Search Results (419)

The Dal Lake ecosystem is a vital freshwater body situated in the heart of Srinagar, Kashmir, India. It is not only a natural asset but also a cornerstone of environmental health, economic vitality, cultural heritage, and urban sustainability. In the last few decades, the condition of the lake ecosystem and water quality has deteriorated significantly owing to the intensification of the eutrophication process. Effective integrated management of the lake is crucial for the long-term sustainable development of the region and the communities that rely on it for their livelihoods. The main reasons for eutrophication are the substantial quantity of anthropogenic pollution, especially nutrients, discharged from the catchment area of the lake and the overexploitation of the lake space and its biological resources. The research presented in this paper aimed to diagnose the state of the lake by analysing trends in eutrophication development and its long-term changes related to the catchment area and lake ecosystem relationships. The research period was 25 years, from 1997 to 2023. Land use and land cover data and water quality monitoring data, which are the basis for trophic state assessment, allowed us to analyze the long-term dynamics of eutrophication in the reservoir. For these purposes, GIS-generated thematic maps were created by using QGIS software version 3.44.1, and an appropriate methodology for quantifying eutrophication was chosen and adapted to the specifics of Dal Lake. The obtained results provide a foundation for a eutrophication management strategy that considers the specificity of the Dal Lake ecosystem and the impact of the catchment area. The outcomes highlighted the varied trophic conditions in different lake basins and the dominance of eutrophic conditions during the study period. The research highlights the complexity of the problem and underscores the need for a comprehensive lake management system. Full article

Ormosia henryi, a rare and endemic timber tree in China, possesses exceptional economic and ecological value, but it has experienced a critical decline in wild populations. We integrated PacBio HiFi and Hi-C technologies to generate a superior, chromosome-level genome assembly, establishing a more robust genetic foundation than existing draft sequences. The resulting assembly (2.64 Gb; Contig N50 = 39.17 Mb; and Scaffold N50 = 338.40 Mb) exhibits high continuity and completeness, effectively overcoming the assembly challenges associated with high heterozygosity (1.37%) and repetitive sequence content (83.89%). Comparative genomic analysis revealed that O. henryi diverged from Lupinus albus approximately 53.82 million years ago and underwent two independent whole-genome duplication events. The historical accumulation of evolutionary resilience is reflected in the significant expansion of 276 gene families enriched in photosynthesis and phenylpropanoid biosynthesis, alongside 122 genes under positive selection involved in DNA repair and proteostasis. These genomic signatures elucidate a stable genetic foundation. While wild populations have sharply declined in recent decades, this suggests that this status underscores the overwhelming impact of intense external anthropogenic pressures, such as overexploitation and habitat fragmentation, which may have overridden the species’ inherent adaptive capacity and slow life-history strategy. This high-quality genomic resource identifies key candidate loci, such as the PIF1 helicase for growth regulation, and provides a critical framework for screening elite germplasm for population restoration. Consequently, this study establishes a theoretical and molecular basis for transitioning from fundamental research to the precision conservation and sustainable industrial application of this high-value woody species. Full article

Climate change and human activities have intensified the imbalance between water supply and demand in the Shule River Basin. Prominent issues such as groundwater over-exploitation and insufficient ecological base flow have significantly constrained the high-quality development of the region. An evaluation system was developed comprising 20 indicators across four subsystems: water resources, society, economy, and ecosystems. The entropy weighting method was employed to determine the weights of each indicator. The coupling coordination degree of the water resource–society–economy–ecosystem system from 2003 to 2022 was assessed using a coupling coordination degree model. Network analysis was applied to evaluate the correlation and connectivity among indicators. A barrier diagnostic model based on indicator deviation was further constructed to identify key constraints within the system. The results showed that the overall coordination degree of the coupled system increased from 0.217 in 2003 to 0.409 in 2022, shifting from a moderately uncoordinated state to a weakly coordinated one. However, the coordination level remained low due to fluctuations in the water resource subsystem. The ecological and economic subsystems functioned as critical coupling hubs, while strong negative interactions within the water resource subsystem emerged as major constraints to coordinated development. Long-term dominant barriers included the proportion of water used for ecological and agricultural purposes, as well as per capita food production. After 2019, water resource-related indicators, such as per capita water availability and water production modulus, showed a marked increase in obstruction levels, highlighting the persistent challenges posed by water scarcity and inefficient utilization. Full article

Accurate prediction of shallow groundwater levels is crucial for water resource management in over-exploited regions like the North China Plain, where intensive pumping has created non-steady flow fields with strong spatial hydraulic interactions. Traditional approaches—whether physical models constrained by parameter equifinality or machine learning methods assuming spatial independence—fail to explicitly characterize aquifer hydraulic connectivity and effectively integrate multi-source monitoring data. This study proposes a Multi-source Fusion Spatiotemporal Graph Convolutional Network (MF-STGCN) that represents the monitoring well network as a hydraulic connectivity graph, employing graph convolutions to capture spatial water level propagation patterns while integrating temporal dynamics through LSTM modules. An adaptive fusion mechanism quantifies contributions of natural drivers (precipitation, evaporation) and anthropogenic extraction to water level responses. Validation using 518 monitoring stations (2018–2022) demonstrates that MF-STGCN reduces RMSE compared to traditional time series models, with improvement primarily attributed to explicit modeling of spatial hydraulic dependencies. Interpretability analysis identifies Hebi and Shijiazhuang as severe over-exploitation zones and reveals significant response lag effects in the Handan-Xingtai corridor. This study demonstrates that spatial propagation patterns, rather than single-point temporal features, are key to improving prediction accuracy in over-exploited aquifers, providing a new data-driven paradigm for regional groundwater dynamics assessment and targeted management strategies. Full article

The Berrechid aquifer, located in the Berrechid region of Morocco, represents one of the main groundwater resources used for drinking water supply, irrigation, and industrial activities. It also plays a vital role in supporting domestic and agricultural needs. However, the aquifer faces major challenges, including overexploitation, water quality degradation, and seawater intrusion. This study examines the impacts of climate change on the Berrechid aquifer and evaluates the most appropriate groundwater-withdrawal management strategies to ensure sustainable use of the resource and maintain aquifer stability. To investigate this, we employed the Groundwater Modeling System (GMS) software to conduct both steady-state and transient simulations. Climate change impacts were incorporated through projections of natural recharge derived from climate models. Following calibration, the model provided projections of aquifer behavior up to 2050 under optimistic scenarios. The results offer valuable insights into the evolution of the Berrechid aquifer under climate change. They highlight the potential impacts on recharge rates and groundwater availability. Such information is crucial for guiding decision-making and developing sustainable strategies for managing this essential resource in the face of future climatic uncertainties. Full article

Effective fisheries management relies on accurate stock assessments to ensure sustainable exploitation and long-term ecosystem stability. Fisheries from the Nile Delta lakes of Egypt—comprising Manzala, Burullus, Edku, and Mariout—are economically critical, collectively contributing about 40% of the nation’s total capture fisheries and are facing severe anthropogenic challenges. This study assessed the stock status of 10 key fish species and two crustacean species from these four Nile Delta lakes by determining their life history parameters and exploitation levels. The analysis included estimation of the Length–Weight Relationship (LWR), von Bertalanffy Growth Function (VBGF) parameters, instantaneous mortality coefficients (Z, M, F), and the exploitation ratio (E). Asymptotic total length (L∞) varied widely, ranging from 10.47 cm for Portunus pelagicus to 86.78 cm for Clarias gariepinus (in Lake Manzala). The growth coefficient (K) spanned from 0.31 yr⁻¹ (C. gariepinus) to 1.79 yr⁻¹ (Metapenaeus stebbingi), reflecting diverse life history strategies. The key finding, based on the Gulland criterion, is that all commercial stocks examined in the Nile Delta lakes are currently subjected to severe overexploitation, with the exploitation ratio (E) consistently exceeding the optimal threshold of 0.5. These results underscore the urgent need for adaptive management strategies, including stricter gear regulations and improved fisheries monitoring, to ensure the sustainability of these vital resources. Full article

Water resources are increasingly scarce, with groundwater overexploitation causing major declines in quantity and quality. Effective water accounting is essential for sustainable management, which requires measuring irrigation water use despite limited metering. Traditional modeling approaches suffer from errors when there are narrow spatial coverages. Digital agriculture and remote sensing offer alternatives by enabling large-scale, cost-effective, and near-real-time monitoring. However, issues of accuracy, methodological consistency, and integration with governance frameworks still restrict operational use. This review followed the PRISMA protocol, screening 1485 documents and selecting 79 studies on remote sensing for irrigation water accounting. A structured labeling process classified papers into Technological Readiness, Management Impact, Implementation Barriers, Policy Integration, and Innovation/Gaps. Findings show a strong focus on management benefits and technological innovation, while institutional and policy aspects remain limited. Although many studies addressed multiple themes, governance integration and real-world barriers were often overlooked. Research is concentrated in digitally advanced regions, with limited attention to water-scarce areas in the Global South. The review concludes that although remote sensing improves efficiency and data availability, adoption is challenged by institutional, regulatory, and methodological gaps. Interdisciplinary work, stronger validation, and stakeholder engagement are essential for transitioning these tools into operational components of integrated water management. Full article

Donkeys (Equus asinus) play a critical role in agricultural, transport, and livelihood systems across Asia, yet they remain among the most neglected domestic species in terms of welfare, management, and research attention. This review synthesizes recent literature on donkey welfare, health, breeding, and conservation across Asia, highlighting regional disparities and emerging challenges. A systematic review of published studies identified welfare determinants including nutrition, workload, shelter, and veterinary access. Welfare conditions are found to be poorest in South Asia, particularly in Pakistan, India, and Afghanistan, where chronic undernutrition, inadequate housing, excessive workloads, and limited veterinary support prevail. Preventive healthcare, such as vaccination and deworming, remains largely absent, reflecting low owner awareness and weak veterinary infrastructure. In contrast, China demonstrates substantial progress through semi-intensive farming systems, structured welfare management, and research-based breeding programs that integrate welfare with productivity enhancement. Recent advancements in molecular genetics have further expanded the scope of donkey conservation and improvement. Studies on key genes, including PRKG2, NR6A1, LTBP2, HOXC8, and DCAF7, have elucidated their roles in vertebral number, skeletal development, and body conformation in Dezhou donkeys, offering new opportunities for genomic-level conservation and marker-assisted selection. Nonetheless, significant health challenges, such as parasitic, bacterial, and viral infections (Theileria equi, Giardia duodenalis, and Equid herpesviruses), continue to threaten productivity and welfare. Reproductive management across most Asian countries remains traditional and uncoordinated, whereas China leads in artificial insemination, genetic resource preservation, and policy-supported breeding initiatives. Ethical concerns surrounding overexploitation and the commercial use of donkeys, particularly in the ejiao (donkey-hide gelatin) industry, are also gaining attention. Overall, this review underscores the urgent need for a “One Welfare” approach, linking Animal Welfare, human livelihoods, and sustainable industry development. Strengthening veterinary infrastructure, promoting owner education, and integrating genomic tools into breeding programs are essential steps toward improving the welfare, productivity, and long-term conservation of donkeys across Asia. Full article

The European squid Loligo vulgaris inhabits the continental shelf of the North and Central Atlantic and the Mediterranean Sea, with significant socio-economic value for the associated fisheries. Globally, the stock appears to be maintained at levels close to the optimal sustainable yield, but capture statistics indicate high fluctuations in fisheries production, and some regions might be affected by overexploitation. In this study, we used the mitochondrial marker mtCOI to investigate temporal and spatial genetic structure and variability in the European squid in the eastern part of the Adriatic Sea and put it into context with its Mediterranean and Atlantic conspecifics using data from public databases. High haplotype and low nuclear diversity of mtCOI were detected, with no significant genetic differentiation, suggesting one panmictic homogeneous population in the North and Central Adriatic Sea. The Adriatic cluster appears to diverge from its Mediterranean–Atlantic conspecifics; however, this pattern should be considered preliminary due to the limited and uneven geographic sampling available in public databases. The current dataset lacks comprehensive coverage of several Mediterranean sub-basins, which restricts the resolution of connectivity patterns and may mask subtle population structure. Despite these limitations, our results provide an important baseline for understanding the L. vulgaris Adriatic stock and for developing joint management policies among all countries that exploit this shared resource. Full article

This study investigated the geohydraulic properties of the Chaouia coastal aquifer in western Morocco through two-dimensional Electrical Resistivity Tomography (ERT). Five resistivity profiles were carried out and inverted to define subsurface lithology and estimate hydraulic conductivity (K), effective porosity (Φ_eff), and transmissivity (T) using the empirical relationships.The obtained results showed that K ranged from 1.2 m/day to more than 217.4 m/day, Φ_eff varied between 20.3% and 47.8%, and T varied between 0.4 and 159.3 m²/day. These findings highlight considerable lithological variability, with low to intermediate values in Plio-Quaternary deposits and higher values in fractured Cretaceous marly limestones. Comparison with available pumping test data and numerical modeling validated the consistency of the ERT-derived estimates with independent hydrogeological evidence. The present study demonstrates that, in areas where pumping tests are limited or impractical, ERT provides an effective, non-invasive, and cost-efficient tool for aquifer characterization. These findings offer valuable insights for groundwater assessment and support the development of sustainable management strategies to mitigate overexploitation and seawater intrusion in vulnerable coastal aquifers and propose sustainable strategies for conserving these water resources. Full article

Monitoring groundwater dynamics and basin-scale water budget closure is critical for sustainable water resource management, especially in regions facing climate stress and overexploitation. This study examines the temporal variability of total water storage and groundwater trends in Türkiye’s Kızılırmak River Basin by integrating GRACE/GRACE-FO satellite gravimetry, GLDAS-Noah land surface model outputs, ERA5-Land reanalysis products, and local meteorological observations. Groundwater storage anomalies (GWSAs) were derived from the difference between GRACE-based total water storage anomalies (TWSAs) and GLDAS-modeled surface storage components, revealing a long-term groundwater depletion trend of −9.55 ± 2.6 cm between 2002 and 2024. To investigate the hydrological drivers of these changes, lagged correlation analyses were performed between GRACE TWSA and ERA5-Land variables (precipitation, evapotranspiration, runoff, soil moisture, and temperature), showing time-shifted responses from −3 to +3 months. The strongest correlations were found with soil moisture (CC = 0.82 at lag −1), temperature (CC = −0.70 at lag −3), and runoff (CC = 0.71 at lag 0). A moderate correlation between GRACE TWSA and ERA5-based water storage closure (CC = 0.54) indicates partial alignment. These findings underscore the value of satellite gravimetry in tracking subsurface water changes and support its role in basin-scale hydrological assessments. Full article

Numerical simulation models are very useful for assessing groundwater flow and levels in a given region. With the scarcity of available groundwater resources after the 2000s, the city of Beijing adopted policies for the rehabilitation of these resources. This study establishes a numerical simulation model that evaluates the influence of these projects on groundwater levels over a given period. To achieve this, an unstructured model was established for the Beijing Plain region and run using GMS 10.6 software with a finer mesh around reservoirs, water stations, major rivers and flow boundaries. The calibration and the identification results indicated a correlation R² = 0.98 between calculated and observed heads. The model’s accuracy is good and the overall average relative error is less than 20%. The comparison of the calculated water balance with the results of numerous studies shows that the reliability of the equilibrium analysis result is relatively high. The groundwater numerical model is running to simulate the water level over a period of 15 years. Groundwater generally flows in a northwest/southeast direction. The simulation results also demonstrate the impact of some projects related to the South-to-North Water Transfer Project implemented for the restoration of overexploited groundwater resources. The model predicts a stabilized and significantly increasing groundwater level at the center of the Beijing area. Full article

Food production is among the most environmentally intensive human activities, and its impacts are intensifying under population growth and increasingly resource-demanding consumption patterns. Agricultural practices have responded through the expansion of irrigated croplands, aiming to secure food supply but also fostering a complex agribusiness system with inherent contradictions. A central issue is the systematic overproduction of perishable crops. When supply surpasses demand, prices often fall below production costs, resulting in the routine disposal of large volumes of fresh produce—frequently before entering distribution channels. This study quantifies the environmental burden of this waste by calculating the water and carbon footprints of discarded fruits and vegetables in Spain between 2018 and 2024, based on official data. Across this period, 483,624 tons of surplus produce were discarded, equivalent to a water footprint of nearly 36 hm³ and a carbon footprint of 36,694 tCO₂-eq. In a region already facing severe water stress, widespread groundwater overexploitation, and growing dependence on inter-basin transfers and desalination, such chronic waste represents a significant inefficiency. The results highlight the urgent need to reassess current food production practices and address systemic imbalances to support a more sustainable and resource-efficient agricultural model. Full article

Groundwater represents a critical global resource, increasingly threatened by overexploitation and pollution from contaminants such as arsenic (As), fluoride (F), nitrates (NO₃⁻), and heavy metals in arid to semi-arid regions like Mexico. Traditional Water Quality Indices ($WQIs$), while useful, suffer from subjectivity in assigning weights, which can lead to misinterpretations. This study addresses these limitations by developing a novel, objective Groundwater Quality Index ($GWQI$) through the seamless integration of Machine Learning (ML) models. Utilizing a database of 775 wells from the Mexican National Water Commission (CONAGUA), Principal Component Analysis (PCA) was applied to achieve significant dimensionality reduction. We successfully reduced the required monitoring parameters from 13 to only three key indicators: total dissolved solids (TDSs), chromium (Cr), and manganese (Mn). This reduction allows for an 87% decrease in the number of indicators, maximizing efficiency and generating potential savings in monitoring resources without compromising water quality prediction accuracy. Six $WQI$ methods and six ML models were evaluated for quality prediction. The Unified Water Quality Index (${WQI}_u$) demonstrated the best performance among the $WQIs$ evaluated and exhibited the highest correlation (R² = 0.85) with the traditional $WQI$ based on WHO criteria. Furthermore, the ML Support Vector Machine with polynomial kernel (svmPoly) model achieved the maximum predictive accuracy for ${WQI}_u$ (R² = 0.822). This robust $GWQI$-ML approach establishes an accurate, objective, and efficient tool for large-scale groundwater quality monitoring across Mexico, facilitating informed decision-making for sustainable water management and enhanced public health protection. Full article

The development of nanostructured electrode materials is a cornerstone of emerging electrochemical technologies that provides clean and sustainable solutions to address the global energy demand and the rapid depletion of fossil fuels, as well as environmental pollution issues such as global warming, climate change, and air/water pollution resulting from the overexploitation of carbon-based energy resources [...] Full article