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Adapting to Climate Change: Ecosystem Resilience through Nature-Based and Innovative Solutions within the Soil-Water-Atmosphere Continuum

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A special issue of Sustainability (ISSN 2071-1050). This special issue belongs to the section "Air, Climate Change and Sustainability".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 19 June 2024 | Viewed by 14622

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Special Issue Editors

Dr. Maricar Aguilos

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Guest Editor

Department of Forestry and Environmental Resources, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC 27695, USA
Interests: carbon and water cycling; biometeorology; ecohydrology
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Dr. Carlito Tabelin

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor

School of Minerals and Energy Resources Engineering, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW 2052, Australia
Interests: sustainable mine waste management; groundwater and soil pollution; acid mine drainage prevention and control; waste reprocessing and repurposing
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Dr. Hernando P. Bacosa

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor

Environmental Science Graduate Program, Department of Biological Sciences, College of Science and Mathematics, Mindanao State University- Iligan Institute of Technology, Tibanga, Iligan 9200, Philippines
Interests: pollution, microbial ecology; wastewater treatment; plastic pollution; bioremediation; solid waste management; oil spill

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Major forest ecosystems provide essential ecosystem services, such as carbon sequestration, the provision of clean water, the mitigation soil erosion, landslides, and flooding, and the provision of a habitat for wildlife and recreation. The unabated effects of climate change negatively impact ecological functioning and may change the provisions of ecosystem services. This problem is further exacerbated by rapid urbanization and industrialization, soil and water contamination, air pollution, extensive mining and processing for critical elements, materials, and minerals, deforestation, coastal pollution, and other ecological disturbances that considerably impact various ecosystems. Because of this, the ecosystem's atmospheric carbon fluxes are disrupting the regional and global ecohydrology and climate. Moreover, microbial communities in soil and water consume greenhouse gases and can cause diseases that can be exacerbated by climate change. Crucial ecological processes in these environments rely on microbial activities and hold the clues for curbing climate change and mitigating its impacts.

It is urgent to understand the dynamics of these disturbances to identify hotspots of vulnerability and develop resilient, environmentally friendly, and demand-driven management interventions. Efforts must also be geared toward understanding the potentials, limits, and mechanisms of nature-based and innovative solutions that will assist in mitigating and adapting to climate change.

This Special Issue focuses on studies of carbon and water cycling and ecohydrology of various ecosystems at the local, regional, and global scale, and of organic compound, heavy metal, and toxic metalloid contamination of soil and water systems, with a particular emphasis on identifying nature-based and innovative solutions within the soil–water–atmosphere continuum in this time of rapid climate change. We solicit studies on the following topics:

Carbon, water, and energy interactions in various ecosystem (e.g., upland, lowland, coastal forests, etc.) as affected by climate disturbances (e.g., typhoons, drought, wildfire, deforestation, etc.) at multiple scales.
Ecohydrological processes and local atmospheric drying.
Sustainable forest management using nature-based interventions.
Heavy metal and metalloid contamination of soil and water systems due to mining, mineral processing, and extractive metallurgical operations for critical elements, materials, and minerals.
Innovative strategies for legacy mine management, mine drainage prevention and control, and mine site rehabilitation.
Prevalence and interaction of organic pollutants in soil, water, and air and implications on climate change.
Microbial responses to pollutants and climate change and improving microbial process data for climate models.

Dr. Maricar Aguilos
Dr. Carlito Tabelin
Dr. Hernando P. Bacosa
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Sustainability is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2400 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

eddy covariance
carbon and water cycling
evapotranspiration
water use efficiency
metalloid
pollutants
microbes

Published Papers (7 papers)

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Research

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22 pages, 9872 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Causes and Effects of Climate Change 2001 to 2021, Peru

by Vicenta Irene Tafur Anzualdo, Felipe Aguirre Chavez, Miluska Vega-Guevara, Doris Esenarro and Jesica Vilchez Cairo

Sustainability 2024, 16(7), 2863; https://doi.org/10.3390/su16072863 - 29 Mar 2024

Viewed by 680

Abstract

Climate change is an imminent threat to humanity that brings significant environmental, social, and economic consequences worldwide, with population growth and deforestation among these effects. The research aims to analyze the causes and effects of climate change over the last 30 years. Various sources of information were analyzed to interpret the consequences; therefore, it is important to understand and analyze the causes and effects of climate change, generating information on temperature trends, precipitation, and glacier loss from 1990 to 2020. The evidence of the increase in the average temperature of the planet is becoming increasingly solid. The average annual temperature in the Coast region ranges from 21.1 to 22.6 °C, in the Sierra region from 12.6 to 14.4 °C, and in the Jungle region from 22.7 to 25.7 °C. Annual average precipitation in the Coast region varies from 22.3 to 174.1 mm, in the Highlands region from 570 to 834.3 mm, and in the Jungle region from 1156 to 2093 mm. The White Mountain Range has lost approximately 40.5% of its total glacier coverage on average, and between 1996 and 2019 the amount of tropical glaciers has decreased by 28.17%. It was concluded that the threats of climate change are increasingly evident, due not only to environmental pollution but also to the various human activities that generate changes in the environment. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Adapting to Climate Change: Ecosystem Resilience through Nature-Based and Innovative Solutions within the Soil-Water-Atmosphere Continuum)

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25 pages, 2482 KiB

Open AccessArticle

The Impact of Low-Carbon City Pilot Policies on Green Innovation Efficiency in Chinese Cities: An Empirical Analysis Based on the Multi-Period PSM-DID Model

by Yongshan Du, Haoyu Wang, Ran An, Qimeng Wang and Xin Wen

Sustainability 2024, 16(5), 1812; https://doi.org/10.3390/su16051812 - 22 Feb 2024

Viewed by 577

Abstract

On the basis of panel data taken from 226 Chinese cities in the period 2008 to 2019, this paper measures urban green innovation efficiency, with the help of the unexpected production output-stochastic block model (UPO-SBM), and applies the propensity score matching difference-in-differences (PSM-DID) model to analyze the impact of low-carbon city pilot policies (LCPP) on urban green innovation efficiency. This paper also applies a mediation effect model to analyze the mechanism of the LCPP that enhances urban green innovation efficiency, and also attempts to explore the impact of the LCPP on the green innovation efficiency of various types of cities by engaging with multiple dimensions. The results of the study shows that: (1) When all other conditions remain unchanged, the average promotion effect of the implementation of the LCPP on urban green innovation efficiency is 21.77%; (2) at 1% significance level, the mediating effect of financial technology R&D expenditure and environmental governance expenditure is 0.0664 and 0.0283, respectively, confirming that both are important to the role that LCPP plays; (3) at 5% significance level, the exogenous policy effect of the LCPP on urban green innovation efficiency is more obvious in cities with a larger population size and higher degree of development, whose pillar industry is heavy industry. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Adapting to Climate Change: Ecosystem Resilience through Nature-Based and Innovative Solutions within the Soil-Water-Atmosphere Continuum)

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18 pages, 15273 KiB

Open AccessArticle

UAS-Based Thermal Photogrammetry for Microscale Surface Urban Heat Island Intensity Assessment in Support of Sustainable Urban Development (A Case Study of Lyulin Housing Complex, Sofia City, Bulgaria)

by Stelian Dimitrov, Martin Iliev, Bilyana Borisova, Lidiya Semerdzhieva and Stefan Petrov

Sustainability 2024, 16(5), 1766; https://doi.org/10.3390/su16051766 - 21 Feb 2024

Viewed by 825

Abstract

The urban heat island (UHI) and its intensity is one of the phenomena that are of determining importance for the comfort of living in cities and their sustainable development in the face of deepening climate change. The study is objectively difficult due to the large dynamics like land cover and the considerable diversity of land use patterns in urban areas. Most of the frequently used research practice approaches provide information with problematic spatial and temporal resolution, making them difficult to apply for sustainable urban planning purposes. This paper proposes to calculate SUHI intensity as the difference between the temperature of a given point within a city and the average minimum temperature of the land cover class with the lowest surface temperatures within the same urban area. The study presents the results of the application of thermal photogrammetry based on the use of unmanned aerial systems (UAS), combined with geographic information systems (GIS), in the study of surface urban heat island intensity (SUHI), at the local level for the largest housing complex in Bulgaria–Lyulin district of the capital of Sofia city. The studies were carried out during a heat wave in July 2023. A difference of 16.5 °C was found between locations with SUHI occurrence and of the peripheral non-build and natural land cover types within the urbanized area. The information benefits of locally addressed data and their direct applicability are discussed to support decision-making processes in the planning and management of urban areas, including their climate adaptation and sustainable development. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Adapting to Climate Change: Ecosystem Resilience through Nature-Based and Innovative Solutions within the Soil-Water-Atmosphere Continuum)

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22 pages, 1275 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Agriculture Risks and Opportunities in a Climate-Vulnerable Watershed in Northeastern Taiwan—The Opinions of Leisure Agriculture Operators

by Wan-Jiun Chen, Jihn-Fa Jan, Chih-Hsin Chung and Shyue-Cherng Liaw

Sustainability 2023, 15(20), 15025; https://doi.org/10.3390/su152015025 - 18 Oct 2023

Viewed by 991

Abstract

This study investigated the agriculture risks and opportunities in a fragile watershed, the Lanyang River Watershed (LRW) in Northeastern Taiwan, under the current situation of climate change. Agriculture in the LRW is a traditional sector, highly vulnerable to climate change, and is a declining economic sector due to the trend of trade liberalization of agriculture. At present, the government of Taiwan encourages local farmers to transform towards recreational farm types. Leisure agriculture operators have successfully transitioned their tilling to a business model of recreational farming. A telephone survey of leisure agriculture operators was applied with a three-stage approach to obtain their opinions. The results showed that climate change may entail risks for agriculture in watersheds. Transformation to leisure agriculture can enhance farm adaptation and increase farm income. The long-term implementation of slope- and geology-based land classification and land use planning can protect the watershed, especially from extreme weather, while enhancing water and soil conservation efforts, and bolstering climate resilience. Innovative agricultural practices offer viable solutions, including greenhouse farming for high-economic-value crops, leisure agriculture, organic farming, and ecotourism. These strategies can rejuvenate the LRW’s agriculture industry, foster ecological tourism, and provide opportunities for traditional farmers to thrive in this highly climate-fragile area. The implications of this case study are that appropriate responses can improve local climate resilience, and that correspondingly well-designed adaptation measures can transform threats and risks into new opportunities. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Adapting to Climate Change: Ecosystem Resilience through Nature-Based and Innovative Solutions within the Soil-Water-Atmosphere Continuum)

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26 pages, 5778 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Climate Change, Sustainable Forest Management, ICT Nexus, and the SDG 2030: A Systems Thinking Approach

by Ernesto E. Empig, Ahmet Sivacioğlu, Renato S. Pacaldo, Peter D. Suson, Rabby Q. Lavilles, Maria Rizalia Y. Teves, Maria Cecilia M. Ferolin and Ruben F. Amparado, Jr.

Sustainability 2023, 15(8), 6712; https://doi.org/10.3390/su15086712 - 15 Apr 2023

Cited by 4 | Viewed by 2021

Abstract

The 2030 global agenda for sustainable development integrates social, economic, and environmental dimensions, emphasizing peace, human rights, gender equality, and women’s empowerment. The SDG framework, consisting of 17 goals, 169 targets (SDTs), and 231 indicators (SDIs), forms a complex, interconnected network that necessitates extensive research. Despite prior studies on SDG interlinkages, the integration of Climate Change (CC), Sustainable Forest Management (SFM), and Information and Communication Technology (ICT), collectively known as CSI Nexus, remains underexplored. This study addresses this gap by identifying SDTs aligned with CC, SFM, and ICT (CSI) and analyzing their linkages within the SDG framework using a systems thinking approach. The objectives are to (1) investigate and identify SDTs connected with the CSI Nexus and (2) assess the significant relationship between and among CC, SFM, and ICT. The primary method involves a simplified meta-analysis and systems thinking approach incorporating content analysis, network visualization, affiliation matrix mapping, frequency distributions, and Spearman’s rho correlation. Results reveal 56 SDTs directly connected within CC + SFM + ICT, 16 within CC + SFM, one within SFM + ICT, and 51 within ICT + CC. The analysis indicates CC is significantly associated with SFM, while ICT has no significant association with CC and SFM, asserting minimal influence of ICT and SFM on the SDG 2030 framework. This research provides significant insights for decision-makers and stakeholders, contributing as a science-informed guide for priority-setting, policy coherence, and decision-making supporting the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals across sectors. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Adapting to Climate Change: Ecosystem Resilience through Nature-Based and Innovative Solutions within the Soil-Water-Atmosphere Continuum)

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11 pages, 2454 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Unraveling Microplastic Pollution in Mangrove Sediments of Butuan Bay, Philippines

by Carl Kenneth P. Navarro, Cris Gel Loui A. Arcadio, Kaye M. Similatan, Sherley Ann T. Inocente, Marybeth Hope T. Banda, Rey Y. Capangpangan, Armi G. Torres and Hernando P. Bacosa

Sustainability 2022, 14(21), 14469; https://doi.org/10.3390/su142114469 - 04 Nov 2022

Cited by 13 | Viewed by 7423

Abstract

The mass production and consumption of plastics have serious effects on the environment, human health, and livelihood. Hence, global efforts to reduce plastic generation must be realized. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of microplastics in mangrove sediments of Cabadbaran, Buenavista, and Nasipit in Butuan Bay, Philippines. Seventy-two (72) microplastic particles were extracted from mangrove sediments dominated by fibrous type (71%) and blue (35%) as the most common color. Attenuated total reflectance–Fourier transform infrared (ATR–FTIR) spectroscopy was used to assess the polymer type of microplastics. Results reveal a total of six polymer types including high-density polyethylene, low-density polyethylene, polyethylene terephthalate, ethylene-vinyl acetate, polyamide, and polypropylene, with the latter comprising 39% of samples, the highest among the extracted particles. Overall, Nasipit (71.1/kg) obtained the highest microplastic density followed by Buenavista (48.9/kg) and Cabadbaran (40.0/kg). These data will serve as a piece of baseline information in crafting important environmental policies to address plastic pollution issues in the area. Long-term studies are recommended to better understand, monitor, and prevent further microplastic pollution in Butuan Bay. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Adapting to Climate Change: Ecosystem Resilience through Nature-Based and Innovative Solutions within the Soil-Water-Atmosphere Continuum)

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Review

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20 pages, 2028 KiB

Open AccessReview

Local Climate Adaptation and Governance: The Utility of Joint SECAP Plans for Networks of Small–Medium Italian Municipalities

by Rosalba D’Onofrio, Chiara Camaioni and Stefano Mugnoz

Sustainability 2023, 15(11), 8738; https://doi.org/10.3390/su15118738 - 29 May 2023

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1151

Abstract

The “Joint Sustainable Energy and Climate Action Plans” (Joint SECAPs) introduced by the Covenant of Mayors (CoM) are voluntary tools that favour a joint approach to energy planning and climate change mitigation/adaptation among municipalities in the same territorial area. The goal is to obtain joint results that are more effective and advantageous than those that can be achieved by the individual municipalities with respect to local climate change adaptation and mitigation policies. This article assesses their effectiveness in Italy. Six different experiences conducted mostly in small and medium municipal networks are compared, verifying the advantages and critical points in the different phases of building and implementing adaptation measures. A list of recommendations/objectives emerges from these experiences to guide the joint construction of adaptation measures, which may be implemented through multi-level participatory governance that encourages experimentation and innovation on the local level and develops synergy with large-scale policies and plans. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Adapting to Climate Change: Ecosystem Resilience through Nature-Based and Innovative Solutions within the Soil-Water-Atmosphere Continuum)

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