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Ecosystems provide a wide variety of life-sustaining services but are currently facing severe degradation due to changing land use and cover. Women are presumed to be more affected by declines in provisioning ecosystem services (PES). These claims have not been empirically proven across all contexts and have been contested by recent studies. Few studies in Ghana have attempted to examine this gendered environmental change phenomenon. Underpinned by the vulnerability theory, this paper employed an eclectic methodological approach to examine gender differences in vulnerability and coping with changing PES in Ghana. The findings reveal that both males and females depend highly on agricultural and woodland ecosystems for their livelihood needs. The deterioration in the total areas of the major ecosystems has resulted in significant declines in vital PES such as wild edible fruits and vegetables, medicinal plants and building materials for both men and women over the past decade. The study further reveals that the decreases in fuelwood supply affect women more than men because the former group mostly cooks food in their households, using fuelwood. As adaptation mechanisms, male farmers mostly planted trees on their farms to reclaim unfertile land and conserve forests, while female farmers engage in fruits and vegetable trade in the markets, as well as used non-indigenous spices to enhance the taste of food. Both males and females have also resorted to relying on orthodox medicines contrary to the past. To increase ecosystem resilience, the mainstreaming of ecosystem integrity adaptation practices into national adaptation plans is paramount. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In recent years, global demand for medicinal plants has surged due to their recognized therapeutic capacities in both traditional and modern medicine. The COVID-19 epidemic, skepticism regarding synthetic medications, and a desire for a natural supplement to address dietary deficiencies have collectively intensified demand. The therapeutic properties and commercial prospects of this group of plants are significant; nonetheless, the demand for wild species poses considerable risks to the integrity and sustainability of natural ecosystems. This commentary will address the necessity for sustainable harvesting of medicinal plants while preserving biodiversity and ecological balance. Overexploitation, habitat degradation, and insufficient management strategies increasingly threaten numerous medicinal plants, which are often keystone species fulfilling critical ecological functions. Unsustainable harvesting practices harm plant populations and ecological systems, especially slow-growing or region-specific species. Overexploitation and lack of information in local communities increase the risk of species extinction. A holistic approach that integrates scientific research, policy formulation, and community engagement is necessary to address these challenges. Promoting cultivation standards, biotechnological advancements, and traditional knowledge is crucial. Successful conservation initiatives necessitate the transdisciplinary collaboration of conservation scientists, policymakers, local people, and industry stakeholders. This strategy will assist in safeguarding ecological integrity and preserving these vital resources for future generations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The ecological health of urban rivers serves as a critical indicator of the overall health of urban ecosystems. The water ecological health status of the Zaogang River in Changzhou City was evaluated; nine sections of the river and the Old Zaogang River were sampled, and an assessment system with 8 indexes for hydrologic integrity, physical structural integrity, chemical integrity, and biological integrity was set up. A comprehensive scoring system, based on index scores and their corresponding weights, was employed to evaluate the ecological health of the Zaogang River. The assessment revealed that most sections of the Zaogang River were in a healthy state, classified as second-class level. In contrast, the Old Zaogang River exhibited sub-health conditions in one section, indicating a need for comprehensive restoration measures. Water ecological health evaluation system constructed in this study is relatively complete and comprehensive, and provides a good example for the rapid evaluation of urban rivers. Additionally, the findings of the study offer guidance for managing rivers in Changzhou city. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Huanghe Estuary, which is characterized by dynamic hydrological and ecological processes, is highly susceptible to marine oil spills due to dense maritime traffic and extensive industrial activities. This study evaluated the vulnerability of estuarine wetlands in the Huanghe Estuary to oil spill stress using the Pressure-Situation-Sensitivity-Recovery (PSSR) framework. By employing the Geographic Information System (GIS) and the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP), this study categorized the vulnerability index (0-1) into five classes: Very Low (0- 0.098), Low (0.098-0.125), Medium (0.125-0.192), High (0.192-0.224), and Very High (0.224-1). The results indicate that the ships indicator has the highest weight, followed by oil rigs. In contrast, the number of chemical splash-proof suits and tugboats have the lowest weights. Wetland vulnerability under oil spill stress exhibited significant spatial variation, with higher vulnerability observed in areas closer to the coastline, such as the eastern part of Kenli County, the northern part of Wudi County, and the northern part of Hekou District. This study underscores the need for targeted measures and enhanced monitoring to mitigate the risks of large oil spills and protect the ecological integrity of the Huanghe Estuary. The findings presented herein provide critical information that will help policymakers and environmental managers implement effective conservation strategies and risk mitigation efforts in this ecologically sensitive and economically important region. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The U.S. National Park System began at Yellowstone in 1872 and the National Park Service (NPS) took over its management in 1916. That system has evolved through nine processes to 429 units in every state and most territories. Those processes include (1) the classification of units by natural, historical, and recreational purposes and resources while shifting from isolated sublimity to representation of U.S. environment and history; (2) the spatial expansion of the system from the rural West to the urban East; (3) the rise of science to dominate natural resource management; (4) evolution of socially conscious historical coverage that includes accurately researched places relevant to the entire population; (5) increasing congressional involvement in NPS management through laws like the National Environmental Policy Act and the Wilderness Act and direct control of studies for new units; (6) the legal triumph of resource preservation for future generations over potentially damaging uses including recreation; (7) NPS encouragement of equal rights by banning segregation, extending outreach to minorities, and employing more women; (8) facing management difficulties with a growing workload while coping with grievous understaffing, underfunding, and a waning interest among young people; and (9) external threats that are beyond its control including climate change and aggressive invasive species. The NPS considers itself the organization to protect and present U.S. heritage, but its responsibilities expand while its powers are contested. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Current and near future climate policy will fundamentally influence the integrity of ecological systems. The Neotropics is a region where biodiversity is notably high and precipitation regimes largely determine the ecology of most organisms. We modeled possible changes in the severity of seasonal aridity by 2100 throughout the Neotropics and used birds to illustrate the implications of contrasting climate scenarios for the region's biodiversity. Under SSP‐8.5, a pessimistic and hopefully unlikely scenario, longer dry seasons (> 5%), and increased moisture stress are projected for about 75% of extant lowland forests throughout the entire region with impacts on 66% of the region's lowland forest avifauna, which comprises over 3000 species and about 30% of all bird species globally. Longer dry seasons are predicted to be especially significant in the Caribbean, Upper South America, and Amazonia. In contrast, under SSP‐2.6—a scenario with significant climate mitigation—only about 10% of the entire region's forest area and 3% of its avifauna will be exposed to longer dry seasons. The extent of current forest cover that may plausibly function as precipitation‐based climate refugia (i.e., < 5% change in length of dry periods) for constituent biodiversity is over 4 times greater under SSP‐2.6 than with SSP‐8.5. Moreover, the proportion of currently protected areas that overlap putative refugia areas is nearly 4 times greater under SSP‐2.6. Taken together, our results illustrate that climate policy will have profound outcomes for biodiversity throughout the Neotropics—even in areas where deforestation and other immediate threats are not currently in play. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: The Najeoer Pond, which is the object of this study, was created to be utilized as a test bed for the restoration of endangered species and for carrying out ecological education on the pond ecosystem. To achieve these goals, the Najeoer Pond was created for diversity and stability purposes by first securing various water depths imitating natural lagoons and inducing the establishment of various vegetation types according to the depth. As a result of analyzing the vegetation settlement process for 12 years after its creation through vegetation cover, species composition, species diversity, and the ratio of exotic species, and comparing the results with those of natural lagoons, the Najeoer Pond has been shaped to resemble the diversity and stability of natural lagoons. The carbon absorption capacity of the littoral vegetation established around the pond was significantly higher than that of forest vegetation. In this respect, the Najeoer Pond was also deemed to have a high creation effect in terms of ecological function. Therefore, a stable pond with diversity can be created because vegetation diversity can be guaranteed as a result of securing the ecological diversity of various water depths. The Najeoer Pond was created in a rice paddy as a part of a plan to build the National Institute of Ecology. To induce the establishment of various plants, the maximum depth of the pond was 2.0 m, and diverse depths were created with a gentle slope on the pond bed. When introducing vegetation, littoral and emergent vegetation were first introduced to stabilize the space secured for the creation of the pond, whereas the introduction of other vegetation was allowed to develop naturally. In this pond, floating, emergent, wetland, and littoral plants have been established to various degrees, reflecting the water depth and water table. As a result of stand ordination, based on vegetation data obtained from the created Najeoer Pond and a natural lagoon selected as the reference site, the species' composition resembled that of the reference site. Diversity, based on vegetation type, community, and species, tended to be higher than that of the reference site. The proportion of exotic species increased due to the disturbance that occurred during the pond creation process but continued to decrease as the vegetation introduced during the creation of the pond became established. Considering these results comprehensively, the restorative treatment served to increase both the biological integrity and ecological stability of the pond and, thus, achieved the creation goal from the viewpoint of the pond structure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the United States, research natural areas (RNAs) are permanently established to maintain areas of natural ecosystem significance. The Upper Sand Creek Research Natural Area (USCRNA) in the Escalante River watershed in southern Utah was established nearly a quarter century ago. However, the botanical diversity has remained largely unknown. To provide data to aid in preserving and maintaining biological and genetic diversity in USCRNA, we surveyed vascular plant, bryophyte, and lichen diversity within the RNA in 2021. We document high vascular plant (187 species) and lichen (152 species / candidate species) diversity, in addition to 15 bryophyte species. These preliminary inventories will be critical for investigating ecosystem function and integrity, providing a baseline for future research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The identification of multiple facets of biodiversity (e.g., phylogenetic and functional) can help to understand how evolutionary and ecological mechanisms shape the assembly of biological communities.Here, we employed multiple regressions and variance partitions to investigate the effects of environmental conditions, connectivity and space on aspects of the functional and phylogenetic facets of fish fauna in tropical headwater streams of the Xingu River basin, in Eastern Amazonia.We found that the functional and phylogenetic diversities of fish communities are related to local environmental conditions and stream connectivity in the drainage network, with marked differences occurring between the rainy and dry periods. Furthermore, we discovered that functional uniqueness was influenced mainly by environmental factors, whereas phylogenetic uniqueness had a more complex relationship with the influence of local environmental factors and connectivity.Our findings indicate that the fish assemblages of small headwater streams of the Xingu River basin share a close phylogenetic history. This is probably because of the climatic and environmental stability experienced by Amazonian ichthyofauna over evolutionary time.Our findings emphasise the role of niche‐based processes in shaping the unique functional composition of fish assemblages in headwater streams, and highlight the importance of environmental heterogeneity in maintaining the ecological integrity of these freshwater ecosystems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Human disturbance compromises the ecological integrity of forests, negatively affecting associated species. Assessing the impact of forest integrity on biodiversity is complex due to the interplay of various human activities, ecological factors, and their interactions. Current large-scale indices assess forest integrity but often lack a direct connection to the biotic environment. We tested the effectiveness of the global Forest Landscape Integrity Index (FLII) in evaluating aspects of anthropogenic forest degradation on the biotic community. We analyzed the relationship between changes in the ecological integrity of Finnish forests and variations in mammal species abundance, using the number of tracks from 17 different species collected during the winter seasons between 2016 and 2020 in south-central Finland. Beyond the FLII, we analyzed forest and canopy cover to enhance the accuracy of habitat preference assessments. We found that the FLII captures the varying degrees of forest integrity, as reflected by the correlation between the abundance of winter tracks and the FLII for most mammals. Species that were positively associated with forest integrity were all native to the boreal forest, while mammals that adapt well to human-disturbed environments including two invasive species were more common in lower FLII forests. Significant differences in habitat preferences were also observed in relation to forest and canopy cover, revealing additional nuances that the FLII alone did not capture. This study demonstrates that the FLII, when combined with a comprehensive dataset and supplemented with region-specific factors, can assess species' adaptability to human-modified forests, aiding in the development of conservation strategies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nature-based tourism is rising in popularity in developing countries. This presents a challenge for protected area (PA) managers forcing them to revisit management strategies to balance revenue generation while maintaining ecological integrity. Identifying tourists' preference for nature-viewing can aid in improved tourism management while simultaneously enhancing visitor experiences. We conducted semi-structured surveys with 516 tourists visiting three popular Indian PAs to understand their nature-viewing preferences. We identified the factors influencing viewing preferences for seven biodiversity categories using recursive partitioning classification trees. We found the biodiversity categories such as charismatic megafauna and landscape to be major tourist-attractants. Despite this, we also found that prior engagement in conservation activities, age, and gender can influence preference for viewing low-profile categories such as herpetofauna and flora. Providing opportunities for people to engage in conservation at different levels of governance and especially for tourists when visiting a PA could increase appreciation for all species and funding available for their conservation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study establishes and refines a social-landscape ecological security pattern that integrates the demand and supply of ecosystem services, providing a substantial foundation for the ecological restoration of territorial spaces. This foundation is crucial for enhancing the effectiveness of "social–ecological" systems in achieving sustainable development. Jilin Province, serving as a national ecological security buffer and experiencing rapid economic growth, exhibits a significant spatial imbalance between social and economic progress and ecological conservation. The balance of ecosystem service demand and supply is pivotal in this context, making Jilin Province an ideal study area. We employed a multifaceted approach, including MSPA, the InVEST model, landscape connectivity assessment, circuit theory, and ecological network integrity evaluation, to elucidate the spatial disparities between the demand and supply of ecosystem services. We then developed and optimized social and landscape ecological security patterns to meet human demands and safeguard ecological integrity, thereby promoting the sustainable development of "social–ecological" systems. The key findings are as follows: (1) The supply of ecosystem services shows a clear spatial gradient, with lower values in the west and higher in the east, while demand is concentrated in the central region with lower values in the east and west, indicating a pronounced spatial mismatch in Jilin Province. (2) The landscape ecological security pattern includes 18 barrier points, 33 pinch points, 166 ecological corridors, and 101 ecological sources. (3) The social–ecological security pattern comprises 119 demand sources and 150 supply–demand corridors. (4) The study introduces 14 supply–demand nodes and 47 optimization corridors, proposing zoning schemes for the eastern core protection area, the central ecological demand area, and the western core restoration area. Additionally, recommendations are concerning the optimization of the "social–ecological" system pattern. This research advances the theoretical understanding of "social–ecological" system development in Jilin Province and offers insights for more harmonized development strategies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Rural ecosystem health (REH) serves as an effective metric for assessing the damage degree and stability state within rural systems and their components. It reflects the interaction and the balance among rural subsystems, emphasizing the harmonious development of resources, agriculture, environment, economy, and society that are fundamental to sustainable rural development. Most regional-scale ecosystem health assessments primarily focus on either the natural state of the ecosystem or external disturbances affecting it, often neglecting human ecological systems characterized by economic and social dimensions. Taking Chongqing as an example, we established an improved REH assessment framework by integrating ecological integrity from the perspective of a social-economy-natural compound ecosystem. Furthermore, we innovatively incorporated the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) into the formulation of the REH indicator system to quantitatively elucidate the spatiotemporal characteristics. The results indicated that: (1) The REH in Chongqing exhibited an evolutionary pattern characterized by a subsequent rise, maintaining values between 0.363–0.872 from 2000 to 2018. This trend reflected a distinct two-stage development characteristic, with the rural socio-economic subsystem contributing the most at 33.36%, followed closely by the rural environmental subsystem at 27.84%; (2) In 2018, the REH across the 36 districts and counties in Chongqing displayed spatial differentiation patterns described as "collapse in the west, high levels in the northeast, and localized surges". The areas ranked from smallest to largest REH were metropolitan, western, southeastern, and northeastern areas; (3) Four levels (e.g., disease, single health, compound health, and comprehensive health) and twelve sub-levels of REH were defined using a dominant factors method. Finally, we analyzed the driving factors from four aspects of urbanization development: policy regulation, urban-rural factors flow, and regional differences. We also proposed differentiated planning and policies for sustainable rural development in Chongqing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

When focusing on biodiversity maintenance, ecological security pattern (ESP) planning gradually becomes a multi-objective planning strategy for sustainable development; wildlife conservation and ecosystem health maintenance should be balanced with local economic development and people's livelihood enhancement goals. This study focuses on ESP mapping in the Qinling-Daba Mountain area, which is an ecologically significant and socioeconomically underdeveloped area. The tradeoff between conservation and development is made by varying the area of ecological sources and incorporating ecosystem service tradeoffs into ecological source identification through multi-scenario designation. ESPs under six scenarios were generated based on the minimum resistance model, and the important ecological corridors and strategic points in each scenario were identified and compared. The results show the following: (1) The scenario that sets around 30 percent of the study area as ecological sources maintains the integrity of natural ecosystems and leaves space for food and material supply to residents. (2) In this scenario, the ecological sources are connected by 60 corridors that cross 137 townships with high population densities (>100 people/km2) and intersect with major traffic lines at 71 points. Engineering, management, or education strategies must be taken in these townships or intersections to avoid human–wildlife conflicts. (3) The study area needs to construct both short (north–south) corridors linking proximate ecological sources for species' daily movement and long (west–east) corridors connecting large and distant sources for species' seasonal migration and gene flow. (4) The multi-scenario approach turns out to be an effective strategy for ESP planning with considerations for development–conservation tradeoffs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Antibiotic residues have become a significant challenge in food safety, threatening both ecosystem integrity and human health. To combat this problem, we developed an innovative photo‐powered, self‐powered aptasensor that employs a novel carbon‐doped three‐dimensional graphitic carbon nitride (3D‐CN) combined with a metal‐organic framework composed of N‐doped copper(I) oxide‐carbon (Cu2O@C) skeletons. The 3D‐CN serves as the photoanode, offering stable photocurrent production due to its three‐dimensional open framework structure. The N‐doped Cu2O@C acts as the photocathode, providing oxidation protection for the metal core and enhancing light absorption due to its metal‐organic framework structure. A key feature of our work is exploiting the Fermi level difference between the n‐type photoanode and p‐type photocathode, which facilitates faster migration of photogenerated electrons toward the photocathode, thereby enhancing the sensor's self‐powered effect. Experimental results reveal that upon aptamer loading, the sensor can linearly detect tetracycline (TC) within a range of 0.5 pmol/L to 300 nmol/L, with a detection limit as low as 0.13 pmol/L. It also demonstrates excellent selectivity, stability, and reproducibility, making it applicable to real samples such as milk and river water. Consequently, our research provides a highly efficient and sensitive method for monitoring TC in food, with significant practical implications and profound impacts on food safety. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This book review discusses "Sustainable development, international law, and a turn to African legal cosmologies" by Godwin Eli Kwadzo Dzah. The book examines the concept of sustainable development in international law from an African perspective, highlighting the Eurocentric nature of current international law and the need for a reimagining of the concept. It traces the historical development of sustainable development and explores the potential role of African cosmologies in shaping a new paradigm. The review praises the book for its comprehensive analysis and contribution to recognizing African contributions to sustainable development. It may be of interest to scholars in international environmental law, legal pluralism, and legal anthropology. [Extracted from the article]

ABSTRACT Aim Location Time Period Major Taxa Studied Methods Results Main Conclusions Seasonality governs species composition at a given place and time. However, the effects of climate and land‐use change can vary by season, altering species composition. These changes can lead to a loss of distinct seasonal community composition, representing a novel form of biotic homogenisation. We ask if breeding and winter bird communities are becoming more similar over time. If so, is homogenisation occurring more rapidly in winter than in the breeding season, and has the presence of individual species changed between seasons?Northeastern United States.1989–2019.Two hundred thirty‐eight bird species.We use data from The National Audubon Society's Christmas Bird Count and the North American Breeding Bird Survey to test if winter and breeding bird communities have become more similar (homogenised). We evaluate this change using the Sørensen dissimilarity index, and its components of turnover (species replacement) and nestedness (a subset of a more species rich community) and describe the mechanism in which the seasonal winter and breeding bird communities are changing.We found that winter and breeding bird communities are homogenising, driven by significant decrease in turnover and a marginal decrease nestedness. When viewing breeding and wintering communities separately, we observe different trends. Breeding communities are becoming more unique with decreasing turnover and nestedness. Winter communities are becoming more similar to each other, with decreasing turnover and nestedness. More breeding species are declining and species that are typically found in the winter and year‐round residents are the main contributors to the homogenisation between seasons.We show for the first time homogenisation between winter and breeding bird communities over time across the northeastern United States. This insight into how individual species are faring between seasons, and how they impact community structure, can be used when implementing conservation measures for maintaining ecological functioning and integrity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nitroaromatic compounds represent a class of highly toxic pollutants discharged into aquatic environments by various industrial activities, posing significant threats to ecological integrity and human health due to their persistent and hazardous nature. In this study, Pd-doped ZnO nanoparticles were investigated as a potential solution for the degradation of nitro organics, offering heightened photocatalytic efficacy and prolonged stability. The synthesis of Pd-doped ZnO NPs was achieved via the hydrothermal method, with subsequent analysis through XRD spectra and XPS confirming successful Pd doping within the ZnO matrix. Characterization through FESEM and HRTEM unveiled the heterogeneous morphologies of both undoped and Pd-doped ZnO nanoparticles. Additionally, UV–vis and PL spectroscopy provided insights into the optical properties, chemical bonding, and defect structures of the synthesized Pd-doped ZnO NPs. Pd doping induces a redshift in ZnO's absorption spectra, reducing the bandgap from 3.12 to 2.94 eV as Pd concentration rises from 0 to 0.2 wt.%. The photocatalytic degradation, following pseudo-first-order kinetics, achieved 90% nitrobenzene abatement (200 µg/L, pH 7) under visible light within 320 min with a catalyst loading of 16 µg/mL. The photocatalytic efficacy of 0.08 wt% Pd-doped ZnO (k = 0.058 min⁻1) exhibited a 25-fold enhancement compared to bare ZnO (k = 3.1 × 10–4 min-1). Subsequent quenching and ESR experiments identified hydroxyl radicals (OH•) as the predominant active species in the degradation mechanism. Mass spectrometry analysis unveiled potential breakdown intermediates, illuminating a plausible degradation pathway. The investigated Pd-doped ZnO nanoparticles demonstrated reusability for up to five successive treatment cycles, offering a sustainable solution to nitro organics contamination challenges. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Anthropogenic stressors to marine ecosystems from climate change and human activities increase extinction risk of species, disrupt ecosystem integrity, and threaten important ecosystem services. Addressing these stressors requires understanding where and to what extent they are impacting marine biological and functional diversity. We model cumulative risk of human impact upon 21,159 marine animal species by combining information on species-level vulnerability and spatial exposure to a range of anthropogenic stressors. We apply this species-level assessment of human impacts to examine patterns of species-stressor interactions within taxonomic groups. We then spatially map impacts across the global ocean, identifying locations where climate-driven impacts overlap with fishing, shipping, and land-based stressors to help inform conservation needs and opportunities. Comparing species-level modeled impacts to those based on marine habitats that represent important marine ecosystems, we find that even relatively untouched habitats may still be home to species at elevated risk, and that many species-rich coastal regions may be at greater risk than indicated from habitat-based methods alone. Finally, we incorporate a trait-based metric of functional diversity to identify where impacts to functionally unique species might pose greater risk to community structure and ecosystem integrity. These complementary lenses of species, function, and habitat provide a richer understanding of threats to marine biodiversity to help inform efforts to meet conservation targets and ensure sustainability of nature's contributions to people. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Forests play a crucial role in maintaining the integrity of natural ecosystems. Accurate mapping of windfall damages following storms is essential for effective post-disaster management. While remote sensing image classification offers substantial advantages over ground surveys for monitoring changes in forests, it encounters several challenges. Firstly, training samples in classification algorithms are typically selected through pixel-based random sampling or manual regional sampling. This approach struggles with accurately modeling complex patterns in high-resolution images and often results in redundant samples. Secondly, the limited availability of labeled samples compromises the classification accuracy when they are divided into training and test sets. To address these issues, two innovative approaches are proposed in this paper. The first is a new sample selection method which combines block-based sampling with spatial features extracted by single or multiple windows. Second, a new evaluation criterion is proposed by using the homomorphic hypothesis margin map with out-of-bag (OOB) accuracy. The former can not only assess the confidence level of each pixel category but also make regional boundaries clearer, and the latter can replace the test set so that all samples can be used for change detection. The experimental results show that the OOB accuracy obtained by spatial features with whole block sampling was 7.2 % higher than that obtained by spectral features with pixel-based sampling and 2–3% higher than that for block center sampling, of which the highest value reached 98.8 % . Additionally, the feasibility of identifying storm-damaged forests using only post-storm images has been demonstrated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hilly and mountainous regions are significantly impacted by soil erosion, primarily due to rainfall-runoff processes occurring on the hillslope scale. Assessing soil erosion is crucial for quantifying the loss of soil carbon and nutrients, which diminishes the potential of soil ecosystem services and is critical for mitigating the impacts of climate change on food security. However, the Himalayan landscape poses serious challenges for assessing soil erosion due to its steep and rugged terrain, which hinders the use of conventional and modelling methods. The fallout radionuclide—137Cs has been extensively utilized as an environmental marker for investigating soil redistribution processes. Despite its potential, there is a notable lack of 137Cs-based soil erosion studies in the Himalayan region. In this context, we assessed the applicability of the fallout radionuclide—137Cs method in quantifying soil erosion rates and identifying erosion hotspots on two hillslopes of the Higher Himalayas. On the hillslope scale, we observed that soil erosion rates vary based on slope gradient and land use/land cover. Forested areas exhibited the lowest soil erosion rates compared to cultivated areas, while flat hillslope positions experienced lower erosion rates than steeper positions. The average net erosion rate for the Harsil hillslope varied among different hillslope positions, ranging from – 2.9 to – 15.6 t ha−1 yr−1. Similarly, in the Gangnani hillslope, the net erosion rates varied across different positions, ranging from – 5.6 to – 39 t ha−1 yr−1. Our findings confirm that the middle and lower hillslope positions are the most critical source areas with higher soil erosion rates, while hillslope positions with forest cover demonstrate the lowest erosion rates, identified as helpful in controlling soil erosion. The study has demonstrated the applicability of FRN as a soil erosion measurement method in the complex, rugged, and steep terrain of the Himalayas, highlighting the need for targeted conservation efforts to mitigate soil erosion and preserve ecosystem integrity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Emergy is a concept that is important for understanding problems in accounting for the health and integrity of ecological and social systems. Success in the evolutionary competition among systems depends on maximizing the emergy captured by a system that is then fed back to bring in more exergy. For this reason, "emergy" in the form of maximum empower (i.e., maximum emergy flow measured in solar emjoules or sej/unit time) provides a unified, thermodynamically controlled decision criterion by which the behavior of all systems is constrained. The fact that maximum empower and not maximum profit is nature's decision criterion makes it critical that more people become familiar with emergy evaluations and how to use the results of these analyses in decision-making. A new approach to emergy evaluation is proposed that focuses on developing more accurate assessments of the spatial and temporal emergy accounting required for the creation of products and services. These emergy evaluations include the accumulated past action of exergy in creating key system components such as vegetation biomass and the accumulated knowledge of workers in the economy, which will result in emergy assessments that better reflect the capacity of the products and services to do work in their systems. An analysis of the Geobiosphere is presented as a "white box" model of the secondary and tertiary flows of wind and water in the global system. The key factors identified are the separation of wind into two components: a factor controlling vertical diffusion with transformity of =715 sej J-1 and a second transformity governing surface friction of =1,215 sej J-1. Also, water systems are fully defined with transformities of 302,900 sej J-1 to 1,440,000 sej J-1 for geostrophic flows. Past emergy analyses show that managers should develop policies that will maximize the empower flowing through their systems. The problem of maximizing the empower captured occurs within the context of a set of forcing functions impinging on a system from the next larger system, and since these forcing functions are always changing, maximum power should not be thought of as a fixed endpoint but rather as a constant state of seeking this goal. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Karaka (Corynocarpus laevigatus J.R. Forst. & G. Forst.) is an endemic New Zealand tree species that attracts polarising views and controversy. Prior to the arrival of humans in New Zealand, karaka was probably restricted to warmer areas of the northern North Island, but it now occurs throughout much of New Zealand, including on Rēkohu/Chatham Island (where it is known as kōpi). Genetic analyses have shed light on the evolutionary origins of karaka and its translocation history. Karaka holds significant cultural and historical value for Māori and Moriori, but it is also viewed as an environmental weed outside its natural range due to its capacity to outcompete resident native vegetation and disrupt local ecosystems. Karaka fruit can be toxic to dogs and other animals, including humans, if not prepared correctly before consumption. The management of karaka in New Zealand presents a unique challenge that exemplifies the complexities inherent in balancing cultural values with ecological integrity. The aim of this paper is to bring together all these different perspectives and explore avenues for future management strategies that accommodate both the cultural significance and the ecological impact of karaka. An informed, culturally sensitive management strategy that involves mana whenua can pave the way for a future where both cultural and ecological aspects of the karaka tree are given due consideration where appropriate. Such an approach could also inform the management of other native plant species that become invasive outside their natural range both in New Zealand and internationally. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Wild mammals are often difficult to directly observe, especially in woodland and forest habitats with dense vegetation, so surveys of largely indirect signs of their activities (e.g. tracks and spoor) are often a more practical option for monitoring populations. This study compared two different approaches to surveying largely indirect indicators of activity by a range of wild mammals across a gradient of ecosystem integrity in southern Tanzania. Surveys of all such signs of wild mammal activity detected around all identifiable surface water bodies within a 2 km radius of 32 convenient camping locations with perennial surface water were complemented on alternative days with similar surveys along transects between each camp and the next camp that required similar time and effort. For most of the wild mammal species detected, radial surveys around water bodies proved more sensitive than those along transects between them, because the former approach samples distinct and convenient locations that attract most animal species. Transect surveys were found to be more sensitive for only sable (Hippotragus niger) and spotted hyaena (Crocuta crocuta), which are known to routinely commute considerable distances across their home ranges, and for greater kudu (Tragelaphus strepsiceros) that seldom drink surface water. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Maintaining water availability is crucial for sustaining wildlife populations in African savannah ecosystems, especially in semi‐arid regions where natural surface water sources are limited. The establishment of Artificial Water Points (AWPs) has become a common management strategy in protected areas to mitigate the effects of water scarcity. This study investigated the spatio‐temporal patterns of mammal visitation to AWPs in Majete Wildlife Reserve, Malawi, over an eight‐year period using motion‐triggered camera traps. The study documented a total of 34 medium‐ to large‐sized mammal species, with warthog, waterbuck, impala and yellow baboon being the most frequently captured. Temporal analysis reveals diurnal visitation patterns, with peak activity during mid‐day hours, and seasonal variations, with most species exhibiting increased visitation during the hot‐dry season. Spatial analysis identifies preferences for AWPs proximate to perennial rivers and tourist infrastructure, emphasising the role of habitat features and human presence in AWP utilisation. Management implications include the need for tailored strategies addressing species‐specific behaviours and habitat conditions, alongside ongoing monitoring efforts to ensure the sustainability of wildlife populations and ecological integrity. Despite the inherent limitations of camera trap methodology, this study provides valuable insights into AWP management strategies essential for conserving biodiversity in semi‐arid environments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The extensive forest resources within Cambodia are pivotal to the ecological integrity of the Mekong River basin. This study, utilizing GlobeLand 30 data, investigates the dynamics of forest loss in Cambodia through the lens of forest cover and landscape pattern indices. Furthermore, a multiple linear regression analysis is conducted to elucidate the principal determinants of forest depletion. The empirical results indicate that: (1) Over the period between 2000 and 2020, Cambodia's forest expanse contracted from 104 009. 92 to 89 702. 30 square kilometers, accompanied by a reduction in coverage from 57. 45% to 49. 55%. Notably, the plateau and mountainous terrains witnessed the most pronounced deforestation, with a net loss of 8 002. 87 square kilometers and a corresponding decline in coverage by 11. 36%. Land use transition analysis reveals that 84. 85% of the forested area remained stable, whereas 12. 90% was reallocated to agricultural purposes. (2) The fragmentation of forested landscapes has escalated, evidenced by a widespread diminution in the largest patch index. (3) The regression analysis underscores population expansion and the augmentation of arable land as the predominant catalysts for forest attrition. It is suggested that the Cambodian government should fortify forest governance and enforcement to mitigate deforestation. At the same time, fostering economic diversification through the advancement of industries, ecotourism, and other non-agricultural sectors could generate alternative employment avenues, thereby alleviating the impetus for forest conversion to farmland. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ditches are widespread and common elements of the agricultural landscape. Although they can provide habitats for aquatic biodiversity, their ecosystem integrity and processes are generally limited or even unknown due to anthropogenic pressures and the paucity of studies on this type of aquatic ecosystem. This study aimed to enhance the knowledge on the biodiversity, ecosystem attributes and ecological status of agricultural ditches by analyzing the macroinvertebrate communities of six different ditches and those of the main river in the same area. While negligible differences in taxonomic richness were observed, macroinvertebrate community composition significantly varied among sites as a function of the heterogeneous habitat conditions. These compositional differences strongly affected the relative abundance of functional feeding groups among sites and their derived ecosystem attributes. Moreover, the ecological status assessment depicted different scenarios depending on the biomonitoring indices applied. By means of a multifaceted, but still poorly adopted, analysis of the macroinvertebrate community, ranging from the taxonomic and functional diversity to ecosystem attributes and biomonitoring indices, the results obtained in this study offer useful information on the ecology of agricultural ditches with potential insights to improving their management. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Movement is a key component of an animal's life history. While there are numerous factors that influence movement, there is an inherent link between a species' social ecology and its movement ecology. Despite this inherent relationship, the socio‐spatial ecology of many species remains unknown, hampering ecological theory and conservation alike. Here, we use fine‐scale GPS location data and continuous‐time stochastic processes to study the socio‐spatial ecology of 23 giant anteaters (Myrmecophaga tridactyla) in the Brazilian Cerrado. We found that individuals occupied stable home ranges with a mean area of 5.45 km2 with males having significantly larger home ranges than females. The average amount of home‐range overlap was low (0.20, n = 121 dyads), with no evidence that giant anteater home ranges were structured based on territorial, mate‐guarding, or other social behaviour. We also identified a total of 2774 encounter events. Interestingly, both female–male and male–male dyads had significantly more encounters than female–female dyads, with two pronounced seasonal peaks in female–male encounters. Though encounters occurred frequently, associations between dyads were generally weak and there was little evidence of any correlated movement (mean amount of total correlation = 0.01). Collectively, these findings suggest giant anteaters are a solitary and largely asocial species that readily share space with conspecifics. Despite their present capacity to share space, the combined pressures of being condensed into smaller areas and decreased food availability due to increased pesticide use may cause behavioural changes radiating throughout the population. Our study provides insight into heretofore unknown aspects of the socio‐spatial ecology of this iconic, but understudied species, as well as crucial information for proactive area‐based management. Ultimately, these findings contribute towards sustainable development while potentially maintaining the ecological integrity of giant anteaters and their habitats. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Human activities have widely disrupted the spatial ecological processes critical for population and ecosystem integrity. Local effects of altered sediment regimes in rivers are well explored, but how they impact connectivity at a catchment scale is less explored. In this paper we document evidence for altered metapopulation dynamics for a headwater specialist, blackspotted topminnow (Fundulus olivaceus) in catchments with geomorphically dynamic river mainstems.We quantified decade‐scale patterns of fluvial geomorphic activity via planform analysis of historical and recent aerial imagery, and patterns of gene flow in F. olivaceus via analysis of single nucleotide polymorphisms, identified by genotype‐by‐sequencing.Mainstem streams narrowed and increased in sinuosity, probably in recovery from historic flood events. Substantial variability in response indicated underlying differences due to differential disturbance history and catchment sensitivity to change.Multiple analytical approaches all found geography to be a major factor in genetic structuring among catchments. Metrics of genetic differentiation and heterozygosity for F. olivaceus within catchments were related to the degree of geomorphic change inferred from a multivariate composite metric. Catchments with more geomorphic change tended to have more population structuring.Five populations assigned to adjacent catchments. Analysis of heterozygosity in presumed donor, recipient, and mis‐assigned catchments indicated founder effects in recipient catchments and probable subsequent allopatric recolonisation following local extirpations.Our results demonstrate complex nonlocal effects of channel evolution on metapopulation dynamics in a pool‐dwelling non‐lithophilous headwater specialist. Our integrative approach allows strong insight into deeper effects of geomorphic processes on aquatic ecosystems. F. olivaceus is ecologically dissimilar to taxa traditionally anticipated to respond to sediment‐related disturbances and demonstrates how broader channel morphological change can affect habitats beyond sedimentation of the stream bed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Natural disturbance‐based management (NDBM) is hypothesized to maintain managed forest ecosystem integrity by reducing differences between natural and managed forests. The effectiveness of this approach often entails local comparisons of species composition or diversity for a variety of biota from managed and unmanaged forests. Understory vegetation is regularly the focus of such comparison because of its importance in nutrient cycling, forest regeneration, and for wildlife. However, larger scale comparisons between regions with distinct species assemblages may require a trait‐based approach to better understand understory responses to disturbance. We compared the long‐term effects of retention harvesting on understory vegetation in two large experimental study sites located in eastern and western regions of the Canadian boreal forest. These sites included the Sylviculture en Aménagement Forestier Ecosystémique (SAFE) experiment and the Ecosystem Management Emulating Natural Disturbance (EMEND) experiment, located in the eastern and western regions of Canada, respectively. EMEND and SAFE share common boreal understory species but have distinct tree communities, soils, and climate. Both experiments were designed to evaluate how increasing tree retention after harvest affects biodiversity. Here, we examined taxonomic richness, functional diversity, and functional composition (using community trait mean values) of understory plant communities, and also examine intraspecific trait variability (ITV) for five species common and abundant in both experiments. We observed the limited impacts of retention level on richness, functional diversity, and functional composition of understory plants 20 years postharvest. However, ITV of leaf morphological traits varied between retention levels within each experiment, depending on the species identity. Common species had different functional responses to retention level, showing species‐specific reactions to environmental variation. Our result suggests that understory plant communities in the boreal forest achieve resilience to disturbance both in terms of interspecific and intraspecific functional trait diversity. Such diversity may be key to maintaining understory biodiversity in the face of future disturbances and environmental change. Our results reveal the significance of ITV in plant communities for understanding responses to forest harvesting and the importance of choosing appropriate traits when studying species responses to the environment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Global policies increasingly focus on the importance of maintaining or improving the integrity of ecosystems, but defining, assessing, and monitoring integrity in marine protected areas (MPAs) remains a challenge. In this paper, we conceptualized ecological integrity along dimensions of heterogeneity and stability containing seven components: physical structure, diversity, function, persistence, resistance, resilience, and natural variability. Through a structured literature search, we identified indicators and metrics used for quantifying ecosystem status components in the marine environment, then reviewed MPA management plans worldwide for inclusion of these components. We evaluated 202 papers applying 83 ecological indicators built from 72 metrics. Ecosystem components were most comprehensively addressed by metrics of taxa presence, organisms count, and area occupied by benthic organisms, and community structure, biomass, and percent cover indicators. Of the 557 MPA management plans we reviewed globally, 93% used at least one ecosystem status term or its synonym in an ecologically relevant context, but 39% did not address any components of stability. In particular, resistance was mentioned in only 1% of management plans, but in some cases it may be inferred from indicators and metrics used to track the best addressed component in management plans, diversity. Plans for MPAs with both an ecological/biological purpose and a research and education purpose contained ecosystem status terms more frequently than other plans, suggesting that engagement with the scientific community may have improved the application of these terms. An improved understanding of how to operationalize and measure ecological integrity can help MPA monitoring and management. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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The African Great Lakes Region has experienced substantial land use land cover change (LULCC) over the last decades, driven by a complex interplay of various factors. However, a comprehensive analysis exploring the relationships between LULCC, and its explanatory variables remains unexplored. This study focused on the Lake Kivu catchment in Rwanda, analysing LULCC from 1990 to 2020, identifying major variables, and predicting future LULC scenarios under different development trajectories. Image classification was conducted in Google Earth Engine using random forest classifier, by incorporating seasonal composites Landsat images, spectral indices, and topographic features, to enhance discrimination and capture seasonal variations. The results demonstrated an overall accuracy exceeding 83%. Historical analysis revealed significant changes, including forest loss (26.6 to 18.7%) and agricultural land expansion (27.7 to 43%) in the 1990–2000 decade, attributed to political conflicts and population movements. Forest recovery (24.8% by 2020) was observed in subsequent decades, driven by Rwanda's sustainable development initiatives. A Multi-Layer Perceptron neural network from Land Change Modeler predicted distinct 2030 and 2050 LULC scenarios based on natural, socio-economic variables, and historical transitions. Analysis of explanatory variables highlighted the significant role of proximity to urban centers, population density, and terrain in LULCC. Predictions indicate distinct trajectories influenced by demographic and socio-economic trends. The study recommends adopting the Green Growth Economy scenario aligned with ongoing conservation measures. The findings contribute to identifying opportunities for land restoration and conservation efforts, promoting the preservation of Lake Kivu catchment's ecological integrity, in alignment with national and global goals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Tanzania dedicates a substantial proportion (38%) of its territory to conservation, with a large number of Protected Areas (PAs) managed under various regimes. Nevertheless, the country still experiences high rates of deforestation, which threaten the ecological integrity and socio-economic benefits of its forests. We utilized the Global Forest Change Dataset (2012–2022) and implemented a Propensity Score Matching (PSM) approach followed by a series of binomial logit regression modeling. Our objectives were to evaluate (1) the likelihood of PAs in avoiding deforestation compared with unprotected forest landscapes, (2) the variability in effectiveness among the different PA management regimes in avoiding deforestation, (3) evidence of leakage, defined here as the displacement of deforestation beyond PA boundaries as a result of protection inside PAs. Our findings reveal that, despite ongoing deforestation within and outside of PAs, conservation efforts are, on average, three times more likely to avoid deforestation compared with unprotected landscapes. However, the effectiveness of avoiding deforestation significantly varies among the different management regimes. National Parks and Game Reserves are nearly ten times more successful in avoiding deforestation, likely because of the stringent set of regulations and availability of resources for implementation. Conversely, Nature Forest Reserves, Game Controlled Areas, and Forest Reserves are, on average, only twice as likely to avoid deforestation, indicating substantial room for improvement. We found little evidence of the overall leakage as a consequence of protection. These results highlight the mixed success of Tanzania's conservation efforts, suggesting opportunities to enhance the effectiveness of many less protected PAs. We conclude by proposing potential strategic pathways to enhance further the climate and ecosystem benefits of conservation in Tanzania. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Environmental & Social Management Journal / Revista de Gestão Social e Ambiental is the property of Environmental & Social Management Journal and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

The integration of zinc nanoparticles (Zn NPs) with biochar offers a transformative approach to sustainable agriculture by enhancing plant productivity and human nutrition. This combination improves soil health, optimizes nutrient uptake, and increases resilience to environmental stressors, leading to superior crop performance. Our literature review shows that combining Zn NPs with biochar significantly boosts the crop nutrient composition, including proteins, vitamins, sugars, and secondary metabolites. This enhancement improves the plant tolerance to environmental challenges, crop quality, and shelf life. This technique addresses the global issue of Zn deficiency by biofortifying food crops with increased Zn levels, such as mung beans, lettuce, tomatoes, wheat, maize, rice, citrus, apples, and microgreens. Additionally, Zn NPs and biochar improve soil properties by enhancing water retention, cation exchange capacity (CEC), and microbial activity, making soils more fertile and productive. The porous structure of biochar facilitates the slow and sustained release of Zn, ensuring its bioavailability over extended periods and reducing the need for frequent fertilizer applications. This synergy promotes sustainable agricultural practices and reduces the environmental footprint of the traditional farming methods. However, potential ecological risks such as biomagnification, nanoparticle accumulation, and toxicity require careful consideration. Comprehensive risk assessments and management strategies are essential to ensure that agricultural benefits do not compromise the environmental or human health. Future research should focus on sustainable practices for deploying Zn NPs in agriculture, balancing food security and ecological integrity and positioning this approach as a viable solution for nutrient-efficient and sustainable agriculture. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: In resource-based cities, long-term irrational exploitation of resources has caused severe damage to ecosystem functions, mainly manifested in the significant decline of biodiversity, land degradation, water pollution, and the deterioration of air quality. This has led to a significant decline in the cities' sustainable development capabilities. Establishing and optimizing an ecological spatial network (ESN) can promote the effective transmission of material energy and enhance the ecosystem functions, which holds fundamental importance in ensuring the ecological integrity of the region and promoting sustainable urban development. In this study, by combining the ecological environment with the landscape to determine the ecological sources, we constructed the ESN of Shenmu City, a mining city, based on the minimum cumulative resistance (MCR) model, and conducted a correlation analysis between the topological structure of the ESN and the significance of ecosystem functions. Then, the optimization strategy scheme based on ecosystem functions was proposed. Finally, robustness was used to determine the effect before and after optimization. Results: The results showed that the high-value ecosystem service areas in Shenmu City were predominantly located in the central and western parts, with the highest value in the southeast. There was a strong correlation between the importance of ecosystem functions and the degree and feature vector of ecological nodes. Conclusions: The ESN can be optimized effectively by adding stepping stone nodes and new corridors. Through the robustness of the optimized ESN, we found that the optimized network has more robust connectivity and stability and can show better recovery ability after ecological function damage. This research presents an effective method for the construction and optimization of the ESN in the mining area and provides a theoretical basis for realizing the sustainability of the mining economy, regional development, and ecological protection in Shenmu City. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The upper reaches of the Yellow River are critical ecological barriers within the Yellow River Basin (YRB) that are crucial for source conservation. However, environmental challenges in this area, from Longyangxia to Lijiaxia, have emerged in recent years. To assess the ecological environment quality (EEQ) evolution from 1991 to 2021, we utilized remote sensing ecological indices (RSEIs) on the Google Earth Engine (GEE) platform. Spatial autocorrelation and heterogeneity impacting EEQ changes were examined. The results of this study show that the mean value of the RSEIs fluctuated over time (1991: 0.70, 1996: 0.77, 2001: 0.67, 2006: 0.71, 2011: 0.68, 2016: 0.65, and 2021: 0.66) showing an upward, downward, and then upward trend. The mean values of the overall RSEI are all at 0.65 and above. Most regions showed no significant EEQ change during 1991–2021 (68.59%, 59.23%, and 55.78%, respectively). Global Moran's I values (1991–2021) ranged from 0.627 to 0.412, indicating significant positive correlation between EEQ and spatial clustering, and the LISA clustering map (1991–2021) shows that the area near Longyangxia Reservoir shows a pattern of aggregation, dispersion, and then aggregation again. The factor detection results showed that heat was the most influential factor, and the interaction detection results showed that greenness and heat had a significant effect on regional ecosystem distribution. Our study integrates spatial autocorrelation and spatial heterogeneity and combines them with reality to provide an in-depth discussion and analysis of the Longyangxia to Lijiaxia Basin. These findings offer guidance for ecological governance, vegetation restoration, monitoring, and safeguarding the upper Yellow River's ecological integrity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Despite the importance of protecting forests and woodlands to achieve global climate and biodiversity goals, logging impacts persist worldwide. Forestry advocates often downplay these impacts but rarely consider the cumulative threat deforestation and degradation has had, and continues to have, on biodiversity. Using New South Wales (Australia) as a case study, we quantify the extent of deforestation and degradation from 1788 (pre‐European colonization) to 2021. We used historical loss as a baseline to evaluate recent logging (2000–2022) and the condition of the remaining native forest and woodland. Condition was quantified by measuring the similarity of a current ecosystem to a historical reference state with high ecological integrity. Using these data, we measured the impacts on 269 threatened terrestrial species. We show that possibly over half (29 million ha) of pre‐1788 native forest and woodland vegetation in NSW has been lost. Of the remaining 25 million ha, 9 million ha is estimated to be degraded. We found recent logging potentially impacted 150 species that had already been affected by this historical deforestation and degradation, but the impacts varied across species. Forty‐three species that were identified as impacted by historical deforestation and degradation and continue to be impacted by logging, now have ≤50% of their pre‐1788 extent remaining that is intact and nine species now have ≤30%. Our research contextualizes the impact of current logging against historical deforestation and highlights deficiencies in environmental assessments that ignore historical baselines. Future land management must consider both the extent and condition of remaining habitat based on pre‐1788 extents. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Earth Stewardship is a transformative initiative that emphasizes the crucial interdependence between human societies and the intricate ecological systems that sustain all life on our planet. Recognizing geodiversity, a concept encompassing the geological and geomorphological characteristics of the Earth's surface, as an integral dimension of Earth Stewardship, this review highlights its scientific underrepresentation, particularly in East Africa. Geodiversity is pivotal for the integrity of ecological systems, emphasizing its significance as an essential component. By focusing on the Western Rift Valley Corridor (WRVC) within East Africa and its connection to the broader East African Rift System (EARS), we aim to shed light on the significance of geodiversity and its integration with ecological systems in the context of Earth Stewardship. We identify 20 "heritage nodes," areas of significant geological and ecological value, within the WRVC and demonstrate how geological processes have shaped the region's landscape. The paper emphasizes the significance of the WRVC as a vital component of the Africa Alive Corridors (AAC) project, which promotes sustainable development in Africa by fostering connections between earth sciences and the humanities. It argues that a transdisciplinary approach involving local communities and stakeholders is essential for the conservation and development of the WRVC and other similar heritage corridors in Africa. The study concludes that geodiversity is a crucial pillar of heritage that enhances our understanding of ecosystems and contributes to sustainability efforts through Earth Stewardship. This research provides a basis for future work within the AAC initiative and the development of ecosystem services among researchers and local stakeholders. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Global change is a multifaceted, unprecedented crisis hitting the life support system of our planet. Among global changes, climate change is regarded as one of the most grave threats to biodiversity because of its direct impacts on species and ecosystems integrity and because of its indirect consequences through synergistic effects with other global change factors such as biological invasions. The challenges presented to either reduce or mitigate this biodiversity crisis derived from climate change require novel synthesis and innovation in ecological and evolutionary theory. Positive species interactions within and between trophic levels can play a key role in the resilience of ecological communities. Depending on the tolerance of nurse species to different aspects of climate change, communities can be more or less resilient to those changes. This knowledge has important implications for both natural communities and agroecosystems. Further, our fundamental understanding of the role of positive interactions can also enable both effective conservation and restoration levers in space and time. This special issue includes studies addressing the role of facilitative interactions on the response of ecological systems to climate change. Key concepts examined included stress, gradients, nurse species, spatial scale, translocation, phylogenetics alongside physiochemicals, and variation in the capacity of species to buffer changes. Alpine, tundra, drylands and temperate forests were directly tested, but salient principles were relevant to all ecosystems including a contribution on soil biota and also a call to more open data and collaborative science. Together, this corpus of work highlighted the significance of facilitative interactions in mitigating many of the effects of climate change on biodiversity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Biodiversity is temporally dynamic, reflecting historical environmental conditions and influencing ecosystem stability. Colonisation and extinction dynamics frequently exhibit asynchronous patterns, resulting in net imbalances and thus to long‐lasting richness trends. If these trends are not functionally random, functional net imbalances between colonisations and extinctions (fNICE) are likely to emerge.Using community time series data of European freshwater fish and North American breeding birds, we investigated how fNICE differs from its taxonomic equivalent (tNICE), to provide a comprehensive picture of biodiversity dynamics.Our findings reveal that taxonomic and functional delays are a prevalent feature, challenging the assumption of an immediate response to environmental changes. Taxonomic delays manifest as extinction debts and colonisation credits, while functional delays indicate a shift in the balance between functional gains and losses over time. Moreover, we found that taxonomic and functional imbalances are not always directly correlated, although some specific patterns were found consistently for fish and birds.Early colonisations outpaced functional gains, indicating that although new species arrived earlier than the extinction of other species, the acquisition of new functional traits lagged. Although this may temporarily stabilise communities, as functional redundancy can mitigate loss of function via local extinctions, excessive redundancy can compromise biodiversity's capacity to respond to environmental variations, thereby undermining long‐term resilience.In conclusion, understanding the intricate temporal dynamics of biodiversity responses is paramount for effective conservation practices. While short‐term observations may suggest an equilibrium between diversity and the environmental conditions, our results underscore the importance of considering long‐term dynamics and the interplay between species traits and changing environments. The metrics tNICE and fNICE are valuable tools for quantifying these temporal dynamics and unravelling their consequences for ecosystem stability. Incorporating these insights into conservation strategies can aid in proactively preserving biodiversity and safeguarding the integrity of ecosystems. Read the free Plain Language Summary for this article on the Journal blog. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The difficulty in identifying appropriate metrics for the impacts organizations have on biodiversity remains a major barrier to the inclusion of biodiversity considerations in environmentally responsible investment. We derive and analyze a simple metric: the sum of the proportional changes in the global abundances of species caused by an organization, with a regularization to cover the case of species close to extinction. We argue mathematically that this metric quantifies changes in the mean long‐term global survival probability of species. The metric thus supports the objective "to significantly reduce extinction risk" of the 2022 Global Biodiversity Framework and allows organizations to set themselves corresponding science‐based targets. We show that in a perfect market trade in biodiversity credits quantified by our metric would lead to near‐optimal allocation of resources to species conservation. We further show that metric values are quantitatively convertible to several other metrics and indices already in use. Barriers to adoption are therefore low. Used in conjunction with metrics addressing ecosystem services and integrity, potential areas of application include biodiversity related financial disclosures and voluntary or legislated biodiversity credit or no net loss policies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Urban forests face multiple human-mediated pressures leading to compromised ecosystem structure and functioning. Therefore, understanding ecosystem structure in response to ongoing pressures is crucial for sustaining ecological integrity and human well-being. We aim to assess the disturbance and its effects on the vegetation structure of urban forests in Chandigarh using a combination of remote sensing techniques and vegetation surveys. The disturbance was evaluated as a change in NDVI (Normalised Difference Vegetation Index) from 2001 to 2021 by applying the BFAST (Breaks For Additive Season and Trend) algorithm to the MODIS satellite imagery data. A vegetation survey was conducted to compare the species composition, taxonomic and phylogenetic diversity as measures of forest vegetational structure. While signals of disturbance were evident, the changes in vegetation structure were not well established from our study. Further, this analysis indicated no significant differences in vegetation composition due to disturbance (F1,12 = 0.91, p = 0.575). However, the phylogenetic diversity was substantially lower for disturbed plots than undisturbed plots, though the taxonomic diversity was similar among the disturbed and undisturbed plots. Our results confirmed that disturbance effects are more prominent on the phylogenetic than taxonomic diversity. These findings can be considered early signals of disturbance and its impact on the vegetation structure of urban forests and contribute to the knowledge base on urban ecosystems. Our study has implications for facilitating evidence-based decision-making and the development of sustainable management strategies for urban forest ecosystems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mosquitoes are closely associated with wetlands, as stagnant water in these ecosystems provides an ideal environment for the development of their immature stages. Human activities, such as artificial drainage for mosquito control, impact the ecological integrity of these ecosystems. Therefore, the objective was to compare the species composition of mosquitoes in two types of wetlands (swamp and herbaceous wetland) and a nearby human settlement, and determine the degree of risk, advocating for the conservation of these ecosystems. Collection of mosquito immature stages was conducted throughout on year in the municipality of Jamapa, in Veracruz state, Mexico. The richness and abundance of the collected species were determined, and the species composition of each site was compared through cluster and beta diversity analysis and analysis of similarity. The richness was higher in the two wetlands, and the abundance in human settlements. The species composition was different in all three sites. Mosquito species posing higher health risks were found in human settlements, and those posing lower risks in the swamp. As a result, it was possible to determine a disturbance gradient, with human settlements at the negative end of the gradient, the herbaceous wetland in the middle, and the swamp at the positive end, demonstrating that ecosystems preserving their original flora and fauna do not represent a significant risk for the transmission of mosquito-borne diseases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Groundwater, essential for supplying drinking water to half of the global population and supporting nearly half of all irrigation needs, faces significant contamination risks. These risks pose serious threats to human health and ecosystem integrity, driven by increasing pressures from both concentrated and diffuse pollution sources, as well as from growing exploitation. The presented research was conducted with the dual objectives of identifying sources of nitrate contamination (up to 128.1 mg/L) in an oxic groundwater source (Perkićevo, Serbia) and proposing an optimal extraction regimen to ensure a sufficient supply of potable water. Correlations between chemical elements' concentrations and principal component analysis (PCA) indicated a significant relationship between anthropogenic impact indicators (NO3−, Na+, B, Cl−, SO42−, KMnO4 consumption, and electroconductivity), unambiguously showing that groundwater quality was primarily impacted by untreated sewage inflow and confirming nitrate's tracer behavior in oxic environments. The spatial distribution of selected parameter concentration gradients highlighted the expansion and distribution of the contamination front. A numerical groundwater flow model (Vistas 4 and Modflow) was applied to determine the groundwater flow direction and the quantity of groundwater originating from different parts of the investigated area. Through four simulated groundwater extraction scenarios, Scenario 2, with an average extraction rate of 80 L/s from 12 wells, and Scenario 3, with an average extraction rate of 75 L/s and 4 additional wells, were identified as the most optimal, providing a sufficient quantity of adequately sanitary water. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This document discusses the importance of rivers in supporting biodiversity and ecosystem services. It highlights the need for integrated approaches to river basin management in order to maintain water quality and quantity. The document also addresses the impact of anthropogenic activities on rivers, such as damming and pollution, which have led to habitat destruction and reduced aquatic biodiversity. The text presents several research studies that explore different aspects of river ecosystem services, including fish restocking, wastewater treatment, genetic diversity, antibiotic resistance, harmful algal blooms, and mine drainage remediation. The conclusion emphasizes the importance of interdisciplinary approaches and stakeholder involvement in ecosystem management. [Extracted from the article]

Although much attention has been paid to improve the representation of the urban spatial complexity, most efforts have been limited to the inclusion of green cover data to describe the biological component of cities, leaving the measurement of crucial urban ecological properties out of the picture. To tackle this, the Urban Ecosystem Integrity Index (UEII) was recently proposed to spatially represent the interplay between the intensity of urbanization and the biological components of cities, including urban biodiversity. The UEII has shown to be effective in measuring the ecosystem integrity of a Neotropical city; however its generalized applicability remains to be tested. Thus, here we tested the suitability of the UEII when applied in a boreal city and also evaluated if it adds more valuable information than the NDVI (also contrasting it with a UEII previously published for a tropical city), which is often suggested as a proxy of urban greenness and therefore the ecology of cities. We calculated the UEII by considering land surface temperature, built-up cover, and native plants and bird species richness of the city of Lahti, Finland (Palearctic; boreal). The UEII showed to be robust, comparable, and effective in capturing the intra and inter-urban spatial heterogeneity of both cities. Moreover, although the UEII and NDVI values correlated, the variance in such correlation showed the detail that the UEII brings to the quantificaiton of the ecological integrity of the cities, representing a more integral indicator. Thus, our findings indicate that the UEII is a valuable tool to inform on areas requiring ecological enhancement, as well as identifying those that are thriving, in cities ranging from tropical and highly biodiverse to boreal and with considerable less biodiversity. Highlights: We tested the suitability of the UEII in a boreal city, contrasting it with that of a tropical one. The index effectively captures the spatial heterogeneity of the city. The UEII allows to identify the diverse ecosystem integrity scenarios of cities. It provides a broader ecological representation of cities than the NDVI. The UEII represents a quantitative and spatially explicit tool for spatial planning. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the context of rapid urbanization, it is imperative to address the preservation and sustainable development of rural landscapes. This study introduces a novel framework using cultural landscape gene theory to enhance the landscape spatial pattern of Linpu Village, China. Employing a multi-method approach, including data collection and historical data analysis, GIS analysis, and field surveys, we analyze the village's landscape features and identify a well-preserved "one core, two wings" spatial configuration with diminishing accessibility from the center to the periphery. The study uncovers significant challenges to landscape coherence and legibility, including landscape element discontinuity, inadequate maintenance, and fragmented information. To address these issues, we propose optimization strategies aimed at revitalizing weakened cultural landscape genes, repairing disrupted elements, ensuring corridor integrity, and improving spatial organization. The extraction–construction–analysis–preservation model established in this research not only delivers a comprehensive analysis of Linpu's cultural landscape but also offers a scalable framework for preserving the ecological and cultural integrity of traditional villages. This study contributes to the practical implementation of sustainable landscape strategies, enhancing the ecological adaptability and resilience of rural environments in the face of urban encroachment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]