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This article reports how Swedish teachers' aims and practices were modified by an ecosystem services development project that introduced insect hotels, bird boxes and planting to ten preschool yards. Teachers' understanding of ecosystem services, human–nature relationships and the impact of these on nature connectedness showed that their conceptualisations of human–nature relationships were shifting and complex, reflecting overlapping ideas about what schoolyard ecosystem services might mean to/for young children and how children's connection with nature might best be supported. The findings suggest creating pockets of urban nature in schoolyards is a useful strategy to unpack some of this complexity through direct experience of ecosystems encouraging interest in, concern for and understanding of our mutuality with nature. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Tidal marshes provide numerous ecosystem services, but are threatened by recent increases in global sea level rise (SLR). Marsh restoration and creation are important strategies for mitigating marsh loss, restoring ecosystem services, increasing coastal community resilience, and providing much needed habitat for threatened species. Dredged material resulting from navigation channel maintenance can provide a substrate for these restoration projects. Few studies, however, have addressed the sustainability of these marshes. The Paul S. Sarbanes Ecosystem Restoration Project at Poplar Island, where fine-grained, nutrient-rich dredged material from upper Chesapeake Bay is being used to create > 302 ha of tidal marshes, provides a case study. The low supply of inorganic sediment is counteracted by abundant nutrients, stimulating high rates of organic matter production and elevation change. Using > 10 years of data from 39 surface elevation tables, we found that the mean low marsh rate of elevation change (7.7 ± 3.21 mm year−1) was double the mean high marsh rate (3.6 ± 0.47 mm year−1) and exceeded the natural reference marsh (3.0 ± 2.28 mm year−1) and relative SLR (5.7 mm year−1). By stimulating organic matter production, the high nutrient substrate appears to offset the low inorganic sediment inputs in mid-Chesapeake Bay. Spatial variability was correlated with initial elevation, but was also influenced by local factors that may affect sediment redistribution within the marshes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In recent years, research has increasingly focused on the economic value of freshwater ecosystems, which provide essential services such as water supply, climate regulation, and recreation, but are highly vulnerable to human-induced degradation. To examine this body of work, a meta-analysis was conducted on 116 studies regarding the economic value of ecosystem services provided by freshwater ecosystems, which collectively reported 368 valuations. The results indicate that 50.2% of the variation in existing value estimates can be explained by an econometric model that controls for (a) the geographical and socio-economic characteristics of the study site, (b) the valuation method and beneficiary type, and (c) the physical and ecological attributes of the specific biome and ecosystem service. The work illustrates the effect of different freshwater ecosystems on economic valuation estimates, also showing the impact of site and socio-economic characteristics of the study. Furthermore, the study assesses the prospects for using the meta-analytic value function derived from the model, finding an average transfer error of 14.4%. This study effectively summarizes the existing literature on the economic value of freshwater ecosystems, allows for the establishment of stylized facts and provides the foundation for the development of tools to support environmental policy decisions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Social-ecological approaches are necessary to understand complex systems in which humans are dependent on ecosystem services to support their livelihoods. We implemented structured interviews (n=89) to characterize the socialecological interactions between colonists and ecosystem services in four social-ecological systems located in two southern Amazonian provinces of Ecuador. This characterization allowed us to describe the subsistence activities, ecological knowledge, and local institutions present in the studied socialecological systems. Cattle ranching, agriculture, and hunting provide safety nets to generate moderate levels of cash for colonists to face unpredictable events. However, these subsistence activities, as well as ecological knowledge and local institutions are not adapted to the local dynamic of the Amazonian ecosystems. Through this characterization of the colonists' social-ecological interactions, we also identify the ecosystem services and disservices obtained. Thirteen ecosystem services were identified, six of which were generated within protected areas. Seven ecosystem disservices were also identified, none of them produced within protected areas. Our study shows the separation prevailing between humans and ecosystems in the social-ecological interactions of the colonists, and, at the same time, the key role of these maladapted interactions in their subsistence activities. This research contributes a qualitative strategy to assessing social-ecological interactions and illustrates the importance of the ecosystem services provided by the Amazon ecosystems to colonists. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The increasing demand for tea has resulted in the swift expansion of tea plantations, leading to significant alterations in the local ecosystem. This has garnered considerable attention. However, research on rationally modifying land use structures (LUSs) in specialized tea regions to achieve a balance with ecosystem services (ESs) and enhance their synergistic effects remains limited. In this study, we quantified the values of water yield (WY), soil conservation (SC), carbon storage (CS), and habitat quality (HQ) by the InVEST model, utilized K-means clustering to categorize the LUSs of the village areas in Anxi County from 2010 to 2020, and then investigated the influences of the LUSs on the ESs by the improvement of the constraint line tool, according to which we utilized the ecosystem services trade-off degree (ESTD) and the Pearson correlation coefficient to explore the trade-offs and synergies among ecosystem services. The findings indicated that: (1) LUSs in Anxi County are tea garden structure (TS), forest land-tea garden structure (FTS), and construction land-cropland-tea garden structure (CCTS); (2) In LUSs, to achieve a balance among WY, SC, CS, and HQ, the dominant land use proportions were as follows: 0.5 for tea plantations in TS; a range of 0.55--0.6 for forest land and 0.05--0.1 for tea plantations in FTS; and CCTS, 0.25--0.3 for built-up land, 0--0.1 for cropland, and 0.2 for tea plantations; (3) The trade-offs and synergies of ESs vary across different LUSs. The synergy is particularly evident in FTS. Increasing the quantity of forest area is helpful in enhancing the synergy of ESs. This study offers an analysis of the effect of LUSs on ESs and their interconnections in specialized tea planting regions. It serves as a valuable insight into informing urban planning for future land usage and ecological conservation efforts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This research aims to define socio-economic criteria for prioritizing proposals related to new marine protected areas, boundary adjustments, area relocations, and network corridors within marine management approaches. The study also focuses on identifying ecosystem services (ES) that address the social dimensions of various spatial management approaches in the marine realm. The presented method quantifies nature’s significance to human communities through stakeholder perceptions, bridging the gap between human activities and ecosystem services. The research defines essential socio-economic criteria, identifies the corresponding ecosystem services, and assesses their societal values within the socio-ecological system of a specific area, thereby enhancing the effectiveness of marine management processes such as marine spatial planning and marine protected areas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The rapid urbanization witnessed in recent years has led to the deterioration of urban ecosystems, resulting in various environmental and socioeconomic challenges. In response to these concerns, the implementation of Green and Blue Infrastructures (GBI) has gained prominence as a sustainable urban planning approach. GBI is a planned network system of natural and semi-natural spaces, along with other environmental elements, managed and designed to provide a wide range of ecosystem services and improve ecological conditions, thereby contributing to citizens' wellbeing and quality of life. This study presents a comprehensive assessment of the costs, benefits (ecosystem services), and impacts (ecosystem dis-services) associated with the incorporation of GBI in urban environments using the technique of emergy accounting. To achieve this, the research paper introduces a novel integrated valuation framework. This framework encompasses key components such as constructing/maintenance costs, ecosystem services, needed costs to human health and biodiversity damage, as well as ecosystem dis-services. Furthermore, the study conducts a comparative analysis of the costs, benefits, and impacts associated with different urban GBIs via ternary phase diagram, shedding light on their varying contributions to the urban ecosystem. The findings reveal that green roofs offer more ecosystem benefits as compared to other GBIs, but this study also highlights that green roof entail higher initial construction costs and produce a greater number of dis-services. Conversely, street trees have lower initial costs and impacts yet generate higher benefits. Furthermore, green walls, despite having a lower input emergy value and fewer benefits, result in higher impacts compared to other green-blue ecosystems. These findings provide valuable insights for urban planners, policymakers, and stakeholders, enabling them to make informed decisions in developing sustainable cities for the wellbeing of present and future generations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Seagrass meadows are well-known for their capacity to capture and store blue carbon in sediments. However carbon stocks vary significantly between meadows, spanning more than three orders of magnitude on both local and global scales. Understanding the drivers of seagrass carbon stocks could help improve strategies for incorporating blue carbon into management plans. Here, we measured sediment carbon stocks in eelgrass (Zostera marina) meadows and unvegetated areas along the Norwegian coast, spanning wide gradients in temperature, wave exposure, water depth, salinity, and eelgrass biomass. Carbon stocks were generally higher in eelgrass meadows than in adjacent unvegetated areas, yet they displayed considerable variation (400 − 30 000 g C m−2 at 50 cm sediment depth) even among nearby sites. Overall, the highest carbon stocks were found in deeper, muddier, sheltered meadows near river mouths. These sites likely have the highest input and retention of carbon from different sources. Consequently, they should be prioritized as conservation targets for preserving coastal blue carbon stocks. Despite ever-increasing efforts to quantify seagrass blue carbon globally, high uncertainties still persist, partly due to differing methodologies, processes, and environmental context. Blue carbon stock estimates could be improved through the coordination of standardised mapping and sampling methods. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Defaunation of tropical forests, particularly from unsustainable hunting, has diminished populations of key seed dispersers for many tree species, driving shifts in forest community composition toward small‐fruited or wind‐dispersed trees with low wood density. Such shifts can reduce aboveground biomass, prompting calls for overexploitation to be included in bioeconomic policy, but a synthesis of existing literature for wildlife impacts on carbon stores is lacking. We evaluated the role of wildlife in tropical forest tree recruitment and found that it was critical to tropical forest carbon dynamics. The emerging financial value of ecosystem services provided by tropical forest fauna highlights the need for carbon‐based payments for ecosystem services schemes to include wildlife protection. We argue for three cost‐effective actions within carbon finance schemes that can facilitate wildlife protection: support land security opportunities for Indigenous peoples and local communities; provide support for local people to protect forest fauna from overexploitation; and focus on natural regeneration in restoration projects. Incorporating defaunation in carbon‐financing schemes more broadly requires an increased duration of carbon projects and an improved understanding of defaunation impacts on carbon stores and ecosystem‐level models. Without urgent action to halt wildlife losses and prevent empty forest syndrome, the crucial role of tropical forests in tackling climate change may be in jeopardy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This research investigates the benefits of the dairy value chain beyond food provision, and its contribution to inclusive sustainable development (ISDH) in European highlands. Transdisciplinary teams interviewed and analysed 11 cases related to the dairy value chain sourced from three highland regions in Europe: Alps (Austria, France, Italy), Massif Central (France), Pyrenees (Spain). Actors interviewed were farmers, cooperatives, retailers and associations. A systems thinking approach was applied to develop a conceptual map (Causal Loop Diagram, CLD) describing the contribution of the dairy value chain to ISDH, through the interpretation of the viewpoints of interviewed actors. For each case, the factors contributing to ISDH were identified, then clustered within related topics. Topics from all the cases were used to develop a CLD, and subsystems and leverage points identified. Six interconnected subsystems were identified: local resources, environment, dairy production, collaboration, supply chain and socio-economic. Four leverage points were also identified: public subsidies, feed autonomy, certification of product, and added value. In conclusion, the dairy value chain provides the following benefits aligned with the dimensions of ISDH: landscape maintenance and ecosystem services, quality of dairy products and added value, inclusive governance for actors, reduction of environmental impact, and local development. This model delivers a decision-making tool for the actors involved in the dairy value chain, to prioritise strategic interventions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sponge city stormwater management (SCSM) strategy in China aims for sustainable stormwater handling. While many studies have examined the technical aspects of sponge city green infrastructure (SCGI), few have explored public perspectives. This study sought to understand public perceptions, the perceived value of SCGI's ecosystem service benefits, and the potential for diverse financial compensation methods in sponge city construction. A survey conducted in five Northeastern Chinese cities, involving 1,534 participants, was analyzed using descriptive statistics and logistic regression. The findings reveal no significant correlation between socio-demographic factors and understanding of stormwater management, indicating the concept's broad accessibility. Public valuation of ecosystem services showed clear priorities, and factors like homeownership and flood experiences significantly impacted the valuation of specific services. Moreover, the study identified a generally positive public attitude towards investing in SCSM, particularly through stormwater fees, underscoring the viability of diverse funding mechanisms. These insights are pivotal for policymakers and urban planners in formulating sustainable and resilient urban water management strategies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Recent literature highlights the crucial role of deadwood in forests, emphasizing its contribution to biodiversity conservation, soil fertility, climate change mitigation, and bioenergy production. However, managing deadwood presents challenges as decision-makers must balance trade-offs and synergies between these ecological benefits. A participatory approach, incorporating user opinions, can support effective decision-making. This study surveyed 1207 university students from Iran, Italy, and Türkiye to explore their perceptions of deadwood's role and the potential trade-offs among climate change mitigation, biodiversity conservation, and bioenergy production. Results indicate a high level of awareness among students regarding deadwood's ecological functions, but preferences vary significantly across cultural and regional contexts. Results show that for students of all three countries, the most important function related to the deadwood in forests is the provision of microhabitats for wildlife, while in second place for Iranian students, there is bioenergy production, and for Turkish and Italian students, soil fertilization. In addition, results highlight that students prefer the management strategies based on leaving both standing dead trees and lying deadwood in the forest. This study reinforces existing literature on deadwood's importance for biodiversity and underscores the need for informed policies that balance ecological values with practical management considerations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The evolution of landscape patterns due to land use change and urbanization has a great impact on ecosystem services, especially on food production services. As natural ecosystems, exploring the spatial and temporal influence mechanisms of watershed landscape patterns on food production services can enhance the supply of food production services and maintain food security through landscape pattern optimization. This study took Jiangxi Province as the study area, and measured the spatial distribution of grain production services for five periods in 2000, 2005, 2010, 2015, and 2020; from three dimensions of shape, area, and spatial distribution, we selected the patch density (PD), the mean patch size (MPS), the patch cohesion index (COHESION), and the Landscape Shape Index (LSI) to measure the landscape pattern characteristics of the watershed unit; using spatio-temporal geographically weighted regression model to explore the influence mechanism of landscape pattern changes on grain production services; and based on the spatial heterogeneity of the influence mechanism to divide the landscape regulation zones, and put forward the proposal of zonal regulation of the landscape pattern. The results show that: 1) From 2000 to 2015, the overall supply of food production services in Jiangxi Province showed a fluctuating upward trend, and then fell back in 2015, with large differences in the capacity of food production services in various basins, and the center of gravity extended from the Poyang Lake Plain to the southwest, forming the aggregated distribution characteristics centered on the plains and basins, and the GP presented the pattern of Poyang Lake Plain > Jitai Basin > Gannan Hills > Northwestern Low Hilly Area. 2) During the period of 2000-2020, the landscape pattern was changed to a more heterogeneous landscape, and a proposal for zoning control of the landscape was made based on the influence mechanism.) During the period of 2000-2020, the direction and degree of change of landscape pattern index differ greatly, with the patch density and landscape shape index increasing by 5.35% and 1.39% respectively; the average patch area and landscape connectivity index decreasing by 5.14% and 0.68% respectively, and the landscape pattern tends to be complicated, fragmented and dispersed, and the landscape fragmentation is roughly presented as The landscape fragmentation is roughly in the distribution pattern of “high in the plains and basins, low in the mountains and hills; high in the north of Gan, low in the south of Gan”. 3) The spatial and temporal evolution of GP is the result of the joint action of many factors, and the influence of each landscape driving factor on GP shows a piecewise or bandwise spatial distribution pattern. Among them, cultivated land area, water density, and water shape have positive effects on GP, while water area, woodland density, and grassland shape have negative effects on GP.4) Summarizing the spatial differentiation characteristics of landscape factor coefficients, the study area is divided into four clustering areas, namely, northeast Gan monsoon area, Poyang Lake plain area, central main production area, and southern hilly area, and corresponding regional landscape regulation suggestions are proposed. The results of the study can provide reference for the enhancement of food production services and landscape pattern regulation in Jiangxi watersheds, and strengthen the pertinence of the regulation measures in the research unit. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Rural and urban green areas are essential territories that support life and ecosystems. The significant reduction of these areas due to urbanization is a pressing issue. The process of land take consumes not only land resources but also the connected ecosystems and the benefits generated for human society. Reducing the quantity of land taken is imperative, but preserving high-quality territories is essential to achieving sustainable development. Evaluating the quality of non-urbanized areas can be done by assessing the ecosystem services (ESs) provided by these areas. In this paper, the authors present a further step: an evolution and deepening of the previous methodology (published in 2020) to evaluate the quality of rural and urban green areas through the assessment of the ESs provided. The methodology first allows the identification of the ESs provided by different typologies of rural and urban green areas according to the common international classification of ESs (provisioning, regulation and maintenance, and cultural). Then, it allows the calculation of several singular indexes and a final composite quality index through the use of geographical information systems. An analytic hierarchy process was performed with the creation of different scenarios to consider the different importance of the singular indexes assigned by planners and communities involved. The methodology was applied to the province of Monza Brianza (Italy), for testing and validation purposes. The application to the municipality of Sovico, which is presented in this report, allowed for the identification of areas with higher quality in the different scenarios that were created to consider the relative importance of the territorial characteristics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Excessive anthropogenic activities affect landscape patterns and trigger a decrease in natural capital and the quality of life. Green infrastructures (GIs) are commonly accepted by scholars as solutions for restoring degraded areas and providing a variety of ecosystem services (ESs). On the other hand, the capacity to deliver ESs can be assumed as a relevant starting point for GIs analysis and planning. The assessment of ESs needs extensive investigation and applications to provide planners, policymakers, and institutional stakeholders with an adequate evaluation tool. The multifaceted nature of ES assessment implies the use of complex tools able to consider many concerns. In this regard, multicriteria analysis (MCA) is a very popular tool due to its capacity to intertwine a variety of issues rigorously and to support participatory and transparent decision-making in the public domain. In this study, we aim to contribute to the integration of GI design into spatial planning, starting with the assessment of the net benefit delivered to local society by a GI in the metropolitan area of Bordeaux (France). We assessed the net benefit by confronting the ESs deliverable by the GI and the cost sustained for its construction and maintenance. We applied an MCA-based method to the selection of the most efficient alternative out of three GI paths. We demonstrate that our method is useful for the assessment of cultural and regulating ESs, comparing the GI design alternatives, and considering the preference model of the stakeholders within GI planning and design. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Land users and policy makers recognize importance of soil health and these types of evaluations are welcomed within sustainable land management. The aim of this study was to establish minimum and maximum values of soil health index across the breadth of agricultural used soils of Slovakia. Core objectives included (1) identifying the range of soil health benchmarks; (2) defining benchmarks for different land uses, and (3) defining benchmarks of soil health index for main groups of agricultural soils in Slovakia. These benchmarks represent the first soil health metrics of their kind in Slovakia using data from 266 locations. The soil health index (SHI) approach has been used as a quantitative tool to establish linkage between soil health and soil ecosystem services. We recorded the highest average SHI value in the very warm climatic region of the Slovak Republic, where the majority of agriculturally used arable soils (with an optimal pH value without contamination) are located. The locality with lowest SHI value is in a slightly warm area on soil used as arable soil with a very small depth of humus horizon, with by the pH value in an acidic area, and with a high content of clay. The typical SHI in humus-rich soil groups of Slovakia (Mollic Fluvisols, Chernozems and Cutanhic Luvisols) is higher contrasted with the typical SHI in other soil groups of Slovakia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In managing ecosystem services (ESs), it is vital to understand and effectively regulate the trade-offs and synergies (ToSs) involved. This study investigates the Tianshan Mountains (TSMs), utilizing the InVEST (Integrated Valuation of ESs and Tradeoffs) model to evaluate ecosystem service changes from 2000 to 2020, while employing univariate linear regression to examine their spatiotemporal dynamics. Pearson correlation analysis was also conducted to assess how climatic variables (temperature and precipitation) and vegetation indicators (NDVI, normalized difference vegetation index) influence the overall ecosystem service benefits. The findings reveal notable spatial heterogeneity and dynamic shifts in ESs across the TSMs, with strong synergies observed between carbon storage (CS) and other services (such as habitat quality, HQ; soil conservation, SC; and water yield, WY), especially in areas experiencing increased vegetation. However, the connection between HQ and WY was comparatively weaker and occasionally exhibited negative correlations during specific periods, highlighting the intricate trade-offs among various services. The correlation analysis further showed that climate and vegetation changes significantly impact ecosystem service benefits, with declining precipitation and rising temperatures reducing these benefits, whereas higher NDVI was associated with improved service functions. Ultimately, this study emphasizes the necessity of recognizing and managing ToSs in ESs to promote sustainable regional ecosystem development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To establish a sound ecological compensation (EC) mechanism in the Xin'an River Basin, this study suggested utilizing ecosystem service valuation to determine the compensation amount. In this study, the first step was to establish a reasonable watershed EC model using the ecological compensation supply coefficient (ECSC) based on the value spillover theory (VST) of the ecosystem services and the ecological compensation demand coefficient (ECDC). The second step was to classify the ecosystem services of the Xin'an River Basin into three categories, including supply service, regulating service, and cultural service, with 14 specific functions to determine the ecological compensation standard accounting scope in these services. Then, a case study on the Xin'an River Basin for EC standards was presented. The total ecosystem service value (ESV) in the Xin'an River Basin was estimated to be CNY 70.271 billion, with supply service accounting for 22.7%, regulating service accounting for 24.6%, and cultural service accounting for 52.7%. Based on the compensation scope, the ecosystem service values for the upper and lower limits of the EC were calculated as CNY 57.779 billion and CNY 17.292 billion. Combined with the results of the ECSC and ECDC, the upper and lower limits of the EC standard in the Xin'an River Basin were computed to be CNY 4.085 billion and CNY 1.438 billion, respectively. Therefore, the ESV-based EC model for the Xin'an River Basin can effectively address the challenge of inadequate EC in the watershed. It also facilitates balanced regional development and serves as a theoretical foundation and empirical evidence for the government to establish a unified national policy on cross-border river basin ecological compensation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The editorial discusses the need for a more integrative approach to address contemporary socio-ecological challenges in urban spaces by recognizing nature's agency and potential partnership with human societies. It emphasizes the importance of fostering innovative and inclusive solutions to create diverse urban spaces that support resilient and sustainable futures. The research topic explores various perspectives on nature's role in urban systems, advocating for a paradigm shift towards more collaborative, inclusive, and sustainable urban environments that value diverse knowledge systems and perspectives. [Extracted from the article]

Ecosystems supply goods and services to humans and are the basis for sustainable development of human society. The study of the supply of ecosystem services and the demand and consumption of ecosystem services by human society, and the analysis of the supply and demand characteristics and flow relationships of ecosystem service flows are of great significance for the management of regional ecosystems and the development of ecological compensation. Taking the Yangtze River Economic Belt as an example, this paper calculates the supply and demand indices of ecosystem services in 2015 and 2020, and determines the ecosystem spatial flow paths and flow volumes from the ecosystem supply area to the demand area based on various methods and models such as the minimum cumulative resistance (MCR) model and distance decay model. The results indicate that 1). In 2015 and 2020, the supply and demand of ecosystem services in the Yangtze River Economic Zone show an increasing trend numerically, and there is spatial heterogeneity in the spatial distribution. In terms of ecosystem service supply per unit area, the midstream region is higher than the upstream and downstream regions. In terms of the demand for ecosystem services per unit area, the downstream is higher than the midstream and upstream. 2). From the supply-demand balance of ecosystem services in the Yangtze River Economic Zone, the midstream region is mainly the area of surplus supply of ecosystem services, and the downstream region is mainly the area of deficit supply. From 2015 to 2020, the number of areas with balanced supply and demand of ecosystem services in the Yangtze River Economic Belt decreases and the number of areas with unbalanced supply and demand increases, which is related to the changes in the level of economic development and land use patterns. 3). The flow of ecosystem services in the Yangtze River Economic Belt shows an increasing trend, from 726.59 billion yuan in 2015 to 1,450.54 billion yuan in 2020, with Jiangxi Province being the main ecosystem service supply area and Zhejiang Province being the main ecosystem service demand area in the Yangtze River Economic Belt. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Grasping how scale influences the interactions among ecosystem services (ESs) is vital for the sustainable management of multiple ESs at the regional level. However, it is currently unclear whether the actual ES interactions and their driving mechanisms are consistent across different spatial and temporal scales. Therefore, using the Lishui River Basin of China as a case study, we analyzed the spatial and temporal distribution of five key ESs across three scales (grid, sub-watershed, and county) from 2010 to 2020. We also innovatively used Pearson correlation analysis, Self-organizing Mapping (SOM), and random forest analysis to assess the dynamic trends of trade-offs/synergies among ESs, ecosystem service bundles (ESBs), and their main socio-ecological drivers across different spatiotemporal scales. The findings showed that (1) the spatial distribution of ESs varied with land use types, with high-value areas mainly in the western and northern mountainous regions and lower values in the eastern part. Temporally, significant improvements were observed in soil conservation (SC, 3028.23–5023.75 t/hm2) and water yield (WY, 558.79–969.56 mm), while carbon sequestration (CS) and habitat quality (HQ) declined from 2010 to 2020. (2) The trade-offs and synergies among ESs exhibited enhanced at larger scales, with synergies being the predominant relationship. These relationships remained relatively stable over time, with trade-offs mainly observed in ES pairs related to nitrogen export (NE). (3) ESBs and their socio-ecological drivers varied with scales. At the grid scale, frequent ESB flows and transformations were observed, with land use/land cover (LULC) being the main drivers. At other scales, climate (especially temperature) and topography were dominant. Ecosystem management focused on city bundles or downstream city bundles in the east of the basin, aligning with urban expansion trends. These insights will offer valuable guidance for decision-making regarding hierarchical management strategies and resource allocation for regional ESs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Weather extremes such as heavy rainfall and long periods of drought brought about by climate change put a strain on the environment and people. Cities can counter these weather extremes with blue-green infrastructure, usually focusing on plant-based solutions. The ecosystem services of plants offer added value to these systems. Bioretention systems are a central element of rainwater management, and pioneering research into the role of vegetation in bioretention systems has taken place in the USA and Australia. There are comparatively few publications from Europe. A systematic literature search was carried out in Web of Science using the PRISMA model. A search was made for articles that investigated the use of plants in bioretention systems in order to obtain information on practices and their use in the temperate climate of Central Europe. A strength of this review is the compilation of all species used and their reported vitality. A total of 391 taxa were described in the journals. For almost all plant species, their vitality, performance, or function in bioretention systems was only documented once. Only Carex appressa, Juncus effusus, and Panicum virgatum were examined multiple times. Of particular importance are the functional characteristics observed, which determine the survival of the plants and their ecosystem services for this application. An understanding of functional traits can be of particular assistance in selecting the right plants to optimize stormwater management. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Upscaling coastal nature-based solutions (NbSs), from the river to sea scale, essential to the ultimate success of restoration, requires larger investments, greater socio-economic engagement and a transformative shift in governance. Consequently, the ability to catalyze blended finance from public and private investors through business model innovation and accessibly written long-range business plans is imperative. This research proposes a methodology to systematically co-design, through iterative stakeholder engagement, suitable and effective business models for upscaling NbSs coastal restoration, as well as a framework to develop business plans adaptable to different investors needs and financial criteria. This method was tested and validated in a saltmarsh restoration project coordinated by public agencies in the Venice Lagoon. It delivered an advanced business model canvas, carefully assessed through a stakeholder questionnaire and a related business case centered on ecotourism complemented by a willingness-to-pay analysis. The resulting business plan lays out the governance, management, business and financial strategies for successful restoration, addressing specific interconnected issues, improving five main ecosystem services and delivering NbS multifunctional environmental, economic, social and cultural benefits. The methodology has proven to be applicable beyond the Venice Lagoon saltmarsh case and types of restoration projects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ecosystem services (ES) are the foundation for the survival and development of human society. It is of great significance to clarify the trade-off and synergy between different types of ES in promoting regional sustainable development. This paper selects the western Jilin Province as a case, focusing on exploring the trade-offs and synergies of ES in ecologically fragile areas, enriching the geographical types of research on the relationships between ecosystem services. Utilizing the Integrated Valuation of Ecosystem Services and Trade-offs (InVEST) model, this study focused on quantifying four pivotal services—carbon storage, water yield, soil conservation, and habitat quality index—over a two-decade span encompassing the years 2000, 2010, and 2020, and analyzed the trade-offs/synergies between the four ecosystem service functions. The results show that from 2000 to 2020, among the four ecosystem services, water yield and soil conservation increased by 13.57 × 109 m3 and 220.61 × 106 t, respectively, while carbon storage and habitat quality decreased by 5.09 × 106 milligrams and 0.01 units, respectively. At the regional scale, there were only synergistic relationships between carbon storage and soil conservation, and carbon storage and habitat quality. This study provides scientific references to promote sustainable development in the western Jilin Province and offers new insights into the trade-off and synergy of ecosystem services in ecologically fragile areas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Gulf of Mannar, a UNESCO World Biosphere Reserve, faces severe overfishing and habitat degradation threats. In this study, we investigate the pivotal role of ecosystem services in sustaining local livelihoods and overall well-being. By conducting a comprehensive survey of 480 respondents across two districts, we gathered extensive data on demographics, livelihoods, fishing practices, reliance on ecosystem services, and community management participation. The analysis reveals a critical dependence on the Gulf's resources (income, food security, traditions) with gender disparities (men fish, women in pre-/post-harvest). Still, fishing is only allowed in the 10 km buffer zone (not the core zone). The findings emphasize the promise of community-based strategies, such as Marine Protected Areas and reviving co-management committees, for achieving sustainable fisheries management. However, we also identify gaps, including the need for more nuanced well-being indicators and improved models for community management participation. To address these challenges, we advocate for sustainable fishing practices, tackling social inequities, especially gender disparities in resource access and decision-making, and investing in fishing communities' healthcare, education, and social safety nets. Promoting alternative livelihoods can alleviate pressure on fish stocks, and empowering local communities through capacity building and community-based management initiatives is crucial for ensuring the long-term sustainability of the Gulf of Mannar ecosystem and the well-being of its dependent communities. This multifaceted approach holds significant promise for balancing ecological health with human prosperity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This systematic review focused on the benefits of invasive alien plant species (IAPS) for human well-being. It examines the intellectual structure of knowledge of these benefits to identify knowledge gaps for future research and explore sustainable management practices to manage IAPS. The screening of bibliometric data from 1601 publications in Scopus based on the PRISMA protocol resulted in the identification of 69 publications for detailed review. The findings show an increasing trend in studies on IAPS benefits for human well-being since 2009. These benefits include provisioning services (food, medicines, fodder, bioenergy, and construction materials), regulating services (bioagents and shades), cultural services (aesthetics and ornamentals) and supporting services (soil and land reclamation). Additionally, the findings reveal geographical disparity in the distribution of research produced by researchers from different regions, with most research produced in Europe and limited to Africa, the Americas, and Oceania. The findings also show skewness in the management practices of IAPS, though some of them enhance IAPS benefits. Furthermore, there are limited applications of interdisciplinary approaches to investigate the benefits of IAPS for human well-being. Employing interdisciplinary mixed methodologies may help to generate new knowledge with a better understanding of complex interactions between IAPS and human well-being. Given the unique sociocultural, economic, and ecological settings of the IAPS, future research is expected to include comparative perspectives on how different countries and regions use the IAPS for their benefit while considering both the positive and negative impacts of the IAPS on human well-being to develop sustainable management practices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Increases in the abundance of woody species have been reported to affect the provisioning of ecosystem services in drylands worldwide. However, it is virtually unknown how multiple biotic and abiotic drivers, such as climate, grazing, and fire, interact to determine woody dominance across global drylands. We conducted a standardized field survey in 304 plots across 25 countries to assess how climatic features, soil properties, grazing, and fire affect woody dominance in dryland rangelands. Precipitation, temperature, and grazing were key determinants of tree and shrub dominance. The effects of grazing were determined not solely by grazing pressure but also by the dominant livestock species. Interactions between soil, climate, and grazing and differences in responses to these factors between trees and shrubs were key to understanding changes in woody dominance. Our findings suggest that projected changes in climate and grazing pressure may increase woody dominance in drylands, altering their structure and functioning. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The recent expansion of the aquaculture industry into the offshore marine environment is perceived to have a comparatively low environmental impact coupled with a high growth potential as a sustainable, large‐scale source of healthy protein. This study assessed changes in sediment characteristics and infauna assemblages following the development of the first large‐scale offshore longline mussel farm in the United Kingdom. By evaluating the effects of the farm on the sediment ecosystem and by studying infaunal sediment environmental parameters along a distance gradient away from the farm, the first before–after control–impact (BACI) study of an offshore shellfish farm is presented. Sediment grabs from the farm and control sites were analysed for sediment parameters (organic matter content (OM), particle size (PS), oxidation–reduction or redox potential (ORP) and trace elements) and infauna assemblages. There was no difference in sediment organic matter levels between the farm and control sites. Within the farm, the mean sediment grain size and ORP increased over time. Trace element concentrations were the lowest within farm sites compared to outside; concentrations increased with increasing distance from the farm. A total of 76 benthic macrofauna taxa were identified, with polychaetes being the dominant class. Over time, the number of taxa significantly increased within the farm while remaining relatively constant in control samples. Biodiversity metrics, including abundance and Shannon and Pielou's index, were all greater within the farm compared to control areas. Overall, measures of assemblage health were higher within the farm than outside. This study demonstrates the long‐term aquaculture–environment interactions that offshore shellfish farming can have on the seabed and its significance in terms of ecosystem services. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In mountainous areas, wild edible plants are an important part of the local diet. Climate change and anthropogenic activities have profound effects on wild edible plants in these areas. Ethnobotanical studies are important for understanding the use patterns and harvest impacts on these plants. In this regard, the Shahrood region, with its diverse historical/ethnic background, is an appropriate starting point to investigate exploitation patterns and impacts of harvest of wild edible plants. During 2021–2022, ethnobotanical surveys were conducted in 12 villages in the region using semi-structured interviews and participatory observations. Data collection included assessing wild edible plant species diversity, their habitats, collection time and quantities, plant parts used and methods of consumption and preparation. The data were analyzed using use report indicators, relative frequency of citations, and use value (UV). A total of 1086 use reports were documented from a total of 44 interviews. A total of 67 wild species (66 plants and 1 fungus) belonging to 54 genera and 24 families were used as edible in the study area. Rosaceae (9 species), Apiaceae (8), Lamiaceae (8), Asteraceae (7), and Amaryllidaceae (5) were the families with the most reported species. Allium (5 species) was the most diverse genus in terms of species diversity. Herbs were the most commonly used life form (79.1%), followed by shrubs (13.4%) and trees (6%). The most consumed plant parts were young leaves (25%) and young aerial parts (21.4%). There were 13 use categories identified. The majority of edible plants were collected in April–May, mainly from areas nearby villages (37.7%) and rangelands (33.7%). The most important edible plants in the study area were Allium iranicum (Wendelbo) Wendelbo (UV = 1.7), Mentha longifolia (L.) Huds. (1.5), Allium umbilicatum Boiss. (1.47), Tragopogon graminifolius DC. (1.38), Lepidium draba L. (1.27), Urtica dioica L. (1.18), Falcaria vulgaris Bernh. (1.13), Malva neglecta Wallr. (1.11) and Eremurus sp. (1.09). Our results showed diverse and valuable knowledge for wild edible plants in this region, which should be considered in the conservation and management plans in the region. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Current studies on nature-based solutions (NBS) in urban areas often overlook young people, who are essential users of urban spaces. Our study from the Czech Republic fills this gap by investigating how children (Generation Z, 11–15 years) perceive 12 NBS and 3 grey infrastructure measures and their ecosystem services (ES). Results from an image-based questionnaire survey indicate that water features, trees and flower beds are the most attractive for spending leisure time, while most other features were perceived as relatively unattractive by the children surveyed. In addition, the results highlight oxygen production as the most valued service by children, followed by biodiversity support and aesthetic function. This study emphasises the need for inclusive management of NBS and recognises the role of multiple stakeholders, including children, in creating attractive urban spaces.Key policy highlights Exploring the preferences of Generation Z towards different nature-based solutionsSome measures and benefits were perceived as more attractive and importantWater features, trees, and flower beds were rated as the most attractive measuresOxygen provisioning, biodiversity, and aesthetics were identified as the most important benefitsChildren and young people are essential users of urban nature and public spacesExploring the preferences of Generation Z towards different nature-based solutionsSome measures and benefits were perceived as more attractive and importantWater features, trees, and flower beds were rated as the most attractive measuresOxygen provisioning, biodiversity, and aesthetics were identified as the most important benefitsChildren and young people are essential users of urban nature and public spaces [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Under the EU's new "Farm to Fork" strategy, crop production systems should rapidly become more environmentally friendly. In particular, by adopting agroecological measures that support functional biodiversity and improve ecosystem services for crop production, this paper contributes to the ongoing efforts in characterizing the socio-economic effects that the upscaling of these measures entails, by looking into two key measures: flower strips and mulching. One important socio-economic aspect of their adoption is their potential impact on agricultural income; however, knowledge on costs and benefits of measures enhancing functional biodiversity at the farm level is still limited. In order to improve these shortcomings our approach makes use of data from field experiments completed with interviews to provide cost–benefit results for flower strips and organic mulching. The estimations show that for "flower strips," on average costs could be covered by compensation payments. Regarding the in-crop measure "organic mulching," the benefits potentially outweigh the costs under the frame conditions of organic agriculture. The analysis also highlights some obstacles and knowledge gaps in the estimation of benefits, especially for off-crop measures like flower strips. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Agricultural intensification and changing landscape structure led to decreasing numbers of arable flora and fauna during the last decades. To counteract these declines, arable plant diversity needs to be restored. It is important to promote regional plant communities including endangered species to ensure adaption to agricultural landscapes. Therefore, this study examines the development of arable plant diversity, crop yield and the reintroduction success of rare arable plants (RAPs) under different practical farming strategies in cereals from 2019 to 2021 in southwestern Germany. Farming strategies varied regarding weed control intensity (none, mechanical, herbicide with and without efficiency gap), fertilisation (mineral and none) and row spacing (12.5 cm and 20 cm). Additionally, two different seed mixtures containing RAP and common species were used for reintroduction: one commercially available and another self‐composed. Reintroduction success was quite high with more than 80% establishment rate. Species numbers doubled in all treatments over time, except the one with herbicide application, with on average 8–10 species emerging from the soil seed bank. Reintroduction of RAP increased arable plant species richness further up to 37 species. The site‐adapted mixture showed in the end a site‐typical weed community. Yield was significantly lower in treatments with reintroduction via sown mixtures and no weed control, losing on average 65% yield. The reintroduction of RAP was successful and accompanied by an increasing floral diversity, however, with a simultaneous yield loss. Financial incentives or subsidies are therefore still necessary to compensate yield loss for reintroduction and conservation efforts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Oyster reef living shorelines are popular solutions to mitigate coastal hazards while providing ecosystem services, and their hydrodynamic characteristics deserve further examination. This paper reports an experimental and numerical study of the hydrodynamic behavior of a bagged oyster shell (BOS) reef under regular waves. The dependence of the pore pressure within the reef and the hydrodynamic coefficients on the reef height, length, porosity, and wave parameters are investigated. The results show that the normalized maximum pore pressure p s _ m ∗ decreases from the seaside of the BOS reef to its leeside and decreases with increasing dimensionless reef length. With increasing wave steepness, p s _ m ∗ fluctuates with an overall increasing trend. With increasing BOS reef porosity, p s _ m ∗ decreases at seaside locations and increases at leeside locations; simultaneously, the wave reflection coefficient Kr and the wave dissipation coefficient Kd decrease, and the wave transmission coefficient Kt increases. With increasing wave steepness for a given wave period, Kr and Kt tend to increase, but Kd exhibits the opposite trend. As the dimensionless reef height and length increase, Kt decreases and Kd increases. Multivariate nonlinear regression and genetic programming-based symbolic regression methods are individually used to derive two formulas for predicting the wave transmission coefficient, with the formula from the latter method being found to give a higher prediction accuracy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Defaunation is an increasingly pervasive process, reaching ever larger spatial scales worldwide. We integrated data on thousands of putative local mammal assemblages across the Neotropics into 518 metacommunities to predict the phylogenetic trait‐based effects of regional defaunation—here defined as meta‐extirpation (i.e. extinction at the metacommunity level)—on dozens of putative ecosystem services (ESs). Further, based on 1029 real‐world mammal assemblages coalesced into 236 metacommunities, we assessed the spatial extent of meta‐extirpations across the Neotropics, while empirically quantifying losses in ESs in comparison with putative scenarios. Using observed data, we also sought to understand changes in the mean body size of metacommunities for different dietary guilds. We examined patterns of mammal diversity, evaluated the erosion of ESs based on ecological networks and measured the relationships between diversity metrics and ESs via dissimilarity arrangements and generalized linear models. Meta‐extirpation regimes lead to a mean loss of 49.6% of the ESs provided by Neotropical mammals within metacommunities, whereas real‐world meta‐extirpations derived 47.2% of ES loss. We show that simulated meta‐extirpations penalizing large‐bodied species, induced the most severe losses in ESs. Regional‐scale meta‐extirpations lead to changes in the metabolic allometry and trophic structure of consumers, inducing significant metacommunity downsizing. We conclude that once‐thriving mammal‐mediated roles in natural ecosystems are fading, with significant consequences for human livelihoods. Many mammal populations have succumbed in several Neotropical ecoregions; so it is critical to protect representative fractions of Neotropical landscapes and regional species pools. Finally, we reinforce the appeal for effective conservation action, given that meta‐extirpations are already a global reality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The survival of relict Taxus wallichiana var. wallichiana (Yunnan yew) is threatened by overexploitation for its quality wood and medicinal properties, particularly for taxol extraction. Understanding the current status of its communities and populations is crucial for protecting existing natural forest resources. We established 53 vegetation plots in Yunnan, southwestern China, where T. wallichiana var. wallichiana is the primary dominant species. These plots were classified into four forest types. The forests were multi-stratified, with T. wallichiana var. wallichiana frequently dominating the subcanopy and shrub layer. Species diversity indices did not significantly differ among the four forest types. The age structure of T. wallichiana var. wallichiana exhibited a multi-modal pattern, with a maximum age of 1165 years. Growth was slow, with an average radial growth rate of 0.78 mm/year. Despite its strong sprouting ability, the species had a poor seedling/sapling bank and suffered from inadequate regeneration. Its seedlings/saplings are shade-intolerant. This study provides a scientific basis for effective conservation strategies, emphasizing the need for in situ regeneration to ensure the survival of T. wallichiana var. wallichiana and its contributions to biodiversity and ecosystem services. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Coastal grasslands host diverse arthropod communities and provide important ecosystem services. Islands, being isolated environments, are expected to have simpler ecosystems than continental areas, with the few successful colonizing species often attaining high densities; however, these patterns are still poorly documented for coastal grassland arthropods. We conducted a comparative study of the biodiversity of arthropod communities in two distinct coastal grassland ecosystems (Portugal mainland and the Azores) with the following objectives: (a) to investigate the arthropod community composition in both locations; (b) to compare the diversity profiles in both locations; (c) to investigate potential density compensation in the island's arthropod communities. For four months, arthropods were collected on the Island of São Miguel, Setúbal Peninsula, and Sine's region and subsequently classified into taxonomic groups. With the data collected, Hill Numbers were calculated for each region. We confirmed that the richness on the mainland was higher than in the Azores, and we found some apparent abundance compensation in the Azores. At the same time, we also observed that many species in the Azores are also present in the continental coastal grasslands of mainland Portugal. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Wilderness areas are important in maintaining biodiversity, and "retaining existing intact and wilderness areas" is listed as the first of 21 action targets for 2030 in the first draft of the post-2020 Global Biodiversity Framework. However, the quantity and quality of regional-scale wilderness mapping and identification of priority areas for conservation are still insufficient. Here, an approach integrating Boolean and Multi-Criteria Evaluation is used to conduct wilderness mapping, and priority conservation areas are identified based on ecosystem service values and the current status of wilderness protection in protected areas in the state-owned forest region of Daxing'anling. It is found that the wilderness areas account for 96.72% of the total area of the study area, of which high-quality wilderness areas constitute for 50.34% of the total area of wilderness areas, and the quality of wilderness is greatly affected by the railroads. Secondly, wilderness areas have higher ecosystem service values per square kilometer than non-wilderness areas, except for food supply service. In addition, 72.26% of the wilderness areas are not protected, and 52.26% of these high-quality wilderness areas with high ecosystem service values still have conservation gaps. This study can provide data support and scientific reference for future wilderness conservation works in different regions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The cultivation of perennial flowering wild plant species like common tansy (Tanacetum vulgare L.) seems promising for increasing biodiversity friendliness in rather monotonous bioenergy cropping systems in Central Europe, particularly on marginal sites. However, it is still unclear for which types of marginal agricultural land common tansy would be suitable and where; as a result, low-risk indirect land-use change biomass production through common tansy could be considered. Therefore, the aim of this study was to gather initial insights into the suitability of common tansy for sandy sites by means of a 6 L-pot experiment. For this purpose, five replicates of three substrates were prepared: Luvisol topsoil (control) from a field site near the University of Hohenheim, Germany; and admixtures of 50 and 83.4weight(wt)% of sand to the control (M1, and M2), respectively. This resulted in varying sand contents of the substrates of 4.7 (control), 53.3 (M1), and 83.0wt% (M2). In autumn 2021, common tansy seeds were collected from mother plants bearing the breeder's indentifier 'Z.8TAV 85/78'. These plants were part of a long-term field trial initiated at Hohenheim in 2014, where common tansy was grown as part of a wild plant mixture. In June 2022, 0.5 g of the seeds were sown in each pot. The pots were placed in outdoor conditions, arranged in a randomized complete block design and watered evenly as required. At harvest in July 2023, significant differences between the substrates in terms of the above- (shoots) and belowground (roots) development of the common tansy seedlings were observed. In M1, common tansy provided notable biomass growth of 56.6% of the control, proving to be potentially suitable for low-input cultivation under sandy soil conditions. However, an even higher share of sand and low nutrient contents in M2 resulted in minor plant development (14.4% of the control). Hence, field trials on sandy soils of about 50wt% of sand in the texture under tailored fertilization and various climatic conditions are recommended. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: This study analyzed the effect of forest plantations on the taxonomic and functional diversity of dung beetles in comparison to natural forests in southern Ecuador. The results indicated a greater abundance of generalist species in the plantations, likely due to their high level of adaptation to disturbances and their presence in nearby forests. This could be attributed to the proximity of these areas to urban zones, which may influence the dung beetle community, as their primary food source depends on mammals. However, this study highlights the lack of information on this topic in the Neotropics, particularly in Ecuador, suggesting that further research is needed to compare and validate these findings. This study sheds light on the complex relationship between land use, biodiversity, and the functional traits of dung beetles in Ecuador. The results indicate that the richness and abundance of dung beetles vary across different land uses and regions, with forests generally having a positive impact, while eucalyptus and pine plantations have a negative effect in certain areas. Specific indicator species, such as Homocopris buckleyi for forest areas and Onthophagus curvicornis for eucalyptus plantations, were identified. This study also found that functional diversity analysis, based on morphological traits, revealed that certain traits, such as biomass, pronotum width, head width, and elytra length, were significant contributors to differences in dung beetle communities across various land uses and regions. This study highlights the potential conservation value of certain modified habitats and emphasizes the importance of considering both taxonomic and functional diversity when assessing the impact of land use on the ecosystem services provided by dung beetles. It underscores the potential value of plantations as refuges for dung beetle communities and the need for long-term assessments to better understand biodiversity changes over time. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Climate change is increasingly recognized as a critical factor driving shifts in the distribution of dominant tree species within various forest ecosystems, including evergreen, deciduous, and thorn forests. These shifts pose significant threats to biodiversity and the essential ecosystem services that forests provide. In Tamil Nadu, India, where forest ecosystems are integral to both ecological balance and local livelihoods, there is an urgent need to predict potential changes in species distributions under future climate scenarios to inform effective conservation strategies. This study addresses this need by utilizing the MaxEnt species distribution model to assess the habitat suitability of dominant tree species in these forest types. The analysis spans current conditions (baseline period 1985–2014) and future projections (2021–2050) under the SSP2-4.5 emissions scenario, leveraging bioclimatic variables at a 1 km resolution. Key climatic factors such as annual mean temperature, precipitation of the driest month, and precipitation seasonality were identified as major drivers of habitat suitability, particularly in the Eastern and Western Ghats of Tamil Nadu. Model projections suggest a potential decrease in suitable habitat area by 32% for evergreen species and 18% for deciduous species, whereas thorn forest species might experience a 71% increase in suitable area. These findings underscore the critical need for targeted conservation actions to mitigate anticipated habitat losses and bolster the resilience of these vital forest ecosystems in the face of ongoing climate change. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Understanding the growth efficiency of individual trees, or growth per unit of resource utilization, can inform silvicultural management strategies to maximize tree and stand growth. Stand structure—the size and spatial distributions of trees within the stand—strongly influences water, light, and nutrient availability, as well as the resource-use efficiency of each tree. Key silvicultural tools for stand management include manipulating tree density, size distribution, and arrangement by controlling natural regeneration, artificial seeding, planting seedlings, and/or subsequent thinning of established trees. We analyzed two sets of plots from even-aged stands of common coniferous species in central Spain, 106 pure Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris) and 92 pure Mediterranean pine (Pinus pinaster), to examine the dynamics of the dominance hypothesis, the relationship between stand structure and growth, and the relationship between structure and growth efficiency. Our main findings revealed a negative impact of size-class uniformity on stand growth in both Scots pine and Mediterranean pine, while the positive effect of tree size on growth efficiency was supported for Mediterranean pine stands but uncertain for Scots pine. At the operational level, our results highlight how thinning intensity is more important than the thinning method in Mediterranean pinewoods and how thinning can benefit the provision of multiple ecosystem services. We also recommend integrating dominance effects on growth into individual tree modelling. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Seagrasses are critical coastal habitats that provide numerous ecosystem services. The inherent patchiness within meadows exerts a significant influence on the flow‐vegetation interaction, which, in turn, affects the array of services provided by these environments. We present field observations of vegetation distribution and hydrodynamic measurements within and surrounding an approximately 2 m diameter gap (bare sediment) in a fragmented seagrass meadow. We show that variability in mean flows and turbulence is correlated with meadow structure at small (O (100 m)) and large (O (102 m)) spatial scales. Our observations reveal that bare gaps within seagrass meadows lead to faster flows and lower bed elevations. Despite slower flow speeds above the dense seagrass adjacent to the gap, the rates of dissipation of turbulent energy above the vegetation are typically around an order of magnitude larger than above the bare bed. Associated with this enhanced dissipation of turbulent energy, we observed a dominance of down‐deceleration events promoting fluid exchange and mixing and driving mass flux into the canopy. Analysis of directional variograms demonstrates that the major continuity axis within NDVI (normalized difference vegetation index) imagery (used as a proxy for vegetation biomass) coincides with the major axis of flow on both gap and meadow scales. Conversely, along the axis of minor flow variance, vegetation remains dense and exhibits greater uniformity. These findings indicate a feedback mechanism between seagrass meadow patchiness and spatial structure through flow modification, which may be beneficial for plant development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Many tidal marshes have been lost by past land use changes, but are nowadays increasingly restored and created to provide valuable ecosystem services such as nature‐based flood and erosion protection along estuarine shorelines. To be functional for flood and shoreline erosion protection, restored and created tidal marshes should develop erosion resistant sediment beds. Here, we investigated which factors drive the spatial variations in sediment strength and erosion resistance in a developing tidal marsh restoration site. Our results show that decreasing tidal inundation frequency, decreasing sedimentation rate, and better drainage led to stronger consolidation in deeper sediment layers. This consolidation resulted in greater sediment strength, quantified here by shear strength and penetration resistance. Generally, sediment strength was greater when sediment had higher bulk density, while a higher water and fine fraction (= clay and silt) content decreased sediment strength. Overall, all measurement locations were relatively erosion resistant, likely caused by the dense root network and cohesive sediment. To restore or create resilient tidal marshes for nature‐based flood and shoreline erosion protection, we should thus aim for sites with relatively low tidal inundation frequency, moderate sedimentation rates, and cohesive sediment mixtures of clay, silt, and sand, which are well drained and have potential for vegetation establishment. These conditions have a high likelihood of resulting in restored or created tidal marshes that contribute to nature‐based flood and shoreline erosion protection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Holopelagic Sargassum spp. (sargassum) are the founding species of diverse communities in the Sargasso Sea. Since 2011, a new area of concentration of these algae was formed in the equatorial North Atlantic and Caribbean Sea. We analyzed elemental composition, and the small mobile fauna associated with sargassum collected at 41 stations, during two expeditions in the Caribbean Sea in 2018 and 2019, that covered open-sea stations in two marine ecoregions, and coastal stations (< 20 km from the shore) in one of them. Metal(loid) concentrations generally followed the order As > Zn > Cu > Cd > Se > Pb > Hg, and contents of As (195.5 ± 13.7 µg g−1), Cd (0.59 ± 0.02 µg g−1), and Hg (0.22 ± 0.09 µg g−1) were highest in S. fluitans III in the South-Western-Caribbean ecoregion. Mean [Ctot] per ecoregion varied between 26.1 and 30.1 mg g−1, and variation was mainly accounted for by higher [Cinorg] (likely produced by calcifying epibionts) in the South-Western Caribbean (10.12) compared to the Western Caribbean (8.92 and 7.19); this tendency that was also found for [Ntot] (between 1.06 and 1.27), and these contents were positively correlated with seawater chlorophyll concentrations. Sixty-six taxa of mobile fauna were identified, with the phylum Arthropoda being most abundant and diverse. The faunal community composition was similar in both open-sea regions, but differed in the coastal stations, which was mostly explained by differential relative abundance of Latreutes fucorum, Carpias minutus, Litiopa melanostoma, and some fish species. The Caribbean open-sea rafts harbor a diverse fauna comparable to that found in the Sargasso Sea, and likely provide similar ecosystem services, and thus merit similar protective efforts as those directed towards sargassum in the Sargasso Sea. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Assessing resilience of wildfire-prone social-ecological systems (SES) can provide a baseline for decision makers and inform future management actions. In this study, we measure stakeholder perceptions of how SES resilience was influenced by historic 2020-wildfire events in northern Colorado and what actions they think are needed to enhance future resilience to wildfire. We developed a contextualized set of resilience principles and indicators based on the literature and expert opinion that included ecological, ecosystem service, and social categories. We conducted 15 stakeholder interviews and 37 surveys to characterize subjective measures of SES resilience. Stakeholders perceived that the resilience of ecological indicators pre- and post-wildfires remained mostly unchanged, but that ecosystem service indicators were negatively affected and social indicators positively affected. Related to future resilience, stakeholders underscored a need for more strategic fuel treatments, especially prescribed fire, and more collaboration and engagement across landowner types. Our findings highlight that wildfire events can have negative and positive effects on components of SES resilience, underscoring the need to disaggregate resilience components. Additionally, we find that stakeholder perceptions of resilience are in line with the literature on objective measures of post-wildfire resilience, suggesting that expert opinion can be used as a reliable method to measure resilience indicators in some contexts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Existing studies on the vulnerability assessment of ecological drought often focus on analyzing vegetation phenotypic characteristics, overlooking the impact of drought on ecosystem services. This study proposes an ecosystem vulnerability assessment method under ecological drought stress from the perspective of ecosystem service value (ESV), considering the characteristics and interactions of hazard-causing factors and hazard-bearing bodies. The spatiotemporal evolution of ecological drought, the spatial characteristics of ecosystem vulnerability, and the vulnerability characteristics of different ecosystem types in the North China region from 1991 to 2021 were evaluated. The results showed that: (1) ecological drought exhibited a trend of intensification followed by alleviation, with the most severe droughts occurring between 2002 and 2011, affecting up to 64.3% of the region; (2) ESV was mainly influenced by vegetation cover and precipitation gradients, displaying a spatial pattern of high values in the southeast and low values in the northwest, with total ESV averaging CNY 18.23 trillion; (3) grasslands exhibited higher sensitivity to drought compared to forests, and the sensitivity was higher in summer and autumn than in winter and spring. This method assessed the vulnerability of ecological drought from the perspective of ecosystem services, providing a new approach for a more comprehensive understanding of the impact of drought on ecosystem service functions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

China's arid regions are particularly vulnerable to the adverse effects of climate change and human activities, which pose threats to habitat quality. Consequently, evaluations of these effects are vital for devising ecological strategies and initiating regional remediation efforts. However, environmental variations in arid areas can cause habitat quality fluctuations, which complicates precise assessments. This study introduces a refined methodology that integrates remote sensing data and field survey biomass data to modify the habitat quality estimates obtained from the InVEST model in the Altai region over three decades. A comparative analysis of the unmodified, normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI)-modified and biomass-modified habitat quality estimates was conducted. The results revealed an improvement in the correlation between habitat quality and field observations, with a significant increase in the R2 value from 0.129 to 0.603. The unmodified model exhibits subtle variations in habitat quality in mountainous areas, with a slight decline in the plains. However, the modified model shows an increasing trend in mountainous areas. This finding contrasts with the reductions in mountains typically reported by other studies. The refined approach accurately expresses the variations in habitat quality across different habitat types, with declines in forested areas and improvements in shrubland and grassland regions. This model is suitable for arid regions and accommodates urban and agricultural ecosystems affected by human activities, offering empirical data for biodiversity and habitat management. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study simulated the spatiotemporal changes in coastal ecosystem services (ESs) in the Jiaodong Peninsula from 2000 to 2050 and analyzed the driving mechanisms of climate change and human activities with respect to ESs, aiming to provide policy recommendations that promote regional sustainable development. Future climate change and land use were forecast based on scenarios from the Coupled Model Intercomparison Project Phase 6 (CMIP6). The Integrated Valuation of Ecosystem Services and Tradeoffs (InVEST) model was used to assess ESs such as water yield (WY), carbon storage (CS), soil retention (SR), and habitat quality (HQ). Key drivers of ESs were identified using Structural Equation Modeling (SEM). Results demonstrate the following: (1) High WY services are concentrated in coastal built-up areas, while high CS, HQ, and SR services are mainly found in the mountainous and hilly regions with extensive forests and grasslands. (2) By 2050, CS and HQ will show a gradual degradation trend, while the annual variations in WY and SR are closely related to precipitation. Among the different scenarios, the most severe ES degradation occurs under the SSP5-8.5 scenario, while the SSP1-2.6 scenario shows relatively less degradation. (3) SEM analysis indicates that urbanization leads to continuous declines in CS and HQ, with human activities and topographic factors controlling the spatial distribution of the four ESs. Climate factors can directly influence WY and SR, and their impact on ESs is stronger in scenarios with higher human activity intensity than in those with lower human activity intensity. (4) Considering the combined effects of human activities and climate change on ESs, we recommend that future development decisions be made to rationally control the intensity of human activities and give greater consideration to the impact of climate factors on ESs in the context of climate change. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Tidal flats, a critical part of coastal wetlands, offer unique ecosystem services and functions. However, in China, these areas are under significant threat from industrialization, urbanization, aquaculture expansion, and coastline reconstruction. There is an urgent need for macroscopic, accurate and periodic tidal flat resource data to support the scientific management and development of coastal resources. At present, the lack of macroscopic, accurate and periodic high-resolution tidal flat maps in China greatly limits the spatio-temporal analysis of the dynamic changes of tidal flats in China, and is insufficient to support practical management efforts. In this study, we used the Google Earth Engine (GEE) platform to construct multi-source intensive time series remote sensing image collection from Sentinel-2 (MSI), Landsat 8 (OLI) and Landsat 9 (OLI-2) images, and then automated the execution of improved MSIC-OA (Maximum Spectral Index Composite and Otsu Algorithm) to process the collection, and then extracted and analyzed the tidal flat data of China in 2018 and 2023. The results are as follows: (1) the overall classification accuracy of the tidal flat in 2023 is 95.19%, with an F1 score of 0.92. In 2018, these values are 92.77% and 0.88, respectively. (2) The total tidal flat area in 2018 and 2023 is 8300.34 km2 and 8151.54 km2, respectively, showing a decrease of 148.80 km2. (3) In 2023, estuarine and bay tidal flats account for 54.88% of the total area, with most tidal flats distribute near river inlets and bays. (4) In 2023, the total length of the coastline adjacent to the tidal flat is 10,196.17 km, of which the artificial shoreline accounts for 67.06%. The development degree of the tidal flat is 2.04, indicating that the majority of tidal flats have been developed and utilized. The results can provide a valuable data reference for the protection and scientific planning of tidal flat resources in China. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Important expectations are placed globally on the private sector to take part in co‐governing sustainability challenges. With increasing recognition that business organizations depend and impact on natural capital, biodiversity, and related ecosystem services, it has become pivotal for companies to be able to appraise and manage such issues. This calls for developing avenues through which biodiversity and ecosystem services can be incorporated in sustainability accounting (as well as reporting and response practices) by individual organizations, without neglecting a value chain‐wide perspective, and aligning that with existing efforts for public accounting of natural capital, against the overall framework of national and global sustainability goal and targets. This article addresses such a call by elaborating on the contributions of ecosystem services to business organizations and illustrating the two main challenges related to feeding private sector data into national accounting of natural capital and ecosystem services; and to understand how the two challenges identified in the previous point can be addressed by companies, we provide an overview of the fragmented landscape of management systems, approaches, methods, and initiatives dedicated to monitoring, reporting on, and responding to biodiversity and ecosystem services issues at the organizational and value chain level. We conclude by offering reflections on how to foster a shift from one‐off assessments at the company level to more systematic and comprehensive ones along the value chain. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]