Sustainable Management Strategies Research Articles

Comprehensive analysis of antimicrobial resistance dynamics among broiler and duck intensive production systems

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a global health challenge requiring cross-sector action, with research largely focused on chickens, leaving ducks underexplored. This study examines AMR dynamics in Ross 308 broilers and Cherry Valley ducks over 15 months and 15 stocking periods under consistent rearing conditions. A total of 96 pooled samples were collected: 50 from broiler farms (26 biological, 24 environmental) and 46 from duck farms (24 biological, 22 environmental). Using next-generation shotgun sequencing, 3,665 distinct AMR types were identified: 1,918 in broilers and 1,747 in ducks. Host-specific AMRs comprised 25.3% in broilers and 18% in ducks, while 56.7% were shared. AMR diversity declined across production phases, with broilers losing 641 types and ducks losing 308, yet AMR frequencies increased significantly by the finisher phase (p < 0.0001). Based on in silico data, prophylactic antibiotic use significantly reduced the prevalence of multidrug-resistant bacteria in both poultry species (p < 0.05). Hospital-acquired infection-associated AMRs were higher in broilers than in ducks at the start of production but declined significantly by the end of the rearing period (p < 0.0001). Above-average resistance markers accounted for approximately 10% of all detected resistance determinants. Tetracycline and phenicol resistances emerged as the most prevalent. 13 high-resistance carrier (HRC) species were shared between both hosts. Broiler-specific HRCs exhibited significantly higher abundances (relative frequency: 0.08) than duck-specific HRCs (relative frequency: 0.003, p = 0.035). The grower phase emerged as a critical intervention point. In farm environments 15 broiler-specific and 9 duck-specific biomarker species were identified, each strongly correlated with poultry-core HRCs (correlation coefficient > 0.7). Broiler exhibited higher abundances of key resistance genes, with tetracycline resistance predominantly associated with Bacteroides coprosuis, Pasteurella multocida, and Acinetobacter baumannii. Despite its limitations, this research provides key insights into AMR trends in two major poultry types, guiding targeted interventions and sustainable management strategies.

Host Resistance Screening of Baby Kale Against Downy Mildew Isolates Across the Central Coast of California.

Hyaloperonospora brassicae, the causal pathogen of downy mildew, presents significant challenges to spring mix greens production in California. Genetic resistance provides a strategy for sustainable management to reduce downy mildew infections and pesticide use in organic and conventional production systems. This study aimed to identify sources of downy mildew resistance to facilitate resistance breeding in baby kale. To achieve this, three host resistance screenings were conducted to assess the resistance of baby kale accessions against eight downy mildew isolates collected from eight distinct locations on the Central Coast of California. Artificial inoculation was performed by spraying a sporangia suspension onto baby kale plants, which were then incubated in a humidity chamber. Disease severity was assessed by examining both surfaces of each leaf for chlorotic and necrotic symptoms and sporulation and then quantified using an established rating scale. Screening of all 212 accessions revealed an average disease severity of 28%, with severities ranging from 0 to 100%. The initial subset screening showed average disease severities ranging from 2.2 to 9.4% depending on the isolate. The final subset screening demonstrated a range of 0.003 to 0.072% average disease severity among the four isolates, with 13 accessions exhibiting 100% estimated resistance probability, 11 accessions between 99.0 and 99.9%, and one accession below 99.0%. These results suggested that downy mildew could be effectively managed in baby kale through resistant varieties.

Pathogenicity of Serratia marcescens strains as biological control agent: Implications for sustainable pest management.

The escalating demand for sustainable and eco-friendly pest management strategies has raised interest in harnessing the pathogenic potential of microorganisms. Serratia marcescens, a Gram-negative bacterium, has emerged as a potential biological control agent for sustainable pest management. This review critically examines the history, biology, identification, and pathogenicity of S. marcescens strain with their potential application in pest management. The diverse mechanisms employed by the strain to exert control over pests, including the production of metabolites and the induction of systemic resistance in plants, are examined. The review also summarizes the ecological significance and global distribution of S. marcescens associated with the use of S. marcescens in biological control strategies. Furthermore, the usage efficacy of S. marcescens over other conventional chemicals is discussed. A comprehensive understanding of the pathogenic potential of S. marcescens strains as biological control agents is crucial for developing effective and sustainable pest management strategies. This review consolidates current research advances on S. marcescens, and provides insights into the prospects and challenges of using S. marcescens for integrated pest management.

Invisible Threads: Emerging Water Governance in the Multi‐Actor Dynamics of the Mira‐Mataje Transboundary River Basin

ABSTRACTIn recent years, scholarly interest has surged in exploring the emergence of new governance regimes that redefine the self‐governing capacities of local communities in water management, navigating security challenges to ensure compliance to central government water laws and regulations. Embracing polycentric governance across various levels of political interaction provides insights into the factors driving the establishment of these regimes, particularly in regions with limited state presence, and where the threat of climate impact has become visible by climate extreme events as drought. This approach emphasizes the importance of decentralized, collaborative systems for effectively and sustainably managing water resources. Such systems promote equitable water use, regional stability, and resilience to drought through innovative, community‐driven solutions aimed at addressing water scarcity challenges. While the former, polycentric governance, involves multiple centers of authority making decisions collaboratively, the latter, decentralized governance, refers to communities independently managing their affairs. To understand evidence related to these dynamics, we focus on actors' interactions around the downstream area of the transboundary Mira River Basin, between Ecuador and Colombia. Employing mixed method approaches such as qualitative interviews, policy analysis, and participatory observation provides comprehensive insights into the complex interactions shaping transboundary water governance and community responses. These methods facilitate a thorough understanding of how institutional arrangements and governance structures evolve and adapt in diverse sociopolitical contexts, offering valuable lessons for sustainable water management strategies on (local) scale or on (cross‐border) collaboration. This is particularly crucial in addressing the challenges posed by drought scenarios, ensuring resilience and adaptability in water governance worldwide.

Improving Groundwater Quality Through Biosphere Reserve Management: Insights from the Anaga Reserve, Tenerife

The Canary Islands, an outermost Spanish territory in the Atlantic Ocean, are renowned for their subtropical climate and significant tourism. However, substantial areas are designated for environmental protection, notably the Anaga Rural Park in Tenerife, a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, which is the focus of this study. This research investigates the influence of Biosphere Reserve designation on groundwater quality, a crucial resource for Tenerife’s population. We analysed the physicochemical properties of groundwater within the Anaga region over a decade (2007–2016). Our findings demonstrate that groundwater quality consistently meets regulatory standards, exhibiting no evidence of pollution. This high quality is attributed to several factors, including the low population density, limited tourism impact within the reserve, and crucially, the effective soil protection measures implemented within the Biosphere Reserve. The compact geology of the region further limits infiltration and potential pollution. The sustained high quality of groundwater, even in the absence of detectable pollution, highlights the importance of ongoing monitoring to maintain this valuable resource and support local biodiversity. This case study provides a valuable model for sustainable groundwater management and soil protection strategies in other areas of Tenerife and beyond.

Novel phytotoxic compounds from Streptomyces sp. Caat 7-52: a potential bioherbicide against Conyza canadensis.

The rise of herbicide-resistant weeds like Conyza canadensis L. poses a challenge to modern agriculture, driving the need for eco-friendly alternatives. Microbial metabolites from actinobacteria species offer promising weed-control solutions. This study aims to screen and identify an actinobacteria isolate from Brazil's Caatinga biome that produces phytotoxic metabolites and to characterize its compounds. An isolate, named as Caat 7-52, was selected because of its significant phytotoxic effects against Lemna minor L. Phylogenetic analyses using six concatenated genes (gyrB, recA, rpoB, trpB, atpD and 16S rRNA) confirmed Caat 7-52's close relationship to Streptomyces musisoli TBRC 9950T, despite phenotypical differences. Bioassay-directed isolation against L. minor revealed 3-hydroxybenzoic acid and albocycline as phytotoxins, with minimum inhibitory concentrations of 50.00 and 3.12 μg mL-1, respectively. Albocycline analogues were also detected and exhibited moderate phytotoxicity in L. minor. In addition, albocycline effectively inhibited the seed germination of C. canadensis with a minimum inhibitory concentration of 6.25 μg mL-1, marking the first report of albocycline's phytotoxic activity. Direct use of the fermented broth selectively inhibited dicot weeds, offering a sustainable and solvent-free weed management strategy. The discovery of Streptomyces sp. Caat 7-52 and its metabolites, combined with the direct application of fermented broth, represents a significant advancement in sustainable weed control. This bioherbicidal approach offers an environmentally friendly alternative for managing resistant weeds like C. canadensis and supports the broader use of microbial metabolites in integrated pest management programs. © 2025 Society of Chemical Industry.

Studying the impact of rainfall and LULC changes in the reservoir water level of the Hatia dam, Ranchi, India

ABSTRACT This study aimed to analyse the pattern of rainfall and land use land cover (LULC) changes and their impact on the water level of the Hatia dam, a crucial source of the water supply for Ranchi city in Jharkhand, India. High-resolution daily-gridded rainfall and temperature data from 1991 to 2023 were collected from IMD Pune and analyzed using Mann–Kendall and Sen's slope estimator. The results showed a significant decline in annual, monsoon, post-monsoon, and winter rainfall, while pre-monsoon rainfall increased during the study period. The Google Earth Engine was used to observe LULC changes at 5-year intervals. The analysis revealed significant changes in the waterbody, built-up, forest cover, barren land, and agriculture before and after the monsoon. The analysis show that during the pre-monsoon season, the waterbody decreased from 8.68 to 4.94%, while the built-up area increased from 2.71 to 11.08%. Similar trends were observed during the post-monsoon season, with the waterbody decreasing from 10.06 to 7.3% and the built-up area increasing from 2.74 to 11.27%. It is observed from the rainfall analysis that the annual rainfall is decreasing from 1,561 to 703 mm and the reservoir surface area has also decreased from 126.31 to 37.44 ha. The findings highlight the need for sustainable water management strategies.

Septoria lamiicola Causing Leaf Spot on Lamium purpureum in Korea.

Lamium purpureum L. (purple dead-nettle), an annual herbaceous plant in the family Lamiaceae, is native to Europe and western Asia. It has become invasive in eastern Asia, including Korea and North America. Due to its rapid growth and tolerance of disturbed soils, it invades croplands and natural ecosystems, reducing crop yields (Mock et al. 2009). It also serves as an overwintering host for cucumber mosaic virus (Tomlinson et al. 1970). Leaf spots on purple dead-nettle were first observed in April 2022 in Gimje (35°43'10"N, 127°00'42"E) and in April 2023 in Jangsu (35°36'16"N, 127°22'43"E), Korea, with a disease incidence of 20-30% among surveyed plants. Symptoms were distinct, angular, pale brown to brown, and bordered by leaf veins. Numerous blackish conidiomata with cirriform conidial horns were visible on the spots. Conidiomata were numerous, scattered, pycnidial, amphigenous but abundantly epigenous, scattered, dark brown to rusty brown, globose, embedded in host tissue or partly erumpent, 60 to 110 µm in diameter, with ostioles measuring 28 to 56 µm in diameter. Conidiogenous cells lining the inner wall layer were hyaline and ampulliform. Conidia were filiform, straight or slightly curved, 32 to 48 × 2 to 3 µm, hyaline, 2 to 5-septate, but often 3-septate. Morphological descriptions were consistent with Septoria lamiicola Sacc. (Verkley et al. 2013). For monoconidial isolation, a conidial horn was collected, placed in a 1.5 ml tube containing sterile water, and streaked onto the surface of 2% water agar (WA). After four days, a hyphal tip was transferred to fresh potato dextrose agar (PDA). Colonies incubated for two weeks at 25°C on PDA were measured 10 to 15 mm in diameter, with a white to greyish at the center and a dark grey to black at the margin. Voucher specimens were deposited at the Korea University Herbarium (KUS-F32758 and F33612), and a representative culture was deposited at the Korea Agricultural Culture Collection (Acc. No. KACC 410468). Nucleotide sequences of the internal transcribed spacer (ITS), 28S rDNA (LSU), β-tubulin (TUB2), translation elongation factor 1-α (EF), actin (ACT), and RNA polymerase II second largest subunit (RPB2) genes were determined (Verkley et al. 2013) and deposited in GenBank (Accession Nos: PQ061283, PQ106849, PQ120989, PQ120981, PQ120994, and PQ120985). BLASTn search of the sequences showed 100% identity with the reference sequences of Septoria lamiicola CBS 102328 for ITS (KF251441.1), LSU (KF251945.1), ACT (KF253745.1), and RPB2 (KF252438.1). The TUB2 sequences showed 99.7% similarity (1/311 nucleotides different) with KF252913.1, and the EF sequences showed 96.0% similarity (13/368 different) with KF253389.1. In a phylogenetic tree reconstructed using the multi-loci sequences, the Korean isolate formed a well-supported group with reference isolates of S. lamiicola (Verkley et al. 2013). Pathogenicity was tested twice by spraying a conidial suspension (1×104 conidia/mL) harvested from a four-week-old culture (KACC 410468) onto twenty leaves of three-potted plants (two months old). Three control plants were sprayed with sterile distilled water. Plants were placed in a dew chamber at 26°C for 24 h before being transferred to a greenhouse. After ten days, typical symptoms appeared on the inoculated leaves, while no symptoms were observed on the controls. S. lamiicola was re-isolated from the symptomatic lesion and confirmed by microscopy, fulfilling Koch's postulates. Although S. lamiicola has been recorded on L. purpureum in Bulgaria, Poland, and Portugal (Farr and Rossman 2024), there is no previous record of this fungus in Korea. To our knowledge, this is the first report of leaf spot caused by S. lamiicola on L. purpureum in Korea. Septoria lamiicola could be utilized as a biological control agent against this invasive weed, thereby supporting sustainable management strategies for croplands and natural ecosystems.

Role of AMP-activated protein kinase in regulating hatching of Nilaparvata lugens.

RNA interference (RNAi) has been proposed as a promising strategy for sustainable and eco-friendly pest management. Nutrient and energy signals are vital for embryonic development and hatching in insects. A key player in cellular energy sensing is adenosine monophosphate (AMP)-activated protein kinase (AMPK), which functions in embryonic development and hatching, and remains poorly understood. In this study, we identified the three subunits of the NlAMPK gene, NlAMPKα, NlAMPKβ, and NlAMPKγ, in the brown planthopper (BPH), Nilaparvata lugens. Quantitative real-time PCR analysis showed that all these three subunits were highly expressed in eggs and ovaries. RNAi of NlAMPKα, NlAMPKβ, and NlAMPKγ in newly emerged BPH females resulted in hatching failure of the eggs they laid. Transcriptomic analysis identified a significant down-regulation of a chitinase (NlChit) gene's transcription on the NlAMPK subunits' knockdown. Notably, NlChit knockdown led to up-regulation of the three NlAMPK subunits, and reduced hatchability and thicker serosal cuticle. Our findings demonstrate that NlAMPK could serve as a potential RNAi target for BPH control, and its mechanism is probably by down-regulating the expression of NlChit. © 2025 Society of Chemical Industry.

Cyclone Idai Disaster in Zimbabwe: A New Testament ethical analysis of Matthew 24:37–39

The ravaging effects of Tropical Cyclone Idai on Zimbabwe’s Eastern border with Mozambique in March 2019 posed a rude awakening for the country to develop strategic disaster management policies. The loss of 340 lives, with many others declared missing, displacement and distress more than 200 and 70 000 people, annihilation of agricultural, educational, health and residential infrastructure, all combined to endorse the need for sustainable disaster risk management strategies in Zimbabwe. Matthew 24:37–39 cast the story of Noah who adopted a disaster response framework in the form of an ark, which was going to float above the floods to prevent loss of fauna and human lives. Through the lens of New Testament Ethical Analysis (NTEA), this article discusses how deployment of ethics of love, selfless service, charity, social responsibility, justice, sharing, care ministry, good neighbourliness, good relationships with self, others, God, environment and climate constitute an effective way of controlling, managing and reducing disaster risks. The article discusses moral exhortations embedded in Matthew 24:37–39 in relation to disaster response frameworks in Zimbabwe.Contribution: The article contributes to the ongoing debate on how biblical ethics can be deployed to the catalogue of disaster management and risk reduction strategies in Zimbabwe and beyond.

Simulated Multi-Scenario Analysis of Land Use and Carbon Stock Dynamics in the Yiluo River Basin Using the PLUS-InVEST Model

Rapid human development has altered land use types, significantly impacting carbon stock, and poor land use will lead to an increase in carbon emissions and exacerbate climate change. Understanding the relationship between land use changes and carbon storage is critical for developing sustainable land management strategies that support carbon sequestration and climate change mitigation. In this study, we analyzed and processed the land use transition changes from 1990 to 2020 and calculated the corresponding carbon storage. Based on the patterns of change and influencing factors (elevation, slope, soil type, GDP, population density, etc.), we predicted the future changes in land use and carbon storage in the Yiluo River Basin under different social development scenarios. It was found that due to the severe impact of natural factors, from 1990 to 2020, the area of cultivated land and grassland decreased by 1150.04 km2 and 936.66 km2, respectively, and the area of forested land and built-up area expanded by 1087.84 km2 and 969.26 km2, respectively. Carbon stocks in the region decreased between 1990 and 2010, followed by a modest recovery from 2010 to 2020, resulting in a total reduction of approximately 2.188 × 106 t. Spatially, carbon stocks diminished in the eastern part but increased in the western part. To assess the long-term sustainability implications, the study simulated four future development scenarios for human society: natural development, urban development, ecological protection, and water conservation. The results showed that in the urban expansion scenario, the proportion of construction land increased significantly, while the ecological protection scenario led to a substantial expansion of forested areas. Notably, carbon stocks showed a significant increase only under the ecological protection scenario, whereas they exhibited a declining trend in all other scenarios.

Stabilization effect and mechanism of heavy metals by microbial consortium of phosphate-solubilizing bacteria and urease-producing bacteria

IntroductionStabilization of heavy metals through phosphate-solubilizing bacteria (PSB) induced phosphate precipitation and urease-producing bacteria (UPB) induced carbonate precipitation are promising bioremediation methods. However, little attention has been conducted on the combined action of the above two bioremediations to stabilize heavy metals.MethodsPSB and UPB were isolated from the environment and their growth characteristics and antagonistic properties were studied. A simulated solution of acidic leachate was prepared based on heavy metal contaminated soil. Microbial consortium of PSB and UPB were constructed for the stabilization of heavy metals by optimizing carbon and nitrogen sources. The microstructural and compositional changes during the biostabilization process were more deeply analyzed using XRD, FT-IR and SEM-EDS.Results and discussionThe precipitation of heavy metals could be promoted effectively when soluble starch (10.2 g/L) was used as carbon source and urea (7.8 g/L) as nitrogen source. The stabilization rates for Cu, Zn, Cd, and Pb were 98.35, 99.78, 99.09, and 92.26%, respectively. The stabilization rates of the combined action of PSB and UPB were significantly higher than that of the two microorganisms alone. An in-depth analysis showed that the composite metals were precipitated as dense precipitate encased in carbonate and phosphate, and additionally could be stabilized in the form of biosorption. Finally, the stabilization mechanism of heavy metals based on biomineralization and biosorption is proposed. These findings provide new theoretical support for sustainable remediation and management strategies for composite heavy metal polluted areas.

Impact of Climate Change on Groundwater Table Fluctuations in the Barind Area: A GIS-Based Analysis

The research on groundwater in the Barind region of Northwestern Bangladesh, spanning five Upazilas, highlights significant groundwater depletion from February to May from ten years data from 2013 to 2022, with recharge occurring between August and October. The most significant depletion occurs between February and May, while water levels tend to rise from August to October. The effects of climate change, such as rising temperatures and altered rainfall patterns, intensify these challenges by hindering groundwater replenishment and increasing dependency on groundwater sources. The study underscores the importance of adopting sustainable management strategies, such as water conservation, rainwater harvesting, and continuous monitoring. To tackle these issues and ensure the long-term sustainability of water resources, effective adaptation measures are crucial. To ensure sustainable groundwater management, the study recommends enhancing rainwater harvesting, utilizing surface water for irrigation, preventing aquifer overexploitation, storing monsoon water, fostering collaborative water management, involving local communities, providing planners with detailed data, and adopting mitigation strategies.

Remote Sensing and Geophysical Applications in the Dead Sea Region: Insights, Trends, and Advances

The Dead Sea ecosystem, with its hypersaline conditions, base-level fluctuations, and active tectonics, presents a unique challenge for geological studies. Its equilibrium is increasingly unbalanced due to overexploitation of water and mineral resources. Remote sensing, including drone-based photogrammetry and satellite imaging, monitors large-scale surface changes, while geophysical methods like electromagnetic and seismic surveys reveal subsurface structures. The integration of these methods has transformed our understanding. Combined studies now monitor hazards such as sinkholes, subsidence, and landslides with greater precision. Advances in artificial intelligence further enhance analysis by processing vast datasets to uncover previously undetectable trends. This synergy between remote sensing, geophysics, and AI offers efficient solutions for studying the disrupted ecosystem. Critical challenges include environmental degradation, rapid water loss, and sinkhole formation, threatening infrastructure, industries, and habitats. Remote sensing has been pivotal in monitoring and mitigating these hazards. Together with geophysics, it provides a robust framework for addressing these extreme conditions. By combining these methods, researchers gain valuable insights into the unique dynamics of the Dead Sea ecosystem, advancing scientific knowledge and supporting sustainable management strategies.

Revisiting the historical tritium levels in precipitation in Greece - Preliminary assessment of groundwater transit times.

The radioactive isotope of hydrogen, known as tritium (3H), is very often used as a dating tool in hydrogeological studies, since it enters the water cycle as part of the water molecule through precipitation. However, the assessment of groundwater transit times and recharge often requires knowing the local historical records of tritium levels in precipitation during the previous seven decades, or the tritium in precipitation (TIP) time series. Here, we compiled all tritium records in precipitation in Greece, with the majority of stations showing sporadic measurements, with the aim of reconstructing a TIP for groundwater dating purposes. The monitoring station of Vienna proved to be more reliable for filling the gaps in the time series than the Ottawa station. Conventional methods to fill the TIP gaps, such as the correlation method (CM), were compared with more advanced machine learning tools, such as the Convolutional Neural Networks (CNN). The comparison showed that the artificial Intelligence Method (AIM) performed best, due to its ability to capture complex nonlinear trends that are usually inherent in real-world data. The preliminary qualitative assessment of groundwater tritium data from Greece, in comparison to the TIP, showed the occurrence of groundwaters of mean transit times ranging from a few years to decades. Better incorporation of groundwater transit times and recharge rates into the study of aquifer systems is essential for developing strategies for sustainable water management in Greece and worldwide.

Enhancing Soil Resilience to Climate Change: Long-Term Effects of Organic Amendments on Soil Thermal and Physical Properties in Tea-Cultivated Ultisols

This study examined the impact of the long-term application (25 years) of tea waste (TW), compost (COM), and neem oil cake (NOC) compared to conventional synthetic fertilizers (CONV) on soil thermal and physical properties of a tea-cultivated Ultisol. Soil samples were collected from 0–15 cm and 15–30 cm depths of an experimental site of the Tea Research Institute in Sri Lanka. These samples were analyzed for soil thermal conductivity (k), volumetric heat capacity (C), thermal diffusivity (D), bulk density (BD), aggregate stability, soil organic carbon (SOC), and volumetric water contents at 0 kPa (θ0) and 10 kPa (θ10). TW and COM significantly (p &lt; 0.05) increased surface SOC, leading to better aggregation, lower BD, and, consequently, a substantial reduction in k and D compared to CONV plots. Further, TW and COM amendments slightly increased C compared to CONV plots due to elevated SOC and water content. However, NOC had no impact on soil thermal and physical properties compared to CONV. The reduced thermal conductivity and thermal diffusivity indicated an improved soil capacity to buffer extreme temperature fluctuations. Moreover, soils treated with TW and COM exhibited greater water retention and improved soil resistance to erosion. The findings suggest that the long-term application of tea waste and compost could be a sustainable soil management strategy for improving soil health and enhancing resilience to climate change in tea-cultivated Ultisols.

Sustainable Hull maintenance strategies in Baltic Sea region through case studies of RoPax vessels.

Determining optimal maintenance strategies in unique maritime environments like the Baltic Sea is challenging, as it should consider various aspects, including ship characteristics and environmental conditions. This study employs the decision support tool HullMASTER (Hull MAintenance STrategies for Emission Reduction) to assess the life cycle costs of different hull maintenance scenarios for RoPax vessels in the Baltic Sea. Findings indicate that optimal hull management can save operators up to €9.3 million and reduce socio-environmental damage costs by €7.9 million over ten years compared to a less proactive baseline. Notably, biofouling pressure decreases from the high-salinity Skagerrak and Kattegat to the low-salinity Baltic Proper, emphasizing the need for tailored maintenance strategies. Among the coatings analyzed, non-biocide foul-release coatings are the most sustainable choice, reducing emissions to the ocean and the atmosphere. These findings will provide practical guidelines for sustainable hull management strategies, contributing to enhanced operational efficiency and marine environmental protection.

Assessing the effects of anthropogenic pressures on biodiversity: a multi-taxonomic approach in Basilicata, Italy.

The combined pressures of anthropogenic activities require rapid assessments of environmental impacts on ecosystems to develop strategies for sustainable management and biodiversity conservation. This study investigates the consequences of the anthropogenic effects in the upper Val d'Agri (Basilicata, Italy) by employing a multi-taxonomic analysis to investigate spatial dynamics and species responses to these pressures. By cataloguing 151 diverse species of small mammals, reptiles, birds, ground beetles, and lichens, we established a valuable baseline for analysing the local biodiversity. We assessed the relationship between anthropic impacts (industrial areas, roads, agriculture, forestry, etc.), vegetation cover, and species diversity. Our findings revealed a negative relationship between the number of species and proximity to industrial areas, emphasising the impact of these activities. Moreover, we observed a predominance of generalist biological traits across taxa in all the study sites rather than an increase in species specialisation with increased distance. This may suggest a homogenising effect caused by various anthropogenic activities that cause habitat fragmentation and species mortality, underlining the lasting influence of these activities on the biodiversity of the upper Agri Valley. Additionally, our study identifies numerous protected species, highlighting their vulnerability and emphasising the necessity for targeted conservation efforts to safeguard their existence.

A review on sustainable management strategies for navigating the piling e-waste crisis and associated environmental threats

In today's fast-paced technological era, multifaceted technological advancements in our contemporary lifestyle are surging the use of electronic devices, which are significantly piling e-waste and posing environmental concerns. This stock of e-waste is expected to keep rising up to 50 mt year-1. Formal recycling of such humongous waste is a major challenge, especially in developing nations. Mishandling of e-waste poses serious threats to human health, soil, and water ecosystem, threatening ecological and environmental sustainability. Complex matrix of resourceful materials comprising valuable metals like gold, silver, and copper, and hazardous substances such as lead, mercury, cadmium, and brominated flame retardants make its judicious management even more crucial. Potential toxic elements such as Pb, Cd, Cr, As, and Hg, as well as plastic/microplastics, nanoparticles are prevalent in components like batteries, cathode ray tubes, circuit boards, glass and plastic components which are known to cause neurological, renal, and developmental damage in humans. Effective and sustainable management of these requires a comprehensive understanding of their sources, environmental behavior, and toxicological impacts. This review explores potential approached for sustainable e-waste recycling (recycling of glass, plastic, rare earth metals, and base metals), and resource recycling through pyrometallurgy, hydrometallurgy, biometallurgy, biohydrometallurgy, bioleaching and biodegradation plastic alongside challenges and prospects.

APPRAISAL OF SOIL EROSION IN ZURU METROPOLIS, ZURU LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA, KEBBI STATE NIGERIA

soil erosion and sedimentation pose significant threats to environmental sustainability, food security, and economic development in Zuru Metropolis, Nigeria. This study investigates the causes, effects, and mitigation measures of soil erosion and sedimentation in the area. Using a combination of field observations, laboratory analysis, and community surveys, the research reveals that heavy rainfall, deforestation, poor land use practices, and urbanization are major drivers of soil erosion and sedimentation. The impacts of these processes include loss of fertile land, water pollution, infrastructure damage, and increased risk of flooding. The study recommends reforestation, conservation agriculture, drainage management, and community education as effective mitigation measures. The findings of this research contribute to the development of sustainable land management strategies and policy interventions aimed at reducing the risks associated with soil erosion and sedimentation in Zuru Metropolis. The results of this study indicated that previous authors whose works were reviewed have a convergent view that the use of vegetative approach, an aspect to landscape design, must be practiced for effective control of gullies., however, previous authors have divergent views on the use of structural approach, another aspect to landscape design, for control of gully erosion. Other recommendations of this study include: Planting of a combination of woody trees and grasses; Use of some locally accessible structures for example, sieve structures.