Search Results (2,000)

Taking into account both the health and environmental aspects of food, the EAT-Lancet Commission proposed a healthy reference diet (Planetary Health Diet—PHD). The aim of this narrative review is to summarize the results obtained in epidemiological studies on the association between the PHD and risk factors, non-communicable diseases, and cause-specific mortality. The literature search was conducted in February 2025 and was based on the PubMed electronic database. The results of this review are divided into four parts, which include the results of cohort studies, cross-sectional studies, case–control studies, and meta-analyses. This review, showing what types of studies have been conducted so far, allows for a summary of the current knowledge of the relationship between the PHD and risk factors, non-communicable diseases, and cause-specific mortality. Cohort studies provided most of the results, which confirmed that higher adherence to the PHD has a beneficial effect on human health, especially taking into account the lower risk of diabetes, cardiovascular disease (CVD) and CVD mortality, cancer and cancer mortality, as well as all-cause mortality. However, it is concluded that the association between the PHD and stroke, different types of stroke, hypertension, dyslipidemia, and some specific types of cancer must be confirmed. Specifically, randomized controlled trials should be conducted, as, to our knowledge, there is a lack of these types of studies to date. Such studies should be conducted in different regions using the Planetary Health Diet adapted to the local, cultural, geographical, and demographical aspects of a particular region. Full article

Energy consumption accounts for a significant proportion of China’s building operations, exhibiting notable regional variations influenced by geographic characteristics. Factors affecting building energy consumption during transitional seasons are particularly complex in severely cold regions. This study selected a university library in Hohhot, Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, as its research subject, employing a hybrid TCN–transformer model to conduct predictive experiments on short-term building energy consumption. We first collected environmental data from Hohhot’s spring–summer transitional period. Following parameter screening and preprocessing, this dataset was input into the TCN–transformer model. By integrating TCN with transformer’s self-attention mechanism, the model addresses the region’s high noise levels and non-stationarity, enabling precise forecasting. To validate the effectiveness of the proposed model, a comparative analysis was conducted against traditional models, namely SVR and LSTM, on the same dataset. The results demonstrated that TCN–transformer achieves superior comprehensive performance, evidenced by a higher prediction accuracy (R² = 0.8765) and lower error (MAE = 0.24603, RMSE = 0.32829), outperforming the baseline models. This research provides an innovative and efficient hybrid modelling approach and technical methodology for predicting building energy consumption during transitional seasons in severely cold regions, holding positive implications for enhancing building energy efficiency and promoting sustainable development. Full article

Under global warming, the rising frequency and intensity of extreme climate events pose challenges to disaster prevention and sustainable development. Based on daily meteorological observations from 1970 to 2020 in Jilin Province, this study analyzes the spatiotemporal evolution and driving mechanisms of extreme temperature and precipitation events. Linear trend analysis and the Mann–Kendall test were employed to examine temporal trends and abrupt change years in extreme temperature and precipitation indices. Wavelet analysis was used to identify dominant periodicities and multi-scale variability. Empirical Orthogonal Function Analysis (EOF) revealed the spatial distribution characteristics of variability in extreme precipitation and temperature across Jilin Province, identifying high-incidence zones for extreme temperature and precipitation events. Additionally, Pearson correlation analysis was to investigate the correlation patterns between extreme climate indices in Jilin Province and geographical environmental factors alongside atmospheric circulation indicators. Results show that: (1) Warm-related temperature indices display significant upward trends, while cold-related indices generally decline, with abrupt changes mainly occurring in the 1980s–1990s and dominant periodicities of 3–5 years. Precipitation indices, though variable, show general increases with 3–4year cycles. (2) Spatially, most indices follow an east–high to west–low gradient. Temperature indices exhibit spatial coherence, while precipitation indices vary, especially between the northwest and central-southern regions. (3) The Arctic Oscillation (AO) exhibits a significant negative correlation with the extreme cold index, with correlation coefficients ranging from −0.31 to −0.46. It shows a positive correlation with the extreme warm index, with correlation coefficients between 0.16 and 0.18, confirming its regulatory role in cold air activity over Northeast China, particularly elevation and latitude, influence the spatial distribution of precipitation. These findings enhance understanding of extreme climate behaviors in Northeast China and inform regional risk management strategies. Full article

The gut microbiota plays a crucial role in the health and well-being of primates. This study applied 16S rRNA high-throughput sequencing technology, aiming to investigate the differences in gut microbiota composition and function between captive ring-tailed lemurs (Lemur catta) in different zoos across the north–south demarcation line in China. Results revealed significant differences in gut microbiota composition between northern and southern groups. Alpha diversity indices were higher in the southern group (p < 0.05), while beta diversity analysis showed distinct clustering based on geographic location (p < 0.001). Bacteroidetes were more abundant in the northern group (49.22% vs. 28.44%), while Firmicutes predominated in the southern group (59.10% vs. 32.78%). Functional prediction analysis indicated higher levels of membrane transport and lipid metabolism pathways in the southern group, suggesting differences in nutrient absorption and energy metabolism. These findings suggest that geographic location and associated environmental factors significantly influence the gut microbiota of captive ring-tailed lemurs, even under similar dietary and husbandry conditions. Our study provides insights into the impact of geographic location on gut microbiota in captive primates, highlighting the importance of considering regional factors in zoo animal management and informing future strategies for optimizing the care and conservation of captive primates across different geographic regions. Full article

Shanxi Province hosts a rich diversity of traditional villages. From a river basin perspective, adherence to natural laws and the removal of administrative barriers are essential for reshaping the conservation paradigm. Using spatial analysis and multiscale geographically weighted regression, this study revealed the spatial patterns of 619 traditional villages and how environmental, socioeconomic, and historical–cultural factors shape the spatial heterogeneity. Villages clustered within the Yellow River Basin and the Haihe River Basin, forming an agglomeration belt and three high-density cores. Distance to rivers was a key factor in village siting, with 70.8% located within 3 km of the nearest river. Village density exhibited a U-shaped relationship with distance to roads, and an inverted U-shaped relationship with distance to county-level administrative centers. The interaction between intangible cultural heritage density and average annual precipitation showed the strongest explanatory power, with positive local regression coefficients exceeding 95% and 72%, respectively. Traditional villages constitute an evolving human–environment system in which water resources underpin spatial patterns and intangible cultural heritage sustains endogenous cultural vitality. These findings provide a theoretical framework for graded conservation and resource coordination at the river basin scale. Full article

Urban heat island (UHI), a significant environmental issue caused by urbanization, is a pressing challenge in modern society. To mitigate it, urban thermal policies have been implemented globally. However, despite differences in topographical and environmental characteristics between cities and within the same city, these policies are largely uniform and fail to reflect contexts, creating notable drawbacks. This study analyzed three cities in Korea with high land surface temperatures (LSTs) to identify factors influencing LST by applying Extreme Gradient Boosting (XGBoost) with Shapley Additive explanations (SHAP) and Geographically Weighted Regression (GWR). Each variable was derived by calculating the average values from May to September 2020. LST was the dependent variable, and the independent variables were chosen based on previous studies: Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI), Normalized Difference Built-up Index (NDBI), ALBEDO, Population Density (POP_D), Digital Elevation Model (DEM), and SLOPE. XGBoost-SHAP was used to derive the relative importance of the variables, followed by GWR to assess spatial variation in effects. The results indicate that NDBI, reflecting building density, is the primary factor influencing the thermal environment in all three cities. However, the second most influential factor differed by city: SLOPE had a strong effect in Daegu, characterized by surrounding mountains; POP_D had greater influence in Incheon, where population distribution varies due to clustered islands; and DEM was more influential in Seoul, which contains a mix of plains, mountains, and river landscapes. Furthermore, while NDBI and ALBEDO consistently contributed to LST increases across all regions, the effects of the remaining variables were spatially heterogeneous. These findings highlight that urban areas are not homogeneous and that variations in land use, development patterns, and morphology significantly shape heat environments. Therefore, UHI mitigation strategies should prioritize improving urban form while incorporating localized planning tailored to each region’s physical and socio-environmental characteristics. The results can serve as a foundation for developing strategies and policy decisions to mitigate UHI effects. Full article

Agriculture has been widely practiced for food production, yet food insecurity remains a critical issue, especially in Africa. Due to the significant role played by small-scale farmers, urban agriculture has been acknowledged as a viable strategy for reducing food insecurity in urban areas of Sub-Saharan Africa. This review analyzes urban household food insecurity factors through a systematic literature approach, retrieving data from various online databases. These databases include ScienceDirect, Wiley Online Library, Web of Science, UNIZULU online library, and PubAg. The search process involved the use of keywords to obtain relevant information along with the application of filters such as geographic location, publication period, language, article type, and accessibility. A total of 37 articles was included in this review after the application of the review eligibility criteria. This was achieved following PRISMA guidelines. Findings reveal a growing trend in the publication of articles on urban farming and an increasing acknowledgment of its importance by high-impact journals. It also shows various factors that determine household food insecurity, categorized as socioeconomic (11), institutional (5), and environmental factors (2). This led to the recommendation that urban government structures including policy makers and stakeholders should support food production and ensure an efficient urban food supply system. Full article

As living standards rise, the proliferation of discarded apparel contributes significantly to environmental pollution through traditional disposal methods, underscoring the importance of sustainable recycling practices in promoting a green lifestyle. This research examines factors influencing waste clothing recycling among Chinese residents, based on 1220 survey responses. It employs the entropy weight method to quantify dependent and moderating variables, followed by ordinary least squares regression analysis. The results indicate that (1) socio-demographic characteristics (notably gender, with females demonstrating higher recycling rates) and clothing disposal behaviors (including recycling knowledge, frequency of new clothing acquisition, usage duration, and disposal practices) markedly impact recycling activity, whereas age, geographic region, and income levels exhibit no significant effects. (2) Objective environmental conditions (such as recycling infrastructure and policy incentives) and recycling mode (formal outlets and donation platforms) positively moderate the relationship between key factors and recycling volume. These findings suggest that enhancing waste apparel recycling necessitates comprehensive strategies encompassing knowledge dissemination, environmental optimization, and diversification of recycling modalities—providing valuable insights for advancing circular economy initiatives and sustainable waste management within the apparel industry. Full article

Conventional cross-sectional analyses of biocapacity fail to capture the temporal dynamics and historical pathways that define a nation’s environmental profile, limiting our understanding of the drivers behind sustainability transitions. To address this gap, this study employs a novel methodological framework that combines Dynamic Time Warping with partitional clustering to analyze per capita biocapacity trajectories across 44 European countries from 1970 to 2022. This approach allows for the grouping of countries based on the shape and dynamics of their historical trends, rather than on static snapshots. Our analysis reveals four distinct and statistically significant clusters: (1) Low-Stable (e.g., Germany, the UK, and Italy; characterized by structural constraints and high import dependency), (2) Very High (Finland and Sweden; driven by vast productive forest ecosystems), (3) Medium-Growing (e.g., Austria, Czechia, and Romania; showing a positive trend linked to post-socialist land-use changes and EU integration), and (4) High-Volatile (e.g., Norway, Estonia, and Russia; featuring abundant yet variable resources tied to extractive economies). The findings demonstrate that institutional and historical factors—such as economic transition and policy integration can influence biocapacity trajectories as significantly as geographical endowments. This study provides a new, dynamic framework for comparative sustainability science and offers a robust basis for designing differentiated environmental policies tailored to each cluster’s unique socio-ecological context. Full article

Peat mosses of the genus Sphagnum are keystone species in peatland ecosystems and play critical roles in carbon sequestration, nitrogen fixation, and hydrological regulation. Indeed, these ecological functions are largely mediated by endophytic bacteria associated with Sphagnum. Here, five populations of the endemic Chinese moss species, S. multifibrosum, were sampled across southern China in peatland (PH) and rock habitats (RH). High-throughput sequencing of 16S rRNA and nitrogenase (nifH) genes was applied to characterize overall endophytic bacterial diversity and diazotroph diversity associated with S. multifibrosum, respectively, alongside host microsatellite genotyping. Proteobacteria was the dominant endophytic bacterial phylum. The bacterial communities exhibited significant spatial separation between eastern and western communities and community dissimilarities significantly increased with increasing geographic distances. Environmental heterogeneity and host genetics jointly shaped endophytic bacterial community assemblage. Climate was the most important determinant influencing bacterial composition, followed by host genotype and habitat type. Temperature, precipitation, and nitrogen deposition were the primary environmental factors that influenced composition. Bacterial diversity and composition exhibited no statistically significant differences between the two habitats. Further, the richness and abundances of diazotrophs and methanotrophs from PH communities were higher than in RH communities. Co-occurrence network analysis suggested that RH bacterial networks had lower connectance but were more modularized and exhibited higher complexity than PH networks. These results highlight the ecological functions of peat mosses in carbon and nitrogen cycling and suggest a need to prioritize the conservation of S. multifibrosum in peatland environments under global climate change. The results also provide a framework to help future wetland management and biodiversity conservation efforts in China. Full article

Selenium (Se) is an essential trace element for human health, which is crucial for antioxidant defense, immune function, and disease prevention. Se deficiency affects around 40 countries worldwide, with China being one of the most severely impacted. While previous research has explored factors influencing soil Se content, such as the parent material, climate, and soil properties, the dominant controlling mechanisms across different spatial scales remain a subject of debate, especially in the Se-rich coastal regions of southeastern China. This study focuses on Fujian Province, using hotspot analysis and geographically weighted regression (GWR) to systematically examine the spatial distribution of soil Se and its key influencing factors. Hotspot analysis reveals multi-scale patterns in Se distribution: at the 1 km scale, Se hotspots are closely linked to metal minerals like sulfide and coal deposits; at the 2 km scale, Se-rich carbonate rocks and carbonaceous mudstones dominate; and, at the 10 km scale, Se accumulation is mainly controlled by organic matter and low-temperature conditions in high-altitude areas (≥1200 m). GWR analysis further clarifies the nonlinear relationships between soil Se and key environmental factors: organic matter strongly correlates with Se in coastal regions but weakly in land, indicating that this relationship is modulated by factors such as weathering intensity and clay content. The mobility of Se increases in alkaline soils (pH > 8.5), thus reducing its content; meanwhile, in acidic soils (pH < 4.5), its fixation is more complex. In acidic, low-aluminum settings, iron oxides adsorb Se effectively, whereas organic matter becomes the main carrier under alkaline conditions. Precipitation affects Se via atmospheric deposition and leaching, temperature promotes sulfide substitution through deposition but also accelerates the breakdown of organic matter, and altitude influences Se through hydrothermal variations. This study provides the first comprehensive analysis of the multi-factor mechanisms controlling soil Se in the Se-rich coastal areas of southeastern China at a regional scale, offering a scientific basis for the sustainable use of Se-enriched land resources. Full article

This review provides a comprehensive analysis of the technological, environmental, economic, regulatory, and social dimensions shaping the development and operation of agricultural biogas plants. The paper adopts a primarily European perspective, reflecting the comparatively high share of agricultural inputs in anaerobic digestion (AD) across EU Member States, while drawing selective comparisons with global contexts to indicate where socio-geographical conditions may lead to different outcomes. It outlines core principles of the AD process and recent innovations—such as enzyme supplementation, microbial carriers, and multistage digestion systems—that enhance process efficiency and cost-effectiveness. The study emphasises substrate optimisation involving both crop- and livestock-derived materials, together with the critical management of water resources and digestate within a circular-economy framework to promote sustainability and minimise environmental risks. Economic viability, regulatory frameworks, and social dynamics are examined as key factors underpinning successful biogas implementation. The paper synthesises evidence on cost–benefit performance, investment drivers, regulatory challenges, and support mechanisms, alongside the importance of community engagement and participatory governance to mitigate land-use conflicts and ensure equitable rural development. Finally, it addresses persistent technical, institutional, environmental, and social barriers that constrain biogas deployment, underscoring the need for integrated solutions that combine technological advances with policy support and stakeholder cooperation. This analysis offers practical insights for advancing sustainable biogas use in agriculture, balancing energy production with environmental stewardship, food security, and rural equity. The review is based on literature identified in Scopus and Web of Science for 2007 to 2025 using predefined keyword sets and supplemented by EU policy and guidance documents and backward- and forward-citation searches. Full article

Chinese hawthorn (Crataegus pinnatifida) offers both medicinal and nutritional benefits due to its bioactive compounds. However, the combined effects of environmental and anthropogenic factors on its geographic distribution and medicinal quality remain insufficiently explored. Species distribution modeling (Biomod2) was integrated with ArcGIS-based spatial analysis to systematically model suitable habitats for C. pinnatifida across varying environmental and anthropogenic conditions, while concurrently assessing the spatial distribution patterns of medicinally active compounds. Furthermore, multi-scenario climate simulations were utilized to predict the impacts of future climate change on the spatial distribution patterns of this species. Anthropogenic activities strongly influence C. pinnatifida habitat suitability, followed by BIO18 (Precipitation of Warmest Quarter) and BIO4 (Temperature Seasonality). Bioactive compound heterogeneity is driven by anthropogenic activities, AWC (Soil Available Water Content), BIO12 (Annual Precipitation), and BIO4. High-suitability/high-quality areas are concentrated in Shandong Province. Under SSP126 (low emissions), high-suitability areas remain stable (2050s–2090s) with northeastward centroid shifts; under SSP585 (high emissions), they contract with southeastward centroid migration. Shandong is the optimal long-term cultivation region across scenarios. These findings establish a critical basis for cultivating C. pinnatifida with enhanced medicinal properties, developing adaptive management strategies to strengthen conservation, and ensuring sustainable utilization amid global climate change. Full article

Mining and smelting release potentially toxic elements (PTEs) that threaten ecosystems and public health. However, comprehensive risk assessments of PTEs across environmental media near mining areas remain scarce. The Laoguan River Basin is located in southwestern Henan Province, China. It lies within the water source area of China’s South-to-North Water Diversion Middle Route Project. This area has high geographic and ecological importance. In this study, we analyzed the pollution characteristics of PTEs in the water–soil–crop system. We also performed a source-oriented health risk assessment by integrating Monte Carlo simulation with source apportionment. According to this study, Mo and Sb were the predominant contaminants in soils and water. Pb, Cr, and Ni were elevated in crops. The health risk assessment indicated that PTEs in surface water were at acceptable levels. In contrast, PTEs in soils pose both non-carcinogenic and carcinogenic risks, particularly to children. The estimated risks were 1% (non-carcinogenic) and 64% (carcinogenic), with ingestion as the primary exposure pathway. Source apportionment showed that the surface water pollution was mainly linked to diverse mining activities. Soil pollution was jointly influenced by the geological background and mining and agricultural activities. Crop pollution was primarily associated with mining and agricultural activities. Geological background and mining were the main driving factors of the increased health risks for children. They accounted for 83% of the non-carcinogenic risk and 79% of the carcinogenic risk. Overall, these results are crucial for pollution control, safeguarding public health and safety, and promoting balanced economic and ecological development. Full article

The housing prices are crucial to the sustainable development of the real estate market. Nowadays, few academic attempts have focused on the impact of multi-dimensional accessibility on housing prices in a large-scale area. This study utilized machine learning methods to extract indicators of the visual environment from street view images. The indicators were combined with multiple sources of spatiotemporal geographic big data, such as second-hand housing data and online map POIs, to quantify the factors of housing prices. Both the hedonic price model and random forest were constructed, with Shapley additive explanations applied to interpret the results. Our work took Shanghai as a case study, and the results indicate that the random forest exhibits superior performance compared to the hedonic price model. The location accessibility (e.g., distance to the CBD) is paramount, and functional accessibility (e.g., to subways and finance facilities) exhibits nonlinear thresholds. We further uncovered the characteristics of the nonlinear relationship between visual environmental factors and housing prices. Our findings can deepen the understanding of housing price variation in the spatial dimension and provide the theoretical basis for ensuring the optimization of urban planning. Full article