Search Results (64)

The intersection of sports and natural forests and green spaces represents an emerging interdisciplinary field with implications for public health, environmental science, and sustainable land management and refers to the variety of cultural ecosystem services demanded by people from ecosystems. This manuscript presents a systematic bibliometric and thematic analysis of 148 publications for the period 1993–2024 identified through Web of Science and Scopus, aiming to evaluate the current state of research on sports activities conducted in natural forest environments. Findings indicated a marked increase in scientific interest of this topic over the past two decades, with key contributions from countries such as England, Germany, China, and the United States. Researchers most frequently examined sports such as hiking, trail running, mountain biking, and orienteering for their capacity to provide physiological and psychological benefits, reduce stress, and enhance mental well-being. The literature analysis highlights ecological concerns, particularly those associated with habitat disturbance, biodiversity loss, and conflicts between recreation and conservation. Six principal research themes were identified: sports in urban forests, sports tourism, hunting and fishing, recreational sports, health benefits, and environmental impacts. Keyword and co-authorship analyses revealed a multidisciplinary knowledge base with evolving thematic focuses. In conclusion, the need for integrated approaches that incorporate ecological impact assessment, stakeholder perspectives, and adaptive forest governance to ensure sustainable recreational use of natural forest ecosystems is underlined. Full article

Tainan’s Cigu, located on Taiwan’s southwestern coast, is a prominent aquaculture hub known for its extensive ponds, tidal flats, and lagoons. This study explored the novel integration of kayaking within aquavoltaic (APV) aquaculture ponds, creating a unique hybrid tourism landscape that merges industrial land use (aquaculture and energy production) with nature-based recreation. We investigated the relationships among facility maintenance and safety professionalism (FM), the perceived value of kayaking training (PV), and green energy and sustainable development recognition (GS) within these APV systems in Cigu, Taiwan. While integrating recreation with renewable energy and aquaculture is an emerging approach to multifunctional land use, the mechanisms influencing visitors’ sustainability perceptions remain underexplored. Using data from 613 kayaking participants and structural equation modeling, we tested a theoretical framework encompassing direct, mediated, and moderated relationships. Our findings reveal that FM significantly influences both PV (β = 0.68, p < 0.001) and GS (β = 0.29, p < 0.001). Furthermore, PV strongly affects GS (β = 0.56, p < 0.001). Importantly, PV partially mediates the relationship between FM and GS, with the indirect effect (0.38) accounting for 57% of the total effect. We also identified significant moderating effects of APV coverage, guide expertise, and operational visibility. Complementary observational data obtained with underwater cameras confirm that non-motorized kayaking causes minimal ecological disturbance to cultured species, exhibiting significantly lower behavioral impacts than motorized alternatives. These findings advance the theoretical understanding of experiential learning in novel technological landscapes and provide evidence-based guidelines for optimizing recreational integration within production environments. Full article

Tourism development frequently leads to significant environmental impacts, particularly in vulnerable areas. While strategic environmental assessment (SEA) serves as a crucial tool for integrating environmental considerations into policies and plans, its effectiveness in tourism destinations is often constrained by a lack of integrated tools to assess environmental sensitivity. Environmental sensitivity analysis (ESA), which identifies areas sensitive to anthropogenic disturbance, is applied at the project level (environmental impact assessment), rather than being proactively integrated into strategic territorial planning for tourism. The analysis of this concept is crucial for identifying high-priority areas for conservation and sustainable tourism management. This systematic review addresses this gap by analyzing the inter-relationship between the conceptual aspects of SEA and ESA methodologies and the sustainable planning of territories. The central research question guiding this study is as follows: can the integration of ESA into the SEA of the tourism sector lead to improved territorial environmental management in areas with tourism potential? The research evidences the necessity for strategic environmental planning that effectively prevents impacts before tourism projects commence. The best way to achieve this goal is by integrating ESA into SEA. The notion of sustainable territorial management is particularly relevant in regions where tourism growth has the potential to affect local ecosystems and the quality of life of local communities. The incorporation of tools to better assess the environmental sensitivity of such areas is, therefore, essential to ensure policy decisions do not compromise the socio-environmental conditions of these areas. The study lays the groundwork for future research to develop and apply practical ESA methodologies for strategic and sustainable tourism planning. Full article

Although the effects of human disturbance on population genetic variation in plants have been widely studied, little attention has been paid to the impact of environmental changes on genetic dynamics after the implementation of conservation measures. Previously, freshwater Caohai Lake, famous for its abundant aquatic plants and birds, was strongly disturbed by tourism and other human activities; however, strict protective measures have been implemented since 2019. Therefore, the lake provides a suitable natural sampling ecosystem for investigating genetic variation changes following the implementation of conservation measures. Samples of cosmopolitan aquatic Ceratophyllum demersum were collected in 2019 and 2021, and they were analyzed using microsatellite primers. Our results show the presence of considerable genetic diversity in the C. demersum Caohai population. Although human disturbance decreased, the impact of natural disturbances, such as water flow and bird activities, persisted and may have increased. For C. demersum, water flow may cause vegetative propagules of different genotypes to pool in the downstream area of the lake. At sites with a very rich diversity of birds, increasing bird activities may augment the advantage of competitive clones in communities. Therefore, the continuous monitoring of the population’s genetic variation and the impact of related environmental factors is required for the efficient management of the lake ecosystem. Full article

This study aims to analyze how the climatic conditions in the city of João Pessoa, Brazil, influence sustainable tourism, with a specific focus on Climate–Tourism/Transfer–Information–Scheme (CTIS), Physiologically Equivalent Temperature (PET), and rainfall patterns. It also compares these aspects with those of Salvador and Rio de Janeiro to identify climatic patterns, local challenges, and adaptive strategies relevant to the growing tourism context, based on hourly and monthly climate data from 2014 to 2024. The results show that João Pessoa presents a more stable thermal regime with fewer extreme heat events, yet consistently higher daytime PET values, especially between 9:00 and 15:00, throughout the year. The city also experiences a greater frequency of moderate-to-heavy rainfall during its defined wet season (April to July), often influenced by low-predictability atmospheric systems such as Easterly Wave Disturbances (EWDs). CTIS results confirm high climatic suitability for tourism and recreation during the dry season but reduced suitability during the rainy season. These findings suggest that integrating climate adaptation strategies into tourism planning, such as diversifying attractions beyond sun-and-beach tourism and improving real-time climate communication, may help reduce the impact of seasonal variability on visitor experience. Full article

This study investigates the hydrological, ecological, and socio-economic responses of Ugii Lake—a freshwater body in semi-arid Central Mongolia—to climate variability and anthropogenic pressures. Seasonal field surveys conducted during the spring, summer, and fall of 2023–2024 revealed notable spatial and temporal variation in water quality, with pH ranging from 7.54 to 8.87, EC from 316 to 645 µS/cm, and turbidity between 0.36 and 5.76 NTU. Total dissolved solids (TDS) values and ionic compositions indicated increased salinization in some zones, particularly those exposed to high evaporation and shoreline disturbance. Heavy metal analysis identified elevated levels of aluminum, manganese, and zinc at several sampling points; however, concentrations generally remained within national environmental standards. Vegetation surveys showed that disturbed areas—especially those affected by grazing and tourism—exhibited reduced native plant diversity and dominance of invasive species. Socio-economic interviews with local herders and stakeholders indicated that 67.3% of households experienced declining livestock productivity, and 37.1% reported increased allergies or respiratory symptoms linked to deteriorating environmental conditions. Despite some ongoing conservation efforts, respondents expressed dissatisfaction with enforcement and impact. These findings highlight the need for community-driven, integrated lake management strategies that address environmental degradation, climate adaptation, and rural livelihood security. Full article

Conservation of rare plant species diversity is often found within the context of disturbance and land use planning. In mountainous regions, globally, critical plant conservation issues can occur at esthetically pleasing topoedaphic positions, such as popular mountain summits. Here, we assess the spatiotemporal ecology of an imperiled cushion plant assemblage in such a situation. Plant community dynamics of three rare cushion plant species [scented pussytoes (Antennaria aromatica), Howard’s alpine forget-me-not (Eritrichum howardii), and Shoshone carrot (Shoshonea pulvinata)] were measured at a 2475 m mountain summit near Cody, WY, USA. The survey was conducted in the summer of 2017–2019 using 1 m² quadrats across three macroplots (ranging from 295 to 2250 m² in size) to estimate all vascular plant species abundance. Altitude, canopy height, vegetative cover, standing dead biomass, rock, litter, and bare soil were also measured. We assessed annual changes in abundances, richness (#), evenness (N2/N1), and diversity (H′) and performed a constrained ordination to understand ecological drivers of distribution. Nineteen total plant species were identified, all of which were native perennial species. Five additional species were also noted to be species of conservation concern. For the three rare cushion plants of focus, abundance did not significantly change over the three-year period. Species richness was lower in 2017 than in subsequent years, but there was no difference in evenness or diversity. In the constrained ordination, the first axis explained 56.1% of the variation and was attributed to the rock-to-vegetation gradient of the environment, while the second axis explained an additional 28.7% of the variance and was attributed to altitude. The three rare cushion plants of focus appeared to segregate and occupy differential habitat niches. The popularity of this mountain peak, coupled with the presence of a diverse rare cushion plant community, should facilitate the careful monitoring and management of tourism to ensure the conservation of diversity. Full article

Although climate warming-induced snow cover reduction, as well as the development of ski tourism in hot and dry countries, is shifting industries toward the use of technical snowmaking, its use raises hydrological, health-related, and environmental concerns. This study was aimed at enhancing our current understanding of the impact of technical snowmaking on the environment and human health. Culturable bacteriological indicators of water quality (Escherichia coli, fecal enterococci, Salmonella, and Staphylococcus), the presence and concentration of antimicrobials, genes determining bacterial antibiotic resistance (ARGs), and next-generation sequencing-based bacterial community composition and diversity were examined from river water, technological reservoirs, and technical snow from five ski resorts. The number of culturable bacteria and prevalence of most ARGs decreased during snowmaking. The concentration of antimicrobial agents changed irregularly, e.g., ofloxacin and erythromycin dropped in the snowmaking process, while cefoxitin was quantified only in technical snow. The bacterial community composition and diversity were altered through the technical snowmaking process, resulting in the survivability of freezing temperatures or the presence of antimicrobial agents. Water storage in reservoirs prior to snowmaking allows us to reduce bacterial and ARG contaminants. Frequent and thorough cleaning of snowmaking devices may aid in reducing the negative impact snowmaking can have on the environment by reducing contaminant input and limiting the disturbance of the ecological balance. Full article

Human activities impact ecosystems globally, and understanding human–wildlife coexistence is crucial for species conservation. This study analyzed trends in local wildlife populations before and during the COVID-19 pandemic to assess their response to human disturbance. From 2017 to 2022, 60 camera sites were monitored, and seven species with the largest population size—excluding rodents—were selected for analysis. The results revealed that the presence of humans (p = 0.025) and domesticated animals (cats and dogs, p = 0.002) significantly decreased during the pandemic. Conversely, five species (except the Tibetan macaque and mainland serow) showed habitat expansion and population growth (p < 0.05), which may be related to their avoidance of human presence or artificial structures such as roads and tourism facilities. In addition, the analysis showed that most species, except the Tibetan macaque and wild boar, adjusted their activity patterns, showing increased diurnal activity when human disturbances were reduced (RR > 0). These findings suggest that species may adapt their behaviors to avoid human presence. This study highlights the negative impacts of human activities on local wildlife and emphasizes the need for stronger conservation and management efforts to mitigate human disturbances in scenic areas. Full article

Anthropogenic development has historically concentrated in coastal areas to exploit resources from fishing and commercial navigation. In recent centuries, intensive tourism has added pressure on sandy shorelines, leading to their modification. This development model has led to the disappearance of most coastal sand dunes and their rich biodiversity, which includes specialized plant and animal species adapted to sandy substrates, harsh arid conditions, and variable levels of salinity. The European Community’s conservation policies, particularly the Habitats Directive (Council Directive 92/43/EEC), have facilitated the preservation and restoration of the few remaining dune systems. However, these policies have unfortunately overlooked the protection of the adjacent beaches, which are integral to the coastal ecosystem. The loss of biodiversity typical of the beach–dune ecosystems is examined in relation to the anthropogenic disturbance factors, with particular attention to mechanical beach cleaning. Indeed, the metabolizable energy generated by this decomposer biomass is crucial for supporting a diverse trophic network of predators, ranging from insects to birds. The rapid disappearance of the specialized beetle fauna is examined, and some essential criteria for defining standard biotic indices suitable for monitoring these ecosystems are suggested. This approach aims to support more effective conservation programs for these fragile environments. We recommend revising the regulatory framework for safeguarding beach–dune ecosystems, while also proposing some key management principles to be incorporated into the protection guidelines. Full article

Eutrophication in Canadian lakes degrades water quality, disrupts ecosystems, and poses health risks due to potential development of harmful algal blooms. It also economically impacts the general public, industries like recreational and commercial fishing, and tourism. Analysis of a 140-year core record from Utikuma Lake, northern Alberta, revealed the processes behind the lake’s current hypereutrophic conditions. End-member modeling analysis (EMMA) of the sediment grain size data identified catchment runoff linked to specific sedimentological processes. ITRAX X-ray fluorescence (XRF) elements/ratios were analyzed to assess changes in precipitation, weathering, and catchment runoff and to document changes in lake productivity over time. Five end members (EMs) were identified and linked to five distinct erosional and sedimentary processes, including moderate and severe precipitation events, warm and cool spring freshet, and anthropogenic catchment disturbances. Cluster analysis of EMMA and XRF data identified five distinct depositional periods from the late 19th century to the present, distinguished by characteristic rates of productivity, rainfall, weathering, and runoff linked to natural and anthropogenic drivers. The most significant transition in the record occurred in 1996, marked by an abrupt increase in both biological productivity and catchment runoff, leading to the hypereutrophic conditions that persist to the present. This limnological shift was primarily triggered by a sudden discharge from a decommissioned sewage treatment lagoon into the lake. Spectral and wavelet analysis confirmed the influence of the Arctic Oscillation, El Niño Southern Oscillation, North Atlantic Oscillation, and Pacific Decadal Oscillation on runoff processes in Utikuma Lake’s catchment. Full article

The ecosystem of Dal Lake, an important freshwater lake in Srinagar, India, has been rapidly degraded in recent decades due to intensified eutrophication. The main causes of eutrophication were determined to be different types of human activities in the catchment area and its inappropriate development as well as excessive loads of pollutants introduced into the lake. The heightened algal blooms brought significant water quality deterioration, a reduction in indigenous fish populations, and a general disturbance of the ecological balance of the lake. Such changes adversely influenced the living conditions of the inhabitants depending on the lake for tourism, fishing, and other economic pursuits. The aim of the research was the evaluation of the specificity of the course and spatio-temporal dynamics of Dal Lake eutrophication process on the base of accurate assessment of its actual trophic state. The applied assessment methodology was based on the biotic balance approach. As an indicator of the biotic balance in water, the Index of Trophic State (ITS) was chosen and adopted for the conditions of the lake ecosystem in humid subtropical climate conditions. The assessment was based on data from a five-year lake monitoring period (2019–2023) and analyzed for four lake basins: Hazaratbal, Nishat, Nagin, and Gagribal. The results indicated a steady increase in the lake’s trophic status, with the Hazaratbal basin evolving from mesotrophic to eutrophic, while the other basins progressed from meso-eutrophic to eutrophic during the research period. At the end of the research period, the whole lake was classified as eutrophic, with a modest inclination towards heightened eutrophication severity. The research underscores the pressing need for elaboration of a holistic lake management approach, where ITS, which has proven to be a valuable and reliable express-monitoring tool, can be used for obtaining information necessary for solving different applied tasks for protection and conservation strategies. Full article

This research seeks to develop and test a rapid mapping approach using unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) and terrestrial laser scanning to provide precise, high-resolution spatial data for urban areas right after disasters. This mapping aims to support efforts to protect the population and infrastructure while analyzing the situation in affected areas. It focuses on flood-prone regions lacking modern hydrological data and where regular monitoring is absent. This study was conducted in resort villages and adjacent catchments in Bulgaria’s southern Black Sea coast with leading maritime tourism features, after a flash flood on 5 September 2023 caused human casualties and severe material damage. The resulting field data with a spatial resolution of 3 to 5 cm/px were used to trace the effects of the flood on topographic surface changes and structural disturbances. Flood simulation using UAV data and a digital elevation model was performed. The appropriateness of contemporary land use forms and infrastructure location in catchments is discussed. The role of spatial data in the analysis of genetic factors in risk assessment is commented on. The results confirm the applicability of rapid mapping in informing the activities of responders in a period of increased vulnerability following a flood. The results were used by Bulgaria’s Ministry of Environment and Water to analyze the situation shortly after the disaster. Full article

As the most widely distributed and largest terrestrial ecosystem in the world, grasslands play an important role in supporting global livestock production and maintaining ecosystem services. In light of the accelerated global socio-economic development and sustained population growth, grassland ecosystems are increasingly subjected to anthropogenic disturbances. However, there is a paucity of research examining the impact of such disturbances on plant–soil–microorganism interactions in grassland systems, particularly from the perspectives of grazing and tourism. Accordingly, this study presents a comprehensive analysis of the impacts of anthropogenic disturbance on grassland ecosystems over the past two decades, employing a dual perspective of grazing and tourism and utilizing econometric analysis of the existing literature through software such as CiteSpace. The results of this study demonstrate the following: (1) The current research focus is primarily concentrated in the fields of ecology and environmental sciences, particularly on the topics of plant diversity, abundance, and diversity, as well as the intensity of grazing. These areas may represent key development direction of future research. (2) The impact of anthropogenic disturbances on grassland ecosystems is primarily associated with grazing activities. Moderate grazing disturbances can facilitate the healthy development of grassland ecosystems. However, the intermediate disturbance hypothesis (IDH) may not fully account for the effects of grazing intensity on grassland ecology. At present, there is still a paucity of systematic research to determine the ecological indicators of grassland under a dual-disturbance scenario. It is recommended that future research be carried out to investigate the compound effects of trampling by tourism activities on plant–soil–microorganism interactions in grassland ecosystems. (3) The mutual feedback mechanism may represent a potential mechanism by which anthropogenic disturbances affect the coupled relationship between the plant, soil, and microbial systems in grassland ecosystems. Furthermore, the interaction among these three systems has the potential to exert direct or indirect impacts on the structure and function of grassland ecosystems in the context of disturbances. The present study aims to provide an overview of the structure and function of grassland ecosystems under anthropogenic disturbances. The objective is to identify a balance between the rational use of grassland and ecological protection under anthropogenic disturbance and to provide scientific reference for the sustainable use of grassland worldwide. Full article

Currently, African swine fever (ASF), a highly fatal disease has become pervasive, with outbreaks recorded across European countries, leading to preventative measures to restrict wild boar (Sus scrofa L.) movement, and, therefore, keep ASF from spreading. This study aims to detail how specific human activities—defined as “car”, “dog”, “chainsaw”, and “tourism”—affect wild boar behavior, considering the disturbance proximity, and evaluate possible implications for wild boar management in ASF-affected areas. Wild boar behavior was studied using advanced biologging technology. This study tracks and analyzes wild boar movements and behavioral responses to human disturbances. This study utilizes the dead reckoning method to precisely reconstruct the animal movements and evaluate behavioral changes based on proximity to disturbances. The sound of specific human activities was reproduced for telemetered animals from forest roads from different distances. Statistical analyses show that wild boars exhibit increased vigilance and altered movement patterns in response to closer human activity, but only in a small number of cases and with no significantly longer time scale. The relative representation of behaviors after disruption confirmed a high instance of resting behavior (83%). Running was the least observed reaction in only 0.9% of all cases. The remaining reactions were identified as foraging (5.1%), walking (5.0%), standing (2.2%), and other (3.8%). The findings suggest that while human presence and activities do influence wild boar behavior, adherence to movement restrictions and careful management of human activity in ASF-infected areas is not a necessary measure if human movement is limited to forest roads. Full article