Search Results (8,690)

The sustainability of traditional vernacular dwelling heritage has become an important academic concern. This study takes the traditional vernacular dwellings of the Ancient City of Pingyao as its research object and develops a macro–meso–micro multi-scale analytical framework. Drawing on four dimensions—environment, layout, architecture, and culture—it systematically investigates the geographical environment, spatial pattern, and architectural forms of Pingyao’s traditional vernacular dwellings using GIS spatial analysis, UAV oblique photogrammetry, and 3D laser scanning technologies. On this basis, an AHP–FCE comprehensive evaluation model is introduced to assess their sustainability. The results indicate that the formation and persistence of these dwellings are closely associated with favourable natural environmental conditions, a clear and orderly spatial pattern, and well-structured courtyard and architectural forms. The comprehensive evaluation yields a score of F = 3.23, indicating a moderately high level of sustainability. The four criterion layers are ranked as follows: architecture, layout, environment, and culture. The key determinants are structural safety, material authenticity, spatial integrity, and the continuity of traditional character. By combining multi-scale analysis with comprehensive evaluation, this study aims to clarify the priority directions for the conservation of traditional vernacular dwelling heritage in the Ancient City of Pingyao, thereby providing a scientific basis for its sustainable development. Full article

Understanding the spatial distribution patterns and environmental drivers of plant communities is fundamental for biodiversity conservation and ecosystem management. Bombax ceiba is a widely distributed tree species that occurs in both humid tropical rainforests and drought-prone dry-hot valleys, representing two strongly contrasting ecological environments. However, the spatial patterns and environmental drivers of plant communities associated with B. ceiba across these habitats remain poorly understood. In this study, we investigated B. ceiba-associated plant communities in two representative habitats in Yunnan Province, Southwest China: a tropical rainforest in Mengla and a dry-hot valley in Yuanjiang. The species composition, community structure, and spatial coordinates of associated plants were recorded in replicated 20 m × 20 m plots. Spatial distribution patterns were analyzed using the pair-correlation function g(r), while environmental drivers were examined using Pearson correlation analysis and redundancy analysis (RDA). Species richness was substantially higher in the tropical rainforest (41 species from 33 families) than in the dry-hot valley (19 species from 14 families). Both communities contained a substantial proportion of tropical Asian floristic elements. Most dominant species exhibited aggregated spatial distributions at small spatial scales (0–7 m), indicating strong dispersal limitation and microhabitat heterogeneity. Spatial associations varied across scales: in the dry-hot valley, species associations alternated between positive and negative correlations at small scales (0–5 m) and shifted toward positive correlations at larger distances, whereas in the tropical rainforest negative associations were more common at small scales and positive associations increased at larger spatial scales. Environmental drivers differed markedly between habitats. In the dry-hot valley, community attributes were positively associated with slope, precipitation, and soil ammonium nitrogen, suggesting that community assembly is influenced by interactions between topography and water availability. In contrast, tropical rainforest communities were more strongly associated with soil phosphorus availability and temperature-related variables. These findings highlight distinct community assembly mechanisms in contrasting habitats and provide ecological insights for vegetation restoration in dry-hot valleys and biodiversity conservation in tropical rainforests. Full article

Magic lantern slides are fragile objects consisting of transparent images depicted on thin glass plates to be projected by magic lanterns. Despite their widespread presence in archives and museums, these collections are often undervalued and understudied. The Portuguese Cinematheque holds the most extensive collection of slides in Portugal. This article presents the first preventive conservation case study focused on the collection of painted slides, reflecting on the general origins of this collection, examining the challenges faced by caretakers when adapting historical buildings to accommodate collections of this nature. Environmental monitoring of light and radiation, temperature, and relative humidity in storage and exhibition rooms was combined with ultraviolet-visible spectroscopy to measure the fading of one of the most light-sensitive colours identified in these slides in previous studies, the pink eosin-based lake, by comparing a slide exhibited under the measured light conditions with one kept in storage during the same period. The results identified damaging light exposure in display areas with illuminance values far above the recommended levels for these materials, and significant RH fluctuations in both spaces. These conditions are consistent with deterioration factors known to affect the material that composes these fragile media (e.g., light-sensitive painting materials and organic frames, and unstable glass). This study also showcases how raising awareness on the fragility of this heritage stimulated discussions and encouraged small and feasible changes that can positively impact its preservation. Full article

Understanding the factors that determine the success of lichen translocations is critical for effective conservation of lichen biodiversity. Both physiological acclimation and the genetic structure of source populations can influence conservation outcomes. This study examined seasonal variation in physiological parameters (specific thallus mass—STM, chlorophyll a fluorescence—F_V/F_M, and chlorophyll content) of Lobaria pulmonaria (L.) Hoffm. across one year, selecting three source populations along a latitudinal gradient in Mediterranean forests in Italy. Genetic structure of their mycobiont and photobiont were also characterized. STM differed significantly among populations and seasons, with consistent increases from March to September. In contrast, F_V/F_M remained relatively stable, while chlorophyll content showed the highest values in December. Genetic analyses revealed clear differentiation among populations for both symbionts. These results suggest that L. pulmonaria can acclimate physiologically to seasonal environmental changes and highlight the importance of considering local genetic structure when selecting source populations for translocation. Integrating physiological and genetic information provides a robust framework for improving conservation strategies for this species. Full article

Background: Codon usage bias (CUB), which is shaped by mutation pressure, natural selection, and genetic drift, provides valuable insights into phylogenetic relationships and molecular evolution. This study investigated the patterns and determinants of mitochondrial genome codon usage in two Enicurus species (Enicurus scouleri and Enicurus schistaceus) and provided a foundation for understanding codon optimisation mechanisms and genetic relationships within this avian genus. Methods: Complete mitochondrial genome sequences were retrieved from GenBank, and ten protein-coding sequences were selected for CUB analysis. Evolutionary relationships across the studied species were investigated using phylogenetic trees and relative synonymous codon usage (RSCU) clustering diagrams. Results: GC1, GC2, and GC3 contents were below 50% in both species, with the third-position nucleotides exhibiting A3s > C3s > T3s > G3s composition. The average effective number of codons (ENC) value was >35, indicating a weak bias for codon usage. CUB reflects the combined effects of natural selection and mutational pressure, with the former exerting a stronger influence. Four shared optimal codons were identified with a strong bias towards A/C-ending triplets. Subsequent phylogenetic analysis validated the close kinship of the two Enicurus species, although RSCU-based clustering yielded results that diverged from the phylogenetic relationships. Conclusions: Comprehensive mechanistic analysis revealed natural selection as the dominant force shaping mitochondrial CUB in Enicurus species. The findings offered valuable insights for future research on the reproductive biology, environmental adaptation, and conservation of Enicurus birds while providing new perspectives on the molecular evolution and systematic development of Muscicapidae. Full article

Understory community diversity in urban forests is crucial for maintaining urban ecosystem functions and enhancing urban resilience, but it is threatened by rapid urbanization. Currently, there remains a knowledge gap regarding the multi-scale responses and driving mechanisms of understory community diversity along urbanization gradients, which hinders its scientific conservation and management. This study was conducted in Shanghai, a highly urbanized metropolis in China, at both plot and site scales. A total of 75 plots and 380 quadrats were established across 16 urban forest sites. Five key environmental factors were selected, including distance from the city center, visitor intensity, non-native species richness, overstory coverage, and forest area. Using taxonomic and phylogenetic diversity, regression models and null models were employed to analyze the multi-scale patterns and underlying assembly processes of understory plant communities. The results showed that the effects of environmental factors were scale-dependent, with environmental filtering as the core assembly mechanism. At the plot scale, the distance from the city center exhibited a U-shaped relationship with species richness (p = 0.005), while visitor intensity displayed a unimodal pattern with both species richness (p < 0.001) and Faith’s phylogenetic diversity (PD, p = 0.029). Increased non-native species richness intensified phylogenetic clustering (p < 0.05), and environmental filtering was the dominant process of community assembly. At the site scale, the β-diversity of non-native species drove the increase in phylogenetic the β-diversity of understory communities (p < 0.001); geographical distance had a significant positive effect on βMNTD (p = 0.002); and differences in non-native species could weaken biotic homogenization (p < 0.05). This study clarifies the multi-scale response patterns and driving mechanisms of understory community diversity and structure, providing a scientific basis for optimizing the conservation and management of understory vegetation in urban forests and enhancing urban ecosystem stability. Future work calls for long-term monitoring and broader environmental indicators. Full article

Zoological parks increasingly operate as sustainability-oriented institutions that integrate biodiversity conservation, environmental education, animal welfare, and community engagement. In parallel with these evolving roles, digital and interactive technologies have emerged as key instruments for supporting sustainable visitor engagement and conservation communication. This study provides a systematic review and conceptual mapping of the literature by combining a PRISMA-based systematic literature review with bibliometric co-word analysis. The bibliometric results reveal four thematic clusters: (1) mobile and visitor-oriented digital technologies, (2) immersive augmented reality (AR) or virtual reality (VR) based solutions, (3) animal–computer interaction and welfare-focused technologies, and (4) traditional conservation and education research. While digital technologies demonstrate measurable short-term effects on engagement, empathy, and knowledge retention, their long-term sustainability impact and systemic integration remain limited. To address this gap, the study introduces three theoretical contributions: the concept of the zoo-based digital learning ecology, the identification of the digital fragmentation problem, and the Integrated Digital Zoo Ecosystem (IDZE) model. The proposed framework conceptualizes digital visitor experience, animal welfare technologies, and conservation communication as interdependent subsystems within a unified sustainability-oriented ecosystem. This study provides a conceptual foundation for future sustainability-driven digital innovation in zoological parks. Full article

Potentially toxic elements (PTEs) in mining-impacted wetlands can transfer from soil and water to forage and grazing livestock, resulting in dietary exposure for nearby communities. In this study, arsenic (As), lead (Pb), and cadmium (Cd) were quantified in key environmental matrices (soil, surface water, and forage) and in sheep tissues (liver, kidney, and muscle) from six georeferenced grazing sites in the Ite coastal wetland (Tacna, Peru) during the dry season. Samples were acid-digested following U.S. EPA protocols and analyzed by atomic absorption spectrometry (AAS) under QA/QC procedures (certified reference materials, blanks, duplicates, and matrix spikes); matrix-specific detection and quantification limits are reported. Arsenic dominated the contamination profile (forage: 428.6 mg kg⁻¹, dry weight; soil: 48.61 mg kg⁻¹; water: 0.97 mg L⁻¹) and was detected in sheep tissues (kidney: 0.1577 mg kg⁻¹; muscle: 0.1538 mg kg⁻¹; liver: 0.0644 mg kg⁻¹). Lead and cadmium were <LOQ in muscle and liver but were measurable in kidney (Pb: 0.0415 mg kg⁻¹; Cd: 0.0011 mg kg⁻¹). To support the interpretation of trophic transfer, screening transfer/bioaccumulation metrics (soil-to-forage, forage-to-tissue, and water-to-tissue) were calculated. Human dietary exposure was screened using estimated daily intake (EDI), hazard quotient (HQ), and margin of exposure (MOE). Because arsenic speciation was not measured, inorganic arsenic (iAs) risk was evaluated as a conservative upper bound (100% iAs) and through sensitivity scenarios (10–50% iAs). Under a high-meat-consumption scenario (300 g day⁻¹), the upper-bound assumption yielded HQ = 2.2 and MOE = 0.46; however, scenario analyses indicate that risk conclusions are highly dependent on the assumed iAs fraction. Overall, the results identify arsenic as a priority contaminant and support targeted grazing management, the provision of low-arsenic water sources, and remediation and monitoring actions to reduce exposure in vulnerable rural communities. Full article

Omega-3 fatty acid desaturases (FAD3, FAD7, and FAD8) are key enzymes responsible for the production of α-linolenic acid (ALA), which is an essential polyunsaturated fatty acid regulating membrane stability and serves as a precursor for jasmonic acid. In this study, we performed a comprehensive genome-wide molecular characterization of omega-3 fatty acid desaturase genes across seven plant species. Phylogenetic analysis placed FAD3 and FAD7/FAD8 proteins in distinct clades, indicating functional divergence despite strong sequence conservation. Gene structure analysis revealed conserved exon–intron formation with a few unique features. Multiple sequence alignment and motif analysis revealed high sequence similarity with three histidine-rich boxes responsible for catalytic activity. Cis-regulatory elements revealed the abundance of light-responsive and ABA-responsive elements such as Box4 and ABRE, suggesting environmentally induced responses of omega-3 fatty acid desaturase genes. Moreover, q-RT PCR analysis revealed that the combined stresses of temperature and salt strongly influence the transcript levels of omega-3 fatty acid desaturase (FAD3, FAD7, and FAD8) in Arabidopsis thaliana; among them, the FAD8 gene displayed significantly higher expression levels under salt stress conditions, especially at 22 °C temperature, indicating its possible leading role in stress adaptation. Furthermore, comparative promoter analysis revealed enrichment of stress-responsive motifs in the promoter regions of AtFAD7 and AtFAD8, whereas AtFAD3 contained more ABA-responsive elements. In addition, Pearson correlation analysis revealed a temperature-dependent relationship between promoter motifs and gene expression under salt stress at 31 °C in Arabidopsis thaliana. Overall, these findings suggest that omega-3 fatty acid desaturases are highly conserved yet transcriptionally dynamic under environmental conditions. This study provides a foundation for future genetic and functional studies of omega-3 fatty acid desaturase genes aimed at enhancing stress adaptation by targeting and regulating fatty acid metabolism. Full article

Despite the productivity and economic limitations imposed by environmental and climatic conditions, livestock systems play a fundamental role in preserving habitats and high-conservation-value species, while delivering a broad spectrum of ecosystem services to rural populations. Breeders need timely information to produce safe, inexpensive, environmentally, and welfare-friendly food products. Information on feeding and nutrition is of particular importance since it represents a significant percentage of animal breeding costs. Automating the collection, analysis, and use of production-related information on livestock feeding systems represents one of the central challenges facing the sector. Precision feeding systems (PFSs) have deeply changed farm management by providing new information on the health status of animals, their welfare, and nutritional requirements. PFSs encompass modern electronic and ICT-related (information and communication technologies) technologies that facilitate the electronic measurement of critical components, ensuring optimum efficiency of both resource use and animal productivity. This review analyzes the current state and potential applications of precision feeding systems for sustainable livestock production. The implementation and feasibility of PFSs have been investigated across the major animal production species and contexts. Based on the available literature, real-time monitoring and control systems can improve the production efficiency of livestock farms. However, further research is needed, as several components of PFSs are still at different stages of development and commercial readiness. Full article

The Yellow River Basin (YRB) serves as a vital ecological security barrier in northern China, and the stability of its ecosystems and the dynamics of its vegetation productivity have significant implications for national ecological strategies and regional sustainable development. This study utilized net primary productivity (NPP) and precipitation data, employing a linear regression method with a 7 × 7 pixel grid and a 4-year spatiotemporal window to quantify vegetation precipitation sensitivity (VPS) in the YRB from 2000 to 2020. Principal component regression was used to assess the relative contributions of environmental and anthropogenic factors to the interannual variability and long-term trends of VPS. The results indicate that during the 2000–2020 period, 19.27% of the YRB experienced significant changes in VPS, with the area showing a decrease (14.99%) far exceeding that showing an increase (4.28%). The downward trend was most pronounced in the midstream (24.2%). Spatially, VPS exhibited a distinct pattern of negative values in the south and positive values in the north, with 36° N serving as the boundary. Among vegetation types, desert vegetation exhibited the highest VPS, while forests and shrubs exhibited the lowest. GDP and temperature were identified as key factors influencing VPS changes. It should be noted that GDP, as a proxy for human activity, has certain limitations; future studies should incorporate more direct indicators of human activity for further validation. This study clarifies the spatiotemporal characteristics and key drivers of VPS in the YRB, providing a scientific basis for regional ecological conservation. Full article

Subalpine grasslands represent highly sensitive ecosystems that are increasingly exposed to climate extremes, yet their long-term disturbance dynamics remain poorly documented. This study investigates climate-driven dieback of subalpine grasslands in Central Europe using a harmonized, multi-decadal satellite time series. We analyzed Landsat (TM, ETM+, OLI, OLI-2) and Sentinel-2 imagery spanning 1984–2024 to detect changes in grassland condition, supported by field-based validation, climatic indices, and geomorphological analysis. Several spectral indices related to non-photosynthetic vegetation were evaluated, with the Normalized Burn Ratio (NBR) providing the best discrimination of dead grassland. In spatially grouped cross-validation, NBR achieved very high accuracy for dead versus non-dead grassland, with AUC = 0.9996, precision = 1.00, recall = 0.82, and F1-score = 0.90 for Sentinel-2, and AUC = 0.9982, precision = 1.00, recall = 0.62, and F1-score = 0.76 for Landsat 9. Retrospective mapping revealed four dieback events since 2000: two short-term episodes with rapid within-season recovery (2000, 2003) and two long-term events characterized by persistent degradation and slow regeneration (2012, late 2018–2019). The largest short-term event, in 2003, affected 42.19 ha of total dieback and 96.95 ha including partially damaged or regenerating grassland. Dieback extent was negatively associated with water balance deficit, strongest for SPEI-12 (ρ = −0.548, p = 0.002), while winter frost under shallow-soil conditions likely contributed to long-term damage in 2012. Geomorphological analysis indicated that elevation, terrain curvature, and, to a lesser extent, wind exposure are the primary controls on dieback susceptibility, highlighting the importance of fine-scale environmental controls. Our results demonstrate the value of long-term, multi-sensor satellite observations for detecting and interpreting climate-driven disturbances in subalpine grasslands and provide a transferable framework to support monitoring and conservation of mountain ecosystems under ongoing climate change. Full article

Water scarcity is becoming an increasingly critical global challenge, driven by climate change, rapid population growth, pollution, and unsustainable water use. Drought further intensifies this crisis by reducing water availability across agricultural, environmental, and socio-economic systems. In this context, nanotechnology has emerged as a promising tool for improving water management and enhancing drought resilience. This review examines the role of nanotechnology in drought mitigation and water conservation through multiple pathways, including the enhancement of plant drought tolerance, improvement in soil water retention, the development of smart irrigation and nano-sensing systems, and the expansion of water resources through purification, desalination, and wastewater reuse. In addition, the broader drought–water nexus is discussed to position nano-enabled approaches within existing water management strategies. While numerous studies report improvements in water-use efficiency, stress tolerance, and treatment performance under controlled conditions, significant limitations remain. These include concerns related to environmental safety, nanotoxicity, scalability, cost, and the gap between laboratory findings and field-level applications. Overall, nanotechnology should be considered a complementary approach rather than a stand-alone solution for addressing water scarcity under drought conditions. Future research should focus on long-term environmental impacts, techno-economic feasibility, and large-scale field validation to support the safe and effective integration of nanotechnology into sustainable water management systems. Full article

Marine turtle and cetacean strandings along the Italian coastline represent critical ecological events that require systematic documentation, yet historical data have suffered from fragmentation and poor accessibility across heterogeneous archives. GeoCetus addresses this gap by providing a unified national framework for the centralized collection, management, and open visualization of these data. The platform’s architecture integrates a spatially enabled database with a modern RESTful API, utilizing automated workflows to push data to a public GitHub.com repository. This system unifies historical and contemporary datasets, comprising over 4700 georeferenced records dating back to 1999, while ensuring data quality through structured validation, qualified contributors and reverse geocoding. The results demonstrate a significant improvement in data interoperability and democratization, with the dataset expanding by an average of 150–300 new records annually under a CC-BY-SA license. By adhering to FAIR Data Principles, GeoCetus offers the necessary infrastructure to support real-time operational responses and reproducible ecological analyses. We conclude that this standardized, machine-readable approach is essential for evidence-based national conservation strategies and effective environmental monitoring. Full article

Hippophae tibetana Schltdl. is a cold-tolerant deciduous shrub endemic to the Tibetan Plateau, playing a vital ecological role in high-altitude environments. This study utilized the Biomod2 platform to model its current and future potential distribution under climate change, integrating 34 environmental variables across bioclimatic, topographic, edaphic, anthropogenic, and ultraviolet (UV) dimensions. Among ten candidate species distribution models (SDMs), the random forest (RF) algorithm exhibited the highest predictive accuracy and stability. An ensemble model (EM) combining RF, GBM, MARS, and FDA further improved predictive performance (ROC = 0.992, TSS = 0.923, and Kappa = 0.886). Key determinants of habitat suitability included altitude, temperature, UV radiation, and biodiversity, with RF response curves revealing distinct nonlinear thresholds. Optimal suitability occurred at around a 4000 m elevation, decreasing beyond this range, while temperature and UV exhibited similar unimodal responses. Under the SSP2-4.5 climate scenario, the suitable habitat is projected to expand from the 2050s to the 2090s, particularly in eastern Qinghai, southwestern Gansu, northwestern Sichuan, and central–southern Tibet. The species’ distribution centroid is anticipated to shift southwestward toward Qinghai Province, with more rapid migration projected after the 2050s. These findings underscore the complex interplay of environmental factors shaping H. tibetana distribution and offer valuable insights for conservation planning in the ecologically fragile Tibetan Plateau. Full article