Search Results (341)

The ecological drivers of wildlife crop-foraging behavior—whether as a compensatory response to natural resource scarcity or as opportunistic exploitation of anthropogenic food sources—remain poorly understood in human–wildlife conflict research. Traditional methodologies, which primarily rely on direct observation and morphological identification, have limitations in comprehensively quantifying wildlife dietary composition, particularly in accurately distinguishing between morphologically similar plant species and conducting precise quantitative analyses. This study utilized DNA metabarcoding technology (rbcL gene markers) to identify and quantify plant dietary components through fecal sample analysis, systematically investigating the dietary composition and patterns of agricultural resource utilization of wild rhesus macaques (Macaca mulatta) in human–wildlife interface zones of southwestern China. A total of 29 rhesus macaque fecal samples were analyzed (15 from spring and 14 from winter), identifying 142 plant genera, comprising 124 wild plant genera, and 18 crop genera. The results revealed distinct seasonal foraging patterns: crops accounted for 32.11% of the diet in winter compared to 7.66% in spring. Notably, rhesus macaques continued to consume crops even during spring when wild resources were relatively abundant, challenging the traditional hypothesis driven by resource scarcity and suggesting that crop-foraging behavior may reflect an opportunistic, facultative resource selection strategy. This study demonstrates the significant value of DNA metabarcoding technology in wildlife foraging behavior research, providing scientific evidence for understanding human–primate conflict ecology and developing effective management strategies. Full article

The establishment and management of nature reserves play a crucial role in protecting biodiversity and supporting sustainable agriculture. This study focuses on 2538 nature reserves in 22 provinces, 5 autonomous regions and 4 municipalities directly under the central government in mainland China. Integrating GIS spatial statistics, imbalance index, and geodetector models, we reveal critical insights: (1) Pronounced spatial inequity is observed, where a small number of eastern provinces dominate the total reserve count, highlighting significant regional disparities in ecological resource allocation. The sparse kernel density in western regions, indicating sparse reserve coverage. The Standard Deviation Ellipse highlights directional dispersion and human-ecological conflicts in high-density zones. (2) Key sustainability indicators driving reserve distribution include: total water resources, water resources per capita, forest area. (3) The spatial distribution of China’s nature reserves, along with factors such as altitude, river distribution, and transportation infrastructure, plays a crucial role in their development. This research provides theoretical support for the scientific planning and policy-making of nature reserves in China and offers practical guidance for optimizing and adjusting sustainable agricultural development. The study emphasizes the vital functions of nature reserves in maintaining ecosystem balance, enhancing regional climate resilience, and serving as biodiversity reservoirs. This research offers strategic insights for integrating nature reserve spatial planning with sustainable agricultural development policies, providing a scientific basis for optimizing the eco-agricultural interface in China. Full article

Modern manufacturing demands real-time, scalable coordination that legacy manufacturing management systems cannot provide. Digital transformation encompasses the entire manufacturing infrastructure, which can be represented by digital twins for facilitating efficient monitoring, prediction, and optimization of factory operations. A Federated Digital Twin (FDT) emerges by combining heterogeneous digital twins, enabling real-time collaboration, data sharing, and collective decision-making. However, deploying FDTs introduces new concurrency control challenges, such as priority inversion and synchronization failures, which can potentially cause process delays, missed deadlines, and reduced customer satisfaction. Traditional concurrency control approaches in the computing domain, due to their reliance on static priority assignments and centralized control, are inadequate for managing dynamic, real-time conflicts effectively in real production lines. To address these challenges, this study proposes a novel concurrency control framework combining Deep Reinforcement Learning with the Priority Ceiling Protocol. Using SimPy-based discrete-event simulations, which accurately model the asynchronous nature of FDT interactions, the proposed approach adaptively optimizes resource allocation and effectively mitigates priority inversion. The results demonstrate that against the rule-based PCP controller, our hybrid DRLCC enhances completion time maximum of 24.27% to a minimum of 1.51%, urgent-job delay maximum of 6.65% and a minimum of 2.18%, while preserving lower-priority inversions. Full article

In 2022, the Russia–Ukraine conflict has severely impacted the EU’s energy supply chain, and the EU’s natural gas import pattern has begun to reconstruct, and exploring the spatiotemporal differentiation of EU natural gas trade and its driving factors is the basis for improving the resilience of its supply chain and ensuring the stable supply of energy resources. This paper summarizes the law of the change of its import volume by using the complex network method, constructs a multi-dimensional index system such as demand, economy, and security, and uses the geographic detector model to mine the driving factors affecting the spatiotemporal evolution of natural gas imports in EU countries and propose different sustainable development paths. The results show that from 2000 to 2023, Europe’s natural gas imports generally show an upward trend, and the import structure has undergone great changes, from pipeline gas dominance to LNG diversification. After the conflict between Russia and Ukraine, the number of import source countries has increased, the market network has become looser, France has become the core hub of the EU natural gas market, the importance of Russia has declined rapidly, and the status of countries in the United States, North Africa, and the Middle East has increased rapidly; natural gas consumption is the leading factor in the spatiotemporal differentiation of EU natural gas imports, and the influence of import distance and geopolitical risk is gradually expanding, and the proportion of energy consumption is significantly higher than that of other factors in the interaction with other factors. Combined with the driving factors, three different evolutionary directions of natural gas imports in EU countries are identified, and energy security paths such as improving supply chain control capabilities, ensuring export stability, and using location advantages to become hub nodes are proposed for different development trends. Full article

Background. Parents of autistic children face challenges that can negatively affect the quality of the parent–child relationship. This study aimed to explore the potential protective role of parental resolution about positive (closeness) and negative (conflict and dependence) aspects of the parent–child relationship, with parenting stress and caregiving burden as mediators. Methods. A cross-sectional study (ethical approval: CE n. 92949) was conducted with 51 Italian parents of autistic children. A multiple mediation model was tested. Results. Parental resolution had a significant total effect (β = 0.012; BootLLCI = 0.002; BootULCI = 0.024) and a significant direct effect on the parent–child relationship (β = 0.223; BootLLCI = 0.058; BootULCI = 0.389), indicating that resolving the child’s diagnosis could potentially influence parents’ perceptions of their relationship with their child, possibly leading to views of it being somewhat closer, experiencing fewer conflicts, and involving a lower degree of dependence. An indirect effect via parenting stress was also significant (β = −0.130; BootLLCI = −0.009; BootULCI = −0.291), while caregiving burden did not show a mediating effect. Conclusion: Despite the exploratory and cross-sectional nature of this study, the findings highlight the importance of promoting family well-being in the context of autism. The findings may inform future research on parental resources and guide clinicians in developing intervention programmes to mitigate the emotional impact of receiving a child’s autism diagnosis. Full article

Community-Based Forest Management (CBFM) efforts are critical for sustainable natural resource governance in Northwest Ethiopia. This study investigated the various aspects of CBFM, emphasizing practical implementation in the context of the Awi Administrative Zone, Northwest Ethiopia. A structured questionnaire was handed out to 412 farmers across three districts—Dangila, Fagita Lokoma, and Banja. The quantitative data was analyzed using the Likert scale with SPSS version 23 software. Findings indicate that insufficient financial support (44%), limited community participation (30%), and weak institutional arrangements (19%) are the major factors impeding effective CBFM, with statistically significant regional variation (χ² = 242.8, df = 3, p = 0.000). On the other side, increased awareness and international support (34%) and enhanced local participation (36%) were the leading facilitators (χ² = 512.05, df = 11, p = 0.000). We look at the practical aspects of CBFM, from community-led conservation efforts to sustainable harvesting techniques, emphasizing the importance of indigenous knowledge alongside modern methodologies. The CBFM project in the northwest part of Ethiopia have facilitated biodiversity protection and environmental resilience by integrating local perspectives with broader developmental goals. However, obstacles such as land tenure, resource conflicts, and capacity restrictions continue, requiring adaptive methods and legislative reforms. This paper contributes to the ongoing discussion on sustainable natural resource management by offering empirical insights into the dynamics of CBFM in the Awi administrative zone of northwest Ethiopia. Full article

Understanding the relationship between regional vegetation dynamics and water resources is essential for improving integrated vegetation–water management, enhancing ecosystem services, and advancing the sustainable development of ecological–economic–social systems. As China’s second largest river basin, the Yellow River Basin (YRB) is ecologically fragile and experiences severe water scarcity. Vegetation changes further intensify conflicts between water supply and demand. To investigate the evolution and interaction mechanisms between vegetation and water resources in the YRB, this study uses the InVEST model to simulate annual water yield (Wyield) from 1982 to 2020 and applies the Dimidiate Pixel Model (DPM) to estimate fractional vegetation cover (FVC). The Theil–Sen method is applied to quantify the spatiotemporal trends of Wyield and FVC. A pixel-based second-order partial correlation analysis is performed to clarify the intrinsic relationship between FVC and Wyield at the grid scale. The main conclusions are as follows: (1) During the statistical period (1982–2020), the multi-year average annual Wyield in the YRB was 73.15 mm. Interannual Wyield showed a clear fluctuating trend, with an initial decline followed by a subsequent increase. Wyield showed marked spatial heterogeneity, with high values in the southern upper reaches and low values in the Longzhong Loess Plateau and Hetao Plain. During the same period, about 68.74% of the basin experienced increasing Wyield, while declines were concentrated in the upper reaches. (2) The average FVC across the basin was 0.51, showing a significant increasing trend during the statistical period. The long-term average FVC showed significant spatial heterogeneity, with high values in the Fenwei Plain, Shanxi Basin, and Taihang Mountains, and low values in the Loess Plateau and Hetao Plain. Spatially, 68.74% of the basin exhibited significant increases in FVC, mainly in the middle and lower reaches, while decreases were mostly in the upper reaches. (3) Areas with significant FVC–Wyield correlations covered a small portion of the basin: trade-off regions made up 10.35% (mainly in the southern upper reaches), and synergistic areas accounted for 5.26% (mostly in the Hetao Plain and central Loess Plateau), both dominated by grasslands and croplands. Mechanistic analysis revealed spatiotemporal heterogeneity in FVC–Wyield relationships across the basin, influenced by both natural drivers and anthropogenic activities. This study systematically explores the patterns and interaction mechanisms of FVC and Wyield in the YRB, offering a theoretical basis for regional water management, ecological protection, and sustainable development. Full article

Agroecology has traditionally been implemented using conventional methods. However, the integration of precision equipment, advanced methodologies, and digital technologies (DT) is now essential for transitioning to a more modern and efficient approach. While agroecological principles remain fundamental for planning and managing sustainable food systems by optimizing natural resources, technological tools can significantly support their implementation and adoption by farmers. This transition, however, must also consider socioeconomic factors and policy frameworks to ensure that technological advancements lead to meaningful improvements in farms and agroecosystems. Across both industrialized and emerging economies, various initiatives, such as precision agriculture, digital platforms, and e-commerce, are driving the digitalization of agroecology. These innovations offer clear benefits, including enhanced knowledge generation and direct improvements to the food supply chain; however, several barriers remain, including limited understanding of digital tools, high-energy demands, insufficient financial resources, economical constrains, weak policy support, lack of infrastructure, low digital learning by framers, etc. to facilitate the transition. This review looks for the understanding of how digitalization can align or conflict with local agroecological dynamics across distinct political frameworks and reality contexts because the information about DT adoption in agroecological practices is limited and it remains unclear if digital agriculture for scaling agroecology can considerably change power dynamics within the productive systems in regions of Europe and Latin America. In South America, among countries like Ecuador, with strong potential for agroecological development, where 60% of farms are less than 1 ha, and where farmers have expressed interest in agroecological practices, 80% have reported lacking sufficient information to make the transition to digitalization, making slow the adoption progress of these DT. While agroecology is gaining global recognition, its modernization through DT requires further research in technical, social, economic, cultural, and political dimensions to more guide the adoption of DT in agroecology with more certainty. Full article

Interspecific interactions among sympatric carnivores are critical for understanding patterns of coexistence, competition, and community structure. Among mesocarnivores, dominance hierarchies are typically shaped by differences in body size, social organization, and competitive ability. The golden jackal (Canis aureus) is generally assumed to dominate the red fox (Vulpes vulpes) across shared landscapes, particularly at high-value resources such as carcasses. However, here, we present rare behavioral evidence that challenges this prevailing assumption. Using motion-triggered camera traps deployed at a carcass in Lake Kerkini National Park, Greece, we recorded a sequence of interactions in which a golden jackal displayed clear submissive behavior toward a red fox, including lowered body posture, tail tucking, and conflict avoidance. Subsequent footage revealed two additional agonistic encounters, during which the same red fox successfully displaced two separate jackals, one of which emitted a distress vocalization while retreating. These findings represent the first documented case of interspecific submission by golden jackals toward a red fox and suggest that context-specific factors—such as immediate carcass possession, individual experience, or body condition—may modulate expected dominance outcomes. Our observations underscore the importance of fine-scale behavioral studies in revealing plasticity in interspecific relationships and contribute to a more nuanced understanding of carnivore competition under semi-natural conditions. Full article

In this article, we revisit the core concepts of nature and of landscape assessment and sustainability, based on which we propose an approach to natural resource management and diversity preservation from the perspective of cultural landscapes. We build on past and contemporary debates on the notion of nature and its relation to “Non-Nature”, attempting to systematize the main variables of the study of past societies as a methodological framework for the analysis of contemporary contexts; this is based on bibliographic references and case studies using such methodological approaches. Landscapes are structured through human activity, which relates to the technological and logistic drivers of historical studies, and are the domain of humans (anthropic nature), as opposed to non-anthropic nature (or wilderness). Sustainable resource management, focused on the preservation of biodiversity and cultural diversity as part of it, needs to overcome the divide between nature and culture, framing debates and conflicts as part of a cultural landscape of discussions served by an established methodological framework, in which education is the main driver and museum-related structures (libraries, etc.) form the flexible institutional backbone. The introduction sets the context for the argument, revisiting some of the theoretical approaches to the notions of nature and landscapes from the late 19th century in Europe, while also referring to reflections in antiquity and traditional and indigenous understandings. A section on materials and methods explains the methodological framework and data used by the author, situating it within a systematization of the humanities’ assessment of the past. A third section explores the interplay between materialities and perceptions, including the relevance of time- and space-driven approaches that shape different perceived landscapes; it proposes a definition of cultural landscape structured through these interplays. The fourth section discusses the dimension of perceived nature as a cultural landscape and characterizes its main drivers, offering two contemporary case studies as examples. A final section of conclusions discusses the role of humanities and of structures like museums, pointing to the new UNESCO program BRIDGES as a useful tool for pursuing landscape transformations. Full article

Complex feedback mechanisms and interdependencies exist among the water–energy–food–ecosystems (WEFE) nexus. In water-scarce regions, fluctuations in the supply or demand of any single subsystem can destabilize the others, with water shortages intensifying conflicts among food production, energy consumption, and ecological sustainability. Balancing the synergies and trade-offs within the WEFE system is therefore essential for achieving sustainable development. This study adopts the natural–social water cycle as the core process and develops a coupled simulation model of the WEFE (CSM-WEFE) system, integrating food production, ecological water replenishment, and energy consumption associated with water supply and use. Based on three performance indices—reliability, coupling coordination degree, and equilibrium—a coordinated sustainable development index (CSD) is constructed to quantify the performance of WEFE system under different scenarios. An integrated evaluation framework combining the CSM-WEFE and the CSD index is then proposed to assess the sustainability of WEFE systems. The framework is applied to the Beijing–Tianjin–Hebei (BTH) region, a representative water-scarce area in China. Results reveal that the current balance between water supply and socio-economic demand in the BTH region relies heavily on excessive groundwater extraction and the appropriation of ecological water resources. Pursuing food security goals further exacerbates groundwater overexploitation and ecological degradation, thereby undermining system coordination. In contrast, limiting groundwater use improves ecological conditions but increases regional water scarcity and reduces food self-sufficiency. Even with the full operation of the South-to-North Water Diversion Project (Middle Route), the region still experiences a 16.4% water shortage. By integrating the CSM-WEFE model with the CSD evaluation approach, the proposed framework not only provides a robust tool for assessing WEFE system sustainability but also offers practical guidance for alleviating water shortages, enhancing food security, and improving ecological health in water-scarce regions. Full article

Nigeria is currently grappling with an acute freshwater crisis, characterized by a stark contradiction where abundant water resources coexist with a widespread lack of access to safe and reliable water. This study examines the complex interplay of factors driving this crisis. It highlights how climate change and the degradation of critical infrastructure and water management systems have significantly reduced the resilience of freshwater systems. This study draws on survey data to assess public perceptions of water scarcity and its causes, revealing a public consensus on the impacts and challenges of freshwater scarcity. This finding points to the pervasive nature of water insecurity in the surveyed population and suggests that reliable access to freshwater remains elusive for many. The findings emphasize the need for integrated, climate-resilient policies that include ecosystem restoration, infrastructure modernization, pollution control, and inclusive, community-based governance frameworks. Addressing these multifaceted challenges is essential not only for improving freshwater access but also for advancing public health, reducing conflict, and fostering sustainable development. This research contributes to the growing body of knowledge on water security in the Global South and outlines pathways for transformative water governance in Nigeria. Full article

Land Degradation Neutrality (LDN) is an ambitious initiative by the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) to tackle land degradation. Inspired by the “no net loss” concept, LDN seeks to counterbalance unavoidable land degradation—primarily driven by food systems—through targeted regenerative actions at multiple scales—such as regenerative agriculture or grazing practices that simultaneously support production and preserve land fertility. The objective is to ensure that degradation does not surpass the 2015 baseline. While the UNCCD’s Science–Policy Interface provides guidance and the LDN Target Setting Programme has led many countries to define baselines using agreed indicators (soil organic carbon, land use change, and primary productivity), concrete intervention strategies often remain poorly defined. Moreover, the voluntary nature of LDN has limited its effectiveness. A key shortcoming is the lack of integrated planning. LDN should function as a “Plan of Plans”—a coordinating framework to align policies across sectors and scales, reconciling conflicting agendas in areas such as food, energy, and water. To this end, we advocate for a systemic approach to uncover synergies, manage trade-offs, and guide decision-making in complex socio-ecological landscapes. Land degradation is intricately linked to issues such as food insecurity, land acquisitions, and transboundary water stress. Although LDN is implemented at the national level, its success also depends on accounting for global dynamics—particularly “LDN leaks”, where land degradation is outsourced through international trade in food and raw materials. In an increasingly complex world shaped by globalization, resource depletion, and unpredictable system dynamics, effective responses demand an integrated socio-ecological management approach. LDN is not simply a strategy to address desertification. It offers a comprehensive framework for sustainable resource management, enabling the balancing of trade-offs and the promotion of long-term resilience. Full article

Boating tourism in coastal–maritime areas often overlaps spatially and temporally with other economic activities, such as fishing, leading to complex interactions. These interactions can create opportunities for positive cooperation or generate conflicts that pressure natural resources and stakeholders. The aim of this study is to show whether or not there is evidence of interactions between fishing (n_f = 43) and tourism/recreation (n_t = 65) vessels. This study focuses on the interaction between maritime tourism activities and fishing in southern Portugal, using a social network analysis (SNA) approach based on automatic identification system (AIS) data to evaluate spatial and temporal patterns. The findings reveal that tourism activities dominate zones closer to the coast, with intermediate areas serving as shared spaces where interactions between vessel activities are more likely to occur. There was evidence of occasional interactions between a few recreational and fishing vessels (two passengers and three seiners), but the inferences from the results are insufficient to demonstrate how beneficial they are for both activities. Full article

Transboundary water governance faces persistent challenges due to mismatches between natural hydrological boundaries and political administrative boundaries. This study examines the evolution and mechanisms of intergovernmental cooperation in the Taihu Basin (1987–2024), addressing how cooperation forms, evolves, and sustains amid conflicting priorities. Using a mixed-methods approach, we analyzed 106 policy documents, government reports, and stakeholder interviews to map governance stages, cooperation networks, and policy themes. Results reveal three phases in transboundary water governance in Taihu Basin: (1) a centralized hierarchy (1987–2007) dominated by vertical mandates; (2) a hybrid stage (2008–2018) with rising horizontal cooperation driven by crisis responses like the 2007 cyanobacteria outbreak; and (3) a networked stage (2019–2024) integrating diagonal mechanisms that bridged hierarchical gaps and scaled grassroots innovations. Key findings show diagonal relations reduced bureaucratic delays, enabling bottom-up practices like joint river chief systems to become regional policies. While grounded in the Taihu Basin context, this study provides a compelling case of institutional coupling that may inform governance in other transboundary basins, where vertical authority, horizontal reciprocity, and diagonal experimentation coexist dynamically. This study offers a model for balancing administrative fragmentation and ecological integrity, emphasizing adaptive networks over rigid hierarchies. These insights provide a feasible solution approach for addressing transboundary water resource governance challenges in similar institutional environments. Full article