Vol. 2 No. 2 (2026): Volume 2 Issue 2 2026

View Vol. 2 No. 2 (2026): Volume 2 Issue 2 2026
DOI: https://doi.org/10.63095/NBSEH.v2.n2.2026
Published: 2026-04-09

Full Issue

In Memoriam

  • Global; Temporal: 1932–2026; Jurisdiction: Global population and environmental context

    Obituary, Professor Paul R. Ehrlich, ForMemRS, 1932 – 2026

    Michael Brett-Crowther
    1-3
    DOI: https://doi.org/10.63095/NBSEH.26.944274
  • Spatial: Borneo, Indonesia; Temporal: 1946–2026; Jurisdiction: Global environmental conservation

    Biruté Galdikas, OC (1946–2026), Primatologist and Defender of Orangutans

    Michael Brett-Crowther
    4-5
    DOI: https://doi.org/10.63095/NBSEH.26.115468

Articles

  • Ukrainian soil scientists made major contributions that imperial Russian and Soviet systems ignored. Kharkiv professors Nykyfor Borysiak and Ivan Levakovskyi developed an early theory of chernozem soils decades before Vasily Dokuchaev’s well-known work, and scholars in western Ukraine later shaped the Polish school of soil science. Despite repression, researchers such as Hryhorii Andrushchenko, N. Vernander and H. Hryn advanced soil surveys, mapping and theory that continue to support modern soil science and global research collaboration

    The heritage of Ukrainian Soil Scientists and its Significance for Global Food Security Revivified

    Petro Hnativ, Hryhoriy Hospodarenko, Igor Papish, Vadym Solovei, Oksana Haskevych
    6-22
    DOI: https://doi.org/10.63095/NBSEH.26.336093
  • Western Ukraine possesses immense agricultural potential, yet this potential will only be fully realised through the reconstruction and modernisation of the livestock sector within a sustainable and scientifically guided framework

    Status and Prospects of Agricultural Development in Western Ukraine

    Petro Hnativ, Oleg Stasiv , Halyna Panahyd, Hryhoriy Konyk, Stakh Vovk
    23-34
    DOI: https://doi.org/10.63095/NBSEH.26.1360049
  • Organic waste management is necessary. Digestates and compost are very valuable products. Compost, which is the output of the aerobic composting process, gives a final material rich in stable organic matter and humic compounds. Digestate, a byproduct of anaerobic digestion, offers a mineral-rich substance that is ready for plant absorption. Over time, the stable organic matter in the compost helps to increase soil fertility and structure. The digestate content supplies a significant source of plants' rapid nutritional support. This quick release of nutrients might result in many environmental challenges, and so the application must be well managed

    From Waste to Soil Fertility: Comparative Assessment of Anaerobic Digestion and Aerobic Composting in Agricultural Sustainability

    Tarik Foughal, Bouchaib Bahlaouan, Meriem Mahmoudi, Nadia Boutaleb
    35-54
    DOI: https://doi.org/10.63095/NBSEH.26.345288
  • This study demonstrates the biostimulant potential of the alien brown alga Sargassum muticum, showing that eco-friendly hot and cold extracts significantly enhance seed germination and early seedling growth of radish at low concentrations under in vitro conditions. Under greenhouse conditions, the cold extract applied at higher concentration promoted plant growth, biomass accumulation, and calcium enrichment in roots, supporting the use of S. muticum as a natural and sustainable biofertilizer.

    Potential Use of Sargassum Muticum as a Source of Plant Biostimulants for the Germination and Growth of Radish (Raphanus sativus L.) Through the Application of Eco-Friendly Extracts for Sustainable Agriculture

    Lahcen Jadour, Abderrahmane Aamiri, Ichraq Ben Elfkih, Yasmine Touhamia, kharbouch Barhoum, Hassan Bouguiri, Nor-Eddine Rezzoum, Abdelaziz Mimouni, Touria Ould Bel Lahcen
    55-77
    DOI: https://doi.org/10.63095/NBSEH.26.150470
  • Agricultural mulching films in Morocco raise yields, reduce pesticide use, and improve water efficiency. Yet poor recyclability causes soil and water pollution and microplastic spread. A survey of ten companies shows high reliance on virgin polymers, short lifespan, and recycling rates below 30%. Strategic pathways include a plastic tax, subsidies, robust monitoring, and integration with green transition policies to build a circular economy.

    Production and Recycling of Agricultural Mulching Films in Morocco: Challenges, Barriers, and Strategic Pathways

    Fatima Azzahra Louanjli, Ghita Radi Benjelloun, Khawla Waddi, FatimaZahra Boutaleb, Rajaa Tesse, Ikrame Charef, Meriem Mahmoudi, Bouchaib Bahlaouan, Nadia Boutaleb
    78-103
    DOI: https://doi.org/10.63095/NBSEH.26.787520
  • Morocco has a rich and diverse Agri-food heritage, with over 200 terroir products such as Argan oil, Saffron, and Olive oil. These products are both a cultural pillar and a socio-economic driver for rural areas, supporting local communities and preserving traditional knowledge. National strategies, such as the Green Morocco Plan (2008) and Generation Green (2020-2030), aim to enhance these products through cooperatives, official labels, and new technologies. Official quality labels like AOP, IGP, and Agricultural Label help ensure traceability, protect geographical origin, and build consumer trust. These initiatives also promote the development of structured marketing channels and the adoption of innovative processing techniques. Despite these efforts, technical, organizational, and environmental challenges remain, including limited resources and climate constraints. It is important to strengthen the value chains of these products. They are a major opportunity for sustainable rural development and economic inclusion.

    Terroir Products in Morocco: A review of Challenges, Development Strategies, Biotechnology for Sustainable Valorization

    Barae Abaida, Rajaa Tesse, Bouchaib Bahlaouan, FatimaZahra Boutaleb, Marouane Chahbouni, Ghita Radi Benjelloun, Nadia Boutaleb
    104-136
    DOI: https://doi.org/10.63095/NBSEH.26.583051
  • This review analyses current publication trends to outline the development of kefir as a functional food. It examines the complex microbial community and its protective matrix to show how careful strain selection and controlled bioprocesses can improve fermentation and scale up production. Finally, these production methods are linked to human health benefits, highlighting how kefir influences the gut microbiome to support digestion, cognitive function, and overall metabolic balance.

    The Science of Kefir: Advances in Microbial Ecology, Bioprocess Control, and Functional Health Outcomes

    Mohamed Lahrairi, Karima Jmaili, Meriem Mahmoudi, Bouchaib Bahlaouan, Hlima Bessi, Nadia Boutaleb
    137-163
    DOI: https://doi.org/10.63095/NBSEH.26.854477
  • Following widespread emerald ash borer (Agrilus planipennis Fairmaire) infestation, damaged forests in North America are slowly recovering. Previous studies of recovery in North America have focused largely on the eastern United States and the Great Lakes regions. This article describes the initial phase of recovery in a suburban lake setting following an infestation that swept through a bottomland forest in north-central Texas, near the southwest edge of the green ash’s native range.

    Recovery from Emerald Ash Borer (Agrilus planipennis Fairmaire) Infestation in a Suburban Lake Environment

    Paul Hudak
    164-172
    DOI: https://doi.org/10.63095/NBSEH.26.231190
  • This study investigates the determinants of households’ willingness to pay (WTP) for improved urban air quality in Khulna City, Bangladesh, based on a survey of 385 households. Results show that perceived air pollution, respiratory illness, residential proximity to major roads, and engagement in informal occupations significantly increase the likelihood of WTP, whereas lower educational attainment reduces it. Income and gender are not significant predictors. The findings highlight the importance of risk perception, health vulnerability, and exposure in shaping environmental valuation behaviour, providing evidence to inform targeted awareness campaigns and locally appropriate air quality financing strategies

    Determinants of Household Willingness to Pay for Improved Urban Air Quality: Evidence from Khulna City, Bangladesh

    Tanvir Ahmed, Nure Jannat Arpa, Abdullah Al Zabir
    173-199
    DOI: https://doi.org/10.63095/NBSEH.26.553041
  • This study in Kampala, Uganda, found that effective decentralized waste management, characterized by reliable service and strong community engagement, is strongly linked to improved community health. The operational quality of these systems explained 73.4% of the variance in health outcomes, demonstrating their potential as public health interventions in resource-limited urban settings

    Decentralized Solid Waste Management and Community Health Outcomes in Kampala, Uganda

    Mustafe Mahamoud Abdillahi, Hodo Nur Osman, Rogers Barigayamwe
    200-217
    DOI: https://doi.org/10.63095/NBSEH.26.667609
  • Extrapulmonary tuberculosis (EPT) is caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis and affects sites other than the lungs, and GeneXpert MTB/RIF is a WHO-recommended automated PCR assay for rapid detection of the Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex and rifampicin resistance. In a 36-month retrospective study including 155 EPT cases in Morocco, GeneXpert showed higher positivity than microscopy (14.61% vs 0.57%) and good performance compared to culture, with a sensitivity of 85.71%, specificity of 88.63%, and negative predictive value of 100%, supporting its use as a rapid and effective diagnostic tool for EPT.

    Molecular Diagnosis of Extrapulmonary Tuberculosis and Rifampicin Resistance Using Genexpert MTB/RIF in Morocco

    Kholoud Maafi, Ismail Nafi, Firdaous Laariche, Marwa Nabil, Hamza Abidar, Karim Souly, Souad Aboudkhil
    218-243
    DOI: https://doi.org/10.63095/NBSEH.26.455534

Book Review