scholarly journals Emerging Technologies to Enable Sustainable Controlled Environment Agriculture in the Extreme Environments of Middle East-North Africa Coastal Regions

2020 ◽  
Vol 11 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ryan M. Lefers ◽  
Mark Tester ◽  
Kyle J. Lauersen
Keyword(s):  
Middle East ◽  
North Africa ◽  
Emerging Technologies ◽  
Extreme Environments ◽  
Controlled Environment ◽  
Coastal Regions ◽  
Controlled Environment Agriculture

Protected Agriculture in Extreme Environments: A Review of Controlled Environment Agriculture in Tropical, Arid, Polar, and Urban Locations

2018 ◽  
Vol 34 (2) ◽  
pp. 455-473 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lucas McCartney ◽  
Mark Lefsrud
Keyword(s):  
Solar Radiation ◽  
Natural Ventilation ◽  
Extreme Environments ◽  
Urban Environments ◽  
Plant Production ◽  
Temperate Climate ◽  
Controlled Environment ◽  
Pests And Diseases ◽  
High Solar Radiation ◽  
Controlled Environment Agriculture

Abstract. Many methods of protected agriculture are used to modify the growing environment of plants. Ideally, plant production would take place in regions that do not require protective structures, regions that present ideal temperatures, no harsh extremes, and sufficient but not excess precipitation. This is not the case however, as most countries, save for a select few, require various forms of controlled environment agriculture to protect crops against climatic and environmental extremes. Although the greenhouse industry has developed vast amounts of technology for the temperate climate regions of our planet, much remains to be improved in terms of protected agriculture in the more extreme climates. Tropical, arid, polar and urban locations offer contrasting environments that present various challenges for plant growth. Some challenges are specific to each location, while others are common across them. Tropical and arid climates offer high solar radiation, but present harsh temperature and relative humidity conditions. Most protected agriculture structures are relatively open in nature to ventilate and discharge heat, but are susceptible to pests and diseases. On the other hand, polar climates and urban environments often lack solar radiation and require a high level of control of the air quality. The structures used in these environments are relatively enclosed to entrap heat (polar) and to make efficient use of space. The sustainability of available technologies and energy efficiency are important themes present in all discussed climates and environments. Protected agriculture technologies offer solutions to growers in locations with extreme climates wishing to produce high yields of high quality crop, and this article presents a review of the existing challenges and of the advancements made in this field. Keywords: Arid climate greenhouse, Evaporative cooling, Natural ventilation, Protected agriculture, Tropical climate greenhouse, Urban agriculture, Vertical farming.

Press Propaganda and Subaltern Agents of Pan-Islamic Networks in the Muslim Mediterranean World prior to World War I

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Odile Moreau
Keyword(s):  
Middle East ◽  
World War I ◽  
North Africa ◽  
World War ◽  
Subaltern Studies ◽  
Resistance Movements ◽  
The Press ◽  
Mediterranean World ◽  
History Of

This chapter explores movement and circulation across the Mediterranean and seeks to contribute to a history of proto-nationalism in the Maghrib and the Middle East at a particular moment prior to World War I. The discussion is particularly concerned with the interface of two Mediterranean spaces: the Middle East (Egypt, Ottoman Empire) and North Africa (Morocco), where the latter is viewed as a case study where resistance movements sought external allies as a way of compensating for their internal weakness. Applying methods developed by Subaltern Studies, and linking macro-historical approaches, namely of a translocal movement in the Muslim Mediterranean, it explores how the Egypt-based society, al-Ittihad al-Maghribi, through its agent, Aref Taher, used the press as an instrument for political propaganda, promoting its Pan-Islamic programme and its goal of uniting North Africa.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document