Faculty of Agriculture and Evironmental Science(FAES)

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Open Access
A literature review of climate-smart landscapes as a tool in soil- water management in Sub-Saharan Africa
(International Research Journal of Multidisciplinary Technovation, 2023-02-08) Turyasingura, Benson; Tumwesigye, Wycliffe; Atuhaire, Abraham; Tumushabe, Jennifer Turyatemba; Akatwijuka, , Rogers
Worldwide, information is needed about the social landscape management as there is no known studies that have documented how climate-smart landscape approaches improve soil and water status. In Sub-Saharan Africa, effective social landscape governance necessitates a certain amount of social capital, including trust and agreed-upon standards. Climate-smart landscapes are key to successful soil and water management but little effort have been made to critically improve effective soil and water resources. The study was guided by the specific objectives, which include examining equitable climate-smart landscapes and finding out the major challenges facing the implementation of climate-smart landscapes. Using "landscape governance" AND "climate smart landscape," 31 papers (31) were obtained from the Web of Science (WOS) and twenty-nine (27) from the Scopus databases using search engines from (1992-2022). On equitable climate-smart landscapes, it was found that multi-stakeholder participation in landscape management is an iterative and changing process that can assist in addressing and resolving disputes as well as facilitating fair negotiation procedures for underrepresented and minority groups. Proper planning and the implementation of a comprehensive planning framework that links various planning activities and decision-making processes are required for landscape approaches to be successful. The major challenges included policies and institutions, financial difficulties in the conservation of natural resources, and socio-economic issues. The novelty from this study is to inform policy makers on climate-smart landscape approaches to ease soil and water management.
Open Access
A Review of the Effects of Climate Change on Water Resources in Sub-Saharan Africa
(African Journal of Climate Change and Resource Sustainability, 2023-06-23) Turyasingura ,Benson
Water provides different goods and services like handcraft and fishing materials, water supply for domestic use, businesses, agriculture, transport, washing, drinking, and eco-tourism. However, few studies have assessed the effects of climate change on water resources in recent years. This study investigated the relationship between water resources and climate change in Sub-Saharan Africa. In the first segment, Vos-Viewer was used to map, study the literature, and identify any gaps in order to evaluate the interdependence between water resources and climate. The study was guided by specific objectives, which include assessing the adaptation and mitigation strategies for the effects of climate on water resources. Searches for the keywords “climate change” and “water resources” were conducted to obtain literature for this study. A total of 125 papers were selected for this study from 1945–2022, from Scopus, Google Scholar, Science Direct, and Web of Science, that were found relevant for this study and were selected and discussed. Thus, the worldwide literature was used to provide a real understanding of the effects of climate change on water resources, adaptation, and mitigation measures. According to the findings of the study, cooperation networks in developing countries were not as prominent as research networks in developed countries. It was shown that irregular rainfall affects water quality and quantity by giving the water a muddy, acidic, and turbid appearance. Therefore, all stakeholders should facilitate prudent water resource usage by 695 million people who still use unimproved water facilities in sub-Saharan Africa.
Open Access
A Review of the Effects of Climate Change on Water Resources in Sub-Saharan Africa.
(Kabale University, 2024) Turyasingura, Benson; Ngabirano, Hannington; Wambui, Kinyi Hellen; Fatima, Sule Mohammed; Ayiga, Natal; Bojago, Elias; Benzougagh, Brahim; Abhishek Banerjee; Kumar, Singh Sudhir
Water provides different goods and services like handcraft and fishing materials, water supply for domestic use, businesses, agriculture, transport, washing, drinking, and eco-tourism. However, few studies have assessed the effects of climate change on water resources in recent years. This study investigated the relationship between water resources and climate change in Sub-Saharan Africa. In the first segment, Vos-Viewer was used to map, study the literature, and identify any gaps to evaluate the interdependence between water resources and climate. The study was guided by specific objectives, which include assessing the adaptation and mitigation strategies for the effects of climate on water resources. Searches for the keywords “climate change” and “water resources” were conducted to obtain literature for this study. A total of 125 papers selected for this study from 1945–2022, from Scopus, Google Scholar, Science Direct, and Web of Science, were found relevant for this study and were selected and discussed. Thus, the worldwide literature was used to provide a real understanding of the effects of climate change on water resources, adaptation, and mitigation measures. According to the findings of the study, cooperation networks in developing countries were not as prominent as research networks in developed countries. It was shown that irregular rainfall affects water quality and quantity by giving the water a muddy, acidic, and turbid appearance. Therefore, all stakeholders should facilitate prudent water resource usage by 695 million people who still use unimproved water facilities in sub-Saharan Africa.
Open Access
African animal trypanocide resistance: A systematic review and meta-analysis
(Frontiers in Veterinary Science, 2023-01-04) Keneth Iceland, Kasozi; Ewan, Thomas MacLeod; Susan, Christina Welburn
Background: African animal trypanocide resistance (AATr) continues to undermine global efforts to eliminate the transmission of African trypanosomiasis in endemic communities. The continued lack of new trypanocides has precipitated drug misuse and overuse, thus contributing to the development of the AATr phenotype. In this study, we investigated the threat associated with AATr by using the major globally available chemotherapeutical agents. Methods: A total of seven electronic databases were screened for an article on trypanocide resistance in AATr by using keywords on preclinical and clinical trials with the number of animals with treatment relapse, days taken to relapse, and resistant gene markers using the PRISMA checklist. Data were cleaned using the SR deduplicator and covidence and analyzed using Cochrane RevMan®. Dichotomous outputs were presented using risk ratio (RR), while continuous data were presented using the standardized mean difference (SMD) at a 95% confidence interval. Results: A total of eight publications in which diminazene aceturate (DA), isometamidium chloride (ISM), and homidium chloride/bromide (HB) were identified as the major trypanocides were used. In all preclinical studies, the development of resistance was in the order of HB > ISM > DA. DA vs. ISM (SMD = 0.15, 95% CI: −0.54, 0.83; I2 = 46%, P = 0.05), DA vs. HB (SMD = 0.96, 95% CI: 0.47, 1.45; I2 = 0%, P = 0.86), and HB vs. ISM (SMD = −0.41, 95% CI: −0.96, 0.14; I2 = 5%, P = 0.38) showed multiple cross-resistance. Clinical studies also showed evidence of multi-drug resistance on DA and ISM (RR = 1.01, 95% CI: 0.71–1.43; I2 = 46%, P = 0.16). To address resistance, most preclinical studies increased the dosage and the treatment time, and this failed to improve the patient’s prognosis. Major markers of resistance explored include TbAT1, P1/P2 transporters, folate transporters, such as F-I, F-II, F-III, and polyamine biosynthesis inhibitors. In addition, immunosuppressed hosts favor the development of AATr. Conclusion: AATr is a threat that requires a shift in the current disease control strategies in most developing nations due to inter-species transmission. Multi- drug cross-resistance against the only accessible trypanocides is a major publichealth risk, justifying the need to revise the policy in developing countries to promote control of African trypanosomiasis
Open Access
Classifying the Involvement of Men and Women in Climate Smart Agricultural Practices in Kayonza Sub-county
(International Journal of Energy and Environmental Science, 2022-02-25) Turyasingura, Benson; Ayiga, Natal
Globally, climate change is currently recognized as one of the most serious risks to communities' socio-economic activity, health, and livelihood. Climate Smart Agriculture is an essential tactic to developing the technical, policy, and investment conditions that enable actions aimed at achieving sustainable agricultural development for food and nutrition security in a changing climate. The purpose of this study was therefore classifying the involvement of men and women in climate smart agricultural practices in Kayonza sub-county, Kanungu district, Uganda. The study was guided by the specific objectives which include investigating the engagement of both men and women in climate-smart practices, establishing different climate-smart practices that are being used and assessing the climate smart agricultural practices adopted in in Kayonza sub-county. The study used descriptive research design utilizing both qualitative and quantitative data collection and analyses methods. Using simple random and purposive sampling techniques, a total of 374 respondents were selected to participate in the study. Questionnaires, key informant interviews, observation methods of data collection were used in this study. It was found out that both men and women were involved in the planting of trees and crops on farms that are typically used for fruit, fodder. Improved cooking stoves, fisheries and aquaculture, pasture management and planting of plant tolerant verities were among the CSA practices. The study recommends that the government should develop a strategy plan for gender quality based on goals that reflect an awareness of the economic and social implications of compromised climate smart agriculture. It was also concluded that both men and women were active in climate-smart farming methods.
Open Access
Classifying the Involvement of Men and Women in Climate Smart Agricultural Practices in Kayonza Sub-county, Kanungu District, Uganda
(International Journal of Energy and Environmental Science, 2022) Benson, Turyasingura; Ayiga, Natal
Globally, climate change is currently recognized as one of the most serious risks to communities' socio-economic activity, health, and livelihood. Climate Smart Agriculture is an essential tactic to developing the technical, policy, and investment conditions that enable actions aimed at achieving sustainable agricultural development for food and nutrition security in a changing climate. The purpose of this study was therefore classifying the involvement of men and women in climate smart agricultural practices in Kayonza sub-county, Kanungu district, Uganda. The study was guided by the specific objectives which include investigating the engagement of both men and women in climate-smart practices, establishing different climate-smart practices that are being used and assessing the climate smart agricultural practices adopted in in Kayonza sub-county. The study used descriptive research design utilizing both qualitative and quantitative data collection and analyses methods. Using simple random and purposive sampling techniques, a total of 374 respondents were selected to participate in the study. Questionnaires,key informant interviews, observation methods of data collection were used in this study. It was found out that both men and women were involved in the planting of trees and crops on farms that are typically used for fruit, fodder. Improved cooking stoves, fisheries and aquaculture, pasture management and planting of plant tolerant verities were among the CSA practices. The study recommends that the government should develop a strategy plan for gender quality based on goals that reflect an awareness of the economic and social implications of compromised climate smart agriculture. It was also concluded that both men and women were active in climate-smart farming methods.
Open Access
Climate change–drylands–food security nexus in Africa: From the perspective of technical advances, challenges, and opportunities
(Frontiers in Environmental Science, 2022-09-06) Hirwa, Hubert; Li, Fadong; Qiao, Yunfeng; Measho, Simon; Muhirwa, Fabien; Tian, Chao; Leng, Peifang; Muhirwa, Fabien; Tian, Chao; Leng, Peifang; Ingabire, Romaine; Itangishaka, Auguste Cesar; Chen, Gang; Turyasingura, Benson
Climate change impacts on drylands pose more vexing risks to socio-ecological systems, resulting in food security issues, biodiversity loss, and livelihood shifts in Africa. This study critically reviewed relevant literature to evaluate the complexities and feedback loops between the climate–drylands–food security (CDF) nexus, which helps assess tactics to attain sustainable dryland ecosystem management under the changing environment. Comprehensive CDF frameworks are explored for dryland dynamics, ecosystem services, and food security (FS), and current high precision ecosystem observation networks are used to detect regional-level climate variability and identify hotspots. In addition, this review also examines challenges and uncertainties for CDF systems and effective agrarian innovations as a way forward. To bridge the gap from science to policy making in the CDF nexus, it is vital to enhance the impacts and feedbacks of ecohydrological processes on agrarian production, ecosystem service tradeoffs and their effects on livelihoods, and regional development and preservation by optimization of the ecological water security pattern. This state-of-the-art assessment uses acquired information and knowledge to conceptually evaluate the past, current, and future impacts and risks and facilitates decision making through the delivery of long-term sustainability and socio-ecological resilience.
Open Access
Climate change–Drylands–Food Security Nexus in Africa: From the Perspective of Technical Advances, Challenges, and Opportunities.
(Kabale University, 2024) Hirwa, Hubert; Fadong, Li; Qiao, Yunfeng; Measho, Simon; Muhirwa, Fabien; Tian, Chao; Leng, Peifang
Climate change impacts on drylands pose more vexing risks to socio-ecological systems, resulting in food security issues, biodiversity loss, and livelihood shifts in Africa. This study critically reviewed relevant literature to evaluate the complexities and feedback loops between the climate–drylands–food security (CDF) nexus, which helps assess tactics to attain sustainable dryland ecosystem management under the changing environment. Comprehensive CDF frameworks are explored for dryland dynamics, ecosystem services, and food security (FS), and current high-precision ecosystem observation networks are used to detect regional-level climate variability and identify hotspots. In addition, this review also examines challenges and uncertainties for CDF systems and effective agrarian innovations as a way forward. To bridge the gap from science to policy making in the CDF nexus, it is vital to enhance the impacts and feedback of ecohydrological processes on agrarian production, ecosystem service tradeoffs and their effects on livelihoods, and regional development and preservation by optimization of the ecological water security pattern. This state-of-the-art assessment uses acquired information and knowledge to conceptually evaluate the past, current, and future impacts and risks and facilitates decision-making through the delivery of long-term sustainability and socio-ecological resilience.
Open Access
Climate Smart Agriculture (CSA) for Sustainable Agriculture Nexus: A Tool for Transforming Food Systems
(2023-03-29) Turyasingura, Benson; Ayiga, Natal; Tumwesigye, Wycliffe; James, Philip Hegarty
Climate Smart Agriculture (CSA) is a global strategy for enhancing food productivity amidst climate change uncertainties in the 21st century. CSA improves farmers’ incomes, reduces greenhouse emissions, and farming systems become resilient to climate change. Despite the vital role that CSA plays in the development of the agricultural industry and the economy, the extent to which CSA is related to sustainable agriculture (SA) is not well documented. Is CSA the same as SA? If they are the same, do CSA practices impose mitigation requirements for developing countries like Uganda? Studies or research on CSA and SA unfortunately have certain shortcomings. Lack of this knowledge makes it difficult to plan investments and develop policies that will increase farmers’ resilience to climate change and variability to improve SA. This study is aimed at assessing how CSA links to SA and whether the two contribute to climate change mitigation requirements. It was found that CSA and SA are also related in a way that the latter leads to lowering greenhouse gas emissions hence mitigating climate change. CSA and SA share a common principal goal of achieving food security. It was concluded that developing countries are the worst affected by the negative impacts of climate change and don’t have the adaptive capacity to respond to climate change effects.
Open Access
Conservation of forest biomass and forest–dependent wildlife population: Uncertainty quantification of the model parameters
(Heliyon, 2023-06-07) Fanuel, Ibrahim M.; Mirau, Silas; Kajunguri, Damian; Moyo, Francis
The ecosystem is confronted with numerous challenges as a consequence of the escalating human population and its corresponding activities. Among these challenges lies the degradation of forest biomass, which directly contributes to a reduction in forested areas and poses a significant threat to the survival of wildlife species through the intensification of intraspecific competition. In this paper, a non–linear mathematical model to study the conservation of forest and wildlife species that are reliant on forest ecosystem within the framework of human population dynamics and its related activities is developed and analysed. The study assessed the impacts of economic measures in the form of incentives on reducing population pressure on forest resources as well as the potential benefits of technological efforts to accelerate the rate of reforestation. Qualitative and quantitative analyses reveals that economic and technological factors have the potential to contribute to resource conservation efforts. However, these efforts can only be used to a limited extent, and contrary to that, the system will be destabilised. Sensitivity analysis identified the parameters pertaining to human population, human activities, economic measures, and technological efforts as the most influential factors in the model.
Open Access
Content and dynamics of nutrients in the surface water of shallow Lake Mulehe in Kisoro District, South–western Uganda
(Applied Water Science Springer, 2023-03-23) Saturday Alex · Kangume Susan · Bamwerinde Wilson
The purpose of this study was to investigate the content and dynamics of nutrients in the shallow (max. 6 m) Lake Mulehe. We collected 54 water samples from nine sampling stations between the wet season (March–May 2020 and dry season (June–August 2020). Nutrients; ammonia–nitrogen (NH4–N), nitrate–nitrogen (NO3–N), nitrite–nitrogen (NO2–N), total nitrogen (TN), total phosphorus (TP) and soluble reactive phosphorus (SRP) were investigated in accordance with APHA 2017 standard procedures. Besides, physical parameters: Temperature, pH, turbidity, electrical conductivity and dissolved oxygen were measured in situ. The water quality index (WQI) was used to determine the water quality of Lake Muhele using drinking water quality standards developed by the Uganda National Bureau of Standards and the World Health Organization. Results indicated that nutrients (TN, NO3–N, TP, NH4-N, NO2–N and SRP) did not difer substantially between study stations (p>0.05) but did reveal significant differences (p<0.05) across study months. Besides, nutrient levels differed significantly between seasons (p<0.05) except for SRP and NH4–N. The WQI values varied from 36.0 to 74.5, with a mean of 58.69. The recorded overall WQI value places Lake Mulehe’s water quality into the ‘poor’ category in terms of worthiness for human consumption. The study, therefore, recommends continuous pollution monitoring and enforcement of local regulations to reduce pollution in the lake as a result of anthropogenic activities.
Open Access
Content and dynamics of nutrients in the surface water of shallow Lake Mulehe in Kisoro District, South–western Uganda
(Springer, 2023-06-13) Saturday, Alex; Kangume , Susan; Bamwerinde, Wilson
The purpose of this study was to investigate the content and dynamics of nutrients in the shallow (max. 6 m) Lake Mulehe. We collected 54 water samples from nine sampling stations between the wet season (March–May 2020 and dry season (June–August 2020). Nutrients; ammonia–nitrogen (NH4–N), nitrate–nitrogen (NO3–N), nitrite–nitrogen (NO2–N), total nitrogen (TN), total phosphorus (TP) and soluble reactive phosphorus (SRP) were investigated in accordance with APHA 2017 standard procedures. Besides, physical parameters: Temperature, pH, turbidity, electrical conductivity and dissolved oxygen were measured in situ. The water quality index (WQI) was used to determine the water quality of Lake Muhele using drinking water quality standards developed by the Uganda National Bureau of Standards and the World Health Organization. Results indicated that nutrients (TN, NO3–N, TP, NH4-N, NO2–N and SRP) did not difer substantially between study stations (p>0.05) but did reveal signifcant diferences (p<0.05) across study months. Besides, nutrient levels difered signifcantly between seasons (p<0.05) except for SRP and NH4–N. The WQI values varied from 36.0 to 74.5, with a mean of 58.69. The recorded overall WQI value places Lake Mulehe’s water quality into the ‘poor’ category in terms of worthiness for human consumption. The study, therefore, recommends continuous pollution monitoring and enforcement of local regulations to reduce pollution in the lake as a result of anthropogenic activities.
Open Access
Content and Dynamics of Nutrients in the Surface Water of Shallow Lake Mulehe in Kisoro District, South–western Uganda.
(Kabale University, 2023) Saturday, Alex; Kangume, Susan; Bamwerinde, Wilson
The purpose of this study was to investigate the content and dynamics of nutrients in the shallow (max. 6 m) Lake Mulehe. We collected 54 water samples from nine sampling stations between the wet season (March–May 2020 and dry season (June–August 2020). Nutrients; ammonia–nitrogen (NH4–N), nitrate–nitrogen (NO3–N), nitrite–nitrogen (NO2–N), totalnitrogen (TN), total phosphorus (TP) and soluble reactive phosphorus (SRP) were investigated in accordance with APHA 2017 standard procedures. Besides, physical parameters: Temperature, pH, turbidity, electrical conductivity and dissolvedoxygen were measured in situ. The water quality index (WQI) was used to determine the water quality of Lake Muhele using drinking water quality standards developed by the Uganda National Bureau of Standards and the World Health Organization.Results indicated that nutrients (TN, NO3– N, TP, NH4-N, NO2–N and SRP) did not differ substantially between study stations (p > 0.05) but did reveal significant differences (p < 0.05) across study months. Besides, nutrient levels differed significantly between seasons (p < 0.05) except for SRP and NH4– N. The WQI values varied from 36.0 to 74.5, with a mean of 58.69. The recorded overall WQI value places Lake Mulehe’s water quality into the ‘poor’ category in terms of worthiness for human consumption. The study, therefore, recommends continuous pollution monitoring and enforcement of local regulations to reduce pollution in the lake as a result of anthropogenic activities.
Open Access
Diversity at Landscape Level to Increase Resilience. A Review
(East African Journal of Environment and Natural Resources, 2022-06-25) Turyasingura, Benson; Mwanjalolo, Majaliwa; Ayiga, Natal
Tree species increases the number of ecological niches and associated species such as understory plants and animals hence, increased landscape ecosystem diversity. Rapid environmental and economic changes are posing serious dangers to ecosystems and economic systems around the world. This has resulted in the extinction of species, droughts, and price fluctuations in agricultural products. The aim of this review is to document landscape diversity and ecosystem resilience as a tool for natural resources management. The species from one ecosystem's functional group may temporarily support a functional group in another ecosystem, significant variety can help to maintain ecological stability. Hence, building on these insights, diversity at landscape level is paramount to promoting resilient livelihoods as a means of improving the health and functioning of socio-ecological systems, as well as a mechanism for achieving food security. The study concludes that there should be involving many actors in a landscape management aspect to stimulate knowledge exchange and training.
Open Access
Diversity at Landscape Level to Increase Resilience. A Review
(East African Journal of Environment and Natural Resources, 2022) Benson, Turyasingura; Ayiga, Natal; Majaliwa, Mwanjalolo
Tree species increases the number of ecological niches and associated species such as understory plants and animals hence, increased landscape ecosystem diversity. Rapid environmental and economic changes are posing serious dangers to ecosystems and economic systems around the world. This has resulted in the extinction of species, droughts, and price fluctuations in agricultural products. The aim of this review is to document landscape diversity and ecosystem resilience as a tool for natural resources management. The species from one ecosystem's functional group may temporarily support a functional group in another ecosystem, significant variety can help to maintain ecological stability. Hence, building on these insights, diversity at landscape level is paramount to promoting resilient livelihoods as a means of improving the health and functioning of socio-ecological systems, as well as a mechanism for achieving food security. The study concludes that there should be involving many actors in a landscape management aspect to stimulate knowledge exchange and training.
Open Access
Evaluation of energy generation potential from municipal solid waste in the North-West province, South Africa
(International Journal of Renewable Energy Development, 2023-07-28) Mapereka Francis Chagunda , Ruhiiga Tabukeli Musigi , Palamuleni Lobina Gertrude *
Municipal Solid Waste (MSW) management is rapidly becoming a severe environmental problem worldwide. Developing countries, especially African cities, are the most affected due to inadequate resources to cope with increasing magnitude and complexity of the waste generated as well as the scarcity of land for disposal. As such, strategies which include waste- to-energy (WtE) generation to recover the potent energy from municipal waste could be a better option. This study sought to determine the sustainability of WtE projects for energy access to off-grid residents in the North-West province, South Africa. The study used a quantitative research design coupled with field observations and measurement of elements of the waste chain to generate primary data sets. The information was supplemented by secondary datasets on waste information and waste management at local municipalities. Results revealed that some of the classes of waste have the optimum calorific values and moisture content for WtE. The eligibility of a waste class to be used in WtE generation projects is dependent on the quantities generated. The results also indicate that using paper as fuel in the 240 tonnes/day WtE technology would cover more days of operation than plastics and rubber. Based on the 2020 estimated waste quantities, paper would last 234 days of generating about 6,944 GWh while plastics would last 177 days with energy output of 5, 207 GWh. Waste quantities generated in the North-West province could contribute to sustainable energy access to the off-grid informal settlement residents and advance waste management options through WtE. This study contributes to the literature on renewable energy and waste management in the context of green energy in South Africa.
Open Access
Food Safety Analysis of Milk and Beef in Southwestern Uganda
(Journal of Environmental and Public Health, 2018) Phyllis Candy, Natabo; Keneth Iceland, Kasozi; Sarah, Namubiru; Dickson Stuart, Tayebwa; Andrew, Tamale; Pwaveno H., Bamaiyi
Inorganic pollutants in milk and beef are of major public health concern; however, information in Africa is still limited due to low food safety monitoring practices. In this study, we established levels of lead (Pb), zinc (Zn), cadmium (Cd), copper (Cu), and iron (Fe) in milk and beef and obtained the estimated daily intake (EDI) and incremental lifetime cancer risk (ILCR) as measures of risk to the Ugandan population. Materials and Methods. +is was a cross-sectional study in which a total of 40 samples of milk and beef were collected from Bushenyi district in southwestern Uganda. Samples were analyzed by atomic absorbance spectrophotometer, and the EDI and ILCR were computed using the US EPA reference values. Results and Discussion. Heavy metal concentrations were highest in the order of Zn > Fe > Pb > Cu in milk samples, while in beef samples, concentrations were highest in the order of Zn > Pb > Fe > Cu and no Cd was detected. Furthermore, beef had significantly higher (P < 0.05) Pb and Fe concentrations than milk. +e EDI was highest in children, and this was followed by very high ILCR levels, showing that milk and beef are not safe for children in Uganda. Bearing in mind that a high HI was shown, beef and milk from these regions are not recommended for consumption especially by children although more studies remain to be conducted. Conclusion. Heavy metals in milk and beef of Uganda may predispose the indigenous community to cancer and other health-related illnesses, showing a need for improved food safety screening to promote food safety
Open Access
A global agenda for advancing freshwater biodiversity research
(John Wiley & Sons Ltd., 2021) Aventino, Kasangaki
Global freshwater biodiversity is declining dramatically, and meeting the challenges of this crisis requires bold goals and the mobilisation of substantial resources. While the reasons are varied, investments in both research and conservation of freshwater biodiversity lag far behind those in the terrestrial and marine realms. Inspired by a global consultation, we identify 15 pressing priority needs, grouped into five research areas, in an effort to support informed stewardship of freshwater biodiversity. The proposed agenda aims to advance freshwater biodiversity research globally as a critical step in improving coordinated actions towards its sustainable management and conservation.
Open Access
Impacts of Climate Change on the Plant Water Interactions
(Journal of Resources Development and Management, 2023-02-23) Turyasingura, Benson; Ayiga, Natal
Climate change has an impact on ecosystem structure and function globally by altering the relationships between plants and soil organisms. Despite the fact that water is the most plentiful molecule on Earth's surface, water scarcity is the element that most severely limits global terrestrial plant production. Little is known about the climatic factors that drive phenological responses to climate change, and less attention has been paid to the fact that phenology is also responsive to other climatic. The aim of this study was to assess the impacts of climate change on plant water interactions. This study was guided by the specific objectives, which included examining the relationship between climate change and plant function; finding out the impacts of climate change on plant water interactions; and assessing how plants handle water scarcity. It was found that there was a linkage between climate change and plant function. The evaporation of water molecules from the outer surfaces of the mesophyll cells initiates the upward transpiration pull in the leaves, and respiring starches and sugars are created during photosynthetic processes using sunlight energy. Climate change enhanced the most enormous movement of species that has occurred without direct human intervention. It was also found that precipitation was a key driver of phenological changes in desert ecosystems. It was also found that drought was one of the most significant biotic challenges faced by plants, with considerable genetic variation in water deficit responses. There is a need for research on climate change to ease biodiversity conservation.
Open Access
Influence of informal financial literacy training on financial knowledge and behavior of rural farmers: Evidence from Uganda
(Journal of Development and Agricultural Economics, 2021) Proscovia, Ntakyo Renzaho; Johnny, Mugisha; Robert, Bangizi; Diana, Namwanje; Robert, Kalyebara
Financial literacy plays an important role in influencing financial behavior and knowledge of individuals. In this study, the impact of informal financial literacy training on rural smallholder farmers was assessed. Propensity score matching approach was used to assess training effects on distinct dimensions of financial knowledge. The study used a sample of farmers who are members of village savings and loans associations. Findings indicate higher scores (70.6% for training beneficiaries and 68.5% for the control group) in financial goals and the lowest scores (48.0% for training beneficiaries and 43.0% for control group) in planning and managing finances. Although the descriptive statistics show higher scores for the trained farmers, overall financial literacy scores in the different dimensions for trained farmers were not significantly different from those that were not trained. The result was attributed to spillover effects through networks given the period between training and evaluation. More financial education programs could be useful to empower communities with knowledge for informed financial decision making.