Search Results (34)

Despite its relevance, measuring the contributions of the bioeconomy to national economies remains an arduous task that faces limitations. Part of the difficulty is associated with the lack of a clear and widely accepted concept of the bioeconomy and moves on to the connections between methods, data and indicators. The present study aims to define the concepts of bioeconomy and to explore the connections between concepts, methods, data, and indicators when measuring the bioeconomy economically and the limitations involved in this process. The bioeconomy concepts were defined based on a literature review and a content analysis of 84 documents selected through snowballing procedures to find articles measuring “how big is the bioeconomy?” The content of the 84 documents was uploaded to the Quantitative Data Analysis (QDA Miner) software and coded according to the bioeconomy concept, the methods or models used, the data sources accessed, the indicators calculated, and the limitations reported by the authors. The results of the occurrence and co-occurrence of the codes were extracted and analyzed statistically, indicating the following: the measurement of the bioeconomy (i) needs to recognize and pursue the proposed concept of a holistic bioeconomy; (ii) rarely considered aspects of a holistic bioeconomy (3.5%); (iii) is primarily based on the concept of biomass-based bioeconomy (BmBB) (94%); (iv) the association with the concept of biosphere (BsBB) appeared in 26% of the studies; (v) the biotech-based bioeconomy (BtBB) was the least frequent (1.2%); (vi) there is a diversity of methods and models, but the most common are those traditionally used to measure macroeconomic activities, especially input-output models; (vii) depending on the prevailing methods, the data comes from various official statistical databases, such as national accounts and economic activity classification systems; (viii) the most frequently used indicators are value added, employment, and Greenhouse Gases (GHG) emissions; (ix) there are various limitations related to the concept, methods and models, data, indicators, and others, like incomplete, missing, or lack of data, aggregated data, outdated data or databases, uncertainty of the estimated values, the subjectivity in the bio-shares weighting procedures, and other limitations inherent to methods and models. We conclude that current efforts only partially measure the contributions of the bioeconomy, and efforts should be encouraged toward a full assessment, starting by recognizing that the measurement of a holistic bioeconomy should be pursued. Full article

Understanding the rate and direction of pyrogenic succession in arid ecosystems, which depends on many factors, including the intensity of grazing and the frequency of pyrogenic expo-sure, will allow for more accurate predictions of the consequences of fire onplant communities, and will assist with better fire management. We studied the vegetation on 55 sites in and near the “Chernye Zemli” Natural Biosphere Reserve that burned at different times or were not affected by fires over the past 35 years and characterized the changes in vegetation cover associated with the impact of wildfire and grazing. The descriptions were grouped into chronological stages according to the time elapsed since the last fire, or into groups according to the frequency of fires. In pairwise comparison of the projective cover of plant species between chronological stages, it correlated most strongly between successive initial stages (for stages 1 and 2, p = 0.003, r = 0.73; for stages 2 and 3, p < 0.001, r = 0.78). Species with an initially higher projective cover were more likely to grow on plots in the first year after the fire: p < 0.03. Plots with rare and frequent fires had similar projective cover of individual species (r = 0.64, p < 0.001). We conclude that in the course of pyrogenic succession, communities are gradually replaced over at least ten years. At the same time, the composition of a plant community at the initial point of succession depends on the prevalence of species in the community before the fire. No fundamental effect of the frequency of fires on the composition of plant communities has been revealed. Full article

The hypersaline soils of the Odiel Saltmarshes Natural Area are an extreme environment with high levels of some heavy metals; however, it is a relevant source of prokaryotic diversity that we aim to explore. In this study, six strains related to the halophilic genus Pseudidiomarina were isolated from this habitat. The phylogenetic study based on the 16S rRNA gene sequence and the fingerprinting analysis suggested that they constituted a single new species within the genus Pseudidiomarina. Comparative genomic analysis based on the OGRIs indices and the phylogeny inferred from the core genome were performed considering all the members of the family Idiomarinaceae. Additionally, a completed phenotypic characterization, as well as the fatty acid profile, were also carried out. Due to the characteristics of the habitat, genomic functions related to salinity and high heavy metal concentrations were studied, along with the global metabolism of the six isolates. Last, the ecological distribution of the isolates was studied in different hypersaline environments by genome recruitment. To sum up, the six strains constitute a new species within the genus Pseudidiomarina, for which the name Pseudidiomarina terrestris sp. nov. is proposed. The low abundance in all the studied hypersaline habitats indicates that it belongs to the rare biosphere in these habitats. In silico genome functional analysis suggests the presence of heavy metal transporters and pathways for nitrate reduction and nitrogen assimilation in low availability, among other metabolic traits. Full article

The rare earth elements (REE) comprise a group of 16 chemically very similar elements that occur widespread in rocks, soils, and water bodies, share similar ionic radii to the essential element Ca²⁺, and consequently also occur in biota. Given that REE form mainly trivalent cations, they also share similarities to Al³⁺. Compared to their chemical cognate Ca, they have a higher reactivity. Thus, their accumulation in soils may constitute a severe environmental threat. Over the last decades, the increasing use of REE in modern technology and fertilizers raised concerns about the pollution of soils and water bodies, which led to a rapidly increasing number of publications dealing with REE toxicity to plants, animals and humans, the fate of REE in soil–plant systems, REE cycling in ecosystems and impacts of REE pollution on food security. This review aims to give an overview of the current knowledge on the occurrence of REE in the total environment, including relevant environmental processes governing their mobility, chemical speciation and transfer from abiotic compartments into biota. Beginning with an overview of analytical approaches, we summarize the current knowledge on the ecology of REE in the lithosphere, pedosphere, hydrosphere and biosphere, including impacts of soil pollution on food security and public health. Full article

The Yessentuki mineral water deposit (YMWD) is a well-known source of balneologically valuable drinking mineral water, but it has rarely been investigated in terms of the microbes inhabiting it. In this work, we have studied the microbial communities of the continuously operating production well 9, penetrating the Lower Cretaceous aquifer of the YMWD, and characterized, in detail, two novel representatives of class Ignavibacteria (Bacteroidota). One representative of the so-called XYB12-FULL-38-5 group within the family Melioribacteraceae has been isolated in pure culture, designated strain 09-Me, and physiologically characterized. It is a facultatively anaerobic thermotolerant microorganism capable of fermentation and respiration on simple and complex sugars (lichenan, xanthan gum, glucomannan, curdlan, pachyman). In addition to oxygen, ferric iron, arsenate, and elemental sulfur were also used as electron acceptors. Phylogenomic and physiological analyses reveal this novel isolate to represent a novel genus and species for which the name Stygiobacter electus gen. nov., sp. nov. is proposed. The second representative of the family Melioribacteraceae described here belonged to the so-called DSXH01 group, which comprises the dominant group (up to 28%) of the microbial community of well 9 water. The organism was characterized through the analysis of its genome, assembled from metagenome of well 9 (Ess09-04 MAG). Genes encoding enzymes of carbohydrate utilization and genes responsible for aerobic and anaerobic respiration have been identified in the genomes of both bacteria. The investigation of the environmental distribution of Stygiobacter genus-related bacteria and representatives of the lineage DSXH01 has shown that they all are typical inhabitants of the subsurface biosphere, and are often found in bioreactors. These data significantly expand our knowledge on the microbes of subsurface water basins and pave the way for future studies of the novel members of Ignavibacteria class. Full article

The Mekong River is one of the most biodiverse, productive rivers in the world, supporting more than 1000 fish species and the livelihoods of tens of millions of people. The spatial dynamics and population status of many Mekong fish species, especially megafishes, are poorly understood. Therefore, this information is rarely incorporated into environmental risk assessments for large infrastructure projects, such as mainstream hydropower developments, which have been accelerating rapidly in the Mekong Basin. In this study, we present initial findings from the ongoing, collaborative, transnational acoustic telemetry monitoring of nearly 300 tagged fishes representing 27 species, which yield important insights into the potential impacts that proposed hydropower dams would have on populations of ecologically and economically important fish species. Included in these data are more than ten months of hydrophone records tracking the location of a 300 kg giant freshwater stingray, Urogymnus polylepis (Bleeker, 1852), currently the world’s largest known freshwater fish, used to detect its migration behavior and distribution patterns. The telemetry data, combined with fisher surveys used to gather local ecological knowledge, provide evidence that the proposed dams would fragment the existing populations of this iconic species as well as those of other fish species that support river food web balance and local food systems. Furthermore, the existence of giant freshwater stringray populations and other unique megafauna reinforces the universal natural heritage value of the stretch of the Mekong River between the Lao People’s Democratic Republic/Cambodia border and the city of Kratie. This stretch of river is located between two proposed megadams, the 900 MW Stung Treng Dam and the 2300 MW Sambor Dam. However, the Cambodian Ministry of Environment has also proposed this area for designation as a UNESCO World Heritage Site (Biosphere Reserve). The documentation of the movement of migratory fishes through this reach of the river using acoustic telemetry, the surprising discovery of the world’s largest freshwater fish, the potential threat posed by dam construction, and the management ramifications of UNESCO World Heritage Site designation underscore the importance of scientific research and community involvement in landscape-scale development decisions. The decisions made today will affect the fate of this global biodiversity hotspot, the world’s most productive inland fisheries, and the livelihoods of millions of people throughout the Lower Mekong Basin. Full article

Coastal aquifers have been extensively studied from the hydrodynamic and geochemical points of view, but there is still a significant gap in the knowledge of their microbial diversity. The bacterial communities of four coastal aquifers at different depths and salinities were studied in order to infer the anthropogenic and physico-chemical influences on groundwater microbiota. At the physico-chemical level, samples from different aquifers, but with similar salinities, are more similar than those taken within the same aquifer. The microbial community at the phylum level shows the dominance of Proteobacteria, Firmicutes, and Actinobacteria. Samples from the same aquifer, although having very different salinities, are more similar than samples with similar physico-chemical characteristics. Therefore, the taxa present in these media are resilient to environmental variations. The aquifer preserving the most pristine conditions harbors the lowest values of biodiversity, compared to those affected by anthropic activities. The incorporation of pollutants into the aquifer favors the development of a so-called “rare biosphere”, consisting of a high number of taxa which represent a low percentage (<1%) of the total microbial community. The analysis of microbial biodiversity in a coastal aquifer could be used as an indicator of the degree of anthropic alteration. Full article

The value of leaf photosynthetic capacity (V_cmax) varies with time and space, but state-of-the-art terrestrial biosphere models rarely include such V_cmax variability, hindering the accuracy of carbon cycle estimations on a large scale. In particular, while the European terrestrial ecosystem is particularly sensitive to climate change, current estimates of gross primary production (GPP) in Europe are subject to significant uncertainties (2.5 to 8.7 Pg C yr⁻¹). This study applied a process-based Farquhar GPP model (FGM) to improve GPP estimation by introducing a spatially and temporally explicit V_cmax derived from the satellite-based leaf chlorophyll content (LCC) on two scales: across multiple eddy covariance tower sites and on the regional scale. Across the 19 EuroFLUX sites selected for independent model validation based on 9 plant functional types (PFTs), relative to the biome-specific V_cmax, the inclusion of the LCC-derived V_cmax improved the model estimates of GPP, with the coefficient of determination (R²) increased by 23% and the root mean square error (RMSE) decreased by 25%. V_cmax values are typically parameterized with PFT-specific V_cmax calibrated from flux tower observations or empirical V_cmax based on the TRY database (which includes 723 data points derived from V_cmax field measurements). On the regional scale, compared with GPP, using the LCC-derived V_cmax, the conventional method of fixing V_cmax using the calibrated V_cmax or TRY-based V_cmax overestimated the annual GPP of Europe by 0.5 to 2.9 Pg C yr⁻¹ or 5 to 31% and overestimated the interannually increasing GPP trend by 0.007 to 0.01 Pg C yr⁻² or 14 to 20%, respectively. The spatial pattern and interannual change trend of the European GPP estimated by the improved FGM showed general consistency with the existing studies, while our estimates indicated that the European terrestrial ecosystem (including part of Russia) had higher carbon assimilation potential (9.4 Pg C yr⁻¹). Our study highlighted the urgent need to develop spatially and temporally consistent V_cmax products with a high accuracy so as to reduce uncertainties in global carbon modeling and improve our understanding of how terrestrial ecosystems respond to climate change. Full article

Fanjing Mountain, China, is a World Man and Biosphere Reserve, a World Natural Heritage Property, and a Nature Reserve in China. Mites communities have been reported from the Fanjing Mountain. Wetland moss microhabitats provide a unique habitat for mites, and our objective is to document moss mites communities in the subalpine wetlands of Fanjing Mountain (Jiulongchi), with a particular focus on trends in moss mites at different stages of vegetation succession in the wetlands, which have rarely been described, and the research will provide fundamental data for biodiversity conservation in the face of global climate change. The succession sequence from bryophyte (hygrophyte) to shrub (mesophyte or xerophyte) in the open area of Jiulongchi wetland successively includes Polytrichum commune Hedw. (PC), Eleocharis yokoscensis (Franch. et Sav.) Tang et-Cypers sp. (EY-C), Senecio faberii Hemsl (SF), and Indocalamus longiauritus Hand.-Mazz. (IL) four typical communities. In April 2016, we collected moss samples under the four typical communities mentioned above, and analyzed the difference of moss mite communities using PCA, Kruskal–Wallis nonparametric test, and ANOVA. The results showed the following: (1) A total of 9058 moss mites belonging to 49 genera in 3 orders and 69 families were captured in the four plant communities, with the moss mites Parachipteria, Fuscozetes, and Tectocepheus being the dominant taxa of moss mites in Jiulongchi wetland. The core taxa of moss mites at different successional stages were 12 genera, with IL having the largest number of exclusive taxa (20 genera). (2) The abundance of moss mites showed an overall increasing trend from PC to IL habitats, with the number of families and genera showing a pattern of IL > EY-C > SF > PC. The diversity index SF habitat possessed the maximum value, followed by IL, both of which were significantly different from PC. (3) The results of PCA analysis of moss mites showed that the mite community composition of PC habitats differed more from SF and IL, respectively, and less from EY-C. (4) There existed differences in the ecological taxa of predatory moss mites at different successional stages, with the Poronota group dominating the ecological taxa of oribatida. The research indicated that moss mites communities in subalpine wetlands were rich in species composition, and with the succession of vegetation from hygrophyte to mesophyte or xerophyte, the moss mites group as a whole develops in a direction favorable to its diversity, and the differences in moss mites ecological taxa also demonstrated the variability and complexity of the Jiulongchi wetland environment. This research presents the distribution pattern of moss mites in different vegetation succession stages in subtropical subalpine herbaceous wetlands. The moss mites evolution trend in response to climate-change-induced plant community succession needs further investigation. Full article

Detection of nitroaromatic compounds (NAC) is an important task since these substances are hazardous to both the biosphere and the society. Fluorescent sensors developed for NAC detection usually demonstrate a ‘turn-off’ response to the analyte, while ‘turn-on’ sensors are rarely reported. Here, we present a showcase report on new pyrene-imidazoporphyrin dyads that demonstrate an unusual analytic response to NAC with clear ‘turn-on’ behavior followed by an unexpected appearance of a new band, which can be ascribed to exciplex emission. The porphyrin backbone of the dyad also allows registration of its own fluorescence, providing an internal reference signal for ratiometric detection. The association constants in the order of 10⁴ M⁻¹ are reported. Full article

This paper aims to examine the dimensions of environmental values from the combination of biospheric and altruistic values; and the dimensions of environmental attitudes using a revised New Ecological Paradigm (NEP) scale in a developing country. The unit of analysis was individual respondents who live in Klang Valley, Malaysia. Descriptive, reliability, exploratory, and confirmatory factor analyses were used to analyze the 500 useable data. The findings supported the reliability and validity of the research instruments. Both environmental values and attitudes are recommended as a single dimensional rather than multidimensional structure in a multicultural context of Malaysia. Respondents placed altruistic and biopsheric values in the same environmental value cluster, and a shorter version of the revised NEP scale is provided. As such, segregating environmental values and attitudes into multiple dimensions to segment and target individuals in Malaysia is not recommended. The distinction between altruistic and biopsheric values has rarely been validated in empirical research; and the suitability of the revised NEP scale to measure environmental attitudes is debatable due to the issues of its reliability, dimensionality, and applicability in the context of a non-Western developing country. Full article

The northwest of Spain has an abundance of non-volcanic hot springs that, until recently, had only been used for thermalism activities. One of such hot springs, Muiño da Veiga, has now been explored using metagenomics to study the microbial community that inhabits these high-temperature circumneutral continental waters. Sequencing of the metagenome allowed the characterization of its composition, diversity, metabolic connections and potential as a source for thermozymes, as well as its ability to assemble MAGs. A diverse microbial community dominated by Bacteria domain members was revealed, particularly from the early-branching Aquificales group. The most abundant genus was Sulfurihydrogenibium, known for its implication in sulfur cycling and for forming mats that enable novel niches. The variety of primary producers with autotrophic pathways (and specifically the sulfur oxidizing pathway) expands the range of available nutrients, and the increase in biomass forms thicker mats, resulting in more available niches and broader microbial diversity. Nonetheless, certain metabolic pathways were attributed to less abundant members of the microbial community, reinforcing the idea that the rare biosphere plays important roles in the network of interactions present in an ecosystem and acts as genetic reservoirs. In addition, three of the assembled MAGs represent novel microbial diversity found in this hot spring. Moreover, the presence of enzymes and microorganisms with possible biotechnological applications was confirmed, including proteases, lipases and cell-wall degrading enzymes, pointing to the potential for the hot spring as a source for thermozymes. Full article

This paper analyzes the relationship between out-migration from rural areas, sustainable regional development and the conservation of biodiversity. Urbanization is a key challenge for sustainable development. Will the move to cities reduce land use pressures on rural areas, and thus provide opportunities for biodiversity conservation? This paper reviews the literature on the relationship between rural out-migration and biodiversity. Generalizing statements or even predictions are rarely possible, as regional contexts differ greatly and a multitude of factors are at work. It is apparent, however, that traditional land use practices, in particular, are in decline as a result of out-migration. In some cases, this can lead to intensification, in others to abandonment, while some studies do not show any link at all. The paper then considers the case study of a peripheral biosphere reserve in Germany that is characterized by strong out-migration. Here, the urbanization tendency is evident on a smaller scale; the regional urban center consolidates, and the small communities face great challenges. At the same time, new innovative actors are emerging. It is essential for new and established actors to collaborate and jointly develop new narratives for “shrinking” regions. Full article

The growing contradiction between protection and livelihood is a common challenge for most protected areas in developing countries. Skill training is an important way to increase household income and alleviate the dilemma between conservation and development. However, its effects on household income around protected areas have rarely been explored. This paper aims to evaluate the effect of skill training on the income of households around four Biosphere Reserves in China and explore its mechanism. Based on the information collected from 381 households through face-to-face interviews, this study adopted descriptive analysis and multiple regression to yield consistent results. The results showed that agricultural and off-farm skill training had no impact on the total household income. The results from the mechanism analysis found that participation in off-farm skill training had a significant and positive effect on the total income of the households outside protected areas and participation in agricultural training had a positive effect on agricultural income. The findings indicate that the local government and protected area administration should increase the publicity for skill training, enrich the types training, appropriately supply livelihood support projects that reconcile conservation and development, and strengthen the infrastructure development around protected areas to promote off-farm employment and the circulation and sale of agricultural products. However, the impacts of any associated intensification should be carefully monitored. Full article

Two novel natural products, the polyketide cuniculene and the peptide antibiotic aquimarin, were recently discovered from the marine bacterial genus Aquimarina. However, the diversity of the secondary metabolite biosynthetic gene clusters (SM-BGCs) in Aquimarina genomes indicates a far greater biosynthetic potential. In this study, nine representative Aquimarina strains were tested for antimicrobial activity against diverse human-pathogenic and marine microorganisms and subjected to metabolomic and genomic profiling. We found an inhibitory activity of most Aquimarina strains against Candida glabrata and marine Vibrio and Alphaproteobacteria species. Aquimarina sp. Aq135 and Aquimarina muelleri crude extracts showed particularly promising antimicrobial activities, amongst others against methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus. The metabolomic and functional genomic profiles of Aquimarina spp. followed similar patterns and were shaped by phylogeny. SM-BGC and metabolomics networks suggest the presence of novel polyketides and peptides, including cyclic depsipeptide-related compounds. Moreover, exploration of the ‘Sponge Microbiome Project’ dataset revealed that Aquimarina spp. possess low-abundance distributions worldwide across multiple marine biotopes. Our study emphasizes the relevance of this member of the microbial rare biosphere as a promising source of novel natural products. We predict that future metabologenomics studies of Aquimarina species will expand the spectrum of known secondary metabolites and bioactivities from marine ecosystems. Full article