Search Results (15)

Ground settlement is a multifaceted geological phenomenon driven by natural and man-made forces, posing a significant impediment to sustainable urban development. Thus, ground settlement susceptibility (GSS) mapping has emerged as a critical tool for understanding and mitigating cascading hazards in seismically active and anthropogenically modified sedimentary basins. Here, we develop an integrated framework for assessing GSS in the Pohang region, South Korea, by integrating Persistent Scatterer Interferometric Synthetic Aperture Radar (PSInSAR)-derived vertical land motion (VLM) data with seismological, geotechnical, and topographic parameters (i.e., peak ground acceleration (PGA), effective shear-wave velocity (V_s³⁰), site period (T_s), general amplification factor (A_F), seismic vulnerability index (K_g), soil depth, topographic slope, and landform classes) through ensemble machine learning models such as Random Forest (RF), XGBoost, and Decision Tree (DT). Analysis of 56 Sentinel-1 SLC images (2017–2023) revealed persistent subsidence concentrated in Quaternary alluvium, reclaimed coastal plains, and basin-fill deposits. Among the tested models, RF achieved the best performance and strongly agreed with field evidence of sand boils, liquefaction, and structural damage from the 2017 Pohang earthquake. The very-high-susceptibility zones exhibited mean subsidence rates of −3.21 mm/year, primarily within soft sediments (V_s³⁰ < 360 m/s) and areas of thick alluvium deposits. Integration of the optimal RF-based GSS index with regional building inventories revealed that nearly 65% of existing buildings fell within high- to very-high-susceptibility zones. The proposed framework demonstrates that integrating PSInSAR and ensemble learning provides a robust and transferable approach for quantifying ground settlement hazards and supporting risk-informed urban planning in seismically active and complex geological coastal environments. Full article

The development of railway infrastructure is considered a key driver of vegetation cover transformation, particularly in ecologically sensitive regions. This study aims to quantify the spatio-temporal impact of the Presnogorkovskaya–Zhanaesil railway corridor in Northern Kazakhstan over the period 1985–2024. Using Landsat imagery and a gradient method of comparative analysis with a control area, an innovative coefficient B was developed to assess changes across various vegetation categories. Multiple linear regression was used to determine the influence of natural factors, including precipitation, temperature, and elevation. The results indicate that while some categories (e.g., dense vegetation or wet areas) show consistent degradation near the railway, the observed patterns are also modulated by environmental gradients. Compared to the control area, buffer zones along the railway exhibit an increased presence of degraded land types (≈309 km² vs. ≈72 km² in the control) and a reduction in productive vegetation cover (over 100 km² loss), especially in recent years. The study concludes that the proposed method allows for a differentiated understanding of anthropogenic and natural drivers of vegetation change, offering a replicable approach for assessing the impact of linear infrastructure in other geographical contexts. Full article

Anthropogenic activities (represented by dams and land use change) and climate change have disrupted the delicate balance between natural and anthropogenic factors affecting riverine material transport, yet their effects across different river basins remain underexplored. This study investigated multi-decade (1980–2023) variations in sediment and particulate carbon (C), nitrogen (N), and phosphorus (P) exports from the Jinsha (JSR) and Jialing River (JLR) basins, two cascading developmental river systems in Southwestern China, and evaluated the cumulative impacts of land use change and dam construction. The results revealed significant decreases in particulate fluxes from both basins, despite stable water discharge. Particulate material fluxes declined by 90.9–99.6% in the JSR (last decade vs. 1980–1989, with an abrupt change occurring during 2002–2003) and by 54.0–79.3% in the JLR (with an abrupt change occurring in 1994). Over time, the influence of precipitation and water discharge on material transport has diminished, whereas land use change and dams have become increasingly dominant. Key drivers include forest expansion, increased impervious surfaces, reservoir construction, and reductions in grassland and farmland; however, there are spatial differences in the relative importance of these drivers. This study provides crucial insights for decision making on regional ecological conservation and cascading development. Full article

The surface urban heat island (SUHI) effect, driven by human activities and land cover changes, leads to elevated temperatures in urban areas, posing challenges to sustainability, public health, and environmental quality. While SUHI drivers at large scales are well-studied, finer-scale thermal variations remain underexplored. This study employed the Local Climate Zones (LCZs) framework to analyze land surface temperature (LST) dynamics in Zhengzhou, China. Using 2022 mean LST data derived from a single-channel algorithm, combined with field surveys and remote sensing techniques, we examined 30 potential driving factors spanning natural and anthropogenic conditions. Results show that built-type LCZs had higher average LSTs (31.10 °C) compared with non-built LCZs (28.91 °C), with non-built LCZs showing greater variability (10.48 °C vs. 6.76 °C). Among five major driving factor categories, landscape pattern indices dominated built-type LCZs, accounting for 44.5% of LST variation, while Tasseled Cap Transformation indices, particularly brightness, drove 42.8% of the variation in non-built-type LCZs. Partial dependence analysis revealed that wetness and landscape fragmentation reduce LST in built-type LCZs, whereas GDP, imperviousness, and landscape cohesion increase it. In non-built LCZs, population density, connectivity, and brightness raise LST, while wetness and atmospheric dryness provide cooling effects. These findings highlight the need for LCZ-specific SUHI mitigation strategies. Built-type LCZs require urban form optimization, enhanced landscape connectivity, and expanded green infrastructure to reduce heat accumulation. Non-built LCZs benefit from maintaining soil moisture, addressing atmospheric dryness, and optimizing vegetation configurations. This study provides actionable insights for sustainable thermal environment management and urban resilience. Full article

The main objective of this study is to map multi-element geochemical anomalies in soil on a regional scale. We aimed to determine and evaluate the baseline geochemical values and main geochemical trends in soil that may serve as reference values against any future changes. A total of 817 topsoil samples (0–10 cm) were collected in a 5 × 5 km grid and analyzed for 35 elements using ICP-ES after multi-acid digestions (HClO₄/HNO₃/HCl/HF) and 53 elements using ICP-MS after modified aqua regia digestion (HCl/HNO₃/H₂O). The analytical results for the two different digestion methods (multi-acid digestion vs. aqua regia) were also compared for each chemical element. Multivariate statistical methods were applied to identify the geochemical trends and main sources of trace elements over the territory of Slovenia. Based on these results, seven natural and one mixed natural/anthropogenic geochemical association were established. The contents and trends of the determined factors are presented according to 8 natural units, 4 drainage areas, and geological units characteristic of Slovenia. The identified anthropogenic geochemical association combines toxic elements (Ag, Bi, Cd, Hg, P, Pb, S, Sn, and Zn). Increased values of these elements can be found in mining areas and metallurgic centers, in Quaternary sediments of the Sava River, and Adriatic Basin as the consequence of past mining activities and in the Julian Alps, where their origin could be connected to the atmospheric deposition. Full article

The beta diversity among lakes is affected by natural environmental sorting, dispersal constraints, and anthropogenic disturbances. We hypothesized that fish beta diversity would increase towards lower latitudes and be higher in less disturbed lakes at within-region scale, but environmental disturbances could affect these patterns due to community homogenization or heterogenization (e.g., gain of exotic species) among lakes. We used generalized dissimilarity modeling to assess the relative importance of geographic distance, climate, and environmental heterogeneity on fish beta diversity across Denmark, Belgium/The Netherlands, and Spain. We also tested whether differences in beta diversity changed between lake types (e.g., clear vs. turbid lakes and lakes with vs. without exotics fish) within-region and across latitude. Beta diversity increased from Denmark to Spain and geographic distance and climate variability were the main drivers of community change across latitude, but the rate of change varied between lake types. At the within-region scale, factors such as turbidity, lake size, and presence of exotics had varying impacts on beta diversity (i.e., increasing, decreasing, or no effect) across the three regions. Our findings suggest that understanding the effects of environmental disturbances on beta diversity requires consideration of both biogeographic and local factors. Full article

Desertification is one of the most harmful ecological disasters on the Mongolian Plateau, placing the grassland ecological environment under great pressure. Remote-sensing monitoring of desertification and exploration of the drivers behind it are important for effectively combating this issue. In this study, four banners/counties on the border of China and Mongolia on the Mongolian Plateau were selected as the target areas. We explored desertification dynamics and their drivers by using remote sensing imagery and a product dataset for the East Ujimqin Banner and three counties in Mongolia during the period 2000–2015. First, remote sensing information on desertification in the fourth phase of the study area was extracted using the visual interpretation method. Second, the dynamic change characteristics of desertification were analyzed using the intensity analysis method. Finally, the drivers of desertification and their explanatory powers were identified using the geographical detector method. The results show that the desertification of the East Ujimqin Banner has undergone a process of reversion, development, and mild development, with the main transition occurring between slight (SL) and non-desertified land (N), very serious desertified land (VS), and water areas. The dynamics of desertification in this region are influenced by a combination of natural and anthropogenic factors. Desertification in the three counties of Mongolia has undergone processes of development, mild development and mild development with SL and vs. as the main types. Desertification in Mongolia is mainly concentrated in Matad County, which is greatly affected by natural conditions and has little impact from anthropogenic activities. In addition, the change intensity of desertification dynamics in the study area showed a decreasing trend, and the interaction between natural and anthropogenic drivers could enhance the explanatory power of desertification dynamics. The research results provide a scientific basis for desertification control, ecological protection, and ecological restoration on the Mongolian Plateau. Full article

Arctic soils may hold potentially toxic elements (PTE); PTE can provide evidence of past or recent pollution. In this study, five soil profiles located on Oscar II Land (Kaffiøyra) were studied to (i) evaluate the ecological status of Kaffiøyra’s soils based on the determination of the possible accumulation of PTE using pollution indices; and (ii) determine the possible origin of PTE enrichment (local factors vs. long-range sources) depending on the distance from the sea. The soils were tested with standard soil science methods. The contamination of five soils was assessed by a wide spectrum of pollution soil indices: Enrichment Factor (EF), Geoaccumulation Index (I_geo), Potential Ecological Risk (RI), Pollution Load Index (PLI), and Probability of Toxicity (MERMQ). EF values calculated based on Cd, Cr, Cu, Pb and Zn content indicated an anthropogenic origin of the pollution. Values of I_geo showed the highest pollution with Cd, while CSI and MERMQ values indicated the highest Cd and Pb levels, but only in the soils located closest to the coast. RI values suggested that soils were under a strong or very strong potential ecological risk, whereas PLI confirmed the high probability of soil quality reduction. Enrichment with PTE has been conditioned by both local (natural) and long-distance (anthropogenic) factors. Among the local factors, parent material was highly relevant. The effect of long-distance anthropogenic factors, especially from European, large industrial centres, was manifested by the high content of PTE in soils located closest to the coastlines, delivered by a wet deposition and sea aerosols. The monitoring and assessment of arctic soil quality are useful practices for the verification of the sources of PTE pollution and the development of methods that can contribute to the protection and maintenance of these vulnerable ecosystems. Full article

It is significant to study the vegetation of protected areas in rugged mountains where the vegetation grows naturally with minimal eco-society environmental stress from anthropogenic activities. The shadow-eliminated vegetation index (SEVI) was used to monitor the vegetation of protected areas, since it successfully removes topographic shadow effects. In order to auto achieve the best adjustment factor for SEVI calculation from regional area images, we developed a new calculation algorithm using block information entropy (BIE-algorithm). The BIE-algorithm auto-detected typical blocks (subareas) from slope images and achieved the best adjustment factor from a block where the SEVI obtained the highest information entropy in an entire scene. Our obtained regional SEVI result from two scenes of Landsat 8 OLI images using the BIE-algorithm exhibited an overall flat feature with the impression of the relief being drastically removed. It achieved balanced values among three types of samples: Sunny area, self-shadow, and cast shadow, with SEVI means of 0.73, 0.77, and 0.75, respectively, and the corresponding SEVI relative errors of self-shadow and cast shadow were only 4.99% and 1.84%, respectively. The linear regression of SEVI vs. the cosine of the solar incidence angle was nearly horizontal, with an inclination of −0.0207 and a coefficient of determination of 0.0042. The regional SEVI revealed that the vegetation growth level sequence of three protected areas was Wuyishan National Park (SEVI mean of 0.718) > Meihuashan National Nature Reserve (0.672) > Minjiangyuan National Nature Reserve (0.624) > regional background (0.572). The vegetation growth in the protected areas was influenced by the terrain slope and years of establishment of the protected area and by the surrounding buffer zone. The homogeneous distribution of vegetation in a block is influenced by many factors, such as the actual vegetation types, block size, and shape, which need consideration when the proposed BIE-algorithm is used. Full article

Hyperarid, arid, semiarid, and dry subhumid areas cover approximately 41% of the global land area. The human population in drylands, currently estimated at 2.7 billion, faces limited access to sufficient, affordable, and nutritious food. We discuss the interlinkages among water security, environmental security, energy security, economic security, health security, and food security governance, and how they affect food security in drylands. Reliable and adequate water supply, and the prevention of water contamination, increase the potential for ample food, fodder, and fiber production. Protecting woodlands and rangelands increases food security by buffering the slow onset effects of climate change, including biodiversity loss, desertification, salinization, and land degradation. The protection of natural lands is expected to decrease environmental contamination, and simultaneously, reduce the transfer of diseases from wildlife to humans. Biofuel production and hydroelectric power plants increase energy security but generate land-use conflicts, deforestation, and ecosystem degradation. Economic security generally positively correlates with food security. However, economic growth often degrades the environment, changes tenure rights over natural resources, and stimulates migration to urban areas, resulting in lower food and health security. Moreover, civil unrest, political instability, and armed conflicts disrupt local economies in drylands. Maintaining food security is crucial for health security; conversely, malnourished populations and unresponsive health systems decrease economic security, and adversely affect environmental, energy, and food security. Climate change is expected to deteriorate health security by spreading vector-borne diseases. Effective governance and timely interventions can substantially shorten periods of food insecurity, lower their intensities, and accelerate recovery from inevitable crises, and are therefore crucial in preventing humanitarian crises. Since global drylands population will nearly double by 2050, and since drylands are among the most susceptible areas to climate change, integrated multi-hazard approaches to food security are needed. Full article

Forestry systems, including afforestation and reforestation land uses, are prevalent in drylands and aimed at restoring degraded lands and halting desertification. However, an increasing amount of literature has alerted potentially adverse ecological and environmental impacts of this land use, risking a wide range of ecosystem functions and services. The objective of this paper is to demonstrate the potentially adverse implications of dryland forestry and highlight the caution needed when planning and establishing such systems. Wherever relevant, establishment of low-impact runoff harvesting systems is favored over high-impact ones, which might cause extensive land degradation of their surroundings. Specifically, both in hillslopes and channels, scraping, removal, or disturbance of topsoil for the construction of runoff harvesting systems should be minimized to prevent the decrease in soil hydraulic conductivity and increase in water overland flow and soil erosion. In order to negate suppression of understory vegetation and sustain plant species richness and diversity, low-density savanization by non-allelopathic tree species is preferred over high-density forestry systems by allelopathic species. Wherever possible, it is preferable to plant native tree species rather than introduced or exotic species, in order to prevent genetic pollution and species invasion. Mixed-species forestry systems should be favored over single-species plantations, as they are less susceptible to infestation by pests and diseases. In addition, drought-tolerant, fire-resistant, and less flammable tree species should be preferred over drought-prone, fire-susceptible, and more flammable species. Full article

Accurately identifying the spatiotemporal variations and driving factors of ecosystem services (ES) in ecological restoration is important for ecosystem management and the sustainability of nature conservation strategies. As the Green for Grain project proceeds, food provision, water regulation and climate regulation services in the Northern Shaanxi Loess Plateau (NSLP) are changing and have caused broad attention. In this study, the dynamic pattern of the normalized differential vegetation index (NDVI) and the main drivers of grain production (GP), water yield (WY) and net primary production (NPP) in the NSLP from 2000–2013 are identified by incorporating multiple data and methods, in order to provide a better understanding of how and why ES change during ecological restoration. WY was simulated by hydrological modeling, and NPP was estimated with the Carnegie Ames Stanford Approach (CASA) model. The results show that vegetation restoration continued from 2000–2013, but fluctuated because of the comprehensive influence of climate and human activity. GP and NPP both exhibited significantly increasing trends, while changes in WY occurred in two stages: decline (2000–2006) and growth (2007–2013). Spatially, significantly increasing trends in NPP and WY were detected in 52.73% and 24.76% of the region, respectively, in areas that correspond with the Green for Grain project and high precipitation growth. Correlation and partial correlation analyses show that there were different dominant factors (i.e., natural vs. anthropogenic) driving ES change in the NSLP from 2000–2013. The change in WY was mainly driven by precipitation, while the improvements in GP and NPP can be attributed to investments in natural capital (i.e., chemical fertilizer, agricultural machinery power and afforestation). We also found that vegetation restoration can produce positive effects on NPP, but negative effects on WY by using response analyses of WY or NPP change to NDVI change, demonstrating that additional research on the role of water in vegetation restoration is needed. Our results provide support for ES management and the sustainable development of ecological restoration in the NSLP. Full article

The northern Tibetan Plateau is the most traditional and important semi-nomadic region in Tibet. The alpine vegetation is sensitive and vulnerable to climate change and human activities, and is also important as an ecological security in protecting the headwaters of major rivers in Asia. Therefore, the Tibetan alpine grasslands have fundamental significance to both Mainland China and South Asia. The pasture degradation, however, likely threatens the livelihood of residents and the habitats of wildlife on this plateau. Since 2004, the government has launched a series of ecological restoration projects and economic compensatory payment polices. Many fences were additionally built on degraded pastures to prevent new degradation, to promote functionality recovery, and to balance the stocking rate with forage productivity. The grazed vs. fenced paired pastures across different zonal grassland communities along evident environmental gradients provide us with a natural comparative experiment platform to test the relative contributions of natural and anthropogenic factors. This study critically reviews the background, significance of and debates on short-term grazing exclusion with fences in this region. We also aim to figure out scientific and standardized workflows for assessing the effectiveness of grazing exclusion and compensatory payments in the future. Full article

Planning and design of coastal protection for high-risk events with low to moderate or uncertain probabilities are a challenging balance of short- and long-term cost vs. protection of lives and infrastructure. The pervasive, complex, and accelerating impacts of climate change on coastal areas, including sea-level rise, storm surge and tidal flooding, require full integration of the latest science into strategic plans and engineering designs. While the impacts of changes occurring are global, local effects are highly variable and often greatly exacerbated by geophysical (land subsidence, faulting), oceanographic (ocean circulation, wind patterns) and anthropogenic factors. Reducing carbon emissions is needed to mitigate global warming, but adaptation can accommodate at least near future change impacts. Adaptation should include alternatives that best match region-specific risk, time frame, environmental conditions, and the desired protection. Optimal alternatives are ones that provide protection, accommodate or mimic natural coastal processes, and include landforms such as barrier islands and wetlands. Plans are often for 50 years, but longer-term planning is recommended since risk from climate change will persist for centuries. This paper presents an assessment of impacts of accelerating climate change on the adequacy of coastal protection strategies and explores design measures needed for an optimum degree of protection and risk reduction. Three coastal areas facing similar challenges are discussed: Abu-Qir Bay, Nile River delta plain, Egypt; Lake Borgne, New Orleans, Louisiana delta plain; and the New York City region. Full article

The identification of the sources and fate of NO(_{3}^{-}) contaminants is important to protect the water quality of aquifer systems. In this study, NO(_{3}^{-}) contaminated groundwater from the drinking water wells in the Shijiazhuang area, China, was chemically (NO(_{3}^{-})/Cl(^{ m{{-}}}) ratio) and isotopically ((δ)(^{ m{15}})N(_{ m{NO3}}), (delta)(^{ m{18}})O(_{ m{NO3}}) and (delta)(^{ m{13}})C(_{ m{DOC}}); (delta)(^{ m{2}})H(_{ m{H2O}}), (delta)(^{ m{18}})O(_{ m{H2O}})) characterized to identify the sources of NO(_{3}^{-}) and address subsequent biogeochemical processes. The positive correlations between dominant anions and cations suggested that the dissolution of calcium carbonate and gypsum minerals was the most effective process in the groundwater. Elevated concentrations of NO(_{3}^{-}), Cl(^{ m{{-}}}) and Mg(^{ m{2+}}) could be related to the wastewater irrigation and usage of fertilizers. The natural water in the study area originated primarily from precipitation and experienced a limited extent of evaporation, as demonstrated by measurements of (delta)(^{ m{2}})H(_{ m{H2O}}) and (delta)(^{ m{18}})O(_{ m{H2O}}). A cross-plot of (delta)(^{ m{15}})N(_{ m{NO3}}) vs. (delta)(^{ m{18}})O(_{ m{NO3}}) gave an enrichment of the ¹⁵N isotope relative to the ¹⁸O isotope by a factor of 2. A further insight into the denitrification process was obtained by the synergistic changes in (delta)(^{ m{13}})C(_{ m{DOC}}) and (delta)(^{ m{15}})N(_{ m{NO3}}) values, confirming that a low extent of denitrification occurred. Nitrification processes were evaluated by means of (delta)(^{ m{18}})O(_{ m{NO3}}) and (delta)(^{ m{18}})O(_{ m{H2O}}). The initial (delta)(^{ m{15}})N(_{ m{NO3}}) value(s) of the NO(_{3}^{-}) source(s) were roughly estimated between 2‰ and 5‰. Based on the level of natural NO(_{3}^{-}), anthropogenic activities were considered the main reason for the elevated NO(_{3}^{-}) concentration of the shallow groundwater. NH(_{4}^{+}) fertilizers were the major source of NO(_{3}^{-}) in the non-wastewater irrigated area, while wastewater was regarded as the primary source of NO(_{3}^{-}) in the wastewater-irrigated area. A low content of NO(_{3}^{-}) in deep groundwater might mainly be influenced by precipitation and soil organic N that was involved in denitrification reactions. Some of the deep groundwater samples could have been contaminated by wastewater. The mixing process of multiple NO(_{3}^{-}) sources was identified as another important factor affecting the NO(_{3}^{-}) concentration of the groundwater in the study area. The combined use of (delta)(^{ m{15}})N(_{ m{NO3}}), (delta)(^{ m{18}})O(_{ m{NO3}}) and (delta)(^{ m{13}})C(_{ m{DOC}}) results and hydrochemical data (NO(_{3}^{-})/Cl(^{ m{{-}}}) ratios) gives an insight into the mixing effect of different NO(_{3}^{-}) sources and processes affecting NO(_{3}^{-}) concentration under conditions of intensive land-use activities. Full article