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Abstract: Snow avalanches are a major natural hazard threatening human life and infrastructure in mountainous areas. They have a sudden onset and involve the rapid transport of large masses of snow and ice down on steep slopes. Thus, it is essential for risk management activities to understand avalanche activity, frequency and triggers. In this study, the dendrogeomorphic method was used to analyse an avalanche path in the Țarcu Mountains (the Southern Carpathians) in order to reconstruct the spatio-temporal activity of past snow avalanches. The reconstruction was based on the dating of growth disturbances caused by the mechanical impact of snow avalanches on trees. A total of 186 increment cores were analysed, resulting in the identification of 374 growth disturbances, including traumatic resin ducts, reaction wood, growth suppression and scars. In a chronology spanning 101 years in Picea abies, 13 events with It between 10-20% and 6 events with It between 20-40% were reconstructed over the period 1965-2021. The frequency of snow avalanche events was calculated, resulting in an average of 17.7 years. The climatic parameters were analysed for the event years exhibiting the strongest signal. The occurrence of avalanches was associated with warmer weather and rainy days. Event year 2010 is evidenced by a tragic incident in which two individuals lost their lives in the vicinity of the Țarcu weather station. Eleven events are synchronous with those analysed in other avalanche paths, while the event year 2005 is synchronous in nine other avalanche paths.
Abstract: Panimbang sub-district, located in the subduction zone of the Indo-Australian plate and directly facing Mount Anak Krakatau, is highly vulnerable to tsunami hazards. The region’s geographic location and its coastal topography make it particularly susceptible to the devastating impacts of tsunamis. This study assesses the region’s preparedness to manage tsunami risks using Geographic Information System (GIS) tools to model evacuation routes and estimate potential inundation areas. The research evaluates the effectiveness of the region’s evacuation capacity, considering critical factors such as population distribution, land cover, and the time required for residents to evacuate safely.
The study’s findings indicate that 74.91% of the 512.73 hectares of residential area in Panimbang is at significant risk of tsunami impact, potentially affecting approximately 38,723 people. This high level of exposure underscores the urgent need for tailored evacuation strategies, particularly in densely populated areas, to minimize the risk of casualties. The analysis also highlights the importance of enhancing infrastructure and disaster preparedness plans to increase the resilience of communities most vulnerable to tsunami threats. The research provides valuable insights into the critical elements of tsunami disaster management. It can serve as a crucial reference for future studies focused on improving evacuation routes, shelter planning, and other essential aspects of critical infrastructure. By addressing these areas, future efforts can more effectively safeguard the population in tsunami-prone regions, ensuring a more efficient and organized disaster response that significantly reduces the potential for loss of life and property.
Abstract: The water footprint of maize production serves as a comprehensive indicator, encompassing both direct water use for crop yields and indirect water use, including virtual water trade. This indicator provides insight into the total water required throughout the production process, making it essential for understanding water sustainability in agriculture. The main objective of this research is to expand the understanding of how climate variability affects agricultural practices, focusing on promoting sustainable water use in crop production. Specifically, the study emphasizes the assessment and analysis of both green water (rainfall) and blue water (irrigation water) used in maize cultivation in Northern Bulgaria.
The study draws upon several key data sources, including climatic information (such as air temperature, and precipitation) and agricultural and statistical data from local authorities and farmers (covering crop parameters, yields, and irrigation practices). The water footprint for maize cultivation was calculated and assessed using Cropwat software. This analysis determines the irrigation needs across different crop management strategies. The investigated period was 1961-2022, with a specific focus on the water footprints during the extremely dry and wet years. The findings highlight critical areas of water usage and scarcity. Understanding the water footprint and its connection to climate and agriculture can aid in managing water resources and addressing the environmental and economic challenges associated with water scarcity and drought.
Abstract: Conflicts between farmers and pastoralists have had devastating consequences in Nigeria’s Benue Valley. While previous studies have emphasized environmental resource scarcity arising from population growth, environmental degradation, and climate change as the main sources of scarcity engendering conflicts, the social production of scarcity through accumulation by dispossession has received limited attention. This paper fills that gap by investigating the farmer-herder conflicts in the Benue Valley and highlighting how scarcity of critical land is socially produced through capitalist accumulation by dispossession. This scarcity leads to tensions between pastoralists and farmers, underscoring the relevance of accumulation by dispossession in this specific context.
Abstract: Soil erosion is recognized as one of the most serious soil threats in Bulgaria. The paper presents assessments of soil erosion factors and risk in the catchment of the Dzhebelska River (Eastern Rhodopes), Bulgaria. The assessments are based on the USLE approach, which was adapted for Bulgarian conditions and integrated with GIS. It is established that about 45% of the territory of the Dzhebelska River catchment are characterized with rains with an average erosivity between 600 and 800 MJ mm/ha h y. Largest percentage share (47%) of the lands in the catchment area is characterized by medium to high susceptibility to erosion (0.03-0.04 t ha h / MJ ha mm). Almost half of the lands in the studied catchment are with a slope above 15°. Significant share of land (32.5%) is with high potential risk of erosion (100-200 t/ha y). Due to the largest percentage share of forestland (57%), lands with actual erosion risk below 3 t/ha y cover about 58 % of the catchment area, while these with a risk above 40 t/ha y cover about 15%.
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