Search Results (3,011)

Climate change observed in recent decades has, in most cases, negatively impacted on the operations of non-financial and agricultural enterprises. Filling a gap in the economic literature, this article presents the results of a study on the impact of rising temperature on the resilience to bankruptcy risk of over four thousand agricultural enterprises operating in Poland between 2016 and 2023, taking into account temperature and macroeconomic conditions of regions of their operation and assessing resilience with Altman (Z-score) and Zmijewski (X-score) methods. Using panel regression, it was demonstrated that temperature changes have a significant nonlinear (parabolic) effect on enterprise resilience. An increase in annual average temperatures above the long-term average weakens enterprise resilience. A generally similar, although individually variable relationship occurs for changes in average temperatures in spring, autumn, and winter. In the summer, this relationship is ambiguous. Furthermore, the resilience to bankruptcy risk improves growth in regional GDP and agricultural production, as well as enterprise’s assets, profitability and the share of equity in the financing structure. The conclusions can be used by agricultural enterprises in preparing contingency plans in the event of potential temperature shocks, and public administration for developing programs to protect agriculture against temperature shocks and food security plans. Full article

Despite severe particulate matter (PM) pollution in Central Asia, limited air composition and health impact data are hindering sustainable air quality management and resilient urban planning. This study provides the first comprehensive assessment of PM_2.5 and PM_2.5–10 in the urban environment of Astana, Kazakhstan, a rapidly expanding city with intense winter heating demands. We characterized PM and atmospheric precipitation and assessed health risks using bioaccessible fractions of PM-bound potentially toxic elements (PTEs). Among 388 samples, PM_2.5 and PM_2.5–10 concentrations peaked at 534 and 1564 μg·m⁻³, respectively. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) identified soot and coal fly ash, indicating fossil fuel combustion as a major source. Precipitation characterization also showed elevated SO₄²⁻ (17.8 μg⋅L⁻¹), V (108 μg⋅L⁻¹), Ni (84.0 μg⋅L⁻¹), and Mn (63.2 μg⋅L⁻¹). Bioaccessibility tests showed high solubility for Fe (16,229 mg·kg⁻¹) followed by V: key indicators of combustion emissions. Non-carcinogenic risk for Ni and V exceeded acceptable limits for adults and children (e.g., HQ: 6.07 for V for adults). Carcinogenic risk exceeded the threshold 10⁻⁶ for Cd (adults), Co, Cr, and Ni. These findings may help advance urban air quality management via integrating bioaccessibility-based health risk assessment and source apportionment, supporting evidence-driven policies for environmentally responsible development in rapidly urbanizing cold-climate regions. Full article

Background/Objectives: The global syndemic of obesity, undernutrition, and climate change highlight the complex health and environmental challenges faced by young adults. These challenges may intensify during the transition to university. As a matter of fact, limited budgets, time constraints, and insufficient culinary skills often lead to unbalanced diets and increased risk of obesity. University cafeterias, serving large numbers of students, represent an ideal setting to promote healthier and more sustainable eating behaviors. The FOOD-HACK Project aimed to design and implement a cafeteria-based intervention using nudging strategies to promote healthier and more sustainable lunch choices among university students. Methods: This pilot study employed a pre–post design with two independent phases in the Polo Cravino cafeteria at the University of Pavia. Food consumption was assessed over 12 non-consecutive days across four weeks. During the intervention, three nudging strategies were implemented: (1) choice architecture, (2) salient labeling, highlighting healthy and sustainable options, and (3) educational prompts. Results: Across both phases, 2400 tray photographs were collected. Post-intervention, the proportion of trays aligned with the Harvard Healthy Eating Plate and EAT-Lancet Planetary Diet models increased, reflecting higher consumption of vegetables and fruit. Legume-based first courses increased; however, legumes did not substantially replace animal proteins as the main protein source, and meat remained predominant in second courses. Reductions in trays containing multiple carbohydrate sources were also observed. Conclusions: The nudging intervention improved overall meal quality, demonstrating that subtle environmental modifications can guide students toward healthier dietary choices, particularly by increasing fruit and vegetable intake. However, the persistent preference for animal proteins highlights the challenge of shifting protein consumption toward more sustainable sources. These findings suggest that nudging can be an effective tool to promote healthier and more balanced eating behaviors in university settings, though complementary strategies may be needed to foster substantial changes in protein choices. Full article

Global soil moisture has undergone significant changes in recent decades due to climate change and vegetation greening. However, the seasonal and climate zonal variations in soil moisture dynamics at different depths, driven by both climate and vegetation, remain insufficiently explored. This study provides a comprehensive analysis of the global patterns in rootzone and surface soil moisture and leaf area index (LAI) across different seasons and climate zones, utilizing satellite observations from 1982 to 2020. We investigate how climatic factors and LAI influence soil moisture variations and quantify their dominant contributions. Furthermore, by employing key vegetation phenological indicators, namely the peak of growing season (POS) and the corresponding maximum LAI (LAI_MAX), we assess the feedback effects of vegetation phenology on soil moisture dynamics. The results indicate that the greening trend (as reflected by LAI increases) from 2000 to 2020 was significantly stronger than that observed during 1982–1999 across all seasons and climate zones. Both rootzone and surface soil moisture shifted from a decreasing (drying) trend (1982–1999) to an increasing (wetting) trend (2000–2020). From 1982 to 2020, the LAI induced moistening trends in both surface and rootzone soil moisture. In arid and temperate zones, precipitation drove rootzone soil moisture increases only during the summer. Among all seasons and climate zones, solar radiation induced the strongest surface soil drying in tropical summers, with a rate of −0.04 × 10⁻³ m³m⁻³/Wm⁻². For rootzone soil moisture, LAI dominated over individual climatic factors in winter and spring globally. In contrast, solar radiation became the primary driver during summer and autumn, followed by precipitation. For surface soil moisture, precipitation exhibited the strongest control in winter, but solar radiation surpassed it as the dominant factor from spring through autumn. In the tropical autumn, the sensitivity of rootzone and surface soil moisture to POS (and LAI_MAX) was highest, at 0.059 m³m⁻³·d⁻¹ (0.256 m³m⁻³/m²m⁻²) and 0.052 m³m⁻³·d⁻¹ (0.232 m³m⁻³/m²m⁻²), respectively. This research deepens the understanding of how climate and vegetation regulate soil moisture across different climate zones and seasons. It also provides a scientific basis for improving global soil moisture prediction models and managing water resource risks in the context of climate change. Full article

The consumption of raw milk has been demonstrated to carry a potential risk of transmission of Campylobacter spp., with Campylobacter jejuni (C. jejuni) and Campylobacter coli (C. coli) being the major causes for foodborne gastroenteritis cases. The present study assessed the prevalence and species distribution of Campylobacter spp. in 633 raw milk samples collected over a one-year climatic cycle from small, medium, and large producers in Pichincha and Manabí, Ecuador. Samples were augmented and analyzed by qPCR for Campylobacter spp., while species identification was performed by duplex PCR and confirmed by 16S rDNA sequencing. The average prevalence of Campylobacter spp. was 49.9% (316/633), with a higher detection rate in Manabí (57.6%, 182/316) compared to Pichincha (42.4%, 134/316). C. coli was the most prevalent species, accounting for 46.2% (146/316) of the cases, followed by C. jejuni at 23.1% (73/316), co-contaminations at 13.3% (42/316), and non-identified Campylobacter at 44.0% (139/316). Phylogenetic analysis was employed to confirm species identity, thereby confirming the presence of Campylobacter fetus and Campylobacter lari. The increased diversity and frequency of isolates in Manabí, particularly during periods of elevated temperature, imply that coastal environmental conditions and production practices promote the persistence of bacteria. The findings of this study indicate a high prevalence of Campylobacter in Ecuadorian raw milk, posing a significant health risk to the population and underscoring the need for enhanced hygiene practices and continuous monitoring to mitigate public health risks. Full article

Background and Objectives: Climate change is modifying the ecological and climatic conditions that influence the distribution and activity of arthropod vectors. Rising temperatures and prolonged warm seasons have favored the establishment of Aedes albopictus in Mediterranean regions, increasing the risk of autochthonous Dengue transmission. Therefore, this study describes the evolution of Dengue surveillance in Sardinia between 2018 and 2024, integrating human and entomological data to assess trends, system performance, and implications for prevention and control. Materials and Methods: Data on human cases were retrieved from national notification systems (namely PREMAL, arbo.iss.it) and the New Health Information System. Entomological surveillance data were obtained from the Experimental Zooprophylactic Institute of Sardinia. Mosquitoes were collected using BG-Sentinel^® traps and ovitraps, covering major cities and points of entry. Descriptive analyses were conducted for both datasets. Results: Sixteen Dengue cases were reported during the study period, all imported and laboratory-confirmed in 81% of cases. Most patients were adults (mean age 38 years), and 77% required hospitalization. The most frequent travel origins were Southeast Asia, Africa, and Latin America. No autochthonous cases were identified. Entomological surveillance showed a progressive increase in Aedes albopictus captures from 2020 onwards, with seasonal peaks between September and October. Despite intensified sampling and expanded geographic coverage, no mosquito pools tested positive for the Dengue virus. Conclusions: Although no locally acquired Dengue infections have been detected, the widespread and increasing presence of Aedes albopictus indicates that Sardinia meets the ecological prerequisites for possible autochthonous transmission. Strengthening the timeliness and completeness of human surveillance, improving clinicians’ awareness of reporting requirements, promoting vaccination for travelers, and maintaining continuous entomological monitoring are essential to prevent and promptly manage future outbreaks. Full article

Most risk assessment and source apportionment studies of the heavy metals in the surface soils in China have focused primarily on East China, whereas studies focused on Northwest China, particularly regarding heavy metals in surface soils in the central and western areas, remain limited. In this study, surface soils in the central–western Ali region were investigated, and the concentrations of nine heavy metals were determined. Moreover, the distribution patterns and ecological risks of these heavy metals were elucidated via a combination of the geoaccumulation index, pollution load index ($PLI$), comprehensive potential ecological risk index ($RI$), and integrated X-ray diffraction (XRD)–multivariate statistical techniques. Additionally, the pollution characteristics and sources were analyzed. The results indicated the following: (1) The spatial distribution of heavy metal pollution is closely linked to the geological background, and high–pollution zones (e.g., Cr, Ni, Co, Cu, As, and Cd) conform well with the distributions of ultramafic rocks and iron/chromite ore beds. The geoaccumulation index revealed that Cd caused slight and moderate contamination at 29.1% and 5.5% of the sites, respectively, whereas As affected 14.6% of the sites. The pollution load index indicated moderate pollution in 20% of the sites, and the potential ecological risk index indicated that 41.8% of the sites posed moderate risks, which was largely driven by Cd (mean $E_r^i$ = 43.1). The comprehensive ecological risk index ($RI$ = 115) confirmed a moderate risk level overall. Principal component analysis revealed three primary sources: natural weathering (Cr–Ni–Co–Cu, 39.1%); a mixed source influenced by nonagricultural anthropogenic activities such as transport and regional deposition, combined with natural processes such as arid climate and alkaline soil conditions that influence Cd mobility (Cd–Mo–Pb, 20.8%); and industrial/mining activities (As–Sb, 14.2%). Mineralogical analyses further indicated that heavy metals are present via lattice substitution, adsorption, and precipitation. This study systematically clarifies the composite pollution pattern and sources of heavy metals in the alpine Ali region, supporting targeted contamination control. Full article

Antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) have emerged as globally concerning environmental contaminants, posing serious threats to ecosystem health and public safety. This systematic review summarizes global research trends on ARGs across three key aspects: (i) identification and distribution in river and lake ecosystems, (ii) sources and environmental behaviors, and (iii) ecological and human health risks. Concentration data of ARGs in various rivers and lakes across China were compiled to reveal their spatial distribution patterns. The analysis of ARGs sources and environmental behaviors provides essential insights for designing effective mitigation strategies. Furthermore, this review highlights the potential ecological and human health hazards of ARGs and discusses limitations and improvement directions of current risk assessment methodologies. The main findings indicate that ARGs are widely present in rivers and lakes across China; higher abundances occur in eastern and southern regions compared with central–western and northern areas, such as 4.93 × 10²–8.10 × 10³ copies/mL in Qinghai Lake and 6.7 × 10⁷–1.76 × 10⁸ copies/mL in Taihu Lake. The environmental behaviors of ARGs are highly complex, involving multiple mechanisms and influenced by climatic conditions, nutrient levels, and additional environmental factors. Based on these findings, future efforts should prioritize long-term site-specific monitoring, evaluate their prolonged impacts on aquatic ecosystems, and develop integrated risk assessment models to support evidence-based environmental management. Full article

Autonomous vehicles (AVs), including privately owned self-driving cars and shared autonomous vehicles (SAVs), hold great potential to transform urban mobility by enhancing safety, accessibility, efficiency, and sustainability. However, their widespread deployment also carries the risk of significantly increasing vehicle miles traveled (VMT), a phenomenon known as the rebound effect. This paper examines the VMT rebound effects resulting from AV and SAV deployment, drawing on recent studies and global case insights. We conducted a systematic narrative review of 48 studies published between 2019 and 2025, drawing on academic sources and credible agency reports. We do not conduct a meta analysis. We quantify how different automation levels (SAE Levels 3, 4, 5) impact VMT and identify the primary factors driving VMT growth, namely: reduced perceived travel time cost, induced demand from new user groups, modal shifts away from transit, and empty VMT. Global case studies from North America, Europe, Asia, and the Middle East are reviewed alongside regional policy responses. Quantitative analyses indicate moderate to significant VMT increases under most scenarios—for example, approximately 10 to 20% increases with conditional automation and potentially over 50% with high/full automation, under the circumstances of no effective policy interventions. Meanwhile, aggressive ride-sharing and policy interventions, including road pricing and transit integration, can mitigate or even reverse these increases. The discussion provides a critical assessment of policy strategies such as mileage pricing, SAV incentives, and integrated land-use/transport planning to manage VMT growth. We conclude that without proactive policies, widespread AV adoption is likely to induce a rise in VMT, but that a suite of well-designed measures can steer automated mobility towards sustainable outcomes. These findings help policymakers and planners balance AV benefits with congestion, energy use, and climate goals. Full article

Urban trees are exposed to multiple co-occurring stressors, including heat, drought, and pollution driven by intensified urbanization and climate change. These environmental pressures can compromise tree vitality by disrupting photosynthetic performance and oxidative balance. In this study, we assessed the structural, physiological, and biochemical responses of three common urban tree species (Tilia platyphyllos, Celtis occidentalis, and Platanus × hispanica) growing under urban environmental conditions in Novi Sad, Serbia. Leaf traits were measured during June and August to capture seasonal stress variation. Structural indicators (SPAD, leaf thickness, leaf temperature differential), chlorophyll fluorescence traits (Φ_II, Φ_NPQ, F_v′/F_m′), oxidative stress biomarkers (TBARS, proline, GSH), and antioxidant enzyme activities (APX, CAT) were quantified. The Tree Health Risk Index (THRI) was calculated to integrate multilevel responses. Results revealed species-specific differences, with Tilia exhibiting the highest sensitivity, characterized by notable photochemical declines and oxidative stress under urban conditions. Celtis showed moderate resilience, while Platanus demonstrated the most robust performance and emerged as a promising candidate for climate-resilient urban sites. Heatmap clustering and trait contribution analyses confirm oxidative stress biomarkers and chlorophyll fluorescence traits as key indicators of urban stress. This study emphasizes the importance of integrating functional trait-based approaches for assessing tree health in urban greening. Full article

Drought is a major climatic hazard affecting water resources, agriculture, and livelihoods in semi-arid regions, with increasing severity under climate change. This study assessed long-term drought in Dura City, Palestine, from 2000 to 2023 using the Standardized Precipitation Index (SPI) at 3-, 6-, and 12-month timescales. Monthly precipitation and temperature data were obtained from local meteorological stations, with mean annual precipitation of 408 mm and average summer and winter temperatures of 28 °C and 12 °C, respectively. Trends were analyzed using the Mann–Kendall test and Sen’s slope estimator. SPI-3 values ranged from −3.13 to 3.87, including 67 moderates to severe drought months and 12 extreme wet months. SPI-6 ranged from −2.97 to 2.53, showing 34 drought months and 40 wet months, while SPI-12 ranged from −1.94 to 2.32, reflecting generally stable long-term precipitation. Annual rainfall exhibited no significant trend (Sen’s slope = −1.34 mm/year, p = 0.785), whereas yearly average temperature increased significantly by 0.054 °C/year (p = 0.02), raising evapotranspiration and drought risk. Results indicate high short- and medium-term drought variability despite stable annual precipitation, underscoring the need for integrated water management strategies, including rainwater harvesting, groundwater protection, and efficient irrigation, to improve resilience under evolving climate conditions. Full article

Flooding poses a major hazard to rapidly urbanising cities in Southeast Asia, and risks are projected to intensify under climate change. Accurate risk assessment, however, is hindered by scarcity of hydrological and topographic data. Focusing on the Lower Prek Thnot River Basin, a peri-urban catchment of Phnom Penh, Cambodia, the study applied the Rainfall–Runoff–Inundation model and systematically augmented inputs: hourly satellite rainfall data, field-surveyed river cross-sections and representation of hydraulic infrastructure such as weirs and pumping. Validation used Sentinel-1 SAR-derived flood-extent maps for the October 2020 event. Scenario comparison shows that rainfall input and channel geometry act synergistically: omitting either degrades performance and spatial realism. The best configuration (Sim. 5) Accuracy = 0.891, Hit Ratio = 0.546 and True Ratio = 0.701 against Sentinel-1, and reproduced inundation upstream of weirs while reducing overestimation in urban districts through pumping emulation. At the study’s 500 m grid, updating land use from 2002 to 2020 had only a minor effect relative to rainfall, geometry and infrastructure. The results demonstrate that targeted data augmentation—combining satellite products, field surveys and operational infrastructure—can deliver robust inundation maps under data scarcity, supporting hazard mapping and resilience-oriented flood management in rapidly urbanising basins. Full article

Tropical cyclones (TCs) can lead to significant social and economic losses, with the fisheries sector being especially vulnerable to their impacts. There is a growing need to develop new methods for impact assessment, especially as regards assessments in real time and impact forecasting. The objective of this paper was to develop an open-source, automated toolkit that can assess the impact of TCs on fishing activity by tracking changes in the number of fishing boats caused by a TC event using publicly available satellite and cyclone intensity data. The toolkit can provide retrospective analyses of how fishing activity was affected in a given country and year, and it can also nowcast/forecast likely fishing activity changes resulting from approaching or hypothetical TCs. The toolkit automates data extraction, processing, and the application of a Vector Generalized Linear Model to estimate a historical relationship between TCs and fishing activity. This relationship can then be used for nowcasting or forecasting likely TC impacts on fishing activity based on TC path, windspeed and translation speed. By providing timely, transparent, and scalable assessments of cyclone-related disruptions, the toolkit contributes to the sustainability and resilience of coastal fisheries and supports proactive risk management and informed policymaking in the face of climate-related hazards. Full article

The study aims to explore the causal relationships among climate, hydrological, and water quality variables in the Kiso River Basin, Japan, using a discrete Bayesian Network (BN) model. The BN was developed to represent probabilistic dependencies between climate factors (rainfall, air temperature), hydrological conditions (river flow levels), and water quality indicators (pH, dissolved oxygen [DO], electrical conductivity, ammonia, turbidity, organic pollution, and water temperature). The model used hourly monitoring data collected between 2016 and 2023, and the continuous variables were discretized based on national environmental thresholds to evaluate exceedance probabilities under different hydro-climatic scenarios. Results showed that air temperature strongly influenced water temperature, with a stabilizing effect under constant flow conditions. Rainfall and river flow were key drivers of turbidity; heavy rainfall and high flow increased the probability of exceeding turbidity thresholds by nearly 80%. Elevated ammonia levels during heavy rainfall and low temperatures reflected runoff and limited nitrification processes. Electrical conductivity decreased during high flows due to dilution, while dissolved oxygen was affected by low flows, turbidity, and temperature. As static BNs cannot model temporal dynamics, supplementary cross-correlation analyses were conducted to assess short-term responses among variables, revealing that most water quality parameters respond within ±24 h to changes in hydrological conditions. This study demonstrates that discrete BNs can effectively translate long-term monitoring data into practical, decision-relevant risk assessments to support adaptive water quality management in dynamic river systems. Full article

Mountain glaciers are sensitive indicators of climate variability, and their retreat since the end of the Little Ice Age (LIA) has strongly reshaped alpine environments worldwide. In the Greater Caucasus, glacier shrinkage has accelerated over the past century, yet detailed multi-temporal reconstructions remain limited for many glaciers. Here, we reconstruct the post-LIA evolution of Tsaneri–Nageba Glacier, one of largest ice bodies in the Georgian Caucasus, and document the development of its newly formed proglacial lake. Using a combination of geomorphological mapping, historical maps, multi-temporal satellite imagery, Uncrewed Aerial Vehicle (UAV) photogrammetry, and sonar bathymetry, we quantify glacier change from ~1820 to 2025 and provide the first direct measurements of a proglacial lake in the Tsaneri–Nageba system—and indeed in the Georgian Caucasus as a whole. Our results reveal that Tsaneri–Nageba Glacier has shrunk from ~48 km² at its LIA maximum to ~30.6 km² in 2025, a loss of −43.5% (or −0.21% yr⁻¹). The pace of shrinkage intensified after 2000, with the steepest losses recorded between 2014 and 2025. Terminus positions shifted up-valley by nearly 3.9 km (Tsaneri) and 4.3 km (Nageba), accompanied by fragmentation of the former compound valley glacier into smaller ice bodies. Long-term meteorological records confirm strong climatic forcing, with pronounced summer warming since the 1990s and declining winter precipitation. A proglacial lake started to form in mid-summer 2015, which by 03/09/15 had a surface area of ~14,366 m², expanding to ~106,945 m² by 10/07/2025. The lake is in contact with glacier ice and is thus prone to calving. It is dammed by unconsolidated moraines and bounded by steep, active slopes, making it susceptible to generating a glacial lake outburst flood (GLOF). By providing the first quantitative measurements of a proglacial lake in the region, this study establishes a baseline for future monitoring and risk assessment. The findings highlight the urgency of integrating glaciological, geomorphological, and hazard studies to support community safety and water resource planning in the Caucasus. Full article