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Impact on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

Analysis of institutional authors

Estefania-Salazar, EnriqueCorresponding AuthorIglesias, EvaAuthorLoureiro, Maria LuzAuthor

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March 13, 2025
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Can Invasive Plants Improve Drought Resilience? A Participatory Approach in Northern Nigeria

Publicated to: Journal of Environment & Development. 34 (3): 754-774 - 2025-09-01 34(3), DOI: 10.1177/10704965251324620

Authors:

Estefania-Salazar, E; Iglesias, E; Loureiro, ML
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Affiliations

Univ Politecn Madrid, CEIGRAM, Madrid 28040, Spain - Author
Univ Politecn Madrid, Dept Agr Econ Stat & Business, Madrid 28040, Spain - Author
Univ Santiago de Compostela, Santiago De Compostela, Spain - Author
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Abstract

Innovative solutions are needed to fight against the expansion of invasive species worldwide. In Hadejia Valley, in northern Nigeria, cattail (Typha spp.) has colonized vast areas causing environmental and food security problems. Livestock plays a key role in ensuring food security in this region; however, it becomes compromised during the dry season. A nature-based solution is proposed that takes advantage of the invasive plant species to produce silage. To facilitate the adoption of this technology, we employ a participatory approach in which fuzzy cognitive maps are used to enhance adaptation to local conditions and future implementation. We perform focus groups and face-to-face interviews with 312 people. The participants demonstrated a strong willingness to adopt the technology, and our findings indicate positive gender-related impacts on business opportunities. However, we also identify barriers that could be addressed by taking advantage of the social capital in the region and implementing targeted economic subsidies.
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Keywords

Action researcAction researchCollective actionConservationFuzzy cognitive mappingFuzzy cognitive mapsInvasive plantsLivestockManagemenSilageZero hunger

Quality index

Bibliometric impact. Analysis of the contribution and dissemination channel

The work has been published in the journal Journal of Environment & Development due to its progression and the good impact it has achieved in recent years, according to the agency Scopus (SJR), it has become a reference in its field. In the year of publication of the work, 2025, it was in position , thus managing to position itself as a Q1 (Primer Cuartil), in the category Development.

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Impact and social visibility

From the perspective of influence or social adoption, and based on metrics associated with mentions and interactions provided by agencies specializing in calculating the so-called "Alternative or Social Metrics," we can highlight as of 2026-04-27:

  • The use of this contribution in bookmarks, code forks, additions to favorite lists for recurrent reading, as well as general views, indicates that someone is using the publication as a basis for their current work. This may be a notable indicator of future more formal and academic citations. This claim is supported by the result of the "Capture" indicator, which yields a total of: 9 (PlumX).

With a more dissemination-oriented intent and targeting more general audiences, we can observe other more global scores such as:

    It is essential to present evidence supporting full alignment with institutional principles and guidelines on Open Science and the Conservation and Dissemination of Intellectual Heritage. A clear example of this is:

    • The work has been submitted to a journal whose editorial policy allows open Open Access publication.
    • Assignment of a Handle/URN as an identifier within the deposit in the Institutional Repository: https://oa.upm.es/92052/

    As a result of the publication of the work in the institutional repository, statistical usage data has been obtained that reflects its impact. In terms of dissemination, we can state that, as of

    • Views: 61
    • Downloads: 17
    Continuing with the social impact of the work, it is important to emphasize that, due to its content, it can be assigned to the area of interest of ODS 2 - End hunger, achieve food security and improved nutrition and promote sustainable agriculture, with a probability of 55% according to the mBERT algorithm developed by Aurora University.
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    Leadership analysis of institutional authors

    There is a significant leadership presence as some of the institution’s authors appear as the first or last signer, detailed as follows: First Author (ESTEFANIA SALAZAR, ENRIQUE) and Last Author (LOUREIRO GARCÍA, MARÍA LUZ).

    the author responsible for correspondence tasks has been ESTEFANIA SALAZAR, ENRIQUE.

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    Project objectives

    La aportación persigue los siguientes objetivos: analizar el impacto de la planta invasora Typha spp. en la resiliencia a la sequía en el valle de Hadejia, Nigeria; evaluar el uso de esta especie para la producción de ensilaje como solución basada en la naturaleza; emplear un enfoque participativo mediante mapas cognitivos difusos para adaptar la tecnología a las condiciones locales; identificar la disposición de la comunidad a adoptar esta tecnología mediante grupos focales y entrevistas a 312 personas; determinar los impactos de género relacionados con oportunidades de negocio; y caracterizar las barreras sociales y económicas para su implementación, proponiendo el aprovechamiento del capital social y subsidios económicos específicos.
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    Most relevant results

    El estudio presenta resultados relevantes sobre el uso de plantas invasoras para mejorar la resiliencia a la sequía en el valle de Hadejia, Nigeria. En primer lugar, se propone una solución basada en la producción de ensilaje a partir de Typha spp., una planta invasora que afecta la seguridad alimentaria. En segundo lugar, mediante un enfoque participativo con 312 personas, se identificó una alta disposición para adoptar esta tecnología. En tercer lugar, se observaron impactos positivos relacionados con el género en las oportunidades de negocio. Finalmente, se detectaron barreras para la adopción que podrían superarse aprovechando el capital social y mediante subsidios económicos específicos.
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    Awards linked to the item

    We thank our colleagues at Federal University of Gashua-Prof. John S. Alao, Dr O. John Makinde, Amos M. Dunya, Muhammad Chana Ibrahim, Ahmad Rufai Musa, Kazeem Badmus Ajasa, Dr Aminu Maidala and Hannatu Charles-for their instrumental and valuable help with the implementation of focus group discussions and field survey.
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