Significant Natural Resources Research Articles

Evaluation of the engineering properties and sustainability of solid masonry blocks produced with recycled concrete aggregates

The rapid expansion of global infrastructure has led to significant natural resource shortages and increasing environmental concerns related to construction and demolition (C&D) waste. Recycling C&D waste presents a viable solution to alleviate resource depletion and promote sustainability. This study explores the use of recycled concrete aggregates (RCAs) derived from C&D waste in producing solid masonry blocks (SMBs). RCAs were employed to replace both natural coarse and fine aggregates in these blocks. Physical and mechanical properties of SMBs were tested, including hardened density, compressive and flexural strengths, and water absorption. The findings showed that decreased strength and increased water absorption for cement-to-aggregate ratio (C: A) increased from 1:6 to 1:24; however, all produced SMBs satisfied the requirements specified by Indian and ASTM standards. The study concluded that using 100% RCAs in SMBs is structurally sound and environmentally beneficial, meeting international standards. Employing recycled aggregate concrete blocks lowers environmental impact and aids in sustainable development by facilitating the life-cycle closure of the building materials.

Effect of Bamboo Nodes on the Mechanical Properties of Phyllostachys iridescens

Bamboo is a significant natural resource, recognized for its rapid growth, lightweight composition, high strength, and excellent mechanical properties, making it increasingly valuable in the furniture and construction industries. A critical structural aspect of bamboo is its nodes, yet there has been limited research on their impact on bamboo’s mechanical properties. This study investigates the mechanical properties of round bamboo tubes in three different states: internodes (S1), nodes with diaphragm removed (S2), and nodes with diaphragm (S3). The results show that the mechanical properties of S1 are a compressive strength (CS) of 29.72 MPa, a shear strength parallel to grain (SSp) of 11.82 MPa, a radial stiffness (Sr) of 155.59 MPa, an impact toughness (IT) of 20.74 kJ/m2, a modulus of rupture (MOR) of 16.45 MPa, a modulus of elasticity (MOE) of 408.53 MPa, a tensile modulus of rupture parallel to grain (MORT) of 189.62 MPa, and a tensile modulus of elasticity parallel to grain (MOET) of 431.05 MPa. Compared with S1, these above parameters change by CS +11%, SSp 6%, Sr +100%, IT −29%, MOR +5%, MOE +63%, MORT −29%, and MOET −58% in S2 and CS +10%, SSp 28%, Sr +250%, IT −31%, MOR +28%, MOE +92%, MORT −25%, and MOET −42% in S3. It demonstrates that the bamboo diaphragm and nodes significantly influence the mechanical properties of bamboo; they have a significant positive effect on the bending properties across the transverse grain, radial ring stiffness, and shear properties along the grain, but negatively impact the tensile properties along the grain.

Legal aspects of solid waste recycling and disposal in Kazakhstan: international standards and national regulation in the context of a circular economy

The Republic of Kazakhstan, possessing significant natural resources and a rapidly developing economy, is faced with growing volumes of municipal solid waste (MSW), which requires effective measures for their processing and disposal. The main purpose of this study is to analyze the legal aspects of solid waste management in Kazakhstan, assess the compliance of national legislation with international standards and explore the potential for integrating the principles of a circular economy. The study covers the current state of the legal regulation of solid household waste in Kazakhstan and identifies key problems. The use of methods of political and legal analysis, comparative legal approach and system analysis helps to assess how modern initiatives can contribute to improving solid waste management and maintaining environmental balance. The conclusions of the study indicate the need to improve the legislative framework of Kazakhstan for the management of solid household waste. The introduction of a new Ecological Code based on the European principles of waste management hierarchy and extended producer responsibility is an important step forward. However, further progress requires the adoption of the Law “On Waste”, which would specify the implementation of the principles of the circular economy. The importance of creating conditions for small and medium-sized businesses in the field of waste recycling and increasing environmental awareness of the population through informing and involving public organizations and the media is also emphasized.

THE NATURAL ECOSYSTEMS BETWEEN TOURIST EXPLOITATION AND DEGRADATION, CASE OF EL KALA NATIONAL PARK (ALGERIA)

Algeria is the largest country in Africa by area and is among the countries in the world that possess a rich natural and cultural heritage due to its size, diversity of regions, environments, cultures, and the civilizations that passed through it, including Phoenicians, Romans, Vandals, Byzantines, Ottomans, and others. Our study area, the El Kala National Park, is one of the most important regions in Algeria with significant natural and cultural resources. It boasts an important coastal strip with numerous beautiful beaches and tourism expansion zones that could attract investors. Additionally, it contains various ecosystems, including lakes, dunes, forests, diverse flora and fauna and historical sites from different eras, most notably the El Kala Church. However, this heritage faces degradation due to irresponsible practices, such as the destruction of vegetation in summer 2022, despite existing protective laws. These challenges prompted our study, which partly examines Algeria's policies on tourism, environmental conservation, and heritage preservation. The research methodology employs a combined approach, starting with a historical analysis of the park's status since its UNESCO world heritage classification. We then address the natural ecosystems in the area, illustrated with images, and present a comprehensive study of tourism potentials. Finally, we conduct an in-depth analysis using the SWOT method to obtain a holistic view of the region's natural ecosystems and cultural heritage. Based on our findings, we offer conclusions and recommendations to promote tourism and drive regional development while preserving the ecosystems and natural and cultural heritage of El Kala National Park from degradation and damage.

Financial resource curse and firms' accessibility to financing in resource-based countries

This study delves into the paradox of the financial resource curse, exploring how the abundance of natural resources in a country paradoxically constrains firms' accessibility to financing. Despite the potential economic boon natural resources represent, evidence suggests that they can lead to less diversified economies, making it challenging for firms outside the resource sector to access financing. Our research aims to dissect this phenomenon by analyzing microeconomic statistics on the financial accessibility of enterprises, juxtaposed with macroeconomic statistics across 170 countries, encompassing over 10,000 firms surveyed from 1990 to 2022. The panel regression analysis allows us to control for both time-invariant country characteristics and global economic trends, providing insights into the causal relationship between resource dependence and financial access for firms. The results are striking, revealing that, indeed, countries with significant natural resource wealth tend to exhibit reduced financial accessibility for firms outside the resource extraction sector. The panel regression models indicate a robust negative correlation between the extent of a country's resource wealth and the ease with which non-resource firms can access financial capital. This suggests that the financial resource curse is not only a real phenomenon but also one that has significant implications for economic diversification and sustainable development. Moreover, findings underscore the need for targeted policy interventions. Countries with abundant natural resources should implement strategies that foster economic diversification, enhance the financial infrastructure to support a broader range of industries, and encourage the development of financial instruments tailored to the needs of non-resource sectors.

Mechanical and microstructural characterization of sustainable concrete containing recycled concrete and waste rubber tire fiber

The production of cement, which is the key ingredient of concrete, leads to environmental pollution by releasing massive amounts of CO2 and using significant natural resources. Therefore, shifting towards sustainable and greener materials is essential for mitigating these challenges. In this study, recycled concrete powder (RCP) was used as a cement replacement (0%, 5.0%, 10%, and 15%), solving the waste dumps issue and promoting sustainability. Furthermore, the concrete is also reinforced with steel fibers which were obtained from waste rubber tires to improve concrete tensile strength. The concrete properties were evaluated through slump cone test, compressive strength, failure patterns, tensile strength, scanning electronic microscopy, and FTIR analysis. The results indicate that the concrete strength properties improved with the substitution of RCP. The compressive and tensile strength of the optimum mix (10% RCP and 2.0% addition of steel fibers) are 15.8% and 23% more than those of reference concrete. However, the concrete flow is adversely impacted due to RCP angular particle shapes. Failure patterns indicate that RCP and steel fibers improved concrete ductility. SEM and FTIR analysis indicate microstructural improvement with RCP and steel fibers. Finally, the analysis concluded that the developed concrete showed better performance, solved waste dumps issues, and promoted sustainability.

Environmental Aspects and Recycling of Solid-State Batteries: A Comprehensive Review

Solid-state batteries (SSBs) have emerged as a promising alternative to conventional lithium-ion batteries, with notable advantages in safety, energy density, and longevity, yet the environmental implications of their life cycle, from manufacturing to disposal, remain a critical concern. This review examines the environmental impacts associated with the production, use, and end-of-life management of SSBs, starting with the extraction and processing of raw materials, and highlights significant natural resource consumption, energy use, and emissions. A comparative analysis with traditional battery manufacturing underscores the environmental hazards of novel materials specific to SSBs. The review also assesses the operational environmental impact of SSBs by evaluating their energy efficiency and carbon footprint in comparison to conventional batteries, followed by an exploration of end-of-life challenges, including disposal risks, regulatory frameworks, and the shortcomings of existing waste management practices. A significant focus is placed on recycling and reuse strategies, reviewing current methodologies like mechanical, pyrometallurgical, and hydrometallurgical processes, along with emerging technologies that aim to overcome recycling barriers, while also analyzing the economic and technological challenges of these processes. Additionally, real-world case studies are presented, serving as benchmarks for best practices and highlighting lessons learned in the field. In conclusion, the paper identifies research gaps and future directions for reducing the environmental footprint of SSBs, underscoring the need for interdisciplinary collaboration to advance sustainable SSB technologies and contribute to balancing technological advancements with environmental stewardship, thereby supporting the transition to a more sustainable energy future.

ОПТИМИЗАЦИЯ СИСТЕМЫ ДОСТАВКИ ПЕРСОНАЛА НА ГОРНОРУДНЫЕ КОМПЛЕКСЫ АРКТИЧЕСКИХ ТЕРРИТОРИЙ С ПОМОЩЬЮ ИМИТАЦИОННОГО МОДЕЛИРОВАНИЯ

В исследовании анализируется возможность перевода вахтовых автобусов, используемых для доставки персонала, участвующего в разработке месторождений Арктической зоны, на газомоторное топливо с использованием имитационных моделей. The strategy of spatial development of the country for the period up to 2024, based on the infrastructure of a specific type of transport, provides for the connection of the territories of settlements with modern communications; phased reconstruction and modernization; personnel, technical and technological support for interaction and digital transformation of the Russian transport complex. The development of the Russian Arctic is a priority area, since it has a significant natural resource, socio-economic and transport potential, which must be maximized, taking into account all the features of this region. It is important to develop the northern territories in such a way that the transport infrastructure of the Arctic meets the requirements in the field of comfort and safety of the human environment. This can be achieved through the use of vehicles of increased environmental friendliness and energy efficiency. The study analyzes the possibility of converting shift buses used to deliver personnel involved in the development of fields in the Arctic zone to gas motor fuel using simulation models.

Political Influence and Corruption within Government Ministries in Guyana: An Analytical Study

Guyana, endowed with significant natural resources, continues to face governance challenges due to pervasive political interference and corruption within its government ministries. This research examines the mechanisms of these issues, their impact on public trust and economic development, and offers policy recommendations to enhance governance. Employing a mixed-methods approach, the study integrates both qualitative and quantitative data for a comprehensive analysis.

Determining the group of resource-oriented regions in the system for developing the concept of a regional development strategy

Regions with significant natural resource potential play an important role in ensuring the energy and economic security of the Russian Federation. To maximize the effect of using resource potential, scientifically based and methodologically correct regional strategies must be developed. For these purposes, it is necessary to develop a concept for a strategy for the regional development of resource regions, for which it is proposed to use the strategizing methodology of a foreign member of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Professor V.L. Kvint. One of the first tasks when developing a concept is to identify a group of resource-oriented regions. To achieve this goal, the author’s definition of resource-oriented regions has been prepared, and based on an analysis of foreign and domestic practices, an algorithm for calculating the level of resource orientation has been proposed, based on 3 indicators: the share of mining in the gross regional product, the share of mining in the structure of regional employment and the degree of industry concentration. It is shown that for calculations using the proposed algorithm in terms of industry concentration, not only the Herfindahl–Hirmschan index can be used, but also the Shannon index, which is logically opposite to it, adapted for economic research.The calculations showed that the group of resource-oriented regions can include the Nenets, Yamalo–Nenets, Khanty–Mansiysk and Chukotka Autonomous Districts, the Republic of Sakha (Yakutia), as well as the Magadan and Sakhalin regions – these regions best meet the proposed definition of a resource-oriented region and can become the basis for developing the concept of a regional development strategy.

Geoportals as an Information Tool for Government Support of Agricultural Producers

In this scientific article, the authors consider the role and importance of geoportals as sources of information for the development of the agro-industrial complex in the region. The object of the study is Novgorod region, which has an industrial and agricultural specialization and significant natural resource potential for the development of the agricultural sector. The authors have identified external and internal factors that have a negative impact on the development of agriculture in the region. The solution to the mentioned above problems is, according to the authors, visualization of the results of complex works on the establishment of boundaries of agricultural lands on a regional geoportal with subsequent use of it as a justifying tool for making managerial decisions to support agricultural producers. The conducted research has shown that the Novgorod region has the opportunities to restore abandoned agricultural lands, and the use of geoportal information by regional authorities can allow effective interaction with the federal budget for comprehensive support of agricultural producers in a simplified manner.

Оценка и направления повышения инвестиционной привлекательности сельского хозяйства

Abstract. In modern conditions of high sanctions pressure, systemic problems that hinder the effective development of agricultural production have worsened. Increasing the investment attractiveness of agriculture is becoming the main vector and a necessary condition for countering negative exogenous factors and ensuring sustainable agricultural growth. The subject of the study is organizational and economic relations that develop in the process of searching for ways to increase the investment attractiveness of agriculture. The purpose of the study is to evaluate and scientifically substantiate the directions of increasing the investment attractiveness of agriculture. Research objectives: 1) to clarify the essential content of the concept of “investment attractiveness of agriculture”; 2) to assess the investment attractiveness of the industry; 3) to determine the directions of growth of investment attractiveness of agriculture. The main research methods are monographic, statistical, graphical. Results. The article provides an analytical assessment of the investment attractiveness of agriculture in Russia. The individual elements (natural resource, production, innovation, financial, economic and labor) of the investment potential of agriculture are analyzed. The investment risks of the industry are justified. It is concluded that the investment attractiveness of agriculture is quite low, despite the existing potential for its growth due to the possibilities of using significant natural resource potential; a high level of adaptation of the industry to external negative factors of impact; favorable natural and climatic conditions; significant export potential of the industry. The scientific novelty. It consists in developing proposals to increase the investment attractiveness of agriculture based on the transformation of key institutional parameters: improving the regulatory framework for land reform; developing mechanisms for public-private partnership and project financing with a state guarantee, changing the industry structure due to the growth of the industry's technology and the use of innovations, changing the terms of lending to agriculture.

Central Asia: Region’s Potential and New Challenges

Traditionally, Central Asia is associated with a favorable geographical location and significant natural resources. These factors are of interests for the West, Russia, and China in the region. Meanwhile, the potential of Central Asian countries leaves many questions unanswered, as they face many regional challenges. The aim of the study is to identify the geopolitical and economic potential of the Central Asian countries, as well as to identify the challenges that the states have faced in recent years. A special attention is paid to the water and energy issue, which remains the most pressing problem for the whole region. In the conclusion, the author identified two of them: the persistence of economic difficulties in the development of Central Asian countries, which to a certain extent act as economic competitors, as well as the increased influence of extra- regional actors on the countries of the region.

Проблемы развития районов освоения Республики Тыва (геоинформационный аспект)

The Republic of Tyva has a significant natural resource potential. The mining complex has been identified as a priority area of the economy of this territory. Despite the existing development potential, the region faces a number of challenges that require an integrated approach to address them. Modern trends are based on the principles of sustainable development, balanced and rational use of natural resources, which are primarily built on the basis of comprehensive information on the region. Information can be combined, structured and analyzed using geographic information technologies. Research objective. A spatial analysis of the resource potential and cartographic assessment of the anthropogenic impact of the reclamation territories in the Republic of Tyva. Research results. An assessment of the current state of the reclamation areas in the Republic of Tyva was carried out using the geoinformation approach. An index analysis of the investment attractiveness and investment potential as well as the anthropogenic load of the reclamation areas in the Republic of Tyva was carried out. Conclusions. The use of the geoinformation approach when assessing the current development state of the reclamation areas in the Republic of Tyva offers a number of advantages. First, it allows getting a clear picture of the current situation, identify the problem areas and develop effective strategies for further development of the territory. Second, combining data from various sources into a single GIS helps to make informed decisions and optimize the use of resources in the reclamation areas.

Seasonal Variation of Fe, Mn, and Pb in Groundwater of Northwestern Bangladesh

Groundwater is one of the most significant natural resources on earth and also stands as the largest source of all-purpose water in Bangladesh. The higher concentrations of iron (Fe), manganese (Mn), and lead (Pb) in water constitute a threat to human health and the environment. The research aimed to assess the seasonal variations of heavy metal concentrations, including Fe, Mn, and Pb, and the water type controlling the geochemistry of groundwater. A total of sixty groundwater samples were collected over a year in three seasons and analyzed for several physicochemical parameters using the standard analysis methods The highest concentrations of Fe, Mn, and Pb in investigated groundwater samples were found to be 3.69, 2.50, and 0.17 mg/L, respectively. The study observed that the higher concentrations of Fe and Mn were in the pre-monsoon but Pb was in the post-monsoon. The contaminations of Fe, Mn, and Pb in the groundwater follows the order Fe > Mn > Pb in three seasons, and their concentrations of abundance follow the seasons: PRM > POM > MON. The groundwater samples showed the dominance of Ca++, Mg++, and HCO3-, indicating temporary hardness and the Ca-Mg-HCO3, hydrochemical facies, controlling the groundwater geochemistry in the study area. These findings would provide an in-depth understanding of water quality, potential risks to human health, and coping mechanisms for sustainable drinking water management.

Pollution Status of Groundwater Resource by Some Heavy Metals Using Index Approach in Some Part of Nasarawa Area, Kano State, Nigeria

Groundwater is the world's most significant natural resource providing water for different purposes, including drinking, domestic, industrial and irrigational. However, polluted groundwater may endanger human survival. This research evaluated the status of groundwater resource pollution caused by some heavy metals in some parts of the Nasarawa local government area of Kano State. 15 groundwater samples were collected from functional boreholes in the area. Heavy metals concentrations evaluated include Zn, Mn, Cr, Mg, Cd, Fe, Cu, and Pb and were compared with the World Health Organization and Nigerian Standard for Drinking Water Quality to establish their suitability for human consumption. Descriptive statistics was employed to summarize the analyzed data. Metal index was used to determine the pollution status of the groundwater. The result revealed that Zn, Fe, Cu, and Mn with the mean value of (0.090, 0.160, 0.191 and 0.11) were found within the stipulated limit set by WHO (3.0, 0.3, 2.0 and 0.5) and NSDWQ (3.0, 0.5-50, 1.0 and 0.2), while Pb, Cd, Cr, and Mg (0.105, 0.127, 0.206 and 0.82) exceeded the permissible limits recommended by WHO (0.01, 0.003, 0.05 and 0.5). A high concentration of Pb, Cd, Cr, and Mg may be attributed to anthropogenic influences possibly deriving from improper municipal and Bampai industrial waste disposal. The values of the metal index (MI) revealed that the water is seriously affected by Pb, Cd and Cr, which can pose serious health damage to consumers. It is recommended that constant and continuous monitoring of Pb, Cd and Cr in groundwater be made in the study area due to its proximity to Bampai and Sharadda industrial sites.

A Systematic Analysis, Outstanding Challenges, and Future Prospects for Routing Protocols and Machine Learning Algorithms in Underwater Wireless Acoustic Sensor Networks

Water has covered a wide part of the earth’s surface. Oceans and other water bodies contain significant natural and environmental resources as well as aquatic life. Due to humans’ hazardous and unsuitable underwater (UW) settings, these are generally undiscovered and unknown. As a result of its widespread utility in fields as diverse as oceanography, ecology, seismology, and oceanography, underwater wireless sensor networks (UWSNs) have emerged as a cutting-edge area of study. Despite their usefulness, the performance of the network is hampered by factors including excessive propagation delay, a changing network architecture, a lack of bandwidth, and a battery life that is too short on sensor nodes. Developing effective routing protocols is the best way to overcome these challenges. An effective routing protocol can relay data from the network’s root node to its final destination. Therefore, the state of the art in underwater wireless acoustic sensor network (UWASN) routing protocols is assessed with an eye toward their potential for development. In real-world applications, sensor node positions are frequently used to locate relevant information. As a result, it is crucial to conduct research on routing protocols. Reinforcement learning (RL) algorithms have the ability to enhance routing under a variety of conditions because they are experience-based learning algorithms. Underwater routing methods for UWSN are reviewed in detail, including those that rely on machine learning (ML), energy, clustering and evolutionary approaches. Tables are incorporated for the suggested protocols by including the benefits, drawbacks, and performance assessments, which make the information easier to digest. Also, several applications of UWSN are discussed with security considerations. In addition to this, the analysis of node deployment and residual energy is discussed in this review. Furthermore, the domain review emphasizes UW routing protocol research difficulties and future directions, which can help researchers create more efficient routing protocols based on ML in the future.

ТЕОРЕТИЧНІ АСПЕКТИ МАРКЕТИНГОВОГО ЗАБЕЗПЕЧЕННЯ ЕКСПОРТНОГО ПОТЕНЦІАЛУ ПІДПРИЄМСТВ АГРОБІЗНЕСУ

The article deals with modern problems of marketing support or support for export activities of agricultural enterprises in the context of the globalization of the world economy in the context of the entry of agricultural formations into world food markets and the formation of production and trade relations with new partners. The categorical content of the concepts "marketing support", "marketing support", "export potential", "agrarian enterprise", and "globalization of business" was considered. The views of domestic scientists regarding the use of the specified terms in scientific works of various specialties are analyzed and summarized. The possibility of increasing the export potential of agrarian societies due to the modernization of certain technological components of production and trade activities and the production of high-quality plant raw materials or safe food products was investigated. The described approach coincides with the international practice of selling agricultural products on world food markets in accordance with the developed and agreed quality standards of plant raw materials and food products. Thus, the issue of solving modern logistics problems is seen as a key component in marketing support for the export potential of business in the sector of agricultural production. According to the text of the intelligence, it is determined that the significant natural and land resources of Ukraine create conditions for the development of organically sustainable agriculture with a rational regime for the use of agricultural land with the introduction of a complete system of standardized restrictions or obligations. It is explained that a peculiar feature of the export activity of agricultural enterprises is their direct dependence on the state of fertility of agricultural lands, as a natural resource, a spatial basis, an object of application of human labor and the main means of production. The urgent importance of the protection and restoration of agricultural land on the way to the transition to ecologically safe and resource-saving agriculture has been clarified.

Sarajevo – Potential and Limitations in the Development of the City and Region

Observing through the historical prism of regional development and regionalization in Bosnia and Herzegovina, city and region of Sarajevo have special importance and significance. This is mainly due to the fact that the City of Sarajevo is the main administrative center, i.e. the center of political, economic, cultural and overall social life and development in Bosnia and Herzegovina. At the same time, the Sarajevo is the center of Canton of Sarajevo, the center of this macro-region, as well as it is the capital of the entity of the Federation and state of Bosnia and Herzegovina. All those facts make Sarajevo attractive both for life and business, furthermore for studying its capacity and development potentials as well.
 In modern economics, the regions represent an important development level, while regionalisation represent an essentional component of the political systems of the modern state. The regions have become a link between local and central (state) institutions of government and local and overall economic development of country. The Bosnia and Herzegovina has a long tradition of regionalization and regionalism. Over long time, it has gone through verious phases and forms of regionalisation depening on then chraging political order. Sarajevo as a city and the region has historicaly developed in two directions. First, towards the capital of state of Bosnia and Herzegovina and the main administrative center. Secondly, towards the center of the region, i.e. the macro-region. Sarajevo macro-region is the most developed region in Bosnia and Herzegovina in terms of overall infrastructure and resources bacause of its normative, social importance and the position of the city itself. The territory covered by the Sarajevo macro-region has significant natural resources, energy potentials, as well as resources for the development of industry. Truistically, along with Mostar, it is a most impressive destination for tourists. Nevertheless, this macroregion still does not fully exploit the resources available to it, due to the many limitations and obsticles that directly affect it and that require adequate resolution.

Four New Endophytic Apiospora Species Isolated from Three Dicranopteris Species in Guizhou, China.

Endophytic fungi isolated from medicinal ferns serve as significant natural resources for drug precursors or bioactive metabolites. During our survey on the diversity of endophytic fungi from Dicranopteris species (a genus of medicinal ferns) in Guizhou, Apoiospora was observed as a dominant fungal group. In this study, seven Apiospora strains, representing four new species, were obtained from the healthy plant tissues of three Dicranopteris species-D. ampla, D. linearis, and D. pedata. The four new species, namely Apiospora aseptata, A. dematiacea, A. dicranopteridis, and A. globosa, were described in detail with color photographs and subjected to phylogenetic analyses using combined LSU, ITS, TEF1-α, and TUB2 sequence data. This study also documented three new hosts for Apiospora species.