Search Results (39)

Under global environmental change, the health of rivers and lakes on the “Asian Water Tower”—the Qinghai–Tibetan Plateau—is facing mounting pressures. This study examines Qinghai Lake, the Huangshui River, the Golmud River, and the Qinghai reach of the Yangtze River. By integrating the Water Quality Index (WQI) with the AHP–TOPSIS framework, we develop a multidimensional assessment system encompassing water resources, water environment, aquatic ecology, and management functions. The WQI results reveal pronounced spatial heterogeneity in water quality, with conditions ranked as Golmud River > Yangtze River > Huangshui River > Qinghai Lake. Dominant controlling factors also shift from dissolved oxygen in riverine systems to total phosphorus in the lake environment. The comprehensive AHP–TOPSIS evaluation further shows a health ranking of Yangtze River (0.736) > Golmud River (0.602) > Qinghai Lake (0.404) > Huangshui River (0.297), leading to the identification of four distinct management pathways: ecological conservation, natural restoration, nutrient control, and pollution remediation. By moving beyond single-parameter diagnostics, this study provides a robust methodological basis for differentiated river–lake management. The proposed “one river (lake), one strategy” framework, coupled with red-line management recommendations grounded in key indicators, offers direct scientific support for systematic protection and precise governance of aquatic ecosystems on the Qinghai–Tibetan Plateau, contributing to national ecological security and high-level environmental stewardship. Full article

Indonesia’s beef cattle sector plays a central role in achieving food security, enhancing rural livelihoods, and fostering economic resilience. However, it faces fragmented governance, import dependence, and persistent challenges of low productivity levels. To capture the evolving evidence base, this study conducted a scoping review of 61 peer-reviewed publications (2019–2025) drawn from six major databases. This study employed the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses Scoping Review Protocol and Arksey and O’Malley’s framework. Key patterns, advances, and gaps, along with evidence and research recommendations, were identified using the PAGER analytical approach. The dominant themes include production efficiency, environmental sustainability, policy, market linkages, and technological innovation. The results show that most studies employed quantitative or system modelling designs. In the global literature, multidimensional sustainability frameworks have shifted away from production-centric ones, with regional studies highlighting different emphases, such as carbon metrics in South America and market access and livelihood resilience in Asia and Africa. Integrated crop, livestock, and forestry systems; legume-based nutrient management; genotype-specific feeding and breeding; and enabling policies within inclusive markets were revealed through the synthesis of the PAGER framework as four calculated levers for sustainable transformation. However, actors inadequately integrate feed, genetic, climate interactions, and governance mechanisms. According to this review, technological innovation must align with adaptive governance. Climate-resilient, low-carbon beef systems also require the development of inclusive institutional frameworks. Indonesia’s experience demonstrates the benefits of integrating science, policy, and the market to improve productivity, resource stewardship, and equity in tropical livestock systems, thereby enhancing a resilient agri-food supply chain in Indonesia. Full article

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) remains a critical global challenge, requiring novel complementary strategies beyond antibiotic development. Probiotic-fermented foods (PFFs) offer an emerging, low-cost approach to mitigate AMR risk through ecological, molecular, and immunological mechanisms. This review integrates mechanistic insights, clinical evidence, and translational frameworks linking PFFs to antimicrobial stewardship. Key mechanisms include colonization resistance, nutrient and adhesion-site competition, production of antimicrobial metabolites, such as bacteriocins, hydrogen peroxide, and organic acids and Quorum-quenching-sensing activities that suppress pathogen virulence. Randomized clinical trials indicate that fermented diets and probiotic supplementation can improve microbiome diversity, reduce inflammatory cytokines, and decrease antibiotic-associated diarrhea, though direct AMR outcomes remain underexplored. Evidence from kefir, kombucha, and other microbial consortia suggests potential for in vivo pathogen suppression and reduced infection duration. However, safe translation requires standardized starter-culture genomics, resistome monitoring, and regulatory oversight under QPS/GRAS frameworks. Integrating PFF research with One Health surveillance systems, such as the WHO GLASS platform, will enable tracking of antimicrobial consumption and resistance outcomes. Collectively, these findings position PFFs as promising adjuncts for AMR mitigation, linking sustainable food biotechnology with microbiome-based health and global stewardship policies. Full article

The global demand for sustainable food systems requires innovative strategies that reconcile productivity with environmental stewardship, particularly in biodiversity-rich regions such as the Amazon. This study evaluated the cultivation of Acmella oleracea (jambu) using effluent from Colossoma macropomum (tambaqui) aquaculture as a partial substitute for chemical fertilizer. Five treatments were tested under greenhouse conditions: 100% fertilizer, 75% fertilizer, 50% fertilizer, 25% chemical, and 0% fertilizer. Significant treatment effects were observed for leaf number, plant height, stem diameter, and shoot biomass, while root biomass showed no differences. Treatments with 100%, 75%, and 50% fertilizer exhibited statistically similar performance across several growth parameters, indicating that up to 50% of the chemical fertilizer can be replaced by aquaculture effluent without significant yield reduction. Treatments with 50% fertilizer and 0% fertilizer showed reduced growth and higher tissue accumulation of nitrate and ammonium, reflecting nutritional imbalances. In parallel, tambaqui showed 100% survival and satisfactory growth, confirming the stability of the integrated system. These results highlight that, although exclusive use of effluent is insufficient to match chemical fertilizer, partial substitution represents a viable strategy to reduce input costs and recycle nutrients, reinforcing the bioeconomic potential of aqua-culture–agriculture integration in the Amazon. Full article

Dragon fruit (Hylocereus spp.), an increasingly popular tropical fruit, has attracted global interest because of its distinct appearance, nutritional value, and health advantages. As cultivation has spread from its native Central and South American regions to tropical and subtropical regions around the world, there is an increasing demand for sustainable production approaches to address environmental, economic, and social issues. This study provides current knowledge on three different types of dragon fruits—H. megalanthus, H. undatus, and H. costaricencis—and their biology, agronomic requirements, and worldwide production trends, highlighting the critical need for management solutions. Conventional practices, which frequently rely on chemical fertilizers and pesticides, are compared with new sustainable approaches such as organic amendments, high tunnel systems, and agroforestry. This review examines regional challenges like climate variability, pest and disease issues, and pollination limits and explores innovative solutions to boost production and resilience. Socioeconomic factors, including market trends, farmer education, and policy frameworks, are recognized as key influences on the adoption of sustainable practices. This article highlights important research gaps, including the need for genetic improvement, digital agriculture tools, and strong certification mechanisms. This review integrates diverse views and provides actionable ideas for researchers, policymakers, and practitioners seeking to increase productivity, environmental stewardship, and long-term sustainability in dragon fruit agriculture. Full article

Microalgae and cyanobacteria, as versatile photoautotrophic microorganisms, hold significant promise for mitigating soil and water pollution—particularly the removal of pesticides. This review examines their multifaceted roles in pesticide biodegradation, emphasizing how their metabolic capabilities simultaneously reduce environmental toxicity, enrich soil properties, and support beneficial microbiota. Cultivation in wastewater treatment systems further highlights their potential for cost-effective bioremediation, as these microbes degrade pesticides, recycle nutrients, break down organic pollutants, and generate biomass with value-added applications. Despite these advantages, implementing large-scale processes remains challenging. Key hurdles include optimizing growth parameters, preventing contamination, improving harvest efficiency, and designing robust bioreactors. Addressing these complexities demands interdisciplinary collaboration in strain selection, metabolic engineering, and process intensification. By capitalizing on microalgae and cyanobacteria’s adaptability and metabolic flexibility, we can develop more sustainable management strategies that reduce reliance on chemical inputs, foster soil health, and contribute to long-term ecological restoration. Ultimately, these microorganisms have the potential to reshape environmental stewardship by combining economic viability with broad-scale ecological benefits. Full article

Nitrogen eutrophication represents a significant environmental challenge in Chinese aquatic ecosystems, exacerbated by rapid agricultural intensification, industrial expansion, and urban development. This review consolidates existing knowledge on the drivers and impacts of nitrogen pollution in Chinese aquatic ecosystems, with a focus on environments such as lakes, rivers, and coastal waters. The primary sources of nitrogen enrichment are excessive fertilizer application, livestock manure discharge, industrial emissions, and untreated industrial and municipal wastewater. These inputs have led to severe ecological consequences, including harmful algal blooms, hypoxia, loss of biodiversity, and deteriorating water quality, threatening ecosystem health and human well-being. The review also examines mitigation strategies implemented in China, encompassing regulatory policies such as the “Zero Growth” fertilizer initiative, as well as technological advancements in wastewater treatment and sustainable farming practices. Case studies highlighting successful interventions, such as lake restoration projects and integrated watershed management, demonstrate the potential for effective nitrogen control. However, persistent challenges remain, including uneven policy enforcement, insufficient public awareness, and gaps in scientific understanding of nitrogen cycling dynamics. This review aims to inform future efforts toward achieving sustainable nitrogen management in China by synthesizing current research and identifying key knowledge gaps. Addressing these issues is crucial for safeguarding China’s aquatic ecosystems and promoting global nutrient stewardship. Full article

Conservation agriculture (CA) is widely recognized as the cornerstone of sustainable agriculture. It prioritizes minimizing soil disturbance, maintaining permanent soil cover, and diversifying crop species to restore soil health and ecosystem resilience. This review synthesizes the effects of CA on the soil’s physical–chemical and biological properties. It demonstrates its effectiveness in improving soil structure, enhancing organic carbon sequestration, promoting microbial activity, increasing water-use efficiency, and reducing erosion and nutrient losses. The paper then highlights the broad environmental, economic, and social benefits of CA. These include biodiversity conservation, reduced greenhouse gas emissions, improved yields, and increased food system resilience. The review explores the synergistic role of technological innovations such as precision agriculture, remote sensing, and digital tools in scaling CA for higher productivity and sustainability. The review then examines how socioeconomic conditions, institutional frameworks, and policy interventions shape CA adoption and impact. Despite its growing adoption, CA’s successful implementation will require strategies adapted for local needs, capacity-building, and supportive, inclusive policies. Finally, the review identifies key CA research gaps and future directions. This provides a comprehensive foundation to advance CA as a climate-smart, resilient, and sustainable pathway to ensure global food security and environmental stewardship. Full article

Soil health and fertility are essential components of sustainable land management. In Bhutan, where agricultural practices range from organic to conventional systems, and natural vegetation areas persist across varied elevations. Understanding how these factors influence soil properties is essential for advancing sustainable agriculture and fostering environmental stewardship. Thus, the objectives of this study were to evaluate some soil chemical properties across land use practices and their relationship to soil texture. Soil organic carbon (SOC) and macro-nutrients in three land use types (organic fields—OrgF; conventional fields—ConF; and natural vegetation—NatV) were studied across high-, mid-, and low-altitude sites in the Wangdue Phodrang, Chhukha, and Dagana districts of Bhutan. The effects of land use practices on soil properties varied with altitude. While available P responded significantly at both high- and mid-altitude locations (p < 0.01), SOC content was influenced only at high altitude (p < 0.001). In contrast, soil pH (p < 0.01) and available K (p < 0.001) showed clear sensitivity to land use at low altitude but were unaffected at higher elevations. Total N content and C:N ratios remained relatively stable across management practices within each altitude category. Silt and clay content had positive relationship with SOC (R² ≥ 0.13), whereas sand content had a significant negative relationship (R² = 0.23, p < 0.001). These findings are pertinent to providing guidelines for sustainable land management, improving agricultural practices, and shaping policies to protect and restore soil health across varied agro-ecological zones. Full article

Proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) are among the most prescribed drugs worldwide owing to their proven efficacy in symptom control and mucosal healing for acid-related disorders including gastroesophageal reflux disease (GORD), peptic ulcer disease, Helicobacter pylori eradication, functional dyspepsia, and gastroprotection in high-risk patients. However, long-term use beyond approved indications is increasingly common and has raised safety concerns. Observational studies link chronic PPI use to a myriad of adverse outcomes such as enteric infections (e.g., Clostridioides difficile), nutrient deficiencies (magnesium, vitamin B12), osteoporotic fractures, chronic kidney disease, dementia, and gastric and colorectal cancer. While causality is not always established, these associations warrant cautious risk–benefit assessment in patients receiving prolonged therapy. Current guidelines advocate periodic review of ongoing PPI use and emphasise deprescribing where appropriate. Strategies include dose reduction, on-demand or intermittent use, and switching to H2-receptor antagonists, particularly in patients with non-erosive reflux disease or functional dyspepsia. Tools from the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence, American College of Gastroenterology, and the Canadian Deprescribing Network assist clinicians in identifying candidates for tapering or discontinuation. This narrative review focuses on the concept of “PPI stewardship” by providing an evidence-based overview of PPI indications, risks, and deprescribing strategies to promote appropriate, safer, and patient-centred use of acid-suppressive therapy. Full article

Biofloc technology (BFT), traditionally centered on feed supplementation and water purification in aquaculture, harbors untapped multifunctional potential as a sustainable resource management platform. This review systematically explores beyond conventional applications. BFT leverages microbial consortia to drive resource recovery, yielding bioactive compounds with antibacterial/antioxidant properties, microbial proteins for efficient feed production, and algae biomass for nutrient recycling and bioenergy. In environmental remediation, its porous microbial aggregates remove microplastics and heavy metals through integrated physical, chemical, and biological mechanisms, addressing critical aquatic pollution challenges. Agri-aquatic integration systems create symbiotic loops where nutrient-rich aquaculture effluents fertilize plant cultures, while plants act as natural filters to stabilize water quality, reducing freshwater dependence and enhancing resource efficiency. Emerging applications, including pigment extraction for ornamental fish and the anaerobic fermentation of biofloc waste into organic amendments, further demonstrate its alignment with circular economy principles. While technical advancements highlight its capacity to balance productivity and ecological stewardship, challenges in large-scale optimization, long-term system stability, and economic viability necessitate interdisciplinary research. By shifting focus to its underexplored functionalities, this review positions BFT as a transformative technology capable of addressing interconnected global challenges in food security, pollution mitigation, and sustainable resource use, offering a scalable framework for the future of aquaculture and beyond. Full article

Pseudomonas aeruginosa is a highly adaptable opportunistic pathogen with significant clinical relevance in both human and veterinary medicine. Despite its well-documented role in hospital-acquired infections in human healthcare settings, its persistence and transmission within veterinary clinics remain underexplored. This review highlights the overlooked status of veterinary facilities as environmental reservoirs and amplification points for multidrug-resistant (MDR) P. aeruginosa, emphasizing their relevance to One Health surveillance. We examine the bacterium’s environmental survival strategies, including biofilm formation, resistance to disinfectants, and tolerance to nutrient-poor conditions that facilitate the long-term colonization of moist surfaces, drains, medical equipment, and plumbing systems. Common transmission vectors are identified, including asymptomatic animal carriers, contaminated instruments, and the hands of veterinary staff. The review synthesizes current data on antimicrobial resistance in environmental isolates, revealing frequent expression of efflux pumps and mobile resistance genes, and documents the potential for zoonotic transmission to staff and pet owners. Key gaps in environmental monitoring, infection control protocols, and genomic surveillance are identified, with a call for standardized approaches tailored to the veterinary context. Control strategies, including mechanical biofilm disruption, disinfectant cycling, effluent monitoring, and staff hygiene training, are evaluated for feasibility and impact. The article concludes with a One Health framework outlining cross-species and environmental transmission pathways. It advocates for harmonized surveillance, infrastructure improvements, and intersectoral collaboration to reduce the risk posed by MDR P. aeruginosa within veterinary clinical environments and beyond. By addressing these blind spots, veterinary facilities can become proactive partners in antimicrobial stewardship and global resistance mitigation. Full article

Rice is a major crop for half of the world’s population, and nitrogen (N) fertilizers play a crucial role in its production. However, imbalanced N fertilizer uses and traditional fertilization practices have led to low nitrogen use efficiency (NUE), increased N footprints, and reduced rice yields and farmers’ income. There are limited studies where the integration of both agronomic and molecular advancements to enhance NUE is discussed, particularly in developing countries. This review highlights novel agronomic and molecular strategies to enhance NUE, rice yields, and profitability, while minimizing environmental impact. The agronomic strategies include the 4R Nutrient Stewardship framework, enhanced efficiency nitrogen fertilizers (EENFs), nano-fertilizers, biochar-based fertilizers, biological N fixation, and sensor-based fertilizer management in major rice-growing countries. The molecular mechanisms focus on N uptake, assimilation, and utilization, highlighting the role of hormones, key genes, transcription factors (TFs), and regulatory pathways. Moreover, we examine promising rice genotypes and cultivars with improved NUE and grain yield. Additionally, this paper offers deep insights into recent advancements in molecular genetics, such as multi-omics approaches (transcriptomics, metabolomics, and metagenomics), the Genome-Wide Association Study (GWAS), Quantitative Traits Loci mapping (QTLs), Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms (SNPs) analysis, and Clustered Regularly Interspaced Short Palindromic Repeats (CRISPR-Cas9)-mediated genome editing, which serve as valuable tools for developing rice cultivars with enhanced NUE and grain yield. Full article

Soil viruses, ubiquitous and abundant biological entities that are integral to microbial communities, exert pivotal impacts on ecosystem functionality, particularly within carbon (C) and nitrogen (N) cycles, through intricate interactions with bacteria, archaea, fungi, and other microbial taxa. While their contributions to soil ecosystem dynamics are increasingly elucidated, the specific roles of soil viruses in karst forest soil remain largely underexplored. Karst ecosystems (covering 15% of the global terrestrial surface) are characterized by unique geological formations, thin and patchy soil layers, high pH and Ca²⁺, and rapid hydrological dynamics, collectively fostering unique environmental conditions that may shape viral ecology and modulate C and N cycling. This perspective synthesizes existing knowledge of soil viral functions with the distinctive characteristics of karst forest soil, proposing potential mechanisms by which soil viruses could influence C and N cycling in such fragile ecosystems. Soil viruses regulate C and N cycles both directly and indirectly via their interactions with microbial hosts, mainly including shaping the microbial community structure, mediating horizontal gene transfer and microbial metabolism, increasing C and N availability and alleviating nutrient limitations, promoting C and N sequestration, and mitigating climate change. This work aims to bridge soil viral ecology and karst biogeochemical cycles, providing insights into sustainable forest stewardship and climate resilience. We delineate critical knowledge gaps and propose future perspectives, advocating for targeted metagenomic and long-term experimental studies into viral diversity, virus–host-environment interactions, and temporal dynamics. Specifically, we advocate the following research priorities to advance our understanding of soil viruses in karst forest ecosystems in future studies: (I) soil viral diversity, abundance, and activity: characterizing the diversity, abundance, and activity of soil viruses in karst forests using metagenomics and complementary molecular approaches; (II) virus–host interactions: investigating the dynamics between the viruses and key microbial taxa involved in C and N cycling; (III) biogeochemical impacts: quantifying the contributions of viral lysis and horizontal gene transfer to C and N fluxes within karst forest soil; and (IV) modeling the viral impacts on C and N cycles: developing integrative models that incorporate soil virus-mediated processes into existing karst forest soil biogeochemical frameworks at different temporal and spatial scales. Such efforts are essential to validate the hypothesized viral roles and underlying mechanisms, offering a foundation for nature-based solutions to facilitate C and N cycling and support ecological restoration in vulnerable karst regions amid global climate change. Full article

Sustainable livestock production is a critical component of global food security and environmental stewardship. Agricultural crop residues, such as cereal straws, stovers, and hulls, as well as agro-industrial by-products, including oilseed meals, distillery wastes, and fruit/vegetable processing residues, are generated in large quantities worldwide, and these residues can be used in the diet of the animals to reduce the feed production cost and sustainability. In this review, we found that the use of treated crop residues in the diet of animals increased the production performance without causing any side effects on their health. Additionally, we also noticed that using these crop residues also mitigates the methane production in ruminants and feed costs, particularly for harvesting the feed crops. Traditionally, these materials have often been underutilized or even disposed of improperly, leading to wastage of valuable nutrients and potential environmental pollution. By incorporating these materials into animal feed formulations, livestock producers can benefit from several key advantages. The review further discusses the challenges and considerations involved in the effective utilization of these alternative feed resources, such as variability in nutrient composition, anti-nutritional factors, and the need for appropriate preprocessing and formulation strategies. Emerging technologies and innovative approaches to optimize the integration of crop residues and by-products into sustainable livestock production systems and also reduce global warming, particularly methane, CO₂ and other particles that affect the environment after burning these crop residues, are also highlighted. By synthesizing the current knowledge and exploring the multifaceted benefits, this review underscores the vital roles that agricultural crop residues and agro-industrial by-products can play in fostering the sustainability and resilience of livestock production, ultimately contributing to global food security and environmental stewardship. Full article