A unifying modelling of multiple land degradation pathways in Europe.

Land degradation is a complex socio-environmental threat, which generally occurs as multiple concurrent pathways that remain largely unexplored in Europe. Here we present an unprecedented analysis of land multi-degradation in 40 continental countries, using twelve dataset-based processes that were modelled as land degradation convergence and combination pathways in Europe's agricultural (and arable) environments. Using a Land Multi-degradation Index, we find that up to 27%, 35% and 22% of continental agricultural (~2 million km) and arable (~1.

Machine learning-based prediction and assessment of recent dynamics of forest net primary productivity in Romania.

While the analysis of spatio-temporal changes in the net primary productivity (NPP) of forests can provide critical information on carbon cycle and climate change, these ecological trends have remained unclear in many countries worldwide, including Romania. By using complex (satellite, forest and climate) data, many sophisticated (machine learning) algorithms and some widely applied (the Mann-Kendall test and Sen's slope estimator) statistical procedures, this study investigates, for the first time, recent forest NPP trends (1987-2018) that occurred in Romania, in relation to climate change that affected the country over the past decades. Following the modelling, mapping and assessment of NPP dynamics, results showed almost exclusively positive trends for this ecological parameter, which accounts for ∼99% of all forest NPP changes that occurred throughout the country, after 1987.

COVID-19 Pandemic and Local Cultural Tourism in the Buzău Carpathians and Subcarpathians (Romania).

The COVID-19 pandemic was and continues to be a major challenge for tourist activities worldwide. Cultural tourism was mostly hit because of the social distancing measures, travel restrictions and ban on people gatherings for cultural events. The current study is trying to provide an overall image of the challenges local cultural tourism has faced during the COVID-19 pandemic in a predominantly rural area of Romania-the Buzău Carpathians and Subcarpathians.

Population Vulnerability to the SARS-CoV-2 Virus Infection. A County-Level Geographical-Methodological Approach in Romania.

The assessment and identification of risk/vulnerable groups and risk factors are vital elements that can help quantify the pandemic potential of the SARS-CoV-2 virus in order to plan prevention and treatment measures. The aim of the study is to identify a methodological approach of population vulnerability to the SARS-CoV-2 virus infection. The study identifies reliable data sources and sets up a unitary database with statistical variables, quantitative and qualitative indicators with potential for being updated and improved.

Arable lands under the pressure of multiple land degradation processes. A global perspective.

While agricultural systems are a major pillar in global food security, their productivity is currently threatened by many environmental issues triggered by anthropogenic climate change and human activities, such as land degradation. However, the planetary spatial footprint of land degradation processes on arable lands, which can be considered a major component of global agricultural systems, is still insufficiently well understood. This study analyzes the land degradation footprint on global arable lands, using complex geospatial data on certain major degradation processes, i.