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Land, Volume 15, Issue 6 (June 2026) – 5 articles

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17 pages, 7244 KB

Open AccessArticle

Remnants of Semi-Natural Habitats Sustain Nocturnal Lepidoptera Diversity Within a Mediterranean Vineyard System

by Giada Zucco, Sara La Cava, Marco Infusino and Stefano Scalercio

Land 2026, 15(6), 898; https://doi.org/10.3390/land15060898 (registering DOI) - 22 May 2026

Abstract

Agricultural intensification has led to landscape homogenization and the widespread loss of semi-natural habitats, contributing to biodiversity decline in agroecosystems. Semi-natural areas embedded within croplands may mitigate these effects by acting as reservoirs and steppingstones for species providing ecosystem services such as pollination. We assessed the role of remnants of semi-natural habitats in sustaining the diversity and abundance of nocturnal Lepidoptera within a Mediterranean vineyard landscape (southern Italy) using monthly light trap sampling over almost one year. Assemblages were compared between vineyards and adjacent semi-natural patches. Multivariate analyses revealed marked differences in community composition between semi-natural habitat types. Species richness was consistently higher in semi-natural habitats, even when represented by small residual patches. Vineyard assemblages were characterized by reduced richness and a predominance of generalist species with high dispersal ability, indicating a simplified community structure. Nevertheless, some taxa of biogeographical interest were recorded. These findings demonstrate the importance of semi-natural habitats in maintaining nocturnal Lepidoptera diversity in vineyard-dominated landscapes and support their integration into sustainable agricultural management to enhance biodiversity conservation and the provision of ecosystem services. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Landscape Ecology)

19 pages, 1140 KB

Open AccessArticle

Investigating Coupling Coordination Between Urban Development and Ecological Efficiency: Evidence from the Yangtze River Delta

by Zhenzhen He and Chin-Hong Puah

Land 2026, 15(6), 897; https://doi.org/10.3390/land15060897 (registering DOI) - 22 May 2026

Abstract

This paper investigates the evolution and driving mechanisms of the Coupling Coordination Degree (CCD) between urban development (UD) and ecological efficiency (EE) in the Yangtze River Delta (YRD) urban agglomeration. Using panel data for 27 cities from 2013 to 2023, a comprehensive evaluation model and the CCD model are used to measure the level of coordination across cities. A fixed-effects panel regression model is constructed to systematically examine the effects of economic development and education expenditure on CCD, focusing on the moderating role of education expenditure. The empirical results indicate that: (1) CCD in the YRD shows a clear upward trend, gradually shifting from disorder to coordinated development; (2) inter-city disparities remain evident, reflecting differences in development foundations, industrial structures, and governance capacities; (3) economic development significantly promotes CCD by providing material and institutional support for urban–ecological coordination; and (4) education expenditure strengthens this positive relationship by enhancing human capital accumulation and knowledge spillovers. The findings highlight the importance of integrating economic growth with human capital investment to promote green and high-quality urban development. Full article

38 pages, 2798 KB

Open AccessReview

Biochar Modulates the Dynamics of Legacy Nutrients in Enhancing Soil Health and Crop Productivity

by Manish Kumar, Shiv Bolan, Rakesh Kumar, Juhi Gupta, Dingjiang Chen, Hao Wu, Sarah Stackpoole, Nitika Chandel, Santanu Mukherjee, Manoj Chandra Garg, Srinithi Mayilswami, Kadambot H. M. Siddique and Nanthi Bolan

Land 2026, 15(6), 896; https://doi.org/10.3390/land15060896 (registering DOI) - 22 May 2026

Abstract

Most major crops in agricultural soils exhibit relatively low nutrient use efficiency for nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and potassium (K), often necessitating supplemental nutrient inputs to achieve sustainable yields. Furthermore, the increasing use of biowastes such as compost, manure, and biosolids, which frequently have nutrient ratios that do not match crop requirements, has contributed to excessive nutrient inputs and subsequent accumulation in soils. This situation has been further exacerbated by intensive farming practices involving multiple cropping cycles per season. Overuse of nutrients causes them to accumulate in the soil, creating a legacy nutrient pool. The application of biochar as soil amendment is considered a potential strategy to control legacy nutrients dynamics. The current review inspects the possible value of biochar in modulating legacy nutrient reserves in the soil, thereby increasing the bioavailability of nutrients and improving crop yield. This review discusses the search scope and synthesis approaches for the bibliometric methodological component through rigorous screening process (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis (PRISMA)), focusing on journal articles published in last 20 years that specifically address legacy nutrient management. The significance of the economic and environmental effects of legacy nutrients and the insufficient knowledge of how biochar application influences nutrient dynamics in soil highlight the necessity for additional research to address current gaps. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Land, Soil and Water)

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31 pages, 1233 KB

Open AccessArticle

Dilemmas and Exits: Compliance Risks and Future Paths for Land-Based Emission Reduction Projects in China

by Siwei Wang and Wei He

Land 2026, 15(6), 895; https://doi.org/10.3390/land15060895 (registering DOI) - 22 May 2026

Abstract

Between 2024 and 2025, Chinese land-based emission reduction projects frequently faced quality reviews and sanctions from Verra, a leading international standards-setting body. In addition to project stagnation and the withdrawal of carbon credits, China’s reputation as a host country in international efforts to reduce carbon emissions was severely damaged. These cases stem from a deeper social phenomenon: non-state actors like Verra have acquired rule-making power, and exercising this power has substantial implications for other entities, manifesting in the carbon emissions reduction field as tensions over the interests and reputations of project proponents and related parties. With non-state actors breaking the previous monopoly on rule-making power held solely by state actors, creating a “dualistic” confrontation, coordinating the relationship between the two becomes crucial, as promoting positive interaction becomes crucial. Otherwise, the dilemma of “compliant domestically, non-compliant internationally” and “international standards being difficult to implement domestically” will arise, as seen in these cases. This study used two cases of sanctions imposed by Verra on Chinese land-related projects as starting points. Then, taking China’s independent development of a methodology for silt-retention dam carbon sink projects to mitigate international sanctions as a third case. Following a research approach of “case analysis, in-depth investigation of bottlenecks, overcoming difficulties,” this study systematically examines the shortcomings and necessary efforts of both sides by exploring the various problems arising from the clash and conflict of rules between non-state actors and state actors. To address this issue, this study constructs a nested theoretical framework comprising two two-tiered theoretical structures. This study argues that both Verra and the government of China should work together to promote the legitimacy of emission reduction project standards and their effectiveness within host countries. The solutions proposed in this study can also provide experience and a reference for developing countries in addressing the expansion of power by non-state actors and the disconnect between domestic rules. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Land Governance Technology and Institutional Reform for Achieving Sustainable Development Goals with Environmental and Social Aspects (Second Edition))

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15 pages, 9171 KB

Open AccessArticle

Geospatial Analysis of Geomorphological and Hydrological Factors Influencing the Site Selection of the Ancient Marib Dam

by Abdullah Alshami and Mohamed Metwaly

Land 2026, 15(6), 894; https://doi.org/10.3390/land15060894 (registering DOI) - 22 May 2026

Abstract

The management of water resources is a critical factor in the emergence of civilizations, particularly in arid regions like the Arabian Peninsula. The ancient Marib Dam represents a systematic application of hydraulic planning within the Sabaean civilization. This study analyzes the scientific rationale behind the dam’s site selection by assessing key hydrological and geomorphological factors using Geographic Information Systems (GISs) and Weighted Overlay Analysis (WOA). The analysis revealed that the dam’s location precisely corresponds with a (very high) potential runoff accumulation zone, a critical area constituting only 0.8% of the total landscape studied. By providing this quantitative assessment, this study moves beyond historical interpretation to offer the first geospatial evidence that the dam’s site selection was deliberate and quantitatively informed, establishing a replicable model for the field of archaeohydrology. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Archaeological Landscape and Settlement (Third Edition))

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