Search Results (4,788)

Groundwater is an important resource for domestic, agricultural, and ecological use in the Surat Thani basin, southern Thailand, where increasing demand from agriculture, urbanization, and tourism is placing pressure on aquifer systems. This study investigates groundwater recharge and basin-scale flow dynamics using integrated numerical groundwater modeling, stable isotope analysis, and hydrochemical interpretation. A three-layer MODFLOW model representing floodplain (Qfd), terrace (Qt), and semi-consolidated aquifers was calibrated for 2018–2024 using PEST with pilot-point parameterization. Despite there being only four observation wells, the model achieved excellent agreement between simulated and observed heads (weighted RMSE = 0.0707 m). Simulated groundwater generally flows from western uplands toward the central floodplain and eastern coastal plain, with the Tapee River acting mainly as a gaining stream. Recharge rates range from 1.2 to 77.3 mm/yr (mean 23.7 mm/yr), representing only 1–4% of annual precipitation, while evapotranspiration is the dominant form of water loss. Stable isotope signatures (δ²H, δ¹⁸O) indicate recharge from direct monsoonal rainfall with minimal evaporation. Hydrochemical facies evolve from Ca–HCO₃ recharge waters to mixed facies along downgradient flow paths, reflecting increasing residence time and water–rock interaction. The results identify western and northern upland areas as key recharge zones requiring long-term protection and sustainable groundwater management. Full article

The article proposes a methodology for the valuation of ecosystem services rendered by benthic vegetation. The methodology is based on the integration of biotope mapping and characterization, quantitative assessment of macrophyte phytomass stocks, and aggregated unit values of ecosystem services. The coastal zone of the natural monument “Coastal Aquatic Complex (CAC) near the Dzhangul landslide coast” was selected as a model water area. The study area is distinguished by high species diversity of benthic vegetation, the occurrence of species with conservation status, and low anthropogenic pressure. Five biotopes were identified and described, their macrophyte phytomass stocks were quantified, and their spatial distribution within the natural monument was analyzed. According to the calculated data, the total value of ecosystem services provided by macrophytobenthos within the boundaries of the natural monument “CAC near the Dzhangul landslide coast” amounted to USD 2,805,430.32. The largest contribution to this value is made by biotopes of block-boulder deposits dominated by Ericaria crinita and Gongolaria barbata (USD 2,319,641.52), followed by biotopes with a mosaic growth of these species together with Nereia filiformis and the attached form of Phyllophora crispa (USD 397,884.16). The quantitative results obtained may be applied to substantiate compensation payments, assess the effectiveness of investments in environmental protection frameworks, and support integrated coastal zone management. Full article

Coastal zones are facing rising exposure to climate-related hazards alongside intensifying human pressures, which highlights the need for robust tools to assess vulnerability. This study uses a GIS-based Coastal Vulnerability Index (CVI) to quantify and map relative vulnerability along ~13 km of shoreline in Al Hoceima Bay (northern Morocco). The proposed CVI integrates eight geological and physical indicators, including geomorphology, shoreline erosion and accretion rates, coastal slope, elevation, natural habitats, relative sea-level rise, significant wave height, and tidal range. Spatial analyses were performed using remote sensing data, historical records, field measurements, and Geographic Information Systems (GIS). The analysis reveals that 37% of the shoreline is categorized as high vulnerability, 44% is moderate, and 19% is low. Highly vulnerable sectors are primarily associated with low elevations, gentle coastal slopes, sandy beach systems, limited natural habitat protection, and proximity to river mouths. These findings demonstrate that the applied CVI provides a rapid and cost-effective framework for identifying priority areas for coastal management and climate adaptation. The proposed approach offers valuable decision-support insights for sustainable coastal planning in Al Hoceima Bay and other Mediterranean coastal environments characterized by limited data availability. Full article

Traditional Chinese villages are important carriers of rural heritage, collective memory, vernacular landscapes, and living cultural traditions. However, rapid urbanization, agricultural modernization, climate change, and tourism development have increasingly threatened their spatial integrity and cultural continuity, highlighting the need for evidence-based conservation and adaptive management. This study examines the spatial distribution patterns and associated factors of 8155 national-level traditional villages in China. An integrated spatial analytical framework was developed by combining kernel density estimation, spatial autocorrelation analysis, Geodetector, and multiscale geographically weighted regression (MGWR). The results show that: (1) traditional villages are unevenly distributed across China and form a distinct “three-core and multi-node” spatial pattern, with major high-density clusters concentrated in several cross-provincial regions and secondary clusters distributed in other heritage-rich areas; (2) the spatial differentiation of traditional village density is statistically associated with natural, cultural, and socioeconomic factors, among which temperature and precipitation show the strongest explanatory power, while cultural endowment, ecological quality, and socioeconomic variables show more context-dependent associations; and (3) compared with OLS and conventional GWR, MGWR improves model performance by capturing spatially heterogeneous and scale-dependent relationships through variable-specific bandwidths. These findings provide national-scale empirical evidence for differentiated conservation planning and support the integration of traditional village protection with rural revitalization, cultural heritage conservation, and sustainable regional development. Full article

Protected areas are critical to biodiversity conservation, yet their cultural values remain underexplored. The objective of this study is to identify the intangible cultural heritage of communities residing within and around the Imam Abdulaziz Bin Mohammed Royal Reserve and the King Khalid Royal Reserve in Saudi Arabia. Using a cross-sectional descriptive design, the study combines a literature review, semi-structured interviews, and participatory observation to identify intangible cultural heritage components across the five UNESCO domains: oral traditions, performing arts, social practices, knowledge of nature, and traditional craftsmanship. Fifty-five interviews were conducted across fourteen settlements. A comprehensive database was developed and includes the identification of fifty heritage elements—twenty-five actively practiced, sixteen were at risk of disappearance, and nine no longer practiced. Results show that craftsmanship and traditional arts were the most frequently documented domains, particularly among female participants, while some oral and performance-based traditions show signs of vulnerability in relation to intergenerational transmission. The proposed participatory and ethics-driven documentation framework, compliant with the UNESCO Convention of 2003, can support the inclusion of cultural heritage in protected area management efforts. The framework is aligned with Saudi Vision 2030 objectives related to cultural sustainability, community engagement, and heritage preservation. Full article

Whale watching is frequently presented as a benign form of wildlife interaction, yet its ethical and ecological acceptability depends on two conditions: vessel practices must minimize disturbance to free-ranging cetaceans, and tours must provide meaningful conservation-oriented education. This study assessed whale-watching operations in the New York City Metropolitan Area using three complementary frameworks: the Whale SENSE “On the Water” evaluation, the World Cetacean Alliance (WCA) Best Practice Guidance, and a Higher-Order Thinking Skills (HOTS) framework for interpretation. Eight trips representing the active full-time commercial sector in the study area were observed between May and November 2022. The results have revealed that certified operators generally performed better than uncertified operators, but the difference was not large enough to demonstrate that certification alone ensured welfare-protective practice. Educational content was often present but shallow, with limited discussion of cetacean threats, conservation measures, and legal protections, while higher-order engagement and multilingual accessibility were notably weak. Vessel behavior showed a similar pattern: certified operators achieved higher average scores, yet close approaches, inconsistent adherence to conservative speed and maneuvering guidance, and occasional unacceptable practices were still recorded. Overall, some operations still expose whales to avoidable disturbance and fail to meet the educational standards that give ecotourism its conservation value. Responsible whale watching should therefore be evaluated not only by whether vessels find whales and satisfy tourists, but also by whether operators demonstrably protect animal welfare and cultivate informed conservation attitudes. As such, this study offers a regionally novel benchmark for future comparative research, management evaluation, and the development of more responsible cetacean ecotourism. Full article

This study conducts a multi-objective optimization of an impact pruner for coniferous plantation trees, using Prince Rupprecht’s larch (Larix principis-rupprechtii Mayr) in North China as a case study. The objective is to establish an impact cutting mechanics model and to construct an impact cutting platform. This study utilizes the Box–Behnken principle, with the cutting speed (v), cutter wedge angle (β), and cutting clearance (L) as influencing factors and the cutting energy consumption (Y₁), total equipment energy consumption (Y₂), and specific cutting area (S) as evaluation indexes. The cutting parameters were optimized using a mathematical model for multi-objective optimization. The experimental results indicate that the factors influencing target Y₁ were ranked as β, L, and v, while the factors influencing target Y₂ were ranked as β, v, and L, and the factors influencing target S were ranked as L, β, and v. Field tests demonstrated that the optimization reduced the cutting energy consumption by up to 16.90% and improved the cutting quality by up to 19.28%. These gains directly translate to improved operational efficiency and economic value in forestry management. The optimal parameters corresponding to these improvements are v = 2.15 m·s⁻¹, β = 20°, and L = 5 mm, resulting in Y₁ = 36.10 J, Y₂ = 3351.01 J, and S = 3.45. These results demonstrate the feasibility and efficiency of the impact pruning method for Larix principis-rupprechtii in coniferous plantation forests. By combing mechanism analysis with multi-objective optimization, this study proposes a solution that can improve the pruning quality of coniferous plantation trees, reduce the energy consumption of impact pruning machines, enhance tree health, and serve as a measure to prevent pests and diseases, contributing to the advancement of artificial forest plant protection technology. Full article

Cathaya argyrophylla Chun et Kuang is an endangered relict gymnosperm endemic to China. Its habitat has been severely fragmented due to Quaternary glaciations, a condition further exacerbated by modern, fragmented administrative management. We compiled 98 spatially filtered occurrence records across four provinces and developed a combined analysis framework integrating the Biomod2 ensemble model with the Marxan systematic planning algorithm. Our optimal model (TSS = 0.911, AUC = 0.986) identified mean diurnal range and ultraviolet-B seasonality radiation as the dominant ecophysiological drivers of the species’ distribution. Currently, suitable habitats cover 7.10% of the study area, with highly suitable habitats accounting for only 3.08% (21.76 × 10³ km²). Priority conservation areas account for 2.48% (17.55 × 10³ km²) of the total area. A gap analysis revealed that 76.98% (13.51 × 10³ km²) of the optimized priority conservation areas currently lack formal protection under China’s protected area system and the World Database on Protected Areas. Under four future climate scenarios (2030s–2090s), projections indicated overall habitat contraction, with limited spatial expansion observed only under specific scenarios (SSP1-2.6 in the 2030s and 2090s; SSP5-8.5 in the 2030s), and the population centroid was projected to shift southeastward by an average of 42.67 km in Huaihua City. Twenty-one core habitat patches were identified under current climate conditions. As these core habitat patches are concentrated along interprovincial boundaries, specifically the Dalou Mountains and the Yuecheng Ridge, our findings emphasize the need to bridge local administrative barriers. This spatial framework provides actionable guidelines for establishing transboundary protected areas, optimizing in situ conservation networks, and implementing model-based assisted migration. Full article

Land-use change from natural vegetation to agricultural systems significantly affects watershed hydrology and water quality. This study assesses the long-term effects of historical land-use change on hydrologic processes and nitrogen transport in the Straight River watershed, Minnesota, USA, using the Soil and Water Assessment Tool Plus (SWAT+) model. Three land-use scenarios were created to assess changes in water balance and nitrate levels. These scenarios represent the reconstructed pre-settlement conditions from 1855, established agricultural development from 2006, and current conditions from 2022. Results show a significant increase in water percolation and groundwater recharge. Percolation more than doubled, increasing from about 118 mm under reconstructed pre-colonial conditions to over 256 mm in 2022. Streamflow increased to 2.1 m³s⁻¹ in 2022, indicating improved hydrologic connectivity and groundwater contributions. Nitrate leaching increased from about 1.14 kg N ha⁻¹ to more than 32 kg N ha⁻¹ (1850s–2022), and nitrate export increased by >2000%, indicating strong nitrate loading. The significant increase in nitrate compared to water fluxes points to agriculture as the primary source of groundwater pollution and downstream nutrient loading. These findings highlight the importance of land-use change in affecting water balance and nutrient behavior. They also point out the need to include a historical baseline in watershed assessments. The results show the importance of better land and nutrient management strategies to reduce nitrate losses and protect water resources in intensively managed agricultural areas. Full article

Façades play a decisive role in shaping the visual and symbolic character of historic urban environments. Recent European funding schemes promoting energy-efficient retrofitting have accelerated interventions on building envelopes. Although aligned with decarbonization objectives, these processes are generating significant chromatic and material transformations that risk eroding the visual coherence and cultural sustainability of consolidated urban areas. In the historic Ensanches of San Sebastián, the replacement of traditional envelope systems with new cladding solutions is leading to the loss of the architectural style of some facades and altering their materials, textures, and colors. A progressive “contagion effect” has been identified, whereby dissonant chromatic schemes—often associated with the proliferation of so-called “zebra blocks”, residential buildings with façades clad in alternating black and white stripes that have proliferated in recent urban developments—are replicated across adjacent buildings, gradually weakening spatial continuity and the genius loci of the neighborhood. In response to this phenomenon, this research develops a systematic methodology to analyze, quantify, and anticipate chromatic transformation in consolidated urban fabrics. The study combines historical morphological analysis, classification of architectural periods, and chromatic mapping of recent façade interventions. Based on this framework, a CARI, Chromatic Alteration Risk Index is proposed to evaluate the potential impact of façade alterations on urban chromatic coherence. Drawing on an epidemiological framework, the methodology enables the identification of critical transformation clusters, the assessment of contagion dynamics, and the definition of regulatory thresholds for color and material interventions. By integrating perceptual criteria, urban morphology, and spatial distribution patterns, the study moves beyond descriptive diagnosis and offers a transferable tool for municipal planning. The proposed approach supports the proactive regulation of façade rehabilitation processes, balancing energy efficiency objectives with the preservation of collective memory, material identity, and urban sensory quality. This study proposes a quantitative model of “urban chromatic contagion” to assess how façade color interventions propagate within a neighborhood. We define the Chromatic Integration Percentage (CIP) and the Chromatic Alteration Risk Index (CARI) of the analyzed area. Results indicate that poorly regulated façades show higher chromatic dissonance (low CIP) and act as contagion hotspots, while a clear risk gradient emerges: highly protected buildings present lower risk, whereas mixed typologies and recent rehabilitations concentrate higher CARI values. The model supports preventive urban color management by identifying areas at risk before visible alteration. Full article

Transitional waters—such as estuaries, lagoons, deltas, and coastal wetlands—are dynamic environments where freshwater and seawater interact, forming highly productive and biologically diverse ecosystems. Shaped by temperature and salinity gradients, tidal influence, sediment transport, and nutrient-rich conditions, these habitats support diverse ecological functions. Their structural complexity—including seagrass beds, salt marshes, mudflats, and mangroves—provides essential habitats for many fish species. These areas are crucial for fish life cycles, serving as nurseries, spawning grounds, feeding zones, and refuges from predators. Many commercially important species depend on them during early life stages before moving offshore, making them vital for both commercial and recreational fisheries. Beyond food provision, they deliver key ecosystem services, including water purification, coastal protection, and carbon storage. Research on the fish community of the Ria Formosa lagoon in Portugal since the 1980s highlights long-term changes in the fish community and the dominant role of habitat structure and temporal dynamics. Subtidal seagrass beds support higher fish abundance and diversity than unvegetated areas, acting as key nursery habitats and provide important fish provisioning services. Seasonal variation is also central, driven by recruitment pulses of marine migrants in late winter–spring. Recent pressures on this system have been driven by human activity and environmental change. Seagrass loss reduces nursery and feeding areas, while pollution degrades water quality. Overfishing (including illegal fishing), recreational activities, and aquaculture expansion add stress. Climate warming and invasive species such as Caulerpa prolifera, further disrupt ecosystem balance and threaten biodiversity. Sustainable management—such as habitat restoration, protected areas, and integrated policies—is essential to preserve the ecological and economic value of this unique lagoon. Ongoing research, monitoring, habitat restoration, and stakeholder engagement remain critical for ensuring resilience. Full article

Introduction: Marine recreational fishing (MRF) is a socially, economically, and ecologically important activity. However, the absence of systematic monitoring and research in Portugal has limited a comprehensive understanding of the sector and its broader implications. Addressing these gaps is essential to support evidence-based and adaptive recreational fisheries management. Objective: This work aimed to improve understanding of marine recreational fishing in Portugal by integrating social and biological perspectives across national, regional, and local scales. Methodology: A multidisciplinary approach was applied. At the national scale, online questionnaire data were combined with licencing information and regional effort estimates to quantify fishing effort, catches, release rates, catch composition, and direct trip expenditures. The same survey framework was also used to identify recreational fisher profiles based on motivations, behaviours, fishing practices, and attitudes toward management. At the local scale, shore angling surveys conducted before the implementation of the Natural Marine Park of the Algarve Reef were used to estimate fishing activity and establish a baseline for future monitoring. From a biological perspective, field-based catch-and-release experiments were conducted to assess post-release mortality and physiological disturbance, using indicators such as mortality, condition, capture and handling variables, and blood biomarkers of stress and recovery. Results: The national estimates documented substantial fishing effort, catches, and direct expenditure, confirming the relevance of MRF in Portugal at both ecological and socio-economic levels. Portuguese recreational fishers were also shown to be heterogeneous in their motivations, behaviours, and practices, reinforcing the need for management approaches that reflect this diversity. At the local scale, shore angling estimates from the Natural Marine Park of the Algarve Reef provided an important pre-protection baseline for the now established Marine Protected Area, enabling future comparisons and long-term assessment of management effects. Biological experiments showed that recreational fishing can generate measurable physiological disturbance in fish, with post-release condition influenced by capture and handling factors. Among the variables examined, hook location emerged as particularly important, with deep-hooked fish showing greater impairment and higher mortality risk. Conclusions: Together, these findings show that improving recreational fisheries management in Portugal requires integrating social patterns, fishery magnitude, and biological responses to capture and release. Long-term monitoring programmes, combined with management approaches adapted to different fisher profiles and fishing contexts, are essential to support more effective and sustainable recreational fisheries governance. Full article

Baseline information on terrestrial wildlife communities and their activity patterns is essential for protected-area management, but such information remains limited for Hunan Zhangjiajie Giant Salamander National Nature Reserve, where conservation attention has historically focused on the Chinese giant salamander and associated aquatic ecosystems. From March 2024 to August 2025, we conducted a camera-trap survey in broad-leaved and coniferous forest habitats of the reserve to document terrestrial mammals and ground-dwelling birds, evaluate taxonomic completeness, and describe diel and seasonal activity patterns. Across 43 camera-trap stations and 16,314 effective camera-trap days, we recorded 59 wildlife species, including 18 mammals and 41 ground-dwelling birds. The assemblage included nationally protected, threatened, and Chinese endemic species, indicating that the reserve’s forest habitats support important terrestrial biodiversity in addition to its aquatic conservation target. Taxonomic completeness curves suggested that the current survey captured most camera-detectable mammal and ground-dwelling bird taxa under the present sampling design, although the results should not be interpreted as a complete inventory of the reserve’s total vertebrate diversity. Annual diel activity analysis of 11 focal species showed clear temporal differentiation among ecological groups: small and medium-sized carnivores were mainly nocturnal, ground-dwelling birds, and red-hipped squirrel were primarily diurnal, and ungulates showed mixed or crepuscular-to-nocturnal tendencies. Seasonal analyses based on bioclimatic periods showed interspecific differences in activity-density distributions between the cool-dry and warm-wet seasons. However, peak-shift reliability analysis indicated that most focal species retained broadly similar main activity peaks across seasons; masked palm civet was the only species showing reliable seasonal displacement of its main activity peak. Pairwise temporal overlap analyses described temporal co-occurrence patterns among selected sympatric species but should not be interpreted as evidence of direct interaction or niche differentiation. Overall, this study provides baseline data on camera-detected terrestrial vertebrates in the reserve and supports long-term monitoring, forest habitat management, and disturbance control for terrestrial mammals and ground-dwelling birds. Full article

Protected areas increasingly require functional zoning approaches that integrate biodiversity conservation, ecosystem service provision, and human use. This study developed a data-driven functional zoning framework for Jirisan National Park, South Korea, by combining ecosystem service assessment with Self-Organizing Map (SOM)-based spatial typology. Five ecosystem services—water yield, sediment retention, carbon storage, net ecosystem productivity, and habitat quality—were assessed using InVEST, RUSLE, and locally derived carbon-related coefficients. These indicators were integrated with topographic and anthropogenic disturbance variables, including distances to roads and trails. The SOM analysis classified the park into seven functional spatial types with distinct environmental and ecosystem service characteristics. High-altitude areas near major trails were characterized by strong visitor pressure and mismatches among regulating services, whereas interior forest areas showed high multifunctionality and evenness, indicating stable ecosystem service provision. Low-altitude facility-dense and disturbance-adjacent zones showed relatively low habitat quality or service imbalance, highlighting the need for restoration-oriented management. These results suggest that ecosystem service bundles, multifunctionality, and evenness can provide a useful basis for functional zoning and evidence-based management of mountainous national parks. Full article

Introduction: Freshwater fish communities in Mediterranean basins have undergone profound changes over recent decades due to biological invasions, habitat alteration, and hydrological regulation. The Segura River basin (SE Spain), particularly in the Region of Murcia, represents a paradigmatic case of these transformations, with increasing pressures on native ichthyofauna and growing relevance for recreational fisheries. Objective: This study aims to provide an updated inventory of fish communities in the rivers and reservoirs of the Region of Murcia, assessing current composition, relative abundance, and conservation status. Methodology: Fish assemblages were surveyed during sampling campaigns conducted in autumn 2023, 2024 and 2025. Sampling sites included representative reservoirs and river reaches within the middle sector of the Segura River basin, focusing on areas of interest for recreational fishing. Passive fishing gears were used in reservoirs, while electrofishing was conducted in riverine habitats. Presence and relative abundance data were recorded for all detected taxa. Results: A total of 15 taxa were identified (8 in reservoirs and 15 in river reaches). Reservoir communities were almost entirely dominated by non-native invasive species, including Cyprinus carpio, Alburnus alburnus, Sander lucioperca, Micropterus salmoides, Lepomis gibbosus, and Gambusia holbrooki, with Luciobarbus sclateri as the only native species. Riverine sections of the main channel also showed a strong dominance of exotic taxa, with additional species such as Esox lucius, Oncorhynchus mykiss, Gobio lozanoi, and Pseudochondrostoma polylepis. Native species detected included L. sclateri (dominant), Anguilla anguilla, and Salariopsis fluviatilis, the latter showing a recent expansion likely linked to human-mediated introduction. Isolated tributaries hosted the most valuable assemblages, including populations of L. sclateri, Squalius tartessicus, and the endangered Valencia hispanica (recently unauthorized translocations into the Segura river basin). Conclusions: Current fish communities in the Region of Murcia reflect a marked ecological degradation compared to historical conditions, driven by the proliferation of non-native species and habitat alteration. Changes over the last 30 years have been particularly pronounced in reservoirs and regulated sections of the main river channel, where local extinction of the native S. tartessicus has also been detected. Only the headwaters of certain tributaries retain fish assemblages of notable conservation interest, highlighting their priority for management and protection. Full article