Current Research on Geography, Earth Science and Environment Vol. 2

Assessing the Impact of Ecosystem Services on Rural Livelihood in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA): A Scoping Review of Agricultural Landscapes

2025-07-12T09:04:50+00:00

The interrelated challenges that face food insecurity, ecosystem changes and biodiversity loss remain perennial challenges in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA), despite increasing policies on interventions to reduce the losses. These challenges have had negative effects on the rural livelihood in SSA. This review covers literature and presents the current state of the changing effects of ecosystem services on rural livelihoods from empirical evidence. Most review papers are from SSA, aimed at determining the current knowledge of linking the changing ecosystem services. The review, therefore, presents the current state of evidence of understanding ecosystems, ecosystem services and the changing effects of ecosystem services on rural livelihoods. A conceptual distinction between poverty reduction and prevention, and between human response options of adaptation and mitigation in response to ecosystem change is made. Current state and drivers of changes of ecosystem services and their effect on supporting, regulating, provisioning and cultural services are covered. Most research is focused on provisioning services, concerning income, assets, food security and nutrition. Therefore, the review highlights some important benefits of ecosystem services that address or sustain rural livelihoods and the challenges faced.

A Comprehensive Analysis of Temperature Trends in Northern Cameroon

2025-07-12T09:07:45+00:00

The northern part of Cameroon is reported to be vulnerable to climate change due to its strong dependence on agriculture. Climate change in Cameroon has contributed to the drying of surface water and crops, threatening food security and the well-being of households. However, limited research has focused on the evolution of climatic data that influence agriculture. Existing studies are rarely based on field data. The assessment of precipitation has gained more attention than that of temperature, but only a few publications have addressed temperature dynamics. This study addresses this gap by analysing the dynamics of three temperature parameters, namely, maximum, minimum and mean temperatures. The primary aim of the study is to develop a comprehensive analysis of temperature trends in Northern Cameroon. For this investigation, temperature data from 1973 to 2020 were collected from weather stations located in three major cities in northern Cameroon: Ngaoundere and Garoua, from the weather stations of the Agency for Aerial Navigation Safety in Africa and Madagascar (ASECNA); and Maroua, from the weather station of the Cameroon Civil Aviation Authority (CCAA). Statistical analysis was conducted using SPSS Statistics version 20 and XLSTAT. The tests proposed by Pettitt, Buishand, Mann-Kendall and Sen's slope were used. The study reveals that in Ngaoundere, the minimum temperature increased by 8.7% between 1987 and 2020 compared to 1973-1986. In Garoua, the mean temperature increased by 2.2% between 2003 and 2020 compared to 1973-2002, the minimum temperature increased by 13.3% between 1985 and 2020 compared to 1973-1984, and the maximum temperature decreased by -8.2%. In Maroua, the mean temperature increased by 3.6% between 2002 and 2020 compared to 1973-2001, and the minimum temperature also increased by 17.8% between 1990 and 2020 compared to 1973-1989; however, the maximum temperature decreased by -6.8% between 1988 and 2020 compared to 1973-1987. These temperature shifts in Cameroon are likely driven by the accumulation of greenhouse gases from bushfires and deforestation, as well as urban heat island effects resulting from infrastructure expansion and widespread use of air conditioning. The findings of this study can be used as the basis for forecasting future agricultural conditions and climate adaptation strategies in northern Cameroon.

Soil Temperature Variations and Heat Flux in the Mount Tlamacas Region in Relation to the Activity of the Popocatepetl Volcano, Mexico

2025-07-12T09:11:49+00:00

Monitoring of soil gas temperature, meteorological parameters, radon concentration and certain other associated physical characteristics is an important part of volcanology. Radon concentration monitoring and surveys at volcano-tectonic geological structures have been carried out in different active volcanoes all over the world. The current study focuses on analysing temperature variations measured during the radon monitoring (June 2013–May 2014) at the Tlamacas observation site, Popocatépetl. This study highlights anomalous changes in the diurnal behaviour of the temperature measured in the near-surface soil at the Tlamacas monitoring site. In-soil temperature measurements were carried out using portable radon detectors, SARAD Scout Plus. The detectors were equipped with simple sensors for temperature, air humidity, atmospheric pressure, and an accelerometer. Two statistical values, “averaged daily temperature” and “residual temperature”, were used for analysis. Results of the statistical analysis show two essential changes for the temperature characteristics observed during the 2007–2009 (quiet volcano) and 2013–2014 (active volcano) monitoring periods. Under normal conditions, the absolute minimum daily temperature is observed at about 7:40 Local Time (LT) during sunrise for the atmosphere and, with a time delay, at about 8:30 LT for soil measurements. The absolute temperature maximum is observed about 15:30LT for the atmosphere and 16:30LT for in-soil measurements. The dispersion of the residual temperature (24-h running trend of the temperature substituted) is 5.6 times lower for the 2013–2014 period in comparison with the 2007–2009 period. In other words, in 2013–2014, the temperature variability became 5.6times lower than it was in 2007–2009. The study identifies an anomalous temperature behaviour in the soil near Popocatépetl. The observed anomaly is very likely related to the activity of the volcano, because it was never observed during the period of volcanic quiescence. The physical mechanism for the temperature anomaly remains under discussion, but almost certainly, the governing processes are complex in character. Further geophysical investigations and potentially laboratory experiments are necessary to fully understand the phenomenon.

Human Thermal Load in Anticyclonic Weather Situations of Köppen Climate Type Cfb

2025-07-12T09:17:00+00:00

Aims: To quantify human thermal load caused by anticyclonic weather types in the Köppen climate type Cfb by using the clothing resistance-operative temperature model.

Study Design: The location, the data, and the important information related to data collection and modelling were presented, and then the results were described and discussed.

Place and Duration of Study: Martonvásár (Hungary, Central Europe), in the period 2017-2025.

Methodology: The methodology of 1) measuring sweating rate (the weighing scale accuracy is 0,1 kg), and 2) longitudinal data collection, was presented. After this, the basic equations of the model were applied.

Results: The most important results are as follows: 1) The highest heat deficit values for the Cfb climate are around 3-4 [clo-t]. They are expected in the early morning hours in winter when the sky is clear. 2) In winter, the lowest heat deficit values (between 0.2 -- 1.6 [clo-t]) are in the so-called "convective anticyclonic" weather situations. These data refer to a person whose body shape is as close to mesomorphic body shape as possible and is walking at a speed of 1.1 ms^-1. 3) In summer, heat excess values can be very high during midday hours, so high that they exceed the capacity of regulatory sweating. This statement applies to a person in a lying position, and 4) the concept of compensatory sweating (λE_sw^comp) was defined to characterise excess heat in summer. Based on the simulations, the maximum λE_sw^comp values are around 500-580 Wm^-2.

Conclusion: Our conclusions are as follows: 1) the radiation conditions (cloudiness in the morning and solar radiation around midday) referring to the Cfb climate type are essential from the point of view of human thermal load. 2) In Cfb climates, human thermal load in summer cannot be estimated without estimating sweating.

Groundwater Use for Washing Vehicles: A Study from Shrigonda Town, India

2025-07-12T09:25:12+00:00

The rapid growth of urbanisation leads to an increased demand for new vehicles. With the increasing number of new vehicles, the number of vehicle washing centres has also increased accordingly. Most of these washing centres use groundwater as their source of water. As a result, the groundwater level is decreasing, leading to a groundwater shortage. The washing centres are generating vast amounts of wastewater and discharging harmful pollutants into surface water, which degrades both surface water quality and groundwater quality. Therefore, the study estimates the volume of water and physicochemical properties of wastewater generated from washing vehicles at 13 vehicle washing centres during both the dry and wet seasons. The data were analysed using the student t-test and one-way ANOVA to assess seasonal variation in water use for washing vehicles, as determined by SPSS software. During the study, 762 and 982 vehicles were observed in the dry and wet seasons, respectively. The results revealed that in the dry season, the mean water used for washing motorbikes was 95.83 L, cars (219.62 L), light motor vehicles (235.64 L), and heavy transport vehicles (300.79 L).

On the other hand, during the wet season, the mean water volume used to wash motorbikes was (128.28), cars (258.79, light motor vehicles (290.89), and heavy transport vehicles (415.40). During the dry season, 102301 litres per day, and in the wet season, 168114 litres per day of groundwater were used at the vehicle washing centres in Shrigonda town and discharged wastewater into the sewer system. The physicochemical property results indicate a higher concentration of harmful contaminants, including total dissolved solids (TDS), total suspended solids (TSS), biochemical oxygen demand (BOD), chemical oxygen demand (COD), oil and grease, and turbidity.

Environmental Impact on Amazon River Water Quality: Urbanisation, Deforestation, Cultivation, and Sedimentation

2025-08-18T10:04:48+00:00

The Amazon River of South America is made up of a network of tributaries from across different countries that drain into the main body of the river. The Amazon River has approximately 1,100 tributaries. The Amazon River, spanning two-fifths of an entire continent, is the lifeblood of the world's largest ecosystem. The primary objective is to mitigate the environmental impact of deforestation, urbanisation, cultivation, invasive species, soil erosion, and sedimentation on declining Amazon water quality. The Amazon River is fed by a series of tributaries that are categorised into three types depending on the terrain they pass through and the sediments they pick up along the way. First is the Whitewater Rivers, which are brown because of large amounts of soil-based sediments. The Blackwater Rivers, which are deep brown, are caused by decomposing plant materials. These materials make the waters highly acidic and inhospitable to parasites and bacteria. The Clearwater Rivers flow in highlands over ancient rocks whose sediments were washed off long ago. A Water Quality Index (WQI) was used based on nine variables analysed. The Internal Quality Assurance (IQA) was an important tool used to evaluate the water quality of the studied rivers. Water pollution in industrial and urban areas is intense. Water use for various urban purposes needs to be restricted.

Centennial Ecological Shifts in Western Jakarta Bay: Insights from Short Core Investigation

2025-08-18T10:08:11+00:00

Hypoxia is a widespread aquatic problem caused by a combination of natural and anthropogenic factors. Eutrophication poses a significant threat to the coastal waters, triggering hypoxia that has a twofold impact on aquatic ecosystems. Firstly, it reduces oxygen availability for biotic respiration, and secondly, it enhances the toxicity of certain minerals, further exacerbating the environmental stress. Coastal areas, such as Jakarta Bay, have been facing significant environmental pressures due to development intensity and various scales of human activities for more than a century. This study investigated the hypoxic condition in the western part of Jakarta Bay using benthic foraminifera (Ammonia and Elphidium) as proxies, the AE-index. Sampling was conducted in 2016 using a short core sampler, and Pb-210 scanning was used to determine the age of sediment deposition. The results revealed a notable increase in the AE-index from the late 1970s to early 1990s, coinciding with a rise in concentrations of four metals: Cu, Pb, Ni, and Zn. The main factor contributing to the increase in environmental stress in Jakarta coastal waters is the change of Jakarta’s governance status to a Special Capital Region led to a population surge and accelerated regional development. This research reveals evidence of periodic hypoxia in the western part of Jakarta Bay over several centuries, attributed to the rapid development along the northern coast of Jakarta and its surrounding regions.

Indoor Air Pollution and Housing Conditions among Rural Households: A Cross-Sectional Study

2025-09-02T12:59:23+00:00

Background: For many developing countries, Indoor air pollution (IAP) is still one of the largest environmental problems, as many do not have access to clean fuels for cooking. IAP could be from the burning of solid fuels for cooking in households. The objective of the study was to assess Indoor air quality among rural households

Methodology: The present study was a community based cross sectional study carried out for a period of 2 years. Rural households using solid fuel were included, and locked houses were excluded from the study. The study setting was Devarayasamudra Primary Health Centre, which had more than 2400 households. The sample size was calculated based on previous research. To assess Indoor air quality, Particulate Matter PM 2.5, PM10 Particles, CO₂, HCHO, Temperature and Humidity, Nitric oxide (NO) and Sulphur dioxide (SO₂) were measured by validated tools. All data were entered in a Microsoft Office Excel sheet, analysed using SPSS v 22 (IBM Corp, USA), with p-value less than 0.05 defined as statistically significant.

Results: 812 residents took part in the study. With respect to the external environment, 632 (77.8%) had independent access to a street from their household, 624 (76.8%) had their households nearer to nuisances such as smoke. With respect to the internal environment, 688 (84.7%) were staying in pucca houses and 716 (88.2%) houses were not plastered. AQI of rural households revealed 192 (23.6%) were of poor standards.

Conclusion: The present study shows that indoor air pollution is extensive in the rural population, which could be attributed to solid fuel as a source of energy at household levels.