Search Results (96)

Mangrove forests provide critical ecosystem services, including carbon sequestration, shoreline protection, and serving as a food resource for coastal communities. However, these ecosystems face increasing environmental risks due to industrial and urban pollution, particularly contamination by heavy metals. This study assessed environmental quality in mangrove areas of Babitonga Bay, southern Brazil, using biomonitoring with the oyster Crassostrea rhizophorae and the mangrove tree Laguncularia racemosa. Sediment analyses revealed significantly elevated concentrations of copper, nickel, aluminum, and iron in Vila da Glória compared to Espinheiros, exceeding Brazilian environmental guidelines for copper and zinc. Biomonitoring results indicated high accumulation of arsenic and zinc in L. racemosa leaves, while oysters from Espinheiros exhibited higher concentrations of multiple heavy metals and smaller anatomical dimensions compared to those from Vila da Glória. Strong negative correlations were found between metal concentrations in oyster tissues and sediments, suggesting complex bioavailability dynamics. The study demonstrates the applicability of C. rhizophorae and L. racemosa as possible bioindicators of metal contamination in mangrove ecosystems. These findings underscore the importance of integrating biomonitoring approaches into coastal environmental health assessments to inform public health policies and conservation strategies aimed at promoting balanced ecosystem and human health. Full article

Fungi in tropical ecosystems remain an understudied yet critical component of climate change mitigation, particularly within the Land Use, Land-Use Change, and Forestry (LULUCF) sector. This review highlights their dual role in reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by regulating carbon dioxide (CO₂), methane (CH₄), and nitrous oxides (N₂O) while enhancing long-term carbon sequestration. Mycorrhizal fungi are pivotal in maintaining soil integrity, facilitating nutrient cycling, and amplifying carbon storage capacity through symbiotic mechanisms. We synthesize how fungal symbiotic systems under LULUCF shape ecosystem networks and note that, in pristine ecosystems, these networks are resilient. We introduce the concept of Nature-based Culture (NbC) to describe symbiotic self-cultures sustaining ecosystem stability, biodiversity, and carbon sequestration. Case studies demonstrate how the NbC concept is applied in reforestation strategies such as AeroHydro Culture (AHC), the Integrated Mangrove Sowing System (IMSS), and the 4N approach (No Plastic, No Burning, No Chemical Fertilizer, Native Species). These approaches leverage mycorrhizal networks to improve restoration outcomes in peatlands, mangroves, and semi-arid regions while minimizing land disturbance and chemical inputs. Therefore, by bridging fungal ecology with LULUCF policy, this review advocates for a paradigm shift in forest management that integrates fungal symbioses to strengthen carbon storage, ecosystem resilience, and human well-being. Full article

Accurate forest biomass estimation is essential for quantifying carbon stocks, guiding sustainable forest management, and informing climate change mitigation strategies. Kenya’s forests are diverse, ranging from Afromontane and mangrove ecosystems to dryland woodlands and plantations, each presenting unique challenges for biomass measurement. This review synthesizes literature on field-based, remote sensing, and machine learning approaches applied in Kenya, highlighting their effectiveness, limitations, and integration potential. A systematic search across multiple databases identified peer-reviewed studies published in the last decade, screened against defined inclusion and exclusion criteria. The main findings are (1) Field-based techniques (e.g., allometric equations, quadrat sampling) provide reliable and site-specific estimates but are labor-intensive and limited in scalability. (2) Remote sensing methods (LiDAR, UAVs, multispectral and radar imagery) enable large-scale and repeat assessments, though they require extensive calibration and investment. (3) Machine learning and hybrid approaches enhance prediction accuracy by integrating multi-source data, but their success depends on data availability and methodological harmonization. This review identifies opportunities for integrating field and remote sensing data with machine learning to strengthen biomass monitoring. Establishing a national biomass inventory, supported by robust policy frameworks, is critical to align Kenya’s forest management with global climate and biodiversity goals. Full article

Mangroves in Sri Lanka provide critical ecosystem services, yet they have undergone significant changes due to anthropogenic and natural drivers. This study presents the first national-scale assessment of mangrove dynamics in Sri Lanka using remote sensing techniques. A total of 4670 Landsat images from Landsat 5, 7, 8, and 9 were selected to detect mangrove distribution, changes in extent, and structure and stability patterns from 1987 to 2022. A Random Forest classification model was applied to elucidate the spatial changes in mangrove distribution in Sri Lanka. Using national-scale data enhanced mapping accuracy by incorporating region-specific spectral and ecological characteristics. The average overall accuracy of the maps was over 96.29%. The total extent of mangroves in 2022 was 16,615 ha, representing 0.25% of the total land of Sri Lanka. The results further indicate that, at the national scale, mangrove extent increased from 1989 to 2022, with a net gain of 1988 ha (13.6%), suggesting a sustained and continuous recovery of mangroves. Provincial-wise assessments reveal that the Eastern and Northern Provinces showed the largest mangrove extents in Sri Lanka. In contrast, the Colombo, Gampaha, and Kalutara districts in the Western Province showed persistent declines. The top mangrove spatial structure and stability districts were Jaffna, Trincomalee, and Gampaha, while the most degraded mangrove districts were Batticaloa, Colombo, and Kalutara. This study offers critical insights into sustainable mangrove management, policy implementation, and climate resilience strategies in Sri Lanka. Full article

In the coastal megacities of the Global South, where urbanization is steeply accelerating, it is a complex undertaking to navigate and govern for ecological sustainability while working to address mounting pressures to develop the physical and natural environment. In this study, we closely analyze the legality of coastal mangroves in Greater Mumbai through the lens of Blue-Green Infrastructure (BGI), sustainable governance, and environmental policy processes. While there is the constitutional and legislative protection of mangroves, they continue to disappear from the Greater Mumbai landscape, raising legitimate concerns about governance failures writ large. Using a mixed-method approach, we employ geospatial analysis of mangrove cover change from 1994 through to 2024, along with a thematic review of policy and institutional perspectives. The geospatial analysis indicated a −3.91% reduction in mangrove cover because of land-use developments, infrastructure encroachments, and the weak enforcement of existing regulations. The policy review identified limited regulatory coherence, institutional fragmentation, and low levels of community engagement. We advocate for the conservation of mangrove ecosystems in Mumbai, not just as an environmental resource, but also as vital urban infrastructure. We argue for the need to identify opportunities for reform, such as enhanced community contribution and participation, policy harmonization, and uniform incorporation of BGI principles into spatial planning and climate adaptation planning in Greater Mumbai. Full article

This paper investigates whether carbon payments are sufficient to entice private landholders to invest in the rehabilitation and protection of coastal wetlands as a nature-based climate solution. Ecologically intact coastal wetlands, such as mangroves and saltmarshes, are capable of sequestering and storing large amounts of carbon. Reinstating ecological functionality of degraded coastal wetlands may be achieved by installing conservation fences that exclude hard-hoofed domestic and feral animals. This research integrates ecological, technical and economic data to ascertain whether conservation fencing could represent a financially viable investment for coastal landholders in the Australian context, if restored wetlands attracted carbon payments. Data gleaned through literature review and expert interviews about technical fencing requirements, contemporary costs and potential blue carbon income are consolidated into scenarios and tested using cost–benefit analysis. Payback periods are calculated using deterministic parameters. Risk-based cost–benefit analysis accounts for uncertainty of ecological and price parameters; it provides probability distributions of benefit–cost ratios assuming an expert-agreed economic lifespan of conservation fences. The results demonstrate that the payback period and benefit–cost ratio are highly sensitive to wetlands’ carbon sequestration capacity, fencing costs and the carbon price going forward. In general, carbon payments on their own are likely insufficient to entice private landholders to protect coastal wetlands through conservation fencing, except in circumstances where restored wetlands achieve high additional carbon sequestration rates. Policy measures that reduce up-front costs and risk and remuneration of multiple ecosystem services provided by restored wetlands are required to upscale blue carbon solutions using conservation fencing. The research findings bear relevance for other conservation and land-use contexts that use fencing to achieve sustainability goals and generate payments for ecosystem services. Full article

Mangrove wetlands, acting as significant traps for marine debris, have received insufficient attention in previous research. Here, we conduct the first comprehensive investigation into the magnitude, accumulation, source, and fate of marine debris across seven mangrove areas in the northern South China Sea (MNSCS) during 2019–2020. Systematic field surveys employed stratified random sampling, partitioning each site by vegetation density and tidal influence. Marine debris were collected and classified in sampling units by material (plastic, fabric, styrofoam), size (categorized into small, medium, and large), and origin (distinguishing between land-based and sea-based). Source identification and potential risk assessment were achieved through the integration of debris feature analysis. The results indicate relatively low debris levels in MNSCS mangroves, with plastics dominant. More than 70% of all debris weight with plastics (48.34%) and fabrics (14.59%) is land-based, and more than 70% comes from coastal/recreational activities. More than 90% of all debris items with plastics (52.50%) and Styrofoam (36.32%) are land-based, and more than 90% come from coastal/recreational activities. Medium/large-sized debris are trapped in mangrove wetlands under the influencing conditions of local tidal level, debris item materials, and sizes. Our study quantifies marine debris characteristics, sources, and ecological potential risks in MNSCS mangroves. From environmental, economic, and social sustainability perspectives, our findings are helpful for guiding marine debris management and mangrove conservation. By bridging research and policies, our work balances human activities with ecosystem health for long-term sustainability. Full article

This review synthesizes four decades (1980–2024) of marine oil spill research in the Philippines, analyzing 80 peer-reviewed publications sourced from Scopus, Web of Science, Clarivate, and Google Scholar. Findings show that oil spill research activity spikes after major spills, particularly the 2006 Guimaras incident, which accounts for over half of the reviewed studies and were mostly concentrated in the field of biology, followed by social sciences. Mangroves are the most studied as they are the widely affected ecosystem in the Philippines. Despite the number of published articles on oil spills in the Philippines, only the major events were emphasized, and small-scale spills remain under documented. Research on small-scale oil spills and the country’s two recent big oil spills (Mindoro Oil Spill and Manila Bay Oil Spill), particularly in a country’s environmentally sensitive areas, must be conducted in collaboration with academic institutions and relevant stakeholders to gain a deeper understanding and formulate appropriate countermeasures in the event of future spills. The review also highlights limited application of advanced techniques such as hydrocarbon fingerprinting, geospatial analysis, and next-generation DNA sequencing, limiting comprehensive assessments of oil fate and ecological effects. Addressing these gaps through interdisciplinary collaboration is critical to improving oil spill response, environmental management, and policy formulation in the Philippines’ complex archipelagic setting. Full article

Coastal blue carbon ecosystems serve as vital carbon sinks in global climate regulation, yet their long-term carbon storage dynamics remain poorly quantified at regional scales. This study quantified the spatiotemporal evolution of mangrove and salt marsh carbon storage in Guangdong Province, China, over three decades (1986–2020), by integrating a new mangrove and salt marsh detection framework based on Landsat image time series and the Integrated Valuation of Ecosystem Services and Tradeoffs (InVEST) model. The proposed detection framework provided two coastal vegetation detection methods, exploring the potential of utilizing phenological features to improve the mangrove and salt marsh discrimination accuracy with Landsat data. The overall accuracies of both mangrove and salt marsh detection results exceeded 90%, suggesting good consistency with the validation data. The mangrove extent showed a trend of decreasing from 1986 to 1995, then fluctuated from 1995 to 2005, and presented an upward trend from 2005 to 2020. The overall trend of the salt marsh area was upward, with small fluctuations. The mangrove carbon storage in Guangdong increased from 414.66 × 10⁴ Mg C to 490.49 × 10⁴ Mg C during 1986–2020, with Zhanjiang having the largest mangrove carbon storage increase. The salt marsh carbon storage in Guangdong grew from 8.73 × 10⁴ Mg C in 1986 to 14.39 × 10⁴ Mg C in 2020, with Zhuhai as the salt marsh carbon sequestration hotspot. The temporal dynamics of carbon storage in mangroves and salt marshes could be divided into three stages, namely a decreasing period, a fluctuating period, and a rapid increase period, during which ecological and economic policies played a crucial role. The multi-decadal blue carbon datasets and their temporal-spatial change analysis results here can provide a scientific basis for nature-based climate solutions and decision-support tools for carbon offset potential realization and sustainable coastal zone management. Full article

Producing high-quality local land cover data can be cost-prohibitive, leaving gaps in reliable estimates of forest cover and loss for environmental policy and planning. Remote sensing data (RSD) offer accessible, globally consistent layers for forest mapping. However, being able to produce reliable RSD-based land cover products with high local fidelity requires ground truth data, which are scarce and cost-intensive to obtain in settings like Madagascar. Global land cover datasets that rely on models trained mostly in well-studied regions claim to alleviate the problem of label scarcity. However, studies have shown that these products often fail to fulfill this promise. Given downstream studies focused on Madagascar still rely on these global land cover products, in this study we compared seven global RSD products measuring forest extent and change in Madagascar to explore levels of similarity across different forest ecoregions over multiple years. We also conducted temporal correlation analysis by checking the correlation between forest area from the different products. We found that agreement levels among the different data products varied by forest type and region, with higher disagreement levels in drier forest ecosystems (dry and spiny forests) than in more humid ones (moist forests and mangroves). For instance, if high agreement is defined as a pixel being classified as a forest by all or all but one product in a year, the average percentage of high-agreement pixels between 2016 and 2020 is just about 8% in the spiny forest and 16% in the dry forest region. These findings underscore the limitations of global RSD products and the importance of localized data for accurate forest monitoring, building justification for efforts to develop a local forest cover product for Madagascar. Our temporal similarity analysis indicates that, although pixel-level maps may show low agreement, temporal aggregates tend to be highly correlated in most cases. We synthesized these results with existing applications of global RSDs in Madagascar to propose practical recommendations for end-users of these products in Madagascar. Full article

The intensification of economic globalization and the growing scarcity of global land resources have magnified the complexity of future land use and land cover (LULC) changes. In Mainland Southeast Asia (MSEA), these transformations are particularly pronounced, yet comprehensive, targeted, and systematic reviews are scant. This research employs bibliometrics and critical literature review methodologies to scrutinize 1956 relevant publications spanning from 1990–2023, revealing key insights into the contributors to land use studies in MSEA, which include not only local researchers from countries like Thailand and Vietnam but also international scholars from the United States, China, Japan, and France. Despite this, the potential for global collaboration has not been fully tapped. This study also notes a significant evolution in data analysis methods, transitioning from reliance on single data sources to employing sophisticated multi-source data fusion, from manual feature extraction to leveraging automated deep learning processes, and from simple temporal change detection to comprehensive time series analysis using tools like Google Earth Engine (GEE). This shift encompasses the progression from small-scale case studies to extensive multi-scale system analyses employing advanced spatial statistical models and integrated technologies. Moreover, the thematic emphasis of research has evolved markedly, transitioning from traditional practices like slash-and-burn agriculture and deforestation logging to the dynamic monitoring of specialized tree species such as rubber plantations and mangroves. Throughout this period, there has been a growing focus on the broad environmental impacts of land cover change, encompassing soil degradation, carbon storage, climate change responses, ecosystem services, and biodiversity. This research not only offers a comprehensive understanding of the LULC research landscape in MSEA but also provides critical scientific references that can inform future policy-making and land management strategies. Full article

(1) Background: Mangroves are critical ecosystems that provide essential services, including coastal protection, biodiversity support, and carbon storage. However, urbanization and infrastructure development increasingly threaten their sustainability. This study investigates the spatio-temporal trends of mangrove canopy cover in Benoa Bay, Bali, Indonesia, which is an urban area and a center of tourism activities with various supporting facilities. The analysis was conducted from 2013 to 2023, using Landsat 8 satellite imagery and Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) analysis. In addition, the analysis was also linked to mangrove area management policies. (2) Methods: The annual NDVI time series based on Landsat 8 imagery, obtained through the Google Earth Engine (GEE), was used to characterize the vegetation canopy cover in the study area. Statistical analysis of the annual linear trend of the NDVI was conducted to examine the spatio-temporal variation in canopy cover. Additionally, policies related to regional spatial planning and area protection were analyzed to assess their role in preserving mangrove forests in urban areas. (3) Results: There was a net decrease in mangrove area in Benoa Bay of 3.97 hectares, mainly due to infrastructure development and tourism facilities. The NDVI trend shows an overall increase in canopy cover due to reforestation and natural regeneration efforts, although there was a local decrease in some areas. Conservation policies, such as the establishment of the Ngurah Rai Forest Park, have supported mangrove protection. (4) Conclusions: The analysis demonstrated that mangroves surrounded by urban areas and tourism activity centers can still be maintained quite well with the right policies. Full article

Mangrove forests protect coastlines from erosion, enhance biodiversity, store carbon, and support coastal communities. These ecosystems rely on hydrological conditions. This paper reviews past, present, and future hydrological characteristics of Bangladesh’s Sundarbans to guide restoration and sustainable development. It examines historical and projected hydrological indicators, addressing knowledge gaps and suggesting strategies. Renowned for productivity, biodiversity, and socio-economic benefits, the Sundarbans depend on seasonal freshwater from the Ganges River. However, threats from climate change and human activities, including reduced freshwater flow due to India’s Farakka Barrage on the Ganges, rising salinity, cyclones, and pollution, endanger these ecosystems. The primary threat is mangrove destruction for alternate land use and reduced sediment supply due to upstream dam construction. Sea-level rise is a secondary concern, as a healthy Sundarbans delta could naturally accrete with adequate sediment input and mangrove growth. Sustainable management practices are critical, including maintaining upstream water flow, minimizing deforestation, and rehabilitating degraded areas. Alternative livelihoods and strategies addressing salinity rise are essential. Long-term approaches should adopt adaptive management and ensure sustainable resource use. Policy actions must regulate human activities, mitigate cyclone impacts, ensure freshwater availability, halt harmful industries, and promote awareness and surveillance. Protecting mangroves to reduce CO₂ emissions and advancing research are vital. Full article

Resource conflicts constitute a major global issue in areas rich in natural resources. The modeling of factors influencing natural resource conflicts (NRCs), including environmental, health, socio-economic, political, and legal aspects, presents a significant challenge compounded by inadequate data. Quantitative research frequently emphasizes large-scale conflicts. This study presents a novel multilevel approach, SEFLAME-CM—Spatially Explicit Fuzzy Logic-Adapted Model for Conflict Management—for advancing understanding of the relationship between NRCs and drivers under territorial and rebel-based typologies at a community level. SEFLAME-CM is hypothesized to yield a more robust positive correlation between the risk of NRCs and the interacting conflict drivers, provided that the conflict drivers and input variables remain the same. Local knowledge from stakeholders is integrated into spatial decision-making tools to advance sustainable peace initiatives. We compared our model with spatial multi-criteria evaluation for conflict management (SMCE-CM) and spatial statistics. The results from the Moran’s I scatter plots of the overall conflicts of the SEFLAME-CM and SMCE-CM models exhibit substantial values of 0.99 and 0.98, respectively. Territorial resource violence due to environmental drivers increases coast-wards, more than that stemming from rebellion. Weighing fuzzy rules and conflict drivers enables equal comparison. Environmental variables, including proximity to arable land, mangrove ecosystems, polluted water, and oil infrastructures are key factors in NRCs. Conversely, socio-economic and political factors seem to be of lesser importance, contradicting prior research conclusions. In Third World nations, local communities emphasize food security and access to environmental services over local political matters amid competition for resources. The synergistic integration of fuzzy logic analysis and community perception to address sustainable peace while simultaneously connecting environmental and socio-economic factors is SEFLAME-CM’s contribution. This underscores the importance of a holistic approach to resource conflicts in communities and the dissemination of knowledge among specialists and local stakeholders in the sustainable management of resource disputes. The findings can inform national policies and international efforts in addressing the intricate underlying challenges while emphasizing the knowledge and needs of impacted communities. SEFLAME-CM, with improvements, proficiently illustrates the capacity to model intricate real-world issues. Full article

Mangroves grow in high-salinity environments with low soil water potential (Ψ_s), where high light intensity and strong winds increase the vapor pressure deficit (VPD), causing physiological drought and high transpiration demand (Δw), which limits carbon dioxide (carbon gain) for photosynthesis. This study explored how mangroves optimize their carbon-gain-to-water-loss ratio (water-use strategies) to maximize carbon gain during both dry and rainy seasons. We also calculated the relative costs of key leaf traits and compared them with those of terrestrial forests under the carbon gain optimization model. The results revealed that (1) with increasing Δw, terrestrial forests primarily adjusted leaf hydraulic conductance (K_leaf), while mangroves altered the difference in water potential (ΔΨ); (2) as Ψ_s decreased, π_tlp of both terrestrial forests and mangroves increased; (3) terrestrial forests developed a more balanced distribution of leaf trait costs between osmotic pressure (46.7 ± 0.2%) and stomata (43.3 ± 1.2%), whereas mangroves had the highest cost in osmotic pressure (49.04 ± 0.03%) and the lowest cost in stomata (11.08 ± 3.00%) during the rainy season; and (4) although mangroves showed differences in trait values between dry and rainy seasons, their responses to drought stress remained consistent. These findings provided new theoretical insights into how mangroves maintain high carbon gain and water-use efficiency under extreme environmental conditions, which is important to improve mangrove conservation efforts and contribute to climate mitigation policies. Full article