Search Results (77)

High penetration of distributed photovoltaics (DPV) in distribution networks can lead to voltage violations, increased network losses, and renewable energy curtailment, posing significant challenges to both economic efficiency and operational stability. To address these issues, this study develops a coordinated planning framework for DPV and energy-storage systems (ESS) that simultaneously achieves cost minimization and operational reliability. The proposed method employs a cluster partitioning strategy that integrates electrical modularity, active and reactive power balance, and node affiliation metrics, enhanced by a net-power-constrained Fast-Newman Algorithm to ensure strong intra-cluster coupling and rational scale distribution. On this basis, a dual layer optimization model is developed, where the upper layer minimizes annualized costs through optimal siting and sizing of DPV and ESS, and the lower layer simultaneously suppresses voltage deviations, reduces network losses, and maximizes PV utilization by employing an adaptive-grid multi-objective particle-swarm optimization approach. The framework is validated on the IEEE 33-node test system using typical PV generation and load profiles. The simulation results indicate that, compared with a hybrid second-order cone programming method, the proposed approach reduces annual costs by 6.6%, decreases peak–valley load difference by 22.6%, and improves PV utilization by 28.9%, while maintaining voltage deviations below 6.3%. These findings demonstrate that the proposed framework offers an efficient and scalable solution for enhancing renewable hosting capacity, and provides both theoretical foundations and practical guidance for the coordinated integration of DPV and ESS in active distribution networks. Full article

The article presents an analysis of current (during the period 1985–2022) and projected (during the period 2025–2099) changes in the hydrological regime of the Buktyrma, Yesil, and Zhaiyk river basins in Kazakhstan under the conditions of global climate change. This study is based on the integration of data from General Circulation Models (GCMs) of the sixth phase of the CMIP6 project, socio-economic development scenarios SSP2-4.5 and SSP5-8.5, as well as the results of hydrological modelling using the SWIM model. The studies were carried out with an integrated approach to hydrological change assessment, taking into account scenario modelling, uncertainty analysis and the use of bias correction methods for climate data. A calculation method was used to analyse the intra-annual distribution of runoff, taking into account climate change. Detailed forecasts of changes in runoff and intra-annual water distribution up to the end of the 21st century for key water bodies in Kazakhstan were obtained. While the projections of river flow and hydrological parameters under CMIP6 scenarios are actively pursued worldwide, few studies have explicitly focused on forecasting intra-annual flow distribution in Central Asia, calculated using a methodology appropriate for this region and using CMIP6 ensemble scenarios. There have been studies on changes in the intra-annual distribution of runoff for individual river basins or local areas, but for the historical period, there have also been studies on modelling runoff forecasts using CMIP6 climate models, but have been very few systematic publications on the distribution of predicted intra-annual runoff in Central Asia, and this issue has not been fully studied. The projections suggest an intensification of flow seasonality (1), earlier flood peaks (2), reduced summer discharges (3) and an increased likelihood of extreme hydrological events under future climatic conditions. Changes in the seasonal structure of river flow in Central Asia are caused by both climatic factors—temperature, precipitation and glacier degradation—and significant anthropogenic influences, including irrigation and water management structures. These changes directly affect the risks of flooding and water shortages, as well as the adaptive capacity of water management systems. Given the high level of water management challenges and interregional conflicts over water use, the intra-annual distribution of runoff is important for long-term planning, the development of adaptation measures, and the formulation of public policy on sustainable water management in the face of growing climate challenges. This is critically important for water, agricultural, energy, and environmental planning in a region that already faces annual water management challenges and conflicts due to the uneven seasonal distribution of resources. Full article

Plastic, a ubiquitous part of our daily lives, has become a global necessity, with annual production exceeding 300 million tons. However, the accumulation of synthetic polymers in our environment poses a pressing global challenge. To address this urgent issue, fungi have emerged as potential agents for plastic degradation. In our previous manuscript, ‘A Review of the Fungi That Degrade Plastic’, we explored the taxonomic placement of plastic-degrading fungi across three main phyla: Ascomycota, Basidiomycota, and Mucoromycota. In this review, we built upon that foundation and aimed to further explore the taxonomic relationships of these fungi in a comprehensive and detailed manner, leaving no stone unturned. Moreover, we linked metabolic activity and enzyme production of plastic-degrading fungi to their taxonomy and summarized a phylogenetic tree and a detailed table on enzyme production of plastic-degrading fungi presented here. Microbial enzymes are key players in polymer degradation, operating intra-cellularly and extra-cellularly. Fungi, one of the well-studied groups of microbes with respect to plastic degradation, are at the forefront of addressing the global issue of plastic accumulation. Their unique ability to hydrolyze synthetic plastic polymers and produce a wide range of specific enzymes is a testament to their potential. In this review, we gather and synthesize information concerning the metabolic pathways of fungi involved in the degradation of plastics. The manuscript explores the diverse range of specific enzymes that fungi can produce for plastic degradation and the major pathways of plastic metabolism. We provide a listing of 14 fungal enzymes (Esterase, Cutinase, Laccase, Peroxidases, Manganese peroxidase, Lignin peroxidase, Oxidoreductases, Urease, Protease, Lipase, Polyesterase, Dehydrogenase, Serine hydrolase, and PETase) involved in pathways for plastic degradation alongside the relevant fungi known to produce these enzymes. Furthermore, we integrate the fungi’s enzyme-producing capabilities with their taxonomy and phylogeny. Taxonomic and phylogenetic investigations have pinpointed three primary fungal classes (Eurotiomycetes, Sordariomycetes (Ascomycota), and Agaricomycetes (Basidiomycota)) as significant plastic degraders that produce the vital enzymes mentioned earlier. This paper provides a foundational resource for recognizing fungal involvement in the biodegradation of synthetic polymers. It will ultimately advance fungal biotechnology efforts to address the global issue of plastic accumulation in natural environments. Full article

Global and regional climate change and their water-related impacts are a key component in future development scenarios to guide sustainable water management. Climatic changes may lead to an undesirable redistribution of water supplies and potentially harmful extremities in river flows throughout the year. If we add to this the uneven spatial distribution of water resources in Kazakhstan, the importance of assessment of the intra-annual distribution of river flows under historical and present climatic conditions becomes evident. The presented scientific study analyzes decadal regional trends from 1985 to 2022 in the intra-annual distribution of river runoff in selected catchments in Kazakhstan, including Buktyrma River, Zhabay River, and Ulken-Kobda River. The river basins were selected to cover diverse regions in terms of geographical features and hydrological conditions, significantly affected by climate change. We applied statistical analysis methods using multiyear values of mean monthly and mean annual river flows, mean monthly air temperatures, and mean monthly precipitation. To analyze the intra-annual distribution of annual river flow in the context of climate change, a computational method was used, in which the actual current river flow (modern river flow taking into account non-stationarity of climatic changes) was compared with the conditionally natural flow obtained by modeling and corresponding to the natural regime of the river. The long-term dynamics of flow-forming factors and runoff parameters with regard to phases of different water content (25%, 50%, and 75%) were considered. Statistical analysis of seasonal changes in water content of modeled and actual river flow, taking into account climatic non-stationarity, allowed us to identify significant trends of flow redistribution within the year: indicating a decrease in the volume of spring floods, an increase in winter flow and increase in seasonal variability, especially for the Ulken Kobda River. It appears that atmospheric circulation significantly affects annual and seasonal variations of water availability. The shift in western circulation type (W) contributes to increased average annual river flow, while the shift in eastern circulation type (E) is associated with amplification of extreme flood-type events. The results obtained are important for adapting sustainable water management practices under a changing climate, helping to anticipate the availability of water resources and allowing pro-active measures to mitigate hydrological extremes. Full article

Open-pit coal mining drives socioeconomic development but imposes significant environmental impacts. The timely monitoring of mining dynamics is essential for sustainable resource exploitation and ecological restoration. However, existing studies often rely on predefined mining boundaries, limiting their applicability in unknown regions. This study proposes an innovative approach that leverages the intra-annual coal frequency index (ACFI) to identify potential open-pit mining areas, and integrates the Rays method to monitor their temporal changes. By applying a predefined discriminative rule, this approach effectively distinguishes open-pit coal mines from other disturbances and enables spatiotemporal monitoring without the need for prior knowledge of their locations. Applied to the Chenbarhu Banner coalfield, Inner Mongolia, the method achieved 92% accuracy and a kappa coefficient of 0.84 in identifying mining areas. It effectively distinguished active and closed mines, detecting key temporal features with 94% accuracy (kappa = 0.86). The study also identified mining directions and extents, such as 4–13° for the Baorixile mine and 69–141° for the Dongming mine, while excluding non-mining areas with high precision. A strong correlation (r = 0.929, p < 0.01) between annual mining area and coal production further validated the approach. This method provides accurate, scalable tools for monitoring mining dynamics and supports decision-making in regulatory and ecological management processes. Full article

In this study of constructing gross primary production (GPP) based on solar-induced chlorophyll fluorescence (SIF) and analyzing its spatial–temporal characteristics and influencing factors, numerous challenges are encountered, especially in arid regions with fragile ecologies. Coupling SIF with other factors to construct the GPP and elucidating the influencing mechanisms of environmental factors could offer a novel theoretical method for the comprehensive analysis of GPP in arid regions. Therefore, we used the GPP station data from three different ecosystems (grasslands, farmlands, and desert vegetation) as well as the station and satellite data of environmental factors (including photosynthetically active radiation (PAR), a vapor pressure deficit (VPD), the air temperature (Tair), soil temperature (Tsoil), and soil moisture content (SWC)), and combined these with the TROPOMI SIF (RTSIF, generated through the reconstruction of SIF from the Sentinel-5P sensor), whose spatiotemporal precision was improved, the mechanistic light reaction model (MLR model), and different weather conditions. Then, we explored the spatiotemporal characteristics of GPP and its driving factors in local areas of Xinjiang. The results indicated that the intra-annual variation of GPP showed an inverted “U” shape, with the peak from June to July. The spatial attributes were positively correlated with vegetation coverage and sun radiation. Moreover, inverting GPP referred to the process of estimating the GPP of an ecosystem through models and remote sensing data. Based on the MLR model and RTSIF, the inverted GPP could capture more than 80% of the GPP changes in the three ecosystems. Furthermore, in farmland areas, PAR, VPD, Tair, and Tsoil jointly dominate GPP under sunny, cloudy, and overcast conditions. In grassland areas, PAR was the main influencing factor of GPP under all weather conditions. In desert vegetation areas, the dominant influencing factor of GPP was PAR on sunny days, VPD and Tair on cloudy days, and Tair on overcast days. Regarding the spatial correlation, the high spatial correlation between PAR, VPD, Tair, Tsoil, and GPP was observed in regions with dense vegetation coverage and low radiation. Similarly, the strong spatial correlation between SWC and GPP was found in irrigated farmland areas. The characteristics of a low spatial correlation between GPP and environmental factors were the opposite. In addition, it was worth noting that the impact of various environmental factors on GPP in farmland areas was comprehensively expressed based on a linear pattern. However, in grassland and desert vegetation areas, the impact of VPD on GPP was expressed based on a linear pattern, while the impact of other factors was more accurately represented through a non-linear pattern. This study demonstrated that SIF data combined with the MLR model effectively estimated GPP and revealed its spatial patterns and driving factors. These findings may serve as a foundation for developing targeted carbon reduction strategies in arid regions, contributing to improved regional carbon management. Full article

The periderm plays a crucial role in trees, acting as a barrier protecting internal tissues against biotic and abiotic stresses, thus having an impact on tree physiology, ecology, and general performance. It consists of the meristematic phellogen, whose activity gives rise to suberized phellem (cork) cells outwardly and the parenchymatous phelloderm inwardly. Despite the periderm importance, intra-annual and seasonal changes in phellogen activity and phellem and phelloderm differentiation are poorly recognized. Therefore, we aimed to compare periderm development and functioning in successive years in horse chestnut, utilizing standard histological methods. We distinguished six stages of periderm development, including phellogen initiation and the differentiation of its derivatives. In the following years, the phellogen was active for a similar period, but produced fewer derivative cells. Importantly, some phellogen cells lost their meristematic characteristics before the end of the season and differentiated into phellem. To maintain periderm integrity, the remaining phelloderm cells underwent divisions, leading to phellogen re-initiation. Alternatively, when all periderm cells differentiated into the phellem, the new (subsidiary) phellogen originated from the underneath collenchyma. We postulate that phellogen re-initiation could be a mechanism ensuring the functional integrity of the periderm and discuss the role of phelloderm or collenchyma cells in this process. Full article

The genus Ephedra Tourn. ex L. (Ephedraceae) is an important source with pharmacological and environmental potential. Conversely, Ephedra spp. still exhibit taxonomic complexity, especially for the specimens lacking reproductive cones. This complexity is attributed to its xeromorphic features, notably the reduced leaves and analogous assimilating branches, which make the species identification a real challenge. The current study provides a pioneering approach to distinguish fragments of Ephedra species at the gender level. This study was based on the stem anatomy and stem epidermal features using a light microscope for five species (E. alata Decne., E. aphylla Forssk., E. ciliata Fisch. & C.A.Mey., E. foeminea Forssk. and E. Ephedra pachyclada Boiss.) represented by ten genders collected from S. Sinai, Egypt. Anomocytic and brachyparacytic stomata, tanniniferous idioblasts, annual rings, a terete and furrowed outline, the number and width of tracheids, patches of cortical fibers, unicellular trichomes, druses, solitary crystals, and the activity of interfascicular cambium were among the distinguishing features that were found. Different statistical analyses were applied to explore the diversity at interspecific and intra-generic levels. This study revealed that the stem anatomy was not only an efficient tool for identifying the investigated five Ephedra species at the species level but also presented a differential key to distinguish between genders and species. In addition, our results indicated that the epidermal features played a critical role in differentiating the studied Ephedra species at the gender level. This study confirms the efficacy of stem anatomy as an identification approach for the Ephedra species at the gender level and recommends this approach to identify the fragmented Ephedra for taxonomical, pharmaceutical, and medical applications. Full article

Revealing the spatiotemporal variation in baseflow and its underlying mechanisms is critical for preserving the health and ecological functions of alpine rivers, but this has rarely been conducted in the source region of the Yangtze River (SRYR). Our study employed the Soil and Water Assessment Tool (SWAT) model coupled with two-parameter digital filtering and geostatistical approaches to obtain a visual representation of the spatiotemporal heterogeneity characteristics of the baseflow and baseflow index (BFI) in the SRYR. The SWAT model and multiple linear regression model (MLR) were used to quantitatively estimate the contribution of climate change and human activities to baseflow and BFI changes. The results underscore the robust applicability of the SWAT model within the SRYR. Temporally, the precipitation, temperature, and baseflow exhibited significant upward trends, and the baseflow and BFI showed contrasting intra-annual distribution patterns, which were unimodal and bimodal distribution, respectively. Spatially, the baseflow increased from northwest to southeast, and from the watershed perspective, the Tongtian River exhibited higher baseflow values compared to other regions of the SRYR. The baseflow and BFI values of the Dangqu River were greater than those of other tributaries. More than 50% of the entire basin had an annual BFI value greater than 0.7, which indicates that baseflow was the major contributor to runoff generation. Moreover, the contributions of climate change and human activities to baseflow variability were 122% and −22%, and to BFI variability, 60% and 40%. Specifically, precipitation contributed 116% and 60% to the baseflow and BFI variations, while the temperature exhibited contributions of 6% and 8%, respectively. Overall, it was concluded that the spatiotemporal distributions of baseflow and the BFI are controlled by various factors, and climate change is the main factor of baseflow variation. Our study offers valuable insights for the management and quantitative assessment of groundwater resources within the SRYR amidst climate change. Full article

Ornamental plant breeding enables the selection of cultivars with desired features from numerous genotypes; however, this process is time-consuming and resource-demanding. Aiming to establish a pre-selection protocol that can facilitate the selection of dwarf rose varieties, the connection between anatomical and histological characteristics and the vegetative growth of rose cultivars was examined. To assess the adaptive potential of the studied cultivars, intra-annual cambial dynamics were explored relative to the observed meteorological fluctuations during the growing season. The investigation included six garden rose cultivars from the ‘Reka’ and ‘Pixie’ collections, bred under semi-arid open-field conditions in Serbia. Plant height ranged from 20 to 68 cm, with differing growth habits and types. Vegetative growth was significantly correlated with the xylem/phloem ratio, the proportion of total vessel area relative to cross-sectional and xylem areas, vessel-related features, and porosity (correlation coefficients up to 0.78). Regeneration via cambial activity and the formation of false rings were observed in five of the six cultivars studied, with meteorological analysis suggesting that precipitation and temperature triggered cambial reactivation. This approach effectively targets key parameters in the selection of dwarf and climate-resilient rose cultivars, facilitating the development of reliable pre-selection criteria. Full article

Quercus ilex L., an evergreen oak species typical of the western and central Mediterranean basin, is facing decline and dieback episodes due to the increase in the severity and frequency of heat waves and drought events. Studying xylogenesis (the wood formation process) is crucial for understanding how trees respond with their secondary growth to environmental conditions and stress events. This study aimed to characterize the wood formation dynamics of Quercus ilex and their relationship with the meteorological conditions in an area experiencing prolonged drought periods. Cambial activity and xylem cell production were monitored during the 2019 and 2020 growing seasons in a Q. ilex forest located at the Vesuvius National Park (southern Italy). The results highlighted the significant roles of temperature and solar radiation in stimulating xylogenesis. Indeed, the correlation tests revealed that temperature and solar radiation positively influenced growth and cell development, while precipitation had an inhibitory effect on secondary wall formation. The earlier cell maturation in 2020 compared to 2019 underscored the impact of global warming trends. Overall, the trees studied demonstrated good health, growth and adaptability to local environmental fluctuations. This research provides novel insights into the intra-annual growth dynamics of this key Mediterranean species and its adaptation strategies to climatic variability, which will be crucial for forest management in the context of climate change. Full article

Mining industry activities are fraught with inherent exposure to occupational health and safety hazards, often with fatal outcomes, injuries and occupational diseases. This occurs amidst the introduction of contemporary mining methods and targeted health and safety regulation. This historical study evaluated company annual reports through document analysis, on a textual level, to evaluate the extent of OHS performance reporting, a measure of the attainment status of the zero-harm aspirational goal. The reporting of OHS performance indicators in annual reports by South African mining companies is widespread, though variable in format, content and context. There were variances in the reporting of OHS indicators by the case mining companies which obfuscate attempts for intra- and inter-company comparisons of OHS performance. The case companies included have not attained the stated goal of zero harm in view of the historically reported and protracted incidences of fatalities, injuries and occupational diseases, a direct threat to the decent work principle. The status quo challenges all affected stakeholders, including regulators, employers, employees and unions alike, to continuously investigate measures for arresting the situation. Full article

The characterization of dairy farming is fundamental for the sector, as the information obtained directs institutional and public policy actions, which contribute to the development of the milk production chain. The objective of this research was to highlight and analyze two points: identify the spatial concentration of production and investigate the existence of centers specializing in milk production; evaluate the sources of growth in dairy farming in micro-regions of Pará and verify their participation in the growth and productivity of the herd. Regarding specialization in milk production, in the initial year of the study, there were nine specialized micro-regions; however, in the final year, only six fell into this classification, being Parauapebas, Marabá, Tucuruí, Redenção, São Félix do Xingu, and Altamira. Southeastern Pará stands out as the main dairy hub in the state, which encompasses municipalities with a tradition in dairy farming, such as Água Azul do Norte, the largest state producer since 2012. The effective growth in milk production from the 1990s to 2020 showed an increase in state production of 3.23% per year, with a greater contribution to this growth in herd productivity gains than in relation to the expansion of the herd; however, ten micro-regions presented a negative average annual growth rate, being located in the Northeast of Pará, Marajó, and the Metropolitan Region of Belém, a result resulting from the reduction of the herd expansion effect, as the productivity effect of all micro-regions exhibited positive rates, with the exception of Cametá and Arari. The sharpest decline occurred in Arari, with a sharp drop in milk production, number of animals milked, and cow yield. The twelve micro-regions with positive annual rates are located in the mesoregions of Southeast Pará, Southwest Pará, and Baixo Amazonas, nine associated with intensive growth and three more linked to extensive growth. In general, the results show that the regions specialized in the activity are more articulated, presenting the highest percentages in terms of quantity produced, herd milked, and financial movement, compared to non-specialized locations. Through analyses, it is possible to obtain a better understanding of the regional growth process, with a focus on dairy activity, as the information and particularities of properties are fundamental to guide public and private institutions on the reality and existing problems, enabling readjustment and new policy formulations with the aim of alleviating producers’ limitations, as well as enhancing growth and reducing intra- and inter-regional imbalances. Full article

A shifting phenology in deciduous broadleaf forests (DBFs) can indicate forest health, resilience, and changes in the face of a rapidly changing climate. The availability of satellite-based solar-induced fluorescence (SIF) from the Orbiting Carbon Observatory-2 (OCO-2) promises to add to the understanding of the regional-level DBF phenology that has been developed, for instance, using proxies of gross primary productivity (GPP) from the Moderate Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS). It is unclear how OCO-2 and MODIS metrics compare in terms of capturing intra-annual variations and benchmarking DBF seasonality, thus necessitating a comparison. In this study, spatiotemporally matched OCO-2 SIF metrics (at footprint level) and corresponding MODIS GPP, normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI), and enhanced vegetation index (EVI) products within a temperate DBF were used to compare the phenology captured by the productivity metrics. Additionally, an estimate of the SIF yield (SIF_y), derived from OCO-2 SIF measurements, and a MODIS fraction of photosynthetically active radiation (fPAR) were tested. An examination of the trends and correlations showed relatively few qualitative differences among productivity metrics and environmental variables, but it highlighted a lack of seasonal signal in the calculation of SIF_y. However, a seasonality analysis quantitatively showed similar seasonal timings and levels of seasonal production in and out of the growing season between SIF and GPP. In contrast, NDVI seasonality was least comparable to that of SIF and GPP, with senescence occurring approximately one month apart. Taken together, we conclude that satellite-based SIF and GPP (and EVI to a smaller degree) provide the most similar measurements of forest function, while NDVI is not sensitive to the same changes. In this regard, phenological metrics calculated with satellite-based SIF, along with those calculated with GPP and EVI from MODIS, can enhance our current understanding of deciduous forest structures and functions and provide additional information over NDVI. We recommend that future studies consider metrics other than NDVI for phenology analyses. Full article

Small lakes (areas ranging from 0.01 km² to 1 km²) are highly sensitive to climate change and human activities. However, few studies have investigated the long-term intra-annual trends in the number and area of small lakes and their driving mechanisms in the Qinghai–Tibet Plateau (QTP). As a significant water tower in northwest China, the Qilian Mountains region (QMR) in the QTP is essential for sustaining regional industrial and agricultural production, biodiversity, and human well-being. We conducted an analysis of the dynamics of small lakes in the QMR region. In this study, we employed Geodetector and examined nine factors to investigate the driving mechanisms behind the long-term variations in the small lake water bodies (SLWBs). We specifically focused on understanding the effects of single-factor and two-factor interactions. The results indicate that the number and area of small lakes had a fluctuating trend from 1987 to 2020. Initially, there was a decrease followed by an increase, which was generally consistent with trends in the large lakes on the QTP. All basins had far more expanding than shrinking lakes. The area of seasonal SLWBs in each basin was increasing more rapidly than permanent SLWBs. The distribution and trends in the area and number of small lakes varied widely across elevation zones. Runoff, snow depth, and temperature contributed the most to SLWB changes. Human activities and wind speed contributed the least. However, the main drivers varied across basins. The impact of two-factor interactions on SLWB changes in basins was greater than that of single factors. Our results provide useful information for planning and managing water resources and studies of small lakes. Full article