Anaerobes and methanogens dominate the microbial communities in water harvesting ponds used by Kenyan rural smallholder farmers

This paper applies a parametric econometric duration model (log–logistic) to analyze the duration of adoption of rain water harvesting techniques (RWHTs) among smallholder farmers in the Lake Naivasha basin, Kenya. The study utilizes survey data from 307 farm-households who are dependent on rain-fed agriculture in a region where rainfall has historically been relatively variable. In such circumstances, RWHT helps to stabilize water supply and help farmers manage weather-related risks. The current study seeks to identify constraints to the spread of RWHTs by exploring how rainfall variability influences the timing of decisions to adopt RWHTs alongside other farm-household and spatial characteristics. Empirical results indicate that although rainfall variability is a significant determinant of time to adoption of RWHTs, farmers’ sensitivity to rainfall variability have declined over time. Instead, access to informal sources of information has gained importance in adoption of RWHT implying that adoption has become more of an endogenous process of social exchange within communities, and less driven by external natural pressure and persuasion by state agents. Other important factors were: age and education level of household head, domestic water demand, ground water abstraction and the number of previous and expected adopters in the village.

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Multi-method efficiency analysis of Rainwater Harvesting Systems in Corredor Seco region, Central America

10.5194/egusphere-egu2020-16844 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Elena Bresci ◽

Giulio Castelli ◽

Nadia Ursino ◽

Antonio Giacomin ◽

Federico Preti

Keyword(s):

Rainwater Harvesting ◽

Smallholder Farmers ◽

Water Source ◽

Extreme Weather Events ◽

Rainfall Time Series ◽

Vegetable Production ◽

Water Harvesting ◽

Storage Tanks ◽

Balanced Diet ◽

Harvesting Systems

The region of Corridor Seco (Dry Corridor, including parts of Guatemala, Honduras and El Salvador) has been facing multiple food crises caused by extreme weather events, water scarcity and land degradation phenomena. In this situation, Rooftop Water Harvesting (RWH) systems can effectively enhance local livelihoods, especially in marginalized communities, by providing an additional water source for domestic use, livestock, and irrigation of small horticultural plots which are key for vegetable production and thus for vitaminic input in a well-balanced diet.Dimensioning sufficient storage tanks for rainwater collection is key, since smallholder farmers&#8217; capabilities are often hindered by low financial capacity as well as by limited land extension for reservoir building.Efficiency of storage tanks and design criteria for water harvesting systems are investigated on the base of rainfall time series analysis, probabilistic risk assessment and Monte Carlo simulation (Ursino, 2016). The approach is tested on a series of (RWH) systems built in Guatemalan part of the Corredor Seco, Chiquimula department, with sustainable and appropriate building techniques, but with variable size due to the variability of each household. Factors affecting efficiency of storage tanks are discussed to inform future sustainable water management planning in the area.Reference:Ursino, N. Risk Analysis Approach to Rainwater Harvesting Systems. Water 2016, 8, 337. https://doi.org/10.3390/w8080337

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Factoring water harvesting into climate change adaptation: Endogenous responses by smallholder farmers in Gwanda district, Zimbabwe

Cogent Social Sciences ◽

10.1080/23311886.2020.1784652 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 6 (1) ◽

pp. 1784652 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Sibonokuhle Ndlovu ◽

Bakani Mathe ◽

Keith Phiri ◽

Douglas Nyathi

Keyword(s):

Climate Change ◽

Climate Change Adaptation ◽

Smallholder Farmers ◽

Water Harvesting

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A peek in the micro-sized world: a review of design principles, engineering tools, and applications of engineered microbial community

Biochemical Society Transactions ◽

10.1042/bst20190172 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 48 (2) ◽

pp. 399-409

Author(s):

Baizhen Gao ◽

Rushant Sabnis ◽

Tommaso Costantini ◽

Robert Jinkerson ◽

Qing Sun

Keyword(s):

Microbial Community ◽

Microbial Communities ◽

Environmental Remediation ◽

Real Life ◽

Design Principles ◽

Microbial Interactions ◽

Potential Applications ◽

New Gene ◽

Global Biogeochemical Cycles ◽

Synthetic Microbial Communities

Microbial communities drive diverse processes that impact nearly everything on this planet, from global biogeochemical cycles to human health. Harnessing the power of these microorganisms could provide solutions to many of the challenges that face society. However, naturally occurring microbial communities are not optimized for anthropogenic use. An emerging area of research is focusing on engineering synthetic microbial communities to carry out predefined functions. Microbial community engineers are applying design principles like top-down and bottom-up approaches to create synthetic microbial communities having a myriad of real-life applications in health care, disease prevention, and environmental remediation. Multiple genetic engineering tools and delivery approaches can be used to ‘knock-in' new gene functions into microbial communities. A systematic study of the microbial interactions, community assembling principles, and engineering tools are necessary for us to understand the microbial community and to better utilize them. Continued analysis and effort are required to further the current and potential applications of synthetic microbial communities.

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