Search Results (2,344)

Salinity stress significantly affects rice yield, especially when it occurs during the germination stage. Direct seeding is an emerging method to conserve water in rice cultivation. However, to date, there have been limited efforts to screen rice germplasm for salt tolerance under this approach. In this study, 40 rice genotypes were evaluated for salt tolerance using a combination of germination and growth parameters. A total of 59 microsatellite markers were used to assess genetic diversity, revealing significant variation in both germination and growth traits. Based on germination parameters, IR36, Sri Malaysia 2, and MR185 performed well under saline conditions, while Hashemi Tarom and BAS2000 exhibited weak tolerance. MR219, MR211, and MR263 were identified as superior salt-tolerant genotypes against all growth parameters. BAS2000 and MCHKAB were identified as salt-sensitive, showing reduced growth in key traits, including root and shoot development. Marker-based genotyping identified a total of 287 alleles. The number of alleles per locus ranged from two to nine with an average of 4.86. The polymorphic information content (PIC) ranged from four to eight. The markers RM21, RM481 RM566, RM488, RM9, RM217, RM333, RM242, RM209, RM38, RM539, RM475, RM267, RM279, and RM430 were found highly polymorphic with PIC value > 0.7 and contain the highest number of alleles (≥6). Model- and distance-based population structures both inferred the presence of three clusters in the studied rice germplasm. Based on cluster analysis, Shiroodi, Hashemi Tarom, and BAS2000 were found as weak salt-tolerant varieties, whereas MR211 and MR219 are two Malaysian varieties found to be highly tolerant and have a high potential for direct seeding methods. An AMOVA test suggested that 95% genetic diversity was within the population, which implies that significant genetic variation was present in rice germplasm to be used to select parents for future breeding programs. Full article

Old Cairo is a unique site in the world because of its historical, cultural, and religious values. Old Cairo, a UNESCO World Heritage site, represents a rich tapestry of history and culture. Its significance lies in its role as a center of Coptic and Islamic civilizations and its preservation of numerous historical monuments. Today, the conservation of cultural heritage demands a proactive approach that integrates a robust multidisciplinary strategy. This approach must consider the unique characteristics of the heritage itself and the extensive research and efforts devoted to various scientific fields and avenues. As a case study, the focus is on the Religions Complex, the target of the “Particular Relevance” bilateral Italy–Egypt “CoReng” project. The historic Religions Complex in Old Cairo, a UNESCO World Heritage site, faces significant seismic hazards, threatening its irreplaceable Coptic and Islamic heritage. This research contribution focuses on reviewing and assessing aspects of geological and seismic hazards. This assessment serves as a crucial foundation for future vulnerability analyses and the development of effective retrofitting strategies for the Complex’s historic structures. The current work identifies critical vulnerabilities related to sub-surface geology and geotechnical conditions, various deterioration driving forces, rising groundwater levels, and earthquake ground shaking of the complex site to mitigate these risks and ensure the long-term preservation of this invaluable cultural heritage. In addition, attention is given to missing/weak characterization aspects and the proposal of possible future solutions and research developments. Full article

This study evaluates cultural ecosystem services (CESs) provided by coastal beaches in Korea using two valuation methods: choice experiments (CEs) and the energy method (EM). CESs, which include non-material benefits like recreation and esthetic enjoyment, are difficult to quantify through traditional market-based approaches. The CE method estimates individuals’ willingness to pay (WTP), offering an economic valuation, while the EM calculates the energy inputs required to sustain CESs, providing a biophysical perspective. The study compares CES values from both methods across 266 beaches in Korea. CES values from the CE method ranged from 6 million Korean won (KRW) (USD 5400) to KRW 93 billion (USD 84 million), while the EM yielded values between KRW 40 million (USD 36,000) and KRW 112 billion (USD 101 million). The EM generally yields higher valuations, particularly for rural beaches with fewer visitors, where ecological contributions dominate. In contrast, the CE values are closely aligned with the EM results for urban beaches, where human preferences and ecological inputs converge. These findings highlight the value of integrating economic and biophysical perspectives to provide policymakers with comprehensive data for balancing economic development and ecological conservation in coastal management. By adopting a dual-method approach, this research provides policymakers with concrete insights into optimizing resource allocation, prioritizing conservation efforts for less-visited rural beaches, and supporting sustainable coastal development tailored to regional characteristics. Full article

Peumus boldus Mol. (boldo) is a Chilean endemic tree species, characteristic of the region’s sclerophyllous forests. Increasing demand for its leaves and bark, valued for their antioxidant properties, has contributed to declining populations of this species in its natural habitat. This decline is further exacerbated by low natural germination rates and anthropogenic pressures. To support conservation efforts, efficient mass propagation protocols are needed. This study pioneered the use of temporary immersion systems (TIS) for the in vitro propagation of boldo, successfully developing a novel mass propagation protocol. To optimize the in vitro propagation of boldo shoots using the temporary immersion system (TIS), various immersion durations were tested. While a 3 min immersion resulted in a high proliferation rate (10.8), it also induced shoot vitrification, a detrimental physiological disorder. However, reducing the immersion duration to 2 min successfully prevented vitrification while still achieving a satisfactory multiplication rate of 7.2. The shoots reached an average length of 6.1 to 6.4 cm with 6-benzylaminopurine (4.44 μM). Ex vitro rooting was achieved in 75.4% of shoots treated with 1476 μM indole-3-butyric acid (IBA) across all tested substrates. The plantlets subsequently acclimatized with a survival rate between 77.1% and 83.3%. Full article

The Papilio xuthus is a widely distributed species in the genus Papilio of the family Papilionidae, possessing ecological, ornamental, and socio-economic service values. To determine the ecological role of P. xuthus and assess its population distribution under future climate change scenarios, this study utilized the MaxEnt model to predict the geographic distribution of P. xuthus in the future and evaluate its population dynamics. The results indicated that P. xuthus is currently widely distributed in East Asia, with a high suitability area of 1827.83 × 10³ km², primarily in China, Japan, North Korea, and South Korea. Climate change has a significant impact on the geographic distribution of P. xuthus, with its high suitability areas decreasing in the future, particularly within China, where the change is projected to be as high as 46.46% under the SSP126 scenario by the 2050s. The centroid of its high-suitability area is expected to shift northeastward. Key environmental variable analysis revealed that Temperature Seasonality, Mean Temperature of the Wettest Quarter, Precipitation of the Wettest Month, and Precipitation of the Warmest Quarter are critical factors influencing the selection of suitable habitats by P. xuthus. This study assessed the distribution of P. xuthus and provided conservation recommendations, offering a reference for future population control and conservation efforts. Full article

Mangroves play a crucial role in supporting the biodiversity of coastal wetlands, acting as a vital link between terrestrial and marine ecosystems. In mainland China, Sonneratia apetala, an invasive mangrove species, has recently become dominant in these environments. While it contributes to the stability of mangrove ecosystems and is widely used in coastal restoration efforts, its rapid growth poses a significant threat to the survival of native mangrove species. However, the spatiotemporal growth dynamics and landscape impacts of Sonneratia apetala remain underexplored in scholarly research. This study employs remote sensing and GIS techniques to analyze the growth patterns of Sonneratia apetala over a 14-year period along the eastern coast of the Leizhou Peninsula in China. The analysis revealed the following key findings: (1) The mangrove area expanded from 274.17 hm² to 383.42 hm², with an average annual growth rate of 2.84%. (2) The area of Sonneratia apetala increased from 115.15 hm² in 2010 to 254.81 hm² in 2023, with an average annual growth rate of 1.29%. The area of local mangrove species declined from 163.02 hm² to 125.06 hm² (a decrease from 22.11% to 16.96%), with an average annual growth rate of −1.66%. (3) The number of Sonneratia apetala patches increased from 139 to 324, while the area-weighted shape index rose from 3.4 to 7.81. The decline of native mangrove species, driven by the rapid spread of Sonneratia apetala, suggests that this species is encroaching on native mangrove habitats. Through geospatial analysis, this study provides valuable insights into how introduced species can reshape mangrove landscape structures and the broader implications for regional biodiversity. These findings clearly demonstrate that Sonneratia apetala is encroaching upon local mangrove habitats, highlighting the urgent need for strategic management and conservation efforts to mitigate the ecological impacts of the proliferation of this species. Furthermore, this research is important for coastal sustainability management strategies that balance ecological restoration with the preservation of native biodiversity, ensuring long-term ecosystem health and resilience. Full article

This strategic review examines the pivotal role of sustainable methodologies in battery recycling and the recovery of critical minerals from waste batteries, emphasizing the need to address existing technical and environmental challenges. Through a systematic analysis, it explores the application of green organic solvents in mineral processing, advocating for establishing eco-friendly techniques aimed at clipping waste and boosting resource utilization. The escalating demand for and shortage of essential minerals including copper, cobalt, lithium, and nickel are comprehensively analyzed and forecasted for 2023, 2030, and 2040. Traditional extraction techniques, including hydrometallurgical, pyrometallurgical, and bio-metallurgical processes, are efficient but pose substantial environmental hazards and contribute to resource scarcity. The concept of green extraction arises as a crucial step towards ecological conservation, integrating sustainable practices to lessen the environmental footprint of mineral extraction. The advancement of green organic solvents, notably ionic liquids and deep eutectic solvents, is examined, highlighting their attributes of minimal toxicity, biodegradability, and superior efficacy, thus presenting great potential in transforming the sector. The emergence of organic solvents such as palm oil, 1-octanol, and Span 80 is recognized, with advantageous low solubility and adaptability to varying temperatures. Kinetic (mainly temperature) data of different deep eutectic solvents are extracted from previous studies and computed with machine learning techniques. The coefficient of determination and mean squared error reveal the accuracy of experimental and computed data. In essence, this study seeks to inspire ongoing efforts to navigate impediments, embrace technological advancements including artificial intelligence, and foster an ethos of environmental stewardship in the sustainable extraction and recycling of critical metals from waste batteries. Full article

Rapid global urbanization during the late 20th and early 21st centuries has induced substantial land cover changes, posing significant threats to the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization’s (UNESCO) World Heritage Sites. In this study, we investigated the spatio-temporal change in urban development in response to land use transformations in the world cultural heritage site (CHS) of Taxila, Pakistan, to check the possible threats faced by the site. Land transfer matrices were used to assess the land cover change (LCC) between 1990 and 2024. Support vector machine and Getis–Ord Gi techniques were employed for LCC classification and spatial pattern interpretation, respectively, which were later evaluated by the high spatial resolution imagery of KH-9 (Keyhole-9), Google Earth Pro and Gaofen-2. The results indicate a significant increase in built-up area from 23.68 km² to 78.5 km², accompanied by a substantial rise in bare land from 8.56 km² to 26.5 km² between 1990 and 2024, which is quite irregular. LCC transformations were notable, with 13.1 km² of cropland and 44.8 km² vegetation being converted into 4.4 km² of built-up area and 14.5 km² into bare land during the 1990 to 2024 period. Getis–Ord Gi analysis observed a high Z-score value and showed low to high clustering patterns in the proximity of the Sarakhola and Bhir Mound sites from 1990 to 2024. Furthermore, high spatial resolution imagery indicates the loss of the core zone of the Sarakhola site from 0.0168 to 0.0032 km² from 2004 to 2024, which was the major threat to its outstanding universal venue (OUV) status. The findings of the current study indicate that the CHS under study is facing an alarming situation for conservation due to rapid urban development and encroachment. Therefore, local government should strictly implement the heritage law and revisit their policies to promote conservation efforts to maintain the authenticity and integrity of this world CHS. Full article

Waterbirds serve as indicator species for the quality and health of wetland ecosystems, and their conservation is of critical significance for global biodiversity. Citizen science has gradually emerged in recent years, playing an increasingly positive role in scientific research, particularly in ornithological studies. However, a systematic description of the application of citizen science data in waterbird conservation remains lacking. Bibliometrics is an effective method for analyzing the development of scientific disciplines, exploring trends, and examining thematic evolution. This paper utilizes bibliometric analysis of citation data from the Web of Science database, covering the period from 1970 to September 2024. The analysis reveals that this research field has undergone three distinct developmental phases, with a significant increase in annual publication volume during the third phase. Research focus has shifted from specific species and types of waterbirds to key hotspots and ecological phenomena. Future research hotspots are expected to include migratory birds, China, citizen science, and biodiversity. Influential papers within the field emphasize that the primary focus of waterbird conservation is habitat protection and the construction of habitat networks. As the discipline has developed, there is growing recognition that increasing public awareness of waterbird conservation, starting with student education, plays a crucial role in the accumulation of citizen science data and the advancement of waterbird conservation efforts. Full article

Honey is a widely consumed food product frequently subjected to adulteration, with the mislabeling of its botanical or geographical origin being one of the most common practices. Determining the entomological origin of honey is particularly challenging but of high relevance for ensuring its authenticity, especially for products with protected designation of origin (PDO) labels. This study presents a novel DNA metabarcoding approach targeting a highly informative 406 bp fragment of the cytochrome c oxidase I (COI) gene to differentiate among the three major mitochondrial lineages (A, M, and C) of honey bees (Apis mellifera L.) native to Europe. The target region was selected based on the calculated fixation index (F_ST), which is frequently used in Population Genetics as a measure of differentiation between populations. The approach was validated with 11 honey samples of known entomological origin and applied to 44 commercial honeys from 13 countries. The approach demonstrated high sensitivity, accurately identifying the entomological origin of honey, including samples produced by honey bees of varying ancestries, which could not be resolved by previous methods based on real-time PCR coupled with high-resolution melting (PCR-HRM) analysis. The results demonstrate the effectiveness of COI metabarcoding in verifying honey authenticity and highlight the predominance of C-lineage honey bees in the production of commercial honeys from northwestern Europe. This finding suggests a limited presence of the native M-lineage ancestry, underscoring the need for conservation efforts. Full article

Soil degradation and climate change are the most destructive (human- and/or naturally induced) processes, making agricultural production more challenging than ever before. Traditional tillage methods, characterized by intensive mechanical soil disturbance (dominantly using a plow), have come under question for their role in exacerbating soil erosion, depleting organic matter, and contributing to the decline in soil biodiversity and other soil devastating processes. These practices, while effective in the short term for crop production, undermine the sustainability of agricultural systems, posing a threat to food security and environmental stability. This review examines the adoption and implementation of Conservation Soil Tillage (CST) across six European countries: Croatia, Serbia, Hungary, Slovakia, Czech Republic, and Poland. The main objective is to analyze the historical development, current status, and future prospects of CST in these countries, highlighting the challenges and opportunities in transitioning from conventional tillage methods. Conservation Soil Tillage (CST) emerges as a promising alternative platform to still dominant conventional plowing tillage approach. By reducing the intensity and frequency of tillage, CST practices aim to maintain adequate soil cover, minimize erosion, and encourage biological activity and organic matter accumulation, thus, ensuring soil productivity and resilience against additional degradation and climate variation. Efforts made by scientists and the government to go over it sometimes are not sufficient. Farmers’ expectations of benefits are the final keystone for the integration of CST as a dominant sustainable practice. Analyses from six European countries pointed to a high level of diversity in readiness and willingness to accept, as well as different levels of knowledge about the adoption of CST. Our study suggested that the adoption of CST is increasing, and it represents a key strategy for soil degradation prevention and climate change mitigation Full article

Truss systems are essential structural elements widely utilized for their lightweight design, high load-bearing capacity, and structural efficiency. This study introduces a novel energy-based method for analyzing time-dependent deformations in viscoelastic truss systems, applicable to both statically determinate and indeterminate configurations. The primary objective is to develop a total potential energy (TPE) functional that explicitly incorporates viscoelastic effects, system parameters, material properties, and loading conditions. Unlike conventional methods that treat viscous terms as non-conservative and lacking a clear energy representation, the proposed approach facilitates a direct and efficient energy-based formulation of the governing equations. The methodology employs the Laplace transform to simplify the problem and an inverse Laplace transform to recover solutions in the time domain. This systematic approach ensures accurate results while reducing computational effort, making it both time-efficient and straightforward to implement. A key advantage of the proposed method is its adaptability to various viscoelastic material models, such as the Kelvin–Voigt and Standard Linear Solid (SLS) models, and its applicability to diverse loading conditions, including step and impulsive loads. To validate the method, numerical analyses are conducted on truss systems subjected to different time-dependent loading scenarios. The results demonstrate the method’s capability to accurately predict the time-dependent behavior of viscoelastic trusses, addressing a significant gap in the literature by providing benchmark solutions. The proposed framework offers a computationally efficient alternative for analyzing viscoelastic structures, facilitating their integration into practical structural design and improving the prediction of long-term deformation behavior. This study provides a reliable and innovative solution for analyzing viscoelastic truss systems, making it a valuable tool for engineers and researchers working with time-dependent materials in structural applications. Full article

Hydrological changes caused by dam construction are among the primary drivers of global freshwater biodiversity decline. To assess the current status of fish community diversity and examine the impacts of cascade hydropower development on fish diversity, this study employed environmental DNA (eDNA) technology from 2023 to 2024 to conduct seasonal surveys at 18 sampling sites across six river segments separated by five dams in the downstream section of the Fujiang River. The study aimed to uncover the temporal and spatial dynamics of fish diversity and community structure, as well as to analyze the influence of environmental factors on these patterns. The results identified 84 fish species spanning 60 genera, 19 families, and 7 orders, including 2 nationally protected species, 11 endemic species of the upper Yangtze River, and 13 alien species. The cascade dams were found to have significantly reduced fish diversity compared to historical records, with a marked decline in native species and a rise in alien species, contributing to the miniaturization and homogenization of fish communities. Environmental factor analysis revealed that chemical oxygen demand (COD), dissolved oxygen (DO), total dissolved solids (TDSs), electrical conductivity (EC), and reservoir formation time were significant drivers of fish community structure and diversity. This study provides essential baseline data on fish diversity under the influence of cascade hydropower development in the Fujiang River. It also offers valuable insights into the current status of fish resources and supports efforts in fish conservation and aquatic ecosystem management in the region. Full article

The urban public lighting system plays a fundamental role in enhancing safety and shaping the nocturnal identity of the city. Efficient lighting is also a key factor in reducing energy consumption and lowering atmospheric emissions. In the context of sustainable development goals, increasing attention is being directed towards the energy, social, economic, and environmental benefits associated with the adoption of LED lighting systems. This paper aims to assess the environmental impacts of two different public outdoor lighting replacement planning scenarios. The methodology employed in this study calculates the environmental impacts using a life cycle approach, incorporating data from the Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs) of the lighting systems. It involves a systematic census and categorization of lighting fixtures based on their installation year to determine both their quantity and average efficiency. This methodology, applied to a case study, demonstrates that it is possible to reduce the CO₂-equivalent emissions by approximately 7% depending on the technical and environmental performance of the fixtures and the timing of their replacements. These results provide a scientific foundation for supporting both the preparation of planning tools by governance entities and the technical and economic feasibility of designing and implementing interventions aimed at improving the environmental performance of public lighting. These efforts could contribute to achieving climate neutrality, conserving biodiversity, and mitigating the effects of climate change. Full article

Studying the variation characteristics of species diversity and soil properties across different forest types, as well as their interrelationships, enhances our understanding of the differences in forest growth and development within the Pisha sandstone area. In this study, we sampled and analyzed plant diversity along with physical and chemical soil factors from four distinct forest types in the Pisha sandstone region of Inner Mongolia. Our objective was to explore the characteristics of species diversity and soil properties associated with these forest types and to elucidate the relationship between them. The results showed that the order of soil moisture, nutrients, and species diversity in the four forest types was PT > AA > CK > PA.PT; this was significantly higher than other forest types. AA played an important role in the conservation of soil moisture and nutrients under the forest, and the soil nutrient level of PA was significantly lower. Using correlation analysis, we determined that soil properties were the key factors affecting the understory species diversity of different forest types, and SWC, SOM, and AN were the dominant factors in the relationship between the two. Using PCA, it was found that PT and AA had good ecological benefits of soil and water conservation. Our findings indicate that soil nutrient content and moisture levels are critical factors limiting plant species diversity in the Pisha sandstone area. Furthermore, PT and AA demonstrate a beneficial effect on ecological restoration efforts within this region. This study offers a theoretical foundation for managing the process of forest ecological restoration in the Pisha sandstone area. Full article