Search Results (1,303)

The Orchidaceae family in Calabria has been scarcely investigated during the 21st century, and available knowledge remains fragmentary, particularly for the rarer taxa. The last comprehensive study dates back to 2002, whereas subsequent checklists, limited to restricted areas of the region, provide incomplete or taxonomically uncertain data. Considering that the family is protected at global (CITES, Bern Convention, IUCN) and national (Italian Red List) levels, broader and more systematic attention is required. In this work, focused on the southern sector of the Metropolitan City of Reggio Calabria, with special reference to the mountain and foothill areas of the Aspromonte massif and in the adjacent districts, we describe four new hybrids for science, each assessed as Critically Endangered (CR), and report four previously unrecorded taxa for the region, evaluated as VU/CR. In addition, two hybrids, newly recorded for the Calabrian flora, were likewise assigned a CR conservation status. The study also provides confirmation of historical records of Ophrys speculum and identifies the southernmost stations in continental Italy for both O. speculum and Orchis branciforti Standardized floral and labellar morphometric traits were measured on representative individuals from each population, including the parental species in the case of hybrids. Conservation status was evaluated following IUCN criteria and GeoCAT-derived AOO values, complemented by field observations on population size, habitat conditions, and site-specific threats. Hybrid names comply with ICN provisions. These findings enhance understanding of orchid biodiversity in Southern Italy and provide new insights for regional conservation efforts. Full article

This study analyzed the relationships between land-cover types and the distribution of alien and invasive plant species using data from the 5th National Ecosystem Survey of Korea (2019–2023). A total of 711,557 plant occurrence records were collected across 780 map sheets, resulting in the identification of 3842 vascular plant species, including both alien and invasive taxa. To evaluate spatial patterns and environmental drivers, multiple linear regression and spatial regression models—specifically the Spatial Lag Model (SLM) and Spatial Error Model (SEM)—were applied. The results revealed that alien and invasive species exhibited non-random, spatially clustered distributions influenced by habitat type and disturbance intensity. Alien species were more abundant in agricultural areas and wetlands, whereas forests and grasslands acted as resistant ecosystems. In contrast, invasive species were concentrated in bare lands and urbanized drylands, highlighting the importance of habitat openness and human disturbance in facilitating invasion. Spatial autocorrelation analyses (Moran’s I = 0.0777 for alien species; 0.1933 for invasive species) and the strong spatial dependence in the Spatial Error Model (λ = 0.7405 and 0.6428) confirmed that invasion patterns are shaped by spatial connectivity and environmental continuity. These findings demonstrate that invasion processes in Korea are driven by both anthropogenic disturbance and spatial dependency. Effective management therefore requires habitat-specific, spatially coordinated strategies, emphasizing early detection and rapid control in high-risk areas while reinforcing the ecological buffering capacity of forests to maintain biodiversity and ecosystem stability. Full article

Fritillaria pallidiflora Schrenk ex Fisch. & C.A.Mey. (Yi Beimu) is a culturally significant Beimu drug in Northwest China, officially listed in the Chinese Pharmacopoeia and traditionally used to clear heat, moisten the lung, resolve phlegm, and relieve cough and wheeze. This narrative, critical review synthesizes current evidence on ethnopharmacology, phytochemistry, pharmacology, pharmacokinetics/toxicology, and conservation of F. pallidiflora to support sustainable, evidence-based development. Literature was retrieved from major English and Chinese databases and screened for studies that unambiguously involved Yi Beimu or its key constituents. Ethnomedicinal records consistently support antitussive, expectorant, and anti-asthmatic use in Xinjiang and the Ili River Valley. Chemically, F. pallidiflora is rich in cevanine-type steroidal alkaloids (e.g., imperialine, peimine, yibeinones), steroidal saponins (pallidiflosides), polysaccharides, and minor phenolics. Preclinical data show that alkaloids relax airway smooth muscle, suppress inflammatory mediators, and contribute to antitussive and anti-asthmatic effects, while polysaccharides and total alkaloid extracts exhibit antioxidant and cytoprotective activity in cell and animal models of airway injury. Additional studies report cytotoxic saponins and seed-derived antimicrobial peptides. Pharmacokinetic work highlights low to moderate and variable oral bioavailability, shaped by P-glycoprotein efflux and CYP-mediated metabolism, and reveals potential hERG channel inhibition for peimine as a cardiac safety concern. Overharvesting and habitat loss have reduced wild resources, underscoring the need for conservation, cultivation, and marker-guided quality control. Overall, Yi Beimu shows credible ethnopharmacological rationale and promising multi-target pharmacology for respiratory disorders, but translation will require bioactivity-guided isolation coupled with PK–PD-guided in vivo studies, rigorous safety evaluation, and conservation-aware cultivation to move from traditional remedy toward validated therapeutic resource. Full article

Conventional tourism planning in ecologically fragile regions often adopts a reductionist perspective, failing to address the synergistic spatial interactions between ecological conservation, resource utilization, and infrastructure. To bridge this gap, this study develops a multi-constraint synergistic assessment framework for the dry-hot valley of Lujiang Dam (LJD) in China. Grounded in the understanding of rural tourism as a complex adaptive system, the framework innovatively integrates the InVEST model, kernel density estimation, and cumulative cost-distance algorithms to identify Natural Spatial Suitability for Tourism Development (NSSTD). Key findings include (1) pronounced spatial heterogeneity in habitat quality, with high-quality zones in the west/southeast requiring strict conservation; (2) a “barbell-shaped” clustering of natural/cultural resources at the valley’s northern and southern extremities, highly congruent with ethnic settlements; and (3) a “concentric layered” accessibility pattern where 88.08% of resources are within a 90 min drive. Crucially, the spatial overlay analysis revealed that NSSTD (54.74 km²) emerges not from single high-value zones but from areas of synergy, such as those with medium habitat quality coupled with high resource endowment and accessibility. These results provide a scientifically robust, spatially explicit layer for China’s “Multi-plan Integration” territorial spatial planning. They enable differentiated strategies—channeling development to southern corridors, implementing niche tourism in northern “structural hole” villages, and enforcing conservation in western habitats—thereby offering a replicable methodology to balance ecological integrity with sustainable rural development. Full article

Woody plants are integral to the ecological and cultural context of the ancient Near East. Biblical references to trees reflect both their practical uses and their symbolic significance. This is a systematic review focused specifically on botanical affiliation, geographical origin and natural habitat type and the cultivation potential of 97 woody species in temperate urban environments, important to ancient economy, culture and religion and consistently identified by scholars in biblical texts. The study applies a multifaceted methodological framework that integrates i.a. textual analysis, literature review and 20 years of horticultural observations. Moreover, the historical utility of these species was studied based on interpreting Bible quotes and comparative multilingual analysis of biblical texts. Analyzed woody plant species represent 36 botanical families, over 50% native to Ancient Palestine. About 18.6% were cultivated by humans, the rest grew in various habitats. Biblical sources revealed 17 uses, with many species having symbolic, practical, or multiple roles. Further, 32% of the species discussed can be grown directly in the soil in temperate climate, while 52.5% require container cultivation. Additionally, 15.5% of the species are hard to cultivate and thus not recommended for Biblical gardens. The content presented also provides valuable insights that may support the development of Biblical gardens within urban environments worldwide. Full article

Understanding and monitoring benthic habitat distribution is essential for implementing ecosystem-based fisheries management (EBFM). Satellite remote sensing offers a rapid and cost-effective approach to marine habitat assessments; however, its application requires context-specific adjustment to account for environmental variability and differing study aims. As such, predictor variables must be tailored to the specific site and target habitat. This study uses Sentinel-2 Level 2A surface reflectance satellite imagery and stability selection via Random Forest Recursive Feature Elimination to assess the importance of remote sensing indices for mapping moderately deep (<20 m) seagrass habitats in relation to the Marine Stewardship Council-certified Western Australia Enhanced Greenlip Abalone Fishery (WAEGAF). Of the seven indices tested, the Normalised Difference Aquatic Vegetation Index (NDAVI) and Depth Invariant Index for the blue and green bands were selected in the optimal model on every run. The kernelised NDAVI and Water-Adjusted Vegetation Index also scored highly (both 0.92) and were included in the final classification and regression models. Both models performed well and predicted a similar cover and distribution of seagrass within the fishery compared to the surrounding area, providing a baseline and supporting EBFM of the WAEGAF within the surrounding marine protected area. Importantly, the use of indices from freely accessible ready-to-use satellite products via Google Earth Engine workflows and expedited ground truth image annotation using highly accurate (0.96) automatic image annotation provides a rapidly repeatable method for delivering ecosystem information for this fishery. Full article

The study examines the extent to which the concept of ecosystem services is reflected in Estonian forestry legislation and how local communities and interest groups perceive and prioritise these services. Using a three-step methodology, the analysis combined (1) a content analysis of key legal acts—including the Forest Act, Nature Conservation Act, and related regulations; (2) a qualitative review of 26 forest management proposals submitted by communities to the State Forest Management Centre between 2021 and 2024; and (3) a comparative synthesis of legislative and community perspectives in order to identify their main areas of convergence and divergence. The findings reveal that provisioning services, particularly timber production, are most explicitly regulated, while regulating and cultural services appear mainly through indirect references. Community expectations, however, emphasise regulating (44%) and cultural (30%) services—especially habitat conservation, recreation, and landscape aesthetics—over provisioning benefits (26%). This discrepancy highlights a structural imbalance between legal framework and societal values. The study concludes that a more systematic integration of ecosystem services into forest management practice and regulations is required to achieve a balanced approach that accounts for ecological, social, and economic dimensions. Full article

In studies of potential climate change (CC) impacts on freshwater ecosystems, water temperature is a primary abiotic factor. Still, it is insufficient to describe the specific habitat conditions that have changed for the biological elements of water quality affecting fish. In this study, special attention is focused on the fish bioindicator species, Barbus balcanicus. For two future scenarios of CC impact (RCP4.5 (2020–2050) and RCP8.5 (2070–2100)), in a Sutla River water body case study, fish life stage models are developed based on the fundamental abiotic factors (water flow, depth, velocity, temperature, and dissolved oxygen) to describe the ecological requirements of the selected fish bioindicator species. Two future CC impact scenarios and their results—water flow, dissolved oxygen, and nutrients, prepared by SWAT—have been analysed. To determine the most important abiotic factors, for water temperature, depth, and velocity, models have been developed by the machine learning tool Weka. The modelled biological elements of water quality were combined with previously calculated dissolved oxygen, flow, and E-flow values during dry periods and the spawning period. For both selected CC scenarios, the results indicate that in approximately 60–70% of the life stages of the bioindicator species Barbus balcanicus, the conditions are acceptable. Full article

Large-scale river degradation constitutes a global challenge, rendering the ecological restoration of impaired rivers ever more crucial. While ecological restoration projects have enhanced the quality of river habitats, given the dynamic nature and complexity of river and lake ecosystems, the achievement of sustainable restoration of fish habitats and the assurance of its effectiveness continue to face numerous challenges. Consequently, this study proposes an improved approach to determine the ecological flow requirements of fish habitats in impaired rivers. In relation to the screening of key species, a bespoke evaluation index system has been developed specifically for impaired rivers lacking rare and endemic fish species. Primary data were collected via field surveys, ecological monitoring, and a review of the literature, while the analytic hierarchy process (AHP) was utilized to quantitatively identify key species. In the development of the assessment framework, three core indicators were integrated: habitat-weighted usable area (WUA), habitat connectivity index (HCI), and microhabitat heterogeneity index (RMH). Incorporating the ecological requirements of key fish species across different life stages, a systematic analysis was undertaken to explore the ecological response effects of different indicator combinations under varying flow regimes. The results revealed that a flow rate of 160 m³/s gives rise to an inflection point in the RMH diversity index at 1.618, whereas a flow rate of 240 m³/s results in a significant inflection point in the HCI at 0.652. At a flow rate of 260 m³/s, the WUA attains 2,007,928 m². The optimal ecological flow range was determined to be 160–240 m³/s for the breeding period (March–June), 240–260 m³/s for the foraging period (July–October), and 120 m³/s for the winter period. These findings provide a theoretical framework for the restoration of target fish populations in similarly degraded rivers. Full article

The D1 Paskov spoil heap is a smaller brownfield covering an area of 71,188 m², located in the former Paskov mining region. It serves as a model area for reclamation planning, based on a comprehensive assessment of its natural conditions and the risks posed by contamination from hazardous elements and erosion processes. Data for this assessment was collected through field research conducted between 2023 and 2025. In September 2023, additional fieldwork and mapping were carried out using unmanned aerial vehicles equipped with two types of sensors: an RGB camera and LiDAR. The dump is primarily covered with ruderal vegetation, with the summit plateau dominated by the expansive grass species Calamagrostis epigejos. With appropriate management, the plant communities on the western and northern slopes have the potential to develop into conservation-significant habitats. However, the southwestern slope presents challenges due to active rill erosion and contamination. Stabilization measures are required to prevent further degradation in this area. Full article

Morchella species are edible mushrooms with high nutritional, ecological, and economic significance. Due to overharvesting and habitat loss, their natural populations face serious threats, which has led to growing interest in controlled cultivation. Although several studies have investigated Morchella growth, particularly M. importuna, key uncertainties remain regarding the environmental and nutritional requirements for optimal cultivation. Previous studies have largely focused on experimental approaches, but systematic machine learning analyses remain scarce. This study aims to fill this gap by applying machine learning algorithms to identify the most critical soil and climatic variables affecting M. importuna growth. To achieve this objective, using soil and climatic data from three localities in Türkiye, 20 features and M. importuna growth were analyzed by following a three-step procedure: (i) applying regression analysis based on eleven methods, (ii) selecting best fit model by using three goodness of fit measures, and (iii) calculating feature importances based on permutation importance and Shapley additive explanations methods. Gradient Boosting emerged as the best-performing algorithm, highlighting lime (%), phosphorus, precipitation, magnesium, minimum temperature, and maximum temperature as the most important predictors of growth. These results provide quantitative evidence that can guide cultivation strategies for morels, contributing to both conservation and commercial production. Full article

Many developing countries are highly dependent on agriculture and land expansion, which leads to the loss of forests and other natural habitats. Both features pose a challenge for green rural transformation. By applying a “land” Kaya identity, growth in agricultural land use for developing countries is at least partially attributed to four factors: growth in income (GDP) per capita, population, the agricultural value-added share of GDP, and the land intensity of agricultural value added. The results show that, across 122 developing countries from 2010 to 2021, both the agricultural value-added share of GDP and land expansion are negatively correlated with GDP per capita. However, there is little association between income per person and land intensity. From 2000 to 2021, the agricultural value-added share of GDP and land intensity declined in developing countries, but not sufficiently to offset the pressure on agricultural land expansion from the growth of GDP per capita and population. Decoupling land use expansion from economic growth will require substantial reductions in land intensity and agricultural dependency through policies that raise agricultural land productivity, improve efficiency and equity, and limit unnecessary agricultural land expansion. Future research should focus on applying geospatial data and sub-national analysis to analyze these trends. Full article

Chengdu, China, is endowed with abundant ancient and famous trees as well as historical habitats, which are crucial for sustaining urban biodiversity and cultural continuity. This study focuses on the historical habitats along the Second Ring Road and develops a comprehensive evaluation system across five dimensions: ancient and famous trees, species diversity, historical habitat quality, historical habitat health, and historical-cultural value. Twelve representative historical habitats were analyzed using fishnet analysis, image segmentation, and plant diversity surveys to characterize biodiversity patterns and develop strategies for optimizing urban biodiversity conservation and sustainable habitat management. Results indicate: (1) significant variation among historical habitat types, with Huanhuaxi Park achieving the highest overall quality; (2) except in park habitats, comprehensive quality shows no significant correlation with the density of ancient and famous trees, while habitat size exerts a strong influence; (3) the evaluation index system still requires refinement. This research provides practical guidance for the conservation of ancient trees and the sustainable management of historical habitats. At the theoretical level, it underscores the relevance of an “ecology–society–culture” framework, revealing how historical habitats simultaneously sustain ecological functions, support social practices, and embody cultural expression. Overall, the study offers a new perspective for integrating urban biodiversity conservation with cultural heritage protection. Full article

Urbanization has led to significant alterations in river morphology and ecological function, highlighting the need for effective tools to assess and manage these changes. Traditional hydromorphological evaluation methods often fail to capture complex relationships between physical habitat features and anthropogenic pressures. The aim of this study was to apply the River Habitat Survey (RHS) method and Interactive Activation and Competition (IAC) artificial neural networks to assess and describe the hydromorphological condition of the Jasień and Olechówka rivers, located in an urbanized area. The RHS method enables the evaluation of the physical characteristics of rivers and the impact of anthropogenic activities on their environment, in accordance with the requirements of the Water Framework Directive (WFD). Field surveys documented features such as bank structure, vegetation, channel substrate, and artificial modifications. In the subsequent phase of the study, an IAC-type neural network was employed to analyze and interpret the RHS data. This network architecture allows for the identification of hidden relationships between variables, the completion of missing data, as well as contextual analysis and generalization based on similar cases. Integrating RHS data with IAC analysis enabled the development of a model supporting the assessment of anthropogenic impacts on the hydromorphological condition of rivers. The results indicate that both rivers exhibit a high degree of modification, particularly within urban sections, which adversely affects their retention capacity and ecological function. This combined methodological approach provides an innovative and flexible tool for supporting urban river restoration and flood risk management, addressing some of the limitations of existing assessment techniques. Full article

The federally threatened Puritan tiger beetle (Ellipsoptera puritana; PTB) inhabits Upper Chesapeake Bay bluffs, beaches and Connecticut River point bars. This study focuses on Maryland’s Chesapeake Bay population (Calvert County and Sassafras River), where adult PTBs prey on beach arthropods but establish larval habitat on the adjacent bluffs. A combination of panoramic photography, GIS mapping, and field and laboratory measurements of sedimentological and ecological characteristics were measured across 17 high- and low-density Maryland beetle sites to identify the geologic and biological controls on population distribution and abundance. Results indicate that temporal and spatial fluctuations in PTB abundance are governed by bluff face quality, which in turn, is shaped by antecedent geology (medium-compacted, fine-to-medium, well-sorted sands) and bluff dynamics. We present a four-stage, multi-decadal geomorphodynamic conceptual model in which long-term bluff recession and short-term storm-driven colluvium removal periodically expose fresh bluff surfaces required for larval establishment. By integrating geomorphic, geologic, and ecological perspectives, this study highlights the role of sedimentary processes in maintaining critical estuarine habitats and provides a framework for predicting species persistence in dynamic coastal landscapes. Full article