Search Results (539)

This study aimed to investigate the effects of r-type exopolysaccharides (EPSs) produced by the symbiotic bacteria Rhizobium tropici on soil aggregate formation and stability in loess sandy soil and to elucidate the independent and synergistic roles of EPSs in soil structure development. Experiments were conducted under both sterile and non-sterile soil conditions to distinguish the direct effects of EPSs from their interactions with indigenous soil microorganisms. Soil samples were treated with varying concentrations of EPSs and compared with untreated controls after undergoing a simulated weathering process. Aggregates were classified into four size fractions: <53 μm, 53–250 μm, 250–2000 μm, and 2000–5000 μm. Aggregate distribution and soil stability indicators, including the percentage of water-stable aggregates larger than 0.25 mm, mean weight diameter (MWD), geometric mean diameter (GMD), and fractal dimension (D), were analyzed. EPS application significantly promoted the formation of larger soil aggregates (>53 μm), with approximately 80% increases in the number of aggregates in the 53–250 μm and 2000–5000 μm fractions compared to the control. Soil stability was markedly enhanced, with a 41.7% increase in >0.25 mm water-stable aggregates, a 36.4% rise in MWD, and a 0.3% increase in GMD. The D decreased by 1.2% under 0.2‰ EPS treatment, indicating a more ordered soil structure. EPSs play a key role in promoting soil aggregate formation and enhancing soil stability. While microbial presence has a limited short-term effect on aggregation, the synergistic interaction between microorganisms and EPSs over time significantly enhances soil stability. This study provides new insights into understanding the independent and synergistic roles of EPSs in soil structure formation. Full article

Food security and income generation remain a critical issue for small-scale farming households in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) due to population growth, climate change, and market instability. Indigenous leafy vegetables (ILVs) offer high nutritional value and have the capability to mitigate food insecurity but are underutilized due to social stigma. This review aims to systematically analyze the food and income contribution of cultivation and utilization of ILVs by small-scale farming households in Sub-Saharan Africa. This review analyses the literature on the role of ILV cultivation in enhancing food security and household income over the past two decades. A systematic search across five databases was conducted and identified 53 relevant studies. Findings indicate that ILVs contribute significantly to household nutrition and income through consumption and surplus sales. However, ILV cultivation faces barriers such as climate change, pest infestations, land degradation, water scarcity, insecure land tenure, limited agricultural training, poor communication networks, and restricted market access. Policy interventions are necessary to support small-scale farmers in ILV cultivation by providing agricultural extension services, promoting sustainable farming practices, and integrating ILVs into food security strategies. Further research should examine policy frameworks and supply chain mechanisms to enhance farmer participation and economic benefits from ILV production. Full article

The Indigenous community of San Antonio Cacalotepec, located in the region of Cholula in central Mexico, has been an active witness to territorial dispossession at the hands of powerful real estate capital. This small territory—where clean water once flowed, milpas and nopales were cultivated, and Nahuatl was the everyday language—has now become the epicenter of predatory capitalism, manifested in gated communities, commercial zones, and exclusive residential developments. As a result, the original settlement and its small landholders have been segregated and excluded from the promises of modernity and progress. Nevertheless, in this last enclave, where traces of Nahuatl can still be heard, an Indigenous awareness has emerged, reclaiming identity and the right to continue naming the territory that has been lost as their own. Within this context, fieldwork carried out by the co-research group Colectiva Hilando Territorios has led to a series of community workshops with women from San Antonio Cacalotepec, together with architecture and anthropology students from Universidad de las Américas Puebla. These workshops mapped how Cacalotepec looked before massive urbanization and documented the toponyms in the Nahuatl language. The aim has been to make visible the memory of a living territory that persists, and that, despite the sale of exclusive, car-oriented commercial and residential spaces, is continually re-signified by the community as part of its identity and collective belonging in the face of dispossession. Full article

This study presents the first comprehensive assessment of microalgal diversity in two Slovenian transitional waters (TWs): the shallow brackish lagoon of the Škocjanski Zatok Nature Reserve (SZNR) and the Rižana River estuary within the Port of Koper (PK) area. Between 2018 and 2021, water samples collected with a phytoplankton net were analyzed using light and scanning electron microscopy. In total, 240 species from 117 genera were identified in TW, dominated by diatoms and dinoflagellates, surpassing the diversity at a marine coastal station (91 species, 59 genera). Species richness was higher in PK (226) than in SZNR (154), mainly due to dinoflagellates and coccolithophores. Marine taxa predominated along the salinity gradient, with moderate contributions from brackish taxa and few freshwater forms, reflecting both natural and anthropogenic influences. Planktonic taxa dominated at all sites, while benthic forms were abundant in the lagoon, particularly in spring. Thirty-two taxa were recorded for the first time in Slovenian TW, mostly benthic or tychopelagic diatoms. The detection of Coolia monotis and five cyanobacterial genera with potentially harmful traits highlights the role of TW as an ecological interface. The taxonomic sufficiency analysis showed that the order level is sufficient to distinguish transitional from marine assemblages, beyond which ecological information is lost. Overall, this study highlights the importance of detailed taxonomic resolution for detecting microalgal diversity, including harmful and non-indigenous species to ensure robust ecological assessments under the WFD and MSFD directives. Full article

Schools situated in indigenous territories have historically replicated Western Eurocentric spatial models, often excluding local cultural knowledge and practices. This exclusion has impacted students’ emotional well-being, learning quality, and the contextual relevance of pedagogical approaches. This study aims to explores the socio-ecological context of school spaces in Mapuche territories in La Araucanía, Chile, and examines how teachers perceive these spaces and their influence on emotional regulation and learning. Using a qualitative multi-case study design, data were collected from three schools in Cholchol, Nueva Imperial, and Toltén through land cover/use mapping within a 3 km radius and semi-structured interviews with 15 teachers. Analysis was conducted using constructivist grounded theory. The findings reveal that schools are embedded in landscapes comprising agricultural zones, water bodies, monoculture plantations, and nearby Mapuche communities. Teachers conceptualize school spaces beyond physical infrastructure, recognizing socio-ecological and cultural dimensions. However, school design remains predominantly Western and monocultural, with limited integration of Mapuche spiritual and territorial elements. The main contribution of this research is to provide empirical evidence that strengthening the connection between school spaces and their biocultural context can enhance students’ sense of belonging, emotional regulation, and learning. This study advances the topic by highlighting the critical role of teachers’ perceptions and the socio-ecological context in the design of intercultural and sustainable schools, offering a concrete framework for overcoming regulatory and architectural limitations that continue to impede the implementation of inclusive public policies in indigenous educational settings. Full article

This study aims to investigate hydrogeochemical characteristics and groundwater quality in the Bashang Area in Chengde and to discuss factors controlling the groundwater quality. A total of 91 groundwater samples were collected and a fuzzy synthetic evaluation (FSE) method was used for assessing groundwater quality. Results show the groundwater chemistry in the study area is predominantly characterized by HCO₃⁻-Ca type waters. Rock weathering processes dominate the hydrogeochemical processes within the study area, while also being influenced by evaporation and concentration effects. The results of the fuzzy evaluation indicate that 94.5% of groundwater samples are of good quality and suitable for drinking (Classes I, II, and III), while 5.5% are of poor quality and unsuitable for drinking (Class IV). Among these, bedrock fissure water exhibited superior quality. Within clastic rock pore water, elevated levels of NO₃⁻ and F⁻ ions were observed in certain localized areas. The exceedance of NO₃⁻ concentrations stems from agricultural expansion, where the application of nitrogen fertilizers constitutes the primary driver of local nitrate pollution. Excessive F⁻ levels correlate with the region’s indigenous geological background. Fluoride-bearing minerals such as fluorite and biotite are widely distributed throughout the study area. Intensive evaporation concentrates groundwater, while the region’s slow groundwater flow facilitates the accumulation and enrichment of F⁻ within aquifers. Full article

The aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of a synthetic microbial consortium (SMC) containing five functionally different bacterial strains (Rahnella aquatilis, Rothia endophytica, Stenotrophomonas indicatrix, Burkholderia contaminans, Lelliotia amnigena) on the growth and development of three agricultural crops (wheat, buckwheat, and rapeseed) on two soil types (chernozem and gray forest soil) under field conditions. The experiment was conducted from June to September 2024 under extreme field conditions, with temperatures reaching 43.8 °C. This study evaluates SMC efficacy under severe abiotic stress, reflecting increasingly common climate extremes. Metagenomic data analysis showed that the introduced strains did not establish stable populations in the soil, possibly due to heat-induced bacterial mortality, though other factors including competition with indigenous microflora and lack of protective formulations may have also contributed. No statistically significant effects on plant morphometric parameters were observed. The extreme temperature and water stress conditions appear to have been the dominant limiting factors, overriding any potential benefits from microbial inoculation, as evidenced by the lack of response to mineral fertilizer application as well. Crop-specific effects were revealed: when cultivating rapeseed on chernozem, a significant increase in available phosphorus content was noted (from 278 ± 45 to 638 ± 92 mg/kg with SMC application, p < 0.001). Full article

In order to explore the co-evolutionary relationship between the functions of microbial communities and the chemical composition of groundwater in a hyporheic zone affected by groundwater exploitation along riverbank, we have taken the Huangjia water source area on the Liao River main stream in Shenyang as an example. DNA was extracted from microorganisms in the hyporheic zone affected by groundwater exploitation along the riverbank, and we conducted high-throughput sequencing to select the dominant bacterial strains from the indigenous bacteria. They are classified as the Proteobacteria phylum, the Actinobacteria phylum, the Firmicutes phylum, the Bacteroidetes phylum, the Chloroflexi phylum, and the Acidobacteria phylum. The dominant bacteria have a good correlation with Fe, Mn, and environmental factors (such as DO—dissolved oxygen, Eh—oxidation-reduction potential, etc.) in the hyporheic zone. The functions and activities of the superior bacterial strains exhibit a feature of co-evolution with the water’s chemical environment, which has certain response characteristics to redox zoning. Studying the co-evolution relationship between the microbial community structure and function in the hyporheic zone and the chemical composition of the groundwater can provide a microbiological theoretical basis for the redox zonation. It also offers reference for understanding the process of Fe and Mn migration and transformation in the hyporheic zone under the hydrodynamic conditions of groundwater exploitation along the riverbank. Full article

Building resilient and sustainable food production systems is a major challenge in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) due to environmental, climatic, and economic pressures. Farmers in the region must adopt effective adaptation strategies to maintain productivity and contribute toward achieving the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goal 2, “Zero Hunger.” Among these, water scarcity adaptation strategies are critical for building resilient food systems that also address poverty reduction. However, various obstacles hinder their widespread adoption, and documentation on these strategies remains fragmented. This paper examines available water scarcity adaptation strategies, the opportunities and challenges faced by farmers, and the policy and infrastructure implications for sustainable food production. The findings highlight the essential role of Indigenous Knowledge Systems (IKS) in adopting these strategies. IKS supports natural resource conservation, promotes inclusive market participation, strengthens institutional frameworks, and improves resource-use efficiency under climate stress. The paper recommends further research on transferring Indigenous Knowledge to future generations and exploring the role of policy in preserving and promoting IKS, especially within the SSA context. Emphasizing Indigenous Knowledge is crucial for creating sustainable, resilient agricultural systems that can thrive amid the region’s growing environmental challenges. Full article

This study discusses the unique features of the rural park Parque Rural del Nublo (Gran Canaria) that resulted in the designation of this site as UNESCO’s Biosphere Reserve. Due to its indigenous flora and fauna, its mild climate and its farming lands, this park is considered as an outdoor “sustainable research laboratory”. This paper describes the main features (source, denomination, classification, municipality, year of declaration and hydro-chemical facies) of some of the many groundwater springs found in the park. The quality of the drinking water obtained from the spring “El Molinillo”, located in the basin of the municipality of Tejeda, is analysed by assessing its organoleptic, physico-chemical, chemical and bacteriological properties. Considering that it is described as “natural mineral water”, based on the taxonomy for mineral–medicinal waters, the water from “El Molinillo” is classified as hypothermal, alkaline and very soft water, with a low conductivity, a very weak mineralisation and a significant silica content. The water especially contains the following ions: bicarbonate, chloride, magnesium and calcium. The paper describes several pharmacological effects and therapeutic indications attributed to this water, analysing the impact of its silica content on human and plant health. The paper concludes that the park should be permanently protected as a World Heritage Site, and the water obtained from “El Molinillo” is classified as “drinking water”, “natural mineral water” and “mineral–medicinal water”. Full article

Andean high-altitude ecosystems are critical to sustaining biodiversity, agriculture, and the livelihoods of indigenous populations. However, accelerating glacier retreat, irregular precipitation, and intensive water use have exacerbated ecosystem degradation and water insecurity. This study conducts a scoping review (PRISMA-ScR) of peer-reviewed and grey literature (2000–2025) to examine how water footprint (WF) management through its blue, green, and gray components can be operationalized within an Integrated Water Resource Management (IWRM) and Human Rights-Based Approach (HRBA) to ensure equitable access and ecological sustainability in the Andes. Quantitative synthesis from 72 sources shows that agricultural withdrawals account for over 78% of total blue-water use, while glacier-fed runoff has declined by 32% over the past two decades. Empirical evidence from Peru, Ecuador, and Bolivia demonstrates that integrating indigenous irrigation systems with modern efficiency technologies reduces consumptive water use by up to 25% and enhances wetland biodiversity indices by 15–20%. These findings support the development of an Integrated Water-Biodiversity-Rights Framework (IWBRF) that links WF indicators (WFAM and ISO 14046) with ecosystem integrity and social equity metrics. The study advances theory by clarifying how WF indicators inform rather than replace IWRM and HRBA decision processes, offering a practical model for achieving water justice, biodiversity protection, and climate resilience in fragile Andean ecosystems. Full article

This study investigated a plasma-sonic treatment that combines plasma-activated water (PAW) and ultrasound (US) as an alternative to conventional sodium hypochlorite (NaOCl), which may leave harmful chlorine residues and generate toxic by-products in fresh produce. The treatment was applied to kale to evaluate its decontamination efficiency and storage stability during 7 days at 4 °C. PAW was generated at 52 W and 14.4 kHz for 624 s, and US was applied at 20 kHz and 250 W for 624 s. The plasma-sonic treatment achieved microbial inactivation of indigenous bacteria by 3.2 log CFU/g, which is comparable to the 3.0 log CFU/g reduction achieved by NaOCl treatment. Moreover, the plasma-sonic treatment group exhibited the highest initial moisture content (89.42%) and maintained higher firmness during storage than the NaOCl-washed and untreated groups. Collectively, these findings indicate that the combined PAW and US washing method constitutes a promising non-chlorine-based intervention that enhances microbial stability while maintaining the physicochemical quality of fresh leafy vegetables. Full article

Representatives of the family Moinidae (Crustacea: Cladocera) are well-adapted to life in temporary waters. Different species are characteristic of the Arid Belt of Eurasia. We aimed to compare the moinid species composition and genetic diversity found in Djibouti (with extreme and uniform environments) with neighboring Ethiopia (a relatively large country with diverse environmental conditions). Any cladocerans were found in only four localities in Djibouti from Ecoregion 527 (Western Red Sea Drainages) according to Abell et al. (2008). The moinids belonged to two taxa: M. cf. micrura and M. heilongjiangensis. In Ethiopia, moinids were found in 28 water bodies from four other Ecoregions (522, 525, 526 and 528). They belonged to M. micrura and M. belli. A genetic study based on full mitogenomes, sequences of the mitochondrial COI and nuclear ITS1 loci demonstrated that M. micrura from Djibouti and Ethiopia belong to distant lineages. Our genetic analysis revealed a very contrasting moinid fauna in two neighboring countries of the African Horn: there was no single haplotype, clade or even species sharing these territories. We have revealed unexpectedly small genetic distances between Chinese (type locality) and Djiboutian populations of M. heilongjiangensis; the question of the invasive status of the latter could therefore be raised. Moreover, the status of M. micrura populations from the Rift Valley also needs to be checked; they could be non-indigenous, as they belong to “European” M. micrura s. str. Finally, we have demonstrated that M. cf. micrura is not a monophyletic clade. Full article

The presented work is a logical continuation of the study of the chemical composition of the Lovozero district waters (the Kola Peninsula, Russia), an area inhabited by indigenous populations. The problem was posed due to the discovery of rare earth elements in drinking water in the Lovozero district (the Krasnoshchelye village). For monitoring, inductively coupled plasma was used, and the “water–rock” interaction was studied using “Selector” software. The results showed the Western Keivy Massif influence on the chemical composition of natural waters, which are used for drinking purposes for humans and animals. The interaction of water with magmatic rocks such as gabbro and subalkaline granites also leads to the formation of some major cations, anions, and heavy metals. Li, Sr, Y, La, and Ce concentrations are higher than in the Central’niy water intake located within the Khibiny Massif. The results of the modeling demonstrate the high migration capabilities of rare earth elements. The presence of rare elements and REEs in drinking surface and groundwaters, if consumed on a regular basis, can cause diseases of the nervous system and other organs. Full article

This article examines the effects of climate change on the 32 million inhabitants of the Megalopolis of Central Mexico (MCM), which is threatened by chaotic urbanization, land-use changes, the deforestation of the Forest of Water by organized crime, unsustainable agriculture, and biodiversity loss. Expensive hydraulic management extracting water from deep aquifers, long pipes exploiting water from neighboring states, and sewage discharged outside the endorheic basin result in expensive pumping costs and air pollution. This mismanagement has increased water scarcity. The overexploitation of aquifers and the pollution by toxic industrial and domestic sewage mixed with rainfall has increased the ground subsidence, damaging urban infrastructure and flooding marginal neighborhoods with toxic sewage. A system approach, satellite data, and participative research methodology were used to explore potential water scarcity and weakened water security for 32 million inhabitants. An alternative nature-based approach involves recovering the Forest of Water (FW) with IWRM, including the management of Natural Protected Areas, the rainfall recharge of aquifers, and cleaning domestic sewage inside the valley where the MCM is found. This involves recovering groundwater, reducing the overexploitation of aquifers, and limiting floods. Citizen participation in treating domestic wastewater with eco-techniques, rainfall collection, and purification filters improves water availability, while the greening of urban areas limits the risk of climate disasters. The government is repairing the broken drinking water supply and drainage systems affected by multiple earthquakes. Adaptation to water scarcity and climate risks requires the recognition of unpaid female domestic activities and the role of indigenous people in protecting the Forest of Water with the involvement of three state authorities. A digital platform for water security, urban planning, citizen audits against water authority corruption, and aquifer recharge through nature-based solutions provided by the System of Natural Protected Areas, Biological and Hydrological Corridors [SAMBA] are improving livelihoods for the MCM’s inhabitants and marginal neighborhoods, with greater equity and safety. Full article