Digital Commons Network^™

Adapting To Aridity: Crop Production Trends Among Smallholder Farmers In Iramba District, Tanzania, Nashokigwa Shalua, Digna Wolfram Mlengule, Johnstone M. Andrea

Tanzanian Economic Review

Increasing crop production amid recurrent droughts remains a critical challenge for smallholder farmers in the semi-arid Iramba District; however, empirical evidence on crop production remains scarce. This paper analysed trends in crop production in Iramba District from 1995 to 2024. Mixed methods were used, and data were collected through structured interviews, focus group discussions, field observations, in-depth interviews and document reviews. Quantitative data were analysed using descriptive statistics while qualitative data were thematically analysed. The results indicate that 84.2% (n=95) of the households showed an increase in crop yields despite concurrent severe drought. Sunflower, maize, bulrush millet, and sorghum were …

The Non-Reciprocity Of Cultural-Ecological Resilience In Eastern Sumba, B. Retang Wohangara

Paradigma: Jurnal Kajian Budaya

Resilience is one key concept of culture and ecology. It highlights a particular system's adaptive and thriving capacities in facing various challenges. This research-based article investigates the reciprocity of cultural-ecological resilience in three traditional communities in Eastern Sumba. It starts with the examination of cultural resilience and ecological resilience using five and seven qualitative indicators, respectively. The last part of the discussion analyzes how culture and ecology reciprocate in the given communities. The research employs a descriptive qualitative method. Data are collected by conducting mini-ethnographic field research for interviews, documentation, and focus group discussions. Using the five and seven indicators …

How Esg Performance Influences Financial Performance In Europe: Unpacking The Mediation Effect Of Green Innovation, Esa Panganti Widoretno, Anawinta Choirunnisa, Mirza Aulia Nur Fajri

Jurnal Akuntansi dan Keuangan Indonesia

Background: Global sustainability challenges and EU regulations, such as Directive 2014/95/EU, drive firms to adopt ESG practices, yet their financial impact remains debated. ESG initiatives are increasingly important for transparency, competitiveness, and alignment with the UN Sustainable Development Goals. In this context, green innovation emerges as a potential pathway to transform ESG commitments into tangible business value. Method: This study employed a regression model using the SPSS PROCESS macro (Model 4) with bootstrapping (95% CI) to analyze direct and indirect effects of ESG, green innovation, and financial performance in European energy, utilities, materials, and industrial sectors. Findings: The results …

Artificial Intelligence As A Catalyst For Systemic Sport Ecology, Ugo Arbieu, Laís Carneiro, Sonia Tieo, Franck Courchamp

Journal of Applied Sport Management

Artificial intelligence (AI) is reshaping both sport management and environmental science, yet these developments have largely evolved in parallel. AI can serve not merely as a technical tool but also as a catalyst for systemic sport ecology, a field that integrates sport, digital innovation and environmental sustainability. Advances in discriminative, generative and agentic AI enable the synthesis of complex ecological and sport-related data, improving monitoring, forecasting, resource efficiency, policy design, and decision-making across scales. In doing so, AI offers a pathway beyond fragmented sustainability interventions and can support holistic approaches to the interconnected crises of climate change, pollution, and biodiversity …

Effects Of Video Game Type On Cognitive Performance And Brain Functional Connectivity: A Longitudinal Eeg Study, Jingqing Lu, Ruifang Cui, Lijun Jiang, Chenyu Mu, Weiyi Ma, Diankun Gong, Dezhong Yao

General Human Environmental Sciences Faculty Publications and Presentations

Background: Previous research has shown that video gaming experience is associated with changes in cognitive and perceptual functions as well as neural structure and function. However, how the different types of video games differentially influence cognitive function and neuroplasticity remains unclear. Methods: In this 30-week longitudinal study, participants were randomly assigned to an action video game group or a strategy card game group. Behavioral assessments and resting-state electroencephalography (EEG) recordings were administered at six time points to evaluate changes in attention, working memory, executive function, and their neural correlates. Results: Both groups showed significant improvements in multiple cognitive tasks, but …

Mobile Markets And Farmers’ Markets: Evaluating Food Accessibility For Underserved Communities In The Bay Area, Rajeshwari Rajesh

Master's Theses

Studies indicate including farmers’ markets, mobile markets, and other local food systems improve fresh food access for low-income communities, especially when paired with food assistance programs that offer financial incentives. This study aims to evaluate mobile markets and farmers’ markets in the Bay Area using the five dimensions of food access: accessibility, availability, acceptability, affordability, and accommodation. The study is based on primary data collected from 173 in-person surveys at six mobile and eight farmers’ markets in the Santa Clara and Contra Costa counties. Key survey participants were market shoppers participating in food assistance programs. A mixed research methodology included …

Some New Ecological Aspects Of The Lesser Sunda Endemic Drepanosticta Berlandi (Odonata: Zygoptera: Platystictidae), Muhammad Zulhariadi, Muhammad Setyo Nugroho, Nurul Hidayani

Makara Journal of Science

Drepanosticta berlandi is an endemic damselfly in the Lesser Sunda region of Indonesia, which was first recorded on Lombok Island in the 19th century. Albeit recognized for a century, information on its ecology is still lacking; hence, this study aims to reveal its distribution and habitat preferences. The research was conducted at the Tibu Ijo Waterfall tourist area in West Lombok Regency using line transects combined with field survey in the Kekait River and on footpaths on both sides of the river. Vegetation density, topography, and land survey temperature (LST) were measured at the sampling area using ArcGIS 10.4.1 software. …

A Framework For Fostering Flood Ready Neighborhoods, Kirsten Howard, Lucy Perkins, Alyson Eberhardt, Lisa Wise, Abigail Lyon, Lynn Vaccaro, Gracie Ballou, Annie Cox, Kate O'Brien

UNH Cooperative Extension

This resource summarizes lessons learned from the Flood Ready Neighborhoods Program and shares prompts and resources for readers related to community engagement and resilience building.

Integrating Traditional Ecological Knowledge And Environmental Science For Sustainable Lake Conservation: Danu Kerthi In Bali, Ni Kadek Surpi, Si Luh Nyoman Seriadi, Ni Wayan Jemiwi Jero

Journal of Environmental Science and Sustainable Development

This study investigates how the Danu Kerthi philosophy operates as a framework that integrates Traditional Ecological Knowledge (TEK) with environmental science to support sustainable lake conservation in three upstream lakes in Bali: Beratan, Buyan, and Tamblingan. While previous scholarship has largely focused on the normative and symbolic dimensions of Sad Kerthi, empirical evidence on its ecological effectiveness remains limited. To address this gap, the study adopts a multi-site qualitative design involving participatory observation, document analysis, and semi-structured interviews with 30 participants representing traditional leaders, Hindu priests, tourism managers, village officials, and local residents. Thematic analysis shows that Danu Kerthi continues …

What Are The Global Differences In Air Quality Due To The Covid-19 Pandemic?, Jude Spencer, Ian Mcgee, Brandon Solis-Martinez

Student Scholar Symposium

The COVID-19 pandemic led to unprecedented global disruptions, including significant changes in air quality due to lockdown measures, reduced industrial activity, and shifts in transportation patterns. Air pollution, primarily from nitrogen oxides (NOₓ), carbon dioxide (CO₂), and particulate matter (PM2.5), is a major environmental and public health concern. While some studies suggest temporary improvements in air quality during lockdowns, long-term impacts remain uncertain across different regions. To examine this, we investigated the research question: "What are the global differences in air quality due to the Covid-19 pandemic?" Using peer-reviewed studies from the Greenfile and ScienceDirect databases, along with EPA data, …

How Does Vertical Hydroponic Farming Compare To Traditional Soil Farming In Terms Of Crop Yield, Energy Efficiency, And Cost?, Grace Morgan, Grace Henry, Rebecca Meenach, Jeana Odom

Student Scholar Symposium

Vertical hydroponics (hydro “water;” ponics “labor”) is a method of year-round farming that uses water in place of soil and supplies vegetables’ nutrients in a space-efficient setting. It dates back to 500 BC when it was used in the Hanging Gardens of Babylon, a wonder of the ancient world. Thousands of years later, vertical hydroponics has expanded across the globe to supply leafy greens, herbs, and grains. It is typically implemented in dense urban environments where green space is hard to come by as a form of sustainable farming. Our research seeks to answer the question “How does vertical hydroponic …

Kalunga Crossings: Waterscapes Of Terror And "Teachment" In The African Atlantic World, Dianne M. Stewart, Tracey E. Hucks, Solimar Otero

Yale Journal of Music & Religion

In this article, we think alongside historian of religions Charles H. Long to analyze the relationship between water and empire, explore theoretical approaches to water and modernity, and probe the significance of water in Africana ecologies and spiritual cultures, highlighting its suggestive contributions to restorative epistemologies of ecological co-habitation. Our investigation advances an Africana religious framework of “waterscapes of terror and ‘teachment’” that centers diaspora bodies of water as loci for analyzing history, materiality, and ecological regard. Teachment is an anti-colonial linguistic irruption, an all-encompassing term for Africana pedagogies and epistemologies that defy antiblack and anti-African colonial instruction. Examining how …

Chad Dobson Reflects On The Launch Of The World Bank Reform Campaign, Chad Dobson, Julie Radomski

Perspectives

Chad Dobson is the founder of the Bank Information Center (BIC) and led BIC from 1987 to 1997 and 2007 to 2016. He is widely accredited with developing the global campaign strategies for environmental and social reforms of multilateral development banks (MDB). In this interview, he recounts the early days of BIC and the development of the global campaign.

Music And Sustainable Development Goals: Telling The Story, Mark Reimer

Journal of Global Awareness

Now, 10 years after the United Nations adopted its 17 Sustainable Development Goals, the music profession continues to work toward being a responsible partner in the health and preservation of the planet and its inhabitants. By transcending social barriers, music promotes cultural awareness and mutual understanding, encourages creativity, and enhances emotional well-being, outcomes vital to the global goals of health, freedom, peace, education, equality, prosperity, and environmental sustainability. The article includes various examples of how music performers, educators, composers, and scholars are creating or adopting new practices that are mindful of reducing the carbon footprint, yet financially feasible in their …

Notes From The Editor, Jay Nathan

Journal of Global Awareness

No abstract provided.

Letter From The Editor, Jay Nathan

Journal of Global Awareness

No abstract provided.

Best Integrated Writing Fall 2025 - Complete Edition, Wright State University School Of Humanities And Cultural Studies, Tracy Smith, Kristie Mckiernan

Best Integrated Writing

Best Integrated Writing includes excellent student writing from Integrated Writing courses taught at Wright State University.

The Loop That Eats Itself: Fast Fashion And The Myth Of Accessible Sustainability, Christie Westby

Sustainable Supply Chain Management

This chapter examines fast fashion as a self-reinforcing system driven by speed, consumption psychology, and misaligned incentives, arguing that true sustainability requires slowing supply chains and redesigning governance rather than simply buying “better” products.

How Native Landscaping And Irrigation Can Conserve Water In Mediterranean Climates, Samuel Carlson

Sustainable Supply Chain Management

This paper explores how using native plants and proper irrigation can lead to sustainable water management in Mediterranean climates, and reinterprets water scarcity as a supply chain issue. Touching on growing populations, climate change, and water pollution, it examines international case studies from Chile, Egypt, and Spain to compare domestic examples at multiple California universities.

Sustainability In Global Shrimp Supply Chains, Michael Behr

Sustainable Supply Chain Management

This chapter explores sustainability challenges within the global shrimp supply chain, comparing the environmental impacts of wild-caught shrimp trawling and shrimp aquaculture. While trawling has historically met global demand, its high levels of bycatch and damage to marine ecosystems make it increasingly incompatible with modern environmental standards. In response, aquaculture now supplies more than half of global shrimp production and is becoming a preferred sourcing option for major buyers.

From a supply-chain perspective, the chapter examines how trade dependence, regulatory pressure, and ESG commitments are shifting procurement strategies toward farmed shrimp. Using examples from large retailers, it shows how buyer-driven …

Paper Straws At Usd, Rodrigo J. Mor Gimeno

Sustainable Supply Chain Management

This learning journal reflects my experience throughout the semester learning about sustainability, climate change, and supply chains. Through class discussions, documentaries, and assignments, I explored topics such as carbon footprint, circular economy, ethics, and life cycle analysis. The paper on plastic straws and the group life cycle project helped me understand how everyday products have environmental, social, and economic impacts, and how consumer choices and global systems are strongly connected.

California Water Reuse: State Of The Industry As Direct Potable Reuse Comes Online, Guy Gutterman

Master's Projects and Capstones

Since the early 1900’s, California has found ways to reuse its wastewater, and in 2023 the state added a new method, Direct Potable Reuse (DPR), to its toolkit. DPR allows for advanced treated wastewater to be sent directly to a drinking water system, without an environmental buffer. Through a synthesis of the literature and related government documents of the state's water reuse history, an analysis of regional water recycling trends, and a survey of water utility professionals, this paper aims to understand DPR's future role in securing California's water supply. Historically, public perception has delayed adoption and development of California's …

“Land Back With Strings Attached”: Centering California Indian Perspectives On The Integration Of Traditional Ecological Knowledge Into California Environmental Policy, Lauren Crane

Undergraduate Honors Theses

In response to a changing climate and while reckoning with their treatment of California Indians, the State of California has embraced Traditional Ecological Knowledge (T.E.K.) and is working to integrate it into their environmental policies. While many scientists and policymakers view T.E.K. as an important resource for environmental management, how do the holders of this knowledge perceive its integration? This research centers the perspectives of California Indian tribes who engaged with the state in the 2024 Tribal Nature-Based Solutions program - an example of a State policy to integrate T.E.K. Their perspectives highlight the different concerns, priorities, and preferred methods …

Sustaining People And Planet: A Triple Bottom Line Analysis Of The University Of San Diego’S Initiative To Empower The Community And Climate Through Food Waste Reduction, Iris L. Dao

Sustainable Supply Chain Management

Every year, 17% of the world’s food supply is wasted by consumers, contributing to 8-10% of global greenhouse gas emissions. When food is unconsumed and disposed of, food waste rots in landfills and open dumps, which is one of the largest contributing factors to the planet’s drastic climate change. As a result, crop yield, growth, and nutrition are negatively impacted, disrupting the food supply chain and food security, while 3.1 billion people cannot afford a healthy diet. College and university campuses are one of the most concentrated generators of food waste due to large-scale food preparation and buffet-style services. As …

Abcs Of Behavior: Strategies To Effectively Reduce Challenging Behaviors, Sarah Matthews

Spark! Innovations in Early Childhood Education: A Research-to-Practice Journal for Educators

This paper explores the application of the ABC (Antecedent-Behavior-Consequence) model and functional behavior assessments (FBAs) to understand and manage challenging behaviors in early childhood education settings. Grounded in developmental theory and informed by professional experience as an early interventionist, the paper emphasizes the importance of identifying behavioral triggers and using individualized, developmentally appropriate strategies. The role of collaboration among teachers, families, and specialists is highlighted as essential for consistent and effective intervention. Key strategies discussed include coaching caregivers, embedding interventions within natural classroom environments, and using positive, non-punitive approaches to time-out. The paper advocates for proactive, respectful behavioral guidance practices …

Communities With Diverse Subsistence Needs Require A Variety Of Functional Tree Traits, Minoseheno Rakotovao, Cortni Borgerson, Kerry A. Brown, Joris P. G. M. Cromsigt, Steig E. Johnson, Onja H. Razafindratsima, Ruth Mendum, Onjaniaina O. Andrianjatovo, Harisoa B. Ravaomanalina, Seheno Andriantsaralaza, Sheila M. Holmes

Department of Anthropology Faculty Scholarship and Creative Works

Tree species preference is an understudied yet crucial component of sustainable forest management, as unsustainable harvesting can lead to non-random loss of functional traits. We examine wood resource preference across five regions of Madagascar's biodiverse eastern humid forests. We asked forest users in 19 men's and 19 women's focus groups to list their preferred tree species for common short- (charcoal, firewood) and long-term (house construction, furniture, tools) uses. We then measured functional traits of 260 preferred and common tree species: height, DBH, bark thickness, specific leaf area, wood specific gravity, and seed dispersal syndrome in the surrounding landscape. Using household …

Simulating Sustainability: How Resorts Can Balance Freshness And Waste In Produce Supply Chains, Isabella M. Camberos

Sustainable Supply Chain Management

Resorts face increasing pressure to reduce food waste while maintaining high levels of service quality and produce freshness. This study examines how discrete-event simulation can be used as a decision tool to analyze and improve produce supply chains in the hospitality industry. A simulation model was developed in Simio to compare local and global produce sourcing strategies under identical demand, storage capacity, and spoilage conditions. The model captures key system characteristics, including batch-based deliveries, cold storage constraints, perishability, and probabilistic guest waste. Results indicate that while both sourcing strategies exhibit efficient flow and minimal congestion, global sourcing generates significantly higher …

From Collision To Coexistence: Data-Driven Approaches To Reducing Wildlife Rehabilitation Center Intakes, Alice Anastos

Honors Projects

This project investigates the primary anthropogenic drivers of wildlife admissions at Lake Erie Nature and Science Center using a quantitative analysis of 10,172 intake records from the WILD-ONe database. Window collisions were by far the leading cause of admission, accounting for 54% of all intakes. Orphaning represented 12%, followed by vehicle collisions (5%) and domestic cat attacks (4%). By integrating findings from current wildlife rehabilitation research, this study identifies evidence-based strategies, such as bird-safe window treatments, public education on natural animal behavior, and targeted urban planning, that can substantially reduce preventable injuries. These results underscore the need for context-specific outreach …

A Methodology To Reconstruct The Extent And Dynamics Of Historic Wildfires (1850-1950) In The Santa Cruz Mountains Of California, David Vásquez Ospina

Master's Theses

This thesis reconstructs the extent and dynamics of historic wildfires in the Santa Cruz Mountains of California between 1850 and 1950 using qualitative archival evidence from historical newspapers, maps, and related documents. A systematically coded database of 225 reports, consolidated into 155 unique wildfire events, was developed to analyze temporal and spatial patterns, ignition sources, vegetation types, suppression strategies, and impacts on communities and infrastructure. Historical rainfall records from the Boulder Creek station were integrated using water-year totals, three-year rolling averages, and standardized precipitation indices to examine how multi-year dryness relates to fire occurrence and size. Linear regressions show only …

“River Of Death”: Industrial Pollution And The North Texas Trinity River Inthe Progressive Era, Meghan Scott-Chaber

Journal of Texas History

No abstract provided.