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Distribution of forest-based innovations across Europe
Lovrić, Marko; Torralba, Mario; Orsi, Francesco; Pettenella, Davide Matteo; Castro Martínez, Antonio J.; Geneletti, Davide; Plieninger, Tobias; Primmer, Eeva; Hernández-Morcillo, Mónica; Thorsen, Bo Jellesmark; Lundhede, Thomas Hedemark; Lasse, Loft; Wunder, Sven; Winkel, Georg (Elsevier, 2026-03)
Vast majority of forestry research on innovations is based on case studies, which makes it difficult to ascertain their distribution across Europe. The relation between innovating activity and the forest within which it takes place is also an under-explored research area. In this study, we address these problems by combining survey data, spatially explicit datasets and machine learning to devise geographical probability distribution of innovation development across Europe. We differentiate between innovations focused on provision of wood and those which focus on biodiversity protection, carbon storage and forest recreation. We also show that most of the variability in the data depicting innovation development can be explained by place-based variables, such as the amount of tree biomass in the forest, tree species composition, nature protection status, terrain ruggedness and road density. Results suggest the need to further explore the role of ‘place-based’ contextual variables in innovation development and highlight various issues that different policies might face when aiming to modify forest management practices in Europe.
Smallholder farmers’ knowledge, perception and management of Spodoptera frugiperda (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) on Zea mays at irrigation schemes in Limpopo province, South Africa
Nethononda, Phophi D.; Hurley, Brett Phillip; Slippers, Bernard; Makhura, Moraka Nakedi (Elsevier, 2026-03)
The fall armyworm (Spodoptera frugiperda) was first detected in Limpopo province, South Africa, during the 2016/2017 cropping season and continues to cause significant damage to maize production in the region. Despite the significant damage caused by S. frugiperda to maize, there is a lack of documented information on smallholder farmers' responses and control practices in South Africa. This study investigated smallholder farmers' knowledge, perceptions, and management practices of S. frugiperda at the Dzindi and the Tshiombo irrigation schemes in Limpopo province, South Africa. In this study, an irrigation scheme refers to a communal water distribution system that channels water from a river to multiple plots under smallholder cultivation through furrows or canals. Data were collected through 16 focus group discussions with farmers from the two irrigation schemes. A total of 118 farmers participated in the interviews. Each was assigned a unique identifier, which allowed for the recording and analysis of individual responses where applicable. Thematic analysis was used to identify and summarize common themes from participants’ responses, while descriptive analysis using frequencies and percentages was employed to present the responses quantitively. Farmers perceived S. frugiperda as the most destructive insect pest, yet lacked knowledge of its biology, being unable to identify its eggs, pupae, or adult moths. Control was largely through insecticide use. At the Dzindi irrigation scheme, farmers adopted Bt maize but did not comply with resistance management practices. The findings underscore the urgent need for farmer education on insect biology, responsible pesticide use, and proper implementation of Bt maize. The study also highlights the importance of collective rather than individual efforts in managing S. frugiperda, as the consequences of mismanagement can affect all farmers. These findings reveal major gaps in Integrated Pest Management (IPM) practices among smallholder farmers in Limpopo province, South Africa. HIGHLIGHTS • First detection of Spodoptera frugiperda in Limpopo Province, South Africa, occurred during the 2016/2017 cropping season. • Smallholder farmers lack knowledge of the pest's biology, relying on insecticides for its management. • Concurrent use of insecticides and Bt maize raises concerns over the potential evolution of S. frugiperda resistance in the region.
Unleashing the potential in energy storage : the impact of redox electrolytes on specific energy in an asymmetric supercapacitor
Mutua, Hellen Ngunya; Tarimo, Delvina Japhet; Maphiri, Vusani; Rutavi, Gift; Mwabora, Julius; Musembi, Robinson; Manyala, Ncholu I. (Elsevier, 2026-01)
Adding redox-active species to potassium hydroxide (KOH) enhances the electrolyte's charge storage capacity through redox reactions, thereby improving stability and broadening the potential window. This study introduces a novel mediated electrolyte with good solubility, stability, and improved reversibility. Different concentrations (0.05 M, 0.07 M, and 0.09 M) of potassium ferrocyanide (KF) were separately mixed with 3 M KOH (K3) in equal volume ratios to form the redox-active electrolytes. 0.07 M (KF70) showed superior electrochemical properties when mixed with K3. The electrolyte's ionic conductivity increased from 25.3 mS/cm for KF70 to 257.3 mS/cm after adding KF70 into K3 (K3_KF70), with a corresponding viscosity of 1.32 mPas. Hexagonal boron nitride/activated carbon composite (hBN/AC-1:0.05) electrode's specific capacity rose from 676.5C/g in K3 to 847.0C/g in K3_KF70, measured in a half-cell configuration within a potential range of 0.0–0.4 V vs. Ag/AgCl. The constructed device revealed a specific energy of 58 Wh/kg in K3_KF70, which is higher compared to 24.1 Wh/kg in K3. Additionally, the device presented a specific power of 993.7 W/kg. These results present a potential pathway for significantly enhancing specific energy in supercapacitors by facilitating additional charge storage through Faradaic redox reactions occurring within the electrolyte. HIGHLIGHTS • Chronoamperometric electrodeposition was used for composite synthesis. • A redox additive improved the aqueous electrolyte performance. • Redox electrolyte influences charge storage in composite materials. • Improved specific energy is achieved in the redox electrolyte supercapacitors.
Introducing indigenous and orphan crops (IOCs) in a menu : ac ase study inquiry into the attitude formation of diners
Fisher, Hennie; Hay, Richard Lee (Elsevier, 2025-12)
The global agricultural system is reliant on an increasingly smaller number of species, reducing resilience. Shifts to simplified diets have increased non-communicable diseases in consumers, and there is an urgent need for transitioning to an alternative food system to provide food and nutritional security in an environmentally sustainable manner. Despite their potential at building resilience and addressing poor nutrition, Indigenous and Orphan Crops (IOCs) are largely underutilised due to a lack of knowledge amongst consumers. This case study, conducted in two distinct sections, illustrates the incorporation of IOCs in a set menu, whereafter diners were asked to share their attitudes towards IOCs. All seven steps of the Culinary Innovation Development Process were followed in the conceptualisation of the set menu, while diners' attitude formation (cognitive experience, emotional experience, conative behaviour) is described along the three-component (ABC) model of attitude formation. The dinner was successful in exposing attendees to a broad range of new IOC species and associated flavours, with more than 90 % of respondents being exposed to at least 15 new species in a single sitting. Most of the diners indicated that, following the dinner, they would be likely consumer more IOCs in the future with the majority (97 %) indicating that they would be at least likely to order dishes which include IOCs in restaurant settings, 87 % at least likely to buy ready-made meals which contain IOCs, and 91 % at least likely to buy IOCs from a greengrocer.
Predicting persistent forest fire refugia using machine learning models withtopographic, microclimate, and surface wind variables
Christ, Sven; Kraaij, Tineke; Geldenhuys, Coert Johannes; De Klerk, Helen M. (MDPI, 2025-12)
Persistent forest fire refugia are areas within fire-prone landscapes that remain fire-free over long periods of time and are crucial for ecosystem resilience. Modelling to develop maps of these refugia is key to informing fire and land use management. We predict persistent forest fire refugia using variables linked to the fire triangle (aspect, slope, elevation, topographic wetness, convergence and roughness, solar irradiation, temperature, surface wind direction, and speed) in machine learning algorithms (Random Forest, XGBoost; two ensemble models) and K-Nearest Neighbour. All models were run with and without ADASYN over-sampling and grid search hyperparameterisation. Six iterations were run per algorithm to assess the impact of omitting variables. Aspect is twice as influential as any other variable across all models. Solar radiation and surface wind direction are also highlighted, although the order of importance differs between algorithms. The predominant importance of aspect relates to solar radiation received by sun-facing slopes and resultant heat and moisture balances and, in this study area, the predominant fire wind direction. Ensemble models consistently produced the most accurate results. The findings highlight the importance of topographic and microclimatic variables in persistent forest fire refugia prediction, with ensemble machine learning providing reliable forecasting frameworks.