Search

Ecological vulnerability and poverty are interrelated and must be addressed together. The resolution of this issue will help us to meet the challenges during the process of implementing concrete actions for realizing the 2030 UN sustainable development goals (SDGs). Ecological restoration projects (ERPs) can enhance ecosystem services (ESs) while providing policy support for improving people's livelihoods. However, processes and mechanisms of ERPs on the ecological environment and socioeconomic development in poverty-stricken and ecologically fragile areas have rarely been studied. To address these issues, we conducted a comparative analysis on the changes of land use and land cover (LULC), ecosystem services (ESs), and socioeconomic development in Bijie City, a karst rocky desertification area in southwest China, before and after the implementation of ERPs in 2000, as well as the complex relationship between these factors. ERPs have affected LULCs, ESs, socioeconomics, and poverty reduction significantly since 2000. Specifically, the total ecosystem service value (ESV) in the study area has increased by more than 3 times in the past 30 years, with the ESV of tourism services and carbon storage increasing the most, from CNY 0.001 and 337.07 billion in 1990 to CNY 11.07 and 108.97 billion in 2019, respectively. The correlation between ESs is mainly synergistic, while the tradeoff between carbon storage and water yield is in a fluctuating upward trend. LULC conversion of cropland to green, and cropland to water, wetland and shrubs has positive effects on carbon storage and water yield, respectively. During study period, GDP, urbanization increased by over 70 times, 5 times, respectively, whereas poverty population, poverty incidence, and employment rate of various sectors (i.e., agriculture, forest, animal, and fishery, or AFAF) decreased by 96.4%, 97.7%, and 18.24%, respectively. Our findings emphasized that ERPs can effectively help poor and ecologically fragile areas to get out of the poverty trap and achieve the "win-win" goals of ecological and socio-economic sustainable development. These results have profound environmental management references to China and other developing countries around the world in realizing ecological restoration, poverty reduction, and the SDGs. [Display omitted] • Ecological restoration projects (ERPs) break the regional "Poverty Trap". • ESs increased by 90% since 2000 with ecotourism income increased the most from 0.12 to 110.7 billion. • Poverty population and incidence rate of poverty dropped by more than 90%. • The correlation between ESs in the study area are mainly synergistic. • ERP and economic factors significantly affect ES changes and poverty reduction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This is the first study providing long-term data on the dynamics of bees and wasps and their parasitoids for the evidence-based management of reed beds. Ten years ago, we identified Lipara (Chloropidae) – induced galls on common reed (Phragmites australis , Poaceae) as a critically important resource for specialized bees and wasps (Hymenoptera: Aculeata). We found that they were surprisingly common in relatively newly formed anthropogenic habitats, which elicited questions about the dynamics of bees and wasps and their parasitoids in newly formed reed beds of anthropogenic origin. Therefore, in the winter and spring of 2022/23, we sampled reed galls from the same set of reed beds of anthropogenic and natural origin as those in 2012/13. At 10 sites, the number of sampled galls was similar in both time periods (80–122% of the value from 2012/13); 12 sites experienced a moderate decline (30–79% of the value from 2012/13), and the number of galls at six sampling sites was only 3–23% of their abundance in 2012/13. Spontaneous development was associated with increasing populations. After 10 years of spontaneous development, the populations of bees and wasps (including their parasitoids) bound to Lipara -induced reed galls increased in abundance and species richness or remained at their previous levels, which was dependent on the sampling site. The only identified threat consisted of reclamation efforts. The effects of habitat age were limited, and the assemblages in habitats of near-natural and anthropogenic origin largely overlapped. However, several species were consistently present at lower abundances in the anthropogenic habitats and vice versa. In conclusion, we provided evidence-based support for the establishment of oligotrophic reed beds of anthropogenic origin as management tools providing sustainable habitats for specialized reed gall-associated aculeate hymenopteran inquilines, including the threatened species. [Display omitted] • First long-term data on bees and wasps for evidence-based management of reed beds. • Lipara-induced reed galls are a critically important resource for specialized bees and wasps. • Only the stressed reed shoots are attacked by the ecological engineer, Lipara lucens. • Establishment of oligotrophic reed beds of anthropogenic origin as a management tool. • Presence of the study species was based on anecdotal evidence or a space-for-time substitution approach only. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Ecological engineering principles are increasingly being applied to develop multifunctional artificial structures or rehabilitated habitats in coastal areas. Ecological engineering initiatives are primarily driven by marine scientists and coastal managers, but often the views of key user groups, which can strongly influence the success of projects, are not considered. We used an online survey and participatory mapping exercise to investigate differences in priority goals, sites and attitudes towards ecological engineering between marine scientists and coastal managers as compared to other stakeholders. The surveys were conducted across three Australian cities that varied in their level of urbanisation and environmental pressures. We tested the hypotheses that, relative to other stakeholders, marine scientists and coastal managers will: 1) be more supportive of ecological engineering; 2) be more likely to agree that enhancement of biodiversity and remediation of pollution are key priorities for ecological engineering; and 3) identify different priority areas and infrastructure or degraded habitats for ecological engineering. We also tested the hypothesis that 4) perceptions of ecological engineering would vary among locations, due to environmental and socio-economic differences. In all three harbours, marine scientists and coastal managers were more supportive of ecological engineering than other users. There was also greater support for ecological engineering in Sydney and Melbourne than Hobart. Most people identified transport infrastructure, in busy transport hubs (i.e. Circular Quay in Sydney, the Port in Melbourne and the Waterfront in Hobart) as priorities for ecological engineering, irrespective of their stakeholder group or location. There were, however, significant differences among locations in what people perceive as the key priorities for ecological engineering (i.e. biodiversity in Sydney and Melbourne vs. pollution in Hobart). Greater consideration of these location-specific differences is essential for effective management of artificial structures and rehabilitated habitats in urban embayments. Highlights • Marine ecological engineering projects require greater consideration of social values. • Most users (>70%) are supportive of ecological engineering. • Boating infrastructure in busy transport hubs are key priorities for ecological engineering. • Residents in Sydney and Melbourne focused on improving biodiversity. • Residents in Hobart were more concerned about remediating pollution. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hybrid living shorelines use a combination of engineered structures with natural ecosystems to achieve coastal protection and habitat restoration outcomes, with added co-benefits such as carbon sequestration. Rock fillets constructed along eroding estuarine banks are designed to accumulate sediment, establish mangroves, and stabilise the shoreline. There is, however, a lack of data to support whether rock fillets are achieving these goals. We used a chronosequence of rock fillets to determine their effect on mangrove development, bank stabilisation and carbon sequestration in four estuaries in New South Wales, Australia. Aboveground biomass and adult density increased with age of rock fillets, and mangrove structure was similar to a natural fringing mangrove after 15 years. The rock fillets accumulated sediment, which reduced the eroded estuary bank height, however, little effect of the fillets on bank slope was observed. Sediment carbon stocks were not different between rock fillets, eroding estuary banks and natural fringing mangroves. Rock fillet design had a significant effect on mangrove structure and coastal protection function, with greater wave transmission through lower rock fillets, suggesting design optimisation is needed. As the construction cost of the rock fillets was equal or less than traditional rock revetments, where suitable they present a more economic and environmentally sustainable solution to estuarine erosion management. • Hybrid living shorelines can provide coastal protection and habitat restoration outcomes. • Rock fillets were successful at accumulating sediment and establishing mangroves. • Mangrove structure within rock fillets was similar to natural mangroves after 15 years. • There was no effect of the rock fillets on blue carbon accumulation. • Technical guidance can inform large-scale application of rock fillets for nature-based coastal defence. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nature-based solutions (NbS) can be beneficial to help human communities build resilience to climate change by managing and mitigating related hydro-meteorological hazards (HMHs). Substantial research has been carried out in the past on the detection and assessment of HMHs and their derived risks. Yet, knowledge on the performance and functioning of NbS to address these hazards is severely lacking. The latter is exacerbated by the lack of practical and viable approaches that would help identify and select NbS for specific problems. The EU-funded OPERANDUM project established seven Open-Air Laboratories (OALs) across Europe to co-develop, test, and generate an evidence base from innovative NbS deployed to address HMHs such as flooding, droughts, landslides, erosion, and eutrophication. Herein, we detail the original approaches that each OAL followed in the process of identifying and selecting NbS for specific hazards with the aim of proposing a novel, generic framework for selecting NbS. We found that the process of selecting NBS was overall complex and context-specific in all the OALs, and it comprised 26 steps distributed across three stages: (i) Problem recognition, (ii) NbS identification, and (iii) NbS selection. We also identified over 20 selection criteria which, in most cases, were shared across OALs and were chiefly related to sustainability aspects. All the identified NbS were related to the regulation of the water cycle, and they were mostly chosen according to three main factors: (i) hazard type, (ii) hazard scale, and (iii) OAL size. We noticed that OALs exposed to landslides and erosion selected NbS capable to manage water budgets within the soil compartment at the local or landscape scale, while OALs exposed to floods, droughts, and eutrophication selected approaches to managing water transport and storage at the catchment scale. We successfully portrayed a synthesis of the stages and steps followed in the OALs' NbS selection process in a framework. The framework, which reflects the experiences of the stakeholders involved, is inclusive and integrated, and it can serve as a basis to inform NbS selection processes whilst facilitating the organisation of diverse stakeholders working towards finding solutions to natural hazards. We animate the future development of the proposed framework by integrating financial viability steps. We also encourage studies looking into the implementation of the proposed framework through quantitative approaches integrating multi-criteria analyses. [Display omitted] • We present a novel NbS selection framework based on 6 real case studies. • The case studies strived to address hydro-meteorological hazards across Europe. • The framework has 26 steps distributed across 3 stages. • We identified 20 NbS selection criteria chiefly related to sustainability issues. • All the selected NbS were related to the regulation of the water cycle. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ecological engineering is an important measure to promote ecosystem adaptation and restoration to deal with environmental change and human disturbance. To assess the effectiveness of ecological construction and analyze the influencing factors of ecosystem changes in the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau (QTP), this study detected the spatial changes and dynamic hotspots of vegetation ecosystems in the ecological construction regions of the QTP (QTPE) and regions without ecological construction (QTPWE) using hot spot analysis and comprehensive dynamic degree model. Then the random forest (RF) model and geographical weighted regression model were used to study the degree and spatial heterogeneity of impacts of climate and human activities on normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI). Results showed that the vegetation restoration of the QTPE was obvious during 2001–2018 as the area of the increasing NDVI accounted for 74.15%. In addition, the effects of climate and human activities on NDVI of vegetation ecosystem showed significant spatial heterogeneity. The RF model showed that population density was the most significant factor affecting ecosystem vegetation in the QTPE, and its relative importance was between 26.1–32.6%, followed by downward shortwave radiation (7.9–16.8%). However, climate factors still had the greatest impact in the QTPWE, with the relative importance of precipitation and temperature being 45% and 15%, respectively. These findings provide a scientific basis for the restoration and management of vegetation on the QTP, and are of great significance for the deployment of future ecological engineering projects. • The effect of ecological construction on the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau is evaluated. • Spatial heterogeneity of the effects of each factor on the ecosystem is explored. • Population density is the most influential factor in ecological construction areas. • Climate factors have the greatest impact in areas without ecological construction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Due to anthropogenic disturbances, the karst region in southern China is vulnerable to ecological problems such as soil erosion and surface exposure. However, limited studies on variations in large-scale ecological risk (ER) and their influencing factors, particularly the coupling/decoupling relationship with an exposed surface fraction (ESF), make ER regulations and ecological restoration challenging. The present study evaluates the ER of eight typical karst provinces in Southern China from 1990 to 2020 using the technique for order preference by similarity to an ideal solution (TOPSIS) model and ecosystem services (habitat quality, water yield, carbon storage, soil conservation, and food production), and extracts the contemporaneous ESF using Landsat satellite data in Google Earth Engine (GEE). The spatiotemporal change of ER and ESF are analyzed, and their coupling/decoupling relationship and driving mechanism are explored using coupling coordination degree (CCD) and multi-scale geographically weighted regression (MGWR) models. The results show that: (1) Over the past 30 years, the ER has increased until 2010 and subsequently declined, with an increasing mean value (0.463–0.503), except in Chongqing municipality. The ESF decreased significantly (the mean value dropped from 44.7% to 38.7%), except that in Sichuan province. (2) The average CCD between ER and ESF decreased with fluctuation of −0.017, with a decoupling relationship (58.18%). The coupling area is larger than the decoupling area in the Sichuan area, while other provinces are opposite. (3) The coupling/decoupling relationship in the study area is mainly driven by terrain (elevation, slope) and socio-economic (population density, per capita GDP) factors. More attention should be paid to the role of these factors in the continuous reduction and control of ESF and ER. This study can serve as a reference for similar studies in karst regions, such as risk assessment and surface monitoring, rocky desertification control, ecological engineering layout, and territorial planning. [Display omitted] • Long-term and large-scale ecological risk (ER) in karst region of China is assessed. • Exposed surface fraction (ESF) reduced with the implementation of Eco-engineering. • In the last 30 years, the relationship of ER and ESF has substantially decoupled. • Terrain and socio-economic factors are the primary determinants of ER-ESF relation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Special consideration should be given to the differential coupling relationships between natural and anthropogenic factors on ecological degradation and ecological restoration. However, few studies have focused on how to quantify the contribution rate of social-ecological interactions to vegetation growth and determine the impact thresholds of vegetation coverage at the county scale. Notably, it is more conducive to evaluating the impact of anthropogenic factors on vegetation coverage by integrating ecological land use policy into the research framework. This study combined remote sensing technology, as well as the Geo-detector model and elasticity coefficient to identify the key factors affecting ecological degradation and ecological restoration and quantitatively determine the impact thresholds from the aspects of climate change, topography, hydrological condition, human disturbance, and ecological land use policy. The results showed that ecosystems shifted from severe degradation (1990–2000) to restoration (2000–2010) and then to slight degradation (2010–2020). Meteorological factors and topographic factors revealed a stronger impact on ecological degradation and ecological restoration before the implementation of large-scale ecological engineering, and then they were most affected by ecological land use policy. In addition, the ecological thresholds of some factors were found in this study. Specifically, when average annual precipitation and slope reached the threshold of 523 mm and 5° respectively under ecological degradation, they had the greatest influence on vegetation coverage. Under ecological degradation and ecological restoration, the threshold of altitude was 1500 mm, and the threshold of drainage density was 10 and 14, respectively. The information from this study is expected to enhance the practical value of ecological research and provide an important reference for ecological standards and sustainable environmental management. • Ecological practice requires to distinguish different factors of ecological degradation and ecological restoration. • Topography and ecological land use policy dominate the change process of vegetation coverage. • A novel technical framework is proposed for revealing the determination of threshold effects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the face of uncertainties around coastal management and climate change, coastal engineering interventions need to be able to adapt to changing conditions. Nature-based solutions and other non-traditional, integrated interventions are gaining traction. However, system-based views are not yet embedded into coastal management strategies. Moreover, the differences in coastal interventions, ranging from hard ('grey') to nature-based ('green') infrastructure remain understudied. In coastal management it is therefore challenging to work with the grey-green spectrum of interventions with clarity and focus, and to produce results that can be evaluated. The objective of this paper was to examine whether there is a common understanding of: the characteristics and differences between grey and green infrastructure, where interventions sit on this spectrum, and the resilience of grey versus green infrastructure. We conducted an integrative literature review of the grey-green spectrum of coastal infrastructure. We examined 105 coastal protection case studies and expanded the double-insurance framework to ensure an integrative approach, looking at both external and internal factors of resilience. Our review showed that external factors are typically used to characterise the grey-green spectrum. However, although useful, they do not facilitate a holistic comparison of alternative interventions. The additional consideration of internal factors (response diversity, multifunctionality, modularity and adaptive, participatory governance) bridges this gap. The review showed that dikes, reefs, saltmarshes, sand nourishment and dunes span a wider segment of the grey-green spectrum than they are generally categorised in. Furthermore, resilient solutions for adaptation are unlikely to be exclusively engineered or natural, but tend to be a mix of the two at different spatial scales (micro, meso, macro and mega). Our review therefore suggests that coastal planners benefit from a more diverse range of options when they consider the incorporation of grey and green interventions in the context of each spatial scale. We propose that internal resilience should be accounted for when infrastructure options are comparatively evaluated. This consideration brings attention to the ways in which the grey-hybrid-green spectrum of infrastructure enhances value for people. • Examination of case studies along the grey-green spectrum of coastal protection. • Grey infrastructure increasingly incorporates ecological processes at varying scales. • Dikes, reefs, saltmarshes, sand nourishment and dunes span a wide segment of spectrum. • Internal resilience clarifies how infrastructure can enhance value for people. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The current development of human activities at sea (e.g. land reclamation, maritime activity and marine renewable energy) is leading to a significant increase in the number of infrastructures installed in marine settings. These artificial structures provide new hard-bottom habitats for many marine organisms and can thus modify the structure and functioning of coastal ecosystems. In order to better evaluate the nature of these modifications as well as the potential benefits and/or impacts generated, it becomes essential to develop assessment methods that can be applied to a wide variety of study sites from harbours to coastal offshore environments. In this context, our study aims to review the different methods and indicators available which are used to measure the modifications of biodiversity and ecological functioning generated by such structures. Among the methods reviewed, we highlight some that were developed specifically for artificial structures, and others intended for various primary uses but which have been successfully transposed to artificial structures. Nevertheless, we also point out the lack of reliable methods concerning some biological ecosystem components impacted by artificial structures. In this context, we require the adaptation or creation of brand-new indicators to achieve a better characterisation of the ecological impacts generated by these structures. Overall, this study highlights a very high number of existing methods, which provide stakeholders with useful tools to study the impacts of artificial structures, and identifies the need to develop integrative indicators to enhance the deployment of new artificial structures. • This study comprehensively reviews methods for assessing the ecological modifications generated by artificial structures on marine settings. • These methods are focusing on epibenthic and megafauna colonization, and on changes in ecosystem functioning. • Indicators and methods focusing on megafauna colonization and ecosystem functioning already exist and were successfully applied to this topic. • We highlighted a lack of reliable methods for the assessment of epibenthic colonization, useful recommendations to fill this gap were provided. • We provide stakeholders with a catalogue of useful tools to characterize ecological impacts associated with AS, allowing to draw lessons for future deployments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Coastal wetlands are the most valuable ecosystems on the earth but facing severe degradation and losses owing to climate change and anthropogenic activities. Many ecological engineering projects (EEP) have been conducted to mitigate the degradation of coastal wetlands. However, the geomorphological impacts of EEP on coastal wetlands have not been well documented. In this study, a method employed a process-based hydrodynamic model and remote sensing (RS) was developed to evaluate the impacts of EEP on the geomorphological change of a prototype Ramsar site. Results demonstrated that RS can improve the quality of bathymetry data for the numerical model with a decrease of RMSE of bathymetry data from 0.52 m to 0.3 m. RS data also showed good capacity in trend detection of geomorphological change spatially. Results showed the Chongming Dongtan wetland experienced erosion with an annual rate of −0.035 m/yr from 2013 to 2016 after the implementation of EEP. The deposition rate changed significantly in the area within 200 m of the EEP. It is found that the EEP modified the composition of vegetation, sediment transportation, as well as substrate stability, affecting the geomorphological change of coastal wetlands. The study suggested that the EEP is a direct and effective way to restore the coastal habitats for waterbirds from moderate anthropogenic disturbance. However, the modification of the coastal wetland ecosystem by EEP will potentially increase the vulnerability to global climate change. Therefore, Future studies are needed to further evaluate the advantages and disadvantages of EEP and identify a more sustainable approach for coastal management. • The Chongming Dongtan Wetland showed significant spatial variation in erosion and deposition. • The geomorphological changes are affected by vegetation composition, sediment transportation, and discharge-tide interaction. • Time-series remote sensing data has capacity in monitoring trend of geomorphological change of coastal wetlands spatially. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Although vegetated green roofs can be difficult to establish and maintain, they are an increasingly popular method for mitigating the negative environmental impacts of urbanization. Most green roof development has focused on maximizing green roof performance by planting one or a few drought-tolerant species. We present an alternative approach, which recognizes green roofs as dynamic ecosystems and employs a diversity of species. We draw links between the ecological and green roof literature to generate testable predictions about how increasing plant diversity could improve short- and long-term green roof functioning. Although we found few papers that experimentally manipulated diversity on green roofs, those that did revealed ecological dynamics similar to those in more natural systems. However, there are many unresolved issues. To improve overall green roof performance, we should (1) elucidate the links among plant diversity, structural complexity, and green roof performance, (2) describe feedback mechanisms between plant and animal diversity on green roofs, (3) identify species with complementary traits, and (4) determine whether diverse green roof communities are more resilient to disturbance and environmental change than less diverse green roofs. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Oil-containing industrial wastes tend to accumulate and present a growing environmental danger. This is of particular concern in certain areas of Russia. For effective processing of depositories, the wastes'' physico-chemical properties and depository characteristics should both be taken into account. Representative sample sets were collected from fifty four depositories of different age, origin, and location in Samara region and analyzed using multivariate data analysis: Principal Component Analysis (PCA) and Partial Least-Squares (PLS) regression. PCA results provide a better understanding of the internal data structure, i.e. variable correlations and groupings. Based on the PCA results, a new approach to the classification of oil sludge depositories has been suggested. Another practically important task of site assessment has been solved by PLS regression modeling. The method has been successfully applied to the accurate estimation of the depository processing profitability for a specific site. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The rapid global construction of ecological engineering has had an important impact on hydrological processes, especially in China. However, previous studies have largely regarded the hydrological system as a "black box" and have formed conclusions by comparing changes before and after ecological engineering; additionally, managers have assumed that the intensity of ecological engineering (IEE) is proportional to the hydrological system effect. The influence processes and mechanisms of the IEE on hydrological systems are unclear. Here, the source region of the Yangtze River (SRYR) in China was adopted as the empirical research area. Based on various data, such as DEM, soil, land use and climate data from 1980 to 1987 and 2004–2015, a Soil and Water Assessment Tool (SWAT) model was constructed, and the response of the hydrological system to the IEE was quantitatively explored. The results showed that the IEE generally displayed an increasing trend, increasing from 10.209 in 2005 to 10.649 in 2015. There was no linear relationship between the IEE and hydrological effects, and the hydrological effects did not increase with increasing IEE but did exhibit obvious stages. Specifically, the four phases – the lag phase, transition phase, sensitive phase, and adaptive phase – had different hydrological response characteristics, sensitivities, structures, and functions. Based on the feedback of the hydrological system, ecological engineering managers should abandon the incorrect assumption of a linear relationship between the two and realize that there is usually a lag phase in the early implementation of ecological engineering that requires a continuous increase in the IEE. Additionally, managers should choose the appropriate IEE, evaluation nodes and periods and prioritize the most sensitive hydrological variables in different stages based on the evaluation purpose and hydrological response, thereby improving the efficiency of ecological engineering and realizing the original goal of ecological protection and restoration. • No linear relationship between intensity of ecological engineering and hydrological response. • Four phases for hydrological effects of intensity of ecological engineering. • Each phase has different hydrological response characteristics and sensitivities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Plant transpiration is an important feature of wetlands with biological and hydraulic impacts. The global objective of this study was to question the influence of transpirational water losses on constructed treatment wetland water budget for a variety of wetland design and time of the year. Biomass and transpiration field measurements were carried out in constructed treatment wetlands (CTWs) submitted to oceanic climate and used for waste- or stormwater management. Measurements were carried out during spring, summer and fall. Biomass and transpiration rate were both significantly affected by season and site configuration, although the effect appears more sharply for season than for site. Transpiration can reach 26% of the incoming flow during the warmest part of the year for wastewater management CTW, when the effect on adjacent water courses is likely to be the most significant. The impact on multi-monthly water budget plummets to 2% of the incoming water volume. For stormwater CTW, transpiration can lead to strong water scarcity, virtually emptying all available water in these stochastically fed systems. As transpiration also plays a significant role in biogeochemical processes in wetlands, it seems important to design this type of ecological infrastructure in close relation with the pursued objectives, be it either the quality of outlet water (emphasis on treatment efficiency) or the quantity of outlet water (emphasis on flow regulation). [Display omitted] • Instant transpiration was measured on actual wetlands handling waste- and stormwater. • Biomass and transpiration followed strong seasonal and configuration patterns. • Transpiration accounts for up to 25% of incoming wastewater flow during summer. • Transpiration would account for more than total stormwater wetland content. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Unceasing climate change and anthropogenic impacts on coral reefs worldwide lead the needs for augmenting adaptive potential of corals. Currently, the most successful approach for restoring degraded reefs is 'coral gardening', where corals are farmed in underwater nurseries, then outplanted to damaged reefs. Dealing with enhanced coral adaptation, the 'coral gardening' approach is conceptually structured here within a hierarchical list of five encircling tiers that include all restoration activities, focusing on the nursery phase. Each tier encompasses all the activities performed in the levels below it hierarchically. The first is the 'coral mariculture' tier, followed by the 'ecological engineering' tier. The third is the adaptation-based reef restoration (ABRR) tier, preceding the fourth ('ecosystem seascape') and the fifth ('e cosystem services') tiers. The ABRR tier is further conceptualized and its constituent five classes (phenotypic plasticity, assisted migration, epigenetics, coral chimerism, holobiont modification) are detailed. It is concluded that the nursery phase of the 'gardening' tenet may further serve as a platform to enhance the adaptation capacities of corals to climate change through the five ABBR classes. Employing the 'gardening' tiers in reef restoration without considering ABRR will scarcely be able to meet global targets for healthy reef ecosystems in the future. • The most fruitful approach for restoring degraded reefs is the coral gardening tenet. • This tenet is structured here within a hierarchical list of five encircling tiers. • The third is the adaptation-based reef restoration (ABRR) tier. • The ABRR tier is conceptualized and its constituent five classes are detailed. • The ecosystem services fifth tier is guided by gardening-allied traditional tools. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Conventional wisdom among environmental economists is that the relative slopes of the marginal social benefit and marginal social cost functions determine whether a price-based or quantity-based environmental regulation leads to higher expected social welfare. We revisit the choice between price-based vs. quantity-based environmental regulation under Knightian uncertainty; that is, when uncertainty cannot be modeled with known moments of probability distributions. Under these circumstances, the policy objective cannot be to maximize the expected net benefits of emissions control. Instead, we evaluate an emissions tax and an aggregate abatement standard in terms of maximizing the range of uncertainty under which the welfare loss from error in the estimates of the marginal benefits and costs of emissions control can be limited. The main result of our work is that the same criterion involving the relative slopes of the marginal benefit and cost functions determines whether price-based or quantity-based control is more robust to unstructured uncertainty. Hence, not only does the relative slopes criterion lead to the policy that maximizes the expected net benefits of control under structured uncertainty, it also leads to the policy that maximizes robustness to unstructured uncertainty. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Vegetation restoration is an important way to improve the sustainability of the ecosystem in the hilly Loess Plateau. The variation of vegetation coverage, caused by the combined effects of meteorological factors and human activities, reflects the succession trend of regional ecosystems. Given the complexity and the diversity of landform in the hilly Loess Plateau, vegetation restoration is more affected by topographic factors. Nevertheless, few studies have considered the characteristics and trends of vegetation restoration under different micro-topographic types in the long-time series. From the perspective of ecological resilience based on the fractional vegetation cover (FVC), the trend, the hurst exponent, and the geographical spatial research were used to analyze the variation and future sustainability of vegetation restoration on different micro-topographic types for 20 years. Besides, the spatial autocorrelation, principal component analysis (PCA) and geographically weighted regression (GWR) were applied to identify the driving factors of vegetation restoration. The results showed: (1) the average of the overall regional vegetation coverage was 61.32%, and only 0.95% of the regional vegetation was degraded in the past 20 years. However, in the future, 69.87% of the area would be degraded from improvement, and 0.52% would be significantly decreased; (2) the vegetation coverage in descending order was as follows: ridge area with shady and steep slope, gully area with shady and steep slope, ridge area with sunny and steep slope, gully area with sunny and steep slope, gully area with shady and gentle slope, ridge area with shady and gentle slope, ridge area with sunny and gentle slope, gully area with sunny and gentle slope, valley area; (3) the difference of vegetation degradation among micro-topography was remarkable, and the valley area and gully area with sunny and steep slope have the greatest decrease; (4) the primary factors affecting vegetation restoration in the hilly Loess Plateau were temperature, moisture, soil quality, and social economical condition, and the dominant factors were various under different micro-topographic types and villages. Therefore, it is necessary to adjust ecological engineering measures by comprehensively considering the regional differences among dominant factors of vegetation restoration. • Vegetation coverage showed a fluctuating and rising trend. • Vegetation restoration would be unsustainable in the future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Water scarcity is perceived as a global systemic risk since there is an inexorable rise in water demand. An ecological engineering system mimics a natural ecosystem by balancing the trophic conditions for effective treatment of wastewater in a sequential manner. The present study was designed using emergent, floating and submerged macrophytic plants in a systematic approach. The study was evaluated with several components such as plants (water hyacinth, water lettuce and water thymes), aeration (supply of oxygen), and physical adsorption (activated carbon). Domestic wastewater collected from the local effluent treatment plant was treated individually and by combining all the components. Diverse experimental setups viz., lake sediment (control reactor), aeration, activated carbon blocks, water hyacinth, water lettuce, and water thymes were individually studied. Further the above components were combined, such as lake sediment + aeration + activated carbon blocks with plants like water hyacinth, water lettuce, and water thymes. The study inferred along with phytoremediation, and the external factors enhanced the treatment performances. Water hyacinth documented enhanced chemical oxygen demand removal efficiency of 85.71%, followed by water lettuce (80%), and water thymes (77.14%) along with the plants, both aeration, and activated carbon had stimulated the wastewater treatment. The highest removal efficiency of nitrate (70.23%), phosphate (63.64%), and sulphate (61.16%) were observed in water hyacinth due to its thick roots, and fibrous tissues reported effective treatment. The study hypothesized that these processes could be an effective strategy to restore the lakes and regulate the environmental flow. The study infers that an ecological engineering system symbiotically enables to self-organize the ecosystem within the boundary. [Display omitted] • Aquatic macrophytes showed significant treatment of wastewater in EES system. • Water hyacinth reported higher treatment efficiency in EES system. • Integrating biological and physical processes reports enhanced wastewater treatment. • Hybrid systems increase the operational improvements and processes intensification. • Restoration of water bodies using sustainable and eco-friendly technologies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Given the increase in infrastructure construction, ecological restoration techniques need to be scientifically assessed so that appropriate measures can be taken. However, the specific effects of these techniques are often confounded by multiple ecological stressors, and robust evaluations of their effects are rare. Here, we conducted a global meta-analysis of 68 peer-reviewed publications to quantitatively evaluate the ecological impacts of roadside slope restoration techniques and explored potential mechanisms using linear regression and random-forest models. We found that roadside slope restoration techniques generally enhanced restoration effectiveness, but the recovery rate differed over space and time. Relative to the degraded reference group, the synthetic technique (63.10%) and species selection (62.09%) had more positive impacts on restoring slopes than erosion control (44.82%), seed spraying (43.55%), and substrate amelioration (12.96%). Additionally, we found that vegetation condition, soil quality, and species diversity were negatively correlated with restoration time, implying that recovery might not be stable during early restoration periods. Our findings highlighted the importance of biodiversity for restoration success, but the negative relationship between species diversity, precipitation, and age highlighted the potential risks of losing biodiversity during restoration. Finally, the importance of soil substrate but difficulty in restoring it suggested that restoration actions should stress soil substrate amelioration. Generally, this study provides evidence-based references to support decision making and ensure the effectiveness and sustainability of future slope restoration efforts. Image 1 • Ecological impacts of roadside slope restoration techniques were assessed by meta-analysis. • The synthetic technique and species selection technique were the most effective restoration methods. • Restoration might not be stable in early restoration periods. • Potential risks of losing biodiversity might be incurred during restoration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Analyzes a hydro-ecological management problem through multi criterion decision-making techniques. Preference ranking organization method for enrichment evaluations; Geometrical analysis for interactive assistance; Multi criterion Q-analysis; Compromise programming; Cooperative game theory.

In ecological restoration, one of the main challenges is to develop new methods, techniques, and incentives that both favour and reduce maintenance costs in restoration projects. Besides, post-planting maintenance is often neglected hampering seedling survival over time owing to alien grasses, which compete strongly with native plants for resources. To solve these issues, recently, an innovative technology called Nucleário has been developed in Brazil. Aiming to hinder alien competition filters, the Nucleário also attempts to condition a better microenvironment, reducing drought stress through the water storage tank, decreasing temperatures, which facilitates the survival and growth of seedlings in areas under restoration. Another method used to decrease alien grasses, which is inexpensive, is seedling crowning using cardboard lowing maintenance needs in restored areas. Cardboard has similar functions to Nucleário , such as protecting soil against loss of water and nutrients and reducing competition with invasive exotic grasses. Therefore, comparing them also with traditional manual weeding (i.e., clean-weeded crown by hoe), we aimed to verify which technique is most cost-efficient for seedling crown maintenance of Dipteryx alata Vog., which is an indigenous tree species with high economic value owing to its nuts. We tested three techniques in areas under restoration in the Cerrado, in the Environmental Protection Area "Córrego Guariroba" located in Campo Grande, Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil. We monitored seedlings submitted to the three methods in the wet and the dry periods for biotic (competition with exotic grasses, herbivory, and growth) and abiotic (moisture and soil temperature) indicators. We observed that the Nucleário was the treatment that maintained the highest soil moisture, resulting in a larger canopy area. However, these effects do not reflect increases in the survival rate, diameter, and height of the seedlings. None of the treatments was effective in reducing herbivory. Nucleário was the most effective treatment in reducing the competition of seedlings with invasive grasses. Cardboard presented an implementation value 21.5 times lower than Nucleário and 1.2 times than manual crowning. Given the high purchase price, the Nucleário 's cost-benefit ratio was very high compared to the crowning of cardboard and the manual weeding, which discourages us from recommending it for this species with high survival rates. Its project can be revised to decrease herbivory rates, as well as its efficiency tested in the short and long term in different ecosystems and species, particularly species susceptible to water stress. • Dipteryx alata is a Cerrado native tree appreciated for its nuts and had high rates of seedling survival in all treatments. • Nucleário enhanced soil moisture content in dry season, enlarged D. alata crown area, and reduced alien grass competition. • Cardboard was the most cost-effective maitenance technique and presented an implementation value 21.5 times lower than Nucleário and 1.2 times than manual crowning. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Water shortages and the presence of point and diffuse source pollution have caused a serious deterioration in water quality in two tributaries (the Tangxi River and Shiwuli River) of Chaohu Lake, China. To reduce nutrient pollution and suppress harmful algal blooms (HABs), hard engineering and ecological remediation projects were implemented. A post-project investigation from 2013 to 2016 was carried out to evaluate the outcome of the remediation projects by monitoring the seasonal and spatial variations in water quality and the phytoplankton community. In the Tangxi River, the average total phosphorus (TP) concentrations in the four seasons were below 0.5 mg L−1, with the lowest concentration (0.29 ± 0.12 mg L−1) found in autumn. Remediation measures including sediment dredging, riparian buffer zone creation, downstream wetland park construction, and water augmentation using reclaimed water and filtered lake water might combine to promote P source mitigation. Moreover, the percentage of bloom-forming cyanobacteria (i.e., Microcystis , Aphanizomenon , Anabaena , Oscillatoria , Phormidium and Planktothrix) in the phytoplankton assemblage and the biomass of the dominant species indicated successful HAB control. In the Shiwuli River, water quality improvements and phytoplankton responses have been observed since 2015 after the upgrading of a local wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) with effluent that was used for flow augmentation. Nevertheless, there is still room for improvement via increasing the river self-purification ability (e.g., the creation of downstream wetlands and riparian buffer zones) and promoting water augmentation according to the experience gained in the remediation projects of the Tangxi River. • Integrated remediation measures jointly contribute to P mitigation in Tangxi River. • Nutrient mitigation lead to successful manipulation of bloom-forming cyanobacteria. • Combination of hard engineering and ecological remediation projects is recommended. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]