Search Results (6,699)

To address the dilemma of China’s rural areas becoming increasingly homogeneous due to large-scale, campaign-style rural construction. This study proposes an innovative rural spatial pattern evaluation model that integrates geomancy theory with modern spatial analysis methods. Chawan village, Suzhou city, Jiangsu Province, China, is used as the study area, with the aim of better assessing and optimizing rural spatial patterns in China. The Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) is a method for ranking factors based on their relative importance, which is used to assign weights to indicators. Combined with the fuzzy comprehensive evaluation (FCE) method based on fuzzy set theory and ArcGIS weighted overlay analysis, it is used for evaluating rural spatial patterns. The results show that natural environmental indicators hold more weight than artificial ones. Among these, water body landscapes (0.111), water body buffer zones (0.103), and vegetation ecology (0.073) are the highest weighted indicators. The top three spatial pattern evaluation values are landscape environment (3.85), water bodies (3.52), and vegetation (3.51). The final result for the village is moderate, with an evaluation score of 3.385. This result suggests that the rural spatial pattern has a solid foundation for cultural continuity and significant potential for optimization, particularly in ecological and water body features. The AHP–GIS–FCE multi-method evaluation framework provides an effective tool for assessing and optimizing rural spatial patterns. This approach offers a systematic solution for rural development, promoting localized and diverse planning models, as opposed to the homogenized “one-size-fits-all” approach, and contributes to the protection of cultural heritage and sustainable development. Full article

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in livestock production systems has emerged as a major global health concern, threatening not only animal welfare and agricultural productivity but also food safety and public health. The widespread, and often poorly regulated, use of antimicrobials for growth promotion, prophylaxis, and metaphylaxis has accelerated the emergence and dissemination of resistant bacteria and resistance genes. These elements circulate across interconnected animal, environmental, and human ecosystems, driven by mobile genetic elements and amplified through the food production chain. It is estimated that more than two-thirds of medically important antimicrobials are used in animals, and AMR could cause millions of human deaths annually by mid-century if unchecked. In some livestock systems, multidrug-resistant E. coli prevalence already exceeds half of isolates, particularly in poultry and swine in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). This narrative review provides a comprehensive overview of the molecular epidemiology, ecological drivers, and One Health implications of AMR in food-producing animals. We highlight key zoonotic and foodborne bacterial pathogens—including Escherichia coli, Salmonella enterica, and Staphylococcus aureus—as well as underappreciated reservoirs in commensal microbiota and livestock environments. Diagnostic platforms spanning phenotypic assays, PCR, MALDI-TOF MS, whole-genome sequencing, and CRISPR-based tools are examined for their roles in AMR detection, surveillance, and resistance gene characterization. We also evaluate current antimicrobial stewardship practices, global and regional surveillance initiatives, and policy frameworks, identifying critical implementation gaps, especially in low- and middle-income countries. Emerging sectors such as aquaculture and insect farming are considered for their potential role as future AMR hotspots. Finally, we outline future directions including real-time genomic surveillance, AI-assisted resistance prediction, and integrated One Health data platforms as essential innovations to combat AMR. Mitigating the threat of AMR in animal agriculture will require coordinated scientific, regulatory, and cross-sectoral responses to ensure the long-term efficacy of antimicrobial agents for both human and veterinary medicine. Full article

This study employed Deep Abstract Networks (DANets), independently and in combination with the Whale Optimization Algorithm (WOA), to generate high-resolution susceptibility maps for drought and wildfire hazards in the Oroqen Autonomous Banner in Inner Mongolia. Presence samples included 309 wildfire points from MODIS active fire data and 200 drought points derived from a custom Standardized Drought Condition Index. DANets-WOA models showed clear performance improvements over their solitary counterparts. For drought susceptibility, RMSE was reduced from 0.28 to 0.21, MAE from 0.17 to 0.11, and AUC improved from 85.7% to 88.9%. Wildfire susceptibility mapping also improved, with RMSE decreasing from 0.39 to 0.36, MAE from 0.32 to 0.28, and AUC increasing from 78.9% to 85.1%. Loss function plots indicated improved convergence and reduced overfitting following optimization. A pairwise z-statistic analysis revealed significant differences (p < 0.05) in susceptibility classifications between the two modeling approaches. Notably, the overlap of drought and wildfire susceptibilities within the forest–steppe transitional zone reflects a climatically and ecologically tense corridor, where moisture stress, vegetation gradients, and human land-use converge to amplify multi-hazard risk beyond the sum of individual threats. The integration of DANets with the WOA demonstrates a robust and scalable framework for dual hazard modeling. Full article

Bilateral symmetry is a fundamental organizational trait in many metazoans. However, deviations from this symmetry, manifested as directional or fluctuating asymmetries, offer valuable insights into developmental, functional, and environmental processes. This study quantified and characterized bilateral asymmetry in three related species of the genus Abatus using a dual approach that integrates linear and geometric morphometrics. Our analyses reveal consistent patterns of directional asymmetry across different species, with specific trends showing that the left body sides tend to be larger. In contrast, fluctuating asymmetry exhibited an inverse relation with directional asymmetry. Also, linear morphometric analysis showed no significant correlation between directional asymmetry and either sex or body size, while geometric analyses only identified subtle shape deviations related to size but not to sex. These findings allow us to discuss the possible origins of this trait, mainly related to developmental constraints due to reproduction or growth, or carried over on a genetic basis. Our results highlight the importance of combining different morphometric approaches to clarify complex patterns of morphological variation and emphasize the significance of asymmetry analyses in understanding evolutionary and ecological processes in irregular echinoids. Full article

A novel Gram-negative bacterium, designated strain SN16^T, was isolated from a harmful algal bloom (HAB). Strain SN16^T exhibited potent, broad-spectrum algicidal activity against the colony-forming alga Phaeocystis globosa and eight other HAB-causing species, highlighting its potential as a promising candidate for the biological control of HABs. A phylogenetic analysis of 16S rRNA gene sequences placed strain SN16^T within the genus Flagellimonas. The average nucleotide identity (ANI) and digital DNA–DNA hybridization (dDDH) values between strain SN16^T and its relatives were 75.4–91.4% and 19.3–44.0%, respectively. These values fall below the established thresholds for species delineation, confirming that SN16^T represents a novel species. A chemotaxonomic analysis revealed its dominant cellular fatty acids to be iso-C_15:0 and iso-C_15:1 G. The major polar lipid was phosphatidylethanolamine, and the primary respiratory quinone was menaquinone-6. Genome mining identified 11 biosynthetic gene clusters (BGCs), including those encoding for terpenes, ribosomal peptide synthetases, and non-ribosomal peptide synthetases. By integrating BGC analysis with the observed algicidal activities, we predicted that pentalenolactone and xiamycin analogues are the likely causative compounds. Based on this polyphasic evidence, strain SN16^T is proposed as a novel species of the genus Flagellimonas, named Flagellimonas algicida sp. nov. This is the first report of Flagellimonas species exhibiting broad-spectrum algicidal activity, including activity against the colonial form of P. globosa—a key ecological challenge in HAB mitigation. Full article

This paper systematically reviews the research progress of underwater soft grasping devices in the field of bionic structure, function integration, and tactile sensing technology by drawing on the structural characteristics of marine organisms such as octopuses, jellyfish, and sea anemones (such as suction cups, umbrella-like muscles, and stinging cells). This paper analyzes the inspiration for the design, the application of innovative materials, and the integration of sensing and driving from marine organisms, including a review of soft robotics technologies, such as shape memory alloys (SMA), ionic polymer metal composite materials (IPMCs), magnetic nanocomposite cilia, etc. The research results emphasize that bionic soft robots have the potential for transformation in completely changing underwater operations by providing enhanced flexibility, efficiency, and environmental adaptability. This work provides a bionic design paradigm and perception-driven integration method for underwater soft operation systems, thereby promoting equipment innovation in the fields of deep-sea exploration and ecological protection. Full article

Urban economic development together with the concentration of population acts as a major stimulus for changes in land-use configurations, thereby reshaping local ecosystems and influencing habitat quality. Conducting a rigorous evaluation of the temporal–spatial dynamics and the mechanisms underlying these changes is crucial for refining spatial management strategies, improving urban livability, and steering cities toward sustainable pathways. In this research, we established a comprehensive analytical framework that integrates the PLUS model, the InVEST model, and the GeoDetector model to examine shifts in land-use patterns and habitat quality in Busan Metropolitan City during 1988–2019 to pinpoint the principal influencing factors and to project possible trajectories for 2029–2049 under multiple climate change scenarios. The key findings can be summarized as follows: (1) during the last thirty years, the city’s land-use structure underwent substantial transformation, with forested areas and built-up zones becoming the primary categories, indicating continuous urban encroachment and the reduction in ecological land; (2) the average habitat quality dropped by 18.23%, displaying a distinct spatial gradient from low values in plains and coastal areas to higher values in mountainous and inland zones; (3) results from the GeoDetector revealed that variations in land-use type and NDVI exerted the greatest influence on habitat quality differences, reflecting the combined impacts of environmental conditions and socio-economic pressures; (4) scenario projections show that the SSP1-2.6 pathway supports ecological land growth and leads to a notable improvement in habitat quality, while SSP5-8.5 causes ongoing deterioration driven by the expansion of construction land. The SSP2-4.5 pathway demonstrates a relatively moderate pattern, balancing urban development needs with ecological preservation and thus is more consistent with the long-term sustainability objectives of Busan. This study provides a robust scientific basis for understanding historical and projected changes in land cover and habitat quality in Busan and offers theoretical guidance for optimizing land-use structures, strengthening ecological protection, and fostering sustainable development in Busan and other coastal mountainous cities. Full article

Bacteriophages (phages) play a pivotal role in shaping microbial communities and driving bacterial evolution. Among the diverse mechanisms governing phage–host interactions, the Arbitrium (ARM) communication system represents a recently discovered paradigm in phage decision-making between the lytic and lysogenic cycles. Initially identified in Bacillus-infecting phages, the ARM system employs a quorum-sensing-like peptide signaling mechanism to modulate infection dynamics and optimize population-level survival strategies. Recent studies have elucidated the structural and functional basis of ARM regulation, highlighting its potential applications in antimicrobial therapy, microbiome engineering, and synthetic biology. The significance of ARM systems lies in their ability to regulate bacterial population stability and influence the evolutionary trajectories of microbial ecosystems. Despite being a relatively recent discovery, ARM systems have garnered considerable attention due to their role in decoding phage population dynamics at the molecular level and their promising biotechnological applications. This review synthesizes current advancements in understanding ARM systems, including their molecular mechanisms, ecological implications, and translational potential. By integrating recent findings, we provide a comprehensive framework to guide future research on phage–host communication and its potential for innovative therapeutic strategies. Full article

The Western and Central Pacific Ocean (WCPO), the key global purse seine fishing ground for skipjack tuna (Katsuwonus pelamis), sees frequent ENSO events. These events drastically alter marine ecosystems and fishery resource patterns, complicating fisheries management—given skipjack tuna’s high mobility and sensitivity to marine environmental changes. To address this, the study proposes an improved spatial prediction framework that incorporates the MGWR model to capture environmental changes. The spatial regression results generated by the MGWR model are incorporated as the mean-field input for the BME model. Additionally, the interannual standard deviation of skipjack tuna resources is fed into the BME model as a measure of spatial uncertainty. The results indicate that the mean field and uncertainty field exhibit a strong correlation, with an R² of 0.54, an RMSE of 583.32, an MAE of 377.22, and an ME of 334.77. Compared to the single prediction models BME and MGWR, the MGWR-BME integrated framework has improved R² by 12%, 30%, and 13% in the 2021–2023 predictions, respectively. Additionally, its prediction performance for distinguishing El Niño, La Niña, and normal years has significantly improved, with R² increasing from 0.6 to 0.67 in 2021, from 0.34 to 0.62 in 2022, and from 0.30 to 0.40 in 2023. According to the evaluation results based on Kernel Density Estimation (KDE) curves, the model performs well in fitting low values but shows weaker performance in fitting high values. By applying this approach, we have clarified the multiscale driving mechanisms through which marine environmental heterogeneity affects the distribution of skipjack tuna under ENSO conditions. This insight enables fishery managers to more accurately predict the dynamic changes in skipjack tuna fishing grounds under different climatic scenarios, thereby providing a reliable scientific basis for formulating rational fishing quotas, optimizing fishing operation layouts, and implementing targeted conservation measures—ultimately contributing to the balanced development of fishery resource utilization and ecological protection. Full article

The construction sector is a major contributor to environmental degradation due to high energy consumption and CO₂ emissions. This study presents a low-tech, sustainable construction system based on the manual fabrication of curved laminated bamboo beams, assembled with screws and steel straps, without adhesives or heavy machinery. The case study is part of a bamboo roof structure built within Jericoacoara National Park, Brazil, using Dendrocalamus asper for its mechanical strength and carbon storage capacity. The construction process of three vertical lower laminated curved beams (Vig.CLIV-1, CLIV-2, and CLIV-3) was systematized into two main phases—preparation and construction. Due to the level of detail involved, only Vig.CLIV-1 is fully presented, broken down into work items, processes, and sub-processes to identify critical points for quality control and time efficiency. Comparative analysis of the three beams complements the findings, highlighting differences in logistics, labor performance, and learning outcomes. The results demonstrate the potential of this handcrafted system to achieve high geometric accuracy in complex site conditions, with low embodied energy and strong replicability. Developed by bamboo specialists from Colombia and Peru with support from local assistants, this experience illustrates the viability of low-impact, appropriate construction solutions for ecologically sensitive contexts and advances the integration of sustainable, replicable practices in architectural design. Full article

As a perceptual representation of ecosystem structure and function, the soundscape has become an important indicator for evaluating ecological health and assessing the impacts of human disturbances. Understanding the spatiotemporal heterogeneity of soundscapes is essential for revealing ecological processes and human impacts in protected areas. This study investigates such heterogeneity in Zhangjiajie National Forest Park using deep learning approaches. To this end, we constructed a dataset comprising eight representative sound source categories by integrating field recordings with online audio (BBC Sound Effects Archive and Freesound), and trained a classification model to accurately identify biophony, geophony, and anthrophony, which enabled the subsequent analysis of spatiotemporal distribution patterns. Our results indicate that temporal variations in the soundscape are closely associated with circadian rhythms and tourist activities, while spatial patterns are strongly shaped by topography, vegetation, and human interference. Biophony is primarily concentrated in areas with minimal ecological disturbance, geophony is regulated by landforms and microclimatic conditions, and anthrophony tends to mask natural sound sources. Overall, the study highlights how deep learning-based soundscape classification can reveal the mechanisms by which natural and anthropogenic factors structure acoustic environments, offering methodological references and practical insights for ecological management and soundscape conservation. Full article

Natural silk textiles are regarded as integral components of cultural heritage, historically embedded within centuries of sericulture, natural dyeing, and communal weaving. The preservation of intangible cultural heritage in northeast Thailand is investigated through natural sericulture, plant-dyed silk—frequently produced with Indigofera tinctoria—and recent dyeing innovations. A qualitative methodology was employed, guided by the trajectory equifinality model (TEM). Interviews were undertaken with fifteen women weavers from Maha Sarakham Province. Through TEM analysis, four thematic domains were identified: natural sericulture, plant-dyed silk, dyeing innovations, and intangible cultural heritage (ICH). Plant-dyed silk textile production, sustained by ecological sericulture and dyeing practices, was found to support the safeguarding and promotion of intangible cultural heritage. Heritage preservation in the region was demonstrated to be reinforced by sustainable sericulture and innovative plant-dyeing. Full article

In the context of global climate change and efforts toward “carbon peak and carbon neutrality,” forest resource protection and restoration have become fundamental to ecological civilization. The genetic improvement of trees, as the primary component of forest ecosystems, holds strategic importance for ecological security, resource supply, and carbon neutrality. Traditional tree breeding techniques, including selective and hybrid breeding, have established robust technical systems through extensive practice. However, these methods face limitations such as extended cycles, reduced efficiency, and constrained genetic gains in meeting contemporary requirements. Modern biotechnologies, including genomic selection (GS), gene editing (CRISPR/Cas9), and marker-assisted selection (MAS), substantially enhance the precision and efficiency of genetic improvement. Nevertheless, exclusive reliance on either traditional or modern methods proves insufficient for addressing complex environmental adaptation and rapid breeding requirements. Consequently, the integration of traditional breeding with modern biotechnology to develop intelligent, sustainable, and efficient breeding strategies has emerged as a central focus in tree genetics and breeding. An integrated “step-by-step” approach warrants promotion, supported by a multi-source data sharing platform, an optimized core germplasm repository, and a “climate-soil-genotype” matching model to facilitate the region-specific deployment of improved varieties. Full article

To address biodiversity degradation in Nationally Important Agricultural Heritage Systems, this study integrates multi-temporal remote sensing data (2000–2023) with the Biodiversity Maintenance Function (BMF) and InVEST Habitat Quality (HQ) models. We assess ecological changes in the Beijing–Tianjin–Hebei (BTH) region and 14 nationally recognized heritage systems. A dual-factor HQ–BMF coupling matrix was developed to trace ecological trajectories shaped by both natural and anthropogenic influences. Results show that (1) regional BMF followed a non-linear trend of increase, decline, and rebound between 2003 and 2023. The mean value rose from 0.1036 in 2003 to 0.1397 in 2023, despite intermediate fluctuations. In contrast, HQ declined steadily from 0.8734 in 2003 to 0.7729 in 2023, reflecting a continuous loss of high-quality habitats. (2) Nearly all heritage systems experienced phased BMF fluctuations—an initial rise, subsequent decline, and eventual recovery. At the same time, HQ showed a continuous decline in 8 of the 14 systems, indicating that more than half of the systems experienced sustained habitat degradation. (3) The HQ–BMF matrix revealed strong spatial heterogeneity. By 2023, only one site remained in a “dual-high” zone, while another had fallen into a “dual-low” condition, suggesting localized ecological degradation. These findings provide quantitative support for conservation strategies, ecological compensation, and land-use regulation in agricultural heritage systems. Full article

Against the background of China’s ecological civilization construction and sustainable development strategies, how remote sensing courses adapt to the demands of the artificial intelligence era has become an urgent issue for undergraduate education in relevant disciplines at universities. This study proposed a trinity teaching reform path of “deep learning and remote sensing, and ecological sustainability”, aiming to cultivate interdisciplinary talents with capabilities in intelligent interpretation and practical application. The study established a three-stage curriculum objective system, integrating knowledge, ability, and literacy, designed a five-dimensional linkage teaching method combining case-driven teaching, modular training, and blended learning, and conducted teaching practices using mainstream deep learning frameworks and cloud platforms. Through hierarchical teaching practice cases and multi-dimensional evaluation data, it was shown that the reform effectively enhanced the experiment group students’ abilities in deep learning applications, complex remote sensing data processing, and ecological problem-solving. The achievement values for all five evaluation indicators exceeded 80%, with the highest improvement reaching 28% compared to the control group. The results indicate that this teaching reform not only enhances learning outcomes but also provides a valuable framework and practical pathway for remote sensing education empowered by artificial intelligence and the cultivation of professional talent in future sustainable development fields. Full article