Search Results (1,674)

High-mountain streams in semiarid regions are particularly vulnerable to climate change projections due to reduced snow cover and increasing air temperatures. In these environments, groundwater may play a critical role in sustaining streamflow and regulating stream thermal regimes. This study analyzes discharge, air temperature, and water temperature records collected along an altitudinal transect in the Alhorí River watershed (Sierra Nevada, SE Spain) during the hydrological years 2020–2025. The basin is fully deglaciated and characterized by glacial–periglacial deposits and weathered schists that promote snowmelt infiltration and groundwater storage. Results show a progressive downstream increase in discharge, with gains of up to 164% in the upper reaches and an overall increase of approximately 484% from the spring source to the gauging station, indicating substantial groundwater contributions along the river. Strong thermal decoupling between air and water temperatures was observed. Spring water temperature remained nearly constant (~4 °C), with a thermal lag of about 49 days relative to air temperature and an annual amplitude (~0.3 °C) much smaller than that of air temperature (~10 °C). Stream temperature decreased with altitude at a lower rate than air temperature (−0.33 versus −0.54 °C per 100 m), demonstrating persistent groundwater thermal buffering. These findings provide evidence of the role of shallow groundwater storage in sustaining streamflow and moderating thermal variability in Mediterranean mountain catchments, with potential relevance under future hydroclimatic changes. Full article

Soil variability within agricultural fields is rarely captured by conventional management, which applies inputs uniformly regardless of underlying spatial heterogeneity. This exploratory study evaluated whether freely available Sentinel-2 multispectral imagery, processed through Fuzzy C-Means (FCM) clustering in an open-source GIS environment, can support preliminary management-zone delineation in a small Mediterranean alfalfa field and whether targeted soil sampling can provide site-specific ground-truth evidence for the resulting zones. A Sentinel-2 Level-2A Bottom-of-Atmosphere (BOA) image acquired on 26 April 2022 from tile T34SDJ during peak alfalfa canopy development was used to calculate four spectral indices: Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI), Soil Adjusted Vegetation Index (SAVI), Enhanced Vegetation Index (EVI), and Normalized Difference Water Index (NDWI). These indices were standardized prior to clustering and synthesized through FCM to delineate management zones within a field of 8 ha in Etoloakarnania, western Greece. Six georeferenced composite soil samples were then collected from locations within the mapped zones to provide preliminary validation of the spectral zones. The two zones showed strong directional differences in several soil fertility indicators. Available phosphorus differed by a factor of 6.5 between zones (62.0 vs. 9.45 mg kg⁻¹), with a localized high-value point reaching 110 mg kg⁻¹ within the higher-fertility zone. Exchangeable potassium followed the same pattern (0.71 vs. 0.28 meq 100 g⁻¹). DTPA-extractable iron differed three-fold (112.0 vs. 37.37 mg kg⁻¹) and zinc nearly five-fold (2.79 vs. 0.56 mg kg⁻¹), while pH was virtually identical across zones (6.15–6.20). These results suggest that, in this site-specific case, the combination of Sentinel-2 indices and FCM clustering produced spatial zones that were broadly consistent with measured soil-fertility contrasts. However, because the validation dataset consisted of only six composite soil samples and because sample-level FCM membership scores, spectral-index values, and formal cluster-validity diagnostics were not retained from the original workflow, the findings should be interpreted as an exploratory screening exercise rather than as a validated decision-support tool. Further soil sampling, yield or biomass monitoring, multi-season assessment, formal cluster diagnostics, and local fertilizer-threshold evaluation are required before operational nutrient prescriptions are implemented. Full article

Coastal waters are vulnerable ecosystems that are increasingly affected by sediment and nutrient inputs, as well as pollution resulting from both natural processes and anthropogenic pressures. Monitoring the pattern of chlorophyll-a and turbidity is essential for understanding the dynamics of coastal ecosystems and supporting environmental management. This study investigates the spatial and seasonal patterns of water quality in the coastal zone of Heraklion, Crete (Greece), for the period 2016–2024 using OCEANIDS Data Cube products (GA 101112919). Water quality variability was assessed using satellite-derived spectral indices, including the Normalized Difference Chlorophyll Index (NDCI) and the Normalized Difference Turbidity Index (NDTI). Monthly observations were analyzed using a GIS-based workflow to assess seasonal spatiotemporal variability. The results revealed strong seasonal variability, with higher winter NDCI values in all coastal zones and persistent hotspots concentrated near river estuaries and waters influenced by port activities. Meanwhile, the analysis was used to prioritize the region for further monitoring and to support decision-making for stakeholders. In summary, this study demonstrates the potential of OCEANIDS Data Cube products (NDCI, NDTI) for long-term monitoring of surface coastal water quality in a Mediterranean environment with limited data and supports evidence-based coastal management. Full article

Sustainable pasture management is essential for preserving ecosystem services and supporting livestock production in Mediterranean environments experiencing increasing land-use pressure and climate variability. This study evaluates grassland dynamics in South Lebanon between 2000 and 2024 using multi-temporal Landsat imagery integrated with Geographic Information Systems (GISs) and Random Forest classification. Historical Landsat surface reflectance products were processed using standardized preprocessing procedures, cross-sensor harmonization, and supervised classification. Classification accuracy was assessed using independent validation samples, yielding overall accuracy values ranging from 91.8% to 98.6% and Kappa coefficients between 0.918 and 0.975. Pasture areas were subsequently classified into dense and dispersed grasslands using quantitative NDVI thresholds. A pixel-based transition matrix was employed to quantify land-cover persistence, gains, losses, and conversions throughout the study period. The results reveal substantial spatial redistribution of grasslands associated with agricultural intensification and greenhouse expansion. FAO GIEWS NDVI and Vegetation Health Index products were incorporated only as regional environmental context. The resulting spatial database provides a robust framework for sustainable pasture planning, grazing management, and future land-use policy development in South Lebanon. Full article

The protected island of Chrysi, a Natura 2000 site that hosts one of the Mediterranean’s most significant populations of Juniperus spp. dune forests, stands as a critical case study in the conflict between mass tourism and ecosystem survival. For decades, this fragile environment has been subjected to escalating, largely unregulated tourism pressure, culminating in over 151,000 visitors in 2019, resulting in demonstrable environmental degradation and threatening its long-term viability. This study was undertaken to address this critical conflict by establishing a scientifically robust foundation for sustainable management. The primary objectives were (a) to identify if abiotic stress parameters affected the dune forest degradation; (b) conduct a comprehensive assessment of the island’s tourism carrying capacity, defining the maximum number of daily visitors the ecosystem can support without sustaining irreversible damage; and (c) to support the formulation of a detailed, actionable Protection and Supervision Plan to enforce these limits and guide conservation efforts. The methodology employed a multifaceted approach, integrating analyses of long-term visitor data, a synthesis of baseline ecological and climate data, and a social survey to gauge visitors’ perceptions of environmental conditions and their acceptance of management interventions. The study successfully calculated the carrying capacity based on designated visitable zones and trails. Crucially, social surveys indicated a high level of visitor awareness of the environmental problems and strong support for implementing restrictive measures to protect the island. Based on these integrated findings, this study’s principal recommendation is the immediate and permanent implementation of the proposed management framework, centred on strict adherence to the scientifically determined daily visitor limit. This framework is essential to halt ongoing degradation and ensure the long-term conservation of the Chrysi Island ecosystems, and it recommends a potential model for sustainable island tourism management in the Mediterranean and worldwide. Full article

Most of Jordan’s arid and semi-arid areas have suffered land degradation and a decline in plant biodiversity, making non-conventional water resources essential for enhancing dryland productivity. Olive oil production in Mediterranean countries generates large amounts of olive mill wastewater (OMW), locally known as “Zibar,” a source of environmental pollution due to its high acidity and heavy loads of polyphenols and organics. We assessed the phytotoxicity of OMW at five concentrations (0–100%) on seed germination and early seedling growth of two dryland native plants, Atriplex halimus and Achillea fragrantissima, to evaluate their suitability for revegetation of OMW-affected sites. The final germination percentage was unaffected by OMW concentration in either species, but the seedling vigor index declined significantly under treatment in both. In Achillea fragrantissima, the germination index, root length, and fresh weight were significantly reduced even at the lowest OMW concentration tested, indicating high sensitivity. In Atriplex halimus, significant reductions in shoot length and fresh weight emerged mainly at higher concentrations, indicating comparatively greater tolerance. These results suggest Atriplex halimus is a more promising candidate for further evaluation in diluted OMW reuse, while highlighting the need for species-specific testing before recommending dryland plants for OMW-affected environments. Full article

The historical connection between art history and archaeology dates back to the origin of art history in emerging as a discipline from classical archaeology. The practices of both continue to diverge and intersect, rendering an ironic status for both as summarised in this contribution. Ecological approaches to archaeology are problematic, with the role of -scapes (land, sea, sky, etc.) and environments being weighted differently, depending on region, time period, and research questions. These are influenced by broader methodological approaches such as environmental determinism (processualism), traditional art history, field archaeology, and the emphasis of environmental studies on macro (-scape studies) and micro (archaeobotany and phytolith analysis) levels. Field archaeology is by necessity interdisciplinary, requiring different but complementary areas of expertise as discussed below. This contribution will elaborate on the relationship between archaeology, its intersecting disciplines and approaches, and the role of collaboration. It concludes with a brief case study summarising the relationship between trade, complex society, and scapes in the Late Bronze Age (ca. 1700–1200 BCE) Mediterranean and the possible role of climate change, piracy, and religion that caused its collapse in the 12th century BCE. Full article

Microplastic contamination has become an emerging environmental concern in marine ecosystems worldwide. This study investigated the occurrence, abundance, size, color, and polymer composition of microplastics in surface water, marine sediments, and the gastrointestinal tracts of commercially important fish species collected from the coastal regions of Sousa and Alhaniyah along the northeastern Mediterranean coast of Libya. Microplastics were detected in 10 of 15 (66.7%) surface water samples from Sousa and in 5 of 15 (33.3%) samples from Alhaniyah. In bed sediments, microplastics were detected in 5 of 15 samples (33.3%) at both study sites. Microplastics were detected in 46.73% (71/149) of the fish specimens collected from Sousa and in 20.30% (25/123) of those collected from Alhaniyah. The mean microplastic abundance in surface water was 2.5 ± 2.6 particles/L in Sousa and 0.7 ± 1.3 particles/L in Alhaniyah. Mean sediment abundances were 254 ± 57 and 212 ± 23 particles/kg dry weight, respectively. These findings indicate microplastic contamination at both study sites, with spatial variation in abundance. Microplastic abundance in fish gastrointestinal tracts varied among species, with the highest mean values observed in Epinephelus marginatus (3.0 ± 1.6 particles/fish), followed by Alepes djedaba (2.7 ± 1.2 particles/fish) and Pagrus pagrus (2.3 ± 0.6 particles/fish). This variability revealed the species-specific exposure associated with the feeding behavior and habitat use. The microplastic particles observed were in sizes from 1.0 to 5.0 mm, with larger particles more prevalent in the sediments and smaller particles in fish. Nine different microplastic colors were seen, with blue being the most common, followed by black, green, white, transparent, yellow, glossy, red, and brown. Rayon, alkyd resin, polyamide, and poly(acrylonitrile) were identified at both study sites, whereas poly (ethylene terephthalate) (PET) was detected only at Alhaniyah. The overall similarity in polymer composition suggests that the two locations share common sources of microplastic contamination, while the occurrence of PET exclusively at Alhaniyah may indicate additional local inputs. However, further investigations are required to identify and confirm the specific sources of these polymers. This study provides the first baseline assessment of microplastic contamination in the coastal environments of Alhaniyah and Sousa, northeastern Libya. It offers a valuable reference for future monitoring and mitigation strategies. Full article

Estuarine and river-influenced coastal ecosystems are recognized as important sinks and channels for transfer of heavy metals into the marine environment. Continuous intake of metal pollutants could create chronic exposure situations, perhaps leading to molecular and cellular damage to resident biota, even if environmental concentrations are within regulatory limits. Thus, the incorporation of molecular and genotoxicity biomarkers into environmental monitoring programs has received growing interest, as changes in gene expression are among the earliest detectable responses to pollutant stress and may precede genotoxic effects, including DNA damage, at higher or prolonged levels of contaminant exposure. The present study aimed to determine the levels of heavy metals in the coastal zone where the Deliçay River flows into the Gulf of Iskenderun in the extreme northeastern Mediterranean Sea, Türkiye, and to investigate the genotoxic effects in the euryhaline ray-finned fish golden grey mullet (Chelon auratus). In this study, seasonal water samples (n = 3 per site per season) and C. auratus specimens (n = 10 per site per season; total n = 80) were collected from a reference site and the Deliçay estuary. Water samples were analyzed for metals (cadmium (Cd), chromium (Cr), iron (Fe), lead (Pb), and zinc (Zn)) and fish samples were analyzed with the micronucleus (MN) test for determining nuclear abnormalities and the comet test for DNA damage levels. The concentrations of Fe, Zn, and Pb in seawater exceeded the Criterion Continuous Concentration (CCC) thresholds during the summer and autumn seasons, as well as in terms of annual mean values, indicating a potential chronic ecological risk to marine organisms. From the results of the micronucleus test performed in the present study, the highest MN frequencies (10.16 ± 0.15%) and other erythrocytic nuclear anomalies [kidney-shaped (10.36 ± 0.32%), binucleated (14.20 ± 0.10%), notched (14.63 ± 0.20%), lobed (15.43 ± 0.11%), and budded (15.33 ± 0.15%)] were found along the studied coastal zone in summer season. Results of the comet test, supporting the micronucleus test results, showed the highest percentages of DNA damage determined in all seasons in the gill and liver tissues of fish sampled in the studied coastal zone. This study is the first to evaluate the effects of heavy metal-induced genotoxic stress on ecological integrity in this coastal zone using a biomarker-based approach, and the results underscore the need for comprehensive environmental monitoring and pollution reduction strategies to protect ecosystem health. Full article

Background: Lifestyle habits are critical determinants of psychological health. This study aimed to determine the association between lifestyle factors and perceived stress levels, examining the potential mediating role of Mediterranean diet adherence (MDA). Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted with 1229 participants (50.04% female, mean age of 13.45 ± 1.97 years). Lifestyle factors, including MDA, screen time (ST), sleep duration, active commuting and physical activity, were assessed. A multiple linear regression and mediation analysis were performed, adjusting for age and sex. Results: Significant sex differences were found, with females reporting higher stress and lower MDA (p < 0.001). Regression models revealed that higher MDA (p = 0.001) and lower ST (b = 0.22, p = 0.014) were significantly related to reduced stress. Mediation analysis showed that MDA statistically (partially) mediated the association between ST and stress (Indirect effect = 0.025, 95%CI; 0.005, 0.054). Specifically, MDA accounted for 10.12% of the total effect of ST on stress, representing a modest indirect contribution. Conclusions: Elevated ST routines are positively associated with adolescent perceived stress, whereas higher MDA displays an inverse relationship with stress. Additionally, this association is structurally modulated by MDA, highlighting that the unfavorable correlates of excessive television viewing and video-game use are modestly linked to concurrent variations in dietary quality within school environments. Given the cross-sectional design, these findings should be interpreted as indirect associations rather than causal pathways, and reverse or bidirectional relationships cannot be ruled out. Full article

Aegilops geniculata Roth is a tetraploid wild relative of wheat distributed throughout the Mediterranean Basin, where it grows in a wide range of habitats. Due to its genetic diversity, ecological plasticity and adaptation to Mediterranean ruderal environments, the species has attracted increasing interest as a genetic resource for wheat improvement and as a potential component of sustainable agroecosystems. Beyond use in agriculture, its ecological characteristics also suggest applications in Nature-based Solutions, including revegetation of degraded, low-input, semi-arid ecosystems. This review aims to provide a comprehensive synthesis of current knowledge on the taxonomy, genetics, morphology, distribution, ecology, reproductive biology and conservation of Ae. geniculata. This work is complemented by original experimental data on agronomic traits and an assessment of ex situ conservation efforts. Evidence highlights the species’ value as a source of drought- and stress-adaptive traits for wheat improvement, plus promising cover crop traits (rapid establishment, stable biomass production and flexible germination behavior). Remaining knowledge gaps include population genomics, conservation of undercollected populations and field-scale agronomic performance to better clarify the potential of this species as a cover crop. This work supports further investigation of Ae. geniculata as both a valuable crop wild relative and a promising cover crop for Mediterranean agroecosystems. Full article

Forage conservation is a strategic component of Mediterranean livestock systems, where seasonal drought, irregular rainfall, and high summer temperatures limit the availability of fresh forage. In these environments, hay and haylage are widely used as preservation strategies, yet their environmental performance remains insufficiently quantified under semi-arid conditions. It is hypothesized that the higher material and energy inputs required for haylage could be compensated for by the combined effects of biomass preservation efficiency and forage productivity, resulting in comparable or lower impacts per unit of conserved forage under Mediterranean farm conditions. To test this hypothesis, a life cycle assessment was conducted to compare hay and haylage production in a forage farm located in Sicily, Italy, considering the 2024–2025 season. The analysis adopted a cradle-to-farm-gate system boundary, and two complementary impact assessment methods, namely the CML-IA baseline method and the ReCiPe 2016 method, were applied. Environmental burdens were calculated per hectare of cultivated land and per ton of dry matter produced to capture both land-based and product-based performance. The choice of functional unit strongly influenced the interpretation of the environmental impact results. Per hectare, hay and haylage displayed comparable overall burdens, with haylage showing higher impacts in impact categories linked to plastic use and wrapping operations. Per ton of dry matter, however, haylage showed consistently lower impacts, attributed to greater biomass recovery and higher dry matter output, reflecting the combined effect of forage composition, crop productivity, and conservation efficiency. Hay systems showed greater burdens per unit of product under the evaluated farm conditions due to prolonged drying periods, repeated field operations, and higher biomass losses during harvesting and storage. The results suggest that, within the specific Mediterranean farm context analyzed, the combined effects of biomass preservation efficiency and crop productivity were important factors influencing environmental performance when impacts were expressed on an output basis. This case study contributes to current knowledge by identifying biomass recovery, rather than input minimization alone, as a key driver of sustainable forage conservation. Full article

Pines (genus Pinus) are a diverse group of conifers widely distributed across the Northern Hemisphere, comprising more than 110 species worldwide. In Europe, pines are a defining component of forests, occupying environments that range from dry Mediterranean lowlands to high-elevation alpine zones. They support a wide spectrum of ecosystem services, from timber and non-wood products to protection, biodiversity, and cultural values. In this review, we bring together ecological traits, silvicultural practices, and management considerations for ten European pine species. This review examines ten major European pine species, including Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris), maritime pine (P. pinaster), stone pine (P. pinea), Aleppo pine (P. halepensis), black pine (P. nigra), mountain pine (P. mugo), Swiss stone pine (P. cembra), Turkish pine (P. brutia), Bosnian pine (P. heldreichii), and Macedonian pine (P. peuce). Together, these species span a wide range of European environments, with Pinus sylvestris showing the broadest distribution. Despite the extensive literature on pine species, information on their ecological, silvicultural, and management attributes remains fragmented across disciplines. To bridge this gap, this review draws on an expert-curated core of scientific and technical literature complemented by a structured literature search adapted from the PRISMA framework, compiling within a single framework their main ecological and silvicultural characteristics, altitudinal range, growth patterns, stand diversity, and management practices and the principal goods and ecosystem services they provide. The comparative analysis highlighted distinct functional groups among European pines, illustrating contrasting adaptive strategies across environmental gradients, with altitudinal distributions ranging from sea level to 2400 m. Mediterranean species, such as P. halepensis, P. pinaster, and P. brutia, generally showed higher drought and fire adaptation, whereas mountain taxa such as P. cembra, P. mugo, and P. heldreichii displayed greater cold tolerance but increased vulnerability due to restricted climatic niches and slow regeneration. Broadly distributed species, such as P. sylvestris and P. nigra, exhibited intermediate ecological strategies, with responses strongly influenced by regional climatic conditions. By integrating evidence on distribution patterns, functional traits, growth patterns, and management practices, this review provides a comparative framework to support adaptive forest management and informed species selection, helping to safeguard forest functions and their associated benefits under ongoing climate change. Full article

Although conventionally quantified as an urban–rural thermal anomaly, urban heat islands are systematic expressions of development choices that shape unequal exposures and health risks across cities. This article develops an integrated urban development-health framework explaining how imperviousness, vegetation deficit, landscape configuration, urban morphology, thermally absorptive materials and nocturnal heat retention connect heat exposure with physical disease, mental well-being and climate-responsive planning. A critical integrative review reported using PRISMA 2020 and PRISMA-ScR principles, organised evidence from urban climate, public health, environmental epidemiology and planning. The synthesis covers the Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI), Normalized Difference Built-up Index (NDBI), Local Climate Zones (LCZs), sky-view factor (SVF), height-to-width ratio (H/W), land-surface temperature (LST), Universal Thermal Climate Index (UTCI), Physiological Equivalent Temperature (PET), wet-bulb globe temperature (WBGT) and nocturnal minimum temperature, together with cardiovascular, respiratory, psychiatric, sleep, mortality and well-being outcomes. Six recurrent amplification pathways were identified: imperviousness and low canopy cover; nocturnal heat retention; social vulnerability; blue-green and cool infrastructure; heat–pollution–humidity interaction; and sleep/mental-health disruption. The Urban Heat-Health Development Index (UHHDI) and Urban Heat-Health Amplification Pattern (UHHAP) are proposed as transparent, review-derived tools for urban diagnosis and policy prioritisation. A Spanish/Mediterranean climatic-zone transition analysis illustrates how future climatic severity can be translated into planning-relevant exposure potential. The findings support a shift from simply describing urban heat to diagnosing development-driven heat-health risk, with implications for urban regeneration, thermal justice, public-health adaptation and healthy-city governance. Full article

Mediterranean agriculture is increasingly constrained by severe and recurrent water scarcity. Rising temperatures, declining precipitation, and more frequent droughts are driving higher crop water demand and reducing rainfall reliability. Combined with growing competition for limited freshwater resources, these climatic pressures pose a major challenge to the long-term sustainability and productivity of farming systems in the region. In this context, urban treated wastewater (UTWW) is increasingly recognized as a strategic alternative resource. Regulation (EU) 2020/741 establishes minimum quality requirements for agricultural water reuse based on the fit-for-purpose principle. The Italian regulatory framework requires regional authorities to plan water reuse by mapping reclamation facilities, water demand, and distribution networks. From this perspective, to support the planning process, this study describes the application of a Geographic Information System (GIS)-based methodology to assess the potential for UTWW reuse in Sicily by integrating national datasets (regularly updated) and comparing reclaimed water supply with irrigation demand from both qualitative and quantitative perspectives. UTWW supply was estimated by integrating data from the Italian National Institute of Statistics (ISTAT) Census of Water for Civil Use and the European Environment Agency (EEA) dataset, while irrigation demand was derived by combining Copernicus crop data, ISTAT irrigated-to-total UAA ratios and crop-specific irrigation demand (Seasonal Specific Volumes) derived from the SIGRIAN database. Two scenarios were analyzed for grasslands, vineyards, olive groves, and orchards. Scenario 1 included only wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) located inside irrigation areas, whereas Scenario 2 also included selected WWTPs located outside irrigation areas where orographic and distance constraints allowed potentially feasible connections. Under Regulation (EU) 2020/741, potential compatibility with the required water quality classes was identified at the screening level for all crop categories considered, which require classes B, C or D. From a quantitative perspective, Scenario 1 identified 19 WWTPs serving 11 out of 38 irrigation areas with an aggregated uncapped demand coverage of 53%; only two areas reached full local demand satisfaction. Scenario 2 added 23 external WWTPs, increased potentially served areas to 20, and raised the aggregate uncapped coverage to 73%. When surplus volumes were capped within each irrigation area, effective demand satisfaction was 12% and 22% in Scenarios 1 and 2, respectively, highlighting the importance of storage, conveyance and inter-area transfer. The results indicate that treated wastewater reuse could contribute to agricultural water security and climate-resilient water management in Mediterranean regions. The framework supports the first-order identification of candidate reuse areas, but site-specific assessments of effluent quality, risk management, costs, and seasonal storage remain necessary before implementation. Full article