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India's high mountain, van panchayat forests are a long-standing example of community-led forest governance. These provide vital support for mountain communities' wellbeing, yet little is known about how environmental and social change is currently perceived or addressed, despite many claims that characterize van panchayats to be in crisis due to policy interventions by state forest actors and erosion of local management institutions. This research investigates how changes in forest dependence, governance, and health drive forest management decisions. Using open-ended interviews with 41 forest stewards and knowledge holders in a high mountain valley in Uttarakhand, our analysis describes managers' perceptions of environmental and social changes and their implications for management choices. We found that van panchayats are currently navigating stewardship pathways in response to: (a) population shifts and changes to historically forest-dependent livelihoods; (b) a shift in governance regimes across van panchayats, affected by both regulatory changes and local institutional capacity; (c) the effects of global environmental change as it intersects with local influences on mountain ecosystems. Forest stewards' perceptions of the drivers, trends, significance, and appropriate management responses to these changes varied widely. An overall decline in rightsholders' dependence on forest resources was commonly reported, as was improved forest health in van panchayats in relation to other forest types. However, van panchayat managers disagreed on whether declining dependence positively or negatively affects forest health, whether the state is absent or actively wresting control from communities, and if successful forest restoration efforts will continue. A lack of shared understanding of these issues complicates forest stewards' efforts to cooperate towards mutually desired ends, exacerbated by a co-management policy which isolates forest councils' efforts from neighbouring forests. Accordingly, we encourage policy changes to enhance collaborative decision-making and to address implications of diverse perceptions, priorities and practices of care in mountain forests. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Inventorying and assessing geoheritage is a prerequisite for developing measures to preserve unique geological and geomorphological sites. Several researchers have developed methods for assessing and determining the value of geological and geomorphological sites. Given rapid environmental and climatic changes, it is crucial to improve the state of geoheritage assessment and inventory development. This overview presents an analysis of research on geoheritage assessment conducted in Morocco over the past 14 years (2008-2022). The objective is to provide an overview of the main methodological approaches. The analysis is based on a search of the Science Direct, Scopus, and Google Scholar databases to identify publications dealing mainly with Moroccan geoheritage sites. We find that most studies have concentrated on the identification and characterization of various geoheritage sites across the country, employing only the descriptive method. However, as the field has progressed, earth scientists are applying quantitative inventory and assessment methods, with some initiatives to propose new methods adapted to the Moroccan context. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fine roots are vital for plant development and carbon biogeochemical cycling in terrestrial ecosystems. Flooding is known to regulate the physiology and morphology in plant roots; however, its impact on molecular-level characteristics of carbon compounds (carbon traits) in fine roots remains largely unexplored, which limits our understanding of root adaptation and decomposition under changing environments. Here, we used a sequential extraction method, starting from nonpolar to polar solvents, in order to obtain dichloromethane- and methanol-extractable (FDcMe) fractions, base-hydrolyzable (FKOHhy) fractions, and CuO-oxidizable (FCuOox) fractions from fine roots of Dysoxylum binectariferum, which is naturally grown in soil and water. Subsequently, we characterized them using targeted gas chromatography–mass spectrometry and nontargeted Fourier transform ion cyclotron resonance mass spectrometry. Also, decomposition experiments were conducted on soil- and water-grown roots under aerobic and anoxic conditions. Results showed a consistent increase in the unsaturation degree and aromaticity of the analytes from FDcMe to FCuOox fractions. Both analyses were sufficiently sensitive to show that, compared to soil-grown roots, the water-grown roots developed more polyphenolics with a high unsaturation degree and aromaticity and had more nonstructural compositions. Furthermore, although flooding provided an anoxic condition that slowed down root decomposition, the adaptive strategy of developing more nonstructural labile components in water-grown roots accelerated root decomposition, thereby counteracting the effects of anoxia. This advances our understanding of biogeochemical processes in response to global environmental change. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

While ethnobiology is a discipline that focuses on the local, it has an outstanding, but not yet fully realized potential to address global issues. Part of this unrealized potential is that universalistic approaches often do not fully recognize culturally grounded perspectives and there are multiple challenges with scaling up place-based research. However, scalability is paramount to ensure that the intimate and context-specific diversity of human–environmental relationships and understandings are recognized in global-scale planning and policy development. Here, we identify four pathways to enable the scalability of place-based ethnobiological research from the ground up: local-to-global dialogues, aggregation of published data, multi-sited studies, and geospatial analyses. We also discuss some major challenges and consideration to encourage continuous reflexivity in these endeavours and to ensure that scalability does not contribute to unnecessarily decontextualizing, co-opting, or overwriting the epistemologies of Indigenous Peoples and local communities. As ethnobiology navigates multiple scales of time and space and seeks to increase its breadth, this study shows that the use of deliberately global approaches, when carefully nested within rich field-based and ecological and ethnographically grounded data, can contribute to: (1) upscaling case-specific insights to unveil global patterns and dynamics in the biocultural contexts of Indigenous Peoples and local communities; (2) bringing ethnobiological knowledge into resolutions that can influence global environmental research and policy agendas; and (3) enriching ethnobiology's field-based ethos with a deliberate global analytical focus. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The dismissal of menstrual cycles from the philosophical discussions about how we get knowledge of the world rests on the assumption of a stable and unchanging self, which supposedly conflicts with the inherent dynamicity of changing cycles. Yet, instead of being an epistemological obstacle, this dynamicity can be a tool to better grasp our continuous state of change. It affects the perception of the world and the development of ethical relations with others. Passing through stages in which one feels particularly vulnerable is a reminder of human vulnerability to environmental and social changes. The awareness of this vulnerability can ground decision-making leading to precautionary actions. Plus, readiness to change and flexibility are crucial elements of ethics in a world in which we constantly need to adapt ourselves. The experience of menstruation sheds light on a conception of the self as an ever-changing, vulnerable and adaptive agent. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As one of the most widespread components in marine sediments, calcium carbonate (CaCO3) plays a crucial role in the global carbon cycle and climate changes. To efficiently semi‐quantify the CaCO3 concentration, a more effective, non‐destructive, economic, and accurate technique is required. Diffuse reflectance spectroscopy (DRS) has been widely used for the detection and quantification of minerals but has been less studied for CaCO3. This study synthesized a series of samples with well‐determined content of CaCO3 to analyze the visible and near‐infrared DRS characteristics. Results show that the intensity of the second derivative of Kubelka‐Munk (K‐M) remission functions of the DRS spectra at 2,340 nm (I2340) is linearly correlated with the CaCO3 content. Then, the new proxy I2340 was applied for marine sediments from the Pacific Ocean with known CaCO3 concentrations determined previously by chemical methods, and the robustness of the I2340 as the proxy for CaCO3 concentration was attested. Plain Language Summary: Calcium carbonate (CaCO3) is one of the most common components in marine sediments, and its content variations (precipitation and dissolution) play an important role in global environmental change and paleoclimate evolution. However, previous quantitative methods such as chemistry and X‐ray diffraction cannot simultaneously achieve efficiency, accuracy, and environmental protection. To solve the above problems, this study established a new proxy using visible and near‐infrared diffuse reflectance spectroscopy (DRS) technology that can detect calcium carbonate content in a fast, non‐destructive, economic, and eco‐friendly way. The verification results from synthetic standard samples and natural marine sediment samples indicate that the new DRS proxy can well reflect the variations in calcium carbonate content, which is more targeted for calcium carbonate with less interference compared with the traditional brightness proxy. Overall, this study provides a promising method for precisely quantifying calcium carbonate in marine sediments. Key Points: CaCO3 exhibits a significant absorption in the near‐infrared band between 2,300 and 2,400 nmA new spectral proxy I2340 is proposed to quantify marine sedimentary CaCO3 contentI2340 is more accurate in quantifying marine sedimentary CaCO3 than traditional brightness proxy [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The underlying premise of a global constitutional order is dictated by the singular, unitary nature of the environment, a deeply interdependent whole. This premise aside, international environmental law, as we know it today, is far from constituting an international constitutional order. Rather, it presents a broad set of principles and mixed legal and political commitments of states dispersed in a myriad of international instruments possessing varying degrees of formality, legal status, scope of regulation, and effect. Its unparalleled dispersion, organizational and regulatory flexibility, and overall indeterminate features of normative content and procedure are neither improbable nor inconceivable for a relatively new genre of international legal regulation, namely the environment. Simply put, a consolidated international legal order as it ordinarily exists in other arenas is missing in the case of the environment. In shaping its contents and effects, a new institutional ally is found in national and regional judicial bodies, which instead rely on human rights to ground their decisions in pursuit of climate goals and aspirations. The ensuing result is that framing the order that will govern the global environmental change, resort must be made to the models already fashioned by the practice of national and regional systems. Ultimately, this article proposes the principal parameters of a constitutional order for the environment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Land use/cover change (LUCC) and the evaluation of its ecological effects are the important and key areas of research on global environmental change and sustainable development. In response to the problems and limitations of various methods of evaluating the ecological effects of LUCC, this article takes Yunnan Province, a mountainous provincewith a relatively fragile "innate" ecological environment, as the research area. Based on LUCC data from the interpretation of seven phases of remote sensing (RS) images taken in Yunnan, combined with the investigation of soil erosion data by using remote sensing technology, an improved integrated ecological effect index (IEEI) for the LUCC and a method for its evaluation are proposed; this index was applied to calculate the integrated ecological effect index for the LUCC and analyze its spatiotemporal evolution in 129 counties in Yunnan from 1990 to 2020. The spatiotemporal changes, characteristics, and laws of the integrated ecological effects of LUCC in the whole province and counties from 1990 to 2020 were revealed, with the goal of offering a fundamental framework for longterm strategic planning and management in mountainous provinces. Overall, in the past 30 years, the integrated ecological effect of Yunnan Province and various counties has significantly improved. However, the IEEI of the province is not yet very high, and its regional differences are significant. It is urgent to increase the efforts of ecological civilization construction (ECC) throughout the province, adopt practical and effective ecologically-friendly land use ways and ecological environment protection and construction measures according to local conditions, and steadily improve the integrated ecological effect of various regions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article examines the concept of environmental refugees and their portrayal in Amitav Ghosh's novel Gun Island. It discusses how human-induced environmental degradation leads to migration and displacement, both internally and externally. The study emphasizes the global nature of environmental displacement and the challenges in defining and legally recognizing environmental refugees. It also highlights the need for comprehensive policies and protection for these individuals. The article further explores Ghosh's novel as a research methodology to illustrate the impact of environmental degradation on migration. It discusses the effects of natural disasters and climate change on human and animal displacement, using examples such as the Sundarbans in India, wildfires in California, and extreme weather events in Italy. The text emphasizes the interconnectedness between humans and nature and the importance of addressing the underlying causes of climate change. The novel "Gun Island" by Amitav Ghosh explores the theme of environmental refugees and the consequences of climate change on human and animal displacement. It highlights society's indifference towards these issues and draws parallels between the experiences of environmental refugees and legends of Manasa Devi. The novel concludes with a message of hope, suggesting that recognition and protection for ecological victims are possible if authorities take responsibility and act. The collection of sources includes articles and reports that discuss the relationship between climate change and forced migration. These sources provide valuable insights into the complex issues surrounding climate-induced migration and can be useful for researchers interested in understanding the intersection of environmental change and human displacement. [Extracted from the article]

Many migratory species are declining due to global environmental change. Yet, their complex annual cycles make unravelling the impacts of potential drivers such as climate and land‐use change on migrations a major challenge. Identifying where, when and how threatening processes impact species' migratory journeys and population dynamics is crucial for identifying effective conservation actions. Here, we describe how a new migration modelling framework – Spatially explicit Adaptive Migration Models (SAMMs) – can simulate the optimal behavioural decisions required to migrate across open land‐ or seascapes varying in character over space and time, without requiring predefined behavioural rules. Models of adaptive behaviour have been used widely in theoretical ecology but have great untapped potential in real‐world contexts. Applying adaptive behaviour models across open environments will allow users to explore how migratory species may adapt their routes and usage of intermediate sites in response to environmental change. We outline how SAMMs can be used to model migratory journeys through aerial, terrestrial and aquatic environments, demonstrating their potential using a case study on the common cuckoo (Cuculus canorus) and comparing modelled to observed behaviours. SAMMs offer a tool to identify the key threats faced by migratory species, how they could adapt to future migratory journeys in response to changing environmental conditions and the consequences of not being able to adapt to change. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Investigating the variations in leaf stoichiometry among plant common species at different altitudes, along with the factors that influence these variations and the adaptative strategies employed, is of significant importance for understanding biogeochemical cycles amidst global environmental changes. In this research, we measured soil organic carbon and nutrient concentrations, as well as leaf stoichiometry for plant common species at five altitudes (2400–3200 m with an interval of 200 m) within the Qilian Mountains of Northwest China. This study aims to enhance our understanding of how plant common species in mountainous regions exhibit adaptable responses to altitude variations and how potential environmental changes in the future may influence their leaf functions. Results showed that the leaf C:N:P stoichiometry of plant common species varied with increasing altitude. Across altitudes, mean annual temperature (MAT), soil total phosphorus, mean annual precipitation (MAP), soil water content, and soil nitrate nitrogen were the main factors influencing leaf element concentrations of plant common species. However, leaf stoichiometric ratios were mainly determined by MAT, MAP, and soil total nitrogen. The effects of MAT and MAP on both leaf element concentrations and leaf stoichiometric ratios of plant common species were found to be significant. Plant growth in the study area was mainly limited by P. The results not only highlight the adaptive strategies employed by plants, but also contribute to understanding of leaf stoichiometry, and establishing connections between individual plant species and broader plant community composed of these common species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Improving our understanding of the controls on Antarctic precipitation is critical for gaining insights into past and future polar and global environmental changes. Here we develop innovative water tracing diagnostics in the atmospheric general circulation model ECHAM6. These tracers provide new detailed information on moisture source locations and properties of Antarctic precipitation. In the preindustrial simulation, annual mean Antarctic precipitation originating from the open ocean has a source latitude range of 49–35 ∘ S, a source sea surface temperature range of 9.8–16.3 ∘ C, a source 2 m relative humidity range of 75.6 % –83.3 % , and a source 10 m wind velocity (vel10) range of 10.1 to 11.3 ms-1. These results are consistent with estimates from existing literature. Central Antarctic precipitation is sourced from more equatorward (distant) sources via elevated transport pathways compared to coastal Antarctic precipitation. This has been attributed to a moist isentropic framework; i.e. poleward vapour transport tends to follow constant equivalent potential temperature. However, we find notable deviations from this tendency especially in the lower troposphere, likely due to radiative cooling. Heavy precipitation is sourced by longer-range moisture transport: it comes from 2.9 ∘ (300 km , averaged over Antarctica) more equatorward (distant) sources compared to the rest of precipitation. Precipitation during negative phases of the Southern Annular Mode (SAM) also comes from more equatorward moisture sources (by 2.4 ∘ , averaged over Antarctica) compared to precipitation during positive SAM phases, likely due to amplified planetary waves during negative SAM phases. Moreover, source vel10 of annual mean precipitation is on average 2.1 ms-1 higher than annual mean vel10 at moisture source locations from which the precipitation originates. This shows that the evaporation of moisture driving Antarctic precipitation occurs under windier conditions than average. We quantified this dynamic control of Southern Ocean surface wind on moisture availability for Antarctic precipitation. Overall, the innovative water tracing diagnostics enhance our understanding of the controlling factors of Antarctic precipitation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article titled "Understanding Human-Environment Interactions Using Multiple Dimensions" is an editorial in the Ecology, Economy & Society - The INSEE Journal. The editorial introduces the current issue of the journal, which covers a wide range of interdisciplinary topics related to social-ecological and environmental fields. The topics discussed include climate change adaptation, forest management, mining, livelihoods and forests, social-ecological history, energy efficiency, solid waste management, grasslands, urban wildlife, and the food and nutrition of children. The editorial also mentions the severe heat wave in India and the need for climate change adaptation strategies, as well as the controversial Forest (Conservation) Amendment Act, 2023, and its potential impact on forest dwellers. The article concludes by highlighting the importance of understanding and addressing human-environment interactions for sustainability in the face of global environmental change. [Extracted from the article]

This document, published in the International Journal of Molecular Sciences, discusses the impact of biotic and abiotic stress factors on plant specialized metabolites. It highlights the importance of plants' chemical adaptations and defense mechanisms against harmful environmental conditions and predators. The document emphasizes the mutualistic bio-chemical interactions of plants with various organisms and agents in the environment. It also mentions the relevance of studying plant interactions with stress factors in various scientific fields. The document concludes by mentioning the publication of six original articles in this Special Issue, which contribute to the understanding of the effects of stress on specialized plant metabolism. [Extracted from the article]

Understanding the foraging behavior of marine animals is crucial for assessing their ecological significance and responses to environmental changes. In the context of Antarctica, marine animals face rapid and profound environmental changes related with global warming. However, our understanding of their responses remains limited owing to the formidable challenges inherent in conducting observations, particularly during the harsh austral winter months. In this study, we investigated the influence of changes in seawater properties and light conditions on the seasonal foraging behavior of Weddell seals (Leptonychotes weddellii) in the Ross Sea, Antarctica. We affixed 35 Weddell seals with CTD tags to record their locations and dive profiles, including depth, head acceleration, temperature, and salinity. We found that seals foraged more frequently in modified shelf water and ice shelf water compared to Antarctic surface water. This preference could be connected to greater food availability. Additionally, seals also dove to greater depths and displayed increased activity in capturing prey during daylight hours. This behavior may correspond to the diel vertical migration of pelagic prey in response to varying light conditions. Our findings suggest that Weddell seals have adjusted their foraging behaviors to adapt to spatial and temporal changes in oceanographic conditions. This highlights the importance of extrinsic factors in estimating their seasonal foraging behavior. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The tourism sector significantly impacts global environmental change and resource management. The social and economic aspects of tourism are also worthy of examination from the political ecology perspective. In this context, there is a growing need for academic studies examining tourism’s environmental, social, and economic components. This study is conducted to meet this need and provide an in-depth analysis of the works on political ecology in tourism. This research aims to assess scholarly investigations within the tourism domain employing a political ecology framework, utilizing bibliometric analysis as the methodological approach. Within this scope, publications in the literature have been quantitatively examined, and the studies’ prevalence, interactions, and developmental trends have been revealed. The WoS database identified 192 studies published between 1998 and 2023 on the subject. The analysis of leading journals, authors, countries, and keywords related to the topic indicates the following: There has been a noteworthy surge in the number of scholarly inquiries about political ecology within the scientific realm associated with tourism. In addition, the leading country on the subject is the United States. Finally, conservation and ecotourism become the main focal points of studies on political ecology. In summary, it is anticipated that this study will provide a substantial contribution to the existing literature in the domain of political ecology within the context of tourism, offering guidance for researchers in the design and execution of subsequent studies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The current state of dark coniferous forests on Earth is a bio-indicator of global environmental change, in particular, the process of gradual degradation of tree species of the genera Pine, Spruce and Fir, due to the negative impact of anthropogenic activities, abiotic and biotic factors. The purpose of the study is to establish the symptoms, prevalence and harmfulness of the causative agent of ulcerative tumour-like disease on the shoots and trunks of white fir. The research was conducted on the territory of the forest fund of the Pokuttia Carpathians, in particular, within the branch Kutske forestry of the State Specialised Economic Enterprise "Forests of Ukraine" in the Kosivske forest enterprise. The study uses classical phytopathological and mycological methods, which are used to investigate the aetiology of the disease, analyse typical symptoms (starting from the early stages), and perform microscopy of the affected parts of fir. The symptoms, aetiology, and pathogenesis of white fir ulcer-like disease, which tends to spread, were investigated. A new name for the disease is substantiated, in particular, it is proposed to use the name "ulcerative tumour-like disease" of fir instead of the current name "cancer". It is shown that a typical sign of infection is the development of tumours, which eventually transform into ulcers. It was found that the tumour-like type of lesion prevails on the undergrowth of fir, and on plants of the upper tiers - ulcerative. It is noted that a typical sign of ulcerative tumour-like disease of white fir is also the presence of pathologies such as "witches' broom". It is proposed to remove affected trees with typical signs of infection with ulcerative tumour-like disease to reduce the infectious background, especially during lighting and cleaning, since affected trees are not released from infection. Therefore, assessing the risk of infection of white fir trees with ulcerative tumour-like disease at the level of specific stands and ensuring an appropriate response to potential infection risks is an important part of sustainable forest management. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In 21st century the environmental change has turned into a significant issue for organizations as well as investors. Thus, to lessen fossil fuel byproduct, monetary establishments offer green funding to organizations to manage the issue of environmental change. But the real question is how much the risk of financial institutions, especially banks, is impacted by the availability of green financing. Examining how green finance affects Pakistani banks' credit risk is the goal of this study. The study has employed a panel dataset that encompasses green finance data from 2014 to 2020. The findings showed that the credit risk of the banks is significantly impacted by green finance proxies overall. The study's conclusions could have a realworld impact on bank managers, regulators, and lawmakers who want to create green finance laws that will help banks lower their exposure to credit risk. This study fills a gap in the literature on green financing, especially for poor nations, and adds empirical evidence to support its findings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]