Digital Commons Network^™

Skin Carotenoid Scores Reflect Immune Status Among Children Living With Hiv In Tanzania, Wilbert Mbuya, Thobias Boniphace, Michael Mwagala, Peter Agrea, Nazareth M Mbilinyi, Nancy E Moran, Andrew R Dinardo, Mkunde Chachage

Children’s Nutrition Research Center Staff Publications

Many individuals living with HIV experience persistent inflammation despite antiretroviral treatment, increasing their risk for cardiovascular diseases, cognitive decline, and other noncommunicable diseases. Carotenoids can inhibit this inflammation by reducing lipid peroxidation. Carotenoid intake and plasma concentrations can be approximated using a noninvasive cutaneous spectrophotometer. This study quantified skin carotenoid levels in Tanzanian children ages 5 to 15 years old (N = 185) both with and without HIV. Over 95% had low to moderate skin carotenoid scores (< 400 units). In children living with HIV, higher viral loads were linked to lower skin carotenoid scores (rho = -0.57, P < 0.001), whereas higher CD4 counts correlated with increased skin carotenoid scores (rho = 0.52, P < 0.001). Overall, carotenoid levels were low and associated with immune status, suggesting that elevated carotenoid scores correlate with lower inflammation in children living with HIV. Future studies investigating dietary carotenoid interventions to support immune function are warranted.

Involvement Of Melatonin In The Regulation Of Reactive Oxygen Species Levels In Plants, Bariş Uzi̇lday, Oğuzhan Yilmaz, Tolga Yalçinkaya, Zehra Özgecan Tanyolaç, İsmai̇l Türkan, Rengi̇n Özgür Uzi̇lday

Turkish Journal of Botany

Abiotic stress conditions impair plant metabolism partly by inducing the excessive production of reactive oxygen species (ROS). Melatonin, a multifunctional indoleamine, has emerged as an important regulator of plant responses to oxidative stress. This review highlights recent findings on the interactions among phytomelatonin, ROS homeostasis, antioxidant metabolism, photosynthetic protection, stress priming, and abiotic stress tolerance. We discuss how melatonin modulates the antioxidative response under diverse stress conditions and evaluate its effects on photosynthetic performance, ROS signaling, and membrane stability. Special attention is given to priming studies showing that melatonin pretreatment can improve stress tolerance. Emerging evidence from plant tissue culture …

Drought Priming Improves Waterlogging Tolerance In Alfalfa, But Less Effectively Than Waterlogging Priming, Gürkan Demi̇rkol, Ni̇lüfer Kara

Turkish Journal of Botany

Waterlogging severely restricts growth and productivity in alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.), necessitating effective strategies to improve stress tolerance. This study investigated whether drought priming or waterlogging priming could enhance tolerance to subsequent waterlogging stress in the alfalfa cultivar “Bilensoy-80”. Plants were subjected to drought priming, waterlogging priming, or no priming prior to progressive waterlogging stress for 0, 4, 8, 12, 16, and 20 days. Waterlogging priming consistently alleviated growth inhibition, maintained chlorophyll content, and reduced oxidative damage under prolonged stress. Drought priming was associated with partial cross-tolerance, particularly through improved root growth, plant water status, and oxidative stress responses, although …

Red Light Accelerates Adventitious Root Primordium Initiation And Differentiation In Phoebe Bournei Cuttings By Modulating Auxin Signaling And Hormonal Balance, Yuewang Niu, Yuanyang Bi, Chenyu Gong, Shipin Chen

Turkish Journal of Botany

Adventitious root formation in stem cuttings of Phoebe bournei, an economically and ecologically significant woody species, is a major bottleneck in clonal propagation. To elucidate the impact of spectral quality on early adventitious root development, we characterized the morphological, hormonal, and transcriptomic dynamics of primordium initiation and differentiation under white, red, and blue light. Under red light, cuttings exhibited the earliest and most pronounced formation of white filamentous structures at lenticels, indicative of root primordium initiation, as early as 20 days after cutting, whereas white and blue light treatments showed delayed responses. Paraffin section analysis confirmed the induced origin of …

Precision Approaches Improve Community Health, Roger A. Rennekamp, David Buys

Journal of Extension

Recent advances in data science provide Extension practitioners with access to data sorted by zip code, census tract, or neighborhood. Such hyper-local data now allows Extension personnel to assess community needs and assets at a more granular level and focus their work on the people and communities of greatest need. In this article, we introduce an approach we refer to as precision public health. Using such a precision approach to community assessment and, ultimately, programming can save money, increase the likelihood of producing measurable results, and create more manageable workloads for county-based Extension personnel.

Machine Learning-Enabled Chemical Ecology For Integrated Pest Management: From Volatiles To Field Applications, Steve B.S. Baleba, Victor O. Omondi, Pascal Aigbedion-Atalor, Emmanuel Peter, Souleymane Diallo, Komi Mensah Agboka

All Peer-Reviewed Publications

Machine learning is transforming chemical ecology by accelerating the discovery and deployment of semiochemical-based tools for precision pest management. These advances are particularly important in the face of climate change, pesticide resistance, and the growing need for sustainable agricultural intensification. This review synthesizes how machine learning can be applied across the semiochemical discovery and implementation pipeline, from chemical signal detection to field deployment and decision support for integrated pest management. We review major machine learning approaches and demonstrate how they extract biologically relevant information from high-dimensional chemical, electrophysiological, behavioral, sensor, and field datasets. These methods accelerate semiochemical discovery, prioritize candidate …

The Cranial Nerves And Electrical Stimulation, Devin K. P. Adair

Dissertations, Theses, and Capstone Projects

Cranial nerves provide afferent pathways that enable bottom-up modulation of central autonomic and cognitive neural pathways. Because these pathways project to brainstem nuclei such as the nucleus tractus solitarius and engage neuromodulatory systems, including the locus coeruleus, electrical stimulation offers a mechanistically grounded approach to influencing brain function. This thesis tested whether active transcutaneous auricular vagus nerve stimulation (taVNS) produces physiological responses indicative of parasympathetic engagement, defined as decreases in heart rate, increases in heart rate variability, and decreases in respiration relative to a dose-matched earlobe control condition. Using cardiac and respiratory measures as physiological markers, taVNS at the tragus …

Skin Carotenoid Scores Are A Valid Approximation Of Fruit And Vegetable Intake Among Adults With Obesity, Stephanie B Jilcott Pitts, Qiang Wu, Elizabeth Gates, Melissa N Laska, Andrew R Dinardo, Nancy E Moran

Children’s Nutrition Research Center Staff Publications

Skin carotenoid score (SCS) as measured using pressure-mediated reflection spectroscopy has been validated among adults with normal and overweight body mass index, with little validation research among adults with obesity. Therefore, the purpose of this exploratory study was to examine the validity of SCS as an approximation of fruit and vegetable intake among adults with obesity. We used samples from adults with obesity from three prior studies: The first study examined the validity of SCS among 213 adults, 34 with obesity; the second, examined sensitivity of SCS to a β-carotene-rich juice intervention among 162 adults, 14 with obesity; the third …

Erratum: Genetic Variations In Extracellular Matrix Degradation Pathways Linking To Major Depressive Disorder: Evidence From A Large-Scale Genetic Association Study, Halliru Zailani, Daniel Tzu-Li Chen, Sheng-Che Lin, Jia-Hau Lee, Mei-Ling Li, Bing-Fang Huang, Jane Pei-Chen Chang, Kuan-Pin Su

BioMedicine

No abstract provided.

Neuroinflammatory And Neuronal Damage Biomarkers In Depression: A Meta-Analysis Of Hmgb1, S100Β, And Nse Levels, Ikbal Andrian Malau, Suet-Kei Wu, Jane Pei-Chen Chang, Cheng-Ho Chang, Chun-Hung Chang, Ming-Jun Tsai, Yung-Chih Chiang, Kuan-Pin Su

BioMedicine

Background: Depression is associated with neuroinflammation and dysfunction of neurons and glial cells. Immune activation and damage-associated signals such as S100 calcium-binding protein B (S100β) and high mobility group box 1 (HMGB1) amplify inflammation, leading to neuronal injury. Neuron-specific enolase (NSE) reflects such injury. These molecules may serve as potential biomarkers of depression.

Aims: This study compared levels of S100β, HMGB1, and NSE in individuals with depression versus non-depressed controls.

Methods: PubMed, Embase, and Web of Science were searched up to April 5, 2025, using the terms “S100B AND Depression”, “neuron specific enolase AND Depression”, and “HMGB1 …

Evaluation Of The Anti-Inflammatory Properties In Vitro, In Vivo And In Silico, Of The Snail Slime Helix Aspersa Müller, Marouane Aouji, Malak Zirari, Mariame Taibi, Meryem Lamdak, Amine Rkhaila, Rachid Bengueddour

BioMedicine

Background: The search for effective natural alternatives to synthetic non-steroidal antiinflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), which are often associated with undesirable side effects, is an important axis of current research. The slime of the snail Helix aspersa Müller, is a traditional remedy that deserves scientific investigation for its potential therapeutic properties.

Purpose: This study aimed to comprehensively evaluate the anti-inflammatory effects of Helix aspersa Müller slime using a combination of in vitro, in vivo, and in silico methodologies.

Methods: In vitro analyses included assays for inhibition of protein denaturation, antiprotease and antilipoxygenase activities, and membrane stabilization, with diclofenac and indomethacin as reference …

Traditional Chinese Medicine And Healthcare Utilization In Bipolar Disorder: A Population-Based Study With Propensity-Matched And Mirror-Image Analyses, Shu-Ping Chen, Su-Tso Yang, Kai-Chieh Hu, Hui-Chih Chang, Jane Pei-Chen Chang, Kuan-Pin Su

BioMedicine

Background: Bipolar disorder (BD) is a chronic relapsing illness associated with high rates of acute psychiatric hospitalizations (APH) and emergency services (ES) use, placing burdens on healthcare systems. Many patients seek complementary modalities, including traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), alongside standard pharmacotherapy. However, population-based evidence regarding TCM’s effect on acute healthcare utilization in BD is lacking.

Methods: Using data from Taiwan’s Longitudinal Health Insurance Database 2000 (LHID 2000), this population-based study employed propensity score matching (PSM) based on age, gender, the index year (defined as the calendar year of the index date for TCM users and their matched nonTCM counterparts), and …

The Association Between Rapid Growth In Children Under The Age Of Five And Adolescent Obesity, Ratu Ayu Dewi Sartika, Fadila Wirawan, Iche Andriyani Liberty, Nurul Husna Mohd Shukri, Siti Arifah Pujonarti, Edy Purwanto, Munaya Fauziah

Kesmas

Early-life nutrition is a critical predictor of long-term health, yet the association between rapid early-childhood growth and adolescent obesity, particularly in relation to the “double burden of malnutrition,” remains under-researched in Indonesia. This study aimed to analyze the association between rapid growth and adolescent obesity. Data were obtained from the 1997, 2000, and 2014 waves of the Indonesian Family Life Survey (IFLS). This study included 641 children (aged 0–23 months at baseline) with complete anthropometric measurements across all three waves. Rapid growth was defined as an increase in z-scores of >0.67 in weight-for-age (WAZ), height-for-age (HAZ), or weight-for-height (WHZ) between …

Environmental Perspective For System Dynamics Modeling Of Stunting Mitigation To Achieve The Sustainable Development Goals In West Sumatra, Indonesia, Elsa Yuniarti, Nabila Azzahra, Yulhendri Yulhendri, Heldi Heldi, Mery Delvina, Saskia Putri Azeli

Kesmas

This study developed a system dynamics model to simulate stunting reduction in West Sumatra Province, Indonesia, by integrating infant and toddler health, maternal health, and environmental determinants. Secondary data from 2020–2024 on low birth weight, immunization, malnutrition, exclusive breastfeeding, maternal chronic energy deficiency, iron and folic acid supplement distribution, sanitation, and safe drinking water access were compiled from West Sumatra Provincial Health Office and Statistics Indonesia, and validated through consultation with five stakeholder institutions. Causal Loop Diagrams mapped feedback relationships among determinants and were translated into Stock Flow Diagrams using Powersim Studio 10. The model was validated through structural verification, …

The Phytochemical Content And Antibacterial Activity Of Purified Extract Of Mangifera Indica L. Against Gram Positive Pathogen, Dewi Andini Kunti Mulangsri, Masduki Faqih, Sugar Arifin, Mutiara Trie Sieya Agustin

Pharmacology and Clinical Pharmacy Research

The purified extract of arum manis mango leaves contained flavonoid compounds by TLC methods and antibacterial activity against Gram-positive and negative pathogens. This research aimed to identify and determine the phytochemical content (mangiferin and flavonoids content) and antibacterial activity against other Gram-positive pathogens. Purification of ethanol extract of arum manis mango leaves by liquid-liquid fraction method. Determination of total flavonoid content and identification of mangiferin used respectively by aluminum chloride and Thin Layer Chromatography method. The disk diffusion method was used to assay antibacterial activity against S. epidermidis, and B. subtilis bacteria with the concentration of the sample such …

Utah Vegetable Production Guide (5th Edition), Nick Volesky, Marion Murray, Amelia Olds, Bridger Carey

All Current Publications

This guide, written by a collection of Utah State University (USU) Extension faculty and specialists, provides information on general Utah vegetable production, soil, nutrient, and water management, integrated pest management practices, and pesticides. The included chapters cover various vegetable crops, including brassicas, cucurbits, leafy greens, potatoes, legumes, onions, root crops, sweet corn, and solanaceous crops.

The Posture Of Recovery; A Quantitative Analysis Of Post-Exercise Heart Rate Restorateion In College Athletes, Matthew Scott Ferriter

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Heart rate recovery (HRR) has been frequently used as a noninvasive indicator of autonomic reactivity following high-intensity exercise. However, limited research has explored the effects of post-exercise body posture (PEBP) on HRR following acute bouts of high-intensity exercise in collegiate athletes. The purpose of this quantitative repeated-measures experimental study was to investigate if recovery posture (supine [SUP]; tripod [TRI]; standing upright [SU]) affected HRR during the first five minutes following a standardized high-intensity interval training (HIIT) session. Thirty-seven collegiate athletes completed three total testing sessions. Participants completed all three recovery posture conditions in a randomized order. Heart rate (HR) was …

Food Insecurity Among Freshman Male Collegiate Athletes At A Historically Black University In Maryland, Petita Cue Rentz

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Food insecurity is an emerging public health issue impacting collegiate student-athletes enrolled at Historically Black Universities (HBUs). Recent research revealed that 63% of football players have reported some form of food insecurity which disproportionately impacts Black athletes at higher rates. The purpose of this qualitative study was to explore the lived experiences and dietary behaviors of freshman male collegiate student-athletes who lacked access to food despite receiving athletic scholarships in a publicly funded HBU in Maryland. The research questions for this qualitative study focused on exploring the lived experiencing of Black male athletes who were experiencing food insecurity at an …

The Invisible Crop: Harnessing Root System Architecture In Heirloom Collards For Climate-Resilient Urban Agriculture, Vincent Antonio Brazelton

Arts & Sciences Graduate Student Theses and Dissertations

Growing food in urban spaces often means working within variable, resource-limited environments, creating a need for crops that can withstand heterogeneous growing conditions. Heirloom collards (Brassica oleracea var. viridis) are known for their aboveground diversity and cultural importance, but much less is known about the variation that exists belowground. This dissertation examines root system architecture (RSA) diversity across 19 historically underutilized heirloom collard accessions using a multi-scale phenotyping approach that includes controlled gel-based imaging of seedlings and 2D imaging of mature field-grown root systems. Across both seedling and mature stages, heirloom collards showed substantial variation in RSA. These differences revealed …

Mindful Parenting And Toddlers' Food Responsiveness: The Role Of Controlling Feeding Practices, Qingyu Jiang, Holly Wilhite, Natalie A. Williams, Dipti A. Dev, Caron A. C. Clark, Pearl Avari, Sarah B. Ladd

Journal of Extension

Controlling feeding practices may negatively impact children's eating behaviors. Mindful parenting may offer a promising way to reduce the use of these practices. This study examined the mediating role of pressuring children to eat and using food as a reward in the association between mindful parenting and toddlers' food responsiveness. Results indicated that higher levels of mindful parenting were associated with lower pressuring to eat, which was related to lower food responsiveness in toddlers. The results may inform Extension professionals providing mindfulness strategies for mothers of young children to improve feeding practices, ultimately reducing children's unhealthful eating behaviors.

Osteoporosis Knowledge, Health Beliefs, And Calcium Intake Among Malaysian Chinese Adults In Perak: A Cross-Sectional Study, Thean Hui Ru, Nurul Aimi Ab Kadir, Fatin Izzaty Mohd Shahrin

Makara Journal of Health Research

Background: The Malaysian Chinese population records the highest national prevalence of osteoporotic hip fractures. This study investigated the relationships between osteoporosis knowledge, health beliefs, and calcium intake among Malaysian Chinese adults.

Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 205 Malaysian Chinese adults in Kampar, Perak, using the adapted Osteoporosis Prevention and Awareness Tool (OPAAT), Osteoporosis Health Belief Scale (OHBS), and a 30-item Food Frequency Questionnaire (FFQ).

Results: Participants demonstrated low osteoporosis knowledge (6.84 ± 2.92), with low perceived susceptibility (14.87 ± 5.00), moderate perceived seriousness (17.81 ± 5.20), and barriers to calcium intake (15.61 ± 4.15), and …

Technologies To Remoisturize Alfalfa In The Windrow For Baling, Earl Creech, Ryan Larsen, Matt Yost, Mark Nelson, Mckenna Barney

All Current Publications

Having the correct moisture at the time of baling is critical to maximizing economic return. In 2020 and 2021, researchers at Utah State University studied moisturization technologies to determine their impact on alfalfa yield, quality, and economic return. This fact sheet provides a research overview and study results on bale moisture and weight, yield, quality, and visual appearance. An economic analysis is also included.

Differential Effects Of Thiamine, Bap, And Thidiazuron Combinations On Shoot Multiplication And Phenolic-Flavonoid Accumulation In Pineapple In Vitro Cultures, Dinda Septia Rachman, Erni Suminar, Anne Nuraini, Fiky Yulianto Wicaksono, Suseno Amien, Syariful Mubarok, Hermanto

Jurnal Kultivasi

The demand for high-quality pineapple (Ananas comosus (L.) Merr.) planting materials continues to increase, while conventional propagation methods are limited in multiplication rate, uniformity, and production efficiency. In vitro culture offers an alternative approach for rapid and large-scale seedling production. However, information on the effects of thiamine and cytokinin combinations on both shoot multiplication and phenolic-flavonoid accumulation in pineapple in vitro remains limited. This study evaluated ten defined combinations of thiamine and cytokinin for shoot multiplication and total phenolic-flavonoid contents of pineapple explants. The experiment employed a completely randomized design with 10 treatment combinations of thiamine (0.1 and 0.4 mg/L), …

Enhancing Tea Productivity Through Integrated Fertilization And Pruning Management: A Review, Intan Ratna Dewi Anjarsari, Murgayanti, Muhamad Kadapi, Syariful Mubarok, Uum Umiyati, Salsabilah, Alifatul Azmi, Afifah Putri Ramadhan, Trifani Hana Husniah, Rosita, Azkal Azkiya

Jurnal Kultivasi

Tea productivity is strongly influenced by agronomic management practices, particularly fertilization and pruning, which play critical roles in regulating plant growth, physiological performance, and shoot regeneration. This review aims to synthesize current scientific evidence on how integrated fertilization and pruning management can sustainably enhance tea productivity. A narrative review approach was employed by collecting and analyzing peer-reviewed articles published between 2015 and 2025 from reputable databases, including Google Scholar and major international journals. The review highlights that balanced fertilization strategies, combining inorganic, organic, and biofertilizers, significantly improve nutrient availability, photosynthetic efficiency, and shoot yield. Pruning, when properly timed and executed, …

The Effects Of Melatonin And Potassium Fertilizer On Fruit Yield And Quality Of ‘Haruhi’ Strawberry Under Two Light Conditions, Ghaida Marsha Nurizqia, Farida, Reginawanti Hindersah, Kenji Endo, Rahmat Budiarto, Syariful Mubarok

Jurnal Kultivasi

Strawberry (Fragaria × ananassa) ‘Haruhi’ is a subtropical plant that is being cultivated in Indonesia. High temperatures in tropical climates could decrease strawberry yield and fruit quality. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of light, melatonin, potassium fertilizers, and their interactions on the yield and fruit quality of ‘Haruhi’ strawberry. This research was conducted from April to June 2024 at the Bale Tatanen, Faculty of Agriculture, Universitas Padjadjaran. A split-plot design was used, with lighting treatment as the main plot and melatonin and potassium fertilizer treatments as the subplot. Lighting treatments consisted of supplemental LED lighting …

The Effect Of Silica-Enriched Rice Husk Biochar And Npk Fertilizer On Soil Total Nitrogen, Nitrogen Uptake, And Yield Of Lowland Rice, Emma Trinurani Sofyan, Oviyanti Mulyani, Ania Citraresmini, Meddy Rachmadi, Kharmelia Sandra Livia

Jurnal Kultivasi

Rice production in Indonesia increasingly relies on agricultural intensification, which can accelerate soil degradation and reduce fertilizer-use efficiency. Therefore, sustainable soil management is needed to maintain soil fertility. Silica-enriched rice husk biochar (biochar-silica) is a promising soil amendment because it improves soil properties and nutrient retention. This study evaluated the effects of biochar-silica and NPK fertilization on soil total nitrogen, nitrogen uptake, and yield of lowland rice (Oryza sativa L.). The experiment was conducted from September 2025 to January 2026 using a two-factor randomized block design with nine treatment combinations and three replications. The treatment consisted of three levels of …

The Effectiveness Of Bacillus-Coated Npk Fertilizer On Broccoli Growth, Nutrient Status, Rhizosphere Bacillus Population, Yield, And Flower Quality, Betty Natalie Fitriatin, Rara Rahmatika Risanti, Reginawanti Hindersah, Fasa Aditya Hanindipto, Gita Bina Nugraha

Jurnal Kultivasi

Efforts to increase the availability of macronutrients in soil have relied on inorganic fertilization, particularly NPK fertilizers. However, global challenges in the fertilizer raw material supply chain, including price fluctuations and availability, are driving the need for more efficient and sustainable fertilizer alternatives. The field experiment was conducted in Baruajak, Lembang District, West Java, Indonesia, to evaluate the effectiveness of Bacillus-coated NPK fertilizer on broccoli (Brassica oleracea var. italica) growth, nutrient status, rhizosphere Bacillus population, yield, and flower quality. The experiment used a randomized complete block design with 15 fertilizer treatments and three replications. Treatments consisted of two coated NPK …

Probiotic Intervention In Colorectal Cancer: The Cytotoxic And Apoptotic Potential Of Lactobacillus Cell-Free Supernatants, Bahar Yilmaz, Berna Erdal

Turkish Journal of Biology

Background/aim: Failures in the treatment of colorectal cancer (CRC) have increased scientific interest in the potential of the bioactive compounds contained in cell-free supernatants (CFSs) obtained from probiotic bacteria for cancer treatment. The aim in this study was to investigate the effects of CFSs obtained from Lactobacillus delbrueckii subsp. bulgaricus (L. bulgaricus) and Lactobacillus paracasei subsp. paracasei (L. paracasei) on colorectal cancer cell lines (HT-29 and Caco-2) and a healthy colon epithelial cell line (CCD841 CoN).

Materials and methods: Cytotoxic effects on the cell lines were determined by MTT assay. In line with the IC50 values obtained, morphological changes were …

Antiatopic Dermatitis Activity Of Lissachatina Fulica Mucin: Network Pharmacology Analysis And Experimental Validation, Atin Supiyani, Wasmen Manalu, Lina Noviyanti Sutardi, Mawar Subangkit, Andriyanto Andriyanto

Turkish Journal of Biology

Background/aim: Lissachatina fulica mucin (LFM) has been used as a nutraceutical, therapeutic agent, and cosmetic ingredient. The bioactivity of mucin depends on bioactive compounds whose composition is strongly influenced by the snail’s diet. This study investigated the bioactive compounds in L. fulica mucin as potential therapeutic agents for atopic dermatitis (AD).

Materials and methods: LFM was collected from snails fed long beans and melon rinds for 4 weeks, freeze-dried, and analyzed using liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry followed by network pharmacology (NP) analysis to identify its bioactive compounds. A total of 60 BALB/c mice were sensitized on the dorsal skin with 1% …

Land-Use Transitions And Carbon Emissions Of Aquaculture Expansion In The Brazilian Amazon, Felipe S. Pacheco, Sebastian A. Heilpern, Rafael M. Almeida, Suresh A. Sethi, Marcela Miranda, Nicholas Ray, Laura Greenstreet, Joshua Fan, Brendan H. Rappazzo, Marcelo Gomes Da Silva

School of Earth, Environmental, & Marine Sciences Faculty Publications

Accounting for land-use change underlying food sector expansion is critical for conserving ecosystem integrity. This challenge is particularly acute in the Amazon, where the conversion of forests for food production is pronounced and has broad implications for global biodiversity and the cycling of water and carbon. Here, we analyze land-use transitions associated with aquaculture development in the Brazilian Amazon. We found that a 450-fold increase in aquaculture pond area from 1985 to 2022 occurred primarily on pasturelands (87%) but also included wetland conversion (4%) and deforestation (5%). Notably, continued growth can be sustained within already altered landscapes: In Rondônia, the …