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Abstract: Human migration has been described as one of the conflict constellations in regions affected by climate change, but can also contribute to climate adaptation. Migrant social networks can help to build social capital to increase the social resilience in the communities of origin and trigger innovations across regions by the transfer of knowledge, technology, remittances and other resources. These could increase the flexibility, diversity and creativity of communities in addressing climate stress and open new pathways for co-development connecting the home and host communities. Based on a conceptual framework connecting migration and adaptation, the paper explores possible opportunities, innovative approaches and institutional mechanisms for migration as a contribution to climate adaptation. The Western Sahel will be used as a case study region, with a focus on Mali, Mauritania and Senegal, using qualitative and quantitative analysis of remittances at the national level, and a micro-level analysis on the role of migrant networks in these countries in specific co-development projects in water, food and energy. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

This article applies a multi-method approach to develop a better measurement of urbanization dynamics using remote and human sensing based on a GIS platform. The results demonstrate the benefits of bringing human and remote sensing sources together in a framework of hot spot analysis for a megacity such as Mexico City. Furthermore, our analysis suggests that human and remote sensing work well together in detecting the expansion of illegal urban settlements. Looking at the driving factors of illegal settlements, the existence of strong association between the expansion of illegal urban settlements and socioeconomic factors such as unemployment, provides some answers and reveals new questions. Illegal urban growth often leads to the loss of ecological areas in the urban frontiers, especially in areas where the urbanization potential is high. As a consequence, there are conflicts with legal settlers who dislike the illegal expansion. This approach can be extended to and replicated in new urbanizing areas, in particular in Africa and Asia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Forest transition and urban shrinkage have received increased attention in national ecological conservation (NEC) and local development (LD) with the urgent to attain sustainable development goals (SDGs). However, few studies have concerned with the impacts of forest transition on urban shrinkage, which limits an in-depth understanding of the relationship between NEC and LD. The study aims to bridge this gap based on an analysis framework of the relationship between forest transition and urban shrinkage. We used Yichun City, one of the representative forest-based cities in China, as a case study to quantitatively analyze the impacts of forest transition on urban shrinkage by conducting the baseline regression and the threshold regression models from 1973 to 2018. The results show that forest transition exerts triggering effects on urban shrinkage via combination of socioeconomic dynamics and NEC policy. The underlying mechanisms of the effects are concluded as a causal chain with the triggering factor of industrial diversity: 'NEC policy – forest transition – socioeconomic dynamics – urban shrinkage'. This study provides significant insight into the trade-off between NEC and LD in that the national policy for promoting natural ecosystem recovery may sacrifice local development, which challenges sustainable development both at the national and local levels. For this reason, policy implications have been proposed to achieve the win-win options of NEC and LD, including differentiated policies on forest management and industrial structure upgrading strategies based on industry diversification. • An analysis framework of the relationship between forest transition (FT) and urban shrinkage (US) is presented. • National ecological conservation versus local development is analyzed based on the triggering effects of FT on US. • The effects are explained by a causal chain with the triggering factor of industrial diversity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In a watershed, disturbing land covers (LCs) are one of the most important factors in the balance and flow rate of water. This study aimed to monitor and model LC changes in the upstream of the Aras River Basin in Turkey over 1984, 2002, 2010 and 2016. The main ground to conduct such an analysis was to mitigate severe economic, social and ecological consequences driven by agricultural activities and dam construction along with probable climate change, which would decrease the water flow from the Aras River to Caspian Sea. The study approach consisted of four main steps: 1) producing LC maps using Landsat satellite images, 2) performing the change analysis, 3) identifying the change driver variables for each of the calibration period, and 4) identifying the most accurate scenario and predicting maps of the years 2026 and 2036 based on the calibration periods (i.e., 1984–2002 and 2002–2010) using the Land Change Modeler (LCM). Moreover, the net changes in each LC were studied as well the transition from one LC to another and the spatial pattern of these changes over a 32-year period. The results show the growth of agricultural, industrial and residential lands in the upstream during 1984–2016. This trend seems to be more critical in 2026 and 2036. The construction of small to medium sized dams and redirecting rivers in order to supply water for increasing agricultural lands and industrial/municipal areas will affect the quantity of water flowing to downstream. This decreasing trend in water flow of upstream areas will intensify the shortage of water used for agricultural, industrial and drinking purposes in downstream countries in future. This study suggests that the Aras River Basin, as one of the most important feeders of the Caspian Sea, needs more protection and monitoring programs. Likewise, similar studies must be conducted in Iran, Armenia and Azerbaijan given these countries plan to preserve the quality and quantity of the Aras River. • We monitored LC in the Aras River Basin, as one of the most important feeders of Caspian Sea. • Trends and driver variables of LC changes was examined from 1984 until 2016. • The land change modeler was run in multiple scenarios for predicting LC in 2026 and 2036. • We detected extreme increases in water consumption LC i.e., agriculture and residential. • The Aras Basin trans -boundary countries must adopt a comprehensive plan for protection of the river. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]