Search Results (10)

Digital technologies and economies can strengthen participative processes and data- and knowledge-based sustainable urban development. It can also accelerate social integration and the efforts of urban dwellers towards more resilient urban environments. Gap: Most of the tools that strengthen participatory processes were not cocreated with stakeholders. Research shows that codesigned platforms driven by new technological advances and the development of collaborative sharing economy concepts can increase climate change awareness. Still, the rise of participatory innovation technologies does not focus on enabling social engagement in climate change mitigation. Therefore, this paper addresses a research question: can a codesigned community currency stimulate bottom-up initiatives for climate change mitigation, and what is needed for such tools to succeed with the implementation of climate-responsive policies? The aim was to introduce an approach allowing us to codesign an application to encourage pro-environmental behaviors. Hence, the approach of this research was to define the concept of such a tool as a part of a cocreation process with stakeholders in a multidisciplinary and cross-sectoral environment. Method: It uses design thinking enriched with case studies evaluation, workshops, UX design, low fidelity, SUS, and testbeds. Findings and value: The authors introduce the Greencoin concept and argue that the codesigned digital currency operating based on an educational application has the potential to strengthen social engagement in climate change mitigation. Beneficiaries and practical implementation: Such a tool can increase climate awareness by supporting social integration and bottom-up initiatives for climate change mitigation. It can therefore be used by local communities to strengthen their climate-responsive efforts. Full article

The Miyanaka Intake Dam fishway underwent improvements in 2012, and we established a new rock-ramp fishway called the Seseragi Fishway, cognizant of its utility as a passage and a habitat for bottom-dwelling and small fish with weak swimming ability. However, the fishway is occasionally submerged by floods, causing sediment accumulation that leads to changes in the vegetation composition. In addition, the arrival and inflow of seeds from upstream and the surrounding areas result in vegetation changes. In this study, the inside and outside of the rock-ramp fishway were divided into eight areas, and the vegetation succession after 2012 was determined. A correlation was observed between the results of fish catch surveys during the same period and the vegetation. Based on these results, we reported on the process of steadily operating the rock-ramp fishway while devising and improving specific management methods. Changes in vegetation, such as an increase in upright vegetation and a decrease in flow-obstructing vegetation, contributed to an increase in the population of bottom-dwellers, weak swimmers, and juvenile fish. The existence and management of appropriate vegetation are important for maintaining fishways inhabited by a variety of fish species. Full article

Trace-element or heavy-metal pollution has emerged as a serious concern in terms of both environmental and human health issues. This study measured six trace and toxic heavy metals (Pb, Cd, Cr, Ni, Cu, and Zn) in four marine fish and shrimp species to assess their accumulation levels and evaluate the risks to human health. The mean concentrations of the metals in fish and shrimp species (Labeo bata, Sillaginopsis panijus, Platycepalus fuscus, and Penaeus monodon) followed the decreasing order of Zn (40.8 ± 9.7 μg/g) > Cu (17.8 ± 7.1 μg/g) > Pb (6.2 ± 1.8 μg/g) > Ni (0.4 ± 0.3 μg/g) > Cd (0.06 ± 0.02 μg/g > Cr (below detection level). Among the metals, only Pb in finfish and Pb, Cu, and Zn in shrimp samples exceeded the national recommended limits, representing possible risks to consumers. The mean metal concentrations in the studied fish/shrimp species followed the descending order of P. monodon > S. panijus > P. fuscus > L. bata, which implies that bottom dwellers and omnivores had higher levels of metals. However, the estimated daily intake (EDI) concentrations of Zn and Cu for the studied species were lower than the RDA (Recommended Daily Allowance). In addition, the Target Hazard Quotient (THQ) and hazard index (HI or TTHQ) values for all species were < 1, indicating that consumers might not experience carcinogenic health risks. A strong significant (p < 0.05) correlation between Cu and Pb (r = 0.623) and Zn and Cu (r = −0.871) indicated they were from the same source of origin. Cluster analysis (CA) and principal component analysis (PCA) demonstrated possible anthropogenic sources of toxic metals in the study area, specifically industrial wastes and agricultural chemicals. Full article

Our research aim was to define possible AI-based solutions to be embedded in the Greencoin project, designed as a supportive tool for smart cities to achieve climate neutrality. We used Kamrowska-Załuska’s approach for evaluating AI-based solutions’ potential in urban planning. We narrowed down the research to the educational and economic aspects of smart cities. Furthermore, we used a systematic literature review. We propose solutions supporting the implementation process of net zero policies benefiting from single actions of urban dwellers based on the Greencoin project developed by us. By following smart city sectors, the paper introduces AI-based solutions which can enrich Greencoin by addressing the following needs: (1) shaping pro-environmental behaviors, (2) introducing instruments to reinforce the urban management process, (3) supporting bottom-up initiatives allowing to shape urban resilience, (4) enhancing smart mobility, (5) shaping local economies supporting urban circularity, and (6) allowing better communication with residents. Our research fills the gap in the limited group of studies focused on shaping climate awareness, enhancing smart governance, and supporting social participation and inclusion. It proves that AI-based educational tools can be supportive when implementing adaptation policies toward climate neutrality based on our proposed AI-based model shaping climate awareness. Full article

We directly tested whether, when given the choice to ascend or descend, rodents would favor traveling downwards or upwards. The test incorporated different rodent species that dwell in different habitats and display different life and motor styles. Testing was performed in a three-dimensional Y-maze in which the basis was horizontal and, by rotating it, one arm of the maze could be pointing upwards at a certain angle and the other arm pointed downwards at the same angle. All the tested species displayed a general preference for descent, with rodents from complex habitats being less affected by inclination compared with rodents from flatlands. Unlike laboratory rats, wild species traveled greater distances along the lower compared to the upper maze arm. All the rodents initially tended to travel the entire length of the inclined maze arms, but such complete trips decreased with the increase in inclination. When introduced into the maze from top or bottom, flatland dwellers traveled mainly in the entry arm. Overall, when given the choice to ascend or descend, all the tested species displayed a preference to descend, perhaps as attraction to the ground, where they usually have their burrows. Full article

The introduction of exotic fish species is a global ecological and conservation problem that has caused the reduction and extinction of numerous native species. In Spain, the introduction of exotic freshwater fish is one of the main factors threatening the survival of their native fish species. One such species that recently arrived in Spanish freshwaters is the catfish (Silurus glanis). This study was conducted from 2010 until 2021 in the Torrejón reservoir in the Tagus basin. The results obtained show that the introduction of catfish has led to a significant decrease in the abundance of fish in the reservoir, as well as a clear alteration in the fish assemblage, causing changes in the proportion of species and their biomass. The common barbel (Luciobarbus bocagei), the only native species that still maintained an abundant population in the reservoir, has clearly been the most disadvantaged species. The size structure of the species present in the reservoir allows us to differentiate adult catfish specimens from the rest of the species using hydroacoustic methods and thus be able to estimate their density, biomass, and spatio-temporal distribution. Based on the results obtained, we can affirm that the species is active in the reservoir throughout the year and that, despite its fame as a “bottom dweller”, catfish use surface habitats more than previously thought. It has shown a great capacity of adaptation to exploit the new environments and resources, together with a great tolerance against adverse conditions, such as low oxygen concentration (even anoxia) or high concentrations of ammonium, that are characteristic of the hypolimnion of Torrejón during the stratification period. The insights are an important contribution both to proving the effect of the introduction of catfish in native fish populations and to the implementation of alternative tools, such as hydroacoustic methodologies, in future management programs for this exotic species in our freshwater ecosystems. Full article

Abyssal seafloor ecosystems cover more than 50% of the Earth’s surface. Being formed by mainly heterotrophic organisms, they depend on the flux of particulate organic matter (POM) photosynthetically produced in the surface layer of the ocean. As dead phytoplankton sinks from the euphotic to the abyssal zone, the trophic value of POM and the concentration of essential polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) decrease. This results in pronounced food periodicity and limitations for bottom dwellers. Deep-sea invertebrate seston eaters and surface deposit feeders consume the sinking POM. Other invertebrates utilize different food items that have undergone a trophic upgrade, with PUFA synthesized from saturated and monounsaturated FA. Foraminifera and nematodes can synthesize arachidonic acid (AA), eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), while some barophylic bacteria produce EPA and/or docosahexaenoic acid. FA analysis of deep-sea invertebrates has shown high levels of PUFA including, in particular, arachidonic acid, bacterial FA, and a vast number of new and uncommon fatty acids such as 21:4(n-7), 22:4(n-8), 23:4(n-9), and 22:5(n-5) characteristic of foraminifera. We suppose that bacteria growing on detritus having a low trophic value provide the first trophic upgrading of organic matter for foraminifera and nematodes. In turn, these metazoans perform the second-stage upgrading for megafauna invertebrates. Deep-sea megafauna, including major members of Echinodermata, Mollusca, and Polychaeta display FA markers characteristic of bacteria, foraminifera, and nematodes and reveal new markers in the food chain. Full article

The increasing market demand for decapods has led to a considerable interest in cultivating decapod species at a larger scale. Following the development of hatchery technologies, most research has focused on the development of formulated feeds for commercially farmed decapods once they enter the juvenile stages. The use of formulated feed for decapods at a commercial scale is still in the early stages. This is probably because of the unique feeding behavior that decapods possess: being robust, slow feeders and bottom dwellers, their feeding preferences change during the transition from pelagic larvae to benthic juveniles as their digestive systems develop and become more complex. The current practice of decapod aquaculture involves the provision of juveniles with food such as natural diet, live feed, and formulated feed. Knowledge of nutrient requirements enables diets to be better formulated. By manipulating the levels of proteins and lipids, a formulated feed can be expected to lead to optimal growth in decapods. At the same time, the pellet’s physical characteristics are important factors to be considered upon formulating commercially farmed decapod feeds, considering the unique feeding behavior of the decapod. However, most published studies on decapod nutrition lack data on the physical characteristics of the feed types. Thus, it is difficult to establish a standard feed formulation that focuses on the physical pellet properties. Moreover, careful consideration must be given to the feeding behavior of species, as decapods are known as bottom feeders and are robust in terms of handling feed. Information on the pellet forms, diet composition, and unique feeding behaviors in commercially farmed decapods is gathered to suggest potential better formulated diets that can optimize growth and reproduction. Thus, the purpose of this review is to summarize the information that has been published to date and to come up with suggestions on ways to improve the feed formulation in decapods that comply with their feeding behavior and nutrient requirements. Further research is needed to explore the potential of the pelleted feed at the adult stage so the decapod can take full advantage of the nutrients present in the pellets. Full article

Sillago species lives in the demersal environments and face multiple stressors, such as localized oxygen depletion, sulfide accumulation, and high turbidity. In this study, we performed transcriptome analyses of seven Sillago species to provide insights into the phylogeny and positively selected genes of this species. After de novo assembly, 82,024, 58,102, 63,807, 85,990, 102,185, 69,748, and 102,903 unigenes were generated from S. japonica, S. aeolus, S. sp.1, S. sihama, S. sp.2, S. parvisquamis, and S. sinica, respectively. Furthermore, 140 shared orthologous exon markers were identified and then applied to reconstruct the phylogenetic relationships of the seven Sillago species. The reconstructed phylogenetic structure was significantly congruent with the prevailing morphological and molecular biological view of Sillago species relationships. In addition, a total of 44 genes were identified to be positively selected, and these genes were potential participants in the stress response, material (carbohydrate, amino acid and lipid) and energy metabolism, growth and differentiation, embryogenesis, visual sense, and other biological processes. We suspected that these genes possibly allowed Sillago species to increase their ecological adaptation to multiple environmental stressors. Full article

The average global temperature is predicted to increase by 3 °C by the end of this century due to human-induced climate change. The overall metabolism of the aquatic biota will be directly affected by rising temperatures and associated changes. Since thermal stability is a characteristic of groundwater ecosystems, global warming is expected to have a profound effect on the groundwater fauna. The prediction that stygobitic (obligate groundwater dweller) species are vulnerable to climate change includes assumptions about metabolic effects that can only be tested by comparisons across a thermal gradient. To this end, we investigated the effects of two different thermal regimes on the metabolism of the stygobitic copepod species Diacyclops belgicus (Kiefer, 1936). We measured the individual-based oxygen consumption of this species as a proxy of possible metabolic reactions to temperature rising from 14 to 17 °C. We used a sealed glass microplate equipped with planar oxygen sensor spots with optical isolation glued onto the bottom of 80-μL wells integrated with a 24-channel fluorescence-based respirometry system. The tests have provided controversial results according to which the D. belgicus populations should be prudently considered at risk under a global warming scenario. Full article