Land Slope Research Articles

Evolutionary characteristics of sloping cultivated land under functional diversification in mountain areas: A case of Fengjie County, China

With the rapid development of urbanization and industrialization, the rural functions in China's mountainous regions have tended to diversify, and the use of sloping cultivated land has also evolved. Exploring the coupling relationship between rural functional diversification and the evolution of sloping cultivated land is of great significance to the protection of cultivated land in mountainous areas and the sustainable development of villages. We constructed a theoretical framework to analyze the interaction between rural functional diversification and the evolution of sloping cultivated land and then verified it with Fengjie County, China. Our research results show that: the overall agricultural production function, industrial production function, leisure and tourism function, social security function, and ecological conservation function of Fengjie County continue to develop, and the diversification level of rural functions has been enhanced. The high density value areas of sloping cultivated land were more dispersed, and the area of sloping cultivated land showed a decreasing trend. The coupling coordination degree between rural functional diversification and the evolution of gentle sloping cultivated land showed a downward trend, and the ecological economic level of gentle sloping cultivated land decreased. The coupling coordination value with steep sloping cultivated land and sharp steep sloping cultivated land showed a firstly decreasing and then increasing trend, and the ecological economic level of the two kinds of cultivated land increased. The study area can be summarized into four coupling modes and different development strategies should be adopted for different coupling modes. These research methods and findings can provide a reference value for the optimal utilization of sloping cultivated land resources in other mountainous areas.

FLOODING AND LANDSLIDE POTENTIAL MAPPING OF PUBLIC HOUSING AFTER LANDUSED CHANGE

Semarang City, the capital of Central Java Province, is divided into three parts based on its topography: hills, lowlands, and coastal areas. As a result, the city is at risk of natural disasters. According to BNPB data from 2014 to 2023, Semarang City has the second-highest disaster history in Central Java Province, with 741 disaster events recorded. Floods and landslides are the most common disasters in the area. Permata Jangli Housing is located in the hills, where changes in land use have transformed the surrounding forest into road infrastructure. An analysis of hydrological data and soil characteristics at the site indicates that these changes have led to increased surface flow, resulting in an increased flood discharge. This is one of the reasons for the high potential for disaster. Therefore, it is essential to map the disaster potential in Permata Jangli Housing. Factors such as land use, rainfall intensity, soil texture, slope, and soil elevation affect flooding disasters, while rainfall intensity, slope, soil texture, and land use affect landslides. To assess and map the potential for disasters, we used overlay techniques with the QGIS application. Our findings indicate that Permata Jangli Residential area has a moderate potential for flooding, covering 68% of the area or 1.1 ha, and a high potential of 32% or 0.5 ha. In contrast, the potential for landslides in Permata Jangli is medium, covering 74% or 1.2 ha of the area, and high potential of 26% or 0.4 ha. In conclusion, our study emphasizes the importance of mapping disaster potential in areas with a history of natural disasters. By doing so, we can take preventive measures and mitigate the impact of disasters in the future.

Dampak Penggunaan dan Pengolahan Tanah dalam Usahatani Sayuran Terhadap Infiltrasi Tanah Andisol di Kabupaten Kerinci

Andisol is a volcanic soil with a medium texture and a high organic matter content, so it is generally loose. However, the majority of vegetable farmers in Kayu Aro Barat District, Kerinci Regency carry out intensive soil cultivation in intensive land use (planting throughout the year, 2-3 times/year). Unfortunately, the role of tillage in soil and water conservation (SWC) is almost non-existent and even detrimental. One approach in SWC is the application of conservation tillage to control soil compaction so that soil infiltration is maintained. The research aims to determine the rate and capacity of Andisol soil infiltration and several factors that influence it, due to differences in the intensity of land use and cultivation in vegetable farming in Kebun Baru Village, Kayu Aro Barat District. The research used an exploratory-descriptive survey method. Observation and soil sampling points were determined using purposive stratified random sampling covering flat to sloping land, intensive land use and cultivation (planting 2-3 times/year + land cultivation 2 times/year), semi-intensive (planting 1-2 times/year + land cultivation once/year), and non-intensive (planting 1-2 times /year + land cultivation once/2 years), each land is planted with potatoes every year with various planting patterns. Soil infiltration rate was measured using a Double Ring Infiltrometer, and infiltration capacity was estimated using the Horton Equation. Soil infiltration rate and capacity are respectively 26.5 cm/hour (very fast) and 8.12 cm/hour (as is the infiltration capacity of loam-textured soil in general) on flat land with intensive land use and cultivation; much larger than other fields. On the other hand, the infiltration rate and capacity were 6.68 cm/hour (medium) and 2.27 cm/hour respectively (smaller than the infiltration capacity of silty loam soil in general), and the smallest, on sloping land that was used and cultivated not intensively. It is necessary to educate farmers to cultivate the land as necessary according to the characteristics of the soil and plant needs, to maintain the sustainability of soil function and building sustainable vegetable farming in West Kayu Aro District, Kerinci Regency.

Comparison of the effects of five long‐term land use and management practices on runoff, soil erosion, and nutrient loss under natural rainfall in the Mollisol region of Northeast China

AbstractClarifying the effects of various land‐use and management practices on soil erosion and nutrient loss of sloping land can help optimize land use patterns and management strategies. This study assessed the effects of five long‐term land‐use and management practices on runoff, soil erosion, and nutrient losses. Field data from runoff plots established in 2006 in bare land (BL), natural vegetation restoration (NVR), no tillage (NT), reduced tillage (RT), and conventional tillage (CT) were used in two seasons of natural rainfall (from July to September in 2021 and 2022). The results indicated that the runoff depth (RD) was 84.1% and 43.2%–81.7% lower, the sediment yield (SY) was 99.9% and 96.9%–99.8% lower, the total nitrogen (TN) loss was 99.1% and 93.1%–98.6% lower, and the total phosphorous (TP) loss was 99.8% and 96.7%–99.7% lower in the NVR and three tillage practices, respectively than in the BL. The RD, SY, and nutrient losses were significantly lower in NT than in RT and CT. The TN loss in runoff contributed to 88.3% and 87.6% of the TN loss in the NVR and NT, respectively, whereas the TN loss in the sediment (TN‐SL) for BL accounted for 94.7% of the TN loss in BL. Meanwhile, most of the TP loss (56.1%–99.7%) was attributed to soil erosion rather than runoff in the five treatments. Furthermore, the effect of runoff and SY on nutrient losses differed significantly for the five land‐use and management practices. The effects of runoff and SY on the TP loss were negligible in the NVR and three tillage treatments. However, the effects on the TN loss were larger. Rainfall erosivity had the largest effect on runoff, SY, and nutrient loss in the five treatments. Our findings can help land managers to select sustainable measures to control soil and nutrient losses in sloped farmland in Northeast China.

Assessing Post-Monsoon Seasonal Soil Loss over Un-Gauged Stations of the Dwarkeswar and Shilabati Rivers, West Bengal, India

This study employs the Soil and Water Assessment Tool (SWAT) model to evaluate soil loss within the Shilabati and Dwarkeswar River Basin of West Bengal, serving as a pilot investigation into soil erosion levels at ungauged stations during the post-monsoon season. Detailed data for temperature, precipitation, wind speed, solar radiation, and relative humidity for 2000–2022 were collected. A land use map, soil map, and slope map were prepared to execute the model. The model categorizes the watershed region into 19 sub-basins and 227 Hydrological Response Units (HRUs). A detailed study with regard to soil loss was carried out. A detailed examination of soil erosion patterns over four distinct time periods (2003–2007, 2007–2012, 2013–2017, and 2018–2022) indicated variability in soil loss severity across sub-basins. The years 2008–2012, characterized by lower precipitation, witnessed reduced soil erosion. Sub-basins 6, 16, 17, and 19 consistently faced substantial soil loss, while minimal erosion was observed in sub-basins 14 and 18. The absence of a definitive soil loss pattern highlights the region’s susceptibility to climatic variables. Reduced soil erosion from 2018 to 2022 is attributed to diminished precipitation and subsequent lower discharge levels. The study emphasizes the intricate relationship between climatic factors and soil erosion dynamics.

Research on pressure-regulating device based on different combination layouts, slopes and sprinkler interval distances

To improve the water application uniformity for sprinkler irrigation on sloping land, a new type of pressure-regulating device was designed. The pressure regulation device was installed between the pipe and the inlet of the sprinkler to regulate the pressure gradient. In this study, PIPENET software was used to simulate the installation of pressure regulation device on the corresponding PY10 sprinklers and analyze the working modes of each sprinkler in the irrigation system. The simulation considered factors such as sprinkler combination layout, ground slope and sprinkler interval distance, with average application rate and uniformity coefficient as evaluation criteria. The results showed that the installation of pressure regulation device reduced the pressure difference between each sprinkler. Under these conditions, irrigation uniformity was improved. The research results indicate that integrating different sprinkler layouts, ground slopes and sprinkler interval distances significantly improved the effectiveness of pressure-regulating device installation in hilly areas. This study provided a reference for addressing poor irrigation uniformity in sloping land in hilly areas.

Dual-Task Network for Terrace and Ridge Extraction: Automatic Terrace Extraction via Multi-Task Learning

Terrace detection and ridge extraction from high-resolution remote sensing imagery are crucial for soil conservation and grain production on sloping land. Traditional methods use low-to-medium resolution images, missing detailed features and lacking automation. Terrace detection and ridge extraction are closely linked, with each influencing the other’s outcomes. However, most studies address these tasks separately, overlooking their interdependence. This research introduces a cutting-edge, multi-scale, and multi-task deep learning framework, termed DTRE-Net, designed for comprehensive terrace information extraction. This framework bridges the gap between terrace detection and ridge extraction, executing them concurrently. The network incorporates residual networks, multi-scale fusion modules, and multi-scale residual correction modules to enhance the model’s robustness in feature extraction. Comprehensive evaluations against other deep learning-based semantic segmentation methods using GF-2 terraced imagery from two distinct areas were undertaken. The results revealed intersection over union (IoU) values of 85.18% and 86.09% for different terrace morphologies and 59.79% and 73.65% for ridges. Simultaneously, we have confirmed that the connectivity of results is improved when employing multi-task learning for ridge extraction compared to directly extracting ridges. These outcomes underscore DTRE-Net’s superior capability in the automation of terrace and ridge extraction relative to alternative techniques.

Identification of land characteristics to increase red chili productivity in Mangunan, Bantul, Indonesia

Red chili the vegetable commodities with significant economic value. The supply of chili is often constrained, so it is necessary to increase the land. Land suitability evaluation is needed to determine the suitable of land in Mangunan, Bantul for cultivation of red chili. The objective of this study is to identify land characteristics for red chili to facilitate the expansion of cultivation areas. The study was done using a survey method The soil analysis is conducted in accordance with the methodology prescribed by the Indonesian Centre for Land Resources and Agriculture. The results showed that the actual land suitability at altitudes of 0-300 m asl is S3 with a limiting factor being P element. The height of 300-350 m asl is N with limiting factor slope of land. At altitudes of 350-400 and 400-450 m asl is S3 with limiting factors C- organic and P element. After evaluation and improvement efforts, the suitability of potential land at an altitude of 0-300, 350-400 and 400-450 m asl was S2 with improve the addition of organic matter or fertilization P. The altitude of 300-350 m asl was S3 with improve making bench terraces and parallel planting.

Quality of Nutmeg (Myristica Fragrans Houtt) South Aceh Based on Geographical Conditions

The results of this study found that the quality of nutmeg in South Aceh, namely climate type A with a very wet category, such as Alluvial, Brown Podzolic, Regusol, Grumosol, Organosol, Renzina, Litosol, Rock Outcrops, Podzolic, Rocks, Latosol and Red Yellow Podzolic. The chemical content of the soil, namely pH, N, P, K, C and CEC after analysis meets the criteria in determining quality nutmeg and soil texture that supports producing quality nutmeg oil processing, the dominant temperature is 26°C with dominant land slope <8% indicating South Aceh nutmeg plantations including a flat surface and the highest elevation is occupied by Meukek District with a height of 51 meters above sea level while the lowest is located in West Labuhan Haji District with an altitude of (-9) meters above sea level. The chemical content of nutmeg contains Myristicin with the highest levels being in North Kluet District, namely 41.08%, the lowest is in Tapak Tuan District, namely 16.66%, the highest chemical content of α-pinene is in Labuhan Haji Barat District, namely 7.85%. the lowest was in Tapak Tuan, namely 0.62%, the highest β-pinene was in Pasie Raja District, namely 14.24%, the lowest was in Meukek District, namely 0.56%.

Efecto de la pendiente del terreno y tuberías terciarias en la uniformidad de riego, bulbo húmedo y rendimiento del cultivo de arveja (&lt;i&gt;Pisum sativum&lt;/i&gt;)

The Sierra of Perú region has agricultural soils with pronounced slopes that are not used throughout the year, because there are limitations when applying traditional gravity irrigation that leads to low infiltration speed, soil erosion, runoff formation, leaching, leaching of applied fertilizers and low irrigation efficiency; In that understanding, the objective of the investigation was to evaluate the effect of the slope of land and the arrangement of tertiary pipes on the uniformity of irrigation, wet bulb formation and the crop yield of peas. Three plots were conditioned with slopes of 10%, 20%and 40%; And in each plot three irrigation subunits were installed, inserting 0, 2 and 6 valves in the tertiary pipes, having a total of 09 treatments. The subunits were installed with irrigation tapes of 1.6 l/h of emitter flow at 20cm between drippers and 60cm between sides. The irrigation uniformity coefficient (CU) was determined with the Keller and Karmeli method; Treatment 7 (slope of land 40% + tertiary pipe with 06 valves) presented greater efficiency Cu = 96.30%; valued with an excellent qualifier to irrigation uniformity. All treatments have similarity in the formation of the humid bulb at 45min of irrigation; With a wet soil radius ≥10cm, depth ≥30cm on sandy frank soil. Regarding performance, treatment 3 (slope of land 10% + tertiary pipe with 02 valves) presented 10.75 t/ha.

Study of experimental and numerical simulation on the influence of gravel on the interflow of slope land.

The formation of interflow is of great significance for the stability of mountain slopes and soil erosion. Hillsides are often covered with a certain amount of gravel, and research on interflow of slope land with different gravel ratios needs to be carried out. This article is based on indoor experiments and numerical models to study the formation law of interflow in hillside soil under different gravel coverage ratios. It was found that the interflow in the soil rapidly increased in the early stage and began to decrease after briefly reaching equilibrium. The formation of interflow is a complex process that is related to slope, soil characteristics, and rainfall intensity, but the correlation is not high when viewed separately. The lattice Boltzmann model can effectively simulate such problems and achieve high simulation accuracy. The [Formula: see text] of the simulated data and measured data ranged from 0.5217 to 0.7403, and [Formula: see text] of the simulated data and measured data ranged from 0.4051 to 0.5711.

Impact of soil and water conservation structures on the spatial variability of topsoil moisture content and crop productivity in semi-arid Ethiopia

Plant available soil moisture and its spatial variability is among the most important limiting factors for crop and livestock productivity in semi-arid Ethiopia. The objectives of this study were therefore: 1) to measure the effects of land use and slope gradient on spatial variability of topsoil moisture content. 2) to analyze the variability of topsoil moisture content and crop responses under different soil and water conservation (SWC) structures and 3) to analyze whether topsoil moisture content, grain and biomass yields vary in relation to SWC structures. In total, 21 large runoff plots (600–1000 m2) were installed and treated with stone bunds, trenches, stone bunds with trenches and a control plot at each site. Plot sites were located on gentle (5%), medium (12%) and steep (16%) slopes of cropland and rangeland. Topsoil (0–15 cm) moisture content for plots were monitored daily using soil moisture probes (Theta-Probes) and weekly using manual sampling over two growing seasons. Crop performance was monitored during two growing seasons and grain and biomass yield were measured at harvest. Results show that average gravimetric moisture content of the topsoil during growing seasons is remarkably higher for cropland (33–25 g/100 g) compared to rangelands (24–20 g/100 g). This is due to tillage-induced runoff retention and infiltration. Soil moisture content decreases with increasing slope gradients, owing to increased drainage. Considering the effects of SWC structures, average topsoil moisture contents at accumulation and erosion zones are generally higher as compared to middle zone between two successive SWC structures. Average seasonal volumetric soil moisture content of 38.2 (cm3/100 cm3) in 2011 and 39.4 (cm3/100 cm3) in 2012 for accumulation zone of plots with stone bunds with trenchers are significantly higher than at other sampling locations. Crop growth performance, grain and biomass yield varied among plots and depended on slope gradients and SWC structures. Grain yields of wheat in 2011 and barley in 2012 were significantly higher for plots with SWC structures as compared to control plots and are highly correlated to topsoil moisture content (r = 0.64; p < 0.04 in 2011 and r = 0.59, p < 0.01 in 2012). Even when taking into account the cropland area occupied by SWC structures, grain yield increased by (4.2%−33%) for plots with SWC structures as compared to control plots. Overall, our results show that implemented measures may not only reduce runoff and soil loss, but also increase crop productivity by enhancing soil moisture and thus can significantly contribute to sustainability of agro-ecosystems in semi-arid environments.

Multi-criteria assessment of factors affecting the reduction of retention capacity of dam reservoirs

Maintaining the appropriate capacity of a retention reservoir is necessary for the optimal performance of the functions for which it was built, including flood and drought protection. Therefore, to properly manage individual reservoirs and sediments within their catchments, it is necessary to analyze the factors affecting the reduction of the retention capacity of reservoirs. Our study proposes a methodology for conducting a multi-criteria assessment of anthropogenic pressures and natural impacts affecting the reduction of reservoir capacity, such as land use, hydrographic network density, hydraulic development, and land slopes. For this purpose, geospatial analyses were applied to a grid of basic fields (hexagons). The research procedure showed that land slopes in the catchment area are the key factor determining the supply of sediment to the reservoir. Our study focused on the basins of reservoirs located in the southern part of Poland: Goczałkowice on the Vistula, Rożnów on the Dunajec, and Tresna on the Soła. However, our proposed new approach to multi-criteria assessment of reservoirs can be applied to and implemented in other catchments. The application of solutions based on our study may contribute to maintaining or potentially increasing the level of water retention in reservoirs and their catchment areas.

Land suitability and crop water requirements for irrigated sugar cane in the Kuraz irrigation scheme, lower Omo basin, Ethiopia

AbstractThe assessment of land suitability is the key to sustained agricultural output. This study evaluates the suitability of land for irrigated sugar cane cultivation and crop water requirements in the Kuraz Irrigation Scheme, Ethiopia. To accomplish this, the geographic information system–analytical hierarchy process (GIS–AHP) tool combination was employed to identify land suitability classes and aid in decision‐making using various factors, such as soil pH, texture, temperature, rainfall, land use–land cover and slope. The AquaCrop model simulated the current and future scenarios for biomass, canopy cover, yield, maximum evapotranspiration and evapotranspiration water productivity for sugar cane crops. AquaCrop was calibrated for irrigated sugar cane in the 2015–2016 crop season, and the results showed that most of the study area is highly suitable for sugar cane cultivation. Highly suitable areas cover 28%, moderately suitable areas 38%, marginally suitable areas 21%, and unsuitable areas 13%. The findings indicate the potential for expanding sugar cane cultivation and increasing yields and profits. However, it is crucial to consider the potential environmental degradation caused by water usage and soil degradation resulting from agricultural expansion. Furthermore, the social implications of expanding sugar cane cultivation should also be considered, including labour practices and the possible displacement of local communities.

Soil quality and microbial communities in subtropical slope lands under different agricultural management practices.

Land degradation is a major threat to ecosystem. Long-term conventional farming practices can lead to severe soil degradation and a decline in crop productivity, which are challenging for both local and global communities. This study was conducted to clarify the responses on soil physicochemical properties and microbial communities to changes in farming practices. Slope land orchards under three agricultural management practices-conventional farming (CF), organic farming (OF), and ecofriendly farming (EFF)-were included in this study. We found that soil carbon stock increased by 3.6 and 5.1 times in surface soils (0-30 cm) under EFF and OF treatments, respectively. EFF and OF significantly increased the contents of total nitrogen by 0.33-0.46 g/kg, ammonia-N by 3.0-7.3 g/kg, and microbial biomass carbon by 0.56-1.04 g/kg but reduced those of pH by 0.6 units at least, and available phosphorous by 104-114 mg/kg. The application of phosphorous-containing herbicides and chemical fertilizers might increase the contents of phosphorous and nitrate in CF soil. High abundances of Acidobacteria and Actinobacteria were observed in EFF and OF soils, likely because of phosphorous deficiency in these soils. The abundance of fungi in OF soil indicated that plants' demand for available soil phosphorous induced the fungus-mediated mineralization of organic phosphorous. High abundances of Gammaproteobacteria, Planctomycetes, Firmicutes, and Nitrospirae were observed in CF soil, possibly because of the regular use of herbicides containing phosphorous and chemical fertilizers containing high total nitrogen contents.

Analysis on spatio-temporal evolution and influencing factors of ecosystem service in the Changsha-Zhuzhou-Xiangtan urban agglomeration, China

Introduction: It is of great significance to strengthen the evaluation research and driving force analysis of ecosystem services value for the rational utilization and protection of the ecological environment of Changsha-Zhuzhou-Xiangtan (CZT) urban agglomeration and the promotion of the integration of urban agglomeration.Methods: Based on the remote sensing image data, the spatial and temporal evolution characteristics and influencing factors of the ecosystem services value of CZT urban agglomeration were analyzed by the methods of ArcGIS10.2, Geoda, value equivalent and spatial statistics.Results: The results showed that: 1) From 2000 to 2020, the total value of ecosystem service in the CZT urban agglomeration decreased gradually, with an overall decrease of 4,381.07 × 106 yuan. In the past 20 years, the ecosystem service Value (ESV) of cultivated land, forest land and grassland had declined, but the ESV of water area and unused land had fluctuated, and the single ESV had declined. 2) From 2000 to 2020, the spatial distribution of ESV in the CZT urban agglomeration showed an obvious pattern of “low in the middle and high in the surrounding areas”, and the changes were quite different in different periods. 3) The spatial correlation between ESV and distance from county government, distance from railway, proportion of construction land, NDVI, population density, economic density, slope and precipitation were significant. The spatial distribution of the distance from the county government, the distance from the railway, NDVI and ESV were similar; the population density and economic density were consistent with the spatial distribution of ESV; and the spatial distribution of construction land proportion, slope, precipitation and ESV were different.Discussion: The results of the study can provide some reference for the further development of ecological protection policies and related planning in urban agglomerations.

Contribution of predictive factors of land degradation occurrence applying maximum entropy model

Land degradation (LD) is a significant environmental issue that needs to be spatially mapped in different areas. This research provides a framework to prioritize the geo-environmental and anthropogenic factors on LD in a semi-arid region, Qazvin Plain, in Iran based on the maximum entropy model for the first time and also to produce the LD hazard map. The LD inventory map that shows the occurrence points of LD was prepared based on the decreasing trend of net primary productivity (NPP) over 20 years. 120 random points were selected as degraded sites where NPP showed a decreasing trend. Several environmental and anthropogenic factors including temperature, rainfall, land use, normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI), vegetation soil salinity index (VSSI), visible and shortwave infrared drought index (VSDI), electrical conductivity (EC) and sodium adsorption ratio (SAR) of groundwater, groundwater table, annual depletion of groundwater resources, slope, aspect, and altitude were considered as predictive factors of LD and their relative contributions were determined using the maximum entropy model. According to the findings, 49.74% of the region was in the class of low degradation. Also, 22.57%, 17.87%, and 9.82% of the plain were related to the moderate, high, and very high degradation classes, respectively. The model specified altitude as the most significant variable influencing LD followed by land use, slope, and VSSI. The least important variable affecting LD in the study area was the aspect. The results of modeling LD also showed that the areas most sensitive to LD were frequently rangelands which are mostly found on steep slopes and highlands. Based on the UAC value, the model illustrated a very good efficiency with a value of 0.8. According to the results, the maximum entropy model successfully mapped the LD hazard in the Qazvin plain.

Site Selection for Wind Energy as an Alternative Source of Energy in Bonny, Nigeria

Power derived via the wind stands out as an appealing form of renewable energy due to its minimal operational, maintenance, and production expenses, coupled with its limited environmental footprint. This investigation focuses on employing geospatial methods to establish a wind farm on Bonny Island, Nigeria. The primary objectives include furnishing data and a spatial wind distribution map for Bonny Island, evaluating the significance of factors crucial for wind farm development in the area, and generating a wind energy suitability map. The study utilizes Geographic Information System (GIS) and Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP) methodologies to scrutinize five critical parameters influencing location suitability. The findings indicate that Bonny Island possesses potential for wind farm installation, with 3,549.8 hectares, 10,219.6 hectares, and 424.6 hectares categorized as highly suitable, suitable, and unsuitable, respectively. Moreover, wind speed, land use/land cover, distance from the road, distance from the river, and land slope each carry a substantial priority weight of 50%, 25%, 10%, 10%, and 5%, respectively. These weights contribute to the creation of a wind energy suitability map for the study area. This research recommends amongst other things the investment and installation of a wind energy farm in Bonny Island, owing to the comparative advantage over other sources of energy in Nigeria.

Influence of land slope and soil depth on weed seedbank in palm oil plantations

Palm oil plantations significantly contribute to economy in Indonesia, with Crude Palm Oil (CPO) exports showing a marked increase of 9.6% from 2017 to 2019. However, weeds compete with palm oil plants for light, nutrients, and space, negatively impacting the growth and yield of palm oils. This study aims to identify weed species in the seedbank at various soil depths and land slopes within an oil palm plantation in West Kalimantan. The research was conducted from January to February 2024 at Gunung Aru Estate using a Complete Randomized Block Design (CRBD). The study examined soil profiles of 0-10 cm, 10-20 cm, and 20-30 cm across flat (0-2°), wavy (2-6°), and steep (&gt;6°) lands, resulting in 27 plots. Soil samples with the size of 0.04 m2 for each sample were collected and analysed in a greenhouse to observe weed germination. The study identified five dominant weed species: Borreria setidens, Ageratum conyzoides, Phyllanthus amarus, Eleusine indica, and Cleome rutidosperma with more weeds Boreria setidens. Results showed significant variations in weed infestation patterns across land slopes and soil depths. Flat land exhibited higher weed counts at greater soil depths (1.47 weeds), while wavy land showed increased weed numbers at shallower depths (1.87 weeds). Steep land had lower overall weed counts. Understanding the influence of land slope and soil depth on weed infestation is essential for developing effective weed management strategies in palm oil plantations.

Optimal Design of Pressurized Irrigation Laterals Installed on Sloping Land

Optimal Design of Pressurized Irrigation Laterals Installed on Sloping Land