International Journal of Environment and Climate Change

Antibiotic Resistance in Marine and Coastal Environments: A Systematic Review

Zubair AA — 2025-12-01

Antibiotic resistance (AR) dissemination in marine and coastal environments is recognized as a major and growing threat for ecological equilibrium and human health. These aquatic environments, once considered relatively pristine, are now recognized as major reservoirs of antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) and antibiotic-resistant bacteria (ARB). This review integrates research from 2010 to 2025 in order to give a full picture of the current understanding of this fundamental issue. The current study examined the major contributors to antimicrobial resistance, including effluent from wastewater treatment plants, agricultural and aquaculture runoff, and widespread plastic pollution. Together, these sources create strong environmental pressures that promote the spread of resistance. The paper connects the basic principles of resistance dissemination with horizontal gene transfer (HGT) mediated by mobile genetic elements (MGEs) in microbial communities, particularly within biofilms. The study also delves into the important environmental pressures including climate change and pollution gradients that intensify the selection of ARGs and contribute to their spread. The public health implications are described in the context of the One Health approach, taking into account both exposure via consumption of contaminated seafood and recreational water activities. The article also describes the techniques used to monitor and detect resistant organisms in marine systems, starting from simple culture-based methods and extending to advanced molecular tools such as quantitative PCR and metagenomics. The overall evidence shows that marine and coastal environments have become significant reservoirs of antibiotic resistance, driven by human activities and intensified by climate and pollution pressures. The article highlights the intricate relationships between anthropogenic pressures, microbial evolution and antibiotic resistance in the marine environment and emphasizes the pressing need for coordinated global mitigation measures

GRAPHICAL ABSTRACT

Remote Sensing and GIS Applications in Vineyard Zoning and Yield Prediction

Mohammed Umar Ali — 2025-11-25

Remote sensing, which allows us to track the health and condition of the vegetation, is one component of precision agriculture. Numerous studies have examined the applications of remote sensing in agriculture; reviews consolidate this research and examine diverse scientific methodologies. Using imagery obtained by remote sensing platforms like satellites, aircraft, and unmanned aerial vehicles, this project attempts to compile the current vegetation indices utilized in viticulture. Spectroscopy, multispectral and hyper spectral imaging, thermography, electrical resistivity, laser imaging detection and ranging, computer vision, and chlorophyll fluorescence are among the sensing technologies that we describe in this paper. These technologies vary in spatial resolution, data acquisition cost, and suitability for specific vineyard management goals. We also discuss the platforms on which these technologies are typically mounted or embedded for either proximal or remote monitoring. One of the main goals of employing these technologies is to gather and provide data and information to winemakers and grape farmers so they may use it to make better decisions and manage their vineyards and property. Topics covered include crop forecasting, yield and fruit composition, vineyard sampling, targeted management, vegetative growth, canopy architecture, nutrient and water status, pests and diseases, soil and topography, and the present and future use of these technologies in vineyards. These technologies' underlying principles are also explained. The technologies have a lot of potential for farmers, but field-scale acceptance and use will require user-friendly devices and software as well as reasonable prices.

Urban Green Infrastructure for Climate Change Adaptation and Mitigation: Roles, Innovations, and Challenges in Sustainable Cities

Krishna Mondal — 2025-11-25

Urban green spaces have become increasingly recognized as essential components in the adaptation and mitigation of climate change impacts within rapidly urbanizing environments. This review critically examines the multifaceted roles of urban green infrastructure-encompassing parks, urban forests, green roofs, vertical gardens, and permeable landscapes-in enhancing urban resilience to climate extremes. The paper synthesizes recent advances in the understanding of how urban vegetation and landscape interventions contribute to reducing the urban heat island effect through evapotranspiration, shading, and albedo modification, with empirical evidence demonstrating local temperature reductions of up to 4°C. Additionally, the review explores the effectiveness of green spaces in managing stormwater runoff via bio-swales, rain gardens, and permeable pavements, which collectively reduce peak flow rates and improve groundwater recharge. The carbon sequestration potential of urban green infrastructure is assessed, highlighting the capacity of mature urban forests and innovative green roof systems to capture and store atmospheric carbon. The integration of smart technologies, such as IoT-based soil moisture sensors and remote sensing for vegetation health monitoring, is discussed as a means to optimize the management and performance of urban green spaces. The review also addresses the socio-economic co-benefits, including improved air quality, enhanced public health, increased property values, and greater social cohesion. Key challenges are identified, such as fragmented governance, limited funding, and inequitable access to green infrastructure, particularly in marginalized urban communities. Case studies from global cities illustrate successful strategies for mainstreaming nature-based solutions and integrating green infrastructure into urban planning frameworks. The paper concludes by emphasizing the need for interdisciplinary collaboration, policy innovation, and community engagement to maximize the adaptive and mitigative potential of urban green spaces. This comprehensive synthesis aims to inform urban planners, policymakers, and researchers about the strategic importance of green infrastructure in fostering climate-resilient and sustainable cities.

Renewable-powered Off-Grid Hydroponic Systems for Resource-Efficient Agriculture: A Comprehensive Review

ARJUN RANA — 2025-11-26

Hydroponics presents a promising pathway for sustainable food production in regions facing land scarcity, water limitations, and climate stress; however, its high energy demand raises concerns regarding long-term economic and environmental feasibility when powered by conventional electricity sources. This review aims to critically examine the role of renewable energy in improving the sustainability, efficiency, and resilience of hydroponic systems. A systematic review approach was used, drawing from recent literature published between 2020–2025 across Google Scholar, Scopus, IEEE Xplore, and ScienceDirect, with inclusion criteria focused on renewable-powered hydroponics, system performance metrics, and climate-resilient farming applications.

The findings indicate that integrating renewable energy technologies such as solar, wind, biomass, and hybrid energy systems can improve hydroponic efficiency and operational sustainability. Reported benefits include up to ~92% energy self-sufficiency, 30–35% reductions in operating energy costs, and CO₂ emission reductions of up to ~65% compared to grid-powered systems. Additionally, the review highlights how advances such as LED lighting, IoT automation, AI-based energy management, and smart sensors further optimize energy efficiency and resource use.

This work contributes uniquely by bridging hydroponic agronomy with renewable energy system design, offering comparative insights across energy configurations, performance trade-offs, and feasibility in different climatic regions. The review also identifies current research gaps related to storage limitations, cost barriers, and scalability.

Overall, the findings provide a framework to support researchers, policymakers, and practitioners in advancing off-grid, climate-resilient, and resource-efficient hydroponic agriculture. These insights may guide future technological development and policy strategies toward carbon-neutral controlled-environment farming.

Crop Production in Ghana in the Era of Global Climate Change: Challenges, Impacts, and Adaptation Strategies

Adelaide Dorothy Esenam Agordo — 2025-12-01

Aims: This review synthesizes current knowledge on the impacts of global climate change on crop production in Ghana, a nation characterized by its high dependence on rain-fed agriculture. It aims to elucidate the key challenges, analyze region-specific vulnerabilities, and evaluate existing adaptation strategies to inform policy and future research.

Methodology: The study uses a review of empirical studies, government reports, and climate data was conducted. The analysis is structured around a conceptual framework that categorizes climate impacts into direct, indirect, and socio-economic effects, and examines regional variations across Ghana's Coastal, Forest, and Savannah zones.

Results: The findings reveal that rising temperatures, erratic rainfall, and increasing extreme weather events are significantly suppressing yields of staple crops like maize, rice, and cocoa. These impacts are not uniform; coastal areas face salinity intrusion, the forest zone contends with pest and disease shifts, and the northern savannah experiences intensified droughts. In response, Ghanaian smallholder farmers are actively employing adaptation strategies, including the use of agrochemicals, planting improved crop varieties, and altering food consumption behaviors. However, the effectiveness of these measures is often constrained by limited resources, inadequate infrastructure, and insufficient access to climate information.

Conclusion: Building a climate-resilient agricultural sector in Ghana requires a multi-faceted approach. This includes enhancing the adoption of tailored, climate-smart practices, strengthening government support systems, and addressing the underlying socio-economic vulnerabilities that limit adaptive capacity. Future efforts must be region-specific and farmer-centric to safeguard national food security.

Flood Profile and Management Strategies in Ghana: Lessons from Disasters in the North and in Accra

David Baaman Laar — 2025-12-02

Flooding is becoming one of the most challenging environmental problems confronting Ghana and increasingly it has become difficult for the government to control, because certain activities are deeply ingrained in the socio-cultural and economic systems of the people. The effects of flooding on livelihoods and on the ecosystem in Ghana are extensive and damaging. As a result, the study sought to outline pre-disaster, disaster and post-disaster flooding strategies that would help residents to mitigate or prevent the occurrence of flooding in Ghana. Using a thematic analysis and desktop review, the study reviewed academic studies on flood disasters of 2007, 2010, 2015 and 2020 in Ghana. The results revealed that human induced factors account for the most incidence. Additionally, the social and economic effects were not found to be limited to victims alone but to the ecosystem as well. For policy makers then, the study recommends the integrated flood management approach such as the use of GIS & Remote Sensing techniques, as well as collaboration between and/among state agencies like National Disaster Management Organisation (NADMO), Ghana Meteorological Agency (GMET), the various Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies (MMDAs), and managers of the Bagre Dam to reduce the incidence and by extension, the impact of flooding in Ghana.

Ecological and Evolutionary Responses of Insects to Climate Change: A Review

Palvi Thakur — 2025-12-02

Climate change is exerting profound and complex impacts on insect ecology and evolutionary dynamics across ecosystems worldwide. Rising global temperatures, erratic precipitation patterns, increased frequency of extreme climatic events, and shifting atmospheric conditions are altering insect physiology, behaviour, population dynamics, species interactions, and geographic distributions. These changes have led to notable ecological responses, including phenological shifts, range migrations, altered trophic relationships, and community restructuring. Therefore, this review explores the evolutionary and ecological responses of insects to climate change. Insects are responding through both phenotypic plasticity and adaptive evolutionary mechanisms, such as changes in thermal tolerance, development time, diapause regulation, and voltinism. While some species exhibit rapid evolutionary changes that may enhance resilience, others, particularly specialists with narrow ecological niches, are experiencing population declines and local extinctions due to physiological stress, habitat loss, and multiple interacting threats. The combination of climate change with other anthropogenic drivers such as land-use change, pesticide exposure, and invasive species introductions is amplifying these impacts, threatening insect-mediated ecosystem services such as pollination, natural pest control, and decomposition. These disruptions carry significant implications for biodiversity, food security, and ecosystem stability. Despite growing awareness, major research gaps remain, especially in underrepresented tropical regions, long-term monitoring, and the integration of ecological and evolutionary processes in predictive models. Advances in genomics, molecular tools, and remote sensing technologies provide promising opportunities to uncover mechanisms of adaptation and assess species vulnerability with greater precision. Citizen science, open-access biodiversity databases, and interdisciplinary collaborations also offer scalable solutions for data collection and conservation planning. An insect response to climate change is essential for developing effective policies and adaptive management strategies aimed at conserving insect diversity and maintaining the ecological functions they support. Urgent, multi-scale actions are needed to mitigate ongoing declines and to safeguard the critical roles insects play in sustaining natural and human-dominated systems.

Assessing of Impacts of Climate Change on Sea-level Rise and Shoreline Evolution Case of the East Coast of Cotonou in Benin, West Africa

Guendehou Ferdinand JC — 2025-12-03

Climate-change-induced sea level rise (SLR) poses a critical threat to coastal zones worldwide, with heightened impacts in low-lying, rapidly urbanizing regions. The East Coast of Cotonou, in Benin, is a hotspot of vulnerability, where the rapid retreat of the shoreline intersects with dense settlements, critical infrastructure, and socioeconomic pressures. This study investigates the multidecadal dynamics and their socioecological implications by integrating global datasets, standardized analytical tools, and field-based evidence using a triangular methods approach. A systematic review of the literature using PRISMA guidelines synthesized global and regional knowledge on SLR, shoreline change, and coastal vulnerability, highlighting significant gaps in localized assessments for West Africa. Satellite altimetry and tide gauge data were analyzed to assess global and relative sea level trends, while Landsat-derived shoreline positions were processed using the Digital Shoreline Analysis System (DSAS) to calculate linear regression and endpoint rates, uncertainties and identify erosion hotspots. These remote sensing and statistical results were validated through detailed field surveys along the eastern shoreline, including beach profiling, GPS mapping, and community interviews. The results indicate a persistent SLR trend averaging 3.4 mm / year in the Gulf of Guinea, consistent with global acceleration patterns. Shoreline analysis revealed average erosion rates of –3 to -5 m / year from 1985 to 2020, with localized hotspots exceeding -7 m / year, particularly near Akpakpa and east of the Cotonou port. Field observations confirmed significant beach narrowing, infrastructure loss, and adaptive responses. Socioeconomic participation highlighted disparities in coping strategies, declining fish and agricultural productivity, and governance gaps in coordinated coastal adaptation. The study concludes that the eastern coastline is undergoing rapid erosion driven by the interplay of global SLR, regional hydrodynamics, and local anthropogenic pressures, producing profound socioecological consequences. The recommendations emphasize the urgent need for integrated, context-specific adaptation strategies: (i) strengthening the coastal protection infrastructure in hotspot zones, (ii) regulating sand mining and other anthropogenic activities, (iii) promoting community-based adaptation and relocation planning, and (iv) improving governance frameworks to support equitable, sustainable coastal management. By linking global climate processes with local realities, this research provides actionable evidence to guide resilience building and policy development in coastal contexts in West Africa.

Harnessing Automated Irrigation Technologies to Enhance Sustainability of Agriculture: A Pathway to Food Security

Prakalya Prabhahar — 2025-12-03

Agriculture faces the dual challenge of ensuring food security while conserving diminishing water resources amid climate uncertainty. Automated irrigation technologies integrating smart sensors, Internet of Things (IoT) platforms and artificial intelligence (AI) tools offer a transformative solution for precision water management. This study evaluates the impact of automated irrigation on water-use efficiency, energy optimization and crop productivity through field-based data and comparative analyses across diverse systems. Results indicate that high-level automation achieves up to 87% water savings, 30% yield improvement and 2–3 years of return on investment, substantially outperforming traditional irrigation. Labor savings of up to 60% and reduced greenhouse gas emissions further underscore automation’s environmental and economic advantages. Case studies from Tamil Nadu (India), Israel, California and Sub-Saharan Africa validate the global scalability of automation under varied agro-climatic contexts.

Despite proven benefits, adoption barriers persist due to high initial investment, limited technical capacity and infrastructural constraints. Policy interventions, including targeted subsidies, institutional linkages and digital literacy initiatives, are essential to promote widespread adoption. Automated irrigation directly supports SDG 2 (Zero Hunger), SDG 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation) and SDG 13 (Climate Action) by enhancing productivity, conserving water and reducing emissions. When integrated with solar-powered systems, it further strengthens climate-smart agriculture. The findings affirm that automated irrigation represents a paradigm shift toward sustainable, resource-efficient and resilient agricultural systems, enabling a transition from reactive water management to predictive and data-driven farming.

Internet of Things (IoT)-Linked Approaches for Soil Health Monitoring

D. S. Silpa — 2025-12-04

Soil health plays a fundamental role in ensuring sustainable agricultural productivity and ecological stability. Traditional methods of soil health assessment such as manual sampling and laboratory analyses are labour-intensive, time-consuming, and limited in their spatial and temporal resolution. With the growing demands of food production and the pressing threats posed by climate change and land degradation, there is an urgent need for real-time, cost-effective, and scalable soil health monitoring systems. The Internet of Things (IoT) has emerged as a transformative solution, offering continuous, remote, and sensor-based monitoring of key soil parameters. This review presents an in-depth examination of IoT-linked technologies and their application in assessing soil physical, chemical, and biological properties. The paper also explores the architectural framework of IoT systems, including sensing, communication, data processing, and application layers. Further, it discusses recent case studies involving smart irrigation systems, real-time nutrient monitoring, and integration with unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). While the benefits of IoT-based systems are substantial including increased efficiency, reduced labour, and improved decision-making several challenges remain, such as high initial costs, energy requirements, and limited connectivity in rural areas. Overall, IoT presents promising potential for revolutionizing soil health monitoring and promoting resilient and sustainable agricultural systems.

Impact of Climate Change on Rice Production in Ghana: A Review of Mitigation and Adaptation Strategies

Matilda Botah — 2025-12-05

This study identifies and examine the impact of climate change in the rice sector of Ghana. This review aims to explore effective adaptation strategies to sustain production and food security. As a major concern to food production in Ghana, it seeks to address the challenges and how to mitigate these challenges concerning the production of rice. The literature was categorized into: (1) rainfall change patterns and effects on rice yield and grain quality; (2) temperature variability and physiological stress responses; (3) influence of extreme weather events; and (4) mitigation strategies including precision agriculture and water conservation technologies. Climate related factors significantly affect rice production in Ghana. Rainfall variability caused 15-30% yield reductions in rain-fed systems, while temperature rise increased pollen sterility, reducing yields by 10-15% per heat-stress event. Extreme weather events, such as floods and droughts, caused up to 50% yield loss. Adaptation strategies like drought-tolerant varieties, controlled irrigation, and mixed cropping helped reduce impacts, but adoption rates remain low due to limited extension support, financial constraints, and inadequate access to climate information services. Climate change significantly affects Ghana's rice production, with rain-fed systems experiencing 15-40% yield declines. Despite adaptation efforts, production remains vulnerable, and Ghana relies heavily on imports, accounting for 50-70% of domestic consumption. Investing in strategies like drought-tolerant varieties, precision agriculture, and sustainable water management can help sustain production, ensure food security, and support rural livelihoods.

Environmental Determinants and Technological Strategies to Optimize Silkworm Growth and Cocoon Production: A Review

M. Parasuramudu — 2025-12-08

Environmental conditions and rearing technologies play a crucial role in influencing the physiological health and cocoon quality of the silkworm (Bombyx mori). This study provides an in-depth analysis of how key environmental factors—such as temperature, humidity, light, and air quality—affect silkworm metabolism, growth, and cocoon formation. It identifies the ideal environmental parameters for each developmental stage and evaluates how modern rearing systems can be used to improve silk yield and quality. The significance of nutrition, especially the quality of mulberry leaves, in determining cocoon structure and silk filament strength is also emphasized. Through case studies from various sericulture regions, the research illustrates practical applications of these insights. The findings highlight the importance of combining innovative technologies with traditional sericulture methods to achieve sustainable, high-yield, and superior-quality silk production. This paper serves as a useful resource for researchers, sericulture farmers, and policymakers seeking to enhance silkworm productivity and silk quality through optimized environmental and rearing practices.

Soil Degradation and Climate Change Relationships: A Review

Doreen Mbabazize — 2025-12-11

Climate change, driven by anthropogenic greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions like carbon dioxide (CO₂), methane (CH₄), and nitrous oxide (N₂O), is expected to worsen extreme weather events such as droughts, altered precipitation, floods, and wildfires by the century's end. These extreme weather events can exacerbate soil degradation, diminishing soil quality and productivity, with significant implications for food security globally. In this review, we describe the interconnections between climate change and soil degradation, especially those that control nutrient cycling and GHG emissions. The key climate change drivers of soil degradation are extreme precipitation patterns and elevated atmospheric temperatures, which intensify both short- and long-term effects on soil physical, chemical, and biological properties. The rise in temperatures can lead to increased soil compaction, destabilizing soil structure and reducing soil porosity. This impairs soil aeration, diminishing both macro and microbial activity, which disrupts nutrient cycling and contributes to soil degradation. Increased flooding promotes leaching and soil erosion which increases soil organic matter (SOM) and nitrogen (N) losses. This destabilizes soil N stocks and can retard proper crop growth. Frequent droughts inhibit enzymatic activities such as phosphatase responsible for phosphorus (P) mineralization, reducing the amount of phosphates available for plant uptake. Additionally, the continuous rise in temperature increases microbial activity resulting in increased SOM decomposition and release of CO₂ into the atmosphere contributing to global warming. The changing precipitation patterns, especially intensive precipitation, increase anaerobic soil conditions which decrease soil microbial activity, thereby disrupting nutrient cycling. The above changes referred to as climate change-induced soil degradation in this review, alter the capability of soil properties to sustain food security and soil health necessitating the integration of adaptation and mitigation strategies to ensure sustainable functioning of terrestrial agroecosystems. Addressing this critical issue, we have identified the challenges in mitigating these impacts and proposed remediation strategies based on existing scientific knowledge.

Carbon Credits and Ecosystem Service Valuation as Economic Pathways for Sustainable Agriculture and Rural Livelihood Enhancement

Shanmugam Gokul — 2025-12-12

Climate change is increasingly degrading agricultural productivity and ecosystem health, necessitating economic mechanisms that reconcile sustainable rural livelihoods with environmental sustainability. This study aims to examine the role of carbon credits and Ecosystem Service Valuation (ESV) in promoting sustainable agriculture and enhancing rural livelihoods. Using evidence-based synthesis of global carbon pricing mechanisms and Payments for Ecosystem Services (PES) initiatives, the study highlights a comparative investigative approach to assess their economic, social, and environmental co-benefits. The results indicate that well-designed carbon and PES schemes effectively internalize environmental costs, diversify farmers’ income sources, reduce poverty, and enhance climate resilience among smallholders. Indicatively, significant trade-offs persist between carbon sequestration and key ecosystem processes such as biodiversity conservation, soil fertility, and water management. Additionally, valuation challenges, land-use trade-offs, and institutional gaps limit large-scale effectiveness. The study recommends strengthening governance frameworks, monitoring systems, and policy integration to optimize outcomes. It concludes that aligning carbon markets with ecosystem valuation can effectively support sustainable agricultural systems and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.

Metagenomics: An Emerging Novel Approach to Assess Microbial Diversity in the Riverine Ecosystem

K. Anita — 2025-12-15

At the beginning of the 21st century, the scientific communities witnessed the emergence of metagenomics as an innovative technology to visualize the communities of the microorganisms in the river ecosystem. Metagenomics has bought a revolutionary change in deciphering microbial diversity in a culture-independent manner. This technology paves the way for analyzing genetic material obtained directly from river water and has provided a new direction into studying the overall microbial communities of river water. The biodiversity of the river environment is exceptionally diverse, with a considerable variation exerted mainly by anthropic activities. Now it is possible to unlock the massive uncultured microbial load dominated in the river water. The microbes in the river water perform crucial activity in the biogeochemical cycle. Thus, analysis of microbial composition by metagenomic approaches has accelerated the way to study microbial diversity as well as detecting pathogenic contamination. Furthermore, a metagenome based study is also of great significance as it significantly impacts routine monitoring of river water for hazardous microbial pathogens, which is of great significance in protecting human health. The various sequencing platforms have changed the entire chronology of studying microbial diversity. The large scale DNA based sequencing approaches targeting the 16S rRNA gene has revolutionized the abysmal study of microbial diversity in the river water. Thus, the innovation of NGS techniques, including 16S rRNA has made it easy for bacterial identification in river water samples. The metagenome study has gained applause since only 1% of microbes can be cultured under standard biosafety conditions. There is less knowledge about freshwater bacteria and the pathogenic bacteria affecting human health directly. Also, the rivers are the shield of climate and environmental change but they are primarily affected by various anthropogenic activities. The outcome of which is irretrievable damage to the ecosystem of the river. Thus, the metagenomics technologies are innovating the microbial world and pathogen dissemination in the river ecosystem. This review highlights the metagenomic potentialities and challenges to study the microbial world in the river water ecosystem. We will be discussing the challenges, benefits and importance of metagenomics in the study of microbial communities in the river water. Therefore, this study will significantly enhance our knowledge to understand rivers better in terms of microbial biodiversity, various interactions within the microbial communities, and public health concerns.

Impact of Meteorological Parameters on the Development of Alternaria Leaf Spot of Brinjal (Solanum melongena L.) Caused by Alternaria alternata (Fr.) Keissler under Natural Epiphytotic Conditions

Anil Kumar Sharma — 2025-12-03

Brinjal (Solanum melongena L.), commonly known as eggplant or aubergine, is a widely cultivated vegetable crop in India and across the world, but its productivity is often limited by fungal and bacterial diseases, among which Alternaria leaf spot caused by Alternaria alternata is a major concern. The present study was conducted during Rabi seasons 2021–22 and 2022–23 at the Experimental Field, College of Agriculture, Gwalior, to assess the influence of meteorological parameters on the development of Alternaria leaf spot disease of brinjal (Solanum melongena L.). The experiment consisted of five different sowing dates. Observations on disease intensity and corresponding weather parameters namely temperature, relative humidity and rainfall were recorded weekly. The susceptible variety BR-112 was used for the study. Results revealed that Alternaria leaf spot first appeared in early January and gradually increased until the first week of March. Correlation analysis revealed a positive and significant association between disease intensity and both maximum (r = 0.6266**) and minimum temperatures (r = 0.7986**). In contrast, morning (r = –0.5101**) and noon relative humidity (r = –0.5187**) exhibited significant negative correlations with disease intensity. Rainfall showed a negative but non-significant correlation (r = –0.2285). These results indicate that higher temperatures favor the development of Alternaria leaf spot in brinjal, whereas increased relative humidity and rainfall tend to suppress disease progression.

Soil Physicochemical Properties and Their Susceptibility to Degradation under Different Forest Land Uses in a Critical Wetland Conservation Reserve, Uttarakhand, India

Mohd Salim — 2025-11-25

This study aimed to evaluate the soil physicochemical properties and identify the factors influencing them across different land-use types within the forested section of the ecologically significant Jhilmil Jheel Wetland Conservation Reserve. The research was designed around a comparative analysis of three distinct forest sub-sites: Mixed Moist Deciduous Forest (483.9 ha), Riverine Forest (10 ha), and Secondary Scrub Land Forest (25 ha). The study was conducted in the Jhilmil Jheel Wetland Conservation Reserve, located in Haridwar, Uttarakhand, India during the month of April to June, 2023. Soil samples were collected and analysed for key physicochemical parameters, including soil pH, texture, bulk density, organic carbon, total nitrogen, available phosphorus, and exchangeable potassium, following standard laboratory procedures. The analysis revealed that the Mixed Moist Deciduous Forest soil possessed significantly superior physicochemical properties, playing a crucial role in nutrient preservation. For instance, the bulk density was lowest in mixed moist deciduous forest (1.28 g cm^-3), Organic carbon (2.95%), Total Nitrogen (0.24%), available phosphorus (17.13 ppm) and exchangeable potassium (258.5 ppm). In contrast, the Riverine Forest and Secondary Scrub Land Forest exhibited substantially reduced nutrient levels. Statistical analysis confirmed significant mean differences, indicating these latter sites are more vulnerable to soil degradation and desertification. The study concludes that land-use variation is a critical factor influencing soil physicochemical properties, which directly affects soil biological activity. The findings underscore the importance of the Mixed Moist Deciduous Forest for soil health and provide essential insights for guiding future conservation strategies, soil management practices, and ensuring the long-term sustainability of this vital wetland ecosystem.

Effect of Different Doses of Sulphur and Vermicompost on Yield and Nutrient Uptake of Black Gram (Vigna mungo L.)

Pushpendra Kumar — 2025-11-26

The study investigated the impact of varying doses of sulphur and vermicompost on the yield (grain and straw yield) and nutrient uptake (N, P, K and S) of Black gram var. IPU 11-2 at Banda, U.P. A Randomised Block Design (RBD) with three replications and eight treatments were used, comparing different treatments including RDF, and RDF with different levels of sulphur and vermicompost. The results indicated that the application of sulphur and vermicompost i.e., Treatment T₈ (RDF+45 kg S (SSP)/ha+3 ton vermicompost/ha), significantly increased both grain (725.33 kg/ha) and straw yield (1673.67 kg/ha) compared to the control. Moreover, it also increased the nutrient content i.e., N- 3.96%, P- 0.96%, P- 0.96% and S- 0.94%. and total nutrient uptake (N- 28.72 kg/ha, P- 6.94 kg/ha, K- 6.96 kg/ha and S- 6.80 kg/ha) in the grain of black gram. These findings suggest that the integrated use of inorganic sulphur along with vermicompost enhances the productivity and nutritional quality of the black gram, offering a more sustainable agricultural practice. The study also provides practical insights for farmers in improving black gram productivity and contributes to the growing body of research on sustainable agriculture.

Assessing the Impact of Rainfall Variability on Lake Ono by Using the Supervised Classification Method

KPAN Oulai Jean-Gautier — 2025-11-27

The effects of climate change on water resources result from a combination of several factors, including reduced precipitation, decreased runoff, increased evapotranspiration, and decreased groundwater recharge. This study highlights the hydrological impacts of climate variability in southeastern Côte d'Ivoire, particularly in the Lake ONO area. The results obtained using the second-order Hanning method show a period of excess rainfall from 1960 to 1983 (12.64 to 15.15%) and a period of rainfall deficit from 1984 to 2014 (-11.72 to -6.75%) in the region. Supervised classification of TM+ (1986) and ETM+ (2000 and 2016) satellite images of scene 195-056, which was validated by accuracy indices exceeding 98%, shows a reduction in size and eutrophication of Lake Ono in 2000 and 2016, respectively. Its surface area has been reduced by 25%, from 7 km² in 1986 to 5.24 km² in 2016. It also reveals the absence of the “swamp area” class and an increase in “bare soil” areas on the 2000 and 2016 images.

Seasonal Assessment of Irrigation Water Quality of Karanja Reservoir, Bidar, Karnataka (India): A Multivariate Analysis

Sabha Shaikh — 2025-11-27

This study assesses the seasonal variation and irrigation suitability of Karanja Reservoir water, Bidar, Karnataka (India) from January 2023 to December 2024. The surface and bottom water samples were collected seasonally and were evaluated for irrigation water indices such as Electrical Conductivity (EC), Total Hardness (TH), Sodium Adsorption Ratio (SAR), Soluble Sodium Percentage (SSP), Percentage Sodium (%Na), Residual Sodium Carbonate (RSC), Kelly's Ratio (KR), Magnesium Hazard (MH), Permeability Index (PI), Potential Salinity (PS), Irrigation Water Quality Index (IWQI), US Salinity Laboratory (USSL), Corrosivity Ratio (CR) and Chloro-Alkaline Indices (CAI1 and CAI2). The results revealed TH, CR, PS, %Na exceeded the permissible limit. A high CR indicated that water should not be transported using metal pipes. Based on the USSL classification, the reservoir water falls within the C2–S1 category, indicating medium salinity and low sodium hazards, while the IWQI classifies it as low-restriction water. Overall, the Karanja reservoir water is moderately suitable for irrigation, provided appropriate soil and water management practices are adopted. Measures such as periodic soil amendments and cultivating salt-tolerant or moderately salt-tolerant crops can help mitigate long-term sodicity and salinity impacts. This study emphasizes the need for ongoing monitoring and sustainable irrigation planning to maintain soil health and support long-term agricultural productivity.

Effect of Weather on Physiological Aspect and Quality of Kinnow Mandarin under Sub-Tropics Foothill Himalayas

Disket Dolkar — 2025-11-27

Weather conditions, particularly temperature, exert a profound influence on the physiological performance and fruit quality of Kinnow mandarin. Variations in maximum and minimum temperatures significantly affect key physiological processes such as chlorophyll retention, leaf water balance, and metabolic activity, which in turn determine the accumulation of sugars, acids, and antioxidants in the fruit. However, the stage-specific impacts of these climatic factors across different phenological phases remain insufficiently understood. A two-year field experiment (2014–2015) was conducted on eight-year-old, drip-irrigated Kinnow mandarin trees under subtropical Himalayan foothill conditions. Meteorological parameters including maximum temperature (Tmax), and minimum temperature temperature (Tmin), relative humidity (RH), rainfall, and evaporation were correlated with physiological traits such as chlorophyll content, relative leaf water content, and leaf water concentration, as well as fruit quality parameters including total, reducing, and non-reducing sugars, acidity, ascorbic acid, total phenols, and flavonoids. Results revealed that Tmax, Tmin, and evaporation during the First fruit set to maximum fruit set stage (K3), and evaporation during the flowering to first fruit set (K2), positively influenced leaf water content in Kinnow mandarin. Furthermore, fruit quality parameters such as total sugars, reducing sugars, non-reducing sugars, and ascorbic acid were positively affected by Tmax and Tmin at the First fruit set to maximum fruit set stage (K3), and by Tmax and RH at the maximum fruit set to fruit harvest stage (K4) stage. In contrast, acidity, total phenols, and total flavonoids were positively influenced by rainfall and Tmin at the First fruit set to maximum fruit set stage (K3), and by rainfall at the maximum fruit set to fruit harvest stage (K4) stage. These findings indicate that specific climatic factors at particular developmental stages play a decisive role in regulating physiological performance and fruit quality, emphasizing the importance of stage-specific, weather-based orchard management to produce high-quality Kinnow mandarin fruits.

Study on Phenological Characteristics of Abies pindrow Royle in Different Sites of Kashmir Himalayas

Mubariz Mehak — 2025-11-27

Phenology refers to the timing of recurring biological events in a species life cycle and is a crucial aspect of life history for both flora and fauna. Studying phenology plays a vital role in identifying regeneration challenges in plant species. It involves observing seasonal biological activities such as flowering, budburst, seed development, dispersal, and leaf shedding in relation to climatic factors. The present research focused on the phenological patterns of Abies pindrow in the Kashmir Himalayas. Three sites within the Srinagar Forest Circle were chosen for this study. Specifically, three trees were monitored in the Pir Panchal Forest Division (2500–2700 m elevation) and Tangmarg Forest Division (2200–2400 m), while two trees were observed in the Sindh Forest Division (2000–2200 m). Among the three sites, the Sindh Forest Division, being at the lowest elevation, exhibited earlier onset of all phenological stages such as needle initiation and development, emergence of male and female strobili, needle senescence, cone colour /seed maturation, and seed dispersal compared to the higher elevation sites. The length of the growing season in all the three sites differed, least growing period was observed in PirPanchal forest division (higher elevation) 28 weeks while as growing period in Tangmarg forest division was 31 weeks. Highest growing period of 32 weeks was observed in Sindh forest division (lower elevation). This pattern suggests that trees at lower altitudes begin their seasonal development earlier, likely due to an earlier onset of spring and associated environmental conditions.

U-NET Deep Learning-based Downscaling to Generate High-resolution Seasonal Forecasts for Small Watersheds: A Case Study of the Nouhao Sub-basin, Burkina Faso

Abdérahim TOGUYENI — 2025-12-03

Seasonal forecasts at coarse-resolution limit local decision-making and disaster (drought, flood…) preparedness in African small watersheds. To address these limitations, this study designs a Deep Learning-based downscaling framework using the U-Net Convolutional Neural Network (CNN) architecture to transform coarse 1° (~100 km) forecasts into high-resolution 0.05° (~5 km) gridded data. For this, it assesses raw seasonal forecasts of precipitation and temperature from three global models (ECMWF, Météo-France, and CMCC) and their ensemble mean (Ensmean) over Burkina Faso. Forecast skill was assessed against high-resolution reference datasets (CHIRPS for precipitation and CHIRTS for temperature) using standard statistical metrics (r, RMSE and MAE). The raw forecasts showed weak performance in representing spatial variability with biases above 20% for precipitation and more than 5 °C. However, after the downscaling process, the generated high-resolution outputs showed substantial improvements in skill compared to the raw forecasts, with gains of up to sixfold for precipitation and twenty-fold for temperature. A modified Taylor diagram incorporating these metrics was employed to identify ECMWF as the best-performing model for precipitation and METEO-FRANCE for temperature. By producing high-resolution seasonal precipitation and temperature datasets, this study demonstrates the added value of U-Net Deep Learning-based downscaling for Burkina Faso. While the initial application targeted the Nouhao sub-basin for drought modeling, the framework was extended to cover the entire country to make high-resolution data available for broader applications. These results provide new insights into integrating Deep Learning approaches into operational drought and flood prediction frameworks of Burkina Faso’s National Agency of Meteorology (ANAM) and the General Directorate of Water Resources (DGRE). They also contribute to improved understanding of complex seasonal climate hazards across West Africa and thereby enhancing related areas such as hydrological modeling.

Development of Perceived Climate Change Impact on Farmers' Livelihood Security Index: An Index to Assess Farmers’ Perception of Climate Change Impact on Livelihood Security in India

Neha Kushwaha — 2025-12-03

Climate change poses a substantial threat to agricultural systems and rural livelihoods. This study develops and validates the Perceived Climate Change Impact on Farmers' Livelihood Security Index (PCCLSI) to systematically assess farmers’ perceptions of climate change and its impact on their livelihood security. Five core dimensions—food security, economic security, health security, educational security, and ecological security—were identified through literature review and expert consultation. Guilford’s (1954) Normalized Rank Order Method was applied to assign relative weights to each indicator based on the rankings provided by 62 subject matter experts. Food security emerged as the most influential factor, followed by economic and health security. A total of 44 perception-based statements were finalized after rigorous item selection and relevancy testing using expert ratings. The index demonstrated strong content and construct validity, making it a reliable tool for assessing how climate change affects key aspects of farmers' well-being.

Study of Atmospheric Particle Fallout in Nakoyakpala, NZerekore, Guinea

Julien DJOSSOU — 2025-12-03

This study is a contribution to the study of air pollution at Nakoyakpala neighborhood, Urban Commune of Nzerekore, Republic of Guinea. Its main objective is to analyze atmospheric fallout at Nakoyakpala neighborhood. To do this, four (04) atmospheric fallout measuring sites were identified in this neighborhood: S1 (Nakoyakpala Market Roundabout); S2 (Crossroads bordering the Mohomou, Gbangana and Nakoyakpala neighborhood very close to the welding workshop); S3 (Empty space facing the Parc des Princes nightclub) and S4 (University of NZerekore Courtyard). Atmospheric fallouts were measured over a 13-hour period for a 12-day period (from May 5 to May 16, 2025) at our various stations. The dust amount was 0.1350 g at S1, 0.1111 g at S2, 0.0961 g at S3 and 0.0451 g at S4, respectively. Thus, the total quantity of dust per hour in the Nakoyakpala neighborhood across the different sampling stations is 27.72 mg.m-2.h-1. It was also determined by day; it is 665.28 mg.m-2.day-1 over an area of 237 ha. This study on atmospheric fallout is the first in Guinea.

Assessment of Community-Based Wildlife Conservation Effort of Monkeys in Awka Metropolis in Anambra State, Nigeria

Adeyemi, M.A — 2025-12-03

This study assessed the community-based conservation efforts of monkeys in Awka Metropolis, Anambra State, Nigeria, with a focus on local knowledge systems, cultural beliefs, attitudes, and levels of participation in conservation practices. The research was prompted by increasing urbanization and deforestation, which threaten the survival of native monkey species such as Cercopithecus mona (Mona monkey) and Erythrocebuspatas (Patas monkey). A total of 100 structured questionnaires were administered across selected communities in Awka South and North Local Government Areas to gather data on awareness, perception, and community involvement in monkey conservation. Descriptive statistics were used for data analysis. Results showed that awareness of monkey conservation was high (83%), and most respondents (81%) recognized the cultural or spiritual significance of monkeys. However, only 12% had actively participated in conservation programs, despite 98% expressing willingness to engage in future initiatives. Habitat loss (93%) emerged as the most significant threat to monkey survival, followed by human–monkey conflicts (92%), largely due to urban expansion and deforestation. The study further revealed that respondents were predominantly young to middle-aged adults with tertiary education, suggesting a potentially informed and capable population for conservation advocacy. The findings highlight that community-based conservation in Awka is culturally rooted and socially accepted but lacks institutional and technical support. Strengthening collaboration between local communities, traditional leaders, government agencies, and conservation experts is essential to translate willingness into action. The study concludes that integrating indigenous knowledge with modern conservation frameworks can enhance sustainable wildlife management in urbanizing Nigerian cities.

Geographical Information System-based Morphometric Analysis of Kupti Watershed, Maharashtra, India

M. S. Gawali — 2025-12-04

The morphometric analysis of the Kupti watershed in parts of Yavatmal and Washim districts has been carried out to evaluate the drainage morphometry and its influence on hydrogeology. In this study, a topographic map of the Kupti watershed was prepared using Shuttle Radar Topography Mission (SRTM) DEM data processed in ArcGIS. This data is used for drainage morphometry and to evaluate and compare linear, relief, and aerial parameters. The basin exhibits a seventh-order drainage pattern comprising 1480 stream segments. The study reveals the elongated shape of the basin, characterized by lower peak flows and longer runoff potential due to values of form factor (0.26), circularity ratio (0.48), and elongation ratio (0.58). For the Kupti watershed, the value of the mean bifurcation ratio is 3.39, which indicates that the watershed is less affected by structural disturbances and geological structure has little influence on the drainage pattern. The drainage system of the watershed exhibits a dendritic to sub-dendritic drainage pattern. The drainage density of the study area is 2.62 km/km², indicating upper moderate drainage density and a well-developed drainage network, and the region has moderate surface runoff and sediment transport conditions. The methodological approach and results serve as a valuable resource for future studies in river basin management, environmental planning, and formulating a watershed management plan. These findings are useful for decision makers and policymakers for the sustainable development and conservation of water resources.

Optimising Water Footprint in a Dalbergia sissoo-Rice Agroforestry System through Tree Pruning Intensity

Subhra Suchismita Mohapatra — 2025-12-05

This study aimed to quantify the green, blue, grey and total water footprints of an 18-year-old Dalbergia sissoo–rice agroforestry system under four tree pruning intensities in a semi-arid region of central India. A field trial was conducted to investigate the outcome of different pruning levels of Dalbergia sissoo on water footprint under a silviculture-based agroforestry system at Jawaharlal Nehru Krishi Vishwa Vidyalaya, Jabalpur, Madhya Pradesh, India. Rice (Oryza sativa) was grown in association with 18-year-old Dalbergia trees, which were planted in a strip plot design with five replications. The four pruning levels, i.e. 0% (no pruning as control), 25% (light), 50% (moderate) and 75% (heavy) of total tree height, were applied. Seasonal crop and tree water use were estimated using the CROPWAT model based on the FAO Penman–Monteith approach, and combined tree–crop outputs were expressed as paddy grain production equivalent yield (PEY) using prevailing local market prices. Paddy grain yield, paddy stubble, big-size timber, small-size timber and fuel wood were converted to a common PEY to evaluate system-level water productivity. Green, blue, grey and total water footprint were derived under four levels of pruning. Water footprint was expressed as the volume of water (m³) required to produce one kg of paddy equivalent yield. The total water footprint of 25% pruning (1.754 m³ kg^-1) was significantly lower than 50% pruning (2.497 m³ kg^-1), 75% pruning (2.691 m³ kg^-1) and 0% pruning (3.156 m³ kg^-1). The water used to produce one kg of paddy equivalent yield was only 1754 litres in 25% pruning as compared to 2497 litres (50%), 2691 litres (75%) and 3156 litres (0%). The green, blue and grey water footprint was also lowest for 25% pruning. Total water use was statistically similar across pruning intensities (p > 0.05), and the observed differences in green, blue, grey and total water footprints therefore arose primarily from changes in PEY rather than from changes in water consumption. Among the four pruning intensities, 25% pruning emerged as the most water-efficient option, achieving the lowest total water footprint while maintaining a high paddy grain production equivalent yield.

Atmospheric Response to India’s COVID-19 Lockdown: A Multi-Satellite Assessment of Aerosols, Trace Gases, and Meteorological Influences

Ajeet Kumar — 2025-12-06

The COVID-19 lockdown in India created a unique opportunity to examine how abrupt reductions in anthropogenic activity influence atmospheric composition at regional scales. This study evaluates changes in aerosol optical depth (AOD), nitrogen dioxide (NO₂), sulfur dioxide (SO₂), and ozone using MODIS, OMI, and MERRA-2 datasets for March–June 2020 relative to the 2014–2019 climatology. Results show substantial improvements in air quality, with markedly reduced AOD and trace-gas concentrations across the Indo-Gangetic Plain (IGP), Western India, and major urban–industrial corridors. Reductions were particularly pronounced in the IGP, where NO₂ and SO₂ decreased sharply, and AOD declined despite seasonal dust influences. In contrast, parts of Central India exhibited localized enhancements driven by meteorological factors, underscoring the role of wind speed, humidity, and boundary-layer dynamics in shaping pollutant distribution.

Ozone displayed contrasting behavior: tropospheric ozone decreased, reflecting reduced precursor emissions, while total column ozone increased slightly, likely due to changes in photochemistry under low-NOₓ conditions and favorable stratospheric–tropospheric interactions. This distinction highlights the complex, non-linear nature of ozone chemistry during periods of reduced emissions.

Overall, the findings reveal strong regional variability in atmospheric responses to emission reductions, demonstrating that meteorology can modulate or even override expected pollutant declines. The study provides valuable insights for designing region-specific and meteorology-aware air quality management strategies, and illustrates how emission control interventions may yield rapid but spatially heterogeneous improvements in atmospheric composition across India.

Assessment of Historical and Future Climate Trends in Kapoeta Region of South Sudan

Onono Francis Alex — 2025-12-08

The future climate situations depend on greenhouse gas emissions in the Kapoeta region of South Sudan. The study determined historical (1984-2016) and projected (2021-2050) climate trends in the Kapoeta region. Descriptive and non-parametric statistics, including the Man-Kendall-tau and Sein's s-Slope estimator in XLSTAT 2016, were employed to project historical (1984-2016) and future (2021-2050) climate trends. The study was conducted in Greater Kapoeta, Eastern Equatoria State of South Sudan in 2016. The rainfall and temperature projections were presented under Representative Concentration Pathways (RCP) 4.5 and 8.5 from 2021 to 2050 using the Norwegian Earth System Model One (NorESM1). Evidently, the annual rainfall amount declined (P = 0.05) by 0.32 mm from 1984 to 2016, and its monthly patterns changed from unimodal (1984-1994) to bimodal patterns (1995-2016). Similarly, the maximum annual temperature increased significantly (P=0.05) by 0.061 °C, and the monthly temperature increased significantly (P=0.05) in March, April, May, July, and October from 1984 to 2016. Although not significant (P=0.06), the annual rainfall projection shows a rise of 2.912 mm under RCP8.5 and a decrease of 3.080 mm under RCP4.5 from August-December between 2021 and 2025. The peak monthly rainfall amounts of 111 mm and 89 mm will occur in November under RCP8.5 and RCP4.5 from 2021-2050. The study anticipates a significant (P=0.05) increase in annual temperature by 0.016 °C and 0.028 °C, and average monthly temperature increase from January-May under RCP4.5 and RCP8.5 from 2021-2050. The peak maximum average monthly temperature will reach 28.4 °C and 28.3 °C in March under RCP4.5 and RCP8.5 from 2021-2050. Ultimately, climate trends increased (1984-2016) with an anticipated future increase (2021-2050) that requires awareness of the pastoral and agropastoral communities on climate anomalies in the Kapoeta region.

Groundwater Quality and Health Risk Assessment Related to Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment Dumpsites in Benin

Merveille Gougbedji — 2025-12-08

Introduction: Groundwater represents the main source of drinking water. However, this natural resource is sometimes exposed to anthropogenic pollution which can affect the wellbeing and human health.

Aims: This study aims to assess the metal contamination of wells located near Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipmentdumps in three cities in Benin (Cotonou, Abomey-Calavi, and Natitingou), and to evaluate the health risks to local populations.

Methodology: Water samples were collected at distances of 0, 50, and 100 metres from the sites and analysed. Eight heavy metals including arsenic (As), cadmium (Cd), chromium (Cr), copper (Cu), iron (Fe), nickel (Ni), lead (Pb), and zinc (Zn) were quantified using Microwave Plasma-Atomic Emission Spectrometry. Water quality was evaluated using the Metal Index and Heavy Metal Pollution Index, while non-carcinogenic and carcinogenic risks were estimated via Health Risk Assessment methodologies.

Results: The results indicated several heavy metals present at concentrations far exceeding WHO guideline values; for instance, cadmium reached 0.48 mg/L in Cotonou, approximately 160 times the recommended 0.003 mg/L. Lead concentrations peaked at 0.76 mg/L in Natitingou, significantly surpassing the 0.01 mg/L threshold. Iron levels were recorded at 8.76 mg/L versus a guideline of 0.3 mg/L. Metal Index and Heavy Metal Pollution Index confirmed marked metal pollution, with Heavy Metal Pollution Index values reaching 8,698 in Cotonou. Health risk assessment revealed Hazard Indices well above 1 for both adults and children, alongside Cancer Risks exceeding 10⁻⁴, with children in Natitingou exhibiting a CR of 2.29 × 10⁻³ (USEPA, 2011).

Conclusion: The quality of the studied well waters is a significant public health concern, underlining the urgent need to strengthen ecological management of Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment and groundwater monitoring.

Above and Below Ground Carbon Stock along a Cashew Chronosequence in the Central Côte d’Ivoire

Raymond Yao KOFFI — 2025-12-09

The conversion of forests into agrosystems is characterised by changes in the biophysical parameters of vegetation. In recent years, we have noted a significant expansion of cashew plantations in Côte d'Ivoire, characterised by an increase in cultivated areas and mainly driven by strong global demand for cashew nuts. Cashew cultivation presents both opportunities and environmental challenges in the context of climate change. For a better understanding of these changes, An investigation was conducted along the cashew chronosequence in central Côte d'Ivoire, where the principal aim was to assess the amount of carbon stock. The paper hypothesised that (i) the biophysical parameters of vegetation and soil chemical properties decline after the conversion of secondary forests into cashew plantations, and (ii) the same ones increase with the ageing of the cashew plantations. After data collection in the subplots 16 m × 16 m of secondary forests, young, mature and old cashew plantations, the results showed that the total carbon stock per soil-vegetation association declined significantly after the secondary forests’ conversion, and increased with the aging of the cashew plantations (young plantations: 71.60 ± 6.72 t C ha^–1; old plantations: 82.84 ± 1.21 t C ha^–1). The contribution of soil carbon to total carbon stocks was higher in cashew plantations. Additionally, the total carbon dioxide sequestered dropped significantly after the secondary forests’ transformation, and increased with the increasing age of the cashew plantations (young plantations: 262.59 ± 24.65 Teq CO₂ ha^–1; old plantations: 304.68 ± 4.46 Teq CO₂ ha^–1). Our findings suggest that the sustainable management of the cashew plantations in Côte d’Ivoire could generate benefits up to 46,583,882,200 euros in terms of carbon budget. In conclusion, the research conducted along the cashew chronosequence highlighted a decrease in the biophysical parameters of vegetation, such as tree density, plant biomass, and carbon stocks, after the conversion of secondary forests into agricultural land. Nonetheless, the total carbon stock increased with the ageing of the plantations, indicating the key role of these orchards in greenhouse gas reduction and climate change mitigation.

The Status of Area and Distribution of Natural Evergreen Broadleaf Forests Classified as Poor Production Forests in Northeast Vietnam

Pham Tien Dung — 2025-12-10

This research evaluates the current status of area and distribution of natural evergreen broadleaf forests classified as poor production forests across Northeast Vietnam based on 2023 national forest data. Mounting pressures on natural forest resources-including overexploitation of timber, land-use conversion, and the accelerating impacts of climate change-pose existential threats to the sustainability of forest ecosystems and regional biodiversity. The study employed comprehensive data collection and analysis methods across 12 (8 currently) provinces, examining forest area and condition, plot size classification, and forest management entities. Our findings reveal that natural forests occupy 2,271,361 hectares of Northeast Vietnam's total forest area, within which poor production natural evergreen broadleaf forests account for 12.24% (489,104.55 hectares), a proportion dramatically exceeding that of rich and medium forests combined (<0.5%). Small plots (<1 hectare) constitute over 55.93% of all forest plots, creating formidable challenges for strategic planning and coordinated management. Additionally, nearly 50% of poor forest areas are managed by households and individuals whose capacity for investment and protection remains constrained by limited resources. Communal People's Committees oversee 35% of the forest area but confront significant challenges regarding resources and technical capacity. These findings underscore the urgent need for enhanced investment in forest monitoring technologies, strengthened management strategies, and implementation of silvicultural measures to restore poor forest areas. Programmes supporting sustainable management practices for households, individuals, and local authorities must be prioritised to ensure the sustainable development of forest resources across Northeast Vietnam.

Effect of Organic Manures on Soil Aggregate Stability and Aggregate-Associated Organic Carbon under Long-term Experiments in Subtropical India

Subrata Roy — 2025-12-10

Inorganic fertilizers, biofertilizers and farm yard manure (FYM) application can tailor the aggregate distribution as well as aggregate associated organic carbon. We evaluated the effect of dissimilar treatments on soil aggregate stability and soil organic carbon (SOC) distribution within soil aggregates in surface (0-15 cm) and subsurface (15-30 cm) soils in a long-term fertility experiment of a rice-mustard-sesame cropping system in India. The experiment was laid out in a randomized complete block design with four treatment combinations including no NPK fertilizers or organic amendments was set as a control or T₁, fertilizer nutrients (NPK) as T₂, NPK with biofertilizers (Azospirillum and Phosphobacteria) as T₃, and biofertilizers (Azospirillum and Phosphobacteria) with farm yard manure (FYM) as T₄. The lowest and highest aggregate stability was in the T₁ and T₄in both surface and subsurface soil depths respectively. This is due to soil disturbance from prolonged history of tillage (22 years) mainly, puddling is practiced in rice cultivation. In both surface and subsurface soils, T₄ had a higher proportion of water-stable macroaggregates (> 0.25 mm) than the control and the soil receiving inorganic fertilizer alone, which were rich in water-stable microaggregates (< 0.25 mm). Mean weight diameter (MWD), varied from 0.63 to 0.94 mm in 0–15 cm and from 0.66 to 1.01 mm in 15–30 cm soil layer. At 0–15 cm depth, biofertilizer and FYM raised GMD in the order T₄ > T₃ by 56.33% and 35.21% over control and by 38.75% and 20% over T₂, respectively. Regardless of the treatments and depths studied, aggregate related organic carbon is highest in the 0.1-0.05 mm sieve size and lowest in the 5 to 2 mm sieve size. Hence it may be concluded that cultivation without organic amendments and biofertilizers results in more microaggregates (malignant to soil tilth) that could be checked by the application of organic amendments such as FYM and biofertilizers such as Azospirillum and Phosphobacteria, which increased the proportion of water-stable macro-aggregates by consolidating micro-aggregates into macroaggregates.

Cataloguing Climate-Smart Agricultural Innovations for the Ecologically Fragile Coastal Landscapes of Bangladesh

Md. Abdul Awal — 2025-12-12

The southern coastal region of Bangladesh is highly vulnerable to both slow-onset climatic stressors and extreme weather events due to its unique geomorphology. Tropical cyclones originating in the Bay of Bengal, accompanied by storm surges, prolonged water congestion, and salinity intrusion, severely constrain agricultural productivity. The socio-economic capacity of coastal communities is likewise limited, reducing their ability to cope with recurrent climate-induced shocks. Given these constraints, scarce resources must be utilized judiciously, and traditional agricultural systems require strategic transformation through climate-smart approaches. Climate-smart agriculture (CSA) offers an indispensable framework for safeguarding food security in these fragile ecosystems. CSA integrates practices designed to sustainably increase productivity, enhance adaptive capacity, and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Identifying and promoting context-specific CSA options for coastal growers is therefore essential. Through a comprehensive desk-based literature review supplemented by stakeholder validation, this study identifies and characterizes 52 CSA practices and evaluates their contributions to the core pillars of productivity, adaptation, and mitigation. Prominent CSA practices suitable for the coastal areas of Bangladesh include the sorjan system integrating vegetable and fish production, rice–fish culture, vertical and floating agriculture, conservation or zero tillage, cultivation of heat-, submergence-, and salt-tolerant crop varieties, irrigation using harvested rainwater, deep placement of urea, and integrated pest management. These practices collectively enhance resilience to climate stressors such as high temperatures, salinity, waterlogging and flooding, and seasonal drought. While no single farmer is expected to adopt all practices, each can select the most feasible and beneficial options to strengthen climate resilience and improve livelihood outcomes.

Technical Efficiency of Cabbage Production in Southern Shan State of Myanmar by Controlling for Weather Factors: A Stochastic Frontier Production Approach

Myint Myint San — 2025-12-12

Incorporating relevant weather conditions is vital for an accurate understanding of crop yields and production efficiency, however many studies examined the technical efficiency of cabbage production without considering weather factors. This study examined the effect of weather conditions on the technical efficiency and productivity of cabbage production in Southern Shan State, Myanmar—a key vegetable-growing region that is becoming more susceptible to extreme weatherevents like Typhoon Yagi in September 2024. The Stochastic Frontier Production (SFP) function was conducted to estimate the productivity and technical efficiency under two distinct scenarios: with and without controlling for weather variables (maximum temperature during the vegetative stage, and rainfall during head formation and harvesting stages) using cross-sectional data from 150 cabbage farmers collected during the 2024 monsoon season. The results revealed that farmers’ mean technical efficiency was 86.4% when weather factors were considered, slightly higher than the 85.1% without them, suggesting that omitting weather conditions overstated production inefficiency. Cabbage productivity can be improved by 15.74% with full efficiency improvement under existing input usages and technology. Key positive drivers of overall productivity were Farmyard Manure (FYM) and fungicide use, whereas the overapplication of chemical fertilizers had a detrimental effect, particularly under unfavourable weather conditions. Furthermore, farmers’ education, farming experience and the adoption of weather resistant varieties and adjusting sowing dates were identified as significant contributors to reducing inefficiency. To ensure the long-term sustainability of cabbage farming in the study areas, key initiatives should include implementing policies promoting organic fertilizers (FYM), integrated with providing farmers personalized nutrient management plans and technical trainings to optimize fertilizer use and reduce chemical dependency, encouraging the adoption of effective and location-specific adaptation strategies.

Multivariate Analyses of Climate-Resilient Traits for in situ Conservation of Black Pepper (Piper nigrum L.) Diversity in Kerala, India

Reshma, P. — 2025-12-13

Aims: This study is undertaken for the comprehensive multivariate assessment of drought-adaptive morpho-physiological diversity in black pepper landraces from Kerala.

Study Design: Survey-based evaluation of morpho-physiological traits at natural drought stress.

Place and Duration of Study: The investigation was carried out over major black pepper-growing regions of Kerala, India—the main centre of diversity for P. nigrum, situated in the southern Western Ghats. The trait measurements were recorded in situ under farmer-field conditions during the peak drought period of the study year (March–May 2023 & 2024).

Methodology: A total of 62 black pepper genotypes collected from diverse agro-ecological units of Kerala were evaluated for key morphophysiological traits, including specific leaf area, relative water content, leaf thickness, stomatal density, epicuticular wax content, and other leaf morphological features. Variability in traits was quantified by the coefficient of variation, and inter-genotypic differences were assessed to capture the adaptive responses to moisture deficit. Hierarchical cluster analysis, heatmap-based grouping and Principle Component Analysis (PCA) were performed to resolve genetic groupings and identify drought-resilient genotypes. The PCA loading and cos² values were used to determine which traits contributed most strongly to the overall variance.

Results: The highest variability was observed for specific leaf area, with a coefficient of variation (CV) of 0.55, while relative water content exhibited the lowest variability, with a CV of 0.03. Strong inter-genotypic differentiation in epicuticular wax deposition and stomatal density reflects varied adaptive strategies to drought. Hierarchical clustering grouped the genotypes into two major groups, while heatmap clustering identified 42 drought-tolerant genotypes characterized by reduced specific leaf area, lower stomatal density, increased leaf thickness, and enhanced epicuticular wax content. PCA extracted three principal components which explained 71.81% of the total variance; PC1 represented key physiological drought-adaptive traits. Nine genotypes, namely G-44, G-61, G-38, G-50, G-56, G-32, G-54, G-36, and G-48, recorded high cos² values (>0.75) and clustered with thick leaves with high wax content and low specific leaf area, thus confirming superior drought resilience.

Conclusion: Leaf thickness, epicuticular wax deposition and high relative water content emerged as the strongest positive indicators of drought tolerance, whereas high specific leaf area and increased stomatal density signified susceptibility. This study underlines substantial unused adaptive diversity in the black pepper germplasm of Kerala and supplies basic information necessary for focused on-farm conservation, climate-resilient breeding and long-term management of genetic resources.

Investigating Water Storage Losses from Dugout Type Farm Ponds on Farmer’s Field in Vidarbha Region of Maharashtra, India

P. A. Gawande — 2025-12-15

Water is one of the most vital requirements for economic and social development. Human population of Indian subcontinent is ever increasing thereby increasing demand for water for domestic, agricultural and industrial use. To satisfy this demand, fresh resources of water supply must be tapped, and serious thought is being given towards adoption of different methods of conservation of water. Farm ponds are the most common technique of rainwater harvesting and recycling in rolling topography areas. In Maharashtra the total cultivable land is 18.5 M ha and gross cropped area is 22.66 M ha out of which 4.04 M ha is the gross irrigated area and the percentage of gross irrigated area to gross cropped area comes as 17.8, which is quite below the national average of 27 percent. Rainwater is the most vital and a critical input for agricultural production in rainfed farming areas in Maharashtra state. At Ghusar village in Akola taluka of Akola district in saline tract area, dugout type farm ponds water level losses recorded in four consecutive years (2019-20 to 2022-23).It was observed that the storage losses due to evaporation from dugout type farm ponds with bund in Akola taluka, having inlet and outlet closed by net or growing barrier of cotton crop around the farm pond reduces in the range of 23.67 to 27.97 per cent compared to pond without bund and without any vegetative barrier.