Land use change impacts on floods at the catchment scale: Challenges and opportunities for future research

Research gaps in understanding flood changes at the catchment scale caused by changes in forest management, agricultural practices, artificial drainage and terracing are identified. Potential strategies in addressing these gaps are proposed, such as complex systems approaches to link processes across time scales, long-term experiments on physical-chemical-biological process interactions, and a focus on connectivity and patterns across spatial scales. It is suggested that these strategies will stimulate new research that coherently addresses the issues across hydrology, soil and agricultural sciences, forest engineering, forest ecology and geomorphology

Reconceptualising Employee Voice in Times of Permacrisis: A Theoretical Analysis of the United Kingdom's Employment Relations Landscape

This paper synthesises early conceptualizations of employee voice and unionism in the United Kingdom, tracing the evolution of the term ‘voice’ from Albert Hirschman’s original definition to Freeman and Medoff’s focus on union representation. Employing conceptual data analysis, the study reviews theoretical frameworks and literature to explore patterns and insights, emphasizing the UK context while selectively incorporating global perspectives. It reveals that while employee voice remains relevant, it often serves managerial interests or is ignored by management, particularly during periods of permacrisis. The study highlights how modern scholars have reinvented the concept of voice, yet its practical impact remains limited. By analyzing historical and contemporary perspectives, this paper not only maps the trajectory of employee voice but also projects its future in the UK, offering critical reflections on its role in employment relations. The findings underscore the need for renewed attention to employee voice as a tool for meaningful organizational change

Effects of crop residues and reduced tillage on macrofauna abundance

Abstract Conservation agriculture is promoted to safeguard resilient properties of soils and to reclaim degraded arable lands. This is achieved through creating necessary conditions for fauna recolonisation. A study was carried out at Kadoma and Southeast Lowveld of Zimbabwe to assess the effects of conservation agriculture practices on soil macrofauna diversity in the 2008-2009 agricultural season. A randomized complete block design experiment, where four crop residue levels (0t/ha, 2t/ha, 4t/ha and 6t/ha) were replicated four times on un-tilled plots at five sites, was used. Soil fauna found in collected monoliths were identified and quantified. Analysis of variance showed significance (P<0.001) in site and treatment effects on both macrofauna abundance and diversity. Reduced tillage with residue cover yielded significantly (P<0.05) higher species richness and macrofauna abundance than conventional systems. There was a significant correlation (r 2 =0.767) between residue amount and species richness. Although there was no apparent consistent relationship between treatment and species richness, diversity and evenness; abundance was in the order 6t/ha>4t/ha>2t/ha>0t/ha>Conventional systems. The major macrofauna groups observed were termites, ants and beetle-larvae. It was concluded that short-term conservation agriculture systems has significantly positive effects on macrofauna species richness and abundance, which are crucial for initiating soil regeneration. The results are discussed in the context of sustainable crop production using conservation agriculture by resource poor farmers

Extent of Home Based Care Program Support to Hospital Based Care for Children with Chronic and Terminal Illness in Meru County, Kenya

Introduction: Chronic and Terminal illnesses continue to increase and aggravate the burden of disease and the diminish space in our hospitals and communities, Worldwide, 57 million persons died in 2008, an estimated 40 million were in need of HBCP, 6.6 - 10.8 million Children died, 98% Chronic and Terminal illnesses (CI/TI) are found in low and middle-income Countries. Chronic and Terminal illnesses in Children are on the rise in Sub Saharan Africa. Kenya lags in implementation of Home Based Care to mitigate effects of CI/TI. WHO, 2017 and Ministry of Health-Kenya 2013 shows that Children are affected by these Illnesses. These illnesses have made families’ to suffer psychosocial and economic hardships. Evaluation of determinants of Home Based Care Program (EHBCP) services by assessing if effective and quality delivery of HBCP Supports Hospital Based Care is key.&#x0D; Aims: To determine the extent to which Home Based Care Program services Support to Hospital Based Care for Children aged 1-14 years diagnosed with selected Chronic and Terminal illnesses in Meru County Kenya.&#x0D; Study Design: A descriptive Cross Sectional Survey.&#x0D; Place and Duration of Study: Meru County, Kenya between June 2018 and Dec 2019.&#x0D; Methodology: Methodology: Descriptive Cross Sectional Survey of 245 Caregivers of Children diagnosed with Chronic and Terminal illness were selected by proportionate to size sampling and simple random sampling from Meru County Health Facilities.&#x0D; Results: Delivery of quality and effective Home Based Care Program was positively associated with age, return rate of over 100% was achieved with about 245 respondents being interviewed (132%),experience of Health Care Workers (HCWs) 4.8 [95% CI = 1.06 – 21.68, P = 0.041]. HCWs profession, gender and years of work were positively related to Hospital Based Care services 3.03 [95%CI = 1.64 – 5.59, P&lt;0.001]. Use of minimum HBCP package was found to be useful in support of hospital care, as 50.4% reported that its support was of a good or great extent. The trend was observed in all aspects of the minimum HBCP package studied, with 52.4%, 54.4% and 46.4% having the opinion that use of the package by caregivers, in management and mitigation of complications supported hospital care by a good or great extent respectively.&#x0D; Conclusion: Need for an urgent adoption of holistic approach on health care system strengthening by putting up a well-integrated Home Based Care Program with quality Minimum HBCP essential package to support the mainstream health care system. In addition adopt better management practices, planning strategies, resource allocation and monitoring for effective HBCP programmes as per the current guidelines to bridge the gaps identified in planning, management practices to fill the disjointed policy implementation and resource inadequacies in implementation of HBCP services to support Hospital Based care for ultimate delivery of quality care among the Chronically and Terminally ill Children.</jats:p

Assessment of Utilization of HBCP Services for Children Diagnosed with Chronic and Terminal Illnesses Aged between 1-14 Years in Meru County, Kenya

Introduction: Worldwide, 57 million people died in 2008 from Chronic Illnesses, an estimated 40 million were in need of HBCP services with 6.6 - 10.8 million Children and adolescents dying [1,2]. 98% of Children with Chronic and Terminal illnesses (CI/TI) are found in low and middle-income Countries. Chronic and Terminal illnesses in Children are on the rise in Sub Saharan Africa. Kenya has lagged in implementation of Home Based Care to mitigate effects of CI/TI [3]. According to WHO, 2017 and Ministry of Health-Kenya 2013, millions of Children are affected by these Illnesses such as Tuberculosis, Asthma, Congenital abnormalities, HIV/AIDS and Cancer among others [4,5]. These illnesses have made families’ to suffer emotional, psychosocial and economic hardships [6,7]. Evaluation of utilization of Home Based Care Program (EHBCP) services is significant in assessing effectiveness and quality delivery of HBCP [8,9]. &#x0D; Aims: To assess usage of minimum essential package required in provision of Home Based Care program services for Children aged between 1-14 years diagnosed with selected Chronic and Terminal illnesses in Meru County Kenya.&#x0D; Study Design:  A descriptive Cross Sectional Survey.&#x0D; Place and Duration of Study: Conducted in Meru County Kenya Health facilities between June 2018 and Dec 2019.&#x0D; Methodology: Descriptive Cross Sectional Survey of 245 Health Care Providers and Caregivers of Children diagnosed with selected by proportionate to size sampling and simple random sampling from different health facilities across Meru County was utilized.&#x0D; Results: Utilization, delivery of quality and effective Home Based Care program was positively associated with age, experience of Health Care Workers (HCWs) 4.8 [95% CI = 1.06 – 21.68, P = 0.041]. HCWs profession, gender and years of work were positively related to utilization and delivery of HBCP services 3.03 [95%CI = 1.64 – 5.59, P&lt;0.001].&#x0D; Conclusion: Current study concludes that utilization of Minimum HBCP essential package by participants was not effective and the quality delivery of minimum HBCP essential services was inadequate, which agrees with Sips et al., 2014 study that poor service delivery leads to inadequate utilization, it concludes that restructuring HBCP services would meet individual needs for ill Children.</jats:p

Effects of crop residues and reduced tillage on macrofauna abundance

Conservation agriculture is promoted to safeguard resilient properties of soils and to reclaim degraded arable lands. This is achieved through creating necessary conditions for fauna recolonisation. A study was carried out at Kadoma and Southeast Lowveld of Zimbabwe to assess the effects of conservation agriculture practices on soil macrofauna diversity in the 2008-2009 agricultural season. A randomized complete block design experiment, where four crop residue levels (0t/ha, 2t/ha, 4t/ha and 6t/ha) were replicated four times on un-tilled plots at five sites, was used. Soil fauna found in collected monoliths were identified and quantified. Analysis of variance showed significance (P4t/ha>2t/ha>0t/ha>Conventional systems. The major macrofauna groups observed were termites, ants and beetle-larvae. It was concluded that short-term conservation agriculture systems has significantly positive effects on macrofauna species richness and abundance, which are crucial for initiating soil regeneration. The results are discussed in the context of sustainable crop production using conservation agriculture by resource poor farmers.5-1

Grassland degradation significantly enhances soil CO2 emission

Grassland degradation reduces net primary production and, subsequently, soil fertility and soil organic carbon stocks (SOCs); however, little is known about its impact on soil CO2 emissions, particularly the emissions relative to SOCs and biomass produced. The main objective of this study, performed in KwaZulu-Natal province of South Africa, was to quantify the impact of grass basal cover, as main indicator of grassland degradation, on soil CO2 emissions. The soil CO2 emissions were measured from three grass cover levels (non-degraded, with 100% grass cover, moderately degraded: 25 < grass cover < 50%; and highly degraded: 0 < grass cover < 5%) using a LI-COR 6400XT. The measurements were done at three randomly selected positions in each grass cover level, from January 2013 to April 2015. At each position, measurements were done once during winter months and twice during summer months, resulting in a total of 1053 measurements for the entire study period. The measured average gross soil CO2 emission was significantly higher (1.78 +/- 0.013 g CO2-C m(-2) day(-1)) in non-degraded than moderately (1.60 +/- 0.12 g CO2-C m(-2) day(-1)) and highly degraded grasslands (0.68 +/- 0.10 g CO2-C m(-2) day(-1)). However, when expressed relative to SOCs and aboveground biomass produced, the trends were opposite. Average soil CO2 emission relative to SOCs was lowest in the non-degraded grassland (0.034 +/- 0.01 g CO2-C g(-1)C day(-1)) and highest in the moderately degraded grassland (0.058 +/- 0.02 g CO2-C g(-1)C day(-1)) with the highly degraded grassland being intermediate (0.04 +/- 0.00 g CO2 g(-1)C day(-1)). Similarly, soil CO2 emission relative to aboveground biomass produced was lowest in the non-degraded grassland at 0.15 +/- 0.02 kg CO2-C kg(-1) biomass year(-1), which was almost 5 fold lower than 0.73 +/- 0.01 kg CO2-C kg(-1) biomass year(-1) in the highly degraded grassland. Gross soil CO2 emission correlated significantly and positively with SOC (r = 0.83 and 0.82 for SOC content and stocks, respectively), SON (0.67 and 0.53 for content and stocks, respectively), C:N ration (0.62), and soil water content (0.75) but negatively with clay content (-0.89). Soil CO2 emission relative to SOCs correlated significantly and negatively with both SOC (-0.50 and -0.51 for content and stocks, respectively) and SON (-0.45 and -0.42 for content and stocks, respectively). While gross CO2 emissions decreased with grassland degradation, CO2 emission relative to both SOCs and aboveground biomass increased with grassland degradation. These results point to direct links between grassland degradation and global warming because CO2 is one of the key greenhouse gases. Therefore, strategies for rehabilitating degraded grasslands need to aim at reducing soil CO2 emission in order to mitigate climate change

On the impact of grassland management on soil carbon stocks: a worldwide meta-analysis

International audienceGrasslands occupy 70% of whole agricultural land and hold significant amounts of carbon, a key element in the regulation of Earth's soils fertility, biomass production and climate. Previous work has shown that carbon stocks of grassland soils have been largely depleted worldwide due to missuse or mismanagement but that shifts in management could also potentially increase soil carbon stocks and mitigate against the degradation of natural ecosystems. However, the existing literature points to large discrepancies in the impact of grassland management practices on soil carbon, which the present study investigated. Here we considered 235 experimental sites in 18 countries across the world where shifts in grassland management involved different grazing strategies (free, F vs controlled, C; high, H vs low, L density grazers), grazers exclusion (E), mowing (M) and burning (B). The best performing practice was controlled grazing with high density of grazers (CHG) with an average soil organic carbon content (SOCC) increase of 21% and with 100% of the studies pointing to a SOCC increase. This was followed by E (14.9%; 60%) and FLG (13.3%; 80%). On average, burning grasslands, decreases SOCC by 9.3% but 31% of the studies pointed to an increase, thus indicating discrepancies in the impact of grassland management. CLG and mowing did not significantly impact SOCC. These results also indicated that B decreased SOCC the most under moist to humid climates (−10.9% vs −1.7% under arid to semi-arid), while that E was only beneficial in arid to semi-arid grasslands. Adoption of rotational high-intensity grazing in place of free grazing grasslands, should be seriously considered by policy and decision makers to mitigate against climate change while fostering economic and social development