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A 3D model communicates more effectively than a 2D model, hence the applications of 3D city models are rapidly gaining significance in urban studies. However, presently, there is a dearth of free of cost, high-resolution 3D city models available for use. This paper offers potential solutions to this problem by providing a globally replicable methodology to generate low-cost 3D city models from open source 2D building data in conjunction with open satellite-based elevation datasets. Two geographically and morphologically different case studies were used to develop and test this methodology: the Chinese city of Shanghai and the city of Nottingham in the UK. The method is based principally on OpenStreetMap (OSM) and Advanced Land Observing Satellite World 3D digital surface model (AW3D DSM) data and use GMTED 2010 DTM data for undulating terrain. Further enhancement of the resultant 3D model, though not compulsory, uses higher resolution elevation models that are not always open source, but if available can be used (i.e., airborne LiDAR generated DTM). Further we test and develop methods to improve the accuracy of the generated 3D models, employing a small subset of high resolution data that are not open source but can be purchased with a minimal budgets. Given these scenarios of data availability are globally applicable and time-efficient for 3D building generation (where 2D building footprints are available), our proposed methodology has the potential to accelerate the production of 3D city models, and thus to facilitate their dependent applications (e.g., disaster management) wherever commercial 3D city models are unavailable.

Algae are one of the major groups of soil microflora in agricultural lands. Among algae, the bluegreens are considered to be very valuable in agriculture. The role of them in soil fertility enhancement has been extensively studied worldwide. Sustainable utilization of an organism for any human purpose depends on how successfully the ecology of the same is thoroughly understood. Kuttanadu is a unique tropical paddy-wetland. Ecology of blue-green-algae and the exact diversity of the same in the zone remained unexplored. This is the first report of the blue-green-algal community of Kuttanadu in relation to different soil-regions, seasons, and crop-growth-stages. A rich blue-green-algal diversity of 64 species, with Oscillatoriales as the dominants (38%), is observed in these paddy-fields. The highest values for all the ecological parameters analyzed were found in the Lower Kuttanadu soil region, during Virippu season, at panicle stage of the crop whereas the lowest values for most of the parameters were observed in Upper Kuttanadu soils during puncha season at the seedling and panicle stages. The species richness and diversity index showed positive correlation to crop seasons. Apart from the specific soil and climatic factors, the total number of blue green algal isolates showed positive correlation to total nitrogen and phosphorus in the soils.

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This assessment of ecology and diversity of Diatoms in Kuttanadu, is continuation of the previous publications of Green-algae and Blue-green-algae of the same region; all the three investigations were carried out simultaneously. The unique Kuttanadu wetlands (90˚17'N to 90˚40'N; 760˚19'E to 760˚33'E), a well known 'Rice bowl' of Kerala, spread over 53,639 hectares, is located in Alapuzha District of Kerala, India. This wetland was once known for its high biodiversity, but currently severely affected by intensive green-revolution activities of past few decades. Main objective of the present report is to explain the diversity and ecological status of Diatoms in relation to the environment conditions currently existing in the region. Duration of the study was from December 2009 to October 2010. Soil samples of three different soil-types in two different crop-seasons, at two diverse crop-growth-stages are analyzed and compared. Altogether 120 composite soil samples randomly collected from the broad wetlands are analyzed. A rich community of Diatoms, of 40 species is found out. The order Naviculales is observed as the dominant Diatom (40%) in these paddy wetlands. Ecological parameters of Diatoms were found highest in the Lower Kuttanadu soil region, during Virippu season, at the seedling-stage of the crop, whereas the lowest value for most of the parameters were observed in Kayal soils during Puncha season at the seedling-stage. Apart from the specific soil factors influencing Diatom population characteristics in the region, crop seasons and soil phosphorus are found to have significant influence on Diatoms in this wetland paddy soils.

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Indigenous food systems ensure ecological and socio-economic sustainability but remain marginalized in science and policy. We argue that better documentation, deeper understanding, and political recognition of indigenous knowledge can help transform food systems.Indigenous knowledge is crucial for sustainable transformations of food systems but often remains marginalized in policy and practice. Controversies surrounding the 2021 UN Food Systems Summit have highlighted this issue, as a broad alliance of academics and activists boycotted the event by arguing that it disempowered indigenous people and constituted an effort by "multinational corporations, philanthropies, and export-oriented countries to […] capture the global narrative of food systems transformation 1 ".The contestation of the 2021 Summit reflects a deeper tension between increasing emphasis on the importance of indigenous knowledge in academic research and its continued marginalization in institutions and decision-making processes of the global food system. As participants and organizers of the 2021 Summit's side event Bridging scientific and indigenous peoples' knowledge for sustainable and inclusive food systems, we identified seven key entry points for the inclusion of indigenous knowledge in the negotiation of food systems transformations. Entry points for indigenous engagementLearning from case studies and discussions at our side event of the 2021 Summit, we highlight the need for concrete entry points beyond merely symbolic acknowledgment of the importance of indigenous knowledge. We identified seven entry points that can contribute to bridging indigenous and academic knowledge about food systems (Fig. 1). The diversity of entry points reflects the need for a multi-pronged approach that includes an improved understanding of indigenous knowledge systems, more inclusive practices of conservation and negotiation, as well as political articulations of indigenous representation and self-determination.Co-evolution of ecosystems and knowledge systems. Indigenous people conserve about 80% of the world's biodiversity 2 and their knowledge systems have co-evolved with ecosystems, guiding agricultural and other livelihood practices. Despite growing academic interest in the co-evolution of ecosystems and knowledge systems 3 , agricultural development often fails to recognize the adaptive character of indigenous knowledge and practices. Understanding this co-evolution and adaptation is crucial for situating indigenous food systems and their sustainable roles in wider environments 4 .