International Journal of Environment and Climate Change

Challenges and Institutional Barriers in Implementing Carbon Market Initiatives among Pastoralist Communities: Experiences from Ngaremara, Northern Kenya

Kiptoo Chemoiwo — 2026-03-19

Carbon market initiatives have been promoted as mechanisms to enhance climate resilience and provide economic benefits to vulnerable communities. However, their successful implementation is often hindered by governance, institutional, and socio-cultural challenges. This study examines barriers to carbon market implementation among pastoralist communities in Ngaremara, Isiolo County, Kenya. Using a cross-sectional survey and qualitative responses from 367 households, the research analyzes stakeholder participation, benefit-sharing mechanisms, financial accessibility, and policy-related constraints affecting project success. Quantitative findings indicate that 62.9% of respondents reported conflicts over benefit-sharing, while 33.5% felt excluded from decision-making processes, and 70% cited difficulties accessing technical expertise and financial resources. Qualitative responses further revealed concerns about unclear policy frameworks, limited transparency in benefit distribution, and tensions between carbon project requirements and pastoralist grazing traditions. Socio-cultural factors such as trust deficits (52%) and perceived misalignment with local land-use practices (30.8%) further constrained project adoption. Statistical analysis confirmed a significant negative association between implementation challenges and livelihood outcomes (p < 0.001). The study concludes that governance weaknesses, inadequate financial structures, policy implementation gaps, and limited community engagement pose major obstacles to carbon market success in pastoralist regions. Addressing these barriers requires strengthening participatory governance, improving financial access, and designing culturally responsive climate finance mechanisms.

Vegetation Health Dynamics and the Impacts on Climate Change and Agriculture in Ebonyi State Southeastern Nigeria

Agwu Jacob Parkins — 2026-03-20

This study investigates vegetation health dynamics and the impacts on climate change and agriculture in Ebonyi State Southeastern Nigeria using geospatial techniques covering a period 39 years (1986 to 2025). Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) was used to assess the health of vegetation. The results indicate that No vegetation area increased slightly from 40.7808km² in 1986 to 40.7871km² in 2025 representing an increase of 0.02%. Low vegetation/degraded area increased significantly from 618.8688km² in 1986 to 1058.554km²in 2025 representing an increase of +71%. Stressed vegetation area decreased from 2636.77 km² in 1986 to 2546.817 km² in 2025 representing a decrease of -3.41%. Moderately healthy vegetation area decreased from 2469.672km² in 1986 to 2032.174km² in 2025 representing a decrease of -17.71% while healthy vegetation increased from 659.0556km² in 1986 to 746.9181km² in 2025 representing an increase of +13.33%. The largest increase was in low vegetation/degraded area (+71.05%) followed by healthy vegetation (+13.33%) while the largest decrease was in moderately healthy vegetation (-17.71%) followed by stressed vegetation (-3.41%). These findings provide valuable insights into the vegetation health dynamics and their implications for climate change and agriculture as well as ecosystem sustainability and resilience in Ebonyi State as evidenced by the very strong and significant statistical relationships among the variables. The study enhances our understanding of how climate change and human activities influence vegetation dynamics and land cover changes in the region, providing valuable insights for evidence-based decision-making and the implementation of sustainable land management practices.

Influence of Organic, Inorganic and Integrated Nutrient Management on Productivity, Nutrient Uptake and Soil Biological Properties of Sesame

A. Krishna Chaitanya — 2026-03-20

A field experiment was conducted to study the effect of different nutrient management practices on growth, yield, nutrient uptake, soil properties, microbial activity and grain quality of sesame (Sesamum indicum L.). The treatments included organic farming, inorganic farming, integrated nutrient management (INM), natural farming and control. Nutrient sources significantly influenced crop growth and productivity. Plant height was higher under organic farming at 30 DAS, whereas INM recorded significantly greater plant height at 60 DAS and at harvest. Yield attributes such as number of branches, capsules plant⁻¹, capsule length and seeds capsule⁻¹ were significantly superior under INM. The highest seed yield (588 kg ha⁻¹) and stover yield (2572 kg ha⁻¹) were obtained under INM, followed by organic and inorganic farming, while control recorded the lowest yield. Nutrient uptake of nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium was significantly higher under INM at later growth stages. Soil pH and EC were not influenced by treatments; however, soil organic carbon and available N and K were significantly improved under INM. Organic farming enhanced microbial populations and soil enzymatic activities. Grain quality analysis indicated higher crude protein under inorganic farming and higher crude fat under organic farming. Overall, integrated nutrient management proved most effective for improving sesame productivity while sustaining soil fertility.

Impact of Zonal Configuration of the South Atlantic and South Indian Ocean Subtropical Highs on March-May Surface Air Temperature Variability over Southern Africa

Sudi Yasini Kisama — 2026-03-20

The zonal configuration of the South Atlantic (SASH) and South Indian (SISH) subtropical highs significantly influences southern Africa’s climate variability from daily to decadal scales. This study examines the impact of their zonal positioning on March-May (MAM) surface air temperature (SAT) from 1940-2024. The Empirical Orthogonal Function (EOF) method was used to analyze monthly sea level pressure (SLP) to identify different zonal displacement phases. Composite analysis was also used on net shortwave radiation (SSR), surface energy fluxes, and total cloud cover to diagnose physical mechanisms associated with SAT variability. Joint westward displacement of the highs triggers SAT cooling over the central plateaus and Mozambique Channel, while joint eastward displacement is associated with SAT cooling over East Africa and parts of the southern and central plateaus. Westward SASH and eastward SISH displacement results in slight SAT cooling over East Africa, the central plateaus, western Madagascar, and the western coast. Conversely, eastward SASH and westward SISH displacement cool the eastern region extending to the central interior, while warming the remaining parts. These configurations strengthen the subtropical ridge, increasing subsidence and reducing cloud cover, which increases net SSR and surface sensible heat flux (SSH) and reduces outgoing longwave radiation (OLR) and surface latent heat (SLH) flux, leading to surface warming. Away displacement triggers ascent and increased cloud cover, leading to less SSR and SSH and more OLR and SLH flux, contributing to observed SAT cooling. These findings demonstrate that the zonal configurations of subtropical high structures modify the net energy pattern in opposing ways depending on the phase configuration, highlighting their importance for improved seasonal SAT predictability.

Thermodynamics and Hydrogeochemical Evolution of the Shallow Aquifer in Enugu Urban, Southeastern Nigeria

A. U. Alichi — 2026-03-21

The shallow aquifer system in Enugu Urban, southeastern Nigeria, represents a critical groundwater resource but is increasingly affected by complex hydrogeochemical and thermodynamic processes driven by rapid urbanization, lithological heterogeneity, and climatic variability. This study integrates field-based hydrochemical investigations (via groundwater sampling and laboratory analysis), graphical and statistical tools, and thermodynamic modeling using PHREEQC to elucidate the key controls on groundwater chemistry, mineral stability, and water–rock interactions. Results reveal a dominance of the Na-HCO₃ water type, coupled with active cation exchange and extensive silicate weathering. Thermodynamic indices indicate that calcite, dolomite, and gypsum are predominantly undersaturated, with spatial and seasonal variations reflecting the interplay between geogenic factors and anthropogenic influences, particularly from land use changes and urban development. These findings underscore the aquifer’s limited buffering capacity and its vulnerability to quality degradation, with significant implications for groundwater management and aquifer sustainability in rapidly urbanizing settings. The study provides a scientific basis for informed decision-making aimed at preserving groundwater quality and ensuring long-term water security in Enugu.

Optimization of Drum-Kiln Pyrolysis for Woody and Agricultural Biomass: Influence of Temperature and Residence Time on Biochar Yield and Ash Content

Saideep Thallapally — 2026-03-21

The thermochemical conversion of lignocellulosic biomass into biochar represents an effective strategy for the sustainable management of agricultural residues and the production of stable carbon-rich materials for soil improvement. Low-cost drum-kiln systems provide a practical and decentralized approach for biochar production, particularly in rural agricultural settings. However, the influence of operational parameters on biochar yield and composition requires further evaluation. In this study, the effects of pyrolysis temperature (350–550 °C) and residence time (30–120 min) on biochar yield and ash formation were investigated using a factorial experimental design. Six biomass feedstocks-Conocarpus erectus, eucalyptus branches, acacia pruning residues, rice straw, wheat straw, and pigeon-pea stalks-were characterized through proximate analysis to assess feedstock variability. Optimization experiments were conducted using Conocarpus erectus as a representative woody biomass under controlled drum-kiln pyrolysis conditions. The results showed that biochar yield decreased from 39.8 % at 350 °C and 30 min to 21.0 % at 550 °C and 120 min, while ash content increased from 3.2 % to 11.8 % with increasing pyrolysis severity. The reduction in biochar yield was attributed to enhanced volatilization of organic components at higher temperatures, whereas the increase in ash content resulted from the concentration of inorganic mineral constituents within the char matrix. Optimal operating conditions were identified at 375–400 °C with residence times of 45–60 min, providing a favorable balance between biochar yield, ash content, and physicochemical stability. Overall, the study demonstrates that optimized drum-kiln pyrolysis can produce efficient and stable biochar, offering a cost-effective and sustainable approach for agricultural residue management and decentralized biomass valorization.

Spatio-temporal Analysis of Climate Change in Kerala, India: Implication for Cardamom Production

R. S. Neethu — 2026-03-21

The study examined long-term climate change patterns in the central regions of Kerala over a 30-year period. Trend analysis was performed for annual and seasonal variables using Mann–Kendall and Sen’s slope estimator. The results revealed a significant decreasing trend in annual rainfall and northeast monsoon rainfall, accompanied by an increasing trend in maximum temperature during both the southwest and northeast monsoon seasons. Minimum temperature exhibited a declining trend across all seasons except summer and winter. To further assess rainfall variability, Seasonal ARIMA (SARIMA) models were fitted to monthly rainfall data. The best-fit models identified was ARIMA (0,0,0)(0,1,1)₁₂. The findings give an insight into regional climatic variability and offer a scientific basis for long-term agricultural planning and climate adaptation strategies. Multiple regression on production of cardamom as dependent variable and quarterly temperature and rainfall as the independent variables revealed reasonable increase in minimum temperature positively influences the yield of cardamom and excess rainfall during harvesting period had negative impact.

Perceptions of Vegetable and Fruit Retailers on Food Loss and Waste (FLW) and Its Environmental Impacts in Rural Markets of Faridpur, Bangladesh

Md. Ashraful Islam — 2026-03-21

Food loss and waste (FLW) is a critical global issue affecting food security, environmental sustainability, and economic efficiency, contributing significantly to resource depletion and greenhouse gas emissions. In Bangladesh, especially in rural markets, substantial losses of perishable produce occur due to inadequate infrastructure, poor handling, and limited awareness. Despite its importance, research on FLW at the retail level and retailers’ environmental perceptions remains limited. This study investigates the socioeconomic status, perceptions, practices, and environmental impacts related to food loss and waste (FLW) among vegetable and fruit retailers in rural markets in Faridpur District, Bangladesh. A mixed-methods approach was employed, combining quantitative surveys with 196 retail owners and qualitative key informant interviews (KIIs) with market committee members and Department of Agricultural Extension representatives. The results show a predominantly young, male retail owner, with a moderate level of education and experience in retailing perishable goods. Retail owners demonstrated strong awareness of the drivers of FLW, including poor transportation, selling delays, and over-purchasing, but highlighted infrastructure limitations, particularly the lack of cold storage, as key contributors to food waste. The study revealed that 75% of vegetable and 72% of fruit retailers recognized the environmental pollution and public health risks associated with food loss and waste (FLW). However, only 51–52% acknowledged FLW’s contribution to climate change. While most traders understood the immediate environmental and health impacts of vegetable and fruit loss, awareness of broader climate implications was comparatively lower. These findings highlight the need for targeted interventions to raise climate-related awareness and promote sustainable waste management practices among rural market retailers. Despite a strong willingness to adopt improved waste management practices, gaps in practical implementation, such as waste separation, proper handling, and waste management. These findings emphasize the need for integrated interventions combining education, infrastructure development, and behavior-based strategies to reduce FLW and mitigate its environmental and economic impacts in rural markets.

Spatiotemporal Variability and Trends of Rainfall in Zambia and their Links to Oceanic Teleconnections

Clara Liapapa — 2026-03-23

Rainfall variability strongly influences agriculture, water resources, and socio-economic stability in Zambia, where livelihoods largely depend on seasonal precipitation. Understanding the spatial and temporal dynamics of rainfall is therefore essential for effective climate risk management. This study investigates the spatiotemporal variability of rainfall across Zambia during 1993–2024 and examines its relationship with large-scale ocean–atmosphere interactions. Monthly precipitation data from the ERA5 reanalysis and sea surface temperature (SST) fields from NOAA were analyzed using standardized rainfall anomalies, the Mann–Kendall trend test, Sen’s slope estimator, Empirical Orthogonal Function (EOF) analysis, and correlation analysis. Results indicate that Zambia exhibits a unimodal rainfall regime, with most precipitation occurring during the NDJFMA rainy season (November–April). Trend analysis reveals spatially heterogeneous rainfall changes, with statistically significant increases in northern and northeastern Zambia, reaching approximately 8 mm yr⁻¹, while central and southern regions display weak or non-significant trends. Temporal analysis highlights strong interannual variability, with rainfall fluctuations largely controlled by variations during the main rainy season. EOF analysis shows that the leading mode (EOF1) explains 53% of total rainfall variance, representing a coherent countrywide rainfall pattern, while the second mode (EOF2) accounts for 15.3% of the variance and reflects a north–south rainfall dipole. Correlation analysis further demonstrates that Zambia’s rainfall variability is significantly linked to SST anomalies in the tropical Pacific and Indian Oceans. In particular, El Niño conditions are generally associated with below-normal rainfall, whereas La Niña conditions favor wetter-than-normal seasons. Overall, the findings highlight the dominant influence of large-scale ocean–atmosphere interactions on Zambia’s rainfall variability and provide useful insights for improving seasonal climate prediction, water resource management, and agricultural planning under a changing climate.

Comparative Study of Morphometric and USDA SCS - CN Methods for Assessing Runoff Potential in Hazaribagh Plateau, India

Pooja Sakthi Rama — 2026-03-23

The assessment and management of surface runoff is important for watershed planning and water resource utilization, especially in areas where agriculture is mostly dependent on rainfall. This study aims to evaluate and compare the runoff potential of 98 delineated watersheds within the Hazaribagh Plateau region using two distinct approaches namely morphometric analysis and the Soil Conservation Service-Curve Number (SCS-CN) methods using Geographic Information System (GIS) and Remote Sensing (RS) techniques. A Compound Factor (CF), which represents the structural runoff potential of each watershed was computed using morphometric parameters under linear, areal, and relief aspects that were obtained from the Digital Elevation Model (DEM) and is categorised into five ranks. Similarly, runoff coefficients were estimated using the SCS-CN approach based on land use/land cover, hydrologic soil groups and antecedent moisture conditions, which are further categorised into five classes. Comparative analysis revealed that 46 watersheds exhibited matching ranks, while 35 showed lower SCS-CN ranking than morphometric parameter ranking and 17 showed higher. These variations highlight the combined influence of terrain characteristics, land use patterns, soil properties, and moisture conditions on runoff generation. The results demonstrate that morphometric analysis provides a preliminary assessment of runoff behaviour, while the SCS-CN method offers a more dynamic and quantitative evaluation, and their integration improves the reliability of runoff assessment for efficient watershed planning.

Effect of Various Establishment Techniques and Spacing on Growth and Yield of Browntop Millet

Naveen Kumar V — 2026-03-23

Browntop millet (Urochloa ramosa L.) is a drought-tolerant minor millet suitable for cultivation under marginal soils and rainfed conditions. However, information on suitable establishment methods and optimal spacing to improve productivity is limited. A field experiment was conducted during late Kharif 2025 at the Instructional Farm of Karunya Institute of Technology and Sciences, Coimbatore. The experiment was laid out in a split-plot design with two establishment methods (direct sowing and transplanting) as main plots and six spacing treatments (20 × 10, 30 × 10, 45 × 10, 20 × 20, 30 × 20, and 45 × 20 cm) as subplots, replicated three times. Direct sowing recorded higher plant height (104.3 cm), dry matter production (4373.6 kg/ha), grain yield (1178.4 kg/ha), straw yield (2823.9 kg/ha) and harvest index (31%) compared to transplanting. Among spacing treatments, 45 × 10 cm produced the highest grain yield (1368.3 kg/ha), while 20 × 10 cm recorded higher straw yield, and wider spacing 45 × 20 cm recorded the highest harvest index (37.20%). The findings indicate that direct sowing combined with 45 × 10 cm spacing is a suitable agronomic practice for improving the browntop millet productivity. Economic analysis also revealed that direct sowing with 45 × 10 cm spacing resulted in higher net returns and benefit–cost ratio.

Agrobiodiversity Assessment in Kerala’s Farming Systems: Contribution to Climate Resilient Agriculture

S. Anupama — 2026-03-25

Agriculture is both impacted by climate change and a means of mitigation. Agricultural biodiversity enhances soil health, productivity, resilience, and food security, making diversified farming systems important for adapting to climate change and supporting sustainable agriculture. The present study was undertaken to assess plant species diversity within farming systems across selected districts of Kerala, analyse spatial variations in biodiversity, and examine its implications for climate-resilient and carbon-neutral agriculture. A descriptive, cross-sectional research design with a multistage sampling approach was employed. The study was conducted in nine panchayats across three districts, and data were collected from 270 farmers through structured interviews and field observations during 2023–2026. Plant species, including crops, fruit trees, and perennials, were documented at the farm level. Biodiversity was quantified using the Shannon–Wiener Diversity Index (H′) and Simpson’s Diversity Index (SDI), and data were analysed using descriptive statistics. The findings revealed significant spatial variation in biodiversity among districts. Thiruvananthapuram recorded the highest diversity (H′ = 3.16; SDI = 0.86), followed by Kasaragod (H′ = 1.52; SDI = 0.69), while Ernakulam exhibited the lowest diversity (H′ = 1.13; SDI = 0.52). The overall mean values (H′ = 0.566; SDI = 0.282) indicated generally low to moderate diversity levels across farming systems, with a majority of respondents falling under very low and low diversity categories, reflecting species dominance. Higher biodiversity was associated with homestead and diversified farming systems, whereas plantation-based and commercial systems showed reduced diversity. The study underscores the critical role of agrobiodiversity in enhancing climate resilience and carbon sequestration potential. It emphasizes the need for promoting biodiversity-enhancing practices such as agroforestry and mixed cropping through targeted policy support and strengthened extension interventions to achieve sustainable and carbon-neutral agricultural systems.

Photocatalytic Degradation of Crude Oil-Contaminated Water Using Rice Husk-Supported Titanium Dioxide Nanocomposite

Preye Kingsley Nimame — 2026-03-25

Oil spills constitute one of the most devastating forms of environmental pollution, causing profound and long-lasting damage to ecosystems and aquatic life. This issue is particularly acute in oil-producing regions such as Rivers State, Nigeria, where frequent incidents pose significant challenges to environmental management, underscoring the urgent need for effective, affordable, and sustainable remediation strategies. Among various sorbents, agricultural wastes have gained prominence for oil spill cleanup owing to their biodegradability, low cost, and abundant availability. This study investigates the batch photocatalytic degradation of crude oil-contaminated water using acid-modified biochar derived from rice husk and loaded with titanium dioxide (TiO₂). The morphological and chemical modifications significantly enhanced the adsorbent's hydrophobicity and porosity, thereby improving its affinity for oil adsorption, as confirmed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), and X-ray diffraction (XRD) analyses. These techniques revealed the presence of key functional groups, including O–H bonds, carboxylic OH, C=O in aldehydes, and Si–O–Si in siloxanes, along with favorable crystalline structures. Parametric studies, optimized via Box-Behnken design, identified the highest removal efficiency of 97.85% under conditions of 5 mg/L TiO₂ loading, pH 6, and 90 minutes residence time. Removal efficiency increased with higher adsorbent dosage and contact time/illumination duration, while decreasing with higher initial oil concentration and pH. Experimental data exhibited excellent fit to the Langmuir isotherm model and pseudo-second-order kinetics, indicating monolayer adsorption on homogeneous surfaces. Comparative evaluation with other agro-based adsorbents underscored the superior performance of the TiO₂-loaded modified rice husk biochar. The material demonstrates exceptional potential as a low-cost, regenerable, and eco-friendly adsorbent for effective oil spill remediation, offering a sustainable solution aligned with circular economy principles through valorization of agricultural waste.

Statistical Assessment of the Extreme Rainfall Event of 2024 in Maradi and Zinder of South-Eastern Niger

Y. Mahamadou — 2026-03-25

Since the severe droughts of the 1970s, the Sahel, and Niger in particular, has faced a new precipitation regime. Although cumulative rainfall is improving, this recovery is accompanied by a resurgence of extreme weather events, such as torrential rains. The latter leads to recurring floods with devastating socio-economic consequences for local populations. This study aims at analyzing the specific nature of the 2024 rainy season in south-eastern Niger (Maradi and Zinder) to determine whether it constitutes a climatic anomaly over the last three decades. The analysis is based on NASA data from the 1991–2024 period. Three statistical tools were employed: the Standardized Precipitation Index (SPI) to characterize the moisture levels of each year, interannual variability to compare annual totals versus the 1991–2020 climate normal, and the Gumbel distribution to estimate the probability of occurrence and the rarity of the event. The results show that nearly the entire study area significantly exceeded the climate average of 281 mm. SPI values between 0.5 and 2 confirm a year ranging from moderately to extremely wet. With a record 560 mm, the year 2024 surpassed the previous extreme of 2020 (519 mm) within the 1991–2020 period, with a probability of exceedance of 0.41%. Thus, 2024 stands out as an exceptional event on the scale of recent decades. This study demonstrates that the 2024 season is a "breakout" year due to its extreme nature. The concentration of such events in the recent period (2020 and 2024) reflects a profound mutation of the climate in south-eastern Niger.

Design and Development of Solar Multi-spectral Cum Electrified Mesh Insect Trapper with IoT-Based Ultrasonic Animal Repellent System

Ashish Pawar — 2026-03-25

The insects, pest and intrusion of some wild animals become one of the major constraint in Indian agriculture, especially western arid and semi-arid region of Rajasthan. Traditionally, chemical application were practiced for pest control, which leads the production cost and severely effect on environment. The present study emphases on the design and development of solar powered multi spectral insect trapper with an electrified mesh cum IoT based ultrasonic animal repellent system which protect the crop and increases agricultural productivity. The developed system enables UV (365-395 nm), blue (450-470 nm), and white LEDs which attracts the crepuscular and nocturnal insects. The insects were deactivated by supplying low current in electrified mesh powered by 40 W solar panel. Also, the ultrasonic sound waves (>20 kHz) were generated using two amplifier to protect agriculture field from wild animals. The efficiency of multi spectral light for insect trapping was in the range of 32-45% than single spectrum light system. Whereas animal intrusion in agricultural field were significantly reduced around 70-80 % by using ultrasonic system. The IoT based sensors can easily judge the movement of animal in the radius of 4-5 m and transmits the signal to ultrasonic system. This technology creates a new window for the farmers for implementation in sustainable agriculture and smart farming systems.

Seasonal Variability in Thermal Indices and Heat Use Efficiency of Maize under Varietal and Nutrient Management in Tarai Region of Uttarakhand, India

Anurag Tripathi — 2026-03-25

Maize (Zea mays L.) growth and productivity are strongly influenced by temperature and seasonal climatic conditions that regulate crop phenology and thermal energy utilization. However, limited information is available on seasonal variability of thermal indices and heat use efficiency of maize under different varieties and nutrient management practices in the Tarai region of Uttarakhand. Therefore, a field experiment was conducted at the N.E. Borlaug Crop Research Centre, Pantnagar during the winter (November 2024-April 2025) and spring (February-June 2025) seasons to evaluate seasonal effects on thermal indices, phenology and heat use efficiency of maize. The experiment was laid out in a split-plot design with three maize varieties (PCM-04, DKC-9081 and DKC-9188) as main plot treatments and four nutrient management levels as subplots: T1-control (no fertilizer), T2-vermicompost (80:20), T3-poultry manure (80:20) and T4-recommended dose of inorganic fertilizers (RDF). Temperature-based indices including Growing Degree Days (GDD), Heliothermal Units (HTU), Photothermal Units (PTU) and Heat Use Efficiency (HUE) were computed. Spring maize accumulated higher thermal units (GDD 1691.45 °C Day, HTU 14327.25 and PTU 21830.23) and recorded higher grain yield (9373.04 kg ha⁻¹) than winter maize (GDD 1303.38 °C Day, HTU 9824.29, PTU 14733.81; yield 7305.00 kg ha⁻¹). Spring maize also matured earlier (92-110 days) compared to winter maize (132-151 days). The treatment V₃F₄ (DKC-9188 with RDF) recorded the highest grain yield and heat use efficiency in both seasons. The results indicate that improved varieties combined with optimum nutrient management enhance thermal resource utilization and maize productivity under different seasonal environments.

Spatial Proximity Analysis of Inland Waterway Networks for Disaster Response and Relief Coordination in Rivers State, Nigeria

Goodluck Prince Ogboeli — 2026-03-25

Riverine communities in Rivers State, Nigeria, rely heavily on inland waterways for transportation; however, their integration into disaster response and relief coordination remains insufficiently explored. This gap limits the effectiveness of emergency access in areas frequently affected by flooding and geographical isolation. This study examines the spatial proximity of inland waterway networks and their potential role in enhancing disaster response and relief coordination in Rivers State. Specifically, the research assesses the accessibility of inland waterways from key Port Harcourt terminals, evaluates their contribution to disaster management, and identifies operational challenges affecting their efficiency.

A mixed-methods approach was adopted. Spatial analysis using Geographic Information Systems (GIS) measured distances between major water transport terminals, Nembe Waterside, Abonnema Wharf, Marine Base, Iwofe, and Abuloma, and selected riverine communities, including Bonny, Okrika, Bakana, Kalio, Ogbakiri, Isiaka, and Okujagu. The results indicate distances ranging from approximately 10 km to 53 km, highlighting the strategic advantage of inland waterways for rapid emergency access. In addition, a structured questionnaire was administered to 373 respondents comprising local stakeholders and water transport operators to assess perceptions of the role of inland waterways in disaster response and the challenges affecting their operations. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, mean scores, and the Pearson Product–Moment Correlation to examine the relationship between the contributions of waterways and associated operational challenges.

The findings reveal that inland waterways play a critical role in disaster response and relief coordination. Respondents strongly agreed that water transport facilitates rapid evacuation, enables efficient distribution of relief materials, and improves access to otherwise isolated communities, with an overall mean score of 2.93 for contributions. However, several operational challenges were identified, including inadequate infrastructure, limited funding, security concerns, and insufficient training for operators, with a mean score of 2.90. Pearson correlation analysis indicated a moderately strong positive relationship (r = 0.68) between perceived contributions and operational challenges, suggesting that increased reliance on waterways exposes existing operational bottlenecks.

The study recommends improving water transport infrastructure and navigable channels, strengthening security along water routes, providing modern boats and emergency equipment, and implementing targeted training programs for water transport operators. Additionally, policy harmonization, improved institutional coordination, and community engagement are essential for sustainable implementation. Integrating inland waterways into formal disaster management frameworks will significantly enhance rapid response capacity and resilience in vulnerable riverine communities.

Occurrence of Dipterocarpus Fossil Wood and Leaf in the Western Siwalik Sector of Sarkaghat Area, Himachal Pradesh, India: Phytogeographical Implications

Alok — 2026-03-25

Palaeobotanical investigations of plant megafossils, including fossil woods and leaf impressions, from the Middle Siwalik sediments of the Sarkaghat area in the Himalayan foothills of Himachal Pradesh, India, have revealed the presence of fossil wood and leaves belonging to the Southeast Asian genus Dipterocarpus C. F. Gaertn. (family Dipterocarpaceae). The fossil wood has been identified as Dipterocarpoxylon siwalicus Prakash, while the leaf impressions are assigned to Dipterocarpus miocenicus Prasad & Gautam.

A comparison with the present-day distribution of closely related extant species of Dipterocarpus shows that these taxa no longer occur in the Himalayan foothills of Himachal Pradesh. Instead, they are currently confined to the evergreen forests of Southeast Asia. This distribution pattern suggests that increasing arid conditions after the Miocene likely led to the local extinction of these taxa in the region. Based on fossil evidence and the biogeographical distribution of comparable living species, the phytogeographical implications of this finding are discussed. It is further inferred that Dipterocarpus migrated into the area from Southeast Asia during the early Miocene and subsequently disappeared due to the development of unfavourable climatic conditions.

Changing Climatic Patterns and Their Implications for Muga Sericulture in Jorhat, Assam, India

Pooja Borah — 2026-03-28

Muga silk, produced by the muga silkworm Antheraea assamensis, is a unique, high-value fabric known for its golden color, durability and cultural significance. Muga silk has been granted GI status in India (Das, 2022). However, climate change and rising temperatures threaten silkworm growth and silk production, as these insects are highly sensitive to environmental conditions like temperature and humidity, posing risks to the sericulture industry. The study investigates the impact of climate change on production of muga silk, with a special focus on five regions such as Jagduar, Titabar, Borhula, Tamulbari, and Lahdoigarh of Jorhat district of Assam. Muga silk is indigenous to Assam and holds immense cultural, economic and ecological significance. However, changing climatic conditions have been adversely affecting the productivity and quality of muga silk. Based on data collected over a 5 year period (2018-19 to 2022-23) and field insights from the selected regions, the findings clearly indicate that climate change has significantly influenced both the biological and economic dimensions of Muga silk production in the Jorhat district. These changes in climatic conditions are highly impacting the quality and quantity of leaves of host plants, which are essential for larval nourishment. Moreover, farmers have reported increased larval mortality, lower cocoon yields, and diminished fiber quality. The present study aims to examine the key parameters influencing sericulture and analyze their direct and indirect effects on muga cocoon and silk yield.

Statistical Assessment of Rainfall Trends, Variability and Drought Vulnerability in Haryana, India (1980-2024)

Tarun Vats — 2026-03-28

Rainfall variability and drought occurrence pose significant challenges to water resources, agriculture, and livelihoods in semi-arid regions of India. This study examines the spatio-temporal characteristics of rainfall and drought across Haryana using long-term district-level rainfall data for the period 1981–2024. Mean annual rainfall, standard deviation, coefficient of variation, skewness, and kurtosis were employed to assess rainfall magnitude, variability, and distributional behaviour. Long-term trends were analysed using the non-parametric Mann–Kendall test and Sen’s slope estimator, while drought characteristics were evaluated using the 12-month Standardized Precipitation Index (SPI-12).

The results reveal a distinct east–west and north-east to south-west rainfall gradient, with the highest mean annual rainfall recorded in Yamunanagar (1095 mm), Panchkula (1077 mm), and Ambala (949 mm), while the western districts remain comparatively drier. Rainfall variability shows marked spatial heterogeneity, with relatively more stable rainfall regimes in the wetter north-eastern districts and moderate to high variability across several central, western, and southern districts. Trend analysis indicates predominantly increasing but statistically non-significant rainfall trends across most districts, including Yamunanagar, Panchkula, Ambala, Karnal, and Kurukshetra, whereas only a few western and southern districts show significant increases. SPI-based analysis demonstrates that mild droughts are frequent throughout Haryana, while moderate to extreme droughts are more concentrated in the drought-prone western districts such as Sirsa, Fatehabad, and Hisar. The findings suggest that spatial variability and rainfall distribution characteristics, rather than long-term trends alone, are the primary determinants of drought vulnerability, underscoring the need for district-specific climate adaptation and water-management strategies under increasing climatic uncertainty.

Agronomic Performance of Organic Nutrient Sources on Soil Productivity after Wheat Harvest under Organic Production System

Victor Debbarma — 2026-03-28

Wheat productivity is affected by soil degradation due to excessive chemical fertilizers. Organic amendments improve soil health, nutrient availability, and microbial activity, supporting sustainable and long-term crop production. The field experiment was conducted during Rabi season 2015-16 and 2016-17 at Crop Research Farm, SHUATS Model of Organic Farm (SMOF), Department of Agronomy, Naini Agricultural Institute, SHUATS, Prayagraj (U.P.). The treatments included System of Wheat Intensification (SWI) technique, Kera method and Furrow Irrigated Raised Bed (FIRB). The results revealed that soil pH and electrical conductivity remained within the normal range and were not significantly affected by the planting methods. However, SWI recorded comparatively lower EC and pH values closer to neutrality. Organic carbon content improved from the initial values (0.40 to 0.46%) and increased by about 9.30% under SWI and Kera method in pooled analysis. Similarly, improvement in soil nutrient status was observed after harvest. Under SWI, available nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium increased by 8.03%, 16.16%, and 5.43%, respectively in pooled analysis. Micronutrients also showed improvement, where sulfur, zinc, iron, manganese, copper, and boron increased by 2.52%, 4.60%, 3.21%, 3.57%, 10.87% and 4.84%, respectively in pooled analysis. Application of different organic nutrient sources also influenced the soil chemical properties and nutrient availability after harvest of wheat. The treatments consisted of poultry manure (2.6 t/ ha), farmyard manure (16 t/ ha) and Bokashi manure (3.2 t/ ha). Soil pH and electrical conductivity remained within safe limits with all organic nutrient sources. Among the treatments, farmyard manure (16 t/ ha) recorded comparatively lower EC and pH values closer to neutral and significantly improved soil organic carbon, which increased by 9.30% in pooled over the initial soil organic carbon status. The availability of major nutrients such as nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium also increased with the application of farmyard manure by 9.31%, 18.69% and 5.68%, respectively in pooled, compared with the initial soil status. Similarly, micronutrient availability improved, where sulfur, zinc, iron, manganese, copper and boron increased by 2.79%, 4.60%, 3.33%, 4.02%, 10.87%, and 4.84%, respectively in pooled.

Population Buildup of Insect Pest Complex in Summer Green Gram [Vigna radiata (L.)]

Priya Amchi Bordoloi — 2026-03-31

Background: Green gram (Vigna radiata) is an important pulse crop grown widely in India, valued for its nutritional content and adaptability to different seasons. However, its productivity is significantly affected by insect pests and environmental factors, with around 25 species causing economic damage.

Aims: To correlate the insect pest complex of summer green gram with weather parameters, i.e., maximum temperature, minimum temperature, relative humidity and rainfall.

Study Design: Randomized block design (RBD).

Place and Duration of Study: Study was conducted at Biswanath College of Agriculture, Biswanath Chariali, during summer 2024.

Methodology: Green gram crop was sown by recommended agronomic practices. To monitor insect incidence, five plants were randomly selected from each plot and observed weekly. The insect pest population was assessed by counting their numbers from the randomly selected plants. Finally, insect population data were statistically correlated with weather parameters to study their influence on pest incidence.

Results: Aphid, legume pod borer, gram pod borer, green stink bug, coreid bug were identified as pests of green gram in the field. Additionally, two species of coccinellid predators were also recorded as natural enemies. Most pests, including aphid, pod borers, coreid bug, and coccinellids, peaked at the 19^th Standard Meteorological Week (SMW), while the green stink bug peaked at the 20^th SMW. Aphid showed significant positive and significant negative correlation with maximum temperature and rainfall respectively. Gram pod borer and legume pod borers had a significant positive correlation with maximum temperature and significant negative correlations with relative humidity and rainfall. Green stink bug population was positively correlated with relative humidity, whereas the coreid bug showed a negative correlation with it. Furthermore, coccinellids peaked alongside aphids, displaying a positive correlation with aphid density but a negative correlation with humidity.

Conclusion: Overall, pest dynamics were strongly influenced by temperature, rainfall, and humidity, with natural enemies closely tracking aphid abundance.

Assessment of Land Use–Land Cover and Phytosociological Characteristics of Bangus Grassland in the Ramhal Forest Range, Kashmir Himalaya

Talib Bashir Bhat — 2026-03-31

Grasslands are globally extensive ecosystems that deliver key services (carbon sequestration, climate regulation, soil and water conservation) and sustain pastoral livelihoods, yet they are increasingly degraded by land-use change, overgrazing, infrastructure expansion, and climate variability. This study assessed grassland distribution and phytosociological characteristics in the Ramhal Forest Range of Kemil Forest Division. Sentinel-2 multispectral imagery (October 2024) was pre-processed and classified using on-screen digitisation, map accuracy was evaluated using confusion-matrix metrics and kappa statistics. Vegetation composition was quantified using randomly placed 1 × 1 m quadrats and the Importance Value Index (IVI) derived from relative density, frequency, and basal area. The Ramhal Forest Range covers 32,008.72 ha and is forest-dominated, with closed forest as the principal class (13,252.82 ha; 41.40%) and grasslands form a relatively small but ecologically pivotal component (2,517.27 ha; 7.86%), mainly in forest openings and higher elevations. Classification performance was high (overall accuracy 92.8%, and κ = 0.91). Floristic analysis revealed that the, 36 herbaceous species were recorded, Poa annua exhibited the IVI of 15.88, indicating its clear dominance in the community followed by Plantago lanceolata (15.63), and Trifolium repens (15.37). These results indicate that relatively intact forest matrices and moisture controls (snow and hydrology) shape patchy grassland habitats that sustain high herbaceous diversity, underscoring the need for regulated grazing and spatially informed conservation planning to maintain high-altitude ecosystem integrity in the Kashmir Himalaya.

Effects of Carbon Market Participation on Pastoralist Livelihoods and Household Resilience in Ngaremara, Isiolo County, Kenya

Kiptoo Chemoiwo — 2026-03-31

Carbon market initiatives are increasingly recognized as mechanisms for enhancing climate adaptation while simultaneously improving livelihoods in vulnerable regions. This study examines the outcomes of carbon market initiatives on pastoralist livelihoods and household resilience in Ngaremara, Isiolo County, Kenya. A cross-sectional survey of 367 households was conducted to assess how participation in carbon markets has influenced income stability, employment opportunities, and household adaptation to climate variability. Quantitative data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and regression analysis, while qualitative responses were thematically analyzed to capture community experiences. The findings reveal that while carbon markets have generated some economic benefits such as increased income and employment opportunities, challenges remain in ensuring equitable benefit distribution and effective household adaptation. Approximately 51.2% of respondents reported improved household incomes, while 48.2% indicated no significant financial change, and 0.5% reported that their incomes had decreased significantly following participation in carbon market initiatives (percentages may not sum to exactly 100% due to rounding). Household resilience to climate variability showed moderate improvement, with 55% of respondents reporting enhanced adaptive capacity. However, governance challenges, limited financial access, and socio-cultural barriers constrained the full realization of benefits. These findings highlight the need for policy interventions that strengthen financial inclusion, improve governance structures, and enhance technical training for pastoralist communities to ensure equitable and sustainable outcomes from carbon market initiatives. Strengthening these frameworks can help align carbon finance mechanisms with broader climate adaptation and rural development strategies in dryland regions.

Factors Influencing Agricultural Greenhouse Gas Emission: An Econometric Analysis

D. Suresh Kumar — 2026-03-31

Agriculture significantly contributes to global greenhouse gas emissions, mainly from livestock and crop production, and is projected to rise by 2050 due to intensified practices. Complex biological, technical, and economic factors influence these emissions, highlighting the need for climate-smart policies and sustainable agricultural strategies. This study examines the key factors influencing greenhouse gas emissions from the agricultural sector in India using an econometric framework. Time series data for the period 1990-2021 were collected from the secondary sources, namely World Development Indicators and national databases. The variables considered include livestock production index, crop production index, fertiliser consumption, forest area, agricultural land area, electricity consumption and total fisheries production. To ensure robustness, unit root tests were conducted, confirming that all variables are integrated of order one. The Johansen Cointegration test revealed the presence of a long-run equilibrium relation among the variables. The Dynamic Ordinary Least Squares model was employed to estimate long-run elasticities. The results indicate that crop production, livestock production index, fertiliser consumption and total fisheries production significantly increase greenhouse gas emission. In contrast, forest area and agricultural land area exhibit a significant negative impact, highlighting their mitigating role. Electricity consumption was found to be statistically insignificant. Diagnostic tests confirms the absence of multicollinearity, heteroscedasticity and autocorrelation, validating the model’s reliability. The findings suggest that agricultural intensification significantly contributes to emissions, while land-use management and forest conservation play a crucial role in mitigation. The study provides important policy insights for promoting climate-smart and sustainable agricultural practices.

Assessment of Goat Farmers’ Knowledge on Climate Change and It’s Association with the Socio-economic Variables

A. Vanmathi — 2026-04-01

Climate change has emerged as one of the most pressing global challenges with several stresses on goats impacting them directly and indirectly. The sustainability of goat farming depends on farmer’s knowledge of the changing climate. The current study was conducted to assess the knowledge level of goat farmers’ on climate change and its association with selected socio-economic variables. This study followed a descriptive research design and was carried out in the Cuttack district of Odisha from August to November 2025. A structured interview schedule was used to collect data from 120 goat farmers. The data was analyzed using appropriate statistical analysis. The findings of the study revealed that 100 per cent of the farmers were aware about the changing climate i.e. changes in temperature, rainfall patterns and wind flow. However, only 2.5 per cent of the respondents knew that gases like CO₂, methane and nitrous oxide are responsible for causing climate change. Overall, the majority of the respondents (73.3%) had medium level of knowledge, followed by high (15.0%) and low (11.7%) levels of knowledge. Further analysis revealed that knowledge level on climate change was significantly affected by land holding and access to weather forecast at 1 per cent level of significance, while income from goatery, extension participation and extension contact were significant at 5 per cent level. The study concluded that while goat farmers are generally aware of climate changes, their scientific understanding of climate change remains moderate and is strongly influenced by resource availability and access to information.

Effects of Artisan Work Practices on Health and Environment: A Case Study of Festac Town, Lagos

Osokolo Ekaeteb — 2026-04-01

Artisan work practices are significant contributors to occupational health hazards and environmental degradation in urban areas. This study investigated the health and environmental impacts of artisan activities in Festac Town, Lagos, with the objectives of identifying work-related hazards, documenting associated health effects, and assessing environmental consequences. Then research was conducted between October 2022 and October 2024. A cross-sectional survey of 95 artisans revealed that 46 artisans confirmed work-related ailments, 35 presented possible symptoms, and 14 showed no noticeable ill health from exposures.

Assessments indicated that 32 artisans confirmed acquiring noticeable ailments caused directly by their work materials and or work environment, and 41 confirmed indirectly being impacted by their work. 20 artisans were doubtful as to whether they were impacted directly while, 31 were doubtful as to whether they were impacted indirectly. 43 did not agree that they were directly impacted, and 23 did not agree that they were indirectly impacted at all.

Reflecting variability in occupational risk, observed health effects included excessive skin darkening due to prolonged exposure to direct sunlight. Skin lesions, ocular defects e.g. cataracts, swollen fingertips, alterations in voice quality, musculoskeletal complaints, coughs and dermatological conditions were also prevalent.

Environmental assessments revealed notable anthropogenic impacts such as localized disappearance of flora and fauna in areas where fuel, grease, and various types of liquid and solid wastes were indiscriminately disposed on swampy areas. These findings highlight the dual burden of occupational and environmental hazards associated with artisanal practices.

The study shows urgent need for integrated interventions. Occupational health and safety awareness, provision of personal protective equipment, enforcement of environmental regulations, proper waste management, and adoption of sustainable work practices are essential to mitigate health risks, preserve ecological integrity, promote long-term occupational and environmental sustainability in urban artisan settings. The research provides empirical evidence to inform policy and public health strategies aimed at reducing the adverse effects of artisanal work on both human health and the surrounding environment, ultimately enhancing worker safety and urban ecosystem resilience.

Estimation of Evaporation Losses in Arid Areas: A Case Study of Kailana and Takhatsagar, Jodhpur, Rajasthan, India

R. K. Goyal — 2026-04-02

Kailana and Takhatsagar reservoirs are two key water bodies in Jodhpur, Rajasthan (India), serving as the principal raw water storage sources for the city’s water supply. This study quantifies evaporation losses from these reservoirs and evaluates their implications for water management in an arid environment. Kailana and Takhatsagar have storage capacities of 4.81 Mm³ and 6.52 Mm³, respectively. Their primary source of inflow is the Rajeev Gandhi Lift Canal (RGLC), supplemented by limited runoff from surrounding hills during rainfall events. An evaporation estimation model was developed using relevant meteorological parameters to assess daily evaporation losses. Because evaporation is strongly influenced by the exposed water surface area, depth–area relationships were also established for both reservoirs to improve estimation accuracy. The results indicate pronounced seasonal variability in evaporation, ranging from a minimum of 2.73 mm day⁻¹ in winter to a maximum of 13.76 mm day⁻¹ during summer. At full supply level, the combined average evaporation loss from both reservoirs is approximately 9,733.6 m³ day⁻¹. Recent studies suggest that evaporation from Indian reservoirs has increased by about 5.9% per decade between 1985 and 2018 due to climate change and expanding reservoir surface areas, intensifying water stress in arid regions such as Rajasthan. The model developed in this study provides a practical tool for incorporating evaporation losses into reservoir water budgeting and for supporting long-term water resource planning.

Highlighting Climate Temporal Evolution in Kolda Region's Agricultural Watershed

Vieux Boukhaly Traore — 2026-04-02

In several developing countries, the quest for food sovereignty has sparked considerable interest at the local and regional levels. Food production is heavily dependent on traditional rain-fed agriculture, which is highly sensitive to climatic fluctuations. Understanding climatic cycles in relation to production systems and water resource availability is now the subject of a well-established consensus. This step is essential for any sustainable development project. This study aims to highlight the disruption of the climate through precipitation, temperature, and humidity data from the Kolda station over the period 1960-2014. Our approach is based on a monthly and annual graphical representation of these climatic variables. These variables were chosen because they represent valuable indicators of climate change for both populations and ecosystems. Thus, at the end of the study, the results obtained are consistent and revealing. They have shown that the Kolda region faces climatic challenges, including irregularity, increases, and decreases according to the parameters studied. This situation has led to water scarcity in some areas and increased ecological and social vulnerability. The results obtained provide valuable information to policymakers for developing sustainable watershed management strategies and adapting to climate change. Furthermore, this study serves as a useful resource for future research on the climate resilience of threatened agricultural areas through water resource reassessment and appropriate agricultural planning.

Design and Performance Evaluation of a Solar-powered Boom Sprayer Vehicle for Agricultural Applications

Ashish Pawar — 2026-03-20

The increasing demand for sustainable and cost-effective agricultural technologies has created the need for innovative spraying solutions suitable for small and marginal farmers. This project presents the design, fabrication, and performance evaluation of a Farmer-Friendly Solar-Powered Boom Sprayer Vehicle developed at the College of Technology and Agriculture Engineering, Jodhpur. The system is designed to reduce manual labour, minimize chemical exposure, and eliminate dependence on fossil fuels and battery storage systems. The sprayer operates entirely on real-time solar energy using two 50W solar panels connected in series to supply power to a 24V DC diaphragm pump through a solar charge controller. The vehicle is equipped with a five-nozzle boom system that ensures uniform spray distribution across crop rows, achieving an effective spray width of approximately 1.8 meters. A 30–35 litre storage tank supplies the spraying liquid, providing about 22–25 minutes of continuous operation per refill. Performance testing under sunny field conditions confirmed stable voltage output (36–37V), consistent pump pressure (~80 PSI), and an open flow rate of 1.5 LPM. The system demonstrated the ability to cover approximately 315 m² per tank and nearly one acre within 90 minutes using five refills. Constructed with a lightweight mild steel chassis and repurposed materials, the vehicle is easy to manoeuvre and cost-effective, with an estimated total cost of USD 219.92. The developed system possess a low operating cost as compare to traditional diesel operated sprayers, environmentally friendly with a minimum repair and maintenance.

Agrobiodiversity for Climate Resilience: A Systematic Review of Yield Stability, Pest Regulation, and Nutrition Outcomes

S. P. Jeshwin Giftson — 2026-03-24

Climate change is intensifying production risks in agriculture by amplifying heat, drought, floods, and pest outbreaks. Agrobiodiversity—the deliberate diversification of crops, varieties, rotations, and non-crop habitats—offers a practical adaptation pathway that can stabilise yields while delivering ecosystem services essential for resilient food systems. The review aims to examine how agricultural biodiversity enhances climate resilience by improving yield stability, supporting pest regulation, and boosting nutrition outcomes. This systematic review synthesises recent field evidence from meta-analyses and long-term experiments to evaluate how agrobiodiversity influences three outcomes central to climate adaptation: yield stability, pest and disease regulation, and nutrition. Field-based studies and meta-analyses published between January 2013 and March 2025. We screened studies that report field-based outcomes for diversified practices such as cultivar mixtures, multi-species rotations, intercropping, and landscape elements, including hedgerows and floral strips. Across diverse climates and production systems, diversification generally maintains or increases mean yields and reduces interannual variability, with variety mixtures buffering weather shocks and rotational diversity strengthening resource use efficiency over time. At the same time, field- and landscape-level diversification supports pollination and natural enemy communities, often lowering pest pressure and reducing reliance on broad-spectrum pesticides without compromising yield. Nutrition outcomes show a consistent, context-dependent pattern: greater on-farm production diversity and food-system-level agrobiodiversity are associated with more diverse diets and more stable nutrient availability, particularly where market access is limited or volatile. Mechanistically, three drivers recur: response diversity that spreads climate risk across genotypes and species; functional complementarity that improves nutrient, water, and light capture; and service scaffolding, whereby semi-natural habitat sustains pollinators and natural enemies under warming and land-use change. Effective design emphasises functionally distinct mixtures, legume-inclusive rotations, multi-scale habitat, alignment with integrated pest management, and policies that connect farm diversity to market and diet diversity. Notable trade-offs include management complexity, labour demands, and context dependence, where benefits weaken in highly simplified landscapes. We outline monitoring priorities that pair practice indicators with outcome metrics such as yield variance, pesticide intensity, and biodiversity measures, enabling performance-based incentives. Overall, agrobiodiversity emerges as a no-regrets adaptation strategy that strengthens resilience, sustains productivity, and supports nutrition, while creating co-benefits for ecosystems and livelihoods. This review set out to evaluate whether agrobiodiversity—diversity within crops, among crops, and across landscapes—offers a dependable pathway for climate adaptation in agriculture, with specific attention to yield stability, pest regulation, and nutrition.

Breeding Crops for Climate Resilience: Integrating Conventional and Genomic Approaches

Harshavardhan Mohan Totawar — 2026-03-14

Climate change, primarily caused by rising greenhouse gas concentrations, is causing long-term changes in temperature, precipitation patterns, and extreme weather frequency, with far-reaching implications for agriculture and food security. Recent studies indicate that global staple crop yields have already declined by approximately 1.5% per decade due to climate-related stresses, highlighting the urgency for climate-resilient agricultural systems. Breeding programs must create climate-resilient cultivars in rapidly changing environments, while heat, drought, salinity, and increasing biotic stresses such as pests and diseases pose an increasing threat to crop productivity. Long growth cycles, little genetic diversity, and intricate genotype–environment interactions limit conventional plant breeding, despite its foundational nature. While current techniques like genomics-assisted selection, marker-assisted breeding, speed breeding, and genome editing are accelerating genetic advances, crop wild relatives and pre-breeding remain important sources of novel stress-tolerance genes. By combining these strategies, yield stability under climatic variability is supported and targeted improvements in biotic and abiotic stress tolerance are made possible. Future research must focus on breeding crops with tolerance to multiple simultaneous stresses, supported by high-throughput phenotyping platforms, artificial intelligence, and data-driven breeding approaches to enhance selection efficiency. In addition, strengthening global collaboration, conserving plant genetic resources, and promoting sustainable breeding strategies will be critical for ensuring long-term food security and climate-resilient agricultural systems. The most recent developments in climate-resilient crop breeding techniques are discussed in this review, which also emphasises integrated approaches for sustainable agricultural climate change adaptation.

A Review of Abscisic Acid and Proline-mediated Regulatory Mechanisms in Plant Temperature Stress Tolerance: Molecular, Biochemical and Physiological Insights

Hari Om Tatsad — 2026-03-18

Temperature stress, including both high and low temperatures, has become a major constraint to global agricultural productivity under changing climatic conditions. Increasing temperatures and frequent heat waves adversely affect physiological and biochemical processes in crops such as Indian mustard, leading to reduced photosynthesis, membrane instability, oxidative damage, and ultimately lower yield. Temperature stress also increases reactive oxygen species (ROS) production, which disrupts cellular homeostasis, accelerates reproductive failure, and reduces biomass and oil yield.

Abscisic acid (ABA) plays a central role in regulating plant responses to temperature stress by linking environmental signals with physiological and molecular mechanisms. Stress-induced ABA biosynthesis, particularly through activation of the NCED enzyme, initiates the PYR/PYL–PP2C–SnRK2 signalling pathway, leading to the expression of stress-responsive genes. ABA regulates stomatal closure, enhances antioxidant defence systems, and maintains osmotic balance under adverse temperature conditions.

Proline, an important compatible osmolyte, also contributes significantly to stress tolerance. It protects cellular structures, stabilizes proteins and membranes, and scavenges reactive oxygen species generated during stress. Increased proline accumulation has been frequently associated with thermo-tolerant genotypes, contributing to improved membrane stability and enhanced recovery after stress exposure.

Recent studies suggest a close interaction between ABA signaling and proline metabolism. ABA-mediated pathways stimulate proline biosynthesis and suppress its degradation, creating a regulatory network that helps maintain redox balance and cellular stability under temperature stress.

The literature used in this review was systematically collected from major scientific databases, including Web of Science, Scopus, Google Scholar, and PubMed, using relevant keywords related to ABA, proline metabolism, and temperature stress. Selected peer-reviewed studies were screened for relevance, and only those providing molecular, physiological, and biochemical insights into ABA–proline interactions under temperature stress were included.

Physiological and Biochemical Responses of Mulberry (Morus alba L.) to Elevated CO₂ and Temperature and their Consequences on Silkworm (Bombyx mori L.) Performance

M. N. Chethan — 2026-03-19

Rising atmospheric carbon dioxide concentration and temperature are key components of ongoing climate change and are expected to exert significant influences on mulberry-based sericulture systems. Mulberry (Morus alba L.), a C₃ plant and the sole food source for the silkworm (Bombyx mori L.), responds strongly to elevated CO₂ through enhanced photosynthesis, increased leaf area development, and higher leaf biomass production. However, these quantitative gains are often accompanied by qualitative changes in leaf biochemistry, particularly under combined elevated CO₂ and temperature conditions. Open Top Chamber (OTC) studies conducted under tropical environments, including the Raichur experiment, demonstrate that elevated CO₂ and CO₂ + temperature treatments increase leaf sugars, total carbohydrates, phenols, and tannins, while reducing leaf nitrogen and protein content and increasing the C:N ratio. These biochemical shifts indicate a dilution of nutritional quality despite increased leaf yield. Such changes have important consequences for silkworm nutrition and physiology, as silk protein synthesis depends critically on dietary nitrogen and balanced amino acid supply. Reduced leaf protein and increased secondary metabolites are biologically expected to lower nutritional efficiency, constrain silk gland protein deposition, and induce digestive or oxidative stress, even when larval growth appears unaffected. Warming further intensifies these effects by imposing direct physiological stress on silkworms and indirectly degrading leaf functional quality. Overall, the combined effects of elevated CO₂ and temperature reveal a growing decoupling between mulberry leaf quantity and quality, highlighting the need for integrated evaluation of mulberry–silkworm interactions and adaptive management strategies to sustain sericulture productivity under future climate scenarios.

Participatory Approaches in Natural Resource Management: A Review from a Socio-Economic Perspective

Indu Patel — 2026-03-20

The management of natural resources has become a burning issue with the growing cases of environmental degradation, climatic changes and the lack of livelihoods especially in forest based and rural areas. Participatory methods in natural resources management have also been suggested as an inclusive and sustainable alternative in response to this to focus on the inclusion of local communities in the process of making decisions and governance. This review paper discusses the participatory strategies in natural resource management in socio economic perspective, particularly forestry. By relying on the theoretical frameworks pertaining to common property resources, collective action, and social capital, the paper integrates the findings of national and global research on participatory forestry, community forest management, and community-based natural resources management. This review identifies that participatory model like Joint Forest Management, community forestry and social forestry has been effective in ameliorating forest condition and at the same time enhancing the livelihoods of the rural population. Engagement in forest conservation, forest plantations and collection of non-timber forest products would offer them wages as well as additional income, thus making them less vulnerable in the face of forest-dependent households. The review also highlights how inclusive participation, especially of women and the marginalised makes social equity strong and enhances better governance results. The review finds that participatory methods are a potential channel in attaining sustainable management of natural resources and socio-economic development. It also highlights the existence of a research gap to micro-level and quantitative assess socio-economic outcomes which indicates the necessity of future research(s) combining livelihood analysis with institutional and governance measure.

Avifaunal Diversity, Dynamics and their Significance as a Tool to Assess Habitat Status: A Review

A. V. Srikantha — 2026-03-21

Birds provide essential services for ecological balance by serving as pollinators, seed dispersers, and natural pest controllers, which help maintain the health of ecosystems. Degradation of their habitats, for any reason, would disturb this balance. Every cause of climate change is known to trigger changes in the composition, structure, and function of avian community. The loss and fragmentation of forest habitats leads to decline in bird populations at both micro and macro levels. This review was aimed to identify research studies, whose findings highlight the significance of avifaunal dynamics as a tool to evaluate the health of the habitats and ecosystems. Research outcomes from various field studies carried out across different parts of the world were reviewed. Assessments related to changes in birds’ distribution ranges, diets, nesting behaviours, breeding practices, and habitat occupancy have reflected significant changes in habitat quality. Numerous studies have shown a declining trend in bird populations within forests that are experiencing degradation. These research aid in monitoring habitat degradation and helps in evaluating the effects of climate change. This review revealed that Ecologists worldwide have reached a consensus, based on extensive field experiments, that studying avifaunal diversity and dynamics reflects the status of the habitat and can be an effective tool to assess habitat status.

Economic Valuation of Blue Carbon Ecosystems: Methods, Challenges and Policy Implications

A. A. Zubair — 2026-03-23

Blue carbon ecosystems—mangroves, sea grass meadows, and salt marshes—are exciting nature-based solutions for climate change mitigation and adaptation that offer substantial carbon sequestration potential as well multiple co-benefits. But, because their full value often goes unrecognized in policy and economic decisions, they will continue to degrade. This review synthesizes, evidence on the economic valuation of blue carbon ecosystems in terms of methods used, challenges to valuation and implications for policy. This paper summarizes market-based and non-market valuation approaches (carbon markets, direct use values and revealed as well as stated preference methods) through a literature review. The analysis underscores the immense economic worth of examining these ecosystems, which goes beyond their ability to sequester carbon and includes coastal protection, fisheries enhancement and biodiversity conservation. A set of known valuation challenges is highlighted: the scientific uncertainties surrounding carbon accounting, the complexities involved in monetizing non-market values and various market and financial concerns including price volatility and high transaction costs. The review then delves into the institutional obstacles that includes fragmented policies and insecure tenure rights that can stand in the way of successful blue carbon initiatives. Following up on this analysis, the paper ends with recommendations for moving forward and calls to action — including our collective need to include blue carbon in national and international policy frameworks, harmonize financial mechanisms through new and innovative instruments such as blue bonds and debt-for-nature swaps, and advance governance strategies that are inclusive of stakeholder voices. This review highlights the pressing need to move towards a more holistic, integrated and practical approach for valuation and management of blue carbon ecosystems in order to maximize their potential contributions to sustainable development and climate action.

Connecting Generations for Climate Justice: Intergenerational Learning in Inclusive Environmental Education

Venetia D. Nikita — 2026-03-23

Environmental education (EE) in various age groups uses a variety of learning strategies to promote ecological literacy that fosters climate justice towards present and future generations. However, educational policy insufficiently addresses reciprocal cross-generation learning dynamics in shaping environmental attitudes and behaviors. This review focused on the impact of intergenerational learning (IGL) strategies used in EE that promote climate intergenerational justice. The review aimed to understand how multi-age, cross-generational gender-diverse collaboration can transform climate equity perceptions and promote inclusive education. The Scopus and the ScienceDirect academic databases were used for a bibliographic qualiquantitative research. A total of 52 multidisciplinary peer-reviewed open access articles from diverse global regions published between January 2015 to January 2025 were retrieved. The non-invasive, non-linear content analysis used coding categories that included IGL processes, education equity outcomes, justice frameworks, contextual variables, and policy contexts. Findings showed that IGL functioned as a bidirectional transmission process of environmental knowledge and behaviors. When employed, IGL strategies promoted self-efficacy, empathy and solidarity and fostered a stronger commitment to inclusive practices across age groups. Findings underscored the link between the sustainability of IGL and social identities, such as age, gender, race, socioeconomic status, as well as indigenous knowledge integration, and institutional support. There is also need for longitudinal research regarding IGL and sustained behavior change, as well as policy engagement. Implications for educators include curriculum design that incorporates intergenerational dialogue, participatory projects, and community-based learning experiences. For policymakers, integrating IGL into climate education frameworks can strengthen civic engagement and enhance policy legitimacy across generations.

Climate Change Impacts on Sericulture: Evidence from Mulberry Physiology, Silkworm Biology and Northeast Indian Muga Ecosystems

Ashish S. Karur — 2026-03-25

Climate change has emerged as a major driver of agro-ecological instability, influencing temperature regimes, atmospheric carbon dioxide concentrations, precipitation patterns, and the frequency of extreme climatic events. This review aims to synthesize current knowledge on the impacts of climate change on sericulture, with particular emphasis on mulberry physiology, silkworm biology, and the vulnerability of non-mulberry silk ecosystems in Northeast India. These environmental changes pose significant challenges to sericulture, a climate-sensitive agro-based industry that depends on the complex interaction between host plant physiology and silkworm biology. Mulberry (Morus spp.), the primary host plant of the domesticated silkworm (Bombyx mori), follows the C3 photosynthetic pathway and is therefore highly sensitive to variations in temperature and moisture availability. Rising temperatures and altered carbon dioxide dynamics influence photosynthesis, transpiration, and leaf nutritional quality, which directly affect silkworm growth, development, and silk productivity. Silkworms, being poikilothermic organisms, exhibit strong sensitivity to environmental fluctuations throughout their life cycle, and deviations from optimal temperature and humidity conditions can lead to reduced cocoon weight, lower shell ratio, and increased susceptibility to diseases.

Climate variability also affects cocoon morphology and silk fiber properties, thereby reducing reeling efficiency and market value. Evidence from Northeast India further demonstrates the vulnerability of non-mulberry sericulture systems, particularly muga silk production in Assam, where rising temperatures, recurrent flooding, and host plant degradation have disrupted traditional rearing practices and reduced productivity. The review also highlights key adaptation and mitigation strategies, including the development of climate-resilient mulberry varieties, stress-tolerant silkworm breeds, improved rearing technologies, and adaptive management practices to sustain sericulture under changing climatic conditions.

Resource Conservation Technologies in Sustainable Crop Production: A Review

M. Suguna Devakumari — 2026-03-25

In modern times, traditional farming methods are unsustainable and negatively impact the environment. Environmental deterioration mostly manifests as nutrient depletion in many emerging nations, which lowers the capacity for food production. Resource conservation technologies (RCTs) adoption and resource efficiency are challenges. Conservation agriculture refers to cropping systems that boost biodiversity, maintain a permanent soil cover, minimize soil disturbance, diversify crop species, and promote natural biological processes both above and below the soil. The four guiding concepts of conservation agriculture are reducing mechanical soil disturbance and immediately planting tillled soil, which enhances soil health and organic matter content; utilizing crop waste and cover crops to increase soil organic matter. This protects the soil's surface, preserves water and nutrients, and encourages soil biological activity; crop diversification in associations, sequences, and rotations to improve system resilience, which in turn lowers tillage and retention by disrupting pest and disease cycles; and controlled traffic that loosens soil compaction. Reduced tillage, residue management, laser land leveling, site-specific nutrient management, and other techniques are examples of these RCTs. By reducing the consumption of fossil fuels, these technical elements also contribute significantly to the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions. In order to attain intensive and sustainable crop production in various agro-ecological situations, these new technologies must be adopted under a diversified cropping system.

Enhancing Horticultural Crop Resilience: Integrating Physiology, Breeding and Management under Climate Change

Shivaji Kallappa Duradundi — 2026-03-27

Horticultural crops—encompassing vegetables, fruits, ornamentals, and condiment species—constitute an indispensable pillar of global food security, human nutrition, and smallholder livelihoods worldwide. Yet these crops remain acutely vulnerable to the multifarious stressors engendered by contemporary climate change, including progressively higher ambient temperatures, increasingly erratic precipitation regimes, elevated atmospheric CO₂ concentrations, and a rising frequency of extreme meteorological events. This review synthesises the current scientific understanding of how these climatic drivers impair fundamental physiological processes in horticultural crops, with particular attention to heat stress, drought, combined abiotic stress interactions, and the modulating influence of elevated CO₂. A systematic approach was adopted to identify, screen, and select literature for this review. Primary searches were conducted in Web of Science, Scopus, Google Scholar, and PubMed. The primary date range for literature retrieval was January 2000 to March 2026, although seminal foundational papers published prior to 2000 were also included where they provide indispensable conceptual grounding. The review further evaluates the spectrum of breeding strategies—ranging from classical phenotypic selection and marker-assisted breeding to genomic selection and precision genome editing—that have been deployed or show considerable promise for engineering durable climate resilience in horticultural species. In parallel, agronomic and management interventions, encompassing deficit irrigation, soil health stewardship, protected cultivation systems, and crop diversification, are assessed within the broader framework of sustainable intensification. The article advances the central argument that lasting solutions to climate-induced vulnerability in horticulture can only emerge from the deliberate, systems-level integration of physiological knowledge, genetic improvement programmes, and context-sensitive agronomic management. Such integrated frameworks, supported by digital agriculture platforms, precision sensing technologies, and sustained cross-disciplinary collaboration, are essential for securing the productivity, quality, and nutritional integrity of horticultural value chains in a rapidly warming world.

Climate Change and Agriculture: A Review of Drivers, Impacts, Mitigation, and Adaptation Strategies

Sreenanda S. Anand — 2026-03-28

Climate change poses a major global challenge with significant implications for agricultural systems, food security, and rural livelihoods. Agriculture contributes to greenhouse gas emissions while remaining highly vulnerable to climatic variability. Rising temperatures, erratic rainfall patterns, and increasing frequency of extreme events adversely affect crop productivity, soil health, water resources, and livestock systems. A comprehensive synthesis of existing literature highlights the key drivers of climate change and evaluates their impacts on agriculture across multiple dimensions. The analysis further examines mitigation and adaptation strategies, including crop diversification, agroforestry, sustainable soil and water management, precision agriculture, and bio-based approaches, which enhance resilience while reducing environmental impacts. Despite these advances, challenges remain in integrating technological innovations, strengthening policy frameworks, and ensuring effective implementation at the local level. The study also identifies critical research gaps and emphasizes the need for context-specific and scalable solutions. Strengthening climate-resilient agricultural systems is essential for achieving long-term sustainability and meeting the objectives of Sustainable Development Goal 13 (Climate Action).

Harmful Algal Blooms in Indian Lakes: Causes, Effects and Community-level Management

Bhautik D. Savaliya — 2026-04-02

Harmful Algal Blooms (HABs) represent a critical environmental, public health, and socio-economic challenge for freshwater ecosystems across India. Driven primarily by anthropogenic nutrient loading, climate change, and altered hydrological regimes, the proliferation of toxic phytoplankton, particularly cyanobacteria, severely degrades lake water quality. This comprehensive analysis explores the multifaceted causes, profound ecological impacts, and localized management strategies for HABs in the context of Indian lakes, such as Dal Lake, Vembanad Lake, Hussain Sagar, and Chilika Lake. Eutrophication, fueled by untreated municipal sewage, industrial effluents, and agricultural runoff laden with nitrogen (NO₃^-) and phosphorus (PO₄³^-), provides the primary catalyst for explosive algal growth. Consequently, these blooms lead to severe hypoxia, devastating fish kills, and the disruption of complex aquatic food webs. Furthermore, the secretion of potent cyanotoxins, including microcystins and saxitoxins, poses acute health risks to communities relying on these water bodies for drinking, agriculture, and recreation. Given the vast geographical and cultural diversity of India, centralized top-down management approaches often fall short. Therefore, this study emphasizes the necessity of community-level management interventions. By integrating traditional ecological knowledge, low-cost bioremediation techniques like floating wetlands, and active citizen science for early warning monitoring, local populations can effectively mitigate bloom impacts. This paper provides an in-depth synthesis of current research, emphasizing that sustainable lake conservation in India requires a localized, community-driven framework supported by stringent nutrient management policies and continuous scientific monitoring.