Search Results (9,445)

Cnidium monnieri (L.) Cusson is a species of Umbelliferae plants, and it is one of China’s traditional medicinal herbs, widely distributed in China owing to its strong adaptability in fields. In this article, the research progress on the taxonomy, distribution, cultivation techniques, active components, analysis methods, antibacterial and insecticidal properties, and ecological applications of C. monnieri was reviewed. The main active components in C. monnieri are coumarins (mainly osthole) and volatile compounds, exhibiting multiple pharmacological effects, e.g., anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, antioxidant, anti-tumor, and immune-regulating effects. Some modern analytical techniques (e.g., HPLC, GC-MS, and UPLC-QTOF-MS) have enabled more precise detection and quality control of these chemical components in C. monnieri. The specific active constituents in C. monnieri (e.g., coumarins and volatile components) exhibit significant inhibitory effects against various pathogenic fungi and insect pests. Simultaneously, the resources provided during its flowering stage (e.g., pollen and nectar) and the specific volatiles released can repel herbivorous insect pests while attracting natural enemies, such as ladybugs, lacewings, and hoverflies, thereby enhancing ecological control of insect pests in farmland through a “push–pull” strategy. Additionally, C. monnieri has the ability to accumulate heavy metals, e.g., Zn and Cu, indicating its potential value for ecological restoration in agroecosystems. Overall, C. monnieri has medicinal, ecological, and economic value. Future research should focus on regulating active-component synthesis, improving our understanding of ecological mechanisms, and developing standardized cultivation systems to enhance the applications of C. monnieri in modernized traditional Chinese medicine and green agriculture production. Full article

Cupressus duclouxiana is an ecologically and economically important conifer endemic to southwestern China (e.g., central Yunnan and southern Sichuan), yet its potential distribution under future climate change remains insufficiently understood. In this study, we employed an ensemble species distribution modeling framework implemented in biomod2 to predict the current and future suitable habitats of C. duclouxiana across China. A total of 154 occurrence records and 17 key environmental variables were used to construct ensemble models integrating twelve algorithms. The ensemble model showed high predictive performance (TSS = 0.99, Kappa = 0.98). Temperature-related variables dominated habitat suitability, with the minimum temperature of the coldest month identified as the primary limiting factor, accounting for 44.1%. Under current climatic conditions, suitable habitats are mainly concentrated in southwestern China, particularly in Sichuan, Yunnan, and Xizang (Tibet). Future projections under three Shared Socioeconomic Pathways (SSP1-2.6, SSP3-7.0, SSP5-8.5) consistently indicate habitat expansion by the late 21st century, accompanied by pronounced northward and northwestward range shifts. The largest expansion is projected under the SSP3-7.0 scenario, highlighting the sensitivity of C. duclouxiana to intermediate warming trajectories. Overall, climate warming is expected to increase habitat availability while reshaping the spatial distribution of C. duclouxiana across China. These findings provide scientific support for climate-adaptive afforestation planning and conservation management, and offer broader insights into the responses of subtropical coniferous species to future climate change. Full article

The concept of sustainable development has emerged as a global consensus, forged in response to environmental constraints and critical reflection on conventional growth-oriented paradigms. It now serves as the overarching framework for addressing climate, ecological, and socio-economic crises. In the period after the adoption of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in 2016, there was an observable trend of increased integration of these objectives into the strategic frameworks of national and subnational entities. However, global assessments have indicated a divergence between the progress achieved and the trajectory delineated by the SDGs. The Earth system is demonstrating signs of decreased resilience, with widening inequalities and the emergence of multiple crises, thereby hindering the implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. As the 2030 deadline approaches, a fundamental question arises for global development governance: what should be the future of the SDGs beyond 2030? While insufficient progress has prompted debates over the adequacy of the SDG framework, fundamentally revising or replacing the SDGs would risk undermining a hard-won international consensus forged through decades of negotiation and institutional investment. Based on a comprehensive review of the historical evolution of the sustainable development concept, this study argues that the SDGs represent a rare and fragile achievement in global governance. While insufficient progress has sparked debates about their effectiveness, fundamentally revising or replacing the SDGs would jeopardize the hard-won international consensus forged through decades of negotiations and institutional investments. This study further analyzes the latest progress on the SDGs and identifies emerging risks, aiming to explore how to accelerate and optimize sustainable development pathways within the existing SDG framework rather than propose a new global goal system. Based on both global experience and practice in China, four interconnected strategic priorities—namely, economic reform, social equity, environmental justice, and technology sharing—are proposed as a comprehensive framework to accelerate SDG implementation and guide the transformation of development pathways towards a more just, low-carbon, and resilient future. Full article

Driven by the national policy of total water resources control and efficiency improvement, the behavior of water resource utilization reduction by firms is widespread, which may have an impact on the value of firms. This study integrates dynamic capability theory and signaling theory to construct a dual-path analytical framework, systematically investigating the impact of water utilization reduction on firm value and its intrinsic mechanisms. Based on data from Chinese A-share listed companies spanning 2012–2023, fixed-effect models, mediation-effect tests, and heterogeneity analysis are employed for empirical verification. The results reveal that water utilization reduction exerts a significant dual-path promoting effect on firm value: it enhances financial performance (ROA) primarily through technological innovation, reflecting the process of resource orchestration and dynamic capability construction; concurrently, it boosts market performance (Tobin’s Q) mainly by improving ESG performance as a signaling channel, mirroring the capital market’s positive pricing of green signals. Further heterogeneity analysis indicates that these effects are more pronounced during the policy deepening stage, in non-water-intensive industries, and in humid/sub-humid regions. This study contributes theoretical support and empirical evidence for firms’ green transformation and the formulation of differentiated water resource policies by the government, highlighting the synergistic development of high-quality economic growth and ecological civilization construction. Full article

To achieve more precise and regionally adaptive emission control, this study develops a dual-control framework that simultaneously constrains both total carbon emissions and pollutant concentration levels. Regional environmental heterogeneity is incorporated into the dispatch of generating units to balance emission reduction and operational efficiency. Based on this concept, a regional carbon emission allowance allocation model is constructed by integrating ecological pollutant concentration thresholds. A multi-source Gaussian plume dispersion model is further developed to characterize the spatial and temporal distribution of pollutants from coal-fired power units. These pollutant concentration constraints are embedded into an environmental–economic dispatch model of a coupled electricity–hydrogen–carbon system supported by hybrid storage. By optimizing resource use and minimizing environmental damage at the energy-supply stage, the proposed model provides a low-carbon foundation for the entire industrial production cycle. This approach aligns with the sustainable development paradigm by integrating precision environmental management with circular economy principles. Simulation results reveal that incorporating pollutant concentration control can effectively reduce localized environmental pressure while maintaining overall system economy, highlighting the importance of region-specific environmental capacity in enhancing the overall environmental friendliness of the industrial chain. Full article

The genus Pseudobagrus represents a group of economically and ecologically significant freshwater bagrid catfishes in East Asia, yet its taxonomy remains contentious. This study employed the complete mitochondrial genomes of 15 Pseudobagrus species to clarify their phylogenetic relationships. The mitogenomes ranged from 16,526 to 16,647 bp, exhibiting a conserved gene order and significant AT bias (average A + T = 57.85%). All genomes contained 13 protein-coding genes (PCGs), 22 tRNAs, two rRNAs, and a control region. Start codons were predominantly ATG, except for COI (GTG), while stop codons varied among TAA, TAG, and incomplete T--. Codon usage bias favored NNU and NNA codons, and 12 optimal codons were identified in P. albomarginatus. The phylogenetic trees based on concatenated PCGs revealed two major clades. Clade I contained 14 species. Within this clade, P. albomarginatus, P. tenuis, and P. brevicorpus clustered together first, and then this trio grouped with P. ussuriensis. Pseudobagrus trilineatus formed the separate Clade II. These results provide a molecular foundation for species delimitation and systematic revision within Pseudobagrus, supporting the monophyly of the genus while highlighting cryptic diversity and taxonomic complexity. Full article

The Sanjiang Plain hosts the largest freshwater wetland in Northeastern China and plays a critical role in regional climate stability. However, climate change and human activities have degraded the wetland, forming a successional gradient from the original flooded wetland to dry shrub and forest vegetation with a lower ground water level. This degradation has altered soil microbial structure and functions, reducing ecological and socio-economic benefits. Along this successional gradient, we used Biolog-ECO plates combined with soil enzyme assays (catalase, urease, sucrase, and acid phosphatase) to assess the dynamics of microbial carbon metabolic activity, measured by average well color development (AWCD). The results showed a systematic decline in AWCD values with advancing succession, revealing a pronounced reduction in overall microbial metabolic activity during wetland degradation. This trend correlated with loss of soil moisture, organic carbon, and nitrogen nutrients. Microbial communities in early successional wetland stages (i.e., original natural wetland and wetland edge) preferred labile carbon sources (e.g., carbohydrates, amino acids), while forested stages favored relatively more structural (e.g., polymers, phenolic compounds). These findings indicate that vegetation succession regulates microbial carbon metabolism by modifying soil physicochemical properties, providing insights for wetland restoration. Full article

Green finance is increasingly recognized as an important instrument for improving sustainable development. Existing research has focused on green finance’s impact on corporate environmental performance, failing to account for the complex regional mechanisms that shape its contribution to systemic sustainability. This study fills the gaps by examining the mechanism and spatial heterogeneity of green finance’s influences on regional sustainability measured by environmental performance. Using panel data from 30 Chinese provinces during 2010–2022, it shows that green finance increased from 0.318 to 0.539, while environmental performance improved from 0.441 to 0.656. The empirical evidence demonstrates that green finance has a robust positive effect on environmental performance, acting as an effective tool for environmental governance. This impact is primarily channeled through technological innovation and green consumption, with environmental regulation providing a synergistic moderating role. Furthermore, significant regional heterogeneity in sustainability outcomes is observed, while the effect is strongest in eastern China, unstable or negligible in old industrial bases, and unexpectedly negative in ecologically fragile Northwest China. The disparities are attributed to variations in local economic structure, institutional capacity, and development stage. Corresponding policy recommendations include improving the institutional framework, channeling financial resources to green technology R&D and sustainable consumption incentives, integrating green finance with environmental policies, and implementing region-specific strategies. This study offers practical benchmarks for China and other developing economies to leverage green finance as a driver of sustainable development. Full article

Recognizing the evolution of landscape patterns in the Chishui River source region is essential for protecting ecosystems and sustainable growth in the Yangtze River Basin and other similar areas. However, knowledge of landscape pattern evolution within the primary channel zone remains insufficient. To address this gap, the current study used 2000–2020 land-use, geography, and socio-economic data, integrating landscape pattern indices, land-use transfer matrices, dynamic degree, the GeoDetector model, and the PLUS model. Results revealed that forest and cropland remained the prevailing land-use types throughout 2000–2020, comprising over 85% of the landscape. Grassland had the highest dynamic degree (1.58%), and landscape evolution during the study period was characterized by increased fragmentation, enhanced diversity, and stable dominance of major forms of land use. Anthropogenic influence on different landscape types followed the order: construction land > cropland > grassland > forest > water bodies. Land-use change in this region is a complex process governed by the interrelationships among various factors. Scenario-based predictions demonstrate pronounced variability in various land types. These findings provided a more comprehensive understanding of landscape patterns in karst river source regions, provided evidence-based support for regional planning, and offered guidance for ecological management of similar global river sources. Full article

To address the imbalance between the “ecological advantage” and “economic benefit” of wooden structure buildings, this study examines two structural construction methods utilizing inexpensive and readily available small-diameter round timber as the primary material. It demonstrates the advantages of these two structural systems in terms of material consumption, life cycle carbon emissions, and economic efficiency. Through the research methods and processes of “Preliminary analysis–Proposing the construction system–The feasibility analysis of structural technology–Efficiency assessment”, the sustainable wood structure technical system suitable for the development of China is explored. The main conclusions are as follows: (1) Employing the preliminary analysis method, this paper examines and analyzes construction cases that primarily utilize small-diameter round timber as the main material. It delineates specific construction types based on the characteristics of small-diameter round timber. Additionally, it technically reconstructs the methodology for utilizing small-diameter round timber. (2) Two lattice structural systems are proposed, leveraging the mechanical properties and fundamental morphological characteristics of inexpensive and readily available small-diameter round timber of fast-growing Northeast larch. The technical feasibility of these two small-diameter log structure systems is validated through simulation analysis of their spatial threshold suitability. (3) This study conducted a comprehensive comparison between the two small-diameter round timber structural systems and the conventional grain-parallel glued laminated timber (Cross-Laminated Timber) frame structural systems. The analysis was performed from three perspectives. As the primary structural material, grain-parallel glued laminated timber frame structural systems exhibits significant advantages in terms of timber utilization per unit area of the structural system. From a life cycle carbon emission analysis perspective, compared to grain-parallel glued laminated timber frame structures, small-diameter round timber structures can achieve carbon emission reductions ranging from 79.19% to 97.74%. Additionally, the unit area cost of small-diameter round timber structures is reduced by 21.02% to 40.42% relative to grain-parallel glued laminated timber frame structures. Consequently, it can be concluded that small-diameter round timber structural systems possess technical feasibility and construction advantages for small and medium-sized buildings, offering practical value in optimizing technical systems to meet the objective needs of ecological construction. Full article

This study optimizes fertilization schemes through the emergy analysis of different nutrient reduction treatments in maize cropping ecosystems in Xinjiang, thereby providing technical support for improving chemical fertilizer use efficiency and maintaining the stability of farmland ecosystems. The study was conducted in 2024 at Huaxing Farm in Changji Hui Autonomous Prefecture, Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region. The experiment used the local conventional nitrogen and phosphorus fertilization rates as the control treatment N0P0 (applying P 183 kg·hm⁻² and N 246 kg·hm⁻²), with eight different N and P nutrient reduction treatments: N0P1 (10% reduction in P only), N0P2 (20% reduction in P only), N1P0 (10% reduction in N only), N2P0 (20% N reduction), N1P1 (10% N and P reduction), N1P2 (10% N and 20% P reduction), N2P1 (20% N and 10% P reduction), and N2P2 (20% N and P reduction). Each treatment was replicated three times. Based on biomass data of maize plant components under different fertilization treatments, emergy analysis of farmland ecosystems and integration of economic benefit indicators led to the optimization of an optimal fertilization scheme. Results indicate that the N0P1 treatment performed optimally: maize plant biomass reached 251.09 g, significantly higher than other treatments. The N0P1 treatment exhibited the highest energy output (3.23 × 10¹⁶ sej·hm⁻²), the highest net energy yield ratio (EYR) of 1.45, and an energy sustainability index (ESI) of 3.34, representing a high level. It also delivered the highest economic benefit, with a net profit of 8571.95 CNY·hm⁻² and a production–investment ratio of 1.71. In conclusion, the N0P1 treatment (10% reduction in phosphorus alone) demonstrated superior performance in biomass yield, energy utilization efficiency, ecological sustainability, and economic benefits, making it the optimal fertilization strategy for maize fields in this region. Full article

Sustainable Urban Drainage Systems (SUDSs) are essential for stormwater management in urban areas, with varying hydrological, social, ecological, and economic benefits. Nevertheless, choosing the SUDS most appropriate for public spaces poses a challenge when balancing details/specifications against community decisions, primarily social implications and perceptions. Building on the SUDS design pillar of the amenity, this study outlines a three-phase methodological framework for selecting SUDS based on social facilitation. The first phase introduces the application of the Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM) and Classificatory Expectation–Maximization (CEM) techniques by modeling complex social interdependencies to find critical components related to urban planning. A Likert scale survey was also conducted with 440 urban dwellers in Tunja (Colombia), which identified three dimensions: Residential Satisfaction (RS), Resilience and Adaptation to Climate Change (RACC), and Community Participation (CP). In the second phase, the factors identified above were transformed into eight operational criteria, which were weighted using the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) with the collaboration of 35 international experts in SUDS planning and implementation. In the third phase, these weighted criteria were used to evaluate and classify 13 types of SUDSs based on the experts’ assessments of their sub-criteria. The results deliver a clear message: cities must concentrate on solutions that will guarantee that water is managed to the best of their ability, not just safely, and that also enhance climate resilience, energy efficiency, and the ways in which public space is used. Among those options considered, infiltration ponds, green roofs, rain gardens, wetlands, and the like were the best-performing options, providing real and concrete uses in promoting a more resilient and sustainable urban water system. The methodology was also used in a real case in Tunja, Colombia. In its results, this approach proved not only pragmatic but also useful for all concerned, showing that the socio-cultural dimensions can be truly integrated into planning SUDSs and ensuring success. Full article

The successful attainment of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) necessitates robust monitoring frameworks capable of tracking progress toward tangible outcomes while capturing dynamic sustainability trajectories. However, existing SDG evaluation methods suffer from three critical limitations: (1) misalignment between global targets and national priorities, which undermines contextual relevance; (2) fragmented assessments that neglect holistic integration of social, economic, and ecological dimensions, thereby obscuring systemic interdependencies; and (3) insufficient longitudinal analysis, which restricts insights into temporal patterns of sustainable development and hinders adaptive policymaking. To address these gaps, we employed China’s 31 provinces as a case study and constructed an SDG indicator framework comprising 178 metrics—harmonizing global SDG benchmarks with China’s national development priorities. Using official statistics and open-source data spanning 2006–2021, we evaluate longitudinal SDG scores for all 17 goals (SDGs 1–17). Additionally, we developed a composite SDG index that considers the coupling coordination degree of the social–economic–ecological system and evaluated the index value under different economic region settings. Finally, we developed a two-threshold model to analyze the dynamic evolution of SDG conditions, incorporating temporal sustainability (long-term development resilience) and action urgency (short-term policy intervention needs) as dual evaluation dimensions. This model was applied to conduct a longitudinal analysis (2006–2021) across all 31 Chinese provinces, enabling a granular assessment of regional SDG trajectories while capturing both systemic trends and acute challenges over time. The results indicate that China’s social SDG performance improved substantially over the 2006–2021 period, achieving a cumulative increase of 126.53%, whereas progress in ecological SDGs was comparatively modest, with a cumulative growth of only 23.93%. Over the same period, the average composite SDG score across China’s 31 provinces increased markedly from 0.502 to 0.714, reflecting a strengthened systemic alignment between regional development trajectories and national sustainability objectives. Further analysis shows that all provinces attained a status of “temporal sustainability with low action urgency” throughout the study period, highlighting China’s overall progress in sustainable development. Nevertheless, pronounced regional disparities persist: eastern provinces developed earlier and have consistently maintained leading positions; central and northeastern regions exhibit broadly comparable development levels; and western regions, despite severe early-stage lagging, have demonstrated accelerated growth in later years. Our study holds substantial significance by integrating multi-dimensional indicators—spanning ecological, economic, and social dimensions—to deliver a holistic, longitudinal perspective on sustainable development. Full article

Driven by the globalization tide, urbanization and cross-border economic cooperation have intensified challenges to ecological conservation, with border regions increasingly confronting irreversible habitat degradation risks. As a globally recognized biodiversity hotspot, Xishuangbanna acts as a strategic hub for cross-border ecological security between China and Southeast Asia, having long been confronted with dual pressures from economic development and ecological conservation. By analyzing the spatiotemporal evolution of the Remote Sensing Ecological Index (RSEI) during 2003–2023, this study simulates its multi-scenario dynamics, develops the “RSEI-ESP-PLUS” framework, presents a novel assessment mechanism for ecological security patterns (ESP), and provides a scientific basis for regional sustainable development. Results indicate that integrating RSEI improves the accuracy of ecological source identification. Over the past two decades, regional Ecological Environmental Quality has exhibited an overall improvement trend, yet persistent ecological pressures remain—including vegetation degradation and climate warming. Concurrently, high-quality ecological areas have contracted while moderate-quality ones have expanded. In the 2033 simulation, the ecological conservation scenario delivered the most favorable ecological network assessment outcomes, identifying 16 stable and 15 potential ecological sources. Accordingly, this study establishes an ecological security pattern centered on the core structure of the “One Axis, Two Corridors, and Three Zones”, which provides a spatial planning scheme for regional sustainable development. Full article

Climate change poses a threat to global rice production by increasing the frequency and intensity of extreme weather events. The widespread cultivation of genetically uniform modern varieties has narrowed the genetic base of rice, increasing its vulnerability to these increased pressures. Rice landraces are traditional rice varieties that have been cultivated by farming communities for centuries and are considered crucial resources of genetic diversity. These landraces are adapted to a wide range of agro-ecological environments and exhibit valuable traits that provide tolerance to various biotic stresses, including drought, salinity, nutrient-deficient soils, and the increasing severity of climate-related temperature extremes. In addition, many landraces possess diverse alleles associated with resistance to biotic stresses, including pests and diseases. In addition, rice landraces exhibit great grain quality characters including high levels of essential amino acids, antioxidants, flavonoids, vitamins, and micronutrients. Hence, their preservation is vital for maintaining agricultural biodiversity and enhancing nutritional security, especially in vulnerable and resource-limited regions. However, rice landraces are increasingly threatened by genetic erosion due to widespread adoption of modern high-yielding varieties, habitat loss, and changing farming practices. This review discusses the roles of rice landraces in developing resilient and climate-smart rice cultivars. Moreover, the Pantiange Heigu landrace, cultivated at one of the highest altitudes globally in Yunnan Province, China, has been used as a case study for integrated conservation by demonstrating the successful combination of in situ and ex situ strategies, community engagement, policy support, and value-added development to sustainably preserve genetic diversity under challenging environmental and socio-economic challenges. Finally, this study explores the importance of employing advanced genomic technologies with supportive policies and economic encouragements to enhance conservation and sustainable development of rice landraces as a strategic imperative for global food security. By preserving and enhancing the utilization of rice landraces, the agricultural community can strengthen the genetic base of rice, improve crop resilience, and contribute substantially to global food security and sustainable agricultural development in the face of environmental and socio-economic challenges. Full article