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Search Results (108)

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Keywords = ecological wealth

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26 pages, 313 KiB  
Essay
International Law of Abeyance: Our Sovereign Wild
by Alexandra Carleton
Wild 2025, 2(3), 25; https://doi.org/10.3390/wild2030025 - 1 Jul 2025
Viewed by 283
Abstract
Ecological ethics is gaining traction. Can this new attitude towards our ecosystems help to motivate a change in our relationship with land and nature? Can we move towards a legal system that supports the legal personality of land, devoid of human ownership? There [...] Read more.
Ecological ethics is gaining traction. Can this new attitude towards our ecosystems help to motivate a change in our relationship with land and nature? Can we move towards a legal system that supports the legal personality of land, devoid of human ownership? There are substantial amounts of international environmental laws that have been hovering on the fringes of defining and then redefining our relationship with land, with more emphasis on respecting the land as itself rather than as a vehicle with which humanity can gain wealth. This article briefly explores the conjunction of international environmental law history and ecological ethics in the hope that it will encourage a segue in our approach to conservation, ecology, and being. Full article
16 pages, 3945 KiB  
Article
Deletion of the Class 1 Histone Deacetylase PsHos2 Induces Secondary Metabolic Perturbations in the Sea Cucumber-Associated Penicillium sclerotiorum
by Peipei Zhao, Jiaying Lin, Qingqing Zhang, Tanghui Zhang, Guoliang Zhu, Chengwei Liu, Qinghua Wu, Jianzhao Qi, Minglei Li, Lixin Zhang and Xuekui Xia
Fermentation 2025, 11(4), 230; https://doi.org/10.3390/fermentation11040230 - 21 Apr 2025
Viewed by 623
Abstract
The long-term coexistence of sea cucumber-associated microorganisms with their host enables them to jointly withstand the unique marine ecological environment, and possess great potential for producing various natural products. However, under conventional laboratory conditions, most biosynthetic gene clusters (BGCs) in these microorganisms remain [...] Read more.
The long-term coexistence of sea cucumber-associated microorganisms with their host enables them to jointly withstand the unique marine ecological environment, and possess great potential for producing various natural products. However, under conventional laboratory conditions, most biosynthetic gene clusters (BGCs) in these microorganisms remain silent, necessitating the establishment of effective activation strategies for exploring bioactive secondary metabolites (SMs). Histone acetylation status regulates chromatin structure and plays a crucial role in cellular physiology and fungal secondary metabolism. Penicillium sclerotiorum SD-36 was isolated from sea cucumbers in our previous study. Genome sequencing results indicate that this strain harbors as many as 52 BGCs, suggesting it holds a wealth of genetic resources essential for synthesizing diverse SMs. Here, we describe the impact of a class 1 histone deacetylase (HDAC), PsHos2, on secondary metabolism of sea cucumber-associated Penicillium sclerotiorum SD-36. The colony morphology and SM profile of ΔPsHos2 exhibited significant changes, with the emergence of multiple new compound peaks. Six compounds, including five azaphilones, which are characterized by a pyranoquinone core structure, were isolated from ΔPsHos2, and seventeen unreported potential azaphilone-related nodes were obtained using molecular networking based on LC-MS/MS. Transcriptome analysis revealed that PsHos2 influenced the expression of 44 BGC core genes. Specifically, seven genes within cluster 86.1, the putative BGC for azaphilones, were upregulated, including two polyketide synthase (PKS) genes. The results indicate that regulation based on class 1 HDACs is an important strategy for enhancing SM synthesis in sea cucumber-associated fungi and expanding the resources of marine natural products. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue New Research on Fungal Secondary Metabolites, 3rd Edition)
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19 pages, 1750 KiB  
Article
Rethinking the Climate Change–Inequality Nexus: The Role of Wealth Inequality, Economic Growth, and Renewable Energy in CO2 Emissions
by Tunahan Haciimamoglu, Oguzhan Sungur, Korkmaz Yildirim and Mustafa Yapar
Sustainability 2025, 17(8), 3335; https://doi.org/10.3390/su17083335 - 9 Apr 2025
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1080
Abstract
Reducing global greenhouse gas emissions and implementing sustainable environmental policies require the identification of the economic, political, ecological, and social factors that affect emission levels. To this end, this study examines, for the first time, the impact of wealth inequality, economic growth, and [...] Read more.
Reducing global greenhouse gas emissions and implementing sustainable environmental policies require the identification of the economic, political, ecological, and social factors that affect emission levels. To this end, this study examines, for the first time, the impact of wealth inequality, economic growth, and renewable energy consumption on CO2 emissions in 17 countries with the highest wealth inequality over the 1995–2021 period. This study employs a novel and robust approach, the method of moments quantile regression, to analyze the relationships among these variables. Findings support the environmental Kuznets curve hypothesis by displaying that economic growth initially increases CO2 emissions but has a dampening effect after a turning point. Moreover, renewable energy consumption reduces CO2 emissions, where certain as increasing wealth inequality contributes to higher CO2 emissions. These results underscore the need for policymakers to adopt more egalitarian socioeconomic models, accelerate the transition to clean energy, and maintain robust environmental policies to achieve sustainable development goals. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Global Climate Change and Sustainable Economy)
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23 pages, 4940 KiB  
Article
Revitalization of Traditional Villages Oriented to SDGs: Identification of Sustainable Livelihoods and Differentiated Management Strategies
by Ding He and Yameng Zhang
Buildings 2025, 15(7), 1127; https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings15071127 - 30 Mar 2025
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 811
Abstract
Livelihood diversification for traditional villages is essential to reducing poverty, addressing rural hollowing, and achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Shanxi Province—with its wealth of ancient villages, diverse cultural heritage, and unique landscapes—serves as a critical case for analyzing livelihood strategies. This research [...] Read more.
Livelihood diversification for traditional villages is essential to reducing poverty, addressing rural hollowing, and achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Shanxi Province—with its wealth of ancient villages, diverse cultural heritage, and unique landscapes—serves as a critical case for analyzing livelihood strategies. This research proposes a framework for livelihood diversification in Shanxi Province’s 619 traditional villages. Firstly, we constructed an indicator system to measure livelihood assets, including ecological stability, economic feasibility, land productivity, cultural inheritance, and social service capacity. Then, the trade-offs and synergies between each pair of assets are explored based on the correlation tests and the Geographically Weighted Regression (GWR) model. Finally, the Self-Organizing Map (SOM) model is employed to cluster the dominant livelihood assets of the sample villages. The results indicated that (1) the current sustainable livelihood levels of traditional villages in Shanxi Province exhibit spatial differentiation and imbalance. (2) The analysis confirms significant synergy between cultural inheritance, social service capacity, and economic feasibility, suggesting that appropriate protection and enhancement of local culture positively correlates with sustainable economic and social development in the villages. (3) Utilizing the SOM clustering model, six distinct types of sustainable livelihood strategies for traditional villages in Shanxi Province were successfully identified. Furthermore, a county-scale “multi-livelihood zoning” strategy has been proposed. The findings of this research can serve as a valuable reference for strategic planning and the implementation of rural revitalization. Full article
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15 pages, 294 KiB  
Review
Biochar-Induced Microbial Shifts: Advancing Soil Sustainability
by Meesha Sharma, Rishabh Kaushik, Maharaj K. Pandit and Yi-Hsuan Lee
Sustainability 2025, 17(4), 1748; https://doi.org/10.3390/su17041748 - 19 Feb 2025
Cited by 5 | Viewed by 2092
Abstract
Biochar utilisation as a soil enhancer has gathered considerable interest owing to its notable capacity to boost soil productivity, enhance carbon sequestration, and improve agricultural sustainability. Nonetheless, how biochar affects the soil microbiome, a key to soil health and ecological functioning, remains a [...] Read more.
Biochar utilisation as a soil enhancer has gathered considerable interest owing to its notable capacity to boost soil productivity, enhance carbon sequestration, and improve agricultural sustainability. Nonetheless, how biochar affects the soil microbiome, a key to soil health and ecological functioning, remains a contested subject. Given the critical role microbial communities play in maintaining soil health and functioning, variations in soil microbiota may have a substantial impact on soil fertility and stability. Despite a wealth of studies on the effects of biochar on soil microbial communities, the results demonstrate that the reaction of the microbiome to biochar varies greatly depending on the edaphic and biochar properties and other factors such as the experimental conditions and agricultural practices. Notably, different components of the soil microbiome may respond to soil/biochar properties in a unique way, which makes generalising the impacts of biochar on the soil microbiome a difficult task. In this review, we comprehensively examine the factors governing the impacts of biochar on the soil microbiome, especially in terms of its repercussions on microbial diversity, community structure, and functional dynamics, and the potential ramifications for agricultural productivity and environmental sustainability. Full article
18 pages, 1133 KiB  
Article
Unveiling the Non-Market Value of a Fragile Coastal Wetland: A CVM Approach in the Amvrakikos Gulf, Greece
by Dimitra Pappa and Dimitris Kaliampakos
Environments 2025, 12(2), 59; https://doi.org/10.3390/environments12020059 - 10 Feb 2025
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 785
Abstract
Wetlands are highly productive ecosystems with multidimensional value and significant social and economic impacts. Estimating the economic value of their non-marketed goods and services—benefits not traded in conventional markets—can provide essential insights to guide protection, restoration, and sustainable management strategies for these sensitive [...] Read more.
Wetlands are highly productive ecosystems with multidimensional value and significant social and economic impacts. Estimating the economic value of their non-marketed goods and services—benefits not traded in conventional markets—can provide essential insights to guide protection, restoration, and sustainable management strategies for these sensitive ecosystems. The present study employs environmental economics tools, specifically the Contingent Valuation Method (CVM), to assess the value of the Amvrakikos Gulf in northwestern Greece. This semi-enclosed wetland system is particularly fragile due to its low water renewal rate, while being a primary source of income and an integral component of local cultural identity. Despite its high ecological importance, the Amvrakikos Gulf has experienced substantial environmental degradation stemming from its geomorphological characteristics and external anthropogenic pressures. This investigation was designed to explore residents’ perceptions of the wetland’s value and its correlation with the need for restoration. In total, 383 coastal area residents participated in this study. Data analysis was conducted using appropriate econometric methods based on both parametric and non-parametric models. Approximately 46.2% of respondents expressed willingness to pay, and the environmental restoration of the Amvrakikos Gulf was valued at EUR 715,968.36. Additionally, this study examined potential associations between willingness to pay and various socio-cultural and demographic factors recorded during the interviews. In conclusion, the need for the restoration and preservation of the Amvrakikos Gulf’s natural wealth was made evident, affirming the contribution of the CVM in valuing wetlands and enriching the existing literature, while explicitly recognizing the subjectivity inherent in WTP assessments. Full article
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25 pages, 1904 KiB  
Article
Does Low-Carbon City Transition Empower Tourism Economy? Evidence from China
by Qi Yue, Yang Zhang, Yinchao Liao, Lei Liao and Juntai Yu
Sustainability 2025, 17(3), 1238; https://doi.org/10.3390/su17031238 - 4 Feb 2025
Viewed by 891
Abstract
The tourism economy is inseparably linked to the ecological environment, serving as a “green engine” in the promotion of the low-carbon transition of cities and the realization of high-quality economic development. Taking the implementation of a low-carbon city pilot (LCCP) policy as a [...] Read more.
The tourism economy is inseparably linked to the ecological environment, serving as a “green engine” in the promotion of the low-carbon transition of cities and the realization of high-quality economic development. Taking the implementation of a low-carbon city pilot (LCCP) policy as a quasinatural experiment, we assess the impact of a low-carbon transition on the urban tourism economy using a time-varying difference-in-differences identification strategy based on the panel data of 279 Chinese cities covering the period from 2007 to 2019. The results indicate that LCCPs have a favorable effect on the development of the tourism economy. Compared to non-pilot cities, the implementation of LCCPs has led to an average increase of approximately CNY 1918 in tourism receipts per inhabitant in pilot cities. The mechanism analysis reveals that the implementation of LCCPs promotes the tourism economy by energizing the tourism market and accumulating ecological wealth. Specifically, LCCPs have not only optimized the supply of tourism products and related services but have also improved the competitiveness of regional tourism by energizing the tourism market. Meanwhile, LCCPs have improved the ecological environment and enriched natural resources through the accumulation of urban ecological wealth, thereby enhancing urban tourism attractiveness and environmental carrying capacity. The heterogeneity results show that the impact of LCCPs on the tourism economy varies significantly by tourism resource endowment, border-crossing status, and ecological landscape division. Our findings provide empirical evidence that can be used to promote the tourism economy in other countries and facilitate the industrial transformation during the process of a low-carbon transition. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Climate Change Impacts and Sustainable Tourism)
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18 pages, 2059 KiB  
Review
How Developments in Genebanks Could Shape Utilization Strategies for Domestic Animals
by Qianzi Ren, Ying Gong, Peng Su, Gang Liu, Yabin Pu, Fuqing Yu, Yuehui Ma, Zhenqing Wang, Yefang Li and Lin Jiang
Agriculture 2025, 15(2), 133; https://doi.org/10.3390/agriculture15020133 - 9 Jan 2025
Viewed by 1305
Abstract
Global geographical, climatic, and ecological diversity has given rise to a wealth of domestic animals, which are essential for food security and agricultural sustainability. Since the 1960s, these critical genetic resources have declined significantly due to overdevelopment, ecological degradation, and climate change, posing [...] Read more.
Global geographical, climatic, and ecological diversity has given rise to a wealth of domestic animals, which are essential for food security and agricultural sustainability. Since the 1960s, these critical genetic resources have declined significantly due to overdevelopment, ecological degradation, and climate change, posing a serious threat to global food security. In the face of these challenges, we emphasize the critical importance of promoting indigenous livestock and poultry germplasm resources in biodiversity conservation to enhance the adaptability and resilience of agricultural systems. To promote the sustainable management and conservation of genetic resources, a multistakeholder international cooperation framework is needed. Globally, many national and international institutions have initiated a variety of conservation measures, legislation, and technical strategies. In particular, genebanks play an indispensable role in the conservation of important livestock and poultry genetic resources. These banks not only aid in maintaining biodiversity but also provide valuable genetic material for future breeding programmes and scientific research. Through systematic collection, conservation and evaluation, genebanks ensure the long-term availability and sustainable use of genetic resources and provide an important foundation for addressing global environmental change and agricultural challenges. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Farm Animal Production)
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17 pages, 3875 KiB  
Article
Phytogeographic Transition Areas Hide Floristic Diversity in Hyper-Arid Environments (Sharaan Natural Reserve, NW-Saudi Arabia)
by Mohamed Djamel Miara, Sami Youssef, Yassine Fendane, Louise Marris, Robin Sallio, Hassan Boukcim, Sami D. Almalki, Shauna K. Rees, Benjamin P. Y.-H. Lee, Abdalsamad Aldabaa and Ahmed H. Mohamed
Diversity 2025, 17(1), 30; https://doi.org/10.3390/d17010030 - 31 Dec 2024
Viewed by 1205
Abstract
Phytogeographic transition zones are often considered areas rich in biodiversity due to their ecological and landscape diversity. This study constitutes the first floristic investigation of the Sharaan Natural Reserve (SNR) located in the northwest of the KSA, which is supposed to be a [...] Read more.
Phytogeographic transition zones are often considered areas rich in biodiversity due to their ecological and landscape diversity. This study constitutes the first floristic investigation of the Sharaan Natural Reserve (SNR) located in the northwest of the KSA, which is supposed to be a phytogeographic transition zone due to its location between the central zone of the country dominated by Saharo-Arabic flora and the northern zone characterized by a Mediterranean and Irano-Turanian floristic affinities. The floristic studies carried out in the vegetation season from 2022 to 2024 led to the identification of 166 plant taxa belonging to 38 botanical families. The flora of the SNR is dominated by Therophytes, while the Saharo-Arabian element dominates the chorology of the taxa. The comparative phytogeographic analysis of SNR flora compared to the available literature on published floristic inventories in different phytogeographic regions of the country has confirmed the floristic affinities of the flora of the reserve, especially with the northern and Nefud regions. Among the identified plants, 13 taxa were not mentioned in the 44 consulted references and seem more or less exclusive to the reserve/phytogeographic region. Also, 12 taxa are considered of Least Concern according to the IUCN red list while the presence of Calligonum comosum L’Hér. allows the classification of its natural habitat (dunes) as a Critical Habitat according to the PS6 criteria. This study reports that SNR constitutes a phytogeographic and floristic transitional area by the presence of a significant number of Irano-Turanian (43) and Mediterranean (21) taxa mixed with the dominant Saharo-Arabic species. The SNR region contains a rich and diverse flora due to the biogeographical situation as a transitional zone and the protection due to the closure. This conservation should be strengthened and extended to other neighboring areas with the same biological wealth. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Ecology and Diversity of Plants in Arid and Semi-Arid Ecosystems)
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21 pages, 4607 KiB  
Article
Assessing the Economic Value of Carbon Sinks in Farmland Using a Multi-Scenario System Dynamics Model
by Shixiong Song, Mingjian Su, Lingqiang Kong, Mingli Kong and Yongxi Ma
Agriculture 2025, 15(1), 69; https://doi.org/10.3390/agriculture15010069 - 30 Dec 2024
Viewed by 836
Abstract
Exploring the economic value of carbon sinks in agricultural systems can improve the development of sustainable agriculture. However, there are few studies on the economic value of farmland carbon sinks from a systemic perspective. This study takes Zhejiang, China’s first common wealth demonstration [...] Read more.
Exploring the economic value of carbon sinks in agricultural systems can improve the development of sustainable agriculture. However, there are few studies on the economic value of farmland carbon sinks from a systemic perspective. This study takes Zhejiang, China’s first common wealth demonstration zone, as an example, and quantifies the carbon sinks in farmland and their economic value. The driving mechanism is analyzed by using a system dynamics model. The potential value and management of farmland carbon sinks are discussed. The results show that from 2007 to 2021, the average annual carbon sinks in farmland of Zhejiang were 5.84 million tons, a downward trend. The annual economic value was CNY 149.80 million, a marked upward trend. A rational fertilization project is a win-win ecological and economical measure to enhance the carbon sinks in farmland. Artificially increasing the carbon price to 32% will help Zhejiang achieve the core goal of the common prosperity plan, bringing the urban–rural income gap below 1.9 in 2025. Achieving the economic value of farmland carbon sinks is a green way to narrow the urban–rural income gap. Our study indicates that the marketization of carbon sinks in agricultural land systems may be a very promising path to promote green agriculture. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Agricultural Economics, Policies and Rural Management)
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20 pages, 2840 KiB  
Article
Spatially Explicit Analysis of Landscape Structures, Urban Growth, and Economic Dynamics in Metropolitan Regions
by Ioannis Vardopoulos, Marco Maialetti, Donato Scarpitta and Luca Salvati
Urban Sci. 2024, 8(4), 150; https://doi.org/10.3390/urbansci8040150 - 24 Sep 2024
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1577
Abstract
Assuming that settlement morphologies and landscape structures are the result of economic transformations, the present study illustrates a statistical framework investigating metropolitan growth due to the inherent changes in landscape configurations vis à vis socio-demographic functions. Focusing on the evolution of their spatial [...] Read more.
Assuming that settlement morphologies and landscape structures are the result of economic transformations, the present study illustrates a statistical framework investigating metropolitan growth due to the inherent changes in landscape configurations vis à vis socio-demographic functions. Focusing on the evolution of their spatial drivers over time, metropolitan development was studied by adopting land parcels (or ‘patches’, as they are referred to in the ecological literature) as the elementary analysis unit—with the individual surface area and a specific shape indicator as the dependent variables and background socioeconomic attributes as predictors of landscape change over time. We specifically ran a Multiscale Geographically Weighted Regression (MGWR) testing the spatial dependence of the size and shape of landscape parcels on a vast ensemble of socioeconomic factors in a dense region (metropolitan Athens, Greece) with natural landscapes exposed to increasing human pressure. To investigate the spatial direction and intensity of the settlement expansion and landscape change, local regressions using the parcel area and fractal index (perimeter-to-area ratio) as the dependent variables and the elevation, distance from selected economic nodes, transport infrastructures, and natural amenities as the predictors were run separately for 1990 and 2018, representative of, respectively, a mono-centric configuration and a moderately polycentric organization of economic spaces. In a strictly mono-centric setting (1990), the parcel size showed a linear dependence on the distance from business districts, elevation, and wealth. Changes in the relationship between the parcel size and spatial (economic and non-economic) drivers may suggest a latent process of settlement de-concentration, and a possible shift toward polycentric development (2018), as documented in earlier studies. By integrating socioeconomic and ecological dimensions of landscape analysis and land evaluation, the empirical results of this study outline the increased complexity of dispersed landscape structures within dense metropolitan regions and along urban–rural gradients in Europe. Full article
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17 pages, 1905 KiB  
Review
Transforming Financial Systems: The Role of Time Banking in Promoting Community Collaboration and Equitable Wealth Distribution
by Otilia Manta and Maria Palazzo
FinTech 2024, 3(3), 407-423; https://doi.org/10.3390/fintech3030022 - 22 Aug 2024
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 2667
Abstract
The existing global multi-crises have generated significant transformations in the architecture of financial systems, impacting local communities. Furthermore, the digital era has created a conducive environment for the development of financial innovations that can generate financial instruments supporting financial inclusion. Our research aims [...] Read more.
The existing global multi-crises have generated significant transformations in the architecture of financial systems, impacting local communities. Furthermore, the digital era has created a conducive environment for the development of financial innovations that can generate financial instruments supporting financial inclusion. Our research aims to identify and develop innovative financial instruments that foster closer collaboration within communities and promote a more equitable distribution of wealth and resources, directly impacting financial inclusion and well-being. The methodology used in our study is based on existing empirical research in the specialized scientific literature, as well as on identifying variables within existing models. Additionally, the use of bibliometric analyses and research tools based on artificial intelligence allows us to structure the innovative financial instruments found in the scientific databases. Building on the existence of innovative financial instruments, our paper specifically explores the concept of time banking as an innovative financial instrument, offering a new approach to economic exchange and the construction of financial mechanisms at the local community level. By using technology, especially in digital and ecological eras, time banks can be efficiently managed through online platforms where individuals can register their contributed hours and access the services they need. This study’s conclusions emphasize that time banks have the potential to serve as innovative financial instruments. Furthermore, through the analysis conducted in this study and the identified models, this study contributes to redefining the concept of time banking as an innovative financial instrument. Time banks focus on the productivity and efficiency of local community activities, with direct implications for reducing dependence on traditional currency and promoting an equitable distribution of labor. This innovative approach is promising, especially in an increasingly digitized financial landscape. Our paper seeks to capture this transformative potential and highlight our personal contributions to redefining the time bank as an innovative financial instrument. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Financial Technology and Innovation Sustainable Development)
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25 pages, 3265 KiB  
Article
Urban Green Infrastructure Connectivity: The Role of Private Semi-Natural Areas
by Raihan Jamil, Jason P. Julian, Jennifer L. R. Jensen and Kimberly M. Meitzen
Land 2024, 13(8), 1213; https://doi.org/10.3390/land13081213 - 6 Aug 2024
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 4738
Abstract
Green spaces and blue spaces in cities provide a wealth of benefits to the urban social–ecological system. Unfortunately, urban development fragments natural habitats, reducing connectivity and biodiversity. Urban green–blue infrastructure (UGI) networks can mitigate these effects by providing ecological corridors that enhance habitat [...] Read more.
Green spaces and blue spaces in cities provide a wealth of benefits to the urban social–ecological system. Unfortunately, urban development fragments natural habitats, reducing connectivity and biodiversity. Urban green–blue infrastructure (UGI) networks can mitigate these effects by providing ecological corridors that enhance habitat connectivity. This study examined UGI connectivity for two indicator species in a rapidly developing city in the southern United States. We mapped and analyzed UGI at a high resolution (0.6 m) across the entire city, with a focus on semi-natural areas in private land and residential neighborhoods. Integrating graph theory and a gravity model, we assessed structural UGI networks and ranked them based on their ability to support functional connectivity. Most of the potential habitat corridors we mapped in this project traversed private lands, including 58% of the priority habitat for the Golden-cheeked Warbler and 69% of the priority habitat for the Rio Grande Wild Turkey. Riparian zones and other areas with dense tree cover were critical linkages in these habitat corridors. Our findings illustrate the important role that private semi-natural areas play in UGI, habitat connectivity, and essential ecosystem services. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Managing Urban Green Infrastructure and Ecosystem Services)
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14 pages, 5642 KiB  
Article
From Marginal Lands to Biofuel Bounty: Predicting the Distribution of Oilseed Crop Idesia polycarpa in Southern China’s Karst Ecosystem
by Yangyang Wu, Panli Yuan, Siliang Li, Chunzi Guo, Fujun Yue, Guangjie Luo, Xiaodong Yang, Zhonghua Zhang, Ying Zhang, Jinli Yang, Haobiao Wu and Guanghong Zhou
Agronomy 2024, 14(7), 1563; https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy14071563 - 18 Jul 2024
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1451
Abstract
With the global energy crisis and the decline of fossil fuel resources, biofuels are gaining attention as alternative energy sources. China, as a major developing country, has long depended on coal and is now looking to biofuels to diversify its energy structure and [...] Read more.
With the global energy crisis and the decline of fossil fuel resources, biofuels are gaining attention as alternative energy sources. China, as a major developing country, has long depended on coal and is now looking to biofuels to diversify its energy structure and ensure sustainable development. However, due to its large population and limited arable land, it cannot widely use corn or sugarcane as raw materials for bioenergy. Instead, the Chinese government encourages the planting of non-food crops on marginal lands to safeguard food security and support the biofuel sector. The Southern China Karst Region, with its typical karst landscape and fragile ecological environment, offers a wealth of potential marginal land resources that are suitable for planting non-food energy crops. This area is also one of the most impoverished rural regions in China, confronting a variety of challenges, such as harsh natural conditions, scarcity of land, and ecological deterioration. Idesia polycarpa, as a fast-growing tree species that is drought-tolerant and can thrive in poor soil, is well adapted to the karst region and has important value for ecological restoration and biodiesel production. By integrating 19 bioclimatic variables and karst landform data, our analysis reveals that the Maximum Entropy (MaxEnt) model surpasses the Random Forest (RF) model in predictive accuracy for Idesia polycarpa’s distribution. The karst areas of Sichuan, Chongqing, Hubei, Hunan, and Guizhou provinces are identified as highly suitable for the species, aligning with regions of ecological vulnerability and poverty. This research provides critical insights into the strategic cultivation of Idesia polycarpa, contributing to ecological restoration, local economic development, and the advancement of China’s biofuel industry. Full article
(This article belongs to the Topic Advances in Crop Simulation Modelling)
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17 pages, 3135 KiB  
Article
Diversity and Ecological Assessment of Grasslands Habitat Types: A Case Study in the Calabria Region (Southern Italy)
by Antonio Morabito, Carmelo Maria Musarella and Giovanni Spampinato
Land 2024, 13(6), 719; https://doi.org/10.3390/land13060719 - 21 May 2024
Cited by 5 | Viewed by 2294
Abstract
Grasslands differ in many types depending on the diversity of climatic conditions and substrates. Due to the great wealth of species found in semi-natural grasslands, they conserve an essential part of the biodiversity of the European Union (EEC 43/92), defined as habitats of [...] Read more.
Grasslands differ in many types depending on the diversity of climatic conditions and substrates. Due to the great wealth of species found in semi-natural grasslands, they conserve an essential part of the biodiversity of the European Union (EEC 43/92), defined as habitats of community interest. Using the region of Calabria (southern Italy) as a case study, this study aims to evaluate how species assemblages and a set of indicators applied to them can be used to analyse and characterize the diversity, ecological features and conservation status of grassland habitats. Vegetation analysis was carried out using the phytosociological method, and habitat ecological characteristics were defined by Ellenberg’s ecological indicator adapted to the Italian flora. Multivariate analysis of the surveys by means of cluster analysis and Principal Components Analysis (PCA) made it possible to define eight habitat groups according to EEC Directive 43/92: 6110 Rocky or basophilous calcareous grasslands of the Alysso-Sedion albi, 6170 Alpine and subalpine calcareous grasslands, 6220*a Pseudo-steppe with grasses and annuals of the Thero-Brachypodietea dominated by a Lygeum spartum, 6220*b Pseudo-steppe with grasses and annuals of the Thero-Brachypodietea dominated by Hyparrhenia hirta, 6210* Semi-natural dry grasslands and scrub facies on calcareous substrates (Festuco-Bromometalia) (*important orchid sites), 6230* Species-rich Nardus grasslands, on siliceous substrates in mountain areas (and submountain areas, in Continental Europe), 6410 Molinia meadows on calcareous, peaty or clayey-siltladen soils (Molinion caeruleae), 6420 Mediterranean tall humid herb grasslands of the Molinio-Holoschoenion, 6430 Hydrophilous tall herb fringe communities of plains and of the montane to alpine levels. Temperature (T) and oisture (U) are the most statistically significant ecological factors in differentiating different habitat types. Analysis of diversity, assessed through Shannon and Evenness indices, showed that it is strongly correlated with habitat diversity as soil moisture increases. The study of ecological characteristics, correlated with biodiversity indices, helps to characterize grassland habitats, providing guidance for the implementation of active conservation policies for these habitats. Full article
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