Search Results (1,152)

Forests are one of the most predominant types of land usage in Portugal and are highly relevant in terms of environmental, economic, social, and political factors. Increasing the value and the resilience of the Portuguese forest, defining adequate policies, and aligning forest research with society needs requires a truthful comprehension of the most relevant challenges in this sector. This study identifies and analyzes the most relevant needs and challenges impacting the Portuguese forestry sector, both currently and over a five-year period, from the stakeholder’s perspective. A participatory approach was employed, engaging national and regional forest stakeholders, to ensure a realistic vision of the forest sector in Portugal. A total of 116 topics were identified, with a predominance of immediate challenges over future information needs, underscoring the urgent pressures on the sector. Environmental/ecological and policy issues dominated the identified needs and challenges, reflecting the urgency for strategic interventions in these areas. A significant emphasis was placed on the mitigation of climate change impacts, mainly associated with biotic and abiotic risks, promoting technological advanced forest management, and the sector valorization. Policy and legal issues, such as fragmented ownership and adequate economic and fiscal incentives, were also identified as major concerns. The findings highlight the interconnected nature of forestry challenges and the need for integrated, multidisciplinary, and transdisciplinary approaches, prioritizing research on climate impacts, developing adaptive management strategies, promoting stakeholder engagement, and enhancing capacity-building initiatives. The results of this study make it a relevant case study for other forest stakeholders in similar regions in Europe with comparative forest management models and can inspire new solutions for common challenges opening new research avenues for other forest related academics. Full article

The study evaluates the implementation of check dams as nature-based solutions to address soil erosion, improve sediment quality, and enhance water retention in the Urku Huayku ravine, located on the Ilaló volcano in Ecuador. Weekly water and sediment samples were analysed from 2021 to 2023. Critical parameters measured include pH, electrical conductivity, nutrient concentrations, and organic matter content. Macroinvertebrates were collected to assess biodiversity changes using the Andean Biotic Index (ABI) and the Shannon Diversity Index. Results show significant improvements: water quality remained neutral (average pH 7.06), while sediment organic matter increased from 0.2% in 2021 to 3.2% in 2023. Additionally, biodiversity improved, with a 355.6% increase in macroinvertebrate abundance. Statistical tests confirmed the positive impact of check dams on sediment and water quality. The study also identified potential areas for additional check dam installations using QGIS analysis, emphasising steep slopes as ideal locations. This study demonstrates the efficacy of check dams in the restoration of degraded ecosystems and underscores their pivotal role in climate change mitigation. Through the enhanced storage of sediment organic matter, check dams facilitated the capture of approximately 58% of carbon. Additionally, they contributed to improved biodiversity. Further research is recommended to optimise dam placement and explore additional biodiversity indicators in Andes Mountain water bodies over 3000 m above sea level. Full article

This study investigated the effectiveness of nature-based solutions (NBSs) as a resilient strategy for mitigating urban flood risks in a developing hot arid country. The research method included the following steps: (a) performing a flood hazard risk assessment for the Fifth Settlement district in New Cairo, Egypt, (b) selecting best-fit NBSs, and (c) performance assessment. The process started with flood hazard analysis using hydrological data, topographical maps, urban planning, and land use maps, in addition to the history of storm events. This step defined the urban areas located in flood depth zones and categorized their flood hazard level. Exposure assessment considered the number and characteristics of population and buildings exposed to flood hazards. Vulnerability assessment determined the vulnerable characteristics of exposed populations and buildings to flood risk. The result of this assessment step indicated that there were 2000 buildings distributed in almost twenty neighborhood areas facing high flood risk. One of these urban areas with 72 building units, including residential, public, and services buildings, was selected to test the potential of integrating NBSs for flood-resilient land use planning and disaster preparedness. The selection of best-fit NBSs was based on a weighted-average sum matrix considering their climatic and contextual suitability and applicability. As a final step, numerical simulation models helped assess the efficiency of the selected NBSs for stormwater runoff reduction and the percentage of the volume capture goal. Five simulation models tested the efficiency of each NBS individually. Rain gardens achieved the highest stormwater capture percentage, while green roofs performed the least effectively, with capture rates of 43.6% and 9.9%, respectively. Two more simulation models were developed to evaluate the efficiency of NBSs when implemented in combination compared to the base case of using no NBSs. Permeable paving demonstrated the highest effectiveness in volume capture. The result indicated that applying combined measures of NBSs over 54.1% of the total site area was able to capture 8% more than the required volume capture goal. Consequently, this study underscores the necessity of adopting tailored solutions and integrated approaches using NBSs for flood risk mitigation. This necessitates testing their performance under site-specific conditions and future climate projections. Full article

Drylands cover a vast area, and biodiversity conservation in these regions represents a major challenge. A bibliometric study of published research highlighted several key aspects, including publication types, research fields, years of publication, contributing countries, institutions, languages, journals, publishers, authors, and frequently used keywords. The analysis also included plants related to biodiversity conservation in arid areas, animals related to biodiversity conservation in arid areas, and causes of biodiversity decline in arid regions, effects of biodiversity loss in these regions, and restoration methods aimed at improving biodiversity conservation in arid areas. A total of 947 publications were identified, starting from 1994, authored by researchers from 99 countries, primarily from Australia, the USA, China, Spain, and South Africa, and published in 345 journals, with the most prominent being Journal of Arid Environments, Biodiversity and Conservation, and Biological Conservation. The most commonly appearing keywords included biodiversity, conservation, diversity, vegetation, and patterns, with recent years showing an increased use of terms related to the causes and effects of aridification: climate change, land use, and ecosystem services. The causes of biodiversity loss in drylands are primarily linked to human activities and climatic changes, while the effects impact the entire ecosystem. Methods to improve biodiversity include traditional agroforestry systems, tree plantations and other plant species, grazing management, and other approaches. Combined actions among stakeholders and ecologically appropriate nature-based solutions are also recommended. Improvements in conservation biodiversity in arid areas are very important also for achieving the sustainability goals in these areas. However, numerous aspects of this topic remain to be studied in greater detail. Full article

Urban public space faces increasing challenges due to the accelerating impacts of climate change, necessitating a paradigm shift in how cities adapt their built environments. This paper presents a case study on integrating Nature-based Solutions(NbSs) with urban infrastructure, focusing on the design and development of Urban Oasis, a modular and multi-sensory urban furniture system. Urban Oasis functions as a climate adaptation tool, incorporating rain gardens to manage stormwater, mitigate urban heat island effects, and enhance biodiversity while integrating smart features such as climate sensors, irrigation systems, lighting, speakers, and electric vehicle chargers. Through a practice-based design methodology, the study explores how transdisciplinary collaboration can inform the development of adaptive, resilient, and equitable urban interventions. The findings demonstrate the potential of NbS-integrated urban infrastructure to address the complexities of climate adaptation while enhancing social, ecological, and technological resilience. The results, validated through an integrated design checklist, contribute to ongoing discussions on urban design frameworks, emphasizing a multi-layered and systemic approach that intertwines architecture, social innovation, multi-species design, and sensory engagement to reimagine public space for future climate resilience. Full article

Transport areas in urban environments typically cover 10–20% of a city’s area. Due to their hierarchical structure and network layout, they present a unique opportunity to integrate Nature-based Solutions (NbSs) within cities strategically. In Poland, however, the current use of NbSs in streetscapes tends to be sporadic, localized, and often resulting from grassroots initiatives. This study aimed to assess how much the provision of ecosystem services (ESs) in cities depends on and can be enhanced by NbSs. To explore this, simulations were conducted using six NbSs scenarios, selected based on an analysis of solutions specifically designed for streets and their characteristics. This research focused on a densely built and populated district of Warsaw. The findings revealed that applying NbSs can significantly reduce stormwater runoff, increase carbon sequestration, and improve air quality. The level of ES provision depends on the solutions used, with the introduction of woody vegetation, particularly tall shrubs and trees, proving most effective. The results show that the scenario-based approach allows for flexible streetscape design, enabling the application of individually selected NbSs. Moreover, the approach helps to select optimal elements that enhance the provision of ES crucial to adapting cities to climate change. Full article

Drought and salinity are major factors that hinder crop cultivation and significantly impair agricultural productivity, particularly in (semi)arid regions. These two abiotic constraints cause deterioration in soil structure and reduced fertility and hamper plant growth by limiting access to mineral elements and water, thereby threatening global food security. What’s more, the excessive, long-term use of chemical fertilizers to boost crop productivity can disrupt the balance of agricultural ecosystems, particularly soil health. Faced with these challenges, the sustainable exploitation of natural resources, in particular rhizospheric microorganisms, is an environmentally friendly solution. Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi play an important role as biofertilizers due to their symbiotic relationship with the roots of nearly 80% of plants. They promote not only the growth of host plants but also their resistance to abiotic stresses. Among these fungi, the Glomus genus stands out for its predominance in plants’ rhizosphere thanks to its richness in high-performance species and ecological adaptability. This review highlights the importance of species within this genus in soils, particularly in terrestrial ecosystems subject to (semi-)arid climates. Molecular mechanisms underlying plant tolerance to drought and salt stress in symbiosis with species of the Glomus genus are also explored. Full article

Mountain resilience is the ability of mountain regions to endure, adapt to, and recover from environmental, climatic, and anthropogenic stressors. Due to their steep topography, extreme weather conditions, and unique biodiversity, these areas are particularly vulnerable to climate change, natural hazards, and human activities. This paper examines how nature-based solutions (NbSs) can strengthen slope stability and geotechnical resilience, with a specific focus on Slovenia’s sub-Alpine regions as a case study representative of the Alps and similar mountain landscapes worldwide. The proposed Climate-Adaptive Resilience Evaluation (CARE) concept integrates geomechanical analysis with geotechnical planning, addressing the impacts of climate change through a systematic causal chain that connects climate hazards, their effects, and resulting consequences. Key factors such as water infiltration, soil permeability, and groundwater dynamics are identified as critical elements in designing timely and effective NbSs. In scenarios where natural solutions alone may be insufficient, hybrid solutions (HbSs) that combine nature-based and conventional engineering methods are highlighted as essential for managing unstable slopes and restoring collapsed geostructures. The paper provides practical examples, including slope stability analyses and reforestation initiatives, to illustrate how to use the CARE concept and how NbSs can mitigate geotechnical risks and promote sustainability. By aligning these approaches with regulatory frameworks and climate adaptation objectives, it underscores the potential for integrating NbSs and HbSs into comprehensive, long-term geotechnical strategies for enhancing mountain resilience. Full article

Sustainable drainage systems (SuDS) represent an opportunity to use stormwater management as a mechanism to deliver multiple co-benefits. They can play a key role in urban climate change adaptation, restoring nature, and increasing health and social wellbeing. Despite these benefits, their uptake is limited with many practitioners reporting barriers to implementation. To explore these barriers, and to define actions to unlock scaling, our mixed-methods study explored comparative perceptions of SuDS practitioners within the UK. Survey research (n = 48) provided an overview of broad experiences across a range of SuDS practitioners. Main barriers described were access to funds, difficulty retrofitting, cost to maintain, and the ownership of SuDS. Main issues having the least available information to support SuDS scaling were conflicts with corporate identity, cost to maintain, and collaboration between various stakeholders. Follow-up interviews (n = 6) explored experiences among a contrasting subset of survey respondents: those who experienced the highest number of perceived barriers and those who experienced the fewest barriers to SuDS implementation. From these interviews, key themes were identified that categorized the barriers for SuDS implementations: people-related elements; limiting practicalities; and informational factors. The findings were differentiated between indirect barriers (i.e., soft barriers, such as individual practitioner knowledge and capacity gaps linked to poor knowledge exchange) and direct barriers (i.e., hard barriers including specific gaps in SuDS data and knowledge experienced more universally). The importance of differentiating between knowledge-based (indirect) barriers that can be unlocked by improved information-transfer solutions and actual (direct) barriers that need further considered approaches and the generation of new knowledge to overcome is highlighted. Evidence-based policy recommendations for governmental and SuDS-based organisations are presented. Full article

There is growing awareness that there is a link between climate change and human influence and that human activities contribute to the warming of the atmosphere. The research identifies two ways to prepare cities to meet the challenges: the first is to optimize the way the urban organism functions by containing CO₂ emissions and consumption of nonrenewable resources by indicating strategies to regenerate the existing city according to an ecosystem approach; the second is to preserve the natural areas of the peri-urban area through graded forms of protection and enhancement by curbing the settlement thrusts of the existing city. The article illustrates two case studies for comparison (Reggio Calabria and Enna) chosen in the context of two Italian regions. Both have urban planning laws that provide for new urban planning instruments sensitive to these aspects. The two case studies were selected because of the similarity of their physical characteristics and the types of agricultural production affecting large areas of land, which has been partially compressed over the years. The respective regional regulations provide solutions to increase protection while allowing for better sustainable use and enhancement. Full article

Decarbonization of the automotive sector is essential to achieve global climate goals, as passenger cars contribute a substantial share of CO₂ emissions. This research project focuses on the preliminary design of an innovative 2-stroke hydrogen-fueled opposed-piston engine, offering a promising solution for reducing emissions from passenger cars. Hydrogen enables clean combustion due to its carbon-free nature and allows the possibility of nearly-zero NOx emissions when burned in an ultra-lean mixture. Although the ultra-lean mixture inevitably leads to a significant drop in performance, the opposed-piston engine architecture offers a potential solution for maintaining power output and overall dimensions comparable to traditional internal combustion engines. The study addressed the global balancing of the engine. Unlike conventional engines, the opposed-piston engine presents non-trivial challenges, such as the interaction between the two crankshafts. Two engine architectures are addressed: 3-cylinder and 4-cylinder. Full article

Advances in data science and artificial intelligence (AI) offer unprecedented opportunities to provide actionable insights, drive innovative solutions, and create long-term strategies for sustainable development in response to the triple existential crises facing humanity: climate change, pollution, and biodiversity loss. The rapid development of AI models has been the subject of extensive debate and is high on the political agenda, but at present the vast potential for AI to contribute positively to informed decision making, improved environmental risk management, and the development of technological solutions to sustainability challenges remains underdeveloped. In this paper, we consider four inter-dependent areas in which data science and AI can make a substantial contribution to developing sustainable future interactions with the environment: (i) quantification and tracking progress towards the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals; (ii) embedding AI technologies to reduce emissions at source; (iii) developing systems to increase our resilience to natural hazards; (iv) Net Zero and the built environment. We also consider the wider challenges associated with the widespread use of AI, including data access and discoverability, trust and regulation, inference and decision making, and the sustainable use of AI. Full article

Flood risks are escalating globally due to unplanned urban expansion and the impacts of climate change, posing significant challenges for urban areas and necessitating effective mitigation strategies. Nature-based solutions (NBSs) have emerged as innovative and sustainable approaches for managing flood risks. The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) defines NBSs as actions that conserve, manage, and restore natural and modified ecosystems to address societal concerns while benefiting both people and the environment. This research focuses on developing NBS strategies for the most flood-prone area within Kochi, a city highly vulnerable to flooding. The study begins with a comprehensive site examination to identify flood sources and causes in Kochi, aiding in selecting flood vulnerability indicators. An analytical framework incorporating flood risk assessment and exposure studies using physical and social indicators, alongside GIS mapping techniques, revealed that approximately half of Kochi is affected. The study identified key vulnerability hotspots, particularly within the Central Business District (CBD), where high population density and inadequate infrastructure exacerbate flood risks. Proposed NBS interventions include restoring natural floodplains, enhancing canal capacities, creating urban forests, and establishing green infrastructure like permeable pavements and rainwater harvesting systems. Key findings emphasize the effectiveness of integrating NBSs with traditional flood management strategies, forming a mixed flood control system. These interventions mitigate flood risks, improve biodiversity, reduce the urban heat island effect, and enhance community well-being. Importantly, the research underscores the role of public participation and community-driven maintenance plans in ensuring the sustainability of NBS interventions. Aligning these strategies with Kochi’s Master Plan 2040 ensures coherence with broader urban planning and climate resilience goals. The research anticipates changes in climate, land use patterns, and urban dynamics to inform NBS suitability in Kochi. Ultimately, the research demonstrates how implementing NBSs can deliver a range of socio-environmental benefits, significantly influencing urban development in vulnerable zones. By advocating for the integration of NBSs into urban infrastructure planning, this study offers a blueprint for resilient and sustainable flood management strategies that are applicable to other coastal cities facing similar challenges. Full article

This study addresses the urgent need for effective methods to monitor and conserve Araucaria angustifolia, a critically endangered species of immense ecological and cultural significance in southern Brazil. Using high-resolution satellite images from Google Earth, we apply the YOLOv7x deep learning model to detect this species in two distinct urban contexts in Curitiba, Paraná: isolated trees across the urban landscape and A. angustifolia individuals within forest remnants. Data augmentation techniques, including image rotation, hue and saturation adjustments, and mosaic augmentation, were employed to increase the model’s accuracy and robustness. Through a 5-fold cross-validation, the model achieved a mean Average Precision (AP) of 90.79% and an F1-score of 88.68%. Results show higher detection accuracy in forest remnants, where the homogeneous background of natural landscapes facilitated the identification of trees, compared to urban areas where complex visual elements like building shadows presented challenges. To reduce false positives, especially misclassifications involving palm species, additional annotations were introduced, significantly enhancing performance in urban environments. These findings highlight the potential of integrating remote sensing with deep learning to automate large-scale forest inventories. Furthermore, the study highlights the broader applicability of the YOLOv7x model for urban forestry planning, offering a cost-effective solution for biodiversity monitoring. The integration of predictive data with urban forest maps reveals a spatial correlation between A. angustifolia density and the presence of forest fragments, suggesting that the preservation of these areas is vital for the species’ sustainability. The model’s scalability also opens the door for future applications in ecological monitoring across larger urban areas. As urban environments continue to expand, understanding and conserving key species like A. angustifolia is critical for enhancing biodiversity, resilience, and addressing climate change. Full article

Carbon markets have emerged as a central component of international climate change policies. Within these markets, forest carbon offset projects have become a key nature-based solution due to their low cost, large scale, and co-benefits. However, despite Australia’s vast forest estate, forest sector-specific offsets remain nascent in the Australian Carbon Market, the ACCU Scheme. Only 3.27% of Australian Carbon Credit Units have been issued to forest sector projects. This limited participation can be attributed to several constraints within the ACCU Scheme, principally the limited number of methods available for the forest sector to engage in. As a result, less than 1% of Australia’s current forest estate, both plantation and native forests, is considered eligible to participate in the ACCU Scheme. This limited eligibility is further compounded by the complexity and cost of participation, which act as significant barriers for forest projects within the ACCU Scheme. This paper explores the potential to expand forest sector involvement in the Australian carbon market through a comprehensive literature review of forest sector involvement in international carbon markets. The review found extensive participation by the forest sector in international carbon markets, with various methods available across 20 markets, including the largest voluntary and compliance markets. These methods cover plantation forests, native forests, the bioeconomy, and the built environment. Key results indicate that revising existing methods, developing new ones through the ACCU Scheme’s proponent-led method development process, and increasing participation in international voluntary methods could significantly expand the types of forest sector projects contributing to emissions reductions through carbon markets. Broader conclusions suggest that by embracing lessons from international practises and addressing current methodological constraints, Australia can realise this potential. Doing so would not only bolster the nation’s climate change mitigation efforts, but also unlock the co-benefits of biodiversity, water quality, soil productivity, and ecosystem resilience, ultimately contributing to a sustainable and resilient bioeconomy. Full article