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Volume XXI |

Morphometry and Topographic Wetness Index Analysis for flood inundation mapping in Mata Allo watershed (South Sulawesi, Indonesia)

Abstract: Along with climate change, natural disasters will occur more frequently such as floods. Floods that occur in watersheds which include various human activities, such as Mata Allo (Indonesia) will especially cause a large enough impact. The elongated shape of the watershed has a slow response to peak discharge and time lag. The Mata Allo watershed is dominated by slopes above 25%→45% (65%) and agricultural land use which accounts for 53% of the area, which has an obvious impact on the amount of runoff and erosion that occurs. The eroded soil will be carried away by surface runoff and deposited in the plains between mountains and river floodplains. Based on the results of the study, the Topographic Wetness Index (TWI) map indicates that the part between the mountains and the floodplain around the Mata Allo river had a high TWI value. A high TWI value indicates a high vulnerability to anticipate flooding in the event of overflowing from the Mata Allo River. River morphometry, land use, and hydrological behavior in a watershed are closely related to the TWI value in the Mata Allo watershed.

Volume XXI |

Covid-19 lockdown effect on aerosol optical depth in Delhi National Capital Region, India

Abstract: Coronavirus cases in India have been steadily increasing since March 2020. COronaVIrus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) has been managed by a variety of preventative measures. A prominent measure by the Government of India to prevent the spread of Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) began on March 25, 2020, with a complete suspension of all outdoor activities throughout the country. Such complete lockdown has resulted in a decrease in anthropogenic emissions, which is partly due to restrictions on human activities. Delhi National Capital Region (NCR), a landlocked area, suffers from high amounts of aerosols due to both natural and anthropogenic sources. The present research focuses on changes in Aerosol Optical Depth (AOD) prior to and during lockdown (initial and second lockdown phases) around satellite cities (Faridabad, Ghaziabad, Gautam Budh Nagar and Gurugram) of Delhi using high-resolution MODIS AOD product. With the implementation of lockdown measures in phase I and phase III of the current study region, AOD decreased dramatically, while phase II and phase IV lockdown phases had a higher concentration of aerosol. An unexpected increase in AOD occurred during the second lockdown compared with the initial lockdown and before the lockdown. Overall, the average percentage change from 2019 to 2020 during first lockdown is -4.44%, while the average percentage change from 2020 to 2021 is 27.63%.

Volume XXI |

Solid waste management as an urban area regulation in Algeria. Case of El-Khroub city

Abstract: The phenomenon of urban pollution is one of the most serious problems that affect people in the world, as it causes the spread of epidemics and diseases that threaten their health. As in the case of other societies, this also represents an important issue for Algeria. Therefore, through this work, we decided to take an example of urban pollution in an Algerian city of historical and administrative importance, represented by the city of El-Khroub located in the province of Constantine; the aim was to monitor the reality of urban waste management in the city center, the disinfection and disposal of urban solid waste. Through this, we monitored the most important ways that local authorities follow to eliminate solid waste, including landfill or incineration, where household waste annually reaches 2045328 tons. The dirt still floats in the city neighborhoods, because of the ignorance of the population, as well as the lack of authorities to ensure a clean and sustainable environment.

Volume XXI |

Ecosystem behavior face to climatic changes and anthropogenic actions. Case study: a north-eastern urban wetland, Tunisia

Abstract: Wetlands environments are ecosystems threatened by climate change and urban sprawl. Studying the behavior of Sabkhaof Sousse, the green lung of the industrial region of Sidi Abd Elhamid in north-eastern Tunisia, is necessary to improve the living conditions of the population living within this ecosystem. This study analysis the impact of climate change and human activities on the seasonal and pluriannual behavior of this Sabkha by using multitemporal series of high-resolution satellite imagery, and a survey among the inhabitants of the area. Shorelines from 2003 to 2019 were vectorized in GIS environment using georeferenced images from Google Earth platform. Then, Land Use Land Cover changes were detected by using Environment Visualizing Imageries software. Results show that built-up and cultivated areas have increased by 4.3 % and 18.5 % respectively in the North and East side of the study area. Moreover, climatic changes during the seasons lead to changes in the soil occupation. Hence the importance of setting up strategies to preserve this brittle ecosystem. The development of an urban park around the Sabkha will enhance the local population’s living conditions while also protecting the Sabkha from degradation.

Volume XXI |

Ecosystem services versus wellbeing – implications for sustainable tourism: the host perspective

Abstract: This paper aims to compile red flags appearing at the interface of hosts’ wellbeing, ecosystem services (ES) and tourism, which have already been described in the literature. We focus on host communities in developing countries, as poor and disadvantaged people much more often depend directly on ES. We start with a description of the concepts ES and wellbeing. The second section describes prominent gaps and challenges in the ES–wellbeing interface, with special focus on those that can be relevant to tourism (such as the establishment of protected areas, the concept of paying for ES, poverty reduction, endowments vs entitlements). The third section is devoted to a discussion of the identified gaps and challenges. The last section contains conclusions and implications. These recommendations are global and fairly general indications that should be considered at the interface between ES, tourism and wellbeing policies, whatever the context.