Journal of Environmental Geography

Climate Change Response Strategies and Implications on Sustainable Development Goals in Mutirikwi River Sub-Catchment of Zimbabwe

Chenjerai Ziti — 2023-11-06

Sub-catchment level water sector response strategies to climate change in Zimbabwe have not been adequately analyzed to determine their impact and connectedness with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). In this study, the mixed methods research design is used to examine the implications of water sector climate change response strategies (CCRS) on SDGs in Mutirikwi sub-catchment in Masvingo, Zimbabwe. Results show that the climate is changing, with a statistically significant (p = 0.031; α = 0.05) increase in the annual mean temperature and a declining rainfall trend, though not statistically significant (p=0.753; α = 0.05). Views from local communities and stakeholders confirm the existence of climate change. There is a deluge of response strategies to the changing climate, including borehole drilling, roof rainwater harvesting, surface storage, water reuse and water transfers. These strategies have directly contributed to the achievement of SDG 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation), SDG 11 (Sustainable Settlements), and SDG 13 (Climate Action). They have also indirectly contributed to the achievement of SDG 3 (Health), SDG 5 (Gender), SDG 9 (Infrastructure) SDG 12 (Sustainable Consumption) and SDG 15 (Life on Land). The study concludes that there is an inextricable link between CCRS and SDGs. However, implementation of the response strategies is riddled with challenges that are threatening the sustainability matters. There is a need to design community-driven response mechanisms synergized with national and international climate adaptation initiatives to ensure sustainability of the strategies through guaranteed policy and resource support from the national government and non-governmental agencies.

Composting of distillery spent wash

Lara Rúbia Borges Silva — 2023-11-06

Distillery spent wash, a by-product of the alcoholic beverage industry, is an organic waste whose management poses significant challenges due to its acidity, high organic load, notable content of polyphenols, macronutrients, micronutrients and heavy metals. In Europe, billions of liters of distillery waste are generated annually and its eco-unfriendly disposal can cause severe environmental and health impacts. Composting is a viable management strategy to treat and manage distillery slop promoting the recycling and stabilization of organic matter and nutrients in the material. The review examines different composting methods, such as single composting, co-composting and vermicomposting, along with their benefits and drawbacks. To optimize composting effectiveness, various materials, such as sewage sludge, vinasse, green and animal manure, inorganic amendments, bagasse, filter cake and municipal solid waste, among other agro-food and animal bio-wastes, can be used as a source of nitrogen and microorganisms. Also, the usage of different materials and mixtures aims to enhance the composting process increasing the degradation rate and the quality of the compost. The challenges of distillery spent wash composting are also covered in the paper which are mainly due to its characteristics, including high salt content, low carbon-to-nitrogen ratio, low pH and potential phytotoxicity. The paper concludes that composting distillery spent wash is an effective and sustainable waste management solution for recovering valuable nutrient resources and producing a stable nutrient-rich organic soil amendment. The produced compost can improve crop yields, nutrient absorption by plants and plant biomass and contribute to soil properties and restoration. The review provides insights into the current state of distillery spent wash composting and recommends future research directions to improve efficiency and expand potential applications.

Investigation of Abundance and Spatial Distribution of Marine Debris on Ghanaian Urban Coastal Beaches

Kofi Adu- Boahen — 2023-12-26

Marine debris has been identified as a form of pollution for more than half a century, and it is a major concern for the general public due to its detrimental effects on the environment and human health. The accumulation of marine debris not only affects the aesthetic appeal of our oceans but also poses a significant threat to safety. The impact of marine debris on the tourism industry, especially the eco-tourism sector, is a growing concern both locally and globally. The objective of this study was to conduct a comprehensive assessment of marine debris on three beaches of Ghana along the Gulf of Guinea. It sought to survey the spatiotemporal changes in the concentration of marine debris, quantify the perceptions of locals and beach users of marine debris, examine the citizen science perspectives on marine debris and finally analyse the effects of marine debris on coastal resources. The study employed a shoreline debris survey and citizen science approach to achieve this objective. Content analysis in NVivo was deployed to analyze transcriptions from the interviews. A standing stock beach survey was used to survey debris in 100 m² quadrants for 30 occasions each for the three studied beaches at 12-day intervals, which spanned one year. Debris was classified and quantified according to the NOAA classification scheme for marine debris. The quantitative data generated were analyzed in SPSS 23.0 to establish debris abundance and spatiotemporal differences. Results revealed that plastics are the dominant debris type, accounting for 52% of the total debris surveyed, which was confirmed by the citizen science approach. Biriwa Beach had a minor debris abundance, statistically different from Abandze and Anomabo. The paper found significant seasonal differences in the concentration and spatial distribution of all debris types except for plastics and processed lumber. Respondents acknowledged the effects of marine debris on humans and the environment. The study recommends making adequate waste management infrastructure available in the area. NGOs and the Municipal Assembly should educate residents on effective mass participation in waste management practices to curb debris accumulation.

Diversity and Structure of Khaya Senegalensis (desr.) A.Juss Habitats Along Phytogeographical Zones in Chad (Central Africa)

Ali Mbodou Langa — 2024-06-26

In Chad, the species of Khaya senegalensis is commonly used by the local communities to treat several diseases such as malaria, fever and cough. However, the species is facing the greatest threat for the survival due to its exploitation as timber. The species is on the IUCN red list with endangered status locally. Thus, this study assessed the population structure and ecological indicators of vegetation in three climatic zones dominated by Khaya senegalensis in Chad as a basis for sustainable management and conservation strategies. A total of 88 plots (30 m x 30 m) were used in three phytogeographical zones for data collection. The structural parameters (tree density, basal area) and ecological indicators (specific richness, Shannon diversity index, Pielou’s evenness index, importance value index) were assessed for all tree species and for Khaya senegalensis following a climatic gradient. A number of 300 tree species belonging to 66 families, 11 life form and 14 chorological types were inventoried. K. senegaleensis had the highest significance value index across all three climate zones. In terms of vegetation characteristic, Sudano-Guinean and Sudanian zones were similar against Sudano-Sahelian zone which was different. These results should be fundamental for the conservation and sustainable management of K. senegalensis and its habitats specially in Chad. Likely, the findings contribute to knowledge addition for the species conservation. However, the methodological limitations related to sampling should not be obscured. Therefore, the species’ abundance areas were randomly identified while plots were placed stratified.

Monitoring Changes in Parts of the Guinea-Savannah Woodlands

Iris Ekua Mensimah Fynn — 2024-07-04

Land use and land cover (LULC) in Ghana has undergone a lot of changes over the past years emanating from natural and anthropogenic activities. This study is a comprehensive analysis of LULC changes in parts of the Guinea-Savannah through an integrated approach of geospatial procedures. Multi-temporal satellite imagery data sets of four different years, 1990 (Landsat TM), 2000 (Landsat ETM+), 2010 (Landsat ETM+) and 2020 (Landsat ETM+) were analyzed. Built-up area, Agricultural land, Closed savannah vegetation, Open savannah vegetation and Water bodies were LULC categories delineated for Jirapa municipality. The Cellular Automata-Markov (CA-Markov) model was applied to predict the likely changes in LULC in 2030. The study revealed that the most dominant land cover type in the municipality is the Open savannah vegetation as it occupied averagely 45% of the total surface area. Built-up area increased in area coverage by 93% between 1990 and 2020. Agricultural activities, bushfires, deforestation, infrastructural development, and population growth are the main drivers of changes in Agricultural land, Open savannah vegetation, Closed savannah vegetation and Water bodies. The LULC prediction for 2030 showed that the Built-up areas would increase significantly in 2030 leading to a 6% reduction in Agricultural land in 2030.

Description of the Characteristic Soil Profiles and Indication of the Degree of Sheet Erosion in Verpelét

Anna Dobos — 2024-12-10

In the administrative area of Verpelét settlement, we excavated 22 soil profiles in July and August of 2014 to show what soil types build up the area, as well as the extent of soil erosion in each profile. The description of the soil profiles was carried out based on the methods of the FAO (2006) and Novák’s Soil Practicality (2013). In the study area, we found chernozem brown forest soils (Chernozems), alluvial meadow soils (Fluvisols), humous sandy soils (Arenosols), humous alluvial soils (Fluvisols), meadow chernozem soils (Chernozems), Ramann brown forest soils (Cambisols), and brown forest soils with clay illuviation (Luvisols). We examined the sheet erosion in the vicinity of Verpelét using three methods: (1) GIS method considering slope category values, (2) examining the geomorphological character of the environment around the soil profiles, and (3) determining the sheet erosion within the specific soil profiles using the methods of Kerényi (1991) and Kerényi and Martonné Erdős (1994). The first method did not indicate any erosion-prone areas in the Verpelét vicinity; however, we were able to detect greater soil erosion in the excavated soil profiles. Using the second method, 32% of the excavated soil profiles were strongly eroded, 36% were moderately eroded, 4.5% were weakly eroded, and 27.5% showed accumulation conditions. However, our third method, which focused on specific soil profiles, indicated that 32% of the excavated soil profiles were strongly eroded, 63.5% were moderately eroded, and only 4.5% were weakly eroded. The question arises as to what causes this significant difference between the various methods, and where the significant sheet erosion in the examined profiles in Verpelét actually originates from. In order to investigate this question, we examined the 1st, 2nd, 3rd Military Survey Maps, the topographic map from 1990, the CLC18 satellite imagery and the 2023 version of Google Earth. The previously forested areas on these maps were already characterized by extensive arable land, and later by arable and vineyard areas. Today, Verpelét has become predominantly an actively cultivated agricultural landscape. Therefore, the significant sheet erosion can be attributed to the spread of inappropriate land use methods and significant anthropogenic impacts (β-euhemerobic level).

Urban Geomorphology and Environmental Problems in Poti River Plain in Crateús, Northeast Brazil

Francisco Leandro Costa Soares — 2024-12-10

This paper deals with the Urban Geomorphology of the Poti River in Crateus, at Ceara State, Northeast Brazil. The objective is to carry out a geographical analysis of the aspects that make up this study section. The methodology is based on geosystemic analysis, and the techniques involve bibliographic and cartographic research and analysis-description in the field. The main results found were that the Poti River and the City developed under a very peculiar geological-geomorphological stratum, which contributed to define the current natural and social landscape features present in the fluvial plain. The use and occupation analysis showed that the river course is considerably contaminated and degraded. Soil sealing, water pollution, silting, the presence of sub-anormal agglomerations are some situations that indicate unappropriated use and occupation. It is intended with this geographic-geomorphological research, to support the recovery and conservation of this water resource in the context of the city. It is the first research made in this municipality about its urban problems, and we expect it to be taken into consideration by the local government. It is also an improvement in terms of analysis of the urban environment in countryside Northeast Brazil.

The Relationship Between the Ecological Network and the Water System in the Carpathian Basin

Virág Kutnyánszky — 2024-12-16

In our research we dealt with the relationship between the water system (including both the groundwater bodies and the surface waters), the ecological network and land use. Our primary goal was to compare the agricultural suitability to conservation areas, which can provide a framework for sustainable land use in a national-international scale. Our research took place in the Carpathian basin, so that we could observe broader, more comprehensive correlations between the researched aspects at the water catchment area.

We explored the landscape and environmental features of the Carpathian Basin and then analyzed them with the help of GIS methods. We analyzed three different feature categories: the first aspect was water presence and protection, the second was the current land cover, and the third was the Natura 2000 network as a habitat-system and biodiversity protection element. Data collection was obstructed by the fact that the catchment-based study area belongs to 9 countries, only a part of which are EU member states, so we could not rely on EU databases (e.g. CORINE land cover). Based on the available data, we performed GIS analyses, which revealed the common values and dilemmas of the three different aspects.

Based on our results, it was possible to define the areas that adapt to the landscape function but are primarily suitable for cultivation (either arable land, grassland or forestry), the habitats that are sensitive from a natural point of view, and the transitional areas located between them. Our results suggest that the management between these two fields are not cooperating currently. Agricultural land could play a significant role in the joint development in the future, since these areas struggle with both floods and droughts and also with maintaining biodiversity.

Identification and Landscape Pattern Analysis of Peri-Urban Areas

Zhen Shi — 2024-12-19

The process of peri-urbanization in the context of globalization has become a global phenomenon. Taking Budapest as a case study, this study aims to develop a breakpoint clustering method that combines breakpoint method and spatial clustering to identify peri-urban areas (PUAs). Landscape metrics were used to analyze the structure and characteristics of various landscapes within PUAs. The results indicate that PUAs in Budapest occupy 39.63% of the area, predominantly consisting of artificial surfaces and agricultural land. In PUAs, artificial surfaces are the dominant landscape type, water bodies exhibit high aggregation and strong connectivity, while agricultural areas, forests and semi-natural areas show high fragmentation. The identification and landscape analysis of PUAs will provide significant insights for urban studies and governmental planning.