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The comprehensive protection and restoration of mountains, rivers, forests, farmlands, lakes, grasslands, and deserts is critical for enhancing ecological environmental quality and fulfilling the aspirations of ecological civilization in the modern era. Centered on the key project area of the Mountain-River Project within the Luohe River Basin of the Eastern Qinling Mountains, this study employs the InVEST model to assess spatiotemporal variations in habitat quality (HQ), water yield (WY), carbon sequestration (CS), and soil retention (SR) for the years 2000, 2010, and 2020. This study further examines the trade-offs and synergies among these ecosystem services, integrates the Ordered Weighted Averaging (OWA) and GIS methodology with human activity patterns, determines the optimal management scenario, and offers targeted recommendations for optimization. The findings reveal that areas of high habitat quality, carbon sequestration, and soil retention are predominantly concentrated in the western and southwestern regions of the basin, whereas high-value zones of water yield are primarily situated in the southern and southwestern sectors. Habitat quality demonstrates significant synergies with other ecosystem services, whereas water yield presents a notable trade-off with soil retention. By conducting a comparative analysis of protection efficiency, we identified priority conservation areas predominantly located in the southern and southwestern regions of the basin. Moreover, through overlaying the priority conservation zones with the Human Footprint Index (HFI), the priority conservation area was precisely delineated to encompass 5.41 × 105 hectares. This methodology provides critical guidance for the implementation of the Mountain-River Project and offers substantial value in scientifically advancing ecological restoration initiatives. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The alpine marsh wetlands in the Qilian Mountains of Qinghai (QMQ) are under constant threat from the effects of climate change and human activities. Identifying the key ecological protection areas (KEPAs) of marsh wetlands is the prerequisite for formulating protection strategies and executing spatial planning programs. The current study developed a novel method to identify the KEPAs of marsh wetlands by following the ecosystem pattern–characteristics–functions (EPCFs) combined method and the ecological source–ecological corridor–ecological node research paradigm. More specifically, an evaluation system for ecological resistance was constructed by integrating the drivers of EPCFs in the marsh wetlands. Additionally, the marsh wetland degradation disturbances were analyzed through the drivers of EPCFs incorporated with a field survey. The findings indicated the following: (1) The marsh wetlands had a total water yield of approximately 3.96 × 108 m3. The soil conservation rate and habitat quality per unit area were calculated to be 52.92 t·hm−2·a−1 and 0.992, respectively, with higher values observed on the southern bank and lower values on the northern bank of the river in the QMQ. (2) The KEPAs for the marsh wetlands covered a total extent of 996.53 km2 in the QMQ, encompassing 40 ecological sources, 39 ecological corridors, and 40 ecological nodes, predominantly located in the river source regions. (3) The KEPAs were restructured into an ecological framework comprising two ecological axes, four ecological belts, four ecological cores, and multiple nodes in the QMQ. In response to the factors contributing to the degradation of marsh wetlands, adaptive measures including prioritizing natural restoration, modifying grazing strategies, executing ecological restoration projects as a minimum, and designating protected areas have been recommended. This research could contribute to enhancing the efficiency of regional territorial planning and offer a theoretical foundation for improving the ecological protection framework of regional marsh wetlands. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The cultures and religious beliefs of Taiwanese indigenous peoples are deeply rooted in ecological protection and environmental ethics. Indigenous peoples emphasize reverence for nature, ecological diversity, sustainable living, resource sharing, and sanctity of nature. Integrating environmental education with indigenous culture can promote biodiversity and ecological conservation while preserving indigenous traditions and fostering sustainable development. This study combined Virtual Reality 360-degree (VR360) technology with indigenous culture to develop a virtual ecological system as a learning tool for environmental education in indigenous elementary schools. The VR360 system simulates the ecological environments of Chichiawan Creek and the Atayal Nanshan Tribe in the mountainous regions of northern Taiwan to provide students with immersive experiences that enhance their learning interest and motivation. Through interactive operations, they can observe the appearance, characteristics, and habitual behaviors of Formosan Landlocked Salmon and other conservation animals to understand the relationship between maintaining biodiversity and ecological balance. The VR360 ecological system enhances learning effectiveness and motivation using low-cost cardboard glasses, making it suitable for promoting indigenous culture and environmental education while reducing the digital divide in remote tribal areas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study delves into the transformative potential of low-carbon leisure education (LCLE) in promoting sustainable development within rural lake regions, focusing particularly on its impact on youth well-being and regional economic vitality. Utilizing a mixed-methods approach, we surveyed 650 participants and conducted interviews with experts, visitors, and locals to gauge the effectiveness of LCLE initiatives. The findings indicate a significant positive correlation between LCLE engagements and improvements in the leisure environment, economic development, and ecological conservation. However, the study reveals a youth welfare divide, whereby younger individuals are unable to fully benefit from LCLE programs due to gaps in environmental consciousness and accessibility. The paper proposes a holistic approach to LCLE that includes enhancing environmental awareness among youth, making participation in low-carbon leisure activities more accessible and affordable, and fostering a culture of sustainable enjoyment. The expected outcomes suggest strengthened rural economies, enriched leisure and ecological environments, and a healthier, more sustainable lifestyle for the younger population. This research underscores the importance of integrating educational initiatives into rural development strategies, thereby contributing to the knowledge economy through innovative approaches to sustainability and youth engagement in rural settings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Amidst the mounting interest in China's Ecological Civilization (EC) campaign, this paper examines its ground-level implementation and its influences on fostering eco-conscious urban governance. Employing a temporal approach to scrutinize the change in local priorities over time, this paper conducts a detailed case study of Dali, a tourist destination in Southwest China. Environmental protection has escalated in this city over the last decade, manifesting in diverse measures adopted by the local government, including the demolition of hundreds of buildings in the core conservation zone of the lake Erhai. This paper demonstrates how the campaign of EC has strengthened environmental efforts locally, while emphasizing that local compliance relies on heightened oversight and financial support from the central government. Moreover, this paper argues that, despite resembling a degrowth strategy in terms of rhetoric and short-term effects, EC-led demolition serves as a spatio-temporal fix that has helped the local government to address both ecological and political imperatives, with growth coalitions being reconfigured. Overall, this paper contributes to scholarly discussions on the impacts of the EC campaign, expands the comprehension of the dynamic process of greening urban governance, and spotlights the analytical prowess of the demolition lens in such studies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

National parks are critical components of protected areas and are drawing increased global attention. Clear and rational boundaries may provide a scientific foundation for the sustainable protection and management of these areas. However, criteria for feasible national park delimitation and techniques for resolving conflicts between socioeconomic development and environmental protection are still poorly defined, particularly regarding integrity during park establishment. Consequently, a systematic analytical framework is essential for advancing research and practice. This study developed a systematic framework to determine the spatial boundaries, using the Kunlun Mountain region in China as a case for empirical analysis. Key issues in national park development—ecology and management—were systematically integrated into this framework. Most importantly, spatial connectivity, a critical concern in national park planning, was thoroughly considered for improving integrity optimization, an aspect often overlooked in previous delimitation studies. The results demonstrated that our framework effectively identified potential national park boundaries, achieving a balance between development and conservation. Furthermore, core protected and general control areas were delineated to support differentiated management approaches. This framework offers a scientific foundation for policymakers and managers to pursue sustainable protection and management of national parks.

Given that the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau (QTP) is an important ecological security barrier in western China, changes in its ecosystem services (ESs) have received attention. Using multivariate datas and model simulations, we evaluated the ESs of the QTP, revealed their driving factors, and constructed ecological conservation pattern based on ecosystem services index (ESI) and ecosystem sensitivity (ES). The results showed that: (1) The overall ESs of the QTP from 2000 to 2020 were positive, with a spatial distribution characteristic of decreasing from southeast to northwest. Forest and grassland were the key land use types promoting ESs. (2) Natural factors had a stronger influence on ESs than socioeconomic factors, with precipitation, FVC (Fractional Vegetation Cover) and NPP (Net Primary Productivity) had the strongest explanatory power for ESs. (3) The proportion of the collaborative development area (CDA), consolidation and enhancement area (CEA) and priority protection area (PPA) to the total area of the QTP was 19%, 56% and 25% respectively. The CDA should follow the concept of natural restoration and green development. The CEA should optimize the management system and do a good job of environmental management in combination with artificial restoration. The PPA should strictly prevent disturbances caused by human activities and protect the originality of natural landscapes such as glaciers, snow and permafrost.

Large‐scale biodiversity conservation and management necessitate rapid assessment tools and technologies. Indices derived from passive acoustic data offer a novel solution for rapid biodiversity monitoring. Although these indices quantify vocalizing biodiversity at a site, previous studies indicate inconsistencies in the indices' performance across different biomes. We tested the efficacy of seven acoustic indices—acoustic complexity index, acoustic diversity index, bioacoustic index (BI), acoustic entropy index, total entropy (H), normalized difference soundscape index, and number of peaks in an understudied biome, tropical dry forests, in central India. We measured the relationship between every index and a combination of these indices with a biodiversity metric, avian species richness. We found a weak correlation between individual indices and species richness (0.00 ≤ R ≤ 0.35), while a combination of indices was comparatively better at predicting species richness (R2 = 0.54). Although BI performed better than all other indices, our results indicate that acoustic indices do not accurately quantify avian species richness in this forest in central India. However, combining multiple indices increases their efficacy, limitedly. We recommend evaluating the efficiency of acoustic indices, especially in underrepresented habitats, before their application in avifauna‐based rapid acoustic surveys. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Rapid urbanization has led to ecosystem fragmentation, conversion, and degradation, posing great threats to natural habitat and biodiversity. The utilization of ecological networks has gained importance in ecological restoration planning to mitigate the negative impacts of urbanization on ecosystems. This study focused on Nanchang City, China, as a case study area to examine the application of integrated ecological networks in 2000, 2010 and 2020. This study analyzed the dynamic characteristics and spatial differences in landscape connectivity, providing evidence-based support for ecological conservation and restoration. The results indicate the following: (1) a decrease in the number of ecological sources and corridors, especially general sources and corridors, along with a decreasing trend in their importance; (2) an increase in ecological barrier points and breakpoints over time, especially in the southeastern region of the study area; and (3) the identification of ecological conservation priority areas, ecological improvement priority areas, and ecological restoration points based on connectivity and dynamic analysis. Multiple priority actions were proposed, which remarkably improved network connectivity and strengthened biodiversity conservation. Our research provides a valuable reference for identifying ecological priorities and developing ecological protection and ecological restoration actions in highly urbanized areas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The wholeness of ecological resources in watersheds and the divisiveness of administrative regions make the protection of watersheds exceptional, and their environmental development has always been a hot issue of social concern. To realize the high-quality development of the watershed, this paper studies the ecological protection mechanism at the inter-provincial and intra-provincial levels. At the inter-provincial level, we constructed a game model for the evolution of ecological compensation between upstream and downstream governments in the watershed. We explored the changes in the strategy choices of both sides of the game under the condition of an unconstrained mechanism and the constraints of the reward and punishment mechanism of the central government. At the intra-provincial level, the local government, enterprise, and public ecological protection evolution game models are constructed to analyze the strategic choices of the three-party game subjects. The study results show that firstly, the combination of strategies (governance, compensation) cannot be realized by upstream and downstream governments alone, and the central government can intervene by introducing specific incentives and penalties. Secondly, constructing upstream and downstream government ecological compensation mechanisms under the central government constraint has prompted the local government, enterprises, and the public to achieve the ideal stable state of the tripartite game subjects (strict regulation, treatment, supervision). Thirdly, factors such as local government strategy choices and regulatory efforts can impact the rate of evolution of enterprises and the public. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Qilian Mountain National Park (QMNP) is a critical ecological barrier and water conservation area in northwestern China. Its diverse ecosystems provide significant ecosystem services, yet the valuation of these services and their dynamic responses to land use/cover (LULC) changes and ecological protection measures require detailed investigation. This study employs an improved equivalent factor method, tailored to the specific ecosystem types and LULC patterns of QMNP, to evaluate the ecosystem service value (ESV) across different LULC types. Using an elasticity analysis model, the sensitivity of ESV to LULC changes from 1990 to 2022 was quantitatively assessed. The results indicate that the ESV of QMNP increased from 46.13 billion RMB to 50.97 billion RMB between 1990 and 2022, mostly due to the growth of grassland and forest areas. The primary route for increasing the region’s ESV is the conversion of desert to grassland, and this should be a major area of emphasis for next ecological conservation initiatives. Regulating services form the core of the ESV in QMNP, with climate and hydrological regulation contributing significantly to the overall ESV. Maintaining the stability of forest, wetland, and water body areas is crucial for sustaining the total ESV of QMNP. Through the application of carbon emission coefficients and ESV methods, the average range for long-term ecological compensation standards in QMNP is expected to be between 3.78 billion RMB and 28.28 billion RMB annually. Additionally, we explore the impacts of ongoing ecological protection mechanisms on enhancing ESV. There is a pressing need to formulate integrated policy frameworks that balance ecological conservation with sustainable economic development. The study also highlights the necessity of strengthening the protection and foundational research of grasslands and water bodies to enhance the ESV of QMNP. These insights serve as a foundation for potential planning and management strategies in QMNP, aiming to maintain and enhance its ecosystem functions and services, thereby contributing to broader regional and global ecological stability.

Baseflow plays a crucial role in sustaining the alpine ecosystem during rainless or cold periods. Despite its importance, information on how and why baseflow has changed in the source region of the Yangtze River (SRYR) is sparse. In our study, statistical analysis and the elastic coefficient method were used to identify the dynamic characteristics of baseflow and the underlying causes. The results show that monthly baseflow contributed 62–97% of runoff with a mean value of 75%, and they followed remarkable increasing trends from 1957 to 2020. The contributions of precipitation, temperature, evapotranspiration, and ecological conservation programs (ECPs) on baseflow variations were 86, 53, −15, and −24%, respectively. However, their contributions differed across months. During the warm months of May to September, precipitation played a dominant role, followed by evapotranspiration. In contrast, during other colder months, temperature was dominant; meanwhile, the effect of precipitation was almost absent. Moreover, climatic change had a hysteretic effect on baseflow variation, with a maximum lag time of 10 months. Our results highlighted critical roles of both precipitation and temperature, and indicated that climate change, rather than ECPs, dominated the variation in baseflow in the SRYR. HIGHLIGHTS Monthly baseflow contributed 62–97% of runoff with a mean value of 75%.; Contributions of precipitation, temperature, evapotranspiration, and ecological conservation to the increasing baseflow were 86, 53, −15, and −24%, respectively.; During warm months, precipitation played a dominant role, while during colder months, the impact of temperature was dominant.; Climatic change had a hysteretic effect on baseflow variation.;

The alpine marsh wetlands in the Qilian Mountains of Qinghai (QMQ) are under constant threat from the effects of climate change and human activities. Identifying the key ecological protection areas (KEPAs) of marsh wetlands is the prerequisite for formulating protection strategies and executing spatial planning programs. The current study developed a novel method to identify the KEPAs of marsh wetlands by following the ecosystem pattern–characteristics–functions (EPCFs) combined method and the ecological source–ecological corridor–ecological node research paradigm. More specifically, an evaluation system for ecological resistance was constructed by integrating the drivers of EPCFs in the marsh wetlands. Additionally, the marsh wetland degradation disturbances were analyzed through the drivers of EPCFs incorporated with a field survey. The findings indicated the following: (1) The marsh wetlands had a total water yield of approximately 3.96 × 108 m3. The soil conservation rate and habitat quality per unit area were calculated to be 52.92 t·hm−2·a−1 and 0.992, respectively, with higher values observed on the southern bank and lower values on the northern bank of the river in the QMQ. (2) The KEPAs for the marsh wetlands covered a total extent of 996.53 km2 in the QMQ, encompassing 40 ecological sources, 39 ecological corridors, and 40 ecological nodes, predominantly located in the river source regions. (3) The KEPAs were restructured into an ecological framework comprising two ecological axes, four ecological belts, four ecological cores, and multiple nodes in the QMQ. In response to the factors contributing to the degradation of marsh wetlands, adaptive measures including prioritizing natural restoration, modifying grazing strategies, executing ecological restoration projects as a minimum, and designating protected areas have been recommended. This research could contribute to enhancing the efficiency of regional territorial planning and offer a theoretical foundation for improving the ecological protection framework of regional marsh wetlands.

The cultures and religious beliefs of Taiwanese indigenous peoples are deeply rooted in ecological protection and environmental ethics. Indigenous peoples emphasize reverence for nature, ecological diversity, sustainable living, resource sharing, and sanctity of nature. Integrating environmental education with indigenous culture can promote biodiversity and ecological conservation while preserving indigenous traditions and fostering sustainable development. This study combined Virtual Reality 360-degree (VR360) technology with indigenous culture to develop a virtual ecological system as a learning tool for environmental education in indigenous elementary schools. The VR360 system simulates the ecological environments of Chichiawan Creek and the Atayal Nanshan Tribe in the mountainous regions of northern Taiwan to provide students with immersive experiences that enhance their learning interest and motivation. Through interactive operations, they can observe the appearance, characteristics, and habitual behaviors of Formosan Landlocked Salmon and other conservation animals to understand the relationship between maintaining biodiversity and ecological balance. The VR360 ecological system enhances learning effectiveness and motivation using low-cost cardboard glasses, making it suitable for promoting indigenous culture and environmental education while reducing the digital divide in remote tribal areas.

The estimation of spatiotemporal variability of vegetation health and associated climatic variables is a prerequisite for efficient management of mountain ecosystems. The present study aimed to quantify the changing effect of different climatic parameters on vegetation health in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan, from 2012 to 2021. The association between NDVI and three explanatory variables, i.e., temperature, precipitation, and wind speed, was analyzed using geostatistical model optimization and stationarity index analysis. Results showed that local model GWR presented optimal results owing to its ability to deal with spatial non-stationarity and stochasticity inherent in regression relationships. The most dominant climatic factor influencing vegetation dynamics in KPK was temperature, followed by wind speed and precipitation. However, there was a gradual decline in the influence of temperature in controlling vegetation dynamics after 2018, and precipitation emerged to be the major determinant. Moreover, the stationarity index was calculated at multi-scales to determine the operational scale range for each climatic variable. The scale-dependency of NDVI-T relationship exhibited highest spatial heterogeneity, up to a distance of 600 km. Overall, geostatistical modeling using earth observation datasets enabled insightful understanding of spatiotemporal variations in vegetation response to climate change, necessary for sustainable development and responsive climate action. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Three North Shelterbelt Forest (TNSF) region in northern China is the largest artificial afforestation area in the world. Vegetation quality in the TNSF region has been improved greatly in recent years. This article presents a new approach to characterize vegetation quality by coupling vegetation productivity and coverage, examining the trend of vegetation quality from 2000 to 2021 at 1 km × 1 km spatial resolution by the linear regression trend method, and analyzing the driving forces of that trend. The results revealed a significant spatial difference of vegetation quality. Higher vegetation quality was found in the east and southeast of the TNSF region. Improvement of vegetation quality was found in approximately 80% area of the TNSF region, at a rate of 0 ∼ 52 g C m−2yr−1 with α = 0.05 significance between 2000 and 2021. Vegetation quality deteriorated in a few areas. The increase in CO2 concentrations and annual precipitation facilitated the improvement of vegetation quality, but also human efforts in ecological protection and restoration accelerated the improvement of vegetation quality under the current climate change background. The results might contribute to designing future ecological projects and the scientific adjustment of vegetation restoration strategies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Snakes are a natural form of pest control that play an essential role in the ecosystem's balance. Snakes can provide an ecological service to people by lowering insect populations that can spread disease and harm agricultural produce. Because snakes assist us in so many ways, they have long been the subject of torture and unfavorable views across cultures, and humans threaten many. However, little is known about how snake charmers in developing nations like Bangladesh are changing their attitudes and behavior toward snakes. This study aims to examine the snake charmer community in northern Bangladesh's changing attitudes and behavior toward snakes. Snake predictors must be better understood to improve conservation efforts. This study examined whether knowledge of mortality from snakebites, experience with snakebites, myth beliefs about snakes, and education level predict attitudes toward snakes in the northern area of Bangladesh. The results of the ordinal regression model revealed that beliefs in hatred, fear, and the myth that snakes are evil are related to less tolerance of snakes. We also examined attitudes that would predict the intended killing of snakes. Snake tolerance was linked to more frequent snake interactions and a lower level of education. Even after controlling for the influence of other psychological and experience-based variables, better snake tolerance and lower education were linked to a decreased risk of purposefully killing snakes. More education and sustainable wildlife management should be used to change people's attitudes and stop them from killing snakes on purpose. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The monetary value assigned to ecosystems and their essential goods and services is known as ecosystem service value (ESV). Fragile ecological environments, susceptible to climate change and human disturbances, require significant ecological protection. This protection is vital not only for stabilizing socio-economic conditions but also for fostering a positive feedback loop within natural systems. Looking ahead, identifying priority conservation areas and regions of particular concern in fragile environments based on ESV changes is a proactive approach. Until now, current studies on ESV in fragile ecological environments have been insufficient, falling short of adequately serving the purpose of ecological protection in such areas. The Hexi region (HXR), situated in the interlaced area of the Qilian Mountains and the Alxa Plateau in northwest China, possesses a fragile ecological environment. Due to the intricate interactions between humans and the environment, it stands out as a crucial area for studying ecosystem services in fragile habitats. Hence, this study aims to systematically analyze the ESV in the HXR over the past 30 years. Here, the values of 11 ecosystem service categories in HXR during 1990–2020 were calculated, clarifying their spatiotemporal difference and dynamic changes based on land use/cover (LULC) products for years 1990, 1995, 2000, 2005, 2010, 2015, and 2020, using an improved equivalent factors method. The findings revealed that the unit standard equivalent factor is 1.51 × 105 CNY·km−2·a−1, and the total ESV value has grown from CNY 182.50 to 185.48 billion from 1990 to 2020. Hydrologic regulation, climate regulation, and soil conservation service values are the principal single ESV categories across HXR. Over the past three decades, ESV changes in HXR have been primarily driven by water area, grassland, and wetland, with the sensitivity of ESV to LULC generally increasing (0.15~9.10%). Natural forcing and anthropogenic perturbations have combined to cause changes in LULC in HXR, influencing ESV fluctuations. Future ecosystem protection activities in HXR should prioritize the maintenance of grasslands, water regions, and wetlands to ensure the preservation of ESV. This study clarifies the impacts of LULC change on ESV in fragile natural environments and highlights the significance of focusing on ESV changes for the health promotion of natural-social systems. The findings provide a foundation for constructing a sustainable development model that is in harmony with both people and the environment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Large‐scale biodiversity conservation and management necessitate rapid assessment tools and technologies. Indices derived from passive acoustic data offer a novel solution for rapid biodiversity monitoring. Although these indices quantify vocalizing biodiversity at a site, previous studies indicate inconsistencies in the indices' performance across different biomes. We tested the efficacy of seven acoustic indices—acoustic complexity index, acoustic diversity index, bioacoustic index (BI), acoustic entropy index, total entropy (H), normalized difference soundscape index, and number of peaks in an understudied biome, tropical dry forests, in central India. We measured the relationship between every index and a combination of these indices with a biodiversity metric, avian species richness. We found a weak correlation between individual indices and species richness (0.00 ≤ R ≤ 0.35), while a combination of indices was comparatively better at predicting species richness (R2 = 0.54). Although BI performed better than all other indices, our results indicate that acoustic indices do not accurately quantify avian species richness in this forest in central India. However, combining multiple indices increases their efficacy, limitedly. We recommend evaluating the efficiency of acoustic indices, especially in underrepresented habitats, before their application in avifauna‐based rapid acoustic surveys.

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The importance of ecosystem services (ESs) has been widely recognized and studied since 2000. However, research on the interactions (synergies and trade-offs) among ESs and hotspots of ESs is limited. This study focused on the Asian Water Tower (AWT) region (17 countries) and assessed the importance of five critical ESs by four quantitative models, analyzed the interactions among ESs, and identified hotspots of ESs using hotspot analysis. The results showed that the areas with “high importance” of the composite ESs accounted for 6.3% of the AWT region, and they were distributed mainly in mountain and coastal areas. Additionally, high synergies among the five ESs were observed in areas with “high importance” of the composite ESs, whereas poor synergies among ESs were found in areas with “relatively high importance” of the composite ESs. Furthermore, a total of 132 hotspot basins (28.4% of the AWT region) of the composite ESs were identified, and 23.2% of the hotspot basins were areas with “highly and relatively highly synergistic” ESs. The results provide evidence-based support for setting ecosystem protection goals, achieving win-win ESs, and improving ecosystem management efficiency. Overall, this study can deepen the understanding of the interactions and hotspots of ESs in the AWT region. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Tourism carrying capacity remains pivotal for ensuring sustainable development within protected terrains, accentuating the balance between conservation, socio-economic benefits, and visitor satisfaction. This study delves into the intricate dimensions of this balance, focusing on the Katon-Karagay National Park (KKNP). Merging comprehensive empirical data accrued from fieldwork within the park, calculations surrounding recreational loads, and a synthesis of the relevant literature, the study designed a methodology. This included calculation techniques incorporating ecological and tourist social capacities, the psychocomfort approach, and an ongoing monitoring approach, supplemented by exclusive data from the park's administration. Key findings underscored the significance of an adaptive balance, revealing specific permissible recreational loads for different park zones. For instance, zones of quiet recreation evidenced up to 5 people/ha, while active recreation zones fluctuated between 20 and 100 people/ha. Monitoring evidenced critical environmental changes, shaping recommendations for effective tourism flow regulation, ensuring alignment with established norms and ecological preservation. The exploration substantiates the indispensability of a meticulously structured approach to ascertain tourism carrying capacity, emphasizing the harmony achievable between environmental sanctity and human pursuits. KKNP's empirical data serve as a paradigm, guiding sustainable tourism frameworks for similar ecologically sensitive regions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Rapid urbanization has led to ecosystem fragmentation, conversion, and degradation, posing great threats to natural habitat and biodiversity. The utilization of ecological networks has gained importance in ecological restoration planning to mitigate the negative impacts of urbanization on ecosystems. This study focused on Nanchang City, China, as a case study area to examine the application of integrated ecological networks in 2000, 2010 and 2020. This study analyzed the dynamic characteristics and spatial differences in landscape connectivity, providing evidence-based support for ecological conservation and restoration. The results indicate the following: (1) a decrease in the number of ecological sources and corridors, especially general sources and corridors, along with a decreasing trend in their importance; (2) an increase in ecological barrier points and breakpoints over time, especially in the southeastern region of the study area; and (3) the identification of ecological conservation priority areas, ecological improvement priority areas, and ecological restoration points based on connectivity and dynamic analysis. Multiple priority actions were proposed, which remarkably improved network connectivity and strengthened biodiversity conservation. Our research provides a valuable reference for identifying ecological priorities and developing ecological protection and ecological restoration actions in highly urbanized areas.

Since the Anthropocene, global natural ecosystems have suffered more severe and accelerating harm than at any other period in history. The growing conflict between urban expansion and ecological conservation highlights the importance of finding a balance. Ecological security pattern (ESP) focuses on minimizing the cost-benefit ratio of ecological conservation while maintaining a minimum level of land use demand. It is an effective spatial tool for balancing urban sprawl and ecological conservation, sustaining regional ecological security and safeguarding human well-being, and thus fostering sustainable development. However, when identifying ESP, it is still unclear whether core areas of specific or comprehensive ecosystem characteristics should be highlighted. In this study we established three ESP construction scenarios to explore the trade-off between the conservations of comprehensive and specific ecosystem characteristics. Scenario 1 and Scenario 3 respectively tended to prioritize the conservation of comprehensive and specific ecosystem characteristics respectively, while Scenario 2 represented an intermediate approach. Furthermore, conservation effectiveness of the three scenarios were assessed to choose the best solution under the objectives of ecosystem health, landscape connectivity and integrated conservation . The results showed that Scenario 3 had the largest number of ecological sources and ecological corridors, being 5.82 times and 7.48 times of that in Scenario 1, respectively. The total area of ecological sources in each scenario was 1626 km2, accounting for 24% of the study area. Besides, Scenario 3 had the largest area of ecological corridors, with a total area of 705 km2. Natural reserves of Helan Mountain, Sha Lake, and Baijitan were identified as ecological sources in all the three scenarios, emphasizing their conservation importance. The ESP identified in Scenario 1 exhibited better representativeness of ecosystem health, while the ESP identified in Scenario 3 demonstrated the highest level of landscape connectivity and integrated conservation. Scenario 2 was not the optimal solution under all conservation objectives. The results suggested that the scenario for the conservation of specific ecosystem characteristic had better conservation benefits. This study highlights the conservation trade-off between comprehensive and specific ecosystem characteristics, which will help to identify opitimal ESP construction solution.

The preservation and restoration of essential spaces encompassing production, living and ecological realms are critical for sustaining life on Earth. This article explores the significance of these spaces and advocates for a holistic approach to their conservation. By identifying key areas for preservation and restoration, society can mitigate environmental degradation, promote sustainable development and safeguard biodiversity. This article discusses the importance of agricultural lands, urban habitats and natural ecosystems, emphasizing the interconnectedness of human activities and the environment. Furthermore, it examines strategies for effective preservation and restoration efforts, highlighting the need for collaboration among stakeholders and the adoption of innovative solutions. Ultimately, prioritizing the conservation of these vital spaces is paramount for ensuring a harmonious coexistence between humanity and nature. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Evaluating the ecological security of ecotourism (EES) in protected areas is critical because these areas play a vital role in protecting biodiversity and natural resources. This study evaluated the EES status of Central Alborz Protected Area (Northern Iran), based on a Driver, Pressure, State, Impact, and Response (DPSIR) model. We developed a comprehensive list of 59 indicators for the DPSIR model and employed an Analytical Network Process (ANP) model to determine indicator weights harnessing the opinion of experts on which indicators are most influential. This approach facilitated the identification of regions with the highest EES vulnerability, notably in the northern and western sectors of our study area along the boundary between Tehran and Mazandaran provinces. Here, the mechanisms that drive EES change the most include ecotourism activities, livestock overgrazing, and uncontrolled physical and economic activities, along with extensive road and highway development, and land use and land cover changes. Indicators that are most effective for determining the EES status, include physical and economic activities. We conclude by discussing indicators to respond to the increasing threat to EES in Protected Areas such as the involvement of government in strategic integrated management. Our study serves as a methodological blueprint on how to evaluate the EES of Protected Areas.

With the proposal of the concept that lucid waters and lush mountains are invaluable assets, ecological issues have become increasingly important issues of concern to people. The process of urbanization is accelerating, and the importance of urban waterfront space in improving the environmental quality of the city and people's quality of life, enhancing the vitality of the city, the overall appearance of the city, and the competitiveness of the city, is receiving increasing attention. And how to properly handle the construction and development of urban waterfront space has become increasingly prominent in urban planning. Under the the concept of "ecological conservation", it is thought that the construction of urban waterfront space should follow the principle of harmony between nature and man, and strengthen the multifaceted connection of the city. Through field research on Swan Lake, a comprehensive evaluation of the problems in the plank road and land ecology is conducted. It is proposed to improve the current situation of Swan Lake by grasping the two keywords of "waterfront" and "city", and starting from the improvement of water body and the enhancement of urban cultural construction in the lake area. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

With the advancement of ecological conservation in China, the concept of green development has gained extensive acceptance and recognition. Exploring green development from the perspectives of environmental protection and sociology holds great theoretical value and practical significance in studying the issues related to green development. Firstly, this paper examines green development in light of the objective needs of the economic and social transformation in the international community and China, and deconstructed its underlying social logic. Secondly, it further investigates the social factors that restrict green development, encompassing social structures, social concepts, social systems, and social behaviors. Finally, within the framework of the "green" discipline system in environmental sociology, this paper proposes specific measures such as restructuring social systems and transforming production modes, lifestyles, and consumption patterns to promote green development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ecological security patterns (ESPs) provide a solution for balancing the conflicts between ecological conservation and socio-economic development and maintaining sustainable regional development. Identifying sustainable ESPs should be a matter given attention to in order to meet future urban expansion needs. Based on multi-source eco-environmental datasets and remote sensing (RS) containing the history of land-use patterns, our study incorporated future land-use patterns into the ESP identification framework to reduce the potential impact of future urban expansion on the identified ESPs (i.e., ecological corridors and nodes) and to reserve space for future urban development from an urban development perspective. Considering the Changsha–Zhuzhou–Xiangtan (CZX) urban agglomeration, the results show that 57 corridors are extracted, within which 36 key corridors are mainly distributed in the Lukou and Wangcheng districts and Xiangtan and Changsha counties; an additional 21 potential corridors are mainly distributed in the urban built-up area and these corridors connect to Xiangjiang River or its tributary. In addition, 18 pinch points were identified, mainly located adjacent to the Xiangjiang River, Liuyang River, and Laodao River; 9 barrier points are distributed at the junctions of the main roads. A comparison of ESP identification with and without simulated land-use patterns showed the incorporation of future land-use patterns favoured sustainable ESP construction. Furthermore, we discuss the rationality and application of ESP identification from an urban development perspective and emphasize the trade-off between future land-use patterns and ecological conservation, better reflecting the forward-looking thinking of spatial planning. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Craig Santos Perez's ecopoetry challenges the "rescue and recovery" narratives of species conservation embedded in processes of settler colonialism and militarism. Reading Perez's poetry on the extinction of Guam's avian life alongside the establishment of the Guam National Wildlife Refuge, its environmental impact testimonies, and avian conservation plans, this article develops a theory of ecological kinship that accounts for the dispersed effects of militarized occupation and foregrounds the interdependency of human and nonhuman lives in struggles for species survival and Indigenous self-determination. Furthermore, this article argues that dominant environmental discourses enable and obscure US military control over lands and waters in Guåhan. Through poetic strategies of citation and assembly, Perez portrays a Chamorro diasporic condition that incorporates the subjectivity of the Micronesian kingfisher in captivity, depicting nonhuman animals as intimate kin and active participants in Chamorro histories rather than objects in need of rescue and recovery. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The interaction of ecosystem services (ESs) has attracted great attention as land use changes at the landscape scale to synergize ecological and economic benefits, while the influence of landscape structure on the interaction of ESs has received less investigation. Methods: We proposed an integrated framework to analyze the influence of the sloping land conversion program (SLCP) on the interaction of ESs and provided a case study of a forest-tea landscape in Gande town, Anxi County, located on the southeastern coast of China. Visualizing the land use change under the implementation of the SLCP on the map, quantitatively measuring metrics of landscape structure, and comparing ES provisioning indicate ES interactions. Results: The results show that ecological and economic benefits are synergistic in Gande under the implementation of the SLCP, as more forestland and farmland was converted from tea gardens. Moreover, the forest-tea-agricultural product landscape structure promotes sustainable landscape management. Conclusion: It makes sense that landscape structure changes the influence of land use policies under the different social economic and economic contexts, and ES interactions are dynamic with different landscape structures.

In the ancestral heritage, mankind was in mutual interdependence with nature through hunting of animals, gathering of plant materials, and animal and plant domestication. However, agricultural advancements detached mankind from that heritage. In U.S. Midwest, it is evident that technological advancements over the past half-century have threatened man's survival for centuries to come. Midwest is the prime agricultural land area in North America whose recent glaciation, deep-rooted prairie vegetation, and moderate precipitation favored the development of highly productive rain-fed farming systems. Evolution of productionist paradigm in Midwest focused on crop and livestock output but also resulted in numerous environmental externalities. Massive use of agrochemicals, for instance, resulted in pollution of Mississippi River watershed from upperstream to downstream creating a hypoxic zone in Gulf of Mexico. In this situation, it is appropriate to ask what best alternatives for mankind could be to reconnect with nature to achieve sustainability. The study explored three approaches including ecological conservation, biodiversity, and agricultural education. Conservation requires the passion of humanity to reconnect with ecological community and become part of it rather than to manipulate and seek control over it to reap ecosystem services. In creating interrelated diversity through domestication of culturally important wild species, agroforestry, horticulture, animal husbandry, and inclusion of relevant language and culture we can define a sustainable world. Agricultural education brings in three tenets of teaching/learning, research/discovery, and extension/engagement to provide, create, and apply knowledge, respectively, which are important in communicating the science of sustainability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Analysis and prediction of urban ecological risk are crucial means for resolving the dichotomy between ecological preservation and economic development, thereby enhancing regional ecological security and fostering sustainable development. This study uses Nanning, a Chinese landscape garden city, as an example. Based on spatial granularity and extent perspectives, using 30 m land use data, the optimal scale for an ecological risk assessment (ERA) and prediction is confirmed. This study also explores the patterns of spatial and temporal changes in ecological risk in Nanning on the optimal scale. At the same time, the Patch-generating Land Use Simulation model is used to predict Nanning's ecological risk in 2036 under two scenarios and to propose ecological conservation recommendations in light of the study results. The study results show that: a spatial granularity of 120 m and a spatial extent of 7 km are the best scales for ERA and prediction in Nanning. Although the spatial distribution of ecological risk levels is obviously different, the overall ecological risk is relatively low, and under the scenario of ecological protection in 2036, the area of high ecological risk in Nanning is small. The results can provide theoretical support for ERA and the prediction of landscape cities and ecological civilization construction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The regional ecological security and sustainable development are impacted by the changing terrain pattern. It is important to investigate the temporal and spatial shifts in coastal city landscape patterns As they have significant directing implications for coastal city landscape pattern improvement. The analytical results of the landscape pattern index of the coastal zone in the Nansha District of Guangzhou are investigated at three levels: patch level scale, type scale, and overall landscape scale, utilizing the method for calculating the LPI, which is based on site type data and land use data for the years 1987 to 2020. The findings indicate that: (1) From 1987 to 2012, Nansha made the landscape patches uniform and continuous, the water patches remained intact, the city expanded more quickly from 2013 to 2020, and the landscape fragmentation increased year by year. As human beings surround coastal zones with various productive activities. The heterogeneity of the center urban landscape is particularly significant, and the spatial pattern of different landscape types and their composition on land tends to be intricate. (2) The shift in arable land, water, and building land is shown by the type-scale landscape index. The development of urbanization causes patches of arable land to lose their dominating status quickly, while water bodies continue to hold the third-place position, and construction land takes its place as the most complex patch. (3) The overall landscape scale index shows that in the Nansha District the patch size of different landscape types increased from 1995 to 2002 before tending to stabilize. This finding suggests that as urbanization accelerated, leading to an overall patch fragmentation increase, composition tended to become more complex. In addition to providing a theoretical framework for investigating the relationship between changes in landscape pattern and ecological processes in the coastal zone, this study identifies a landscape pattern index that can quantify the complexity of the distribution of landscape types in the coastal zone of the Nansha District. We also offer a land use optimization strategy for Nansha's ecological space and land use, which will serve as methodological guidance and a point of reference for the long-term sustainable development of the urban cluster's ecological environment based on the fusion of land and water. These recommendations are derived from the study's results. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sustainable development goals (SDGs) and their targets were designed to be interlinked. Understanding the interactions among SDGs is crucial to prioritize and implement actions that maximize synergies between SDGs while minimizing trade‐offs, which can accelerate the overall progress toward all SDGs. Since the 2021 United Nations Climate Change Conference reaffirmed the importance of SDG 15 (life on land), defining conservation actions for implementing SDG 15 in the context of considering the interactions between SDGs is urgently required. However, to the best of our knowledge, no study has analyzed specifically the interactions between all targets of SDG 15 and other SDG targets. Through in‐depth review of relevant literature from the past 6 years, we collected and synthesized data about the interactions between SDG 15 and other SDGs at the target level. On the basis of the targets' interactions network composed by this dataset, we further identified the centralities, similarities, and systemic roles of each target of SDG 15 in the network; and their prospective roles in actions toward SDG progress. Then, we assessed quantitatively the interactions on the basis of global time‐series data. After cross‐checking all results, we identified prioritizations of the SDG 15 targets, and global priority conservation actions needed for the policy making and research community. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

National parks are critical components of protected areas and are drawing increased global attention. Clear and rational boundaries may provide a scientific foundation for the sustainable protection and management of these areas. However, criteria for feasible national park delimitation and techniques for resolving conflicts between socioeconomic development and environmental protection are still poorly defined, particularly regarding integrity during park establishment. Consequently, a systematic analytical framework is essential for advancing research and practice. This study developed a systematic framework to determine the spatial boundaries, using the Kunlun Mountain region in China as a case for empirical analysis. Key issues in national park development—ecology and management—were systematically integrated into this framework. Most importantly, spatial connectivity, a critical concern in national park planning, was thoroughly considered for improving integrity optimization, an aspect often overlooked in previous delimitation studies. The results demonstrated that our framework effectively identified potential national park boundaries, achieving a balance between development and conservation. Furthermore, core protected and general control areas were delineated to support differentiated management approaches. This framework offers a scientific foundation for policymakers and managers to pursue sustainable protection and management of national parks. • The systematic framework for national park boundary delimitation was built. • Ecological and management issues are all concerned in the trade-off analysis. • The conflict between conservation and development was eased after delimitating. • The spatial connection was emphasized for the integrity of the national park. • Validation results show high efficiency in ecological conservation and operability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The monetary value assigned to ecosystems and their essential goods and services is known as ecosystem service value (ESV). Fragile ecological environments, susceptible to climate change and human disturbances, require significant ecological protection. This protection is vital not only for stabilizing socio-economic conditions but also for fostering a positive feedback loop within natural systems. Looking ahead, identifying priority conservation areas and regions of particular concern in fragile environments based on ESV changes is a proactive approach. Until now, current studies on ESV in fragile ecological environments have been insufficient, falling short of adequately serving the purpose of ecological protection in such areas. The Hexi region (HXR), situated in the interlaced area of the Qilian Mountains and the Alxa Plateau in northwest China, possesses a fragile ecological environment. Due to the intricate interactions between humans and the environment, it stands out as a crucial area for studying ecosystem services in fragile habitats. Hence, this study aims to systematically analyze the ESV in the HXR over the past 30 years. Here, the values of 11 ecosystem service categories in HXR during 1990–2020 were calculated, clarifying their spatiotemporal difference and dynamic changes based on land use/cover (LULC) products for years 1990, 1995, 2000, 2005, 2010, 2015, and 2020, using an improved equivalent factors method. The findings revealed that the unit standard equivalent factor is 1.51 × 105 CNY·km−2·a−1, and the total ESV value has grown from CNY 182.50 to 185.48 billion from 1990 to 2020. Hydrologic regulation, climate regulation, and soil conservation service values are the principal single ESV categories across HXR. Over the past three decades, ESV changes in HXR have been primarily driven by water area, grassland, and wetland, with the sensitivity of ESV to LULC generally increasing (0.15~9.10%). Natural forcing and anthropogenic perturbations have combined to cause changes in LULC in HXR, influencing ESV fluctuations. Future ecosystem protection activities in HXR should prioritize the maintenance of grasslands, water regions, and wetlands to ensure the preservation of ESV. This study clarifies the impacts of LULC change on ESV in fragile natural environments and highlights the significance of focusing on ESV changes for the health promotion of natural-social systems. The findings provide a foundation for constructing a sustainable development model that is in harmony with both people and the environment.

IntroductionBiotic interactions are a crucial component of the plant regeneration process, which has been traditionally studied at more local scales, providing the tools for planning and decision-making. Studies showing the signature of species interactions at coarser spatial scales contrasting with animal-plant interactions at fine scales have been scarce. This study aimed at integrating an approach, over both biogeographic and local scales, by testing two endemic species of Mediterranean central Chile: the relict and southernmost threatened Chilean palm Jubaea chilensis (Chilean palm; Molina; Baillón) and the caviomorph scatter-hoarding rodent Octodon degus (Degu; Molina), on which this palm currently relies for seed dispersal.MethodsIntegrating Geographic Information Systems and Ecological Niche Modeling, the intensity of seed-rodent interactions from a territorial perspective was evaluated in the range of the palm, at a biogeographic scale, identifying areas with greater or lesser potential for seed-rodent interactions; and in local populations, incorporating a variety of environmental factors that might affect palm regeneration.ResultsThe present results show that the rodent (Octodon degus) may play a role in Chilean palm (Jubaea chilensis) seed dispersal and seed establishment, since; Chilean palm regeneration is higher in areas where both species co-occur. At a local scale, a prominent overlap between palm seedlings and degu burrows was also found, which, allied with other abiotic variables such as altitude and topographic humidity, are crucial for successful palm regeneration.DiscussionUnderstanding the full extent of animal-plant interactions and how they are affected by habitat perturbation in a wide range will provide essential information for the design of effective conservation and management strategies, such as rewilding based on plant species.

Understanding contributions of different environmental drivers to the structure and function of river biota is critical for biodiversity and environmental conservation. Yet, there is no consensus on which drivers have the greatest impact on fish diversity, especially in watersheds disturbed by multiple human activities. Fish taxonomic, phylogenetic, and functional diversity at both alpha and beta dimensions and their environmental drivers were studied in a total of 84 river sites from three watersheds, Huai River watershed (HRW), Sui River watershed (SRW), and Yishusi River watershed (YRW) in the Eastern Huai River Basin of China. Results showed that rivers in the three watersheds had no significant difference in both taxonomic and functional alpha diversity. Rivers in the HRW had significantly higher phylogenetic alpha diversity. For taxonomic and phylogenetic beta diversity, the overall beta diversity and turnover component were significant higher in the HRW. For functional beta diversity, the overall beta diversity was significantly lower in the HRW. Multiple linear regression (MLR) and redundancy analysis (RDA) showed that local (e.g., nutrients, dissolved oxygen, river width, transparency), regional (e.g., wetland), climate (e.g., temperature), and spatial variables structured alpha and beta fish diversity. Variation partitioning analysis indicated that the pure contributions of local and spatial variables were more important than that of climate and regional variables, which suggested that spatial effects and local environmental filtering were the main factors driving the beta diversity of fish assemblages in these rivers. The current study highlights the importance of considering multidimensional diversity and multiple environmental factors for conserving river fishes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Community participation in an environmental corporate social responsibility (CSR) project can help business enterprises effectively develop projects that respond to the actual demands of the community and effectively utilize a firm's resources. This study aims to investigate factors that affect community participation in each stage of environmental corporate social responsibility project development. The environmental corporate social responsibility project explored in this study is a sustainable mangrove forest management project in the Pakprasae sub-district of Rayong province in Thailand. This study has tested whether enterprise-related factors (such as perceived CSR credibility and organization–public relationship (OPR) quality) and participant-related factors (such as ecological knowledge, perceived ecological values, and expected benefits from participation in the project, both monetary and non-monetary related benefits) could predict community participation in an environmental corporate social responsibility project development initiated by a business enterprise. Questionnaire surveys were administered to 355 community members who were the target group of this environmental corporate social responsibility project from June to July 2022. The collected data were inspected and analyzed using an inferential statistical technique. Multiple regression analyses were performed to test significant factors that affected community members' participation in planning, implementing, and monitoring the project. The results revealed that perceived ecological values were the strongest predictor of participation in all stages of the project, including planning, implementing, and monitoring the project. Perceived CSR credibility and OPR quality also significantly affected participation in all stages, whereas ecological knowledge significantly affected participation only in the monitoring stage. These findings suggest that to promote community participation in each stage of environmental corporate social responsibility project development, it is important to enhance community members' perceived ecological values, and community members should be educated in ecology to enhance participation in the monitoring stage. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In recent years, ecological problems in the middle and lower reaches of the Yellow River have been frequent. Therefore, exploring its core influences can advance the implementation of "Ecological Protection and High-quality Development of the Yellow River Basin". This paper constructs an indicator system based on PSR guidelines, evaluates the ecological protection level of 55 cities in the middle and lower reaches of the Yellow River from 2009 to 2019, and uses correlation analysis with geographically and temporally weighted regression (GTWR) model to explore the spatial distribution characteristics of influencing factors, such as intensity of fertilizer application, amount of agricultural film applied, afforestation area per capita, and green technology innovation level on the ecological protection level. It is found that the overall level of ecological protection has shown a steady increase, but the spatial distribution varies widely. The ecological level increased from 0.2218 to 0.3357, showing a decreasing distribution trend from coastal to inland. Furthermore, it is found that the ecological protection level has a significant positive spatial correlation, mainly for similar clustering. The Global Moran's I for ecological protection level is greater than 0, and the Moran scatter plot has a high number of cities distributed in the first and third quadrants. There is a heterogeneity in the spatial and temporal distribution of factors influencing the level of ecological protection. Fertilizer application, the agricultural film uses, and afforestation area per capita are mainly negatively affected, while green innovation level has a strong positive effect, and agricultural film use, afforestation area per capita, and green innovation level become the core influencing factor of different regions. Therefore, in the middle and lower reaches of the Yellow River, the ecological protection level should be improved by implementing a regional differentiated development strategy, realizing cross-regional linkages between cities and focusing on differences in core driving factors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Global soil biodiversity and functions are threatened by water availability thresholds. However, the role of these thresholds in modulating the environmental drivers of soil biodiversity and functions remains poorly understood. Analyzing a global dataset of 383 sites across major terrestrial biomes, we found that water availability threshold (measured by aridity index) reorganizes the relative importance of climate, vegetation, and soil properties in regulating soil biodiversity and functions. In less arid regions, vegetation and soil properties jointly explained the primary patterns of soil biodiversity and functions. Conversely, after crossing such water availability threshold toward more arid conditions, climate became the dominant controlling factor, outpacing other environmental variables. Notably, this water-induced shift in environmental dependence was more pronounced for soil multidiversity than for soil multifunctionality. Our findings highlight the critical role of water availability thresholds in shaping the environmental factors that govern soil biodiversity and ecosystem functions, providing valuable insights into potential ecosystem transformations in the context of on-going global aridification., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2024 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

The skin and gut microbiota are crucial to amphibians. Triadimefon (TF), a widely used triazole fungicide, controls crop diseases and regulates growth, with uncertain effects on amphibian microbiota. Contamination, typically involving mixed chemicals at low concentrations, including cadmium (Cd) and TF, may detrimentally affect amphibian growth, survival, and microbiota health in both the skin and gut, but few research has examined these consequences. This research examines the impact of Cd and TF on Rana dybowskii tadpoles, focusing on survival, body mass, and microbiome changes over 28 days across four groups: control, Cd, TF, and Cd + TF groups. Results showed significant reductions in survival and body mass in Cd and TF-treated groups, with the combination group being the most affected. Microbiota analysis revealed significant dysbiosis in both gut and skin microbiomes under pollutant stress, with a marked microbiota and a shift in dominant microbial communities. Function prediction analysis based on the microbiome composition highlighted significant differences across various biological pathways, including metabolism, immune system, environmental adaptation, and disease resistance. These alterations suggest that pollutant exposure compromises the tadpoles' ability to maintain homeostasis and resist pathogens. In conclusion, this study reveals the detrimental effects of Cd and TF on the survival, growth, and microbiomes of R. dybowskii tadpoles, indicating significant environmental and health risks., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2024. Published by Elsevier Inc.)

ABSTRACT: Community participation in an environmental corporate social responsibility (CSR) project can help business enterprises effectively develop projects that respond to the actual demands of the community and effectively utilize a firm’s resources. This study aims to investigate factors that affect community participation in each stage of environmental corporate social responsibility project development. The environmental corporate social responsibility project explored in this study is a sustainable mangrove forest management project in the Pakprasae sub-district of Rayong province in Thailand. This study has tested whether enterprise-related factors (such as perceived CSR credibility and organization–public relationship (OPR) quality) and participant-related factors (such as ecological knowledge, perceived ecological values, and expected benefits from participation in the project, both monetary and non-monetary related benefits) could predict community participation in an environmental corporate social responsibility project development initiated by a business enterprise. Questionnaire surveys were administered to 355 community members who were the target group of this environmental corporate social responsibility project from June to July 2022. The collected data were inspected and analyzed using an inferential statistical technique. Multiple regression analyses were performed to test significant factors that affected community members’ participation in planning, implementing, and monitoring the project. The results revealed that perceived ecological values were the strongest predictor of participation in all stages of the project, including planning, implementing, and monitoring the project. Perceived CSR credibility and OPR quality also significantly affected participation in all stages, whereas ecological knowledge significantly affected participation only in the monitoring stage. These findings suggest that to promote community participation in each stage of environmental corporate social responsibility project development, it is important to enhance community members’ perceived ecological values, and community members should be educated in ecology to enhance participation in the monitoring stage.