Sebastián Fuentes-Alburquenque, María José Vargas-Straube, Michael Seeger
et al.
Abstract Antarctica, though remote and sparsely inhabited, faces significant ecological risks due to human activities and settlements that generate, among others, fuel leaks. In particular, maritime ice-free soils are becoming increasingly vulnerable to environmental disturbances, particularly hydrocarbon (HC) contamination, which represents a significant ecological threat. Low temperatures and limited nutrients reduce microbial degradation rates, allowing contamination to persist for decades. Despite their ecological importance, the structure and environmental drivers of Antarctic soil microbial communities under chronic HC exposure, such as at research stations, remain poorly understood. In this study, we characterized the bacterial/archaeal and eukaryotic communities across 106 soils sampled near research stations in three regions of the Antarctic Peninsula and the South Shetland Islands over two consecutive years, encompassing a wide range of HC pollution levels. Using 16S and 18S rRNA gene sequencing, we assessed amplicon sequence variants (ASVs) and explored spatial and environmental variables that influence microbial diversity, structure, and functional potential. While bacterial/archaeal beta-diversity was primarily influenced by geographic distance, functional profiles and eukaryotic diversity were shaped mainly by environmental factors, particularly HC concentration, pH, and conductivity. We identified consistent shifts in community composition, with HC and conductivity negatively correlated with alpha-diversity, and pH positively correlated. Hydrocarbon pollution consistently reduced microbial alpha-diversity and enriched specific taxa and functions. Notably, an Actinobacterium (Williamsia) and a Leotiomycetes fungus, largely dominated in heavily polluted sites. These taxa emerged as consistent indicators – or sentinel taxa – of HC pollution at a regional scale. Microbial communities in Antarctic soils are shaped differently by a dynamic interplay between space and environment, but chronic pollution can drive consistent community shifts across geographically distant sites.
PurposeThis study aims to examine the thermal performance of vertical greenery systems (VGS) in composite climates with seasonal fluctuations, focusing on their impact on indoor thermal comfort in naturally ventilated buildings during the monsoon season.Design/methodology/approachA case–control experiment was conducted in Delhi, India, to compare the hygrothermal effects of a direct green facade (GF) against a bare wall in a naturally ventilated residential building. Data were collected throughout the monsoon season to evaluate the impact on surface temperatures, indoor air temperatures and humidity levels.FindingsThe GF reduced surface temperatures by up to 16.6°C and indoor air temperatures by up to 5°C, demonstrating significant cooling benefits. However, it also elevated the indoor humidity to 81%, which influenced the perceived comfort. Despite this, the system extended the thermal comfort hours owing to the reduction in air temperatures, highlighting its potential to enhance indoor thermal conditions in monsoon-dominated regions.Originality/valueThis study addresses a critical gap in the understanding of the dual effects of VGS on temperature and humidity in composite climates, specifically during high-humidity monsoon seasons. It provides empirical evidence of the benefits and challenges of implementing GFs in naturally ventilated residences, offering insights into their role in urban sustainability and thermal comfort. These findings advocate region-specific research and strategic integration of VGS into urban design to optimize their effectiveness across diverse climatic conditions.
Urban groups. The city. Urban sociology, Cities. Urban geography
Mohammad Hajipour, Hossein Ekramy Moghaddam, Mohammad Eskandari Sani
IntroductionRural sustainable development is a multifaceted challenge for spatial planning and management systems, requiring integrated strategies that harmonize economic, technological, environmental, and socio-cultural subsystems to foster cohesive growth. Effective approaches must also incorporate strategic planning and regulatory actions to ultimately achieve equitable rural development and reduce urban-rural disparities. In this context, global experiences increasingly support the adoption of green management as a viable pathway. Iran and its surrounding geographical regions face severe environmental challenges, including natural resource degradation, water scarcity, land degradation, and biodiversity loss. These pressures amplify the urgency of embracing green management, sustainable development, and the green industrial revolution—particularly in rural areas. The Deyhook district in Tabas County, South Khorasan Province, eastern Iran, exemplifies these challenges: chronic water scarcity, soil erosion, declining biodiversity, reliance on water-intensive agriculture, and weak waste and renewable energy management. For instance, due to climate change and prolonged droughts, among 16 villages with populations over 20 households, eight larger villages receive water via tanker trucks under rationing from Deyhook city, while the remaining eight face severe declines in spring and qanat yields. In many villages, agriculture has collapsed entirely, wells have been equipped with smart meters, and residents struggle to secure even basic domestic water supplies. Moreover, excessive groundwater extraction by coal mines at three geographically dispersed sites has led to the abandonment of villages such as Parudeh, Pikuh, and Nistan. If current trends continue, the long-term habitability of the region is at serious risk. Since the sustainability of human settlements fundamentally depends on residents’ livelihoods—and, by extension, on reliable and sustainable access to productive resources—proper management, particularly within a green management framework, can not only promote resource efficiency but also enhance the economic, social, and environmental resilience of these communities. Therefore, this study aims to evaluate the rural settlements of Deyhook district based on green management principles and to propose practical solutions for transforming the current unsustainable conditions into a more resilient and sustainable future. MethodologyThis study is applied in purpose and descriptive in nature. The statistical population consists of two expert groups: regional experts and local experts and informed stakeholders. The first group—regional experts—includes seven members comprising technical staff from the Deyhook district administration and university academics with expertise in sustainable rural development. This group was responsible for identifying key criteria and sub-criteria related to rural green management and determining their relative weights using the Analytic Network Process (ANP), a multi-criteria decision-making method suitable for capturing interdependencies among factors. The second group—local experts and informed stakeholders—comprises village administrators (Dehyars) and members of Islamic Councils from all 16 villages in the Deyhook district. In each village, a local expert panel of 2 to 4 members was formed. These panels participated in assessing the current status of their villages regarding green management indicators through structured questionnaires based on the Rural Settlement Evaluation Framework. Data collected from these assessments were analyzed using the MARCOS (Measurement Alternatives and Ranking according to Compromise Solution) method to rank villages based on their performance in green management. Finally, to identify actionable strategies for improvement, insights from both expert groups were integrated and structured within the SOAR framework (Strengths, Opportunities, Aspirations, Results), which emphasizes positive, vision-driven planning. This mixed-method approach—combining ANP for weighting, MARCOS for ranking, and SOAR for strategy development—ensures a robust, participatory, and context-sensitive evaluation, supporting both diagnostic analysis and practical intervention in rural sustainability planning. FindingsAt the macro level, the criterion "Residents' Environmental Ethics and Culture" holds the highest weight (0.166), indicating that experts view behavioral change, awareness, and the development of a sustainability culture as the most fundamental drivers of successful green management. Using the MARCOS method, villages in the Deyhook district of Tabas County were ranked based on green management criteria, revealing significant differences in sustainable development levels and performance. Esfandiar village ranked first with the highest efficiency index (f(Ki) = 0.665), emerging as a model for green management—likely due to stronger sustainable infrastructure, effective waste management, access to modern technologies, and a participatory environmental culture. Esfahk (0.611) and Chirok (0.607) followed in second and third place, reflecting relatively strong sustainability performance. Overall, higher-ranked villages (1–6) demonstrate better outcomes in infrastructure, renewable energy, education, and environmental culture. Key strengths include the region’s largest wildlife refuge with high biodiversity, vast coal reserves, and unique geotourism sites—offering solid foundations for green economy, sustainable tourism, and new energy initiatives. External opportunities, such as access to innovative climate and energy practices and engagement of foreign tourists in environmental stewardship, enable knowledge transfer and cultural investment. The defined aspirations—such as green management in all villages, full environmental compatibility, reduced resource waste, and full sustainability—reflect a shift from purely physical development toward a holistic, integrated sustainability model. Discussion and ConclusionThis study develops and applies an integrated framework for rural green management in Deyhook, a desert region under environmental stress. Using MARCOS, significant performance disparities among 16 villages were revealed, with Esfandiar ranking highest and Razaviyeh and Zardgah lowest. Experts emphasized "environmental culture" and "infrastructure" as key drivers, reflecting the importance of behavioral change and sustainable systems. Natural assets and external opportunities support green development. Context-sensitive strategies—like solar energy, water recycling, and civic engagement—are proposed. By integrating theory, field assessment, and practical solutions, this study offers a replicable, holistic model for sustainable transformation in arid rural regions, supporting policy-making, equity, and community resilience through participatory, knowledge-integrated planning.
Despite being a world-class tourist destination, the U.S. Virgin Islands (USVI—St. Thomas, St. Croix, and St. John) face significant challenges related to diversified crop production, food distribution, and food security. High poverty rates among islanders perpetuated by historical iniquities, frequent hurricane damage, drought, poor soil quality, high food production costs, and limited food distribution networks are just a few of the challenges residents face. Consequently, 97% of the food consumed in the USVI is imported. Frequent hurricane damage, such as the recent damage from Irma and Maria (back-to-back Category 5 storms that hit the islands in 2017) complicated these challenges even more and disrupted food import processes. This manuscript focuses on a case study involving a literature review, participant observation, and a series of semi-structured, face-to-face interviews with key informants about issues related to food insecurity, resilience, and farmer needs regarding business sustainability. The results highlight how the political, economic, and cultural complexities of the USVI stymie efforts to lower barriers related to food accessibility and affordability. The results also reveal a new and vibrant entrepreneurial spirit among native islanders and transplants alike, providing novel entryways into food system change and development. Finally, we share policy implications and next steps toward building agriculture and food system resiliency.
Das Sterben ist eine alltägliche Praxis, nicht nur in den urbanen Zentren. Doch zeigen sich aus geschichtswissenschaftlicher Perspektive erhebliche Desiderate. Obgleich seit einigen Jahren eine „neue Sichtbarkeit des Todes“ postuliert wird, verweist diese neue Beschäftigung vielfach auf Vorstellungen über den Tod und das Sterben und weniger auf Realitäten des Todes. Der folgende Beitrag fokussiert auf die architektonischen und institutionellen städtischen Strukturen, die als Topoi des Todes mit Tod und Sterben verbunden sind. Unter dem Schlagwort „Recht auf Stadt“ wird an dieser Stelle auf Ansprüche, aktuelle Transformationen und historische Prozesse verwiesen und damit die Frage aufgeworfen, welchen Stellenwert die Thematik in unserer heutigen Gesellschaft einnimmt.
Cities. Urban geography, Urban groups. The city. Urban sociology
‘Erali’ Miller, Kathleen Schroeder, Bhuwan Thapa
et al.
This case study examines young children’s access to fresh local produce in childcare settings in rural Appalachia. In-depth, semi-structured interviews with childcare center directors participating in farm to early care and education programming were conducted in the spring of 2023. Centering the perspective of childcare directors, this research explores why farm to school programming is difficult to implement. It specifically addresses the barriers preventing early childcare centers from providing access to fresh and local produce to enrolled children. Eight primary obstacles to implementing farm to early care and education programming were identified: lack of staff; too wide a variety of tasks for directors; the “extra” work that fresh produce requires; lack of knowledge about how to grow food; lack of required kitchen equipment; need for additional funding; unclear or out-of-date regulations about food safety; and a lack of parental time. Limitations of the research include the specific geographic location of the study and the long-lasting implications of the COVID-19 pandemic. Recommendations drawn from this case study include improving communication between childcare centers and regulatory agencies; creative use of alternative gardening practices; participating in a regional food hub; and improved funding.
Susilawati Susilawati, Nur Asyiah, M. Nur Iskandar
Pandemi merubah pola proses pendidikan yang semula tatap muka menjadi dalam jaringan (daring). Pembelajaran daring yang dilaksanakan selama ini berupa pemberian tugas untuk mencatat dan mengerjakan soal-soal yang ada pada buku paket melalui Whatsapp Group, dampaknya peserta didik mengalami kejenuhan dan motivasi belajar pun menjadi menurun. Guru perlu berinovasi dan berkreasi untuk menampilkan pembelajaran daring dengan cara menyenangkan melalui berbagai aplikasi pembelajaran yang menarik. Salah satu media yang mendukung kreativitas guru dalam mengajar daring diantaranya menyajikan Lembar Kerja Peserta Didik (LKPD) melalui aplikasi liveworksheet. Tujuan kegiatan PKM ini memberikan pelatihan dan pendampingan penyusunan LKPD untuk guru-guru SD sehingga, mampu menciptakan pembelajaran daring yang inspiratif, interaktif, menyenangkan, menantang, dan memotivasi peserta didik. Metode yang digunakan dalam kegiatan PkM ini meliputi 3 tahapan (1) observasi pembelajaran daring yang dilaksanakan di sekolah, (2) pelatihan penyusunan LKPD menggunakan aplikasi liveworksheet, (3) pendampingan dan evaluasi implementasi LKPD menggunakan aplikasi liveworksheet. Rangkaian kegiatan ini telah mampu meningkatkan motivasi peserta kegiatan yaitu guru-guru SD dalam menyusun LKPD online menggunakan aplikasi liveworksheet. Selain itu, peserta didik merasakan adanya perbedaan belajar yang signifikan dari pembelajaran yang biasa dilakukan, 100% guru mampu membuat LKPD interactive. Ide pembuatan LKPD 10%, memasukkan gambar dalam LKPD 70%, memasukkan video dalam LKPD 80%, memasukkan video dalam LKPD 50%, Komponen LKPD bervariatif 30%. LKPD Interaktif dengan menggunakan liveworksheet dapat digunakan di seluruh wilayah Indonesia sehingga proses belajar menjadi lebih mudah dan menyenangkan.
The Hengduan Mountains, adjoining Asia9s massive Tibetan Plateau, boast one of the richest alpine plant communities known. With more than 3000 species, the region is the center of diversity for many plants loved by gardeners, including Rhododendrons, Primulas, and Gentians. On p. 578, researchers reveal this alpine plant community originated some 30 million years ago, making it the world9s oldest continuous alpine ecosystem. Rising mountain chains stimulated the diversification, as did intense monsoon rains. The findings have implications both for understanding how geological and meteorological forces can mold plant communities and for predicting how they might cope with future climate and landscape changes. The Hengduans9 ancient flora must also cope with increasing human activities, in the form of new roads, hydroelectric dams, and growing settlements and farms.
J. M. Rebêlo, J. L. P. Moraes, Gustavo Cruz
et al.
Abstract Variation in the structure of phlebotomine (sand fly) communities in forest fragments with different degrees of preservation and human occupation (peridomicile) in eastern Amazonia was studied. We identified 43 species of sand flies in our study, of which 38 occurred in both preserved forest areas and in the peridomiciles of short-term settlements, while another 28 species occurred in altered forest fragments and long-term settlements. The composition of the community at each site changed with the type of environment (forest or peridomicile), with the species Lutzomyia evandroi, L. whitmani, L. choti, L. serrana, L. triacantha, L. migonei, L. hirsuta, L. shannoni, and L. brachyphylla accounting for more than 54% of the differences among environments. The quality of the environment exerted a significant influence on the structure of phlebotomine communities, and affected their species composition, richness, and abundance.
<p>Durante el siglo XX Bahía Blanca fue un caso peculiar en la reestructuración ferroviaria argentina. Si bien la ciudad había sido un importante núcleo ferroportuario, la racionalización de infraestructuras —a cargo del Ministerio de Transporte e iniciada en 1948— estuvo concentrada en otras ciudades del país. Por ello, en la historia urbana y urbanística de Bahía Blanca la sensación de un desarrollo incompleto contrasta con grandes aspiraciones inalcanzadas. El objetivo del artículo es comparar imaginarios y realidades en torno a los predios ferroviarios desafectados, analizando documentos de la prensa y de los planes urbanos. Dicha tarea ha sido concebida en referencia a la historia del urbanismo en la Argentina y a sus paradigmas disciplinares.</p>
Cities. Urban geography, Urbanization. City and country
Toledo is not only a historical city, but one that has been developed haphazardly in a disjointed and unstructured manner. In 2007, the Municipal Urban Zoning Plan established its main purpose as to resolve this dysfunctionality in a sustainable way. The objective of this article is to demonstrate that this plan has foundered and it is necessary to consider a newer and more urbanised city planning model. The plan took into consideration an erroneous territorial model with an expansive land development classification that includes extensive housing development. We have implemented an analytical and critical methodology based upon multiple sources, such as literature, the press and other direct sources: statistics, judicial rulings, GIS and the plan itself. This research and its findings are comparatively applicable to other cities where there is an expansive urban development model in place.
Gwenyth O. Lee, Maribel Paredes Olortegui, G. Salmon‐Mulanovich
et al.
BackgroundInformal settlements are common throughout the developing world. In Peru, land occupations, commonly “invasions” in Spanish, are a means by which the extremely poor attempt to obtain access to land. Here, we examine difference in child health between two communities in the Peruvian Amazon, one well-established and one newly formed by ‘invasion’, as captured incidentally by a prospective epidemiological cohort study.MethodsBetween 2002 and 2006 a study designed to describe the epidemiology of pediatric enteric infections and child growth in a community-based setting enrolled 442 children in Santa Clara de Nanay, a community adjacent to the city of Iquitos, in Loreto, Peru. In early 2003, a land occupation, commonly called an “invasion” in Spanish, was organized by members of the Santa Clara community, and approximately 20 % of participating study families began occupying privately owned agricultural land adjacent to Santa Clara, thus forming the new community of La Union.ResultsParents in families that chose to invade reported less education than parents in families that chose not to. Children in the new community experienced a higher incidence of diarrheal disease and non-specific fevers, although fewer helminth infections, than children who remained in the established community. At the time of the invasion, there were no differences in anthropometric status between the two groups; however children in the new community experienced greater progressive growth faltering over the course of the longitudinal study.ConclusionsGrowth faltering in early childhood represents an enduring loss of human potential. Therefore, our data suggests the human cost of land invasion may be disproportionately borne by the youngest individuals. Innovative policy strategies may be needed to protect this vulnerable group.
Throughout the Holocene, Lake Turkana has been subject to drastic changes in lake levels and the subsistence strategies people employ to survive in this hot and arid region. In this paper, we reconstruct the position of the lake during the Holocene within a paleoclimatic context. Atmospheric forcing mechanisms are discussed in order to contextualize the broader landscape changes occurring in eastern Africa over the last 12,000 years. The Holocene is divided into five primary phases according to changes in the strand-plain evolution, paleoclimate, and human subsistence strategies practiced within the basin. Early Holocene fishing settlements occurred adjacent to high and relatively stable lake levels. A period of high-magnitude oscillations in lake levels ensued after 9,000 years BP and human settlements appear to have been located close to the margins of the lake. Aridification and a final regression in lake levels ensued after 5,000 years BP and human communities were generalized pastoralists-fishers-foragers. During the Late Holocene, lake levels may have dropped below their present position and subsistence strategies appear to have been flexible and occasionally specialized on animal pastoralism. Modern missionary and government outposts have encouraged the construction of permanent settlements in the region, which are heavily dependent on outside resources for their survival. Changes in the physical and cultural environments of the Lake Turkana region have been closely correlated, and understanding the relationship between the two variables remains a vital component of archaeological research.RésuméTout l'Holocène, le lac Turkana a été soumis à des changements drastiques dans l’altitude des lacs et les stratégies de subsistance des gens utilisent pour survivre dans cette région chaude et aride. Dans cet article, nous reconstruisons la position du lac au cours de l'Holocène dans un contexte paléoclimatique. Mécanismes de forçage atmosphériques sont discutées afin de contextualiser les changements de paysage plus larges qui se produisent en Afrique orientale au cours des 12.000 dernières années. L'Holocène est divisé en cinq phases principales en fonction des changements dans l'évolution altitude du lac, paléoclimats et les stratégies de subsistance humains pratiqués dans le bassin. Premiers établissements de pêche de l'Holocène ont eu lieu à proximité d’altitude d'eau élevés et relativement stables. Une période d'oscillations de grande amplitude dans l’altitude du lac s'ensuit après 9000 années BP et les établissements humains semblent avoir été situé à proximité des marges sur le lac. Aridification et une régression finale du altitude des lacs s'ensuit après 5000 années BP et les communautés humaines sont généralisées éleveurs-pêcheurs-cueilleurs. Au cours de l'Holocène tardif, les altitudes des lacs pourraient avoir chuté en dessous de leur position actuelle et les stratégies de subsistance semblent avoir fait preuve de souplesse et de temps en temps spécialisé sur le pastoralisme des animaux. Postes de les missionaires et du gouvernement modernes ont encouragé la construction de colonies permanentes dans la région, qui sont fortement tributaires des ressources extérieures pour leur survivance. Les changements dans les environnements physiques et culturels de la région du lac Turkana ont été étroitement corrélés, et la compréhension de la relation entre les deux variables reste une composante essentielle de la recherche archéologique.
Mateja Savoie-Roskos, Heidi LeBlanc, Casey Coombs
et al.
Many farmers markets are now accepting federal nutrition assistance benefits through programs such as the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), allowing program participants to use their benefits for purchasing locally grown fruits and vegetables. Select farmers markets that accept SNAP benefits offer nutrition education through recipe testing, cooking demonstrations, and recipe cards for market patrons. Minimal data, however, have been collected to determine the effectiveness of the educational materials used at farmers markets. The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program-Education (SNAP-Ed) program through Utah State University Extension collected initial and follow-up data from farmers market patrons through directly administered questionnaires. These questionnaires measured the impact of the food samples, recipe cards, and produce information posters shared with SNAP and non-SNAP participants at six Utah farmers markets in 2014 and 2015. Farmers market vendors were also surveyed to determine the influence of the SNAP-Ed booth on food sales and market value. Results of this study show that SNAP participants (n=140) are significantly more likely (p<0.05) than non-SNAP participants (n=917) to be influenced by the educational strategies utilized at the SNAP-Ed farmers market booth. Market vendors also reported increased produce sales as a result of having the SNAP-Ed booth at the market. Offering nutrition education at farmers markets that accept SNAP benefits is one way to educate low-income shoppers on how to select, store, and prepare local produce; it may also increase the overall amount of produce purchased at the market.