Search Results (174)

Current InVEST habitat quality assessments rely heavily on subjective expert judgment for parameter specification, introducing substantial uncertainty and limiting their regional applicability. To address this gap, we developed an objective, statistically rigorous framework for parameter derivation by integrating Principal Component Analysis (PCA), Structural Equation Modeling (SEM), and spatial analysis, supported by high-resolution biotope mapping. The methodology was applied to Gochang-gun, South Korea, where nine threat factors were analyzed using empirical data from 6633 sampling points. PCA identified threat groupings, SEM quantified habitat–threat relationships for sensitivity derivation, and variogram analysis determined maximum influence distances, while 1:5000 scale biotope maps incorporating 14 ecological indicators replaced conventional land cover classifications. These empirically derived parameters were directly incorporated into the InVEST Habitat Quality model, replacing default or expert-based values. As a result, the biotope-based InVEST HQ implementation achieved exceptional performance (R² = 0.892) with crops emerging as the dominant threat factor (sensitivity = 1.000, weight = 34.1%). Compared to the land use/land cover (LULC)-based approach using conventional parameterization, the biotope–PCA–SEM model demonstrated higher predictive accuracy (AUC = 0.805 vs. 0.755), stronger correlations with independent conservation indicators (protected area correlation: 0.457 vs. 0.201), and clearer ecological gradients across UNESCO Biosphere Reserve zones. This framework eliminates subjective bias while maintaining regional specificity, establishing a transferable foundation for evidence-based conservation planning. By demonstrating substantial improvements over conventional parameterization, the study highlights the inadequacy of transferred parameters and provides an objective standard for advancing InVEST applications worldwide. Full article

Background: Metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) and climate change are major global health challenges. Aim: Our aim was to assess the relationship between intrahepatic fat content (IFC) and diet-related environmental impact in a Mediterranean diet (MD)-based intervention. Design: The design included a six-month longitudinal analysis within the frame of a FLIPAN randomized controlled trial, including 60 participants aged 40–60 years with MASLD, metabolic syndrome and obesity. Methods: IFC expressed as a percentage (%IFC) was measured by magnetic resonance imaging, and dietary intake was assessed via a validated food frequency questionnaire (FFQ). Environmental impacts of diets were estimated using life cycle assessment data from the Agribalyse^® database, focusing on greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, water use, energy use and land use. A composite sustainability score was also calculated. Changes in liver fat and environmental footprints were analyzed using a general linear model (GLM) adjusted for within-subject variability and partial correlation analysis adjusted for energy intake, MD adherence and body weight. Results: The participants with the highest %IFC reduction group in the GLM showed the highest decreases in GHG emissions and land use. Water use increased in this same group. Energy use and the composite sustainability score did not differ significantly between groups. Higher %IFC reductions were also associated with higher MD adherence and lower visceral fat. When the adjusted partial correlation analysis for the environmental parameters was performed, only water use remained significant. Conclusions: Higher reductions in %IFC were linked to dietary patterns with lower GHG emissions and land use and higher water use. However, when adjusted by energy intake, MD adherence and body weight in continuous modeling, only higher water use was related to lower %IFC. These findings highlight the complexity of achieving environmentally sustainable and health-promoting diets. Full article

Environmental degradation and soil desertification are among the most severe environmental issues of recent decades worldwide. Over time, these processes have led to increasingly extreme and highly dynamic climatic conditions. In Brazil, the Northeast Region is characterized by semi-arid and arid areas that exhibit high climatic variability and are extremely vulnerable to environmental changes and pressures from human activities. The application of geotechnologies and geographic information system (GIS) modeling is essential to mitigate the impacts and pressures on the various ecosystems of Northeastern Brazil (NEB), where the Caatinga biome is predominant and critically threatened by these factors. In this context, the objective was to map and assess the spatiotemporal patterns of land use and land cover (LULC), detecting significant trends of loss and gain, based on surface reflectance data and precipitation data over two decades (2000–2019). Remote sensing datasets were utilized, including Landsat satellite data (LULC data), MODIS sensor data (surface reflectance product) and TRMM data (precipitation data). The Google Earth Engine (GEE) software was used to process orbital images and determine surface albedo and acquisition of the LULC dataset. Satellite data were subjected to multivariate analysis, descriptive statistics, dispersion and variability assessments. The results indicated a significant loss trend over the time series (2000–2019) for forest areas (Z_MK = −5.872; Tau = −0.958; p < 0.01) with an annual loss of −3705.853 km² and a total loss of −74,117.06 km². Conversely, farming areas (agriculture and pasture) exhibited a significant gain trend (Z_MK = 5.807; Tau = 0.947; p < 0.01), with an annual gain of +3978.898 km² and a total gain of +79,577.96 km², indicating a substantial expansion of these areas over time. However, it is important to emphasize that deforestation of the region’s native vegetation contributes to reduced water production and availability. The trend analysis identified an increase in environmental degradation due to the rapid expansion of land use. LULC and albedo data confirmed the intensification of deforestation in the Northern, Northwestern, Southern and Southeastern regions of NEB. The Northwestern region was the most directly impacted by this increase due to anthropogenic pressures. Over two decades (2000–2019), forested areas in the NEB lost approximately 80.000 km². Principal component analysis (PCA) identified a significant cumulative variance of 87.15%. It is concluded, then, that the spatiotemporal relationship between biophysical conditions and regional climate helps us to understand and evaluate the impacts and environmental dynamics, especially of the vegetation cover of the NEB. Full article

The relationship between ecosystem services (ESs) and human well-being (HWB) is a central issue of sustainable development. However, current research often relies on qualitative frameworks or indicator-based assessments, limiting a comprehensive understanding of the relationship between natural environment and human acquisition, which still needs to be strengthened. As an element transferred in the natural–society coupling system, carbon can assist in characterizing the dynamic interactions within coupled human–natural systems. Carbon, as a fundamental element transferred across ecological and social spheres, offers a powerful lens to characterize these linkages. This study develops and applies a novel analytical framework that integrates carbon flow as a unifying metric to quantitatively assess the spatiotemporal dynamics of the land use and land cover change (LUCC)–ESs–HWB nexus in Guizhou Province, China, from 2000 to 2020. The results show that: (1) Ecosystem services in Guizhou showed distinct trends from 2000 to 2020: supporting and regulating services declined and then recovered, and provisioning services steadily increased, while cultural services remained stable but varied across cities. (2) Human well-being generally improved over time, with health remaining stable and the HSI rising across most cities, although security levels fluctuated and remained low in some areas. (3) The contribution of ecosystem services to human well-being peaked in 2010–2015, followed by declines in central and northern regions, while southern and western areas maintained or improved their levels. (4) Supporting and regulating services were positively correlated with HWB security, while cultural services showed mixed effects, with strong synergies between culture and health in cities like Liupanshui and Qiandongnan. Overall, this study quantified the coupled dynamics between ecosystem services and human well-being through a carbon flow framework, which not only offers a unified metric for cross-dimensional analysis but also reduces subjective bias in evaluation. This integrated approach provides critical insights for crafting spatially explicit land management policies in Guizhou and offers a replicable methodology for exploring sustainable development pathways in other ecologically fragile karst regions worldwide. Compared with conventional ecosystem service frameworks, the carbon flow approach provides a process-based, dynamic mediator that quantifies biogeochemical linkages in LUCC–ESs–HWB systems, which is particularly important in fragile karst regions. However, we acknowledge that further empirical comparison with traditional ESs metrics could strengthen the framework’s generalizability. Full article

With the rapid advancement of urbanization in China, the demand for community-based elderly care facilities (CECFs) has been increasing. One pressing challenge is the question of how to provide CECFs that not only meet the health needs of the elderly but also make efficient use of limited urban land resources. This study addresses this issue by adopting an integrated multi-method research framework that combines multi-objective optimization (MOO) algorithms, Spearman rank correlation analysis, ensemble learning methods (Random Forest combined with SHapley Additive exPlanations (SHAP), where SHAP enhances the interpretability of ensemble models), and Self-Organizing Map (SOM) neural networks. This framework is employed to identify optimal building configurations and to examine how different architectural parameters influence key daylight performance indicators—Useful Daylight Illuminance (UDI) and Daylight Factor (DF). Results indicate that when UDI and DF meet the comfort thresholds for elderly users, the minimum building area can be controlled to as little as 351 m² and can achieve a balance between natural lighting and spatial efficiency. This ensures sufficient indoor daylight while mitigating excessive glare that could impair elderly vision. Significant correlations are observed between spatial form and daylight performance, with factors such as window-to-wall ratio (WWR) and wall thickness (WT) playing crucial roles. Specifically, wall thickness affects indoor daylight distribution by altering window depth and shading. Moreover, the ensemble learning models combined with SHAP analysis uncover nonlinear relationships between various architectural parameters and daylight performance. In addition, a decision support method based on SOM is proposed to replace the subjective decision-making process commonly found in traditional optimization frameworks. This method enables the visualization of a large Pareto solution set in a two-dimensional space, facilitating more informed and rational design decisions. Finally, the findings are translated into a set of practical design strategies for application in real-world projects. Full article

Despite the growing body of literature on the built environment and social capital, there remains a significant gap in understanding the mediating role of subjective residential satisfaction. Examining how residents perceive and experience their environment offers a fresh angle for understanding the intricate relationship between physical spaces and social dynamics. Our study assessed social capital and subjective residential satisfaction through an extensive questionnaire survey conducted across 60 communities, involving 1684 participants in Tianjin’s metropolitan area, China. We evaluated the elements of the built environment using the ‘5D’ framework, and the pathways of influence were examined using a multilevel structural equation model. Our results reveal a notable mediating effect, with subjective residential satisfaction being a key factor in the intricate process by which the built environment affects social capital. The results also indicate that land use diversity negatively impacts social capital, while population density, access to facilities and services, and public transport density have positive effects. These insights offer practical guidance for fostering social capital and community development by considering subjective perceptions. The results enhance our understanding of effective strategies for building social capital through improved socio-spatial interventions. Full article

This study investigated the impact of land use change on water quality in the Xinxian River Basin amidst rapid urbanization. While previous studies have predominantly focused on single-scale buffer analyses or specific land use types, the interactions between multi-scale riparian buffers and diverse land cover dynamics remain rarely understudied, particularly in a rapidly urbanizing county in the Yangtze River Basin. Land use type data for the Xinxian River Basin in 2000, 2010, and 2020 were acquired using GIS technology, and subsequent analysis quantified land use pattern changes over this 20-year period. Additionally, 2023 land use data for riparian buffer zones (50 m, 100 m, 200 m, 400 m, and 600 m) were obtained via GIS and subjected to Redundancy Analysis (RDA) with 2023 water quality monitoring data to evaluate the impact of land use on water quality. The results revealed significant land use conversion dynamics, particularly between natural and anthropogenic cover types. Forest cover exhibited negative correlations with riverine nutrient concentrations, while built-up areas displayed strong positive associations, especially at finer scales (50–100 m buffers). Notably, the dominant influencing factor shifted from built-up land at smaller buffer scales (50–100 m) to forest land at larger scales (400–600 m), whereas agricultural land showed no significant correlation. These findings highlight scale-dependent relationships between land use and aquatic ecosystems, emphasizing the critical role of spatial planning in mitigating urbanization impacts. The work is conducive to the sustainable development of Longgan Lake National Wetland Nature Reserve and the protection of water ecology in the middle and lower reaches of the Yangtze River. Full article

Rural landscape character assessment (LCA) is significant for identifying and understanding rural landscapes and maintaining the cultural connotations of the rural vernacular. Taking the rural area of Songzi City as an example, this study identifies the landscape character (LC) and analyzes the coupling between the current state of its LC and a construction project based on the depth of rural landscape planning in the county and combining the ecology, arable land, and water body protection boundary as constraints. Thus, we obtain the “point, line, and surface” site selection suggestions for the construction activities of leisure agriculture, power grid, and energy facilities, and the zoning classification and layout control strategies for LC are subsequently proposed. The results show the following: (1) The county LC factor is a combination of natural and human factors used to obtain 165 LC areas in Songzi City. (2) The current state of rural LC is used to determine LCs from shallow to deep and to provide the basis for index selection and judgment for evaluation. (3) The coupling relationship between rural LC and construction projects varies and must be judged using subjective and objective methods, desktop research combined with field analyses, and multi-stakeholder participation. Based on the perspective of coupling and coordinating human and landscape, this study applies local-scale LCA to practice, strengthens the interface with rural construction planning, and provides research ideas and methodological references for the sustainable control of rural LC. Full article

Three-dimensional architectural greening (TAG) enables the integration of ecological, economic, and social advantages via the effective use of multidimensional space in a variety of forms, making it a significant method for enhancing spatial quality in densely populated cities. TAG technology has expanded the scope and capabilities of urban greening. It has the ability to provide green space, improve urban ecology and aesthetics, and alleviate the conflict between limited land resources and rising demand for greening throughout the urbanization process. Currently, there is a lack of a systematic assessment approach that focuses on the public’s visual perception of TAG. It is critical to focus on advances in visual perception approaches and create a “people-oriented perception driven” evaluation system that serves as a scientific foundation for urban three-dimensional greening initiatives. First, this study created a database of 300 TAG cases and selected classic cases using screening, classification, and sampling. Second, three experiments were set up for the study, including the use of the semantic differential (SD) method, and scenic beauty estimation (SBE) for subjective evaluation, and the eye-tracking experiment for objective evaluation. Finally, this study compared subjective and objective evaluations and demonstrated that both two approaches had a certain amount of accuracy. It also investigated the relationship between spatial features and public visual perceptions using methods such as factor and correlation analysis. The three effective methods for evaluating the quality of TAG based on visual perception that are presented in this study—two subjective and one objective—use standardized images, are quick and simple to use, and make up for the drawbacks of conventional strategies like indirectness, inefficiency, and time-consuming data collection. They also form a solid foundation for the real-world application of categorization prediction. In addition to being adaptable to a wide range of application settings, these two assessment paths—subjective evaluation and objective evaluation—can be integrated to complement one another and provide scientific references for future TAG designs and spatial decision making. Full article

Maximizing rural residents’ primary role in domestic waste sorting and management is critical to improving the rural living environment and advancing socioeconomic development. This study aims to analyze the entire process of domestic waste sorting by rural residents using sample data from 2420 rural households surveyed in the 2021 China Land Economic Survey (CLES). Based on the Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB), this study develops a research framework for analyzing the entire process of rural residents’ domestic waste-sorting behavior. It examines the inter-relationships among behavioral cognition, behavioral intention, and behavioral response and employs structural equation modeling (SEM) for empirical verification. The results demonstrate that subjective norms, classification attitudes, and perceived behavioral control exert statistically significant positive effects on both rural residents’ intention and behavioral responses toward domestic waste sorting. Moreover, sorting intention demonstrates a significant predictive effect on actual sorting behavior. This study further identifies a mediating role of sorting intention throughout the behavioral process, while potential correlations among subjective norm, behavioral attitude, and perceived behavioral control suggest additional mechanisms underlying rural residents’ waste-sorting responses that warrant further exploration. Full article

This research focused on the development of small farms, which in many countries form the basis of the agricultural sector. The specifics of this type of farm, as well as the way in which they operate, influence the possibilities for these farms to realise the model of sustainable agriculture. This study considers income and the rate of reproduction of fixed assets as the main measures of farm development, which are influenced by a number of endo- and exogenous factors. The research period covered 2017–2021, and the subjects of analysis were small individual farms located in Greece, Portugal, Lithuania, and Poland. The figures for the research were taken from the FADN system database. The purpose of this study was to assess the impact of endogenous agricultural factors on the development of small farms as measured by farm income and reproduction of fixed assets in four selected European Union (EU) countries, i.e., Greece, Portugal, Lithuania, and Poland. Spearman’s non-parametric rank correlation method was used to assess the impact of endogenous factors. Selected on the basis of correlation relationships, the farm development factors showed a significantly higher correlation with farm income than with the reproduction of the farm’s fixed assets. The analysis indicated that, irrespective of the location of the farm, factors significantly affecting income levels included the area of agricultural land and the number of full-time employees. Only in some countries was there a statistically significant correlation between farm income and the share of leased land, the number of full-time workers per 100 ha of UAA, the share of hired labour input, as well as the level of total farm subsidies received. Full article

Territorial spatial conflicts (TSCs) refer to a contradiction of utilization resulting from the inconsistency of the needs and objectives of different subjects of interest for spatial resources in planning, utilization, and management. This research aimed to unveil the TSCs, construction land expansion (CLE), and their relationship in Guizhou Province from 1980 to 2020, both temporally and spatially. This paper established indicators to assess CLE, including construction land expansion velocity, construction land expansion intensity, and construction land expansion pattern to analyze the expansion characteristics of construction land in Guizhou Province. At the same time, the territorial spatial conflict indicator (SCII) was constructed to study the TSCs in Guizhou Province, and its evolution pattern was explored through the cold hotspot analysis. On this basis, it investigated the relationship and linkage between TSCs and CLE through the ordinary least squares (OLS) regression model and geographically weighted (GWR) regression model. Furthermore, this paper also constructed an economic elasticity coefficient and a population elasticity coefficient to analyze the collaborative relationship between TSCs and GDP along with population volume. The research revealed that while the velocity and intensity of CLE in Guizhou Province have escalated over time, this expansion displayed considerable geographical variation across various locations. Simultaneously, the TSCs intensified, demonstrating a slight positive correlation with the expansion. The study of the spatial and temporal evolution characteristics and response relationship between the TSCs and CLE provided a reference for the optimization of regional territorial space. It is highly valuable and significant in fostering efficient utilization of land resources, adjusting to economic and social transformations, and improving the scientific rigor of spatial planning. Full article

The escalating conflict between ecosystem degradation and the rising demands of humanity has rendered the attainment of a scientific balance between ecosystem services and human well-being a critical concern in research on human–environment coupling and sustainable development. Metropolitan areas are pivotal in long-term sustainable development strategies and regional equity due to rapid urbanization and the tension between ecosystem degradation and human well-being. This study proposes a novel perspective, transitioning from a “cascade” to a “coupling” approach in examining the relationship between ecosystem services and human well-being. Taking the Xi’an metropolitan area as the research subject, the research employs a coupling coordination degree model to analyze the spatiotemporal characteristics of their relationship across multiple scales. The key findings of the paper are as follows: (1) We found a severe shrinkage in the ecosystem service value (2000–2020). The ecosystem services in the Xi’an metropolitan area were significantly compromised under the pressure of homogenized human well-being improvement, resulting in weak coupling and coordination between the two. (2) There was a spatial imbalance between supply and demand. Ecosystem service values displayed a core-to-periphery increasing spatial pattern, while human well-being levels exhibited a core-to-periphery decreasing distribution, indicating a marked spatial mismatch. (3) Diverse coupling dynamics within the region were identified. Driven by factors such as the resource distribution, land use, scale effects, and benefit allocation, the coupling relationships between ecosystem services and human well-being varied across development stages and contexts. Ecosystem services functioned as either flexible facilitators or constraints on human well-being improvement. This research provides a blueprint for sustainable development, offering a framework to balance urban growth with ecological health while ensuring equitable well-being across the Xi’an metropolitan area. The study highlights the need for strict ecological space protection, enhanced urban development quality, and integrated human–environment system management. Efforts should focus on minimizing land use trade-offs and spatial competition, strengthening spatial synergy in supply–demand coupling, and promoting sustainable regional development. Full article

In-depth analysis of the evolution of ecosystem services (ESs) in the basin at different spatial scales, scientific identification of ecosystem service clusters, and revelation of their spatial and temporal characteristics as well as coupling mechanisms of interactions are the key prerequisites for effective implementation of ES management. This paper assessed the spatial and temporal changes of six key ESs covering food provisioning (FP), water yield (WY), soil retention (SR), water conservation (WC), habitat quality (HQ), and carbon sequestration (CS) in the Xijiang River Basin (XRB), China, between 2000 and 2020. Given that the scale effects of ESs and their spatial heterogeneity in the XRB are still subject to large uncertainties, a combination of Spearman correlation analysis and geographically weighted regression (GWR) modelling systematically revealed the trade-offs and synergistic relationships between ESs and the scale effects from a grid, watershed, and county perspective. Additionally, we applied the self-organizing mapping (SOM) method to identify multiple ecosystem service bundles (ESBs) and propose corresponding sustainable spatial planning and management strategies for each cluster. The results reveal the following key findings: (1) Spatial distribution and heterogeneity: The six ESs demonstrated pronounced spatial variability across the study area during the two-decade period from 2000 to 2020. The downstream areas had higher levels of ESs, while the upstream regions showed comparatively lower levels. This trend was particularly evident in areas with extensive arable land, higher population density, and more developed economic activity, where ESs levels were lower. (2) Trade-offs/synergies: The analysis highlighted the prevalence of synergistic effects among ESs, with food provisioning-related services exhibiting notable trade-offs. Trade-off/Synergistic effects were weaker at the grid scale but more pronounced at the sub-basin and county scales, with significant spatial heterogeneity. (3) Identification of ESBs: We identified five distinct ESBs: the HQ-CS synergy bundle (HCSB), the integrated ecological bundle (IEB), the agricultural bundle (AB), the key synergetic bundle lacking HQ (KSB), and the supply service bundle (SSB). These clusters suggest that the overall ecological environment of the study area has significantly improved, the supply functions have strengthened, and ecosystem vulnerability has been effectively mitigated. Building upon the identified multi-scale spatiotemporal heterogeneity patterns of ESBs in the XRB, this study proposes an integrated framework for territorial spatial planning and adaptive land management, aiming to optimize regional ecosystem service provisioning and enhance socio-ecological sustainability. Full article

Correctly understanding existing plantations and improving the cycles and effects of ecological restoration in sandy areas have become important scientific issues. Consequently, we selected different diameters at breast height (DBHs) for Populus spp. and Pinus sylvestris var. mongolica (P. sylvestris var. mongolica) and varying diameters at the base (DBs) of Caragana microphylla Lam. (C. microphylla) as research subjects in the sandy plantations in northwestern Liaoning Province. Soil samples were collected along a gradient at distances of 20 cm, 60 cm, and 120 cm from the tree base. Our objective was to investigate the connections among various afforestation species, DBHs or DBs (age), and soil nutrients. The results from our study area revealed that (1) the soil nutrient contents were extremely low; (2) the DBHs or DBs were not significantly related to soil exchangeable phosphorus (EP), total potassium (TK), or Pondus Hydrogenii (pH) but had a significant or moderately positive correlation with soil organic carbon (SOC), exchangeable potassium (EK), total nitrogen (TN), total carbon (TC), and total phosphorus (TP). The most significant relationship was with EK at a distance of 20 cm from the tree base; (3) the three afforestation species presented different trends in terms of the soil nutrient contents among the different distances from the tree base; and (4) the EK in the Populus spp. plantations was significantly greater than that in the P. sylvestris var. mongolica plantations and moderately significantly greater than that in the C. microphylla plantations. The pH levels in P. sylvestris var. mongolica plantations were significantly lower than those in Populus spp. plantations and C. microphylla plantations. Our study provides valuable insights into the synergistic development between sandy plantations and soil dynamics. This study provides important evidence for selecting suitable plant species for vegetation restoration and improvement efforts in sandy lands. Full article