Search Results (54)

Debates about prehistoric Amazonian subsistence, social organization, and landscape use have ranged from ethnographically based characterizations of relatively mobile foragers to archaeological evidence that suggests sedentary agriculturalists. Recently, great antiquity of settled agriculture and complex social organization has been asserted for portions of the northern Amazon. However, the role of theory and inferences drawn from habitat diversity have receded in these debates. This paper synthesizes the current literature regarding long-term evolutionary changes in Amazon Basin societies with an archaeological case study from mound-building sites of Guyana and ethnoarchaeological data from Venezuelan forager–gardeners to develop a hypothesis regarding the critical role of habitat, aquatic resources, and seasonality in the transition from intensified foraging to cultivation. Full article

To achieve an efficient, non-destructive, and intelligent identification of tea plant seedlings under high-temperature stress, this study proposes an improved YOLOv11 model based on chlorophyll fluorescence imaging technology for intelligent identification. Using tea plant seedlings under varying degrees of high temperature as the research objects, raw fluorescence images were acquired through a chlorophyll fluorescence image acquisition device. The fluorescence parameters obtained by Spearman correlation analysis were found to be the maximum photochemical efficiency (Fv/Fm), and the fluorescence image of this parameter is used to construct the dataset. The YOLOv11 model was improved in the following ways. First, to reduce the number of network parameters and maintain a low computational cost, the lightweight MobileNetV4 network was introduced into the YOLOv11 model as a new backbone network. Second, to achieve efficient feature upsampling, enhance the efficiency and accuracy of feature extraction, and reduce computational redundancy and memory access volume, the EUCB (Efficient Up Convolution Block), iRMB (Inverted Residual Mobile Block), and PConv (Partial Convolution) modules were introduced into the YOLOv11 model. The research results show that the improved YOLOv11-MEIP model has the best performance, with precision, recall, and mAP50 reaching 99.25%, 99.19%, and 99.46%, respectively. Compared with the YOLOv11 model, the improved YOLOv11-MEIP model achieved increases of 4.05%, 7.86%, and 3.42% in precision, recall, and mAP50, respectively. Additionally, the number of model parameters was reduced by 29.45%. This study provides a new intelligent method for the classification of high-temperature stress levels of tea seedlings, as well as state detection and identification, and provides new theoretical support and technical reference for the monitoring and prevention of tea plants and other crops in tea gardens under high temperatures. Full article

Although tea (Camellia sinensis)/soybean (Glycine max) intercropping is widely applied in tea gardens, the underlying mechanisms driving tea quality promotion remain largely unclear. This study explores the effects of intercropping on tea quality, soil nutrient availability, and soybean growth and analyzes their mutual relationship. Field experiments revealed that intercropping increased tea leaf water extracts, polyphenols, and amino acids by 4.36–8.99%, 14.76–15.23%, and 14.73–16.36%, respectively, across two growth stages. Furthermore, intercropping boosted organic matter, available nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and potassium (K) in the tea rhizosphere. Enzyme activities, including acid phosphatase, alkaline phosphatase, urease, and β-glucosidase, were also elevated in tea/soybean intercropping. In soybean, shoot and root biomass, weight and number of nodules, and N, P, and K content increased over cultivation time. Correlation analysis showed that tea water extracts and polyphenols were positively linked to soil available P and alkaline phosphatase activities. Soybean root and nodule growth were correlated with soil N and P activation and tea water extracts, indicating that soybean-mediated underground interactions drive mineral nutrient mobilization in rhizosphere, further improving tea quality. This study provides mechanistic insights into tea/soybean intercropping, offering practical implications for sustainable tea cultivation practices. Full article

Urban green spaces (UGSs) play a pivotal role in sustaining the livelihoods of urban dwellers. This study sought to explore the impact of UGSs on livelihoods in Bulawayo and Johannesburg cities. A mixed-methods approach was used to develop a nuanced understanding of the nexus between UGSs and the livelihoods of the residents. A questionnaire survey (n = 658) with 329 participants from each city and 20 interviews were used to gather and generate data. Twelve types of UGSs were identified, with a relatively large proportion of the participants recognizing informal recreational areas as the common type of urban green space (UGS) in both cities. Domestic gardens, cemeteries, parks, woodlands, institutional green spaces, street trees, wastelands, commonages, and green roofs were other green spaces in both cities. Economically, job opportunities emerged in areas such as selling wares, photography, and the collection of firewood and wild fruits for sale. Likewise, farming activities and property values increased. Socially, they were valuable recreation and leisure spots for picnicking, dog walking, dating escapades, mental and spiritual wellness as well as education. Environmentally, UGSs were special in terms of medicinal provisions and aesthetics. However, urbanization and encroachment are undermining the extent of livelihood benefits. Therefore, it is imperative to revitalize UGSs by instituting robust partnerships and collaboration between government agencies, mobilize resources and expertise, value addition to existing UGSs, rigorous education to promote better appreciation, inclusion of the locals in the design process so that green spaces meet their needs and priorities, and establishing effective maintenance and management systems that ensure sustainability of UGSs. Full article

The present study investigated the uptake and health risks of potentially toxic elements (PTEs) by lotus (Nelumbo nucifera) cultivated in floating lake gardens of Dal Lake, Srinagar, India. Rapid urbanization and anthropogenic activities have led to PTE contamination in the lake, raising concerns about food safety and ecological sustainability. The objectives were to evaluate the physicochemical properties of water and sediment and to quantify PTEs (Cd, Cu, Cr, Co, Fe, Mn, Ni, and Zn) accumulation in different tissues of N. nucifera with associated health risks. A systematic sampling approach was adopted across four zones of the lake, collecting water, sediment, and plant tissues (August to October 2024). The results showed significant PTE contamination, with sediment showing high concentrations of Fe (1610.51 mg/kg), Mn (31.48 mg/kg), and Cr (29.72 mg/kg). Bioaccumulation factors indicated preferential PTE accumulation in roots, with Fe exhibiting the highest uptake (95.11). Translocation factors were low for most PTEs, suggesting limited mobility to edible parts. Health risk assessment indicated that Cr posed the highest non-carcinogenic risk (HRI = 1.8000 in rhizomes). The cumulative target hazard quotient (THQ) remained below 1, suggesting no immediate risk, but long-term exposure warrants concern. The study provided valuable information on the necessity of continuous monitoring and pollution mitigation strategies to ensure the food safety of floating lake garden-derived crops. Full article

As global food demand rises, urban agriculture models, such as vertical and terrace farming, have gained traction, especially amid crises like the Ukraine war and COVID-19 pandemic. Climate change remains the most significant threat to global food security. According to the latest FAO analysis, which encompasses assessments from 1990 to 2023, approximately 40% of economic losses resulting from climate-related hazards, including droughts and floods, have impacted the agriculture sector. This has reduced yields, increased production costs, and worsened food insecurity, affecting millions. Urban gardens offer a solution, enhancing food resilience. A systematic PRISMA-based review analyzed studies from Scopus and reports from organizations like the FAO. Over 3329 documents were reviewed. Publications on food resilience grew by 50% in four years, with the US leading with 700 projects. Agricultural and biological sciences dominate research (45%). Urban gardens focus on educating communities about food security and improving food systems. Mobile gardens with portable labs maximize urban spaces, turning rooftops and terraces into productive areas. These initiatives empower communities to grow food, promote nutrition education, and foster social connections. Urban gardens, though not fully sustainable, as they can consume up to 35% more energy per kg of food than optimized traditional farms and generate a 20–40% higher carbon footprint if using imported substrates or plastics, are key for resilient food systems, yielding up to 20 kg/m²/year, reducing transport emissions by 68% (vs. 2400 km supply chains), and using 90% less water than conventional agriculture. Full article

This study examines the impact of agroecological practices on soil quality and crop yields in small-scale farming, focusing on the combination of microbial soil inoculation, crop rotation, and conservation tillage methods. Conducted at the SZIA Agroecological Garden MATE in Gödöllő, Hungary, the experiment used 12 plots, employing various conservation tillage techniques, including soil loosening with and without microbial inoculants, as well as no-till systems with and without inoculation. Six of the plots were inoculated with beneficial bacteria to enhance nitrogen fixation, phosphorus mobility, nutrient solubilization, phytohormone production, and pathogen suppression. In 2024, peas (Pisum sativum L.) were planted following potatoes in a small-scale market-oriented crop rotation, with the continuous monitoring of crop performance and soil characteristics. This ongoing study focuses on evaluating the long-term effects of crop rotation on key agricultural parameters, aiming to optimize practices over time. Statistical analysis (one-way ANOVA) revealed no significant differences across most parameters (p > 0.05), except for total sugar content (p < 0.05), which aligns with expectations given the limited tillage prior to the study. The standard significance level of p < 0.05 was used to balance error risks, ensure adequate statistical power, and maintain consistency with established agricultural research practices. However, the study trends indicated potential long-term benefits, particularly in plots with microbial inoculants, where pea yield and pod size showed improvement compared to non-inoculated and control plots. Microbial inoculants may show long-term effects, as they gradually improve soil health, support microbial communities, and enhance nutrient cycling, which takes time to become noticeable. These findings highlight the potential advantages of combining conservation tillage with microbial inoculants, suggesting that this combination could foster enhanced soil health and productivity over time. The novel setting of this study underscores the importance of long-term monitoring to fully capture the benefits of agroecological interventions, emphasizing their role in achieving sustainable agricultural practices and improving small-scale farming outcomes. Full article

The final decades of the eighteenth century saw the significant expansion of botanical propagation and collections across the globe, both as an aesthetic corollary and to provide the underpinning resources for imperialism. The focus of this article is the development of the network between botanists in India and England in the 1790s through the correspondence between William Roxburgh (1751–1815), superintendent of the Botanical Garden in Calcutta from 1793, and Sir James Edward Smith (1759–1820), who as Sarah Law notes, was ‘a focus of correspondence with every serious botanist in the world’ (Law, 2007, 184). Such networks were sustained by letters describing the plants and the treatment they needed, the habitat from which they had been taken, and details of how they had been collected and packed. Epistolary writing between plant hunters and British collectors can be understood, I suggest, as a form of travel writing. This is a form in which correspondence builds connections and relationships between fellow scientists and enthusiasts and the fragmentary focus on place, and the mobility of humans is replaced by close attention to the aesthetic and biological details of plants and the best ways of securing their successful transport across the globe. Using an ecocritical frame, this article explores the position of plants and biological specimens themselves as travellers and considers the ways in which their care and preservation have been articulated through sociable correspondence. Full article

Self-organization has emerged as a critical approach in community-led urban regeneration, particularly in addressing the challenges of rapid urbanization and socio-spatial inequalities. In the Chinese context, where urban governance has traditionally been state-centric, self-organized initiatives represent a significant shift toward grassroots participation and localized decision-making. This study conducts a comparative analysis of four cases: Guangminglou Building No. 17 in Beijing, Kangjian Road 341 Building No. 7–8 in Shanghai, Honggang Garden Residence in Shenzhen, and Jiqun Street Building No. 2 in Guangzhou to examine self-organization in community-led urban regeneration in China. It reveals the following: (1) Residents’ active participation and co-construction awareness are the foundation of successful renewal. The construction of resident self-governance and democratic decision-making mechanisms should be strengthened. (2) The government’s policy support and financial guidance are vital. Local governments can mobilize social capital to participate by providing financial subsidies, tax incentives, and other means. (3) Urban planning should combine local cultural characteristics and community needs, avoiding the simple “demolish and rebuild” model. (4) Technical means can effectively improve efficiency and reduce information asymmetry and conflicts of interest. The findings suggest that self-organization is not merely a grassroots phenomenon but often operates within a hybrid governance framework, where collaboration between communities and local governments is essential. The study has significant implications for urban planning and policy, contributes to the growing discourse on participatory urban regeneration, and offers practical insights for fostering sustainable community-led initiatives. Full article

This paper presents a comprehensive scoping review of the application of 3D digital technologies in the documentation, conservation, and management of historic gardens and related cultural heritage. By analyzing a curated selection of literature, this study assessed the current state of research, highlighting trends in publications, the geographic distribution of contributors, and the key technologies employed. Using bibliometric methods and visualization tools, followed by a case study review, this review identified significant research hotspots and technical methodologies, particularly focusing on advanced techniques such as mobile laser scanning, UAV photogrammetry, and point cloud processing and their relationships with end users. The findings emphasize the importance of integrating multiple technologies to capture the diverse elements of historic gardens, including architectural features, vegetation, and topography. This review also underscores the significance of dynamic landscapes facing challenges posed by environmental degradation and urban development pressures. Moreover, it discusses the limitations of existing research and outlines future opportunities, such as the development of 4D documentation systems and the incorporation of AI for improving heritage management. This paper concludes by recommending interdisciplinary collaboration and public engagement to enhance the accessibility, understanding, and sustainable management of historic gardens through innovative technological applications. Full article

Background/Objectives: Community–academic partnerships offer unique opportunities to leverage expertise and resources to modify structural factors that address community priorities. However, few in-depth examples of successful partnerships in rural communities to improve food security are available. This manuscript describes the process of building a partnership to reduce food insecurity in a rural Kentucky community. Methods: The research team worked with Cooperative Extension to form a community advisory board (CAB) representative of diverse sectors of the community who had interest in food security, agriculture, and/or nutrition. The CAB convened regularly, in-person or virtually, to review community assessment information and identify, select, and adapt relevant multi-level interventions. CAB members were invited to complete two surveys and participate in a listening session to provide feedback on working with academic partners. Results: Over the first two years of the project, 17 people served on the CAB. Early in the project, the CAB prioritized interventions for working families, relatives raising children, and lower income households. Some ideas were able to come to fruition (e.g., family cooking social classes, raised garden beds), while others were explored but were unable to gain momentum (e.g., mobile market) due to challenges with feasibility, organizational capacity, and/or interest. CAB members reported high engagement and strong communication between community and academic partners. Conclusions: Full exploration of potential solutions suggested by CABs may build trust between community and academic partners and could provide a strategic selection process for multi-level, evidence-based interventions deemed feasible for addressing complex issues such as food insecurity and nutritional health outcomes. Full article

When urban agriculture is addressed at a family scale, known as urban gardening, it is assumed as a non-commercial activity where some family members voluntarily take care of the plantation during their free time. If technology is going to be used to support such a process, then the solutions should consider the particularities of these gardeners (e.g., life dynamics and culture) to make them adoptable. The literature reports several urban agriculture experiences in Western countries and Southeast Asia; however, this activity has been poorly explored in South American countries, particularly at a family scale and considering the culture and the affordability of the solutions. This article presents an experience report of urban gardening in Peru, where a prototype of an IoT system and a mobile application were conceived, implemented, and used to support the gardening of vegetables at a family scale, considering the cultural aspects of the gardeners. This experience obtained positive results in terms of tomato production, mainly showing the system’s capability to self-adapt its behavior to consider the cultivation conditions of these urban gardeners. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first IoT system that can be iteratively adjust its behavior to improve the chances of being adopted by a particular end-user population (i.e., gardeners). Full article

This study develops a progressive navigation and guidance model for the route selection of cyclists executed in a designated area. The route selection of cyclists is modeled as a Pareto multi-objective optimization problem which is solved with the NSGA-II algorithm. The study aims to contribute to the ongoing efforts to create efficient and cyclist-friendly navigation tools to promote sustainable urban mobility. Data collection methods include GPS tracking, field measurements, and qualitative approaches to understand cyclists’ behavior and preferences. Nine objective functions are constructed based on criteria related to safety and comfort, incorporating decision variables related to cyclists riding on sidewalks, capturing the complexity of urban cycling infrastructure. Tests are performed in a defined area in the center of Athens, Greece. The NSGA-II algorithm is executed with modifications and the Pareto front is constructed, which consists of 28 alternative routes between two origin–destination points. The four routes that optimize the nine criteria of the objective functions are presented, with most routes passing through the Zappeion Gardens. The NSGA-II algorithm is proven to be a suitable approach for applications in networks with complex characteristics and for capturing cyclists’ choices when they face conflicting options. The study presents how a novel approach for the multi-objective optimization of cyclists’ route choice, which considers a wide range of cyclists’ needs and preferences, can be implemented in an urban environment with a lack of cycle infrastructure. Full article

This study focuses on the physiological response of lettuce grown on Technosols designed for the remediation of soils polluted by potentially harmful elements (PHEs: As, Cd, Cu, Fe, Pb, and Zn). Lettuce plants were grown in five treatments: recovered (RS) and polluted soil (PS) as controls, and three Technosols (TO, TS, and TV) consisting of 60% PS mixed with 2% iron sludge, 20% marble sludge, and 18% organic wastes (TO: composted olive waste, TS: composted sewage sludge, and TV: vermicompost of garden waste). The main soil properties and PHE solubility were measured, together with physiological parameters related to phytotoxicity in lettuce such as growth, photosynthetic capacity, oxidative stress, and antioxidant defence. All Technosols improved unfavourable conditions of PS (i.e., neutralised acidity and enhanced OC content), leading to a significant decrease in Cd, Cu, and Zn mobility. Nevertheless, TV was the most effective as the reduction in PHEs mobility was higher. Furthermore, lettuce grown on TV and TO showed higher growth (+90% and +41%) than PS, while no increase in TS. However, lower oxidative stress and impact on photosynthetic rate occurred in all Technosols compared to PS (+344% TV, +157% TO, and +194% TS). This physiological response of lettuce proves that PHE phytotoxicity is reduced by Technosols. Thus, this ecotechnology constitutes a potential solution for soil remediation, with effectiveness of Technosols depending largely on its components. Full article

The present work summarizes the results of a 15-week student project addressing the field of sustainable coffee farming. Coffee farmers often lack scientific knowledge concerning the coffee varieties they cultivate, and having grown coffee for generations, they often have limited knowledge concerning the names of their coffee varieties used on the global market. This leads to significant disadvantages in market positioning. Consequently, farmers often receive lower prices for their coffee as they cannot accurately determine its true market value. In addition, the effects of climate change force farmers to reconsider the varieties they cultivate, as they cannot exhibit stable yield performance due to the changed climate. If farmers are unaware of the potential quality advantages of different coffee types, this prevents them from optimizing growing conditions specific to their climate. As part of a design thinking-based project course, a team of four design and computer science students at Hochschule Mannheim searched for a solution on how to overcome the aforementioned disadvantages for local coffee farmers with the support of digital technology. Coffee Consulate helped the team by connecting them to farmers around the world and sharing their domain knowledge. The student team’s main idea is to bridge the aforementioned knowledge gap by collecting globally distributed data about coffee species in one worldwide accessible, digital system, allowing farmers to be globally connected. Their concept proposes a digital Coffee Atlas for mobile phones, showing where on the planet and under which climate conditions coffee varieties are grown and how these species are named on the global market. The app allows one to identify coffee plants based on pictures uploaded from farmers’ phones. The team developed an implementation roadmap that considered how to subsequently extend the database behind the Coffee Atlas and how to accelerate the crowdsourcing process. AI-based image recognition trained with pictures taken from a living collection of coffee cultivars, like in the botanical garden of Wilhelma (Stuttgart, Germany), and DNA sequences could serve as an initial step for creating the database. Farmers should be motivated to upload pictures of their plants by additional services provided by the app. Therefore, information about coffee species can be crowdsourced with the help of farmers around the world. Such services could include the recognition of plant health conditions, as well as the estimation of the actual market price of a species based on the identification of coffee varieties or the recommendation of species that are better adapted to the actual or expected climate. In its final implementation, the Coffee Atlas will enhance agricultural practices and economic outcomes for farmers and provide a valuable source of data for researchers around the world. Full article