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Baseline data on selenium micronutrient concentration in parts of Southern Nigeria show provenance and paleodepositional controls
Edegbai, Aitalokhai J.; Owonaro, Jennifer B.; Pajiah, Jubemi A.; Omietimi, Erepamo Job; Lenhardt, Nils; Ukpebor, Justina E. (Springer, 2026-03)
This study evaluates the Se concentration and examines the geologic controls on Se concentration in Upper Cretaceous and Palaeogene mudrocks in parts of Southern Nigeria. Geochemical analysis [(major and trace elements, total organic and inorganic carbon (TOC and TIC)] and pH measurements were conducted on seventy-three mudrock outcrop samples from the estuarine Late Campanian to Mid-Maastrichtian Mamu Formation and ditch cuttings from water wells that penetrated the marine Palaeogene Imo Formation from the Anambra basin and Niger Delta basin in the Southern Benue Trough. Selenium concentration in the Palaeogene calcareous marine mudrock samples reaches up to 21 ppm, significantly exceeding data observed in the Upper Cretaceous estuarine mudrock samples. Covariation charts suggest that Se adsorption onto clay, Fe-minerals, and limited sorption by organic matter in the estuarine mudrock samples are compared to adsorption onto clays, calcite, and very limited sequestration by Fe-minerals observed in the calcareous marine mudrocks. Principal component analysis and redundancy analysis reveal a dominant influence of carbonate minerals on selenium sequestration. Additionally, the Palaeogene calcareous marine mudrock samples are less acidic (mean pH 5.92) than the Upper Cretaceous estuarine mudrocks with a mean pH of 5.02. Therefore, it is hypothesized that higher pH may slightly promote the bioavailability of Se, resulting in higher Se intake by plants in areas underlain by the Palaeogene calcareous mudrocks.
Barriers to informal social protection in Uganda : insights from beneficiaries of Village Savings and Loan Associations
Lubinga, Stellah N.; Lubinga, Moses Herbert; Masiya, Tyanai; Nambooze, Florence (Emerald, 2026)
PURPOSE : While the success of Village Savings and Loan Associations (VSLAs) has been documented, little is known about the factors affecting their performance, particularly in Uganda. This study investigated the barriers to informal social protection interventions witnessed by beneficiaries of VSLAs in Kampala District and Alebtong District, Uganda. DESIGN/METHODOLOGY/APPROACH : This study employs a quantitative approach using a questionnaire survey to collect data from a sample of 130 beneficiaries. Descriptive statistics were used to analyse the data. FINDINGS : The empirical results identified several barriers to informal social protection interventions with reference to VSLAs, with financial, structural and implementation challenges emerging as the most prominent. Statistical analysis confirmed that these challenges are significant, underscoring their critical impact on the effectiveness of the VSLAs. PRACTICAL IMPLICATIONS : These results are essential for policymakers, development practitioners and community leaders seeking to enhance the effectiveness in fostering economic resilience, social cohesion and community empowerment. ORIGINALITY/VALUE : This study’s insights into the differing dynamics between on-farm and non-farm VSLAs provide a foundation for designing context-specific interventions that address the unique challenges faced by each group. Further, by informing targeted strategies to overcome these barriers, the findings contribute to strengthening informal social protection systems in Uganda and other similar contexts.
Barriers and opportunities to smallholder goat enterprise in Botswana
Gwiriri, Lovemore C.; Machekano, Honest; Cooke, Andrew S.; Nyamukondiwa, Casper; Safalaoh, Andrews; Ventura-Cordero, Javier; Airs, Paul; Van Wyk, Jan Aucamp; Nalivata, Patson; Mvula, Winchester; Joseph, Virgil; Tinsley, Jonathan H.I.; Lee, Michael R.F.; Morgan, Eric R.; Takahashi, Taro (Springer, 2026-03)
Smallholder households across rural sub-Saharan Africa often rely on goats to support their livelihoods, food security, and financial security, and as a risk mitigation strategy. Across the region, goat health and performance outcomes vary greatly, and it is often difficult to quantify the impact of the animal health-nutrition nexus on livelihood outcomes. Two socio-economic surveys were conducted to this end in Botswana. Firstly, a general cross-sectional survey of 787 rural households to assess the correlation between food and/or financial security and livestock practices. Secondly, a more nuanced survey of a sub-group of 44 goat-owning smallholders to understand the systemic interlinkages between livelihood outcomes, veterinary care, and goat management. While the importance of livestock to rural communities was confirmed by a positive association with improved food, financial and asset security, household variation was explained more by herd size and self-reported importance of goat ownership to households, than to goat health condition. Four main barriers were identified which negatively influenced goat ownership and herd survivability patterns: (1) low turnover rates and poor access to capital investment; (2) Limited use of supplementary feeds; (3) Poor access to veterinary services; and (4) Age and gender. Strategies to improve the productivity and sustainability of goat enterprises within the region should focus on overcoming these barriers, with the potential in doing so to improve food and financial security, and equality outcomes.
Barriers and facilitators experienced by individuals with complex communication needs in accessing employment
Morwane, Refilwe Elizabeth; Bornman, Juan; Dada, Shakila (Taylor and Francis, 2026)
Worldwide, people with disabilities are facing challenges in accessing the job market. This is particularly challenging for persons with severe disabilities, which includes persons with complex communication needs. In South Africa, individuals with complex communication needs have a low employment rate despite efforts to promote their economic participation through legislation and policy initiatives. This study aimed to identify the obstacles to and enablers of employment for individuals with complex communication needs from their perspective. A qualitative design, with purposively selected participants was employed to gain a comprehensive understanding of the issue. The International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health framework guided the study. The participants included 24 individuals with complex communication needs, of whom 11 were employed and 13 unemployed. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews and analyzed using conversational qualitative content analysis. The factors that hindered and facilitated the participant’s employment were identified and linked to specific ICF codes. Both participants groups reported barriers that were related to the type of disability, limited access to education, a lack of employment opportunities, and negative attitudes. The facilitating factors most frequently reported were related to the availability of employment and rehabilitation services, policy and legislation, and positive personal traits.
Baobab isotope records and rainfall forcing in Southwest Madagascar over the last 700 years
Razanatsoa, Estelle; Gillson, Lindsey; Hall, Grant; Virah-Sawmy, Malika; Woodborne, Stephan M. (Public Library of Science, 2026-03-10)
Highly resolved climate records for Madagascar are scarce but are essential for understanding of rainfall drivers over time and assessing the risks and likely trajectories of future climate change. We measured variation in the carbon isotopes of baobabs (Adansonia spp.) which reflect rainfall in southwest Madagascar. The record indicates a decreasing trend of rainfall over the last 700 years with high variability at a centennial-scale. The duration of wetter periods decreased over time with the wettest periods between 1350–1450 CE, after the onset of the Little Ice Age, while the driest period occurred between 1600–1750 CE, during the Maunder Minimum. The results suggest that decadal to centennial rainfall variability in southwest Madagascar is dominated by tropical forcing rather than subtropical forcing. Wetter periods are regulated by the movement and migration of easterly winds linked to the Intertropical Convergence Zone, while dry periods are influenced by the effect of the Pacific Decadal Oscillation linked to the El Niño Southern Oscillation and the sea surface temperature variation in the Southwestern Indian Ocean. The Southern Annular Mode is significantly correlated with the record, but its effect was only visible at the beginning of the record around 1300 CE. This evidence provides a new understanding of rainfall across southern Africa and the interaction of global forcing with regional factors. Further investigation is required to improve tree chronology from Southern Hemisphere and understand the migration of the westerlies and its potential future effect on the rainfall in Madagascar. Understanding the interplay between tropical and other rainfall forcings will be essential in assessing likely scenarios of resilience, and adaptive capacity of social-ecological systems in Madagascar.