Search Results (899)

Water-related ecosystem services provide a broad range of benefits, including the mitigation of extreme hydrometeorological events, the provision of water for various uses, the support of tourism, and the provision of cultural services. This study assesses the perceptions and accessibility of these services among communities located near the Alafiarou and Okpara dams in Benin and the Bagré dam in Burkina Faso. The methodology involved designing and implementing a questionnaire in KoboCollect, with trained agents deployed to conduct data collection at each of the three sites. Data analysis indicates that respondents identified biodiversity conservation and the provision of drinking water as the most crucial ecosystem services. Over two-thirds of participants reported observing both positive and negative changes in the services provided by rivers and in socio-economic activities since the construction of the dams. While the majority noted improvements in agriculture, irrigation, water quality, fisheries, and flow rates, other changes included biodiversity loss, a decrease in vegetation cover (notably trees and shrubs), an increase in the population of mosquitoes and other insects, and a decline in fishery resources downstream. Despite these challenges, local communities were strongly willing to participate in initiatives aimed at protecting and restoring river ecosystems and their related services. Full article

Mangroves play a crucial role in ecosystems, and the accurate classification and real-time monitoring of mangrove species are essential for their protection and restoration. To improve the segmentation performance of mangrove UAV remote sensing images, this study performs species segmentation after the super-resolution (SR) reconstruction of images. Therefore, we propose SwinNET, an SR reconstruction network. We design a convolutional enhanced channel attention (CEA) module within a network to enhance feature reconstruction through channel attention. Additionally, the Neighborhood Attention Transformer (NAT) is introduced to help the model better focus on domain features, aiming to improve the reconstruction of leaf details. These two attention mechanisms are symmetrically integrated within the network to jointly capture complementary information from spatial and channel dimensions. The experimental results demonstrate that SwinNET not only achieves superior performance in SR tasks but also significantly enhances the segmentation accuracy of mangrove species. Full article

Based on a comprehensive review of the current research status of ecological compensation both domestically and internationally, combined with field survey data, this study delves into the issue of multi-stakeholder participation in the ecological compensation mechanisms of the Xin’an River Basin. This research reveals that the joint participation of multiple stakeholders is crucial to achieving the goals of ecological compensation in river basins. The government plays a significant role in macro-guidance, financial support, policy guarantees, supervision, and management. It promotes the comprehensive implementation of ecological environmental protection by formulating relevant laws and regulations, guiding the public to participate in ecological conservation, and supervising and punishing pollution behaviors. The public, serving as the main force, forms strong awareness and behavioral habits of ecological protection through active participation in environmental protection, monitoring, and feedback. As participants, enterprises contribute to industrial transformation and green development by improving resource utilization efficiency, reducing pollution emissions, promoting green industries, and participating in ecological restoration projects. Scientific research institutions, as technology enablers, have effectively enhanced governance efficiency through technological research and innovation, ecosystem value accounting to provide decision-making support, and public education. Social organizations, as facilitators, have injected vitality and innovation into watershed governance by extensively mobilizing social forces and building multi-party collaboration platforms. Communities, as supporters, have transformed ecological value into economic benefits by developing characteristic industries such as eco-agriculture and eco-tourism. Based on the above findings, further recommendations are proposed to mobilize the enthusiasm of upstream communities and encourage their participation in ecological compensation, promote the market-oriented operation of ecological compensation mechanisms, strengthen cross-regional cooperation to establish joint mechanisms, enhance supervision and evaluation, and establish a sound benefit-sharing mechanism. These recommendations provide theoretical support and practical references for ecological compensation worldwide. Full article

This comprehensive study investigates the spatial distribution of metals in surface water, their accumulation in fish tissues, and their impact on the gut microbiome dynamics of fish in the Qi River, Huanggang City, Hubei Province. Three distinct sampling regions were established: the mining area (A), the transition area (B), and the distant area (C). Our results revealed that metal concentrations were highest in the mining area and decreased with increasing distance from it. The bioaccumulation of metals in fish tissues followed the order of gut > brain > muscle, with some concentrations exceeding food safety standards. Analysis of the gut microbiota showed that Firmicutes and Proteobacteria dominated in the mining area, while Fusobacteriota were more prevalent in the distant area. Heavy metal pollution significantly altered the composition and network structure of the gut microbiota, reducing microbial associations and increasing negative correlations. These findings highlight the profound impact of heavy metal pollution on both fish health and the stability of their gut microbiota, underscoring the urgent need for effective pollution control measures to mitigate ecological risks and protect aquatic biodiversity. Future research should focus on long-term monitoring and exploring potential remediation strategies to restore the health of affected ecosystems. Full article

Situated in the southern hilly-mountain belt of China’s “Three Zones and Four Belts Strategy”, Gannan region is a critical ecological shelter belt for the Ganjiang River. Decades of intensive mineral extraction and irrational agricultural development have rendered it into an ecologically fragile area. Consequently, multiple restoration initiatives have been implemented in the region over recent decades. However, it remains unclear how relationships among ecosystem services have evolved under these interventions and how future ecosystem management should be optimized based on these changes. Thus, in this study, we simulated and assessed the spatiotemporal dynamics of five key ESs in Gannan region from 1990 to 2020. Through integrated correlation, clustering, and redundancy analyses, we quantified ES interactions, tracked the evolution of ecosystem service bundles (ESBs), and identified their socio-ecological drivers. Despite a 31% decline in water yield, ecological restoration initiatives drove substantial improvements in key regulating services: carbon storage increased by 6.9 × 10¹² gC while soil conservation rose by 4.8 × 10⁸ t. Concurrently, regional habitat quality surged by 45% in mean scores, and food production increased by 2.1 × 10⁵ t. Critically, synergistic relationships between habitat quality, soil retention, and carbon storage were progressively strengthened, whereas trade-offs between food production and habitat quality intensified. Further analysis revealed that four distinct ESBs—the Agricultural Production Bundle (APB), Urban Development Bundle (UDB), Eco-Agriculture Transition Bundle (ETB), and Ecological Protection Bundle (EPB)—were shaped by slope, forest cover ratio, population density, and GDP. Notably, 38% of the ETB transformed into the EPB, with frequent spatial interactions observed between the APB and UDB. These findings underscore that future ecological restoration and conservation efforts should implement coordinated, multi-service management mechanisms. Full article

It is crucial to clarify the grassland carrying capacity (CC) and the balance between grass and livestock under different scenarios for ecological protection and sustainable development in the Three River Headwaters Region (TRHR). This study focused on the TRHR and used livestock data, MODIS Net Primary Productivity (NPP) data, and artificial supplementary feeding data to analyze grassland CC and explore changes in the grass–livestock balance across various scenarios. The results showed that the theoretical CC of edible forage under complete grazing conditions was much lower than that of crude protein under nutritional carrying conditions. Furthermore, without increasing the grazing intensity of natural grasslands, artificial supplementary feeding reduced overstocking areas by 21%. These results suggest that supplementary feeding effectively addresses the imbalance between forage supply and demand, serving as a key measure for achieving sustainable grassland livestock husbandry. Despite the effective mitigation of grassland degradation in the TRHR due to strict grass–livestock balance policies and ecological restoration projects, the actual livestock CC exceeded the theoretical capacity, leading to overgrazing in some areas. To achieve desired objectives, more effective grassland management strategies must be implemented in the future to minimize spatiotemporal conflicts between grasses and livestock and ensure the health and stability of grassland ecosystems. Full article

Understanding alpine plants’ survival and reproduction is crucial for their conservation in climate change. Based on 423 valid distribution points, this study utilizes the MaxEnt model to predict the potential habitat and distribution dynamics of Leontopodium nanum under both current and future climate scenarios, while clarifying the key factors that influence its distribution. The primary ecological drivers of distribution are altitude (2886.08 m–5576.14 m) and the mean temperature of the driest quarter (−6.60–1.55 °C). Currently, the suitable habitat area is approximately 520.28 × 10⁴ km², covering about 3.5% of the global land area, concentrated mainly in the Tibetan Plateau, with smaller regions across East and South Asia. Under future climate scenarios, low-emission (SSP126), suitable areas are projected to expand during the 2050s and 2070s. High-emission (SSP585), suitable areas may decrease by 50%, with a 66.07% reduction in highly suitable areas by the 2070s. The greatest losses are expected in the south-eastern Tibetan Plateau. Regarding dynamic habitat changes, by the 2050s, newly suitable areas will account for 51.09% of the current habitat, while 68.26% of existing habitat will become unsuitable. By the 2070s, newly suitable areas will rise to 71.86% of the current total, but the loss of existing areas will exceed these gains, particularly under the high-emission scenario. The centroid of suitable habitats is expected to shift northward, with migration distances ranging from 23.94 km to 342.42 km. The most significant shift is anticipated under the SSP126 scenario by the 2070s. This study offers valuable insights into the distribution dynamics of L. nanum and other alpine species under the context of climate change. From a conservation perspective, it is recommended to prioritize the protection and restoration of vegetation in key habitat patches or potential migration corridors, restrict overgrazing and infrastructure development, and maintain genetic diversity and dispersal capacity through assisted migration and population genetic monitoring when necessary. These measures aim to provide a robust scientific foundation for the comprehensive conservation and sustainable management of the grassland ecosystem on the Qinghai–Tibet Plateau. Full article

While water conservancy projects continuously enhance flood control and resource allocation capabilities, the adverse impacts on basin systems, particularly the structural disruption of surface water–groundwater continuity, have become increasingly pronounced. Therefore, establishing quantitative assessment of water system connectivity as a critical foundation for optimizing spatial water distribution, maintaining ecohydrological equilibrium, and enhancing flood–drought regulation efficacy is important. Focusing on the regulated reaches of the Panjiakou, Daheiting, and Taolinkou reservoirs in the Luan River Basin, this study established and integrated a three-dimensional assessment framework that synthesizes hydrological processes, hydraulic structural effects, and human activities as three fundamental drivers, and employed the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) to develop a quantitative connectivity evaluation system. Results indicate that water conservancy projects significantly altered basin connectivity: surface water connectivity decreased by 0.40, while groundwater connectivity experienced a minor reduction (0.25) primarily through reservoir seepage. Consequently, the integrated surface–groundwater system declined by 0.39. Critically, project scale governs surface connectivity attenuation intensity, which substantially exceeds impacts on groundwater systems. The comprehensive assessment system developed in this study provides theoretical and methodological support for diagnosing river connectivity, formulating ecological restoration strategies, and protecting basin ecosystems. Full article

The construction and maintenance of an ecological security pattern (ESP) are important for promoting the regional development of ecological civilizations, realizing sustainable and healthy development, and creating a harmonious and beautiful space for human beings and nature to thrive. Traditional construction methods have the limitations of a single dimension, a single method, and excessive human subjective intervention for source and corridor identification, without considering the multidimensional quality of the sources and the structural connectivity and resilience optimization of the corridors. Therefore, an ecological civilization demonstration area (Jiangxi Province) was used as the study area, a new research method for ESP was proposed, and an empirical study was conducted. To evaluate ecosystem service (ES) importance–disturbance–risk and extract sustainability sources through the deep embedded clustering–self-organizing map (DEC–SOM) deep unsupervised learning clustering algorithm, ecological networks (ENs) were constructed by applying the minimum cumulative resistance (MCR) gravity model and circuit theory. The ENs were then optimized to improve performance by combining the comparative advantages of the two approaches in terms of structural connectivity and resilience. A comparative analysis of EN performance was constructed among different functional control zones, and the ESP was constructed to include 42 ecological sources, 134 corridors, 210 restoration nodes, and 280 protection nodes. An ESP of ‘1 nucleus, 3 belts, 6 zones, and multiple corridors’ was constructed, and the key restoration components and protection functions were clarified. This study offers a valuable reference for ecological management, protection, and restoration and provides insights into the promotion of harmonious symbiosis between human beings and nature and sustainable regional development. Full article

Eco-enzymatic stoichiometry provides a basis for understanding soil ecosystem functions, with implications for land management and ecological protection. Long-term climatic factors and human interferences have caused significant land-use transformations in the Qinghai–Tibet Plateau region, affecting various ecological functions, such as soil nutrient cycling and chemical element balance. It is currently unclear how large-scale land-use conversion affects soil ecological stoichiometry. In this study, 763 soil samples were collected across three land-use types: farmland, grassland, and forest land. In addition, changes in soil physicochemical properties and enzyme activity and stoichiometry were determined. The soil available phosphorus (SAP) and total phosphorus (TP) concentrations were the highest in farmland soil. Bulk density, pH, SAP, TP, and NO₃⁻-N were lower in forest soil, whereas NH₄⁺-N, available nitrogen, soil organic carbon (SOC), available potassium, and the soil nutrient ratio increased. Land-use conversion promoted soil β-1,4-glucosidase, N-acetyl-β-glucosaminidase, and alkaline phosphatase activities, mostly in forest soil. The eco-enzymatic C:N ratio was higher in farmland soils but grassland soils had a higher enzymatic C:P and N:P. Soil microorganisms were limited by P nutrients in all land-use patterns. C limitation was the highest in farmland soil. The redundancy analysis indicated that the ecological stoichiometry in farmland was influenced by TN, whereas grass and forest soils were influenced by SOC. Overall, the conversion of cropland or grassland to complex land-use types can effectively enhance soil nutrients, enzyme activities, and ecosystem functions, providing valuable insights for ecological restoration and sustainable land management in alpine regions. Full article

Heatwaves intensified by climate change increasingly threaten urban populations, especially the elderly. However, most existing studies have concentrated on short-term or single-scale analyses, lacking a comprehensive understanding of how land cover changes and urbanization affect the vulnerability of the elderly to extreme heat. This study aims to investigate the spatiotemporal distribution patterns of heat-related health risks among the elderly in Nanchang City and to identify their key driving factors within the context of rapid urbanization. This study employs Crichton’s risk triangle framework to the heat-related health risks for the elderly in Nanchang, China, from 2002 to 2020 by integrating meteorological records, land surface temperature, land cover data, and socioeconomic indicators. The model captures the spatiotemporal dynamics of heat hazards, exposure, and vulnerability and identifies the key drivers shaping these patterns. The results show that the heat health risk index has increased significantly over time, with notably higher levels in the urban core compared to those in suburban areas. A 1% rise in impervious surface area corresponds to a 0.31–1.19 increase in the risk index, while a 1% increase in green space leads to a 0.21–1.39 reduction. Vulnerability is particularly high in economically disadvantaged, medically under-served peripheral zones. These findings highlight the need to optimize the spatial distribution of urban green space and control the expansion of impervious surfaces to mitigate urban heat risks. In high-vulnerability areas, improving infrastructure, expanding medical resources, and establishing targeted heat health monitoring and early warning systems are essential to protecting elderly populations. Overall, this study provides a comprehensive framework for assessing urban heat health risks and offers actionable insights into enhancing climate resilience and health risk management in rapidly urbanizing regions. Full article

The intensifying global climate warming caused by human activities poses severe challenges to ecosystem stability. Constructing an ecological security pattern can identify ecological land supply and an effective spatial distribution baseline and provide a scientific basis for safeguarding regional ecological security. This study analyzes land-use data from 2000 to 2020 for Golog Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture. The PLUS model was utilized to project land-use potential for the year 2030. The InVEST model was employed to conduct a comprehensive assessment of habitat quality in the study area for both 2020 and 2030, thereby pinpointing ecological sources. Critical ecological restoration zones were delineated by identifying ecological corridors, pinch points, and barrier points through the application of the Minimum Cumulative Resistance model and circuit theory. By comparing ecological security patterns (ESPs) in 2020 and 2030, we proposed a dynamic restoration framework and optimization recommendations based on habitat quality changes and ESPs. The results indicate significant land-use changes in the eastern part of Golog Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture from 2020 to 2030, with large-scale conversion of grasslands into bare land, farmland, and artificial surfaces. The ecological security pattern is threatened by risks like the deterioration of habitat quality, diminished ecological sources as well as pinch points, and growing barrier points. Optimizing the layout of ecological resources, strengthening barrier zone restoration and pinch point protection, and improving habitat connectivity are urgent priorities to ensure regional ecological security. This study offers a scientific foundation for the harmonization of ecological protection and economic development and the policy development and execution of relevant departments. Full article

Soil microbes play a crucial role in driving biogeochemical cycles and are closely linked with aboveground plants during forest succession. Moso bamboo (Phyllostachys edulis) encroachment into adjacent forests of varying composition is known to alter plant diversity in subtropical and tropical regions. However, how soil microbial communities respond to this vegetation type transformation has not fully explored. To address this knowledge gap, a time-alternative spatial method was employed in the present study, and we investigated the effect of Moso bamboo expansion into subtropical broad-leaved forest and coniferous forest on soil microbial phospholipid fatty acids (PLFAs). We also measured the dynamics of key soil properties during the Moso bamboo expansion processes. Our results showed that Moso bamboo encroachment into subtropical broad-leaved forest induced an elevation in soil bacterial PLFAs (24.78%) and total microbial PLFAs (22.70%), while decreasing the fungal-to-bacterial (F:B) ratio. This trend was attributed to declines in soil NO₃⁻-N (18.63%) and soil organic carbon (SOC) concentrations (28.83%). Conversely, expansion into coniferous forests promoted soil fungal PLFAs (40.41%) and F:B ratio, primarily driven by increases in soil pH (4.83%) and decreases in SOC (36.18%). These results provide mechanistic insights into how contrasting expansion trajectories of Moso bamboo restructure soil microbial communities and highlight the need to consider vegetation context-dependency when evaluating the ecological consequences of Moso bamboo expansion. Full article

Stag beetles are saproxylic insects, essential for decomposing rotten wood and maintaining the carbon cycle. Their gut bacteria contribute significantly to nutrient digestion and energy acquisition, making them crucial for understanding host-microbe interactions. Despite the fungivorous behavior of stag beetle larvae, research on how diet influences gut bacterial diversity remains scarce. Therefore, this study was conducted to compare the diversity and metabolic functions of gut bacteria in Dorcus hopei larvae fed on fungus (Pleurotus geesteranus) and rotten wood diets using high-throughput sequencing technology. Significant differences (p < 0.05) were observed in gut bacterial community composition between two diets, highlighting diet as a key factor shaping bacterial diversity. Additionally, gut bacterial communities varied across larval developmental stages (p < 0.05), indicating the influence of host age. Dominant bacterial phyla included Firmicutes, Bacteroidetes, and Proteobacteria. Bacteroidetes were more abundant in rotten-wood-fed larvae (7.61%) than fungus-fed larvae (0.15%), while Proteobacteria were more abundant in fungus-fed larvae. Functional analysis revealed that rotten-wood-fed larvae were primarily related to carbohydrate and amino acid metabolism, whereas fungus-fed larvae exhibited enhanced membrane transport function. This study enhances the understanding of gut bacterial diversity and functions in stag beetles, providing a theoretical foundation for their conservation and sustainable utilization. Full article

This review addresses the critical conservation challenges faced by Pinna nobilis, the noble pen shell, a keystone umbrella species in Mediterranean marine ecosystems. Since 2016, the species has experienced catastrophic population declines due to mass mortality events likely driven by protozoan, bacterial, and viral infections. Despite these severe circumstances, small resilient populations persist in select estuaries and coastal lagoons across the Mediterranean, offering potential for recovery. We provide a comprehensive overview on research dedicated to Pinna nobilis’ biology, genetic variation, disease dynamics, and environmental factors influencing its survival, with a focus on refugia where populations still endure. Remarkably, recent studies have revealed signs of resistance in certain individuals and the potential for hybridisation with Pinna rudis. In this context, the possible impact of the increasing occurrence of hybridisation between Pinna nobilis and Pinna rudis on the conservation of their genetic diversity should be carefully considered. This review highlights the importance of ongoing conservation efforts including habitat restoration, protection of remaining populations, assessment of past and present genetic variability, and the development of captive breeding programmes. We aim to elucidate the need for continued studies on Pinna nobilis’ biodiversity, particularly its evolutionary dynamics, genetic makeup, and the interplay of environmental variables influencing its survival and persistence. Full article