Environmental Challenges最新文献

{"title":"Assessment of satellite-based rainfall products for drought monitoring in the Siak Watershed, Indonesia","authors":"Mashuri ,&nbsp;Karlina ,&nbsp;Joko Sujono","doi":"10.1016/j.envc.2025.101134","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.envc.2025.101134","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Satellite-based rainfall products (SRPs) provide critical precipitation data, particularly in regions with limited or absent rainfall measurement stations. The accuracy of these products necessitates rigorous validation against observed rainfall data. This study evaluates four SRPs—CHIRPS, GPM IMERG F, PERSIANN CCS CDR, and GSMaP—in the Siak Watershed, Riau Province, Indonesia, and investigates their utility in drought monitoring. Bias correction methods, including Modified Linear Correction (MLC), Distribution Mapping (DM), and Modified Linear Correction – Rainfall Intensity Characteristics (MLC-RIC), were applied during calibration and validation phases to enhance SRP accuracy. Validation was performed using data from four rainfall measurement stations spanning 2003 to 2020, with the best-performing SRPs identified through a ranking system based on 34 test parameters at daily, monthly, and annual time scales. The findings indicate that the MLC-RIC method, which introduces six correction factors based on rainfall intensity characteristics, outperforms other bias correction approaches. Among the SRPs, GSMaP demonstrated superior accuracy at daily and annual time scales, while GPM IMERG F excelled in capturing monthly rainfall patterns. Overall, GSMaP emerged as the most reliable product for rainfall estimation and drought monitoring, with GPM IMERG F and PERSIANN CCS CDR ranking second and third, respectively. These results were consistent across pre- and post-correction analyses. Beyond drought analysis, GSMaP shows potential for applications in hydrology, flood forecasting, and meteorology, underscoring its versatility in representing observed rainfall patterns.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":34794,"journal":{"name":"Environmental Challenges","volume":"19 ","pages":"Article 101134"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-03-20","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143725379","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Where does plastic waste go? Local dynamics of waste flows in Indonesian neighbourhoods","authors":"Giulia Frigo ,&nbsp;Christian Zurbrügg ,&nbsp;Iwan Juwana ,&nbsp;Claudia R. Binder","doi":"10.1016/j.envc.2025.101135","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.envc.2025.101135","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>This study examines plastic waste flows across administrative wards (<em>Kelurahan</em>) and neighbourhoods (<em>Rukun Warga</em>) in Bandung, Indonesia, focusing on the role of local source separation programs, socioeconomic factors, and infrastructures in shaping plastic waste consumption and disposal practices. Using a bottom-up, geo-referenced approach to Material Flow Analysis (MFA), the study found that household plastic waste consumption ranges from 14 to 20 kg per capita per year. On average, more than 50% of plastic waste is sent to landfill, about 25–30% is source-separated, around 12% remains uncollected, and a small portion (1–2%) is burned.</div><div>The analysis reveals significant disparities in plastic waste consumption and disposal practices among <em>kelurahan</em>, with notable variations across all examined waste flows. Wards and neighbourhoods exhibit distinct dynamics, local governance structures and resources, and are home to people with different socioeconomic backgrounds. Our findings show that plastic consumption is higher in wealthier households, while source-separated plastic waste is higher among households with both higher education and income levels. Source-separation initiatives at the neighbourhood level emerged as the most significant factor influencing source separation, with one <em>kelurahan</em> demonstrating a markedly higher source-separated waste rate. However, limited infrastructure and collection capacity lead to higher burning and uncollected waste which primarily accumulates along river flows and open spaces near houses. The results highlight the need for localised approaches to waste management that address the specific needs and challenges of individual wards and neighbourhoods. Strengthening local governance, expanding waste collection infrastructure, fostering stakeholders’ collaboration and community-based programs can enhance the efficiency of plastic waste management. Such insights are essential for developing effective waste management strategies tailored to specific local needs, offering valuable guidance for policymakers addressing the challenges of plastic waste in rapidly urbanising areas like Bandung.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":34794,"journal":{"name":"Environmental Challenges","volume":"19 ","pages":"Article 101135"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-03-19","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143792298","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Agricultural sustainability index in Brazil","authors":"Bruno Fardim Christo ,&nbsp;Gabriel Akira Andrade Okawati ,&nbsp;Daniel M. de Vasconcellos ,&nbsp;Jorge Tadeu Fim Rosas ,&nbsp;Marcela Almeida de Araujo ,&nbsp;Durval Dourado-Neto ,&nbsp;Rogério de S. Nóia-Júnior","doi":"10.1016/j.envc.2025.101133","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.envc.2025.101133","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Agriculture faces the challenge of increasing food production while reducing environmental impacts like soil erosion and greenhouse gas emissions. This study introduces a comprehensive Agricultural Sustainability Index for Brazil, integrating economic, social, and environmental indicators. The quantitative index includes seven environmental indicators (e.g., Burned Area, Carbon Loss, Soil Erosion), five social indicators (e.g., Education, Gender Inequality, Land Distribution), and five economic indicators (e.g., Credit Access, Economic Income, Infrastructure). Results show that Agricultural Sustainability Index values range from 0.12 to 0.67, with a mean and median of 0.42. Since 1 represents the highest sustainability and 0 the lowest, half of Brazil's municipalities fall below 0.42, indicating room for improvement. Municipalities in the South and Southeast perform better, while those in the North and Northeast face economic constraints and lower scores. Environmental challenges are particularly significant in the Pantanal and Cerrado biomes. These findings emphasize the need for region-specific strategies and infrastructure improvements. Future research should refine the index and incorporate dynamic factors like climate change to enhance agricultural sustainability in Brazil.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":34794,"journal":{"name":"Environmental Challenges","volume":"19 ","pages":"Article 101133"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-03-17","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143680171","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Advances in understanding the challenges and opportunities of hybrid sea defence approaches for coastal resilience","authors":"Xihang Xu ,&nbsp;J.J. O'Sullivan ,&nbsp;S. Abolfathi ,&nbsp;J. Keenahan ,&nbsp;J.M. Pearson ,&nbsp;M. Salauddin","doi":"10.1016/j.envc.2025.101130","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.envc.2025.101130","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The intensification of global climate change and rising sea levels continue to exacerbate risks of coastal erosion and flooding, presenting significant challenges for coastal regions' sustainable development and management. Climate change also adversely affects coastal ecosystems, which struggle to adapt to evolving environmental conditions. In recent years, there has been a growing emphasis on climate adaptation measures for coastal habitats, particularly implementing sustainable methods to mitigate coastal hazards and protect ecosystems. In this context, hybrid sea defence approaches, combining conventional and natural solutions, offer innovative and versatile strategies to enhance resilience and reduce the vulnerability of coastal areas. While previous studies have predominantly focussed on the ecological benefits of nature-based and hybrid-engineering solutions, there remains a scarcity of data and evidence regarding wave-structure interactions at these sea defences. This study comprehensively discusses the main functions, limitations and research methods of hybrid sea defences and technical and social barriers to effectively implementing these innovative approaches by systematically reviewing 95 papers and suggesting potential solutions and future research interests to overcome the problems of incorporating these approaches effectively. Hybrid sea defences offer greater robustness than nature-based solutions while performing more environmentally friendly than hard sea defences in many cases. However, the population of hybrid sea defences is questionable because of the lack of accurate and clearly quantitative evidence. This paper aims to provide coastal managers, engineers, researchers, and policymakers with a better understanding of the applications and performance of hybrid engineering in creating sustainable coastal cities in the face of climate change and extreme climatic events.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":34794,"journal":{"name":"Environmental Challenges","volume":"19 ","pages":"Article 101130"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-03-17","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143679700","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Development of small island vulnerability index to achieve sustainable development goals: Insight from Ternate Volcanic Island, Indonesia","authors":"Mohammad Ridwan Lessy ,&nbsp;Jonatan Lassa ,&nbsp;Kerstin Katharina Zander","doi":"10.1016/j.envc.2025.101132","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.envc.2025.101132","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Small islands encounter distinct challenges concerning climate vulnerability stemming from constrained resourcesand lack of access to information due to remoteness and isolation. Such characteristics shape the evaluation of vulnerabilities to make adaptive decisions in response to hazards. This investigation seeks to create a down-scaled climate vulnerability index specifically for small island communities, with Ternate Island as an example, to achieve sustainable development goals. A climate vulnerability assessment tool was developed using a multidimensional approach to gather information on the exposure, sensitivity, and adaptive capacity of communities across 60 villages on Ternate Island. The index was compiled using official data, including local and central government statistical data. The index results indicate that 8 villages fall into the very low category, 11 villages are classified as low, 10 in the medium category, 15 as high, and 16 in the very high category. Factors such as the size of the hazard zone, availability of water resources, health and sanitation facilities, poverty, and the presence of financial institutions are intricately linked to Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) 1, 3, 4, 6, 8, and 11. SDGs indicators can also serve as predictors of climate vulnnerabilities. The findings offer crucial information for the government and all relevant parties to develop adaptation and mitigation strategies designed to tackle small islands' climate change challenges. Local governments should initiate their programs by focusing on villages that exhibit very high vulnerability scores.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":34794,"journal":{"name":"Environmental Challenges","volume":"19 ","pages":"Article 101132"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-03-17","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143697883","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"The futures market for water rights trading in California: Analyzing the emergence of a controversial experiment","authors":"Charlotte Christen ,&nbsp;Michael Böcher ,&nbsp;Petra Schneider","doi":"10.1016/j.envc.2025.101125","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.envc.2025.101125","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>This paper presents a qualitative case study of the world's first water futures contract in California, a market that enables hedgers and speculators to bet on water prices. It is attempted to explain which factors shaped the emergence of the unique market by applying the Political Process Inherent Dynamics Approach (PIDA), an analytical framework from the field of environmental policy analysis. In addition, the topics of heated debate that have surrounded the new market are summarized and contextualized. To obtain the relevant information, expert interviews, complemented by online sources, were subjected to a Qualitative Content Analysis. It is concluded that the launch of the contract is an extreme case of private business actors shaping water governance, made possible by a longstanding market philosophy in the US, that gives leeway for actors of financialization to create facts. In the political-administrative realm, a lack of accountability and will to interfere seems to prevail. However, nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) and other actors have led efforts to abolish the market, criticizing water futures in ways that resonate with broader debates about privatization and food futures.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":34794,"journal":{"name":"Environmental Challenges","volume":"19 ","pages":"Article 101125"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-03-13","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143734656","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Predicting water potability using a machine learning approach","authors":"El-Bacha Rachid ,&nbsp;Salhi Abderrahim ,&nbsp;Abderrafia Hafid ,&nbsp;Rabi Souad","doi":"10.1016/j.envc.2025.101131","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.envc.2025.101131","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>In order to improve the prevention of risks associated with water quality, the precise and rapid assessment of this later is necessary. Nevertheless, conventional techniques often encounter difficulties due to the complexity and inconsistency of water quality data, resulting in time-consuming and arduous analyses. This research introduces a novel application of machine learning (ML) to predict water potability. In this context, support vector machine (SVM) and random forest (RF) models were trained, validated and tested using publicly available dataset that include records of water potability as a function of various physical and chemical parameters. Results indicated that random forest model outperformed the support vector machine model by achieving better results, with 70 % accuracy, 72 % precision, and 75 % receiver operating characteristic area under the curve (ROC-AUC). These findings indicated that machine learning, specifically random forest, can be effective method for evaluating water potability, leading to enhanced water resource management and public health safety. Additionally, water treatment plants can utilize these machine learning algorithms for immediate data analysis. This enables the anticipation of contamination events before water reaches consumers. This model can play an important role in developing early alert systems by encouraging prevention measures rather than just reactive actions.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":34794,"journal":{"name":"Environmental Challenges","volume":"19 ","pages":"Article 101131"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-03-12","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143619524","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"An automated small-scale aquaponics system design using a closed loop control","authors":"John Anthony C. Jose ,&nbsp;Timothy Scott C. Chu ,&nbsp;Lanz Harvey M. Jacob ,&nbsp;Lea Anne R. Rulloda ,&nbsp;Alec Zandra Mae H. Ambrosio ,&nbsp;Armyn C. Sy ,&nbsp;Ryan Rhay P. Vicerra ,&nbsp;Angelo Earvin Sy Choi ,&nbsp;Elmer P. Dadios","doi":"10.1016/j.envc.2025.101127","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.envc.2025.101127","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>This study presents the design and implementation of an automated, small-scale aquaponics system tailored for compact urban spaces, such as condominiums. The system, measuring 43 cm by 60 cm by 80 cm, integrates advanced monitoring and control capabilities to regulate key environmental parameters and display real-time data. Motivated by the need to optimize food production in urban settings and minimize manual labor, the system uses an Arduino microcontroller to automate lighting, fish feeding, misting, and water circulation. Key parameters monitored include air and water temperature, humidity, pH levels, and water level, with data recorded for further analysis. The system employs specialized LED growth lights and a micro-SD card module for data storage, fostering optimal plant and fish growth. The primary research contribution lies in demonstrating a closed-loop control system that autonomously maintains ideal conditions, addressing the challenge of frequent manual intervention in aquaponics systems. Experimental results over a 5-day period show that the system maintains water temperature between 20 °C and 26 °C, humidity between 40 % and 100 %, and consistent pH levels within the desired range, ensuring a conducive environment for both plants and fish. Furthermore, the study demonstrated an expected production of 150<em>g</em> spinach within 4 weeks, and a tilapia reaching an average daily gain of 0 .67<em>g</em>. This study highlights the potential for broader adoption of such systems in urban farming, offering a sustainable solution to enhance food production in limited spaces.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":34794,"journal":{"name":"Environmental Challenges","volume":"19 ","pages":"Article 101127"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-03-10","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143619522","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Dynamics of the optical water quality parameters in the Lake Nokoué and Cotonou Channel complex (Benin)","authors":"Romaric C.M. Hekpazo ,&nbsp;Metogbe B. Djihouessi ,&nbsp;Béatrix.A. Tigo ,&nbsp;Akilou A. Socohou ,&nbsp;N.B. Nadia Azon ,&nbsp;Génia Berny's M.Y. Zoumenou ,&nbsp;Martin Pépin Aina","doi":"10.1016/j.envc.2025.101126","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.envc.2025.101126","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The use of satellite imagery to develop models for detecting lake water quality requires a good knowledge of the optical parameters of the water. This study aims to characterise spatiotemporal variations in chlorophyll-a (Chl-a) and turbidity for future remote sensing applications. To achieve this, data from the Lake Nokoué Cotonou Channel (LNCC) lagoon complex in the Republic of Benin, which has an annual productivity 16 times higher than that of lakes in the West African sub-region, was used for the period from December 2019 to November 2022. The research approach is based on statistical analyses, including Principal Component Analysis (PCA), Pearson correlation, mixed regression, clustering analysis and analysis of the influence of seasonality on the variation of the various parameters. The results clearly show that Chl-a concentrations vary considerably (0 to 75.5 µg/L) depending on the hydrological regime. During periods of high water (HW), concentrations are high, while during periods of low water (LW), they are more moderate. Similarly, turbidity shows a fairly wide range of variation, from 0.8 to 326.02 NTU, with peaks during the HW period due to land-based nutrient inputs. Cluster analysis allowed us to divide the lake into four distinct zones, characterised by similar variations in the different parameters. The diversity in the outcomes obtained could prove to be of paramount importance in the context of ecosystem monitoring. Moreover, these results could serve as a foundational basis for the future development of water quality detection models using remote sensing, a field that remains under-explored within the LNCC complex.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":34794,"journal":{"name":"Environmental Challenges","volume":"19 ","pages":"Article 101126"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-03-09","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143643443","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Perceptions of ecosystem services provided by the landscapes of the coastal lagoon at the 1017 Ramsar site in Benin (West Africa)","authors":"Marius H. Yetein ,&nbsp;Laurent G. Houessou ,&nbsp;Toussaint O. Lougbégnon ,&nbsp;Gaétan T. Gbodja ,&nbsp;David F. Sèmèvo ,&nbsp;Madjidou Oumorou","doi":"10.1016/j.envc.2025.101122","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.envc.2025.101122","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Coastal lagoon ecosystems offer essential goods and services vital for local livelihoods but face significant anthropogenic pressures. Understanding local communities’ perceptions is crucial for protecting and conserving these resources. To inform conservation efforts, this study assesses community perceptions of ecosystem services (ES) from various land use/land cover types in Benin's Coastal Lagoon Landscapes. A literature review and semi-structured interviews with key informants were conducted to develop a preliminary classification of ES. Then, using Dagnelie's binomial approximation law, 285 households were selected. Data on the perception of ES were collected through face-to-face interviews with one respondent (aged &gt; 18) per household, using a questionnaire. The data were analyzed using the R package “ggplot2” and the relative importance index, ES diversity index, and logistic regression models. A total of 18 ES across four main categories were identified. All respondents (100 %) recognized the abundance of at least one provisioning ES, and most also identified at least one cultural ES (87.01 %), regulating ES (72.98 %), and supporting ES (66.31 %). Swamp forests/savannas/saltmarshes (16 ES), mangrove forests (15 ES), and agricultural lands (14 ES) were identified as the key sources of the perceived ES. The study found that age, gender, length of stay, and level of formal education significantly influenced ES perception. This study provides baseline data on ES to support decision-making aimed at enhancing ES provision and reducing natural ecosystem degradation. Strategic conservation planning should consider these practical insights to promote landscape multifunctionality.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":34794,"journal":{"name":"Environmental Challenges","volume":"19 ","pages":"Article 101122"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-03-07","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143679699","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}