Search Results (123)

The Copernicus Atmosphere Monitoring Service (CAMS) offers a broad portfolio of global and regional atmospheric products that support environmental monitoring, air quality assessment, health applications and climate policy. Under the CAMS National Collaboration Programme (NCP), the ERATOSTHENES Centre of Excellence (ECoE) serves as the national coordinator for Cyprus, working to bridge the gap between CAMS outputs and local end-user needs. This paper presents the strategy and implementation framework adopted by ECoE to facilitate CAMS uptake in Cyprus. Efforts focus on integrating CAMS data into national systems, developing tailored applications (e.g., UV forecasting, dust event alerts), building stakeholder capacity, and supporting regulatory reporting. Outcomes also include the deployment of the AirData Hub platform and initial steps toward institutionalizing CAMS-derived workflows in public health and environmental planning. The work highlights both the opportunities and technical challenges of customizing CAMS products for small-island contexts. Full article

Hangzhou Bay (HZB) has become a hot spot in hydro-morphodynamic research due to human impacts and natural influences, as well as the substantial quantities of water discharge and sediment load of the Yangtze River and Qiantang River. Although many previous studies have analyzed the spatial–temporal variations in suspended particulate matter (TSM) from in situ and satellite observations, the long-term changes in suspended sediment dynamics remain unclear. In this study, we quantified the long-term variation in TSM load using MODIS/Aqua data during 2003–2024. The TSM products in the HZB displayed a decreasing trend from 2003 to 2024 (k = −1.90 mg/L/year, p < 0.05), which may be attributed to decreased sediment discharge from the Yangtze River. The spatial variation in TSM provided quantitative results for HZB, with a substantially increasing trend in the southern shallow areas and a decreasing trend in the northern deep troughs and central bay. The interannual variations in TSM in winter displayed a positive correlation with the sediment load from the Yangtze River (R = 0.640 for the data during 2014–2022) and with wind speed (R = 0.676 for the data during 2009–2021). The TSM of HZB was partly affected by the combined impacts of human activities and climate change. A distinct difference in TSM concentrations on both sides of the Hangzhou Bay Bridge was observed, with higher TSM on the western side than on the eastern side for most of the year during 2003–2024. A decline in TSM was observed near Yushan Island from 2003 to 2024, attributed to large-scale land reclamation and associated alterations in tide-dominated areas. This study provides valuable insights into the long-term changes in suspended sediment and water quality in HZB, which is crucial for managing water resources, creating effective water strategies, predicting future needs, and ensuring sustainable water management. Full article

Affordable public housing has been identified as a key programme initiative towards social infrastructural development. Scholarship has shown that sustainable affordable public housing (SAPH) aids in achieving the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), especially SDG 1 (No Poverty), SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure) and SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities). There exists a dire need for sustainable and affordable housing initiatives in Small Island Developing States (SIDS). The purpose of this research paper is to investigate the relationship between sustainability and affordable public housing development by extracting and ranking critical success factors (CSFs) associated with SAPH in Caribbean SIDS. By adopting a quantitative methodology, a closed-ended questionnaire was administered to relevant personnel associated with the construction industry to rank the risk impact of various success factors relating to SAPH and produce a Structural Equation Model (SEM). The findings revealed that CSFs for SAPH in SIDS are context specific and deviated from the general literature. CSFs were broadly grouped into economic, energy efficiency and transparency, and construction execution categories. The most pertinent CSF was the implementation of risk reduction inputs into the planning stages of construction projects. These risk reduction inputs are important preventive measures for disasters and contribute to achieving social, economic and environmental sustainability within Caribbean SIDS. This research aims to bridge the gap between academic research and praxis to advance a sustainable construction industry within SIDS while contributing to the critically limited body of knowledge on SAPH within developing nations. It also aims to form the foundation of sustainable housing within SIDS based on the Triple Bottom Line (TBL) theory. Full article

Chinese coalbed methane (CBM) reservoirs exhibit characteristically low recovery rates due to adsorbed gas dominance and “three-low” properties (low permeability, low pressure, and low saturation). CO₂ thermal drive (CTD) technology addresses this challenge by leveraging dual mechanisms—thermal desorption and displacement to enhance production; however, its effectiveness necessitates uniform fracture networks for temperature field homogeneity—a requirement unmet by conventional long-fracture fracturing. To bridge this gap, a coupled seepage–heat–stress–fracture model was developed, and the temperature field evolution during CTD in coal under non-uniform fracture networks was determined. Integrating multi-cluster fracture propagation with stress barrier and intra-stage stress differential characteristics, a stress-barrier-responsive diverting fracturing technology meeting CTD requirements was established. Results demonstrate that high in situ stress and significant stress differentials induce asymmetric fracture propagation, generating detrimental CO₂ channeling pathways and localized temperature cold islands that drastically reduce CTD efficiency. Further examination of multi-cluster fracture dynamics identifies stress shadow effects and intra-stage stress differentials as primary controlling factors. To overcome these constraints, an innovative fracture network uniformity control technique is proposed, leveraging synergistic interactions between diverting parameters and stress barriers through precise particle size gradation (16–18 mm targeting toe obstruction versus 19–21 mm sealing heel), optimized pumping displacements modulation (6 m³/min enhancing heel efficiency contrasted with 10 m³/min improving toe coverage), and calibrated diverting concentrations (34.6–46.2% ensuring uniform cluster intake). This methodology incorporates dynamic intra-stage adjustments where large-particle/low-rate combinations suppress toe flow in heel-dominant high-stress zones, small-particle/high-rate approaches control heel migration in toe-dominant high-stress zones, and elevated concentrations (57.7–69.2%) activate mid-cluster fractures in central high-stress zones—collectively establishing a tailored framework that facilitates precise flow regulation, enhances thermal conformance, and achieves dual thermal conduction and adsorption displacement objectives for CTD applications. Full article

The intensified exposure to high temperature in urban areas, resulting from the combination of heat waves and the urban heat island (UHI) effect, necessitates a deeper understanding of the climate–health relationship. This knowledge directly influences the strategies employed by policy makers and urban planners in their efforts to regenerate cities and protect their population. Nature-based solutions and the widely accepted 15 min city model, characterized by a polycentric structure, should drive the implementation of effective adaptation policies, especially given the persistent delay in mitigation efforts. However, it is less clear whether current or future policies are adequately structured to broadly address the complex forms of social vulnerability. A prime example of this complexity is the demographic shift observed since the mid-20th century, characterized by a relative increase in the elderly population, and a shrinking youth demographic. While extensive literature addresses the physiological impacts of heat wave on human health, evidence regarding the neuro-psychological and cognitive implications for elderly individuals, who frequently suffer from chronic diseases, remains less comprehensive and more fragmented. The purpose of this concise review is to emphasize that crucial findings on the climate–health relationship, particularly concerning the elderly, have often been developed within disciplinary silos. The lack of comprehensive interdisciplinary integration coupled with an incomplete understanding of the full spectrum of vulnerabilities (encompassing both physiological and cognitive) may lead to urban policies that are egalitarian in principle but fail to achieve true equity in practice. This review aims to bridge this gap by highlighting the need for a more integrated approach to urban policy and regeneration. Full article

As protected areas (PAs) expand globally at an accelerating rate, reconciling biodiversity conservation with socioeconomic development in adjacent communities has become a critical challenge for landscape sustainability. This systematic review synthesizes literature (1990–2025) to trace three interconnected transitions: (1) the conceptual evolution from exclusionary to inclusive PA–community paradigms, grounded in shifting perceptions of cultural landscapes; (2) the governance transformation from tokenistic participation to power-sharing co-management frameworks; and (3) the spatial planning progression from fragmented “island” models to integrated protected area networks (PANs) leveraging ecological corridors. Our analysis reveals that disconnected PA–community relationships exacerbate conservation–development conflicts, particularly where cultural landscapes are undervalued. A key finding is that cultural–natural synergies act as pivotal mediators for conservation efficacy, necessitating context-adaptive governance approaches. This study advances landscape planning theory by proposing a rural landscape network framework that integrates settlement patches, biocultural corridors, and PA matrices to optimize ecological connectivity while empowering communities. Empirical insights from China highlight pathways to harmonize stringent protection with rural revitalization, underscoring the capacity of PANs to bridge spatial and socio-institutional divides. This synthesis provides a transformative lens for policymakers to scale locally grounded solutions across global conservation landscapes. Full article

The rapid expansion of transportation infrastructure on Hainan Island has intensified ecological pressures such as landscape fragmentation and decreased connectivity, threatening the environmental integrity of Hainan Tropical Rainforest National Park. As China’s only tropical island national park, it is important to maintain biodiversity and ecological resilience. Therefore, this study attempts to examine the park and its 5 km buffer zone to assess how transport expansion from 2003 to 2023 has altered land use patterns and landscape connectivity. Through the analysis of multi-period land use data, the land use changes are tracked by using ArcGIS and Fragstats 4.3 software, and the landscape dynamics are quantified. We linked these patterns to ecological processes via a resistance-surface model, which is further refined by spatial structural indices to better reflect ecological realism. Ecological sources were subsequently identified through morphological analysis and ecosystem service evaluation, and circuit theory was applied to delineate potential corridors and construct an ecological security network. The results indicate that (1) transportation development has significantly increased landscape fragmentation and ecological resistance, particularly along major highways; (2) while core forest areas inside the park remain relatively intact, the buffer zones show accelerating degradation; and (3) Although there are many ecological conflict points between the transportation network and the ecological corridor, the construction of animal channels in combination with bridges, tunnels and culverts can effectively improve ecological connectivity and protect the integrity of animal habitat. These findings highlight the vulnerability of ecological integrity as the network expands. The proposed modeling framework provides a more realistic assessment of infrastructure impact and offers a scientific basis for coordinating ecological protection and transport planning in tropical island national parks. Full article

Urban thermal environments critically impact human settlements and sustainable urban development. In this study, a multi-index framework integrating Landsat TM/ETM+/OLI observations (2004–2019) is developed to quantify the contributions of “source–sink” landscapes to urban heat island (UHI) dynamics in Guangzhou, China, with direct implications for advancing sustainable development. Urban–rural gradient analysis was combined with emerging spatiotemporal hotspot modeling, revealing the following results: (1) there were thermal spatial heterogeneity with pronounced heat accumulation in core urban zones and improved thermal profiles in northern sectors, reflecting a transition from “more sources, fewer sinks” in the southwest to “fewer sources, more sinks” in the northeast; (2) UHIs were effectively mitigated within 25–35 km of the city center, with the landscape effect index (LI > 1) indicating successful sink-dominated cooling; (3) spatiotemporal hotspots were observed, including persistent UHIs in old urban areas contrasting with environmentally vulnerable coldspots in suburban mountainous regions, highlighting uneven thermal risks. This framework provides actionable strategies for sustainable urban planning, including optimizing green–blue infrastructure in UHI cores, enforcing cool material standards, and zoning expansion based on source–sink dynamics. This study bridges landscape ecology and sustainable development, offering a replicable model for cities worldwide to mitigate UHI effects through evidence-based landscape management. Full article

This study adopts a multi-scale, simulation-driven approach to evaluate the performance of different passive roof types in mitigating Urban Heat Island (UHI) in hot arid climate. A comparative analysis was performed for selected roof types; green, pond, cool, and dark roofs. At the urban scale, ENVI-met v5.7.1 was employed to simulate microclimatic impacts, including Mean Radiant Temperature (MRT) at the pedestrian street level (1.4 m) and above building canopy level (25 m). The results revealed that green roofs were the most effective in mitigating UHI on the urban scale, reducing MRT by 1.83 °C at the pedestrian level and by 3.5 °C at the above canopy level. Surprisingly, dark roofs also performed well, with MRT reductions of 1.81 °C and 3.5 °C, respectively, outperforming pond roofs, which showed reductions of 1.80 °C and 0.31 °C. While cool roofs effectively reduced MRT at the pedestrian level by 1.80 °C, they had adverse effect at the canopy level, increasing MRT by 15.58 °C. At the building scale, Design Builder v7.3.1, coupled with Energy Plus, was used to assess indoor thermal and energy performance. Pond and cool roofs reduced operative temperature by 0.08 °C and 0.07 °C, respectively, followed by green roofs, with a 0.05 °C reduction, while dark roofs increased it by 0.07 °C. In terms of energy performance, green roofs yielded the greatest benefit, reducing cooling load by 3.3%, followed by pond roofs, with a 1.32% reduction; cool roofs showed negligible reduction, while dark roofs increased it by 1.2%. Finally, a Python-based Multi criteria Decision Making (MCDM) analytical framework integrated these findings with additional factors to optimize thermal comfort, environmental impact, sustainability, and feasibility and rank strategies accordingly. The analysis identified green roofs as the optimal solution, followed by pond roofs and then cool roofs tied with the base case, leaving dark roofs as the least favorable strategy. This study’s key contribution lies in its integrated simulation–decision analysis methodology, which bridges urban climatology and building performance to provide actionable insights for sustainable urban design. By validating green roofs as the most effective passive strategy in hot arid regions, this work aids policymakers and planners in prioritizing interventions that support climate-resilient urbanization. Full article

Recent archaeological discoveries across the Aegean, Cyprus, and western Anatolia have renewed interest in pre-Neolithic seafaring and early island colonization. However, the environmental contexts that support such early coastal occupations remain poorly understood, largely due to the submergence of Pleistocene shorelines following post-glacial sea-level rise. This study addresses this gap through an integrated geoarchaeological investigation of the pre-Neolithic site of Ouriakos on Lemnos Island, northeastern Aegean (Greece), dated to the mid-11th millennium BCE. By reconstructing both the terrestrial and submerged paleolandscapes of the site, we examine ecological conditions, resource availability, and sedimentary processes that shaped human activity and site preservation. Employing a multiscale methodological approach—combining bathymetric survey, geomorphological mapping, soil micromorphology, geochemical analysis, and Optically Stimulated Luminescence (OSL) dating—we present a comprehensive framework for identifying and interpreting early coastal settlements. Stratigraphic evidence reveals phases of fluvial, aeolian, and colluvial deposition associated with an alternating coastline. The core findings reveal that Ouriakos was established during a phase of environmental stability marked by paleosol development, indicating sustained human presence. By bridging terrestrial and marine data, this research contributes significantly to the understanding of human coastal mobility during the Pleistocene–Holocene transition. Full article

Dark skies, a vital natural and cultural resource, have been increasingly threatened by light pollution due to rapid urbanization, leading to ecological degradation and biodiversity loss. As a key strategy for sustainable regional development, dark sky parks (DSPs) not only preserve nocturnal environments but also enhance livability by balancing urban expansion and ecological conservation. This study develops a novel framework for evaluating DSP suitability, integrating ecological and socio-economic dimensions, including the resource base (e.g., nighttime light levels, meteorological conditions, and air quality) and development conditions (e.g., population density, transportation accessibility, and tourism infrastructure). Using the Guangdong–Hong Kong–Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA) as a case study, we employ Delphi expert consultation, GIS spatial analysis, and multi-criteria decision-making to identify optimal DSP locations and prioritize conservation zones. Our key findings reveal the following: (1) spatial heterogeneity in suitability, with high-potential zones being concentrated in the GBA’s northeastern, central–western, and southern regions; (2) ecosystem advantages of forests, wetlands, and high-elevation areas for minimizing light pollution; (3) coastal and island regions as ideal DSP sites due to the low light interference and high ecotourism potential. By bridging environmental assessments and spatial planning, this study provides a replicable model for DSP site selection, offering policymakers actionable insights to integrate dark sky preservation into sustainable urban–regional development strategies. Our results underscore the importance of DSPs in fostering ecological resilience, nighttime tourism, and regional livability, contributing to the broader discourse on sustainable landscape planning in high-urbanization contexts. Full article

To bridge the mechanical performance gap between polyethylene terephthalate (PET) foam cores and balsa wood in wind turbine blades, this study proposes a hierarchical groove-perforation design for structural optimization. A finite element model integrating PET foam and epoxy resin was developed and validated against experimental shear modulus data (α < 0.5%). Machine learning combined with a multi-island genetic algorithm (MIGA) optimized groove parameters (spacing: 7.5–30 mm, width: 0.9–2 mm, depth: 0–23.5 mm, perforation angle: 45–90°) under constant resin infusion. The optimal configuration (width: 1 mm, spacing: 15 mm, angle: 65°) increased the shear modulus by 9.2% (from 125 MPa to 137.1 MPa) and enhanced compressive/tensile modulus by 10.7% compared to conventional designs, without increasing core mass. Stress distribution analysis demonstrated that secondary grooves improved resin infiltration uniformity and interfacial stress transfer, reducing localized strain concentration. Further integration of machine learning with MIGA for parameter optimization enabled the shear modulus to reach 150 MPa while minimizing weight gain, achieving a balance between structural performance and material efficiency. This hierarchical optimization strategy offers a cost-effective and lightweight alternative to balsa, promoting broader application of PET foam cores in wind energy and other high-performance composite structures. Full article

In early 2025, the Santorini–Amorgos area (Aegean Volcanic Arc, Greece) experienced a seismic swarm, with dozens of M ≥ 4.0 earthquakes and a maximum magnitude of M = 5.2. Beyond its seismological interest, the sequence was notable for triggering rare increased preparedness actions by Greek Civil Protection operational structures in anticipation of an imminent destructive earthquake. These actions included (i) risk communication, (ii) the reinforcement of operational structures with additional personnel and equipment on the affected islands, (iii) updates to local emergency plans, (iv) the dissemination of self-protection guidance, (v) the activation of emergency alert systems, and (vi) volunteer mobilization, including first aid and mental health first aid courses. Although it was in line with contingency plans, public participation was limited. Volunteers helped bridge this gap, focusing on vulnerable groups. The implemented actions in Greece are also compared with increased preparedness during the 2024–2025 seismic swarms in Ethiopia, as well as preparedness before the highly anticipated major earthquake in Istanbul (Turkey). In Greece and Turkey, legal and technical frameworks enabled swift institutional responses. In contrast, Ethiopia highlighted the risks of limited preparedness and the need to embed disaster risk reduction in national development strategies. All cases affirm that preparedness, through infrastructure, planning, communication, and community engagement, is vital to reducing earthquake impacts. Full article

This study focuses on the evolution of the Arousa Island Bridge, a critical infrastructure connecting, in northwestern Spain, the Arousa island to the Galician coast. Since its commissioning in 1985, the bridge has experienced damage due to corrosion, culminating in a major repair intervention in 2011 using hybrid galvanic cathodic protection. This repair was essential in addressing identified pathologies and ensuring the safety of the structure. In 2021, additional repairs needed to be completed, and a thorough study and testing campaign was conducted in 2023 which included the extraction of zinc anode samples from the bridge. The present work evaluates the effectiveness of the repair measures implemented since the intervention, with particular attention to corrosion risk and the durability of the cathodic protection system installed to mitigate corrosion risks in the reinforced concrete exposed to a harsh marine environment. A key aspect of this study is the correlation established between the indirect measurements utilized to evaluate zinc consumption within the cathodic protection system and the direct assessment obtained from the extraction of the anodes, which provides a tangible measure of this consumption. The calculated service life was updated with the measurement, and the integrity of the system was assessed. Full article

A simple statistical model capturing the degree to which different patterns of urban development intensify urban heat islands (UHIs) and stress human health would be useful but has remained elusive. Accurately predicting street-level urban air temperatures from land cover and thermal data is difficult due to (1) the coarse scale of common remote sensing data, which do not observe the key environments beneath urban tree canopies, and, (2) conversely, the immense labor of intense, location-specific, ground-based survey campaigns. This work tested whether remotely sensed urban heat merged with land cover heterogeneity and shade/sun fractions, if combined at a sufficiently fine scale so as to be linearly additive, would enable simple and accurate statistical modeling of street-scale urban air temperatures with minimal empirical fitting. We used ground-based thermography of a sample of 12 residential streetscapes in Portland, Oregon, to characterize the land surface temperatures (LST_g) of eleven common urban surface cover types when sun-exposed and in shade. Surfaces were cooler in shade than sun, but with surface-specific differences not explained by greenery nor (im)perviousness. Also, surfaces on streetscapes with more canopy cover, even when sun-exposed at midday, remained significantly cooler than comparable sun-exposed surfaces on streets with less canopy cover, indicating the key significance of partial diurnal shading, not typically accounted for in urban thermal statistical models. We used high-resolution orthoimagery to quantify the area of each surface cover type within each streetscape and computed an area-weighted average surface temperature (T_s), accounting for sun/shade heterogeneity. The data revealed a significant, nearly 1:1 relationship between calculated T_s values and sun-shielded air temperatures (T_a). In contrast, relationships of T_a to tree coverage, impervious area, or the LST_g of dominant surface cover types were all statistically insignificant. These results suggest that statistical models may more reliably bridge the gap between remote sensing urban surface temperatures and reliable predictions of street-scale air temperatures if (1) analysis is at a sufficiently high resolution (e.g., <10 m) to avoid some of the known scale-dependence of urban thermal environments and enable simple weighted linear models, and (2) distinctions between thermal contributions of sunlit and shaded surfaces are included along with the influence of diurnal shading. Such models may provide effective and low-cost predictions of local UHIs and help inform effective street-level approaches to mitigating urban heat. Full article