Global Research in Environment and Sustainability

Climate Change Mitigation Intensity and Mitigation Outcomes in the Crop Production Sector: Moderating Role of Experience and Education in Nigeria

Obianefo Chukwujekwu Aloysius — 2026-05-09

Climate-smart agriculture has gained attention; most studies focus on adoption rather than the intensity of mitigation practices and how this translates into measurable outcomes. This study therefore examined the effect of climate change mitigation intensity on sustainability, productivity, and environmental outcomes, as well as the moderating role of farmers’ experience and education. Data were collected from 331 crop farmers and analyzed using a composite mitigation intensity index derived from the number, frequency, scale, and duration of practices. Descriptive results show that 65.1% of farmers adopted 5–8 practices, with a mean intensity score of 5.3, while 66.7% operated within a moderate mitigation category. Regression results indicate that mitigation intensity significantly improves sustainability (β = 0.332, p < 0.01) and productivity (β = 1.157, p < 0.01), while also influencing environmental outcomes (β = 0.395, p < 0.01). The models explain a substantial proportion of variation, with R² values of 0.689, 0.527, and 0.801 for sustainability, productivity, and environmental outcomes, respectively. Household size (β = 0.127, p < 0.01) and extension access (β = 0.218, p < 0.05) significantly enhanced productivity, whereas credit access increases emission pressure (β = 0.055, p < 0.01). Moderation results showed that experience improves sustainability (β = 0.002, p < 0.05) but reduces marginal productivity gains (β = -0.018, p < 0.01), while education is not significant. The study concludes that although ATASP-1 has achieved widespread and sustained adoption, improved targeting of extension services and climate-smart financing is required to enhance mitigation intensity and optimize outcomes.

A Survey of Soil Ambient Physico-chemical Properties in Relation to Soil Nematodes of Eagle Island Mangrove Swamp in Rivers State, Nigeria

Aroloye Numbere — 2026-05-11

A study of the physicochemical soil properties in relation to soil nematodes was conducted in a mangrove swamp at Eagle Island in Rivers State. The study was carried out to correlate nematodes with ambient soil properties. Soil Nematodes were extracted from the soil using the modified Bermann’s and Sieving Techniques. Physicochemical properties of the soil such as; temperature, pH, TOC, PO₄, NO₃, Pb, Cu, Na⁺, Mg⁺, K⁺, Ca⁺ and soil texture were tested for their relationship with nematode fauna. There was positive and negative relationships between the physicochemical parameters and the nematode fauna recovered in the study. Nematodes such as; Longidorus Spp.; Criconema Spp.; Tylenchus Spp.; Tylenchorhynchus Spp.; Hirschmanniella Spp.; Rotylenchus Spp.; Hemicyclophora Spp.; Xiphinema Spp.; Pratylenchus Spp.; Aphelenchus Spp.; Helicotylenchus Spp., Rhabditis Spp and Hoplolaimus Spp. were observed in this study. There were significant (p˂0.05) and also non-significant (p˃0.05) correlations between ambient physical, chemical and nematode community measurements in the soil across all sample stations.

Socio economic Determinants of Food Insecurity and Dietary Behaviours in a Mining Urban Setting : A Mixed methods Study in Kolwezi, Democratic Republic of the Congo

Lubala Ngandu Terence — 2026-06-11

Food insecurity remains a major challenge in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, particularly in mining towns where dependence on markets and economic instability expose households to recurring vulnerabilities. The objective of this study was to analyze the determinants of dietary behaviors and household food security in Kolwezi, with a view to informing a future pilot program. A predominantly quantitative cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted among 383 households selected through simple random sampling with stratification, supplemented by 25 semi-structured interviews. Quantitative data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, chi-square tests, and binary logistic regression. Qualitative data underwent thematic analysis using NVivo. The prevalence of food insecurity over the past 12 months was 42.1%. Only 21.5% of households consumed fruits and vegetables daily, while 66% consumed grains and starchy foods every day. The high cost of food was the main barrier (76.9%). After adjustment, low educational attainment (primary or none: adjusted odds ratio [aOR] = 3.24; 95% CI 1.97–5.33), informal employment (aOR = 2.58; 95% CI 1.63–4.08), and a household size of ≥7 people (aOR = 1.85; 95% CI 1.26–2.71) were significantly associated with food insecurity. The qualitative analysis identified five main themes: economic constraints, cultural practices, coping strategies, agricultural barriers, and training expectations. Food insecurity in Kolwezi affects a significant proportion of households and is strongly linked to modifiable socioeconomic factors. Future interventions should combine targeted nutrition education, support for urban agriculture, and social protection measures.

Kinetics and Biodegredation Efficiency of Selected Bacteria Isolates on Pyrene and Chrysene

Zuru Solomon Bello — 2026-06-18

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are persistent environmental pollutants with significant toxicological and mutagenic effects, necessitating the exploration of efficient microbial biodegradation strategies for environmental remediation. This study evaluated the biodegradation efficiency and kinetics of selected bacterial isolates obtained from auto-mechanic workshop soils on pyrene and chrysene. Standard microbiological, molecular and biodegradation techniques were employed. Bacterial isolates were identified using 16S rRNA gene amplification and sequencing while biodegradation efficiency was assessed over a 25-day incubation period using pyrene and chrysene as sole carbon sources. Optical density measurements, degradation constants, half-life determination and specific growth rate analyses were used to assess biodegradation performance. Molecular characterization identified the isolates as Serratia marcescens strain SBZO4, Providencia rettgeri strain SBZO5, Proteus mirabilis strain SBZO9, Pseudomonas aeruginosa strain SBZ15 and Lysinibacillus sphaericus strain SBZ18. Optimum growth occurred at 30 °C and pH 7.5, with Providencia rettgeri recording the highest optical density value of 4.61 at pH 7.5. Complete degradation of pyrene and chrysene was achieved by Serratia marcescens and Lysinibacillus sphaericus within 15 to 20 days respectively. Pseudomonas aeruginosa exhibited high biodegradation constants of 0.2049 and 0.1599 for pyrene and chrysene, respectively. The shortest half-life values were observed using Serratia marcescens with 2.166 days for pyrene and 2.666 days for chrysene. These findings demonstrate the strong biodegradation potential of indigenous bacterial isolates for remediation of PAH-contaminated environments.