rss_2.0Sciendo RSS Feed for Quaestiones Geographicaehttps://sciendo.com/journal/QUAGEOhttps://www.sciendo.comhttps://sciendo-parsed.s3.eu-central-1.amazonaws.com/64734e3e4e662f30ba539d3f/cover-image.jpghttps://sciendo.com/journal/QUAGEO140216https://sciendo.com/article/10.14746/quageo-2024-0031<abstract> <title style='display:none'>A<sc>bstract</sc></title> <p>This paper is an inventory of cold-climate landforms present in the andesitic Jersak Hills on King George Island in maritime Antarctica. These landforms developed under distinctive rock control imposed by columnar jointing in andesite. Multiple distinct types of slopes – ranging from low-angle rock surfaces to steep cliffs – have formed according to the spacing and inclination of joints. Numerous joints in the rock mass facilitate efficient mechanical weathering, which has produced in situ regolith on summits, sorted scree slopes and less regular talus slopes. Debris is then transported downslope by solifluction, which acts concurrently with frost sorting, responsible for the origin of patterned ground, particularly stone stripes. Slope-channel coupling, however, is limited. The diversity of periglacial landforms associated with frost-induced degradation of bedrock outcrops has developed in a relatively short time interval following deglaciation approximately 7,000 years, as suggested by dating from localities nearby.</p> </abstract>ARTICLEtruehttps://sciendo.com/article/10.14746/quageo-2024-00312024-11-11T00:00:00.000+00:00https://sciendo.com/article/10.14746/quageo-2024-0034<abstract> <title style='display:none'>A<sc>bstract</sc></title> <p>The research conducted in this study is an attempt to quantitatively and qualitatively supplement the still insufficient knowledge on aeolian processes under polar conditions, where some of the most visible and dynamic climate changes are occurring. This study presents the results of rounding and matting analysis of quartz grains collected from aeolian deposition traps located in the Ebba Valley, Svalbard. The results are based on four summer field campaigns (2015–2018). Quartz grains with a diameter of 0.8–1.0 mm were selected and subjected to further analysis under a microscope, which allowed them to be divided into six individual classes. The nature of the grains can largely indicate the environmental conditions in which the material was transported. The collected material was dominated by grains with a low degree of roundness, which may indicate relatively short fluvial or aeolian transport. The small amounts of typically matted quartz grains may indicate low environmental dynamics and short transport, as well as the fact that large amounts of the material are blown from the valley interior to the nearby bay and fjord. This study highlights the importance of a fresh sediment supply from two main sources (i.e., moraines and rivers) and their subsequent aeolian redistribution, particularly in a wind-channelled valley environment. These findings underscore the complex interactions between aeolian processes and environmental conditions in cold regions. Climate change may significantly affect the magnitude of aeolian processes. Further research is needed to refine these correlations and enhance the understanding of sedimentary dynamics in polar settings.</p> </abstract>ARTICLEtruehttps://sciendo.com/article/10.14746/quageo-2024-00342024-11-06T00:00:00.000+00:00https://sciendo.com/article/10.14746/quageo-2024-0028<abstract> <title style='display:none'>A<sc>bstract</sc></title> <p>The study aims to develop a model for evaluating the technological advancement of teachers engaged in distance education, with variations explained by their individual attributes. These attributes encompass organization skills, adaptation, communication abilities, independence, proficiency, efficiency, and attitude towards distance education. The study involved surveys conducted on 130 geography teachers in Poland during the initial months of the pandemic. The authors hypothesized that the variability in technological advancement could be attributed to the functional capabilities of maps used in geography lessons and the identified personal characteristics. To test these assumptions, 25 original indicators were devised, forming the Technological Advancement Index (TAI). Through statistical analysis, a disparate technological advancement among teachers was observed, with TAI scores ranging from +6.0 to −10.60. At the lower proficiency levels, variability was primarily linked to independence, followed by proficiency and efficiency. As advancement levels increased, so did the functional diversity of maps used, particularly in problem-solving and the creation of new digital maps. This exploration into technological advancement yielded novel conceptual and empirical insights, allowing validation of the Substitution, Augmentation, Modification, Redefinition (SAMR) model used in traditional education. Additionally, it led to development of the Recommendation, Imitation, Gamification, Mobilization, Action (RIGMA) model tailored for distance education. The proposed model holds applicability in enhancing geographic education during distance learning initiatives.</p> </abstract>ARTICLEtruehttps://sciendo.com/article/10.14746/quageo-2024-00282024-09-06T00:00:00.000+00:00https://sciendo.com/article/10.14746/quageo-2024-0026<abstract> <title style='display:none'>A<sc>bstract</sc></title> <p>This study analyses multi-annual variations in biothermal conditions recorded at three weather stations in Kołobrzeg, Poznań and Kraków from 1951 to 2020 at 12:00 UTC based on the Universal Thermal Climate Index (UTCI). The analyses covered the median, lower and upper quartiles and average minimum and maximum UTCIs for respective months. In addition, the study determined the frequency of occurrence of various types of thermal stress in respective months. A significant rise in the annual and monthly trends was observed, while the highest increase was noted in winter and early spring (from January to May).</p> </abstract>ARTICLEtruehttps://sciendo.com/article/10.14746/quageo-2024-00262024-09-06T00:00:00.000+00:00https://sciendo.com/article/10.14746/quageo-2024-0033<abstract> <title style='display:none'>A<sc>bstract</sc></title> <p>The study investigates glacial lakes in Svalbard, examining examples from the forelands of Gåsbreen, Crammerbreen, Knivseggbreen, Neppebreen and Ragnarbreen, each representing different classifications of glacial lakes, including ice-dammed, frontal moraine-dammed and medial moraine-dammed. These lakes serve as key indicators of ongoing climate change and the effects of deglaciation processes in polar landscapes. Quantitative analyses reveal notable differences among the selected glacial lakes. For instance, Goësvatnet experienced cyclical glacial lake outburst floods (GLOFs), with a recorded volume of 666,389 m³ during one event. Conversely, the lake on the Ragnarbreen foreland, while stable, has not encountered any GLOFs, indicating a distinct response to deglaciation compared with other examples. Hydrographic and surface analyses, conducted using digital elevation models (DEMs) and remote sensing data, provide insights into the morphological characteristics and dynamics of the glacial lakes and surrounding landscapes. Longitudinal profiles of glaciers show varied terrains, with Ragnarbreen exhibiting the least variability due to its source zone on the ice cap, while Crammerbreen presents diverse features, including tectonic faults resulting in icefalls with slopes &gt;35°. By including multiple glacial lakes across different locations and classifications, this study offers a comprehensive understanding of the diverse responses of glacial lakes to deglaciation processes in Svalbard, shedding light on the complex interactions between glaciers, lakes and changing environmental conditions in the Arctic region.</p> </abstract>ARTICLEtruehttps://sciendo.com/article/10.14746/quageo-2024-00332024-09-04T00:00:00.000+00:00https://sciendo.com/article/10.14746/quageo-2024-0032<abstract> <title style='display:none'>A<sc>bstract</sc></title> <p>Natural springs are one of the potential sources of water supply, but due to negative anthropogenic impacts, the water quality can deteriorate. The Zygmunt Spring in Złoty Potok does not form the basis of the population’s water supply, but it is constantly being exploited by residents and tourists. This study was carried out at Zygmunt Spring in two measurement series for 34 physicochemical and bacteriological parameters. The average electrolytic conductivity (EC) of the water in this spring is about 0.039 S · m⁻¹, the pH is about 7.04 and the discharge is equal to 15 dm³ · s⁻¹. The test results were compared with the permissible limits for national drinking water, groundwater quality and WHO standards. The value of the Backman pollution index was calculated for these parameters. This index takes into account parameters that exceed the upper permissible concentrations of contaminants. The Backman Contamination Index value was about -13, but the results of bacteriological analyses indicate a very high number of microorganisms in the water (&gt;300 cfu · mL⁻¹), indicating a high health risk.</p> </abstract>ARTICLEtruehttps://sciendo.com/article/10.14746/quageo-2024-00322024-09-04T00:00:00.000+00:00https://sciendo.com/article/10.14746/quageo-2024-0029<abstract> <title style='display:none'>A<sc>bstract</sc></title> <p>Microplastic (MP) concentrations were determined in surface samples of bottom sediments collected from three lakes in northern and central Poland, located in catchments with low direct anthropopressure. Between 4 MP and 21 MP particles per kilogram of wet sediment were identified in the lakes studied. These values are small compared to those found in lakes located in urbanised areas and other aquatic environments, but important from the point of view of the threat to local freshwater ecosystems. The differences in the number of MP particles in the three examined lakes are a result of the way their nearest environments are used. Lake Czechowskie, the richest in MP particles found, is partially surrounded by pastures and arable lands, while some of the areas lying by are also seasonally used for recreation. In contrast, Lakes Głęboczek and Gościąż, both completely surrounded by forests, show significantly less MP pollution. The sources of MP in these lakes are primarily attributed to atmospheric transport. A correlation was made between the deepest detected MP particles (ranging from 25 cm to 60 cm) and the rate of sedimentation in the lakes, calculated based on the average annual deposition in sediment traps. Based on this, the attempt was made to determine the exact year of the deepest identified MP particles. The results obtained for each lake – the year 1901 for Lake Czechowskie, 1963 for Lake Głęboczek and 1986 for Lake Gościąż – were interpreted in terms of the sources of MP origin.</p> </abstract>ARTICLEtruehttps://sciendo.com/article/10.14746/quageo-2024-00292024-09-01T00:00:00.000+00:00https://sciendo.com/article/10.14746/quageo-2024-0025<abstract> <title style='display:none'>A<sc>bstract</sc></title> <p>The frequency of snowfall and rainfall is expected to change due to the warming climate. However, trends in liquid and solid phases are not linearly related to air temperature trends. This paper discusses the impact of thermal properties of circulation types (CTs) on the trends in snowy and rainy days in Poland in the period 1966–2020. The visual observations from 42 synoptic stations, which constitute the most-reliable information on precipitation type, were used to identify the precipitation phase. In most CTs, the air temperature increased between 1966–1985 and 2001–2020, but at various rates depending on the type of circulation. Positive tendencies in the thermal properties of CTs contributed to decreasing trends in winter snowfall and increasing trends in winter rainfall. The rate of tendencies in the probability of the precipitation phases depended on the average temperature and the intensity of warming, in particular CTs. In winter, both the snowfall and rainfall tendencies were the strongest for those CTs with average air temperatures (ATs) close to the freezing point, particularly when the average had crossed that threshold between the years 1966–1985 and 2001–2020. The most rapid tendencies in winter snowfall and rainfall, and in the spring mixed phase were induced by N and NW air advection under cyclonic conditions, bringing air from the rapidly warming Arctic. No trends in the winter mixed precipitation probability resulted from its various tendencies in particular CTs. The probability of snowfall increased during air advection from the southeastern sector, particularly in winter.</p> </abstract>ARTICLEtruehttps://sciendo.com/article/10.14746/quageo-2024-00252024-08-19T00:00:00.000+00:00https://sciendo.com/article/10.14746/quageo-2024-0030<abstract> <title style='display:none'>A<sc>bstract</sc></title> <p>This paper presents the theoretical axioms of chorems based on cartographic semiotics. Employing geometric and functional elements and the cartographic state-of-the-art, a regional, national chorem has been created. This chorem portrays the barriers to Polish regional development. It depicts the main development centres, industrial areas and zones of constraint created by the country’s external borders, borders of the European Union (EU) and major rivers. The paper also defines chorematic affordance as the dynamic and processual feedback between the domain expert and the geographical or socio-economic processes. The elaborate chorematic diagram contributes not only to cartographers and geographers but also to public administration dealing with sustainable development, as it is intricately tied to regional development, emphasising the crucial importance of effective land management, equitable land distribution and sustainable development.</p> </abstract>ARTICLEtruehttps://sciendo.com/article/10.14746/quageo-2024-00302024-08-16T00:00:00.000+00:00https://sciendo.com/article/10.14746/quageo-2024-0024<abstract> <title style='display:none'>A<sc>bstract</sc></title> <p>The planning and management of water in the river basins require the identification of places where the quality of groundwater is being threatened. The risk of launching the accumulated pollutants present in the solid phase of the soil may be caused by both the changes in the pressure gradients in the aquifers and the changes in the hydrogeochemical balances. In the example of the Ner river valley, into which wastewater from the Łódź agglomeration has been discharged, the factors threatening the chemical status of groundwater were determined. This assessment was carried out based on the results of the determination of the hydrodynamic balance disturbances in the Upper Cretaceous formations, model studies of groundwater flow and hydrogeochemical studies conducted on the sorption complex of the Ner alluvium as well as the chemistry of the river water, alluvial water and groundwater. The results showed that the river water is heavily anthropogenically transformed. Model studies have shown that when the Ignacew -intake wells are pumped collectively, the inflow takes place through the Ner valley, where the hydrogeological window between the Quaternary and the Upper Cretaceous aquifers is found. The withdrawal by the Ignacew intakes may result in the reversal of piezometric pressures in the valley, which creates the possibility of the infiltration of polluted surface water into groundwater. Observations indicate the need to take into account the zones where surface water and water from the river alluvium are a real threat to the chemical status of the aquifers. These aspects are important when determining the protection zones and in renewable and disposal resource assessments of the Main Groundwater Reservoirs.</p> </abstract>ARTICLEtruehttps://sciendo.com/article/10.14746/quageo-2024-00242024-08-14T00:00:00.000+00:00https://sciendo.com/article/10.14746/quageo-2024-0027<abstract> <title style='display:none'>A<sc>bstract</sc></title> <p>The research problem was related to the search for appropriate parameters relevant to the tools that support spatial orientation in large-scale building plans. This problem was addressed by selecting the optimal (1) observation perspective (passerby perspective, bird-eye view perspective, top–down view perspective) in a non-immersive virtual reality (VR) and (2) the presentation dimensionality (2D/3D). The perception of the plans was analysed taking into account such independent variables as gender and the individual level of spatial orientation of the study participants, determined based on the Santa Barbara Sense of Direction (SBSOD) and the Mental Rotation tests (MRT). In the research conducted in 2021 on a sample of 103 people, the experimental methodology involved the comparison of preferences of the study participants in terms of geovisualisation before and after getting to know the real tourism space. The results showed the compliance of preferences, i.e. recognition as the optimal plan in 2D dimensionality and the top–down view perspective. No statistically significant differences in spatial orientation due to gender or individual predispositions measured by the SBSOD and the MRT tests were confirmed.</p> </abstract>ARTICLEtruehttps://sciendo.com/article/10.14746/quageo-2024-00272024-08-12T00:00:00.000+00:00https://sciendo.com/article/10.14746/quageo-2024-0023<abstract> <title style='display:none'>A<sc>bstract</sc></title> <p>Further global warming is projected to increase coastal erosion. Therefore, coastal protection is being intensified with a strong emphasis placed on environmental biotechniques. One such activity is anti-erosion planting using alien plant species. The aliens penetrate from the plant species into the natural ecosystems, reducing their biodiversity and ecosystem services. Parallel to coastal protection, measures for nature conservation are undertaken to eliminate invasive aliens from the natural ecosystems that take over. Such actions are featured in the master plans drafted for the Natura 2000 sites on the south Baltic coast. Although there is no sufficient scientific evidence, <italic>Salix acutifolia</italic> willow used in anti-erosion plantings was considered a neophyte invading white and grey dune habitats and reducing their biodiversity. The master plans mandated the elimination of the willow without considering the role of its spontaneous locations in providing erosion-control services. In 2017–2023, research was undertaken on the south Baltic coast (Wolin Island) on the arguments behind such a radical conservation action. We present the results of these studies. We consider the elimination of <italic>S. acutifolia</italic> from its spontaneous locations as a reduction in both its erosion-control services and the willow’s role in nature conservation. We present some principles for action in case of a conflict between coast protection and nature conservation.</p> </abstract>ARTICLEtruehttps://sciendo.com/article/10.14746/quageo-2024-00232024-06-26T00:00:00.000+00:00https://sciendo.com/article/10.14746/quageo-2024-0019<abstract> <title style='display:none'>A<sc>bstract</sc></title> <p>Slums are considered one of the largest problems that threaten our urban environment, and their negative impact is exacerbated by the passage of time without a radical solution. This research investigated measures that are successful in achieving sustainable urban development within slums or surrounding urban areas. Reducing the negative aspects accompanying the traditional remedies for this phenomenon, which Iraq is currently suffering from, has become a widespread trend in most Iraqi cities. As a result, there emerged belts surrounding urban areas, causing severe repercussions, some of which can be addressed. However, most problems are challenging to address because they affect the urban structure. In Iraqi cities, slums are a feature of the city’s transformation phase, distorting their essence. This phenomenon directly and indirectly affects sustainable urban development by conflicting with one of the most important pillars of sustainable development: not to pass on problems to future generations. Over the past decade, our cities have been formed with slums being a large part of their structure. This poses significant challenges for future generations, which will be difficult to solve unless we proactively address them with effective solutions to mitigate their impact. After reviewing various remedies for this problem, it was found that the proposed treatments were unsuitable for the Iraqi situation. The research proposes the idea of exchange (land versus time). When comparing this strategy with the rest of the treatments, it has been found to be the best solution for slums in Iraq, meeting the requirements of sustainable urban development.</p> </abstract>ARTICLEtruehttps://sciendo.com/article/10.14746/quageo-2024-00192024-06-21T00:00:00.000+00:00https://sciendo.com/article/10.14746/quageo-2024-0020<abstract> <title style='display:none'>A<sc>bstract</sc></title> <p>Contemporary development policy concentrates predominantly on reducing noticeable economic differences in a spatial system, and an important role in this respect is played by EU Cohesion Policy. Owing to the considerable scale of financial exposure of Cohesion Policy, the assessment of effectiveness of the implemented measures and their greater reliance on evidence are of major significance. Despite numerous attempts to empirically verify the effects of EU funds spending, the problem remains unresolved, and the results of recent studies lead frequently to ambiguous conclusions.</p> <p>The article aims to verify the <italic>β</italic>-convergence process in EU regions in the years 2007–2015 allowing for the impact of the received EU funds and the spatial effects determining economic growth. In the research, use was made of a convergence approach consisting in the regression modelling of per capita GDP growth. Spatial econometrics methods were applied, by adding variables determining spatial interactions that can influence the economic growth rate to the specification of the estimated models.</p> <p>The estimated econometric models show that in the years 2007–2015 EU funds positively affected economic growth. At the same time, the process of reducing economic disparities between EU regions was observed. Moreover, the existence of spatial effects for a dependent variable was confirmed. The results also show that the value of the EU funds received in the surrounding area generally did not translate into the dynamics of growth in a given location. The research presented is one of the few in which spatial interaction was verified by using weights matrices based on contiguity, distance, flows and affiliation.</p> </abstract>ARTICLEtruehttps://sciendo.com/article/10.14746/quageo-2024-00202024-06-21T00:00:00.000+00:00https://sciendo.com/article/10.14746/quageo-2024-0016<abstract> <title style='display:none'>A<sc>bstract</sc></title> <p>The aim of the study is to examine the regional impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and its individual waves on foreign trade in food and agro-based products in the world’s largest trading countries. The study was based on the statistical database of the International Trade Centre (ITC). In addition to the basic analysis, use was made of the auto-correlation method to detect special relationships between foreign food trade of different countries. The results show that the pandemic has had the greatest impact on agricultural and food trade in the United States, but it has spilled over to other countries as well, especially its two major trading partners, the European Union and China. Food trade stagnated in the initial period of the pandemic, but later recovered relatively well. The six examined regions can be divided into three groups based on the typical features of their autocorrelation.</p> </abstract>ARTICLEtruehttps://sciendo.com/article/10.14746/quageo-2024-00162024-06-21T00:00:00.000+00:00https://sciendo.com/article/10.14746/quageo-2024-0018<abstract> <title style='display:none'>A<sc>bstract</sc></title> <p>The goal of this article is to uncover the innovative changes that have emerged in Tourist Information Centres (TICs) in Lithuania as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. The article is based on the assessment of primary research data collected through completed in-depth questionnaires. The research results revealed that a significant number of TICs transformed their activities while adapting them to local tourists. TICs introduced new products, attractions, and services, updated webpages and mobile applications, and created online souvenir shops. The research results indicated that, because of the lockdown, some state tourism institutions in the regions, along with local service providers, experienced a ‘renaissance’ and a successful period. New products and services were essential for the tourism sector’s survival, and the majority of them continue to be used in the post-COVID reality, providing opportunities for greater resilience and reduced dependence on unexpected circumstances in the future. This article addresses discussion points related to general changes in tourism services in the context of resilience and the application of innovations. Additionally, the article introduces the concept of <italic>Re-tourism</italic>, which adds value to the development of the theoretical framework for post-COVID tourism.</p> </abstract>ARTICLEtruehttps://sciendo.com/article/10.14746/quageo-2024-00182024-06-21T00:00:00.000+00:00https://sciendo.com/article/10.14746/quageo-2024-0017<abstract> <title style='display:none'>A<sc>bstract</sc></title> <p>Female-based urban poverty has been a widely researched topic fitting into the pursuit of gender equality since the Beijing 1995 Conference for Women. However, the criteria for measuring female-based urban poverty assume a direct role in reducing various urban poverty manifestations amongst females. Nevertheless, standard domains such as economic and educational statuses show some noticeable characteristics in smaller townships located in the low-urbanised states of India. The city under concern — Sehore Municipal Council (M.C. hereafter) — furnishes an example of an emerging urban area in a low-urbanised state of Madhya Pradesh (27.6% of the urban population compared to the national average of 31.16%) where domain-wise spatial manifestations of female-based urban poverty are noticeable. In addition to the financial aspect of urban poverty, the study attempts to identify local area determinants related to the socio-economic and the cultural environment of Sehore M.C., using standard variables and indicators for the spatial manifestation of female-based urban poverty through a GIS-based multi-criteria decision-making technique of the analytical hierarchy process (AHP). Female-based urban poverty in Sehore M.C., lying within the urban sphere of influence of two metro cities of Bhopal and Indore, is analysed across six domains of economic, educational, social, health, lack of decision-making and time poverty, for 17 selected localities across four wards. Out of the six selected domains, the economic poverty domain turns out to be the strongest, while time poverty is the least dominant. The present model of female-based urban poverty may apply to similar newly urbanising areas falling within the ambit of metro cities in India.</p> </abstract>ARTICLEtruehttps://sciendo.com/article/10.14746/quageo-2024-00172024-06-21T00:00:00.000+00:00https://sciendo.com/article/10.14746/quageo-2024-0021<abstract> <title style='display:none'>A<sc>bstract</sc></title> <p>Knowledge and human capital are gaining importance as determinants of urban and regional development on a global scale. We can observe a simultaneous increase in the mobility of human capital, the availability of knowledge, and an increase in the importance of location. This phenomenon is sometimes referred to as glocalisation. Mobile and highly valuable human capital are being territorialised. From the city’s point of view, is this an opportunity or a threat? The question can be asked whether the territorialisation of human capital has an impact on the durability of urban development. It is not obvious whether it helps to develop competitive potential and competitive advantages of an area only temporarily or in the long term. An analysis using elements of the path dependency theory can provide answers to these questions. It considers both the complexity of the research subject and the evolutionary nature of development processes. Therefore, the fundamental question of this article is whether the territorialisation of human capital affects the durability of urban development. The main findings of the study show that both the size of a city and the rate of demographic growth affect the choice of the type of development path. Cities with high demographic growth rates and complex development strategies enter reactive paths. This type of path guarantees the durability of development processes.</p> </abstract>ARTICLEtruehttps://sciendo.com/article/10.14746/quageo-2024-00212024-06-21T00:00:00.000+00:00https://sciendo.com/article/10.14746/quageo-2024-0022<abstract> <title style='display:none'>A<sc>bstract</sc></title> <p>Collecting opinions regarding environmental management is essential, particularly in urban areas where space is limited, and interests often collide. However, the impact of the conditions in which the research is conducted on opinions and preferences elicited via surveys and interviews about the environment is usually taken for granted. The recent development of computer-aided survey methods allows a simulation of an environment, which can create an artificial environment for interviews. Therefore, examining whether direct access to the environment impacts opinions and preferences becomes a significant issue when considering environmental policies and management design and execution. This study examines whether the location of an interview, indoors or outdoors (in the vicinity of trees), influences the opinion on the ecosystem services (ES) trees provide. A quasi-experimental method with a map-aided computer-assisted personal interview (CAPI) survey in two Polish cities, indoors and outdoors, in the vicinity of trees, shows that respondents’ location did not significantly affect the opinion on the ES provided by trees. However, on average, respondents answering the survey inside buildings marked more trees on a map than those answering outside. We argue that although an interview location does not have a significant impact on the results, from the perspective of various stakeholder groups in participatory processes, the convenience of place is more important than the character of the place (i.e., in the vicinity of trees) as long as the survey method is mediated by a virtual representation of the subject of the study.</p> </abstract>ARTICLEtruehttps://sciendo.com/article/10.14746/quageo-2024-00222024-06-21T00:00:00.000+00:00https://sciendo.com/article/10.14746/quageo-2024-0011<abstract> <title style='display:none'>A<sc>bstract</sc></title> <p>Land cover change and its consequences such as environmental degradation and biodiversity loss pose significant global challenges, including in Nigeria’s Anambra River Basin. This study focuses on monitoring, predicting and understanding land cover changes in the basin from 1987 to 2018, with projections up to 2030. It explores the intricate relationship between population growth and land cover dynamics, aiming to contribute to sustainable land management practices and align with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) for 2030. Using a combination of neural network classification and the CA-Markov model, the study analyses historical land cover data to identify significant transformations. Between 1987 and 2018, bare lands increased by 29%, vegetation increased by 14%, built-up areas increased by 128% and waterbodies increased by 10%, whereas there was a 58% decline in the extent of wetlands. The most significant transformation occurred in the wetlands, with a total of 1819.46 km² being converted to various land cover types. The results demonstrate remarkable shifts characterised by rapid urbanisation, substantial wetland loss and a decline in vegetation cover. Expectedly, population growth is found to be closely linked to the expansion of built-up areas while negatively impacting other land cover types. These findings underscore the urgent need for sustainable land management strategies that balance the demands of growing populations with the preservation of natural ecosystems and biodiversity. Furthermore, the study provides future projections that offer crucial insights for decision-makers involved in land use planning, biodiversity conservation and sustainable development.</p> </abstract>ARTICLEtruehttps://sciendo.com/article/10.14746/quageo-2024-00112024-03-20T00:00:00.000+00:00en-us-1