Search Results (2,896)

While animal-derived ingredients continue to dominate pet food, mounting animal welfare and environmental pressures are starting to reshape the market—opening the door to plant-based and cultivated meat alternatives for dogs and cats. This study assessed the effective altruism case for more sustainable pet food options, using the scale, neglectedness, and tractability framework, and found strong alignment across all three dimensions. By 2018, at least 9% of farmed land animals were fed to companion dogs and cats globally, with more consumed by average dogs (13) than by average people (9) annually. A global transition to nutritionally sound vegan pet diets could spare seven billion farmed land animals and many billions of marine animals from slaughter and could feed 519 million additional people using food energy savings. Such a transition for dogs alone could eliminate 1.5 times the quantity of greenhouse gases produced annually by the UK and free up land larger than Mexico. Yet, sustainable pet food is a highly neglected issue in terms of funding, time, and talent. The issue appears tractable; 13–18% of dog and cat guardians would consider vegan pet diets if their concerns about them were addressed. Assuming only one dog or cat per guardian, at least 70 million dogs and 86 million cats worldwide could potentially be transitioned to vegan diets, with the true figures probably several times higher. Sustainable pet diets, therefore, represent a highly impactful yet overlooked opportunity to reduce farmed animal consumption, mitigate associated environmental impacts, and improve food security. Full article

Canada was the first G7 country to legalize non-medical cannabis use, which rapidly expanded recreational cannabis consumption. This has implications for public health and land-use sustainability, particularly as agricultural systems face increasing pressure from land-use conflicts, which can cause food insecurity in a growing population. This study evaluates sustainability implications of recreational cannabis cultivation in Canada by integrating population-level health risk estimates with an agricultural land-use opportunity costs. Using published epidemiological studies, the population-attributable mortality associated with cannabis use across multiple health outcomes is estimated, including cardiovascular disease, neurocognitive disorders, cancer, injury-related mortality, suicide, and opioid-related poisoning. In parallel, counterfactual scenarios are modelled in which the >2 million m² of land used for recreational cannabis cultivation is reallocated to nutrient-dense food crops to assess potential caloric availability. Results of the land-use analysis indicate that reallocating existing cannabis cultivation areas to food production could supply annual nourishment for >3600 people. In addition, cannabis-associated health risks account for ~28,000–30,000 premature deaths annually when aggregated, with cardiovascular disease and dementia representing the largest shares. From a sustainability perspective, the results underscore the need for continued evaluation of cannabis policy and production systems in relation to public health externalities, food security, and land-use opportunity costs. Full article

Hydrological drought poses a significant threat to water security and ecosystems globally. While remote sensing offers vast spatial data, advanced analytical methods are required to translate this data into actionable insights. This review addresses this need by systematically synthesizing the state-of-the-art in using convolutional neural networks (CNNs) and satellite-derived vegetation indices for hydrological drought detection. Following PRISMA guidelines, a systematic search of studies published between 1 January 2018 and August 2025 was conducted, resulting in 137 studies for inclusion. A narrative synthesis approach was adopted. Among the 137 studies included, 58% focused on hybrid CNN-LSTM models, with a marked increase in publications observed after 2020. The analysis reveals that hybrid spatiotemporal models are the most effective, demonstrating superior forecasting skill and in some cases achieving 10–20% higher accuracy than standalone CNNs. The most robust models employ multi-modal data fusion, integrating vegetation indices (VIs) with complementary data like Land Surface Temperature (LST). Future research should focus on enhancing model transferability and incorporating explainable AI (XAI) to strengthen the operational utility of drought early warning systems. Full article

Watershed planning in the Andean–Amazonian headwaters requires an understanding of how land use/land cover (LULC) affects hydrological regimes. This study integrates MOLUSCE-based LULC simulations (2020–2050) with the SWAT model to quantify the effects of deforestation, agricultural expansion, and pine forestation in the Leimebamba and Molinopampa basins (northeastern Peru). Model performance was robust despite limited hydro-meteorological data (KGE = 0.74–0.79; PBIAS = 7.2–4.2%). By 2050, projections indicate faster runoff generation, with decreases in percolation (12–13%) and lateral flow (1.8–3.2%), surface runoff increases (≈13%; up to +36% under agricultural expansion), and groundwater contribution declines (up to 28%). These shifts intensify low-flow deficits (−39 to −45%) and slightly increase wet-season peaks (>5%). Pine forestation shows modest and mixed hydrological effects. Identifying sensitive sub-basins provides key information for watershed management. In general, combining LULC scenarios with hydrological modeling allows us to have a technical–scientific tool to plan the territory with an emphasis on water security, prioritizing the conservation of native forests at the headwaters of the basin and ensuring the hydrological resilience of the high Andean regions. Full article

Land disputes can pose significant threats to the life and property of residents, and integrated resolutions of land disputes can create opportunities for refining and adjusting land resources and rights. Over time, research on the determinants of land disputes has evolved from focusing on legal, administrative, and economic factors to exploring deeper social factors, particularly social capital. Drawing on data from China Judgement Online, Chinese social surveys, and various statistical yearbooks, this study uses an econometric model to innovatively assess three types social capital (social networks, interpersonal trust, and institutional trust) as key determinants of land disputes. The findings reveal that both structural social capital (represented by social networks) and cognitive social capital (in the form of institutional trust) can significantly reduce land disputes. Furthermore, administrative intervention may have a mediating effect by mitigating the negative influence of structural social capital on land disputes. The findings of this study not only advance the theoretical understanding of the influence of social capital on land disputes but also offer practical insights into preventing and resolving such disputes, thereby contributing to the establishment of a peaceful and secure society. Full article

The farmland protection compensation system plays a pivotal role in addressing the dual global crises of food insecurity and ecological degradation, as well as in overcoming persistent challenges in China’s agricultural governance. By internalizing the opportunity costs borne by stakeholders fulfilling statutory obligations for farmland protection, this mechanism offers effective incentives for their active engagement, thereby establishing a societal-level interest-balancing framework conducive to sustainable land management. Existing research in China has mainly concentrated on empirical analyses of implementation models, regional disparities, and policy effectiveness evaluations of farmland protection compensation schemes. Nevertheless, systematic exploration of the normative construction and improvement pathways of the compensation rules themselves remains relatively underdeveloped. Based on the practical requirements and institutional constraints of China’s current farmland protection compensation regime, this study adopts an integrated approach that combines comparative legal analysis, textual review of regulatory documents, and empirical research to critically examine feasible paths for institutional improvement. The research findings emphasize that the optimization of China’s farmland protection compensation rules should be guided by three core principles: market orientation, ecological sustainability, and precision-based targeting. Specifically, the establishment of scientifically sound methods for calculating compensation amounts is crucial for reconciling the interests of conservation actors with inter-regional development disparities. Meanwhile, the compensation mechanism should be strategically utilized to strengthen positive incentives for ecosystem conservation. Ultimately, such institutional improvement aims to ensure the sustainable utilization of farmland resources while safeguarding global food security and maintaining the Earth’s ecological balance. Full article

Accurate and timely agricultural mapping is essential for supporting sustainable agricultural development, resource management, and food security. Despite its importance, Vietnam lacks detailed and consistent large-scale agricultural maps. In this study, we produced the first national-scale agricultural map of Vietnam for 2024 using a UNet++ deep learning architecture that integrates multi-temporal Sentinel-1 and Sentinel-2 imagery with Global-30 DEM data. The resulting product includes 15 land-cover categories, eight of which represent the most popular agricultural types in Vietnam. We further evaluate the model’s transferability by applying the 2024 trained model to generate a corresponding map for 2020. The approach achieves overall classification accuracies of $83.01\%\pm 1.37\%$ (2020) and $80.09\%\pm 0.76\%$ (2024). To address class imbalance within the training dataset, we introduced an adaptive weight combined loss function that automatically adjusts the weight of dice loss and cross-entropy loss within a combined loss function during the model training process. Full article

From adaptation to building effective resilience to climate change is critical for transforming West and Central Africa (WCA) agricultural system. Climate-Smart Agriculture (CSA) is an approach initiated by leading international organizations to ensure food security, increased adaptation to climate change and mitigation. Its application spans from innovative policies, practices, technologies, innovations and financing. However, CSA initiatives lack scientific-based assessment prior to implementation to ensure their effectiveness. To fill this gap, future interventions should not only be assessed using rigorous methodology but should also be built on lessons learned from previous initiatives. Although there are a lot of climate related agricultural initiatives in WCA, most of them have not been analyzed through a CSA lens and criteria to capitalize on their experiences to improve future interventions. In this study we mapped previous climate-related initiatives in WCA, highlighted their gaps and lessons learned to accelerate the implementation of CSA in the region. The study covered 20 countries in WCA: Benin, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Cape Verde, Central African Republic, Chad, Côte d’Ivoire, Congo, Gabon, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Liberia, Mali, Mauritania, Niger, Nigeria, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Togo. CSA initiatives were reviewed using a three-steps methodology: (i) national data collection, (ii) regional validation of the national database, (iii) data analysis including spatial mapping. Data was collected from the websites of international, regional and national organizations working in the field of agricultural development in the region. Each initiative was analyzed using a multicriteria analysis based on CSA principles. A total of 1629 CSA related initiatives were identified in WCA. Over 75% of them were in the form of projects/programs with more of a focus on the first CSA pillar (productivity and food security), followed by adaptation. The mitigation pillar is less covered by the initiatives. Animal production, fisheries, access to markets, and energy are poorly included. More than half of these initiatives have already been completed, calling for more new initiatives in the region. Women benefit very little from the implementation of the identified CSA initiatives, despite the substantial role they play in agriculture. CSA initiatives mainly received funding from technical and financial partners and development partners (45%), banks (22%), and international climate financing mechanisms (20%). Most of them were implemented by government institutions (48%) and development partners (23%). In total, more than 600 billion EUR have been disbursed to implement 83 of the 1629 initiatives identified. These initiatives contributed to reclaiming and/or rehabilitating almost 2 million ha of agricultural land in all countries between 2015 and 2025. Future initiatives should ensure the consideration of the three CSA pillars right from their formulation to the implementation. These initiatives should consider investing in mixed production systems like crop-animal-fisheries. Activities should be built around CSA innovation platforms to encourage networking among actors for more sustainability. Full article

This study evaluated the water supply and regulation of the San Pedro River basin, located in the municipality of Puerto Libertador (Córdoba, Colombia), under climate change scenarios, using the SWAT (Soil and Water Assessment Tool) hydrological model. The model was calibrated and validated in SWAT-CUP using the SUFI-2 algorithm, based on observed streamflow series and sensitive hydrological parameters. Observed and satellite climate data, CHIRPS for precipitation and ERA5-Land for temperature, radiation, humidity, and wind, were employed. Climatic data were integrated along with spatial information on soils, land use, and topography, allowing for an adequate representation of the basin’s heterogeneity. The model showed acceptable performance (NSE > 0.6; PBIAS < ±15%), reproducing the seasonal variability and the average flow behavior. Climate projections under RCP 4.5 and RCP 8.5 scenarios, derived from the MIROC5 model (CMIP5), indicated a slight decrease in mean streamflow and an increase in interannual variability for the period 2040–2070, suggesting a potential reduction in surface water availability and natural hydrological regulation by mid-century. The Water Regulation Index (WRI) exhibited a downward trend in most sub-basins, particularly in areas affected by forest loss and agricultural expansion. The WRI showed a downward trend in most sub-basins, especially those with loss of forest cover and a predominance of agricultural uses. These findings provide basin-specific evidence on how climate change and land-use pressures may jointly affect hydrological regulation in tropical Andean–Caribbean basins. These results highlight the usefulness of the SWAT model as a decision-support tool for integrated water resources management in the San Pedro River basin and similar tropical Andean–Caribbean catchments, supporting basin-scale climate adaptation planning. They also emphasize the importance of conserving headwater ecosystems and forest cover to sustain hydrological regulation, reduce vulnerability to flow extremes, and enhance long-term regional water security. Full article

Fossil fuels have been the main source of energy for decades. However, they are non-renewable resources that take millions of years to replenish from decomposed organic matter. As they are depleting at an alarming rate, a shift towards more sustainable fuels is gaining popularity. Biodiesel is emerging as a biodegradable and renewable energy source that serves as a promising alternative to conventional fuels. It addresses the challenges of greenhouse gas emissions while ensuring energy security. Among potential feedstocks, sunflower oil demonstrates unique advantages due to its high oil yield, favorable fatty acid composition, and availability. Despite extensive research on biodiesel, no comparative study has yet synthesized the four generations of biodiesel feedstocks while integrating optimization strategies with a particular focus on sunflower oil and sustainability trade-offs. This review aims to fill that gap by providing a comprehensive analysis of biodiesel production pathways, highlighting sunflower oil within a broader sustainability framework. The four generations are assessed based on feedstock potential, efficiency, and yield, while optimization processes for sunflower oil-based biodiesel are examined in terms of economic feasibility, limitations, and environmental impacts. The principal findings highlight the low free fatty acid composition of sunflower oil compared to other feedstocks, which makes it efficient for transesterification. Challenges such as production costs, land consumption, and food chain disruption are also discussed. Finally, innovative insights are presented for improving the viability of biodiesel through advanced technologies and supportive policies. Full article

Heavy metal pollution in forest and agroforestry soils represents a persistent environmental challenge with direct implications for ecosystem functioning, food security, and human health. In tropical and subtropical regions, intense weathering, rapid organic matter turnover, and dynamic redox conditions strongly modulate metal mobility, bioavailability, and long-term soil vulnerability. This review synthesizes current knowledge on the sources, biogeochemical mechanisms, ecological impacts, monitoring approaches, and restoration strategies associated with heavy metal contamination in forest and agroforestry systems, with particular emphasis on tropical landscapes. We examine natural and anthropogenic metal inputs, highlighting how atmospheric deposition, legacy contamination, land-use practices, and soil management interact with mineralogy, organic matter, and hydrology to control metal fate. Key processes governing metal behavior include sorption and complexation, Fe–Mn redox cycling, pH-dependent solubility, microbial mediation, and rhizosphere dynamics. The ecological consequences of contamination are discussed in terms of soil health degradation, plant physiological stress, disruption of ecosystem services, and risks of metal transfer to food chains in managed systems. The review also evaluates integrated monitoring frameworks that combine field-based soil analyses, biomonitoring, and geospatial technologies, while acknowledging methodological limitations and scale-dependent uncertainties. Finally, restoration and remediation strategies—ranging from phytotechnologies and soil amendments to engineered Technosols—are assessed in relation to their effectiveness, scalability, and relevance for long-term functional recovery. By linking mechanistic understanding with management and policy considerations, this review provides a process-oriented framework to support sustainable management and restoration of contaminated forest and agroforestry soils in tropical and subtropical regions. Full article

Groundwater, a critical resource for regional water security and public health, faces escalating threats from heavy metal contamination—a pressing environmental challenge worldwide. This study focuses on the central-south Hunan region of China, a mineral-rich, densely populated area characterized predominantly by non-point-source pollution, aiming to systematically unravel the spatial patterns, source contributions, and associated health risks of heavy metals in local groundwater. Based on 717 spring and well water samples collected in 2024, we determined pH and seven heavy metals (As, Cd, Pb, Zn, Fe, Mn, and Tl). By integrating hydrogeological zoning, lithology, topography, and river networks, the study area was divided into 11 assessment units, clearly revealing the spatial heterogeneity of heavy metals. The results demonstrate that exceedances of Cd, Pb, and Zn were sporadic and point-source-influenced, whereas As, Fe, Mn, and Tl showed regional exceedance patterns (e.g., Mn exceeded the standard in 9.76% of samples), identifying them as priority control elements. The spatial distribution of heavy metals was governed the synergistic effects of lithology, water–rock interactions, and hydrological structure, showing a distinct “acidic in the northeast, alkaline in the southwest” pH gradient. Combined application of the APCS-MLR and PMF models resolved five principal pollution sources: an acid-reducing-environment-driven release source (contributing 76.1% of Fe and 58.3% of Pb); a geogenic–anthropogenic composite source (contributing 81.0% of Tl and 62.4% of Cd); a human-perturbation-triggered natural Mn release source (contributing 94.8% of Mn); an agricultural-activity-related input source (contributing 60.1% of Zn); and a primary geological source (contributing 89.9% of As). Monte Carlo simulation-based health risk assessment indicated that the average hazard index (HI) and total carcinogenic risk (TCR) for all heavy metals were below acceptable thresholds, suggesting generally manageable risk. However, As was the dominant contributor to both non-carcinogenic and carcinogenic risks, with its carcinogenic risk exceeding the threshold in up to 3.84% of the simulated adult exposures under extreme scenarios. Sensitivity analysis identified exposure duration (ED) as the most influential parameter governing risk outcomes. In conclusion, we recommend implementing spatially differentiated management strategies: prioritizing As control in red-bed and granite–metamorphic zones; enhancing Tl monitoring in the northern and northeastern granite-rich areas, particularly downstream of the Mishui River; and regulating land use in brick-factory-dense riparian zones to mitigate disturbance-induced Mn release—for instance, through the enforcement of setback requirements and targeted groundwater monitoring programs. This study provides a scientific foundation for the sustainable management and safety assurance of groundwater resources in regions with similar geological and anthropogenic settings. Full article

Smallholder agricultural systems in tropical and subtropical regions are threatened by climate change. This systematic review of 218 peer-reviewed studies (2000–2024) synthesizes evidence on agroforestry’s role as a climate-smart economic strategy across Africa, Asia, and Latin America. Using a PRISMA-guided approach, we evaluated carbon sequestration pathways, biophysical adaptation benefits, and socioeconomic outcomes. Findings indicate that agroforestry systems can sequester 0.5–5 Mg C ha⁻¹ yr⁻¹ in biomass and soils. The results show that agroforestry has the potential to improve above- and below-ground carbon stocks, moderate microclimates, decrease erosion and improve functional biodiversity. The results, however, differ greatly depending on the type of system, ecology and practice. The socioeconomic advantages can be diversification of income and stability of the yield, and adoption is limited due to barriers related to the economy, lack of security in tenure, information asymmetry, and insufficient policy encouragement. We find that agroforestry is a multifunctional and climate resistant land-use approach, but the potential that agroforestry has cannot be fulfilled without context-specific policies, better extension services and inclusive carbon financing schemes. 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

Bananas underpin Uganda’s food security and rural economy, but productivity is declining due to emerging pests, diseases, and declining soil fertility. To address these challenges, hybrid stress-tolerant banana varieties (HBVs) have been developed and released, but their adoption remains uneven across the country. This study analyzes the spatial distribution and determinants of HBV adoption and intensity in Uganda, providing new insights to inform scaling strategies. A cross-sectional survey of 624 banana-farming households was conducted across 24 districts in both traditional and non-traditional banana-growing regions. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and a Tobit regression model to capture both the binary decision to adopt and the intensity of adoption, measured as the number of HBV mats planted. Results showed significant regional variation; adoption was highest in Northern Uganda (73.9%) and lowest in Central and Southwestern regions (≈24%). Education and land size positively influenced adoption, while reliance on planting materials from fellow farmers consistently reduced adoption intensity across all regions. Gender and household structure also shaped adoption patterns, with male and married farmers more likely to plant larger areas of HBVs. The findings highlight the need for regionally tailored interventions, including strengthening formal seed systems, enhancing farmer knowledge, and addressing gender gaps in technology access. Strengthening institutional seed channels and extension support can accelerate HBV scaling and contribute to resilient banana production in Uganda. Full article