Utilisation of Groundwater in Jebel el Akhdar, North-East Libya, as a Basis of Agricultural Improvement with Special Emphasis on the El Marj Plain

Salt Water ◽

Water Shortage ◽

Agricultural Improvement ◽

North East ◽

Storage Reservoirs ◽

More Care ◽

Limited Demand ◽

AbstractThe critical criteria for regional agricultural development are water and heat. The Jebel el Akhdar region has a semi-arid climate with a marked water shortage except in the winter months. In this paper estimates are made of the runoff which offsets the dry spring and summer and of the storage in the aquifers.The water level records in such regions as El Marj confirm gradual and regular lowering of the water level in the main aquifer. The associated rise of the salt water/fresh water interface is alarming. Great attention must be paid to variation of such storage reservoirs. This situation in the El Marj area is relatively stable compared with other regions of Libya, reflecting the limited demand and relative storage, particularly when water is utilised from the El Gharigh flood.The imbalance in the hydrological basin needs more care in its management and use.

Shifts in Dry-Wet Climate Regions over China and Its Related Climate Factors between 1960–1989 and 1990–2019

Sustainability ◽

10.3390/su14020719 ◽

2022 ◽

Vol 14 (2) ◽

pp. 719

Author(s):

Jinqin Xu ◽

Xiaochen Zhu ◽

Mengxi Li ◽

Xinfa Qiu ◽

Dandan Wang ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Climate Change ◽

Junggar Basin ◽

Water Shortage ◽

Western China ◽

Dominant Factor ◽

Climate Type ◽

Transition Zones ◽

Wet Climate ◽

The shifts in dry-wet climate regions are a natural response to climate change and have a profound impact on the regional agriculture and ecosystems. In this paper, we divided China into four dry-wet climate regions, i.e., arid, semi-arid, semi-humid, and humid regions, based on the humidity index (HI). A comparison of the two 30-year periods, i.e., 1960–1989 and 1990–2019, revealed that there was a shift in climate type in each dry-wet climate region, with six newly formed transitions, and the total area of the shifts to wetter conditions was more than two times larger than that of the shifts to drier conditions. Interestingly, the shifts to drier types were basically distributed in the monsoon region (east of 100∘ E) and especially concentrated in the North China Plain where agricultural development relies heavily on irrigation, which would increase the challenges in dealing with water shortage and food production security under a warming climate. The transitions to wetter types were mainly distributed in western China (west of 100∘ E), and most areas of the Junggar Basin have changed from arid to semi-arid region, which should benefit the local agricultural production and ecological environment to some extent. Based on a contribution analysis method, we further quantified the impacts of each climate factor on HI changes. Our results demonstrated that the dominant factor controlling HI changes in the six newly formed transition regions was P, followed by air temperature (Ta). In the non-transition zones of the arid and semi-arid regions, an increase in P dominated the increase of HI. However, in the non-transition zones of the semi-humid and humid region with a more humid background climate, the thermal factors (e.g., Ta, and net radiation (Rn)) contributed more than or equivalent to the contribution of P to HI change. These findings can provide scientific reference for water resources management and sustainable agricultural development in the context of climate change.

DISSEMINATION AND USE OF INFORMATION ON CLIMATE CHANGE AND VARIABILITY: A CASE STUDY OF FARMERS IN MALUGA AND CHIBELA VILLAGES IN SEMI-ARID CENTRAL TANZANIA

Mousaion ◽

10.25159/0027-2639/157 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 33 (3) ◽

pp. 1-24

Author(s):

Emmanuel Elia ◽

Stephen Mutula ◽

Christine Stilwell

Keyword(s):

Climate Change ◽

Data Collection ◽

Diffusion Of Innovations ◽

Agricultural Sector ◽

Policy Framework ◽

Accurate Information ◽

Adaptation To Climate Change ◽

Climate Change And Variability ◽

This study was part of broader PhD research which investigated how access to, and use of, information enhances adaptation to climate change and variability in the agricultural sector in semi-arid Central Tanzania. The research was carried out in two villages using Rogersâ€™ Diffusion of Innovations theory and model to assess the dissemination of this information and its use by farmers in their adaptation of their farming practices to climate change and variability. This predominantly qualitative study employed a post-positivist paradigm. Some elements of a quantitative approach were also deployed in the data collection and analysis. The principal data collection methods were interviews and focus group discussions. The study population comprised farmers, agricultural extension officers and the Climate Change Adaptation in Africa project manager. Qualitative data were subjected to content analysis whereas quantitative data were analysed to generate mostly descriptive statistics using SPSS. Â Key findings of the study show that farmers perceive a problem in the dissemination and use of climate information for agricultural development. They found access to agricultural inputs to be expensive, unreliable and untimely. To mitigate the adverse effects of climate change and variability on farming effectively, the study recommends the repackaging of current and accurate information on climate change and variability, farmer education and training, and collaboration between researchers, meteorology experts, and extension officers and farmers. Moreover, a clear policy framework for disseminating information related to climate change and variability is required.

Integration of agri-aqua systems - the Israeli experience.

10.1079/ac.79339.20203483507 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Sagiv Kolkovski ◽

Gideon Hulata

Keyword(s):

Large Scale ◽

Farming Systems ◽

Water Shortage ◽

Fish Ponds ◽

Agricultural Crops ◽

Integrated Farming ◽

Climatic Constraints ◽

Integrated Farming Systems ◽

Israeli Experience ◽

Abstract Israel is located in the Middle East between Africa, Asia and Europe. Like many semi-arid countries, it faces a water shortage due to limited rainfall and freshwater sources. However, in spite of climatic constraints and overall shortage of water, both agriculture and aquaculture are highly developed. Different methods and solutions to maximize water use were developed to deal with the impediments of water and weather. Agriculture is largely intensive and dependent on irrigation from reservoirs during the dry summer. These irrigation reservoirs are also used for fish culture, in integrated farming systems. Large-scale recirculation systems are in use in which water from fish ponds, and/or tanks in greenhouses or outdoors, is passed through large sediment ponds and water treatment systems before returning to the culture systems. A combination of irrigation reservoirs and fishponds/tanks is also used. Other combinations of fishponds and agricultural crops are also trialed and in use.

Hydrosocial Governance and Agricultural Development in Semi-Arid Northwest China

Negotiating Water Governance ◽

10.4324/9781315597720-24 ◽

2016 ◽

pp. 269-284

Keyword(s):

Northwest China ◽

Semi Arid ◽

Arid Northwest China

Interaction between groundwater and seawater in the coastal aquifer of Cap-Bon in the semi-arid systems (north-east of Tunisia)

Carbonates and Evaporites ◽

10.1007/s13146-013-0181-2 ◽

2013 ◽

Vol 29 (3) ◽

pp. 309-326 ◽

Cited By ~ 4

Author(s):

Adel Zghibi ◽

Amira Merzougui ◽

Lahcen Zouhri ◽

Jamila Tarhouni

Keyword(s):

Coastal Aquifer ◽

North East ◽

Blakiston’s Fish-owl Bubo blakistoni and logging: Applying resource selection information to endangered species conservation in Russia

Bird Conservation International ◽

10.1017/s0959270915000076 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 26 (2) ◽

pp. 214-224 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

JONATHAN C. SLAGHT ◽

SERGEI G. SURMACH

Keyword(s):

Protected Area ◽

Resource Selection ◽

Species Conservation ◽

Biosphere Reserve ◽

Road Construction ◽

Home Ranges ◽

Area Network ◽

Protected Area Network ◽

North East

SummaryBlakiston's Fish-owl Bubo blakistoni is classified as ‘Endangered’ by IUCN; this species is associated with riparian old-growth forests in north-east Asia, a landscape threatened by a variety of impacts (e.g. logging, agricultural development, human settlement). We examined a 20,213 km2 study area in Primorye, Russia, and assessed the ability of the protected area network to conserve Blakiston's Fish-owls by analysing resource selection of radio-marked individuals. Based on resource selection functions, we predicted that 60–65 Blakiston's fish-owl home ranges could occur within the study area. We found that the protected area network within our study area contained only 19% of optimal Blakiston's fish-owl habitat and contained only eight potential home ranges (five of these within a single protected area—Sikhote-Alin Biosphere Reserve). We also found that 43% of optimal Blakiston's Fish-owl habitat was within current logging leases; lands capable of supporting habitat equivalent to 24 home ranges. The remaining optimal habitat (38%) was on federal land and potentially contained 28–33 Blakiston's Fish-owl home ranges. The current protected area network, by itself, is not sufficient to conserve the species because relatively few home ranges are actually protected. Therefore, outside of protected areas, we recommend protecting specific locations within potential home ranges that likely contain suitable nest and foraging sites, maintaining integrity of riparian areas, modifying road construction methods, and closing old and unused logging roads to reduce anthropogenic disturbance to the owls and the landscape.

Extreme droughts drive tropical semi-arid eutrophic reservoirs towards CO2 sub-saturation

Acta Limnologica Brasiliensia ◽

10.1590/s2179-975x1517 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 30 (0) ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

Jurandir Rodrigues de Mendonça Júnior ◽

André Megali Amado ◽

Luciana de Oliveira Vidal ◽

Arthur Mattos ◽

Vanessa Becker

Keyword(s):

Carbon Dioxide ◽

Water Level ◽

Chlorophyll A ◽

Co2 Reduction ◽

Water Volume ◽

Drought Period ◽

Autotrophic Metabolism ◽

Semi Arid Region ◽

Carbon Dioxide Co2 ◽

Abstract Aim: This study aimed to evaluate the carbon dioxide (CO2) dynamics in tropical semi-arid reservoirs during a prolonged drought period as well as to test if the trophic state affects the CO2 saturation. Methods This study was performed in four reservoirs located in the tropical semi-arid region in the northeast of Brazil. All samplings were performed between 9 and 12 am using a Van Dorn Bottle. Samples for partial pressure of carbon dioxide (pCO2 ) measurements were taken in the sub-surface as well as samples for total phosphorus and chlorophyll-a. Correlation analysis and linear regression were used to detect relations among the calculated pCO2, water volume and chlorophyll-a. Results The water level reduction due to atypical droughts caused chlorophyll-a concentrations to increase, which in turn, led to CO2 reduction in the water. However, CO2 concentrations were very variable and an alternation between CO2 sub-saturation and super-saturation conditions was observed. This paper showed that water volume and chlorophyll-a were important regulators of CO2 in the water, as well as important carbon balance predictors in the tropical semiarid reservoirs. Conclusions The results of this paper indicate that the eutrophication allied to drastic water level reductions lead to a tendency of autotrophic metabolism of these systems.

Exploring the Dynamic Coupling Relationship between Agricultural Economy and Agro-Ecological Environment in Semi-Arid Areas: A Case Study of Yulin, China

Sustainability ◽

10.3390/su11082259 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 11 (8) ◽

pp. 2259

Author(s):

Xiuping Yang ◽

Dacheng Zhang ◽

Qiqi Jia ◽

Wentao Zhang ◽

Tianyou Wang

Keyword(s):

Impact Analysis ◽

Rapid Expansion ◽

Arid Areas ◽

Dynamic Coupling ◽

Agricultural Economy ◽

Coupling Relationship ◽

High Level ◽

Semi Arid ◽

Coordination Degree

The rapid expansion of agricultural areas in semi-arid China over the past decades has aggravated the imbalance of the agroeconomy and agroecological environment. To further understand the coupling relationship between the two, this paper, taking Yulin as a case, develops an integrated index system for evaluation of the agricultural economy and the agroecological environment, and a model of the coupling coordination degree for evaluation of the dynamic coupling relationship between the two. Based on that, we have investigated the coupling coordination by comparing the differences of the development index of the two sub-systems at different periods. Subsequently, we further clarified the internal interaction and coupling relationship between the two sub-systems with a cross-impact analysis. The results suggested that the weights of ecological environmental conditions and agricultural development input are respectively0.5908 and 0.3570. From 1997 to 2016, a high-level interactive coupling existed between the agroecological environment and agricultural economy, and the coupling coordination degree of the two sub-systems grew slowly. Overall, the degradation of the agroecological environment impeded the coordinated development of the agricultural economy and the level of coupling coordination improved from basic coordination in the beginning to superior coordination in the end. The agricultural economy grew rapidly, at the expense of the degradation of the agroecological environment. Furthermore, more attention should be paid to improving agricultural development input for promoting economic and ecological benefits, and coupling coordination degree of the two sub-systems. These findings are important for boosting sustainable development of the agricultural economy in semi-arid areas.

Effect of drying and urea treatments on tannins levels in browses from North-East Brazil

Proceedings of the British Society of Animal Science ◽

10.1017/s1752756200010231 ◽

2005 ◽

Vol 2005 ◽

pp. 112-112

Author(s):

E. F. Nozella ◽

S. L. S. Cabral Filho ◽

I. C. S. Bueno ◽

P. B. Godoy ◽

C. Longo ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Soil Fertility ◽

Secondary Metabolism ◽

Animal Feed ◽

Polyphenolic Compounds ◽

Sun Drying ◽

North East ◽

Nutritional Compounds ◽

Semi Arid ◽

Phenolics Compounds

Some herbaceous browses have shown a dry tolerance and had been used as animal feed. However, some of those plants have anti nutritional compounds such as tannins that can interfere on intake and digestibility. Tannins are polyphenolic compounds originated from the secondary metabolism of the plant as protection against insects, birds and as a result of drought, temperature or soil fertility. The objectives of this work were to evaluate the level and variation of tannins in important browses from the semi-arid of Brazil and to investigate the effects of different treatments (oven-, shade- and sun-drying and treatment with urea) on phenolics compounds.