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Keywords = rural habitat suitability

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24 pages, 4123 KiB  
Article
Human–Nature Relationships in Country Parks at the Urban–Rural Fringe: A Case Study of the Huitian Region, Beijing
by Zhenyu Li, Aibo Jin, Weijie Zhuang and Hui Li
Land 2025, 14(5), 1086; https://doi.org/10.3390/land14051086 - 16 May 2025
Viewed by 534
Abstract
Urban green spaces face increasing pressure to reconcile ecological conservation with rising public demand as urbanization accelerates. Yet the spatial coupling of human needs and natural provisioning in the urban–rural fringe remains insufficiently understood. Focusing on the country park cluster in Beijing’s Huitian [...] Read more.
Urban green spaces face increasing pressure to reconcile ecological conservation with rising public demand as urbanization accelerates. Yet the spatial coupling of human needs and natural provisioning in the urban–rural fringe remains insufficiently understood. Focusing on the country park cluster in Beijing’s Huitian region, this study develops an integrated assessment framework—combining ecological importance, ecological connectivity potential, construction suitability, and recreational demand—to evaluate nature suitability and pinpoint spatial mismatches in human–nature interactions. Ecological importance is quantified through ecological sensitivity analysis and InVEST-based habitat-quality modeling, while ecological connectivity potential is estimated via normalized least-cost corridor analysis. Construction suitability is derived from the proportion of artificial surfaces and road network density, and recreational demand is measured by population concentration, facility density, and transport accessibility. These metrics are synthesized to map nature-suitability patterns and reveal divergences between human demand and ecological provisioning. The results show a pronounced north–south gradient in ecological importance, with Dongxiaokou Ditch and Dongxiaokou Forest Park emerging as ecological hotspots. Nineteen ecological source patches are identified, with the strongest connectivity in the southern sector of Dongxiaokou Forest Park. Areas of high construction suitability coincide with well-developed infrastructure, whereas recreational demand clusters around Tiantongyuan and Beiqing Road. Natural and artificial elements intertwine to form an ecological core of 870.74 hm2, yet 13.29% of the study area exhibits mismatches—particularly residential zones lacking green-space access. Over-development within Dongxiaokou Urban Recreation Park likewise falls short of ecological expectations. The study offers targeted recommendations—ecological protection, facility optimization, green-space enhancement, and the integration of multifunctional green infrastructure—and provides a transferable framework for coordinating human and natural systems in other urban–rural fringe contexts. Full article
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21 pages, 2386 KiB  
Article
Assessing Rural Habitat Suitability in Anhui Province: A Socio-Economic and Environmental Perspective
by Xiaowei Shi, Peitian Su, Yanle Xia, Heng Zhang, Yuzhuo Shen, Bonoua Faye, Yujing Wang, Lei Liu and Ruhao Xue
Sustainability 2025, 17(7), 2825; https://doi.org/10.3390/su17072825 - 22 Mar 2025
Viewed by 551
Abstract
Assessing rural habitat suitability and its connection to land response is a vital tool for understanding the socio-economic and environmental challenges in rural areas tailored to local contexts. This study fills existing research gaps by examining the suitability of rural habitats in Anhui [...] Read more.
Assessing rural habitat suitability and its connection to land response is a vital tool for understanding the socio-economic and environmental challenges in rural areas tailored to local contexts. This study fills existing research gaps by examining the suitability of rural habitats in Anhui Province, opening pathways to reveal how rural sustainability may connect to land. Using the autoregressive distributed lag (ARDL) model, it analyzes the short- and long-term effects of socio-economic and environmental factors on rural suitability across various counties. Additionally, a descriptive analysis explores the pathways linking rural suitability to land use responses. The findings reveal that rural greening, village planning, and housing area per resident positively influence rural habitat suitability in both the short and long term. However, agricultural income growth shows a negative impact, potentially due to structural issues in the sector. Environmental factors like temperature and rainfall have a limited influence on rural suitability. The study underscores the importance of suitable rural infrastructure, namely enhancing rural greening rate, implementing village plans, and improving housing for sustainable rural development. Regional variations in rural habitat suitability across Anhui Province are also evident. While some cities, such as Huaibei and Anqing, demonstrate success in revitalization, others, like Suzhou and Chizhou, face challenges. The results highlight the need for region-specific strategies that account for local environmental, economic, and infrastructural contexts. Tailored approaches are essential to achieving long-term, effective rural development in the province. Full article
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15 pages, 5268 KiB  
Article
Overwintering of Thrips (Thysanoptera) Under the Bark of the Plane Tree (Platanus x hispanica Mill. ex Münchh.) in Southeastern Poland
by Halina Kucharczyk, Marek Kucharczyk and Tomasz Olbrycht
Insects 2025, 16(1), 92; https://doi.org/10.3390/insects16010092 - 17 Jan 2025
Viewed by 991
Abstract
The insect fauna overwintering under the bark of tree trunks is very rarely studied. Thrips (Thysanoptera) associated with the plane tree (Platanus x hispanica Mill. ex Münchh., syn. Platanus x acerifolia (Aiton) Willd.) have not been studied so far, especially those overwintering [...] Read more.
The insect fauna overwintering under the bark of tree trunks is very rarely studied. Thrips (Thysanoptera) associated with the plane tree (Platanus x hispanica Mill. ex Münchh., syn. Platanus x acerifolia (Aiton) Willd.) have not been studied so far, especially those overwintering on the non-native tree in Poland. The study was carried out in March and April 2014 and 2015 and in February 2016 in 29 localities in southeastern Poland. The study sites were localized in urban and rural parks. Tree bark samples were taken from each trunk at a height of 1–2 m and collected in 4 L plastic bags (approximately 250 cm2). Thrips were sorted from the pieces of plane tree bark in the laboratory and preserved in 70% ethyl alcohol; the species were identified on microscopic slides. Fifteen species, nine from the suborder Terebrantia and six from the suborder Tubulifera, were identified. Ten species were dendrophilous, among which all Tubuliferan species were fungivorous. A total of 494 thrips individuals were collected, with 84% representing the suborder Terebrantia. The most abundant thrips species included Dendrothrips degeeri Uzel, Phlaeothrips coriaceus Haliday, Thrips major Uzel, and Dendrothrips ornatus (Jablonowski). D. degeeri, i.e., the most numerous species, was found in the highest number of sites (22), while six species were only found in one site each. Generalized Linear Model (GLM) and Nonmetric Multidimensional Scaling (NMDS) analysis showed that the species composition was strongly associated with environmental such factors as insolation, the trunk circumference, and the number of trunks where the species overwintered. Our research has shown that the bark of plane trees (Platanus x hispanica) provided a suitable habitat for thrips overwintering. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Insect Behavior and Pathology)
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19 pages, 23825 KiB  
Article
Numerical Study on the Summer High-Temperature Climate Adaptation of Traditional Dwellings in the Western Plains of Sichuan, China
by Rongjia Li, Qiushan Li, Ishikawa Mikiko and Kabilijiang Wumaier
Land 2024, 13(9), 1382; https://doi.org/10.3390/land13091382 - 28 Aug 2024
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1040
Abstract
Ongoing global climate change, marked by sustained warming and extreme weather events, poses a severe threat to both the Earth’s ecosystems and human communities. Traditional settlements that underwent natural selection and evolution developed a unique set of features to adapt to and regulate [...] Read more.
Ongoing global climate change, marked by sustained warming and extreme weather events, poses a severe threat to both the Earth’s ecosystems and human communities. Traditional settlements that underwent natural selection and evolution developed a unique set of features to adapt to and regulate the local climate. A comprehensive exploration of the spatial patterns and mechanisms of the adaptation of these traditional settlements is crucial for investigating low-energy climate adaptation theories and methods as well as enhancing the comfort of future human habitats. This study used numerical simulations and field measurements to investigate the air temperature, relative humidity, wind speed, wind direction, and thermal comfort of traditional settlements in Western Sichuan Plain, China, and uncovered their climate suitability characteristics to determine the impact mechanisms of landscape element configurations (building height, building density, tree coverage, and tree position) and spatial patterns on microclimates within these settlements. The results revealed the structural and layout strategies adopted by traditional settlements to adapt to different climatic conditions, providing valuable insights for future rural protection and planning and enhancing climate resilience through natural means. These findings not only contribute to understanding the climate adaptability of Earth’s ecosystems and traditional settlements but also offer new theories and methods to address the challenges posed by climate change. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Planning for Sustainable Urban and Land Development)
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18 pages, 6577 KiB  
Article
Adaptability Evaluation of Human Settlements in Chengdu Based on ArcGIS
by Hongyu Li, Yuelin Wang, Wende Chen, Hongfu Li, Yue Tian and Ruojing Chen
Sustainability 2024, 16(5), 1989; https://doi.org/10.3390/su16051989 - 28 Feb 2024
Cited by 4 | Viewed by 2134
Abstract
This study establishes the evaluation index system of Chengdu’s habitat suitability based on three dimensions (the ecological livability environment, economic development environment, and social security environment) and quantitatively investigates the habitat suitability of Chengdu using the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) and ArcGIS10.8 tools. [...] Read more.
This study establishes the evaluation index system of Chengdu’s habitat suitability based on three dimensions (the ecological livability environment, economic development environment, and social security environment) and quantitatively investigates the habitat suitability of Chengdu using the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) and ArcGIS10.8 tools. Additionally, it analyzes the spatial pattern characteristics of Chengdu’s habitat suitability to provide insights into the rational optimization of Chengdu’s habitat system, and show that (1) the adaptability index of Chengdu’s human settlement is between 15.69 to 75.56, and the habitat suitability exhibits a high spatial distribution in the central area and a low spatial distribution in the surrounding regions, with obvious differences between hot spots and cold spots. (2) According to the suitability index from high to low, the habitat of Chengdu is divided into five regions: the most suitable area (895.62 km2, 6.25%), highly suitable area (2136.82 km2,14.91%), moderately suitable area (5755.80 km2,40.15%), low-suitability area (4580.61 km2, 31.95%) and the unsuitable area (966.15 km2, 6.74%). (3) The spatial distribution of habitat suitability in Chengdu demonstrates a certain coupling relationship with the city’s circular social development model. Moreover, the spatial distribution characteristics of each area exhibit good consistency with population density, natural environment, economic conditions, and social conditions. (4) The influence of each indicator factor shows spatial heterogeneity, with variations in different subregions. Additionally, different regions have their own advantages and disadvantages. The results show that there are obvious regional characteristics with the suitability of human settlements in Chengdu; the main urban area exhibits the highest degree of habitat suitability, while the western Longmen Mountain area shows relatively lower suitability in its habitat. Considering these spatial characteristics, future development should explore corresponding development modes for each region based on local conditions, aiming to reduce spatial differences and promote the integrated development of urban and rural areas. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Urban Social Space and Sustainable Development)
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23 pages, 13721 KiB  
Article
Expanding the Associations between Landscape Characteristics and Aesthetic Sensory Perception for Traditional Village Public Space
by Guodong Chen, Jiayu Yan, Chongxiao Wang and Shuolei Chen
Forests 2024, 15(1), 97; https://doi.org/10.3390/f15010097 - 4 Jan 2024
Cited by 14 | Viewed by 3193
Abstract
Traditional village landscapes have a cultural and regional significance, and the visual aesthetic quality of the landscape is widely regarded as a valuable resource to benefit the health and well-being of urban residents. Although the literature has analyzed the influential mechanism of landscape [...] Read more.
Traditional village landscapes have a cultural and regional significance, and the visual aesthetic quality of the landscape is widely regarded as a valuable resource to benefit the health and well-being of urban residents. Although the literature has analyzed the influential mechanism of landscape features on aesthetic senses, most were from a single dimension. To improve the precision of the landscape aesthetic evaluation method, this study expanded the indicators for landscape characteristics of public spaces in traditional villages by incorporating multiple dimensions, such as landscape visual attraction elements and landscape color. It explored their associations with sensory preferences in a case study in Dongshan (a peninsula) and Xishan (an island) of Taihu Lake. We used multi-source data, a semantic segmentation model, and R language to identify landscape characteristic indicators quantitatively. The research results indicated that the accuracy of the aesthetic sensory assessment model integrating multi-dimensional landscape characteristic indicators was significantly improved; in the open space of traditional villages, the public preferred a scenario with a high proportion of trees, relatively open space, mild and uniform color tones, suitability for movement, and the ability to produce a restorative and peaceful atmosphere. This study can provide a guarantee for the efficient use of village landscape resources, the optimization of rural landscapes, and the precise enhancement of traditional village habitat. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Landsenses in Green Spaces)
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17 pages, 6069 KiB  
Article
The Longevity of Fruit Trees in Basilicata (Southern Italy): Implications for Agricultural Biodiversity Conservation
by Jordan Palli, Michele Baliva, Franco Biondi, Lucio Calcagnile, Domenico Cerbino, Marisa D’Elia, Rosario Muleo, Aldo Schettino, Gianluca Quarta, Nicola Sassone, Francesco Solano, Pietro Zienna and Gianluca Piovesan
Land 2023, 12(3), 550; https://doi.org/10.3390/land12030550 - 24 Feb 2023
Cited by 9 | Viewed by 4489
Abstract
In the Mediterranean basin, agriculture and other forms of human land use have shaped the environment since ancient times. Intensive and extensive agricultural systems managed with a few cultured plant populations of improved varieties are a widespread reality in many Mediterranean countries. Despite [...] Read more.
In the Mediterranean basin, agriculture and other forms of human land use have shaped the environment since ancient times. Intensive and extensive agricultural systems managed with a few cultured plant populations of improved varieties are a widespread reality in many Mediterranean countries. Despite this, historical cultural landscapes still exist in interior and less intensively managed rural areas. There, ancient fruit tree varieties have survived modern cultivation systems, preserving a unique genetic heritage. In this study, we mapped and characterized 106 living fruit trees of ancient varieties in the Basilicata region of southern Italy. Tree ages were determined through tree ring measurements and radiocarbon analyses. We uncovered some of the oldest scientifically dated fruit trees in the world. The oldest fruit species were olive (max age 680 ± 57 years), mulberry (647 ± 66 years), chestnut (636 ± 66 years), and pear (467 ± 89 years). These patriarchs hold a unique genetic resource; their preservation and genetic maintenance through agamic propagation are now promoted by the Lucan Agency for the Development and Innovation in Agriculture (ALSIA). Each tree also represents a hub for biodiversity conservation in agrarian ecosystems: their large architecture and time persistence guarantee ecological niches and micro-habitats suitable for flora and fauna species of conservation significance. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Impacts of Local Land-Use on the Global Ecological Crisis)
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17 pages, 1314 KiB  
Article
Fine-Scaled Selection of Resting and Hunting Habitat by Leopard Cats (Prionailurus bengalensis) in a Rural Human-Dominated Landscape in Taiwan
by Esther van der Meer, Hans Dullemont, Ching-Hao Wang, Jun-Wei Zhang, Jun-Liang Lin, Kurtis Jai-Chyi Pei and Yu-Ching Lai
Animals 2023, 13(2), 234; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani13020234 - 8 Jan 2023
Cited by 13 | Viewed by 5173
Abstract
Wildlife is increasingly forced to live in close proximity to humans, resulting in human-wildlife conflict and anthropogenic mortality. Carnivores persisting in human-dominated landscapes respond to anthropogenic threats through fine-scaled spatial and temporal behavioral adjustments. Although crucial for conservation, quantitative information on these adjustments [...] Read more.
Wildlife is increasingly forced to live in close proximity to humans, resulting in human-wildlife conflict and anthropogenic mortality. Carnivores persisting in human-dominated landscapes respond to anthropogenic threats through fine-scaled spatial and temporal behavioral adjustments. Although crucial for conservation, quantitative information on these adjustments is scarce. Taiwan’s endangered leopard cat occurs in rural human-dominated landscapes with a high anthropogenic mortality risk. To survive, the nocturnal leopard cat needs suitable habitats for foraging and safe refuge for resting during daytime hours when human activity peaks. In this study, we tracked seven VHF-collared leopard cats. To determine habitat selection patterns, we compared land use at nighttime locations and daytime resting sites with random points and fine-scaled vegetation characteristics at daytime resting sites with random points. Leopard cats selected natural habitats for nighttime hunting and avoided manmade and, to a lesser extent, agricultural habitats or used them according to availability. For daytime resting, leopard cats selected natural habitats and, to a lesser extent semi-natural habitats, such as unused land and abandoned orchards. Resting sites were preferentially situated in natural habitats, with little visibility (<2 m), shrubs, reed and stones, away from areas with high levels of human activity. This suggests leopard cats use a proactive strategy to avoid human encounters, which was supported by the reduced temporal overlap with humans and domestic dogs on agricultural land. Resting sites were placed ca. 1 km apart, 12.9 ± 0.3 m (mean ± SE) from the patch’s edges, in patches with a size of 1.21 ± 0.04 ha (mean ± SE). Our results will assist in identifying and preserving suitable resting habitats to support leopard cat conservation. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Women’s Special Issue Series: Animals Behaviour and Welfare)
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28 pages, 65195 KiB  
Article
Geospatial Analysis and Land Suitability for “FloodWise” Practices: Nature-Based Solutions for Flood Mitigation in Eastern, Rural North Carolina
by Madalyn Baldwin, Andrew Fox, Travis Klondike, Meredith Hovis, Theodore Shear, Lauren Joca, Megan Hester and Frederick Cubbage
Land 2022, 11(9), 1504; https://doi.org/10.3390/land11091504 - 7 Sep 2022
Cited by 9 | Viewed by 3672
Abstract
As the global climate continues to change, extreme weather events such as hurricanes and heavy rainfall are becoming more frequent. Subsequently, flooding and standing water disrupt and negatively impact many communities. The use of nature-based solutions (NBS) is an innovative and sustainable approach [...] Read more.
As the global climate continues to change, extreme weather events such as hurricanes and heavy rainfall are becoming more frequent. Subsequently, flooding and standing water disrupt and negatively impact many communities. The use of nature-based solutions (NBS) is an innovative and sustainable approach to flood mitigation. Geospatial research and applications have developed rapidly to identify and map broad regions in the world, as well as specific locations for NBS. We conducted a geospatial analysis in ArcGIS Pro to identify areas where NBS, referred to as “FloodWise” practices in this study, could be sited in the North Carolina Coastal Plain to strategically reduce flooding and provide water quality and habitat improvement. The study provides a spatially explicit application of integrated remote sensing, scientific and professional knowledge, and extant databases to screen diverse variables and identify potential specific NBS opportunities and sites. The practices modeled in this study are wetland restoration, afforestation, agroforestry, “water farming” (which uses a combination of dry dams and berms), and stream restoration. Maps of specific areas and tracts in the county for the NBS practices in Robeson County, North Carolina were developed based on the land ownership size, biophysical characteristics, current land uses, and water management opportunities. Land suitability locations revealed in these maps can be used in future resilience planning initiatives to reduce floodwaters on North Carolina’s rural landscapes. The geospatial analysis methodologies employed in this study can be followed to model NBS locations for flood reduction and water storage opportunities in other counties in Eastern North Carolina or other regions with similar topographies and land-type characteristics. Full article
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15 pages, 2252 KiB  
Article
Toward New Epidemiological Landscapes of Trypanosoma cruzi (Kinetoplastida, Trypanosomatidae) Transmission under Future Human-Modified Land Cover and Climatic Change in Mexico
by Constantino González-Salazar, Anny K. Meneses-Mosquera, Alejandra Aguirre-Peña, Karla Paola J. Fernández-Castel, Christopher R. Stephens, Alma Mendoza-Ponce, Julián A. Velasco, Oscar Calderón-Bustamante and Francisco Estrada
Trop. Med. Infect. Dis. 2022, 7(9), 221; https://doi.org/10.3390/tropicalmed7090221 - 2 Sep 2022
Cited by 6 | Viewed by 3304
Abstract
Chagas disease, caused by the protozoa Trypanosoma cruzi, is an important yet neglected disease that represents a severe public health problem in the Americas. Although the alteration of natural habitats and climate change can favor the establishment of new transmission cycles for [...] Read more.
Chagas disease, caused by the protozoa Trypanosoma cruzi, is an important yet neglected disease that represents a severe public health problem in the Americas. Although the alteration of natural habitats and climate change can favor the establishment of new transmission cycles for T. cruzi, the compound effect of human-modified landscapes and current climate change on the transmission dynamics of T. cruzi has until now received little attention. A better understanding of the relationship between these factors and T. cruzi presence is an important step towards finding ways to mitigate the future impact of this disease on human communities. Here, we assess how wild and domestic cycles of T. cruzi transmission are related to human-modified landscapes and climate conditions (LUCC-CC). Using a Bayesian datamining framework, we measured the correlations among the presence of T. cruzi transmission cycles (sylvatic, rural, and urban) and historical land use, land cover, and climate for the period 1985 to 2012. We then estimated the potential range changes of T. cruzi transmission cycles under future land-use and -cover change and climate change scenarios for 2050 and 2070 time-horizons, with respect to “green” (RCP 2.6), “business-as-usual” (RCP 4.5), and “worst-case” (RCP 8.5) scenarios, and four general circulation models. Our results show how sylvatic and domestic transmission cycles could have historically interacted through the potential exchange of wild triatomines (insect vectors of T. cruzi) and mammals carrying T. cruzi, due to the proximity of human settlements (urban and rural) to natural habitats. However, T. cruzi transmission cycles in recent times (i.e., 2011) have undergone a domiciliation process where several triatomines have colonized and adapted to human dwellings and domestic species (e.g., dogs and cats) that can be the main blood sources for these triatomines. Accordingly, Chagas disease could become an emerging health problem in urban areas. Projecting potential future range shifts of T. cruzi transmission cycles under LUCC-CC scenarios we found for RCP 2.6 no expansion of favourable conditions for the presence of T. cruzi transmission cycles. However, for RCP 4.5 and 8.5, a significant range expansion of T. cruzi could be expected. We conclude that if sustainable goals are reached by appropriate changes in socio-economic and development policies we can expect no increase in suitable habitats for T. cruzi transmission cycles. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Emerging Vector-Borne Diseases and Public Health Challenges)
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22 pages, 17821 KiB  
Article
Dependence on Mountains and Water: Local Characteristics and Regeneration Patterns of Rural Industrial Heritage in China
by Xiangrui Xiong, Yanhui Wang, Melisa Pesoa-Marcilla and Joaquín Sabaté-Bel
Land 2022, 11(8), 1341; https://doi.org/10.3390/land11081341 - 18 Aug 2022
Cited by 6 | Viewed by 3041
Abstract
In most Chinese villages, mountains and water are essential resources for human life, which residents have established close connections with through subsistence and production activities. These connections involve geographical, functional, and spiritual effects, which create the unique cultural identity of a place. As [...] Read more.
In most Chinese villages, mountains and water are essential resources for human life, which residents have established close connections with through subsistence and production activities. These connections involve geographical, functional, and spiritual effects, which create the unique cultural identity of a place. As a kind of rural heritage, rural industrial heritage is a concrete result of the interaction between local activities and mountains and water, thus presenting specific local characteristics. The conservation and re-use of rural heritage have become an important issue in global rural studies. Different cases that have been transformed and re-used are analyzed in this paper, in order to explore the influence of mountains and water on their local characteristics, the effects on their conservation and re-use in both spiritual and functional aspects, and suitable regeneration patterns based on local characteristics. Comparative analysis of 3D maps, diagrams, and literature materials indicate that: (1) mountains and water dominate rural industrial heritage geographical characteristics, including their layout, size, and form; (2) the direct or indirect supports of mountains and water, in terms of functional and spiritual aspects, have changed after regeneration, where spiritual supports are becoming increasingly important; and (3) regeneration patterns with different focuses represent new habitats combining natural and artificial landscapes, indicating new relationships that shift from the single utilization of mountain and water resources in the past to symbiosis and mutual benefits between residents, heritage, nature, and local communities in the modern context. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Optimal Design of Agroecological Landscape)
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11 pages, 1382 KiB  
Article
Rock Refuges Are Strongly Associated with Increased Urban Occupancy in the Western Fence Lizard, Sceloporus occidentalis
by Alexander J. Rurik, Seth C. Wilmoth, Kendra E. Dayton and Amanda M. Sparkman
Diversity 2022, 14(8), 655; https://doi.org/10.3390/d14080655 - 14 Aug 2022
Cited by 5 | Viewed by 2719
Abstract
Urbanization has dramatically altered habitats for local species worldwide. While some species are unable to meet the challenges that these alterations bring, others are able to persist as long as a threshold for suitable habitat is met. For reptiles, a key feature for [...] Read more.
Urbanization has dramatically altered habitats for local species worldwide. While some species are unable to meet the challenges that these alterations bring, others are able to persist as long as a threshold for suitable habitat is met. For reptiles, a key feature for persistence in urban areas can be access to suitable refuges from predation, high temperatures, and/or other environmental challenges. We tested for effects of local and landscape variables affecting urban occupancy in the Western Fence Lizard, Sceloporus occidentalis, in transects across an urban–rural gradient, with a specific focus on the presence of rock, tree, and shrub refuges. We found that fence lizards were much more likely to be present in areas with more rock cover, and in parks or low-density residential areas. Occupancy was also positively related to canopy cover in the general vicinity, though negatively related to number of trees along the transects. Our results highlight the importance of assessing local habitat features to successfully predict the occupancy of reptile species in urban habitats, and present directions for future research with concrete conservation and management applications. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Urban Ecology of the Amphibians and Reptiles)
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34 pages, 4000 KiB  
Article
Response of Soil Fauna to the Shift in a Riparian Landscape along an Urban–Rural Habitat Gradient
by Yumei Huang, Qian Zeng, Chunlan Luo, Danju Zhang, Wenfeng Xie, Jiujin Xiao, Yang Liu, Yushi Liu and Juan Du
Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2022, 19(14), 8690; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph19148690 - 17 Jul 2022
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 2112
Abstract
Urbanization is accelerating worldwide, resulting in drastic alterations of natural riverbanks, which seriously affects the ecological functions and services of riparian landscapes. Our understanding of how anthropogenic activities influence soil animal communities within riparian zones is scarce. The soil fauna represents an important [...] Read more.
Urbanization is accelerating worldwide, resulting in drastic alterations of natural riverbanks, which seriously affects the ecological functions and services of riparian landscapes. Our understanding of how anthropogenic activities influence soil animal communities within riparian zones is scarce. The soil fauna represents an important biotic component of the soil ecosystem and greatly contributes to soil structure and fertility formation. We investigated the richness, abundance, diversity, and distribution of soil animal groups, including macro- and mesofauna, in different riparian landscapes along an urban–rural habitat gradient. In natural riparian zones with permeable revetments, the soil fauna was richest and most abundant, mainly because of the low levels of human disturbance and the more suitable habitat conditions. Different soil animal groups responded differently to revetment type and distance from the water flow. The hygrophilous soil mesofauna, requiring a more humid environment, was more sensitive to shifts in revetment types, the location on the riverbank, and the seasons. In summer, when precipitation in the study area was highest, the abundance of the hygrophilous soil mesofauna was significantly higher than in autumn. Distance from the water flow significantly affected the abundance of the hygrophilous soil mesofauna. Our results demonstrated that hygrophilous soil mesofauna can serve as a good indicator in riparian zones, reflecting the hydrological conditions. We also observed interactions between revetment type and distance from the water flow; the distance effect was stronger in the natural riparian zone with a permeable revetment type. Our results highlight the importance of anthropogenic effects on soil ecosystem processes and functions in riparian landscapes, and the necessity of protecting and retaining the natural riverbank and native vegetation patches in riparian landscape planning and construction. Full article
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11 pages, 4520 KiB  
Article
Beyond Domestic Cats: Environmental Detection of Sporothrix brasiliensis DNA in a Hyperendemic Area of Sporotrichosis in Rio de Janeiro State, Brazil
by Fernando Almeida-Silva, Vanessa Brito de Souza Rabello, Bruno de Souza Scramignon-Costa, Rosely Maria Zancopé-Oliveira, Priscila Marques de Macedo and Rodrigo Almeida-Paes
J. Fungi 2022, 8(6), 604; https://doi.org/10.3390/jof8060604 - 4 Jun 2022
Cited by 18 | Viewed by 3216
Abstract
In Brazil, sporotrichosis has transitioned from a rural to urban disease, driven by a shift in the initiation of infection from the accidental inoculation of organic matter to the traumatic implantation of the fungus by cats. Since the emergence of zoonotic sporotrichosis caused [...] Read more.
In Brazil, sporotrichosis has transitioned from a rural to urban disease, driven by a shift in the initiation of infection from the accidental inoculation of organic matter to the traumatic implantation of the fungus by cats. Since the emergence of zoonotic sporotrichosis caused by Sporothrix brasiliensis, investigations have largely ignored the environmental habitat of the pathogen due to its association with domestic cats. Therefore, we investigated 18 environmental samples collected from rural areas of two cities where zoonotic sporotrichosis is endemic, but where domestic cats are scarce. We utilized traditional culture methods, and samples were also examined with two molecular methods used for the clinical diagnosis of sporotrichosis: a nested-PCR targeting the ITS region and a species-specific PCR targeting the calmodulin gene. No Sporothrix colonies were identified by traditional culture methods. However, the nested-PCR and the species-specific PCR for S. brasiliensis were positive for 18 and 5 samples, respectively. Sequencing revealed that positive results with the nested-PCR were due to non-specific amplification of other Ophiostomatales DNA, rather than Sporothrix spp. Three of the five amplicons from the species-specific PCR were suitable for sequencing and confirmed the presence of S. brasiliensis DNA. Hence, we confirmed that S. brasiliensis, as with other Sporothrix species, has an environmental habitat. Our findings underscore the challenges of nested-PCR for Sporothrix environmental studies and highlight that sequencing must follow PCR protocols to definitively identify Sporothrix spp. in environmental samples. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sporothrix and Sporotrichosis 2.0)
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26 pages, 8346 KiB  
Review
Assessing the Ecosystem Services Potential of Endemic Floras: A Systematic Review on the Greek Endemics of Peloponnese
by Alexian Cheminal, Ioannis P. Kokkoris, Anastasios Zotos, Arne Strid and Panayotis Dimopoulos
Sustainability 2022, 14(10), 5926; https://doi.org/10.3390/su14105926 - 13 May 2022
Cited by 6 | Viewed by 2925
Abstract
As the interest in new, natural, sustainable products arises in many fields, wild plants are reconsidered as providers of traditional or innovative applications. The notion of ecosystem services (ES) provides a frame to evaluate their benefits, but is still scarcely applied to endemic [...] Read more.
As the interest in new, natural, sustainable products arises in many fields, wild plants are reconsidered as providers of traditional or innovative applications. The notion of ecosystem services (ES) provides a frame to evaluate their benefits, but is still scarcely applied to endemic floras. The present study reviews the available literature on the ES provided by the 494 taxa endemic to Greece that are present in Peloponnese. Six main categories are isolated: medical, aromatic, folk medicine, antimicrobial, environmental and craftsmanship interests. The literature documents such ES for 24.7% of the endemic taxa, with Lamiaceae, Asteraceae and Boraginaceae as the families with the highest numbers of documented taxa. Spatial hotspots with a high density in taxa providing ES are mapped, while gaps of knowledge on the ES of endemic taxa are highlighted. For the first time, to our knowledge, taxonomic and phylogenetic bounds between taxa are exploited as a base to explore potential properties for endemic taxa. The basis for the development of predictive tools utilizing literature review datasets is set. Final outcomes also provide robust scientific evidence to support decision and policy making for the sustainable use and management of rural areas. The development of cultivation areas for threatened taxa of interest is suggested as a potent conservation measure, by selecting fields according to habitat suitability models. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Plant Diversity and Conservation in the Mediterranean)
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