Search Results (5,022)

Loblolly pine plantations have long been cultivated primarily for timber production due to their rapid growth and economic value. However, these forests are now increasingly acknowledged for their important role in mitigating climate change. Their dense canopies and fast growth rates enable them to absorb and store substantial amounts of atmospheric carbon dioxide. By integrating sustainable management practices, these plantations can maximize both timber yield and carbon sequestration, contributing to global efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Balancing timber production with vital ecosystem services, such as carbon storage, demands carefully tailored management strategies. This study examined how the timing of thinning—specifically early thinning at 17 years and late thinning at 32 years—impacts biomass accumulation, carbon storage capacity, and carbon sequestration rates in loblolly pine plantations located in northern Iran. Two thinning intensities were evaluated: normal thinning (removal of 15% basal area) and heavy thinning (removal of 35% basal area). The results demonstrated that thinning significantly improved biomass, sequestration rates and carbon storage compared to unthinned stands. Early thinning proved more effective than late thinning in enhancing these metrics. Additionally, heavy thinning had a greater impact than normal thinning on increasing biomass, carbon storage, and sequestration rates. In early heavy-thinned stands, carbon storage reached 95.8 Mg C/ha, which was 63.0% higher than the 58.8 Mg C/ha observed in unthinned 32-year-old stands. In comparison, early normal thinning increased carbon storage by 41.3%. In late heavy-thinned stands, carbon storage reached 199.4 Mg C/ha, which was 29.0% higher than in unthinned stands of the same age (154.6 Mg C/ha at 52 years). In contrast, late normal thinning increased carbon storage by 13.3%. Similarly, carbon sequestration rates in unthinned stands were 1.84 Mg C/ha/yr at 32 years and 2.97 Mg C/ha/yr at 52 years. In comparison, 32-year-old stands subjected to normal and heavy thinning had sequestration rates of 2.60 and 2.99 Mg C/ha/yr, respectively, while 54-year-old normally and heavily thinned stands reached 3.37 and 3.83 Mg C/ha/yr, respectively. The highest carbon storage was concentrated in the stems for 52–58% of the total. Greater thinning intensity increased the proportion of carbon stored in stems while decreasing the contribution from foliage. These results indicate that heavy early thinning is the most effective strategy for maximizing both timber production and carbon sequestration in loblolly pine plantations. Full article

Under global warming, the South China Sea (SCS) is experiencing increasingly severe marine heatwaves (MHWs), with impacts on marine ecosystems such as coral reefs and marine pastures becoming more evident. The numerous anticyclonic eddies (AEs) distributed in the SCS are important drivers of MHW generation and development, yet their impacts on MHWs are still not fully understood. In this study, the vertical structures of various types of MHWs inside the AEs and in the background field were mapped and compared, and we found that AEs of varying amplitudes have distinct impacts on the vertical structures of MHWs. MHWs inside the AEs can be divided into two categories: subsurface-reversed MHWs and subsurface-intensified MHWs. The former is manifested as anomalous cooling in the subsurface, driven by the uplift of thermocline due to the inhibition of downward mixing. The latter is characterized by anomalous warming in the subsurface, resulting from strong vertical warm-water subsidence induced by large-amplitude AEs. This process may penetrate the thermocline and produce maximum warming anomalies in the layer beneath the region of greatest temperature gradient change. Our research reveals characteristics of various vertical structures of MHWs in the SCS, attributing their differences to the stable water layer’s different response to varying intensities of vertical heat conduction, and deepening people’s understanding of the impact of AEs in the SCS on the vertical structure of MHWs. Full article

Innovation ecosystems use R&D inputs to generate innovation outputs first and innovation impacts later. But some countries show a relatively low transmission, such as in the case of Kazakhstan, the largest economy in Central Asia. This article analyzes the transmission from R&D into innovation outputs and impacts through a framework for which different factors matter, such as the company size, education and skills, competition, exports, and foreign ownership. Transmission is conceptually understood in two steps: from R&D into innovation outputs, and from innovation output into innovation impacts. The main hypothesis is that the high endowments of these company factors should lead to the better transmission of results and improved performance in terms of outputs and impacts. We test this using new evidence from Kazakhstan and the ECA region (Europe and Central as defined by the World Bank) as benchmarking, and data are from the Global Innovation Index (descriptive section) and the World Bank Enterprise Surveys (analytical section). The econometrics are a Crépon–Duguet–Mairesse (CDM) model in three steps: factors for propensity to invest in R&D, then to innovate, and, finally, innovation impacts on productivity. Results confirm the positive roles of factors, such as exports and education, in positive transmissions and uneven or insignificant results on productivity impacts from characteristics, such as age, size, and foreign ownership. The specifics for Kazakhstan suggest a potential for business innovation growth in the country. The paper concludes by suggesting key policy measures to unlock the potential for business innovation at a country level. Full article

Under global warming, vegetation composition changes induced by plant encroachment have a significant impact on the carbon balance of tundra ecosystems. The encroachment of herbaceous plants into indigenous shrub communities has changed the aboveground and belowground litter carbon input and the characteristics in the shrub tundra of the Changbai Mountains. However, the impact of variations in litter characteristics and litter carbon input on the dynamics of soil organic carbon (SOC) pool concentrations and SOC stability remains ambiguous. In this study, aboveground and belowground litter and soil samples were collected for lab experiments. Our results showed that the increase in aboveground litter and belowground litter due to Deyeuxia purpurea encroachment increased the SOC concentration. Simultaneously, D. purpurea encroachment decreased the soil C/N by decreasing the components of both aboveground and belowground litter that were resistant to decomposition (C/N and lignin/N) and increased the soil mineralization ability and available N concentrations, increased the CO₂ release rate, and ultimately decreased the SOC concentration. D. purpurea encroachment enhanced soil decomposition capacity by increasing the concentration of organic carbon molecular structures, such as carbohydrates, in the aboveground and belowground litter, thereby increasing the concentration of decomposable organic carbon molecular structures and active organic carbon in the soil, while simultaneously reducing the concentration of recalcitrant organic carbon. Even more, D. purpurea encroachment reduced the recalcitrant components of the aboveground and belowground litter enhanced soil mineralization capability and increased soil nitrogen concentration, which collectively increased the carbon oxidation state (COX) and decreased SOC stability. In general, global warming has led to herbaceous plant encroachment, which changes the aboveground and belowground litter carbon inputs and properties in the tundra, in turn reducing the SOC concentration and soil carbon pool stability, enhancing soil carbon emission capacity, and increasing atmospheric CO₂ concentration, forming a vicious cycle. Full article

Heavy metal contamination in soil is a global issue threatening human health and ecosystems. Accurate spatial maps of heavy metals (HMs) are vital to mitigating the adverse effects on the ecosystem. This study utilizes GIS and multivariate analysis to evaluate HMs in agricultural soils from Al Ghat Governorate, Saudi Arabia, analyzing Al, As, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mn, Ni, Pb, V, and Zn using ICP-AES in 35 soil samples. Methods included contamination factor (CF), enrichment factor (EF), risk index (RI), geoaccumulation index (Igeo), pollution load index (PLI), soil quality guidelines (SQGs), and multivariate analysis. The soils, characterized by sandy texture, low organic matter, and alkalinity due to arid conditions and high calcium carbonate, had the following HM concentrations (mg/kg) in descending order: Fe (11,480) ˃ Al (7786) ˃ Mn (278) ˃ Zn (72.37) ˃ Ni (28.66) ˃ V (21.80) ˃ Cr (19.89) ˃ Co (19.00) ˃ Cu (12.46) ˃ Pb (5.46) ˃ As (2.69). EF, CF, and Igeo suggest natural sources for most HMs, predominantly from the sedimentary sequence, with localized Zn, Pb, Co, Mn, and Cu enrichment linked to mixed natural and agricultural influences. PLI and RI indicated acceptable contamination levels, posing no ecological risk. All samples fell below SQG thresholds for As, Cu, Pb, and Cr, confirming minimal ecological threat. Statistical analysis highlighted sedimentary cover as the primary HM source, with agricultural activities contributing to Co, Cu, Ni, and Pb levels. Full article

Trees are indispensable to ecosystems, yet mortality rates have been increasing due to the abnormal changes in forest growth environments caused by frequent extreme weather events associated with global climate warming. Consequently, the need to monitor, assess, and predict tree mortality has become increasingly urgent to better address climate change and protect forest ecosystems. Over the past few decades, remote sensing has been widely applied to vegetation mortality observation due to its significant advantages. Here, we reviewed and analyzed the major research advancements in the application of remote sensing for tree mortality monitoring, using the Web of Science Core Collection database, covering the period from 1998 to the first half of 2024. We comprehensively summarized the use of different platforms (satellite and UAV) for data acquisition, the application of various sensors (multispectral, hyperspectral, and radar) as image data sources, the primary indicators, the classification models used in monitoring tree mortality, and the influence of tree mortality. Our findings indicated that satellite-based optical remote sensing data were the primary data source for tree mortality monitoring, accounting for 80% of existing studies. Time-series optical remote sensing data have emerged as a crucial direction for enhancing the accuracy of vegetation mortality monitoring. In recent years, studies utilizing airborne LiDAR have shown an increasing trend, accounting for 48% of UAV-based research. NDVI was the most commonly used remote sensing indicator, and most studies incorporated meteorological and climatic factors as environmental variables. Machine learning was increasingly favored for remote sensing data analysis, with Random Forest being the most widely used classification model. People are more focused on the impacts of tree mortality on water and carbon. Finally, we discussed the challenges in monitoring and evaluating tree mortality through remote sensing and offered perspectives for future developments. Full article

Soil organic carbon (SOC), a critical component of the global carbon cycle, represents the largest terrestrial carbon reservoir, and is thus a major component of influencing climate regulation and ecosystem health. Grasslands store substantial carbon in their soils, but this carbon reservoir is easily degraded by both grazing and mowing, particularly in vulnerable karst landscapes. This study investigates the potential of biochar, a carbon-rich soil amendment, as a management tool to maintain SOC or mitigate the degradation of SOC during mowing in karst grasslands in Southern China, using both red acidic and calcareous soils as experimental variables. T SOC fractions, soil enzyme activities, and soil pH were measured to determine the effect of mowing and biochar application on carbon stability and microbial activity. Consistent with expectations, mowing increases belowground biomass and promotes carbon loss through increased microbial activity, particularly in calcareous soils where mowing also decreases soil pH, increasing acidity and reducing the stability of Ca–carbon complexes. Biochar, however, counteracted these effects, increasing both particulate organic carbon (POC) and mineral-associated organic carbon (MAOC), especially in red soils where the addition of biochar greatly increased soil pH (from 5.4 to 6.33) (an effect not observed in the already-alkaline karst soils). Enzyme activities related to carbon degradation, such as β-D-Glucosidase and peroxidase, increased in biochar-amended soils (β-D-Glucosidase increased from 12.77 to 24.53 nmol/g/h and peroxidase increased from 1.1 to 2.36 mg/g/2h), each of which contribute to the degradation of carbon containing organic matter so that it may be ultimately stored in more recalcitrant forms. Mowing led to reduced polyphenol oxidase activity, but the presence of biochar mitigated these losses, protecting SOC pools (increased from 0.03 to 0.79 mg/g/2h). This study highlights biochar as an effective tool for enhancing SOC stability in karst grasslands, particularly in acidic soils, and suggests that integrating biochar into mowing regimes may optimize carbon sequestration while reducing fire risk. These findings offer valuable theoretical guidance for developing sustainable land management in sensitive ecosystems. Full article

Research on monitoring forest disturbances and analyzing its driving factors is crucial for the sustainable management of forest ecosystems. To quantitatively identify the spatial distribution and dynamic changes of forest disturbance and its driving factors in Guangdong Province from 1990 to 2019, the long-term Landsat time series imagery and the LandTrendr change detection algorithm were utilized. The impact of forest disturbances on four types of landscape fragmentation (attrition, perforation, shrinkage, and subdivision) was analyzed using the Forman index. The Geodetector model was used to analyze the driving factors of forest disturbance from human activity and the natural environment. The results showed that the LandTrendr algorithm achieved a Kappa coefficient of 0.79, with an overall accuracy of approximately 82.59%. The findings indicate a consistent increase in shrinkage patches, both in quantity and area. Spatially, the centroids of forest fragmentation processes exhibited a clear inland migration trend, reflecting the growing ecological pressures faced by inland forest ecosystems. Furthermore, interactions among driving factors, particularly between population density and economic factors, significantly amplified their combined impacts. The correlation between forest disturbances and socio-economic factors revealed distinct regional variations, highlighting significant differences in forest disturbance dynamics across cities with varying levels of economic development. This study provides critical insights into the spatiotemporal dynamics of forest disturbances under rapid urbanization and economic development. It lays the groundwork for sustainable forest management strategies in Guangdong Province and may contribute to global discussions on managing forest ecosystems during periods of rapid socio-economic transformation. Full article

Globally, forests are constantly threatened by a plethora of disturbances of natural and anthropogenic origin, such as climate change, forest fires, urbanization, and pollution. Besides the most common stressors, during the last few years, Portuguese forests have been impacted by severe decline phenomena caused by invasive pathogens, many of which belong to the genus Phytophthora. The genus Phytophthora includes a large number of species that are invading forest ecosystems worldwide, chiefly as a consequence of global trade and human activities. This paper reports the results of a survey of Phytophthora diversity in natural and semi-natural forest ecosystems in Portugal along an elevation gradient. Isolations performed from 138 symptomatic plant tissues and rhizosphere samples collected from 26 plant species yielded a total of 19 Phytophthora species belonging to 6 phylogenetic clades, including P. cinnamomi (36 isolates), P. multivora (20), P. plurivora (9), P. cactorum (8), P. lacustris (8), P. pseudocryptogea (8), P. amnicola (6), P. hedraiandra (6), P. pseudosyringae (5), P. thermophila (5), P. bilorbang (4), P. inundata (4), P. asparagi (3), P. citricola (3), P. gonapodyides (3), P. rosacearum (3), P. chlamydospora (2), P. pachypleura (2), and P. syringae (1). Overall, the data obtained highlight the widespread occurrence of P. cinnamomi in natural ecosystems from sea level to mountain habitats. The results of the pathogenicity tests carried out on 2-year-old chestnut plants confirmed the key role of P. cinnamomi in the recrudescence of chestnut ink disease and the additional risk posed by P. pachypleura, P. plurivora, and P. multivora to Portuguese chestnut forests. Finally, three species, P. citricola, P. hedraiandra, and P. pachypleura, are reported for the first time in the natural ecosystems of Portugal. Full article

Despite the global development of social enterprises (SEs) over the past three decades, how to improve sustainability remains a challenging issue for most SEs. Although SE ecosystems have been recognized as crucial determinants of SE sustainability performance in the current literature, no empirical study has comprehensively examined the relationships among them. Additionally, prior studies have demonstrated that sustainability performance might vary among SEs of different revenue structures or across different contexts, suggesting that more attention should be devoted to the complexity of the causal mechanisms determining SE sustainability performance. To address these gaps in the current literature, this paper examines the complex, divergent, and asymmetric causal links among SE ecosystems, revenue structures, and the sustainability performance of SEs in China by conducting fuzzy set qualitative comparative analysis (fsQCA) of 274 typical cases of SEs. The results revealed alternative configurations for high and low levels of sustainability performance among SEs of different revenue structures. First, the fsQCA results indicated that SE sustainability performance was not determined by the impacts of single components of SE ecosystems but rather by the combined effects of multiple elements. Second, for SEs of divergent revenue structures, causal paths leading to high or low levels of sustainability performance showed notable discrepancies in terms of both number and composition. Specifically, commercial SEs receiving income mainly from market-based earned income were more likely to achieve higher levels of social and financial sustainability because of greater adaptability to SE ecosystems and less environmental dependence. Third, the impacts of different components of SE ecosystems on sustainable performance also varied with SE revenue structures. Three categories of components—policy environment, sociocultural setting, and industrial infrastructure—made more important contributions to SE sustainability performance in both the social and financial dimensions. Full article

Concerns about global food insecurity have been growing, particularly in low- and middle-income countries. This study aimed to assess the determinants of food security among internally displaced persons (IDPs)—people who have been forced to flee their homes due to conflict, natural disasters, or other crises—and their children under five, as well as the influence on their nutritional status. Using random sampling, the caregivers of IDPs and children under five in households were included in the study. The caregivers were interviewed using a validated structured questionnaire, while nutritional assessments of both children and adults were conducted through anthropometric and clinical evaluation methods. The findings revealed a high prevalence of food insecurity, with 97.6% of IDP households experiencing some degree of insecurity. Additionally, 28.3% of the surveyed households had high dietary diversity. Among the children, 50.6% were stunted, over a third were underweight, and 15.8% were wasted, indicating severe nutritional deficiencies. Among adults, 28.4% were overweight or obese, while a significant number were underweight. Multiple linear regression analysis showed that the caregivers’ monthly salary and the average amount spent on food were associated with a decrease in food insecurity. Conversely, large household sizes and coping strategies employed to mitigate food insecurity were linked to increased food insecurity. In conclusion, the study highlights a high prevalence of food insecurity among IDP households, forcing families to adopt coping strategies, mainly through dietary modifications. This, in turn, contributes to low dietary diversity and poor nutritional status, with children suffering from underweight, wasting, and stunting. These findings underscore the urgent need for comprehensive interventions, including the distribution of food vouchers, cash transfers, food banks, and support for home gardening and small-scale farming, as well as education on meal rationing, meal planning, and family planning services. Addressing the root causes of food insecurity—namely low household income and large family sizes—can improve access to nutritious food and ensure the health and well-being of IDPs. Furthermore, addressing food insecurity within this vulnerable group is critical to the broader goals of planetary health, as it highlights the intersection of human health, social equity, and environmental sustainability. By promoting sustainable food systems and supporting vulnerable populations, these interventions can contribute to the resilience of both communities and eco-systems in the face of ongoing global challenges. Full article

Human activities increasingly threaten marine ecosystems through rising waste and temperatures. This study investigated the role of plastics as vectors for Vibrio bacteria and the effects of temperature on the marine sponge Sarcotragus spinosulus. Samples of plastics and sponges were collected during July, August (high-temperature period), and November (lower-temperature period). Bacterial growth and sponge responses were analysed using biochemical biomarkers. The results revealed a peak in colony-forming units (CFU), particularly of Vibrio alginolyticus, on plastics and sponges in August, followed by a decrease in November. In August, CFU counts of Vibrio spp. were significantly higher in sponges with poor external appearance (characterized by dull coloration and heavy epiphytic growth) but returned to levels observed in healthy sponges by November. Microplastics were detected in the tissues of both sponge groups, with higher concentrations found in affected specimens. Biomarker analyses revealed increased lysozyme, glutathione S-transferase, catalase, and superoxide dismutase activities in healthy sponges during August, while malondialdehyde levels, indicating oxidative damage, were higher in affected sponges. In conclusion, affected sponges exhibited elevated CFU counts of Vibrio spp. and reduced antioxidant and detoxification responses under elevated temperatures. These findings suggest that combined impacts of plastics and warming may pose significant risks to S. spinosulus in the context of global climate change. Full article

This entry explores the emergence of ONE Paleopathology as a holistic, interdisciplinary approach to understanding health through deep time. The entry discusses key areas where paleopathological research provides crucial insights: animals as sentinels of environmental health, the evolution and transmission of infectious diseases, the impacts of urbanization and pollution on human health, and the effects of climate change on disease patterns. Special attention is given to case studies involving malaria, tuberculosis, and environmental toxicity, demonstrating how past human–environment interactions inform current health strategies. The entry also emphasizes the importance of indigenous and local knowledge (ILK) systems in understanding and managing health challenges, highlighting how traditional ecological knowledge complements scientific approaches. By bridging past and present, ONE Paleopathology offers valuable perspectives for addressing modern health challenges in the context of accelerating environmental change, while promoting more equitable and sustainable approaches to global health. Full article

Amid global climate challenges and an urgent need for ecological protection, the northeastern black soil region—one of the world’s remaining “three major black soil regions”—confronts significant tensions between agricultural economic development and land ecological protection, threatening national food security. Based on the “production–ecology–life” (PLE) classification system, this study established a dual-dimensional evaluation for carbon metabolism and ESV in horizontal and vertical dimensions. The horizontal flow of carbon and ESV was traced across different ecosystems, while the spatial and temporal dynamics of carbon metabolism and ESV were analyzed vertically. Spatial autocorrelation analyses were employed to examine the interaction patterns between carbon metabolism and ESV. The findings reveal that (1) cropland production space remains the dominant spatial type, exhibiting fluctuating patterns in the size of other spatial types, with a notable reduction in water ecological space. (2) From 2000 to 2020, high-value carbon metabolism density areas were primarily concentrated in the central region, while low-value areas gradually decreased in size. Cropland production space and urban living space served as key compartments and dominant pathways for carbon flow transfer in the two periods, respectively. (3) The total ecosystem service value (ESV) showed a downward trend, decreasing by CNY 1.432 billion from 2000 to 2020. The spatial distribution pattern indicates high values in the center and northwest, contrasting with lower values in the southeast. The flow of ecological value from forest ecological space to cropland production space represents the main loss pathway. (4) A significant negative correlation exists between carbon metabolism density and ESV, with areas of high correlation predominantly centered around cropland production space. This study provides a scientific foundation for addressing the challenges facing the black soil region, achieving synergistic resource use in pursuit of carbon neutrality, and constructing a more low-carbon and sustainable spatial pattern. Full article

Bumblebees, the most important wild pollinators in both agricultural and natural ecosystems, are declining worldwide. The global decline of bumblebees may threaten biodiversity, pollination services, and, ultimately, agricultural productivity. Several factors, including pesticide usage, climate change, habitat loss, and species invasion, have been documented in the decline of bumblebee species, but recent studies have revealed the dominating role of pathogens and parasites over any of these causes. Unfortunately, there is a lack of a full understanding of the role of pathogens and parasites in the decline of bumblebee species. The current study provides a comprehensive review of how pathogens and parasites contribute to the decline of bumblebee species. The study also explores the prevalence of each pathogen and parasite within bumblebee populations. Furthermore, we address the synergistic effects of pathogens and other stressors, such as pesticides, climatic effects, and habitat loss, on bumblebee populations. To summarize, we propose possible conservation and management strategies to preserve the critical role of bumblebees in pollination services and thus to support ecosystem and agricultural health. Full article