Testing NDVI, tree cover density and land cover type as fuel indicators in the wildfire spread capacity index (WSCI): case of Montenegro

This paper presents an updated version of our previous GIS-based method developed for indexing the forest surfaces by their wildfire ignition probability (WIPI) and wildfire spreading capacity (WSCI). The previous study relied on a multi-criteria approach including a variety of factors of social, hydro-meteorological, and geo-physical character of the context. However, this study is challenging the drawbacks of the previous work, by introducing three new criteria regarding the vegetation properties in the area. Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI), Tree Cover Density (TCD), and land cover type are launched as indicators of fuel properties of the forest being indexed. The materials and software utilized here belongs to different open sources. CORINE Land Cover (CLC), Open Street Map (OSM), TCD via Copernicus high resolution data, and multispectral satellite images via Landsat 8 (Semi-Automatic Classification Plugin- SCP) are utilized as raw materials in a workflow in QGIS software. At this stage, the study area is the territory of Montenegro. Following the inventory stage, the indexing method relies on a normalizing procedure in QGIS and the assignment of weighted impact factor to each criterion via analytical hierarchy process (AHP). The WSCI value is derived as the sum of the products between the normalized class and the respective weighted impact factor of each criterion. Besides the methodological improvements the results of this work deliver tangible outputs in support of forest fire risk reduction in disaster risk management and fire safety agendas

Factors of land abandonment in mountainous Mediterranean areas : the case of Montenegrin settlements

Land use changes have been investigated in the surroundings of 14 rural Montenegrin settlements in order to get specific information about trends in land abandonment since around 1950. Permanently, seasonally and less inhabited settlements with different geographic conditions were studied. This was done by interviewing local inhabitants, which enabled a holistic approach to reveal the underlying processes of land abandonment. According to the observed patterns of land use change, the study sites can be categorized into intensified, urbanized, extensified, overgrown and forested cases. The category of extensified settlements is characterized by a highly reduced agricultural management intensity, resulting in an increase in grasslands and fruit trees at the expense of cropland. This land use change is mainly related to emigrating and aging inhabitants, having less livestock. Such extensive land use is found in both permanently inhabited and abandoned villages. Only some studied settlements became largely overgrown by bushes and forest. The steep average slope gradients and a large distance to the nearest city are explanatory factors of such land abandonment. Land use intensification takes place in low-lying areas located nearby towns

Production of planting material of raspberry variety glen ample in the North Montenegro

The objective of the paper is to present the method of production, quantity, and quality of obtained planting material per unit area of continental fruit within the period of three years (2018-2020), and, in particular, the nursery of raspberry variety Glen Ample in Polimlje, Bijelo Polje municipality, northern Montenegro. The paper shows the initial condition, preparation for the formation of nurseries, production, and quality of raspberry seedlings, which are among the most important berry fruit species grown in northern Montenegro. The production of nurseries was within the limits for the production of raspberry planting material. The number of plants per square metre (m2) at the end of the season was 20.2, and 202,000 per hectare (ha). The height of the seedlings at the end of the vegetation was 1.06 m, and the diameter above the root neck was 9.5 mm. The planting material met the prescribed standards. Based on the standard, seedlings were classified into three classes, and most seedlings of class I (73%) were obtained, followed by class II (24%), while only 3% of seedlings were out of class. Raising raspberry plantations with quality planting material is one of the most important factors for intensifying the production of this type of fruit in Montenegro

Analysis of the impact of fruit growing development on the intensity of soil erosion and runoff: Case study of krusevo, bijelo polje, Montenegro

The research has been conducted to analyse the effects of land use change of the impact of fruit growing development on the intensity of soil erosion and runoff in the Study area of Krusevo, Bijelo Polje, Montenegro by using the Intensity of Erosion and Outflow – IntErO model of Spalevic. The required spatial maps, land use, soil and geology were prepared and analysed in GIS environment. The climatic data such as the volume of the torrential rain, average annual air temperature and average annual precipitation were calculated based on meteorological data received from the State Hydrological Institute for the region of Bijelo Polje (Montenegro). The results of land use change between these two periods (2011-2020) shown that the forest increased in the studied region by 1.57%. Specifically, degraded forests increased by 1.02%; Well-constituted forests increased by 0.55%. For the studied area we calculated forested area on 57.26% (2011), and 58.83% (2020). The values for Meadows in the studied area decreased from 2011 to 2020 for 1.67%; and for Pastures for 1.40%. Plough-lands decreased for the observed period for 1.59%. On the other hand, the surface under the Orchards increased by 3.09%, and that represented the shift from the Meadows to the Orchards; the shift from the Pastures to the Forests. This denser vegetation at the studied region for the observed period (increase of the forests and orchards) has led to higher water infiltration rate into the soil and at the same time to decrease of the sediment yield. The value of Z coefficient of 0.462 (2011); 0.461 (2020) indicates slight decrease of erosion processes because of the fruit growing development with shifting the meadows to orchards categorising the processes to the 3rd destruction category. The strength of the erosion process is medium, and according to the erosion type, it is surface erosion. Production of erosion material in the river basin, W year, is calculated on 11327 m3year-1 for 2011; and 11278 m3 year-1 for 2020, what shown the decrease of erosion processes because of the subject fruit growing development. Coefficient of the deposit retention (sediment delivery ratio) is calculated as 0.299 what means that 30% of the total eroded material reaches to the outlet point. Real soil losses, G year, are calculated on 3392 m3 year-1 (2011), and 3377 (2020); Real soil losses per km2, G year km-2, are 262 m3 km-2 year-1 (2011), and 261 m3km-2 year-1 (2020), with the same conclusion in relation to the fruit growing initiatives and the values indicates that the river basin belongs to 5th destruction category; it is a region of very weak erosion. The results showed that the appropriate land management and planning with implementing fruit growing in this area decreases maximum flow rate and also sediment yield. The application of the IntErO model may also be further used to understand the effect of land use change with new establishing of the fruit growing in the river basins on hydrological behaviour, soil erosion and sediment yield process and can be used as a useful tool in similar for fruit growing and soil conservation research

Nitrogen Fertilizer Use Efficiency of Pepper as Affected by Irrigation and Fertilization Regime

The pepper producers in the Republic of Macedonia have used drip irrigation systems to increase yield in recent years, but more research is still needed, related to irrigation scheduling and precise requirement of nitrogen fertilizer to maximise pepper yield. Therefore, a two year experiment was conducted in a plastic house to determine the nitrogen fertilizer use efficiency (NFUE) and yield potential of pruned pepper as affected by irrigation and fertilization regime. Four experimental treatments were applied in this study. Three of the treatments were drip fertigated (DF1, DF2, DF3), while the fourth treatment was furrow irrigated with conventional fertilization (ØB). The labelled urea with 1% concentration of a stable isotope of nitrogen (15N) was applied for determination of NFUE. The results of this study clearly showed that increased NFUE and pepper yield depend on irrigation and fertilization regime. Namely, NFUE was significantly increased with the application of nitrogen fertilizer through drip irrigation system as compared to conventional fertilization with furrow irrigation. Also, drip fertigation frequency positively affects percentage increase of NFUE. Furthermore, our results showed that drip fertigation treatments resulted in significantly higher pepper yields in comparison to conventional fertilization. Also, drip fertigation frequency at four and two days (DF2 and DF1) resulted in higher yields when compared with drip fertigation scheduled by using tensiometers (DF3). Generally, to reach acceptable pepper yield with high NFUE, we recommend drip fertigation with a frequency of two to four days combined with two main shoots of pruned pepper in order to increase farmer’s income and to minimize the environmental impact

Diagnóstico do meio físico como subsídio para o planejamento da sub-bacia hidrográfica do Córrego Estiva, Alfenas, Sul de Minas Gerais

A pressão antrópica sobre o meio é a principal causa da degradação ambiental, o que torna impreterível o planejamento físico-territorial para implementação de políticas públicas sustentáveis. Para o diagnóstico ambiental da Sub-bacia Hidrográfica do Córrego Estiva, Alfenas - MG, foi realizada uma análise integrada de seus aspectos físicos, tendo como suporte o método de Análise da Fragilidade dos Ambientes Naturais e Antropizados com base nas classes de declividade do relevo, sendo que, a fragilidade dos ambientes foi dividida em: 7,6% da área foi classificada como de vulnerabilidade Forte (2,3%) a Muito Forte (5,3%), localizadas nas áreas de várzea; 28,7% considerada como de vulnerabilidade Média e 63,7% com vulnerabilidade de Muito Fraca (14,8%) a Fraca (48,9%). A área estudada não apresenta condições severas de degradação, sendo propícia para a ocupação e desenvolvimento antrópico. Todavia, é recomendado que seja desenvolvido e adotado um plano de proteção e de manejo sustentável da sub-bacia

Incompatible pollen tubes in the quince style and their impact on fertilization success

Self-incompatibility presents one of the challenges in modern fruit production. It can be correlated with a lower yield of self-incompatible cultivars which also demand the planting of the pollinisers. The aim of this work was to investigate the phenomenon of incompatibility and its influence on fertilization success in quince (Cydonia oblonga Mill.), using the cultivars ‘Leskovacka’, ‘Vranjska’, ‘Morava’, ‘Pazardzijska’, ‘Hemus’, ‘Asenica’, ‘Portugal’ and ‘Triumph’. Incompatible pollen tubes were determined by using fluorescence microscopy. In two types of pollination (self-pollination and open pollination) pollen tubes showed signs of incompatibility, mostly in the upper third of the style. The most common sign of incompatibility is the formation of swelling at the tip of a pollen tube. Also, sometimes twisted, bifurcated, and short and thickened pollen tubes along their entire length are formed. The incompatibility was significantly more pronounced in the self-pollination than in the open pollination variant in all tested cultivars. The highest number of incompatible pollen tubes in both pollination types was present in the cultivar ‘Pazardzijska’, while the lowest number was present in the cultivars ‘Leskovacka’ and ‘Vranjska’. The appearance of incompatibility affected the degree of fertilization in quince. The results showed that only ‘Leskovacka’ and ‘Vranjska’ are self-compatible, while other studied cultivars (‘Morava’, ‘Pazardzijska’, ‘Hemus’, ‘Asenica’, ‘Portugal’ and ‘Triumph’) are self-incompatible. The results provide a good background for the future research of reproductive biology and also for adequate management of the quince orchards

MACHINE LEARNING PRACTICES DURING THE OPERATIONAL PHASE OF BUILDINGS: A CRITICAL REVIEW

Machine Learning (ML) is gaining attention in civil engineering especially within operational phase of building life cycle. This phase is crucial for managing every energy aspect while ensuring occupant comfort. Previous ML experiments have explored occupant behavior, occupancy estimation, load prediction, defect detection, and Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning (HVAC) system diagnostics. However, challenges such as ML transferability and limited literature on ML components for the operational phase hinder broader industry adoption. This critical review aims to assess the potential of ML in building operations, focusing on energy consumption, big data control, reinforcement learning, and thermal comfort modeling. By identifying knowledge gaps, the study recommends further research to leverage ML for sustainable energy consumption and occupant comfort. It highlights ML’s promising role in striking a balance between energy efficiency and occupant wellbeing

Impact of watershed management practices on vegetation, land use changes, and soil erosion in River Basins of the Atlas, Morocco

Soil erosion, a land degradation process triggered by natural and anthropogenic factors, seriously impacts landscapes and water resources. The influence of vegetation cover and land use changes on intensity of soil erosion of two catchments in mountainous regions of Morocco is evident, as it alters hydrologic response and sediment dynamics. This research aims to analyze the interactions among plants, soil, geology, meteorology, and orography, assessing soil erosion responses using the process-oriented IntErO model - Erosion Potential Method to determine erosion rates. The obtained results indicate that the Tiguert river basin experiences higher soil losses (Ggod = 5184.47 m³/god) and soil losses per square kilometre (Ggod/km² = 508.28 m³/km² god) compared to the Wanmroud catchment (Ggod = 2555.66 m³/god, Ggod/km² = 381.44 m³/km² god), confirming the theory that areas with denser and more effective vegetation cover experience lower soil erosion rates. Furthermore, the Wanmroud basin exhibits a more regular shape and lower watershed development coefficient, implying lower human impact. This study has shown the relationships between land use changes, vegetation cover, and soil erosion dynamics, offering valuable insights for sustainable land management practices in mountainous regions of Morocco