Search Results (342)

Rapid urbanisation in coastal megacities intensifies coupled climate and water-related challenges, including heat stress, ventilation deficits, and increasing sensitivity to hydro-climatic extremes. Urban morphology plays a critical role in regulating these climate–water interactions by shaping airflow, surface heat exchange, and the spatial organisation of green–blue infrastructures. This study develops a Local Climate Zone (LCZ)-conditioned generative modelling framework based on a Conditional Pix2Pix Generative Adversarial Network, using paired LCZ classification maps and urban morphology data derived from six representative cities in the Guangdong–Hong Kong–Macao Greater Bay Area: Guangzhou, Shenzhen, Hong Kong, Macao, Zhuhai, and Dongguan. By integrating remote sensing–derived LCZ classifications with urban morphology data, the proposed framework learns spatial patterns associated with key morphology-related predictors, including building density and compactness, height-related structural intensity, open-space distribution, and the continuity of green–blue and ventilation corridors. The model demonstrates robust performance (SSIM = 0.74, R² = 0.81, PSNR = 15.3 dB) and strong cross-city transferability, accurately reproducing density transitions, ventilation corridors, and green–blue spatial structures relevant to coastal climate and water adaptation. The results highlight the potential of LCZ-informed generative modelling as a scalable decision-support tool for climate–water adaptive urban planning, enabling rapid exploration of morphology configurations that support heat mitigation, ventilation enhancement, and resilient coastal transformation. Full article

Eutrophication remains a persistent challenge in the Romanian Black Sea coastal zone, driven by excess nutrient inputs from riverine and coastal sources and further intensified by climate change. This study assesses eutrophication dynamics and explores mitigation options using an integrated framework that combines in situ observations, satellite-derived chlorophyll a data, machine learning, and system dynamics modelling. Water samples collected during two field campaigns (2023–2024) were analyzed for nutrient concentrations and linked with chlorophyll a products from the Copernicus Marine Service. Random Forest analysis identified dissolved inorganic nitrogen, phosphate, salinity, and temperature as the most influential predictors of chlorophyll a distribution. A system dynamics model was subsequently used to explore relative ecosystem responses under multiple management scenarios, including nutrient reduction, enhanced zooplankton grazing, and combined interventions. Scenario-based simulations indicate that nutrient reduction alone produces a moderate decrease in chlorophyll a (45% relative to baseline conditions), while restoration of grazing pressure yields a comparable response. The strongest reduction is achieved under the combined scenario, which integrates nutrient reduction with biological control and lowers normalized chlorophyll a levels by approximately two thirds (71%) relative to baseline. In contrast, a bloom-favourable scenario results in a several-fold increase in chlorophyll a of 160%. Spatial analysis highlights persistent eutrophication hotspots near the Danube mouths and urban discharge areas. These results demonstrate that integrated strategies combining nutrient source control with ecological restoration are substantially more effective than single-measure interventions. The proposed framework provides a scenario-based decision-support tool for ecosystem-based management and supports progress toward achieving Good Environmental Status under the Marine Strategy Framework Directive. Full article

This study presents a comprehensive geospatial framework for assessing coastal vulnerability and ecosystem service distribution along the Greek coastline, one of the longest and most diverse in Europe. The framework integrates two complementary components: a Coastal Erosion Vulnerability Index applied to all identified beach units, and Coastal Flood Risk Indexes focused on low-lying and urbanized coastal segments. Both indices draw on harmonized, open-access European datasets to represent environmental, geomorphological, and socio-economic dimensions of risk. The Coastal Erosion Vulnerability Index is developed through a multi-criteria approach that combines indicators of physical erodibility, such as historical shoreline retreat, projected erosion under climate change, offshore wave power, and the cover of seagrass meadows, with socio-economic exposure metrics, including land use composition, population density, and beach-based recreational values. Inclusive accessibility for wheelchair users is also integrated to highlight equity-relevant aspects of coastal services. The Coastal Flood Risk Indexes identify flood-prone areas by simulating inundation through a novel point-based, computationally efficient geospatial method, which propagates water inland from coastal entry points using Extreme Sea Level (ESL) projections for future scenarios, overcoming the limitations of static ‘bathtub’ approaches. Together, the indices offer a spatially explicit, scalable framework to inform coastal zone management, climate adaptation planning, and the prioritization of nature-based solutions. By integrating vulnerability mapping with ecosystem service valuation, the framework supports evidence-based decision-making while aligning with key European policy goals for resilience and sustainable coastal development. Full article

Sustainable groundwater management is critical in semi-arid coastal regions, where municipal landfills pose a severe threat to aquifer integrity and long-term water security. However, there is still a lack of seasonally resolved hydrogeochemical monitoring around newly established landfills, particularly in rapidly urbanizing Mediterranean settings. This study assesses the hydrogeochemical impact of the newly operational Tangier Landfill and Recovery Center on local groundwater resources to inform sustainable remediation strategies. A combined approach was applied to samples collected in dry and wet seasons, using Piper and Stiff diagrams to trace facies evolution together with a dual-index assessment based on the Canadian (CCME-WQI) and Weighted Arithmetic (WAWQI) Water Quality Indices. Results show that upgradient waters remain of Good–Excellent quality and are dominated by Ca–HCO₃ facies, whereas downgradient wells display extreme mineralization, with EC up to 15,480 µS/cm and Cl⁻ and SO₄²⁻ exceeding 1834 and 2114 mg/L, respectively. At hotspot sites P4 and P8, As reaches 0.065 mg/L and Cd 0.006 mg/L, far above the WHO drinking-water guidelines. While the CCME-WQI captures the general salinity-driven degradation pattern, the WAWQI pinpoints these acute toxicity zones as Very poor–Unsuitable. The study demonstrates that rainfall intensifies toxicity through a seasonal “Piston Effect” that mobilizes stored contaminants rather than diluting them, underscoring the need for seasonally adaptive monitoring to ensure the environmental sustainability of landfill-adjacent aquifers. Full article

The rapid economic and urban development in the Yellow River Delta Efficient Ecological Economic Zone (YRDEEZ) has intensified land use changes and aggravated ecological patch fragmentation. Constructing ecological networks (ENs) can reconnect fragmented patches and enhance ecosystem services. This study simulated land use patterns for 2040 under three scenarios: Natural Development (NDS), Ecological Protection (EPS), and Urban Development (UDS). Results indicated a consistent decline in agricultural land and an expansion of urban land across all scenarios, with the most pronounced urban growth under UDS (6.79%) and the largest ecological land area under EPS (5178.96 km²). Since 2000, the number of EN sources and corridors had decreased, with sources mainly concentrated along coastal areas. The source and corridor under UDS exhibited the highest area ratio (20.08%), while NDS showed the lowest (18.72%), with UDS demonstrating the strongest resilience. Through community detection, the UDS EN was divided into five ecological clusters, encompassing 127 intra-cluster corridors (2285.95 km) and 34 inter-cluster corridors (1171.32 km), among which the cluster near the Yellow River estuary was determined to be the most critical (Level 1). These findings will provide valuable insights for managing landscape fragmentation and biological habitat protection in YRDEEZ. Meanwhile, the multi-scenario simulations of ENs could play an important role in constructing ecological security patterns and protecting ecosystems. Full article

Against the backdrop of rapid urbanization and land development, the degradation of regional ecosystem services and the intensification of ecological risks have become prominent challenges. This study takes the Pinglu Canal Economic Belt—a region characterized by the triple pressures of “large-scale engineering disturbance, karst ecological vulnerability, and port economic agglomeration”—as a case study. Based on remote sensing image data from 2000 to 2020, a landscape ecological risk index was constructed, and regional landscape ecological risk levels were assessed using ArcGIS spatial analysis tools. On this basis, ecological sources were identified by combining the InVEST model with morphological spatial pattern analysis (MSPA),and an ecological resistance surface was constructed by integrating factors such as land use type, elevation, slope, distance to roads, distance to water bodies, and NDVI. Furthermore, the circuit theory method was applied to identify ecological corridors, ecological pinch points, and barrier points, ultimately constructing the ecological security pattern of the Pinglu Canal Economic Belt. The main findings are as follows: (1) Ecological risks were primarily at low to medium levels, with high-risk areas concentrated in the southern coastal region. Over the past two decades, an overall optimization trend was observed, shifting from high risk to lower risk levels. (2) A total of 15 ecological sources (total area 1313.71 km²), 31 ecological corridors (total length 1632.42 km), 39 ecological pinch points, and 15 ecological barrier points were identified, clarifying the key spatial components of the ecological network. (3) Based on spatial analysis results, a zoning governance plan encompassing “ecological protected areas, improvement areas, restoration areas, and critical areas” along with targeted strategies was proposed, providing a scientific basis for ecological risk management and pattern optimization in the Pinglu Canal Economic Belt. Full article

Mangrove ecosystems along the Pacific coast of Panama are increasingly exposed to anthropogenic pressures such as urban expansion and deforestation. These habitats provide resources for orchid bees (tribe Euglossini), yet information on their assemblages in mangrove environments remains limited. In this study, we documented the diversity and composition of orchid bee communities in mangrove–forest edges from two coastal areas with contrasting levels of human disturbance: Panama Bay and Chame Bay. Orchid bee sampling was carried out during two independent periods: from April to July 2022 at three sites in Panama Bay, and from December 2022 to January 2023 at one site in Panama Bay and one site in Chame Bay, using McPhail traps baited with eucalyptus oil and distributed across multiple zones within each site. A total of 427 individuals representing 14 species and three genera were recorded. Observed species richness and abundance were lower at the more urbanized mangrove sites, where collections were dominated by a few widespread species, particularly Eulaema nigrita. Multivariate analyses revealed differences in community composition between sites. These patterns suggest associations between anthropogenic context and orchid bee assemblage structure in mangrove edges, although longer-term and multi-method studies are required to evaluate temporal consistency and underlying mechanisms. This study provides baseline information to support future monitoring of orchid bee communities in tropical coastal ecosystems. Full article

About 16% of typhoons making landfall in China strike Hainan Island, where near-surface extreme winds in dense urban areas exhibit a strong spatiotemporal heterogeneity that is difficult to capture with current observations and mesoscale models. Focusing on Haikou during Super Typhoon Yagi (2024)—the strongest autumn typhoon to hit China since 1949—we developed a multiscale ERA5–WRF–PALM framework to conduct 30 m resolution large-eddy simulations. PALM results are in reasonable agreement with most of the five automatic weather stations, while performance is weaker at the most sheltered park site. Mean near-surface wind speeds increased by 20–50% relative to normal conditions, showing a coastal–urban gradient: maps of weighted cumulative exposure to strong winds (≥Beaufort force 8) show much longer and more intense events along open coasts than within built-up urban cores. Urban morphology exerted nonlinear effects: wind speeds followed a U-shaped relation with both the open-space ratio and mean building height, with suppression zones at ~0.5–0.7 openness and ~20–40 m height, while clusters of super-tall buildings induced Venturi-like acceleration of 2–3 m s⁻¹. Spatiotemporal analysis revealed banded swaths of high winds, with open areas and islands sustaining longer, broader extremes, and dense street grids experiencing shorter, localized events. Methodologically, this study provides a rare, systematically evaluated application of a multiscale ERA5–WRF–PALM framework to a real typhoon case at 30 m resolution in a tropical coastal city. These findings clarify typhoon–city interactions, quantify morphological regulation of extreme winds, and support risk assessment, urban planning, and wind-resilient design in coastal megacities. Full article

Monitoring construction-phase settlement of estuary-crossing tunnels founded on coastal soft soils is critical for risk management, yet dense in situ measurements are often unavailable along linear corridors. This study uses Sentinel-1A ascending SAR imagery (65 scenes, September 2022–August 2025) to retrieve time-series deformation along the Sanya Estuary Channel tunnel (China) using Permanent Scatterer InSAR (PS-InSAR) and Small Baseline Subset InSAR (SBAS-InSAR). The two approaches reveal a consistent subsidence hotspot at Tunnel Section D (DK0+000–DK0+330), while most of the corridor remains within ±5 mm/a. The line-of-sight deformation rates range from −24 to 17.7 mm/year (PS-InSAR) and −29.9 to 18.7 mm/a (SBAS-InSAR). Time-series analysis at representative points in Section D indicates a maximum cumulative settlement of −75.7 mm and a clear acceleration after May 2023. By integrating the deformation results with geological reports, construction logs and rainfall records, we infer that compressible marine clays and interbedded sand/aquifer zones control the hotspot, whereas excavation/dewatering and rainfall-related groundwater fluctuations further promote consolidation. The results provide a practical basis for subsidence risk screening and monitoring prioritization for estuary-crossing infrastructure in coastal soft-soil settings. From a sustainability perspective, the proposed joint PS–SBAS InSAR framework provides a scalable and cost-effective tool for continuous deformation surveillance, supporting preventive maintenance and risk-informed management of urban underground infrastructure. Full article

Urban flooding has become a critical environmental challenge under global climate change and rapid urbanization. This study develops a multi-indicator hazard mechanism framework for flood hazard assessment in Rizhao, a coastal city in China, by integrating three fundamental hydrological processes: runoff generation, flow convergence, and drainage. Based on geospatial data—including DEM, road networks, land cover, and soil characteristics—six key indicators were evaluated using the TOPSIS method: runoff curve number, impervious surface percentage, topographic wetness index, time of concentration, pipeline density, and distance to rivers. The results show that extreme-hazard zones, covering 6.41% of the central urban area, are primarily clustered in northern sectors, where flood susceptibility is driven by the synergistic effects of high imperviousness, short concentration time, and inadequate drainage infrastructure. Independent validation using historical flood records confirmed the model’s reliability, with 83.72% of documented waterlogging points located in predicted high-hazard zones and an AUC value of 0.737 indicating good discriminatory performance. Based on spatial hazard patterns and causal mechanisms, an integrated mitigation strategy system of “source reduction, process regulation, and terminal enhancement” is proposed. This strategy provides practical guidance for pipeline rehabilitation and sponge city implementation in Rizhao’s resilience planning, while the developed hazard mechanism framework of “runoff–convergence–drainage” provides a transferable methodology for flood hazard assessment in large-scale urban environments. Full article

Coastal cities face escalating flood risk under sea-level rise, yet landscape-based adaptation strategies often remain speculative and weakly connected to the accessibility and economic constraints that shape sustainable urban development. This study developed a modeling-to-design framework that translates coupled climate and land-use projections into implementable landscape interventions, through planning-level spatial allocation, using Dalian, China as a case study under “middle of the road” (SSP2-4.5) climate conditions. The framework integrates the Land-use Evolution and Assessment Model (LEAM) with connected-bathtub flood modeling to evaluate whether strategic landscape design can redirect development away from flood-prone zones while accommodating projected growth and maintaining accessibility to employment and services. Interventions—protective wetland restoration (810 km²) and blue–green corridors (8 km²)—derived from a meta-synthesis of implemented coastal projects were operationalized as LEAM spatial constraints. Our results show that residential development can be redirected away from coastal risk with 100% demand satisfaction and elimination of moderate-risk allocations. Cropland demand was fully accommodated. In contrast, commercial development experienced 99.8% reduction under strict coastal protection, reflecting locational dependence on port-adjacent sites. This modeling-to-design framework offers a transferable approach to quantifying where landscape interventions succeed, where they face barriers, and where complementary measures are required, supporting decision-making that balances environmental protection, economic function, and social accessibility in sustainable coastal development. Full article

Since the 1960s and 1970s, urban expansion and pressure on the coastal ecosystem of Chorrillos caused the reduction in the sandy strip of La Herradura Beach, which was aggravated in 1980 by the dynamiting of the natural hill to allow access to La Chira, which accelerated coastal erosion. This research proposes strategies for the revalorization of the natural environment and landscape regeneration of La Herradura, Chorrillos, Peru. This study is developed in three phases: a literature review; a site analysis focused on climate, flora, and fauna; and the development of an integrated architectural proposal that is supported by digital tools such as Google Earth Pro 2024, SketchUp 2024, D5 Render, and Photoshop 2024. The design integrates regeneration and environmental education strategies, including ecological restoration zones, the use of eco-friendly materials such as stone, and the implementation of endemic plants like Schinus molle. The proposal combines strategic vegetation and sustainable technologies: A total of 30 Schinus molle specimens distributed along 240 m can capture approximately 12,336 kg of CO₂ per year and reduce the ambient temperature by up to 6 °C, contributing significantly to the mitigation of urban climate change; 7 terraced beds with shrubs, herbaceous plants, and groundcovers generate cool microclimates and control erosion; 12 fog catchers collect ~1131 L of water per day, and solar-powered luminaires ensure continuous lighting. In conclusion, the integration of endemic vegetation, sustainable infrastructures, and eco-friendly materials demonstrates a replicable model of resilient coastal space, supporting SDGs 11, 13, 14, and 15. Full article

As critical ecosystems, coastal zones necessitate the identification of their ecosystem service values, trade-off/synergy patterns, spatiotemporal evolution, and driving factors to inform scientific decision-making for sustainable ecosystem management. This study selected the coastal zone of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA) as the research region. By incorporating land-use types such as mangroves, tidal flats, and aquaculture areas, we analyzed land-use changes in 1990, 2000, 2010, and 2020. The InVEST model was employed to quantify six key ecosystem services (ESs): annual water yield, urban stormwater retention, urban flood risk mitigation, soil conservation, coastal blue carbon storage, and habitat quality, while spatial correlations among them were examined. Furthermore, Spearman’s rank correlation coefficient was used to assess trade-offs and synergies between ecosystem services, and redundancy analysis (RDA) combined with the geographically and temporally weighted regression (GTWR) model were applied to identify driving factors and their spatial heterogeneity. The results indicate that: (1) Cultivated land, forest land, impervious surfaces, and water bodies exhibited the most significant changes over the 30-year period; (2) Synergies predominated among most ecosystem services, whereas habitat quality showed trade-offs with others; (3) Among natural drivers, the normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI, positive effect) and evapotranspiration were critical factors. The proportion of impervious surfaces served as a key land-use change driver, and the nighttime light index emerged as a primary socioeconomic factor (negative effect). The impacts of drivers on ecosystem services displayed notable spatial heterogeneity. These findings provide scientific support for managing the supply-demand balance of coastal ecosystem services, rational land development, and sustainable development. Full article

The study examines the recent transformation of traditional agricultural landscapes in the transition zone between Sierra de las Nieves and the Western Costa del Sol (Andalusia, Spain), one of the European regions where urban development pressure has reached its peak in replacing agricultural land with residential and tourism uses. Through a diachronic analysis of historical orthophotos (1956–2025), statistical sources (Agricultural Census, SIGPAC), and fieldwork, land-use changes and their impact on ecological functionality and territorial resilience are quantified. Results reveal a widespread loss of agricultural land—exceeding 68% overall—particularly severe in Benahavís, where more than 70% of farmland has disappeared, largely converted to urban areas. In contrast, in Istán and Ojén, the predominant trend is the renaturalization of abandoned agricultural land. These dynamics illustrate a coastal–inland territorial model that epitomizes the Mediterranean “territorial consumption” process, in which tourism-driven urbanization fragments traditional agroforestry mosaics. The study concludes that, despite their regression, traditional agricultural landscapes continue to play a key role in water regulation, soil conservation, and wildfire risk mitigation. Their restoration and maintenance are proposed as a replicable strategy for climate change adaptation and for reconciling territorial sustainability with economic development in other Mediterranean regions under intense urban pressure. Full article

Historical irrigation districts (HIDs) are integrated systems of natural and cultural assets, with cultivated land providing critical functions such as food security, environmental conservation, and cultural inheritance. This study presents a research framework for evaluating multifunctional potential, performance, and geographical matching along the “potential-performance” dimensions using analytical tools such as SPSS26.0, ArcGIS pro3.5.2, GeoDa1.22, InVEST3.13, and bivariate spatial autocorrelation. We use Mulanbei HID in China as a case study because of its thousand-year irrigation history and unique location at the intersection of coastal urban and rural communities. The results show the following: (1) In the Mulanbei HID, multifunctional cultivated land exhibits functions in the following order: producing functions, ecological functions, landscape–cultural functions, and social functions. The production function has a homogenous distribution characterized by high values. The ecological function, on the other hand, is distinguished by high-value clusters that decrease significantly as building land approaches its periphery. Social and landscape–cultural roles continue to be undervalued, with high-value places isolated on metropolitan margins. (2) In terms of matching multifunctional potential and performance, in the High-Potential–High-Performance cluster, production and ecological functions account for 19% and 20%, respectively, while in the High-Potential–Low-Performance cluster, social and landscape–cultural functions account for 33% and 27%. The Low-Potential–Low-Performance cluster has 4% production, 4% ecological, 10% social, and 13% landscape–cultural functions, but all four functions are less than 4% in the Low-Potential–High-Performance cluster. These findings provide a scientific foundation for improving cultivated land zoning and governance with a focus on heritage protection. Full article