Article
Agriculture, Multidisciplinary
Krishna Prasad Devkota, Mina Devkota, Meisam Rezaei, Roland Oosterbaan
Summary: This study aims to assess the potential of conservation agriculture (CA)-based practices, water-saving irrigation, water quality, and nitrogen (N) fertilizer rates for improving the sustainability of rice-wheat (RWS) and cotton-wheat (CWS) systems in salt-affected irrigated drylands. The study used mixed-method approaches to evaluate alternative innovations and sustainability indicators in RWS and CWS.
AGRICULTURAL SYSTEMS
(2022)
Article
Agriculture, Multidisciplinary
Raquel Lujan Soto, Maria Martinez-Mena, Mamen Cuellar Padilla, Joris de Vente
Summary: The study conducted a participatory monitoring project in southeast Spain and found that regenerative agriculture can improve soil quality, with green manure and organic amendments being effective practices. Combining no tillage with organic amendments showed the best results, and all regenerative agriculture treatments maintained crop nutritional status.
AGRICULTURE ECOSYSTEMS & ENVIRONMENT
(2021)
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Shahid Iqbal, Jianchu Xu, Sehroon Khan, Fiona Ruth Worthy, Haroon Zaman Khan, Sadia Nadir, Sailesh Ranjitkar
Summary: Cultivated drylands are significant sources of greenhouse gases (GHGs), but regenerative practices incorporating biochar could mitigate emissions and minimize global warming potential (GWP).
JOURNAL OF CLEANER PRODUCTION
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Kebede Wolka, Birhanu Biazin, Fikadu Getachew, Firehiywot Girma, Gizaw Desta
Summary: Land degradation is a significant environmental challenge affecting a large population worldwide. In Ethiopia, the government and bilateral organizations have implemented restoration projects to combat this issue. This study found that landscape restoration activities led to significant improvements in land cover, with reductions in barren lands and increases in forest, grassland, and bushland areas. Local communities perceived benefits in terms of improved vegetation cover, ecosystem services, erosion reduction, and increased incomes. Most farmers expressed their willingness to participate in landscape restoration interventions.
JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT
(2023)
Article
Environmental Studies
Helder F. P. de Araujo, Celia C. C. Machado, Frans G. C. Pareyn, Naysa F. F. do Nascimento, Lenyneves D. A. Araujo, Lais A. de A. P. Borges, Braulio A. Santos, Raphael M. Beirigo, Alexandre Vasconcellos, Bruno de O. Dias, Fredy Alvarado, Jose Maria Cardoso da Silva
Summary: The study found that landscapes with intermediate structure complexity are most efficient in producing food, water, and energy in the Caatinga region of South America. Increasing the percentage of natural lands in the landscape can enhance the production of biomass energy, water, and food. However, the proportion of agricultural land in the landscape should be carefully managed to avoid declines in the production of ecosystem services.
Review
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Ivana Racetin, Jelena Kilic Pamukovic, Mladen Zrinjski, Marina Peko
Summary: In recent years, numerous research papers have been published on the topics of blockchain technology, particularly in the context of land registration and management. The analysis of the Scopus database reveals significant interest and growth in this field from both technical and land governance perspectives. From the current standpoint, the future of blockchain technology appears promising in global application.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Emin Zeki Baskent
Summary: The paper provides a methodological framework for the assessment of an integrated land management plan, highlighting its strengths and weaknesses. Despite some shortcomings, the plan is considered a good initiative for a Sustainable Land Management paradigm. However, the lack of holistic planning vision, scenario analysis with sound decision-making tools and methods, and insufficient participation, implementation, and monitoring process were identified as major drawbacks.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2021)
Article
Agronomy
Fernadis Makale, Idah Mugambi, Monica K. Kansiime, Irie Yuka, Mathew Abang, Bonolo S. Lechina, Mosimanegape Rampeba, Ivan Rwomushana
Summary: The study in Botswana showed that 76% of respondents had encountered fall armyworm in the 2018/2019 cropping season, affecting a significant portion of the maize and sorghum cultivation areas. The majority of farmers used chemical pesticides for fall armyworm management, with only 33% achieving food self-sufficiency in that year.
PEST MANAGEMENT SCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Geosciences, Multidisciplinary
Wame L. Hambira, Oluwatoyin D. Kolawole
Summary: This paper analysed climate change actions and water demand management approaches employed by Botswana Stock Exchange (BSE) listed companies, including strategies like rainwater harvesting, water reclamation and reuse, and water efficient fixtures. The results showed a variety of practices and strategies among companies, each with different impacts on environmental sustainability and economic gains.
PHYSICS AND CHEMISTRY OF THE EARTH
(2021)
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Delio I. Castaneda, Camilo A. Ramirez
Summary: The study found that cultural values are related to knowledge sharing behavior, with uncertainty avoidance, individualism-collectivism, and paternalism being correlated with knowledge sharing, while power distance and masculinity-femininity are not correlated with knowledge sharing.
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Jiapei Zhu, Yaqian Yang, Yali Liu, Xiaoyong Cui, Tong Li, Yuantong Jia, Yao Ning, Jianqing Du, Yanfen Wang
Summary: Water stress is a significant challenge in drylands, affecting social, economic, and natural systems. This study assesses the impact of water stress on sustainable development in Inner Mongolia, a typical dryland area. Results show that uneven progress in achieving sustainable development goals and conflicts in water allocation hinder the sustainable development of these drylands.
JOURNAL OF CLEANER PRODUCTION
(2023)
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Anna Scuttari, Felix Windegger, Valentin Wallnofer, Harald Pechlaner
Summary: This paper discusses the implementation gap in sustainable tourism monitoring and argues that it may be due to a lack of knowledge on procedures, approaches, and instruments for evidence-informed destination management. The paper explores the role of UNWTO INSTO observatories as catalysts for a transformation of the tourism system and presents case studies to identify strengths and challenges of different approaches to evidence-informed decision-making procedures. The findings provide insights into strategies to bridge the science-policy gap and promote mutual learning within and beyond the INSTO level.
JOURNAL OF SUSTAINABLE TOURISM
(2023)
Article
Agronomy
Wenjia Yang, Yulin Li, Weijian Liu, Shiwen Wang, Lina Yin, Xiping Deng
Summary: The use of integrated management systems, such as the manure integrated system (MIS) or biochar integrated system (BIS), can significantly improve winter wheat yields and water use efficiency in the Loess Plateau by maintaining a stable plant population, ensuring favorable soil nitrogen levels, and providing sufficient water supply.
AGRICULTURAL AND FOREST METEOROLOGY
(2021)
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Jurgita Raudeliuniene, Ibrahim Matar
Summary: Women play a crucial role in higher education institutions by implementing knowledge management practices for sustainability. This study found a positive and significant relationship between the knowledge management cycle and sustainability in higher education institutions from the perspectives of women managers.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Lisa M. van den Berg, Elsa L. Dingkuhn, Noel Meehan, Lilian O'Sullivan
Summary: The scaling of adopted measures on farms is often proposed but the factors leading to non-adoption of advised measures are often overlooked. Our research investigated the reasons for rejection of sustainable land management practices advised by the main agricultural extension of Ireland, and found that insufficient incentives and high costs are the main barriers for adoption. Challenges such as land ownership and aging farming population also contribute to the low adoption rate. Framing and tailoring advice to farmer objectives can help enhance uptake and address agrienvironmental challenges.
JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT
(2023)
Article
Water Resources
Felicity Monger, Dominick Spracklen, Mike Kirkby, Lee Schofield
Summary: The study shows that semi-natural broadleaf woodlands can reduce peak discharge and runoff coefficients, prolong flood response time, and the more permeable woodland soils contribute to the differences in flood response.
HYDROLOGICAL PROCESSES
(2022)
Article
Water Resources
Felicity Monger, Stephanie Bond, Dominick Spracklen, Mike J. Kirkby
Summary: The management of upland land-use can reduce flood risk by increasing topsoil storage and slowing overland flow. This study measures soil properties and overland flow velocities in different types of woodland habitats, and finds that bracken-dominated wood pasture has lower overland flow velocity compared to established broadleaf woodland and grass-dominated wood pasture. Soil saturated hydraulic conductivity is also higher in established woodland compared to wood pasture dominated by bracken or grass. The findings suggest that managing upland habitats can effectively reduce flood risk by storing storm water in the soil and reducing overland flow velocity through vegetation.
HYDROLOGICAL PROCESSES
(2022)
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Mark S. Reed, Hannah Rudman
Summary: This article discusses three considerations for rethinking how research can create beneficial impacts on policy and practice: sensitivity to context, representation and legitimization of diverse voices, and the management of power dynamics. By considering the factors of context, power, and voice in the research and impact generation processes, it is possible to envision a just transformation of knowledge systems that prioritizes the knowledge and needs of diverse groups, including historically marginalized groups.
SUSTAINABILITY SCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Water Resources
Lorna Kingsbury-Smith, Thomas Willis, Mark Smith, Helene Boisgontier, Daniel Turner, Jack Hirst, Michael Kirkby, Megan Klaar
Summary: Natural flood management (NFM) is a catchment-based approach for reducing flood risk. This study uses fieldwork, laboratory analysis, and modeling to quantify the impact of land use management changes on catchment flood hazard. The findings support the implementation of NFM interventions as a means of reducing flood hazard within a rural upland catchment.
HYDROLOGICAL PROCESSES
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Johanna E. M. Schild, Luuk Fleskens, Michel Riksen, Sameer Shadeed
Summary: Freshwater resources in Palestine are uncertain and the situation is expected to worsen due to climate change and politics. Rainwater harvesting through eyebrow terracing and domestic rooftop harvesting shows economic feasibility, but construction costs hinder widespread adoption. Subsidies for rainwater harvesting could make it more attractive for households.
Article
Food Science & Technology
Simon Goddek, Oliver Koerner, Karel J. Keesman, Mark A. Tester, Ryan Lefers, Luuk Fleskens, Alyssa Joyce, Erik van Os, Amit Gross, Rik Leemans
Summary: A potential change in climate and temperature could strongly affect weather-related crop losses. Using wastelands to grow crops in controlled greenhouse environments could improve global food security and preserve ecosystems. However, the impact of climate change on additional energy and water requirements of greenhouse horticulture food production is still unknown.
GLOBAL FOOD SECURITY-AGRICULTURE POLICY ECONOMICS AND ENVIRONMENT
(2023)
Article
Agriculture, Multidisciplinary
Mara Zenebe, Luuk Fleskens, Karim Newaz, Coen Ritsema
Summary: Water management and distribution rules play a crucial role in enhancing productivity and livelihoods in flood-based livelihood systems (FBLS). While the potential of such rules has been harnessed to some extent in DG Khan FBLS in Pakistan, it has not been fulfilled in the Tana River and Fogera FBLS in Kenya and Ethiopia. The absence of comprehensive water management and distribution rules has resulted in negative consequences for downstream farmers in Kenya and Ethiopia, leading to scarcity of floodwater, low crop yields, and poor livelihoods. These findings emphasize the importance of formulating effective water distribution rules to maximize the productivity and livelihood potentials of FBLS.
RENEWABLE AGRICULTURE AND FOOD SYSTEMS
(2023)
Article
Ethics
Christopher M. Raymond, Paul Hirsch, Bryan Norton, Andrew Scott, Mark S. Reed
Summary: Issues of interest, identity and values are interconnected in environmental conflicts. To address these challenges, a relational understanding of environmental ethics and the concept of 'appropriateness of actions' are introduced. Success factors for supporting appropriate actions include understanding context and identifying key stakeholders, surfacing diverse interests and building system-level trust, building empathy for different identities grounded in specific places, eliciting diverse values and seeking to understand their links to worldviews and knowledge systems, and seeking out appropriate actions.
ENVIRONMENTAL VALUES
(2023)
Article
Environmental Studies
Simone Martino, Jasper O. Kenter, Nora Albers, Mark J. Whittingham, Dylan M. Young, James W. Pearce-Higgins, Julia Martin-Ortega, Klaus Glenk, Mark S. Reed
Summary: The paper examines the importance of recreation in peatlands and the trade-offs between natural properties and recreational infrastructure. The study finds that different types of recreationists have varying landscape preferences, highlighting potential value conflicts. These conflicts need to be considered in net zero climate mitigation strategies.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Mark S. Reed, Dylan M. Young, Nigel G. Taylor, Roxane Andersen, Nicholle G. A. Bell, Hinsby Cadillo-Quiroz, Matthew Grainger, Andreas Heinemeyer, Kristell Hergoualc'h, Adam M. Gerrand, Johannes Kieft, Haruni Krisnawati, Erik A. Lilleskov, Gabriela Lopez-Gonzalez, Lulie Melling, Hannah Rudman, Sophie Sjogersten, Jonathan S. Walker, Gavin Stewart
Summary: Lack of data consistency among multiple studies hampers decision-making in policy and practice regarding the conservation and restoration of peatlands. This study proposes a methodological framework and discusses subsequent steps to standardize the measurement and reporting of outcomes in peatland research. These efforts contribute to the creation of reliable datasets that inform evidence-based policy and contribute to the sustainable management of globally significant carbon stores.
Article
Environmental Studies
Jantiene E. M. Baartman, Joao Pedro Nunes, Hedwig van Delden, Roel Vanhout, Luuk Fleskens
Summary: This study used a modeling approach to evaluate the effects of Soil Improving Cropping Systems (SICS) on soil health and land degradation in Europe. The results showed that SICS significantly reduced soil erosion and increased soil organic carbon stocks.
Article
Environmental Studies
Rudi Hessel, Guido Wyseure, Ioanna S. Panagea, Abdallah Alaoui, Mark S. Reed, Hedwig van Delden, Melanie Muro, Jane Mills, Oene Oenema, Francisco Areal, Erik van den Elsen, Simone Verzandvoort, Falentijn Assinck, Annemie Elsen, Jerzy Lipiec, Aristeidis Koutroulis, Lilian O'Sullivan, Martin A. Bolinder, Luuk Fleskens, Ellen Kandeler, Luca Montanarella, Marius Heinen, Zoltan Toth, Moritz Hallama, Julian Cuevas, Jantiene E. M. Baartman, Ilaria Piccoli, Tommy Dalgaard, Jannes Stolte, Jasmine E. Black, Charlotte-Anne Chivers
Summary: Soils are essential for agriculture and ecosystem services, and their management should focus on improving quality and resilience. The SoilCare project developed the concept of soil-improving cropping systems (SICS) as a holistic approach to promote sustainable and profitable soil management. The adoption of SICS by stakeholders was monitored and evaluated for environmental, sociocultural, and economic effects. The project emphasized the importance of understanding local dynamics in Europe-wide assessments and highlighted the role of economic considerations and social factors such as trust in the uptake of SICS. The results pointed to the need for coherent policies to support a transition to more sustainable agricultural practices.
Article
Environmental Studies
Abdallah Alaoui, Moritz Hallama, Roger Baer, Ioanna Panagea, Felicitas Bachmann, Carola Pekrun, Luuk Fleskens, Ellen Kandeler, Rudi Hessel
Summary: Assessing agricultural sustainability is a challenging task that requires considering multidisciplinary factors and cultural values. This study developed a methodology to assess the sustainability of soil improving cropping systems and tested it in a case study.
Article
Environmental Studies
Niki Rust, Ole Erik Lunder, Sara Iversen, Steven Vella, Elizabeth A. Oughton, Tor Arvid Breland, Jayne H. Glass, Carly M. Maynard, Rob McMorran, Mark S. Reed
Summary: Soil quality decline is a global issue with multiple causes and no single solution. Stakeholders' opinions on managing this problem vary. Engaging with diverse stakeholders is crucial in developing socially acceptable and effective policies. A study in the UK and Norway found that stakeholders perceived causes of and solutions to soil degradation differently, with an overarching theme of industrialized agriculture being responsible. Multi-actor approaches can help improve the social acceptance of land use policies to address soil degradation.
