Historical Changes in Land Use and Suitability for Future Agriculture Expansion in Western Bahia, Brazil

Western Bahia is a critical region in Brazil’s recent expansion of agricultural output. Its outstanding increase in production is associated with strong growth in cropland area and irrigation. Here we present analyses of Western Bahian historical changes in land use, including irrigated area, and suitability for future agricultural expansion that respects permanent protection areas and the limits established by the Brazilian Forest Code in the Cerrado biome. For this purpose, we developed a land use and land cover classification database using a random forest classifier and Landsat images. A spatial multicriteria decision analysis to evaluate land suitability was performed by combining this database with precipitation and slope data. We demonstrate that between 1990 and 2020, the region’s total agricultural area increased by 3.17 Mha and the irrigated area increased by 193,480 ha. Throughout the region, the transition between the different classes of land use and land cover followed different pathways and was strongly influenced by land suitability and also appears to be influenced by Brazil’s new Forest Code of 2012. We conclude that even if conservation restrictions are considered, agricultural area could nearly double in the region, with expansion possible mostly in areas we classify as moderately suitable for agriculture, which are subject to climate hazards when used for rainfed crops but are otherwise fine for pastures and irrigated croplands.

Distribution survey of Kloss’s Gibbons (Hylobates klosii) in Mentawai Islands, Indonesia

Setiawan A, Simanjuntak C, Saumanuk I, Tateburuk D, Dinata Y, Liswanto D, Rafiastanto A. 2020. Distribution survey of Kloss’s Gibbons (Hylobates klosii) in Mentawai Islands, Indonesia. Biodiversitas 21: 2224-2232. The aim of this study was to assess the population density, distribution, habitats, and threats of Kloss’s gibbon (Hylobates klossii) in the Mentawai Islands, Indonesia. In 2011-2012 we conducted a survey on Siberut Island, outside of the National Park, as well as a short visit to Sipora, North Pagai, and South Pagai. From March to September 2017, we surveyed once again some previous localities on the Siberut and Sipora islands to keep up to date with recent developments on the ground. On Siberut we used an auditory sampling method through fixed point counts, combined with line transects, to estimate the gibbon densities. In total, 113-morning calls were recorded from 13 Listening Points; 75 of these were used for density calculations. We recorded 35 individuals based on direct sightings during 66.4 km of transect distance walked. We found 13 localities outside of Siberut National Park that still have Kloss's gibbons; densities varied between 1.04group/km2 to 4.16 group/km2. No gibbons were found and heard during the short survey in Sipora and South Pagai, though we found a group of gibbons in North Pagai. Our 2017 survey revealed massive habitat changes in South Siberut. Previously existing forest localities in South Siberut were gone due to road construction, agriculture expansion, and logging.

Agriculture Sprawl Assessment Using Multi-Temporal Remote Sensing Images and Its Environmental Impact; Al-Jouf, KSA

In this paper, multispectral and multi-temporal satellite data were used to assess the spatial and temporal evolution of the agriculture activities in the Al-Jouf region, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA). In the current study, an attempt was made to map the agriculture sprawl from 1987 to 2017 using temporal Landsat images in a geographic information system (GIS) environment for better decision-making and sustainable agriculture expansion. Our findings indicated that the agriculture activities developed through two crucial stages: high and low rise stages. Low rise stages occurred during three sub-stages from April 1987 to April 1988, from September 1993 to August 1998, and from April 2008 to May 2015, with overall change rates of 37.9, 44.4, and 30.5 km2/year, respectively. High rise stages occurred during three sub-stages from April 1988 to February 1993, from September 2000 to March 2006, and from April 2016 to August 2017, with overall change rates of 132.4, 159.1, and 119.5 km2/year, respectively. Different environmental problems due to uncontrolled agriculture activities were observed in the area, including substantial depletion of the groundwater table. Another environmental impact observed was the appearance of sinkholes that occurred suddenly with no warning signs. These environmental impacts will increase in the future if no regulated restrictions are implemented by decision-makers.

Preliminary Study on Effect of Agricultural Activities in Pollen Spectrum of Argentinean Honey

Honey floral origin is determined by the harversting region, but anthropogenic factors as agriculture expansion might modify the environmental flora and consequently honey floral origin. Argentina is one of the most important honey producers worldwide which, since the 1990s, has undergone an important agriculture transformation by the adoption of transgenic crops like soybean (Glycine max). However, little is known about the effects of this anthropogenic activity on the floral origin of honey or the statistical tools that could be used to analyse it. The objective of the present study was to evaluate the impact that these environmental modifications have on the pollen spectrum of honey. In order to achieve this, thirty-two samples of blossom honey were collected from three different ecoregions of the Buenos Aires province: Parana Delta and Islands, Espinal and Pampa, in two different years: 1999 and 2014. The pollen spectrum of honey samples was determined and the data obtained was analysed with multivariate statistical techniques. It could be concluded that the pollen composition of honeys from different ecoregions has significantly changed in the past years because of agriculture expansion and adaptation of transgenic crops (p=0.007). Honey samples harvested in 1999 were characterized by high values of Helianthus annuus, while in 2014 an important presence of Eryngium sp., Gleditsia triacanthos, Baccharis type, Trifolium sp. and Glycine max was observed. The present results show that honey palynological results and multivariate statistical analysis could be used as a preliminary attempt to evaluate environmental modifications.

Tekanan Populasi, Kepadatan Agraris, dan Ketersediaan Lahan pada Komunitas Petani

Population density is a serious problem for the existence of the peasant community and its agricultural landscape. In this situation, deagrarianization becomes a necessity because the economies scale of farming are becoming smaller and not profitable for peasants. This paper aims to analyze the community's strategy in maintaining its agrarian landscape. Data for this study were obtained through community case study method. Live in strategy is done for 2.5 months to deepen understanding at the community. The results showed that the peasant community was actively defend not to get out from agriculture. Expansion by increasing land ownership and reducing population numbers are the two main strategies. This strategy allows the ratio of agrarian landscape and agrarian density not to make the younger generation lose the opportunity to own agricultural land. Optimism to increase ownership of agricultural land for the younger generation is done by buying agricultural land from those who are not interested in pursuing agriculture.Keywords: land ownership, agriculture, deagrarianization, community strategyIntisari: Kepadatan penduduk merupakan masalah serius bagi eksistensi komunitas petani dan bentang agrarianya. Dalam situasi serupa ini, deagrarianisasi menjadi sebuah keniscayaan karena skala ekonomi usaha tani menjadi semakin kecil dan tidak menguntungkan bagi petani. Tulisan ini bertujuan untuk menganalisis strategi komunitas dalam mempertahankan bentang agrarianya. Data untuk penelitian ini diperoleh melalui metode studi kasus komunitas. Pendalaman di tingkat komunitas dilakukan dengan live in selama 2,5 bulan. Hasil penelitian menunjukkan bahwa komunitas petani secara aktif berstrategi untuk tidak keluar dari pertanian. Ekspansi dengan menambah kepemilikan lahan dan mengurangi jumlah populasi merupakan dua strategi yang utama. Strategi ini memungkinkan rasio bentang agraria dan kepadatan agraris tidak membuat generasi yang lebih muda kehilangan kesempatan untuk memiliki lahan pertanian. Optimisme menambah kepemilikan lahan pertanian bagi generasi yang lebih muda dilakukan dengan cara membeli lahan pertanian dari mereka yang sudah tidak berminat menekuni pertanian.Kata Kunci: kepemilikan lahan, pertanian, deagrarianisasi, strategi komunitas

An Analysis of the Causes of Deforestation in Malawi: A Case of Mwazisi

Deforestation is recognized as a major driver of the loss of biodiversity and ecosystem services. It also disturbs natural processes such as biogeochemical, hydrological, and ecological cycles. In Malawi, deforestation is estimated to be responsible for the loss of 33,000 hectares per year, and is mainly attributed to agriculture expansion, tobacco growing, and excessive use of biomass. However, little research has been conducted at either the local level or that of forests located on customary land. This research aimed to identify and analyze the underlying driving factors associated with the proximate factors of agriculture expansion, tobacco growing, and brick burning in Mwazisi. Landsat images for 1991, 2004, and 2017 were downloaded from the United States Geological Survey website and used to analyze changes in forest cover. Interviews with households (n = 399) and Natural Resource Committee members, a focus group discussion with key officers, and observations were conducted during field data collection in 2017. The results of the land cover analysis showed that forest covered 66% of the study area in 1991, and by 2017 it had decreased to 45.8%. Most households depend on wood from customary land forests for tobacco curing (69%) and brick burning (68%). Furthermore, 47.6% of the households have expanded their agriculture land by approximately 0.57 hectares during the past 15 years. The interview survey and the focus group discussion identified that the underlying driving factors towards these anthropogenic activities are: (a) population growth, (b) poverty, (c) expensive alternative building materials, (d) lack of awareness, (e) lack of resources, (f) lack of commitment from the tobacco companies, and (g) market system of the cash crops grown in the area. In conclusion, a set of economic, institutional, social, and demographic factors, which are associated with imbalanced relationship between rural and urban areas, underpin agriculture expansion, tobacco growing, and brick burning, and have thereby contributed to the decline of the forest cover in Mwazisi, Malawi.

Poverty and Inequality among the Mishing People of Assam

The objective of the study was to examine levels of absolute poverty and relative poverty (inequality) within and across various occupations practised by the Mishing tribe of Assam. The tribe inhabits the flood-prone riverine areas of Assam, a state located in India’s Northeastern region. Our study was based on primary data collected from two sample districts of Assam: Dhemaji, remote, completely rural and extremely flood-prone and Sivasagar, a district with some urban characteristics and less susceptible to floods. The research revealed a high level of poverty among casual labour working in agricultural and non-agricultural areas. Additionally, it was observed that inequality was higher among the self-employed working in the agriculture, non-agriculture and services sector. For the diversification of agriculture, expansion of the rural non-farm sector; provision of socio-economic safety nets; creation of employment opportunities; improvement in infrastructure and a long-lasting solution of the region’s flood and erosion problem, we recommend an equity-based approach to raise the standard of living of Mishing tribes and their villages.