Search Results (240)

The Anthropocene, marked by rapid and extensive environmental changes, poses distinct evolutionary pressures and opportunities for species adaptation. Insects, among the most diverse and resilient taxa, exhibit notable dietary plasticity and the ability to convert low-value biomass—such as agro-industrial and urban waste—into usable nutrients. This review explores how these traits serve as adaptive strategies, enabling insects to thrive and expand into novel, human-altered habitats. We examine the evolution of insect nutritional requirements and how alternative diets influence physiological, behavioral, and reproductive traits, ultimately enhancing resilience to anthropogenic stressors. The capacity of insects to metabolize diverse substrates not only supports their role in food security and circular economy initiatives but also provides valuable insights into detoxification pathways and metabolic flexibility in environments rich in xenobiotics. By synthesizing key studies, we highlight the pivotal role insects play in redefining ecosystem functions under human influence. This review underscores the intersection of nutritional and evolutionary biology in understanding insect success in the Anthropocene, emphasizing the importance of nutritional knowledge for both ecological research and applied insect farming systems. Full article

Green roofs are effective passive strategies for enhancing building energy efficiency and indoor thermal comfort, particularly in response to climate change. This study presents an experimental and numerical assessment of an ultra-lightweight, soil-free green roof system for Mediterranean climates. In situ thermal monitoring was carried out on two identical test rooms in Rome (Italy), comparing the green roof to a traditional tiled roof under winter conditions. Results revealed a 45% reduction in thermal transmittance. These data were used to calibrate a dynamic TRNSYS 18 model and then applied to annual simulations of energy demand and indoor comfort across different roof configurations, including expanded polystyrene-insulated reference roofs. The model was calibrated in accordance with ASHRAE Guideline 14, achieving an MBE within ±10% and a CV(RMSE) within ±30% for hourly data, ensuring the simulation’s reliability. The green roof reduced cooling energy demand by up to 58.5% and heating demand by 11.6% relative to the uninsulated reference case. Compared to insulated roofs, it maintained similar winter performance while achieving summer operative temperature reductions up to 0.99 °C and PPD decreases up to 2.94%. By combining field measurements with calibrated simulations, this work provides evidence of the green roof’s effectiveness as a passive retrofit solution for Mediterranean buildings. Full article

Seed-sown wildflower meadows are becoming increasingly important in our cities. One of the best methods is to design low-maintenance green spaces with an ecological approach. They can be used either to create perennial beds or to enrich and replace larger areas of regularly mown grass. Seeded surfaces are closer to a functioning ecosystem. The seed mixtures available in Hungary include seeds of native and non-native species, but due to a lack of time or resources, they have not been tested and have been in the field almost immediately. With our research, launched in autumn 2023, we tried to fill this gap and established seed-sown perennial beds in Budapest (Hungary), in ten plots in different media, using a seed mix of native species (96 taxa). Our experiment is an attempt to answer the question of what makes a seed-sown herbaceous plantation successful in the long term in an urban environment. Which species will emerge first, in which medium and which will persist in the long term? What will be the cover, diversity of the plots, the phenology of each species at different times of the year and to what extent does this depend on the medium and the frequency of irrigation? Which taxa will appear in each growing medium, and will there be taxa that can only develop in certain media? The study reports on the first experiences of the long-term study, according to which there were dynamically developing stands, but we observed a basically negative correlation between rapidly developing media and diversity. The most diverse species set was provided by the andesite aggregate medium, followed by green roof substrate, then demolition rubble with sand and sand. Full article

The use of hydrogel and biostimulants holds great potential for plants’ adaptation to stressful urban conditions, increasing their tolerance to drought stress. In this study, we investigated the plant performance and anatomical response of Petunia × hybrida hort. ex E. Wilm., cultivated under different substrate volumes and compositions, hydrogel amendments, and biostimulant treatments, as well as their interactions under drought stress. Namely, the plants were planted in pots with a substrate depth of 7 cm and 10 cm and cultivated under different combinations of organic (peat) and inorganic (perlite) substrates. Moreover, half of the plants were subjected to hydrogel and biostimulant treatments. Different watering intervals (24–96 h) were applied in combination with exposing the plants to direct sunlight for 8–10 h. The results showed that a larger substrate depth, along with hydrogel and biostimulant amendments in a mixture of perlite and peat, helps plants adapt to dry conditions when grown in shallow substrates, providing optimal water availability and thus contributing to the physiological adaptation of plants to water deficit. The study clearly demonstrates that substrate selection and irrigation frequency must be jointly optimized to ensure resilient urban greening. Hydrogels stand out as essential amendments, enabling significant water savings by extending irrigation intervals without compromising vascular growth or drought resilience. These water-efficient substrate strategies are vital for sustainable urban vegetation management, especially as cities face increasing environmental pressures and the imperative of climate adaptation, thereby supporting multiple Sustainable Development Goals. Full article

Urban wildlife conservation is emerging as a critical component of sustainable city ecosystems. Rather than simply increasing tree abundance or species richness, conservation management should focus on key species. In this research, Xishan Forest Park in Beijing was chosen as a case study. Our aim was to identify keystone taxa critical for avian foraging and nesting during the breeding season. We performed a network analysis linking bird species, their diets, and nest plants. Dietary components were detected using DNA metabarcoding conducted with avian fecal samples. Nest plants were identified via transect surveys. Two indices of the network, degree and weighted mean degree, were calculated to evaluate the importance of the dietary and nest plant species. We identified 13 bird host species from 107 fecal samples and 14 bird species from 107 nest observations. Based on the degree indices, fruit trees Morus and Prunus were detected as key food sources, exhibiting both the highest degree (degree = 9, 9) and weighted mean degree (lnwMD = 5.21, 4.63). Robinia pseudoacacia provided predominant nesting sites, with a predominant degree of 7. A few taxa, such as Styphnolobium japonicum and Rhamnus parvifolia, served dual ecological significance as both essential food sources and nesting substrates. Scrublands, as a unique habitat type, provided nesting sites and food for small-bodied birds. Therefore, targeted management interventions are recommended to sustain or enhance these keystone resource species and to maintain the multi-layered vertical vegetation structure to preserve the diverse habitats of birds. Full article

A novel cellulose-degrading bacterial strain, D3-1, capable of degrading cellulose under medium- to high-temperature conditions, was isolated from soil samples and identified as Staphylococcus caprae through 16SrRNA gene sequencing. The strain’s cellulase production was optimized by controlling different factors, such as pH, temperature, incubation period, substrate concentration, nitrogen and carbon sources, and response surface methods. The results indicated that the optimal conditions for maximum cellulase activity were an incubation time of 91.7 h, a temperature of 41.8 °C, and a pH of 4.9, which resulted in a maximum cellulase activity of 16.67 U/mL, representing a 165% increase compared to pre-optimization levels. The above experiment showed that, when maize straw flour was utilized as a natural carbon source, strain D3-1 exhibited relatively high cellulase production. Furthermore, gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC-MS) analysis of products in the degradation liquid revealed the presence of primary sugars. The results indicated that, in the denitrification of simulated sewage, supplying maize straw flour degradation liquid (MSFDL) as the carbon source resulted in a carbon/nitrogen (C/N) ratio of 6:1 after a 24 h reaction with the denitrifying strain WH-01. The total nitrogen (TN) reduction was approximately 70 mg/L, which is equivalent to the removal efficiency observed in the glucose-fed denitrification process. Meanwhile, during a 4 h denitrification reaction in urban sewage without any denitrifying bacteria, but with MSFDL supplied as the carbon source, the TN removal efficiency reached 11 mg/L, which is approximately 70% of the efficiency of the glucose-fed denitrification process. Furthermore, experimental results revealed that strain D3-1 exhibits some capacity for nitrogen removal; when the cellulose-degrading strain D3-1 is combined with the denitrifying strain WH-01, the resulting TN removal rate surpasses that of a single denitrifying bacterium. In conclusion, as a carbon source in municipal sewage treatment, the degraded maize straw flour produced by strain D3-1 holds potential as a substitute for the glucose carbon source, and strain D3-1 has a synergistic effect with the denitrifying strain WH-01 on TN elimination. Thus, this research offers new insights and directions for advancement in environmental sewage treatment. Full article

Green roofs are increasingly being adopted as sustainable, nature-based solutions for managing urban stormwater, mitigating the urban heat island effect, and saving energy in buildings. However, the long-term performance of their individual components—particularly filter geotextiles—remains understudied, despite their critical role in maintaining system functionality. The filter layer, responsible for preventing clogging of the drainage layer with fine substrate particles, directly affects the hydrological performance and service life of green roofs. While most existing studies focus on the initial material properties, there is a clear gap in understanding how geotextile filters behave after prolonged exposure to real-world environmental conditions. This study addresses this gap by assessing the mechanical and structural integrity of geotextile filters after five years of use in both extensive and intensive green roof systems. By analyzing changes in surface morphology, microstructure, and porosity through tensile strength tests, digital imaging, and scanning electron microscopy, this research offers new insights into the long-term performance of geotextiles. Results showed significant retention of tensile strength, particularly in the machine direction (MD), and a 56% reduction in porosity, which may affect filtration efficiency. Although material degradation occurs, some geotextiles retain their structural integrity over time, highlighting their potential for long-term use in green infrastructure applications. This research emphasizes the importance of material selection, long-term monitoring, and standardized evaluation techniques to ensure the ecological and functional resilience of green roofs. Furthermore, the findings contribute to advancing knowledge on the durability and life-cycle performance of filter materials, promoting sustainability and longevity in urban green infrastructure. Full article

The effective use of biowaste resources becomes crucial for the development of bioprocessing alternatives to current oil- and chemical-based value chains. Targeting the development of multi-product biorefinery approaches benefits the viability and profitability of these process schemes. Certain oleaginous microorganisms, such as oleaginous red yeast, can co-produce industrially relevant bio-based products. This work aims to explore the use of industrial and urban waste as cost-effective feedstock for producing microbial oil and carotenoids using Rhodosporidium toruloides. The soluble fraction, resulting from homogenization, crushing, and centrifugation of discarded vegetable waste, was used as substrate under a pulse-feeding strategy with a concentrated enzymatic hydrolysate from municipal forestry residue obtained after steam explosion pretreatment (190 °C, 10 min, and 40 mg H₂SO₄/g residue). Additionally, the initial nutrient content was investigated to enhance process productivity values. The promising results of these cultivation strategies yield a final cell concentration of 36.4–55.5 g/L dry cell weight (DCW), with an intracellular lipid content of up to 42–45% (w/w) and 665–736 µg/g DCW of carotenoids. These results demonstrate the potential for optimizing the use of waste resources to provide effective alternative uses to current biowaste management practices, also contributing to the market of industrially relevant products with lower environmental impacts. Full article

Municipal wastewater effluent (MWWE) is a common source of nutrient enrichment and provides a route for emerging substances of concern (ESOCs) to enter aquatic systems. Community composition and abundance metrics of benthic macroinvertebrates are commonly utilized to assess ecological impacts associated with nutrient enrichment; however, the responses of these metrics in systems with diverse chemical mixtures from MWWE, are not well understood. This study specifically addresses the effects of cumulative loading of tertiary-treated MWWE through responses in benthic macroinvertebrate communities in experimental control and treatment streams. Treatment streams used source river water previously exposed to upstream wastewater treatment plants but with an additional 5% by volume tertiarily treated MWWE, while control streams used only source river water. Surbers and artificial substrate rock baskets were used to examine impacts on both established and colonizing benthic communities, respectively. No significant differences were observed between the control and treatment streams in any of the community metrics of well-established benthic communities. In contrast, significant decreases in colonizing taxon diversity and evenness were found between treatment and control streams. The dominant taxa (most abundant family, by percentage of sample) in the community, often filter feeders, significantly increased in percentage of the total community in treatment streams. This response was consistent with a nutrient enrichment effect, with no evidence of ESOC related toxicity. This study highlights the need for bioassessment programs to utilize approaches involving varied in-situ sampling methods and controlled exposure systems to gain a better understanding of how various stages of community-level development are impacted by urban pollutants such as MWWE. Full article

Leachate management remains a major environmental challenge, especially in rapidly urbanizing cities of developing countries. Traditionally considered toxic and useless, it is a sustainable organic resource with the potential for high-value biochemical production through bioprocessing. This study investigated the characteristics of fresh leachates from three solid waste transfer stations (SWTS) in the Abidjan district, Côte d’Ivoire, and assessed their potential as substrates for medium-chain fatty acid (MCFA) production via microbial chain elongation. The MCFA synthesis was carried out in anaerobic bioreactors operated under methanogenesis inhibition conditions. The leachates from Bingerville, Abobo-Dokui, and Yopougon exhibited acidic and high organic content, particularly volatile fatty acids (VFAs), key precursors for MCFA synthesis. High concentrations of microbial communities associated with chain elongation were observed, including Clostridium (sulphite-reducing), Lactobacillus, Bacillus, and Pseudomonas (greater than 5 log10 CFU/mL). MCFA production ranged from 5 to 10 g/L, mainly C6, C7, and C8, with compositional variation depending on the SWTS. Notably, leachates from higher-income areas demonstrated higher MCFA productivity compared to those from lower-income areas. These findings highlight the potential of fresh SWTS leachates in the Abidjan district for sustainable MCFA production, paving the way for industrial applications. Full article

Leachates generated from the degradation of green waste and biosolids from urban wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) pose significant environmental concerns due to high concentrations of organic pollutants and heavy metals. This study proposes a hybrid treatment strategy combining electrocoagulation (EC) and UVC-activated TiO₂ photocatalysis to remediate leachates produced in laboratory-scale biocells. Initial characterization revealed critical pollutant levels: COD (1373 mg/L), BOD₅ (378 mg/L), total phosphorus (90 mg/L), ammoniacal nitrogen (201 mg/L), and metals such as Ni, Pb, and Mn levels all exceeding those set out in the Ecuadorian discharge regulations. Optimized EC achieved removal efficiencies of 62.6% for COD, 44.4% for BOD₅, 89.8% for phosphorus, and 86.2% for color. However, residual contamination necessitated a subsequent photocatalytic step. Suspended TiO₂ under UVC irradiation removed up to 81.8% of the remaining COD, 88.7% of the ammoniacal nitrogen, and 94.4% of the phosphorus. Levels of heavy metals such as Zn, Fe, Pb, Mn, and Cu were reduced by over 80%, while Cr⁶⁺ was nearly eliminated. SEM–EDS analysis confirmed successful TiO₂ immobilization on sand substrates, revealing a rough, porous morphology conducive to catalyst adhesion; however, heterogeneous titanium distribution suggests the need for improved coating uniformity. These findings confirm the potential of the EC–TiO₂/UVC hybrid system as an effective and scalable approach for treating complex biocell leachates with reduced chemical consumption. Full article

This study developed a vinyl acetate-ethylene rapid repair mortar (VAE-RRM) by using a binary blended cementitious system (ordinary Portland cement and sulfoaluminate cement) and vinyl acetate-ethylene (VAE) redispersible polymer powder. The effects of the polymer-to-cement ratio (P/C: 0~2.0%) on setting time, mechanical properties, interfacial bonding, and microstructure were systematically investigated. The results reveal that VAE delayed cement hydration via physical encapsulation and chemical chelation, extending the initial setting time to 182 min at P/C = 2.0%. At the optimal P/C = 0.9%, a synergistic organic–inorganic network enhanced flexural strength (14.62 MPa at 28 d, 34.0% increase) and interfacial bonding (2.74 MPa after interface treatment), though compressive strength decreased to 65.7 MPa due to hydration inhibition. Excessive VAE (P/C ≥ 1.5%) suppressed AFt/C-S-H growth, increasing harmful pores (>1 μm) and degrading performance. Microstructural analysis via scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and mercury intrusion porosimetry (MIP) demonstrates that VAE films bridged hydration products, filled interfacial transition zones (ITZ), and refined pore structures, reducing the most probable pore size from 62.8 nm (reference) to 23.5 nm. VAE-RRM 3 (P/C = 0.9%) exhibited rapid hardening (initial setting time: 75 min), high substrate recovery (83.3%), and low porosity (<10%), offering an efficient solution for urban infrastructure repair. This work elucidates the dual mechanisms of pore refinement and interface reinforcement driven by VAE, providing theoretical guidance for designing high-performance repair materials. Full article

Rapid urbanization, climate variability, and land degradation are increasingly challenging traditional open-field farming systems. Soilless farming (SLF) has emerged as a complementary approach to enhance horticultural resilience in space-constrained and climate-stressed environments. This review critically evaluates the role of SLF within the broader framework of climate-smart agriculture (C-SA), with a particular focus on its applications in urban and peri-urban settings. Drawing on a systematic review of the existing literature, the study explores how SLF technologies contribute to efficient resource use, localized food production, and environmental sustainability. By decoupling crop cultivation from soil, SLF enables precise control over nutrient delivery and water use in enclosed environments, such as vertical farms, greenhouses, and container-based units. These systems offer notable advantages regarding water conservation, increased yield per unit area, and adaptability to non-arable or degraded land, making them particularly relevant for high-density cities, arid zones, and climate-sensitive regions. SLF systems are categorized into substrate-based (e.g., coco peat and rock wool) and water-based systems (e.g., hydroponics, aquaponics, and aeroponics), each with distinct design requirements, nutrient management strategies, and crop compatibility. Emerging technologies—including artificial intelligence, the Internet of Things, and automation—further enhance SLF system efficiency through real-time data monitoring and precision control. Despite these advancements, challenges remain. High setup costs, energy demands, and the need for technical expertise continue to limit large-scale adoption. While SLF is not a replacement for traditional agriculture, it offers a strategic supplement to bolster localized food systems and address climate-related risks in horticultural production. Urban horticulture is no longer a peripheral activity; it is becoming an integral element of sustainable urban development. SLF should be embedded within broader resilience strategies, tailored to specific socioeconomic and environmental contexts. Full article

Green roofs (GRs) are increasingly implemented for stormwater management, and retrofitting conventional roofs is emerging as a key strategy for climate change resilience. However, their impact on diffuse pollution, particularly regarding total organic carbon (TOC) and pollutant mass transport, remains insufficiently understood, especially in aged substrates. This study evaluated and compared the runoff quality from aged GRs and ceramic roofs (CRs) by analyzing TOC, pH, electrical conductivity (EC), first-flush occurrence and intensity, and pollutant release patterns. Results showed that GR retrofitting could help mitigate acid-rain effects due to its elevated pH. Despite higher TOC and EC concentrations in runoff, GRs remained within acceptable water quality limits and exhibited a more gradual release of organic matter over time compared with CRs. Statistical analysis revealed that pollutant concentrations in CR runoff followed Lognormal and Weibull distributions, while GR runoff was best described by Normal, Lognormal, and Weibull distributions. These findings reinforce GRs as a viable stormwater management strategy but highlight the need for full runoff treatment when used for rainwater harvesting. The results also emphasize the importance of tailored statistical models to enhance runoff predictions and optimize GR performance in urban water management. The results provide valuable insights for urban planners and policymakers by reinforcing the potential of GRs in stormwater quality management and supporting the development of incentives for green infrastructure. Future research should expand to different GR configurations, climates, and maintenance practices to enhance the understanding of long-term hydrological and water quality performance. Full article

Extreme precipitation events are one of the common hazards in eastern Texas, generating a large amount of storm water. Water running off urban areas may carry non-point source (NPS) pollution to natural resources such as rivers and lakes. Urbanization exacerbates this issue by increasing impervious surfaces that prevent natural infiltration. This study evaluated the efficacy of rain gardens, a nature-based best management practice (BMP), in mitigating NPS pollution from urban stormwater runoff. Stormwater samples were collected at inflow and outflow points of three rain gardens and analyzed for various water quality parameters, including pH, electrical conductivity, fluoride, chloride, nitrate, nitrite, phosphate, sulfate, salts, carbonates, bicarbonates, sodium, potassium, aluminum, boron, calcium, mercury, arsenic, copper iron lead magnesium, manganese and zinc. Removal efficiencies for nitrate, phosphate, and zinc exceeded 70%, while heavy metals such as lead achieved reductions up to 80%. However, certain parameters, such as calcium, magnesium and conductivity, showed increased outflow concentrations, attributed to substrate leaching. These increases resulted in a higher outflow pH. Overall, the pollutants were removed with an efficiency exceeding 50%. These findings demonstrate that rain gardens are an effective and sustainable solution for managing urban stormwater runoff and mitigating NPS pollution in eastern Texas, particularly in regions vulnerable to extreme precipitation events. Full article