Search Results (106)

Landslides are a common geological hazard in mountainous areas, causing significant damage to ecosystems and production activities. Near-natural ecological restoration is considered an effective strategy for post-landslide recovery. To investigate the impact of near-natural restoration strategies on the recovery of plant communities and soil in landslide-affected areas, we selected landslide plots in Lantian County at 1, 6, and 11 years post-landslide as study sites, surveyed plots undergoing near-natural restoration and adjacent undisturbed control plots (CK), and collected and analyzed data on plant communities and soil properties. The results indicate that vegetation succession followed a path from “human intervention to natural competition”: species richness peaked at 1 year post-landslide (D_m = 4.2). By 11 years, dominant species prevailed, with tree species decreasing to 4.1 ± 0.3, while herbaceous diversity increased by 200% (from 4 to 12 species). Soil recovery showed significant temporal effects: total nitrogen (TN) and dehydrogenase activity (DHA) exhibited the greatest increases after 1 year post-landslide (132% and 232%, respectively), and by 11 years, the available nitrogen (AN) in restored plots recovered to 98% of the CK levels. Correlations between plant and soil characteristics strengthened over time: at 1 year, only 6–9 pairs showed significant correlations (p < 0.05), increasing to 21–23 pairs at 11 years. Near-natural restoration drives system recovery through the “selection of native species via competition and activation of microbial functional groups”. The 6–11-year period post-landslide is a critical window for structural optimization, and we recommend phased dynamic regulation to balance biodiversity and ecological functions. Full article

Under the context of global climate change, sea-level rise and frequent storm surge events pose significant challenges to coastal areas. Protecting coastlines from erosion, mitigating socio-economic losses, and maintaining ecosystem balance are critical for the sustainable development of coastal zones. The concept of “living shorelines” based on Nature-based Solutions (NbS) employs near-natural ecological restoration and protection measures. In low-energy coastal segments, natural materials are prioritized, while high-energy segments are supplemented with artificial structures. This approach not only enhances disaster resilience but also preserves coastal ecosystem stability and ecological functionality. This study constructs a coastal vitality evaluation system for Fujian Province, China, using the entropy weight method, integrating three dimensions: protective safety, ecological resilience, and economic vitality. Data from 2010 and 2020 were analyzed to assess the spatiotemporal evolution of coastal vitality. Results indicate that coastal vitality initially exhibited a spatial pattern of “low in the north, high in the center, and low in the south,” with vitality values ranging from 0.20 to 0.67 (higher values indicate stronger vitality). Over the past decade, ecological restoration projects have significantly improved coastal vitality, particularly in central and southern regions, where high-vitality segments increased markedly. Key factors influencing coastal vitality include water quality, cyclone intensity, biological shoreline length, and wetland area. NbS-aligned coastal management strategies and soft revetment practices have generated substantial ecological and economic benefits. To further enhance coastal vitality, region-specific approaches are recommended, emphasizing rational resource utilization, optimization of ecological and economic values, and the establishment of a sustainable evaluation framework. This study provides scientific insights for improving coastal protection capacity, ecological resilience, and economic potential. Full article

Globally, ecosystems are affected by climate change, human activities, and natural disasters, which impact ecosystem quality and stability. Vegetation plays a crucial role in ecosystem material cycle and energy transformation, making it important to monitor its resilience under disturbance stress. The Critical Slowing Down (CSD) indicates that as ecosystems near collapse, the autocorrelation of lag temporal increases and resilience decreases. We used the lag Temporal Autocorrelation (TAC) of long-term remote sensing Leaf Area Index (LAI) to monitor vegetation resilience in the Three Gorges Reservoir Area (TGRA). The Disturbance Event Model (DEM) was used to validate the CSD. The results showed the following: (1) The eastern TGRA exhibited high and increasing vegetation resilience, while most areas showed a decline. (2) Among the various vegetation types, forests demonstrated higher resilience than other vegetation types. (3) Precipitation, temperature, and soil moisture significantly influenced vegetation resilience dynamics within the TGRA. (4) For model accuracy, the CSD’s results were consistent with the DEM, confirming its applicability in the TGRA. Overall, the CSD when applied to long-term remote sensing data, provided valuable quantitative indicators for vegetation resilience. Furthermore, more CSD-based indicators are needed to analyze vegetation resilience dynamics and better understand the biological processes determining vegetation degradation and restoration. Full article

Accelerating the recovery of compacted soils caused by logging machinery using bioengineering techniques is a key goal of Sustainable Forest Management. This research was conducted on an abandoned skid trail with a uniform 15% slope and a history of heavy traffic, located in the Nav forest compartment of northern Iran. The main objectives were to assess (a) soil physical properties 35 years after skidding by a tracked bulldozer, (b) the impact of natural alder regeneration on soil recovery, and (c) the contribution of alder fine-root development to the restoration of compacted soils in beech stands. Soil physical properties and fine root biomass were analyzed across three depth classes (0–10 cm, 10–20 cm, 20–30 cm) and five locations (left wheel track (LT), between wheel tracks (BT), right wheel track (RT)) all with alder trees, and additionally control points inside the trail without alder trees (CPWA), as well as outside control points with alder trees (CPA). Sampling points near alder trees (RT, LT, BT) were compared to CPWA and CPA. CPA had the lowest soil bulk density, followed by LT, BT, RT, and CPWA. Bulk density was highest (1.35 ± 0.07 g cm⁻³) at the 0–10 cm depth and lowest (1.08 ± 0.4 g cm⁻³) at 20–30 cm. The fine root biomass at 0–10 cm depth (0.23 ± 0.21 g dm⁻³) was significantly higher than at deeper levels. Skid trail sampling points showed higher fine root biomass than CPWA but lower than CPA, by several orders of magnitude. Alder tree growth significantly reduced soil bulk density, aiding soil recovery in the study area. However, achieving optimal conditions will require additional time. Full article

As an important ecological barrier in Northwest China, the health of forest ecosystems in Shaanxi Province is crucial to regional ecological balance and sustainable development. However, forest degradation has become increasingly prominent in recent years due to both natural and anthropogenic pressures. This study aims to identify the spatio-temporal pattern of forest degradation in Shaanxi Province, construct an ecological network, and propose targeted restoration strategies. To this end, we first built a structural-functional forest degradation (SFD) assessment system and used the Landsat-based detection of trends in disturbance and recovery (LandTrendr) algorithm to identify degraded areas and types; subsequently, we used morphological spatial pattern analysis (MSPA) and the minimum cumulative resistance (MCR) model to construct a forest ecological network and identify key restoration nodes. Finally, we proposed a differentiated restoration strategy for near-natural forests based on the Miyawaki method as a conceptual framework to guide future ecological recovery efforts. The results showed that (1) in 1991–2020, the total area of forest degradation in Shaanxi Province was 1010.89 km², which was dominated by functional degradation (98%) and structural degradation (87.15%), with significant regional differences; (2) the constructed ecological network contained 189 ecological source sites, 189 ecological corridors, 89 key nodes, and 50 urgently restored; and (3) specific restoration measures were proposed for different degradation conditions (e.g., density regulation and forest window construction for functional light degradation and maintenance of the status quo or full reconstruction for structural heavy degradation). This study provides key data and systematic methods for the accurate monitoring of forest degradation, the optimization of ecological networks, and scientific restoration in Shaanxi Province, which holds great practical significance for establishing a robust ecological barrier in Northwest China. Full article

Maowusu sandy land is characterized by a fragile ecological environment and extreme sensitivity to external disturbances such as climate change and human activities. Identifying and zoning ecological spaces in this region are crucial for maintaining eco-environmental safety and promoting sustainable regional development. With Maowusu sandy land as the study object, the temporal and spatial characteristics of land use and the driving forces were explored via spatial analysis technology—the geographic information system. Then, a 2D relation judgment matrix was constructed by evaluating the importance of ecosystem service functions and ecological sensitivity. Next, restoration zoning of natural ecological space was performed, and relevant restoration suggestions were put forward accordingly. Results show that the land use in Maowusu sandy land has significantly changed in the past 30 years, with construction land and forest continuously expanding, cropland and grassland being squeezed, and some areas of unutilized land being transformed into other land use types. Ecosystem service functions tend to weaken from southwest to northeast, whereas the ecologically sensitive zones are mainly distributed in the middle of Maowusu sandy land. The high-importance and high-sensitivity zones of natural ecological space account for 3.60% of the total area of natural ecological space, mainly distributed near Ejin Horo Banner. A comprehensive restoration project of soil and water conservation should be conducted in this zone to alleviate soil erosion and maintain the management and restoration of ecological protection red lines. Moderately important sensitive zones account for the largest proportion (80.42%) of the total area of natural ecological space, being widely distributed. In such zones, water resources should be taken as constraints, with emphasis on ecological protection and improvement measures. Low-importance and low-sensitivity zones account for the smallest proportion, in which ecosystem protection, near-natural restoration, and moderate development and utilization should be carried out. This study aims to provide a scientific basis for reasonably protecting natural ecological resources and promoting the healthy and ordered development of natural ecosystems. Full article

Photodynamic therapy (PDT) and photothermal therapy (PTT) are considered to be one of the most effective methods for treating cancer due to their noninvasive nature, high effectiveness, and fewer side effects compared to standard therapeutic modalities for cancer. However, conventional always-on types of PDT and PTT agents have basic drawbacks in their in vivo applications, which include the unwanted generation of strong fluorescence signals and phototoxicity in normal tissues, including blood vessels, when exposed to light, resulting in poor imaging contrast and unwanted phototoxicity. Here, we propose indocyanine green-loaded quenched nanoliposomes (Q-ICG-NLs) as an activatable nanotheranostics. Q-ICG-NLs showed significant quenching in near-infrared fluorescence emission and singlet oxygen generation upon light irradiation. The photothermal effect of Q-ICG-NLs was 1.3 times greater than free indocyanine green. Its fluorescence and singlet oxygen generation were largely restored when taken up into cancer cells, enabling the selective detection and phototherapy of cancer cells. These results suggest that Q-ICG-NLs can be effectively used for selective near-infrared fluorescence imaging and the subsequent image-guided PDT and PTT of cancers. Full article

The Salento Leccese coast (southern Apulia, Italy) is marked both by primary and secondary coasts (cliffs and beaches); beaches, in particular, constitute about a quarter of the coastal perimeter. The Salento Leccese coast experienced dramatic change over the last two centuries due to natural and anthropic causes. This change was reconstructed through a geomorphological survey, historical cartography, and an aerial photo analysis. In particular, two case studies are described: the first one stretches along the Adriatic coast of the peninsula (Torre dell’Orso locality), and the second one is located along the Ionian coast (Torre Pali locality). For these coastal tracts, the main geomorphological features and the natural evolution that occurred during the Holocene are described, along with the anthropic modifications induced in the coastal landscape over the last two centuries. This study represents a useful knowledge background for coastal planners and decision makers, which will be utilized by the National Restoration Plans to be implemented in the near future, with the aim of restoring degraded ecosystems according to the recent Nature Restoration Law of the European Commission (2024). Full article

This study is based on the Taihang Mountain Area in Southern Hebei Province, focusing on battlefield sites in She County. Interdisciplinary theories and methods such as field investigation, architectural typology, and GIS spatial analysis are used to establish the protection roadmap and geographic information database for battlefield sites. The aim is to reveal the architectural characteristics and spatiotemporal distribution patterns of battlefield sites, evaluate its current status and constraints, and propose targeted protection strategies and restoration measures. Research has found that battlefield sites combine the characteristics of traditional dwellings and village temples, presenting the characteristics of clear clustering distribution and low altitude with a system near the water in the spatial and temporal dimensions, with good natural adaptability and unique rural cultural landscapes. At the same time, in response to the constraints and challenges still faced by protection work, a protection strategy framework has been constructed from six aspects: strengthening daily maintenance, reducing human and natural damage, optimizing the property rights system, unifying responsibility subjects, comprehensive development and utilization, and international legislation and cooperation. Repair and protection guidelines have been established from five technical links: timber structure, joinery work, roof, wall, and ground. This study can lay the foundation for the cultural inheritance and sustainable protection of battlefield sites in the Taihang Mountain Area of Southern Hebei Province, and provide theoretical references and practical examples for similar research. Full article

Flood events severely damage the biodiversity and ecological functions of wetlands, posing a major threat to the health and stability of wetland ecosystems. Plants play a crucial role in maintaining the stability and balance of these ecosystems by providing food and habitat for various organisms. Although the wetland plants’ responses to flooding events have been extensively studied, the multi-level ecological characteristics (on the community, population, and individual plant level) of these plants in response to flooding have not yet been investigated. In this study, the community structure and ecological characteristics of Bolboschoenus planiculmis under different flooding conditions and plant traits were studied. The results revealed significant differences in the community composition and species diversity under various flooding conditions. Under continuous flooding, the number of species was three times greater than under seasonal flooding conditions. Flood events showed a significant impact on population density and coverage of B. planiculmis. The population density and coverage were 76.10% and 66.70% higher in seasonal flooding conditions than in continuous flooding conditions. Under seasonal flooding conditions, the allocation of total biomass and bulb biomass was greater than that observed under continuous flooding conditions. The results of the correlation analysis and redundancy analysis (RDA) indicated that the water level is a critical factor influencing the variations in the multi-level ecological features of the B. planiculmis community under different flooding conditions. This study suggests that maintaining seasonal flooding is essential for the natural restoration of B. planiculmis wetlands. These findings demonstrate that flood events significantly affect the ecological characteristics of B. planiculmis and offer valuable guidelines for the near-natural restoration of Grus leucogeranus habitats. Full article

The positive relationship between species richness and area is a fundamental principle in ecology. However, this pattern deviates on small islands, where species richness either changes independently of area or increases at a slower rate—a phenomenon known as the Small-Island Effect (SIE). While the SIE has been well documented in natural ecosystem, its presence in highly fragmented and disturbed urban ecosystem remains unexplored, posing challenges for urban vegetation conservation. Urban remnant vegetation, isolated by surrounding infrastructures, preserves intact zonal vegetation characteristics, serves as a benchmark for restoring near-natural habitats and offers ideal conditions to test the existence of the SIE in urban area landscapes. In this study, we surveyed 17 remnant vegetation patches in Qingdao City, China. A total of 331 plants attributed to 255 genera in 81 families have been recorded. Firstly, by using six species–area relationship regression models testing the SIE for remnant vegetation with different plant life forms, we found the SIE in only woody plants, with the land surface area threshold ranging from 6.38 ha (tree) to 11.91 ha (shrub). Our finding revealed that the drivers of the SIE in shrubs were landscape shape index, perimeter–area ratio, and the proportion of sealed surfaces within the patch. For trees, the SIE was influenced by the distance to the source of species, GDP, night light intensity, and perimeter–area ratio. This finding justifies that conservation in urban planning, construction, and development should focus not only on protecting large areas but also on maintaining and promoting diverse habitats within these areas. At the same time, reducing anthropogenic disturbance and enhancing the connectivity of green spaces are important for the persistence of metacommunities and can contribute to the local species pool, thus potentially improving the ecological resilience of urban environments. Full article

Findings from monitoring Greek fir forests in central Greece regarding radial growth, insect infestations, plant communities, and climate response have highlighted the urgent need for expanded field research to address critical conservation challenges within the fir forest ecosystem on Giona and Parnassus mountains. This underscores the urgency of adopting measures to mitigate the impacts of both abiotic and biotic factors. Our findings so far, encompassing biometric data, tree ring analysis, observations on plant communities, climatic response, and insect infestations—primarily Choristoneura murinana (European Bud Moth)—across various stands on the mountain, have revealed significant local infestations of varying degrees. In many instances, these infestations were detected in adult trees, particularly in sunny areas or near country roads. Furthermore, our research has revealed the varied ability of the fir trees to adapt to both minor and significant climatic variations. The proposed research aims to monitor, preserve, and protect the fir trees, utilizing new knowledge for informed decision-making in their management. The project’s scope includes studying the growth characteristics of the fir forest, mitigating threats from biological factors (primarily the moth Choristoneura murinana-Lepidoptera, Tortricidae) by involving pheromones and other biological methods, promoting natural regeneration, preserving biodiversity, and evaluating the water status of the fir trees in response to climate change. Investigating their interactions and understanding the ecosystem’s status concerning the previously mentioned aspects is a significant priority for biological and genetic diversity, landscape aesthetics, recreation, and sustainable regional development (with economic impacts on local beekeepers and guesthouse owners). The evaluation of the implementation of the National Biodiversity Strategy in Greece has shown partial or minimal progress in addressing new threats and challenges, as well as in promoting new approaches. The proposed project, with specific actions, aligns with the spirit of the National Biodiversity Strategy and contributes to the strategy goals within the framework of conservation, restoration, and the strengthening of nationwide enhancement actions. Full article

Osteoporosis, a common metabolic bone disorder, leads to increased fracture risk and significant morbidity, particularly in postmenopausal women and the elderly. Traditional treatments often fail to fully restore bone health and may cause side effects, prompting the exploration of regenerative therapies. Adipose-derived stem cells (ADSCs) offer potential for osteoporosis treatment, but their natural inclination toward adipogenic rather than osteogenic differentiation poses a challenge. This study investigates a novel approach combining differentiation inducers (DIs), three-dimensional (3D) hydrogel scaffolds, and photobiomodulation (PBM) to promote osteogenic differentiation of immortalised ADSCs. A dextran-based 3D hydrogel matrix, supplemented with a DI cocktail of dexamethasone, β-glycerophosphate disodium, and ascorbic acid, was used to foster osteogenesis. PBM was applied using near-infrared (825 nm), green (525 nm), and combined wavelengths at fluences of 3 J/cm², 5 J/cm², and 7 J/cm² to enhance osteogenic potential. Flow cytometry identified osteoblast-specific markers, while inverted light microscopy evaluated cellular morphology. Reactive oxygen species assays measured oxidative stress, and quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) revealed upregulated gene expression linked to osteogenesis. The findings demonstrate that integrating DIs, 3D hydrogels, and PBM effectively drives osteogenic differentiation in immortalised ADSCs. The PBM enhanced osteogenic marker expression, induced morphological changes, and upregulated gene activity, presenting a promising framework for bone regeneration. Future research should assess the stability and functionality of these differentiated cells and explore their applicability in preclinical models of bone injury or degeneration. This integrative approach demonstrated specific efficacy in promoting the osteogenic differentiation of ADSCs, highlighting its potential application in developing targeted treatments for osteoporosis. Full article

The lower reaches of the Jinsha River, serving as a vital ecological barrier in southwestern China and playing a crucial role in advancing targeted poverty alleviation efforts, remain underexplored in terms of the coupling between ecological and economic development, creating a gap in understanding the region’s sustainable development potential. This study combines the remote sensing ecological index (RSEI) derived from MODIS data and the biodiversity richness index (BRI) based on land use data to create the ecological environment index (EEI) using a weighted approach. It also develops the economic development index (EDI) from economic data using the entropy weight method. By integrating the EEI and EDI, the study calculates key metrics, including the ecological–economic coupling degree (EECD), coupling coordination degree (EECCD), and relative development degree (EERDD), and examines their spatiotemporal changes from 2000 to 2020. Additionally, the study applies a geographic detector model to identify the spatial drivers of the EEI, an obstacle factor diagnosis model to pinpoint the main barriers to EDI, and a neural network model to uncover the underlying forces shaping EECCD. The results indicate that: (I) From 2000 to 2020, the overall improvement rate of the ecological and economic subsystems was greater than that of the ecological–economic coupling system. The entire region is still in the Running-In Stage, and the coordination level has been upgraded from near imbalance to marginal coordination. About 85% of the counties’ EERDDs are still in the EDI Behind EEI Stage. (II) The structural composition of the EEI shows a pattern of low Dry Hot Valley Area and high in other areas, mainly driven by natural factors, although human activities had a notable impact on these interactions. (III) Originating from an impact model primarily driven by economic factors and supplemented by ecological factors, both EDI and EECCD exhibit a pattern of high in the south and low in the north, with improvements spreading northward from the urban area of Kunming. The development gradient differences between 24 poverty-stricken counties and 16 non-poverty-stricken counties have been reduced. (IV) For the six types of ecological–economic coupling development zones, it is essential to adopt localized approaches tailored to the differences in resource and environmental characteristics and development stages. Key efforts should focus on enhancing ecological protection and restoration, increasing financial support, implementing ecological compensation mechanisms, and promoting innovative models for sustainable development. Full article

The presence of vegetation in submerged conditions and bedforms are a reality in coarse-bed streams. However, this reality has not been well investigated in the literature, despite being a major challenge for natural stream restoration. In order to control many unknown factors affecting prototype scale, this experimental study has been conducted in a laboratory flume, considering 3D bedforms. The results of this study show that 3D bedforms with submerged vegetation elements may change all estimations from 3D to 2D forms near the bed due to the change in roughness. This will change the classic determinations of resistance to flow and sediment transport via Reynolds stress and turbulent flow and may lead to more-affordable complex hydraulic process modeling. Full article