0.16…0.28 thousand grain units/ha (28.1…60.9 %), and at 50 % ‒ by 0.31…0.42 thousand grain units/ha (54.4…91.3 %), in relation to the grain-pair crop rotation and permanent wheat. The application of nitrogen fertilizers for the crops of these crop rotations provided an increase in arable land productivity by 0.15…0.25 thousand grain units/ ha (20.5…28.4 %), relative to the non-winded background, with a payback of 1 kg of nitrogen up to 8.33 grain units.

Об использовании оценки продуктивности сельскохозяйственных земель для агроклиматического обоснования рационального землепользования Самарской области

The article presents the results of studies on the assessment of agricultural land productivity based on a comprehensive diagnosis of the soil and climate resource system of the territory and the method of dynamic-statistical productivity modeling. The issues of using the results to determine the direction of regional land use systems regulation in the Samara Region are discussed. The stages and geographical priorities for increasing the environmental stability of land use with an assessment of the potential effectiveness of soil conservation land management measures are determined.

Sustainable patchouli cultivation opportunities in Lhoong Sub-District, Aceh Besar to increase land productivity [Peluang budidaya nilam berkelanjutan di Kecamatan Lhoong Aceh Besar untuk meningkatkan produktivitas lahan

Patchouli is a source of essential oil which is a major commodity in Indonesia, especially in the Aceh region which can be a driver of the local economy. Community service in Lhoong Sub-District, Aceh Besar aims to improve patchouli cultivation through sustainable agricultural practices. Community service was conducted at the Patchouli Industry Center, Lhoong Sub-District, Aceh Besar Regency on August 13, 2024. The tools and materials used include a sprayer, conductor, bucket, eco-enzyme made from fruit peels with a ratio of sugar, fruit or vegetables, and water of 1: 4: 10, POC, and compost made from patchouli waste and surrounding agriculture, 2% baking soda in 1 L of water. Compost, POC, and eco-enzymes function as organic fertilizers while baking soda solution is a natural fungicide to control fungal diseases, such as powdery mildew. The study results showed that although the agroecological conditions in Lhoong Sub-District are suitable for patchouli cultivation, increasing soil fertility is needed to sustain patchouli productivity. Integration of organic inputs and natural disease control methods shows results that can increase the yield and quality of patchouli. However, community motivation in cultivating patchouli plants still needs to be improved, one of which is by providing education and motivation through training programs on effective cultivation techniques with internal inputs to activate the development of the agricultural sector that attracts the interest of local people, especially the younger generation. The approach used to increase the potential for organic farming practices that can increase land productivity and the local economy, ensures the sustainability of patchouli with high yields. Patchouli has a high price in the regional and global markets which can be an opportunity to improve the welfare of the Umong Seribee Village community.

When Did Growth Begin? New Estimates of Productivity Growth in England from 1250 to 1870

Abstract We estimate productivity growth in England from 1250 to 1870. Real wages over this period were heavily influenced by plague-induced swings in the population. Our estimates account for these Malthusian dynamics. We find that productivity growth was zero prior to 1600. Productivity growth began in 1600—almost a century before the Glorious Revolution. Thus, the onset of productivity growth preceded the bourgeois institutional reforms of 17th century England. We estimate productivity growth of 2% per decade between 1600 and 1800, increasing to 5% per decade between 1810 and 1860. Much of the increase in output growth during the Industrial Revolution is explained by structural change—the falling importance of land in production—rather than faster productivity growth. Stagnant real wages in the 18th and early 19th centuries—“Engel’s Pause”—is explained by rapid population growth putting downward pressure on real wages. Yet, feedback from population growth to real wages is sufficiently weak to permit sustained deviations from the “iron law of wages” prior to the Industrial Revolution.

Assessing the Contribution of Participatory Mapping Data Collection Methods in Detecting and Mitigating Land Boundary Conflicts on Farm Areas: A Methodological Framework

Land conflict is a serious and sensitive issue in Africa. Disputes about land occur at all levels, which are: Conflicts between neighbors about field boundaries; between pastoralists and farmers; between states and indigenous peoples; etc (Wardell & Lund, 2006). These conflicts are a serious threat to agricultural and land productivity. Now our days there exist several methods of land data collection which facilitates land conflict mitigation, and each of these methods are been explained in various papers. However, none of these papers have compared these methods to bring out their unique contribution as a means to assist practitioners in identifying land conflicts prone areas. Our research is centered around the question: what is the distinctive contribution of each land data collection methods in identifying land conflict prone areas during participatory mapping? Using a case study of three villages in Mbalmayo (Cameroon), our research adopts an approach that combines farmland data from interviews, questionnaires, consultative meetings, field visits, demarcation of farm boundaries; recording of Ground Corner Points using Catalyst DA2, UAV flights, and participatory mapping. In this paper, we discuss the usefulness and limitation of each method, highlighting their unique contribution to the holistic understanding of the context of Mbalmayo and the mitigation of land conflicts. The study was conducted from June to October 2023. The results of our analysis shows that amongst the eight methods used to collect farmland data, six of these methods had a distinctive contribution that facilitated the mitigation process by precisely identifying the land boundary conflicts zones. The ideas provided by this paper can serve as guidelines for researchers and practitioners interested in mitigating land conflicts through participatory mapping approaches.

Urban heat island relation with land use land cover change in Hetauda sub-metropolitan city of Nepal

Urban areas are expanding globally at the expense of natural productive land which affects the quality of life of urban residents. Hetauda sub-metropolitan city of Nepal has been undergoing rapid urban growth for the last few decades causing local climatic effects such as land surface temperature (LST) variation. Thus, exploring spatio-temporal changes in land use, land cover (LULC), and urban heat island (UHI) analysis could be an effective means of exposing local environmental issues caused by anthropogenic activities. Development in thermal Remote Sensing and Geographic Information System (GIS) has enabled the monitoring of spatial LST, UHI, and its correlation to LULC. We used Landsat 8 OLI/TIRS satellite data and a supervised classification algorithm for land use land classification for the years 1995, 2008, and 2018 in Arc map software. The spatial pattern of LST was obtained through mathematical calculation of the thermal band of Landsat images. Correlation analysis was applied to explore the relationship between LST, LULC types, and LUCL indices. The LST was higher for urban/built-up and cultivated land use types. There was approximately 4°C mean LST variation for all three years of study. The regression analysis showed a positive correlation of urban/built-up with the Normal Difference Built-Up Index (NDBI) however a negative correlation with the Normal Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) which implies that green structure weakens the UHI effects while urban/built-up areas strengthen the UHI. Overall, the study can be useful for urban planners in sustainable urban planning and management as well as to raise public awareness of climate change and the warming effect.