Search Results (866)

Dark skies, a vital natural and cultural resource, have been increasingly threatened by light pollution due to rapid urbanization, leading to ecological degradation and biodiversity loss. As a key strategy for sustainable regional development, dark sky parks (DSPs) not only preserve nocturnal environments but also enhance livability by balancing urban expansion and ecological conservation. This study develops a novel framework for evaluating DSP suitability, integrating ecological and socio-economic dimensions, including the resource base (e.g., nighttime light levels, meteorological conditions, and air quality) and development conditions (e.g., population density, transportation accessibility, and tourism infrastructure). Using the Guangdong–Hong Kong–Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA) as a case study, we employ Delphi expert consultation, GIS spatial analysis, and multi-criteria decision-making to identify optimal DSP locations and prioritize conservation zones. Our key findings reveal the following: (1) spatial heterogeneity in suitability, with high-potential zones being concentrated in the GBA’s northeastern, central–western, and southern regions; (2) ecosystem advantages of forests, wetlands, and high-elevation areas for minimizing light pollution; (3) coastal and island regions as ideal DSP sites due to the low light interference and high ecotourism potential. By bridging environmental assessments and spatial planning, this study provides a replicable model for DSP site selection, offering policymakers actionable insights to integrate dark sky preservation into sustainable urban–regional development strategies. Our results underscore the importance of DSPs in fostering ecological resilience, nighttime tourism, and regional livability, contributing to the broader discourse on sustainable landscape planning in high-urbanization contexts. Full article

This paper presents an Industrial–Ecological Symbiosis Framework that enables industrial operations to achieve quantifiable ecological gains without compromising operational efficiency. The model integrates Mixed-Integer Linear Programming (MILP) with AI-optimised forecasting to allow real-time adjustments to production and resource use. It was tested across the apparel manufacturing, metalworking, and mining sectors using publicly available benchmark datasets. The framework delivered consistent improvements: fabric waste was reduced by 10.8%, energy efficiency increased by 15%, and carbon emissions decreased by 14%. These gains were statistically validated and quantified using ecological equivalence metrics, including forest carbon sequestration rates and wetland restoration values. Outputs align with national carbon accounting systems, SDG reporting, and policy frameworks—specifically contributing to SDGs 6, 9, and 11–13. By linking industrial decisions directly to verified environmental outcomes, this study demonstrates how adaptive optimisation can support climate goals while maintaining productivity. The framework offers a reproducible, cross-sectoral solution for sustainable industrial development. Full article

Global antibiotic use saturates ecosystems with selective pressure, driving mobile genetic element (MGE)-mediated antibiotic resistance gene (ARG) dissemination that destabilizes ecological integrity and breaches public health defenses. This review synthesizes the sources, environmental distribution, and ecological risks of antibiotics and ARGs, emphasizing the mechanisms of horizontal gene transfer (HGT) driven by MGEs such as plasmids, transposons, and integrons. We further conduct a comparative critical analysis of the effectiveness and limitations of antibiotics and ARGs remediation strategies for adsorption (biochar, activated carbon, carbon nanotubes), chemical degradation (advanced oxidation processes, Fenton-based systems), and biological treatment (microbial degradation, constructed wetlands). To effectively curb the spread of antimicrobial resistance and safeguard the sustainability of ecosystems, we propose an integrated “One Health” framework encompassing enhanced global surveillance (antibiotic residues and ARGs dissemination) as well as public education. Full article

Traditional intensive agricultural system impedes ecological functions, such as nutrient cycling and biodiversity conservation, resulting in excessive nitrogen discharge, CH₄ emission, and ecosystem service losses. To enhance critical ecosystem services and mitigate environmental externalities in paddy fields, we developed a multi-objective agricultural system (MIA system), which combines two eco-functional units: paddy wetlands and Beitang (irrigation water collection pond). Pilot study results demonstrated that the MIA system enhanced biodiversity and inhibited pest outbreak, with only a marginal reduction in rice production compared with the control. Additionally, the paddy wetland effectively removed nitrogen, with removal rates of total nitrogen and dissolved inorganic nitrogen ranging from 0.06 to 0.65 g N m⁻² d⁻¹ and from 0.02 to 0.22 g N m⁻² d⁻¹, respectively. Continuous water flow in the paddy wetland reduced the CH₄ emission by 84.4% compared with the static water conditions. Furthermore, a simulation experiment indicated that tide flow was more effective in mitigating CH₄ emission, with a 68.3% reduction compared with the drying–wetting cycle treatment. The emergy evaluation demonstrated that the MIA system outperformed the ordinary paddy field when considering both critical ecosystem services and environmental externalities. The MIA system exhibited higher emergy self-sufficiency ratio, emergy yield ratio, and emergy sustainable index, along with a lower environmental load ratio. Additionally, the system required minimal transformation, thus a modest investment. By presenting the case of the MIA system, we provide a theoretical foundation for comprehensive management and assessment of agricultural ecosystems, highlighting its significant potential for widespread application. Full article

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

The transition toward a circular water economy addresses accelerating water scarcity and pollution. A PRISMA-2020 systematic review of 50 peer-reviewed articles (January 2018–April 2024) mapped current technologies and management strategies, seeking patterns, barriers, and critical bottlenecks. Bibliometric analysis revealed the following three dominant patterns: (i) rapid diffusion of membrane bioreactors, constructed wetlands, and advanced oxidation processes; (ii) research geographically concentrated in Asia and the European Union; (iii) industry’s marked preference for by-product valorization. Key barriers—high energy costs, fragmented regulatory frameworks, and low social acceptance—converge as critical constraints during scale-up. The following three practical action lines emerge: (1) adopt progressive tariffs and targeted tax credits that internalize environmental externalities; (2) harmonize water-reuse regulations with comparable circularity metrics; (3) create multi-actor platforms that co-design projects, boosting local legitimacy. These findings provide policymakers and water-sector practitioners with a clear roadmap for accelerating Sustainable Development Goals 6, 9, and 12 through circular, inclusive, low-carbon water systems. Full article

Wetlands are critical components of the global carbon cycle, yet their carbon sink dynamics under hydrological fluctuations remain insufficiently understood. This study employed the Carnegie-Ames-Stanford Approach (CASA) model to estimate the net ecosystem productivity (NEP) of the Dongting Lake wetland and explored the spatiotemporal dynamics and driving mechanisms of carbon sinks from 2000 to 2022, utilizing the Theil-Sen median trend, Mann-Kendall test, and attribution based on the differentiating equation (ADE). Results showed that (1) the annual mean spatial NEP was 50.24 g C/m²/a, which first increased and then decreased, with an overall trend of −1.5 g C/m²/a. The carbon sink was strongest in spring, declined in summer, and shifted to a carbon source in autumn and winter. (2) Climate variability and human activities contributed +2.17 and −3.73 g C/m²/a to NEP, respectively. Human activities were the primary driver of carbon sink degradation (74.30%), whereas climate change mainly promoted carbon sequestration (25.70%). However, from 2000–2011 to 2011–2022, climate change shifted from enhancing to limiting carbon sequestration, mainly due to the transition from water storage and lake reclamation to ecological restoration policies and intensified climate anomalies. (3) NEP was negatively correlated with precipitation and water level. Land use adjustments, such as forest expansion and conversion of cropland and reed to sedge, alongside maintaining growing season water levels between 24.06~26.44 m, are recommended to sustain and enhance wetland carbon sinks. Despite inherent uncertainties in model parameterization and the lack of sufficient in situ flux validation, these findings could provide valuable scientific insights for wetland carbon management and policy-making. Full article

Aquatic fungi serve as core ecological engines in freshwater ecosystems, driving organic matter decomposition and energy flow to sustain environmental balance. Wetlands, with their distinct hydrological dynamics and nutrient-rich matrices, serve as critical habitats for these microorganisms. As an internationally designated Ramsar Site, Yunnan Dashanbao Black-Necked Crane National Nature Reserve in China not only sustains endangered black-necked cranes but also harbors a cryptic reservoir of aquatic fungi within its peat marshes and alpine lakes. This study employed high-throughput sequencing to characterize fungal diversity and community structure across 12 understudied wetland sites in the reserve, while analyzing key environmental parameters (dissolved oxygen, pH, total nitrogen, and total phosphorus). A total of 5829 fungal operational taxonomic units (OTUs) spanning 649 genera and 15 phyla were identified, with Tausonia (4.17%) and Cladosporium (1.89%) as dominant genera. Environmental correlations revealed 19 genera significantly linked to abiotic factors. FUNGuild functional profiling highlighted saprotrophs (organic decomposers) and pathogens as predominant trophic guilds. Saprotrophs exhibited strong associations with pH, total nitrogen, and phosphorus, whereas pathogens correlated primarily with pH. These findings unveil the hidden diversity and ecological roles of aquatic fungi in alpine wetlands, emphasizing their sensitivity to environmental gradients. By establishing baseline data on fungal community dynamics, this work advances the understanding of wetland microbial ecology and informs conservation strategies for Ramsar sites. Full article

Aquaculture expansion to meet global protein demand has intensified concerns over nutrient pollution and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. While floating treatment wetlands (FTWs) are proven for water quality improvement, their potential to mitigate GHG emissions in marine aquaculture remains poorly understood. This study quantitatively evaluated the dual capacity of Sesuvium portulacastrum FTWs to (a) regulate dissolved inorganic nitrogen (DIN) and (b) reduce CO₂/N₂O emissions in grouper aquaculture systems. DIN speciation (NH₄⁺, NO₂⁻, NO₃⁻) and CO₂/N₂O fluxes of six controlled ponds (three FTW and three control) were monitored for 44 days. DIN in the FTW group was approximately 90 μmol/L lower than that in the control group, and the water in the plant group was more “oxidative” than that in the control group. The former groups were dominated by NO₃⁻, with lower dissolved inorganic carbon (DIC) and N₂O concentrations, whereas the latter were dominated by NH₄⁺ during the first 20 days of the experiment and by NO₂⁻ at the end of the experiment, with higher DIC and N₂O concentrations on average. Higher primary production may be the reason that the DIC concentration was lower in the plant group than in the control group, whereas efficient nitrification and uptake by plants reduced the availability of NH₄⁺ in the plant group, thereby reducing the production of N₂O. A comparison of the CO₂ and N₂O flux potentials in the plant group and control group revealed that, in the presence of FTWs, the CO₂ and N₂O emissions decreased by 14% and 36%, respectively. This showed that S. portulacastrum FTWs effectively couple DIN removal with GHG mitigation, offering a nature-based solution for sustainable aquaculture. Their low biomass requirement enhances practical scalability. Full article

The conservation and monitoring of land cover represent crucial elements for sustainable regional development, especially in fragile high Andean ecosystems. This study evaluates the spatiotemporal changes in land use and land cover (LULC) in the Locumba basin over the period of 1984–2023. A hybrid modeling approach combining artificial neural networks (ANN) and cellular automata (CA) was employed to project future changes for 2033, 2043, and 2053. The results reveal a significant reduction in glaciers and lagoons throughout the Locumba basin, with notable declines from 1984 to 2023, while vegetated areas, particularly grasslands and wetlands, experienced substantial expansion. Specifically, grasslands increased by 273.7% relative to their initial coverage, growing from 57.87 km² in 1984 to over 220.31 km² in 2023, with projections indicating continued growth to over 331.62 km² by 2053. This multitemporal analysis provides crucial information for anticipating future land dynamics and underscores the urgent need for strategic conservation planning to mitigate the continued loss of strategic ecosystems in the high Andean region of Tacna. Full article

This study systematically compares the environmental and economic performance of three wastewater treatment systems: constructed wetlands (CWs), microbial fuel cells (MFCs), and their integration (CW–MFC). Lab-scale units of each system were constructed using a multi-media matrix (gravel, zeolite, and granular activated carbon), composite native wetland species (Juncus effusus, Iris sp., and Typha angustifolia), carbon-based electrodes (graphite), and standard inoculum for CW and CW–MFC. The MFC system employed carbon-based electrodes and proton-exchange membrane. The experimental design included a parallel operation of all systems treating domestic wastewater under identical hydraulic and organic loading rates. Environmental impacts were quantified across construction and operational phases using life cycle assessment (LCA) with GaBi software 9.2, employing TRACI 2021 and ReCiPe 2016 methods, while techno-economic analysis (TEA) evaluated capital and operational costs. The key results indicate that CW demonstrates the lowest global warming potential (142.26 kg CO₂-eq) due to its reliance on natural biological processes. The integrated CW–MFC system achieved enhanced pollutant removal (82.8%, 87.13%, 78.13%, and 90.3% for COD, NO₃, TN, and TP) and bioenergy generation of 2.68 kWh, balancing environmental benefits with superior treatment efficiency. In contrast, the stand-alone MFC shows higher environmental burdens, primarily due to energy-intensive material requirements and fabrication processes. TEA results highlight CW as the most cost-effective solution (USD 627/m³), with CW–MFC emerging as a competitive alternative when considering environmental benefits and operational efficiencies (USD 718/m³). This study highlights the potential of hybrid systems, such as CW–MFC, to advance sustainable wastewater treatment technologies by minimizing environmental impacts and enhancing resource recovery, supporting their broader adoption in future water management strategies. Future research should focus on optimizing materials and energy use to improve scalability and feasibility. Full article

Mangrove wetlands, acting as significant traps for marine debris, have received insufficient attention in previous research. Here, we conduct the first comprehensive investigation into the magnitude, accumulation, source, and fate of marine debris across seven mangrove areas in the northern South China Sea (MNSCS) during 2019–2020. Systematic field surveys employed stratified random sampling, partitioning each site by vegetation density and tidal influence. Marine debris were collected and classified in sampling units by material (plastic, fabric, styrofoam), size (categorized into small, medium, and large), and origin (distinguishing between land-based and sea-based). Source identification and potential risk assessment were achieved through the integration of debris feature analysis. The results indicate relatively low debris levels in MNSCS mangroves, with plastics dominant. More than 70% of all debris weight with plastics (48.34%) and fabrics (14.59%) is land-based, and more than 70% comes from coastal/recreational activities. More than 90% of all debris items with plastics (52.50%) and Styrofoam (36.32%) are land-based, and more than 90% come from coastal/recreational activities. Medium/large-sized debris are trapped in mangrove wetlands under the influencing conditions of local tidal level, debris item materials, and sizes. Our study quantifies marine debris characteristics, sources, and ecological potential risks in MNSCS mangroves. From environmental, economic, and social sustainability perspectives, our findings are helpful for guiding marine debris management and mangrove conservation. By bridging research and policies, our work balances human activities with ecosystem health for long-term sustainability. Full article

Ecological security underpins sustainable regional development and human well-being. Tianjin is in the eastern coastal area of China and features coastal wetlands and river systems. Over the past decade, Tianjin has undergone rapid urbanization. Tianjin faces the dual challenges of maintaining ecological security with economic growth, making it crucial to assess Tianjin’s ecological security status. This study constructed a comprehensive framework incorporating ecosystem health, services, and risk data to evaluate the ecological security status of Tianjin in 2012, 2017, and 2022. The results show the following: (1) Land use transfer mainly shows other land use types transferred to construction land. (2) The ecological security index of Tianjin ranges from 0.003 to 0.865, and the annual average values from 2012 to 2022 are 0.496, 0.493, and 0.499, with security levels dominated by medium, medium-high, and high security levels, respectively. The change in ecological security was relatively stable and was dominated by areas with unchanged levels, accounting for 63.72% of the total area. (3) The natural environment, human activities, and ecosystem status jointly influence Tianjin’s ecological security level. Shannon diversity, Shannon evenness, vegetation type, elevation, and mean annual temperature were the main factors affecting changes in ecological security in Tianjin, among which the interaction of Shannon diversity and vegetation type had the most significant influence. This study combines positive and negative aspects to assess ecological security, providing a reference for other regions to conduct ecological security assessments and a scientific basis for ecological management and urban planning decisions in similar regions. Full article

In water-scarce regions, natural ecosystems and agriculture increasingly compete for limited water resources, intensifying stress during periods of drought. To assess these competing demands, we applied a modified PT-JPL model that incorporates the thermal inertial approach as a substitute for relative humidity (RH) in estimating soil evaporation—a method that significantly outperforms the original PT-JPL formulation in Mediterranean semi-arid irrigated areas. This remote sensing framework enabled us to quantify spatial and temporal variations in water use across both natural and agricultural systems within the UNESCO World Heritage site of Doñana. Our analysis revealed an increasing evapotranspiration (ET) trend in intensified agricultural areas and rice fields surrounding the National Park (R = 0.3), contrasted by a strong negative ET trend in wetlands (R < −0.5). These opposing patterns suggest a growing diversion of water toward irrigation at the expense of natural ecosystems. The impact was especially marked during droughts, such as the 2011–2016 period, when precipitation declined by 16%. In wetlands, ET was significantly correlated with precipitation (R > 0.4), highlighting their vulnerability to reduced water inputs. These findings offer crucial insights to support sustainable water management strategies that balance agricultural productivity with the preservation of ecologically valuable systems under mounting climatic and anthropogenic pressures typical of semi-arid Mediterranean environments. Full article

Open habitats in forests perform several important functions. In addition to enriching biodiversity, they have an impact on the diversification of the forest landscape, and through complex processes and trophic relationships, they provide greater sustainability in forest communities. It turns out that they are also important not only for the functioning of nature, but also due to their regenerative properties, through which people can improve their well-being and recover their mental balance. The purpose of this study was to determine whether and to what extent mid-forest open dunes and wetlands are able to provide people with feelings of relaxation and mental renewal. The study was conducted in June 2024 in one of the forest complexes located in the suburban zone of Warsaw. The experiment was conducted with the participation of 52 young adult volunteers. The experiment used a pre–posttest method. The subjects’ mood and well-being were determined using four psychological questionnaires: the Positive and Negative Affect Schedule (PANAS), Restorative Outcome Scale (ROS), Subjective Vitality Scale (SVS), and Profile of Mood States (POMSs). The key findings from the research conducted are as follows: compared to the control sample (before entering the forest), exposure to all three variants of greenery had a restorative effect on the experimental participants; the water environment had the most favorable effect compared to the control sample (before entering the forest); and exposure to this environment provided the greatest increase in positive feelings and the greatest decrease in negative feelings. Research has shown that areas important for preserving forest biodiversity are also important for humans because of their high restorative properties. Preserving non-forest enclaves in forests and promoting their regenerative values for humans can be one nature-based solution to improve people’s health and well-being, especially for people living in urban areas. Full article