Atmospheric and Oceanic Sciences

Harmonious interactions among multiple functions form the foundation of sustainable rural development. This study proposes an innovative network-based framework to analyze the relationship between the Concentrated-Contiguous Conservation and Utilization (CCU) of traditional villages and their socio-ecological functions. An empirical analysis of 432 traditional villages in the Wuling Mountain Area of Hunan Province, China, reveals that: (1) The Concentrated-Contiguous Conservation and Utilization Network (CCUN) exhibits low density, local clustering, and limited long-distance connections, with its spatial distribution closely corresponding to forested land. (2) The socio-economic functional system is characterized by unobstructed cultural exchange, a clustered spatial pattern, transportation-dependent development, and a scattered distribution of villages with high attribute values, while the central region serves a significant ecological conservation role. (3) Correlation analysis reveals an overall low level of synergy between the CCUN and the socio-economic system. Through a role matching analysis of core villages across various networks, diverse multifunctional combinations were identified and categorized into four primary types: Coordinated Development, Conflict, Restricted, and Potential. The proposed methodological framework provides a practical tool to guide local governments in steering CCU practices toward multifunctional coordination and sustainability.

This study addresses the foundational step of developing a classification and taxonomy of agent objective functions as a prerequisite for analyzing stability and forming robust production schedules in distributed manufacturing systems. The research is based on the premise that instability or insufficient robustness in scheduling solutions often arises from the neglect of the inherent multi-agent nature of real-world distributed production systems. These systems are characterized by the presence of multiple decision-making entities, each pursuing its own objectives or performance indicators. Since strategic management in such systems is typically oriented toward achieving global system-level goals, it often overlooks the interests of individual agents. As a result, the implemented decisions may encounter resistance from specific agents and lead to deterioration in the performance of their individual objective functions. These features underline the need to develop tools for identifying robust solutions, in which both the system as a whole and its constituent agents can achieve sustainably high performance across their respective objectives. The aim of this study is to analyze the divergent objective functions of management agents in distributed manufacturing systems in the context of forming robust production schedules. The research explores typical objective functions of structural units within the production system and presents their classification in terms of constraints, nature, granularity, behavioral orientation, and inter-agent dependency. The outcomes of the study include a comprehensive taxonomy of agent objective functions, along with the selection of relevant game-theoretic models for each pair of agents based on their interaction strategies. The findings contribute to the development of methodological and technological tools for decision support in sustainable manufacturing, extending current research on intelligent agent modeling and coordination in complex production environments.

The Jordanian portion of the Jordan Valley serves as a critical geostrategic and agricultural corridor, yet it faces an existential threat from absolute water scarcity, climate change, and regional demographic pressures. This study provides an exhaustive qualitative analysis of water governance in the valley, drawing on national strategies, institutional archives, and longitudinal data from 2000 to 2025. The research evaluates the transition of the Jordan Valley Authority (JVA) from a centralized development agency toward a mature, tri-tier decentralization framework involving Water User Associations (WUAs). Despite these reforms, systemic challenges such as elite capture, non-revenue water (NRW) losses in the King Abdullah Canal (KAC), and the subsidies continue to hinder efficiency. The study applies the Water–Energy–Food–Ecosystem (WEFE) nexus framework to examine the interdependencies between energy-intensive pumping, the reuse of Treated Wastewater (TWW) for 98% in certain sectors, and the preservation of the Dead Sea ecosystem. Findings indicate that while land-use policies have preserved 371,000 dunums of agricultural land, approximately 71,000 dunums remain uncultivated due to water shortages. The manuscript identifies the Amman-Aqaba Water Conveyance Project (AAWA) and the 2030 Digital IT Roadmap as essential catalysts for long-term resilience. The paper concludes with adaptive governance recommendations aimed at reconciling national strategic priorities with localized operational efficiency.

Contemporary artificial intelligence policies systematically externalize environmental costs. Despite divergent governance models, the European Union, the United States, and China converge on the same outcome: none impose binding restrictions on the energy intensity, carbon footprint, or infrastructural expansion of AI systems. This article demonstrates that sustainability is treated as an externality, rather than as a mandatory regulatory constraint, in all major jurisdictions. Focusing on energy consumption, computational infrastructure, and carbon budgets, the analysis shows that current AI policy choices generate predictable patterns of environmental omission and cost externalization. Policy measures aimed at strengthening rights protection and technological autonomy—such as tightening compliance requirements, developing large-scale models, and duplicating infrastructure—are adopted without corresponding limits on energy use or emissions, generating growing tensions with planetary constraints. This article makes three contributions to the literature on AI governance and sustainability. First, it conceptualizes sustainability as a binding material constraint, rather than as a normative objective or efficiency-based goal. Second, through a comparative policy analysis, it shows that despite divergent regulatory styles, the European Union, the United States, and China converge in the absence of enforceable environmental limits applicable to AI systems. Third, it identifies the policy mechanisms—compliance-driven computational expansion, infrastructure duplication, and scale-oriented incentives—that systematically generate environmental externalization across jurisdictions. The article concludes that effective AI policy requires recognizing sustainability as a hard material limit, translated into binding environmental restrictions that condition regulatory design, infrastructure planning, and the permissible scale of computational systems.

Public transportation systems in modern cities are transitioning from infrastructure- and technology-centric models to human-centered development. One emerging focus area is rider wellbeing, which integrates physical, emotional, and psychological dimensions of transit experiences. This study investigates rider wellbeing in the Dubai Metro system, leveraging a large-scale survey of 1409 users and analyzing the data using Generalized Structured Component Analysis (GSCA). The research identifies three latent constructs—Service Efficiency and Accessibility (SEA), Physical Environment and Passenger Comfort (PEPC), and Service Operations and Assurance (SOA)—as key determinants of rider wellbeing. The final model demonstrated strong fit (FIT = 0.639; AFIT = 0.621) and established a structural equation: Wellbeing = 0.216(SEA) + 0.513(SOA) + 0.318(PEPC) + ε. Findings reveal the need to prioritize speed, comfort, connectivity, and digital communication enhancements. Sustainable transportation planning is dependent on public transportation being not just available but also perceived as dependable, comfortable, and convenient to use. This study connects metro service characteristics to rider wellbeing and provides evidence to help guide service goals that promote rider retention and social sustainability. The study is unique in that it presents a latent-variable model that evaluates service features collectively (rather than individually) and converts them into interpretable planning levers using Dubai Metro survey data. By improving metro users’ experiences, the framework contributes to the sustainable mobility paradigm by enabling cities to maintain and expand public transportation use, an enabling solution for lowering vehicle dependency and associated negative impacts. This paradigm also benefits the environment by reducing emissions, increasing air quality, and promoting sustainable urban ecosystems. The proposed framework offers actionable insights for improving metro planning in Dubai and contributes broadly to global public transit development. Incorporating wellbeing into transportation planning supports smart city goals, enhances rider satisfaction, and fosters sustainable urban mobility.

Progressive climate change, intensified urbanization, and deteriorating urban environmental quality pose significant challenges for compact mid-sized city centers, where limited land availability and strong investment pressure hinder the development of green spaces. In this context, green and blue infrastructure (GBI) is increasingly seen as a key element of climate change adaptation strategies and strengthening the resilience of cities. This study aims to assess the state of GBI in the city center of Rzeszów and identify the opportunities for its integration into a coherent and multifunctional public space system. The research was conducted using a case study method combining GIS spatial analyses, remote sensing data (NDVI index), an assessment of the accessibility of green spaces according to the 3–30–300 rule, an expert assessment of the quality of public spaces, and field visits to the selected areas. An analysis of changes in vegetation cover between 2016 and 2024 showed a systematic decline in the proportion of green areas and insufficient tree cover and continuity in the GBI system. The results indicate that, despite the relatively good accessibility of larger green areas within a 300 m radius, the city center does not meet the key criteria for tree visibility, tree canopy coverage, and the creation of a coherent GBI system. The areas with the greatest integration potential were identified as the Wisłok River valley, marginal spaces, interiors between blocks, and green microforms, such as pocket parks, rain gardens, and linear greenery. The results obtained form the basis for formulating planning recommendations to support the development of GBI in densely built-up city centers.

Xinjiang is an arid and semi-arid region where ecosystems are fragile, and monitoring how its ecology changes over time is critical for its sustainable development. In this study, a Remote Sensing Ecological Index (RSEI) was established for Xinjiang from 2000 to 2025. To understand temporal and spatial changes in ecological quality, we conducted spatial autocorrelation analysis, Theil–Sen median trend analysis, a Mann–Kendall trend test, and Hurst exponent analysis. We also used Geodetector to determine which factors affect the RSEI. The main results were as follows: (1) The RSEI in Xinjiang remained low, with a mean value between 0.285 and 0.336. Mountainous areas had higher values, basins had lower values, and spatial clustering was strong (Moran’s I index: 0.81–0.86). (2) H-H clusters expanded and then shrank, while L-L clusters grew after 2015. Areas with excellent ecological grades increased, but so did areas with poor grades, indicating that improvement and degradation both exist. (3) Most areas were stable, but 19.13% showed persistent degradation, indicating that these areas need more attention. (4) Land surface temperature (q = 0.624) and land cover (q = 0.576) were the main driving factors, and factor interactions showed enhanced effects. The results of this study could provide a scientific basis for ecosystem protection and restoration in Xinjiang.

Acute malnutrition affects 3.1% of children under five years of age in Amazonian communities in Peru, where limited access to health services constrains timely nutritional assessment. In this context, this study aimed to develop, implement, and evaluate NutriRadar, a mobile application for automated childhood nutritional classification based on the anthropometric standards of the World Health Organization (WHO). The application was developed using a waterfall software development methodology and implements the calculation of the Weight-for-Height Z-score (WHZ) from basic anthropometric variables (weight, height, age, and sex). NutriRadar was designed with offline functionality, deferred data synchronization, and compatibility with low-end mobile devices to support operational use in Amazonian settings. Field validation was conducted in two early childhood education institutions in Puerto Maldonado, Peru, and included anthropometric assessments of 75 children aged 3–4 years. The application demonstrated stable offline operation, response times suitable for clinical practice, and nutritional classification results equivalent to the WHO Anthro reference tool. NutriRadar represents a viable and reproducible digital automation solution for the operational application of a deterministic WHO anthropometric protocol, contributing to the reduction of operational errors and strengthening standardized nutritional assessment in resource-limited Amazonian contexts.

Since 2000, the vegetation cover in the Yellow River Basin (YRB) has significantly increased. However, the responses of carbon and water cycles to large-scale vegetation recovery in the basin and their driving mechanisms remain unclear. This study employs methods such as Sen’s slope trend test, partial correlation analysis, residual analysis, and interpretable machine learning models to investigate the variations in gross primary productivity (GPP), evaporation (ET), and water use efficiency (WUE) in the YRB. It aims to reveal the spatial differentiation mechanisms that drive GPP, ET, and WUE. The results indicate the following: (1) From 2001 to 2020, significant increasing trends were observed in GPP, ET, and WUE across the YRB (p < 0.05), with the most pronounced vegetation recovery observed in the middle reaches. (2) GPP, ET, and WUE are most strongly correlated with the Leaf Area Index, with median values of 0.78, 0.30, and 0.70, respectively. (3) On average, climate change contributes spatially 24.8%, 35.6%, and 24.3% to GPP, ET, and WUE, respectively, while human activities contribute, on average, 75.2%, 64.4%, and 75.7%. (4) Regarding their synergistic evolution, GPP changes predominantly drive WUE changes in the YRB relative to ET. (5) The contributions of NDVI changes to WUE, GPP, and ET changes are 60.4%, 73.1%, and 14.9%, respectively. Overall, NDVI changes dominate the changes in GPP and, by extension, in WUE. This research sheds light on the pathways toward ecological restoration and sustainable development in the YRB.

The high brand premium of geographical indication (GI) tea has not been efficiently converted into widespread economic benefits through its supply chain. The current performance evaluation system is confronted with a dual predicament: first, the strong external environment (such as policy support and industrial agglomeration) interference is hard to isolate, making it impossible to distinguish between “environmental advantages” and “true management levels”; second, the general agricultural indicators fail to capture the output essence of GIs centered on “brand value”. Therefore, this study constructs an evaluation framework integrating methodological and indicator innovations. Methodologically, a three-stage DEA model is adopted to eliminate the influence of exogenous environments and random noises, precisely measuring the “pure management efficiency” of the supply chain. Indicatively, common variables are abandoned, and a customized system is established with logistics facilities, production area, and regional digital investment as inputs, and brand reputation, value, and income as outputs. Based on the panel data of twelve representative tea GIs from 2021 to 2024, the study finds that the following: (1) The “pure management efficiency” of the supply chain is the key factor influencing performance evaluation. (2) “Diseconomies of scale” are the main structural bottleneck restricting performance improvement rather than technological backwardness. (3) Solving the above-mentioned management efficiency problems, especially resolving “diseconomies of scale”, is the micro foundation for achieving sustainable industrial development. This research not only provides methodological support and empirical evidence for the refined management and sustainable development of the geographical indication agricultural product supply chain, but also has significant practical significance for promoting the quality and efficiency improvement of the tea industry and facilitating the sustainable development of related agriculture.

This study examines the traditional food exchange practice carried out between villages in the Aşağıırmaklar basin in the Ardanuç district of Artvin and villages around Ardahan during the autumn months in the context of rural sustainability, alternative economy, and livelihood strategies. The aim of the research is to reveal the structure, functioning, and sustainability of this exchange system, which has not been documented in the literature before, in its socioeconomic, cultural, and managerial dimensions. The barter practice in question involves exchanging fruits such as apples, pears, plums, and mulberries that grow naturally in the Ardanuç region, along with molasses and dried products made from them, for wheat, barley, and various animal products grown in the surrounding villages of Ardahan. The barter process operates without any official institution, written contract, or formal organization, based on reciprocity, trust, and unwritten rules. The research was structured as an interpretive case study within the framework of a qualitative research approach. Data were obtained through semi-structured in-depth interviews and field observations with five individuals actively involved in the barter process. The collected qualitative data were analyzed to reveal the analytical dimensions through which the exchange practice functions as a strategy for life and livelihood. The findings show that food exchange offers an alternative exchange mechanism that reduces food waste in rural areas and utilizes local production surpluses. Furthermore, it was found that the practice is sustained within an informal yet functional coordination structure that adapts to geographical and seasonal conditions, and is transmitted across generations through social relationships based on mutual trust. The study highlights the strategic importance of non-market exchange practices in rural areas in terms of sustainability, local economy, and community resilience.

This study demonstrates that high-performance work systems (HPWSs)—encompassing selective staffing, extensive training, performance incentives, and employee participation—significantly enhance the dimensions of psychological empowerment, including meaning, competence, self-determination, and impact, thereby fully mediating a stronger stay intention. Leader–member exchange (LMX) amplifies both HPWS-to-empowerment and empowerment-to-stay intention pathways via dyadic trust, while team–member exchange (TMX) strengthens initial resource uptake. Theoretically, based on social exchange theory, the results enhance relational exchange frameworks by emphasizing LMX’s superior function over TMX in high-contact situations, positioning empowerment as the critical mechanism connecting HRM practices to loyalty in service sectors. The cornerstones of sustainable hospitality development include employee-centric strategies that foster empowerment through value-aligned jobs, certifications that enhance skills, independent guest service decision-making, and feedback loops that transform HPWSs into long-lasting retention engines by integrating TMX peer networks for cooperative support with LMX through individualized coaching and feedback that fosters trust. By reducing attrition, stabilizing talent pipelines, and stimulating service quality innovation, these tactics promote robust operations and sustained competitiveness.

As organizations strive to balance environmental stewardship with economic competitiveness, understanding the performance implications of Green Innovation (GI) has become increasingly important. Although the nexus between Green Product Innovation (GPI), Green Process Innovation (GPrI), and organizational outcomes has attracted sustained scholarly attention, empirical evidence remains inconclusive. To reconcile these inconsistencies and delineate boundary conditions, this study synthesizes data from 48 empirical investigations (2012–2025) via a random-effects meta-analysis with the Hartung–Knapp adjustment and trim-and-fill procedures to strengthen statistical inference. Results reveal significant small-to-moderate positive associations between GI and environmental (r = 0.172), financial (r = 0.191), and innovation performance (r = 0.143). Notably, moderator analyses demonstrate a synergy premium, where Integrated GI measures significantly outperform isolated GPI or GPrI approaches (r = 0.353). Substantial heterogeneity exists (I2 = 91.2%), which is significantly moderated by innovation type, industry pollution intensity, geographic region, and research design. Our findings reinforce the Natural-Resource-Based View (NRBV) and the Dynamic Capabilities framework, highlighting that strategic returns depend on asset orchestration and contextual factors. We conclude that firms should adopt a holistic approach, integrating both product and process innovations to enhance competitive advantage in an incremental and context-contingent manner, while interpreting innovation-performance results cautiously given the limited evidence base.

With the accelerated low-carbon transition of the global energy mix, offshore wind power (OWP) is one of the fastest-growing renewable resources and is often integrated with conventional thermal units into a bundled export transmission system. Under sudden large disturbances, the lack of inertia support makes rotor-angle instability prone to occur, which undermines sustainable operation. Battery energy storage systems (BESS) provide fast emergency power support, and an effective control strategy can enhance transient rotor-angle stability while improving operational sustainability. Accordingly, equivalent-circuit models of the regional export system are established for the before-fault, during-fault, and after-fault stages. Building on the extended equal area criterion (EEAC) and the low-voltage ride-through (LVRT) capability of OWP, the stabilizing mechanism of BESS participation is examined from the perspectives of optimal power and timing, thereby yielding an optimal BESS control strategy for improving transient rotor-angle stability in regional renewable export systems. Finally, a regional renewable export system is implemented in MATLAB/Simulink R2022b, where severe contingencies are imposed to validate the effectiveness of the proposed BESS control strategy.

In the context of globalization, balancing economic growth with social equity is a critical challenge for achieving sustainable development. While Global Value Chains (GVCs) have become a defining feature of the contemporary economy, their specific impact on the urban–rural income gap—a key indicator of common prosperity—remains under-explored. This study empirically investigates the impact of GVC embedding on urban–rural common prosperity in China using panel data from 30 provinces spanning the period 2011–2022. Adopting a dual perspective of “efficiency” (income growth) and “equity” (income distribution), this study constructs a mediation model to analyze the transmission mechanisms. Research indicates that embedding in global value chains not only enhances the income-generating capacity of urban and rural residents but also effectively narrows the urban–rural income gap. Furthermore, its positive contribution to urban–rural common prosperity is both long-term and sustainable. This effect of GVC embedding on urban–rural common prosperity remains significant after conducting various robustness tests. Mechanism analyses reveal that GVC embedding achieves these outcomes by promoting agricultural industrial upgrading, fostering agricultural technological innovation, and stimulating rural entrepreneurial vitality. Notably, heterogeneity tests indicate that these positive effects are more pronounced in eastern, coastal, and economically developed regions, whereas the impact is less evident in central, western, and inland areas. This study holds important policy implications for promoting the development of China’s open economy to a higher level in the era of economic globalization, as well as for realizing urban–rural common prosperity and balanced, sustainable development.

Introduction Climate change poses a serious threat to agricultural productivity and food security in Malawi, particularly among rural households that rely heavily on rainfed farming. This study examined the determinants of climate change adaptationv strategies among maize smallholder farmers in Chipoka EPA in Salima District, focusing on irrigation systems, zero tillage, and water harvesting. Data and methods Primary data were collected from 120 randomly selected households using a semi-structured questionnaire, and the multivariate probit model was employed to analyse factors influencing adoption. Results The results revealed that being male, higher education level, landholding size, income, access to extension service and perceptions of changes in rainfall and temperature significantly and positively influenced the adoption of adaptation strategies. The findings underscore the importance of both socioeconomic, institutional and agroecological factors in shaping farmers’ adaptive responses. Conclusion The study concludes that enhancing adaptive capacity requires policies that strengthen extension services, promote farmer training, address gender inequalities, and improve access to financial and land resources. Expanding irrigation and water harvesting systems, alongside reliable climate information services, is also essential. Collectively, these measures can increase resilience, improve agricultural productivity, and ensure sustainable food security among rural farming households in Malawi.

Food insecurity remains a persistent challenge in many African countries, where smallholder farmers depend heavily on climate-sensitive agricultural systems. Agricultural Advisors (AAs) are positioned to support farmers’ adaptation efforts, yet their capacity to access, interpret, and disseminate climate information remains insufficiently understood. This study examined AAs access to climate information, whether they disseminate it to farmers, and whether the information aligns with farmers’ practical decision-making needs. A mixed-methods approach was employed, combining semi-structured questionnaires administered to 77 AAs in the Ugu and Harry Gwala districts of KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa, with six focus group discussions involving smallholder farmers. Quantitative data were analysed using SPSS v28 and Excel, while qualitative data employed thematic analysis through Nvivo14. Results indicate that most of the AAs access seasonal climate forecasts, early warning data, and long-term climate projections. However, only 7.8% received the information from the South African Weather Service (SAWS). While 78.5% reported creating awareness on climate change and 72.5% on adaptation measures, only 32.4% felt confident advising farmers on coping strategies. Only 27.2% reported receiving sufficient information, 40.6% reported limited understanding of available adaptation strategies, and 45.3% had not initiated adaptation measures in their areas. Farmers similarly reported minimal engagement with AAs on climate guidance. These findings reveal a disconnect between climate information access and the delivery of practical, actionable advice. By examining both the AAs and farmers’ sides, the study provides locally grounded insights into extension service effectiveness. Targeted capacity-building for AAs and strengthened advisor–farmer interactions are essential to improve confidence, access to reliable, site-specific information, and provision of actionable guidance, supporting practical adaptation, enhancing smallholder resilience, thereby contributing to SDGs 1, 2, and 13.

Abstract A recent supercell modeling study showed that coherent turbulent structures that are associated with significant near-surface vertical vorticity in the ambient environment may serve as seeds for tornadoes. These structures, colloquially coined “vorticity worms” owing to their elongated and meandering appearance, develop within the surface layer in strong flow and are distinct from the larger-scale horizontal convective rolls often seen in the mixed layer. Elongated coherent turbulent structures are a common feature of the atmosphere and have been heavily studied by the boundary layer community, but before the recent simulation they have not been previously implicated as facilitators of tornadogenesis. Observations of these structures around supercells have been limited, and historically, the observing platforms most often used in storm-focused data collection have not prioritized the precipitation-free inflow surface layer especially at the spatial and temporal resolution required to capture these structures and their interactions with storms. In recent field deployments, the National Severe Storms Laboratory used a truck-mounted pulsed Doppler lidar to perform near-ground scans to search for vorticity worms in real supercell inflow to compare with the simulation findings. Multiple deployments revealed vorticity worms and near-surface horizontal vorticity in supercell inflow that were consistent with the recently published supercell simulations that motivated this work. In two presented cases, vorticity worms were associated with the development of pre-tornadic, near-ground vortices, although neither circulation reached tornadic strength. These observations provide credibility to the recent simulations and suggest that continued observations of these coherent structures and research into their role in tornadogenesis is worth pursuing.