Search Results (2,600)

Achieving sustainable development requires moving beyond pollution metrics to holistic measures, such as the load capacity factor (LCF), which balances ecological demand and supply. While recent studies have provided important insights into the determinants of LCF in OECD countries, further research is needed to incorporate additional determinants and updated estimation approaches. This study addresses this gap by examining the impacts of financial innovation, forestry, urbanization, population, and economic growth on the LCF in Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) economies from 1990 to 2023. Using second-generation panel econometric methods, including tests for cross-sectional dependence, slope heterogeneity, second-generation unit roots, and cointegration techniques, this paper confirms a stable long-run relationship among the variables. The core analysis applies the method of moments quantile regression to uncover the heterogeneous effects across the LCF distribution. The results indicate that financial innovation consistently enhances the ratio of biocapacity to ecological footprint. In contrast, economic growth and urbanization exert significant negative pressure on the LCF, whereas population size shows a uniformly detrimental effect. Forestry has a positive but less pronounced influence. Robustness checks using fully modified ordinary least squares, dynamic ordinary least squares, and panel-corrected standard errors confirm these results. The present study concludes that targeted financial innovation and stringent urban demographic policies support OECD nations in improving ecological balance and reducing ecological deficits. Full article

Pesticidal plants are vital for pest management in sub-Saharan Africa, yet knowledge about them is culturally and geographically unevenly documented. This study examined ethnobotanical knowledge and the distribution of pesticidal plants among six ethnic groups (Maasai, Chagga, Iraqw, Pare, Nguu, Zigua) in northern Tanzania. Data related to ethnobotanical knowledge were collected from questionnaire surveys involving 266 participants, 24 focus group discussions, 26 key informant interviews, complemented by field verifications across the six ethnic groups. Pesticidal plant coordinates were accessed from herbarium voucher specimens from The National Herbarium of Tanzania. Chi-square tests of independence assessed associations between ethnic groups and knowledge transmission pathways. Penalized logistic regression analysis was conducted to assess the influence of demographic factors on reported knowledge of pesticidal plants. Spatial overlay was conducted to examine the distribution of pesticidal plant species occurrences across agroecological zones and rainfall gradients. The results revealed a significant association between ethnic group and the source of pesticidal plant knowledge. Across all ethnic groups, knowledge was predominantly acquired through family/community traditional sources, with the highest frequencies recorded among the Maasai, Iraqw, and Zigua. Knowledge is mainly transmitted orally, particularly among the Maasai, Iraqw, and Zigua. A total of one hundred and six distinct species were recorded across the six ethnic groups surveyed, with Tephrosia vogelii and Solanum incanum being the most frequently cited. Leaves were the most frequently used plant part across all ethnic groups, with notably high usage among the Chagga, Iraqw, and Maasai. Perceptions of the declining population of pesticidal plants were the highest among the Maasai. Spatial mapping revealed pesticidal plant hotspots in the Northern Rift and Volcanic Highlands agroecological zones, and they fall within zones receiving moderate to relatively high rainfall. The findings highlight that ethnobotanical knowledge of pesticidal plants in northern Tanzania is strongly shaped by ethnic affiliation, oral knowledge transmission, and localized ecological availability, with clear spatial hotspots aligned to specific agroecological zones and high-rainfall areas. Full article

Background/Objectives: Excess consumption of energy-dense foods (EDF; ultra-processed snacks, sweets, and sugar-sweetened beverages) among preschool-aged children is a public health concern, particularly in low-income families. Caregiver parenting style, psychological stress, and food-parenting practices (FPP) may shape children’s EDF consumption, yet little is known about how these factors operate in real time. This exploratory pilot study examined (1) associations between baseline characteristics and EDF feeding episodes across 1 week and (2) whether caregivers’ momentary stress during EDF episodes related to FPP used. Methods: In total, 22 caregivers of Head Start children (ages 3–5) completed baseline measures and 7 days of ecological momentary assessment (up to seven prompts/day). At each prompt, caregivers reported child EDF consumption in the past hour; if confirmed, they reported FPP used and rated momentary stress. Aim 1 used Poisson regression to model caregiver-level EDF episode counts. Aim 2 tested momentary stress–practice associations during EDF episodes using GEE, with within-person and between-person stress modeled separately. Results: Authoritarian parenting was associated with a higher weekly rate of EDF episodes (RR = 1.43, 95% CI 1.23–1.66, p < 0.001); authoritative parenting trended lower (RR = 0.90, p = 0.065). Higher baseline stress was associated with more EDF episodes (RR = 1.25, p = 0.001). Momentarily, elevated stress above a caregiver’s own average increased odds of using food as a reward (OR = 1.08 per +10 points, p = 0.011), while higher average momentary stress was associated with co-eating (OR = 1.59, p = 0.042). Domain-level FPP composites showed no association with momentary stress. Conclusions: Authoritarian parenting and higher caregiver stress were associated with increased EDF feeding, and momentary stress was linked to reward-based feeding during those episodes. These hypothesis-generating findings suggest potential behavioral targets for just-in-time adaptive intervention, pending replication in adequately powered studies. Full article

Urban green spaces provide essential ecosystem services, yet mismatches between subjective perceptions and objective assessments may constrain effective planning. This study examines the correspondence between perceived and measured ES across two contrasting urban green spaces in Shanghai: Century Park, a managed urban park, and Sanlin Green Space, a naturalistic urban forest. Objective ecosystem services (regulating, supporting, and cultural) were quantified using UAV-based biotope mapping and indicators including biophysical metrics (Net Primary Production, Water Retention, PM10 removal, and Land Surface Temperature), structural diversity indices (Shannon Diversity of land cover, vegetation, and tree structure), and visual–spatial proxies (Green View Index, Sky View Index, Water View Index, color metrics, and spatial openness). Subjective perceptions were derived from panoramic image-based questionnaires, with perception scores predicted using XGBoost and aggregated via SHapley Additive exPlanations (SHAP). Correlation analyses, spatial regression models, and partial least squares structural equation modeling were applied to explore relationships and pathways. Results show weak but significant positive associations in the urban park, whereas no overall correspondence was observed in the urban forest. Spatial mismatches were concentrated in biotopes with distinctive visual–ecological features and in fragmented areas. Green View Index is associated with higher perceptions in both sites, while the Sky View Index reduced perception in the forest context. These findings highlight strong context dependence in perceived–measured ecosystem service relationships and underscore the importance of integrating ecological structure and visual legibility in the design and management of the studied urban green spaces in Shanghai. Full article

Responding to rapid urbanization, this study examines the trade-offs and synergies of ecosystem services (ESs) at the county scale in the Zhengzhou metropolitan area and constructs an ecological security pattern. Using the InVEST model, we quantified carbon storage (CS), soil conservation (SC), habitat quality (HQ), water yield (WY), and food production (FP). We then analyzed their trade-offs and synergies using the geographically weighted regression model, identified driving factors with an optimal parameter-based geographical detector model, detected ecosystem service bundles via a Self-organizing map model, and constructed an ecological security pattern based on circuit theory. The results showed that: (1) From 2003 to 2023, ES spatial distribution remained stable overall, with weak trade-offs and synergies. Locally, WY and HQ declined, while SC and FP increased. (2) Slope and DEM enhanced SC, whereas urban expansion consistently weakened CS, HQ, and FP. Moreover, slope played an increasingly prominent role in regulating WY. (3) Key synergistic bundles with stable spatiotemporal distribution were identified as ecological sources, leading to the construction of ecological security pattern characterized by “four districts, one corridor, and one belt.” This provides a framework for integrating ecological space protection and restoration into urban development. Full article

Landmark epidemiological studies and clinical trials, such as the Seven Countries Study, the Lyon Diet Heart Study, the PREDIMED Study and the CORDIOPREV Study, have shown significant reductions in cardiovascular events in those following the Mediterranean diet (MD). The aim of the present work is to summarize the most robust available evidence and the major biological pathways underlying the protective effects of the MD, with particular emphasis on the role of PAF inhibitors. Mechanistically, MD functions through a complex synergy of antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antithrombotic effects that collectively improve lipid profiles, enhance endothelial function, optimize postprandial metabolism and cell membrane signaling, making it a functional model for human longevity. The PAF-Implicated Atherosclerosis Theory has emerged as a key unifying framework, proposing that Platelet-Activating Factor (PAF)—a highly potent lipid inflammatory mediator—plays a central role in the initiation and progression of atherosclerosis. Oxidized LDL promotes the production of PAF and PAF-like lipids, leading to endothelial dysfunction, vascular inflammation, and atherosclerotic plaque formation. Traditional Mediterranean foods are rich in natural PAF inhibitors, particularly the polar lipid fractions of extra virgin olive oil, as well as wine, fish, vegetables, onions, and garlic. Animal studies demonstrate that these compounds can reduce or even regress atherosclerotic lesions, independently of serum cholesterol levels. Human dietary interventions have further shown that MD-based meals and functional foods enriched with PAF inhibitors reduce PAF activity and improve thrombosis-related biomarkers. This mechanistic framework helps explain phenomena such as the “French Paradox” and the cardio-protective effects associated with fish consumption. Moreover, the extraction of PAF inhibitors from Mediterranean food by-products, such as olive pomace, offers promising ecological and economic advantages. Collectively, targeting PAF and increasing dietary intake of PAF inhibitors represent promising strategies for the prevention and management of atherosclerosis and other inflammatory diseases, supporting the view that PAF may function as a major, modifiable risk factor in these conditions. Full article

River corridor rehabilitation is increasingly expected to deliver coupled outcomes by combining ecological recovery with measurable improvements in human well-being. Cultural ecosystem services (CESs), the non-material benefits people derive from landscapes, are central to this objective but remain difficult to operationalize in securitized transboundary settings, where border governance, uneven mobility, and community histories shape access to rivers and the formation of cultural meanings. This study examines whether perceived conservation effectiveness is associated with higher CES value in the Lower Jordan River Basin (LJRB) and whether this association persists after accounting for the community-group structure. Using survey data from 445 respondents across seven community groups, the perceived CES valuation was assessed through a five-point Cultural Significance rating, analyzed alongside conservation-related and contextual variables. Conservation was measured through perceived conservation impact and self-reported conservation involvement (yes/no). A staged inference design combined group comparisons and multivariable regression with adjustments for the community-group structure and contextual controls. Conservation involvement was not associated with meaningful differences in Cultural Significance. The perceived conservation impact showed a positive association in pooled and simple models but lost independent significance after adjusting for community-group structure, which accounted for much of the explanatory power. These findings indicate that CES valuation in the LJRB is structured more by community-group differences and borderland conditions than by individual conservation participation, underscoring the importance of locally encounterable outcomes and group-tailored engagement strategies in transboundary river planning. Full article

Rapid urbanization in the Yellow River Basin intensifies the conflict between urban expansion and the thermal environment, threatening ecological security and sustainable development. Utilizing multi-source data (2000–2023) including nighttime light (NTL) and land surface temperature (LST), this study applies spatial analysis and Geographically Weighted Regression (GWR) to explore the spatial associations between urban development and LST and its drivers across core cities. The results indicate significant spatiotemporal differentiation: mid-downstream cities exhibited contiguous urban expansion, whereas upstream growth remained constrained by local topography, with heat islands consistently concentrating in built-up areas. The warming rate decreased gradually from downstream (0.29–0.40 °C/year) to upstream (0.20–0.30 °C/year). The LST-NTL correlation strengthened notably in mid-downstream regions but remained moderate upstream. GWR analysis revealed that urban development intensity, represented by NTL, is the primary driver of LST increase downstream, while natural factors predominantly mitigate warming upstream. This long-term, multi-city comparison provides a scientific basis for precise urban heat island management and sustainable planning in the basin. Full article

Lake Erhai is an important plateau freshwater lake in China. It serves not only as a crucial drinking water source for the local region but also as the core area of the Cangshan Erhai National Nature Reserve. Consequently, Lake Erhai plays an extremely significant role in the local economy, society, and ecology. Since 2000, the water quality of Lake Erhai has continuously deteriorated, showing a eutrophic trend. To identify the primary driving forces behind these water quality changes, this study employed stepwise regression analysis. Climate conditions, socio-economic development within the basin, and implementation of environmental protection measures (IEPMs) were considered influencing factors for a comprehensive and systematic analysis of Lake Erhai’s water quality. The results indicate that rising air temperature may increase total phosphorus (TP) concentration, while rainfall may elevate both TP and total nitrogen (TN) levels. In contrast, higher wind speed may reduce chemical oxygen demand (COD_Mn), TP, and TN concentrations. Socio-economic development, meanwhile, may contribute to increased COD_Mn concentration. Based on these findings, this paper proposes recommendations focusing on formulating more effective non-point source pollution control measures and strengthening water quality monitoring in Lake Erhai during summer. By identifying the key natural and anthropogenic drivers of water quality changes in Lake Erhai, this study provides a scientific basis for the development of targeted pollution control strategies and directly contributes to the protection of clean water sources. Moreover, its revelation of the coupled impacts of climate change and socio-economic activities enhances understanding of plateau lake ecosystem resilience. This insight is critical for ensuring regional ecological security and serves as a model for advancing sustainable development goals in similar lake systems worldwide. Full article

Background/Objectives: The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic profoundly disrupted global respiratory virus circulation, with sharp declines during 2020–2021, followed by a resurgence after the relaxation of public health measures. In South America, post-pandemic respiratory virus dynamics remain insufficiently characterized, particularly in ecologically diverse regions. Arequipa, a high-altitude city in southern Peru, has unique environmental conditions, including marked seasonal temperature variability, that may influence viral transmission. Methods: We performed a cross-sectional analysis of 21,784 nasopharyngeal swabs collected from symptomatic patients at four major hospitals between June 2021 and September 2023. All samples were tested for SARS-CoV-2 by RT-qPCR. Because routine screening for other respiratory viruses was implemented only in SARS-CoV-2-negative cases during the study period, a subset of SARS-CoV-2-negative samples was subsequently analyzed for influenza A virus (IAV), influenza B virus (IBV), and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) using VIASURE assays. Viral circulation patterns were evaluated by year, month, and epidemiological week. Meteorological data were obtained from the SENAMHI–La Pampilla station. Logistic regression models were used to assess epidemiological and climatic predictors of viral detection. Results: SARS-CoV-2 positivity declined from 20.0% in 2021 to 8.8% in 2023. Conversely, detection of other respiratory viruses among SARS-CoV-2-negative samples increased from 0.8% in 2021 to 29.0% in 2023 (p < 0.01). Temporal increases in detection were observed during 2022–2023, particularly for IAV and RSV. In exploratory analyses, calendar year and relative humidity were associated with IAV and RSV detection, while age and temperature variables were associated with IBV. Conclusions: Climatic and demographic variables were associated with changes in viral detection for IAV, IBV, and RSV during the post-pandemic transition period in Arequipa. These findings describe patterns of viral detection within SARS-CoV-2-negative symptomatic patients and should be interpreted as surveillance-based observations rather than population-level estimates. Strengthened integrated epidemiological and genomic surveillance will be essential for vaccine planning and outbreak preparedness in the post-pandemic era. Full article

Pinus clausa var. clausa (Chapm. ex Engelm.) Vasey ex Sarg., sand pine, is the dominant tree of biorich but ecologically compromised Southeast Florida scrub. Scrub habitats and P. clausa have dwindled due to habitat reduction and fragmentation, regional development, and fire suppression. The purpose of the present article was to seek correlates of P. clausa establishment under present unnatural development-impacted conditions using 428 field measurements at four sites to determine spatial positioning preferences relative to vegetation edges, then adding 120 measurements at a single site aimed at evaluating several potential predictors of P. clausa establishment. Potential establishment predictors were adjacency to other woody plants, depth to hard sand horizon, seed tree distance and direction, light-intensity, soil-core color, soil pH and soil surface firmness. Comparing frequency distributions of juvenile P. clausa locations with frequency distributions of random spots within the same perimeters, juvenile pines tended toward adjacency to other woody plants (chi² p < 0.0001), toward shallow hard horizons (Kolmogorov–Smirnov p = 0.0006), toward soft soil surfaces (K–S p = 0.007), and toward proximity to seed trees (K–S p = 0.004). Additionally, juvenile P. clausa were often clustered under groves of Quercus geminata Small with comparatively thin canopies. Bayesian logistic regression showed adjacency to woody plants as a strong predictor of P. clausa establishment. When alongside other plants, P. clausa establishment was mostly on the north or east side of neighboring plant edges. Overall conclusions were that juvenile Pinus clausa in SE Florida scrub fragments is sensitive to positioning relative to other woody plants, and is associated with soil surface softness, soil depth to hard horizon, and light levels, except as seedlings. Full article

As a crucial national ecological barrier, China’s Southern Collective Forest Region (SCFR) plays an essential role in maintaining regional ecological security and promoting sustainable development. Understanding the mechanisms driving the evolution of its ecosystem service value (ESV) is of great significance. Based on county-level data from 2000 to 2023, this study integrated the equivalent factor method, spatial autocorrelation analysis, the XGBoost-SHAP model, geographically and temporally weighted regression (GTWR), and partial least squares structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM) to examine the spatio-temporal evolution patterns and driving mechanisms of ESV in the SCFR. The results showed that ESV in the SCFR exhibited an overall downward trend, with a cumulative loss of 1973.77 × 10⁸ CNY. This was primarily due to marked reductions in hydrological and climate regulation services. The spatial distribution of ESV exhibited a significant heterogeneity—higher in the southwestern and southeastern mountainous regions, and lower in the northern plains and coastal zones, with the center of gravity shifting first to the northeast and then to the southwest. Local spatial autocorrelation revealed relatively stable “High–High” and “Low–Low” clustering characteristics, where high-value clusters were consistently distributed in core forest zones, while low-value clusters overlapped highly with urban agglomerations. Socio-economic factors exerted a significantly stronger influence on ESV than natural factors. Population density (POP), land use intensity (LUI), and gross domestic product (GDP) were identified as the dominant drivers, exhibiting distinct non-linear threshold effects and significant spatio-temporal heterogeneity. PLS-SEM analysis further quantified LUI as the dominant direct inhibitory pathway on ESV, highlighting urbanization’s indirect negative effect mediated through intensified LUI. Meanwhile, terrain effects were confirmed to positively influence ESV indirectly by constraining LUI and modulating local climate. The analytical framework of “threshold identification–spatio-temporal heterogeneity–causal pathway analysis” proposed in this study elucidated the complex driving mechanisms of ESV evolution, providing valuable guidance for ecological restoration evaluation and differentiated environmental governance. Full article

Nepal’s National Health Insurance Program (NHIP), launched in 2016, continues to show low enrollment rates and substantial socio-economic and geographical inequalities hinder the progress towards universal health coverage (UHC). This study uses a composite indicator of intersectional disadvantages to examine how multiple equity markers (wealth quintile, education status and ethnicity) interact to shape inequalities in NHIP coverage. Data were drawn from the nationally representative 2022 Nepal Demographic and Health Survey. Key predictors are wealth status, education, ethnicity, residence, province, ecological zone and marginalization status. A composite measure of intersectional disadvantage was constructed using three socioeconomic dimensions: wealth, education, and ethnicity. Binary logistic regression, concentration indices, and concentration curves were used to assess the patterns of inequality in NHIP coverage. Results show that only 10.2% of men and 10.8% of women were enrolled in the NHIP. Enrollment varied markedly by province, with highest in Koshi (21.8% for men and 22.9% for women) and lowest in Madhesh (3.1% for men and 2.7% for women). Enrollment was disproportionately higher among wealthier, more educated, and ethnically advantaged groups. This disparity is starkest for those with an intersection of triple disadvantage (poor, illiterate, and disadvantaged ethnicity) and had substantially lower coverage (3.0% for men and 3.4% for women) compared to those facing no disadvantage (18.4% for men and 22.9% women). The concentration curve analysis confirmed that wealthier women and men had greater access to NHIP. Multivariable analysis showed that women and men with no disadvantages were more likely to be enrolled in NHIP than individuals in triple-disadvantage groups. These findings highlight persistent inequities in NHIP, which undermine its contribution to financial risk protection. Targeted interventions are urgently required, including effective implementation of existing subsidies for poor households, expansion of health facility networks in underserved provinces like Madhesh, and tailored outreach programs that address the intersection of ethnicity, wealth, and education in both genders to accelerate equitable progress towards UHC. Full article

Water age reflects water sources, storage, and pathways, and regulates the solute retention and dissolution associated with biogeochemical processes, highlighting its hydrological and ecological importance. However, accurate water age estimation in tracer-aided models depends heavily on the quality and spatio-temporal resolution of precipitation isotopic signals. This study investigates how distributed rainfall δ²H signals affect the simulation of young water fraction (F_yw) via the Storage Age Selection (SAS) model in topographically complex subtropical mountain catchments. Eight precipitation δ²H scenarios were generated using two temporal approaches (stepwise and sinewave) and four spatial interpolation methods: (1) raw data, (2) reversed effective recharge elevation method (rERE), (3) linear regression with elevation (ER), and (4) regression-kriging (RK). Later on, the time-variant SAS model was calibrated against observed stream water δ²H collected from the year 2022 to the year 2024. Results show that the SAS model consistently produced similar F_yw estimates for catchments (8%~40%) across all eight scenarios, demonstrating strong robustness to input uncertainty and validating the dominant role of catchment characteristics in regulating water age. The combined stepwise temporal and rERE spatial approach provided better agreement with observed stream δ²H, particularly in the eastern, steeper catchments, yielding superior model efficiency along with better constrained uncertainty. This study highlights the sensitivity of age-tracking models to precipitation isotopic inputs and provides practical guidance for selecting an interpolation strategy in data-limited mountainous environments. Full article

Assessing individual animal health is essential for detecting early ecological stress that may scale to population-level impacts. Yet, conventional capture-based methods are invasive and logistically challenging, particularly for large mammals. This study evaluates the accuracy of drone-based morphometric measurements as a non-invasive approach for estimating elephants’ Body Condition Index (BCI). Research was conducted in Way Kambas National Park, Sumatra, using a DJI Matrice 300 RTK equipped with a multisensor camera to acquire aerial imagery, primarily from a top-down perspective. Morphometric parameters were extracted through image preprocessing, segmentation, and edge detection using an OpenCV-based Canny algorithm, followed by coordinate and Euclidean distance analyses. Drone-derived measurements were validated against field-based morphometry in captive Sumatran elephants. Linear regression revealed strong agreement between methods, with R² values ranging from 0.91 to 0.97. Mid-body width showed the highest accuracy (R² = 0.97, MAPE = 2.66%, RMSE = 2.36), while other body dimensions also performed consistently well. BCI-related morphometric ratios exhibited minimal differences between drone and field measurements, confirming methodological reliability. As an exploratory extension, a preliminary allometric scaling framework was applied to estimate body condition proxies in free-ranging wild elephants except for mid-body width; however, these estimates are model-derived from total body length and should be interpreted as indicative rather than as direct morphometric assessments of body condition. These findings demonstrate that drone-based photogrammetry provides a validated, practical, and non-invasive method for morphometric measurement in captive elephants, with promising but as yet incompletely validated potential for application to wild populations. Full article