{"title":"A Review on the Impacts of Toposequence on Soil Properties","authors":"Godspower Oke Omokaro","doi":"10.54536/ajec.v2i3.2209","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.54536/ajec.v2i3.2209","url":null,"abstract":"This study demonstrates the significant influence of toposequence position on soil properties and hydrological conditions, affecting crop yield. Variations in toposequence position lead to differences in soil properties; physical and chemical properties may vary minimally or maximally depending on the slope’s location. As slope increases, soil moisture and organic carbon rise, while bulk density, pH, and soil temperature decrease. Soils along a toposequence reveal that landscape position, erosion, aspect, and drainage impact soil depth, particle size distribution, and CEC. Understanding topography’s influence on soil characteristics is crucial for evaluating soil productivity and devising conservation strategies. This knowledge is essential for assessing soil value and avoiding uneven input distribution in agricultural fields on diverse terrains. This review paper summarizes the impacts of toposequence on soil physical and chemical properties. The study utilized databases such as Google Scholar, African Journals Online (AJOL), Scopus, Web of Science, ScienceDirect, and Directory of Open Access Journals (DOAJ) to identify relevant studies.","PeriodicalId":199881,"journal":{"name":"American Journal of Environment and Climate","volume":" 13","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-11-09","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"135285701","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Relationship between Climate Variables (Rainfall and Temperature) and Ginger Yield Across the Climate Belts of Nigeria","authors":"Okoye N N, Nwagbara M O, Weli V E","doi":"10.54536/ajec.v2i3.1846","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.54536/ajec.v2i3.1846","url":null,"abstract":"Rainfall and temperature are very important elements and factors of weather and climate needed in the successful production of crops, including ginger. The relationship of these elements and ginger yield has not been given the due attention in Nigeria. Therefore, this study examined the relationship between Climate (Rainfall and Temperature) and Ginger Yield across the Climate Belts of Nigeria. Rainfall and Temperaturedata were obtained for the study from Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet), Abuja while ginger yield data were collected from the experimental farms of National Root Crops Research Institute (NRCRI), Umudike, Agricultural Development Programme (ADP) and Nigerian Bureau of Statistics, Abuja. These data covered a period of 40 years (1980 -2019) and were analysed using simple linear regression, correlation and Analysis of Variance (ANOVA). Results obtained showed thatrainfall and temperature significantly predicted ginger yield across the four climate belts at p<0.05:Tropical Monsoon(TM) (F,12.0934)and jointly explained 45.2% of variation in ginger yield(r=.672and the R2=.452);Tropical Savanna (TS)(F,17.3452)and jointly explained 35.6% of variation in ginger yield (r = .597 and R2= .356);Warm Semi-Arid (WSA) (F,24.9501)and jointly explained 20.9% of variation in ginger yield (r= .457 and R2= .209); and Warm Desert (WD)(F,29.8517) and jointly explained 30.1% of variation in ginger yield(r =.549 and R2= .301).Based on these results, it is concluded here that there is a significant relationship between rainfall and temperature and ginger yields over the years and across the climate belts. The study recommends among others that planting and harvesting of ginger by farmers should align with the seasons as found in each of the four climate belts.","PeriodicalId":199881,"journal":{"name":"American Journal of Environment and Climate","volume":"7 4","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-11-08","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"135391869","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Time Series Modeling of Global Average Absolute Sea Level Change","authors":"Yeong Nain Chi","doi":"10.54536/ajec.v2i3.2093","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.54536/ajec.v2i3.2093","url":null,"abstract":"This study aimed to demonstrate the effectiveness of time series models in modeling long-term records of global average absolute sea level changes from 1880 to 2014. Following the Box–Jenkins methodology, the ARIMA(0,1,2) model with drift was identified as the best-fit model for the time series due to its lowest AIC value. Using the LM algorithm, the results revealed that the NARNN model with 7 neurons in the hidden layer and 7 time delays exhibited the best performance among the nonlinear autoregressive neural network models, as indicated by its lower MSE. While ARIMA models excel in modeling linear problems within time series data, NARNN models are better suited for nonlinear patterns. However, a HYBRID model was explored, which combines the strengths of both ARIMA and NARNN models, offering the capability to address both linear and nonlinear aspects of time series data. The comparative analysis of this study demonstrated that the HYBRID model, with 6 neurons in the hidden layer and 7 time delays, outperformed the NARNN model with 7 neurons in the hidden layer and 7 time delays, as well as the ARIMA(0,1,2) model, with the lowest MSE in this study. These findings represent a significant step in time series forecasting by leveraging the strengths of both statistical and machine learning methods.","PeriodicalId":199881,"journal":{"name":"American Journal of Environment and Climate","volume":"2018 26","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-11-06","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"135636244","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Assessment of the Disaster Response of the Barangays (Villages) in the River Basin Communities in Southern Philippines","authors":"Ian Mark Q Nacaya, Ester L Raagas, Astrid L Sinco","doi":"10.54536/ajec.v2i3.2169","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.54536/ajec.v2i3.2169","url":null,"abstract":"Threat to safety and security is the new norm faced by the Local Government Units. Climate-related hazards, especially in the barangays within the Tagoloan River Basin (TRB) area, are now part of the realities of the residents. The importance of governance as a catalyst of change in managing the community is to become responsive to the new order of the environment and the demands of public service. Results revealed that the tasks of the Barangay (Village) Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Committees (BDRRMCs) in the river basin communities on disaster response were partially accomplished. As a whole, the performance of the BDRRMCs is generally satisfactory (3.19). This is broken down into ‘upon alert’ (satisfactory = 3.36) and ‘during alert’ (satisfactory = 3.02). The findings further revealed that the performance of the BDRRMC in disaster response is significant when the Punong Barangay’s (Village’s Head) educational attainment, BDRRMC budget and community’s experience in flood are higher. The FGD responses indicated that the TRB barangays have issues and concerns considering the appropriate disaster response during imminent danger (upon alert) and disaster. There is a cogent need for all government offices handling the DRRM functions to provide appropriate attention at the Barangay level to properly implement the DRRM Plan.","PeriodicalId":199881,"journal":{"name":"American Journal of Environment and Climate","volume":"5 10","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-11-06","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"135635156","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Utilizing Indigenous Knowledge Systems on Climate Change for Forestry Conservation in Kenya","authors":"Benjamin Mutuku Kinyili","doi":"10.54536/ajec.v2i3.1976","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.54536/ajec.v2i3.1976","url":null,"abstract":"Forest conservation is important in climate change mitigation. The Indigenous Knowledge (IK) or Indigenous Knowledge System (IKS) has recently been recognised in forest conservation for climate change mitigation. The potential use of IKS in climate change management in Sub-Saharan Africa including Kenya is unknown. Numerous analytical postulations detailing how to integrate IKS in climate change management have been formulated. However, this information is fragmented and mostly lost in sociology literature. This paper briefly reviews the indigenous knowledge related to different aspects of forest resource management. This review delves at in-depth information on the IKS and climate change management in Sub-Saharan Africa, emphasizing Kenya. For this review, the scooping review methodology was used to describe the state of knowledge and map the available evidence of the role of IKS for forest conservation and climate change adaptation. It discusses the role of IKS in climate change management in Sub-Saharan Africa and the potential application of the IKS in preventing adverse climate change effects. The integration of IKS to guide the climate change management have been evaluated and the threats to IKS and their conservation deliberated. It is generally observed that in many rural communities in Kenya, IKS is useful for enhanced food production, forest conservation and natural disaster management. But being culture-specific, IKS can be adopted across communities in SSA for real time management of climate change.","PeriodicalId":199881,"journal":{"name":"American Journal of Environment and Climate","volume":"16 1","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-10-17","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"136037961","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Review of Factors Affecting and Impacting Recycling Intentions and Behaviors in Students","authors":"Almukhtar Aljatlawe, Engin Baysen","doi":"10.54536/ajec.v2i3.1813","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.54536/ajec.v2i3.1813","url":null,"abstract":"The current challenges of global environmental deterioration have been one of the forefront factors that require urgency in mitigation. Global environmental deterioration has a direct impact on the global warming phenomenon that is currently threatening the entire human existence if not adequately handled. Sustainable living is one of the major ways that are required to ensure that critical environmental deterioration is mitigated globally. Also, a significant dimension of sustainability is known as recycle or reuse, this is a process where byproducts and waste of one process are repurposed for something else. Recycling is being taught in environmental education programs, but it has however been recorded to have a low prevalence of practice among individuals especially students relative to their environmental education efforts. This study comprehensively investigates the factors that impact and challenge recycling behaviors in students. The study has findings on the factors that improve recycling behaviors and factors that challenge recycling behaviors in students, and these are used to make adequate recommendations.","PeriodicalId":199881,"journal":{"name":"American Journal of Environment and Climate","volume":"4 1","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-09-18","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"135202561","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Socio-Economic Determinants for Adoption of Adaptation Strategies to Climate Change and Variability among Smallholder Farmers in Igambang’ombe, Sub-County, Kenya","authors":"J N Rithaa, I W Mwendandu, C S R Wambongo","doi":"10.54536/ajec.v2i3.1786","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.54536/ajec.v2i3.1786","url":null,"abstract":"Climate change and variability have been identified globally as a major challenge to food security especially in Arid and Semi-Arid lands (ASALs). Agriculture and smallholder farmers have also been identified as the most vulnerable, mainly due to the former being rain-fed and the latter having inadequate adaptive capacity to the dynamics of climate change and variability. This study, therefore, sought to determine the social-economic factors that influence the adoption of adaptation strategies for climate change and variability, among smallholder farmers in Igambang’ombe Sub-County, Tharaka Nithi County. A descriptive research design was applied. Systematic random sampling was used to select the respondents and a semi-structured questionnaire with open and closed-ended questions was used for data collection. Observations and interviews were carried out, while systematic random sampling was used to select the respondents. Correlation analysis was used to assess which socio-economic factors influenced the adoption of adaptation strategies to climate change and variability. Some of the adaptation strategies considered included; accessed weather information Ox-ploughing and herbicide use for preparation, terracing and intercropping, crop and variety diversification The study showed that age (42%), farmer’s farming experience (40%), and level of education of the household head (24%), were the key socio-economic factors influencing the adoption of adaptation strategies to climate change and variability. Adaptation of climate change and variability adaptation strategies was also associated to access and frequency of extension services. Access to farm subsidy and credit was also important. Farmers and agriculture stakeholders needed to upscale training, guided by specific socio-economic farmer characteristics.","PeriodicalId":199881,"journal":{"name":"American Journal of Environment and Climate","volume":"13 1","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-09-16","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"135308632","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Enzymatic Degradation of Polyethylene and Polyethylene Terephthalate: A Mini Review","authors":"Homayoon Raoufi, Shirullah Taqwa, Fahima Fagiryaar","doi":"10.54536/ajec.v2i3.1937","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.54536/ajec.v2i3.1937","url":null,"abstract":"Polyethylene (PE) and Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET) are the most widely used plastics for many purposes, including packaging, textiles, medicine, engineering, the electronic industry, etc. Among existing approaches to manage and recycle plastic waste, the enzymatic method is promising due to its quality in the environment, low energy consumption, lack of hazardous chemical elements, and expansive machinery. Several enzymes produced by a group of microorganisms, such as bacteria, fungi, and algae, play a significant role in this method. These enzymes can depolymerize plastic’s polymer when they are released by the microbes on the plastic surface under suitable conditions. This study was conducted by surveying the published articles on PubMed and Elsevier. We searched the TS (topic search) in the webs and applied some criteria and filters, such as text availability (“The free full text”) and publication date (“5 years”). Based on the TS “PE”, “PET” and “enzymatic degradation”, the articles were selected. Among hundreds of articles, we chose only 26 to review. Several enzymes (e.g., cutinase, lipase, laccase, PETase, and esterase) that can degrade PE and PET have been reported in the literature, and they are isolated from microorganisms that are categorized into fungi, bacteria, and algae.","PeriodicalId":199881,"journal":{"name":"American Journal of Environment and Climate","volume":"133 1","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-09-16","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"135307158","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Rama Osei-Bonsu, Derick Kwabena Mintah, Joseph Appiah, Loretta Obeng Mensah
{"title":"Assessment of Policy Guidelines, Strategies, and Operational Processes Associated with Plastic Waste Management in Ghana","authors":"Rama Osei-Bonsu, Derick Kwabena Mintah, Joseph Appiah, Loretta Obeng Mensah","doi":"10.54536/ajec.v2i3.1868","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.54536/ajec.v2i3.1868","url":null,"abstract":"The study sought to assess to assess the policy guidelines, strategies, and operational processes associated with plastic waste management in Ghana. A descriptive cross-sectional study design that employed both quantitative and qualitative procedures was used. The data was analysed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS). Descriptive analysis was performed on the structured questionnaire whereas thematic analysis was conducted on data from the interview guided. The results revealed that there are guidelines, strategies, and operational processes for plastic waste management in greater Kumasi and there exist different activities of stakeholders (Recycling companies, KMA and Waste collectors) in plastic waste management in Kumasi. The extent of compliance with plastic waste management guidelines (National Plastic Waste Management Policy) is dependent on the different stakeholders. Plastic recycling companies are in the infant stage with their activities being centered on six processes with pelletizing plastics for export been their major activities whereas waste collectors are solely responsible for collection, transportation and final disposal of plastic waste from different places to either dump sites or plastic recycling companies. KMA and other government institutions involved in waste management must take steps by supervising the day-to-day activities of plastic recycling companies and waste collectors to regulate the activities of companies within the plastic recycling industry.","PeriodicalId":199881,"journal":{"name":"American Journal of Environment and Climate","volume":"21 1","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-09-11","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"135981665","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Impact of Climate Change on water security and Endorsing importance of Rainwater Harvesting Technology in Nepal","authors":"Dipan Tikhatri, Sabu Sharma Bhattarai","doi":"10.54536/ajec.v2i3.1643","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.54536/ajec.v2i3.1643","url":null,"abstract":"The day-by-day increment in the concentration of greenhouse gases (GHGs) in the atmosphere is widely believed to be a main contributing factor for climate change. It affects widely on diverse sectors such as water resources, agriculture, forestry, human health, biodiversity, and snow cover and aquatic life. Nepal is experiencing the adverse impact of climate change; this includes such as a variability in temperature and precipitation, overbank flooding from snow-fed rivers, and variability in available river and stream water quantity. Climate in the Nepal Himalayas is changing faster than the global average. Moreover, the changes in the high-altitudes have been found more pronounced than in the low-altitudes. Since, there is no definite trend that could be found in the annual precipitation records, clear decreasing trends could be seen in annual number of rainy days during the study period of 1971-2000. The glaciers in the Nepal Himalayas are shrinking rapidly and there will be no glaciers left by 2180. An accelerated glacier melt will cause an increase in water availability at the beginning but ultimately a decrease in water availability after the glaciers disappear. This will widen the gap between water supply and demand. Changing climate may further exacerbate the water stress which already happening in Nepal due to the monsoon dominated climate. Climate change (CC) will also further increase the seasonal imbalance- too much of water during rainy season and too less of it during dry seasons. Rainwater harvesting technology has the potential to provide numerous benefits to communities and individuals, particularly in areas where water resources are scarce or unreliable. From the analysis and through our research work it is found that if we can simply install and construct rainwater harvesting technology in our individual household only. It nearly fulfills about 15-25% of our domestic water demand. As in urban and rural area of Nepal still nearly about 50% of water demand is fulfilled by groundwater source which increase to 60-70% in dry season. The projected physical impacts of climate change on water resources would have substantial socioeconomic impacts and consequences for Nepal. The hydropower potential and agricultural production would be seriously affected by global warming. A reduction in agricultural production would be experienced due to water security and have significant impact on the food security and livelihoods of the subsistence farmers, who make the majority of the Nepal’s population. As the urgent need for climate change mitigation remains crucial, putting all the necessary resources and institutions in place for future adaptation is indispensable. The Inter-governmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) has listed rainwater-harvesting as a key strategy for a planned adaptation in the water sector. The policy statements about rainwater harvesting-based climate change adaptation are currently not being effectively coordinated.","PeriodicalId":199881,"journal":{"name":"American Journal of Environment and Climate","volume":"35 1","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-09-06","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"127845422","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}