ESRJ

Human Impacts on Forest Stand Structure and Ecosystem Resilience: A Focus on Afghanistan

Javidullah Iqbal, Safiullah Khurram — Thu, 25 Sep 2025 00:00:00 +0000

Forests are essential for biodiversity, climate regulation, and ecosystem services. However, anthropogenic activities such as deforestation, agriculture, grazing, and changes in species composition have altered forest stand structures, leading to biodiversity loss, soil degradation, and reduced ecosystem resilience. This narrative review synthesizes the literature to examine the impacts of human activities on forest dynamics and ecosystem resilience, highlighting the role of stand structural complexity in mitigating these effects. National assessments in Afghanistan reveal significant land-use and land-cover (LULC) changes, with declines in forest cover, grasslands, and water bodies. The review also identifies research gaps, including limited field data and the underrepresentation of socio-economic factors. Future research should incorporate long-term monitoring, standardized methods, and advanced technologies to strengthen conservation strategies. The study emphasizes adaptive forest management, including reforestation, selective species management, and agroforestry, as essential approaches to maintaining ecosystem resilience under ongoing human pressures.

Integrated Approaches to Weed Management in Wheat Crops: A Comprehensive Review

Mohammad Shafiq Faieq — Thu, 25 Sep 2025 00:00:00 +0000

The aim of this review article is to explore and assess various effective solutions for weed control in wheat fields. By analyzing existing research and practices, this article seeks to provide valuable insights that can assist in developing better strategies to manage weed competition, improve wheat yields, and contribute to food security. The data utilized in this review were sourced from reputable databases such as Google Scholar, Web of Science, Scopus, and PubMed. The findings indicate that weed infestation is a major challenge to wheat production, significantly reducing crop yields. Wheat crops are affected by a variety of weed species, including grass, sedges, and broadleaf plants. While many farmers rely on chemical herbicides due to their cost-effectiveness and efficiency, overuse can lead to herbicide-resistant weeds and environmental harm. Other control methods, however, may incur higher costs. As a result, there is a growing need for more sustainable, environmentally friendly weed management strategies to reduce damage and minimize yield losses. Chemical weed control, although effective, must be complemented with cultural and mechanical methods, which offer rational weed suppression and yield improvement, especially in organic farming systems. Integrated Weed Management (IWM), which combines multiple practices such as appropriate sowing methods, optimal sowing times, correct seed rates, suitable crop varieties, and proper fertilizer and herbicide application, presents a holistic approach to weed control. Additionally, proper farm implements, and crop rotation play a crucial role in managing weed populations. In regions with labor shortages, such as highland agro-ecosystems, herbicidal weed management remains essential to improve wheat productivity. However, a balanced approach integrating chemical, mechanical, and cultural methods is necessary for effective weed management, particularly when labor is scarce. To optimize weed management and sustain wheat yields, further research and location-specific experiments are needed to provide accurate recommendations. Ultimately, the adoption of IWM approaches will contribute to more effective and environmentally responsible weed control strategies.

A Review of Planting Systems in Apple Orchards: Principles, Practices, and Performance

Rahmat Gul Hassanzai, Mohammad Nasim Ayobi — Thu, 25 Sep 2025 00:00:00 +0000

Apple (Malus domestica Borkh.) is one of the world’s most important temperate fruit crops, originally domesticated in Central Asia, and in Afghanistan it plays a vital role in rural livelihoods, nutrition, and the horticultural economy. However, production remains dominated by traditional low-density orchards, which constrain yield, fruit quality, and export competitiveness. This review synthesizes literature published between 2000 and 2024 on apple orchard planting systems, examining layout design, planting density, rootstock–scion combinations, and training methods through a review of peer-reviewed articles, technical reports, and institutional publications. Findings highlight that high-density (HDP) and ultra-high-density planting (UHDP) systems using dwarfing rootstocks such as M.9 and T337, combined with modern training techniques like Tall Spindle, Bi-Axis, and Vertical Axis, significantly improve early yield, fruit quality, and resource-use efficiency, while precision agriculture tools including RTK-GNSS planning, UAV-SLAM mapping, and sensor-based fertigation further enhance orchard performance. Despite these benefits, adoption in Afghanistan remains limited due to high establishment costs, inadequate technical expertise, and restricted access to improved planting materials. Transitioning towards modern orchard systems, supported by localized research and technological innovation, offers a sustainable pathway to increase apple productivity and strengthen competitiveness in developing regions.

Impact of Climate Change on Biodiversity in High-Altitude Regions of Developing Countries

Mohammad Yosuf Sadat, Ayaz Khan Naseri — Thu, 25 Sep 2025 00:00:00 +0000

Climate change is progressively influencing biodiversity in high-altitude environments, especially in developing nations where resources for adaptation are scarce. These places, home to a broad diversity of unique species, serve a significant role in supporting local communities by providing vital ecosystem services, such as water control and agricultural assistance. This study explores the ways in which climate change affects biodiversity in high-altitude environments, focusing on changes in species distribution, ecological disturbances, vulnerability of native species, and broader impacts on local communities. To achieve these objectives, a narrative review method was employed, which provides a comprehensive understanding of the topic by collecting, analyzing, and synthesizing findings from previous research. The current study demonstrates many species are moving to higher altitudes in pursuit of adequate habitats as global temperatures rise, but endemic species are more vulnerable to extinction due to habitat fragmentation and limited adaptability. Furthermore, the deterioration of ecosystem services worsens problems like food insecurity, poverty, drought and water scarcity in vulnerable populations. As well, the research highlights the need for long-term research, better models of species migration, and more focus on the socioeconomic effects of biodiversity loss in developing countries. The evaluation urges climate-resilient legislation, sustainable land-use practices, natural resources management and immediate conservation action to lessen the adverse effects of climate change. Urgent conservation and climate-adaptive policies are needed to protect high-altitude biodiversity and support local communities.

Advanced Techniques in Cultivation of Saffron and their Potential Impact on Yield: A Narrative Review

Mohammad Nasim Ayobi, Ayaz Khan Naseri, Rahmat Gul Hassanzai — Thu, 25 Sep 2025 00:00:00 +0000

Saffron (Crocus sativus L.) is a high-value spice traditionally cultivated in arid and semi-arid regions. With the increasing demand for this premium product, innovations in cultivation methods are vital for enhancing production efficiency and sustainability. This paper reviews innovative approaches to saffron farming, focusing on controlled-environment cultivation techniques such as hydroponics and aeroponics, as well as advanced irrigation, breeding, and mechanization methods that address water scarcity, soil limitations, and productivity. A narrative review methodology was employed to systematically collect, summarize, and synthesize findings from existing research, providing a comprehensive overview of technological advancements in saffron production. Controlled environmental systems, including hydroponics and aeroponics, offer promising solutions for enhancing saffron yield and quality. Advanced irrigation practices, such as drip irrigation and customized scheduling, improve water use efficiency. Techniques like in vitro cultivation, forced flowering, and nonconventional breeding enhance year-round production and plant resilience. The adoption of organic and smart farming practices further promotes sustainability and efficiency. Mechanization has streamlined saffron harvesting, thereby reducing labour costs and improved profitability. The integration of advanced cultivation techniques, irrigation management, and mechanization is transforming saffron production. These innovations, along with sustainable practices, hold significant potential to address the challenges of water scarcity and soil limitations, ensuring future improvements in saffron farming. Further research is needed to optimize these methods for large-scale adoption.

Digital Soil Mapping: Challenges and Future Prospects

Ahmad Seyar Sediqi, Ayaz Khan Naseri, Mohammad Daud Haidari — Thu, 25 Sep 2025 00:00:00 +0000

Digital Soil Mapping (DSM) has revolutionized the field of soil science by integrating advanced statistical techniques, environmental data, and remote sensing technologies to create high-resolution soil maps. Unlike traditional soil mapping, which relies on qualitative estimates and is labor-intensive, DSM provides a more efficient and reproducible approach to soil characterization. This paper explores the advancements, applications, and challenges of DSM, highlighting its role in precision agriculture, environment management, and land-use planning. To accomplish these objectives, a narrative review approach was employed, facilitating a comprehensive exploration of the topic through the collection, summarization, and synthesis of findings from previous research. Previous research has demonstrated that Mapping DSM has significantly enhanced the accuracy and accessibility of soil data. However, several challenges persist, including data availability, model selection, and uncertainty quantification. The future trajectory of DSM is closely dependent on technological advancements, particularly in machine learning, big data analytics, and real-time soil monitoring. Overcoming these challenges requires a multidisciplinary approach involving interdisciplinary collaboration, policy support, and the development of open-source tools. These findings underscore the need for continued investment in innovative technologies and collaborative frameworks to maximize DSM’s potential in sustainable land management and agricultural decision-making.

Role of Community Participation in Improving Environmrntal Situation in Afghanistan: Challenges and Opportunities

Ghulam Hazrat Ghulami — Thu, 25 Sep 2025 00:00:00 +0000

The environmental situation in Afghanistan is deteriorating due to rapid population growth, urban expansion and unsustainable use of natural resources. In recent decades, these pressures have intensified, leading to major challenges such as lack of environmental awareness, deforestation, soil erosion, desertification, water scarcity, extreme heat, dust storms, drought, glacier retreat, increasing levels of water and air pollution linked to climate change. This review explores the role of community participation in improving the environmental situation in Afghanistan, highlighting both challenges and opportunities. A detailed review of national and international literature was conducted, focusing on environmental problems and community-based approaches in Afghanistan and comparable contexts. Findings indicate that community participation plays a crucial role in promoting environmental cleanliness, conserving natural resources, improving livelihoods and building climate resilience. Opportunities for success arise when local engagement is supported by awareness programs, institutional backing, inclusive policies, and community-driven initiatives. However, in Afghanistan, public participation is still weakly institutionalized, with limited citizen involvement in environmental governance. Strengthening community engagement through awareness-raising, capacity development, and inclusive participation particularly of women and youth represents a significant opportunity. Moreover, aligning policies, ensuring sustainable financing and integrating traditional practices such as collective community mobilization can enhance effectiveness. Achieving sustainable environmental management in Afghanistan requires coordinated efforts by government institutions, NGOs, international organizations, and local communities.

Green Finance for Promoting Sustainable Economic Growth: Pathways and Challenges

Noorullah Halimzai, Ayaz Khan Naseri — Thu, 25 Sep 2025 00:00:00 +0000

In emerging nations, green financing has become a crucial mechanism for facilitating the transition toward sustainable development while ensuring continued economic growth. Green growth emphasizes expanding production capacity and resources while adopting green technologies and expertise to mitigate environmental degradation. This narrative review aims to examine the challenges and potential pathways of green financing in fostering sustainable economic growth by allocating financial resources to environmentally appropriate initiatives and identifying mechanisms to address key obstacles. Drawing on global practices and lessons from developing economies, the findings indicate that green finance significantly contributes to sustainable growth but is hindered by market imperfections, inadequate risk pricing, insufficient capital flows, and limited public awareness. The study highlights that policies, governmental regulations, and financial market interventions are critical in overcoming these challenges. Ultimately, leveraging technological advancements and innovative policy frameworks can strengthen the inclusiveness, efficiency, and transparency of green finance ecosystems, thereby supporting long-term sustainability.

Advancement in Drying Technologies: Enhancing the Physicochemical, Nutritional and Sensory Properties of Apricot

Rahmat Gul Hassanzai, Ayaz Khan Naseri, Mohammad Nasim Ayobi — Thu, 25 Sep 2025 00:00:00 +0000

Apricots (Prunus armeniaca L.) are perishable fruits with high moisture content, which require efficient drying technologies to preserve their nutritional and sensory qualities. This paper reviews the impact of various drying methods on the quality characteristics of apricots, including sensory attributes, physicochemical properties, and nutritional value. To achieve these objectives, a narrative review methodology was adopted, enabling a comprehensive examination of the topic by systematically collecting, summarizing, and synthesizing findings from existing research. This approach facilitated an in-depth analysis of the literature, providing a holistic understanding of the subject matter. Conventional drying methods are cost-effective but often cause nutrient loss and sensory deterioration. Modern techniques such as freeze-drying, microwave drying, and vacuum drying are more effective in preserving flavor, texture, and bioactive compounds. Hybrid and emerging methods offer a balance between efficiency, energy consumption, and product quality. Advanced drying methods, particularly freeze-drying and microwave drying, enhance apricot preservation. Hybrid and sustainable technologies hold significant potential for future improvements in apricot drying, underscoring the need for further research to optimize processes and minimize environmental impacts.