Geoscience and remote sensing on horticulture as support for management and planning

The importance of horticulture around the large cities, called green belt (GB), or proximity food production area is related to its contribution to the provision of food as well as its role on social, cultural and ecological aspects. Geoscience and Remote sensing (GRS) are tools that should aid in gathering and updating the information to develop science-based management plans of this areas. Recently, the improvement in terms of spatial, temporal and radiometric resolutions has changed the performance and the approach to the horticulture remote sensing. In this work, we make a brief review on the literature exploring the use of GRS techniques in horticulture, and future trends in order to exploit the available techniques for efficient crop management in the way to improve territorial planning and management. Specifically we found a lack of academic production in this area. In addition we examine the importance of this landscape areas from different points of view (food security, health, ecology, etc.). A systematic revision of published studies on remote sensing on horticulture including different platforms, sensors and methodologies are briefly presented. Finally some aspect related with future trends are discussed.EEA ManfrediFil: Marinelli, María Victoria. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET); ArgentinaFil: Marinelli, María Victoria. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA). Estación Experimental Agropecuaria Manfredi. Agencia de Extensión Rural Córdoba; ArgentinaFil: Marinelli, María Victoria. Comisión Nacional de Actividades Espaciales (CONAE). Instituto de altos estudios espaciales "Mario Gulich"; ArgentinaFil: Marinelli, María Victoria. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Instituto de altos estudios espaciales "Mario Gulich"; ArgentinaFil: Scavuzzo, Carlos Matías. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba Facultad de Ciencias Médicas. Escuela de Nutrición; ArgentinaFil: Giobellina, Beatriz Liliana. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA). Estación Experimental Agropecuaria Manfredi. Observatorio de Agricultura Urbana, Periurbana y Agroecología (O-AUPA); ArgentinaFil: Scavuzzo, Carlos Marcelo. Comisión Nacional de Actividades Espaciales (CONAE); Argentin

Spatial pattern analysis of the impact of community food environments on foetal macrosomia, preterm births and low birth weight

Community food environments (CFEs) have a strong impact on child health and nutrition and this impact is currently negative in many areas. In the Republic of Argentina, there is a lack of research evaluating CFEs regionally and comprehensively by tools based on geographic information systems (GIS). This study aimed to characterize the spatial patterns of CFEs, through variables associated with its three dimensions (political, individual and environmental), and their association with the spatial distribution in urban localities in Argentina. CFEs were assessed in 657 localities with ≥5,000 inhabitants. Data on births and CFEs were obtained from nationally available open-source data and through remote sensing. The spatial distribution and presence of clusters were assessed using hotspot analysis, purely spatial analysis (SaTScan), Moran’s Index, semivariograms and spatially restrained multivariate clustering. Clusters of low risk for LBW, macrosomia, and preterm births were observed in the central-east part of the country, while high-risk clusters identified in the North, Centre and South. In the central-eastern region, low-risk clusters were found coinciding with hotspots of public policy coverage, high night-time light, social security coverage and complete secondary education of the household head in areas with low risk for negative outcomes of the birth variables studied, with the opposite with regard to households with unsatisfied basic needs and predominant land use classes in peri-urban areas of crops and herbaceous cover. These results show that the exploration of spatial patterns of CFEs is a necessary preliminary step before developing explanatory models and generating novel findings valuable for decision-making

Design and validation of a survey for the study of food and nutritional security to climate change vulnerability

Human Security is a concept instituted by the United Nations and refers to the possibility that each person can satisfy basic needs of different kinds: Health, food, environment, education, economy, politics, institutional access, etc. Both WHO and FAO emphasize these concepts related to food and nutritional security (FNS), and relate it to the vulnerability derived from emergency and disaster situations. These are increasingly frequent and complex in a context of climate change, since they affect food systems, directly and indirectly impacting the pillars of FNS: availability, economic access, biological use and sustainability. In this context, the concepts of risk, hazards and vulnerability arise, the latter being determined by exposure, susceptibility and resilience. Managing the concept of vulnerability allows us to approach FNS as an essentially dynamic process. Thus, the objective of the work is to develop and validate an instrument for qualitative-quantitative estimation of the vulnerability of the FNS linked to the threats derived from climate changethrough its implementation in a pilot test. The variables under study are the FNS, the vulnerability of the FNS, associated with climatic events, and climate hazards. The study is observational, descriptive, and cross-sectional.The instrument was designed based on the Guide for Measuring Food Security prepared by the Red Cross; the WFP Manual for the Evaluation of Food Security in Emergencies and the USDA Food Security Measurement Instrument. The instrument was applied in Cruz del Eje City over 59 citizens and four validation test criteria implemented.Fil: Scavuzzo, Carlos Matías. Universidad Blas Pascal; Argentina. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Facultad de Medicina. Escuela de Nutrición; ArgentinaFil: Alvarez Di Fino, Eliana Marina. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Facultad de Medicina. Escuela de Nutrición; ArgentinaFil: Ferral, Alberto. Universidad Blas Pascal; ArgentinaFil: Defagó, María Daniela. Universidad Blas Pascal; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Córdoba. Instituto de Investigaciones en Ciencias de la Salud. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Instituto de Investigaciones en Ciencias de la Salud; Argentin

Bringing satellite and nanotechnologies together : unifying strengths against pollution and climate change

Nowadays, we witness remarkable technological progress alongside unprecedented challenges that threaten the delicate balance of our planet's ecological system. Environmental contamination plays a central role in this, with rapid urbanization, industrialization, mining and agricultural practices intensifying the introduction of pollutants into the environment. This article highlights the potential synergy between two fields operating at vastly different scales: satellite technology and nanotechnology. This article delves into the offerings of each of these disciplines and examines how they can mutually contribute to the detection, prevention and mitigation of environmental pollution. Satellites play a crucial role in identifying and monitoring large-scale polluted areas, offering comprehensive insights into environmental challenges. They are indispensable in tracking air, water pollution levels, assessing land degradation, and monitoring changes in ocean health with relatively high spatial and temporal resolution. Nanotechnology leverages the unique properties of materials at sub-micron scale by offering amplified chemical reactivity and new optical, electronic, and magnetic attributes, enabling selective and sensitive sensors and rapid and efficient contaminant capture/degradation strategies. Emerging nanomaterials, along with nature-inspired and self-powered or self-sustaining designs, broaden capabilities for efficient solutions. Advanced nanocharacterization techniques deepen material understanding and quantification, while nanofabrication allows precise design of functional nano-devices. We believe the synergistic relationship between both fields can yield cooperative solutions, expediting effective measures and greatly influencing policy decisions. This article advocates for the collaboration between these two disciplines to foster impactful progress in facing global challenges