Cereal Prices on Consumer Price Index in Mali

Abstract This study examines the relationships between cereal prices and consumer price index (CPI) in Mali. Using monthly series of consumer price indexes from 1993 to 2014, Vector Error-Correction Model (VECM) was estimated in a co-integration analysis. This was in order to investigate the short and long-term dynamics and mechanisms of cereal prices. Results indicated that, a statistically significant long-run equilibrium relationship exists between consumer price index and those of the main variable inputs consumed, such as rice, corn and wheat. It also showed that, there existed a negative long-run relationship between CPI and the variables except for millet-sorghum prices. Furthermore, all the error correction terms were negative and significant. Despite these, there was no short run causality between them except for the millet-sorghum equation. There was short run causality from milletsorghum to those variables such as CPI, rice, corn and wheat prices. The parsimonious VEC model suggests that, the dynamics of cereal prices market systems are linked to the process of changing CPI

A Potential Source of Income to Support Rural Livelihoods

Abstract In this paper, we examine the potential of bamboo as a source of income and better livelihood for rural communities. We look at the importance of bamboo from a global perspective with special attention to its economic, social and ecological values. Using this approach, we observed that, bamboo is very ubiquitous, has a global presence and it is used for various purposes from toothpicks to dresses and construction of houses. We also found that, it is a lucrative business from which rural people with the proper and adequate skills and market value chains, could adopt to come out of the poverty trap

129-133Analysis of the Technical Efficiency of Smallholder Cocoa Farmers in South West Cameroon

Abstract In this study, we assess the technical efficiency of smallholder cocoa farmers in the Meme division of South West Region, Cameroon. Through stochastic production functions and field surveys, the study further examines how the cocoa sector socioeconomically impacts the Cameroonian economy. Using a participatory research approach, data were collected from 515 household heads across four villages on the quantity of cocoa produced, number of cocoa trees per hectare, quantity of fertilizer, and labour availability and socio-economic characteristics. Our results showed the technical efficiency to range between 0.11 and 0.99, with a mean technical efficiency of 0.86. We also observed access to credit and extension services to significantly influence technical efficiency. Therefore, innovative institutional arrangements that enhance extension and farmer training, accompanied by improved access to credit are likely to efficiently boost cocoa production in this part of Cameroon and elsewhere

A Novel Vegetation Index Approach Using Sentinel-2 Data and Random Forest Algorithm for Estimating Forest Stock Volume in the Helan Mountains, Ningxia, China

Forest stock volume (FSV) is a major indicator of forest ecosystem health and it also plays an important part in understanding the worldwide carbon cycle. A precise comprehension of the distribution patterns and variations of FSV is crucial in the assessment of the sequestration potential of forest carbon and optimization of the management programs of the forest carbon sink. In this study, a novel vegetation index based on Sentinel-2 data for modeling FSV with the random forest (RF) algorithm in Helan Mountains, China has been developed. Among all the other variables and with a correlation coefficient of r = 0.778, the novel vegetation index (NDVIRE) developed based on the red-edge bands of the Sentinel-2 data was the most significant. Meanwhile, the model that combined bands and vegetation indices (bands + VIs-based model, BVBM) performed best in the training phase (R2 = 0.93, RMSE = 10.82 m3ha−1) and testing phase (R2 = 0.60, RMSE = 27.05 m3ha−1). Using the best training model, the FSV of the Helan Mountains was first mapped and an accuracy of 80.46% was obtained. The novel vegetation index developed based on the red-edge bands of the Sentinel-2 data and RF algorithm is thus the most effective method to assess the FSV. In addition, this method can provide a new method to estimate the FSV in other areas, especially in the management of forest carbon sequestration

Forest edge effect on biomass carbon along altitudinal gradients in Chinese Fir (Cunninghamia lanceolata): A study from Southeastern China

Monitoring and mapping forest carbon is critical for informing climate change mitigation measures. Evidence indicates that forest edges hold less carbon than the forest interior. In this study, using field inventory data from a Chinese fir forest ecosystem in southeast China, the carbon at the forest edge and forest interior at different elevations was measured. The results showed a significant increasing trend in carbon with elevation. The results also revealed that forest edges had significantly lower carbon than the forest interior. Carbon density values varied between 265 Mg C ha−1 at forest edges and 320 Mg C ha−1 at forest interior. The study highlights that ignoring edge effects overestimates carbon density by 9.46%. These findings suggest that edge effects should be given proper consideration during national forest carbon inventory. Furthermore, the authors recommend the establishment of permanent sampling plots along forest edges for precise and accurate carbon accounting

Urban Growth Patterns and Forest Carbon Dynamics in the Metropolitan Twin Cities of Islamabad and Rawalpindi, Pakistan

The unchecked and unplanned expansion of urban areas has led to the conversion of millions of green areas to gray areas. The recent urban growth patterns of Pakistan’s metropolitan twin cities, Islamabad and Rawalpindi, is a matter of concern for the surrounding green areas. The present study aimed to categorize and quantify the land-use and land-cover change (LULCC) patterns and the corresponding impacts on the forest carbon dynamics around Islamabad and Rawalpindi. Multispectral satellite images for the year 1990 (Landsat 5 TM) and 2020 (Landsat 8 OLI) were used to determine, quantify, and compare the LULCC inside and around the twin metropolitan cities. Field inventory surveys in the reserved forests of Rawalpindi and Islamabad were also conducted to determine the amount of stored carbon in these forests. Our results showed an accelerated annual urban expansion (i.e., an increase in the built-up area) of 16.49% and 26.72% in Rawalpindi and Islamabad, respectively, during the study period. Similarly, the amount of barren land and agricultural land was reduced at an annual rate of 2.08% and 2.18%, respectively, in Rawalpindi and 0.25% and 1.04% in Islamabad. A reduction in the area of barren mountains also occurred at an annual of 2.26% in Islamabad, while it increased by 4.16% in Rawalpindi. The amount of carbon stored in the reserved forests of Islamabad stood at 139.17 ± 12.15 Mg C/ha while that of Rawalpindi was 110.4 ± 13.79 Mg C/ha. In addition, total stored forest carbon was found to have decreased from 544.70 Gg C to 218.05 Gg C in Rawalpindi, while in Islamabad it increased from 2779.64 Gg C to 3548.16 Gg C. Investment in ecological urban planning, sustainable cities, and appropriate land-use planning is recommended to curb the degradation and conversion of the surrounding green areas of Rawalpindi and Islamabad

Application of land-use/land cover changes in monitoring and projecting forest biomass carbon loss in Pakistan

Located at the foothills of the Himalayan Mountains, subtropical and moist temperate forests of Pakistan are very rich in flora and fauna. However, due to increased illegal and uncontrolled harvesting of wood, agricultural activities, and urbanization, these forests are fast disappearing. The recent expansion of human activities resulting illegal and uncontrolled harvesting, agricultural activities, and urbanization is a cause for concern. Using Landsat imagery, Markov Chain and Cellular Automata, this study focused on the quantitative assessment of spatiotemporal land use and land cover changes during 1998, 2008, 2018 and a simulation of 2028. In addition, a forest inventory survey of biomass and carbon sink were respectively calculated for these subtropical broad-leaved evergreen, subtropical chirpine and moist temperate forests. Results showed biomass was 560.56 ± 104.33 Mg ha−1, 350.95 ± 104.33 Mg ha−1 and 153.63 ± 104.33 Mg ha−1 in moist temperate, subtropical chirpine and subtropical broad-leaved forests respectively. Meanwhile, carbon was 313.94 ± 44.78 Mg C ha−1, 221.34 ± 44.78 Mg C ha−1 and 131.77 ± 44.78 Mg C ha−1 in moist temperate, subtropical chirpine and subtropical broad-leaved forests respectively. During the study period, land-use and land cover changes showed forest land changed from 40936.77 ha to 36709.23 ha, agricultural land from 4220.46 to 10374.64 ha, and built-up area from 1497.60 to 5395.12 ha. The average annual biomass and carbon loss were respectively 50.34 Gg ha−1yr−1 and 31.33 Gg C ha−1 yr−1. The information derived from this study could assist in the development of appropriate sustainable forest management policies in Pakistan. Keywords: Land use change, Biomass, Carbon, Himalayan mountains, Markov chain, Urbanizatio