Search Results (21,366)

The northern part of the state of Mato Grosso is located at the intersection of large-scale agricultural production and the Amazon, a tropical biome of great importance for ecosystem services and biodiversity. Agricultural production activities interact with natural capital, among other factors, in land use and in biogeochemical cycles of water and carbon. In this study, we sought to use remote sensing at the regional level to diagnose and spatialize the contribution of agricultural activity to dry areas. Using carbon dioxide orbital models, land use classification techniques, the Standardized Precipitation Index (SPI), and Pettitt and Mann–Kendall statistics, the variables were compared spatially for the biogeographic boundary of the Amazon in Mato Grosso in two distinct time frames: (i) over the crop years of the CO₂ efflux model (2020 to 2023), and (ii) over the years 2008 to 2023, with consolidated data from the MODIS sensor system. The hot and cold spots analysis reinforces the correlation of carbon variables to land use; the drought index suggests a spatial correlation to forest loss, where more intense agricultural activity favors drought and inhibits moderate rainfall, and in turn is linked to the amount of forest in the context of intense continentality. Temporally, the statistical diagnosis highlights abrupt changes in 2011, 2013, and 2019, restate the complex relation of tropical forest and biogeochemical cycles, above all with carbon dioxide. Full article

This paper explores the behavioural change process initiated within the Gdańsk Coastal City Living Lab (CCLL)—a site-based effort, initiated under the H2020 SCORE project and significantly deepened through the Horizon Europe PRO-CLIMATE project—through the lens of transforming human–nature relationships for sustainable urban biodiversity conservation. While SCORE established the technical baseline for Nature-based Solutions (NbSs), PRO-CLIMATE provides the critical behavioural framework to ensure these solutions are socially adopted and sustained. Located in a flood-prone coastal city, the Gdańsk CCLL addresses the critical need for nature-based solutions (NbSs) in minimizing the negative impacts of climate change, particularly pluvial flooding. At the heart of this initiative is a participatory change process facilitated by local Change Agents in collaboration with key stakeholders across water management, local government, academia, and civil society. Drawing on interdisciplinary insights from social science, the paper uses the Nature Futures Framework to analyse how conservation actions are influenced by the relational, intrinsic, and instrumental values that stakeholders and residents attach to nature. The paper situates these values in the Gdańsk context and examines how they shape motivations and willingness to engage in urban NbS, such as green roofs, retention parks, and rainwater gardens. The study presents qualitative findings from stakeholder engagement workshops, Change Agents’ reflections, and support mechanisms from behavioural change experts. It evaluates how behavioural change was facilitated through shared vision building, feedback loops, and trust-based relationships, and how barriers were negotiated. A key contribution of the paper is the exploration of how bottom-up and top-down processes intersect in urban adaptation strategies and how behavioural change frameworks can be designed to institutionalise sustainable human–nature interactions in urban governance. The Gdańsk case offers transferable insights for other cities facing climate vulnerabilities while striving to embed biodiversity conservation into everyday practice. Full article

Alpine treeline and shrubline ecotones are climatically sensitive transition zones where vegetation shifts strongly influence belowground microbial processes. Soil bacteria and fungi, as core component of the soil microbiome, play vital roles in nutrient cycling and plant–soil interactions within these fragile ecosystems. However, the structure and diversity of soil microbial communities across the treeline–shrubline transition remain poorly understood. Here, we investigated soil bacterial and fungal communities across treeline and shrubline ecotones in two mountain on the eastern Tibetan Plateau. We further examined how soil physicochemical properties shaped microbial community assembly. Our results demonstrated that the community composition of both bacteria and fungi differed significantly between the treeline and shrubline ecotones, while the Shannon index showed no significant variation. At the phylum level, Proteobacteria, Actinobacteriota, and Acidobacteriota dominated bacterial communities, while Ascomycota and Basidiomycota were the predominant fungal phyla. Both the network complexity of soil bacterial and fungal communities changed significantly across ecotones. Specifically, bacterial network complexity increased significantly toward the shrubline, whereas fungal network complexity declined. Bacterial community compositions were co-regulated by both environmental and vegetation factors, while fungal community compositions were only regulated by soil pH. Redundancy analysis revealed that soil organic carbon, pH, and moisture were the primary drivers of bacterial community (38.17%), whereas vegetation cover, soil organic carbon, and moisture explained the largest proportion of fungal community (44.79%). Our findings reveal the distribution patterns and underlying shift mechanisms of microbial communities between the treeline and shrubline ecotone. These insights are crucial for mountain biodiversity conservation and for improving predictions of forest responses to climate change. Full article

Analyzing the dominant drivers of the Food-Water-Land-Ecosystem (FWLE) nexus in the future is important for improving sustainable development in dryland ecosystems. However, the future trajectories of food–water–land–ecosystem interactions in typical drought-prone regions remain poorly understood. To address this gap, this study coupled the Gray Multi-Objective Programming with Patch-generating Land Use Simulation (GMOP-PLUS) model and applied spatial analysis methods (including longitudinal and zonal statistical analysis, trade-off synergy analysis, and redundancy analysis) to examine the spatiotemporal differentiation patterns of the FWLE nexus in Xinjiang under different development scenarios. Over the past two decades, water yield in Xinjiang’s agricultural landscapes has declined by 57.4%, primarily due to land-use and land-cover changes. Under the 2030 sustainable development scenario, a custom optimization developed via the GMOP model that balances economic and ecological objectives, crop production and habitat quality are projected to increase by 47.9% and 55.1%, respectively. Moreover, redundancy analysis results indicate that the driving contribution of precipitation on the FWLE nexus is expected to reach 76.9% by 2030. These findings provide a clear delineation of priority spatial units for improvement within Xinjiang agro-ecosystem and offer a strategic pathway for balancing ecological conservation and economic development. Full article

Integrating existing tree-level information into harvester operator decision-making can significantly enhance precision forest management, particularly with respect to biodiversity preservation and climate-smart adaptation. During harvester operations, a primary challenge lies in positioning the machine with sufficient accuracy in real time to relate a priori individual-tree-level reference information to the operator. We propose a lightweight procedure using tree-to-tree matching to continuously register a real-time tree map collected from a harvester (or another mobile laser scanning system) to a precomputed reference map derived from an airborne laser scanner (ALS). We assess the robustness of the method using simulated tree maps and validate its real-world performance in experiments using a LiDAR-equipped harvester performing a thinning operation in a boreal forest. In simulations, registration was found to be robust up to a moderate tree density of approximately 1700 ha⁻¹, even when using a reference map with a lower positional accuracy and higher error rates than in our harvester experiments. Using real-world data from the thinning operation, the registration method was demonstrated to successfully mitigate meter-scale positioning drifts remaining in the LiDAR-inertial trajectory. After the continuous registration procedure, the positioning error was reduced to the level of 0.5 m, constrained by the accuracy of the prior map derived from sparse ALS data with ∼5 transmissions/m². Importantly, the registration procedure was shown to update in real time (at most 20 ms update time for stands with densities of at most 2000 ha⁻¹, after an initial computational phase. Notable features of the registration procedure are its low memory consumption, fast runtime and capacity to accurately position the harvester despite LiDAR-inertial positioning drift. While these results demonstrate the potential for real-time operation, full implementation requires the development of real-time tree detection and estimation of tree attributes. Full article

Outbreaks of crown-of-thorns sea stars (CoTS) threaten coral reef integrity and biodiversity, yet local dynamics and short-term responses to control remain insufficiently described. This study characterised an outbreaking Acanthaster population in two specific sites of the coast of Khor Fakkan (Gulf of Oman, United Arab Emirates) to resolve species identity, population composition, prey selection and the effects of targeted removals. All sequenced individuals clustered in two related haplotypes belonging to the species Acanthaster planci. Benthic surveys showed moderate live-coral cover, dominated by massive Porites sp. colonies. Moreover, the observations of 139 preyed colonies revealed pronounced genus-level selectivity, with branching and complex morphologies suffering disproportionately and massive forms largely avoided. However, the selection of massive Plesiastrea and Favites genera as preferred coral prey might suggest a shift towards less preferred coral in the CoTS diet, posing a severe threat to coral reefs’ integrity. Intensive removal reduced the local density, up to 86%, and provided substantial short-term relief, but continued monitoring is required to secure long-term reef resilience. Full article

The neotropical genus Inga (Fabaceae) is a fast-growing tree component of tropical forests which plays crucial ecological and functional roles. However, its diversity patterns and the specific environmental drivers that structure its distribution in Andean landscapes remain insufficiently documented. This study aimed to quantify the diversity and distribution of Inga species in the province of Imbabura (4785 km²), northern Ecuador, while evaluating the influence of key environmental determinants. By integrating 52 field records along 321 km of exploration and 22 herbarium records (QCNE, MO, AAU, F, HUTN), the study analyzes the role of topographic variables (12.5 m resolution) and climate data (1 km² resolution). Seventeen species were recorded, almost tripling previous regional findings. The results demonstrate that species richness and occurrence are strongly structured by altitude, temperature, and soil properties as primary environmental drivers. Ten species showed narrow altitudinal ranges and limited thermal tolerance (<2 °C), indicating high habitat specialization, while I. densiflora and I. insignis exhibited broader niches. Edaphically, most species were associated with sandy loam soils, particularly Mollisols and Inceptisols developed from volcanic material. These findings indicate that climatic gradients and edaphic conditions act as the main environmental filters shaping Inga assemblages in heterogeneous montane landscapes. The observed high level of specialization suggests significant vulnerability to land-use change and highlights the need for habitat-specific conservation strategies in Andean forests. Full article

Alternanthera philoxeroides is a highly invasive alien species in China that causes waterway blockages, agricultural yield loss, biodiversity decline, and ecosystem degradation. This study assessed the invasion risk and environmental drivers of A. philoxeroides in Guizhou Province, a karst mountainous region in Southwest China. Occurrence records were obtained from field surveys and the Chinese Virtual Herbarium. The genetic algorithm for rule-set production (GARP) model and the jackknife method were employed to identify 13 key environmental indicators for predicting invasion risk. The global invasion risk index (GIRI) was applied to quantify the overall invasion risk. Additionally, the Geodetector model was utilized to analyze the spatially differentiated effects of six environmental factors. The results showed that A. philoxeroides poses a high invasion risk in Guizhou Province, and the invasion risk in the Yangtze River Basin within Guizhou is higher than that in the Pearl River Basin. The environmental factors influencing invasion risk, in order of impact, were slope, elevation, land use, river density, rocky desertification, and soil pH. Moreover, interactions among these factors further amplify the invasion risk. These findings provide valuable insights for developing targeted management strategies for A. philoxeroides in karst mountainous regions and support biodiversity preservation and regional ecological sustainability. Full article

Ustica is a Sicilian island for which most of the information available on the informal group of sea slugs comes from old and non-specific studies. Consequently, the aim of this study is to provide an updated list of the sea slugs of the Ustica Island Marine Protected Area (MPA). This study, carried out using the “photographic capture technique” in two surveys (early autumn and late spring), led to the finding of 32 species and 14 families of sea slugs. Overall, considering both the literature and current data, a total of 77 species and 33 families of sea slugs have been documented on this island. While these numbers might indicate high species richness compared to other previously investigated Sicilian islands, they might also reflect the fact that Ustica Island is the only one for which numerous malacological studies have been performed. Full article

Invasive plants represent a significant global threat to natural ecosystems and biodiversity. The aim of this study was to classify alien woody plants according to their invasion status based on their phenological characteristics using machine learning. Data from phenological observations of 63 tree species, including both native and alien (introduced and invasive) species, were used for the analysis. The dataset contains information on long-term (1977–2024) observations of the timing of 18 phenological phases and the duration of 6 interphase intervals. The F1-score values for identifying the ‘introduced plant’ class in the ‘Native–Introduced’ pair were 81.3%. The values of this same indicator for identifying the ‘invasive plants’ class in the ‘Native–Invasive’ and ‘Introduced–Invasive’ pairs were 85.0% and 71.2% respectively. It has been shown that the invasive status of alien tree species can be predicted based on their phenological characteristics using machine learning algorithms. It has also been shown that information on six phenological phases may be sufficient for such predictions. Full article

Ports play a pivotal role in global trade but are also associated with significant environmental and social challenges. Despite growing research on green ports, existing studies remain fragmented, with limited integration between technological, environmental, and governance perspectives within the blue economy framework. This review examines the transition from green port initiatives toward integrated blue-economy-oriented port systems by synthesizing recent advances in sustainable maritime infrastructure, smart port technologies, renewable energy integration, and policy frameworks. The analysis reveals three major findings. First, ports are increasingly evolving into energy-integrated hubs, with leading examples adopting shore power systems, renewable energy microgrids, and hydrogen-based infrastructure, thereby contributing to emissions reductions. Second, digitalization through artificial intelligence, IoT, and data-driven logistics significantly enhances operational efficiency, reduces energy consumption, and improves real-time decision-making. Third, effective governance frameworks that combine regulatory measures and incentive-based instruments are critical to accelerating sustainability transitions while ensuring economic competitiveness. In addition, the review highlights the growing integration of biodiversity conservation, marine pollution mitigation, and community engagement into port management strategies, reflecting a shift toward ecosystem-based approaches. Overall, the findings demonstrate that ports are transitioning from conventional logistics hubs into integrated socio-technical systems that enable low-carbon maritime transport while supporting inclusive and resilient coastal development. Full article

The MarR (multiple antibiotic resistance regulator) family regulators, which are widely conserved across various organisms, play pivotal roles in metabolism, stress response mechanisms, and virulence factor production. However, the regulatory functions of these factors in the degradation of aromatic compounds within Corynebacterium glutamicum remain largely uncharacterized. In this study, we identified a MarR-type regulator, designated AcsR (encoded by ncgl2425), which directly represses the expression of the catechol 2,3-dioxygenase gene ncgl2007 (c23o) and the heavy metal (nickel) transport system permease gene ncgl2351, while activating the expression of ncgl2258 encoding an ABC-type C4-dicarboxylate-binding periplasmic protein. AcsR binds specifically as a dimer to a 6 bp inverted repeat sequence, and this binding is disrupted by catechol in vitro. Correspondingly, catechol induces the expression of c23o in vivo. Phenotypic analysis revealed that the ΔacsR mutant exhibited enhanced resistance to multiple aromatic compounds but increased sensitivity to antibiotics, heavy metals, and oxidants. Collectively, these findings demonstrate that AcsR is an important regulator of stress adaptation in C. glutamicum and provide new insights into the regulatory mechanisms of aromatic compound degradation in this industrially important bacterium. Full article

Background/Objectives: Elevated central adiposity (ECA) in childhood is associated with early cardiometabolic risk and hemodynamic alterations. However, evidence in Spanish schoolchildren regarding the relationship between eating behavior traits and central adiposity is limited, particularly across developmental stages. This study aimed to examine the association between Children’s Eating Behaviour Questionnaire (CEBQ) subscales and ECA, and to explore potential differences by age group. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted in 496 rural schoolchildren aged 6–15 years. ECA was defined using the waist-to-height ratio (WHtR) and sex-specific cut-offs validated for the Spanish pediatric population. Eating behavior was assessed with the CEBQ (Z-scores), and diet quality was measured using the KIDMED index. Multivariable logistic regression models were adjusted for sex, KIDMED score, and maternal education. Analyses were subsequently stratified by age (6–9 and 10–15 years). Results: The prevalence of ECA was 45.90%. In fully adjusted models, higher Food Responsiveness (FR) was associated with increased odds of ECA, while Satiety Responsiveness (SR) acted as a protective factor; sex also showed an independent association. After stratification, sex remained the only significant predictor in children aged 6–9 years. Among those aged 10–15 years, FR was significantly associated with ECA (p = 0.008), while Slowness in Eating (SE) showed a borderline positive association in the adjusted model (p = 0.049) and was therefore interpreted cautiously. SR and Emotional Undereating (EU) showed protective trends near significance (p = 0.081 and p = 0.082, respectively). Conclusions: The association between eating behavior traits and ECA varies by age. In older children, FR showed a robust association with ECA, whereas no behavioral predictors were observed in younger children. The protective role of SR in the global model and the emergence of behavioral predictors in older participants highlight the importance of targeted interventions during late childhood. Full article

This study aimed to characterize the spatiotemporal dynamics of soil respiration (CO₂ efflux), soil moisture, and soil temperature across different land-use systems in a semi-arid environment through in situ monthly monitoring and to evaluate the potential of UAV-based imagery combined with Random Forest modeling to spatialize these variables within the agroforestry system. The variables were monitored monthly using an Infrared Gas Analyzer (IRGA) over 9 months, and UAV imagery was acquired at two distinct time points. The 11-month experimental campaign enabled evaluation of seasonal and spatial variability and of soil physical and hydraulic properties. Soil CO₂ efflux ranged from 1.0 to 6.7 μmol m⁻² s⁻¹, with higher values observed during the rainy period, closely following soil moisture dynamics. Soil moisture and temperature exhibited clear seasonal patterns driven by rainfall variability. The pasture system showed higher CO₂ efflux in most months, while AFS2 presented more stable fluxes over time. In contrast, AFS1 exhibited lower CO₂ efflux, likely associated with its soil characteristics. Despite these patterns, no significant differences were observed among land-use systems for most soil physical properties. UAV-derived data combined with machine learning techniques proved effective for modeling soil CO₂ efflux, soil temperature, and soil moisture, demonstrating their potential for monitoring soil processes in semi-arid environments. Overall, agroforestry systems did not significantly differ from other land uses in terms of CO₂ efflux, likely due to their early stage of development. These findings indicate that the effects of agroforestry systems on soil processes occur gradually and highlight the importance of long-term monitoring to fully capture system dynamics. Full article

The necrotrophic pathogen Sclerotinia sclerotiorum compromises the physiological and anatomical integrity of cotton, leading to substantial economic losses due to rapid tissue necrosis, stem blight, boll rot, and leaf wilting. In this context, the use of endophytic microorganisms emerges as a promising strategy for the biocontrol of white mold. This study tested the hypothesis that endophytic fungal strains isolated from the roots of Butia purpurascens, a palm tree endemic to the Cerrado biome, could mitigate disease symptoms in Gossypium hirsutum L. To evaluate this, cotton plants were subjected to biotic stress imposed by S. sclerotiorum to assess the effectiveness of seven fungal strains in attenuating disease. The impact of the pathogen was monitored through growth variables, gas exchange, leaf temperature, chlorophyll a fluorescence, antioxidant enzyme activity, proline and malondialdehyde (MDA) levels, and the incidence of rot in petioles, leaves, and flower buds. Overall, inoculation with endophytic fungi significantly alleviated the effects of the phytopathogen, promoting vegetative growth and optimizing physiological performance. Treated plants exhibited alleviated stress in primary photochemistry, reduced non-photochemical energy dissipation, and stable carbon fixation. Additionally, efficient modulation of the antioxidant system and preservation of anatomical structures were observed, minimizing the severe symptoms of white mold. Notably, the non-pathogenic strains BP10EF (Gibberella moniliformis), BP16EF (Penicillium purpurogenum), and BP33EF (Hamigera insecticola) acted as potent physiological modulators, yielding responses similar to those of healthy plants. These results highlight the biotechnological potential of these endophytic strains, which can be explored as both growth promoters and resistance inducers in cotton against white mold. Full article