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Agricultural land is facing challenges due to different human activities. Accelerated urbanisation along with explosive economic growth has further worsened the shortage of agricultural land over the last two decades. Kosovo, a country with small areas suitable for agriculture is meeting challenges due to unplanned settlement extension, coal surfac...
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Citations
... Furthermore, today, the main processes in the plains and other terrains are fluvial and slope processes, where mainly alluvial soils are created. In general terms, the Llapi River catchment has been the subject of several studies, which include geological settings (Elezaj and Kodra, 2007;Pruthi, 2011), climate and water resources (Pllana, 2011(Pllana, , 2015, and sustainable use of agricultural land (Ramadani and Bytyqi, 2018), which were addressed by specific studies. Several studies have been conducted at the municipality level, including local studies for the needs of the local population. ...
Aim of the study
In recent decades, Kosova in general and the Llapi River catchment have experienced landscape transformation which resulted in Land Use and Land Cover (LULC) changes, mainly in flat terrains where most of country’s population is concentrated. Other landscapes have experienced changes too, but on a small scale. The aim of the study was to identify landscape transformation and driving forces behind it.
Material and methods
Spatiotemporal changes of Land Use and Land Cover (LULC) were made using GIS techniques. Land Cover data from Copernicus Land Monitoring Service (CLMS) with spatial resolution 100 m for three different years: 2000, 2006 and 2018 were analyzed. DEM with 10 m spatial resolution was used to estimate slope steepness and catchments’ altitude. Population data for settlements inside the Llapi River catchment represented in features were downloaded from the Statistical Agency of Kosova, and those data include population numbers for official censuses between 1948 until 2011, while ArcMap 10.8 environment was used for analysis.
Results and conclusions
With GIS technique in analyzing Land Use and Land Cover data (LULC) and other open source data, we found that agricultural land have decreased in area by 9.53%, while the increase of artificial surface is 160.87%, or expressing by absolute values, total agricultural areas in 2000 were 37,827 ha, while in 2018 were 34,334 ha, meaning 0.3ha per capita, less than European level. In order to protect agricultural land, zoning and land use plans should be implemented.
... At the national level, Kosova Plain has been the subject of several studies, which include geological settings [24,25], climate and water resources [26,27,28], sustainable use of agricultural land [29], which included specific studies. Later, a general study of the settlements of Kosova included not only the main physical features but also migration, labor, and other socio-economic elements that distinguished each settlement (Lexicon of Settlements of Kosova, 2020). ...
Land Use and Land Cover (LULC) are the main components that indicate the coverage of land and its use. Kosova Plain, a flat and gentle plain with an altitude between 450-600 m, is one of the central plains in Kosova, where the human impact and environmental changes are very high. As a terrain with land with high-quality soils, it was one of the main areas of agricultural production in the past. With the industrialization of Kosova especially with coal surface mining, began an era of employment in other sectors rather than in agriculture, and its consequences were population migration inside Kosova, which is shown by the rising urban population and extension of artificial surfaces towards agricultural areas. Population migration inside Kosova is made mostly towards plain areas where most of the settlements are found, but also where high capability land is found. The article analyzes natural conditions of agricultural land in Kosova Plain and spatial and temporal changes in land cover as one of the consequences of pressure on the environment, especially in soil resources, where with GIS/RS analysis was made possible to use topographic maps and aerial images of different years, to analysis these changes. In 1990, the total area of artificial surfaces in Kosova Plain was 7,157 ha, while in 2020, it was increased to 15,881 hectares. There is an increase of artificial surfaces in urban fabric, mineral extraction sites, and road infrastructure, mostly done on agricultural land. Agriculture areas experienced a decrease of 8.76%. The extension of artificial surfaces was primarily made in an unplanned way. The results show that in the future, zoning of built-up areas is needed.
... Later, soil erosion assessments were made in small river catchment (Agaj & Bytyqi, 2022), municipality level (Maliqi et al., 2023). Other authors have analysed soil erosion as a process that affects sustainable use of agriculture land (Ramadani & Bytyqi, 2018), etc. As a country with small areas of agricultural land per capita, the assessment of soil erosion and its vulnerability is of high importance. ...
The aim of the study is to analyse the spatial estimation of soil erosion in a small size river catchment of Janjeva (Kosovo). Soil erosion is becoming a serious threat and its spatial estimation is crucial for soil resource protection and management. The Revised Universal Soil Loss Equation (RUSLE) methodology integrated with GIS techniques was applied to estimate the annual erosion rate. Different datasets including open-source data were used to find main components of soil erosion. The results show different soil erosion classes depending on lithological settings, landforms, climate conditions, soil properties, land cover and soil conservation practices. By calculating RUSLE parameters for Janjeva River catchment (84 km²), we found out that mean annual erosion rate is 1 t·ha-¹·yr-¹. Erosion rate class <5 t·ha-¹·yr-¹ dominates the catchment's area with 92.5%, while other classes have 7.5% of catchments total area. Highest rates of soil erosion are found in volcanic rocks, steep slopes and soils without conservation practices. Soils located in western part of the catchment with adequate conservation practice have minimum erosion rate.
... A prerequisite for the evaluation of SQS is the establishment of a sound indicator system; however, there is no unified system of indicators to characterize SQS. Duan considered soil quality in terms of soil type and soil physical properties for a sustainability assessment of land productivity [5]; Zhang evaluated the SQS through soil physical and chemical properties such as soil nutrients, soil water content, soil organic matter and soil salinity [6]; He developed a system of indicators that takes into account economic, social, urban and ecological factors [7]; Ibrahim and Valbon evaluated three factors, namely, agricultural land quality, agricultural land production potential and food security [8]; Fu established a system of indicators based on three types of land use: productive land, living land and ecological land [9]; and Nziguheba developed a system of indicators that included soil erosion, soil acidification, crop productivity, nutrient balance and SOC [10]. For evaluating soil quality in Heilongjiang Province, Li developed a system of indicators in terms of soil physical properties and soil nutrients [11], to which Zhao added biodiversity, carbon sequestration and water use [12]. ...
... The potential ecological hazard index method uses quantitative methods to classify the level of potential ecological risk. Equations (7) and (8) were used to calculate the potential ecological hazard factor (E i ) for stress induced by a single heavy metal and the potential ecological hazard index (RI) for the cumulative stress due to the effect of multiple heavy metals, respectively. ...
An evaluation of soil quality sustainability can support decision making for the sustainable use of land resources. However, certain current problems associated with these evaluations remain unaddressed, e.g., the evaluation indicators do not fully reflect soil quality risks and the evaluation scale is not sufficiently small. In this study, 25,000 spatial grids of dimensions 3 km × 3 km are used to divide the major grain-producing regions in China, namely, the Sanjiang Plain and the Songnen Plain of Heilongjiang. Then, the soil erosion modulus, nutrient balance index, soil organic carbon (SOC) storage, heavy metal soil pollution index and crop productivity are calculated for each grid using the RULSE model, nutrient balance index model, soil type method, geoaccumulation index method and mechanism method, respectively. A spatial grid cluster analysis method is used to thoroughly evaluate and analyze the sustainability of soil quality in each grid. The results show that the overall soil status of the study area is good. The soil and water conservation levels are high, the soils show low levels of contamination, the crop production potential is high and the ratio of highly sustainable to moderately sustainable soils is approximately 2:1. Only 2.74% of the land is rated extremely unsustainable and needs to be restored to a basic level of productivity before subsequent functional restoration can be carried out. This study provides a new method for the fine-scale evaluation of soil quality and contributes to the management of land resources.
... Agriculture is the main source of livelihood in rural areas of Kosovo (Osmani et al. 2013). According to data from the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Rural Development (MAFRD), the average size of farms in Kosovo agriculture is 1.5 hectares and their activities are mainly concentrated on the livelihood business (Ramadani, Bytyqi, 2018). The majority of small farms depend almost entirely on agriculture for their livelihoods (Gjokaj et al., 2017). ...
This research aims to determine the role of women in the development of rural areas through agriculture and the integration of women into society in Kosovo. An observational, quantitative, cross-sectional case study was conducted for this purpose. Primary data was collected from the employees of the agriculture cooperative “Krusha e Madhe” in Kosovo through a questionnaire survey, interviews, and observations. The social cooperative under study is a good example of how bringing disadvantaged women together can help improve economic life and the psychological trauma caused by war. The results prove that there is indeed a significant increase in community life, cooperation, trust, quality of life, and communication in the community since establishing social cooperative.
... Kosovo faces severe environmental problems, including pollution, which is primarily due to two coal power plants thatproduce about 90% of the country's energy, although their closure was planned decades ago. The coal (lignite) used by these power plants degrades the land through mining and polluting (side-produce, combustion) and creates significant damage to agricultural surfaces (Ramadani et al. 2018). ...
... n the scientific level which investigates and analyses agroecosystems. Moreover, the students attending the previously mentioned faculties do not have practical experience in sustainable production, and are therefore not equipped to become producers after their studies have been completed. Kosovo also seems to not have many agroeocological experts (Ramadani et. al 2018) that are sufficiently equipped with knowledge for any kind of sustainable agricultural production. The staff of universities and organisations that work in the education and training are urging for more expertise in the field to further the potential of agroecology in Kosovo. (KI-2, Table 1) The NGOs that are connected to agroecology pr ...
This chapter on Bosnia and Herzegovina is part of a two-volume book which unveils and maps the most recent developments in agroecology across Europe, and which also showcases important initiatives. As of 2023, there are currently very few publications on agroecology in Bosnia and Herzegovina, and it is our aim with this comprehensive report to provide a springboard for future initiatives, policy, and research in this area. (In: Wezel Alexander, Grard Baptiste, & Gkisakis Vasileios. (2023). Mapping the development of agroecology in Europe.)
... Kosovo faces severe environmental problems, including pollution, which is primarily due to two coal power plants thatproduce about 90% of the country's energy, although their closure was planned decades ago. The coal (lignite) used by these power plants degrades the land through mining and polluting (side-produce, combustion) and creates significant damage to agricultural surfaces (Ramadani et al. 2018). ...
... n the scientific level which investigates and analyses agroecosystems. Moreover, the students attending the previously mentioned faculties do not have practical experience in sustainable production, and are therefore not equipped to become producers after their studies have been completed. Kosovo also seems to not have many agroeocological experts (Ramadani et. al 2018) that are sufficiently equipped with knowledge for any kind of sustainable agricultural production. The staff of universities and organisations that work in the education and training are urging for more expertise in the field to further the potential of agroecology in Kosovo. (KI-2, Table 1) The NGOs that are connected to agroecology pr ...
This investigation aims to map agroecological producers, initiatives and research institutions in Malta, while gauging the development of agroecology as a system of principles with dedicated institutions. The data was collected through interviews both in person (farmers, shop owner) and online.
While the interviews revealed a poor awareness of agroecology as a term, there was a keen interest in the
principles that are central to it as a practice. While almost all participants were organic farmers, shops or
NGOs, and identified strongly with the organic sector, they were often keen to stress that their practices
went beyond the rigid regulations and obligations imposed by the process of certification, and were strongly
beholden to the environment and their communities.
Currently, Maltese farming is declining, due to an aging population, a dearth of youths (the participants in this
study are an exception), and to the fact that land has a high opportunity cost as recreational or developable
land. Maltese agriculture remains traditional, with small family farms that are usually fragmented between
various heirs. Further, drought and increasing pests are also compounding pressure on farmers, while imports
are pushing prices down, creating less economic viability for farmers. While organic farmers are still few in
number, they exert a disproportionate influence on agricultural debates and the consciousness of farmers
as a whole, creating a new generation of youths in the industry that is slowly changing the perception of
the sector in many ways.
The principles of agroecology were first introduced into Maltese agriculture by a number of farmers who
began experimenting with organic practices. These individuals formed the Malta Organic Agricultural
Movement, and in subsequent years (particularly after EU accession), other NGOs (mostly from environmental
backgrounds) have focused on such sustainable farming principles. However, the market demand for
sustainable farming products is still low, and while the government has responded to the increasing
awareness of organic products, transforming its share in the market is a slow process. Maltese farmers also
face structural challenges relating to planning and regulation. While various spaces and movements have
brought organic farmers together, there is a lack of effort to speak with one, unified voice.
Educational programmes focusing on agroecology are scant and no living labs have been established in
Malta thus far. Nevertheless, there is academic interest in conducting research on the topic, and at least
one institute has a specific focus on bridging agriculture with environmental conservation.
Most of the initiatives surveyed in this study are of a commercial, primarily individual, nature. However, there
is evidence that those involved are committed to the principles that animate their practices - principles
which are in turn deeply committed to environmental and social responsibility. Shared spaces are emerging
in which farmers co-act and cooperate with other farmers, activists, and consumers. Lastly, there is a lack
of strong institutional frameworks that recognise, support and provide required incentives for the unique
opportunity of organic agriculture in Malta. According to interviewees, such institutional support and
recognition is needed to increase the number of grassroots initiatives that bring people back to the land.
... While there are studies addressing the agricultural land loss [11] [12], fragmentation [13] [14], and contamination, as well as the need for moving towards more sustainable agricultural land management and food production practices [15], not much attention has been given to urban agriculture in Kosovo. Urban agriculture has many definitions; however, this research mainly focuses on horticultural (food plant cultivation) activities lying within an urban or peri-urban setting. ...
... Kosovo is one of the poorest countries in the Western Balkans (and Europe), having one of the lowest GdP per capita (4,419 US$ in 2018 and 4,287 US$ in 2020), as well as the lowest share of urban population (38.3% according to the population census in 2011, and an estimated 45% in 2018, as compared to 74.1% in Europe in 2018) [7] [14][21] [22]. Even though around two-thirds of the total population are of working age (15-64 years old), the country has a high unemployment rate (25.9% in 2020), especially among women (32.3%) and youth (49.1%) [20] [22]. ...
... Even though Kosovo has also started mainstreaming environmental and climate change considerations into respective sector policies, strategies and action plans [15], agricultural land continues to be converted to construction land or is degraded beyond repair, whereas the current food production practices remain resource-consuming and inefficient, contributing to loss of biodiversity, water scarcity, increased GHG emissions and pollution of air, water and soil [13] [14][17] [28]. According to Kosovo's GHG emissions inventory for the period of 2014-2019, agriculture, forestry and other land uses (AFOLU) accounted for 8% of the total emissions [30]. ...
Urban areas around the world are attracting more a more people due to increased economic, educational, health, social and cultural opportunities. With the growing urban population, there is a need for undertaking creative measures to strengthen food production and distribution systems, and cities as major consumers can contribute more to this matter. Food production in cities has been a long tradition and a mainstream activity in many countries around the world, and it is experiencing a comeback. While Kosovo has been supporting agricultural development, especially in rural areas, urban areas continue to experience agricultural land loss (specifically, conversion to construction land), degradation beyond repair, and contamination. Institutional support (technical capacities, grant schemes and other investments) is contributing towards increased agricultural productivity in general, but tailored policies and programmes supporting the needs of the urban population (especially the poor) should be undertaken as well. While the extent of urban agriculture in Kosovo is unknown, this research aims to review the current policy environment for urban agriculture development, including agricultural and spatial planning-related legal framework, strategies, and key related reports, studies and official related data. It tries to identify the extent and development trend of small-scale agriculture in Kosovo, barriers hindering its expansion to urban areas, and based on the findings, the paper provides potential policy interventions to utilize the role of urban agriculture on sustainable urban development, as a source of fresh food but also a mechanism for alleviating urban poverty and inequalities, increasing community well-being, environmental performance and climate resilience.
... Kosovo is situated in Balkan Peninsula and its relief is mostly hilly-mountainous [Ramadani and Bytyqi 2018]. In geological setting, Kosovo is made with different formations ranging from Precambrian until the Quaternary, and is divided in different zones, where most of them belongs to Dinaric arc of the mountains. ...
... In agricultureoriented Krasnodar, Rostov, and Stavropol, the changes in agricultural land fund compositions are mainly linked with those of lands for transportation and communication. This result was consistent with what Ramadani and Bytyqi [123], Li et al. [118], and Al-Kofahi et al. [119] reported when assessing the effects of more significant concentrations of the population on the lower proportions of agricultural lands in a land fund. ...
In recent decades, Russia has experienced substantial transformations in agricultural land tenure. Post-Soviet reforms have shaped land distribution patterns but the impacts of these on agricultural use of land remain under-investigated. On a regional scale, there is still a knowledge gap in terms of knowing to what extent the variations in the compositions of agricultural land funds may be explained by changes in the acreage of other land categories. Using a case analysis of 82 of Russia’s territories from 2010 to 2018, the authors attempted to study the structural variations by picturing the compositions of regional land funds and mapping agricultural land distributions based on ranking “land activity”. Correlation analysis of centered log-ratio transformed compositional data revealed that in agriculture-oriented regions, the proportion of cropland was depressed by agriculture-to-urban and agriculture-to-industry land loss. In urbanized territories, the compositions of agricultural land funds were predominantly affected by changes in the acreage of industrial, transportation, and communication lands. In underpopulated territories in the north and far east of Russia, the acreages of cropland and perennial planting were strongly correlated with those of disturbed and barren lands. As the first attempt at such analysis in Russia, the conversion of cadastral classification data into land-rating values enabled the identification of region-to-region mismatches between the cadaster-based mapping and ranking-based distribution of agricultural lands.
