Search Results (895)

Landscape fragmentation is a dynamic process with multiple effects. In addition to reducing the area of priority ecosystems such as mangroves, it also generates alterations in ecological functions and environmental processes, with significant socioeconomic and ecological consequences. The objective of this research was to determine the impact of anthropic development on landscape fragmentation within the Environmental System (ES) that includes the Arroyo Moreno Ecological Reserve (REAM) and the Tembladeras-Laguna Olmeca Ecological Reserve (RETLO), located in central Veracruz Mexico. Fragstats V4.3 Beta software was used to analyze landscape metrics at the patch, class, and landscape levels, using nine indicator metrics for assessing fragmentation. The analysis of the metrics at the three levels showed a reduction in the total area for some classes such as Mangrove (MG), Water Bodies (WB), and Agricultural and Livestock (AL). Class-level metrics such as total area, percentage of landscape, and number of patches showed greater differences for some classes between 2001 and 2023. However, some values increased in 2015. However, this research is considered the first study conducted in the area to comprehensively use a set of landscape metrics at three organizational levels, offering a more accurate description of the status of priority ecosystems (RAMSAR sites) such as the wetlands of the coastal zone of Veracruz. It also demonstrated the importance of the constantly expanding anthropic development in the study area over the last 20 years and the potential pressure it exerts on biodiversity conservation sites such as wetlands. Full article

The latest climate change predictions indicate that the sea level will accelerate in the coming decades as a direct consequence of global warming. This is expected to seriously threaten low-lying coastal areas worldwide, resulting in severe coastal flooding with significant socio-economic impacts, leading to the loss of coastal settlements, exploitable land, and natural ecosystems. The main objective of this study is to provide a first-order preliminary estimation of potential inundation extents along the northern coastline of the Amvrakikos Gulf, a deltaic complex formed by the Arachthos, Louros, and Vouvos rivers in Western Greece, resulting from long-term sea-level rise induced by climate change, using the integrated Bathtub and Hydraulic Connectivity (HC) inundation method. A 2 m resolution Digital Elevation Model (DEM) was used, along with local long-term sea-level projections, for the years 2050 and 2100. Additionally, subsidence rates due to the compaction of deltaic sediments were taken into account. To assess the area’s proneness to inundation caused or enhanced by sea-level rise, the extent of each land cover type, the Natura 2000 Network protected area, the settlements, the total length of the road network, and the cultural assets located within the inundation zones under each climate change scenario were considered. The analysis revealed that under the optimistic SSP1-1.9 scenario of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), areas of 40.81 km² (min 20.34 km², max 63.55 km²) and 69.10 km² (min 41.75 km², max 88.02 km²) could potentially be inundated by 2050 and 2100, respectively. Under the pessimistic SSP5-8.5 scenario, the inundation zone expands to 42.56 km² (min 37.05 km², max 66.31 km²) by 2050 and 84.55 km² (min 67.54 km², max 116.86 km²) by 2100, affecting a significant portion of ecologically valuable wetlands and water bodies within the Natura 2000 protected area. Specifically, the inundated Natura 2000 area is projected to range from 37.77 km² (min 20.30 km², max 46.82 km²) by 2050 to 50.74 km² (min 38.71 km², max 62.84 km²) by 2100 under the SSP1-1.9 scenario, and from 39.34 km² (min 34.53 km², max 49.09 km²) by 2050 to 60.48 km² (min 49.73 km², max 82.5 km²) by 2100 under the SSP5-8.5 scenario. Four settlements with a total population of approximately 800 people, as well as 32 economic facilities most of which operate in the secondary and tertiary sectors and are small to medium-sized economic units, such as olive mills, farms, gas stations, spare parts stores, construction companies, and food service establishments, are expected to experience significant exposure to coastal flooding and operational disruptions in the near future due to sea-level rise. Full article

This study addresses the critical challenge of balancing coastal wetland conservation with urban sustainable development, a pivotal issue for ecological civilization in rapidly developing regions. Through an in-depth analysis of Qingdao and Weihai—exemplary cases in Shandong Province—this research systematically investigates mechanisms for achieving synergistic win–win outcomes. Employing a mixed-methods approach, including systems analysis to deconstruct governance frameworks, comparative case study to identify transferable strategies, and policy deduction to formulate actionable pathways, the study reveals how integrated approaches yield tangible results. Qingdao’s “Five Ocean Usages” concept and Weihai’s segmented coastal zoning have significantly improved key ecological metrics. By contrast, Qinhuangdao faces pronounced challenges, including degraded wetlands, spatial conflict between ports and core habitats, and underdeveloped synergistic governance. To address these, the study proposes a targeted strategy for Qinhuangdao, emphasizing a data-informed “wetland+” multi-format integration plan, the establishment of wetland mitigation banking and green finance instruments, digitally enabled public participation, and deeper policy alignment with national strategies such as Maritime Power. This research provides both a replicable analytical framework and practical guidance for coastal cities seeking to realize “development within protection and protection within development”. Full article

Seed reproduction is a vital stage in the life cycle of plants. In coastal wetlands, where nutrient regimes are increasingly altered by climate change and anthropogenic inputs, understanding how long-term nutrient enrichment affects progeny seed germination and early seedling establishment is essential for predicting vegetation shifts. In this study, we conducted a long-term nutrient addition experiment (2015–2024) in the Yellow River Delta with three nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) supply levels (Low, Medium, and High) and three N:P ratios (5:1, 15:1, and 45:1) to examine the effects of nutrient enrichment on seed nutrient contents, germination, and early seedling growth characteristics of Suaeda salsa and Phragmites australis measured in late 2024. Results showed that long-term fertilization increased the P content in S. salsa seeds by 17.1% to 146.0%, whereas N content was less influenced. In contrast, both N and P contents of P. australis seeds remained relatively stable across treatments. The seed germination and early seedling growth of the two species responded differently to various fertilization treatments. S. salsa seeds showed higher sensitivity to long-term fertilization, with improved behaviors under high nutrient level or 5:1 supply ratio. In contrast, P. australis performed better under medium nutrient level or higher N:P ratios (15:1 or 45:1). Correlation analysis indicated that P content in S. salsa seeds was significantly positively correlated with germination percentage, germination rate, germination index, and early seedling biomass, while N content was significantly correlated only with biomass. No significant correlations were observed between seed nutrients and germination or early seedling growth in P. australis. These findings underscore species-specific strategies in response to long-term nutrient enrichment and may ultimately influence species coexistence, community succession, and the resilience of coastal wetlands under ongoing global change. Full article

Accurate and detailed mapping of coastal wetlands is essential for effective wetland resource management. However, due to periodic tidal inundation, frequent cloud cover, and spectral similarity of land cover types, reliable coastal wetland classification methods remain limited. To address these issues, we developed an integrated pixel- and object-based hierarchical classification strategy based on multi-source remote sensing data to achieve fine-grained coastal wetland classification on Google Earth Engine. With the random forest classifier, pixel-level classification was performed to classify rough wetland and non-wetland types, followed by object-based classification to differentiate artificial and natural attributes of water bodies. In this process, multi-dimensional features including water level, phenology, variation, topography, geography, and geometry were extracted from Sentinel-1/2 time-series images, topographic data and shoreline data, which can fully capture the variability and dynamics of coastal wetlands. Feature combinations were then optimized through Recursive Feature Elimination and Jeffries–Matusita analysis to ensure the model’s ability to distinguish complex wetland types while improving efficiency. The classification strategy was applied to typical coastal wetlands in central Jiangsu in 2020 and finally generated a 10 m wetland map including 7 wetland types and 3 non-wetland types, with an overall accuracy of 92.50% and a Kappa coefficient of 0.915. Comparative analysis with existing datasets confirmed the reliability of this strategy, particularly in extracting intertidal mudflats, salt marshes, and artificial wetlands. This study can provide a robust framework for fine-grained wetland mapping and support the inventory and conservation of coastal wetland resources. Full article

The invasive expansion of Phragmites australis in coastal wetlands, including the Long Point wetland complex in Ontario, has led to significant declines in plant and wildlife diversity, impacting ecosystem functions. Despite ongoing management efforts, the long-term ecological outcomes of Phragmites control remain poorly understood. This study developed a framework to evaluate the long-term efficacy of herbicide treatment by tracking changes in target and non-target plant species and fish habitats in Long Point, Ontario, over an eight-year period (2016–2024). High-resolution satellite imagery from WorldView sensors was classified using a random forest algorithm, achieving over 94% mapping accuracy. Results showed a decrease in Phragmites cover (3–21%) and an increase in fish habitat area (7–58%) within treatment areas. However, some sites also experienced increases in Dead Vegetation (up to 23.6%) and declines in Grass/Herbaceous and Typha (up to 20.5% and 32%, respectively). These findings highlight both the success of Phragmites Best Management Practices and the temporary non-target effects on wetland vegetation. Full article

In response to the widespread decline in ecosystem service value (ESV) caused by rapid industrialization and urbanization-driven land-use transitions in Coastal China—characterized by shrinking farmland and expanding built-up land and crystallized in the “core-city sprawl and surrounding-farmland encroachment” pattern—this study integrated land-use and socioeconomic data from 1980 to 2020. Employing the equivalent-factor method and Geodetector model, we quantified the spatiotemporal evolution of ESV and its driving mechanisms across the entire coastal region. The results show that (i) the total ESV experienced a fluctuating increase. (ii) Spatially, the ESV exhibited a “high in the south, low in the north, and higher inland than along the immediate coast” pattern, with mountain–hill belts and estuarine wetlands in the south forming high-value clusters, whereas the Bohai Rim in the north emerged as a low-value zone. (iii) Socioeconomic factors increasingly dominated the driving forces, while NDVI became the most influential natural factor; the interactions between the drivers consistently produced bi-factor enhancement effects. These findings provide a scientific basis for implementing the “Two-Mountains Theory” and optimizing coastal territorial spatial planning. Full article

The Mediterranean coast is known for its great tourist attractions, concentration of population, and economic activities. Specifically, in the autonomous regions like Catalonia and Valencia, more than half of the population lives in coastal counties, and the population during the summer months increases due to the influx of tourists. Furthermore, in this stretch of coast, there are some areas of natural interest such as the Delta del Ebro or the Albufera, which are two of the most important wetland areas in the Mediterranean. However, according to studies by Day Today, the retreat of the coastline has increased in recent years, and this influences management of coastal territory both directly and indirectly, mostly harming all sectors with low levels, creating spaces with significant problems. It is for this reason that reporting on climate change and the impact on the coasts is assuming an important role in society, because they are essential tools for planning and management costs. In this thesis, the ground that would be affected by a +1 m, +2 m, and +3 m increase in average sea level, as simulated by the existing flood simulator, has been quantified. And a methodology has been developed for determining the vulnerability of the land based on flooding provided by terrain elevations, and each area studied was evaluated with different degrees of vulnerability: very high, high, moderate, or low. Finally, a first estimate has been made of economic loss that could involve a meter rise in the average sea level for Catalan beaches, and major damage to natural parks, urban areas, and major infrastructure has been identified. This study shows that there are nine areas with high vulnerability due to the low heights of their territory, and the majority of the flooded land is concentrated in the Ebro Delta and the Albufera, which jointly dominate the totals across scenarios. Full article

Coastal wetlands provide crucial ecosystem services, including habitats for wildlife, carbon storage, greenhouse gas emission reduction, storm surge and flood protection, water purification, recreation, and nature-based tourism. Their protection and restoration are therefore of growing importance to conservationists, scientists, local communities, and policymakers. This paper analyses the European Union’s (EU) policy framework, alongside international and regional agreements relevant to wetland conservation and restoration, focusing on coastal ecosystems. Drawing on policy content analysis, it assesses how 36 EU policies and multilateral agreements support or limit coastal wetland restoration and conservation efforts in Europe. The findings reveal two key gaps: first, an absence of a consistent definition of coastal wetlands within the EU policy framework; and second, the limited number of explicit policy references to these ecosystems. These shortcomings restrict opportunities for their effective inclusion in action plans and undermine coordinated conservation and restoration efforts. Most binding targets and objectives addressing coastal wetlands stem from EU policies and multilateral agreements on nature conservation, including regional sea conventions. This reliance risks overlooking opportunities within other policy sectors. While EU climate policies increasingly recognise the importance of wetland restoration, they often do so through non-binding provisions and voluntary action. To unlock the full potential of coastal wetlands for biodiversity and climate benefits, it is essential to embed coastal wetlands more explicitly within policy targets and to leverage emerging opportunities within the EU policy framework to further upscale coastal wetland restoration. Full article

Coastal wetlands are a critical buffer between land and water that are threatened by land use and climate change, necessitating improved monitoring for management and resilience planning. The recently launched NASA-ISRO L- and S-band SAR satellite (NISAR) will provide regular collections of fully polarimetric SAR imagery over the Great Lakes, allowing for unprecedented remote monitoring of the large expanses of coastal wetlands in the region. Prior research with polarimetric C-band SAR showed inconsistencies with common polarimetric analysis techniques, including the erroneous misattribution of double-bounce scattering in three-component scattering models. To prepare for NISAR and determine whether SAR-based coastal wetland analysis methods established with the C-band are applicable to the L- and S-bands, the NASA-ISRO airborne system (ASAR) collected imagery over western Lake Erie and Lake St. Clair coincident with a field data collection campaign. ASAR data were analyzed to identify common Great Lakes coastal wetland vegetation species, assess the extent of inundation, and derive biomass retrieval algorithms. Co-polarized phase difference histograms were also analyzed to assess the validity of three-component scattering decompositions. The L- and S-bands allowed for the production of wetland type maps with high accuracies (92%), comparable to those produced using a fusion of optical and SAR data. Both frequencies could assess the extent of flooded vegetation, with the S-band correctly identifying inundated vegetation at a slightly higher rate than the L-band (83% to 78%). Marsh vegetation biomass retrieval algorithms derived from L-band data had the best correlation with field data (R² = 0.71). Three component scattering models were found to misattribute double-bounce scattering at incidence angles shallower than 35°. The L- and S-band results were compared with satellite RADARSAT-2 imagery collected close to the ASAR acquisitions. This study provides an advanced understanding of polarimetric SAR for monitoring wetlands and provides a framework for utilizing forthcoming NISAR data for effective monitoring. Full article

Yellow River Delta National Nature Reserve plays a critical role in ecological conservation, and assessing its ecosystem service value (ESV) is essential for guiding sustainable management strategies that harmonize development and preservation. This study was motivated by the need to generate actionable insights for adaptive conservation planning in this vulnerable coastal region. We evaluated the spatiotemporal dynamics of ESV from 2000 to 2020 using a combination of remote sensing, geographic information system analyses, and statistical modeling. Primary drivers influencing the spatial heterogeneity of ecosystem service value were identified through geographical detector analysis, and future trends were projected based on historical patterns. The results revealed that (1) ESV showed a clear spatial gradient, with higher values in coastal zones, moderate values along river channels, and lower values inland, and exhibited an overall significant increase over the two decades, primarily driven by improvements in regulating services; (2) wetland area and precipitation were the most influential factors, though socio-economic elements and environmental conditions also contributed to ESV distribution; and (3) future ESV is expected to follow current trends, reinforcing the importance of current management practices. Given that the continuous increase in ESV from 2000 to 2020 was predominantly attributed to water body expansion, future conservation strategies should prioritize the protection and restoration of these water resources. Full article

Frequent channel migrations of the Yellow River, coupled with increasing human disturbances, have driven significant land cover changes in the Yellow River Delta (YRD) over time. Accurate estimation of aboveground biomass (AGB) and clarification of the impact of land cover changes on AGB are crucial for monitoring vegetation dynamics and supporting ecological management. However, field-based biomass samples are often time-consuming and labor-intensive, and the quantity and quality of such samples greatly affect the accuracy of AGB estimation. This study developed a robust AGB estimation framework for the YRD by synthesizing 4717 field-measured samples from the published scientific literature and integrating two critical ecological indicators: leaf area index (LAI) and length of growing season (LGS). A random forest (RF) model was employed to estimate AGB for the YRD from 2001 to 2022, achieving high accuracy (R² = 0.74). The results revealed a continuous spatial expansion of AGB over the past two decades, with higher biomass consistently observed in western cropland and along the Yellow River, whereas lower biomass levels were concentrated in areas south of the Yellow River. AGB followed a fluctuating upward trend, reaching a minimum of 204.07 g/m² in 2007, peaking at 230.79 g/m² in 2016, and stabilizing thereafter. Spatially, western areas showed positive trends, with an average annual increase of approximately 10 g/m², whereas central and coastal zones exhibited localized declines of around 5 g/m². Among the changes in land cover, cropland and wetland changes were the main contributors to AGB increases, accounting for 54.2% and 52.67%, respectively. In contrast, grassland change exhibited limited or even suppressive effects, contributing −6.87% to the AGB change. Wetland showed the greatest volatility in the interaction between area change and biomass density change, which is the most uncertain factor in the dynamic change in AGB. Full article

The use of reclaimed water is crucial to prevent pollution from wastewater discharges and mitigate the water deficit faced by irrigation districts or other non-potable water users. Therefore, the zero-discharge strategy represents a significant challenge for coastal cities affected by marine pollution from effluents. In regions such as the Mediterranean arc, agricultural areas located near these cities are increasingly exposed to reduced water allocations or rising irrigation demands due to the impacts of climate change. To address this dual challenge, a circular system is proposed through the implementation of hybrid treatment technologies that enable zero wastewater discharge into the sea. This approach would contribute up to 30 hm³ of reclaimed water annually for irrigation, covering approximately 27,000 hectares of cropland in the province of Alicante. The proposed system integrates advanced techniques, such as reverse osmosis, to ensure irrigation water quality, while also considering partial blending strategies to optimize resource use. Additionally, constructed wetlands are incorporated to regulate and treat the reject streams produced by these processes, minimizing their environmental impact. This combined strategy enhances water reuse efficiency, strengthens agricultural resilience, and provides a sustainable model for managing water resources in coastal Mediterranean regions. Full article

Analyzing the characteristics of soil salinization and conducting risk assessments are crucial for ensuring the sustainable development of agriculture and ecosystems. In order to analyze the characteristics of soil salinization and conduct a risk assessment in the Yellow River Delta region, 63 surface soil samples and 37 groundwater samples were collected from this area in August 2023. Based on the test results of the samples and using soil salt content as the criterion, the types, degrees, and risks of soil salinization in the Yellow River Delta region were analyzed separately. The results revealed a relatively high average soil salt content of 4.59 g/kg, with Na⁺ and Cl⁻ as the dominant ions. The primary salinization types were chloride and sulfate-chloride, covering 46.69% and 51.54% of the area, respectively. Moderate salinization was the most widespread, accounting for 45.35% of the region. Severe salinization, extremely severe salinization classes were mainly found in the coastal lowlands of the north and east, constituting 19.73% and 16.25% of the area, respectively. Groundwater exhibited transitional freshwater-saltwater characteristics, indicating widespread seawater intrusion across the region, which significantly contributed to soil salinity. Proximity to the Bohai Sea was the most critical factor influencing salinization, with areas closer to the sea showing a higher risk. High-risk zones, primarily along the coastline, covered 32.67% of the total area. The research findings can serve as valuable references for local wetland management and protection, the scientific enhancement of saline soils, rational soil utilization, effective prevention and control of soil salinization, and the sustainable development of water and soil resources. Full article

This study assesses the potential impact of sea level rise (SLR) on wood-consuming mills in coastal Georgia, a major forestry state in the southern United States. To assess the vulnerability of wood-consuming mills in coastal Georgia, two potential wood procurement zones are defined: areas within 40 miles (64.4 km) and 64 miles (103 km) of the radius of each wood-consuming mill. The projected SLR scenarios of 2 ft (0.61 m) and 6 ft (1.83 m)—approximating intermediate and high-end conditions for coastal Georgia, respectively—are then overlaid onto the procurement zones of each mill to calculate the percentage of procurement area lost to the inundation. Our findings indicate that a 2 ft rise would have a minimal impact on wood supply for most wood-consuming mills. On the other hand, some facilities in Glynn and Liberty Counties could experience a substantial loss of up to 26% of their wood procurement area under a 6 ft sea level rise with a 40-mile wood procurement zone due to proximity to inundation. A larger procurement radius of 64 miles mitigates this impact, though spatial variability persists. Woody wetlands suffer the highest proportional losses across buffers and scenarios; upland forest types remain mostly intact under 2 ft SLR and display moderate loss under 6 ft. This study emphasizes the significance of accounting for spatially variable climate change impacts when planning for mill resilience. The results inform long-term sustainability strategies for wood-consuming mills in coastal regions of Georgia and beyond. Full article