Ali Abu‐Nukta, Begum Sertyesilisik and Rafid Alkhaddar
The purpose of this paper is to investigate the application of water harvesting techniques as a sustainability measure of the cropping system for barley production in the Fa'a…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to investigate the application of water harvesting techniques as a sustainability measure of the cropping system for barley production in the Fa'a farming area located in the Northern part of Jordan.
Design/methodology/approach
Usually, the farmers plant barley to feed their animals. The climate of the area is semi‐arid to arid. Annual average rainfall in the area is not enough for the survival of barley and farmers are usually grassing barley instead of harvesting. Overgrazing and mismanagement contribute to land degradation in the area, which affect the production system in the area.
Findings
The paper investigates the runoff collection system which is framed with two different sizes in three different land uses: cultivated with barley; fallow and rangeland. Data are collected in all of five stormy events. The total soil sediment is measured for these land uses. The amount of water collected from runoff is also measured for the same areas. The ploughing against the slope with planting barley can reduce the runoff and soil sediment increasing soil moisture and reducing soil erosion. The barley production as biomass is highest using strip cropping as opposed to zero ratio control site or conventional cultivation. The plants' lengths were also higher in strip cropping ranging between 26 and 28 centimetres in the different strip cropping ratios compared to 23 centimetres in the conventional cropping system.
Originality/value
By using the results from this new research to such an area, surface runoff from the uncultivated land can be used to supplement the rainfall to the cultivated land. This increases the share of runoff on the cultivated land to the degree where barley can be harvested.
Details
Keywords
Rafid Alkhaddar, Thomas Wooder, Begum Sertyesilisik and Ashley Tunstall
The purpose of this paper is to investigate how a deep learning approach can impact the construction industry.
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to investigate how a deep learning approach can impact the construction industry.
Design/methodology/approach
The objectives of this paper were to investigate: the awareness of people dealing with sustainability in their daily working environment; how much training and information construction industry workers have had in the topic of sustainability; and if a deep learning approach to sustainability teaching can make an impact on everyday practise in the industry. With these objectives, following a literature review, a questionnaire survey has been applied to 133 office and site‐based construction workers. In total, 50 office‐based workers and 50 site‐based workers participated.
Findings
The findings reveal that deep learning can be a possible opportunity and that the Government and the construction industry should explore it when training their staff. Although there are agencies which specifically deal with green issues, they are not widely embraced and workers currently just use them as a way to meet criteria and not to fully grasp the concept and incorporate it into their everyday practice. If deep learning can be embraced it can lead to a continuous improvement in green practice.
Originality/value
With the UK government recently setting new targets for sustainability, it is important that the construction industry takes actions to reduce its carbon footprint. The construction industry needs to improve its ability to train and teach its staff about the importance of green issues and environmentally‐friendly practices. This paper presents the results of research which may contribute to meeting the government targets and can be useful for practitioners and researchers.
Details
Keywords
Michael Pitt and Rafid M. Alkhaddar
To provide background and insight into the maintenance of water supplies to Jordan including policy initiatives and solutions.
Abstract
Purpose
To provide background and insight into the maintenance of water supplies to Jordan including policy initiatives and solutions.
Design/methodology/approach
A case study style examination of recent articles and policy initiatives which provide a practical oversight of the real issues that impact upon Jordanian industry enabling the reader to grasp the significance of the water issue in the country.
Findings
Provides information on a variety of solutions to the water problem in Jordan. This paper concludes that water transfer via pipeline is the best solution but does not reach conclusions on the best route.
Research limitations/implications
Not an exhaustive examination and does not reach conclusions concerning an optimum pipeline route.
Practical implications
A useful overview for potential investors and/or facilities managers in the region. Useful as an examination of an extreme regional problem for both academics and practitioners.
Originality/value
Provides information on a region where economic growth is anticipated. Supplies information on water resource problems for industry.