Search Results (7,837)

Amphibian populations have experienced a severe decline over the past 40 years, driven primarily by environmental pollution, habitat destruction, climate change, and disease. This work reports, for the first time, saprolegniosis in Pelophylax perezi egg masses and saprolegniosis in amphibians in Portugal. After isolation and phylogenetic analysis, the pathogen was identified as Saprolegnia australis. Following this, the present work intended to screen a collection of P. perezi skin bacteria for the existence of bacterial strains with inhibitory action against the newly identified S. australis SC1 and two other species, Saprolegnia diclina SAP 1010 UE and Saprolegnia australis SAP 1581 UE. The results showed that various bacterial species could inhibit the growth of these three species of oomycetes. Bacteria with the most significant antagonistic action against Saprolegnia spp. predominantly belonged to the genus Bacillus, followed by Serratia, Pseudomonas, and Aeromonas. Despite variations in bacterial diversity among frog populations, the present study also demonstrated the presence of bacteria on frogs’ skin that were capable of inhibiting Saprolegnia spp., as evidenced by in vitro challenge assays. These findings highlight the protective function of bacteria present in amphibian skin. The observed bacterial diversity may contribute to the metabolic redundancy of the frog skin microbiome, helping to maintain its functional capacity despite shifts in the community composition. Additionally, the study found that, when providing a more advantageous environment for pathogen growth—in this case a peptone–glucose (PG) medium instead of R2A—the percentage of bacteria with moderate-to-strong antagonistic activity dropped by 13% to 4%. In conclusion, the presence of bacteria capable of inhibiting Saprolegnia spp. in adult individuals and across different environmental conditions may contribute to lowering the susceptibility of frog adults towards Saprolegnia spp., compared with that in the early stages of development, like the tadpole or egg stages. Full article

Identifying the impact of climate change and changes in underlying surface conditions on river runoff changes is critical for sustainable water resource use and watershed management in arid regions. The Kriya River is not only a key support for water resources in the arid environment of the Tarim Basin, but also a solid foundation for the survival and development of agricultural oases. In this study, the Kriya River Basin in Xinjiang, China, was taken as the research object, and the Mann–Kendall, Sen’s Slope, Cumulative Sum, and other methods were used to systematically analyze the temporal evolution law and multi-modal characteristics of runoff in the basin. Based on the Budyko hydrothermal coupling equilibrium equation, the contribution of temperature, evaporation, and the underlying surface to runoff variation was quantitatively interpreted. The study found that the annual runoff depth of the Kriya River Basin has shown a significant positive evolution trend in the past 60 years, with an increase rate of 0.5189 mm/a (p ≤ 0.01). Through the identification of mutation points, the runoff time series of the Kriya River was divided into the base period 1957–1999 and the change period 2000–2015. Without considering the supply of snowmelt runoff, the contribution rate of precipitation to runoff change was 75.23%, followed by the change in underlying surface (23.08%), and the potential evapotranspiration was only 1.69%. The results of this study provide a good scientific reference for water resources management and environmental governance in the Kriya River Basin. Full article

Evapotranspiration (ET) variation is typically influenced by climatic factors, which are considered the primary drivers of agricultural water requirements. Any changes in ET rates directly affect crop water demands. In this study, temporal trends and magnitudes of key climatic variables, and their impacts on reference evapotranspiration (ETo) during 1981–2020, were evaluated across 36 districts of Punjab, Pakistan. Positive serial correlations, ranging from 0.29 to 0.48, were identified and removed using the pre-whitening technique. Increasing trends in maximum temperature (Tmax) and wind speed (WS) across Punjab and its subregions were observed, while relative humidity (RH) exhibited both increasing and decreasing trends. No significant trends were detected for the minimum temperature (Tmin). On a monthly scale, in the Southern Punjab (SP) region, Sen’s slope estimated an increase in ETo, ranging from 0.239 mm/year in November to 0.636 mm/year in May, at a significance level of α = 0.05 (5%). At the provincial scale, significant upward trends in ETo were observed for the annual, Kharif, and autumn seasons, with Z-values of 2.04, 2.16, and 3.13, respectively, at α = 0.05 and 0.01. It was determined that, on an annual scale in Punjab, ETo sensitivity to climatic parameters followed the following order: Tmax > wind speed (WS) > Tmin > RH. The best-fitted models for Tmax, Tmin, WS, and RH were Gaussian, exponential, and spherical. ETo was found to increase spatially from North to South Punjab, with an approximate rise of 70–80 mm/decade. The results provide a scientific basis for understanding hydroclimatic drivers of ETo in semi-arid regions and contribute to improving climate impact assessments on agricultural water use. The observed ETo increases, particularly in South Punjab and lower Central Punjab, highlight the need for region-specific irrigation scheduling and water allocation. These findings can guide cropping calendars, improve irrigation efficiency, and increase canal water supplies to high-ETo areas, supporting adaptive strategies against climate variability in Punjab. Full article

The glaciers of the Nyainqêntanglha Mountains serve not only as sensitive indicators of climate change, but also as important water sources for downstream rivers. In this study, we quantitatively analyzed the glacier mass balance of the entirety of the Nyainqêntanglha Mountains using TerraSAR-X/TanDEM-X and SRTM DEM data and compared the mass balance between glaciers in the western and eastern parts of the range, revealing the spatial heterogeneity in glacier mass loss. Finally, data from nine meteorological stations in the region were used to investigate regional climate changes and their impacts on glacier variation. The results show that from 2000 to 2013, the average annual glacier surface elevation in the Nyainqêntanglha Mountains decreased by 0.48 ± 0.02 m, with a mass balance of −0.55 ± 0.04 m water equivalent per year. The majority of glacier mass loss occurred in areas with slopes between 40° and 70°. The mass loss of clean glaciers in the eastern region was higher than that in the western region, whereas at high elevations, the mass loss of debris-covered glaciers was more severe in the western region than in the east. Overall, the debris cover on the glaciers has not yet reached the critical thickness required to effectively mitigate melting, and mass input in the accumulation zones is uneven, scattered, and limited, resulting in weak replenishment capacity. Against the backdrop of continued warming, regional precipitation is insufficient to provide the necessary accumulation, making glaciers more sensitive to rising temperatures. This study not only reveals pronounced spatial differences in glacier mass loss and their climatic drivers but also provides new scientific evidence for understanding water resource security, hydrological responses and potential snow avalanche hazards on the Tibetan Plateau, offering important implications for regional water management and future climate adaptation. Full article

Phytoplankton plays a pivotal role in marine ecosystems and global biogeochemical cycles. Accurate identification and monitoring of phytoplankton are essential for understanding environmental dynamics and climate variations. Despite the significant progress made in automatic phytoplankton identification, current datasets predominantly consist of idealized laboratory images, leading to models that demonstrate persistent limitations in the fine-grained differentiation of phytoplankton species. To achieve high accuracy and transferability for morphologically similar species and diverse ecosystems, we introduce a hybrid dataset by integrating laboratory-based observations with in situ marine environmental data. We evaluate the performance of our dataset on contemporary deep learning models, revealing that CNN-based architectures offer superior stability (85.27% mAcc., 93.76% oAcc.). Multimodal learning facilitates refined phytoplankton recognition through the integration of visual and textual representations, thereby enhancing the model’s semantic comprehension capabilities. We present a fine-tuned visual language model leveraging enhanced textual prompts augmented with expert-annotated morphological descriptions, significantly enhancing visual-semantic alignment and allowing for more accurate and interpretable recognition of closely related species (84.11% mAcc., 94.48% oAcc.). Our research establishes a benchmark dataset that facilitates real-time ecological monitoring and aquatic biodiversity research. Furthermore, it also contributes to the field by enhancing model robustness and transferability to diverse environmental contexts and taxonomically similar species. Full article

Potatoes are a strategic crop in Poland, particularly important for agriculture in the southern and southeastern parts of the country. Environmental variability makes assessing yield stability and quality traits of varieties crucial for food security. Research Objective and Methodology: This three-year field study (2021–2023) aimed to comprehensively assess the yield stability and quality traits of mid-early potato varieties. The research was conducted in four pedologically diverse locations (rendzinas, brown soils, alluvial soils, and pseudopodzolic soils), according to the COBORU methodology. Key yield parameters (total and marketable tuber yield) and quality traits (dry-matter and starch content and yield) were analyzed. Interregional stability was also assessed. The environmental characteristics were supplemented with detailed analyses of soil physicochemical and biological properties, monitoring of agroclimatic parameters, and an assessment of the impact of geographical location. The collected data was subjected to advanced statistical analyses (ANOVA, correlations, descriptive statistics). Results analyses revealed significant yield variation across soil types, with the highest yields on alluvial soils and the lowest on pseudopodzolic soils. Geographic location significantly influenced yield stability, highlighting the role of local factors. Strong correlations were also found between soil properties and starch content (r = 0.61–0.73), indicating a key influence of the soil matrix on tuber quality. Conclusions and Recommendations: This study provides practical recommendations for selecting potato varieties adapted to specific soil types, precision fertilization strategies, and climate-change-adaptation protocols. Further research should focus on the impact of extreme weather events, optimized water management, and the use of precision agriculture. Full article

The Western Reef Heron (Egretta gularis) has a wide geographic distribution, ranging from the coasts of West Africa to Southwest Asia, including the Arabian Peninsula. Despite this extensive range, detailed information on its incubation behavior remains scarce. To address this gap, we investigated the 24 h incubation behavior of Western Reef Herons on Al-Fanateer Island, Eastern Saudi Arabia, during early summer—a period characterized by pronounced diurnal fluctuations in ambient temperature. Using trail cameras and temperature loggers, we found that adults maintained nearly continuous attendance at the nest throughout the day, with incubation coverage exceeding 97% across all two-hour intervals. A slight reduction in nest attendance was observed during nighttime (lowest at 86.8% between 20:00–21:59). Incubating adults exhibited behavioral plasticity in response to ambient temperature: a sitting posture was predominant during cooler periods, while a shading posture was more frequent during peak heat. Incubating adults also adjusted their orientation with the solar angle, actively avoiding southern and western exposures during the hottest parts of the day. Despite substantial variation in ambient temperature, the temperature beneath the clutch ranged from 29.4 to 37.8 °C, which may indicate effective thermoregulation. These findings suggest that a combination of near-continuous nest attendance, posture adjustment, and solar orientation avoidance allows Western Reef Herons to mitigate thermal stress and maintain optimal conditions for embryo and chick development. We recommend long-term monitoring of incubation behavior in this species to further evaluate its adaptability to environmental changes, particularly those driven by climate variability. Full article

In the context of ongoing global warming and urbanization, the need for reliable temperature monitoring in urban areas is increasing. Such monitoring serves multiple purposes, including assessing urban heat island (UHI) intensity, evaluating climate adaptation strategies, and supporting heat warning systems. This study utilizes high-resolution urban climate simulations with PALM-4U for calm, clear-sky summer weather conditions and an idealized model domain. The domain represents a dense midrise urban district in Dresden Neustadt, eastern Germany. Areas with air temperatures representative of the pedestrian level within the urban development are determined using a methodology based on a 24-hour temporal moving representativity range defined by the temperature’s spatial median value and standard deviation. The method is extended by an evaluation of different temperature sensor heights, addressing practical considerations such as vandalism prevention and space availability. The results highlight the feasibility of representative pedestrian-level air temperature monitoring in densely built-up urban areas, particularly at elevated sensor heights between 2.5 and 6.5 m. It is found that higher sensor heights increase the area suitable for representative pedestrian-level temperature monitoring by up to about 50%. The sensitivity of the results to variations in wind speed and building height is also examined, demonstrating the robustness of the proposed method in clear, calm summer weather conditions. Full article

Rapid urban growth leads to an extension of artificial surfaces and inefficient energy management, an increase in urban heat islands, and local climate change. This has increased the need for green infrastructure and urban trees are playing an important role. It is important to ensure that tree groups can withstand climate warming and disturbances. This study investigated the physiological parameters of Tilia tomentosa ‘Seleste’ trees situated in a medium-sized Hungarian city, examining their relationship with microclimatic differences observed on opposing sides of a street. Instruments placed on 10 trees recorded air temperature and humidity, revealing a significant difference in total insolation, which resulted in higher maximum daily temperatures on the sunny side. These microclimatic variations were found to significantly affect physiological attributes, particularly pigment content. Trees on the sunny side exhibited a higher relative water content and a higher ratio of chlorophyll a/b, indicative of light acclimatisation. Trees on the sunny side exhibited a higher relative water content and a higher ratio of chlorophyll a/b, indicating an acclimatisation to light. Furthermore, a positive correlation was observed between pigment content, total insolation, and growing degree days. The findings demonstrate how fine-scale microclimate differences influence tree physiology, providing crucial physiological indicators that inform the capacity of urban trees to provide vital ecosystem services, such as local climate regulation. This emphasises the importance of climate-conscious urban planning, as even small-scale climate change can have a broader impact. Full article

Climate change is having a significant impact on vine physiology and grape composition, leading to notable alterations in wine quality, such as reduced acidity, increased ethanol content, and higher pH levels. These effects are particularly problematic in arid and semi-arid regions, such as Mediterranean areas, where high summer temperatures and low rainfall accelerate the degradation of organic acids in grapes. As a result, wines produced under these conditions often lack the acidity required to preserve their freshness and enological quality. This study evaluated the effect of must acidification using cation-exchange resins on the composition and quality of red wines made from the Monastrell variety, comparing them with wines acidified using tartaric acid to reach the same target pH. The results showed that treating a portion of the must (20% and 30%) with cation-exchange resins significantly reduced wine pH values and increased total acidity compared to the control wine. A similar result was observed in wines acidified with tartaric acid. However, as an additional effect, the treatment with resin more markedly reduced the concentration of pro-oxidant metal cations such as iron, copper, and manganese, contributing to lower values of volatile acidity and a greater stability against oxidation of phenolic compounds. Must acidification with both methods improved wine color quality by increasing color intensity and decreasing hue values. Although no significant differences were found in the total concentration of phenolic compounds, variations were detected in their compositional profile. Furthermore, the acidification also affected the concentration and composition of aromatic compounds in the final wine. Sensory analysis revealed that the treated wines—particularly those made with must acidified using cation-exchange resins—exhibited greater aromatic intensity, more pronounced fruity notes, and reduced astringency, resulting in a fresher mouthfeel. In conclusion, must treatment with cation-exchange resins appears to be a low-cost good alternative compared tartaric acid addition for reducing pH and increasing acidity in Monastrell red wines, thereby enhancing their quality in winegrowing regions with arid or semi-arid climates. Full article

This study aimed to characterize the morphometric traits and production systems of Criollo sheep in the highlands of Caylloma, Arequipa, Peru. A total of 455 sheep were evaluated using a stratified proportional sampling method across the districts of Tisco, San Antonio de Chuca, and Yanque. Morphometric data were collected under standardized conditions, and nine zoometric indices were calculated to assess functional conformation and productive aptitude. Additionally, 52 sheep producers were surveyed to contextualize herd management practices. Results revealed low levels of formal education and limited technical assistance among producers. Sheep farming was primarily sustained by family tradition, with declining flock sizes attributed to pasture scarcity and climatic challenges. Campaign-based sales strategies and rudimentary reproductive management were prevalent. Health practices showed widespread deworming but limited preventive care. Multivariate analysis indicated significant morphometric variation linked to sex, biotype, and dental stage. This integrative approach highlights both the adaptive potential and production constraints of Criollo sheep in high-altitude environments, providing a basis for developing breeding strategies based on morphometric indices. Full article

Deep reinforcement learning (DRL)-based HVAC control has shown clear advantages over rule-based and model predictive methods. However, most prior studies remain limited to HVAC-only optimization or simple coordination with operable windows. Such approaches do not adequately address buildings with fixed glazing systems—a common feature in high-rise offices—where the lack of operable windows restricts adaptive envelope interaction. To address this gap, this study proposes a multi-zone control framework that integrates HVAC systems with electrochromic windows (ECWs). The framework leverages the Q-value Mixing (QMIX) algorithm to dynamically coordinate ECW transmittance with HVAC setpoints, aiming to enhance energy efficiency and thermal comfort, particularly in high-consumption buildings such as offices. Its performance is evaluated using EnergyPlus simulations. The results show that the proposed approach reduces HVAC energy use by 19.8% compared to the DQN-based HVAC-only control and by 40.28% relative to conventional rule-based control (RBC). In comparison with leading multi-agent deep reinforcement learning (MADRL) algorithms, including MADQN, VDN, and MAPPO, the framework reduces HVAC energy consumption by 1–5% and maintains a thermal comfort violation rate (TCVR) of less than 1% with an average temperature variation of 0.35 ${}^{\circ }\mathrm{C}$ Moreover, the model demonstrates strong generalizability, achieving 16.58–58.12% energy savings across six distinct climatic regions—ranging from tropical (Singapore) to temperate (Beijing)—with up to 48.2% savings observed in Chengdu. Our framework indicates the potential of coordinating HVAC systems with ECWs in simulation, while also identifying limitations that need to be addressed for real-world deployment. Full article

Understanding the spatiotemporal variations and driving mechanisms of coastlines is crucial for their adequate protection, utilization, and sustainable development. In this study, the changes in various coastline types in Zhuhai from 1987 to 2022 were analyzed by using long-term Landsat and GaoFen satellite imagery. The Index of Coastline Type Diversity (ICTD), Index of Coastline Utilization Degree (ICUD) and the Digital Shoreline Analysis System (DSAS) analysis indicators were employed to investigate coastline change. Both quantitative and qualitative analyses were integrated to comprehensively elucidate the impacts of various driving factors. The results indicate that the total length of Zhuhai coastline increased from 761.50 km in 1987 to 798.91 km in 2022, with natural coastlines decreasing by 89.82 km and artificial coastlines increasing by 153.40 km. The rapid expansion of artificial coastlines since 2007 led to a marked decline in the ICTD indicator, while the ICUD indicator increased from 146.42 in 1987 to 216.37 in 2022, reflecting the intensified and continuous influence of anthropogenic activities. Additionally, the end point rate (EPR) and Weighted Linear Regression Rate (WLR) changed by 8.09 m/yr and 6.62 m/yr, respectively. The Shoreline Change Envelope (SCE) and Net Shoreline Movement (NSM) exhibited average changes of 331.42 m and 224.32 m, respectively. Gray correlation and regression analyses further revealed that climate factors exhibited the strongest association with natural coastline changes, while economic development indicators showed the strongest correlation with artificial coastline dynamics. The relationship of Number of Berths in Main Ports (Nb) with coastline changes strongly suggests that human activities are the primary driver of these changes. These findings provide a robust scientific basis for coastal zone management in Zhuhai. Full article

The common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) is a staple legume crop for the Balkan Peninsula, mainly used for food. A large range of landraces well adapted to the local climate are maintained by farmers. The aim of this study was to estimate in field conditions the variability in morphology and seed biochemical composition of fourteen local common bean genotypes. Sixteen morphological and three biological characteristics were evaluated. Considerable morphological variation was found among genotypes. Thirteen genotypes possessed a determinate growth habit, and one of them an indeterminate one. Plant weight without pods, total weight, and the number and weight of pods per plant displayed the highest variation coefficient (CV%) with 54.5, 44.2, 45, and 37.6%, respectively. According to the seed shape, the variation was among kidney, cuboid, and oval. Seed energy value varied from 339 to 347 kcal/100 g, the amount of protein from 21.8 to 27%, lipids content from 1.6 to 2.5%, carbohydrates from 54 to 60%, ash from 4.6 to 5.4%, dietary fibers from 3.3 to 5.9%, tannins from 14 to 21%, phenols from 1.3 to 17.2 mg/g, and antitrypsin activity from 1.2 to 3.1 units/mg FW. Genotypes were classified according to the earliness, plant and seed characteristics, and yield. Genetic material was discerned useful for future research and breeding purposes. Full article

River spring and flash floods are highly dependent on variations in meteorological conditions. In the Baltic States, substantial changes in air temperature and precipitation have been observed between the two most recent climate normal periods (1961–1990 and 1991–2020). Therefore, changes in the magnitude of spring and flash floods across different hydrological regions between these periods were analyzed to better understand shifting hydrological patterns. Daily flow data from 1961 to 2020 were obtained from 68 water gauging stations on 55 rivers. The Pettitt and Mann–Kendall tests, as well as Sen’s slope estimator, were applied to analyze the time series of flood maximum discharges. The most pronounced negative trends in spring and flash floods were observed in Lithuanian rivers, with the magnitude of these trends gradually weakening toward Latvia and Estonia. The maximum flood heights (h_MAX) generally declined during 1961–2020, particularly in Lithuania and western Latvia. Spring flood data showed the most significant decrease, particularly during 1991–2020, when h_MAX declined on average by 0.14 mm/year in Lithuania and 0.05 mm/year in Latvia. Flash floods exhibited smaller declines, also concentrated in 1991–2020. In the major rivers (Nemunas, Neris, and Daugava), peak discharges of both floods declined consistently throughout the study period. Full article