Abstract: Accurately tracking carbon dynamics by sources, sinks, and removals in Malawi’s Land Use, Land-Use Change, and Forestry (LULUCF) sector is critical for understanding the country’s contribution to global greenhouse gas (GHG) balances and for guiding effective climate policy. A study was conducted to track carbon dynamics by sources, sinks, and removals in Malawi’s LULUCF sector for the period 2018-2022 to enhance carbon market development. Carbon Stock Change Approach following the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) guidelines were employed. The approach integrated forest inventory data, and Earth Observations from Sentinel-2 Multispectral Imager and ALOS-PALSAR-1. Activity datasets were categorised into land classification schema sources of, Forestland, Cropland, Grassland, Wetland, and Settlement. Monte Carlo uncertainty analysis at a 95% confidence level was applied to assess data reliability and estimate uncertainties in emissions and removals. The results revealed that total emissions from the LULUCF sector declined by 10.29%, primarily due to reduced deforestation rates and increased forest regrowth. Forestland contributed the largest proportion of emissions (79.08%), followed by cropland (9.70%) and wetlands (8.50%). In contrast, the Grassland and Settlement categories contributed the lowest, 2.60% and 0.12%, respectively. Forest conversion to other land uses decreased, while natural regeneration and afforestation initiatives enhanced carbon removals. The overall uncertainty level was low, 4.16%. This greatly enhances Malawi’s ability to participate in carbon markets, report transparently under climate conventions, and attract climate finance with reduced risk. Finally, the study also contributes to Malawi’s first biennial transparency report (BTR1) and fourth national communication (NC4) to the United Nations framework convention on climate change under the Paris agreement.

Abstract: Climate change poses increasing challenges to agricultural systems in Mediterrane-an-type regions, where climate variability, ecosystem degradation, and governance constraints interact to shape farmers’ management decisions. Understanding how in-stitutional and social factors influence adaptive responses is therefore critical. This study examines how institutional trust and local perceptions of climate change impacts shape farmers’ willingness to adopt adaptation practices in the vulnerable district of Alhué, central Chile. A structured questionnaire was administered to small farmers to assess willingness to adopt climate change adaptation practices and trust in public environ-mental agencies. Multivariate models revealed a non-linear, U-shaped relationship between trust in agencies and willingness to adopt adaptive practices: willingness was lowest at intermediate levels of trust and higher among farmers reporting either low or high trust in environmental agencies. This pattern remained robust after controlling for socioeconomic and perceptual factors. These findings suggest that both skepticism and strong institutional confidence may motivate adaptive behavior through different mechanisms, highlighting the need for governance approaches that acknowledge het-erogeneous trust dynamics. Overall, the results underscore the importance of socially legitimate and context-sensitive institutional arrangements for fostering climate change adaptation in vulnerable rural territories.

Abstract: Gas exchange between soil or water surfaces and the atmosphere is one of the main sources of greenhouse gas production and absorption. Faced with global climate change and increasing atmospheric concentrations of these gases, significant scientific efforts are being made to monitor this exchange using various techniques, including closed chambers. Although relatively simple, this technique requires careful attention to several key points. Furthermore, any installation using commercial chambers is relatively expensive. Indeed, given the specific variability of gas exchange, a single chamber cannot assess all the gas exchange in the soil of a given plot. Several chambers are therefore necessary, which increases the overall cost of the installation. In our laboratory, we have built different types of chambers: portable "nomad" ultra-low-cost chambers for punctual, large-area measurement campaigns and "automatic" cost-effective chambers for long-term installations. In this article, we aim to share our experience by describing our achievements and providing a link to the complete documentation, which includes 3D and 2D plans, Gerber files for manufacturing printed circuit boards, and a parts list.

Abstract: This study deals with the estimation of daily actual evapotranspiration (ETa) values above selected agricultural fields located in the semi-arid region of Albacete at the autonomous region of Castilla-La Mancha, Spain, for the growing season of 2020-21. ESA’s Sentinel free imagery was utilized for the satellite-based estimation of ETa values. A modification of Sen-ET SNAP graphical user interface by ESA was introduced, as well as meteorological data from the Weather Research and Forecast (WRF) model. The estimated values are compared against ETa values derived from lysimeter observations acquired in-situ from the study region (ET0). Initial results showed a high correlation (R²=0.75) between the proposed model and lysimeter measurements, but with systematic underestimation which was corrected by introducing an intercept in the proposed linear relationship, improving ETa estimations. Validation with 2022-2023 data confirmed the reliability of the corrected method, which, although is not as accurate as FAO Penman-Monteith (R²=0.99), it offers a significant advantage at the ET estimation used for local agricultural and hydrological applications.

Abstract: Malaria remains a major public health challenge in Sub-Saharan Africa, where climatic factors, particularly temperature and precipitation, strongly influence transmission. We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis of observational studies and routine surveillance data reporting quantitative associations between temperature or rainfall variability and malaria incidence across SSA. Temperature effects were harmonized per 1°C increase and precipitation per 100 mm increase. Six studies from diverse regions (2000-2023) met inclusion criteria. Pooled analyses indicated that each 1°C increase in temperature was associated with a 26% increase in malaria incidence (RR = 1.26; 95% CI: 1.15-1.37; I² = 52%), while each 100 mm increase in precipitation was associated with a 13% increase (RR = 1.13; 95% CI: 1.05-1.21; I² = 68%). Temperature effects were stronger among children under five and in rural settings. Certainty of evidence was moderate for temperature and low for precipitation. These findings confirm that climate variability is a key determinant of malaria risk in SSA and support the integration of climate data into early warning systems and malaria control planning.

Abstract: Coastal lakes are vulnerable complex systems where potential contamination processes may affect the bottom sediments, especially if the coasts are intensively urbanized. In this respect, the sedimentological and ecological characterization of the bottom sediments may provide a fundamental background, particularly stringent in the cases of heavy metal contamination. In this paper, this multi-disciplinary approach was applied to Lake Ganzirri, a small-size and shallow coastal lake developed on an intensively urbanized territory of North-Eastern Sicily (Italy), where recent chemical investigations on the heavy metal contaminants of the sediments were carried out. The sediment textural features (in-cluded those of the malacofauna) and the bottom morpho-bathymetry were characterized and investigated by applying multivariate statistics and QGIS techniques. QGIS maps were finally compared with those of the heavy metal concentrations. The present research allowed to detect for the first time: i) a minor tectonic graben inside the main ENE-WSW trending Ganzirri graben; ii) mixed sediments composed of quartzo-lithic sands with sig-nificant contents in bioclastic calcareous remains; iii) sediment heterogeneous textures, mainly characterized by poorly sorted, leptokurtic, near symmetrical coarse-grained sands, with randomly distributed lenses of very coarse- grained sands with gravels and of medium-grained sands; iv) sediments testifying for actual high-energy conditions and environments at low confinement degree; v) no evidence of correlations between the hotspots of heavy metals (mainly related to prevalent geogenic origins) and the distribu-tions of sedimentological features and bottom depths.

Abstract: Granitic rocks dominate Earth's continental crust, yet the Hadean record is severely limited. Extraterrestrial evolved lithologies, crystallized under anhydrous, plate tectonics-free conditions analogous to those of early Earth, provide valuable analogues. This review synthesizes lunar, asteroidal, Martian, and candidate Venus/Mercury data, revealing that partial melting of mafic protoliths, not fractional crystallization or silicate liquid immiscibility, represents the dominant formation mechanism. Granitic magmatism persisted episodically from merely 2.3 Myr after Solar System formation through at least 3.87 Ga, with estimated abundances of 0.2–2% representing a conservative lower limit. These findings imply that Hadean Earth possessed the thermal and compositional prerequisites for analogous magmatism, potentially yielding a crustal inventory of 0.2–40% felsic material. By establishing a comparative planetary framework, this study illuminates pathways for reconstructing Earth's earliest crustal evolution and highlights priorities for future exploration missions targeting cryptic silicic reservoirs, particularly deep-crustal exposures in large lunar impact basins and in situ characterization of Venusian highland terrains.

Abstract: Informal electronic waste (e-waste) recycling is an increasingly important source of environmental lead exposure in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA), placing children at heightened risk during critical periods of neurodevelopment; however, the magnitude and consistency of these effects have not been systematically synthesised. We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis of observational studies identified through searches of PubMed/MEDLINE, Scopus, Web of Science, Embase, and African regional databases from inception to 2024, assessing e-waste-related lead exposure and neurodevelopmental outcomes in children (≤18 years). Random-effects meta-analyses using standardized mean differences (SMDs) were performed, heterogeneity was assessed using the I² statistic, and study quality was evaluated with the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale. Twelve studies met inclusion criteria for qualitative synthesis, of which five (total N = 1,492 children) provided sufficient data for meta-analysis. Overall, higher e-waste-related lead exposure was associated with significantly poorer neurodevelopmental outcomes (pooled SMD = -0.42; 95% CI: -0.61, -0.23; I² = 56%). Subgroup analyses demonstrated a stronger association in SSA (SMD = -0.58; 95% CI: -0.89, -0.27; I² = 49%) compared with non-SSA low- and middle-income countries (SMD = -0.35; 95% CI: -0.54, -0.16; I² = 42%). Sensitivity analyses confirmed the robustness of findings, and visual inspection of funnel plots did not indicate substantial publication bias, although statistical power was limited. These results indicate that e-waste-related lead exposure is associated with clinically meaningful neurodevelopmental deficits in children, with evidence of a disproportionately higher burden in SSA, underscoring the urgent need for enforceable e-waste regulation and child-focused environmental health policies in the region.

Abstract: Plastic pollution represents a systemic governance failure with disproportionate social, environmental, and health impacts on grassroots communities, particularly in low- and middle-income contexts. Conventional top-down regulatory and technological responses have proven insufficient to address the complexity of plastic pollution, often excluding those most affected from decision-making and solution design. This paper examines how democratizing plastic governance through effective engagement of grassroots communities can generate equitable, effective, and scalable responses to plastic pollution. Drawing on empirical evidence from the #RestorationX10000 initiative led by Community Action Against Plastic Waste (CAPws), the paper documents implementation processes and outcomes achieved between 2021 and 2025 across 71 impacted communities in 21 countries spanning Africa, Asia-Pacific, and Latin America. The initiative was designed to empower 10,000 youths and women as community leaders, practitioners, and advocates by equipping them with leadership, technical, and policy engagement skills to drive systemic change in plastic governance and circular economy practice. Using a transdisciplinary, community-based action research approach, the initiative integrates capacity building, citizen science, circular economy interventions (collection, sorting, repair, reuse, repurposing, and recycling), and policy advocacy. Quantitative and qualitative evidence demonstrates that grassroots-led interventions can simultaneously reduce plastic leakage, create decent green livelihoods, and strengthen environmental governance. Overall, this paper contributes to emerging scholarship on inclusive environmental governance by providing evidence that democratized plastic governance, rooted in grassroots participation and circular economy principles, can deliver durable environmental restoration, socio-economic resilience, and policy-relevant outcomes. The results have direct implications for national plastic action plans, extended producer responsibility frameworks, and ongoing global negotiations toward a legally binding instrument on plastic pollution.

Abstract: Living Wall Systems (LWS) are vertical vegetated building façade systems that offer environmental and social benefits; however, their adoption in South Africa, particularly within the Western Cape (WC), remains limited due to high capital and maintenance costs and the absence of regionally adapted design and cost models. This study investigates the viability and optimisation of LWS in the WC from a Quantity Surveying (QS) perspective, with the aim of developing a context-specific system utilising indigenous plant species and assessing its economic feasibility over the building life cycle. A mixed-method research approach was employed, comprising a review of relevant literature, semi-structured interviews with industry professionals, thematic analysis, cost modelling, and the preparation of a detailed Bill of Quantities (BOQ). Life cycle costing (LCC) techniques were applied to evaluate long-term cost implications. The study resulted in the development of an optimal LWS model, termed Viridis 5045, which satisfies identified environmental, technical, and contextual requirements for the WC. The BOQ, and LCC analyses provide projected capital and operational cost benchmarks for the proposed system. The findings indicate that Viridis 5045 is technically feasible and economically viable within the WC context, supporting its integration into sustainable construction practices. The study further identifies areas for future research, including the monetisation of long-term benefits, greywater integration, and the assessment of psychological impacts associated with green façades.

Abstract: In Türkiye, where agriculture consumes 75% of available water and national irrigation efficiency is only 51.3%, irrigation modernization—the conversion of classical open-channel irrigation systems to pressurized pipe systems—presents a primary strategy to achieve significant water savings. This study provides a comprehensive economic assessment of the potential of this strategy. A twofold methodology was employed: first, a cost-benefit analysis (CBA) of the 36,108 ha Ivriz irrigation project, and second, a national model to simulate the economic impact of modernizing nation’s 4.9 million hectares currently irrigated by such classical systems. The Ivriz case study reveals that project viability is entirely contingent on the on-farm efficiency achieved post-modernization. At 60% efficiency, water savings are insufficient to make the project economically feasible, whereas at 90% efficiency, substantial water savings render the project highly profitable. At the national level, the analysis indicates that the conserved water could be used to expand Türkiye’s irrigated area by 1.77-2.98 million hectares, generating an additional $3.47-$5.84 billion in annual agricultural income. The findings conclude that while modernization represents a powerful investment, its success requires a comprehensive policy framework that not only funds infrastructure conversion but also mandates integrated support programs to ensure farmers adopt the high-efficiency technologies needed to achieve these savings.

Abstract: Air quality makes a huge difference in human health, ecological environment, economic 2 development, and global climate governance. This study introduced Time-Weighted 3 Ensemble model into the air quality prediction model and achieved good results. The 4 prediction results were consistent with reality, and the R-square of prediction is 0.54, pro- 5 viding a new reference for people to avoid air pollution. And because of the the original Air 6 Quality Index (AQI) has limited using scope and results are inaccurate, this thesis establish 7 a brandnew evaluation system, called Adaptive Air Quality Index (AAQI), which takes 8 concentration, correlation, time, and cooperation into consideration. It is more comprehen- 9 sive and advanced than the existing system. Data on six pollutants were collected from 10 six cities, namely Brasilia, Cairo, Dubai, London, New York, and Sydney, and then prepro- 11 cessed the above data using KNN interpolation, Unit transformation and normalization, 12 and calculated the correlations among them by using Mutual Information, Spearman’s 13 Rank Correlation and Kendall’s Tau Correlation. Afterwards, we incorporated it into the 14 AAQI and obtained their air quality. Among them, Sydney had the best air quality, while 15 Dubai and Cairo had relatively poor air quality. This research should be promoted and 16 applied in air quality monitoring in real life.

Abstract: Ecosystem-based adaptation practice has emerged as a sustainable approach to enhance smallholder farmers’ climate resilience while delivering multiple social, economic and environmental co-benefits. This study explores the perceived co-benefits from adopting ecosystem-based adaptation practices and examines how the perceived co-benefits shape adoption decisions among smallholder farmers. A mixed-method approach was used involving household survey of 360 smallholder farmers targeting household heads in purposive sampling scheme, key informant interviews and focus group discussions. The key findings of the study revealed mixed cropping (83.9%), integrated crop-livestock (57.2%) and mulch tillage (51.1%) as the most widely adopted practices. In addition, the study revealed that smallholder farmers perceived multiple ecological co-benefits from adopting ecosystem-based adaptation practices such as improved soil fertility, water retention, erosion control, pests’ regulation and agrobiodiversity improvement, while boosting crop productivity, food security and income diversification. Furthermore, smallholder farmers were found to value ecosystem-based adaptation practices that rely on low cost, local available inputs and traditional knowledge. The key motivators for adoption were found to be livelihood diversification, local inputs reliance and soil quality management. It is concluded that smallholder farmers adopt ecosystem-based adaptation practices that offer tangible co-benefits, and the adaptation initiative becomes effective when linked to local community perspective.

Abstract:

Knowledge about the germination potential of Mandacaru seeds is fundamental for maintaining breeding programs and germplasm banks. Thus, we aimed to study the germination of stored and freshly harvested mandacaru seeds in order to investigate seed viability as a function of storage imposition, in addition to characterizing seed anatomy and conducting biochemical evaluation. Germination tests were conducted in a completely randomized design in a 2×6 factorial scheme, with two storage conditions and six temperatures (15, 20, 25, 30, 35, and 40°C), with 4 replications of 25 seeds each. Anatomical evaluation tests and biochemical tests had 5 and 10 replications for each storage condition, respectively. It is concluded that the range of 25-35°C is ideal for germination of C. jamacaru seeds, and temperatures below 20°C and above 35°C are detrimental to germination. X-ray computed microtomography was efficient for characterizing seed anatomy and differentiating their tissues, allowing accurate and clear evaluation of their internal structures, and proper storage was efficient in minimizing the deleterious effects of H₂O₂ and MDA accumulation.

Abstract:

Post-collisional Cu-Au-Ni-Co-Pt-Pd-Sc porphyry, [Duck Creek porphyry system (DCPS)], with overlying Au-Te-Bi-W-HRE epithermal mineralisation, [Highway epithermal system (HES)] has been discovered in the core of the Mitakoodi anticline, southwest of Cloncurry. Xenotime and monazite geochronology indicates mineralisation occurred between ~1490 and 1530 Ma. Host rock lithologies show widespread potassic and/or propylitic to phyllic alteration. Paragenesis of porphyry sulphides indicate early crystallisation of pyrite, followed by chalcopyrite, with bornite forming by hydrothermal alteration chalcopyrite. Cu sulphides also show the effect of supergene oxidation alteration with rims of covellite, digenite and chalcocite. Redox conditions deduced from V/Sc systematics indicate that the DCPS contains both highly oxidized (typical of porphyries) and reduced lithologies, typical of plume generated tholeiitic and alkaline suites. Ni/Te and Cu/Te systematics plot within the fields defined by epithermal and porphyry deposits. Duck Creek chalcophile and highly siderophile element (Cu, MgO and Pd) systematics resemble data from porphyry mineral systems, at Cadia, Bingham Canyon, Grasberg, Skouries, Kalmakyr, Elaisite, Assarel and Medet. SAM geophysical inversion models suggest the presence of an extensive porphyry system below the HES. A progressive increase in molar Cu/Au ratios with depth from the HES to the DCPS, supports this conclusion. Three metal sources contributed to the DCPS-HES viz., tholeiitic ferrogabbro, potassic ultramafic to mafic system and a Fe and Ca-rich alkaline system. The latter two imparted non-crustal superchondritic Nb/Ta ratios that are characteristic of many deposits in the eastern Mount Isa Block. The associated tholeiite and alkaline magmatism reflect mantle plume upwelling through a palaeo-slab window that had accreted below the eastern flank of the North Australian craton following west verging collision by the Numil Terrane. Discovery of this linked mineral system provides a new paradigm for mineral exploration in the region.

Abstract: Intensive swine production contributes significantly to the global protein supply but generates considerable environmental pressure, particularly through greenhouse gas emissions and surplus slurry management. Anaerobic digestion (AD), especially (co-AD), has been widely investigated as a mitigation strategy to enhance renewable energy generation and nutrient recovery. This systematic review synthesizes life cycle assessment (LCA) studies published between 2019 and 2025 that evaluated AD systems treating swine slurry, following the PRISMA 2020 guidelines. Across diverse method-ological approaches and regional contexts, the literature consistently shows that AD can reduce global warming potential compared with conventional slurry management, with stronger environmental benefits when biogas is efficiently valorized and when the swine slurry is co-digested with complementary organic substrates. co-AD emerges as a key mitigation option by improving biogas yields, process stability, and overall envi-ronmental performance while also enabling better utilization of external organic waste. However, the results remain highly sensitive to operational factors such as methane leakage, digestate management, energy efficiency, and substrate selection. This review highlights the methodological inconsistencies among LCA studies and underscores the need for harmonized assessment frameworks and improved emission data. Overall, co-AD represents a promising pathway for enhancing the environmental sustainability of swine production systems when integrated into optimized, context-specific man-agement strategies.

Abstract: The article presents a comprehensive assessment of climate change in the Fergana region and its influence on the development and transformation of natural landscapes within global environmental systems. Based on meteorological data from 2001 to 2024, trends in air temperature and precipitation were analyzed. The results indicate a gradual increase in mean annual temperature and a decrease in precipitation, reflecting the intensification of aridization processes. Using geoinformation systems and remote sensing data, NDVI-based vegetation dynamics were mapped to evaluate spatial landscape variability. The study identifies the most climate-sensitive areas experiencing soil degradation and structural changes in ecosystems. These findings provide a scientific foundation for developing eco-reclamation strategies and agricultural adaptation measures to mitigate the impacts of regional climate change, contributing valuable insights to global environmental change research.

Abstract:

Combined sewer overflow (CSO) pollution has consequently become a critical challenge, yet its formation depends on tightly coupled dry-and-wet weather processes. This study aims to integrate high-resolution field monitoring with statistical analysis to characterize the full “accumulation-transport-discharge” cycle of CSO pollution. Results indicated that during dry periods, domestic sewage exhibited strong enrichment, with concentrations of TIN, COD, and TP being 2.1-, 2.3-, and 1.9-fold higher, respectively, than the Chinese secondary discharge standards (GB 18918-2002). Surface sediment showed pronounced spatial heterogeneity, with greater loads in residential than transportation areas and substantial fine-particle accumulation on roofs (particle size <150 μm, accounting for 73% by mass). Sewer sediments, dominated by coarse inorganic particles (over 77% by mass), represented the main pollutant reservoir. Rainfall produced distinct hydrodynamic and water-quality responses. Light rain following long antecedent dry periods generated a high-concentration but low-load regime with a strong first flush, whereas moderate rain yielded lower concentrations but higher loads. Overflow occurred when rainfall exceeded ~14 mm, with pollutant peaks lagging rainfall by 20–45 min in the studied area. TIN and TP peaked sharply at rainfall event onset, and first-flush intensities followed TIN > TP > COD > SS. Source apportionment identified sewer sediments as the dominant CSO source, followed by surface runoff and domestic sewage. These findings clarify the mechanisms linking dry-weather accumulation to wet-weather transport and support targeted CSO pollution control and urban water-quality management.

Abstract: The Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) derived from polar-orbiting satellites is widely used for vegetation monitoring; however, its temporal continuity is often limited by cloud contamination and fixed revisit cycles. This study investigates the feasibility of using geostationary satellite observations to support NDVI gap filling applications and continuous regional monitoring. Geostationary Ocean Color Imager II (GOCI-II) data were used as input, while Sentinel-2 Multispectral Instrument (MSI) NDVI served as the primary reference dataset. Landsat Operational Land Imager NDVI was additionally employed for independent cross-sensor comparison. A data-driven transformation framework was developed and applied to convert GOCI-II NDVI into MSI-equivalent NDVI while maintaining physically interpretable NDVI values. The transformed NDVI was evaluated through spatial comparisons and pixel-level statistical metrics, including correlation coefficient, mean absolute error, root mean square error, and structural similarity index measure. The results indicate that NDVI transformed from geostationary observations can capture broad spatial patterns and relative variability observed in MSI NDVI, particularly at the field scale. At the same time, reduced contrast and NDVI underestimation are observed, mainly due to spatial resolution differences and sub-pixel heterogeneity. This study emphasizes the potential role of geostationary satellite data as a complementary source for polar-orbiting NDVI products. The findings suggest that integrating geostationary and polar-orbiting satellite observations may contribute to improving NDVI continuity and supporting sustained vegetation monitoring over fixed regions where high temporal resolution is required.

Abstract: Climate change increases uncertainty in agricultural production and rural livelihoods, encouraging farms to pursue diversification strategies that can buffer climate-related risks. At the same time, the growing use of digital and AI-based climate and decision-support tools raises questions about how the transparency of such information shapes farm-level adaptation. This study examines the relationships among AI transparency, climate awareness, decision confidence, agritourism diversification intention, and perceived farm resilience in climate-sensitive rural systems. Data were collected through in-person fieldwork conducted throughout 2025 among agritourism-oriented farm operators in two Serbian rural clusters: a Western mountain agritourism belt and an Eastern/Southeastern dry-stress zone. Using structural equation modeling, the analysis reveals a coherent pattern of positive associations across all modeled relationships. Higher perceived transparency of AI-based climate information is associated with stronger climate awareness, greater decision confidence, increased intention to diversify toward agritourism, and higher perceived farm resilience. Perceived farm resilience was most strongly related to agritourism diversification intention, underscoring diversification as a key adaptive pathway under climate stress. The findings highlight AI transparency as a critical informational precondition for adaptive decision-making and resilience building, with implications for farmer-centric digital tools and rural climate adaptation policy.