Journal of Geography, Environment and Earth Science International

Resilience-Based Planning for Urban Infrastructure in Post-Disaster Recovery

2026-06-03T12:57:05+00:00

Urban infrastructure systems are more susceptible to disasters, which requires resilience-centred recovery planning models that incorporate measurement measures, prioritisation measures, governance frameworks, and equity measures. However, the available research base is still disjointed in terms of defining resilience concepts in the context of infrastructure recovery following the occurrence of a disaster. This scoping review aims to outline resilience-based planning frameworks to support recovery of urban infrastructure following a disaster, and in particular, focus on resilience indicators, decision support frameworks, governance issues, and equity concerns. A methodological scoping review was performed based on the traditional methodological frameworks and the PRISMA-ScR guidelines. The peer-reviewed articles related to post-disaster infrastructure recovery and decision frameworks related to resilience were determined and analysed through thematic analysis. The findings show that recovery time, functionality curves, and resilience index are the most common ways of measuring resilience. The recovery prioritisation is often done using network optimisation, multi-criteria decision analysis, simulation modelling, and artificial intelligence methods. Integration of equity aspects and modelling of cross-sector interdependencies are, however, limited. The issues of governance and data are common in the press. As much as resilience-based recovery planning has gone a long way in computing sophistication, a deeper combination of equity, interdependency modelling, standardised metrics, and governance systems is necessary to have holistic and viable urban infrastructure resilience. Furthermore, governance mechanisms should be better aligned with computational models to ensure that theoretical approaches are effectively translated into practice. The study also highlights the need for validation through real-world disaster case studies rather than relying solely on simulated data. Finally, fostering cross-sector collaboration among engineers, planners, policymakers, and data scientists is essential for developing comprehensive and practical resilience strategies.

Assessment of the Effect of Different Pre-sowing Treatments on Seeds of Prosopis cineraria: A Review

2026-06-20T10:47:27+00:00

Prosopis cineraria (L.) Druce (Khejri) is a multipurpose tree of arid and semi-arid regions and is important for agroforestry, afforestation and dryland restoration. Its regeneration through seed, however, is frequently limited by physical dormancy associated with a hard and impermeable seed coat, which restricts water uptake and gas exchange and results in delayed and uneven germination. This review synthesises literature on pre-sowing treatments used to improve germination and early seedling establishment in P. cineraria. The reviewed treatments include mechanical scarification, hot water treatment, acid scarification, hormonal priming and biological inoculation. Scarification methods improve seed coat permeability and are repeatedly reported to enhance germination percentage, germination rate and uniformity. Acid scarification is often reported as highly effective, but its use requires controlled exposure and careful handling to avoid embryo injury. Mechanical scarification and hot water treatment may provide safer and more practical alternatives for nursery use. Hormonal treatments, particularly those involving gibberellic acid, may further support embryo growth and reserve mobilisation, while biological treatments involving Rhizobium, PGPR, PSB and mycorrhizal fungi may improve seedling establishment and stress tolerance. The review also indicates that germination is influenced by seed viability, provenance, temperature, moisture, salinity, oxygen availability and soil conditions. Standardised, field-applicable and environmentally safe protocols are needed to support large-scale propagation of P. cineraria.

Advances in Precision Fruit Production under Arid Conditions Using IoT and Remote Sensing Technologies: A Review

2026-06-23T12:25:38+00:00

Fruit production in arid and semi-arid regions is constrained by water scarcity, high temperature, poor soil fertility and increasing climate variability. This review examines the contribution of Internet of Things (IoT) and remote sensing technologies to precision fruit production under such resource-limited conditions. The manuscript synthesises published literature, technical reports and institutional information on precision orchard management, IoT-based monitoring, remote sensing tools, smart irrigation, crop-health assessment and stress detection. IoT-based systems, including soil moisture sensors, temperature and humidity sensors, smart weather stations and automated irrigation controllers, support real-time monitoring of soil, crop and microclimatic conditions. Remote sensing tools, including satellite imagery, unmanned aerial vehicles, multispectral cameras and thermal sensors, provide spatial information on canopy condition, water stress, nutrient variability, pest incidence and crop performance. Together, these technologies support improved irrigation scheduling, fertigation management, early stress detection and site-specific crop management. The review also highlights their relevance for fruit crops grown under arid conditions, including pomegranate, mango, banana, grapes, date palm and dragon fruit. However, adoption remains limited by high initial costs, inadequate digital infrastructure, limited technical expertise, data-management challenges and fragmented landholdings. The review indicates that wider use of IoT and remote sensing in precision fruit production will require affordable technologies, farmer training, improved connectivity and context-specific decision-support systems.

Disappearing Diaras: Three Decades of Sandbar Change and Agricultural Loss in the Ganga at Patna, Bihar

2026-06-06T12:54:01+00:00

The Digha Ghat–Barh reach of the middle Ganga is a highly dynamic braided river system where annual monsoon-driven sandbar formation and erosion directly shape floodplain morphology, agriculture, and settlement patterns amid long-term hydrological regulation and intense human use. This study maps how mid-channel and attached sandbars i.e. chars and diaras in local usage, have changed across a 95 km reach of the Ganga between Digha Ghat and Barh, Patna district, Bihar, from 1995 to 2025, and traces what those changes have cost the farming households who cultivate them. Seven Landsat epochs at 30 m resolution were classified using a composite NDWI–BSI–NDVI method, extracting bare sandbar, vegetated bar, and active channel surfaces for pre- and post-monsoon seasons. The reach was divided into five sub-reaches of approximately 19 km each; Braiding Index (Brice, 1964) and Sinuosity Index (Friend & Sinha, 1993) were computed for each sub-reach at each epoch, and their inverse relationship tested via Pearson's correlation interpreted on the Evans (1996) scale. A structured household survey of 130 diara-dependent households recorded geomorphic crop losses over a five-year recall window. Between 1995 and 2025, bare-bar areas in the pre-monsoon months fell or shrank to a size of 6,850 ha, representing a total decrease of 18.7%, attributed to upstream water regulation of flow rates, while the amount of area contraction from the pre-monsoon to post-monsoon time frames (i.e., areas at low water levels relative to high water levels) remained relatively stable, ranging between 35-39% for all epochs studied. A correlation between the braided index (BI) and the stacked index (SI) was negative across all epochs (pooled r = -0.68, p < .01), with Sub-Reach 3 exhibiting the most braiding and morphodynamically active of the four study segments and the most consistent source of Punpun sediment inflow to this area; while Sub-Reach 4 had a regression-bar fraction of approximately 30% due to the unregulated extraction of sand. According to results from the household surveys conducted, 72% of the households within the diara areas affected by this study had experienced at least one instance of geomorphological crop loss within the five year period preceding the time that the surveys were conducted and that the percentage of surveyed households experiencing crop loss increased from SR-1 (i.e., 52%) to SR-3 (i.e., 84%), a spatial pattern that follows the intensity of braiding observed within each of the sub-reaches studied and represents a measureable risk profile for the establishment of crop insurance; as well as the creation of infrastructure to facilitate evacuation; and for the regulation of sand mining within the mid- and lower Ganges River Basins.

Urban Growth and Sustainable Development in Nashik City, Maharashtra, India

2026-06-09T07:37:02+00:00

Urbanisation is the rapid growth of urban populations and infrastructure, driven by industrialisation and migration, which boosts economic development but can also lead to environmental and social challenges if poorly planned. The present study examines the pattern of urbanisation and its implications for sustainable development in Nashik. Over the past few decades, Nashik has experienced rapid population growth and spatial expansion driven by industrialisation, improved connectivity, and increasing migration from surrounding rural areas. The study is based on both primary and secondary data, including Census records, government reports, and geospatial analysis of land-use changes. The findings indicate a significant increase in built-up areas between 1981 and 2021, accompanied by a decline in agricultural land, vegetation, and open spaces. The study further highlights major sustainability challenges such as water scarcity, rising solid waste generation, traffic congestion, environmental pollution, and reduction in urban green spaces. These issues have emerged due to increasing pressure on natural resources and urban infrastructure. The analysis shows that while urban growth has contributed to economic development, it has also created serious environmental and infrastructural concerns. The study emphasises the need for integrated urban planning and sustainable development strategies to address these challenges. Measures such as rainwater harvesting, efficient waste management systems, improved public transportation, and expansion of green infrastructure are essential for ensuring long-term sustainability. The study concludes that a balanced approach combining economic growth with environmental conservation and community participation is necessary to achieve sustainable urban development in Nashik city.

Multi-Criteria Landslide Susceptibility Assessment in a Tropical Volcanic Environment: An Integrated GIS–AHP and Geotechnical Approach from the Cameroon Volcanic Line

2026-06-11T09:37:35+00:00

Landslides are complex geomorphological hazards driven by multiple interacting geological, hydrological, and environmental factors, and they cause significant socio-economic and environmental impacts. Therefore, landslide susceptibility mapping is essential for effective hazard assessment and risk management. This study assesses landslide susceptibility along the Cameroon Volcanic Line, characterized by steep terrain, intense rainfall, and active tectonics. Remote sensing data, geotechnical investigations, and Geographic Information Systems (GIS) were integrated using the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) to identify and map areas prone to slope instability. The analysis considered rainfall, soil characteristics, morphology, surface lineament density, deep lineament density, weathering thickness, drainage density, and vegetation cover. Geotechnical investigations revealed the presence of silty clay soils that may contribute to slope instability under high moisture conditions. The results indicate that rainfall is the dominant controlling factor, followed by soil properties, topography, and drainage density, whereas vegetation cover and fracture density exert a comparatively lower influence. The resulting susceptibility map highlights high-risk zones that are consistent with previously reported landslide occurrences. These findings demonstrate that integrating remote sensing, GIS, and geotechnical data within an AHP framework provides a reliable approach for landslide susceptibility assessment and risk management in tropical volcanic environments.

Morphometric Assessment of the Bhadra Watershed Using Remote Sensing and GIS Techniques

2026-06-17T06:56:47+00:00

Morphometric analysis provides a quantitative basis for understanding watershed hydrology, terrain conditions and drainage development, and it supports planning for soil and water conservation. The present study assessed the morphometric characteristics of the Bhadra Watershed, a major sub-basin of the Tungabhadra River Basin in Karnataka, India, using Geographic Information System (GIS) techniques and Shuttle Radar Topography Mission Digital Elevation Model (SRTM-DEM) data with a spatial resolution of 30 m. The watershed was delineated in ArcGIS 10.8.2, and linear, areal and relief morphometric parameters were computed using standard methods. The Bhadra Watershed covers an area of 3422.01 km² and has a perimeter of 571.25 km and a basin length of 142.429 km. The drainage network was identified as fourth order and exhibited a dendritic drainage pattern, with 130 stream segments. The low drainage density (0.006 km/km²), stream frequency (0.038) and drainage texture (0.228) indicate a sparse drainage network, favourable infiltration conditions and reduced surface runoff. Areal parameters, including circularity ratio (0.132), elongation ratio (0.462), form factor (0.169), compactness coefficient (2.754) and shape factor (5.928), indicate that the watershed is highly elongated, with longer runoff travel time and lower peak discharge. Relief parameters showed a basin relief of 1368 m, relief ratio of 1.368, relative relief of 0.010 and ruggedness number of 0.008, reflecting considerable topographic variation with moderate erosion potential in steeper areas. The findings indicate that GIS-based morphometric assessment is useful for characterising the Bhadra Watershed and can support watershed planning, groundwater recharge assessment, soil conservation and sustainable water resource management within the Tungabhadra River Basin.

Floods and Landslides Hazard Susceptibility and Planning Implications in the Mifi Division, West Region of Cameroon

2026-06-19T07:43:25+00:00

The Mifi Division in the West Region of Cameroon is increasingly exposed to urban environmental hazards, particularly floods and landslides. This study examined the spatial distribution of flood and landslide susceptibility and assessed the implications for urban planning and disaster risk management. A mixed-method approach was adopted, combining questionnaire data from 200 respondents across Bafoussam I, Bafoussam II and Bafoussam III municipalities with field observations, expert interviews and focus group discussions. The analysis also integrated land use and land cover mapping, spatial modelling of flood and landslide susceptibility, descriptive statistics and one-way analysis of variance. The results show that flood and landslide susceptibility are unevenly distributed across the Mifi Division. Flood-prone areas are mainly associated with low-lying depressions, river valleys, wetlands and densely occupied urban zones where drainage systems are limited or obstructed. Bafoussam II records the highest proportion of high flood susceptibility, with 11.4% of its area classified as highly susceptible. Landslide susceptibility is more pronounced on steep and modified slopes, especially in areas affected by vegetation removal, road construction and unplanned settlement expansion. Bafoussam I records the highest proportion of high landslide susceptibility, with 13.0% of its area falling within this class. The findings indicate that rapid urban growth, inadequate land use control, settlement in hazard-prone zones and insufficient enforcement of planning regulations are major contributors to increasing hazard exposure. The study highlights the need for strengthened land use planning, strict enforcement of no-build zones, improved drainage management, targeted relocation from high-risk areas and integrated multi-hazard risk management to support safer urban development in the Mifi Division.

Spatio-Temporal Assessment of Vegetation Dynamics in the Bhadra Watershed Using Landsat-Derived NDVI and Change Detection Analysis

2026-06-23T10:09:21+00:00

Vegetation dynamics provide information for assessing ecological condition, hydrological response and land-use change within watershed systems. This study assessed spatio-temporal variations in vegetation cover in the Bhadra Watershed, Karnataka, India, using the Normalised Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) derived from Landsat 8 OLI reflectance data for 2015 and 2025. Cloud-minimised images acquired on 22 December 2015 and 23 January 2025 were processed in ArcGIS 10.8 through layer stacking, watershed-based subsetting and spatial preparation. The red and near-infrared bands were used to compute NDVI, and the rasters were classified into five vegetation-density categories: water or non-vegetated surfaces, bare land, sparse vegetation, moderate vegetation and dense vegetation. Pixel-wise change detection compared vegetation conditions between the two years. NDVI values ranged from -0.14 to 0.45 in 2015 and from -0.06 to 0.46 in 2025, indicating a slight shift towards higher positive values. Dense vegetation remained dominant and increased from 3183.12 km² (93.02%) to 3266.56 km² (95.45%). Water bodies increased from 18.89 km² (0.55%) to 35.84 km² (1.05%), while bare land decreased from 33.85 km² (0.99%) to 20.42 km² (0.60%). Sparse vegetation declined from 50.02 km² (1.46%) to 28.52 km² (0.83%), and moderate vegetation declined from 136.33 km² (3.98%) to 70.88 km² (2.07%). These changes indicate an overall increase in dense vegetation, with localised decreases in lower-density categories. The results support the use of NDVI-based Landsat analysis for vegetation-change mapping.