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The attention surrounding the climate change has gained momentum over the last two decades, with significant stress on its consequential impact on gender inequality. Simultaneously, economies are caught in an environment of heightened uncertainty, potentially exerting influence on gender disparities. Within this framework, this study attempts to empirically investigate the implications of climate change and world uncertainty for gender inequality by using a balanced panel of 100 economies between 1995 and 2021. The novelty of this study lies in its adoption of Gender Inequality Index, a comprehensive measure quantifying gender disparity using three dimensions including reproductive health, economic empowerment, and labour market. Moreover, this study has adopted two different measures: the total ecological footprint to measure environmental pressures and ND-GAIN’s Vulnerability index to capture the climate change vulnerability, thereby ensuring comprehensive proxies for climate change dynamics. The estimated models also control for the effects of globalisation, economic growth, and education expenditure. The panel cointegration tests establish a significant long-run relationship between the variables of the study. Furthermore, the long-run results of PMG-ARDL estimation technique indicate that both climate change and world uncertainty contribute to increasing the gender disparities. Additionally, the results reveal that globalisation, economic growth, and education expenditure play crucial roles in diminishing gender disparities. The reliability of these findings is further confirmed by the PCSEs and DKSE estimation techniques. Moreover, the baseline findings obtained using total ecological footprint as a measure of climate change are consistent when climate change is proxied by Vulnerability Index. Potential policy suggestions for mitigating the detrimental gender ramifications stemming from climate change and rising world uncertainties are also discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aims to construct a coastal vulnerability assessment conceptual framework to improve the outcomes of Coastal Vulnerability Index (CVI) for local scale areas. Consequently, a new CVI was created adapted to the specific conditions of the area using seven variables. The new index was named Geotechnical Coastal Vulnerability Index (GCVI) due to the incorporation of two new geotechnical variables: (1) Coastal geotechnical properties and (2) Median grain size distribution. Furthermore, Fuzzy Analytic Hierarchy Process (FAHP) and Principal Component Analysis (PCA) were applied in the methodology to assign weight factors to each variable. For the verification of the GCVI predictions, a validation approach is applied using two different variables (rate of Historical shoreline movement and rate of Bed level change). GCVI results for both FAHP and PCA indicates that the greatest part of the study's area shoreline is under the regime of high and very high vulnerability. Comparison between the GCVIFAHP and GCVIPCA results indicates higher rates in the high and very high vulnerability classes for the GCVIFAHP, while the GCVIPCA shows lower rates in the same classes. Both analytical methods were used for the validation of the GCVI results and the comparison between them showed that the PCA was more efficient than the FAHP since it was coincided better with the rates of historical shoreline movement and bed level change. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Rapid visual screening (RVS) is a practically viable tool implemented all over the world to rank structures based on their seismic vulnerability. Seismic assessment of hospital buildings is essential in seismic-prone regions to ensure their structural integrity and readiness to provide emergency care and medical treatment after significant seismic events. Therefore, in the current study, an approach is developed that is similar to the proven methodologies reported in the literature, for the seismic evaluation of structural and non-structural elements of hospital buildings in a metropolitan city like Karachi. Karachi is located in the southwest of Pakistan and is vulnerable to earthquake and tsunami hazards. To this end, an android-based RVS system has been developed for large-scale seismic risk mapping of hospital buildings. The proposed system acquires the physical status of the building features in real time and identifies the building performance obtained from the calculated seismic risk index. Moreover, three case study hospital buildings were employed and analysed through the proposed RVS system. Results illustrate the performance of case study hospital buildings at organisational, structural and non-structural levels based on seismic risk indices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Climate change is increasing the intensity and frequency of natural disasters. Marine submersion and flooding appear to be major consequences of this forcing, and the damage they cause is regular and significant (e.g., the spread of diseases and destruction of infrastructure). In tackling these disasters, it is useful to start with a vulnerability assessment. The objective of this study is to assess the vulnerability of populations to marine submersion (Manoka and Cape Cameroon) and flooding (Sodiko) in the Wouri estuary. Collecting the data to achieve this objective necessitated several approaches, ranging from surveys of residents and managers to the collection of topographical data, water levels, and participatory mapping. For Sodiko, the submersible zone (< 2.23 m) delimited from the Digital Elevation Model (DEM) generated included 117 ha (65%). The vulnerability scores (on a scale from 1 (very low) to 5 (very high)) of the 69 grids (150 m2 each) exposed range from 2 to 4 (low to high). In the case of Manoka, the submersible zone included 110 ha (70%), which corresponds to the majority of the urbanized coastal zone. The vulnerability scores of the 59 grids (150 m2 each) exposed range from 2 to 5 (low to very high). At Cape Cameroon, the submersible zone included 35 ha (89%), and the vulnerability scores of the 145 grids (50 m2 each) exposed range from 2 to 5. This site is much more vulnerable than Sodiko and Manoka. These results allow us to have a first-hand fine-scale mapping of the exposure to submersion/flooding of these sites and to better understand their vulnerability. They could also make it possible to prioritize future interventions to adapt to climate change. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Velachery Municipality is highly vulnerable to natural disasters such as Storms, and floods due to its geo-environmental settings. It is evident that the Nivar cyclone has severely hit and caused flooding in the Velachery region during the fourth week of November 2020. Along with the increasing urbanization, it is also expected to experience severe impacts of climate change soon. Urbanization exerts additional environmental stress and amplifies the impact of natural disasters. The study area has been divided into 3 clusters based on the geographical location. The survey has been carried out in 180 households and data was statically analyzed. Indicators such as exposure, sensitivity, and adaptive capacity were grouped and aligned with available data. Data were aggregated using a composite index and Urban Flood Vulnerability was compared to Cluster wise. The results reveal an extreme variability in terms of flood magnitude and frequency in Velachery. The vulnerability spider diagram suggests that Cluster 2 is more vulnerable in terms of less capacity to cope, and Cluster 3 is more vulnerable in terms of Exposure, Health, Economic susceptibility, physical susceptibility, less capacity to anticipate, cope and recover. Overall Cluster 3 has higher flood vulnerability compared to other clusters. The identification of flood-vulnerable zones has been done in the study and recommended flood resilience measures for Velachery Municipality, Chennai.

This study aims to standardize the flood susceptibility index based on parameters identified from past flood events. This study investigates the effectiveness of the SPRI method in case of using standardized parameters. The Source-Pathway-Receptor Index (SPRI) was developed by Sadeghi-Pouya et al. (2017) and tested in the Mazandaran region of Iran. This study investigates the effectiveness of the SPRI method when standardized parameters are used to evaluate a region's flood susceptibility based on past flood events. To test the method's effectiveness, it is applied in Vakfıkebir, Turkey, in the Trabzon province, which differs from the Mazandaran region of Iran in terms of morphometric characteristics and land use types. The aim is to test the effectiveness of the method in different fields of study and to explore the possibility of standardization when appropriate revision criteria are used for SPRI, without selecting regions with the same characteristics.The reason for not selecting an area with identical characteristics is to test the effectiveness of the method in different study areas when appropriate revision criteria for the SPRI are used and to explore the possibility of standardization. In this context, the innovative aspect of the study is the use of parameters identified based on past flood events and the importance of the verification process of these parameters. Additionally, the importance of highlighting parameters in the selection of vulnerability factors in past disasters is emphasized. The verification process of the study includes selecting standardized parameters, testing the model's effectiveness, and evaluating the applicability of the results in other study areas. The validation process of the study includes selecting standardized parameters, testing the effectiveness of the model, and evaluating the applicability of the results in other study areas.This approach can help us better understand the relationship between regional variables and susceptibility, thereby contributing to the development of more effective flood management strategies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Seismic activity poses significant challenges to urban road infrastructure, often resulting in road closures due to the combined effects of damaged buildings and affected road networks. In contrast, the resilience of roads is crucially important for all kinds of relief activities after an earthquake in this context, this study outlines a methodological framework for assessing the vulnerability of urban road infrastructure to seismic activity. By integrating various criteria within an Interval-valued Fermatean fuzzy Analytic Hierarchy Process framework, the approach offers a comprehensive analysis of vulnerability, considering both quantitative and qualitative factors. This method is a weighting method that has not been used before in MCDM studies in the field of earthquakes. A risk factor is obtained for each road section by using this comprehensive analysis of the vulnerability. This integrated approach considers the interplay between damaged buildings, road networks, and disaster response mechanisms, thereby enhancing the ability to anticipate and respond to seismic events effectively. The study conducts a case study in Istanbul, Turkey, a seismic-prone area, to validate the effectiveness of the proposed methodology. Key findings indicate that the approach can identify and quantify vulnerabilities within the transport network, enabling the identification of high-risk areas for necessary mitigation measures. Moreover, the methodology's validity is confirmed through a validation study in Gölbaşı district, Adıyaman, Türkiye, which experienced severe damage during earthquakes on 6 February 2023 earthquakes. By providing a structured and comprehensive vulnerability analysis, the research aims to contribute to the resilience of urban infrastructure, particularly in earthquake-prone regions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Indigenous people around the Kerinci Seblat National Park (KSNP), Indonesia, have a high dependence on forest resources as their main source of livelihood. This study addressed the vulnerability of Rejang indigenous people around the KSNP to climate change. The popular livelihood vulnerability index (LVI) model was adapted by adding and modifying subcomponents suitable for the study area. Primary data were collected through household surveys in two communities: Embong and Topos. In total, 146 samples were selected for this study using stratified random sampling. The results showed that Embong was more vulnerable to climate change than Topos. Embong exhibited a higher level of vulnerability to the effects of socio-demographic profile, social network, health, and natural disasters and climate variability, whereas Topos was more vulnerable to livelihood strategy, food, and water. Furthermore, Embong was more exposed to natural disasters and climate variability than Topos, but it demonstrated higher adaptive capacity and lower sensitivity than Topos. Nevertheless, socio-demographic profile influenced adaptive capacity in both communities. Sensitivity was influenced most by health in Embong, and sensitivity was influenced most by food in Topos. Although the vulnerability levels were not high in the two communities, several subcomponents must be specifically considered. Overall, this study can help the government make informed decisions to enhance adaptive capacity of the KSNP to climate change. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The impact of climate change on agricultural livelihoods is significant, particularly for summer vegetable growers in the Trishuli-Narayani River corridor of Nepal, which includes the Chitwan, Dhading, and Nuwakot districts. A survey was conducted with 300 farmers--100 from each district--using vulnerability assessment tools that included 57 indicators: 18 for exposure, 17 for sensitivity, and 21 for adaptive capacity. Finally, principal component analysis was performed with normalized data to assess vulnerability across districts. Our study revealed significant variations in vulnerability. Chitwan exhibited moderate vulnerability (index range: -4.9 to +5.8) because of better access to resources and infrastructure, enhancing its adaptive capacity. Dhading faced greater vulnerability (-5.7 to +7.1) because of a combination of high exposure to climate hazards and lower adaptive capacity. However, in Nuwakot, it was found an extended range of vulnerability indices (-4.2 to +7.3) among summer vegetable farmers. The above results summarize the need for specific interventions in each district. Dhading, with a high number of vulnerable farmers, may require more significant support in allocating resources and capacity building. The Nuwakot district should focus on addressing internal disparities and ensuring access to resources and infrastructure development for all farmers. This study highlights the importance of localized, context-specific adaptation plans to support the resilience of agricultural communities facing climate risks. This underscores the effectiveness of a multidimensional vulnerability assessment approach in agricultural contexts. Future research could explore the most effective methods for capacity strengthening and investigate ways to encourage the adoption of climate-resilient cultivation practices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sophisticated cyberattackers (commonly known as advanced persistent threats (APTs)) pose enormous risks to organizations such as financial institutions, industrial and commercial firms, government institutions, and power grids. This study presents a method and an index to measure the vulnerability of organizations to APT risk and shows why a one-size-fits-all solution to mitigate APT risk does not exist. Our vulnerability index is based on a model that describes the optimal behavior of a cyberattacker (APT) with research and development capabilities aspiring to attack a network that manages the organization and a network operator that deploys blocking and detection measures to protect its organization from the attack. We demonstrate how our vulnerability index, which accounts for the network's structure and the APTs' resources and strategy, can be used in realistic risk assessments and optimal resource allocation procedures and serve as a benchmark for organizations' preparedness against APTs' cyberattacks. We also propose that regulatory agencies of financial (and other) institutions provide the parameters that define an APT's profile and request, as part of their periodic assessments of the organizations that they regulate, that our (or similar) vulnerability index will be reported to them by the regulated institutions. Finally, the viability of our index in modeling modern cybersecurity defense procedures shows that not only there is no silver bullet defense against all types of APTs, it is also imperative to account for APTs' heterogeneity because detection and blocking measures can be complements, substitutes, or even degrade each other. For example, when the attacker's (defender's) budget is extremely large (small), the defender should deploy only detection measures, strongly advocating Zero Trust practices. Supplemental Material: The online appendix is available at https://doi.org/10.1287/deca.2023.0072. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study assesses and maps the vulnerability index of Bangladesh at the subdistrict level to a range of natural and climate-induced disasters. Four vulnerability index maps are created using principal component analysis and categorized into five risk levels: (1) no/very low risk, (2) low risk, (3) moderate risk, (4) high risk and (5) very high risk for each sub-district. The results reveal that the south east region is highly vulnerable to cyclones, Haor region stands out as the most vulnerable area for flash floods, with numerous subdistricts facing very high to high risk levels; northern and north-eastern regions are prone to cold waves, while the western part of Bangladesh is highly vulnerable to heat waves. This comprehensive spatial analysis provides critical information for disaster risk reduction and adaptation strategies, assisting decision-makers in identifying the most vulnerable areas and prioritizing interventions. The findings of this study might be useful for policymakers as well as planners. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The African ebony tree is a multipurpose tree native to the Guinea-Congolese forest. Its long-term viability and sustainability are threatened by the conversion of primary forest to agricultural land. To conserve the species, it is necessary to evaluate the local community's understanding of its usage and conservation strategies to identify the factors that could potentially influence the species' long-term viability in the study area. Methods: Data was collected between June and August 2022. The random sampling method was used to administer structured and semi-structured interview questionnaires to 301 villages living within three to nine kilometers of the Campo-Ma'an National Park's boundaries. Results: Several parts of the plant are used by the locals, notably the wood and bark, with a citation frequency of 49% and 20.4%, respectively. Cutting is the most important collection method, with a relative frequency of citation of 49.1%. These parts are valued in six categories of uses; timber was the most cited (UV = 38.9%), followed by traditional medicine (UV = 36.9%). Wood was the only part of the plant that generated considerable annual income for the local communities (52.537 USD). The vulnerability index showed that the ebony tree is highly vulnerable (IV = 2.5) in the study area. Conclusion: The results obtained show strong pressure from local populations on D. crassiflora, leading to a decrease in the tree population. Conservation Implications: Given the ongoing threat to D. crassiflora in the study area, this research will assist in valorising the species usage in traditional medicine and as a commercial wood. In addition, we have proposed conservation strategies like assisted regeneration and community-led planting projects to promote long-term plantation-based D. crassiflora production to mitigate the effects of deforestation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The increasing intensity of earthquakes in West Sumatra could trigger megathrust earthquakes and tsunamis at the interplate in the Mentawai Islands. Building assessments are necessary to determine their vulnerability to predicted earthquakes. The target is a four-story building that serves as an education building and vertical evacuation. This research proposes a complete vulnerability assessment method using single microtremor observations, and the results are used to determine seismic building performance. The natural frequency is derived from the spectral analysis of the horizontal components (NS and EW) for each level, and we considered the largest earthquake peak ground motion (PGA) in this region to be the September 30, 2009, Padang earthquake (PGA 380 gals as ground motion input). We calculated the resonance index, seismic vulnerability index, and damping ratio. The results show that the resonance index of the structure is less than 1, the vulnerability index of the UNP Faculty of Economics building ɤ > (1/100-1/200) and is 1/234 to 1/699 for the x direction and 1/207 to 1/709 for the y direction; the average damping ratio is <5% for both directions (x, y) and RDM and FSR relationship is 0.78 and 0.69 for x and y respectively. The overall findings indicate that the structural response of the evaluated buildings falls within the 'slight' damage category during seismic events. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Thanh Hoa Province, situated in the North Central region of Vietnam, is distinguished by its varied landscape, including mountainous, midland, and delta terrains. This diverse geography collectively fosters an environment suitable for agricultural activities, especially rice cultivation. However, the onset of climate change and the increased frequency of natural disasters in recent years have significantly reduced rice productivity and yields in the province. This study employs an index-based vulnerability assessment method, incorporating exposure, sensitivity, and adaptive capacity indices, to systematically evaluate the impact of these environmental challenges on rice cultivation. These indices categorize vulnerability into four distinct levels: low, medium, high, and very high. Our analysis indicates that across all 27 districts in Thanh Hoa Province, there is a moderate to high vulnerability to climate change and natural disasters, with 12 districts showing a high vulnerability level. This high vulnerability is particularly pronounced in delta regions (Yen Dinh, Tho Xuan, Thieu Hoa, Trieu Son, Nong Cong) and coastal areas (Hoang Hoa), along with midland and mountainous districts (Ba Thuoc, Lang Chanh, Ngoc Lac, Thuong Xuan, Nhu Xuan, Nhu Thanh). The districts within delta and coastal zones are notably more sensitive, while those in midland and mountainous regions exhibit lower adaptive capacities, further increasing their vulnerability. This research provides crucial insights for local policymakers in Thanh Hoa Province, emphasizing the need for strategic interventions to improve resilience and response strategies, thus ensuring the sustainable development of rice cultivation and food security in the context of climate change. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Coastal erosion and sea level rise has become a significant threat to coastal heritage due to climate change. Management bodies are monitoring the risks posed by undertaking studies, ranging from Rapid Coastal Zone Assessments to much larger government and research council funded studies. These studies have incorporated varying techniques and datasets such as environmental sampling, LiDAR, GPS, and UAV surveys. However, these approaches rarely combine study of historic shoreline change with physical susceptibility modeling. This paper presents a combined methodology, utilizing LiDAR and survey data collected by the Climate, Heritage, Environments of Reefs, Islands and Headlands (CHERISH) project, along with historic mapping and aerial photography to produce a risk assessment for the heritage assets located on Ynys Enlli (Bardsey Island), North Wales. By constructing an Historic Erosion Model and an Erosion Susceptibility Model using ESRI's ArcGIS 10.5.1. with the DSAS Plugin and combining them with the LiDAR-derived spatial extents of archaeological features on the island, this project has shown that using both methodologies alongside each other can create a more complete overview of coastal environment change for the creation of vulnerability indexes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Wilayah Kemiling yang terletak di Kota Bandar Lampung sering kali mengalami gempa lokal dengan magnitudo kecil. Gempa ini terjadi secara berulang dan dirasakan di daerah Kemiling dan sekitarnya. Hal tersebut dapat menimbulkan kekhawatiran bagi warga dan dapat merusak bangunan. Fokus utama pada studi ini adalah untuk memahami bagaimana karakteristik tanah dan indeks kerentanan seismik di daerah tersebut. Untuk meminimalisir dampak kerusakan akibat gempa, perlu dilakukan mikrozonasi pada wilayah rawan gempa. Parameter mikrozonasi yang digunakan untuk mengetahui karakteristik tanah antara lain amplifikasi (A0), frekuensi natural (f0), indeks kerentanan seismik (Kg), periode dominan (T0), dan kecepatan gelombang geser hingga kedalaman 30 meter (VS30). Sebanyak 65 titik pengukuran mikrotremor telah diukur di Kecamatan Kemiling dan sekitarnya meliputi kota Bandar Lampung, Kecamatan Gedong Tataan, dan Kecamatan Natar. Pada penelitian ini digunakan analisis metode Horizontal to Vertical Spectral Ratio (HVSR) dan didapatkan bahwa frekuensi natural berkisar antara 0,5-31,47 Hz, periode dominan 0,03-2,0 sekon, amplifikasi 0,76-7,67 kali penguatan, indeks kerentanan seismik 0,05-76,31, dan VS30 49,61-777,80 m/s. Hasil penelitian menunjukkan bahwa wilayah barat daya hingga utara Kemiling memiliki risiko kerentanan yang lebih tinggi dibandingkan wilayah lainnya dengan tipe tanah berupa tanah lunak. Oleh karena itu, diperlukan tindakan mitigasi yang tepat, termasuk pengembangan rencana mitigasi risiko, pemantauan lanjutan, dan keterlibatan aktif masyarakat dalam perencanaan darurat.

Groundwater quality was evaluated with a special emphasis on fluoride (F−) and iron (Fe) concentration, hydrogeochemical facies and suitability in terms of potability and irrigation (n = 32) was assessed in the mixed Ferricrete and Calcrete bearing region under 11 Gram-Panchayats in Gangarampur Block situated in South Dinajpur District of state of West Bengal in India in 2020. F− and Fe concentrations were beyond safe limits for drinking water (> 1.0 mg L−1) in 81.3% and 59.4% samples, respectively. Maximum recorded F− concentration was 4.6 mg L−1 while the lowest was 0.7 mg L−1 while Fe was 0.2–3.9 mg L−1. Nitrate (NO3−) concentration (13.4‒39.4 mg L−1) was found to be high vis a vis the reported levels of NO3 in some other regions of West Bengal but was always lower than the prescribed safe limit (45 mg L−1) for drinking water. Non-carcinogenic risk posed by F− exposure breached the Hazard Quotent limit in almost all samples for children (< 20 years) and adults (20–70 years) in the study area. A newly modified vulnerability assessment method was introduced and found 3 GPs amongst 11 GPs in the study area were highly vulnerable while 3 and 1 GPs respectively came under low and very low vulnerable areas. In the domain irrigation water quality, 62.5, 34.4, 25, 18.75 and samples were not found suitable for irrigating crops in terms of Permeability Index, Soluble Sodium Percentage, Residual Sodium Carbonate and Kelly's Index, respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Kathmandu Valley situated in Nepal has experienced several earthquakes in the past. The expanding population of Kathmandu Valley is driving a significant acceleration in building construction reaching record levels and posing risks to both human lives and the economy, despite this surge in development. This study aimed to spatially map the dominant frequency, amplification factor, and vulnerability index map of Kathmandu Valley, Nepal using ArcGIS. This paper presents the nonlinear response analysis of 225 boreholes using the Gorkha earthquake as input motion and DEEPSOIL software for determining the amplification ratio and dominant frequency. The results revealed a range of values for dominant frequency from 0.08 to 7.65 Hz and soil amplification ratio from 0.13 to 8.14. Furthermore, the seismic vulnerability index was derived from the dominant frequency and soil amplification ratio ranging from 0.22 to 21.84. The resulting maps acquired through this study enable the decision-makers and stakeholders, to prioritize resources and implement targeted measures for enhancing seismic resilience in the region. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The single-station microtremor method is one of the fastest, most reliable, and cheapest methods used to identify dynamic soil properties. This study utilizes 49 single-station microtremor measurements to identify the dynamic soil properties of the Hilalkent quarter of the Yakutiye district in Erzurum. Soil dominant frequency and the amplification factor were calculated by using the Nakamura horizontal/vertical spectral ratio (H/V) method. While the soil dominant frequency values varied between 0.4 Hz and 10 Hz, the soil amplification factor changed between 1 and 10. Higher H/V values were acquired with lower frequency values. The vulnerability index (Kg) and shear strain parameters that are utilized to estimate the damage that may be caused by an earthquake were mapped. Especially in the west side of the study area, higher Kg values were observed. The shear strain map was created with 0.25 g, 0.50 g and 0.75 g bedrock accelerations, and soil types that lost elasticity during an earthquake were identified. The average shear wave velocity for the first 30 m (Vs30) was calculated. Finally, it was observed that the western part of the study area, which resulted in a higher period and higher H/V, higher Kg and lower Vs30 values, presents a higher risk of damage during an earthquake. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Water plays a pivotal role in socio-economic development in Algeria. However, the overexploitations of groundwater resources, water scarcity, and the proliferation of pollution sources (including industrial and urban effluents, untreated landfills, and chemical fertilizers, etc.) have resulted in substantial groundwater contamination. Preserving water irrigation quality has thus become a primary priority, capturing the attention of both scientists and local authorities. The current study introduces an innovative method to mapping contamination risks, integrating vulnerability assessments, land use patterns (as a sources of pollution), and groundwater overexploitation (represented by the waterhole density) through the implementation of a decision tree model. The resulting risk map illustrates the probability of contamination occurrence in the substantial aquifer on the plateau of Mostaganem. An agricultural region characterized by the intensive nutrients and pesticides use, the significant presence of septic tanks, widespread illegal dumping, and a technical landfill not compliant with environmental standards. The critical situation in the region is exacerbated by excessive groundwater pumping surpassing the aquifer's natural replenishment capacity (with 115 boreholes and 6345 operational wells), especially in a semi-arid climate featuring limited water resources and frequent drought. Vulnerability was evaluated using the DRFTID method, a derivative of the DRASTIC model, considering parameters such as depth to groundwater, recharge, fracture density, slope, nature of the unsaturated zone, and the drainage density. All these parameters are combined with analyses of inter-parameter relationship effects. The results show a spatial distribution into three risk levels (low, medium, and high), with 31.5% designated as high risk, and 56% as medium risk. The validation of this mapping relies on the assessment of physicochemical analyses in samples collected between 2010 and 2020. The results indicate elevated groundwater contamination levels in samples. Chloride exceeded acceptable levels by 100%, nitrate by 71%, calcium by 50%, and sodium by 42%. These elevated concentrations impact electrical conductivity, resulting in highly mineralized water attributed to anthropogenic agricultural pollution and septic tank discharges. High-risk zones align with areas exhibiting elevated nitrate and chloride concentrations. This model, deemed satisfactory, significantly enhances the sustainable management of water resources and irrigated land across various areas. In the long term, it would be beneficial to refine "vulnerability and risk" models by integrating detailed data on land use, groundwater exploitation, and hydrogeological and hydrochemical characteristics. This approach could improve vulnerability accuracy and pollution risk maps, particularly through detailed local data availability. It is also crucial that public authorities support these initiatives by adapting them to local geographical and climatic specificities on a regional and national scale. Finally, these studies have the potential to foster sustainable development at different geographical levels. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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A refined vulnerability evaluation methodology for substations, transmission lines, and power grids in mainland China is proposed. A database suitable for assessing the vulnerability of power grid facilities in districts (counties) is established. It contains information on parameters affecting the vulnerability of substations and transmission lines. The vulnerability of substations is assessed by considering the proportion of assets. Loss-intensity curves are derived for substations, transmission lines, and power grids in each district (county) based on their vulnerabilities. Vulnerability indices are created to assess the susceptibility of the substations, transmission lines, and power grids to earthquake damage in 2851 districts (counties) in mainland China. Assessments are performed in different seismic zones. The results show that the vulnerability of substations is high in all districts (counties) and very high in the northeastern and western regions. The vulnerability of transmission lines is very low in most regions and high in the southwestern region. The vulnerability of power grids is low in most areas and high in the southwestern region. The proposed evaluation system is feasible and provides accurate results.

This study assesses and maps the vulnerability index of Bangladesh at the subdistrict level to a range of natural and climate-induced disasters. Four vulnerability index maps are created using principal component analysis and categorized into five risk levels: (1) no/very low risk, (2) low risk, (3) moderate risk, (4) high risk and (5) very high risk for each sub-district. The results reveal that the south east region is highly vulnerable to cyclones, Haor region stands out as the most vulnerable area for flash floods, with numerous subdistricts facing very high to high risk levels; northern and north-eastern regions are prone to cold waves, while the western part of Bangladesh is highly vulnerable to heat waves. This comprehensive spatial analysis provides critical information for disaster risk reduction and adaptation strategies, assisting decision-makers in identifying the most vulnerable areas and prioritizing interventions. The findings of this study might be useful for policymakers as well as planners.

Ethiopia is frequently mentioned as a country that is extremely vulnerable to climate change. The country’s high vulnerability is mostly from its climate-sensitive agricultural sectors. However, changes in rural household livelihood vulnerability levels were detected across agro ecologic zones. Thus, this study aimed to investigate agro-ecological-based farm households’ livelihood vulnerability to climate change in Wolaita Zone, Southern Ethiopia. The study used LVI-IPCC in addition to the overall vulnerability index to quantify vulnerability factors in three selected agro-ecologies. In this study, both primary and secondary data were used. Primary data were acquired from 371 sampled households, as well as through a focus group discussion and key informant interviews. Secondary data, notably climatic data, was accessed for the years 1991 to 2022. Data on biophysical features were also collected and incorporated into indices. The study found significant variation in vulnerability factors among agro-ecological systems, with Kola agroecology being the most vulnerable (0.04) due to its high exposure (0.59) and sensitivity values (0.58), and low ability to adapt (0.52). Dega agroecology was the least vulnerable (0.48) due to its low exposure (0.46) and sensitivity (0.44). Woyna Dega agro-ecology had an intermediate score in all three factors. Based on our findings, we suggested that resilience-building adaption strategies were critical for reducing the vulnerability of smallholder farmers, and the plans should also take into account local conditions. It also advocates for more decisive policy measures to improve the community’s adaptive capacity and reduce its exposure level.

Nowadays energy accessibility and affordability are global concerns. Energy poverty and its effects on households have been increasingly discussed in the public debate, as well as addressed by energy and social policies. Nevertheless, measures to tackle energy poverty at urban scale remain fragmented, and they are far to be fully embedded into urban planning tools. This paper explores a new methodological approach to investigate vulnerability related to energy poverty. It is based on the identification of three main thematic areas of vulnerability (i.e., socioeconomic, energy, climate). For each of these components, a synthetic vulnerability sub-index has been developed, which has allowed the identification of an overall energy poverty vulnerability index, able to detect different levels of energy poverty vulnerability at urban scale. This approach, combined with a thorough urban analysis, has been applied to the city of Bologna and it has allowed the identification of urban regeneration strategies for each investigated urban area, targeted to the energy poverty-related vulnerabilities detected. The results are intended to provide evidence on how to improve the urban planning tools, to support policy makers to better address energy poverty in cities.

This paper introduces an index to assess the adaptive capacity of Indigenous Lands in the context of climate change vulnerability. The index was developed considering two sub-indices, one to evaluate the indigenous autonomy and ability to self-organize and establish relationships with other groups and the surrounding society, and the other that assesses the level of protection of the Indigenous Land surroundings. The aim is to guide integrated climate adaptation strategies for electricity companies operating near Indigenous Land. The paper also presents an application of the proposed index in the Belo Monte hydropower plant, in the Amazon region, with a strong presence of Indigenous Lands, and one of Brazil's most important hydropower plants. From the results, it was possible to compare the adaptive capacity of the Indigenous Lands and evaluate their different degrees of engagement and environmental protection, which can help in the proposition of adaptation actions.

Portugal is the country in Europe where the death rate in winter and summer has the highest correlation with outdoor temperatures. The Portuguese National Institute of Public Health Ricardo Jorge has developed a national warning system for heat waves called ICARO, which has been in place since 1999 (and is the oldest in Europe). However, it presents some limitations, namely, the low spatial resolution (five regions in Portugal's mainland), the low temporal forecasting period (one day), and the fact that it was only accessible to health authorities until very recently. This work describes the development of a new public dashboard that uses a new early warning index for extreme weather events, the CLIMAEXTREMO index, which extends the current warning system by improving the current forecasting models for risk by integrating new sources of public data and increasing the spatial and time resolution of the warnings to the municipality or the parish level. The new index is a combination of a new model to estimate the relative mortality increase (updating the model used in ICARO) together with a model of the indoor temperature of building archetypes for all municipalities and a vulnerability index that considers socio-demographic economic indicators. This work discusses the results of the new risk indicator for the heat waves that occurred in Portugal at the end of June and mid-August 2023, and it shows that the index was able to indicate a high risk for the municipalities that had an increase in the number of deaths during that period. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper introduces an index to assess the adaptive capacity of Indigenous Lands in the context of climate change vulnerability. The index was developed considering two sub-indices, one to evaluate the indigenous autonomy and ability to self-organise and establish relationships with other groups and the surrounding society, and the other to assess the level of protection of the Indigenous Land surroundings. The aim is to guide integrated climate adaptation strategies for electricity companies operating near Indigenous Land. The paper also presents an application of the proposed index in the Belo Monte hydropower plant in the Amazon region, with a strong presence of Indigenous Lands and one of Brazil's most important hydropower plants. The results made it possible to compare the adaptive capacity of the Indigenous Lands and evaluate their different degrees of engagement and environmental protection, which can help in the proposition of adaptation actions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In recent decades, harmful algal blooms (HABs) have increased significantly in Lake Erie. The blooms can affect human health, aquatic ecosystems, and the local economy. The effects can vary across communities in the Lake Erie Basin due to local socioeconomic status and dependence on lake resources. Therefore, it is crucial to identify HAB-vulnerable populations and regions to adjust regional governance strategies and allocate resources for government support. This study introduces a 5-theme spatial HAB vulnerability index (HAB-VI) comprised of socioeconomic, resource dependence, and spatial factors affecting vulnerability to HAB events. Using a multi-factor hierarchical model, it also applies the index to evaluate the HAB-related vulnerabilities of 50 counties in the Lake Erie Basin. Uncertainty analysis is an essential step to assess the robustness of the model and the stability of the calculated indices. The research utilizes a Monte Carlo-based uncertainty analysis and visualizes the statistical results of the simulation runs to indicate the variability and reliability of the HAB-VI rankings. Comparing thematic maps of the generated HAB-VI rankings, indicators of local governance strength, and nonpoint nutrient loads provides further insights into prioritizing the regions for government support and building community resilience. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background/Aims: The SARS-CoV-2 pandemic disproportionately impacted communities with lower access to health care in the United States, particularly before vaccines were widely available. These same communities are often underrepresented in clinical trials. Efforts to ensure equitable enrollment of participants in trials related to treatment and prevention of Covid-19 can raise concerns about exploitation if communities with lower access to health care are targeted for recruitment. Methods: To enhance equity while avoiding exploitation, our site developed and implemented a three-part recruitment strategy for pediatric Covid-19 vaccine studies. First, we publicized a registry for potentially interested participants. Next, we applied public health community and social vulnerability indices to categorize the residence of families who had signed up for the registry into three levels to reflect the relative impact of the pandemic on their community: high, medium, and low. Finally, we preferentially offered study participation to interested families living in areas categorized by these indices as having high impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on their community. Results: This approach allowed us to meet goals for study recruitment based on public health metrics related to disease burden, which contributed to a racially diverse study population that mirrored the surrounding community demographics. While this three-part recruitment strategy improved representation of minoritized groups from areas heavily impacted by the Covid-19 pandemic, important limitations were identified that would benefit from further study. Conclusion: Future use of this approach to enhance equitable access to research while avoiding exploitation should test different methods to build trust and communicate with underserved communities more effectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Various geological disasters, such as landslides and ground movements, occur annually in Srimulyo Village, Malang District, with varying levels of damage. Ground movements can affect structures built above, causing sinking, cracking, and collapse. Research into landslides and ground movements triggered by vibrations is generally conducted using the microtremor method, which has proven effective. This study uses the microtremor method to map the soil condition that is potentially prone to movement or landslides based on the observed soil vulnerability index. Data was collected using a TDL 303s Digital Portable Seismograph instrument; the measurement points were established in the form of a grid distributed across the research area, with a recording duration of approximately 45 minutes at each point. The analysis technique utilizes the Horizontal Vertical Spectrum Ratio (HVSR) based on the Fast Fourier Transform (FFT) principle. The study’s results found that the research location’s seismic vulnerability index varies between 6.5 and 16.5. Areas with high seismic vulnerability index values, specifically those with Kg>11.5, are scattered on the west, south, and southeast sides of the research location. Based on field observations, these areas are dominated by relatively thick sediment layers, leading to lower dominant frequency values and higher amplification values; consequently, the seismic vulnerability index in the southern region is also high. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Banana bract mosaic virus (BBrMV) infection results in characteristic reddish streaks on pseudostem and chlorotic spindle lesions on leaves leading to traveler's palm appearance and complete crop loss depending on the stage of infection in banana plants. Here, we discuss the influence of P. indica colonization (a beneficial fungal root endophyte) on BBrMV infection, specific viral component genes responsible for symptom development, chlorophyll and carotenoid biosynthesis, and degradation in BBrMV-infected banana plants. P. indica colonization significantly and substantially reduced the severity of Banana bract mosaic disease (BBrMD) in addition to increased growth, development and yield of banana plants. The percent disease incidence (PDI) of BBrMV ranges from 50 to 70 per cent in plants raised from suckers and from 58 to 92 per cent in TC plants under artificial inoculation. P. indica-colonized plants inoculated with BBrMV resulted in an enhanced plant height, root length, leaf width, and leaf length of 72, 88, 90, and 60 per cent, respectively, compared to BBrMV alone-infected banana plants along with the reduced disease severity. BBrMV infection showed a drastic decrease of chlorophyll a, chlorophyll b, and total chlorophyll contents by down-regulating chlorophyll biosynthesis (Chlorophyll synthase—CHLG) and upregulating chlorophyll degradation (Chlorophyllase—CLH1 and CLH2 and Pheophytin pheophorbide hydrolase—PPH) genes; and by up-regulating carotenoids biosynthesis (Phytoene synthases—PSY1 and PSY2) and down-regulating its degradation (Phytoene desaturase—PDS) genes compared to P. indica-colonized banana plants challenge inoculated with BBrMV. P. indica also inhibited the expression of the viral genes (P3 and HC-Pro) involved in symptom development. P. indica-colonized banana plants reduced the BBrMV symptoms severity by enhancing chlorophyll biosynthesis; and decreasing chlorophyll degradation and carotenoid biosynthesis and degradation; and inhibiting the viral genes responsible for symptom development in addition to enhanced growth and yield of banana plants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nowadays energy accessibility and affordability are global concerns. Energy poverty and its effects on households have been increasingly discussed in the public debate, as well as addressed by energy and social policies. Nevertheless, measures to tackle energy poverty at urban scale remain fragmented, and they are far to be fully embedded into urban planning tools. This paper explores a methodological approach to investigate the vulnerability related to energy poverty. It is based on the identification of two main thematic areas of vulnerability (i.e., socioeconomic and energy). For each of these components, a synthetic vulnerability sub-index has been developed, which has allowed the identification of an overall energy poverty vulnerability index, able to detect different levels of energy poverty vulnerability at urban scale. This approach, combined with a thorough urban analysis, has been applied to the city of Bologna and it has allowed the identification of urban regeneration strategies for each investigated urban area, targeted to the energy poverty-related vulnerabilities detected. The results are intended to provide evidence on the importance of investigating who the energy vulnerables are and to map the characteristics of the urban areas where they live, in order to support policy makers to better address energy poverty in cities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Within the concept of disaster risk, vulnerability is one of the key determinants. It acknowledges the degree of unsafe conditions in a susceptible zone so that mitigation measures and disaster resilience can be enforced. Bogor area is the most susceptible region to landslides with more than 485 landslide events since 2012. However, there is still inadequate information on its vulnerability to landslides, as the risk reduction challenge per se, is a long-run task. Correspondingly, this study aims to measure the degree of vulnerability to landslides in Bogor area from four focal points (i.e.: social, physical, economic, and environmental dimensions), through the proxy of Vulnerability Index (VI). This study employs a GIS-based spatial analysis on a sub-district level. The result shows that although having high records on landslide events, Bogor area mainly retrieves low VI. In general, Bogor area has low VI [0.347-0.454] on 26 sub-districts. Moreover, 13 sub-districts attain medium VI (0.454-0.562], and 7 sub-districts achieve high VI (0.562-0.670]. Sub-districts that have high VI are: Bogor Tengah, Bogor Barat, Bogor Selatan, Cibinong, Bojonggede, Ciomas, and Bogor Utara; which are mainly promoted by the high indexes on social and physical vulnerabilities. Nevertheless, further study is still needed to extend the knowledge of relationship between landslide susceptibility and this vulnerability result, by using a more extensive and longer data series. That is especially in accord with taking the appropriate mitigation measures in spatial planning and landslide risk management. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Residential segregation is an important challenge in Latin America, particularly since its effects on quality of life and access to urban opportunities are increasingly urgent on the public agenda. Segregation has not only arisen in the region due to the market, but also directly due to the State, which has promoted it through creating social housing along urban peripheries, far from job opportunities and urban equipment. This has increased conditions of vulnerability, although such conditions are not homogenously distributed in the territory. The present article proposes a multidimensional vulnerability index for social housing project residents, which apart from the socioeconomic indicator used in official measurements also applies two special indicators: (1) spatial mismatch from employment centers, and (2) an indicator for accessibility to public services and equipment. Unlike the commonly used one-dimensional indicator, the proposed index produces clearer discrimination of the vulnerability levels faced by social housing residents, allowing for better public policy design and improved public resource focusing.

Abstract Introduction Masonry minarets in Old Cairo are highly susceptible to earthquake damage, particularly those not designed or updated to withstand seismic loads. Therefore, regular monitoring is necessary to ensure their safety and detect any deterioration or reduction in seismic performance. The direct loss of a minaret can lead to the collapse or severe damage to the structure itself. The cascading impacts of partial or complete minaret failure can have significant consequences for the immediate vicinity and the broader community. By studying the effects of earthquakes on minarets and developing mitigation strategies, countries can take proactive measures to protect these structures and ensure the safety of people. Objective This study focuses on a specific type of Islamic architecture: the historic minarets in Cairo. The research aims to evaluate the seismic vulnerability of eight cultural heritage minarets in Cairo, identifying the parameters influencing their seismic behaviour and susceptibility to earthquake damage. Methods The research utilizes empirical seismic vulnerability methods and ambient vibration measurements on eight minarets. An empirical approach compatible with the nature and style of the minarets is employed to evaluate their vulnerability using index values and curves. The method's validity is assessed, and areas of conformity and limitations are identified. Ambient vibration tests (AVTs) are also conducted using a temporary seismic network installed at various heights inside each minaret to determine their dynamic characteristics. Results The seismic vulnerability Index (I_V) is calculated for the selected minarets based on the state of each vulnerability parameter. The contribution of each parameter to the final I_V values of the minarets are presented. Vulnerability curves are developed for each minaret, interpreting the conventional vulnerability indexes in terms of mean damage grades for seismic events with varying intensity on the EMS-98 scale. These mean damage grades can also indicate the expected damage levels of structural and non-structural minaret elements for events with different seismic intensity levels. AVTs are conducted at various heights on the selected minarets, and the dynamic characteristics are extracted from the recorded data. Variations in these characteristics are considered significant for structural health monitoring analysis. The peak-picking method is employed to directly extract each minaret's natural frequencies and mode shapes, as changes in dynamic characteristics are relevant to health monitoring analyses. Conclusions The recent study examined the seismic vulnerability assessment of eight masonry minarets in the historic Old Cairo district. The assessment revealed vulnerability index values ranging from 10.3 to 26.1, indicating a concerning susceptibility to seismic events among these structures. Vulnerability curves were constructed for each minaret, visually representing potential damage scenarios across different levels of the EMS-98 intensity scale. These outcomes are significant as they facilitate prioritizing interventions to safeguard the most vulnerable minarets. Additionally, a novel empirical period equation was introduced to estimate the fundamental period of minarets in Old Cairo based on their heights. The equation was validated against field measurements and data from the literature. The study is limited by its focus on a specific category of minarets, specifically the historical masonry minarets in Old Cairo. Furthermore, limitations arise from the need for detailed finite element models to capture these minarets' dynamic responses accurately. Therefore, ongoing research involves the development of detailed finite element models and calibrating fundamental periods for the selected minarets. The anticipated results hold the potential to enhance our understanding of the structural dynamics of historical minarets, ultimately guiding the formulation of tailored seismic retrofitting and preservation strategies. These strategies, aimed at preserving these cherished cultural heritage assets, represent our collective commitment to ensure the endurance of these timeless landmarks for future generations.

Abstract Background Most COVID-19 vulnerability indices rely on measures that are biased by rates of exposure or are retrospective like mortality rates that offer little opportunity for intervention. The Moore-Hill Vulnerability Index (MHVI) is a precision public health early warning alternative to traditional infection fatality rates that presents avenues for mortality prevention. Methods We produced an infection-severity vulnerability index by calculating the proportion of all recorded positive cases that were severe and attended by ambulances at small area scale for the East Midlands of the UK between May 2020 and April 2022. We produced maps identifying regions with high and low vulnerability, investigated the accuracy of the index over shorter and longer time periods, and explored the utility of the MHVI compared to other common proxy measures and indices. Analysis included exploring the correlation between our novel index and the Index of Multiple Deprivation (IMD). Results The MHVI captures geospatial dynamics that single metrics alone often overlook, including the compound health challenges associated with disadvantaged and declining coastal towns inhabited by communities with post-industrial health legacies. A moderate negative correlation between MHVI and IMD reflects spatial analysis which suggests that high vulnerability occurs in affluent rural as well as deprived coastal and urban communities. Further, the MHVI estimates of severity rates are comparable to infection fatality rates for COVID-19. Conclusions The MHVI identifies regions with known high rates of poor health outcomes prior to the pandemic that case rates or mortality rates alone fail to identify. Pre-hospital early warning measures could be utilised to prevent mortality during a novel pandemic.

Livelihood vulnerability to climate change-induced hazards is a serious problem for all agro-ecological contexts, notwithstanding being more severe for various groups of lowland smallholder farmers in Ethiopia. This study used cross-sectional survey data of 422 households from three sublowland agro-ecologies to assess differences in lowland smallholder farmers' vulnerability to climate change-induced hazards. Exposure, sensitivity, and adaptive capacity indications were built based on the literature review. The vulnerability index of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change and the livelihood vulnerability index were calculated by giving different weights through principal component analysis (PCA) to the standardized indicators. The findings show that hot-to-warm sub-moist lowland agro-ecology is highly exposed, and sensitive and also has a lower ability for risk adaptation. This may be due to comparatively limited access to institutional infrastructure, usage of innovation, wealth status, diversification of sources of income, and social networks compared to other lowland agro-ecologies (p < 0.001). The policy implication of the study's findings is that the government and nongovernmental organizations must plan and implement sublowland agro ecology-specific adaptation strategies to reduce vulnerability to climate change-induced hazards by giving priority to the Hot-to-Warm Sub-Moist lowland Area.

This study aimed to provide a vulnerability index (VI) for identifying vulnerable regions in different states of India, which may serve as a tool for state- and district-level planning for mitigation and prevention of diabetes growth in the country. Using data on 13 indicators under 4 domains, we generated domain-specific and overall VIs at state (36 states/union territories) and district levels (640 districts) using the percentile ranking method. The association of diabetes with individuals' socioeconomic status at different levels of regional vulnerability has also been observed through multivariable logistic regression models. On a scale of 0 to 1, there are 13 states with an overall VI of >0.70, of which 5 states are from southern regions of India. A low VI has been achieved by socioeconomically backward states. We observed that prevalence rates and vulnerability levels for most of the top and bottom 11 states are in the same line. District-level analysis showed that the 20 most vulnerable and least vulnerable districts are mostly from coastal and socioeconomically backward states of the country, respectively. Furthermore, logistic regression revealed that rural adults and females are less likely to be diabetic in all vulnerability quartiles. The oldest, Muslims, wealthiest, widowed/deserted/separated, and those with schooling ≤12 years are significantly more likely to be diabetic than their counterparts. The constructed VI is vital for identifying vulnerable areas and planners and policy-makers may use this comprehensive index and domain-specific VIs to prioritize resource allocation. • A comprehensive vulnerability index for diabetes is constructed at the state and district levels in India. • Among all states, the southern states mainly from coastal regions of the country, such as Lakshadweep, Puducherry, Kerala, Telangana, and Tamil Nadu, are the most vulnerable. The district-level analysis showed that the top 20 vulnerable districts are also primarily from the coastal states of the country. • On the basis of economic status, better-off states are the most vulnerable in the country. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Damaging and accelerated anthropization in coastal areas, as well as the need to adapt to climate change, means we must concentrate on improving management plans based on the diagnoses provided by coastal studies. Among these studies is the vulnerability assessment, obtained from evaluating a set of variables or indicators, which contribute to sustainable development. Since there is no single list of variables to consider in determining coastal vulnerability, 60 vulnerability studies from a period of 29 years (1994–2023), from across the globe, were consulted, and through a statistical mode method, the variables most used by multidisciplinary authors were identified. These studies were organized into groups: ecological, geomorphological, maritime climate, socioeconomic and legislative; creating sets categorized as the minimum indispensable, acceptable, and ideal variables. The results showed that most studies use between six and seven variables from only the maritime climate and geomorphological information groups. The number of variables used by individual studies, on the other hand, was not directly related to the scales (global, national, regional, local), but to the risks, such as flooding and erosion, it resolved. Only two studies included the minimum essential information for the legislative group, which is the presence of protected natural areas. Coastline displacements was the variable most used (43 studies), followed by the geoform type and the rate of sea level change (36), the wave regime (35) and the tidal range (33). The DSSs (Decision Support Systems) for coastal management were also reviewed, showing that these systems focus on a topic with a greater number of variables. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The ravine is often regarded as the worst instance of how water erosion is causing land deterioration. The farmers' livelihoods are often threatened by the ravine's expansion into the surrounding 50 m buffer zone, leaving them with no choice except to work as landless workers. Due to the high expense of ravine restoration, it is not economically possible to begin the process of reclamation in all of the ravine lands at once. As a result, it is necessary to recognize the prospective regions to bring in reclamation activities. In this work, the ravine vulnerability index for the Mahi ravine in Western India was developed using a cutting‐edge hybrid methodology. For the development of the ravine vulnerability index, it was determined that the sand, silt, clay, organic carbon, soil erodibility factor, slope, stream power index, topographic wetness index, sediment transport index, and cover factor were crucial components. Weights were applied to various parameters based on the perceived significance of each parameter in relation to another in the decision matrix of the analytical hierarchical process. The number of iterations made to reach a consistency ratio of under 10% to determine the final priority weights for each parameter. The sediment transport index had the lowest priority weight (1.4), whereas the sand had the highest priority weight (28.5). For reclamation purposes, the prospective active zones inside the designated ravine's 50‐m buffer zone, which covered an area of 63,031 acres, were determined. According to the ground truth‐validated ravine vulnerability index, possible reclamation zones were found in the 16,703 ha (26.50%) region of Mahi ravine, which was given extremely high priority. As per the Mahi ravine's land capacity classification, 20,275 ha (32.16%) of it is arable land, and 18,687 ha (29.65%) of it is non‐arable land that is ideal for soil and water conservation treatments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]