Search Results (14,894)

This study provides a comparative analysis of phenotypic variability in the morphological traits of tench (Tinca tinca L.) reared under aquaculture conditions and those from a natural population in southern Kazakhstan. The aim of the study was to evaluate phenotypic plasticity and adaptive differentiation between populations shaped by contrasting ecological and trophic environments. Morphometric analysis revealed significant differences in indices associated with growth patterns and body shape. The aquaculture group demonstrated faster somatic growth and lower variability, whereas the wild population exhibited greater morphological diversity, likely reflecting the effects of natural selection and habitat heterogeneity. The results indicate pronounced phenotypic divergence between pond-reared and wild tench, which is likely driven by environmental conditions and aquaculture practices. These findings highlight the high adaptive plasticity of the species and support its potential for domestication and large-scale aquaculture in Kazakhstan. Overall, the data may contribute to the development of conservation and restocking programs for natural populations, as well as to selective breeding strategies and sustainable aquaculture practices. Full article

Evaluating Net Primary Productivity (NPP) variations driven by climatic variability and mining activities is fundamental for understanding ecological dynamics in high-intensity open-pit mining areas. Focusing on high-intensity open-pit mining areas of Qian’an, China, from 2016 to 2022, by integrating Sentinel-2, ERA-5 Land reanalysis dataset and Dynamic World V1, we employed an improved Carnegie–Ames–Stanford Approach (CASA) framework alongside the Thornthwaite Memorial algorithm to quantify actual NPP (ANPP) and potential NPP (PNPP). Additionally, the Relative Contribution Index (RCI) was utilized to explicitly isolate mining-driven NPP (MNPP) variations. The results revealed a significant downward trajectory in ANPP within the high-intensity open-pit mining area, with a cumulative reduction of 5.3 × 10⁸ gC a⁻¹. This productivity loss exhibited significant spatial heterogeneity, with the most severe degradation concentrated in core mining districts, including Malanzhuang, Caiyuan, Yangdianzi, and Muchangkou. ANPP, MNPP, and PNPP maintained relative stability overall but displayed significant interannual fluctuations during 2019–2022. RCI analysis indicated MNPP dominated ANPP in 62.67% of the study area, with mining impacts intensifying in 62.83% of the region. Driver mechanisms identified precipitation as the dominant climatic factor enhancing ANPP, whereas mining activities constituted the primary driver of ANPP reduction. Mining accounted for 61.33% of ANPP changes, significantly exceeding climatic variability’s 38.67% contribution. In conclusion, these findings provide a scientific foundation for developing ecological carbon sink systems and optimizing ecological restoration strategies. Full article

Subway-hub blocks are critical areas where the pressures of metropolitan populations and environmental quality are closely interconnected. This study constructs a “pressure–context–carrier–response” (PCRC) framework (F1–F7) to systematically reveal the correlations between built-environment characteristics and environmental performance. The results demonstrate that resource allocation (F7) and comprehensive response (F5) display notable “asymmetric differentiation”. The socio-economic environment (F2, F3) considerably influences the concentration of green-space resource allocations (F7) (p < 0.01), with affluent blocks demonstrating a clear advantage in resource distribution. The thermo-ecological composite response (F5), which includes NDVI and LST, demonstrates “statistical convergence” (p = 0.894) across various block types, indicating that resource inputs cannot be linearly transformed into environmental efficiency. This disconnection is ascribed to two physical limitations: firstly, the stochastic nature of spatial distribution (Global Moran’s I ≈ 0) restricts the scale effects of green spaces; secondly, the nonlinear limitations of the physical medium indicate that under conditions of high pressure load (F1) and elevated spatial capacity (F6), the regulatory effectiveness of greening demonstrates a significant diminishing marginal return effect. Therefore, intervention planning must shift from controlling macro-level indicators to optimising micro-level accuracy to address ecological performance constraints in densely populated metropolitan areas. Full article

Soil erosion remains a critical ecological challenge on China’s Loess Plateau (LP), where fragile geomorphology and intensive human activities jointly amplify land degradation risks. As land-use and land-cover change (LUCC) is a primary determinant of erosion processes, clarifying the nexus between land patterns and erosion intensity is essential for formulating effective conservation strategies. This study integrates the Chinese Soil Loss Equation (CSLE) with the Patch-generating Land Use Simulation (PLUS) model to analyze the spatiotemporal dynamics of soil erosion from 2000 to 2020 and project future patterns for 2060 under five scenarios: Natural Development (ND), Ecological Protection (EP), Economic Development (ED), Cropland Protection (CP), and Planning Guidance (PG). Results indicate a fluctuating decline in LP soil erosion during 2000–2020, marked by a transition toward predominantly slight erosion (~70% of the total area), while high-intensity erosion remained concentrated in central and western cropland and grassland. Scenario projections reveal pronounced divergence in erosion outcomes. The EP scenario, characterized by sustained vegetation expansion, demonstrated the highest efficacy in erosion mitigation. Conversely, the ED scenario exhibited the most severe erosion risk due to urban expansion into ecological areas. The PG scenario effectively reconciled the trade-offs between ecological conservation and socioeconomic demands, maintaining a balanced erosion control performance. In the context of global climate change, the complexity of soil and water conservation governance is expected to intensify. This study suggests that future efforts should focus on scientifically guiding the evolution of land-use patterns through sustainable spatial planning. Furthermore, targeted engineering and biological conservation measures must bae implemented for high-risk land categories to ensure the long-term stability of the regional ecological security barrier. Full article

A systematic assessment of the human settlement suitability (HSS) and its structural resilience in metropolitan areas, from a spatial network perspective, is essential for understanding the spatial organization and evolutionary mechanisms of regional human settlement systems. It also supports the high-quality development of metropolitan areas. This study considers the Shenyang Metropolitan Area as the research object and constructs a comprehensive evaluation model of HSS from two dimensions: natural environmental suitability (NES) and human environmental suitability (HES). This study systematically analyzes the spatial distribution pattern of HSS, characteristics of its spatial association network, and its structural resilience, by integrating a modified gravity model, social network analysis (SNA), and structural resilience measurement methods. The results indicate that NES exhibits a high-west to low-east gradient, with high-value areas primarily located in peripheral regions with better ecological conditions. HES reveals a pronounced core–periphery structure, with high suitability concentrated in core cities and their adjacent suburban areas. Under the combined influence of NES and HES, the HSS forms a layered differentiation pattern dominated by core cities. The spatial association network of HSS has an overall low density and displays the coexistence of a core–periphery structure and proximity dependence, in which the HES network demonstrates strong cross-node transmission capacity, while the NES network is significantly constrained by geographical proximity. The structural resilience of the network is characterized by a moderate hierarchy, predominantly homophilic matching, limited transmission efficiency, and pronounced spatial differentiation in aggregation, indicating an overall pattern of highly connected cores with low aggregation and moderately or weakly connected nodes with high aggregation. The findings provide a scientific basis for optimizing the human settlements and enhancing regional resilience governance in metropolitan areas, while offering a novel analytical perspective for research on human settlement systems. Full article

The urban trade in non-timber forest products (NTFPs) plays a key role in sustaining livelihoods in the Global South, while also suggesting potential pressure on resource supply systems. This study provides an integrated analysis of NTFP diversity, market structure, economic importance, and perceived drivers of resource decline in Kolwezi, a rapidly expanding mining city where such dynamics remain poorly documented. Data were collected through surveys conducted with 35 sellers across two major urban markets and 384 consumers from different neighbourhoods and analysed using descriptive and inferential statistics to examine patterns, associations, and socio-demographic influences. A total of 65 NTFP species were recorded, including 49 plant, 14 animal, and 2 fungal species, reflecting strong dependence on Miombo ecosystems. Medicinal (59.3%) and food uses dominate, with multifunctional species such as Bobgunnia madagascariensis (Desv.) J.H.Kirkbr. & Wiersama, Canarium schweinfurthii Engl., Terminalia mollis M.A.Lawson, Gardenia ternifolia subsp. jovis-tonantis (Welw.) Verdc., and Albizia antunesiana Harms, playing a central role in both household use and market supply. The trade is largely female-dominated (79.1%) and constitutes a major component of the informal urban economy, with monthly incomes ranging from USD 9 to 429.3, primarily driven by sales volume rather than unit price. However, the sector is constrained by structural and logistical limitations, including remoteness of supply areas, seasonality, and limited value addition. The perceived declining availability of high-use-value species, attributed by respondents to deforestation, mining expansion, and overexploitation, highlights perceived sustainability concerns. These pressures are perceived differently across socio-demographic groups, indicating heterogeneous understandings of environmental change. Overall, the results indicate a perceived mismatch between rising urban demand and declining resource availability, which may reflect an emerging socio-ecological imbalance between urban demand and perceived resource availability. Addressing these challenges requires integrated strategies that combine the domestication of priority species, the development of processing chains, improved infrastructure, and strengthened governance mechanisms. Such approaches are essential to reconcile livelihood support with the sustainable management of NTFPs in rapidly transforming urban landscapes. Full article

Systematic comparisons of how plants with contrasting ecological strategies respond to extremely wide nutrient availability gradients remain limited. We investigated the physiological, photosynthetic, and growth adaptations of four plant species representing distinct ecological strategies: Triticum aestivum L. (C3 annual crop), Zea mays L. (C4 annual crop), Ipomoea aquatica Forssk. (C3 annual/perennial aquatic vegetable), and Canna glauca L. (C3 perennial wetland ornamental). Plants were grown hydroponically under nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and potassium (K) gradients ranging from 0% to 500% of standard Hoagland nutrient solution. The study results showed that all measured plant traits exhibited characteristic unimodal dose–response patterns. Optimal performance mostly occurred at 100–150% nutrient availability gradients. Severe inhibition or mortality occurred at extreme gradients. Simultaneously, different plant species displayed markedly varying response amplitudes and nutrient-specific sensitivities. Z. mays showed the highest nutrient use efficiency and broadest optimal ranges, particularly for N and K. C. glauca exhibited extraordinary N responsiveness (32-fold increase in photosynthetic rate) but narrow optimal ranges (e.g., 1.01 ± 0.15 μmol CO₂/(m²·s) at the 1% N treatment vs. 32.52 ± 3.33 μmol CO₂/(m²·s) at the 150% N treatment). I. aquatica showed pronounced P limitation with broad tolerance to supra-optimal N and K. T. aestivum displayed moderate responses with clear sensitivity to N limitation. Root–shoot ratios declined systematically with increasing nutrient availability across all plant species, following negative exponential functions. The results of data analyses revealed significant effects of N, P, and K availability on all the determined plant traits. Correlation analyses demonstrated tight coupling effects among physiological, photosynthetic, and growth traits, indicating integrated whole-plant responses to nutrient variations. These findings reveal that plant ecological strategy systematically modulates nutrient response patterns and provide a quantitative framework for species-specific nutrient management. This study provides a theoretical basis for precision fertilization of aquatic vegetables and wetland plants, and more broadly support species-specific nutrient management in controlled-environment agriculture. Full article

Lodgepole pine (Pinus contorta Dougl.) exhibits pronounced morphological variation across its range, historically attributed to allopatric differentiation during the Wisconsin glaciation. However, whether genetic divergence aligns with morphological differentiation—a fundamental prediction of allopatric speciation theory—remains untested. We conducted a comprehensive phylogeographic analysis of chloroplast DNA (trnL intron and trnL/trnF spacer) and mitochondrial DNA (nad1 b/c intron) across 31 populations representing all four recognized subspecies to test hypotheses of refugial isolation and to evaluate the genetic basis of current taxonomic classification. Contrary to predictions of allopatric divergence, both organellar genomes showed striking genetic uniformity (π = 0.000178–0.000186; intersubspecific genetic distances: 1.06 × 10⁻⁴ to 3.96 × 10⁻⁴) with no phylogenetic structure corresponding to morphological boundaries. Significant negative neutrality test values (Tajima’s D = −2.26, p < 0.02; Fu and Li’s D* = −4.52, p < 0.02) suggest recent demographic expansion rather than equilibrium divergence. A distinctive 5 bp indel in coastal populations provides molecular evidence for a northern Pacific refugium, and its occurrence in interior populations is consistent with post-glacial pollen-mediated gene flow, though this directionality remains inferential pending nuclear genomic confirmation. These findings suggest that morphological divergence reflects rapid adaptive evolution in heterogeneous environments rather than deep phylogenetic divisions. This pattern exemplifies gene flow-selection balance, in which divergent selection maintains local adaptation despite extensive gene flow—supporting an ecotypic rather than a phylogenetic interpretation of intraspecific diversity. The persistence of morphological variation despite genetic homogeneity indicates strong selection on ecologically important traits, likely driven by variation in fire regimes, differential seed predation, and climate gradients. These results have critical implications for understanding adaptive evolution rates in widespread conifers and for developing conservation strategies that emphasize adaptive processes over taxonomic categories. Full article

The effects of environmental factors on zooplankton within the marginal ice zone (MIZ) of the Barents Sea remain poorly understood. To address this knowledge gap, we investigated mesozooplankton communities across the central, northern, and northeastern regions in April 2016. Abundance and biomass ranged from 90 to 997 individuals m⁻³ and from 1.1 to 48.6 mg dry mass m⁻³ (0.3 to 13.6 g dry mass m⁻²), respectively. Oithona similis was the most abundant taxon, while calanoid copepods, including Calanus spp., Metridia longa, and Pseudocalanus spp., dominated total biomass. The spatial distribution of mesozooplankton communities was closely linked to the physical properties of water masses. Cluster analysis identified two distinct assemblages associated with Polar Front Water and Arctic Water. Redundancy analysis and generalized linear models identified temperature, mean salinity, mean chlorophyll a concentration, and sea ice concentration as significant predictors of abundance and biomass. The dominance of older life stages within major copepod taxa indicated a winter status for the mesozooplankton community. Regional and temporal comparisons of mesozooplankton biomass with prior May–June data from central and northwestern areas highlighted higher productivity in the northern and northeastern MIZ. This increase is potentially related to the warming trends observed in the Arctic since the 2000s. Our research provides novel insights into Arctic marine zooplankton assemblages and serves as a valuable baseline for future ecological monitoring and modeling of the Barents Sea ecosystem in the context of global climate change. Full article

Based on data from the literature in the Web of Science (WOS) and Scopus databases, this study collected 325 articles published between 2020 and 2025. Using Citespace software (version 6.4) to analyze publication volume, countries, institutions, disciplinary categories, and keywords, we examined research characteristics, hotspots, and bottlenecks in the field of ecological remediation for heavy metal pollution in mining area soils. Results indicate: (1) Publication volume in this field showed an upward trend from 2020 to 2024, accounting for 70.2% of this dataset being from the environmental sciences. Chinese scholars demonstrated significant dominance and high engagement, though interdisciplinary depth remained insufficient; (2) from 2020 to 2025, the research focus shifted from risk identification to precise remediation, forming a complete logical chain of ‘identification–remediation–optimization’. Green technologies (biological/combined remediation) emerged as mainstream approaches in integrated remediation. (3) A significant gap exists between research and practice. Many innovative technologies are costly and difficult for enterprises to bear, while low-cost techniques like ‘waste-to-waste treatment’ lack sufficient research and application, hindering large-scale implementation. This study reveals the current situation of ‘intense research but difficult application’ in the ecological remediation of heavy metal-contaminated soils in mining areas. The findings provide a scientific basis for technological innovation, practical implementation, and policy making. Full article

Pb–Zn slag and smelting activities represent a persistent global source of soil contamination, releasing toxic heavy metals—lead (Pb), zinc (Zn), cadmium (Cd), and arsenic (As)—with documented risks to ecosystems and human health. Although previous reviews have addressed heavy metal contamination near smelters and pollution indices as assessment tools, no review has specifically mapped environmental assessment methods for Pb–Zn slag-contaminated soils, and evidence from Central Asia remains absent. This scoping review, following PRISMA-ScR 2018 guidelines, maps the global evidence base on soil contamination from Pb–Zn slag and associated assessment methods. Searches across Dimensions, PubMed, and OpenAlex identified 410 records; 56 studies (2010–2025) met the inclusion criteria. Studies were concentrated in China (35.7%), Poland (8.9%), and Brazil (7.1%); no studies from Kazakhstan were identified despite major Pb–Zn smelting operations in the Shymkent region. All studies reported heavy metal concentrations exceeding regulatory thresholds, with cadmium as the primary ecological risk driver and lead posing the greatest health risk to children. Assessment methods included pollution indices (73.2%), ecological risk assessment (67.9%), GIS-based spatial analysis (57.1%), human health risk frameworks (51.8%), and source apportionment models (50.0%). Post-2018 studies increasingly applied integrated multi-method frameworks. Critical gaps include the absence of Central Asian research, limited predictive modeling, and a lack of standardized protocols. Findings provide a structured evidence map to guide environmental monitoring and remediation at slag-contaminated sites globally. Full article

Net primary productivity (NPP) is a critical indicator of carbon sequestration and biomass accumulation in terrestrial ecosystems, directly reflecting ecosystem carbon sink capacity. Existing NPP studies have primarily emphasized climate-driven interannual variability. Spatially explicit analyses that jointly quantify multi-factor driving mechanisms, thresholds, and land-use transition risks remain limited. Here, we develop an integrated multi-method analytical workflow (DRIBS) that integrates Distributional Response, Informative Boundary constraints, and Spatial Interpretability Optimization, and apply it to the Jiziwan region in the Yellow River Basin, one of China’s major ecological restoration hotspot regions. From 2000 to 2020, the annual increasing rate of NPP was 5.80 gC·m⁻²·yr⁻¹, and 78% of the area showed a significant increasing trend. Among them, grasslands and croplands in the eastern and western parts exhibited strong fluctuations and low long-term stability. Evapotranspiration (ET) and fractional vegetation cover (FVC) were the dominant drivers of NPP spatial heterogeneity, and precipitation around ~220 mm marked a critical water-stress threshold. Population density and nighttime lights showed a non-linear “ecological adaptation window”, implying both disturbance and management potential. Land-use transitions exhibited divergent risk signatures: grassland/cropland-to-forest transitions produced stable enhancement (priority restoration zones), whereas cropland/unused-to-urban transitions were associated with degradation risk (urgent management). Overall, DRIBS provides an interpretable “change-mechanism-threshold-risk” assessment to support carbon-sink regulation and restoration prioritization in arid and semi-arid regions. Full article

The Northeast Black Soil Region is an important commercial grain production base in China. However, ecological issues such as black soil degradation and soil erosion pose direct threats to food security. Previous studies have mainly examined individual factors of black soil degradation. Few have integrated spatial thickness distribution with multi-dimensional ecological sensitivity. To address this gap, this study establishes an ecological sensitivity evaluation index system for Bayan County, located in the eastern Songnen High Plain. Based on a review of relevant literature, the system includes four dimensions: topography, climate, natural resources, and human activities. A combined Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) and Entropy Weight Method (EWM) was used to determine indicator weights. Compared with single-weighting methods, this approach balances expert judgment with data-driven variation. The results are as follows. (1) The thickness of the black soil layer in Bayan County ranges from 18 to 77 cm. Medium, thin, and thick layers account for 78.81%, 16.32%, and 4.87% of the area, respectively. The total black soil reserve is estimated at about 1.267 billion m³. (2) Among the primary indicators, natural resources have the highest weight (0.53). The five most important secondary indicators are the river buffer zone (0.14), NDVI (0.13), soil type (0.12), land use type (0.12), and road buffer zone (0.09). (3) The overall ecological sensitivity of the county is moderate, with a composite index ranging from 1.45 to 4.45. The proportions of extremely sensitive, highly sensitive, moderately sensitive, mildly sensitive, and insensitive areas are 10.79%, 25.51%, 28.95%, 24.23%, and 10.52%, respectively. These findings provide a scientific basis for ecological protection and black soil conservation. They also support the development of targeted, zone-specific management strategies in Bayan County. Full article

Understanding individuals’ connection to nature is crucial for promoting sustainable attitudes and behaviors. The environmental identity (EID) scale, widely used to assess this connection, plays a key role in environmental research; however, its cross-cultural application requires rigorous psychometric validation. Although the revised 14-item EID scale has demonstrated good reliability, questions remain regarding its dimensionality and the potential influence of acquiescence due to exclusively positive worded items. This study examined both issues in Portuguese samples. In Study 1, exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses were conducted to test the factorial structure. Results supported a two-factor model with correlated dimensions: Restorative Connection to Nature (RCN) and Ecological Identity (EI), rather than a strictly unidimensional solution. In Study 2 acquiescence was assessed by comparing the original version with a balanced version that included partially reverse-worded items. Item distributions, factor loadings, and reliability were analyzed. The balanced version did not improve control of acquiescence; instead, reversed-worded items showed weaker loadings, lower explanation variance, and method effects, suggesting increased measurement bias. Overall, the findings support the robustness of the revised 14-item EID scale in Portugal while indicating that environmental identity is better conceptualized as a bidimensional construct portraying both reflective connection and identity-based engagement with nature. The results also highlight the limitations of reverse-worded items as a strategy for reducing response bias in value-laden constructs. Full article

Timely and accurate mapping of tree species is essential for forest resource inventory, biodiversity conservation, and sustainable ecosystem management, particularly in dryland environments where structural heterogeneity, spectral similarity, and data scarcity complicate classification. This study develops a machine learning-based framework implemented in Google Earth Engine to map dominant tree species in the Elnour Natural Forest Reserve (ENFR), Blue Nile, Sudan, using multi-temporal and multi-sensor remote sensing data. Multi-temporal Landsat 5 TM, Landsat 8 OLI, and Sentinel-2 MSI imagery were integrated with vegetation index (NDVI), topographic variables derived from a digital elevation model (DEM), and field observations. The performance of Random Forest (RF), Support Vector Machine (SVM), Classification and Regression Trees (CART), and an unweighted ensemble approach was evaluated across four reference years (2008, 2013, 2018, and 2021). Results show that RF and SVM consistently achieved high classification performance, with overall accuracy (OA) ranging from 85.0% to 92.0% and Kappa coefficients (κ) from 0.81 to 0.89, while maintaining stable and ecologically realistic species-area estimates. CART showed greater sensitivity to class imbalance and overestimated minor species (OA = 72.0–80.0%, κ = 0.65–0.74), whereas the ensemble approach amplified misclassification of rare classes (OA = 78.0–84.0%, κ = 0.70–0.78). The integration of Sentinel-2 data improved species discrimination due to enhanced spatial and spectral resolution, particularly in the red-edge region; however, algorithm selection remained the dominant factor controlling performance. Feature importance analysis identified near-infrared (NIR), shortwave infrared (SWIR), and NDVI variables as the most influential predictors. Multi-temporal analysis revealed declining class separability, reflected by decreasing MCC values, and a shift in species composition, including a decline in Acacia seyal (Delile) and an increase in Sterculia setigera Delile. These patterns indicate increasing ecological complexity driven primarily by anthropogenic pressures, with climatic variability acting as an additional stressor. Full article