Isaac Sarfo | Henan University (original) (raw)
Papers by Isaac Sarfo
Environment Development and Sustainability, 2024
While rural revitalization strategies dominate public and scientific discourses, considerably les... more While rural revitalization strategies dominate public and scientific discourses, considerably less attention has been given to the key barriers that derail its full realization at the national level. This paper explores China’s rural revitalization pathway by evaluating the strategy’s four foundational pillars, and the key barriers that mar its success through expert judgement, a multicriteria decision analysis approach (i.e., Analytic Hierarchy Process), and review of existing literature. Findings put forth the following points (1) Key barriers influencing the full realization of China’s rural revitalization efforts include an ageing-population and labor shortage, income disparities between urban and rural areas, limited infrastructure and access to basic services, limited participation in governance processes, and land degradation/environmental issues (2) The critically weighted measures, highlighted by experts encapsulate support for rural industries, improved access to social services, balancing rural and urban development, land reform, and innovation (3) To revitalize rural China, ‘smart shrinkage’ is critical (4) In positive light, 'rural shrinkage' offers both direct and indirect benefits (5) The '4R value strategy' introduced presents a clear path for innovative decision- and place-making processes in rural settings. Standpoints promote equitable development and reduction of regional disparities through targeted interventions to address the key barriers identified.
Acta Sci. Pol. Formatio Circumiectus, 2024
Aim of the study Land-use systems have a significant impact on environmental, economic, and socie... more Aim of the study Land-use systems have a significant impact on environmental, economic, and societal issues worldwide. With agricultural activities, urban development, and conservation efforts, the complex nature of land use influences key global challenges, including climate change, food security, and biodiversity loss. As the world confronts these issues, it is essential to understand the trends, innovations, and emerging frontiers in land use systems. These developments not only reflect the evolving relationship between humans and the environment but also offer potential pathways toward sustainability and resilience.
European journal of environment and earth sciences, May 13, 2024
American journal of health studies, Jan 25, 2024
Environment, Development and Sustainability, Jan 5, 2024
The study synthesizes research advances on China’s rural revitalization pathways using datasets g... more The study synthesizes research advances on China’s rural revitalization pathways using datasets generated from the Web of Science core database and visualized with R-studio’s Biblioshiny software package. A bibliometric technique was utilized to report on some key actors’ performance metrics and contributions between 2017 and 2022. This study puts forth the following points based on evidence generated (1) the rate of change analysis revealed increasing scientific output leads to the advancement of various sectors and overall societal progress (2) the top 5 performing journals, namely; “Sustainability,” “Land Use Policy,” “International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health,” “Land,” and “Journal of Cleaner Production” produce and disseminate information that drive innovations, socioeconomic development and policy responses (3) collaborative network analysis revealed a low level of collaboration between (i.e., inter) the top-performing authors in the field, whereas a high degree was observed among (i.e., intra) the dominant authors and their cohorts (4) the proposed thematic map classified "the concept of rural revitalization" into four broad themes: niche, motor, emerging or declining, and basic topics. Evidence-based decision-making scenarios and cross-cutting initiatives highlighted in this study foster "creative placemaking" and "smart rural shrinkage" efforts by informing the decisions of nations within the Global North and South frames to re-evaluate revitalization strategies amid sustainability concerns. Future researchers and donors are presented with the ease and avenues on where to seek appropriate information based on emerging frontiers and contributions of top journals, authors and nations with low scientific output and investments in rural development.
Habitat International, Dec 31, 2023
Discover environment, Mar 12, 2024
Land Use Policy, 2024
In the face of a multiplicity of crises – including land cover change, climate hazards, economic ... more In the face of a multiplicity of crises – including land cover change, climate hazards, economic uncertainties, social injustice, adaptation and sustainability concerns, relevant stakeholders have taken stern initiatives to avert these phenomena that continuously grow in magnitude and relevance. We investigate the driving mechanisms of land use cover change, across Africa’s sub-regions using integrated remote sensing techniques and existing literature. Modules for Land Use Change Evaluation (MOLUSCE) and ANN-CA were utilized to simulate land use scenarios (2020–2050) in Africa. Fundamental drift in land use systems was found to be driven by an array of socio-political, economic and biophysical factors. Interestingly, land use and recover change (LURC) patterns were observed in the north and west African regions. A regrowth/greening in forests (+2.67 %) and a decline in deserts/barren areas (-16.62 %), grasslands (-16.58 %) and farmlands/shrubs (-12.88 %) can be observed during the last 40 years. Conversely, massive shifts in built-up (+216.52 %) and areas covered by waterbodies (+84.44 %) can be spotted. Predicted trends for natural vegetation estimate 1.69 % and 2.92 % reduction rates annually for forests and grasslands, respectively, over the next 30 years. The piecemeal of evidence provided shows more lands will be converted into built-environment and cultivated lands. Based on these premises, we propose a ‘4R value strategy’ that unifies actions, addresses resource-related conflicts and the drivers identified, amid sustainability concerns. The study’s standpoints prompt the decisions of governments, the scientific community and interested parties to create alternative futures by tackling prevailing trends which aggravate environmental degradation and poverty.
Environment, Development and Sustainability, 2024
The study synthesizes research advances on China’s rural revitalization pathways using datasets g... more The study synthesizes research advances on China’s rural revitalization pathways using datasets generated from the Web of Science core database and visualized with R-studio’s Biblioshiny software package. A bibliometric technique was utilized to report on some key actors’ performance metrics and contributions between 2017 and 2022. This study puts forth the following points based on evidence generated (1) the rate of change analysis revealed increasing scientific output leads to the advancement of various sectors and overall societal progress (2) the top 5 performing journals, namely; “Sustainability,” “Land Use Policy,” “International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health,” “Land,” and “Journal of Cleaner Production” produce and disseminate information that drive innovations, socioeconomic development and policy responses (3) collaborative network analysis revealed a low level of collaboration between (i.e., inter) the top-performing authors in the field, whereas a high degree was observed among (i.e., intra) the dominant authors and their cohorts (4) the proposed thematic map classified "the concept of rural revitalization" into four broad themes: niche, motor, emerging or declining, and basic topics. Evidence-based decision-making scenarios and cross-cutting initiatives highlighted in this study foster "creative placemaking" and "smart rural shrinkage" efforts by informing
the decisions of nations within the Global North and South frames to re-evaluate revitalization strategies amid sustainability concerns. Future researchers and donors are presented with the ease and avenues on where to seek appropriate information based on emerging frontiers and contributions of top journals, authors and nations with low scientific output and investments in rural development.
Sustainable development is affected by environmental problems and climate change, which are frequ... more Sustainable development is affected by environmental problems and climate change, which are frequently attributed to economic growth. Greener economies, therefore, rely heavily on technological advancements. Environmental conditions keep deteriorating despite increasing eco-innovations and foreign investments in most developing nations. Consequently, it is crucial to connect these constructs to the sustainable development goals (SDGs) to address climate hazards, reduce poverty, and achieve a sustainable transition while maintaining economic growth. In this paper, we use the geographic Durbin model to examine the effects of economic growth on carbon emissions while connecting the SDGs for nine countries in the Middle East and North African region during the last 20 years. Second, the paper investigates the mediation effect of eco-innovation-related SDGs. Third, this article uses the spatial stepwise regression model to explore the moderating function of FDI-related SDGs on the mediat...
Theoretical and Applied Climatology, Jun 19, 2023
SN Social Sciences
Sacred groves are a means of conservation or sustainability of natural resources through cultural... more Sacred groves are a means of conservation or sustainability of natural resources through cultural beliefs or spiritism; hence, their essence and timeliness in current literature or conservation in developing countries. Despite recent interest in sacred groves, few studies have explored the spatial distribution of sacred groves. Considering this, the current study mapped the geographic distribution of sacred groves in the Talensi area of Ghana's Upper East Region. The study relied on in-depth interviews and a Global Positioning System (GPS) device as the main instruments of primary data collection. Purposive sampling was used to choose the 20 participants for the study from the Talensi district, including 4 Tengdanam and 16 elderly men who owned family groves, had in-depth knowledge of sacred groves, and frequently visited such groves. The results validated the conceptualization of sacred groves through the saturation theory. Through this study, it was discovered that the research area's sacred groves were affected by a confluence of modern religion and climate. Sacred groves in the study area were shown to be significantly impacted by a variety of modern religions. Findings further revealed that the spatial pattern of the distribution of sacred groves in the study area was clustered. This paper urges the effective implementation of conservation measures to stop further deterioration of the sacred groves in the studied region. Also, the indigenes should be sensitized on the relevance of sacred groves to the environment.
Journal of Geography, Environment and Earth Science International
One of the most significant hydro-meteorological and agricultural variables is soil moisture, yet... more One of the most significant hydro-meteorological and agricultural variables is soil moisture, yet measuring it remains a difficult task. Due to the significant spatial fluctuation of soil moisture, it is difficult to quantify it in a particular spot or field across a sizable region. Despite the thermal band's limitations in assessing soil moisture, MODIS and AVHRR, which are inappropriate were utilized in this investigation. The study examined the impact of soil moisture on dust outbreak. Soil moisture in the study domain was monitored using field techniques and the hybrid model. It combined multi-sourced remote sensing data, obtained from AMSER-E and FY-3 satellites. AMSER-E satellite measures the light temperature in five frequencies ranging from 6. 9 to 89 GHz based on data obtained from AMSER-E. Findings revealed areas with a spatial scale of 25 km2 has a 12-hour time step or variability in dust storm, thereby influencing soil moisture content within the zone of study. In a...
Archives of Current Research International
Geographical distribution of telecommunication masts, patronage, and provision of quality service... more Geographical distribution of telecommunication masts, patronage, and provision of quality services, without unintended consequences, remain vital for telecommunication operators. The spatial distribution of telecommunication masts and services in Ghana are not uniformly distributed, resulting in the disparities of signal strengths in different locations. Bad signals directly or indirectly affect various forms of business transactions and communication activities. We assessed the spatial distribution of telecom masts and customer hotspots for the major telecommunication networks in Ghana using geospatial techniques. Findings revealed most of the telecom masts were highly concentrated in Accra Metropolis. Again, most of the enterprise business customers were clustered within the 4-km radii of sited masts. More investment is needed by telecommunication industries to boost patronage, particularly in La Dade Kotopon and Tema Metropolis. The area’s prospect of attracting more customers in...
Archives of Current Research International
Geographical distribution of telecommunication masts, patronage, and provision of quality service... more Geographical distribution of telecommunication masts, patronage, and provision of quality services, without unintended consequences, remain vital for telecommunication operators. The spatial distribution of telecommunication masts and services in Ghana are not uniformly distributed, resulting in the disparities of signal strengths in different locations. Bad signals directly or indirectly affect various forms of business transactions and communication activities. We assessed the spatial distribution of telecom masts and customer hotspots for the major telecommunication networks in Ghana using geospatial techniques. Findings revealed most of the telecom masts were highly concentrated in Accra Metropolis. Again, most of the enterprise business customers were clustered within the 4-km radii of sited masts. More investment is needed by telecommunication industries to boost patronage, particularly in La Dade Kotopon and Tema Metropolis. The area’s prospect of attracting more customers in...
SN Social Sciences, 2023
Sacred groves are a means of conservation or sustainability of natural resources through cultural... more Sacred groves are a means of conservation or sustainability of natural resources through cultural beliefs or spiritism; hence, their essence and timeliness in current literature or conservation in developing countries. Despite recent interest in sacred groves, few studies have explored the spatial distribution of sacred groves. Considering this, the current study mapped the geographic distribution of sacred groves in the Talensi area of Ghana's Upper East Region. The study relied on in-depth interviews and a Global Positioning System (GPS) device as the main instruments of primary data collection. Purposive sampling was used to choose the 20 participants for the study from the Talensi district, including 4 Tengdanam and 16 elderly men who owned family groves, had in-depth knowledge of sacred groves, and frequently visited such groves. The results validated the conceptualization of sacred groves through the saturation theory. Through this study, it was discovered that the research area's sacred groves were affected by a confluence of modern religion and climate. Sacred groves in the study area were shown to be significantly impacted by a variety of modern religions. Findings further revealed that the spatial pattern of the distribution of sacred groves in the study area was clustered. This paper urges the effective implementation of conservation measures to stop further deterioration of the sacred groves in the studied region. Also, the indigenes should be sensitized on the relevance of sacred groves to the environment.
Wetlands are crucial ecosystems that promote sustainable livelihood and biodiversity conservation... more Wetlands are crucial ecosystems that promote sustainable livelihood and biodiversity conservation, especially in tropical regions. However, recent studies have reported increasing threats to wetlands both environmental and human which threaten the provision and acquisition of several wetland bene ts. Though there is recognition of the value of wetlands, in most local communities, there is limited knowledge and research on the bene ts of wetlands and the level of threat thus affecting wetland governance. This research addresses this gap by conducting participatory research to create a baseline inventory that identi es the main wetlands and threats to inform policy. The study was conducted in 14 sub-counties and a sample of 105 wetlands along the wetlands of Lake Wamala and River Mayanja wetlands system in Mityana District was captured. The eld data was collected from 150 respondents. Study ndings found that there is an increasing human threat to wetlands especially in the River Mayanja seasonal wetlands and the level of damage/threat on Lake Wamala wetlands. Respondents further reported an increasing threat of environmental drivers such as climate change. Since the level of damage to wetlands in Mityana especially the permanent wetlands is relatively low, we recommend a focus on capacity building, development of wetlands action plans, increased support to local wetland authorities, and a system thinking approach in wetland threat identi cation and management.
Journal of Geography Environment and Earth Science International, 2023
One of the most significant hydro-meteorological and agricultural variables is soil moisture, yet... more One of the most significant hydro-meteorological and agricultural variables is soil moisture, yet measuring it remains a difficult task. Due to the significant spatial fluctuation of soil moisture, it is difficult to quantify it in a particular spot or field across a sizable region. Despite the thermal band's limitations in assessing soil moisture, MODIS and AVHRR, which are inappropriate were utilized in this investigation. The study examined the impact of soil moisture on dust outbreak. Soil moisture in the study domain was monitored using field techniques and the hybrid model. It combined multisourced remote sensing data, obtained from AMSER-E and FY-3 satellites. AMSER-E satellite measures the light temperature in five frequencies ranging from 6. 9 to 89 GHz based on data obtained from AMSER-E. Findings revealed areas with a spatial scale of 25 km 2 has a 12-hour time step or variability in dust storm, thereby influencing soil moisture content within the zone of study. In addition to introducing acceptable potentials of the passive microwave band for accurate and applied monitoring of the soil moisture, the present results are viewed as a reliable source for studies on drought in time scale. The study shows that Zabol in Sistan has the highest annual average of 80.7 dust storm days. Soil moisture estimates serve a great deal for preparing soil moisture maps and the evaluation of temporal and spatial variations of soil moisture in study region to address issues related to dust storms. In order to identify the areas affected by dust storms and understand how dust particles are dispersed in the Sistan region, satellite image processing was employed using MODIS 1 sensor images obtained from the TERRA satellite.
Land Use Policy, 2023
This study investigates the spatial variability of some remote sensing indices representing built... more This study investigates the spatial variability of some remote sensing indices representing built-up areas, vegetation , bareness, and urban heat island (UHI), based on time-series Landsat TM/ETM+ and OLI/TIRS datasets archived for 1980-2020 period from the US Geological Survey's website for Kumasi Metropolitan Area in Ghana. Modules for Land Use Change Evaluation (MOLUSCE) and Cellular Automata Artificial Neural Network (CA-ANN) algorithms and simulations in QGIS were used to predict future changes (2020-2050) for land-use systems in Kumasi. Findings revealed urbanization/built-up areas (+108.02%) contributed massively to the decline of forest areas (− 93.34%) and farmlands/shrubs (− 31.53%), thereby making Kumasi lose its once critical green position as the "Garden City of West Africa." UHI moderately and strongly correlated positively against built-up (R 2 =0.78, p < 0.0001) and bareness (R 2 =0.96, p < 0.0001) indices, respectively. By contrast, UHI showed a statistically significant inverse relationship with the vegetative index (R 2 =0.97, p < 0.0001). Future land-use scenarios revealed more forests, waterbodies, and farmlands/shrubs will be lost, influencing urban temperature and water supply. The multipurpose advantages of urban green space are ingrained in the grand urban model. Contextually, the Metropolis's resilience has been hampered by inconsistency in the performance of institutional roles, competition for land ownership rights over green areas, and little investments or prioritization of green spaces. An integrated collaborative governance framework is proposed to unify actions, address power crisis and factors that influence governance of green infrastructure, UHI and land cover change.
International Journal of Climatology, Sep 14, 2022
The selection of a reliable long‐term rainfall dataset is deemed appropriate for hydroclimatic as... more The selection of a reliable long‐term rainfall dataset is deemed appropriate for hydroclimatic assessments, especially in regions with limited distribution of rain gauge stations like Sudan. The study presents an initial investigation for gridded‐based rainfall products and satellite‐based products over Sudan using standardized statistical methods. Overall, the monthly evaluation revealed reasonable statistical agreement with in situ observations. Seasonal analysis shows that summer rainfall is detected more accurately than yearly rainfall, especially in mountainous areas across the country. Generally, underestimation was observed in all products over most regions on an annual, seasonal, and monthly scale, respectively. Results for the Taylor skill score (TSS) indicated relatively low skills for ECMWF Reanalysis 5th Generation (ERA5), moderate to strong skills for Climate Research Unit (CRU) and Climate Hazards Group Infrared Precipitation with Stations (CHIRPS), against the reference rain gauges among the regions. The regional comparison using TSS when considering monthly and seasonal timescales showed CHIRPS and CRU had the highest performance with an average percentage of 89.6 and 92% in the west (Nyala, Al Geniena, and Al Fasher), 89 and 84.6% at the central part (Khartoum, Wad Madani, and Al Obied), and 92.5 and 86.5% in the south (Al Damazine and Kadogli). At 95% confidence level, a significant increasing trend was observed over the highlands at the centre (Al Obied) and western areas (Al Geniena and Nyala), while most stations showed positive trends. Further analysis on temporal correlation with Atlantic Multidecadal Oscillation (AMO) demonstrated a strong correlation between the AMO PC1 and JJAS rainfall PC1 (82%). The west recorded the highest response to AMO (90%), while the east had the lowest response (74%), with the north, central, and south obtaining 77, 76, and 76%, respectively. Our findings provide useful information about rainfall in Sudan, suggesting CHIRPS data for monitoring rainfall variability and extreme events which should encourage its use in areas with scarce stations.
Environment Development and Sustainability, 2024
While rural revitalization strategies dominate public and scientific discourses, considerably les... more While rural revitalization strategies dominate public and scientific discourses, considerably less attention has been given to the key barriers that derail its full realization at the national level. This paper explores China’s rural revitalization pathway by evaluating the strategy’s four foundational pillars, and the key barriers that mar its success through expert judgement, a multicriteria decision analysis approach (i.e., Analytic Hierarchy Process), and review of existing literature. Findings put forth the following points (1) Key barriers influencing the full realization of China’s rural revitalization efforts include an ageing-population and labor shortage, income disparities between urban and rural areas, limited infrastructure and access to basic services, limited participation in governance processes, and land degradation/environmental issues (2) The critically weighted measures, highlighted by experts encapsulate support for rural industries, improved access to social services, balancing rural and urban development, land reform, and innovation (3) To revitalize rural China, ‘smart shrinkage’ is critical (4) In positive light, 'rural shrinkage' offers both direct and indirect benefits (5) The '4R value strategy' introduced presents a clear path for innovative decision- and place-making processes in rural settings. Standpoints promote equitable development and reduction of regional disparities through targeted interventions to address the key barriers identified.
Acta Sci. Pol. Formatio Circumiectus, 2024
Aim of the study Land-use systems have a significant impact on environmental, economic, and socie... more Aim of the study Land-use systems have a significant impact on environmental, economic, and societal issues worldwide. With agricultural activities, urban development, and conservation efforts, the complex nature of land use influences key global challenges, including climate change, food security, and biodiversity loss. As the world confronts these issues, it is essential to understand the trends, innovations, and emerging frontiers in land use systems. These developments not only reflect the evolving relationship between humans and the environment but also offer potential pathways toward sustainability and resilience.
European journal of environment and earth sciences, May 13, 2024
American journal of health studies, Jan 25, 2024
Environment, Development and Sustainability, Jan 5, 2024
The study synthesizes research advances on China’s rural revitalization pathways using datasets g... more The study synthesizes research advances on China’s rural revitalization pathways using datasets generated from the Web of Science core database and visualized with R-studio’s Biblioshiny software package. A bibliometric technique was utilized to report on some key actors’ performance metrics and contributions between 2017 and 2022. This study puts forth the following points based on evidence generated (1) the rate of change analysis revealed increasing scientific output leads to the advancement of various sectors and overall societal progress (2) the top 5 performing journals, namely; “Sustainability,” “Land Use Policy,” “International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health,” “Land,” and “Journal of Cleaner Production” produce and disseminate information that drive innovations, socioeconomic development and policy responses (3) collaborative network analysis revealed a low level of collaboration between (i.e., inter) the top-performing authors in the field, whereas a high degree was observed among (i.e., intra) the dominant authors and their cohorts (4) the proposed thematic map classified "the concept of rural revitalization" into four broad themes: niche, motor, emerging or declining, and basic topics. Evidence-based decision-making scenarios and cross-cutting initiatives highlighted in this study foster "creative placemaking" and "smart rural shrinkage" efforts by informing the decisions of nations within the Global North and South frames to re-evaluate revitalization strategies amid sustainability concerns. Future researchers and donors are presented with the ease and avenues on where to seek appropriate information based on emerging frontiers and contributions of top journals, authors and nations with low scientific output and investments in rural development.
Habitat International, Dec 31, 2023
Discover environment, Mar 12, 2024
Land Use Policy, 2024
In the face of a multiplicity of crises – including land cover change, climate hazards, economic ... more In the face of a multiplicity of crises – including land cover change, climate hazards, economic uncertainties, social injustice, adaptation and sustainability concerns, relevant stakeholders have taken stern initiatives to avert these phenomena that continuously grow in magnitude and relevance. We investigate the driving mechanisms of land use cover change, across Africa’s sub-regions using integrated remote sensing techniques and existing literature. Modules for Land Use Change Evaluation (MOLUSCE) and ANN-CA were utilized to simulate land use scenarios (2020–2050) in Africa. Fundamental drift in land use systems was found to be driven by an array of socio-political, economic and biophysical factors. Interestingly, land use and recover change (LURC) patterns were observed in the north and west African regions. A regrowth/greening in forests (+2.67 %) and a decline in deserts/barren areas (-16.62 %), grasslands (-16.58 %) and farmlands/shrubs (-12.88 %) can be observed during the last 40 years. Conversely, massive shifts in built-up (+216.52 %) and areas covered by waterbodies (+84.44 %) can be spotted. Predicted trends for natural vegetation estimate 1.69 % and 2.92 % reduction rates annually for forests and grasslands, respectively, over the next 30 years. The piecemeal of evidence provided shows more lands will be converted into built-environment and cultivated lands. Based on these premises, we propose a ‘4R value strategy’ that unifies actions, addresses resource-related conflicts and the drivers identified, amid sustainability concerns. The study’s standpoints prompt the decisions of governments, the scientific community and interested parties to create alternative futures by tackling prevailing trends which aggravate environmental degradation and poverty.
Environment, Development and Sustainability, 2024
The study synthesizes research advances on China’s rural revitalization pathways using datasets g... more The study synthesizes research advances on China’s rural revitalization pathways using datasets generated from the Web of Science core database and visualized with R-studio’s Biblioshiny software package. A bibliometric technique was utilized to report on some key actors’ performance metrics and contributions between 2017 and 2022. This study puts forth the following points based on evidence generated (1) the rate of change analysis revealed increasing scientific output leads to the advancement of various sectors and overall societal progress (2) the top 5 performing journals, namely; “Sustainability,” “Land Use Policy,” “International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health,” “Land,” and “Journal of Cleaner Production” produce and disseminate information that drive innovations, socioeconomic development and policy responses (3) collaborative network analysis revealed a low level of collaboration between (i.e., inter) the top-performing authors in the field, whereas a high degree was observed among (i.e., intra) the dominant authors and their cohorts (4) the proposed thematic map classified "the concept of rural revitalization" into four broad themes: niche, motor, emerging or declining, and basic topics. Evidence-based decision-making scenarios and cross-cutting initiatives highlighted in this study foster "creative placemaking" and "smart rural shrinkage" efforts by informing
the decisions of nations within the Global North and South frames to re-evaluate revitalization strategies amid sustainability concerns. Future researchers and donors are presented with the ease and avenues on where to seek appropriate information based on emerging frontiers and contributions of top journals, authors and nations with low scientific output and investments in rural development.
Sustainable development is affected by environmental problems and climate change, which are frequ... more Sustainable development is affected by environmental problems and climate change, which are frequently attributed to economic growth. Greener economies, therefore, rely heavily on technological advancements. Environmental conditions keep deteriorating despite increasing eco-innovations and foreign investments in most developing nations. Consequently, it is crucial to connect these constructs to the sustainable development goals (SDGs) to address climate hazards, reduce poverty, and achieve a sustainable transition while maintaining economic growth. In this paper, we use the geographic Durbin model to examine the effects of economic growth on carbon emissions while connecting the SDGs for nine countries in the Middle East and North African region during the last 20 years. Second, the paper investigates the mediation effect of eco-innovation-related SDGs. Third, this article uses the spatial stepwise regression model to explore the moderating function of FDI-related SDGs on the mediat...
Theoretical and Applied Climatology, Jun 19, 2023
SN Social Sciences
Sacred groves are a means of conservation or sustainability of natural resources through cultural... more Sacred groves are a means of conservation or sustainability of natural resources through cultural beliefs or spiritism; hence, their essence and timeliness in current literature or conservation in developing countries. Despite recent interest in sacred groves, few studies have explored the spatial distribution of sacred groves. Considering this, the current study mapped the geographic distribution of sacred groves in the Talensi area of Ghana's Upper East Region. The study relied on in-depth interviews and a Global Positioning System (GPS) device as the main instruments of primary data collection. Purposive sampling was used to choose the 20 participants for the study from the Talensi district, including 4 Tengdanam and 16 elderly men who owned family groves, had in-depth knowledge of sacred groves, and frequently visited such groves. The results validated the conceptualization of sacred groves through the saturation theory. Through this study, it was discovered that the research area's sacred groves were affected by a confluence of modern religion and climate. Sacred groves in the study area were shown to be significantly impacted by a variety of modern religions. Findings further revealed that the spatial pattern of the distribution of sacred groves in the study area was clustered. This paper urges the effective implementation of conservation measures to stop further deterioration of the sacred groves in the studied region. Also, the indigenes should be sensitized on the relevance of sacred groves to the environment.
Journal of Geography, Environment and Earth Science International
One of the most significant hydro-meteorological and agricultural variables is soil moisture, yet... more One of the most significant hydro-meteorological and agricultural variables is soil moisture, yet measuring it remains a difficult task. Due to the significant spatial fluctuation of soil moisture, it is difficult to quantify it in a particular spot or field across a sizable region. Despite the thermal band's limitations in assessing soil moisture, MODIS and AVHRR, which are inappropriate were utilized in this investigation. The study examined the impact of soil moisture on dust outbreak. Soil moisture in the study domain was monitored using field techniques and the hybrid model. It combined multi-sourced remote sensing data, obtained from AMSER-E and FY-3 satellites. AMSER-E satellite measures the light temperature in five frequencies ranging from 6. 9 to 89 GHz based on data obtained from AMSER-E. Findings revealed areas with a spatial scale of 25 km2 has a 12-hour time step or variability in dust storm, thereby influencing soil moisture content within the zone of study. In a...
Archives of Current Research International
Geographical distribution of telecommunication masts, patronage, and provision of quality service... more Geographical distribution of telecommunication masts, patronage, and provision of quality services, without unintended consequences, remain vital for telecommunication operators. The spatial distribution of telecommunication masts and services in Ghana are not uniformly distributed, resulting in the disparities of signal strengths in different locations. Bad signals directly or indirectly affect various forms of business transactions and communication activities. We assessed the spatial distribution of telecom masts and customer hotspots for the major telecommunication networks in Ghana using geospatial techniques. Findings revealed most of the telecom masts were highly concentrated in Accra Metropolis. Again, most of the enterprise business customers were clustered within the 4-km radii of sited masts. More investment is needed by telecommunication industries to boost patronage, particularly in La Dade Kotopon and Tema Metropolis. The area’s prospect of attracting more customers in...
Archives of Current Research International
Geographical distribution of telecommunication masts, patronage, and provision of quality service... more Geographical distribution of telecommunication masts, patronage, and provision of quality services, without unintended consequences, remain vital for telecommunication operators. The spatial distribution of telecommunication masts and services in Ghana are not uniformly distributed, resulting in the disparities of signal strengths in different locations. Bad signals directly or indirectly affect various forms of business transactions and communication activities. We assessed the spatial distribution of telecom masts and customer hotspots for the major telecommunication networks in Ghana using geospatial techniques. Findings revealed most of the telecom masts were highly concentrated in Accra Metropolis. Again, most of the enterprise business customers were clustered within the 4-km radii of sited masts. More investment is needed by telecommunication industries to boost patronage, particularly in La Dade Kotopon and Tema Metropolis. The area’s prospect of attracting more customers in...
SN Social Sciences, 2023
Sacred groves are a means of conservation or sustainability of natural resources through cultural... more Sacred groves are a means of conservation or sustainability of natural resources through cultural beliefs or spiritism; hence, their essence and timeliness in current literature or conservation in developing countries. Despite recent interest in sacred groves, few studies have explored the spatial distribution of sacred groves. Considering this, the current study mapped the geographic distribution of sacred groves in the Talensi area of Ghana's Upper East Region. The study relied on in-depth interviews and a Global Positioning System (GPS) device as the main instruments of primary data collection. Purposive sampling was used to choose the 20 participants for the study from the Talensi district, including 4 Tengdanam and 16 elderly men who owned family groves, had in-depth knowledge of sacred groves, and frequently visited such groves. The results validated the conceptualization of sacred groves through the saturation theory. Through this study, it was discovered that the research area's sacred groves were affected by a confluence of modern religion and climate. Sacred groves in the study area were shown to be significantly impacted by a variety of modern religions. Findings further revealed that the spatial pattern of the distribution of sacred groves in the study area was clustered. This paper urges the effective implementation of conservation measures to stop further deterioration of the sacred groves in the studied region. Also, the indigenes should be sensitized on the relevance of sacred groves to the environment.
Wetlands are crucial ecosystems that promote sustainable livelihood and biodiversity conservation... more Wetlands are crucial ecosystems that promote sustainable livelihood and biodiversity conservation, especially in tropical regions. However, recent studies have reported increasing threats to wetlands both environmental and human which threaten the provision and acquisition of several wetland bene ts. Though there is recognition of the value of wetlands, in most local communities, there is limited knowledge and research on the bene ts of wetlands and the level of threat thus affecting wetland governance. This research addresses this gap by conducting participatory research to create a baseline inventory that identi es the main wetlands and threats to inform policy. The study was conducted in 14 sub-counties and a sample of 105 wetlands along the wetlands of Lake Wamala and River Mayanja wetlands system in Mityana District was captured. The eld data was collected from 150 respondents. Study ndings found that there is an increasing human threat to wetlands especially in the River Mayanja seasonal wetlands and the level of damage/threat on Lake Wamala wetlands. Respondents further reported an increasing threat of environmental drivers such as climate change. Since the level of damage to wetlands in Mityana especially the permanent wetlands is relatively low, we recommend a focus on capacity building, development of wetlands action plans, increased support to local wetland authorities, and a system thinking approach in wetland threat identi cation and management.
Journal of Geography Environment and Earth Science International, 2023
One of the most significant hydro-meteorological and agricultural variables is soil moisture, yet... more One of the most significant hydro-meteorological and agricultural variables is soil moisture, yet measuring it remains a difficult task. Due to the significant spatial fluctuation of soil moisture, it is difficult to quantify it in a particular spot or field across a sizable region. Despite the thermal band's limitations in assessing soil moisture, MODIS and AVHRR, which are inappropriate were utilized in this investigation. The study examined the impact of soil moisture on dust outbreak. Soil moisture in the study domain was monitored using field techniques and the hybrid model. It combined multisourced remote sensing data, obtained from AMSER-E and FY-3 satellites. AMSER-E satellite measures the light temperature in five frequencies ranging from 6. 9 to 89 GHz based on data obtained from AMSER-E. Findings revealed areas with a spatial scale of 25 km 2 has a 12-hour time step or variability in dust storm, thereby influencing soil moisture content within the zone of study. In addition to introducing acceptable potentials of the passive microwave band for accurate and applied monitoring of the soil moisture, the present results are viewed as a reliable source for studies on drought in time scale. The study shows that Zabol in Sistan has the highest annual average of 80.7 dust storm days. Soil moisture estimates serve a great deal for preparing soil moisture maps and the evaluation of temporal and spatial variations of soil moisture in study region to address issues related to dust storms. In order to identify the areas affected by dust storms and understand how dust particles are dispersed in the Sistan region, satellite image processing was employed using MODIS 1 sensor images obtained from the TERRA satellite.
Land Use Policy, 2023
This study investigates the spatial variability of some remote sensing indices representing built... more This study investigates the spatial variability of some remote sensing indices representing built-up areas, vegetation , bareness, and urban heat island (UHI), based on time-series Landsat TM/ETM+ and OLI/TIRS datasets archived for 1980-2020 period from the US Geological Survey's website for Kumasi Metropolitan Area in Ghana. Modules for Land Use Change Evaluation (MOLUSCE) and Cellular Automata Artificial Neural Network (CA-ANN) algorithms and simulations in QGIS were used to predict future changes (2020-2050) for land-use systems in Kumasi. Findings revealed urbanization/built-up areas (+108.02%) contributed massively to the decline of forest areas (− 93.34%) and farmlands/shrubs (− 31.53%), thereby making Kumasi lose its once critical green position as the "Garden City of West Africa." UHI moderately and strongly correlated positively against built-up (R 2 =0.78, p < 0.0001) and bareness (R 2 =0.96, p < 0.0001) indices, respectively. By contrast, UHI showed a statistically significant inverse relationship with the vegetative index (R 2 =0.97, p < 0.0001). Future land-use scenarios revealed more forests, waterbodies, and farmlands/shrubs will be lost, influencing urban temperature and water supply. The multipurpose advantages of urban green space are ingrained in the grand urban model. Contextually, the Metropolis's resilience has been hampered by inconsistency in the performance of institutional roles, competition for land ownership rights over green areas, and little investments or prioritization of green spaces. An integrated collaborative governance framework is proposed to unify actions, address power crisis and factors that influence governance of green infrastructure, UHI and land cover change.
International Journal of Climatology, Sep 14, 2022
The selection of a reliable long‐term rainfall dataset is deemed appropriate for hydroclimatic as... more The selection of a reliable long‐term rainfall dataset is deemed appropriate for hydroclimatic assessments, especially in regions with limited distribution of rain gauge stations like Sudan. The study presents an initial investigation for gridded‐based rainfall products and satellite‐based products over Sudan using standardized statistical methods. Overall, the monthly evaluation revealed reasonable statistical agreement with in situ observations. Seasonal analysis shows that summer rainfall is detected more accurately than yearly rainfall, especially in mountainous areas across the country. Generally, underestimation was observed in all products over most regions on an annual, seasonal, and monthly scale, respectively. Results for the Taylor skill score (TSS) indicated relatively low skills for ECMWF Reanalysis 5th Generation (ERA5), moderate to strong skills for Climate Research Unit (CRU) and Climate Hazards Group Infrared Precipitation with Stations (CHIRPS), against the reference rain gauges among the regions. The regional comparison using TSS when considering monthly and seasonal timescales showed CHIRPS and CRU had the highest performance with an average percentage of 89.6 and 92% in the west (Nyala, Al Geniena, and Al Fasher), 89 and 84.6% at the central part (Khartoum, Wad Madani, and Al Obied), and 92.5 and 86.5% in the south (Al Damazine and Kadogli). At 95% confidence level, a significant increasing trend was observed over the highlands at the centre (Al Obied) and western areas (Al Geniena and Nyala), while most stations showed positive trends. Further analysis on temporal correlation with Atlantic Multidecadal Oscillation (AMO) demonstrated a strong correlation between the AMO PC1 and JJAS rainfall PC1 (82%). The west recorded the highest response to AMO (90%), while the east had the lowest response (74%), with the north, central, and south obtaining 77, 76, and 76%, respectively. Our findings provide useful information about rainfall in Sudan, suggesting CHIRPS data for monitoring rainfall variability and extreme events which should encourage its use in areas with scarce stations.
Sciencedomain International, 2020
Self-mitigation and adaptation often require conceptual and feasible innovative mechanisms, local... more Self-mitigation and adaptation often require conceptual and feasible innovative mechanisms, locally designed with inputs from key stakeholders. Developing prudent adaptation measures for local communities are often time-consuming, and require in-depth analysis due to the complex nature of climate change, encompassing several sectors and external facilitators. In our quest to achieve Millennium Sustainable Development Goal (SDG 13), placing communities in acute and highly vulnerable locations at the center are essential in determining critical and actual areas stemming these communities, hence, employing bottom-up approach in realizing global goals of regulating deteriorating climatic conditions. The ultimate aim of the study was to find-out self-protective measures, initiated by key proponents in the area. The study employed an action-based, descriptive and inferential statistics in the collection and analysis of data. Response from informants constituting officials from various institutions and vulnerable groups in the area were subjected to content analysis to avoid misjudgments. Results show majority of self-protective measures, initiated by proponents in the area are short-term (reactive) measures which does not have the efficacy and capacity to deal with large scale climate events of greater magnitude and intensity. The study would inform the decision of policy-makers and interested stakeholders towards achieving SDG 13 as well as critical areas to prioritize, both in the short and long term. Further research could be conducted on the extent to which enhancing socioeconomic parameters in the area can amplify residents' susceptibility to climate hazards in the long run.