Search Results (5,188)

Soil salinity and water scarcity are major challenges limiting agricultural productivity in arid and semi-arid regions. Quinoa (a climate-resilient crop) offers potential for sustainable food production under these harsh conditions; however, its growth and yield are often constrained by salt and water stress. This study evaluated the role of plant-growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) in enhancing Chenopodium quinoa Willd performance under deficit irrigation (DI) with saline water. A greenhouse pot experiment was conducted with four irrigation levels (40%, 60%, 80%, and 100% of the growth water requirement, GWR) and two water qualities (fresh water, EC = 0.8 dS m⁻¹; and saline water, EC = 6.0 dS m⁻¹), each tested with and without PGPR inoculation. The results showed that PGPR application significantly (p < 0.05) improved quinoa tolerance to salinity, leading to higher biomass, yield, and crop water productivity (CWP) under saline irrigation. Yield reductions were most severe at 40% GWR (53.9% and 82.6% under saline and fresh water, respectively), but PGPR inoculation mitigated yield losses, with increases of 83.3% and 130.8% under 40% and 100% GWR saline irrigation, respectively. Notably, PGPR did not show a clear effect with freshwater irrigation. In addition, inoculated plants exhibited improved nutrient uptake and reduced heavy metal accumulation. Overall, PGPR demonstrated strong potential to enhance salinity resilience and water-use efficiency in quinoa. Future studies should extend these findings under field conditions and investigate the long-term impacts of PGPR on sustainable crop production in saline- and water-limited environments. Full article

Teacher preparation programmes must now ensure instructional continuity and quality across face-to-face, online, and hybrid modes, even amid health, climate, or security crises. This mixed-methods study examined which principles policymakers and teacher education directors deem essential for such resilience, and how those principles align with prior research and leadership theory. Semi-structured elite interviews (N = 25) were analyzed inductively to surface field-driven themes and deductively through two models: the ten evidence-based training principles synthesized by Hadad et al. and the six capacities of Striepe and Cunningham’s Crises Leadership Framework (CLF). Results show strong consensus on theory–practice integration, university–school partnerships, and collaborative learning, mapping chiefly to the CLF capacities of adaptive roles and stakeholder collaboration. Directors added practice-oriented priorities—authentic field immersion, formative feedback, and inclusive pedagogy—extending the crisis care and contextual influence dimensions. By contrast, policymakers uniquely stressed policy–academic co-decision-making, reinforcing complex decision-making at the system level. Reflective thinking skills and digital pedagogy, though prominent in the literature, were under-represented, signalling implementation gaps. Overall, the integrated model offers a crisis-ready blueprint for curriculum design, partnership governance, and digital capacity-building that can sustain continuity and quality in pre-service teacher education. Full article

The deterioration of the global climate and accelerated urbanization have led to intense pressure on surface space resources. As a strategic development field, deep underground space has become a crucial direction for alleviating human habitation pressure. However, current research on deep underground space mostly focuses on fields such as geology and medicine, while the design of habitable environments lacks interdisciplinary integration and systematic approaches. Taking deep underground space as the research object, this study first clarifies the interdisciplinary research context through bibliometric analysis. Then, combined with geological data (ground temperature, groundwater, and ground stress, etc.) from major cities in China, it defines the characteristics of the in situ environment and the characteristics of the development and utilization of deep underground space. By comparing the habitable design experiences of extreme environments, such as space stations, Moon habitats, and desert survival modules, the study extracts five categories of design elements: natural conditions, construction status, social economy, users, and existing resources. Ultimately, it establishes a demand-oriented, five-dimensional habitable design methodology covering in situ environment adaptation, living support, medical and health services, resilience and flexibility, and existing space renovation. This research clarifies the differentiated design strategies for hundred-meter-level and kilometer-level deep underground spaces, providing theoretical support for the scientific development of deep underground space and serving as a reference for habitable design in other extreme environments. Full article

Net Primary Productivity (NPP) serves as a key indicator of ecosystem health and productivity. However, most existing research focuses on primary land cover types, overlooking the dynamic response processes of NPP in refined vegetation types to multiple climate drivers. Furthermore, it lacks systematic analysis of the feedback mechanisms through which China’s Five-Year Plan (FYP) ecological projects regulate climate stress. This study, based on refined vegetation classification, systematically analyzes the dynamic changes in NPP in Heilongjiang Province from the 10th to the 13th FYP periods (2001–2020), with a focus on refined vegetation types. Results show that between 2001 and 2020, mixed-leaved forest emerged as the core driver of regional NPP change during the 12th FYP (NPP increase of +58.4 gC·m⁻²·a⁻¹). Although deciduous needle-leaved forest (DNF) showed the highest cumulative increase (+64 gC·m⁻²·a⁻¹), it experienced significant degradation (p < 0.01) in 57%–62% of its area during the 12th and 13th FYP periods. The dominant climate driver shifted from precipitation (positively correlated in 74% of the area during the 10th–11th FYPs) to drought stress dominated by vapor pressure deficit (VPD) (positive correlation increasing to 54%). Ecological projects mitigated the negative impact of temperature, reducing the area with negative correlations by 13%. Overall, the ecological policies of the FYP exerted a weak negative influence. However, forest vegetation was strongly regulated by VPD (SV = −0.61~0.59), while grasslands and croplands exhibited high sensitivity to temperature. These findings underscore the contrasting climate policy responses among plant functional groups, highlighting the urgent need for differentiated ecological management strategies. Full article

This study investigates the environmental dimension of sustainable development across fifteen post-Soviet republics in 2022. While sustainability is generally understood as a triadic construct—economic, social, and environmental—this paper isolates the ecological pillar to highlight cross-country differences shaped by industrial legacies, institutional capacity, and governance models. A composite Environmental Performance Index (EPI) is developed using the Mazziotta–Pareto Index (MPI), which captures both average performance and internal consistency across three SDG-related domains: SDG 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation), SDG 13 (Climate Action), and SDG 15 (Life on Land). The study adds to existing literature as it includes a non-compensatory composite index and cluster analysis, and in policy terms, it provides a benchmarking system for facilitating ecological transition in the post-Soviet context. The results reveal strong divergence across the region: Baltic countries and Moldova achieve higher scores, reflecting policy convergence with the European Union and stronger environmental institutions, while Central Asian republics lag due to resource dependence, water scarcity, and weaker governance. Geographic cluster analysis corroborates these differences, showing clear spatial patterns of environmental convergence and divergence. Correlation analysis further demonstrates that environmental sustainability is positively associated with GDP per capita, HDI, and life expectancy, while negatively linked with inequality and fertility rates. These findings stress the need for context-sensitive and evidence-based policies, intra-regional cooperation, and integrated governance mechanisms to advance ecological transition in line with the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. Full article

The fragile karst ecosystem in Southwest China faces severe water scarcity. Since 2000, large-scale ecological restoration programs (e.g., the “Grain for Green” Program) have substantially increased vegetation coverage. Concurrently, climate change has manifested as a distinct warming trend and heightened drought risk in recent decades. Therefore, understanding the synergistic and competing effects of climate change and vegetation restoration on regional evapotranspiration (ET) is critical for projecting water budgets and ensuring the sustainability of ecosystems and water resources within this vital ecological barrier region. This study employs a dual-scenario PT-JPL model (simulating natural vegetation dynamics versus constant coverage) integrated with Sen + MK trend analysis to quantify the spatiotemporal patterns of ET and its components—canopy transpiration (ETc), interception evaporation (ETi), and soil evaporation (ETs)—in Southwest China’s karst region (2000–2018). Furthermore, multiple regression analysis and SEM were utilized to investigate the driving mechanisms of vegetation and climatic factors (temperature, precipitation, radiation, and relative humidity) on changes in ET and its components. The key results demonstrate the following: (1) Vegetation restoration exerted a net positive effect on total ET (+0.44 mm/a) through enhanced ETi (+0.22 mm/a) and ETs (+0.37 mm/a), despite reducing ETc (−0.08 mm/a), revealing trade-offs in water allocation. (2) Radiation dominated ET variability (66.45% of the area exhibiting >50% contribution), while temperature exhibited the most extensive spatial dominance (44.02% of the region), and relative humidity exhibited drought-mediated dual effects (promoting ETi while suppressing ETc). (3) Precipitation exhibited minimal direct influence. Vegetation restoration and climate change collectively drive ET dynamics, with ETc declines indicating potential water stress. These findings elucidate the synergistic regulation of vegetation restoration and climate change on karst ecohydrology, providing critical insights for water resource management in fragile ecosystems globally. Full article

This study examines the effects of the extreme drought and heatwaves that occurred in Romania during the summer of 2024 on the microbiological and mycotoxicological quality of wheat (Triticum aestivum) stored until April 2025, as well as on the quality of wholemeal flour and bread derived from it. Comparative analyses were conducted against the contamination in wheat harvested in 2024. The hot and dry conditions significantly influenced the microbial and mycotoxicological contamination of both freshly harvested and stored wheat, as well as the derived flour and bread, due to their notably reduced moisture content and water activity. Although levels of total fungi, Fusarium-damaged kernels, and mycotoxins deoxynivalenol, aflatoxin B1, and ochratoxin A remained well below regulatory thresholds, higher contamination was observed in Transylvania and Moldavia Moldavia—particularly in the Curvature Carpathians, likely due to their cooler and wetter microclimates. The observed quality changes were strongly associated with alterations in physico-chemical, rheological, and colorimetric parameters, posing potential economic challenges for the milling and baking industries. The study recommends implementing integrated regional strategies to enhance wheat resilience, optimize production systems, and improve contamination control in response to increasing climate stress across Southeastern Europe. Full article

Drought limits plant growth, development and productivity, leading to more than 50% crop loss globally. Drought-induced oxidative stress disturbs the plant’s metabolism; however, plants activate signaling pathways to respond and adapt to drought stress. Although drought response mechanisms are well reported in several crops, these mechanisms are poorly understood in Amaranthus. As a highly nutritious crop, rich in antioxidants with the ability to survive in extreme agro-climatic environments, Amaranthus has the potential to serve as a climate-smart future crop. This review provides evidence of some drought response traits in grain and vegetable Amaranthus species. Grain amaranths are the most tolerant species, mainly through improved osmoregulation, antioxidant capacity, and gene expression. While biomass partitioning, efficient water use, and membrane stability have been reported in both grain and vegetable amaranth, the molecular response of vegetable amaranth remains limited. Thus, future research must focus on integrated biochemical, molecular, and multi-omics applications to screen and identify resilient Amaranthus genotypes under drought for sustainable agriculture. Full article

Climate change is associated with an increase in the frequency of extreme weather that threatens emotional well-being, with some research pointing to increased vulnerability among older adults. We investigated how age relates to depression and anxiety following adversities due to extreme weather or natural disaster. Socioemotional selectivity theory (SST) posits that older age buffers against emotional distress. The strength and vulnerability integration model (SAVI) posits that this age-related advantage is attenuated during periods of acute stress. Members (n = 9761, M age = 52.22, SD = 16.36 yrs) of a nationally representative, probability-based US internet panel, the Understanding America Study (UAS), reported their experience with extreme weather or natural disaster (e.g., severe storms, tornado, flood), associated adversities (e.g., property loss), and depression and anxiety over the past month. Of the 1075 respondents experiencing extreme weather or natural disaster, 216 reported related adversity. Those experiencing adversity reported more anxiety and depression than those with no events, while extreme weather or disaster alone made no significant difference. Consistent with SST, older age was associated with less depression and anxiety. This age-related benefit was most apparent among those experiencing weather- or disaster-related adversity, even when controlling for socio-demographic correlates. Findings highlight age-related emotional resilience with implications for climate change policy and practice. Full article

Drought is a leading constraint on plant productivity and will intensify with climate change. Plant acclimation emerges from a multilayered regulatory system that integrates signaling, transcriptional reprogramming, RNA-based control, and chromatin dynamics. Within this hierarchy, non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs) provide a unifying regulatory layer; microRNAs (miRNAs) modulate abscisic acid and auxin circuits, oxidative stress defenses, and root architecture. This balances growth with survival under water-deficient conditions. Small interfering RNAs (siRNAs) include 24-nucleotide heterochromatic populations that operate through RNA-directed DNA methylation, which positions ncRNA control at the transcription–chromatin interface. Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) act in cis and trans, interact with small RNA pathways, and can serve as chromatin-associated scaffolds. Circular RNAs (circRNAs) are increasingly being detected as responsive to drought. Functional studies in Arabidopsis and maize (e.g., ath-circ032768 and circMED16) underscore their regulatory potential. This review consolidates ncRNA biogenesis and function, catalogs drought-responsive modules across model and crop species, especially cereals, and outlines methodological priorities, such as long-read support for isoforms and back-splice junctions, stringent validation, and integrative multiomics. The evidence suggests that ncRNAs are tractable entry points for enhancing drought resilience while managing growth–stress trade-offs. Full article

Trophic ecology is an important aspect to consider when studying interactions between species, especially in ecologically similar species. We studied the trophic ecology of three sympatric insectivorous lizards in a dune system in the Eastern Iberian Peninsula: Acanthodactylus erythrurus, Psammodromus algirus and Psammodromus edwardsianus. We obtained a total of 485 faecal samples and found 18 different prey groups. The trophic niche breath analysis showed that A. erythrurus was the most specialised species of the three. We also considered two different habitat types and, interestingly, both Psammodromus species had wider trophic niches in the more extreme habitat type where arthropod diversity is expected to be lower. Trophic niche overlaps were especially low between P. algirus and A. erythrurus, indicating resource partitioning, and higher between both Psammodromus species in the suboptimal habitat type. Our results lead to the conclusion that environmental stress could favour trophic generalism (increased trophic niche breadth). This is a very interesting result, especially in the context of climate change and habitat alteration. Full article

The influence of stress on gas sorption behavior and sorption-induced swelling in coal is critical for the success of CO₂-enhanced coalbed methane recovery (CO₂-ECBM) and geological carbon sequestration—a key strategy for mitigating climate change and promoting clean energy transitions. However, this influence remains insufficiently understood, largely due to experimental limitations (e.g., overreliance on powdered coal samples) and conflicting theoretical frameworks in existing studies. To address this gap, this study systematically investigates the effects of two distinct stress constraints—constant confining pressure and constant volume—on CO₂ adsorption capacity, adsorption kinetics, and associated swelling deformation of intact anthracite coal cores. An integrated experimental apparatus was custom-designed for this study, combining volumetric sorption measurement with high-resolution strain monitoring via the confining fluid displacement (CFD) method and the confining pressure response (CPR) method. This setup enables the quantification of CO₂–coal interactions under precisely controlled stress environments. Key findings reveal that stress conditions exert a regulatory role in shaping CO₂–coal behavior: constant confining pressure conditions enhance CO₂ adsorption capacity and sustain adsorption kinetics by accommodating matrix swelling, thereby preserving pore accessibility for continuous gas uptake. In contrast, constant volume constraints lead to rapid internal stress buildup, which inhibits further gas adsorption and accelerates the attainment of kinetic saturation. Sorption-induced swelling exhibits clear dependence on both pressure and constraint conditions. Elevated CO₂ pressure leads to increased strain, while constant confining pressure facilitates more gradual, sustained expansion. This is particularly evident at higher pressures, where adsorption-induced swelling prevails over mechanical constraints. These results help resolve key discrepancies in the existing literature by clarifying the dual role of stress in modulating both pore accessibility (for gas transport) and mechanical response (for matrix deformation). These insights provide essential guidance for optimizing CO₂ injection strategies and improving the long-term performance and sustainability of CO₂-ECBM and geological carbon storage projects, ultimately supporting global efforts in carbon emission reduction and sustainable energy resource utilization. Full article

The Australian built environment is pivotal to achieving national net-zero targets, yet progress remains slow due to fragmented policy frameworks, low retrofit adoption, and uneven integration of emerging technologies. Despite these challenges, little research has applied a foresight perspective that both defines reproducible scenario thresholds and provides semi-quantitative comparisons tailored to Australia. This study integrates strategic foresight with international benchmarking to develop four scenarios for 2050: Business as Usual, Accelerated Sustainability, Technological Transformation, and Climate Resilience. Each scenario is underpinned by measurable thresholds for renovation rates, electrification, digital penetration, and low-carbon material uptake, and is evaluated through a scorecard spanning five outcome domains, with sensitivity and stress testing of high-leverage parameters. Findings indicate that an Accelerated Sustainability pathway, driven by deep retrofits of ≥3% annually, whole-life carbon policies, and renewable penetration of at least 70%, delivers the strongest combined performance across emissions reduction, liveability, and resilience. Technological Transformation offers adaptability and service quality but raises concerns over equity and cyber-dependence, while Climate Resilience maximises adaptation capacity yet risks under-delivering on mitigation. The study contributes a reproducible framework and transparent assumptions table to inform policy and industry road mapping, suggesting that a policy-led pathway coupling retrofits, electrification, and digital enablement provides the most balanced route towards a net zero and climate-resilient built environment by 2050. Full article

Dongxiang wild rice (DXWR, Oryza rufipogon Griff.), the northernmost known wild rice species, exhibits exceptional tolerance to combined low-temperature and anaerobic stress during seed germination, providing a unique model for understanding plant adaptation to complex environmental constraints. Here, we employed an integrated multi-omics approach combining genomic, transcriptomic, and metabolomic analyses to unravel the synergistic regulatory mechanisms underlying this tolerance. Genomic comparative analysis categorized DXWR genes into three evolutionary groups: 18,480 core genes, 15,880 accessory genes, and 6822 unique genes. Transcriptomic profiling identified 10,593 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) relative to the control, with combined stress triggering the most profound changes, specifically inducing the upregulation of 5573 genes and downregulation of 5809 genes. Functional characterization revealed that core genes, including DREB transcription factors, coordinate energy metabolism and antioxidant pathways; accessory genes, such as glycoside hydrolase GH18 family members, optimize energy supply via adaptive evolution; and unique genes, including specific UDP-glycosyltransferases (UDPGTs), confer specialized stress resilience. Widely targeted metabolomics identified 889 differentially accumulated metabolites (DAMs), highlighting significant accumulations of oligosaccharides (e.g., raffinose) to support glycolytic energy production and a marked increase in flavonoids (153 compounds identified, e.g., procyanidins) enhancing antioxidant defense. Hormonal signals, including jasmonic acid and auxin, were reconfigured to balance growth and defense responses. We propose a multi-level regulatory network based on a “core-unique-adaptive” genetic framework, centered on ERF family transcriptional hubs and coordinated through a metabolic adaptation strategy of “energy optimization, redox homeostasis, and growth inhibition relief”. These findings offer innovative strategies for improving rice stress tolerance, particularly for enhancing germination of direct-seeded rice under early spring low-temperature and anaerobic conditions, by utilizing key genes such as GH18s and UDPGTs, thereby providing crucial theoretical and technological support for addressing food security challenges under climate change. Full article

Grazing systems’ production efficiency is a dynamic interaction between soil, pasture, livestock, and climate. The magnitude of the changes is related to the mechanical stress applied by the livestock and their feeding behaviour. In Southern Chile, dairy cattle present a high heterogeneity in breeds, size, live weight, and milk production. This study investigated whether cows of contrasting size/live weight can improve degraded pasture and positively modify soil (Andosol-Duric Hapludand) physical features. Three pasture types were used as follows: (i) cultivated fertilised Lolium perenne L. (perennial ryegrass) and Trifolium repens L. (white clover) mixture (BM); (ii) cultivated fertilised L. perenne, T. repens, Bromus valdivianus Phil. (pasture brome), Holcus lanatus L. (Yorkshire fog), and Dactylis glomerata L. (cocksfoot) mixture (MSM); and (iii) naturalised fertilised pasture Agrostis capillaris L. (browntop), B. valdivianus, and T. repens (NFP). Pastures were grazed with two groups of dairy cows of contrasting size and live weight: light cows (LC) [live weight: 464 ± 5.4 kg; height at the withers: 132 ± 0.6 cm (average ± s.e.m.)] and heavy cows (HC) [live weight: 600 ± 8.7 kg; height at the withers: 141 ± 0.9 cm (average ± s.e.m.)]. Hoof area was measured, and the pressure applied by cows on the soil was calculated. Soil differences in penetration resistance (PR) and macro-porosity (wCP > 50 μm) between pastures were explained by tillage and seeding, rather than as a result of livestock presence and movement (animal trampling). The PR variation during the year was associated with the soil water content (SWC). Grazing dairy cows of contrasting live weight caused changes in soil and pasture attributes, and they behaved differently during grazing. Light cows were linked to more intense grazing, a stable soil structure, and pastures with competitive species and greater tiller density. In MSM, pasture consumption increased, and the soil was more resilient to hoof compression. In general, grazing with heavy cows in these three different pasture systems did not negatively impact soil physical properties. These findings indicate that volcanic soils are resilient and that during renovation, the choice of pasture type has a greater initial impact on soil structure than the selection of cow size, but incorporating lighter cows can be a strategy to promote denser pasture swards in these grazing systems. Full article