Search Results (17)

The ecosystem services (ESs) of forests are the benefits that people derive from forest ecosystems. Their precise recognition is important for differentiating and determining the optimal principles of multifunctional forest management. The aim of this study is to identify some important ESs based on a site classification system at the lowest level—i.e., forest stands, at the forest owner level—as a tool for differentiated management. ESs were assessed within the Czech Republic and are expressed in units in accordance with the very sophisticated Forest Site Classification System. (1) Biomass production: The vertical differentiation of ecological conditions given by vegetation tiers, which reflect the influence of altitude, exposure, and climate, provides a basic overview of biomass production; the highest value is in the fourth vegetation tier, i.e., the Fageta abietis community. Forest stands are able to reach a stock of up to 900–1200 m³·ha⁻¹. The lowest production is found in the eighth vegetation tier, i.e., the Piceeta community, with a wood volume of 150–280 m³·ha⁻¹. (2) Soil conservation function: Geological bedrock, soil characteristics, and the geomorphological shape of the terrain determine which habitats serve a soil conservation function according to forest type sets. (3) The hydricity of the site, depending on the soil type, determines the hydric-water protection function of forest stands. Currently, protective forests occupy 53,629 ha in the Czech Republic; however, two subcategories of protective forests—exceptionally unfavorable locations and natural alpine spruce communities below the forest line—potentially account for 87,578 ha and 15,277 ha, respectively. Forests with an increased soil protection function—a subcategory of special-purpose forests—occupy 133,699 ha. The potential area of soil protection forests could be up to 188,997 ha. Water resource protection zones of the first degree—another subcategory of special-purpose forests—occupy 8092 ha, and there is potentially 289,973 ha of forests serving a water protection function (specifically, a water management function) in the Czech Republic. A separate subcategory of water protection with a bank protection function accounts for 80,529 ha. A completely new approach is presented for practical use by forest owners: based on the characteristics of the habitat, they can obtain information about the fulfillment of the habitat’s ecosystem services and, thus, have basic information for the determination of forest categories and the principles of differentiated management. Full article

The Ghris watershed in southern Morocco is a significant ecological and agricultural area. However, due to the current impacts of climate change, farming activities, and pollution, data on its quality and biological importance need to be updated. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate the physico-chemical and biological quality of surface water in the Ghris River. The Water Quality Index (WQI) and the Iberian Biological Monitoring Working Group (IBMWP) index were used to assess water quality along four sampling sites in 2024. The collected data were analyzed with descriptive and multivariate statistics. In total, 424 benthic macroinvertebrates belonging to seven orders were identified in the surface waters of the Ghris basin. These microfauna were significantly variable among the studied sites (p < 0.05). Station S4 is significantly rich in species, including seven orders and nine families of macroinvertebrates, followed by Station S2, with seven orders and eight families. Stations S3 and S1 showed less species diversity, with three orders and one family, respectively. The Insecta comprised 95.9% of the abundance, while the Crustacea constituted just 4.1%. The physico-chemical parameters significantly surpassed (p < 0.05) the specified norms of surface water in Morocco. This indicates a decline in the water quality of the studied sites. The findings of the principal component analysis (PCA) demonstrate that the top two axes explain 87% of the cumulative variation in the data. Stations 2 and 3 are closely associated with high concentrations of pollutants, notably Cl⁻, SO₄²⁻, NO₃⁻, and K⁺ ions. Dissolved oxygen (DO) showed a slight correlation with S2 and S3, while S4 was characterized by high COD and PO₄ concentrations, low levels of mineral components (except Cl⁻), and average temperature conditions. Bioindication scores for macroinvertebrate groups ranging from 1 to 10 enabled the assessment of pollution’s influence on aquatic biodiversity. The IBMWP biotic index indicated discrepancies in water quality across the sites. This study gives the first insight and updated data on the biological and chemical quality of surface water in the Ghris River and the entire aquatic ecosystem in southeast Morocco. These data are proposed as a reference for North African and Southern European rivers. However, more investigations are needed to evaluate the impacts of farming, mining, and urbanization on the surface and ground waters in the study zone. Similarly, it is vital to carry out additional research in arid and semi-arid zones since there is a paucity of understanding regarding taxonomic and functional diversity, as well as the physico-chemical factors impacting water quality. Full article

Aquaporin 1 is a membrane water channel protein, which was studied here in spiny dogfish (Squalus acanthias) osmoregulatory tissues using a variety of techniques. The cloning of aquaporin 1 (AQP1) in the spiny dogfish identified a splice variant version of the mRNA/protein (AQP1SV1/AQP1SV1). Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) in a range of tissues showed AQP1 to be expressed at very high levels in the rectal gland with ubiquitous mRNA expression at lower levels in other tissues. Northern blotting showed that AQP1 had a mRNA size of 5.3 kb in kidney total RNA. The level of AQP1 mRNA was significantly lower in the rectal glands of fish acclimated to 120% seawater (SW; vs. 75% SW (p = 0.0007) and 100% SW (p = 0.0025)) but was significantly higher in those fish in the kidney (vs. 100% SW (p = 0.0178)) and intestine (vs. 75% SW (p= 0.0355) and 100% SW (p = 0.0285)). Quantitative PCR determined that AQP1SV1 mRNA levels were also significantly lower in the rectal glands of both 120% (p = 0.0134) and 100% SW (p = 0.0343) fish in comparison to 75% SW-acclimated dogfish. Functional expression in Xenopus oocytes showed that AQP1 exhibited significant apparent membrane water permeability (p = 0.000008–0.0158) across a range of pH values, whereas AQP1SV1 showed no similar permeability. Polyclonal antibodies produced against AQP1 (AQP1 and AQP1/2 antibodies) and AQP1SV1 had bands at the expected sizes of 28 kDa and 24 kDa, respectively, as well as some other banding. The weak AQP1 antibody and the stronger AQP1/2 antibody exhibited staining in the apical membranes of rectal gland secretory tubules, particularly towards the periphery of the gland. In the gill, the AQP1/2 antibody in particular showed staining in secondary-lamellar pavement-cell basal membranes, and in blood vessels and connective tissue in the gill arch. In the spiral valve intestine side wall and valve flap, the AQP1/2 antibody stained muscle tissue and blood vessel walls and, after tyramide signal amplification, showed some staining in the apical membranes of epithelial cells at the ends of the luminal surface of epithelial folds. In the rectum/colon, there was also some muscle and blood vessel staining, but the AQP1 and AQP1/2 antibodies both stained a layer of cells at the base of the surface epithelium. In the kidney convoluted bundle zone, all three antibodies stained bundle sheath membranes to variable extents, and the AQP1/2 antibody also showed staining in the straight bundle zone bundle sheath. In the kidney sinus zone, the AQP1/2 antibody stained the apical membranes of late distal tubule (LDT) nephron loop cells most strongly, with the strongest staining in the middle of the LDT loop and in patches towards the start of the LDT loop. There was also a somewhat less strong staining of segments of the first sinus zone nephron loop, particularly in the intermediate I (IS-I) tubule segment. Some tubules appeared to show no or only low levels of staining. The results suggest that AQP1 plays a role in rectal gland fluid secretion, kidney fluid reabsorption and gill pavement-cell volume regulation and probably a minor role in intestinal/rectal/colon fluid absorption. Full article

With the increase in human activities and the acceleration of urbanization, over-exploitation of natural resources has led to a decline in ecosystem services (ESs), subsequently affecting the achievement of sustainable development goals (SDGs). As the key ecological zone of Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, the stability and enhancement of ESs in the Hehuang Valley are crucial for achieving SDGs and biodiversity conservation. This study quantifies nine SDGs for the Hehuang Valley in the last twenty years. Four ecological models were utilized to compute key ESs: net primary productivity (NPP), water yield, soil retention, and sand fixation. Panel data were analyzed using a coupling coordination model to quantify the relationship between ESs and sustainable development level (SDL) in each county. Additionally, the Geographically and Temporally Weighted Regression (GTWR) model was employed to examine the correlation between ESs and SDL. The results indicate the following: (1) During the period, NPP and water yield first increased and then decreased. The capacity for soil retention and sand fixation showed an overall increase, highlighting substantial variability among counties in their ability to deliver these ESs. (2) The SDL of counties in the Hehuang Valley increased, with Xining City showing slightly higher SDL than other counties. (3) The overall coupling coordination degree among NPP, water yield, soil retention, sand fixation, and SDL in the Hehuang Valley exhibited an upward trend in the last twenty years. SDL demonstrated the highest coordination degree with NPP, followed by soil retention, water yield, and sand fixation. (4) Most counties in the Hehuang Valley exhibited a lag in SDL relative to NPP, water yield, and soil retention in the last twenty years. In the early stage, sand fixation and SDL were primarily lagging in SDL, while in the late stages, sand fixation lagged behind SDL. (5) During the period, there was an increasing negative correlation observed between the four ESs and SDL. The positive contribution of NPP and sand fixation in some counties gradually shifted to a negative effect, and the negative effect of water yield and soil retention on SDL intensified. The impact of human activities on ecosystem function hindered local SDL. This study offers scientific theoretical backing and practical recommendations for promoting SDL and biodiversity conservation in the Hehuang Valley. Full article

The management of post-mining reservoirs as part of urban blue infrastructure is linked to the implementation of pro-environmental policies at different levels (from local–municipal to European). Local communities, as beneficiaries of measures taken by city authorities, recognise the need for active participation in decision-making processes. They engage in making decisions on blue spaces in urban areas. These include public and natural watercourses and their surroundings, but also water-filled basins of various origins, including post-mining pits. This paper strives to answer how local communities are involved in activities for developing and managing post-mine areas filled with water within city limits. The methods used (including field observation, spatial analyses, and desk research) allowed us to classify post-mining pits according to their functions and the degree of social participation in their development process. The analysed post-mining pits were divided into three groups. The first group consisted of pit reservoirs transformed with the participation of local inhabitants into recreational grounds. The second comprised reservoirs transformed under local zoning plans (with residents consulted) expected to ultimately prop up the city’s green infrastructure. In turn, the third group consists of quasi-natural reservoirs deemed natural enclaves by city residents. The environmental analysis showed that pits were naturalised. One of them was subject to legal protection on account of biodiversity. Post-mine areas in Bydgoszcz play an important environmental role, and some are integral recreational sites, e.g., the Balaton reservoir. They materially affect the inhabitants’ daily contact with nature, which improves life quality. Full article

The profound transformations of traditional rural landscapes have heightened attention towards the recovery and valorisation of their buildings, often abandoned, to accommodate new landscape usage needs. This aligns with the principles of sustainable landscape management. However, knowledge of the rural real estate market remains largely unexplored. This research aims to define and examine the key features influencing the purchase of rural buildings, for shedding light on their market. The objective is to provide useful new insight to the property appraisers and real estate agents involved in the sale of traditional rural buildings, even if in conditions of degradation or abandonment and in traditional landscape contexts. Furthermore, these results could serve as a valuable resource for policymakers, enabling them to indirectly evaluate the impacts of urban and landscape policies on buyers’ preferences regarding key features of rural properties. The research focused on the ‘trulli’, traditional buildings located in the Valle d’Itria (Puglia, Southern Italy). First, a detailed market analysis was carried out with the support of local real estate experts, to survey the transactions of trulli and identify the features influencing their purchase. Second, the obtained dataset was analysed through network analysis, which enabled us to explore the role and importance assigned by buyers to the identified features. The results highlighted that the quality of the landscape where trulli are located changed the buyers’ viewpoint on the purchase features. In greater detail, price, area, potable water accessibility and level of maintenance of trulli were the most crucial features, particularly in high and medium landscape value zones, compatible with touristic and recreational activities. On the other hand, the annex agricultural surface covered a central function in low landscape value zone for possible agricultural uses. Full article

One of the most common coal preparations is enrichment in a jig using a float regulation system. The latest solutions propose to compensate for significant measurement errors of the float by introducing a radiometric density meter operating on the principle of gamma radiation absorption into the bottom product discharge zone of the jig. The signal from the radiometric density meter detector is in the form of a sequence of pulses with a Poisson time distribution, which are counted by a counter, as a form of digital low-pass filter. The requirement to maintain accuracy at an appropriate level forces the measurement time to be extended, which worsens the dynamic properties. Changes in the density of the coal–water medium have an unsteady, cyclical course, resulting from the principle of operation of the jig. The research goal was to develop an algorithm for processing the signal from the radiation detector using an IIR filter in the measurement path in a way that ensures optimization of the dynamic properties of the radiometric density meter operating in the control system of the coal enrichment process in the jig. For this purpose, a low-pass IIR filter was introduced into the measurement path to process the signal from the pulse counter. The identified course of the medium density for one cycle (the first) served as a reference signal. A first-order IIR filter was proposed, with a constant parameter selected on the basis of the reference signal and a parameter depending on the time derivative of the identified density of the medium. The mean squared error MSE was adopted as an indicator for assessing the dynamic properties of the radiometric density meter. The results of simulation tests showed that introducing an IIR filter into the measurement path gives better results in terms of the adopted criterion than using a counter with a constant measurement time. The best results (MSE = 2.05 × 10⁻⁴) were obtained using an IIR filter with a parameter that is a linear function of the derivative of the medium density over time, determined for one air pulsation cycle and applied in four subsequent cycles. These results were obtained for an adaptive first-order filter with a variable parameter a from the designated range from 0.833 to 0.999, for a measurement time of 2 ms. Full article

Image edge detection is a difficult task, because it requires the accurate removal of irrelevant pixels, while retaining important pixels that describe the image’s structural properties. Here, an artificial plant community algorithm is proposed to aid in the solving of the image edge detection problem. First, the image edge detection problem is modeled as an objective function of an artificial plant community searching for water sources and nutrients. After many iterations, the artificial plant community is concentrated in habitable areas that are rich in water sources and nutrients, that is, the image edges, and the nonhabitable zones that are not suitable for living are deserted, that is, the nonedges. Second, an artificial plant community algorithm is designed to solve the objective function by simulating the growth process of a true plant community. The living behavior of the artificial plant community includes three operations: seeding, growing, and fruiting. The individuals in the plant community also correspond to three forms, namely seeds, individuals, and fruit. There are three fitness comparisons in each iteration. The first fitness comparison of each iteration is carried out during the seeding operation. Only the fruit with higher fitness levels in the last iteration can become seeds, while the fruit with low fitness levels die, and some new seeds are randomly generated. The second fitness comparison is implemented in the growing operation. Only the seeds with higher fitness levels can become individuals, but the seeds with lower fitness levels will die; thus, the community size will decrease. The third fitness comparison is in the fruiting operation, where the individual with the greatest fitness can produce an identical fruit through parthenogenesis, and the individuals with higher fitness levels can learn from each other and produce more fruit, so the population size can be restored. Through the continuous cycle of these three operations, the artificial plant community will finally determine the edge pixels and delete the nonedge pixels. Third, the experiment results reveal how the proposed algorithm generates the edge image, and the comparative results demonstrate that the proposed artificial plant community algorithm can effectively solve the image edge detection problems. Finally, this study and some limitations are summarized, and future directions are suggested. The proposed algorithm is expected to act as a new research tool for solving various complex problems. Full article

The differentiation in the urbanization level’s impact on the supply–demand budgets of ecosystem services (ESs) from the perspective of the major function-oriented areas is of great significance for formulating sustainable development strategies at the regional level. This study first constructed the research framework of the supply, demand, and supply–demand ratios (ESDRs) of ESs responding to urbanization from the perspective of major function-oriented zoning, and then took the rapidly urbanized Beijing–Tianjin–Hebei Urban Agglomeration (BTHUA) of China as a case from 2000 to 2020. The relationships between three urbanization indicators, gross domestic production (GDP), population density (PD), and artificial land proportion (ALP), as well as ESDRs of ESs were investigated using Pearson Correlation analysis across three major functional areas. The sensitivity of ESDRs to urbanization was further evaluated using the Random Forest model. The results showed that the supply of carbon fixation, water provision, and food provision increased, whereas their demands far exceeded their supplies, resulting in an increased imbalance between ES supply and demand. With the exception of soil conservation, significantly negative relationships were observed between urbanization indicators and the other three ES supply–demand budgets. The ESDRs of water provision, carbon fixation, and food provision were the most sensitive variables that depended on the population density (PD) in almost all functional areas, whereas the ESDR of carbon fixation exhibited the highest sensitivity to GDP in developed urban areas and rural areas within the preferred development area (PDA) and key development area (KDA). This study could provide comprehensive information for decision making and ES management in different functional areas. Full article

Dargai District Malakand, Pakistan, is a tax-free zone that attracts many industrialists to install their plants in this area. Along with other industries, a number of steel mills are polluting the natural environment of this locality. This study aimed to evaluate heavy metals levels in steel mills effluents and fabricate an efficient adsorbent from the leaves of plants growing on the banks of the drainage lines of the industries and having high phytoremediation capabilities, through chemical modifications. Initially, the effluents were analyzed for heavy metal concentrations, then the leaves of a plant (Pteris vittata) with better phytoremediation capability were chemically modified. The leaves of Pteris vittata were crushed into a fine powder, followed by chemical modification with HNO₃, then washed with distilled water, neutralized with NaOH and finally activated through calcium chloride to enhance its biosorption ability, abbreviated as CMPVL. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), surface area analyzer, energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX), and thermal gravimetric analysis (TGA) were used to characterize the CMPVL. The modified leaves in the powdered form were then used for the reclamation of Fe(II) present in the effluents of the mentioned industries. Batch biosorption tests were performed under varied physicochemical conditions of pH (2–9), contact time (10–140 min), temperature (293–333 K), biosorbent dose (0.01–0.13 g), and initial metal concentration (20–300 mg L⁻¹) to optimize the removal of the selected metal. Langmuir, Jovanovic, Freundlich, Temkin, and Harkins–Jura isotherm models were used to assess the equilibrium data. With a high R² value of 0.977, the Langmuir model offered an excellent match to the equilibrium data. The pseudo-first order, pseudo-second order, power function, intraparticle diffusion, and Natarajan–Khalaf models were applied to experimental kinetics data. With R² values of 0.999, the pseudo-second order model well fitted the obtained data. The Van’t Hoff equation was used to calculate ΔH°, ΔS° and ΔG° of Fe(II) sorption on CMPVL. The ∆H° and ∆G° were negative, whereas ΔS° was positive, suggesting that the biosorption process was exothermic, favorable, and spontaneous. The selected plant leaves were found to be efficient in the reclamation of iron from the industrial effluents (as the plant has a high natural capability for remediating the selected metal ion) after chemical modification and may be used as an alternative to activated carbon as being a low-cost material and a high phytoremediator of iron metal. Such natural phenomena of phytoremediation should be utilized in obtaining efficient adsorbents for other metals as well. Full article

Water environmental functional zoning is the crucial method to implement the targeted management of environmental factors, which is significant to protect the structure and function of the water ecosystem. Xiaofu River is the main river in Zibo City, which is a typical industrial city in northern China. This paper analyzes the water functional zoning of the Xiaofu River at the provincial and municipal levels. Thereinto, based on the catchment attribute and differentiated management requirement, the functional zone of the mainstream of Xiaofu River is divided into 5 first-level and 14 s-level water functional zones, where the environmental contamination carrying capacity of every functional zone is calculated and checked. It is suggested that the total amount of pollutants discharged into each functional zones should be further controlled and reduced in the future to restore the ecological functions of Xiaofu River. Full article

Coastal areas serve as a vital interface between the land and sea or ocean and host about 40% of the world’s population, providing significant social, economic, and ecological functions. Meanwhile, the sea-level rise caused by climate change, along with coastal erosion and accretion, alters coastal landscapes profoundly, threatening coastal sustainability. For instance, the Mississippi River Delta in Louisiana is one of the most vulnerable coastal areas. It faces severe long-term land loss that has disrupted the regional ecosystem balance during the past few decades. There is an urgent need to understand the land loss mechanism in coastal Louisiana and identify areas prone to land loss in the future. This study modeled the current and predicted the future land loss and identified natural–human variables in the Louisiana Coastal Zone (LCZ) using remote sensing and machine-learning approaches. First, we analyzed the temporal and spatial land loss patterns from 2001 to 2016 in the study area. Second, logistic regression, extreme gradient boosting (XGBoost), and random forest models with 15 human and natural variables were carried out during each five-year and the fifteen-year period to delineate the short- and long-term land loss mechanisms. Finally, we simulated the land-loss probability in 2031 using the optimal model. The results indicate that land loss patterns in different parts change through time at an overall decelerating speed. The oil and gas well density and subsidence rate were the most significant land loss drivers during 2001–2016. The simulation shows that a total area of 180 km² of land has over a 50% probability of turning to water from 2016 to 2031. This research offers valuable information for decision-makers and local communities to prepare for future land cover changes, reduce potential risks, and efficiently manage the land restoration in coastal Louisiana. Full article

Cherry orchards are transitioning to high-density plantings and dwarfing rootstocks to maximize production, but the response of these rootstocks to drought stress is poorly characterized. We used a 16-container, automated lysimeter system to apply repeated water stress to ungrafted Krymsk^® 5 and 6 rootstocks during two growing cycles. Drought stress was imposed by withholding irrigation until the daily transpiration rate of each tree was 25% and 30% of the unstressed rate during the first trial and second trial, respectively. After this point was reached, the root-zone water status was restored to field capacity. Whole-tree transpiration measurements were supplemented with leaf-level gas-exchange measurements. Krymsk^® 6 had a higher rate of photosynthesis, more vigorous vegetative growth and less conservative stomatal regulation during incipient drought than Krymsk^® 5. At harvest, carbon partitioning to roots was greater in Krymsk^® 6 than Krymsk^® 5. The conservative rate of water use in Krymsk^® 5 could be a function of greater stomatal control or reduced carbon partitioning to roots, which thereby limited transpiration rates. Further studies are needed to confirm that these results are applicable to trees grown using a common grafted scion under field conditions. Full article

Coastal waters are one of the most vulnerable resources that require comprehensive investigation in space and time. One of the key factors for effective coastal monitoring is the use of remote sensing technologies. Since the Coastal Zone Color Scanner (CZCS) in 1978, a long list of space-borne missions had been successfully launched. However, those missions are limited to coastal waters applications. Despite a large number of missions, the existing systems are still facing similar challenges as four decades ago. Spatial and spectral data reconstruction and recovery a high resolution (HR) imagery data from a low resolution (LR) imaging is a challenging task in many applications. The most promising technique in the field of digital image processing is known as Super Resolution (SR). Many techniques focus on reconstructing information at the sub-pixel level and dividing the original LR space into pixels corresponding to the HR space. Other methods assume that a series of LR images (in time) of a scene scanned from different perspectives (affine) will provide SR. Alternative methods use different data sources and proper image algorithms. In most cases, SR methods will perform a learning process in which the system will try to identify the inherent redundancy in the natural data in order to retrieve HR information from LR based on a spatial correlation between the original images. The learning process can be significantly efficient by using the Convolutional Neural Network (CNN). CNN submit to training through a large dataset that preserves the scene’s characteristics. The flexibility afforded by CNN is learning nonlinear relationships when reconstructing a spatial characteristic from an LR image to HR image. The main aim of this study is to identify spectral features related to the coastal water and inland water variations at different spatial and temporal scale and integrate them with a multi-scale information system. The main objectives of the study are developing of spatial-temporal-spectral fusion approach for multi-source data collected from the same geographical site; creating a new method for single image reconstruction from non-complementary information scene. The proposed method measures HR given LR by a downscaling process by turning HR into an LR. The deterministic process calculated using a Gaussian filter and by a photographic-focused distribution function. The correlation coefficient (at the LR-pixel level) used as an inverse ratio to upscaling. The proposed architecture is based on a three-convolutional network. In the first stage, the convolution is directly applied to the LR data, and then another sub-pixel convolution layer is subtracted to generate SR data from LR data through an upscaling process. This study performed in two sites, (1) a training site in Israel, (2) a test site in Germany. The training site is shallow seawaters around Oren River, Israel and the test site is Alfsee inland water in Germany. The results in both sites are SR imagery with full Sentinel 2 spectral resolution and spatial resolution of 0.3 m. Full article

Currently, wetland stability is under threat due to the joint effects of global climate change and human activity, especially in lakes. Hence, it is necessary to evaluate the health status of wetland ecosystems such as lakes, identify the variables causing the wetland degradation and work to protect the wetlands from the identified variables in the future. Based on fourteen high-resolution autumn remote sensing images from 1989–2013, the classification characteristics and spatial distribution patterns of wetland landscapes in Poyang Lake were studied through quantitative interpretation technology. An established health assessment index system named the EHCI (Ecological Health Comprehensive Index) was used to assess the health status of Poyang Lake. Additionally, the relationship between water regime and health status of wetland landscape distribution of Poyang Lake were investigated by multivariate statistical analysis. The results demonstrated: (1) The total area of three first level (or six second level) types of wetland landscapes showed a stable status, which was long-term maintaining at about 3026 km² from 1989–2013. (2) The water area shows a downward trend, while the areas of vegetation and land-water transition zone show upward trends. (3) The proposed EHCI of the Poyang Lake wetland presented a downward trend. According to the EHCI results from 1989–2013, the health status of Poyang Lake wetland was healthy for two years, unhealthy for four years and sub-healthy for eight years. (4) The water level fluctuation greatly affected the EHCI, and the effect became greater as the water level increased. These results contribute to the understanding of specific effects of hydrological process on the health status of the Poyang Lake wetland. In addition they provide a scientific reference for the maintenance of stable ecosystem functions of the seasonal freshwater lake. These results contribute to the understanding of specific effects of hydrological process on the health status of the Poyang Lake. In addition they provide a scientific reference for the maintenance of stable ecosystem functions of the seasonal freshwater lake. Full article