Search Results (2,183)

As agricultural land continues to expand, the conversion of forests to farmland has intensified, significantly altering the structure and function of agroecosystems. However, the dynamic ecological responses and their interactions with economic outcomes remain insufficiently modeled. This study proposes an integrated framework that combines a dynamic food web model with the Eco-Economic Benefit and Sustainability (EEBS) model, utilizing empirical data from Brazil and Ghana. A system of ordinary differential equations solved using the fourth-order Runge–Kutta method was employed to simulate species interactions and energy flows under various land management strategies. Reintroducing key species (e.g., the seven-spot ladybird and ragweed) improved ecosystem stability to over 90%, with soil fertility recovery reaching 95%. In herbicide-free scenarios, introducing natural predators such as bats and birds mitigated disturbances and promoted ecological balance. Using XGBoost (Extreme Gradient Boosting) to analyze 200-day community dynamics, pest control, resource allocation, and chemical disturbance were identified as dominant drivers. EEBS-based multi-scenario optimization revealed that organic farming achieves the highest alignment between ecological restoration and economic benefits. The model demonstrated strong predictive power ($R^2$ = 0.9619, RMSE = 0.0330), offering a quantitative basis for green agricultural transitions and sustainable agroecosystem management. Full article

Heat stress in dairy cows, caused by high temperature and humidity during summer, has led to significant declines in milk production and severe economic losses for farms. Exosomes—extracellular vesicles carrying bioactive molecules—are critical for intercellular communication and immunity but remain understudied in heat-stressed Holstein cows. In this study, we extracted exosomes from three heat-stressed (HS) cows and three non-heat-stressed (Ctr) cows and employed proteomics to analyze plasma exosomes. We identified a total of 28 upregulated and 18 downregulated proteins in the HS group compared to the control group. Notably, we observed a significant upregulation of key protein groups, including cytoskeletal regulators, signaling mediators, and coagulation factors, alongside the downregulation of HP-25_1. These differentially expressed proteins demonstrate strong potential as heat stress biomarkers. GO and KEGG analyses linked the differentially expressed proteins to actin cytoskeleton regulation and endoplasmic reticulum pathways. Additionally, protein–protein interaction (PPI) analysis revealed the PI3K-Akt signaling pathway as a central node in the cellular response to heat stress. These findings establish plasma exosomes as valuable biospecimens, provide valuable insights into the molecular mechanisms of heat stress response, and may contribute to the development of precision breeding strategies for enhanced thermal resilience in dairy herds. Full article

Implementing nature-based solutions (NbSs) for wildfire risk management and other hazards has been challenging in emerging economies due to the high costs, the lack of immediate returns on investment, and stringent inclusion criteria set by organizations like the IUCN and domain experts. To address these challenges, this exploratory study proposes a new concept: green/blue initiatives. These initiatives represent intermediate steps, encompassing small-scale, community-driven activities that can evolve into recognized NbSs over time. To explore this concept, experiences related to wildfire prevention in the Biobío region of Chile were analyzed through primary and secondary source reviews. The analysis identified three initiatives qualifying as green/blue initiatives: (1) goat grazing in Santa Juana to reduce fuel loads, (2) a restoration prevention farm model in Florida called Faro de Restauración Mahuidanche and (3) the Conservation Landscape Strategy in Nonguén. They were examined in detail using data collected from site visits and interviews. In contrast to Chile’s prevailing wildfire policies, which focus on costly, large-scale fire suppression efforts, these initiatives emphasize the importance of reframing wildfire as a manageable ecological process. Lastly, the challenges and enabling factors for adopting green/blue initiatives are discussed, highlighting their potential to pave the way for future NbS implementation in central Chile. Full article

To explore the characteristics of species diversity and phylogenetic diversity, as well as the dominant processes of community construction, in different forest types (deciduous broad-leaved forest, mixed coniferous and broad-leaved forest, and Chinese fir plantation) in subtropical regions, analyze the specific driving patterns of soil nutrients and other environmental factors on the formation of forest diversity in different forest types, and clarify the differences in response to environmental heterogeneity between natural forests and plantation forests. Based on 48 fixed monitoring plots of 50 m × 50 m in Shouchang Forest Farm, Jiande City, Zhejiang Province, woody plants with a diameter at breast height ≥5 cm were investigated. Species diversity indices (Margalef index, Shannon–Wiener index, Simpson index, and Pielou index), phylogenetic structure index (PD), and environmental factors were used to analyze the relationship between diversity characteristics and environmental factors through variance analysis, correlation analysis, and generalized linear models. Phylogenetic structural indices (NRI and NTI) were used, combined with a random zero model, to explore the mechanisms of community construction in different forest types. Research has found that (1) the deciduous broad-leaved forest had the highest species diversity (Margalef index of 4.121 ± 1.425) and phylogenetic diversity (PD index of 21.265 ± 7.796), significantly higher than the mixed coniferous and broad-leaved forest and the Chinese fir plantation (p < 0.05); (2) there is a significant positive correlation between species richness and phylogenetic diversity, with the best fit being AIC = 70.5636 and R² = 0.9419 in broad-leaved forests; however, the contribution of evenness is limited; (3) the specific effects of soil factors on different forest types: available phosphorus (AP) is negatively correlated with the diversity of deciduous broad-leaved forests (p < 0.05), total phosphorus (TP) promotes the diversity of coniferous and broad-leaved mixed forests, while the diversity of Chinese fir plantations is significantly negatively correlated with total nitrogen (TN); (4) the phylogenetic structure of three different forest types shows a divergent pattern in deciduous broad-leaved forests, indicating that competition and exclusion dominate the construction of deciduous broad-leaved forests; the aggregation mode of Chinese fir plantation indicates that environmental filtering dominates the construction of Chinese fir plantation; the mixed coniferous and broad-leaved forest is a transitional model, indicating that the mixed coniferous and broad-leaved forest is influenced by both stochastic processes and ecological niche processes. In different forest types in subtropical regions, the species and phylogenetic diversity of broad-leaved forests is significantly higher than in other forest types. The impact of soil nutrients on the diversity of different forest types varies, and the characteristics of community construction in different forest types are also different. This indicates the importance of protecting the original vegetation and provides a scientific basis for improving the ecological function of artificial forest ecosystems through structural adjustment. The research results have important practical guidance value for sustainable forest management and biodiversity conservation in the region. Full article

Increased food production demands, labor shortages, and environmental concerns are driving the need for innovative agricultural technologies. However, effective adoption depends critically on aligning robot innovations with the needs of farmers. This paper examines the alignment between the needs of farmers and the robotic systems used in row crop farming. We review current commercial agricultural robots and research, and map these to the needs of farmers, as expressed in the literature, to identify the key issues holding back large-scale adoption. From initial pool of 184 research articles, 19 survey articles, and 82 commercial robotic solutions, we selected 38 peer-reviewed academic studies, 12 survey articles, and 18 commercially available robots for in-depth review and analysis for this study. We identify the key challenges faced by farmers and map them directly to the current and emerging capabilities of agricultural robots. We supplement the data gathered from the literature review of surveys and case studies with in-depth interviews with nine farmers to obtain deeper insights into the needs and day-to-day operations. Farmers reported mixed reactions to current technologies, acknowledging efficiency improvements but highlighting barriers such as capital costs, technical complexity, and inadequate support systems. There is a notable demand for technologies for improved plant health monitoring, soil condition assessment, and enhanced climate resilience. We then review state-of-the-art robotic solutions for row crop farming and map these technological capabilities to the farmers’ needs. Only technologies with field validation or operational deployment are included, to ensure practical relevance. These mappings generate insights that underscore the need for lightweight and modular robot technologies that can be adapted to diverse farming practices, as well as the need for farmers’ education and simpler interfaces to robotic operations and data analysis that are actionable for farmers. We conclude with recommendations for future research, emphasizing the importance of co-creation with the farming community to ensure the adoption and sustained use of agricultural robotic solutions. Full article

Enhancing farmers’ digital literacy is both an inevitable requirement for adapting to the digital age and an important measure for promoting the sustainable development of livestock and poultry manure resource utilization. This study surveyed and obtained data from 1047 farm households in Ningxia and Gansu, two provinces in China that have long implemented livestock manure resource utilization policies, from December 2023 to January 2024, and employed the binary probit model to analyze how digital literacy influences farmers’ willingness to adopt two livestock manure resource utilization modes, as well as to analyze the moderating role of three policy regulations. This paper also explores the heterogeneous results in different village forms and income groups. The results are as follows: (1) Digital literacy significantly and positively impacts farmers’ willingness to adopt both the “household collection” mode and the “livestock community” mode. For every one-unit increase in a farmer’s digital literacy, the probability of farmers’ willingness to adopt the “household collection” mode rises by 22 percentage points, and the probability of farmers’ willingness to adopt the “livestock community” mode rises by 19.8 percentage points. After endogeneity tests and robustness checks, the conclusion still holds. (2) Mechanism analysis results indicate that guiding policy and incentive policy have a positive moderation effect on the link between digital literacy and the willingness to adopt the “household collection” mode. Meanwhile, incentive policy also positively moderates the relationship between digital literacy and the willingness to adopt the “livestock community” mode. (3) Heterogeneity analysis results show that the positive effect of digital literacy on farmers’ willingness to adopt two livestock manure resource utilization modes is stronger in “tight-knit society” rural areas and in low-income households. (4) In further discussion, we find that digital literacy removes the information barriers for farmers, facilitating the conversion of willingness into behavior. The value of this study is as follows: this paper provides new insights for the promotion of livestock and poultry manure resource utilization policies in countries and regions similar to the development process of northwest China. Therefore, enhancing farmers’ digital literacy in a targeted way, strengthening the promotion of grassroots policies on livestock manure resource utilization, formulating diversified ecological compensation schemes, and establishing limited supervision and penalty rules can boost farmers’ willingness to adopt manure resource utilization models. Full article

The aim of this research is to identify policy and practice interventions that support a just transition towards resilient practices for resource-dependent communities. We focus on Thai Nguyen and Phu Tho, two provinces in the Northern Midlands and Mountains of Vietnam. The region is reliant on agriculture but is assessed as highly vulnerable to climate change. We surveyed 105 farming households. A Likert-type questionnaire asked respondents to self-assess their experiences of weather extremes and of changes they had made to their farming practices. Our results show that for both Thai Nguyen and Phu Tho, farmers see the effects of climate change on their crops. Respondents in Thai Nguyen were more likely to report technically driven adaptation and engagement with extension services. Respondents in Pho Tho were more likely to continue traditional practices. For both, use of traditional knowledge and practices was related to taking measures to adapt to climate change. Our main conclusion is that at least three actions could support a just transition to resilient livelihoods. First is incorporating natural science and traditional knowledge into decision-making for just transitions. Second is considering long-term implications of interventions that appear to support livelihoods in the short term. Third is tailoring messaging and engagement strategies to the requirements of the most vulnerable people. The main message of this study is that a just transition for resource-dependent communities will inevitably be context-specific. Even in centralized and authoritarian contexts, flexibility to adapt top-down policies to locals’ own experiences of changing climates is needed. Full article

The transition to sustainable agriculture is a critical challenge for the U.S. food system. A sustainable food system must support the production of healthy and nutritious food while ensuring economic sustainability for farmers and ranchers. It should also reduce negative environmental impacts on soil, water, biodiversity, and climate, and promote equitable and inclusive access to land, farming resources, and food. This narrative review synthesizes U.S. social science literature to identify the key factors that support or impede the adoption of sustainable agricultural practices in the U.S. Our analysis reveals seven overarching factors that influence producer decision-making: awareness and knowledge, social factors, psychological factors, technologies and tools, economic factors, implementation capacity, and policies and regulations. The review highlights the critical role of social science in navigating complexity and uncertainty. Key priorities emerging from the literature include developing measurable, outcome-based programs; ensuring credible communication through trusted intermediaries; and designing tailored interventions. The findings demonstrate that initiatives will succeed when they emphasize measurable benefits, address uncertainties, and develop programs that capitalize on identified opportunities while overcoming existing barriers. Full article

Residents’ attitudes towards offshore wind farms have been researched extensively over the past few decades. In this research, the precept that offshore wind farms influence residents’ well-being is implicit. Only a few studies have directly examined residents’ knowledge, perceived benefits, and acceptance. This study attempts to go beyond attitude-based research and explicitly examines factors influencing acceptance decision-making. The data for this qualitative study was collected through face-to-face interviews at a proposed offshore wind farm site in Perth, Western Australia. Results from the study suggest that offshore wind farms are not perceived or responded to uniformly by residents. This study provides a more comprehensive understanding of the dynamics and complexities behind identifying and explaining how residents of designated communities perceive offshore wind farms in a nuanced manner. Therefore, this study proffers significant theoretical discussions and practical implications regarding developing sustainable renewable energy alternatives in cities across Australia. Full article

As the primary biological risk threatening safe dairy production, bovine mastitis control highly relies on environmental disinfection measures. However, the mechanisms by which chemical disinfectants influence host–environment microbial interactions remain unclear. This study systematically investigated the disinfection efficacy and regulatory effects on microbial community composition and diversity of glutaraldehyde-benzalkonium chloride (BAC) and glutaraldehyde-didecyl dimethyl ammonium bromide (DAB) at recommended concentrations (2–5%), using 80 environmental samples from intensive dairy farms in Xinjiang, China. Combining 16S rDNA sequencing with culturomics, the results showed that BAC achieved a disinfection rate of 99.33%, higher than DAB’s 97.87%, and reduced the environment–gut microbiota similarity index by 23.7% via a cationic bacteriostatic film effect. Microbiome analysis revealed that BAC selectively suppressed Fusobacteriota abundance (15.67% reduction) and promoted Bifidobacterium proliferation (7.42% increase), enhancing intestinal mucosal barrier function through butyrate metabolism. In contrast, DAB induced Actinobacteria enrichment in the environment (44.71%), inhibiting pathogen colonization via bioantagonism. BAC’s long-acting bacteriostatic properties significantly reduced disinfection costs and mastitis incidence. This study first elucidated the mechanism by which quaternary ammonium compound (QAC) disinfectants regulate host health through “environment-gut” microbial interactions, providing a critical theoretical basis for developing precision disinfection protocols integrating “cost reduction-efficiency enhancement-risk mitigation.” Full article

Commitments to carbon neutrality at both international and national levels have spurred the development of market-based mechanisms that incentivize low-carbon technologies while penalizing emissions-intensive activities. These policies have wide ranging impacts for the Australian agricultural sector, and associated rural communities, where the majority of carbon credits and biodiversity credits are sourced in Australia. Undeniably, the introduction of carbon and environmental markets has created the opportunity for an expansion and diversification of local, rural economies beyond a traditional agricultural base. However, there is much complexity for the agricultural sector to navigate as environmental markets intersect and compete with food and fiber livelihoods, and entrenched ideologies of rural identity and purpose. As carbon and environmental markets focused on primary producers have expanded rapidly, there is little understanding of the associated situated and relational impacts for farming households and rural communities. Nor has there been much work to identify the barriers to engagement. This study explores these tensions through qualitative research in Stanthorpe and Roma, Queensland, offering insights into the barriers and benefits of market engagement. The findings inform policy development aimed at balancing climate goals with agricultural sustainability and rural community resilience. Full article

Organic farming is widely recognized as a promising practice for sustainable agriculture, yet its long-term ecological impacts remain insufficiently investigated. In this study, we evaluated these impacts by comparing heavy metal concentrations, soil invertebrate communities, and microbial profiles between long-term organic and conventional farming systems. A comparative analysis was conducted on 24 plot soils from two paired organic and conventional farm systems in Beijing, each managed continuously for over 20 years. Our results revealed that soils under organic management consistently contained 10.8% to 73.7% lower heavy metals, along with reduced geo-accumulation indices (I_geo, a standardized metric for soil contamination assessment), indicating decreased contamination risks. In terms of soil fauna, while conventional soils showed higher Collembola abundance, organic farming significantly enhanced Collembola richness and diversity by 20.6% to 55.0%. Microbial sequencing likewise revealed enhanced richness and diversity of bacteria and fungi in organic soils. These microbial communities also displayed shifts in dominant taxa and more stable co-occurrence networks under organic management. Principal component analysis and Mantel tests identified soil pH and nutrients as key drivers of soil biodiversity, while heavy metals also imposed negative influences. Collectively, these findings demonstrate that long-term organic farming not only mitigates environmental risks associated with soil contaminants but also promotes belowground ecological integrity by supporting biodiversity of soil fauna and microbiota. This study highlights the ecological significance of sustained organic practices and provides critical insights for advancing sustainable agricultural developments. Full article

Small reservoirs have important functions, such as water resource guarantee, flood control and drought resistance, biological habitat and maintaining regional economic development. In order to better clarify the impact of agricultural activities on the nutritional status of water bodies in small reservoirs, zooplankton were quantitatively collected from four small reservoirs in the Jiuxianshan agricultural area of Qufu, Shandong Province, in March and October 2023, respectively. The physical and chemical parameters in sampling points were determined simultaneously. Meanwhile, water samples were collected for nutrient salt analysis, and the eutrophication of water bodies in four reservoirs was evaluated using the comprehensive nutrient status index method. The research found that the species richness of zooplankton after farming (100 species) was significantly higher than that before farming (81 species) (p < 0.05). On the contrary, the dominant species of zooplankton after farming (7 species) were significantly fewer than those before farming (11 species). The estimation results of the standing stock of zooplankton indicated that the abundance and biomass of zooplankton after farming (92.72 ind./L, 0.13 mg/L) were significantly higher than those before farming (32.51 ind./L, 0.40 mg/L) (p < 0.05). Community similarity analysis based on zooplankton abundance (ANOSIM) indicated that there were significant differences in zooplankton communities before and after farming (R = 0.329, p = 0.001). The results of multi-dimensional non-metric sorting (NMDS) showed that the communities of zooplankton could be clearly divided into two: pre-farming communities and after farming communities. The Monte Carlo test results are as follows (p < 0.05). Transparency (Trans), pH, permanganate index (COD_Mn), electrical conductivity (Cond) and chlorophyll a (Chl-a) had significant effects on the community structure of zooplankton before farming. Total nitrogen (TN), total phosphorus (TP) and electrical conductivity (Cond) had significant effects on the community structure of zooplankton after farming. The co-linearity network analysis based on zooplankton abundance showed that the zooplankton community before farming was more stable than that after farming. The water evaluation results based on the comprehensive nutritional status index method indicated that the water conditions of the reservoirs before farming were mostly in a mild eutrophic state, while the water conditions of the reservoirs after farming were all in a moderate eutrophic state. The results show that the nutritional status of small reservoirs in agricultural areas is significantly affected by agricultural activities. The zooplankton communities in small reservoirs underwent significant changes driven by alterations in the reservoir water environment and nutritional status. Based on the main results of this study, we suggested that the use of fertilizers and pesticides should be appropriately reduced in future agricultural activities. In order to better protect the water quality and aquatic ecology of the water reservoirs in the agricultural area. Full article

There is still a need to develop scenarios and models aimed at substituting fuelwood and reducing the use of fossil fuels such as liquefied petroleum gas (LPG), on which low-income rural households in the Global South often depend. The use of these fuels for cooking and heating in domestic and productive activities poses significant health and environmental risks. This study validated, in three different phases, the sustainability of a model for the production and use of biogas from the treatment of swine-rearing wastewater (WWs) on a community farm: (i) A Multi-Criteria Analysis (MCA), incorporating environmental, social/health, technical, and economic criteria, identified the main weighted criterion to C8 (use of small-scale technologies and low-cost access), with a score of 0.44 points, as well as the Tubular biodigester (Tb) as the most suitable option for the study area, scoring 8.1 points. (ii) Monitoring of the Tb over 90 days showed an average biogas production of 2.6 m³ d⁻¹, with average correlation 0.21 m³ Biogas kg Biomass⁻¹. Using the experimental biogas production rate (k = 0.0512 d⁻¹), the process was simulated with the BgMod model, achieving an average deviation of only 10.4% during the final production phase. (iii) The quantification of benefits demonstrated significant reductions in firewood use: in Scenario S1 (kitchen energy needs), biogas replaced 83.1% of firewood, while in Scenario S2 (citronella essential oil production), the substitution rate was 24.1%. In both cases, the avoided emissions amounted to 0.52 tons of CO_2eq per month. Finally, this study proposes a synthesised, community-based rural biogas framework designed for replication in regions with similar socio-environmental, technical, and economic conditions. Full article

Agricultural workers—individuals employed for labor in agriculture—are at high risk of various negative health outcomes, with many impacted by both the existence of health disparities and stress. While the issue of farm stress and associated psychosocial health outcomes has been studied in the general agricultural population, research investigating these issues specifically within the agricultural worker population is sparse. This study presents data from the United States Western Region Agricultural Worker Stress Survey (N = 354), which gauged workers’ perceived stress levels, sources of stress, desired stress management topics, and preferred methods of receiving information and support services. Long working hours, working in extreme temperatures, and a lack of time emerged as the top three stressors. On average, workers across the Western region of the U.S. are experiencing a moderate level of stress, with younger workers reporting greater stressor pileup than their older counterparts. Retirement planning was cited as the most preferred stress management topic, regardless of demographic. Lastly, workers chose in-person counseling as the support modality that they would most likely utilize. This research provides a variety of stress management recommendations such as working with farm owners to increase the safety of their operation, investing in face-to-face counseling services, and utilizing community health workers as sources of support. Full article