Search Results (1,067)

Against the backdrop of multifaceted strategies to combat climate change, understanding soil erosion’s role in carbon cycling is critical due to terrestrial carbon pool vulnerability. This study integrates bibliometric methods with visualization tools (CiteSpace, VOSviewer) to analyze 3880 Web of Science core publications (1994–2024, inclusive), constructing knowledge graphs and forecasting trends. The results show exponential publication growth, shifting from slow development (1994–2011) to rapid expansion (2012–2024), aligning with international climate policy milestones. The Chinese Academy of Sciences led productivity (519 articles), while the US demonstrated major influence (H-index 117; 52,297 citations), creating a China–US bipolar research pattern. It was also found that Dutch journals dominate this research field. A keyword analysis revealed a shift from erosion-driven carbon transport to ecosystem service assessments. Emerging hotspots include microbial community regulation, climate–erosion feedback, and model–policy integration, though developing country collaboration remains limited. Future research should prioritize isotope tracing, multiscale modeling, and studies in ecologically vulnerable regions to enhance global soil carbon management. This study provides a novel analytical framework and forward-looking perspective for the soil erosion research on soil carbon cycling, serving as an extension of climate change mitigation strategies. Full article

To ensure water source security and sustainability of the national major strategic project “South-to-North Water Diversion”, this study aims to evaluate the spatio-temporal evolution characteristics of the ecosystem service value (ESV) in its water source area from 2002 to 2022. This study reveals its changing trends and main influencing factors, and thereby provides scientific support for the ecological protection and management of the water source area. Quantitative assessment of the ESV of the region was carried out using the Equivalence Factor Method (EFM), aiming to provide scientific support for ecological protection and resource management decision-making. In the past 20 years, the ESV has shown an upward trend year by year, increasing by 96%. The regions with the highest ESV were Garzê Prefecture and Aba Prefecture, which increased by 130.3% and 60.6%, respectively. The ESV of Xinlong county, Danba county, Rangtang county, and Daofu county increased 4.8 times, 1.5 times, 12.5 times, and 8.9 times, respectively. In the last two decades, arable land has decreased by 91%, while the proportions of bare land and water have decreased by 84% and 91%, respectively. Grassland had the largest proportion. Forests and grasslands, vital for climate regulation, water cycle management, and biodiversity conservation, have expanded by 74% and 43%, respectively. It can be seen from Moran’s I index values that the dataset as a whole showed a slight positive spatial autocorrelation, which increased from −0.041396 to 0.046377. This study reveals the changing trends in ESV and the main influencing factors, and thereby provides scientific support for the ecological protection and management of the water source area. Full article

Situated in the southern hilly-mountain belt of China’s “Three Zones and Four Belts Strategy”, Gannan region is a critical ecological shelter belt for the Ganjiang River. Decades of intensive mineral extraction and irrational agricultural development have rendered it into an ecologically fragile area. Consequently, multiple restoration initiatives have been implemented in the region over recent decades. However, it remains unclear how relationships among ecosystem services have evolved under these interventions and how future ecosystem management should be optimized based on these changes. Thus, in this study, we simulated and assessed the spatiotemporal dynamics of five key ESs in Gannan region from 1990 to 2020. Through integrated correlation, clustering, and redundancy analyses, we quantified ES interactions, tracked the evolution of ecosystem service bundles (ESBs), and identified their socio-ecological drivers. Despite a 31% decline in water yield, ecological restoration initiatives drove substantial improvements in key regulating services: carbon storage increased by 6.9 × 10¹² gC while soil conservation rose by 4.8 × 10⁸ t. Concurrently, regional habitat quality surged by 45% in mean scores, and food production increased by 2.1 × 10⁵ t. Critically, synergistic relationships between habitat quality, soil retention, and carbon storage were progressively strengthened, whereas trade-offs between food production and habitat quality intensified. Further analysis revealed that four distinct ESBs—the Agricultural Production Bundle (APB), Urban Development Bundle (UDB), Eco-Agriculture Transition Bundle (ETB), and Ecological Protection Bundle (EPB)—were shaped by slope, forest cover ratio, population density, and GDP. Notably, 38% of the ETB transformed into the EPB, with frequent spatial interactions observed between the APB and UDB. These findings underscore that future ecological restoration and conservation efforts should implement coordinated, multi-service management mechanisms. Full article

The rapid urbanization process has accelerated the degradation of ecosystem services (ESs) in peri-urban rural areas of the Yangtze River Delta (YRD), leading to increasing landscape ecological risks (LERs). Establishing a scientifically grounded landscape ecological risk assessment (LERA) system and corresponding control strategies is therefore imperative. Using rural areas of Jiangning District, Nanjing as a case study, this research proposes an optimized dual-dimensional coupling assessment framework that integrates ecosystem service value (ESV) and ecological risk probability. The spatiotemporal evolution of LER in 2000, 2010, and 2020 and its key driving factors were further studied by using spatial autocorrelation analysis and geodetector methods. The results show the following: (1) From 2000 to 2020, cultivated land remained dominant, but its proportion decreased by 10.87%, while construction land increased by 26.52%, with minimal changes in other land use types. (2) The total ESV increased by CNY 1.67 × 10⁹, with regulating services accounting for over 82%, among which water bodies contributed the most. (3) LER showed an overall increasing trend, with medium- to highest-risk areas expanding by 55.37%, lowest-risk areas increasing by 10.10%, and lower-risk areas decreasing by 65.48%. (4) Key driving factors include landscape vulnerability, vegetation coverage, and ecological land connectivity, with the influence of distance to road becoming increasingly significant. This study reveals the spatiotemporal evolution characteristics of LER in typical peri-urban villages. Based on the LERA results, combined with terrain features and ecological pressure intensity, the study area was divided into three ecological management zones: ecological conservation, ecological restoration, and ecological enhancement. Corresponding zoning strategies were proposed to guide rural ecological governance and support regional sustainable development. Full article

Ecosystem services—the benefits humans derive from nature—are foundational to environmental sustainability and economic well-being, with carbon sequestration and storage standing out as critical regulating services in the fight against climate change. This study presents a comprehensive financial valuation of the carbon sequestration, storage and product substitution ecosystem services provided by the Hungarian forest-based sector. Using a multi-scenario framework, four complementary valuation concepts are assessed: total carbon storage (biomass, soil, and harvested wood products), annual net sequestration, emissions avoided through material and energy substitution, and marketable carbon value under voluntary carbon market (VCM) and EU Carbon Removal Certification Framework (CRCF) mechanisms. Data sources include the National Forestry Database, the Hungarian Greenhouse Gas Inventory, and national estimates on substitution effects and soil carbon stocks. The total carbon stock of Hungarian forests is estimated at 1289 million tons of CO₂ eq, corresponding to a theoretical climate liability value of over EUR 64 billion. Annual sequestration is valued at approximately 380 million EUR/year, while avoided emissions contribute an additional 453 million EUR/year in mitigation benefits. A comparative analysis of two mutually exclusive crediting strategies—improved forest management projects (IFMs) avoiding final harvesting versus long-term carbon storage through the use of harvested wood products—reveals that intensified harvesting for durable wood use offers higher revenue potential (up to 90 million EUR/year) than non-harvesting IFM scenarios. These findings highlight the dual role of forests as both carbon sinks and sources of climate-smart materials and call for policy frameworks that integrate substitution benefits and long-term storage opportunities in support of effective climate and bioeconomy strategies. Full article

An indicator-based approach was implemented to assess the contributions of soils in supplying ecosystem services, providing a scalable tool for modeling the spatial heterogeneity of soil functions at regional and local scales. The method consisted of (i) the definition of soil-based ecosystem services (SESs), using available point data and thematic maps; (ii) the definition of appropriate SES indicators; (iii) the assessment and mapping of potential SESs provision for the Emilia-Romagna region (22.510 km²) in NE Italy. Depending on data availability and on the role played by terrain features and soil geography and its complexity, maps of basic soil characteristics (textural fractions, organic C content, and pH) covering the entire regional territory were produced at a 1 ha resolution using digital soil mapping techniques and geostatistical simulations to explicitly consider spatial variability. Soil physical properties such as bulk density, porosity, and hydraulic conductivity at saturation were derived using pedotransfer functions calibrated using local data and integrated with supplementary information such as land capability and remote sensing indices to derive the inputs for SES assessment. Eight SESs were mapped at 1:50,000 reference scale: buffering capacity, carbon sequestration, erosion control, food provision, biomass provision, water regulation, water storage, and habitat for soil biodiversity. The results are discussed and compared for the different pedolandscapes, identifying clear spatial patterns of soil functions and potential SES supply. Full article

Aquatic vegetation plays a crucial role in freshwater ecosystems by providing habitats, regulating water quality, and supporting biodiversity. This study aims to monitor and analyze the dynamics of aquatic vegetation in Chimaditida Shallow Lake, Greece, using Sentinel-2 satellite imagery, with validation from field measurements. Data processing was performed using Google Earth Engine and QGIS. The study focuses on discriminating and mapping two classes of aquatic surface conditions: areas covered with Floating and Emergent Aquatic Vegetation and open water, covering all seasons from 1 March 2024, to 28 February 2025. Spectral bands such as B04 (red), B08 (near infrared), B03 (green), and B11 (shortwave infrared) were used, along with indices like the Modified Normalized Difference Water Index and Normalized Difference Vegetation Index. The classification was enhanced using Otsu’s thresholding technique to distinguish accurately between Floating and Emergent Aquatic Vegetation and open water. Seasonal fluctuations were observed, with significant peaks in vegetation growth during the summer and autumn months, including a peak coverage of 2.08 km² on 9 September 2024 and a low of 0.00068 km² on 28 December 2024. These variations correspond to the seasonal growth patterns of Floating and Emergent Aquatic Vegetation, driven by temperature and nutrient availability. The study achieved a high overall classification accuracy of 89.31%, with producer accuracy for Floating and Emergent Aquatic Vegetation at 97.42% and user accuracy at 95.38%. Validation with Unmanned Aerial Vehicle-based aerial surveys showed a strong correlation (R² = 0.88) between satellite-derived and field data, underscoring the reliability of Sentinel-2 for aquatic vegetation monitoring. Findings highlight the potential of satellite-based remote sensing to monitor vegetation health and dynamics, offering valuable insights for the management and conservation of freshwater ecosystems. The results are particularly useful for governmental authorities and natural park administrations, enabling near-real-time monitoring to mitigate the impacts of overgrowth on water quality, biodiversity, and ecosystem services. This methodology provides a cost-effective alternative for long-term environmental monitoring, especially in regions where traditional methods are impractical or costly. Full article

Water infiltration into soil is a key process in regulating the hydrological cycle and sustaining ecosystem services in high-Andean environments. However, limited information is available regarding its dynamics in these ecosystems. This study evaluated the influence of three types of vegetation cover and soil properties on water infiltration in a high-Andean environment. A double-ring infiltrometer, the Water Drop Penetration Time (WDPT, s) method, and laboratory physicochemical characterization were employed. Soils under forest cover exhibited significantly higher quasi-steady infiltration rates (i_s, 0.248 ± 0.028 cm·min⁻¹) compared to grazing areas (0.051 ± 0.016 cm·min⁻¹) and agricultural lands (0.032 ± 0.013 cm·min⁻¹). Soil organic matter content was positively correlated with i_s. The modified Kostiakov infiltration model provided the best overall fit, while the Horton model better described infiltration rates approaching i_s. Sand and clay fractions, along with K⁺, Ca²⁺, and Mg²⁺, were particularly significant during the soil’s wet stages. In drier stages, increased Na⁺ concentrations and decreased silt content were associated with higher water repellency. Based on WDPT, agricultural soils exhibited persistent hydrophilic behavior even after drying (median [IQR] from 0.61 [0.38] s to 1.24 [0.46] s), whereas forest (from 2.84 [3.73] s to 3.53 [24.17] s) and grazing soils (from 4.37 [1.95] s to 19.83 [109.33] s) transitioned to weakly or moderately hydrophobic patterns. These findings demonstrate that native Andean forest soils exhibit a higher infiltration capacity than soils under anthropogenic management (agriculture and grazing), highlighting the need to conserve and restore native vegetation cover to strengthen water resilience and mitigate the impacts of land-use change. Full article

Urban blue-green infrastructure (UBGI) is a comprehensive solution that balances environmental, social, and economic development objectives and has emerged as a critical approach for fostering urban resilience and sustainable development. This paper conducts a systematic bibliometric analysis of 975 academic articles published between 2000 and 2023 in the Web of Science Core Collection, focusing specifically on the ecosystem services associated with UBGI. Employing CiteSpace visualization technology, this study elucidates the major research trends, thematic clusters, and international collaboration patterns shaping this field. The research delves into the diverse range of ecosystem services provided by blue-green infrastructure and analyzes their contributions to urban well-being. Findings indicate that regulatory services—particularly climate regulation, biodiversity enhancement, and water resource management—have become central research foci within the contexts of urban green infrastructure (UGI), urban blue infrastructure (UBI), and UBGI. Co-citation and keyword analyses reveal that nature-based solutions, hybrid green–gray infrastructure, and the application of urban resilience frameworks are gaining increasing scholarly attention. By summarizing the evolutionary trajectory and priority directions of UBGI research, this study provides significant insights for future interdisciplinary research aimed at enhancing the supply of urban environmental ecosystem services. Full article

This study intends to portray how varying degrees of environmental policy stringency and the growing pressure of global competition reflect on high-tech (HT) sectors’ cost rationalization strategies and lead to environmental consequences in 15 G20 countries (1992–2019). Moreover, we center the pattern of cost rationalization management regarding the opportunity cost of ecosystem service consumption and propose to test the fundamental hypothesis stating the possible transmission of competition-induced technological innovations to green economic transformation. Our new methodology estimates quantile-specific effects with MM-QR, while identifying the main interaction effects between regulatory pressure and trade competition uses an extended STIRPAT model. The results reveal a paradoxical finding: despite higher environmental policy stringency and opportunity costs of ecosystem services, HT sectors persistently adopt environmentally detrimental cost-reduction approaches. These findings carry important policy implications: (1) environmental regulations for HT sectors require complementary innovation subsidies, (2) trade agreements should incorporate clean technology transfer clauses, and (3) governments must monitor sectoral emission leakage risks. Our dual machine learning–econometric approach provides policymakers with targeted insights for different emission scenarios, highlighting the need for differentiated strategies across clean and polluting HT subsectors. Full article

Increasing wildfires are causing global concerns about ecosystem functioning and services. Although some wildfires are caused by natural ignitions, it is also important to understand how human ignitions and human-related factors can contribute to wildfires. While dynamic global vegetation models (DGVMs) have incorporated fire-related modules to simulate wildfires and their impacts, few models have fully considered various human-related factors causing human ignitions. Using global examples, this study aims to identify key factors associated with human impacts on wildfires and provides suggestions for enhancing model simulations. The main categories explored in this paper are human behavior and activities, socioeconomic background, policy, laws, regulations, and cultural and traditional activities, all of which can influence wildfires. Employing an integrated and interdisciplinary assessment approach, this study evaluates existing DGVMs and provides suggestions for their improvement. Full article

Urban wetlands are increasingly recognized for their ecological and cultural benefits, yet remain underutilized due to limited public awareness and environmental literacy. This study investigates how visitors’ perceptions of wetland ecosystem services influence their motivations to engage with a constructed wetland in Putrajaya, Malaysia. By integrating the ecosystem services framework with push-pull motivation theory, the research aims to bridge knowledge gaps and inform sustainable wetland tourism planning. A structured questionnaire was administered to 420 visitors, with 385 valid responses (response rate: 91.7%). Data were analyzed using non-parametric tests (Kruskal–Wallis, Spearman correlation) and multiple regression analysis. Results show that cultural and regulating services are perceived most positively, while emotional restoration and aesthetic appreciation emerged as key motivational drivers. Regression findings reveal that push factors are stronger predictors of ecosystem service engagement than pull factors. These insights highlight the importance of emotional and psychological connections to nature, offering practical implications for urban wetland management, visitor education and environmental communication strategies. Full article

Interrow management in vineyards significantly contributes to sustainable viticulture, particularly in water-scarce European regions. Grassy and herbaceous cover crops have been proven to enhance multiple regulating ecosystem services, including soil conservation, carbon sequestration, and improved water infiltration. However, the potential for water competition with vines necessitates region-specific approaches. This review aims to analyze the effects of different cover crop types and interrow tillage methods on water management and regulating ecosystem services, focusing on main European vineyard areas. The research involved a two-stage literature review by Google Scholar and Scopus, resulting in the identification of 67 relevant scientific publications, with 11 offering experimental data from European contexts. Selected studies were evaluated based on climate conditions, soil properties, slope characteristics, and interrow treatments. Findings highlight that the appropriate selection of cover crop species, sowing and mowing timing, and mulching practices can optimize vineyard resilience under climate stress. Practical recommendations are offered to help winegrowers adopt cost-effective and environmentally adaptive strategies, especially on sloped or shallow soils, where partial cover cropping is often the most beneficial for both yield and ecological balance. Cover crops and mulching reduce erosion, enhance vineyard soil moisture, relieve water stress consequences, and, as a result, these cover cropping techniques can improve yield and nutritional values of grapes (e.g., Brix, pH, K concentration), but effects vary; careful, site-specific, long-term management is essential for best results. Full article

Grassland communities consist primarily of perennial herbaceous species, with grasses forming a dominant or significant component. These ecosystems have been utilised for economic purposes since the earliest periods of human history. In the natural environment, they fulfil numerous critical functions that, despite increasing awareness of climate change, often remain undervalued. Grasslands contribute directly to climate regulation, air purification, soil conservation, flood mitigation, and public health—all of which positively affect the well-being of nearby populations. Moreover, they satisfy higher-order human needs known as “cultural” services, providing aesthetic enjoyment and recreational opportunities. These services, in tangible terms, support the development of rural tourism. The objective of this study was to examine the perception of cultural ecosystem services provided by different types of grassland communities—meadows, pastures, and lawns. The study employed a structured questionnaire to evaluate the perceived significance and functions of these communities. Respondents assessed their aesthetic and recreational value based on land-use type. To quantify these dimensions, the study applies the Recreational and Leisure Attractiveness Index (RLAI), the Aesthetic Attractiveness Index (AAI), ranking methods, and contingent valuation techniques. Based on the respondents’ declared WTP (willingness to pay) and WTA (willingness to accept) values, statistically significant differences in the perceived value of land-use types were identified. Lawns were rated highest in terms of recreational attractiveness, meadows in terms of aesthetics, while pastures achieved the highest economic values. Significant differences were also observed depending on respondents’ place of residence and academic background. The results indicate that the valuation of cultural services encompasses both functional and psychological aspects and should be integrated into local land-use and landscape planning policies. Full article

Urban and regional ecosystems are increasingly challenged by the compounded effects of climate change and intensive land use. In this study, a predictive assessment framework for ecosystem resilience in the Beijing–Tianjin–Hebei region was developed by integrating multi-source remote sensing data, with the aim of quantitatively evaluating the coupled effects of climate change and land use change on future ecosystem resilience. In the first stage of the study, the SD-PLUS coupled modeling framework was employed to simulate land use patterns for the years 2030 and 2060 under three representative combinations of Shared Socioeconomic Pathways and Representative Concentration Pathways (SSP1-2.6, SSP2-4.5, and SSP5-8.5). Building upon these simulations, ecosystem resilience was comprehensively evaluated and predicted on the basis of three key attributes: resistance, adaptability, and recovery. This enabled a quantitative investigation of the spatio-temporal dynamics of ecosystem resilience under each scenario. The results reveal the following: (1) Temporally, ecosystem resilience exhibited a staged pattern of change. From 2020 to 2030, an increasing trend was observed only under the SSP1-2.6 scenario, whereas, from 2030 to 2060, resilience generally increased in all scenarios. (2) In terms of scenario comparison, ecosystem resilience typically followed a gradient pattern of SSP1-2.6 > SSP2-4.5 > SSP5-8.5. However, in 2060, a notable reversal occurred, with the highest resilience recorded under the SSP5-8.5 scenario. (3) Spatially, areas with high ecosystem resilience were primarily distributed in mountainous regions, while the southeastern plains and coastal zones consistently exhibited lower resilience levels. The results indicate that climate and land use changes jointly influence ecosystem resilience. Rainfall and temperature, as key climate drivers, not only affect land use dynamics but also play a crucial role in regulating ecosystem services and ecological processes. Under extreme scenarios such as SSP5-8.5, these factors may trigger nonlinear responses in ecosystem resilience. Meanwhile, land use restructuring further shapes resilience patterns by altering landscape configurations and recovery mechanisms. Our findings highlight the role of climate and land use in reshaping ecological structure, function, and services. This study offers scientific support for assessing and managing regional ecosystem resilience and informs adaptive urban governance in the face of future climate and land use uncertainty, promotes the sustainable development of ecosystems, and expands the applicability of remote sensing in dynamic ecological monitoring and predictive analysis. Full article