The role in agricultural decision making in the upper Citarum watershed, Indonesia

Women as a labor force share a significant role in farming, included in the most degraded Citarum watershed, Steep slopes, soil sensitivity to landslides, erosion, and relatively high rainfall are the limiting factors that are dangerous for farmers, especially for female workers participating in farming activities to support the family economy. However, the role and remuneration system for women in farming, in general, has not received serious attention. This paper aims to analyze the role of women and the factors influencing decision-making in farming activities. The research was conducted in the upstream area of the Citarum watershed in 2 districts, namely Bandung and West Bandung, in 2019. A total of 499 sample farm households were randomly selected. The data were analyzed statistically and descriptively. The results show (1) women participate in almost all agricultural activities except irrigation, but at the same activity and working time get lower wages than men; (2) there are differences of opinion between women and men regarding the roles in the decision-making process of farming activities. According to men, they play a more dominant role, while women prioritize joint roles without being dominant. The results also show that age, education, and experience of women in farming do not directly affect decision-making as long as not impacted to income, but affect women’s role and decision-making process in input use. Increasing women’s knowledge and skills are the keys to accelerate their participation and role in family decision-making in the agricultural sector.

Estimation of Ecotoxicity of Bismuth by Catalase Activity Depending on the Chemical Compounds and Buffer Soils

The results of studies of changes in the activity of catalase in ordinary chernozem, brown forest soil and sierosands under pollution with different of the bismuth chemical compounds: bismuth oxide, carbonate and nitrate are presented. It has been established that bismuth contamination of different types of soils reduces catalase activity, regardless of the chemical compounds. The toxicity of bismuth increases with an increase in the dose applied to the soil. Based on the chemical bismuth compounds, the average toxicity series for soils by catalase activity is as follows: bismuth nitrate (86)> bismuth carbonate (90) ≥ bismuth oxide (93). The greatest ecotoxicity is shown by bismuth nitrate due to its good solubility and greater mobility in the soil solution of Bi3+. The bismuth oxide showed slightly less negative effects. The series of soil sensitivity to bismuth pollution has the following sequence: ordinary chernozem (95) > sierosands (89) ≥ brown forest soil (86). The most resistant to contamination with bismuth soil is ordinary chernozem, and the most sensitive soil is brown forest soil.

Uncovering the Role of Biophysical Factors and Socioeconomic Forces Shaping Soil Sensitivity to Degradation: Insights from Italy

Following an operational framework derived from earlier research, our study research estimates the specific contribution of biophysical and socioeconomic factors to soil sensitivity to degradation at two-time points (Early-1990s and Early-2010s) in Italy, a Mediterranean hotspot for desertification risk. A total of 34 variables associated (directly or, at least, indirectly) with different processes of soil degradation (erosion, salinization, sealing, contamination, and compaction) and climate change were considered here, delineating the predominant (underlying) cause (i.e., biophysical or socioeconomic). This set of variables represented the largest (quantitative) information available from national and international data sources including official statistics at both national and European scale. Contribution of biophysical and socioeconomic dimensions to soil sensitivity to degradation was heterogeneous in Italy, with the level of soil sensitivity to biophysical factors being the highest in less accessible, natural areas mostly located in hilly and mountainous districts. The highest level of soil sensitivity to socioeconomic drivers was instead observed in more accessible locations around large cities and flat rural districts with crop intensification and low (but increasing) population density. All these factors delineated an enlarged divide in environmental quality between (i) flat and upland districts, and between (ii) Northern and Southern Italian regions. These findings suggest the appropriateness of policy strategies protecting soils with a strong place-specific knowledge, i.e., based on permanent monitoring of local (biophysical and socioeconomic) conditions.

Strength Recovery Model of Clay during Thixotropy

Thixotropy is a hot topic in the field of rheology of dispersed systems. Many researchers have proposed different models and hypotheses to explain the thixotropy of clay. In this paper, the strength recovery model of Zhanjiang Formation clay in the process of thixotropy is studied. Firstly, through unconfined compressive strength test, the influence of soil sensitivity, moisture content, and density on the strength growth of remolded soil was studied. The results show great influence of sensitivity, moisture content, and density on the thixotropic strength of the Zhanjiang Formation clay: the higher the sensitivity and the density, the stronger the thixotropy of soil; the higher the moisture content, the weaker the thixotropy of soil. Based on the test results, a strength recovery model of Zhanjiang Formation clay in the process of thixotropy was established. The model was verified by the validation test data and the data obtained from the existing literature. The results suggest that the model prediction is in good agreement with the verification test data and data from existing literature, which proves the confidence of the model in predicting the degree of strength recovery in the process of thixotropy of Zhanjiang Formation clay. The model provides basis for stability calculation of surrounding soil after construction disturbance of underground structures in this stratum.

Assessment and mapping of water erosion by the integration of the Gavrilovic “EPM” model in the Inaouene watershed, Morocco

Water erosion is one of the main causes of soil degradation around the world. In M orocco, In M orocco, the watersheds have very significant soil wastes, related to various physical and anthropic factors. The Oued Inaouene watershed is concerned because of its location in the eastern part of the Saïss basin, between the Middle Atlas and the Pre-Rif, where water erosion is more accentuated. This basin covers a total area of 3597.13 Km2 and it is marked by a semi-arid climate with relatively abundant (989.68 mm), irregular rainfall and strong anthropic pressure. This will have an impact of overexploiting natural resources in general and soils in particular. The excessive use of agricultural land has led to their fragility and aggravation of their susceptibility to erosion. These conditions, both natural and anthropic, have induced a rather intense erosive dynamic, which can be visible in its various forms, including gullying and landslides. The erosive dynamics leads progressively and certainly to impoverish the soils of the watershed and the silting of the dam Idris 1st located downstream of the Oued Inaouene, hence the interest of this study. The use of the “EPM” model for the estimation of soil losses approaches the severity of the erosive phenomenon. The average soil loss due to water erosion according to the model used is estimated at 53.34 t/ha/year. The maximum losses are about 597.642 t/ha/yr per plot. Total annual losses for the watershed are approximately 211084195 t/yr. Furthermore, the analysis of these results allowed, with the help of GIS, to determine the factors that control water erosion and which are, in order of importance: rainfall, slope, and soil sensitivity Soil protection. If anti-erosion measures aren’t adopted in the threatened parts of the watershed, this will have serious consequences for the dam and water quality .

MAPPING OF CONSERVATION AREA PLAN IN NORTH POLOMBANGKENG DISTRICT, TAKALAR REGENCY

North Polombangkeng District is one of the districts in Takalar Regency, South Sulawesi, where 44% of the total land area of 9495 ha out of 21225 ha are steeply sloped areas. Therefore we need a policy direction on the arrangement of the use of conservation areas to support the sustainability of the existing environment in the form of mapping conservation area plans. This study uses a soil survey method and evaluation of land capability. Physical Factors the environment is a limiting factor in determining land use policy, namely slope factors, soil sensitivity to erosion, and rainfall intensity. The research shows that Barugayya Village, Towata Village, and Kampung Baru Village are included in class IV land grade classification and Ko'mara Village in Class VI. At the same time, the Scoring Assessment of Physical Environmental Factors in Forest Areas has a range of values ranging from 160 to 215, the area of which is planned to be a conservation area. Determination of Conservation Area refers to the function criteria of forest area based on the scoring System of the Minister of Agriculture Regulation in Minister of Agriculture Decree No. 837/Kits/Um/11/80.