Search Results (74)

Peatlands cover approximately 10% (640,000 ha) of Latvia’s territory, of which about 51,000 ha is officially classified as degraded due to peat extraction and related activities. This study assesses the current status of peat extraction site recultivation in Latvia and evaluates future after-use requirements under contrasting policy pathways using a review of scientific literature, project reports, national statistics, and updated peat extraction licence records. A simple allocation model was applied to estimate recultivation trajectories for the nationally defined degraded peatland area under two scenarios: (i) a licence-expiry baseline scenario and (ii) an accelerated immediate-stop-peat-mining scenario. The results show that full recultivation would require average annual efforts of approximately 1500 ha yr⁻¹ under the baseline scenario and around 2000 ha yr⁻¹ under the accelerated scenario. Although European Union-funded projects and corporate initiatives have demonstrated the potential of rewetting, paludiculture, and renewable energy integration, only a limited number of sites have been officially recognised as fully recultivated or restored. Because ecological recovery of peatland functions may take decades, administrative closure alone does not guarantee climate or biodiversity benefits. A phased recultivation strategy linked to licence expiry and prioritising degraded and self-regenerating sites emerges as the most pragmatic pathway for Latvia, balancing European Union climate objectives, institutional capacity, and socio-economic constraints. Full article

Cropland abandonment is a widespread phenomenon globally, including in China. However, the role of carbon sequestration on abandoned cropland in climate change mitigation remains uncertain, largely due to the dynamic interplay between abandonment and recultivation as well as inconsistencies in definitions across studies. The duration of continuous abandonment is a key determinant of carbon sequestration magnitude. In this study, the maximum continuous abandonment duration for each pixel across China was mapped using annual land-use maps from 1990 to 2025. The maximum carbon sequestration potential—expressed as cumulative Net Ecosystem Productivity (NEP)—was then estimated by integrating these duration data with corresponding annual NEP. Results show that the average maximum abandoned duration is 14.62 years, with the 6–10 years category accounting for the largest proportion of abandoned pixels (24.50%). In contrast, longer duration categories (26–30 years and >30 years) represent only 10.44% and 3.72%, respectively, indicating that most abandoned cropland is recultivated before substantial net carbon accumulation (reflected in positive NEP) can occur. Sensitivity analysis suggests that the choice of threshold duration has only a marginal influence on estimates of abandoned area and duration. The total maximum net carbon sequestration from cropland abandonment over the study period amounts to 79 Tg C, which is lower than the emission reduction potential achievable through appropriate agricultural management measures. A comparative analysis of emissions and sequestration indicates that relying solely on vegetation recovery for CO₂ removal is insufficient to support carbon neutrality objectives within the cropland system. These findings underscore the need to prioritize emission-reduction strategies in agricultural management over passive reliance on abandonment-driven carbon sinks. Full article

This paper presents an innovative concept for the adaptive transformation of decommissioned coal mine shafts into advanced reduced-gravity research facilities, addressing both post-mining land management and continuous advancements in microgravity research. The proposed solution leverages existing underground infrastructure to create an exceptionally long drop tower, approximately 900 m, surpassing the operational capabilities of all current global facilities. The facility employs electromagnetic propulsion and braking systems compatible with maglev technology, enabling extended microgravity durations and the precise simulation of multiple planetary gravity environments. Comprehensive numerical simulations, taking into account realistic mining shaft geometries, aerodynamic resistance, and mechanical vibration isolation, demonstrate that the system achieves free-fall periods of at least 10 s, which will be longer in the case of a capsule drop for research in reduced-gravity conditions (controlled deceleration of the capsule during the drop). The six-point suspension system effectively isolates experimental payloads from vibrations generated during descent. Beyond technological innovation, the facility exemplifies multidimensional sustainability by integrating scientific advancement with regional economic revitalization, employment generation for mining communities, industrial heritage preservation, and alignment with European Green Deal objectives. This globally unique research center would provide unprecedented opportunities for materials science, space biology, and industrial experimentation, while demonstrating innovative repurposing of post-mining assets. Full article

Farmland abandonment poses a significant threat to China’s food security by contributing to inefficient land use. Utilizing remote sensing data and the multiple cropping index extraction method, this study extracts abandonment cropland information and analyzes its spatiotemporal patterns across China, with its findings validated against the “China Rural Revitalization Survey” (CRRS) data. The results indicate that since the 21st century, China’s cropland abandonment rate has fluctuated around 5.86%, affecting an average of 7.6 million hectares annually. Spatially, cropland abandonment is more severe in southern China, with hotspots clustered around 25° N and 30° N latitudes. This southward shift exacerbates the spatial mismatch between water resources and cropland. Furthermore, abandonment is particularly pronounced in grain production—marketing balance areas and main marketing areas, intensifying pressure on national food self-sufficiency. Slope and fragmentation also drive abandonment, with steeper (>15°) and more fragmented plots showing higher susceptibility. These complex patterns are uncovered through the study’s systematic innovations—a dual-indicator quantification method, a multi-source validation framework, a dynamic spatiotemporal atlas, and a novel interpretation of abandonment multifunctionality, which also positions farmland reuse as a buffer against unemployment risks. We thus recommend addressing land fragmentation as a core strategy, through high-standard farmland construction, innovative contract rights certification, and expanded agricultural socialized services to promote moderate-scale farming. Finally, we urge the adoption of region-specific and category-based recultivation approaches, supported by clear governance priorities. Full article

Driven by both natural and anthropogenic factors, farmland abandonment and recultivation constitute complex and widespread global phenomena that impact the ecological environment and society. In the Inner Mongolia Yellow River Basin (IMYRB), a critical tension lies between agricultural production and ecological conservation, characterized by dynamic bidirectional transitions that hold significant implications for the harmony of human–nature relations and the advancement of ecological civilization. With the development of remote sensing, it has become possible to rapidly and accurately extract farmland changes and monitor its vegetation restoration status. However, mapping abandoned farmland presents significant challenges due to its scattered and heterogeneous distribution across diverse landscapes. Furthermore, subjectivity in questionnaire-based data collection compromises the precision of farmland abandonment monitoring. This study aims to extract crop phenological metrics, map farmland abandonment, and recultivation dynamics in the IMYRB and assess post-transition vegetation changes. We used Landsat time-series data to detect the land-use changes and vegetation responses in the IMYRB. The Farmland Abandonment and Recultivation Extraction Index (FAREI) was developed using crop phenology spectral features. Key crop-specific phenological indicators, including sprout, peak, and wilting stages, were extracted from annual MODIS NDVI data for 2020. Based on these key nodes, the Landsat data from 1999 to 2022 was employed to map farmland abandonment and recultivation. Vegetation recovery trajectories were further analyzed by the Mann–Kendall test and the Theil–Sen estimator. The results showed rewarding accuracy for farmland conversion mapping, with overall precision exceeding 79%. Driven by ecological restoration programs, rural labor migration, and soil salinization, two distinct phases of farmland abandonment were identified, 87.9 kha during 2002–2004 and 105.14 kha during 2016–2019, representing an approximate 19.6% increase. Additionally, the post-2016 surge in farmland recultivation was primarily linked to national food security policies and localized soil amelioration initiatives. Vegetation restoration trends indicate significant greening over the past two decades, with particularly significant increases observed between 2011 and 2022. In the future, more attention should be paid to the trade-off between ecological protection and food security. Overall, this study developed a novel method for monitoring farmland dynamics, offering critical insights to inform adaptive ecosystem management and advance ecological conservation and sustainable development in ecologically fragile semi-arid regions. Full article

The proximity of ecologically valuable areas to industrial zones indicates a strong need for monitoring their condition. Soil assessment involves both molecular techniques for studying microbial biodiversity, such as PCR, sequencing, and metagenomics, as well as parameters of biochemical and enzymatic activity of soil microorganisms. The authors studied the activity of microorganisms responsible for the nitrogen cycle to compare the condition of soils under different uses (wastelands and arable fields) located in the ecologically valuable areas of the Polesie National Park (PNP, protected area) and its surroundings. Additionally, they assessed the suitability of gangue for reclamation and its effectiveness depending on treatment duration (2 and 10 years). In most of the activities analyzed, their levels were lower in the park. A higher intensity of ammonification and nitrification was observed in the soil sampled from the field in the park; however, a reduced N₂O emission was also recorded after incubation in the lab of soil samples collected in the autumn, which may indicate that nitrogen loss from the soil does not occur in this particular habitat, which requires further, long-term and cyclical field trials. These observations confirm the potential protective role of the park in relation to soils and atmosphere in the context of the nitrogen cycle. The activities under study in the reclaimed soils were in both cases lower than in soils from the fields. The current results prove that this method of reclamation is not entirely effective; however, long-term reclamation yielded better results. The present study provided valuable information on the effectiveness of the protective role of the PNP in relation to soils and air. Additionally, these results may be helpful in making decisions regarding the use of waste, such as gangue, for reclamation. Full article

One of the eight shortfalls in European wild bee data is the knowledge of the flowering plants they favor. This knowledge is of particular importance for bee gardens and wildflower strips initiatives aiming to provide forage for the wild bees. The aim of this study is to provide a list of plants that are used for food by certain taxa of wild bees in Bulgaria and to evaluate their potential for cultivation in bee gardens and wildflower strips. In relation to this, we discuss the food plant specialization of the wild bees. We summarize our observations on the pollination of certain plants and faunistic records considering the food plants in several grassland habitats on the territory of Bulgaria at altitudes between 0 and 1500 m above sea level, during the last 30 years. More than 54 taxa of wild bees are listed. They belong to the families Apidae, Andrenidae, Colletidae, Halictidae, and Megachilidae. Some of these bees are identified to the species level, and others to the genus or family level. Among the recorded wild bees are observed eight oligolectic species (22.2%). The listed bees are flower visitors of 60 plant taxa belonging to 20 families, which offer nectar and/or pollen. The wild bees’ food plants are predominantly from the families Fabaceae (15 species), Lamiaceae (14 species), Asteraceae (9 species), etc. The perennials are 67%, while annuals are 9%, annual or biennial 6%, biennials 5%, etc. We discuss the seed germination specifics of these plants. More studies are needed in this field. The conservation of wild bees may be supported by wildflower restoration activities, but the process depends on many factors, including seed germination difficulties. Therefore, the natural grassland habitats must be preserved and protected. Full article

Bacteria of the genus Pseudomonas are the most studied microorganisms that biodegrade persistent perfluoroorganic pollutants, and the research of their application for the remediation of environmental sites using biotechnological approaches remains relevant. The aim of this study was to investigate the ability of a known destructor of perfluorooctane sulfonic acid from the genus Pseudomonas to accelerate and enhance the destruction of long-chain perfluorocarboxylic acids (PFCAs), specifically perfluorooctanoic acid and perfluorononanoic acid, in water and soil in association with the strain P. mosselii 5(3), which has previously confirmed genetic potential for the degrading of PFCAs. The complete genome (5.86 million base pairs) of the strain 2,4-D, probably belonging to a new species of Pseudomonas, was sequenced, assembled, and analyzed. The genomes of both strains contain genes involved in the defluorination of fluorinated compounds, including haloacetate dehalogenase H-1 (dehH1) and haloalkane dehalogenase (dhaA). The strain 2,4-D also has a multicomponent enzyme system consisting of a dioxygenase component, an electron carrier, and 2-halobenzoate 1,2-dioxygenase (CbdA) with a preference for fluorides. The strain 2,4-D was able to defluorinate PFCAs in an aqueous cultivation system within 7 days, using them as the sole source of carbon and energy and converting them to perfluorheptanoic acid. It assisted strain 5(3) to convert PFCAs to perfluoropentanoic acid, accelerating the process by 24 h. In a model experiment for the bioaugmentation of microorganisms in artificially contaminated soil, the degradation of PFCAs by the association of pseudomonads also occurred faster and deeper than by the individual strains, achieving a degree of biodestruction of 75% over 60 days, with the perfluoropentanoic acid as the main metabolite. These results are of great importance for the development of methods for the biological recultivation of fluorinated organic pollutants for environmental protection and for understanding the fundamental mechanisms of bacterial interactions with these compounds. Full article

Background: Dental pulp (DP) is a connective tissue composed of various cell types, including fibroblasts, neurons, adipocytes, endothelial cells, and odontoblasts. It contains a rich supply of pluripotent stem cells, making it an important resource for cell-based regenerative medicine. However, current stem cell collection methods rely heavily on the enzymatic digestion of dissected DP tissue to isolate and propagate primary cells, which often results in low recovery rates and reduced cell survival, particularly from deciduous teeth. Methods: We developed a novel and efficient method to obtain a sufficient number of cells through a one-step cultivation process of isolated DP. After the brief digestion of DP with proteolytic enzymes, it was scratched onto a culture dish and cultured in a suitable medium. By day 2, the cells began to spread radially from DP, and by day 10, they reached a semi-confluent state. Cells harvested through trypsinization consistently yielded over 1 million cells, and after re-cultivation, the cells could be propagated for more than ten passages. Results: The proliferative and differentiation capacities of the cells after the 10th passage were comparable to those from the first passage. The cells expressed alkaline phosphatase as an undifferentiation marker. Similarly, they also maintained the constitutive expression of stem cell-specific markers and differentiation-related markers, even after the 10th passage. Conclusions: This method, termed “scratch-based isolation of primary cells from human dental pulps (SCIP)”, enables the efficient isolation of a large number of DP cells with minimal equipment and operator variability, while preserving cell integrity. Its simplicity, high success rate, and adaptability for patients with genetic diseases make it a valuable tool for regenerative medicine research and clinical applications. Full article

New clinical strategies for treating severe bone and cartilage injuries are required, especially for use in combination with implant procedures. For this purpose, p(VCL-co-HEMA) thermosensitive hydrogels have been activated with icariin-loaded nanoparticles to be used as bone-cell-harvesting platforms. Supercritical CO₂-SAS technology has been applied to encapsulate icariin, a small molecule that is involved in osteoblastic differentiation. Thus, physical-chemical analysis, including swelling and transmittance, showed the impact of HEMA groups in hydrogel composition. Moreover, icariin (ICA) release from p(VCL-co-HEMA) platforms, including pVCL@ICA nanoparticles, has been studied to evaluate their efficacy in relevant conditions. Finally, the thermosensitive hydrogels’ cell compatibility, transplant efficiency, and bone differentiation capacity were tested. This study identifies the optimal formulations for icariin-activated hydrogels for both control and HEMA formulations. Using this technique, osteoblastic sheets that were rich in collagen type I were successfully transplanted and recultivated, maintaining an optimal extracellular matrix (ECM) composition. These findings suggest a new cell-sheet-based therapy for bone regeneration purposes using customized and NP-activated pVCL-based cell platforms. Full article

Draining peatlands to create agricultural land has been the norm in Europe, but in the context of climate change and the loss of biodiversity, these rich ecosystems may reactivate their functions as greenhouse gas sinks and retreat spaces for animals and plants. Against this background, the National Moor Rewetting Strategy was put into effect in Germany in 2023, together with the Natural Climate Protection Action Plan. This article examines the methodology of peatland rewetting from scientific, administrative, social, and technical perspectives. The article focuses on an example of moor rewetting in central Germany: the Rathsbruch moor near the municipality of Zerbst, Saxony-Anhalt. To illustrate the importance of rewetting projects for degraded peatlands, five scenarios with different target soil water levels were considered, and the associated greenhouse gas emissions were calculated for a period of five years. For the planning solution, an estimate of the medium-to-long-term development of the habitat types was made based on current use and the dynamics typical of the habitat. The results for the Rathsbruch moor area showed that increasing the water level in steps of 1, 0.8, or 0.5 m has no significant influence on reducing the CO₂ emissions situation, while a depth of 0.3 m has a slight influence. When the water was raised to 0.1 m below the surface (Scenario 5), a significant CO₂ reduction was observed. The calculated avoided CO₂ costs due to environmental damage show that the environmental benefits multiply with every decimeter of water level increase. The rising groundwater levels and extensification favor the establishment of local biotopes. This means that two of the biggest man-made problems (extinction of species and climate change) can be reduced. Therefore, this research is applicable to the development and planning of recultivation work at municipal and regional levels in Germany and beyond within the framework of EU restoration policy. Full article

Agroforestry is a multifunctional land use system that represents a promising approach to mitigate the environmental impact of agriculture while enhancing the resilience of agricultural systems and ensuring sustainable food production. However, the tree rows in agroforestry systems, particularly in alley cropping systems (ACS), can affect crop productivity on adjacent agricultural fields through various mechanisms. Hence, concerns about declining yields and reduced farm profitability persist and explain the reluctance of farmers to implement ACS on their land. In this review, we examine the available literature on the effects of temperate ACS on yields of various agricultural crops to evaluate if and to what extent crop yields in ACS are affected by tree presence. We identified that ACS crop yields often vary substantially across different species, geographical locations, weather conditions and ACS designs. Our analysis also revealed that several parameters are modified in ACS by the presence of tree rows affecting crop yields positively or negatively and that ACS design aspects play a crucial role in determining crop productivity. Full article

The aim of this study was to determine the tolerance to metals (Zn, Cu) and drought of male and female Salix × fragilis L. under isolated and combined treatments, and to assess the metal uptake and profiling of metabolic plant responses. The 14-day experiment was performed in a hydroponic system, and metals were applied at 1.5 mM in a Knop’s solution. Drought simulation was achieved by adding sorbitol at a moderate level (200 mM). Isolated Zn treatment enhanced plant growth, more pronouncedly in females. Equimolar Cu treatment caused diverse reactions, and females exhibited significantly higher tolerance. Male specimens were less tolerant to isolated drought and to combined drought and metal presence. The highest contents of Cu and Zn were found in roots, compared to the aboveground tissues (wooden rods and leaves), of both female and male metal-treated plants. Simultaneously applied drought limited Zn accumulation in roots and elevated its translocation to leaves while increasing Cu accumulation, predominantly in females showing higher tolerance. Both isolated and combined drought and metals reduced leaf water content, caused the allocation of mineral nutrients (Ca, Mg, K, and Na), and affected metabolism in a stressor-specific and sex-dependent manner. For males, Cu accumulation in the leaves was significantly correlated with the majority of metabolites, while for both sexes, kaempferol and salicylic acid were strongly correlated, indicating their role in tolerance against the metal. The obtained results are an excellent starting point for the practical use of male and female Salix × fragilis L. in areas heavily polluted with Cu or Zn and exposed to drought, for the purpose of their recultivation. Full article

Whether China can achieve the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) largely depends on the ability of main food-producing areas to cope with multiple land use change challenges. Despite the fact that the Yangtze River basin is one of the key regions for China’s food security, the spatiotemporal dynamics of cropland abandonment and recultivation remain largely unexplored in this region. The present study assesses the evolution of the agricultural system within the Yangtze River basin between 2000 and 2020 by mapping cropland abandonment and recultivation using MODIS time series and multiple land cover products. The results highlight a widespread cropland abandonment process (i.e., 10.5% of the total study area between 2000 and 2020), predominantly in Western Sichuan, Eastern Yunnan, and Central Jiangxi. Although 70% of abandoned cropland is situated in areas with slopes less than 5°, the highest rates of abandonment are in mountainous regions. However, by 2020, 74% of this abandoned cropland had been recultivated at least once, whereas half of the abandoned croplands got recultivated within three years of their initial abandonment. Hence, as this is one of the first studies that unravels the complex interaction between cropland abandonment and recultivation in a spatiotemporal explicit context, it offers (i) scientists a novel methodological framework to assess agricultural land use issues across large geographical entities, and (ii) policy-makers new insights to support the sustainable transition of the agricultural sector. Full article

Increasing production of municipal solid waste (MSW) drives the need for its disposal in a manner that is safe for the environment and human health. However, this may require short- or long-term storage before it can be properly processed. Similarly, a way of processing waste material is necessary for the re-cultivation of dump sites. This article presents the results of an investigation into the effects of long-term open-air storage upon waste material to be turned into refuse-derived fuel (RDF) by standard methods for the assessment of MSW and RDF pellet quality including bomb calorimetry, sieve analysis, furnace drying/burning for water/ash content assessment, and pellet expansion measurements. Results of the investigation indicate that such a form of storage bears no notable negative effect on the quality of the material; the pellet expansion coefficient, heat of combustion, and ash content were all found to be approximate to pre-storage values, with positive implications for the storage of solid waste and the prospects of its subsequent processing into solid fuel. It is shown that such material can be stored in open-air conditions for prolonged periods without the loss of desired parameters. In addition, a discussion of differences between the properties of material drawn from varying depths of the pile is provided and the potential impact of the findings in the context of the production and the storage of refuse-derived fuel is assessed. Full article