Search Results (2,337)

Coastal lagoons are critical socio-ecological systems that face increasing anthropogenic pressures, threatening their sustainability. Understanding how different social actors value Nature’s Contributions to People (NCPs) is essential for developing effective and legitimate governance approaches. This study examines how sociodemographic characteristics and social roles influence plural valuations of NCPs in the Tres Palos lagoon, Mexico. We collected data from different social actor types across three coastal communities, assessing perception values, orientation values, and change projections for eight NCPs, with a focus on pattern identification and hypothesis generation rather than causal inference. Multiple Correspondence Analysis revealed that social actor type (decision-makers and residents) emerged as the primary factor differentiating NCP valuations. Decision-makers consistently rated regulating contributions (habitat creation, climate regulation, and soil formation) as highly important and projected future declines attributed to external pressures. In contrast, residents assigned lower importance to these contributions and anticipated stability through community restoration efforts. Sex also influenced value orientations, with women displaying more egoistic (self-interest) orientations toward habitat creation and the regulation of freshwater and coastal water quality, while men expressed altruistic (interest in others) orientations toward physical and psychological experiences, as well as habitat creation. These valuation mismatches reflect fundamentally different relationships with lagoon ecosystems: institutional regulatory perspectives versus experiential subsistence viewpoints. The divergent responsibility attributions and future projections create governance challenges that traditional top-down approaches cannot adequately address. Our findings underscore the need for reflexive governance frameworks that recognize value pluralism and foster inclusive spaces for dialogue among diverse knowledge systems. This research contributes to the growing literature on plural valuation while providing practical insights for coastal ecosystem management in the context of the Global South. Full article

The increasing frequency of extreme wildfire behavior globally, particularly under the influence of anthropogenic climate change, poses unprecedented challenges to traditional fire management paradigms. This study presents a comprehensive, multi-dimensional case study of the catastrophic eruptive fire event that occurred in Xintian County, Hunan Province, China, on 17 October 2022. By integrating data on long-term ecological drought, critical synoptic-scale weather conditions, and real-time emission profiles of combustion products, we delineate the mechanistic chain leading to eruptive fire development in a subtropical evergreen broad-leaved forest region, historically considered a low-to-moderate fire risk zone. Our results demonstrate that the eruptive fire was a consequence of a critical convergence of factors: a protracted pre-conditioning drought that significantly reduced live and dead fuel moisture, a specific meteorological window characterized by extremely low relative humidity (<60%) and initially high wind speeds (peak at 16.5–17.9 m/s), and the abundant production and accumulation of flammable pyrolysis gases (e.g., CO, CH₄) from the dominant Masson pine forests. The emission data pinpointed October 19th as the key tipping point, marking the transition to high-intensity combustion. This study underscores the vulnerability of subtropical forest ecosystems to eruptive fires during compound extreme events. Our findings provide a critical scientific basis for updating fire danger rating systems and early warning strategies in similar ecological regions under a changing climate. Full article

Chlorophyll fluorescence provides direct insights into the physiological status of algae, contributing to the understanding of the marine carbon cycle. However, in situ measurements of phytoplankton photosynthetic physiology remain relatively scarce in the Yangtze River Estuary (YRE), an ecosystem under intense anthropogenic pressure. Consequently, quantifying composition and physiological status variations of phytoplankton in this region is critical for understanding their ecological functions and responses. Spring cruise revealed that the warm and high-salinity oceanic region exhibited a greater abundance of dinoflagellates and chrysophytes, while the lower-salinity plume region was characterized by higher abundances of chlorophytes and cryptophytes. Diatoms dominated across all regions. The highest chlorophyll a concentration (6.3 μg/L) was observed in the oceanic region. Chlorophyll fluorescence indicated that the warm offshore community was more active, suggesting favorable phytoplankton growth. As temperature decreased and seawater mixed, the maximum relative electron transport rate (rETRmax) and the minimal saturated light intensity (I_k) decreased, yet the overall community remained healthy. Despite the plume delivering abundant nutrients, phytoplankton activity was relatively low due to the cold spring water temperature. This study will provide a foundation for understanding phytoplankton dynamics under anthropogenic influences in the YRE and the adjacent East China Sea, supporting algal bloom monitoring and early warning efforts. Full article

Basil (Ocimum basilicum L.) is one of the most widely cultivated herbal plants, valued in the food and pharmaceutical industries for its abundance of bioactive compounds, and also as an ornamental plant. The contents of its bioactive compounds are strongly influenced by both environmental and anthropogenic factors, among which fertilization plays a key role. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of different application doses (5, 10, 15, and 20 g·dm⁻³ of substrate) of an organic fertilizer (granulated cattle manure) on the fresh biomass yield and quality of two basil varieties: lemon basil and cinnamon basil. The applied manure doses significantly affected the fresh biomass yield of O. basilicum L. Both basil variety and fertilizer dose were found to determine the content of L-ascorbic acid and nitrates in the plants. Increasing manure doses resulted in higher contents of N, P, and K, as well as decreased contents of Ca and Mg in plants of both varieties. Full article

Aim: This study explored the differences in functional traits and soil physical and chemical properties of coastal plant communities under different disturbance intensities. It investigated the correlations between them to gain a deeper understanding of how plant communities adjust their functional traits in response to habitat changes. However, the mechanisms by which human disturbance influences plant functional traits remain unclear. This research endeavors to reveal the adaptive mechanisms and ecological strategies employed by coastal plant communities under different levels of anthropogenic disturbance. Methods: The study examined plant communities in three levels of disturbance (severe, moderate, and mild) in the coastal areas of Pingtan Island. Nine soil physicochemical property indicators and 16 plant functional trait indicators were collected to analyze the correlation between coastal green space plant functional traits and soil physicochemical properties. Results: Soil physicochemical properties (ST, SS, pH) of coastal plants varied under different disturbance intensities. Concurrently, plant functional traits (SLA, LDMC, LTD, LNC, LCC, LPC, LSC, RTD, RPC) also exhibited significant differences. Notably, the interactions among plant functional traits also varied under different disturbance intensities. Furthermore, plant functional traits exhibited distinct response mechanisms to changes in soil physicochemical properties. The plant community adjusts its resource allocation strategy to adapt to environmental changes, which is specifically manifested in the coordination of SRL, SRA, SLA, RPC, RNC, RCC, RSC, LPC, LNC, LT, LTD, and LDMC. Conclusions: Under severe disturbance, plant communities tend to adopt short-term rapid investment-return strategies to cope with harsh environmental conditions; moderate disturbance prompts slow investment-return strategies for long-term stable growth; mild disturbance triggers rapid investment-return strategies to enhance environmental adaptability. The research results indicate that by selecting appropriate plant resources based on different habitat characteristics, it is beneficial for the survival and reproduction of the plant community. Full article

Nest predation is a major factor limiting avian reproductive success. It depends on factors such as bird community, land use, vegetation structure and landscape. Anthropogenic disturbances in native forests, such as logging and livestock grazing, alter forest structure and understory, potentially affecting nest predation rates. In this study, we analysed the susceptibility of open-cup nests to predation in Nothofagus antarctica forests in Tierra del Fuego (Argentina), comparing 15–50 years ago thinned—T and unthinned forests, the latter classified as open—O, closed—C or very closed—VC. We also identified nest predators through camera traps and the main variables influencing predation using a Generalized Lineal Model. Data were collected from 32 sites representing the four studied categories of canopy cover across two years (256 artificial nests per year). Artificial nest predation rates varied between year (9.4% in 2018 and 40.2% in 2022) and among forest types. In 2018, the O forests had the highest predation rate (50%, 12 in total), whereas in 2022, VC forests showed the greatest predation (38%, 39 in total). Camera traps identified three nest predators: Milvago chimango, Campephilus magellanicus and Xolmis pyrope. In 2018, canopy cover was the only variable that influenced artificial nest predation, while in 2022, tree sapling cover, patch shape, open-cup nester density and tree basal area were the most influential (in that order). We found annual variations driven by different ecological factors in N. antarctica forest of southern Patagonia. Although thinning showed no significant long-term effects on artificial nest predation on this study, more research is needed to understand the influence of low impact forest management in austral bird communities. Full article

Understanding the occurrence and genesis of groundwater is vital for management and utilization. This study examines the hydrogeochemical characteristics and influencing factors of groundwater around Ji’an City, southern China, with 235 groundwater samples collected from pore, fissure–pore, karst, and bedrock fissure aquifers. Methods such as multivariate statistical analysis, Piper plot, Gibbs plots, and ion ratio coefficient were used for data analysis. Results indicated that groundwater hydrochemical types primarily were HCO₃-Ca, HCO₃·Cl-Na·Ca, and HCO₃-Na·Ca. The TDS and pH values ranged from 139.92 to 329.66 mg/L and from 4.7 to 8.5, respectively, indicating freshwater with a weakly acidic to neutral nature. Groundwater composition was shaped by a combination of rock weathering/dissolution, cation exchange, and anthropogenic activities. Karst water was notably affected by carbonate rock weathering/dissolution, whereas bedrock fissure water was primarily influenced by silicate rock weathering. Human activities showed a minimal impact on karst and bedrock fissure water, while pore and red-bed fissure–pore water were significantly impacted. The contributions of natural and anthropogenic input to groundwater chemistry were constrained by PCA, showing the rate was 78.09% 15.79%, respectively. Our findings provide insights into the distinct hydrogeochemical processes within different aquifer systems, contributing valuable data and methodologies for groundwater research and management in multi-aquifer systems. Full article

Urban green infrastructure (GI) provides a promising nature-based solution to mitigate urban air pollution, particularly fine particulate matter (PM), yet its quantifiable impacts across diverse urban settings remain insufficiently explored. This study investigates pollutant dynamics in Athens, Greece, a Mediterranean megacity characterized by high anthropogenic emissions and sparse green cover. A two-week monitoring campaign was conducted at four urban locations with vegetation density ranging from 5% to 100%. Concentrations of PM_2.5, PM₁₀, NO₂, CO₂, O₃, and VOCs were measured and analyzed using statistical approaches including ANOVA, ANCOVA, and regression models to normalize meteorological influences. Results showed consistent decreases in primary pollutants (PM_2.5, PM₁₀, NO₂, VOCs, CO₂) with increasing vegetation cover, while O₃ exhibited the expected inverse pattern due to reduced NO titration. Diurnal analyses revealed sharp peaks in PM and other pollutants during morning and evening rush hours in low vegetation corridors, contrasted with flatter profiles in greener sites. These findings demonstrate that even modest increases in green cover can dampen traffic-related pollution surges, reduce daily variability, and lower human exposure. The study highlights GI as a scalable and cost-effective strategy for particulate matter reduction and sustainable urban air quality improvement. Full article

Soil erosion poses a significant threat to the sustainability of land systems in karst mountainous regions, where steep slopes, shallow soils, and intensive human activities exacerbate land degradation, undermining both the productive functions and ecological services of land resources. This study evaluated soil erosion susceptibility in the karst-dominated Qingshui River watershed, Southwest China, and identified key drivers of land degradation to support targeted land management strategies. Four machine learning models, BPANN, BRTs, RF, and SVR were trained using twelve geo-environmental variables representing lithological, topographic, pedological, hydrological, and anthropogenic factors. Variable importance analysis revealed that annual precipitation, land use type, distance to roads, slope, and aspect consistently had the greatest influence on soil erosion patterns. Model performance assessment indicated that BRTs achieved the highest predictive accuracy (RMSE = 0.161, MAE = 0.056), followed by RF, BPANN, and SVR. Spatial susceptibility maps showed that high and very high erosion risk zones were mainly concentrated in the central and southeastern areas with steep slopes and exposed carbonate rocks, while low-risk zones were located in flatter, vegetated southwestern regions. These results confirm that hydrological conditions, topography, and anthropogenic activities are the primary drivers of soil erosion in karst landscapes. Importantly, the findings provide actionable insights for land and landscape management—such as optimizing land use, restoring vegetation on steep slopes, and regulating human activities in sensitive areas—to mitigate erosion, preserve land quality, and enhance the sustainability of karst land systems. Full article

This study investigated the physicochemical properties and nutrient dynamics on the Romanian shelf of the northwestern Black Sea in July 2024, collecting data across 36 stations (13–1116 m depth) heavily influenced by Danube discharges. Vertical CTD profiling revealed a pronounced seasonal thermocline and a deep-lying permanent halocline. The Cold Intermediate Layer (CIL) boundary, defined by the 8 °C isotherm, was absent, indicating warmer subsurface waters. Surface nutrient concentrations, particularly for nitrate (NO₃) and phosphate (PO₄), were considerably lower than peak eutrophication periods, approaching pre-1970s values, suggesting a positive trend due to reduced anthropogenic loading. They are also comparable to or lower than other coastal regions in the Black Sea. Vertical nutrient profiles confirmed the typical anoxic Black Sea structure, but with regional specifics: the PO₄ maximum was slightly deeper, and the NO₃ maximum position and concentration mirrored the pre-eutrophication period, further supporting reduced anthropogenic nitrogen input. Silicate (SiO₄) concentrations were consistently low throughout the water column, suggesting the northwest shelf functions as a SiO₄ sink compared to the southeastern Black Sea. Overall results indicate a shift towards a less eutrophic state on the Romanian shelf while highlighting the continued dominance of Danube-driven hydrodynamics. In addition to those investigations, this study assessed nutrient preservation techniques, finding that pasteurization was significantly superior to freezing for maintaining the stability of PO₄ and NOx (losses up to 20% and 47% for frozen samples, respectively) over six months. Though SiO₄ was stable under both methods, the freezing produced lower concentrations, possibly from incomplete depolymerization during thawing. These findings stress that pasteurization could be taken into consideration as a reliable preservation technique for long-term storage of nutrient samples. Full article

Biodiversity maintenance function (BMF) denotes the capacity of ecosystems to sustain genetic, species, ecosystem, and landscape diversity. Assessing the spatial distribution and underlying drivers of BMF at the regional scale is essential for biodiversity management. However, research on the socio-ecological drivers of BMF from a geographical perspective remains scarce. Therefore, this study developed an integrated assessment framework encompassing climatic factors, species richness, vegetation status, ecosystem protection, and anthropogenic disturbance. We analyzed the BMF spatial patterns across Liaoning Province, China, and identified the dominant drivers and their spatial heterogeneity using multi-scale geographically weighted regression and geographical detector. The results show that (1) the eastern/western mountainous regions and Liaohe River estuary are critical BMF zones for prioritized conservation; (2) BMF spatial variation is mainly shaped by precipitation, temperature, slope, and forestland/farmland proportion, with factor interactions amplifying their impacts; (3) drivers show distinct spatial heterogeneity. Specifically, precipitation, slope, and NDVI exert homogeneous effects, whereas elevation, temperature, farmland/wetland proportion, and GDP exhibit pronounced heterogeneity. Natural factors generally exert positive effects, while the farmland/urban proportion tends to exert negative impacts—for example, farmland’s negative influence is stronger in the west, whereas the forestland and temperature exert more positive effects in the east. The results enhance the methodological framework for elucidating the spatial relationships between BMF and drivers, providing a scientific basis for biodiversity conservation and ecosystem management in Liaoning Province and similar regions. Full article

Fire in China, driven by both natural and anthropogenic factors, significantly influences ecological stability. This study provides a comprehensive spatiotemporal analysis of active fires across China from 2003 to 2024 using MODIS Collection 6.1 active fire and land cover products. Our results reveal a significant national decline in fire counts since 2016, accompanied by with a marked geographical shift in hotspots from East China to Northeast China. It clarifies that croplands and savannas are the main fire-prone land covers, yet they have also experienced the most substantial decline in fire counts. East China (46.8%) and Central China (27.1%) were the largest contributors to the reduction in cropland fire counts. Temporal displacement toward nighttime straw burning was observed in East China. The decline in average fire radiative power (FRP) of daytime agricultural fires indicates that straw burning bans effectively reduced both the frequency and intensity of fires. Persistent savanna and forest fires are highly clustered in Southern China, while new emerging grassland fires are concentrated in Western China. Persistent cropland fires overlap with emerging zones in Northeast and Central China. Our study can assist in optimizing targeted fire policies and supporting better fire risk management. Full article

Background/Objectives: The exposome includes all environmental exposures throughout a lifetime and profoundly influences health and disease, reflecting the totality of environmental chemical exposures throughout an individual’s life, encompassing both natural and anthropogenic chemicals from external sources. Conventional methods for environmental chemical analysis have generally concentrated on individual representatives or substance classes; however, single analyte/class techniques are impractical for extensive epidemiological studies that require the analysis of thousands of samples, as anticipated for forthcoming exposome-wide association studies. This narrative review analyzes the evolution and implementation of multiclass assays for measuring ambient chemical exposure, emphasizing analytical techniques that provide the concurrent quantification of various chemical classes. Methods: This narrative review consolidates existing literature on multiclass analytical methodologies for measuring exposure to environmental chemical mixtures, encompassing mass spectrometry platforms, sample preparation techniques, chromatographic separation methods, and validation strategies for thorough exposure assessment in human biomonitoring research. The review includes liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry techniques, solid-phase extraction methods, and data analysis strategies for both targeted and non-targeted study. Results: Multi-class methodologies provide the concurrent quantification of compounds from many classes without the necessity for distinct conventional procedures, thus minimizing time, expense, and sample volume. The robustness of the method indicates appropriate extraction recovery and matrix effects between 60 and 130%, inter-/intra-day precision under 30%, and remarkable sensitivity with detection limits from 0.015 to 50 pg/mL for 60–80% of analytes in the examined human matrices. The methodology facilitates the concurrent identification of the endogenous metabolome, food-associated metabolites, medicines, home chemicals, environmental contaminants, and microbiota derivatives, including over 1000 chemicals and metabolites in total. Conclusions: These thorough analytical methods deliver the requisite performance for extensive exposome-wide association studies, yielding quantitative results and uncovering unforeseen exposures, thereby augmenting our comprehension of the chemical exposome, which is essential for advancing disease prevention in public health and personalized medicine. Full article

Understanding groundwater quality and its controlling mechanisms is vital for the sustainable use of water resources in agriculturally intensive regions. This study evaluates the hydrochemical characteristics, controlling geochemical processes, and overall water quality of 226 groundwater samples collected from a typical agricultural reclamation area in the Sanjiang Plain, northeastern China. Major ion compositions indicate that groundwater is predominantly of the Ca–HCO₃ type, with bicarbonate, calcium, and magnesium as the dominant constituents. Spatial and statistical analyses reveal that rock weathering—particularly the dissolution of carbonates and silicates—is the primary natural process influencing groundwater chemistry, while cation exchange contributes moderately. Anthropogenic inputs, especially from fertilizers, livestock waste, and wastewater discharge, were found to elevate concentrations of NO₃⁻, Cl⁻, and SO₄²⁻ in localized zones. The entropy-weighted water quality index (EWQI) was applied to assess overall groundwater suitability. Results show that 89.8% of samples fall into “excellent” or “good” categories, though 6.6% of samples indicate poor to very poor water quality. This study identified the hydrochemical characteristics, sources of substances, and water quality of groundwater in the reclamation area, providing a basis for scientific prevention and control, rational utilization, and protection of groundwater resources. Full article

Viral zoonoses represent a critical intersection of global health, ecology, and ethical issues. Pathogens that pass from animals to humans. This review examines the complex landscape of viral zoonoses, including their mechanisms, impact, and mitigation strategies. We begin with insights into the historical context and significance of these diseases and then explore spillover mechanisms influenced by genetic, ecological, and anthropogenic factors. This review covers the host range, transmission dynamics, and immunological barriers, including viral detection, adaptation, and immune evasion. Genomic insights have revealed the genetic determinants of host switching and adaptation, illuminating the dynamics of viral spillover events. We emphasize the anticipation and prevention of zoonotic events, highlighting surveillance, early warning systems, and the “One Health” approach. Using case studies of outbreaks such as Ebola, avian influenza, and COVID-19, this review examines the real-world consequences of zoonotic diseases. We then discuss interventions, including mitigation strategies and vaccination, and their ethical and social implications. Drawing on past outbreaks, we provide recommendations for the future, aiming to balance human health, conservation, and animal welfare. This review aims to inform professionals, academics, and policymakers by offering a multidisciplinary perspective on the complex world of viral zoonoses and strategies to protect global health. Full article